This course will discuss the basic psychological principles of social influence. Topics include social norms, conformity, compliance, obedience, and persuasion.

The sciences are defined by those who push past the bounds of human knowledge and break down the thought barriers of their time. This seminar will explore the stories of women scientists who changed the world and will celebrate their inspiring discoveries which upended our understanding of the cosmos, the planet and ourselves. These pioneers paved the way for future generations of women scientists and explorers. By learning about their lives, we seek to understand the cultural attitudes, historical forces and social realities that made science what it is today and what it will be tomorrow.

Mythical monsters are marvellous. They are also often menacing and malevolent. Whether they have impossibly hybrid bodies or dwell on geographical boundaries or transgress perceived societal norms, they demonstrate a unique marginality. But monsters are often also misunderstood. They don't exist just to provide foils for heroes or to represent inexplicable aspects of the natural world. Rather, monsters and their characteristics also provide a broad perspective on a wide variety of ongoing cultural concerns.

Pompeii has been the testing ground for archaeological methods since the first excavations in 1748. Naturally, the introduction of the personal computer at the end of last century and the internet revolution at the beginning of this century have had a profound impact on how we do archaeology at Pompeii and how we understand what we find there. This class is a virtual field trip; it addresses recent technological advances and introduces students to the field of archaeology, cutting edge digital research techniques, and the ancient city of Pompeii itself.

Art and Culture at UMass looks at the lively and vibrant arts and culture of UMass, including museums and galleries, rare books and manuscripts, one of America?s foremost literary magazines, innovative and historic architecture, a major international film archive, and other cultural resources on campus. The seminar will offer a history of the arts, writing, and design at UMass, and will include on-campus field trips to all the places and resources we learn about.

This seminar will explore the biology and behavior of the domestic cat. Topics will include the domestication process, sensory biology, cat social and parental behavior, communication, cat welfare, and the impacts of cats on wildlife. Students will engage in weekly reading and discussions on these topics. Students will be placed in teams to create presentation on some topic related to domestic cats. The seminar will include information and advice on how to navigate the challenges of being a first-year undergraduate.

Revisiting the classic Nature vs. Nurture debate, this course explores the interaction between genetics (nature) and environment(nurture) in shaping health and human outcomes. We will begin by reviewing fundamental principles of genetics and molecular biology, using real-world examples to illustrate how genetic variations directly influence health. Next, we will examine how environmental exposures interact with genes or influence gene expression. Finally, we will explore how an individual's genetic makeup can modify the effects of environmental factors on health and disease.

Did you ever wonder what makes your favorite pet or animal different from you? Its body shape? its nutritional requirement? Its behavior? Using a student-led approach, we will broach a wide variety of subjects tat could include animals, health, anatomy and physiology, studentship, and more.

This course explores the history of sustainable architecture with a look back to vernacular building styles and passive design strategies that addressed climatic factors. Materials studied range from indigenous traditional architecture, through the Industrial Revolution and the celebration of the machine in the 20th century.