Various spatial and pictorial concepts are investigated through the oil medium. Prerequisite: ARS 163 or permission of the instructor. A required fee of $25 to cover group-supplied materials is charged at the time of registration. Enrollment limited to 15.

A broad overview of the different media and their histories in the French and Francophone world as well as an overview of French social, economic, political and cultural issues. Students acquire essential tools for media analysis: identifying political orientation, detecting bias, tracking controversies over time, putting quotes in context, and identifying missing voices in the narrative. Students can expect to read the leading newspapers every week and grapple with events as they happen. Prerequisite: 230 or permission of the instructor.

A gateway to more advanced courses. These colloquia develop skills in expository writing and critical thinking in French. Materials include novels, films, essays and cultural documents. Students may receive credit for only one section of 230. Enrollment limited to 18. Basis for the major. Prerequisite: 220 or permission of the instructor. Through texts by authors from Louis XIV to Colette, we discuss questions about literary uses of landscape: Why do we flee or search for a landscape? What makes us cherish or fear a particular place?

The Connecticut Valley region is rich with geologic features that can be reached by a short van ride from Smith. This is a field-based course that explores geology through weekly trips and associated assignments during which we examine evidence for volcanoes, dinosaurs, glaciers, rifting continents and Himalayan-size mountains in Western Massachusetts. Students who have taken FYS 103 Geology in the Field are not eligible to take GEO 102. This class, when taken in conjunction with any other 100-level course, can serve as a pathway to the Geoscience major.

An exploration of the concepts that provide a unifying explanation for the causes of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and the formation of mountains, continents and oceans. A discussion of the origin of life on earth, the patterns of evolution and extinction in plants and animals, and the rise of humans. Students planning to major in geosciences should also take GEO 102 concurrently.

By permission of the director. Variable credit.

Admission by permission of the Program in Middle East Studies, normally for junior and senior minors in Middle East studies, and for qualified juniors and seniors from other departments. Offered both semesters each year.

This course shows students how to apply appropriate learning strategies to extend and refine their academic capacities. Course content includes research on learning styles, motivation, memory and retrieval, as well as application of study skills and introduction to college resources. The interactive format includes personal inventory and reflection, guest speakers, leadership activities, and study groups for science, engineering and mathematics courses. Enrollment limited to 20 AEMES scholars. Mandatory grading S/U.

A study of the leading ideas of the Western political tradition, focusing on such topics as justice, power, legitimacy, revolution, freedom, equality and forms of government-democracy especially. Lecture/discussion format taught in independent sections, with one or more sections designated Writing Intensive (WI sections are limited to 30). Open to all students. Entering students considering a major in government are strongly encouraged to take the course in their first year, either in the fall or the spring semester. Offered both semesters each year.

A study of the leading ideas of the Western political tradition, focusing on such topics as justice, power, legitimacy, revolution, freedom, equality and forms of government-democracy especially. Lecture/discussion format taught in independent sections, with one or more sections designated Writing Intensive (WI sections are limited to 30). Open to all students. Entering students considering a major in government are strongly encouraged to take the course in their first year, either in the fall or the spring semester. Offered both semesters each year.