This class explores a history of sexuality from ancient to modern times. It combines a survey of medical and scientific attitudes and beliefs about human sexuality and sexual difference with a social history of gender in the U.S. Queer, feminist and postcolonial theories inform examination of what has counted as knowledge about sexuality in the past, who has controlled such knowledge, and how it has influenced social constructions of gender and race in the American past.

The success of organizations depends on the human beings that enable organizations to achieve their objectives. An organization's human resources are its most critical assets. The management of human resources is a specialization in management that encompasses several functions including the recruitment, selection and maintenance of a qualified, motivated, smoothly functioning and productive workforce. The effective performance of these functions requires understanding and skills in employment law, training, planning, job analysis, performance appraisal, compensation and labor relations. This program will provide an overview of human resource management and employment law. Program objectives will be met through readings, discussion, seminar, presentations, skill building and simulations.

Program Updates

06.7.2005:

This class is designed for students with strong interest in Islamic law, human rights law, and religion and politics. The primary goal of this course is to treat the issue of human rights in its historical, religious, philosophical, legal and political contexts. The course considers the human rights discourse since the 7th century (the birth of Islam), through the middle ages philosophical and ethical discourse that led to the creation of the major human rights documents and the enactment of humanitarian law. The course will conclude by looking at the political and religious expressions that shape the debate on human rights in the Muslim world.

In this dynamic workshop, students will critically examine their multiple identities and relations to systems of power and privilege. Students will become familiar with both the body of literature and the practical models used in the field of diversity training and education. Students taking the class for 4 credits will attend an additional workshop and write a longer paper.

The role, power and effectiveness of international organizations such as the World Trade Organization and United Nations remains one of the most controversial questions in public affairs. This summer course will provide students with an opportunity to learn to think more rigorously about these organizations and the global systems that sustain them. We will read a variety of texts, view films and complete assignments that will expand our understanding of these organizations, as well as gain a sharper appreciation of the culture and peoples of the many countries represented in these organizations.

Many arguments that oppose tougher penalties for juvenile offenders suggest that juvenile delinquency is a larger issue that must be prevented through communities, families, education and the media. We will explore social and economic influences, positive and negative risk factors, and past and current theories of delinquency and behavior, as well as emerging and promising programs that address prevention. This course is suggested as a supplement for those enrolled in Crime Time or Nature v. Nurture, but can be taken individually or with Juvenile Recidivism and Rehabilitation.

In recent years, lawmakers have imposed harsher punishment on kids who commit crimes for a variety of reasons. Many arguments that support tougher penalties for juvenile offenders are retributive and claim to prevent kids from re-offending. This course will examine recidivism among juveniles and how current laws and community programs truly affect recidivism rates while also changing the overall aims of a separate justice system designed for children. This course is suggested as a supplement for those enrolled in Crime Time or Nature v. Nurture, but can be taken individually or with Juvenile Delinquency Prevention.

We will examine the historic roots of the more militant aspects of the Labor movement beginning with a comparison of industrialization in the United States and England. We will look at some of the most volatile incidents of labor rebellion and have an emphasis on labor organizations and ideological themes and their schisms.

This program, conducted entirely in Spanish, will concentrate on student immersion in Spanish and Latin American arts and politics by focusing on a variety of interrelated and interactive learning activities. Students will extend their knowledge of the language by actively learning about Latin American history and political and cultural expressions. Video documentaries related to these topics will be screened and analyzed to study the differences and similarities of the many regions that make up Latin America. Students will prepare short weekly reports in Spanish and engage in group discussions to facilitate communication skills. Some small performances using Spanish will also be organized.

This course will focus on the milestones of human development from conception through death. We will consider the nature of physical, cognitive and psychosocial development throughout the lifespan, addressing major theories as well as current research that explains how and why developmental change occurs. Some of the practical topics to be explored will include child-rearing, learning disorders, adolescent rebellion, adult mid-life crisis and caregiving for elderly parents. This course serves as a prerequisite for upper-division work and graduate school admission in psychology, education and the healthcare professions.

What causes delinquent and criminal behavior among children and adults? Throughout history, numerous theories have emerged that range from body type to the most minute biological aberration. This intensive weekend course is an introduction to criminology that allows students to examine classical and positivist schools of thought, psychological explanations and sociological theories, and biological and biosocial concepts. Students can expect to understand crime phenomenon and typologies, social structure and interaction theories of crime causation, and integrated approaches that combine victimization, criminality and justice. Students will seminar and debate extensively.

Study the history of the Pacific Northwest focusing on the diverse peoples that comprise the population of the region. Coursework will incorporate discussion of local historical events representative of larger issues addressed in the class. Through lectures, guest speakers, readings, site visits and written assignments, students will forge a personal understanding of the historical issues that shaped the political and cultural landscape of the region.

In the aftermath of the election, many commentators noted that the U.S. has become a "polarized" nation, divided sharply into "red" and "blue" regions that reflect basic, broad and deep differences in the values, goals and strategies that motivate public policy. This course will examine these differences critically, including government secrecy, civil liberties, security and the press in wartime, same-sex marriage and adoptions, the death penalty, affirmative action, gun control, workfare as welfare reform and privatization of public schools. Students will be pressed to develop critical assessments of the strengths and weaknesses of both "red" and "blue" positions. The course will be taught via the Internet through a course web site, an electronic message board, a chat room for seminars and e-mail. http://academic.evergreen.edu/curricular/problems/home.htm.

Noam Chomsky is currently among the 10 most cited sources in the Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences-a field that includes the Bible, Freud, Marx and Plato. The New York Times has called him "arguably the most important intellectual alive" and then goes on to criticize him for his criticism of U.S. foreign policy. Chomsky, no stranger to controversy, has written devastating critiques on the role of the Times in the "manufacture of consent" of the American people. Chomsky is a world-renowned linguist, but the main focus of this class will be his political economy work-his devastating critiques of U.S. foreign policy in areas such as Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Central America. He has written serious works about the role of intellectuals as criminals justifying genocide, and as resisters of those policies. This is a serious class for serious people who desire an intellectual foundation for social change. This is a reading class with lectures, films, seminars and a written journal that will chronicle our emerging understanding of this important intellectual and his work. In this time of war and economic, social, and political crisis, a good deal of the class will focus on international relations in a systematic and intellectual manner.

This course provides an understanding of health policy development within the American political system at the national and state levels. Initially, it addresses system basics and "what one needs to know" about American politics to make an impact; this includes political "isms" and their related health policy perspectives, the American political culture, federalism, and the branches of government and their relationship to interest groups. It then focuses on timely health care problems in a political framework. Students in groups will select a key health policy subject drawn from a menu of actual health policy issues at national, state and local levels and address it through developing actual public policy instruments, e.g., agency decision packages, fiscal notes, stakeholder analyses and legislation or regulations. The course concludes with an "Approaching Public Policymakers" simulation where students prepare and present testimony before mock policy making panels, e.g., a legislative committee, board of health, public employee benefits board, etc.

Spirituality in the workplace is a hot topic in management, leadership and organizational behavior/development. Is there a place for spiritual practices at work and, if so, how might work and organizations be affected by such practices? In addition to unpacking contemporary notions of spirituality and work, students will study various spiritual/contemplative traditions and "put practices to work" in their own lives by participating in various practices (including, but not limited to: yoga, meditation, tai chi and other contemplative practices).

This seminar is part of the Professional Certificate Core to be taken after the Pre-Assessment Seminar and before the Culminating Seminar. The program is a highly interactive, student-centered seminar that follows the extremely successful Evergreen interdisciplinary model. The primary focus is on the intersection among instructional design, issues of cultural diversity and classroom management. Individual projects are based on student-identified needs. This component accounts for 4 of the 15 program credits. Students must hold a K-12 teaching certificate.

This is the concluding course for the 24 credits covering the special education endorsement core competencies. Family systems and factors affecting families of students with disabilities will be explored along with strategies for collaboration between families, school personnel and community services. Effective communication with families from all backgrounds will be stressed. Other topics include transition plans at all levels of schooling, assistive technology to support students in all settings and issues around working with medically fragile students.

Current debates about health care rarely address social, multicultural, and political-economic assumptions that help construct what it means to be "healthy." This course explores cultural dimensions of human systems, including worldviews, kinship/social organization and healthcare beliefs. Particular attention will focus on how these mental constructs impact specific communities (of color, ethnicity, women, and gays/lesbians.) This course is designed to enhance understanding of how socio-political frameworks influence health care delivery and policies.

Psychoactive drugs, or drugs that affect the mind and behavior of the user, are found in cultures around the globe. Cross-culturally these drugs include, among many others, beer, tobacco, peyote, mescaline, datura, ayahuasca, marijuana, opium, betel nut, coca leaf, kava and ether. Psychoactive drugs are used to alter moods and states of consciousness and to treat psychological disorders. Cross-cultural use and misuse of psychoactive drugs and theories of substance abuse prevention and treatment are analyzed.

Over ten million people throughout the world are diagnosed every year with some form of cancer. This occurs annually for approximately 1.4 million Americans. A diagnosis of cancer leads to psychological and social stressors for the patients and their support networks. In this course, we will examine the new and rapidly growing field of psychosocial oncology. Through readings from the latest social science, guest speakers, film and literature, we will study the complex psychosocial effects, individual resilience, and professional assistance for those affected by cancer. Professionals from oncology, nursing and psychology, as well as people who have experienced cancer, will assist us with our learning process.

American government was at the cutting edge of democracy and liberty in 1789. It is not today. The Electoral College, the gridlock of politics, the failure of public services and the growth of police power belie a government that may no longer defend liberty nor serve its people. We will examine historical arguments for government, what we need and want from government today and what sorts of institutions and policies might help us achieve such a government in the 21st century. Credit will be awarded in American government and history.

In order to understand the attacks of September 11th and the "War on Terrorism," this course will examine the root causes of terrorism in relation to global political realities. We will explore the contested definitions of "terrorism," the purported conflict between the West and Islam, the role of US foreign policy in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Israel/Palestine, and the consequences of this war both at home and abroad.

Leadership scholars spend a good deal of time analyzing why many people never realize their full potential. One reason is that we often overlook the greatest challenge of all: ourselves. This class will look at the Self, leadership theory, and how understanding our emotions can unlock the best in us. It is for students wanting to be challenged, to be stretched, and who have a desire for change, both inward and in their external environments.

This class will provide an introduction to sociology by examining the dynamic interaction between our efforts to maintain a personal/individual identity and the dominant pressures of contemporary American culture and society. We will see how what sociologists call "McDonaldization" and globalization are spreading more widely and deeply into social institutions such as the family, education, medicine and the criminal justice system, and into our own minds.

We will examine the basics of sociological understanding through theories, terminology and research methods, study of humans in relation to their environment and culture, collective behavior and social interaction. Sociological focuses will include gender, race and ethnicity, class, deviance and socialization as well as the three major paradigms and the sociological imagination. Students have the possibility to earn an additional 4 credits through contract work. See instructor for details.

Participants will explore the history of special education and legislation affecting students with special needs and their teachers. In addition, they will investigate general considerations for working with students with disabilities, characteristics of disabilities, teaching strategies, and responsibilities of educators. The class is intended for pre-service teachers, practicing teachers who may wish an endorsement in special education, and any individuals interested in learning more about people with disabilities, their needs, and their rights.

Individual contracts are available for those working towards a K-12 teaching endorsement in special education or paraprofessionals working with students in special education. Possible topics available for individual contract include; (a) teaching students with moderate-severe disabilities, (b) teaching students with special needs in the regular classroom, (c) effective classroom assessments for students with special needs, (d) transition and life planning for students with developmental disabilities, (e) language and literacy development for student with special needs, (f) curricular accommodations and modifications for students with learning disabilities, and (g) teaching students with autism spectrum disorders. Contact instructor to discuss other special education topics of interest.

This workshop incorporates both experiential practices and theoretical perspectives to help participants explore their own spirituality as well as the spiritual and religious paths of others. In a nation and a world torn by misunderstanding and mistrust, it is imperative that each of us understands the relationships and commonalities of our spiritual and religious beliefs and practices, and that we develop abilities to communicate across perceived differences. In this program, participants will explore issues of diversity and commonality, cross-cultural patterns in spiritual experiences, communication across differences, communities that span traditions, spiritual development and spiritual practices. Learning will be facilitated through contemplative and meditative processes, journaling, creative expressions, small group dialogue and reading and responding to written materials and video. The course is organized in three major strands: spirituality of the individual, trans-tradition relationships and communication, and spirituality in a diverse world. Foundational to this course is a sincere and open hospitality to people from diverse beliefs and traditions.

This course provides a concentrated overview of the statistics and research methodology required for entrance to graduate school in psychology, education and other social sciences. The emphasis will be on hands-on, intuitive knowledge. By providing a thorough working knowledge of statistics and research methodology, it will be an ideal preparation for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). We will approach statistics as a language rather than as math alone, thus this course is gentle on math phobics. The course will provide tools for you to become an informed and savvy consumer of information from classroom to workplace. We will cover both descriptive and inferential statistics, research methodology and ethics. This will serve as a prerequisite for upper-division work and graduate school admission. No computer skills are required.

Understanding the principles of human change is critical to those who counsel others. This course will examine the research on human change processes and the vast diversity in theories and techniques employed in assisting others. Historical perspectives will be explored as well as promising directions for the new millennium. We will also focus on counselor development and clinical judgment. Through readings, lectures, seminars, films, exercises, group projects and guest speakers, students will gain a basic foundation in this helping profession.

We'll examine five transformations of the U.S. political economy and the social movements that helped shape these transformations from the time of the Civil War through the New World Order of the 1990s. Our central question is how do social movements change the shape of American capitalism. We'll structure our discussions around seminars, videos, lectures and guest speakers. There is a substantial reading requirement, but only one paper based on class materials and the central question.