FALL 2026 COURSE OFFERINGS
Academic Travel courses and First Year Seminar Courses will be announced soon.
The University reserves the right to change course offerings and scheduling.
| Course | Sec | Course Title | Faculty | Day | Time | ||
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| AHT 102 | 1 | Intro to Art Histories I | Fassl | M/TH | 11:30 - 12:45 | ||
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Introduction to Art Histories, Ecologies, Industries I: Antiquity to Early Renaissance The course offers an introduction to the history of art and visual culture from antiquity to the Renaissance in an intercultural and interdisciplinary context. It studies all forms of art, such as painting, sculpture, architecture, and printed works within their historical, social, and cultural contexts, as well as their representation in modern media (film, documentary, etc.). The course aims at an international and cross-cultural perspective, as well as introducing students to interdisciplinary modes of analyzing art that respond to developments in the fields of art ecologies and art industries.
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| AHT 222T | 1 | Design Studies (Singapore and Malaysia) | Fassl | M | 17:30 - 20:15 | ||
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Design Studies This course explores the fascinating histories of objects and environments that qualify as icons of design. How do the Eiffel Tower, Empire State Building or the Burj Khalifa stand as markers for values and ideals? Why makes for the longevity of the Little Black Dress as a fashion icon? These and other questions prompt the course to study built environments and landscapes, designed spaces of interiors and for performance, as well as graphic design, industrial design, the decorative arts, and fashion design. Through an interdisciplinary framework that considers materials, technology, culture, consumption, politics, and sustainability, students will acquire the theoretical underpinning to understand how design is shaped and how processes of ‘iconization’ are at work for both tangible products and non-tangibles, including lifestyles. Following historical, technical and theoretical studies and analyses, students will be guided through a design-thinking process to create a prototype for their own design idea and product. The design thinking skills acquired in the course will equip students with valuable tools to be applied to projects in other academic disciplines and to professional tasks. The course addresses all aspects and approaches of the Art Histories, Ecologies, Industries major. NOTE: This Academic Travel course carries a supplemental fee: CHF 1’175 (for students invoiced in CHF) or USD 1,565 (for students invoiced in USD).
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| AHT 263T | 1 | Art and Food (France) | Gee | W | 13:00 - 15:45 | ||
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Art and Food (France) This course looks at connections between the visual arts and food, considered both under the perspective of edible substance, and the culinary arts. First, it explores the representation of food in pictorial traditions in the early modern and modern ages, considering social, cultural and economic visual and culinary intersections. Second, the course engages with contemporary art practices that place food as their core material and subject matter. In doing so, the discussion moves to present issues regarding the politics of food. Here, aesthetics can confront socio-economic and environmental debates through joint representational and eatable strategies, where relations take the center stage. The course involves some encounters with artists and scholars who work with contemporary culinary aesthetics and food politics. The travel component is France where the group will participate in additional artistic visits and workshops. The course addresses all aspects and approaches of the Art Histories, Ecologies, Industries major. (Recommended prerequisite: AHT 102, AHT 103 or AHT 280.)
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| AHT 280W | 1 | Contemporary Art: From the New York Scho | Gee | T/F | 13:00 - 14:15 | ||
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Contemporary Art: From the New York School to the Present This course offers an introduction to the history of contemporary art from 1945 to the present, paying particular attention to aesthetic developments in increasingly global and interconnected cultures. Our topics include: reactions to modernism and its discourses, the dematerialization of art and the rise of conceptualism, activist art and institutional critique, site-specific and time-based art, postmodernist discourses and aesthetics, artistic research in the 21st century. The course will place a particular focus on the relation between the art object and the artist’s intention/idea. The role of institutions within the art world will be analyzed in relation to the development of process-based practices. Particular emphasis will be put on the theoretical writings of artists and critics. The course addresses all aspects and approaches of the Art Histories, Ecologies, Industries major.
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| BIO 102 | 1 | Introduction to Biology: Cell and Animal | Della Croce | M/TH | 14:30 - 15:45 | ||
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Introduction to Biology: Cell and Animal This course provides students with an introduction to the biological sciences focused on the structure and functioning of animal cells and organs. Topics include basic biochemistry, cell structure and function, cellular respiration, and animal physiology. This course will emphasize human anatomy and physiology as model systems for understanding and contrasting key principles of animal biology. Students enrolling in this course must enroll in the parallel laboratory section BIO 102L.
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| BIO 102L | 1 | Lab to Introduction to Biology II | Della Croce | W | 10:00 - 12:45 | ||
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Laboratory to Introduction to Biology: Cell and Animal Biology The laboratory course parallels the topics in BIO 102 and provides lab-based investigations of the material covered in BIO 102. Students must register for both BIO 102 and the lab section concurrently. (This course carries an additional fee for laboratory supplies.)
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| BIO 215T | 1 | Alp Nordic Ecosystem (Bormio, Italy) | Piccinelli | W | 13:00 - 15:45 | ||
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Alpine and Nordic Ecosystems Dynamics (Bormio, Italy) This course offers an in-depth study of cold ecosystems, encompassing a wide-ranging exploration from the European Alps to the Nordic regions, focusing on their ecological dynamics. It provides a comprehensive look at the environmental factors influencing these unique regions, including their diverse flora and fauna. The course will explore ecological processes, interactions, and the adaptations of species to their environments in both the Alpine and Nordic contexts. Students will engage with current issues such as climate change, human impacts, and ecological conservation challenges. The Travel component will allow direct observation and hands-on experience on the field. Students should be prepared for outdoor activities in varied weather conditions and terrains. Travel Destination: Bormio (Italian Alps). The academic travel component of this course will take place in Bormio (Italy), where students will conduct structured field-based activities in alpine environments aligned with course learning objectives.
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| BIO 310 | 1 | Ecology | Della Croce | M/TH | 10:00 - 11:15 | ||
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Ecology This course examines the interactions of organisms with their environment and each other, the dynamics of populations, the structure and functions of ecosystems, the role of biogeochemical cycles, and biodiversity. Required laboratory sessions. BIO 102 and MAT 182 are strongly recommended prior to taking this course.
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| BUS 115 | 1 | Financial Accounting | Balushkina | M/TH | 14:30 - 15:45 | ||
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Financial Accounting This course is designed to introduce students to the field of financial accounting and provide them with a foundational understanding of financial accounting concepts from the perspectives of both internal and external users. A particular emphasis will be placed on GAAP accounting standards, the preparation of financial statements, and the application of accounting information for decision-making. Students will become familiar with financial statements such as the balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows, as well as key accounting books and documents. They will also understand differences in accounting practices across various types of organizations and account for assets, liabilities, owners’ equity, revenues, expenses, and dividends.
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| BUS 135 | 1 | International Business | Balushkina | M/TH | 13:00 - 14:15 | ||
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International Business This course introduces students to the field of international business with a twofold purpose. Firstly, it examines the external environment of international business, exploring how and why cultures, countries, and regions differ. It also addresses the economics and politics of international trade, while considering critical issues related to business ethics and sustainability in a global context. Secondly, it investigates the internal environment of international businesses, focusing on companies’ operations, the roles of various business functions and the analysis of their strategies and structures. Close attention is given to applying international business knowledge to practical problems and fostering ethical behavior and decision-making.
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| BUS 136 | 1 | Marketing in a Global Context | Albert | M/TH | 11:30 - 12:45 | ||
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Marketing in a Global Context This course is an introduction to the tools and concepts used in the marketing process for consumer and industrial products as well as for services. The focus is on the basic marketing concepts (product, place, price, promotion) as they relate to the field of global marketing. Emphasis is placed on the increasingly important role of interdisciplinary tools to analyze economic, cultural and structural differences across international markets. Specific consideration is given to the development of integrated marketing programs for a complex, global environment.
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| BUS 226 | 1 | Managerial Finance | Suleiman | M/TH | 13:00 - 14:15 | ||
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Managerial Finance Managerial Finance is an introductory course in corporate finance that teaches students the basic theoretical and practical foundations in financial decision-making. In particular, students will learn about concepts and tools needed for valuing investment projects. Topics covered include the time value of money, valuation of corporate investment projects, the risk/return relationship, capital budgeting, the cost of capital, developing appropriate selection criteria, and short- and long-term financial management. Throughout the course, real-world examples are used to link theory with practice.
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| BUS 243T | 1 | Personal Finance (Germany) | Suleiman | W | 13:00 - 15:45 | ||
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Personal Finance (Germany) This course introduces students to the basic concepts and tools needed to make wise and informed personal financial decisions. The content of this course is presented from a practical point of view and with an emphasis on the consumer as the financial decision-maker. The primary objective of this course is to help students apply finance practices to their own life. For example, students will learn how to plan and manage personal finances, how to obtain credit to purchase a home or a car, and how to invest personal financial resources in stocks, bonds, and real estate. Students will also learn how to interpret financial and economic news that have an impact on personal finances. The travel component of this course will include visits to several cities in Germany such as Frankfurt and Berlin. During those visits, students will be introduced to financial institutions that are relevant for personal finance such as the ECB, the Frankfurt stock exchange, commercial banks, and wealth management and real estate firms.
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| BUS 251 | 1 | Sustainable Luxury Management | Schultz | T/F | 11:30 - 12:45 | ||
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Sustainable Luxury Management This course aims to bring clarity to the paradoxical nature of the luxury industry, where excess and indulgence stand in sharp contrast to the concept of sustainability. Students will be introduced to the peculiarities that make the luxury sector distinct from conventional management environments. Thus, the course will teach students about the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the luxury industry. Students will learn about the peculiar social and environmental challenges faced by luxury corporations due to their focus on experiential and hedonic products and services. Furthermore, the course teaches students how luxury corporations can effectively handle diverging stakeholder demands and create a long-term sustainability strategy. The course outlook spotlights cutting edge topics related to emerging industry trends. Luxury corporations are under pressure to meet expectations from younger consumer generations who prioritize social and environmental practices throughout supply chains and have different ideas about what luxury means in the digital age. To address this, the course outlook offers insights into the role of new technologies.
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| BUS 256 | 1 | Market Research Methods | Albert | M/TH | 10:00 - 11:15 | ||
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Marketing Research Methods This course introduces students to the most common qualitative and quantitative techniques for conducting market research with an emphasis on their application. The definition of market research problems, the set-up of research plans, and the subsequent data collection and analysis are illustrated and applied by means of real world projects. Students are required to implement, in groups, the skills covered in class, and to prepare a final research report to discuss and present in class.
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| BUS 342 | 1 | Marketing for a Sustainable Society | Albert | T | 16:00 - 18:45 | ||
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Marketing for a Sustainable Society Sustainability is a consolidated managerial approach that companies today embrace when managing their businesses. The course illustrates the main sustainability models in marketing employed by corporations across industries to operate in ways that respect both people and planet while still being profitable. Specific attention will be given to mechanisms that foster sustainable consumption through marketing communication campaigns aimed at customers and stakeholders in general.
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| BUS 353 | 1 | Strategic Management Theory | Schultz | T/F | 10:00 - 11:15 | ||
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International Management Theory and Concepts Strategic management is the study of firms and the political, economic, social and technological environments that affect their organization and strategic decisions. This course considers the external market environment in which firms operate, and provides theoretical foundations, focusing on economic and strategic theories of the firm and introducing key concepts of organizational theory. Practically, the course looks at the creation of competitive advantage of a firm in the global arena. The readings and class discussions include both theoretical concepts and practical case studies. (Junior status recommended)
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| BUS 370 | 1 | Crafting Clarity | Ulmer | M | 17:30 - 20:15 | ||
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Crafting Clarity: The Architecture of Arguments and Ideas Course dates: 24 August - 21 September 2026. In today’s complex business environment, structured problem-solving is a critical skill for consultants, executives, and decision-makers. This special topic course equips students with professional problem-solving skills relying on a frameworks-based approach used by top consulting firms while developing critical awareness of its applications and limitations. Students will gain practical tools valued by employers and learn how to frame and communicate problem statements as well as proposed solutions effectively, contributing to their general career readiness. Recommended for Juniors and Seniors. This course carries a supplement fee.
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| BUS 405 | 1 | Portfolio Analysis & Asset Management | Gentile | M/TH | 14:30 - 15:45 | ||
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Portfolio Analysis and Asset Management This course provides students a comprehensive understanding of the management of investment portfolios including topics such as portfolio and asset pricing theories, portfolio optimization, asset allocation, security analysis (macro analysis, financial statement analysis), fixed income portfolio management, active (mutual funds, hedge funds) and passive (ETFs) investment strategies, performance evaluation, taxation, portfolio risk management, and international diversification. An additional emphasis of this course will be the in-depth analysis of alternative asset classes such as real estate, precious metals, and cryptocurrency.
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| BUS 410 | 1 | Organizational Behavior | Balushkina | M/TH | 11:30 - 12:45 | ||
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Organizational Behavior This course introduces students to the field of organizational behavior (OB), the study of what people think, feel, and do in and around organizations. It discusses why organizational behavior knowledge is important for organizations, introduces students to the research methods used in the field, and emphasizes the necessity of multiple levels of analysis (individual, team, organization) in OB research. Topics covered in the course include individual differences; emotions, attitudes, and stress; motivation; team dynamics; power and influence; leadership; organizational structure; organizational culture. (Junior status recommended)
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| CHEM 101 | 1 | General Chemistry I | Bullock | T/F | 10:00 - 11:15 | ||
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General Chemistry I The course examines atomic structure, bonding, stoichiometry and the mole concept, the behavior of gases, liquids and solids, thermochemistry, and intermolecular forces. Students are required to concurrently enroll in the corresponding lab section CHEM 101L. This course is a prerequisite for CHEM 102 and is a pre-health course.
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| CHEM 101L | 1 | Lab to General Chemistry I | Bullock | T | 16:00 - 18:45 | ||
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Laboratory to General Chemistry I The laboratory course parallels the topics in CHEM 101 and provides lab-based investigations of the material covered in CHEM 101. Students must register for both CHEM 101 and the lab section concurrently (This course carries an additional fee for laboratory supplies).
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| CHEM 201 | 1 | Organic Chemistry I | Bullock | T/F | 14:30 - 15:45 | ||
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Organic Chemistry I This course is an introduction to the chemistry of carbon-based compounds. The course begins with a quick review of foundational concepts from CHEM 101 and CHEM 102, specifically covalent bonding, hybridization, VSEPR theory, polarity and intermolecular forces. It continues with an introduction to the different classes of compounds within organic chemistry and their characteristic physical and chemical properties, with an emphasis on structure and functional groups as well as stereochemistry. The study of the different types of chemical reactions will rely on an understanding of how the electrons in the covalent bonds are rearranged, giving rise to the full understanding of the mechanisms of each reaction. Students enrolling in this course must enroll in the parallel laboratory section CHEM 201L.
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| CHEM 201L | 1 | Laboratory to Organic Chemistry I | Bullock | T | 16:00 - 18:45 | ||
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Laboratory to Organic Chemistry I The laboratory course parallels the topics in CHEM 201 and provides lab-based investigations of the material covered in CHEM 201. Students must register for both CHEM 201 and the lab section concurrently (This course carries an additional fee for laboratory supplies).
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| CLCS 100W | 1 | The Stories We Live By | Roy | M/TH | 13:00 - 14:15 | ||
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The Stories We Live By Stories are everywhere. We use them, consciously or unconsciously, to make sense of identities, experiences, and desires. And, at the same time, we are shaped by the stories that we absorb and interpret. This course explores how storytelling both reflects and shapes our lives. It introduces students to keywords and terms for reading and reflecting upon stories, both in the pages of books and in everyday life. The course considers a variety of narrative forms, including short stories, novels, fairy tales, self-help manuals, comics, films, podcasts, and political discourse. The course introduces students to fundamental questions about the nature of storytelling, while developing the vocabulary and critical skills for analysing and discussing stories. This is a writing intensive course in which students read as they learn to write. Students practice applying a critical vocabulary to textual forms as well as becoming familiar with the skills of drafting and editing. The course also introduces students to some of the professional pathways open to writers and storytellers.(This writing-intensive course counts towards the Academic Writing requirements).
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| CLCS 205T | 1 | Paris Protagonist: Lost in Translation | Ferrari | W | 13:00 - 15:45 | ||
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Paris Protagonist: Lost in Translation This creative writing course fosters and critical and creative encounter with the city of Paris, approached as a mythical urban landscape; one that lives and breathes as a protagonist through French literature and film. Students will critically examine how Paris has been imagined, constructed, and contested across time, considering the ways in which artistic and theoretical discourses shape and are shaped by the city’s evolving cultural identity. The travel component serves as the culmination of this encounter, moving students from analysis to creative praxis through daily site-specific writing prompts and workshop-style discussions. Core questions driving this exploration include: In what forms does the city persist as a protagonist across literary and cinematic history? What voices emerge from its ruins and reinventions? How do translation and transfiguration mediate our understanding of place, memory, and loss? And how might deepened cultural awareness complicate the allure of Paris as an aestheticized and mythologized space? Three thematic modules structure this inquiry: The poetry of Charles Baudelaire, foregrounding the spatial poetics of the city; Surrealism’s paradoxical approach to time—both defining and destabilizing Parisian temporality; The French New Wave (contrasted with foreign cinematic representations of Paris), with a focus on translation, transfiguration, and the allegorical play of light and otherness. (Course previously taught as CLCS 105T)
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| CLCS 310T | 1 | The Culture of Cities (Berlin) | Wiedmer | W | 13:00 - 15:45 | ||
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The Culture of Cities: Sustainability (Berlin) Portrayed at once as a space of disruption and of stability, of danger and of creativity, of inclusion and exclusion, the modern city has occupied a central place in the modernist and postmodernist imagination. Central to the contemporary imagination is the way urban environments shape social practices, ethical frameworks, and political cultures, while also revealing how the needs, movements, and struggles of diverse populations influence the form cities take. This course approaches the culture of a city through the lens of social justice, asking how questions of ethics, civic participation, inclusion, and sustainability are negotiated. Students examine how cities with distinct histories, geographies and sizes, governance models, and urban ecologies respond to challenges in overlapping and interacting dimensions—from the material (housing, infrastructure, streets, and climate-conscious public spaces), to the symbolic (narratives, memory, heritage), and the performative (art, music, film, protest, and everyday practices). Through theoretical framings, cultural narratives, collaborative projects and fieldworks the class reveals how cities negotiate processes of urban transformation such as gentrification, displacement, and changing class dynamics. The academic travel will take place in Berlin. During the travel to Berlin, students will analyze how the city addresses social sustainability and compare these approaches with those studied during the semester in Lugano, considering differences in geography, history, economic structures, and systems of governance. (CLCS 100 and CLCS 110 recommended).
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| CLCS 320W | 1 | Culture, Class, Cuisine | Saveau | M/TH | 14:30 - 15:45 | ||
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Culture, Class, Cuisine Food carries social, symbolic, and political-economic meaning that differs across cultures, and hence cuisine represents a focal point for studying divergent cultural practices. In that sense, this class examines the sociological, anthropological, literary, and cultural dimensions of food. The class will explore people's relationship to food with regard to the environment, gender roles, and social hierarchy, from French haute cuisine to the fast food phenomenon. (This writing-intensive course counts towards the Academic Writing requirements).
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| COM 105 | 1 | Intro to CMS in the Global Context | Sugiyama | M/TH | 13:00 - 14:15 | ||
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Introduction to Communication and Media This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts and theories of communication and media studies as they apply to the ever-increasing intercultural interactions of a contemporary world. In particular, students will learn the basics of intercultural/international communication processes, gaining a foundation for developing intercultural communication competence.
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| COM 201 | 1 | Fund of Media Studies and Criticism | Martinisi | T/F | 13:00 - 14:15 | ||
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Fundamentals of Media Studies and Criticism Media pervades our social and private lives. We make it and in turn it makes us. This course offers an introduction to media studies, a field which seeks to understand and use media in complex and intentional ways. The course explores media as content, as an industry and as a social force. In this way, media is understood as both as an artifact (constituted by many parts) and as a set of complex processes (including production, distribution, regulation and consumption). Students will learn key vocabularies and concepts in and approaches to media studies that will help them to define, describe, and critique media artifacts and processes in a variety of written and spoken formats. In addition to equipping students with the skills to understand and critique media, this course encourages and provides students with the building blocks to produce media content. Students who successfully complete this course will be prepared to take advanced courses in media studies.
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| COM 230T | 1 | Comm, Fashion, Taste (Italy) | Sugiyama | W | 13:00 - 15:45 | ||
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Communication, Fashion, and the Formation of Taste (Italy) The sense of taste, whether it refers to the metaphorical sense of taste (aesthetic discrimination) or the literal sense of taste (gustatory taste), is a fundamental part of human experiences. This Academic Travel course examines various ways that communication processes shape our sense of taste in the contemporary society. It will explore topics such as the taste for food, clothing and accessories, music, and other cultural activities applying key theories and concepts of communication, fashion, and taste. Ultimately, the course seeks to develop an understanding of how interpersonal, intercultural, and mediated communication in our everyday life plays a critical role in the formation of individual taste as well as collective taste. In order to achieve this objective, field observations and site visits will be planned during the Academic Travel period.
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| COM 330 | 1 | The Digital Innovation | Barile | T | 16:00 - 18:45 | ||
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The Digital Innovation and Media Strategies for a New Consumer Culture Digital communication has been fundamental in today’s organizational, cultural, and consuming areas. With the continuous technological development, we have been witnessing the surge of digital innovations in recent years. This course examines key dimensions of digital innovations in the current consumer culture such as Internet of Things (IoT), Augmented Reality (AR), Geographical Referencing System, Review & Ratings algorithm, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, BOT and chatbot. The course explores not only the new brand and media strategies of companies but also self-branding strategies of operators, influencers and users/consumers with a special attention to the creative dimension of consumption experience. In this process, the differences between cross-media communication and trans-media storytelling will be discussed as these two strategies help organizations manage relationships between brand, product and consumers by the means of emerging media. Ultimately, students will develop a greater understanding of media strategies using digital innovations that can be applied in the professional context. (This course also applies as an elective in the Fashion Studies major.)
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| COM 350W | 1 | Mediated Relationships | Sugiyama | M/TH | 14:30 - 15:45 | ||
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Mediated Relationships This course examines the impact of emerging communication technologies on human communication. By critically examining current theories and research in the field, students will analyze present and future of technologically-mediated relationships as these pervade their everyday life. (This writing-intensive course counts towards the Academic Writing requirements.)
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| ECN 100 | 1 | Principles of Macroeconomics | Filic | T/F | 13:00 - 14:15 | ||
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Principles of Macroeconomics This entry-level course in economics covers the fundamentals of macroeconomics and, together with ECN 101, it provides the necessary prerequisites for any other upper-level course in economics. This course introduces students to the study of economics as a field of knowledge within the social sciences. In the first part, focus will be on the definition, the explanation, and the significance of national income, business fluctuations, the price level, and aggregate employment. In the second part, special attention is devoted to the functioning of a payment system based on currency and bank money. Finally, students will discuss the instruments and the functioning of public policy aimed to stabilize prices and maintain high levels of output and employment within the current macroeconomic context. Current economic news will be regularly scrutinized.
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| ECN 101 | 1 | Principles of Microeconomics | Dianova | T/F | 10:00 - 11:15 | ||
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Principles of Microeconomics This is an entry-level course in economics, covering fundamentals of microeconomics and aimed at students who choose it as an elective or plan to continue their studies in economics. This course helps students develop basic analytical skills in economics and microeconomics. It provides students with a basic understanding of the market system in advanced capitalist economies. It examines the logic of constrained choice with a focus on the economic behavior of individuals and organizations. After a theoretical analysis of the determinants and the interaction of supply and demand under competitive conditions, alternative market structures will be investigated, including monopolistic and oligopolistic forms. The course examines the conditions under which markets allocate resources efficiently and identifies causes of market failure and the appropriate government response. The introduction to the role of government includes its taxing and expenditure activities as well as regulatory policies.
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| ECN 320 | 1 | Games and Strategic Decision Making | Colombo | W | 10:00 - 12:45 | ||
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Games and Strategic Decision Making Most decisions taken by economic agents (consumers, firms, investors, borrowers, and lenders, among others) have an effect on other agents’ actions. In many circumstances, people try to respond optimally to the actions taken by those with whom they interact. Therefore, investigating how the strategic interaction between agents unfolds is crucial to understand how decisions are taken in most economic and financial environments, and what their implications are. The course investigates strategic decision making by relying on game theory in a simple and accessible way, privileging an intuitive, yet accurate, understanding of the key underlying concepts of strategic behavior, rationality, and equilibrium in games, through a number of applications both in economics and finance.
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| ECN 322 | 1 | Labor Economics: Work in the Age of AI | Dianova | T/F | 13:00 - 14:15 | ||
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Labor Economics: Work in the Age of AI Why do some people work, while others choose not to? What explains individuals' willingness to take on risky or unpleasant jobs? How might jobs and the labor market change in the age of increasingly-sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI)? These are just some of the intriguing questions that can be answered using the theoretical tools of labor economics and empirical observation of the labor markets. This course capitalizes on students' basic knowledge of microeconomics to further their understanding of how labor markets work. Furthermore, it challenges students to think beyond the existing boundaries of the discipline by considering the implications of sophisticated AI tools on specific work tasks, professions and labor markets more broadly. Diverse levels of analysis are utilized to examine individual and household decisions related to labor supply, factors influencing firms' demand for labor, as well as economy-wide phenomena such as wage distribution, labor market discrimination and the role of unions. A recurring theme of the course is the increasing globalization of labor markets in the age of rapid technological advancement and consequent implications for the future of work from both an individual as well as a societal perspective. Recommended prerequisite: ECN 100
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| ECN 325 | 1 | Money, Banking and Financial Markets | To be Announced (TBA) | T | 16:00 - 18:45 | ||
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Money, Banking and Financial Markets This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the monetary dimension of contemporary economies. This includes the nature of the means of settlement, the technology of monetary payments, the banking system and its pro-cyclical, crisis-prone character that requires control and regulation, the response of financial markets to changing policy conditions and perceived risks, and central banks’ operations and goals when setting interest rates. Special attention is devoted to current monetary policy issues with special reference (but not limited) to the practice of the U.S. Fed and the European Central Bank.
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| ECN 365 | 1 | Investment Analysis I | Colombo | W | 16:00 - 18:45 | ||
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Investment Analysis I This course focuses on the basic concepts of value and risk, and explores the principles that guide strategic investment decisions. Major emphasis is placed on the notion of net present value, the evaluation and pricing of bonds and stocks, and the definition and measurement of risk. The concepts of portfolio risk and expected return, as well as the role of portfolio diversification are carefully investigated. Students are then introduced to market efficiency, portfolio theory and the relationship between risk and return in the context of alternative theories, mainly the capital asset pricing model and the arbitrage pricing theory. (Recommended prerequisite: MAT 200)
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| FRE 100 | 1 | Introductory French, Part I | Röhrenbach | T/F | 10:00 - 11:15 | ||
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Introductory French, Part I This course provides an introduction to the essentials of French grammar, vocabulary, and culture. The acquisition of aural/oral skills are stressed right from the beginning, and as such, the predominant language of instruction is French. In this course, students will acquire basic knowledge of written and spoken structures so that they will be able to read and comprehend short passages in French and write simple compositions and dialogues.
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| FRE 200 | 1 | Intermediate French, Part I | Saveau | M/TH | 11:30 - 12:45 | ||
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Intermediate French, Part I This course is designed for students who have completed one year of French language study. It reviews and expands on grammar, vocabulary, and culture acquired in FRE 100 and FRE 101. The acquisition of aural/oral skills are stressed, and as such, the predominant language of instruction is French. By the end of the course, students are expected to be proficient in the written and spoken usage of intermediate linguistic structures. Further, students are introduced to short literary texts, inviting conversation and some initial literary analysis.
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| FRE 300 | 1 | Advanced French, Part I | Röhrenbach | T/F | 11:30 - 12:45 | ||
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Advanced French, Part I For students who have completed at least two years of college-level language studies or the equivalent. This course reinforces and expands on grammar, vocabulary, and culture learnt in previous years of French language study. It introduces students to different literary and cinematic genres reflecting the contemporary scene of the Francophone world. Development of techniques of expression are accomplished through oral and written exercises.
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| FRE 302 | 1 | Advanced French Conversation | Saveau | M/TH | 10:00 - 11:15 | ||
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Advanced French Conversation This course uses techniques of oral expression to develop greater conversational fluency and accuracy. Conversational practice uses outstanding French films as springboards for classroom French-language discussion and instruction in the full range of language proficiencies in an array of different contexts and situations. Movies will be partially watched outside of class.
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| GER 100 | 1 | Introductory German, Part I | Heinkel Pennati | T/F | 13:00 - 14:15 | ||
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Introductory German, Part I This course provides an introduction to the essentials of German grammar, vocabulary, and culture. The acquisition of aural/oral skills are stressed right from the beginning, and as such, the predominant language of instruction is German. In this course, students will acquire basic knowledge of written and spoken structures so that they will be able to read and comprehend short passages in German and write simple compositions and dialogs.
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| GER 200 | 1 | Intermediate German, Part I | Heinkel Pennati | T/F | 11:30 - 12:45 | ||
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Intermediate German, Part I This course is designed for students who have completed one year of German language study. It reviews and expands on grammar, vocabulary, and culture acquired in GER 100 and GER 101. The acquisition of aural/oral skills are stressed, and as such, the predominant language of instruction is German. By the end of the course, students are expected to be proficient in the written and spoken usage of intermediate linguistic structures. Further, students are introduced to short literary texts, inviting conversation and some initial literary analysis
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| GER 300 | 1 | Advanced German, Part I | Heinkel Pennati | T/F | 14:30 - 15:45 | ||
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Advanced German, Part I For students who have completed at least two years of college-level language studies or the equivalent. This course offers cultural readings from a variety of sources, including some literary pieces, as well as magazine and newspaper articles reflecting the contemporary scene in the countries where the language is spoken. Vocabulary expansion and development of techniques of expression are accomplished through oral and written exercises.
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| HIS 100 | 1 | Western Civilization I | Mottale | M/TH | 13:00 - 14:15 | ||
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Western Civilization I: Ancient and Medieval This survey course is an introduction to the political, economic, social, and intellectual history of the west from the Neolithic to the voyages of discovery in the sixteenth century. Our knowledge and understanding of the past is contingent and contested. The course explores areas of contestation to give students a better understanding of the forces and events which shaped the ancient and medieval worlds and continue to shape the modern world. (It is recommended that HIS 100 be taken prior to HIS 101.)
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| HIS 104 | 1 | Global History I | Pyka | M/TH | 13:00 - 14:15 | ||
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Global History I: Traditions, Encounters, and Adaptation from the Stone Age to the 16th Century This course is an introduction to themes and trends in the political, economic, cultural, and social, history of pre-modern societies in global perspective. It covers the development of civilizations in Eurasia, Africa and the Americas from the Neolithic Revolution to the "Columbian Exchange" with emphasis on the emergence and diffusion of religious and political institutions, the role of the environmental context, as well as the impact of encounters between human societies. Students are introduced to the historiography of empire and global history/globalization, and attention is devoted to the reading and analysis of different categories of primary sources.
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| HIS 215T | 1 | Central Europe: An Urban History | Pyka | M/TH | 17:30 - 18:45 | ||
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Central Europe: An Urban History This Academic Travel course seeks to explore urban development and urban planning of Central European cities from Antiquity to the Present. The course investigates the specific development of cities in Central Europe, both north and south of the Alps, with an emphasis on the legacies of Roman antiquity, the Christian (and Jewish) legacy of the Middle Ages, the role of princely residences, and of bourgeois middle classes. An important part plays also the various political movements of the 20th century, including the architectural fantasies of National Socialism, and the attempts post-World War II to deal with this legacy in a democratic society. The course asks in which way the interplay of tradition and modernity over time has structured not only the physical shapes of cities, but even the mindsets of the population. The travel component of this course features day trips to the Roman foundation of Como (Italy) and the oldest still standing structure in Switzerland in Riva San Vitale (Ticino), and a major excursion to the three most important cities in Bavaria: Nuremberg, Regensburg, and Munich (Germany).
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| HIS 241T | 1 | Modern Türkiye: Dreams of Modernity | Mottale | M/TH | 17:30 - 18:45 | ||
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Modern Türkiye: Dreams of Modernity Turkey-Türkiye has become once more a major player on the international scene, while seemingly changing constantly. What are the origins and future perspectives of the modern Turkish Republic, and how are Turks see themselves? In order to answer these questions, the course starts from the heyday of the old Ottoman Empire, subsequently analyzing its crisis and decline, and the birth of the modern post-Ottoman states after World War I, with the Republic of Turkey-Türkiye as one of the main heir states of the Empire. The course focuses on the transformations that led to contemporary Türkiye from the Young Turks and the time of Atatürk to the current President Erdoğan. ‘Dreams of Modernity’ provides an understanding of Turkish nation-building process, highlighting the continuous political and social transformations of one of the major international actors in the Middle-Eastern and North-African area (MENA).
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| HIS 330W | 1 | East Asia, 1900 to the Present | Hoey | T/F | 10:00 - 11:15 | ||
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East Asia, 1900 to the Present In 1905 Japan became the first non-western country to defeat a western power, in this case Russia, in the modern era. This was the culmination of a forty-year effort by Japan to embrace modernity and resist western domination. It also served as a powerful inspiration to the peoples of Asia and to the rise of anti-colonial nationalism in the region. For much of the twentieth century the most populous continent was the scene of much convulsion; war (including cold war), revolution and widespread human suffering. Asia has since transcended these difficulties to become a global economic powerhouse, a process that was heavily influenced by the clash of imperialism and nationalism and by the Cold War, a global polarization that led not just to ‘cold’ tensions but also to ‘hot’ conflicts. Issues addressed include the rise, fall and rise of Japan, anti-colonial nationalism, wars in Asia including in Korea and Vietnam, and the emergence of China as a world power. As well as conflict and high politics, students examine how various ideologies affected societies. In pursuit of development and prosperity for their people, governments across Asia transformed daily life out of all recognition, for better or for worse. (This writing-intensive course counts towards the Academic Writing requirements.)
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| HIS 430 | 1 | East Asia, 1900 to the Present | Hoey | T/F | 10:00 - 11:15 | ||
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East Asia, 1900 to the Present Students in their Senior year who wish to graduate with a Major in History (stand alone or combined) take this capstone version of HIS 330 (see course description). Students in HIS 430 attend all meetings of HIS 330 and are responsible for additional and more in-depth work including an oral presentation and seminars with the instructor. This additional work is geared towards preparing the student for the successful completion of the Senior Thesis. (Students who have already earned credit for HIS 330 may not enroll and earn credit for HIS 430.)
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| HON 499 | 1 | Honors Senior Capstone Prep Workshop | Pyka | T | 19:00 - 20:30 | ||
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Honors Senior Capstone Experience Preparation Workshop The advanced non-credit bearing Senior Capstone Preparation Workshop is open only to Honors students and is required in the student's senior year.
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| ITA 100 | 1 | Introductory Italian, Part I | Kugler Bertola | M/TH | 11:30 - 12:45 | ||
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Introductory Italian, Part I Designed for students with no prior knowledge of Italian. ITA 100 employs immersive experiential learning pedagogy, providing an introduction to the essentials of Italian grammar, vocabulary, and culture. The acquisition of aural/oral communication skills will be stressed and, as such, the predominant language of instruction will be Italian. By the end of the course students will achieve proficiency at the A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Students are expected to acquire the basic knowledge of the written and spoken structures. Students are expected to read and comprehend short passages in Italian and to draft simple compositions / dialogues. Project-based assignments will be designed to foster practical communication skills and encourage efforts towards increased student integration in the local Italian-speaking community. Whenever possible, students will be encouraged to participate actively in local initiatives, festivals, events and to apply the skills they are mastering in class to their co-curricular learning on and off campus
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| ITA 100 | 2 | Introductory Italian, Part I | Kugler Bertola | M/TH | 14:30 - 15:45 | ||
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Introductory Italian, Part I Designed for students with no prior knowledge of Italian. ITA 100 employs immersive experiential learning pedagogy, providing an introduction to the essentials of Italian grammar, vocabulary, and culture. The acquisition of aural/oral communication skills will be stressed and, as such, the predominant language of instruction will be Italian. By the end of the course students will achieve proficiency at the A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Students are expected to acquire the basic knowledge of the written and spoken structures. Students are expected to read and comprehend short passages in Italian and to draft simple compositions / dialogues. Project-based assignments will be designed to foster practical communication skills and encourage efforts towards increased student integration in the local Italian-speaking community. Whenever possible, students will be encouraged to participate actively in local initiatives, festivals, events and to apply the skills they are mastering in class to their co-curricular learning on and off campus
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| ITA 100 | 3 | Introductory Italian, Part I | Ferrari | T/F | 10:00 - 11:15 | ||
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Introductory Italian, Part I Designed for students with no prior knowledge of Italian. ITA 100 employs immersive experiential learning pedagogy, providing an introduction to the essentials of Italian grammar, vocabulary, and culture. The acquisition of aural/oral communication skills will be stressed and, as such, the predominant language of instruction will be Italian. By the end of the course students will achieve proficiency at the A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Students are expected to acquire the basic knowledge of the written and spoken structures. Students are expected to read and comprehend short passages in Italian and to draft simple compositions / dialogues. Project-based assignments will be designed to foster practical communication skills and encourage efforts towards increased student integration in the local Italian-speaking community. Whenever possible, students will be encouraged to participate actively in local initiatives, festivals, events and to apply the skills they are mastering in class to their co-curricular learning on and off campus
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| ITA 200 | 1 | Intermediate Italian, Part I | Zanoli | M/TH | 13:00 - 14:15 | ||
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Intermediate Italian, Part I This course is designed for students who have completed two semesters of Italian language study. The course provides a review and expansion of command of Italian grammar, vocabulary, and culture. The acquisition of aural/oral communication skills will be stressed and, as such, the predominant language of instruction will be Italian. By the end of the course students will achieve proficiency at the B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Students will be expected to be proficient in the written and spoken usage of intermediate linguistic structures. Students will be expected to deal with most situations likely to arise in the areas where the language is spoken. They will be able to: a) produce simple connected texts on topics, which are familiar or of personal interest; b) describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions; and c) briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. Project-based assignments will be designed to foster practical communication skills and encourage efforts towards increased student integration in the local Italian-speaking community. Whenever possible, students will be encouraged to participate actively in local initiatives, festivals, events and to apply the skills they are mastering in class to their co-curricular learning on and off campus.
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| ITA 200 | 2 | Intermediate Italian, Part I | Zanoli | M/TH | 14:30 - 15:45 | ||
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Intermediate Italian, Part I This course is designed for students who have completed two semesters of Italian language study. The course provides a review and expansion of command of Italian grammar, vocabulary, and culture. The acquisition of aural/oral communication skills will be stressed and, as such, the predominant language of instruction will be Italian. By the end of the course students will achieve proficiency at the B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Students will be expected to be proficient in the written and spoken usage of intermediate linguistic structures. Students will be expected to deal with most situations likely to arise in the areas where the language is spoken. They will be able to: a) produce simple connected texts on topics, which are familiar or of personal interest; b) describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions; and c) briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. Project-based assignments will be designed to foster practical communication skills and encourage efforts towards increased student integration in the local Italian-speaking community. Whenever possible, students will be encouraged to participate actively in local initiatives, festivals, events and to apply the skills they are mastering in class to their co-curricular learning on and off campus.
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| ITA 300 | 1 | Advanced Italian, Part I | Ferrari | T/F | 11:30 - 12:45 | ||
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Advanced Italian, Part I For students who have completed at least two years of college-level language studies or the equivalent. This course offers cultural readings from a variety of sources, including some literary pieces, as well as magazine and newspaper articles reflecting the contemporary scene in the countries where the language is spoken. Vocabulary expansion and development of techniques of expression are accomplished through oral and written exercises.
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| MAT 100 | 2 | Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning | Bernasconi | T/F | 10:00 - 11:15 | ||
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Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning This course presents concepts essential to the understanding of the basics of college algebra. Topics include rational expressions and equations, exponents and radicals, polynomials, factoring, linear equations and inequalities, quadratic equations, elementary word problems, Cartesian coordinate systems, graphs, and straight lines. This course prepares students for other 100-level mathematics courses. It does not satisfy the Quantitative Reasoning core requirement, but counts as elective credit. Prerequisite: appropriate math placement score.
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| MAT 100 | 1 | Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning | Bernasconi | T/F | 8:30 - 9:45 | ||
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Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning This course presents concepts essential to the understanding of the basics of college algebra. Topics include rational expressions and equations, exponents and radicals, polynomials, factoring, linear equations and inequalities, quadratic equations, elementary word problems, Cartesian coordinate systems, graphs, and straight lines. This course prepares students for other 100-level mathematics courses. It does not satisfy the Quantitative Reasoning core requirement, but counts as elective credit. Prerequisite: appropriate math placement score.
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| MAT 181 | 1 | College Algebra | Bullock | M/TH | 14:30 - 15:45 | ||
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College Algebra Mathematics can be used by everybody to better understand the world around us, and also make informed decisions throughout our life. This course presents some essential tools for this, spanning from basic math and basic algebra to linear, polynomial, exponential, logarithmic functions, growth sequences, and system of equations with three or more variables. One additional topic from Graph Theory/Discrete Mathematics, Voting Theory, Fairness Concepts, Optimization versus Game Theoretical Approaches will also be covered in the class. Students culminate their learning with a final project, in which they will thoroughly investigate a more complex application to the real world or our lives.
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| MAT 182 | 1 | Introduction to Statistics | Burke | T/F | 10:00 - 11:15 | ||
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Introduction to Statistics This course introduces students to essential data and analytical skills, focusing on Data Literacy and fundamental statistical techniques. Students will learn how to explore, interpret, and communicate insights drawn from real-world datasets, guided by interactive DataCamp modules. The course also integrates Intermediate Google Sheets coursework to practice hands-on data cleaning, visualization, and hypothesis testing without coding. By the end of the semester, students will have a working knowledge of how and why statistics are used for data analysis, learn how to best convey their insights through data storytelling, and understand how data supports decision-making in both academic and professional contexts.
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| MAT 182 | 2 | Introduction to Statistics | Burke | T/F | 11:30 - 12:45 | ||
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Introduction to Statistics This course introduces students to essential data and analytical skills, focusing on Data Literacy and fundamental statistical techniques. Students will learn how to explore, interpret, and communicate insights drawn from real-world datasets, guided by interactive DataCamp modules. The course also integrates Intermediate Google Sheets coursework to practice hands-on data cleaning, visualization, and hypothesis testing without coding. By the end of the semester, students will have a working knowledge of how and why statistics are used for data analysis, learn how to best convey their insights through data storytelling, and understand how data supports decision-making in both academic and professional contexts.
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| MAT 200 | 1 | Calculus | El Moussa | W | 16:00 - 18:45 | ||
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Calculus The course begins with a review of functions and their graphs, after which students are introduced to the concepts of differentiation and integration. Understanding is reinforced through extensive practical work, with a strong emphasis on applications in economics, statistics and management science.
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| MAT 282 | 1 | Intermediate Statistics | Burke | T/F | 14:30 - 15:45 | ||
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Intermediate Statistics This computationally intensive course offers an in-depth exploration of the most commonly used statistical methods, emphasizing both manual calculations and R programming language to arrive at a thorough understanding of statistical formulas. Students will learn how to read and compute statistical formulas, grasp their applications and rationale, and develop proficiency in basic statistical coding and mathematical modelling. Topics include measures of central tendency and variability, probability fundamentals, the normal distribution, sampling distributions, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, t-tests, correlation, regression, ANOVA, chi-squared tests, and Bayes' Theorem. Students will work through statistical calculations, gaining a solid foundation in statistical reasoning and the skills necessary to perform statistical analyses and communicate results. This hands-on approach to learning statistics fosters a deeper understanding of concepts than MAT 182 and prepares students to interpret and apply statistics in upper level and graduate courses.
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| MUS 217 | 1 | Masterpieces of Western Classical Music | Trebici Marin | T/F | 13:00 - 14:15 | ||
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Masterpieces of Western Classical Music Based on classical music milestones, from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons to Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, the course provides the students with the basic elements needed in order to learn active listening and to develop critical and comparative skills. It explains the various genres from symphonic music to opera, offering the students the tools to better understand the various idioms in Western music, and the historical and cultural context of their creation. The use of the "great works" will also create a cultural portfolio for students and introduce them to the debates related to the character and purposes of music, as well as to its chronological evolution.
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| PHL 100W | 1 | Introduction to Philosophy | Dawson | M/TH | 10:00 - 11:15 | ||
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Introduction to Philosophy This course considers central problems of Western philosophy with particular emphasis on epistemology and metaphysics, through analysis of writing by influential ancient, modern and contemporary philosophers in historical context. After a brief survey of ancient and medieval systems of thought, such as Platonism and scholasticism, attention is focused on modern systems of thought, such as rationalism, empiricism, idealism, pragmatism, existentialism and logical positivism. Time is divided between developing a understanding of the history of ideas on the one hand and considering the central philosophical questions as they apply here and now on the other. Students will study a wide range of philosophical writings, and will begin to develop their ability to produce rigorous analysis, systematic critique and careful thinking in their own writing. (This writing-intensive course counts towards the Academic Writing requirements.)
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| PHYS 101 | 1 | Physics for Health Sciences | Della Croce | M/TH | 11:30 - 12:45 | ||
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Physics for the Health Sciences This course will provide students with a comprehensive introduction to key topics in physics. Specifically, the course will be divided in four main sections: basic mechanics (e.g., kinematics, equilibrium, vectors, work and energy, and Newton's laws); vibrations and waves (e.g., sound, harmonic waves, and Doppler effects); electricity (e.g., Ohm's law and electric circuits), and; light and optics (e.g., reflection, refraction and magnification). As part of the pre-health curriculum, this course will also connect concepts to human body structure and functioning. Students enrolling in this course must enroll in the parallel laboratory section PHYS 101L.
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| PHYS 101L | 1 | Lab Physics for Health Sciences | Della Croce | W | 10:00 - 12:45 | ||
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Laboratory to Physics for the Health Sciences The laboratory course parallels the topics in PHYS 101 and provides lab-based investigations of the material covered in PHYS 101. Students must register for both PHYS 101 and the lab section concurrently (This course carries an additional fee for laboratory supplies).
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| POL 100 | 1 | Introduction to Political Science | Filic | T/F | 11:30 - 12:45 | ||
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Introduction to Political Science Basic concepts of the discipline are discussed in this class with a focus on the evolution of the state and the role of the individual from historical, ideological, and comparative perspectives.
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| POL 101 | 1 | Introduction to International Relations | Bucher | M/TH | 14:30 - 15:45 | ||
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Introduction to International Relations This course provides the basic analytic tools necessary for the understanding of international relations. After a brief introduction to the realist and liberal approaches to the study of international relations, the course covers various fundamental concepts, such as national power, foreign policy, conflict, political economy, international trade, and international organizations.
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| POL 176T | 1 | International Environ Pol (Costa Rica) | Zanecchia | W | 13:00 - 15:45 | ||
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International Environmental Politics (Costa Rica) The resolution of global environmental problems has been problematic for nation-states. Hence, international cooperation is essential for exploring and applying solutions. This course will first examine the origins of environmental problems facing nations such as climate change, desertification, biodiversity, and international trade in endangered species. Further topics for investigation will include the impact of globalization and the feasibility of sustainable development in the industrial north and developing south, as well as the effectiveness of international treaties such as the Kyoto Protocol and CITES. For the travel component of the course, on-site investigations may take place in various destinations, which may change from year to year, and may include the study of policies related to natural resource conservation, sustainability, and ecotourism. The destination of this course will be Costa Rica, a country that has achieved success in placing environmental concerns at the heart of its political and economic policies, demonstrating that sustainability is both achievable and economically viable. Costa Rica has been a pioneer in the protection of peace and nature and sets an example for the region and for the world. In particular, this academic travel will be based at Jardin de Poas, a forested, sustainable coffee farm on the slope of the nearby Poas Volcano. Destinations include visits to the Guayabo National Monument, an archaeological site of a past civilization; Cahuita National Park on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica known for its coral reefs and diverse marine life; and an immersive living experience with the Bribri, one of Costa Rica’s last indigenous tribes. Other scheduled activities include guided jungle and cloud forest walks, cheesemaking at a local sustainable farm, and hands-on tree planting and coffee harvesting. NOTE: This Academic Travel course carries a supplemental fee: CHF 1’350 (for students invoiced in CHF) or USD 1,800 (for students invoiced in USD).
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| POL 300 | 1 | Comparative Politics | Lemoli | M/TH | 14:30 - 15:45 | ||
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Comparative Politics The development of the modern nation-state is analyzed from a variety of theoretical viewpoints. The approach and methods of major social theorists are examined in detail. Formerly POL 400. Students who have previously earned credit for POL 400 cannot earn credit for POL 300.
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| POL 321 | 1 | International Organization | Bucher | M/TH | 13:00 - 14:15 | ||
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International Organization The focus of this course is the development of supra-national and international agencies and entities. The United Nations, the European Union, the IMF, the World Bank, trading blocs, and other specialized agencies are studied as examples-in light of increasing economic interdependence in the international system.
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| POL 322 | 1 | International Legal Studies | Barcilon Brenna | T/F | 8:30 - 9:45 | ||
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International Legal Studies This course delves into the intricate domain of international law. Designed to cater to the academic and professional interests of students with a passion for international relations, diplomacy, and the legal sphere, this program provides an in-depth exploration of international law, including historical evolution, international organizations, treaty law, human rights, corporate social responsibility, trade and economic law, dispute resolution, and contemporary legal challenges. The program includes practical simulations for real-world application of theoretical knowledge.
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| POL 376T | 1 | International Environ Pol (Costa Rica) | Zanecchia | W | 13:00 - 15:45 | ||
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International Environmental Politics (Costa Rica) The resolution of global environmental problems has been problematic for nation-states. Hence, international cooperation is essential for exploring and applying solutions. This course will first examine the origins of environmental problems facing nations such as climate change, desertification, biodiversity, and international trade in endangered species. Further topics for investigation will include the impact of globalization and the feasibility of sustainable development in the industrial north and developing south, as well as the effectiveness of international treaties such as the Kyoto Protocol and CITES. For the travel component of the course, on-site investigations may take place in various destinations, which may change from year to year, and may include the study of policies related to natural resource conservation, sustainability, and ecotourism. The destination of this course will be Costa Rica, a country that has achieved success in placing environmental concerns at the heart of its political and economic policies, demonstrating that sustainability is both achievable and economically viable. Costa Rica has been a pioneer in the protection of peace and nature and sets an example for the region and for the world. In particular, this academic travel will be based at Jardin de Poas, a forested, sustainable coffee farm on the slope of the nearby Poas Volcano. Destinations include visits to the Guayabo National Monument, an archaeological site of a past civilization; Cahuita National Park on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica known for its coral reefs and diverse marine life; and an immersive living experience with the Bribri, one of Costa Rica’s last indigenous tribes. Other scheduled activities include guided jungle and cloud forest walks, cheesemaking at a local sustainable farm, and hands-on tree planting and coffee harvesting. NOTE: This Academic Travel course carries a supplemental fee: CHF 1’350 (for students invoiced in CHF) or USD 1,800 (for students invoiced in USD).
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| POL 497 | 1 | Readings and Methods in POL and IR | Bucher | M/TH | 10:00 - 11:15 | ||
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Readings and Methods in Political Science and International Relations This course serves as a capstone for departmental majors. It focuses on classical and contemporary contributions in our fields and directly addresses the methodologies which students need to write their final theses. Students will be required to actively prepare and discuss class readings. They will also have the opportunity to work on their thesis projects and to discuss these in class.
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| PSY 100 | 1 | Introduction to Psychology | Ongis | M/TH | 11:30 - 12:45 | ||
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Introduction to Psychology This introductory course is designed to provide an overview of the field of psychology, including theoretical positions, major research areas and methods of gathering data. Subtopics of psychology, such as physiological processes, developmental, abnormal behavior and social psychology are discussed.
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| PSY 202 | 1 | Developmental Psychology | Toivonen | M/TH | 14:30 - 15:45 | ||
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Developmental Psychology This course surveys the major areas of developmental psychology - the science of individual human development. The overall aim is to introduce students to the fundamental questions, ideas and approaches in the psychology of development. The course emphasizes an understanding of the methods, terms, theories and findings in the field, traces human development across the entire lifespan, and explores the basic developmental theories including the biological influences on development, behavior and learning. To complete the study of human development, the course presents a multi-cultural perspective, examining the diversity of human adaptations to change across the lifespan, by cultures around the world.
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| PSY 207 | 1 | Intro to Psychiatry and Forensic Psych | Colombo | W | 16:00 - 18:45 | ||
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Introduction to Psychiatry and Forensic Psychopathology This course will examine the main concepts of psychiatry, a branch of medicine focused on studying and treating mental illnesses. In line with the present classification of mental disorders, it will consider various mental illnesses such as psychotic disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive related disorders, eating disorders, substances related disorders, organic mental disorders and personality disorders. The course will also examine associations between mental disorders, crimes and violent behaviors, as important in forensic psychopathology. The course will include lectures focused on the main psychiatric disorders and the main themes of forensic psychiatry.
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| PSY 214 | 1 | Positive Psychology and Health | Toivonen | T/F | 13:00 - 14:15 | ||
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Positive Psychology and Health This course examines and applies the psychological theories, research, and evidence-based interventions designed to optimize health and well-being. By focusing on topics such as creativity, happiness, hope, humor, gratitude, mindfulness, resilience, spirituality, and wisdom, students will explore how human beings can best thrive and reach their full potential. This course will allow for an in-depth examination of how people across various generations and cultures have used their strengths to help themselves grow and their communities flourish - even during difficult times. Overall, students will learn new perspectives on how to live a healthy, meaningful life, and gain strategies to authentically advance the greater good for all humans.
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| PSY 215 | 1 | Research Methods in the Social Sciences | Toivonen | T/F | 10:00 - 11:15 | ||
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Research Methods in the Social Sciences The overall aim of this course is to promote students’ understanding and knowledge of research methodology in the social sciences. The course has three main features: it addresses a wide range of perspectives, comprising both qualitative and quantitative approaches; it provides opportunities to learn and reflect from research practice in various social science fields, including clinical, developmental, social and work psychology; it encompasses both traditional/mainstream and critical research approaches, paying constant attention to real world research. An important part of the course is the “Research Proposal”, which students will draft in stages over the course of the semester. By working on their own research proposal throughout the course, students will have the opportunity to engage in relevant research activity, ‘learning by doing’ in relation to crucial research principles and practices.
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| PSY 230T | 1 | Psychology of Emergencies (Italy) | Ongis | W | 13:00 - 15:45 | ||
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Psychology of Emergencies: Stress, Trauma, and Crisis Response When ordinary life is disrupted - by an accident, a sudden hazard, or a fast-moving public emergency - people must think, decide, and act under pressure. Stress can sharpen focus or distort it; groups can coordinate brilliantly or break down; and what happens in the first minutes and days can shape recovery long after the event. This course introduces students to the psychology of emergencies by tracing that arc from immediate response to longer-term coping, with attention to experiences that may become traumatic. Drawing on cognitive, social, and clinical psychology, students study acute stress and emotion regulation; attention, memory, and judgment under time pressure; teamwork, leadership, and communication in high-stakes settings; bystander behavior; and practical principles of risk and crisis communication. The course also addresses trauma, resilience, and recovery, including the fundamentals of psychological first aid and clear ethical boundaries for non-clinicians. Learning blends classroom work with structured, scenario-based experiential activities (e.g., simulations, navigation/orienteering-style tasks, basic safety decision-making, self-awareness practice, and guided debriefing) to translate theory into practical skill. As an Academic Travel course, students complete an off-campus component in Italy that includes visits and learning activities with organizations and professionals working in emergency preparedness and response. Because field-based learning comes with real constraints, students are expected to be adaptable, flexible, and collaborative - comfortable with changing schedules, non-luxury accommodations, and the demands of learning outside the classroom.
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| SJS 100 | 1 | Sustainability and Social Justice | Galli | T | 16:00 - 18:45 | ||
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Sustainability and Social Justice One of the fundamental questions we all face today is how to counter the urgent challenges posed by global climate change and unequal economic development. Questions coalescing around notions of ethics, justice, equality, and human rights intersect with questions of how to shape a culturally and environmentally sustainable world. Exploring a wide range of theoretical and practical perspectives on Sustainability, Social Justice and Ethics, this cross-disciplinary, introductory course will give students multiple disciplinary frameworks to think critically and productively about the intersections between the social and the natural worlds. The course provides the gateway to the program in Social Justice and Sustainability (SJS).
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| SJS 377T | 1 | Sustainable Education in Madagascar | Galli | W | 13:00 - 15:45 | ||
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Sustainable Education in Madagascar This course explores the challenges faced by the population of rural Madagascar – one of the poorest countries in the world – including limited schooling and poor learning outcomes, scarce and low-income employment opportunities, lack of basic infrastructure, high fertility, bad nutrition, poor health conditions and adverse environmental impacts. In particular, the Madagascar educational system and the reasons behind its very low quality are examined. During the travel, students are hosted by local schools and must adapt to lodging and transport conditions that, albeit still a luxury for most of the local population, are relatively closer to the lifestyle of the local population. This gives students the possibility to obtain first-hand experience of how different it is to live in low-income countries. Students have numerous opportunities to meet and bond with local students, teachers, school directors, tourist guides, and micro-entrepreneurs, allowing them to learn how rich Madagascar is in terms of cultural, natural, and human resources and to hear directly from the local youth what their needs, wishes and aspirations are. This academic travel in a remote non-touristic part of North Madagascar is organized by the Swiss NGO Boky Mamiko. Students are expected to participate in some pre-travel volunteering work and to represent the NGO in Madagascar in a professional and responsible manner. NOTE: This Academic Travel course carries a supplemental fee: CHF 1’500 (for students invoiced in CHF) or USD 2,000 (for students invoiced in USD).
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| SOC 100 | 1 | Introduction to Sociology | To be Announced (TBA) | W | 10:00 - 12:45 | ||
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Introduction to Sociology What is "society"? What does its structure look like and how does it work? How does it change? Why does it change? How do are individuals and society intertwined? This course provides students with the tools to answer these questions. Modern societies have experienced dramatic social changes with the emergence of individualism, new class structures, the development of urban life or changing relationships between individuals and their natural environments. Sociology provides an understanding of these changes by studying human interactions and forms of social organization. In this course, students will be introduced to major sociological thinkers, concepts and approaches. There is no prerequisite for this course, but it is recommended that students take POL 100 prior to enrolling for this course.
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| STA 111 | 1 | Introduction to Drawing | To be Announced (TBA) | M | 10:00 - 12:45 | ||
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Introduction to Drawing An introductory course aimed at mastering the rudiments of drawing (light and shadow, perspective, proportions, texture, pattern and design) and investigating the discipline of drawing as a cognitive tool. A variety of media, styles and genre will be explored, such as still life, landscape, figure drawing and abstraction. Studio sessions will be integrated with slide presentations and videos, and visits to museums, exhibits or ateliers may be organized if possible. The course carries a fee for art supplies.
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| STA 117 | 1 | Introduction to Digital Video Production | Gee | T | 16:00 - 18:45 | ||
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Introduction to Digital Video Production This course introduces students to the technical, conceptual, and aesthetic skills involved in video production through the single camera mode of production. Still the most dominant mode of film and video production, the single camera mode places an emphasis on using the camera to fullest capacity of artistic expression. In addition to the multiple skills and concepts involved with the camera, the course also introduces students to the principles and technologies of lighting, audio recording and mixing, and non-linear digital video editing. Special focus is given to producing content for successful web distribution. This course provides students with an intensive overview of the entire filmmaking process as they work with a production unit to produce a short narrative or documentary film for web distribution. Learning outcomes include understanding how a film is made from conception through distribution, and how to develop a story for maximum audio-visual impact. (Not open to students who have completed VCA 295 or VCA 210 Fundamentals of Digital Video Production.)
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| STA 211 | 1 | Intermediate Drawing | To be Announced (TBA) | M | 10:00 - 12:45 | ||
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Intermediate Drawing Intermediate course aimed at further developing the basic skills learned in STA 111. More emphasis will be placed on developing individual projects, exploring various media and investigating problems in drawing and perception. The course carries a fee for art supplies.
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| STA 217 | 1 | Intermediate Digital Video Production | Gee | T | 16:00 - 18:45 | ||
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Intermediate Digital Video Production Intermediate course aimed at further developing the basic skills learned in STA 117.
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| STA 311 | 1 | Advanced Drawing | To be Announced (TBA) | M | 10:00 - 12:45 | ||
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Advanced Drawing A higher course aimed at further developing the basic skills learned in STA 211. More emphasis will be placed on developing individual projects, exploring various media and investigating drawing and perception. The course carries a fee for art supplies.
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| STA 317 | 1 | Advanced Digital Video Production | Gee | T | 16:00 - 18:45 | ||
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Advanced Digital Video Production An advanced course aimed at further developing the intermediate skills learned in STA 217.
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| WTG 124 | 1 | Discovering Academic Literacies | Mac Kenzie | M/TH | 8:30 - 9:45 | ||
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Discovering Academic Literacies WTG 124 introduces students to the literacies necessary for successful navigation of university studies. This course helps students develop strategies to become more proficient in their comprehension and production of texts – both written and oral. It increases capacity to take in and retain the content of a text by teaching students to analyze and prioritize content and structure, apply effective strategies for clarification and analysis of lexis, recognize specific text and assignment requirements, and adjust their approach to a text accordingly. The course also focuses on furthering understanding and development of the essential components and expectations of academic writing, with particular attention given to awareness and development of academic writing structures, in order to make students more confident in their approach to academic writing. Students who successfully complete WTG 124 (i.e. with a minimum final grade of C) must take WTG 130 the following semester.
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| WTG 130 | 1 | Academic Writing: Entering Conversation | Mac Kenzie | T/F | 8:30 - 9:45 | ||
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Academic Writing: Entering the Conversation This course provides students with a bridge to university-level academic writing. It is designed to help students further develop their critical writing skills. It looks at best practices for research and use of information, including evaluation and effective incorporation of outside sources through paraphrase, summary and correct citation formats, and addresses the development of structure and expression in academic writing and techniques for effectively sharing information in both written and oral forms. Upon successful completion of WTG 130 (i.e. with a minimum final grade of C) the student must take WTG 150 in the following semester.
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| WTG 130 | 2 | Academic Writing: Entering Conversation | Yount | T/F | 8:30 - 9:45 | ||
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Academic Writing: Entering the Conversation This course provides students with a bridge to university-level academic writing. It is designed to help students further develop their critical writing skills. It looks at best practices for research and use of information, including evaluation and effective incorporation of outside sources through paraphrase, summary and correct citation formats, and addresses the development of structure and expression in academic writing and techniques for effectively sharing information in both written and oral forms. Upon successful completion of WTG 130 (i.e. with a minimum final grade of C) the student must take WTG 150 in the following semester.
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| WTG 130 | 3 | Academic Writing: Entering Conversation | Dawson | T/F | 8:30 - 9:45 | ||
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Academic Writing: Entering the Conversation This course provides students with a bridge to university-level academic writing. It is designed to help students further develop their critical writing skills. It looks at best practices for research and use of information, including evaluation and effective incorporation of outside sources through paraphrase, summary and correct citation formats, and addresses the development of structure and expression in academic writing and techniques for effectively sharing information in both written and oral forms. Upon successful completion of WTG 130 (i.e. with a minimum final grade of C) the student must take WTG 150 in the following semester.
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| WTG 150 | 1 | Academic Writing: Crossing Borders | Mac Kenzie | M/TH | 10:00 - 11:15 | ||
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Academic Writing: Crossing Borders Designed as a discussion/workshop seminar, this writing course develops students’ awareness of scholarly discourse and their participation in it: what makes academic discourse different from other kinds of writing, how different disciplines approach analysis and evidence, and what counts as effective communication within scholarly communities. Through the study of borders -- what they are, how they shape culture, politics and society, and why they change -- the course helps students develop academic communication strategies that are applicable across the curriculum at Franklin. The main focus of the course is to help students develop strategies for joining the academic conversation, covering skills such as close reading and responding to texts; generating, supporting and sharing ideas in both oral and written form; and scholarly researching. Drawing from a wide selection of texts and media about cross-border and cross cultural practices, which has recently garnered much attention among scholars and speaks to the Franklin mission, students will explore various academic responses to the phenomenon of border crossing, concluding with a research-based final project and defense. Succesful completion of WTG 150 requires a minimum final grade of C. (This writing-intensive course counts towards the Academic Writing core requirement.)
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| WTG 150 | 2 | Academic Writing: Crossing Borders | Dawson | M/TH | 11:30 - 12:45 | ||
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Academic Writing: Crossing Borders Designed as a discussion/workshop seminar, this writing course develops students’ awareness of scholarly discourse and their participation in it: what makes academic discourse different from other kinds of writing, how different disciplines approach analysis and evidence, and what counts as effective communication within scholarly communities. Through the study of borders -- what they are, how they shape culture, politics and society, and why they change -- the course helps students develop academic communication strategies that are applicable across the curriculum at Franklin. The main focus of the course is to help students develop strategies for joining the academic conversation, covering skills such as close reading and responding to texts; generating, supporting and sharing ideas in both oral and written form; and scholarly researching. Drawing from a wide selection of texts and media about cross-border and cross cultural practices, which has recently garnered much attention among scholars and speaks to the Franklin mission, students will explore various academic responses to the phenomenon of border crossing, concluding with a research-based final project and defense. Succesful completion of WTG 150 requires a minimum final grade of C. (This writing-intensive course counts towards the Academic Writing core requirement.)
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| WTG 150 | 3 | Academic Writing: Crossing Borders | Dawson | T/F | 10:00 - 11:15 | ||
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Academic Writing: Crossing Borders Designed as a discussion/workshop seminar, this writing course develops students’ awareness of scholarly discourse and their participation in it: what makes academic discourse different from other kinds of writing, how different disciplines approach analysis and evidence, and what counts as effective communication within scholarly communities. Through the study of borders -- what they are, how they shape culture, politics and society, and why they change -- the course helps students develop academic communication strategies that are applicable across the curriculum at Franklin. The main focus of the course is to help students develop strategies for joining the academic conversation, covering skills such as close reading and responding to texts; generating, supporting and sharing ideas in both oral and written form; and scholarly researching. Drawing from a wide selection of texts and media about cross-border and cross cultural practices, which has recently garnered much attention among scholars and speaks to the Franklin mission, students will explore various academic responses to the phenomenon of border crossing, concluding with a research-based final project and defense. Succesful completion of WTG 150 requires a minimum final grade of C. (This writing-intensive course counts towards the Academic Writing core requirement.)
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