FS 102 Descriptions (Spring 2017)

Specific descriptions of sections of FS 102, Academic Discourse II, offered in Spring 2017:

Please consult WebAdvisor for the days, times, and locations of these sections.

Section 1: Rocky Influences on Human History
Professor Birsic

A twist on human history – looking into how geology persuaded the development of civilizations. We examine various ways geologic processes and resources facilitated and shaped the growth and destruction of Earth’s major civilizations from the advent of man through modern times. Processes and resources examined include natural disasters, mineral and ore deposits, energy sources, and climate change on a global-scale. Discussions entail how resources and geologic processes force humans to adapt and create to further the advancement of society. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.

Section 3: Modern Chinese Warfare
Professor Wu

An historical examination of modern Chinese warfare from the 1930s to the 1980s. Using the Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945), the Chinese Civil War (1947-1949), and China’s involvement in the Korean and Vietnam Wars as case studies, the course considers modern Chinese warfare and the evolution of Chinese military strategy. Important relationships considered include that between the army and the political parties/state, between the army and the people, between ideological training and weapons, between offense and defense, and between war and diplomacy. The seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.

Section 4: We Are Orlando: Making Sense of the Pulse Night Club Shooting
Professor Bailey

An exploration of public discourses around the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. This took place at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando on June 12th, 2016 and sparked nation-wide anger, sorrow, and grief. The course considers a range of public reactions to this event such as reports from mainstream media, statements from celebrities and politicians, and public memorial services for the victims. Then investigates how these responses contribute narratives around race, sexuality, terrorism, gun control, and U. S. national identity. In particular, the impact of the shooting on the Latinx and LGBTQ+ communities is examined. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.

Section 5: The Contemporary American Musical
Professor Cosdon

An exploration of the contemporary American musical with a focus on the presentation of “difference” and “diversity.” Rather than the traditional fusion of syrupy plotlines with flashy songs and dances, these shows are “taking musical theatre on a whole new trip.” Musicals studied may include “Rent,” “Hairspray,” “Wicked,” “Avenue Q,” “Spring Awakening,” “Passing Strange,” “The Book of Mormon,” “Fun Home,” and “Hamilton.” This seminar develops written and oral communication skills, with an emphasis on persuasive communication.

Section 6: Born to be Wild: Film and the 60s Generation
Professor Keeley

An exploration of the 1960s through the study of film. The social, political, and intellectual upheaval of the late 1960s produced a brief period of great activity in the American Cinema in which conventions of both form and content were challenged. The history of this era is investigated through the examination of films produced during the late 60s and early 70s- films that best chronicle the shifting values of American society. Topics include race, the rise of the anti-hero, the use of explicit violence, and the development of the independent filmmaking industry. The seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.

Section 7: Interpreting Popular Culture
Professor Sinha Roy

A study of how consumer culture reflects and shapes our “popular” imagination. Examine various ways of ‘looking’ and how they construct cultural meaning. The course explores the use of media artifacts to preserve cultural memory, the creation of new ideological myths through media industries, the fetishization of personal/social identities, and forms of cultural resistance. Assignments contribute to communication debates on local and global media topics and draw from popular ethnography, film, photojournalism, advertising, music, reality TV shows, fan fiction, and high/low art. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.

Section 8: Finding a “Path of Integration”
Professor Reedy

A study of theories and practices that offer guidance on how to live a fulfilling life. These historical and contemporary notions describe processes designed to help us know ourselves better, relieve suffering, find happiness and reach our potential as human beings. This examination probes what it means to journey on a spiritual path. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication within an academic context.

Section 9: Contemporary Entrepreneurial Leadership
Professor Allison

A critical examination of the personal philosophies, leadership styles, and economic and social impacts of entrepreneurs in the personal computer, internet, and web-portal industries. Each entrepreneur is studied using several models of entrepreneurial leadership, with special emphasis on the framework of Joseph Schumpeter. The individuals studied include Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Andy Grove, Jim Clark, Michael Dell, and Mark Zuckerberg. Seminar assignments include presentations, discussions based on readings, and written assignments. This seminar develops oral and written communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.

Section 10: Analyzing Architecture
Professor Utz

An examination of architecture on campus and in the city, through articles, discussion sessions, and research. Throughout the day we navigate buildings produced by architects, engineers, and contractors. These structures shelter us from harsh elements and define the community in which we live. This constructed environment has evolved based on the study of human needs and behavior. We explore how yesterday’s architecture serves our modern needs and ask if the form fits the function or if aesthetics dominates the field. This seminar develops oral and written communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.

Section 11: Notions of Infinity
Professor James Hollerman

Coming to grips with the infinite. The infinite surfaces in philosophy, mathematics, cosmology, religion, and art, but often in different ways. Readings by authors such as Democritus, Aristotle, Aquinas, Galileo, Cantor, and Escher, ranging from the ancient Greeks to modern times, are taken up. Student papers and oral presentations argue the validity or usefulness of a particular notion of infinity as described by one or more authors. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.

Section 12: French Literature of the Occupation
Professor Wolfe

Since democratic forms in legality vanished as a result of the fall of France in 1940, the French had to adjust to an entirely new way of life and to decide, under the circumstances, how to adjust to the occupying power and the new vision of France offered by the Vichy puppet government. Amidst the chaos, French writers were forced to come to grips with the catastrophe that had befallen their country and its long-term effects. We read texts by Camus, Sartre, DeGaulle, Vercors, and a selection press articles. Emphasis is placed on student writing and oral presentations. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication.

Section 13: Language Matters
Professor Riess

An inquiry into the many uses of language. Topics for study and discussion include whether language determines who we are and how we think, its potential and limitation as a mode of communication, and issues of language and power. Coursework emphasizes the study and use of rhetorical tools to articulate language matters relevant to contemporary social issues and cultural debates. The seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.

Section 14: Disruptive Imagination
Professor Jurs

An investigation into the origin of human ingenuity through the lens of the trickster figure. The trickster demonstrates a playful, mischievous imagination that ultimately leads to lasting cultural change in many cultures. We will uncover examples of disruptive thinking in leaders from the world of art, music, social justice, and business/technology, and will be challenged to become tricksters through a fun and collaborative project. The seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.

Section 15: Religion and Food: Are We What We Eat?
Professor Krone

An exploration of religious identities as they are expressed through food practices. Students investigate all aspects of religious food production – growing, processing, cooking, and eating. Students consider the formation of religious food traditions in relation to themes such as social class, gender, and conflict. Students become familiar with a variety of religious dietary systems as they examine the relationship between those systems and their religious and historical context. Our course culminates with a class meal researched, prepared, and presented by students following family recipes. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.

Section 16: Investigating Human Rights
Professor Palmer

Human rights indicate the minimum reasonable treatment for any person. But what is the basis for such a decision, and who decides just what that treatment should be? This course will focus upon the history of the development of the political regime of human rights from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) forward. We will consider the ethical basis and political and legal structures that support the human rights regime, and some among the most pressing current national and global human rights concerns. Participants in the course will research and then present their findings to the group regarding these topics. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication.

Section 18: The Harmony of the World
Professor Willey

An historical investigation of the belief that nature is guided by principles of harmony. Often referred to as the “harmony of the spheres,” the intriguing idea that the orbiting planets emit musical notes originated over two-thousand years ago. Recently it has made a surprising comeback in the yet unproven idea that all matter is made up of tiny vibrating ‘strings.’ In this course we trace the history of the idea and its many manifestations in philosophy, music, science, and literature. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.

Section 19: Music of the Great Migration
Professor Christie-Searles

A study of the social and cultural history of the movement of African-Americans from Mississippi, and other southern states, to the north, mainly Chicago, and the impact the movement had on the evolution of music. Musicians of the state’s Delta region were historically significant to the development of the blues. Low prices for cotton and national financial pressures resulted in African-Americans losing their land. Many Mississippi musicians migrated to Chicago and created new forms of jazz and other genres there. Students investigate the conditions that made the migration necessary and the implications for both the north and the south. This seminar develops oral and written communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.

Section 20: Music of the Great Migration
Professor Christie-Searles

Section 21: Science and the General Public
Professor Garcia

An exploration of science education and dissemination through various communication mediums. From Science Fridays to Science News Magazine to Radiolab, a variety of forms of communication exist to engage the general public in the world of science and to increase audience understanding of how science works. However, poor quality science, misinformation, and sensationalized coverage are huge hurdles for proponents of general scientific literary. Students read select current research topics and critically evaluate the representation of such topics by news outlets or social media. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.

Section 22: Writing for Art Exhibitions
Professor D. L. Miller

A guide to understanding how formal elements in works of art help to create explicit and implicit meaning. Students investigate artworks in Allegheny College’s collection, gather appropriate information, consider historical and cultural contexts, and present their findings via exhibition labels, wall text, catalog essays, slide presentations, and the creation of online resources. The seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.

Section 23: Software Everywhere
Professor Kapfhammer

An examination of the pervasive nature of computer software and the impact that it has on individuals and society. Participating in team-based and hands-on explorations of software systems, students examine the technical and ethical challenges facing a culture that relies heavily on computer software. Using state-of-the-art software technology to investigate topics such as social networking, online search, and digital music, students further develop their oral and written communication skills. This seminar develops oral and written communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.

Section 24: The Science of Gaming
Professor Connell Pensky

An exploration of the neuroscience, psychology, and behavior of gaming. We start with an introduction to neuroscience, the brain, and its functions. We then examine complex brain effects of gaming, its relationship with stress and health, and controversial findings from research on gaming. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context. This seminar develops oral and written communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.

Section 25: Work
Professor Levine

An exploration of work. It is the spine of our lives, anchoring where we live and how we live while offering us an income, an identity, a structure, and a source of satisfaction. We examine the way education, gender, background, training affect the work we do and the salary we receive for our efforts. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.

Section 26: Work
Professor Levine

Section 27: Notions of Infinity
Professor James Hollerman

Section 28: Violence, Conflict, and Reconciliation
Professor Correm

An examination of the definitions and justifications for violence and nonviolence in political struggles and ways for reconciliation and sustainable peace in the post-conflict era. The course explores how violence and nonviolence relate to politics and religion, freedom and agency, justice and law; and how truth, mourning and public deliberation play a significant role in rebuilding a community of trust in post-conflict societies. These issues are addressed in the work of M. K. Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Frantz Fanon, and Hannah Arendt among others. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.

Section 29: Nature Rx
Professor Socci

An examination of the impacts of nature on physical and mental health. A growing body of research shows that time spent in nature provides strong benefits to human health. Despite this, people are spending more time indoors using digital media than ever before, effectively “trading scenes for screens”. Through discussion, activities and written reports, students explore the “prescription nature” movement, the barriers to enjoying natural areas, and how digital media and nature may not have to be mutually exclusive. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.

Section W1: Words, Words, Words
Professor Bulman

An exploration of the power of the English language, its uses and abuses. Topics include the history and development of English; how language shapes our reality; the function of jargon, euphemism, prejudicial language, and political propaganda; the ethics of rhetorical persuasion; and the importance of audience and occasion. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context. Designated “W,” this section places particular emphasis on the practice of writing and offers specialized instruction to improve writing skills.

Cancellation:

Section W2: Storytime: The Social Consequence of Narrative
Professor B. Slote

Section W4: Let’s Get Digital
Professor Hart

An exploration of communication technologies and their effects on personal and community identities, civic engagement, and rhetorical practices. We will develop projects for online publication that weave together words, images, sound, and video as we consider how our composing practices affect our engagement with ideas and with each other. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context. Designated “W,” this section places particular emphasis on the practice of writing and offers specialized instruction to improve writing skills.

Section W5: College at the Crossroads
Professor S. Slote

An investigation into current issues facing colleges and universities and the people living and working there. College is “at the crossroads” in two ways: for individual students, it is a transitional and transformative site as they move into full adulthood; as an institution, it is at the crux of national debates over issues as diverse as social inequality, free speech, and student behavior. Readings include contemporary news sources, policy analysis, and literary depictions of “college life.” Students explore topics such as student debt, campus “climate,” the role of college sports, and the phenomena of on-line education and for-profit institutions. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context. Designated “W,” this section places particular emphasis on the practice of writing and offers specialized instruction to improve writing skills.

Section W6: You Are What You Eat: Writing about Food
Professor Lo

A writing and speaking course using food as the general topic. Students gain some knowledge about food, reading and developing ideas about how food travels, the cultural importance of certain dishes, and the origins of mainstream cuisine. The seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context. Designated “W,” this section places particular emphasis on the practice of writing and offers specialized instruction to improve writing skills.