The Culture and Scientific Construction of Identity: Food, Chemistry, Culture
The goal of this course is to allow students to make a direct connection between the fundamental concepts taught in introduction chemistry and cultural anthropology with our most basic need- food. We will explore the science of food from different cultural angles, cultural identity issues and exciting cultural forms, such as, molecular gastronomy. From a cultural perspective, we will focus on several theoretical and methodological frameworks. We will cultural history, race, cultural regionalism, social class, and ecological—to understand the role of food in cultures throughout the world. Regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnicity or socioeconomic standing, all humans have a few basic needs in common such as water, oxygen and food-all of which are chemicals and culturally defined.
Scientific Analysis and Writing
This college course is for incoming first-year students who will likely major in one of the sciences at Colorado College and then continue their education and careers in scientific research, science teaching or in one of the health professions.
The primary goals of this course are: 1) to equip students with the ability and confidence to write effectively and successfully; 2) to improve the student’s analytical, problem solving and learning skills to help them succeed in undergraduate studies at Colorado College.
The logical development of ideas, with the precise, unclouded and succinct communication of those ideas through effective writing and speaking, is among the most challenging yet important skills to be mastered in college. All courses at the college require excellent writing (whether for a paper, lab report or essay exam) and speaking abilities (class discussions and presentations). Better writing can mean better grades. Writing, discussions and public speaking are powerful tools for learning science. Poor communication skills are usually a sign of poor understanding of a topic or concept.
In class, the ability to listen carefully, take accurate notes, study with focus, think critically, participate in discussions, and write effectively on essay exams is essential for success.
Society and Identity
This course investigates those social, political and psychological forces that are implicated in the ways young people define who they are and how they interact with their families, peers and communities. In addition, this course investigates how people’s identity shapes the way they engage with and relate to the social world.
First we'll examine the complexities and contradictions of youth engagement with media and technology. We'll examine the discourses surrounding the relationship between youth and various forms of media. At the same time, this course investigates the ways youth make use of multiple forms of media including music, video, and the Internet to express themselves, forge social networks, and
effect social change. It focuses on the effects of media and technology on society and culture and, more specifically, on the everyday realities of young people. In addition, this course examines the debates and issues raised by the emergence and use of so-called new media (e.g., Internet, computer games, and CD-ROMS).
Once we have explored youth's engagement with media and technology, we will examine psychological theories and situations to understand the ways people create and recreate "identities" in intra- and inter-personal, and intergroup dynamics. What determines the formation of identity? What are the processes of identity formation? Who has influence over how each person's identity is formed? We will examine psychological frameworks and learn about research methods in psychology as we answer these questions.