Humanities (HUM)

HUM 212. Medical Ethics. 3 Credits.

This course will address the ethical dilemmas involved in medical decision-making by physicians, healthcare workers, patients, and society. A seminar format will be implemented, where the emphasis will be placed on critical thinking skills. Students will be expected, and required, to do independent research, case study analyses, and to articulate well-honed positions, both orally and in writing. Major topics to be covered are abortion, doctor-assisted suicide (euthanasia), research with living subjects (animal and human), allocation of scarce resources, new reproductive technologies and rights, professional responsibility, mental incompetence, death and dying, and genetic-related issues such as cloning, designer babies, and stem cell research. Prerequisite: ENG 101.

HUM 240. Comparative Religion. 3 Credits.

The course will examine, compare, and contrast, in a non-judgmental way, the history and beliefs of the five major world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Attention will also be given to Native American traditions. Prerequisite: ENG 101.

HUM 260. The Art Of Being Human. 3 Credits.

How do we humans use myth, art, music, poetry, story, and religion to make sense of ourselves and our place in the world? From cave art to TikTok, from ancient myths to contemporary films, students will explore creative works from a broad range of cultures and time periods that try to answer the fundamental question: what does it mean to be human? This course is global in its orientation, while also asking students to make personal connections to creative works that represent a variety of cultures and perspectives. Prerequisite: ENG 101.

HUM 262. Beyond Vikings and Volcanoes: The Geomythology of Iceland. 3 Credits.

The island nation of Iceland offers a unique study in geomythology: the relationship between the myths the early settlers carried with them from mainland Scandinavia (Odin, Thor, Loki, to name a few) and the land they encountered (volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls, and more). Iceland also illustrates the impact of humans on the environment, most notably, deforestation and the disappearance of animal species since Iceland’s settlement, asking the ultimate question: How can we cultivate a mutually beneficial relationship between humans and the natural world? Prerequisites: ENG 101. Spring.

HUM 283. Honors Research Seminar: “England Through the Mist": Perennial Riddles and English Thought. 3 Credits.

This class begins with the ancient Britons and the struggle between light and darkness. This conflict encompasses both the literal changes of the seasons, and the metaphor for the battle between good and evil. We will then trace how this theme evolves over time, examining how ideas about nature, morality, and justice have shaped English thinking. The history behind landmarks like the Tower of London, stories of notorious figures like Jack the Ripper, and darker moments in English history such as the witchcraft trials will be examined. Additionally, it will be explained how the formation of Scotland Yard and the moral theories developed at Oxford shed light on these dark events and provide us with hope for a better world. By examining these subjects through the lenses of philosophy, criminal justice, criminology, and moral psychology, we will uncover how fear of the unknown, the search for truth, and the pursuit of justice have been woven into English culture and history. Prerequisites: ENG 101 and ENG 102; Permission of the Honors Program Coordinator. Fall.