Spring 2009
FRESHMAN SEMINAR PROGRAM
UNCG
College of Arts and Sciences
Each Freshman Seminar gives you the opportunity to study a topic in depth while earning credit in the General Education Core
(GEC) or fulfilling the College Additional Requirements (CAR). The seminars are small discussion classes taught by faculty
selected for their commitment and interest in undergraduate teaching. The seminars have no prerequisites and do not presume any
special knowledge about the topics to be covered. The seminars emphasize class discussion, critical reading or original literature
(rather than textbooks), and practice in writing and argument. They are all challenging courses, intended for students who plan to
take their education seriously.
These seminars are open only to students who will be freshmen in the Spring 2009 semester. For the most current information
including location of the class, see UNCGenie on the web: www.uncg.edu. (TBA means To Be Announced) We encourage
students not to sign up for a seminar without first reading the course description and not to sign up for more than one seminar.
Talk with your advisor about registering for a seminar. A more in depth description of the class is available on the web at
http://www.uncg.edu/aas/fms/
Marker Abbreviations:
WI: Writing Intensive, SI: Speaking Intensive, GL: Global Perspectives, GN: Global Non-Western Perspectives, L: Lab,
SVL: Service Learning
REASONING AND DISCOURSE II
GEC category: GRD
Also carries credit equivalent to ENG 102. You may not receive credit for both FMS 116 and ENG 102.
Course #
FMS
116-01
FMS
116-02
Markers
SI
Days/Time/Place
Course Title/Description
CANCELLED
CANCELLED
M, W, F
1:00-1:50 p.m.
“Mythbusters” This speaking intensive course will examine the various genres of
commentary (including but not limited to): satire, current news events, documentaries,
political/social editorials, reviews, and reflections that center on the myths dominating our
culture. We will analyze written, spoken and visual rhetoric by applying the concepts found in
media literacy and cultural theory for how these demonstrate concise, detailed language
composed for specific audiences.
Course Title/Description
“Literature In Four Voices” Literature in Four Voices is an examination of the writings of
James Baldwin, Lorraine Hansberry, bell hooks and Michael Eric Dyson. Two authors from
the last days of modernism and two who stand firmly in the postmodernist era. All four
writers are great contributors to the rhetorical conversation that surrounds African American
literature and black thought. By examining these four authors it is our intention to examine the
concepts of identity, race, culture and literature on the American landscape as viewed through
the works of these intellectuals.
“Contemporary Southern Literature and Culture” This writing intensive literature course
takes an interdisciplinary approach to exploring the American South’s regional identity since
the 1940s by examining narrative, history, and folkways. Readings include selections from
Ellen Glasgow, Lewis Nordan, Tennessee Williams, Ernest Gaines and others.
“Imagining the Plague: Literature. Film, Disease & Health” Human beings normally
describe the ideal life as one of germ-free health. Disease means foreign invasion. Yet
scientists in the last three centuries have gradually discovered that persons as single units and
as living in collective societies can be more accurately understood as battlefields where
organisms compete for resources in combative struggle. This course will examine key literary
and cinematic texts that center on pestilence and contagion for the most part in epidemic and
pandemic proportions. Disease as parasitic and symbiotic interaction will be discussed as the
LITERATURE
Instructor
S. Todd
Atchison
GEC category: GLT
Course #
Markers
Days/Time/Place
FMS
120-01
WI
M, W, F
10:00-10:50 a.m.
FMS
120-02
WI
M, W, F
2:00-2:50 p.m.
FMS
120-03
WI
T, R
5:00-6:15 p.m.
http://www.uncg.edu/aas/fms/
Spring 2009 Freshman Seminar Program
Instructor
Logie
Meachum
Bethany
Perkins
Charles
Tisdale
Page 1
essence of organic existence. In a larger context disease conflict will be treated as a
conceptual metaphor for growth in personal awareness, intrapersonal relationship, and social
and cultural change.
FMS
120-04
WI
T, R
12:30-1:45 p.m.
FMS
121-01
WI, GL
M, W, F
10:00-10:50 a.m.
FMS
122-01
WI, GN
T, R
9:30-10:45 a.m.
“Poetry Inside Out: A Users Manual” This course is designed to make you a more
sophisticated reader by introducing you to the key concepts and vocabulary necessary for the
in-depth study of poetry. It also seeks to improve your ability to express your thoughts and
feelings about literary works both orally and in writing. We will read analyze and discuss a
wide variety of poems—but we won’t stop there. One of the best ways to deepen our
understanding of literature is to go through the process of creating our own. We will take
advantage of the fact that this is a writing intensive course not only to prepare the typical inclass exercises and written responses to the homework reading assignments but also to come
up with our own poems to be prepared at home and shared in class. You will not be graded on
my perception of the quality of the work but on your good faith effort to put into practice the
techniques, theories and ideas we will be studying throughout the semester.
“King Arthur: From Mythic British Monarch to Global Hero” As with any literature, the
stories of King Arthur reflect the concerns, struggles, passions and questions of the culture
that tells them. From what sources do the legends originate? How do King Arthur and his
knights change to accommodate various cultural, political and historical influences? Beyond
mere entertainment, what social commentary is siphoned through Arthurian legend? These
are just a few of the questions we will consider as we explore the legends of King Arthur. We
will study a variety of texts from across cultures, including those with thematic parallels to
Arthurian legend, as well as direct representations of Arthur. Further, we’ll follow how the
“once and future king” weathered the transition to the media-driven age of the 20th and 21st
centuries. The essays, excerpts, novels, poems, and films we study will provide openings to
various issues debated and of concern in 21st century society, including the effect of media
and visual images on politics, the current power structure, the rights of women, the role of
religion in culture, and the influence of the political climate on art.
“Globetrotting: A New Perspective on ‘World Literature’" We are used to thinking of
"world literature" in terms of geography: reading an "African" novel, an "Asian" play, and so
on. But what about authors, characters, and other people who don't belong to or in any one
place--who are displaced? This course will investigate the displaced transnational subject
using both literature and a (gentle) introduction to literary theory.
FINE ARTS
Mark
Smith-Soto
Jennifer
Whitaker
Dorothy
Kuykendal
GEC category: GFA
Course #
Markers
Days/Time/Place
FMS
130-01
WI
M, W, F
9:00-9:50 a.m.
FMS
130-02
WI
T, R
12:30-1:45 p.m.
FMS
131-01
WI, GL
T, R
12:30-1:45 p.m.
Course Title/Description
“Acting Change in America: Human Rights Onstage” . In this course we will look at the
rich legacy of American plays that have, at their center, the struggle for equality in a chaotic
world. These dramas reflect the nation’s political, social, and moral norms which have been
in constant flux in the tumultuous 20th century and they bring into sharp focus the troubling
prejudices and conformities that have influenced and sometimes dominated our culture.
“10 Watts is All You Need: Indy Rock Culture” From the quirky art-rock of DEVO and the
Talking Heads to the icon of Björk and the eclectic TV on the Radio, college radio and
“rock” and its youth-culture has launched, rescued, and sometimes destroyed the careers of
various artists and groups. This course explores the history of this wide and inclusive
“genre,” discusses the criticisms and politics of “independent” music, and seeks to engage
students in writing their own music criticism pieces, attending live performances, and
discussing the future of the “independent” media in a rapidly changing technological
landscape. A final, substantial piece of music criticism or a research paper will be coached
and revised with the aid of the instructor through the initial stages to the final draft.
“Wonderful Weirdness: Classical Music since 1900” Pro-Tools. Elvis. World War II. 64channel surround sound. Four orchestras performing different things at once. Sitting on a
mattress, eating an apple, and then having someone run into a room and scream for a half
hour. This seminar examines the countercultural movements in European and American art
music since 1900, how they radically influenced life and technology, and how war and
technology and life influenced musical culture. The seminar will be a jargon-free, rapid-fire
excursion through musical history, technological history, and the history of the “what!?”
documenting the most absurd, “out-there,” and wonderfully wacky musical and cultural
trends in history.
PHILOSOPHICAL, RELIGIOUS, AND ETHICAL PRINCIPLES
Course #
Markers
Days/Time/Place
FMS
140-01
WI
M, W
3:30-4:45 p.m.
FMS
142-01
WI, GN
M, W, F
1:00-1:50 p.m.
http://www.uncg.edu/aas/fms/
Instructor
Jeffery
West
Thomas
Dempster
Thomas
Dempster
GEC category: GPR
Course Title/Description
“Philosophy and Science Fiction” Throughout the ages, philosophers have been concerned
with formulating and reformulating a variety of concepts trying to answer the big questions
concerning the nature of reality, morality, and the soul, as well as developing and defending
the idea of the ideal society and the ideal person. Under the umbrella of science fiction, both
the film industry and the literary world have created stories that challenge these philosophical
ideals and offer up varying interpretations that stretch these concepts, sometimes to the
breaking point. This class will explore some of these stories and perhaps arrive at a better
understanding of these philosophical theories and how they might impact humanity.
“The Buddha and His Teachings” This seminar explores the life of the Buddha and his
primary teachings on suffering, impermanence, compassion, and mindfulness. Focusing first
on classical Buddhist teachings in South Asia, we will then trace these teachings as they
Spring 2009 Freshman Seminar Program
Instructor
Barbara
Hands
Katherine
Zubko
Page 2
disseminate across China, Japan, and the modern West. Particular attention will be paid to
the development of different practices of meditation, the participation of women in Buddhist
traditions, the emergence of ‘socially engaged Buddhism’ and the application of Buddhist
ethical principles to contemporary issues of war and ecology.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES: Modern
Course #
Markers
Days/Time/Place
FMS
160-01
WI
T, R
2:00-3:15 p.m.
FMS
160-02
WI
M, W, F
10:00-10:50 a.m.
Mary Foust 128
FMS
160-03
WI
M,W
2:00-3:15 p.m.
FMS
162-01
WI, GN
T, R
12:30-1:45 p.m.
SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL STUDIES
Course #
Markers
Days/Time/Place
FMS
170-01
WI
T, R
9:30-10:45 a.m.
FMS
170-02
WI
M,W
2:00-3:15 p.m.
FMS
170-03
WI, SVL
M,W
3:30-4:45 p.m.
FMS
170-04
WI
T, R
9:30-10:45 a.m.
FMS
171-01
WI, GL
T, R
2:00-3:15 p.m.
FMS
183-01
Markers
WI
Days/Time/Place
T, R
11:00-12:15 p.m.
http://www.uncg.edu/aas/fms/
Instructor
George
Michel
Christine
Flood
Beth
Walker
Antonio
de la Cova
GEC category: GSB
Course Title/Description
“War and Conflict” It has been estimated that there has been a war somewhere in the world
94% of the time since the dawn of civilization. Why does mankind periodically organize
himself for armed conflict and warfare? This course will begin by asking these questions and
try to answer them through an examination of the United States’ involvement in war and
conflict over the last hundred years.
“The Sociology of Rock Music” This course will exam the history and impact of rock
music from a social historical perspective. The relationship between rock music and social
change will be considered specifically as it creates, reinforces, and informs youth culture.
The effect of rock music on issues such a race, gender, and nationality will be explored.
“Building Communities: Leadership, Service, and Society” This course is designed to
introduce students to the behavior of individuals through an exploration of society’s
responsiveness to pressing social issues facing our communities. Students will examine the
people, processes, and institutions that are most effective in improving community
conditions. This course is restricted to residents of Make a Difference House Program.
“The Narration of Healing: Social Science and Storytelling.” This course will focus on
the historical and conceptual foundations of the Narrative approach and the different ways the
approach is applied within the different social sciences to promote explanation and healing.
Through a focused investigation of the Narrative approach, students will not only learn about
this important and powerful way of understanding human behavior, they will also learn about
the fundamental concepts and defining features of the core social science disciplines, gain a
better understanding of the similarities and differences between the social sciences, and gain
insight into the complexities and ambiguities of trying to understand and “heal” human
behavior.
“Diapers to Diaspora: The Anthropology of Children” Have you had an anthropology
course? Have you ever been a child? Even if the answer to the first question is no, the answer
to the second has to be a yes. Not only have we all had the opportunity to talk to children and
observe them, we have all been one. Being a child is an experience common to all humans
even if we grew up in very different cultures. The field of anthropology has recently
undergone a resurgence of interest in the study of children and childhood. In this course we
will examine childhood from both an evolutionary and an ethnographic perspective. Using
the five field approach of anthropology, we will look at studies of childhood done by
biological, cultural, linguistic and historical (archaeology) anthropologists. The course will
conclude with look at the many challenges faced by children in the world today and a
discussion of the concepts of victimncy and agency. The course content will include readings,
writings, films, discussion, interviews and a mini-ethnography.
NATURAL SCIENCES: Physical Science
Course #
GEC/CAR category: GHP/GMO
Course Title/Description
“Darwin, Evolution and Society” Ever since its initial presentation, Darwinian notions of
evolution have engendered much controversy in western societies. This seminar compares
Darwin’s notions with those evolutionary notions prevalent before Darwin, examines how
Darwinian notions have influenced the understanding of society, and how society has reacted
to Darwinian notions.
“Hollywood And History: Truth, Lies, and Videotape.” The tragic elements of many eras
in American history are almost irresistible to script writers and producers who make them
into big-budget films that often take huge historical leaps over the real story. Of course, no
one expects movie makers to be historians, nor is that their job, technically—their job is to
make good films. Yet the visual images of movies last far longer than any lecture; the
characterizations and plotlines in films persist even over the protests of frustrated historians.
Movies, in reality, represent history for many of us.
“A Novel Approach to Women's History” Students will read and analyze novels as a
means of examining factors in women's lives during the turbulent mid-to-end of the 19th
Century. There will be a focus on the individuals who were key to the suffrage, birth control
and social welfare movements
“Latino Immigrants in U.S. Society” An analysis of Latino immigration to the United
States with a special emphasis on the diversity of the immigration experience by national
origin, region of settlement, and gender. In order to understand this experience, we will pay
particular attention to the histories of Latino immigration to the United States in order to
identify similarities between the receptions of Latino immigrant groups and other immigrants
in history. We will also discuss predominant theories of international immigration,
relationships between the historical and contemporary context, immigration policy, and the
adaptation of Latino immigrants in the U.S.
Instructor
A. Leigh
Sink
Jon
Epstein
Emily
Janke
Love
Crossling
Dorothy
Davis
GEC/CAR category: GNS/GPS
Course Title/Description
"Taking Sides: Clashing Views on the Natural Urban Environment" Do problems exist in
our natural urban environment, and what do we do about them? The answer depends on who
Spring 2009 Freshman Seminar Program
Instructor
Chuck
Folds
Page 3
FMS
183-02
WI
T, R
9:30-10:45 a.m.
FMS
184-01
WI
M,W,F
11:00-11:50 a.m.
MATHEMATICS
Course #
FMS
195-01
Markers
WI
you ask. In this course we will dissect natural science articles about water quality, air quality,
and soil erosion in and around urban places in the U.S. We will address earth science in the
environment most altered by humans; the city. Are the right questions being asked, and how
does this research affect development policy and the way we live?
“Energy Use in Today’s World” Our society uses a huge amount of energy and greatly
depends on a stable supply. Most of our energy comes from fossil fuels, such as coal and oil,
and from nuclear reactions. However, every day it becomes more clear that we will have to
deal with dwindling natural energy resources and the growing environmental impact of our
energy use. In this seminar we will explore where our energy comes from and how is it used.
We will look at a variety of alternative energy sources and how they might solve our growing
energy-related problems.
“Science in the Media” This course is designed to explore scientific inquiry, methods, and
comprehension by investigating the media and its role in science communication. Many of
our perceptions regarding science come from novels, magazines, documentaries, TV shows,
fictional movies, and comic books. This course will focus on the differences between science
communicated through fictional and non-fictional sources, and through different media
formats. By doing so, the student will be also able to understand and outline proper scientific
methods, as well as be able to communicate their ideas effectively in writing.
Alice
Haddy
Yashomati
Patel
GEC/CAR category: GMT
Days/Time/Place
T, R
9:30-10:45 a.m.
http://www.uncg.edu/aas/fms/
Course Title/Description
“Mathematics in Popular Culture” Mathematics permeates our modern existence. Any
time you make a credit card payment online, play a game of Sudoku, unknot the cord of your
laptop computer, or solve a Rubik's cube there are deep mathematical principles involved. In
this course we'll examine the background of these and many other topics. We'll answer
questions like, how many games of Sudoku are there. Why is it news when they find a new
prime number? What is the Butterfly Effect? What is a fractal?
Spring 2009 Freshman Seminar Program
Instructor
Greg
Bell
Page 4