Courses

Exploration of the core concepts underlying the interdisciplinary field of women's studies, introducing the ways in which the study of women and sex/gender as social categories transforms our understanding of culture, history, and society. Topics include the social construction of gender, the gender division of labor, production and reproduction, intersections of gender, race, class, and ethnicity, and the varieties of sexual experience.

Exploration of the core concepts underlying the interdisciplinary field of women's studies, introducing the ways in which the study of women and sex/gender as social categories transforms our understanding of culture, history, and society. Topics include the social construction of gender, the gender division of labor, production and reproduction, intersections of gender, race, class, and ethnicity, and the varieties of sexual experience.

Introduction to the writing of nonfiction as an art form, in such modes as the personal essay, the review, new journalism, the memoir, and the postmodernist pastiche, with related readings. This course is a prerequisite for the workshop in nonfiction (303W).

A survey of Yiddish literature from its beginnings in the fifteenth century to the contemporary short story, novel, essay, and poetry. Yiddish literature will be presented both within the context of world literature and as an aspect of the Jewish experience.

Introduction to descriptive, inferential, bi-variate, and multivariate statistical techniques to analyze social science data. In the statistics lab, students learn how to generate and interpret output produced by a standard statistical computer package. Lab exercises are used to reinforce the meaning of the statistics and how they behave. Not open to students who have taken SOC 205.

Scientific methods that have been used to advance our understanding of the sun, moon, solar system, galaxies, and other basic astronomy concepts. The laboratory component demonstrates how measurements have been used to formulate and change our basic ideas of the sun, solar system, and larger structures of the universe. Different laboratory sections meet together for 2 lecture hours per week and each laboratory section has a 2 hour laboratory every other week.

A general introduction to biology in the areas of cell biology, genetics, development, vertebrate physiology, ecology, and evolution. No previous knowledge of biology or chemistry assumed. Not open to students who have taken BIOL 11 or the equivalent. This course is designed for non-science majors and may not be used tofulfill biology major or minor requirements.

Assignments will include short papers and oral presentations related to the seminar topic. Permission of the director is required.

An inquiry into what it means to study literature, involving close reading and critical analysis of a wide variety of prose fiction, drama, and poetry, and informed by an introduction to some of the theoretical issues currently invigorating literary studies. This course combines a study of literature with continued training in clear and effective expression. Designed for prospective English majors and other interested students.

An introduction to the field of Africana Studies. Drawing from history, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, political science, literature, gender and sexuality studies, philosophy, the health sciences, and performance studies the course explores the African foundational relationship to and connections with its Diaspora populations. Africana Studies investigates the lives, histories, cultures, and thought of Africans and African-descended people.