Binghamton University Scholars Program
Course Offerings
Summer Session 2011
and
Fall 2011
Professor William Ziegler, Director
Summer 2011
SCHL280E: Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Environmental Issues
Instructor: Professor George Catalano, Professor of Bioengineering
Gen-ed: C and H
Term I: May 31-July 1
Distance Learning Course
Taking Sides will present the arguments of leading environmentalists, scientists,
policy makers and reflect a variety of viewpoints. For each issue, we shall set the
stage with introductory material and a post-script summary. The debate will then
begin with the readings argued in a “yes” or “no” format. The course will require
students to analyze opposing viewpoints and reach considered judgments and will
thus develop critical thinking skills.
Required Texts
 Taking Sides, 11th edition, Thomas Easton, McGraw-Hill Press, 2007
 Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor, Leonardo Boff and Philip Berryman, Orbis Books,
1997
.
This course will use Blackboard extensively. All assignments will be made via the
Drop Box feature in Blackboard. The format is one of Distance Learning so there will
be no official class meetings. All correspondence will be electronically through
Blackboard as well.
Instructor Biography:
Dr. George Catalano received his Ph.D in Aerospace Engineering from the University
of Virginia. He is currently Professor of Bioengineering and Professor of Mechanical
Engineering at Binghamton University. He is the former Director of the Binghamton
University Scholars Program at BU. Dr. Catalano is the author or coauthor of several
books including Engineering and Society: Working Towards Social Justice,
Engineering Ethics: Peace, Justice, and the Earth (2006) and Engineering, Poverty,
and the Earth (2007). He has been a professor at the US Military Academy, the Air
Force Institute of Technology and others. He served as a Captain in the US Air Force
and as a NASA Fellow. Dr. Catalano has over thirty archival journal articles in
engineering science, engineering education and ethics, more than 80 reviewed
conference proceedings, and over one hundred national and international conference
presentations. He has served as Principal Investigator on over $900,000 in funding,
primarily from U.S. government agencies.
Fall 2011 Course Offerings
SCHL280A: Peace - A Historical Perspective
Instructor: Professor George Catalano, Professor of Bioengineering
Tuesday and Thursday 4:25-6:00
Gen-ed: H and J
4 credit hours
The UN General Assembly unanimously proclaimed the first decade of the 21st
century to be a Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence. Students will be
challenged to confront the issues of peace and non-violence through a careful
consideration of the works of many of the most important writers and activists. A
partial list of the authors includes:
 Barbara Deming
 Martin Luther King, Jr.
 Mahatma Gandhi
 Daniel Berrigan
 Dorothy Day
 Joanna Macy
 Hildegard Goss-Mayr
 Cesar Chavez
 Buddha
 Thomas Merton
 Ralph Waldo Emerson
 Albert Camus
Instructor Biography:
Dr. George Catalano received his Ph.D in Aerospace Engineering from the University
of Virginia. He is currently Professor of Bioengineering and Professor of Mechanical
Engineering at Binghamton University. He is the former Director of the Binghamton
University Scholars Program at BU. Dr. Catalano is the author or coauthor of several
books including Engineering and Society: Working Towards Social Justice,
Engineering Ethics: Peace, Justice, and the Earth (2006) and Engineering, Poverty,
and the Earth (2007). He has been a professor at the US Military Academy, the Air
Force Institute of Technology and others. He served as a Captain in the US Air Force
and as a NASA Fellow. Dr. Catalano has over thirty archival journal articles in
engineering science, engineering education and ethics, more than 80 reviewed
conference proceedings, and over one hundred national and international conference
presentations. He has served as Principal Investigator on over $900,000 in funding,
primarily from U.S. government agencies.
SCHL 280E: Food, Nature, and Culture: The Making of the World
Food Economy
Instructor: Professor Dale Tomich, Professor of Sociology
Tuesday and Thursday 10:05-11:30
Gen-ed: G and J (Note: at this time, the J designation is still pending)
4 Credit Hours
The food human beings eat is perhaps the most direct expression of their natural being
and dependence on nature. Yet what humans eat and how they eat it is profoundly
linked to culture and history. Through a treatment of selected food products (e.g.
wheat, rice, maize, sugar coffee, tea) this course examines the formation of a world
economy over the past 500 years. It seeks to understand how changes in the
production, distribution and consumption of food, organized through the formation of
integrated world markets, have affected environment, social organization, and cultural
meanings and created global interdependencies.
Instructor Biography:
Dr. Dale Tomich is Professor of Sociology and History. He has written extensively
on world-economy, Atlantic slavery, and plantation agriculture in the Americas. He
has been visiting professor at various universities, including the graduate program in
social anthropology at Brazil's National Museum, in the history departments at
Princeton University, the University of Paris, and the University of São Paulo, and in
development studies at the University of California Berkeley,
SCHL280D: Technology and the Impact of Solar Energy
Instructor: Professor Roger Westgate, Vice Provost and Professor of Electrical &
Computer Engineering
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 2:20-3:20
Gen-ed: J
4 Credit Hours
Advances in solar energy generation have begun to replace conventional fossil fuel
energy sources. During the next five years, the costs of solar systems are expected to
reach "grid parity" where they will compete economically with other sources
including wind and nuclear power. In this course, the technologies and the policies
that led to these advances will be discussed. Students will consider the economic and
environmental changes that will occur. They will also have an opportunity to work
with actual solar photovoltaic and solar thermal systems.
Instructor Biography:
Dr. Charles R. Westgate received his Ph.D from Princeton University. He is currently
Director of the Binghamton University Center for Autonomous Solar Power, Vice
Provost for Compliance, and Bartle Professor at Binghamton University. He is the
former Dean of the Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science at
BU. Dr. Westgate is currently Professor Emeritus at Johns Hopkins University
where he served as professor, associate dean for part-time programs in engineering,
associate dean for academic affairs, department chair and interim dean of engineering.
SCHL280C: Psychosocial Development across the Lifespan
Instructor: Dr. Elizabeth Carter, Executive Director of Student Services
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 3:30-4:30
Gen-ed: S
Human psychological growth and development. Selected life span issues from
infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and aging. Methods, results, and theories
considered.
Instructor Biography:
Dr. Elizabeth Carter is the former Interim Director of the Binghamton University
Scholars Program. She currently oversees the following departments at Binghamton
University:
International Student Scholars Services
Services for Students with Disabilities
Discovery
New Student Programs (orientation)
Center for Civic Engagement
TRIO – Upward Bound, Student Support Services, Veterans Services
Educational Opportunity Program
Transfer Student Initiative
SCHL280F / PHIL 201B Plato & Aristotle
Instructor: Professor Anthony Preus, Distinguished Teaching Professor - Philosophy
Tuesday and Thursday 8:30-9:55am; and Scholars Discussion Wed. 8:30-9:30 am
Gen-ed: H and C
4 Credit Hours
NOTE: This particular Scholars course is cross-listed with PHIL201B. Scholars will
attend the lecture portion of this course with non-Scholars. However, Scholars will
have a different set of expectations than non-Scholars (not additional work, but
different work) including a special discussion section on Wednesdays from 8:30-9:30
am where Scholars meet exclusively with Professor Preus.
Introduction to Greek Philosophy to 323 BCE. Brief introduction to philosophy
before Socrates; more extensive study of Socratic dialogues and Plato’s philosophy;
general introduction to Aristotle’s ethics, politics, theory of language, science and
metaphysics. For majors and non-majors. Many short quizzes, weekly reading reports,
revised for portfolio. Two or three oral presentations, with peer critiques. Two
lectures, one discussion section per week.
Instructor Biography:
Dr. Anthony Preus received his Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University and the MA
degree from Oxford University where he was a Rhodes Scholar. He has been at
Binghamton University since 1964 where he holds the highest faculty rank as
Distinguished Teaching Professor of Philosophy. Dr Preus is also the Master of
College in the Woods and Secretary of the Society for Ancient Greek Philosophy. He
is the author of The A to Z of Ancient Greek Philosophy; "Aristotle's Life and Works"
for the Oxford UP online encyclopedia; several other books and many articles. Dr.
Preus edits the series in Ancient Philosophy at the State University of New York
Press. He can be reached at apreus@binghamton.edu; preustony@gmail.com
SCHL 127: Developing the Scholar Within:
How to Think Like Leonardo daVinci
Instructor: To be announced
Thursdays 4:25 – 5:25 pm
Gen-ed: none
1 Credit Hour
Incoming Binghamton Scholars students will learn and develop powerful new
strategies for tackling challenges both timely and timeless, including open-ended
problem solving, critical and creative thinking, self-expression, goal setting and
balancing life’s myriad of competing interests. As a model for developing young
scholars, the principles described by Leonardo daVinci shall be discussed and
practiced in a highly student-centered learning environment. The principles are:
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
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An insatiably curious approach to life and unrelenting quest for learning
A commitment to test knowledge through experience and persistence, and a
willingness to learn from mistakes.
The continual refinement of the senses.
A willingness to embrace ambiguity, paradox and uncertainty.
The development of balance between science and art, logic and imagination.
The cultivation of grace, ambidexterity, fitness and poise.
Recognition of and the appreciation for the interconnectedness of all things and
phenomena.
In addition, other elements of the course will include:
 Introduction to the various support systems in place for BU students including the
Health Center, the Counseling Center, the Discovery Center and tutoring
 Presentation on the multiple opportunities available for study abroad and
internships.
 Guest presentations form an array of faculty scholars from throughout the
university
 Presentations and discussions led by upper class students in the Scholars program
 Discussion of the various components of the Scholars program from the freshman
year to the final year project.
 Leadership development through the successful completion of an open-ended
team based design project.
Text:
 Michael Gelb, How to Think like Leonardo daVinci, Delacorte Press: New York,
New York,
 Michael Gelb, How to Think like Leonardo daVinci: Personal Workbook,
Delacorte Press: New York, New York,
SCHL 227: Leadership and Achieving Goals - (1 Credit Hour)
Instructor: n/a
Day/Time: n/a
Gen-ed: none
1 Credit Hour
Note: SCHL 227 will only be offered in the Spring semester of each academic
year. SCHL227 will not be offered in the Fall semester.
Binghamton Scholars students will learn and develop powerful new strategies for
tackling solving open-ended design problems. Solving design problems in a team
format will enable students to develop both their leadership and teamwork skills. The
development of both critical and creative thinking skills is addressed. A formal design
methodology shall be introduced which consists of the following seven universal
design principles:

Acceptance

Definition of the problem

Analysis or breaking up the problem into smaller parts

Brainstorming or ideation (i.e. searching for alternatives)

Idea selection

Idea implementation

Evaluation of the solution
Students will work to identify, analyze, design, implement, and participate in a
leadership service project. The project may involve activities that take place off
campus. Each section of the course will work on separate projects. Projects are
typically not announced until the first week of classes.
There will be two (2) oral presentations assigned. The first will describe the problem
to be solved and the approach to be taken by the team. The second will occur at the
end of the term and describe the implemented solution and evaluate the effectiveness
of the result. In addition, a final report will be required which documents the entire
experience.
Text: (optional)
The Universal Traveler: A Soft-Systems Guide to Creativity, Problem-Solving, and the
Process of Reaching Goals, Don Koberg, Jim Bagnall, Crisp Publications.
SCHL 395: Worlds of Experience – Scholars Independent Study
Registration by permission of the Scholars Director.
Day/Time: n/a
Instructor: n/a
Gen-ed: n/a
Variable Credit
A topics course for students enrolled in the Binghamton University Scholars Program.
Under the sponsorship and supervision of a faculty adviser, students choose an
experiential learning activity from a variety of credit-bearing internships and a wide
range of other applied-learning venues, including field study, some facets of study
abroad, applied research, clinical experience, community service, studio experience in
the arts, internships, laboratory research assistantships, and student teaching. Students
complete and file an application form with the Scholars Program Office and obtain
the approval of the Scholars Program Director.