RECENT SEMINARS
• Spring 2013• Winter 2013 • Fall 2012 • Winter 2012 • Fall 2011 |
FALL 2012 FRESHMAN SEMINARS
This year, DUE will be offering two kinds of Freshman Seminars
The table below lists all Freshman seminars (both types). Clicking on the title of the seminar that interests you in the table will take you to a full description, including the course code, day, time and location of the seminar. For some seminars, this is the only place you will find the room location, so please make a note of it if you enroll. Please note that students may take a maximum of THREE All sections are open to students of all majors Enrollment in Freshman Seminars will be limited to After that date, any remaining spaces will be offered to continuing lower division students.
ARTS Anthony Kubiak is a Professor in the Drama Department's PhD Program. He specializes in studying the relationship between theater and consciousness. I Am A Camera How does our sense of "personal identity" result from the images (of all kinds) we experience in the world? In the course, we will explore the nature of this relationship, exploring how images (chiefly photographic, but also from other senses) precede our sense of ourselves. Assignments: Weekly (1-2 page) writings, final (visual and oral) presentation. Stephen Barker is a professor in the School of the Arts whose work concerns theory, criticism, and the nature of the image. Want To Be A Star? Explore what success looks like for you and defining your career goals. Examine what stops you from achieving your goals. Learn How to find a mentor. Create action plans to reach your goals. Get beyond negative self-talk. Assignments: Complete worksheet assignments: In self apparisal, creating an affirmation and finding a mentor. Discover your hidden power and abilities. In class visual presentation of goals and action plans Don Hill has worked in the professional theatre as an actor, stage manager, production manager,director, producer and union negotiator in a thirty-five year career spanning both coasts. As an actor, he attended Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. He has been a proud member of Actors Equity since 1981. Prior to his appointment at UCI, Hill taught Entertainment Law at Columbia College (Hollywood). Witches, Bitches, Britches: Gender and Performance (Witches & Britches) This seminar explores gender and identity politics in performance, both on stage and screen, from various cultures and historical periods. Topics include women and violence, gender and ethnicity, gender and nationalism, as well as queer performance. Readings include plays such as Medea (ancient Greek), Lights Out (contemporary Indian), China Doll (Asian American), and writings by performance artists such as Holly Hughes, Guillermo Gomez-Pena, and Denise Uyehara. There will also be in-class film (short clips) screening. Daphne Lei is associate professor in Drama. Her interest and expertise includes Chinese opera, Asian and Asian American theatre, intercultural theatre, gender and transnational studies. She is the author of Operatic China: Staging Chinese Identity across the Pacific (2006) and Alternative Chinese Opera in the Age of Globalization: Performing Zero (2011). BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES Cells and Society While science is an integral part of our world, the understanding of what
biologists do or the topics they study is unfortunately not easy to come by
for those not involved in the field. This course is designed to be a primer for
many of the subjects you may hear in your daily life from a molecular
perspective. Topics of discussion will be chosen by the class and may include
cancer, stem cells and vaccines, among others. We will also look into what it
is that scientists actually do, an important piece of information as much of Each week will involve a group discussion on a different scientific topic. This will be bolstered by related stories you will find online prior to the class meeting. You will also read the book, How to Win the Nobel Prize by J. Michael Bishop, which describes the life of a scientist. If possible, the course will also involve a lab exercise to give you some hands on experience. Brian Sato is a Lecturer in the Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Department. He obtained his Ph.D. from UCSD studying how cells detect and eliminate misfolded proteins in the cell. His current focus is on the upper division lab curriculum and how to bring "real" research experiences to the classroom setting. Nature Walks in Plant Cell and Developmental Biology (Plant Nature Walks in SOC) Three 3-hour ''Plant Nature Walks'' (e.g., Aldrich Park, UCI Ecological Preserve, UCI Arboretum, Duck Ponds, Irvine Arboretum, UC South Coast Field Station) will be scheduled at an organizational meeting. On those walks, we will look at phenomena that are in the center of interest to research in Plant Cell and Developmental Biology, such as plant tumors, galls and nodules, the effect of stress on plants, mechanisms that determine the shape and color of plants or drive fertilization and seed production. We will take pictures and produce a photographic summary (website) of the walks to conclude the course. It is my goal to open the students' eyes for previously unnoticed wonders and to change the way they view and walk green nature in the future. There will be one organizational class meeting to schedule the three nature walks (to be held on evenings or weekends) and to select the locations. There will be a concluding meeting week 10. Attendance at all meetings and nature walks is required. Assignments: see Class Web Site from previous year at https://eee.uci.edu/09s/05082/ Franz Hoffmann has taught Plant Biology for more than 35 years in several countries, including Germany, Japan, Taiwan, Russia and, since 1982, in the USA. His research interest is Plant Biotechnology, and as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Plant Physiology he is interacting with plant research laboratories from all over the world. Sell Me A Cell This seminar will explore biological, ethical, and political controversies of stem cells with regards to basic scientific research and clinical application. We will accurately define and categorize a variety of stem cells, discuss the promise of clinical application and possible risks associated with stem cell therapeutics, and address ethical and political arguments for and against the use of various stem cell populations for treatment of diseases. The goal of this seminar is to encourage critical thinking. Students will also learn to accurately navigate the resources available on the internet and differentiate between scientific facts versus myths. This seminar will familiarize the students with evidence-based decision-making that is associated with logical reasoning. This seminar will consist of the following four primary areas of discussion:(1) Defining and categorizing stem cells, (2) Identifying research-based clinical application and possible risks of stem cells as a therapeutic in disease settings, (3) Exploring arguments for and against the ethics of stem cell research, (4) Discussing the politics of stem cell research. The course will be co-taught by Dr. Aileen Anderson, Dr. Brian Cummings, and Dr. Mitra Hooshmand. Drs. Anderson and Cummings are Associate Professors in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Anatomy & Neurobiology. Why People Believe Weird Things (Believe Weird Things in SOC) People believe in all kinds of weird things such as aliens and ghosts. What are some of these many beliefs, why do people believe them, and how can we try to make sense of them, particularly when we turn to what is commonly known as the scientific method. These are issues that are addressed in an open-ended, free-wheeling seminar that many in-coming freshmen have enjoyed over the years. Assignments: Readings in Why People Believe Weird Things (paperback). Rich Symanski has taught evolutionary biology and conservation biology for many years to non-majors, and has also taught writing courses in the schools of Biological Science, Engineering and Social Ecology. Plagues and Societies This course has three goals: (1) to understand and discuss the historic and contemporary occurrence of plagues (2) to discuss the impact of these events on human health and society; (3) to provide a mechanism for students to interact closely with a faculty member and a small group of fellow students. Most of the readings will be Web-based and the specific links will be posted on the class web site. Readings are optional but will help you get more from the lectures. Students are encouraged to seek out primary source material and historical accounts from other than electronic sources. Michael J. Buchmeier received his Ph.D. in virology and immunology from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and postdoctoral training at Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation. In 1980, Dr. Buchmeier was appointed to the research faculty in the Department of Immunology at Scripps and later the Molecular and Integrative Neuroscience Department. Prof. Buchmeier joined the faculty at UCI in January 2008, and holds a dual appointment in MB&B and the Department of Medicine. He has pursued research on a broad range of problems in viral pathogenesis focusing on emerging viral infections such as Lassa, Ebola and SARS, and on virus-induced demyelinating and neurodegenerative diseases and viral pathogenesis, and is currently Deputy Director of the Pacific Southwest Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases. Parasites and People On many college campuses in the US, TOMS Shoes are part of a fashionable student wardrobe. Although this company charges a bit more for shoes, its “one for one” program ensures that each pair that is purchased in the US is matched with a pair given to children in need around the world. Part of the reason that this program is revolutionary is that wearing shoes prevents infection with hookworm which causes anemia, retards physical growth (stunting) and induces deficits in cognition. We will discuss parasites such as hookworm that chronically infect people to decrease their quality of life. We will also consider other parasitic diseases that cause death after acute infection, such as the malaria parasite, which kills two children every minute in Africa. We will watch 10 short documentaries from the BBC and discuss the specific conditions that lead to infection and illness and the medical, public health and economic barriers that promote a cycle of infection and poverty in disease endemic countries. This class will not have outside reading or assignments. Student grades will be based on class participation in association with the 10 documentaries. In order to pass the class, students must attend 9 of the 10 meetings and participate in class discussions. 1. An introduction to the problem of parasites Naomi Morissette is a parasitologist who is interested in identifying new drugs to treat infections with protozoan parasites, particularly apicomplexan parasites which include the agents of malaria. She teaches an upper division class on the pathology, immunology, lifecycles, treatment and epidemiology of the major human protozoan and helminth parasites. ENGINEERING Ethics and Responsibility in Design for Biomedical Engineers (Ethics in Biomed) Biomedical engineers design products that enhance and maintain life. Errors in the design process can lead to death. Ethics and responsibility are important characteristics of biomedical engineers. In this course, we will examine a number of cases where engineers made mistakes that caused, or could have caused, deaths. We will perform case studies of several medical devices that were defective. Example devices include the Therac-25 radiation machine and the Sprint Fidelis Lead. For each device, we will examine its intended function, and study how errors in design or manufacture lead to deaths or potential deaths. Jim Brody is an Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering. His research interests are in statistics of cancer and genetics. Before joining UC Irvine, he previously co-founded a company that built medical devices. Great Successess and Failures in Materials Science and Engineering (Matrls Succeed&Fail in SOC) This seminar surveys successful and catastrophic examples of materials used in engineering applications. Case studies of materials used in the RMS Titanic, Apollo and Space Shuttle vehicles, DC-10 aircraft, and biomedical implants are presented. What was or could have been learned as a result of both failures and successes will be discussed. Some short reading assignments will be assigned. Jim Earthman has been teaching Materials Science and Engineering courses at UCI since Winter 1989. The last time he taught this freshman seminar was in 2004. The students seemed to have liked it a lot then. HUMANITIES Sexuality in Early America (Sex in Early Amer in SOC) How did early Americans understand, write about and regulate sexual behavior? Which sex acts were encouraged and which were considered criminal? By looking at original 17th and 18th-century documents, as well as some historical writings, we will try to rediscover the sexual world that colonial Americans inhabited. Sample Documents:
Assignments: Group work with trial transcripts, 1 paragraph summaries of articles, Sharon Block is currently Ugrad Associate Dean, taught a Transfer Seminar in Fall 2011
with high evaluations, has won an Academic Senate teaching award, and "To Hell with Dante" This is a course that introduces students to Dante's Inferno, with an introduction to the philosophy and theology of the day and close readings of the major canti. All readings will be taken from Bernard Mandelbaum's translation of Dante's Inferno. James T. Chiampi, Professor of Italian, received his M.Phil. and Ph.D. from Yale University. He is a former Fulbright Fellow as well as a fellow of the Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa. Chiampi has published widely on Dante, Italian Renaissance literature and the works of Primo Levi. Renaissance Europe Goes to the Movies (Ren Europe Movies in SOC) Stephen Jay Gould writes that the film Jurassic Park contains several errors, but that these errors “belong to a juicy and informative class of faults.” In this course, we will examine the “juicy faults” about the European Renaissance that we find in movies from the 1940s up through the bout the European Renaissance that we find in movies from the 1940s up through the early twenty-first century. Hundreds of movies have been made about the European Renaissance. Our principle of selection will derive from the (itself juicily fruitful) that ‘Man’ “awoke” out of the slumber of the Middle Ages and became aware of himself as an individual. The outsized individuals whose cinematic selves we will examine include artists (Michelangelo and Vermeer), politicians (Machiavelli and Richelieu), politicians (Machiavelli and Richelieu), monarchs (Elizabeth I), religious men and movements (Martin Luther, Pope Julius II, and the Anabaptists), intellectuals and scientists (Thomas More, Giordano Bruno, Galileo), and explorers (Columbus), as well as several less prominent individuals whose fraught early modern lives have been captured on film in interesting ways. Viewing a selection of films outside of class to be discussed in class on the basis of film clips; short readings on the historical figures and events depicted in the films. Two "film viewing notes" writing exercises. Jane O. Newman is Professor of Comparative Literature at UC Irvine, where she teaches Renaissance and Early Modern Comparative Studies. Newman was Director of Women’s Studies at UC Irvine from 1988-91, Director of Comparative Literaturefrom 2000-2003, and Director of the interdisciplinary Program in European Studies from 2006-2010. Newman has won several teaching awards. Her publications include Pastoral Conventions (Johns Hopkins UP, 1990), The Intervention of Philology (U of North Carolina P, 2000), Benjamin’s Library: Modernity, Nation, and the Baroque (Cornell UP, 2011), and essays on 16th and 17th century English and Central European literature and culture, Walter Benjamin and the Baroque, Erich Auerbach, and the disciplinary history of Renaissance and Baroque Studies. INFORMATION AND COMPUTER SCIENCES Do it Yourself Electronics (Hobby Electronics in SOC) M 9-9:50 am, ICS 209 Have you ever wanted to build a cool electronic gadget like a digital music player or a remote controlled car? This seminar will introduce all the basics that you will need to start making projects on your own. This will be a hands on class so you will be required to spend about $100 total on parts that you will build with. We will cover very practical issues, like how to buy electrical parts, how to wire components together, and how to read a component data sheet. You do not need to know about electronics to take this seminar but you should have written a program in the past, in any computer language. Students will read about existing DIY hardware projects, and some basic information about programming for embedded systems. Students will write some simple programs. Ian G. Harris is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at UCI. He received his BS degree in Computer Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1990. He received his MS and PhD degrees in Computer Science from the University of California San Diego in 1992 and 1997 respectively. His research interests involve the security and testing of hardware and software systems. Problem Solving Through Recreational Math (Recreational Math in SOC) Amelia Regan, Computer Science W 11-11:50 am, DBH 1423 Historically, many of the most important mathematical concepts arose from problems that were recreational in origin. This seminar explores concepts in critical thinking through mathematical puzzles and games. High school algebra and common sense are all that is required, along with a sense of humor and willingness to participate. We are guaranteed to have lots of fun! We'll mainly select problems from the classic book "Problem solving through recreational mathematics" by Bonnie Averbach and Orin Chein (mainly chapters 1,2,3,and 9). One or two problems will be announced in advance for the next week's meeting and others will be selected during the class. Amelia Regan is a Professor of Computer Science and Transportation Systems Engineering. Her research is concerned with
dynamic and stochastic network optimization, parallel and distributed
computing, optimal contracting, port operations, logistics systems analysis,
freight industry analysis, shipper behavior modeling, freight transportation
planning, combinatorial and on-line auction mechanism and algorithm How to Lie With Infographics (Infographic Lies in SOC) Donald Patterson, Informatics W 4-4:50 pm, DBH 5011 This seminar will look at common ways in which statistics and infographics can be used to misrepresent and mislead viewers. In addition to reading the classic book "How to Lie with Statistics", we will scour current media for examples and learn how to generate our own information visualizations with the beginners computer programming language, Processing. Assignments will include:
Donald J. Patterson is an Assistant Professor in the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences at the University of California at Irvine where he also serves as director of the Laboratory for Ubiquitous Computing and Interaction. Professor Patterson''s research lies at the interface of ubiquitous computing, artificial intelligence and human-computer interaction. In this space he researches applications, algorithms and systems that use intelligent context to support situated computing. Chaos and Fractals in Nature (Chaos & Fractals in SOC) Modern physical scientists such as astronomers, physicists, chemists, and even mathematicians, use computers every day to learn about the world. Computers are used to analyze data, as in the case of the Human Genome Project. Computers can be used to simulate physical systems, such as galaxies. We will look into how computers can be reliably used in such situations, as well as when computers should NOT be used and some classic examples where computers have contributed to confusion and errors. Wayne Hayes began his career in scientific computing in high school, when he wrote a program on his home computer to "fly" through a galaxy. His fascination with simulating and analyzing galaxies on the computer continue to this day, and his current research focuses on whether galaxy simulations as performed by astronomers are reliable. NURSING SCIENCE Promoting and Maintaining Optimal Personal Wellness as a College Student Ellen Olshansky, Nursing Science Tu 10-10:50, 252D Berk Hall This seminar will provide information for students to manage their stress, maintain balance between school and personal life, and to develop healthy approaches to their college years. Discussions will address the connection between mind and body and techniques to achieve synergy in mind and body. Readings will include excerpts from several books, including "Kitchen Table Wisdom" by Naomi Rachel Remen, and several other readings to be determined. Class time will include discussion of readings and experential sessions, such as mindfulness meditation. Assignments will include a selfreflective paper on the students'' views of health and how best to maintain optimum health. Prof. Ellen Olshansky is Founding Director of the Nursing Science Program. She has a B.A. in Social Work from U.C. Berkeley, a B.S., M.S., and D.N.Sc. in Nursing from UC San Francisco. Her research focuses on women''s and family health across the lifespan with a focus on wellness and healthy interpersonal relationships. She is also co-investigator on an NIH-funded study of the efficacy of assisted exercise with preterm newborns in maintaining healthy body composition and preventing obesity in later life. PHYSICAL SCIENCES The Chemistry of Health and Disease (Chem Health&Disease in SOC) How can we guard our health? What are the known risk factors for disease, and what can we do to minimize them? Can we forestall aging? Join us for a molecular tour through the known chemistry behind diet, exercise, aging, and longevity. Learn how to lower your risk of heart attack, cancer, diabetes, or neurological diseases like Alzheimer''s or Parkinson''s. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure! We shall read recent peer-reviewed articles that show how lifestyle changes lead to molecular-level changes, and how quickly these changes occur. We focus on hard science, not anecdotal claims. A. J. Shaka is a chemist by training, and has interests in molecular structure determination by nuclear magnetic resonance, radiochemistry and the effects of low-dose radiation, and nuclear power. He uses the latest research on health and disease to make his own lifestyle choices, which he will share with you. PUBLIC HEALTH Educating Instead of Medicating in Public Health Zuzana Bic, Public Health F 10-10:50 am, SSL 152 The goal of the seminar is to learn how to think healthy and increase the level of health literacy. Students will enjoy reading and discussing health topics that address many issues in which they are interested in or are involved with. This seminar will transition students from passive, memorization-type learning, to an active, analytical and critical learning style with practical application for personal and public health. Required textbook: Educating Instead of Medicating in Public Health, University Readers, by Zuzana Bic and Ramon. P. Oblepias Llamas, www.universityreaders.com Dr. Zuzana Bic has Doctorate degrees in both Public Health and Medicine.
She is the author of the book No More Headaches, No More Migraines. Dr.
Bic studies the impact and application of "lifestyle medicine" (nutrition,
physical activity, stress management) on slowing the process of aging and
developing of other chronic diseases (headaches, diabetes II, cardiovascular
diseases, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia /chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis,
cancer, depression, drug abuse, and others.). She is also working to develop
health literacy programs for the K-12 curriculum and for the general public SOCIAL ECOLOGY The Politics of Crime: Thinking about the Relationship between Crime, the Fear of Crime and Public Policy Designed to Control Crime (Politics of Crime in SOC) Val Jenness, Criminology, Law and Society M 5-5:50 pm, 5304 SBSG SOCIAL SCIENCES Middle East: Past, Present, Future (Mid East Thru Time in SOC) Daniel Brunstetter, Political Science W 10-10:50 am, SE2 1306 This course explores the various and multi-faceted narratives of peoples
living in the Middle East: Bedouins, Jews Muslims, Christians, Druze, Baha’i,
and others. We look at how their identities were formed and altered across
several millennia through the lenses of empire, religion, exodus, war,
democracy, and diasporas. The focus of the course is philosophical
(understanding how identities are formed and changed) and historical
(garnering a deeper understanding of the cultural impact of past events on Activities: Daniel Brunstetter's current research interests include early modern human rights thought,
just war theory, drone warfare, and immigration. His new book project,
tentatively titled ''US Presidents and the Just War Tradition,'' examines ways
in which US presidents have understood and implemented the ethical
principles of the just war. What Do Labor Unions Do? (Labor Unions Do? in SOC) Judith Stepan-Norris, Sociology F 2-2:50 pm, SSPB 4206 We will explore the world of U.S. labor unions, including a brief overview of their histories, the roll of strikes, collective bargaining, membership (including race, gender, and immigration status issues), recent developments and ebbs and flows in their coverage of the U.S. labor force. Readings include Gary Chaison. 2006. Unions in America. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Professor Stepan-Norris' research focuses on the U.S. labor movement. Most of her work has been historical (she has done extensive work on the Congress of Industrial Organization (CIO) period of the 1930s through the mid 1950s) but she has also studied more recent developments like the AFL-CIO Union Summer program. She teaches Sociology 145 (Sociology of Occupations and Professions), Sociology 110 (Sociological Methods), and Sociology 180A (Sociology Majors' Seminar). |
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| Freshman Seminar Program 256 Aldrich Hall Irvine, CA 92697-5675 Phone (949) 824-6987 Fax (949) 824-3469 A Division of Undergraduate Education Program © 2011 The Regents of the University of California All Rights Reserved |
