Fall 2004 Liberal Arts 102 Course Descriptions

Content last revised on August 18, 2004 4:40 PM.

LIBA 102:01: Detective Fiction: Whodunit and Other Questions
MWF 8-8:50
A. Moore (English)
amoore@olemiss.edu

The Golden Age of detective fiction is over. Or is it? Mysteries have remained the genre of choice for many writers and readers. What is it about the genre that attracts us? What does our culture's love affair with mysteries tell us about ourselves, as the genre's preoccupations move from the question of "whodunit" to "Who am I?" Detective fiction, it has been argued, is a vehicle of the hegemony, where its logical progression towards the solution of a crime against society, usually murder, will invariably uphold the ideology of the dominant culture. To some, therefore, it remains a genre whose conventions are not suited to the needs of any minority group. Yet the appropriation of detective fiction by numerous different minorities, women, African-Americans, Native Americans, gay men and lesbians, to name a few, is eroding such a proscriptive view of the genre's conventions. This course will follow the evolution of the mystery genre from the middle of the nineteenth century to present day. Readings will include, among others, works by Edgar Allen Poe, Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, Raymond Chandler, Chester Himes, Tony Hillerman, Sara Peretsky, Frederick Busch, and Barbara Wilson. Students are expected to write literary analyses of several works, a reader's journal, and a research paper.

LIBA 102:02: Ganging Up In America
MWF 8-8:50
W. Franks (Sociology & Anthropology)
wmfranks@olemiss.edu

In this course we will explore and examine the proliferation of street gangs in America, from the sedate and romantic West Side Story image created on film as a musical tribute to juvenile tribalism, to the emerging ethnic organizations that have exploded in the second half of the 20^th Century to become manipulators not only of underground economies but many trends in mainstream popular culture. We will focus on the social causes for the success of gangs, and examine the socialization processes that promise lifelong care and support, and today often rival the beleaguered standards of family and school. Films as cultural texts include Spike Lee's Clockers, American History X, and Welcome to Death Row. Students will independently research gang influences on various segments of our society, including sports, the military, clothing styles, music, and social problems such as drug addiction, murder, and prostitution. In addition to a quick reference edition of Lynn Troyka's HANDBOOK FOR WRITERS, we will also use as a text THE MODERN GANG READER. Emphasis in the course will be on active classroom participation and independent student research resulting in focused, well-developed and persuasive pieces of writing.

NOTE: Sections 2 and 47 have the same content.

LIBA 102:03: Comparison Between Open Source and Proprietary Software
MWF 8-8:50
S. Davis (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
davis@chemistry.olemiss.edu

Computers have become an integral part of the educational experience. There are several choices for operating systems, and a myriad of choices for software applications. Computer software can be classified as either open source or proprietary. Software companies such as Microsoft sell proprietary software in that they do not allow the program source code to be released. Instead they sell a use license, but do not allow the user to know how the software works or change it in any way. On the other hand, open source software such as Linux can be obtained free of charge and the user has access to the source code and can change it at will. However, there can be advantages and disadvantages to both types of software categories. One of the largest considerations is the economic impact of proprietary vs. open source software. A large company or organization with many personal computers will have to incur a great expense to equip each with the necessary proprietary software. If open source software is used, there is no initial expense, but extensive training may be necessary to convert the workforce to a different operating system and its applications. This course will compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of open source vs. proprietary software. The student does not need to be familiar with computer programming languages. Class discussions will include economic impacts(cost-benefit analysis), software stability issues(does it crash a lot?), knowledge dissemination(releasing ideas and successes freely) , security(hacking and virus protection), available program applications(word processing, etc,), scientific computing, and performance. Reading assignments will come from articles written by computer administrators and programmers in industry and academics, free-lance software engineers, and the news media.

LIBA 102:04: Science of the Times
MWF 9-9:50
C. Ochs (Biology)
byochs@olemiss.edu

Every Tuesday the New York Times publishes a science section. In this section, the latest, most exciting discoveries in biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, computer science, and other sciences and in mathematics are reported. These articles are written in ways that make the science understandable to any reasonably educated reader, and make many people wish this is the way they had been taught science in school. Each week, we will read and discuss articles from the Science Times, with writing assignments based on articles from this section.

LIBA 102:05: Understanding Today's Science News
MWF 9-9:50
G. Gaston (Biology)
bygaston@olemiss.edu

"And all this science I don't understand", Elton John sang in Rocket Man. This semester students can understand science. We will discuss current events and science news. No book is required. Students will read assignments in the news media, participate in class discussions about relevance of the articles in today's world, and pen their interpretations and feelings in writing assignments. The current articles will span physical and life sciences, with emphasis on topics of greatest concern today. Students will be expected to discuss intelligently "all this science" and put that knowledge to pen with effective writing.

LIBA 102:06: Heroes and Quests
MWF 10-10:50
M. Arrington (Modern Languages)
marringt@olemiss.edu

The story of the hero who sets out on a journey in search of a great treasure, secret knowledge, or an elusive ideal is one of the most enduring themes in literature. From ancient times to the present storytellers from all over the globe have told of heroes setting out in pursuit of their goals and the adventures they encounter along the way. These narratives continue to generate interest among contemporary readers not only because of their intrinsic literary merit but also due to the easily recognizable archetypal patterns they convey, e.g. the notion that life itself is a journey; the metaphor of the voyage as a mystical quest for spiritual enlightenment; etc. Through our readings, discussions, and writings we will: 1) identify and analyze the basic elements and patterns common to all hero/quest narratives; 2) develop an appreciation for some of the early works that established the hero paradigm; 3) discover links to modern versions of the hero's quest, such as the popular Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Lord of the Rings film series; 4) seek to understand why this type of story has remained popular up to the present.

LIBA 102:07: The Civil Rights Movement
MWF 10-10:50
C. Eagles (History)
eagles@olemiss.edu

This course will examine the southern civil rights movement from the 1940s to the 1970s. Two required books will be used: Harvard Sitkoff's The Struggle for Black Equality, 1954-1992, 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 102:08: Research in Personal Accounting
MWF 10-10:50
J. Cassidy (Accountancy)
jcassidy@olemiss.edu

This freshman seminar will explore the managerial accounting topics of developing a mission, setting goals and objectives, and personal planning and performance evaluation. Readings will come from a variety of sources including newspapers, business periodicals, the Internet, and library resources. Viewing of television programs related to business will also be assigned. Written assignments will include development of personal goals, budgeting, performance evaluation, and analysis of current business events. The goal of this class is to use the readings, class discussions, and written assignments to become more financially responsible individuals.

LIBA 102:09: The Politics of US National Security Policy
MWF 11-11:50
R. Melvin (Aerospace Studies)
rcmelvin@olemiss.edu

This course examines the evolution, domestic and international influences, major factors, and decision-making dynamics involved in the development and implementation of US national security strategy. Focuses on contemporary issues in the formulation of US foreign and defense policy, including budgeting, force planning, and force management processes, alliance relations, and national strategy. Students in this class will read scholarly abstracts addressing major schools of political and military thought and will write several formal essays on current political and military topics. A special feature of this class will be guest lectures by senior military and political leaders.

LIBA 102:10: Organizational Environments
MWF 11-11:50
D. Frink (Management)
dfrink@bus.olemiss.edu

This section of LIBA 102 will explore organizational phenomena in the context of literature and other media. Embedded in most literature across time are lessons about, and perspectives of, various organizational issues and realities. Examples include interpersonal interactions, ethics, motivation, leadership, influence, power, politics, attitudes, effectiveness, success factors, philosophies, and so forth. We will use a broad variety of literature and other media sources, including film, to bridge the gap between academia and the "real world" so that we have clear examples of applications of these phenomena. From these examples, we can explore what is functional versus dysfunctional. This can serve to help us both better understand what goes on around us in all sorts of organizational environments, as well as learn what may be useful for our own selves.

LIBA 102:11: The Family, Sex, and Marriage in U.S. History
MWF 11-11:50
S. Ditto (History)
scditto@olemiss.edu

Students in this course will read, research, and write about the history of the family, sexuality, and marriage in America from the colonial period through the late 20^th century. We will examine different types of familial arrangements, the changing roles of women, men, and children within the household, courtship, divorce, and related topics from the earliest English settlements in North America to the present day. Course content will emphasize the diversity of experiences among families of different races, classes, demographic categories, geographic regions, and time periods. Students will produce a variety of written products including both formal and informal papers, essay tests, abstracts, tables and charts, and book reviews. These assignments will culminate in the production of a full-fledged research paper by semester's end. In addition to improving the mechanics of their writing, students will learn how to choose the best sources for a particular project, how to critique a book, how to properly use the internet for research, how to compose a quick but effective in-class essay, how to avoid plagiarism, and other important skills that will aid them throughout their college career and beyond.

LIBA 102:12: On Becoming an Educated Person
MWF 12-12:50
B. Barrios (Counseling Center)
counselg@olemiss.edu

In an age in which seemingly endless amounts of information are available at our fingertips, what does it mean to be an "educated person?" And how pray tell does one become such a person? With three small classics as our guides (i.e., On Becoming an Educated Person by Virginia Voeks, Elements of Style by Strunk and White, and Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Marie Rilke), we will read and write, listen and speak, and think and feel our way toward a clearer and deeper understanding of the "educated person" in our modern age. And who knows, we may even find ourselves becoming this person.

LIBA 102:13: Writing for the Masses?
MWF 12-12:50
C. Manning-Miller (Journalism)
cmanning@olemiss.edu

The focus of this course is on thinking about and writing for all types of communication that are mediated by technology. New media are rapidly changing our conception of "mass" media- and even blurring the meaning of that term. This course will explore the cutting edge of both the traditional mass media, new media, and the culture that surrounds them.

LIBA 102:14: Religious Introspection and Experience, the Formation of Personal Identity, and the Development of Critical Thinking
MWF 12-12:50
C. Gates (Music and Academic Support)
mugates@olemiss.edu

Through study and discussion of sources from literature, religion, the humanities, the arts, the social sciences, and the natural sciences, this seminar will explore aspects of religious introspection and experience as they relate to the formation of personal identity and the development critical thinking. Topics will include Chaim Potok's concept of "core-core culture confrontation," wisdom literature (e.g. the Book of Job), the Apostle Paul and the roots of the Western introspective conscience, Eastern (e.g. Buddhist, Hindu) visions of the self, and more, to develop a framework for exploring a serious and demanding reflection on self and the world, and to understand and appreciate the debt that even modern Western secular critical thinking owes to religious traditions and thinking about religious modes of understanding. We will often pair primary source material and analytical readings with artistic visions (including literature, film, and music) of the same topic. Note that we will establish ground rules for discussion which will allow readers in the setting of the secular university, whether they themselves are religious or not, to utilize such texts as a matrix of meaning, by making the distinction between "dogmatic profession" (inappropriate for the secular classroom) and "general profession" (in which critical evaluation serves to bring out different interpretations and understandings of religious texts).

LIBA 102:15: The Sociolinguistics of Foreign/Second Language Acquisition
MW 3-4:15
S. Major (Croft Institute)
smajor@olemiss.edu

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 that make adult language learning so challenging? 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 102:16: Written and Oral Examination of Southern Literature
MWF 1-1:50
J. Edwards/D. Yancy (Speech)
jedwards@olemiss.edu dkyancy@olemiss.edu

This seminar will examine the unique elements of poetry, prose and drama that readily lend themselves to written and oral interpretation. The literature will emphasize Southern authors or themes. Course readings may include the works of Tennessee Williams, Pearl Cleage, Rebecca Gilman, Alice Walker, Flannery O'Conner, Mark Twain, James Dickey, Eudora Welty, Maya Angelou, Truman Capote, Alfred Uhry, Horton Foote, Walker Percy, Endesha Ida Mae Holland, John Kennedy Toole and Robert Harling. In addition to reading the assigned works, each student will be required to participate in 5 graded classroom discussions, a group written and oral presentation, and genre response essays. These exercises will culminate in a final oral and written project/presentation.

LIBA 102:17: Islam
MWF 1-1:50
M. Thurkill (Philosophy and Religion)
maryt@olemiss.edu

This course will examine Islam as a 'world of meaning' beginning with the Arabian milieu before Muhammad's prophetic call and ending with the more recent proliferation of Islamic 'fundamentalist' movements. Topics of focus will include the career of the Prophet; the Qur'an; Islamic ritual; and the Sunni/Shi`i division within the Muslim community.

LIBA 102:18: The Scientific Revolution
MWF 2-2:50
J. Reid (Mathematics)
mmreid@olemiss.edu

The lives and works of the scientists Galileo and Newton are contrasted and compared. Galileo and Newton, respectively, represent the historical eras preceding and following the scientific revolution. Indeed Galileo died the year of Newton's birth, 1642. Galileo's relationship with his daughter, Suor Maria Celeste, is a particular focus of the course. This close relationship contrasts with the aloof nature of Newton's life.

LIBA 102:19: Language Death
MWF 2-2:50
F. Coles (Modern Languages)
fcoles@olemiss.edu

Languages are dead when no one speaks them anymore. Did they simply go out of fashion or did they get murdered by more powerful languages? Why should we care? Why can't English be good enough? We'll go worldwide to explore how and why languages die, investigate strategies to help them, and think about what good it will do if plenty of different languages survive.

LIBA 102:20: In Search of Democracy: The Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi
MW 4-5:15
S. Glisson (William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation)
glisson@olemiss.edu

In 1890, the state of Mississippi enacted a new state constitution, its first since the end of Reconstruction. That constitution included a series of "Black Codes," which codified de facto segregation, institutionalizing the system which became known as "Jim Crow." Mississippi's novel approach to increasing black citizenship became the model for the rest of the South. Throughout the next century, black residents of the state resisted such change. In the mid-twentieth century, these efforts coalesced with a national movement as black Mississippians engaged in local organizing with support from various national civil rights organizations. Various Movement centers throughout the state radically changed how civil rights work was accomplished. As a result, Mississippi witnessed arguably the most significant changes of any deep South state because of this transformative work.

This course examines the development of the black struggle for freedom in the United States from the end of the nineteenth century through the Black Power era, treating that history as an interdisciplinary case study on the dynamics of social change. We will place particular emphasis on various styles of leadership and organizing strategies. Through the use of biography, discussion will focus on individual efforts to respond to racial oppression. By tracing the development of social movements using especially Mississippi as a model, the course will seek to discern various collective responses to racism.

LIBA 102:21: Somethin's Happening Here: The History of Student Protest
MW 4-5:15
S. Reardon (Student Life)
sparky@olemiss.edu

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 102:22: Values-Based Leadership
TR 8-9:15
H. Whiffen (Military Science)
hwhiffen@calendar.olemiss.edu

Rather than merely the exercise of power, leadership is the act of influencing others to voluntarily accomplish organizational goals. This seminar will focus on the fundamental tenets of successful leadership in corporate, political, and military environments. Students will explore leadership defined by three levels of subordinate action: behavior, conscious thought, and values, assumptions, beliefs and expectations. Students will examine a values-based leadership model that enforces the concept of goal achievement without the abuse of power, and they will explore the concepts of effective communication, mission statements, goal setting, and organizational change.

LIBA 102:23: Vignettes of Evolution
TR 8-9:15
G. Stratton (Biology)
byges@olemiss.edu

Evolution is the bedrock of all modern biology. However, in the context of ongoing discussions about the place of evolution in a high school curriculum, many students come to campuses uncertain about what evolution means. In this section of LIBA 102, we will use the writings of Stephen J. Gould to explore examples of and ideas about evolution. We will read some of Darwin's Origin of Species and will finish by looking at research examples in the journal Evolution to see what kinds of questions scientists are asking about evolution.

LIBA 102:24: Organizational Environments
TR 8-9:15
J. Frink (Management)
dfrink@bis.olemiss.edu

LIBA 102:25: Psychotherapy in Literature and Other Media
TR 8-9:15
P. Cooker (Leadership and Counselor Education)
cooker@olemiss.edu

The course will focus on how psychotherapy is depicted in literature, film/video, and popular media. Students will have the opportunity to further develop written and oral communication skills while exploring the role of psychotherapy in our culture. Approaches to treatment, role of the therapist, ethical issues, and client/patient involvement in the process will be some of the topics to be considered.

LIBA 102:26: Utopia and Anti-Utopia
TR 9:30-10:45
P. Wirth (English)
afwirth@olemiss.edu

A motto of the recent World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil, was "Another world is possible." We will consider the ways in which this may be true and the ways in which it may not be true. We will read eight books: Niccol~ Machiavelli, The Prince; Sir Thomas More, Utopia; Voltaire, Candide; William Blake, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell; Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Blithedale Romance; Aldous Huxley, Brave New World; George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four; Italo Calvino, Invisible Cities. These include the original utopia, a novel about a nineteenth-century commune, two twentieth-century dystopias, and four works whose relation to the theme is more indirect. None of the books is very long, but all demand close attention.

The grade will be based on four papers, a midterm and a final examination, frequent quizzes on the reading, and class participation.

LIBA 102:27: Vice and Virtue in Everyday Life
TR 9:30-10:45
W. Lawhead (Philosophy)
wlawhead@olemiss.edu

In this course we will read, discuss, and write about ethical questions that everyone has to face. We will be using the anthology Vice and Virtue in Everyday Life which provides a range of conflicting viewpoints on ethical issues. Our focus will not be so much on whether this or that particular action is morally right or wrong as much as it will be on the fundamental issues underlying all ethical discussions. However, along the way, we may discuss a few concrete issues (such as human reproductive cloning). Throughout the semester we will read and discuss a variety of viewpoints on such questions as: Are all ethical judgments completely and irreducibly relative (to either the culture or the individual) or is there an underlying objective basis for ethical judgments? Why should we be concerned with being moral in the first place? What makes an action right or wrong? Is it the consequences of the action, the nature of the action itself, or the person's intentions and motives? What should be the relationship between morality and the law?

LIBA 102:28: Native America
TR 9:30-10:45
A. Trefzer (English)
atrefzer@olemiss.edu

This course will discuss various aspects of Native American historical, cultural, political and literary traditions. Different materials from various Native American traditions and cultures will be presented as the basis for students' research activities and writing exercises. These materials include film, poetry, art, photography, historical documents, law, autobiography and other cultural expressions. The course is designed to allow students to sharpen historical and cultural awareness and develop critical thinking and writing skills.

LIBA 102:29: History through Children's/Adolescent Literature
TR 9:30-10:45
R. Oliphant Ingham (Education)
ringham@olemiss.edu

"The best one-word definition of history is people. Without human beings, whose emotions and actions influence the times, there is no history." (Darigan, et al)Literature is the story of the emotions and actions of these people; therefore, history and literature must be taught hand-in-hand. This seminar will focus on classic and contemporary works of children's and adolescent literature which give unique perspectives on major conflicts from our past. We will read about these conflicts from a variety of viewpoints. Writing assignments and class discussions will be built around issues explored in the readings.

LIBA 102:30: Catholic Social Doctrine and the Law
TR 11-12:15
J. Czarnetztky (Law)
johnmc@olemiss.edu

In the past one hundred years, the Roman Catholic Church has been especially active in formulating a philosophy of society and social relations based upon orthodox religious philosophy. This social doctrine has at times supplemented, and at times conflicted with, modern social philosophy as understood in the West, and as evidenced by the laws of countries such as the United States. The purpose of this seminar will be to become familiar with the Catholic Church's modern social doctrine and critically to apply it to selected legal issues of particular concern in modern times.Topics to be discussed might include: what is a just war?; the role of international organizations in keeping peace; the regulation of the economy; the role of women in modern societies; etc.

The student will be expected to draft and present a series of short 3-4 page papers over the course of the semester. Readings will be based upon the text, David J. O'Brien & Thomas A. Shannon (eds.), Catholic Social Thought: The Documentary Heritage (Orbis 1992). This is not a course in theology, and no background whatsoever in any particular church or religion is either required or necessary.

LIBA 102:31: History of American Higher Education
TR 11-12:15
T. Letzring (Leadership and Counselor Education)
tdl@olemiss.edu

The seminar on the history of American higher education will require the student to develop a perspective of many of the events that have shaped our current system of postsecondary education. Topics will include the colonial colleges, the curriculum and elective system, graduate education, land grant institutions, women in higher education, community colleges, minorities in higher education, philosophy of higher education, and religion in higher education. Using the library, students will be required to develop a perspective associated with each week's topic as well as be prepared to engage in scholarly dialogue with their peers. Weekly writing assignments and a research paper will be required in addition to a classroom presentation on the researched topic of interest.

LIBA 102:32: Wellness: Facts, Fads and Fallacies
TR 1-2:15
M. Dupper (Health Exercise Science & Recreation)
mad@olemiss.edu

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 102:33: Law and Ogre: An Examination of The Law and Lawyers in Popular Culture
TR 1-2:15
J. Derrick (Law)
wjderric@olemiss.edu

Course Description: The rule of law is the foundation of our society, yet lawyers--the parents and defenders of the rule itself--are often much maligned in contemporary American life. This course will examine the popular narrative, including films, television programs, music, fiction and non-fiction, to uncover how they help us to understand the troubling paradox between the law and lawyers. As legal texts, these works of popular culture will assist in exploring current dilemmas involving public policy, ethics and morality. The course will also address popular culture's influence on perceptions of the law, and how those perceptions may differ from reality. The course will use Richard Sherwin's When Law Goes Pop: The Vanishing Line Between Law and Popular Culture and Lewis Nordan's Wolf Whistle: A Novel as texts.

LIBA 102:34: Communication and Culture
TR 1-2:15
T. Swan (Speech)
tjswan@olemiss.edu

This seminar will examine multiple perspectives in intercultural communication that are grounded in the everyday experiences reflected in personal narratives, social science research, modern journalism, and popular culture such as MTV. Readings and seminar discussions will focus on the increasing ethnic and sexual diversity of modern society and the challenges of communicating successfully in this world. This course will present intercultural communication scholarship in a way that helps students better understand interethnic relations and improve the quality of intercultural relationships. Students will read a series of essays and respond with compositions reflecting their personal perspectives and experiences. Students will also participate in cooperative activities, lead small group discussions and conduct oral presentations. Topics for study include: Identity and Intercultural Communication; Language and Intercultural Communication; Nonverbal Communication; Communication and Intercultural Relationships; and Conflict, Communication, and Culture.

LIBA 102:35: Politics in Literature and Society
TR 1-2:15
H. Palmer (Political Science)
hpalmer@olemiss.edu

This seminar will explore a variety of political science themes and theories in an innovative, interdisciplinary manner. Students will first be introduced to each theme as a topic of political science research. We will then build upon this research treatment by investigating how the theme is depicted in society and literature. This investigation will consider both "popular" media and literary portrayals. How have the themes been characterized and adapted in reporting and commentary in major newspapers and magazines? How have the themes been depicted and reflected in classic literature? The themes studied in the course will include: representation, regionalism in politics, crisis decision-making by leaders, and political campaigns.

In the context of our investigation, the course will develop students' critical thinking, oral argument, and writing skills. Students will complete weekly writing assignments ranging from editorial-style commentary to critical essays to a research paper. Students will also be required to present their arguments and opinions to the class.

LIBA 102:36: Literature of the Supernatural
TR 2:30-3:45
S. Hodges Holt (English)
shodges@olemiss.edu

Angels and demons, ghosts and vampires--such supernatural figures possess an undying power in the human imagination. How do we account for their continuing popularity in narrative literature? This seminar will examine how literature of the supernatural addresses humanity's enduring fascination with the grotesque, the unknown, and the frighteningly inexplicable aspects of the human condition. Our study will consider the symbolic significance of interactions between the natural and supernatural worlds in selected literature from varying cultures and historical periods. How do these narratives explore and interpret human nature through reference to the supernatural?

Course readings will include short stories, drama, poetry, and novels from authors such as Shakespeare, John Keats, Mary Shelley, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edgar Allan Poe, Ryunosuke Akutagawa, Franz Kafka, Guy de Maupassant, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Salman Rushdie, and Toni Morrison. Our course will also take a multimedia approach to the works studied, examining the continuing significance of these narratives as they are reinterpreted in other media (film, television, music, art, the Internet, etc.). Students will maintain a journal related to course readings and complete four formal writing assignments that incorporate research and critical thinking skills. In addition, each student will be required to participate weekly in class discussion and prepare a 10-minute oral presentation based upon the student's independent research.

LIBA 102:37: Philosophical Themes in Text and Film
TR 2:30-3:45
R. Barnard (Philosophy)
rwbjr@olemiss.edu

Recent films, e.g.the "Matrix" trilogy, have re-introduced perennial philosophical questions about freedom, knowledge and existence into popular discourse, but cinema has long been an alternative route into the marketplace of ideas. This course will examine the ways in which major philosophical themes are explored and expressed in both prose and film. Likely topics of discussion include the nature of person- hood, moral obligation, and the relation between the individual and the state. Course discussion and writing assignments will be based upon course texts and several films selected by the instructor.

LIBA 102:38: Modern Chinese Literature and Modern China
TR 2:30-3:45
X. Yang (Modern Languages/Croft Institute)
yangxb@olemiss.edu

We will approach different issues significant to modern Chinese culture and society through reading, discussing and analyzing 20th-century Chinese literary works (in English translation), including short stories and poems. Attention will also be paid to the various ways in which modern China is represented and interpreted. The goal for this course is to develop the ability to better understand the sociocultural complexities in modern China through close, critical examinations of the literary works. Readings of critical essays will be assigned for more profound interpretation and further study. All readings assigned are in English. Instruction will be conducted in English. No knowledge of Chinese language is required.

LIBA 102:39: Shakespeare and the Nature of Man
TR 4-5:15
L. Murchison (Outreach & Continuing Education)
mmurchi@olemiss.edu

In King Lear, the characters each take a stab at answering the basic question, "Why do these things happen to me?" The final answer to the question Shakespeare puts into the mouth of the villain Edmund: "We do it to ourselves." What Shakespeare seems to be saying is that each person's choices in life determine his/her fate. This is the question this course will examine. As we look at character development in the lesser known of Shakespeare's plays, with an occasional look at the more commonly studied ones, we will look for examples of that character type/behavior in the news events of today. We will be looking for the kinds of characteristics of mankind shown in the plays as they are exhibited in real life. Part of the course will involve each student's presenting a formal, oral character analysis, using both Shakespeare and the news. In this manner we should cover several plays. With each play the students will complete a reading quiz prior to discussion of the play. Also, I subscribe to a learning technique called "writing to learn." Each student will be required to keep a journal in which he/she will record reactions to the material while reading the plays and newspapers; writing some journal entries in class on a specific topic prior to discussion is a way for students to organize thoughts prior to oral discussion. At the end of discussion of each of the plays, students will be required to present a formal paper addressing a theme, characterization, or some other aspect of the play, keeping in mind that a second aspect is always what is going on in current events. The papers should build on one another allowing for comparison/contrast, classification/division, and other forms of discourse and expository methods. The final paper will involve a research assignment that in essence is cumulative, requiring the student to assimilate and discuss the materials of the course.

LIBA 102:40: Reading and Writing the Southern Environment
TR 4-5:15
A. Harper (History)
acharper@olemiss.edu

This course will look at the ways the Southern Environment has been depicted in literature. We will spend a good bit of time discussing place and space. I will expect that you to elaborate on your sense of place both in classroom discussion and in your writing assignments. We will also put the Southern Environment into context by looking at comparative pieces. Our broad reading list includes fiction, non-fiction, historical documents, poetry--perhaps even film and song. Students will have short writing assignments most every week based on the reading and will be expected to write two larger papers requiring them to elaborate on themes discussed in the course.

LIBA 102:41: The Experience of War
MWF 8-8:50
M. Harrington (Philosophy & Religion)
prmlh@olemiss.edu

War and the nature of combat is the focal point of this writing seminar. Literature, cinema, art and music will be the means by which we explore the enduring appeals and horrors of war, especially with respect to the combat experience. We will view war movies and documentaries, read war novels and poetry, view and analyze fine and poster art, as well as consider analyses of "life in the killing zone."

LIBA 102:42: Monsters
MWF 9-9:50
A. Burkette (English)
burkette@olemiss.edu

This course will explore the human fascination with monsters, in literature and in film. According to Stephen King, monster novels and films are wildly popular because they allow us a safe, imaginary place in which to confront our deepest fears and aggressions. The great monster narratives, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Bram Stoker's Dracula, and Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are far more than simple tales of good versus evil. Throughout these novels, readers and characters face some of the most profound human anxieties: the possibility that God is not necessary to the creation of life, the fear that human beings have no soul and are, deep down, no more than amoral, animalistic beings, and the fear that technology can do nothing to save us and may, in fact, being hastening our demise. Each of these famous stories has been adapted to film several times; each time, the filmmakers have adapted the narratives to reflect the anxieties of their own time periods. In this seminar, we will read, analyze, research, and write about these monster narratives as they appear in the classic novels and in film.

LIBA 102:43: A Southern Sense of Home
MWF 9-9:50
J. Hall (English)
egjwh@olemiss.edu

The South is noted for strong home ties, even though some southerners have been eager to leave the land of their birth. We will read several works--both fiction and non-fiction--in which home is a central concern, whether as a place of comfort or a place of pain. Texts will include one or two anthologies, along with book-length autobiographies by Janisse Ray (Ecology of a Cracker Childhood) and Clifton Taulbert (Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored). Students will write a series of short papers on portrayals of home by such authors as Frederick Douglass, William Faulkner, Richard Wright, Flannery O'Connor, Eudora Welty, Katherine A. Porter, Zora Neale Hurston, and others.

LIBA 102:44: History of New York City through the Arts
MWF 10-10:50
L. Antonow (Art)
leantono@olemiss.edu

Once the nation's capital, New York City is considered by some "the center of the universe." While its political importance may have diminished, the city's significance to the art world is immeasurable. From skyscrapers to street performers, New York's cultural influences are undeniable. This course examines New York City through the visual and performing arts. Architecture and urban design will be explored so students can gain an appreciation of the cityscape. Painting, sculpture, photography and film by New York artists and about New York themes will also be examined. Important events in the arts -- the gift of the Statue of Liberty, the Armory Show of 1913, the Harlem Renaissance, the establishment of New York's great museums, the development of the skyscraper, the destruction of Penn Station, and development of artistic movements such as the Ashcan School, the New York School and Pop Art -- will be explored. Readings will include selections from several texts including How the Other Half Lives, Visual Literacy: Writing about Art, Inventing the Skyline, The Philosophy of Andy Warhol and The New York Times. Students will also "tour" several renowned New York museums via the Internet. Class presentations will be in the form of PowerPoint lectures, video, and class discussions. Writing assignments will include comparative essays, film and art reviews, biographical sketches, and architectural analyses as ways to further explore the cultural and artistic significance of New York City.

LIBA 102:45: Civil War in Virginia: The Road To Appomattox
TR 8:00-9:15 Barnard Room 10
D. Trott (Music)
dtrott@olemiss.edu

This seminar will explore in historical perspective the progression of the war in Virginia from First Manassas to Appomattox. Emphasis will be given to the final twelve months of the war that lead from Grant's siege at Petersburg to Lee's retreat route from Richmond to Appomattox. The following pinnacle battles will be scrutinized; First Manassas, Chancellorsville, Richmond (The Peninsula Campaign), Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Five Forks, Sailor's Creek, and Appomattox. The strategic importance of each battle along with the significant leaders, outcomes and developments will be described and discussed. Presentation of the battles will be given through oral lecture and virtual tour with slides. Class participants will be assigned readings particular to each battle for inclusion in classroom discussion and writing assignments.

LIBA 102:46: Latin American Life Writing
MWF 1-1:50
D. Marting (Modern Languages)
dmarting@olemiss.edu

Life writing encompasses the genres of the autobiography, biography, diary, and in Spanish, the testimonial novel. Usually a first-person narrative, this popular genre greatly engages readers due to its seemingly transparent view of another's reality. The main goal of this topic for LIBA 102 is to examine diverse images of twentieth-century Latin American cultures from an intimate perspective. To this end we read African-American, Native-American, and European-American male and female voices from various regions within Latin America: the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, the romantic poet from Chile Pablo Neruda, and the Mayan winner of the Nobel Peace prize, Rigoberta Mencho, are the most well-known names. The writing assignments will include keeping a journal.

LIBA 102:47: Ganging Up In America
MWF 2-2:50
W. Franks (Sociology & Anthropology)
wmfranks@olemiss.edu

NOTE: Sections 2 and 47 have the same content.

LIBA 102:48: Leadership and Ethics
TR 8-9:15
J. Blackburn (Military Science)
blackbrn@olemiss.edu

Is a leader's character important to an organization? This seminar will examine the relationship of Leadership and Ethics in the business, political, and military fields. Students will explore the importance of ethics in the workplace and develop an understanding of how leaders shape their organization's culture through the development and nurturing of collective values. We will discuss the values of several successful leaders as well as recent examples of ethical violations by prominent figures and explore their affects on the culture and climate of their organizations. Students will expand their awareness of why ethics matter, develop an understanding of their own personal ethical code and explore the importance of an organization's collective values. Assignments will include readings from the texts IN SEARCH OF ETHICS, CONVERSATIONS WITH MEN AND WOMEN OF CHARACTER by Len Marrella and THE POWER OF ETHICAL MANAGEMENT, by Kenneth Blanchard and Norman Vincent Peale.

LIBA 102:49: Wellness: Facts, Fads and Fallacies
TR 11-12:15
M. Dupper (Health Exercise Science & Recreation)
mad@olemiss.edu

LIBA 102:50: Social Issues in 20^th Century American Musical Theatre
TR 1-2:15
R. Pulliam (Theatre Arts)
rpulliam@olemiss.edu

This course is an exploration of Twentieth Century American Musical Theatre and it's 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 chosen 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.