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| 70000 Level Courses (70900-70999) *70903 PREPARING FOR THE CHALLENGES OF THE TWENTY FIRST CENTURY The last two decades of the 20th century ushered in tumultuous changes in the economic, social, and political landscape, these transformations would have an indelible impact on the emerging society of the 21st century. This course is designed to provide a forum for analysis and discussion of some of the most significant issues of global politics in the new Millennium. While the attempt is to dissect these issues primarily on their own terms, we would also discuss the challenges they pose to the United states and the global community. *70923 ISLAM AND POLITICS IN THE MIDDLE EAST Since there is no separation between state and church in Islam, no study of Middle Eastern politics is complete without analyzing the pervasive role of Islam in cultural and political life. This course however, does not concentrate on Islamic theology, rather the focus is on politics of Islam and how it molds political discourse and agenda. After the study of origins and historical development of Islamic political theory, the focus shifts to explaining the use of post World War II Islamic revival. In this connection, the problematics of democratization in the Muslim World and the prospects for Islamic governments are discussed. Philosophical examinations of moral, aesthetic, ontological, and epistemological issues concerning food are topics studied and discussed in this course. Such issues as vegetarianism; ethical issues regarding food additives, food politics and feminism; food as art; food as a metaphor of life; cultures (e.g., Mayan and Japanese) characterized by their cuisine; and recipes as a model of justified rational procedures are covered during the semester. One of the key concepts developed to handle these issues effectively is foodmaking as a thoughtful practice, where "practice" is understood by the American pragmatists, Peirce and Dewey. 70943 ANCIENT MYSTERIES: REAL AND IMAGINED In addition to providing an overview of Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern History from the Paleolithic age to the fall of Rome, this course explores in some detail various controversial topics that have generated popular interest and often engendered misinformation. These topics are analyzed in a scholarly manner in order to solve the "mystery" or expose common misperceptions and pseudo-scholarship. Typical topics include the following: the fall of Rome, the historical Jesus, other Biblical topics, the pyramids, the Neanderthal problem, and the search for the Trojan War. *70953 MAYAN RITUAL AND DRAMA: PRE-HISPANIC TIMES TO THE PRESENT This course will examine the frequently intertwined traditions of ritual and drama among Mayan peoples of Southern Mexico and Central America, from pre-Hispanic times to the present. The course will combine a historical perspective beginning with pre-Colombian documents and Spanish colonial chronicles. Twentieth-century manifestations will be particularly highlighted, based on the instructor's first-hand research; special emphasis will be given to the work of performance groups based in Yucatan and Chiapas, Mexico. Extensive video material will complement textual analyses. *70963 OF VIRGINS AND GODDESSES: FROM MESOAMERICA TO MODERN MEXICO Students will develop a better understanding of contemporary culture and society in Mexico and Latin America by examining belief systems from pre-history to pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica, especially regarding female deities and their modern counterpart, the Virgin of Guadalupe. At the end of the course, students will be familiar with recent archaeological research and scholarship and will be able to identify anthropological similarities among mythic-symbolic female images of pre-history from around the world and understand the pivotal and primal role of the feminine in belief systems of all ancient cultures and their impact on modern traditions, including Mexico's. This course examines the relationship between legal institutions and social processes. Course readings and discussion will focus on the social and political nature of law; the creation and organization of law in modern societies; social functions of law; the limits of law as an instrument of social change; the legislation of morality; democracy, individualism and law; criminal behavior and individual rights; and the use of scientific information in law. *70983 INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF THE ANDES A study of the indigenous inhabitants of the Andes, especially Peru and Bolivia, through archaeological and ethnographic data. Focus is on the development of agriculture and early population centers, particularly the Incas. The course ends with a study of contemporary Quechua and Aymara peoples, and discussion of current political and economic issues. *70993 CRITICAL ISSUES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE The major controversies that exist in law and criminal justice today are discussed with emphasis on the development of critical thought concerning these issues. Both empirical evidence and grounded theory is discussed in such a manner as to help the student formulate thoughtful opinion concerning the selected topics. Topics include but are not limited to: The Death Penalty, Gun Control, The Insanity Defense, Drug Legalization, Prison Privatization, Drunk Driving Laws, Myths of Organized Crime, Crime and the Media, Fetal Endangerment Statues, and The Jury System. |