W40 Where It's At: A Sociological/Anthropological Analysis of Modern Cultural Participation. In this interim course an interdisciplinary approach considers contemporary cultural issues in historical and cross-cultural perspectives. Topics include issues especially pertinent to contemporary North American youth culture. Sociological and anthropological perspectives inform the cultural theory and analysis. In an effort to engage the theory and apply the analysis we scrutinize the following popular cultural phenomena: sport, leisure, food, alcohol, anime, sex, contemporary communication forms (internet, email), music, shopping, and gambling. By deconstructing some of these issues using both sociological and anthropological perspectives, students better understand the meanings of mass society and culture. Students’ grades are derived from participation, journals, a research paper, and a presentation. There are no prerequisites. This course may fulfill an elective requirement in the Sociology major. M. Mulder, T. Vanden Berg. 8:30 a.m. to noon.

W41 Crime Scene Investigation. This course is a study in the theories and techniques related to the discovery and preservation of physical evidence as applied to the criminal justice process. Attention focuses on the legal admissibility of evidence under Michigan law. Students also examine the relationship of science, religion, and faith as applied to the criminal justice process. The course is structured around lectures, off-campus local visits, and a study of an actual criminal investigation, which utilizes the scientific process of forensics and traditional investigative methods. Student evaluation is based on a journal regarding daily lectures and site visits, along with a final examination. This course may fulfill an elective requirement in the Sociology major. C. Buquet. 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

W42 Wonder Woman. This course explores the wonders of the female body using a medical sociological perspective. It begins with a socio-historic examination of the female body, followed by an examination of each phase of the female life course. Topics include gender socialization, pre-pubescence, the beauty mandate, eating and cutting disorders, pregnancy and childbirth, middle-age, menopause, and the women of age. Objectives of this course are to raise the awareness of the wonders of the female body, study the female life course from a medical sociological perspective, identify social injustices that impact it, and inform participants of the realities of each life phase. Class sessions include lectures, videos, guest speakers, and student discussion. Students will be evaluated on the basis of daily participation, comprehensive readings, class presentations, and a journal that encompasses both academic resources and personal reflection. This course may fulfill an elective requirement in the Sociology major. S. Bluhm. 8:30 a.m. to noon.

SOWK 381 Integrative Studies Seminar (four semester hours). This course requires students to integrate the content of courses in the social work major and the practicum experience. Students draw on core concepts and principles from the profession and from the Christian faith as they discuss issues associated with professional role and identity. Prerequisites: Social Work 371, 372, 373, admission to the B.S.W. program, and satisfactory completion of the practicum admission process. L. Schwander. 8:30 a.m. to noon.

IDIS W44 Globalization of Christianity. Christianity has become the first truly global religion, and its characteristics have been transformed. This course examines how this globalization of Christianity has taken place and who the key actors have been. It looks at global Christian reality today: who the Christians are now, what their social composition is, where they are located and what sorts of Christianity they practice. We then ask what these changes represent for Christianity today, especially in the areas of politics, missions and diasporas. ‘Christian politics’ today must refer as much to Lagos and Santiago as to London and Chicago. Christian missions are being transformed by a flood of missionaries from the global ‘South’. And transnational migration is bringing huge Christian diasporas from the ‘South’ to Europe and North America.
P. Freston. 8:30 a.m. to noon.

IDIS W62 Spirituality & Religion in the Helping Professions. This course is designed to provide students (in social work, sociology, psychology, nursing, criminal justice, and ministry) with a broad knowledge of the role of spirituality and religion as relates to the helping professions. The course addresses the history of spirituality and religion in professional helping, current initiatives related to the role of faith in addressing contemporary social problems, and a variety of definitions and frameworks of spirituality and religion identified in the professional literature. Course content addresses spiritually sensitive practice models associated with a variety of different client populations/problems (i.e., persons with severe and persistent mental illness, end-of-life care, adolescents, addictions) along with learning spiritual and religious assessment strategies, interventions (i.e., forgiveness, prayer, meditation), and the importance and role of spiritual and religious ritual in key transitional life passages. Students are helped to understand the place of faith in faith-based human service programs and organizations, the impact of faith of congregational sponsored community ministry, and the effects of spirituality on health and coping. In addition, the role of faith in professional helping related to several differing faith traditions (i.e., Islam, Hinduism/Buddhism, Seventh-day Adventist, Mormonism, Native Peoples, and Judaism) is presented by guest speakers from these traditions. Students also attend a worship service of a different faith tradition. The course stresses the importance of the helper’s awareness of their own spirituality. (Recommended junior/senior status and  career goal in a helping profession). B. Hugen. 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

IDIS-150-40 DCM: Christian Response to Immigration. This course introduces students to the central intellectual project of Calvin College, the development of a Christian worldview and a broad, faith-based engagement with the ambient culture. A set of common readings sketches out basic biblical themes and helps students begin to formulate a Christian frame of reference as they pursue their academic vocation. In addition to these common readings and themes, each section of the course defines a particular academic issue to explore from the perspective of Christian faith and praxis. J. Van Engen, K. Ver Beek