First-Year Signature Courses

Imagination, Art, & Science
As a result of taking this course students will be able to make substantive and meaningful connections between a wide range of artistic and scientific disciplines. Classroom activities will combine lecture and discussion of topics, incorporating laboratory/studio experiences and projects.  Students will create art projects that meaningfully develop scientific themes and science projects that explore a variety of dimensions of the visual and other creative arts.

Instructor Bio:
As a science educator and artist I have been developing my skills at fabricating and demonstrating various scientific apparatus and artistic forms to further understanding.  In creating purely artistic subject matter, I strive to provoke conversations about scientific ideas. I enjoy the physicality of shaping materials.  Whether the work features wood, ice, moss, stone, steel or soap bubbles to generate a desired outcome, there is always a negotiation between what I can skillfully execute and what the material will allow.  Pushing the edge of what I can accomplish is an ongoing goal.  My modality of working can best be described as free form. I rarely work from models or drawings, preferring to let the figure emerge directly, letting the mistakes fall where they may.  Before setting about to begin a piece I spend time contemplating the materials I have at hand and the desired outcome.  Through showing respect for the materials and processes, eventually the time I spend working generates a finished form.  In executing my work and teaching my classes, I have found that art and science have many complimentary aspects.  Discovery in any form adds to the complexity of our world, reinforcing and pushing the boundaries for what is possible.  Art and science both instigate thoughts that, if done with skill, can communicate transcendent ideas about our world in emotional and personal ways.

Animation, Games, & Storytelling
This course is an introductory programming course that combines programming
with animation, using the programming environment Alice 3. You will first learn to tell 3D animated stories by programming Aliceʼs objects using its scenes and cameras. In particular, you will learn how to set up a scene, tell a story by having your characters say things, move the camera around the scene, and move, turn, and rotate those characters. You will learn programming concepts such as writing your own instructions, repetition, making decisions, and grouping similar actions that need to happen together.  In the second half of the course you will learn how to combine the topics you have learned with event programming to build 3D games that you and your friends can play.

Instructor Bio

Rameen Mohammadi began his career at SUNY Oswego in 1985 and became the department chairman for Computer Science in 1996. He served as chair until December of 2006 at which point he became the Associate Provost for Undergraduate and Special Programs. Rameen received his Bachelors degree from Framingham State College and Masters from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.  He then attended the PhD program at SUNY Binghamton while teaching at SUNY Oswego. Rameen’s research interests are in Computer Science education, Software Engineering, and Database Design. More recently, his focus is on student success.

American Blues: Music, cultural history and expression
The history of the blues is the history of 20th-century America, and no greater illustration of its tragedies and triumphs exists than two days in 1936. On Nov. 23, Robert Johnson recorded some of the most famous blues songs ever, to be covered by hundreds of acts and revered by millions of fans. But the night before, while playing on the street for extra cash, he was arrested, roughed up and had his guitar destroyed by local police who thought -- despite his insistence -- he was a vagrant. Thus one session that moved the musical world forward was preceded by an event that reflected the backwards attitudes the blues, and Black America, continuously tries to conquer.
 
This course will use cultural and social history, writing, music, popular culture studies, psychology and other fields to probe how the blues and its history provides lessons on an America that was and still is, while also offering opportunities for student self-expression and supporting intercultural knowledge and competence.

Instructor Bio:
Tim Nekritz is a communications professional, published historian and amateur (but improving!) musician. By day, he serves as director of news and media in the college’s Office of Communications and Marketing, telling the stories of the SUNY Oswego family. He also has taught in communication studies for 15 years. A former music columnist and promoter, Tim is a voracious blues researcher, working on publishing projects and on differentiating between the two Sonny Boy Williamsons. He plays bass and sings at open mics and a variety of jams. In addition, Tim’s 8-year-old son, Arius, is trying to teach his dad to become a competent gamer.
 

Who’s Afraid of Critical Race Theory?

Who’s afraid of critical race theory (CRT)? It seems like everyone, if you have watched or read the news recently! In this course we will define and discuss CRT and how it can be applied to multiple fields. We will discuss the origin of the theory along with its evolution. Students will be asked to engage and participate in research, civil in-class discussions, and writings based on factual knowledge and application. We will review news stories, current events, and selected readings, seeking meaning and perspectives. The purpose of this class is not to convince you to form an opinion but to give you the tools you need to understand and critically examine the messages that are thrown your way daily, on any subject. Knowledge is power!

Instructor Bio:
Dr. Christina Seado Vasquez is the Director of the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) at SUNY Oswego. She has worked in higher education for over 15 years in student support roles ranging from Student Services Coordinator to Assistant Dean of Students, at previous institutions. In her current role, Christina serves students on campus by helping them access the services and resources they need to be successful in their future careers in STEM or other professional licensed fields. She loves learning from students and sharing tips and tricks on how to navigate the world of college.

Christina lives in Oswego with her husband, her two children (Charlie and Xavier) and their very old (and sometimes grumpy) dog Stanley. She enjoys anything funny, binge watching Netflix, competitive cooking shows, reading, making bad art, and being active in the community. She is originally from Florida and has been living in Oswego since 2019. You can find her asking questions about winter, wondering aloud about the weather in general, and if it is snowing sideways, quietly contemplating her life decisions. However, she loves Oswego in the other 3 seasons and enjoys sharing all the fun little places to explore in the city!
 

The Spoken Word
Spoken word poems are meant for a crowd. Performance poetry (spoken word and slam) became popular in the United States in the 1980s, and this genre of writing and speaking emphasizes word choice, rhythm, repetition, and storytelling to address issues related to social justice. 

This course will introduce you to contemporary spoken word poems and performers as well as the social problems they address in their writing: sexism, civil rights, poverty, body image, LGBTQ+ rights, rape culture, mental illness, religious freedom, and more. You will also compose, workshop, and perform your own spoken word poem.

Instructor Bio:
Stephanie Pritchard is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the English and Creative Writing department at the State University of New York at Oswego. She received her MFA from the Vermont College of Fine Arts in 2011. Stephanie teaches poetry writing, digital storytelling, and English composition courses, is Assistant Director for Writing Across the Curriculum and the Director of The Creativity Lab. She is the recipient of the Provost's Award for Teaching Excellence. In addition to teaching and writing, Stephanie enjoys going for long walks with her two beagles, watching the same shows over and over on Netflix, instructing group exercise classes at the Oswego YMCA, and trying to convince her toddler to wear pants. 
 

Sexual Health in The Media 
Sexual Health in the Media is a wellness course that uses popular media such as reality television, pop & hip-hop music, movies, Instagram, and other media sources to explore themes related to sexual health, relationships, communication, and prevention. The course focuses on giving college students the tools and strategies needed to navigate the college culture and empower students to make healthy life decisions. Some core modules of the course will include: 

• Understanding Health on Campus 
• Study and Lifelong Learning Skills 
• Introduction to Sexual Health 
• The Media and Perspectives of Sexuality 
• Communication and Collaboration 

Instructor Bio: 
Dr. Jessica Harris is a full-time Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Promotion and Wellness at SUNY Oswego. She received her Ed. D from St. John Fisher College in Executive Leadership, where her research focused on “Knowledge, Behavior, and Attitudes of College Students Regarding HIV/AIDS.” Her M.S. was in Health Science from the University of Arkansas, where her research focused on sexual health.  

Dr. Harris is passionate about teaching and is very active on the SUNY Oswego campus, you may see her at several student events such as OZFEST, ALANA fashion shows, or simply chatting with students in the lounge. Dr. Harris is very approachable and has an open-door policy. Her goal is to help her students succeed whether that be by going on to graduate school or helping students into flourishing career paths. 
 

Physics at the Frontier: Most Amazing Discoveries
Which are the oldest discoveries? What scientific breakthroughs changed the outcome of wars and shifted the frontiers? How did condensed matter research lead to the Silicon Valley boom? What are the novel medical procedures developed with biophysics advancements?
 
We will discuss the scientific discoveries which revolutionized the world. We will have a historical view on physics advancement, and then we will discuss how the physics discoveries were essential in the progress done in other fields: medicine, astronomy, computer science, chemistry, geology, and biological sciences. 
 
Instructor Bio:
Dr. Carolina Ilie is a Professor in the Department of Physics. Dr Ilie decided to do physics when she was 11, and she really loves to discover new things and to spend time solving problems. She obtained her PhD in Physics and Astronomy at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, an MSc in Physics at Ohio State University and another MSc in Physics at the University of Bucharest, Romania. Her research is in condensed matter physics: in magnetic materials, molecule absorption on polymers, solar cells. She received the President’s Award for Teaching Excellence in 2016 and the Provost Award for Mentoring in Scholarly and Creative Activity in 2013. She published two books on electromagnetism and electrodynamics with a SUNY Oswego team: alumnus Zac Schrecengost as co-author, and alumna Julia D’Rozario as exclusive illustrator.
 
When not doing research or solving problems, she enjoys walking with her family, listening to classical music, reading, playing piano (terribly!), learning languages (Spanish) and, when inspiration strikes, writing poetry and knitting. 
 
 
 
 
 

Disability & Health in Comics 
Hillary Chute, author of Why Comics? says “Stories about illness and disability use the show-and-tell aspect of comics . . . to reveal hard-to-convey truths about sickness or ability.” Increasingly, the intersection of (dis)ability and graphic narratives has become an area of interest for scholars. In this class, we’ll read comic books and graphic novels that tell stories about bodies and abilities. Through the study of graphic novels and comic books, including both non-fiction autobiographical narratives told in comic form as well as fictional stories of superheroes and villains set in both the Marvel and DC universes, this course will challenge conceptions of disability, and shed light on the potential of comics and graphic novels for revealing fundamental truths about ability, health, and illness. 

Instructor Bio:
Sean Milligan coordinates the Focus Forward mentoring program at SUNY Oswego, where he also teaches in the English & Creative Writing department. Sean is enthusiastic about service learning and civic engagement, and often infuses these elements into his courses. Sean is interested in the ways in which comics combine words and images to tell stories and tackle hard questions (especially questions about human bodies, illness and disability, life and death, and sensory experiences). Besides comic books, Sean is a fan of horror movies, video games, and Dungeons & Dragons.
 

Brain Rules and Student Success
Brain Rules and Success is a wellness course that combines the 12 rules of how the human brain works with what student’s need to be successful and healthy. The course also provides a 100 day academic and personal game plan to feel and stay organized while involved in the many aspects of campus life.  

Instructor Bio:
Mary Pagán is a full-time Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Promotion and Wellness at SUNY Oswego. She received her M.S. degree from Syracuse University’s Exercise Science Program and M.A. from SU’s Sociology department where she is completing her PhD focusing on health across the life course. Mary is a certified life coach and gerontologist who brings her love of human performance and athletic/personal training to the classroom. 

She believes that teaching students how to identify and capitalize on their individual potential makes the difference in academic and personal success. Professor Pagán’s first goal is to help students feel welcomed and supported in their communities at SUNY Oswego. Professor Pagan shares “when a student feels safe, welcomed, and supported their college life goals for academic, personal, and social experiences become clearer and more focused”. Pagán is known for using social media, movies, and sports to highlight life’s joys and challenges.
 

Higher Power Hour
Spiritual Wellness can come in many different forms. For one individual it could mean participating in organized religion, while others could view it as reflecting on previous experiences or walking in nature. If you’re unsure about spiritual wellness that’s okay too. The goal of this class is to examine various areas of spiritual wellness, and how college students use this dimension of wellness to navigate through life's ups and downs.

Instructor Bio:
Papay (Pronounced Popeye) is a practitioner and educator. He is licensed in the fields of Massage Therapy and Athletic Training, has taught high school students, and currently serves as a Visiting Assistant Professor for the Department of Health Promotion and Wellness. Papay uses his clinical experiences to provide students with an applicable way of learning new material in his classes. He realizes the importance of balance in his life too, and has found many ways to fulfill the different dimensions of wellness. Papay loves horror movies, books and podcasts, playing cards, staying active at home, and spending time with his family.

How to Think About Weird Things: Science Confronts Pseudoscience 
Are UFO’s evidence for extraterrestrial intelligence? Can a person read another’s thoughts? Or bend a spoon with the power of their minds? Can we predict the future? Or use astrology and the stars and planets to tell the future?

Science is one pathway by which we try to answer these kinds of questions. The misuse of scientific concepts or misunderstanding of what constitutes sciences shapes pseudoscientific theories and beliefs. Pseudoscience pretends to answer questions through science-like practices and attempts to convince those who lack a skeptical mindset.  In this class we will focus on how to better understand and analyze these false claims and build critical and scientific thinking.  This is a multi-disciplinary course that requires no background in science.
In the words of Carl Sagan, “Finding the occasional straw of truth awash in a great ocean of confusion and bamboozle requires vigilance, dedication, and courage. But if we don’t practice these tough habits of thought, we cannot hope to solve the truly serious problems that face us--and we risk becoming a nation of suckers, a world of suckers, up for grabs by the next charlatan who saunters along.” 

Instructor Bio:
Paul Tomascak is a Connecticut native whose academic travels range from the desert of central New Mexico to the frigid plains of Manitoba to the bustling DC metropolis. He is an isotope geochemist, a fancy term for a geologist who studies how and when rocks form and where they come from. He has had a life-long curiosity with strange phenomena and took over teaching an earlier version of this course after arriving in Oswego in 2004. When not reading about weird things he runs long distances (slowly), plays hockey (poorly), and does his part to eliminate food waste (frequently by disregarding expiration dates). 
 

Esports and Video Game Culture
Are you into Minecraft? Skyrim and Fallout? Or maybe Overwatch and Valorant? Regardless of what games we are discussing, video games are recognized as a form of media to be enjoyed and studied much in the same way as cinema and literature. What do games tell us about ourselves and our cultures? Consider the defining aspect of video games: interactivity. What do our player choices mean for us in the non-virtual world, if anything at all? What values are incorporated into game design, and how do we, as players and scholars, respond? What do the games we play, and how we play, tell us about our communities – both in game and out? Who are we in the virtual realm? Who are we outside that realm? 

These are some of the questions we will ask in this First Year Signature Course “Esports and Video Game Culture.” Students will have the opportunity to read and study video games academically, while maintaining ample room to consider their own life experiences and relationships to video games and video game culture. Sample topics include level design, narrative, multiplayer, representation, meaningful play, mechanics, platforms, production and resource requirements, content creation, and public discourse.  Readings, writings, class discussions, final project.

Instructor Bio:
Jarrod Hagadorn is an instructor in the Department of Cinema and Screen Studies (CSS) where he teaches courses in production, video game studies, and film studies. Prior to teaching in CSS, Jarrod taught courses in literature and writing for several years and still loves to discuss his favorite novels and authors. He is also the faculty advisor for SUNY Oswego Esports where he attempts to build physical community in a space that is increasingly online. He laments, “Where did the LAN parties of the 90’s go?” He loves building computers and has been doing so since his father brought home their first family PC when Jarrod was a child. He is an avid gamer and has built a few short games that convert works of literature into playable experiences (RPG Maker, Aurora, Unity). Regarding gaming, his most recent download is V Rising, where he builds beautiful gothic resorts to house villagers in various suites and accommodations. 

Teachers are Superheroes: Representations of Teachers in Popular Culture 

This class is an examination of the teacher trope in various forms of media and popular culture, from children's literature to film, television and more. As an education course, students contend with what their image is of "the teacher" and where this comes from, having engaged with the trope in multiple forms and needing to analyze it for its realistic portrayal, or otherwise. Students engage in written analysis of teacher narratives and popular culture texts, as they seek to debunk the myths that exist around teaching and teacher identities. Ultimately students work towards the critique of our societal definitions of the teacher and an assessment of how to better understand and appreciate the role's significance in our culture.

Instructor Bio:

Dr. Sarah Fleming is a visiting Assistant Professor of English Education, having formerly taught high school English for twenty-one years in central New York schools. She is passionate about working to help pre-service candidates be prepared for their first classroom experiences, and she works specifically with the adolescent English Education students. As such, Dr. Fleming is especially interested in all things related to literacy and young adults, namely the use of young adult literature in the disciplines and approaching all teaching and learning from a stance of inquiry. When not teaching, Dr. Fleming can be found with her nose in the latest YA book or binge-watching all sorts of genres on Netflix, or trying to keep up with her son’s love of video games. 
 

This is the Way: Life Lessons from Star Wars
What can Yoda teach us about our mindsets and failure? How can the Clone Wars help us understand our own geopolitical conflicts? These are just some of the questions students will engage with in GST 198: This is the Way. In this course students will use Star Wars multimedia (books, movies, shows, etc.) as a lens through which important life lessons from a galaxy far, far away can be learned to help them succeed both in the classroom and beyond. Topics will include growth mindset, fear of failure, political/moral philosophy, cultural impact, leadership and more. Through critical thinking, oral and written communication, and demonstration of intercultural knowledge and competence, students will be able to identify which Star Wars stories can help guide them on their own academic and personal journeys in life.

Instructor Bio:
Andrew Buchmann is an Academic Success Advisor in the Advisement Center serving first-year and transfer students from Communication Studies, Cinema and Screen Studies, and Creative Writing. Having earned both his B.A. and M.S from SUNY Oswego, Andrew is a lifelong learner dedicated to student success. In addition to advising a caseload of students, Andrew is the Starfish Coordinator for the campus and a co-facilitator for the SUNY Starfish Community of Practice. Outside of his vocation, he enjoys all things Star Wars, LoL Esports, and streaming on Twitch or creating content for TikTok. 

The Science of Standup
Stand up comedy is a science. The comedic material presented is an observation of human behavior with critical thinking regarding perspectives and experiences.  Comedic delivery is the result of experimentation in wording, timing, and the reactions of the audience. Even the concept of ‘funny’ is a science in itself with cultural and individual variation.  For this course, we examine comedy and the science behind it. What comedic bits are accurate observations regarding people’s behavior? What makes a joke funny? Why is something “funny because it is true”? Students will gain experience creating stand up bits regarding their lives, college, and culture, focusing on comedy as naturalistic observation of human behavior. Students will also learn about comedy and satire’s role in politics, culture, and human relationships while workshopping their own written and spoken material.

Instructor Bio
Rebecca Burch is a Professor in the Human Development department. In the past 20 years at Oswego she has taught courses on treatment of women, activism, adolescence, poverty, human sexuality, brains and behavior, drugs, hormones, cultural differences and even television shows. She is an evolutionary psychologist who specializes in research in sexual behavior, violence, and popular culture. Sometimes all of this work collides, like in her most recent research that focuses on depiction of comic book characters and common tropes in television and film. Her work has also been spotlighted by several documentaries, newspapers/sites, magazines, pop science sites, television shows, and nonfiction books (and even a novel). In her free time, she enjoys all the products of popular culture (e.g., movies, books, TV, comics, music, art) as well as travel, gardening, and her three not-so-bright-but-very-cute dogs. 
 

Psychology of Men and Boys in Human Development 
This course explores what it means to be a man from different angles of development and societal perspective. We'll talk about how society, culture, and the media shape our ideas of masculinity and influence how men behave and think. We'll also explore how these ideas impact men's physical, emotional, and mental well-being and their relationships with others, especially with women.

Throughout the course, we'll discuss real-world and popular media examples and explore how these ideas play out in everyday life. We'll be looking at famous men and women, exploring their experiences, and engaging in activities to help us understand how these ideas impact our lives.  By the end of the course, you'll better understand the different factors that shape our ideas of masculinity, and you'll be equipped to think critically about the role of gender in our lives.

Instructor Bio
Hilal Kuscul is a visiting assistant professor in the Human Development Department with experience in teaching and researching gender roles and transitions. She holds a Ph.D. degree from the University of Connecticut. She has an academic background with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Social Psychology. Over the last two years in SUNY and UCONN, she has taught various courses, including fundamentals of gerontology, human development, child development,  family interaction processes, family policies, and men and masculinities. 

With nearly two decades of experience running research and applied projects, Hilal has worked extensively with non-profit and non-governmental organizations in Turkey, specifically focusing on under-resourced families. Her research interests are centered around parenting and fathering, exploring the role of gender ideology in shaping parental behaviors and attitudes, particularly in the context of poverty. She has two college-age sons, whom she shares with permission, several examples from their lives in the courses. She likes to watch Netflix series, read history books, and drink tea. 

Finding Calm in Chaos 
Stress is indeed an inevitable part of life, and negative mental health symptoms can begin to exhibit at any stage. However, if left unmanaged, stress can often lead to severe issues such as depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, etc. To illustrate further, CDC (2022) reported that 9.5% of US adults aged 18-44 experienced anxiety symptoms. Notably, these symptoms were highest among young adults, i.e., 18-24-year-olds. Poor mental health negatively impacts academic performance, career goals, and relationships with parents, teachers, peers, and romantic partners. Additionally, unmanaged stress may encourage utilizing harmful coping mechanisms such as substance abuse, lack of routines and unhealthy lifestyle, and poor/risky behaviors.
The signature course, Finding Calm in Chaos, will be offered to First-year Human development students, and it is expected that information from this course will be beneficial beyond their coursework. The goals of the course would be to bring awareness regarding connections between routines, stress, and mental health. The students will also explore positive techniques of stress management, including meditation. 

Instructor Bio
Dr. Mamta Saxena is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Development at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego. She completed her Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Connecticut and her Master’s in Child Development from Delhi University, India. At SUNY Oswego, Dr. Saxena teaches courses on lifespan development, research methods, and special topics such as diversity issues and social justice, siblings, and extended family. Her research interests include mental health, sibling caregiving, pedagogy of methods courses, and study abroad programs. While working with children with developmental disabilities, she was trained to use breathing techniques in graduate school and has been meditating for almost 20 years. She loves cooking, gardening, watching Pakistani and Turkish dramas, and bonding with her 17-year-old son while watching American sitcoms.
 

Deciphering Our Media Culture 
We are born into an environment where messages bombard us at almost every moment of our day. Most of those messages arrive through media. How do we tackle them, understand them and use those messages while they try to influence us? That’s media literacy. This course will look at media makers, their messages, the memes that counteract those messages, and the audience, us, as we analyze the culture of media and society—and decide how we want to play in that culture. What makes “The Voice,” “Jeopardy!” and “The Last of Us” popular hits at the same time “Invincible,” “Antiques Roadshow” and “Luther” hold their own? Media messages consist of universal traits we will decode and learn how to use.

Instructor Bio
Eileen Gilligan is an associate professor of Journalism in the Communication Studies Department. A former beachside coffee shop owner, she worked as a daily newspaper reporter, including covering then-U.S. Sen. Joe Biden. After a few stints as an editor in public relations, she earned a PhD in mass communication research. A freelance writer today, she loves copy editing, TV crime mysteries and walking her dog everywhere.

Math for Smarter Gambling 

From ancient times to the present day, gambling has been a popular pastime enjoyed by people around the world. While games of chance and skill can be exciting and entertaining, they also involve risk and uncertainty. Can mathematics be used to gain an edge in gambling and increase the chances of winning?
This course explores the intersection of mathematics and gambling, examining the mathematical principles that underlie both games of chance and skill. The course focuses on the use of mathematics to gain an edge in gambling, with a specific focus on popular casino games and poker. Students will delve into the mathematics of gambling, examining the odds and probability of games such as blackjack, roulette, craps, and poker. They will learn how to calculate the house edge, pot odds, and expected value, and how to use probability to make strategic decisions in games. The course will also cover advanced techniques for gaining an edge in gambling, such as card counting in blackjack, betting systems, and bluffing in poker. By the end of the course, students will have a deep understanding of the mathematics behind gambling and poker, as well as the tools to make smarter decisions when playing.

Instructor Bio
David Cossio-Ruiz is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Mathematics Department at the State University of New York at Oswego. His decades-long involvement with national and international Math Olympiad competitions have shaped his teaching philosophy about Mathematics being an agent of transformation of personal behavior. He believes all humans have the capacity to learn and love math and have developed several projects to bring mathematics to the masses, including a successful TikTok account.
In his free time, he loves to watch Esports, specifically DOTA games, where his two amazing teenage sons participate as professional esports players.
 

Great Lakes: Past & Future
SUNY Oswego’s unique position next to Lake Ontario makes it an ideal location to observe and study lake-effect snowstorms, waterspouts, lake breezes, thundersnow, and many other extraordinary and beautiful weather phenomena. This course focuses on the weather and climate system of the Great Lakes region. Topics include the names and facts of the Great Lakes, the role of the massive Lakes play in the Great Lakes weather and climate system, the forecasting technology of the Great Lake-Effect snowfall, the field works that benefit the understanding of lake-effect snowfall, and the impact of climate change on the Great Lakes. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to understand physical principles governing the Great Lakes weather system, explain the distinct meteorological events present in the Great Lakes region, and define past and projected future climates of the Great Lakes region.

Instructor Bio
Dr. Yonggang Wang is an assistant professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Geological Sciences. Professor Wang has a passion for teaching science to students from all backgrounds. His main teaching and research interests include climate and climate change, severe weather, and applications of computer programming in meteorology. Professor Wang has actively involved many undergraduate students in various research projects from the study of cold-air outbreaks and polar lows in the Arctic area to the investigation of lake-effect electrifications and thundersnow in the Great Lakes.

Culture, Identity, and K-Pop 
Hallyu (한류, literally “Korean Wave”)  has become an inescapable part of our cultural landscape. From BTS to Parasite, Korean culture continues to permeate different areas of the world. In this class we will use the lens of K-media to address a range of cultural topics that anyone can relate to. Some of these topics include racial and ethnic identity, cultural appropriation, forms of bias and racism, diaspora (living abroad), changing definitions of masculinity, beauty norms, fandom culture, and more!

Instructor Bio
Dr. Ashlee Moore is a full-time Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at SUNY Oswego. She teaches courses like Research Methods, Biopsychology, Abnormal Psychology, Developmental Psychology, & Racial and Ethnic Identity Development. She is also an avid K-Pop fan and Korean language learner. Dr. Moore earned her Ph.D. from Virginia Commonwealth University in Psychiatric, Behavioral, and Statistical Genetics. Her primary area of research focuses on the development of psychopathic traits, but she is also interested in factors that impact bias against Asian Americans. In her free time, Dr. Moore enjoys playing with her dogs, trying new foods, and attending concerts.