Course Descriptions

All humanities students take one of the following classes which meet weekday mornings.

H-01 Cooooool

Taught by Ad Booth & David Naccari

How did Obama get so tight? Is Buddha still legit? Why are Britney and Brangelina so awesome? Was MLK just okay or was he the shiznit? Join us as we explore the idea of cool and how it has been constructed in pop culture, religion, politics, music, history, and more. We ll spy with James Bond, meditate with Ghandi, joke with Tina Fey, and hang with your homies. What s cooler than cool? Cooooooool

H-02 Free Fallin : Cultural and Societal Repression

Taught by Christina Vranian & Jeffrey Baumgartner

Through various mediums such as art, music, film, dance, and pop culture, we will explore the definitions of beauty and censorship. How might societal and familial influences, taboos and sexual constraints hinder and/or liberate individual freedom and identity? What elements have influenced you? What has altered your way of thinking or seeing or judging? Discover how you have been influenced and then strip away those influences to find out how you really feel.

H-03 Preditors and Prey:  Social Media Sensationalism 

Taught by Diana Ellis & Steve Earle

This course will explore the role media plays in shaping culture and modern society. From the original British tabloid Police News coverage of Jack the Ripper to shock-jock Howard Stern; from the trials of Oscar Wilde to Britney s breakdown. How are we affected and influenced by the way news is covered? Has fiction usurped reality? Was Shakespeare a sensationalist because he embellished historical tales? What is truth and what is exploitation?

H-04 And the Winner Is...

Taught by Harvey Stone & Heather O'Toole

We live in a world of Grammys, Pulitzers, best sellers, American Idol, The Biggest Loser, TIME s Person of the Year and, lest we forget, America s Next Top Model. American culture is replete with competitions, top ten lists, and awards ceremonies. Come join us as we explore who defines and establishes the best in the worlds of literature, music, art, fashion, movies, food, travel, and more. Activities will include examining existing canons, exploring the nature of ranking systems, and engagement with and dissection of established greats in the arts, literature, and pop culture. Ultimately, we will establish our own criteria for identifying (or refusing to identify!) excellence.

H-05 Foreign Policy: What if?

Taught by Ed Motley & Jeff MacGuinness

In this course we will consider the paradoxical and evolving nature of US Foreign Policy. Our goals will be to trace the development of American and global diplomatic history, develop foreign policy as diplomats, and as a culminating activity hold a global summit considering some of the pressing issues of our time. We will consider a variety of topics including national security, humanitarian aid, environmental concerns, trade policy, and the geopolitical balance of power. Throughout the course we will participate in simulations, field trips, be visited by guest speakers, hold debates, watch films, and stimulate curiosity of the foreign policy process.

H-06 Crusades and Jihads: Religion and Politics in a Shrinking World

Taught by David Howell & John Hawes

To what degree is today s world condemned to repeated strife that claims a religious basis? Religions are among the noblest elements of human tradition, and they are at the same time among our most tenacious areas of conflict. This course will explore the roots of religions in their multiple dimensions. We will examine case studies of religion and public life in and between differing societies, including the US experience with issues of church and state, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Iranian theocracy, and the Turkish secular experiment, among others.  We will also be looking at the efforts that have been made to promote dialogue between religious communities and to address issues of religious freedom and human rights at the global level. 

H-07 Persistence of Vision

Taught by Manuel Perez Tejada & Rick Seyford

Film is the most pervasive art form of the modern age, but how much do you know about what makes them work? We will study the fundamentals of cinematography, camera acting, screenwriting, production methods, editing, lenses, color and other issues. We will learn from master movies, using a growing awareness of the cinematic arts to create several original short videos. Note: We are not just watching flicks; if lugging equipment in the hot sun and sweating the details does not grab you, you are not a moviemaker.