Independent College Programs: 2008-2009
Description
These courses, offered by visiting professors and members of the various departments of the College, are in different ways outside the major programs of the departments. They may be introductory in approach, or they may be interdisciplinary, bringing the insights and techniques of one discipline to bear on the problems important to another. They attempt to introduce students to intellectual experiences which are different from the ones that are available in our departmental curricula. These courses have no prerequisites except where explicitly stated.
Faculty
Professor Linda G. Gerstein
Associate Professor M. Kaye Edwards
Visiting Professor Neal Grabell
Visiting Professor Ruth Guyer
Visiting Professor John Keene
Visiting Associate Professor Carol Solomon
Visiting Instructor Victoria Funari
Courses
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104 Calculus: Concepts and History NA/QU (Cross-listed in Mathematics)
J.Tecosky-Feldman
Prerequisite: Not ordinarily open to students who have studied calculus previously. Offered occasionally.108 Physics in Modern Medicine NA (Cross-listed in Physics)
S.Amador Kane
Does not count toward the major. Typically offered in alternate years.111 Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies SO (Cross-listed in Peace and Conflict Studies)
Staff
A broad overview of the study of conflict, peace and peace-building. Topics include: militarization, nuclearization, ethnic conflict, genocide, social movements, and non-violence, with special emphasis on understanding the historical and cultural contexts of conflicts and peacebuilding efforts. (Satisfies the social justice requirement.)123 Perspectives in Biology: Scientific Literacy NA (Cross-listed in Biology)
K.Johnson
Does not count toward the major.190 Introduction to Gender and Sexuality Studies HU (Cross-listed in German and Philosophy and Gender and Sexuality Studies)
H.Schlipphacke
An introduction to key concepts, issues, and theories in feminism and queer studies that focuses on the ways in which gender is constructed, understood, and enacted in relation to class, race, religion, nationality, and cultural productions. Prerequisite: None (Satisfies the social justice requirement.)215 Sport and Society SO
A.Kitroeff
This course examines the evolution of sport in the Americas and Europe in the 19th and 20th centuries from its amateur beginnings to its transformation into a lucrative business with a global scope in the late 20th century. The course is divided into three broad chronological sections: the 19th century, the 20th century through World War II, and the post-1945 era. In each of these segments we are concerned with the way social changes affected the way sport was played, administered, experienced as a spectacle and how it was treated as an important social institution. Prerequisite: Freshman Writing. Offered occasionally.217 Humanimality: (Dis)Figurations of the Animal in the Shaping of Human Institutions HU (Cross-listed in English)
K.Benston
(Satisfies the social justice requirement.)221 Epidemiology and Global Health NA
K.Edwards
This course will examine the interplay of biomedical, societal, and ethical concerns in global health. A unit on epidemiology will provide the analytical tools to measure effectiveness of various public health responses. Case studies, such as smoking and tobacco-related diseases, emergency contraception, AIDS prevention and therapies will highlight the impact of medical science, economics, culture, and politics on public health in different countries. Prerequisite: College-level biology course; a course in statistics is recommended. Typically offered in alternate years.224 Seeing Class: An Exploration of Class in America and of Documentary Film Making HU
E.Lapsansky,L.Massiah
Readings about the history and theory of social "class" and about the conceptualization and techniques of documentary film-making. The semester will culminate in two short course film projects. (Satisfies the social justice requirement.)230 Beauty, Rhetoric, Aesthetics, Philosophy HU (Cross-listed in Comparative Literature and Philosophy)
J.Muse
This course will examine contemporary attempts to revitalize and reaffirm art's relation to beauty, aesthetic pleasure, and seduction. Readings will be drawn from the works of Plato, Longinus, Edmund Burke, Kant, Nietzsche, Heidegger, as well as the contemporary champions of beauty: Gilbert-Rolfe, Hickey, Scarry, Schjeldahl, and Steiner.236 Art, Politics, and Society in Nineteenth-Century Europe HU
C.Solomon Kiefer
This course explores European art in the context of political, social, and cultural developments in the period from the late eighteenth century to the middle decades of the nineteenth century. Neoclassicism, Romanticism, and Realism are the artistic movements of this period. Artists discussed will include David, Goya, Friedrich, Turner, Constable, and Gericault among others. Course will include at least one visit to the Phila Museum of Art.240 Latin American and Iberian Culture and Civilization HU (Cross-listed in Spanish and Latin American and Iberian Studies)
R.Castillo Sandoval241 The Economics and Finances of Higher Education SO
R.Wynn
This course explores the economics of higher education as part of the non-profit sector of the U.S. economy, focusing specifically on the business and financial structure of Haverford College as the prototype of an independent, not-for-profit organization. The course begins with an overview of the non-profit sector and the higher education industry, and includes such topics as long range and strategic planning, budgeting, endowment management, socially responsible investing, assessing financial health, as well as other topics. Typically offered in alternate years.244 Quaker Social Witness SO (Cross-listed in Gender and Sexuality Studies)
K.Edwards
Seminar course examining the commitment to social justice within the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), exploring its religious foundation and highlighting historical and current manifestations. Readings on Quaker testimonies and on the roles of Quakers in abolition, suffrage, and peace will be complemented by guest speakers from Quaker social justice organizations. (Satisfies the social justice requirement.) Does not count toward the major.252 Women, Medicine and Biology SO (Cross-listed in Biology and Gender and Sexuality Studies)
K.Edwards
This course examines how biological science describes women's bodies and behaviors by analyzing arguments that certain traits are sexually dimorphic, genetically determined and hormonally sensitive. It also examines how the medical profession responds to women's health concerns by analyzing the biomedical and political factors influencing research and treatments in such areas as breast cancer, reproductive medicine and AIDS in women. Prerequisite: Preference given to Gender and Sexuality Studies Concentrators. (Satisfies the social justice requirement.) Offered occasionally.253 The Theory and Practice of Conceptual Art HU
J.Muse
The mid-20th c. movement called Conceptual Art will be explored, as will its predecessors and progeny.257 Medical Ethics, Human Health and Human Suffering SO
R.Guyer
As medical practice and medical research grew during the 20th century, so did the need for an ethics component to both endeavors. Study of specific cases clarifies why medical ethics became a necessity.266 Ocular Anxiety: Visuality in the Nineteenth Century HU
R.Oberter
We will examine the 19th C as an age of "ocularcentrism." At this time, a culture of looking emerged with the development of new visual technologies and the opening of art museums. In the middle of the century, Europeans and Americans alike had great confidence in vision. This course will look at moments of both optimism and skepticism about the ability of the brush, the pencil, and the camera to capture what the eye could see and what it could not.270 Social Justice and the Courts SO
J.Keene
This course will examine some of the benefits and costs of using the American federal and state court systems as tribunals where parties seek to achieve social change and advance the cause of social justice. (Satisfies the social justice requirement.)277 Aristotle and Arthur Andersen: Ethical Behavior in the Professional and Corporate World SO
N.Grabell
Through an exploration of ethical theory and case studies, we will examine topics such as: the tension between compliance with the law and the profit motive, professional responsibility and detachment, the proper treatment of clients/patients, short-term vs. long-term benefits, the relevance of social benefits claims to business practice, doing "well" by doing "good", and the dilemma of ethical relativism in the world of international business. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or higher.278 Documentary Film and Approaches to Truth HU
V.Funari
The problem of truth in documentary and video. What practices have documentarians engaged in to acknowledge, deny, undermine, complicate, and perhaps solve the problem of truth-telling? Readings, film viewings with discussions, and exercises in video production leading to the creation of final videos by students. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or higher.281 Violence and Public Health SO (Cross-listed in Peace and Conflict Studies)
K.Edwards
An interdisciplinary seminar course analyzing the advantages and limitations of a public health perspective on violence. We will examine how every-day violence, direct political violence, and structural violence effect public health, as well as evidence that violence is preventable and amenable to public health strategies. Prerequisite: One of the following: ANTH 111, ICPR 221, or ICPR 222 Does not count toward the major.290 Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Gender HU (Cross-listed in Gender and Sexuality Studies)
G.Stadler,S.Ullman301 Human Rights: Development and International Activism SO (Cross-listed in Peace and Conflict Studies)
Staff
(Satisfies the social justice requirement.)302 Bodies of Injustice:Health, Illness and Healing in Contexts of Inequality SO
K.Edwards
Prerequisite: Lottery priority to students returning from CPGC-sponsored internships. (Satisfies the social justice requirement.)365 The Spirit and the Psyche: Spiritualism, Symbolism, Surrealism HU
R.Oberter
This course explores the relationship between visual art, the supernatural, & the psychological during three distinct cultural moments: Spiritualism in England in the 1850's & 60's, Symbolism and the occult in France in the 1890's, and Surrealism in France in the 1920's & 30's. We will read a variety of period writings such as psychological treatises, artists' and writers' memoirs, and Surrealist manifestos.480 Independent Study SO
K.Edwards484 Senior Conference in Science and Sociology HU
K.Edwards
A conference course for students writing their final paper for the Biology, Medicine, and Society program. Each student will produce a paper which expands significantly on what they have learned through their own fieldwork, research, or advanced course work in this program. Students will meet individually with the instructor to discuss their written work. Limited to Senior students in the Science and Society Program. Offered occasionally.494 Senior Conference in Science and Society NA
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K.Edwards
A conference course for students writing their final paper for the Science and Society program. Each student will produce a paper which expands significantly on what they have learned through their own fieldwork, research, or advanced course work in this program. Students will meet individually with the instructor to discuss their written work. Prerequisite: Completion or concurrent fulfillment of requirements for the Science and Society Program or consent. Offered occasionally.