2008-09 Courses: Fall

In this introduction to academic writing, we will focus on arguments--the ways that writers take positions and the ways they support those positions, and the ways that arguments change depending on the context. Although "having an argument" is a term used to describe disagreements, even fights, for our purposes, we will explore arguments as a way of explaining why you believe as you do. We will examine arguments made by other writers, and work on constructing our own.

Accompanied by live drumming, we will learn dances originating in Africa and migrating to Brazil during slavery. We will dance to the driving, rapturous beat from Brazil known as samba. For the people of the villages surrounding Rio de Janeiro, samba is considered their most intense, unambivalent joy. In addition, we will dance and sing to contemporary cross-cultural beat from Bahia: Samba-Reggae and the Candomble religious dances of the Orixas. We will also learn dances from other regions of Brazil, such as Baiao, Frevo and Maracatu.

Algebraic Thinking develops problem solving and critical thinking skills by using algebra to solve context-based problems. Problems are approached algebraically, graphically, numerically and verbally. Topics include linear, quadratic, and exponential functions, right-triangle trigonometry and data analysis. Collaborative learning is emphasized.

In this course, students will learn basic finger-spelling, vocabulary, conversation sign and ASL grammar. Introduction to deaf culture includes invitations to participate in Deaf Coffee and other Deaf activities on campus and in the community.

In this year-long course, students will learn the Arabic alphabet, and to read and write in modern standard and classical Arabic, the language spoken in all of the 22 Arab states and many Islamic countries (all Muslims have to pray in Arabic). By the end of the year, students will be able to speak at a novice level. Students will also learn some short poems and stories, as well as Arabic culture and some conversational Arabic.

In Conversational Arabic we will practice and learn the everyday spoken language used in daily life, which is more informal than the formal written language covered in Beginning Arabic. Each quarter will build on the previous quarter's learning. We will use the book Spoken Arabic for Foreigners, An Introduction to the Palestinian Dialect by Dr. Moin Halloun.

Doing well while doing good is a challenge. Whereas some kind of help is the kind of help that helps, some kind of help we can do without. Gaining wisdom to know the paths of skillful helping of self and others is the focus of this four-credit course. We will explore knowing who we are, identifying caring as a moral attitude, relating wisely to others, maintaining trust and working together to make change possible.

This is the first of a three-quarter sequence in which students are introduced to the subject of audio production and its relation to modern media. Fall quarter will focus on analog mixers and magnetic recording with some work in digital editing. Main topics will include field recording, digital audio editing, microphone design and application, analog multi-track recording and audio console signal flow. Students will have weekly reading assignments and weekly lab times.

Students will learn fundamentals of ballet and gain greater physical flexibility and coordination. In addition, we will practice developmental movement therapy, Pilates and visualization exercises, and learn to apply them to achieve heightened awareness of self through movement both in and outside class. Ballet slippers required.

In this course we will strive to understand how human thinking, motivation, behavior and social relationships develop. A major premise that we will embrace is that it is impossible to make sense of human development in absence of an understanding of human evolution. To this end, we will build a model of humans that is ecologically valid, i.e., views the brain as a set of mechanisms that evolved to deal with problems such as deciding what foods to eat, coordinating complex activities through communication, determining whether someone is lying, dividing time and attention among different relatives, and choosing a mate. The psychological mechanisms discussed are involved in phenomena such as perception and the control of activity, language, learning, and cognition, mate selection and courting, development and parenting, altruism, aggression, and social structure.

This is the first in a series of three courses (which can be taken separately) to provide students with fundamentals in financial management for businesses or organizations. The courses are designed to help busy people build a solid understanding of essential quantitative tools and methods for organizations of different types and sizes. This understanding is essential to developing the confidence, objectivity and vision necessary to make effective decisions both as an individual and as a leader. This course will cover business structure, models and issues of financial management, and financing options and growth. The winter course will be Financial Accounting and Financial Statement Analysis, and the spring course will be Quantitative Methods for Business.

This is an introductory studio course in ceramic sculpture. Study will include construction and forming techniques, low-fire glazing and idea development. Half the registration in this course is reserved for freshmen and sophomores.

This is the first part of a three-quarter sequence. Emphasis this quarter is on calculations involving conversions, molar quantities and thermodynamics. Understanding atoms in terms of subatomic particles, chemical reactivity of inorganic compounds and the gas laws will also be covered. In the laboratory, students will routinely use a variety of scientific glassware and equipment and be taught how to handle chemicals safely. Students will also learn to be observant to chemical changes and make precise physical measurements. The scientific literature is introduced and often used to retrieve needed physical data.

This course will help students develop the skills necessary to successfully engage in seminar discussions in a predominantly privileged classroom setting. Students will gain an understanding of how perception impacts interaction with members of the dominant culture and persons of color, and examine how their own perceptions influence the way they interact with others. Students will learn how to identify triggers to frustration and anger, resolve conflict in a classroom setting, and learn anger management skills. The 4-credit option requires a group project.

In this course we'll undertake an investigation of language at the margins by looking at pidgins, creoles and minority dialects in the U.S. and around the world. Are these communication systems "languages?" In order to answer that question, we'll examine design principles for human language, levels of linguistic description, the relationship between language and thought, and the multidimensional structure of human psychology.