First-Year Academic Experience Spring 2021 Courses

ENGL 1191-250R: Introduction to Creative Writing
3 Credits

MWF 11:30-12:20  
Remote

Course description
This course introduces students to techniques of writing fiction and poetry. Student work is scrutinized by the instructor and may be discussed in a workshop atmosphere with other students. 

FARR 1562-250R​: Gandhi and Meditation: Compassion in action for the world and for you
3 Credits

MWF 1:50-2:40 
In Person

Course description
This class will study Gandhi’s remarkable life to see exactly how he brought peace to others and found immense power and well-being within himself.  As we study the wonderful changes nonviolence makes possible for all living creatures, we will also learn the meditative practices that gave him capacities that seemed almost like super powers.

This class, in other words, is about nonviolence inside and out, and the ways you can bring your greatest possibilities into actuality while helping out the rest of the world as well.

FARR 2820-250R​: Spaceship Earth: Meditation and Sustainability, Personal and Planetary
3 Credits

T/TH 2:20-3:35
In Person

Course description
As people and as a planet, we seem to be experiencing a time of great stress.  What would it take for us as individuals to be happy, able to enjoy almost every moment of our lives?  And what would it take for the earth on which we live to thrive as well, through sustainable care on our part? 

In this class we will study the latest neuroscience and environmental research about how to have optimal levels of health and well-being on the ecological, societal, and personal levels.  We will also learn how to put that knowledge into practice, through means such as mindfulness and new ways to support the planet, this “spaceship earth” we all share. 

IAFS 1000-250R​: Global Issues and International Affairs

MWF 2:20-3:10
In Person

Course description
The course examines political and economic development in several countries in many different world regions. Examines historical trends and development as well as current political and economic issues. Students can be expected to leave the course with a deeper appreciation of the world today and a new appreciation of the means of understanding and interpreting information.

HUMN 2100-250R​: Game Studies
3 Credits

MWF 1:50-2:40
In Person

Course description
Promotes a better understanding of fundamental aesthetic and cultural issues by exploring competing definitions of art and culture within new media, specifically interactive gaming. Sharpens critical and analytical abilities by asking students to read and compare different theories about arts, culture, media, and identity, and then to apply and assess those theories in relation to a selection of visual and verbal texts from a range of cultural and linguistic traditions.

PHIL 2800-250R: Ethical Puzzles and Moral Conflicts
3 Credits

T/TH 11:10-12:25
Hybrid In Person/Remote

Course description
Currently, in the United States, citizens disagree fiercely about the demands of patriotism, gender equality, organ transplantation, the rights of animals, politics, conflict/war, artificial intelligence, law enforcement, paying college athletes, executive compensation, and more.  Philosophers approach specific moral issues by making use of ethical theories and applying them to myriad dilemmas.  Students are expected to develop the ability to apply philosophical thinking and analysis to real world issues and controversies.  Lectures, readings and class discussions will focus on (1) overall social good and (2) Individual rights and moral responsibility.  Philosophy teaches the general skills of reasoning and argumentation, including how to interpret and evaluate arguments.  Students will learn to develop and justify their views on complex questions and express themselves clearly and persuasively – orally and in written form.

RLST 2800-250R​: “Goddess: The Divine Feminine”
3 Credits

T/TH 12:45-2:00
Remote

Course description
This course examines roles of gender in religious traditions including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Indigenous and Feminist New Age spirituality.  It approaches contemporary women’s religious experience from the perspective of feminist interpretations of religiosity. The course also explores the existence of matrilineal, goddess-focused cultures and spiritual traditions as they were gradually misplaced by the patriarchal cultures and religions that continue to be the dominant influence on the contemporary role and understanding of women in the major religions and in society in general.

SOCY 2091-250R: Sociology of Horror
3 Credits

T/TH 3:55-5:10 
Hybrid In Person/Remote

Course description
We will engage with representations of horror, both real and fictional, from a sociological perspective throughout the class. This will include the social construction of horror as a topic, aspects of critical media literacy, and the role horror texts play within the larger cultural discourse. This will include exploring questions such as, What does the concept mean? How do we talk about horror? Who gets to experience horror as recreation versus lived experience?  Why are these distinctions important? This will include who has the power to define horror, how is it represented, and what this may tell us about our culture. 

We will begin with documentary photography of atrocities and the role that images have played in social change movements. Next we will move to depictions of the holocaust including a close reading of the graphic novel Maus. The class will culminate with examination of popular horror films as the "collective nightmares" of our society

WGST 2200-250R: Women, Gender, Literature and the Arts

T/TH 9:35-10:50
Remote

Course description
Introduces the contributions of women to literature and the performing arts from a historical and cross-cultural perspective. Emphasizes representations of gender and sexuality, as well as the cultural contexts in which artworks are created. Stresses issues of structure, content, and style, along with the acquisition of basic techniques of literary and arts criticism.  Explores ways that women use creativity in terms of empowerment and authenticity within the framework of their social, economic, cultural and political circumstances.  Emphasizes the role and power of the story/narrative, image/art, voice/performance and dance/movement as situated within historical and contemporary works and lives.