Overview of BDP Courses

What are BDP 101 Forum Seminars?

BDP 101 Forum Seminars are foundation courses for the different BDPs, and they introduce students to the key concepts, methodologies, and questions related to the topic. Forum Seminars allow students to sample a range of approaches to contemporary social and intellectual issues. They feature weekly discussions with faculty from a variety of departments across UT, so Forum Seminars are a perfect way to explore potential majors and learn about interesting classes.

• BDP 101 courses are one-credit courses that meet for two hours a week during the first eight weeks of the semester.
• BDP 101 courses are open to any freshman or sophomore at UT, or to students in the Bridging Disciplines Programs.
• BDP 101 courses must be taken on a letter-grade basis.
• BDP 101 courses do not satisfy a substantial writing component requirement.
• To enroll in a BDP 101 course, you may register during your regular registration period. If you need assistance, contact the BDP office at 232-7564.
• See our Current Courses page for descriptions of the BDP 101 Forum Seminars offered this semester.

Other Courses Offered Through the Bridging Disciplines Programs

In addition to the BDP 101 Forum Seminars, we offer various other courses where lectures focus on contemporary issues with an emphasis on interdisciplinary perspectives and critical discourse. These courses may satisfy requirements for one or more of the BDPs, and they also may be used as electives for many degree plans.

BDP 129: Leadership Principles in the Real World, J.D. Howell, LBJ School

• Open to any upper-division student at UT.
• One-credit course that meets for two hours a week during the first eight weeks of the semester.

There are a dozen or so Principles or Eternal Truths of Leadership that have been taught by the military and other institutions for many years. It is the intent of this course to review these principles, discuss their meaning and show how they can be applied in our daily lives to help us in a practical way to become more effective leaders. The professor will also use examples from his own life experiences in the military and as Director of Johnson Space Center.

BDP 319: Human Rights: Theories/Practices, Dr. Barbara Harlow, Dept. of English

• Foundation course for the Human Rights and Social Justice BDP.

This seminar offers an overview of some of the most important writings on core issues of human rights, including notions of what human rights are and their possible foundation; the history and current status of social and political movements for human rights; and attempts to institutionalize human rights, from international declarations and covenants to organizations both global and local. All issues relating to human rights are fiercely contested and the seminar presents competing viewpoints in each area examined. The seminar is interdisciplinary, with readings from history, philosophy, political science, sociology, and anthropology.

BDP 329: Ethics, Law and Health Care, William Winslade, UTMB and Philosophy

• Foundation course for the Ethics and Leadership BDP; Strand course for Ethics of Health Care.

This course will explore real medical and legal cases that create ethical controversies. An interdisciplinary approach will combine legal and ethical case analysis with medical and psychological perspectives. Topics include, among others, emergency lifesaving treatment; organ donation; definition of death; brain injury treatment enhancement and research; mental illness; treatment and punishment of sex offenders; legal responsibility and brain function; competency and consent to or refusal of medical treatment for children and adults; physician assisted suicide and euthanasia; privacy, confidentiality, and privileged communications; termination and treatment of devastated patients; and responses to medical error.