Are you interested in interacting with a faculty member as part of a small community? Consider enrolling in a one-credit Frontiers of the Discipline seminar that focuses on cutting edge research. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers Frontiers of the Discipline, one-credit seminars that allow students to interact with a faculty member as part of a small community (approximately 20 students) and learn first-hand about her/his current research.
Spring 2017 Offerings Offered as 1 credit, Satisfactory/Fail.
Plato and Popcorn: Philosophy in Film LAS103B (Section 1) Instructor: Dr. Joseph Kupfer Day and Time: Tuesdays, 3:40-5:30PM (first-half semester) Target Student Population: Students who want to think seriously about movies Description: The course will involve watching six films, reading an essay on each, and discussing important ideas in the films. Our critical examination of movies will focus on their philosophical content. Among the movies we will view and analyze are Whiplash, The Squid and the Whale, House of Flying Daggers, and Unforgiven. We will interpret these film-stories from the philosophical perspective of such topics as teaching, violence, the parent-child relationship, and civil disobedience. The outcome of our collaborative reflection should be a deepened appreciation of film as well as a more complete understanding of the philosophical themes.
Stem Cells and Cellular Engineering: Implications and Controversies for Science and Society LAS103D (Section 1) Instructor: Dr. Don Sakaguchi Day and Time: Mondays, 4:10-5PM (full semester) Target Student Population: Students from any major interested in stem cells (such as BIOL, GEN, POL S, PSYCH, PHIL, etc.) Description: Are you interested in stem cells? Advances in stem cell research are occurring at a rapid pace. New discoveries may lead to regenerative therapies for diabetes, heart disease, neurodegenerative conditions, and even blindness. Realizing the potential benefits requires continued scientific advances but also negotiation of regulatory issues, ethical considerations and the political climate. Learn about, and discuss important issues surrounding stem cell biology (embryonic, adult and induced stem cells), ethics, and politics. We will discuss all of these topics and methods to harness the power of stem cells using cellular engineering approaches. As a student, you’ll participate in weekly presentations on current events relevant to stem cells (biology, ethics, and politics). Consider joining us for this fun and enlightening class!
Battling Back: Cutting Edge Approaches to Treating Cancers LAS103D (Section 2) Instructor: Dr. Clark Coffman Day and Time: Wednesdays, 3:10-4PM (full semester) Target Student Population: Open Option students; The Sky is the Limit, Biology, and Genetics Learning Communities; other learning community students; and/or STEM majors Description: Cancers impact us all. According to recent statistics from the American Cancer Society, the odds of developing cancer are 1:2 for males and 1:3 for females. Fortunately, new forms of cancer treatments are resulting in better and better odds for surviving cancer, >95% survival in some cases. In this seminar, we will explore revolutionary new approaches to cancer treatments, some that involve mixtures of ancient and modern medical practices. In class, we will work to understand how these treatments lead to the death of cancer cells and possible future treatments for forms of cancer that are currently difficult to treat.
“The Malala Effect”: The Lives of Young Women and Girls Around the World LAS103E (Section 1) Instructor: Dr. Alissa Stoehr Day and Time: Wednesdays, 4:10-5PM (full semester) Target Student Population: History, Education, Women’s Studies, Sociology, Political Science Description: In this seminar we will examine the life of Malala Yousafzai, a young Pakistani activist known for her outspokenness about the rights of young women and girls to receive an education. Malala gained world-wide attention when she survived an assassination attempt in October 2012. We will read Malala’s autobiography and watch a documentary about her life. As a student, you will keep a journal of your reflections and complete either a final paper or project. In our discussions we will use critical analysis to focus on social issues affecting young women and girls around the world and the intersections of gender, race, class, ethnicity, age, etc. within these issues. The outcome of this seminar should be a strong appreciation for activism and advocacy at any age and the importance of recognizing that one person CAN make a difference.