HONORS SEMINARS FALL 2008
CHILDREN AND VIOLENCE
Professor Siegel
50 525 107 01 Index 15205
TTH 1:30-2:50 ROB 203
Explores the role of violence in the world of children, including the antecedents of violent behavior and consequences of violent victimization. Topics will include children as victims of violence and abuse; children’s exposure to violence at home, in the community and in the media; children as perpetrators of violence; and violence prevention. Course counts as a Childhood Studies elective. Course satisfies Social Science requirement, Criminal Justice
"MAKE IT NEW" OR HOW 20TH-CENTURY LITERATURE AND ART BROKE THE MOLD
Professor Vial
50 525 109 01 Index 11845
TTH 9:30-11:00 ROB 203
This course explores the early years of the 20th century and the radical break from the past attempted by an international set of writers, painters, and musicians. We will discuss controversial books, scandalous exhibits, and riot-causing ballets all in the context of significant cultural shifts in economics, politics, gender and race relations. In addition to readings in fiction, nonfiction and poetry, course work will include an art museum trip and attendance at a live performance. Course satisfies English Elective requirement
AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY
Professor Golden
50 525 112 01 Index 10397
M 1:20-4:10 ROB 203
This seminar explores biography as history. We will \use the biographies and autobiographies of 20th-century Americans to ask what they teach us about American history. We will compare different forms of biography--books, articles, radio documentaries, popular film, popular songs, and documentary film, and ask how the medium shapes the message. Students will write several papers including reviews, an oral history, and an autobiography. Course satisfies History and Writing Intensive requirement
REVOLUTIONS AND REFORM IN 20 th CENTURY CHINA
Professor VanderVen
50 525 112 02 Index 15206
MW 1:20-2:40 ROB 205
This course examines the tumultuous history of China 's twentieth century. We look first at the fall of the dynastic system and then the series of events that led to the establishment of the People's Republic of China , the Cultural Revolution, the Tian'anmen Incident of 1989, all the way up to the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing . By viewing these events through the twin themes of "revolution" and "reform", we will probe just how effective successive upheavals and reform measures actually were. We will rely on secondary sources and a wide range of primary sources including short stories, films, regulations, and personal accounts. Course satisfies History or Global Studies requirement
IS THE UNIVERSE ELEGANT?
Professor Bubb
50 525 118 01 Index 16027
W 1:20-4:10 ROB 205
This seminar focuses on building a conceptual understanding of important recent developments in Physics. The twin pillars of Modern Physics, Quantum Mechanics and General Relativity, are fundamentally incompatible and break down in extreme environments such as found in Black Holes. More recently, String Theory offers the hope of uniting these two theories, but presents certain challenges and problems of its own, leading some eminent Physicists to dismiss it as "Philosophy" rather than a proper scientific theory. In this seminar, we will review Classical and Modern Physics with as little mathematical development as possible. Wherever possible we will "do" Physics through interactive exercises. Finally, we will discuss the limits of scientific knowledge and consider the intersection between Physics and Philosophy, particularly with respect to questions involving epistemology and ontology. Course satisfies Physics/Natural Science requirement
DEMOCRACY AND DICTATORSHIP IN THE MOVIES
Professor Shienbaum
50 525 119 01 Index 09680
W 1:20-4:10 BSB 134
The course goal is to make political ideas, both democratic and undemocratic, come alive! The seminar will first examine the ideologies underlying democracy and various forms of dictatorship (Fascist, Communist, Islamist, military ) and proceed to link these abstract ideas with their real world consequences through film. Movies will include Beyond Rangoon, Not Without My Daughter, The Pianist, Wag the Dog, The Candidate (with Robert Redford) , Killing Fields and others. Course satisfies Social Science requirement, Political Science
PSYCHOLOGY OF LEADERSHIP
Professor Garcia
50 525 120 01 Index 16210
T 1:30-4:10 BLD TBA
This course involves the study of leadership as a social and psychological process. Although most people tend to think of leaders as extraordinary individuals, we will study how leadership manifests itself in everyday life. Specific topics to be covered are: the relationship between leaders and followers; leadership behaviors and skills; psychological theories of leadership including trait theory, situational theories, and transactional theories. These theories examine the following questions: Are leaders defined by a specific set of traits or characteristics? Can situational forces inspire people to become leaders? Students will be expected to analyze current situations, and the various leadership styles. Course satisfies Psychology requirement.
PSYCHOLOGY AND MARKETING
Professor Woolfolk
50 525 120 02 Index 16204
TTh 11:00-12:20 ROB 205
This seminar will explore the range of intersections between psychology and marketing. We will examine topics such as: the overt and covert psychology of marketing practices; the use of various media formats to appeal to consumers; and how media portrayals’ can have an impact on one’s personal psychology and identity development. We will consider psychological strategies from the point of view of both marketers and their target audiences. Finally, we will examine the potential psychological impact of these images on people as they interact socially. Course satisfies Psychology requirement.
OR THEY WILL DESTROY US! (WRITING FOR SCIENCE FICTION RADIO THEATER)
Professor Bernstein and Emmons
50 525 127 01 Index 15207
TH 1:30-4:00 ROB 205
This seminar explores and applies the historical, critical, and practical elements of science fiction radio theater. Students will listen and respond to radio theater as well as write and record their own unique productions. Topics covered are the history of science fiction, pulp, and costumed hero radio productions and the specific nature of radio theater and playwriting. Important to the course is the understanding of science fiction genre, concepts, context, and socio-political relevance; sourcing imaginative material through written and verbal approaches, rehearsal process, and recording techniques. Course satisfies Art, Music, Theater requirement
