Emory undergraduates are enjoying a range of spring semester course offerings enhanced by the faculty expertise and campus resources of a major research university.
A sampling of spring college courses shows how faculty integrate Emory's specialties into the curriculum and emphasize teaching, primary research and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
- Biology and Psychology: Primate Social Psychology
- College Seminars: iSearch and Going Viral
- Jewish Studies, History and Religion: Genocide & the Law: Holocaust
- Political Science: Southern Politics
- Psychology: Autism Spectrum Disorders
To pursue more armchair learning, check out the Emory College of Arts and Sciences course atlas online.
Primate Social Psychology
Instructor: Frans B. de Waal, Director of the Living Links Center at Yerkes and C.H. Candler Professor of Psychology
Related campus resource: Yerkes National Primate Research Center
Following a general introduction to primatology, this course covers recent progress in the growing field of primate social behavior. Topics range from aggression and dominance (e.g., warfare and power politics among chimpanzees) to affiliation, sex, and peaceful coexistence (e.g., parental behavior, behavioral sex differences, conflict resolution). Parallels with human behavior will be discussed. The syllabus includes two books by de Waal, "Chimpanzee Politics" and "Tree of Origin."
Frans de Waal is an internationally renowned primatologist. He was named one of TIME Magazine's Top 100 Most Influential People in 2007.
iSearch and Going Viral
Instructor: David Lynn, Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Chemistry & Biology
Related campus resource: Emory's Center for Interactive Teaching
The seminar iSearching will use the latest "apps" to explore the most recent academic findings and discoveries made across many disciplines at Emory University through interactive demonstrations, excursions and discussions. The seminar Going Viral will use readings, discussions, student surveys, laboratory demonstrations and outdoor experiments to explore how infectious diseases, ideas and politics shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Each class engages Teacher-Scholars making these discoveries to mentor each student toward their own path of discovery beyond Emory.
David Lynn is an American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor.
Genocide & the Law: Holocaust
Instructor: Deborah Lipstadt, Dorot Professor of Modern Jewish History and Holocaust Studies
Related campus resource: The Tam Institute for Jewish Studies
At the Nuremberg Trials in 1945, the concept of “crimes against humanity” had been introduced. How did subsequent trials relating to the Holocaust deal with this issue? For research projects, students will be able to examine more recent examples, such as the Truth and Reconciliation commissions in South Africa and the International Criminal Court. The syllabus includes Lipstadt's book, "The Eichmann Trial."
Deborah Lipstadt is the author of several books, including "History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier." U.S. President Barack Obama appointed her to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council.
Southern Politics
Instructor: Merle Black, Asa G. Candler Professor of Politics and Government, Political Science
Related campus resource: Emory Experts
This course analyzes the growth of two-party, competitive politics in the largest region of the United States. To understand these challenges, this course analyses the civil rights movement, the rise of a college-educated middle class, the continuing importance of religion, and the increasing social/ethnic diversity of the southern population. The syllabus includes books Merle Black wrote with his brother Earl Black, "The Rise of Southern Republicans" and "Politics and Society in the South."
Merle Black is a renowned expert on national politics and the foremost authority on politics in the South.
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Instructors: Celine Saulnier, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine; and Ami Klin, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine
Related campus resource: Marcus Autism Center
This seminar will provide a comprehensive overview of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and feature guest lectures by clinical and research faculty and the Marcus Autism Center, an NIH Autism Center of Excellence adjacent to campus, as well as invited autism experts. Students will receive direct experience with individuals with ASD through supervised clinical practicum placements at the Marcus Autism Center.
Ami Klin is Director of the Marcus Autism Center; Celine Saulnier is the center's Clinical Director for Research.