Current Classes

“War, Propaganda, and Art”: For many centuries, kings and politicians have used displays of physical prowess and unimaginable wealth to persuade their subjects and citizens to support their rule and political objectives. Through a thematic and chronological approach, this class will study how architecture, painting, sculpture, music, theatrical productions, poster design, television, and social media have been used as tools by ruling elites since the 17th century. We will explore how and why artists produce works of propaganda for various authoritarian demagogues; what mediums and techniques they used to create persuasive visuals; and how the works were presented to these countries’ populations.

“Crime, Data, & Policy Advocacy”: How do we know what we know about crime and justice, and how does that information shape public policy? This course explores the intersection of crime data, media narratives, and policy advocacy. Students will develop critical information literacy skills to evaluate sources, analyze the use (and misuse) of crime statistics, and assess the impact of media coverage on public perception and criminal justice reform. The course culminates in a policy brief project where students apply their knowledge to a contemporary criminal justice issue.

“Food, Culture, and Society”: Are you what you eat? From a sociological vantage point, what you eat and why is actually an immensely complicated question (far beyond health and nutrition). This course uses food as an arena in which to study sociology and its unique approach to understanding the world, known as the sociological perspective or sociological imagination. Through our focus on food, food cultures, and food media, we will explore the major questions facing sociology today, including inequality, culture, work, the environment, globalization and social change. In particular, we examine cultural practices in the production and consumption of food; the value and meanings of food; media and the rise of foodie culture and the celebrity chef; the politics of the agri-food system (such as the fight over genetically modified foods); social movements surrounding food (such as slow food, community supported agriculture, and vegetarianism); the culture of restaurant work; the unequal distribution of food, and other topics of interest. Bring your appetite!

“AI and Business”: With advancements in machine learning, robotics, and natural language processing, AI is revolutionizing traditional business models in unprecedented ways and is poised to drive a new wave of innovation and evolution across industries. It is also going to transform the way we think about the fundamental nature of work and the type of future work skills needed for employees. AI offers a vast array of capabilities with virtually limitless potential, including automating repetitive tasks, providing predictive insights, enabling personalized customer experiences, optimizing supply chain management, and improving risk assessment. As AI continues to transform every aspect of modern business, organizations that embrace it with intent and insight will be empowered to unlock new opportunities, achieve operational efficiencies, and drive sustainable growth, gaining a competitive advantage.

“Modern and Contemporary Art”: A study of the most significant developments in art and architecture dating from the mid-19th century to the present. These works of art will be examined within varied contexts (artistic, religious, political, economic, etc.). The artistic movements covered include Realism, Impressionism, PostImpressionism, Symbolism, Art Nouveau, Cubism, Fauvism, German Expressionism, Russian Constructivism, Dadaism, Social Realism and Regionalism, Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, Op art, Minimalism, PostMinimalism, Neoexpressionism, and Postmodemism. Join the Honors art exploration!