From Disney films to Nickelodeon cartoons to Newberry award-winning texts, popular children's media offers us the opportunity to analyze how complex issues of identity are represented in cultural productions aimed at a young audience. This course takes as a site of analysis media aimed at children to investigate the lessons imparted and ideologies circulate in popular films and books. How is class drawn in Lady and the Tramp? What are politics of language at play in Moana? What are the sounds of masculinity in Beauty and the Beast? How does Mulan construct gender, race, and militarism? Using an intersectional frame of analysis, we will trace popular tropes, identify images of resistance, and map out the more popular messages children receive about difference in our world.
Units: 1
Max Enrollment: 15
Crosslisted Courses: EDUC 10 2Y
Prerequisites: None. Open to First-Years only.
Instructor: Mata
Distribution Requirements: LL - Language and Literature
Other Categories: FYS - First Year Seminar
Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall
Notes: Ann E. Maurer '51 Speaking Intensive Course. Registration in this section is restricted to students selected for the Wellesley Plus Program. Mandatory Credit/Non Credit.
This first-year seminar examines the Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo Buonarroti (1474-1564). Although he is best known as a sculptor and painter, Michelangelo was also a poet, architect, civil engineer, and diplomat driven by complex artistic, religious, political, and economic motivations. His long career provides a framework for understanding the Italian Renaissance, and the mythology surrounding that career provides insight into changing perceptions of the artist and the individual during that time. We will focus on works of art and contemporary texts, as well as real or virtual visits to Wellesley’s Special Collections, Papermaking Studio, and Book Arts Lab, as well as Harvard's Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
Units: 1
Max Enrollment: 13
Prerequisites: None. Open to First-Years only.
Instructor: Musacchio
Distribution Requirements: ARS - Visual Arts, Music, Theater, Film and Video
Other Categories: FYS - First Year Seminar
Typical Periods Offered: Fall
Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall
Notes:
Seminar-style introduction to life at the cellular and molecular level, designed as an alternative to BISC 110 for students with strong high school preparation (such as AP, IB, or other). The course will include eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell structure, function of biological macromolecules, molecular genetics, cellular metabolism, molecular genetics, and mechanisms of growth and differentiation, with an emphasis on experimental approaches to investigating these topics. This course will aim to develop students' skills in data analysis and scientific writing along with building foundational knowledge in the field. Lab sections are shared with BISC 110. This course differs from BISC 110 in its small class size and discussion-based format; it meets for one discussion and one lab session per week. One year of high school chemistry or equivalent is strongly recommended. BISC 110, BISC 110P, BISC 112, BISC 112Y, or BISC 116; or BISC 111, BISC 111T, BISC 113, or BISC 113Y may be taken first. Students must attend lab during the first week in order to continue in the course.
This course has a required co-requisite Laboratory - BISC 112YL.
Units: 1
Max Enrollment: 16
Prerequisites: Open to First-Year students only. Biology AP score of 4 or 5/IB HL Biology score of 6 or 7, or permission of the instructor. Fulfillment of the Quantitative Reasoning (QR) component of the Quantitative Reasoning & Data Literacy requirement. Not open to students who have taken BISC 110, BISC 110P, BISC 112 or BISC 116.
Instructor: Staff
Distribution Requirements: LAB - Natural and Physical Sciences Laboratory; NPS - Natural and Physical Sciences
Other Categories: FYS - First Year Seminar
Typical Periods Offered: Fall
Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Spring
Notes:
This is a required co-requisite laboratory for BISC 112Y.
Units: 0
Max Enrollment: 16
Prerequisites: Open to First-Year students only. Biology AP score of 4 or 5/IB HL Biology score of 6 or 7, or permission of the instructor. Fulfillment of the Quantitative Reasoning (QR) component of the Quantitative Reasoning & Data Literacy requirement. Not open to students who have taken BISC 110, BISC 110P, BISC 112 or BISC 116.
Instructor: Carmell
Other Categories: FYS - First Year Seminar
Typical Periods Offered: Spring
Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Spring
Notes:
An exploration of the central questions, concepts, and methods of experimental analysis in selected areas of organismal biology, designed as an alternative to BISC 111 for students with strong high school preparation (such as AP, IB, or other). Topics include: the evolution and diversification of life, the form and function of plants and animals, and ecological interactions among organisms, with an emphasis on laboratory methods, data analysis, and science writing. Lab sections are shared with BISC 111. This course differs from BISC 111 in its smaller class size, a seminar-style format, and a focus on discussion of landmark scientific studies that shape this field; it meets for one discussion and one lab session per week. Either BISC 110, BISC 110P, BISC 112, BISC 112Y, or BISC 116; or BISC 111, BISC 111T, BISC 113, or BISC 113Y may be taken first. Students must attend lab during the first week in order to continue in the course.
Units: 1
Max Enrollment: 16
Prerequisites: Open to First-Year students only. Biology AP score of 4 or 5, or IB HL Biology score of 6 or 7, or permission of the instructor. Fulfillment of the Quantitative Reasoning (QR) component of the Quantitative Reasoning & Data Literacy requirement. Not open to students who have taken BISC 111, BISC 111T, or BISC 113.
Instructor: Staff
Distribution Requirements: LAB - Natural and Physical Sciences Laboratory; NPS - Natural and Physical Sciences
Degree Requirements: DL - Data Literacy (Formerly QRF); DL - Data Literacy (Formerly QRDL)
Other Categories: FYS - First Year Seminar
Typical Periods Offered: Fall
Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Not Offered
Notes:
In an age of algorithmic automation, mass surveillance, and the commodification of social relations, this course asks the question: is technology evil? Using that provocation as a means to investigate the design, use, and economics of social media and other digital objects, we will read a mix of academic and popular texts that treat new media as a problem—not as an unqualified ill, but as something to be carefully considered in all of its immense power and pervasiveness in everyday life. Through an introduction to the methodologies of visual analysis, and close reading, we will think critically about the role of mass media in the production of consuming subjects, of the representations of race, gender and sexuality in new media, and the nature and role of aesthetics and design in contemporary life.
Units: 1
Max Enrollment: 15
Prerequisites: None. Open to First-Years only.
Instructor: N. Gutierrez
Distribution Requirements: ARS - Visual Arts, Music, Theater, Film and Video
Other Categories: FYS - First Year Seminar
Typical Periods Offered: Fall
Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Not Offered
Notes:
This first-year seminar examines the past through direct engagement with objects from ancient Greek and Roman cultures. Working with a diverse collection of artifacts—including pottery, coins, and figurines—students will learn about the societies of the ancient Mediterranean as well as methods of artifact analysis and theories of material culture studies. We will explore the history of the objects now at Wellesley, with attention to ethical and legal aspects of collecting antiquities. We will also consider the presentation of ancient objects as art and artifact in various local museum settings. Students will work collaboratively to design an exhibition of select pieces.
Units: 1
Max Enrollment: 15
Prerequisites: None. Open to First-Years only.
Instructor: Burns
Distribution Requirements: SBA - Social and Behavioral Analysis; HS - Historical Studies
Other Categories: FYS - First Year Seminar
Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Not Offered
Notes:
An introduction to the history and concepts of monsters and monstrosity. We will apply readings in literary and cultural theory to case studies drawn from biblical literature and iconography from the ancient Middle East and Mediterranean myths and cosmologies, Victorian-era gothic novels, and contemporary popular culture to study monstrous beings from the earliest examples until the present. We will center questions concerning the human creation (and fear) of monstrous beings, the cultural specificity of terror, the social significance of monsters, and how the history of monsters informs, and has been informed by, the ancient world. No previous knowledge of the Bible, literature, or monsters is required or presumed.
Units: 1
Max Enrollment: 12
Crosslisted Courses: CPLT 112Y
Prerequisites: None. Open to First-Years only.
Instructor: Jarrard
Distribution Requirements: LL - Language and Literature; REP - Religion, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy
Other Categories: FYS - First Year Seminar
Typical Periods Offered: Every four years
Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall
Notes:
This seminar explores linguistic tapestry of East Asia, focusing on the distinct features, structures, and variations that characterize Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Through lively discussions and hands-on projects, we will examine the unique linguistic and cultural heritages of these languages. From their intricate writing systems and complex grammar to the diverse range of sociolinguistic patterns and dialects, we will uncover the layers that make each language unique. Central to our exploration will be the role of Confucian ideology, the vibrant influence of pop culture, and the transformative impact of AI technology on communication. Through this exploration, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how language profoundly influences and mirrors the rich diversity of life and thought in East Asia.
Units: 1
Max Enrollment: 15
Crosslisted Courses: LING 123Y
Prerequisites: None. Open to First-Years only.
Instructor: Sun-Hee Lee
Distribution Requirements: SBA - Social and Behavioral Analysis
Other Categories: FYS - First Year Seminar
Typical Periods Offered: Every other year
Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Spring
Notes: Mandatory Credit/Non Credit. Ann E. Maurer '51 Speaking Intensive Course.
Schools have historically been a point of public fascination. Consequently, societal debates on inequality, pluralism, and social movements have played out in the TV- and film-inspired hallways and classrooms of K-12 schools. What do these popular portrayals of school and society teach us about our societal values and the role of public education in a pluralistic society? How does Abbott Elementary reinforce and challenge our conceptions of under-resourced urban schools? How does saviorhood lie at the root of teacher heroism in Dangerous Minds? What do documentary films like The Lottery teach us about education policies related to school choice and charter schools? In this course, we will integrate an analysis of popular media representations of education with examinations of education policy, research, and practice to delve into some of the long-running debates about schools and society.
Units: 1
Max Enrollment: 16
Prerequisites: None. Only open to First-Years who are part of the Wellesley Plus program.
Instructor: Hong
Distribution Requirements: SBA - Social and Behavioral Analysis
Other Categories: FYS - First Year Seminar
Typical Periods Offered: Fall
Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall
Notes: Ann E. Maurer '51 Speaking Intensive Course.
Participants in this seminar will delve into the workings of memory--a term that encompasses several different kinds of remembering and recollecting. What makes something memorable? Can we choose or shape what we remember? Does memory constitute identity? How has technology altered what and how we remember? As we ponder such questions, our primary focus will be on literature (including Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Proust, Woolf, Borges, Nabokov, and Toni Morrison). We'll also draw on philosophy, psychology, and cognitive science and explore creative arts such as drawing, photography, painting, sculpture, book arts, film, and music. Students will write in several genres--creative, critical, and reflective-and experiment with different ways of collecting, curating, and presenting memories in media of their choice.
Units: 1
Max Enrollment: 15
Prerequisites: None. Open to First-Years only.
Instructor: Hickey
Distribution Requirements: LL - Language and Literature
Other Categories: FYS - First Year Seminar
Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall
Notes: Mandatory Credit/Non Credit.
The American past is crowded with ghosts. In this seminar, we will trace the evolution of supernatural belief in America and analyze some of its most famous ghost stories. What about the nation’s history makes it such fertile terrain for ghosts? What happens when the dead refuse to stay in the past, relegated to history? Why, in short, is the American historical imagination so haunted? We’ll dig deeply into selected hauntings, drawn from across historical North America, and encounter the spirits of French Detroit, the Gettysburg battlefield, and colonial Jamaica, among others.
Units: 1
Max Enrollment: 15
Prerequisites: None. Open to First-Years only.
Instructor: Grandjean
Distribution Requirements: HS - Historical Studies
Other Categories: FYS - First Year Seminar
Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall
Notes:
With Russian military forces surging through Ukraine in an unprovoked and catastrophic war that few in Russia or the West had predicted, as President Vladimir Putin threatens the annihilation of Ukraine’s statehood and the possible use of tactical nuclear weapons, now is the time to plunge into a study of that authoritarian leader of the world’s largest country. What are the causes and consequences of this catastrophic conflict? How did Putin accumulate so much power? What have been his goals, values and operating principles? A product of Leningrad’s “mean streets,” the young Putin sought glory in the KGB, and after the demise of the Soviet Union—a collapse he rues to this day—moved into the heights of power. We will explore Vladimir Putin’s life path, political strategies and policies, ideas about Russia’s identity and place in the world, and his image as the epitome of both potent masculinity and the devil incarnate. We will also delve into Russian politics and society in the era of this enigmatic, potent, and murderous leader.
Units: 1
Max Enrollment: 15
Prerequisites: None. Open to First-Years only.
Instructor: Tumarkin
Distribution Requirements: HS - Historical Studies
Other Categories: FYS - First Year Seminar
Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall
Notes: Mandatory Credit/Non Credit
This seminar is dedicated to the representation of Italian cities in Italian literature, art, and cinema from the Middle Ages to the twenty-first century. By presenting cities as spatial narratives, we will introduce students to some of the most important moments in Italian history and will invite them to examine the representation of urban landscape as a privileged vantage point to understand Italian culture. The seminar is designed to introduce students to the field of Italian Studies and to provide them with a solid background in Italian history and culture.
Units: 1
Max Enrollment: 20
Prerequisites: None. Open to First-Years only.
Instructor: Parussa
Distribution Requirements: LL - Language and Literature
Other Categories: FYS - First Year Seminar
Typical Periods Offered: Fall
Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Spring
Notes: Mandatory Credit/Non Credit
This course is a first-year seminar for students in the Wellesley Plus program. It will introduce students to important basic mathematical concepts as set theory, proof techniques, propositional and predicate calculus, graph theory, combinatorics, probability, and recursion.
Units: 1
Max Enrollment: 20
Prerequisites: None. Open to First-Years only.
Instructor: S. Chang
Distribution Requirements: MM - Mathematical Modeling and Problem Solving
Other Categories: FYS - First Year Seminar
Typical Periods Offered: Fall
Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall
Notes: Mandatory Credit/Non Credit.
This seminar surveys the work of Leonhard Euler (1707-1783), one of the most influential and prolific mathematicians of all time. It is geared toward students who would like a broad overview of what advanced mathematics (beyond calculus) is about, and how it got that way. Topics are drawn from a wide range of areas in pure and applied mathematics, such as algebra, number theory, analysis, and geometry. Highlights include the Basel problem, complex exponentials, the calculus of variations, the Euler line, and the bridges of Königsberg. The seminar is discussion-based: students retrace Euler's steps by making definitions, proposing conjectures, generating examples, and crafting and critiquing proofs, ever attentive to the balance between intuitive ingenuity and rigorous argument.
Units: 1
Max Enrollment: 15
Prerequisites: None. Open to First-Years only.
Instructor: Staff
Distribution Requirements: MM - Mathematical Modeling and Problem Solving
Other Categories: FYS - First Year Seminar
Typical Periods Offered: Fall
Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Spring
Notes:
What can we know about the shape of the universe? When is a molecule left- or right-handed and what does that mean? How can an inhabitant of a one- or two- or three-dimensional universe figure out the shape (geometry and topology) of their universe? This course provides an elementary introduction to mathematical topology (sometimes described as rubber-sheet geometry), and the tools to address questions such as these. In this context, the notions of knot invariants and geodesics (shortest paths) arise, and students learn how to use these tools to classify knots, and to classify all closed surfaces. Applications of topology and geometry to chemistry and molecular biology will be discussed.
Students will learn about fundamental topological and geometric ideas and develop their visual intuition, which can provide a valuable framework for MATH 302 and MATH 307.
Units: 1
Max Enrollment: 15
Prerequisites: MATH 116 or the equivalent. Open to First-Years only.
Instructor: Kerr
Distribution Requirements: MM - Mathematical Modeling and Problem Solving
Other Categories: FYS - First Year Seminar
Typical Periods Offered: Fall
Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Not Offered
Notes:
Number theory is the study of the most basic mathematical objects: the natural numbers (1, 2, 3, etc.). It begins by investigating simple patterns: for instance, which numbers can be written as sums of two squares? Do the primes go on forever? How can we be sure? The patterns and structures that emerge from studying the properties of numbers are so elegant, complex, and important that number theory has been called "the Queen of Mathematics." Once studied only for its intrinsic beauty, number theory has practical applications in cryptography and computer science. Topics include the Euclidean algorithm, modular arithmetic, Fermat's and Euler's Theorems, public-key cryptography, quadratic reciprocity. MATH 223 has a focus on learning to understand and write mathematical proofs; it can serve as valuable preparation for MATH 305.
Units: 1
Max Enrollment: 15
Prerequisites: Open to First-Years only.
Instructor: Lange
Distribution Requirements: MM - Mathematical Modeling and Problem Solving
Other Categories: FYS - First Year Seminar
Typical Periods Offered: Fall
Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Not Offered
Notes:
One of the most fundamental ways that music moves us is through rhythm and the emotional highs and lows of musical form. This first year seminar will focus on the musical materials that aid in critically analyzing popular music and world music: rhythm and song form. In this seminar, students will hone their ability to hear the structures that make up the music in our daily lives through group discussion, guided listening journals, and practice with analysis. The semester will culminate in an analysis of a listening experience, such as an album, playlist, DJ set, or concert. Students need no prior experience with formal musical training: they need only to have the means to listen to music in private.
Units: 1
Max Enrollment: 10
Prerequisites: None. Open to First-Years only.
Instructor: Goldschmitt
Distribution Requirements: ARS - Visual Arts, Music, Theater, Film and Video
Other Categories: FYS - First Year Seminar
Typical Periods Offered: Every other year
Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Not Offered
Notes: Mandatory Credit/Non Credit
How is intelligent behavior produced by the brain and how can it be replicated in machines? What role, if any, does our conscious experience play in producing intelligent behavior? This seminar explores human intelligence through the perspectives of neuroscience, cognitive science, and computer science, integrating studies of the brain, the mind, and the computations needed to create intelligent machines. This interdisciplinary approach has accelerated the pace of research aimed at understanding how intelligent agents use vision to recognize objects and events; navigate through a complex, dynamic environment; use language to communicate; and develop a conscious awareness of the world. Through exploration of current research and hands-on computer activities, students will learn about methods used to probe neural circuits and visualize brain activity; investigate human performance and behavior; and build computer models that capture the remarkable abilities of biological systems.
Units: 1
Max Enrollment: 15
Prerequisites: None. Open to First-Years only.
Instructor: Wiest
Distribution Requirements: NPS - Natural and Physical Sciences
Other Categories: FYS - First Year Seminar
Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall
Notes:
Discussion based seminar deals with Japan both as a victim and as a victimizer during and in the aftermath of the World War II. It probes what drove Japan to aspire toward world domination; how the "ultimate bomb to end all wars" was used twice on Japan in August 1945; and how the Japanese "war criminals" are enshrined today at Yasukuni as "divine beings"; and how Yasukuni Shinto Shrine remains a major barrier in establishing peace between Japan and its Asian neighbors. The seminar is intended for students interested in the comparative and historical study of religion, Peace and Justice Studies, and East Asian Studies. Requirements: active participation in discussion, joint paper writing and presentation; no exams.
Units: 1
Max Enrollment: 16
Crosslisted Courses: PEAC 119Y
Prerequisites: None. Open to First-Years only.
Instructor: Kodera
Distribution Requirements: HS or REP - Historical Studies or Religion, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy
Other Categories: FYS - First Year Seminar
Typical Periods Offered: Fall
Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Not Offered
Notes:
This course is an introduction to moral philosophy. Our discussion will be split between normative ethics, applied ethics, and metaethics. When we talk about normative ethics we talk about moral values and ideals in an effort to guide human behavior. When we talk about applied ethics, we want to identify the particular values, rights, duties, and assumptions that are in play in a specific kind of situation, like: “Should we eat animals?” or “Is watching football immoral?” When we talk about metaethics, we engage with the question of whether “right” and “wrong” exist and whether “right” and “wrong” are the same for everyone, at all times, everywhere. This course will engage these topics across three themes: (1) Autonomy, Personhood, and Freedom; (2) Values and Relativism; (3) Justice and Oppression.
Units: 1
Max Enrollment: 15
Prerequisites: None. Open to First-Years only.
Instructor: Walsh
Distribution Requirements: REP - Religion, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy
Other Categories: FYS - First Year Seminar
Typical Periods Offered: Every other year
Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Not Offered
Notes:
This seminar undertakes a philosophical examination of the nature and value of friendship. Two questions will animate the course: What is a friend? And, why are friends valuable? Drawing examples from literature and films, we will examine different types of friendships and the features that characterize and sustain them. Many philosophers have argued that the best kind of friendship is one in which the friend is loved for her own sake; we will consider whether this is truly possible or whether all friendships are ultimately instrumental. We'll also examine how the partiality inherent in friendship conflicts with the demands of standard moral theories. Finally, we will compare the love that characterizes friendship with the feelings that sustain relationships with parents, children, and lovers.
Units: 1
Max Enrollment: 15
Prerequisites: None. Open to First-Years only.
Instructor: Gartner
Distribution Requirements: REP - Religion, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy
Other Categories: FYS - First Year Seminar
Typical Periods Offered: Fall
Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Not Offered
Notes: Registration in this section is restricted to students selected for the Wellesley Plus Program. Mandatory Credit/Non Credit.
This introductory course focuses on Jesus of Nazareth. We will study key texts within the Jewish and Christian Bibles, examining not only their composition in the context of empire and diasporic Judaism in the ancient world, but also how they are still used to debate contemporary ethical and political actions. We will consider 1) biblical texts in their historical context and their earliest interpretations; 2) recent trends in Jesus studies, including feminist, queer, and postcolonial interpretation; Black Jesus; and contemporary popular culture; 3) Jesus in global, pluralistic, and multi-religious contexts.
Visits to the Wellesley Davis Museum and the Harvard Art and Near Eastern Museums are planned.
All persons and perspectives are welcome in this class. Previous knowledge or personal experience with the Bible or religious traditions is neither presumed nor necessary.
Units: 1
Max Enrollment: 12
Prerequisites: None. Open to First-Years only.
Instructor: Jarrard
Distribution Requirements: REP - Religion, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy; HS - Historical Studies
Other Categories: FYS - First Year Seminar
Typical Periods Offered: Every three years
Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Not Offered
Notes:
This course explores the ways in which the body, as a reflection and construction of the self, is tied to social, cultural and political relations. Through this examination of the role that our bodies play in daily life we will delve into the study of gender, race, sexuality and power. We focus on several major areas: (1) after Roe and the medicalization of bodies (contraception, abortion, new reproductive technologies), (2) sex education and the Internet as sites of bodily learning (3) body work (nail salons, surrogacy) (4) the use of the body as a vehicle for performance, self-expression and identity (tattoos, getting dressed). Throughout the course we will discuss how ideas about bodies are transported across national borders and social, sexual and class hierarchies.
Units: 1
Max Enrollment: 12
Crosslisted Courses: SOC 10 4Y
Prerequisites: None. Open to First-Years only.
Instructor: Hertz
Distribution Requirements: SBA - Social and Behavioral Analysis
Other Categories: FYS - First Year Seminar
Typical Periods Offered: Spring
Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Spring
Notes:
This course will introduce students to the art of developing personal narrative as a means to creating a viable piece of theatre. Through guided writing exercises and exposure to the works of Nora Ephron, Billie Holiday, and Susanna Kaysen, and others, students will explore the intricacies of their own and their family histories. Based on the techniques that have produced numerous original plays here at Wellesley, the weekly exercises will be centered around various aspects of life such as race, gender, class, body image, and personal history. Students will hear and critique each other weekly while preparing for a final evening of “stories” to be offered to the public at the end of the semester. The class will also focus on the final composition of the evening, and the journey each student makes to bring it to fruition. Emphasis is on the development and refinement of the dramatic content while building confidence for even the least experienced student.
Units: 1
Max Enrollment: 16
Prerequisites: None. Open to First-Years only.
Instructor: Roach
Distribution Requirements: ARS - Visual Arts, Music, Theater, Film and Video
Other Categories: FYS - First Year Seminar
Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Not Offered
Notes: Mandatory Credit/Non Credit