Spring 2008 Liberal Arts 102 Course Descriptions

Sections 1-9 : Sections 10-19 : Sections 20-29
Sections 30-39 : Sections 40-49 : Sections 50

Please direct all questions regarding course content to the Department of English at (662) 915-7439. This online course list was last revised on October 30, 2007.

THE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS FOR SPRING 2007 ARE STILL BEING SUBMITTED. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION.

LIBA 102, Section 01 — Jewish identity in the modern novel
MWF 8:00-8:50
Patricia O'Sullivan (Philosophy and Religion)
posulliv@olemiss.edu, 915-7020

In this section of LIBA 102, we will explore the internal and external struggles of Jewish adolescents coming of age in novels such as Daniel Deronda, and A Conspiracy of Paper.
In particular we will explore the themes of survival, identity and nationality in these narratives. Students will be expected to read between 150-200 pages each week, compose and complete discussion questions, participate in class discussions, and successfully complete several essays on the novels, an annotated bibliography on a research topic and two mini-reports on key persons in Jewish history.

LIBA 102, Section 02 – An examination of the thriller novel’s parts and characters
MWF 8:00-8:50
James Piiparinen (English)
jmpiipar@olemiss.edu, 915-7679

In all good thriller novels there are basic reoccurring characters such as the hero, the villain, and the femme fatale. In this class we will look at these characters, as well as such things as the money and the chase, and examine how they differ from novel to novel. We will read and study the likes of Ian Femming’s James Bond and Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe to comprehend what is being said about the thriller.

LIBA 102, Section 03 — Politics of the Middle East
MWF 1:00-1:50
Sarah Tenney (Political Science)
swtenney@olemiss.edu, 915-7401

The need to understand the dynamics involved in political relations within the countries of the Middle East and between those states and others has never been so important; events in Iraq, Iran, Syria, Israel, and elsewhere currently fill the front pages of newspapers across the globe and affect the way we perceive the Middle East and its inhabitants. This course will take a topical approach to studying comparative politics of the Middle East. It will consist of writing, speaking, research, and classroom activities related to the historical evolution of the Middle East; the political economy of the region, including oil wealth and its implications; the relationship between Islam and politics; nationalist movements; regime types; and future prospects.

It is expected that students will have a variety of opinions on these topics and each viewpoint will be equally respected and discussed. The purpose of this course is not to promote any particular perspective or to reach a consensus. Rather, it is to encourage students to develop an analytical understanding of Middle Eastern politics and to convey their own conclusions clearly both orally and in writing.

LIBA 102, Section 04 — Language Change and Variation
MWF 10:00-10:50
Christopher Sapp (Modern Languages)
csapp@olemiss.edu, 915-7664

This course will examine the history of language from its earliest roots through 21st-century American speech. Using John McWhorter’s popular book The Power of Babel, the first half of the course will treat the birth, development, and death of languages as well as the many factors that cause languages to change. In the second half of the course, we will examine American English specifically, learning to recognize and analyze stylistic registers, regional and social dialects, and changes in progress. In addition to shorter writing assignments, students will conduct research on an ongoing linguistic change in English, forming the basis of a presentation and paper.

LIBA 102, Section 05 — Minds, Machines, and Morality
MWF 9:00-9:50
Robert Barnard (Philosophy and Religion)
rwbjr@olemiss.edu, 915-7020

Description: This course will explore the relationship between philosophical thinking and the process of academic writing. Students will read several short philosophical texts. Writing assignments will be based upon texts and class discussions. Weekly short papers, two mid-length papers, and one term paper will be required.

LIBA 102, Section 06 — An examination of the thriller novel’s parts and characters MWF 10:00-10:50
James Piiparinen (English)
jmpiipar@olemiss.edu, 915-7679

LIBA 102, Section 07 — Dance & Culture
MW 11:00-11:50
Jennifer Mizenko (Theatre Arts)
jmizenko@olemiss.edu, 915-5969

This seminar will focus on the relationship between social dance and theatrical dance through the ages. We will examine how dance evolved from the spiritual to the secular to the stage, and the historical and cultural influences surrounding this evolution. "Why do we dance?" Class discussions will include defining culture, society's relationship to art, the significance of personal expression, and the function of dance in society in the year 2008. Readings will include historical dance texts and articles and essays published concerning the above topics.

LIBA 102, Section 08 — “What is it about Beethoven?”
MWF 10:00-10:50
Linda Pereksta (Music)
pereksta@olemiss.edu, 915-7268

Beethoven’s music and image are ubiquitous not only in our concert halls but throughout our society. (Think of “Peanuts,” “Die Hard,” “Saturday Night Fever,” and “Sun Silk” shampoo commercials, to name but a few examples.) He is a unique figure among canonical Western European classical composers, having attained substantial success during his own lifetime, as well as unflagging popular and critical esteem throughout the years since his death. He was a pivotal figure in the transition between the 18th and 19th centuries, and the circumstances of his life and career (naive idealism, antagonistic anti-social behavior, a mysterious secret love, triumph over disability) made an indelible impression on succeeding generations of artists and continue to fascinate us today.

This course will use Beethoven’s life, philosophy and music as a framework for a variety of reading, writing, presentation and discussion topics, including:

- Enlightenment ideals versus the philosophy of the Romantics.
- The aftermath of the French Revolution and its effect on 19th-century thought.
- Originality and innovation versus the preservation of tradition.
- The role of the artist in society.
- The archetype of the troubled genius.
- Great works of literature and painting by some of Beethoven’s contemporaries.
- The idealization and romanticization of tragedy, including infirmity and unrequited love.
- Public funding of the arts versus artistic entrepreneurship.
- The effects of technology on aesthetic values.

Prior musical experience is not required for success in this course. The first few class sessions will focus on a small amount of necessary musical terminology and background information.

LIBA 102, Section 9 – Deviance in U.S. Society
MWF 10:00 – 10:50
Jennifer Snook (Sociology & Anthropology)
Skadivitnir@hotmail.com, 915-7421

In this course, we will explore the notion of “deviance” as it is applied to people's identities, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. We’ll explore the ways that people or their actions come to be defined as deviant, as well as the effects of that labeling on the individuals and groups involved. We’ll examine formal and informal social control mechanisms, learning about the ways that deviance is discouraged or minimized and the ways that “normativity” is maintained and reproduced. We’ll also learn about how specific forms of deviant behavior or identity operate, and will discuss various social theories that seek to answer general questions about deviance in individuals, in group contexts, and society in general.

LIBA 102, Section 10 — “Youth Culture and the Power of Music: From Bluesmen and Crooners to Gangsters and Pop Divas”
MWF 10:00-10:50
William Mark Franks (Department of Sociology and Anthropology)
wmfranks@olemiss.edu, 234-4671

The power of music grows every day in American popular culture, and the youth market finds itself increasingly influenced by music in a variety of formats, for a variety of purposes. This course aims to improve each student’s ability in the areas of critical thought, responsible research, composition, and oral presentation. Anna Tomasino’s excellent and accessible text, MUSIC AND CULTURE, provides a springboard for developing thought-provoking topics, and features critical writing about music and issues, often controversial, that envelop youth culture. We’ll also use Strunk and White’s THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE, fourth edition. The goal is to produce students who are more confident, competent, and curious academic thinkers, researchers, writers, and speakers. We will focus on a work rhythm of reading, reasoning, and writing; and the skills acquired in the course will serve all students well in their major fields of study, and beyond. After all, what profession or academic discipline doesn’t seek persons who can frame intelligent questions, responsibly seek answers to those questions, and present their findings in an impressive written or oral format?

LIBA 102, Section 11 — History of Economic Thought
MW 2:00-3:15
Michael V. Namorato (History)
hsmvn@olemiss.edu, 915-7488

This course will study the development of economic thought from the classical school to modern times. Students will be exposed to the major economic thinkers and schools of thought from the 17th and 18th centuries on. Each economic thinker will be examined in terms of his/her life, his/her economic writings, and his/her contributions to understanding economic behavior. Special emphasis will also be placed on how each economic thinker and his/her theories are still applicable to today’s economic systems.

LIBA 102, Section 12 — The Living and the Un-Dead: An Inquiry into Zombies in Cinema and Literature
MWF 1:00-1:50
Matt Saye (English)
jmsaye@olemiss.edu, 915-3173

What is it about the idea of a zombie that is so deeply unsettling and creates a source of horror for moviegoers and readers? In this course we will delve into why it is that zombies are both horrific monsters but also a source of fascination for audiences. We will also examine how the zombie is used as a trope in cinema and literature for various critiques of society and, in particular, late capitalism. As a class, we will watch several zombie films (prospective students should be warned that these can be rather graphic in nature) and also read zombie literature.
We will also spend time dealing with the actual instances of Haitian zombies and attempt to discover how these people were transfigured into the well-known “living dead” zombie of film and literature. Finally, we will examine academic articles on zombies in order to view others’ perspectives on the subject. Students will be expected to maintain a reading schedule, film journal, and produce three papers (two shorter papers and a longer research paper).

"My ideal, when I write about an author, would be to...avoid the double shame of the scholar and the familiar. Return to an author a little of that joy, that energy, that amorous and political life that he knew how to give and invent"
-Gilles Deleuze

LIBA 102, Section 13 — "Music and Identity"
TTH 11:00-12:15
Matthieu Dessier (Sociology)
mdessier@olemiss.edu, 915-7295

This seminar proposes to stir students' curiosity about the social world through the study of a familiar object. Contemporary literature in social sciences suggests that music plays a significant role in the construction of our sense of identity. Through the direct experience of music, we place ourselves in imaginative cultural narratives. In other words, the music that sounds good, the musical experience we value, is the one that allows us to construct an ideal perception of social reality. Likewise, if "bad" music is so unbearable, it is because the cultural narrative it embodies is wrong, offensive, even humiliating. By analyzing music as a social phenomenon, students will be encouraged to develop critical thinking skills about the social forces that impact their perception of the world and construction of identity. The material will consist of academic articles and books from cultural studies and social sciences dealing with the production, diffusion and experience of music and its role in the construction of the social self. Throughout the semester, short writing assignments will encourage students to reflect on the concepts encountered in the readings. A final research paper will lead them to apply the material to their own understanding and experience of music.

LIBA 102, Section 14 — On the role of mitochondria in the evoluation of cellular and organismal complexity
MWF 11:00-11:50
Mika Jekabsons (Biology)
jekabson@olemiss.edu, 915-3998

We shall read the book entitled “Power, Sex, Suicide: Mitochondria and the Meaning of Life” by Nick Lane. This required text is written with minimal scientific jargon and is intended for a broad audience having no more than a basic understanding of biology. Topics covered include the origin of the eukaryotic cell, and the evolution of multicellular organisms. Lane draws upon a diverse array of scientific studies to infer, and also speculate, about how eukaryotic cells came to exist, and why they rapidly superseded prokaryotic cells, which had dominated the earth for about 2 billion years, in complexity and specialization. This in turn led to the evolution of multicellular organisms and ensuing complexities such as gender and cell suicide. The central doctrine of the book is that the establishment of mitochondria as an organelle was essential for the evolution of both eukaryotic cells and multicellular organisms. We shall discuss the biology underlying these topics, as well as the reasoning Lane uses to reach such conclusions. Writing assignments will be based on these topics and the class discussions, but may also require supporting information from additional sources to be researched independently.

LIBA 102, Section 15 — Current Theories of Foreign/Second Language Acquisition
MW 11:00-12:15
Susan Major (Linguistics)
smajor@olemiss.edu, 915-6655

This seminar will address some persistent questions of college students in foreign language classrooms: Why do adults have to work so hard to learn a new language while children just seem to “pick it up” easily? What are some of the extra-linguistic factors operating in adult language learning? Is the Critical Period Hypothesis relevant for second language learning? Readings for the seminar will include topics such as foreign language teaching methods, and their comparative efficacy; language attitudes, motivation, and standards; intercultural communication; societal multilingualism; language planning and policy; and World Englishes. Students will first write short analytical papers on articles of their choice from the class readings. Then each student will focus on one topic and write a research paper.

LIBA 102, Section 16 — Current Theories of Foreign/Second Language Acquisition
MW 2:30-3:45
Susan Major (Linguistics)
smajor@olemiss.edu, 915-6655

LIBA 102, Section 17 — Existential Studies in Literature
MWF 1:00-1:50
Louis Bourgeois (English)
lebourg1@olemiss.edu, 915-1673

In this section of Liba 102, we will explore the creative and philosophical works of some of the major Existential figures, including Sartre, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Camus, and others. We will investigate the philosophical themes of these writers as they are found in their novels, stories, plays, etc. To augment our textual analysis, we will also view films and listen to music with Existential themes and motifs.

LIBA 102, Section 18 — Impact of the Internet on Society
MWF 11:00-11:50
Steven Davis (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
davis@briar.chem.olemiss.edu, 915-5981

The advent of the internet has unleashed a tidal wave of information freely available for perusal in the home, school, and workplace. This section of LIBA 102 will discuss the impact the internet has on society and how our lifestyles are evolving to take advantage of this recent phenomenon. Weekly reading assignments will be required from various internet sources. Eight writing assignments will be required with the last being a research paper. Our discussions will include the impact of the internet on news organizations, privacy and security, commerce, academics, and entertainment.

LIBA 102, Section 19 — The Art of Film
MWF 1:00-1:50
Phyllis Nobles (English)
pnobles@olemiss.edu, 915-7718

This course explores the artistic elements that work together to make a film. We will look at some major and minor American and international cinematic works and movements, beginning with the Lumière Brothers’ first motion pictures, continuing with the works of Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Federico Fellini, Woody Allen, Claire Denis—just to name a few—and ending with Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar’s latest work Volver. This course will provide an understanding of cultural and artistic issues at work in film and will supply a technical and literary vocabulary for discussion and critical analysis. Students should expect to attend the Oxford Film Festival (February) as part of this course, to choose an auteur whose body of work will become the subject of research, writing and presentation, and finally students will work together in groups to create a short film of their own. Students should be advised that no mainstream films will be shown in this course and that some films might contain language/situations which some might find offensive.

LIBA 102, Section 20 — Biotechnology, Health and Society
MWF 9:00-9:50
Brad Jones (Biology)
bgjones@olemiss.edu, 915-7051

In this class we will examine current topics in biological sciences related to health and biotechnology. Topics to be covered include stem cells, cloning, genetically modified organisms, and the genetic basis of disease. Readings will be selected from the popular science literature, including Scientific American and the New York Times Science section. Students will be expected to discuss and write about topics in biological sciences and their impacts on society.

LIBA 102, Section 21 — Literature of World War I
T-TH 8:00-9:15
Peter Wirth (English)
phwirth@olemiss.edu, 915-5035

We will consider the history of World War I in its political, military, and human aspects. The emphasis will be on the following works of literature:

Robert Graves, Good-bye to All That
Wilfred Owen, Poems
Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms
Erick Maria Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front
Katherine Anne Porter, “Pale Horse, Pale Rider”

The grade will be based on four four-page papers, an oral report, midterm and final examinations, quizzes on the reading, and class participation.

LIBA 102, Section 22 — Contemporary Art and Culture
TTH 8:00-9:15
Lou Haney (Art)
lhaney@olemiss.edu, 915-1343

In this class, students will explore contemporary art and culture through writing and discussions. Students will focus on writing Visual Analysis, Artist Statements, and research papers. This class will focus on regional and national scenes of contemporary art and culture.

LIBA 102, Section 23 — Love and Magic
TTH 8:00-9:15
James Piiparinen (English)
jmpiipar@olemiss.edu, 915-7679

According to Sappho, “Love is a cunning weaver of fantasies and fables.” In this course, we will explore the notion of fables and magic in contemporary literature as it is applied to characters’ identities, thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and above all relationships. We’ll explore the ways in which characters or their actions work in a world constructed with its own rules, as well as the effects that these constructed parameters limit and shape the individuals and groups involved. We’ll examine formal and informal social control mechanisms, learning about the ways magic and fables shape modern story telling.

LIBA 102, Section 24 — Developing Communication Strategies
TTH 9:30-10:45
Jere Littlejohn (Management)
jlittlejohn@olemiss.edu, 915-5728

You cannot not communicate. That is a fact. Everyday we face situations in which communication choices produce a wide spectrum of results. From satisfying exchanges with friends or family to a total impasse in workplace politics, we can take the communication process for granted, or we can actively pursue a plan destined for effective outcomes. Students in this seminar will examine the communication process as theorized and practiced in literature and other secondary resources to discover possible strategies. Through the reading, researching, writing, and discussing, they will have opportunity to develop their writing and speaking skills in an interactive classroom.

Grading will be based on written and oral critiques. Students will develop papers conveying their own communication hypotheses, validated by their research and critical reasoning. An oral group presentation will be required.

LIBA 102, Section 25 — Critical Issues Facing Higher Education in America
TTH 9:30-10:45
Michael McCready (English)
mccready@olemiss.edu, 915-5052

The readings and related writing assignments in this course examine critical questions concerning student expectations and experiences related to higher education in America. The readings introduce students to ideas and issues - - - ways of thinking about higher education - - - that are cutting edge and that will help the reader make sense of the variety of purposes underlying postsecondary education in the United States. The course includes the following topics: the relationship between higher education and the surrounding cultures; analyses of college life as experienced by both students and teachers; an analysis of "Why go to college in the first place"; issues regarding testing and assessment in higher education.

LIBA 102, Section 26 – Diversity and Socio-ethnic Issues in Contemporary Dramatic Literature
TTH 9:30 – 10:45
Joe Turner Cantú (Associate Professor of Theatre Arts)
jtcantu@olemiss.edu, 915-5745

This course is an exploration of cultural, ethnic and gender diversity in contemporary dramatic literature. The course explores the contributions to contemporary American drama of women, African Americans, Latinos and Gay Americans. A significant portion of the course of study is devoted to the perspectives of contemporary ethnic/cultural groups and individuals. Students will consider the playwright’s use of dramatic action in communicating themes and stimulating emotional and thoughtful responses from an audience. The plays contain mature themes and mature language.

The chosen plays are all indicative of the social nature of the themes they represent, and will develop the student’s critical thinking skills to better analyze the playwright’s creative choices. The plays have either changed the direction of theatre in general or have been awarded for their excellence as literature. The purpose of this class is not to try to reach a consensus, but have the student develop his or her own opinion and express it through writing essays and one research paper.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK: A WRITER’S RESOURCE: A HANDBOOK FOR WRITING AND RESEARCH, by Elaine P. Maimon and Janice H. Peritz

REQUIRED PLAYS: *Pulitzer Prize for Drama

The Colored Museum by George C. Wolfe
Take Me Out by Richard Greenberg
Marisol by José Rivera
How I Learned To Drive by Paula Vogel *
Angels In America by Tony Kushner *
Anna In The Tropics by Nilo Cruz *
Proof by David Auburn *

LIBA 102, Section 27 - The Good Life
MWF 8:00-8:50
George Kehoe (English)
gkehoe@bus.olemiss.edu, 915-5471

Society’s long-lived institutions from the campaign trail to the marketplace appeal to perpetuate our concept of the Good Life, and yet when asked for a lively, concrete definition of that concept, we often struggle to move beyond further abstractions and generalities. How do we define the values that shape our decisions and the goals we pursue? Where do they come from and how do they manifest themselves in our everyday lives? Writers throughout time and from all parts of the world have wrestled either implicitly or explicitly with these fundamental questions. With readings (ranging from Cicero’s orations to Larry Brown’s fiction), class discussion, and writing assignments designed to propel an undogmatic exploration of what constitutes the Good Life, this course considers issues such as friendship, responsibility (to oneself and to others), moral integrity, and contemplative experience.

LIBA 102, Section 28 — “The Politics of Presidential Elections”
TTH 11:00-12:15
Andrew Garner (Political Science)
adgarner@olemiss.edu, 915-7401

The President of the United States is the most prominent figure in American politics. Consequently, presidential elections represent the most televised, expensive, and hardest fought elections in American politics. This section of LIBA 102 examines the politics of presidential elections from the early primary stages to the final results on Election Day with a particular emphasis on the 2008 presidential primaries. Among the topics that will be covered are the role of money in the presidential elections, how the mass media covers elections and differences in coverage between the primary and general election stages, how voters choose among presidential candidates in primaries and the general election, and possible reforms to the present system. Assignments will include writing essays on campaign events during the 2008 electoral races, candidate profiles, and a research paper examining various aspects of the 2008 presidential elections.

LIBA 102, Section 29 – Beyond Protest: Music Affecting Social Change
TTH 10:00-11:15
Greg Johnson (Library)
gj1@olemiss.edu, 915-7753

While music often simply mirrors cultural, societal, and political landscapes of the time in which it is composed, it is also used to affect changes and directly influence societies and institutions.
Throughout history, musicians have written music critical of oppressive governments, disagreeable political policies, dangerous societal attitudes, and hypocritical religious leaders or teachings. This course will examine the many varied ways music has been used as an agent of social change throughout history, in various cultures, and through different musical genres. Students will learn about music of the Nueva Canción movement in Latin America; Mapfumo and other protest musicians of Africa; and war protest songs from the American Revolution, Vietnam, and today’s war in Iraq. From Victor Jarra to Frank Zappa, Pete Seeger to Green Day, Josh White to Willie Nelson, and Dmitri Shostakovich to Bob Dylan, students will be exposed to a wide array of musical dissent of varying genres and time periods. In addition to critical listening and analytical skills, the student will learn to utilize library resources to improve research quality.

LIBA 102, Section 30 — Western on Film
TTH 11:00-12:15
Whitney Hubbard (English)
wahubbar@olemiss.edu, 915-7718

This section of Liba 102 is intended for film enthusiasts. In this course, we will watch and study Westerns directed by the likes of John Ford, Sergio Leone, and Sam Peckinpah. We will place each film in a historical and present day context, analyzing and writing about their content. We will do the same for each director's cinematic style as it pertains to the way their artistic visions reshaped the genre.

LIBA 102, Section 31 — Sharks: Monsters, Myths and Misconceptions
TTH 1:00-2:15
Glenn Parsons (Biology)
bygrp@olemiss.edu, 915-7479

In this course we will explore the relationship that man has had with one of the most maligned creatures in the sea...the sharks. We will consider the various misconceptions that surround sharks, we will consider sharks from a historical perspective and we will review some of the more interesting aspects of shark biology.

LIBA 102, Section 32 — Greek Mythology
TTH 1:00-2:15
Ted Capps (Emeritus Professor of Classics)
ecapps@olemiss.edu, 915-7679

The main goal of this section will be to explore what some Greek (and a few Roman) myths, being among the first stories recorded, have to say about human relationships. The assigned readings will be translations of 3 ancient sources of these myths, Hesiod (most of his Theogony and a couple of selections from his Works and Days),many of the Homeric Hymns (the 5 full-length hymns and 4 shorter ones), and the Metamorphoses of Ovid. There will be four papers --2, 3, 4, and 6 pages in length -- counting as 80% of the grade--with the remaining 20% based on class participation including an oral presentation to the class.

LIBA 102, Section 33 — Satire: A Roman Original
TTH 1:00-2:15
Charles Gross (English)
jcgross@olemiss.edu, 915-7679

This seminar will examine the origins of satire among the Romans. Students will read selected satires of Horace and Juvenal as well as the Satyricon of Petronius. Johnson’s London, and Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels will be among some additional readings. Students will do research leading to their selection of some more modern examples of this literary genre. These could include selections from books, the theater, cinema, and television.

LIBA 102, Section 34 — “Politics and Society”
TTH 2:30-3:45
Andrew Garner (Political Science)
adgarner@olemiss.edu, 915-7401

Politics touches upon nearly every aspect of American daily life. Politics can be found in music, television, movies, both classic and contemporary literature, religion, and theatre. In this course, students will examine the various ways in which politics is embedded in American society, with special emphasis on the role of politics in contemporary pop culture. Students are expected to read or view selected works, be prepared to discuss these works in class with other students, and write weekly essays examining the history and meaning of these works. Other assignments will include oral presentations and a research paper due at the end of the semester.

LIBA 102, Section 35 — “Youth Culture and the Power of Music: From Bluesmen and Crooners to Gangsters and Pop Divas”
TTH 2:30-3:45
William Mark Franks (Department of Sociology and Anthropology)
wmfranks@olemiss.edu, 234-4671

LIBA 102, Section 36 — The Good King: Shakespeare's Henriad: A course in workplace ethics and management practices
TTH 2:30-3:45
Don Simonton (English)
dmsimont@olemiss.edu, 915-7679

What are the qualities (according to Mr. Shakespeare) of a good leader? What kinds of errors or character faults make a bad leader? William Shakespeare wrote four plays about three British kings, sometimes referred to as the "Henriad" (Richard II, Henry the Fourth, parts 1 and 2, and Henry the V). In addition to being histories of British royal succession, these plays are also considerations of the question, What makes a good king? The plays are filled with character "types", each of which is an ethical and practical examplar of leadership, both good and bad. For example: portly, jolly, criminal Falstaff; crafty, madcap Prince Hal; Richard, who even in the very moment of his doom plays the poet; and Henry IV, who is ruthless in his moment of triumph. We will read these four history plays and mine the texts for characters who serve as exempla of qualities of leadership, both good and bad. We'll consider not only the ethical dimensions of their behavior, but also which practices of leadership work for them, and which don't. When is it okay for a boss to say "You're fired"? Should a manager be a buddy or a taskmaster? How do we-as kings, bosses, or managers-get others to follow our leadership, not only willingly but even enthusiastically?

Students will learn to research topics, to turn the raw information they've gathered to their own purposes, to support their ideas with proof, and to structure those proofs into a college-level research paper. Texts include the four plays (with notes and reading aids to make Shakespeare accessible), readings on management ethics and practices, and a handbook for writing college papers. Students will write short responses to the texts as well as 2 longer papers on a topic area of their choosing, such as Shakespeare and his theater, workplace ethics, or management practices. We'll liven things up with filmed versions of the plays and perhaps put on impromptu performances in class. This course should appeal to those interested in literature, theater, and business and institutional management.

LIBA 102, Section 37 — The Perception of Mental Illness in Film
TTH 4:00-5:15
Marilyn S. Snow (Leadership & Counselor Education)
mssnow@olemiss.edu, 915-1363

Filmmakers can capture the essence of human experience through sight and sound, and engage the consciousness of the individual experiencing the film. In our society, mental illness is seen as a deviation from the norm and an experience difficult to understand. This course will examine the perceptions of the mentally ill as presented through film. Students will view films that represent psychological phenomena and will examine the experience of mental illness as seen through the eyes of directors. The text for the course will be Movies & Mental Illness: Using Film to Understand Psychopathology.

LIBA 102, Section 38 — Writing for the Masses
TTH 11:00-12:15
Carman Manning-Miller (Journalism)
cmanning@olemiss.edu, 915-5505

Writing is basic to any area of the mass media. Few things are printed or broadcast without being written down first. Students must recognize that despite the narrowness of their interests, they must know about the mass media to survive and be successful. An in-depth treatment of news reporting skills or advertising copy writing techniques will not be found in this course. The purpose of this course is to simply introduce students to the major forms of writing for the mass media.

LIBA 102, Section 39 — Terror and Captivity in Literature
MW 2:30 - 3:45
Sean Ennis (English)
sennis@olemiss.edu, 915-3173

“Terror” is a word that dominates our culture these days, but issues of terror and captivity are not new to our era. In this course, we will explore these issues through a number of perspectives and time periods. Some of the questions we will explore: What is terror and who defines it? What can it achieve and what is necessary for its success? What are the human/personal (as opposed to political) effects of terrorism? How does language (art) affect the way terror is perceived?

Writing instruction based on texts ranging from Native American captivity narratives and slave narratives to more modern texts which examine issues such as terror and sexuality, terror and race, terror and the family, and terror and the state.

LIBA 102, Section 40 – Somethin’s Happening Here: The History of Student Protest
MW 4:00-5:15pm
Sparky Reardon (Leadership & Counselor Education)
sparky@olemiss.edu, 915-7248

On April 23, 1968, students at Columbia University seized an academic building and one of the deans inside. A member of the Columbia Students for Democratic Society quipped, “We’ve got something going on here and now we’ve just got to find out what it is.” What is student protest and how has it shaped higher education and, thus, the United States and the world? What do Thoreau, Ginsburg, Ghandi, and Mad Magazine have to do with the student protest movement? Do panty raids, pep rallies, and streaking count as student protest? This seminar will examine the history of student protest from Colonial times to the present. Literary influences, political influences, and social situations will all be studied. Particular emphasis will be given to The Sixties and the integration of higher education. Selected readings will come from a variety of texts including American Insurrection (Doyle), Student Protest: The Sixties and After (DeGroot), From Camelot to Kent State: The Sixties Experience in the Words of Those Who Lived It (Morrison), Student Resistance: A History of the Unruly Subject (Boren), Takin’ It to the Streets: A Sixties Reader (Bloom and Breines), and others. In addition, selected video clips, as well as guest lecturers and class discussions, will be utilized. Students will be encouraged to conduct independent research involving student protest, maintain a journal, and make a presentation on their research.

LIBA 102, Section 41 — American Popular Images of Russia
TTH 2:30-3:45
Svetlana Ilinskaya (English)
silinska@olemiss.edu, 915-7684

In this course we will see how images of the outside world are created in our heads, how they become a part of our beliefs. Do we perceive reality the way it really is or the way other people want us to see it? How can an image or an idea become a stereotype?

We will be using the tumultuous relationship the US has had with Russia for over seventy years as our primary example. The textbook that will help us see what it was like is a beautifully illustrated Red Scared!: The Commie Menace in Propaganda and Popular Culture. Its authors, Michael Barson and Steven Heller, provide us not only with historic data, excerpts from real newspapers, magazines and other mass media productions, and their analysis of them, but also with pages and pages of colorful reprints of original posters, pamphlets and book covers that your parents and grandparents may still remember!

We will be also reading Walter Lippmann’s ageless classic Public Opinion, which covers some of the important issues of political science, psychology, communications, history and logic, and applying it to our analysis of Red Scared!; movies like Ninotchka and The Russians are Coming! The Russians are Coming!, and our daily lives.

At the end of our class we will take a brief look at some of the attitudes Russians have towards America today. Are their views and opinions objective? What could they have been influenced by?

Quizzes, five two-page analytical papers, a 5-to-10-page research paper and a presentation will be required.

LIBA 102, Section 42 — Developing the Leader within You
MWF 8:00-9:15
Scott Caldwell (Military Science and Leadership)
caldwell@olemiss.edu, 915-7085

In a culture confused over the difference between management and leadership, this seminar will focus on what sets “leader-managers” apart from “run-of-the-mill managers.” Few of us are natural-born leaders, though fortunately the traits that are the raw material of leadership can be acquired. By focusing on a definition of leadership and exploring leadership defined by five levels of leadership, the student will participate in self-assessments and group interactions to develop and expand their own leadership skills. Throughout the course, students will develop reading, writing, and oral communication skills through the study of individual leadership profiles, organizational case studies, video presentations, group practical exercises and assigned readings.

LIBA 102, Section 43 — Wellness: Facts, Fads and Fallacies
TTH 9:30-10:45
Dr. Michael A. Dupper (HESRM)
mad@olemiss.edu, 915-5564

The seminar will explore the facts, fiction and fads related to health and wellness in our society, from a consumer’s perspective. The areas of exercise, nutrition and dietary supplements, surgical enhancement and self-responsibility and informed decision making will be investigated from a pro-active and highly selective and critical approach. Class members will research and review both print and media-produced materials pertaining to the areas of health promotion and lifestyle management in our society.

LIBA 102, Section 44 – The Civil Rights Movement
MWF 2:00-2:50
Charles Eagles (History)
eagles@olemiss.edu, 915-7733

This course will examine the southern civil rights movement from the 1940s to the 1970s. Two required books will be used: Bruce J. Dierenfield's The Civil Rights Movement, a brief survey of the topic; and Raymond D'Angelo's The American Civil Rights Movement, a collection of documents and essays about the movement. Topics covered will include the civil rights movement in Mississippi, the Brown decision and other actions of the federal government, protests such as the sit-ins and freedom rides, Martin Luther King and other important individuals, the Little Rock crisis and the integration of the University of Mississippi, campaigns for voting rights, and the development of Black Power. Writing assignments will be based on the assigned readings and short research assignments. Emphasis will be placed on rewriting essays

LIBA 102, Section 45 — The Art of Film
MWF 2:00-2:50
Phyllis Nobles (English)
pnobles@olemiss.edu, 915-7718

LIBA 102, Section 46 — Social Issues in 20th Century Musical Theatre
TTH 2:30-3:45
Rene Pulliam (Theatre Arts)
rpulliam@olemiss.edu, 915-6991

This course is an exploration of Twentieth Century American Musical Theatre and its reflections on the racial, gender, sexual identity, political, and economic issues of the particular eras in which it was written. We will cover basic script/libretto analysis and examine the form as well as the content of each libretto. The musical libretti/script will be examined as literature and theatre, as well as used as a springboard for discussion of current vs. historical American issues. The musicals to be covered are all indicative of the social/political nature of their own historical era, many commenting on prevailing social issues of their time period. Some have either changed the direction of theatre in general or have been awarded for their excellence as literature.

LIBA 102, Section 47 — Satire: A Roman Original
TTH 11:00-12:15
Charles Gross (English)
jcgross@olemiss.edu, 915-7679

LIBA 102, Section 48 — Gothic Fiction and Film
TTH 1:00-2:15
Natalie Schroeder (English)
nschroed@olemiss.edu, 915-7668

This course will examine Gothic fiction and film, which uses narrative strategies to express fantasies, fears, anxieties, and paranoia--fears of the unknown, the irrational, the supernatural, identity loss, and so forth. We will examine a traditional eighteenth-century Gothic text. Then we will examine some nineteenth and twentieth century texts (novels and short stories) and films.

LIBA 102, Section 49 — It’s News to Me: The Role of the Media in Your Life
TTH 4:00-5:15
Robin Street (Journalism)
rbstreet@olemiss.edu, 915-5081

The media inform, educate, entertain and influence us. This class will explore the world of newspapers, magazines, television news, public relations and advertising. We will examine how each medium works and learn the special demands of being a journalist. The techniques, skills and methods of journalistic research and information gathering will be explored. The role of ethics, accuracy, fairness and objectivity will be stressed.

LIBA 102, Section 50 — Faulkner and Detective Fiction
MW 4:30-5:45
Chatham Ewing (Library)
cewing@olemiss.edu, 915-7408

In this course we will read and write about texts by Doyle, Poe, Chesterton, and Chandler for background in the history of the detective story. We will use these authors to establish a context for reading and writing about Faulkner’s Knight's Gambit and Sanctuary. We will visit Rowan Oak and Faulkner's grave, consider some of the special collections in the library having to do with Faulkner's career, and watch critically a film that Faulkner worked on as a screenwriter, The Big Sleep. At the end of the semester we will read Sanctuary and watch the film based upon it, The Story of Temple Drake.