Special Topics Summer 2010 | Continuing Education

Summer 2010: Special Topic Course Descriptions

Undergraduate Courses

BI 199 EA: Special Topic: Microbes Rule!

Summer I
In the course ’Microbes Rule’ you will learn about the role viruses, bacteria and fungi play in infectious disease. We will focus on the interactions between these microorganisms and their plant and animal hosts. Topics will include basic molecular biology of the microorganisms, host cell interactions, means of control, development of resistance, and basic epidemiology.

CJ 340 BL: Special Topic: Leading CJ Organizations/Cases

Summer I
The importance of leadership at every level of the organization is discussed and developed. The issues confronting criminal justice managers require substantial skills and forward thinking. This course introduces students to current and future administrative problems confronting the criminal justice system. The course equips students with the breadth and depth of understanding to assess and manage the opportunities, innovations, and allow for critical thinking and analysis within the criminal justice profession. Several case studies will be used.

CM 410 EA: Special Topic: Imaging Massachusetts A Photographic Exploration

Summer I
Join me, Associate Professor Suzanne Gainer, on a regional photographic expedition of the cities, towns, historical structures, wildlife refuges and open areas of Massachusetts. As a class, will travel to destinations within a 1-hour radius of Worcester where I will offer hands-on, individualized photographic instruction. On alternating classes, we will process film, print, edit and review photographs. In addition, we will study the work of relevant photographers. Each student will be expected to complete a finished body of work to be presented in a final critique on the last day of class. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from each destination, parking and/or public transportation fees. You must have a 35mm or digital SLR camera and may choose to work in either traditional black-and-white process or digital photography.
Prerequisite CM 150: Introduction to Photography or CM 151: Digital Photo or permission of Instructor.

GS 195 EA: Special Topic: Coastal Environmental Issues

Summer I
This course will examine the coastal environment both natural and anthropogenic. It will focus on the fundamental issues related to human interaction and alteration of the coast. The primary focus will be on the costal environments of Massachusetts. The course includes two field trips, one to examine physical coastal processes, the other to the port of Boston.

HI 450 AL: Special Topic: Jewish History I

Summer I
This course constitutes a systematic introduction to the history of the Jewish people from the pre-Biblical times to the Middle Ages. Although in a certain sense this is an "introductory" or "survey" course, it must be realized that at the same time it is also a highly specialized course dealing with the history of a small minority group. This class will try to offer new insights and perspectives on some of the most pressing developments in the Biblical and Medieval and Jewish History, including: 1. The roles of women and men in Jewish society 2. Crusades as instrumental in shaping modern attitudes in Jewish society 3. Europe and the Middle East 4. Early Christianity.

HI 450 EC : Special Topic: Medieval History: Hundred Years War & the War of the Roses

Summer I
This is both an undergraduate and graduate seminar course that will focus on Hundred Years war between England and France (1337-1453) and the War of the Roses (1455-1485) between the contending royal families in England; House of York and House of Lancaster. These two engulfing conflicts were inextricably connected and were instrumental in shaping the two dominant nation states in Western Europe-England and France. These two wars represent the gateway to the Renaissance and birth of Modern Europe.

PH 190 AL: Special Topic: Sports and Philosophy

Summer I
This is an on-line 3-credit introductory course examining ethical and other philosophical issues related to sports, such as the use of steroids and other performance enhancing drugs, cheating, fairness, professional sports salaries, teamwork, violence in sports, gender and race in sports, and other issues that students raise.

SP 191 BL: Special Topic: Spanish for Health Care Providers

Summer I
This course provides unique language skills for students interested in health care delivery. Students will develop speaking/listening skills and cultural awareness through discussions, readings, interviews, oral presentations, and videos. Topics covered include basic medical vocabulary, medical interviewing and treatment, and cultural issues relevant to medical settings. Some grammar points will be reviewed and practiced as needed. This course is ideal for students who understand the basic structures of the language and wish to attain very specific vocabulary.
Prerequisite: 1-2 semesters of college Spanish or equivalent or instructor’s permission.

SP 401 EA: Special Topic: Hispanic Culture Through Film

Summer I
This class will focus on a variety of Hispanic films, with particular emphasis on recent material by contemporary directors. Students will deepen their knowledge of Hispanic cultures via the viewing and discussion of films by renowned directors, such as Pedro Almodòvar and Tomás Gutiérrez Alea. Special emphasis will be placed on issues of identity, sexuality, history, exile, immigration and nationalism in 20th-century Spain, Cuba, and Mexico.

AR 350 PL: Special Topic: Math Art

Summer II
This is an introductory course in which you will learn some basic elements of design and composition building. Your objective will be to manipulate pre-existing design elements in order to produce images according to the parameters set for each design project. The basic elements either were produced, or can easily be produced, using mathematically-based software. No knowledge of mathematics is required.

CJ 340 EP: Special Topic: Juvenile Crime and Punishment.

Summer II
Violent juvenile crime has been on the rise in many metropolitan areas of the United States. How should we, as a society, punish a young person who has committed a crime? In response to the public’s concern with youth violence, legislators and politicians have adopted a ‘get tough’ approach to young offenders by enacting laws that make it easier to try violent juveniles in adult court and prescribe more severe penalties. The objective of this course is to provide a comprehensive understanding of juvenile crime and punishment in America. The student will analyze the underlying punishment philosophies which guide official responses to juvenile crime, and evaluate the effectiveness of contemporary policies that are specifically tailored to the juvenile offender.

CJ 341 PL: Special Topic: Cyber Crime and Identity Theft

Summer II
Cyber crime and identity theft are widespread and growing problems globally. The course explores the theory and practice of the subject and the responses of the criminal justice system. Topics covered will include cyber criminals, computer crime, social and economic impacts of cybercrime, managing and preventing cybercrime, computer crime investigation approaches and jurisdictional issues.

CJ 342 PL: Special Topic: Mental Illness and the CJ System

Summer II
An understanding of mental disorders is of increasing importance for CJ professionals. The course will first review how clinicians define and treat mental disorder. The course will then investigate the criminal justice implications of offenders with mental disorders within policing, courts, and corrections. The effect of mental disorders (such as stress and post traumatic stress disorder) on the functioning of CJ professionals will also be explored.

CM 410 PL: Special Topic: Scriptwriting 2: The Rewriting Process

Summer II
For students already familiar with the fundamental elements of writing a feature film script, this course devotes special attention to character development as well as shaping and refining the story--the all-important building blocks of successful screenplays. In a workshop atmosphere, students progress at their own pace through the process of writing their screenplay from a solid step outline or beat sheet toward completion of a polished presentable draft. Students should already have a step outline, beat sheet or first draft before the first class. Students from CM366 can bring original 30 page scripts for rewrites.

ED 191 EP: Special Topic: The Scopes Monkey Trial: its continuing implications for the classroom

Summer II
This class explores the themes of the creationism/evolution controversy as brought to public scrutiny via the Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925. The historic trial will be reviewed from the perception of the public, the defendant, and the media to determine why it was called "The Trial of the Century." Discussions will center around its far reaching implications to today’s society in politics, classroom curriculum frameworks, and scientific research. Dual-listed with NS-199.

GS 195 PL: Special Topic: Mapping the World Online

Summer II
The science and history of mapping technologies and an examination of physical, environmental and cultural issues through maps.

HI 450 EQ: Special Topic: Teaching History with Film

Summer II
This is both an undergraduate and graduate seminar course that will focus on the study of history through film and media. This course will study the depiction of historical events on film and how they have shaped modern perceptions of history. Attention will be given to how films can depict the era in which they were made through an interpretation of historical events. Some of the key elements studied will be the portrayal of historical eras, world cultural groups, political and economic systems, and social mores.

HI 450 PL: Special Topic: Modern Jewish History

Summer II
This course constitutes a systematic introduction to the history of the Jewish people from the Age of Mercantilism to Late Modernity. Although in a certain sense this is an "introductory" or "survey" course, it must be realized that at the same time it is also a highly specialized course dealing with the history of a small minority group. This class will try to offer new insights and perspectives on some of the most pressing developments in the Medieval and contemporary Jewish History, including: 1. The roles of women and men in Jewish society 2. Europe and the Middle East 3. World Wars’ results 4.The replicating of Nazi anti-Semitism in the Arab world 5.Why the United States and Israel are linked in the minds of anti-Semites.

NS 199 EP: Special Topic: The Scopes Monkey Trial: Its Continuing Implications for Society

Summer II
This class explores the themes of the creationism/evolution controversy as brought to public scrutiny via the Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925. The historic trial will be reviewed from the perception of the public, the defendant, and the media to determine why it was called "The Trial of the Century." Discussions will center on its far reaching implications for today’s society in politics, classroom curriculum frameworks, and scientific research. Dual-listed with ED-191.

PH 190 PL: Special Topic: Philosophy in the Matrix

Summer II
This is an introductory three-credit undergraduate course that explores various philosophical issues raised in the first Matrix film. Readings will include short excerpts from classic philosophic works that the film is based on, as well as a set of recent essays on The Matrix and philosophy. No prior philosophy experience is necessary for the course.

Graduate Courses

BI 980 EA: Special Topic: Marine Mammals

Summer I
This course will introduce you to the evolution, physiological and morphological adaptations, sensory systems, energetic needs, reproductive systems, ecology, and behavior of marine mammals. Additionally, the history of marine mammal exploitation by humans will be covered, as well as contemporary problems in conservation of stocks, strandings, interactions with humans, and the impact of humans (particularly with regard to environmental pollutants) on marine mammals. You will be expected to learn a broad range of topics from taxonomic categorization to social behavior. Students with little background in physiology may need to pursue extra readings to understand how marine mammals have adapted to their water environment. You will also be expected to pursue primary literature on several "issue topics"; these will be part of the overall writing assignments in this course. When this course is completed, you should have gained broad knowledge on marine mammal physiology, evolution, behavior, and ecology. You will also understand methods for solving problems of living in the marine realm and ethical conflicts centering around traditional exploitation of marine mammals for food and the desire for conservation by many peoples.

HI 990 AL: Special Topic: Jewish History I

HI 990 EA: Special Topic: Medieval History: Hundred Years War & the War of the Roses

SP 901 EA: Special Topic: Hispanic Culture Through Film

BI 980 E1: Special Topic: Genes, Brain, and Aggression

Summer II
Individual aggressive behaviors in humans may run the gamut from the nonaggression of pacifists through personal self defense to the extreme violence of serial killers. Warfare may be seen as a form of collective aggression with individuals attacking and sometimes killing those defined as enemies though they would never exhibit similar patterns of behavior in civilian life. Why do humans and other species exhibit such a broad spectrum of responses? This question has perplexed behavioral and biological scientists for many decades. Early research often focused on relatively simple relationships between environmental and biological variables. However, advances in genomics and neurobiology coupled with sophisticated behavioral techniques now allows researchers to study the complex interactions between environment and biology. For example, some studies have identified specific forms of genes that seem to predispose the carrier to adult aggressive behavior if the individual was exposed to an abusive childhood environment. This course will survey these and other recent studies designed to unravel the relationships between genetic, neurobiological, and environmental variables associated with aggression.

ED 971 ES: Special Topic: Technology & Visual Literacy Skills in the Classroom

Summer II
Today’s students are adept at using the technologies as integral living tools. This course will examine the variety of technology media – including, the computer, web, photography, film, TV, and other mass communications – and their applications in the classroom as learning tools. Discussions will center on the genres of technology media appropriate for participants’ grade levels, subject areas, and student population. We will study photographic applications, web research, electronic presentations, and explore webquests and media integration in lesson planning. Visual literacy topics from moving and still images will be investigated as key teaching tools.

ED 971 ET: Special Topic: Teaching Writing

Summer II
This course is designed for teachers of writing in grades 3 - 12, and is particularly designed to give teachers practical course work and lesson plans for the coming year in the fields of writing and writing across the curriculum. The course work covers theories of language, literacy as a social movement, academic discourses, methodologies for teaching writing, and critical literacy and technology. Dr. Wagner draws on 20 years of teaching to present you a clear explanation of compositional structures, approaches to creative research and writing across the curriculum, as well as categories of language study. Feel free to contact with any questions mwagner2@worcester.edu

ED 971 EU: Special Topic: Reading and Learning: Language-Learning Disabilities in School-Age Children

Summer II
This class will focus on language-learning and reading disabilities. We will discuss integration of theories, research, and practice in language and reading development and disorders. Special topics will include: language development beyond the preschool years, emergent literacy, phonological awareness, and reading comprehension. Methods of assessment and remediation will be highlighted.

ED 971 EV: Special Topic: Teaching the Gifted and Talented

Summer II
The course focuses on meeting the educational needs of high ability and gifted students within Massachusetts schools. The model of differentiated instruction will be emphasized, how to identify high ability and gifted students, concrete techniques and useful structures on how to meet their needs are presented in this course. In accordance to the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks, methods to adapt and develop lessons that meet the needs of high ability and gifted students will be discussed.

HE 944 BL: Special Topic: Adolescent Health Issues

Summer II
What makes a healthy adolescent? This is a question that has challenged health practitioners, teachers and parents alike. This course will examine the social, emotional, physical and intellectual needs and assets of adolescents and explore theories and practices that will lead to decreased risks and promote healthy youth development. This service-learning course will engage students in partnership with community organizations or programs that are dedicated to adolescent issues related to empowerment and health. We will explore and develop the skills necessary to be change agents working for the development of healthier adolescents.

HI 990 EP: Special Topic: Teaching History with Film

HI 990 PL: Special Topic: Modern Jewish History

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