/ This course aims to help students understand ways in which literature and the fine arts can deepen their sense of what it means to be human. The course gives students practice in appreciating masterpieces of painting, music, poetry, prose narrative and theater. Required for humanities majors.
An examination of the American involvement in Vietnam through its symbolic history, the finest novels, personal memoirs, and films on the war. Primary texts — appraised as both aesthetic responses and cultural documents — will include the written works of Grahame Greene, Philip Caputo, Tim O’Brien, Bobbie Ann Mason and others. Films by directors such as Francis Coppola, Michael Cimino, Oliver Stone and Stanley Kubrick will also be examined
This course introduces students to the American novel tradition from the early nineteenth through the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Students learn about the major genres, artistic movements, and historical transformations of American literary history. Through debate, discussion, and analysis, students consider and critique what it means when we identify a novel as “classic” or “great.”
This course traces the legacy of slavery as it played out during the mid-19th century, primarily in the United States. At this point in our nation’s history, slavery had coexisted with Christianity and democracy for more than 1,000 years, yet emancipated slaves and leaders of the abolition movement crafted non-fiction testimonials and novels designed to eradicate slavery. Emancipated slaves such as Frederick Douglass, Solomon Northup and Harriet Jacobs published slave narratives graphically depicting the gross injustices that slaves suffered. They argued that this suffering affected all Americans regardless of their residence in the free or slave states, and they invoked democratic ideals and Christian doctrines to win their readers to the abolitionist cause.
This course offers an overview of the history of French civilization – its history (specifically the French Revolution), its political institutions and its long tradition of excellence in the arts – but focuses on the relevance of France in the world today, as a leader within the European Union and also as a nation at odds with itself, as it were, struggling with its postcolonial heritage, permanent unemployment of more than 10 percent, doubts about national identity and the mounting threat of terrorism from within its borders.
This interdisciplinary course provides students with a framework for understanding contemporary Japan. Students examine a wide range of topics such as education, business, mass media, sports, family life, art, language and literature in relation to such major themes as hierarchical structure, group consciousness, emphasis on form and persistence of tradition in modern society. Lectures, discussion, audiovisual aids and readings in various disciplines are part of the class.
Who were the Grimms? This course will introduce students to the Grimms’ Fairy Tales, the oral tales collected and published by Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm in the early 19th century, which have been read by countless generations. This class will examine the place of fairy tales in the folklore tradition and their reception, such as “Snow White,” “Sleeping Beauty,” and “Hansel and Gretel,” as well as the collecting methods and intentions of the Grimms. We will discuss these intentions in the context of other, earlier versions of the fairy tales from Western Europe and around the world, and we will read other selected Germanic fairy tales, such as “The Snow Queen” by Hans Christian Andersen, in order to see how these typically darker fairy tales became adapted into Disney films. Texts will be available in German and in English, however, no knowledge of the German language is required for students of HUMA 302. (*Can count towards a Minor or Major Degree in German Studies via consultation with Instructor and/or German Program Director.) Fall, annually.
This course examines the experiences and contributions of minority groups in America from the early colonial period into the 21st century. It focuses on specific minority groups within the chronological trajectory of American history: Native Americans from the Columbian period to the Dawes Act, the black experience in America from the colonial slave period to the civil rights movement, the history of Mexican migration to the U.S. before and after the Mexican War up to immigration initiatives of the 21st century, Japanese and Chinese history in Hawaii and California, and recent immigrant groups from Southeast Asia at the end of the 20th century. The focus is on the unique experiences and contributions of each group, and on experiences common to minority and immigrant groups in U.S. history. Texts from minority writers are selected to give voice to their individual and collective experiences.
A survey course on German films in the modern period (1945-2017). Fall semester.
This course explores the concept of communio as living from and in God in community. Students explore communio at the beginning of Creation and its expression in the common life of the early Jerusalem community in the Acts of the Apostles. The course continues by exploring St. Augustine’s model of life for his religious communities set forth in this rule, which Norbert of Xanten accepted as a core element in his reform of 12th-century Catholic life. Students study Norbert’s life and a summary history of his order, especially its missionary activity, with a special focus on the establishment of the order in the United States. They study the retrieval of the concept of communio in the Second Vatican Council and then as a key concept in the Norbertine Constitutions. This provides a strong base for understanding the college’s Catholic, liberal arts and Norbertine mission.
This course concentrates on a topic pertinent to the current needs and interests of students. The focus is placed on topics that cross disciplinary lines and involve two or more humanities disciplines. Topics vary and are announced in the course listings.
This course addresses the fundamental question: What political and social system best provides for the common welfare? Various answers (and warnings) are considered through readings from political philosophy, social commentary, and utopian and anti-utopian literature, ranging from classical times to the 20th century with the intention of stimulating reflection on issues and events in contemporary society.
This course introduces students to the essential interdisciplinary nature of any field of study as we consider the personal and social implications of literary books written about science (or using science) to explore issues of nature and human nature. Students gain an understanding of scientific and literary methods and improve as readers, thinkers and writers.
This course traces the legacy of slavery as it played out during the mid-19th century, primarily in the United States. At this point in our nation’s history, slavery had coexisted with Christianity and democracy for more than 1,000 years, yet emancipated slaves and leaders of the abolition movement crafted nonfiction testimonials and novels designed to eradicate slavery. Emancipated slaves such as Frederick Douglass, Solomon Northup and Harriet Jacobs published slave narratives graphically depicting the gross injustices that slaves suffered. They argued that this suffering affected all Americans regardless of their residence in the free or slave states, and they invoked democratic ideals and Christian doctrines to win their readers to the abolitionist cause.
Introduction to sports as a cultural phenomenon. Topics include the ethos of sport; history of sports in Western culture; sports and the arts; sports and nationalism; race, gender and sports; religion and sports; youth and sports; and the modern business of sports.
This is a seminar course offered whenever a mutual interest in a more specialized topic in the humanities exists for a member of the faculty and a sufficient number of students.
A course allowing instructors and students to explore together topics of special interest.
An academic internship for credit involves the application of disciplinary or interdisciplinary concepts to work experience and includes a very specific academic component, which is detailed and agreed to by all parties in advance of the internship experience. The academic focus of the internship for credit should be woven through the internship experience in a meaningful way under the expert guidance of the faculty member. Prerequisite: junior/senior standing.
In this course, students will learn not only about the origins and evolution of the Camino de Santiago, but also about its religious and cultural importance in Western society, particularly within Europe. During the on-campus classes prior to our departure, students will study historical texts, trade routes, medieval art and architecture, religious artifacts, popular traditions and legends, as well as the transformative power of pilgrimage. Students will be able to apply the knowledge they acquire while in northern Spain as we hike across ancient roads from León to Santiago de Compostela, visit Roman ruins, and reflect on what it means to be a pilgrim on the Camino in the modern age. This experience will give students the ability to engage with a centuries-old tradition, see themselves as global citizens, and experience communio with other pilgrims from around the world. Spring, odd-numbered years.
