Spring 2013 Courses

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All courses taught by Robinson Professors are open to anyone meeting department prerequisites.

Shaul Bakhash | Spencer Crew | Paul D'Andrea | Robert Hazen | Hugh Heclo | Carma Hinton | Harold Morowitz | John Paden |Steven Pearlstein | James Trefil | Laurie Robinson

Shaul Bakhash

HNRS 230:001: Cross-Cultural Perspectives: Middle Eastern Lives
This course examines history, culture, society and religion in the modern Middle East through individual lives, as reflected in autobiography, biography and fiction, with a special focus on Egypt, Iraq, Iran, and Israel and the Palestinians. The course strongly emphasizes the close reading, analysis and classroom discussion of texts. (TR 1:30-2:45 pm)

HIST 461:001: Arab-Israeli Conflict
This course will examine the origins and history of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Emphasis will be on reading, writing about, and in-class discussion of a number of the principal works of historiography and interpretation of the conflict, as well as original and official documents. Students taking the course should have some knowledge of modern Middle Eastern history. (TR 12:00-1:15 pm)

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Spencer Crew

HIST 499:002: Slavery, Abolition, and the Underground Railroad
Slavery and its abolition was one of the major issues in the United States leading up to the Civil War. Southerners saw slavery as a positive good for themselves and for the enslaved people they controlled. Abolitionists saw slavery as a blemish on the nation and were committed to bring it to an end. The participants of the Underground Railroad took direct action to undermine slavery by aiding enslaved people seeking freedom escape and start new lives. Reading the ideas and stories of the individuals who were a part of this interracial activist movement, investigating how the underground railroad worked on a day-to-day basis, and examining how historians have assessed this movement will provide the foundation for research class participants will do on the underground railroad and abolition. The Underground Railroad was a complex operation which over the years has had many myths connected to it. Sorting the myth from reality will enable students to better understand how historians assess research material and craft a thesis for their work. They will then apply these insights to the writing of their own research paper for the class. (W 1:30-4:15 pm)

HIST 691:001: Museum Studies
This course is designed to introduce graduate students to the theory and practice of museums with an emphasis on history institutions.  We will examine the origins of museums and the leaders who helped shape the field.  History and memory, surviving controversy, the changing role of museums, museum learning, creating exhibitions, the future of museums, and museums and innovation are among the issues which will be covered.  In the process the class will gain an understanding of the numerous challenges facing museums as well as the process of proposing, researching, and executing an exhibition.

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Paul D'Andrea

On leave.

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Robert Hazen

UNIV 301:001: Great Ideas in Science
A non-technical introduction to the ideas that have shaped the growth of science. The idea behind each major advance is treated in its historical context, with special attention to its importance in mankind's understanding of the nature of the universe. Examples are taken from the physical, geological, and biological sciences. (M 4:30-7:10 p.m.)

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Hugh Heclo

GOVT 470:001: Faith/Reason Making Modern Mind
In this seminar we will investigate the interlocking claims of religious faith and human reason in Western culture, from Biblical times to the present. The first portion of the course covers tightly focused reading assignments in theology and philosophy and the second portion deals with particular case studies, from Galileo to the Intelligent Design debate. Also listed as HIST 386, PHIL 391, and RELI 376. (MW 12:00-1:15 pm)

GOVT 472:001: Christianity, Secularism & Democracy
This seminar examines, from the Reformation to George W. Bush, the evolving relationship between religion and the American political order. Also listed as HIST 389, RELI 376 and SOCI 395. (MW 1:30-2:45 pm)

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Carma Hinton

ARTH 384:001: Arts of China

Explores the complex and dynamic history of China by examining ways in which social, religious, and political shifts have given rise to new and variant forms of material culture. Cross-listed as CHIN 470. (T 4:30-7:10 pm)

HNRS 230:003: Ways of Eating, Ways of Being: Chinese Culture and Society through the Lens of Food

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Harold Morowitz

HNRS 122:006: Reading the Arts: Biological Themes In Literature
A surprising body of English and American Literature since 1800 has utilized the emerging science of biology to focus on who we are, where we have come from, and where we are going.  Poetry, novels, essays, and biographies have all used the then current understanding of the life sciences to assist in literature’s task of helping us to understand our humanity.  We will read a number of these works and analyze their relations to the science and literature of the time they were written.  The hidden agenda, now revealed, is to get the scientists to understand the humanities and the humanists to appreciate science.(MW 10:30-11:45 pm)

NEUR 611, Molecular Neurobiology, also cross listed as PHIL 694.
The course starts with a NeoKantian representation of the philosophy of physics (Physical Reality by Henry Margenau) followed be a review of current consciousness theories (The Mystery of Consciousness by John Searle).  The work of David Chalmers, Christof Koch, G. Tononi and others will then be discussed. (F 1:30-4:15).

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John Paden

HNRS 230:002: Cross-Cultural Perspectives
Issues of family values, gender and social relations, economic perspectives, and national culture are addressed in "Understanding the Giants of Asia and Africa: China and Nigeria." Wherever possible, primary texts in translation will be the basis for seminar discussion. (TR 10:30-11:45 pm)

PUBP 503:006: Culture, Org, and Technology
Course focuses on the influence of culture in societal, political, economic, and technological processes, national and internationally. Culture is seen as dynamic and interactional. Using case studies, students learn pertinent approaches to the study of culture, from the analysis of organization and social networks to that of belief systems and identities. Students also develop practical skills in observation, participation, and intervention. (W 4:30-7:10 pm Arlington)

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Steven Pearlstein

GOVT 367:001: Money, Markets and Economic Policy
No prerequisite. Applies basic economic concepts to an examination of fundamental issues facing the U.S. and global economies. Explores the way markets work, the reasons they sometimes fail and the role of government policy. Topics include productivity and economic growth, taxes, health care, globalization, income distribution and financial crises, with an emphasis on market structure, social institutions and the not-always rational behavior of investors and consumers.

Over the last decade, economics has moved from the periphery of the political conversation to its white hot center. This course will provide a familiarity with the fundamental issues facing the U.S. and global economies, along with an understanding of the economic principles that underlie them. The course is aimed at non-economics majors seeking the economic literacy necessary to do their jobs, manage their lives and participate intelligently as citizens in a democracy.  It is taught by a prize-winning journalist with a knack for demystifying complex economic ideas and policy choices and translating them into conversational English. There are no prerequisites and the course involves very little math. Critical thinkers with curious minds are strongly encouraged to enroll. (MW 1:30-2:45 pm)

Click here to view syllabus for this course.

HNRS 122:007: Reading the Arts
Story-telling has always been at the heart of great journalism. In this course we’ll explore the last 100 years of American history by reading and viewing some of the best examples of narrative—that is, story-telling--journalism, in books, newspapers, magazines and on film. Readings/viewings will include works by Lincoln Steffans, H. L. Mencken, John Hersey, Truman Capote, David Halberstam, John Updike, John McPhee, Malcolm Gladwell, Susan Orleans, Michael Lewis, Edward R. Murrow and past and Washington Post writers Leon Dash, Anne Hull, Henry Allen, Gene Weingarten and Walt Harrington. The class will analyze how narrative journalism is done, what makes it effective and what impact it has had on readers and society. We will also hear directly from some of the country’s best practitioners talking about their craft and their experiences. This is not a journalism course so much as it is a history and literature course. The aim is not to learn how to create great journalism but how to get the most out of reading or watching it. (TR 10:30-11:45 am)

Click here to view syllabus for this course.

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James Trefil

HNRS 353:003: Tech in Contemporary US
What will the Washington area look like in 50 years? This course will focus on the technology and development of cities, using the capitol area as an example. Students will look at present-day Washington from a historical standpoint and learn what we can predict for its future in light of robotics, nanotechnology, and genetic engineering. (M 4:30-7:10 pm)

UNIV 301:002: Great Ideas in Science
A non-technical introduction to the ideas that have shaped the growth of science. The idea behind each major advance is treated in its historical context, with special attention to its importance in mankind's understanding of the nature of the universe. Examples are taken from the physical, geological, and biological sciences. (T 7:20-10:00 pm)

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Laurie Robinson

CRIM 790 Research Practicum
Students in this course will work with a justice organization – whether a government agency or a non-profit – to plan, initiate and undertake a research project of usefulness to the organization.  Production of this report (e.g., a “white paper”) will be the focus of the course.  This Research Practicum is the capstone experience for students pursuing a new concentration on Criminology Policy and Practice within the Department of Criminology, Law and Society’s MA program. Cross listed with HNRS 353 (R 4:30-7:10 pm)

HNRS 353: Policy Research in the Real World
In this highly selective seminar, upper level undergraduates in the Honors College will engage with a justice organization (a government agency or a non-profit) to plan, initiate and undertake a research project on a policy-oriented topic that is useful to that organization.  For example, a student might work with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington on a project looking at its track record on addressing juvenile crime in the city.  Another might help a Fairfax County non-profit serving female offenders assess what employment opportunities offer the best chance for success for these women.  At the same time, the students will have the opportunity through assigned readings, class discussion and talks by guest speakers to learn about the criminal justice system -- and, through the agency with which the student is engaged, see the justice system in action on the "front lines."  The semester's work will culminate in the student's preparing a policy-oriented research report and presenting it before justice community policy leaders who will be invited to attend the final class.  This seminar is suitable for any student interested in government, political science, criminology, economics, or public policy.  This is not an internship; students will interact with the justice organizations as researchers working with a client agency.  (R 4:30-7:10 pm)

HNRS 131:001: Contemporary Society in Multiple Perspectives: Problem Solving in Government
A Case Study Using the Promise Neighborhoods Program
How do government agencies tackle problems and work with local communities to address them? How does the federal government interact with local governments? And can an individual government employee -- you, if you take a job in public service -- make a difference as an effective "change agent"? This course will focus on the nuts and bolts of creative problem-solving in government. To do that, we'll focus on one program -- the U.S. Department of Education's Promise Neighborhoods initiative, which is based on the model of Geoffrey Canada's Harlem Children's Zone. We will see how it is being implemented in a low-income community in Northeast Washington, D.C. Students will work in teams to define the problems being addressed, research and track down pertinent data, identify key public and private sector partners (e.g., community groups, Washington players, interest groups) and analyze the barriers to accomplishing program goals. Students will offer their own assessment of issues and propose solutions to problems being encountered. As part of the seminar, students will take Friday field trips to meet and talk with community representatives in the Northeast Washington neighborhood, as well as with officials at federal agencies and Washington interest groups. (MW 1:30-2:45 pm)

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