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 Interdisciplinary Courses
The function of an interdisciplinary course is
to move beyond disciplinary boundaries to a "new" understanding
of a theme or topic. In other words, an interdisciplinary course
will encourage students not only to see the relationships between
the disciplines but to pull out of these relationships an understanding
of the subject that no one discipline offers.
In essence, an interdisciplinary course is one that seeks to develop
a more "holistic" approach to learning in which the emphasis
is less on how two or more disciplines cooperate in approaching
and understanding a common theme and more on how the theme itself
binds and unifies the disciplines. The difference is important in
that the intellectual goal of a truly interdisciplinary course is
to universalize and unify knowledge and learning, rather than to
particularize or differentiate it.
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IDS 201
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An Introduction to Language - General Linguistics
This course deals with language, its structure, and the
relationship of language to society. We will first learn specific
technical skills for analyzing language data by studying phonology,
morphology, syntax, and semantics. In defining grammar, we will
study Noam Chomsky’s generative theory. We will apply our
technical skills to data from a variety of languages. Then,
we will undertake short field work projects in areas such as
language policy, dialectology, language acquisition, computers
and language, history of language, languages in contact, and
semiotics. |
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IDS 210
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Musical Connections/Philosophical Reflections
An interdisciplinary course designed for students who are
interested in exploring philosophical perspectives on music
history. After a brief introduction to ancient and medieval
themes this course will focus on highlights of the baroque,
classical, romantic, late nineteenth and early twentieth-century
music (emphasizing Bach, Mozart and Beethoven) and their parallels
with philosophical thought, such as rationalism and enlightenment
ideals, and to a lesser extent, with scientific and artistic
developments. Among the specific themes, this course will study
the influence of Pythagorean thought on music, vocal versus
instrumental music, the idea of absolute versus program music,
and the intellect versus emotions in music. Classes will include
lectures and discussions, audios and videos. General Studies
Interdisciplinary Studies credit or General Studies Arts credit. |
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IDS 212
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Introduction to Educational Theatre
This is an introductory course to Educational Theatre. Its
purpose is to introduce students to the possibility of utilizing
theatre as a tool for teaching. The students will learn to adapt
the material for use in community centers, schools, hospitals,
homes and other locations. The course is designed for teachers
at all grade levels but is not limited to education concentrators.
The course provides experiences in acting, writing and using
theatre games as a possible technique. |
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IDS 215
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US and Latin America
The aim of this course is to examine thoroughly the multiple
facets of US-Latin American relations. In this course, we will
attempt to find a synthesis between general approaches to the
topic and specific applications of such approaches. With this
goal in mind, I have divided the course into two parts. The
first part will look at the bigger, more general picture of
the relationship. This part is divided into three sections:
(1) general explanatory theories of the relationship; (2) the
historical evolution of the relationship; and (3) specific issue-areas
of the relationship. The second part will examine case studies
of US relations with individual Latin American countries to
see whether or not the information presented in part one of
the course is effective and appropriate in explaining the nature
of US-Latin American relations on a specific, case-by-case basis. |
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IDS 221
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Problems in American Culture
This course is designed to explore stated problems of the
American past using the insights and materials of literature
and history. The course focuses on particular chronological
periods with identification problems – the great depression,
the radical ’60s, or continuing trends like the American
dream. |
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IDS 225
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Introduction to Latin American Studies
This course introduces students to the many aspects of that
region of the world known as Latin America. The course is interdisciplinary
in nature in order to give students a more complete and unified
picture of how the many aspects of cultural, economic, social,
and political life in Latin America come together to explain
what is generally meant by the phrases “Latin America”
and “Latin American.” The course explores native civilizations,
historical evolution, political systems and institutions, cultural
and artistic movements, social structures, regional economic/development
issues, and many other topics such as drug trafficking, the
environment, and gender studies. |
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IDS 239
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Universal Genesis
This course is an examination of events in the universe
leading to the development of life on the planet earth, which
is a new area of study, termed prebiotic evolution.
It will deal with current ideas concerning such events as the
origin of the universe; the origin of the elements; the life
and death of stars; the origin of planets; the chemical composition
and history of the earth; and the chemical evolution of life
with its biochemical and physical syntax. The relation of these
events to cultural and religious views also will be aired. |
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IDS 250
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The Integration of Public History and Business
This course will include an examination of history and its value
to business decision-making, an investigation of the involvement
of business and/or business practices in historical preservation
and other historical topics, and finally an analysis of the
development of economics and business systems and relationships.
The course also will include visits to several historic areas,
outside speakers, and case studies utilizing simulation and
role-playing. May fulfill IDS or history-related course requirement. |
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IDS 252
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Artist Rebels of the 20th Century in Film and Art
The aim of this course is to introduce students to the various
avant-garde tendencies in the visual arts from the early 20th
century to the present. The course will focus on the aesthetic
and cultural developments in painting, sculpture, film, video,
and photography. In addition to regular lectures and class discussions,
the course features slide presentation, screening, visits by
artists-in-residence, and visiting film/video artists. There
is also a trip to the Museum of Modern Art (NYC). |
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IDS 254
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The Political Psychology of Mass Hate
The course explores the political and psychological origins
of, the dynamics behind, and the consequences that flow from
mass hate, prejudice and group violence. Politics and psychology,
as the course will demonstrate, are closely connected on this
issue, forming a symbiotic relationship that can either exacerbate
or avert group hate and violence. The course will examine the
psychological roots of group hate, examine how political and
religious factors affect group animosities, and explore the
larger themes of war, repression and human survival in the modern
nuclear age. |
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IDS 255
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Mathematics in Chemistry and Physics
The physical applications of analytic and numerical methods
are studied in such topics as differential equations, Fourier
series, Laplace transforms, matrices, complex numbers, and
vectors.
Prerequisite: MAT 207
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IDS 290
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Political Philosophy and the Literature of Political Reality
This course will involve an effort to explore the different
ways of thinking about Political Reality that are reflected
in classic and modern texts in Political Philosophy and Literature.
We will examine together readings in works of Political Philosophy,
Literature, and Film as to the following basic political questions:
what is human nature? Who should rule society? What are the
obligations of leaders and citizens? What are the potentials
and risks of power? And, how should change occur in political
systems? The class examines these important issues by means
of discussions, lectures, papers, and informal reports. |
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IDS 291
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Space Program
This course will provide you with an overview of the history
of the space program. While our focus will be on the American
spatial experience, we shall frame this effort in the context
of the global interest in space. Topics will include the astronautical
pioneers of the turn of the century, the popular fascination
with the moon, the German rocket program up to and during World
War II, the moon race, the European path to space, and space
business. Topics for debate will include the value of human
space exploration, and the financial burdens of space science. |
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IDS 303
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Sex Roles in the 20th Century
An investigation of sex roles from a psychological perspective
as reflected in 20th century literature. The biological and
cultural basis of traditional feminine and masculine roles are
discussed and compared with the changing models of sex roles
expectations. Literature is studied as reflecting and influencing
the evolving role of women in the
20th century. |
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IDS 305
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Psychology and the Law
In this course the student examines the application of psychology
to the legal system. Although psychology and the law might seem
to be very different enterprises, both seek to understand and
predict human behavior. Drawing from social, cognitive, developmental,
clinical, and biological psychology, we will examine how psychology
helps us understand the law. Some topics will be public attitudes
toward the law, police behavior, eyewitness testimony, and jury
deliberations. We will also examine activities of psychologists
in the legal system, including testimony on the mental competency
of defendants, assistance with jury selection, witness and evidence
preparations for trials, and the use of research findings to
lobby for legal reform. |
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IDS 320
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Mexican Culture and Civilization
The purpose of this course is to explore Mexican history,
culture, and civilization through a variety of different forms
such as literature, film, historical texts, cultural anthropology
texts, and current newspapers and periodicals. The intent
is for the student to gain an appreciation of Mexican history
and culture as well as a Mexican perspective of their own
history and culture. The course lectures and readings will
be in Spanish and all course requirements such as exams, reports,
projects, oral presentations, etc. will be in Spanish. Satisfies
Spanish Concentration requirement.
Prerequisite: SPA 301 or permission.
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IDS 321
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Contemporary Culture in the Southern Cone
The countries of the Southern Cone of South America, which
include Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay share many
characteristics: they are all located geographically in the
Southernmost part of the Western Hemisphere; they have been
somewhat removed from contemporary global balance-of-power
rivalries; for the most part they have fairly homogenous societies
(Paraguay is the one exception to this); they generally have
more developed economies; and they have all experienced harsh
dictatorships followed by democratic transitions. But these
countries also have features which distinguish them as well.
This course will explore the many aspects of contemporary
life and culture in these Southern Cone Countries with the
intent to introduce students to a part of Latin America that
often gets overlooked. Readings and lectures will be conducted
in Spanish. Satisfies Spanish Concentration requirement.
Prerequisite: SPA 301 or permission.
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IDS 322
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The Andean World
This course focuses on the Andean nations: Columbia, Ecuador,
Peru, Bolivia. Topics include the geographic setting of desert
highlands and jungle; the Inca culture and its legacy; Inca
and Spanish cultures in contact; social problems and social
protest; transitions from dictatorship to democracy; writers
and artists from the pre-Columbian era to the present who
reflect the Andean experience. Readings and lecture will be
in Spanish. Satisfies Spanish concentration requirement.
Prerequisite: SPA 301 or permission.
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IDS 323
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Women/Men: Debating the Differences
Men and women continue to occupy different or asymmetrical
positions in society. In this course we will study various feminist
explanations for this situation, and we will look at the way
feminist theories and more traditional masculinist world views
challenge each other. Specifically we will examine liberal,
Marxist, radical, psychoanalytic, existential and postmodern
theories and the remedies proposed by each. We will also address
a number of specific issues including pornography, compensation
for work of comparable worth, health issues, gender and communication,
spirituality and
ecofeminism, and the question of commonality and difference
among women and men. |
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IDS 325
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Latin American Perspectives
The course will begin with a study of some of the basic
premises about Latin America. Then, using these ideas, a particular
question or problem will be examined in each of the following
areas: Latin American history; political science; economics;
anthropology; art; and literature. Along with the readings,
other cultural events will be incorporated into the course,
including films and slides. |
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IDS 330
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Modern Mexico
This course will take an in-depth look at Mexico from an
interdisciplinary perspective over the course of the nineteenth
and twentieth centuries. The course will examine multiple aspects
of Mexico’s evolution in the political, historical, social,
and economic realms. Specific topics examined in the class will
include Mexico’s Independence, the U.S. War with Mexico,
the Mexican Revolution of 1910, Mexico’s Current Political
System, U.S.-Mexican Relations, the NAFTA, and Mexico’s
current transition towards democracy. |
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IDS 340
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Women and Gender and Latin America
This course follows the history of women and gender ideologies
in Latin America from the beginning of the colonial period
up to the present. In the first half of the course, the colonial
period, we discuss European gender expectations in Latin America,
and look at the responses to those expected roles that many
women took: mother, lover, nun, wife, widow, plantation owner
and adventurer. We also look at the very different experiences
of and standards for non-European women in the Americas. The
second half of the course looks at women in Latin America
from the mid-nineteenth century up to the
present, again exploring different roles those women assumed,
from workers, to suffragettes, to artists, politicians, and
revolutionaries. We also look at gender ideologies such as
patriarchy, machismo, and marianismo, and how they impacted
both men and women. Throughout the course we examine both
extraordinary and ordinary women and discuss at the diverse
roles they have played in the history of Latin America through
the reading of texts, primary accounts, and the viewing of
films, and documentaries, and discussion.
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