GENERAL EDUCATION SEMINARS

GES-105  FIRST YEAR SEMINAR

First-Year Seminar, general course description:

The First-Year Seminar offers an academic exploration of a topic of interest to both students and faculty. The First year seminar is designed to introduce students to the eleven learning outcomes of Davis & Elkins College’s Program of General Education. These learning outcomes are:

• The ability to think critically

• The ability to communicate effectively in writing

• The ability to communicate effectively orally

• The ability to reason quantitatively

• The ability to reason ethically

• Global Awareness and an awareness of appreciation of diversity

• Fluency in the realm of information

• Fluency in the realm of technology

• An appreciation of the value of community service

• An understanding of leadership and character

• The ability to work as a member of a team

Each First-Year seminar offers an in-depth exposure one or two of these learning outcomes in the exploration of the seminar topic.

GES-1051A-01

Heroes

Instructor: Helen Benigni

Seminar Description: 

This course will explore the definition of a hero in ancient and modern cultures and help formulate exactly what we believe denotes a hero today. Classical heroes, such as Perseus and Hercules, romantic heroes, such as King Arthur and Robin Hood, as well as modern heroes, such as Ernest Hemingway and Martin Luther King, Jr. will serve as models for the definition of a hero.

GES-1051B-01

Justice

Instructor: Peter Okun

Seminar Description: 

In this course, we will explore various theories and definitions of “justice,” and apply them to real-life problems of right and wrong (sometimes called “ethical problems” or “moral dilemmas”). We will also apply these theories and definitions to controversial ethical issues encountered in a variety of contexts (literature, film, history, contemporary journalism, and so on). In each instance, our goal will be to answer these critical questions: what is the “right thing to do,” and why?

GES-1051B-02

Justice

Instructor: Joe Roidt

Seminar Description: 

In this course, we will explore various theories and definitions of “justice,” and apply them to real-life problems of right and wrong (sometimes called “ethical problems” or “moral dilemmas”). We will also apply these theories and definitions to controversial ethical issues encountered in a variety of contexts (literature, film, history, contemporary journalism, and so on). In each instance, our goal will be to answer these critical questions: what is the “right thing to do,” and why?

GES-1051C-01

Wolves in the Human Imagination                                                  

Instructor: Bill King

Seminar Description: 

This seminar will explore the human valuation of wolves, beginning with the image of the wolf in fable and myth, continuing in twentieth century fiction, film, and nonfiction, and concluding in the current “wolf war” rhetoric that has emerged since the recent reintroduction, and hunting of gray wolves in the American northwest.

GES-1051D-01

Visual Journaling

Instructor: Michael Doig

Seminar Description: 

Learn how to record your life, memories, and experiences in a sketchbook-style format. In this class, students will keep a visual journal employing art techniques such as drawing, 2-D design, photography, collage making, and painting, allowing us to reflect on the creative process. These will both promote creativity and originality, while dealing with the difficulties of creating art. For inspiration, we will be studying the sketchbooks and journals of such visionaries as Leonardo da Vinci, Charles Darwin, Paul Cezanne, David Hockney, and others. This class will be art intensive and students will be expected to work in the studio, as well as at home.

GES-1051E-01

All Fun and Games

Instructor: Brian Moudry

Seminar Description:  

This course will have two main objectives. The first will be to explore the probabilities behind various deterministic games, such as roulette, craps, backgammon, wheel games, slot machines, poker, and others. The second objective will be to introduce basic game theory in helping understand how one can model our decision making in a mathematical way. The course will be hands-on with many opportunities to play games, create games, and present your results. This course will satisfy the quantitative reasoning and oral presentation learning objectives. No previous knowledge or experience is presumed.

GES-1051F-01

The Science in Science Fiction

Instructor: Shawn Stover

Seminar Description:

 What makes science fiction different from science fact? Often, it’s just a matter of time. Science fiction predicted the rise of satellites, robots, and cloning technology long before they became realities. This course will look at science fiction in literature, film, and television, focusing on the scientific content. Current theoretical and laboratory research will be introduced to provide a foundation for the fictitious science.

GES-1051G-01

From the Bible to the Blues

Instructor: Bob McCutcheon

Seminar Description: 

This seminar will analyze stories from the Bible in both literary and theological terms and see how their themes have been interpreted musically by blues artists. Through essays and exercises, we will explore the resources that languages offer writers for treating religious subjects that often seem to defy expression.

GES-1051H-01

Honors (by invitation only)

Instructor: Joe Roidt, Jennifer Tesar, Tom Tesar

Seminar Description:

In the spring of 2011, four Davis & Elkins College professors were given a homework assignment: read Anthony T. Kronman's book Education's End: Why Our Colleges and Universities Have Given up on the Meaning of Life, and - in response - pick a book with which they are familiar that addresses questions of life's meaning to teach in this team taught honors seminar.

GES-1051J-01

Muggles, Wizards & Quidditich. Beyond a good read: Looking for meaning in Harry Potter

Instructor: Judith Smith

Seminar Description: 

This seminar will explore the literary and cultural significance of Harry Potter. Through the reading of some of the books in the Harry Potter series and through scholarly journal readings, students will be introduced to philosophical, psychological and pop-culture topics.

GES-1051K-01

"So You Want to Start a Business? Can Capitalism and Social Responsibility Successfully Co-Exist?"

Instructor: Carol Carter

Seminar Description: 

We will take a look at the mentality required for business startups along with the street smarts that are required for entrepreneurs to be successful and compare those to the needs of their current and future employees and customers as we ask... "can one be successful in business AND make a positive difference in the lives of the constituents?" Join us as we navigate the "dark side" of capitalism.

GES-1051L-01

Nature and the Individual

Instructor: Tom Tesar

Seminar Description: 

This course will study the effect of nature on mind, body, and spirit. Students will be exposed to great nature writers such as Thoreau, Emerson, Muir, Leopold, Carson, Abbey, and Olson, as well as the contemporary observations of Richard Louv. This course will focus on the students’ relationship with nature. What impact does nature have on the modern-day student? What benefits might be found through interactions with nature? How far-reaching are these benefits?  How can an individual connect with nature?

GES-1051M-01

American Culture

Instructor: Mike Mazzolini

Seminar Description: 

An introduction to American customs, traditions, and social norms/etiquette, employing aspects of ESL (this course is reserved for international students).

GES-1051N-01

Music and the Immigrant Story in the United States

Instructor: Donna Moore

Seminar Description: 

This course explores the United States’ status as a cultural melting pot, taking in influences from across the world and creating distinctively new forms of cultural expression. American music has evolved consistently throughout the nation’s history through processes of transplantation and hybridization. This seminar will explore certain trends in music with an emphasis on how political, social, geographic, economic and intellectual movements have affected musicians and composers during various time periods in American history, as well as the role that the immigrant story has had on the development of music in the United States. 

GES-1051P-01

The Language of Caring

Instructor: Lora Cruz

Seminar Description:

In this seminar students will explore the language of caring in nursing. One emphasis will be on medical terminology and students will discover that this terminology can be used as a tool for critical thinking in healthcare settings. This class will assist the student in recognizing the communication styles that can help or hinder the caring relationship. Ethical and cultural aspects of communication in health care settings will also be examined.

GES-1051P-02

The Language of Caring

Instructor: Karen Seel

Seminar Description:

In this seminar students will explore the language of caring in nursing. One emphasis will be on medical terminology and students will discover that this terminology can be used as a tool for critical thinking in healthcare settings. This class will assist the student in recognizing the communication styles that can help or hinder the caring relationship. Ethical and cultural aspects of communication in health care settings will also be examined.

To register for a First Year Seminar session, contact Amelia Rossi at rossia@dewv.edu or 304-637-1280.