Fall 2006 Liberal Arts 102 Course Descriptions

Sections 1-9 : Sections 10-19 : Sections 20-29
Sections 30-39 : Sections 40-49 : Sections 50-51

Please direct all questions regarding course content to the Department of English at (662) 915-7439. Content last revised on May 30, 2006 at 1:03 PM.

LIBA 102, Section 01 — The Influence of the Internet on Society
MWF 8:00-8:50
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 including businesses, academic institutions, and individuals. We will explore how these segments of society are evolving to take advantage of this recent phenomenon. It is expected that students will have varied opinions on these topics and each opinion will be equally respected and discussed. The purpose of this class is not to try to reach a consensus, but have the students develop their own opinions and be able to express them through writing. Weekly reading assignments will be required from sources including the internet, news organizations, periodicals, and books. Eight writing assignments will be required (1-5 page range) with the last being a research paper ten pages in length. Our discussions will include the impact of the internet on news organizations, privacy and security, commerce, academics, and entertainment.

LIBA 102, Section 02 — Writing for the Masses
MWF 11:00-11:50
Carman Manning-Miller (Journalism)
cmanning@olemiss.edu, 915-5505

Course Description: 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 03 —
MWF 1:00-1:50
Robert Westmoreland (Philosophy & Religion)
prrbw@olemiss.edu, 915-7302

PLEASE CALL OR E-MAIL INSTRUCTOR FOR DESCRIPTION

LIBA 102, Section 04 — Nonsense Literature
MW 4:00-5:15
Chatham Ewing (Library)
cewing@olemiss.edu, 915-7408

This section of LIBA 102 has as its texts literature and writings of literary nonsense. The underlying idea is that nonsense represents much more than simple play. Nonsense teaches children and their adults about the limits of interpretation, existence, language and meaning, and rules and behavior. We will read Carroll's /Alice in Wonderland/, Lear in the /The Complete Nonsense of Edward Lear/, Juster’s /Phantom Tollbooth/ and selected works by Seuss, as well as various interpretations of each work. Secondary readings will come from a variety of sources, ranging from Camus to Borges. We will also interpret nonsense as illustrated, photographed, and filmed. To that end, we will discuss ideas about the relationship between images and texts and will view a number of live action and animated films derived from our readings. Our writing for the course will revolve around the concept of nonsense - developed on the page or on the screen - as a form of image or language that helps children and their adults engage complex understandings of many aspects of themselves and their lives.

LIBA 102, Section 05 — Religion and Redemption in Modern Irish Novel
MWF 9:00-9:50
Patricia O'Sullivan (Philosophy and Religion)
posulliv@olemiss.edu, 915-7020

Religious symbolism and conflict permeate modern Irish novel. In this section of LIBA 102, we will explore the religious experiences of ordinary people in 20th century Irish novels such as Trinity, Angela’s Ashes, and The Mammy. In particular we will explore the themes of religious conflict and redemption in these stories. We will also investigate redemption in the lives of the heroes of modern Ireland: Wolfe Tone, Daniel O'Connell, Charles Stuart Parnell, Padraig Pearse, Michael Collins, and Eamon deValera. 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 writing assignments.

LIBA 102, Section 06 — College Life in Literature and Film
TTH 1:00-2:15
Kerry Melear (Education)
kbm@olemiss.edu, 915-5016

Life on the college campus has variously been realistically depicted, satirized, and lampooned in literature and film. This course will examine the various portrayals of the college experience across the genres of literature and film in order to develop an understanding of life on the college campus from the perspectives of students, faculty, and administrators. Texts will include Donna Tarrt’s The Secret History, a chronicle of murder and intrigue on campus written from the student perspective, selected readings from Richard Russo’s Straight Man, the story of a disgruntled English professor, as well as other readings regarding the collegiate experience. Films, from the dramatic to the comedic, representing various perspectives on college life, will be viewed and analyzed, and their relative accuracies and inaccuracies interpreted. Course writing elements will include a series of reflective essays, a short research paper, and a group presentation, as well as other writing components as assigned.

LIBA 102, Section 07 — "Youth Culture, Mass Media, and Gangsterism."
MWF 10:00-10:50
William Mark Franks (Department of Sociology and Anthropology)
wmfranks@olemiss.edu, 234-4671

Never has there been a more exciting time for students of popular culture and mass media to research and write about the influence of popular music and the commercial spinoffs for youth culture, i.e. attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and concern for certain material objects. This course will take a look at the mainstreaming of “gangsterism” during the past 15 years, the impact of “hip hop culture” on clothing styles, language, attitudes regarding gender and race, and the many aspects of political and commercial packaging that have become dependent upon playing to these now entrenched aspects of youth culture. Students will follow a pattern of: read, reason, write, and repeat, throughout the semester; and regardless of where the student begins in terms of composition and critical thinking skills, we will produce students who are more competent, confident and curious about the media, selling, politics and some of the powerful social forces acting upon us all during this fascinating time in American society.

LIBA 102, Section 08 — The Western as a Cinematic Art Form
MWF 10:00-10:50
Whitney Hubbard (English)
wahubbar@olemiss.edu, 915-7718

This section of LIBA 102 is intended for film enthusiasts. In this course we will study and watch 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, studying 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 reshape the genre.

LIBA 102, Section 09 — Greek Mythology
MWF 11:00-11:50
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, which are among the first stories recorded, have to say about human relationships. The reading 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.

LIBA 102, Section 10 — Dance & Culture
MWF 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 aesthetic, and the function of dance in society in the new millennium. Readings will include historical dance texts, articles and essays published concerning the above topics.

LIBA 102, Section 11 — Developing Communication Strategies
TTH 11:00-12:15
Jere Littlejohn (Management)
jlittlejohn@olemiss.edu, 915-5728

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 process of communicating to discover the possible strategies that will produce what they would like to achieve. Through the reading of selected books and current topical research, they will view the most recognized approaches to a variety of circumstances, analyze the effectiveness of those styles, and develop their own strategies.

LIBA 102, Section 12 — The Civil Rights Movement
MWF 12:00-12:50
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 13 — The History of New York through the Arts
MWF 12:00-12:50
Laura Antonow (Art)
lantonow@hotmail.com, 915-7193

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 Harlem Renaissance, the establishment of New York's great museums, the development of the skyscraper, 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, Inventing the Skyline, Off the Wall, The Philosophy of Andy Warhol and The New York Times.

LIBA 102, Section 14 — "Youth Culture, Mass Media, and Gangsterism."
WF 11:00-12:15
William Mark Franks (Department of Sociology and Anthropology)
wmfranks@olemiss.edu, 234-4671

LIBA 102, Section 15 — Current Theories of Language Learning
MW 3:00-4:15
Susan Major (Linguistics)
smajor@vista-express.com, 915-6655

Why do adults have to work so hard to learn a new language while children just seem to “pick it up” easily? How do young children attain mastery of their native language/languages in such a short time, largely without guidance? Do all language learners go through similar stages? This course will explore current theoretical approaches to such questions. We will also look at insights provided by research on language acquisition by deaf children. Students will first write short analytical papers on articles of their choice from the class readings. Then each student will focus narrowly on one topic and write a research paper.

LIBA 102, Section 16 — “The Ecology of Food”
MWF 1:00-1:50
Richard Buchholz (Biology)
byrb@olemiss.edu, 915-5012

We have always had to eat to survive, but how we obtain our food has changed dramatically over just the past few decades. In this course we will read and write about why we like (or dislike) certain foods, the cultural and social value of food, how food affects our health, the cultivation or capture of plants and animals for food, and the impact of our consumption on the world economy and the Earth’s biosphere. Class activities include eating, cooking, investigating the source of your food, and required field trips and watching videos that may occur outside of regular class hours.

LIBA 102, Section 17 —
MWF 1:00-1:50
Charles Smith (Political Science)
c.e.smith.jr@gmail.com, 915-5145

PLEASE CALL OR E-MAIL INSTRUCTOR FOR DESCRIPTION

LIBA 102, Section 18 — “On Becoming An Educated Person”
MWF 2:00-2:50
Billy Barrios (Counseling Center)
babarrio@olemiss.edu, 915-3784

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 Maria 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, Section 19 — Your Money, My Money, Our Money, Their Money: Developing Economic and Financial Reasoning and a Personal Financial Plan
MWF 2:00-2:50
James Carden (Economics)
jcarden@bus.olemiss.edu, 915-7562

This seminar will examine the process of how we deal with money. We will examine questions of what is money, who has it, how do we get it, how do we keep it, how do we use it, etc. In the course of our discovery, we will develop the elements of and draft personal financial plans and we will learn how to think about economic and financial issues from a personal perspective. We will look at the life cycle and various life goals such as buying a home, paying for children’s education, saving for retirement, etc. We will investigate the impact on those goals of various life decisions such as where we work, where we live, how we live. Students will look at how decisions in one area impact decisions in other areas and develop the economic and financial reasoning to pursue their personal economic and financial goals. The student will develop critical thinking, oral argument, and writing skills. Students will read articles, essays, etc., watch videos, do internet research and respond with compositions and oral class presentations. Students will also participate in cooperative activities and lead small group discussions.

LIBA 102, Section 20 — Banned and Challenged Books
MW 4:00-5:15
Michelle Emanuel (Library)
memanuel@olemiss.edu, 915-7953

Books are usually challenged with the best intentions: to protect others, frequently children, from difficult ideas and information, with parents challenging materials more often than any other group. Books are most commonly suppressed in school and public libraries on political, social, sexual and/or religious grounds. This course will examine four books from the “100 Most Frequently Challenged Books” list, maintained by the American Library Association, looking at why and where the books have been challenged or banned, and the dangers to intellectual freedom that censorship presents. Assigned readings will also include popular press and scholarly articles. Writing assignments will include minute papers, critical essays, and a final project in which the student will choose an additional challenged/banned book to analyze and present to the class.

LIBA 102, Section 21 — "**Beyond Protest: Music Affecting Social Change"
MW 4-5:15
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; war protest songs from the American Revolution, Vietnam, and today’s war in Iraq; counterculture protest in the Medieval /Carmina Burana/ and in modern day Korea. 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 22 — Critical Issues Facing Higher Education in America
TTH 8:00-9:15
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 23 — “Psychological Theory and Literature”
TTH 8:00-9:15
Scotty Hargrove, (Psychology)
pydsh@olemiss.edu, 915 5187

Examining assumptions about our own families and relationships provides a rich source of information about our own functioning as persons and the beliefs that shape the way we get along with others. A psychological theory of human systems gives us a handle on these assumptions. Applying them to our own families and to fictitious families in novels strengthens tools for understanding ourselves and others.

This writing intensive freshman seminar consists of learning one theoretical perspective within the discipline of psychology and applying that theory to a prominent writer in American literature.

LIBA 102, Section 24—American Popular Images of Russia
MW 15:00-16:15
Svetlana Ilinskaya (English)
silinska@olemiss.edu, 915-7684

In this course we will be looking not only at how America has viewed Russia in novels, movies and popular stereotypes, but also about the mechanisms we use to create images of the outside world in our heads. How do we see the world and ourselves in it? How does the world see us? What makes us construct stereotypes? Are they always bad? Various non-fiction writings about the ways of adjusting to different cultures will be discussed and applied to our primary examples taken from books like Karen Karbo’s Trespassers Welcome Here and Mickey Spillane’s One Lonely Night, movies like Ninotchka and The Russians are Coming! The Russians are Coming!, and your daily lives. Weekly responses, student presentations, and two research papers will be required.

LIBA 102, Section 25 — “Monty Python”
TTH 8:00-9:15
Daniel E. O’Sullivan (Modern Languages)
dosuliv@olemiss.edu, 915-6693

In this section of LIBA 102, we will study the British comedy phenomenon, Monty Python, and its running commentary on modern society in its parodic sketches of British culture and its satirical, and often irreverent, rewriting of narratives fundamental to Western culture such the rise of Christianity and legend of King Arthur. The main texts upon which we will base our discussions are sketches from “The Flying Circus” and three films: Life of Brian, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and The Meaning of Life. These will be viewed primarily outside of class and significant readings in secondary literature will offer students a broader understanding of the cultural myths in question as well as insight into the cultural milieu that both produced the Pythons and provided grist for their satirical mill.

LIBA 102, Section 26 — 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 27 — Developing the Leader Within You
TTH 9:30-10:45
Neil Reinwald (Military Science and Leadership)
reinwald@olemiss.edu, 915-7086

To 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 readings from the required texts, Developing the Leader within You, by John C. Maxwell and Level Three Leadership: Getting Below the Surface, by James G. Clawson.

LIBA 102, Section 28 — Banned and Challenged Books
TTH 9:30-10:45
Amy E. Mark (Library)
aemark@olemiss.edu, 915-7867

LIBA 102, Section 29 — Complementary & Alternative Medicines
TTH 9:30-10:45
John S. Williamson, Professor (Medicinal Chemistry)
mcjsw@olemiss.edu, 915-7142

The student will examine the fact and fiction surrounding today’s most popular alternative medicines to be able to better discern the benefits and drawbacks associated with these therapies. Complementary and alternative medicine is big business, with annual revenues estimated in multibillions of dollars. Public demand for alternative medicine has resulted in the creation of many new practices that offer unscientific methods for the treatment and cure of disease. In 1994 a congressionally mandated Act opened the door for unscrupulous manufacturers, distributors, and proponents of complementary and alternative medicines to sidestep the rigors of the Federal Drug Administration’s drug safety and efficacy regulations. Nevertheless, it is apparent that many complementary and alternative medicines provide effects towards the well being in patients. Students will be given weekly quizzes on reading assignments and short 3-5 page writing assignments will be due every 3 weeks.

LIBA 102, Section 30 – American Novels of the 1950's
TTH 11:00–12:15
Peter Wirth (English)
pwirth@olemiss.edu, 915-5035

We will read five or six American novels of the 1950's. Some attention will be given to the historical background, but we will concentrate on close reading of the novels themselves. The tentative reading list is:

J. D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

Vladimir Nabokov, Lolita

James Agee, A Death in the Family

Jack Kerouac, On the Road

James Baldwin, Giovanni's Room

Philip Roth, Goodbye Columbus

The grade will be based on four four-to-five-page

papers, the midterm and final examinations, quizzes on the reading, and class participation.

LIBA 102, Section 31 — "Evolutionary Psychology"
TTH 11:00-12:15
Matt Reysen (Psychology)
reysen@olemiss.edu, 915-7383

There has recently been a large increase in interest in the application of evolutionary theory to the study of human behavior. Evolutionary psychology is based on the hypothesis that people think, feel, and act in ways that increased the likelihood of their ancestors' reproductive success. The goal of this course is to introduce you to topics such as human mate choice, altruistic behavior, and patterns of violence in families, among others. Throughout the semester, you will receive training in research and academic writing based on current studies in the area of evolutionary psychology.

LIBA 102, Section 32 — Communication, Culture and Identity
TTH 1:00-2:15
Terry Swan (Speech)
tjswan@olemiss.edu, 915-3961

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 and living successfully in a multi-cultural world. This course will present intercultural communication scholarship in a way that helps students better understand race 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; History and Intercultural Communication with respect to race roles in America; Communication and Intercultural Relationships; and Conflict, Communication, and Culture.

LIBA 102, Section 33 — Women, Power and Society in Pre-Colonial Africa
TTH 1:00-2:15
Lamide Alabi (Higher Education)
lalabi@olemiss.edu, 915-7094

This course will focus on the role of women in pre colonial Africa. Students in this course will read, research, and write about the social, political and economic conditions of traditional African women.

Our discussion will include family, marriage, sexuality, motherhood and economic structures of some African tribal societies that conceived the position of women as complementary to that of men.

Writing assignments will consist of short research assignments, responses to readings, and in-class essays, culminating in a formal research paper by semester’s end.

Films, news articles and other publications will be used as source material.

LIBA 102, Section 34 — History of Economic Thought
TTH 1:00-2:15
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 17^th and 18^th 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 35 — 20th Century Social and Political Theatre
TTH 9:30-10:45
Brian Evans (Theatre Arts)
bevans@olemiss.edu, 915-3775

This course will explore the works of politically and socially influential dramatists of the twentieth century. Students will read the works of Eugene O’Neill, Arthur Miller, August Wilson, Wendy Wasserstein, Tony Kushner and Suzan-Lori Parks. In this class we will read, discuss and write about the works in terms of their relevance to society within the historical context in which they were written. Each of the plays represents a unique political perspective that will provide material to debate in argumentative writings and discussions. The course will provide opportunities for students to experience dramatic literature as theatre through participation in class readings and viewing video excerpts.

LIBA 102, Section 36 — Law and Ogre: An Examination of The Law and Lawyers in Popular Culture
TTH 2:30-3:45
Jason Derrick (Law)
wjderric@olemiss.edu, 915-6879

The rule of law is the foundation of our society, yet lawyers–the parents and defenders of the rule itself–are often maligned in contemporary American life. This course will examine popular narratives, including films, television programs, music, poetry, 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 Lewis Nordan’s Wolf Whistle as a text. Other selected readings will be provided.

LIBA 102, Section 37 — The Western as a Cinematic Art Form
TTH 2:30-3:45
Whitney Hubbard (English)
wahubbar@olemiss.edu, 915-7718

LIBA 102, Section 38 — “Social Issues in 20^th Century American 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 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 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 39 — In Search of Democracy: The Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi
TTH 5:00-6:15
Susan Glisson (William Winter Institute)
glisson@olemiss.edu, 915-6727

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 decreasing 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, Section 40 — It’s News to Me: The Role of the Writer in the Media
TTH 4:00-5:15
Robin Street (Journalism)
rbstreet@olemiss.edu, 915-5081

Explore the world of newspapers, magazines, broadcast news, public relations and advertising. These forms of media share one skill in common: good writing. Media writers educate, entertain and influence us, using a style and format unlike any other writing.

This class will examine the role of the media in our lives and the role of the writers in those media. We’ll learn the “who, what, why, where and how” of writing for the various forms of media, practicing each form of writing. We’ll look at behind-the-scenes decisions such as how reporters decide something is newsworthy, how advertising and public relations writers influence public opinion, and how magazine writers develop articles.

No journalism skills or experience are needed for this class.

LIBA 102, Section 41 – TBA
TTH 2:30-3:45
Tom Franklin

TBA

LIBA 102, Section 42 — Somethin’s Happening Here: The History of Student Protest
MWF 9:00-9:50
Sparky Reardon (Leadership & Counselor Education)
sparky@olemiss.edu, 9125-7248

On April 23, 1968, students at ColumbiaUniversity 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 43 — "The Writer's Presence"
MWF 9:00-9:50
Cliff Ochs (Biology)
byochs@olemiss.edu, 915-7562

This section of LIBA 102 will be based on reading, writing about, and discussion of essays and short stories. Our readings will come primarily from the collection The Writer’s Presence (Bedford/St. Martin's). Essays and stories in this collection address a range of topics in life including family, culture, politics, religion, sexuality, and social issues. In class, we will discuss at least two essays every week. Writing assignments will be based on the essays. You will also write several original essays. The primary objectives for the class are to improve skills in verbal and written expression, while confronting a diversity of viewpoints about topics of common interest.

LIBA 102, Section 44 — Diversity and Socio-ethnic Issues in Contemporary Dramatic Literature
TTH 9:30-10:45
Joe Turner Cantú (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 these contemporary ethnic/cultural groups through the characters in the plays. Students will consider the playwright’s use of dramatic action in communicating themes and stimulating emotional and thoughtful responses from an audience. The chosen contemporary plays are all indicative of the social nature of the themes they represent, and will develop critical thinking skills, to better analyze the playwright’s creative choices. 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. The plays contain mature themes and mature language.

LIBA 102, Section 45 — Feast and Famine: The Culture and Politics of Food
TTH 8:00-9:15
Melissa Booth Hall (Instructor of Paralegal Studies)
mgbhall@olemiss.edu, 238-7823

Feast and Famine: America’s Love /Hate Relationship with Food.

Are you a good eater or a picky eater? Are you a budding gourmet cook or can you barely boil water? Do you ever wonder why you eat what you eat and what your food choices say about you? Come to class prepared to see food as more than just what is on the table in front of you. We will read about food, talk about food, think about food, eat a little food, and ultimately, write about food. In the process, we will explore how food shapes regional and cultural identities – especially that of Southerners. We will delve into food’s complicated relationship with race and class – exploring how who sits around the table is as telling as what food is on the table. Finally, we will examine the politics of food – looking at food production, distribution, the fast food industry and the law suits being filed against the food industry.

LIBA 102, Section 46 — Contemporary Topics in Multiculturalism on College Campuses
MW 3:00-4:15
Donald Cole (Mathematics)
dcole@olemiss.edu, 915-1712

The course will consist of library research, style book assignments and writings on many diverse topics that are of current interest and debate on college campuses. Students will be able to select from a number of topics on which to write (weekly) papers. In addition, a cumulating “Term Paper” will serve as a final project. The course will follow a standard English Stylebook Handbook and the student must demonstrate mastery of material covered in this text from quizzes and in the writing of short papers on various topics relating to multiculturalism. The papers will increase in length and complexity as the course progresses. Students will be allowed to choose topics from an assigned list. Students will be expected to attend several seminars, performances and/or campus lectures related to the course’s contents. Many assignments will parallel current debate and editorials regarding multicultural topics in the academy. Student’s papers will discuss fact and opinions on these topics.

Text:

“The Cooper Hill Stylebook” by Gregory Heyworth and Rosette Liberman
Cooper Hill Press; New Haven

Library Material, Handouts, (Local/National) Newpapers

LIBA 102, Section 47 — Hemingway & Company: A Moveable Feast
MWF 2:00-2:50
Phyllis Nobles (English)
pnobles@olemiss.edu, 915-7439

Gertrude Stein in her Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas remembers Ernest Hemingway newly-arrived at 27 rue de Fleurus as “an extraordinarily good-looking young man, twenty-three years old … rather foreign looking with passionately interested, rather than interesting eyes.” This is an immersion course in new people coming together to look passionately upon new ideas and new ways of seeing the world. We will take for our model Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast, his remembrance of the artists’ studios and the bars and cafés of Montparnasse in the 1920s and those he encountered there—Paul Cézanne, Ezra Pound, Gertrude Stein, F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Ford Madox Ford, et al. In the process of resurrecting these artistic movers and shakers we will attempt to re-create our very own Paris here at home by producing our own moveable feast of new ideas and individual works of art. This course is designed for students with creative tendencies.

LIBA 102, Section 48 — "Understanding Evolution"
TTH 8:00-9:15
Gail Stratton (Biology)
byges@olemiss.edu, 915-5786

Evolution defines biology and is the bedrock of all modern biology. However, because it is often not taught in high school, many students come to campus unclear about what evolution really is. In this section of LIBA 102, we will explore examples of evolution and ideas about evolution. We will address some of the myths and misunderstandings of evolution. Readings will include Darwin's Origin of Species and essays about human evolution. Formal writing requirements will include weekly responses to readings, a book review and a research paper. The class will also provide opportunities for cooperative activities leading to better understanding of evolution. Class discussions will be augmented by lectures.

LIBA 102, Section 49 — Female Coming-of-Age Stories
TTH 11:00-12:15
Alida Moore (English)
amoore@olemiss.edu, 915-7718

All of living is a process of coming of age. The teen years, in particular, are a time of reconciling our inner selves with the outer world, balancing our needs with those of others. The transition between childhood and young adulthood is often hard and the importance of positive representations of strong females in fiction is paramount. Although the male coming-of-age story has been, and still is, well documented, its female counterpart is not so well known, either in literature or in developmental theories. This course will attempt to fill in the gaps left by adolescent literature’s traditional focus on the lives of young males. We will read a variety of female coming-of-age novels; The following is a tentative list of titles: Coming of Age in Mississippi, The Bell Jar, Rubyfruit Jungle, The Woman Warrior, Bastard Out of Carolina, and Bee Season. Students are expected to write literary analyses of several works, a reader’s journal, and a research

LIBA 102, Section 50 — “Getting to know you: a personal examination of personality and motivation.”
TTH 1:00-2:15
Marc Showalter (Counseling Center)
mshowalt@olemiss.edu, 915-3784

We come to college to learn, but it often seems the thing we learn most about is ourselves. In this section of LIBA 102, students will be given the opportunity for self-examination as well as a closer look at the relationships that help shape their lives. We will explore personality differences as a unique look at diversity as well as how our personal perspectives influence our choices and motivations. How these personal differences impact all aspects of life including the way we learn and get along with others will be developed through reading and writing assignments, small group interactions and possibly guest speakers. Among the resources used to help with this process will be the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, which looks at Carl Jung’s theories of personality type and readings related to that topic as well as the work of William Glasser. Specific works could include Dynamics of Personality Type: Understanding and Applying Jung’s Cognitive Processes by Linda Berens, Gifts Differing: Understanding Personality Type by Isabel Briggs Myers and Choice Theory: A New Psychology of Personal Freedom by William Glasser. This class will be an opportunity to look at yourself as well as the other important people in your life.

LIBA 102, Section 51 — “Civil War in Virginia: The Road to Appomattox”
MWF 8:00-8:50
Donald Trott (Music)
dtrott@olemiss.edu, 915-6963

First Year Seminar is designed to provide an educational environment of a small class setting to enable the students to have direct interaction between instructor and student. This particular section of LIBA 102 will focus on Civil War history in Virginia, presenting the rise and fall of the Confederacy through examination of various strategic battles fought in Virginia. Emphasis will be given to the following battles; First Manassas, Ball’s Bluff, The Peninsula Campaign of 1862 including The Seven Days’ Battles, Second Manassas, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Spotsylvania and Wilderness, Cold Harbor and the entire retreat route from Petersburg to Appomattox Court House.