Academic Catalog 2018-2019 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Course Listing
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Courses listed below are grouped together alphabetically by subject prefix. To search for a specific course, please follow the instructions in the course filter box below and click on “Filter.”
Departments and interdisciplinary programs are described in detail on the Majors, Minors, and Other Programs page within this catalog. Please refer to the detailed sections on each area of study for more information. Requirements to fulfill a major or minor appear within each program or area of study.
All students must also complete the courses in the Common Curriculum (General Education), including Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) requirements and other requirements that pertain to the undergraduate degree. Courses are numbered as follows.
000-049 - Non-credit courses.
050-099 - Common Curriculum (General Education) courses and others that do NOT count toward the major.
100-199 - Introductory-level courses which count for the major.
200-299 - Sophomore/junior-level courses that can be taken by non-majors. (Some departments may use 200-249 and 250-259 to delineate between sophomore and junior level offerings.)
300-399 - Upper-level courses intended primarily for majors - these are courses representing the depth component of the major.
400-499 - All advanced courses for seniors, including those used to fulfill WS (Senior Writing Experience requirement), small seminars, research, thesis, and independent studies.
Wherever possible, the departments have indicated the instructor and the term during which a course is given. Some courses are offered only occasionally and are so indicated. The College retains the right not to offer a course, especially if enrollment is insufficient.
A few courses are not valued at full course credit, and some carry double credit.
A full course unit may be equated to five quarter-credit hours, or three and one-third semester credit hours.
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Philosophy |
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PHL 180 - Theories of the Good Life Course Units: 1
(Fall; Nowakowski) This course takes a cross-cultural approach to theories of the good life by studying ancient Greek, Chinese, African and Hindu theories, as well as more modern versions of these theories. In class, we shall analyze and debate these theories in terms of their underlying beliefs about human nature and in terms of whether someone can actually live by these theories. CC: HUM, LCC
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PHL 231 - Symbolic Logic Course Units: 1
(Winter; Pedeferri) An introduction to modern symbolic logic, focusing on translation, semantics and syntax for propositional and predicate logic. You will learn to translate natural language into the language of logic and vice versa, and study key concepts such as validity, consistency, proof, soundness and completeness. CC: HUM, QMR
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PHL 232 - Philosophy of Science Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) An introduction to philosophy of science. What are scientific theories, and how are they tested? What is scientific method? What counts as evidence for a scientific theory? What is scientific explanation? We will approach these questions both philosophically and through formal techniques. CC: HUM
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PHL 233 - Reason, Science, and Humanity Course Units: 1
(Fall; Sommerlatte) An examination of some of philosophy’s “Greatest Hits,” from some of the 17th and 18th centuries’ greatest thinkers: Descartes, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, and Kant. We will consider questions like: Is there a God, and how could we know? Is your mind just your brain, or do you have an immaterial soul? What is free will, and are we just fooling ourselves when we think we have it? Does your subjective perception of the world correspond to how it is in reality, and how can you possibly know? Are there universal moral duties, which everyone has an obligation to follow regardless of their personal inclinations? CC: HUM
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PHL 235 - Reasoning and the Law Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) A non-technical introduction to legal reasoning. We will consider the nature of arguments in general and learn how to distinguish good arguments from bad ones, and then consider a variety of issues that arise in the context of the law, including arguments whose force turns on a proper understanding of men’s real and proximate cause. The arguments that we will consider are drawn primarily from judicial decisions. We shall also examine the relationship between morality and the law. CC: HUM
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PHL 237 - Introduction to Political Philosophy Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) An historical introduction to issues in political philosophy. The texts that we will consider address questions such as: Why should individuals live in society at all? Why should individuals obey any government at all? What are the sources, limits and purposes of political power? CC: HUM
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PHL 242 - The Philosophy of Aristotle Course Units: 1
(Spring; Scheiter) (Same as CLS 242 ) CC: HUM
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PHL 244 - Plato’s Republic Course Units: 1
(Spring; Scheiter) Most people care deeply about justice and strive to live just lives. But what is justice and why should we try to be just? What if we always do the right thing, but we are constantly treated badly and as if we are untrustworthy? Should we be just even if others think we are dishonest and corrupt? Is justice worth pursuing for itself? If justice is good how do we make our cities and our fellow citizens just? What kind of ruler would make a city just? In this course we will try to answer these questions as we work our way through Plato’s most famous work, Republic. Each class will be organized around specific question(s). We will focus most of our attention on analyzing and interpreting Plato’s answer to these questions, but we will also try to answer these questions ourselves and see whether or not we agree with Plato. CC: HUM
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PHL 245 - Buddhist Ethics Course Units: 1
(Fall; Nowakowski) Ethics is one of the three main components of the Buddhist path, the others being meditation and wisdom. In the centuries following the Buddha’s death, two main branches of Buddhism developed: Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism. The older school, Theravada, emphasized moral guidelines and meditation practices that culminate in nirvana; the Mahayana school emphasized a morality of compassion and a metaphysical theory of emptiness. In the contemporary period, Buddhists are concerned about issues relating to the environment, social justice, war, medicine and health, gender, and race. Buddhist ethical theories emphasize selflessness, moral discipline, compassion, karma and awareness. This course draws from ancient ethical texts as well as contemporary works on applying basic Buddhist principles to today’s moral problems. CC: HUM, LCC
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PHL 246 - Art, Media, and Society Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) An examination of the traditional aesthetic theories of philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Burke, Hume, Schopenhauer, and Nietzsche, as well as more recent theories. Among the issues considered will be how art is different from everyday objects and the impact of technology on art. CC: HUM
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PHL 248 - Philosophy and Current Affairs Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) “Public philosophy” tests the prospects and limits of philosophy as a means of analyzing events and conditions of current interest. We will select an issue, such as affirmative action, the politics of religion, minority rights, the entertainment industry, etc., and track it both in the scholarly and the popular media (newspapers, television, etc.). CC: HUM
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PHL 250 - Ethical Theory Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) Theories such as utilitarianism, pure obligation theory, virtue-ethics, and enlightened self-interest theory propose to provide defensible methods for answering questions about right and wrong. The course examines traditional theories (Aristotle, Hobbes, Kant, Mill, etc.) and contemporary theories (Harman, Rawls, Wolf, Nagel, Gauthier) on issues such as moral skepticism and truth, rational self-interest, care as the basis of ethics, the diversity of moral beliefs, moral trump cards, etc. CC: HUM
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PHL 255 - On War and Killing Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) The central goal of this course is to develop and apply some useful tools for critical reflection upon the morality of war. In considering this issue we will focus on two main questions: (i) that of jus ad bellum - what, if anything, makes it right to go to war?, and (ii) that of jus in bello - what kinds of actions are, and are not, justified in carrying out a war? CC: HUM
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PHL 261 - Philosophy of Religion Course Units: 1
(Fall; Woodford) Current research in philosophical theology about language, possible worlds, and evidence used to address issues such as whether moral obligation can depend upon God’s will, whether God’s power is limited by the possible, whether God owns us, whether it is reasonable to bet on the existence of God. CC: HUM
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PHL 263 - Feminism Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) An examination of the central normative issues related to the gender equality and discrimination.
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PHL 265 - Minds and Machines Course Units: 1
(Winter; Bergamaschi Ganapini) Is it possible to build a computer that effectively simulates human intelligence? If we did so, would the computer really be intelligent, or would it merely seem to be: Would the computer have free will? Do we have free will, or is human freedom merely an illusion? Do we have immaterial souls that can survive the deaths of our bodies and brains? In this advanced introduction to the philosophy of mind, we will consider these and other questions about what it means to have a mind, and about the relationship between mind and the brain.
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PHL 266 - Philosophy in Literature Course Units: 1
(Spring; Sommerlatte) An examination of the connections between the two disciplines. CC: HUM
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PHL 273 - Environmental Ethics Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) An exploration of the ethical and philosophical ideas that have shaped attitudes toward the environment and toward non-human species. CC: HUM
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PHL 274 - Environmental History and Literature Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) An examination of American environmentalism from 1850 to the present, including the writings of Black Elk, John Muir, Aldo Leopold, Rachel Carson, E.F. Schumacher, and Gary Snyder. Emphasis will be given to the social implications of environmental issues and the ways in which an historical perspective can enhance understanding of current environmental policies and practices. CC: HUM
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PHL 288 - Skepticism East and West Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) For as long as there have been philosophers engaged in passionate pursuit of knowledge, there have been skeptics critical of the entire enterprise. Can we really know the Truth about anything? For that matter, how important is it for us to know the Truth? Skeptical thinkers have appeared in all times and cultures. We will engage with three venerable texts: the Zhuangzi from ancient China, Nagarjuna’s writings on the Middle Way from ancient India, and the Outlines of Skepticism by Sextus Empiricus from ancient Greece. Our goal is to put these authors into dialogue and then join in that dialogue. CC: HUM
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PHL 295H - Philosophy Honors Independent Project 1 Course Units: 0
(Staff)
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PHL 296H - Philosophy Honors Independent Project 2 Course Units: 1
(Staff)
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PHL 297 - The Ethics of Forgiveness and Revenge Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) Examination of different ways of responding to wrongdoing. When is revenge appropriate and why? When is forgiveness appropriate and why? CC: HUM
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PHL 305 - Relativism Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) Relativism is not just a ’ theoretical’ issue: the Events of 9/11 have pitted those who demand ‘moral clarity’ against those who urge ‘more understanding’. Moral disagreement is not limited to conflicts between cultures: democratic societies attempt to accommodate points of view which conflict and diverge, sometimes nearly to the point of violence, as debates on abortion or gay marriage or the separation of church and state, or even taxation, show. But relativism is also an important theoretical issue as it raises questions about truth, justification of belief and moral skepticism. We explore these theoretical, moral and political dimensions through reading of theorists such as Rawls, Nagel, Harman, Thomson, Gutmann, and others. One philosophy course prerequisite or permission of the instructor. CC: HUM
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PHL 316 - Indian Philosophy II: Ways of Knowing the World Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) This course examines the debates between Buddhist intellectuals and their rivals in two Hindu philosophical traditions, the Nyaya and the Mimamsa, which dominated Indian philosophy from roughly the 6th to the 12th centuries CE. Through close study of the primary texts in translation, we will explore their theories of the ways by which human beings can know the world. We will then see how these Indian philosophers apply their theories of knowledge and good reasoning to a variety of disputed questions about the existence of God, the self, reincarnation, and the structure of the external world.
No prior experience with Indian or Asian philosophy or religion is assumed or expected. However, given the challenging nature of the texts, some prior work in philosophy (whether eastern or western) would be a very good idea! CC: HUM
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PHL 338 - Zen and Tibetan Buddhism Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) Mahayana Buddhist philosophy explains the nature of reality as emptiness, which means that the nature of reality is beyond (and thus empty of) words, concepts and characteristics. Mahayana Buddhism also regards compassion as the primary motivation for ethics. This course focuses on the metaphysical theories of two schools of Mahayana Buddhist philosophy: Chinese/Japanese Zen Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism. The course examines Zen Buddhist theories of No-Self and the nature of mind that makes sudden enlightenment possible, as well as Tibetan Buddhist theories of interdependent arising and emptiness. This course is applicable to the Asian Studies and Religious Studies majors. CC: HUM, LCC
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PHL 341 - The Contemporary Crisis of Truth Course Units: 1
(Winter; Sommerlatte) A study of 20th century European or American philosophies: phenomenology, existentialism, or analytic philosophy. CC: HUM
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PHL 359 - Postmodernism Course Units: 1
(Cross listed with WGS 359) (Not Offered this Academic Year) Do some groups control the way we use language? Is discourse male-dominated or Euro-centric? Postmodern theories investigate the nature of language, as well as questions concerning power and language: How is power gained and controlled through discourse, the media and other cultural institutions? Postmodern theories have had an impact on contemporary literature, art, and media theory. Readings by Structuralist and Postmodern thinkers, such as Saussure, Barthes, Foucault, Cixous, Irigaray, and Derrida will be discussed. Prerequisite(s): one philosophy course or permission of the instructor. CC: HUM
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PHL 365 - Philosophy of Mind Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) Critical examination of some central issues in the philosophy of mind, including the mind/body problem, the problem of other minds, “intelligent” machines, and animal minds. CC: HUM
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PHL 366 - Epistemology Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) Philosophical examination of problems and issues surrounding our concepts of knowledge, justification, memory, and perception. CC: HUM
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PHL 375 - Biomedical Ethics Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) An introduction to ethical problems in biology and medicine, touching on such issues as reproductive ethics (abortion, cloning), research ethics, the ethics of death and dying (assisted suicide, euthanasia) and similar subjects. CC: HUM
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PHL 408 - New Directions in Philosophy Course Units: 0
(Fall, Winter; Nowakowski) Preparation for biweekly talks by visiting philosophers and development of writing skills. This course extends over two terms. Only one course credit is given. Required of philosophy and interdepartmental majors. During the first term, students sign up for 408; during the second, for 418. Both 408 and 418 may be taken during any year. Because 408 carries no credit, students should register for it in conjunction with three other full-credit courses. Seniors who have not otherwise satisfied their Senior Writing Requirement may do so by taking this course.
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PHL 411 - Writing Philosophy Workshop Course Units: 0
(Fall, Winter; Bergamaschi Ganapini) Two-term workshop on argumentative writing skills. Students will learn how to write philosophy papers. Honors thesis in Philosophy will be written in the course of participating in this workshop. The course will be required of all philosophy majors.
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PHL 412 - Writing Philosophy Workshop Course Units: 1
(Fall, Winter; Bergamaschi Ganapini) Two-term workshop on argumentative writing skills. Students will learn how to write philosophy papers. Honors thesis in Philosophy will be written in the course of participating in this workshop. The course will be required of all philosophy majors. CC: HUM
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PHL 418 - New Directions in Philosophy Course Units: 1
(Fall, Winter; Nowakowski) Preparation for biweekly talks by visiting philosophers and development of writing skills. This course extends over two terms. Only one course credit is given. Required of philosophy and interdepartmental majors. During the first term, students sign up for 408; during the second, for 418. Both 408 and 418 may be taken during any year. Because 408 carries no credit, students should register for it in conjunction with three other full-credit courses. Seniors who have not otherwise satisfied their Senior Writing Requirement may do so by taking this course. CC: HUM
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PHL 442 - Advanced Logic Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) CC: HUM
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PHL 443 - On What There Is Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) An examination of such topics as determinism and free will, causation, time, personal identity, necessity and possibility, objectivity, and God. Prerequisite(s): two philosophy courses or permission of the instructor. CC: HUM
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PHL 444 - Power, Authority, and the State Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) This course concentrates on issues in contemporary political theory. Prerequisite(s): two philosophy courses or permission of the instructor. CC: HUM
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PHL 445 - Topics in Metaphysics Course Units: 1
(Spring; Nowakowski) May be repeated, if topic changes. Prerequisite(s): two philosophy courses or permission of the instructor. CC: HUM
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PHL 446 - Topics in Epistemology Course Units: 1
(Spring; Bergamaschi Ganapini) Spring Topic: Topics in Philosophy Mind. Prerequisite(s): two philosophy courses or permission of the instructor. CC: HUM
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PHL 447 - Topics in Logic Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) May be repeated, if topic changes. Prerequisite(s): PHL 231 or permission of instructor. CC: HUM
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PHL 448 - Topics in Ethics or Value Theory Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) Prerequisite(s): Two PHL-courses or permission of the instructor. CC: HUM Note: Course may be repeated, if topic changes.
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PHL 450 - Topics in the History of Philosophy Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) The topic changes from course to course and is up to the discretion of the instructor. CC: HUM
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PHL 462 - Philosophy of Language Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) An examination of key concepts in the philosophy of language, such as truth, meaning, reference, definite descriptions, names, demonstratives, and propositional attitudes. The fundamental question: How does language connect us to the world? Prerequisite(s): two philosophy courses or permission of the instructor. CC: HUM
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PHL 474 - Advanced Biomedical Ethics Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) An advanced historically based introduction to biomedical ethics. Among the subjects treated will be the relationship between bioethics and traditional medical ethics, the evolution of the discourse, core concepts, models, theories and organizational infrastructure of bioethics, including IRBs and ethics committees. The course is designed to serve as a foundation for graduate work in bioethics and to fulfill the required knowledge competencies recommended by the American Society of Bioethics and Humanities in its 1998 report Core Competencies for Health Care Ethics Consultation. Prerequisite(s): two philosophy courses or permission of the instructor. CC: HUM
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PHL 476 - Philosophy of Law Course Units: 1
(Fall; Zaibert) An advanced course in jurisprudence. Primary topics include: the nature of law and legal reasoning in general; the nature of criminal law, including both the role of excuses in the criminal law and the aims and justification of criminal punishment; and the nature of tort law, including both the relationship between negligence and liability and the relationship between causation and liability. Prerequisite(s): One philosophy course or permission of the instructor. CC: HUM
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PHL 490 - Philosophy Independent Study 1 Course Units: 1
(Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) Selected topics in philosophy. Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.
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PHL 491 - Philosophy Independent Study 2 Course Units: 1
(Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) Selected topics in philosophy. Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.
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PHL 492 - Philosophy Independent Study 3 Course Units: 1
(Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) Selected topics in philosophy. Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.
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PHL 493 - Philosophy Independent Study 4 Course Units: 1
(Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) Selected topics in philosophy. Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.
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PHL 498 - Philosophy Honors Thesis 1 Course Units: 0
(Fall, Winter; Staff) Substantial two-term written project on a specific philosophical topic, under the direction of an advisor, culminating in an honors thesis. Philosophy 498 carries 0 credits. Upon completion of PHL 499 the student receives two course credits. Normally taken in the senior year.
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PHL 499 - Philosophy Honors Thesis 2 Course Units: 1
(Fall, Winter; Staff) Substantial two-term written project on a specific philosophical topic, under the direction of an advisor, culminating in an honors thesis.PHL 498 carries 0 credits. Upon completion of PHL-499 the student receives two course credits. Normally taken in the senior year.
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Physics Physics Courses
Common Curriculum Courses
Courses numbered in the 050’s are designed particularly for non-science majors seeking to satisfy Common Curriculum requirements, and all of these courses carry Common Curriculum credit. They may not be counted toward the major in physics or toward any other science or engineering major, but may count toward an interdepartmental major (see requirements for Physics, B.S.).
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PHY 010 - Physics and Astronomy Seminar Course Units: 0
(Fall, Staff) Discussion of special topics in physics and astronomy relevant to senior research projects and professional development. Attendance at Physics and Astronomy seminars is required. Required for all Physics and Astronomy Majors and co-requisite for PHY 490 (Senior Two-Term Thesis Research) and PHY 493 (Senior Writing Project). Students must pass PHY-010 to receive a passing grade in PHY 490 or PHY 493. Note: Required for all Physics and Astronomy Majors and co-requisite for PHY 490 and PHY 491 (Senior Two-Term Thesis Research) or PHY 493 (One-Term Senior Writing Project). Students must pass PHY-010 to receive a passing grade in PHY 490 or PHY 493.
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PHY 051 - Seeing the Light: Concepts of Vision Course Units: 1
(Same as BIO 051) (Not Offered this Academic Year) An introduction to the biology and physics of vision. Topics include the workings of the eye and brain, the properties of light, and recent advances in the development of robotic vision. Closed to physics and biology majors. No mathematics or science background is required. Corequisite(s): PHY 051L CC: SCLB
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PHY 053 - Physics and Politics Course Units: 1
(Same as HST 253 ) (Not Offered this Academic Year) This class will introduce students to some of the most important developments during the twentieth century in modern physics, the theory of relativity, quantum mechanics, and nuclear physics, set in a comparative context of the capitalist democratic United States, fascist National Socialist Germany, and communist Soviet Union. Along with an explanation of how the science works, this class will examine how the political, social, and ideological context can influence science and scientists. No background in mathematics or physics required. CC: SET
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PHY 054 - Laser Technology and Modern Optics Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) An introduction to lasers and their applications in today’s technological society. The special properties of laser light, various types of lasers and how they function, and laser applications including holography, medical uses of lasers, communications, and spectroscopy. Laboratory provides hands-on experiences with lasers. Not open to physics majors. No background in mathematics or physics required. Corequisite(s): PHY 054L CC: SCLB
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PHY 100 - First-Year Seminar Course Units: 1
(Fall; Staff) Team-taught course introducing physics at Union. Topics covered may include astronomy, astrophysics, atomic and molecular physics, biophysics, computational physics, laser physics, quantum measurement, nuclear and particle physics, solid-state physics, and statistical physics. Prerequisite(s): By invitation. CC: SET
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PHY 110 - Physics for the Life Sciences 1 Course Units: 1
(Fall, Spring; Staff) An introduction to classical mechanics, fluids, and thermodynamics with applications in the life sciences. Students must major in a life science or be admitted by permission of the instructor. Prerequisite(s): MTH 102 or MTH 112 or MTH 113 (may be taken concurrently). Corequisite(s): PHY 110L CC: SCLB Lecture/Lab Hours Three lab hours each week.
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PHY 111 - Physics for the Life Sciences 2 Course Units: 1
(Fall, Winter; Staff) An introduction to electromagnetism, optics, and the structure of matter with applications in the life sciences. Prerequisite(s): PHY 110 or PHY 120 or IMP 112 or IMP 120 . Corequisite(s): PHY 111L Lecture/Lab Hours Three lab hours each week.
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PHY 120 - Matter in Motion Course Units: 1
(Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) Calculus-based introduction to classical mechanics; Newtonian dynamics and energetics of a single particle and of systems of particles. Integrated class and lab meets four times each week. Prerequisite(s): MTH 102 or MTH 112 or MTH 113 (may be taken concurrently). CC: SCLB
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PHY 121 - Principles of Electromagnetics Course Units: 1
(Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) Calculus-based introduction to waves, electro and magneto statics, and electrodynamics through Maxwell’s equations. Integrated class and lab meets four times each week. Prerequisite(s): PHY 120 or IMP 112 or IMP 120 and MTH 102 or MTH 112 or MTH 113 (may be taken concurrently) CC: SCLB
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PHY 122 - Relativity, Quantum, and Their Applications Course Units: 1
(Winter; Staff) Calculus-based introduction to the structure of matter, including quantum effects, particle, nuclear, atomic, molecular, and solid state physics, and applications to materials of interest to engineers and scientists. Prerequisite(s): PHY 121 or IMP 113 or IMP 121 . Corequisite(s): PHY-122L Lecture/Lab Hours Three lab hours each week.
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PHY 123 - Heat and Light Course Units: 1
(Fall; Staff) Calculus-based introduction to thermodynamics, geometric and physical optics, and astrophysics. Integrated class and lab meets four times each week. Prerequisite(s): PHY 121 or IMP 113 or IMP 121 .
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PHY 200 - Molecular Biophysics Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) Selected topics in molecular biophysics including an overview of proteins, nucleic acids, viruses and bacteria, with an emphasis on molecular structure and functioning. Experimental techniques used in modern biophysical research included in the course are various optical spectroscopies and microscopies, as well as hydrodynamic methods (sedimentation, diffusion, viscosity, electrophoresis), NMR, and x-ray diffraction. Prerequisite(s): PHY 111 or PHY 121 or IMP 113 or IMP 121 , and some exposure to biology or permission of the instructor.
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PHY 210 - The Physics of Modern Medicine: Applications in Imaging, Surgery and Therapy Course Units: 1
(Winter; Staff) This course introduces the technologies used in modern medicine and the basic physical principles that underlie them. Topics will include: laser surgery, ultrasound imaging, laparoscopic surgery, diagnostic x-ray imaging, nuclear medicine, computed tomography (CAT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and radiation therapy. Safety issues involved in the use of each technique will be considered in depth, and discussions will include societal implications of the growing use of technology in medicine. Specific medical applications discussed will include (but are not limited to): colon cancer screening, arthroscopic knee surgery, laser eye surgery, dermatological laser surgery, obstetrical ultrasound, cardiovascular ultrasound, mammography, osteoporosis screening, cancer radiation therapy, and applications of PET and MRI brain scans in neuroscience. Prerequisite(s): PHY 111 or PHY 121 or IMP 113 or IMP 121 , or permission of the instructor.
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PHY 220 - Relativity and Introduction to Quantum Mechanics Course Units: 1
(Fall; Staff) A second course in modern physics covering special relativity and an introduction to quantum mechanics. Topics include relativistic kinematics, relativistic dynamics, four-vector notation, relativistic collisions, origins of quantum mechanics, Schrodinger’s equation and the development of wave mechanics, applications of wave mechanics in one and three dimensions (step potential, square well, harmonic oscillator), angular momentum operators, the hydrogen atom, Dirac notation and matrix formulation of linear operators, Dirac Delta function, spin angular momentum, measurement theory, and time-independent perturbation theory. Prerequisite(s): PHY 122 . Lecture/Lab Hours One hour computational lab each week.
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PHY 230 - Intermediate Classical Mechanics Course Units: 1
(Spring; Staff) An analytical treatment of classical mechanics. Topics include motion of a particle in one, two, and three dimensions; planetary motion; collision theory; moving coordinate systems; dynamics of rigid bodies; and the Lagrangian form of the equations of motion. Prerequisite(s): PHY 110 or PHY 120 or IMP 112 or IMP 120 , and MTH 117 Prereq/Corequisite(s): (pre- or co-requisite), or permission of the instructor. Lecture/Lab Hours One hour computational lab each week.
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PHY 270 - Intermediate Electromagnetism Course Units: 1
(Winter; Staff) Electric and magnetic fields and potentials; electric and magnetic properties of matter; Maxwell’s field equations. Prerequisite(s): PHY 121 and MTH 117 or IMP 113 or IMP 121 , or permission of the instructor. Lecture/Lab Hours One hour computational lab each week.
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PHY 295H - Physics Honors Independent Project 1 Course Units: 0
(Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) Topic to be chosen in consultation with a faculty member and the student’s advisor.
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PHY 296H - Physics Honors Independent Project 2 Course Units: 1
(Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) Topic to be chosen in consultation with a faculty member and the student’s advisor.
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PHY 300 - Methods of Modern Experimental Physics Course Units: 1
(Spring; Staff) A laboratory-based course dealing with contemporary techniques in experimental physics. Prerequisite(s): PHY 122 and one physics course at the 200-level or higher, or permission of the instructor. CC: WAC
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PHY 310 - Advanced Topics in Physics 1 Course Units: 1
(Fall; Mann) Course topic for each year to be chosen from the following:
- Computational Physics: A laboratory-based course providing practical tools to solve computational physics problems drawn from a wide range of areas, including classical mechanics, electromagnetism, special relativity, and quantum mechanics. Algorithms include root-finders, integration techniques, Monte Carlo methods, ordinary and partial differential equation solvers, numerical Fourier transforms, minimization tools, and numerical linear algebra algorithms.
- Condensed Matter Physics: An introduction to the microscopic structures and to the electrical and thermal properties of metals, insulators, and semiconductors. Topics include the description of crystal lattices, electrons in a periodic potential, electronic band theory, phonons and their interactions with electrons, cohesive energy of solids, defect states, and superconductivity.
- Modern Physical Optics: Interference, diffraction and polarization of light, interaction of light and matter, classical and quantum description of optics, and lasers. Three-hour lab each week.
- Nuclear/Elementary Particle Physics: An introduction to both nuclear and particle physics covering basic nuclear structure and properties, nuclear models, nuclear decay and radioactivity, nuclear reactions, fission, fusion, accelerators, elementary particle physics, and the quark model.
- Statistical Mechanics: Probability theory, laws of thermodynamics, kinetic theory of gases and the statistical basis of thermodynamics, Bose Einstein and Fermi Dirac distributions, applications to simple fluids, magnetic systems, metals, photons, and superfluid helium.
- Advanced Electromagnetism: Relativistic electrodynamics, electromagnetic radiation and waves.
- Quantum Optics: The study of the interaction of light and matter in systems where the wave nature of matter and the particle nature of light must be taken into account. Topics may include single-photon interference, correlated photons and the EPR paradox, quantum computing, quantum cryptography and quantum teleportation, atom optics and atom interferometry, laser cooling and Bose-Einstein Condensation, and implications of quantum mechanics for nanomaterials and nanodevices.
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Electronics: A laboratory course in basic electronics and instrumentation for science majors. Topics include AC and DC circuits, diodes, rectifiers, transistors, operational amplifiers, binary logic, Boolean algebra, digital circuits, analog-digital conversion, transducers, and computer interfacing. Six hours of lab each week.
Others depending upon student interest. Course open to juniors and seniors only. Enrollment by permission of the instructor.
Note: Fall 2018 topic is: Statistical Mechanics
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PHY 311 - Advanced Topics in Physics 2 Course Units: 1
(Winter; Vineyard) Course topic for each year to be chosen from those listed in Physics 310 depending upon student interest. Course open to juniors and seniors only. Enrollment by permission of the instructor. Note: Winter 2019 topic is Nuclear Physics.
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PHY 312 - Advanced Topics in Physics 3 Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) Course topic for each year to be chosen from those listed in Physics 310 depending upon student interest. Course open to juniors and seniors only. Enrollment by permission of the instructor.
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PHY 350 - Advanced Quantum Mechanics Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) A second course in quantum mechanics with applications to selected problems in atomic, nuclear, and solid state physics. Prerequisite(s): PHY 220 and MTH 117 , or permission of the instructor.
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PHY 490 - Physics Two-Term Senior Thesis 1 Course Units: 0
(Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) The student will normally begin a research project by the fall of the senior year under the supervision of a faculty member; interested students are encouraged to begin research projects earlier in their studies. All students involved in research will meet together once a week with a faculty member who will organize oral reports by the students based on their progress. A written report is required on completion of the project. Note: Completion of PHY 491 earns the total credits.
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PHY 491 - Physics Two-Term Senior Thesis 2 Course Units: 2
(Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) The student will normally begin a research project by the fall of the senior year under the supervision of a faculty member; interested students are encouraged to begin research projects earlier in their studies. All students involved in research will meet together once a week with a faculty member who will organize oral reports by the students based on their progress. A written report is required on completion of the project. Prerequisite(s): PHY 490 CC: WS
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PHY 492 - Physics Senior Thesis 3 Course Units: 1
(Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) The student will normally begin a research project by the fall of the senior year under the supervision of a faculty member; interested students are encouraged to begin research projects earlier in their studies. All students involved in research will meet together once a week with a faculty member who will organize oral reports by the students based on their progress. A written report is required on completion of the project. Prerequisite(s): PHY 491 CC: WS (final term)
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PHY 493 - Physics Senior Writing Project Course Units: 1
(Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) The student will normally begin a research project by the fall of the senior year under the supervision of a faculty member; interested students are encouraged to begin research projects earlier in their studies. All students involved in research will meet together once a week with a faculty member who will organize oral reports by the students based on their progress. A written report is required on completion of the project. Corequisite(s): Fall term students attend PHY 490 Lectures. CC: WS
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PHY 495 - Physics Independent Study 1 Course Units: 1
(Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) Topic to be chosen in consultation with a faculty member and the student’s advisor.
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PHY 496 - Physics Independent Study 2 Course Units: 1
(Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) Topic to be chosen in consultation with a faculty member and the student’s advisor.
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PHY 497 - Physics Independent Study 3 Course Units: 1
(Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) Topic to be chosen in consultation with a faculty member and the student’s advisor.
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PHY 498 - Physics Independent Study 4 Course Units: 1
(Fall, Winter, Spring; Staff) Topic to be chosen in consultation with a faculty member and the student’s advisor.
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Portuguese |
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POR 100 - Basic Portuguese 1 Course Units: 1
(Spring; Garcia) A foundation course in Portuguese, open only to students who have been accepted for the following fall’s term abroad in Brazil. Study of the structure of the language supported by laboratory work, audio-lingual training. CC: HUM
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POR 104T - Portuguese Language Studied Abroad Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) A continuation of Basic Portuguese I. Prerequisite(s): POR 100 . See International Programs.
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POR 200 - Intermediate Portuguese 1 Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) Intermediate Portuguese I is an intensive and accelerated grammar review, and offers vocabulary growth. This course furthers the development of conversation, reading and writing skills based on a variety of cultural text and authentic cultural artifacts. CC: LCCP, HUM
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POR 490 - Portuguese Independent Study Course Units: 1
(Staff) Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.
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Political Science |
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PSC 123 - Topics in Mathematical Political Science Course Units: 1
(Same as MTH 060 ) (Staff) A mathematical treatment (not involving calculus or statistics) of escalation, political power, social choice, and international conflict. No previous study of political science is necessary, but PSC 111 or PSC 112 would be relevant. CC: QMR
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Political Science - Introductory Courses |
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PSC 111 - Introduction to US Politics Course Units: 1
(Fall, Plencner; Winter, Hays; Spring; Plencner) A broad overview of the operation and issues of central concern in the study of U.S. politics. Particular attention is paid to evaluating the U.S. governing system in relation to major theories of political power, such as elitism, pluralism, and populism. In examining these and other broad concepts there is a focus on the foundations, institutions, and linkage mechanisms (political parties, media, etc.) that play a critical role in U.S. politics. Depending on the instructor, topics covered often include: the founding period, U.S. political culture, civil rights and liberties, money and politics, campaigns and elections, the role of mass media, parties and interest groups, politics in the post 9/11 era, and public policies focusing on crime, foreign affairs, the environment, poverty, health care, and war. CC: SOCS
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PSC 112 - Introduction to Global Politics Course Units: 1
(Fall,Winter,Spring; Seigel) An overview of 21st century dynamics that shape national politics in different regional settings, the behavior of states in the world arena, and how global actors impact each other. Depending on the instructor, topics to be explored could include war, terrorism, political economy, historical perspectives, cultural tensions, nation-building and development, imperialism, democracy, balance of power, human rights, emerging institutions, and the world’s ecology. In all sections, attention will be paid to the development of political arguments, the critical use of concepts and theories, and strategies of making judgments about globalization and about the impact of international affairs on domestic politics and vice-versa. CC: SOCS
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PSC 113 - Introduction to Political Thought Course Units: 1
(Fall, Cidam; Winter, Seri; Spring, Marso) This course examines key ideas and concepts, as well as “eternal” questions, in the history of western political thought. We will ask controversial questions such as: What is justice? Can we achieve democracy without eliminating poverty? What are the qualities of a good leader? Should we even have leaders? Can women be philosopher-kings? How does class struggle affect the participation of citizens? What are the qualities of a “good” citizen? These questions have been debated for over 2500 years. The debate continues in this course as we learn what the major thinkers said about these issues. CC: SOCS
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Political Science - Research Methods |
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PSC 220 - Social Data Analysis Course Units: 1
(Same as SOC 201 ) (Winter, Oxley) Introduction to the research process in political science with an emphasis on the analysis of social science data. Focus on the utility of quantitative data and statistical techniques to answer research questions about the political world. Prerequisite(s): Any introductory social science course; a background in math is not necessary. CC: QMR
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PSC 223 - Critical Comparisons in Politics Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) What does a convincing explanation in political science look like? This course will focus on how to make good comparative explanations in political science. We will explore how to do this by studying and applying key concepts, such as culture, social movements, elites, institutions, hegemony, and the state. This course will help prepare students for writing the senior thesis.
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Political Science - Comparative Politics Unless otherwise indicated, prerequisites for the following courses are PSC 111 or PSC 112 or sophomore standing.
200-level courses in comparative politics generally cover political issues that are regionally concentrated (such as Latin America, Europe, China, and the Middle East), or they focus on themes (such as democracy, nationalism, social movements) that are framed at a conceptual level accessible to students from across the college.
300-level courses in comparative politics have a special topics theme (women and politics, the Marxist political tradition, democratization, genocide, and film) and/or a strong methodological component. The course materials are more conceptually and theoretically complex, and involve a more sophisticated set of intellectual problems.
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PSC 201T - Cambodia Study Abroad: Crossing Cultures Course Units: 1
(Winter, Dallas) This class is geared towards deepening students’ understanding of Cambodian history, culture and contemporary society. During Winter term (prior to the beginning of class in Spring term), there are two weeks of instruction designed to give students academic background on political and economic development, and a brief primer on 20th century and contemporary Cambodian history, politics, economy, and society. However, the core of the class is the experience in-country during Spring term. This will consist of classroom study, lectures by in-country experts, excursions to learn and interact with the broader society, and will help students to excel in their internships with local NGOs.
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PSC 213 - Contemporary China: Politics, Economy and Society Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) A survey course on the politics of the People’s Republic of China, with an emphasis on state-society relations. After briefly introducing the Republican and state socialist eras, the heart of the course provides a historical and topical overview of the contemporary political and economic reforms in China. It explores topics in Chinese domestic politics, such as policy-making, center-local relations, inequality, rural transformation, industrialization, village elections, the rule of law and contentious politics, in addition to China’s relationship with the outside world, including its integration into the international economy, the environment, energy and foreign policy. CC: LCC
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PSC 216 - Politics in Africa Course Units: 1
(Fall, Angrist) This course is designed to introduce students to the essential political history and political dynamics of contemporary Sub-Saharan Africa. By the end of the term, students will have developed an understanding of the process through which the states of contemporary Sub-Saharan Africa emerged; the types of political systems that have evolved in these states; ethnicity and ethnic conflict in Africa; inter and intra-state wars on the continent and their impact; the challenges of economic development and securing prosperity for Africa; and gender and politics, religion and politics, and the politics of terrorism in Africa.
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PSC 240 - Comparative Ethnic and Racial Politics Course Units: 1
(Spring; Hislope) An introduction to the trends and patterns of ethnic conflicts in the contemporary world. Issues pertaining to the rise of nations; theories of ethnic mobilization; the attempt to build general, cross-national explanations; and current efforts to solve ethnic conflict. CC: LCC
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PSC 243 - Latin American Politics Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) This course offers a working knowledge of Latin America’s current politics, trends, and challenges. Years after democratization, regular elections are in place, and support for democracy in the region seems widespread. Still, as local traditions infuse the principles of liberal democracy, politics in Latin America reveal unique traits. Exploring the political as an interpretive endeavor, the course’s readings, assignments, and class discussions will help to identify key political institutions, traditions, and cleavages, as well as forms of agency and leadership, both in specific countries and at the regional level. CC: LCC
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PSC 245 - Populisms in Latin America & Beyond Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) Leadership and politics in Latin America are often characterized as populist, but there is widespread disagreement as to what populism is. Claimed by no one, most of the time populism is blamed, disapprovingly, upon leaders and movements connoting demagoguery, manipulative appeals to people’s emotions and disregard for formal institutions and rules. Interestingly, a similar characterization of populism has recently entered politics in countries such as France or the U.S. With a main focus on Latin America, extending the discussion outside the region, this course scrutinizes three different “populist moments,” from the first half of the 20th century to the present. Major figures such as Peron or Vargas; neoliberal reformers from the 1990s, from Fujimori to Menem, and recent Latin American leaders, from Chávez, to Fernandez de Kirchner, plus a few salient cases from outside the region (e.g. Trump, Le Pen) will be examined in the class.
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PSC 247 - Human (In)Security in a Comparative Perspective Course Units: 1
(Not Offered this Academic Year) With a focus on “the daily lives of ordinary people”, the recent tradition of Human Security redefines safety as “freedom from fear and freedom from want.” At the interface of security, development, and Human Rights grounding democratization, Human Security adopts the perspective of the common citizen, calling for collaboration between states and international and grassroots organizations to prevent and eliminate obstacles undermining people’s autonomy, rights, and development. This course aims, first, to provide students with a solid conceptual and applied knowledge of Human Security. Second, by learning about the deep-seated conditions that hinder people’s safety from fear and from want, students will gain a thicker perspective on the structural challenges for peace and democracy around the world through the eyes of the people on the ground.
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