Special Topics
ARST 240/JWST 300.01 - Maymester (3)
Cultures of the Middle East
Instructors: Naomi Gale and Ghazi Abuhakema
This course introduces students to the cultures of the Middle East. It is team-taught by a Palestinian and an Israeli professor, both born in the Middle East. The course will provide the students with a general background to the current changes in the sociocultural situation in the region. The course will be divided into different cultural themes, with a focus on the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. This course will highlight the history and geography of the Middle East, religion, family structure, gender relations, literature, language, cinema and, much more.
ARTH 306.01 - Maymester (3)
Independent Film
Instructor: Frank Cossa
A study of (mostly) American Independent Filmmaking (created outside the Studio system with low budgets and limited technical means). The course will follow the work of such pioneers of the sixties/seventies as John Cassavettes and John Sayles, through the heyday of the “Indie” movement of the eighties and nineties, to the contemporary scene. Other directors to be considered include Jim Jarmusch Down By Law), Steven Soderbergh (sex, lies, and videotape), Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich), David Lynch (Blue Velvet), Hal Hartley (The Unbelievable Truth), and a foray across the border for the Canadian eccentric Guy Maddin (The Saddest Music in the World).
Students will write critical essays considering such issues as whether there are any consistent tendencies of style or thematic preoccupations in these films; the influence of music videos as training ground for young filmmakers, the importance of Film Festivals (especially Sundance) etc.
Some questions to be explored: can a film in commercial release really be “independent”? Have the Indie heroes of the last two decades sold out? Was it ever really a “movement” and, if so, what happened?
ASST 240/POLI 359.01 - Maymester (3)
Chinese Politics in Film
Instructor: Guoli Liu
This course examines Chinese politics, culture, and history through critical readings, films, and historical documentaries. We will study contending perspectives on and different approaches to Chinese politics. Due to China’s long history and rapidly changing nature of politics, a multidisciplinary approach is appropriate for understanding contemporary China. In this intensive Maymester course, lecture and films will be combined with extensive class discussion.
ECON 350.01 - Maymester (3)
Financial Markets in the US Economy
Instructor: Calvin Blackwell
Between October of 2007 and March of 2009, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped over 50%, losing trillions of dollars of wealth for investors.
What happened and why? Why did asset prices gyrate so wildly? Was there really a stock market bubble? What can we learn from this episode in order to improve our own investing strategies?
Find out the answers to these questions and more in ECON 350: Financial Markets in the US Economy. Professor Calvin Blackwell will use a series of lectures, in-class exercises and experiments to provide a better understanding of the economics of financial markets.
ECON 360.01-Maymester (3)
Socioeconomics of Gambling
Instructor: Douglas Walker
843-953-8192
The course provides a comprehensive analysis of the economic and social impacts of the casino industry. Examining the latest cutting-edge research, with a mix of theory and empirical evidence, the course covers the most important facets at the forefront of the public policy debate over this controversial industry. While the casino industry has continued to expand across the United States, and around the world, critics argue that casinos bring negative social impacts that offset any economic benefits. The course examines the evidence on the frequently claimed benefits and costs stemming from expansions in the casino industry, including the impact on economic growth, consumer welfare, and government tax revenues, as well as gambling disorders, crime rates, and the impact on other businesses. Students will come away with knowledge of the merits of these arguments for and against public policies that would expand casino gambling. The course is aimed at students in economics, sociology, political science, or tourism, who have an interest in casinos as a public policy issue.
HIST 219.01 - Summer I (3)
Native Americans in Film
Instructor: Christopher Boucher
This course will use a selection of 20th-century Western movies to examine how filmmakers have represented violence in the American West and to compare their treatment of the subject to the historical events that inspired them. Each movie will be supplemented by primary and secondary sources that will help students answer the following questions: What were the various types of violence in the historic West? What form of violence predominated in the region? What were the causes of violent conflicts? What do these conflicts reveal about the American West? Have Hollywood Western movies faithfully represented this topic? What manifestations of local violence have movie makers emphasized? Which ones have they neglected? How has 20th-century History shaped Hollywood studios in their rendition of the subject matter? What does this trend teach us about the American culture? In the process, students will learn about important themes related to the History of the American West and develop a better understanding of History as a discipline.
HIST 350.01 - Summer Evening (3)
The Real Pirates of the Caribbean
Instructor: Timothy Coates
This course is designed to introduce students to the realities of pirates and their world of the seventeenth century West Indies. Topics will include the sixteenth century Caribbean, the formation of the West Indies as sugar producing islands, Spanish silver, shipbuilding, the golden age of Caribbean piracy, pirate hangouts and culture, the end of the golden age of pirates, and their lingering romantic image. The class will include a number of classic pirate movies, which shaped much of the public perceptions of pirates.
HIST 361/LACS 332.01 - Maymester (3)
Latin American Society and Film
Instructor: Lisa Covert
This course examines the portrayal of Latin America in contemporary Latin American and non-Latin American film. This class will analyze representations of race, class, gender, imperialism, religion, and power as well as examining typical stereotypes of Latin American politics and culture.
MKTG 360.02-Maymester (3)
Sports Marketing
Instructor: Yu Xie
843-953-6658
This course illuminates the theoretical underpinnings and practical applications of marketing strategies in sports-related marketing activities. The course is designed to allow students an opportunity to apply key marketing concepts, tools, and strategies within the context of sports; and to examine the use of sports for marketing and the use of marketing in sports. This course utilizes a combination of teaching methods such as lectures, projects, case studies, guest speakers, and site visits, with heavy emphasis on students’ active participation.
Prerequisites: MKTG 302, junior or senior
MUSC 222.01-May Evening (3)
New Wave: Music of the 1980's
Instructor: Edward Hart
843-953-6532
New Wave: Music of the 1980’s will examine the short but highly influential pop phenomenon of the late 70’s and early 80’s known as New Wave. Artists and bands examined will include The Police, Elvis Costello, The Cars, The B52’s, The Clash, and others. Special attention will be given to the musical and cultural influences that led to this movement including Punk, Mod, and World Music. The emergence of important women artists such as Chrissie Hynde, Debbie Harry, and The Go Go’s will also be studied.
MUSC 222.02-May Evening (3)
Like A Rolling Stone: History and Development of Rock Music (This is an online course)
Instructor: Yiorgos Vassilandonakis
Like A Rolling Stone will trace the origins, development and stylistic nuances of Rock music from its folk and blues beginnings via Elvis, Bob Dylan and the British invasion through the Woodstock, Motown, California surf, Psychedelic, Hippie culture, Heavy Metal, and Grunge movements, exploring the integration of Jazz, Country, Soul, Punk, Reggae & Ska, Pop, Disco, Classical, Rap, Hip-Hop and Electronica. The course will follow the transition of rock from obscure counterculture to mainstream and superstardom, from clubs to arenas and MTV, through shifts in recording technology, industry and modes of distribution, and examine its sociopolitical context, role and influence in global culture.
Prerequisites:
MUSC 222.03-May Evening (3)
Music of the Beatles
Instructor: Blake Stevens
843-953-5927
The Beatles have remained popular and culturally influential for fifty years, through changes of style, fashion, and generation. Why do their songs remain meaningful and popular? What makes a Beatles song work? This course explores the phenomenon of The Beatles from multiple perspectives: their early influences in blues, folk, and rock ‘n’ roll, the development of their style from album to album, their complex and provocative engagement with the culture of the 1960s, and the songs themselves as individual works of artistic expression.
MUSC 222.04-Summer I (3)
All That Jazz: A Guided Tour of America's Music (This is an online course)
Instructor: Yiorgos Vassilandonakis
This online course examines the rich tapestry of Jazz Music and its contributions to the historical and cultural development of our nation and beyond. Students will be introduced to its aesthetic nuances through the different styles that jazz music comprises, from the blues, ragtime, swing, bebop, through the big-band era, modal and cool jazz, the Brazilian and Afro-Cuban influences and bossa-nova, to fusion, jazz-rock, free jazz and acid jazz, as it developed from its humble beginnings in New Orleans and exploded to St. Louis, Chicago, New York and the West Coast, to Europe and the rest of the world.
PEAC 120.01-Summer II (2)
Raquetball
Instructor: Timothy Scheet
843-953-6538
This course is designed to acquaint the student with the history, techniques, practice of skills, and rules of racquetball. This will be accomplished through skills and rules instruction, hands-on demonstrations, and class participation. Class time will primarily focus on skill and strategy development for singles and doubles play.
Prerequisites:
PEAC 120.02-Summer I (2)
Stand-Up Paddle Boarding
Instuctor: Thomas Carroll
843-953-4275
This course is designed to provide the student with the necessary skills and techniques to explore flat-water and the surf environment through Stand-Up Paddleboarding, one of the most exciting and fastest growing water sports in the world. Course emphasis will be placed on proper paddling technique, safety, equipment, responsible and ecological paddling. Course venues will include the surf zones, tidal creeks and other local waterways.
The class will culminate with one of the most unique final exams offered: an ecological paddle and river clean up.
Prerequisites:
PEAC 120.03-Summer II (2)
Stand-Up Paddle Boarding
Instuctor: Thomas Carroll
843-953-4275
This course is designed to provide the student with the necessary skills and techniques to explore flat-water and the surf environment through Stand-Up Paddleboarding, one of the most exciting and fastest growing water sports in the world. Course emphasis will be placed on proper paddling technique, safety, equipment, responsible and ecological paddling. Course venues will include the surf zones, tidal creeks and other local waterways.
The class will culminate with one of the most unique final exams offered: an ecological paddle and river clean up.
PUBA 502.02 - May Evening (3)
Urban Applications of Geographic Information
Instructor: Kevin Keenan
This course provides an overview of geographic information systems applied to the study of cities. It introduces students to foundational concepts and applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and it asks students to use this software to explore and solve real-world urban problems. Students will learn about the data and methodology for using GIS to solve urban problems in economic, social, planning, and political settings. Topics covered include an overview of GIS data, the spatial display of data, conducting queries on data, and geocoding. The main software used for the course is ArcGIS 10. This course is conceptualized as one that bridges theoretical ideas with an applied skill.
