CRS300.2 Imagining Italy: Italian Stories Adapted to the Screen (Fall, Spring)

CRS300.2 Imagining Italy: Italian Stories Adapted to the Screen (Fall, Spring)

By examining several films set in Italy adapted from written sources, this course will focus on the ways in which Italy itself is “adapted” for diverse aesthetic, social and cultural functions in the transition from page to screen. These constructions of Italy and Italians will be placed in a larger context of stereotypes, individual and national identity, and cultural imperialism as we examine the ways in which these film adaptations both reflect and create the “reality” of Italy and Italians.

Cross-listed with ENG 420.2.

ENG420.2 Imagining Italy: Italian Stories Adapted to the Screen (Fall, Spring)

Topics in Cultural Production and Reception.

By examining several films set in Italy adapted from written sources, this course will focus on the ways in which Italy itself is “adapted” for diverse aesthetic, social and cultural functions in the transition from page to screen. These constructions of Italy and Italians will be placed in a larger context of stereotypes, individual and national identity, and cultural imperialism as we examine the ways in which these film adaptations both reflect and create the “reality” of Italy and Italians.

Cross-listed with CRS 300.2.

ITA326 Italy Today: Language, Media and Culture in Contemporary Italy (Spring)

This course explores contemporary Italian issues related to daily life, immigration, customs, and traditions. Students will engage with literature, journalism, nonfiction texts, film segments, and music.
By the end of the course, students will understand key aspects of Italian cultural debates, recognize different language styles (formal vs. informal), gain knowledge of Italian history and culture, and improve their speaking and writing skills, with a focus on vocabulary and complex grammatical structures. Class activities include communicative exercises, readings, and discussions as well as site visits to local places of interest. Homework assignments will complement in-class discussions. The course is conducted entirely in Italian.

Prereq: ITA 202 or four semesters of college-level Italian.

PSY300.2 MindCraft: Exploring Psychology, Soft Skills & AI (Fall, Spring) NOT OFFERED FALL 2026

Learning to write from a psychological approach aims to promote lifelong learning. Writing activities are embedded in the academic context and many communicative interactions in our daily lives. However, higher education offers few opportunities to exercise this competence. Through this practical course, we will explore the role of writing as a tool for thinking and learn how to use it to enhance essential skills related to social, personal, and learning areas. Additionally, this course helps students understand how artificial intelligence (AI) systems work, critically evaluate their effects, and improve collaboration with AI in strategic writing.

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.

HOA525 Mapping a Global Renaissance (Spring)

Utilizing the growing scholarly interest in Global Art History, this course seeks to place the visual and material cultures of early modern Florence within a broader geographic scope. While Italian city-states like Venice, Genoa, and Pisa have long been studied as Mediterranean centers by art historians, Florence has typically been left out of this dialogue. The central impetus behind this course is to continue to revise the boundaries of the Renaissance, by connecting it to distant spaces with which it had historical contact, from Alexandria to the Americas. To do so we will use tools and intellectual frameworks garnered from a variety of fields, such as Anthropology, Geography, the History of Science, and Post-Colonial studies. The core question we pursue will be: How did the art and material culture of medieval and early modern Florence address spaces beyond its walls and in turn use these broader geographies to reinforce local concepts of civic identity?

Course meets with graduate level students.

Registration restriction: Instructor consent required. Priority given to art history majors, then minors.

PAI300.5 Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights (Fall, Spring)

What positive role can Artificial Intelligence (AI) play in addressing interconnected global challenges such as sustainable development, climate change, and human rights? And on the other hand, how can the use of AI negatively affect human rights? This course enables students to make sense of these highly topical issues, as new developments occur every day.

Cross-listed with PSC 300.5.

PSC300.5 Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights (Fall, Spring)

What positive role can Artificial Intelligence (AI) play in addressing interconnected global challenges such as sustainable development, climate change, and human rights? And on the other hand, how can the use of AI negatively affect human rights? This course enables students to make sense of these highly topical issues, as new developments occur every day.

Cross-listed with PAI 300.5.

BPS400 The Global Workplace: Intercultural Communication and Change (Fall, Spring)

The internship course is designed to guide students’ professional development as they navigate quickly changing career patterns. Participation will equip students with the practical skills needed to thrive in a globalized world of work — as well as the theoretical background and critical thinking abilities necessary to reflect on their position in that interconnected system.

Seminar-style discussions and reflective assignments will help students consider:

  • Why is it important to understand globalization as part of any contemporary workforce, no matter its location or employee make-up?
  • What long-term impacts has Covid-19 had on workplaces? What are some of the benefits – and drawbacks – of remote working, given my preferred workstyle?
  • How is the rapid development of artificial intelligence impacting professional practice and ethics in my chosen sector?
  • What are some pressing global challenges that my chosen sector needs to grapple with – and how could I help address them?
  • How can I best articulate my professional experiences and goals, in ways that showcase my intercultural competencies?

Class activities will focus on applied skill building and reflective discussions with other students taking part in an international internship. Students will have the opportunity to network with a variety of global professionals with established careers, design an intervention meant to improve their chosen workplace or sector, and receive individualized feedback about their professional performance.

This course is required of all students participating in an internship, in addition to internship hours (45 hours at internship site per credit). Placements cannot be guaranteed and may not be within your field of study. Interested students should submit the Internship Request Form and resume as part of the application process and speak with their college advisor to find out whether there are any limitations or restrictions on how internship credit counts in their degree. 

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

ARI280.6 Creative Jewelry: Wearable Art (Fall, Spring)

This course is designed for both jewelry and art majors as well as anyone who has an interest in creative wearable art. Students in this course will learn to use, reuse and up-cycle materials in creative and unique ways. For both beginning and advanced students, the course is designed to challenge students to find creative approaches to materials and create jewelry and art to be worn. The course will show many methods for cutting, altering, soldering, gluing and joining materials of all kinds including leather, plastic, silver, wood, wire, tyre, and much more. The studio is equipped with a full array of jewelry and sculpture tools so students will find thinking outside the box easy.

Limited enrollment, with preference given to students admitted to Studio Art Program.

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