Spring 2008 Schedule
What Are Robinson Professors?
Since 1984, a large bequest from the late Clarence J. Robinson has allowed George Mason
University to appoint to the faculty distinguished professors in the liberal arts and
sciences. Clarence J. Robinson Professors are outstanding scholars who are dedicated
to undergraduate teaching and whose teaching and scholarship concern broad and fundamental
intellectual issues. They have chosen to come to George Mason University from senior
positions elsewhere to become closely involved with the education of undergraduate
students. For further information, please contact the Robinson Professor office in 207
East Building, call (703) 993-2171, or e-mail Denise Napoliello at dnapolie@gmu.edu.
Please see the department listing for information for registering. All courses taught by Robinson Professors are open to anyone meeting department prerequisites.
SHAUL BAKHASH
Robinson Professor of History
HIST 387: Political Islam
The destruction of the twin towers at the World Trade Center in New York on 9/11, America's war in Afghanistan, in Iraq and against terrorism have focused considerable attention on the Islamic world and on what is often termed "political Islam" or "Islamic radicalism." This course is designed to help students place political Islam in an historical context. It examines the relationship of politics and religion in the Islamic world in the past; competing interpretations of politics in the Islamic world today; the organization and various uses of violence for political purposes; intellectual and political attempts at democratic reform in the Islamic world; and the different ways in which Islamic and Western scholars and commentators have defined and understood political Islam. The course is organized principally around reading and classroom discussion of texts, supplemented by occasional lectures. (TR 1:30-2:45 p.m.)HNRS 230: Cross-Cultural Perspectives: Middle Eastern Lives
This course seeks to give students an understanding of modern Middle Eastern history, culture, and society through the reading of individual autobiographies and biographies of statesmen, intellectuals, women, and "ordinary" people. (TR 3:00 p.m.-4:15 p.m.)
SPENCER R. CREW
Robinson Professor
HIST 389: The Underground Railroad
Explores the myths and realities associated with one of the first interracial activist movements in the United States. The routes followed and the role played by enslaved African Americans, Quakers, free African Americans, abolitionists, women, American Indians, and others in the functioning of this operation will be of special interest. (TR 3:00-4:15 p.m.)
PAUL D'ANDREA
Robinson Professor of Theatre and English
ENGL 335: Shakespeare: Histories and Comedies
Shakespeare is one of the most important cultural resources we possess; we need the vision embodied in his work to help us as we create our own aesthetic and ethical lives. The course deals with practical stagecraft, Elizabethan context, and relevance to contemporary art and moral vision. (TR 12:00-1:15 p.m.)
HNRS 122: Reading the Arts
What elements came together to create the Renaissance? Do we have similar or analogous elements in our social, intellectual and artistic life today? What energies brought about the Renaissance? Can we use those or parallel energies to create an American or perhaps an international renaissance? Would that be a satisfactory substitute for war? We will study primary sources only, reading and viewing Petrarch, Donne, Rabelais, Erasmus, Montaigne, Pico, Machiavelli, Castiglione, Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Botticelli, Milton, Luther and Calvin. Lectures will set these creative figures in context. Disciplines such as art and literary criticism, history of ideas, will be used to interpret the works and try to identify for our use the sources of Renaissance energy. (TR 3:00-4:15 p.m.)
JEAN-PAUL DUMONT
Robinson Professor of Anthropology
On leave.
ROBERT HAZEN
Robinson Professor of Earth Sciences
UNIV 301: Great Ideas in Science
A non-technical introduction to the ideas that have shaped the growth of science from the
building of Stonehenge to the modern theories of the Big Bang. The idea behind each
major advance is treated in its historical context, with special attention to its
importance in mankind's understanding of the nature of the universe. Examples are
taken from the physical, geological, and biological sciences. (M - 4:30-7:10 p.m.)
HUGH HECLO
Robinson Professor of Public Affairs
GOVT 470: Faith and Reason in the
Making of the Modern Mind.
In this seminar we will investigate the interlocking claims of religious faith
and human reason in Western culture, from Biblical times to the present. The
first portion of the course covers tightly focused reading assignments in
theology and philosophy and the second portion deals with particular case
studies, from Galileo to the Intelligent Design debate. Also listed as HIST 389, RELI 376, and SOCI 395. (MW 1:30-2:45 p.m.)
GOVT 472: Christianity, Secularism,
and American Democracy.
This seminar examines, from the Reformation to George W. Bush, the evolving
relationship between religion and the American political order. Also listed as HIST 386, PHIL 391, and RELI 376. (MW 9:00-10:15
a.m.)
CARMA HINTON
Robinson Professor of Visual Culture and Chinese Studies
HNRS 230: Cross-Cultural Perspectives
Enables students to broaden cultural horizons and understand human behavior by studying societies different from their own. Emphasis on China. (MW 10:30-11:45 a.m.)
ARTH 384: Arts of China
Explores the complex and dynamic history of China by examining ways in which social, religious, and political shifts have given rise to new and variant forms of material culture. (T 4:30-7:10 p.m.)
HAROLD MOROWITZ
Robinson Professor of Biology and Natural Philosophy
See Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study
JOHN PADEN
Robinson Professor of International Studies
HNRS 230: Cross-Cultural Perspectives
Issues of family values, gender and social relations, economic perspectives, and national
culture are addressed in "Understanding the Giants of Asia and Africa: China
and Nigeria." Wherever possible, primary texts in translation will be the basis
for seminar discussion. (TR 10:30-11:45 a.m.)
PUBP 503: Culture, Organization, and Technology
Course focuses on the influence of culture in societal, political, economic, and
technological processes, national and internationally. Culture is seen as dynamic
and interactional. Using case studies, students learn pertinent approaches to the
study of culture, from the analysis of organization and social networks to that of belief
systems and identities. Students also develop practical skills in observation,
participations, and intervention. (W 7:20-10:00 p.m., Arlington)
JAMES TREFIL
Robinson Professor of Physics
UNIV 301: Great Ideas in Science
A non-technical introduction to the ideas that have shaped the growth of science from the
building of Stonehenge to the modern theories of the Big Bang. The idea behind each
major advance is treated in its historical context, with special attention to its
importance in mankind's understanding of the nature of the universe. Examples are
taken from the physical, geological, and biological sciences. (T - 7:20-10:00 p.m.)
HNRS 353: Technology
in Contemporary United States
What will the Washington area look like in 50 years? This course will focus on the technology and development of cities, using the capitol area as an example. Students will look at present-day Washington from a historical standpoint and learn what we can predict for its future in light of robotics, nanotechnology, and genetic engineering. (T 4:30-7:10 p.m.)
EGON VERHEYEN
Robinson Professor of Humanities
On leave
ROGER WILKINS
Robinson Professor of History and American Culture
On leave.
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