Identification, morphology, and use of landscape plants including annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs, groundcovers, and tropicals. Introduction to horticultural practices including pruning, division, pollination, bulb planting, plant identification and landscape design. Use of the Botanic Garden outdoor collection as well as field trips are important components of the course. Course requirements include lab quizzes, and creation of a Field Guide to plant materials covered in the course. Enrollment limited to 15 per section.

This course offers an analytical history of American popular culture since 1865. We start from the premise that popular culture, far from being merely a frivolous or debased alternative to high culture, is an important site of popular expression, social instruction and cultural conflict. We examine theoretical texts that help us to “read” popular culture, even as we study specific artifacts from a variety of pop culture sources, from television shows to Hollywood movies, the pornography industry to spectator sports, and popular music to theme parks.

Topics course. Limited to senior majors: According to a growing number of social theorists and scientists, the critical task of our time is to grasp the enviromental conditions, economic systems, technological developments, and political ideologies that have set us on a path to converging and compounding catastrophes: climate change, resource exhaustion, inequality, social fragmentation, and political repression.

What do Americans want? What do they fear? What is an “American”? How do we draw the line between those who belong and those who do not? How do we define citizenship, its rights and responsibilities? How do race, gender, class and other differences affect the drawing of these boundaries, and the contents of consciousness? This course introduces some of the exciting and innovative approaches to cultural analysis that have emerged over the last three decades.

Topics course. Same as ENG 384. A writing sample and permission of the instructor are required. Enrollment limited to 12.: Women have historically exerted their voice and power through writing, even as the professional writing trades of journalism and publishing have historically been unwelcoming of their presence. This class examines reporting and writing by and about women, and engages students in the practice of writing about gender, feminism, and women's lives.

Identification, morphology, and use of landscape plants including annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs, groundcovers, and tropicals. Introduction to horticultural practices including pruning, division, pollination, bulb planting, plant identification and landscape design. Use of the Botanic Garden outdoor collection as well as field trips are important components of the course. Course requirements include lab quizzes, and creation of a Field Guide to plant materials covered in the course. Enrollment limited to 15 per section.

Identification, culture, and use of ornamental landscape plants including annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs, groundcovers, and tropicals. Topics include introduction to landscape design and maintenance, garden design history, and current issues such as invasive species and community gardening. Course requirements include two exams, and design and dinterpretive assignments in conjunction with the Smith College Botanic Garden. Laboratory (BIO 121) must be taken concurrently. Enrollment limited to 30.