Saint Michael's College

Undergraduate Summer Session 2012

To register for a summer session course, complete and submit the registration form.  Registration begins March 1. For questions, call the Registrar's Office at 802.654.2571.

Summer session housing is also available.

COURSES ON CAMPUS

Hybrid Course Descriptions

BU 209 Legal Environment of Business
Instructor: William Wargo
Description: This course will explore the nature of the law and the judicial system, their relationship to consumers, ethical behaviors, and the business enterprise. It will introduce students to basic legal concepts governing business transactions, as well as to the constraints imposed and protections offered by the law. Students will also acquire an appreciation for how the contemporary American legal system operates.

CS 101 Introduction to Mutimedia Computing
Instructor: Michael Battig
LSC: Quantitative Reasoning
Description: An introduction to the fundamental concepts and techniques of computer science through an examination of digital multimedia. Students will learn how pictures, music, and movies are represented in digital formats, as well as how to write programs that manipulate and transform digital media data.

PO 101 Introduction to Politics
Instructor: Jeffrey Ayres
LSC: Social and Institutional Dimensions of Human Behavior
Description: An introduction to the basic concepts of politics and the tools of political analysis.

PS 256 Abnormal Psychology
Instructor: Ronald Miller
LSC: Social and Institutional Dimensions of Human Behavior
Description: This course explores historical and contemporary ways of conceptualizing the origins, characteristics, and treatments of psychological/emotional difficulties and problems in living. Problems and disorders to be examined range from minor adjustment problems and common disorders such as depression to more rare, major mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. Through an in-depth examination of a variety of viewpoints on "abnormal" behavior, students are invited to think critically about their own and our society's conception of "mental illness."

PS 317  The Thinking Child
Instructor: Renee Carrico
Description: An in-depth examination of children's early cognitive development. Theoretical perspectives and current empirical research will be used to explore developmental advances in such areas as representation, memory, concept formation, and problem solving.
Prerequisites: PS 214 or PS 215 or permission of instructor

Campus Course Descriptions

AR 313 Western Calligraphy
Instructor:  Geoffrey Burnham 
LSC: Artistic Experience
Description: The theory and practice of writing and lettering as an art form.

AR 327 Ceramics I: Wheelworking
Instructor: Jeremy Ayers
LSC: Artistic Experience
Lab fee
Description: Will provide students with a comprehensive introduction to the practice of throwing on the potters wheel including clay preparation, centering, formation of vessels, trimming, glazing and firing. We will also look at the work of historical and contemporary ceramic artists.
Misc. Notes: The course meets at Burlington City Arts Clay and Craft Studio.

BI 108 Topics in Organismal Biology: Human Nutrition
Instructor:  James Willard
LSC: Processes of Scientific Reasoning
Lab fee
Description: An intensive lab science course for non-science majors that will consider the components of human diets, how such components are processed by the human body, and how nutrition affects human health throughout the life cycle. Topics include the physiological requirements for and chemistry of the main nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, lipid, minerals and vitamins. Laboratories consisting of computer-assisted dietary analyses will complement material covered in lectures.
Misc. Notes: Biology 106, 108, and 110 are laboratory courses designed for students who are not science majors. They may not be taken by biology majors or minors.

EC 101  Principles of Macroeconomics
Instructor: Reza Ramazani
LSC: Social and Institutional Dimensions of Human Behavior
Description: This course is an introduction to the macroeconomic approach to economic analysis. Students learn how to measure and interpret: Gross Domestic Product (GDP), unemployment and price levels through a discussion of fundamental economic concepts and the role of markets. We examine macroeconomic instability through a study of causes and policy prescriptions from two major opposing schools of thought: Classical and Keynesian. We continue with a study of money, interest rates and the Federal Reserve. Current economic problems and policy debates including economic controversies on the role of international trade, monetary and fiscal policy, the deficit, economic growth, and productivity are also highlighted.

EC 103 Principles of Microeconomics
Instructor: Patrick Walsh
LSC: Social and Institutional Dimensions of Human Behavior
Description: Introduction to how economists interpret the everyday decisions of consumers, businesses, and workers. Develops concepts and models that explain what is produced, how it is produced, and how output is distributed. Applies the insights of economic analysis to real-world questions such as minimum wage, business profits, taxes, outsourcing, and environmental policies.

EN 403 Special Topics in Film: New American Cinema
Instructor:  Robert Niemi 
LSC: Literary Studies
Description: This  course will meet to explore the new American Cinema (also known as the Hollywood Renaissance). For too brief a period—from approximately 1967 to 1983—Hollywood allowed a new generation of young filmmakers a great deal of creative latitude. Freed from purely commercial constraints these writer-directors went on to produce many of the finest films of the sound era. During fifteen viewing-discussion sessions we will screen some of the best examples of the New American Cinema, read about these films, and discuss their artistic merits and socio-historical significance. Films to be screened and studied: Bonnie & Clyde, The Graduate,  Midnight Cowboy, Five Easy Pieces, Wanda, McCabe & Mrs. Miller, The Last Picture Show, Deliverance, Badlands, The Last Detail, The Conversation, Chinatown, Network, Annie Hall.

HI 103 U.S. History Since 1865
Instructor:  David Kells 
LSC: Historical Studies
Description: A survey of American history from the end of the Civil War to the present.

MA 120 Elementary Statistics
Instructor:  Denise Mulry
LSC: Quantitative Reasoning
Description: Description of sample data; probability distributions including the Normal distribution; correlation and regression; sampling; hypothesis testing; statistical inference; other topics may include Chi-square tests, multiple regression, and ANOVA.
Misc. Notes: Non-majors only. Credit will not be given for MA 120 if credit has already been given for BU 207, EC 205, or PS 216.

MJD 210 Photojournalism in the Digital Age
Instructor: Jerald Swope
Description: This digital-based photography course introduces students to the skills, theory and ethics of newspaper, magazine and Web-based photojournalism. Through in-class discussions and hands-on demonstrations, students learn manual camera techniques, and image editing using Photoshop software. Analyses of historical and contemporary photographic work help students apply techniques and theory to create storytelling photographs suitable for publication.

PO 245 International Relations
Instructor:  Jeffrey Ayres
LSC:Global Issues that Impact the Common Good
Description: This course introduces students to the study of international relations, focusing especially on the interactions between states and non-state actors in the international environment. Emphasis is placed on understanding the major theoretical approaches to international relations, and applying them to consider enduring and contemporary issues and problems in international affairs.

SP 101 First Semester Spanish
Instructor: Diego Mattos Vazualdo
LSC:Second Language
Description: A course designed to develop basic language skills and introduce students to the culture of the Spanish-speaking world.

SP 102 Second Semester Spanish
Instructor: Roxana Wortman
LSC:Second Language
Description: This course follows SP 101 and continues the development of students' basic language skills all areas. Some course material will be based on Spanish and Latino culture.
Prerequisite: SP 101 or equivalent placement.

TH 351 Special Topics in Performance Action Theatre
Instructor: Annette Urbschat
LSC: Artistic Experience
Description: This class will introduce students to Ruth Zaporah's system of theater improvisation: With her text "ActionTheater, Improvisation of Presence" as a guideline, this experiential class will introduce students to a progressive series of short exercises, theatrical studies and improvisational compositions.The course will expose students to structured theater improvisation as an art form and will also help them place improvisation in the broader context of contemporary theater through viewing of live and video performances. Students will have opportunities to perform in front of class mates, as well as during an end-of-term class showing. They will also create improvisational theater compositions incorporating movement, sound and the spoken word.

Online Course Descriptions

BU 498/ID 498 Internship
Instructor: Paul Olsen
Description:  The online Internship is designed to support the internship site experience and assist with the integration of learning from the theorectical to the practical by providing a means of reflection and learning. This course offers students the opportunity to share their internship experiences and concerns in a team setting and includes opportunities to develop personal and professional skills. Assignments and online discussions will be related to the internship experience.
Prerequisite: Permission of Internship Director.  

MJD 413 Internship in Media Studies, Journalism and Digital Arts 
Instructor:  Traci Griffith 
Description:  Working in collaboration with media professionals at media organizations and in corporate and non-profit media students put theory into practice by producing media in a professional work environment. Possible activites include producing and distributing media, i.e. websites, articles, films, brochures etc. planning and staging media events; researching and evaluating public relations campaigns; and optimization studies. The internship gives students a practical context in which to examine and interpret issues and concepts they have studied in their Media Studies classroom courses.

International Study Course Descriptions

AR 280 Culture & Society in Medieval Burgundy
Instructor: Terryl Kinder and Edward Mahoney
LSC: Historical Studies or Study of Christian Tradition and Thoughts
Description: An 18-day academic study-abroad course in Burgundy, France, focusing on the historical, political, artistic, religious, literary, cultural, and social developments of medieval Burgundy. Based in Pontigny, students travel every other day to cities, abbeys, castles, cathedrals, museums, and archaeological sites which are examined in preparatory classes.
Optional Applied Language Component

ES 301 Special Topics in Environmental Studies: Organic Agriculture and Conservation of Biodiversity at Navdanya’s Farm in Northern India
Instructor: Valerie Banschbach
Description: This study tour focuses on organic farming, sustainable living, and conservation of biodiversity at Navdanya’s organic farm in Northern India. Visits will also be made to two Indian scientific institutes, the Himalayas, the Rajaji National Park, the Ganges River, and Delhi to learn about conservation in relation to Indian culture, history and economic development.
Prerequisite: ES 101 or permission of instructor.  BI 151 or other fieldwork experience highly recommended.

GL 341 Otherness and Marginalization: The International Context
Instructor: Katherine Kirby
Description: Students travel to an international location for two weeks (Guyana, if political conditions allow) and engage in service-learning, working with individuals facing marginalization based on race, poverty, age, and illness. Daily writing and group discussion will consider global social, political, and economic marginalization and Emmanuel Levinas' theory of infinite responsibility.
Prerequisite: PH 351

SO 310 Directed Readings: God, Gangs and Globalization
Instructor: Robert Brenneman
Description: In the vibrant, densely-populated world of the Central American barrio (urban neighborhood) the impact of globalization is at its most transparent. Transnational youth gangs and economic inequality are some of the most obvious imprints of globalization here. But teeming religious life reveals global connections as well. Indeed, gangs and churches are some of the best organized social institutions in these marginal neighborhoods. Why are gangs and churches so successful in the Central American barrio and what are the elements of their success that can be traced to globalization? This course will examine these two questions by way of readings and by way of on-site encounters with Guatemalan organizations, experts, and ex-gang members who know a great deal about both (churches and gangs), often from personal experience. Along the way we will explore the history, culture and politics of this beautiful country, sometimes called "the land of the eternal spring" and we will meet some of the many talented Guatemalans seeking to make a difference in their society.
Prerequisite: Open to majors and minors, and by permission of instructor

SP 206 Fourth Semester Spanish
Instructor: Jason Busic
Description: This course follows SP 203 and offers further development of students' intermediate language skills in all areas. Some course material will be based on culture. For the Guatemala program, there will be a heavy emphasis on experiential learning and Central American Culture.
Prerequisite: SP 203 with a grade C or better; or equivalent placement and by permission of instructor.

SP 310 Advanced Grammar and Composition
Instructor: Jason Busic
Description: A course designed to help students consolidate their grammar and vocabulary skills as they develop their writing skills. The goal is to foster students' critical reflection and self-correction, thereby increasing their independence in the craft of writing. For the Guatemala program, there will be a heavy emphasis on experiential learning and Central American Culture.
Prerequisite: SP 203 with a grade C or better; or equivalent placement and by permission of instructor.

SP 300 Study at the Universidad Pública de Navarra in Pamplona, Spain.
Instructors: Carolyn Lukens-Olson and Nicole Mombell
Description: This is an intensive linguistic and cultural immersion program held at the Universidad Pública de Navarra in Pamplona, Spain. Intensive daily language courses and host family life will be complemented with events and excursions that introduce students to the rich cultural history of Spain. These activities range from a day trek on the ancient Camino de Santiago to a visit to the modern Guggenheim Museum of Bilbao. 
Prerequisite:SP 206 and permission of instructors only.