Fall 2008 Credit Courses: General Humanities

Middle Eastern Cultures: Texts and Films
Explores the various cultures, geography, and history of the Middle East, including Turkey, Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. Some time is also devoted to minorities within a larger context. The selected texts and films raise awareness of human rights issues as well as the political, ethnic, and national complexities of the region. Both fiction and nonfiction works are used.
AHU3020.20 / 4 credits
Michael Taub
Wed., 6:30–9:50 p.m.
Sept. 3–Dec. 17
Humanities Bldg., Room 2061

Enlightenment East and West
Although both ancient Asian and modern Western traditions define an enlightened person as one who is liberated from the bondage of ignorance, they differ in their definitions of the highest human values and of the discipline necessary to attain those values. Special attention is given to the contribution each tradition can make to the search for clarified values.
AHU3200.20 / 4 credits
Suzanne Ironbiter
Thurs., 6:30–9:50 p.m.
Sept. 4–Dec. 18
Humanities Bldg., Room 1072

God’s Warriors: Religious Fundamentalism Today
Contemporary culture cannot be adequately understood without considering the impact of religious extremism. While other factors play a role, it is religious passions that fuel the jihadist movement in the Islamic world, incite violence in the occupied Palestinian territories, and amplify culture wars between secular and religious forces in the U.S. This course examines the root causes of such cultural phenomena, asking whether fundamentalism can exist in modern society without leading to bloodshed.
AHU3270.20 / 4 credits
Michael Taub
Thurs., 6:30–9:50 p.m.
Sept. 4–Dec. 18
Humanities Bldg., Room 1074

Healing and the Arts: Indo-Tibetan Traditions
Indian and Tibetan traditional arts evolved from ancient techniques for rebalancing natural energies through aesthetic experience and awareness. Students explore these traditional musical, visual, literary, theatrical, and ritual arts and the meditative philosophies behind them. The course also observes techniques of current practitioners and relates them to practices cultivated by traditional healers for living in harmony with nature and attuning to the elemental energies of life.
AHU3390.20 / 4 credits
Suzanne Ironbiter
Mon., 6:30–9:50 p.m.
Sept. 8–Dec. 15
Humanities Bldg., Room 1072

Law, Ethics, and the Media
The First Amendment allows the mass media certain freedoms to publish, broadcast, advertise, and promote. Yet with those rights come responsibilities. This course examines the legal and ethical dimensions and issues involved with contemporary American mass media. Also offered as CSS 3755.
AHU3755.45 / 4 credits
John Breslin
Tues., 6:30–9:50 p.m.
Sept. 9–Dec. 16
Social Sciences Bldg., Room 1006

Posted May 14, 2008

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