FALL 2009
Methods and Practices in Oral History: Talking Vietnam War
Abraham Shragge, Dimensions of Culture (DOC)

This eight-hour (total) seminar will present interested students with the opportunity to conduct, compile and interpret an oral-history project based on live interviews with two Vietnam War veterans.  Students will explore several examples of contemporary oral history publications, learn fundamental interviewing and recording techniques, develop an oral-history protocol, and create final presentations based on their work.

WINTER 2010
For All We Know ~ And Don't !: A Look Back at the first year of President Barack Obama
M’Lafi Thompson, Guest Lecturer (TMC Artist-in-Residence)

This seminar will explore prevailing opinions on the first year of the Barack Obama presidency, top stories of the decade, and the importance of the arts as a life tool.  The purpose of this seminar is to PROVOKE and INSPIRE students’ ownership of their learning experience through the examination of current events, historical personalities, and exposure to “the arts” as a necessary life experience.  Through a series of questionnaires, articles and artistic offerings, students will develop a journal of entries identifying what provoked or inspired self-motivated research, discussion and participation over the next five week period.  The goal is to create an appetite for advocacy, cultural empathy, and artistic expression.

SPRING 2010
The Issue of “Race” in Contemporary Higher Education
Jorge Mariscal, Literature

This seminar will explore the development of the modern public university in the United States in relation to the issues of “race” and race relations. A segment of the class will be devoted to the UC system and UC San Diego in particular.  Students will identify a particular problem they want to address, write a research statement, produce a short bibliography on the subject, and develop a blueprint for future investigations that could lead to scholarly work or more practical community engagement. The goal of the course is for students to learn how to initiate a research project and sustain it over time.

FALL 2008
Dynamics of power acquisition and tyranny
Jacques Verstraete, Mathematics

The twentieth century is described by some as the "bloodiest century of all time," in large part due to the ascendance of individuals who styled themselves as leaders with absolute power. While these individuals sometimes descend into madness, it is however often true that without support of the people or politicial parties, their acquisition of power and ensuing tyranny would not have been possible. Will the twenty-first century be any different? In this course we look at this question, and how such individuals manage to obtain power and remain in power, the responsibility of the people for giving it to them, and the consequences that such events entail. This will be done primarily through case studies of African dictatorships, through the eyes of the media and through film.

WINTER 2009
Social Justice & Spirituality
Rabbi Lisa Goldstein, Guest Lecturer

This seminar will explore the synergies and pitfalls of entwining a spiritual awareness with social justice work in the world. The methodology will include both theory and case studies and will involve lectures, discussions, film and reading.  While there is no assumption about a personal commitment to either a spiritual tradition or to justice work, students will be encouraged to consider the application of the topics discussed to their own lives. 

SPRING 2009
Social Change & Theater
Seema Sueko, Guest Lecturer (TMC Artist-in-Residence)

This seminar will explore how to use theater to affect social change. Students will identify a community need they want to address, create a mission statement, select a script that can help advance that mission, and develop hypothetical community partnerships and outreach activities to address their identified community need. In addition, students will be exposed to the practical side of theater production, including developing a budget, marketing, raising funds, building an audience, and auditioning and hiring. The goal is for students to learn how to take a project from beginning to end and how to write and present project proposals.

FALL 2007
Methods and Practices in Oral History
Abraham Shragge, Dimensions of Culture (DOC)

WINTER 2008
Race, Art and the Creative Process
Karole Forman, Guest Lecturer

SPRING 2008
Religion and Politics
Robert Horwitz, Communication

FALL 2006
Cultural Topics in Africa and Its Diaspora
Robert Cancel, Literature

This is an eight-week survey of various dimensions of humanities and social concerns in Africa and its wider diaspora.  We will be reading some short texts and view several video/cinema representations to back up in-class discussions.  Though, of necessity, there will be a bit of lecturing to convey key ideas and information, the nature of a seminar is participatory.  Members of the seminar will be required to do the readings and/or watch the video material before class and participate in discussions.  Readings will be supplied by the TMC staff and video material will have a scheduled group showing at the Geisel Library as well as be available for personal viewing at the Video and Film Reserve room.

SPRING 2007
Son Jarocho: Building Community through Music
Eduardo Garcia, Guest Lecturer

Son Jarocho is a regional music of Southeastern Mexico that incorporates Spanish, African, Arab and Amerindian elements. It is a music that as it is practice in the rural areas serves as a way to generate community. We will engage in the actual practice, learning and execution of this music. Everybody will play an instrument, dance or sing. We will also attend the performative event called Fandango.

FALL 2005
Life after Graduation:  Work-Life Balance in Demanding Professions
Mary  Blair-Loy, Sociology

Educated young people expect a lot out of life, including rewarding careers, good incomes, and rich personal lives.  How is it possible to "have it all" in today's competitive economy?  Work hours and stress have increased for managers and professionals in the past 20 years, and the U.S. labor force now puts in longer hours than the labor force of any other nation.  This course will look at the data on work dedication, family commitment, gender, and work-life conflict.  We will also hear from impressive professionals trying to negotiate their own balance between work and family responsibilities in their own lives.  

WINTER 2006
ELEMENTS OF SPIRITUALITY
Rabbi Lisa Goldstein, Guest Lecturer

This course will open discussion of spirituality, what it means to an individual and a society; how it may fit into ones everyday life.