Summer 2013 Honors Colloquia

Summer I: 6/10/13-7/14/13

[] 1870:360-401, TuWTh 3:55pm-4:55pm, 2 credits, Dr. Matthew Lee

The Sociological Imagination.  In this colloquium we will explore the ways in which developing a strong sociological imagination (being able to understand how our personal lives are connected with larger social forces) enhances our understanding of the world in which we live.  In the process, we hope to increase our freedom to act as we choose, rather than being controlled by forces that we previously could not even perceive.  We will apply the sociological imagination to help us make sense of shocking world events, such as the participation of U.S. soldiers in torture in Iraqi prisons, as well as the more mundane events that shape our everyday lives.

This will be a MOOC-related colloquium.   Dr. Lee’s portion of the class will be delivered in traditional discussion-oriented seminar style.  About half of the course content will be provided by Princeton on-line through a Coursera portal.

Summer II: 7/15/13-8/18/13

[31458] 1870:360-402, MTuW 10:00am-11:40am, 2 credits, Sarah Akers

Shaping a Generation: The Baby Boomers and U.S. Popular Culture: In this colloquium, we will examine the fifteen years of U.S. history following the Second World War.  This period was seminal in forming the attitudes and values of the generation known as the Baby Boomers who form the country's current leadership - political, economic, religious and cultural.  We will make this examination primarily through the prism of U.S. popular culture.

Summer I: 6/10/13-7/14/13

[33309] 1870:470-402, TuTh 12:00pm-2:30pm, 2 credits, Robert Duff

Energy and Life on Earth : In this course we will examine the topic of energy primarily from a living systems perspective. Topics will range from the physics of energy, to photosynthesis and respiration, to ecosystems including global warming, to the sources of energy including oil, gas and renewable energy sources.In each case we will be exploring the science behind various energy sources and applying that knowledge to current socio-political debates about the future of energy use.  The course will consist of a number of short research seminars or inquiry based lectures with sessions that will require active discussion on the part of each student.  Readings from the primary and secondary literature will be provided and some short writing assignments will be required.

Summer II: 7/15/13-8/18/13

[31876] 1870:470-401, MTuW 8:00am-9:40am, 2 credits, Stanley Akers

Breakthroughs and Blind Alleys: The History of Scientific Discovery: This course will seek to trace the history of medicine and science from the earliest discoveries to the most recent insights; we will also examine misjudgments, misconceptions, as well as outright fraud and quackery. In the final analysis, the development of medicine and science impacted the course of human history and civilization from the dawn of time to the present day.

Social Sciences

[] 1870:360-401, TuWTh 3:45pm-4:55pm, 2 credits, Dr. Matthew Lee

The Sociological Imagination.  In this colloquium we will explore the ways in which developing a strong sociological imagination (being able to understand how our personal lives are connected with larger social forces) enhances our understanding of the world in which we live.  In the process, we hope to increase our freedom to act as we choose, rather than being controlled by forces that we previously could not even perceive.  We will apply the sociological imagination to help us make sense of shocking world events, such as the participation of U.S. soldiers in torture in Iraqi prisons, as well as the more mundane events that shape our everyday lives.

This will be a MOOC-related colloquium.   Dr. Lee’s portion of the class will be delivered in traditional discussion-oriented seminar style.  About half of the course content will be provided by Princeton on-line through a Coursera portal.

NATURAL SCIENCES

[33309] 1870:470-402, TuTh 12:00pm-2:30pm, 2 credits, Robert Duff

Energy and Life on Earth : In this course we will examine the topic of energy primarily from a living systems perspective. Topics will range from the physics of energy, to photosynthesis and respiration, to ecosystems including global warming, to the sources of energy including oil, gas and renewable energy sources.In each case we will be exploring the science behind various energy sources and applying that knowledge to current socio-political debates about the future of energy use.  The course will consist of a number of short research seminars or inquiry based lectures with sessions that will require active discussion on the part of each student.  Readings from the primary and secondary literature will be provided and some short writing assignments will be required.

SOCIAL SCIENCES

[31458] 1870:360-402, MTuW 10:00am-11:40am, 2 credits, Sarah Akers

Shaping a Generation: The Baby Boomers and U.S. Popular Culture: In this colloquium, we will examine the fifteen years of U.S. history following the Second World War.  This period was seminal in forming the attitudes and values of the generation known as the Baby Boomers who form the country's current leadership - political, economic, religious and cultural.  We will make this examination primarily through the prism of U.S. popular culture.

NATURAL SCIENCES

[31876] 1870:470-401, MTuW 8:00am-9:40am, 2 credits, Stanley Akers

Breakthroughs and Blind Alleys: The History of Scientific Discovery: This course will seek to trace the history of medicine and science from the earliest discoveries to the most recent insights; we will also examine misjudgments, misconceptions, as well as outright fraud and quackery. In the final analysis, the development of medicine and science impacted the course of human history and civilization from the dawn of time to the present day.