Fall 2024 Sophomore Seminars Announced
Image Above: Town of Colton Department of Public Works Supervisor Darren Richards talks about municipal planning and environmental engineering with sophomore seminar students at Colton's town hall facility. Sophomore seminar students regularly engage in the community, tackle hands-on projects together, and participate in mentoring activities. Mr. Richards is a St. Lawrence alumnus, parent, and former staff member.
The Sophomore Success Initiative is happy to be offering the following four seminars for 2nd year students at St. Lawrence this coming fall.
DMF/SOC 3132-01: Technology & Social Change
Zeyno Ustun; 12:50-2:20 PM Monday and Wednesday; 1-Unit
This course examines the history of media infrastructures and social change via the cinematic lens offered by Sci-Fi, fantasy, and non-fiction genres in the 21st century. Changing media technologies have impacted our social worlds, altered how we communicate, and how we engage in collective action. In this seminar, we will trace the past, present, and future of digital technologies, analyze changing representations in contemporary cinema and revisit the theories and methodologies in the fields of digital media theory, networked movements, digital action, and critical internet studies. Key issues to explore include: How network culture changed our lives? What is the infrastructure of the global internet? What is the logic of networked action and how effective is it? Have the supposed democratic rules of the internet brought about positive social transformations? What is the impact of ever-increasing internet surveillance? The aim is to learn about the role of digital technologies in emboldening democratic principles, as well as its use as a tool for strict governmental control via methods of total digital surveillance.
ENVS-249-01: SophSem: Parks & People
Peter Pettengill; 2:30-4:00 PM Monday and Wednesday 1-Unit
National parks have been called the "best idea we ever had." In this course you will be encouraged to question whether or not this is true. Furthermore, you will be challenged to consider if and how, our parks are "absolutely democratic" reflecting "us at our best rather than our worst."To investigate these issues, we will explore a diverse range of perspectives on, and perceptions of, parks and public lands. Pre-req: ENVS 101.Fulfills N/S requirement for ENVS majors.
ND 100SOPH-01: Careers 101: Exploring the Liberal Arts and Careers
Michelle Gould; 8:50-10:20 AM Wednesday; 0.5-Unit
Careers 101: Exploring the Liberal Arts and Careers. This course provides students with the foundational skills, resources, and tools necessary to explore, assess, and pursue a career. It will show how a liberal arts education helps students become leaders, innovators, and global citizens. Through a series of projects and case studies, students will develop and apply their new skills and knowledge. By the end of the course, students will write and revise relevant job materials that will create success in searching for employment. Topics covered include networking with alumni, interviewing, resumes, digital profiles, cover letters, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, skills assessments, developing new skills as needed (upskilling), cultivating resiliency, and critically reflecting on the intersection of the liberal arts and your career trajectory.
PCA 111-04: Rhetoric & Public Speaking
Erika Kissam; 2:30-4:00 PM Monday and Wednesday; 1-Unit
What makes someone a good speaker and why are oral communication skills among the most desirable skills on the job market? This course introduces public speaking concepts and skills rooted in the rhetorical tradition and is designed to develop effective presentation skills, critical thinking, and astute listening. In addition to researching, constructing, and delivering speeches, students will learn principles of rhetorical analysis and critique. Fulfills ARTS Distribution.
