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Perspectives on Women Who Kill

This course explores the rare phenomenon of women committing murder, often against those closest to them—husbands, lovers, or children. We’ll examine the psychological factors and societal dynamics behind these acts, compare how women and men commit murder, and investigate their sentencing and punishment.

HNRS 4364-02

The Fate of Art in WWII

This course explores the fate of art during World War II, beginning with Adolf Hitler’s background as a failed artist and his obsessive vision to establish a world-class art museum in Linz through plundering Europe’s art treasures. As Hitler and Nazis invaded and conquered Europe, they also systematically looted Europe’s greatest artworks. Students will learn about the extraordinary efforts of museums and societal institutions to protect history from the destruction of war and Nazi plundering, as well as the heroic work of the Monuments Men who risked their lives to recover and restitute looted art in Europe and Asia. Finally, the course will address the postwar restitution process, an ongoing endeavor to return Nazi-looted art to their rightful owners and address losses that continue to resonate to this day.

HNRS 4364-47F

Medicinal Botany and Pharmacology

Explore the history of medicinal use of plants and how this has transitioned to widespread use in the pharmacology industry.

Beginning Social Magic

Magic has been around for thousands of years. Rumor has it there are hieroglyphics of the cup and balls trick in ancient Egypt. Aside from trying to fool people, magic is a fun hobby and easy ice breaker. This class will meet for an hour once a week to go over some self-working and almost self-working tricks, along with flourishes and moves so that you can always be ready to amaze people with your skills in legerdemain.

Social Issues through Comics

Although many people think of comics as mindless entertainment, they have dealt with serious issues from the very beginning. This class will use specific comics to illustrate how social issues are examined, the influence of said comics, and an exploration of why and how this is handled in the industry. Issues to be explored include substance abuse, mental health issues, the impacts of war, and capitalism.

Modernism: Art & Literature

Changes to daily life brought about by processes of industrialization and developments in science and technology caused Westerners’ perspectives and understandings about the self, society, and even the universe to dramatically shift during the 19th and 20th centuries. Emerging theories delving into the nature of human evolution and consciousness challenged the very fabric of long-held values, creating a sense of crisis (for some) and a spirit of liberation. Artists and writers responded to this rapidly changing world with a new sense of artistic freedom, creating novel forms of art and literature to evoke the spontaneity of modern life and reinvigorate approaches to lived experience, philosophy, and spirituality. This course will explore modern experiments in art and literature, considering the ways in which artists investigated perspective, perception, and representation to convey the spirit of modern life.

Internal View of a Vampire

Explore the mythical creature, the vampire. Pitch your ideas to medical professionals on how their bodies work.