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DISCOVER House
Penn State's living-learning community for academic exploration

Special Course Sections for DISCOVER House Residents


Why take DISCOVER House courses? DISCOVER House students consistently say that having courses with students in the house is a great experience and a tremendous advantage. It's summed up in these statements by former residents of DISCOVER:

"Being in class with people you know is great. Class discussions get into much greater depth when you know the people you're taking it with. It also means you can talk about projects and papers just by walking next door!"

"I am taking two D-House courses, and I would definitely recommend future DH students to take at least one."

"It's nice to have classes with people you know."

How can a student register for controlled DISCOVER House sections? Brenda Fornwalt facilitates registration in these course sections. Advisers should contact Brenda with registration requests.

Spring 2009

THEA 102 (GA) Fundamentals of Acting (3 credits) Section 002 (20 spaces)
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 2:30-3:20 p.m., 312 BOUCKE

THEA 102 is not an acting course designed to develop fine actors; it is a course about acting. It aims to introduce the student to basic principles of the art and craft of acting, focusing on how and why actors do what they do to prepare for a performance less than on the attainment of performance skills themselves. Students in this course will tap their own powers of concentration, observation, creativity, and imagination. A major focus in the course is the development of the ability to analyze one's own work and the work of peers in the class. Problem-solving in solo, paired, and/or large group contexts is a daily requirement in class. This course is excellent for those interested in developing stronger communication/presentational skills and becoming aware of the potential of their verbal and nonverbal communication. These skills are important for everyone and may be especially helpful for students with an interest in education, advertising/public relations, marketing, law, language studies (e.g., English, communication arts and sciences, communication sciences and disorders, foreign languages) or politics, to name a few.

 

Fall 2008

BI SC 003 (GN) Environmental Science (3 credits) Section 004 (13 seats)
Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:35-4:25 p.m., 100 THOMAS
Fridays, 10:10-11:00 a.m., 328 HHD EAST

BI SC 003 will help you to prepare for living in current and future society's mixture of technology and mythology by presenting ideas and concepts about living systems and their environments. Kinds of environments; past and present uses and abuses of natural resources; disposal of human wastes; prospects for the future. Policy makers and citizens need to act with an understanding of ecological principles when handling the environmental problems such as water use, solid waste management, global warming, energy use, conservation of irreplaceable natural resources, overpopulation, and the preservation of biodiversity. An understanding of biological and ecological principles and their application towards environmental challenges can give you the confidence to be a trustworthy and active citizen, a conscientious steward of nature, and an agent of change for making a healthy, sustainable community and society. Regardless of your field of study, as a citizen of both local and global communities, some environmental issues will impact your life. The course objectives are to enable students to:

This course meets a general education requirement in the natural sciences (GN). Taught by Christopher Uhl.

CAS 175 (GH) Persuasion and Propaganda (3 credits) Section 001 (25 seats)
Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:15 a.m.-12:05 p.m., 367 WILLARD
Fridays, 11:15 a.m.-12:05 p.m., 008 BUSINESS

What is propaganda? How do we know? Why does it matter? Can a commercial be propaganda? What about a website? A speech by a presidential candidate? A monument? How would you know? What would you tell others? Answers to these questions vary, but they are vital—both to our understanding of democracy and because of the mass mediated world in which we live.

CAS 175—Persuasion and Propaganda—is all about answering those questions (and raising more). There are many different definitions of "propaganda," and the term often is used to label and discredit political opponents. In this course you will develop a more precise understanding of "propaganda" and the techniques of the propagandist. In more practical terms, you will learn to recognize, describe, and evaluate propaganda in all of its various forms and contexts. Toward this end, we will study the history of propaganda, as well as contemporary cases of public advocacy that raise questions about the differences between persuasion and propaganda.

This course meets a general education requirement in humanities (GH). Taught by Jessica Sheffield.

ENGL 015 (GWS) Rhetoric and Composition (3 credits) Section 074 (24 seats)
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:45-11:00 a.m., 318 WILLARD

Instruction and practice in writing expository prose that shows sensitivity to audience and purpose. Prerequisite: ENGL 004 or satisfactory performance on the English proficiency examination.

Do you believe almost everything you read? Do you have trouble articulating why you believe what you believe? You are probably expecting English 015 to be an introductory writing class, and it is. However, its goal is much more extensive than simply improving your writing. The goal of English 015 is to help you to become more involved in your communities by critically evaluating others' arguments and constructing effective arguments yourself.

This course meets a general education writing/speaking skills requirement (GWS). Taught by Jamie Barber.

L ST 097S Library Logistics (1 credit) Section 001 (18 seats)
Wednesdays, 1:25-2:15 p.m., 211A W PATTEE

This course will investigate the Libraries’ physical facility and online resources as a single, holistic learning lab, and engage students by providing hands-on experience in how to conduct research across the disciplines and in all formats. Students will develop and use several cutting-edge communications tools to communicate, including blogs, postcasts, and personal portal. By the end of the course, students will be able to create and conduct research projects, and integrate their findings into outstanding papers and presentations in a variety of media.

This course is a First-Year Seminar. Taught by Pattee Librarians, Anne Behler, Daniel Mack, and Emily Rimland.

"This is a great class! I learned so much about the library and its resources. When it came time for me to do research for my classes, I knew exactly where to go and how to get the information I needed. The instructors really make class fun and low-stress. Take it—you'll be glad you did!" ~ Patty
"My Library Studies class gave me the opportunity to downsize an overwhelming amount of choices into a clear path for research. I am sure I will use what I learned from this course throughout my career at Penn State." ~ Stephen

PSYCH 100 (GS) Introductory Psychology (3 credits) Section 004 (15 seats)
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 10:10-11:00 a.m., 102 FORUM

Psychology is a scholarly discipline, a scientific field, and a professional activity. Its overall focus is the scientific study of behavior and experience, and of associated mental and physiological processes. As a scholarly discipline, psychology represents a major field of study in academic settings, with an emphasis on theories and principles of behavior and experience. As a science, psychology is a domain of research in which investigators analytically and systematically study behavior and experience to develop theories and principles and to understand their application to real-world situations. As a profession, psychology involves the practical application of knowledge, skills, and techniques for enhancing well-being and quality of life, as well as solving or preventing individual and social problems. This course provides an overview of the field of psychology, including research, theory, and application. Specific topics include the biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, learning, cognition, motivation and emotion, development, social cognition and social influence, personality and individual differences, and mental disorders and therapy. Content is presented through a combination of lectures, readings, and demonstrations. Evaluation is primarily on the basis of objective exams given in class. A major goal of the course is to show how questions within these areas are addressed through empirical research. The course introduces students to theories, research, and procedures used in psychological research and practice. It also promotes thinking about how students can apply this knowledge to enhance their lives. After taking this course students should be able to make more informed decisions about participating in future psychology courses and have a better understanding of psychology as a science and of human behavior. This course serves as a prerequisite for most upper-level psychology courses. It introduces basic concepts covered in more depth in those courses. Taught by Andrew Peck.

“This class is worth going to, even at 8 a.m. Andrew Peck is the best teacher I’ve had so far at Penn State! He makes the learning really fun.” ~ Ryan

SOC 001 (GS) Introduction to Sociology (3 credits) Section 003 (10 seats)
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 3:35-4:25 p.m., 10 SPARKS

Introductory Sociology provides perspectives and information useful in understanding all societies. The major theories (functionalism, conflict, and symbolic interactionism) and concepts provide the foundation upon which the remaining material rests. Learning how sociologists do research provides the tools for understanding the production of knowledge and for evaluating the validity of sociological assertions. Familiarity with systematic theorizing and conceptual development, along with some comprehension of the nature of the scientific method as it is applied in sociology, enhances critical reasoning. To promote a more complete understanding of human social life, both in its inherent constraints and in the opportunities it provides; the nature and reality of culture and social structure are explored. The study of socialization provides perspectives on how one becomes a member of society. Exploring social interaction adds insight into the formation of the social self and the salience of group identities and norms. Ending this first section with a discussion of social control highlights the forces of stability and change in society.

The course then progresses to considerations of social stratification and inequality. The nature of privilege and oppression are discussed and considered in the specific contexts of race, ethnicity, gender, and age. The focus then shifts to social institutions. The essential work of society is accomplished via its major institutions: family, education, health care, economy and work, religion, and politics. Applying theoretical perspectives to the form and function of these institutions enhances an understanding of how different social structures provide varying constraints and opportunities to their inhabitants. Finally, considering large-scale forces for change provides a platform to comprehend where human societies have been, are now, and might be headed.

Throughout the course, the lectures as well as the textbook draw amply on cross-cultural and cross-national material. In addition, the course emphasizes the complexity of human social life and describes the many variables (social structural, cultural, interpersonal, and psychological) that influence behavior. A special component of the course deals with topics pertinent to the social behavior and norms of students of the ages typically taking this course. Depending on the faculty member, these topics could include sexual behavior, alcohol use, and problems in interpersonal relationships.

Discussion and questions are encouraged. This course may include group research projects, debates, and library or internet-based research. Writing assignments, along with in-class examinations, are required.

This course meets a general education requirement in the social and behavioral sciences. Taught by Samuel Richards.

SOC 005 (GS) Social Problems (3 credits) Section 001 (10 seats)
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:15-5:30 p.m., 111 FORUM

This course is designed to introduce students to the main societal issues facing humanity at the present time and in the foreseeable future. Although the course examines a number of social issues in the United States (such as crime and poverty), the course generally takes an international and inter-cultural perspective. The primary social issues that affect individuals and their children today are global, rather than national, in scope. For this reason, globalization is a recurring theme in the course.

Discussion and questions are encouraged in all sections. Assessment is based partly on objective and short-answer tests taken in class, including a final examination. All sections also include writing assignments that involve either library or Internet research. For example, in one commonly used assignment, students write a paper describing and analyzing a serious social problem in some country other than the United States, such as Ireland, Egypt, New Zealand, Ethiopia, Argentina, or Indonesia. An alternative writing assignment requires that students investigate and describe a local problem in Centre County. Another variation requires students to research the views of other students and groups on campus and compose a letter to the Penn State university president about an issue or problem on campus involving student behavior.

SOC 005 provides excellent preparation for most upper-level sociology courses. Because this course introduces students to social problems that will confront their generation in the near future, it also is relevant to other majors and disciplines, such as political science, economics, and health and human development.

This course meets a general education requirement in the social and behavioral sciences. Taught by Frank Clemente.


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