25 courses with the subject HU, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
HU 100Reading and Critical Thinking3
In this course, students learn to think, read, and write critically and to express themselves articulately in written form and discussions through close reading and analysis of a variety of texts. Students practice the writing and analytical process through generating and supporting ideas, writing drafts, and using critiques as a basis for revising and editing. They further their editorial skills through offering peer commentary on each other’s work. Critical thinking and communication skills learned in this class form a vital foundation for students’ success in future studio and liberal arts courses and for becoming an active participant in their own learning. Students must earn a minimum grade of C- in this course in order to meet degree requirements and not have to repeat the course. Fulfills: Reading and Critical Thinking Requirement (grade of C- or higher required) Page 59 of 91
This course builds on writing and analytical skills developed in Reading and Critical Thinking.The course is designed to strengthen critical reading and thinking abilities, enhance enjoyment and understanding of literature, and promote effective verbal and written communication. It also provides a solid introduction to academic research methods, including finding, critiquing and evaluating text and online research sources. Students also learn to use those resources to formulate, interrogate and revise an idea. The skills learned in this course will enable students to be effective in framing, researching and communicating concepts, viewpoints and information. Students must earn a minimum grade of C- in this course in order to meet degree requirements and not have to repeat the course. Fulfills: Research and Rhetoric Requirement (grade of C- or higher required)
Reading and Critical Thinking (grade of C- or higher required)
HU 200Humanities I: Introduction to World Cultures3
In this course students study foundational and representative texts from the ancient to the early modern period (around 1600). The aim is to give an introduction to the range of world cultures, their histories and beliefs, through a selection of readings from different genres such as epic and lyric poetry, myth, drama, religion, philosophy, and history. This perspective on the ancient world deepens students' understanding of the modern world and raises issues of where our values come from, what may be universal in human nature, and what is culturally determined in our lives. This generally chronological and multicultural approach helps to orient students with an intellectual map and gives them the tools to critique and detail this overview as they pursue their studies. Diverse cultural narratives are scrutinized in terms of their effect on marginalized peoples with alternative narratives. Students will engage in assessments of conflicting values, worldviews, perspectives, and interpretive intellectual frameworks, and compare them with the conflicting perspectives of our present world. Fulfills: Humanities I Requirement
Reading and Critical Thinking and Research and Rhetoric (grade of C- or higher required in each course)
HU 205Humanities II: Making the Modern World3
Through selected works of literature, art, and philosophy this interdisciplinary course explores intellectual frameworks and major historical events which have shaped the modern world. This generally chronological sequence will give students a schematic intellectual map which they may later fill in with detail, may critique, or may deconstruct. Historical, cultural and intellectual issues that may be touched on include colonialism and cultural relativism, Marxism and depth psychology, the rise of democracy and of totalitarianism, the clash of religion and science, and how our societies shape our intersectional identities. Diverse and competing cultural narratives are scrutinized in terms of their goals and their effects on marginalized people. Individual instructors will choose primary and secondary texts which they feel best elucidate important historical themes. Fulfills: Humanities II Requirement Page 60 of 91
Reading and Critical Thinking and Research and Rhetoric (grade of C- or higher required in each course)
HU 210Introduction to Creative Writing3
Students write their own poetry, fiction, and drama, and critique each others' writing in workshops. They study the form and theory behind the genres with examples from noted writers. The course sharpens students' analytical skills, increases their appreciation of the genres, and gives them opportunities for self-expression. Fulfills: Humanities Elective or Liberal Arts Elective or Narrative Elective (Writing & Visual Narrative students); Creative Writing Minor Requirement; Art Therapy Minor Elective
Reading and Critical Thinking and Research and Rhetoric (grade of C- or higher required in each course)
HU 250Scriptwriting3
From animation to graphic novels, films to tv, the script is the building block of many forms of media. In this course, we will learn the proper script formatting for plays, film, and print media (graphic novels). Students will learn the importance of building scenes, strong dialogue, showing character development through actions and words, how to use stage directions and text boxes, and clear character arcs. Readings will consist of film and tv pilot scripts, which we will analyze for craft and content, and listen to scriptwriting podcasts. Additionally, students will work on developing their own scripts for a range of media. The course will culminate in a table read of a selection of each student’s work. Fulfills: Humanities Elective or Liberal Arts Elective or Narrative Elective (Writing & Visual Narrative students); Creative Writing Minor Elective; Art Therapy Minor Elective
Reading and Critical Thinking and Research and Rhetoric (grade of C- or higher required in each course)
HU 301Introduction to Creative Writing3
Students write their own poetry, fiction, and drama, and critique each others' writing in workshops. They study the form and theory behind the genres with examples from noted writers. The course sharpens students' analytical skills, increases their appreciation of the genres, and gives them opportunities for self-expression. (last offered fall 2025) Fulfills: Humanities Elective or Liberal Arts Elective or Narrative Elective (Writing & Visual Narrative students); Creative Writing Minor Requirement; Art Therapy Minor Elective
Reading and Critical Thinking and Research and Rhetoric (grade of C- or higher required in each course)
HU 302Narratives of Self: Autobiographies, Journals, Memoirs3
Applying aesthetic, historical, psychological, and/or cultural perspectives, this course looks at how autobiographical texts reflect different ideas of selfhood, language, authority, voice, and community, Students read and analyze autobiographical works written by others and have the opportunity to write autobiographical pieces. Readings may come from sources ranging from formal autobiographies to informal journals by authors such as Jean Jacques Rousseau, Henry Thoreau, Lorraine Hansberry, Malcolm X, Maya Angelou, Basho, Leonardo DaVinci, Sylvia Plath, James Joyce, Annie Dillard, Gertrude Stein, and Virginia Woolf. Fulfills: Humanities Elective or Liberal Arts Elective or Narrative Elective (Writing & Visual Narrative students); Creative Writing Minor Elective; Art Therapy Minor Elective
Reading and Critical Thinking and Research and Rhetoric (grade of C- or higher required in each course)
HU 315Japanese Literature in Translation (Niigata, Japan)3
From the poetry of the 10th century wanderer Basho to Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s modernist monster fable Kappa, Japan has a long history of innovative and colorful literature. In this course, to be offered during Montserrat’s Study Abroad trip to Niigata, Japan, we will explore the literature of Japan through reading, analyzing and writing. We will read a variety of poetic forms including haiku, tanka and Basho’s journey-poem, haibun and try our own hand at writing them. We will also read stories from Lady Murakami’s The Tale of Genji, considered to be the world’s first novel, and Yasunari Kawabata’s “palm of the hand stories,” what we now call “flash fiction.” Fulfills: Humanities Elective or Liberal Arts Elective; Creative Writing Minor Elective; Art Education Minor Diversity
Reading and Critical Thinking and Research and Rhetoric (grade of C- or higher required in each course)
HU 334Africa Now – Contemporary African Literature3
Africa Now—Contemporary African Literature will explore poetry and prose written by contemporary writers from a variety of nations in Africa. The course is intended as an introduction to a wide range of writers, literary styles and themes in today’s African literature. Students will read, discuss, analyze and write about works of literature in the context of the many rich cultures of contemporary Africa. This course will be of interest to students interested in literature, African art and world cultures. What do you know about the people of today’s Africa? Africa is a continent of many nations, peoples and cultures. In this course, we will read poetry and short stories by a wide range of writers from the African continent. We will examine writing as both as art and as social commentary. Much of African literature is rooted in a tradition of storytelling and legends. How are today’s writers combining that tradition with current themes of government oppression, civil wars and the legacy of colonialism? How are young writers expressing their ideas about love, family relations, ambitions and dreams in traditional cultures clashing with modern ways? What does it mean to be an African writer today? Fulfills: Humanities Elective or Liberal Arts Elective; Art Education Minor Diversity Elective
Reading and Critical Thinking and Research and Rhetoric (grade of C- or higher required in each course)
HU 342Writing for Children3
This class will introduce students to writing for young readers. We will explore the story and novel formats appropriate for children aged 4-17 by reading picture books and middle grade and young adult novels. Students will write and workshop a story in each category, as well as be responsible for keeping a review journal of outside readings. As a class, we will discuss the creative writing process and focus on point of view, character development, plot, setting and theme, as they relate to children's writing. Fulfills: Humanities Elective or Liberal Arts Elective or Narrative Elective (Writing & Visual Narrative students); Creative
Reading and Critical Thinking and Research and Rhetoric (grade of C- or higher required in each course)
HU 346Observing the Natural World3
Observing the Natural World will encourage students to look closely at the world around them through field work and study. This interdisciplinary course will consist of outdoor exploration, reading, writing and sketching. Texts and field recordings will provide a base from which students will learn about larger environmental concepts and issues. Natural history is currently enjoying a rebirth as scientists acknowledge and explore the interconnectedness of the natural environment. There is a new appreciation for scientific generalists and citizen scientists, who compile and contribute data to scientific studies. There is also a growing interest in nature in the urban environment, from urban farming through literature and ground-breaking research. This course will explore these new developments in natural history. Fulfills: Science Requirement or Humanities Elective or Liberal Arts Elective; Creative Writing Minor Elective
Reading and Critical Thinking and Research and Rhetoric (grade of C- or higher required in each course)
HU 353History of Animation3
Animation has been an important part of screen history since the earliest days of film in the late 19th century. Locating animation within film history and evolving socio-political historical contexts, this course explores the development of animation styles, aesthetics, modes of production, and viewership to consider how animated works have fulfilled entertainment, educational, artistic, commercial, and propagandistic purposes. Major national and international figures and studios are covered, as are major visual and narrative styles, from the earliest hand-drawn to CGI animated works. History Origins and Art History Modern Developments Fulfills: Art History Elective or Humanities Elective or Liberal Arts Elective Page 62 of 91
Reading and Critical Thinking and Research and Rhetoric (grade of C- or higher required in each course), Art
HU 354History of Film3
This course introduces the medium of the film (cinema) as a mode of communication and as an art form. Recognizing the complexity of the medium, the course will use an interdisciplinary approach. Among the topics considered in relation to the study of film are communications theory, aesthetics, psychology, business, politics, and national experience. The course is international in scope and covers such historical movements as Expressionism, the Film Noire, New Wave, and other important genres. History Origins and Art History Modern Developments Fulfills: Art History Elective or Humanities Elective or Liberal Arts Elective or History of Photography/Film Requirement Elective (Photo/Video/Film students)
Reading and Critical Thinking and Research and Rhetoric (grade of C- or higher required in each course), Art
HU 361Gender and Literature3
This course will explore gender issues in literature throughout history and across cultural lines. Different writers' portrayal of the spectrum of sexual roles will be studied. Some questions touched on will be the effects of society and physiology on gender, the effects of stereotyping, how gender issues affect individual men and women and society as a whole, how gender roles vary in different cultures, and current controversies concerning literary portrayal of sexual roles. Fulfills: Humanities Elective or Liberal Arts Elective; Art Education Minor Diversity Elective
Reading and Critical Thinking and Research and Rhetoric (grade of C- or higher required in each course)
HU 362Introduction to Drama3
In this course students not only read plays and write analytical papers, but also study the plays from the inside, by studying roles and acting them out. Plays studied may range from Sophocles and Shakespeare, to Lorraine Hansberry, August Wilson, and Tony Kushner. This class briefly touches on the intersection between drama and theater, for example the sets of Picasso for the plays of Cocteau. Some brief public performances may be arranged. Fulfills: Humanities Elective or Liberal Arts Elective; Creative Writing Minor Elective; Art Therapy Minor Elective
Reading and Critical Thinking and Research and Rhetoric (grade of C- or higher required in each course)
HU 367LGBTQ+ Literature3
In this course, we will explore the ways in which literary expressions of gender and sexuality have developed over time. We will read works written by a wide variety of LGBTQ+ writers, in terms of race, class and self-identity, from the 19th century to the present. Through a close examination and appreciation of fiction, memoir and poetry by these writers, we will chart the ways in which the literary landscape has been challenged and changed by their work. Fulfills: Humanities Elective or Liberal Arts Elective or Art Education Diversity Elective
Reading and Critical Thinking and Research and Rhetoric (grade of C- or higher required in each course)
HU 372Fiction Writing3
This course is for students who have already taken Introduction to Creative Writing and wish to pursue their interest in fiction writing. In it students write their own short stories and critique each others' work in workshops. They also read selections of modern fiction writers and write papers in which they analyze the fiction in light of their own writings. Fulfills: Humanities Elective or Liberal Arts Elective or Narrative Elective (Writing & Visual Narrative students); Creative
Introduction to Creative Writing or Permission of Instructor
HU 374Writing Poetry3
This course is for students who have already taken Introduction to Creative Writing and wish to pursue their interest in writing poetry. In it students write their own poetry and critique each others' work in workshops. They also read selections of modern poets and write analyses of these readings in light of their own writings. Fulfills: Humanities Elective or Liberal Arts Elective or Narrative Elective (Writing & Visual Narrative students); Creative Writing Minor Elective; Art Therapy Minor Elective Page 63 of 91
Introduction to Creative Writing or Permission of Instructor
HU 376Native America: A Cultural and Critical Inquiry3
The story of North America is rooted in the stories of its Indigenous peoples. The concept of “survivance,” the idea that North American Indigenous peoples have at once survived, adapted, and persisted in the wake of colonialism and its aftermath, provides a framework for a more complete understanding of this rootedness. In this course, students will gain a deeper and more nuanced understanding of North America and its Indigenous peoples through the study of their literature and arts from pre-European contact to the present, with a particular focus on works produced in the 21st century. Fulfills: Humanities Elective or Liberal Arts Elective or Art Education Diversity Elective
Reading and Critical Thinking and Research and Rhetoric (grade of C- or higher required in each course)
HU 378Creative Nonfiction3
In this course we will analyze and discuss a variety of creative nonfiction texts, including personal essay, nature writing, arts writing, travel writing, and other hybrid and experimental forms. We will engage in a variety of writing exercises using these works as inspiration with an emphasis on both intellectual rigor and creative experimentation. Through reading, writing, peer critique, and revision, this course will challenge students to move deeper into the creative process through the study and creation of new and authentic work. Fulfills: Humanities Elective or Liberal Arts Elective or Narrative Elective (Writing & Visual Narrative students); Creative
Reading and Critical Thinking and Research and Rhetoric (grade of C- or higher required in each course)
HU 381Advanced Creative Writing Workshop3
In this course students may work in various genres of creative writing, such as short stories, poetry, or film-writing. By mid-semester each student should propose an independent project for a portfolio to be completed by the end of the course. Appropriate readings in the genre will also be assigned. Though students may work in separate genres, they will still workshop each others' writing. The class will emphasize individual attention from the instructor. Fulfills: Humanities Elective or Liberal Arts Elective or Narrative Elective (Writing & Visual Narrative students); Creative Writing Minor Elective; Art Therapy Minor Elective
Introduction to Creative Writing or Permission of Instructor
HU 385LGBTQ+ History and Culture in America3
Beginning with Henry Gerber’s Society for Human Rights in 1924 and stretching into recent legislation around same- sex marriage and transgender rights, the fight for equality for LGBTQ+ citizens has been ongoing. This course seeks to give students context for, and understanding of, the social movements that have defined the LGBTQ+ community in the 20th century and 21st centuries. Topics will include the mid-century homophile movement, Stonewall Revolt, the AIDS crisis, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell; and the cultural expressions of the movement toward LGBTQ+ acceptance in mainstream American culture. Through readings, film, discussions, papers, and projects, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the struggle for civil rights for LGBTQ+ citizens. Fulfills: Humanities Elective or Liberal Arts Elective or Art Education Diversity Elective
Reading and Critical Thinking and Research and Rhetoric (grade of C- or higher required in each course)
HU 395398 Topics in Humanities3
This course provides an in-depth study of a time period or topic in Humanities. The topic may be selected to take advantage of special events, to allow further exploration of a subject covered in a preliminary way in other courses, or to explore areas not sufficiently covered by the regular class rotation. Fulfills: Humanities Elective or Liberal Arts Elective
Reading and Critical Thinking and Research and Rhetoric (grade of C- or higher required in each course)
HU 399Humanities Independent Study3
Advanced work in the student's major field of study, supervised by a designated faculty member. Fulfills: To be determined by faculty approval Page 64 of 91
