Course listings | Case Western Reserve University

Term: Fall 2018

USSO 286L: Exploring Non-Profit Organizations (100/10537)

TR 02:30-03:45 PM Aug 27-Dec 07

Clemenson, B

This seminar is structured to expose students to the opportunities and challenges of working in and running non-profit organizations. Students will explore the importance and significant roles non-profit organizations play in our society. The class will learn how non-profits are organized and regulated and the importance of the organization's mission is to determining the impact of the non-profit organization in the community. Additionally, the students will learn how non-profits are funded and how these organizations maintain their financial stability and sustainability in the community. These goals will be accomplished through group analysis of non-profit organizational principles, and investigation of existing non-profit organizations.

USSO 286X: The Future of News (100/10540)

MW 04:50-06:05 PM Aug 27-Dec 07

Doll, W

The saying goes, "Strong Press, Strong Democracy." But what of strong democracy in the Internet Age when the traditional press seems weak? That's this seminar's big question. Can the "old" media, struggling to avoid financial collapse, still deliver the news necessary to be democracy's watchdog, as in the past? Can the new internet media--blogs, YouTube, viral videos, "hyperlocalism" experiments, pro publica investigations, crowd sourcing, instant news, Facebook, Gawker, True/Slant, Drudge and the proliferation of the other news and entertainment sources--take its place or complement traditional journalism? How do these new entrants change the nature of news and the role of the media in our society? These are uncharted developments, but they go to the heart of the continued success of America's democratic experiment. Our goal is to grasp more clearly the connections between media, news, citizenship and democracy in this new age.

USSO 287E: Clash of the Titans: Economic, Industrial and Social Trends for the 21st Century (100/10538)

TR 04:00-05:15 PM Aug 27-Dec 07

Maia, J

Since the beginning of recorded human civilization, locally dominant societies have risen, prospered, decayed and finally ended, with new ones taking their place. Starting in the 15th century, however, Europe established global dominance and maintained it for four centuries, from the age of New World exploration through the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century. Then came the rise of the United States, which in the late 20th century became the world's only superpower, economically, industrially, militarily and, increasingly, culturally. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, we are witnessing the "flattening" of the world due to the technological revolution, a phenomenon brought about by the instant and worldwide generation of and access to information. Two major consequences of this evolution are: a) Individuals are more empowered than at any time in history and the traditional societal structure is under constant challenge; b) Companies have changed their business structures and practices and have begun to operate on a truly global scale. The main goal of the course is to help students learn the lessons of history and use them to develop an educated argument as to whether the US will continue in its prominent leadership role, or whether one or both of the emerging Asian economic powerhouses, China and India, will supplant it and become dominant.

USSO 287Z: Concubines, Soldiers and Field Hands: World Slavery from Antiquity to the Present (100/10539)

TR 02:30-03:45 PM Aug 27-Dec 07

Nielson, L

For many Americans, the most familiar type of slavery is plantation slavery of the Americas and the horrific consequences to the indigenous peoples and transplanted peoples from Africa. The longevity of the institution of slavery, and acceptance of the practice by many different cultures and belief systems, however, reaches from antiquity to the present day. In addition to providing physical labor and domestic services, slaves have been used as entertainers, civil servants, led armies and served in temples. Slavery is a complex legal, religious, moral and social institution, and the relationship between slave, state and owner/slaver is equally complicated; so much so that understanding the bond between them, and what the actual boundary was between "free" and "un-free", is still difficult to determine in some cultures. In this seminar, we will use a chronological framework to examine the institution of slavery, uses for slaves, methodologies and sources for studying slavery and the slave trade in world history. Beginning with slavery in the Ancient Near East, Egypt, Greece and Rome, the class will include slavery and the feudal system in medieval Europe, indentured servitude and concubinage, slaves in the early Islamic courts, the Ottoman slave trade, the African slave trade and slavery in the Americas, and the current problem of human trafficking. Within each section, students will read primary texts and recent scholarship examining the social, economic and religious rationales behind slavery. We will also study different methodologies and the impact of gender, race and social class on the study of world slavery. As many slaver cultures had different definitions for what it meant to be a slave, we will address questions related to translation, interpretation and perception when dealing with primary sources. The primary goal of the course is to provide a broader context for the institution of slavery in world history as a means not only to understand the impact of slavery has had on American culture, but on other cultures as well.

USSO 288Y: The Secret History of Corporate America (100/10541)

MW 03:20-04:35 PM Aug 27-Dec 07

Steinberg, T; Whiting, P

The corporation is the most powerful economic institution of our time. How did it come to reign, and how does its power affect us economically, politically, and socially? This course will chart the history and impact of corporate capitalism. Topics will include the corporation's impact on democracy, consumer culture, the environment, and even the university itself. If you have ever wondered why products are purposely designed to wear out (planned obsolescence), why unions are so powerless in America, why the military is as powerful as it is, why it takes special technology from the Diebold corporation to run a simple election, why broadcasting companies are allowed to profit by using the public airwaves for free, why it looks like there are a million publishers of books when in truth giant companies dominate 80 percent of the book market, why the perfect lawn is a marketing ploy to get consumers to buy a lot of chemical inputs, why universities, which are supposed to be bastions of independent thought, are now dominated by an army of administrators who run around talking about return on investment instead of figuring out how to create a culture where students can learn, then this is the course for you.

USSO 289C: Ethics For The Real World: Developing a Code of Ethics to Guide Decisions in Work and Life (100/10542)

TR 10:00-11:15 AM Aug 27-Dec 07

Case, S

This seminar addresses two major questions: How do the contexts in which we live or work affect ethical behavior? And how can we manage to struggle through personal and organizational challenges if we find they present us with something ethically compromising? In this course, we look to religion, spiritual teaching and cultural upbringing to understand sources of personal values and standards of behavior that might help structure one's life in the midst of difficult contexts. One way we consider this is through practical exercises including development of your own personal code of ethics, an iterative process designed to help you articulate the principles of your own moral construction. These can serve as a foundation for leadership integrity and moral courage for ethical decisions throughout life and work.

USSO 289P: Polar Regions in History (100/10616)

TR 01:00-02:15 PM Aug 27-Dec 07

Todd, E

This course will explore the effect the polar regions have had on the strategic ambitions, pursuit of wealth, scientific investigations, and heroic imagination of (mainly Western) individuals, nations, and cultures, focusing on the modern and early modern periods (c. 1500-present). It will also familiarize students with the physical geography and ecology of the north and south polar regions, the ways in which Arctic-adapted peoples have responded to the challenges of their environment, and the impact that contact with outsiders has had on these environments and peoples. Students will read books and view videos that recount the personal experiences of polar explorers and others involved in international competition for exploratory "firsts," describe the efforts nations have made to claim polar resources, and examine debates about climate change.

USSO 289Z: China and the World: 19th and 20th Century Encounters (100/10543)

TR 11:30-12:45 PM Aug 27-Dec 07

Tan, J

Although frequently characterized as a country with a past that was marked by insularity and disdain for all things foreign, until the West "opened [it] up," China's engagement with the world has been long and deep. China--Chinese emperors, Chinese governments, and Chinese people across the social spectrum--have energetically engaged with the broader world, permitting, encouraging, and seeking the circulation of foreign ideas and goods. This course is about how China has taken measure of the world and the goods and ideas that have flowed into and out of China during the past several centuries, from roughly the sixteenth through the twentieth centuries. Students will examine one topic in depth as an historical case study during the semester-long course. Possible topics from which the case study will be drawn include the Opium Wars, meanings of revolution, gender and sexuality, religion and political ideology, the environment, nationalism, history of science and technology, etc. Focus on a single thematic topic serves as a microcosm of social, political, and economic exchanges that highlight the complex ways in which understandings of China and the world have shifted over time.

USSO 290J: Touch Throughout the Life Span (100/10710)

MW 12:45-02:00 PM Aug 27-Dec 07

Ludington, S

This seminar will consider a variety of topics related to touch throughout the life span. Opportunities are provided to learn from colleagues and resources available to the public about the structure, functions, uses, misuses, and health considerations of touch from birth to old age. Touch as it is conveyed through different venues and with different purposes will be explored; touch for development, touch for socialization, therapeutic animal touch and what are pets need, touch as punishment, touch in the workplace, touch and technology, intimate touch, abusive touch, necessity of touch, healing touch, and comforting and noxious touch.

USSO 290J: Touch Throughout the Life Span (101/11109)

MW 04:50-06:05 PM Aug 27-Dec 07

Ludington, S

USSO 290M: The Effects of Race, Class and Education: A Dialogue on Current Issues (100/10544)

MW 03:20-04:35 PM Aug 27-Dec 07

Sperry, B

Recent decades have seen a growing income and opportunity disparity in America. In our seminar, we will examine a variety of overlapping issues related to this crisis, with special attention to the impact of race, class and educational levels in determining how people fare in society. The larger set of issues includes poverty, income inequality, job loss and its effect on the industrial city, the concept of a "living wage," affordable housing, education, and sentencing and incarceration. Readings, class discussions, and student papers will all explore these topics. In urban communities such as Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, the income and opportunity divide is especially visible and persistent. Recognizing this, we have incorporated a novel approach to experiential learning in our seminar. Case Western Reserve students will interact with a similarly sized group of students incarcerated at Lorain Correctional Institution, a state prison located in nearby Grafton, Ohio. The two groups will conduct workshops together and will hold joint discussions via teleconference throughout the semester. The incarcerated students will be studying the same material on the same schedule and will be sharing their views with students in the seminar. We believe there are several benefits to this dialogue. We have two Northeast Ohio institutions - our university and the prison - which are neighbors but whose residents are largely from opposite sides of the divide. It will be useful to consider the income and opportunity divide from both perspectives and to share ideas and experiences related to the overall problem of inequality. A bilateral discussion and interaction will not only enhance the students' educational experience, but also, we hope, will foster greater understanding. Procedures will be in pace to ensure strict confidentiality and anonymity in any and all exchanges of views between CWRU students and students at the prison.

USSO 290W: Understanding Body Image through Self-Perception (100/10545)

TR 11:30-12:45 PM Aug 27-Dec 07

Blake, H

This course examines the historical, psychological, and cultural approaches to the self-perception of one's own body. We will explore how body standards have changed throughout history and across cultures, and how this is reflected in portraiture. Additionally, we will investigate psychological studies on body image, acknowledging the challenges in an evidence-based approach and considering medical diagnoses when distortion in self-perception occurs. Finally, we will analyze current body standards perpetuated by the media in regards to body size, shape, and gender. Through reading and discussion, students will gain a deeper understanding of healthy body image and strategies for applying it to their own lives.

USSO 291R: Aging Well (100/10638)

TR 10:00-11:15 AM Aug 27-Dec 07

Juratovac, E

People around the world are living longer. Researchers have examined human aging, and explored factors that contribute to the quality of life for older people. What does it mean for people to age well? Do current explanations about promoting survival, retaining physical and mental abilities, and maintaining family and social connnectedness fit people's experiences? In this seminar, students will consider current theoretical explanations regarding the physiological, psychological, sociological, cultural, and spiritual dimensions that contribute to aging well. Students will analyze programs and services available in the present day and dream about programs and services of the future that could support aging well.

USSO 292E: Many Ways to Be a Woman: Intersectional Traditions of Feminism and Femininity (100/10690)

MW 12:45-02:00 PM Aug 27-Dec 07

Bychowski, G

If you've ever asked, "can a person be a woman *this* way?" then this class is for you! What if she wants to be a housewife? What if she wants to be an engineer? What if she hates dresses? What if she feels powerful in skirts? This class explores the many questions and responses that surround womanhood. This seminar is designed to provide entry into the many intersectional conversations on feminism and femininity, with access points starting from where you are. That means if you do not consider yourself a feminist, you are welcome. If you are not feminine or female, you have a place at the table. If you worry about being called a "bad feminist," then this class is definitely for you. If you find feminism or femininity to be too narrow to define you, this class is excited to have you. If you take issue with feminism focusing too much on white women, cisgender women, able-bodied women, straight women, then this class needs your voice. If you want to know what the role of men in feminism can be, wonders the same thing! Historically, "feminism" as a word has challenged people's political and personal investments in different ways as they encounter issues such as voting and jobs, marriage and divorce, racism and classism, homophobia and transphobia, healthcare and disability, personal liberties and social protections. Alongside these traditions of feminism, "femininity" has been a concept that seems simultaneously ancient while also under constant revision as women of color, post-colonialism, disability, queer, transgender and intersex thinkers introduce underrepresented perspectives. Facing these reactions and reforms, some people feel disinclined to identify with either word, adding to the list of "F-words" that can raise conflict in polite company. Yet however one feels about these F-words, feminism and femininity have regularly proven important movements in public debates around government, the work-force, education, and art. This seminar seeks to connect students with intersectional and sometimes conflicting traditions in politics and gender theory in order to broaden the horizons of who or what gets to be identified with feminism and femininity.

USSO 292F: Futbol (100/10858)

MWF 10:35-11:25 AM Aug 27-Dec 07

Berindeanu, F

This course examines the social and cultural impact of futbol/soccer/football "the beautiful game." We will explore the many reasons for the sport's popularity among people from every social and economic class, and we will consider why, to its large crowds of followers, it is more than a game. We will also trace the various ways in which futbol influences different cultures and societies, seeking to understand how its consequences can be so diverse when its rules and infrastructure are the same all over the world. In addition to classroom discussions, readings, and writing assignments, the course will include documentaries about the history of the sport, its reception among various social classes, and the music genres fans adopt to support their favorite teams.

USSO 292G: Creativity and Spirituality (100/10859)

MW 12:45-02:00 PM Aug 27-Dec 07

Kenneley, I

Some religious thinkers and philosophers believe that, just as all organisms evolve biologically, humans have been developing the capacity to understand the supernatural forces that shape the universe and the meaning of our existence within it. This spiritual evolution is powered by humanity's integral primeval drive to be creative. We tend to look to the arts and sciences as a visible demonstration of creativity, but we all engage that creative instinct, consciously or unconsciously, in every facet of our lives. We draw on creativity whether we are dealing with everyday problems or significant transformative experiences. But what is creativity exactly? How does it work? Is creativity in the arts the same as creativity in the sciences? In this seminar, we will examine a variety of theories that attempt to explain creativity. We will also use research in the field of psychology and creativity studies to explore the relationship between an individual's creativity and their personality, experience, and environment, as well as whether creativity can be an acquired skill (and if so, how?). What role can creativity play in our work and play? What role does creativity play in our sense of selves as spiritual beings? We will investigate these questions using an integrated multi-dimensional methodology that combines theoretical and experiential approaches.

USSO 292H: Religion and Human Rights (100/11188)

TR 01:00-02:15 PM Aug 27-Dec 07

Ranganathan, B

This seminar examines the theories that underwrite human rights, as well as some contemporary human rights issues. We will begin by familiarizing ourselves with the history and theory of human rights. In doing so, we will examine how thinking about human rights is different from the way we think about legal and political rights. Then, we will use this historical and theoretical framework to examine the intersection between human rights issues--including gender rights, minority rights, and religious freedom--and religious belief and practice. We will use a variety of cases, from the place of racial and religious minorities in North American to gender and women's rights in India, to understand how these issues manifest themselves. How far do our historical and theoretical explorations help us understand and perhaps offer solutions to these vexing issues?

USSO 292I: Making Sense of Healthcare Today (100/11430)

TR 04:00-05:15 PM Aug 27-Dec 07

Dillon, D

The course will examine the complex issue of today's healthcare system. Students will examine how the U.S. model compares with other countries and their outcomes. What would the ideal healthcare system look like? Students will discuss and debate the ethical dilemmas associated with these choices. What are the various healthcare delivery models available, their advantages and disadvantages? Does the U.S. have the best healthcare system? Students will explore the available data on healthcare in the U.S. compared with other countries. They will examine the supply demand theory as it relates to healthcare access and availability. Other topics include examining other types of healthcare providers in today's system. Do they provide a solution or contribute to the problem? To answer these and other questions, we will explore the ethical, moral, and financial aspects of U.S. healthcare today.