This seminar discusses research on the neurocognitive basis of autism spectrum disorders, considering genetic, neuroscientific, psychological and linguistic factors in their etiology and characterization. Topics include the history of the diagnosis, the incidence of the disorders, cross-cultural conceptions of autism, studies of the underlying neural mechanisms, and the cognition and language of children with ASD. Prerequisites: One of EDC 235, PSY 216, or PSY 253, or permission of the instructor.

This course focuses on what it means to be Asian American and how the social and cultural context shapes the Asian American experience. We consider topics like bullying, acculturation, biculturalism, minority group status, cultural values and norms, relationships and roles and how they affect identity development and psychological functioning (e.g., stressors, support systems, academic achievement, mental health). We discuss the complications and consequences of migration and settlement in urban areas.

Same as PHI 209. The course introduces you to the philosophical debates behind the psychology of the mind, focusing mostly on work from the 20th century onwards. We focus on the philosophical implications of major historical figures in psychology and their approach to Mind (James, Freud, Skinner). We read contemporary work on the problems of reductionism (Can we just talk about brains?), consciousness (Why do we have it, is it necessary? Could we be zombies or automata?) and the nature of a coherent self (Is there one? Do we construct it? Does it end with our bodies?).

Same as PSY 209. The course introduces you to the philosophical debates behind the psychology of the mind, focusing mostly on work from the 20th century onwards. We focus on the philosophical implications of major historical figures in psychology and their approach to Mind (James, Freud, Skinner). We read contemporary work on the problems of reductionism (can we just talk about brains?), consciousness (why do we have it, is it necessary? could we be zombies or automata?) and the nature of a coherent self (is there one? do we construct it? does it end with our bodies?).

Systems neurobiology is the study of how networks of neurons function, and how these networks mediate sensation, movement and higher-order functions such as attention, decision-making, language and emotion. Course material focuses primarily on the neuroanatomy and functional organization of the vertebrate brain. Readings from the textbook and scientific journal articles are supplemented with computer-based hands-on exercises and simulations to demonstrate techniques used to study neural connectivity and image the brain.

An introduction to opera with emphasis on the role of women in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. We consider the monstrous and beautiful representations of women in opera and the discourses that surrounded them, and we interrogate the real women who performed, listened to and sometimes wrote this music. Works include Verdi's La traviata, Bizet's Carmen and Strauss's Salome.

An introduction to the concepts of abstract algebra, including groups, quotient groups and, if time allows, rings and fields. Prerequisites: MTH 153 and MTH 211, or permission of the instructor.

Debates over the meaning, interpretation and management of unique, artistic, historic and/or culturally significant places take center stage in this course. Students consider how and why some landscapes and buildings get preserved and protected while others are redesigned, ignored, neglected or demolished. Major themes in the course include continuity and change in the built environment, notions of cultural heritage and the concept of authenticity. Readings include theoretical and historical perspectives on the topic supplemented by case studies and field investigations.

Topics course. This course interrogates same-sex politics in contemporary Africa. Because little has been written about same-sex politics in Africa in the political science discipline, we draw primarily from texts written by sociologists, anthropologists, historians and activists. Building on this multidisciplinary corpus, we examine same-sex issues using a political scientist's lens. Some examples of what we cover: colonial legacy on policy towards sexual minorities, contemporary public opinion toward same-sex relationships, homophobia as a valence vs.

Topics course. This course provides an in-depth look at the changing role of women in Italian society. Authors studied include Natalia Ginzburg, Elsa Morante, Dacia Maraini and Elena Ferrante. A portion of the course is dedicated to the new multicultural and multiethnic Italian reality with a selection of texts written during the last 20 years by contemporary women immigrants. Limited enrollment. Permission of the instructor required. Conducted in Italian.