Spain

This course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of science & environmental journalism, as well as to a set of theoretical and practical perspectives on science communication, the public perception of science, and scientific literacy. It covers the basic tools used to construct news that relies on the classical values in science communication, such as reliability, fairness, balance, independence, and relevance. Students are expected to have completed coursework on news reporting and interpretative journalism. NOTE: This course is the same as COMM 138E, but taught in Spanish.

This course examines the social, political and cultural history of contemporary Spain. Topics covered include the birth of contemporary Spain, the war of independence, the transition between the old regime, absolutism and liberalism, colonial independence, the formation of the state, restoration, and social economic and political systems. Assessment is based on attendance and participation, midterm, and final exam.

This course examines a broad range of American cultural production (including short stories, essays, journalism, poetry, music, films, theater, and television shows) and historical precursors focused on the issue of economic inequality and the impact these have had on culture. Topics covered include: Hamilton and Jefferson-- two visions of America; the Gilded Age and the industrial jungle; the progressive era; the Great Depression; economics of race in the United States.

This course covers the Baroque period of the 17th century and the Rennaissance through the 20th century. Students examine specific art and architectural masterpieces and are introduced to the social, political, and historical events indirectly responsible for specific artistic manifestations and movements. Topics discussed in class include cubism, surrealism, and informalism, and the works of Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Velazquez, Goya, Gaudí, Picasso, and Dali. Assessment is based on a midterm exam and a final exam.

This course provides an introduction to the principals that govern present and future values of cash-flow streams and the net present values of different real and financial investments. It examines financial market functions and the investment decisions that participating agents face, risk and return linked to asset flows, the different types of derivative assets, and risk management. Other topics include: mathematical financial tools; net present value (NPV); characterization of assets and financial portfolios; capital asset pricing model (CAPM); derivatives.

This course examines a broad range of American cultural production, including short stories, essays, poetry, music, films, theater, television shows, and historical background centered on the figure and trope of the American outlaw. It considers what America's infatuation with the outlaw as a defining national icon suggests in turn about one of the country's defining national virtues: freedom.

This course offers a basic overview of quantum mechanics and how it could impact the meaningfulness of our lives. It discusses how empirical findings in atomic and particle physics also explain how mental intentions can affect body actions. Topics include: waves, particles, and minds; measuring process; quantum neuroscience; physical effectiveness of mental intent; reality and spooky action at a distance; backward-in-time causation; actual past and effective past; the fundamentally mental character of reality.

This course offers an introduction to current social issues in biology. It analyze the biology of humans in a social context and discusses issues such as genetic manipulation, heredity of intelligence, races and racism, and evolutionary processes.