Summer HP Gen Ed: PHIL101

Summer Term II: June 11-Aug 2

 PHIL 101 - INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY  3 hours

 36789              JR                    10:00 - 11:20              M T W R          TBA                 REMHOF, J.

This course will explore a selection of the most exciting questions in the discipline of philosophy.  When examining these questions we will pay special attention to themes in existential philosophy, a movement that stresses that philosophical inquiry should focus on our meaningful, responsible, and passionate engagement with the world.  We first examine different approaches to the nature of knowledge, including the skeptical argument that there is no way to know anything about the external world - for example, whether or not there are trees, planets, or even other people!  Next we investigate the best arguments for and against the existence of God, paying close consideration to the puzzle about why an all-good God would allow evil in the world.  We then turn to arguments for and against the possibility of free will, and face a strong argument from contemporary science for thinking we are never responsible for anything we do.  Next is an exploration of key questions in moral theory.  We all think our actions can be considered right or wrong, but is rightness and wrongness determined our culture, or somehow objective?  Also, is rightness or wrongness a property of the consequences of our actions, or the intentions behind our actions?  This discussion will prepare us for looking at an important topic in applied ethics, which is our ethical treatment of animals.  The class concludes by examining different answers to the meaning of life given that we all suffer and pass away - including an argument that there is no meaning to life!  Students will be required to take very short, pass or fail reading quizzes in order to prepare them for class discussion, write two short papers, and take a midterm and final exam.  This class is intended for anyone who is interested in learning how to reason to what is most worth believing, and also those who are concerned with acting in accordance with what is most worth believing in everyday, practical life. 

Summer & Fall Courses In Scandinavian: Gen Eds (HP, LA, & W)

Scandinavian Course Offerings
Summer Session I: May 14 - June 8, 2012
Discover your inner Viking!


SCAN 251 – Viking Mythology
M T W Th  2:00-4:50 PM
4 credit hours
Dr. Theo Malekin


This course will explore the pre-Christian beliefs of the Germanic peoples of Northern Europe, primarily as reflected in medieval Icelandic prose and poetry in translation.  
(This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for a Hist. & Philosophy Perspective, and Western Comparative Culture course.)  
Same as CWL 251 / MDVL 251 / RLST 251.




Scandinavian Course Offerings
Fall 2012

SCAN 101 – Beginning Scandinavian I  
M T W Th  9:00-9:50 AM
4 credit hours
Dr. Mark Safstrom
This is the FIRST course in the Swedish language sequence.  Instruction is by immersion, emphasis is on basic skills: reading, writing, speaking, and aural comprehension.

SCAN 103 – Intermediate Scandinavian I  
M T W Th  10:00-10:50 AM
4 credit hours
Dr. Mark Safstrom
This is the THIRD course in the Swedish language sequence.  Instruction is by immersion, emphasis is on grammar, reading, discussion skills and writing through the study of authentic texts.
  
SCAN 225 – Vikings & Volvos: Scandinavian Culture
M W F  12:00-12:50 PM
3 credit hours
Dr. Mark Safstrom
This course will explore the last 1,000 years of Nordic history and culture, beginning with the age of the Vikings all the way down to the present era, in which the Nordic countries have emerged as industrial nations.  (This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for a Literature and the Arts, and Western Comparative Culture course.)

SCAN 251 – Viking Mythology
M W F  3:00-3:50 PM
3 credit hours
Dr. Theo Malekin
This course will explore the pre-Christian beliefs of the Germanic peoples of Northern Europe, primarily as reflected in medieval Icelandic prose and poetry in translation.  
(This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for a Hist. & Philosophy Perspective, and Western Comparative Culture course.)  
Same as CWL 251 / MDVL 251 / RLST 251.

SCAN 252 – Viking Sagas in Translation
M W F  11:00-11:50 AM
3 credit hours
Dr. Theo Malekin
This course will explore Old Norse/Icelandic literature in translation, including the various “kings’ sagas,” family sagas, mythical-heroic sagas, and romances.  
(This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for a Literature and the Arts, and Western Comparative Culture course.)  
Same as CWL 252 / MDVL 252.

Fall Course Options: Medieval Studies Courses

The Medieval Studies Program just produced their list of Fall 2012 course offerings, available here. Many of these are gen eds, and which gen eds they fulfill is noted in the course descriptions. <Insert obligatory "Let's get medieval" joke here.>

Anthropology Gen Eds for Spring 2012

For freshmen, keep in mind that 200-level courses might have higher expectations (writing, discussion, participation) than you experienced in the fall. That being said, if you're ready for the challenge and are interested in the subject matter, one of these courses could be a great addition to your spring schedule. Be sure to observe all pre-requisite instructions - just because the system will let you register for a course doesn't necessarily mean it's a good idea for you, at least not right now. Feel free to consult with me if you're unsure whether a course is a good idea for you or not - dmurph -at - illinois.edu. For more information including times, locations, and section availability, go to the new & improved campus course schedule at http://go.illinois.edu/CourseExplorer 


There are still some seats available in Anthropology Classes that fulfill GenEd Requirements:


ANTH 270 and 271: Linguistic Anthropology   Taught by Prof Adrienne Lo


**Why can't my TA speak English right?
**Is it okay to fire someone for speaking with the right accent?
**Is it better to call people "undocumented" rather than "illegal"?


Come to Anthropology 270/271, Linguistic Anthropology, to find out!  MW 2:00-2:50 Room 213 Gregory Hall.
NO PREREQUISITES. Register for 271 for Advanced Composition GenEd


                                                                    ***


ANTH 286: Southeast Asian Civilizations  Taught by Prof Helaine Silverman


Beginning with  prehistory, to the great precolonial kingdoms and empires, to the era of European colonialism and ultimately independence and contemporary times, this class will provide an anthropological, archaeological, art historical and historical overview of mainland Southeast Asia (Myanmar/Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam). The course ends with consideration of tourism and its relation to economic development. NO PREREQUISITES.


The course fulfills Humanities & Arts (HP Historical & Philosophical Perspectives), Non-Western Cultures.
                                                                      ***
ANTH 249:   Evolution and Human Disease  Taught by Prof Kate Clancy


This course examines health issues such as how reduction of infectious diseases has increased autoimmune disease, what constitutes a "normal" menstrual cycle, and how how obesity may impact reproductive maturation and childhood socialization.  PREREQUISITES ANTH 143 or ANTH 240 or Instructor permission.


This course fulfills Life Sciences GenEd

Spring W & HP Gen Ed: HIST264 Technology in Western Society

Still has open seats...


HIST 264:  Technology in Western Society
Gen Ed Credit:  Historical & Philosophical Perspective; Western Comparative Culture
Instructor:  Professor Rayvon Fouche


This course will examine the ways technology has developed over time, and how those changes have affected societies in different parts of the world.  The primary emphasis will be places on understanding the evolving cultural contexts of technological change. Topics covered include the power, manufacturing, railroads, emergence of engineering professions, corporate R&D, household technology, technology of modern warfare, consumer electronics, and gaming.  Some of the questions examined by this course include: What is technology? How do technologies develop? To what degree are technologies a product of the culture in which they develop? How are technologies propagated? How have people thought about technology in different places and periods?

Fall Course Options: Intro Swedish & Scandinavian Gen Eds

Students are warmly welcomed to introductory Swedish, SCAN 101, which has a seats available. This is an interactive, communicative class taught by an award-winning instructor, Dr. Mark Safstrom. Students enrolled in this class and the Swedish Language Sequence (SCAN 101-104) report good camaraderie, including as part of the extra-curricular student-run organization the Scandinavian Club. 
Please also consider the following courses offered by the program:
LAS GEN EDs:
SCAN 225 Vikings and Volvos
SCAN 251 Viking Mythology
SCAN 252 Viking Sagas
For more information about the Scandinavian Studies Program and the Scandinavian Studies Minor, please see http://www.germanic.illinois.edu/scandinavian/

New Fall Gen Ed Option: AIS 140 Native Religious Traditions

I just received word that AIS140, which fulfills an Historical and Philosophical Perspectives (HP) and a US Minority Cultures (US) gen ed, still has seats available for the fall. Here's the blurb:
An interdisciplinary survey of native religious traditions, exploring the breadth and depth of spiritual expression among native people in North America. Assigned readings and class discussions cover a variety of important themes including sacred landscapes, mythic narratives, oral histories, communal identities, tribal values, elder teachings, visionary experiences, ceremonial practices, prayer traditions, and trickster wisdom. Students also consider historic encounters with missionary colonialism and contemporary strategies for religious self-determination. Class discussions are supplemented by audiovisual materials and guest speakers. Same as RLST 140. 

Fall Gen Ed Courses: RLST104: Asian Mythology and RLST283: Jewish Sacred Literature

It's been brought to my attention that these two Religious Studies courses are both still available for the fall. Both are gen eds:

• RLST 104: Asian Mythology - fulfills a Historical and Philosophical Perspective as well as a Non-Western
• RLST 283: Jewish Sacred Literature - fulfills a Literature and the Arts

New Fall Gen Ed Option: AIS 285 Indigenous Thinkers

Here's the blurb I just got about a new course that was just added to the fall schedule. It's a gen ed (HP, NW).

AIS 285: Indigenous Thinkers. MW 4-5:15

This course satisfies the General Education Criteria for a Hist&Philosoph Perspect, and Non-Western Cultures course.

An introduction to the English-language traditions of indigenous intellectuals. Specific topics vary. May be repeated in the same term to a maximum of 6 hours. May be repeated in subsequent terms to a maximum of 9 hours.