HOM280.1 History of Baroque and Classical Music

HST300.4 Afropean: African Diaspora Studies in Europe (Fall, Spring)

There is growing awareness of a Black presence in several European societies. Cultural contributions via rap, food, sport and fashion are increasingly acknowledged and celebrated; at the same time, second generation and other settled Black Europeans are regularly protesting against their marginalised existence – including their confinement to low–income neighbourhoods, high levels of unemployment, low status employment opportunities, and high levels of overt and subtle racism. 

While Europe is having to come to terms with its history, there is a simultaneous  arrival of people seeking to migrate into Europe from other parts of the world; labelled a crisis, seen as overwhelming and increasingly met with European hostility and resentment. No matter people’s feelings over the situations, this a time of change.

This course will examine the presence of people of African descent in Europe and the forces of change; the  migration patterns, rationales, and experiences; diaspora links to Africa and who is Afropean. Connections will be made between those of African descent with other minority communities, the majority community, the state, and Black America. 

Cross-listed with AAS300.4

CRS300.5 Who’s Collecting Who? (Fall, Spring) CANCELLED Fall 2026

Warning: your inbox has reached 89 percent capacity; how did all those emails accrue? In a moment where so much of the world demonstrates its unmanageability, what is the instinct to hold on to something, to gather [sometimes to hoard] like items in a group, to show the precious collection to others? This course will range wide as we wander from site of collection to site of collection in London thinking together about what we want to keep and why.  About the objectification inherent in the collection, the relation then of those things we might have called objects, animals, plants, humans and the ‘subject’ of collecting: the role of the collection, the role of the collector.

In this course we also explore the not necessarily collectable, collections of ephemera, as well as arguments against collection. We will consider projects exploring anti-collection or resistances to collection; continually thinking also through fragility, insurance, and loss.  What happens when destruction is no longer an aesthetic tool of art but a catastrophe happening in the world all around us?

May also be registered as HOA200.1

Most semesters, registration limited (including minors) to only one History of Art class (HOA prefix and courses cross-listed with HOA) except for art history majors. Check the current semester’s Schedule of Classes for more information.

QSX300.2 Gender, Power and Vulnerability (Spring)

Every relation of imbalance between bodies rests on a shift in power.  The model of the hetero patriarchal system in which one gender, identified as male, dominates the other, identified as female, can mask the contagion of violence at its heart with breezy references to battles of the sexes or comedy sketch ‘that’s just how women are’ cultural representation.  This moment of non-gender conforming, nonbinary, trans cannot liberate unless we explore the underlying dynamics of power at work in all inequalities, racial, sexual, gender-based in order to invent new ways of being together not built on  ‘who is on top’ – a position that perversely can be inhabited by victims as well as victors.

This course is cross-listed and may also be registered under WGS 300.2

WGS300.2 Gender, Power and Vulnerability (Spring)

Every relation of imbalance between bodies rests on a shift in power.  The model of the hetero patriarchal system in which one gender, identified as male, dominates the other, identified as female, can mask the contagion of violence at its heart with breezy references to battles of the sexes or comedy sketch ‘that’s just how women are’ cultural representation.  This moment of non-gender conforming, nonbinary, trans cannot liberate unless we explore the underlying dynamics of power at work in all inequalities, racial, sexual, gender-based in order to invent new ways of being together not built on  ‘who is on top’ – a position that perversely can be inhabited by victims as well as victors.

This course is cross-listed and may also be registered under QSX 300.2

HOM300.3 America, the Musical (Fall, Spring) CANCELLED Fall 2026

This interdisciplinary course invites students on a journey through the chronology of the United States’ political origins and musical creations through the lens of Black Studies. Drawing on methods and theories from Black Studies, dramaturgy, and musicology, the class critically examines the US’ foundational myths, social struggles, and cultural values as portrayed in classic and contemporary musicals.

Theatre, like all art, both reflects and reproduces society. Musicals are a sort of collective ‘diary’, made up of stories we as a society tell about ourselves. Examining how the story of America is told on stage – and how marginalised groups are depicted – encourages us to reconsider several fundamental claims about the United States. Too, different musical stylings have been used throughout history to reinforce certain themes; tracing America’s history as told through Broadway shows thus involves tracing musical histories as well.

“America, the Musical” will be taught primarily through seminar discussion in response to weekly theory reading and scene viewing. Students will also be encouraged to attend West End shows; site visits and guest speakers will make use of London’s creative scene.

This course is cross-listed and may also be registered under CRS 300.3

CRS300.3 America, the Musical (Fall, Spring) CANCELLED Fall 2026

This interdisciplinary course invites students on a journey through the chronology of the United States’ political origins and musical creations through the lens of Black Studies. Drawing on methods and theories from Black Studies, dramaturgy, and musicology, the class critically examines the US’ foundational myths, social struggles, and cultural values as portrayed in classic and contemporary musicals.

Theatre, like all art, both reflects and reproduces society. Musicals are a sort of collective ‘diary’, made up of stories we as a society tell about ourselves. Examining how the story of America is told on stage – and how marginalised groups are depicted – encourages us to reconsider several fundamental claims about the United States. Too, different musical stylings have been used throughout history to reinforce certain themes; tracing America’s history as told through Broadway shows thus involves tracing musical histories as well.

“America, the Musical” will be taught primarily through seminar discussion in response to weekly theory reading and scene viewing. Students will also be encouraged to attend West End shows; site visits and guest speakers will make use of London’s creative scene.

This course is cross-listed and may also be registered under HOM 300.3

PSY395 Mental Health Disorders (Fall, Spring) NOT OFFERED FALL 2026

Mental Health Disorders is concerned with identifying, understanding, and treating psychological disorders. Why do people have difficulties enjoying life and why do they experience sustained sadness which may even result in attempts to end their own lives? Why do war veterans who return from Iraq experience panic attacks in the middle of a supermarket even though they are out of harm’s way? Why do young girls starve themselves to death pursuing unrealistic ideals of thinness? Why do people hear voices and see things that are not there? When do these problems typically start, how can we understand factors that increase the risk of experiencing psychological problems, and what options exist for treatment? These topics and questions surround us every day and this course will try to answer some of these questions, providing an overview of the scientific study of abnormal thought, emotion, and behavior.

Pre-req: PSY 205 or 209 or equivalent introductory psychology course.

Limited enrollment: Psychology majors may take more than one Psychology (PSY) course, all others limited to one PSY course during the semester.

HST300.5 Food and Emotions in Italian History (Fall, Spring)

The course investigates how emotions and sensibilities related to food are historically and culturally situated phenomena. It is grounded in the Western perspective, particularly the Italian experience, consistently placing it critically and in relation to global history. The theoretical basis stems from the Food History, the Cultural History of the Body, and the History of Emotions. It provides students with historical and conceptual tools that will enable them to think critically about the complexities of our time and past, encouraging them to build their personal experiences and food-related emotions positively.

Meets with with ANT 300.5.

This course has an associated course fee. See the Course Fees webpage for more information.