SP 2012 – FDN112 Course Descriptions
FDN 112 Course Descriptions – Spring 2012
Foundations 112 is designed to continue strengthening the skills focused upon in Foundations 111. However, for Foundations 112, students will have different topics to choose from in order to apply these skills in new ways. Some sections may fulfill an Area of Inquiry requirement and/or a cultural awareness flag (as noted below). Though some courses are joint-listed with a departmental designation, students must register for FDN 112 through the Foundations listing of these sections online. Students must enroll in one section of FDN 112 immediately after completing FDN 111.
FDN112 AH (PHI151 AH) MWF 9:00-9:50am – Dr. Hadaway (Students must be admitted to the honors program to enroll in this section)
The Moral of the Story: Ethics and Literature (fulfills Humanities-Philosophy Area of Inquiry)
In our times we suffer no shortage of opinions about all sorts of moral issues. War, stem cell research, physician assisted suicide, abortion, homosexuality, and radical hunger and poverty all call for some moral response, and as the newspaper headlines and pundit-driven talk shows illustrate, many people claim to have the answers. But the confidence and certainty on display on both sides of these debates inspires the central question of this course: How does one go about thinking systematically, clearly, coherently, creatively, and cogently about right and wrong? To advance in our quest for answers to this question, we will first consult some of the great masters of the western intellectual tradition who have offered answers themselves: e.g., Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, Bishop Butler, Immanuel Kant, and John Stuart Mill. But the best exploration of ethics is not done in pure theory alone. We will also examine our most common moral conflicts and questions as exemplified in a variety of short stories. These stories will bring to life in rich detail the prospects and problems of the theories we have considered and allow us to feel the full weight of the moral life as seen through the eyes of the characters and in the midst of the plotlines.
FDN112 B (HIS113 EF) MWF 9:00-9:50am & FDN112 E (HIS113 FF) MWF 10:00-10:50am – Dr. Wargelin
Civilization and its Discontents, 1648-present (fulfills Humanities-History Area of Inquiry)
A study of Western civilization from 1648 to the present, the course will be taught on a chronological and topical basis and combine historical interpretation with a knowledge of the significant developments of the past, including the Enlightenment; the French Revolution; the agricultural, industrial, and technological revolutions; struggles for national unification and independence; the First and Second World Wars; the Cold War; and issues of the contemporary world. As seen in this list of topics, the theme of revolutionary change emphasized in FDN 111 dominates this course as we examine the central clash of Western ideals of progress with the obvious alienation of segments of Western society (or entire societies themselves)—whether workers, women, or Nazi Germans, to name a few—over the last 350 years. In essence, Western Civilization rises to the summit of its power and influence even as its “discontents” challenge and in part shape that civilization. Emphasis will be placed on development of essential skills of reading, analysis, critical thinking, discussion, and assessment of a variety of materials from multiple disciplines, both to continue the skills cultivation initiated in Foundations 111 and to understand better the revolutionary developments in Western societies in this period.
FDN112 C MWF 9:00-9:50am - Professor Glover
Tobacco & Sugar: The Cuban Experience (fulfills Cultural Awareness Abroad flag)
This course is an introductory survey of the history of Cuba from the Encounter (ca. 1492) to the present. Despite its size (just slightly larger than Kentucky), Cuba has played a surprisingly important role in world history from the end of the fifteenth century to the present. The goal of the course will be twofold: first, to gain some sense of the overall sweep of Cuban history; and, second, to engage with a series of significant philosophical, religious, moral, political, and economic issues that emerge during the course of that history. The material is arranged historically. We begin with the discovery of Cuba by Spanish explorers at the end of the fifteenth century and end with Cuba’s role in the War on Terror at the beginning of the twenty first. Throughout, we shall give attention to US-Cuban relations, especially during the years following the Cuban Revolution (1959).
FDN112 D (COMM101 AF) MWF 10:00-10:50am & FDN 112 G (COMM101 BF) MWF 11:00-11:50am - Dr. Sibal
From Talking to Texting (fulfills Social and Behavioral Sciences Area of Inquiry)
The purpose of this class is to introduce you to the field of Communication Studies. In this class, you will learn the basic theories and skills related to human communication in a variety of contexts including interpersonal/relational, organizational/corporate, small group, intercultural, and mediated/mass mediated communication contexts. By the end of this course, you should be able to:
1) Understand and evaluate various contexts of communication.
2) Understand the ways in which communication influences how we view ourselves, our social worlds, and our relationships,
3) Describe fundamental communication concepts including perspectives on communication, the importance of perception in the communication process, the characteristics of verbal and nonverbal communication, and other basic communication skills.
4) Demonstrate knowledge of the basic theoretical approaches related to interpersonal, small group, intercultural, organizational, and mediated communication.
5) Demonstrate competent communication behaviors during classroom discussions/activities.
FDN112 F MWF 10:00-10:50am - Dr. Burch
Irish Myth & Folklore
Who was Cuchulain and why did he carry a “riddling rod?” Why do the fairy people abduct human children and leave one of their own behind? Did the cow actually eat the piper or was it all just a big misunderstanding? These questions and more will be answered in our reading of selections from Ireland’s renowned tradition of oral literature. The course will examine the origins as well as the historical and cultural function of this impressive and perplexing body of literature.
FDN112 H (HIS 113 GF) MWF 11:00-11:50am & FDN112 I (HIS 113 HF) MWF 1:00-1:50pm - Dr. Lykins
Atlantic Revolutions since 1500 (fulfills Humanities-History Area of Inquiry)
For more than 1000 years, European maps depicted only three continents – Europe, Asia, and Africa. Within eight years of Columbus’ voyage, Juan de la Cosa produced the first European map with two “new” continents represented. Ultimately, interactions between the four habitable continents bordering the Atlantic Ocean changed the world. This course explores the religious, intellectual, political, technological, social, and cultural ‘revolutions’ during the past 500 years that create the world we know today.
FDN112 J (PHI 150 DF), MWF 1:00-1:50pm - Dr. Tarver
Basic Philosophy: Women and Philosophy (fulfills Humanities-Philosophy Area of Inquiry & Cultural Awareness at Home flag)
This version of Basic Philosophy maintains a central interest in examining the classical methods and problems of the discipline of philosophy while paying particular attention to the critical, yet often neglected, developments by and about women in dominant conceptions of the human and the good. Many of the writers we will study offer accounts of the human (or critiques of the most prevalent accounts) that make clear how importantly connected the social phenomena of gender relations are to seemingly abstract or ‘neutral’ philosophical problems. Moreover, this class will draw out the interdisciplinary implications of its subject matter by studying such philosophical texts in conjunction with the historical and contemporary social movements for which they have laid the theoretical groundwork.
FDN112 K MWF 2:00-2:50pm - Dr. Emerick
Understanding the Arab-Israeli Conflict (fulfills Cultural Awareness Abroad flag)
In our attempt to understand this long-lived conflict that has taken so many lives, we will begin with some background on the three Abrahamic faiths involved and their claims to the area generally called Palestine. However, we will spend most of the semester in the 20th century, giving a fair hearing to all sides in the modern conflict, mainly through documents from or video interviews with the participants.
FDN112 L (CLA170 A) MWF 3:00-3:50pm – Dr. Henkel
Ancient Epic: Heroes of Greece and Rome(fulfills Humanities-Literature Area of Inquiry)
This course will introduce students to the genre of epic poetry, focusing on the three ancient epics that have had the greatest and most lasting impact on culture and literature: Homer’s Iliad, Homer’s Odyssey, and Vergil’s Aeneid. Students will read all three poems in their entirety, paying special attention to themes that engage the FDN 111 DUSI questions, and further developing skills learned in FDN 111.
FDN112 M MW 2:00-3:15pm – Dr. Griggs
Architecture: Beauty and Shelter
After studying the purposes of architecture for shelter and beauty, students will learn various ways of analyzing buildings. The focus will be on houses of the past 100 years, but other major buildings will also be studied. The skills of writing, “reading” buildings, and developing and presenting arguments will be emphasized. Field trips for “experiencing” architecture included.
FDN112 N (ART170 AF) TR 8:00-9:15am & FDN112 Q (ART 170 BF) TR 9:30-10:45am - Dr. Zakic
The Grand Tour: Ancient Greek Art and Life (fulfills Fine Arts Area of Inquiry)
This course is designed to reinforce skill development from Foundations 111, but the work will be modestly interdisciplinary, engaging a variety of topics. The outline of the course follows the standardized itinerary that includes the ancient sites of Athens, Delos, Olympia, Delphi, Corinth, Epidaurus as well as other sites beyond the Aegean or Greece proper. These are major centers through which art, architecture, ancient travel, archeology, ethnography, geography, literature, myth and history came to define all that we came to understand as “classical antiquity.” While the primary lens to the material is through a traveler of Ancient Greece, the comparative analysis of its relationship to subsequent periods, Hellenized territories and affected powers, such as its Roman rule, will unavoidably be explored as well.
FDN112 O (MUS 126 A) TR 8:00-9:15am - Dr. Lewis
Score Study and Styles (fulfills Fine Arts Area of Inquiry)
A survey of the stylistic characteristics of representative musical works from the Renaissance Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods, including a study of the relevant musical scores. A reading knowledge of music is required for this course.
FDN112 P (PHI 150 AF) TR 8:00-9:15am & FDN112 R (PHI150 BF) TR 9:30-10:45am & FDN112 T (PHI 150 CF) TR 12:45-2:00pm - Dr. Sands Wise & Dr. Stevens
Philosophy of Science (fulfills Humanities-Philosophy Area of Inquiry)
Science has revolutionized our understanding of the world around us and our ability to shape that world. It has given us new technologies, from medicines to modes of transportation to means of communication, and has changed how we understand our own place in the world. But how does this actually happen? How does science work? Perhaps even harder, how should it work? Are there specific rules that scientists should follow, and is this what real scientists actually do? Can science discover absolute truth in a way that is truly objective? And does it matter? These are some of the many questions that we will explore in this class, co-taught by Dr. Jonathan Sands Wise of Philosophy and Dr. Bill Stevens of Biology. We will look at some of the most influential ideas of philosophers on how to understand and practice science, and we will use these ideas to investigate case studies from 20th and 21st century science such as continental drift, the structure of DNA, and global warming. Come join us as we try to figure out just what science is, what it does, and what it should do. Recommended for all potential science majors, and for anyone interested in learning about recent advances in science from a philosophical and historical perspective.
FDN112 S (PSY163 A) TR 9:30-10:45am - Dr. Price
Life Above Zero: An Introduction to Positive Psychology (fulfills Social & Behavioral Sciences Area of Inquiry)
The phrase “life above zero” refers to the idea that we all ought to be flourishing and thriving rather than merely existing in this world. This course will help students find ways to enhance their own lives while learning the science behind the positive psychology movement. As the course catalog states, this course is designed to introduce students to the field of psychology with an emphasis on positive psychology which is the scientific study of happiness and the good life. This course will educate students on research methodology by examining topics like happiness, optimism, and character strengths. In addition, the course will infuse opportunities for self-examination and reflection by incorporating self-report assessments and applied exercises. This course will only be offered as a Foundations 112 course.
FDN112 U (PHI 195 AF) TR 12:45-2:00pm - Dr. Ward
Seminar on Vocation (fulfills Humanities-Philosophy Area of Inquiry)
This class is specially designed for Christian Leader Scholarship students. The readings cover a wide range of people and issues related to vocation, theological reflection, and Christian spirituality and exemplars. For example, we read about Martin Luther King’s background as a Christian minister, his sermons on race and other issues, and explore his connection to the teaching of Gandhi. Dorothy Day, the founder of The Catholic Worker movement, writes beautifully about her early life and childhood and those experiences as an adult that lead her to God. In addition to class work, students will also find a Spring break experience – either a mission trip, a day at a homeless shelter, or a visit to a monastery – in order to deepen their reflection and experience. The intensive reading and writing format of the course will challenge students to move their vocational reflection to a new level, spurred on by friends and conversation. This class is open to all students. CLS students who complete the course are eligible for a $500 travel scholarship for international education, mission, or service trips. Students have used this money to travel to Oxford, Africa, South America, Korea – wherever their calling leads them.
FDN112 V TR 12:45-2:00pm - Professor Powell
From Page to Stage: Creating 3-D Drama from the 2-D Surface
This course will introduce students to the study of Formalist Script Analysis and how it relates to the creation of live theatrical events and filmed adaptations while continuing the skills development begun in FDN111. Students will examine works from the Western canon of dramatic literature, beginning with Ancient Greece and continuing into modern times, and apply their analysis to projects within the class ranging from dramatic critique to designer presentations, scripting to speaking words on stage. The class will also offer the unique experience of attending live theatrical presentations within the area. Special fee for tickets will apply.
FDN112 W (EDU131 BF) TR 2:10-3:25pm - Dr. Jackson-Wood
Current Issues in Education
Current Issues and Trends in Education is an introduction to American public education through an analysis of some of the most pressing issues in the field, their causes, and their implications. Current issues are considered by reflecting on their historical foundations. Readings, discussions, in-class activities, and a 15 hour field component in an alternative learning environment all contribute to developing a basic grasp of education and society. EDU 131 is the first course in the teacher education program. First year students who are considering education as major are encouraged to take this three credit version of the course in order to satisfy the Foundations 112 requirement.
