FS 102
FS 200
FS 201
FS 102 Sections
FS 102 01, Emerging Genetic Technologies: Promise and Peril
Professor Nelson
MW 11:00 AM 12:15 PM
An exploration of the scientific, historical, and ethical dimensions of emerging genetic technologies. Little more than a century since the word “gene” was coined to describe the basic unit of genetic inheritance, techniques such as CRISPR raise the possibility of reshaping the genomes of a wide range of organisms with unprecedented ease and precision. What about these technologies worries scientists? What cautionary tales does history reveal? How do we define the “ideal” genome and what are the ethical implications of doing so? This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.
FS 102 02, Globalization
Professor Nonnenmacher
MW 11:00 AM 12:15 PM
An examination of differing aspects of globalization, defined as the increased cross-border flows of goods, services, technology, investment, people, and information. Proponents of globalization argue that it has led to a more peaceful, healthier, wealthier, and interconnected world. Critics highlight the increase in the power of corporations, the homogenization of culture, environmental degradation, the fragility of supply chains, and the exploitation of labor. Through the analysis of historical and contemporary episodes of globalization, we will discuss and debate its various meanings and effects. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.
FS 102 03, Movie Epidemics in Post-Pandemic Times
Abbreviated Title: Movie Epidemics
Professor Votava
TTH 11:00 AM 12:15 PM
An investigation of movies representing the community experience of epidemic disease. Students examine both the myth and the science of public health crises. These may include the bubonic plague, AIDS in 1980s America, zombies and other imaginary public health disasters, and how the recent experience of Covid shapes both newer films and audience responses to dramatized epidemics. We consider the problem of representing traumatic experience and the cultural as well as physical power of plague to transform society. This seminar develops oral and written communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.
FS 102 04, Contemporary Environmental Issues
Abbreviated Title: Environmental Issues
Professor Bensel
TTH 11:00 AM 12:15 PM
An overview of some of the major environmental issues facing the world today, including global climate change, ocean pollution, and the environmental impacts of agriculture and food production. Issues will be examined both in terms of causes and consequences as well as from the standpoint of possible solutions. Readings and assignments will emphasize issues of uncertainty, tradeoffs and the challenge of addressing environmental problems in the face of opposition from vested interests. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.
FS 102 05, Diplomacy, War, and Chinese Peoples’ Liberation Army
Professor Wu
TTH 11:00 AM 12:15 PM
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.
FS 102 07, Mathematics and Liberal Education
Abbreviated Title: Mathematics and Communication
Professor Lo Bello
MW 11:00 AM 12:15 PM
An exploration of persuasive communication based on the works of experts famous for their appreciation of mathematics and logic. We study some masterpieces of those who excelled in the art of presenting one’s arguments in accordance with the method of deductive reasoning. These will include the major works on the subject by philosophers and mathematicians from ancient to modern times. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.
FS 102 08, American Christian Identities and Policies
Professor Delgado
MW 11:00 AM 12:15 PM
An exploration of American Christian identities and their role in American politics. Students investigate the history of American Christianity’s political presence – from the country’s founding to the current political climate. Students consider the formation of Christian religious identities in relation to themes such as race, gender, ethnicity, nationalism, age and class. Students become familiar with a variety of Christian identities as they examine the relationship between those systems and their religious and historical context. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.
FS 102 09, The American War on Drugs: 52 Years of Failure?
Abbreviated Title: The American War on Drugs
Professor Hernandez
TTH 11:00 AM 12:15 PM
An examination of the War on Drugs, the American policy in place since 1971. Students learn the Nixon government’s rationale behind the creation of such a policy and its lack of success since then until the present in stopping Americans from consuming products such as cocaine and marijuana. They also explore the consequences of the War on Drugs beyond American borders, including countries such as Colombia and Mexico, where illegal industries emerged to satisfy insatiable American needs for these products. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.
FS 102 12, Ideas of Infinity
Professor James Hollerman
TTH 11:00 AM 12:15 PM
An investigation of the infinite. The concept of the infinite surfaces in philosophy, mathematics, and art, but often in different ways. Readings ranging from the ancient Greeks to modern times are taken up, including Aristotle, Galileo, Cantor, and Escher. 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.
FS 102 13, AI, Cellphones and Life Outline
Professor Tompkins
TTH 11:00 AM 12:15 PM
A study of how life online changes us as people. Students will consider how cell phones, social media, robots, and algorithms shape the way we live and relate to other people. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.
FS 102 14, Exposition Engineering
Professor Kapghammer
TTH 11:00 AM 12:15 PM
An experiential exploration of persuasive communication through the use of both conceptual frameworks and software tools. This hands-on course introduces templates and techniques for crafting compelling written and oral arguments. Leveraging accessible computer programs such as integrated development environments, digital audio workstations, and artificial intelligence assistants, students work in teams to produce and publish engaging content through websites, videos, and podcasts. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.
FS 102 15, This Class is Censored: Banned Books, Restricted Curricula, & Students’ Right to Learn
Abbreviated Title: This Class is Censored
Professor Hart
MW 11:00 AM 12:15 PM
An exploration of the controversies regarding the content of texts and course materials made available to students within educational institutions. We will investigate why certain books and subjects are challenged and defended, how various advocacy groups frame and deliver their arguments, and how legislative bodies articulate their decisions. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.
FS 102 18, Nothing Is Without Music
Professor Willey
TTH 11:00 AM 12:15 PM
An historical investigation of the concept that the universe is governed by principles of musical harmony. Originating in ancient Greece with the idea that the planets emitted musical notes, this vision of heavenly harmony eventually became a theory of everything to the extent that by 630 CE Isidore of Seville could claim that, “nothing is without music.” In this course we trace the history of the idea from its ancient Greek roots up to its current incarn ation in String Theory. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.
FS 102 19, Politics of Populism in Europe
Professor Oliver
TTH 11:00 AM 12:15 PM
An exploration of the politics of populism in Western Europe over the past decade. We will examine the case of Brexit in the UK and the rise of populist parties in Germany, Italy, and Sweden. We also investigate counter-acting forces and new dynamics at play. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.
FS 102 22, No Pain, No Gain
Professor Eckstein
TTH 11:00 AM 12:15 PM
An exploration of the benefits of positive thinking along with its limitations. The powers of positive thinking are often extolled, and the search for happiness has given birth to an entire industry of self-help books, tapes, retreats, and coaches. And yet the relentless search for happiness and the avoidance of discomfort, failure, and setbacks can make us more miserable. We explore why the “secret” to a state of contentment may lie in embracing discomfort. Readings are drawn from the popular press, but also from psychology, philosophy, biology, and religion. This seminar develops written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context.
FS 200 Section
FS 200 00, Deadly Diseases
Professor Dawson
TTH 11:00 AM 12:15 PM
An exploration of the world’s deadliest diseases – why they are so deadly, who is most likely to contract those diseases and die, and what can be done to prevent these diseases. This course traces the evolution of a deadly epidemic and makes connections between community health and clinical medicine. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the social determinants of health and how public policy, globalization, and human-animal interactions contribute to the spread of disease from person to person. Coursework emphasizes developing effective oral and written communication skills with a focus on research, formed arguments, and critical thinking.
FS 201 Sections
FSBIO 201 01, Investigative Approaches in Biology
MW 1:30 PM 4:20 PM
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. Two 3-hour meetings per week.
Must be taken on the letter-grade basis.
Prerequisite: BIO 220. This course is required for all Biology majors and minors.
FSBIO 201 02, Investigative Approaches in Biology
MW 1:30 PM 4:20 PM
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. Two 3-hour meetings per week.
Must be taken on the letter-grade basis.
Prerequisite: BIO 220. This course is required for all Biology majors and minors.
FSCOM 201 00, Communication, Media, & Performance
Professor Mehler
MWF 9:00 AM 9:50 AM
An introduction to the disciplinary practices of analyzing communication, film, and theatre. While examining creative and critical works through concepts of space and place, students practice identifying, describing, and analyzing the work of artists and scholars. Students analyze a range of creative works and critical studies in order to investigate the cultural interdependence of bodies and spaces.
FSECO 201 00, Political Economy of Africa and the MENA Region
Professor Onyeiwu
TTH 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
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 00, Blood, Bodies, and Blasphemy: Vampires in Literature
Abbreviated Title: Vampires in Literature
Professor S. Caballero
TTH 9:30 AM 10:45 AM
An exploration of vampires in literature. Students explore representations of vampire figures and how these representations relate to social and cultural questions and anxieties in various literary periods.
FSENV 201 01, Environmental Problem Analysis
Professor Bensel
TTH 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
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.
Must be taken on the letter-grade basis.
Prerequisite: ENVSC 110.
FSENV 201 02, Environmental Problem Analysis
Professor Byrnes
TTH 9:30 AM 10:45 AM
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.
Must be taken on the letter-grade basis.
Prerequisite: ENVSC 110.
FSHIS 201 00, Does the Russian Revolution Still Matter?
Professor Pinnow
TTH 3:00 PM 4:15 PM
An introduction to research, writing, and speaking in the discipline of history. Students approach historical thinking by considering academic and political debates over the Russian Revolutions of 1917 and their legacies. The course focuses on skills central to producing historical arguments as students explore the meanings attached to the revolutions and the ways that we remember the past.
FSMAT 201 00, Special Functions
Professor Weir
TTH 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
An introduction to writing and speaking in the discipline of Mathematics. Students explore historical and current developments in the field of special functions, including applications in a variety of disciplines. Special functions are those whose importance and utility have led to standardized names and notations, such as the gamma, beta, and zeta functions, the family of hypergeometric functions, and the transcendental functions seen in calculus courses. Students learn to use a computer algebra system and a mathematical typesetting software package. Prerequisites A grade of C or better in one of the following courses: MATH 141, MATH 151, MATH 160.
FSPHY 201 00, Investigative Approachs in Physics
Professor Dresler
TTH 1:30 PM 4:30 PM
An investigative laboratory course that emphasizes experimental design and analysis, interpretation of data, and written and oral presentation. This course stresses independent and cooperative laboratory work. Writing and speaking in the physical sciences is emphasized through written, oral and poster presentations.
Must be taken on the letter-grade basis.
Prerequisite: PHYS 120 or PHYS 102.
FSWLC 201 00, Academic Communication in Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Professor Hilal
MWF 11:00 AM 11:50 AM
An introduction to research and communication in the disciplines of Modern Languages. Through close work with a small number of texts and cultural topics, students engage with the norms and processes of research, including the development of appropriate topics; the location, evaluation, use, and citation of secondary sources; the incorporation of these sources into their own analyses; and the communication of these analyses in writing and speech as part of a scholarly conversation. While given in English, our study prepares language majors for research in the target language, including in the Junior/Senior Seminar and Senior Project.
Must be taken on the letter-grade basis.