Spring Semester Explore Seminars

Students are invited to explore race, diversity, and multiculturalism through 1-hour Explore Seminars offered in Spring 2021. Eight seminars will be offered; the six below are already on the course schedule. These courses will count towards graduation, and most of them can also count in the Gender Studies minor. 

EH 195 Explore Seminar: Lyric & Verse: Poetry, Hip Hop, and Race in America

In this course, students will discuss race and racism in America through their study of poetry and hip hop in order to create lasting and effective change and sustain support of anti-racist actions. 

Kimberly Southwick-Thompson, Wednesday 3:30-4:30, SC TBA

FLM 195 Explore Seminar: Black Looks

A historically sweeping course that examines the daring black film artists who have earned a place in Hollywood history.

James Watkins, Monday 11:15-12:15, SC 334

HY 195 Explore Seminar: Why Black Lives Matter

Few people are unaware of the Black Lives Natter movement, which was created by three Black women in 2013.  Why then? What are the root causes of the movement? Unsurprisingly, they extend to the earliest years of European settlement in North America, throughout slavery and emancipation, and to the present. We will understand the origins of the BLM movement by tracing the story of Blacks in America from the early days of American slavery to the present.

Antoinette Hudson, Monday 2:15-3:15, SC 328

INS 195 Explore Seminar: Doing a Double Take: Racial Perceptions, Newspapers, and Public Opinion
“If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppressing”-Malcolm X. In this course, explore how newspapers and other popular media significantly shaped America’s racial history and public opinion. Discuss how racist rhetoric and images fueled racial stereotypes and perceptions. Learn how to uncover racial bias and information in order to construct anti-racist narratives in today’s society.

Karlie Johnson & Charlcie Vann, Wednesday 2:00-3:00, HCL 1103C

MS 195 Explore Seminar: Critical Insight into the People behind the Numbers

Students will learn to critically investigate claims made in news articles concerning statistics, especially those around socioeconomic and demographic statistics. The focus will be on critically thinking about the methodology, sampling methods, or other factors which might influence reported outcomes.

Dr. Jason Cleveland, Mondays 10-11, Synchronous Online

SW 195 Explore Seminar: Remote Trauma

Technology has created convenient access to information from all over the world. It has also increased our exposure to shocking events or images without warning. Can the viewer experience symptoms of PTSD due to these graphic experiences? This seminar will explore the impact trauma has on witnesses near and far.  We will discuss how viewing the recorded deaths of Black Americans have shocked and numbed some viewers and triggered pain and anger in others.

Tashua Dennis, Tuesdays 5:00-6:00, HCL 1103C