Moodle at Eckerd College 2024-25 Academic Year

Mission Impossible: Religion, Science and Spies: We talk all the time about people “on a mission” to change the world but what does that really mean? Are missions supposed to be so hard that we can focus on nothing else? Are they possible or impossible? Do they alter who we are and how we behave? Why do most organizations feel the need to create mission statements? Do they really follow them? Join us on a journey as we explore these questions and seek to understand missions in our wider world while developing our own sense of what our individual missions might be. Our main sources will be the diaries of early German missionaries to Pennsylvania, Anna Botsford Comstock’s guide to the study of nature and Katy Payne’s work with whales and elephants, and the story of women in the CIA. We will also look at popular films like The Martian and Operation Mincemeat and visit local community organizations in search of that illusive sense of purpose and meaning within ourselves and others.

Think Outside: Transitioning into the Eckerd Experience
This course is specifically designed as an AT experience for transfer students. Think Outside is an exciting, seminar-style course that will provide an introduction to the curriculum that lies at the core of our identity as a liberal arts college. We will follow the core beliefs from “People over Profit” and will read important works of literature to think about who we are in the world and what we value most. We will engage with the stories and experiences of others as we think about empathy, imagination, and human potential. We will see how text- and discussion-based learning can help us form a community of learners together to determine our paths and contribute to a sustainable world. Along the way, students will also get acquainted with the academic requirements specific to Eckerd College and with the support services and many curricular and extracurricular opportunities that are available. At the conclusion of this class, transfer students will be both well informed about the college and fully equipped to take advantage of all that EC has to offer!

Breaking U.S. Oil Addiction (Honors): How addicted is the U.S. to oil? How much oil
does the world have left? What are the costs and benefits to society of fracking? Is it possible to
reduce our consumption of oil and other fossil fuels to avert the dangers of climate change?
How much has oil driven our foreign policy? Should the U.S. strive to be “energy independent”?
This course examines such questions and invites students to critically assess existing U.S. oil
policy and make informed recommendations for the future. Issues to be explored are the supply
and demand for this nonrenewable resource, its historical importance to the U.S. economy, and
its national security and environmental consequences. We will analyze various policy options,
including supply-based measures such as increased oil drilling and use of unconventional
sources, as well as demand-based measures such as fuel economy standards, higher gasoline
taxes, and incentives for alternatives like electric vehicles and biofuels. Throughout this course,
we will work together to develop our research, writing, and presentation skills, and become
familiar with class preparation and participation expectations at Eckerd.

¡Viva Ybor! Cuban and Spanish Cultures in Tampa’s Ybor City: Have you Googled
“Best Things to Do in the Tampa Bay Area” and wondered, “What is Historic Ybor City?” Is it
pronounced “eye-bore” or “e-bor”? In this course we will explore the unique history of Ybor
City, an area of Tampa that was once the cigar-making capital of the world. Founded by
entrepreneur Vicente de Ybor in the 1880s, Ybor City became the home of several groups of
immigrants who came to Florida to work in the cigar factories. Many of these immigrants were
Cuban and Spanish, and Ybor City became known as Tampa’s “Latin Quarter,” Cigar factory
workers were educated and politically conscious, and they created mutual aid societies, raised
money for Cuban Independence, and protested against fascism. After a series of historical
changes–the Great Depression, World War II, and the mechanization of cigar making– many of
the cigar factories closed and a large portion of the original communities moved to newer areas
of Tampa. Although Ybor City has changed significantly since its prime, it remains an important
part of Tampa’s culture. In this course we will read historical and anthropological studies of
Ybor City, the speeches and poems of José Martí, the father of Cuban independence who visited
Ybor City 20 times (and survived an assassination attempt), and Nilo Cruz’s Pulitzer Prize-
winning play, Anna in the Tropics, which is set in an Ybor City cigar factory and explores the
power of literature. We will also go on a field trip to Ybor City and eat a Cuban Sandwich. ¡Que
viva Ybor! project, students will have the opportunity to make their own short films.

Critters and Contagions: Zoonotic Disease Ecology At Eckerd, we love animals! From dogs in dorms, chickens at the Eckerd farm, marine mammals in research labs, and birds seen through binoculars, Eckerd students come into contact with a wide range of animal species. But, what if I told you, that some of those charismatic creatures may harbor dangerous secrets? Step into the fascinating world of "Critters and Contagions: Zoonotic Disease Ecology," where you'll explore the intricate web of connections between animals, humans, and the pathogens that bridge their worlds. From the lush jungles of the Amazon to the bustling streets of urban centers, you'll discover the ecological factors driving the emergence and spread of diseases that jump from animals to humans and back again, like Ebola, West Nile Virus, bird flu, Lyme disease, COVID-19, and even THE PLAGUE. Whether you're passionate about animal conservation, public health, or simply curious about the world around you, this class will empower you to make a difference in the fight against global health threats.

The interdisciplinary study of animal life history, behavior, and the interactions of humans and other animals. Content areas include conservation, research, zoos and aquariums, animal ethics, and media representation of animals.

The interdisciplinary study of animal life history, behavior, and the interactions of humans and other animals. Content areas include conservation, research, zoos and aquariums, animal ethics, and media representation of animals.

The interdisciplinary study of animal life history, behavior, and the interactions of humans and other animals. Content areas include conservation, research, zoos and aquariums, animal ethics, and media representation of animals.

The interdisciplinary study of animal life history, behavior, and the interactions of humans and other animals. Content areas include conservation, research, zoos and aquariums, animal ethics, and media representation of animals.