Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Academic Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Descriptions


Course Numbering System

The following lists include all courses normally offered at Albion College. However, not all courses are offered every year. When possible, courses offered in alternate years are designated. For details, students should consult the Class Schedule for each semester, available online at: www.albion.edu/registrar. The College reserves the right to add or withdraw courses without prior announcement, as conditions may require.

Unless otherwise stated, 100 level courses are intended for freshmen, 200 level for sophomores, 300 and 400 level for juniors and seniors.

A list of courses which meet the core and category requirements, organized by departments, is available online at www.albion.edu/registrar.

Further information may be obtained at the Registrar’s Office in the Ferguson Student, Technology, and Administrative Services Building.

 

Art and Art History: Art History

  
  • ARTH 310: Women and Art


    (1 Unit)
    Examines the roles women have played as creators, subjects, patrons and critics of art through history. Special emphasis will be placed on theories of the social construction of gender through art in all periods and on responses of contemporary women artists to such constructions. Wickre.
  
  • ARTH 311: Art as Political Action


    (1 Unit)
    Examines art that invites or encourages social awareness and/or action. Includes studies of “high art” media, such as photography, painting and sculpture, and non-traditional art forms including performance art, public murals, crafts, environmental art and others. Thematically arranged around politicized issues such as race, rape and domestic violence, concepts of the body, pacifism and war, poverty, illness and AIDS. The course begins with political movements that relied heavily on visual images to achieve their purposes. Wickre.
  
  • ARTH 312: Race and Its Representation in American Art


    (1 Unit)
    Examines representations of individuals and groups who traditionally have been viewed as “others”: African Americans, Native Americans, Asians and Chicanos/Chicanas as contrasted with images of members of the dominant culture. Considers how visual art has served to reflect social conditions and situations and to construct identities for all ethnic groups in the American psyche. Wickre.
  
  • ARTH 313: History of Prints


    (1 Unit)
    Focuses on how artists have used the forms and techniques of printmaking to express themselves visually from the fifteenth century to the present. The course uses three approaches: (1) art history lectures and discussions based on readings; (2) connoisseurship in studying prints from the College’s permanent collection; and (3) practical application in producing prints in some of the major printmaking techniques. Students will begin to understand how the potential and limitations of various traditional techniques enable particular types of visual communication. Emphasis is placed on student-facilitated learning, exploration, discovery and collaborative processes. Wickre, McCauley.
  
  • ARTH 314: Art of Rome


    (1 Unit)
    A survey of the history of Roman art and architecture with a specific focus on Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire, from the sixth century B.C. to the fourth century A.D. Subjects include the major buildings and monuments of Rome, monumental relief sculpture, portrait sculpture, and paintings in the private homes of wealthy aristocrats. Principal themes cover the form and function of buildings, the role of narrative in relief sculpture, image-making in portraits, and the problems of defining style in house painting. Staff.
  
  • ARTH 315: Earth, Art, and the Environment


    (1 Unit)
    Examines American (U.S.) and European art and architecture that interacts with the environment and calls attention to the benefits and consequences of human interaction with the environment in a national and global context. Focuses on art, architecture and design projects produced from 1960 to the present and materials that set the context for artistic concerns about the environment beginning in the nineteenth century. Wickre.
  
  • ARTH 317: Art and Theory


    (1 Unit)
    Introduces students to a variety of methods used to interpret works of art. Examines the specialized literature of art history from the sixteenth century to the present. Theories and methods will be applied to art from all periods. Wickre.
  
  • ARTH 320: Feminist Art


    (1 Unit)
    The 1970s Feminist Art Movement introduced to the art world a revolution in attitudes and practices. The significant reverberations of that movement are felt to the present. Covers the social context, causes and effects, and major players in the Feminist Art Movement as well as its continuing impact. Wickre.
  
  • ARTH 326: Issues in Contemporary Art


    (1 Unit)
    Examines issues, theory and art from the 1960s to the present, from the standpoint of theory, practice and the objects produced. Focuses on painting, sculpture, and new media from around the world and emphasizes critical reading, writing, and discussion. Wickre.
  
  • ARTH 328: Encounters: Indian Art


    (1 Unit)
    Examines the encounters between Europeans who came to North America in the fifteenth century and the indigenous people they met when they arrived. Begins with an exploration of North American populations before contact and traces the intersections of peoples through the nineteenth century. Wickre.
  
  • ARTH 329: Art of Constantinople


    (1 Unit)
    A survey of the art and architecture of late antiquity and Byzantium with a special focus on Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire from 330 A.D. to 1453. Covers themes including the inheritance and transformation of the classical tradition; empire-building and the urban development of Constantinople; the arts of the capital as they relate to the empire’s provinces; developments in Byzantine church architecture; and the form and function of portable religious and luxury arts. Considers the design, technique, patronage and reception of Byzantine works of both monumental and portable arts, including the meaning and significance of sacred and secular spaces in urban civic and religious ceremonials. Staff.

Art and Art History: Special Studies

  
  • ART 187: Selected Topics


    (1/4 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  
  • ART 188: Selected Topics


    (1/2 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  
  • ART 189: Selected Topics


    (1 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  
  • ART 287: Selected Topics


    (1/4 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  
  • ART 288: Selected Topics


    (1/2 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  
  • ART 289: Selected Topics


    (1 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  
  • ART 387: Selected Topics


    (1/4 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  
  • ART 388: Selected Topics


    (1/2 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  
  • ART 389: Selected Topics


    (1 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  
  • ART 391: Internship


    (1/2 Unit)
    Offered on a credit/no credit basis. Staff.
  
  • ART 392: Internship


    (1 Unit)
    Offered on a credit/no credit basis. Staff.
  
  • ART 401: Seminar


    (1/2 Unit)
    Staff.
  
  • ART 402: Seminar


    (1 Unit)
    Staff.
  
  • ART 411: Directed Study


    (1/2 Unit)
    Staff.
  
  • ART 412: Directed Study


    (1 Unit)
    Staff.
  
  • ARTH 187: Selected Topics


    (1/4 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses.
  
  • ARTH 188: Selected Topics


    (1/2 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses.
  
  • ARTH 189: Selected Topics


    (1 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses.
  
  • ARTH 287: Selected Topics


    (1/4 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses.
  
  • ARTH 288: Selected Topics


    (1/2 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses.
  
  • ARTH 289: Selected Topics


    (1 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses.
  
  • ARTH 387: Selected Topics


    (1 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses.
  
  • ARTH 388: Selected Topics


    (1/2 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses.
  
  • ARTH 389: Selected Topics


    (1 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses.
  
  • ARTH 391: Internship


    (1/2/ Unit)
    Offered on a credit/no credit basis.
  
  • ARTH 392: Internship


    (1 Unit)
    Offered on a credit/no credit basis.
  
  • ARTH 401: Seminar


    (1/2 Unit)
  
  • ARTH 402: Seminar


    (1 Unit)
  
  • ARTH 411: Directed Study


    (1/2 Unit)
  
  • ARTH 412: Directed Study


    (1 Unit)

Biology

The courses listed below count toward the biology major or minors unless otherwise noted. Some courses in the department are offered in alternate years and are so designated below. Please consult with the instructor or with the Class Schedule, available online or at the Registrar’s Office, to determine when a course will next be offered.

  
  • BIOL 187: Selected Topics


    (1/4 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  
  • BIOL 188: Selected Topics


    (1/2 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  
  • BIOL 189: Selected Topics


    (1 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  
  • BIOL 195: Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity


    (1 Unit)
    Focuses on whole organisms and their evolutionary and ecological relationships. Evolutionary processes, biological diversity, conservation biology and human impacts on ecology and biodiversity are major themes. Skills introduced are hypothesis testing, experimental design, use of primary literature in writing assignments and basic statistics. Lecture and laboratory. Staff.
  
  • BIOL 206: Tropical Forest and Reef Biology


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisites: BIOL 195  and permission of instructors.
    An introduction to rain forests, mangrove islands and coral reefs of the neotropics. Students meet weekly throughout the semester and must spend spring break in Belize, Central America, where intensive field trips and individual projects are conducted. Counts as an elective toward the biology major, but does not satisfy the field work or seminar requirements Lecture/discussion. Lecture/discussion. Offered in alternate years. Team-taught.
  
  • BIOL 207: Biology of Subtropical Florida


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 195  and permission of instructors.
    An introduction to the ecosystems of subtropical Florida. Students meet weekly throughout the semester and must spend spring break in Florida, where intensive field trips and individual projects are conducted. Counts as an elective toward the biology major, but does not satisfy the field work or seminar requirements. Lecture/discussion. Offered in alternate years. Team-taught.
  
  • BIOL 210: Cell and Molecular Biology


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 195 . Prerequisite or corequisite: CHEM 121 .
    Focuses on organisms at the cellular and molecular levels, including biological chemistry, bioenergetics and metabolism, Mendelian and molecular genetics, cellular communication and the molecular control of the cell cycle. Builds upon skills from BIOL 195  to expand abilities in hypothesis testing and experimental design to produce an individual research paper, and to carry out more advanced statistical analyses. Lecture and laboratory. Staff.
  
  • BIOL 211: Sophomore Research


    (1/2 Unit)
    Prerequisites: Sophomore standing and invitation of instructor.
    Independent research projects for invited sophomores. Staff.
  
  • BIOL 215: Aquatic Botany


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 195 .
    A study of representative algae, aquatic fungi and bryophytes, emphasizing the relationships of structure and function. Reproductive strategies and environmental physiology are discussed. Taxonomy is based upon current hypotheses of evolutionary relationships. Lecture and laboratory. Offered in alternate years. Schmitter.
  
  • BIOL 216: Vascular Plants


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 195 .
    Morphology, taxonomy and distribution of vascular plants. Representatives of local flora receive special attention in laboratory and field studies. Lecture and laboratory. Skean.
  
  • BIOL 225: Invertebrate Zoology


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 195 .
    Field-oriented course emphasizing evolution, classification, ecology, behavior and natural history of invertebrate animals. Class involves field trips and use of the Whitehouse Nature Center. Lecture and laboratory. Cahill.
  
  • BIOL 227: Vertebrate Zoology


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 195 .
    Classification, behavior, ecology and evolution of the vertebrates. Mammals and birds are emphasized more than other groups. Lecture and laboratory. Kennedy.
  
  • BIOL 237: Ecology


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 195 .
    A study of interactions between organisms and their environment including adaptation, competition, parasitism, population and community dynamics and the ecosystem concept. Class involves field trips and use of the Whitehouse Nature Center. Lecture and laboratory. Lyons-Sobaski.
  
  • BIOL 240: Conservation Biology


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 195 .
    Presents concepts and issues concerning the causes and consequences of the loss of biodiversity. Emphasizes the science of conservation biology including the evolutionary potential of populations and species, as well as the history of the field, international efforts to conserve species, and the current status of policies such as the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Includes a conservation-related outreach project. Lyons-Sobaski.
  
  • BIOL 248: Ornithology


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 195 .
    The biology of birds with emphasis on evolution, behavior, ecology and conservation. Field experience in identification, population studies, bird banding, song recording and analysis, and carrying out a research project. Students will learn to critically evaluate the ornithological literature. Lecture and laboratory. Kennedy.
  
  • BIOL 287: Selected Topics


    (1/4 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 195 .
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  
  • BIOL 288: Selected Topics


    (1/2 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 195 .
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  
  • BIOL 289: Selected Topics


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 195 .
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  
  • BIOL 300: Genetics


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 210 .
    Not open to students who have completed Biology 317. Mechanisms of inheritance and of gene structure and function in living organisms. Both classical and molecular genetics are considered as they relate to function. Staff.
  
  • BIOL 301: Cell Biology


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 300  or permission of instructor.
    An in-depth investigation of biological systems at the cellular, subcellular and molecular levels. Studies of a variety of cell types and energy relations within cells. Lecture emphasizes metabolism, metabolic regulation and cellular diversity. Laboratory emphasizes measurement and analysis of subcellular features. Schmitter.
  
  • BIOL 309: Vertebrate Paleontology


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: GEOL 103  or BIOL 195 .
    Must be taken as Biology 309 for credit toward the major. Lecture and laboratory. Same as GEOL 309 . Bartels.
  
  • BIOL 310: Evolution


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 300  or permission of instructor.
    A study of the course and processes of organic evolution. Topics include the history of ideas of evolution, population genetics, population ecology, speciation, adaptation, coevolution, evolutionary rates, evolutionary convergences, mass extinctions and biogeography. Lecture and laboratory. Offered in alternate years. McCurdy.
  
  • BIOL 312: Genetics Laboratory


    (1/2 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 300  Genetics Project-based laboratory course that will introduce students to general techniques in genetics.
    Under faculty guidance, students will design and carry out their own experiments, read primary literature, and present results in written and oral format. Staff.
  
  • BIOL 314: Comparative Anatomy


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 300  or permission of instructor.
    Comparative anatomical study of vertebrate organ systems, their development and evolution. Lecture and laboratory. Kennedy.
  
  • BIOL 321: Medical Microanatomy


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 300  or permission of instructor.
    Microanatomy of primate cells and tissues as depicted by light and electron microscopy. Relationships of structure and function are stressed, as are medical conditions resulting from cell or tissue damage. Lecture and laboratory. Schmitter.
  
  • BIOL 324: Developmental Biology


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 300  or permission of instructor.
    The genetic, molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying early development of multicellular organisms. Potential topics include fertilization and early development, gene regulation during development, neural pathfinding, cell signaling, cell division and growth, organogenesis, limb development, metamorphosis, regeneration, sex determination, the evolution of development, genomics, and stem cell research. Lecture and laboratory. Albertson.
  
  • BIOL 332: Microbiology


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 300  or permission of instructor; CHEM 211  recommended.
    Introduction to the microbial world. Explores the morphology, physiology, genetics and diversity of microorganisms. Stresses the relationships among microbes and other organisms, including humans. Lecture and laboratory. Olapade.
  
  • BIOL 337: Biochemistry


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisites: CHEM 211 ; and BIOL 300  or CHEM 212 ; or permission of instructor.
    Must be taken as Biology 337 for credit toward the major. Lecture. Same as CHEM 337 . Staff.
  
  • BIOL 341: Physiology


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 300  or permission of instructor; CHEM 211  recommended.
    A study of the function of living organisms. Each physiological system is examined at the molecular, cellular, and tissue level. Particular focus is given to how each system is regulated and the interplay between systems. Lecture and laboratory. Rabquer.
  
  • BIOL 362: Molecular Biology


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 300  or permission of instructor; CHEM 211  recommended.
    The theory and practice of modern molecular genetics will be explored. Techniques potentially considered include: DNA cloning, DNA hybridization, the polymerase chain reaction, DNA sequencing, and the expression of cloned genes in bacteria. Lecture/discussion and laboratory. Offered in alternate years. Saville.
  
  • BIOL 365: Environmental Microbiology


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 300  or permission of instructor.
    Microbes in action: bioremediation, biodegradation, cycling of nutrients and energy flow, biopesticides and phytopathogens, spread of antibiotic resistance, molecular ecology of infectious diseases, microbial symbionts and extremophiles. Explores these and other topics through discussions, field trips and experimental work. Lecture and laboratory. Offered in alternate years. Olapade.
  
  • BIOL 367: Virology


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 300  or permission of instructor.
    Are viruses living organisms or not? Addresses this and many more questions in molecular architecture, replication strategies, transmission modes, pathogenicity, carcinogenicity and usefulness of viruses. Lecture and discussion. Offered in alternate years. Olapade.
  
  • BIOL 368: Behavioral Ecology


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 300  or permission of instructor.
    Patterns and functions of behavior examined from an ecological-evolutionary perspective. Topics include history of animal behavior, behavioral genetics, habitat selection, foraging, antipredator behavior, cooperation and altruism, communication, sexual selection, mating systems, parental behavior and optimality models. Independent field studies of living animals. Lecture and laboratory. Offered in alternate years. Staff.
  
  • BIOL 369: Population Genetics


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 300  or permission of instructor.
    An introduction to population genetics, the study of gene frequencies and selection pressures within natural or managed populations. Topics include understanding concepts of genetic variation, recombination, linkage disequilibrium, selection, gene flow, genetic drift and mutation, as well as quantitative genetics. Lyons-Sobaski.
  
  • BIOL 371: Pathophysiology


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisites: BIOL 210 , CHEM 121 ; CHEM 211  recommended.
    Develops an understanding of the physiological basis of disease. Relates changes in function that contribute to disease states in otherwise normally functioning physiological systems. Presents the functional anatomy and physiological basis of “healthy” human systems in a normal state, and then examines compromises that result from disease states. Intended for students planning to pursue post-graduate studies in programs such as nursing, physician assistant, physical therapy and medicine. Rabquer.
  
  • BIOL 372: Immunology


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisites: BIOL 300  or permission of instructor.
    A study of the immune system. Explores innate, humoral, and cellular immune responses, and the application of immunity in health and disease through the study of scientific literature, student presentations, and project-based learning. Lecture. Rabquer.
  
  • BIOL 387: Selected Topics


    (1/4 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 300  or permission of instructor.
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  
  • BIOL 388: Selected Topics


    (1/2 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 300  or permission of instructor.
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  
  • BIOL 389: Selected Topics


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BIOL 300  or permission of instructor.
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  
  • BIOL 391: Internship


    (1/2 Unit)
    Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing and permission of department.
    No more than one unit may be counted toward the major. Offered on a credit/no credit basis. Staff.
  
  • BIOL 392: Internship


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing and permission of department.
    No more than one unit may be counted toward the major. Offered on a credit/no credit basis. Staff.
  
  • BIOL 401: Seminar


    (1/2 Unit)
    Prerequisites: BIOL 300  and junior or senior standing, or permission of instructor.
    Topics in diverse areas of biology. Recent topics have included genes and cancer, literature and medicine, conservation biology, and biology of sharks and their relatives. Discussion. Staff.
  
  • BIOL 402: Seminar


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisites: BIOL 300  and junior or senior standing, or permission of instructor.
    Topics in diverse areas of biology. Recent topics have included genes and cancer, literature and medicine, conservation biology, and biology of sharks and their relatives. Discussion. Staff.
  
  • BIOL 411: Directed Study


    (1/2 Unit)
    Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing and approval by both the faculty sponsor and department chair of a research proposal prior to registration.
    Independent research by an individual student under the direction of a staff member. A detailed summary research paper or other appropriate evidence is required at the end of the work. Normally offered on a credit/no credit basis. Staff.
  
  • BIOL 412: Directed Study


    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing and approval by both the faculty sponsor and department chair of a research proposal prior to registration.
    Independent research by an individual student under the direction of a staff member. A detailed summary research paper or other appropriate evidence is required at the end of the work. Normally offered on a credit/no credit basis. Staff.

Business and Organizations

  
  • BUS 111: Gerstacker Leadership Workshop


    (1/4 Unit)
    Explores issues faced by a wide variety of professions—from medicine to professional sports. Considers common models of strategic thinking and theory. Includes professional writing exercises and the use of Excel as an analytical tool. Students complete a final project showcasing the application of the theories and common business themes presented in the course. Required for all students who wish to pursue a business and organizations major or minor.
  
  • BUS 187: Selected Topics


    (1/4 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  
  • BUS 188: Selected Topics


    (1/2 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  
  • BUS 189: Selected Topics


    (1 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  
  • BUS 287: Selected Topics


    (1/4 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  
  • BUS 288: Selected Topics


    (1/2 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  
  • BUS 289: Selected Topics


    (1 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  
  • BUS 351: International Entrepreneurial Exchange


    (1 Unit)
    Students work in collaboration with graduate students attending a business school in France to theoretically create a service or product to launch in the United States. After traveling to France for 1 week in October to meet their team and create a foundation for their project, students will return to the US to conduct market research, consider legal issues in creating a business, and look at financial strategy and expectations in working with a start-up. (No knowledge of the French language is needed.)
  
  • BUS 352: International Entrepreneurial Exchange II


    (1/2 Unit)
    Prerequisite: BUS 351  or permission of instructor.
    Students complete their work with graduate students attending a business school in France to theoretically create a service or product to launch in the United States. The French members will travel to Albion in April and the teams will present their business plans during the Elkin Isaac Honors Symposium. (No knowledge of the French language is needed.)
  
  • BUS 387: Selected Topics


    (1/4 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  
  • BUS 388: Selected Topics


    (1/2 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  
  • BUS 389: Selected Topics


    (1 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  
  • BUS 391: Internships


    (1/2 Unit)
    Offered on a credit/no credit basis. Staff.
  
  • BUS 392: Internships


    (1 Unit)
    Offered on a credit/no credit basis. Staff.
 

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