First Year Seminar (FYS) Course Descriptions

Fall 2008 Course Listing

Catalog Description: First Year Seminars (FYS) are writing intensive, topic courses that introduce students to academic thought, discourse and practices. FYS courses prepare and orient students toward productive and fulfilling college careers by actively engaging them in a specific academic area of interest. Students will improve their writing, reading, research, and basic information and technology skills while learning to work both collaboratively and independently. These courses will fulfill the First Year Seminar requirement and may fulfill other requirements for the Core Curriculum. Each course may fulfill different requirements and topics may change each semester. Only one FYS course may be taken for credit.

Prerequisites for 199 courses: Open to all freshmen with a writing placement score of 3 or above or a SAT score of 500 or above

Students with 24 or more transfer credits will have this requirement waived.
 

ANTH 199-001	Food, Feasting, and Folly
MWF 9:05-9:55	Dr. E. Brenner

Our first year seminar takes students on a journey through time, into the human consciousness, and into the human condition. We begin with an exploration of modes of food-getting in prehistory, from hunting-and-gathering through the emergence of agriculture, noting how each form of food-getting impacts physical health, environmental sustainability, sociopolitical organization, and belief systems. We continue with a cross-cultural examination of contemporary and historic forms of feasting, delving into the meanings and functions they hold for participants. The course ends with a confrontation with hunger in the world today, focusing on how and why individuals, families, and communities lose their entitlements to food. (Social and Behavioral Science Core Distribution)

 

ANTH 199-002	Chimpanzees: Our Forest Cousins
MWF 11:15-12:05	Dr. E. Ingmanson

Cute and cuddly or aggressive and dangerous beasts? What is the reality of the chimpanzee, our closest living biological relatives? How many species are there, anyway? These are the questions we will be exploring this semester, examining what science tells us about the chimpanzees - their unique characteristics, fascinating behavior, where they are found, and their status as endangered species. We will be using readings and videos by Jane Goodall and other field researchers, as well as popular media sources. Find out what Flo, Fifi, Gilga, Figan and Kame, have to tell us about what it means to be a chimpanzee, and about being human. (Social and Behavioral Science Core Distribution)

 

ANTH 199-003	Who Owns the Past?
TR 3:25-4:40	Dr. C. Hoffman

Archaeology studies past human cultures on the basis of the things they made, used, and discarded. When archaeologists discover sites, they have a well-defined process for excavating, identifying, preserving, interpreting, and displaying the results of their work. But not all of the past is recovered by archaeologists - there is a thriving billion-dollar international black market in antiquities. Cultural items entail a whole series of ethical issues, whether they have been removed using scientific methods or unsystematically by antiquities collectors and black marketeers. We will explore the ways in which these ethical dilemmas play out in the debate over the past among archaeologists, historians, landowners, indigenous peoples, collectors, and governments. (Social and Behavioral Science Core Distribution)

 

ARTH 199-001	Art as National Identity
MWF 11:15-12:05	Prof. J. Hooker

In this course students explore the use of art to create a national identity. Students rediscover works of art that have been imprinted on the American mind, namely The Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, and Maya Lin’s Vietnam Memorial. Students also begin to expand their knowledge of and interest in patriotic work from around the globe in the past and present. Students will research how contemporary artists are questioning and re-presenting the relationship between art and country and the controversies that ensue. (Fine and Performing Arts Core Distribution)

 

ARTH 199-002	Writing Through the Senses
TR 11:00-12:15	Prof. G. White

In this class we will investigate “Inspiration.” We will employ all the senses to examine the forces that move writers. Through both personal and collaborative work, we will cultivate systems for creative, engaging writing by developing a heightened sensitivity to our environment. In and outside the classroom we will explore a wide range of media, including written, musical, visual arts, and performance, along with other diverse sources, both mundane and obscure, to develop our own cache of “Inspiration.” Attendance of one professional performance will be required. (Fine and Performing Arts Core Distribution)

 

ARTH 199-003	The Creative Genius
TR 12:30-1:45	Prof. M. Cochran

This course will focus on the evolution of the creative process and how highly creative people have affected the development of our culture. Students will select a famous artist, designer, or architect from a list provided by the instructor to research for the class. Each student will be required to write a one page research proposal paper, an expanded five page preliminary paper and a ten page final paper. Students will also be required to give a short oral presentation to the class describing their selection and their approach to the research paper. Class discussions and short writing exercises will be conducted on specific topics related to their research subject. (Fine and Performing Arts Core Distribution)

 

ARTS 199-001	Photography Appreciation and Practice
MWF 8:00-9:55	Prof. I. George

Photography's multiple roles will be explored in this course. The course leads to discovery about how diverse photographers use different approaches for artistic expression and visual communication. Students learn how photography helps to shape our perceptions of society and the world. Principles of design are introduced and photography assignments correspond to the themes of the course. Students must provide a film camera, film and processing OR a digital camera and laptop computer. This course does not include darkroom instruction. A course fee pays for required field trip expenses. (Fine and Performing Arts Core Distribution)

 

BIOL 199-001	Viruses: Living or Dead and In Your Life
MWF 8:00-8:50

A closer look at all aspects of your daily life that may be impacted by viruses, whether you know it or not, from your health to transportation, and world health issues. (Natural Sciences – Non Lab Core Distribution)

 

BIOL 199-002	You Are Where You Eat
MW 1:50-3:05	Dr. S. Schwartz

Most people do not think about the origins of food in the grocery store or restaurant. As we become aware of changes in our environment, it is important to learn about and question fundamental and poorly considered facets of food. Why is distantly produced “fast food” so popular and unhealthy, but nutritious local “slow food” neglected? Does it make sense that transporting food from where it is grown to where you eat it often takes more energy than is contained in the food itself? What about growing crops strictly for fuel? Why do we eat what we eat? What forces of biology, psychology, history, religion, and culture shape our food preferences? We will look at the choices we make as individuals and as a society in the foods we eat. This course questions the basic premises of our culinary lives and will hopefully make you aware of how extraordinary our food culture has become. (Natural Sciences – Non Lab Core Distribution)

 

CHEM 199-001	The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: The effects of some molecules
MWF 8:00-8:50	Dr. L. Norman

Are some molecules “good” and others “bad”? In this course, we will examine several molecules, some common and some controversial, and consider how they may be good, bad, or even ugly, depending on their usage. Through this exploration, we will discuss the social responsibilities of both chemists and consumers. (Natural Sciences – Non Lab Core Distribution)

 

COMM 199-001	Non-Verbal Communication and Sports
MWF 8:00-8:50	Prof. L. Mendoza

Picture the umpire throwing his arm in the air making a strikeout gesture. No explanation needed—his actions speak louder than any words he could utter. And just like in baseball our actions in relationships speak louder than our words. How we say something carries more weight and consequence than what we say making nonverbal communication very powerful. So, let’s turn off the sound to some Red Sox games and watch them through their actions—without the words—as we learn about the nature, the functions, and the codes of nonverbal communication. We will then compare and contrast our relationships with what we observe on the baseball diamond. (Social and Behavioral Science Core Distribution)

 

COMM 199-002	Terrorism, Islam, Middle Eastern Culture and the Media
T 6:00-8:40	Dr. J. Al-Obaidi

This course intends to study the religion of Islam, the concept of terrorism, the culture of the Middle Eastern and the Arab culture in relation to media coverage. It strives for first-hand, unmediated knowledge based on literacy in Islam, Middle Eastern languages and history, media coverage and a deeply humanistic approach. The intellectual environment in this class is characterized by openness, tolerance, cooperation, and diversity. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is rich in its civilization and culture and occupy a vital geopolitical position in the world and must be viewed as such. (Social and Behavioral Science Core Distribution)

 

COMM 199-003	Violence Against New Ideas in the Middle East
F 12:20-2:55

The course aims at throwing new light on the plight of freedom of speech, worship, and education under the surge of violence and terror exercised by the mob and militias who try to impose their own values and use religion for political purposes. The students will discuss ways of promoting democracy, freedom of expression and secular education in the Middle East. The role of media is pivotal in fighting extremism and shaping public opinion. The media, during war and turmoil, should play a positive role in illuminating the public and warn them of the rise of violence against the open-minded, and liberal academics and journalists who promote tolerance, coexistence, and independence in the press columns and campuses. Society, culture, tradition, and religion should be seen in a liberal and independent vision. (Social and Behavioral Science Core Distribution)

 

COMM 199-004	Sustainability
TR 8:00-9:15

 
 

CRJU 199-001	Interrogating Illicit Drug Policies across the Globe
MW 3:20-4:35	Dr. D. Perrone

This course provides a critical analysis of illicit drug policy. The course materials, assignments and discussions seek to deconstruct assumptions and definitions of drugs, drug users, and drug addiction. In particular, the class will investigate the representation of drug use in media sources – film, advertisements and books. US drug policies including prohibition, treatment, prevention, and supply-reduction will be evaluated based on their theoretical frameworks, effectiveness at meeting their goals and their overall respect for civil and human rights. The course will review drug policies in Canada, Switzerland, the Netherlands and other European countries to gain a comprehensive understanding of alternative approaches to addressing drug use and its potential harms.

 

ENGL 199-001	Living in Two Languages
TR 11:00-12:15	Dr. J. Stakhnevich

This course explores linguistic, social, and cultural aspects of bilingualism in individuals and societies. Students will learn about different approaches to the study of bilingualism and second language acquisition, explore language policies and practices in countries with high rates of bilingualism, read autobiographic essays written by bilingual authors, and examine how bilingualism is portrayed in mass media and contemporary film. (Humanities Core Distribution)

 

ENGL 199-002	Exploring Gender and the Fairy Tale Tradition
MWF 9:05-9:55	Prof. P. Portanova

This first-year seminar will introduce students to college-level critical inquiry and writing practices. While students will learn techniques applicable to writing across disciplines, exercises will focus primarily on the literary analysis of fairy tales. During this course, students will explore the evolution of classic Western fairy tales through a variety of retellings; from Perrault and the Grimm Brothers to Margaret Atwood and Disney’s modern adaptations. Analysis of these texts will be negotiated through representations of gender and how such representations are particularly relevant in American society. Students will also debate the social implications of fairy tales and the desire for such tales to render an altogether pleasing conclusion. Readings will include familiar and unfamiliar variations of “Little Red Riding Hood”, “Hansel and Gretel”, “Cinderella”, “Snow White”, “The Little Mermaid” and more. (Humanities Core Distribution)

 

ENGL 199-003	Gays in American Literature
MWF 10:10-11:00	Dr. C. Wood

“Is he or isn’t he?” “They didn’t have gays back then, did they?” “Isn’t ‘Boston marriage’ a euphemism for lesbian domestic partnership?” “How could a gay writer perpetuate such a negative stereotype?” “But Tennessee Williams was gay; isn’t that important?” These and many other questions will be asked about characters in stories, plays, and novels by American authors, straight or gay, in the closet and out. (Humanities Core Distribution)

 

ENGL 199-004	Alcoholic American in Literature
MWF 11:15-12:05	Dr. C. Wood

Many of America’s most celebrated writers have abused alcohol, often with fatal results, and their drinking experiences turn up in their work. Stories, plays, and novels by such writers as Carver, Cheever, Fitzgerald, Williams, O’Neill, and Hemingway explore the lives of characters who drink – why they drink, why they think they drink, what their drinking does to them and their relationships, and what society feels about their drinking. Some sober authors will be read also. (Humanities Core Distribution)

 

ENGL 199-005	Passionate Reality: Finding Voice Through Core Values Honesty, Commitment, & Courage
TR 8:00-9:15	Prof. L. Cohen

Does the ease of using computers serve to make us more externalized and less likely to take time to see and hear well? Does that externalization make us less likely to communicate through writing from our core? Has our freedom of expression tipped the scales toward passionate and spontaneous communication with little account of reality and responsibility? Students will explore these questions through a variety of readings, exercises, and comparisons of personal narratives written using pen, pencil, drawing, computer blogging and more. As we explore these questions, students will develop a clearer, stronger voice to be better critical thinkers and writers across the disciplines and throughout life. (Humanities Core Distribution)

 

GEOG 199-001	Geography of Boston
W 1:50-4:30	Dr. P. Birge-Liberman

What makes the North End so special? If there is a North End and South End, where is the West End? Why is the Back Bay called the Back Bay? Why the Big Dig? To answer these questions, this course will take a geographic, or spatial, approach to the study of Boston. A conceptual overview of urban and cultural geography will be discussed. Major course themes will focus on the culture of cities, issues of public space, urban transportation, cities as centers of economic activity, and the sustainability of cities. This course will examine these issues within the context of Boston by exploring its history, architecture, neighborhoods, public parks, politics, economics, and cultural institutions. There is a field component to this course. There will be a required field trip to Boston on a Saturday early in the semester. Students will also take two additional walking tours of various parts of Boston at various times throughout the semester. (Social and Behavioral Science Core Distribution)

 

GEOG 199-002	Geography of Brockton
M 1:50-4:30	Dr. J. Hayes-Bohanan

Why is Brockton – a city that receives plenty of rainfall and has excellent water conservation programs – always facing water shortages? How did it become the most important source of shoes in the world, and why did that change? How have people from all over the world come together to give Brockton a unique cultural geography? What locational advantages can Brockton build upon as it competes in an ever-changing global economy, how will it keep its sense of place, and how will it be connected to surrounding communities? Whether a student is a life-long resident or a newcomer to the area, this course will provide a rich understanding of the City of Champions. Students will learn how to use maps and other sources of information to see how things fit together in the college’s nearest urban neighbor. (Social and Behavioral Science Core Distribution)

 

HEAL 199-001	Pathways to Wellness
MWF 11:15-12:05

In this course students will explore the interrelationships and interdependence of mind, body, and spirit. They will examine the connections between the brain and the immune system, and see how negative emotions, relationships, environments, and conditions put individuals at increased risk for illness and disease, and how positive emotions, relationships, environments, and conditions protect health and help heal. Students will discover how the harmony of mind, body and spirit, and a holistic approach to wellness can create a high and rich state of health.

 

HIST 199-001 or 002	From Camelot to Watergate
TR 9:30-10:45 or 11:00-12:15	Dr. D. Culver

An examination of the major topics of the 1960's, including the Cold War (Berlin, Cuba, Vietnam), civil rights, women's rights, counterculture, and Watergate. (Humanities Core Distribution)

 

HIST 199-003	Reading Renaissance Florence
MWF 10:10-11:00	Dr. L. Fortunato

This course explores the society and culture of Renaissance Florence, Humanism, and consequently the western Humanities. Among the authors whose works will be considered are Dante, Petrarca, Boccaccio, Pico della Mirandola, and Machiavelli. In addition to treating the Renaissance itself, the text and visual sources will challenge students to think and write about issues such as the personal and civic value and uses of an understanding of history, the nature and ethics of political power, problems and control of violence in society, social constructions of gender roles and values, human responses to natural disasters, and conceptualizations of human dignity and individualism. (Humanities Core Distribution)

 

HIST 199-004	What’s in a Game?
MW 12:20-1:35	Dr. A. Holman

This freshman seminar is cultural history of Canada using the sport of ice hockey, “Canada’s national winter game,” as a lens. It has two large goals. It uses a topic of common interest to introduce students to the discipline of history, especially critical reading and writing. Second, it will introduce the country via a hackneyed but useful stereotype (hockey=Canada) that many Americans readily draw. The course will examine hockey’s multiple meanings: as a vehicle for national unity; as a source of social division – regional, linguistic, gender, and racial; and as a vector for “Americanization.” (Humanities Core Distribution)

 

LANG 199-001 or H01	Vampires, Monstrous Desire, and Taboo: “Nosferatu” in Literature and Film
MW 12:20-1:35 or MW 3:20-4:35	Dr. L. Lev

“Undead,” “Nosferatu,” “Vampyre.” No matter how often it’s staked, the vampire keeps rising from its sepulcher to haunt the human imagination. Monstrous and beautiful, repulsive and seductive, it shatters all societal taboos, inviting us into a nocturnal world of forbidden pleasures that also mirrors our own shadow side and psychosexual landscapes. We'll explore links between blood-drinking, transgressive sexual desires, and social-cultural anxieties, fantasies, and contexts, among other topics, as these are expressed through the morphing of the vampire figure from Bram Stoker’s aristocratic count and his bewitching brides, to the monsters of nineteenth-century Paris, the pallid predators of early German horror film, glam ghouls of 1970’s European art film/horror hybrids, and the teenaged undead of Buffy’s California. Material includes Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Nosferatu, Francis Ford Coppola’s Dracula, short works by Baudelaire and Dame Darcy, and other films/TV such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Blade. (Humanities Core Distribution)

 

LANG 199-002	Brazil: Multicultural, Multilingual World
MWF 11:15-12:05	Dr. F. Ferreira

This writing-intensive seminar explores the linguistic and cultural diversity of Brazil, a multilingual and multicultural country that incorporates African, European and indigenous influences. The course will cover the five geographic regions in sequence; the multilingual North region and its Amazonian languages, the tropical and expressive Northeast with its African language imprint, the European roots of the industrial Southeast; the South and its connection to Italian and German immigrants, and the arid Central-West region, home of the dialectally diverse capital city of Brasília. Students are required to write about Brazilian's cultural and linguistic diversity. (Humanities Core Distribution)

 

MUSC 199-002	The Glory of the Arts in Russia
TR 2:00-3:15	Professor F. Guzasky

This interdisciplinary course provides an overview of the arts in Russia - including music, literature, art, poetry, and the visual arts, as well as their place in Russian culture. Major musicians, writers, and artists will be studied. Visual arts include iconography, architecture, and traditional and modern painters. Although each class will contain elements of music, art, poetry, and visuals, specific weeks will concentrate on more specific topics - The Glory of Russian Music, The Glory of Russian Literature, The Glory of Russian Poetry, The Glory of Imperial Russia, etc. Several papers are required, along with a final project or paper. There may also be group projects. (Fine and Performing Arts Core Distribution)

 

PHED 199-001	Women in Sports Media
TR 2:00-3:15	Dr. M. Rosenthal

The number of U.S. girls competing in high school sports topped three million in 2006-2007, and women make up over one-third of college athletes in the NCAA. Women account for sixty percent of Olympic athletes worldwide. However, if you read the newspaper or watch ESPN SportsCenter, you might conclude that girls and women compete in very small numbers in sports such as tennis and basketball. In this course, we will explore and analyze coverage of female athletes in print, television, and web-based media. We will consider how and in what ways those in the media construct the idea of the female athlete.

 

PHIL 199-001 or 002 or 003	Biography of a Genius: Alan Turing
MWF 9:05-9:55 or 10:10-11:00 or 11:15-12:05	Dr. F. Quaglio

This seminar will focus on the life and achievements of a man whose mind and character contributed much to our history and present-day lives. His work in mathematical logic contributed to the foundations of computer science, and to the birth of those computers we use daily. During World War II, he cracked the code of Nazi Germany’s communications, saving a multitude of lives. And in return for these accomplishments, his nation, quite literally, hounded him to death. (Humanities Core Distribution)

 

PHIL 199-004	Ethics of War and Peace
TR 9:30-10:45	Dr. A. Skoble

When is war morally justified? Never? Sometimes? If the answer is “never,” why? If the answer is “sometimes,” what are the criteria? This course will examine these and many other questions concerning war and peace, including: How does the role of states differ morally from that of individuals? What is the proper attitude to take toward an enemy? What exactly is “the Geneva Convention” and why does anyone abide by it? Why should they? What is “international law”? What is a war crime? What is guerilla warfare? What is terrorism? Should women or gays be integrated into combat units? Are nuclear weapons ethical? You may already have some thoughts on these issues. The point of this course is to develop a systematic and rigorous way to think (and write) about them. As with any philosophy class, you may discover that some of your preconceived notions are perfectly correct, while others are incoherent or contradictory. Be ready to examine yourself with an open mind. (Humanities Core Distribution)

 

PHIL 199-005	Human Existence
MWF 11:15-12:05	Dr. W. Devlin

This class focuses on the issue of human existence, as presented throughout the history of philosophy. This issue includes such questions as: What is human nature? Do we have souls? What is the good life? What can we know about ourselves and the world? Does God play a role in providing meaning in my life? How free are we as human beings? As we address these questions, we will pay particular attention to the relations between the human being and nature, reason and passion, and morality and freedom. These questions will be addressed through four seminal thinkers in the history of philosophy that pursed the goals of philosophy in different ways. By comparing and contrasting their various perceptions, it is expected that students will come to understand the historical lineage of the prominent questions of human existence through these thinkers. The philosophers and works to be considered are: Plato’s dialogues - Apology and Phaedo, Descartes’ Meditations, Kierkegaard’s The Present Age, and Nietzsche’s Genealogy of Morals. (Humanities Core Distribution)

 

PHYS 199-001	UFO’s, Chi, and Relativistic Quantum Field Theory: Critically thinking your way through the possible, possibly possible, and outright nonsense
TR 12:30-1:45	Dr. E. Deveney

With discussions spearheaded by you plus ‘relaxed’ style introductions to modern physics and statistics by me, we will journey with a critical eye through topics ranging from alien encounters, acupuncture and communication with the dead – you name it! The critical eye will depend on you – I’ll stress the scientific method. Feel free, however, to introduce your own methodology but the goal for us all is to challenge and be challenged. You’ll pick and research a topic(s) of choice, lead discussions and prepare written papers that demonstrate your critical analysis able to withstand critical scrutiny. This will be fun with an edge addressing learning outcomes in writing, researching, speaking, the supernatural, and math and physics. (Natural Sciences – Non Lab Core Distribution)

 

PSYC 199-001	Relationships
MWF 12:20-1:10	Dr. S. Zandrow

This course will examine the many different relationships that touch our lives. Topics to be covered include parent and sibling relations, friendships, dating and marriage. Students will analyze interdependence and communication in relationships. Through discussion, group work, and presentations, students will use critical thinking skills to determine how relationships help define who we are and add to our life satisfaction. There will be an emphasis on writing and research on a variety of relationship issues. (Social and Behavioral Science Core Distribution)

 

PSYC 199-002 or 003	Look Before you Leap: Planning for Effective Parenthood
MWF 11:15-12:05 or 1:50-2:40	Dr. L. Linder

What does it take to raise well-adjusted children? How do we learn to become parents? This course explores selected topics in child development. We will also analyze examples of parent-effectiveness advice, including some from ancient times and some from some other cultures. We will write about our own childhood experiences, and we'll view and critique the film, "Parenthood.” (Social and Behavioral Science Core Distribution)

 

SCWK 199-001	Sacred & Profane: Religion, Philosophy, & Spirituality in Global Community
W 3:15-5:50	Dr. D. O’Malley

What do Agnostics, Buddhists, Jews, Pagans, Muslims, Atheists, Hindus and Christians have to say to each other? Depending on with whom you speak, it may be nothing . . . or lots! Many present day challenges faced in the U.S. as well as in Iraq, Darfur, Israel, India and Ireland have religious/spiritual dimensions. This seminar will explore the changing dynamics of spiritual/religious beliefs, practices and identity in the U.S. and global society. Participants will explore how interreligious encounters and initiatives continue to shape communities, cultures, politics and policies. Bring your own experience and analysis to the conversation as we gather past and present examples from campus, the communities of southeastern Massachusetts and beyond. (Social and Behavioral Science Core Distribution)

 

SCWK 199-002	Travel Abroad at Home
TR 12:30-1:45	Dr. R. Leavitt

The purpose of this first year seminar is to heighten awareness of the importance of understanding our everyday lives in a global context to see how we are all inter-dependent and how we each can benefit from the richness of our differences. It is also to create a desire to both travel and to interact with people from different countries whether they live here or elsewhere. (Social and Behavioral Science Core Distribution)

 

SOCI 199-001 or 003	Sex, Drugs and Rock& Roll: Sociology Examines Pop Culture
MWF 8:00-8:50 or 10:10-11:00	Dr. M. Spencer

(Social and Behavioral Science Core Distribution)
 

SOCI 199-002 or 004	What are you Afraid of?: The Culture of Fear in the U.S.
MWF 9:05-9:55 or 11:15-12:05	Dr. W. Carroll

What do Americans fear? We often fear the wrong things too much and are not aware of the real threats confronting us. We worry about crime, immigrants, drugs, video games, television, single mothers, road rage, and teenagers. Lacking important information and driven by our fears, we often misjudge the real social challenges facing us. The media, politicians, advocacy groups, and others promote a culture of fear to advance their own interests. This course examines that culture of fear and focuses on using evidence and critical thinking to overcome it in order to better understand the world we live in and what does and does not threaten us in that world. (Social and Behavioral Science Core Distribution)

 

SOCI 199-005	Childhood Under Attack: Rights and Abuses of the World’s Children
TR 9:30-10:45	Dr. J. White

In our ever-globalizing world, children have become more vulnerable than at any other point in recent history. We will examine children's rights, how they are defined, and what children are entitled to through international rights agreements. We then will examine, in depth, the scope of violations of these rights by looking at a variety of issues such as AIDS orphans, sexual violence and abuse, child prostitution, child labor, child slavery, lack of access to education, healthcare, and clean sanitation, childhood hunger and food deprivation, issues specific to girl children, and issues confronting war-affected youth including child soldiers, etc. Finally, we will work toward understanding means toward creating a better life for the world's children, including solutions on individual, business, and policy levels. (Social and Behavioral Science Core Distribution)

 

SOCI 199-006	A History of Violence
TR 2:00-3:15	Dr. H. Vandenburgh

Are people naturally violent, or do social, economic, and physical circumstances incline them to violence? Is violence a psychiatric malady? Is violence functional - that is, does it ever serve a purpose? Is what we call violence in the eye of the beholder, that is, do we define it by varying cultural and temporal standards, depending on where and when we live? This course may not answer all of these questions, but they will all be discussed. The course involves 15 pages of writing and requires a poster presentation at the end of the course.
(Social and Behavioral Science Core Distribution)

 

SOCI 199-007 or 008	America Votes: Pop Culture, the Presidency and Political Sociology
TR 2:00-3:15 or 3:25-4:40	Prof. J. Raymond

Although the number of Americans voting in political elections continues to decline, shows like American Idol receive millions of “votes” each week from their viewers. What motivates people to participate in pop culture and not American politics? This course will explore the topic of political participation in contemporary American society from a sociological perspective. We will ask “who rules”, and explore topics such as voting, power, identity and civic participation. (Social and Behavioral Science Core Distribution)

 

SOCI 199-009	Showtime! Sociology goes to the Movies
F 12:20-2:55	Prof. L. Overstreet

Students will view major motion pictures for review and analysis from a sociological perspective. Current feature films often entirely, or in part, present issues and concepts that are encountered in courses such as Introduction to Sociology and Social Problems. These topics will be introduced and discussed prior to viewing each movie. This in turn will prepare students to identify these themes, recognize their relevance in the world around them, and enable then to compose papers examining and evaluating how their appearance in each film is pertinent to Sociology and its significance in its relationship to social science. Cinema imitates Sociology! (Social and Behavioral Science Core Distribution)

 

THEA 199-001	Greek Tragedy
TR 12:30-1:45	Professor H. Shaffer

Greek myths, especially those of the Trojan War and story of Oedipus, describe significant moral and ethical dilemmas which form the basis for Western culture. This course will study the themes of revenge and retribution embedded in may of the stories. We will analyze the tragedies of Aeschylus (Oresteia), Sophocles (the Theban cycle) and Euripides (Medea, The Trojan Women, The Bacchae) as scripts and in film adaptations by Pasolini and Cacoyannis. Additional emphasis will be placed on the interpretations of different artists in performance and the variety of production styles. (Fine and Performing Arts Core Distribution)
 

For more information about the content of individual courses, please contact faculty instructors listed on the course description page. 

For more information about First Year Seminar, please contact FYS coordinators Arthur Lizie (alizie@bridgew.edu) or Thomas Kling (tkling@bridgew.edu). 

For more information on the Core Curriculum see www.bridgew.edu/corecurriculum
 

Last Modified: June 23, 2008