Ask the Viking



2108200-29718000CONGRATULATIONS ON CHOOSING SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY! One of the first classes you get to choose, even before you get to campus, is your first year seminar! We encourage you to read the following information carefully before selecting your seminar.All incoming first year students, and incoming transfers with less than 15 credits, are required to take (as part of the General Education program) a first year seminar. These are innovative, exciting, 3-credit courses designed and taught by professors who are passionate about the topic they have chosen. Each seminar has a maximum of @22 students so you will have numerous opportunities to engage with your professor. In addition to focusing on a particular academic topic through reading, writing, and analyzing it, each seminar also includes some transition and support components as you enter your first year of college. These seminars are required academic components of your curriculum similar to any other full 3-credit course you are required to take as part of your major or the General Education program. There will be dozens of different seminars to choose from for the fall semester (some have multiple sections with the same topic – they just meet at different times). Several of the seminars are connected to learning communities in which you take several courses with the same group of peers. Some are specifically designed to support students who are choosing to enter as Exploratory and waiting before selecting a major.We encourage you to READ ALL THE OPTIONS before making your selection.You should be aware that:Some courses meet twice a week while others meet once a week for a longer time period. If you see a topic listed twice it means there are two “sections” – just pick the section that has a time frame you prefer. Ignore your assumptions about what department a seminar falls in. Just because a seminar is “housed” in the Political Science department doesn’t mean that it is for political science majors OR that it has anything to do with political science. A seminar is only assigned a department because that is where the professor teaches most of their classes. Professors teach these seminars based on their PASSIONS and INTERESTS which could be completely separate from their discipline. We encourage you to broaden your horizons and NOT pick a seminar that you THINK is related to your major, because it might not have anything to do with your major.Many of the common questions about first year seminars are answered on the FYE website: salemstate.edu/fys. We encourage you to review all the information before selecting your seminar!First-year students will sign up for their first year seminar through Navigator after paying your deposit and confirming orientation. Incoming transfer students with less than 15 credits and full-time evening students will receive information via email regarding the process for how to sign up for a seminar. If you are an upper-class student who needs to retake your seminar you will select during the normal class registration time.There are several seminars which are part of learning communities. Learning communities are linked courses that you take together. If you sign up for a seminar that is part of a learning community, you will receive more information from the first year experience office via email about signing up for the other course(s). The additional course(s) in learning communities fulfill general education or major requirements so you need to take them anyway. For more information on learning communities, go to salemstate.edu/firstyear/LC You may CHANGE your first year seminar, depending on space availability, up until May 31 in Navigator. After May 31 the process closes. If you want to choose or change your seminar you will do so by contacting the first year experience office (depending on space availability in your preferred seminar).The first year seminar is worth 3 credits meaning it is an academic course and will involve reading, writing, and critical analysis like any other college-level course you take. While there are “transition to college” elements woven into the seminar the main focus is on a particular academic topic. For example, if you took a dance or yoga or music class in high school you may have focused your time on actually dancing, doing yoga, or singing. A first year seminar focused on one of those topics might include “doing” but is going to also focus on reading about the history of those topics, perhaps studying cultural impact, writing papers, and engaging in academic discussions about the topic. To request accommodations, please contact the disability services office at 978.542.6217 or?disability-services@salemstate.eduFIRST YEAR SEMINARS CONNECTED TO LEARNING COMMUNITIESPAGES 4 - 5A. Pictures, Panels, Pages: Comics by DesignB. It’s a Dog’s Life: Exploring the Power of Pet PersuasionC. Creating Positive Life Outcomes for Men of ColorD. Lifting as We Climb: Supporting the Success of Women of ColorE. The Places You’ll Go: A Seminar on TravelF. ?Sí se puede! The Impact of Latinx in the US?FIRST YEAR SEMINARS FOR EXPLORATORY STUDENTSPAGE 6A. Creating a Happy LifeB. Creating a Happy LifeC. Poverty and Charitable GivingD. What’s in the Cards?GENERAL FIRST YEAR SEMINARSPAGES 7- 131. Science, Nonscience, and Nonsense2. Science and Religion3. Shoot some Videos, Edit the Footage, Upload it to YouTube — and Change the World. 4. Shoot some Videos, Edit the Footage, Upload it to YouTube — and Change the World. 5. The Other Important 3 R's to Learn: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle6. At Home in the World7. At Home in the World 8. The Climate Change Movement - Can Collective Action Save the World?9. The Climate Change Movement - Can Collective Action Save the World?10. Hamilton, Salem, and (contemporary) American Politics 11. Reimagining History in Athens and Rome12. Reimagining History in Athens and Rome13. Race and Racism in the Americas14. Race and Racism in the Americas 15. New York City Through Film16. Social Justice: Who Gets What and Why?17. How to Train a Wild Elephant18. Math Bytes19. Math Bytes20. Let’s Take a Chance! 21. Can I Live to be 100?22. Do Robots Dream of Electric Sheep? The Possibilities and Realities of Artificial Intelligence 23. What’s in the Cards?24. Is Someone Pulling My Strings?25. Healthy Body, Mind, and Spirit 26. LGBTIQI+ Identity, Life, Theory, and Culture in U.S. 27. "Go and Get It": Master the Physical and Mental Challenges Necessary for Success in Life28. "Go and Get It": Master the Physical and Mental Challenges Necessary for Success in Life29. The Last One Hundred Years of Badass Women in Literature and Film30. Gutsy Women and Girl PowerFIRST YEAR SEMINARS CONNECTED TO LEARNING COMMUNITIESThe following six first year seminars are connected to specific learning communities. Students who sign up for one of these seminars will receive an email from the first year experience office with information on the additional course(s) they will be signed up for. Please note that several seminars are reserved for specific groups of students. Once a seminar does not appear on the list in Navigator it means that the seminar is no longer available as it has reached capacity.A. Pictures, Panels, Pages: Comics by DesignFYAD 100-01 (#1931)*This first year seminar and learning community is open for ALL students. Comics provide us windows into worlds that aren’t our own. Sometimes they take us on epic journeys to fantastical worlds filled with heroes and mutants; sometimes they take us outside our own front doors, allowing us to see the familiar through new lenses. By merging words and pictures, comics allow us to think, read, and communicate differently than we would in either medium on its own. You don’t need to know anything about comics in order to take this course. You will learn the building blocks of comics: frames and gutters, panels and pages, word balloons and character design. Comics have a unique language that require you, the reader, to decode and decide on meaning. You can tell any kind of story in comics. This is a diverse medium that has given us superheroes, Pulitzer Prize winners and everything in between. We will discuss different genres of comics, what they all have in common and what separates them from each other. This first year seminar is part of a learning community, Illustrated Micro Memoirs: “Drawing” from Your Life to Compose Graphic Novel-Style Narratives, which will inform the content covered and the work made. We will be making our own comics in this course. But you don’t need to be an artist to make comics. Sometimes stick figures pack more punch than a painting. Comics can reframe our understanding of ourselves and others, and we will be focusing on making non-fiction comics, as they allow us to think about our own stories and those of others in a fresh light. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:15pm – 1:30pm This seminar is part of the “Graphic Narratives: “Drawing” From Your Life” learning community. Students will also be registered for ENL 110: Foundations of Writing.B. It’s a Dog’s Life: Exploring the Power of Pet PersuasionFYHC 100-01 (#1325)*This first year seminar and learning community is for students who are majoring in “Healthcare Studies” (NOT Nursing). This first year seminar class focuses on dogs!? Over 60% of households in the United States have a pet and Americans spend in excess of $40 billion each year on their four-legged family members.? We will explore the evolution of the role of dogs as pets over time and across cultures.? Over the course of the semester we will learn about the impact dogs have on our social, physical, emotional, spiritual and occupational well-being.? Join us to explore the pet phenomenon through class discussions, readings, guest speakers and field trips.? Students will also engage in a pet-themed philanthropy project of their choosing.? All are welcome, even cat lovers! Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:50am – 12:05pm This seminar is part of the “Immersed in Wellness” learning community specifically for Healthcare Studies Majors. Students will also be registered for SMS 194: Health & Wellness and BHS 101: Healthcare in the United StatesC. Creating Positive Life Outcomes for Men of ColorFYSW 100-01 (#1501)*This first year seminar and learning community is for students who identify as men of color. Pursuing excellence and transforming the world begins with education and awareness. Malcolm X once said that “education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” How will you be academically successful at Salem State? How will your education prepare you for tomorrow and life beyond college? This first-year seminar will help men of color (African, African/Black American, Asian, Caribbean, Latino, Multiracial, Native American, etc.) develop strategies for persisting in higher education. Through community building and engaged learning experiences, the seminar will support student development and prepare them for academic, personal, and professional success. In addition, students will have an opportunity to explore the unique challenges they may face in higher education; and consider strategies for overcoming them. Students are invited to bring their “whole” selves and interests to the class, understanding that they are the directors of their own learning experiences. Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:50am – 12:05pm This seminar is part of the Men of Color learning community specifically for men of color. Students will also be registered for EDC 115: Exploring Education.D. Lifting as We Climb: Supporting the Success of Women of ColorFYSW 100-02 (#1502)*This first year seminar and learning community is for students who identify as women of color. This first year seminar is designed for those students who identify as women of color (African, African/Black American, Latinx, Caribbean, Asian, Native American, biracial, multiracial, etc.) The seminar provides an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the personal, institutional, and social dynamics that can lead to success in college and life beyond college. In this course, students will develop strategies for persisting in higher education and in their internships, jobs, and beyond. Students will work on ways to transform their lives using models of success and learning to mentor others along the way. Students will have the opportunity to participate in on-campus organizations, attend field trips, and use the feminisms, a sociological lens, and a psychological lens to examine the current state of women of color in our society. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:15pm – 1:30pm This seminar is part of the Women of Color learning community specifically for women of color. Students will also be registered for ENL 110: Foundations of Writing.E. The Places You’ll Go: A Seminar on TravelFYWL 100-01 (#1400)*This first year seminar and learning community is open for ALL students. If you dream of traveling around the world, love to discover new places and experience other cultures, this seminar is for you! We will look at all kinds of travel—everything from day trips to year-long voyages to global migrations—and consider some big questions. Why do people travel? How does travel help you to grow or see the world in a different way? What practical and ethical issues are related to travel? What can travel teach us about the past and how can it influence our future? In this class, you will read essays and literary excerpts, analyze films, share personal experiences, and engage in planning a dream trip. Course activities are designed to help you develop skills in critical thinking, intercultural communication, effective writing and speaking. You will also become familiar with college resources and strategies for student success, in order to be well-equipped for both your academic journey at Salem State and whatever paths you choose to travel in the future. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:50am – 12:05pm This seminar is part of the Think Globally: Understanding Your Place in the World learning community. Students will also be registered for IDS 233: A Global “America”: “America” and “Americans in and of the World.F. ?Sí se puede! The Impact of Latinx in the US?FYWL 100-02 (#1401)*This first year seminar and learning community is for students who identify as Latinx AND will be living on campus on the same floor for the fall semester. It is essential for students to gain cultural competence of the different ethnic groups in the United States if they are to become globalized active citizens. This seminar will introduce you to topics relating to various aspects of the Latinx historical interactions in the US such as diversity, culture, identity, stereotypes, population growth, assimilation, and immigration. Latinx populations are not homogeneous; they all have their own dialects, accents and cultures. The goal of this seminar is to provide you with academic and interpersonal tools to help you succeed academically and socially through intercultural dialogues, interviews, personal experiences, and analyses of selected readings, movies, and documentaries of Latinx culture in the United States. Issues discussed in the seminar have implications for all students as they adjust to campus life. One of the goals of this course is to foster dialog and increase access to the campus community of professors and peers.? Wednesdays and Fridays, 1:40pm – 2:55pm This seminar is part of the On the Street and On the Screen: Latinx History, Images, and Representation living-learning community specifically for students who will be living on campus and identify as Latinx. Students will also be registered for MCO 220: Media Literacy.FIRST YEAR SEMINARS FOR EXPLORATORY STUDENTSThe following four seminars are reserved for students who are part of the Exploratory Program (entering without having selected a major). If students who have chosen a major sign up for one of these seminars, they will be removed from the seminar and contacted via the student’s Salem State University email address to select another seminar. Once a seminar does not appear on the list in Navigator it means that the seminar is no longer available as it has reached capacity.A. Creating a Happy LifeFYID 100-01 (#1118)What is a happy life? Is it in our power to create a happy life? Are some careers more fulfilling than others? What majors will lead to what careers? Through exploring different ideas about happiness, this course will guide you in discovering how to get the most out of college and how to carve a path toward a happy life and successful career. We will examine America’s tradition of self-help and positive thinking, and will consider how different cultures define and understand happiness. In addition to reading and writing, we will practice some of the happiness activities that have been proven to lift people’s spirits, such as forgiveness, meditation, and expressing gratitude. There are two sections of this seminar being offered (each meets at different times). Students may select either one if they are interested in this topic. Wednesdays and Fridays, 8am – 9:15amB. Creating a Happy LifeFYID 100-02 (#1119)What is a happy life? Is it in our power to create a happy life? Are some careers more fulfilling than others? What majors will lead to what careers? Through exploring different ideas about happiness, this course will guide you in discovering how to get the most out of college and how to carve a path toward a happy life and successful career. We will examine America’s tradition of self-help and positive thinking, and will consider how different cultures define and understand happiness. In addition to reading and writing, we will practice some of the happiness activities that have been proven to lift people’s spirits, such as forgiveness, meditation, and expressing gratitude. There are two sections of this seminar being offered (each meets at different times). Students may select either one if they are interested in this topic. Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:25am – 10:40amC. Poverty and Charitable GivingFYPO 100-03 (#1478)While the problems of poverty, hunger, and ill-health may seem unsolvable, we now possess the tools and opportunities to eradicate them, both at home and abroad. Join this class to learn how each of us can make a difference through philanthropy global citizenship. We will also discuss what it means to be poor today, both in the US and worldwide and how much progress has been recently accomplished to alleviate poverty. Students will experience philanthropy firsthand by allocating funds to a local nonprofit organization in the field after completing a call for?proposals and evaluation?process. Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:50am – 12:05pmD. What’s in the Cards?FYPO 100-02 (#1477)The Tarot is a centuries-old set of archetypal representations used to understand the past, evaluate the present, and (at times) predict the future. By turns associated with the devil, paganism, goddess worship, and witchcraft, these cards can nonetheless be a powerful tool for understanding both ourselves and the culture around us. This class will take you on a journey of self-discovery by exploring what the cards are meant to represent and what they can mean to each of us. At the same time that you are learning about the historical, psychological, and cultural meanings embedded in the representative art of various Tarot decks, you will begin exploring yourself and your surroundings here on campus. In a final creative project, students will be asked to develop their own Tarot card using the medium of their choice. There are two sections of this seminar being offered (each meets at different times) – one section is for Exploratory students and one is for general students. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:25am – 10:40amGENERAL FIRST YEAR SEMINARSThe following first year seminars are open to all students. Once a seminar does not appear on the list in Navigator it means that the seminar is no longer available as it has reached capacity.1. Science, Nonscience, and NonsenseFYBI 100-01 (#2046)Every day you are exposed to conflicting statements concerning scientific knowledge. Does eating a high salt diet cause high blood pressure? Are vaccines safe? Is climate change happening? Can acupuncture cure what ails you? Are the answers to these questions a matter of opinion? Through reading and discussion, you will learn what scientists do and how data are analyzed and evaluated. We’ll also explore the scientific method, scholarly literature in science, experimental design, and the role of science in society. Through analysis of contemporary scientific reports, you will gain an understanding of forming hypotheses, experimentation, and making conclusions drawn from experimental data. In a final project you will analyze a current scientific controversy. Wednesdays and Fridays, 1:40pm – 2:55pm2. Science and ReligionFYCH 100-01 (#2171)Is it possible for science and religion to coexist peacefully in a person’s life and in society, or is conflict inevitable? Does a person need to give up his or her faith to pursue science? We will survey the way that scientists from many backgrounds have answered these questions for themselves. In the process, we will think about: possible areas of conflict between science and religion; the methods used in science and the knowledge produced by science; practices and beliefs common to various religions; specific beliefs and practices of various religions and approaches to understanding topics such as evolution and environmental problems. Students will have the opportunity to explore a question interest with respect to religion and to reflect on their own answers to these questions. Wednesdays and Fridays, 1:40pm – 2:55pm3. Shoot some Videos, Edit the Footage, Upload it to YouTube — and Change the World. FYCO 100-01 (#1139)Videos are everywhere in our life. Instead of watching them, let’s make them. With a laptop and a cellphone, everyone can create inspiring video messages, guaranteed.?In this weekly seminar, you’re going to learn, step-by-step, how to shoot a short video project and how to use?Adobe Premiere Pro to edit the footage before sharing it on Youtube.?At the end of the semester, you will become a much more confident digital citizen who can wield the enormous power of visual?persuasion. There are two sections of this seminar being offered (each meets at different times). Students may select either one if they are interested in this topic. Mondays, 8am – 10:40am4. Shoot some Videos, Edit the Footage, Upload it to YouTube — and Change the World. FYCO 100-02 (#1140)Videos are everywhere in our life. Instead of watching them, let’s make them. With a laptop and a cellphone, everyone can create inspiring video messages, guaranteed.?In this weekly seminar, you’re going to learn, step-by-step, how to shoot a short video project and how to use?Adobe Premiere Pro to edit the footage before sharing it on Youtube.?At the end of the semester, you will become a much more confident digital citizen who can wield the enormous power of visual?persuasion. There are two sections of this seminar being offered (each meets at different times). Students may select either one if they are interested in this topic. Mondays, 1:10pm – 3:50pm5. The Other Important 3 R's to Learn: Reduce, Reuse, and RecycleFYED 100-01 (#2703)We are living in a world in which we are witnessing unprecedented environmental problems caused in large part by the impacts of a culture of consumerism. We are depleting our natural resources to create disposable products that we often discard after a single use. The amount of waste that we produce has resulted in a garbage patch in the Pacific Ocean larger than the state of Texas. This seminar will focus on revisiting a concept that is not new but has unintentionally created a misconception that recycling will solve all our problems. The goal of this seminar is to have students understand that in order to lessen our impacts on our environment we need to reflect on our daily behavior. Students will think about ways that they can reduce the amount of garbage they produce and ways they can reuse materials before recycling. This seminar will include a service-learning component such as collecting and analyzing garbage found at a local beach. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:40pm – 2:55pm6. At Home in the WorldFYEN 100-01 (#2400)At its most basic, home is usually four walls and a roof. But when we hear the statement “what makes a house a home” we start to see that “home” is as much a set of attitudes and social relationships as it is a material space. What is your definition of home?? Does coming to Salem State change how you think about what a home is?? Might the university become your NEW home or home away from home?? This seminar will focus on how our ideas about home have changed over time in western culture as well as in New England. Since home is also our “local habitation,“ we will also consider how houses relate (or don’t) to the environments that surround them. Each person will come up with their own definition of home throughout the semester.? By examining these definitions, we will explore revealing insights into each person’s values and interests about what he or she thinks about their place in the world. In order to explore this topic from multiple perspectives, we will read texts from literature, history, environmental studies, and architecture as well as take class trips throughout the local community and meet with guest speakers. There are two sections of this seminar being offered (each meets at different times). Students may select either one if they are interested in this topic. Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:25am – 10:40am7. At Home in the World FYEN 100-02 (#2401)At its most basic, home is usually four walls and a roof. But when we hear the statement “what makes a house a home” we start to see that “home” is as much a set of attitudes and social relationships as it is a material space. What is your definition of home?? Does coming to Salem State change how you think about what a home is?? Might the university become your NEW home or home away from home?? This seminar will focus on how our ideas about home have changed over time in western culture as well as in New England. Since home is also our “local habitation,“ we will also consider how houses relate (or don’t) to the environments that surround them. Each person will come up with their own definition of home throughout the semester.? By examining these definitions, we will explore revealing insights into each person’s values and interests about what he or she thinks about their place in the world. In order to explore this topic from multiple perspectives, we will read texts from literature, history, environmental studies, and architecture as well as take class trips throughout the local community and meet with guest speakers. There are two sections of this seminar being offered (each meets at different times). Students may select either one if they are interested in this topic. Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:50am – 12:05pm8. The Climate Change Movement - Can Collective Action Save the World?FYGE 100-01 (#1002)Renowned historian, professor and social activist Howard Zinn once said, “Small acts, when multiplied by millions can transform the world”. How does this statement relate to the current climate change movement? Do you think that individuals can actually play an effective role in confronting one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century? Amid the contentious backdrop of failed government action on climate change - students, activists, climate change scientists, and environmentally-consciousness citizens are increasing engaging in collective action in an attempt to compel governments and leaders to act on climate change. Through analyzing a range of climate change, environmental and social justice movements this course seeks to develop students’ understandings and skills for participating in local solutions to climate change. Case studies will be conducted on the fossil fuel divestment movement; the Sunrise movement; the Green New Deal; Dakota Access Pipeline; Cape Wind; the Salem power plant, #BlackLivesMatter, and various anti-science and climate denial movements.?There are two sections of this seminar being offered (each meets at different times). Students may select either one if they are interested in this topic. Mondays, 8am – 10:40am9. The Climate Change Movement - Can Collective Action Save the World?FYGE 100-02 (#1003)Renowned historian, professor and social activist Howard Zinn once said, “Small acts, when multiplied by millions can transform the world”. How does this statement relate to the current climate change movement? Do you think that individuals can actually play an effective role in confronting one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century? Amid the contentious backdrop of failed government action on climate change - students, activists, climate change scientists, and environmentally-consciousness citizens are increasing engaging in collective action in an attempt to compel governments and leaders to act on climate change. Through analyzing a range of climate change, environmental and social justice movements this course seeks to develop students’ understandings and skills for participating in local solutions to climate change. Case studies will be conducted on the fossil fuel divestment movement; the Sunrise movement; the Green New Deal; Dakota Access Pipeline; Cape Wind; the Salem power plant, #BlackLivesMatter, and various anti-science and climate denial movements.?There are two sections of this seminar being offered (each meets at different times). Students may select either one if they are interested in this topic. Mondays, 1:10pm – 3:50pm10. Hamilton, Salem, and (contemporary) American Politics FYHI 100-02 (#1428)How does a bastard, orphan, son of a [mom] and a Scotsman, dropped in the middle of a forgotten spot in the Caribbean by Providence, impoverished, in squalor grow up to be the subject of a Salem State University First Year Seminar???Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you’ve been waiting for . . . do not throw away your shot to study Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton: An American Musical and how it relates to Salem’s Revolutionary history, and contemporary American politics. You can be in the room where we learn about Salem's Caribbean connections, the events of the American Revolution, the ordinary men and women who fought on both sides of the conflict, and the nation’s attempts to create a new form of government. It wasn’t long, of course, until we had a two-party system, and this class will use the musical and other resources to contextualize and explore the electoral college system, political parties and elections, the desired qualities of leaders, and the presidency. Discussing a fantastic show and American politics in an election year? Awesome, wow!! As we meet on Lafayette Street (not far from Jefferson Avenue), explore Washington Street, and visit Hamilton Hall, we’ll see that we have a lot to learn about who lived, who died, and who told their stories. I hope you’re ready, ‘cause I’m looking for minds at work, and you’ll get a lot farther by working a lot harder.??So, if you're young, scrappy and hungry, and willing to WORK, you'll never have to wonder why this class brought the thunder. Look around, look around at how lucky you are to be at Salem State right now.? Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:25am – 10:40am11. Reimagining History in Athens and RomeFYHI 100-03 (#1429)This course uses in-depth role-playing activities to explore moments of crisis and change in classical Athens and ancient Rome. In 510 BCE, the people of Athens ousted the tyrant Hippias. They then faced the problem of how to govern themselves amid internal conflicts and threats from abroad. Rome faced similar challenges in 44 BCE after the assassination of Julius Caesar. Together we will examine the problems that ancient Athenians and Romans faced and reimagine the ways in which they solved them. There are two sections of this seminar being offered (each meets at different times). Students may select either one if they are interested in this topic. Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:50am – 12:05pm12. Reimagining History in Athens and RomeFYHI 100-04 (#1430)This course uses in-depth role-playing activities to explore moments of crisis and change in classical Athens and ancient Rome. In 510 BCE, the people of Athens ousted the tyrant Hippias. They then faced the problem of how to govern themselves amid internal conflicts and threats from abroad. Rome faced similar challenges in 44 BCE after the assassination of Julius Caesar. Together we will examine the problems that ancient Athenians and Romans faced and reimagine the ways in which they solved them. There are two sections of this seminar being offered (each meets at different times). Students may select either one if they are interested in this topic. Wednesdays and Fridays, 12:15pm – 1:30pm13. Race and Racism in the AmericasFYHI 100-05 (#1431)This seminar explores the realities of race and status in the contemporary United States and Latin America through history, journalism, literature, and film. We will engage in a close analysis of multiple sources, as well as following contemporary debates in the world, in the news, and on campus. Topics include histories of race-making, race and class, citizenship, immigration, exclusion, and deportation, the carceral state, struggles for racial and environmental justice, and the ways in which race and immigration have been intertwined throughout American history. There are two sections of this seminar being offered (each meets at different times). Students may select either one if they are interested in this topic. Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:25am – 10:40am14. Race and Racism in the Americas FYHI 100-06 (#1432)This seminar explores the realities of race and status in the contemporary United States and Latin America through history, journalism, literature, and film. We will engage in a close analysis of multiple sources, as well as following contemporary debates in the world, in the news, and on campus. Topics include histories of race-making, race and class, citizenship, immigration, exclusion, and deportation, the carceral state, struggles for racial and environmental justice, and the ways in which race and immigration have been intertwined throughout American history. There are two sections of this seminar being offered (each meets at different times). Students may select either one if they are interested in this topic. Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:50am – 12:05pm15. New York City Through FilmFYHI 100-07 (#2977)New York is America’s most global city, brimming with commerce, culture, wealth, diversity, and democratic promise. The city has been the cradle of the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of millions of immigrants, entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, laborers, and educators. At the same time, this beautiful democratic experiment has been riddled with vast economic inequality, unsettling anonymity, and a combustible mix of racial, ethnic, and religious disorder. New York is truly a city of American stories. This course will explore the social issues of New York City and the ways that they are portrayed on film. The course is a critical geographic investigation into the multiplicity of social worlds that comprise, and collide within, New York City. Some topics to be considered are utopia/dystopia, race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, art, religion, immigration, homelessness, and gentrification. Students are expected to be critical about how film represents and misrepresents urban space and social issues. Students will also learn about the social history and transformation of New York City, which are profoundly shaped through the process of American capitalism. Films will be paired with rigorous academic reading from history, literature, sociology, and cultural studies. This is not a course on the history of film or the technical aspects of filmmaking. Rather, we will view, analyze, discuss, and read and write about films to learn what they can teach us about cities—past, present, and future Mondays, 1:10pm – 3:50pm16. Social Justice: Who Gets What and Why?FYID 100-03 (#1120)“How we think about something makes a difference not only at the level of theory, but in terms of practice as well” (Apple, 1992). This seminar will focus on questions of social justice, how it is defined and who controls access. As part of an interdisciplinary examination to questions of justice we will focus on different constructions of justice based on thinkers from Plato to Rawls, Russell to Singer: potential topics will include but not limited to, Climate change, Gun control, Healthcare, Voting Rights, Euthanasia and Education. The aim of the semester will be on the development of a lexicon and modes of presentation that will progress from an examination of the personal to the construction of what are taken as societal norms. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8am – 9:15am17. How to Train a Wild ElephantFYID 100-04 (#1121)A growing body of research suggests that mindfulness can reduce stress, build resilience, help us learn, improve physical health, foster positive relationships, and enhance practitioners’ quality of life. In essence, mindfulness is about wakefulness; about bringing our attention to the present moment so we can connect with it in all of its richness and possibility. Rather than allowing the mind to thrash about on its own, we can learn to quiet it and free it from distraction. This seminar will introduce you to a number of simple practices you can implement in your life: meditation, gratitude,?lovingkindness, body awareness, self-compassion, and the cultivation of awe. We'll experiment with some of these in class, and you'll complete (and reflect on in a journal) other exercises outside of class. Our goal: to?help you create a meaningful life at Salem State and beyond.? Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:50am – 12:05pm18. Math BytesFYMA 100-01 (#2422)Have you ever wondered, “why do we need mathematics?’’ It might surprise you to learn that the answer is both fun and fascinating.? Google searches, movie studios, and travelling salespeople all use mathematics and you use it as well to better understand our world. Through hands on activities, readings, videos and discussions, we will explore important mathematical ideas that all use computing. For example, we will see how the creators of the Simpsons TV show explore a famous mathematical theorem through a dream sequence of the character, Homer Simpson. We will also examine the mathematics of going viral on Twitter and how to chart the path of an Angry Bird in space. Students will have the opportunity to explore a mathematical computing topic further and will present their findings at the end of the semester. There are two sections of this seminar being offered (each meets at different times). Students may select either one if they are interested in this topic. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:50am – 12:05pm19. Math BytesFYMA 100-02 (#2423)Have you ever wondered, “why do we need mathematics?’’ It might surprise you to learn that the answer is both fun and fascinating.? Google searches, movie studios, and travelling salespeople all use mathematics and you use it as well to better understand our world. Through hands on activities, readings, videos and discussions, we will explore important mathematical ideas that all use computing. For example, we will see how the creators of the Simpsons TV show explore a famous mathematical theorem through a dream sequence of the character, Homer Simpson. We will also examine the mathematics of going viral on Twitter and how to chart the path of an Angry Bird in space. Students will have the opportunity to explore a mathematical computing topic further and will present their findings at the end of the semester. There are two sections of this seminar being offered (each meets at different times). Students may select either one if they are interested in this topic. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:15pm – 1:30pm20. Let’s Take a Chance! FYMK 100-01 (#1736)By chance, we come to this world. Very likely we will leave the world by chance. So, what is chance? How does chance impact us from individuals to organizations to society? What is a black swan? Why is a black swan event so important? How is chance related to data and information? Is it possible that we tilt chance to our favor? Can you beat the house at Blackjack? When is chance marginal and when is it central? How do we model chance? How do we predict chance? These are the questions we will seek answers to. This seminar is about understanding probability and chance. We will explore the fundamental role chance plays in our various undertakings: living, learning, investing, critical thinking, decision making, problem solving, and relationship building. Through reading of classic papers, we will develop a better understanding and appreciation of chance. We will also use software tools (Programming background is not required) to build models of real-world events, check our assumptions, test our ideas, and explore how the world is intertwined with chance via simulation. Mondays, 1:10pm – 3:50pm21. Can I Live to be 100?FYNU 100-01 (#2490)Have you ever thought about what it would be like to live to 100 years old and be healthy in mind and body? The United States spends the most money on healthcare than any country in the world, yet high rates of chronic disease such as high blood pressure, stroke, cancer, obesity, diabetes, and addiction still persist and claim lives. In this course, students will examine health data to identify connections to populations, cultures, life circumstance, and the physical and emotional impact of social injustice. Using intersectionality, principles of health promotion, disease prevention, principles of nutrition and life style choices, students will discuss the impact of those determinants on themselves while taste testing a variety of healthy foods and meeting healthy older adults. Although genetics and environment play a role in health and longevity, there are many proactive things a person can do to promote health and well-being in themselves and others and find meaning in what they do that significantly promotes social justice and health equity. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:15pm – 1:30pm22. Do Robots Dream of Electric Sheep? The Possibilities and Realities of Artificial Intelligence FYPH 100-01 (#1780)Your lives are already affected by artificial intelligence. From the ads that are tailored to your preferences to your movie recommendations on Netflix, intelligent machines are interpreting data and learning to perform increasingly complicated tasks. Machines can draw, learn languages, create art, and beat humans at games formerly thought to be unteachable to a computer. The rapid pace of development in artificial intelligence raises important questions about learning, consciousness, identity, and what it means to be human. In this FYS, we will explore the philosophical questions raised by artificial intelligence: can computers think? What would it mean if artificial intelligence became self-aware? What are the ethical issues surrounding machine learning and AI (for example, “deep fake” technology and facial recognition software)? Come explore the uses and abuses of AI in your life, and learn to question our ideas about intelligence, consciousness, and humanity. There are two sections of this seminar being offered (each meets at different times). Students may select either one if they are interested in this topic. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:40pm – 2:55pm23. What’s in the Cards?FYPO 100-01 (#1476)The Tarot is a centuries-old set of archetypal representations used to understand the past, evaluate the present, and (at times) predict the future. By turns associated with the devil, paganism, goddess worship, and witchcraft, these cards can nonetheless be a powerful tool for understanding both ourselves and the culture around us. This class will take you on a journey of self-discovery by exploring what the cards are meant to represent and what they can mean to each of us. At the same time that you are learning about the historical, psychological, and cultural meanings embedded in the representative art of various Tarot decks, you will begin exploring yourself and your surroundings here on campus. In a final creative project, students will be asked to develop their own Tarot card using the medium of their choice. This section of the course is NOT for Exploratory students (students who are choosing to wait before choosing a major). This section is for students who HAVE selected a major. Exploratory students should select the Exploratory section of this topic if they are interested in it. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8am – 9:15am24. Is Someone Pulling My Strings?FYPY 100-01 (#2596)Why do we care what others think and conform to their expectations? Do first impressions really matter? Why do people share their bank accounts and passwords with total strangers? Why does no one help when there is a big crowd watching? Humans are social animals and our social relationships shape who we are, what we do, and how we think about others. And often we are totally unaware that this is happening. We will explore some key areas of social influence and social perception through readings, TED talks, etc. We will test some concepts out in the real world and learn strategies to regain control and protect ourselves from unwanted influence. We will also focus on getting to understand how college works and to make the most of the college experience rather than simply following along with what others are doing. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:50am – 12:05pm25. Healthy Body, Mind, and Spirit FYSM 100-01 (#2206)Discover the steps to create a healthier and better you through focusing on your Body, Mind, and your Spirit. This course will introduce you to and strengthen your knowledge of topics, discussion areas and experiences that promote the healthy development and growth in the areas relating to your individual health and wellness. You will be introduced to a wide variety of topics in this area in addition to learning about and searching out resources on campus that address / support these areas. The course will specifically focus on the challenges you are going through as first year students and how those challenges will/might effect your body, mind and spirit, and the skills and tactics you can use/employ to best prepare for and manage those potential barriers to health success. Wednesdays and Fridays, 1:40pm – 2:55pm26. LGBTIQI+ Identity, Life, Theory, and Culture in U.S. FYSO 100-01 (#1181)Together we will explore how LGBTQI+ people are seen - what does the media tell us? Politicians? What do we tell each other? Why do we use “queer”? What does it mean to “queer” a club, residence hall, or an academic discipline? By examining these questions, this seminar will help students better understand their gender and sexual identity. We will look at the interconnectedness of sexuality, gender, ability, nationality, race, color, feminism, and class as it relates to these questions. This course is open to all students, but maybe of most interest to students who identify as LGBTIQ+.? Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:25am – 10:40am27. "Go and Get It": Master the Physical and Mental Challenges Necessary for Success in LifeFYTH 100-01 (#1182)This seminar is designed to equip the student to challenge and surpass their goals in life both physically and mentally. The class will be both a mental and physical workout.? Daily the students will be asked to challenge themselves through physical exercise and critical thinking.? Being physically and mentally strong will provide you with the confidence you need to succeed in life.? Workouts will be basic training style workouts where personal growth goal achievement will be emphasized.? Through readings and reflection students will explore their future and learn skills to achieve their future. There are two sections of this seminar being offered (each meets at different times). Students may select either one if they are interested in this topic. Wednesdays and Fridays, 1:40pm – 2:55pm28. "Go and Get It": Master the Physical and Mental Challenges Necessary for Success in LifeFYTH 100-02 (#1183)This seminar is designed to equip the student to challenge and surpass their goals in life both physically and mentally. The class will be both a mental and physical workout.? Daily the students will be asked to challenge themselves through physical exercise and critical thinking.? Being physically and mentally strong will provide you with the confidence you need to succeed in life.? Workouts will be basic training style workouts where personal growth goal achievement will be emphasized.? Through readings and reflection students will explore their future and learn skills to achieve their future. There are two sections of this seminar being offered (each meets at different times). Students may select either one if they are interested in this topic. Wednesdays and Fridays, 3:05pm – 4:20pm 29. THE LAST ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF BADASS WOMEN IN LITERATURE AND FILM FYHC 100-02 (#3018)In an age of legislative switchbacks and potential decreasing liberties for women, why are we all knitting hats? Why #MeToo? Why now? What has at last brought us to the pulpit to testify against yesteryear’s Animal House behavior? What gives certain women, in both life and literature, the ability to transcend the confines of an ever-present patriarchy? Who are our teachers and who are our contemporaries? Why have women failed to present a united front on the political landscape? How is it that all of our choices for leadership going forward are once again aging white men? What's our five year plan? Twenty? From Virginia Woolf’s A?Room of One's Own to Stieg Larson’s Lisbeth in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo to Offred in The Handmaid's Tale, this course will examine popular female icons through each decade of the last hundred years. What does it mean to drop the “F-bomb” at a party these days? What will it take for fourth-wave feminism to be successful? Together we will read and discuss and plot. We will watch movies (Suffragette, Thelma & Louise, Erin Brockovich, Frida, Out of Africa), knit hats, take Victoria's Secret to task and petition the State House. Come rabble rouse with me; serious thinkers need only sign up. Wednesdays and Fridays, 1:40pm – 2:55pm30. Gutsy Women and Girl Power FYED 100-02 (#3080)Celebrate the wonders and work of women while learning the ins and outs of life as a Viking! Using books, media, and film we will explore the challenges and triumphs of women in history; recognize modern-day women and girls who have used their voices to effect change, and realize our own growth as gutsy women who are ready to make a difference in the world. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:25am – 10:40am ................
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