FS 201 courses complete the required FS sequence and also count for elective credit in the department offering the course. Because FS 201 forms a bridge between the first-year FS courses and the Junior Seminar, students are expected to take FS 201 in the sophomore year. Some majors and minors require an FS 201 course in that specific program; in these cases, the same FS 201 course may be used to satisfy both the FS requirement and the major/minor requirement.
FSBIO 201 Investigative Approaches in Biology
Taught by various Biology faculty
An investigative laboratory course that emphasizes experimental design, modern experimental techniques and instrumentation, analysis and interpretation of data, and written and oral presentation. The course consists of three multi-week project modules designed to illustrate investigative approaches at different levels of biological organization—molecular/cellular, organismal/physiology, and population/ecosystem. There is an emphasis on independent and cooperative laboratory/field work, and on writing and speaking in the sciences. One two-hour recitation/discussion and three-hour lab period per week. Prerequisite: BIO 220. This course is required for Biology majors and minors.
FSCHE 201 Research Methods in Chemistry
Professor Van Horn
An introduction to writing, speaking, and research methods in the discipline of chemistry. Topics include experimental design, statistical analysis of data, ethical conduct of research and selected classical, spectroscopic and chromatographic methods of analysis. Analytical techniques are discussed in the context of laboratory projects that are designed, performed, and interpreted by the class. Taught in the fall semester. Prerequisite: a grade of C or better in CHEM 122 or CHEM 112.
FSDMS 201 Dance: Ritual of Experience
Professor Weisman
An exploration of ritual and ceremonial dances from multiple cultural perspectives, drawing upon insights into dance as human thought and as physical, cultural, social, economic, psychological, political and communicative behavior. Of particular interest is the role dance plays in the expression of both resistances to and maintenance of cultural expressions of power and value. Special emphasis is placed on relating each student’s personal experience of dance to the topics covered. Effective writing and speaking within the guidelines of the discipline is emphasized. May count toward a minor in Dance and Movement Studies.
FSECO 201 The Political Economy of Africa and the MENA Region
Professor Onyeiwu
An exploration of the economies of Sub-Saharan and North African countries, with emphasis on the impact of colonization, post-colonial development strategies, globalization, and contemporary economic policies. Students learn how economic, political, and social factors interact to shape economic development in Africa and the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region.
FSENG 201 Stopping for Death in American Literature
Professor Crowley
An introduction to writing and speaking in the discipline of English. Students apply a variety of critical approaches to a small number of texts, develop research and interpretive skills, and present their work in oral and written forms. We explore several well-known American texts that self-consciously confront mortality. The works covered provide a varied representation of genres, styles, and historical contexts. Students come away from this exploration with a much more self-conscious and systematic sense of the various approaches currently taken toward literary texts. Prerequisite: FS 102.
FSENV 201 Environmental Problem Analysis
Taught by various Environmental Science faculty
An interdisciplinary analysis of modern controversial environmental issues. Students examine scientific, economic, cultural and political underpinnings of issues. Areas of study address environmental degradation, natural resource use and misuse, human-environmental interactions, and environmental justice. Written assignments and oral arguments and presentations are emphasized. Counts toward the major in Environmental Science or Environmental Studies. Prerequisite: Environmental Science 110.
FSFRE 201: please note that FSFRE 201 (French) is no longer offered. Students who need FSFRE 201 to complete their major or minor should consult with the Modern and Classical Languages department about how to fulfill the requirement.
FSGHS 201 Topics and Approaches in Global Health
Professor Dawson
An introduction to writing and speaking in the discipline of Global Health Studies. Students are introduced to the research methods and modes of communication used in the field of global health and use case studies to investigate different approaches to identifying, analyzing, and responding to global health issues. We read primary and secondary research, interpret data, evaluate tools for communicating effectively to different audiences, and explore various research methods. Ethical, cultural, and interdisciplinary dimensions of global health research and work are emphasized throughout. Prerequisite: Global Health Studies 130.
FSHIS 201 Nelson Mandela and the End of Apartheid in South Africa (short title: Mandela & the End of Apartheid)
Professor Shapiro
An introduction to writing and speaking in the discipline of history. Students are introduced to historical thinking through an analysis of how negotiation and compromise played a central role in ending what had seemed to be one of the world’s most intractable conflicts. In particular, students investigate the emergence of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the process through which the practitioners of apartheid were granted amnesty in return for telling the truth about their crimes.
FSMAT 201 Combinatorial Game Theory
Professor Barry
An introduction to writing and speaking in the discipline of Mathematics. Combinatorial game theory, which involves the analysis of two-person games with no hidden moves and no moves decided by chance, became a respectable area of mathematics due in large part to the work of John H. Conway. Its most important example is the game of Nim, because every game is equivalent to some Nim game. This seminar, which may be counted toward the completion of a major or minor in Mathematics, highlights how the software package LaTeX can aid effective written and oral communication in Mathematics. Prerequisite: Mathematics 160 with a grade of “C” or better, or permission of the instructor.
FSPOL 201 Public Opinion and Its Problems
Professor Bloeser
An introduction to writing and speaking in the discipline of political science. We examine “public opinion” through the study of polls and surveys. Many citizens use the words “public opinion” to signify the independent will of “the people.” For many of these same citizens, “public opinion” is also tied to the results of polls and surveys. We explore how polls and surveys determine the beliefs, values, and preferences of citizens and examine the factors that influence the results of polls and surveys. We also ask whether polls inherently constrain the amount of political influence citizens can achieve when so many rely upon polls and surveys to “reveal” public opinion.
FSPSY 201 The Human Potential Movement
Professor Searle-White
An exploration of the evolution of the research and theory on a specific topic in psychology. Through an examination of relevant primary source materials, the course demonstrates how questions prompting research on a specific topic, as well as research methodologies, have evolved. Effective writing and speaking within the guidelines of the discipline are emphasized. The focus for this section is an examination of writings from psychologists in the psychodynamic and humanistic traditions who attempted to understand the vast potential of human beings for development and growth. Prerequisite: any course in Psychology. Psychology majors are encouraged to take their sophomore seminar in the Psychology Department. May count toward a major or minor in Psychology.
FSSPA 201: please note that FSSPA 201 (Spanish) is no longer offered. Students who need FSSPA 201 to complete their major or minor should consult with the Modern and Classical Languages department about how to fulfill the requirement.