This non-majors course will be investigate the current scientific understanding of climate change as well as the needed policy, social and economic changes needed to avoid its worst effects. The first part of the course (knowledge, two weeks) will establish the scientific basis for global climate change including coverage of essential aspects of Earths climate system (especially the carbon-cycle) as well as coverage of previous climate change events in Earths history and current and projected climate change impacts on biological and cultural systems. The second part of the course (action, one week) will cover the changes needed to both collective and individual human behavior to avoid the worst effects of climate change. The third and final part of the course (anger, one week) would focus on efforts by the status quo to prevent or forestall climate action (political movements, disinformation campaigns, etc.) and official and grassroots efforts worldwide to implement change (with a special focus on youth movem
- Teacher: Rick Lehtinen
Fundamental facts, concepts, and theories of chemistry and mathematical skills are emphasized. Topics include matter, measurements, calculations, elements, atomic theory, atomic mass, the mole, ionic and molecular compounds, types of bonding, mole calculations, types of reactions, limiting reagents, percent yield, solutions, gases, quantum mechanics, orbitals and electrons, electronic structure, atomic periodicity, and Lewis theory. Emphasis will be placed on problem-solving and the development of critical thinking skills. [MNS, Q, QL]
- Teacher: Mark Snider
This course examines the significance of communication in human life and introduces students to fundamental principles and processes of communication in a variety of contexts: intrapersonal, interpersonal relationships, small groups, public settings, and the mass media. Students will learn to think critically about communication and will apply the knowledge they gain through a variety of means: class exercises, a group project of limited scope, message analysis, and a public speech. [HSS]
- Teacher: Mehri Yavari
Data Science is the study of the generalizable extraction of knowledge from data. This course will introduce students to this rapidly growing field and equip them with some of its basic principles and tools as well as its general mindset. Students will learn concepts, techniques and tools they need to deal with various facets of data science practice, including data collection and integration, exploratory data analysis, predictive modeling, descriptive modeling, data product creation, evaluation, and effective communication. Issues of ethics, leadership, and teamwork are highlighted. [MNS, QL]
- Teacher: Jillian Morrison
How to habits, spaces, beliefs, and technologies shape what it means to be a writer? Maya Angelou wrote in the mornings. Steven King assigned himself the task of completing six pages every day. Haruki Murakami committed to swimming and running before starting work. Even more recently, writers like Vauhini Vara have investigated how AI technologies could shape their process. In this course, we will explore how a range of writers and scholars have practiced and conceptualized the work of writing. We will also experiment with adopting and evaluating these habits, routines, and strategies for ourselves. Course assignments and projects will prompt students to explore their own writing process, and to consider what it means to be a writer in a changing technological context. [AH, W]
- Teacher: Alicia Brazeau
What does it mean to know the land upon which we stand? How are the histories of our environments legible to us? How does deepening our knowledge of place allow for us to better understand our position in the ecosystem? How do environmental histories correspond to social, political and economic histories of this region? To begin answering these questions, we will read across the disciplines, explore our environs, and meet with local experts, in the process identifying some of the methods for research and writing that are available to us in the Environmental Humanities. [AH]
- Teacher: Matt Mariola
In this course, you will learn to identify and use major ethical theories; central moral principles of bioethics; and approaches to ethical problem-solving and decision-making. This background knowledge will be put to use in the analyses of ethical problems in the healthcare field. In the beginning, we will concentrate on the details of prominent ethical theories as well as get acquainted with the principles of bioethics. In addition, much of the course will focus specifically on the ethical issues particular to clinical healthcare. To aid us in doing this, we will use some videos, case analyses, and some medical narratives to give voice to the patients perspective. Throughout the semester we will review and analyze cases to develop skills in reasoning about ethical issues that inevitably occur in the clinical setting. Not open to first-year students. [AH, SJ]
- Teacher: Karen Haely
After an introduction to disability studies, psychological theory, and the neuroscience of disability, cultural, cross-cultural, and religious perspectives will analyze how different cultures and communities perceive and address disabilities. Class discussions will consider ones own position relative to issues of disability and take the perspective of individuals in various communities across the globe. These discussions will address questions of stigma, inclusion, and support systems like access to healthcare and social networks. Public health aspects like policy and advocacy will be examined in the global context as will culturally competent assessment tools used to diagnose disabilities in various communities. This course counts as elective in the Psychology major, Neuroscience major, and Public Health pathway. The pre-requisite of PSYC100 will be waived by the instructor if another introductory course in the social sciences (e.g., SOCI100) or natural sciences (e.g., BIOL111) has been taken. [GE, HSS]
- Teacher: Grit Herzmann