WGSS 220-01 10843 |
Feminist Reconstructions: Utopias, Masculinities, and Race |
Days: T R
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Time: 09:40 am-11:10 am
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Room: MAIN 009
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Instructor: Sonita Sarker
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*Cross-listed with ENGL 294-05*
Details
‘U-topia’ means ‘a place (topos) that doesn’t exist’ and ‘Eu-topia’ means ‘a good place.’ So, a good place that doesn’t exist? How do people of various gender identities envision a better state yet-to-be (utopia) as well as a fear of catastrophe or nightmare (dystopia)? This course investigates how women's literary writing from different parts of the world (Bangladeshi, British, African-American, Canadian, to name a few) produce visions of the present and the future, of the real and the imagined, beliefs about masculinity and femininity, socialist and capitalist philosophies, modernity, the environment (ecotopia), and various technologies including cybergenetics. Texts by Thomas More, Frantz Fanon, Silvia Federici, and Noam Chomsky, and music by The Eagles and A Tribe Called Red are included. We will explore how these texts provide some ways to think about our gendered, racialized, and classed roles, and how we can think about MeToo, Black Lives Matter, Charlottesville, and neoliberal nation-states, along with our own fantasies and realities of sociopolitical change.
General Education Requirements:
Writing WA
Internationalism
Distribution Requirements:
Humanities
Course Materials
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ECON 221-01 10913 |
Introduction to International Economics |
Days: T R
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Time: 01:20 pm-02:50 pm
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Room: THEATR 002
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Instructor: Felix Friedt
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Details
This course explores the theoretical foundations and empirical realities of international trade flows, commercial policies (tariffs, quotas, etc.) and international finance. The course emphasizes the welfare implications of international trade and commercial policies and links these to discussion of disputes over international trade agreements. The international finance portion of the course covers the foreign exchange market, balance of payments analysis and an introduction to open economy macroeconomics. Recommended for students majoring in international studies. This course counts as a Group E elective. Prerequisite(s): ECON 119 or ECON 129. C- or higher required for all prerequisites.
General Education Requirements:
Distribution Requirements:
Social science
Course Materials
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POLI 221-01 10648 |
Global Governance |
Days: T R
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Time: 09:40 am-11:10 am
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Room: HUM 112
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Instructor: Wendy Weber
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Details
This course is designed to introduce students to global governance. It begins with a discussion of the concept of global governance. It then turns to some of the central features of contemporary global governance, including the changing status of the state and of international/world organizations and the role of global civil society. The emphasis here is on how patterns of global governance have changed and are changing and on the implications of these changes for democracy, social justice, etc. The remainder of the course focuses on the areas of international peace and security, human rights and international humanitarian law, and economic governance. By addressing such topics as the International Criminal Court and the role of the IMF and the World Bank in economic development, these parts of the course highlight the contested nature of global governance in each of the three issue areas. Prerequisite(s): POLI 120 recommended.
General Education Requirements:
Internationalism
Distribution Requirements:
Social science
Course Materials
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ENVI 232-01 10402 |
People, Agriculture and the Environment |
Days: T R
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Time: 09:40 am-11:10 am
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Room: LIBR 250
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Instructor: William Moseley
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*First day attendance required; cross-listed with GEOG 232-01*
Details
This course introduces you to the study of human-environment interactions from a geographic perspective, with a special emphasis on agriculture. We will examine environmental issues in a variety of geographic contexts (developed and developing countries) and the connections between environmental problems in different locations. Beyond agriculture, we will also examine other sectoral issues in relation to agriculture or as stand alone environmental concerns. These themes include: human population growth, consumption, biodiversity, climate change, and environmental health. We will be trying on a number of theoretical lenses from geography's broad human-environment tradition (such as physical geography, cultural ecology, commodity chain analysis, political ecology, resource geography, the human dimensions of global change, hazards geography and environmental justice). In other words, I not only want us to explore a range of environmental issues, but also to grapple with theory and how this informs our understanding of the human-environment interface.
General Education Requirements:
Internationalism
Distribution Requirements:
Social science
Course Materials
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GEOG 232-01 10401 |
People, Agriculture and the Environment |
Days: T R
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Time: 09:40 am-11:10 am
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Room: LIBR 250
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Instructor: William Moseley
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*First day attendance required; cross-listed with ENVI 232-01*
Details
This course introduces you to the study of human-environment interactions from a geographic perspective, with a special emphasis on food and agriculture. We examine environmental issues in a variety of geographic contexts (Global South and Global North) and the connections between environmental problems in different locations. Beyond agriculture, we also explore other sectoral issues in relation to farming and food security. These themes include: human population growth, consumption, biodiversity, climate change, and environmental health. We try on a number of theoretical lenses from geography's broad human-environment tradition (such as physical geography, cultural ecology, commodity chain analysis, political ecology, resource geography, the human dimensions of global change, hazards geography and environmental justice). In other words, we not only explore a range of agricultural and environmental issues, but also grapple with theory and how this informs our understanding of the human-environment interface.
General Education Requirements:
Internationalism
Distribution Requirements:
Social science
Course Materials
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POLI 242-01 10649 |
Political Economy of Development |
Days: T R
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Time: 03:00 pm-04:30 pm
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Room: CARN 206
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Instructor: Lisa Mueller
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*First day attendance required*
Details
The leaders of NGOs, governments, and social enterprises recognize that problems such as poverty, pandemic disease, and inequality almost always have political causes and consequences. People with a background in Political Economy of Development are in high demand for their expertise on achieving positive outcomes for humanity and the environment. Few topics in Political Science have more direct relevance to policy-making and matters of "real-world" urgency. This course will provide you with knowledge that you can apply, if you wish, to a variety of roles in the development sector. By the end of the semester, you will complete a portfolio of assignments that simulate the kinds of projects you would do as a professional development analyst, Foreign Service officer, impact evaluator, or social entrepreneur. This class emphasizes practical skills but also covers theories and philosophies of development. Readings, discussions, and activities will help you grapple with (but not necessarily answer) the following questions: What defines someplace as more "developed" than someplace else? What explains variation in development? Does social science hold the key to good development policies? What can I personally do to improve the world?
General Education Requirements:
Writing WA
Internationalism
Distribution Requirements:
Social science
Course Materials
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EDUC 250-01 10313 |
Building Trust: Education in Global Perspective |
Days: T R
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Time: 03:00 pm-04:30 pm
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Room: ARTCOM 202
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Instructor: Sonia Mehta
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*First day attendance required*
Details
This course examines the role of Education as global phenomena. The course encompasses a comparative view of education around the world, as well as its role in International Development. We take it further, by analysis and critique, to understand education as a force for change in an inter-dependent, globalized world. Specifically, we will examine ways in which policies and practice either enhance or diminish efforts towards change that is inclusive, just, sustainable and effective in relieveing suffering, while expanding potential and capacity in those affected by social change. We take the position that, in order to be effective, building trust becomes a key to connectivity between people, groups, organizations and ideas where education, development and change are theorized and practiced. We will construct possible education frameworks around the idea of building trust, by analyzing socio-cultural issues of power, voice, silence, and discourse. (4 credits)
General Education Requirements:
Internationalism
Distribution Requirements:
Social science
Course Materials
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ENVI 252-F1 10350 |
Water and Power |
Days: T R
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Time: 09:40 am-11:10 am
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Room: OLRI 300
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Instructor: Roopali Phadke
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*First-Year course only; first day attendance required: cross-listed with GEOG 252-F1 and POLI 252-F1*
Details
Fresh water has become one of the most fiercely guarded local and global resources as the climate changes. This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to studying water resources. With a focus on the Mississippi River, whose headwaters are in northern Minnesota and whose banks are a mile from campus, we will examine historical and emerging challenges to the equitable and sustainable use of waters. We will also meet with local artists, activists and scientists whose work centers around imagining how rivers heal and take fieldtrips that include paddling the river! We will address a range of controversial topics including energy production, indigenous rights, and cultural preservation.
General Education Requirements:
Writing WA
Distribution Requirements:
Social science
Course Materials
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POLI 252-F1 10856 |
Water and Power |
Days: T R
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Time: 09:40 am-11:10 am
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Room: OLRI 300
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Instructor: Roopali Phadke
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*First-Year course only; first day attendance required: cross-listed with ENVI 252-F1 and GEOG 252-F1*
Details
Fresh water has become one of the most fiercely guarded local and global resources as the climate changes. This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to studying water resources. With a focus on the Mississippi River, whose headwaters are in northern Minnesota and whose banks are a mile from campus, we will examine historical and emerging challenges to the equitable and sustainable use of waters. We will also meet with local artists, activists and scientists whose work centers around imagining how rivers heal and take fieldtrips that include paddling the river! We will address a range of controversial topics including energy production, indigenous rights, and cultural preservation.
General Education Requirements:
Writing WA
Distribution Requirements:
Social science
Course Materials
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SOCI 283-01 10736 |
Economic Sociology |
Days: M W F
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Time: 10:50 am-11:50 am
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Room: CARN 05
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Instructor: Erik Larson
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Details
Economic activity is a form of social activity: people attribute meaning to economic activity, they pursue such activity in relation to others, and this activity is patterned and organized. Starting from these premises, economic sociologists ask a wide range of questions, such as: How do people find jobs? What historical and social legacies affect prospects for development? How do art dealers know how to set prices on unique original works of art? What social arrangements influence economic inequalities? In what ways do people mix economic activities and intimacy? By surveying recent developments in economic sociology, this course introduces students to the kinds of questions that economic sociologists ask, the types of evidence they use, and the range of answers they generate. Students do not need a background in economics or sociology for this course.
General Education Requirements:
Distribution Requirements:
Social science
Course Materials
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ANTH 363-01 10091 |
Anthropology of Development |
Days: M W F
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Time: 01:10 pm-02:10 pm
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Room: CARN 05
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Instructor: Arjun Guneratne
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Details
The goal of this course is to develop an anthropological understanding and critique of development. It aims to examine both the discourse of development and its practice. The course focuses on the construction of the Third World as an "underdeveloped" area, and discusses the dominant theoretical paradigms of development and modernization. It assesses the reasons for the general failure of development programs based on these models to bring about meaningful and substantive change in societies in Asia, Africa and Latin America, and discusses possible alternatives to "development" as it is currently practiced. Prerequisite(s): ANTH 101 or ANTH 111.
General Education Requirements:
Distribution Requirements:
Social science
Course Materials
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ECON 426-01 10303 |
International Economic Development Capstone |
Days: T R
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Time: 01:20 pm-02:50 pm
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Room: CARN 305
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Instructor: Amy Damon
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Details
In this class, we study the economics of development in low-income countries and communities primarily in the Global South, from multiple perspectives and approaches. We primarily focus on the microeconomics of development economics. We explore both theoretical and empirical methodology in modern development economics. Topics we cover include: economic growth, fertility, health, cash transfers, rural labor markets, credit markets, and land markets as they relate to development. This course pushes students to work with datasets from low-income countries, and apply economic theory to problems of development. We keep an eye toward the relevance and applicability to policy of the topics we cover. This course counts as a Group E elective. It is a capstone course. Meets concurrently with ECON 425. Prerequisite(s): ECON 361, ECON 371, and ECON 381. C- or higher required for all prerequisites.
General Education Requirements:
Internationalism
Distribution Requirements:
Social science
Course Materials
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EDUC 460-01 10316 |
Education and Social Change |
Days: M W F
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Time: 01:10 pm-02:10 pm
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Room: HUM 215
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Instructor: Gonzalo Guzmán
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*Permission of instructor required; first day attendance required*
Details
This senior capstone course explores the question: How can we educate to promote change toward more just, compassionate, and sustainable approaches to living and learning in a rapidly changing and increasingly complex world? We will consider contemporary barriers to and opportunities for systemic education reform and social transformation on local, national and international levels. We will then work both individually and collectively, on campus and in the community, to analyze specific social issues and reform strategies in addition to conceptualizing plans for principled social action. Prerequisite(s): Permission of department chair.
General Education Requirements:
Distribution Requirements:
Social science
Course Materials
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ENVI 477-01 10420 |
Comparative Environment and Development |
Days: T R
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Time: 03:00 pm-04:30 pm
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Room: CARN 105
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Instructor: William Moseley
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*Permission of instructor required; first day attendance required; cross-listed with GEOG 477-01 and INTL 477-01*
Details
A concern for the relationship between nature and society has been one of the pillars of geographic inquiry and has also been an important bridge between other disciplines. By the 1960s, this area of inquiry was referred to variously as "human ecology." Over the last decade, certain forms of inquiry within this tradition have increasingly referred to themselves as "political ecology." The purpose of this seminar is to review major works within the traditions of cultural and political ecology; examine several areas of interest within these fields (e.g., agricultural modernization, environmental narratives, conservation, ecotourism); and explore nature-society dynamics across a range of geographical contexts. Towards the end of the course we will explore how one might begin to think in practical terms about facilitating development in marginal environments. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Prior completion of a geography course(s) with an environmental or development focus is encouraged.
General Education Requirements:
Writing WA
Internationalism
Distribution Requirements:
Social science
Course Materials
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