About FYS

First-Year Seminar (FYS) is a course designed specifically for Barton College first-year students. You may select your class from the twelve described below. You might choose one that relates to your potential major or one that simply sounds interesting.

All the FYS classes are designed to help you be a successful college student and, therefore, have some similar content. For example, all classes will work in areas such as study skills, time management, career research, and choice of a major. We will all use The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot as our summer reader. Your first FYS assignment is to read the book before classes begin in August.

You will meet your instructor, who will also be your academic advisor, when you attend orientation.

The Immortal Life of Words

Available for: SESSION I (June 15-16) • SESSION II (June 19-20) • SESSION III (Aug. 15-17)

Just like Henrietta's cells, words can be immortal, too. For something to be immortal, it means it is "never to be forgotten, everlasting" (http://www.thefreedictionary.com). Words come in all shapes and sizes, and they have comprised some of our world's most amazing accomplishments. For example, The Gettysburg Address, Neil Armstrong's statement from the moon, Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech, and others symbolize the power of words. Some words can hurt us, while others can make us giggle. This FYS class will play with words. Additionally, we will talk about the immortal life of words as it relates to social media and digital spaces. Of all the places where words can truly be immortal, the World Wide Web is it. Through class discussion and various projects, we will discuss the immortal life of words while exploring famous first words and works, song lyrics, literature, logos, and so much more.

I am a teacher, a student, and a mom. I have been teaching in the Department of English and Modern Languages at Barton since August 2007. I teach composition, developmental writing, and technical writing. I am also a Ph.D. student at East Carolina University, working on a degree in Professional and Technical Discourse. In August 2009, I became a new mom; and in my spare time I enjoy running and relaxing with my husband, our son, and our dog.

Elizabeth Dennis
Assistant Professor
Department of English and Modern Languages
B.A., Gardner-Webb University
M.A., Clemson University

Science, Ethics, and Social Justice

Available for: SESSION I (June 15-16) • SESSION II (June 19-20) • SESSION III (Aug. 15-17)

This course will explore the value of ethics in research and the need for a shared respect of life and property. We will discuss the ethics of using medical information without consent, as highlighted in the summer reader, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. We will also discuss other medical topics, such as the HIPAA Privacy Rule, which protects the privacy of individually identifiable health information, and other issues involving human testing in medical research.

The author of the book raises complex issues involving science, ethics, poverty, racism, ownership rights, and the law. In addition to these topics, we will discuss the ways that Skloot conducts research, the types of research she does, and how she writes about it. We will go into detail concerning larger issues in popular science, the flow of information from scientists to the science media, and popular science publications.

I have been a librarian at Barton for two years, and I worked in the library at the University of Florida for ten years before that. While at UF, I taught a freshman seminar and enjoyed working with students to help them learn how to engage fully with the college experience. I am the Technology and Digital Services Librarian at Barton, and I work with faculty and students to ensure that the library is meeting their technology needs. My wife and I are raising three wonderful children, and we have three cats and a dog who keep us company at our home in Dunn.

Jason Fleming
Technology and Digital Services Librarian
Hackney Library
B.A., University of Florida
M.L.S., University of South Florida

COURSE FULL

Is There a Jekyll and Hyde in All of Us?

Following our reading of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks during the summer, this course will explore the duality of mankind's behavior towards others. What are we capable of doing to other people? Does altruism truly exist? Can people do heinous acts without feeling guilty? Taking a social psychological approach, we will discuss the possibilities of individuals behaving in ways that go against and/or go beyond what they ever imagined possible.

I have been a proud member of the Barton faculty since fall of 2008. The Department of Psychology is what I currently call "home." I teach several different Psychology courses including, but not limited to, Introductory Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Psychology of Aging. I received my Master's degree from East Carolina University, and I now live in Nashville with my husband, David; my dog, Snickers; and my two cats, Norman and Twitch. In my free time I enjoy reading and spending time with my family. I love teaching, and I especially love teaching psychology, so I look forward to meeting all of you!

Ashley Gardner
Visiting Instructor of Psychology
Department of Psychology
B.A., North Carolina State University
M.A., East Carolina University

Are You Reproductively Fit?

Available for: SESSION I (June 15-16) • SESSION II (June 19-20) • SESSION III (Aug. 15-17)

Our society bombards us with images of thin, muscular, sinewy women that many of us admire and perhaps strive to emulate. Some of these women are athletes, models, or dancers. We often view them as the vision of perfect health, and our society certainly stresses the importance of good health practices. But are those women reproductively fit? Women require a larger percentage of body fat than do men to maintain their reproductive health. Our basic physiological make-up is so complex that lifestyle changes, including some generally considered very positive, can disrupt our reproductive cycles. In this class we will explore some common diseases that frequently plague the reproductive system of women, ways to combat those diseases, and what it means to be reproductively fit.

I am trained as an animal behaviorist, and my background is in the reproductive physiology and behavior of mammals. However, I have taught human anatomy and physiology for over 20 years and, through my own readings, have gained much knowledge and interest in this topic. I am excited for us to investigate together new research and information regarding this important area of human health.

When I am not teaching anatomy and physiology, I spend time caring for injured wildlife and orphaned young animals. I also enjoy performing in a variety of musical and theatre venues. Most of the time my home is occupied by my husband and me, our two cats, the love of my life Maltese named Bentley, and the occasional other creatures I am caring for.

Jane M. Kolunie
Professor of Biology
Department of Science and Mathematics
B.A., Wheaton College
Ph.D., Rutgers University

Dismantling White Supremacy: An Investigation into the Legacy of Growing up in a Racist Society

Available for: SESSION I (June 15-16) • SESSION II (June 19-20) • SESSION III (Aug. 15-17)

A noted Southern historian has described white supremacy as the water that we, the fish, swim in. We are as unconscious of the impact of white supremacy on our lives as fish are of water. Yet white supremacy exerts a deep and profound influence on our individual attitudes and behaviors, our legal system, and social mores. This First-Year Seminar will explore issues of race and class raised in our summer reader, Rebecca Skloot's The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. We will seek to identify and understand the unconscious attitudes that we have internalized through being raised in a society infected with white supremacy, and we will consider the impact that these attitudes have had on us as individuals and on our society. In short, we will seek to become more aware of the water of white supremacy we have swum in for our entire lives.

Students will read and respond to supplemental readings around these themes, and will also journal and reflect on their personal stories.

The 2012-2013 academic year will be my first full year at Barton as Library Director. I believe that librarians have a very special role as educators, not only to teach students how and where to find information, but to teach them to think critically about and evaluate the information they find. So, this course will also make use of the library and its resources.

I am married to the love of my life, Tuck Taylor, and we will soon be moving to Wilson with her two youngest boys, ages 11 and 14. We also have four college age children between us who will be visiting from time to time. I am an avid runner, reader, and baseball fan.

George Loveland
Associate Professor of Library Science
Director of Hackney Library
B.A., M.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
M.L.S., North Carolina Central University
Ph.D., Rutgers University

COURSE FULL

Your Health, Your Success, Your Involvement: Who Are You, and Who Is Responsible for Who You Are and Who You Will Be?

How have current concepts and trends related to health, fitness, sports, and media, and your own upbringing influenced your life and shaped the culture of your environment? In this course we will explore many of the factors that influence and assist us as we develop as individuals. Students will be provided with learning tools and objectives that may help them with their own personal development and success.

"Be the change that you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi

"Be so good they can't ignore you. - Steve Martin

I returned to Barton College in 2009 as the Athletic Training Education Program Director. I also serve as Director of Faculty Development. My doctoral study was in educational leadership, research, and technology, while my master's study was in athletic training. My undergraduate major was physical education and exercise science. I have served as an educator, athletic trainer, and strength and conditioning specialist in various clinical-outreach, high school, college, and professional settings. From 2001 to 2003 I was an assistant professor/athletic trainer/on-site clinical coordinator and strength and conditioning education program advisor for Barton College. My research and areas of interest include athletic training clinical education, the establishment of clinical education sites, dance and sports medicine, accreditation compliance issues, learning styles, injury evaluation and diagnosis, strength and conditioning program development, and the implementation of strength and conditioning education. I reside in Wilson with my husband, Jeff; son, Ci'an; and daughter, Lily.

Jennifer O'Donoghue
Associate Professor of Physical Education and Sport Studies
Director of Athletic Training Education
Department of Physical Education and Sport Studies
B.S., Michigan State University
M.A., Ph.D., Western Michigan University

COURSE FULL

The Integrity of College Athletics

Do you ever wonder what happens to the billions of dollars spent on college athletics every year? Who pays the price, and who benefits the most from participation in intercollegiate athletics? Is the NCAA an advocate for the student-athlete, or is it an oppressor? We will explore the history of the NCAA, the multitude of lawsuits filed against the NCAA in its 106 years of existence, the myth of amateurism, and the cost of being a student-athlete.

This fall marks the beginning of my fourth year at Barton College. Currently, I serve as the Clinical Education Coordinator for the Athletic Training Education Program in addition to my duties as Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Education and Sport Studies. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in athletic training from Alfred University and a master's degree in physical education from Hofstra University. During the course of the semester you will hear a variety of stories involving my 12 years of athletic training experience at various levels and a multitude of other jobs and the many questions I have about the NCAA, intercollegiate athletics, and current news articles related to sports.

Rich Patterson
Assistant Professor of Physical Education and Sports Studies
Clinical Coordinator of Athletic Training Education
Department of Physical Education and Sport Studies
B.S., Alfred University
M.S., Hofstra University

A Question of Culture

Available for: SESSION I (June 15-16) • SESSION II (June 19-20) • SESSION III (Aug. 15-17)

We view the world through the lens of culture. In this course we will rely on varied readings to explore cultural perspectives related to important aspects of everyday life. Through essays and folk tales, we will examine cultural perspectives regarding family and community, traditions, education, work, lifestyle, and health. The understanding and appreciation of diverse cultural perspectives help us better understand ourselves and the world in which we live. Please join me for a journey of cultural exploration and enlightenment.

I am intrigued by culture and fascinated with learning about the cultural beliefs and values of others. Our cultural heritage intricately connects with who we are, what we value, and how we view others. As a healthcare professional, I passionately embrace the pursuit of cultural competence. For nine years, as a public health nutritionist, I worked with clients from various cultures and experienced the challenges that cultural differences posed for my clients. From public health nutrition, I shifted my career focus to education and began my tenure at Barton College, where I teach normal and clinical nutrition and various other food and health-related courses. My special interest is food and culture, which I combine with my love of travel. Perhaps you will consider joining me for an international travel course to explore how food and culture connect. Costa Rica is my favorite destination, and students who travel with me find it to be a life-changing experience. When I am not traveling or reading, I enjoy my passion for flowers, as many days at the beach as I can manage, and special time with my husband and daughter.

Carol H. Ruwe
Associate Professor of Nursing
School of Nursing
B.S., University of North Carolina at Greensboro
M.S., East Carolina University

Ethics in Our Individual and Professional Lives

Available for: SESSION I (June 15-16) • SESSION II (June 19-20) • SESSION III (Aug. 15-17)

Ethics, which can vary from person to person, are based on our individual social and cultural backgrounds. As you enter the professional world, you will become an employee or employer, and you will have decision-making responsibilities. Some decisions will be difficult and will require that you have an ethical stance to guide you. In this case-oriented course, we will address issues such as employee privacy in the workplace, responsibilities to customers (regarding products and services), conflicts of interest, unfair or unfortunate justice problems, the environment, governments, and markets. Cases will be assigned to individuals and teams to research and address the issues. The goal is for each individual to recognize and understand his or her own set of ethics and to be able to use that knowledge in making ethical decisions in the future.

I am originally from the farmland of Robeson County, North Carolina, and have had a wonderful opportunity to work with some great firms and governmental agencies. I have close to 30 years in Human Resource Management. Work experience includes private industry (Western Electric and AT&T Corporate Offices from North Carolina to Washington, D.C. to New York City); federal experience (my last assignment was Civilian Personnel Officer at Fort Pickett, Va.); and local government experience (Human Resources Director for the City of Sanford, N.C., and Personnel Director for Harnett County, N.C.). I was also a Certified Assistant Contracting Officer with the Army and a Certified Compensation Professional with World at Work. During my career in Human Resources I taught multiple courses at the university level, and in 2003 I chose to change careers and instruct full-time.

My husband, John, and miniature schnauzer, Oliver, are the great loves and joys of my life. I love teaching, as I believe very strongly that everyone needs education and continued learning to maintain a high level of knowledge for themselves and their careers.

Yvonne E. Shanks
Assistant Professor of Business
School of Business
B.S. University of North Carolina at Greensboro
M.S., Rutgers University

COURSE FULL

The Power of Social Media

Is Facebook a way to stay connected with friends, or is it a force that can bring down a government? During this course we will be looking at how Facebook, Twitter, and blogging are changing the world and why some governments are so afraid of them that they ban these technologies. This course will examine the use of social media in today's society. Be prepared to learn about and use Facebook and Twitter in a classroom setting.

I have grown up in the legacy media, that being newspapers, radio, and television. But, as a person whose life has been dedicated to telling people what he thinks they need to know, I have found that I have had to conform to the way non-legacy viewers/readers (you) want to know things. As an instructor at Barton for the past 10 years, I have learned that you are unlikely to read a printed newspaper, preferring to go online to get information. I had better put it on a website or on Facebook if I want you to know it. A graduate of Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College), I grew up in Wilson and have published newspapers in Kenly since 1981. A life-long journalist, newspaper editor, and publisher, I stay busy teaching journalism at Barton and keeping my newspapers on the cutting edge of how information is delivered to an ever-changing population.

Richard D. Stewart
Assistant Professor of Communications
Department of Communication and Performing Arts
B.A., Barton College
M.A., University of South Carolina

All the World's a Stage: The Art of Imitation

Available for: SESSION I (June 15-16) • SESSION II (June 19-20) • SESSION III (Aug. 15-17)

Human beings are innately great actors: all the tools necessary are developed instinctively. And, if you have made it all the way to college, you have undoubtedly accomplished an "Oscar-worthy" performance at some point.

Artists, philosophers, and dramatists have long wrestled with the idea and value of "mimesis," the human instinct and process of imitation and representation. This debate has polarized great minds while yielding little consensus. Plato argues that mimesis in drama, poetry, and visual art are "only poor, third-hand imitations of true reality." Aristotle recognizes that without mimesis there is no rhetoric, by which we establish and judge all beauty and perceived reality. William Shakespeare (through his character, Hamlet) states that the very purpose of art is to hold "the mirror up to nature," establishing imitation as constructive criticism. Oscar Wilde claims that "life imitates art far more than art imitates life" and that the advancement of itself is the true goal of art.

On stage, actors consciously ask these questions: what do I want, what stands in the way of getting it, and what tactics do I use to overcome those obstacles? It is through this process that we are able to motivate every word and move a character makes in an effort to replicate physical and emotional reality within a world of absolute artifice. How different is the "real-life" process really?

This course will explore this concept of art imitating life imitating art. Through observation and exploration, we will distinguish a variety of theories on mimesis and demonstrate how every conscious human being sub-consciously goes through this actor's series of questions hundreds of time each day. The answers are as much a result of learned impulses as they are a reflection of a unique self; but, as with the stage, our ultimate goal is to reach our audience and achieve an empathetic response.

I have been a proud member of the Barton faculty for four years. In this time we have constructed and moved into the beautiful Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre on Barton's campus. The work we have produced in this new space has been nothing short of remarkable, and all members of the Barton community are invited to participate – onstage, backstage, or in the audience. I remain active in the region and beyond as a professional actor, director, and producer of theatre and look forward to sharing this journey with you.

Adam Twiss
Assistant Professor of Theatre
Director of Theatre Program
Department of Communication and Performing Arts
B.A., Brandeis University
B.F.A., Massachusetts College of Art
M.F.A., Trinity Rep Conservatory (Brown University/Trinity Rep Consortium)

The Power of Vision

Available for: SESSION I (June 15-16) • SESSION II (June 19-20) • SESSION III (Aug. 15-17)

What is my vision and life's purpose? Who influences my purpose? How many times will it change? How will my purpose enhance my community? All these questions will lead to creating your own personal vision plan.

A famous quotation by Dr. Benjamin Mays states: "The tragedy in life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach."

I had difficulty during my undergraduate years trying to figure out my purpose in life. My mentor told me to take some time to reflect as I began that journey. "You have to see it for yourself; I can't give you the vision," she would say. Writing the vision, seeing it, and focusing on it helped me discover my purpose and how to make it an important part of my daily walk in life.

The greatest influences on my life have been my family and teachers who have inspired me to dream the impossible dream and make it reality. There is an old African Proverb that says, "Each one teach one." This proverb became a part of my life's purpose.

Our summer reader, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, deals a lot with vision and purpose. Think about what Henrietta Lacks would have said about her purpose in life or how others people might have had a part in defining her purpose.

As Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, I spend much time working with students for whom I become a sounding board and a mentor. I feel that I am able to guide them in fulfilling their dreams. It is my purpose in life to help inspire young people. Doing so gives me great joy!

I have a strong interest in inspiring college students to believe in themselves and to succeed far above their circumstances. It is my hope that by completing this course you may discover your personal vision and be a shining star for your family, your college campus, your community, and the world.

Holly Zacharias
Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs
Office of Student Affairs
B.S., Livingstone College
M.S., University of Akron

Please contact the Director of Student Success at 252-399-6313 if you have any questions.