Residential College Courses

Most RC courses are open to LS&A students and may be used to meet distribution requirements.

RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE WAIT LIST PROCEDURES

Residential College students are given priority in all Residential College courses during the pre-registration and registration periods, and from waitlists. RC courses which satisfy specific Residential College graduation requirement are reserved for RC students only (e.g., RC language courses).

Waitlists of Residential College courses are maintained in the Residential College Counseling Office, 134 Tyler, East Quad. When a course fills, students should contact the RC Counseling Office (647-4359) to be placed on a waitlist if one is being maintained.


Core (Division 863)


Written and Verbal Expression

105. Logic and Language. (4). (MSA).
Argument is the focus of this course, both in symbols and in language. We deal with the forms of arguments, the application of them, what makes them valid or invalid, weak or strong. We do this in two concurrent ways: (a) Microcosmically, we examine the structure of arguments, what makes them tick. In the deductive sphere we deal with the relations of truth and validity to develop the logic of propositions, and enter the logic of quantification. In the inductive sphere, we deal with argument by analogy, and causal analysis, and with elementary probability theory. (b) Macrocosmically, we do the analysis of real arguments in controversial contexts, as they are presented in classical and contemporary philosophical writing: ethical arguments (in Plato); political arguments (in J.S. Mill); and legal arguments as they appear in Supreme Court decisions. In all cases both substance and form are grist for our mill. (Cohen)
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Humanities (Division 865)


Arts and Ideas

236/Film Video 236. The Art of the Film. (4). (HU). Lab fee ($45).
The Art of the Film examines the dramatic and psychological effects of the elements and techniques used in film making and television, and some of the salient developments in film's artistic and technological history. This course provides students with the basic tools and methods for film appreciation and study. Students write five two-page exercises, a seven-page analysis of a current movie, and a final exam. A lab fee of $50.00 is assessed to pay for the film rentals. (Cohen)
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Drama

280/English 245/Theatre 211. Introduction to Drama and Theatre. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in RC Hums. 281. (4). (HU).
See Theatre and Drama 211. (Brown)
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Music

250. Chamber Music. (1). (CE). Offered mandatory credit/no credit.
Section 001 - one hour of credit.
Section 002 - one hour of credit (with permission of instructor.) Instrumental: Chamber Orchestra and Small Ensembles.
No audition required. All students who are interested in participating in instrumental ensembles may enroll for one or two hours of credit. The second hour of credit is at the discretion of the instructor. Every student must elect Section 001 for one hour; those students who will fulfill the requirements for two hours of credit MUST also elect Section 002 (with an override from the instructor) for the additional hour of credit. For one hour of credit students must participate in two ensembles; for two credit hours, students must participate in the large ensemble and two smaller ones. Responsibilities include three to four hours of rehearsal time per week per credit hour (i.e., 6-8 hours of practice and rehearsal for 2 credits) and participation in one or more concerts per term, if appropriate. Course may be used to meet the Residential College's Arts Practicum Requirement. Ensembles have included: mixed ensembles of strings and winds; brass quintet; intermediate recorders; string quartet; woodwind quintet; and some other duos and trios, including piano and harpsichord. (Kardas-Barna)
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251. Topics in Music. (4). (HU).
Section 001 - The Music of Ireland.
This course provides a general history of Irish music as well as a more in-depth exploration of specific genres that have emerged in Ireland and among the Irish Diaspora. Much of the course is devoted to Irish traditional vocal and instrumental styles and to the ways in which traditional music has contributed to an Irish musical identity and influenced other genres, such as popular and classical music. The course will include lecture/demonstrations by local musicians as well as some hands-on experience with Irish traditional instruments such as the whistle and bodhran. (Camino)
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253. Choral Ensemble. (1). (CE). Offered mandatory credit/no credit.
Section 001 - Women's Choral Ensemble.
Group rehearses twice weekly and prepares a thematic concert of music from the vast Women's Chorus Repertoire. Vocal skills, sight singing, and basic musicianship are stressed. No prerequisites, but a commitment to the group and a dedication to musical growth within the term are required. No audition.
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Section 002 - Mixed Choral Ensemble. Four-part works from a variety of musical styles are rehearsed and prepared for performance in concert. Meets twice weekly. Vocal skills, sight singing, musicianship, and ensemble singing are stressed. No prerequisites, but a commitment to the group and musical growth within the term are required. No audition.
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254. The Human Voice as An Acoustical Instrument. (4). (CE).
Section 001 - Basic Technique for Singers and Actors, Including the Alexander Technique.
This course is open to students who want to develop their voices for speaking and singing, to sing more comfortably, and to maintain vocal health. The course is directed towards singers (with or without previous vocal training), speech and acting students, and those who want to find out if they can sing. Most voices are undeveloped (or under-developed), and we can learn how to develop our vocal equipment for whatever our own purpose. Because our voices are housed within us, we must consider the whole voice-body-mind as the subject of our study. Ms. Heirich is a STAT and NASTAT certified teacher of the Alexander Technique, and this body of work will inform all that we do in the course. The class meets together on Mondays and Fridays from 1-3 P.M. Your schedules should TEMPORARILY remain flexible between 12-5 on Wednesdays for scheduling of small group sessions. This scheduling will be completed by the end of the first class meeting - Friday, September 5. There will be one required text, some optional readings, daily preparation, and an individual or team project required. LS&A guidelines for 4-credit courses expect 3 hours of work per credit hour, hence, you should be prepared accordingly. With more than 4 hours in "class" (a weekly average of 6.25 hours, which includes the small group and individual lessons), there will be proportionally less expected of you outside of class. The required reading will be Miracles Usually Can't Be Learned, a basic vocal text by Jane Heirich, available as a course pack from Kelly's Kopies. (Heirich)
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Natural Science (Division 875)

232. History of Life. (4). (NS). (BS).
This course surveys the history of life through geologic time and introduces biological diversity from the perspectives of evolutionary biology and ecology. Factual content focuses on the historical development of life on earth as known from the fossil record and the diversity, ecology, and adaptations of living organisms. Principles and concepts of historical geology, evolutionary biology, and ecology form the conceptual core of the course. Subjects include earth history, origin of life, origins of species and major groups, constraints on the design of organisms, controls on biological diversity, extinction and the current loss of biodiversity, climate and evolution, and human evolution. We will regularly discuss the relevance of earth history and evolution for various social and political issues, such as conservation of biodiversity, nature vs. nurture in human behavior, and the ethical treatment of other species. Several field trips will demonstrate the biodiversity of organisms, habitats, and ecosystems. There will be regular written exercises, frequent writings in class, a midterm and final. No prerequisites. Texts: The Book of Life, edited by S. J. Gould; The Diversity of Life, by E.O. Wilson, and a small course pack. (Badgley)
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263/Urban Planning 263. Energy and the Environment. (4). (NS). (BS).
This course introduces the concepts of energy and the environment, which then serve as a basis for discussion of pollution, scarcity of resources, technological impacts and the future of humankind. Topics include a survey of non-renewable and renewable resources and current energy use patterns, nuclear power issues, and the prospects for, and problems with, alternative energy scenarios. Possible energy futures for both the developed and developing worlds will be discussed. In particular, we will consider the implications of energy choices in terms of life styles, policies, and ethical considerations. There are no college prerequisites, but students should have quite a bit of experience beyond ninth grade math. (Rycus)
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Social Science (Division 877)

220/Soc. 220. Political Economy. (4). (SS).
This course develops an analysis of social systems from a political economic perspective. The first part of the course will focus on modern capitalism, especially as it has developed in the United States. The writings of a variety of social scientists will be explored and discussed with an emphasis on recent work by radical political economists. The second part of the course will concentrate on potential alternatives to capitalism for contemporary economically developed societies. Students will be encouraged to explore their own interests and ideals about alternative social institutions as well as to develop their capacities for insightful political economic analysis. (Thompson)
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