Spring 2012 Courses

CORE SEMINARS

How Should We Eat? Thinking, Talking and Writing about Food

PHL 105 0H1: Logic (CRN 12008)

Monday & Wednesday, 9:30 am – 10:45 am, DP 2735, Instructor: Carlos Briones

With

EGL 102 0H1: Composition II (CRN 10908)

Monday & Wednesday, 11:00 am – 12:15 pm, DP 2735, Instructor: Marian Staats

Will the world continue to have enough food for everyone? Can the planet survive if everyone in the world eats meat? How are we impacting the environment with our eating habits? What is the relation between population and sustainability? How should we respond to people living in poverty and hunger? Do nonhuman animals have rights? Join an exciting and lively discussion of these and other related issues! Our learning community examines principles of logic in relation to scholarship in food ethics that addresses these questions and insists that we consider our habits and practices with food through a social justice framework. In addition to practicing the analysis and critical thinking essential to sound argumentation, we will also focus on developing strong communication and research writing skills by responding to a rich variety of contemporary perspectives from journalism, literature and popular film.

These courses have IAI certification, fulfill general education requirements, and are transferable to other colleges and universities.

Carlos Briones holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from University of Illinois at Chicago.

Marian Staats holds a Ph.D. in English from Loyola University in Chicago. 

SPE 103 0H1: Effective Speech (CRN 11163)

Tuesday & Thursday, 9:30 am – 10:45 am, DP 2735, Instructor: Kathleen Carot

With

SSC 101 0H1: The Individual in Modern Society (CRN 12007)

Tuesday & Thursday, 11:00 am – 12:15 pm, DP 2735, Instructor: Richard Stacewicz

In this learning community students will be asked to explore and reflect upon various components that establish personal identity and opportunity within a societal framework:  Race, Economic Status, Abilities and Disabilities, with a special emphasis on Gender Identity.

In the social science portion, students will engage in an interdisciplinary examination of a number of social science theories that seek to explain the roots of our focus on individualism and meritocracy in the United States. We will explore how these concepts intersect with issues of race, class and gender as well has how these markers of identity intersect with each other in the formation of identity and opportunity in America. In the speech portion, students will be required to complete various types of presentations which draw from, and further research, the social science content of the course.  Special emphasis will be placed on current research and theoretical approaches to gender communication, in order to think critically about how gender impacts all aspects of culture and society, including education, media and politics.  The Seminar will culminate in the presentation of public symposium organized by the students.

These courses have IAI certification, fulfill general education requirements, and are transferable to other colleges and universities.

Kathleen Carot holds an M.A. in Theater Arts from Roosevelt University and is coordinator of the Women’s and Gender Studies Program at Oakton Community College.

Richard Stacewicz holds a Ph.D. in History from University of Illinois at Chicago

 

Honors Classes

ENGLISH

EGL 201 0H1: Introduction to Creative Writing (CRN 11657)

Thursday, 12:30 pm - 3:35 pm, DP 2137, Instructor: Sylvia Stacey

Become a working writer. Share your work. Read stories and poems by contemporary writers. Analyze. Examine. Satisfy your creative impulse.

Sylvia Stacey holds an M.A. in English from Loyola University in Chicago.

HISTORY

HIS 140 H50 (Co-listed with HIS 140 050): History Of Contemporary Non-Western Civilizations (CRN 12111)

Wednesday, 6:00 pm – 8:50 pm; DP 2814; Instructor: Erick Mann

Explore the fascinating world of contemporary (post-1945) non-western civilization through a series of case studies drawn from Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.  This highly interactive course focuses on country studies such as (but not limited to) Venezuela, Iran, Cuba, China, Brazil, Mexico, etc. Themes explored in the course include the history of western and non-western relations, globalization, terrorism, the international drug trade, human rights, and he struggle for social justice. Take this course and gain an informed perspective on world events that impact you every day, whether you realize it or not.

This course has IAI certification, fulfills a general education requirement, and is transferable to other colleges and universities.

Erick J. Mann holds a Ph.D. in History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

HUMANITIES/PHILOSOPHY

PHL 205 0H1: World Religions (CRN 12009)

Tuesday & Thursday, 12:30 pm – 1:45 pm; DP 2735; Instructor: Mohamed Mehdi

This course will be conducted as an experiment in collaborative research and learning. Beginning with general themes about religion, we will work as a group to identify particular traditions, topics, historical events, personalities and texts to study. We will begin with the double-sided history of religion, as both a source of oppression, stifling the human spirit, and as a powerful resource and inspiration for human liberation and creativity. Taking these themes to guide us, we will decide together on particular traditions to study more closely. These need not be major religions with long histories, but could also be recent movements, such as Rastafarianism, Baha’i, Mormonism or Scientology. Within these movements as well, we can focus on particular individuals and historical periods, and the same is the case for the major religions we investigate. We can then identify important primary and secondary texts to study, including scriptures and doctrinal texts, but also poetry, music and art. The aim will be to develop an understanding of religious traditions not as unchanging doctrines, or sets of beliefs, but as dynamic phenomena that change over time, are internally diverse, and closely related to political and social realities.

This course has IAI certification, fulfills a general education requirement, and is transferable to other colleges and universities.

Mohamed Mehdi holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from McGill University.

PHL 290 0H1: Topics in Philosophy: Nietzsche (CRN 11135)

Wednesday, 2:00 pm – 4:45 pm, DP 2735, Instructor: Holly Graff

Every spring the Humanities and Philosophy Department offers a student-faculty seminar in which several faculty members from the department sign up as students. A different topic is addressed every spring.  All our past student-faculty seminars have been characterized by lively debate. This offers a unique opportunity for undergraduates to participate in an advanced philosophy seminar. Although this is an advanced class, there are no philosophy prerequisites.

This spring our seminar will explore the works of Friedrich Nietzsche, one of the most important and influential philosophers of the 19th century. Nietzsche fundamentally challenged traditional moral and religious ideas. He also addressed how human beings can create meanings for themselves in a world where these old certainties are gone. In this class we will read several of Nietzsche’s works including Thus Spoke Zarathustra. Unlike most philosophers, Nietzsche is an excellent writer who often uses humor to express his points. It is difficult to imagine a more enjoyable way to spend Wednesday afternoons.

Holly Graff holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from University of Illinois at Chicago.

MATHEMATICS

MAT 131 0H1: Elementary Statistics (CRN 12010)

Tuesday & Thursday, 2:00 pm – 3:50 pm; DP 2735; Instructor: Harlan Goldberg 

Did you ever wonder why a poll of 1100 people accurately reflects the opinions of the whole population? Why is it that as sales of ice cream increases, so does the occurrence of drowning? How does a drug company determine if a particular product is truly more effective (or even if it works at all)? Does your package of M&M’s have the proper color distribution?

The study of descriptive and inferential statistics helps to answer questions like these and aids in the decision making processes affecting all aspects of our lives—from politics to manufacturing as well as from TV programs to effects of tobacco.

Students will learn how to use, apply, and interpret various aspects of statistics, which include frequency distributions, measures of central tendency and variation, elements of probability theory, sampling techniques, and correlation and regression. Problem solving techniques will be emphasized.

Students will be required to use a calculator with statistical functions, such as TI-83 or -84.

Prerequisite: MAT 053 or geometry proficiency, and MAT 120 or MAT 110 or the equivalent with a grade of C or better, or an appropriate score on the Mathematics Assessment Test

This course has IAI certification, fulfills a general education requirement, and is transferable to other colleges and universities.

Harlan Goldberg, M.S., Teaching Mathematics, University of Illinois (C-U), OCC adjunct faculty

SOCIAL SCIENCES

SSC 205 0H1 (Co-listed with SSC 205 001): Latin American Civilization and Culture (CRN 12004)

Tuesday & Thursday, 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm; DP 2814; Instructor: Erick Mann 

Companeros! This course examines the development of revolutionary movements in modern Latin America. Special attention is given to issues related to the impact of globalization on indigenous societies, sustainable development initiatives, and continued plundering of the continent by old and new imperialist powers. Historical and contemporary alternatives (such as radical forms of social democracy and revolutionary armed struggle) are studied as legitimate and necessary means of combating social injustice and exploitation. Our study focuses on countries such as Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, Brazil, Mexico, Guatemala and Nicaragua. We also critically examine the impact of dynamic figures such as Fidel Castro, Ernesto Che Guervara, Hugo Chavez, Evo Morales, Subcomandante Marcos, Salvador Allende, and many others. The course is highly interactive with a strong emphasis on classroom discussion. We will draw extensively from current scholarship, locally-produced films, and documentaries.

Erick J. Mann holds a Ph.D. in History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

BIOLOGY

BIO 240 0H1 (CRN 11082)/CHM 240 0H1 (CRN 10987) Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Research Seminar; Instructors: Michael Carr & Melodie Graber with a Team of Science Faculty.

BIO Lecture, Monday 12:30 pm – 1:45 pm; Lab, Wednesday, 12:30 pm – 3:15 pm, Room 2222

CHM Lecture, Monday 12:30 pm – 1:45 pm; Lab, Wednesday, 12:30 pm – 3:15 pm, Room 2222

Developed by members of the science faculty, this Research Lab experience offers a hands-on approach to learning science while doing science. This is a challenging interdisciplinary course that follows guidelines for inquiry-based learning.

 

AT THE SKOKIE CAMPUS

Single-Section Honors Courses

HIS 225 0H1 (Co-listed with HIS 225 001): History of the Early Islamic Middle East (CRN 12113)

Monday & Wednesday, 11:00 – 12:15, RHC C114, Instructor: George Lungu

What are the historical roots of the “Arab Awakening?” This course explores the early history of the Muslim World from the birth of Islam in the 7^th century to the dawn of the 20^th century. We will concentrate our attention to the Middle East, the “Cradle of Civilization,” and investigate the historical roots of the present-day events. We will develop and employ critical thinking skills in order to evaluate and understand the many political, ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic divisions and their impact on Middle Eastern societies.

George Lungu holds an M.A. in International Relations from the University of Chicago and is co-director of the Honors Program at Oakton Community College. 

PSC 202 0H2 (Co-listed with PSC 202 002): International Relations (CRN: 12112)

Monday & Wednesday, 12:30 – 1:45, RHC C114, Instructor: George Lungu

“May you live in an interesting age!” is a reputedly Chinese proverb and curse that seems to capture the essence of the world today. This course is designed to provide students with a working understanding of the complexities of international politics and its primary objective is to equip them with a basic ability to critically interpret and assess contemporary international events. To achieve these goals, we will base our approach on the notion of “puzzles”–or observations that demand explanations–such as international war, poverty, economic competition and development, as well as the global environment. In our analysis we will be guided by three essential questions that will form the foundation for our evaluative perspective: what are the interests of the actors involved, in what ways do these actors interact, and what rules guide their interactions. In the end we hope to be able to sketch alternative responses to such international puzzles.

This course has IAI certification, fulfills a general education requirement, and is transferable to other colleges and universities.

George Lungu holds an M.A. in International Relations from the University of Chicago and is co-director of the Honors Program at Oakton Community College.