PSC350.1 Europe and the ‘Arc of Crises’ (Spring)

PSC350.1 Europe and the ‘Arc of Crises’ (Spring)

With the collapse of the communist system and the end of the Balkan wars in the 1990s, it seemed that Europe had finally become an oasis of peace and stability. Against this island of relative peace and prosperity, however, lies a vast territory stretching from the Western Mediterranean through the Near East and into Central Asia – an arc on the edge of Europe – which constitutes an area of inter-state conflict, ethnic and religious tensions and rivalry, economic under-development and political authoritarianism. This course examines this “arc of crises” with its overt and potential conflicts, and analyzes the role of Europe in their possible solution. Topics covered include the rise of political Islam, geopolitical reconfiguration due to the comeback of Iran, failure of democratic uprisings, the emergence of the Gulf, domestic and international challenges to the existing states as well as European and American perspectives and policies on this turbulent region.

Meets with HST 416.

PHY280.1 General Physics II (Fall)

Offered at INSA. Continuation of the introduction to classical physics including, electricity, magnetism and light. Prereq: ((PHY 211 OR PHY 215) and PHY 221) or AP Physics C Mech Exam score min 3. Coreq: (PHY 280.2 or AP Physics C Elec & Mag Exam score min 3) and (MAT 397 or AP Mat Calc BC Exam score min 4 or AP Mat Calc AB Exam score min 4)

HST416 Europe and the ‘Arc of Crises’ (Spring)

With the collapse of the communist system and the end of the Balkan wars in the 1990s, it seemed that Europe had finally become an oasis of peace and stability. Against this island of relative peace and prosperity, however, lies a vast territory stretching from the Western Mediterranean through the Near East and into Central Asia – an arc on the edge of Europe – which constitutes an area of inter-state conflict, ethnic and religious tensions and rivalry, economic under-development and political authoritarianism. This course examines this “arc of crises” with its overt and potential conflicts, and analyzes the role of Europe in their possible solution. Topics covered include the rise of political Islam, geopolitical reconfiguration due to the comeback of Iran, failure of democratic uprisings, the emergence of the Gulf, domestic and international challenges to the existing states as well as European and American perspectives and policies on this turbulent region.

Meets with PSC 350.1.

HST415 Europe, Russia and the Eastern Borderlands (Fall)

The importance of Europe’s eastern borderlands is linked to the current expansion of the European Union eastward, resulting in a new status for a host of countries situated between the Baltic and the Black Sea. In this new configuration, Russia will play an important, though different, role than hitherto, especially when it comes to forging a new relationship with the EU. The first part of the course focuses on the historical question of borders and territorial change, the construction of nations, and the emergence and collapse of empires. The second part examines general problems common to all of these post-communist countries and specific questions of geopolitical character.

Cross-listed with PSC 350.2

HOA365 Art in France from Impressionism to Surrealism (Fall, Spring)

Taught in French. Our focus will be on major painters who lived and worked in Paris, the world’s artistic capital of the day, between 1860 and 1945. We will follow the careers of such brilliant creators as Manet, Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Seurat, Picasso, Matisse, and Dali, and examine the artistic movements with which they were associated: Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Fauvism, Cubism, Surrealism, etc. Emphasis will be placed on learning how to analyze and write about painting.

Cross-listed: FRE 439.

Prereq: FRE 202 (or four semesters of college-level French) and two higher-level FRE language or literature courses or permission of the instructor.

This course has an associated course fee. See the Strasbourg Course Fees page for more information.

FRE439 Art in France from Impressionism to Surrealism (Fall, Spring)

Taught in French. Our focus will be on major painters who lived and worked in Paris, the world’s artistic capital of the day, between 1860 and 1945. We will follow the careers of such brilliant creators as Manet, Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Seurat, Picasso, Matisse, and Dali, and examine the artistic movements with which they were associated: Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Fauvism, Cubism, Surrealism, etc. Emphasis will be placed on learning how to analyze and write about painting.

Cross-listed:  HOA 365.

Prereq: FRE 202 (or four semesters of college-level French) and two higher-level FRE language or literature courses or permission of the instructor.

This course has an associated course fee. See the Strasbourg Course Fees page for more information.

FRE325 Junior Language Usage (Fall)

Taught in French.

An advanced-level French course based on reading and analysis of magazine and newspaper articles. Discussions center on current issues in France, such as family relations, media, immigration and regional identities, etc. Extensive writing exercises help students master difficult grammar points and idiomatic usage.

Satisfies Shared Competency for Communication Skills

Prereq: FRE 202 or four semesters of college-level French.

ELE280.1: Electrical Engineering Fundamentals (Fall)

Offered at INSA. Analysis of electric circuits. Resistive, reactive circuits. Independent, dependent sources. Network theorems, circuit reduction, op amps. Elements of transient and steady state circuit analysis. Power and energy considerations. Prereq: MAT 295 or equivalent beginning calculus course.

ECS221: Statics (Fall)

Fundamentals of static equilibrium. Vector algebra. Forces, moments, equivalent force systems. Free body diagrams and equilibrium problems in two and three dimensions. Analysis of structures and machines. Centroids and moments of inertia.

Satisfies Shared Competency for Critical and Creative Thinking

Pre-req: MAT 296 – Calculus II and PHY 211 or PHY 215 or equivalent general physics course.

COM442: International Communications in the European Media (Fall, Spring)

Analyze trends in media and communication practices across Europe and how they intersect with European political institutions. Topics include mass media, development of media systems, and the effects of the media on the public. Look at the interaction of the European media industry with various sectors, including political parties, lobbyists, markets, NGOs, etc. A special focus will be on the relationship between media governance and European Institutions (including the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights and the EU Parliament). Includes a study visit to the headquarters of an international organization in Strasbourg and selected guest speakers from the world of print and digital information.

Satisfies Shared Competency for Communication Skills

Cross-listed: Also offered as PSC400.1. Newhouse students restricted to enrollment in COM442.