Gail Fowler Mohanty has been a lecturer in the department of History, Philosophy and the Social Sciences since September 2003. She has degrees in Anthropology (Historic Archeology) and American Civilization (Material Culture), and her research interests have centered on the history of American technology and in particular textile technology in relationship to hand workers and craft labor. This work has resulted in a book and several articles, one of which received the Samuel Eleazer and Rose Tartakow Levinson Prize from the Society for the History of Technology. Prior to coming to RISD, she was employed in history museums preserving marine and fire memorabilia and industrial history as both curator and director.
Courses
Fall 2024 Courses
HPSS S101-01 - TOPICS: HISTORY, PHILOSOPHY, & THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
LevelUndergraduate
UnitHistory, Philosophy, and the Social Sciences
Subject History, Philosophy and the Social Sciences
Period Fall 2024
Credits 3
FormatLecture
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date
HPSS S101-01
TOPICS: HISTORY, PHILOSOPHY, & THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
LevelUndergraduate
UnitHistory, Philosophy, and the Social Sciences
Subject History, Philosophy and the Social Sciences
PeriodFall 2024
Credits3
FormatLecture
ModeIn-Person
Start and End2024-09-04 to 2024-12-11
Times: TTH | 7:00 PM - 8:30 PMInstructor(s): Gail MohantyLocation(s): College Building, Room 431Enrolled / Capacity: 20Status: Open
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Topics in History, Philosophy, and the Social Sciences is an introductory course in which students are encouraged to develop the skills in critical thinking, reading, and writing that are common to the disciplines represented in the Department of History, Philosophy, and the Social Sciences (HPSS). Sections focus on the topics typically addressed within the department's disciplines; through discussion about key texts and issues, students are introduced to important disciplinary methodologies and controversies. All sections have frequent writing assignments, which, combined with substantial feedback from HPSS faculty, afford students the opportunity to develop the strategies and techniques of effective writing. There are no waivers for HPSS-S101 except for transfer students who have taken an equivalent college course.
First-year students should check the Registrar's Office website for topics.
Transfer and upper-level students should register for one of the evening sections.
Major Requirement | BFA
Spring 2025 Courses
HPSS S101-21 - TOPICS: HISTORY, PHILOSOPHY, & THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
LevelUndergraduate
UnitHistory, Philosophy, and the Social Sciences
Subject History, Philosophy and the Social Sciences
Period Spring 2025
Credits 3
FormatLecture
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date
HPSS S101-21
TOPICS: HISTORY, PHILOSOPHY, & THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
LevelUndergraduate
UnitHistory, Philosophy, and the Social Sciences
Subject History, Philosophy and the Social Sciences
PeriodSpring 2025
Credits3
FormatLecture
ModeIn-Person
Start and End2025-02-13 to 2025-05-23
Times: TF | 2:50 PM - 4:20 PMInstructor(s): Gail MohantyLocation(s): College Building, Room 431Enrolled / Capacity: 20Status: Open
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Topics in History, Philosophy, and the Social Sciences is an introductory course in which students are encouraged to develop the skills in critical thinking, reading, and writing that are common to the disciplines represented in the Department of History, Philosophy, and the Social Sciences (HPSS). Sections focus on the topics typically addressed within the department's disciplines; through discussion about key texts and issues, students are introduced to important disciplinary methodologies and controversies. All sections have frequent writing assignments, which, combined with substantial feedback from HPSS faculty, afford students the opportunity to develop the strategies and techniques of effective writing. There are no waivers for HPSS-S101 except for transfer students who have taken an equivalent college course.
- First-year students are registered by the Division of Liberal Arts.
- Transfer and upper-level students should register for one of the evening sections that are offered in the Fall and Spring semester.
