Courses

Examines the development of cultures from the first peopling of South America to the arrival of the Europeans.

The Near East is considered the locus of many of the world’s most significant socio- cultural “firsts,” including the origins of agriculture, the earliest cities, the earliest writing system, and some of the world’s oldest empires. This course reviews the archaeology of the Near East from the Mesolithic (ca. 18,000 BC) to the aftermath of the Bronze Age (ca. 1000 BC), and discusses current academic debates over some of the sociocultural “firsts” attributed to it.

The Near East is considered the locus of many of the world's most significant sociocultural "firsts," including the origins of agriculture, the earliest cities, the earliest writing system, and some of the world's oldest empires. The course reviews the archaeology of the Near East from the Mesolithic (ca. 18,000 BC) to the aftermath of the Bronze Age (ca. 1000 BC), and discusses current academic debates over some of the sociocultural "firsts" attributed to it.

Various recurrent themes, myths, and forms in literature, such as Don Juan, Orpheus, Faust; the quest, romance, pastoral. The texts studied in this course vary each semester. Students may take this course more than once for credit if the topic is different.

Analysis of public propositions, accumulation and testing of evidence, formulation and critical evaluation of reasoning, structuring of argument, processes of attack and defense, and effective communication of argument, with an emphasis upon legal and political communication.

A close examination of Aristotle’s philosophical writings, with an emphasis on his views in ethics and psychology.

An inquiry into the impact of Aristotle's philosophy upon medieval Jewish thought and experience as represented by Maimonides. Primary attention to the relation between religion and philosophy and to problems of knowledge, mind, ethics, and society.

Planned to develop knowledge and skill in arranging and orchestrating for the jazz band, the theatre orchestra, the television orchestra, and other performing groups. A study of recording techniques with special electronic equipment.

Preparation for students to create original works and arrangements appropriate for elementary and secondary school vocal and instrumental ensembles. Principles of instrumentation, orchestration, arranging, and composition will be explored. Students must achieve a minimum grade of C- for this course to count toward the music major.

The art and architecture of the ancient Near East, focusing on Mesopotamia and Syria-Palestine ("the Fertile Crescent"). Civilizations studied include the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Hittites, Assyrians, and Persians, all of which contributed greatly to the growth of later Western culture. Archaeological evidence is combined with primary sources such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, and museum visits are encouraged.