2024-2025 Academic Year

Fall 2024

FYSM 100 First-Year Seminar
The First-Year Seminar (FYS) introduces students to Dickinson as a "community of inquiry" by developing habits of mind essential to liberal learning. Through the study of a compelling issue or broad topic chosen by their faculty member, students will: - Critically analyze information and ideas - Examine issues from multiple perspectives - Discuss, debate and defend ideas, including one's own views, with clarity and reason - Develop discernment, facility and ethical responsibility in using information, and - Create clear academic writing The small group seminar format of this course promotes discussion and interaction among students and their professor. In addition, the professor serves as students' initial academic advisor. This course does not duplicate in content any other course in the curriculum and may not be used to fulfill any other graduation requirement.

Spring 2025

EDST 120 Contemp Iss in Amer Education
An examination of current policies, practices, and problems in the landscape of American education with particular attention to the perspectives of various stakeholders (e.g. teachers, students, families, community leaders, employers, and elected officials). U.S. diversity with respect to race, class, gender, language, and exceptionality is considered within a variety of educational contexts. The course also examines the ways in which educational issues and reform efforts intersect with social, economic, political, and cultural forces.

SOCI 230 Contested Campus
Cross-listed with EDST 391-02 and LAWP 290-02. The course will focus on two current issues challenging higher education: access and free speech. Regarding the first, we will examine who attends college and why, socio-economic diversity in higher education, and the debate over affirmative action including successor approaches following the Supreme Court decision on the issue. For the second, we will investigate policies around free speech and its limits (if any) on campus, speech codes, cancel culture, the status of protest on campus, and whether colleges have an obligation to be “neutral.” The course will draw materials relating to a range of institutions, including Dickinson. Students will have an opportunity to write final research essays on a campus issue of their own choosing.

LAWP 290 Contested Campus
Cross-listed with EDST 391-02 and SOCI 230-04. The course will focus on two current issues challenging higher education: access and free speech. Regarding the first, we will examine who attends college and why, socio-economic diversity in higher education, and the debate over affirmative action including successor approaches following the Supreme Court decision on the issue. For the second, we will investigate policies around free speech and its limits (if any) on campus, speech codes, cancel culture, the status of protest on campus, and whether colleges have an obligation to be “neutral.” The course will draw materials relating to a range of institutions, including Dickinson. Students will have an opportunity to write final research essays on a campus issue of their own choosing.

EDST 391 Contested Campus
Cross-listed with LAWP 290-02 and SOCI 230-04. The course will focus on two current issues challenging higher education: access and free speech. Regarding the first, we will examine who attends college and why, socio-economic diversity in higher education, and the debate over affirmative action including successor approaches following the Supreme Court decision on the issue. For the second, we will investigate policies around free speech and its limits (if any) on campus, speech codes, cancel culture, the status of protest on campus, and whether colleges have an obligation to be “neutral.” The course will draw materials relating to a range of institutions, including Dickinson. Students will have an opportunity to write final research essays on a campus issue of their own choosing.