University Requirements

Integrative Studies in Arts and Humanities (IAH)
Fall 2024

IAH 201: United States and the World-D (4)

Major issues in development of U.S. society and culture, presented in international and comparative context. Influences from Native Americans, Europeans, Africans, and Asians. Organized historically, with thematic emphasis on literature and the arts.

Focus:
Sections 001 - 012: Michigan Culture & History
Section 740: American Indians from Stereotype to Human Being
Section 741: The Muslim Experiences in the US

IAH 211A: Area Studies and Multicultural Civilizations: Africa-I (4)

Arts and humanities of Africa: literature, art, music, religion and philosophy presented in historical context. Selected regions, cultures, and themes. Variable by term.

Focus:
Section 001: African Cultures, Languages and Literature
Section 730: From African Kingdoms, Empires, City-States and Ethnic Nationalities to Modern (postcolonial) States

IAH 202: Europe and the World-I (4)

Cultural encounters and political relationships between Europeans and people(s) from other regions of the world since 1500 as shown through study of written texts, literature, the visual arts, music, and other forms of expression. Examples from Europe and several continents.

Focus:
Sections 001 - 012: From Human Rights to Terrorism: Democracy, Capitalism & Globilization, 1789 - present
Sections 013 - 014: The Roots and Consequences of the First World War, 1815-1945
Sections 015 - 026: Europe beyond its Borders: Cultures of Empire from the Conquest of the Americas to Contemporary forms of Globalization

IAH 211B: Area Studies and  Multicultural Civilizations: Asia & the Pacific-I (4) 

Arts and humanities of Asia: literature, visual arts, music, religion and philosophy presented in historical context. Selected regions, cultures, and themes. Variable by term.

Focus:
Section 001: Asian Arts and Cultures with Focus on Asia

IAH 203: Latin America and the World-I (4)

Major issues in the development of Latin American societies and cultures, presented in global perspective. Influences from indigenous peoples, Europeans, Africans, and others. Organized thematically and historically, through study of written texts, literature, and the arts.

Focus:
Sections 001 - 006: How conquest, subjugation, colonialism, and empire have impacted national development and forms of inequity in Latin America and how reformers have tried to promote human dignity and greater political and economic equality.

IAH 211C: Area Studies and Multicultural Civilizations: The Americas-D (4)

Arts and humanities of the Americas: literature, visual arts, music, religion and philosophy presented in historical context. Selected regions, cultures, and themes. Variable by term.

Focus:
Section 001: Cuba: The Forging of a Unique Cultural Identity
Section 002: Latin American Nationalisms and Globalization
Section 003: Religion and Race in America
Section 740: Latin America and the United States: Cultural Exchanges Since 1898
Section 741: Images of Indians in Hollywood Films

IAH 204: Asia and the World-I (4)

Major issues in the development of Asian societies and cultures and their interaction with other regions of the world since 1600. Topics from East, Southeast, and South Asia. Organized thematically and historically, through study of written texts, the arts, and other forms of expression.

Focus:
Section 740: Cultural Encounters between East Asia and the World from the Jesuits to K-pop

IAH 221C: Great Ages: The Modern World-I (4)

Arts and humanities of the modern world, examined through the frame of urban and intellectual life. Literature, visual arts, music, religion and philosophy presented in historical context. Selected regions and themes. Variable by term.

Focus:
Section 730: Modern Ireland

IAH 205: Africa and the World-I (4)

Major issues in the development of African societies and their interaction with other regions of the world since 600 through study of written texts, the arts and other forms of expression. Topics from West, East, North, and Southern Africa. Organized thematically and historically.

Focus:
Section 001: Pondering, (Re)Evaluating, (Re)Imagining Relations on the Continent and Beyond

IAH 231A: Human Values and the Arts and Humanities-D (4)

Values of individualism, responsibility, love, community, and rationality. Students are introduced to diverse methods and materials from the arts and humanities.

Focus:
Section 002: Ultimate Reality and the Meaning of Life
Section 003: The Occult in American
Section 004: The Good Life: An Exploration into the Nature of Human Flourishing and Well-Being
Section 005: Art & Disability
Section 007: Central European Cinema
Sections 730 - 731: Global Fact Hunters: Testing Our Knowledge of the World & Exploring Our Unconscious Biases
Section 732: Factfulness

IAH 206: Self, Society, and Technology-D (4)

Exploration in how technology affects and is affected by our conceptions of ourselves, relations with others, and our ideals. Approaches and materials from philosophy, literature, art, music, and history as well as the natural sciences.

Focus:
Sections 001 - 012: Biology, Technology, and the Human Condition
Section 013: The Roles, Controversies, Promises and Perils of Science, Technology, and Social Media
Section 014: Minds, Brains, and Machines
Sections 015, 022 - 027 : Social Media & Democracy
Sections 016 - 021: Language and our Lives
Section 730: Snoop: Self, Surveillance, and Technologies of Control
Section 731: Altermundos: Introduction to Latinx Speculative Literatures
Sections 740H & 741: Creativity and Innovation in Social, Cultural, Artistic, and Individual Contexts

IAH 231B: Moral Issues and the Arts and Humanities-D (4)

Human conflict and moral dilemmas, addressed through diverse methods and materials from the arts and humanities.

Focus:
Section 001: Climate Fictions: from the Environment to the Anthropocene
Section 002: Media, Propaganda, and Justice
Section 003: Memory Cultures: Representing the Holocaust in US, German, and Global Contexts
Section 004: Capitalism, Globalization, and Geopolitics
Section 740: Race, Gender, Sexuality, and Video Games

IAH 207: Literature, Cultures, Identities-I (4)

Explorations in how literature reflects, creates, and challenges cultural and individual identities. Approaches and materials from literature, philosophy, the arts, religion, and history. Selected themes and issues, variable by term.

Focus:
Sections 001 - 006: Ideas of Class, Race, and Identity
Sections 007 - 018: Monsters. This course pursues the hauntingly complex figure of the monster throughout several different historical periods and across a range of media, including literature, film, television, and art.
Sections 019 - 024: Soccer & Identity in Global Context
Sections 025 - 036: Afrofantastic: Race, Power, and Gender in the Black Imaginary
Sections 040 & 731: The Literature of Extinction
Section 041: Ideas of Class, Race, and Identity
Sections 042 & 048: This course explores the intertwining of culture, inequality, and connection as a way to (re)imagine navigating the world during these turbulent times.
Section 043: Poetry in Motion: Literature, Sports, and Aesthetic Experience
Section 044: True Crime Narratives: The American True Crime Genre
Section 045: Death and the Meaning of Human Mortality
Section 047: Indigenous Futurisms
Sections 049 - 050: College in Popular Culture
Sections 051H - 052: Course examines how crime is romanticized in film in lovable outlaw, heist, and gangster genres.
Sections 732 & 737: Modern Mexican Traditions and Identities
Section 733: Poetry for Daily Life: The Power & Beauty of Words
Section 734: The Fairy Tale in Culture & Society
Section 735: Leaving Home: Exploring Immigration Through Young Adult Literature.
Sections 736 & 740: The World of Sleepy Hollow
Section 738: On Women Novelists from the Middle East
Section 741: Russian Culture
Section 742: Intercultural Communication Through Film: East vs. West

IAH 231C: Roles of Language in Society-D (4)

Language as the medium of culture in various societies. Power and social identity as manifested through language. Students are introduced to diverse methods and materials from the arts and humanities.

Focus:
Sections 001 - 003: How to invent a language: constructed languages from Elvish to Klingon
Sections 004 - 006: Language and Mind
Section 730: Swearing
Section 731: Language and Power
Section 732:  Highlights language as a medium of culture in various societies. Power and social identity as manifested through language receive key attention. Before delving into the linguistic system, the course centers some core sociocultural and historical factors that have impacted the lives of many Ebonics speakers.

IAH 208: Music and Culture-I (4)

Relationships between music and culture. Organized historically, geographically, or thematically, through study of written texts, music, the visual arts, and other forms of expression. Selected topics, variable by term in content and approach.

Focus:
Section 001 - 006: Music and Social Life
Section 007: Sound Cities: Pop Music and Urban Space
Section 008: An Introduction to the Origins and Rise of Hip-Hop Culture
Section 740: The Evolution of Electronics in Art Music & Popular Music

IAH 241A: Music and Society in the Modern World-D (4)

The arts and humanities of the modern world through the prism of music. Music traditions and methodologies in their historic context. Relationship of music creativity to societies in which it has been produced.

Focus:
Section 001-003: Music of Africa and the Diaspora
Sections 004 & 730: Sounds of Social Movements: Pop Music and Politics
Section 005: Explores the connections between cultural experience and expression in the United States through the development of new forms of music such as blues, jazz, hip-hop, and various forms of pop and rock.

IAH 209: Art, the Visual, and Culture-D (4)

Exploration of art and visual culture in historical and cultural contexts. Reading and analysis of images. Approaches and materials from art history, anthropology, history, literature, philosophy, religious studies, economics, and natural science in cross-cultural and international perspective. Content variable by term.

Focus:
Section 001: If Walls Could Speak! Architecture, Power, Experience: Exploring the relationship between architecture and structures of power in society
Section 730: Advertising: Propaganda, Literature, Art & Entertainment
Section 731: Totally Awesome 80s? The Influence and Challenges of Historical Narrative.
Sections 740 - 741: Mid-20th century crime thrillers examined in terms in terms of power, privilege, inequity, oppression, and justice

IAH 241C: Global Cultural and Artistic Traditions-I (4) 

European artistic and cultural movements and styles, introduced through works of art, music, literature, philosophy, and religion. Presented in historical context. Specific eras and works variable by term.

Focus:
Section 740: British Society and Culture Since World War II, with a focus on comedy

IAH 210: Middle East and the World-I 

Major issues in the development of Middle Eastern societies and cultures, presented in global perspective. Influences from European, Africans, Asians, and others. Organized thematically and historically, though study of written texts, literature, and the arts.

Focus:
Section 001: Israeli Culture
Sections 740 & 741H: The U.S. in the Middle East (20th century)
Section 742: Language, Culture and Society in The Arab World

IAH 241D: Theater and Society-I (4)

Artistic creativity seen through the prism of theater, presented in historical context. Influences from art, literature, music, and religion. Focus on translation of social visions into dramatic art. Plays and themes variable by term.

Focus:
Section 730: Ibsen and Society. Social problem dramas 1879-2017 examined in terms of power, privilege, inequity, oppression, and justice
Section 740: Theatrical Event as Sensuous Engagement

IAH 241E: The Creative Process-D (4)

The arts and humanities through the prism of film. Integration of perspectives from literature, visual arts, music, religion, philosophy. Introduction to diverse methods and materials from the arts and humanities for thinking about film and how it engages various perspectives from around the world. Selected themes. Variable by term.

Focus:
Section 001: The Creative Experience
Sections 002 - 003: Theater and Media for Development
Section 730: How Creativity and Innovation Enrich Your Life; An Introspective Journey
Section 731: The Influence of Design, Art and the Digital Humanities on Modern Theatre and Performance

IAH 241G: Film & Culture-D (4)

Philosophical, religious and historical foundations for understanding the process of creation in visual arts, theatre, music, and literature. Variations across eras and societies.

Focus:
Section 001: Sex and Violence in Film, TV, and Digital Media.
Section 002: Israeli Culture
Section 003: Nukes and Chainsaws: Cold War Horror Cinema
Sections 740H & 741: Beyond Disney: Fairy Tales, Folklore, and Film

Integrative Studies in Social Science (ISS)
Fall 2024

ISS 205: Big Ideas in Social Sciences-D (4)

Introduction to the inquiry and research of complex issues in the social, behavioral, and economic sciences. Special topics to engage new students' interests, analyze complex ideas, and consider empirical evidence.

Focus:
Section 001: Through a series of "TED" style talks, we explore the insights provided by economic analysis to a diverse set of issues that might include discrimination, organ donation, poverty alleviation, political redistricting, special education, work in the gig economy, and global warming, to name just a few.
Sections 002 - 003: Technology, Sustainability, and the Environment: Big Ideas in Geography

ISS 305: Evaluating Evidence: Becoming a Smart Research Con.-N (4)

Statistical and methodological principles from the perspective of a critical consumer of social science research results. Recognizing non-empirical assertions, necessary bases for inferring relationships and causal relationships, common threats to research validity, and pertinent biases in human judgment.

Focus:
Section 003: Becoming a smart research consumer

ISS 210: Society and the Individual-D (4)

Evolution of human behavior with an emphasis on the individual and society. Family and kinship, social organizations. Societal types, personality, and the life cycle.

Focus:
Sections 008 - 010: Society, Education, and Society Change
Sections 016 - 023: How have people generated change and fought for their rights and inclusion?
Sections 025 & 027: This course explores social science concepts through the lens of our relationships with other animals.
Section 026: Mindfulness and the Science of Well-being
Section 730: Social Science Perspective on Happiness and Well-being

ISS 310: People and Environment-I (4)

Contemporary issues related to the interaction of socio-cultural and ecological systems. Global, regional, national and local environmental problems and responses.

Focus:
Sections 001 & 004: Environmental Anthropology
Section 002: Environmental Justice
Section 003: Climate change, natural disasters, globalization, urbanization, food, water, energy, and more -- an exploration of the connections between humans and the natural environment
Section 005H: Modern Food
Section 007: Atlantic Islands
Section 008: Sustainable and Climate Resilient Community
Section 730: Energy use, water resources, deforestation, food systems, and urbanization.

ISS 215: Social Differentiation and Inequality-D (4)

Types, causes and consequences of stratification in human societies. Age, class, gender, race and other factors which define social position. Education, occupation, political economy.

Focus:
Sections 003, 012H, 301: Dystopias and Social Stratification in Pop Culture
Sections 004 - 005, 007: Critical Analysis of Social Inequality in Modern Political Economies
Sections 006 & 010: Social Inequality
Section 008: Social science perspectives on immigration and immigrants in the United States
Section 013: Gender Inequality

ISS 315: Global Diversity and Interdependence-I (4)

Contemporary issues in global political economy. Social forces and competing ideologies in a world context. Global resource distribution and development strategies. National identities and transnational linkages. First and Third World dichotomies.

Focus:
Section 002: Being engaged citizens of the world
Section 004: Understanding diverse populations through an ecological systems perspective as it pertains to the assimilation experience, with a focus on color and colorism

ISS 220: Time, Space and Change in Human Society-D (4)   

Evolutionary, ecological, and spatial theories of adaptation and change. Cultural evolution from prehistoric foraging to the post-industrial age. Continuity and change in the emergence and development of contemporary ways of life.

Focus:
Section 001: History of capitalist civilization as a guide for understanding the present crisis and future possibilities
Section 002: Approaches to Human and Cultural Evolution

ISS 318: Lifespan Development Across Cultures– I (4) 

Cultural aspects of biopsychosocial development across the lifespan. Physical development, health and healing. Cognition and language socialization. Views of self, gender, family, and social relationships. Adult development and intergenerational relationships within the context of culture. National and international issues related to human development.

ISS 225: Power, Authority, and Exchange-D (4)

Power, authority, and exchange in organizing societies. Costs and limitations of power. Institutionalization of authority. Systems of exchange: planned vs. market economies.

Focus:
Section 001: Governance of Crime & Security

ISS 320: World Urban Systems-I (4)

Patterns of urbanization in various areas of the world over time. Linkage within and between urban centers. Economic, political and social/ behavioral accommodation and adaptation to urban growth and change.

Focus:
Section 730: Historical Formation and Contemporary Issues Facing Cities

ISS 230: Government and the Individual-D (4)

Critical examination of the role of government in regulating individual behavior. Implications for cultural values and beliefs and modes of behavior. Analysis of consequences of different theories for resolving, or creating problems in public policy.

Focus:
Section 001: Social Science Perspectives on Immigration to, and Migration Within, Post World War II Europe

ISS 325: War and Revolution-I (4)

Social conflict, wars and revolutions. Patterns of individual and collective action. Violence and conflict resolution.

Focus:
Sections 001 - 008: Revolutions and the Modern World

ISS 327:  Risk and Society-D (4)

Assessment, management, and communication of risk. Role of media in amplifying risk. Topics may include gangs, terrorism, health, stock markets, job markets, sports, food, and traffic. Similarities and differences in understanding risk among scientists and the public, and between natural and social scientists.

Focus:
Section 730: This course examines fundamental transnational crimes including Trade Based Money Laundering, Customs Fraud, Cultural Property Trafficking, Contraband Smuggling, Forced Labor, Wildlife Trafficking, Intellectual Property Rights, Narcotics, and Cybercrimes.

ISS 328: The Social Science of Sports-I (4)

Contemporary issues in sports. Critical examination of the industrial organization, public finance, labor relations, earnings, discrimination, and historical context of sports in society. Analysis of sports gambling, performance enhancement, and strategic decision-making.

Focus:
Section 001: Sports as a business, including the economic, financial, legal, political, and historical aspects of both professional and college athletics.
Section 730: Sports as a context for improving our analytical thinking and integrated reasoning about the human behaviors and social dynamics that are common to the modern world.

ISS 335: National Diversity and Change: United States-N (4)

Racial, ethnic, class, gender, and other forms of diversity in the United States. Systems of dominant-minority relations and forms of prejudice and discrimination. Scope of and responses to group inequalities.

Focus:
Section 002: Latinx Families
Section 003: We are all members of a racial/ethnic demographic group. In this class, we will cover the select history, theories and social dynamics associated with such groups.

ISS 330B: Asia: Social Science Perspectives-I (4)

Comparative study of geography, cultures, politics, and economies of Asia. Diversity and change.

Focus:
Section 001 & 002H: The social science of political corruption and democratization in Asia