Pathways Course Descriptions
You will find descriptions of most Pathways offerings in the course listings for the departments or programs where they are offered. Pathways course descriptions not included in a particular department or program are be-low:
FIQWS: Freshman Inquiry Writing Seminar
FIQWS is a six-credit course taught by two instructors that combines a specific topic and an intensive writing seminar. In any semester, an exciting variety of FIQWS sections are offered. In the topic component of FIQWS, a student might explore a famous writer or artist, a particular school of philosophy, a scientific discovery or key historical event. In the writing component of FIQWS, an instructor will guide a student in writing essays and research papers concerning the subject of the seminar. Stu-dents who fail FIQWS should use Engl. 11000 to use the F policy on the writing portion of FIQWS.
3 credits of each 6 credit FIQWS are allocated to an area of the Flexible Core (topic section) and 3 credits are allocated toward the English Composition requirement (writing section). The Flexible Core variations are:
FIQWS 10003 – World Cultures and Global Issues (Cultural/Historical Em-phasis) taken with FIQWS 10103 – English Composition
FIQWS 10005 – World Cultures and Global Issues (Literary) taken with FIQWS 10105 – English Composition
FIQWS 10008 – Individual and Society taken with FIQWS 10108 – English Composition
FIQWS 10011 – Scientific World taken with FIQWS 10111 – English Com-position
FIQWS 10013 – Creative Expression taken with FIQWS 10113 – English Composition
FIQWS 10015 – US Experience in its Diversity taken with FIQWS 10115 – English Composition
FIQWS 10045 – Philosophy, College Option taken with FIQWS 10145 – English Composition
FQUAN: Freshman Quantitative Analysis
3 credit course that fulfills the basic quantitative requirement for CLAS students, but is usually taught in a department other than Math. It can examine the data and trends surrounding a specific issue, or look at quantitative applications in other fields such as a science, psychology, sociology, etc. FQUANS may be offered as smaller thematic courses or as large lectures that break down into recitation sections.
SCI 10001: Man and Nature: Life (Honors)
For students in the City College Honors Program and the Macaulay Honors College. An exploration of the biological basis of life on earth and the impact of man’s activities on its quality and continued survival. Those en-rolled will participate in a seminar designed to permit in-depth examination of important issues related to the course content. 3 lect., 2 rec./lab hr./wk.; 4 cr.
SCI 10101: The Physical Universe (Honors)
For students in the City College Honors Program and the Macaulay Honors College. A broad exposure to the physical sciences with heavy stress on the scientific method of inquiry and investigation. The basic principles of physics and chemistry; application to some phenomena of astronomy, geosciences, chemistry and physics. 3 lect., 2 rec./lab hr./wk.; 4 cr.
USSO 10100: Development of the U.S. and its People
Analysis of how a powerful nation-state evolved from a tiny offshoot of European colonial expansion. Elucidates major forces that have shaped the modern world: religion, land policies, technology, industrial capital-ism, democracy, nationalism, socialism, racism, sexism, and imperialism. 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
USSO 10101: Development of the U.S. and its People (Honors)
For students in the City College Honors Program and the Macaulay Honors College. An alternative version of the introductory course designed to provide more student participation and writing. 3 cr.
WCIV 10100: Prehistory to 1500 A.D.
An examination of the civilizations of Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas through a comparative study of selected places and themes. The dynamics of hunter/gatherer, pastoral and agrarian societies, urbanization, trade, imperialism, slavery, feudalism, the centralization of the state, religion and secular thought are among the topics discussed. 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
WCIV 10101: World Civilizations (Honors)
For students in the City College Honors Program and the Macaulay Honors College. A trans-cultural, geographically and regionally balanced study of specific themes found in both WCIV 10100 and WCIV 10200 courses. Emphasis on a theoretical perspective of the topics and their significance today. 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
WCIV 10200: 1500 A.D. to the Present
A study of the major forces that have shaped the modern world of Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. Selected themes include the interaction of the Western and non-Western world, the scientific revolution, capital-ism, imperialism, industrialization, economic growth and stagnation, revolutions, counter-revolutions, modern political ideologies, the global crisis of the 20th century and emerging global interdependence. 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
WHUM 10100: World Humanities I
An introduction to world literature and its relationship to the traditions and societies from which it springs. Study of major works from antiquity to the seventeenth century. 3 cr.
WHUM 10101: Literature in the Human Experience (Honors)
For students in the City College Honors Program and the Macaulay Honors College. Defines what literature is and determines its relationship to hu-man existence. The various types of literature and the role of form and structure in the meaning of the whole. Literature as a mirror of the variety and continuity of human experience. Extensive reading and individualized writing assignments. 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
WHUM 10200: World Humanities II
An introduction to world literature and its relationship to the traditions and societies which it springs. Study of major works from the eighteenth century to the contemporary period. 3hr./wk.; 3 cr.
WHUM 10201: World Humanities II (Honors)
For students in the City College Honors Program and the Macaulay Honors College.
WHUM 10312: Modern World Literature
Modern World Literature
WHUM 10321: Modern World Literature (Global English Literature, Honors)
An enhanced version of WHUM 10312 for students in the Honors Program. A study of modern world literature through the works of contemporary Anglophone writers from Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and Australia. Topics include the condition of post-colonialism as well as the more recent globalization of English and thus the globalization of literature in English.
PHIL 11250: Scientia: the Unity of Knowledge
Is knowledge one type of thing, or a number of different things? Does it make sense to integrate scientific, mathematical, humanistic and artistic knowledge? If so, how do we do that while respecting the distinctive contributions of each field? We will explore what knowledge is and how we make sense of it.
PHIL 34905: Title: Biomedical Ethics
Biomedical Ethics is a philosophical overview of leading theories, principles, and problems in the field of bioethics. Ethical theories and principles are examined to provide a theoretical structure for analysis of concrete ethical problems. The course considers the ethics of the doctor-patient relationship, including paternalism, informed consent, confidentiality, and truth telling, as well as larger systemic issues of social justice and access to health care. Topics in reproductive ethics, end-of-life ethics, and some of the newest developments in the field arising from genetics and neuroscience are also discussed. Extensive use is made of case studies.
MED 10000: Introduction to Drug Abuse
Description: In this freshman undergraduate core course on drug abuse and addiction, the emphasis is to be on a broad acquaintance with the principles and systems involved in drug addiction and the mechanisms by which these issues may be ameliorated. The subject matter is sufficiently broad to elicit interest in undergraduate students, yet provides enough information, regarding the various major categories of abused substances, that a student interested in further pursuit of studies in this field will have a solid base upon which to build. This course will be particularly useful for students interested in physiological or clinical psychology and those considering careers such as medicine, law, education, public policy, law enforcement, social work, as well as to those who seek to learn about the impact of drug addiction on the individual and society. The course will define addiction and other terms used to describe drug abuse. It will ad-dress why individuals abuse drugs, consider the interactions between drug taking behavior of individuals with social and legal values of the community and the consequences of chemical dependency and treatment options. It will also explore the neurobiological and pharmacological basis for the actions of major drugs of abuse, animal models useful in under-standing the basis of action of these drugs, and will address future directions in the field. The classes will be team-taught by a sociologist, an anthropologists and neuropharmacologists.
EAS 10000: The Dynamic Earth
Basic concepts of geology. The materials, structures, and surface features of the earth, and the processes which have produced them. 3. hr./wk.; 3 cr.