The New Collegiate Division offers a variety of interdisciplinary courses in addition to those particularly related to specific programs of study. One of the purposes of the division is to provide a forum for new ideas in teaching: certainly only one such forum among many in the College and the University, but for some teachers, and for some subjects cutting across familiar academic lines, the most convenient one. These courses are as a rule open to all students. Indeed, they usually aspire to attract students with different interests and backgrounds.

Courses: New Collegiate Division (ncdv)

21100. Global Environmental Politics. (=ENST 24900, HMRT 24910, PBPL 24300) This course examines the ways in which the international society responds to (or ignores) global environmental problems. It discusses key theoretical frameworks, reviews the history of international environmental cooperation, and identifies the roles, interests, and behavior of main actors such as states, international organizations, NGOs, and the business community. We study contemporary debates on global warming, international trade, environmental security, gender, and indigenous peoples. M. Arsel. Spring.

21201. Human Impact on the Environment. (=ENST 21201) We analyze the impact of the human enterprise on the natural world that sustains it. Topics include human population dynamics, the role of economic and industrial activity in human well-being, our use of natural resources, biodiversity, sustainable development, and the role played by cultural institutions and values. We read and discuss diverse sources and write short weekly papers. T. Steck. Autumn.

24100. The Environment in U.S. Politics. (=ENST 24100, PBPL 22600) This course introduces the actors and processes that shape environmental policies in the United States. We examine the conflicts in values that underlie contemporary environmental debates. Case studies are used to examine the effectiveness of governmental institutions and procedures addressing environmental problems. We also use these cases to examine our own values and how we think about people living in different places and in the future. Autumn.

27300. Is Development Sustainable? (=BPRO 23400, ENST 24400, HIPS 23400, PBPL 24400) PQ: Third- or fourth-year standing. This is a discussion course for students without a background in environmental issues. Its aim is to grapple with the "big problem" of sustainable development. We analyze problematical issues underlying population growth, resource use, environmental transformation, and the plight of developing nations through a consideration of economic, political, scientific, and cultural institutions and processes. T. Steck, M. Arsel. Spring.

27400. Biological and Cultural Evolution. (=BIOS 29286, BPRO 23900, CHSS 37900, HIPS 23900, LING 11100, PHIL 22500/32500) PQ: Third- or fourth-year standing or consent of instructor. Core background in evolution and genetics strongly recommended. This course draws on readings and examples from linguistics, evolutionary genetics, and the history and philosophy of science. We elaborate theory to understand and model cultural evolution, as well as to explore analogies, differences, and relations to biological evolution. We also consider basic biological, cultural, and linguistic topics and case studies from an evolutionary perspective. Time is spent both on what we do know, and on determining what we don't. W. Wimsatt, S. Mufwene. Winter.

27401. American Originals: Franklin and Lincoln. (=FNDL 24401, LLSO 27401) PQ: Third- or fourth-year standing, and consent of instructor. We study readings from two American originals, Benjamin Franklin and Abraham Lincoln, with attention to their distinctive understanding of the worlds they inhabited, prudence and statesmanship, moral virtues and vices, the power and limits of language, and wit. D. Hutchinson, R. Lerner. Winter.

29700. Reading Course. PQ: Consent of faculty supervisor and program chairman. Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. Must be taken for a quality grade. This course is designed for New Collegiate Division students whose program requirements are best met by study under a faculty member's individual supervision. The subject, course of study, and requirements are arranged with the instructor. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

29800. Reading Course. PQ: Consent of faculty supervisor and New Collegiate Division master. Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. Available for quality grades or P/F. Students in divisions other than the New Collegiate Division may arrange a tutorial with a member of the New Collegiate Division faculty. Registration for this course and information about the tutorial arrangement must be reported to the office of the New Collegiate Division master. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

29900. Independent Study. PQ: Open only to New Collegiate Division students with consent of faculty supervisor and program chairman. Must be taken P/F. Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. Autumn, Winter, Spring.