Course Listings

Introduction to Humanities

HUMN 100 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: An introduction to the humanities through a review of some of the major developments in human culture. The goal is to analyze how societies express their ideas through art, literature, music, religion, and philosophy and to consider some of the underlying assumptions about the way societies are formed and run. Focus is on developing the conceptual tools to understand cultural phenomena critically.

Special Topics in Humanities

HUMN 198 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: A study of selected topics in the humanities. Students may receive credit for a given topic in either HUMN 198 or HUMN 398 only once.

Cultural Studies: Cambridge

HUMN 198C | 3 Credits

Course Desc: An introduction to the city and the University of Cambridge. Topics include the origins of the city; the rise of the University and its colleges; the development and function of buildings, chapels, dining halls, gardens, and other academic institutions; and the character of student life during the past and in the present. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: HUMN 198C or HUMN 398C.

The Bullfight in Spanish Life and Culture

HUMN 198D | 1 Credit

Course Desc: A survey of the historical, social, and artistic importance of the bullfight in Spain. The bullfight is examined both as a reflection of and as an influence on Spanish culture. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: HUMN 198D or HUMN 398D.

Films of Alfred Hitchcock

HUMN 198G | 1 Credit

Course Desc: An examination of the ideas and techniques of one of the century's greatest film directors, Alfred Hitchcock. Topics include Hitchcock's evolution as a filmmaker and his film techniques. Three of his best-known American films, (Rear Window, North By Northwest, and Psycho) are viewed and discussed. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: HUMN 198G or HUMN 398G.

Films of Woody Allen

HUMN 198H | 1 Credit

Course Desc: A detailed examination of the films of Woody Allen, beginning with the early comedies and progressing to the later dramatic films. The films' development, construction, motifs, critical and popular success are explored. Topics include Allen's influences; the nature and subjects of his comedy; his use of narrative; and recurrent themes of sex, love, death, psychoanalysis, and New York City. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: HUMN 198H or HUMN 398H.

Fortresses on the Rhine

HUMN 198J | 1 Credit

Course Desc: An overview of more than 21 castles on the Rhine. Firsthand study of the Castle of St. Mark (Marksburg), the best preserved castle on the Rhine, is included. The siege of a castle is discussed.

Arts in Germany

HUMN 198P | 3 Credits

Course Desc: A survey of German art, architecture, and music. Topics include baroque, religious, secular, and romantic art; Gothic, Romanesque, and modern German architecture; and the music of Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Hayden, Liszt, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Schubert, Schumann, and Wagner.

Myth in the World

HUMN 351 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: "Recommended: HUMN 100. An interdisciplinary survey of myths from around the world. The objective is to evaluate the influences of myth on culture and society, develop critical reflection using the methods of interdisciplinary study, discuss how myths shape cultural, individual and national identities, and communicate in writing and oral presentation the influence of world myths on their material and non-material culture. Topics include origin myths, comparative mythology, gender, the archetypes, heroes, tricksters, material and non-material culture, ritual, and sacred place."

Advanced Special Topics in Humanities

HUMN 398 | 1 - 6 Credits

Course Desc: A study of selected topics in the humanities. Assignments include advanced reading and research. Students may receive credit for a given topic in either HUMN 198 or HUMN 398 only once.

Cultural Studies: Cambridge

HUMN 398C | 3 Credits

Course Desc: An introduction to the city and the University of Cambridge. Topics include the origins of the city; the rise of the University and its colleges; the development and function of buildings, chapels, dining halls, gardens, and other academic institutions; and the character of student life during the past and in the present. Assignments include advanced reading and research. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: HUMN 198C or HUMN 398C.

The Bullfight in Spanish Life and Culture

HUMN 398D | 1 Credit

Course Desc: A survey of the historical, social, and artistic importance of the bullfight in Spain. The bullfight is examined both as a reflection of and as an influence on Spanish culture. Assignments include advanced reading and research. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: HUMN 198D or HUMN 398D.

Mark Twain in Heidelberg

HUMN 398F | 1 Credit

Course Desc: A study of the literary and historical merits of Mark Twain's work during his "Heidelberg" period. Focus is on A Tramp Abroad. Romance and realism are studied through architecture and museum tours. Assignments include advanced reading and research. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: HUMN 198F or HUMN 398F.

Films of Alfred Hitchcock

HUMN 398G | 1 Credit

Course Desc: An examination of the ideas and techniques of one of the century's greatest film directors, Alfred Hitchcock. Topics include Hitchcock's evolution as a filmmaker and his film techniques. Three of his best-known American films, (Rear Window, North By Northwest, and Psycho) are viewed and discussed. Assignments include advanced reading and research. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: HUMN 198G or HUMN 398G.

Films of Woody Allen

HUMN 398H | 1 Credit

Course Desc: A detailed examination of the films of Woody Allen, beginning with the early comedies and progressing to the later dramatic films. The films' development, construction, motifs, critical and popular success are explored. Topics include Allen's influences; the nature and subjects of his comedy; his use of narrative; and recurrent themes of sex, love, death, psychoanalysis, and New York City. Assignments include advanced reading and research. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: HUMN 198H or HUMN 398H.

American Film Genre Evolution

HUMN 398O | 1 Credit

Course Desc: An examination of the idea of genre in the American cinema. Focus is on the definition, history, and future direction of film noir, the romantic comedy, the western, and the combat film. Classic clips and complete films by Altman, Eastwood, Lucas, Scorsese, Spielberg, and Tarantino are discussed.

Humanities Capstone

HUMN 495 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: (Intended as a final, capstone course to be taken in a student's last 15 credits.) Prerequisites: HUMN 100, an upper-level ARTH, an upper-level ENGL, an upper-level HUMN, and an upper-level PHIL. A study of humanities that synthesizes knowledge gained through previous study. An individually chosen research project is used to examine the nature of human responsibility to self, others, and the environment; the role of intellectual inquiry in human life; and the role of creativity in human life. Career options are also explored.