An FYI course provides an "innovative learning environment that stresses mastery of fundamentals, intellectual discipline, creativity, problem solving, and responsibility.".…NC State University Mission Statement

FYI Fall 1999 Course Offerings

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What is Chemistry and why should it concern me? What are chemicals...where do I find them...why can't I exist without them?
   Chemistry 100 is designed to offer students an introduction to a science that is almost invisible. We can't see atoms with our unaided eyes, yet we're made of them. We'll ask and investigate questions like: Why do atoms combine? What happens when they do? We'll look at the language of chemistry. We'll examine the role of chemicals in everyday life and why we can't live without them. We'll also attempt to put into perspective the ideas behind chemical toxicity and an appreciation of what words like "poison" and "toxic" mean.

General Education Requirement Fulfilled - Natural Science

What were the major movements in the founding of the United States from before the conquest through the Civil War? How did the literary works of this era - the political documents, the fiction, drama, poetry, and nonfiction prose - reflect and influence the shaping of our nation?
........The study of American history linked with English composition through these two courses offers an unusual opportunity for first year students. Students in English 113 write about a variety of challenging texts. Assignments include both formal papers and informal responses to literature, historical documents, films, and painting, with formal assignments on expository and argumentative writing for academic audiences. (To be eligible for English 113 students must have an SAT verbal score of at least 670 or an AP score of 4.) History 251 covers events in the founding of the United States from before the conquests through the Civil War and the six major themes: the clash and mix of cultures in the colonial period; the generation of an “American” consciousness; federalism and democracy in national politics; expansion and immigration; and racial and sectional division.
The two classes meet consecutively with both professors participating. Interested students must register for both classes.

General Education Requirement Fulfilled - (HI 251) Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) - History; (ENG 113) 6 cr. of English Comp. (English 113 combines credit for English 111 and 112; to be eligible for 113, students must have an SAT verbal of 670 or AP English score of 4)

Does viewing television increase a child’s aggression? Are there valid psychological reasons for physician-assisted suicide? Is marriage psychologically beneficial?
....... We live in a complex world where the problems we encounter and the decisions we must make often deal with complex psychological issues. One purpose of this course is to introduce students to a number of contemporary topics in order to illustrate how psychologists address these controversies. Clearly, there are no easy answers to many of the dilemmas we will investigate.

Special Topics in Multidisciplinary Studies:   Eating Through American History”  
MDS 295C-005 ......T TH1:05 - 2:20
Dr. Sarah Ash 

What’s so American about apple pie? Why do meat and potatoes characterize our national cuisine? How can it be that we are the most weight-obsessed, but also among the most overweight societies in the world? What are the forces, cultural as well as scientific, that have shaped our eating behaviors, attitudes towards food and food preferences since the early 1900’s?
.......Yes, food can be academic! This class will explore these questions through examining the influence of scientific discovery on food preparation, preference and nutrition; how immigrants have affected the American palate; how religions, family tradition and personal experiences have shaped eating attitudes and behaviors; and the unique roles that women have played as disseminators (home economists) and recipients (homemakers as well as constant weight watchers) of dietary information In addition to a wide array of course readings, there will be opportunities for experiencing food from other cultures, evaluating the role of eating and / or the use of food in books, movies, artwork, and the incorporation of students’ own experiences, along with those of their parents, grandparents, and other relatives, into class discussions and projects.

General Education Requirement Fulfilled - Science, Technology and Society (STS)

What happens when technology developed in connection with one culture’s values and goals is exported into a culture with very different goals?
...... In this course students will work on this question by studying the interrelation of science and technology with values and asking about the values that have evoked and supported the development of Euro-American technology. Students will read some critics of American values then will make several case studies by exploring technology and asking about the generic issues that the cases have in common. Examples are hydro-electric installations in the Himalayas (making rock music possible for the first time there), crop science in Egypt, and information technology transfer. Students will also be asked to think about technology that has been imported into their lives and its relationship with their own values.

General Education Requirement Fulfilled - Science, Technology and Society (STS)

At the juncture of a new millennium, where are we as a global community on issues of science, technology and human values? Where and how have we progressed or digressed as a human culture? How have scientific and technological developments affected our views of life and meaning? What is the role of the University in the interface of science, technology and human values?
........ The class will also take a critical look at the literary and social hype about the millennium, examining futuristic views from decades past through today. A major source for answering questions will be exploration of research and development at NC State in the areas of science and technology. Through interviews and visits with campus professionals, students will receive a secondary benefit of being introduced to the array of disciplines and research available for their own study as students on this campus.

General Education Requirement Fulfilled- Science, Technology and Society (STS)

"The Important Thing Is To Not Stop Questioning" …Albert Einstein

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