This course is to invite students on an exploratory journey to the basics of Buddhist history, culture, philosophy, psychology, ethics and logic in the part of the world known as Tibet. Through in-depth study the students will acquire deeper understanding of Buddhist worldview. The course will examine the origins of Buddhism, the chronology of its introduction into Tibet, and important figures and events in its development over the past 1500 years. Students will be invited to explore fundamental Buddhist teachings and practices for achieving states of well-being, meditation, enlightenment and nirvana. Specific attention will be given to how Buddhist forms of compassion, meditation and wisdom traditions can contribute to peace and happiness in a chaotic and politically conflicted world. The course is also intended to help students enrich their knowledge and skills related to diversity, inclusion, and social harmony. The course will conclude with an analysis of the rapidly growing interest in Buddhism in the west for example its potential for neuroscientific research on mind-body connections.
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Honors Seminar: The Western Beauty Caste System: The Politics of Black WomenÛªs Hair and Body
A caste system divides people into hierarchical groups based on aspects of their social identity. Within a caste, there are distinct advantages and disadvantages with your position. As such, the Western beauty caste system, emblematic of larger socio-political beauty norms in the U.S., sorts and stratifies women according to phenotype. Historically, Black womenÛªs hair and bodies have been positioned at the bottom of the Western beauty caste system. Engaging critical social theories, such as Black feminist thought and critical race theory, as a methodology, the purpose of this seminar will be to deconstruct, problematize, and interrogate the Western beauty caste system by centering the experiences of women in the African diaspora. Consistent with the methodologies of Black feminist thought and critical race theory, this course engages numerous forms of oppositional scholarship found in peer-reviewed/non-peer reviewed articles, books, documentaries, film, movies, art, music, poetry, spoken word, radio, podcasts, websites, etc.
Continue reading "Honors Seminar: The Western Beauty Caste System: The Politics of Black WomenÛªs Hair and Body"Honors Seminar: Images of Masculinity in Films
The course analyzes the visual representation of male characters in feature films, from John Wayne to Johnny Depp. Emphasis is on the impact of those images on our concepts of masculinity. We will explore how specific cinematic images relate to our cultural history, and consequently what implications those images hold for forming, perpetuating, or changing attitudes and perceptions of men, women, and masculinity today. Films viewed in or outside of class include many of the following: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance; A Streetcar Named Desire; Casablanca; Play It Again, Sam; Dirty Harry; Tootsie; Eyes Wide Shut; The Crying Game; Philadelphia; What Women Want; Don Juan DeMarco; 500 Days of Summer; Her; In and Out; Midnight Cowboy; sex, lies, and videotape; Brokeback Mountain; High Fidelity; Rocky; Oleanna, and others.
Continue reading "Honors Seminar: Images of Masculinity in Films"Honors Seminar: Suicide in American Film and Culture
Examination of suicide, from ideation to aftermath, from the perspectives of the suicidal individual, mental health practitioners, and affected or bereaved loved ones. Focus on representations of suicide in film and other cultural productions. Process-oriented writing culminating in portfolio.
Continue reading "Honors Seminar: Suicide in American Film and Culture"Honors Seminar: What’s the big idea?
What’s the big idea?- A N Boundary Thinking Approach to addressing complex social challenges. Every time we offer this course, we delve into different sticky, troubling issues for which we use our collective expertise to address. In the process, we learn to face the discomfort associated with learning things outside of our primary discipline, working with diverse peers, and meticulously framing and solving issues. Spring ’19 we will tackle Mental Health and College Students. Pre: 3.40 or better overall GPA.
Continue reading "Honors Seminar: What’s the big idea?"Honors Seminar: Global Challenge: Infectious Disease
Biological concepts are integrated using real-world public health problems. The theme of globalization and emerging infectious diseases will incorporate significant ideas and issues from the life sciences as well as from a variety of other disciplines, including the social sciences, history, law, literature, music, philosophy, psychology, and theatre. Pre-med, Pharmacy and Health Studies students preferred.
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(Independent Study) Pre: permission of the director of the Honors Program, and overall GPA of 3.40 or better.
Continue reading "Honors Project"Honors Project
(Independent Study) Pre: permission of the director of the Honors Program, and overall GPA of 3.40 or better.
Continue reading "Honors Project"Honors Section of CMB 311: Introductory Biochemistry
Chemistry of biological transformations in the cell. Chemistry of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, nucleic acids, enzymes, vitamins, and hormones integrated into a general discussion of the energy-yielding and biosynthetic reactions in the cell. (Lec. 3) Pre: CHM 124 or equivalent
Continue reading "Honors Section of CMB 311: Introductory Biochemistry"Honors Section of COM 100: Communication Fundamentals
Honors Section of COM 100: Communication Fundamentals. Not open to students with credit in COM 110. (Lec. 3) Pre: Must have a 3.40 overall GPA.
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