COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Epigenetics is the study of gene regulation. Recent research indicates that experiences influence genetic functioning, highlighting how Nature and Nurture interact. In this introductory course, students will read chapters and articles about this fascinating and important field, exploring (among other topics) how childhood experiences produce epigenetic effects that persist into adulthood, how epigenetic phenomena are involved in learning and memory, how dietary factors influence the functioning of the genome, and how such phenomena contribute to the onset of diseases like post-traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia. We will also consider "epigenetic inheritance," and what that means for the modern theory of evolution.
TOPIC SELECTION:
Between the first and second classes, please look over the list of topics on the syllabus, choose the topic that you would most like to present, and let me know about your preference. Topics will be assigned on a first come, first served basis, and there is no guarantee that the topic you choose will be the topic you’ll present.
PRESENTATION EXPECTATIONS:
Here is what you can expect to do on (and before!) the day you will be presenting:
- You will be responsible for leading the discussion on the day assigned to you.
- You will be asked to lead the discussion on the articles I have chosen for the day assigned to you. Links to these articles are provided on the syllabus.
- In addition, you will be responsible for finding one or two other articles (15 pages max, total) relevant to the topic we will be discussing on that day. You will need to have gotten my approval for the additional article(s) by 2:45 pm one full week before you will be presenting, so you should plan to be in touch with me about this assignment at the end of the previous week (approximately 10 days before your presentation date).
- You will be responsible for getting the chosen article(s) delivered to me (in a PDF file-format) by 2:45 pm one week prior to your presentation.
- During the final 10 minutes of class one week before your presentation, you will be asked to offer your classmates helpful reading hints about the article(s) you have chosen.
EXPECTATIONS WHEN YOU’RE NOT PRESENTING:
Every week, each student NOT presenting that week will be asked to proffer at least two questions that came to mind while checking out the weekly readings (see requirements for more information). These questions should be submitted (72 hours prior to class) to our Sakai website, to help the students who will be leading the discussion prepare for the task.
A FINAL NOTE ON PARTICIPATION:
Come to class armed with your questions and ideas about the readings. Share your ideas and thoughts with the rest of us. In a seminar, participants learn from each other, so it will be important for everyone to put themselves out there, think out loud, and basically just let it fly. Don’t just be a sponge; this course will fulfill its potential only if everyone contributes to the collaboration.
ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS:
Please note that I will make every reasonable effort to accommodate students with disabilities. For Pitzer students, to request academic accommodations due to a disability, please contact Pitzer’s Academic Support Services (PASS) in the Office of Student Affairs to inquire about accommodations and support services (https://www.pitzer.edu/student-life/academic-support-services/). It would be best for any interested students to contact PASS early in the semester so that a collaborative plan can be developed for the academic year. PASS will work with students to identify reasonable and appropriate accommodations. If you attend another one of the Claremont Colleges, please contact your home college’s disability officer; you can get more information about that by contacting the Claremont Colleges Student Disability Resource Center here: sdrc@cuc.claremont.edu.
USE OF DIGITAL DEVICES:
With regard to digital devices (e.g., laptops, phones, tablets, etc.), I insist that you restrict their use in class to note-taking ONLY, and that you refrain from using such devices during class for other activities (e.g., texting, web surfing, video watching, etc.). If I find that students are using a device for something other than note-taking, those students will no longer be permitted to use digital devices in the class.
AUDIO RECORDINGS:
Please ask my permission if you really think you need to make an audio recording of the class. If I do give you permission to record the class, the recording must be for your personal use ONLY and must be deleted at the end of the semester. I do not permit any video recording or photography while in class, as these are not necessary.
WRITING CENTER:
Located in 131 Mead Hall, just across from the fountain, the Pitzer Writing Center offers one-on-one consultations with peer Fellows trained to work with writers on assignments in any discipline and at any stage of the writing process, from brainstorming ideas to polishing a final draft. The Writing Center is one of Pitzer's most popular academic resources, holding over 1,900 consultations and a dozen workshops per year. I encourage you to make use of the center early and often during the writing process. To book a session or learn more, visit https://www.pitzer.edu/writing-center/. Specialized appointments are also available for fellowship applicants and senior thesis writers.
All Pitzer students may use the Writing Center for any writing need. Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, Pomona, and Scripps students are welcome to book appointments for courses taken at Pitzer.
STANDARD CONTENT WARNING:
Please note that the material covered in this course may be challenging to some students, because it will cover topics related to human psychology, possibly including subjects such as mental illness, depression, suicide, psychosis, child neglect or maltreatment, pathological behaviors, sexual behaviors, evolution, obesity and/or eating disorders, recreational drug use/abuse, or any of several other topics that some individuals might find re-traumatizing. Please feel free to step outside during a class if you need to. Having said that, please be aware that these are standard topics of discussion in psychology courses.