Senior Colloquium

"Race, Class, Gender, and Crime"

TTH 2:00-3:15 p.m.
SRC 399 F
Rachel Bandy
Assistant Professor of Sociology & Criminal Justice

In this course, students will explore the epidemiology of crime. Students will examine patterns of both offending and victimization, as well as their overlap from various perspectives including, but not limited to biology, economics, political science, psychology, sociology, and theology. The readings will consist of analyses of race, class, and gender crime patterns and will provide an examination of how the official system responds to crimes, depending on the types of crimes, criminals, and victims. Additionally, students will examine and critique media to further explore the various ways race, class, gender, and crime are depicted in contemporary US society.

"Cultural Identity Development"

Wednesday evenings 5:45-8:45 p.m.
SRC 399 E4
Walter Lain
Assistant Dean for Multicultural and International Affairs

In this course, students will explore recent racial and cultural development theories and other theories related to diversity issues. Students will learn about the Multiple Dimensions of Identity model, and discuss concepts related to privilege and oppression. Students will learn to apply these theories through images and interactions in the popular culture. Students will examine contemporary issues surrounding the protected bases under national civil rights laws.

"The Family in Modern Society"

4 sections

TTH 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
SRC 399 C
Owen Duncan
Professor Emeritus of History

TTH 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
SRC 399 D
Bill Friedricks
Professor of History

Monday evenings 6:00-9:00 p.m.
SRC 399 E3
Bruce Haddox
Former Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs
Professor Emeritus of Religion

MWF 2:00-2:50 p.m.
SRC 399 B
John Epperson
Professor of Political Science

Many have claimed that the modern American family is in crisis. Is this the case or is the family more stable and resilient than critics charge? What is the definition of the family and has its meaning changed since World War II? How have social forces such as prosperity and recession, the cold war, the civil rights movement, and the women’s movement affected the family? How has technology impacted the family? What structures and resources can be employed to strengthen and support families? What does the future hold for the American family? Through the use of memoir, fiction, film, and academic essays, we will consider these questions as we examine the evolution of the American family from the late 1940s to the present.

"Equality & Responsibility in the Face of Competition"

MWF 2:00-2:50 p.m.
SRC 399 A
Murphy Waggoner
Rick Spellerberg
Professors of Mathematics - Class will be team taught

In this course we will investigate the forces that drive the competitive spirit of humans and the apparent consequences of their actions. Are these forces so strong that humans cannot help but behave in a destructive manner? Are all the participants playing on a level playing field? Is it possible to control these forces in such a way as to alleviate the problem of inequality that appears in many facets of society? If Nature is a participant in the game, are humans playing in such a way that Nature soon will no longer be able to cope with the pressures of competition?
As part of the class students will be introduced to elementary models that provide insight and possible answers to the questions listed above. Students will have the opportunity to develop their own models in their efforts to resolve the conflicts of responsibility and equality.

"Sex for Sale"

Thursday evenings 6-9 p.m.
SRC 399 E2
Lora Friedrich
Associate Professor of Sociology

As societies around the globe change sexuality and sexual behavior has become more overt. This course will examine the contemporary social issue of human sex trafficking and its impact on women and children around the world. The lives of mail-order brides, sex trade workers and sexual slaves will be explored. In addition we will also look at how sexuality is used in advertising. Lastly we wil take up the issue of what it might mean to buy a new gender or sex. Using critical thinking skills the class will work to discern the important sociological, economic and ethical issues related to these practices.

"Women in Society "

Wednesday evenings 6:00-9:00 p.m.
SRC 399 E
Mark Freyberg
Associate Professor of Sociology

This course examines how biology, culture, history and politics shape the identity of women. We'll also look at how identity shapes women's behavior and experience, and how new identity leads to personal and social change. Students are asked to provide initiative in a variety of ways throughout the term. Among the issues we'll explore are gender socialization, adolescence, sexuality, motherhood, race and class influences, feminism, and the true meaning of freedom.

"Community by Design: Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow"

TTH 2:00-3:15 p.m.
SRC 399 G
Julie Schlarman
Assistant Professor of Art

By means of key critical texts and visual evidence this course will focus on how, when, and why the landscapes of cities and towns came to be as they are now. We will look at the significant ‘modern’ cities in their historical context, from the late medieval/early Renaissance city-states of Florence and Siena to twentieth century Garden cities and the contemporary phenomena of suburbia. We will investigate certain questions to see whether there are any common issues and concerns about the city which recur throughout the centuries. A few examples of such questions might be: What sort of government did the city have and did it make any difference to the type of city? What was the image of each individual city, and did the actuality live up to this image? How the city was controlled, how much control was thought to be necessary and how effective was that control? Were cities regarded as good things or bad things? Was life in the country considered to be better? How did cities grow and was this growth considered to be desirable or was it to be contained? Was it even possible to restrict the expansion of the city? Through assigned readings, seminar discussions, group projects, and completion of a final research paper, we will develop a better understanding of Western urban history. In addition, we will develop a number of useful research, writing, and critical thinking skills that build upon and reinforce previous coursework in fields such as sociology, history, literature and the visual arts. We will learn how to ‘read’ urban landscapes—both as a class and individually through the course project to determine what it can tell us about urban change and continuity.

"Race and Identity in the United States of America"

Tuesday evenings 6:00-9:00 p.m.

SRC 399 EE
John Pauley

Professor of Philosophy and Religion

One of the most difficult and highly contentious subjects in the United States today is race. Our racial history is disturbing and deep and it has shaped the United States into the country it is today. In this class, we will examine how race has developed in the United States, how it has shaped the nation and individual members of our country, the problems that remain with us that are rooted in race and racism in the U.S. today, and ways to address these issues.

"Crafting a Life"

TTH 2:00-3:15 p.m.

SRC 399 H
Angela Gafford Asmus

College Chaplain and Instructor of Religion

The course seeks to engage the student in their wholeness as a human being and a member of many communities. The "big" questions of life will be explored as seniors consider their future beyond Simpson. Questions such as: Why are we here? How does one live a good life? Who are my models? What are my values? How can we all maintain a learning stance throughout our lives? What things have I learned that will help me to try and make a difference in the world into which I am graduating? Who do I want to be? This senior colloquium also explores the nature of leadership and how each of us is called to exercise our individual gifts, as well as to call forth those of others, in order to serve the common good. The following topics will be covered: defining intelligence (including the concepts of multiple and emotional intelligences), leadership, a balanced life, family, flexibility, integrity, conflict, and identity.


	Academic Calendar Course Schedules Course Descriptions Cornerstone Studies Programs Departments Graduation Requirements Policies Senior Colloquium Fall Spring Study Abroad Programs
Senior Colloquium - Fall 2008 "Race, Class, Gender, and Crime" TTH 2:00-3:15 p.m. SRC 399 F Rachel Bandy Assistant Professor of Sociology & Criminal Justice In this course, students will explore the epidemiology of crime. Students will examine patterns of both offending and victimization, as well as their overlap from various perspectives including, but not limited to biology, economics, political science, psychology, sociology, and theology. The readings will consist of analyses of race, class, and gender crime patterns and will provide an examination of how the official system responds to crimes, depending on the types of crimes, criminals, and victims. Additionally, students will examine and critique media to further explore the various ways race, class, gender, and crime are depicted in contemporary US society. "Cultural Identity Development" Wednesday evenings 5:45-8:45 p.m. SRC 399 E4 Walter Lain Assistant Dean for Multicultural and International Affairs In this course, students will explore recent racial and cultural development theories and other theories related to diversity issues. Students will learn about the Multiple Dimensions of Identity model, and discuss concepts related to privilege and oppression. Students will learn to apply these theories through images and interactions in the popular culture. Students will examine contemporary issues surrounding the protected bases under national civil rights laws. "The Family in Modern Society" 4 sections TTH 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. SRC 399 C Owen Duncan Professor Emeritus of History TTH 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. SRC 399 D Bill Friedricks Professor of History Monday evenings 6:00-9:00 p.m. SRC 399 E3 Bruce Haddox Former Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs Professor Emeritus of Religion MWF 2:00-2:50 p.m. SRC 399 B John Epperson Professor of Political Science Many have claimed that the modern American family is in crisis. Is this the case or is the family more stable and resilient than critics charge? What is the definition of the family and has its meaning changed since World War II? How have social forces such as prosperity and recession, the cold war, the civil rights movement, and the women’s movement affected the family? How has technology impacted the family? What structures and resources can be employed to strengthen and support families? What does the future hold for the American family? Through the use of memoir, fiction, film, and academic essays, we will consider these questions as we examine the evolution of the American family from the late 1940s to the present. "Equality & Responsibility in the Face of Competition" MWF 2:00-2:50 p.m. SRC 399 A Murphy Waggoner Rick Spellerberg Professors of Mathematics - Class will be team taught In this course we will investigate the forces that drive the competitive spirit of humans and the apparent consequences of their actions. Are these forces so strong that humans cannot help but behave in a destructive manner? Are all the participants playing on a level playing field? Is it possible to control these forces in such a way as to alleviate the problem of inequality that appears in many facets of society? If Nature is a participant in the game, are humans playing in such a way that Nature soon will no longer be able to cope with the pressures of competition? As part of the class students will be introduced to elementary models that provide insight and possible answers to the questions listed above. Students will have the opportunity to develop their own models in their efforts to resolve the conflicts of responsibility and equality. "Sex for Sale" Thursday evenings 6-9 p.m. SRC 399 E2 Lora Friedrich Associate Professor of Sociology As societies around the globe change sexuality and sexual behavior has become more overt. This course will examine the contemporary social issue of human sex trafficking and its impact on women and children around the world. The lives of mail-order brides, sex trade workers and sexual slaves will be explored. In addition we will also look at how sexuality is used in advertising. Lastly we wil take up the issue of what it might mean to buy a new gender or sex. Using critical thinking skills the class will work to discern the important sociological, economic and ethical issues related to these practices. "Women in Society " Wednesday evenings 6:00-9:00 p.m. SRC 399 E Mark Freyberg Associate Professor of Sociology This course examines how biology, culture, history and politics shape the identity of women. We'll also look at how identity shapes women's behavior and experience, and how new identity leads to personal and social change. Students are asked to provide initiative in a variety of ways throughout the term. Among the issues we'll explore are gender socialization, adolescence, sexuality, motherhood, race and class influences, feminism, and the true meaning of freedom. "Community by Design: Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow" TTH 2:00-3:15 p.m. SRC 399 G Julie Schlarman Assistant Professor of Art By means of key critical texts and visual evidence this course will focus on how, when, and why the landscapes of cities and towns came to be as they are now. We will look at the significant ‘modern’ cities in their historical context, from the late medieval/early Renaissance city-states of Florence and Siena to twentieth century Garden cities and the contemporary phenomena of suburbia. We will investigate certain questions to see whether there are any common issues and concerns about the city which recur throughout the centuries. A few examples of such questions might be: What sort of government did the city have and did it make any difference to the type of city? What was the image of each individual city, and did the actuality live up to this image? How the city was controlled, how much control was thought to be necessary and how effective was that control? Were cities regarded as good things or bad things? Was life in the country considered to be better? How did cities grow and was this growth considered to be desirable or was it to be contained? Was it even possible to restrict the expansion of the city? Through assigned readings, seminar discussions, group projects, and completion of a final research paper, we will develop a better understanding of Western urban history. In addition, we will develop a number of useful research, writing, and critical thinking skills that build upon and reinforce previous coursework in fields such as sociology, history, literature and the visual arts. We will learn how to ‘read’ urban landscapes—both as a class and individually through the course project to determine what it can tell us about urban change and continuity. "Race and Identity in the United States of America" Tuesday evenings 6:00-9:00 p.m. SRC 399 EE John Pauley Professor of Philosophy and Religion One of the most difficult and highly contentious subjects in the United States today is race. Our racial history is disturbing and deep and it has shaped the United States into the country it is today. In this class, we will examine how race has developed in the United States, how it has shaped the nation and individual members of our country, the problems that remain with us that are rooted in race and racism in the U.S. today, and ways to address these issues. "Crafting a Life" TTH 2:00-3:15 p.m. SRC 399 H Angela Gafford Asmus College Chaplain and Instructor of Religion The course seeks to engage the student in their wholeness as a human being and a member of many communities. The "big" questions of life will be explored as seniors consider their future beyond Simpson. Questions such as: Why are we here? How does one live a good life? Who are my models? What are my values? How can we all maintain a learning stance throughout our lives? What things have I learned that will help me to try and make a difference in the world into which I am graduating? Who do I want to be? This senior colloquium also explores the nature of leadership and how each of us is called to exercise our individual gifts, as well as to call forth those of others, in order to serve the common good. The following topics will be covered: defining intelligence (including the concepts of multiple and emotional intelligences), leadership, a balanced life, family, flexibility, integrity, conflict, and identity.
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