Cultural History of Technology, Spring 2005

Abstract:: The subject of this course is the historical process by which the meaning of "technology" has been constructed. Although the word itself is traceable to the ancient Greek root teckhne (meaning art), it did not enter the English language until the 17th century, and did not acquire its current meaning until after World War I. The aim of the course, then, is to explore various sectors of industrializing 19th and 20th century Western society and culture with a view to explaining and assessing the emergence of technology as a pivotal word (and concept) in contemporary (especially Anglo-American) thought and expression.

Historical Introduction to Philosophy

Abstract:: This course covers the following topics: an introduction to philosophy; philosophy of religion; epistemology; the philosophy of mind; free-will and determinism; ethics and metaphysics.

Abstract:: The course has two goals. First, to give you a sense of what philosophers think about and why. Here we look at a number of perennial philosophical problems, including some or all of: how knowledge differs from "mere opinion," the objectivity (or not) of moral judgment, logical paradoxes, mind/body relations, the nature and possibility of free will, and how a person remains the same over time, as their bodily and psychological traits change. The second goal is to get you thinking philosophically yourself. This will help you develop your critical and argumentative skills more generally. Readings will be from late, great classical authors and influential contemporary figures.

Read the Fine Print

Abstract:: Psychotherapy refers to the practices clinical psychologists use to treat mental disorders. While 'therapy' can denote any intervention undertaken with the goal of healing someone (including medicinal treatments for physical problems), psychotherapy is specific in that it uses certain cognitive, behavioral, and emotional regulation techniques. Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to: Define psychotherapy and describe the historical development of its practice; Identify the qualities most useful in a psychotherapist; Discuss the different ways in which psychotherapy affects both patient/client and counselor/therapist; Describe how each theory/therapy conceptualizes a) human nature, b) psychopathology, and c) the therapeutic change process; Identify the major therapeutic techniques used to promote change in each type of therapy; Compare and contrast individual theories/therapies with family theories/therapies; Describe a) the important historical figures associated with each theory and b) the historical context in which the theory emerged.