2018 E-term Bulletin

17 GEN*E299*39 European Culture and Global Media Janie Spencer and Natalie Davis Prerequisites: Instructor Consent Open To: All Students Grading System: S/U Max. Enrollment: 24 Meeting Times: On Campus: 10:00 am-3:00 pm for days immediately prior to departure Travel: Group activities will vary by city; likely dates are January 6-27, 2018 How do global media inform our understanding of world events? What role does culture play in national identity? To examine these questions, we will travel to five European cities. For 2018, we will visit Amsterdam, Madrid, Athens, Budapest, and Florence. We will visit some of the most important and exquisite museums of the world. In addition, we will contrast the old with the new by exploring the world of global media—from local television to online access to social media—in these important world capitals. We will start with what we know here in Birmingham, where students will give reports on aspects of our itinerary. Then we travel for 21 days. Students will keep a journal and write a final paper of 8-10 pages where they will summarize their own perspectives on comparative elements of the trip. Estimated Student Fees: $5300 GEN*E299*40 Explorations of Qi (ch’i, “life energy”) Yahui Anita Huang Prerequisites: None Open To: First-Years, Sophomores, Juniors Grading System: Letter Max. Enrollment: 12 Meeting Times: TuTh 10:00 am–12:00 pm, 1:00 pm–4:00 pm This project will explore qi (ch’i, ‘life-energy’)—the fundamental concept in Chinese medicine, culture, and philosophy. In Chinese culture, qi is also the vital source of longevity, natural phenomena, physical and spiritual power. In this project, we will examine the role qi plays in various aspects of Chinese life through film, food, tea culture, calligraphy, and literary works. Students will gain a basic understanding of Feng Shui, acupuncture, reflexology, basic calligraphy brush techniques, and the key concept of yin-yang and wuxing, which are needed to understand the Yijing (The Book of Changes) . Students will explore the concept of qi by engaging themselves in exercises that are believed to help one achieve physical and emotional balance including Qigong (Ch’i-Kung) and Taiji (Tai-Chi). Grades will be based on attendance, participation, a personal journal, a written exam, and one in-class presentation. Knowledge of the Chinese language is a plus, but not required. Estimated Student Fees: $80 GEN*E299*37 Digital Detox: Mindfulness Meditation in the Modern World Joseph Chandler Prerequisites: None Open To: All Students Grading System: S/U Max. Enrollment: 10 Meeting Times: Tu WTh9:30 am–12:30 pm This project will explore the theory and application of practical contemplative meditation in the modern world. Students will study the neuroscience underlying self-control, digital addiction, and the myth of multi-tasking from primary, peer-reviewed sources. Students will simultaneously apply these concepts through the development of a personal contemplative practice, including digital blackout periods, mindful eating, mindful studying, mindful hiking, and other accessible disciplines that take meditation out of the mystical and into everyday life. Long-term physical, social, and emotional outcomes of mindfulness will be discussed. Class meetings will center on practical, participatory demonstrations of meditative techniques, discussion of primary source material, and depictions of meditation in modern culture. Students will complete daily reading, writing, and application exercises outside of class as well. These will be graded on a weekly basis. A final 10-page reflection paper will be derived from students’ daily journal entries. The entire class will be framed by the unique challenges faced by the wired generation when seeking a sense of personal peace in the digital world. Estimated Student Fees: In addition to the cost of books, there may be marginal travel costs associated with field trips, such as gas costs driving to contemplative hikes at Ruffner Mountain Nature Center and the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. GEN*E299*38 Environmental Careers Rebekah Parker Prerequisites: EH 102 or 208 Open To: All Students Grading System: S/U Max. Enrollment: 10 Meeting Times: M Tu WTh9:00 am–12:00 pm Jobs in the environmental field can range fromwater sampling and field surveys for an environmental consulting company to using GIS to map natural resources to lobbying for increased regulations for pollutants. In this project, students will be able to sample a variety of jobs through a rotation of shadowing different environmental professionals, class speakers, and field tours for a total of 150 hours. Students will also have the opportunity to attend a networking event and explore graduate school opportunities. Students will be responsible for a number of readings about current issues facing environmental professionals and reflect on their readings and experiences through a 4-5-page paper and presentation to their peers. In addition, students will research and develop mock applications for jobs of interests. Active participation with our host organizations and guests, a satisfactory essay, and job application materials are required for credit. ENROLLMENT FULL