BC110A: “Social Psychology of Conspiracy Theories” § Jordan Cortesi § MWF 9:30-10:20
This
course will explore the psychological and social processes involved in
conspiratorial beliefs. We will examine such beliefs within the larger
discourse of misinformation, pseudoscience, fake news, and propaganda and will
discuss how such information spreads through various mediums, such as the
internet. We will reflect on how these topics play into our current political
reality and American society more broadly. As our case studies, we will dive
into a wide array of conspiracy theories spanning politics, public health,
science, technology, the economy, and the extraterrestrial.
BC110B: “John Coltrane: Jazz Trailblazer to Global
Influencer” § Tasha Riggins § MWF 9:30-10:20
Long before social media
influencers, John Coltrane was influencing the masses by challenging the
musical landscape of his genre, collaborating with unexpected musicians, and
creating a variety of message-driven meanings to his instrumental masterpieces.
In this class students will learn about what the musical and cultural landscape
looked like before, during, and after Coltrane put his stamp on it. This class
requires no previous jazz knowledge, just a love of music and curiosity.
BC110C:
“Bizarre Burglaries: The Art of the Heist”
§ Joanne Janssen § MWF
9:30-10:20
As the
success of Oceans Eleven suggests, many of us are captivated by
heists. But why? I doubt we condone theft, but heists seem to capture something
different: that rare combination of unusual daring, tremendous skill, and
careful execution. In this class we will look beyond traditional bank heists to
more unusual robberies of orchids, feathers, paintings, maps, cheese, and more!
We will examine what is at stake in these heists: should we see them as
relatively innocent capers or full-blown crimes? These heists also will give us
glimpses into subcultures that revolve around rare objects and will prompt us
to explore what we value, and why.
BC110D: “Music and Humanity” § Robin Liston § MWF 9:30-10:20
Music is a universal human
experience. Come explore how humans perceive music and use it to find meaning
in life. We’ll study a variety of topics, including music and the brain, music
in society, and music's ability to bring people together. Through writings
about music and scientific research, we will investigate how humanity is
enriched by this complex and powerful art form.
BC110E: “Identity & Art: Theatre, Film, Entertainment Media” § Trevor Belt § MWF 9:30-10:20
Human
beings have always desired to see themselves in the stories of their time. In
this class, we’ll examine how the media we consume consciously and
subconsciously both directs our behavioral choices and impacts how we see
ourselves. We will study plays, films, music (and yes, even TikTok), to analyze
their effects on our individual and cultural identities.
BC110F: Zombies § Kyle
York § MWF 9:30-10:20
Zombies have been part of the
horror genre seen in both film and fiction literature throughout the 20th
century. This course will explore a multitude of ways that the zombies have
impacted western culture. From post-apocalyptic horror to the psychological
thriller, students will examine the the consequences of their actions in
fantasy but all too real-world stories. In addition to our exploration of
literature, course activities and analytical essays and presentations will
improve students’ critical thinking, information literacy, academic writing and
oral communication skills.
BC110G: “Truth in Comedy” § MacKenzie Wright § MWF 9:30-10:20
Laughter is good medicine–but it can also be a powerful tool for social cohesion. Through exploration of sources old and new, students will discover how comedy ticks and ways it can unlock truth about the human experience.
BC110H: “Rap and Religion” § Nick Pumphrey § MWF 9:30-10:20
In the last ten years, Rap and Hip-Hop have become
the most popular music genre in the United States. However, the music
represents so much more than art. This course will examine “mainstream” rap and
the messages of gender, race, and religion in the lyrics. The course will
follow hip-hop from its origins in the 70s to today’s highly political yet
highly popular music. As with the common curriculum of BC110, students will be
writing frequently on various lyricists, songs, and movements of rap.
Many topics will include Islam and Rap, 2Pac, and Women Rappers.
BC110I: “The Good Place: Becoming a Better Person through the Magic of
Television” § Cynthia Appl § MWF 9:30-10:20
The
popular and critically acclaimed NBC sitcom The Good Place (2016-2020
starring Kristin Bell) is the only show that has a moral philosopher as a main
character, and a philosophy professor consultant on staff. A hit show about
moral philosophy (becoming a better person and finding meaning in life)? Holy
forking shirtballs, yes! (There’s no swearing allowed in the Good Place.) In
this class, we will apply the life lessons of Good Place to our own
lives.
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BC110J: “Music, Musicians and Meaning” § Trilla Lyerla § TR
9:30-10:45
What tunes are on your personal playlist? Who is your favorite
artist or group? What appeals to you most about the music? Are the lyrics deep
or just for fun? What meaning do you find in the music to which you listen?
These are just a few of the questions that we will consider in our survey of
the many facets of American popular music, from its roots to contemporary rap,
alternative, country, etc. You will have assigned readings and listening
examples, and the opportunity to discuss, research, write and present on a wide
variety of topics associated with the music, the musicians, and the meaning of
America’s popular music from the last 70 years.
BC110K: “Modern Tyrants” § Ryan Gibb § TR
9:30-10:45
We will examine the rise and rule of modern dictators. What do we
mean by “dictator”? What are the essentials to dictators’ accession to power,
and how do they keep power once they have it? What do attacks on legislators,
judges, the media, political opponents, and elections look like in the 21st
century? How do dictators attract supporters, and how do they define their
necessary scapegoats? Prepare to learn how to become a dictator (or at least
how to recognize them).
BC110L: “Life, Love, and the Civil War in Southern Appalachia” § Robin Liston § TR
9:30-10:45
Novels give us a glimpse
of other people's lives. By reading Charles Frazier's Cold Mountain,
we will see the world through the eyes of Ada, Inman, and Ruby and discover how
historical fiction enriches our present by telling stories from the past.
BC110M: “Travel: Creativity, Critical Thinking and
Morality” § Robyn Long § TR 9:30-10:45
We will consider travel,
particularly international travel, from several points of view. While travel
increases our ability to think critically, our creativity, and our
open-mindedness, it can also harm the people and places that we visit,
contribute to climate change, and challenge our moral behavior. Further, travel
is the privilege of the few, creating disparity between the “travelers” and the
“travel-nots.” We will engage with psychological and philosophical research as
well as travel literature to investigate the “best practices” of travel, travel
equity, and, to a lesser extent, globalization.
BC110N: “Into the Wild: Our Relationship with
Nature” § Joanne
Janssen § TR
9:30-10:45
Hiking,
bird-watching, sleeping under the stars. People experience joy and peace
through their relationship with nature, and this course will celebrate that dynamic.
Sometimes, however, the relationship between humans and nature is complicated
or even harmful, and this course will give students the opportunity dive deeper
into complex issues. How should people determine which natural resources to
use? What is the best way to protect species? Is recycling working? We will
explore these questions and more!
BC110O: "I Wanna Rock: The History of Rock 'n Roll" § Ashley Garcia § TR 9:30-10:45
We will look at
the economic, cultural, and political forces that shaped rock 'n' roll along
with the historical trends, changes, lyrical and instrumental innovations
within the genre dating from the 1960s to the early 2000s. Although rock 'n'
emerged as a legitimate genre in the 1960s, our class will explore its historical
roots in folk and gospel dating back to the 1800s.