Spring 2020 Course Schedule - Updated Hourly

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Public Health

PH 101 - Introduction to Public Health

This course provides students with the key concepts underlying public health as a system and social endeavor. It will explore pressing public health challenges, including communicable diseases, environmental health, social inequalities in health, health care, public responses to emergencies, and reduction of unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, drinking, and violence.

PH 201 - Introduction to Epidemiology

Consent of instructor required. Students will learn and apply basic concepts of epidemiology, using collaborative learning through project activities, case students, peer discussion, and independent research. Students will examine the impact of social conditions and identify factors that account for adverse health at the population level, and use epidemiology to promote positive health outcomes.

PH 345 - Health Systems & Policy

Analyzes the evolution of the U.S. health system and compares it with health systems of other selected countries. Examines health systems as social institutions, developing a broad, contextual understanding of health system development and change across a range of cultural, political and economic environments. Investigates the impact of social institutions on the structure of health systems, on policy choices, and on the provision and receipt of care.

PH 370 - Internship

Consent of instructor required. Provides a supervised professional experience off campus. Potential sites include clinical settings, community health centers, government agencies, hopsitals, laboratories, and nonprofit organizations. Includes a weekly seminar. Placement is the students' responsibility, with the support of the Career Education Center and the approval of the department. Arrangements should be made with the student's advisor by the end of the junior year.

Philosophy

PHIL 121 - Philosophy of Religion

Explores a cluster of problems and competing perspectives: the nature of religious language, the evidence for and against the existence of God, the problem of evil, the relationship of faith to reason, and the meaning of death in light of differing analyses.

PHIL 123 - Symbolic Logic

Explores argument forms and the nature of validity and deductive reasoning, including proof procedures, truth tables, syllogisms, quantification, and predicate logic.

PHIL 130 - Ethics

Focuses on the theoretical approaches to ethics in the classical Western tradition (Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Mill) and in multicultural and contemporary perspectives. Topics include theories of the good, moral relativism, concepts of moral obligation, definitions of virtue, and utilitarian philosophy.

PHIL 131 - Biomedical Ethics

Examines moral questions concerning rights and responsibilities in professional biomedical relationships. Includes issues such as truth-telling, informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, patient self-determination, reproductive technologies, euthanasia, eugenics, and broader questions of justice in health care.

PHIL 139 - Environmental Ethics

Explores philosophical issues underlying environmental and ecological controversies. Issues include whether the value of a human being is fundamentally different from the value of other living species or of the environment itself, what role consumer goods and services play in a good life, and whether environmental consciousness conflicts with a good life.

PHIL 152 - Philosopy Through Literature and Film

Examines philosophical themes and issues found in major works of literature and film. Based on a realization that meaning and truth arise through reflection upon everyday lived reality, we explore how one lives, struggles, and creates meaning in one's search for identity, wholeness, and truth by examining works of literature and film through various lenses of critical analysis.

PHIL 232 - Theories of Justice

Discusses classic and contemporary theories of political justice. Topics include the relationship of personal ethics to political justice, the extent of our obligations to the state, the nature and proper scope of liberty and equality, and the relationship of justice to various economic and social systems.

PHIL 237 - Philosophy of Mind

Explores the nature of human consciousness and the self. Focuses on the views of contemporary philosophers, psychologists, and Asian religious thinkers; readings include classical authors such as Descartes as well as contemporary philosophers such as Daniel Dennett.

PHIL 247 - The Meaning of Life

Discusses the age-old question concerning the meaning of life as it has been explored in world philosophies. Themes include the roles of God and spirituality in life, the significance of death, freedom versus determinism, the possible absurdity of life, and the importance of goals such as happiness in our existence.

PHIL 350 - Independent Study

Consent of instructor required.

PHIL 355 - Thesis

Consent of instructor required.

Physics

PHYS 105 - Science and Technology in the Everyday World: The Way Things Work

Traces the development of technology, provides insight into the fundamentals of modern science and technology, emphasizes the synergy between the two, and provides practical experience in dealing with real systems and devices found in daily life. Weekly laboratory. Designed for nonmajors.

PHYS 105L - Science and Technology in the Everyday World: The Way Things Work Lab

PHYS 111 - Introductory Physics II

Teaches the fundamentals of physics for students with preparation in algebra and trigonometry. Topics drawn from electricity and magnetism, heat, waves, sound, optics, and modern physics. Three hours of lecture, a three-hour laboratory, and one-hour interactive problem-solving session per week.

PHYS 111G - Intro Physics II GIL

PHYS 111L - Introductory Physics II Lab

PHYS 115 - Fundamentals of Physics II

Concentrates on the subjects of electricity, and magnetism and on the concepts of particles and fields. Additional material drawn from kinetic theory, heat, and thermodynamics. Second course in physics for science majors. Three hours of lecture, three-hour laboratory, and one-hour interactive problem-solving session.

PHYS 115G - Fundamentals of Physics II Gil

PHYS 115L - Funds of Physics II Lab

PHYS 150 - Research Experience

Students will have the opportunity to build research skills in the laboratory and theoretical sciences by becoming involved in active research projects in the Department of Chemistry and Physics. Undergraduate students in all majors are encouraged to participate.

PHYS 245 - Introduction to Biophysics

This course is designed to study how the laws of physics apply to and explain biological phenomena. It will take students through successive levels of the complexity of life, from atoms to molecules and ultimately to the behavior of organisms through the lens of physics. The course will include extensive coverage of life defining elements like water and light, of biopolymers, biomembranes, assemblies of biomolecules, cells/neurons and discuss recent developments, such as protein folding, DNA/RNA conformations, molecular motors and optical tweezers.

PHYS 250 - Research Project

PHYS 300 - Mechanics

Examines the fundamental principles of Newtonian mechanics; the conservation laws, the dynamics of a particle, including oscillations and central force motion; and the dynamics of a system of particles.

PHYS 310 - Imaging of Materials

Offers a clear understanding of and experience with particular instruments or techniques (such as high-vacuum systems, thin-film deposition, spincoating, photolithography, self-assembly, and micro patterning) used in the preparation of thin films or selectively activated surfaces. Emphasizes the influence of processing conditions on material properties. Work with faculty on ongoing research projects and present results in a paper or an oral presentation to physics and chemistry faculty.

PHYS 310L - Imaging of Materials Lab

PHYS 332 - Quantum Mechanics and Molecular Structure

Covers the wave mechanical treatment of atoms, atomic and molecular spectroscopy, theories of chemical bonding, and molecular structure. Laboratory work comprises spectroscopic and computer modeling studies. Three hours of lecture and a four-hour laboratory per week.

PHYS 332L - Quantum Mechanics and Molecular Structure Lab

PHYS 350 - Independent Study

PHYS 355 - Independent Study With Thesis Independent Study With Thesis

Consent of instructor required. Selection of a research project involving scientific literature search, followed by laboratory work required for solution of the problem. Results presented in a thesis and a poster presentation.

PHYS 370 - Internship

4 or 8 sem. hrs. Provides a supervised professional experience off campus. Placement must be approved by the department. Includes a final oral presentation.

PHYS 390 - Physics Seminar

Required of all physics majors completing PHYS 355 Includes instruction and preparation for technical writing such as a manuscript or senior thesis. Students will prepare and practice several oral presentations, culminating with a seminar on their independent study research open to the entire Simmons community. One hour per week.

Political Science

POLS 101 - Introduction to American Politics

Introduces students to the fundamentals of American government and analyzes important and controversial political issues. Through lecture, discussion, and readings, examines: the Congress, the presidency, the courts, voting behavior, political participation, interest groups, political parties, social movements, civil rights, and civil liberties. A special focus will be on applying theories to current events in American politics.

POLS 102 - Introduction to International Politics

This course introduces students to major topics in international relations: power politics, IR theories of the origins of conflict, war, and cooperation, international trade and markets, international organizations and law, North-South relations, global environmental problems, the commons, globalization, and terrorism. The course will cover contemporary issues in interstate relations.

POLS 104 - Introduction to Comparative Politics

Introduces the study of governments other than the U.S. Countries selected for study include France, Russia, the People's Republic of China, and Egypt. Topics include political culture and socialization, political parties and institutions, the impact of socioeconomic transformations on politics (revolutions, coups d'tat, opposition parties), and the ways regimes respond to challenges.

POLS 168 - Criminal Law

This course investigates crime and punishment in the American Court system. We will explore the function of courts and their role in the legal and criminal justice system. The goal is to introduce students to a broad range of topics on law, courts, and the criminal justice system.

POLS 214 - Constitutional Law: The Modern Court

Analyzes the Supreme Court's decisions in recent decades, with emphasis on the constitutional rights that individuals have against states and the federal government. Considers the court's impact on debates over privacy, race and sex discrimination, freedom of expression, and religion.

POLS 215 - The Politics of Exclusion

Examines the changing patterns of incorporation of ethnic and racial minorities in American politics in the post-civil rights era. Considers the relationships between racial minority groups, levels of representation, levels of political participation, the possibilities for coalition-building between racial minority groups, and economic and social policy issues that affect minority and ethnic politics.

POLS 218 - Parties and Elections

Examines political parties and their relationship to political competition in the U.S. Considers the function of parties, alternative mechanisms of interest representation, and recent American electoral events.

POLS 226 - State and Local Politics

While national politics receives the most media attention, it is actually the lower levels of government that have the greater influence on our daily lives. In demonstrating this influence, this course will specifically focus on the power of state and local government to foster greater social equality in America.

POLS 232 - Theories of Justice

Discusses classic and contemporary theories of political justice. Topics include the relationship of personal ethics to political justice, the extent of our obligations to the state, the nature and proper scope of liberty and equality, and the relationship of justice to various economic and social systems.

POLS 235 - Transgender Politics & Freedom

This course aims to engage students in a discussion on transgender social, cultural, and political issues. Rather than focusing on individual identity, we will turn to structural and institutional forms of power that focus on gender. How have trans people historically resisted their subjugation and exclusion? What would transgender justice look like?

POLS 245M - Global and Civil Society in Southeast Asia

Offers students an opportunity to participate in an intensive practicum on activism in global civil society in an international setting and to live and work with student peers in a host country in Southeast Asia. The practicum focuses on creating a nongovernmental organization or social enterprise to respond to local and global problems.

POLS 245T - STC Program Costs Thailand

POLS 250 - Democratization in Latin America

Why does Costa Rica serve as a model for democracy and development, while next-door neighbor Nicaragua remains one of the poorest countries in the world, mired in a struggle to democratize? Why have democratic regimes in Chile and Uruguay consolidated, while Venezuela and Ecuador have experienced a steady erosion of democratic institutions and norms? While some suggest that institutions, culture, or the timing of elections in democratic transitions play dominant roles in explaining these divergent outcomes, others point to the Cold War, neo-imperialism, and the resource curse as factors holding back would-be democracies. This course uses a comparative case study approach to test the major theories of democratic transition, focusing on the experiences of Central and South American countries.

POLS 356 - Feminist International Relations

Analyzes global politics from a feminist and gendered perspective on foreign policies, conduct of war, military, and prospects for development. Explores gender and sexuality in the construction of nationalism and identity, justice for war crimes and human rights abuses, trafficking in persons, resolution of conflict, and terrorism.

POLS 370 - Internship

Consent of department required.

POLS 380 - Fieldwork

Consent of department required.

POLS 435 - Transgender Politics & Freedom

This course aims to engage students in a discussion on transgender social, cultural, and political issues. Rather than focusing on individual identity, we will turn to structural and institutional forms of power that focus on gender. How have trans people historically resisted their subjugation and exclusion? What would transgender justice look like?

POLS 556 - Feminist International Relations

Analyzes global politics from a feminist and gendered perspective on foreign policies, conduct of war, military, and prospects for development. Explores gender and sexuality in the construction of nationalism and identity, justice for war crimes and human rights abuses, trafficking in persons, resolution of conflict, and terrorism.

Psychology

PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychological Science

Surveys contemporary approaches to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Covers topics from neurons to neuroses, including perception, memory, social interaction, personality, and mental disorders.

PSYC 201 - Biological Psychology

Considers some of the ways behavior and experience are related to biological processes. Classroom and laboratory topics include brain structure and function, drugs and addiction, brain damage, sleep and consciousness, stress, memory and amnesia, and mental illness. Includes lectures and laboratory sessions.

PSYC 201L - Biological Psyc Lab

PSYC 203 - Research Methods in Psychology

An introduction to methodologies and statistical analyses used in psychological research, including surveys, observation, correlation, and experiments. Lectures and lab activities emphasize critical-thinking in the evaluation of scientific evidence.

PSYC 203L - Research Methods in Psychology Lab

PSYC 220 - The Psychology of Gender

Explores the origins and implications of similarities and differences between women and men. Examines concepts of sex and gender as they relate to social roles, stereotypes, identity, mental health, and sexuality in social and cultural contexts.

PSYC 231 - Abnormal Psychology

Explores the nature and dynamics of psychological disorders including anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, and addiction. Emphasizes the issue of individual psychological growth and the interrelationship of normal and abnormal phenomena.

PSYC 232 - Health Psychology

Explores the biological, psychological, and social factors related to health and illness. Includes discussion of the biological factors involved in prevention and treatment; the role of personal factors such as lifestyle choices, stress, addictions, and coping mechanisms; and social factors related to compliance and health care delivery.

PSYC 235 - Developmental Psychology

Considers the theoretical approaches and methodological issues involved in understanding normative development from conception to adolescence. Examines the origins and progression of biological, perceptual, cognitive, social, and emotional systems, as well as the complex interactions among them, via lecture, discussion, demonstration, and observation. Childrearing and education implications are discussed.

PSYC 243 - Cognitive Psychology

(Previously Memory, Thought, and Language) Examines the mental processes that underlie perception, attention, memory, language, and reasoning from the perspective of psychological theory, experimental findings, and everyday experience.

PSYC 244 - Drugs and Behavior

Explores the psychological, biological, and societal factors that influence drug use. Focuses on the neurochemical bases of drug action and the experimental paradigms used in studying the behavioral effects of drugs. Topics include illegal and legal drugs, including medications for mental illness.

PSYC 247 - Sensation and Perception

Studies the relationship between the external world and our internal representation of it, the world as we perceive it. Considers the bases of accurate perception, factors contributing to perceptual distortion and disability, the dimensions and processes of consciousness, and the nature of reality.

PSYC 248 - Social Psychology

Examines behavior as it is influenced by other people and social situations. Studies social influence, person perception, interaction, attitude change, and group dynamics.

PSYC 301 - Research in Biopsychology

Consent of instructor required. Provides opportunity for participation as a member of a research team in all phases of a laboratory study. Includes seminar discussion of current evidence regarding selected topics, design of an experiment, collection and analysis of data, and preparation of a report for publication. Includes lectures and laboratory sessions.

PSYC 301L - Research in Biopsychology Lab

PSYC 305 - Upper Level Research in Child Development

A survey of the tools psychologists use to investigate age-related changes in developmental processes cognition, emotion, behavior, or relationships. Topics include measurement, research design (e.g., experiments, quasi-experiments, and observations), and the communication of research findings. Both practical and ethical issues related to the use of children as research participants are also discussed. Includes a laboratory component.

PSYC 305L - Research in Child Development Lab

PSYC 331 - Seminar in Clinical Psychology

Consent of instructor required. Introduces the role of the clinician, diagnostic assessment, psychological treatment, and clinical research. Considers psychotherapy as a mode of treatment for disordered behavior.

PSYC 345 - History & Systems of Psychology

Consent of instructor required. Normally open only to seniors. Addresses the intellectual history of controversial themes that cut across the psychology curriculum, such as mind vs. body, nature vs. nurture, and normal vs. abnormal. Challenging readings reveal the basis for our modern theories and practices, highlighting the connections between other courses in the major.

PSYC 350 - Independent Study

Consent of instructor required.

PSYC 355 - Thesis

Consent of department required.

PSYC 380 - Fieldwork in a Psychological Setting

Consent of instructor required. Provides staff-supervised experience to seniors in a variety of service and research settings. Involves exposure to activities such as counseling, psychological testing, special education, human resources, interviewing, psychotherapy, and laboratory research.

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