2 credits AIDS has become part of the fabric of our lives, touching us personally and rapidly transforming the social and political scene. The epidemic "is posing new questions about learning and human suffering...AIDS moves along the fault lines of our society, and becomes a metaphor for understanding that society." (Bateson and Goldsby, Thinking about AIDS). Guest speakers and Bard professors will address these and other issues: the biology and psychology of sexually transmitted diseases, social policy and the changing nature of the crisis during the last 10 years, and artistic responses to the epidemic. Mid-term exam and short papers required. Register with Prof. Diana Brown.

The Poughkeepsie Institute is a collaboration on urban and cultural issues among area colleges and the City of Poughkeepsie. This spring's course, "The Poughkeepsie Water Front" aims to discover, analyze and report on the history, current project and future of the Poughkeepsie Water Front. This team-taught, multi disciplinary course will examine the socio-political realities, local environmental issues and economic development policies. There will be a strong emphasis on direct community research. Students will be involved in traditional classroom work as well as cooperative research projects. There will be a class report and documentary video issued to the Mayor of the City of Poughkeepsie in Common Council, with media coverage. The objectives of the course are:

1.- To familiarize the students with the historical development of the City of Poughkeepsie Water Front.

2.- To provide an accurate depiction of the current water front project(s) along the Hudson River.

3.- To identify the issues associated with the Poughkeepsie water front.

4.- To propose criteria for successful economic and urban development of the waterfront.

This course is limited to five students from each of the participating Poughkeepsie Institute's colleges: Dutchess Community, Bard, Vassar, Marist, SUNY New Paltz and the Culinary Institute of America. The class will meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at the Family Partnership Center, Hamilton Street, Poughkeepsie, throughout the Spring semester starting January 31, 2001, and ending May 9, 2001.