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GEN*E299*43
Poverty in America
Stephen Black and Kathleen Greer Rossmann
Prerequisites:
None
Open To:
All Students
Grading System: Letter
Max. Enrollment: 25
Meeting Times:
M Tu W Students will meet on campus 2-3 times per
week and volunteer in the community 2-3 days per week
e project examines policies and attitudes toward low-income families
through readings, class discussions, lectures, and work in the community.
Particular focus will be given to perceptions and misperceptions about those
living in poverty, and students will participate in two related community
programs that address specific needs faced by low-income families: SaveFirst
and FocusFirst. SaveFirst trains students to provide free tax preparation
services and financial literacy information for low-income individuals.
Training will consist of both explanatory sessions and interactive exercises
after which students must take an IRS certification test before serving at
tax preparation sites. Students will work with FocusFirst to provide vision
screenings for children ages six months to five years in Head Start and lower-
income daycare programs. Students will read numerous materials provided in
a course reader. Evaluation will be based on attendance, active participation
in class discussions and in the community service programs, reading
responses, and a reflective 5-7-page paper.
Estimated Student Fees: $25
GEN*E299*44
Pre-Health Internship
Susan Buckingham
Prerequisites:
Pre-health track, 3.0 GPA, proof of current vaccinations
and health insurance
Open To:
Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors with priority given
to first-timers
Grading System: S/U
Max. Enrollment: No Max
Meeting Times:
M Tu W F TBD by preceptor
is project allows students planning a career in health care to shadow
physicians, dentists, or other health professionals through a 130 contact-
hour internship. is internship is designed for students who are sophomores
or above. A limited number of established internships are available at
Birmingham area healthcare facilities, or students may set up their own
internship with a private health care professional if approved by Dr.
Buckingham.
Students will read two books about medicine and health care, reflect on
their readings and experiences, and write a 5-7-page essay. A satisfactory
essay AND a satisfactory evaluation from the student’s on-site supervisor
are required for credit. Amandatory meeting is held during Fall Term (TBD).
Current immunization records must be submitted by November 4, 2016, to
Dr. Buckingham. is project may be repeated for credit, but it must be with a
different person than the previous internship.
Estimated Student Fees: $25
GEN*E299*41
May I Take Your Order? e Forces at Shape Our Food Choices
Greta Valenti
Prerequisites:
None
Open To:
All Students
Grading System: Letter
Max. Enrollment: 18
Meeting Times:
MW F 9:30am-12:30pm
is interdisciplinary project explores the forces that influence food choices.
We’ll discover the roles that politics, economics, and social class play in
determining food availability. We’ll discuss food- and agriculture-related
social movements (e.g., buying organic, buying local), and diets (e.g., Paleo,
veganism, Mediterranean). We’ll learn what research reveals regarding our
moment-to-moment decisions about howmuch food to serve ourselves
and when to stop eating. (Please note that this project is not a project in
health and nutrition.) By the project’s end, students will better understand
the multitude of influences on food-related decisions, and howwhat one eats
influences much more than personal health. is discussion-based project
will involve student-led online and in-class discussions on readings, written
assignments, local field trips and/or guest speakers, and a final assignment
involving proposing and implementing a temporary change to one’s eating
habits. Attendance and participation are heavy components of final grades
for this project.
Estimate Student Fees: $100
GEN*E299*42
Microelectronics
Clyde Stanton
Prerequisites:
PH 122
Open To:
Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
Grading System: Letter
Max. Enrollment: 10
Meeting Times:
M Tu W 10:00am-12:00pm, 1:30pm-3:30pm
is project will introduce students to the theory and operation of modern
microelectronics. e project will consist mostly of hands-on laboratory work
supplemented with assigned readings and homework assignments. e
basis of the project is an introduction to analog and digital circuits developed
from the basic components of electronics, including power sources, resistors,
capacitors, transistors, and integrated circuit (IC) chips. e daily schedule will
include two hours of structured lecture and laboratory in the morning plus
two hours of structured and unstructured laboratory work in the afternoons.
Students will be graded on homework assignments, structured laboratory
exercises, and an independent laboratory project. Enrollment is limited to a
maximum of two students per laboratory equipment setup.
Estimated Student Fees: $60