Spring 2024 Core Course Info

Never before has there been so much scientific information on the practices most likely to lead to life satisfaction. Unfortunately, much of what the research shows runs counter to the default norms of modern American life. In fact, many of the things we pursue and intuitively think will make us happy, don't significantly enhance our well-being, and may even diminish it. In this course, we will learn about simple yet powerful practices that can increase quality of life. We will also broaden our perspective on well-being by learning concepts of happiness from around the world.

This class will learn the origins of protest music in the United States. Students will then examine why music is a portable and accessible tool to carry those messages. Course activities will involve in-depth lyrical analysis and research on the cultural response to said songs. Finally, students will determine if music consumption today successfully lends itself to musical activism.

Students will study primary source materials in the humanities to discover the development of our Western civilization heritage, with a focus on the arts and the history of ideas. Readings will be chosen from works of lasting value from the Renaissance through modern times. Students will develop skills in reading deeply, discussing their ideas with classmates, researching topics about which they are intellectually curious, and demonstrating their critical thinking skills through writing assignments and oral presentations. This course is inquiry-driven, a pedagogy that facilitates active engagement in an academic community and empowers students to take a leadership role in their own learning.

In this class we will watch a variety of influential films and explore their cultural and historical significance to American Culture. We will examine both contextual and technical approaches by famous filmmakers and learn what it means to be a "non-passive" audience member. If you love watching movies, this is the class for you!

This course is designed to critically examine sport as a microcosm of society. Students will look beyond issues of physical performance and scores to see sports as social constructions that influence how people feel, think, and live their lives. The role that sport plays in American values, education, politics, economy, race, gender and religion will be discussed.

This class will introduce students to the many ways that experiences in and with nature can improve our spiritual, mental, and physical well-being. In an increasingly digital age, many of us have become disengaged with nature and isolated from natural spaces, and consequently have placed our well-being at risk. Scientific and sociological research, in addition to anecdotal and observational inquiry, have provided compelling evidence that meaningful connections with nature can produce positive health outcomes while improving our sense of well-being. These lines of investigation have also brought forward the many social benefits of working with, rather than against, the natural world to meet our myriad needs as individuals and members of society. In this course students will learn about 'nature deficit disorder' and its consequences while exploring the hopeful outlook to be gained by increasing our engagement with nature.

Through an exploration of short stories, television, and film, we will work towards a greater understanding of the ways in which the genre of science fiction reflects and responds to issues particular to a developing twentieth-century audience, such as: scientific advancement, capitalist industrialization, war and its aftermath, individual and group identity, as well as the desire for an adequate understanding of the human condition that continues into the twenty-first century.

Known as one of the most famous periods in Chinese history, the Romance of the Three Kingdoms has entertained people for centuries. Heroic duels, daring acts of bravery, and characters that have larger-than-life personas; the Romance of the Three Kingdoms has become the stuff of legends. This class will use adaptations of the original story written over 500 years ago. Join this class to hear the stories, analyze, discuss, and present their significance; reveling in all there is throughout the Three Kingdoms.

Calling all hippophiles! If you love horses, consider joining me in a variety-filled exploration of life with these exquisite creatures. Horses have a long history in human work, sport, and play. We value them for their beauty, their strength, their service, and their ability to connect deeply with their people. Through a variety of media and perspectives, we'll explore the fascinating relationship between humankind and the horse. Students will take an active role in directing our work and following their own curiosity.

Musical Theatre is a popular form of entertainment and escapism filled with music, dance, fun characters, and elaborate costumes and sets. Musicals also tell powerful stories of society, history, and social themes. Learn about some of the most influential musicals from stage and film and the stories they tell about our world, then research and study your favorite shows!

In the 1990s, radical conservative talking head Rush Limbaugh popularized the term 'feminazi' (i.e. 'feminist Nazi') as an attempt to silence any woman who dared speak in opposition to the extreme patriarchal backlash against women's equality. This class offers a loud, unapologetic rebuttal to that continued attempted silencing. We will study both literature and popular culture that exemplifies 'the radical notion that women are people,' including television shows like Fleabag, Shrill, Good Girls and Inside Amy Schumer, short fiction by ZZ Packer, Toni Morrison and Sandra Cisneros, and non-fiction writing by bell hooks, Angela Davis and Gloria Anzaldúa. Expect blatant celebration of the 'F-word' (feminism). All genders welcome.

Murder. Mayhem. Private eyes in fedoras or high heels. Even a serial killer or two. The mystery genre, while popular and fun, also explores the depth and breadth of the human condition. The murder victim's body exists in a world where issues like race, class, gender, ethnicity, and national identity are everything and nothing. In this class our readings will move from Agatha Christie's genteel British drawing room to the mean streets of Raymond Chandler's L.A. to the contemporary darkness of Jo Nesbøs Scandinavia. Our film selections will include works by such directors as Billy Wilder, Alfred Hitchcock, Akira Kurosawa, Quentin Tarantino, and the Coen brothers.

Because of TikTok and Instagram, a lot of people are thinking about the Roman Empire. Many of them, when they find out that I study and teach about ancient Rome, ask the same question: "Will the U.S. fall like Rome?" My answer is always, "Yes, it will. All previous empires have." The question, however, is when? Using the history of the Roman Republic as our case study, this class will explore the end of the Roman Republic and its importance to understanding our world.

Students will explore pressing issues that challenge America today. Whether prompted by their personal lives, their future careers, or their pure curiosity, students will investigate challenges affecting medicine (the opioid crisis, the influence of pharmaceutical companies), social work (the foster care system, poverty), psychology (addiction, domestic violence), business/economics (child labor, the exploitation of American workers), education (role of sports in education), and more. To help make connections between these larger systemic challenges and the individuals who must navigate them, we will read the Pulitzer-prize-winning novel Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. As Demon says, 'a good story doesn't just copy life, it pushes back on it.' Therefore, Kingsolver's novel prompts us to consider what is at stake in determining what's wrong with America and what we can do to fix it.

Germany is often considered an international leader in environmental policy. Is it deserving of this reputation? In our research, we will see how Germany stacks up against the United States and other countries when it comes to addressing the climate crisis, developing renewable energy sources, recycling, and more. Our investigations will incorporate the history of ecological thought and the environmental movement in Germany, and will delve into the realms of technology, politics, economics, ethics, the culture of daily life, the media and the arts. These investigations will lead to informed policy recommendations for Germany, the U.S. and beyond.

Entertainment media contribute significantly to shaping perception, identity, and culture from the level of individual to societal, yet media that are “based on a true story” often interpret, dramatize, and even invent details in order to increase tension, excitement, and interest in audiences or convey a specific message. This class challenges students to critically examine the power of media on the interpretation and understanding of historical events through viewing and analyzing "based on a true story" films across several categories: Sports, Crime, War, Politics/Social Issues, and Discovery/Innovation. We’ll consider how various socio-political, cultural, economic, ethical, and philosophical contexts influence the way in which specific events are portrayed on screen and how they impact cultural consciousness, national identity, and scientific literacy.

We take inspiration from individuals past and present who inform our understanding of how we, too, might overcome obstacles and limitations to make the world in which we live just a little better. During the first half of the semester, we will read about and discuss the contributions of a number of changemakers, and consider the choices each has made/is making to build a better society. We will examine our responses to contemporary challenges and controversies. Readings and discussions, complemented by the incorporation of knowledge and experiences gleaned from the four approaches of the Core Concentration (creative arts, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences) will catalyze students’ individual research during the second half of the semester. Each student will have the opportunity to research, write, and present on issues of global significance that have been/are being addressed by other changemakers to insure justice, progress, and/or sustainability. Textbook required.

Competing narratives in the United States and Europe define whether we live in a 'Secular' world or a Christian world. However, neither and both would be the appropriate answer. The religious history and atmosphere of a community is defined by that group, i.e. Christians think America was founded on Christian ideals. Christians make up the predominate number of both Europeans and Americans; however, both areas have historically non-Christian religions from around the world. The purpose of this class is to analyze the idea of the secular world, cultural and sociological responses to religion/secularity, and basic laws for the freedom/discrimination of religion.

Germany is often considered an international leader in environmental policy. Is it deserving of this reputation? In our research, we will see how Germany stacks up against the United States and other countries when it comes to addressing the climate crisis, developing renewable energy sources, recycling, and more. Our investigations will incorporate the history of ecological thought and the environmental movement in Germany, and will delve into the realms of technology, politics, economics, ethics, the culture of daily life, the media and the arts. These investigations will lead to informed policy recommendations for Germany, the U.S. and beyond.

We take inspiration from individuals past and present who inform our understanding of how we, too, might overcome obstacles and limitations to make the world in which we live just a little better. During the first half of the semester, we will read about and discuss the contributions of a number of changemakers, and consider the choices each has made/is making to build a better society. We will examine our responses to contemporary challenges and controversies. Readings and discussions, complemented by the incorporation of knowledge and experiences gleaned from the four approaches of the Core Concentration (creative arts, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences) will catalyze students’ individual research during the second half of the semester. Each student will have the opportunity to research, write, and present on issues of global significance that have been/are being addressed by other changemakers to insure justice, progress, and/or sustainability. Textbook required.

Students will explore pressing issues that challenge America today. Whether prompted by their personal lives, their future careers, or their pure curiosity, students will investigate challenges affecting medicine (the opioid crisis, the influence of pharmaceutical companies), social work (the foster care system, poverty), psychology (addiction, domestic violence), business/economics (child labor, the exploitation of American workers), education (role of sports in education), and more. To help make connections between these larger systemic challenges and the individuals who must navigate them, we will read the Pulitzer-prize-winning novel Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. As Demon says, ''a good story doesn't just copy life, it pushes back on it.'' Therefore, Kingsolver's novel prompts us to consider what is at stake in determining what's wrong with America—and what we can do to fix it.

Competing narratives in the United States and Europe define whether we live in a ''Secular'' world or a Christian world. However, neither and both would be the appropriate answer. The religious history and atmosphere of a community is defined by that group, i.e. Christians think America was founded on Christian ideals. Christians make up the predominate number of both Europeans and Americans; however, both areas have historically non-Christian religions from around the world. The purpose of this class is to analyze the idea of the secular world, cultural and sociological responses to religion/secularity, and basic laws for the freedom/discrimination of religion.

Entertainment media contribute significantly to shaping perception, identity, and culture from the level of individual to societal, yet media that are “based on a true story” often interpret, dramatize, and even invent details in order to increase tension, excitement, and interest in audiences or convey a specific message. This class challenges students to critically examine the power of media on the interpretation and understanding of historical events through viewing and analyzing "based on a true story" films across several categories: Sports, Crime, War, Politics/Social Issues, and Discovery/Innovation. We’ll consider how various socio-political, cultural, economic, ethical, and philosophical contexts influence the way in which specific events are portrayed on screen and how they impact cultural consciousness, national identity, and scientific literacy.