Hinman Courses

Smith Hall

Students enrolling in these courses must either be already living in Hinman Community or be willing to move to Hinman for 2008-09. When students enroll in a Learning Community, they choose a residential component and an academic component. Students enroll in course(s) associated with the Learning Community program as well as the community they would like to live in. They can choose to take linked courses OR hall-based courses OR both (schedule permitting). In general, students can take a combination of linked courses and Hall-Based courses; for example, they can take a linked pair, one or two hall-based courses, or a linked pair and a hall-based course. Also offered is the one-credit Practicum in Leadership and Community Service, a distinctive feature of the Hinman Learning Community. This Practicum can be taken in addition to your regular courses.

Hinman offers 2 pairs of Linked Courses, 2 Hall-Based Courses, and a one-credit Practicum in Community Service and Leadership.

Linked Courses: Students enroll in both courses of a linked pair.

1. English 117E, Section 01
Consumerism, Image, and Empire (H/J)
M/W/F 2:20-3:20
Instructor: Kellie Deys

Course Description:

English 117, Writing About Literature, treats writing as a process, emphasizes revision, and explores a theme in literature. It teaches a general set of rhetorical, critical thinking, and research strategies, reinforcing the conventions of literary argument. Its literary emphasis is in keeping with Binghamton's commitment to the liberal arts.

In this writing intensive course, we will critically examine how images, unattainable promises, and fantasy inform American consumerism and media. The course will analyze American consumerism from World War II to the present day, considering its changing methods and messages, as well as the changing responses to consumerism. Crucial to this examination will be contextualizing consumerism as a part of the United States Empire. Accordingly, we will consider how consumerism uses the notions of “democracy,” “individualism,” and “freedom,” the relationships between politics and consumerism, and the global impact of American consumerism. Central to our studies will be considerations of gender, race, class, sexual orientation, religion, and historical context.

We will read critical essays, political speeches, short pieces of fiction, and magazines; we will examine various texts, including advertising campaigns, films, and cultural artifacts. Students will compose several papers, of varying length, with an emphasis on the writing process (drafts and revision); deliver a group presentation; complete shorter weekly writing assignments. Discussion and student involvement will be essential to this course.

Possible texts include: Can’t Buy My Love: Advertising Changes the Way We Think and Feel, Twilight Zones: The Hidden Life of Cultural Images from Plato to O.J.

If you wish to enroll in this course, YOU MUST ALSO enroll in POLITICAL SCIENCE 111, SEC 12: “INTRO TO AMERICAN POLITICS.” We will consider the thematic intersections between Poli Sci 111 and “Consumerism, Image, and Empire” as we critically read, write, and discuss. These thematic links will inform our approaches and engagements with the texts. Enrollment for this course is available only through Steve Duarte in the Discovery Program, located in the CIW Library, or by calling (607) 777-4709.

LINKED WITH

Political Science 111
Introduction to American Politics (N/P)
Lecture T/R 10:05-11:05; Discussion Section 12 W 4:40-6:00
Instructor: Jonathan Krasno

Course Description:

Introductory survey of American politics, including Congress, the presidency, the Supreme Court, bureaucracy, media, civil rights and civil liberties, political behavior, political parties and interest groups.

Format may vary by sections:

Evaluation is based on examinations, papers and active participation in discussion section.

2. English 117F, Section 01
Gettin' Medieval On It (H/J)
T/R: 1:15-2:40
Instructor: Holly Wendt

Course Description:

This course will use medieval literature as a point from which to investigate recurring themes such as love, duty, jealousy, anger, authority, and cultural change. From this starting point, we will also investigate how elements of medieval history and culture have become romanticized and mythologized in such a way that they are continually being engaged and reinvented in even the 21st century and yet still address the same societal concerns. By engaging these texts in a variety of ways (as stories, as translations, as adaptations, as allegories, as cultural representations), we will come to a better understanding of why the medieval mythos holds such fascination even centuries later. What changes are made to these texts as their stories are retold even today? What might those changes reveal about the way societies—even 21st century societies—confront or avoid larger issues such as war, power structures, issues of gender and race, and cultural identity?

When possible, the course will integrate further adaptations of each text (films, comics, other elements of popular culture) into discussion.

Course texts may include Beowulf, The Once and Future King, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and others.

If you wish to enroll in this course, YOU MUST ALSO ENROLL IN SOCIOLOGY 100A: “SOCIAL CHANGE: INTRO TO SOCIOLOGY.” We will consider the thematic intersections between Sociology 100A and “Gettin' Medieval On It” as we critically read, write, and discuss. These thematic links will inform our approaches and engagements with the texts. Enrollment for this course is available only through Steve Duarte in the Discovery Program, located in the CIW Library; or by calling (607) 777-4709.

LINKED WITH

Sociology 100A
Social Change: Introduction to Sociology (G/N)
Lecture M/W 3:30-4:30; Discussion Section 04 F 1:10-2:40
Instructor: Kelvin Santiago

Course Description:

An introduction to Sociology, focusing on the inception of sociological thinking, the centrality of race, gender, and class as categories of analysis and inequalities both within societies, and among countries.

Hall-Based Courses:

1. Chemistry 107
Introductory Chemistry Principles I (L)
Lecture M/W/F 9:40AM-10:40AM; R 7:00PM-9:00PM; Lab #53 M 12:00PM-3:00PM
Instructor: Dan Brennan

Course Description:

Fundamentals of chemistry, including atomic structure, elementary thermodynamics, kinetic theory of gases, chemical bonding, molecular structure and chemical equilibria. The material complements that of CHEM 108 (spring semester); together, CHEM 107 and CHEM 108 provide a thorough treatment of chemical principles. Not open to students who have credit for CHEM 111.

FORMAT: Two or three lectures, one recitation, and one three hour laboratory per week.

BOOKS: BU Faculty & Staff, CHEM 107 LABORATORY MANUAL, current edition, required; required book to be announced.

NOTES: THIS COURSE IS APPROPRIATE FOR FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS

PREREQUISITE: High school chemistry or consent of instructor. Either CHEM 107/CHEM 108 or CHEM 111 is required for chemistry and biology majors. Not open to students who have credit for CHEM 111.

2. Math 221, Section 11
Calculus I (M)
M/W/F 8:00-9:30
Instructor:

Course Description:

Some properties of real numbers, inequalities and absolute value; elementary functions and their graphs; limits and continuous functions; derivative of a function; computation of derivatives and properties of derivative; various applications of derivatives; definite integral of function over interval; some properties of integral; indefinite integral; fundamental theorem of calculus. For majors and non-majors.

Basis for evaluation of performance is homework and/or quizzes, examinations and a final.

Pre-requisite of MATH 108 or equivalent. Students are also required to pass the mathematics diagnostic test which will be administered during orientation and before classes begin.

This course is appropriate for first-year students.

Practicum:

Human Development 106
Practicum in Community Service and Leadership
T 4:25-5:25
Instructor: Al Vos

This one-credit course is for students enrolled in the Hinman Learning Community. Through hands-on experience students interested in leadership and service activities can explore the plethora of options available at Binghamton. It’s designed to be a first-step on a journey of leadership and service, laying the foundation for ongoing, increasing involvement in service and leadership throughout your years at BU and beyond. This one-credit course provides:

One hour a week of class discussion of issues and topics relating to service and leadership, held in your residence hall, with the Faculty Master of Hinman College
A total of 20 hours during the semester of participation in organized service projects, chosen from a roster of opportunities; on average, an hour or two of service-learning activities per week
Each student in this Practicum will be paired up with an experienced upper-class mentor; each mentor has an established record of involvement and a passion for service and leadership
Completion of a self-study of your personal abilities and interests, using the STRENGTHS’ QUEST program
Regular opportunities to reflect upon your service experiences within the community, and to assess your own personal growth as an engaged citizen of the university and the community.

This Practicum is organized and directed by the Faculty Master of Hinman College. It provides one credit (most BU courses give four credits).