Fall 2010 Global Learning Opportunities for New Freshmen

Want to get a head start on your college career?

Get connected with a great professor?

Study with students who are interested in learning more about the world?

TAKE ONE GLOBAL LEARNING FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR!

The Seminars are courses for new freshmen that fulfill freshman requirements and offer special learning opportunities to:
• Develop global perspectives.
• Explore Hawai‘i and engage with the local community.
• Participate in co-curricular activities in conjunction with classroom learning.

Additional Benefits...

• Seminars are limited to approximately 15 students so that you can really get to know your professor and your classmates.
• Field trips will give you the chance to learn more about Hawai‘i.
• Learning about opportunities at HPU, such as services, student clubs and organizations, and campus activities, will add to your academic and social life. 

Questions?  Please email firstyear@hpu.edu.

Very Important - Just take One First-Year Seminar!

This fall, new freshmen can take ONE Seminar in ONE of the following subjects, also called disciplines (abbreviations shown below):

Fall 2010 Global Learning First-Year Seminars

These seminars are special sections of general education courses. Each course satisifies a general education requirement which is show in parenthesis after the instructor's name.

The seminars can be identified in the course schedule by “FY” as part of the section designator. For example, BIOL 1000 A is a regular section, while BIOL 1000 BFY is a First-Year Seminar.   Since each course below is also offered in several regular sections, make sure you sign up for one of the specific sections listed below if you intend to take a first-year seminar. Although you may be taking several of the courses (for example BIOL 1000, PSY 1000 and WRI 1100) sign up for only one FY section and take regular sections of the others.

All sections are downtown. The Seminars meet at the regular class times.  MWF means the class meets Monday, Wednesday, Friday, MW classes meet on Mondays and Wednesdays and TR means the class meets Tuesday, Thursday

To register electronically, you will need the following: 

1. Discipline abbreviation and course number;
2. Course section (“FY” stands for First-Year Seminar);
3. Course Record Number [CRN] a unique 4-digit number shown in brackets for each section.

BIOL 1000 Introduction to Biology 

CRN 1012 BIOL 1000 BFY  MWF 9:40-10:45   Angela J Costanzo (Global Systems A)

The course includes topics such as cellular structure and function, metabolism, mitosis and meiosis, protein synthesis, evolution, animal diversity, anatomy and physiology, ecology, and conservation biology. It also focuses on a variety of ways for students to become more responsible members of their local and global communities. It lays a strong foundation for students to examine and research their options to make healthier ethical and sustainable choices in their everyday lives; from what products they purchase to what they consume on a daily basis. Students will investigate their individual ecological footprints on their natural environment and resources as well as explore new biotechnology and advances in science. Throughout the semester students will view & discuss online and other current biology related media, participate in class activities (in and outside of the classroom), hear from guest speakers and have many opportunities for expanding their knowledge in science by attending Viewpoint Films, completing a research project and summarizing current articles in science.

 BIOL 1500 Conservation Biology

CRN 1392 BIOL 1500 BFY  MWF 1505-16:00 Angela J Costanzo (Global Systems C)

An introductory undergraduate course designed to equip students with information enabling them to make rational, informed decisions about conservation issues facing the world today. It introduces students to an array of topics such as the nature of biodiversity, the growing threats to biodiversity, and ecologically sound conservation and resource management practices designed to slow its loss,environmental law and ethics, major ecosystems of the world,  and resource management. Throughout the semester students will view and discuss current conservation related information, participate in activities in the local community, receive lectures from a variety of local, state, federal government and private industry experts, attend Viewpoints Films, complete a research project,  and analyze current conservation issues affecting both the community and the world.

CLST 1000 Great Books, East and West

CRN 2643 CLST 1000 AFY  TR 14:05 – 15:30 Dr. Matthew Lopresti (Values and Choices A)

What is truth? What is justice? What is beauty, love, and friendship? How should I act in the world? What does it mean to be a human being? Is there a God, and if so, how can we come to know? These questions, and many others, will be pursued through the reading and discussion of foundational texts from Ancient Chinese, Indian, and European traditions.

 COM 1000 Introduction to Communication Skills

CRN 2651 COM 1000 SFY  TR 12:30-13:55 Rose Helens-Hart  (Communication Skills B)

This course integrates principles of interpersonal communication with an introduction to career planning. Course topics are selected to increase students’ self-awareness and self-esteem while building skills for effectively dealing with common interpersonal challenges.  Public speaking and group communication skills are introduced to enhance students’ preparedness for typical requirements in their HPU curriculum and professional life.  The course stresses both theory and practical applications of effective communication. Global issues in communication and media are explored using the uniqueness of students from various cultures.

 CSCI 1041 Digital Literacy in a Global Society (meets the digital literacy cross-theme)

CRN 2214 CSCI 1041 AFY  MWF 8:35-9:30  Gabriella Artigas  (Global Systems C)

CRN 2215 CSCI 1041 BFY  MWF 9:40-10:35 Gabriella Artigas  (Global Systems C)

 This course gives students tools to be active participants in today’s global culture of digital literacy.  Students acquire technology skills to create digital products such as spreadsheets, presentations, and podcasts; analytical skills to understand, organize, and analyze numeric and graphic data; communication skills to convey information in a context appropriate to the receiving audience; and knowledge of international standards and treaties that govern rights and responsibilities in creating and disseminating original works.  The course is presented in a global context with local details drawn from a variety of countries and cultures.

HUM 1000 Introduction to the Humanities 

CRN 1058 HUM 1000 FFY  TR 12:30-1:55  Dr. Linda Lierheimer  (Values and Choices B)

The creation, analysis, and interpretation of the arts and humanities in their cultural context. Poetry, art, music, drama, and dance from the world’s major cultures are presented and experienced. This class will explore what art and literature can teach us about living in a global society. We will focus on the theme of “home, exile, and migration.” Our readings will include Homer, The Iliad; Voltaire, Candide, Maxine Hong Kingston, A Woman Warrior, and John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men.

MARS 1500 Marine Biology and the Global Oceans

CRN 2620 MARS 1500 1FY  TR 15:40-17:05  Dr. Eric Vetter  (Global Systems B)

 The oceans and atmosphere impact and are impacted by virtually all life on earth and our knowledge of the diversity and consequences of anthropogenic impacts on these systems is growing steadily. This course will provide a foundation of knowledge on marine biological systems and then discuss how the world’s oceans and surrounding environments affect and are affected by people from an economic, cultural, and political perspective. The first half of the course will be delivered in the traditional lecture format and will provide a foundation of knowledge regarding the marine environment and marine biology.  The second half will also include approximately four meetings during which students will make presentations on predetermined topics involving global marine environmental issues.

PHIL 1000 Introduction to World Philosophies

CRN 2195 PHIL 1000 BFY  TR 12:30-13:55  Dr. Matthew Lopresti  (Values and Choices C)

A general introduction to world philosophies including: Islamic, Western, Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian philosophies. Philosophical problems such as the existence of God and the problem of evil, justice, free will, and our knowledge of the external world will be considered. The course will explore cross-cultural approaches to ancient questions such as “Who am I?” “What is duty?” and “How ought I to act?” Includes field trips to artistic, religious, and cultural sites.

PSCI 1400 American Political System 

CRN 1461 PSCI 1400 AFY  MWF 10:45-11:40  Dr. James Primm  (Values and Choices C)

 This course will revolve around an analysis of the American political system, concentrating on the central theme or question: Is America a democracy? It will examine the actors who influence government—people, interests groups, media, political  parties; We will analyze the institutions of government charged with making, implementing and overseeing  government  action-congress, the executive office, the bureaucracies and the courts; and finally we will examine and debate the actual decisions and policies the government makes. Since the US is the most powerful nation in the world, it plays a large role in influencing how the rest of the world both perceives and reacts  to its policies. We will examine how America carries out its role as the hub of the global system.

PSCI 2500 World Politics 

CRN 2037 PSCI 2500 AFY  TR 12:30-13:55  Dr. Carlos Juarez (Values and Choices B)

A course that provides a survey of the trends and major issues confronting the world today in the early 21st century. It examines trends such as the rise of nationalism, the revival of religion as a political factor, and economic changes like regionalism within the emerging global economy. Contemporary issues of conflict and cooperation such as terrorism, pollution, human rights, global cultural integration and trade are examined.  Students will also gain an understanding of many Hawaii-based organizations and government agencies that focus on international affairs.

PSY 1000 Introduction to Psychology 

CRN 1521 PSY 1000 DFY TR 15:40-17:05 William Douglas Hall (Research and Epistemology C)

An introductory course in psychology, covering the major processes underlying human behavior, cognition, and emotion. Specific units covered include: consciousness; sensation and perception; thought and language; human development; personality; social psychology; abnormal psychology; and the realization of human potential.  This First Year Seminar will also consider how the discipline of psychology may contribute theoretically and practically to a better understanding of your identity in the world.

REL 1000 Introduction to World Religions

CRN 1757 REL 1000A TTH 9:10-10:35   Dr. Margo Kitts (World Cultures B)

 This course examines religious stories as allegories for the quest for meaning. Whatever the ultimate source of any religion (i.e., divine or human), religions in this course will be treated as human products whose expressions – rituals, myths, theological ideas, drama, poetry, art, etc. – can be historically analyzed. That is, we will study religions not as divinely inspired or static systems of belief, but as organic human phenomena responsive to larger historical and geographical environments. The first third of this course is on oral religions, but the other two thirds are on western and eastern traditions as established by texts. Because the particular histories involved are enormous and complex, and because we have only one semester to cover the subject, we will concentrate on original inspirations and founding stories. If you like old stories, this is a course for you. 

 WRI 1100 Analyzing and Writing Arguments 

CRN 1158 WRI 1100 SFY TR 10:50-12:15      Dr. Kathleen Cassity (Communication Skills A)

CRN 1372 WRI 1100 TFY TR 14:05-15:30      Dr. Kathleen Cassity (Communication Skills A)

 The course provides instruction and practice in college-level writing tasks, particularly the writing of arguments; this First-Year Seminar section will offer students the opportunity to approach college-level academic writing using creative methods.  Students will explore topic possibilities that engage their interest through brainstorming and freewriting, and will learn to shape their ideas into critically astute, well-written, rhetorically effective arguments, using a process that includes drafting, peer workshops, and deep revision.  Students will also analyze and respond to the arguments of others and will develop their research skills.  Each student will have at least two individual conferences with the instructor.  Expect to work closely and collaboratively with both instructor and peers in a diverse, collegial, interactive learning community.

QUESTIONS?  firstyear@hpu.edu