HONORS SEMINARS FALL 2009
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Professor Katz
50 525 105 01 Index
TH 1:30-4:00 ROB 203
Today, 87 % of the world’s energy supply comes from fossil fuels; coal, oil and gas. Nuclear power and hydroelectric power combined meet another 12 % of the global energy demand. While the demand for energy continues to increase, the fossil fuel supplies continue to decrease. This seminar will focus on how energy based on solar power, wind power, geothermal power and biofuels can become viable alternatives for meeting current and future global needs. Recommended Reading : Kruger, Paul, Alternative Energy Resources, Wiley, 2006, ISBN 978-0-471-77208-8. Course satisfies Natural Science requirement.
MAVENS, MOGULS, AND MOVIE STARS: JEWS ON AND OFF SCREEN
Professor Bernstein
50 525 112 01 Index
W 1:20-4:10 ROB 203
Descriptions of Hollywood as dominated by Jews reinforce both anti-Semitism and Jewish pride. As Neal Gabler points out in An Empire of Their Own, there is much truth to the stereotype: Jewish immigrants and sons of Jewish immigrants founded the major Hollywood studios of the last century - Warner Brothers, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 20th-Century Fox, Paramount , and Columbia Pictures. Jews can still be found in disproportionate numbers as producers, writers, and actors in films and television. Yet, contrary to anti-Semitic paranoia, Jews’ contributions on and off screen have not furthered any particular political or religious agenda. In fact, as Gabler argues, by “inventing Hollywood” Jews like Harry Cohn and Louis B. Mayer not only assimilated into the mainstream but fueled myths of a white, Christian, apple-pie America. In this course we will explore the historical and contemporary roles of Jews in the U.S. film industry and television through books, articles, films (including The Jazz Singer, The Producers, and Annie Hall), and TV shows (such as Bridget Loves Bernie, Seinfeld, and Curb Your Enthusiasm). Course satisfies History and Media Studies Minor requirement.
THE SHAPE OF SPACE
Professor Herrera
50 525 114 01 Index
T 1:30-4:00 ROB 203
In this course we will attempt to understand the different shapes that the 3 dimensional space could have. The way it will be done, is by developing analogies with 2 dimensional shapes, for example, the sphere, the surface of a donut, the Moebius band, the Klein bottle... The study of such shapes in mathematics is known as Topology. In the course we will try to fill the gaps between the simplest examples in Topology and some of the most sophisticated mathematics found in upper lever mathematics courses. Course satisfies (2B) Additional Math requirement.
AMERICA AT RISK: CRITICAL 21 st CENTURY CHALLENGES TO NATIONAL SECURITY
Professor Shienbaum
50 525 119 01 Index
W 1:20-4:10 BSB 134
The 21st. century presents America with a range of challenges, previously unforeseen or underestimated. Unlike the threat environment of the 20th. century, when Communism or Fascism could be identified as the most important risk factors, challenges today come from multiple sources presenting policy makers with a far more complex foreign policy environment than the nation has faced at any time in its history.
Moreover, unprecedented demands within the international community for broad global institutional change, together with the emergence of new economic rivals such as China, as well as the ideological challenge of militant Islam among other risks, suggests that America's thus far unchallenged post -war leadership may erode in years to come. This course will not only identify the risks but also discuss how America can best adjust to its changing place in the world . Course satisfies Social Science requirement, Political Science.
MARKETING AND PSYCHOLOGY
Professor Woolfolk
50 525 120 01 Index
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. Course satisfies Psychology requirement.
SPEAKING OF CINEMA: FILM IN THE HISPANIC WORLD
Professor Laguna
50 525 126 01 Index
T 1:30-4:00 ROB 205
This course provides an introduction to the world of Spanish and Latin-American film. It supplies the historical, cultural and cinematographic background for significant films by accomplished directors such as Pedro Almodóvar. A main focus of our discussions will revolve around whether film texts can reflect, represent and problematize questions of national identity and socio-historical conflict. We will ultimately explore the extent that these films engage with social realities, perceptions and/or other cultural forms. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to "read" a film, understand it, and evaluate it in relation to its cultural context. Course satisfies 4(B) Foreign Language in English Translation and Media Studies Minor requirement.
