May 18, 2024  
2007-2008 
    
2007-2008 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Descriptions


 

Political Science

  
  • POL 302 - Special Topics in Classical Political Theory


    Instructor
    Ahrensdorf

    This course explores such central themes of classical political thought as “education and politics,” “idealism and realism,” and “politics and literature.”

    Prerequisites & Notes
    (Offered alternate years.)

  
  • POL 303 - Special Topics in Contemporary Political Theory


    Instructor
    Shaw

    The course explores topics of special relevance to debates in contemporary political theory such as “multicultural citizenship,” “democratic theory,” and “postmodern theory.”

    Prerequisites & Notes
    (Offered alternate years.)

  
  • POL 304 - Foundations of Liberalism


    Instructor
    Shaw

    Major political philosophers within the liberal tradition, including Locke, Kant, de Tocqueville, and Rawls.

  
  • POL 305 - Education and Politics


  
  • POL 311 - The Legislative Process


    Instructor
    Roberts, Sellers

    Legislative behavior and policy-making in the United States, with particular emphasis on the Congress.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    (Offered every year.)

  
  • POL 312 - The Presidency


    Instructor
    Roberts

    The modern American presidency from a policy-making perspective, including consideration of the various internal and external factors which constrain the behavior of incumbent presidents.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    (Offered every year.)

  
  • POL 314 - Public Policy


    Instructor
    Roberts, Sellers, Thornberry

    Formation, implementation and evaluation of governmental responses to public needs. Focus on special topics such as environmental policy and health care.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    (Offered alternate years.)

  
  • POL 315 - Constitutional Law


    Instructor
    Thornberry

    Development and interpretation of the Constitution of the United States through analysis of the decisions of the Supreme Court.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Not open to first- and second-year students. (Offered alternate years.)

  
  • POL 316 - Civil Liberties


    Instructor
    Thornberry

    Analysis of Constitutional guarantees of civil liberties in the United States with special focus on the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Not open to first- and second-year students. (Offered alternate years.)

  
  • POL 318 - Strategy and Ethics in Campaigns


    Instructor
    Sellers

    This course will explore the vocation of political candidates, by discussing strategic and ethical dilemmas that they face in election campaigns. Students in the course will examine why politicians run for office, how they try to win office, and whether their decisions in these areas are normatively desirable.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Not open to first year students. (Offered alternate years.)

  
  • POL 319 - Public Opinion


    Instructor
    Sellers

    Formation, change and measurement of political attitudes.

    Prerequisites & Notes
     (Offered alternate years.)

  
  • POL 323 - Politics and the Media


    Instructor
    Roberts, Sellers

    An assesment of the role mass media play in American politics with emphasis on systematic as well as individual effects.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: POL 101, 111, 130, 141 or permission of the instructor.

  
  • POL 324 - Philanthropy and the Non-Profit Sector


    Instructor
    Menkhaus

    Exploration of the emerging role of the non-profit sector and charitable organizations in community development and advocacy.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Permission required. (Offered alternate years.)

  
  • POL 325 - Legislatures


    Instructor
    Rigger and Sellers

    Comparative analysis of the legislative process in presidential and parliamentary systems.  Considers elections, law-making and executive-legislative elections.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Satisfies the distribution requirement in the Social Sciences.  Provides major credit in Political Science.

  
  • POL 326 - Politics and Film


    Instructor
    Ortmayer

    The course examines from a variety of perspectives, and through a spectrum of cinema genres, how film and politics intersect and interact. The course investigates what films tell us about politics in America, how they say it, and what their contribution to American political culture has become.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Satisfies a core requirement in Social Science. Provides major credit in Political Science.

  
  • POL 331 - The Rise of New Democracies


    Instructor
    Crandall, Rigger

    The study of selected countries undergoing democratic transitions using theories of democratization in contemporary societies as a framework.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    (Offered alternate years.)

  
  • POL 332 - Chinese Politics


    Instructor
    Rigger

    Introduces the political institutions and behavior of the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong.

  
  • POL 333 - The Politics of Japan and the East Asian Dragons


    Instructor
    Rigger

    Introduces the political institutions and behavior of Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea.

  
  • POL 336 - Russian/Post-Soviet States’ Politics


    Instructor
    Ortmayer

    Comparative analysis of the political systems, political economies, and foreign policies of Russia and former Soviet republics, including Ukraine, the Caucasian republics, and Central Asian states.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    (Offered alternate years.)

  
  • POL 337 - Politics of Development


    Instructor
    Menkhaus

    Theories of development and underdevelopment, selected issues affecting Third World states, and the comparative study of change in countries of Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    (Offered alternate years.)

  
  • POL 340 - International Political Economy


    Instructor
    Crandall

    This course examines the history, philosophy, and current debates and issues related to international political economy.  Students will read political economy philosophers such as Schumpeter, Marx, Ricardo, Smith, Hayek, and Sen.  The history component covers the development of the modern international economy from the late 19th century through the post-Cold War era.  Contemporary topics covered include: free trade agreements, international financial and trade institutions such as the World Trade Organization, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, micro-enterprise, exchange-rate policy, and global poverty.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Economics 101. (Offered alternate years.)

  
  • POL 345 - Evolution and Practice of U.S. Policy in the Americas


  
  • POL 346 - American Foreign Policy


    Instructor 

    Ortmayer

    Analysis of the foreign policy process, bureaucratic politics, executive-congressional relations and selected foreign policy problems in a discussion–intensive approach using case studies (e.g. interventions in Haiti and Somalia, South African sanctions, Cuba Missile Crisis)

    Prerequisites & Notes
    (Offered every year.)

  
  • POL 347 - International Organization


    Instructor
    Menkhaus

    Survey of theories of international cooperation, conflict, and organization; the historical evolution, functions, and current politics of key international organizations, especially the United Nations; U.S. foreign policy toward the U.N.; and selected issues and case studies with a focus on the politics of intervention and international peacekeeping.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    (Offered alternate years.)

  
  • POL 348 - Contemporary National Security


    Instructor
    Menkhaus, Ortmayer

    Analysis of global security threats, the nature of contemporary warfare, and debates over U.S. national security policies. Emphasis will be on case studies from the post-Cold War era.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    (Offered alternate years.)

  
  • POL 349 - The International Relations of the Asia Pacific


    Instructor
    Rigger

    Considers the foreign policies of and relationships among nations in the Asia-Pacific region.

    Provides major credit in political science and satisfies a distribution requirement in the social sciences. Asian Studies concentration.  

  
  • POL 360 - The Latin American Political Novel


    Instructor
    Crandall

    This course analyzes the political messages and discussions within some of Latin America’s most widely read works of fiction.  The course also examines the broader political, economic, and social context in which these stories take place.  The novels will be read in English translation.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Satisfies the distribution requirement in Social Science.  Provides major credit in Political Science.  Cultural Diversity requirement, Ethnic Studies Concentration, and International Studies Concentration.

  
  • POL 380-382 - Topics in International Relations


    Instructor
    Staff

    An upper division course dealing with a topic in international relations. Past courses have included Causes of War, International Law, and Terrorism in the 20th century.

    Provides major credit in political science and satisfies a distribution requirement in the social sciences.

  
  • POL 390 - Tutorial


    Instructor
    Staff

    Individual programs of supervised study conducted through the preparation and discussion of a series of essays under the direction and supervision of a faculty member who reviews and approves the topic of the tutorial.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. (Offered every semester.)

  
  • POL 393 - Symposium: Davidson in Washington


    Instructor
    Staff

    A symposium on topics of contemporary politics conducted in Washington as part of the summer program of Davidson in Washington. Possible topics include: National Security, Citizenship in the 21st Century, Justice and the Family.

  
  • POL 450-459 - Political Theory


    Instructor
    Ahrensdorf, Shaw

    Reading, research, reports, and discussions on selected topics within the sub-field. Past seminars include “Lincoln and the Crisis of American Democracy” and “The City and Justice.”

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Note: Individual courses may have additional prerequisites. At least one seminar is offered in each sub-field every year.

  
  • POL 460–469 - American Politics


    Instructor
    Roberts, Sellers,Thornberry

    Reading, research, reports, and discussions on selected topics within the sub-field. Past seminars include “Politics of Reproduction,” “Southern Politics,” and “Political Manipulation of the News.”

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Note: Individual courses may have additional prerequisites. At least one seminar is offered in each sub-field every year.

  
  • POL 470-479 - Comparative Politics


    Instructor
    Crandall, Menkhaus, Rigger

    Reading, research, reports, and discussions on selected topics within the sub-field. Past seminars include “Conflict in the Andes,” “European Integration,” and “US-Taiwan-China Triangle.”

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Note: Individual courses may have additional prerequisites. At least one seminar is offered in each sub-field every year.

  
  • POL 480-489 - International Politics


    Instructor
    Ortmayer, Rigger

    Reading, research, reports, and discussions on selected topics within the sub-field. Past seminars include: “International Political Economy,” “U.S. National Security Policy,” “Conflict Resolution,” and “Humanitarianism and War.”

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Note: Individual courses may have additional prerequisites. At least one seminar is offered in each sub-field every year.

  
  • POL 495 - Advanced Independent Study


    Instructor
    Staff

    Research leading to the submission of a major paper under the direction and supervision of a faculty member who reviews and approves the topic of the independent study.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. (Offered every semester.)

  
  • POL 498 - Honors Thesis


    Instructor
    Staff

    Required of and limited to seniors in the Honors Program. Thesis is written under supervision of an appropriate instructor and is defended orally before at least three members of the political science faculty.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    (Offered every year.)


Psychology

  
  • PSY 101 - General Psychology


    Instructor
    Staff

    Survey of the current psychology of learning, perception, motivation, intelligence, thinking, social and abnormal behaviors, with emphasis on the application of scientific methods to psychological investigation and on the biological bases of behavior and experience. Students may be required to participate in experiments or in alternative research experiences.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    (Fall and Spring)

  
  • PSY 195 - Independent Study


    Instructor
    Staff

    Study in an area of psychology not covered by other catalog offerings under the direction and supervision of a faculty member who reviews and approves the topic of the independent study. Students submit a written plan of study to the faculty member prior to the close of Drop/Add in the semester of registration.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisites: Psychology 101 and permission of supervising instructor. Does not count toward fulfillment of major or distribution requirements. (Fall and Spring)

  
  • PSY 230 - Introduction to Personality


    Instructor 
    Boyd

    Review of theories of personality to understand and predict human behavior. Emphasis on traditional models (e.g., theories of Freud, Rogers, Skinner) and applications of these models to contemporary psychological issues (e.g., Type A behavior and health; personality inventories.)

     

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Psychology 101.  (Spring)

  
  • PSY 231 - Abnormal Psychology


    Instructor
    Barton

    Characteristics, etiology, and treatment of major patterns of maladaptive behavior (anxiety disorders, depression, antisocial behavior, schizophrenia, etc.). Theoretical and empirical evidence for understanding causality and treatment.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Psychology 101.  (Spring)

  
  • PSY 232 - Social Psychology


    Instructor
    Palmer

    Social influence upon individual behavior.  Attitude formation and change; attitude measurement; conformity; communication processes and persuasion; prejudice; violence and helping behavior; cooperation-competition; group dimensions; person perception; and attribution theory.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Psychology 101. (Fall)

  
  • PSY 233 - Theories of Counseling


    Instructor
    Staff

    Survey of the major theories of psychotherapy with an emphasis on psychoanalytic, person-centered, behavioral, cognitive, and family systems psychotherapy.  Study concludes with a transtheoretical approach to integrating all types of counseling theory.

     

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite:  Psychology 101.

  
  • PSY 234 - Child Psychopathology


    Instructor
    Martin

    An overview of the psychological disorders of childhood, including their description, classification, etiology, assessment and treatment.  Emphasis will be placed on the theoretical and empirical bases of these disorders, focusing on relevant research methods and findings as well as case history material.

     

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Psychology 101. (Fall)

  
  • PSY 236 - Family Psychology


    Instructor
    Martin

    This course explores family processes and relationships from a developmental prospective. Psychological theory and research methods that pertain to the study of marriage and parenting are critically examined. Ecological systems theory and family diversity are emphasized.

    Provides major credit in psychology and satisfies a distribution requirement in the social sciences.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Psychology 101

  
  • PSY 241 - Child Development (= EDU 241)


    Instructor
    Ault

    (Cross-listed as Education 241). Individual development of normal children with emphasis on learning, social and emotional development, cognitive and language development. Special study of behavioral, social learning, and cognitive theories of development. Includes observations at local day-care centers. 

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Psychology 101.  (Fall)

  
  • PSY 243 - Adolescent Development (= EDU 243)


    Instructor 
    Brown

    (Cross-listed as Education 243)  An in-depth examination of specific theories, concepts, and methods related to the period of adolescence. Students will explore a wide range of topics including: cognitive development, moral development, identity formation, gender role, social relationships, and the effects of culture on adolescent development. 

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Psychology 101. (Fall)

  
  • PSY 245 - Psychology of Aging


    Instructor
    Multhaup

    Introduction to human aging from a psychological perspective. Adult age-related changes in memory, intelligence, wisdom, personality, etc. Attitudes toward aging and adjustment to aging. Emphasis on the application of scientific methods to the study of aging. Students with credit in Psychology 245 may not enroll in Psychology 319.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Psychology 101.  (Not offered 2007-08)

  
  • PSY 254 - Industrial and Organizational Psychology


    Instructor
    Boyd

    Current theory, research, and practice in the selection, training, and evaluation of employees; management and development of employees as resources for the organization; design and development of the organization as a whole.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Psychology 101. (Fall)

  
  • PSY 260 - Organizational Development


    Instructor
    Kello

    Organizational Development (OD) is a multi-disciplinary area of research and practice that deals with the understanding and application of the principles of behavioral science to planned organizational change.

     

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisites: Psychology 101, 254 is desirable but not required. (Spring)

  
  • PSY 276 - Cognitive Psychology


    Instructor
    Multhaup

    Introduction to cognitive psychology. Structure and processes underlying cognition including perception, memory, attention, language, problem solving, imagery, etc. Emphasis on theories and empirical evidence for understanding cognition.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Psychology 101. (Spring)

  
  • PSY 282 - Learning


    Instructor
    Ramirez, Smith

    Overview of major topics in learning: elicitation, classical conditioning, reinforcement, punishment, problem solving, behavioral economics, and verbal behavior. Focus on empirical data, research methodology, and technologies generated from learning research. Students with credit in Psychology 305 may not enroll in this course.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Psychology 101. (Spring)

  
  • PSY 284 - Drugs and Behavior


    Instructor
    Smith

    The course examines the effects of drugs on human and animal behavior. Consideration is also given to the physiological effects of drugs on the central nervous system. Methods for preventing and treating drug abuse are also addressed. Students with credit in Psychology 302 may not enroll in this course. 

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Psychology 101. (Spring)

  
  • PSY 290 - Practicum in Psychology


    Instructor
    Staff

    Field work and/or data collection in an applied area of psychology. Before the close of Drop/Add in the semester of registration, the student submits a written plan of study to the supervising faculty sponsor and negotiates a placement with a field supervisor. The student makes regular visits to the field setting (e.g., a school, clinic, business) for the work and reports regularly to the faculty sponsor.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Permission of faculty sponsor. Grading is pass-fail. This course may be taken only once. (Fall and Spring)

  
  • PSY 301 - Psychological Research-Perception and Attention


    Instructor
    Munger

    Research methods, concepts, and empirical findings in perception and attention are examined in lecture and extensive laboratory experience. Course explores how a physical stimulus impinges on sense organs and is subsequently processed and understood by perceptual systems (e.g., how do we “see” things?) Participation in research as subjects and experimenters is required.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Psychology 101. Recommended completion by Fall, senior year, for majors. (Not offered 2007-08)

  
  • PSY 302 - Psychological Research-Behavioral Pharmacology


    Instructor
    Smith

    Students conduct experiments on the effects of drugs on human and animal behavior. Scientific writing is a strong focus in this course, with students writing research reports on each experiment. Students are required to propose a novel line of research in the form of a research proposal. Studies conducted in other behavioral pharmacology laboratories are discussed and critiqued. Some work with animals is required. Students with credit in Psychology 284 may not enroll in this course.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Psychology 101. Recommended completion by Fall, senior year, for majors. (Spring)

  
  • PSY 303 - Psychological Research-Behavioral Neuroscience (= BIO 331)


    Instructor
    Ramirez

    (Cross-listed as Biology 331). Role of the nervous system; sensory and motor mechanism; physiological bases of motivation and emotion; sleep and arousal; and physiological bases of learning, memory, and language. Extensive laboratory training.  Work with animals is required.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisites: Psychology 101 or Biology 111 or Biology 112 and permission of the instructor. Recommended completion by Fall, senior year, for majors. (Fall)

  
  • PSY 304 - Psychological Research-Memory


    Instructor
    Multhaup

    Research methods, concepts, and empirical findings in the field of memory are explored in lecture and extensive laboratory experience. Emphasis is on human memory. Participation in research as subjects and experimenters is required.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Psychology 101. Recommended completion by Fall, senior year, for majors. (Fall)

  
  • PSY 305 - Psychological Research-Learning


    Instructor
    Ramirez

    The major learning theories of the 20th century will be explored. Particular attention will be paid to the theories of Thorndike, Pavlov, Skinner, Tolman, Hull, Hebb, and Bolles. The empirical data supporting these theoretical frameworks will be assessed. This is a laboratory intensive course involving animals. Students with credit in Psychology 282 may not enroll in this course.

     

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Psychology 101. Recommended completion by Fall, senior year, for majors. (Spring)

  
  • PSY 310 - Psychological Research-Design and Analysis


    Instructor
    Barton, Tonidandel

    Introduction to psychological research. Descriptive, correlational, and experimental methods of research will be examined. Primary focus on data analysis including descriptive statistics and inferential statistics with emphasis on analysis of variance. Mandatory weekly computer lab.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Psychology 101. Recommended in the sophomore, or no later than junior, year for majors. (Fall and Spring)

  
  • PSY 314 - Psychological Research-Clinical


    Instructor
    Barton

    Research methodologies and statistical techniques used in clinical research. Ethical and practical constraints to the empirical study of clinical problems. Students critique empirical articles in Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Medicine in lecture/discussion and develop skills with multivariate statistics. Required participation in research experiences as subjects and investigators.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisites: Psychology 231 (or permission of the instructor) and 310. Recommended completion by Fall, senior year, for majors. (Fall)

  
  • PSY 315 - Psychological Research-Child Development


    Instructor
    Ault

    Research methods for studying child development are examined in lecture, laboratory and field settings. Methods include observations, interviews, and experiments with emphasis on ethical implications of research with children and research designs commonly used by developmental psychologists. Course requirements include participation in research as investigators.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Psychology 310. Recommended completion by Fall, senior year, for majors. (Spring)

  
  • PSY 316 - Psychological Research-Industrial/Organizational


    Instructor
    Tonidandel

    Research methods and statistical techniques used in industrial/organizational psychology examined through lectures, laboratories, and field studies. Students gain knowledge and experience in research methods used in these fields. Students will be expected to apply these techniques and methods to complete individual research projects. Ethical and practical issues in organizational research discussed.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisites: Psychology 310 required, Psychology 254 and/or 260 recommended but not required. Recommended completion by Fall, senior year, for majors. (Spring)

  
  • PSY 318 - Psychological Research-Social


    Instructor
    Palmer

    Research methods and statistical techniques used in social psychology are examined through lecture, laboratory, and field research. Students will gain knowledge in formulating research questions, translating them into research methodologies, data collecting, and analysis. Comparative strengths of different methodologies, ethical issues, and scientific writing will be emphasized.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Psychology 310. Recommended completion by Fall, senior year, for majors. (Fall)

  
  • PSY 319 - Psychological Research-Adult Development


    Instructor
    Multhaup

    Research methods, concepts, empirical findings, and ethics for studying adult development (focus on younger and older adulthood) are explored in lecture and laboratory settings.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Psychology 101. (Not open to students with credit in Psychology 245. If holding PSY 245 credit, see the instructor if interested in Psychology 319). Recommended completion by Fall, senior year, for majors. (Not offered 2007-08)

  
  • PSY 323 - Animal Behavior (= BIO 323)


    Instructor
    Case

    (Cross-listed as Biology 323). An evolutionary approach to the study of animal behavior, concentrating on the adaptive nature of social systems. Laboratories include research projects on the behavior of animals in captivity and in the natural environment.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Biology 111 and 112, or Psychology 101.  (Spring)

  
  • PSY 324 - Functional Neuroanatomy (= BIO 332)


    Instructor
    Ramirez

    (Cross-listed as Biology 332). Intensive readings in molecular neurobiology, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and/or behavior. Students: 1) make classroom presentations of critical analyses of the course readings; 2) conduct laboratory research or hospital rounds; and 3) submit an annotated bibliography and a write-up of the laboratory project or term paper.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisites: Psychology 303 (Biology 331) and the permission of the instructor. (Spring)

  
  • PSY 330-349 - Tutorial


    Instructor
    Staff

    Intensive readings in a specific area of study under the direction and supervision of a faculty member who reviews and approves the topic of research. Students submit a written plan of study to the supervising faculty member prior to the close of Drop/Add in the semester of registration. Open ordinarily only to advanced majors in psychology.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. (Fall and Spring)

  
  • PSY 350-380 - Advanced Seminars in Experimental Psychology


    Instructor
    Staff

    Topics announced in advance of registration. Recent seminars include: Behavioral Medicine and Health Psychology, Children and Television, Clinical Psychopharmacology, High Performance Organizations, Selection and Training in Organizations, Motivation and Attitudes in Work Organizations, Gender and Identity, Reminiscence, Behavioral Neuroscience, Clinical Neuroscience.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisite: Consent of instructor usually required. (Fall and Spring)

  
  • PSY 400 - Senior Thesis


    Instructor
    Staff

    Research, designed and conducted by the student, supervised by a faculty member, and reported in writing according to the form approved in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor and consent of an additional faculty member who serves on the student’s thesis committee. For further details, see the department Web page. (Fall and Spring)

  
  • PSY 401 - Issues in Psychology


    Instructor
    Multhaup, Tonidandel

    Central issues in psychology which cut across previous course boundaries. Specific topics vary year by year. The course begins with a review of major approaches to psychology (e.g., Behaviorist, Biological, Cognitive Evolutionary, Humanist, Psychoanalytic) and ethical principles that apply to a variety of situations that psychologists face.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Limited to seniors except by permission of the department.  (Spring)

  
  • PSY 402 - History and Systems in Psychology


    Instructor
    Munger

    Development of psychological thought in the Western world and emergence of psychology as a scientific discipline. Course begins with ancient Greek philosophers and works through philosophical writings that led to psychology, explores the founding of psychology as a scientific discipline in the late 19th century, and follows its development in the 20th century. Readings include primary sources.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Limited to seniors except by permission of the department. (Not offered 2007-08)

  
  • PSY/EDU 241 - Child Development



Religion

  
  • REL 100W - (Comp) First-Year Writing Seminars in Religion


    Instructor
    Staff

    Writing-intensive study of various topics within the field of religious studies. Open only to first-year students; successful completion fulfills the distribution requirements in composition as well as religion. 

  
  • REL 125 - Prophecy: Trajectories of Divine Concern


    Instructor
    Plank

    A study of prophetic literature in ancient Israel, early Christianity, and modern American culture that seeks to correlate prophetic experience of God and the expression of social critique in ancient and modern contexts.

  
  • REL 130 - Introduction to the New Testament


    Instructor
    Snyder

    Critical and interpretive study of the history, literature, and beliefs of the early Christian movement.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Not open to juniors or seniors until Drop/Add or to students who have taken Religion 230 or 231.

  
  • REL 140 - Sin and Redemption in Christian Thought


    Instructor
    Foley

    An examination of how selected Christian authors from the ancient, medieval, Reformation and modern periods viewed the human dilemma and its divine resolution.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Not open to juniors or seniors until Drop/Add.

  
  • REL 141 - Introduction to Theology


    Instructor
    Poland

    Reflection on fundamental concepts and issues such as creation, God, human nature, faith, evil, salvation.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Not open to juniors or seniors until Drop/Add.

  
  • REL 142 - Autobiography and Religion


    Instructor
    Wills

    Introduction to the study of religion through close readings of selected religious autobiographies and investigations of their historical and biographical contexts. Readings may change from year to year.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Not open to juniors or seniors until Drop/Add.

  
  • REL 143 - Being Human


    Instructor
    Ottati
     
    This course explores the questions: What does it mean to be a human being? What does it mean to be a good one? Typical sources for study and discussion include the Book of Genesis, Darwin’s The Descent of Man, Reinhold Niebuhr’s The Nature and Destiny of Man, novels and films.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Not open to juniors or seniors until Drop/Add.

  
  • REL 150 - Introduction to Theological Ethics


    Instructor
    Beach-Verhey

    An introduction to fundamental questions and methods of ethical inquiry and theological thinking on the moral life.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Not open to juniors or seniors until Drop/Add.

  
  • REL 155 - Basic Issues in Religion and Science


    Instructor
    Lustig

    An examination of several proposed models of the relations between religion and science (conflict, contrast, convergence, confirmation). Analysis of challenges that modern physical and biological science pose to traditional understandings of creation, redemption, and divine purpose.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Not open to juniors or seniors until Drop/Add.

  
  • REL 170 - The Sacred Quest in Comparative Perspective


    Instructor
    Mahony

    Introductory considerations of the human search for meaning as reflected in religious expressions from Eastern and Western cultures. Particular attention is given to the role of the mythological imagination, sacred narrative, ritual, theological reflection, and philosophical inquiry in the realization of personal and communal identity.

    Prerequisites & Notes
    Not open to juniors or seniors until Drop/Add.

  
  • REL 222 - Tragedy and Comedy in Biblical Narrative


    Instructor
    Plank

    A study of the tragic and comic dimensions of biblical literature. Special attention will be given to the Saul and David narrative and to the books of Ruth, Jonah, and Esther.

  
  • REL 223 - Wisdom Literature


    Instructor
    Plank

    Israelite, Jewish, and early Christian wisdom writings. Particular attention to the sage’s search for meaning, the problem of unjust suffering, the purpose of work, the contours of blessing, and the significance of creation.

  
  • REL 230 - Jesus and His Interpreters


    Instructor
    Snyder

    Representations of Jesus in the New Testament literature and in selected non-canonical works, with an emphasis on the diverse views of Jesus held by early Christians. The course concludes with selected forays into representations of Jesus in the visual arts and film.

  
  • REL 231 - The Letters and Thought of the Apostle Paul


    Instructor
    Snyder

    Paul and his letters set in their Greco-Roman context with special attention to the social, historical, and religious environment in which Paul worked. Reflection on themes such as grace and law as they appear in later literature and culture.

  
  • REL 232 - Parables in the Jewish and Christian Traditions


    Instructor
    Plank

    Selected parables in the Jewish and Christian traditions, including parables of Jesus, the Rabbis, the Hasidim, Kierkegaard, and Kafka. Emphasis on the religious significance of narrative.

  
  • REL 242 - The Rise of Christianity (= CLA 272)


    Instructor
    Foley

    (Cross-listed as Classics 272). The theological and historical development of the early church from the New Testament period to the Council of Chalcedon (451 C.E.) with a focus upon early controversies as revealed through primary sources.

  
  • REL 244 - Modern Jewish Literature


    Instructor
    Plank

    Modern Jewish fiction, poetry, and literary theory with particular focus on modern Midrash and the significance of writing as a religious act. Selected texts from Yiddish, Euro-American, and Israeli literature include writings of I.L. Peretz, Sholem Aleichem, S. An-ski, I.B. Singer, Cynthia Ozick, David Grossman, and Amos Oz.

  
  • REL 245 - Modern Christian Thought


    Instructor
    Poland

    Challenges to Christian belief and theological responses to them from the Enlightenment to the early twentieth century.

  
  • REL 247 - Food in Religious Perspective


    Instructor
    Poland

    Examines food practices in various religious traditions; explores contemporary ethical dilemmas concerning what we eat.

  
  • REL 248 - Christianity and Nature


    Instructor
    Poland

    An exploration of Christian attitudes toward nature and toward non-human animals as displayed in scripture and tradition.

  
  • REL 250 - Issues in Theological Ethics


    Instructor
    Beach-Verhey

    A focused study of a given ethical issue and its theological significance. Topics to be studied may include medical ethics, justice and poverty, war and peace, the meaning of virtue, and civil rights.

  
  • REL 251 - God and Mammon: Christian Reflection on Economic Life


    Instructor
    Beach-Verhey

    A study of the history of Christian reflection on economic life in the light of the contemporary context. Attention will be given to the historic relationship between Protestant Christianity and capitalism, and to theological notions such as vocation, distributive justice, and environmentalism.

  
  • REL 252 - Prophetic Christianity in America


    Instructor
    Ottati

    A study of the theological ethics that contributed to the Social Gospel, Christian Realism, and the Civil Rights Movement in America. Resources include works by Walter Rauschenbusch, Reinhold Niebuhr, and Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as some secondary texts, recordings, and films.

  
  • REL 255 - Virtue Ethics


    Instructor
    Staff

    Selected readings from Aristotle, Aquinas, Mencius and Xunzi. Issues examined will include the role of virtues and vices, the viability of cross-cultural comparison, and the honor code.

  
  • REL 256 - Religion, Ethics, and Medicine


    Instructor
    Lustig

    An introduction of basic themes, methods, and issues in religious bioethics. Exploration of ways that religious perspectives differ from, complement, or converge with secular approaches.

  
  • REL 257 - Death, Dying, and the Afterlife


    Instructor
    Lustig

    This course explores religious, ethical, psychological, and cultural dimensions of dying, death, and the afterlife. It considers a range of topics, including scientific and religious perspectives on embodiment within the context of dying and death, varying definitions of death, and the ritual meanings associated with death.

  
  • REL 258 - Vocation of Citizen and Soldier


    Instructor
    Ottati

    Theological and philosophical perspectives on civil government, war, and military service with readings from Biblical and classical sources.  Emphasis on recent essays on specific moral questions and issues.

  
  • REL 260 - Religion in America


    Instructor
    Wills

    Historical survey of the American religious experience from colonial times to the present.

 

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