First Year Seminar Courses
Fall 2015
What is a First Year Seminar?
Your first year seminar (FYS) course is designed to help you
transition to life as a college student. The course will
introduce you to academics as well as college life in general
and will help you learn about the many resources and
opportunities available to you as an Alma College student.
How do I choose an FYS course that is right for me?
FYS courses are part of your general education requirements,
so take this chance to pick a course that sounds interesting to
you, even if it is not related to an intended major. All FYS
courses are designed to challenge you to think critically and
creatively, to help you learn how to work collaboratively with
your peers, and to introduce you to the Alma College campus
community. While each course explores a focused topic, all
FYS courses include activities that will help you succeed at
Alma. This is a great opportunity to branch out and try
something new in your FYS course.
FYS 101.01: Food, Culture, and Identity
(5 cr.)
Dr. Mary Theresa Bonhage-Freund
You are what you eat, and what you don’t eat as well. From
the poorest to the richest nations, food is of central
importance. While we tend to associate food with physical
survival, food also provides spiritual, social and cultural
sustenance. By exploring the diverse facets of food within
multiple ethnic contexts, this course promotes both an
awareness of the interconnectedness of cultures, and an
appreciation for ethnic uniqueness, traditions and identity.
FYS 101.02: What’s in Your Toothpaste?
(5 cr.)
Dr. Scott Hill
This course explores how chemistry impacts everyday life.
What are some of the aspects of chemistry that underlie our
everyday experiences? Chemistry plays a role in the foods we
eat, the detergents we use, the air we breathe and the gum
we chew. An understanding of chemistry allows us to
develop new therapeutic agents and novel polymers. One of
the questions we will explore is: Can a right-handed molecule
do the same job as a left-handed molecule?
05/29/15
FYS 101.03: Campus Life in Literature:
(5 cr.)
Learning, Sociality and Survival
Ms. Maya Dora-Laskey
From the work of the fifth-century philosopher Socrates
through the twenty-first-century novelist Eugenides, campus
life has been the subject of exciting literary discussions that
range from the sublime to the lighthearted. In this course we
will read some of this work (essays, poems, speeches, film,
and fiction) to see how texts about higher education
represent the wonder and immense possibility of our world in
microcosm even as they offer opportunities for powerful
sociological and philosophical debate. Our outcomes will
focus on critical thinking, community building, and the
development of verbal and written communication skills. At
the conclusion of the course, we will—through group
discussion and independent research—generate models of
reading and writing that empower you to document your
own college experiences over the next four years.
FYS 101.04: Elemental Adventures of the
(5 cr.)
Periodic Table
Dr. Nancy Dopke
Explore the science, people and places of the elements from
their discovery to their uses throughout history. How is
lithium used in batteries and in medicine? What is the
difference between graphite and diamond? Who is Marie
Curie and why did she win two Nobel Prizes? Why is
gadolinium given to patients at a hospital? What is
gadolinium? How are we exposed to the elements through
the media? How do we learn about the elements? We will
explore these and related questions about the periodic table
of the elements through texts, photos, stories, songs and
more.
FYS 101.05: Media and the Mind
(5 cr.)
Dr. Janie Diels
New technologies are transforming the media landscape and
revolutionizing the way we think, what we know, and what
we do. This course will provide an overview of some of the
primary areas of media psychology and examine the use of
psychological theory on emerging media content and
structures. You will gain an understanding of human
cognition and behavior through the study of how media
affects individuals and cultures. We will question how we
learn, what we know, and where knowledge comes from. We
will also question the extent to which media can be used for
socially constructive purposes.
FYS 101.06: Injury and Sport:
(5 cr.)
A Comprehensive Examination and Perspective…
Mr. Phillip Andre, MS, AT, ATC
This course will explore common yet significant injuries that
occur in the realm of sport and athletics. Students will be
introduced to the epidemiology, mechanisms, treatment,
rehabilitation, and overall management of common injuries
including ACL ruptures, as well as investigate the
psychological, monetary, and organizational/team effects
these injuries create and how they influence individual
success. Class will include guest lecturers from multiple
genres who will offer a first-hand account of their own
experience with injury, and how it affected them and their
team duties.
FYS 101.07: Controversial Art: Propaganda,
(5 cr.)
Censorship, and Propriety
Dr. Dan Connolly
Why can’t 16 year olds watch an “R” rated movie? Why is it
okay for you to google an image of Michelangelo’s David but
you could go to jail if you send a nude photo of yourself to a
friend? How should we, as a country, remember wars that
we won? Or that we lost? Who gets to say what you get to
look at? This course will explore, through various case
studies, how different constituent interests have lobbied for
different, even shifting standards. Sometimes art is removed
or banned, sometimes additions or edits are made contrary
to the artists’ intentions, and sometimes the controversy
simply fades away as societal values change over time.
Students will investigate and critically assess what standards
should apply, and who gets to define them.
05/29/15
FYS 101.08: Habits: Acquired, Accidental
(5 cr.)
or Intrinsic?
Dr. Nick Piccolo and Dr. Karen Klumpp
Have you ever thought about how you make everyday
decisions? Are they made intentionally or do you just do
what you’ve always done? Our brains are constantly using
habits to simplify complex decision-making, allowing us to
manage work problems, decide what to have for lunch or
drive in three lanes of traffic while listening to a news
program. But what if they get in our way, keeping us from
achieving desired goals? This class will explore how habits
develop, how we sustain them and how we can change
them. Using intentional review of our habits and goals, we'll
explore how to recognize why we’re doing what we’re
doing…and how we can adjust our habits to accomplish our
goals.
FYS 101.09: Wisdom: Cool Mind, Warm Heart
(5 cr.)
Dr. William Palmer
Is it worth being extremely smart if it does not lead to
wisdom? This FYS will explore wisdom. But what is it and
why does it matter? Can you be wise if you are not also
open-hearted? During your college journey, how can you
learn to cultivate both a cool mind and a warm heart? How
does wisdom concern generosity, honesty, and humility?
How does it involve nature, gratitude, and joy? We will
explore these questions through our readings, discussions,
and writings.
FYS 101.10: Biotechnology
(5 cr.)
Dr. Brian Doyle
Biotechnology is a field where biologists, chemists, physicists,
computer scientists, philosophers and others work together
to make exciting new advancements and conquer challenging
problems that face society. From the age-old practice of
using yeast in baking bread and brewing beer to using
modern recombinant DNA techniques to produce
therapeutics like human insulin, biotechnologists use living
organisms or life processes as tools to advance society.
FYS 101.11: Detective Stories and Films
(5 cr.)
Dr. Chih-Ping Chen
Do you like the BBC's "Sherlock" series? Do you want to be a
Sherlock Holmes, or Agatha Christie's Detective Poirot? Do
you want to know why Holmes or Poirot rose in the "Golden
Ages" of detective fiction? This interdisciplinary course looks
at stories such as those by Sir Conan Doyle and Agatha
Christie. You become detectives to study both the narrative
and film versions and explore the stories' connections to
forensic science (what we now call "CSI") and detective
heroism. You gain skills and knowledge through critical
analysis and research. You collaborate on detective
teamwork. Our goal is to help you, though playing detectives,
to investigate your own intellectual strengths and to learn
strategies in succeeding academically on a liberal arts college
level.
FYS 101.12: The Stuff of Civilizations
(5 cr.)
Dr. Megan McCullen
Human societies require not only people, but ideas, creativity
and material resources to survive and flourish. But when and
how did the tools and materials we take for granted come
about, and how did their development change human
societies? What innovations were required to build the
Pyramids at Giza? Why is gold considered such a valuable
metal? What new materials are we creating today, and how
will these innovations influence society in the future? From
the first stone tools to the industrial revolution and on to
modern day innovations, this class will combine an
introduction to material science with archaeological and
historical evidence of innovations over time.
FYS 101.13: Reading the Movies: Film Viewed
(5 cr.)
as a Novel
Mr. Steven Vest
From the earliest days, film quickly developed into a storytelling medium. This class will look at films using many of the
same lenses and techniques as are used to examine a novel.
We will view multiple films from a wide variety of genres and
examine the messages they convey. We will primarily
examine the films from a storytelling perspective but we will
touch briefly on some technical aspects. In doing this the
students will work to develop study skills, time management
techniques and ways of dealing with the challenges of
adjusting to college life.
FYS 101.14: Contemplation of Nature:
(5 cr.)
A Gateway to the Study of Biology
Dr. Sarah Neumann
A course focused on how great insights into the complexity
and interdependence of the natural world can be gained by
mindful, close observation of the world around us. We will be
reading and discussing the award winning book ‘The Forest
Unseen: A Year’s Watch in Nature” by Dr. David Haskell. Field
trips focused on contemplation of your own spot in nature
and journal-keeping will be included.
05/29/15
FYS 101.15: Exploring World Music
(5 cr.)
Dr. Murray Gross
This course explores traditional music from around the world,
creating a framework for the comparative study of cultures
found in Africa, China, Bali, India, and many other countries.
As you listen to and learn about this fascinating music and the
people who make it, we will discuss the role of music as
ritual, aesthetic experience and as a method of
communication. Non-Western influences on popular music
and current cultural issues relating to world music will also be
examined. No formal music background is required.
FYS 101.16: Human Prosthetics
(5 cr.)
Dr. Victor Argueta
Fabrication and implementation of prosthetics with off-shelf
electronics. To explore the feasibility of fabricating and
controlling a human prosthetic with non-specialized
electronics. The main objectives are to fabricate a human
prosthetic using fast-prototyping techniques (e.g. Laser
Cutter, 3D printer) and to identify the correct electric signals
to control the prosthetics. We will talk about the
rehabilitation and social impacts of affordable prosthetics.
This is a project-based class where students will build a
working prototype. Students may need to buy materials for
the projects (up to $100, no textbook required.)
FYS 101.17: Religious Conflict and
(5 cr.)
Understanding Medieval Spain
Dr. Deb Dougherty
Today we live in a state of international tension and violence
in which religious tradition is the most easily identifiable
means of distinguishing sides. This clash between East and
West, between Islam and Christianity, is not unique to our
time. For 800 years, control of medieval Spain vacillated
between Christian and Muslim populations, at times violently.
However, the same period saw moments of cooperation and
collaboration that give us hope. A deeper comprehension of
the successes and failures of Spain’s history, may well allow
us to avoid the many mistakes of the past and forge a path of
convivencia based on greater understanding and respect.
FYS 101.18: WTF: What the Frack?
(5 cr.)
Mr. Murray Borrello
Few issues are more polarizing than hydraulic fracturing. A
recent survey showed that 70% of scientists think it is a bad
idea while a majority of our Congress disagree. What do
politicians know that scientists do not? This course
experience will dive into how decisions are made, what
constitutes evidence and what makes people believe as they
do on fracking and other issues. We will build critical thinking
skills through experiential learning, discussion, debate and
discovery.
FYS 101.19: Java, I-phones, Bucks and Birds
(5 cr.)
Mr. Mike Bishop
This course will introduce you to current threats to bird
populations as exemplified by coffee production, cell
communication towers, and invasive and pest species. It will
make you aware of your contribution to these threats and
ways you can mitigate your contribution. It will introduce
you to the diversity of birds found in Central Michigan. We
will do this by observing birds in the field, capturing, banding
and releasing live wild birds, and reading current literature
about bird conservation. Additionally, it will introduce you to
collegiate, academic life, expectations of professors, ways to
succeed, how to foster a healthy academic attitude, living
away from home, conducting library research, and writing
skills.
FYS 101.20: Justice: From Slavery
(5 cr.)
to #BlackLivesMatter
Dr. Kate Blanchard
This reading- and writing-intensive course will offer an
introduction to African-American religious thought, including
biblical interpretations from the colonial era, political
treatises from before and after the Civil War, and
contemporary womanist and liberationist theologies arising
from the Civil Rights movement. We will by no means
become "experts" on this topic in a single semester, but we
will strengthen our frameworks for understanding the rich
history and powerful political forces of black religious
traditions in the U.S.A.
FYS 101.21: Justice: Origins of a Great Idea
(5 cr.)
Dr. Danny Wasserman
For thousands of years, human beings have sought to develop
societies that promote justice. But what is justice? Does it
mean the same thing today as it did several thousand years
ago when the world’s earliest cities began to grow? What did
it mean one thousand years ago, during the height of the
Middle Ages? How closely do our ideas of justice mirror
those of our ancestors? This first year seminar examines the
intellectual genealogy of justice, beginning with the Code of
Hammurabi in the ancient Middle East and moving forward
05/29/15
through the 20th century. The course emphasizes writing and
discussion. It also is part of a cluster of first-year seminars
examining the theme of justice.
FYS 101.22: Justice, Science and Faith
(5 cr.)
Dr. Ed Lorenz
This seminar will challenge students to combine insights from
a variety of perspectives to address some of the most
challenging public affairs issues. As we approach the start of
the term we will select three topics where perspectives from
the sciences and our religious communities differ and see
how we develop and apply laws to balance perspectives from
the sciences and faith traditions with justice for all. In recent
years, this FYS has addressed issues such as access to health
care, treatment of animals in factory farms, teaching
evolution in public schools, and experimentation on human
subjects. Students who have found this seminar’s discussions
interesting have pursued studies across the Alma curriculum:
graphic arts, pre-med, dance, history, pre-law, religious
studies, nursing, English and other modern languages.
FYS 101.23: Justice - Germany’s struggle
(5 cr.)
with its past: Vergangenheitsbewältigung
Mr. Marcus Richter
1945 marks the end of the Nazi regime. 1989 marks the end
of the communist regime in Germany. Students will learn
about the struggles Germans had and still have with coming
to terms with the past. Who was guilty of the cruel deeds
Germans did during WWII and in East Germany? Where do
you draw the line between offenders, followers, and victims?
This class will use class discussions, readings, movies, and
library research to explore the recent history of Germany, so
that every student will know the meaning of the German
word: Vergangenheitsbewältigung. Students are not required
to know German.