2007-2008 Undergraduate Academic Catalog - Plymouth State ...

CoursesIS 3470 Women in ContemporaryAmerican Culture 3 creditsExplores the attitudes which shape the professionaland social opportunities for Americanwomen today. Reading for the course includesnecessary historical background but focuseson contemporary issues. Students learnto examine the attitudes and beliefs thatwomen hold and the decisions that womenmake in society in general and in the workplace. Perspectives integrated: HIST, LITY,SPSY. Falls. Prerequisite(s): junior status.(INTG)(INCO)IS 3480 Perspectives onWilderness3 creditsExamines changing perceptions of NorthAmerican wilderness as documented by literature,art, historical accounts and science. Worksinclude fiction, poetry, memoirs of explorersand settlers, writings of naturalists/scientiststhat describe the relationships of theirauthors with the natural environment. Alsoexamined are the visions of the landscape andthe flora and fauna as manifested in paintingsand photographs. The purpose is to show theinterrelationships amongst at least the threeperspectives mentioned above and to examinethe consequences of these relationships withrespect to our contemporary attitudes and institutions.Unscheduled. Perspectives integrated:ARTS, HIST, LITY, SCIE. Prerequisite(s):junior status. (INTG)(DICO)(INCO)IS 3500 Film and Society: Perspective andConflict3 creditsA psychological, sociological and anthropologicalexamination of the processes by whichpeople and societies construct and maintaintheir reality and a consideration of the resultsof inevitable reality conflict, as portrayed inclassic and recent films. Perspectives integrated:GLOB, LITY, PHIL, SPSY, SCIE.Spring of even years. Prerequisite(s): juniorstatus. (INTG)IS 3530 Exploring Contrasts: Classic vs.Romantic3 creditsMany works in the art, literature and musicreflect contrasting perspectives at the timethe works were created. Often the terms‘Classical’ and ‘Romantic’ are used to suggestthese opposing but complementary views.Examines these characteristics as they maybe seen, read or heard. It’s a “self discovery”course. Class members are expected to demonstrateincreased knowledge through discussion,journal entries, projects and othercreative responses. Perspectives integrated:ARTS, LITY. Springs. Prerequisite(s): juniorstatus. (INTG)(INCO)IS 3560 Philosophical Perspectives onWar and Peace 3 creditsSee PY 3560 for course description.Perspectives integrated: HIST, PHIL, SPSY,TECH. Springs. Prerequisite(s): junior status.(INTG)(GACO)(INCO)IS 3610 Biology of Sex Roles 3 creditsExposes students to a scientific perspectiveon the differences in sexes in animals, withparticular focus on humans. Both physiologyand behavior are discussed in the context ofevolution. The intent is to heighten awarenessof the evidence for evolutionary explanationsof sex roles while simultaneously consideringthe limitation of science in understanding thesocial behavior of our species. Perspectivesintegrated: GLOB, HIST, SCIE, SPSY. Fall ofeven years. Prerequisite(s): junior or senior status.(INTG)(DICO)(GACO)(INCO)IS 3750 Special Topics 1–4 creditsUpper-level topics vary and may be repeatedfor credit with a different topic. Pass/No Passor letter graded. Occasionally.IS 4050 Personal Mythology 3 creditsExplores the world of myth and defines “personalmyth,” using discussion and readingsdrawn from various perspectives; intentionallypersonal, it addresses the human conditionand the language of myth used to speak about/to that condition. Students are expected to beactive participants as that language evolves.Perspectives integrated: PHIL, SPSY. Springs.Prerequisite(s): junior status. (INTG)IS 4060 Cosmology, Evolution, andPhilosophy3 creditsAn inquiry into various philosophical perspectiveson evolution. To explore the deeper philosophicalimplications of evolutionary scienceand the riddle of existence so as to provide freshinsights into the meaning of humanity and ourplace in the universe. Investigates paradigmssuch as a universe of chance, randomness andprobabilities or ones of design and purpose.Emphasis is placed upon the student’s abilityto critically associate epistemological positionswith perspectives on evolution. Perspectivesintegrated: HIST, PHIL, SCIE. Fall of evenyears. Prerequisite(s): junior status. (INTG)IS 4160 The Ice Age 3 creditsDesigned to investigate the impact of thePleistocene or Ice Age (approximately 1.8 millionto 10,000 years ago), upon the physicaland cultural evolution of humans. Perspectivesintegrated: GLOB, SCIE. Spring of even years.Prerequisite(s): junior status. (INTG)(INCO)IS 4360 Cultural Diversity and AmericanSociety3 creditsTo respond effectively to the challenges andopportunities associated with the increasingracial, cultural and social class diversitywithin the United States, individuals need todevelop an understanding of related concepts,principles, theories and practices. Studentsconsider information, issues, theories andbeliefs essential to understanding and relatingto individuals in diverse cultures. Topicsinclude: reviewing diverse cultural beliefs andpractices; the influence of culture on the developmentof beliefs, values and behaviors; thenature of prejudice; gender differences; historicaldevelopment; the influence of social class onbehavior; religious diversity; and language policies.Not open to students who earned creditfor CD 2360. Perspectives integrated: GLOB,SPSY. Falls and Springs. Prerequisite(s): junioror senior status. (INTG)(DICO)(INCO)IS 4370 Hispanic Culture in the UnitedStates3 creditsDesigned to acquaint students with the widespreadinfluence of Spanish language, cultureand literature in the social fabric of theUnited States. Investigations of the Chicano,Puerto Rican and Cuban realities predominate.Taught in English. Students who readSpanish have the opportunity to do so, butno knowledge of Spanish is required. Countstoward Spanish major or minor. Perspectivesintegrated: ARTS, GLOB, HIST, LITY,SPSY. Springs. Prerequisite(s): junior status.(INTG)(DICO)(INCO)IS 4450 Ecclesiastical History: Origins tothe Reformation 3 creditsAn inquiry into the history and thought of theChristian Church from its roots in Judaism,during the first century of the Common Era,to the events of the Reformation. Emphasis isplaced on the history, philosophy and theologyof the founding of the church of Christendom,the building and flourishing of that Churchand the events leading to its political andintellectual fractionalization. Perspectivesintegrated: HIST, PHIL. Unscheduled.Prerequisite(s): junior status. (INTG)IS 4500 Comparative SocialServices4 creditsWithin this intensive learning process, studentsgain knowledge about how differentsystems of healthcare delivery, education andsocial services exist for the people studied.Examines issues of ethnocentrism, beliefsystems, social institutions, social values andnorms, stereotypes, labeling theory, racismand discrimination. Students understand howsociety can best respond to the social problemswhich impact the culture(s) studied. Studentsmay take and receive credit more than once276 Plymouth State University Academic Catalog 2007–2008