African Economies
An overview of sub-Saharan African economies with emphasis on basic economic principles, problems and indigenous institutions within an African context. Current development and structural adjustment issues are analyzed as well. Contrasts and comparisons with North American counterparts are made. Special emphasis is placed on exploring how cultural differences affect economic activities and institutions. Students learn of the diversity and complexity of economic relationships in African societies and increase their understanding of economics in their own society.
Survey of English Literature II
Survey of English Literature II. In this course, students will learn about the history of British literature starting at about 1700 and extending into the twentieth century and beyond. The course invites students to explore developments in British literature through the lens of history and its relation to competing philosophies of political and social life. Within this context, the course traces literary movements and the evolution of literary forms.
Growing Up Victorian
In this course, we will look at many kinds of texts that focus on children and the raising of children in Victorian Britain. We will read some children’s poetry and picture books, two Victorian children’s novels (Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island and Frances Hodgson Burnett’s A Little Princess), and two novels written for adults whose tales are centered on a child growing up in the midst of the Victorian world (Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre and Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations). To understand the context of these stories, we will conduct and share research projects in
Magic in Medieval Thought
This course explores the role of magic in medieval thought, society, history, and literature. We will examine the relationship of magical beliefs to philosophy, religion, science, medicine, and politics in medieval Europe. The course includes extensive primary source readings from medieval authors and research assignments on related topics. This course fulfills the FYS and HU general education requirements.
Advanced Neuroscience
Builds on the fundamental concepts presented in BIOL/NRSCI 288 (Introduction to Neuroscience) and begins to examine neurobiology from a systems perspective. Topics include the biological basis of sexual orientation, sleep and dreaming, sleep disorders, epilepsy and seizures, motivation and addiction, Alzheimer’s disease, disorders of thought and volition, and mood disorders. Prerequisite: BIOL/NRSCI 288. Required for the neuroscience major. Offered every spring semester. Also offered as NRSCI 389.
Anatomy & Physiology I
JUNIORS OR SENIORS ONLY The lab portion of this course will concentrate on the relationship between anatomical form and function, human physiology, and medical problem solving as an application of anatomy and physiology. The lab portion of the course is intended to challenge students to find anatomical landmarks on a variety of specimens; to increase understanding of respiratory, cardiovascular and muscle physiology; and to think critically about how altered anatomy or physiology results in disease.
Rhetoric and Public Speaking
An introduction to the art of public speaking, focusing primarily on the construction and critique of persuasive discourse. Students study the classical rhetorical tradition as a continuing influence on the contemporary theory and practice of persuasion.
University Physics
This course is the first of a two-semester sequence organized according to the major unifying principles of physics. It is a general study of conservation laws, Newtonian dynamics, and special relativity. The material is presented at the level of elementary calculus. There is one laboratory period per week in addition to classwork. These courses are recommended for all students majoring in the physical sciences or completing the 3+2 engineering program. Co-requisite: MATH 135. Offered Fall semester only. Fulfills NS-L Distribution.
Applied Statistics
An introduction to statistics with emphasis on applications. Topics include the description of data with numerical summaries and graphs, the production of data through sampling and experimental design, techniques of making inferences from data such as confidence intervals, and hypothesis tests for both categorical and quantitative data. The course includes an introduction to computer analysis of data with a statistical computing package.
Eco-pioneers: The Great Work of Their Lives
In our universal search for purpose and meaning, we can all draw inspiration from the stories of great lives lived. The Bhagavad Gita, one of the oldest and most widely read wisdom texts, tells us that we all have a “sacred duty”, born out of our unique qualities and particular circumstances. In this class, we will look at the “sacred duties” of eco-pioneers: practical visionaries whose life work helps us reframe our relationship with nature and develop solutions to our most pressing environmental problems.