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Spring 2006
FYS 101B First Year Seminar (AH) Science Verses 3 credits
Religion: The Battle of Evolution
(PermReq) Grade Method: REG
GFR/GER:Meets A/H. GDR:Meets H. There is
no more classic argument than that over
the superiority of science versus
religion. This debate has sparked
controversy for centuries on many issues,
but has been most prominent in the
discussion of evolution. Did Darwin empty
the churches of Europe? Does the theory of
evolution point to a world without
purpose? Is evolution an atheists'
religion? Should "creation science" be
taught in state schools? With both sides
deeply entrenched in their perspectives,
little dialogue has actually taken place.
This interdisciplinary course is such a
dialogue. With reading spanning history,
biology, sociology, and theology, we
explore the origins of modern science, the
ideological split between the Church and
science, the rise of evolutionary theory,
and the Creationist response. We will
trace the debate from the 15th Century to
present day. The goal of the course is not
to resolve the debate on Evolution, but to
understand the origin, construction, and
impact of both perspectives. for some it
will be an intellectual exercise, for
others a journey into their personal
beliefs. Much class time will be occupied
by student presentations, panel debates,
and class discussions, requiring
everybody's active participation. There
will also be regular video sessions
looking at prominent debates. Students
will write both reflective essays and
factual reports, requiring research from
the library, internet, video and audio
footage.
[2981] 0101 TuTh.......2:30pm- 3:45pm (ACIV461) FREELAND, S
FYS 104 First Year Seminar (C) Intercultural 3 credits
Exploration Through Film
(PermReq) Grade Method: REG
GFR/GER:Meets C. GDR:Not applicable. We
find ourselves inundated with visual media
whose principle raison d'etre is to exert
influence in subtle and often hidden ways.
The rigor with which we focus on in-depth
analyses of text intended to elicit deeper
meaning and significance is not generally
brought to the task of deciphering visual
material that surrounds our daily
existence in a multliplicity of formats
through the mass media. At the same time
we find ourselves thrust into a world that
everyday becomes more globally centered
and one in which cultural knowledge and
sensitivity have never been more paramount
to the survival of complex modern
societies. Through an intensive study of
contemporary intercultural cinema and
readings on the art of film making, we
will confront both of these issues. Film
will be grouped into thematic units that
include: Unit 1: The Intercultural
Experience of the Immigrant Family; Unit
2: The Intercultural Experience in Times
of War; Unit 3: The Intercultural
Experience in Times of Peace. Because the
films themselves are the core materials of
the course, it is mandatory to attend each
class, participate in discussions, and do
the required reading for each session.
[2982] 0101 Tu.........4:30pm- 7:00pm (ACIV219) BELL, A
FYS 105A First Year Seminar The Voice of an Engaged 3 credits
Citizen: Vote, Advocate, Volunteer,
Respond, Act...How?
(PermReq) Grade Method: REG What does it mean to be
a knowledgeable, active, enthusiastic
citizen? Often we take for granted that we
live in a democracy, and we pay too little
attention to exercising our
responsibilities in maintaining our
nation's ideals and principles. Given the
challenges that we obviously face now in
this new millennium, a renewed sense of
the importance of citizenship and personal
responsibility is urgently required by us
all. How can the individual's role in
decision-making be enhanced and practiced?
How have individuals made a difference
throughout history? What is different or
the same about then and now? This seminar
course will address these and related
questions and issues with a focus on how
the Internet is used as a medium for
finding information about citizenship and
for advocating and practicing citizenly
conduct. During the semester, students
will work individually and in small groups
to learn about the definition of
citizenship and the use of the Internet to
practice citizenship. Also considered will
be the Internet's impact on democratic
governance. Students will: learn how to
search for information on well-known
Internet sites and those that are less
frequently used; write essays on the
results of those searches and will learn
to critically evaluate the accuracy of
what is being presented on-line; share
their discoveries in class through short
presentations and group discussions.
Experiencing how to write and speak about
the variety of opinions that surrounds any
kind of research endeavor within a
comfortable setting will help students
gain skills and confidence in their use of
these essential tools for their future
academic and vocations success. It will
bring participants a step closer to
understanding how personal decisions and
understandings are frequently not as much
our own as we might perceive them to be.
[2984] 0101 TuTh......11:30am-12:45pm (ITE 469) EMURIAN, H