Curriculum Committee
Minutes

Riley Hall 208
14 September 2009
4:00 p.m.

Present:
Brad Barron, John Beckford,  Jerry Cox , Doug Cummins, Vince Houseman, Betty Kelly, George Lipscomb, Steve Richardson, Ford Riddle, Dan Sloughter, Jodi Walker


Courses endorsed:

ART 263                                                         Arts of Japan                                                    Spring 2010
4 Credits

Survey of Japanese art history from archaeology through 20th century with emphasis on the evolution of style in the context of religious, social and political change.

BIO 250                                               Darwin and the Galapagos                                             May 2010
2 Credits

An introduction to Darwin and evolution, including a 10-day study-away program to Ecuador and the Galapagos Archipelago. Pre-trip lectures on Darwin's seminal contributions to evolutionary biology will create the foundation for observations made on a 7-day cruise in the Galapagos aboard a chartered vessel. Three days touring colonial Quito and the Otavalo region will expose students to the cultural history, diversity, and vibrancy of Ecuador. Graded elements include exams, a paper on an aspect of Galapagos biology or evolution, a natural history journal, and a photojournal.

ECN 253                           International Macroeconomic Theory and Policy                      Spring 2010
4 Credits

An introduction to international macroeconomic theory and policy. Topics covered include exchange rates, balance of payments, and interest rates. Stabilization policy in the open economy, currency crises, and monetary integration will also be explored.

ENG 215                                          Writing for Film and Television                                     Spring 2010
4 Credits

This course introduce students to the skills used in dramatic writing for visual media, with special focus on film and television. It is an intensive course that will be conducted as a workshop on how to write feature films and various types of television drama scripts.

GER 334                                 From Rubble to Reunification: 1945-1990                            Spring 2010
4 Credits

The course aims to introduce students to major issues in German culture after 1945, including the Stunde Null, the economic miracle, the generation '68, RAF, the East German experience, reunification and beyond. We explore these issues through a variety of media, including literature, film, art/photography, pop music. The course is conducted in German.

HES 280                                Study in Nicaragua: Comm. and En. Health                              May 2010
2 Credits

A study of community and environmental health concepts in the developing country of Nicaragua during the May Experience. Supportive and non-supportive cultural practices and obstacles that affect individual, community and environmental health will be explored. Engaged and service learning opportunities will be provided.

HES 411                                      Advanced Principles of Public Health                                Spring 2011
4 Credits

Advanced study of public health theory, planning, implementation and evaluation models for individual and community behavior change.

HST 207                       Germany & the 30 Years War: War & Peace in Europe                      Fall 2010
4 Credits

The Thirty Years' War, which devastated early modern Germany, emerged out of particular religious/political constellations of the Holy Roman Empire but was shaped by complex European foreign policy and had long-term impact on European diplomacy.

HST 251                                  Jews and Christians of the Islamic Lands                             Spring 2010
4 Credits

Historical analysis of social, economic and religious status of Jews and Christians under Islamic polities since the time of Muhammad to the present day, with particular emphasis on polemic, conflict and cooperation between Jews, Christians and Muslims.

PHL 241                                                  Confucian Philosophy                                             Spring 2010
4 Credits

This course is a comprehensive survey of Confucian philosophy. We will read major philosophical works from (a) Early Confucianism (Confucius and Mencius), (b) the Daoxue or Neo-Confucianism of the Song (960-1276) and the Ming (1368-1644) Dynasties (Zhu Xi and Wang Yangming), and (c) the 20th Century New Confucian Movement (Mou Zongsan and Tang Junyi). Philosophical standpoints held by these Confucian schools in relation to social and moral ideals, theory of knowledge, and the nature of reality will be analyzed and evaluated. We will consider both the content and the methodology of the Confucian philosophical tradition. This course will also entertain how perennial philosophical problems pertain to the tradition and whether or not it is relevant in addressing these problems. Through attendance and thoughtful participation in class discussions, and through a careful reading of the assigned materials, the course endeavors to work with students to cultivate their ability to analyze arguments presented by the Confucian philosophers, and to develop their own arguments for and/or against them.

PSC 227                                          Environmental Politics in China                                         Fall 2010
4 Credits

Examination of the key environmental challenges facing China, efforts to combat environmental destruction, and prospects for China's sustainable development. Will explore the interaction of minority and environmental concerns and the impact of tourism on both.

PSY 413                               Current Topics in Aging: Research & Practice                        Spring 2010
4 Credits

This seminar requires students to read and discuss primary literature on current issues in the study of Adulthood and Aging. Topics may include memory, everyday problem solving, communication, caregiving, social networks and lifestyle. Group and independent research involving on-site observations and working directly with seniors will be required.

SOC 260                                               Global Health Inequalities                                          Spring 2010
4 Credits

Examination of structural factors (e.g. poverty, post-colonialism) that lead to the unequal distribution of health across the world. Investigation of morbidity, mortality, epidemics; cultural factor shaping ideas about illness and healing; varying health care delivery systems, NGOs, etc.

SPN 448                                       The Spanish-American Short Story                                       Fall 2010
4 Credits

In-depth consideration of the development of the short story in Spanish America, with a primary focus on the definitive works of the Twentieth Century by authors such as Borges, Cortázar, García Márquez, and Valenzuela. Includes a brief overview of short fiction in colonial and nineteenth-century Spanish America.