Catalog
Extradisciplinary Studies
Extradisciplinary courses are those that fall outside the domain of the college's existing departments and programs. They are listed in the Catalog and Schedule of Courses with a subject header of "EXDS."
CoursesEXDS 115. Bates Science Fellows.
What does it mean to "think like a scientist"? In this course, students apply knowledge and skills from other science and mathematics courses to the study of contemporary issues in science. This year-long sequence integrates scientific and quantitative concepts commonly covered in first-year science and math courses. With readings, class discussions, individual and group work, students examine and analyze case studies and the scientific literature on various topics. Throughout the course, emphasis is given to how we develop and understand scientific knowledge. One-half course credit is granted upon completion of the course. Corequisite(s): one of the following: any 100-level biology or geology course; CHEM 107A; FYS 274; MATH 105, 106, 205 or 206; NRSC 160; NS/PH 117; or PHYS 107. Not open to students who have received credit for INDS 115. Enrollment limited to 12. Instructor permission is required. Normally offered every year. J. Smedley.EXDS 116. Bates Science Fellows.
A continuation of EXDS 115. One-half course credit is granted upon completion of the course. Prerequisite(s): EXDS 115. Corequisite(s): one of the following: any 100-level geology course; BIO 190; CHEM 108A; MATH 105, 106, 205 or 206; or PHYS 108. Not open to students who have received credit for INDS 116. Enrollment limited to 12. Instructor permission is required. Normally offered every year. J. Smedley.EXDS 201. Writing across the Curriculum, Composition, Writing Center Theory.
This course, which is taken concurrently with student’s first semester as a Writing Fellow with Writing at Bates, introduces students to the academic field of composition studies, approaching the topic through an in-depth study of the higher education writing center. The course includes a survey of the rhetoric and composition literature, the Writing across the Curriculum (WAC) movement, and the theories that underlie current best practices in college and university writing programs. Students practice using writing as a tool for learning and critical thinking, and receive the training and background necessary to engage Bates faculty as partners in the teaching of writing. The course is open to students with an interest in the course material and who are not serving as Writing Fellows, with permission from the instructor. Enrollment limited to 39. Instructor permission is required. [W2] Normally offered every year. D. Sanford.EXDS s11. Financial Accounting.
This course is an introduction to the framework, basic concepts, and generally accepted accounting principles and standards underlying financial accounting systems. Students learn to analyze and record financial transactions form a source document through the entire accounting cycle. Accounting concepts include merchandising operations, inventory costing methods, internal controls and cash, receivables, liabilities, and long-term assets including intangibles. Students create basic financial statements and apply analytical tools to these and to statements from real companies. Additionally, ethical issues in accounting are discussed as relevant topics arise. Open to first-year students. Enrollment limited to 29. Normally offered every year. Staff.EXDS s15K. Short Term Practicum: Brand Culture Building.
This practicum course invites students behind the scenes of brand culture consultants, to not only humanize large corporate cultures, but also to arm students with tools to build, observe measure, maintain, and manage or shift a business’ brand culture to better align and prepare the organization to meet the challenges of today's marketplace. In a series of discussions, off-site visits, workshops and reflections, students gain the skills to analyze, strategize, and consult on the brand culture of various companies and organizations, local and global. Consultant teams present and critique their own brand proposal, and that of another team.Course reinstated beginning Short Term 2018. Enrollment limited to 16. Instructor permission is required. (Purposeful Work.) One-time offering. Staff.EXDS s15L. Short Term Practicum: Filmmaking, The Creative Process.
Visual storytelling has become ever more accessible, yet the creative process remains a mysterious and circuitous road of discovery, failure, innovation, happenstance, and, of course, perseverance. This practicum demystifies the creative process of visual storytelling while providing the basic tools to develop students' own ideas. What does it take to turn an idea into a pitch? A script? A film? How do you find your subject? Voice? Style? Students develop their own projects and work on those of their colleagues. Students work on the creative process in film, from the first idea, through the writing process, shooting, editing, and presentation.Course reinstated beginning Short Term 2018. Enrollment limited to 16. Instructor permission is required. (Purposeful Work.) One-time offering. Staff.Concentrations
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations
EXDS s15O. Short Term Practicum: Private Equity: Corporate Financial Decision-Making.
This course provides an introduction to the practice of private equity, specifically the process of purchasing a company from the standpoint of a private investment fund. Students learn to source a potential transaction, value the business, arrange and structure the financing, negotiate the terms, and complete documentation. The practicum covers basic valuation tools, financial statement analysis, corporate finance tools such as discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis and internal rate of return (IRR). Students evaluate actual private businesses that are available for sale, take the role of private equity investors, and prepare, present and defend an offer to purchase their business. New course beginning Short Term 2018. Enrollment limited to 16. Instructor permission is required. One-time offering. Staff.EXDS s15Q. Short Term Practicum: Science Journalism and Outreach: Capturing the Stories Behind the Discoveries.
In this course students gain experience and skills in science journalism and outreach through interactive work in news writing, radio production, and museum exhibition development. They conceive engaging story and exhibition ideas, write pitches, and conduct reporting with guidance from professional magazine editors, podcast producers, and exhibition developers. They join Bates scientists in the lab and field in search of story material, develop podcasts, and design an interactive science exhibit. Students refine their writing and storytelling skills and develop the tools they need to pitch their own ideas. New course beginning Short Term 2018. Enrollment limited to 16. Instructor permission is required. One-time offering. Staff.Concentrations
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations
EXDS s15R. Short Term Practicum: Leadership Development.
This practicum places students directly in the work of leading self, team, and organization, and equips them with the tools needed to lead in life and in the business, government, and nonprofit worlds. A foundation of leadership research and organizational behavior theory is presented alongside deeply experiential learning methods that include MBA-style case method, simulations, games, peer coaching, and a ten-day NOLS field expedition. Deep personal reflection is a key part of the curriculum. Guest speakers, workshops, and organization site visits provide additional opportunities to learn and practice leaership skills. No prior leadership, business, psychology, or outdoor experience is required. New course beginning Short Term 2018. Enrollment limited to 16. Instructor permission is required. One-time offering. Staff.EXDS s21. Life Architecture: Designing Your Future Work.
Everyone works, whether for pay or for pleasure, in public or in private, with gusto or with dread. This course supports students as they prepare for a lifetime of work by encouraging consideration of the philosophical components of their plan including identifying and developing personal attributes correlated with career well-being, exploring the context of vocational decision making, and contemplating how meaning and purpose can be infused into any work. They also consider the pragmatic components, discussing how mentors can be cultivated, how jobs are best secured, and the practical considerations that can hold people back from realizing their visions. Only open to juniors and seniors. Enrollment limited to 29. Instructor permission is required. R. Fraser-Thill.Concentrations
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations