This course will focus on Marketing’s role in addressing Sustainability in Fast Fashion and Social Justice issues. Business leaders are grappling with how to marshal resources to address Social Justice and Sustainability. Organizations have turned to Marketing to help find the right words and the right strategy. Logically, it is ridiculous that a simple marketing-led communication will sufficiently resolve the racial injustice and sustainability challenges faced by organizations and society. We will explore this in more depth across fashion, retail sectors and top brands looking at what role marketing plays in solving these wicked problems. In addition, how the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) can assist in resolving some of these issues. We will also ask ourselves do we associate with these brands, do we cancel them, do we continue to wear, or consume the brands that are not aligned with our values. 

Instructor: Isa Beltre, Marketing

Games are fun. So, would life be better if it were more like a game? That is, if it were more "gamified"? Gamification is when game-like elements (e.g., points, rewards, competition, levels) are introduced into non-game contexts. This class will consider whether gamification can help us to achieve our goals or whether it distorts our perception of what's valuable. We will examine the role of gamification across various dimensions of life, weighing the potential upsides of gamification, as well as its potential hazards for our pursuits and our values.  

Instructor: Arianna Falbo, Philosophy

We all relish the fruits of so-called “liberal” freedoms: individualism, privacy, living in the moment, and the idea of the human being as the center of the universe. But how far should these liberal ideals extend? What role do ethics and morality play in an over-individualized life? And how can individualism coexist with our social nature and with society? These questions have urgent and tangible repercussions for our lives and our future. 

Instructor: Ahmad Mohammadpour, Sociology

How do you live a healthy life? A quick search on the internet may advise you to focus on behavioral changes in diet, exercise, and stress management. This class will challenge these individualist solutions by examining how larger social contexts shape personal health outcomes. We will first look at the social determinants of health: the ways that class, race, and gender (and other factors) intersect to produce disease and disability for some and wellness for others. We will then turn to look at the social construction of illness, asking about how cultural conceptions define health and illness, and how individuals experience illness. Finally, we will explore the political economy of medicine: how our healthcare system does more than just heal, but also serves as a tool for social control. 

Instructor: Xuemei Cao, Sociology

You’ve seen and heard about them, but in this course, we will explore what makes a species “invasive” and why invasive species represent a wicked problem of sustainability. Invasive species are a product of complex interactions between people and the environment, and solutions to their presence and impact are often elusive. During this class, we will explore how we define biological invasions and the challenges their management (or lack thereof) pose to the environment, people, and the economy.    

Instructor: Melissa Hey, Natural and Applied Sciences

What makes us human? And how might that change in a world awash in algorithms and artificial intelligence? In this class, we will consider what it means to be human as we explore the relationship between math and art through images, animation, performance and artificial intelligence. By exploring math as a fundamental part of nature and life, students will reckon with the human side and future of modern science and technologies.   

Instructor: Mita Das, Mathematical Sciences

Should social media companies be regulated? Should their content be moderated? If so, how? In this course we will examine why we fall for misinformation (by studying cognitive biases especially), before asking about the responsibility social media companies and governments have when it comes to maintaining a free and democratic information ecosystem.  

Instructor: Chris Beneke, History

Does the Outdoor Products Industry have an obligation to preserve and protect the environment where their products are used?  This class will explore this question alongside methods to create more sustainable products free of toxic chemicals and light on carbon footprints.  We will examine what skiing, hiking, climbing, and other outdoor activity companies are currently doing to create more sustainable products and imagine what products would look like if they were designed for a fully circular economy.

Instructor: Ryan Bouldin, Natural and Applied Sciences

Democracies around the world now face great challenges. Hyper partisanship, super-charged social media content, and extremist rhetoric on network television have led to a political climate that challenges the pillars of democratic systems globally. This Falcon Discovery Seminar will focus on important questions about who gets to decide in our society. Who benefits and who is marginalized? What should we conserve, and how? By the end of this seminar, you will have gained a thorough understanding of the critical institutions and challenges that confront democracy in the United States and around the world. 

Instructor: Hans Eijmberts, Global Studies

The mantra "The customer is always right" has evolved into a business philosophy of customer obsession, as seen in companies like Amazon. However, placing the customer at the center raises crucial questions about monetary, ethical, and societal implications. Are businesses genuinely customer-centric, or is it just a facade, and how do they balance customer needs with ethical and sustainable practices? 

Instructor: Janelle Estes, Experience Design

Everyone wants to live “the good life,” but what exactly does that involve? Is it simply a matter of being happy, or should we aim for other things (e.g. achievement, meaningful activities, knowledge, intimate relationships) even if seeking those things is sometimes frustrating and difficult? In the first part of this course, we’ll explore different perspectives on the good life. In the second part, we’ll turn our attention to various emerging technologies. Is your smartphone helping to improve your life? Is social media enhancing your relationships, or keeping you from developing better ones? Can a chatbot or robot be your friend – or even your soulmate? Is it possible to live a meaningful life in virtual reality? In this course, we’ll explore these questions and deepen our understanding of the good life and technology’s impact on our well-being. 

Instructor: Stephen Campbell, Philosophy

Do games improve our lives? Do they improve society? Often dismissed as useless distractions and criticized for their negative impact on behavior, games can serve a number of vital purposes. In this class, we will explore the impact of games on mental health and well-being, on sustainability efforts and ethics education—and on behavior more generally. We will also design games across different genres using theories and methods of design innovation, motivation, and game mechanics, using AI tools to assist us. 

Instructor: Roland Hübscher, Experience Design

Do corporations exist solely to increase value for their shareholders? Do corporations have an obligation to be socially responsible? What does CSR—corporate social responsibility—really mean? How does ESG—meaning environmental, social, and governance—come into play? Who are a corporations’ stakeholders and what communities are impacted by a corporation’s “footprint”? And whatever the role of corporations might be, how should it be enforced? Our seminar allows you to develop your critical thinking skills as you learn more about the world and grapple with this intractable problem. 

Instructor: Timothy Duff, Law

Is The Enlightenment over?  Is there still a role for Reason in our social discourse? Our seminar will focus on learning to think critically and identifying logical fallacies and cognitive bias in the evolution of economic thought. We will move from the Ancients to the Enlightenment and the rise of Empiricism as scientific method.  We will explore the foundations of both the Natural and Social Sciences accordingly.

Instructor: Bryan Snyder, Economics

Our challenge explores the value of a business education and how to make the most of it. By the end of the semester, you will be well-equipped to ‘interrogate’ your professors and make informed judgments about what is most and least valuable about your education experience. Through such enquiry, you will add immense value for yourself, the enterprises that you engage with, and for society at large as your future unfolds. 

Instructor: Mike Page, Finance

This class will be exploring how conspiracy theories have become weaponized to drive epistemic wedges between groups in society. By this I mean that the perception of what is ‘real’ has diverged to such an extent that people are orienting to fundamentally different realities. In this sense, there is a reality that exists whether people want to acknowledge it or not. 

Instructor: Gary David, Sociology

In a world where information is abundant, biased, and often conflicting, the pursuit of truth becomes both essential and complex. But how do we distinguish between what's true and what's not? And what do we do with that information when we have it? This course delves into the practical dimensions of seeking the truth to help us learn, make decisions, or solve complex problems. We will practice looking at problems from multiple dimensions, build appreciation for diversity of thought, make attempts at being objective, and explore opposing sides of an argument to uncover the truth. Through critical analysis, engaging discussions, and interdisciplinary exploration, students will develop a deeper understanding of the nature of knowledge and the challenges of discerning what is true—and how to put it to use. 

Instructor: Marc Firenze, Computer Information Systems

Why do we trust a doctor, even though she might be wrong? Why do we follow a leader when we disagree with his mission? From childhood, we are socialized to listen to the experts. We count on them to tell us what to eat, who to vote for, and where to go to college. We watch experts on TV, listen to them on podcasts, and read their opinions online. We trust them to tell us what to think because there is far too much information out there and not enough time to sort through it all. Putting our trust in experts is a cognitive shortcut that simplifies decision-making. Recognizing the power of perceived expertise can shed light on why people sometimes follow an expert even when their personal beliefs are violated. We will explore solutions to the wicked problem of recognizing and questioning expert bias.

Instructor: Christine Skubisz, Natural and Applied Sciences

Since 1945 the United States has been the world’s richest and most powerful nation.  Today, however, the American-dominated world order is challenged by economic, military, technological and political rivals, as well as by a powerful America First movement at home.  This section of FDS will ask, Is the American Century coming to an end and, if so, will that make our lives better or worse?  We will explore the costs and benefits of the world order built by the United States, the challenges it faces today, and the implications for all of us if the American Century is indeed ending.   

Instructor: Cyrus Veeser, History

What is the role of money in U.S. politics?  To what extent does income inequality translate into political inequality?  We will evaluate the impact of wealth and money on U.S. politics—who participates, who has influence, whose concerns are addressed.  Do the wealthy have more say in U.S. politics than the working or middle classes?  What impact does lobbying by business groups and corporations have on political outcomes?  Does the role of money in U.S. politics undermine the idea of equality at the heart of representative democracy?  In answering these questions, we will consider what could or should be done to limit the importance of money in politics.  Since you’ll be taking this course during a presidential election, we’ll also evaluate if and how some of the topics we cover apply to the 2024 election. 

Instructor: Juliet Gainsborough, Global Studies

Income and wealth inequality continues to grow in the United States.  In this course, we’ll examine the growing gap between the rich and the poor, looking through the lens of social inequality, executive compensation, and corporate social responsibility.  We’ll consider whether a living wage should be pursued and by whom.  Additionally, we’ll explore the impact a living wage can have on employees, organizations, communities, and society at large. 

Instructor: Veronica Barber, Management

Why do movies get remade? In this course, we will explore the relationship between original movies and their reinterpretations by looking at movies across a range of genres, such as science fiction, dramas, gangster and horror movies, musicals, animations, and live action. Analyzing movies from the early days of cinema to contemporary Hollywood blockbusters, we will study the creative and cultural forces behind the phenomenon of remakes, examining how factors such as technological advancements, changing social norms, and diverse artistic visions influence the reinterpretation of cinematic classics, while also considering the ethical and artistic implications of remakes. 

Instructor: Maik Stanitske, English and Media Studies

According to Sami Adler in the article Power of Youth: How to Get Gen Z Behind Your Mission, 75% of Gen Zers believe that their generation will change the world.  The class will explore how Gen Zers can have a positive impact on non-profits and how non-profits can increase Gen-Z interest in non-profits.   

Instructor: Steve Wasserman, Finance

This is one of the most common questions asked when you arrive at college–for good reasons. What does a home say about your cultural values and your unique personal and familial circumstances? How is your home connected to broader social determinants like environmental concerns, economic markets, and public policy choices? In this class, students will explore stories and research that reveal how a home shapes a person and their place in the world. Students will create well-researched stories of their own to learn how to use their experience to engage in academic conversations in person and in print.   

Instructor: Luke Mueller, English and Media Studies

It is said that organizations should be inclusive, meaning they should be experienced as welcoming and supportive by people from all backgrounds. However, the backgrounds typically considered in the inclusion discussion generally exclude people with conservative social values. In this class, we will consider what it means to be “inclusive,” and whether and how we can envision and create organizational cultures that are equally supportive of people from different ideological backgrounds. 

Instructor: Marcus Strewart, Management

In this course, you will explore the importance of leadership. This course will introduce you to the fundamental leadership skills and concepts. Also, we will look at business leaders, athletic leaders, government leaders and fictional portrayals of leaders to better understand our exposure to leadership through society. The goal is to help you develop your ability to influence others and realize the power each one of us holds in our lives.  

Instructor: Jeff LeBlanc, Management

What does it mean to be “human” in a world mediated by algorithms, artificial intelligence, and virtual realities? In this section of FDS, we will critically examine this question by exploring the relationship between technology and culture. Our examination will involve analyzing fiction that explores the anxieties, realities, and speculations of living with (and through) the Age of Technology. Additionally, we will challenge ourselves to reconsider how technology (re)defines our relationship to the self, to one another and to the nonhuman world. As cyborg theorist Donna Haraway points out, fiction opens the possibility for another way of life and a less dystopian future. Some of the texts and films include Ghost in the Shell, They Cloned Tyrone, and Ex Machina. 

Instructor: Jim Miranda, English and Media Studies

This course explores the diverse languages, dialects, and accents used by people and communities within the United States. We will analyze the concept of a national linguistic identity and consider the ways in which our perceptions of language affect various stakeholders within the U.S. Finally, students will be asked to formulate a position on language policy within the United States. 

Instructor: Kristin Raymond, English and Media Studies

The title of this course intentionally has a double meaning. In part of the course, we will look at how enterprises use robotic technology to create competitive advantage. We will explore successes and failures in the implementation of robotic technology and use these examinations to better understand competitive principles. In part of this course, we will explore what impacts robotic technology will have on career paths and opportunities. What careers will be enhanced by robotic technology? What careers will be eliminated by robot technology? What human skills will have value in a world populated by robots? 

Instructor: Bruce Murphy, Computer Information Systems

How should you live? Should you try to achieve important or meaningful goals? Cultivate personal virtue? Or just do whatever makes you happy? We will explore these questions by reading classic philosophical sources, and you will begin to formulate your own answers to them. 

Instructor: Jeffrey Moriarty, Philosophy

Our particular wicked problem concerns social media: the good it does for society (e.g., connections and shared perspectives) and the bad it does for society (e.g., information biases and unrealistic expectations). You will explore ways to mitigate the bad, while keeping the good. We will also explore creativity, what it is, how to access it, and how to apply it to the wicked problem. 

Instructor: Andy Aylesworth, Marketing

In this class we use research from the economics of happiness and behavioral economics to examine the factors which make people happy. These materials are then connected to your situation at Bentley and reflections on your own life choices. 

Instructor: Michael Quinn, Economics

Using examples from the most popular sport in the world, we will examine the impacts of globalization. Among the topics we will explore are the exploitation of people, the neoliberal policies that have allowed the richest teams to monopolize tournaments, the mental health of players, and the corruption that hosting the World Cup brings to the economy of the host country.  

Instructor: Christian Rubio, Modern Languages

Climate change is a wicked problem of sustainability. But neither the causes nor the impacts of climate change are distributed equally or equitably across populations. Anthropogenic climate change is the result of countless interactions among human and natural systems. In all that complexity, what does it mean to live a good life in the face of intensifying global climate change? We will explore scientific and human dimensions of climate change and some philosophical aspects about the goods in life. 

Instructor: Dave Szymanski, Natural and Applied Sciences