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, and how such phenomena contribute to the onset of diseases like obesity, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other psychopathological conditions.
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 us 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 we 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 our approval for the additional article(s) by 2:45 p.m. one full week before you will be presenting, so you should plan to be in touch with us 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 us (in a PDF file-format) by 2:45 p.m. 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 we will make every reasonable effort to accommodate students with disabilities. To request academic accommodations due to a disability, please contact Associate Dean of Students Jill Hawthorne if you are a Pitzer student. She can be contacted via email at jill_hawthorne@pitzer.edu or at (909) 607-3553. If you attend another one of the Claremont Colleges, please contact your home college’s disability officer.
- CMC: Julia Easley, julia.easley@claremontmckenna.edu, (909) 621-7377
- HMC: Heidi Bird, hbird@hmc.edu, (909) 607-7916
- Pomona: Jan Collins-Eagling, jan.collins-eaglin@pomona.edu, (909) 621-8017
- Scripps: Sonia De La Torre-Iniguez, SDelator@Scrippscollege.edu, (909) 621-8277
- CGU: Chris Bass, chris.bass@cgu.edu, (909) 607-6999
USE OF DIGITAL DEVICES:
With regard to digital devices (e.g., laptops, phones, tablets, etc.), we 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 we 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 our permission if you really think you need to make an audio recording of the class. If we 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. We 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 Pitzer students free individual conferences with experienced writers trained to consult on assignments in any discipline 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. If you are a Pitzer student, we encourage you to schedule a session if you have any doubts about your writing skills. Regular 50-minute appointments, two-hour appointments for thesis writers, and special consultations for international students are available. Please visit the Writing Center’s website for more information: http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/writing-center.
Students from other campuses are encouraged to use their local Writing Centers:
- Claremont McKenna Center for Writing and Public Discourse: http://www.claremontmckenna.edu/writing/
- Harvey Mudd College Writing Center: https://www.hmc.edu/learning-programs/writing-center/
- Pomona Writing Program and Writing Center: http://www.pomona.edu/administration/writing-center
- Scripps Writing Center: http://www.scrippscollege.edu/departments/writing-program/writing-center
- CGU Writing Center: http://www.cgu.edu/pages/726.asp
- KGI Writing and Tutoring Center: http://www.kgi.edu/current-students/student-services/writing-and-tutoring-center.html