Humanities Courses

(Also HIS 267) This course will examine the evolution of the English language by reading texts (e.g. Beowulf, Chaucer, the King James Bible) to trace the development of the language from Old to Modern English. In order to explore the debates about language in modern America, we will also examine the evolution of the controversies surrounding African-American English.

(Also ENG 267) This course will examine the evolution of the English language by reading texts (e.g. Beowulf, Chaucer, the King James Bible) to trace the development of the language from Old to Modern English. In order to explore the debates about language in modern America, we will also examine the evolution of the controversies surrounding African-American English.

(Also AFS/LAC 268) Haitian literature explores the literary contributions of prominent writers, artists, and filmmakers from Haiti and the Haitian Diaspora. All course texts are in translated to English. Using the literature as a lens, the course investigates Haitian history and Haitian cultural discourses. Haiti’s historic and cultural impact in the Caribbean region and throughout the Americas is also considered.

Through the student and practice of reading and writing poetry, students will analyze the works of published poets and apply established poetic techniques to their won writings. In instructor-led workshops, students will give as well as take constructive criticism, in order to generate a revised portfolio of their own poems.

This course offers traditional and recent approaches to studying various genres, themes, national and global traditions, historical periods, and critical issues in children’s literature. Topics and texts vary from semester to semester. As topics change, this course may be repeated for credit.

A historical and cultural survey of major American figures of the 19th century, including new research on women and African-American figures. Writers may include Emerson, Thoreau, Whitman, Melville, Dickinson, Poe, Hawthorne and Frederick Douglass.

A study of literature of the United States in the first half of the 20th century. Writers may include Faulkner, Cather, O’Neil, Elliot, Pound, Hughes, Hurston and Hemingway.

(Formerly JOU 280) This course will focus on all aspects of sports journalism, including reporting, editing, writing, and producing. Students learn skills needed for digital, print, and broadcast.

(Also REL 280)This course investigates the intersections of religion, gender, and sexuality. It looks into the role that societal norms and cultural values play in how social and religious institutions view sex, sexuality, and gender in relation to religious convictions and practices. It emphasizes that both religion and sexuality are shaped by social privileges, historical particularities and experiences.  

This course examines the relationship between literature, film and theory. More specifically, it examines how literature and film can encapsulate crucial aspects of a theoretical text, enriching and expanding our experience and understanding of it.

(Also AFS 300) This course introduces students to a critical approach to the interpretation of the AfricanAmerican socio-religious experience in North America. It examines the historical journey of African Americans as well as their attempt to
create meaning and sense of dignity in the face of harsh and inhumane circumstances.

This course will examine the treatment of people monetarily improverished by public and private institutions from the colonial period to the modern ear. Changing theories, practices, and attitudes about the poor and about poverty are the focus of study. Of central concern to this course is the response of poor peoples to these policies and the ways in which they resisted and organized. Each student will write a major (20 page) research paper for the course. This course will alternate between a United States history course and a Latin America Caribbean history course.

(Also REL 300) This course introduces students to a critical approach to the interpretation of the AfricanAmerican socio-religious experience in North America. It examines the historical journey of African Americans as well as their attempt to
create meaning and sense of dignity in the face of harsh and inhumane circumstances.

An intensive study of Spanish grammar. Practical application through the writing of essays, translations, and oral reports.

Continuation of SPA 301.

A study of classical, modern and contemporary theory about social well being. Political obligation, social justice, privacy, collective good, international rights, sovereignty, power.

The meaning of faith and revelation, reason and faith, types of religious knowledge, proofs for the existence of God, and comparative philosophical study of native American and/or non-western religions.

An examination of the basic presuppositions and methods of physical and/or social sciences, including a historical presentation of major scientific theories in the appropriate areas.

Classical theories on the nature of consciousness, on the possible being and nature of the soul, on the relation of mind and matter. Readings include Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Gilbert Ryle followed by selected contemporary theories. Dual purpose to appreciate the great contributions of the classics and to establish a knowledge base for understanding theories of consciousness

An analysis of the work of art, of aesthetic experience and judgements of aesthetic value in which representative art works and philosophies of art are studied. May have an historical or contemporary problems orientation.

Intensive work in fiction writing within the context of contemporary fiction. Study of modernist and post-modernist techniques. Frequent writing assignments designed to help students gain technical control of their writing and find their individual writer’s voice. This course culminates in a portfolio of original fiction (short stories or a novel-in-progress) and a public reading of original fiction for the College community.

Principles of French grammar and expression as found in the spoken language and the more difficult literary works. Practical application through the writing of original essays and translations.

A continuation of FRN 310.

Study of classical theories of knowledge, including Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Locke, Berkeley, Hume and Kant. Treatment of primary texts both for the sake of themselves as great moments in western thought and for the sake of establishing a knowledge base for understanding contemporary problems of knowledge.

This course is designed to examine young adolescents, their development and issues related to their educational needs during the period of growth from childhood through adolescence. Students will learn how to use developmental characteristics in the instructional design and planning process. Students will also learn how schools should be structured to maximize learning for this population.