Fall Courses

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.

Introduction to Academic Writing II

This course is designed to help students further develop the critical thinking and writing skills so important in academic writing. It looks at best practices for research and use of information, including evaluation and effective incorporation of outside sources through paraphrases, 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 (with a minimum final grade of C), students must take WTG 150 the following semester.

The Display of Culture - The Culture of Display

The course is about the way that museums, galleries, and public institutions display art, material culture, and heritage. The class will discuss theory and practice, and visits to museums and galleries, along with case studies, will allow students to analyze critically both the nature of culture and the manner of its display. Like all First Year Seminars, this course will cultivate the fundamental critical and academic skills necessary for succeeding at university.

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.

Consumer Behavior in International Marketing

This course focuses on the understanding of the consumer as fundamental to marketing efforts. The course includes observational research in the community where students develop a greater understanding of consumers' consumption and decision-making behavior. Areas of focus include the consumer decision making process, research techniques, learning and motivation, segmentation and targeting, the impact of lifestyle and values, the role of society and culture in consumption, and ethical issues in consumer relationships.

The Pursuit of Happiness

The course provides a platform for scholarly exploration of the concept of happiness as articulated across a variety of cultures and from multiple disciplinary perspectives: psychology, sociology, linguistics, philosophy, religion/spirituality, literature, and film. Students enrolled in this class will work collectively to analyze and reflect on the ideological implications and possible cultural bias implicit to diverse texts that purport, through various means, to render happiness more accessible to and sustainable for the general public. What can be learned about happiness discourse through guided efforts in close reading, focused critical thinking, theoretical reflection, and comparative textual analysis? Widely popularized theories of happiness frequently merge with compelling stories of a hero's inward and outward journey; the individual pursuit of an inalienable and self-evident right. This seminar invites students to consider this heroic journey in terms of a symbolic construct, assessing its possible strengths and weaknesses; the certain promises it holds, and the likely consequences it may also engender. Like all First Year Seminars, this course will cultivate the fundamental skills considered necessary for succeeding at university.

Key Ideas in Global Politics

Understanding politics is key to analyzing contemporary (world) events and to meaningfully participate in societies. At the same time, the key ideas that inform our political debates and decisions are seldom critically analyzed and discussed outside of University departments. This course seeks to familiarize students with the development and content of (some of the central) ideas of political thinking. We will focus on contemporary debates (e.g. limits of free speech, taxation, environmental protection, democracy, legitimacy of whistle-blowing, limits of sovereignty, ect.) to a) provide an overview of the discipline of political science and to b) further develop the skills needed to enter into critical debate and studying at a university level.

Ethics and the Environment

This First Year Seminar course explores ethical reasoning through our complex and problematic relationship with the environment. The course examines introductory philosophical concepts in ethics and applies them to major environmental concerns of our time, among others: water use, sustainable consumerism, vegetarianism, animal rights, social justice, climate change, environmental refugees, and population growth. Students will engage with a variety of media to examine these issues, from texts to films, blogs to actual policy. Several off-campus trips will also be required. The main goal of the course is to provide students with an "ethical toolbox" that they can use to consider environmental issues from an informed, engaged, and analytical point of view. We will pay particular attention to environmental issues that affect Franklin as a community and students will discover the Franklin campus through the ethics and environment lens. As with all First Year Seminars, this course will also cultivate the fundamental critical and academic skills necessary for succeeding at university.

Introduction to Academic Writing II

This course is designed to help students further develop the critical thinking and writing skills so important in academic writing. It looks at best practices for research and use of information, including evaluation and effective incorporation of outside sources through paraphrases, 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 (with a minimum final grade of C), students must take WTG 150 the following semester.

Introduction to Biology: Plant Science

The course introduces students to the fascinating world of plants and examines them from different biological levels: cell, organism, and communities. It also explores a variety of topics, including how they capture carbon from the atmosphere, how they have adapted to different environments across the globe, and how they reproduce. It also considers the important role they play in the world and human societies. Using the campus and the local area, students will study the plants nearby in various field activities that may take place outside of the regularly scheduled course period.

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.

Marketing Research Methods

This course introduces students to the most common qualitative and quantitative techniques for conducting marketing research with an emphasis on their application. The definition of marketing 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.

International Financial Management

This course deals with financial problems of multinational business. Topics include sources of funds for foreign operations, capital budgeting and foreign investment decisions, foreign exchange losses, and evaluation of securities of multinational and foreign corporations. Particular emphasis is placed on international capital and financial markets. (This writing-intensive course counts towards the Academic Writing requirements.) Recommended: BUS 306.

Principles of Macroeconomics

This entry-level course in economics covers the fundamentals of macroeconomics and is aimed at students who choose it as an elective or plan to continue their studies in economics. Together with ECN 101, it provides the necessary prerequisites for any other upper-level course in economics. The course is a program requirement for the majors in International Banking and Finance, International Economics, International Relations, International Management, and Environmental Science. It is also a prerequisite for Economics as a combined major as well as a minor. 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.

Introductory Italian, Part I

This course is designed for students who do not have any knowledge of the Italian language. The course provides 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. Whenever possible, the written assignments will be designed to foster practical communication skills and encourage efforts towards increased student integration in the local Italian-speaking community.

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.

College Algebra

The first part of this course reviews the basic concepts of algebra, real numbers, first-degree equations and inequalities, rational expressions, exponents and radicals, and polynomials, systems of equations and inequalities. The second part strongly emphasizes graphs and functions. The most important functions for applications are introduced, such as linear, quadratic, exponential, logarithmic, and rational functions.

United States Foreign Policy

This course will describe and analyze the political, strategic and economic dimensions of American foreign policy. Special focus will be directed toward the issues that have confronted American decision makers since 1939. Examples and case studies drawn from American relations with the USSR, Europe, the Far East, the Middle East and Latin America will be studied in detail. The global implications of American influence and hegemony in the international system will be analyzed from the standpoint of trends and developments since the end of the Cold War and the attack on the Twin Towers.

Introduction to Art History and Visual Culture I: Antiquity to Early Renaissance

The course offers an introduction to the history of art and visual culture from antiquity to the Renaissance. It studies painting, sculpture, architecture, and prints within their historical, social, and cultural contexts, as well as their representation in modern media (film, documentary, etc).

Managerial Finance

This course examines the principles and practices of fund management in organizations. Attention is given to managerial financial decisions in a global market setting concerning such questions as how to obtain an adequate supply of capital and credit, and how to evaluate alternative sources of funds and their costs. Topics include the management of assets and liabilities, working capital management, capital budgeting, equity versus debt financing, capital structure, and financial forecasting.

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.

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.

Introductory Italian, Part I

This course is designed for students who do not have any knowledge of the Italian language. The course provides 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. Whenever possible, the written assignments will be designed to foster practical communication skills and encourage efforts towards increased student integration in the local Italian-speaking community.

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. Whenever possible, the written assignments will be designed to foster practical communication skills and encourage efforts towards increased student integration in the local Italian-speaking community.

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.

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.

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.

Issues and Controversies in Macroeconomics (Intermediate Macroeconomics)

This intermediate-level course in macroeconomics builds upon the introductory two-semester (ECN 100 and ECN 101) sequence and, in conjunction with ECN 256, prepares students to study upper-level economics. It is a program requirement for the majors in International Banking and Finance and International Economics, as well as for Economics as a combined major. It is also one of the options towards Economics as a minor. Students must have taken ECN 100 and ECN 101, and are also recommended to have taken MAT 200. This course is designed to provide students with an appreciation of current economic issues and questions in modern macroeconomics, through the recognition of economics as a controversial subject. In the first part, we review some important measurement issues in macroeconomics that have policy consequences. In the second part, students will explore the competing theoretical frameworks developed in the twentieth century to explain growth cycles, employment and inflation. Finally, the acquired knowledge will be applied to the current policy issues in the aftermath of the Great Recession.

Natural Disasters, Catastrophes, and the Environment

As long as humans have walked the planet, they have faced dangers from the environment, such as earthquakes, floods, and volcanoes. Today's technology creates new possibilities for disasters, including climate change, killer smog, and nuclear accidents. Students in this course will study the science behind natural disasters as well as examine society's preparedness for and response to these problems from an interdisciplinary perspective. It will look at both historical and recent events and consider what disasters await us in the future. Students who have already taken SCI 110 must obtain permission to enroll.

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.

Introductory Italian, Part I

This course is designed for students who do not have any knowledge of the Italian language. The course provides 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. Whenever possible, the written assignments will be designed to foster practical communication skills and encourage efforts towards increased student integration in the local Italian-speaking community.

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. Whenever possible, the written assignments will be designed to foster practical communication skills and encourage efforts towards increased student integration in the local Italian-speaking community.

Reading Film

This course introduces students to the language of cinema through close studies of and foundational readings on film theory, narrative/documentary structure, camera technique, lighting, sound, casting, and location. Students will be expected to demonstrate their understanding of film language through scholarly analysis of both canonical and contemporary cinema texts and two practical applications of film. Students will move beyond the passive reception of an image-based world by working towards increased intellectual adaptablity in terms of engaged film reading skills that will call into question philosophical and culture-specific notions and norms. The learning outcomes will be developed through a number of concentrated modules lasting approximately three weeks each, including analysis, contemporary criticism, audience reception, and practical applications.

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.

Introduction to Digital Photography

This course course in digital photography introduces the beginner to the elements of digital photography. There will be two areas of concentration: 1. Image capture and manipulation using digital imaging technology (cameras and editing software). 2. Photograph design (crafting a photograph that reflects the photographer’s intention using composition, framing, lighting etc.). Throughout the course emphasis will be placed on the artistic value of photographs rather than the technicalities of digital imaging. Photography is one of the various artistic media available for self-expression and much emphasis will be put on precisely that. Students will synthesize these elements to create a portfolio of work that reflects not only their newly developed skills but also an appreciation and understanding of photography as an art medium. The course carries a fee for photography/art supplies.

Intermediate Digital Photography

A more intermediate course where students who have completed STA 107 may take their work further. The course carries a fee for photography/art supplies.

Advanced Digital Photography

A more advanced course where students who have completed STA 207 may take their work further. The course carries a fee for photography/art supplies.

Inventing the Past: The Uses of Memory in a Changing World (Poland)

The construction of memory is one of the fundamental processes by which the workings of culture can be studied. Every country, every culture and every community has a specific memory culture that finds expression in a congruence of texts: of literature and film, of law and politics, of memorial rituals, and historiography. The aim of this course is to enable students to recognize different forms of the construction, representation and archiving of memory; to analyze processes of individual and collective identity formation through memory; and to understand the power differentials operant in the negotiations and performance of a national memory. The travel component of this course will focus on sites in Poland and representations of the Holocaust.

European Food Systems: You Are Where You Eat (Italy and Switzerland)

In this course, students will explore the cultures that produce and are reproduced by our current food systems in Europe, touching upon the local, national and global dimensions. This course will examine the cultural, ecological, political, and geographic forces at work influencing the chain of production from farm to table. In particular, students will consider the contemporary food systems in Italy and Switzerland as well as their cultural and historical roots. Students will learn more about what it takes to become an active food citizen as the class considers where food comes from here in Europe and how the food we eat shapes who we are, both literally and figuratively. This course includes a travel component to Italy and Switzerland where students will study first hand some of the concepts discussed, including terroir, slow food, and local farm to table movements.

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, which will include Milan, Florence and another Italian city to be decided

History of Switzerland

Switzerland can be seen as a striking exception to the idea of a modern Western nation state: one of the oldest republics, with four official languages, neutral by tradition with at the same time a strong military tradition, a direct democracy and nevertheless one of the most stable states in the world. Hence, it has convincingly been called a "country of minorities" or just "an exception". This course analyzes the political, economic, social, and cultural development of Switzerland as a coherent and significant part of the history of medieval and modern Europe, with visits to places such as Bern, Basel, Schwyz, St. Gallen, and Zurich. Key themes covered include the founding of the Swiss Confederation in the thirteenth century, the initiation of the Swiss Reformation by Ulrich Zwingli in the sixteenth century, the introduction of the federal government in the nineteenth century, and the present day polemics of immigration and direct democracy. Local day trips to the medieval Ticinese towns of Riva San Vitale and Mendrisio round out the course.

Measuring the Alps

People live in three-dimensional space but are restricted to the earth surface which is usually locally flat, two-dimensional. But when entering the Alps, the third dimension of height becomes important when describing location or movement. This is also expressed by the fact that in the mountains a map is not too useful---rather a topographic map is needed. Starting with a description of the Alps or any mountains by topographic maps, or mathematically as functions with two independent variables, students will investigate how certain well-known features are reflected by the topography of the area . Examples are the location of mountain brooks, watersheds, movement of glaciers, avalanches, and rockfall. Students will also investigate the question of visibility in the mountains, whether and how it is possible to predict what can be seen from where. A further aspect is GPS technology. During the travel, the class will visit various places in the Swiss, Austrian, and Italian Alps, such as Davos, Innsbruck, Villnoess. Students will hike and measure, but will also discuss questions relevant to Alpine life, such as glaciers, avalanches or rockfall forecasts. If possible, the class will also visit places where such research is conducted. The course includes one mandatory weekend hike in September in addition to the ordinary travel in October. Hiking boots are required.

Documentary and Street Photography on Location: Munich

This course will investigate the particularities of both documentary and street photography through readings and studio projects. It will shed light on the history of photography; how the visual world communicates, studying the interaction of photography with other visual media; and will pay specific attention to the semiotic potential and challenges of photography. Students will engage in a project that relates to the location of the travel component of the class, documenting a subject of their choice. The Academic Travel destination will be Munich with additional day excursions to Bavaria and Austria.

Financial Accounting

This course is designed to provide students with a basic knowledge of financial accounting concepts, procedures, analysis, and internal reports as an essential part of the decision-making process. The focus is on the three basic steps of the accounting process: recording, classifying, and summarizing financial transactions. Emphasis is placed on the general accounting activities leading up to the preparation of financial statements.

Money, Banking and Financial Markets

This upper-level course in economics is the first part of an ideal two-semester sequence including ECN 328. It is a program requirement for the major in International Economics, International Banking and Finance, and International Management with an “emphasis” in Finance. It also fulfils group requirements towards the major in International Economics with an emphasis in Political Economy, and Economics as a Combined major as well as a Minor.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. Recommended prerequisite: ECN 225, ECN 256, BUS 326

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.

Abnormal Psychology

A study of the major patterns of abnormal behavior and their description, diagnosis, interpretation, treatment, and prevention.

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. (This writing-intensive course counts towards the Academic Writing core requirement.)

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.)

Organizational Behavior and Leadership

This course studies the internal environment of firms and organizations, namely how to organize and manage people in order to implement strategic plans effectively. Topics include: organizational structures and change, human resources, leadership, group dynamics and teamwork, motivation, and multicultural management. Special attention will be given to the study of leadership, which plays a critical role in increasingly complex and multicultural organizations. The readings and class discussions include both theoretical concepts, case studies and practical exercises.(This writing-intensive course counts towards the Academic Writing requirement.) (Junior status recommended)

The Industrialization of Creativity from Mass Media to Platform Economy

The recent enthusiasm around the term creativity and its offshoots, such as creative class and creative labor, highlights how creativity is being industrialized, making it an integral part of the market-oriented framework. Creativity is consequently often connected with broader aspirations of socio-economic growth. This course surveys key issues of the media market from cultural/communication industries to platform economy as it relates to creativity in the current media landscape. Students will learn how the prevalence of social media, mobile devices, search and aggregators markets, and active prosumerism, call for new business models of media companies and cultural industries. The course includes the discussion of such industries as fashion, design, and music, among others, focusing on innovation, recommendation systems and finally the relation between creativity and Artificial Intelligence.

The Revolutionary Idea in Theory and Practice: Russia 1917 in Context

The 100th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia in 2017 occurred in a time characterized by a deep-seated dissatisfaction with established orders all around the globe, even in stable, prosperous, and democratic societies. The rhetoric and idea of a need to revolutionize politics can now be found, not only at the fringes, but at the center of societies. This course explores the history of the concept of political revolution from its onset in late 18th century France and its reception in the writings of Alexis de Tocqueville and Karl Marx. It will then focus on attempts to turn theory and historical experiences into practice in 20th century Russia: The failed revolution in 1905, the two revolutions in February and October 1917, the question of when the revolution ended, and eventually the “anti-revolution” (Richard Sakwa) of 1989-91. Against this backdrop and by analyzing a wide array of primary sources and theoretical statements, this course discusses the changing paradigms in the study of revolution in the fields of History, Cultural Studies, and Political Science. (This writing-intensive course counts towards the Academic Writing requirements.)

The Revolutionary Idea in Theory and Practice: Russia 1917 in Context

Students in their Senior year who wish to graduate with a Major in History (stand alone or combined) need to take this capstone version of HIS 360 (see course description). Students in HIS 460 attend all meetings of HIS 360 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 their Senior Thesis. Students who have already earned credit for SEM 372 Revolution and Russia may not enroll and earn credit for HIS 460.

Sustainability and the Studio

Over the past few decades, sustainability has become a movement in the visual arts, shifting from a purely ecological to a larger cultural context and covering a vast range of ecological, economic, political, moral and ethical concerns. Sustainable art is usually distinguished from earlier movements like environmental art in that it advocates issues in sustainability, like ecology, social justice, non-violence and grassroots democracy. This studio course will approach sustainability and artistic practice from a number of viewpoints and modes of working. After a general introduction to sustainability in the arts today through lectures, videos and discussions, students will do creative projects, presentations and papers on current social issues or environmental concerns, the use of sustainable materials, recycling materials, community outreach, local environmental and sustainability initiatives). Class sessions may involve trips off-campus to an exhibition or event. There is a course fee to cover materials and travel expenses.

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.

Introductory Italian, Part I

This course is designed for students who do not have any knowledge of the Italian language. The course provides 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. Whenever possible, the written assignments will be designed to foster practical communication skills and encourage efforts towards increased student integration in the local Italian-speaking community.

College Algebra

The first part of this course reviews the basic concepts of algebra, real numbers, first-degree equations and inequalities, rational expressions, exponents and radicals, and polynomials, systems of equations and inequalities. The second part strongly emphasizes graphs and functions. The most important functions for applications are introduced, such as linear, quadratic, exponential, logarithmic, and rational functions.

Introduction to Academic Writing I

This course aims to help students improve their academic writing skills. Particular attention is given to awareness and development of academic writing structures, from essay organization to paragraph development to sentence-level detailing. Students also learn the basic conventions of evaluation and incorporation of outside resources. This course is taken in conjunction with WTG 125. A student who successfully completes WTG 120 (with a minimum final grade of C) must take WTG 130 the following semester.

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. (This writing-intensive course counts towards the Academic Writing core requirement.)

Management Science

In the first part of this computer-based course, students learn linear programming algorithms and how to apply them for resource allocation in production, investment selection, media selection, transportation planning, job assignments, financial planning, make or buy decision making and overtime planning contexts. In the second part of the course, students learn how to choose the best decision using expected monetary value (EMV), how to make optimum decision strategies under uncertainty by making decision trees, how to evaluate marketing research information, and how to apply project management (PERT) basic steps. Ultimately students are asked to conduct a month-long research and development project to define a real organizational decision strategy.

Media Ecology

This course explores media from the lens of ecology, using ecological concepts and thinking to both explore media as ecosystemic and reflect upon media production and consumption in terms of sustainability. Ecology is evoked because it is one of the most useful and expressive contemporary discourses to help articulate both the dynamic interrelations and interactions that characterize all forms of community as well as the ethical and political implications of their maintenance, management and/or disruption. The ultimate goal of this course is to put media in its place; situating prominent media forms within their unique cultural, historical, and geographical places and putting media in its appropriate place in our own lives and communities. (This writing-intensive course counts towards the Academic Writing requirements.)

Managerial Economics (Intermediate Microeconomics)

This intermediate-level course in microeconomics builds upon the introductory two-semester sequence and, in conjunction with ECN 225, prepares students to upper-level economics. It is a program requirement for the majors in International Banking and Finance and International Economics, as well as for Economics as a combined major. It is also one of the options towards Economics as a minor. This course completes the theoretical background on microeconomics and introduces students to more advanced topics, with an emphasis on the practical relevance and application of theory. The essence of the course is, in particular, the study of the interaction between rational individual decision-making (e.g. consumers, firms, the government) and the working of economic institutions like markets, regulation and social rules. Topics covered include an introduction to game theory, strategic behavior and entry deterrence; analysis of technological change; the internal organization of the firm; economic efficiency; public goods, externalities and information; government and business.

History of Modern France

From absolute monarchy to the Fifth Republic, from the Enlightenment to existentialism, France has been central to European affairs in revolution, war and peace. Paris itself has been called "capital of the nineteenth century" and pacemaker for many aspects of twentieth-century culture. This course analyzes the political, social, and cultural history of modern France with special attention to the tensions between the urban center and the rural periphery, the often violent struggles between tradition and modernization, and the European dimension of its identity and influence from the late-eighteenth century to the present.

Introductory Italian, Part I

This course is designed for students who do not have any knowledge of the Italian language. The course provides 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. Whenever possible, the written assignments will be designed to foster practical communication skills and encourage efforts towards increased student integration in the local Italian-speaking community.

On Being Human

This course examines what it means to "be human" and how humanity, or its opposite, has been depicted in literature and film. Through reading a broad selection of texts, from the classics to the present day, students will explore such issues as: the relationship between self and other; madness; the borders between human and monster, human and animal, and human and machine. The course will cover religious, philosophical, scientific, and cultural conceptions of human character and purpose. Students will read a broad variety of works that unsettle the boundaries of the self, that draw attention to those groups that have been excluded from the category of the human, and that ask us to engage with what Aristotle called, "being qua being" or, the study of what it is to be. The course reading list may include such works as: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Janice Galloway's The Trick is to Keep Breathing, Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth, Andrew Currie's Fido, Richard Wright's The Invisible Man, and Jeanette Winterson's Sexing the Cherry.

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.

Approaching the Academic Text

The aim of this course is to help students improve their analysis and comprehension of academic texts, and to develop strategies for efficient intake, processing and interpretation of information. Special emphasis is placed on notetaking strategies and on the critical analysis of texts. This course is taken in conjunction with WTG 120.

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. (This writing-intensive course counts towards the Academic Writing core requirement.)

Conservation Biology

This course considers the principles of biological diversity and the application of science to its conservation. It covers conservation concepts at the genetic, species, population, community, and landscape level. The course examines the causes behind the current biodiversity crisis and then focuses on modern conservation and restoration efforts. It employs recent case studies around the globe to illustrate course concepts. May include laboratory sessions and field trips. (This writing-intensive course counts towards the Academic Writing requirements.)

Introduction to Business Systems

The course introduces the global business system in the context of the economic, political, social and technological environments, relating business to society as a whole. Topics covered include the international scope, function, and organization of firms, and other fundamental concepts of multinational business. The course also addresses functional areas such as the value chain, production, marketing, human resources, and accounting.

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.

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.

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

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: math placement score.

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.

Drawing Related Media

The course will explore various media related to drawing, like pen and ink, charcoal, colored pencils, felt tip markers, tissue paper and glue, collage, crayons, oil and watercolor pastels, watercolor, tempera, gouache, spray paint. There is virtually no limit to the media that may be employed during the semester. At the same time, the course also reinforces the rudiments of drawing, but with primary emphasis on materials and new media rather than theoretical questions. The course carries a fee for art supplies.

Drawing Related Media

Intermediate course aimed at further developing the basic skills learned in STA 114. More emphasis will be placed on developing individual projects. The course carries a fee for art supplies.

Drawing Related Media

A higher course aimed at further developing the basic skills learned in STA 114. More emphasis will be placed on developing individual projects. The course carries a fee for art supplies.

Quantitative Methods and Dynamic Forecasting

In the first part of this course students learn concepts in inferential statistics, its main principles and algorithms. They learn how to apply sampling distributions in the case of business random variables, how to state and test business hypotheses about population mean or proportion differences, how to calculate ANOVA table components, and how to deploy estimation methods to provide information needed to solve real business problems. In the second part of the course, students learn advanced model building methods, algorithms needed to make and test dynamic multiple regression models and time series (ARMA) models. In addition to teaching and learning methods based on the textbook, problem-based learning (PBL) and interactive engagement (IE) are used. Many internet data bases, EXCEL add-ins and EViews are used to enhance IE based learning. Selected SPSS or STATA examples are also provided.

The Maker Movement: Crafting the Future Out of the Past

We are living in an era of renewed interest in making and crafting (e.g. do-it-yourself home improvement, craft brewing, artisanal baking, open source software). What does this surge of interest in making tell us about the societies in which we live in? Why are individuals, communities and corporations so invested in nostalgic forms of making and crafting? This class explores making as a movement—a highly mediated cultural trend expressive of the fears, hopes and preoccupations of a community. It considers moreover the movement’s diverse and often competing interests and communities (from activists using craft to challenge mass consumerism to corporations using craft to sell more products). In order to understand what this complex movement says about our times, the class will analyze and engage in maker practices (with a specific focus on media-making) and reflect upon what, how and why we make. Like all First Year Seminars, this course will cultivate the fundamental critical and academic skills necessary for success at the university level.

Fair Trade: Fighting Poverty or Shoppers’ Guilt?

International free trade is an integral part of the modern economic system. It is believed that free trade leads to many economic benefits including lower prices and greater product variety for the consumers, lower production costs for firms and economic growth for the countries involved. However, there are many critics who believe that free trade often leads to loss of livelihoods for many, increases economic inequality within and between nations and impacts the environment adversely. In the wake of such criticisms, fair trade is seen as a viable alternative to the traditional free trade model. This course will introduce students to the idea of fair trade and the ideology behind it. Through this course, students will learn about the processes that are involved in getting a fair trade certification and how this helps the final producers of goods. Students will learn about cooperatives and consumer groups involved in the fair trade movement. This course will also examine the impact of fair trade on development, poverty, role of women and the environment. Finally, students will also be exposed to the criticisms of fair trade. The course will use different teaching tools including lectures, class activities, field trips, documentaries etc. Like all First Year Seminars, this course will cultivate fundamental critical and academic skills necessary for succeeding at the university level.

Sushi Anyone? The Past, Present, and Future of Our Last Wild Food

Where does our food come from? In most cases, nowadays, what we eat is farmed or cultivated. During our history, as population has grown and technology improved, we have increasingly turned to farming to sustain ourselves. Yet, today, there is still one kind of food that is essentially wild: seafood. In fact, whether farmed or wild, our current hunger for seafood is eventually satisfied by wild fish stocks. But can wild fish stocks endure our pressure, and what happens when wild stocks collapse? Using examples from fisheries across the globe, and drawing parallels with the field of herbal medicine, this course will (a) illustrate the effects of seafood harvesting on wild fish stocks and the oceans at large and (b) search for solutions that will allow us to satisfy our demands while maintaining wild fish stocks. Like all First Year Seminars, this course will cultivate the fundamental critical and academic skills necessary for success at the university level.

Academic Mentoring

This course is for students selected as Academic Mentors in the context of the First Year Experience. Academic Mentors are assigned to individual first-year seminars and work as a group on academic leadership and research. Using the content and classroom of the first year seminars as a context, this 300-level course provides students with the opportunity to learn and practice advanced academic leadership skills including: research, writing, teaching, and tutoring skills. Student will be expected to complete course readings over the summer, before the course begins. During the semester, students will participate actively in class and typically organize and evaluate the final public presentation. Academic Mentors will meet periodically as a group outside of their individual seminars.

Hiroshima: Japan's Nemesis and the World's Bomb

On the morning of 6 August 1945 an entire city was almost entirely destroyed by an attack from a single plane. How humanity reached such a point of destruction and the ways people have dealt with this tragedy ever since are the focus of this course. Topics to be explored include Japan’s rapid modernization from the nineteenth century and its twentieth century military culture, scientific advances, the difficult decisions of wartime, popular memory and commemoration, Japan’s enduring ‘nuclear allergy’ and its effects on politics and popular culture, the prospect of imminent destruction throughout the Cold War and the continuing diplomatic standoffs regarding the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The course makes use of a variety of sources including texts, original documents, manga, films (including Japanese anime) and other media. Like all First Year Seminars, this course will cultivate the fundamental critical and academic skills necessary for succeeding at the university level.

Home-Coming and Going: Narratives of Belonging

In this course, students will examine different conceptions of home in a variety of fictional works as they consider the social, political, emotional, and ideological implications of the categories of “house,“ “home,” and “belonging.” The course will consider constructions of home as an architectural, domestic, and often gendered space. It will explore whether our bodies are our first and last homes. It will question what it means to define home more broadly as, for example, a homeland or native tongue, and, in so doing, consider how modern migration and the processes of globalization have changed our relationship to our homes. Finally, as students read about homes that are on the move (caravans, nomads, etc.) or otherwise in flux, they will be provoked to rethink the binary that posits staying at home as the natural counterpart to journeying. Throughout the course primary and secondary readings will invite students to reflect upon the links between home and belonging, and ask what it means to be at home in the world. Like all First Year Seminars, this course will cultivate the fundamental skills considered necessary for succeeding at the university level.

Exploring Leadership: Managerial and Political Perspectives

The course will review various aspects of leadership, particularly as they relate to political institutions and the management of organizations. Are good politicians and managers necessarily good leaders, or vice versa? Students will consider the various types of leadership, including charismatic, intellectual, authoritarian, motivational and organizational leadership styles. The biographies of various world leaders will be reviewed and discussed in their managerial, social, and/or political contexts. Finally, the course will also incorporate practical and experiential activities on the leadership/management duality. An integral and required part of the course will be a weekend retreat in the nearby mountains and a full-day on-campus leadership exercise, exploring some of the issues discussed in class. Like all First Year Seminars, this course will cultivate the fundamental critical and academic skills necessary for succeeding at university.

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. (This writing-intensive course counts towards the Academic Writing requirements.) Formerly POL 400. Students who have previously earned credit for POL 400 cannot earn credit for POL 300.

Desire and Consumption: The Photographic Image

This course takes as a starting point the proliferation of photographic images in the late 20th Century and early 21st Century. The expansion of photo-imagery has come to conquer both public and private sphere. It has become an inevitable component of social and political life, not to mention an inescapable economic incentive. Photography is used to sell goods in magazines, on billboards and products themselves. It is still a major contributor to the documentation and interpretation of political events conveyed through newspapers and web fluxes of information; and with the increased accessibility of camera devices, its presence in the private sphere has become a "natural" entity, furthering the projection of singular and collective identities through ever stronger social networks. It is a medium of representation that is closely bound to an anticipation of its consumption by its public. It aims to trigger desire to modify the balance of the world. Its very immobility (compared to the moving image) is a guarantee of its iconic powers. Is it possible to counter the voracious appetite of the photographic image? It is certainly possible to decode its intentions and impact. This course aims to provide a reading of a range of contemporary photographic productions, unveiling their social and economic foundations and framework, while underlining their historical roots in the development of the medium in the 19th and 20th Century. In addition to the form, content, production, and dissemination analyses, this discussion-based class will help students refine the critical thinking, writing and research skills that facilitate college success. Like all First Year Seminars, this course will cultivate the fundamental critical and academic skills necessary for succeeding in college. Like all First Year Seminars, this course will cultivate the fundamental critical and academic skills necessary for succeeding in college.

Contemporary Art: From the New York School to the Present

This course focuses on the history of contemporary art from 1945 to the present, paying particular attention to developments in European and North American art within an increasingly global culture. 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 as well as historical mindedness in contemporary art practices. 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. Visits to Contemporary Art museums will be included. (This writing-intensive course counts towards the Academic Writing requirements.)

Managerial Accounting

This course considers the nature, concepts, techniques, and ethics of the managerial accounting function, the preparation of reports, and the uses of accounting data for internal decision-making in manufacturing, retail, service, government, and non-profit organizations. Topics covered include a review of financial accounting, cost definitions and measurement, job-order and process costing, models of cost behavior, break-even and cost-volume-profit-analysis, activity-based costing and management systems, flexible budgeting methods, cost variance analysis, and a consideration of output & pricing decisions throughout the entire enterprise.

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.

Development Economics

The course will introduce students to the evolution of theory and practice in economic development in three stages. First, models of economic growth and development including work by Harrod-Domar, Robert Solow, Arthur Lewis, and Michael Kremer are compared to provide students with a feeling for how economists have conceived of the development process. The class then proceeds to examine particular development issues such as population growth, stagnant agriculture, environmental degradation, illiteracy, gender disparities, and rapid urbanization to understand how these dynamics reinforce poverty and deprivation. In the final stage, students will read work by supporters as well as critics of international development assistance and use the knowledge and perspective they have gained thus far to independently evaluate efficacy of a specific development intervention.

French Cinema: The New Wave

The French New Wave was a major turning-point in the history of French Cinema. It gave birth to a new way of approaching cinematography as a whole. This course centers on New Wave film directors Chabrol, Truffaut, Resnais, Godard and Varda, and examine closely their cinematographic creed, theoretical preoccupations, similarities and differences. Movies will be partially watched outside of class.

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.

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.)

Introduction to Statistics

This computer-based course presents the basic concepts in statistics: random variables, random sampling, frequency distributions, central tendency measures, variance and standard deviation, kurtosis and skewness, probability rules, Bayes theorem and posterior probability. Important statistical methods like contingency analysis, ANOVA, and correlation analysis are introduced and their algorithms are explained. The most important probability distributions are introduced: Binomial, Poisson, and Normal distribution, as well as the Chebyshev theorem for non-symmetrical distributions. Inferential statistics, sampling distributions and confidence intervals are briefly covered in order to introduce statistical model building and single linear regression and trend analysis. Students learn how to promote the scientific method, how to identify questions, collect evidence, discover and apply tools to interpret the data, and communicate results. EXCEL is used to enhance algorithmic learning. Selected SPSS or STATA examples are also provided.

Music History From Mozart to Mahler; Classicism, Romanticism, Modernism

This introductory course presents three significant historical periods, based upon the works of their most important composers – from Haydn and Mozart to Mahler and Stravinsky. It explains the various genres from chamber music and symphonic music to opera. Combining guided listening, live performances and technology, the course explores the multitude of styles of the different epochs. It also presents at each stage the cultural and political contexts in which music evolved.

Contemporary Diplomacy

This course introduces modern changes in global diplomatic practices. Diplomacy increasingly integrates non-state actors such as corporations, think tanks, NGOs and international mass media. Traditional state-to-state diplomacy, while still fundamental, now co-exists with a series of new actors and innovative practices such as public diplomacy. The course will take an interdisciplinary approach to the topic of diplomacy. It will look at diplomacy from a historical and legal perspective, cover challenges posed to diplomacy by imperatives such as transparency and counter-terrorism, and focus on empirical case studies for students to engage critically with the multiple purposes and evolution of diplomacy.

Stardom, Influence, and Entertainment Cultures

The star phenomenon consists not just of their films, but the promotion of those films and of the star's appearances and coverage (in public, print, tv, social media). Star images are always extensive, multimedia and intertextual. Star images have histories that outlive the star's own lifetime and are as entertainers they are often involved in making themselves into commodities often attached to or in contrast with the ideologies of capitalism. This course investigates the emergence of stardom and the cultural influence of stardom primarily through the vehicle of film, with a comparative focus on European and U.S. and Latin American stars of the past and present. From Rudolph Valentino in the silent era to Rita Hayworth, Joan Crawford, Carmen Miranda, James Dean, Marlon Brando, Marilyn Monroe, to Brigitte Bardot; the actor-celebrities studied in this course will serve for theoretical reflection on the iconic value of stars, past and present, as instruments for transmedia storytelling. How does the history of the pinups of the past translate into discourses of fame, fortune, happiness, and success in contemporary culture? How do the current entertainment industry and its global markets respond to ethical questions related to women's rights and queer visibility movements, and backlash from a variety of other socially engaged, politically charged resistance movements typically originating in the United States?

Culture and Human Rights

"Human Rights" has become a key selling point for organizations, political parties and social movements. And yet what is actually meant by the term often remains vague, and it is difficult to take the critical stance necessary to judge its significance. In this class students interrogate the term with a series of questions: what counts as "human" in the discourses surrounding Human Rights? What sorts of rights do individuals in fact have simply by virtue of being human? Do all humans have the same rights? Who gets to decide this? How has the definition changed over the last 200 years? To what extent is the term gendered, determined by class and racialized? And finally: how do different national settings change how we think about and act on ideas of Human Rights? This course will examine these questions by tracing ideas surrounding Human Rights in treatises, literary texts, films, debates and case studies from the Enlightenment to the present. Against the backdrop of foundational texts such as The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Thomas Paine's The Rights of Man, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's Vindication of the Rights of Woman, declarations by the European Court of Human Rights, the African Court on Human and People's Rights, the Geneva convention and the United Nations Human Rights Commission students will consider literary and filmic works that grapple critically with the terms they lay out. Students will also consider how NGOs such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch translate the political rhetoric to apply their own interpretations of Human Rights to their field work. (This writing-intensive course counts towards the Academic Writing requirements)

Introduction to Econometrics

The course introduces the basic principles of econometrics as a set of tools and techniques to quantitatively investigate a variety of economic and financial issues. The application of econometric methods allows studying the relationships between different economic and financial variables, hence providing a natural way to test and confront alternative theories and conjectures, as well as to forecast and simulate the effects of different economic and financial policies. The course approach is mainly focused on applications. A discussion of the main theoretical issues and a systematic analysis of econometric tools are prerequisites for the investigation of a number of economic and financial applications.

Research Methods in Environmental Sciences

This course integrates field, laboratory, computing, and statistical methodologies commonly employed in environmental sampling. The course will also emphasize professional presentation and scientific report writing skills. It includes a mandatory weekend field trip, as well as local field trips.

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.

Introduction to Criminology and Psychopathology

Criminology deals with crimes and their authors through a multi-disciplinary lens, one that includes psychology, medicine, law and sociology. After introducing several of the fundamental theoretical frameworks upon which criminology is based, this course will focus on the analysis of single psycho-pathologies and how they relate to crime, in particular homicide, sex crimes, abuse, and white-collar crimes. The course will include lectures as well as the analysis of criminal cases and the participation of local experts in the field.

Introductory Painting

This introductory course explores basic painting techniques and attempts to assist the development of visual awareness through various experiments and media, thus providing a foundation for further art study. With a combination of theory and studio practice, the course investigates the properties of color, line, point, plane and texture in an effort to free students from dead convention and at the same time encourage their creative abilities. The course will incorporate structured exercises on the nature of paint and the rudiments of color theory, while encouraging students to study the painting of past and present artists to develop their own creative identity. Visits to museums, galleries or ateliers may be organized if possible. The course carries a fee for art supplies.

Intermediate Painting

Intermediate course aimed at further developing the basic skills learned in STA 115. More emphasis will be placed on developing individual projects and exploring different media and genre as students work towards finding a personal identity through creative experience. The course carries a fee for art supplies.

Higher Painting

Continuation of the previous painting courses to more advanced levels. The course carries a fee for art supplies.

Art, Politics, Landscape: Ireland

This course focuses on the relation between the visual arts, politics and landscape in Ireland. It emphasizes the role played by culture and aesthetics in the shaping of territorial identities on the island. It also looks at the historical evolution of conflicting socio-political configurations, whose modeling of physical and imaginary landscapes will be scrutinized. Singular and interacting identities within the spatial political nexus of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom, are explored from the mediating perspective of aesthetic production and consumption. The course looks at early Celtic sculpture, craftsmanship and illuminated manuscripts, the circulation of artistic ideas and artists during the medieval and early modern period, before turning to nascent modernities in art and architecture. Artistic production during the Troubles in the second half of the Twentieth century is finally discussed in relation to the complex negotiation of past and present identities and heritage in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The vibrancy of contemporary Irish art finally provides a platform from which to reflect on current aesthetic syncretisms. The travel component includes in-situ visits in Dublin and Galway.

Marketing for Movies (Italy)

This course will expose students to the challenges of creating a market for artistic products, in particular for movies. Marketing movies requires a deep understanding of the needs consumers are trying to satisfy when deciding to consume an experience. At the same time, dealing with artists and managers of artistic institutions requires a solid understanding of their mindset and the intrinsic motivations for creating artistic pieces. There is thus a constant trade off between market orientation and product orientation. This course will focus in particular on understanding the specifics of creative production and aligning it with the right audience. Students will learn how to create a marketing plan for such an endeavor. The travel component will explore two cities in Italy, Rome and Bologna, so as to take advantage of the Rome Film Festival and the Cineteca (in Bologna).

Tourism and the Environment: Iceland

This course explores the environmental impacts of tourism and travel. It examines the problems generated by travelers as they journey from home locations to travel destinations and as they participate in activities at those destinations. It focuses on issues of air pollution, biodiversity, climate change, resource use, and waste management. It also considers the potential for positive impacts from tourism, examining how tourism can contribute to improved management of environmental resources. The course engages students with the ethics of responsible travel and examines various attempts to mitigate problems through different forms of sustainable tourism, policies, and tools (e.g. carbon offsets and eco-labels). The course includes a 12-day field experience in Iceland where students will examine first-hand the problems and potentials generated by that country's rapid increase in tourism. Students will also meet with stakeholders in the Icelandic tourism industry to discuss local and national responses to the increased levels of tourism. This course carries a supplemental fee: CHF 600 (for students invoiced in CHF) or USD 630 (for students invoiced in USD).

Prague on the Page: Alienation and Absurdity

The literature of Prague lies in the city's complex web of identities, a web created by social upheaval through the ages. Beginning with sixteenth-century tales of the Golem, the clay figure animated by Rabbi Loew to protect the city's Jewish community, students will investigate how Prague's writers have responded to the politics of their times by embracing the surreal and the ambiguous. In particular, this class will look at how these authors have found inspiration in the city itself. Reading includes Franz Kafka's evocation of the early twentieth-century city and a selection of works by more recent writers such as Weil, Kundera, and Hakl. Studying the way these writers repeatedly draw on each other through the idea of the city as a text, students will visit their haunts in Prague and its surroundings, and map their works onto the city's landscape and onto its history, with the surreal Kafka museum as a starting point.

International Environmental Politics: Botswana

It has become increasingly apparent in recent years that environmental problems have been proliferating and nation-states are not able to cope with them individually. International cooperation is essential to finding and applying solutions. This course will first examine the origins of the main environmental problems affecting nations, such as climate change, the greenhouse effect, acid rain, desertification, pollution, disposal of radioactive and chemical waste material, trade in endangered species, etc. Students will investigate the environmental problems connected to trade globalization and the question of sustainable development, and will study how states have tried to deal with these problems through the role of international organizations such as the UN and the EU and non-governmental organizations such as Greenpeace, WWF, etc. The effectiveness of international treaties such as the Kyoto Protocol and CITES, and the problems in their application, will also be examined. For the travel component of the course, on-site investigations will occur in Botswana, to include policies of natural resource conservation, sustainability, and ecotourism. This course carries a supplemental fee: CHF 1,540 (for students invoiced in CHF) or USD 1,620 (for students invoiced in USD).

Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Risk Taking

This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamental concepts about being an entrepreneur, especially in the high-tech area, and the related concept of risk taking in order to stay competitive in a fast-moving economy. Students will explore preeminent thinkers in the field of entrepreneurship and risk taking, as well as today's leading minds, entrepreneurial visionaries and landmark ideas that have established this innovative area of business. Students will look at the basis of entrepreneurship and at fundamental approaches to creating and building a startup business. Students will explore and discuss case studies, articles published in business-related periodicals and sections of published works on entrepreneurship. This course includes an Academic Travel component to private and public entities that sponsor entrepreneurial activity generally in Switzerland, France and Italy.

Nice and Southern France: From Impressionism to Contemporary Art

This Academic Travel will focus primarily on the life and art of painters and sculptors who lived in Nice and its surrounding region. Artists such as Renoir, Matisse, Picasso, Bonnard, and Giacometti found there a source of inspiration and creativity that some of their artwork celebrates. The class will focus attention on the evolution of art over the last 120 years, the characteristics of the diverse art movements we will come across, and the aesthetic particularities of some of the artists students will study. Among the museums the class will visit are the Renoir Museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer, the Bonnard Museum in Le Cannet, the Ferdinand Léger Museum in Biot, the Picasso Museum in Antibes and Picasso Chapel in Vallauris, the Hartung Bergman Foundation in Antibes, the Matisse Chapel in Vence, the Maeght Foundation in Saint Paul de Vence, the Beaubourg Gallery in Vence, the Chateau La Coste’s Art Center in Le Puy Sainte Réparade, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nice and the Concrete Art Museum in Mouans-Sartoux.

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: ECN 225, ECN 256; Strongly Recommended: MAT 200)

Capstone: Readings in CLCS or Lit

LC 497 is the first of two capstone courses for majors in CLCS and in LIT. LC 497 is designed for all students and will follow the trajectory of a traditional reading course. Students and the professor will choose an extensive reading list that includes fundamental, primary and theoretical texts in literature and CLCS taken largely from the courses taught in the disciplines. Students will then choose their own texts to add to the core list that represent the individual student's particular area of interest. Class sessions will be devoted to the development of the list and subsequent discussion of the chosen works. Evaluation pieces include a comprehensive exam and a proposal for the subsequent thesis (LC 499) or internship project (LC 498).