Classes to consider

Ruth Forsdyke is teaching a new class this term, the Economics of Global Warming. (Photo illustration Danny Abriel)

One of the most stubborn arguments against doing something to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is that it’s just too expensive. To which Ruth Forsdyke, an environmental economist, responds it’s too expensive not to do anything.

In the new second-year class Economics of Global Warming (ECON 2216), students will examine policies such as carbon taxes, “cap and trade,” strengthening technological standards and creating incentives to create green products and develop renewable energy sources.

“It’s just such an important topic right now that the time was right for this class,” says Dr. Forsdyke, assistant professor in the Dept. of Economics. “With Al Gore’s movie and the Nobel Prize, hopefully we’ll see a broad attitudinal shift.”

Other classes new to Dalhousie’s course calendars include:

The Politics of Reform in 20th Century America (HIST 2333): Students will take the part of Democrats or Republicans elected to the American Senate to debate issues including social security, the equal rights amendment and immigration reform. “The structure of the class provides a wonderful opportunity for students to learn more about the American political system and have fun,” says Sarah-Jane Corke, assistant professor of history. Besides participating in Senatorial debate, students are expected to complete four assignments, a bibliographical essay, and personal independent project.

Law & Religion (LAWS 2210): Diana Ginn, associate professor with Dalhousie Law School, will teach this upper-year seminar class which focuses on the relationship between law and religion in a secular, multi-faith society. Issues to be discussed include the use of religious reasoning in public discourse and law-making.

The Confessions in Latin (CLAS 4070/5070): This is a small class for upper-level undergrad and graduate students which delves into St. Augustine’s Confessions, one of the most influential and most innovative works of Latin literature. “Augustine appeals to students interested in philosophy, theology and literature,” says Michael Fournier, assistant professor in the Department of Classics. “He was a teacher of rhetoric before becoming a bishop and he very consciously crafted this work in Latin.” Students will delve into scholarship on the text, make presentations to the class and are expected to complete a major paper.

Evolution of Spanish (SPAN 3095): This class offers a panoramic study of the evolution of spoken Latin into modern Spanish (no prior knowledge of Latin required). Topics covered will include: the major historical events that influenced the evolution of the language, including phonological, morphological, syntactic and semantic changes. The class, a lecture and discussion format conducted in Spanish, will be taught by Donna Rogers, professor and chair of the Department of Spanish. 

Pollution Prevention (ENVS 3301): In this new class offered through the Environmental Programs Department, students will examine how the concept of sustainability can be incorporated into projects and focuses on the practical applications of pollution prevention techniques. Students can expect a hands-on course, with group work, student presentations, guest speakers, independent research and at least one field trip. The class has been created by instructor Janis Rod in response to issues raised by students in another class she teaches, Environmental Site Assessment (ENVS 3300). “Strictly speaking, pollution prevention is changing inputs or processes to minimize environmental impact,” she says. “This is opposed to an ‘end of pipe’ treatment of wastes which is more common in industry.”

Certificate in Small Business Creation: Dalhousie’s College of Continuing Education is offering this new intense program, scheduled over 14 weekends and spanning 10 months. The certificate program will explore all aspects of business creation, including marketing, budgeting, human resources and legal issues. One-on-one counseling is also offered. The goal of the program is for entrepreneurs to create a solid business plan “that you can take to the bank,” says Debbie Gordon, director of small business programs at the College of Continuing Education. She says the program will appeal to aspiring entrepreneurs, employees who have been downsized or who have taken early retirement and the hobbyist who wants to step into a new career.

Embodying the Body: The Human Body for Anatomists and Humanists (ANAT 5555)/ (SOSA 4211): Do you think transsexuals be allowed to compete in elite sports? Should Siamese twins be separated if they’re too young to give consent? Would you have a problem going to see Body Worlds, the anatomical exhibition which displays real human bodies that have been plasticized?

These are some of the thorny questions Richard Wassersug expects to pose in the new class he’s developed with Eileen McKay, a pediatric pathologist at the IWK Health Centre. Presented in a lecture format, the class is cross-listed as a graduate-level course in the Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology and as an undergraduate class in the Department of Sociology & Social Anthropology. The class will also have a lab component, with anatomical demonstrations and some dissection.

SEE ALSO: Africentric Perspectives for Social Work | Dalhousie's Undergraduate Calendar