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Table of Contents Academic Life Academic Regulations The Academic Programs International and Off-Campus Studies Special Programs Admissions and Financial Aid Life Outside the Classroom People Facts and Figures College Calendar |
Interdisciplinary Studies Director, 2000-01: John Day, English, Associate Dean, Interdisciplinary and General Studies Interdisciplinary courses use the resources of several disciplines to investigate topics that cut across departmental lines. Often team taught, these courses raise awareness about the distinctive methodologies and conceptual frameworks of different disciplines and their strengths and possible biases in describing, explaining, and evaluating reality. COURSES Students investigate the meaning, justification, and objectivity of value claims, survey normative perspectives in ethics, consider research on value acquisition and changes, and analyze the value dimension in debates on social and political issues such as legislating morals, professional ethics, and medical decision-making. Ethics, as a subject of serious study, has traditionally been seen as a sub-field of philosophy; the course will begin by examining the different ways moral questions have been framed by philosophers. Logical analysis, however, is not the only resource available for ethical understanding. For most people stories are a more familiar and influential medium. Drawing on stories ranging from parables and folk tale to post-modern film and fiction, this course will look at narrative as ethical discourse. GE: EIN. Offered during Interim. An interdisciplinary approach to war and peace, this course incorporates the dual perspective of philosophy and history. Students study various ethical arguments as shaped in different cultures. Examples are drawn from ancient Athens, medieval Christendom, Asia, Islam and the modern West; ethical topics include: pacifism, utilitarianism, divine command ethics, natural law theory, feminism, and cultural relativism. The course begins with warfare as treated in the Bible and concludes with nuclear terrorism. GE: EIN. This international travel course explores economic and social developments along the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. Topics of interest range from the Hanseatic League of the 13th century to the current transition from Soviet-style central planning to a Western European social market system. GE: HWC, HBS. 250 Western Christianity and the Orthodox East: Unity and Separation This thematic study of the encounter of Western Christianity with the Orthodox East begins with their common Biblical origins. Students are introduced to the theology, worship, and religious culture of the Orthodox world that marked Eastern Chistianity off from the Latin (and later Reformation) West. They study key moments in the theological contact between West and East through classical theological and spiritual texts. GE: BTS-T, HWC. Computers are used in human and veterinary medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and hospital management to do everything from controlling the delivery rate in an implanted chemotherapy pump to medical imaging. Through tutorials, lectures, labs, demonstrations, field trips, and films, students explore the way computers can enhance the interactions between professional people and their clients. It is expected that many in the class may be beginners. Does not fulfill GE credit. P/N grading only. Offered during Interim. 255 Hospital Health Care and the Physician (off-campus) Students explore health care at a major metropolitan hospital (Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, Ill.), investigating the variety of services designed to treat patients as whole beings -- including pastoral patient care, day care for preschool and elderly, and treatment for substance abuse. Students meet weekly in group seminars in addition to their observations at the hospital and conversations with health care professionals. Prerequisite: apply through instructor before registration. P/N grading only. Offered during Interim. 258 Theater in London (abroad) Students study drama and theater through the reading of dramatic criticism and plays, attendance at approximately 20 performances, group discussions, guest lectures, and tours. London, the theatrical center of the English-speaking world, enables students to experience a wide variety of theatrical performances ranging from traditional to modern. Excursions to Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford, and Canterbury offer additional theater perspectives. GE: ALS-A. Offered during Interim. 260 Dimensions of Multiculture (off-campus) In order to understand the complexity and importance of education with a global emphasis, students spend half days in a multicultural classroom setting in Chicago, learn about ethnic neighborhoods, and work in teams to develop a curriculum project exploring a cultural theme. The course serves candidates for bilingual or ESL certification, international students seeking experience with American students (or those from similar ethnic backgrounds), and students interested in learning about cultural diversity. GE: MCS-D. Offered during Interim. |