In addition to major programs in the conventional disciplines, Harpur College offers students the opportunity to choose from a variety of interdisciplinary majors and cross-disciplinary concentrations. Completion of a major program satisfies one of the basic requirements for graduation from Harpur College. Cross-disciplinary concentrations are similar to minors. Completion of a cross-disciplinary concentration is not a requirement for graduation, but is officially recognized by the college. In addition to a major, a secondary group of related courses, supervised by a designated faculty member or members, is noted on the transcript.
Note: Interdisciplinary courses do not count toward the all-college distribution requirements unless the courses are cross-listed with a department in one of the three divisions, and then the courses count as courses in that department’s division. If the course is not cross-listed, the program may assign divisional status to the course based on course content. The status of such courses is indicated in the Student Course Guide and the Schedule of Classes.
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Students interested in the concentration are advised to seek information directly from the program director. After meeting with the director, students receive permission to formally declare the concentration at the Harpur academic advising office.
To qualify for a certificate in the cross-disciplinary concentration in Asian studies, a student must take eight relevant four-credit courses (or their equivalents) as approved by the director, with no more than four in any one discipline. The eight courses shall include:
1. At least two semesters’ study of Chinese, Japanese, Korean or the equivalent; and
2. AAAS 106/HIST 106 (Introduction to Asian Civilizations).
The Senior Seminar in Asian Studies (AAAS 490) is strongly recommended but not required. Students may take no more than two of their concentration courses Pass/Fail, and they must maintain at least a C average in their concentration coursework.
Current courses include:
• CHIN 101. Elementary Chinese I*
• CHIN 102. Elementary Chinese II*
• CHIN 203. Intermediate Chinese I*
• CHIN 204. Intermediate Chinese II*
• CHIN 305. Advanced Chinese I*
• CHIN 350. Business Chinese*
• CHIN 491. Teaching Practicum*
• CHIN 492. Teaching Practicum*
• JPN 101. Elementary Japanese I*
• JPN 102. Elementary Japanese II*
• JPN 203. Intermediate Japanese I*
• JPN 204. Intermediate Japanese I*
• JPN 305. Advanced Reading and Composition I*
• JPN 306. Advanced Reading and Composition II*
• JPN 491. Practicum in College Teaching*
• JPN 492. Practicum in College Teaching*
• KOR 101. Elementary Korean*
• KOR 102. Elementary Korean II*
• KOR 203. Intermediate Korean I*
• KOR 204. Intermediate Korean II*
• KOR 305. Advanced Reading and Composition I*
• KOR 306. Advanced Reading and Composition II*
• KOR 491. Practicum in College Teaching*
• KOR 492. Practicum in College Teaching*
• ANTH 251. China: Its Society and Culture
• ANTH 368. Modern Development in China and Japan
• CHIN 241. Classical Chinese Literature in Translation*
• AAAS 106. Introduction to Asian Civilizations (also HIST 106)
• AAAS 490. Senior Seminar in Asian Studies
• ECON 317. Economy of China
• ECON 414. Economic Development: East Asia
• GEOG 259. East Asia, Land and People
• HIST 271. Japan to 1600
• HIST 272. Japan 1600-1945
• HIST 273. China to 1644
• HIST 274. China Since 1644
• HIST 372. Chinese Thought
• HIST 472. Chinese Women and the Family
• IBUS 311. Introduction to International Business
• IBUS 480. Doing Business in China
• IBUS 480. International Trade and Export Management
• IBUS 480. Japanese Management
• MUS 111. Music Cultures: Far East, Asia
• MUS 280. East Asian Music
• PLSC 313. Politics of China and Northeast Asia
• SOC 275. Labor and Society in Contemporary Japan
• SOC 374. China in the 20th Century (also HIST 374)
* Described under the Department of German, Russian and East Asian Languages in this Bulletin.
Students interested in the concentration are advised to seek information directly from the program director. After meeting with the director, students receive permission to formally declare the concentration at the Harpur academic advising office.
To qualify for a certificate in the cross-disciplinary concentration in Asian American studies, a student must complete a total of eight courses approved by the director. Requirements include: a) one course relating to the experiences of another ethnic minority in the U.S. (African American, Latino, Jewish, Native American, for example); (b) one course on a country or region of Asia; (c) six electives, including independent studies, from the courses listed in the program, or that are in the judgment of the director relevant to the concentration (courses in Asian, Asian American or American studies subjects relevant to the Asian experience).
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Because of the diverse background required of students majoring in environmental studies, prospective majors must plan their academic program carefully. The environmental studies committee recommends that majors complete the general requirements for the environmental studies major as early as possible (see below). This includes a college-level chemistry course that is a prerequisite for required courses. At the time students declare their intention to major in environmental studies they should, in consultation with their adviser, decide on the courses making up their specialization and plan their academic program.
The environmental studies major leads to either a BA or BS degree. There are three parts to each degree program: 1) a set of five core courses; 2) two problem-oriented courses; and 3) a specialization. Introductory chemistry is a prerequisite for both degrees.
Courses required for the BA degree include:
• Five core courses:
ENVI 101 and 201
MATH 147. Statistics
or MATH 221. CalculusECON 160
ENVI 215
or ENVI 149• Two problem-oriented courses, usually taken in the senior year, selected from ENVI 397, 413, 415, 495, 498.
• A specialization made up of eight courses. Approved specializations include:
1. ecosystems;
2. earth sciences and natural resources;
3. public policy, administration and law;
4. environmental planning;
5. environmental economics;
6. ecological anthropology;
7. environmental chemistry.
Courses required for the BS degree include:
• Five core courses:
ENVI 101 and 201
MATH 147. Statistics
or MATH 221. CalculusECON 160
ENVI 215
or ENVI 149• Two problem-oriented courses, usually taken in the senior year, selected from ENVI 397, 413, 415, 495, 498.
• A specialization made up of 11 courses. Approved specializations include:
1. ecosystems;
2. earth science and natural resources; and
3. environmental chemistry.
A list of the specific course requirements for each specialization is available in the Geological Sciences and Environmental Studies Department office. Courses approved for environmental studies specializations are drawn from the offerings of anthropology, biological sciences, chemistry, economics, geography, geological sciences, political science and others.
Except for internships, courses taken Pass/Fail may not be counted toward the major. ENVI 101 and 201 may be used to fulfill the all-college science requirement. A grade of D is not considered satisfactory for courses applied to the major.
Graduation with honors in environmental studies is granted for superior independent work, usually in the form of an honors thesis. To qualify, students must have demonstrated excellence in coursework and must receive the approval of a faculty member to register for ENVI 498 and ENVI 499. Normally, honors students enroll in ENVI 498 in their next-to-last semester and in ENVI 499 in their last semester, during which they complete the thesis. The student’s work must be submitted to a thesis committee consisting of the supervising professor and at least one other faculty member associated with the environmental studies program.
NOTE: Unless otherwise noted, all undergraduate courses carry four credits and are offered every year.
ENVI 101. ENVIRONMENT AND MAN/WOMAN: AN ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE
Multidisciplinary approach to study of relationships between environment and
humans, from ecological perspective: scope and direction of human impact on
biosphere, exemplified by population, agricultural practices, pollution.
ENVI 121 (also GEOL 121). POLLUTION: NATURAL AND UNNATURAL
Did you know that pollution has natural and unnatural (anthropogenic)
sources? Because pollution doesn’t respect political or geographical
boundaries, how do practices and policies in developed countries affect the
Third World and vice versa? How much of the global warming and acid rain problem
is natural in origin? Why are anthropogenic compounds such as CFCs, DDT and PCBs
such a concern? How do natural events such as volcanic eruptions, forest fires
and dust storms pollute large portions of the world? Who is responsible for the
pollution found in the world’s oceans and ice sheets? As the semester unfolds,
you discover the answers to these and related questions by learning how to
integrate science and policy perspectives on a global scale.
ENVI 149 (also PHIL 149). ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS AND POLICY
Examination of the major philosophical issues surrounding the environment
and nature. Topics may include the value of nature; human obligations to the
land, endangered species, non-human animals, ecosystems and future generations;
vegetarianism; aesthetics and the environment; environmental racism; global
warming; resource depletion; implications of environmental issues for ethical
theory.
ENVI 201. ENVIRONMENT AND MAN/WOMAN: PHYSICAL ASPECTS
Interdisciplinary holistic view of interaction of human populations with
their physical environment. Environmental problems consequent to such
interactions. Energy in natural and human ecosystems: sources, environmental
impacts, relationship to ecological stability. Alternative forms of human
interaction with physical environment, human species as viable, long-term
proposition. Prerequisites: ENVI 101 or BIOL 114, and Introductory Chemistry.
ENVI 212. ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND POLICY
Environmental laws as perceived and dealt with by various judicial,
legislative and administrative units. Pollution case law. Impact of economics
and technology on environmental laws (as fashioned by legislatures and
interpreted by the courts). Policy as well as legal doctrine. Prerequisite: ENVI
101.
ENVI 215 (also PLSC 215). ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
Introduction to public policy analysis combined with applications to
environmental problems and issues. Focus on political context of environmental
issues and policy making; consideration of special problems arising from
distinctive scientific bases of environmental issues. Prerequisites: ENVI 101
and 201 or PLSC 111.
ENVI 317. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES AND PUBLIC POLICY
Case study analysis of interaction between scientists and policy makers in
selected environmental problem areas. Topics change from year to year, with the
most recent focus on global environmental problems. Recent publications serve as
the catalyst for study and analysis of numerous interrelated global
environmental problems. Students are expected to write term research paper and
make oral presentation. Prerequisites: ENVI 101, 201 and 215.
ENVI 320. ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Review of energy use and sources on a global scale. Focus on major sources
utilized today, including petroleum, natural gas and nuclear energy, as well as
on alternative or renewable sources. Exploration of advantages and disadvantages
of presently used energy types, distribution of generating and disposal
facilities and environmental impacts of choice of energy type or site.
Discussion of future needs, supplies and sources. Review of alternate and
renewable sources and impact of new technologies. Prerequisite: one of ENVI 201,
GEOL 111 or GEOL 113.
ENVI 323 (also GEOG 323). SOILS, PROPERTIES, PROCESSES AND DISTRIBUTION
Morphological properties of soils as natural bodies, factors in processes of
development, systems of classification at topographic, regional and global
scales. Soil fertility and its role in land use. Prerequisite: GEOG 121 or ENVI
201.
ENVI 325. ECOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES AND AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
Agricultural systems in Western and non-Western systems in relationship to
ecological principles; factors affecting long-term stability. Plant-soil
relationships as dynamic system. Ecologically based agricultural techniques in
garden situation. Prerequisite: ENVI 101.
ENVI 326. FORESTS, ENVIRONMENT AND CIVILIZATION
Basic ecology of forests and trees. Forest types of the world and factors
determining their occurrence. The role of forests in history. The significance
of forests in regard to current major environmental problems, e.g., global
warming, desertification, loss of biodiversity and flooding. The socio-political
factors threatening forests. Forest preservation efforts. Prerequisites: ENVI
101 and 201, or permission of instructor.
ENVI 330 (also GEOG 330). NATURAL HAZARDS
Analysis of physical, geographic, political and perceptual aspects of
natural hazards. Discussion and evaluation of physical environments in which
natural hazards occur, land use and development patterns in hazardous areas,
mitigation measures and risk assessment, and perception of hazards and
vulnerability. Prerequisites: ENVI 101 and 201; junior or senior standing.
ENVI 339 (also GEOG 339). ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Environmental, economic, geographic and cultural determinants of resource
management. Policy goals and decision-making elements influencing management of
environmental and natural resources. Management policy, practice and theory.
Prerequisites: ENVI 101 and 201, or one of GEOG 121, 232, 233 or 235.
ENVI 340. NATURAL RESOURCES LAW AND POLICY
Examination of laws and policies that regulate and affect the use of natural
resources, including water, rangeland, wilderness, metal ores, timber and energy
resources. Laws that affect use of resources, from common law to government
statute and regulation. Emphasis on case law and effects of case law on public
policies. Prerequisites: ENVI 101 and 201 or permission of instructor.
ENVI 342. SURFACE AND SUBSURFACE HYDROLOGY
Introduction to important descriptive and analytical elements of surface and
subsurface flow. Topics include global and local hydrologic budgets; stream
hydrograph analysis; geology of groundwater; principles of groundwater flow;
water chemistry and contamination; groundwater modeling; and case studies of
contamination and remediation. Prerequisites: ENVI 101 and 201.
ENVI 358 (also BIOL 358). AVIAN ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION 2 cr.
Basic biology of birds, focusing on characteristics affecting their
ecological role. Conservation issues involving birds. Six to eight field trips
emphasizing identification, behavior and ecology; two of these field trips on
weekends. Prerequisite: BIOL 114.
ENVI 361 (also BIOL 361). FRESHWATER WETLAND ECOLOGY 2 cr.
Structure and function of various freshwater wetland types, including
swamps, marshes, fens and bogs. Use of indicator plants to identify wetland
types. Laboratory time will involve field trips to different wetland types,
learning to identify wetland plants and making a collection. Lecture and
laboratory. Prerequisite: BIOL 114.
ENVI 370 (also GEOL 370). ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY: THE CHANGING EARTH
Examination of important environmental issues through geochemical
investigation of the earth’s atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere.
Discussion of past and present controls on the chemical composition of the
atmosphere, freshwaters, oceans and groundwaters. Prerequisites: CHEM 107 (or
consent of instructor), and one of the following: GEOL 111, 113 and 114, or ENVI
201.
ENVI 382. SPECIAL TOPICS IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Intensive study of a particular topic determined in advance. May be repeated
for credit. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing.
ENVI 397. INDEPENDENT STUDY var. cr.
Independent study under guidance of faculty member. Prior to registration,
student must consult with the faculty supervisor and receive approval of problem
to be studied and amount of credit to be received.
ENVI 413. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS
National Environmental Policy Act and its requirements. Environmental impact
statements: what they are, how they came into being, their role in environmental
decision making. Techniques of making environmental impact assessments, with
emphasis on methods. Analysis of actual impact statements. Prerequisites: ENVI
101, 201 and 215.
ENVI 415. ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING
Environmental considerations of planning process. Past and present planning
programs examined; emphasis on techniques and methods used to integrate
environmental knowledge with other aspects of planning process. Land use
controls, planning for and protecting resource use and allocation alternatives,
use of regions as management units. Preparation and analysis of plans.
Prerequisites: ENVI 101, 201 and 215.
ENVI 457 (also PHIL 457F). ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS AND POLICY
Philosophical problems involving the relationship between humans and the
environment. Examination of non-anthropocentric assumptions and anthropocentric
theories. Evaluation of issues involving obligations to future generations and
the use of economic instruments to ensure environmental quality. Prerequisite:
ENVI/PHIL 149 or consent of instructor.
ENVI 482 (also PLSC 456). ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ANALYSIS
Environmental policy making as a process and the substance of environmental
policy. Policy evaluation, different types of analysis, regulation and
deregulation, consideration of current environmental problems. Prerequisite:
PLSC 213 or 215, or ENVI 215.
ENVI 491. PRACTICUM IN COLLEGE TEACHING
Independent study by teaching ENVI courses, particularly ENVI 101 or 102.
Assignments include leading discussion sections, maintaining office hours,
reading papers and examinations. Closely directed by instructor. Open only to
seniors. P/F option only. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
ENVI 495. INTERNSHIP IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES var. cr.
Internship in public agency or consulting firms dealing with environmental
planning and management issues. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. P/F option
only.
ENVI 498. SENIOR THESIS
Independent in-depth research under supervision of a faculty member. May be
taken as a one-semester project, or as a precursor to the Honors Thesis (ENVI
499). Prerequisite: approval of the faculty supervisor.
ENVI 499. HONORS THESIS
Preparation and defense of an honors thesis. Usually an extension of the
work undertaken in ENVI 498. Prerequisites: ENVI 498 and recommendation of
faculty supervisor
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The following Binghamton faculty have expertise in Latin American and/or Caribbean area studies. Most teach LACAS-related courses on a regular basis.
Ricardo Laremont
Darryl Thomas
Carmen Ferradás, LACAS Director
Michael M. Horowitz
William H. Isbell
Randall H. McGuire
H. Stephen Straight
Oscar Vázquez
Comparative Literature
Brett Levinson
Maria Lugones
Cynthia Young
Michael Hames-García
Nancy Appelbaum (joint appointment with LACAS)
Adalberto López
Tiffany Patterson
Dennis Canterbury, Associate Director
Rachelle Moore
David Brackett
Gladys Jiménez-Muñoz
Juanita Díaz-Cotto
James F. Petras
Kelvin Santiago-Valles
Dale W. Tomich
Carrol Coates
Carlos Riobó
Geography
The Latin American and Caribbean Area Studies (LACAS) program offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of Latin America, the Caribbean and Latinos in the U.S. By combining interdisciplinary coursework with fieldwork in Latin America, the Caribbean or among Latinos in the U.S., students are prepared for careers of teaching and research in the Latin American, Caribbean or U.S. Latino fields, and careers in international, social service, educational or political organizations engaged in promoting the economic, social and cultural life of the peoples of Latin America, the Caribbean and U.S. Latinos.
Information on study-abroad opportunities may be obtained by contacting the International Programs Office. Students who plan to major in LACAS are advised to discuss the field project early in their majors with the director of the LACAS program.
The undergraduate major in Latin American and Caribbean area studies is a well-established program that began in 1973.
To qualify for the major, students must:
1. Complete a minimum of 10 courses selected from among those taught by or cross-listed with LACAS; courses with content on U.S. Latinos, the Caribbean and/or Latin America; or any other course approved by the LACAS Committee. The following stipulations apply:
a. Specialize in either Latin America, the Caribbean, or U.S. Latinos (four courses in one of these areas).
b. At least one course to be taken in each of three separate departments.
c. One course in library research (LA&C 271).
d. One literature course in one of the original languages approved by the LACAS Committee.
e. Three advanced courses — one at the 400 level.
f. No more than half of the courses may be taken outside Binghamton.
2. Show a proficiency in a language relevant to the area of specialization. Proficiency includes written as well as oral proficiency, taking into account the differences in fluency between those formally and those informally educated in the languages. Those informally educated are expected to have an intermediate level of reading comprehension. Those formally educated are expected to have an intermediate level of verbal fluency. Students are formally evaluated by two members of the LACAS committee.
3. Complete the field study requirement. Each student, in consultation with a LACAS faculty member, designs a field project during the semester prior to going to the field. The project is carried out in either Latin America or the Caribbean or in Latin/Chicano/Caribbean communities in the U.S., depending on the student’s area of specialization. Students doing fieldwork abroad register through the Office of International Programs. Students doing fieldwork in the U.S. sign up for LA&C 496 for variable credit. On their return from fieldwork, students register for LA&C 498, LACAS Senior Thesis. At that time, students write up the results of the fieldwork as a senior thesis.
Note: Anyone interested in declaring a LACAS major should do so by the end of the sophomore year in order to allow for the fieldwork requirement.
To earn honors in the Latin American and Caribbean Area Studies program, a student majoring in LACAS must earn a grade-point average of 3.5 or above in major courses and a 3.3 or above overall, and must complete an honors independent study course that results in a research paper that is judged to be of honors quality (grade of A) or earn honors in the Senior Thesis. The work is evaluated by a committee designated by the LACAS Committee. Contact the director of LACAS for more information.
The undergraduate cross-disciplinary certificate in LACAS is designed for undergraduates unable to fulfill the requirements for the major but who wish to graduate with formal recognition for coursework in the field. Students who complete the requirements for the cross-disciplinary certificate in LACAS receive recognition of completion upon graduation.
To qualify for this certificate, a student must:
1. Meet the same language requirement as for the major (see above).
2. Complete a minimum of six courses selected from among offerings approved by the LACAS Committee. The following stipulations apply:
a. Three courses in either Latin America, the Caribbean or Latinos in the U.S.
b. At least one course must be a 300-level course and at least one course must be a 400-level course.
c. No more than half the courses may be taken outside Binghamton.
Any student interested in pursuing a LACAS certificate should meet with a member of the LACAS committee or the director to discuss the requirements, and then meet with the director to formulate a plan of study.
Students interested in the major or the cross-disciplinary certificate should keep the following in mind:
1. The main difference between the major and the cross-disciplinary certificate is that the major requires a minimum of 10 courses and the cross-disciplinary certificate a minimum of six, and that the major includes the design and execution of a field project.
2. Depending on the nature of the
courses, some courses taken in Latin American and/or Caribbean universities may be used to fulfill part of the requirements for the major and/or the cross-disciplinary certificate.3. It is strongly recommended (but not required) that students interested in the LACAS major combine that major with a major in a regular department. This ensures the recognition of a traditional discipline by employers and graduate schools, as well as providing students with further background in a related field.
4. In accordance with normal Harpur College policy, students may use the same course(s) to fulfill part of the course requirements for both their regular major and the major or cross-disciplinary certificate in LACAS. At least four of the courses in the student’s minor must be in addition to those counted toward the student’s major.
NOTE: Unless otherwise noted, all undergraduate courses carry four credits and are offered every year.
LA&C 105. INTRODUCTION TO LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES fall
Explores the history, culture and current issues of Latin America and the
Caribbean.
LA&C 106. LATINOS IN THE UNITED STATES spring
Explores the history, cultures and current condition of Chicanos, Puerto
Ricans, Dominicans, Cubans and others in the United States.
LA&C 226 (also ANTH 226, WOMN 226). WOMEN IN LATIN AMERICA
Examines women’s changing roles in various social formations, using case
studies from pre-Columbian, colonial, post-revolutionary and contemporary Latin
America to examine how the variables of class, gender, race and ethnicity affect
women’s status.
LA&C 240 (also SOC 240). WOMEN OF COLOR IN THE U.S.
Examination of the diverse struggles (political, economic, social, legal,
etc.) of Asian, Native American, African American and Latina/Chicana women in
the U.S. and the ways in which public institutions and agencies (federal, state,
local) deal with women of color.
LA&C 344 (also SPAN 344). INTRODUCTION TO HISPANIC LITERATURE:
LITERARY ANALYSIS
Analysis of representative works of Peninsular and Latin American literature
(poems, plays, essays, narratives); emphasis on study of basic literary concepts
and terminology. Recommended for students planning to take SPAN 360 and/or
370/372. Prerequisite: SPAN 215, or four or more years of high school Spanish.
LA&C 252 (also SOC 252). SOCIAL CHANGE IN PUERTO RICO
Development of capitalism in Puerto Rico since 1898. Interrelationship of
economic, political, and class structures. Process of industrialization, changes
in form of local state after 1945.
LA&C 255 (also ANTH 255). INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF TROPICAL LOWLAND
SOUTH AMERICA
Indigenous peoples and cultures in lowland areas of the South American
neo-tropics. Emphasizes important features shared by indigenous inhabitants
throughout the area, as well as distinctive regional differences. Topics
explored include indigenous language, demography, religion, subsistence,
kinship, warfare, trade, and the many internal and external threats that have
historically affected indigenous peoples, and presently continue to imperil
ethnic survival and self-determination. Emphasizes an understanding of
neo-tropical ecology, an appreciation of indigenous perception and world view,
and the crucial importance of historical interactions that have affected
indigenous existence since the arrival of Columbus and that necessarily continue
to shape indigenous reality and self determination today.
LA&C 271. LIBRARY RESEARCH ON LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
Resources and information skills primarily associated with electronic forms
of information for research and study of Latin America, the Caribbean and
Latinos. The Internet is introduced through demonstrations and hands-on
exercises. Assignments focus on historical and contemporary issues.
LA&C 280 (A-Z)/HIST 282 (A-Z). SPECIAL TOPICS IN LATIN AMERICAN
HISTORY
Intensive study of particular themes and problems in Latin American history,
determined in advance. May be repeated for credit if different topic is offered.
LA&C 313 (also SOC 313). SLAVERY, RACE, CULTURE
Sociological analysis of slavery as process of social and cultural change
and of redefinition of social groups within the world economy. Draws on
materials from United States, the Caribbean and Brazil. Different experiences of
slavery, impact on populations of African origin, response of these populations
to slavery. Methodological and theoretical problems entailed in analyzing
slavery.
LA&C 321 (also SOC 321). RACE AND CULTURAL RELATIONS IN THE WORLD
COMMUNITY
Historic identity as important factor in social development in multiethnic
and multiracial world community. Selected communities from Africa, Asia and
Europe.
LA&C 330 (also SOC 330). LATIN AMERICAN WOMEN AND THEIR COMMUNITIES
Examination of the political, social and economic role of women in their
communities in Latin America and the Caribbean. Emphasis placed on post-World
War II developments.
LA&C 340 (also SOC 340, WOMN 340). WOMEN AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Studies the causes for which women are arrested and incarcerated in local
jails, state and federal institutions, immigration facilities, concentration
camps and juvenile detention centers. Also examines the types of offenses for
which women are arrested, the punishment they receive and the treatment they
face once institutionalized. Attention is given to how women respond to the
conditions of incarceration.
LA&C 363 (also ANTH 363). ANTHROPOLOGY OF DEVELOPING NATIONS
Social, political and economic change in the Third World. Articulation of
rural production systems with world market. Analysis of rural and urban
development, famine, population, poverty, inequality and powerlessness. Economic
and environmental impacts of United Nations, World Bank and other development
organizations.
LA&C 370 (also SPAN 370). SURVEY OF LATIN AMERICAN LITERATURE
Selected readings reflecting historical developments of Latin American
literature from colonial to contemporary period. Prerequisite: SPAN 244, 250 or
251, or equivalent.
LA&C 371 (also SOC 371). THEORIES OF SOCIAL CHANGE
How social theorists analyze large-scale social change, conceptions of
origins, structure, development of modern social systems, classes and social
groups, the state and bureaucracy, problems of rationalization and technology,
problems of theory and method.
LA&C 372 (also SPAN 370). SURVEY OF LATIN AMERICAN LITERATURE
Selected readings reflecting historical developments of Latin American
literature from colonial to contemporary period. Prerequisite: one from SPAN
244, 250 or 251, or equivalent.
LA&C 380 (A-Z)/HIST 382 (A-Z). SPECIAL TOPICS IN LATIN AMERICAN
HISTORY
Intensive study of particular themes and problems in Latin American history,
determined in advance. May be repeated for credit if different topic is offered.
LA&C 474. LATIN AMERICAN SHORT STORY
Principal development from Independence to present. Prerequisite: SPAN 244
and 370 or equivalent.
LA&C 480 (A-Z)/HIST 482 (A-Z). SENIOR SEMINAR IN LATIN AMERICAN
HISTORY
Primarily for history majors and minors, dealing with particular themes or
problems in Latin American history. Research paper required. May be repeated for
credit if different topic is offered. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing
and a 100-level history course, or consent of the instructor.
LA&C 483 (also SPAN 483). SPECIAL TOPICS IN LATIN AMERICAN LITERATURE
Significant period, literary movement or group of authors. Specific subject
to be determined. Prerequisites: SPAN 244 and 370, or equivalent. May be
repeated for credit.
LA&C 491. COLLEGE PRACTICUM
Independent study by assisting in a particular LACAS course. Course
instructor directs students in preparation of course materials, as well as
lecturing and/or leading discussions. May be repeated for total of no more than
eight credits. Credit may not be used in conjunction with course in which
student is currently enrolled. Does not satisfy major or all-college
requirements.
LA&C 496. INDEPENDENT FIELD RESEARCH var. cr.
Off-campus independent field research. A faculty member must approve in
advance the proposed project. The student writes a proposal in communication
with an on-site organization and a LACAS faculty member. The work is written up
as a senior thesis during the term after return from the field, as a separate
four-credit course (LA&C 498).
LA&C 498. SENIOR THESIS
The senior thesis, under the guidance of a member of the LACAS faculty, is
the conclusion of the field research. The student writes up and provides the
analytical framework for interpretation of the data gathered in the field.
Papers written for the course may be submitted for consideration for honors on
advice of the instructor.
The certificate program in Latin American and Caribbean Area Studies offers an opportunity for graduate students to receive special recognition for work in Latin American and Caribbean area studies. The requirements of the program are above and beyond those of a specific department, although work in the program may usually be used to satisfy a number of departmental requirements. In general, it is expected that candidates for the certificate need not complete more than two or three courses beyond the number required by their department for the advanced degree.
Those who receive the certificate in effect have two credentials: the MA or PhD in an established discipline and a certificate in Latin American and Caribbean area studies. Admission to the program requires previous admission to a department of study and approval by the committee on Latin American and Caribbean Area Studies.
To qualify for a graduate certificate in Latin American and Caribbean area studies, students must:
1. Take a minimum of four graduate courses directly relevant to Latin America and the Caribbean area in at least two departments.
2. Show evidence of proficiency in a language relevant to the Latin American and Caribbean area other than English (Spanish, Portuguese, French or another language where primary interests indicate a need). In practice, this level of proficiency includes a basic competence in reading, speaking and understanding the spoken language.
Students who wish more information should contact the director of the Latin American and Caribbean Area Studies program.
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The minor program in linguistics provides a foundation in the principles of linguistic theory and method, as well as a wide variety of cross-disciplinary and sub-disciplinary offerings.
Although the linguistics program is authorized to award a major, staffing constraints have forced the program to deactivate the major. For this reason, the requirements for the major in linguistics do not appear here.
Undergraduate study in linguistics serves as an excellent preparation for graduate and professional study in many fields, including law, anthropology, education and counseling, as well as linguistics. Students planning to pursue graduate or professional study in any of these areas are strongly advised to keep these plans in mind as they select courses. Students with an interest in graduate work in linguistics, for example, are well advised to study at least two languages other than English, one a language of scholarship and the other a non-Western language. Students considering professional training in applied and clinical areas such as language teaching, speech/language pathology and audiology, deaf education or counseling are urged to consult appropriate pre-professional information sources early in their undergraduate career, preferably not later than the beginning of the sophomore year.
The linguistics minor is interdivisional. This means that students who declare two minors may count the linguistics minor as not being in the same division as their other minor (which is necessary for students whose major and one minor are in a single division).
Six courses, distributed as follows, are required for the linguistics minor:
1. LING 114 and 118.
2. Four other courses in linguistics, at least two of which must be at or above the 300 level.
All courses presented in fulfillment of the minimum requirements for the linguistics minor must be taken for a letter grade (no Pass/Fail), and the grade received must be a C– or better in order to count toward these requirements. The overall average in courses presented in fulfillment of minimum requirements must be a C or better.
As an interdivisional program, the linguistics program offers courses applicable toward all three of the divisions recognized in the various distribution requirements at Binghamton University. The divisional placement of each linguistics course is indicated in the course descriptions that appear below; it is also reflected in the second digit of each course number in accordance with the following scheme:
X00-X09 Non-divisional courses
(do not count toward distribution requirements)X10-X19 Humanities
or social sciencesX20-X39 Humanities
X40-X59 Social sciences
X60-X69 Social sciences
or science and mathematicsX70-X79 Science and mathematics
X80-X99 Non-divisional courses
(do not count toward distribution requirements)
Note: Unless otherwise noted, all courses carry four credits and are offered every other year.
LING 114 (also ANTH 114). LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION IN THE
UNITED STATES every year
Introduction to the plurality of communication patterns in the U.S., with
particular attention to at least three of the following communities: African
American, Native American, Asian American, Euro-American and Latino American;
links between cultural groups and different communication and discourse
patterns; language and identity; ways in which communication differences affect
intercultural interaction.
LING 118 (also ANTH 118). INTRODUCTION TO LINGUISTIC STRUCTURES
every year
Basic methods and concepts of linguistic analysis, including phonetics,
phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics, with special attention to
cross-linguistic comparison. (LING 118 counts toward divisional distribution
requirements as either humanities or social sciences.)
LING 131 (also CLAS 111). WORD ORIGINS
The derivation of English vocabulary from Latin and Greek bases, prefixes and
suffixes. (LING 131 counts toward divisional distribution requirements as
humanities.)
LING 132 (also CLAS 121). SCIENTIFIC AND MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
Principles and methods of analyzing English words of Greek
and Latin derivation. Word formation. Modification of root concepts by formative
additions. Word structure and vocabulary building, emphasizing scientific and
medical terms. (LING 132 counts toward divisional distribution requirements as
humanities.)
LING 197. INDEPENDENT
STUDY every year, var. cr.
Individual research under direct supervision of faculty
member. Prerequisites: determined by instructor. (May not be counted toward
divisional distribution requirements.)
LING 214 (also ANTH 214, WOMN 214). LANGUAGE, SEX AND GENDER
Theoretical and empirical aspects of relationship between
language and the sexes. Sexism in linguistic structures, sex- and
gender-determined patterns of language use. Societal and psychological
implications of sex registers. Special attention to the causes and effects of
cross-cultural differences in the relationship between language and gender.
(LING 214 counts toward divisional distribution requirements as either
humanities or social sciences.)
LING 218. STRUCTURE OF
LANGUAGE X every year, var. cr.
Survey of structure of languages for purposes of typological,
historical or other scientific analysis. Particular language or languages
determined in advance (and included in course title). May be repeated for credit
as title varies. Prerequisites: determined by instructor. (LING 218 does not
count toward the Harpur College foreign language requirement. LING 218 counts
toward divisional distribution requirements as either humanities or social
sciences.)
LING 236 (also ENG 311).
STRUCTURE OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE every year
Linguistic description of English: descriptive and generative
phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics. (LING 236 counts toward divisional
distribution requirements as humanities.)
LING 239. INTRODUCTORY TOPICS IN LINGUISTICS: HUMANITIES
Particular themes and problems determined in advance (and
reflected in course title when course is offered). Examples are language and
thought, languages of the world, writing systems. May be repeated for credit as
topic varies. Prerequisites: determined by instructor. (May be counted toward
divisional distribution requirements as humanities.)
LING 249. INTRODUCTORY TOPICS IN LINGUISTICS: SOCIAL SCIENCES
Particular themes and problems determined in advance (and
reflected in course title when course is offered). Examples are language and
culture, sociology of bilingualism, ethnography of speaking. May be repeated for
credit as topic varies. Prerequisites: determined by instructor. (May be counted
toward divisional distribution requirements as social sciences.)
LING 279. INTRODUCTORY TOPICS IN LINGUISTICS: SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS
Particular themes and problems determined in advance (and
reflected in course title when course is offered). Examples are language and
hallucination, language acquisition, psychology of reading. May be repeated for
credit as topic varies. Prerequisites: determined by instructor. (LING 279
counts toward divisional distribution requirements as science and mathematics.)
LING 297. INDEPENDENT
STUDY every year, var. cr.
Individual research under direct supervision of faculty
member. Prerequisites: determined by instructor. (May not be counted toward
divisional distribution requirements.)
LING 312. PHONETICS AND PHONOLOGY
Principles and mechanisms of speech production and
perception. Practice in phonological analysis and theory. Special attention to
cross-linguistic differences in sound systems. Prerequisite: LING 118 or ANTH
118. (LING 312 counts toward divisional distribution requirements as either
humanities or social sciences.)
LING 314. MORPHOLOGY AND SYNTAX
Issues and problems in morphological and syntactic theory.
Universal, typological and other comparative analytic aspects of morphosyntax.
Prerequisite: LING 118 or ANTH 118. (LING 314 counts toward divisional
distribution requirements as either humanities or social sciences.)
LING 316. SEMANTICS AND PRAGMATICS
Lexical, phrasal and discourse-functional semantics.
Descriptive and theoretical aspects of study of meaning and language use.
Prerequisite: LING 118 or ANTH 118. (LING 316 counts toward divisional
distribution requirements as either humanities or social sciences.)
LING 334. TEACHING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
Introduction to methods in teaching English as a second
language. Fundamentals of language structure, problems in instruction, resources
for dealing with these problems. Prerequisite: LING 118 or ANTH 118. (LING 334
counts toward divisional distribution requirements as humanities.)
LING 339. TOPICS IN LINGUISTICS: HUMANITIES
Particular themes and problems determined in advance (and
reflected in course title when course is offered). May be repeated for credit as
topic varies. Prerequisites: determined by instructor. (LING 339 counts toward
divisional distribution requirements as humanities.)
LING 349. TOPICS IN LINGUISTICS: SOCIAL SCIENCES
Particular themes and problems determined in advance (and
reflected in course title when course is offered). May be repeated for credit as
topic varies. Prerequisites: determined by instructor. (LING 349 counts toward
divisional distribution requirements as social sciences.)
LING 378. SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION
Psycholinguistic research and theory relevant to acquisition
of second language. Pilot experimentation in applied psycholinguistics. Role of
contrastive analysis. History and theory of language teaching. Prerequisite:
LING 118, ANTH 118 or four college semesters of second language instruction (or
equivalent). (LING 378 counts toward divisional distribution requirements as
science and mathematics.)
LING 379. TOPICS IN LINGUISTICS: SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS
Particular themes and problems determined in advance (and
reflected in course title when course is offered.) May be repeated for credit as
topic varies. Prerequisites: determined by instructor. (LING 379 counts toward
divisional distribution requirements as science and mathematics.)
LING 397. INDEPENDENT
STUDY every year, var. cr.
Individual research under direct supervision of faculty
member. Prerequisites: determined by instructor. (May not be counted toward
divisional distribution requirements.)
LING 427 (also PHIL 427). TOPICS IN PHILOSOPHY OF LANGUAGE
Detailed examination of topics in philosophy of language and
symbolism, meaning, reference, truth, interpretation, etc. Prerequisites:
determined by instructor. (LING 427 counts toward divisional distribution
requirements as humanities.)
LING 434. HISTORICAL LINGUISTICS
Language change, historical relationships among languages,
techniques of reconstruction of protolanguages. Genetic, areal and typological
comparison. Universals and particulars of language structure and change.
Prerequisites: LING 118 or ANTH 118; and LING 312. (LING 434 counts toward
divisional distribution requirements as humanities.)
LING 439. ADVANCED TOPICS IN
LINGUISTICS: HUMANITIES
Particular themes and problems determined in advance (and
reflected in course title when course is offered). May be repeated for credit as
topic varies. Prerequisites: determined by instructor. (LING 439 counts toward
divisional distribution requirements as humanities.)
LING 442 (also ANTH 442). SOCIOLINGUISTICS
Language in social setting. Regional and social dialects.
Bilingualism, pidginization and creolization of languages. Styles and registers.
Conversational analysis. Techniques of sociolinguistic fieldwork. Prerequisite:
LING 312. (LING 442 counts toward divisional distribution requirements as social
sciences.)
LING 449. ADVANCED TOPICS IN
LINGUISTICS: SOCIAL SCIENCES
Particular themes and problems determined in advance (and
reflected in course title when course is offered). May be repeated for credit as
topic varies. Prerequisites: determined by instructor. (LING 449 counts toward
divisional distribution requirements as social sciences.)
LING 466 (also ANTH 466, PSYC 406). PSYCHOLINGUISTICS
Theoretical issues, research methods and substantive findings
in study of language perception, production and acquisition in cross-linguistic
perspective. Models of language performance and of its emergence in children in
various cultural and linguistic circumstances. Prerequisites: junior or senior
standing and appropriate background in linguistics, psychology or linguistic
philosophy (consult instructor or linguistics major adviser). (LING 466 counts
toward divisional distribution requirements as either social sciences or science
and mathematics.)
LING 474. NEUROLINGUISTICS
Language and the brain. Basic aspects of structure and
function of human nervous system in relation to speech and language. Critical
review of theory and methods in neuropsychology of language, focusing on such
topics as ontogenetic development, normal functioning and pathological breakdown
of language, with special attention to similarities and differences.
Prerequisites: junior or senior standing and appropriate background in
linguistics, psychology, or human biology (consult instructor or linguistics
major adviser). (LING 474 counts toward divisional distribution requirements as
science and mathematics.)
LING 479. ADVANCED TOPICS IN LINGUISTICS: SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS
Particular themes and problems determined in advance (and
reflected in course title when course is offered). May be repeated for credit as
topic varies. Prerequisites: determined by instructor. (LING 479 counts toward
divisional distribution requirements as science and mathematics.)
LING 491. PRACTICUM IN TEACHING INTRODUCTORY LINGUISTICS var. cr.
Directed study by means of teaching a particular course in
linguistics. Various assignments closely supervised by instructor, including
development of syllabi and other course materials; construction and reading of
examinations; lecturing and/or discussion leadership (e.g., undergraduate
teaching assistantship). May be repeated for total of eight credits, but no more
than four credits for assisting in a specific course. Credit may not be earned
in conjunction with course in which student is concurrently enrolled.
Prerequisites: consent of instructor and program director. Pass/Fail only. (May
not be counted toward divisional distribution requirements.)
LING 497. INDEPENDENT
STUDY every year, var. cr.
Individual research under direct super-vision of faculty member.
Prerequisites: determined by instructor. (May not be counted toward divisional
distribution requirements.)
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The Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies (CEMERS) offers a major and a minor in medieval studies.
The major in medieval studies is an interdisciplinary BA program in the liberal arts structured around the cultures of medieval western Europe and adjoining regions. The undergraduate curriculum is organized in four main areas of emphasis, or tracks, offering focused investigation of the history, art and mentalities of the period c.300-c.1500, as well as insight into the development and implications of the notion "the Middle Ages" itself. Central to all tracks is the achievement of a reading knowledge of Latin, as the foundational and unifying language of literate culture in the medieval west. Two semesters of Latin are therefore required; students with a prior knowledge of the language may substitute the two-course sequence in medieval Latin literature.
Eleven courses are required for the major, including at least one seminar. Electives above the 100 level should normally be chosen from the current list of courses in medieval studies, in accordance with the recommendations for each track. In addition, certain other courses may be appropriate in particular tracks for their methodological or theoretical content, or as background for medieval studies courses. Students may also petition for courses to be counted toward their degree. The four-track structure is designed to help each student construct a coherent program of study and make informed decisions about academic or professional objectives. A major or minor in medieval studies can be readily combined with a degree in another department or program, notably women’s studies.
Consultation with faculty is crucial. The director of CEMERS is responsible for general advising, but students undertaking the major are expected to work with a faculty adviser, who may be the director, through mutual agreement of the parties concerned. Students are urged to participate in a major annual conference as well as lectures and other events organized by CEMERS or MRG, the graduate students’ Medieval and Renaissance Group.
The minor in medieval studies requires six approved courses from at least three different departments.
There are four core courses, two in medieval history (generally HIST 204, 205) and two in Latin. Beginners take LAT 101 and 102; students entering with an adequate command of Latin take LAT 321 and 322 (Latin Literature). LAT 321 covers the period before 1200; the emphasis is on poetry and imaginative literature; LAT 322 covers literature from 1200, and stresses philosophy and official texts (administrative, diplomatic, etc.).
The major includes seven approved electives, including one at the 100 level. Introductory courses in medieval studies are generally offered through associated departments; students may count as an elective one of the following: ANTH 125, 126; ARTH 101, 103; COLI 110; ENG 112, 114; HIST 101; PHIL 111; WOMN 126 (HIST 126). These do not all give substantial attention to medieval material, but they are valuable for orientation in theory and methodology, and often provide a framework for students to pursue particular, including medieval, interests.
Of the other courses, at least four should be upper level (300-400), and at least one should be a seminar. Students should select courses to conform to the areas of emphasis established in the four tracks.
This track is built around the study of legal history in its historical and cultural contexts. All students must take HIST 302 (European Law). Highly recommended are LAT 322 (for students with Latin) and advanced medieval history courses, as well as courses in the history of early Renaissance Europe and ancient and especially medieval philosophy.
This track may be combined with programs in philosophy, history, and art history. Especially recommended is a link with the "Foundations" track in Philosophy, Politics and Law.
This track provides the following options:
1. Medieval England — Language, Literature and Society: the English Department offers a range of courses in medieval English literature, which may be supplemented by courses in history, art history and related literatures (especially French) for a concentration in the study of medieval England with emphasis on the construction of national identity in language, political institutions and literary and visual culture.
Students interested in this concentration should also have some familiarity with literary and critical theory; therefore an appropriate course in English or comparative literature counts as an elective.
2. Cultures of the North — From the Atlantic Fringe to the Great Plain: comparative study of regions or distinct cultures of northern Europe: e.g., Britain (English and Celts), the Germanic peoples, Northern France and Flanders, Scandinavia and Iceland, the Slavs, Jewish communities. The time period may go back to the process of Christianization and forward to the fragmentation of the Western Church in the Reformation. Students interested in this concentration are advised to expand from a base in one of the language departments, especially English and German and Russian, or in comparative literature or Judaic studies.
3. Oral Traditions — Medievalism and the Study of Folklore: largely illiterate, medieval populations often accommodated pre-Christian practices and beliefs to the requirements of the Church. Courses including the study of folklore in the departments of English, General Literature and Rhetoric; German, Russian and East Asian Languages; Romance Languages and Literatures; or Comparative Literature may be supplemented by courses in history and art history covering medieval and early modern religion. A grounding in critical theory and/or historiography is highly desirable.
The integrated study of the Mediterranean region is associated with the French historian Fernand Braudel, for whom a research institute at Binghamton University is named. Requirements include HIST 206 (Early Renaissance Europe, which may replace 205) and at least one course in a medieval vernacular literature (Italian, French, Greek, Spanish, Hebrew and Arabic). Students may consider combinations with programs in history, art history, music, classics, Judaic studies or a relevant language department. Students especially interested in literature should consider courses in ancient law, medieval law and ancient mythology and/or literature.
This track is best combined with a major in art history or history. Students should take at least three courses in art history with substantial medieval content; the introductory course should normally be ARTH 101 or 103. Also recommended are advanced courses in European history as well as courses on medieval literature, music and the major literary sources of the images in medieval art (JUST 263 and 264: The Bible; CLASS 232: Classical Mythology).
The requirements for honors in medieval studies are:
1. A GPA of 3.5 in the major.
2. An interdisciplinary thesis written under the guidance of two members of different departments. Students writing a thesis may enroll for up to eight credits of MDVL 499. These credits do not count toward the major requirements.
The certificate program in medieval studies offers an opportunity for grounding in interdisciplinary medieval studies. The requirements of the program are above and beyond those of a specific department, although work in the program may be used to satisfy a number of departmental requirements. Students with this certificate in effect have two credentials: the PhD in an established discipline and a certificate attesting to competence in the interdisciplinary studies required of the professional medieval scholar. Admission to the program requires previous admission to a department of study and approval by the director of the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies.
Nine seminar courses are required for the certificate, as is a reading knowledge of Latin (e.g., through LAT 101/102). The certificate program is designed to introduce students to a broad array of disciplinary domains and approaches in the study of medieval societies: this interdisciplinary dimension combines well with doctoral study in a specific department. Candidates take at least one course in art history, history, vernacular literature (English, French, Italian, Spanish; also Romance philology) and philosophy, as well as five electives, as approved by the director of the center or designee. With the director’s approval, 400-level courses may be used toward completion of the certificate program.
An oral examination is required toward the end of the candidate’s residence at Binghamton University.
The dissertation is written for the department of the candidate’s specialization. The director of the center may appoint one member of the dissertation committee, if appropriate.
The Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies also offers a graduate minor in medieval studies to candidates for graduate degrees. The minor consists of a coherent pattern of three courses outside the department of the degree. The three courses must be chosen from at least two departments or programs, and no more than one 400-level course or one independent study may be counted. All graduate minor programs in medieval studies must be approved by the director of the center or designee.
As the above descriptions indicate, the major and minor concentrations rely on the course offerings of departments.
Some courses of particular relevance are cross-listed and appear in course guides under Medieval Studies.
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Richard Antoun
Reinhard Bernbeck
Michael Horowitz
Richard Moench
Safia Mohsen
Susan Pollock
Kevin Lacey (Arabic)
Abdulqadir Yousuf
Mark Blumler
Rifa’at Abou-el-Haj
Gerald Kadish
Akbar Muhammad
Donald Quataert
Lance Sussman
Allan Arkush
Samuel Morell
Jalal Zuwiyya
Ricardo Laremont
Ali A. Mazrui
Caglar Keyder
Nuhad Adi
The Middle East, North Africa (Maghreb), Sudanic Africa and those countries in Europe and Asia that came under Islamic political control, or were exposed to extensive Islamic religious and cultural influences, are the primary concerns of the interdisciplinary program in Middle East and North African (MENA) Studies.
The program in Middle East and North African Studies is not a degree-granting body. Students interested in the Middle East, including Israel and Judaic studies as they relate to the MENA area, North Africa, Islam and other MENA subjects, must be degree candidates in one of the regular departments of the University. The MENA program administers several undergraduate cross-disciplinary concentrations and awards recognition to students who fulfill the necessary requirements in the cross-disciplinary concentration of their choice.
The MENA cross-disciplinary concentration constitutes a coherent course of study about this area within the framework of requirements for graduation. Interested students must meet with the program director to plan their program within the guidelines below.
The MENA undergraduate cross-disciplinary concentration requirements are simple. Students must successfully complete eight undergraduate courses that are MENA-related. These courses are drawn from a number of cultural traditions and a number of disciplines, and may, at the student’s discretion, include one or more language courses. The application for an undergraduate certificate is subject to review by a multidisciplinary faculty committee.
Upon graduation, students receive recognition if they have completed these requirements.
Note: Courses in all departments titled Special Topics,
Seminar, Independent
Study or Honors may be accepted in meeting the requirements for the MENA
cross-disciplinary concentration only when they cover a MENA topic appropriate
to the period. Students are advised to consult the MENA director about the
acceptability of topics and courses.
| Africana Studies | Geography |
| Anthropology | History |
| Art | Philosophy |
| Art History | Political Science |
| Classical and Near Eastern Studies | Sociology |
| Comparative Literature |
The library collection at the University includes approximately 75,000 volumes in Arabic, Ottoman and Modern Turkish, Persian and Hebrew. It exceeds 185,000 volumes in Western vernacular languages. The library regularly receives a number of newspapers, periodicals and scholarly journals on MENA, both in European and in MENA languages.
The graduate MENA certificate programs offer opportunities for all graduate students interested in the Middle East and North Africa (Maghreb) to receive special recognition for work in area studies. The requirements go beyond those of a special department, although work in the graduate MENA certificate programs may usually be used to satisfy a number of departmental requirements. Admission to the programs requires previous admission to a department of study and approval by the MENA director with the concurrence of the MENA Executive Committee. Those who complete the requirements in each of the graduate MENA certificate programs receive two credentials: either the MA or PhD in an established discipline and a certificate in Middle East and North African area studies.
1. Knowledge of at least one Middle Eastern language equivalent to the intermediate level, to be determined by a standard examination. Native speakers are expected to acquire a second Middle Eastern language to meet this requirement or to acquire a specialized research tool acceptable to the MENA director with the concurrence of the MENA executive committee.
2. Completion of coursework required in the student’s department of specialization, of which a minimum of eight credit hours other than language should be in the MENA area. Students may substitute other courses, if they can show to the satisfaction of the MENA director with the concurrence of the executive committee that such substitution is germane to the MENA area.
3. One graduate course relevant to MENA outside the student’s own department.
4. At least one interdisciplinary MENA seminar so designated by the MENA director with the concurrence of the Executive Committee.
5. Thesis on a MENA topic acceptable to the MENA director with the concurrence of the executive committee.
1. A reading or speaking knowledge of at least one Middle Eastern language is required, depending on the needs of the student’s discipline. The student’s department determines the level of competence sufficient to permit original research in the discipline. Native speakers are expected to acquire a second Middle Eastern language or a specialized research tool acceptable to the dissertation adviser and the MENA director, with the concurrence of the Executive Committee.
2. Completion of coursework required in the student’s department of specialization, of which 16 credits (excluding credit for the dissertation but including credits earned toward the MA) must be in MENA subjects. Students may substitute other courses, if they can show to the satisfaction of the MENA director with the concurrence of the executive committee that such substitution is germane to the MENA area.
3. One graduate course relevant to MENA outside the student’s own department.
4. One interdisciplinary MENA seminar so designated by the MENA director with the concurrence of the executive committee.
5. Dissertation on a MENA topic acceptable to the MENA director with the concurrence of the executive committee.
MENA courses are currently available in the Anthropology, Art and Art History, Classical and Near Eastern Studies, Comparative Literature, Geography, History, Political Science and Sociology departments. Several professional schools also provide courses directly related to MENA concerns. In addition, special interdisciplinary courses and seminars are arranged on a regular basis. For full information on MENA course offerings, write to the MENA director, Binghamton University.
* PIC governing committee
Abou-El-Haj,* Rifa’at, Professor of History: Philosophy of history (comparative as well as critical and historical appraisal of post-modern, post-colonial, sub-altern studies), medieval and early modern Arab and Islamic studies and thought, psychoanalytic psychology theories, Arab and Ottoman political culture, history of sexuality (modern and medieval, especially Arab Islamic cultural production).
Allen,* Jeffner M., Professor of Philosophy and of Women’s Studies: Cross-cultural and feminist theory, post-colonial studies, lesbian studies, experimental writing.
Bar On, Bat-Ami, Associate Professor of Philosophy and of Women’s Studies, Faculty Director of Women’s Studies: Socio-political theory (including its history and a specialization in theories of violence), feminist theory (particularly feminist ethico-politics, and feminist jurisprudence), Marxism (with an emphasis on Marx and critical theory), ethics (theory and public policy), critical Jewish studies.
Desmond, Marilynn R., Associate Professor of English and of Comparative Literature and of Women’s Studies: Medieval literature, classics and medieval narrative, Chaucer, literary theory.
Fynsk, Christopher I., Professor of Comparative Literature and of Philosophy, Chair, Department of Comparative Literature: Criticism and contemporary literary theory, literature and philosophy, Heidegger.
Hames-Garcia, Michael, Assistant Professor of English: Anti-colonial theory, critical race theory, lesbian and gay studies/queer theory, literary theory, Marxism, U.S. Latina/o studies.
Haver, William W., Associate Professor of History: Japanese history, East Asia, recent critical theory, AIDS, queer theory.
Lugones,* Maria C., Associate Professor of Comparative Literature and of Philosophy and of Women’s Studies: Ethics, political philosophy, philosophy of race and gender.
Martin, William G., Professor of Sociology, Deputy Director of the Fernand Braudel Center: Sociology of knowledge, world-historical perspectives, anti-systemic movements, African-European relations.
Nzegwu,* Nkiru, Associate Professor of Art History and of Africana Studies and of Women’s Studies: Aesthetics, African philosophy, African feminist issues, multicultural studies in art.
Ross,* Stephen David, Professor of Philosophy and of Comparative Literature, Director, PIC Program: Metaphysics, philosophy of art, ethics and political philosophy, contemporary continental philosophy, history of philosophy, American philosophy, environmental philosophy, feminist philosophy and cultural critique.
Santiago-Valles, Kelvin A., Associate Professor of Sociology and of Africana Studies: World-historical critiques of coloniality, political economy, modernity, "race" and "gender," history of knowledges (modern-Western and anti-Occidentalist), Caribbean, United States.
Spanos, William V., Professor of English and of Comparative Literature: Modernism and post-modernism in literature and theory, Heidegger, Foucault, Said, philosophy and imperialism, American studies.
Thomas, Darryl Clark, Associate Professor of Africana Studies and Political Science, Chair, African Studies: International relations of the Third World, comparative black political thought (African and African Diaspora), black politics in America, comparative politics and Africana studies.
Young, Cynthia, Assistant Professor of Comparative Literature and of Africana Studies: United States radical culture, politics and social movements, anti-colonial theory and praxis, race theory, cultural studies, African American literature and culture, United States literatures and culture.
Zinkin, Melissa R., Assistant Professor of Philosophy: Kant, modern philosophy, German idealism, feminist philosophy, political philosophy.
Barbara Abou-El-Haj, Associate Professor of Art History: Social history of medieval art and architecture, political economy of building, cult of saints.
Karen-edis Barzman, Associate Professor of Art History: Gender and cultural production, Italian art and art history, spectacle.
Gisela Brinker-Gabler, Professor of Comparative Literature and of Women’s Studies: European modern and contemporary literature, feminist studies in art and culture, German literature and critical theory.
John W. Chaffee, Associate Professor of History; Chair, Department of History, Director of Asian and Asian American Studies Program: East Asia, Chinese social history.
Juanita Ramos Diaz, Assistant Professor of Sociology and of Women’s Studies: Women’s studies, Latin American studies, crime and punishment, women of color in U.S., lesbian studies.
Martin C. Dillon, Distinguished Teaching Professor of Philosophy: Continental philosophy, philosophical psychology, philosophy and literature, history of philosophy.
Thomas Keenan, Associate Professor of Comparative Literature: literary and political theory, media studies, ethics, humanitarianism and human rights.
Anthony D. King, Professor of Art History and of Sociology: Social production of building form, colonialism and urbanism, social and spatial theory, post-colonial theory and criticism, transnational cultures.
Brett H. Levinson, Assistant Professor of Comparative Literature: Hispanic literatures, modern theory.
Andrew Light, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and of Environmental Studies: Environmental ethics and policy, moral and political philosophy, philosophy of technology, philosophy of film.
Ali A. Mazrui, Albert Schweitzer Professor and Professor of Political Science and of Africana Studies, Director, Institute for Global and Cultural Studies: Cross-cultural philosophy, comparative politics, world politics, political theory.
Isidore Okpewho, Professor of Africana Studies and of English and of Comparative Literature: African and African Diaspora literatures, the classics, folklore/oral literature and mythology, post-colonial studies.
Tiffany R. L. Patterson, Assistant Professor of History and of Africana Studies and of Women’s Studies: African peoples’ intellectual traditions, gender and race studies, cultural studies.
Max A. Pensky, Associate Professor of Philosophy: Contemporary continental philosophy, social and political philosophy, critical theory, philosophy of history.
Anthony Preus, Professor of Philosophy and Master of College-in-the-Woods: Ancient Greek philosophy, medical ethics.
Jean H. Quataert, Professor of History and of Women’s Studies: Women’s history, German history, social and labor history.
Marilyn Gaddis Rose, Distinguished Service Professor of Comparative Literature, Director, Translation Research and Instruction Program: Translation studies, modern Anglo-Irish, American, and French literatures, literature and art.
Nayan Shah, Assistant Professor of History: Asian American history and cultural studies, queer studies, race and sexual politics, history of scientific disciplines, institutions and subjectivity.
John Tagg, Professor of Art History, Chair, Department of Art History: History and theory of photography, modern European and American cultural history, contemporary critical theory.
Lisa Tessman, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and of Women’s Studies: Feminist ethics and politics, critical theories of race, ethics (especially critical development of virtue theory), social and political philosophy.
Donald D. Weiss, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Chair Department of Philosophy: Hegel, Marx, political philosophy, esoteric philosophy.
Lisa T. Yun, Assistant Professor of English: Asian American literature.
Binghamton University’s studies in Philosophy, Interpretation and Culture address the ways in which cultural forms of knowledge and expression shape and are shaped by human practices and experience. Of particular importance are recent developments in history, theory and practice that promise to stretch the boundaries of philosophy and transform the discipline: post-critical continental philosophy; feminist philosophy; gay, lesbian and queer studies; multicultural studies, post-colonial theory and critical race theory; critical social theory; and cultural critique, including aesthetic, representational and ecological practices.
A major concern of the program is with history and tradition, with how they are to be thought and how they contribute to thought. The history of philosophy along with other histories in Western and non-Western traditions — of art and literature, political and social theory, philosophy of history and science, and theories of gender, ethnicity, culture and class — are at work in these critical discussions.
The program explores relations between philosophy and other disciplines and critically examines disciplinary boundaries, historical and institutional. It seeks to foster discussions not confined by disciplinary boundaries concerning intelligibility, legitimacy and disciplinariness.
Among the developments important to the PIC program is the recurrent claim that the Western tradition — philosophic, scientific, artistic, ethical and political, cultural, humanistic and so forth — has in profound respects come to an end. While some forms of this question appear throughout modernity, recent post-modern, post-colonial and ecological discussions taking up this question claim that a more radical transformation of thinking is demanded by any possible answer.
The PIC program takes such claims seriously, confronting a number of important questions: To what extent can such a question be regarded as intelligible and important? To what extent can the Western or any tradition be regarded as unitary? To what extent can any of that tradition’s major forms be said to have reached fruition or exhaustion? To what extent do traditional discourses retain their legitimacy? What sense can be made of the claim that philosophy is to be replaced by science or, conversely, that the authority of science is the natural culmination of the western tradition? How do concerns with nature and the environment bear upon the understanding of humanity and human practices? How do contemporary global developments relate to movements critical of humanism and anthropocentrism? What kinds of ethical, political and policy practices pertain to these issues?
How do concerns with gender and race, colonialism and culture, bear upon relations to the Western canon and the need to supplement or discard it? How do issues of oppression and injustice bear upon challenges to Western rationality from within and without? In what ways does feminist theory interact with the history of Western philosophy and with post-modern and post-colonial studies? What challenges have emerged from worldwide developments in feminism to much of contemporary philosophy, social theory and literary theory? What kinds of responses are emerging from recent writings on aesthetics, colonization and decolonization, hybridity and cultural survival, to the claims that Western philosophy is Eurocentric? What are the implications of global developments — economic, political and cultural — for philosophy’s future?
To what extent can a discourse that recognizes its own historicality speak of its future, especially if that future promises major changes and variations?
To what extent is every voice, every form of reason, expression, and language, entangled with desire and power? To what extent can a discourse or discipline claim legitimacy if every human voice is both subject to and an object of desire — that is, composes a site where human ends are implemented? To what extent can a discourse or discipline claim legitimacy if every human voice is both manipulated by power and a site where power is exercised? What kinds of voices, what kinds of writings, what changes in disciplinary and other practices are called for, are possible, in response to such critical reflections?
These questions are approached from a variety of disciplinary and critical perspectives.
PIC faculty are drawn from many different departments and programs throughout the University, many of which themselves have strong interdisciplinary interests — in particular: Africana studies, art history, comparative literature, English, history, philosophy, sociology; Asian and Asian American studies, environmental studies, the Fernand Braudel Center for the Study of Economies, Historical Systems and Civilizations; the Institute of Global Cultural Studies (IGCS), the program in Latin American and Caribbean Area Studies (LACAS), the interdisciplinary program in comparative literature in Philosophy, Literature and Theory of Criticism (PLC), the Translation Research and Instruction Program (TRIP) and Women’s Studies.
Closely related to PIC is the interdisciplinary program in Philosophy, Literature and Theory of Criticism (PLC), an interdepartmental doctoral program devoted to issues involved in language and interpretation, focusing on how they influence our understanding of literature and literary criticism.
The faculty in the Translation Research and Instruction Program and the Center for Research in Translation also engage in theoretical and research activities directly relevant to the issues in the PIC program.
The PIC MA program emphasizes contemporary discussions in interpretation and culture in relation to the history and sub-fields of philosophy, emphasizing emergent and non-traditional sub-fields and historical approaches. It is designed as preparation for advanced work in the PIC PhD program.
1. A minimum of seven courses (28 credits) with a cumulative average of not less than B. There are no specific course requirements. At least five of the seven courses submitted for the degree must be graduate courses, not including independent study.
2. Satisfactory performance on a comprehensive examination administered after the student’s third semester of full-time residence, typically during January of each year.
3. Demonstration of the ability to read relevant scholarly works in a foreign language.
4. Either:
a. Submission of a thesis deemed acceptable by the student’s advisory committee (this includes registering for at least two credit hours of PHIL 599: Thesis)
or
b. Completion of a non-thesis option consisting of three graduate courses in addition to those described above. Of the courses offered under this option, at least seven must be graduate courses, not including independent study.
Qualified students holding a bachelor’s degree are eligible for admission to the PIC master of arts program. A broad background in the humanities and sciences, as well as philosophy, is considered a desirable preparation. Students who lack sufficient preparation for graduate study in philosophy may be required to complete work beyond the minimum required for the master of arts degree.
Applicants are expected to submit a short essay including a detailed statement of purpose expressing their philosophical interests and background and their goals in relation to study in the PIC program. This essay should be submitted in place of the writing sample. It is a very important part of the admission process. Applications must be submitted by Feb. 15.
The minimum number of course credits required for the PhD degree is 56 (32 for students holding a relevant MA degree from another institution), plus the appropriate number of dissertation credits required by the Graduate School. All courses accepted for credit toward the degree must be approved by the student’s adviser. Depending on background and specialization, students may be required to complete additional courses beyond the minimum.
There are no specific course requirements for the PIC MA or PhD programs. All students are required to pass an MA comprehensive/PhD qualifying examination before admission to the PhD program, and are required to pass a PhD comprehensive examination or oral examination based on an approved field paper after completing all course and proficiency requirements, before admission to candidacy.
Students are admitted to the PIC PhD program through the PIC MA program, based on the student’s performance on the qualifying examination, in courses and as a teaching assistant.
Students holding a relevant MA degree from another institution at the time they enroll at Binghamton are required to pass the MA comprehensive/PhD qualifying examination after their first semester of enrollment, and to complete a total of 32 credits for the PhD. The PIC governing committee and faculty reserve the right to impose special conditions that they consider appropriate, including remedial courses.
See the admission requirements listed under the PIC MA program.
Student advisory, examination and dissertation committees are appointed at the initiation of the student. All committees are required to include at least two members of the PIC faculty and affiliated faculty.
The MA comprehensive/PhD qualifying examination is composed of a four-hour written or overnight take-home examination, based on an individualized reading list for each student, and a 90-minute oral examination emphasizing contemporary areas of the student’s specialization. The examination is scheduled at the beginning of the spring semester each year.
Either a PhD comprehensive examination or oral examination based on an approved field paper must be satisfactorily completed before admission to candidacy, as follows:
1. The PhD comprehensive examination consists of five parts: four written parts of three hours each and one two-hour oral examination.
2. The field paper consists of a 40- to 60-page paper and an extensive bibliography defining the student’s area(s) of specialization, broadly conceived, with relevant background material. A two-hour oral examination is scheduled based on the student’s field paper and proposed area(s) of specialization.
Students are required to write a dissertation under the direction of a committee composed of at least three members, including at least two PIC faculty and affiliated faculty. Other faculty may also serve on the student’s dissertation committee, and the director need not be a member of the PIC faculty or affiliated faculty. The student is expected to present the dissertation at a public oral examination.
Students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in three languages other than English relevant to their research areas, or two such languages plus logic.
Every student is expected to participate each semester in the proseminar on teaching and the profession.
Students admitted to the PIC program are supervised by the PIC program faculty. Upon entry, every student chooses an adviser or has one appointed. At the point at which students begin to prepare for the MA comprehensive/PhD qualifying examination, a three-person faculty committee is appointed by the PIC committee, in consultation with the student, and takes on advisory responsibility for that student. The performance of each student is evaluated each spring by the PIC program committee.
After a student has passed the PhD comprehensive examinations, a three-person advisory/dissertation committee is appointed in consultation with the supervisory committee and the student. Additional members of the committee may be appointed where desirable. Members of supervisory and advisory/dissertation committees may be appointed from other departments and schools where appropriate.
PIC is composed of a governing committee and a faculty, who meet to consider policy and other matters related to the program, and an affiliated faculty who work with students. Two graduate students are members of the PIC faculty and meet with it on all matters except those that involve individual students and faculty.
Workshops and individualized advising in connection with placement are held each fall in time for directed placement activities.
Fellowships, graduate assistantships and teaching
assistantships are available to qualified students.
For further information, write to:
Director of Graduate Studies, PIC
Department of Philosophy Binghamton University
PO Box 6000
Binghamton, New York 13902-6000
or e-mail pic@binghamton.edu.
Arthur, John, Professor and Director of the Program in Philosophy, Politics and Law
Bar On, Bat-Ami, Associate Professor of Philosophy and of Women’s Studies and Faculty Director of Women’s Studies
Cingranelli, David, Professor of Political Science
Dietrich, Eric, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, PACCS
Dubofsky, Melvyn, Distinguished Teaching Professor of History
Kadish, Gerald, Professor of History
Light, Andrew, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and of Environmental Studies
Pensky, Max, Associate Professor of Philosophy
Preus, Anthony, Professor of Philosophy
Scalet, Steven, Visiting Assistant Professor of Philosophy and of Economics
Silberstein, Dara, Associate Director of Women’s Studies
Tessman, Lisa, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and of Women’s Studies
Weiss, Donald, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Department Chair
Williman, Daniel, Professor of Classics
Zinkin, Melissa, Assistant Professor of Philosophy
The study of the law should be introduced as part of a liberal education, to train and enrich the mind. . . . I am convinced that, like history, economics and metaphysics — and perhaps even to a greater degree than these — the law could be advantageously studied with a view to the general development of the mind.
— Justice Louis Brandeis
Law’s influence on our lives is pervasive. It limits and protects us, from before our birth until after we are long dead. Law shapes our lives in every respect: economic, personal, professional and political. To study law seriously, in all its facets, leads far beyond the narrow confines of legal cases to perennial questions of law’s origins, operation and justification. Its study respects no disciplinary boundaries; law must be viewed from many different vantage points.
Philosophy, Politics and Law (PPL) is an interdisciplinary BA program designed for both liberal arts and pre-law students. Though many enter law school, other majors go on to graduate school or pursue careers in teaching or business. Courses for the major, selected for their content, include classes in philosophy, political science and history, along with selected cognate courses from other areas. Students are thus able to tailor the major to suit their own interests and needs. Students wishing to do honors in Philosophy, Politics and Law should speak with their adviser.
The director of the Philosophy, Politics and Law program is on the Department of Philosophy faculty. Additional faculty members are also designated as advisers.
Students majoring in Philosophy, Politics and Law may choose
either
Track 1: Traditions of Western Law and Government, or
Track 2: American Law and Government.
Students must take a total of 12 courses to fulfill the requirements for the major. Four courses must be in philosophy, from list A (PHIL 201, 146 or 242, 245 and one elective); two courses must be in Latin; and four courses must be in history, from list C (HIST 101, 300, 302 and one elective). The remaining two courses may be selected from among all the classes listed in lists A-D.
A. Philosophy (four are required)
Required:
• PHIL 201. Ancient Philosophy
• PHIL 146. Law and Justice
or PHIL 242. Topics in Classical Political Philosophy
Optional (one is required):
• PHIL 121. Methods of Reasoning (beginning logic)
• PHIL 332. Medieval Philosophy
• PHIL 401. Plato
• PHIL 402. Aristotle
• PHIL 403. Topics in Ancient Philosophy
• PHIL 458. Aristotle’s Ethics and Politics
B. Latin (two semesters are required at the level appropriate to the student’s background)
C. History (four are required: 101, 300 and 302, plus one elective)
Required:
• HIST 101. Foundations of Western Civilization
• HIST 300. Ancient Law and Society
• HIST 302. European Law from Justinian to Blackstone
Optional:
• HIST 202. The Greek World
• HIST 203. The Rise and Fall of Rome
• HIST 204. The Early Middle Ages
• HIST 205. The High Middle Ages
• HIST 206. Early Renaissance Europe
• HIST 207. Reformation and Renaissance Europe
• HIST 208. Privilege and Protest in Early Modern Europe
• HIST 213. England: Prehistory to the War of the Roses
D. Cognates (all electives)
• ENG 230. Medieval Literature
• ENG 330. Topics in Medieval Literature
• ENG 331. Old English
• ENG 333. Women and Society in Medieval Literature
• GRK (one course in the Greek language at the level appropriate to the student’s background)
• JUST 241. Biblical History: Hebrew Origins of the Exile
• JUST 271. Women in Jewish Law
• JUST 381. Topics in Jewish Thought and Society: Biblical to Rabbinic Periods
• PLSC 375. International Law
• PPL 280. Law and Literature
Twelve total courses are required. Four must be in philosophy (PHIL 146; either PHIL 147 or 149; PHIL 245; and either PHIL 455, 456, 457 or 458); two must be in political science from list B; and two must be in history from list C (one of which must be HIST 300, 302 or 356). The remaining four courses may be selected from among all the classes listed under A-D: Philosophy, Political Science, History or Cognates. (Courses marked by a + are especially recommended.)
A. Philosophy (four total courses required)
Required:
• PHIL 146. Law and Justice
• PHIL 147. Law, Ethics and Business
or PHIL 149. Environmental Ethics and Policy
• PHIL 245. Philosophy of Law
• PHIL 455. Advanced Philosophy of Law
or PHIL 456. Problems in Law and Political Theory
or PHIL 457. Problems in Law and Morality
or PHIL 458. Problems in Law and the History of Philosophy
Optional:
• PHIL 121. Methods of Reasoning
• PHIL 135. Philosophy and Public Policy
• PHIL 140. Introduction to Ethics
• PHIL 142. Social and Political Philosophy
• PHIL 148. Medical Ethics
• PHIL 242. Classics in Political Philosophy
• PHIL 246. Marxism
• PHIL 488. Topics in Social and Political Philosophy
• PPL 480. Advanced Topics in Philosophy and Law
B. Political Science (any two are required)
• PLSC 111. American Politics
• PLSC 215. Environmental Policy
• PLSC 219. Pluralism, Prejudice and Public Law
• PLSC 320. Public Administration
• PLSC 321. The American Presidency
• PLSC 322. American Political Parties and Pressure Groups
• PLSC 323. The Congress in American Politics
• +PLSC 324. Campaigns and Elections
• PLSC 325. Ethics and U.S. Foreign Policy
• +PLSC 326. American State Politics
• +PLSC 328. Public Policy and Political Process
• PLSC 329. Public Law
• PLSC 331. Constitutional Law and Politics
• PLSC 333. Civil Rights and Liberties
• PLSC 335. Politics and the Legal Order
• PLSC 337. Law, the Courts and Social Issues
• PLSC 341. Women and Politics
• PLSC 342. Urban Politics
• PLSC 360. Political Behavior
• PLSC 375. International Law
• +PLSC 421. American Politics: Congress
• PLSC 452. Evolution of Criminal Justice
• PLSC 454. Criminal Justice Policy
• PLSC 461. Political Theory and Constitution
• PLSC 481R. Women and Law
• PLSC 484. Seminar in Special Topics in Public Law
• PPL 481. Advanced Topics in Political Science and Law
C. History (minimum of two are required; one must be HIST 300, 302 or 356)
• HIST 103. Foundations of American Civilization
• HIST 104. Modern American Civilization
• HIST 208. Privilege and Protest in Early Modern Europe
• HIST 250. Colonial America
• HIST 251. Revolutionary America
• HIST 253. Civil War and Reconstruction
• HIST 257. American Working Class Since 1877
• +HIST 300. Ancient Law and Society
• +HIST 302. Legal History: Justinian to Blackstone
• +HIST 356. American Legal History
• HIST 481R. Women and the Law
• PPL 482. Advanced Topics in History and Law
+ Courses especially recommended.
D. Cognate Courses (all electives)
• ECON 103. Introduction to the International Economy
• ECON 144. Poverty and Discrimination
• +ECON 160. Principles of Microeconomics
• +ECON 162. Principles of Macroeconomics
• ECON 343. Introduction to Labor Economics and IR
• ECON 349. Economics of Law and Property Rights
• ECON 350. U.S. Financial System: Markets and Institutions
• ECON 449. Economic Analysis of Law
• ENVI 212. Environmental Law and Policy
• ENVI 215. Environmental Policy
• ENVI 340. Resource Law and Policy
• JUST 271. Women in Jewish Law
• +PPL 280. Problems in Philosophy, Politics and Law
• PPL 483. Advanced Topics in Philosophy, Politics and Law
• SOC 260. Social Problems in the United States
• SOC 370. Social Inequality
Note: Students must earn a grade of C– or higher in courses fulfilling the major; courses may not be taken Pass/Fail. Substitution of other courses (except courses transferred from other universities) must be approved by both the student’s PPL adviser and the PPL director. Substitutions are granted only in unusual circumstances, and are considered only in the senior year.
Students who wish to pursue honors in PPL should speak with an adviser regarding requirements for the honors degree.
For information about this study-abroad program at the University in East Anglia in Norwich, England, contact either the PPL director or the Office of International Programs. PPL in Britain is open to both PPL and non-PPL majors.
( ) Year of initial appointment at Binghamton
Milnor, Andrew, Associate Professor, PhD, 1962, Duke University: American public policy, comparative politics. (1977)
Rehberg, Richard A., Associate Professor and Director, MPA Program, PhD, 1965, Pennsylvania State University: Education in public policy, research methodology, communities in transition. (1966)
Sinclair, Thomas, Assistant Professor, PhD, 1997, Indiana University: Public policy, public administration and management, American politics. (2000)
Master of public administration degree candidates are required to complete 40 hours of coursework, with a B or better average. Individuals taking three courses per semester may complete the program in three academic semesters, plus a summer internship.
The MPA program consists of five "core" or required courses, four "elective" courses that define the specialization, and a one-course internship. Core courses include:
1. Public Administration
2. Research Methods and Statistics
3. Strategies for Policy Analysis
4. Social Values and Public Policy, and
5. Public Finance.
Specializations (which are completed within appropriate units of the University) may be fulfilled in:
1. health policy
2. environmental policy
3. urban policy
4. policy analysis
5. education policy and
6. management, including leadership.
Opportunities (involving two additional courses) are available for a dual degree in public administration and geography for individuals who elect urban or environmental policy specializations. Internships are usually done within the area of specialization and every effort is made to place the individual within a compensated internship with a governmental, not-for-profit, and, on occasion, for-profit organization.
Upon completion of coursework, usually at the end of the third semester, the student takes a written comprehensive exam. Following the student’s satisfactory completion of coursework, the comprehensive exam and the internship paper, the director recommends to the Graduate School that the candidate be awarded the master of public administration.
The cross-disciplinary concentration in Russian and East European studies permits the student to gain a broad, interdisciplinary knowledge of one of the most important areas in the world — Russia and Eastern Europe. Requirements for the concentration are: two Russian or Soviet history courses, two political science courses in the Soviet area, one Russian literature course (240, 241 or 380), and RUSS 101-305.
Students spending a semester in Moscow under the SUNY-Moscow University exchange may, upon approval of the director, satisfy some requirements abroad.
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Anthropology
H. Stephen Straight
Classical and Near Eastern Studies
Saul Levin
Comparative Literature
Christopher Fynsk
Marilyn Gaddis Rose, Program
Director
Thomas Keenan
German
William H. Snyder
Library
Cheryl S. McKee
Philosophy
Max Pensky
Anthony A. Preus
Stephen D. Ross
Romance Languages
Peter Cocozzella
Carrol F. Coates
Rosamaria LaValva
Sandro Sticca
Sociology
Immanuel Wallerstein
Aliki Bacopoulou-Halls, Professor of English, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Marcia Nita Doron, Easton and Company Teaneck, New Jersey
Peter Glassgold, Freelance Editor, Brooklyn, New York
Reinhard R. K. Hartmann, Professor of Lexicography, University of Exeter, Exeter, England
Margaret Sayers Peden, Professor of Spanish Emerita, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
Sue Ellen Wright, Associate Professor of German, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
The Translation Research and Instruction Program (TRIP) offers a graduate certificate in translation. Undergraduates interested in a career in translation are advised to consult the TRIP director on appropriate preparatory courses. Certain TRIP courses are open to undergraduates meeting the prerequisites.
The Translation Research and Instruction Program is the pedagogical division of the Center for Research in Translation (CRIT). It administers the interdisciplinary curriculum and examination that lead to translator certification. Although most students in the program are matriculated in one of the University degree programs, the translation study courses listed below may be taken as a separate track. For degree programs identified as especially suitable for the integration of translator training, see the appropriate sections of the Bulletin (comparative literature MA in translation studies; MA and MAT in Romance languages; MA in social science; MSEd; comparative literature and English doctoral tracks; several other doctoral program tracks available on an individual basis). Acceptance of these credits toward advanced degrees is up to the individual departments of Harpur College and to the appropriate committees in the other schools.
Students pursuing the certificate as a separate track must follow the standard Graduate School matriculation procedures.
| credits | |
| I. Program of Courses: Literary | |
| TRIP 572. Translation Workshop: Literary (two semesters) | 8 |
| One graduate course in linguistics, language
theory, or language history |
4 |
| One graduate course in source literature | 4 |
| TOTAL | 16 |
| II. Program of Courses: Nonliterary | |
| TRIP 573. Translation Workshop: Nonliterary (two semesters) | 8 |
| One graduate course in linguistics, language theory, or language history | 4 |
| One graduate course in subject area | 4 |
| TOTAL | 16 |
Student performance is measured through proficiency testing comparable to that of American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages/Educational Testing Service (ACTFL/ETS). Testing begins when the student enters the workshop and continues at regular intervals. Students must perform at level 3 or better, both in the workshops and on the final examination, before receiving the certificate. This means they can handle formal and informal texts, including "belletristic" texts, without faculty supervision.
It is essential that students have an extended period of residence in a foreign language milieu, either prior to or during their translator training program.
Students may request to take the examination when their course work is essentially completed. At this time the TRIP director, in consultation with appropriate faculty, establishes their examination committees. The individualized examination may be scheduled at the mutual convenience of the candidate and the committee. The examination, from four to six hours in length, has sections on theory and practice, in which the passing grade is B– in theory, A– in practice. The A– is contingent on translating at level 3 or better on the BEST. The examination may be taken twice.
When students have fulfilled the course requirements and successfully passed
the examination above, they are eligible to receive a certificate of translator
proficiency, specifying the language combination(s) and subject area(s).
TRIP 572-573. TRANSLATION WORKSHOP
Development of translation skills. Prerequisite: fluency in source language
(usually not English). May be repeated for credit; not to exceed a total of
eight hours per language pair. (572 Literary, 575 Non-Literary)
TRIP 580. TOPICS IN TRANSLATION THEORY 4 cr.
May be repeated depending on topic.
TRIP 591. TRANSLATION PRACTICUM 0 cr.
Seminar for language resource specialists in Languages Across the
Curriculum.
TRIP 597. INDEPENDENT STUDY 1-12 cr.
TRIP 707. FOREIGN LANGUAGE READING PROFICIENCY 1 cr.
Development of reading proficiency in a designated language. May be repeated
as needed. May not be applied as course credits toward a graduate degree or
certificate.
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The Women’s Studies program offers an interdisciplinary course of study in the historical, economic, political, social and cultural experience of women. The program’s central foci are the socio-cultural processes associated with the production and maintenance of gender, its intersections with race, class, sexuality and generation, and the allocation of rights, obligations and rewards that are based on these.
Faculty members from a variety of disciplines offer regular courses in women’s studies. Each semester the Women’s Studies Department publishes a list of courses relevant to the program. Internships and special projects in local agencies are also possible under the supervision of the program’s director. For additional women’s studies courses, students should consult the Schedule of Classes.
1. Minimum of eight courses (32 credit hours).
2. At least five of these courses must be in addition to those counted toward the student’s major.
3. No more than two courses may be taken at the 100 level. One should be WOMN 100, Introduction to Women’s Studies.
4. At least four courses must be taken at the 300/400 level. One should be a seminar, an independent study or an internship.
5. Courses must be divided among at least three different departments.
6. At least two different divisions or schools must be represented (as indicated by their cross-listing).
7. At least two of the courses must be classified as diversity courses.
8. Courses passed with a grade of D do not fulfill requirements for the minor.
9. Only one course taken under the Pass/Fail option is credited toward the certificate.
1. Minimum of six courses (24 credit hours).
2. At least four of these courses must be in addition to those counted toward the student’s major.
3. No more than two courses may be taken at the 100 level. One should be WOMN 100, Introduction to Women’s Studies.
4. At least two courses must be at the 300/400 level. One should be a seminar, an independent study or an internship.
5. Courses must be divided among at least three different departments.
6. At least two different divisions or schools must be represented (as indicated by their cross-listing).
7. At least one of the courses must be classified as a diversity course.
8. Courses passed with a grade of D do not fulfill requirements for the minor.
9. Only one course taken under the Pass/Fail option is credited toward the minor.
The Graduate Certificate in Feminist Theory program offers all graduate students interested in women’s studies and working in a relevant disciplinary area an opportunity for interdisciplinary theoretical work that will enhance their departmental-based research analysis, as well as to receive special recognition for their women’s studies work. Admission to the Graduate Certificate in Feminist Theory program requires admission to a Binghamton University graduate program or department and approval of the student’s application by the Women’s Studies Graduate Committee. Undergraduate-level work in women’s or feminist studies is not required for admission.
The master’s-level Graduate Certificate Program in Feminist Theory consists of three graduate courses in feminist theory. Of these, a) no more than one may be generated by the student’s home department and b) one must specifically address feminist theory in its relationship to women’s social movements.
Beyond coursework required for the successful completion of the graduate certificate in feminist theory at the master’s level, students pursuing the certificate at the doctoral level must: a) complete one more gra