Fall 2008
Special Topics
BIOL 396-1
Topics in Biology: Biogeography
Introduction to the
understanding of global biodiversity and the basis for
geographic distribution patterns of individuals,
populations and communities. The role of past
geological and evolutionary events on these
distributions will be considered. The considerable
impact of humans on modern local to global range
extensions will be studied including the basis for
biological invasions. Prerequisites: BIOL 210 and
211.
BIOL 396-2
Topics in Biology: Tissue Physiology
The physiology of tissues is intimately linked to their
structure. Organ tissues out of homeostatic balance
reflect consistent changes in their structure. Tissue
physiology and structure explores the link between
health and disease at the microscopic level by examining
the interrelationship between microanatomical features
and their function. Students will analyze the detailed
structure and function of cells that comprise tissues,
organs and organ systems, and how their structure
dictates their specific physiological role in health and
disease. Prerequisite: Biology 210 and 211.
BIOL 397-1
Topics in Biology Lab: Tissue Physiology and Structure
Lab
Examines detailed structure and function of cells
and tissues, and how their structure dictates their
specific physiological role. Techniques used to
preserve, fix, stain and section tissues and pieces of
organs for standard histological and pathological
examination will be discussed, as well as specialized
techniques (autoradiography, immunofluorescence,
confocal microscopy, etc.). A comparison between normal
tissues and pathological changes associated with
homeostatic balance and disease will be examined.
Students electing to take the laboratory will gain
hands-on experience in collecting, embedding, sectioning
and staining tissue sections. Prerequisite: Biology
210 and 211. Corequisite: Biology 372.
CHEM 491-1
Selected Topics in Biochemistry: Medicinal Chemistry
This course will lay the
foundation for a better understanding of the underlying
principles of drug-receptor interactions at the
molecular level. Topics of study include
physicochemical principles of drug action,
receptor-effectors theories, receptor characterization,
enzymes inhibition and activation, drug distribution and
metabolism, as well as drug design. The students will
read assigned scientific literature about the topics and
are welcome to introduce information/ discussion about
this literature into the next lecture.
Prerequisite: CHEM 202
ECON 481-1
Topics in Economics: Economics of Sports
Sports are analyzed with tools
and concepts from at least three theoretical areas:
industrial organization, labor economics and public
economy. Cases are drawn from professional,
intercollegiate and individual sports.
Prerequisites: ECON 201 and 202.
ECON 481-2
Topics in Economics: International Labor Economics
Examines the economics of the
labor market in an international context. Includes an
analysis of international labor mobility issues such as
economic forces that drive international labor
movements, impact of immigration as well as implications
for immigration policy. Focuses on the application of
standard labor demand and supply models under different
market structures in an international context. Includes
a discussion of international labor standards and the
impact of capital movements on labor market conditions
in different countries.
Prerequisites: ECON 201 and 202.
ECON 481-3
Topics in Economics: Game Theory and Decision Analysis
The broad aim of this course
is to improve your decision-making ability. Considers
individual decision analysis (decision trees,
strategies, expected value and risk analysis) and
strategic decision analysis (game theory). The
foundation of this course is rational choice theory, but
also considers the psychological factors that influence
behavior (framing, starting point bias, etc.). Explores
the tools that are fundamental to the well-rounded
economist’s toolbox, and provides a systematic analysis
of decision theory to help us analyze behavior in
complex environments.
Prerequisites: ECON 201 and 202.
HIST 300-1
Thematic Topics in History: History of American Families
The history of the family
raises questions regarding how the process of
modernization has influenced family organization and
family life in North America over time; the roles played
by families and other institutions in organizing the
experiences of childhood, youth, education, courtship
and sexuality, marriage, aging, the transmission of
wealth and the construction of class, and religious
experience; how these experiences have varied with
class, race, and region over time; and how family life
in all its permutations has influenced and shaped
important historical processes, such as the rise of a
market society and the development of class in America.
Also, looks at the development of antebellum
master-slave relationships and the diaspora which
followed the emancipation of the slaves, the experiences
of immigration and assimilation, the spread of
urbanization, suburbanization, and re-urbanization, and
the rise of a consumer culture. Studying the history of
the family imparts significant insight into how
questions develop within a field, enriching the
understanding of history as a discipline that we hope to
cultivate among history majors.
ID 170-1
Special Topics in Interdisciplinary Perspectives in the
Social Sciences: Survey of Human Development Across the
Lifespan
This course in Introduction to
Human Development will broadly survey the concepts,
theories, and research that make up lifespan
development. Students will be introduced to concepts
and applications in the four emphasis areas of the Human
Development Program, which includes Counseling, Health,
Children’s Services, and Adult/Gerontology.
KINE 390-2
Topics in Kinesiology: Introduction to Epidemiology
Introductory course in the
basic study of the risk factors for disease in
populations. The emphasis of the course is to
understand the methodology of public health research,
and how evidence-based medicine is used to determine
optiomal treatment approaches in clinical practice.
Provides instruction in both observational and
structured methodologies often used in epidemiological
research. Prerequisites: KINE
403
KINE 390-3
Topics in Kinesiology: Stress Management
A holistic approach to stress
management; preventing and/or alleviating physical
symptoms of stress, and an exploration of the mind/body
connection.
LING 340-1
Interdisciplinary Topics in Linguistics:
Neurolinguistics
The inquiry into brain and
language dates back to 3000 B.C., with the first reports
of language loss following injury to the head. Since
that time, human beings have been fascinated with the
question of “How the human brain processes language.”
Significant discoveries in the late 19th
century paved the way for modern scientific research
that attempts to map behavior to the brain. Current
techniques that enable us to look at live human brain
functioning has added to this understanding. This
course will take us from the early discoveries of brain
mapping to modern day discoveries about the neural
underpinnings of the most uniquely human trait of all:
language.
Prerequisites: LDGE Area D; Recommended: LING 300.
MGMT 484-1
Topics in Management: Creativity, Innovation, and
Entrepreneurship
Explores the impact of creativity on
innovation and entrepreneurship. The first module
explores the creative process and is designed to
encourage students to look inward, explore outward, and
uncover insights about their environment. Students will
be required to use creativity as a means to solve
complex problems. The second module builds on the first
by extending creativity to new idea generation and
innovation. Attention is devoted to the need for
creative approaches in opportunity identification and
business concept formulation when developing new
products, services, and processes. The final module
examines the nature of entrepreneurship and the impact
of entrepreneurship both locally and abroad. Students
will investigate the entrepreneurial process in a
variety of contexts (market, social, intraorganizational,
political, etc.) Students will learn about new product
development, venture creation, and the elements of a
business plan. Prerequisites:
Lower-division pre-business core. BUS 302 and MKTG 302
or SSM 305 or MKTG 305 and MGMT 302 or SSM 304 or MGMT
305.
MGMT 484-2
Topics in Management: Personnel Selection and Appraisal
Covers the personnel selection and performance appraisal
functions, knowledge of which is essential for any human
resource professional or general manager. Includes such
topics as job analysis, legal issues, measurement
(reliability, validity), recruiting, application forms,
employment interviews, ability and personality testing,
assessment centers, drug and honesty testing,
handwriting analysis, selection models and performance
management/appraisal issues. Course structure will
include quizzes, exams, applied projects and a variety
of experiential class activities.
Prerequisites: Lower-division
pre-business core. MGMT 305 or MGMT 302 or SSM 304 and
MGMT 415.
MKTG 484-1
Selected Topics in Marketing: Consumer Behavior
Consumer behavior is the study
of the process by which individuals or groups select,
purchase, use and dispose of products and services, or
ideas and experiences to satisfy wants or needs.
Examines psychological, sociological, economic, and
other dimensions of consumers and their environment.
Prerequisites: Lower-division
pre-business core. MKTG 302 or MKTG 305 or SSM 305.
PSCI 362-1
International Relations in a Selected Region: The
Search for Peace – The Middle East Peace Process
A study of the main approaches
to conflict resolution through a focus on the
Arab-Israeli peace process. Includes theories of
conflict and conflict resolution, peace studies,
negotiation, the role of external powers, and
mediation. Explores the theoretical topics through a
crucial examination of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,
beginning with Jewish settlement in Ottoman Palestine in
the 1880s to the present peace process.
PSCI 419-1
Topics in U.S. Politics: Media and Politics
This course’s objective is to describe and analyze the
ways in which the news media have become a part of the
political system, and to assess the manner in which
Americans’ political beliefs, choices, and actions are
influenced by mass media presentations. Examines how
news organizations interact with officials, organized
groups, and the public to assess media influence on
elections, policy making and politics in general. Topics
include different types of media effects; press coverage
of events like war, groups and individuals; media
ownership; new media (internet, talk radio); objectivity
and media bias; reporter training and ethics, as well as
a comparative analysis of press coverage around the
globe. Prerequisite: Completion
of the General Education Dc (U.S. Constitution)
requirement.
PSCI 449-1
Topics in Comparative Politics: Latin America’s
Leftward Tilt
Voters in thirteen Latin
American countries elected presidents from “left of
center” parties from 2005 through 2007. For some, the
unprecedented number of “left-leaning” candidates
elected to the presidency is considered a victory for
the region’s poor majority, while others find the trend
alarming. Explores causal factors for the leftward
shift, including the historical, political traditions in
the region and contemporary economic developments, as
well as what the shift means for regional and global
politics.
VPA 380-1
Topics in the Arts: Arts Production/Management
Introduces students to the
various management strategies utilized to successfully
mount arts venue events. Includes marketing, public
relations, budget management, stage management, touring,
and front of house/gallery managements. Students will
be expected to serve as management personnel for the
current semester’s visual and performing arts
productions.
VPA 380-2
Topics in the Arts: Graphic Design
Introduces the student to ways
in which computers and vector-based output tools can be
combined to create original art using Adobe Illustrator
CS3 in conjunction with the Adobe Creative Suite of
tools. Projects focusing on color theory, font
management, typography, illustration, page-layout, as
well as logo, poster, and brochure design will be
covered. Tools and techniquest to produce projects to
digitally create and enhance original and existing
images for output to print, Web, and other electronic
media, including RSS feeds for mobile devices including
cell phones, iPods and as a tool for creative
expressions will be explored. Students will experiment
with different conceptual approaches to art making and
develop aesthetic strategies for their work.
VPA 380-3
Topics in the Arts: Theatre in the Community
Theatre activity course that
will stage selected theatre works in selected community
venues under the supervision of Theatre Arts faculty.
Students will gain practical experience in producing,
staging, directing, acting, and organizing technical and
administrative support of a touring theatre production.
VPA 380-4
Topics in the Arts: Stage Lighting Design
Learn the basic concepts of
stage lighting. Study includes the operation of
lighting equipment and control systems, the theory of
lighting design, light plots and paperwork, color media,
electrical safety, rigging, and technical rehearsal and
performance procedures.
VPA 380-5
Topics in the Arts: Acting Process I
Introduces a range of
improvisational and rehearsal techniques that help the
actor approach onstage events with imagination and a
rich emotional life. Focuses on self-awareness and
self-esteem by freeing the actor’s body, breaking down
inhibitions, cultivating the imagination, and honing
skills in listening and improvisation. Methods are
culled from the techniques of Constantine Stanislavsky,
Michael Chekhov, and Uta Hagen.
WMST 300-1
Topics in Women’s Studies: Folklore and Feminist Theory
Focus on feminist theoretical
approaches to the study of folklore. Investigates how
expressive cultural behavior – such as festival
traditions, fabric arts, narratives, and storytelling –
is often shaped by gender, in conjunction with other
factors such as race, ethnicity, class, sexual identity,
and nationality. Using recent theoretical and
methodological insights from feminist folklorists,
literary scholars, and other cultural analysts, we will
examine how women and men create folklore and manipulate
it to communicate notions of gender identity in a wide
array of cultural circumstances.
WMST 401-1
Seminar in Women’s Studies: Locating Third Wave Feminism
This course will attempt to
describe and define Third Wave Feminism, to explore
Third Wave voices, arguments, assumptions, and activism,
and ultimately to locate Third Wave theorizing and
practices in their historical, cultural, geographical,
political, and theoretical context(s). Develops the
skills and knowledge needed to re/frame women, the
issues raised in feminist critiques and feminist
thinking more broadly. Will use assigned readings and
other materials to explore the state of Third Wave
feminist understandings of the intersections of class,
race, ethnic, sexual, national and other “identities”
with gendered experiences/identities.