Amherst Course Catalog
AboutBIOL-181L
Adaptation & Organism Lab
Prof. Miller | T 1:05 PM - 4:05 PM | W 2:35 PM - 5:35 PM | Th 8:00 AM - 11:00 AMLab Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: reading of scientific literature; collection, analysis and presentation of scientific data; quantitative problem sets; in-class written examinations; collaborative group work. Lab Science CourseDivisions: Science & Mathematics
BIOL-181
Adaptation and the Organism
Prof. Wallace | Th 2:35 PM - 3:25 PM | MWF 9:00 AM - 9:50 AMAn introduction to the evolution, ecology, and behavior of organisms and how these relate to the diversity of life. Following a discussion of the core components of evolutionary theory, we'll examine how evolutionary processes have shaped morphological, anatomical, physiological, and behavioral adaptations in organisms that solve many of life's problems, ranging from how to find or acquire food and avoid being eaten, to how to attract and locate mates, and how to optimize reproduction throughout a lifetime. We'll relate and compare characteristics of animals, plants, fungi, protists, and bacteria, examining how and why these organisms have arrived at various solutions to life's problems. Laboratory exercises will complement lectures and will involve field experiments on natural selection and laboratory studies of vertebrates, invertebrates and plants. Four classroom hours and three laboratory hours per week. Fall semester: Professors Hood and Wallace; Lab Coordinator Kristensen. Spring semester: Professors Clotfelter and Miller; Lab Coordinator Kristensen. Please note that the same textbook is used for both BIOL 181 and BIOL 191. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: reading of scientific literature; collection, analysis and presentation of scientific data; quantitative problem sets; in-class written examinations; collaborative group work. Lab Science Course; Quantitative ReasoningDivisions: Science & Mathematics
GERM-210
Advanced Composition and Conversation
Prof. Gilpin | M 10:05 AM - 10:55 AM | WF 10:05 AM - 11:20 AMThis class centers on communicating in German: reading, listening, speaking, writing. Over the course of the semester, we will work towards Franz Kafka's classic, Die Verwandlung (The Metamorphosis). Our questions concern not only Kafka's characters and time, but are central in German culture today. Under the heading 'fremde Welten' (foreign/strange worlds), we will explore a variety of genres, images, and media from historical and contemporary sources. Class materials are chosen to solidify students' language competencies, strengthen analysis and discussion, build vocabulary in cultural and literary history, and develop reading and composition strategies at an advanced level. Practice in free composition and analytical writing in German. Exercises in pronunciation and idiomatic conversation. Supplementary work with audio and video materials. Oral reports on selected topics and reading of literary and topical texts. Conducted in German. Two 75-minute meetings per week, plus one 50-minute meeting per week for additional practice with German language assistants. Requisite: GERM 205 or equivalent, based on departmental placement decision. Fall semester: Professor Heidi Gilpin. Spring semester: Professor Heidi Gilpin. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: An emphasis on written work, readings, oral presentations, group work, in-class quizzes or exams, and instruction in languages other than English. Students with documented disabilities who will require accommodations in this course should be in consultation with Accessibility Services and reach out to the professor as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations can be made in a timely manner. Attention to Issues of Class; Attention to Issues of Gender and Sexuality; Attention to Issues of Race; Attention to Issues of Social Justice; Attention to Speaking; Attention to Writing; Languages Other Than EnglishDivisions: Arts; Humanities; Language Other than English
STAT-495
Advanced Data Analysis
Prof. Wagaman | MWF 9:00 AM - 9:50 AMOur world is awash in data. To allow decisions to be made based on evidence, there is a need for statisticians to be able to make sense of the data around us and communicate their findings. In this course, students will be exposed to advanced statistical methods and will undertake the analysis and interpretation of complex and real-world datasets that go beyond textbook problems. Course topics will vary from year to year depending on the instructor and selected case studies. Potential topics include but are not limited to: visualization techniques to summarize and display high dimensional data, advanced topics in design and linear regression, ethics, selected topics in machine learning and data mining, nonparametric analysis, spatial data, and analysis of network data. Students will enhance their capacity to think and compute with data, undertake and assess analyses, and effectively communicate their results. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: quantitative work, problem sets, quizzes or exams, group work, use of computational software, research paper (project), reflection and integration of prior coursework, and oral presentations Quantitative ReasoningDivisions: Science & Mathematics
ECON-361
Advanced Econometrics
Prof. Ishii | TTh 11:35 AM - 12:50 PMThis course studies the specification, estimation, and testing of econometric models based on the maximum likelihood and method of moments principles. It builds from mathematical statistics and utilizes matrix algebra, the rudiments of which will be introduced in the course. The course will also review applications of econometric models to various areas of micro and macroeconomics. A student may not receive credit for both ECON 360 and ECON 361. Requisite: At least a "B" grade in ECON 111/111E or a "B-" grade in ECON 200–290, or equivalent, and MATH 211 or equivalent, and STAT 111 or STAT 135 or equivalent. Limited to 20 students. Fall semester. Professor Ishii. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Quantitative reasoning; regular readings, problem sets, quizzes, and exams. Quantitative ReasoningDivisions: Science & Mathematics; Social Sciences
FREN-207
Advanced French I: Language, Literature, & Culture
Prof. Sweat, Dominick | TTh 10:05 AM - 11:20 AM | MWF 10:05 AM - 10:55 AMThrough classroom discussion and short papers, this course develops students’ abilities to express themselves and to interpret literary texts, films, and other cultural objects from the francophone world. With an emphasis on the promotion of writing skills through the assignment of short papers of increasing length, this course prepares students for the kind of analytical work required for upper-level courses. A review of more complex grammar points will complement the study of literary and cultural material. Highly recommended for students planning to study abroad. Conducted in French. Requisite: FREN 205, or completion of AP French, or four years of secondary school French in a strong program. Fall and Spring Semesters: Professors Dominick. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Instruction in languages other than English; emphasis on written work; textual analysis; readings; oral presentations; group work; in-class quizzes and exams; some visual and aural analysis. Attention to Writing; Languages Other Than EnglishDivisions: Humanities; Language Other than English
FREN-208
Advanced French II: Telling Stories in French
Prof. Katsaros | MWF 9:00 AM - 9:50 AMFrom folktales and plays to comic books and news, this course invites students to engage with different uses and users of the French language across various media in order to examine how stories are told and why. In this course, students reflect on elements such as perspective and audience, contexts and motivations, as well as questions of relevance, adaptation, and endurance in the creation and transmission of particular narratives. With an emphasis on oral expression, the course aims to enrich students’ vocabulary, including idiomatic expressions, and to build their confidence with speaking. While the course does not directly cover grammar, a review of certain points may be offered according to the needs of the class. Conducted in French. Requisite: FREN 205, or completion of AP French, or four years of secondary school French in a strong program. Limited to 16 students. Fall semester: Professor Katsaros. Spring semester: Professor Sweat. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Instruction in languages other than English; readings; oral presentations; group work; visual and aural analysis; creative work. Attention to Speaking; Languages Other Than EnglishDivisions: Humanities; Language Other than English
ECON-331
Advanced Macroeconomics
Prof. Honig | TTh 10:05 AM - 11:20 AMThis course covers similar material to that covered in ECON 330 but is mathematically more rigorous and moves at a more rapid pace. A student may not receive credit for both ECON 330 and ECON 331. Requisite: At least a "B" grade in ECON 111/111E or a "B-" grade in ECON 200–290, or equivalent, and MATH 121 or equivalent, or consent of the instructor. Limited to 20 students. Fall semester. Professor Honig. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Quantitative reasoning, graphical analysis, regular readings and problem sets, in-class exams. Quantitative ReasoningDivisions: Science & Mathematics; Social Sciences
CHEM-320
Advanced Physical and Mechanistic Organic Chemistry
Prof. Loya | MWF 10:05 AM - 10:55 AMIn this interactive course, students will explore the chemical tools and physical principles that can be applied to deduce organic mechanistic pathways. This course expands on topics from both CHEM 221 and 231 to include discussions of reaction stereochemistry and asymmetric reaction outcomes, spectroscopic and theoretical methods to validate proposed mechanisms, and catalysis with an emphasis on basic principles. Projects requiring primary literature review and proposal of novel research in the field of organic chemistry will be a major component of the class. Enrollment limit of 20. Prerequisite: CHEM 231. Fall semester. Professor Loya. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: emphasis on written work, comprehension and analysis of primary academic literature, group work, and independent research Attention to Research; Attention to WritingDivisions: Science & Mathematics
LATI-441
Advanced Readings in Latin Literature I
Prof. Janssen | TTh 2:35 PM - 3:50 PMThe authors read in LATI 441 and 442 vary from year to year. Both 441 and 442 may be repeated for credit, provided that the topic is not the same. In fall 2025, LATI 441 will read Roman comedies of Plautus and/or Terence. Three class hours per week. Seminar course. Requisite: LATI 215 or 316 or equivalent. Fall semester. Visiting Assistant Professor Janssen. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Translation and analysis of Latin texts; skills in interpretation; consideration of cultural context(s); written and spoken communication Attention to Research; Attention to Speaking; Attention to Writing; Languages Other Than EnglishDivisions: Humanities; Language Other than English
SPAN-202
Advanced Spanish Language and Culture
Prof. Piazza | MW 10:05 AM - 11:20 AM | MW 1:05 PM - 2:20 PM | F 9:00 AM - 9:50 AM | F 10:05 AM - 10:55 AMSPAN 202 is the final course of the four-semester sequence in the Spanish Language Program. It is designed for students who a) have successfully completed SPAN 201, b) who have placed into the course via the Spanish Department placement exam, or c) who have scored a 4 on the AP Spanish Language exam. The course develops students’ ability to interact in culturally appropriate ways with native speakers of Spanish, negotiate situations that require problem solving, and exchange detailed descriptions, comparisons, and interpretations about authentic materials from the Spanish-speaking world. The course will use authentic texts from a variety of media, including film, literature, visual arts, music, and web-based texts. The course includes an online conversation partner program so students can practice their language skills with Spanish speakers around the world. By the end of the semester, students can expect to have reached the Advanced Low level of the ACTFL scale, and be ready to proceed to SPAN 301 (Introduction to Literary and Cultural Studies), or to an immersive study abroad experience in any of Amherst College’s pre-approved programs in the Spanish-speaking world. The course consists of two 80-minute sessions per week with the lecturer and one 50-minute session with the language assistant. This course may be counted toward the Spanish Major. The class will be conducted entirely in Spanish. Requisite: SPAN 201 or Spanish Placement Exam. Fall Semester: Lecturer Piazza and assistants. Spring Semester: Lecturer Narváez-Burbano, Lecturer Piazza and assistants. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Oral presentations, written essays, in-class quizzes or exams, online conversations with native speakers, group work and projects, instruction in Spanish, emphasis on writing, reading, speaking, and listening in Spanish. Attention to Speaking; Attention to Writing; Languages Other Than EnglishDivisions: Humanities; Language Other than English
RUSS-401
Advanced Studies in Russian Literature and Culture I
Prof. Babyonyshev | M 5:05 PM - 6:20 PM | Th 4:05 PM - 5:20 PMThe topic changes every year. Taught entirely in Russian. Two class meetings per week. Fall semester. Senior Lecturer Babyonyshev. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Readings and instruction in languages other than English Attention to Speaking; Attention to Writing; Languages Other Than EnglishDivisions: Humanities; Language Other than English
EDST-470
Advanced Writing and Research in Education Studies
Prof. McLeod | M 1:05 PM - 3:50 PMThis course is designed for Education Studies majors (and prospective Education Studies majors) working on theses and other intensive research projects that examine the history, purpose, politics, and consequences of education. The course is intended to provide guidance and scholarly community for majors as they complete the requirement to produce a significant research project. Research may take a variety of forms, including but not limited to writing and research associated with a community-based project in an educational setting. Students will engage in the pre-writing, drafting, and revision of writing associated with an advanced research project in the field of Education Studies. Beyond writing skills, the course will (a) teach students how to identify, examine, and integrate primary and secondary research materials; (b) review protocols for ethical research; (c) when appropriate, connect students with community research sites; and (d) workshop students' work in progress. Students will engage in several research and writing exercises throughout the semester, submit a significant research paper at the end of the semester, and participate in a “works in progress” presentation for the Education Studies community. Requisite: one Education Studies course and one research methods course. Limited to 15 students. Fall semester. Professor McLeod IV. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Emphasis on written work, readings, independent research, oral presentations, group work. Attention to Research; Attention to Speaking; Attention to Writing; Community-based LearningDivisions: Humanities
EDST-286 BLST-286 HIST-286
AfAm Hist from Slave Trade to Recon
Prof. Moss | TTh 1:05 PM - 2:20 PMThis course traverses African American history from the beginnings of the transatlantic slave trade through the close of the American Civil War. Focusing on the Black freedom struggle, we will explore questions including: What are the origins of American slavery and how and why did it expand in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries? What did “Africa” mean to Black Americans and how did differing ideas about Black nationalism contribute to the struggle for citizenship and abolition? What political, economic, and day-to-day actions did African Americans take to secure liberation, promote abolition, and to lay claim to civic inclusion? What role did access to literacy play in slaveholders’ efforts to perpetuate slavery and racial oppression? How did African Americans utilize education and schooling to promote liberation; to lay claim to citizenship; and to agitate against slavery and civic exclusion? And what did “freedom” mean both to enslaved Black Americans and to Black Americans who lived their lives in a nation founded on racial oppression? Readings will consist of primary sources, including the writings of early Black Americans; and scholarly and historical explorations of African American history during this period. Assignments will expose students to research in early African American history and to analyzing and interpreting key historical questions and debates. Limited to 25 students. Fall semester. Professor Moss. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Readings include historical monographs, slave narratives by men and women, and one work of fiction. Attention to Issues of Class; Attention to Issues of Race; Attention to Issues of Social Justice; Attention to WritingDivisions: Arts; Humanities; Social Sciences BLST: United StatesEDST: Schools, Society and PolicyHIST: Pre-1800; Social Justice, Rights, and Inequality; United States
BLST-208 HIST-211
African Migrations and Globalization
Prof. Vaughan | TTh 1:05 PM - 2:20 PMAs the crisis of the postcolonial nation-state deepens in the context of globalization and statism in African countries especially in the last three decades, African societies have experienced significant migration of skilled and unskilled workers. These migration flows are raising new questions about the nature of politics, economics, and culture in various African national and transnational contexts. To explore the political, social, and economic consequences of these waves of migration in African states and among countries receiving African migrants, this course will examine the following topics at the core of the transformation of African states in the global age: colonialism and the construction of modern African states; globalization and political legitimacy in postcolonial African states; globalization and African labor migration; globalization and African popular culture; globalization and Africa's new religious movements; globalization and Africa's refugee crisis; Africa and globalization of the media; Africa and the global discourse on gender and sexuality; Africa and the global discourse on AIDS/HIV; Africa and the globalization of football (soccer). Course readings will focus not only on the impact of globalization and state crisis on African societies, but also on how emerging national and transnational African populations are shaping the processes of globalization. Fall semester. Limited to 25 students. Professor Vaughan. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Written work and oral presentations. Attention to Issues of Class; Attention to Issues of Gender and Sexuality; Attention to Speaking; Attention to WritingDivisions: Arts; Humanities; Social Sciences BLST: Africa; Africa and its DiasporaHIST: Africa and the Diaspora
COSC-311
Algorithms
Prof. Rager | MWF 1:30 PM - 2:20 PMThis course addresses the design and analysis of computer algorithms. Topics include: set algorithms such as sorting and searching, graph algorithms, string algorithms, and matrix algorithms. Algorithm design paradigms, including the divide-and-conquer, dynamic programming, and greedy paradigms, will be emphasized. The course will end with a discussion of the theory of NP-completeness and its implications. Requisite: COSC 112 and COSC 211. Admission with consent of the instructor. Fall semester: Professor Rager. Spring semester: Professor Kryven. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Quantitative work. Divisions: Science & Mathematics
AMST-210
American Jewish Keywords
Prof. TBA | TBDExplore American Jewish identity through key terms and community engagement.
ECON-111
An Introduction to Economics
Prof. Ishii, Nguyen, Kingston, Guzman | TTh 10:05 AM - 11:20 AM | MTWTh 1:05 PM - 2:20 PM | MTWTh 2:35 PM - 3:50 PM | MW 8:35 AM - 9:50 AMAn introduction to the core ideas economists use to understand the U.S. and world economy. Every day, people use their time, talent and energy to produce, sell, buy and consume a bewildering variety of goods and services. How are all these activities organized and connected? How do societies decide what gets produced now, and how much to invest for the future? Why do some people, and some groups, earn more than others, and how can the economy be made more equitable? Why are some countries so much richer than others, and what might poor countries do to ‘catch up’? What effect does international trade have on workers, consumers, and firms, both in the U.S. and overseas? What can be done to mitigate the harmful effects of economic activity on the natural environment? What role does government play in organizing economic activity? Economics is the study of these and many other related questions. We study both microeconomics, which looks at the role of consumers, markets, firms, and governments in determining how our society allocates its scarce resources; and macroeconomics, which addresses the economy as a whole, especially issues related to output, unemployment, productivity, and inflation. Requisite for all other courses in Economics. Two 75-minute and one 50-minute lecture/discussion per week. Fall and spring semesters. The Department. Fall: Limited to 25 students per section Spring: Limited to 25 students per section Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Quantitative reasoning; modes of learning and assessment include readings, lectures, problem sets, in-class quizzes, exams, short paper, graphical analysis, group discussion. Quantitative ReasoningDivisions: Science & Mathematics; Social Sciences
LATI-111
An Introduction to Latin Language and Literature
Prof. Hansen | MWF 9:00 AM - 9:50 AMThis course prepares students to read classical Latin. No prior knowledge of Latin is required. Three class hours per week. Fall semester. Visiting Lecturer Hansen. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Translation, memorization, quizzes and exams. Languages Other Than EnglishDivisions: Humanities; Language Other than English
SOCI-269
An Introduction to Quantitative Sociology: Culture and Power
Prof. TBA | TBDLearn R/Python for quantitative sociology, analyzing culture and power with a focus on inequality.
PHIL-217
Ancient Greek Philosophy
Prof. Gentzler | MW 11:35 AM - 12:50 PMMany contemporary European and American philosophers trace their intellectual heritage to Ancient Greece. Plato and Aristotle, in particular, have traditionally set standards for our discipline, by distinguishing philosophy from other practices such as poetry, drama, and sophistry. In this class, we will examine and critically assess the views of those whom Plato and Aristotle deemed to be philosophers. We will also examine and critically assess Plato’s and Aristotle’s views about the nature of philosophy and its superiority to other approaches to addressing fundamental questions about the nature of the universe and our place within it. Limited to 25 students with 10 spots reserved for first-year students. Fall semester. Professor Jyl Gentzler. (H) Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Emphasis on written work, readings, and group work. Attention to WritingDivisions: Humanities PHIL: Historical
ANTH-117
Anthropological Perspectives on Building a Better World
Prof. Fong | MWF 8:00 AM - 8:50 AMUnderstand how anthropology analyzes transformative policies and their consequences for a better world.
ANTH-201
Anthropology and Science Fiction
Prof. Fong | MWF 9:00 AM - 9:50 AMExplore how anthropology illuminates science fiction's worlds and inspires new ones.
ANTH-378
Anthropology of Toxicity: Environment, Exposure and Inequality
Prof. Nguyen | Th 1:05 PM - 3:45 PMExamine how toxins shape our world, focusing on exposure, inequality, and our understanding of harm.
NEUR-317 PSYC-317
Appetite
Prof. Baird | M 2:35 PM - 5:00 PM | F 1:05 PM - 3:25 PMAlthough the ingestive act per se is clear and simple, understanding the multifarious influences that are distilled into the decision at any given moment to eat, or not to eat, remains a ponderous challenge for scientists. The obesity epidemic of the last several decades continues to spread across the globe, leading to a rise in metabolic diseases and more pressing need than ever to understand the neurobiological controls of eating and body weight. Through a broad survey of neurobiological research literature, we will explore how various neurobiological systems and behavioral processes influence eating and body weight, including metabolism, neural mechanisms of hunger and satiety, metabolic disorders, dieting, pica, failure to thrive, starvation, taste preference and aversion, obesity, anxiety and depression, food taboos, and all eating disorders. Strong emphasis will be placed on biological mechanisms and controlled laboratory research with both human and animal subjects. Requisite: PSYC212 or NEUR 213. Limited to 20 students. Open to juniors and seniors. Fall semester. Professor Baird. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Emphasis on reading primary literature, oral presentation, and writing skills. Attention to ResearchDivisions: Science & Mathematics
ARCH-202 ARHA-202
Architectural Anthropology
Prof. Arboleda | MW 2:35 PM - 3:50 PMWhy some people in the world build circular houses, while others build square-shaped ones? Why some people used to perform human sacrifices when building a new home? How does the floor plan of an Amazonian traditional house represent motherhood? On the other hand, what could be the problems of being fascinated only by the exotic aspects of traditional architecture? What happens when Euro-American architects travel to rural areas in Africa and other continents to build mud houses for traditional people who might now prefer to live in cement houses? These are some of the themes that we explore in Architectural Anthropology. This course is about a type of architecture that, until a couple of decades ago, was excluded from mainstream architectural history books. Rather than studying palaces in, for example, Rome or Paris, we focus on humble constructions in places like Iquitos or Port Moresby. We explore architectural anthropology as an emerging field that connects the main concerns of architecture (buildings), and anthropology (people). We study the motivations, history, methods, ethics, and challenges of this field. Recommended prior coursework: The course is open to everyone; previous instruction in architectural studies, area or ethnic studies, or social studies can be beneficial but is not mandatory. Limited to 20 students. Fall semester. Professor Gabriel Arboleda. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Attendance to class, doing the assigned readings, participating in class discussions, and timely submitting all the assignments. Attention to Issues of Class; Attention to Issues of Race; Attention to Research; Attention to WritingDivisions: Arts; Humanities; Social Sciences
LJST-253
Arendt's Judgments
Prof. Sitze | TTh 8:35 AM - 9:50 AMFearlessly independent, tenaciously unclassifiable, frequently controversial, and always thought-provoking, Hannah Arendt (1906-1975) is without question one of the greatest thinkers of the twentieth century. Setting aside the conventional interpretation of Arendt as a political theorist, this course will focus on Arendt’s contributions to the study of law, with special attention to Arendt’s unusual inquiries into human rights, international criminal law, constitutional law, and civil disobedience. By carefully reading select writings by Arendt alongside key events in twentieth century history, we shall trace in Arendt’s texts a relation between thought, crisis, and judgment that is often occluded by the dominant reception of her thought. Along the way, we shall ask how Arendt arrived at her various judgments, what it means for thought to relate to law and to the world, and why judgment might offer a way to respond to, and live through, the crises of one’s present. Limited to 30 students. Fall semester. Professor Sitze. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: (a) emphasis on written work, and (b) emphasis on heavy readings. Attention to Issues of Race; Attention to Issues of Social Justice; Attention to WritingDivisions: Humanities; Social Sciences
ARHA-289
Art and Technology since 1960
Prof. Vicario | TTh 1:05 PM - 2:20 PMThe English word “technology” derives from the Ancient Greek term “techne” meaning skill or art, the latter deriving from the Latin “artem.” Understanding artmaking as a separate sphere isolated from a broader field of technical activity is a relatively recent development. Keeping this in mind, what would it mean to think about the histories of art and technology since 1960 in a unified manner? This course will attempt such a synthesis from a range of perspectives. From looking at how artists have incorporated new technologies to considering their work itself as a form of technology, we will analyze art’s intersections with television, teletype machines, video, the Internet, VR, AR, and AI, among other novelties. How have artists at times embraced and at times withdrawn from technical innovation? Should artists be cutting-edge or promote other ways of relating to objects and to one another? Limited to 25 students. Fall 2025: Associate Professor Vicario. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: An emphasis on written work, readings, independent research, oral presentations, visual analysis. Attention to Research; Attention to Speaking; Attention to WritingDivisions: Arts ARHA: History of Art - Contemporary Art; History of Art - Research Paper
ARHA-432 CLAS-432
Art and/in the Literature of Greco-Roman Sicily
Prof. TBA | TBDSicily holds a special place in the ancient Mediterranean world, geographically and culturally. It’s location as a stopover point in the Western Mediterranean made it into a site of fierce colonization by Greeks, Carthaginians, and eventually Romans, demonstrating along the way the complexities of cultural interactions among these rival groups. Rome in essence learned to become an empire there, in and after the First Punic War (264-241 BCE). Sicily would become a crucial source of grain as the empire grew and was, already under Greek rule, a place of immense wealth and the luxury that went with it, especially the cultured luxury of the Greek material world (architecture, statuary, painting, pottery, among other things). This course focuses on Sicily as a site of intense cultural flourishing under Greeks and Romans, with a particular emphasis on the material culture of the island and the interconnections of its literary and artistic legacies. This is a research-oriented seminar, intended for students wanting to learn the craft of research, whether for their academic work generally or in preparation for writing an honors thesis. Students will develop several research skills: planning and time management for research projects, the production of annotated bibliographies, the use of standard academic resources (handbooks, journal databases, other online resources), the analysis of and writing about texts and objects, and the crafting of original research ideas. The class builds up to the writing of a research paper as the final project and also addresses writing an abstract and delivering a professional talk about one’s research. Three class hours per week, plus participation in one day-long writing retreat. Limited to twenty students. Fall semester. Professor van den Berg. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Reading, visual analysis, field trips, written work, research skills, oral presentations, group work, group discussion, and class participation. Attention to Issues of Class; Attention to Issues of Gender and Sexuality; Attention to Issues of Race; Attention to Research; Attention to Speaking; Attention to Writing; Transnational or World Cultures Taught in EnglishDivisions: Humanities CLAS: Greek Civilization; Roman Civilization
ARHA-260 LLAS-260
Art in and out of Latin America
Prof. Vicario | MW 11:35 AM - 12:50 PM. This course explores the movement of art both in and out of Latin America in the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. This includes the forging of a mural movement in Mexico, the cosmopolitan travels of artists to Europe, the export of art to the United States, and the transnational circulation of art and ideas across national contexts within Latin America. In the process, we will explore the sometimes conflicting and sometimes hybrid desires to create local aesthetics in particular places (sometimes drawing on the pre-Columbian past and Indigenous present) and to participate in international, sometimes transcontinental artistic movements and debates. We will also consider the category “Latin American art” as it developed over the course of the twentieth century and how it has both intersected with and stood apart from developments in art elsewhere. A core concern of the class will be the examination of how culture develops in relation to both political and economic shifts in the region and in the world beyond, including in relation to imperialism, the spread of capitalism, the Cold War, Communism, modernization, dictatorship, and globalization. Limited to 25 people. Fall 2025: Associate Professor Vicario. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: emphasis on written work, readings, independent research, oral presentations, visual analysis Attention to Issues of Race; Attention to Research; Attention to Speaking; Attention to Writing; Transnational or World Cultures Taught in EnglishDivisions: Arts; Humanities ARHA: History of Art - Americas/Europe; History of Art - Contemporary Art; History of Art - Global Content
ENGL-117 EUST-117
Arthurian Literature
Prof. Nelson | TTh 10:05 AM - 11:20 AM[Before 1800] Knights, monsters, quests, and true love: these are the things we associate with King Arthur and tales of his court. Why has Arthurian literature proved so enchanting to centuries of poets, novelists, and recently, filmmakers? In this introductory English course, we will read and watch Arthurian legends from Chaucer to Monty Python, examining the ways in which they have been represented in different eras. Beginning with the historical foundations of the King Arthur legend, we will examine how it blossomed and took form in later eras. Our focus will be on close literary and visual analysis of British, American, and French (in translation) versions of these legends. We will also discuss what cultural forces lie behind the popularity of Arthurian legend in certain eras: later medieval England and France; the Victorian era; and twentieth-century England and America. There will be frequent writing assignments and presentations, as well as a final creative project. Open to first-year students and sophomores. Limited to 18 students. Fall semester. Professor Nelson. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: TBA Attention to Speaking; Attention to WritingDivisions: Arts; Humanities
PSYC-368
Autobiographical Memory
Prof. Schulkind | MW 1:05 PM - 2:20 PMAutobiographical memory encompasses everything we know about our personal past, from information as mundane as our Social Security number to the most inspirational moments of our lives. This course will begin by evaluating several theoretical frameworks that structure the field. We will consider how personal knowledge influences our sense of self and will examine both the contents of autobiographical memory and the contexts in which it functions, including eyewitness testimony, flashbulb memories, and the false/recovered memory controversy. We will discuss individual differences (gender and age) in autobiographical memory and will also examine the neurobiology of long-term memory and the consequences of damage to the system (i.e., dementia and amnesia). Finally, we will explore how social groups retain memories for important cultural events. Requisite: PSYC 233. Limited to 15 students. Offered Fall semester. Professor Schulkind. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: This course will involve weekly readings of a handful of journal articles and a short weekly written response to the reading assignments. Most of the class will be discussion-oriented, so frequent speaking will be required. Student usually complete a 5-7 page paper during the semester. At the end of the semester, the students normally engage in an in-class that will involve in some group work. This debate will be used as the basis for a final term paper. Divisions: Science & Mathematics
MUSL-172H
Bassoon Performance Instruction
Prof. TBA | TBDThis course provides individual performance instruction in bassoon with a focus on repertoire from the Western classical tradition. Students have weekly lessons with the instructor with an expectation of five hours per week of practice. The course is open to students of any level, beginning to advanced, and it may be repeated. Half Credit. Fall and spring semester. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: artistic work. Artistic PracticeDivisions: Arts
FREN-101
Beginning French I
Prof. Uhden, Professor | MTWThF 9:00 AM - 9:50 AM | MWF 11:35 AM - 12:25 PM | TTh 1:30 PM - 2:20 PM | TTh 10:05 AM - 10:55 AM | TTh 2:35 PM - 3:25 PM | TTh 4:05 PM - 4:55 PMThis course features intensive work on French grammar, with emphasis on the acquisition of basic active skills (speaking, reading, writing and vocabulary building). We will be using the multimedia program, Totem, which employs only authentic French, allowing students to use the language colloquially and creatively in a short amount of time. Three hours a week for explanation and demonstration, plus small sections with French assistants. This course prepares students for FREN 103. For students without previous training in French. Fall and Spring Semesters: Senior Lecturer Uhden and Assistants. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Instruction in languages other than English; speaking, reading, writing, and aural comprehension in languages other than English; group work; some visual and aural analysis; in-class quizzes and exams; oral presentations; discussion sections. Languages Other Than EnglishDivisions: Humanities; Language Other than English
FREN-103
Beginning French II
Prof. Uhden, Professor | MWThF 10:05 AM - 10:55 AM | Th 9:00 AM - 9:50 AM | Th 1:30 PM - 2:20 PMIntensive review and coverage of all basic French grammar points with emphasis on the understanding of structural and functional aspects of the language and acquisition of the basic active skills (speaking, reading, writing and systematic vocabulary building). We will be using the multimedia program, Imaginez. Three hours a week for explanation and demonstration, plus small sections with French assistants. This course prepares students for FREN 205. Requisite: FREN 101 or two years of secondary school French. Fall and Spring semesters: Senior Lecturer Uhden and Assistants. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Instruction in languages other than English; speaking, reading, writing, and aural comprehension in languages other than English; group work; some visual and aural analysis; in-class quizzes and exams; oral presentations; discussion sections. Languages Other Than EnglishDivisions: Humanities; Language Other than English
RELI-166
Beginning the Bible
Prof. Niditch | MWF 10:05 AM - 10:55 AMFamiliarity with the Bible is essential to any liberal arts education. This course is the place to begin. A master-work of great complexity revealing many voices and many periods, the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament is a collection of traditional literature of various genres including prose and poetry, law, narrative, ritual texts, sayings, and other forms. We seek to understand the varying ways Israelites understood and defined themselves in relation to their ancestors, their ancient Near Eastern neighbors, and their God. Fall Semester. Professor Niditch. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Course assignments are a series of interpretive essays in which students become accustomed to close work with biblical texts, employing methodological approaches introduced throughout the semester. Attention to Issues of Gender and Sexuality; Attention to Issues of Social Justice; Attention to Speaking; Attention to Writing; Transnational or World Cultures Taught in EnglishDivisions: Humanities
RUSS-124
Beyond the "Golden Age": Russian Literature of the Nineteenth Century
Prof. Donohoe | TTh 2:35 PM - 3:50 PMOften referred to as the "Golden Age," the nineteenth-century of Russian literature boasts some of the most famous and influential works of world literature. The poems, novels, and dramas pose important questions about imperialism, gender, class, and social organization that still inform our modern conversations on the topics. Such authors as Alexander Pushkin, Nikolai Gogol, Leo Tolstoy, Evgeniia Tur, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Anton Chekhov offer works that are profoundly thought provoking and also incredibly enjoyable reads. This course will survey some of the major works of this period and tradition, presenting the texts within their sociocultural and political contexts. We will also consider other modes of artistic creation that flourished in this era, such as ballet and opera. While this course presents canonical works of the nineteenth century, students will also gain exposure to texts that push back against dominant narratives about the long nineteenth century. No knowledge of Russian or Russian literature is needed for this course. All works will be read in English translation, with additional optional sessions for students wishing to read all or some of the texts in the original Russian. Fall 2025. Visiting Assistant Professor Donohoe. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Emphasis on written work, readings, independent research, oral presentations, visual analysis. Attention to Issues of Class; Attention to Issues of Gender and Sexuality; Attention to Writing; Transnational or World Cultures Taught in EnglishDivisions: Humanities; Language Other than English
BCBP-331 BIOL-331 CHEM-331
Biochemistry with Lab
Prof. Orr | MWF 11:35 AM - 12:25 PM | Th 9:00 AM - 9:50 AM | Th 10:05 AM - 10:55 AM | TWTh 1:05 PM - 5:05 PMStructure and function of biologically important molecules and their role(s) in life processes. Protein conformation, enzymatic mechanisms and selected metabolic pathways will be analyzed. Additional topics may include: nucleic acid conformation, DNA/protein interactions, signal transduction and transport phenomena. Four classroom hours and four hours of laboratory work per week. Offered jointly by the Departments of Biology and Chemistry. A student may not receive credit for both CHEM/BIOL 330 and BCBP/BIOL/CHEM 331. BCBP/BIOL/CHEM 331 is a requirement for the biochemistry track of the BCBP major, so prospective BCBP majors should not enroll in CHEM/BIOL 330 if they are considering the biochemistry track of the major. Requisite: CHEM 231 and BIOL 191; or consent of the instructor. (CHEM 231 may be taken either as a prerequisite or as a co-requisite.) Limited to 30 students. Fall semester. Professors Marcus, Wu Orr, and Lecturer Tashjian. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: oral presentations, group work, in-class quizzes or exams, quantitative work, lab work, visual analysis, reading primary literature Lab Science Course; Quantitative ReasoningDivisions: Science & Mathematics
BCBP-333 PHYS-333
Biophysics with Lab
Prof. Carter | MW 10:05 AM - 11:20 AM | Th 1:05 PM - 4:05 PMIn this course, we will apply physics to biological systems to understand how physical properties govern life. The focus will be on studying the diffusion, folding, dynamics, and force generation of biological molecules. Additional topics may include biased random walks, chemotaxis, molecular motors, ion channels, membrane dynamics, microscopy, polymer physics, bioenergetics, photosynthesis, and rheology. Three classroom hours and three hours of laboratory work per week. Requisite: Either PHYS 230 or PHYS 116/123 and CHEM 161/165 and BIOL 191; or consent of the instructor. Limited to 12 students due to lab space. Fall semester. Professor Carter. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: oral presentations, group work, in-class quizzes or exams, quantitative work, lab work, visual analysis, reading primary literature Lab Science Course; Quantitative ReasoningDivisions: Science & Mathematics
ENGL-420 THDA-420
BIPOC Shakespeares: Centering Black, Indigenous, and Latinx “Takeovers”
Prof. Bosman | MW 1:05 PM - 2:20 PM(Before 1800) Interpretations of William Shakespeare’s plays often align with and reinforce hegemonic conceptions of whiteness. Yet for over two centuries that alignment has been contested by theatre artists from the Black diaspora, from Native or Indigenous nations, and from the diverse communities of latinidad. This course centers what one First Nations playwright calls BIPOC “takeovers” of Shakespeare’s work. We will ask how these creative adaptations and translations engage histories of racial, cultural, and linguistic violence and loss, and how they weave new stories and experiences of resistance and healing. Topics to be explored include the utility of colonial texts for decolonial futures; the relation of land, language, and literature; the transformation of Euro-American theatre through non-Western artistic practice and ceremony; and the recent development of anti-racist initiatives that challenge and reinvent the study, staging, and teaching of Shakespeare’s plays. Scholars and creatives leading these past and future projects will join us in conversation, which will guide independent research and shape each student’s culminating work. Limited to 18 students. Fall semester. Professor Bosman. Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Readings, course blogging, independent research, oral presentations, possible field trips. Attention to Issues of Race; Attention to Research; Attention to Writing; Languages Other Than English; Transnational or World Cultures Taught in EnglishDivisions: Arts; Humanities