JINS 300 - Cultural Crossroads (template course)

Cultural Crossroads is an interdisciplinary analysis of a geographical configuration. From this analysis, students compose a bibliography that draws on methodologies of at least two disciplines and deals with an aspect related to the course’s specific topic. Possible topics: Cairo - An interdisciplinary analysis of the largest city in Africa and the Middle East from prehistory to the Twenty-first Century. Istanbul - An interdisciplinary analysis of Istanbul from prehistory to the Twenty-first Century. Peruvian Culture - A detailed examination of the culture of Peru, its origins, evolution, and present-day composition. In this course we read pages on customs, history, literature, anthropology, archaeology, politics and economics. The Many Faces of Spain - A panoramic view of the origin and evolution of the many cultures of Spain, as well as its contemporary society. Students examine the history, traditions, art, music, literature, geography, politics, and economics of Spain through topical discussions to reflect on today’s Spanish cultural mosaic. Jerusalem/Al Quds - An interdisciplinary approach to understanding the 4000-year-old city, a center of strife for much of its history, and essential to the political and religious aspirations of many groups with apparently conflicting goals. Salvador da Bahia - A study of the intersection of African, Native American and European cultures in the city of Salvador da Bahia from pre-Columbian times to the present, with special emphasis on the role played by African slaves and their descendants in the formation of Brazil’s unique New World character. The American West - An interdisciplinary approach to the West through American literature, American film, American History, and American Politics. Students study the reasons why people move to the West and the interaction of these economic and environmental cultures.

Prerequisite: Junior status.
Credits: 3
NOTE:
* This course fulfills the Junior Interdisciplinary Writing-Enhanced Seminar Interconnecting Perspective of the Liberal Studies Program.
** This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.
*** This is a writing-enhanced course.