Specific topics within these areas include brain function, motivational control systems, learning, cognitive and perceptual information processing, problem solving, obedience and conformity, social interaction, emotion, attitude consistency and change, how our social, cognitive and language functions develop, the importance of childhood to adult functioning and psycho-pathology. The course includes a small number of computerized laboratory experiments and experiences in which the student will perform experiments and analyze real data. The goal is to develop methods and case studies that advance the understanding of how cultures shape human and social behaviors and how they interact with other forces in human life. This is a beginning level Russian language course. The course takes a proficiency based approach to teaching basic skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Language is presented in communicative contexts illustrating cultural aspects of daily Russian life.
Special emphasis is given to developing oral competency. One or two hours per day outside of class must be devoted to practicing language skills. In this course we will use films, readings and discussions to enhance our ability to analyze, understand and explain politics. The course is about political power, authority, leadership, ideologies, war, nationalism and resistance to authority. We will use major commercial films to explore some fundamental political problems regarding governments and societies.