Courses | Humanities

Courses

These are our Spring 2021 courses. Click on each title to see more information, including a course description.

Idealogies and Isms Remote Asynchronous

HUM 3990 001
1/19-5/15/2021
Idealogies and Isms Remote Asynchronous
Jared Benson

“Ideology and Isms” surveys the origination, development, and maintenance of social organization through ideological construction. Society informs the way people think, arguably playing the most prominent role in nurturing individuals’ identities. American historian Morris Berman argues that “an idea is something you have and ideology is something that has you.” Thus, to understand ourselves, why we think what we think, say what we say, and do what we do, we must delve into the ideologies that generate our societies. ***Remote Asynchronous- This class will be taught asynchronously as a remote section, which means the course will be conducted fully online.***

HUM 3990 002
1/19-5/15/2021
Idealogies and Isms Remote Asynchronous
Nicholas Lee

“Ideology and Isms” surveys the origination, development, and maintenance of social organization through ideological construction. Society informs the way people think, arguably playing the most prominent role in nurturing individuals’ identities. American historian Morris Berman argues that “an idea is something you have and ideology is something that has you.” Thus, to understand ourselves, why we think what we think, say what we say, and do what we do, we must delve into the ideologies that generate our societies. ***Remote Asynchronous- This class will be taught asynchronously as a remote section, which means the course will be conducted fully online.***

The Cold War: Hist and Culture

HUM 3990 003 1/19-5/15/2021 The Cold War: Hist and Culture
Remote Synchronous
TH 4:45-7:20
Bill Bannister

This course examines the global historical context, political nuances, and the diverse cultures of the Cold War period (1945 -1990s). Topics include the theories of communism, socialism, capitalism, the Russian Revolution, Soviet Marxism, the Second World War and its aftermath, the U.S. foreign policy of containment, America’s red scares, the development of nuclear weapons and the arms race of mutual assured destruction, proxy wars, and the reflection of the Cold War in music, cinema, and popular culture.

***Remote Synchronous- This class will be taught synchronously as a remote section, which means the course will be conducted virtually during the days and times listed.***

HUM 3990 004 1/19-5/15/2021 The Cold War: Hist and Culture
Remote Synchronous
TH 4:45-7:20
Robin Lynch

This course examines the global historical context, political nuances, and the diverse cultures of the Cold War period (1945 -1990s). Topics include the theories of communism, socialism, capitalism, the Russian Revolution, Soviet Marxism, the Second World War and its aftermath, the U.S. foreign policy of containment, America’s red scares, the development of nuclear weapons and the arms race of mutual assured destruction, proxy wars, and the reflection of the Cold War in music, cinema, and popular culture.

***Remote Synchronous- This class will be taught synchronously as a remote section, which means the course will be conducted virtually during the days and times listed.***

Conspiracies & U.S. Elections Remote Asynchronous

HUM 005 1/19/2021
Conspiracies & U.S. Elections
Remote Asynchronous
Bill Bannister

This course will introduce students to several theories about political and popular culture, conspiracies, and morality in American politics. Starting with the creation of the American Presidency, we will discuss the concepts of American ideals, politics, the evolution of political campaign tactics, the role of the media and popular culture in elections, various conspiracies and dirty tricks, and the interplay between American life and politics. ***Remote Asynchronous- This class will be taught asynchronously as a remote section, which means the course will be conducted fully online.**

HUM 006 1/19/2021
Conspiracies & U.S. Elections
Remote Asynchronous
Torrah Giles

This course will introduce students to several theories about political and popular culture, conspiracies, and morality in American politics. Starting with the creation of the American Presidency, we will discuss the concepts of American ideals, politics, the evolution of political campaign tactics, the role of the media and popular culture in elections, various conspiracies and dirty tricks, and the interplay between American life and politics. ***Remote Asynchronous- This class will be taught asynchronously as a remote section, which means the course will be conducted fully online.**

World on a Plate

HUM 3990 008 !/19-5/15/2021 World on a Plate
Hiflex
TU 10:50-1:30
Jonathan Christiansen

This course examines the relationship between food and global encounters, including the ways in which diets have changed as a result of global trade, and how food and food production has been integral to colonialism and newer forms of globalization and global trade. The class will consist of three major sections, each with readings and activities based in an interdisciplinary approach. ***HyFlex- This course is offered as a combination of in-person and online content. Students should expect to be available for all of the days and times listed, although they may not be required to attend all in-person meetings.***

Western Movement & Nat America

HUM 009 1/19-5/15/2021
Western Movement & Nat America
Remote Synchronous
Wed 10:50-1:30
Minette Church

This course provides an in-depth examination of the history and archaeology of the American West from 1800-1910.  Course topics include frontier experiences, population movements, expansion of American ideals and institutions, and regionalism.  In addition, we will examine aspects of western history such as gender, race and ethnic relations, and geographical transformation.  A special theme of this course will be an exploration of Western myths and realities in American culture. Of primary interest, the course will focus on European colonizations and their profound impacts on Native American peoples into the 21st.  The course will be presented from two points of view: historical/ethnohistorical and archaeological. Lectures will include citations from primary sources including, but not limited to: diaries, journals, archival photographs, and archaeological site data. ***Remote Synchronous- This class will be taught synchronously as a remote section, which means the course will be conducted virtually during the days and times listed.

HUM 3990 010 1/19-5/15/2021
Western Movement & Nat America
Remote Synchronous
Wed 10:50-1:30
Peter Brumlik

This course provides an in-depth examination of the history and archaeology of the American West from 1800-1910.  Course topics include frontier experiences, population movements, expansion of American ideals and institutions, and regionalism.  In addition, we will examine aspects of western history such as gender, race and ethnic relations, and geographical transformation.  A special theme of this course will be an exploration of Western myths and realities in American culture. Of primary interest, the course will focus on European colonizations and their profound impacts on Native American peoples into the 21st.  The course will be presented from two points of view: historical/ethnohistorical and archaeological. Lectures will include citations from primary sources including, but not limited to: diaries, journals, archival photographs, and archaeological site data. ***Remote Synchronous- This class will be taught synchronously as a remote section, which means the course will be conducted virtually during the days and times listed.

Visions of Darkness

HUM 3990 013
1/19-5/15/2021
Visions of Darkness
Remote Synchronous
TH 1:40 – 4:20

Colin McAllister

***Remote Synchronous- This class will be taught synchronously as a remote section, which means the course will be conducted virtually during the days and times listed.***

HUM 3990 014
1/19-5/15/2021
Visions of Darkness
Remote Synchronous
TH 1:40 – 4:20

Colin McAllister

***Remote Synchronous- This class will be taught synchronously as a remote section, which means the course will be conducted virtually during the days and times listed.***

Another World is Possible: Stateless Societies

HUM 3990 OL2
1/19-5/15/2021
Another World is Possible: Stateless Societies
ONLINE
Nicholas Lee

Stateless Societies” attempts to answer the question: is another world possible? If so, how do we get there? This course takes a sociological and historical approach to study other possibilities for social organization. Most people today think of the world and its peoples in terms of nation-states and rarely consider how and why they have been conditioned to do so. Humans have not always lived in states and this course posits that at some point, we’ll need to look for alternative ways to arrange ourselves.

The course explores human nature and analyzes society while considering the historical origin and trajectory of the state. Most importantly, through discussing past and present examples of attempted stateless societies, this course hopes to entertain the possibility of a renewed pursuit “to organize society, in such a manner that every individual, man or woman, should, at birth, find almost equal means for the development of his or her various faculties and the full utilization of his or her work” (Mikhail Bakunin

Nefertiti, Wu, and Hilda

HUM 3990 OL3
1/19-5/15/2021
Nefertiti, Wu, and Hilda
ONLINE
Nina Ellis Frischmann

Nefertiti, Wu, and Hilda: Unearthing (REAL) Powerful Women Through Historical Fiction
The determination of gender is a form of reading: reading bodies, reading gestures, reading histories. In the spirit of that feminist insight, this course will introduce feminism through fiction that thematizes reading in its diverse forms. We will explore the lives of three powerful women through historical fiction: Egyptian Pharoah Nerfertit, Chinese Empress Wu, and Saint Hilda of Whitby. We will analyze each novel through critical theory that addresses feminism in conversation with race, class, ability, and region. Come unearth these fascinating women with us!

HUM 3990 OL
4 1/19-5/15/2021
Nefertiti, Wu, and Hilda
ONLINE
Sarah Clay

Nefertiti, Wu, and Hilda: Unearthing (REAL) Powerful Women Through Historical Fiction
The determination of gender is a form of reading: reading bodies, reading gestures, reading histories. In the spirit of that feminist insight, this course will introduce feminism through fiction that thematizes reading in its diverse forms. We will explore the lives of three powerful women through historical fiction: Egyptian Pharoah Nerfertit, Chinese Empress Wu, and Saint Hilda of Whitby. We will analyze each novel through critical theory that addresses feminism in conversation with race, class, ability, and region. Come unearth these fascinating women with us!

Disney: History & Mystery

HUM 3990 OL7
1/19-5/15/2021
Disney: History & Mystery
ONLINE
Sydney Pearson

Walt Disney… the name alone prompts memories of childhood, animation, and endless imaginary adventures for generations of children and adults across the globe. So, how did Disney become a global icon? What are the origins of Walt Disney’s animation studios, the Mouse, theme parks, resorts, cruises, and the timeless moralistic yet enchanting tales? Interestingly, numerous Disney animated and live action films originate from historically significant poems, literature, and locations. How were these literary compositions adapted and tailored to Disney Studios?

HUM 3990 OL8
1/19-5/15/2021
Disney: History & Mystery
ONLINE
Sean Forrest

Walt Disney… the name alone prompts memories of childhood, animation, and endless imaginary adventures for generations of children and adults across the globe. So, how did Disney become a global icon? What are the origins of Walt Disney’s animation studios, the Mouse, theme parks, resorts, cruises, and the timeless moralistic yet enchanting tales? Interestingly, numerous Disney animated and live action films originate from historically significant poems, literature, and locations. How were these literary compositions adapted and tailored to Disney Studios?

Stay At Home

HUM 3990 OL9
1/19-5/15/2021
Stay At Home
ONLLINE
Karin Larkin

Our relationships to Home have shifted this past year because of the “Stay at Home” orders related to the pandemic. But how have these orders changed our perceptions of home? This class explores a cross-cultural concept of home through time. How do we construct ideas of home? How has the idea of home changed through time and across space? How is home expressed through art, literature, and contemporary culture. And now how do we explore art, literature, and contemporary culture from home? Using anthropology, geography, and the humanities we will investigate these concepts of being AT HOME during a crisis. This on-line format allows students a unique opportunity to deeply explore the concept of home from within the comforts of home.

HUM 3990 OL10
1/19-5/15/2021
Stay At Home
ONLINE
Michael Larkin

Our relationships to Home have shifted this past year because of the “Stay at Home” orders related to the pandemic. But how have these orders changed our perceptions of home? This class explores a cross-cultural concept of home through time. How do we construct ideas of home? How has the idea of home changed through time and across space? How is home expressed through art, literature, and contemporary culture. And now how do we explore art, literature, and contemporary culture from home? Using anthropology, geography, and the humanities we will investigate these concepts of being AT HOME during a crisis. This on-line format allows students a unique opportunity to deeply explore the concept of home from within the comforts of home.

The 60s Through Cinema

HUM 3990 WK1
2/13-4/14
The 60s Through Cinema
Weekend University
Fernando Feliu-Moggi

***No class March 20th.***
Condensed Weekend University course, please refer to course dates because they differ from the traditional semester dates.
The main goal of this writing intense course is to explore how contemporary cinema was used to present or influence the forces that made the 1960s a pivotal decade in the transformation of social, cultural and political concepts. In the United States, that transformation began when the Civil Rights Movement challenged many of the images of American society that had developed at the height of the Cold War against the Soviet Union and Communism. The critique of the US that accompanied the nation’s interventions abroad –initiated in Korea, but best represented by the controversial war in Vietnam--, the plight of African-Americans in the South, the desire of women to locate equal opportunity with men across the socio-economic landscape, and the coming of age of the children of the GIs, the “baby boomers,” who formed the largest contingent of college-bound youths in history, all contributed to the emergence of acounter-cultural movement that would have lasting implications around the world. The choice of the texts, films, readings and other resources for the course in corporate accounts of the developments of that era (and explore film styles ranging from social realism to satire, and from psychedelic epics to exploitation "happenings") and seek to offer a look at these events through the eyes of American and international filmmakers and cultural theorists.

***HyFlex- This course is offered as a combination of in-person and online content. Students should expect to be available for all of the days and times listed, although they may not be required to attend all in-person meetings.***

HUM 3990 WK2
2/13-4/14
The 60s Through Cinema
Weekend University
Robert Von Dassanowsky

***No class March 20th.***
Condensed Weekend University course, please refer to course dates because they differ from the traditional semester dates.
The main goal of this writing intense course is to explore how contemporary cinema was used to present or influence the forces that made the 1960s a pivotal decade in the transformation of social, cultural and political concepts. In the United States, that transformation began when the Civil Rights Movement challenged many of the images of American society that had developed at the height of the Cold War against the Soviet Union and Communism. The critique of the US that accompanied the nation’s interventions abroad –initiated in Korea, but best represented by the controversial war in Vietnam--, the plight of African-Americans in the South, the desire of women to locate equal opportunity with men across the socio-economic landscape, and the coming of age of the children of the GIs, the “baby boomers,” who formed the largest contingent of college-bound youths in history, all contributed to the emergence of acounter-cultural movement that would have lasting implications around the world. The choice of the texts, films, readings and other resources for the course in corporate accounts of the developments of that era (and explore film styles ranging from social realism to satire, and from psychedelic epics to exploitation "happenings") and seek to offer a look at these events through the eyes of American and international filmmakers and cultural theorists.

***HyFlex- This course is offered as a combination of in-person and online content. Students should expect to be available for all of the days and times listed, although they may not be required to attend all in-person meetings.***