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 116. Bates STEM Scholars.
A continuation of FYS 505. One-half course credit is granted upon completion of the course. Prerequisite(s): FYS 505. Corequisite(s): one of the following: any 100-level geology course; BIO 195; 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. L. Banks, A. Hill, 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 215. STEM Scholars II.
The sophomore year of a STEM student’s life is an exciting time as students choose their major and take upper-level science and math classes. In this course, students continue to develop their science identity, confidence, and enthusiasm for STEM. Conversations with a diverse network of professional scientists and hands-on group research activities demonstrate how scientists identify and work on real problems. Through self-reflection and development of a growth mindset, students begin to align their values, passions, and interests with their personal goals. In addition, students participate in workshops on study skills, stress management, choosing a major, study abroad, resumes, and summer research, among others. One-half course credit is granted upon completion of the course. Corequisite(s): any science or mathematics course. Open only to sophomores. Enrollment limited to 12. Instructor permission is required. Normally offered every year. L. Banks, L. Williams.EXDS 216. STEM Scholars II.
In this continuation of EXDS 215, sophomore STEM students further build their science identity and community and foster personal academic and career goals. One-half course credit is granted upon completion of the course. Corequisite(s): any science or mathematics course. Open only to sophomores.Prerequisite(s): EXDS 215. Corequisite(s): any science or mathematics course. Open only to sophomores. Enrollment limited to 12. Instructor permission is required. Normally offered every year. J. Koviach-Côté.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. Staff.EXDS s15H. Short Term Practicum: Mediation and Restorative Justice.
This course introduces the philosophies and skills used by practitioners of Restorative Justice and Mediation. Restorative Justice seeks a humanistic response to conflict, wrongdoing and crime. Students learn the Restorative Justice techniques of circle facilitation, restorative language, and observation, focusing on its practice in the juvenile justice system, in communities, and on college campuses. Mediation immerses students in a problem-solving approach to resolving disputes. Drawing from diverse disciplines, coaching, class discussions, presentations, and role play, students gain a deeper understanding of conflict. Using the classroom as a conflict skills workshop, students acquire tools to improve communication and facilitate cooperation and collaboration. Students will receive a Certificate of Completion, proof of 40 hours of mediation training, a commonly accepted state and national standard for new Mediators. This course is taught by a guest practitioner-instructor. Course reinstated beginning Short Term 2017. Open to first-year students. Enrollment limited to 16. Instructor permission is required. One-time offering. Staff.Concentrations
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations
EXDS s15W. Short Term Practicum: Music and Health: Using the Arts in Healthcare Settings.
This practicum course explores the therapeutic uses of music within healthcare settings for clients of all ages. Various healthcare populations are explored through readings, visits to community partners, and research. Music is used in group settings to address cognitive, physical, social, and emotional goals through drumming, songwriting, lyric discussion, and movement to music. Ethical implications of community based therapeutic music programs are explored. No musical experience is necessary to benefit from this course. This course is taught by a guest practitioner-instructor. New course beginning short term 2020. Open to first-year students. Enrollment limited to 16. Instructor permission is required. One-time offering. Staff.EXDS s15X. Short Term Practicum in Consulting: Leading Organizational Change.
Change is a constant in organizations. When change is poorly planned or poorly led, organizations struggle with unintended consequences and damage to employee morale, organization culture and business results. In this course, students learn the fundamentals of how to implement change effectively. Topics include models for change management, skillbuilding in facilitation and consultation, the impact of environmental context on change, understanding yourself as a leader, and the role of leaders in ensuring successful change efforts. Class time emphasizes practical skill building and features opportunities to work as a consultant inside an organization on the practical application of concepts. Taught by guest practitioner. Apply in advance on Purposeful Work site. New course beginning short term 2020. Open to first-year students. Enrollment limited to 16. Instructor permission is required. One-time offering. Staff.EXDS s15Y. ST Practicum: Virtual Reality: Design and Fabrication for Virtual Space.
Virtual Reality, as an emerging medium, provides a rare opportunity to construct content within a creative space where the possibilities of the form are actively being defined. In this practicum course, students investigate work currently under development in the field, gain insight into the state of VR from guest lectures by leaders in the industry, develop effective strategies and practices for creative development, and gain proficiency in digital asset creation software and real-time rendering. The class culminates in the design and construction of an immersive digital environment to be experienced in a VR headset. Taught by guest practitioner. Apply in advance on Purposeful Work site. New course beginning short term 2020. Open to first-year students. Enrollment limited to 16. Instructor permission is required. One-time offering. Staff.EXDS s15Z. ST Practicum: Writing War: National Security Journalism.
This course examines conflicts worldwide and the journalism skills necessary to cover them. Students will learn about writing cleanly and efficiently on deadline, developing sensitive sources, preparing for interviews, understanding complex policy and how to operate in war zones. Students will get to hear from national security correspondents of various backgrounds, operators who have fought in modern conflict zones and the professionals who help develop the policy that governs them – or doesn’t. This highly interactive course will benefit anyone interested in journalism or national security, but also those who wish to learn effective writing techniques for any high-pressure profession. Taught by guest practitioner. Apply in advance on Purposeful Work site. New course beginning short term 2020. Open to first-year students. 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