American Culture Studies Minor

Meets the specialized valuing component of the general
education requirements. Through the examination of
works of art and artists, students will evaluate the uses of
art, both current and historical, to better understand the
role it has in contemporary society, and the methods used
in critiquing art.

This class offers students an opportunity to explore the human figure further in terms of real sense of space and solid forms, as well as skin color. This class requires the completion of two life-size figure paintings: male and female with long term rendering through Grisaille, which is the value study of human form and color skin sensitivity with the source of light interaction based upon realistic and impressionistic color theory.

Social, economic, and musical foundations of ragtime, jazz, swing, and popular music, with a special emphasis on the best work of America’s most distinguished popular music composers and lyricists. Some emphasis on the verbal, melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic characteristics that distinguishes the American popular song and its creators.

An examination of the changing patterns of social
stratification in the United States with an emphasis on
class, gender, and race. Topics include principles and
theories of stratification, inequality, income, education,
and social mobility. Prerequisite: SOC 100.

An introduction to theorizing as a skill, while also providing students with the tools to develop theories about social phenomena and the social world. The major works of classical and contemporary sociological theorists are integrated and evaluated as examples of the theorizing process.

An introduction to central debates in the sociological
literature on diverse groups. Discussion of issues such as
power and inequality, prejudice and discrimination, social
justice, and social policy. Prerequisite: SOC 100.

This course provides an introduction to the interdisciplinary field of women’s studies. Readings in feminist theory and research, autobiography, and the history of women’s rights activism will provide a framework for an investigation of major themes in women’s lives. Using contemporary cultures of the United States as our primary field of study, we will also explore dominant ideas about gender, one of the primary terms through which human beings articulate identity, define social roles, and assign status. We will consider as well how notions of gender intersect with other components of experiences such as those related to nationality, culture, ethnicity, race, class, age, religion, and sexuality. Fulfills specialized valuing general education requirement.

The course introduces students to main categories, topics,
and research of masculinity studies. Through theoretical
readings and discussions of popular culture, we will focus
on the central debates around men and masculinities. We
will examine the following questions:
_ How is masculinity constructed and maintained in
society?
_ How do we learn to be men and play masculinity in
everyday life?
_ How do race, class, ethnicity, and sexuality affect our
masculinities?
_ What is the relationship between masculinity and
sexed bodies?
Analyzing male sexuality, intimacy, violence,
homophobia, and gender equality, we will pay
considerable attention to different forms of masculinity
and masculinity politics in the contemporary world.

Promotes a better understanding of the multiple origins and development of the United States from the precolonial period through the end of the Civil War, including attention to French, Spanish, and British colonization; the American Revolution; development of the Constitution; the Northwest Ordinances and Louisiana Purchase; slavery and debates over expansion; Indian removal; Jacksonian democracy; the Mexican-American War; and the Civil War. Develops skills of historical thinking through interpretation and analysis of primary and secondary sources. FA

Traces U.S. history from the Reconstruction period to the present day, exploring questions and issues related to government, technology and transportation, women’s roles and rights, race and Civil Rights, immigration, the growth of the consumer economy and mass media, work and labor issues, and war and foreign affairs. Promotes a better understanding of the United States and how it has developed through study of the American past. Covers Reconstruction after the Civil War, Big Business and Reform, the Progressive Era, WW I, the Roaring Twenties, the Depression, WW II, the U.S. since WW II. SP

Provides an introduction to African-American history.
Establishes a broad foundation for understanding the
influence on America of the African-American
community from pre-slavery to contemporary times.
Topics include Pre-slavery, Colonialism, The Civil War,
Jim Crow Laws, Reconstruction, The Harlem
Renaissance, The Civil Rights Movement, and
Contemporary Issues.

Study of America from the colonial period to the present,
emphasizing the forces that divided the united American
society-assimilation of minority groups, the influence of
religious institutions, and the impact of industrialization
and urbanization.

A study of the development of the American economy from the colonial period to its present position as a major world economic power. A study of economic theory— how the American economy works today through the free market system and regulation, and what the future may hold.

Historical background, organization, and functions of the American National Government; study of the operation of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights in today’s environment and a study of the current political process in the United States.