American Studies 191b — The Formation of Modern American Culture (FORMAC) taught by Matthew Jacobson. Tuesday 11:30-12:45. WHC AUD. A popular lecture course examining the cultural history of the United States in the modern and postmodern eras, with special attention to the development of the culture industries, the popular cultures of working peoples, and the political and social meanings of cultural conflict. Jacobson keeps students engaged with music, video and provocative literature.

Computer Science 180b — Computers and the Law taught by Robert Dunne. Wednesday 11:30-12:20. SSS 114. One of the most popular courses offered. While computer science may sound daunting, Dunne is a friendly, approachable professor who allows students to see the practical applications of the material. It is a survey and exploration of legal issues arising from the use of computers in contemporary society, particularly in the context of the Internet.

History 211b — The Birth of Europe, 1000-1500 taught by Paul Freedman. Wednesday 10:30-11:20. WLH 119. Freedman, the chair of Yale’s world-famous History Department, still finds time to teach undergraduates. He offers an engaging survey of Europe during the central and late Middle Ages, from the feudal revolution to the age of discoveries. Topics include the rise and decline of papal power, church reform movements, the crusades, contacts with Asia, the commercial revolution, and the culture of chivalry.

History of Art 221b — Architecture Since 1945 taught by Sean Keller. Tuesday 11:30-12:20. ST 263. A survey of significant architects, buildings, landscapes, and architectural movements from World War II to the present. Keller, a young lecturer who relates well to students, incorporates various themes into his course including the growth of U.S. suburbs, the role of technology, postmodernism, and the mass media, digital design, globalization, and its effect on the built environment.

Philosophy 176b — Death taught by Shelly Kagan. Tuesday 10:30-11:20. SSS 114. There is one thing I can be sure of: I am going to die. But what am I to make of that fact? An examination of a number of issues that arise once we begin to reflect on our mortality. Are we, in some sense, immortal? Would immortality be desirable? An attempt to get a clearer notion of what it is to die. What does it mean to say that a person has died? Kagan is an unconventional professor with a reputation for being a tough grader, but sitting in one of his lectures is sure to make you ponder some heavy questions.

Physics 201b — Fundamentals of Physics taught by Ramamurti Shankar. Wednesday 11:30-12:20. SPL 57. Always a popular class, and students give Shankar particularly good reviews. He keeps his lectures entertaining and excites students over what could be otherwise boring material. His course covers electromagnetism, geometrical and physical optics, and elements of quantum mechanics.