How does one make sense of what one sees in South Asia? What is the visual logic behind the production and consumption of images, advertising, and film? This course considers the visual world of South Asia, focusing in particular on the religious dimensions of visuality. Topics include the divine gaze in Hindu and Buddhist contexts, the role of god-posters in religious ritual and political struggle, the printed image as contested site for visualizing the nation, and the social significance of clothing as well as commercial films.

Whether revered as the Birth-Giver of God or remembered as a simple Jewish woman, Mary has both inspired and challenged generations of Christian women and men worldwide. This course focuses on key developments in the "history of Mary" since early Christian times to the present. How has her image shaped Christianity? What does her image in any given age tell us about personal and collective identities?

The rise of Jewish philosophy and mysticism (Kabbalah) in the Islamic world and in medieval Spain, and the development of these theological and intellectual trends as decisive influences upon all subsequent forms of Judaism. Analysis of Jewish philosophy and mysticism as complementary yet often competing spiritual paths. How did Jewish philosophers and mystics consider the roles of reason, emotion and symbols in religious faith and practice? What interrelations did they see between the natural and divine realms, and between religious, philosophical and scientific explanations?

The Hebrew scriptures (Tanakh/Old Testament). A survey of the Hebrew Bible and its historical and cultural context. Critical reading and discussion of its narrative and legal components as well as an introduction to the prophetic corpus and selections from the wisdom literature.

Topics course. Doctrinal and thematic survey of Buddhist attitudes to the religious person in a social, political world; overview of doctrinal statements and focus on issues such as women in Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism in exile, the monks? war in Vietnam, and Western Buddhism.

Complex behavior interpreted from a behavioral perspective, supplemented, when possible, with evolutionary and neurophysiological accounts. In the laboratory component of the course, students will shape a chain of responses in a pigeon and will experiment with instructional technology with humans. Enrollment limited to 16.

Same as PHI 213. A detailed examination of how children learn their language. Theories of acquisition of word meaning, syntax and pragmatics will be examined, as well as methodology for assessment of children?s knowledge. Cross-linguistic and crosscultural data and perspectives will be considered, as well as applications in language therapy and education. Students will undertake an original research project using transcript analysis, and read original research literature. Background in Linguistics or Child Development is necessary.

(Formerly PSY 192) Introduces students to a variety of methods used in psychological research. All sections of this course will cover the basic methodological techniques of contemporary psychology such as observational, experimental, and survey methods. Sections will differ in the particular content theme used to illustrate these methods. PSY 100 or equivalent is required for PSY 202. We recommended that PSY 201 is taken prior to, or concurrently with, PSY 202. Priority will be given to Smith College Psychology majors and minors.

Analysis of the institutions and processes of public policy formation and implementation. Explores models designed to explain policy and also those whose purpose is to ?improve? policy. Develops and uses analytical tools of formal policy analysis. Examines the debate over the possible and proper uses of these analytic tools.

For this course we will read articles and attend talks on diverse topics in physics. The emphasis will be put on oral presentation and discussion of the new phenomena using knowledge from other physics courses. Prerequisite: PHY 315, or permission of the instructor. Restricted to juniors and seniors.