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FIRST YEAR SEMINARS. SPRING 2007. What are First Year Seminars?.
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FIRST YEAR SEMINARS SPRING 2007
What are First Year Seminars? First-year seminars are limited to 20 first-year students per class. The seminars are designed to create an active-learning environment enriched by field work, original research, group projects or performance as well as more traditional reading, writing and lecture formats. The seminars fulfill General Foundation Requirements.
Science Versus Religion: The Battlefield of Evolution (GFR: AH) Taught by Dr. Stephen Freeland This interdisciplinary course aims to illustrate the sheer breadth of disciplines across which a dialog can occur about science and religion, to introduce historical examples of dialog that challenge dogma from extremists of all persuasions who preach oversimplified “either/or” conflict, and to understand the origin, construction, and impact of science and religion on society.
Sexuality, Health and Human Rights (GFR: SS) Taught by Dr. Ilsa Lottes In this seminar, we will consider a number of sexuality, health and human rights questions: What are sexual rights? What is meant by sexual health? How important are sexual rights? What characteristics of a society promote or hinder sexual rights? What responsibilities are tied to sexual rights? To what extent do Americans have sexual rights? What laws restrict sexual rights?
How We View the World: Living as Well-Informed and Engaged Individuals in an Age of Ongoing Irrationality(GFR: MS) Taught by Dr. Richard Karpel We will explore the ways scientists evaluate their work in order to come to a common view of reality. Current and historical examples of conflicts between rational and irrational approaches to understanding the world will be investigated, including intellectual struggles during the Soviet era, causality and treatment of AIDS, government evaluation of birth control drugs, and the ongoing evolution debate.
Computation as an Experimental Tool (GFR: MS) Taught by Dr. Manil Suri The goal of this course is to make students comfortable with the idea of using mathematical computation as a tool towards answering questions and embarking on new explorations. We will begin by briefly examining this phenomenon in a historical and philosophical context and go on to explore questions on various mathematical principles, using web-based computational applets and simple Matlab programs.
Thinking with Visualization (GFR: MS) Taught by Dr. Penny Rheingans This course looks at solving real-world problems by applying visualization techniques based on the workings of the human perceptual system. Students will analyze the effectiveness of visual representations and construct their own visualizations, strengthening their abilities to explore, evaluate, and understand large amounts of quantitative data. This course applies techniques from computer science to application case studies from several areas.
Intercultural Exploration Through Film (GFR: C) Taught by Dr. Alan Bell Films will be grouped into thematic units that include The Intercultural Experience of the Immigrant Family, The Intercultural Experience in Times of War, and The Intercultural Experience in Times of Peace. Because the films themselves are the core materials of the course, it is mandatory to attend each class, participate in discussions, and do the required reading for each session.
Global Warming (GFR: MS) Taught by Dr. Raymond Hoff Students in this course will be challenged to represent and refute the scientific arguments leading to our current understanding of the state-of-the-science and, subsequently, examine the process by which such scientific information can be used to affect the making of public policy in regards to what is publicly known about global warming.
Investigating Everyday Problems And Their Current IT Solutions(GFR: SS) Taught by Professor Susan A. Evans The purpose of this course is to provide first-year students with an opportunity to study some real-world problems and to see how research is carried out on those problems at UMBC. This course will concentrate on problems currently being studied by members of the CSEE Department, but it is interdisciplinary in nature since those problems vary in subject matter tremendously.
Frequently Asked Questions • How many FYS courses can I take? • You can take 2 FYS courses, 1 a semester, your first year at UMBC • Will I receive GFR credit for both courses? • No. You will need to choose one of the courses to use the GFR credit. However, if you are in the Honors College, the second FYS credit can go towards the Honors College credits needed each semester.
Questions? • You can go to http://www.umbc.edu/undergrad_ed/ and click on First Year Seminars to get more information and find the complete list of course offerings for Spring 2007! • To pre-register for a course, please contact Jill Randles by November 17th at jrandles@umbc.edu or ext. 5-3715 • After November 17th, please contact Jill and/or the instructor of the course to obtain the necessary permission to register for a FYS course. • Students may put their name on the hold lists if a course is closed and/or contact Jill to let her know of their interest. Hold lists will be monitored and students contacted if seats become available.