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Humanities Course Offerings

Please see the section on "Course Description Symbols and Terms" in the University Catalog for an explanation of course description terminology and symbols, the course numbering system, and course credit units. All courses are lecture and discussion and employ letter grading unless otherwise stated. Some prerequisites may be waived with faculty permission. Many syllabi are available on the Chico Web.

This course is for special topics offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. (004816)

An overview of the artistic and intellectual heritage of the cultures of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Israel, India, China, Greece, Rome, Byzantium, Medieval Europe, and Islam from their origins to 1500 C.E. Comparative analysis of music, art, architecture, and primary texts (theatre, philosophy and religion, literature, history, and political science). This is an approved General Education course. (015843)

An overview of Western Culture from 1500 C.E. to the present, with selected reference to concurrent developments in India, China, Japan, Africa, and The Americas. Serves as a broad introduction to the major forms and types of artistic expression: sculpture, architecture, painting, philosophy, literature, drama, dance, film, and music, and includes comparative analysis of primary texts (theatre, philosophy and religion, literature, history, and political science). (015845)

A comprehensive introduction to Eastern art, literature, and philosophy, as revealed in the civilizations of India, China, and Japan. The course examines the rise of civilization in India, China, and Japan with special focus on Confucius, Lao Tzu, and the Buddha, and follows the development of artistic and intellectual culture down to modern times. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (020684)

An overview of the artistic and intellectual heritage of Western culture from the Renaissance and Reformations of the sixteenth century to the twentieth century. Where appropriate, comparisons are drawn with other world cultures (e.g., Islam, Sub-Saharan Africa, China, Japan, Latin America). Formerly HUMN 201. (004818)

This course gives students a broad understanding of contemporary British social processes as well as a framework with which to analyze and reflect on their experience of "cultural difference" and to engage actively in the social ecology of everyday life while studying in London. (004821)

This course explores themes about food in international cinema, with special attention to the social, cultural and historical context for food as depicted in film, the cultural issues regarding national, ethnic and gender identity, and how the art and history of cinema have presented the many roles that food plays in our lives. 2.0 hours discussion, 3.0 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. (020650)

This course is for special topics offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. (004822)

This course is an independent study of special problems offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading only. (004823)

Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher.

A seminar devoted to interdisciplinary research in the humanities. Students will write and present a research project on an approved topic of their choice. Required for Humanities majors. This is a writing proficiency, WP, course; a grade of C- or better certifies writing proficiency for majors. (004824)

With the guidance of an instructor, students will undertake research on a subject of their choice. The research will result in a substantial essay which offers an original contribution to knowledge in the field. (004826)

This course is an internship offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units. (004827)

Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher, faculty permission.

To provide an opportunity for students accepted for "Honors in the Major" to prepare and write an Honors research paper on a topic germane to those interests developed during the first three years of work in Humanities. Research and writing will be done under supervision of a faculty advisor and for a total of 6 units in two semesters. This is a writing proficiency, WP, course; a grade of C- or better certifies writing proficiency for majors. (004829)

Modern Jewish and Israel Studies Course Offerings

History of Judaism from biblical to modern times. A study of the literature, faith, and events that shaped Jewish life. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved US Diversity course. This course is also offered as RELS 204. (005860)

Traces of the historical development of a variety of Jewish sects, denominations, and cultures found in the Middle East, northern Africa, Europe, and North America from antiquity to modernity, with special emphasis on contemporary Jewish communities in the United States. Rituals, beliefs, and textual traditions that relate to the history of Judaism are surveyed, and the phenomenon of secular Judiasm is explored. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved US Diversity course. This course is also offered as RELS 205. (020675)

A sociological perspective is used to understand the Holocaust, examine the Nazi rise to power, and the changes in German society that led to persecution of Jews and many other groups. Students explore the role of perpetrators, victims, and bystanders. Other areas of interest include resistance and rescue, Jewish cultural responses to the genocide, and the aftermath of war. This is an approved General Education course. This course is also offered as SOCI 253. (005862)

An introduction to the Hebrew Bible (also known as the Old Testament of Christianity and the Tanakh of Judaism) in English translation. Readings from the Pentateuch, the prophetic books, and the hagiographa. The course emphasizes the analysis of the biblical books in their ancient Near Eastern contexts, the documentary hypotheses, Israelite history and religion, the formation of the biblical canon, and early Jewish and Christian scriptural interpretation. This course is also offered as RELS 303. (005858)

An exploration of the forces influencing, and the important events in, the emergence of Judaism in America. Attention is given to issues of community identity and the interaction of Judaism with the larger culture in the context of society and politics in America. This course is also offered as RELS 304. (005859)

An introduction to the thought, texts, and culture of Rabbinic Judaism in the first through sixth centuries. Students become familiar with the historical and cultural background of classical Rabbinic society, from its origins in the Pharisaic movement in Palestine (Eretz Israel) to its pinnacle in the academies of Sassanid Babylonia. This course explores the oral-literary tradition that produced the Talmud and Midrash while allowing students to experience the dialectical style of study associated with Rabbinic culture. This course is also offered as RELS 305. (020503)

The social impact of acts of genocide around the globe is explored, from the beginning of the 20th century to the present. This course examines the issues of ethnic and national identity, ethnocentrism, the role of technology, and issues of power. Also considered are the moral implications of genocide, as well as individual, social, and corporate responsibility. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. This course is also offered as SOCI 356. (002230)

Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Honors Program.

The social impact of acts of genocide around the globe is explored, from the beginning of the 20th century to the present. This class examines issues of ethnic and national identity, ethnocentrism, the role of technology, and issues of power. Also considered are the moral implications of genocide, as well as individual, social, and corporate responsibility. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. This course is also offered as SOCI 356H. (002231)

This course explores the major philosophical trends and traditions affecting Jewish life. Hellenistic and rabbinical philosophy, Philo to Maimonides, Spinoza to Moses Mendelsohn and the Enlightenment, and Hebrew-Yiddish renaissance to modern Zionism will be examined. This course is also offered as PHIL 386. (005861)

This course will examine the Israeli political system from its early development to the present. The class will focus on the Zionist ideology of the founders and the transformation of that ideology during the state-building period. Israeli political institutions will be examined along with historical and contemporary political conflicts, the vagaries of the peace process, and Israeli-American relations. This course is also offered as POLS 418. (005865)

Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher (MJIS majors). CMST 131, CMST 233, CMST 331, and CMST 255 or CMST 354 with a grade of C- or higher for CMST majors only.

This course will explore the major persuasive sacred and secular texts and speeches of Jewish culture from the Bible to the present. Included in the course will be explorations of Moses' last speech, rabbinical talmudic argumentation, rabbinical homiletics, Jewish rhetorical influences on early Christianity, Medieval disputations, the impact of the Haskalah movement, the Holocaust, the creation of the state of Israel, and modern Jewish political rhetoric. Note: This course fulfills the writing proficiency requirement for the major in Modern Jewish Studies, but does not fulfill the writing proficiency requirement for the Communication Studies major. This is a writing proficiency, WP, course; a grade of C- or better certifies writing proficiency for majors. (002239)

Prerequisites: CMST 131, CMST 233, CMST 331, and CMST 255 or CMST 354 with a grade of C- or higher for CMST majors only.

This course is an in-depth exploration of the history of the creation of the State of Israel and its changes through rhetorical analysis and criticism of Israeli public address. The course begins with speeches from the late 19th century and moves to the present. The course explores Arab and Jewish-Israeli public address as well as the public address concerning the Arab/Israeli conflict from the Israeli, Arab, European, and American perspectives. (002243)

This course is an internship offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register with a supervising faculty member. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units. (005866)

This is a special topics course offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Typically, topics are offered on a one-time-only basis. Topics vary from term to term and from section to section. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. (005867)

This course examines the Holocaust and other genocides from the 20th century to the present and prepares future teachers for addressing these issues in their classrooms as part of the California state-mandated inclusion of genocide in the curriculum. Students discuss teaching the moral implications of genocide, while making them relevant to pupils' lives. This course is also offered as SOCI 456. (002250)

This is a special topics course offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Typically, topics are offered on a one-time-only basis. Topics vary from term to term and from section to section. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. (020151)