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Are you a fan of old fashioned Rock and Roll? Did you grow up listening to your parents’ Elvis, Beatles, and James Brown records? Are you interested in how this music impacted history and culture? Spend class hours listening to some of the biggest Rock & Roll hits and discovering how music shaped an entire country. If you could spend hours on music trivia, you will want to participate in this FIG! American History, 1953 – 1974 students are enrolled in the following courses: First Year Seminar:American History, 1953 – 1974 (1 credit) What do the songs of Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, the Beatles, Bob Dylan, James Brown, and other singers from the early days of rock & roll tell us about American history and culture? This seminar answers that question by focusing on early rock & roll as a source of American history of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. The seminar begins with an overview of theoretical approaches to popular culture – from early critics such as Matthew Arnold to contemporary cultural studies experts like John Fiske and Dick Hebdige. Students will then listen to rock & roll hits, read about the music’s history, and discuss the relationship between rock music and American history and culture. Each student will write or produce a research project for class presentation that analyzes some aspect of early rock & roll as history. Linked Course: AM ST 105 American Pop Culture and Folklife (3 credits) Survey of popular culture, folklife, and ethnicity, synthesizing material from such areas as literature, media, entertainment, print, music, and film. |
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Do you think that Condoleezza Rice or Hillary Clinton will be the next President of the United States? Do you ever wonder why so many politicians get caught in scandals? Could you stay up all night debating the merits of Supreme Court Justice nominees? Do you like learning more about politics in other countries? If you are interested in exploring the often entertaining but always important world of politics then this FIG is the right choice. You will have an opportunity to hear diverse speakers discuss the hot issues in politics. Learn the ins and outs of international policy and relations and explore top notch careers in politics and government. Spend time with both peers and experts discussing the 2006 elections and US foreign policy and earn academic credit too! It’s All Politics FIG students are enrolled in the following courses: Freshman Seminar: America and the World (1 credit) “ America and the World” will provide an introduction to politics, government, and the field of political science to interested students. The course will discuss current events relevant to the topic such as the Presidential elections of 2008, US foreign policy, and politics of other countries in the news. Students will hear guest lecturers from several different political science professors in different fields as well as local attorneys and alumni of Behrend College. The course will also include a discussion on the various career opportunities available to political science majors and an orientation to degree requirements and campus resources at Penn State University. Linked Course: PL SC 001 Introduction to American National Government Introduction to development and nature of American political culture, constitutional/structural arrangements, electoral/policy processes; sources of conflict and consensus. |
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The Media Madness FIG introduces students to the pervasiveness of today’s media in everyday life and the critical thinking skills needed to be a more sophisticated consumer of media messages. In the process, this FIG will expose students to the major issues, challenges, and career options that are part of the media industry. Communication FIG students are enrolled in the following courses: Freshman Seminar: Exploring the Media (1 credit) Buy this! Watch that! Log on! Read further! Media, from Websites to magazines, from movies to billboards, are booming. This seminar will explore media proliferation, fragmentation, commercialization, technology, globalization, convergence and conglomeration. Students will be asked to evaluate and assess media’s representation of gender, minorities, diversity, and violence. They will also be asked to dissect media messages to answer such critical questions as how do media assist or detract from the political process or why do we worship athletes and celebrities? Movies about the media will be shown and discussed to explore these issues and illustrate the numerous career options that exist in the media today. Students will analyze a variety of media products, both individually and in small groups, and express their critiques through writing and oral presentations. Linked Course: Comm 100 The Mass Media and Society (3 credits) The Mass Media and Society is an overview of the interaction between mass media and society. By drawing from selected topics, the course pays particular attention to the social influences (e.g., economics, politics, technology, law and culture) that shape media messages. Among others, the course examines the nature of media controllers as well as the character of "users" and "consumers" of media products. By so doing, students are informed about the overall structure and scope of the mass media and led to understand the power and influences associated with media messages and practices. By the end of the semester, each student should have a better understanding of the dynamic nature of the mass media in an information society. |
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So you're considering psychology as a major? What does this entail? What exactly is psychology? In this psychology-focused FIG you will discuss the field of psychology and its role in complex personal and societal issues. To develop a stronger understanding of the field, you will read current and classic research in psychology. You will also meet with psychology students and faculty and really explore what it means to be a psychology major at Behrend. Come join this psychology FIG and learn about all the possibilities. Psychology FIG students are enrolled in the following courses: First Year Seminar: Mind, Body, and Culture: Applications of Psychological Sciences (1 credit) Psychological insights into drugs and their influence on learning and performance: the mind/body relationship and health; learning, memory, and testing; adolescence and identity; love, attraction, and sexuality. It will also help students analyze information that claims to be scientific, increase their understanding of theory and practice relating to human behavior, and help them accept diversity among people. Linked Course: PSYCH 100 Psychology (3 credits) Introduction to general psychology; principles of human behavior and their applications. |
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Journalism! The voice of America! If you like to write about the world around you from politics, to sports, to local activities, then you’ll really enjoy this FIG! Learn the ins and outs of journalism and get some hands-on experience writing for the Behrend Beacon. Try out the field of Journalism, contribute to the actual publication of a campus newspaper, and learn how to obtain a challenging career in writing! Journalism FIG students are enrolled in the following courses: Freshman Seminar: Writing Behrend Seminar PSU 007 (1 credit) In conjuction with Communication 001, students will write reportional articles, feature stories, and open style pieces on aspects of college life, in particular as experienced by first-year students. Linked Courses: Comm 001 Newspaper Practicum (1 credit) A practicum in news writing, editing, and production of the Behrend College student newspaper.
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Updated October 21, 2009 |
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