Enhanced Learning Linkages
As part of its efforts to enhance the quality and relevance of first-year courses, University College is pleased to announce a new opportunity for Fall 2009 that will connect first-year students with faculty who have designed their liberal studies courses with the unique needs of first-year students in mind. Early feedback, faculty accessibility, introduction to campus procedures, and emphasis on the study strategies of successful students combine with intriguing course topics to guide students on a path of active learning.
LBST 2101, Dr. Joanne Robinson: An exploration of how religious traditions have shaped ideas about what is "good" and "evil" or "right" and "wrong" as well as about which individuals or groups should be classified as "us" or "the other". Course materials will include religious and philosophical texts (primarily from Christian, Jewish, and Islamic traditions) read alongside sources relating to current events.
LBST 2101, Dr. Catherine Fuentes: In this course students will examine 21st century concepts of gender (both male and female) in the United States and Europe by locating the historical context of our gender beliefs and associated gender roles. Students will note the specific ways in which various contexts (political, social, economic), both past and present, shape the cultural construction of gender. Explanations for both change and continuity in notions of gender will be examined in addition to current controversial gender topics such as men and women's right over women's body (i.e., abortion, in-vitro fertilization, stem-cell research), the role of women in the military, and women's roles as mothers.
LBST 2102, Dr. Daniel White: By examining the interaction of ideas such as dharma, karma, kama, asceticism, transmigration, etc. and their place in the 5'000 years of India's history, this course will not only begin to understand how ideas have molded both people and history in South Asia but also have influenced the relationship of that region of the world to other regions both in the past and present. In addition, the course explores how those ideas affect the ways in which countries like Pakistan and India have grown into significant international importance politically, militarily, socially, economically, culturally and religiously in the 21st century.
LBST 2102, Dr. Jamie Strickland: This course emphasizes the socio-cultural, economic, and environmental diversity of the world as an essential requisite to geographic comprehension, and furthering our understanding of globalization processes.
LBST 2213, Dr. Topher Gee: An exploration of science, both myth and reality, in the media, politics, fiction, film, and our everyday lives.
LBST 2214, Dr. Michael Turner: An exploration of the transition from adolescence to adulthood from both a societal and personal perspective.
Please note that these new offerings are in addition to a range of choices for programs that can help first-year students at UNC Charlotte. These include Learning Communities in a wide variety of programs and themes and first-year seminars.
