Cold War Politics, Society and Culture
Global Change and Sustainability
This course broadly considers the stability of how humans relate to the environment. It examines how social systems can be organized to lessen their impact on natural systems, lessen inequalities within generations, and ensure the viability of natural resources for future generations. To do this, the course focuses on international policy as developed through the United Nations and affiliated institutions. National policy is considered, where appropriate, as examples of leadership or obstruction in diminishing human impact on the environment.
Trespassing Through Gardens
Trespassing through the side lots and backyards of childhood, we may have encountered gardens—well-tended rows of vegetables, or long-abandoned flowers that still might bloom among the weeds, or a seemingly wild landscape that nevertheless hinted at some effort of arrangement. In this course, we’ll explore themes of environmental aesthetics, conservation, and the management of nature. We’ll read Michael Pollan’s "Second Nature: A Gardener’s Education," excerpts from Rachel Carson’s "Silent Spring," and poetry.
Research Methods
GS MAJORS OR MINORS ONLY. Others by permission only. An introduction to research approaches that take into account the economic and political context of the production of culture, textual analysis and people's perceptions. Objectives are to examine the philosophy and epistemology of qualitative methods, to understand various approaches to qualitative research, to develop the skills to design a qualitative research project, to gather and analyze qualitative data, and to present the preliminary findings.
Global Economic Development
In the complex 21st century international system the drive for economic development has implications for war and peace. Powerful nations and weaker ones all with complex domestic constituencies are in intense competition with each other, while people all over the world still rely on travel/migration along with supply chains connecting friendly and antagonistic nations. Actors from firms to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to social movements matter as they reorient us towards this period of weaker commitment to globalization.
General Chemistry
An introduction to chemistry for science and non-science majors. Both courses use in-class experimentation, discussion and lecture to ask and answer questions of general chemical interest, including applications in biology, physics, astronomy and geology. Students discuss experimental data using the logic and language of chemistry and are frequently asked to substantiate conclusions using both conceptual and quantitative reasoning.
Sex Lives of Scientists
Marie Curie often slept with a small jar of radium near her pillow. The continuous, yet very toxic, glow soothed her. Alan Turing began codebreaking as a teenager at boarding school. While many scientists claim that their work stands alone and bears no connection to their private lives, we cannot help but wonder about their personal journeys. What made them so great? What made their ideas so influential? And, what did they do when they were not "doing science"? In this seminar, we will read several recent graphic biographies of scientists and view films based on these books.
Health & Wellness Coaching
Health & Wellness Coaching students will increase their understanding of the role of different members of the health care team, gain perspective on the nature of chronic disease, and learn skills including motivational interviewing. Multiple physicians and health care administrators will speak to students about a variety of topics including the role of the health coach, population health, empathy, end of life care, cardiovascular screening, diabetes mellitus, motivating patients, and the changing face of medicine.
Existential Philosophy w/CBL
Existentialism, a philosophical approach largely emergent in Europe in the 19th and 20th centuries, explores deep aspects of the human condition that inform and shape our lives. Famous and influential figures in this movement include Jean-Paul Sartre, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, and Simone de Beauvoir. These thinkers ask and address perineal questions about the human experience such as: What does it mean to be human? What is freedom and what is its relationship to responsibility and anxiety?