What Classes Am I Taking?

Although I know most of you probably don't care to read anything but maybe the titles on this post....but I figured I would post it just in case you wanted to know a little about what I'm learning while on the ship.
I am excited about the two psychology courses because I think it will be a great experience to take them while on this trip...because I will experience what we are studying first hand. Kind of the same thing with intro to world music but not to the same extent.

Cross Cultural Perspectives on FamilySubject: PsychologyProfessor Toni Zimmerman - (Syllabus - 139 KB PDF)
This course explores family life from a cross-cultural perspective. The primary aim is to better understand how family life varies from country to country and culture to culture. As we travel the planet, we will focus in particular on intimate relationships and family life. We will develop an understanding of the diversity of family interactions, roles, norms, expectations, responsibilities, and struggles across the globe. Additionally, specific tasks and topics relevant to family life and structure will be explored including dating and mate selection, marriage and partnering, gender roles and socialization, parenting, stress, violence, divorce, remarriage, kinship, aging, and death. The countries on our voyage will provide opportunities to learn and explore what family life is like in various places. Attention will be given to the role religion, culture, and economics play in shaping family life. Methods of evaluation include three exams (for a total of 35%), a ten-page, ten-reference paper (15%), field reports (20%), and in-class global reflections (30%).


Psychology of WomenSubject: PsychologyProfessor Bianca Cody Murphy - (Syllabus - 155 KB PDF)
This course examines psychological theories and research about women and gender in ways only possible on a voyage around the world. We will focus on the biological, psychological, and social similarities and differences between men and women and, in particular, how culture affects these differences. We will address the nature and development of gender roles and identify significant issues in the psychological development of girls and adolescents. We will explore adult women’s sexuality, and their roles in work and family. And we will examine social issues, such as poverty and violence against women that affect women's health and mental health. You will be an active learner by reading and discussing the text and a set of supplemental readings, by engaging in small research projects, and by writing papers that link your research findings to the theoretical literature about the psychology of women. Finally, while in port you will conduct field projects that afford a wonderful opportunity for cross-cultural comparisons about gender roles and women’s experiences in different cultures. Methods of evaluation include paper assignments (40%), quizzes (30%), a field project (20%), and class participation (10%). Prerequisites: This is an upper level psychology or women’s studies course. You must have previously taken at least one introductory course in Psychology or Women’s Studies.

Introduction to World MusicSubject: MusicProfessor Julie Strand - (Syllabus - 139 KB PDF)
Music is a universal social need that is found across the globe as a series of diverse yet equally logical systems, each embedded with cultural indicators that influence all aspects of music making. This course will survey music traditions from across the globe, identifying these indicators and what they reveal about their respective cultures. Using our ports of call as a guide, we will focus on a selection of genres representing traditional, classical, folk, and popular music traditions from around the world. Through this approach, students will be introduced to some of the basic concepts of ethnomusicology: the study of music as a socially-constructed art form, examination of the roles and functions that music serves in a community, the comparative study of music across cultures, and some of the practical considerations of field work. Some recurring themes of the course include the study of musical instruments, transference of music across cultures, and processes of globalization. Through directed listening assignments, students will develop critical listening skills and learn some of the major stylistic attributes of music practiced in each of our regions of study. Grades will be based upon regular field assignments (20%), listening journals (20%), periodic quizzes (30%), attendance and class participation (10%), and a comprehensive final exam (20%).


Global StudiesSubject: GeographyProfessor Dan Christie, Coordinator - (Syllabus - 92 KB PDF)
This interdisciplinary course focuses on the countries visited and is tailored especially to meet the global and comparative approach of Semester at Sea. It is mandatory for all students. In addition to providing basic information about the countries on the itinerary, Core also provides a meaningful framework by which to compare data, examine issues, and develop concepts. Participants learn how to understand cultural and social phenomena with which they are constantly coming into contact during the semester and to highlight both commonalities and differences from one society to another. Core equips participants with observational and analytical skills for encountering societies different from their own, and different from each other, a key factor in facilitating the integration of class work and field work for all courses. Objectives: 1) To provide basic information about the physical and cultural geography; key historical events; the current social, economic and political situation of each country visited. 2) To present regional and global issues which in various ways affect the countries on our itinerary. Examples include race relations, population, poverty, ethnic/religious conflicts, technology, status of women, human rights, environment and globalization. 3) To emphasize the similarities and differences in the variety of human experiences and to assist students in developing the observational and analytical skills needed to draw cross-cultural comparisons. Method of evaluation based on four or five objective tests.