First Year Seminar Course Descriptions

First year seminar courses are connected by a theme each year. This year's theme is Leadership: Exploring Our Rights and Responsibilities. Read through the descriptions of the seminar sections offered this year to see how different instructors will explore the subject while preparing you for life as a college student.

The 1960's: Passé or Visionary?

Instructor: Kent Alexander

This seminar class explores the social trends and politics of the 1960's in order to see what value and impact they have for today's world. Through this multi-hued exploration, students will not only gain an enhanced understanding of culture as a tool for social activism, but will also acquire a new awareness of the many stories this country and its citizens has to offer. Come prepared for lively discussions, small group work, YouTube explorations, and the occasional provocative film.

Biography:

Kent Alexander is a published author and occasional social activist. His plays (which deal with issues of identity, memory and gender politics) have been produced in the US, Canada and Spain. Kent is a survivor of the 1960's and 21 years of living in NYC where he ran writing workshops, conflict resolution clinics, and produced some 15 plays. Deeply committed to social change, Kent is also the Director of Intercultural Programming here at Elms College. He lives alone with his plants and ghosts.

Skiing Uphill

Instructor: Carol A. Allan, SSJ

We live in an ever-changing world which requires use of a multifaceted approach to living, working and being. Much is asked of us as we advance into this changing world, yet some things remain constant. In this seminar, come to discover the barriers that hold us back from being the best person possible; come to learn about who you are, how you can change and how to make our world a more caring and compassionate place. Learn what it takes to find yourself, to create a holistic future. We will learn about tolerance, hope, courage and faith while trying to understand bullying, intolerance, hatred and violence. Come explore the components of life that help us to maintain a peaceful, sustainable society in which to live while understanding our rights and responsibilities.

Biography:

Carol A. Allan, SSJ has had a ministerial career ranging from the classroom to the courtroom. She holds a master's degree in human development and in theology of justice and peace. After 13 years in education, Carol joined the legal field working as a paralegal at Legal Services and then as a Victim Witness Advocate for the District Attorney. She was instrumental in establishing restorative justice programs and is committed to being active in her community. She has served on numerous boards and committees both in the civic community as well as in her religious community. Recently, Sr. Carol was the program director of Rutledge and Tranquility Houses, residential programs for women in recovery from drugs and alcohol. Presently, she is the Director of Campus Ministry here at Elms College.

Throwing Like a Girl: Myth or Reality

Instructor: Cheryl Condon

What does it mean to say that someone "throws like a girl"? Usually used in a derogatory context that refers to a boy or man with a weak throw and used to demean that same skill performance in women. It may seem harmless enough, but when examined in a larger cultural context of the portrayal of female athletes in popular films, television, and print media, we begin to see the negative stereotypes held by many people about women in sports and the dangerous effects it can have on self-esteem, careers, and educational opportunities. In this class we will view media examples such as A League of Their Own, Remember the Titans, and Hard Ball and look at issues such as stereotyping, heroes and role models, gender inequity, race and diversity.

Biography:

Cheryl R. Condon, the head softball coach at Elms College for the past 19 years, has accomplished the most wins in the history of the Athletic Department. She also serves as a member of the college's Physical Education Department, is a member of the National Fast Pitch Softball Coaches Association, and currently serves on the NCAA Division III New England Regional Softball Committee. Ms. Condon earned her Bachelor Degree in Physical Education from Westfield State and her Master's Degree in Education from Elms College.

Green Leadership

Instructor: Janice Fedor

How can organizations market effectively while remaining ethical? In today's global economy there is more pressure than ever for organizations to increase the sale of their goods and services. There is also more pressure to respect the environment and communicate in a global marketplace. This seminar will discuss the challenges faced by organizations to practice sound leadership while recognizing financial limitations and obligations. Ethical topics that will be analyzed and debated include green marketing, greenwashing, and corporate responsibility. Societal trends and their influence on marketing and advertising will be identified and evaluated in terms of leadership.

Biography:

Janice Fedor is a professor of marketing with a strong interest in educational branding. She teaches a range of business courses including Principles of Management, Business & Society, Marketing Research and Organizational Behavior. Janice is currently completing her Ph.D. in business administration by conducting research on the rebranding of community colleges. She believes in creating a synergy between who you are and what you do and that organizations should "walk the walk" as well as "talk the talk" by striving to promote ethical marketing

.ORG

Instructor: Anne Harrison

This seminar will examine leadership from the perspective of ordinary people who take action - sometimes far-reaching and sometimes small, but always with an impact for the common good. We will explore social action mediated through the Internet, identifying websites that bring together a global audience to inspire change. Through shared readings, group projects, and individual reflection, we will analyze a model of leadership that focuses on helping others succeed. We will recognize those who have helped us along the way, as we develop in ourselves the leadership qualities we admire. If you are interested in this seminar, check out this video.

Biography:

Anne Harrison is a professor of education, with strong interests in social justice curriculum, community service, and principles of servant leadership. Anne believes that leaders are found in the most unlikely and unconventional places. She is especially fond of the Mahatma Gandhi quote, "Be the change you want to see in the world."

Protecting Human Rights Globally: A Legal Perspective

Instructor: Caroline Murray

This course focuses on how legal systems throughout the world have developed over time to protect basic human rights. We will discuss the historical disregard of legal rights from the Spanish Inquisition to modern-day military trials of alleged enemy combatants, human trafficking, international human rights organizations, rights of those incarcerated, elder anti-abuse organizations, women and children's basic rights throughout the world, and rights of mentally and physically challenged individuals. We will examine various, state, federal, and international laws created to protect human dignity and rights. Students will view movies and documentaries, meet with leaders from our community including local legislators, attorneys, special agents, and volunteers who deal with these serious issues regularly. This class will teach students about basic human rights and the laws which attempt to protect them.

Biography:

In addition to being a practicing local attorney and full-time instructor, Professor Murray coordinates the paralegal and legal studies internships, and is the faculty advisor to the Student Paralegal Association. She has international training in law as well as a strong background in business management. Professor Murray is active in local government and the community through her association with the St. Thomas More Society, Junior Achievement, the American Bar Association, the Massachusetts Bar Association, the Hampden County Bar Association, the Billy Riordan Malawi Project, the West Springfield Rotary Club, the West Springfield Council on Aging, and the West Springfield Community Preservation Act Study Committee.

Conviction of the Heart: Creating a More Peaceful Individual and More Peaceful World

Instructor: Elaine Pinkos

The song lyrics by Kenny Loggins "one with the earth, with the sky, one with everything in life," reflect the intentions for this course. For too long, humans have perceived themselves as separate from God, from nature and from one another. In this seminar, come and rediscover our connection to All things. We will strive to slow down our hectic lives, and focus our attention inward where our interconnectedness begins. With a new sense of inclusiveness, we will review behaviors that have harmed ourselves as well as our environment and we will examine ways in which we can improve them. Through meditations, readings, discussions, and projects we will explore how we can become more peaceful individuals while learning to walk more gently on the planet we call home.

Biography:

Elaine Pinkos is the librarian for Federal Depository Library Program and the Head of Technical Services for Alumnae Library. Elaine received a Masters in Library Information Studies from the University of Rhode Island in 2000. Prior to working in the library, she was an insurance benefits administrator, customer service representative, and a paralegal. In 1985 Elaine received a Paralegal Certificate from the College of Our Lady of the Elms and in 1984 she received a Bachelor of Arts in History from Keene State College.

On a personal level, Elaine was a hospice volunteer for ten years where she learned a great deal about life, love and the wonders of the human spirit. She now fills her time with reading and walking her basset hound, Daphne.

Here Come Those Dreamers...reformers, radicals, doers of justice, makers of peace and other everyday servants of hope

Instructor: Ann Ryan, SND

Through scripture, autobiography, film and story, we will explore the maddeningly down to earth, consoling yet demanding nature of hope and its power to transform both dreamers and their worlds. What do you dream for yourself and the many communities of which you are a part?? The focus of this seminar will be the relationship between dreams/hopes and leadership. What dreams are leading you and what kind of world will your dreams help create?

Biography:

Ann Ryan, snd - Sr. Ann is a member of the Sisters of Notre Dame. Prior to undertaking doctoral studies in theology at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA, she served as campus minister at Yale University and as a spiritual director at St. Stephen's Priory in Dover, MA. She has been interested in the theme of hope since the first grade, when she attended her first Red Sox game.

Give a Hoot; A Look at the Environment

Instructor: Bill Tyler

Under the general theme of Leadership: Exploring Our Rights and Responsibilities for all the seminars, this first year seminar will focus on environmental issues ranging from endangered species to global warming. The class will be introduced to environmental education materials, such as the award winning "Project Wild", as the students participate in various group activities. Environmental films and "environmental heroes" will be featured as we explore the question "What does environmental leadership look like?" This course is recommended for anyone interested in the natural world, science majors and/or education majors.

Biography:

Bill Tyler graduated with a degree in Wildlife Biology and a Masters Degree in Education from UMASS/Amherst. His interest in the environment stems from a life-long enjoyment of the great outdoors. While in graduate school, he worked as an intern in the education department of the Bronx Zoo, which he credits for his involvement in environmental work. He has worked numerous nature camps in the northeast. He has spent 12 years working for the Audubon Society in Rhode Island as a wildlife refuge manager and director of education. Here at the Elms, Coach Tyler teaches in the Education and Physical Education Departments and is the college's swimming coach.

You and Me...and Everyone We Don't Know

Instructor: Javier Venturi

This seminar will focus on the economic, social, and cultural impact of immigration, and its political perception in our global community. Each week we will have the opportunity to discuss and exchange points of view based on weekly assigned readings that will be supported by the view of films, documentaries and video-clips that are related to current issues such as human trafficking, war, poverty, asylum and refugee status, racism and xenophobia, and climate change.

Biography:

Javier Venturi is a Lecturer in Spanish with a specialization in Spanish and Latin American literature and cinema. His primary academic interests are historical memory, immigration and emigration, national identity construction, propaganda films and documentaries. Other academic interests are related to Italian literature and cinema, and spirituality. Javier Venturi holds a Ph.D. (ABD) in Modern Spanish Literature and Culture from University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and an M.A. in Spanish and Latin American Literature from Louisiana State University. He has lived and traveled extensively throughout South America and Europe, and he has volunteered for humanitarian relief as an interpreter/translator for the U.S. Army after Hurricane "Mitch" in Honduras in 1999.

Leadership: The Role of Forgiveness

Instructor: Teresa Winters Dunn

This seminar will explore the social and cultural impact of forgiving or not forgiving. Should you hold a grudge? Should you take revenge? Should you forgive and forget? What are the consequences? We will explore and examine the act of forgiving or not forgiving as it relates to leadership. We will explore this through group and individual work. We will analyze the impact of these actions on our world, our neighborhood, our community, and on ourselves.

Biography:

Teresa Winters Dunn is the Associate Dean of Students and has previously worked for many years in residence life both at Elms College and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. In addition she has worked in corporate settings in human resources focusing on employee education. She has a Bachelor's degree in Biology and Psychology. She has a Masters degree in Education from Elms College and is currently completing her second Master's degree in psychology from Cambridge College with a focus on Mental Health Counseling and Addictions.