AFSD 201ACH Introduction to Africana Studies
4 credits
Rosenberg, Scott
This course is designed to introduce students to the discipline of Africana Studies, which is the study, interpretation, and dissemination of knowledge concerning African-American, African, and Caribbean affairs and culture. Our chief aim is to look at the arts and culture of people of African descent with specific attention at the retention of Africanisms in New World Contexts. As such, we will devote attention to music, dance, religion, and literature as ways of influencing and creating space for voice, inclusion, and identity in New World contexts. We will further investigate the transformation of these themes over the last 500 hundred years as Africans, African Americans and African Caribbeans have been exposed to European domination and exploitation.
ECON 190S Principles of Economics
4 credits
Frost, Marcia; Tiffany, Frederick; Asiamah, Selloane
Prerequisites: Students must have attained the math placement level 22 to enroll.
An introduction to basic principles of economics. Topics covered include supply and demand, marginal analysis, competition, profit maximization, aggregate demand, and supply, the level of employment, inflation, fiscal policy, monetary policy, and international trade. Lecture/discussion format.
ECON 220C 1W Economics of Developing Areas
4 credits
Frost, Marcia
This course is concerned with the post World War II experiences and future prospects of the developing nations of Africa, Asia, Latin America and transition Eurasia. Topics include measures of development, alternative strategies for development, demography, human capital and labor, agriculture and finance. Lecture/discussion format.
GEOG 101S 01 Cultural Geography
4 credits
Scholl, Andrew
The objective of this course is to introduce the student to the breadth of human geography and in particular how populations influence the way the environment is developed and utilized by people and the subsequent patterns they create on the landscape. Topics will include: the spatial organization of human activities, ways in which social processes and structures can be understood through a geographic lens, geographic perspectives of human/environment interactions, patterns of economic activity, the relationship between political States and cultures, and the impact of globalization. The course will follow a lecture/discussion format to enhance critical thinking and writing abilities. In addition, the class will also require some out of class, off campus collection of data to complete exercises. The overall aim of the course is to provide the student with the analytical skills necessary to think critically about contemporary geographical patterns and processes while also cultivating the student's own geographical imagination.
GEOG 250C/S 1W Russian and Central Eurasian Geography
4 credits
Medvedkov, Olga
For the first time in all Russian history geography speaks for itself. After the disintegration of the Soviet Empire regions became exceedingly important in this highly centralized state. The current government is trying to reestablish control over the regions. Who will win in this geo-political game? Will Russia become a democratic state or it will pull back to the dictatorship? Will newly independent states like Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan gravitate to Russian economic and political domain or create new alliances with other bordering countries?
We will discuss it throughout the course. The class will be focused on changing space economy, environmental and population issues, national identity problems, political orientation in different regions of the post-Soviet space. This course has a lecture-discussion-project format. Students are expected to complete several map assignments, participate in class discussions, and to write a final paper on major topics.
GEOG 250C 01 China's Geography
4 credits
Lenz , Ralph
Despite many parallels between China's physical environment and that of the USA, there are some notable contrasts. With a geographic area extending from deserts of Central Asia to the Pacific Ocean, environmental diversity within the region is pronounced. This regional course will examine environmental impacts on cultural and economic patterns. China offers a surprising amount of cultural diversity, and cultural and economic contrasts between the Han and various minority populations, a topic not covered in most East Asian Studies classes, will be emphasized. As China undergoes a tremendous economic transition, huge disparities between the interior of the country and its coast have resulted. Demographic, agricultural, and urban patterns will be examined. Evaluation will be based on exams and quizzes, a project, and an oral presentation about one of China's subregions or minority groups.
East Asian Studies majors and minors will find that this class offers perspectives on the environment and on China's minorities that are not covered in other classes, but there will also be introductory coverage of Chinese Culture.
HIST 106H/C 1W Modern World
4 credits
Proctor, Tammy
Are you interested in what the Aztecs thought of the Spanish? Have you ever thought about how Japanese farmers experienced life in the 19th century? In The Modern World, we will examine such questions in an attempt to re-examine our assumptions about non-western cultures since 1400, while seeing the connections between these cultures and western civilizations. Using a global framework, students will explore the development of modern civilizations in the Near and Far East, Eastern/Western Europe, Africa and the Americas. Assessment will focus on the students' ability to express their ideas in essay exams, quizzes, short papers, and oral presentations.
WRITING INTENSIVE (This course is required for the History/Integrated Social Studies Major.)
Cultures and Languages Across the Curriculum: CLAC
Interested in using your foreign language skills to earn extra credit connected to this course and to learn more about the subject matter of this course at the same time? If so, register for the CLAC components offered here. You don't need to be fluent in the language to exercise this option. In fact, you need only to have completed two credits beyond 112 or to be currently enrolled in a course beyond 112. Your work will be guided by your professor and by faculty from the Languages Department. The CLAC module is designed for intermediate level language learners.
This course offers a foreign language component or CLAC component in the following languages: Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, French, German
Students who select the CLAC option will complete work in a foreign language that will supplement the work in this course. Students who complete the CLAC assignments successfully will earn 1 credit for the CLAC component.
To register for the CLAC component, you must also register for a one-credit LANG 230 CLAC module listed among the Language Department's offerings. Meeting times and location will be arranged at the beginning of the semester. Credit for CLAC modules may be counted toward the requirements for International Studies and as elective credit in the Language department.
HIST 106H/C 2W Modern World
4 credits
Raffensperger, Christian
As our world grows smaller with each new technological advance, it becomes increasingly important to know and understand that world and our place in it. Modern world history will help you to learn the origins of nations, religions, philosophical systems, and even the conflicts that occupy the world around you. The class begins with the Mongol world empire which controlled the majority of Asia and Europe for over 100 years. Its dissolution led to the creation of a variety of smaller states, vying for power with one another, a phenomenon mirrored at the other end of our class with the breakup of the Soviet Union. Aside from political history, we will also deal with social and cultural history, studying colonization and its effect on both subjects and conquerors, suffrage for a wide variety of groups, as well as the creation of modern political philosophies such as socialism and democracy. This course will provide you with a solid grounding in modern world history and ideally encourage you to pursue further historical interests.
WRITING INTENSIVE
(This course is required for the History/Integrated Social Studies Major.) This course counts toward the PAST minor. Supplemental Instruction available.
HIST 170C 1W Lesotho and the Shadow of Apartheid
4 credits
Rosenberg, Scott
This class will look at formation of mountain Kingdom of Lesotho during the time of Moshoeshoe. Special attention will be paid to how Moshoeshoe brought the Basotho together and his relationship with Europeans. Next this class will look at the Kings who came after Moshoeshoe and the struggle between the chieftainship and the commoners during the twentieth century. We will also devote time to discussing the development of a national identity based on Moshoeshoe as a form of resisting incorporation into South Africa. Considerable attention will be given to Lesotho's underdevelopment, environmental degradation and growing dependence on migrant labor in the colonial period. We will then discuss Lesotho independence and post-colonial politics. Lastly, this class will focus on Lesotho's future as an independent viable nation. The items examined will include the HIV/AIDS crisis, Lesotho dependence on migrant labor and the textile industry as well as its relationship with South Africa.
WRITING INTENSIVE
POLI 251S International Relations
4 credits
Allan, James
This course provides a broad introduction to the study of international relations. The course begins with an examination of the major theoretical and conceptual approaches used to study international relations. It then turns to exploring key topics in international relations, including diplomacy, international organizations, international security, international political economy and the nature of conflict and cooperation in an increasingly globalized system. Evaluation will be based on two exams, and participation in several short case study/simulation exercises. 02/12
POLI 302 1W North American Politics
4 credits
Allan, James
Prerequisite: POLI 102S and Junior/Senior standing
This course is a comparative survey of the political systems within North America: Canada, Mexico, and the United States (although more emphasis will be placed on Canada and Mexico). Topics covered in the course from a comparative perspective include political culture and values, political institutions, federalism, paradiplomacy, political parties and electoral systems, public policies, and NAFTA. The course will also focus on politics across, as well as within, the three countries: are there commonalities among North American states? What is the impact of NAFTA and do attitudes to further economic integration vary across borders? What is the future of North American integration? Evaluation will be based on exams, class participation, and a research paper.
WRITING INTENSIVE
Cultures and Languages Across the Curriculum: CLAC
Interested in using your foreign language skills to earn extra credit connected to this course and to learn more about the subject matter of this course at the same time? If so, register for the CLAC components offered here. You don't need to be fluent in the language to exercise this option. In fact, you need only to have completed two credits beyond 112 or to be currently enrolled in a course beyond 112. Your work will be guided by your professor and by faculty from the Languages Department. The CLAC module is designed for intermediate level language learners.
This course offers a foreign language component or CLAC component in the following languages: Chinese, French, German, Russian.
Students who select the CLAC option will complete work in a foreign language that will supplement the work in this course. Students who complete the CLAC assignments successfully will earn 1 credit for the CLAC component.
To register for the CLAC component, you must also register for a one-credit LANG 230 CLAC module listed among the Language Department's offerings. Meeting times and location will be arranged at the beginning of the semester. Credit for CLAC modules may be counted toward the requirements for International Studies and as elective credit in the Language department. 02/12
POLI 309W Politics of Non-Democratic Regimes
4 credits
LaPorte, Jody
Prerequisites: POLI 102S and Jr/Sr class standing
This course is designed to introduce students to the politics of non-democratic regimes. Over recent decades, many political science theories focused on the construction of democracy. However, in many parts of the world authoritarianism is proving remarkably resilient. This course addresses the gap between these theories and empirical realities by focusing on the dynamics of authoritarian rule. The first section of the course explores the forms that non-democracy takes around the world, asking: Who rules in these regimes? The second section of the course examines how rulers stay in power, and how some citizens resist government intrusion into their daily lives. Students will be expected to complete several writing assignments and to participate actively in class discussions. 02/12
WRITING INTENSIVE
SOCI 277C 1W & 2W Islam and Islamic Societies
4 credits
Pankhurst, Jerry
This course will provide a broad introduction to the religion of Islam, accompanied by an examination of the connections between Islam and the varied life of Muslim societies and of Muslim minority communities in non-Muslim societies. Given the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the West's military reprisals and subsequent reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan, the war in Iraq, the ongoing struggle of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the devastation of the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia and elsewhere in the Indian Ocean basin, and other problem situations, knowledge of these issues has become of highest priority. We will seek to understand the complex sources of conflict in areas in which Islam is implicated in some way; we will also try to become acquainted with the rich cultural life of Muslims. We will consider Muslim societies all over the world, but, in support of the minor in Africana Studies, we will give a special emphasis to Islam in Africa and to African American Islam.
Course format: lecture/seminar, with much group discussion. Graded Requirements: A variety of writing exercises throughout the term, oral presentations, examinations and a term project. Students should expect one or more alternative class meetings during the evening to accommodate guest speakers. This course is Writing Intensive (W) and can be taken for either C or R credit in General Education.
SOCI 301 1C War, Identity and Justice
4 credits
Doubt, Keith
What is the contemporary character of war and its destructive impact on societies? How does social violence confront and ultimately transform social identities at both the individual and the collective level? What is justice and its necessity to social order? Drawing upon sociology, documentaries, memoirs, and political theory, this course studies war crimes, the construction of identity in multi-ethnic societies, the political character of nationalism, the social context of terrorism, and the idea of justice in our modern era. First, from the study of Bosnia, the course develops a sociology of war, a psychology of identity, and a philosophy of justice. Then, the course applies this set of concepts to the modern wars in Algeria, Chechnya, Iraq, Rwanda, and the Middle East. The objective is develop a perspective on social violence at the collective level that is comparative and historical, one that is objective as well as moral, humanistic as well as empirical.
