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Rollins Foundations in the Liberal Arts

Spring and Fall 2024 RFLA Seminar Courses (See Fall courses below Spring)

The following seminar courses will be offered in the RFLA curriculum for the fall 2023 / spring 2024 semesters.  In order to satisfy your RFLA requirements you must take:

  • 1 Rollins Conference Course
  • 4 competencies courses (one course in each of these four areas: foreign language, mathematical thinking, writing, and ethical reasoning)
  • 5 Foundations seminars fall under the five themes: Cultural Collision, Enduring Questions, Environment, Identity, and Innovation.
    • At least one course in Expressive Arts(A), Social Sciences(C), Humanities(H), and Sciences(S).
    • One(1) 100-level course, three(3) 200-level courses, one(1) 300-level course.

Please be sure to check the divisional exceptions list for courses that may count towards rFLA credit.

Please be sure to check the interdisciplinary course list for courses that could satisfy interdisciplinary majors.

Spring 2024 RFLA Course Offerings

Course: 12775 and 12875 RFLA 100A 01/02

Instructor: M Breckling

Days/Times:  TR/09:30-10:45A/MWF 09:00-09:50A/MWF 10:00-10:50A

Course Title: Popular Song in American Culture

Prereqs: Open to 1st year students only, during registration

Course DescriptionSince the earliest days of the American popular music industry, our music has beeninextricably linked to significant events in the nation’s culture. Artists and their work serve as both a mirror, reflecting changes in American society, and as a catalyst, calling for and sometimes inspiring those social shifts. This course will examine styles as varied and wide-ranging as bluegrass and gangsta rap, and students will research topics in popular music that correspond to the issues in American society and culture that correspond to their interests, goals, and experiences and create projects to share this knowledge with their peers.

Course: 13652 RFLA 100A 03

Instructor: R Vander Poppen

Days/Times: TR 09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Art in the Italian City 

Prereqs: Open to 1st year students only, during registration

Course DescriptionUrbans spaces first arose in Italy in the 9th Century BC and continue to dominate the life of the peninsula today. This course will examine the city as a cultural, political, and economic phenomenon from the lens Archaeology and Art History.  Students will explore changes in urban planning, architecture, and art that expresses civic identity by viewing sites, monuments, artworks and artifacts from the Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, and modern periods.

Course: 13003 and 13005 RFLA 100 05/06

Instructor: S Witmer 

Days/Times: TR 08:00-09:15A and 09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Global Popular Music

Prereqs: Open to 1st year students only, during registration

Course DescriptionThis course will explore how the popular music of various societies from around the world is created and transformed by musical influences from other societies and worldviews when they encounter and interact with one another. The homogenizing forces of globalization, specifically the global pop aesthetic, will also be explored. Students will examine the artistic, literary, cultural, and socioeconomic effects of global popular music. Topics of inquiry and exploration include hybridity and diversity in music; the effects of globalization on cultural development; and the social, political, and cultural ramifications resulting from expressive cultural forms expanding around the world.

Course: 13006 RFLA 100A 07

Instructor: A Zimmermann

Days/Times: TR 2:00-3:15

Course Title: Intro to Creative Writing 

Prereqs: Open to 1st year students only, during registration; Meets with ENGW 167; Counts toward Creative Writing minor & ENG maj/min

Course Description: TBD

Course: 13007 RFLA 100A 08 

Instructor: A Crutchfield 

Days/Times: MW 2:30-3:45P

Course Title: Makeup for Theatrical Design

Prereqs: Open to 1st year students only, during registration

Course Description: TBD

Course: 12776 RFLA 100C 01

Instructor: A Katun Williams

Days/Times:  MWF/09:00-09:50A

Course Title: Business for Social Impact

Prereqs: Open to 1st year students only, during registration; Counts as SE 100

Course DescriptionHow can business be used to tackle critical social and environmental problems in our world? You will learn how successful social entrepreneurs create and drive positive change, and how and why meaningful social changes happen. After considering root causes to problems our society faces, you will identify and explain new approaches to making change through for-profit, non-profit, or hybrid social enterprises, as founders, employees, and ecosystem developers, among other roles. This is a project-based course; you will develop your ability to recognize opportunities in the midst of pressing local and global problems, and apply concepts and frameworks to further develop those opportunities.

Course: 12777 RFLA 100C 02

Instructor: S Brown 

Days/Times:  MWF/09:00-09:50A

Course Title: Social Issues in Social Media

Prereqs: Open to 1st year students only, during registration

Course DescriptionSocial media is the ever-present online communication that allows billions of people to share information and express themselves. Now it’s time to assess its impacts on social relationships. This course elevates everyday social media to question how well it reflects (or doesn’t reflect) creativity, values, gender, race, inequality, and commerce.

Course: 12778 RFLA 100C 03

Instructor: W Brandon

Days/Times: TR/09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Food Democracy

Prereqs: Open to 1st year students only, during registration

Course DescriptionFood Democracy critically examines the contemporary food system by looking at global food-related problems such as, the prevalence of undernutrition in the developed world, food crises in the world’s conflict zones, the emergence of overnutrition in the developing world, and inequalities in food production, distribution, and consumption. In addition, we will learn about food activism and food justice movements/advocacy organizations that are challenging an unjust and unsustainable global food system.

Course: 12779 RFLA 100C 04

Instructor: H McLaughlin

Days/Times: MW/2:30-3:45P

Course Title: Global Perspectives of Education

Prereqs: Open to 1st year students only, during registration

Course Description: In this course we analyze the economic, political, and social issues that affect students’ and families’ lives in case study countries across the world. We also examine the educational experiences of students who come from marginalized groups in these countries, with special emphasis on indigenous, rural, female, and migrant/refugee people. We will discuss key educational initiatives developed by governmental and non-governmental organizations. The result is to reconsider our own beliefs and to broaden our global perspectives about education, in light of what we have learned.

Course: 12780 RFLA 100C 05

Instructor: J Maskivker

Days/Times: TR/09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Constitutional Controversies

Prereqs: Open to 1st year students only, during registration

Course Description: This class overviews the most heated debates today concerning applies ethics and constitutional matters, including things such as abortion, the death penalty, affirmative action, justice, etc

Course: 12781 RFLA 100C 06

Instructor: T Warnecke

Days/Times: TR/09:30-10:45A

Course Title: How to Change the World 

Prereqs: Open to 1st year students only, during registration, Counts as SE 220

Course Description: This course focuses on changemaking and social entrepreneurship in a global context, developing your ability to see opportunities in the midst of pressing social problems. Learn about key barriers to innovation and strategies for improving results as we examine the goals adopted by nearly 200 countries to end poverty, protect the environment, and ensure shared prosperity through a sustainable development agenda

Course: 12961 and 12876 RFLA 100C 07

Instructor: C Gonzalez 

Days/Times: TR/08:00-09:15A and 09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Food and Culture 

Prereqs: Open to 1st year students only, during registration

Course DescriptionThis course explores connections between what we eat and who we are through a cross-cultural study of food production, preparation and consumption.

Course: 13017 and 13666 RFLA 100C 09/10

Instructor: J Eisele

Days/Times: MW/2:30-3:45P and 4:00-5:15P

Course Title: Sociology of Popular Culture 

Prereqs: Open to 1st year students only, during registration

Course Description: TBA

Course: 13300 RFLA 100C 09

Instructor: T Smith

Days/Times: MWF 09:00-09:50A

Course Title: Psych of Women in Politics 

Prereqs: Open to 1st year students only, during registration

Course Description: TBA

Course: 12779 RFLA 100C 10

Instructor: Wang, Chuan 

Days/Times: TR 09:30-10:45A

Course Title: US-China Relations

Prereqs: Open to 1st year students only, during registration

Course Description: This course explores US-China relations by emphasizing the dynamics of contention and cooperation between these two powers in addressing global issues. Major topics include security, trade, technology, energy, and environmental concerns. The course provides a comparative analysis of the historical, sociocultural, political, and economic approaches of the United Srtates and China. Throughout the course, it aims to examine how the interactions between these two nations could influence global diversity, equality, and stability.

Course: 12782 RFLA 100H 01

Instructor: J Liu

Days/Times: MW/2:30-3:45P

Course Title: Religion and Film 

Prereqs: Open to 1st year students only, during registration; Counts as REL 100 elective

Course Description: TBA

Course: 12783 RFLA 100H 02

Instructor: S Schoen

Days/Times: TR/09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Online Storytelling

Prereqs: Open to 1st year students only, during registration

Course DescriptionMore and more the stories we tell are digital, and you can have the skills to tell them! This course centers on multimedia expression. We will study the ways stories convey who we are and how we understand others and our world. Then we will practice telling evocative, creative, powerful stories that connect personally significant aspects of ourselves to important issues in the world. Projects will include a photo essay, short audio documentary, and short video.

Course: 12998 RFLA 100H 03

Instructor: B Hudson

Days/Times: TR/09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Horror in Lit and Film

Prereqs: Open to 1st year students only, during registration; Counts as FIL elective

Course DescriptionFrom the plays of Shakespeare to the cinema of Jordan Peele, horror has been a generic form that cultures use to make sense of the strange, uncanny, or unruly within themselves.  The genre of horror is like a collective nightmare, in which cultures exorcise the repressed or oppressed within themselves.  This course will pair a series of case studies in classic literature (Macbeth, Frankenstein, and Jekyll and Hyde, for example) with milestones in the cinema of horror (Psycho, The Exorcist, and Get Out) to give students an understanding of the uses of horror in popular culture from the Renaissance to the world we inhabit today.

Course: 12999 RFLA 100H 04

Instructor: T French

Days/Times: TR/09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Extremes of Religion

Prereqs: Open to 1st year students only, during registration

Course DescriptionThis course examines the roots of extremism in religious belief and practice. Tracing topics such as fasting, sexual politics, sacred ritual, and terror, it will examine when religious passion and devotion transform into what society deems "extreme."

Course: 13002 RFLA 100H 05

Instructor: E Russell

Days/Times: TR/09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Sex, War, & Plague

Prereqs: Open to 1st year students only, during registration; Counts as ENG 200 (Pre-1900); Meets with ENG 243

Course DescriptionIn academic arenas, the so-called pre- and postmodern periods often are studied in isolation from one another, and for good reason: these eras (1000-1500CE and 1945-present respectively) occupy opposite ends of the historical timeline and thus seemingly share little in common. In this course—team taught by two faculty members in English who each study these different periods—we will discover together the ways that many of the central preoccupations that pervaded the Middle Ages also are hallmarks of postmodern theory and practice. What does it mean to be human in a world filled with monsters and cyborgs? Who or what defines who we are as individuals? What is a “book”? The pre- and postmodern eras are characterized by genre and gender bending, innovation, play, indeterminacy, fracture, and, above all, diversity. Almost everything is up for grabs in these periods and things are rarely as they seem. Understanding of both periods is made richer by situating them in dialogue with one another.

Course: 13251 RFLA 100H 06

Instructor: B Hudson

Days/Times: MW/02:30-03:45P

Course Title: Horror in Lit and Film

Prereqs: Open to 1st year students only, during registration; Counts as ASJ elective

Course DescriptionFrom the plays of Shakespeare to the cinema of Jordan Peele, horror has been a generic form that cultures use to make sense of the strange, uncanny, or unruly within themselves.  The genre of horror is like a collective nightmare, in which cultures exorcise the repressed or oppressed within themselves.  This course will pair a series of case studies in classic literature (Macbeth, Frankenstein, and Jekyll and Hyde, for example) with milestones in the cinema of horror (Psycho, The Exorcist, and Get Out) to give students an understanding of the uses of horror in popular culture from the Renaissance to the world we inhabit today.

Course: 13609 RFLA 100H 07

Instructor: I Karleskint

Days/Times: TR/09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Gaming

Prereqs: Open to 1st year students only during registration; Counts as ENG 200 level elective

Course DescriptionThis course focuses on gaming - from videogames, to online gaming communities, to board games and escape rooms based on "Whodunnit?" mysteries. Students will learn information literacy, gamification, and teamwork by analyzing and creating games.

Course: 13610 RFLA 100H 08 

Instructor: K Avagliano

Days/Times: TR/09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Fandoms

Prereqs: Open to 1st year students only during registration; Counts as ENG 200 level elective

Course Description: Orlando is, arguably, a city built on a foundation of fandom. In this course, students will examine both communal and personal contexts and practices around fandom.

Course: 13654 RFLA 100H 09

Instructor: Y Yan

Days/Times: MW/2:30-3:45P

Course Title: East Asian Media & Pop Culture

Prereqs: Open to 1st year students only during registration; Counts as ASA elective

Course Description: This course examines contemporary mass media in East Asia by focusing on media institutions and practices in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and mainland China.Special attention is paid to popular cultural formations, the rise of East Asian media industries, intra-region flows of information and entertainment, and the presenceand influence of transnational media companies in East Asia. This course explores the explosion of media in East Asia and the resulting forms of media production,circulation and consumption that transform everyday life, economy and politics. From pop culture phenomena such as K-Pop, fan fiction and internet platforms suchas Sina Weibo, from mobile phone culture to video games and social networks used in political protests, complex media forms and practices are developing with lightning speed across the region and exerting global influence.

Course: 12784 RFLA 200A 01

Instructors: D Roe and B Chandler

Days/Times: R/9:30am-12:15pm

Course Title: Intergenerational Photography:  Land & Community

Prereqs: RFLA 100; Counts as AAAS elective; CE course; Fee: $50

Course Description
This CE course involves intergenerational engagement with photography and community through bi-weekly workshops in Winter Park’s historic Westside neighborhood. Working directly with Hannibal Square residents as well as occupants of the nearby Plymouth Senior Housing Facility, students will demonstrate their developing understanding of camera operation and technique by serving as tutors during each workshop. We will cover methods for establishing an ethical documentary practice through our creation of images reflecting upon the impact of gentrification and related issues of affordable housing within Winter Park. This course emphasizes the importance of being flexible and caring conversation partners with older adults and one another as we explore both challenging and touching subject matter through our art.

 Course Fee $50.

Course: 12787 and 12785 RFLA 200A 02/06

Instructor: M DiQuattro

Days/Times: TR/09:30-10:45A and MW/2:30-3:45P

Course Title: Culture Shock

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionWe explore the genre of travel writing and culture shock narratives, specifically what it feels like to visit foreign locales, to meet strangers, and to be suddenly immersed in alien cultures. We will examine how the genres of essay, novel, drama, creative non-fiction and film can represent different aspects of what a culture shock feels like.  We will analyze in seminar setting questions of nationhood, citizenship, culture, globalization, and cosmopolitanism. We will conclude by visiting Epcot Disney, and students will create their own travel narratives of the countries they visit. Students can choose to craft these narratives in any of the forms studied: essay, creative nonfiction, fiction, drama, or film. There is a course fee of $125

Course: 12789 RFLA 200A 03

Instructor: C Archard

Days/Times: TR/09:30-10:45A

Course Title: One Hit Wonders

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionWhy do some artists or bands have a long career and others are merely “One Hit Wonders”? Is Pop music designed to be disposable and ephemeral? This course will examine the unpredictability of the music industry and unravel many of the factors that influenced the creation of Pop hits and Popular music from the 1970s to the present. Many of the factors explored in class will include talent versus looks, digital recording, the corporatization of record labels, sampling, global communication, streaming, social media and behavioral targeting, as well as the overall zeitgeist and historical context of each era. We will also delve into the formulaic songwriting techniques used to create the perfect three-minute “Ear Candy” pop masterpiece.

Course: 12790 RFLA 200A 04

Instructor: D Flick

Days/Times: MWF/09:00-09:50A

Course Title: Music Meets Life

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionWhat different roles do artists take in creating a social fabric or a sense of place? Encouraged to make connections between art, landscape and community, students will begin their own journey as an artist and create innovative art works that enliven/elevate their community and sense of place. Students will engage with these concepts through readings and discussion and develop these ideas creatively through a series of hands-on projects that explore various artist techniques and creative processes - all while learning about art, place and community from a theoretical, cultural, historical and practical perspective. This course will have a CE component.

Course: 13527 RFLA 200A 05

Instructor: A Hope

Days/Times: MW/02:30-3:45P

Course Title: Intro to Sculpture

Prereqs: RFLA 100: Fee: $50

Course DescriptionThis studio course introduces the fundamentals of contemporary sculptural practice with an emphasis on spatial awareness, problem-solving, and conceptual development. Consideration is given to the range of three-dimensional form as found in both contemporary art and design, and in different cultural and historical contexts, as well. There is a course fee of $50.

Course: 12791 RFLA 200C 01

Instructor: M Robertson

Days/Times: TR/09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Panics, Crashes, & Pandemonia

Prereqs: RFLA 100; Counts as ECO 200 elective

Course Description: What do the Dutch tulip mania of the 17th century, robber barons in the 19th century, the behavior of Mexican pesos in the late 1990s, and the recent housing crisis all have in common? Each has contributed to a slowdown in the economy causing rises of unemployment and slow growth of some consequence. But why do such panics and crashes occur that involve actions by seemingly rational people result in economic pandemonium? This course explores the causes, consequences, and social impact of periods of economic havoc over the past three centuries. We take a broad approach to the historical examples studied to include asset bubbles and banking crises but also sovereign debt bankruptcies and hyperinflations. We examine competing frameworks to understand these episodes of economic turmoil and the challenges each crisis presents for policymakers to stabilize the economy. In these efforts, basic economic concepts are introduced along with data and facts to think about the economic phenomena.

Course: 12953 RFLA 200C 02

Instructor: Y Yao

Days/Times: TR/09:30-10:45A

Course Title: China's Rise

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionChina’s dramatic rise recently is an unprecedented phenomenon in world history that is changing global as well as regional economics and geopolitics. This course will help students understand what accounts for China’s rapid rise, what are the strengths and weaknesses of China’s model of modernity, what challenges China is facing and what impacts and implications that China’s rise has to the U.S. and the rest of the world.

Course: 12910 RFLA 200C 03

Instructor: J Hammonds

Days/Times: TR/09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Human Comm: Body Language

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionA survey of the History of Medicine from Greek Antiquity to the present. This course pays particular attention to the Philosophical and Cultural presuppositions that undelay the practice of medicine. In addition to the historical narrative, will cover biographical details of historical figures such as Galen and William Harvey.

Course: 13630 RFLA 200C 04

Instructor: J Jenoch

Days/Times: TR/09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Sounds of Blackness

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionIn this course we will explore Black music in the U.S. & the African diaspora; and the ways in which music reflects the Black experience throughout history.

Course: 12792 RFLA 200H 01

Instructor: S Rubarth

Days/Times: MWF/09:00-09:50A

Course Title: Sci-Fi, Philosophy, and Film

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionThis course examines the philosophical, metaphysical, theological, scientific, and ethical implications of selected science fiction films.   Special focus is given to the Matrix trilogy.  Students critically engage in topics such as the nature of reality and knowledge, personal identity, artificial intelligence, transhumanism, existentialism, and how to live ethically in a post-apocalyptic world.  The course seeks to develop critical and creative skills necessary for understanding mind-blowing movies and unraveling philosophical mysteries.

Course: 12793 RFLA 200H 02

Instructor: V Machado

Days/Times: MWF/09:00-09:50A

Course Title: Nature Spirituality

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionWhat did John Muir allude to when he pronounced ‘the mountain is calling’? What does it mean when activists declare ‘water is life’? How can we understand those who feel, see, or experience the divine in nature? Drawing from such ideas, this class will explore the natural world from spiritual and religious perspectives. We will cover indigenous perceptions of the land, transcendental thought, the ‘greening’ of mainstream religion, sacred spaces, and the rise of eco-spirituality practices that may involve but are not limited to pagan, new age, and SBNR (‘spiritual but not religious’) thought. Collectively our class will re-think how we understand human-nature relationships within the lens of the spiritual.

Course: 12911 RFLA 200H 03

Instructor: T French

Days/Times: MW/01:00-02:15P

Course Title: Christianity: Thought/Practice

Prereqs: RFLA 100; Counts as JWS & MENA elective; Meets with REL 218

Course DescriptionTouchdown Jesus, genital mutilation, voluntary starvation, cultic sex, immolation, and hymen reconstruction: If you are fascinated by human behavior and big questions that do not have simple answers, this class is for you. This course invites students to explore what we may not know about our world, our community, our friends and families, and ourselves. Ranging from body modification to glorification of the perfect virginal form; abject poverty to extraordinary wealth; rolling saints to popes and bishops; megachurches to monastic retreats; and selfless love to imposed terror—Religion has mapped an array of extremes onto various cultures throughout world history. This course will seek instances of extreme religious behavior, asking how these movements have become normative in various communities. Determining why and when religious practice progresses from passion and devotion to that which our society deems “extreme,” we will explore what narratives are employed to maintain the feverish pitch of holy otherness. Restraining simple criticisms of those actions that are not in harmony with personal experiences, the student will be asked to search for motivating historical, religious, and social factors that move participants ever closer to their concept of divinity. Our challenge will be to understand how this extreme religious behavior relates to our contemporary world. Students will explore the mysterious and marvelous practices of contemporary religion, attempting to understand why humans comport themselves in particular ways. It will assess social mores, global perspectives, and perceptions of the other, by trying to understand the underlying motivations in religious practices. Students will be asked to think critically about different cultural perspectives, examining the impact these traditions have on their local and global communities. The class will work in both local and global examples, such as a Qur’an burning pastor in Gainesville, the commodification of religion in a local religious amusement park, and nearby megachurches, as well as the more removed topics of asceticism, immolation, mutilation, diet, terror, and ritual. It will necessarily take into account the impact of religious and national identities in the construction of imagined communities (Benedict Anderson), asking the student to think from others’ perspectives.

Course: 13269 RFLA 200H 04

Instructor: J Brown

Days/Times: TR/09:30-10:45A

Course Title: The Big Questions

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionThis philosophy course will investigate foundational questions that have pushed the boundaries of human thought and driven the quest for knowledge for more than two thousand years. The questions students will investigate and discuss include: What is consciousness? Are humans free to act according to their wills? Are humans determined to act according to the laws of physics and neurology? Are humans pre-determined to act according to the cosmic design of a higher being?  Is A.I. alive? These questions are perfect for curious students looking for a course that has lively investigations, discussions, and debates.

Course: 13295 RFLA 200H 05

Instructor: N Richter

Days/Times: TR/09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Intro to Film

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionIntroduction to film appreciation and analysis; examines critical approaches to film and film style including authorship and genre. FIL 150 surveys basic theoretical, technical, and philosophical approaches to the study of film. Students will become “literate” in the language of film through becoming familiar with key terms and concepts used in analyzing film. Students will learn what it means to be a film spectator, how films create meaning, the political aspects of filmmaking, and various approaches to film criticism.

Course: 13613 RFLA 200H 06

Instructor: V Aggarwal

Days/Times: MW/01:00-02:15P

Course Title: Visual Poetry

Prereqs: RFLA 100; Meets with ENGW 261

Course Description: Please contact Dr. Aggarwal directly, vaggarwal@rollins.edu for a course description.

Course: 13034 RFLA 200H 07

Instructor: C Castillo

Days/Times: MWF/09:00-09:50A

Course Title: Paris through the Lenses

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course Description: In this course, we will look at the image/idea of Paris, often a substitute for France in collective imagination, as a site of contesting interpretations that has meant and continues to mean so many different things to so many different people. From the universal ideals of the French Revolution to present day Paris trending as an overrated touristic destination on social media, by way of the 1950's "Black Paris" and the "Paris Syndrome," students will investigate how and why the City of Lights crystallize diverse fantasies, disillusionments, and unexpected realities. By looking at these kaleidoscopic representations and perspectives, students will gain a beter understanding not only of the city and the Francophone world at large, but also of the multitude of global experiences and issues that have intersected at the symbolical crossroad of Paris.

Course: 12795 RFLA 200S 01

Instructor: L Habgood

Days/Times: T/08:00-09:30A

Course Title: Supermarket Science 

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionWhen you walk into a supermarket you are entering a store where a diversity of science is represented. As consumers we want to buy food, drinks, and healthcare products that are consistent with our needs and values. This course is designed to help decipher some of the biology and chemistry behind products and separate information that is factually based on scientific evidence and what is pseudoscience.

Course: 12796 RFLA 200S 02

Instructor: E Rokni

Days/Times: TR/09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Physics of Musical Instruments

Prereqs: Two RFLA 200, WCMP, MCMP

Course DescriptionThis course traces the development of musical instruments from prehistory to modern day. The content emphasizes the creativity of successive generations of instrument makers, focusing on the scientific aspects of each new innovation. The result of each innovation is put into the context of how it affected the development of music. Prerequisite of math competency.

Course: 12797 RFLA 200S 03

Instructor: S Fonseca Douguet

Days/Times: TBA

Course Title: Science of Leonardo Da Vinci

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionLeonardo da Vinci was a man ahead of his time.  He thrived in arts, science and technology, uncovering new directions with scientific art.  We will investigate his life and the breadth and depth of his scientific studies.  The topics include: anatomy and physiology, plant morphology, geology, mechanics, waves, optics, fluid dynamics, civil engineering, ballistics, and mathematics. 

Course: 12826 RFLA 200S 04

Instructor: I Biazzo

Days/Times: TR/08:00-09:15A

Course Title: Environmental Science

Prereqs: RFLA 100; Saturday labs will meet Feb.3, Feb.17 & March 23

Course DescriptionAn exploration of Florida natural history and the interdisciplinary themes of environmental studies.

Course: 13595 RFLA 200S 05

Instructor: I Biazzo

Days/Times: TR/09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Environmental Science

Prereqs: RFLA 100; Saturday labs will meet Feb.10, Feb.24 & March 30

Course DescriptionAn exploration of Florida natural history and the interdisciplinary themes of environmental studies.

Course: 13000 RFLA 300 01

Instructor: H McLaughlin 

Days/Times: MW/02:30-3:45P

Course Title: Learn & Teach about Holocaust

Prereqs: Two RFLA 200 & WCMP; Embedded with field study to Krakow, Poland; Register in International Programs

Course DescriptionStudents will learn about Jewish life in Europe before World War II, the reasons for the rise of Nazism and the persecution of Jews, the different roles that people played during this time, and the outcomes of the Holocaust for people from many backgrounds. We will analyze the diaries of Jewish children who were hidden or forced into ghettos and camps, and hear survivor testimonies, to know more about what those people experienced. A vital part of the course will be a 6-day Field Study trip to Krakow, Poland, which will include a study tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau. We will end by considering how survivors have made meaning from the Holocaust, relating the past to current social issues, and examining the best ways to teach about the Holocaust.

Course: 13294 and 12799 RFLA 300 02/03

Instructor: S Boyd

Days/Times: MWF/08:00-08:50A and 09:00-09:50A

Course Title: Social Choice Mathematics

Prereqs: Two RFLA 200 & WCMP & MCMP

Course DescriptionHow do different societies choose their leaders? What roles do tradition and ideology play in the structure of government? We will research and compare voting systems and representative legislatures from around the world, applying principles of voting theory and fair division to study the ways diverse groups of people select and empower their leaders. 

Course: 12801 RFLA 300 04

Instructor: M Nelson , A Stone

Days/Times: TR/09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Communication, Culture & Conflict

Prereqs: Two RFLA 200 & WCMP; Embedded with field study to North Ireland; Register in International Programs

Course DescriptionThis course and linked field study will explore the theory and practice of dialogue as a tool for communicating across differences. Using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework, we will explore the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork and cross-cultural communication to address social and environmental challenges in our local and global community. Students will research the SDGs, understand design thinking methodology as a tool for creating sustainable change, and engage in a field study to learn the challenges of reconciliation and maintaining peace. Activities include visits to social enterprises, non-profit organizations, and museums.

Course: 13011 RFLA 300 05

Instructor: R Elva

Days/Times: MW/02:30-03:45P

Course Title: Computer Literacy-the FairyTale

Prereqs: Two RFLA 200 & WCMP

Course DescriptionIn our modern environment, education can no longer be considered complete with just the 3 Rs. Computer literacy is quickly becoming the 4th fundamental requirement for a complete education of the global citizen. The use of the Fairy Tale is a long-standing practice for teaching important societal truths using oral tradition and analogy. This project-based course presents computer literacy concepts retold through the lens of well-known fairy tales. Other topics covered will include issues surrounding safe, socially conscious use of technology and socio-economic factors impacting access to computer literacy.

Course: 12916 RFLA 300 06

Instructor: P Tome

Days/Times: TR/09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Latin American Goes to the Movies

Prereqs: Two RFLA 200 & WCMP; Taught in foreign language; Meets with SPN 495 (13563)

Course DescriptionHow has popular cinema portrayed Latin American society and history? How has cinema affected the people and culture of the region? In this class, we will watch feature films from various countries which grapple with various events and issues pertinent to today's society. Through these films, we will both critically examine historical developments in Latin America as well as learn about the aesthetic conventions used by narrative films to convey meaning.

Course: 12966 RFLA 300 07

Instructor: L Crysel

Days/Times: MW/02:30-3:45P

Course Title: Psychology Saves the World

Prereqs: Two RFLA 200 & WCMP

Course DescriptionFor every career, there is a psychological application.  Psychology is used to solve problems in fields as diverse as business, education, law, sports, and mental health. Students will research topics in applied psychology corresponding to their academic and professional goals, and create projects to share this knowledge with their peers.

Course: 12798 RFLA 300 08

Instructor: B Allen

Days/Times: MW 2:30-3:45P 

Course Title: America's Gifts

Prereqs: Two RFLA 200 & WCMP; Counts as AMST elective

Course DescriptionThis course explores the uniquely American circumstances that gave rise to the development of jazz, baseball and National Parks. All of these icons of Americana exhibit many of the dynamic (and often conflicting) forces at work in American history. For example, the preservation of land in National Parks ran directly counter to the essentially materialistic and exploitative approach to nature that governed 19th century America. Jazz represents the collision of European and African musical forms, which produced an unprecedented opportunity for exploration and innovation. And (sadly), baseball is at odds with a contemporary American culture that is increasingly violent, impatient and overbearing. Underlying themes of the course include the roles of race, class, gender and capitalism, as well as the relationship between the individual and the group.

Course: 13010 RFLA 300 09

Instructor: P Bernal

Days/Times: TR 11:00-12:15P

Course Title: History of Medicine

Prereqs: Two RFLA 200 & WCMP

Course DescriptionA survey of the History of Medicine from Greek Antiquity to the present. This course pays particular attention to the Philosophical and Cultural presuppositions that undelay the practice of medicine. In addition to the historical narrative, will cover biographical details of historical figures such as Galen and William Harvey as well as modern ones.

Course: 13004 RFLA 300 10

Instructor: H Cooperman 

Days/Times: TR/09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Creating Impact:ArtsBased Rsch

Prereqs: Two RFLA 200 & WCMP

Course Description: TBA

Course: 12924 RFLA 300 11

Instructor: A Murdaugh

Days/Times: TR/09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Tilt and Spin

Prereqs: Two RFLA 200 & WCMP

Course Description: The Earth’s axis is tilted by 23.5 degrees. This tilt unevenly distributes the sunlight across the Earth, giving rise to unique cultural practices, the early science advancements, seasons, and biodiversity. The tilt also influences the effects of and solutions to climate change. In this course, students will explore the intersection of culture, policy, and science to more deeply understand how our path through the stars shapes our past and future.

Course: 13765 RFLA 300 12

Instructor: G Gonzalez 

Days/Times: MWF/11:00-11:50A

Course Title: Power in America 

Prereqs: Two RFLA 200 & WCMP

Course Description: TBD

Course: 13782 RFLA 300 13

Instructor: S Gonzalez Guittar

Days/Times: MW/02:30-03:45P

Course Title: Reproductive Justice

Prereqs: Two RFLA 200 & WCMP

Course Description: TBD

Course: 91786 RFLA 100A 01

Instructor: R Simmons

Days/Times: TR 09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Visual Journals

Prereqs: Fee:$50

Course DescriptionThis course will examine identity and memory through the visual journal, a mixed media fusion of creative writing and art. Journaling is a practice of self-reflection that helps create meaning in our lives. Students will engage in timed writing activities, group critiques, and mixed media techniques. Weekly written and visual reflections focus on memory, identity, aspirations, and perceived obstacles to success. Fee $50.

Course: 91791 RFLA 200A 01

Instructor: A Hope

Days/Times: MW 2:30-3:45P

Course Title: Introduction to Sculpture

Prereqs: RFLA 100; Fee: $50

Course DescriptionThis studio course introduces the fundamentals of contemporary sculptural practice with an emphasis on spatial awareness, problem-solving, and conceptual development. Students will investigate sculptural form as a means of cultural production through technical exercises, hands-on studio projects, critiques, slide lectures, readings, and discussions. The objective of this course is to give students an understanding of contemporary conceptual issues, materials and strategies for making sculpture. Students will develop their technical, formal and conceptual knowledge of art making, while beginning to identify the vocabularies and concerns that inform their own work. Students will expand their technical and problem-solving skills both through general demonstrations and exercises and in response to unique problems arising from their own projects.

Course: 91792 RFLA 200A 02

Instructor: D Roe

Days/Times: TR 09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Introduction to Photography

Prereqs: RFLA 100; Fee: $50

Course Description: This course focuses upon the practice of photography as a fine art, while considering the influence of its commercial, scientific and personal applications. Students will be encouraged to make connections between their everyday understanding of the photographic image – through social media and family albums, advertising or history books – and how this informs their own artistic application. Students will leave this course with an experiential understanding of digital techniques and methodologies and competence in the critical discussion of images. A series of lectures, shooting assignments, lab work, reading assignments and group discussions will cover basic techniques and issues of artistic expression. Innovations in the medium have greatly impacted how the photographic image is both created and received. Highlighting the creative endeavors of past and current practitioners by covering the history of photography will enable students to more fully consider and discuss their own work and the work of others. Students will gain perspective by positioning their own work alongside the traditions of the history of photography as well as the more recent histories of lens and time-based media such as film/video and on-line imagery.

Course: 91793 RFLA 200A 03

Instructor: D Hargrove

Days/Times: TR 09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Drawing & Composition

Prereqs: RFLA 100; Fee: $50

Course DescriptionThis studio class will strongly establish a beginning point from which you will develop and refine your understanding of drawing as a creative visual inquiry into mark-making and drawing. You will learn how to translate and interpret three-dimensional forms onto two-dimensional surfaces with a variety of drawing materials both traditional and contemporary while also learning how to communicate visually.

Course: 92559 RFLA 200A 04

Instructor: C Archard

Days/Times: TR 09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Musical One-Hit Wonders

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionWhy do some artists or bands have a long career and others are merely “One Hit Wonders”? Is Pop music designed to be disposable and ephemeral? This course will examine the unpredictability of the music industry and unravel many of the factors that influenced the creation of Pop hits and Popular music from the 1970s to the present. Many of the factors explored in class will include talent versus looks, digital recording, the corporatization of record labels, sampling, global communication, streaming, social media, and behavioral targeting, as well as the overall zeitgeist and historical context of each era. We will also delve into the formulaic songwriting techniques used to create the perfect three-minute “Ear Candy” pop masterpiece.

Course: 92560 RFLA 200A 05

Instructor: J Roos

Days/Times: MWF 12:00-12:50P

Course Title: Masters Go to the Movies

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionWhile a script may help us in knowing what to think, music helps us to know how to feel. Music in a film enhances the action and mood and together facilitates an integrated work of art that becomes bigger than the sum of its parts. One can hardly listen to a movie score and not notice that musical classics have always been a part of the movies. From Bach to Bernstein, Mozart to Mancini, and Williams to Wagner this class will listen to great music found in movies and study the musicians that made it possible.

Course: 92561 RFLA 200A 06

Instructor: D Flick

Days/Times: MWF 12:00-12:50P

Course Title: Music Meets Life

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionWith music and creativity at its core, this course will focus on the countless ways that music touches our daily lives and will celebrate how music can both define us as individuals and bring us together as one world. At no time in history have artists had such a broad reach to influence change and help shape our future. So, whether your interests tend toward being the creator, promoter, producer, performer, or consumer, music’s modern frontier provides a place of limitless opportunity and diversity.

Course: 92562 RFLA 200A 07

Instructor: M Breckling

Days/Times: TR 08:00-09:15A

Course Title: Country Music-Industry Defining

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionDespite country music’s roots in the folk music of Appalachia and the American South, since it first became a commercialized art form in the 1920s, entrepreneurs have attempted to manipulate the images of country performers to either exaggerate or downplay their representation of southern identity, all in an effort to expand the style’s share of the music market. This course will examine the history of country music from three perspectives: its musical style and its evolution, its portrayal of the culture of the American South, and the influence of the country music industry on how those identities are projected in order to appeal to the broadest audiences. Students will learn about country music styles and their origins from the 1920s until today.

Course: 92563 RFLA 200A 08

Instructor: M Breckling

Days/Times: TR 09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Music and Fairy Tales

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionFairy Tales are not merely source material for Disney movies. They are remnants of folklore, stories used for centuries to pass life lessons onto children. Many such stories implicitly use music as part of their plots, and many more have inspired musical works. This course will explore these stories from their origins and identify how music is used to pass on the lessons hidden within fairy tales, as well as how those lessons are distorted through later musical settings.

Course: 91790 RFLA 200C 01

Instructor: Z Gilmore

Days/Times: TR 09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Fantastic Archaeology

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionThis course focuses on pseudoscientific and supernatural claims about the human past. Through in-depth analyses of archaeological frauds and popular alternative theories, students examine how archaeologists know what they claim to know. Students learn how to critically evaluate scientific evidence and explore the broader societal impacts of pseudoscientific arguments.

Course: 91787 RFLA 200C 02

Instructor: D Painter

Days/Times: TR 09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Communication and Society

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionStudents in this course will explore the central role of communication in the development and evolution of cultural and social norms. Moreover, students will analyze the ways in which verbal, nonverbal, and visual communication are used in interpersonal, public, and professional contexts to create meaning and develop relationships. Finally, students will evaluate a wide variety of communication sources, messages, and practices to develop their critical thinking skills in the Information Age.

Course: 92526 RFLA 200C 03

Instructor: Y Yao

Days/Times: TR 09:30-10:45A

Course Title: China's Rise 

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionChina’s dramatic rise recently is an unprecedented phenomenon in world history that is changing global as well as regional economics and geopolitics. This course will help students understand what accounts for China’s rapid rise, what are the strengths and weaknesses of China’s model of modernity, what challenges China is facing, and what impacts and implications China’s rise has on the U.S. and the rest of the world.

Course: 92574 RFLA 200C 04

Instructor: M Nichter

Days/Times: MW 2:30-3:45P

Course Title: Black Lives Matter 

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionRace shapes our lives in profound ways. In this course, we will analyze the causes and consequences of racial inequality in the United States, with a focus on the experiences of African-Americans. Topics covered will include residential segregation, unequal schools, hiring discrimination, and biased policing. We will also examine the work of movement activists fighting for racial justice.

Course: 92577 RFLA 200C 05

Instructor: S Brown

Days/Times: MWF 12:00-12:50P

Course Title: Patient Experience

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionEach of us will be a medical patient at some point in our lives or a caregiver for someone else, and these experiences can be stressful, intimidating, and even discriminatory. This course examines critical issues and tensions between providers and patients in the US medical system in order to design a more equitable, healthier future.

Course: 92586 RFLA 200C 06

Instructor: L Poole 

Days/Times: MW 2:30-3 :45P

Course Title: Identities/Conflict:The 1960s

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionThis course focuses on identities and cultural collisions, examining events, people, and grassroots uprisings in the United States that led to a number of conflicts: Civil Rights, the Vietnam War, women's rights, gay rights, counterculture, and the rise of the environmental movement. The echoes of this era are still being felt today, as evidenced by continuing debates about race, rights, and power in the twenty-first century. This turbulent era shaped the modern identity of the United States and of Americans. We will spend the semester identifying and analyzing this amazing decade and will investigate documents and primary historical sources to do so. We likely will discover a variety of interpretations of different events and movements and that is the beauty and agony of history—we never stop learning or reinterpreting past events. Importantly, we will look at how the following decades were affected by the 1960s.

Course: 92668 RFLA 200C 07

Instructor:  P Rickert

Days/Times: MWF 12:00-12:50P

Course Title: The 2024 Election

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionThis course will follow the weekly twists and turns of the 2024 U.S. elections focusing primarily on the national presidential and congressional elections. In addition, the course will provide a sampling of the research in political science and history that will help make sense of the 2024 election and beyond, including the structure and administration of U.S. elections and the political attitudes and behaviors that bring that structure to life. Students can expect to follow the election closely, learn how to predict elections and create their own forecast, and identify how campaigns, demographic shifts, and economic factors work together to make democracy function. 

Course: 92597 RFLA 200C 08

Instructor: W Zhang

Days/Times: W 2:30-5:00P

Course Title: Asian Dynamics 

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionThe importance of Asia derives from its large population, long history, complex and diverse societies and cultures, and rising economic significance. As the peoples and nations of the world become increasingly interconnected, successful leaders will benefit from a mastery of this key region. ASA203 (303) - Dynamics of the Asian Community in the 21st Century: An Interdisciplinary Study on the Past, Present and Future of Asia will provide a unique opportunity for students to study one of the most important regions in the world today and to examine one of the most pressing issues of our time: the rise of Asia in the 21st century. Through the international seminar series given by multiple Asian Study scholars, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the historical, social, cultural, political, and economic forces that have shaped modern Asia. The goal of the course is to help students grow and become global citizens, who can look forward to the prospects of cooperation with people around the globe in building a better, conflict-free world. No previous knowledge about or experience in Asia is required to take this course.

Course: 92660 RFLA 200C 10

Instructor: D Boniface

Days/Times: MWF 12:00-12:50P

Course Title: The Rise and Fall of Democracy

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course Description: Why do some countries democratize and others do not?  Why do some democracies flourish and others collapse?  This course seeks to answer these questions and to familiarize students with a few of the prominent theories and methods associated with the comparative study of democracy.  

Course: 92554 RFLA 200H 01

Instructor: S Schoen

Days/Times: TR 09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Media & Violence

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionWe are awash today in media depictions of violence from film, TV, and video games to sports and social media. Why does violence gather audiences so effectively, and seem so thoroughly woven into our entertainment and imaginations? We will consider theories about violence and non-violence; consider depictions of violence in media forms ranging from film and TV programs to social media and news; and examine genres ranging from Hollywood blockbusters to sports, journalism, viral web videos, and political discourse. SWAG elective.

Course: 92645 RFLA 200H 02

Instructor: A Prieto-Calixto

Days/Times: TR 09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Spanish Identity Through the Lens

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionIn this course, we will explore how the Spanish-speaking world defines its ethnic, religious, cultural, and national identities through film, documentary, and other visual artifacts. We will consider how diverse Spanish identities have been created, revised, and used.

Course: 92590 RFLA 200H 03

Instructor: J Brown

Days/Times: TR 09:30-10:45A

Course Title: N/A

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course Description: N/A

Course: 92644 RFLA 200H 04

Instructor: A Prieto-Calixto

Days/Times: TR 08:00-09:15A

Course Title: Spanish Identity Through the Lens

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course DescriptionIn this course, we will explore how the Spanish-speaking world defines its ethnic, religious, cultural, and national identities through film, documentary, and other visual artifacts. We will consider how diverse Spanish identities have been created, revised, and used.

Course: 92565 RFLA 200H 05

Instructor: V Brown

Days/Times: MWF 12:00-12:50P

Course Title: The End of Innocence

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course Description: Students enrolled in “The End of Innocence” will study short works of fiction, creative nonfiction, art, and documentary film to explore the “coming-of-age” trope. Texts will include a broad range of authors representing stories and experiences from around the globe. Through these works, we will grapple with the very concept of “coming of age” as a universal condition, and not just a Western conceit, while we investigate the many forms rites of passage may take, especially when rooted in times of conflict.

Course: 92564 RFLA 200H 06

Instructor: J Mathews

Days/Times: TR 09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Literature & Law

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course Description: This course examines legal-themed novels, plays, short stories, films, and true crime podcasts to explore the rich and surprising intersections between literary storytelling and legal practice and culture. In the process, you will learn how to scrutinize texts, build a rock-solid case using evidence, and craft clear and persuasive oral and written arguments that will serve you well in the classroom, the courtroom, and everywhere in between.

Course: 92662 RFLA 200H 07

Instructor: S Coffman-Rosen

Days/Times: TR 09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Disability, Body, and Identity

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course Description: How do we relate to bodies, minds, and identities that are different than our own, and how does that determine our place in a changing society? In this course, we will examine how disabilities, bodies, and identities intersect and determine how we interpret and occupy bodies in intersecting categories. Course topics include: media and disability; becoming disabled; disability, race, gender, and sexual orientation; Deafness and Deaf culture; aesthetics and fashion; disability and sports; and “outsider” sexuality. You will examine your own "body politic," and the bodies of others. Course readings will be supplemented with film, cultural artifacts, personal writing, and interactive projects.

Course: 91798 RFLA 200S 01

Instructor: S Guerrier

Days/Times: 08:00-10:45A

Course Title: Cancer: Where is the Cure?

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course Description: Discusses the principles of cancer biology. Explore topics such as basic cell biology, cancer research models, therapeutics, and the challenges to finding a cure.

Course: 91799 RFLA 200S 02

Instructor: W Coyle

Days/Times: MW 1:00-2:15P

Course Title: Electricity & Making for Change

Prereqs: RFLA 100 & MCMP

Course Description: This project-based course explores the current movement of making through the disciplines ofphysics and computer science. The course will cover foundational principles of electronic circuitbuilding and will explore the interaction of hardware and software to sense and respond to thephysical world using a microcontroller (Arduino). Throughout the course students will be encouragedto try new things and create with their newfound expertise in each domain. The semester-longproject will ask the student to choose one of the UN SDGs on which to focus their newfound makerskills.

Course: 91800 RFLA 200S 03

Instructor: A Cannaday

Days/Times: TR 09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Physics of Everyday Things

Prereqs: RFLA 100 & MCMP

Course Description: Have you ever found yourself wondering: how do musical instruments produce the beautiful notes we hear? How do bicycles move? What causes light bulbs to emit light? In this course, we will use the principles of physics to answer the question “How does THAT work?” We will explore familiar objects, such as microwaves, televisions, bathroom scales, and engines, and use physics to explain the inner workings of the world around us.

Course: 91802 RFLA 200S 05

Instructor: R Yankelevitz

Days/Times: TR 08:00-10:45A

Course Title: Human Animal Interactions

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course Description: Many of us consider dogs our best friends, yet we have a lot to learn about their abilities and preferences. In this course, we will study our canine companions, and other domesticated animals, in order to learn how to use the tools of science to reach objective, replicable conclusions that can improve the lives of humans and animals alike.

Course: 92584 RFLA 200S 06

Instructor: I Biazzo

Days/Times: TR 08:00-09:15A

Course Title: FL Biodiversity & EnvScience

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course Description: Think of this course as a conversation about complex local and global issues from the perspective of a well-rounded critical thinker. From this perspective, you will see connections, patterns, and issues you probably never noticed. At the same time, we will learn about Florida's natural history and how those issues relate to conservation in Florida. Labs will consist of outdoor nature walks where you will learn about biodiversity.

Course: 92585 RFLA 200S 07

Instructor: I Biazzo

Days/Times: TR 09:30-10:45A

Course Title: FL Biodiversity & EnvScience

Prereqs: RFLA 100

Course Description: Think of this course as a conversation about complex local and global issues from the perspective of a well-rounded critical thinker. From this perspective, you will see connections, patterns, and issues you probably never noticed. At the same time, we will learn about Florida's natural history and how those issues relate to conservation in Florida. Labs will consist of outdoor nature walks where you will learn about biodiversity.

Course: 91813 RFLA 300 01

Instructor: M Robinson

Days/Times: TR 09:30-10:45A

Course Title: AsianAmer Identity Thru Repres

Prereqs: Two RFLA 200 & WCMP

Course Description: This course will examine how Asian American Identity is represented through various means including, but not limited to media, the arts, gender, food, and politics.  Students will first gain a historical and contextual foundation of Asians in America and the challenges and consequences that representation or misrepresentation that Asian Americans face.

Course: 92241 RFLA 300 02

Instructor: H Mesbah

Days/Times: MW 2:30-3:45P

Course Title: Global Journalism

Prereqs: Two RFLA 200 & WCMP

Course Description: This class is about global news, global media organizations and networks, and global issues presented in specific global media outlets. Students will analyze news in the global press, explore the historical, legal, ethical, and political contexts of those news outlets, and critique theories and effects of globalization.

Course: 91810 RFLA 300 03

Instructor: A Murdaugh

Days/Times: TR 09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Tilt and Spin

Prereqs: Two RFLA 200 & WCMP

Course Description: The Earth’s axis is tilted by 23.5 degrees. This tilt unevenly distributes the sunlight across the Earth, giving rise to unique cultural practices, the early science advancements, seasons, and biodiversity. The tilt also influences the effects of and solutions to climate change. In this course, students will explore the intersection of culture, policy, and science to more deeply understand how our path through the stars shapes our past and future.

Course: 92567 RFLA 300 04

Instructor: L Littler

Days/Times: TR 09:30-10:45A

Course Title: Racial Fictions

Prereqs: Two RFLA 200 & WCMP

Course Description: In this course, we will examine race as fiction—a carefully constructed narrative that draws audiences in and solicits their belief in its “truth.” We will consider how race has been made, revised, and used in American culture. Course texts will include novels, multidisciplinary scholarship, news media, and pop-culture artifacts.

Course: 91812 RFLA 300 05

Instructor: S Parsloe

Days/Times: TR 09:30-10:45A

Course Title: My Body, Myself

Prereqs: Two RFLA 200 & WCMP

Course Description: This course explores how we communicate to (re)create embodied identities, producing and resisting cultural definitions of “normalcy.” We will focus on specific embodied experiences, including illness, injury, disability, fatness, queerness, and race. We will also consider how people respond to identity threats, including their own changing, unpredictable bodies. As part of your semester-long interview-based project, you and a partner will develop a podcast episode exploring one aspect of embodiment that you find particularly fascinating.

Course: 92576 RFLA 300 06

Instructor: V Aggarwal

Days/Times: TR 11:00-12:15P

Course Title: Pain & Pleasure in Media & Lit

Prereqs: Two RFLA 200 & WCMP

Course Description: We will examine “negative” affects (unease, shame) in the formal structures of various cultural products: films, television, comics, literature, and artwork. What makes up our fascination with certain forms of negativity, particularly when it is ritualized through narrative and performance? How do we consume such emotion as pleasurable? We will examine these questions critically, theoretically, and artistically, via the lens of gender, race, and sexuality. Why are certain types of “negative” emotions privileged in our art, culture, and media? Are these expressions self-indulgent, cathartic, consoling, liberating and/or all of the above? Eventually, you will do a final project where you apply the ideas and concepts from this class to an area of interest to you.

Course: 92588 RFLA 300 07

Instructor: S Boyd 

Days/Times: MWF 09:00-09:50A

Course Title: Social Choice Mathematics

Prereqs: Two RFLA 200 & WCMP

Course Description: How do different societies choose their leaders? What roles do tradition and ideology play in the structure of government? We will research and compare voting systems and representative legislatures from around the world, applying principles of voting theory and fair division to study the ways diverse groups of people select and empower their leaders.

Course: 92600 RFLA 300 08

Instructor: K Riley

Days/Times: WF 1:00-2:15P

Course Title: Unwinding DNA and Justice

Prereqs: N/A

Course Description: The unique genetic information carried in each of our cells is a record of a core piece of our identity. We leave traces of our personal DNA record everywhere we go. The determination of an individual’s DNA characteristics, known as DNA profiling, has been used as evidence in criminal trials since the 1980s. What is forensic DNA profiling? How is DNA profile evidence obtained, handled, safeguarded, introduced, and explained to prove or rule out a suspect’s presence at a crime scene, secure conviction, or raise reasonable doubt? What criminal information cannot be obtained using DNA profiling? This course addresses these and other complex questions by walking through the science of DNA testing from the 1980s to the present day. Students will be challenged to think critically about the benefits and limitations of DNA evidence illustrated in specific cases of how DNA evidence has been used in the conviction of violent offenders and the wrongly accused. At the end of the course, each student will present a research project that analyzes the economic, social, cultural, environmental, technological, and/or political impact of the use of DNA evidence in the exoneration of an innocent prisoner. Projects will highlight how our bias in relation to socioeconomic status, nationality, ethnicity, race, gender, religion, and/or sexuality can affect how DNA evidence is used in our legal system.