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| 60000 Level Courses (60200-60299) *60213 CONTEMPORARY INDIGENOUS LITERATURE OF MEXICO A study of literary works by outstanding, contemporary writers hailing from a variety of Mexican Indigenous ("Indian") ethnic groups: Nahuatl, Zapoteco, Yucatec Mayan, Mazateco, Trotzil, among others. The pre-Hispanic roots of this new literature will be examined, as will recurring themes and other ancient motifs which persist in today’s writers. Short stories, poetry, and drama will be studied within their specific ethnic contexts, and also within a broader literary analytical framework. Recent English translations by Dr. Frischmann and his personal research experiences will make this course accessible to all MLA students. Where were you when the Watergate break-in occurred? Students in this course will revisit the historical Watergate episode in American politics, beginning with an examination of the events as they unfolded and focusing on key decisions that determined the outcome of Watergate. In the first part of the course, we will watch a documentary summarizing the event now known simply as "Watergate." In the second part of the course, we will examine the political reforms that came out of the Watergate period and their impact on current American politics, including the Clinton Impeachment hearings. Students will discuss election reforms, executive privilege, congressional-presidential relations, and the special prosecutor's role in the impeachment process. Furthermore, the class will examine the new environment in presidential-media relations fostered by Watergate, including a critical viewing of the movie All the President's Men. Finally, we will attempt to assess Richard Nixon as a political leader in the mid-twentieth century.
Dr. James Riddlesperger, Professor of Political Science, received his Ph.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia. His teaching and research interests are in the area of American Politics, emphasizing particularly the American presidency. He is co-editor of Presidential Leadership and Civil Rights Policy (1995). *60243 CURRENT ISSUES IN ECONOMICS: THE FINANCIAL MARKETS The basic structure of the American economy as it relates to the financial markets will be examined. Time will be spent on financial market history in order to gain perspective on current market conditions. The problem of inflation will be the point of departure for this historic segment. Technical analysis of current and past markets will also be given some consideration. 60253 KING ARTHUR MEETS QUEEN VICTORIA: ARTHURIAN LITERATURE IN THE VICTORIAN AGE An examination of the roots of current American interest in Arthurian legend in Queen Victoria's reign. Students will read important literary works, including Alfred Lord Tennyson’s Idylls of the King, William Morris’s "Defense of Guenevere," and Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, and explore the historical and political conditions surrounding the 19th-century medieval revival. The course concludes with a screening of Excalibur (1981) and discussion of its indebtedness to the Victorian era. *60263 THE US ECONOMY: ANALYSIS AND OUTLOOK The study of economics involves the learning of abstract theories about the workings of the economic system and the study of various policy tools that may be used to guide the economy toward specified targets. The course will focus on the historical development of the theories developed to explain our major economic issues, on the controversies surrounding these theories, and on the different policy conclusions that arise from the different theories. The major economic issues on which the course will focus include inflation, unemployment, business cycles, economic growth and development, international trade deficits and surpluses, federal government budget deficits and surpluses, income distribution, and globalization.
*60273 ECONOMIC POLICY AND ITS IMPACT: A SIMULATION APPROACH Computer simulation models will be used to learn important economic concepts and to analyze current economic problems. Students will assume the role of economic policymakers and as such will initiate policy changes and examine their effects on various aspects of the economy, such as the national output level, the inflation rate, the unemployment rate, and the distribution of income. No prior computer experience is necessary. 60283 A WORLD OF WEATHER: FUNDAMENTALS OF METEOROLOGY Do you have a fascination with the Weather Channel? Are you interested in a non-mathematical treatment of the principles of meteorology and climatology? Students in this course will develop a working understanding of general meteorological and climatological processes, develop an understanding of the spatial and temporal variability of these processes, and begin to understand how these factors influence the climate of a region. Basic information about the earth/energy system will pave the way for an examination of simple dynamic relationships, synoptic circulation, global climate and climate change.
Dr. Michael C. Slattery, Assistant Professor of Geology, received his Ph.D. from the University of Oxford, England. He also holds degrees from the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg and Toronto, Canada. His main research interests are in drainage basin hydrology and soil erosion and hillslope sediment transport, and his broad background has enabled him to work and publish in a variety of areas, ranging from space shuttle photography to tropical meteorology. He has authored more than 25 scientific and popular articles in national and international journals. His interest in climatology led to work as a part-time meteorologist at WNCT-TV9, a local CBS affiliate in North Carolina, where he broadcast on the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. news.
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