Course prerequisites

Discusses the scientific basis for the possible existence of extraterrestrial life. Includes origin and evolution of life on Earth; possibility of life elsewhere in the solar system, including Mars; and the possibility of life on planets around other stars. Prereq., one-year sequence in a natural science.

Focusing on the origin and development of the novel genre in the Arabic tradition, this course examines both the aesthetic qualities of the genre as an artistic form and the ways that it has depicted and intervened in the modern social, political, and cultural upheavals that have shaped the Arab world in the 20th century. Authors include Najib Mahfuz, Abd al Rahman Munif, Hanan al_Shaykh, and Ghassan Kanafani. Taught in English.

Explores the relationship between the worlds of women and the supernatural in Chinese literature, from ancient to modern times. Focuses on selected significant works of classical and vernacular fiction, religious texts, and poetry (read in translation). Studies the variety of ways in which the folklore of the feminine is shaped and recast in different verbal creations and in different periods. Taught in English.

Analyzes fundamental psychological concepts underlying classroom instruction, as well as adolescent growth and development.

Integrates theories and ideas from elementary school child development and educational psychology. Explores theories of learning and child development and considers implications for teaching motivation, and academic achievement.

Emphasizes formal study of folk traditions (including tales, songs, games, customs, beliefs, and crafts) within a theoretical framework, using examples from several cultures.

Introduces literature by British and American women.

Studies major figures and trends in the 20th century. Prereq., junior standing.

Examines selected British, American, and French literary representations of lesbian and gay identity from the early 16th century to the present. Discusses the changing status of homosexuality as a literary and cultural topos, including how same-sex desire is defined, and the rhetorical and ideological difficulties involved in its representation. Specific topics vary each semester. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours. Restricted to juniors and seniors.

Explores the impacts of extreme geophysical events on human society. Emphasizes adaptations to extreme events and ways of reducing vulnerability and damage.

Provides an historical survey of human consumption of earthly materials; environmental and global considerations of population growth, cultural attitude, and technological development; and diverse goals and philosophy of conservation movements in time and place.

Introduces geography of American cities. Includes demographic and ideological contexts of urban development, emergence of the city system, location theory and rent models, and urban-economic problems.

Studies the interaction of people and the environment, including human adaptation and modification of environments, cultural interpretation and construction of landscapes, and natural resources and land management. May be taken twice. Topics vary. Recommended prereqs., GEOG 1982, 1992, 2002 or 2412.

Examines geographical patterns of health an disease with an emphasis on global health issues. Focuses on three major approaches to medical geographic research: ecological approaches, which systematically analyze relationships between people and their environments; social approaches, including political economy and socio-behavioral approaches; and spatial approaches, which employ maps and spatial analysis to identify patterns of health and disease. Recommended prereqs., GEOG 1001 or 1011, and GEOG 1992, 2002 or 2412. Restricted to juniors/seniors.

Examines fundamental questions of home, nation, identity, ethnicity, and foreignness in the context of the enormous South Asian diaspora. By means of literature, ethnography, and film, the various connotations of diaspora will be explored along with the cultural productions of members of the South Asian diaspora (both Indian and Pakistani).

Addresses the impacts of political, social, and economic developments on ideas about democracy, science, race, gender, faith, the supposed mission of America, and the role of intellectuals in society.

Emphasizes Nietzsche and the youth revolt against middle class society, the literary and artistic avant garde (impressionism to existentialism), the psychoanalytic movement, the European right and left, and post-WWII European thought.

Examines in detail the history of the United States from its entry into World War I in 1917 through the end of World War II in 1945. Key themes to be examined in the course include: warfare as a shaping force in U.S. history; the rise of the modern state; the development of a consumer economy and culture; the increasing global involvement of the U.S.; the shift from the conservative politics of the 1920s to the New Deal liberalism of the 1930s; the triumph and fracturing of the modern women’s movement; nativism and immigration restriction; the maturation of Jim Crow segregation and the Great Migration; and the shaping influence of new technologies such as the automobile.

Examines the history of Muslim societies in south and southeast Asia from 1000 to the present. Focuses on themes such as the rise of Islamic empires in South Asia, Sufism, trade and the spread of Islam in Southeast Asia, the rise or Muslim nationalism and religious fundamentalism, and the impact of modernization and globalization Muslims of the region. Recommended prereq., six hours of history credit.

Examines the history of India from the British conquest of India in the late 18th century to independence in 1947. Emphasizes the impact of British rule on the political, economic, and social development of modern India. Recommended prereq., at least 6 hours of history credit.

Jews have produced culture in Yiddish, the vernacular language of eastern European Jewry, for 1000 years and the language continues to shape Jewish culture today. In this course, we will look at the literature, film, theater, music, art, sound, and laughter that defined the culture of eastern European Jewry and, in the 20th century, Jews around the world. Recommended prereqs., HIST 1108 or HEBR 2350.

Explores the experience of Jews in the United States from the 1880's when the great migration of Jews from Eastern Europe began, through the twentieth century. Students will explore the changing ways in which Jews adapted to life in the U.S., constructed American Jewish identities, and helped to participate in the construction of the United States as a nation. Recommended prereqs., HIST 1025 or HIST/JWST 1108 or HEBR/JWST 2350.

Reality television, fiction, metafiction, virtual reality, magical realism, documentary, propaganda, autobiography, testimonial, digital manipulation of images, robotics–all are popular today for their ability to explore and question the line between fiction and reality. This issue is not a new phenomenon; throughout history humans have tried to understand the distinction between fiction and reality. But our contemporary culture seems particularly interested in both the differences and similarities between the two concepts. In this course we will explore the ramifications of the assumption that a recognizable distinction between reality and fiction exists or that there is no objective way to distinguish the two. With the aid of various theoretical sources, we will analyze a selection of literary, scientific, and cultural works in order to see how they define reality and fiction while considering the consequences of these definitions. The goal of this approach is twofold: 1) to arrive at an idea of what these often ambiguous concepts mean in our culture and 2) to be able to critically apply this idea to the problems posed by the questionable status of the separation between reality and fiction.

Interdisciplinary study of English fiction and poetry together with related movements in visual arts.

Surveys the major works and authors of medieval Japanese (poetry, prose, and drama) from the Kamakura and Muromachi periods (1185-1600). Taught in English. Recommended prereq., JPNS 1051.

Surveys the major works, authors, and genres of literature from the Tokugawa through Meiji periods in their historical and cultural contexts. Attention is given to various approaches of literary analysis and interpretation. Taught in English. Recommended prereq., JPNS 1051.

Explores topics in Jewish anthropology. Uses the lens of anthropological inquiry to explore, discover and analyze different concepts within Jewish culture. Topics include customs, religious practices, languages, ethnic and regional sub-divisions, occupations, social composition, and folklore. Explores fundamental questions about the definition of Jewish identity, practices and communities.

This course covers the Hellenistic and Roman period of Jewish history up to about 200 CE, a period widely considered to be formative for Judaism. Key historical events include the coming of Alexander the Great and impact of Hellenization, the rise of the Maccabees, the Roman domination of Judea, the Jewish war with Rome and the destruction of the Jerusalem temple, the formation of competing sects, the Jesus movement and beginnings of Christianity, the expansion of diaspora communities, and the emergence of rabbinic Judaism. Students will be exposed to a variety of Jewish literature from this period, including Wisdom literature, Apocalyptic literature, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Jewish novels, historical writings, biblical commentary, and rabbinic texts. Three central themes will pervade the work of this course: how the religion of Ancient Israel transformed into what we know today as Judaism, how Jewish religious identity was formed in relationship to Greco-Roman culture and how ancient Judaism has been "constructed " by historians and scholars of religion. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours as topics change. Recommended prereqs., 6 hours of RLST courses at any level including RLST/JWST 3100, RLST/JWST 2600, HIST/JWST 1108 or HEBR/JWST 2350 or instructor consent.

Focuses on the Holocaust during the Third Reich, which involved the murder of millions of people, including six million Jews. Reviews the Holocaust's history, dynamics, and consequences as well as other genocides of the 20th century, using an anthropological approach.

Surveys masterpieces of modern Korean literature written by significant Korean/Korean American authors in English. Provides various literary and theoretical frameworks to understand Korean literature within the context of Asian global culture. Covers from colonial period to the present. No prior knowledge of Korea or Korean literature is required.

Studies the distinctly American art form of jazz music from its origins to the present, including the various traditions, practices, historical events, and people most important to its evolution. For nonmusic majors.

For nonscience majors. Reading, discussions, debates, and lectures are used to study how science affects society economically, intellectually, and in terms of health and national security. Another focus is how government fosters and funds scientific activities. Recommended prereq., completion of core science requirement.

Introduces Islamic beliefs and practices through an examination of the Qur'an, Muhammad's life, ritual duties, law and theology, mysticism, and social institutions.

Focuses on close reading of major novels and other works by Dostoevsky, one of the most important psychological novelists in modern literature, profound religious thinker, and the greatest crime novelist in the world.

Surveys topics in western dress from ancient civilizations to contemporary time: the garments, accessories, materials, and technologies of personal adornment in the context of philosophical, political, social, and technological change. Priority given to majors.

Covers prehistoric Aegean through the fourth century B.C.E., considering architecture, pottery, painting,sculpture, and personal ornament. Societal customs such as use of space and burial patterns are considered as well as art and its uses, to help understand developments in Greek culture. Fulfills Literature and the Arts Core requirement.

Introduces the monuments and sites of the ancient Roman world from the foundation of Rome (753 B.C.E.) to Constantine (306_307 C.E.). Emphasizes the relationship of art, architecture, and artifacts to the political, social, and religious institutions of Italy and the provinces. Fulfills Literature and the Arts Core requirement.

Investigates the broad-scale features and dynamics of the Earth's oceans. The course is roughly divided amongst the four major, interrelated disciplines of oceanography: marine geology, marine chemistry, physical oceanography (i.e. circulation), and marine biology. Specific topics include seafloor spreading, marine sediments, salinity, biogeochemical cycles, currents, waves, tides, primary production, marine ecology, marine resources, global warming, and much more. Prereq., any two-course sequence of natural science courses. Fulfills part of the Natural Science Core requirement.

Students read in English translation the major epics of Graco-Roman antiquity such as the Iliad, Odyssey, Argonautica, Aeneid, and Metamorphoses. Topics discussed may include the nature of classical epic, its relation to the novel, and its legacy. No Greek or Latin required. Fulfills Literature and the Arts Core requirement.

Focuses on the development of perceptual, descriptive, and analytical skills as well as the ability to apply cultural and critical theory to 20th and 21st century concert dance. Specific pieces of choreography are looked at from a broad range of perspectives. Fulfills Literature and the Arts Core requirement.

Introduces the real world of schools, teaching, and learning. Examines issues of diversity and equity from different disciplinary lenses, including history, philosophy, sociology, and anthropology. Fulfills Human Diversity or Contemporary societies Core requirement.

Introduces students to Shakespeare's major works: the histories, comedies, and tragedies. May include the nondramatic poetry as well. Fulfills Literature and the Arts Core requirement.

Close study of significant 20th century poetry, drama, and prose works. Readings range from 1920s to the present. Fulfills Literature and the Arts Core requirement.

Provides an interdisciplinary study of England in one of its most vibrant cultural and historical periods. Topics include politics, religion, family life, and the ways contemporary authors understood their world. Prereq., sophomore standing. Fulfills Historical Context Core requirement.

Explores the major historical, literary, and cultural developments in England from the Anglo-Saxon period through the 15th century. Prereq., junior standing. Fulfills Historical Context Core requirement.

Addresses current environmental problems in which an understanding of geology is needed. Topics include energy resources, climate modification, hydrology, waste disposal, and mining resources. Specific examples used to illustrate restrictions imposed by nature and man on solutions to these problems. Prereq., any two-course sequence of natural science courses. Fulfills part of the Natural Science Core requirement.

Examines the representation of women both in mainstream movies and in women's counter-cinema that resists traditional form, content, and spectator-text relationships of Hollywood models. Emphasizes work by key women filmmakers such as Margarethe Von Trotta, Lizzy Borden, and Yvonne Rainer, as well as readings in feminist film theory. Fulfills Human Diversity Core requirement.

Presents a radical reexamination of the geography of culture. Examines the relationship between places, power, and the dynamics of culture. Explores how the globalization of economics, politics, and culture shapes local cultural change. Looks at how place-based cultural politics both assist and resist processes of globalization. Recommended prereq., GEOG 1982, 1992, or 2002. Fulfills Contemporary Societies Core requirement.

Surveys the world's most populous country, examining physical and historical geography, urbanization and regional development, agriculture, population, energy, and the environment. Seeks to situate China's development in a broader Asian and global context. Recommended prereqs., GEOG 1982, 1992, 2002 or 2412. Fulfills Contemporary Societies Core requirement.

Geological records in lakes, oceans, deserts, and around glaciers indicate the significant changes in the global systems that have taken place over the last few hundred or thousand years. Explores the timing and nature of these changes. Prereq., any two-course sequence of natural science courses. Credit not granted for this course and GEOL 4070. Fulfills part of the Natural Science Core requirement.

Surveys historic and prehistoric natural disasters, their cause, and potential for recurrence. Meteorite impact, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, landslides, floods, magnetic reversals, and major extinction events. Course formerly numbered as GEOL 4950. Prereq., any two-course sequence of natural science courses. Fulfills part of the Natural Science Core requirement.

Features the writings of Germany's major literary figures from 1749 to 1832. Special attention is paid to the formation of literary periods, genres, aesthetic, and socio-historical developments contributing to the birth of modernism in German intellectual history and literature. Fulfills Literature and the Arts Core requirement.

Examines the Enlightenment belief in reason and the common humanity of all individuals and cultures. Emphasizes arguments for and against freedom of religion, abolition of slavery, and emancipation of women in 18th_century European and American literature and thought. ideals and values. Fulfills Ideals and Values Core requirement.

Introduce students to debates surrounding migration and race in contemporary Germany. Emphasis on reading texts in context using tools of cultural studies, integrating analyses of gender, race, nation, and sexuality. Texts may include film, literature, television, magazine images, etc. Topics include: questioning "multiculturalism," self-representation, integration, Islam, citizenship, violence, public space, youth culture, racism and nationalism. Fulfills Human Diversity Core requirement.

Emphasizes Nietzsche's major writings from 1872 to 1888 with particular attention to the critique of Western values. Includes a systematic exploration of doctrines, concepts, and ideas leading to the values of creativity. Fulfills Ideals and Values Core requirement.

Systematic study of the Faust motif in Western literature, with major emphasis on Faust I and II by Goethe and Thomas Mann's Doctor Faustus. Fulfills Literature and the Arts Core requirement.

Reads some of the ways Jewish texts and traditions look at women, gender and sexuality from biblical times to the present. Starts with an analysis of the positioning of the body, matter and gender in creation stories, moves on to the gendered aspects of tales of rescue and sacrifice, biblical tales of sexual subversion and power, taboo-breaking and ethnos building, to rabbinic attitudes towards women, sexuality and gender and contemporary renderings and rereadings of the earlier texts and traditions. Fulfills Human Diversity Core requirement.

Analyzes the rise of realism in 13th and 14th century Italian literature and parallel manifestations in the visual arts. Focuses on Boccaccio's Decameron and contemporary realistic prose and poetry with emphasis on gender issues and medieval cultural diversity. Taught in English. Prereq., junior standing or instructor consent. Fulfills either Literature and the Arts or Human Diversity Core requirement.

Uses a transnational lens to explore contemporary debates about Jewish people, places, and practices of identity and community. Drawing on history, sociology, international studies, and anthropology, we'll think about the places that Jewish people have called 'home,' and what has made, or continues to make those places 'Jewish.' We'll also explore diverse practices that express the extraordinary varieties of Jewishness (such as building synagogues, food markets, and coffeehouses, creating film festivals, going on heritage travel, Israeli-Jewish backpacking, the creation of online websites and blogs, and creating new urban kibbutzim) Fulfills Human Diversity Core requirement.

Highlights basic principles of nutrition and their relation to health. Fulfills part of the Natural Science Core requirement.

Focuses on information processing approaches and dynamical systems theory as explanations for human motor learning and the coordination of movement. Various topics are discussed from both perspectives including practice organization, attainment of elite performance, and the production of novel movements. Fulfills part of the Natural Science Core requirement.

Contemporary issues in energy consumption and its environmental impact, including fossil fuel use and depletion; nuclear energy and waste disposal; solar, wind, hydroelectric, and other renewable sources; home heating; energy storage; fuel cells; and alternative transportation vehicles. Included are some basic physical concepts and principles that often constrain choices. No background in physics is required. Fulfills part of the Natural Science Core requirement.

Studies origins and development of various aspects of Christian tradition as expressed through scripture, theology, ritual, church order, ethics, and the arts. Fulfills Historical Context Core requirement.

Explores contemporary Slavic and American folk practices and investigates the possible origins and consequences of such practices. Focuses upon the value systems these practices represent, and ways that core values help to define identities and cultures. Topics include folk religion, magic, healing, life cycle and calendar rituals and folk music. Taught in English. Fulfills Ideals and Values Core requirement.

Investigates how cultural and ideological myths as those of a great leader, utopian future, a new man, a hero, "Enemies of the people", and some others were produced in Soviet Russia from the 1920's to the 1950's; what general mechanisms of the cultural production in the age of modernity do they reveal. Recommended prereqs., RUSS 4821, 2221, 2211. Fulfills Ideals and Values Core requirement.

Acquaints students with major issues concerning women in 20th century Russian culture. Examines sources from folk culture, popular culture, and high culture (poetry, prose, songs, tales, visual art, and cinema) that mythologize or question women's images and societal roles. All texts and films are offered in English translation. Recommended prereq., course(s) in literature or film studies, and upper-division writing courses. Fulfills Human Diversity Core requirement.

Interdisciplinary course emphasizing the influence of art in 20th century Russian literature. Follows the changing cultural landscape from the time when Russia was in the vanguard of modern European literature to the gradual cultural relaxation that culminated in perestroika and Glasnost. Fulfills Literature and Arts Core requirement.

Surveys the mythology and heathen cult practices of the Old Norse world. Students learn to read mythological texts and study the major gods (Odin, Thor, Frey and Freyja, among others), along with other mythological beings. The course examines and evaluates evidence for beliefs and cult practices in texts, art, archeological finds, and other sources. Fulfills Literature and Arts Core requirement.

Introduces the rich tradition of Scandinavian oral narrative. Looks at relationships between the various genres of oral narrative and their historical, social, and cultural contexts. Genres studied may include ballad, fairy tale, rural legend, and urban legend. Explores various interpretive methodologies. Fulfills Literature and Arts Core requirement.