Fall 2008 Colloquia

Colloquia can be found under the course number UH 3004H in the course timetable, and each colloquia has a different CRN number. Colloquia offerings usually change every semester.

Nutrition, Brain & Behavior
CRN #95414

The neurochemistry of the brain is not subject to influence by short-term perturbations in diet which had long boon an accepted tenet. Research has now shown, however, that what is ingested day-to-day can influence brain neurotransmitter levels. Because all bodily functions are ultimately controlled by the central nervous system, this has important implications in health and disease. Dietary influences on brain neurotransmitters can affect numerous homeostatic mechanics and bodily functions, including sleep, obesity, depression, and immunity. The role of brain neurotransmitters in behavior and the influence of diet on these functions will be explored.

• Instructor: D. Michael Denbow
• Credit: 3 hours
• Day/Time: T; 3:30 – 5:20 p.m.
• Location: TBA

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Controversial Issues in Science and Society
CRN #95416

This class is designed to help students think critically about various controversial issues that are “in the news” virtually every day but about which there is a general lack in depth if understanding amongst the general population. While all issues discussed in this course have a specific basis, the focus of this Colloquium is on developing reasoned positions at the juxtaposition of the scientific, moral, and ethical issues associated with each topic. Topics discussed in depth include birth control, abortion, assisted reproductive technologies, stem cell research, cloning, genetic engineering of plants and animals, sexual orientation, and several other topics selected by the students enrolled. Everything that we do both in and our of class is intended to assist students in formulating reasoned judgments and positions on these topics and on understanding the importance and interrelationship of these issues. The Colloquium attempts to draw upon the diverse background of the students enrolled to examine all issues from various points of view.

• Instructor: Jim Knight
• Credit: 3 hours
• Day/Time: T, 4:30 – 6:20 p.m.
• Location: TBA

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Selfishness
CRN #95409

Beginning in the 1980’s, both conceptual and personal concern for such ideas as self identification, self awareness and self-esteem became popular. In these three decades the political and social culture of American society underwent significant change. Careerism, conservative political ideology, and even religious practice centered on the individual. Some people argue that the current emphasis on the individual has replaced significant beliefs concerning collective American life. This colloquium examines some of the major issues facing American society today and how the concept of self has played a significant role in creating policies to deal with these issues. Discussions will center around the long term health of American society given changing practices in environmental control, health delivery, race and ethnic relations, church/state relations, corporate life, the management of wealth, and other major problems confronting American society. Members of the colloquium will be expected to produce a research paper on a topic of their choice relating the concept of self to such issues.

• Instructor: Jack Dudley
• Credit: 3 hours
• Day/Time: W, 4:00 – 5:50 p.m.
• Location: 132 HILL

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Introduction to Opera
CRN #95415

I have chosen six operas which fit this category for detailed study in class, one German, one French and four Italian. They are, in chronological order:

• The Magic Flute. W.A. Mozart (German)
• The Barber of Seville. G. Rossini (Italian)
• Lucia di Lammermoor. G. Donizetti (Italian)
• Carmen. G. Bizet (French)
• Aida. G. Verdi (Italian)
• Madame Butterfly. G. Pucccini (Italian)

In addition to watching videos in class, there will be discussions of the musical and dramatic aspects of the operas as well as their literary backgrounds.

Three class periods will be devoted to student presentations of other operas not included on the above list. The class will be divided into teams of three students each, who will work together to discuss the dramatic and musical backgrounds of the opera they choose to present, and to illustrate with selections from the video. The choice of opera is up to the team members, but the instructor will be on hand to assist and advise, and will provide the videos. Each team will have about 1¼ hours for its presentation. (Exact time depends on number of students enrolled.)

Grades will be based on participation in classroom discussions and on final presentations.

• Instructor: Paul Zweifel
• Credit: 3 hours
• Day/Time: M; 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
• Location: SQUIR 162

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Documentary Film: History, Theory, Politics and Practice
CRN #96763

What is documentary film? Is it art? Is it reality captured on film? Is it both? Or neither? This course aims to define the documentary film, to examine its unique form in relation to other cinematic traditions, and to explore the historical, theoretical, social and political contexts of the documentary. We will develop a common vocabulary for discussing film, examine conventions used in traditional documentaries, and also look at examples of non-traditional forms. In addition, students will have the option to participate in a short group documentary production.

This course is cross referenced with HUM 3024

• Instructor: Elizabeth Chancey
• Credit: 3 hours
• Day/Time: T; 12:30 – 2:30p.m.
• Location: SQUIR 238

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Health Policy – Turning Issues Into Opportunities
CRN #TBA

This course will be team taught and co-enrolled with students from the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine. The purpose of this course is to elevate the level of awareness about health care and policy issues in medicine. The instructional material is valuable for premed-oriented students, as well as students in medical school. The premed students need to have their horizons expanded about medicine as a career – specifically those issues related to health policy. Students already in medical school can benefit greatly having the same academic experience – understanding how health care systems work and the economics of providing medical care to the uninsured. The course should empower both groups of students to be more knowledgeable physicians about their own career.
Students must be in Honors or Honors eligible; an application form must be completed, and a premed folder must be completed; students selected for participation must agree to participate in an interview with the Dean or Director of Admissions at the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

• Instructor: Ward Stevens
• Credit: 2 hours
• Day/Time: M; 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
• Location: VA College of Osteopathic Medicine

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Charles Darwin: Myths and Reality
CRN #95412

To gain familiarity with the career, writings, and ideas of Charles Darwin, to understand some of the ways in which he has become a cultural icon, and to see how his theories (understood or misunderstood, faithfully represented or twisted) affect our lives today.

• Instructor: Duncan Porter
• Credit: 3 hours
• Day/Time: T; 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
• Location: MCB 307

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Biomedical Ethics
CRN #95411

The American health care system is the best that money can buy. Yet, many ethical questions have arisen because of this superior technology: Who is in charge of the switches in intensive care? Should health care be rationed by a priority system? Will the human genome project help cure genetic diseases or will it become a eugenic screen? Who are the legal guardians of the children produced by in vivo fertilization procedures? Should research with fetal cells be sanctioned? Is there a need for an ethicist in a hospital? Should the U.S. have a national health care system which includes ethical standards? The course will include readings from the works of Lewis Thomas, Norman Cousins, etc…, plus participation by departmental faculty and local physicians.

• Instructor: Robert Benoit
• Credit: 3 hours
• Day/Time: W; 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
• Location: MCB 207

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Addictions & Relationships
CRN #95410

Addicts deal with three major types of relationships in their addiction and recovery. These relationships are: 1) the relationship between the addiction and the addict; 2) the intrapersonal relationship the addict has with self; and 3) the interpersonal relationships between the addict and other people. Topics will include the similarities between addiction and religion, spirituality, moral development, denial, the cycle of self-destruction, different models of recovery, acceptance of self and by others, friendships and family life before, during and after the addiction, etc. Students will be given readings and participate in exercises to stimulate discussion and help understand the complex life of the addict. Recovering addicts will be invited to the class to share their experiences. Students will be given writing assignments to explore each of these major relationships.

• Instructor: Art Buikema
• Credit: 3 hours
• Day/Time: T, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
• Location: ROB 105

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From Mozart to the Movies
CRN #95413

How do movie audiences 'know' that pretty girls about to enter darkened basements shouldn't go downstairs? Because the music played in the background isn't simply 'scary' but belongs to a history of musical 'topics' linking today's TV and film scores with the symphonies and string quartets of Mozart and his contemporaries. This colloquium explores the continuing transformation of music from 'pattern' to 'program.' It examines briefly such issues as Beethoven's place in film history, specialized sound-effects, and the continual (re)creation of musical topics around religious, racial, class, and gender patterns in today's advertising industry. No previous musical knowledge necessary, but students who don't want to hear different kinds of music and watch a variety of films may not enjoy this multidisciplinary and multicultural seminar.

• Instructor: Michael Saffle
• Credit: 3 hours
• Day/Time: TBA
• Location: TBA

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Politics and Everyday Life
CRN #TBA

Many Americans do not participate in the political process. Even those that do vote and maybe support a particular candidate often do not have an understanding of the impact of the political process on their everyday life. Even those that inform themselves on a few major issues are often surprised by the political outcomes across the spectrum of political activity. Every part of our everyday life is impacted to some degree by government. The colloquium explores the myriad impact of government on the lives of people. The issues of interdependence and independence are explored as we try to understand the impact of the division of labor on our individual and collective lives. A major paper will be required.

• Instructor: Charles Dudley
• Credit: 3 hours
• Day/Time: R; 4:00 – 5:50 p.m.
• Location: HILL 132

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