11.28.05

Winter Term promises change of pace

As the fall semester winds down, Erskine College students who are working on term papers and looking toward final exams (which begin in two weeks) might enjoy contemplating the change of pace that Winter Term will offer them.

Beginning Jan. 2, courses with a variety of themes will be taught by professors who, in some instances, seem to be stepping out of their usual range. Some are teaching within their own subject area, but with a twist.

Professor of Mathematics Dr. Ann Bowe, for example, is teaching a course called "Let's Vote," which sounds as if it belongs in the Department of History and Government. But for Bowe, it boils down to math, as she examines ways in which voting systems "can be manipulated by strategic voting," as the Winter Term catalog describes it.

Associate Professor of History Dr. Sandra Chaney will teach "Christmas: The Evolution of a Tradition," which might look a little like a course offering from the Department of Bible, Religion and Philosophy. Taking the historian's tack, Chaney will ponder such questions as the identity of the wise men mentioned in scripture, the rise to Christmas prominence of St. Nicholas, and why Christmas is celebrated on Dec. 25. Her course even includes crafts, and she warns students they must be willing to "wield a bottle of glue."

Some Winter Term courses delve into topics that might be covered in less depth or not at all during regular semester courses.

For example, Associate Professor of Business Administration Ben Jeffords asks whether some of the recent business scandals are "isolated failures or indications of systemic ethical problems" in "Business Ethics, An Oxymoron?"

Dr. Richard Schelp, associate professor of physics, looks at "the interface between the natural sciences and the historic Christian faith" in "Doing Science, Following Christ." His course will require more than casual attention from students as they explore topics laden with controversy, including "why science is possible, the origin of life, the implications of quantum mechanics and relativity for Christian theism" and others.

This year's travel course, led by Assistant Professor of Modern Languages Dr. Lisa Signori and Assistant Professor of Art Sharon Linnehan, offers "The New Year in the City of Lights: Erskine in Paris, 2006." More than 20 students who have signed up for this course may have stories to tell their grandchildren about celebrating New Year's Eve on the Champs Elysees.

Also during Winter Term, some students are doing independent studies at home and abroad, and others will join an alumni trip to Costa Rica led by Professor Emerita of Biology Dr. Jan Haldeman, assisted by junior biology major Caleb McMahan.

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