Advanced Study in Museums and Heritage: Arts of Ancient Mediterranean at the Menil Collection
Taught by art historian John Hopkins and writing specialist Kariann Fuqua, this course introduces students to advanced ethical, legal, and practical issues facing museums as they acquire and maintain collections from areas prone to looting and destruction, especially the Ancient Mediterranean. We will examine the civic engagement and operation of the Menil Collection through close, on-site archival and object study.
Bob Dylan and the '60s. Topics in American Literature
English professor Scott Derrick leads this course focusing on cultural themes in the American literature and culture of the 1960s with a special emphasis on the writings of Nobel-prize winning author Bob Dylan.
Contemporary Art and Environment
This course delves into questions of environment, ecology, and sustainability through the lens of contemporary art. From earthworks, to performance, to land art, activist art, and community-based practices, participants engage critically and creatively with contemporary practices. Taught by anthropologist and artist Lina Dib
Event Management
This course offers a practical application of the principles and theory related to planning, organization, and execution of sport and entertainment events. Led by sports management expert Diane Crossey, students will case study examples of crisis management and event day coordination. During the semester, students will attend large-scale events and evaluate key performance indicators. By the conclusion of this course, students will be prepared to design, run, and measure the success of events and event management teams.
Globalizing Museum History
This course traces a number of themes in world history through museums and collections from the 1800s to the present. Led by history professor Kerry Ward, the course examines how museums are shaped by local and global influences and participate in historical processes related to identity formation, colonialism, and resistance.
Introduction to Creative Nonfiction Writing
Led by author Lacy Johnson, this is a course in reading and writing creative nonfiction prose for the beginning writer. Sections may focus on a range of nonfiction genres or one specific form, e.g. personal essay/memoir, travel narratives, literary journalism, science, and nature writing.
Making Music with the Media of the Stage: A Proust Sonata
Enter the creative world of Marcel Proust’s literary masterpiece and the music, paintings, and people that inspired it. A Proust Sonata is a multimedia concert-theater work conceived and directed by Sarah Rothenberg, Artistic and General Director of Da Camera. The production is inspired by Proust's early 20th century masterpiece In Search of Lost Time and interweaves text, music, and image into an innovative multi-media performance. Taught by Ken Goldsmith, professor of music, with guest lecturers Rothenberg and Julie Fette, associate professor of French studies, the weekly seminar is open to students of all disciplines. The class culminates in a production workshop and fully-staged performances in the Lois Chiles Studio Theater at the Moody in which selected Shepherd School of Music students perform in collaboration with guest artists.
Practices of Literary Study: Reading Methods
English professor Timothy Morton leads this course that identifies and explores key concepts of recent critical writing. Students read short texts of contemporary theory and discuss the relation between theory and literature.
Seeing Sex in European Art, 1400-1700
This course will examine the visual history of sexuality from 1400-1700. Taught by art historian Diane Wolfthal, this class will explore how imagery structured sexual desire; the role of erotic sacred art; the rise of pornography; the intersection of spatial topography and sexuality; the linkage of licit and illicit sexualities; and the sexuality of artist and patrons.
Sport Ethics
This course is designed to assist students in self-evaluating, examining, and developing a philosophy, values, and moral reasoning skills. Major moral/ethical issues and theoretical frameworks inside and outside of sport will be researched and discussed. Students will experience the ethical decision-making process through opportunities for critical analysis drawing upon their philosophical bases. All major theories of ethics will be examined with special application made to the sport management environment. This course is taught by Professor in the Practice, Program Director, and Department Chair of Sport Management, Clark Haptonstall.
Sport Marketing
This course covers the essentials of sport marketing which includes planning, promotions, operations, and market analysis. Students will examine the fundamental principles used in the marketing of sport, products, events, and the importance of service quality. This course is taught by Professor in the Practice, Program Director, and Department Chair of Sport Management, Clark Haptonstall.
Trends in Contemporary Art
This seminar will map the terrain of contemporary art as it has developed in the wake of political and theoretical engagements of the 1990s. For many critics, Contemporary Art practice has given way to the worst aspects of spectacular culture losing sight of the political, theoretical, and artistic rigor that characterized the historical and neo-avant-garde. This course is co-taught by art historian Graham Bader and visual artist John Sparagana.
Writers on Writing, Topics in Fiction Writing
A variable topics workshop in the writing of fiction led by author Ian Schimmel. Topics will vary from semester to semester and may include "Fairytales, Folklore, Fantasy, and Fright," "Persona," "Experiments in Fiction," and more.
Writing for Social Change, Topics in Creative Nonfiction Writing
A variable topics workshop in the writing of creative nonfiction led by author Lacy Johnson. Topics will vary from semester to semester and may include "Nature Writing," "Life Writing," "History of the Essay," and more.
