Augustana College
Rock Island, Illinois
EPC ACTIONS CONSIDERED FINAL AS OF 9/24/14
1)
NEW COURSE:
BUSN 335: Options and Other Derivatives [Baugous]
3 cr.
As an undergraduate elective course, this class provides an introduction to options, future and other
derivative securities. We will learn a core set of principles that help us understand how derivative
assets are used in practice and the impact of derivatives on the economy and society. The broad
topics include the valuation models and trading strategies (hedging and speculation) involving
forwards, futures, and options. We will also discuss a number of important concepts such as
volatility smiles, the Greek letters, and value at risk.
2)
NEW COURSE:
ECON 318: Advanced Mathematics for Economists [Short]
1 cr.
Topics in the use of linear algebra and multivariate calculus in economic theory and applications.
Prerequisites: 201, 202, MATH 219 or equivalent, senior standing. Credit cannot be earned in this
course if ECON 317 has been completed and vice versa.
3)
NEW COURSE:
GRMN 213: Culture of Switzerland [Seidlitz]
(Drop GRMN 202)
3 cr.
Intermediate German language and introduction to culture, art, music, and history of Switzerland.
Includes vocabulary building, grammar review, writing, reading, and development of listening skills.
Prerequisite: GRMN 103 or placement.
4)
NEW COURSE:
LSFY 102: From Asimov to Zeno: Paradoxes and Science Fiction [Gould]
3 cr.
Paradoxes are often considered the centerpieces of philosophical inquiry, and thought-experiments
are useful vehicles for exploring these puzzles. Since science fiction has fewer constraints than some
other kinds of story-telling, many classic science-fiction scenarios act as thought-experiments that
explore puzzling philosophical paradoxes. In this class, we will study some enduring paradoxes
through science fiction writing, film, and television. We will begin by addressing the general
question, “What are paradoxes?”, and we will survey some well-known paradoxes through the
history of philosophy while reading science fiction excerpts and short stories. Throughout the term,
students will research paradoxes and science fiction, with the aim of clarifying their thinking about
these ideas and related topics.
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5)
NEW COURSE:
LSFY 102: From Villains to Heroes: How Pornographers, Racists, and FlagBurners Helped Us Define the First Amendment [J. Schroeder]
3 cr.
When the Framers of the Bill of Rights penned the First Amendment, commanding that “Congress
shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press,” they made freedom of
expression one of America’s core values.
In the centuries that have passed, ordinary people, some well-meaning, most not, have helped us to
discover what freedom of expression is by breaking laws, taking unpopular stands, or simply being
cruel and unethical. They have burned our flag. They have murdered and profited from the book
deals. They have started riots, threatened to kill the president, and protested homosexuality at the
funerals of American soldiers killed in combat. Actions such as these have made these arguably
villainous individuals into First Amendment heroes – unwitting pioneers that helped flesh out
freedoms that most Americans can now take for granted.
Each of these “villainous” heroes has a fascinating story. This course examines these stories and
their contributions to one of our fundamental freedoms.
6)
NEW COURSE:
LSFY 102: From Ashes to Immortality: Music and the Holocaust
[Ehrlich]
3 cr.
During the Holocaust, European fascists attempted to exterminate the Jewish people and their
culture. Even before WWII, the Nazis banned Jewish music and used music as a propaganda tool
against them. But for the Jews, music was a connection to their past, sustenance to feed creative
hunger, and a salve to soothe spiritual wounds. We will explore the historical origins of this music,
how music helped save a culture, and why the arts are so dangerous, even in our own time.
Ultimately, we’ll seek to discover the centrality of the arts in our time and culture.
Listening to various styles of music will be required, but students will not need to be able to read
music in order to be successful in this class.
7)
NEW COURSE:
PUBH 300: Epidemiology [Wegman-Geedey]
(Drop BIOL 240)
3 cr.
Epidemiologic studies are used to determine the factors that influence disease trends (E.g.,
infectious, environmental, molecular, psychosocial/behavioral) among different groups of people
and/or animals. Upon completion of the course, students will understand the basic concepts,
methods, and terminology of epidemiology, and the application of these concepts and methods to
current public health issues.
8)
NEW COURSE:
SCAN 311: Swedish Folklore [Mier-Cruz]
(Drop SCAN 302)
3 cr.
A survey of traditional Swedish folklore, legends, mythology and contemporary horror. All texts will
be in Swedish. Excerpts of prose will be presented via “easy reading” editions. Focus on
conversation (oral proficiency), reading, writing and listening comprehension. Taught in Swedish.
Prerequisite: Scan 103 or placement.
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9)
LEARNING PERSPEC.
PS
COMM 265: Introduction to Health Communication [Hilton-Morrow]
An introductory examination of major communication challenges, theories and practices as they
relate to health. We will consider the way people talk about health to themselves, with their families
and within their communities. We’ll also examine doctor-patient communication, communication
within the healthcare team, and public health communication campaigns. The course embraces a
cultural approach to the study of effective communication. The course focuses primarily on the US
context and cultures, but will draw from the experiences and systems of other nations and cultures
as well. The course has a strong practical component and will engage you with the community.
10)
LEARNING PERSPEC.
PL
ENGL 125-S: Narrative and Sport [France]
Sport, perhaps more than any other realm of discourse, revels in our urge to turn a series of actions,
often mostly beyond our influence, into a simple parable. Even a race decided in a few seconds can
be broken down into a story with a beginning, middle and end. Why are the tools of narrative
necessary for understanding what seem to be purely physical disciplines? Can a narrative medium,
like writing, accurately impart the sensory rush of athletic achievement? We will study different
media and modes, considering how the features of each make them more or less suitable for the
topic at hand. We will also consider how sports narratives, like all literature, challenge or confirm
racial, sexual, and physical norms.
11)
LEARNING PERSPEC.
PP
HIST 320: Public History [Leech]
Basic principles for the collection, organization, preservation and public presentation of material
culture and historical records in museums, archives, historical societies or public agencies. Includes
practical experience under supervision of public history professionals. May be repeated when
content is significantly different.
12)
LEARNING PERSPEC.
PS
PSYC 214: Adolescent Development [Rose]
An examination of the biological and environmental forces affecting human development from
preadolescence to adulthood. Credit may not be earned for both 214 and 216.
13)
LEARNING COMMUNITY
Sustainable Energy
GEOL 116: Energy Resources & the Environment [Strasser]
BIOL 385: Applied Ecology [Reisner]
Students will use an interdisciplinary approach to formulate a portion of solution strategies to
transition to a sustainable energy system, defined as: An energy system with the strong likelihood of
avoiding dangerous climate change, maintaining the Earth’s critical life support systems and the vital
services they provide to humanity, and providing access to the amount of energy necessary to
ensure a minimum quality of life for all members of humanity.
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14)
LEARNING COMMUNITY
The Art of Teaching Language Arts
EDUC 382: Secondary ELA Methods [Hanson]
ENGL 312: Writing, Grammar, and Language Theory [Gillette]
This learning community seeks to unlock the mysteries of writing and how to teach it to others.
What exactly do we do when we write and how did we learn how to do it? The English class in the
learning community is ENGL312, which introduces you to the theories of composition (current
traditional, expressivist, cognitivist, social-rhetorical) as well as grammar and social linguistic history.
The education class, EDUC382, is a English language arts methods class that puts the theories into
practice. How do we teach intermediate and high school students how to write? How do we teach
grammar in context? This course also teaches methods for teaching literature (specifically poetry
and Shakespeare). For a service learning project, the students in the LC work with the LSFY program
to offer two or three writing workshops for first-year students. NOTE: This LC was created for future
secondary language arts teachers who are in good standing in the education program. Anyone else
who is interested needs to talk to the instructors.
15)
Change in the Economics Major
Current Requirement: MATH 329 may be substituted for ECON 317
New Requirement: One of: (a) ECON 317; (b) MATH 329; or (c) MATH 219 and ECON 318
16)
IP Grade:
EDUC 262: International Comparative Education: Jamaica
EDUC 263: Jamaican School-Based Internship
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Koski
Office of Academic Affairs
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