University Seminar
Themes
What is University Seminar?
First-Year Experience Theme & Offerings for Academic year 2022-2023
University Seminar (USEM) is a three-term, 12-credit course sequence (USEM 101, 102, 103) that anchors SOU’s curriculum and learners’ academic careers. USEM’s mission is to engage learners, help them to build a strong connection with learning peers, and develop the communication, thinking and research skills that will meet the expectations of university study and their future careers.
USEM is required for all first-entry learners who are not transferring in relevant credits. Seminar topics vary by instructor design, but all focus on developing essential reading, writing, thinking and research skills. While texts, writing assignments, and activities explore a focused area of inquiry, the intent is to provide interdisciplinary perspectives. USEM instructors also serve as academic advisors, offering caring mentoring and consistent communication about navigating life at SOU.
A Sampling of Seminar Themes
During the 2022-2023 academic year, USEM courses will teach these skills while focusing on the following topics.
USEM 100: Romantic Love
Instructor: Dave Kahn
It conquers all. No matter how hard we work or how much money and power we acquire, if we lack love, for many of us life is unfulfilling. Romantic love is our conduit to happiness; it is also our conduit for learning. Our theme is Romantic Love: Love Lost and Lost Love Recovered. How does love go wrong? Why are people unfaithful? How can a broken heart be survived? Can or should relationships that founder ultimately be returned to, rediscovered, and saved? To explore these many and varied ideas, we will use a humanities approach as we look at research, literature, movies, and music.
CRN 4622 T/R 1:30 – 3:20
USEM 101: Romantic Love
Instructor: Dave Kahn
It conquers all. No matter how hard we work or how much money and power we acquire, if we lack love, for many of us life is unfulfilling. Romantic love is our conduit to happiness; it is also our conduit for learning. Our theme is Romantic Love: Love Lost and Lost Love Recovered. How does love go wrong? Why are people unfaithful? How can a broken heart be survived? Can or should relationships that founder ultimately be returned to, rediscovered, and saved? To explore these many and varied ideas, we will use a humanities approach as we look at research, literature, movies, and music.
CRN 4094 T/R 1:30-3:20
USEM 101: Finding Your Place in The Universe
Instructor: Jaelle Dragomir
A three-term course designed to encourage self-love and introspection through investigating and integrating spirituality, the self, religion, and politics. The first term, the course will provide social support for students by focusing on the skills of building a community of inclusivity, creating a “culture of care,” and work towards solving real world problems with compassion and courage. The second term explores the evolution of humankind’s Avataric nature through the lens of myth and storytelling and through readings, film, and discussion. Where are we all headed? What will be the next evolution of humankind: Homo universalis, the uberhuman, the Avatar? This course will explore these questions and more as students look to mythology and the modern-day re-visioning of conscious evolution. The third term looks to current worldwide political trends that support and uplift all sentient beings to elicit deeper resonance with philosophical, spiritual, and scientific inquiries.
CRN 4094 M/W 3:30 – 5:20 pm
*USEM 101: begins a three-term sequence and is followed by USEM 102 and USEM 103. USEM 101 engages University Studies learning goals [A, B, C]. Grade (A-F) only.
USEM 102: Finding Your Place in The Universe
Instructor: Jaelle Dragomir
The Ocean: Pacific Islanders’ Identity. This section explores the concept of place from differing historical, personal, sociological, economic, cultural, and psychological perspectives to understand the role of place in the development of who we are and have been. We will look at how deeply rooted the Polynesian culture is in music, dance, and food. How are communities defined, created, transformed, or destroyed? Through an investigative process and class interest, students learn about the histories and contemporary cultures of Oceania through academic coursework and community experiences.
CRN 4089 M/W 10:30 – 12:30 pm
USEM 102: Fighting and Writing – Literary Responses to War
Instructor: Dr. Deborah Brown
Explore the historical and literary background necessary to engage in a discussion of war and understand the impact war has on cultures, communities, families, and individuals. Delve into poetry, short stories, novels, and films to explore the many facets of war. Consider what lessons we might learn from earlier conflicts and how past wars have contributed to the modern understanding of war. Read and analyze a variety of early war writings beginning with the American Civil War (Fall), the two World Wars (Winter) and culminating with the Vietnam and Iraq Wars (Spring).
CRN 4093 T/R 1:30 – 3:20 pm
CRN 4099 T/R 10:30 – 12:20 pm
USEM 102: The Coffeehouse
Instructor: Dr. Matt Moreali
Discuss controversial issues over a metaphorical cup of coffee. Analyze groundbreaking court cases, infamous poetry, media, art, and folklore. Recite poetry over bongo drums, characterize your own “witch hunt,” and express serious arguments through ironic satire. Articulate logical arguments and examine nuance in a way that impresses other aficionados!
CRN 4085: T/R 10:30 am – 12:20 pm
CRN 4086 M/W 10:30 am – 12:20 pm
USEM 102: Unsolved Mysteries
Instructor: Dr. Danielle Hammer
Explore the mysterious unknown! Does the unexplained, wondrous, or just plain spooky intrigue you? Do creaky floors and ghostly whispers startle you? Have you hunted for vampires, Bigfoot, hoaxes, or aliens? For the curious, unanswered questions and haunting stories draw us in. Creatures and legends both terrify and thrill us, but they may also offer important clues to underlying social issues cached deeper within many societies. Our detective work begins by pulling out the magnifying lens of Skepticism and digging into the archives of music, film and literature to explore the haunts of the human psyche. Join us to “unmask” these cultural creepy creatures and wonderful worlds.
CRN 4095: M/W 10:30 am – 12:20 pm
USEM 102: Finding Your Place in The Universe
Instructor: Jaelle Dragomir
A three-term course designed to encourage self-love and introspection through investigating and integrating spirituality, the self, religion, and politics. The first term, the course will provide social support for students by focusing on the skills of building a community of inclusivity, creating a “culture of care,” and work towards solving real world problems with compassion and courage. The second term explores the evolution of humankind’s Avataric nature through the lens of myth and storytelling and through readings, film, and discussion. Where are we all headed? What will be the next evolution of humankind: Homo universalis, the uberhuman, the Avatar? This course will explore these questions and more as students look to mythology and the modern-day re-visioning of conscious evolution. The third term looks to current worldwide political trends that support and uplift all sentient beings to elicit deeper resonance with philosophical, spiritual, and scientific inquiries.
CRN 4089: T/R 1:30 – 3:20 pm
USEM 102: Good Life
Instructor: Laura Jessup
Contemplate the qualities of a fulfilling life and the nature of compassion through the lens of scholarly research, spiritual practice, and cultural traditions. Follow your curiosities to better know the world and understand what sustains a meaningful and joyful life. Consider how increased knowledge builds understanding and empowers positive action and personal, social, or global change.
CRN 4082:M/W 10:30 am – 12:20 pm or
CRN 4083: M/W 1:30 – 3:20 pm
USEM 102: Health Matters!
Instructor: Dr. Craig Stillwell
Explore current issues of health and illness. What does “being healthy” mean? What are barriers to health and promoters of illness? How do environment, heredity, emotions, behaviors, and beliefs affect our wellbeing? Examine health myths, fads, and follies. Analyze health and medical controversies and examine how competing views of health and illness are shaped by evidence and values, as well as by scientific, political, and social agendas. Evaluate the ways personal health connects with community health during a global pandemic. Learn about evidence-based health practices and how to apply them to your own life.
CRN 4090: M/W 1:30 – 3:20 pm or
CRN 4091: T/R 10:30 am – 12:20 pm or
CRN 4092: T/R 3:30 – 5:20 pm
USEM 102: Dr. Seuss and the Meaning of Life
Instructor: Dave Kahn
If you keep your eyes open enough, oh the stuff that you will learn! The most wonderful stuff!? Theodor Seuss Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss) writes. Dr. Seuss is known as an American children’s author, political cartoonist, illustrator, poet, animator, and filmmaker. From Hortons to Cats in Hats, to the famous Lorax, we mash up quotables, notables, arguables, and laughables (including some controversies!). What is schooling without a little rhyme-bending re-ruling? Gain an in-depth look at life through the works, wisdom, and witticisms of Dr. Seuss. Moreover, Dr. Seuss can offer a sane, sensible, and hilarious approach to personal wellbeing. In the words of Dr. Seuss, You’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So get on your way!
CRN 4098: M/W 1:30 – 3:20 pm
USEM 101: Romantic Love
Instructor: Dave Kahn
It conquers all. No matter how hard we work or how much money and power we acquire, if we lack love, for many of us life is unfulfilling. Romantic love is our conduit to happiness; it is also our conduit for learning. Our theme is Romantic Love: Love Lost and Lost Love Recovered. How does love go wrong? Why are people unfaithful? How can a broken heart be survived? Can or should relationships that founder ultimately be returned to, rediscovered, and saved? To explore these many and varied ideas, we will use a humanities approach as we look at research, literature, movies, and music.
CCRN 4100: T/R 10:30 am – 12:20 pm
USEM 102: The Games We Play
Instructor: Scott Rex
Be part of our team as we explore inspirational lessons from the wonderfully diverse world of sports. We’ll meet people who have found a passion, overcome the odds, and honed incredible skills to achieve their personal goals, and we’ll consider how to apply these lessons in our own lives. We’ll also tackle how complex concerns like race, gender, politics, and money play out in sports. From the Olympic medal stand to playground recess, from archery to ziplining, games can teach us a lot about what it means to be human!
CRN 4097: M/W 8:30 -10:20 am
USEM 102: Game On! Video Games and Culture
Instructor: Dr. Warren Hedges
This class explores video and tabletop games as vital forms of art, culture, and commerce. Topics include game design, diversity in gaming, indie and experimental games, cosplay and fan culture, career paths in the gaming industry, and e-sports. Over the course of the year, students develop their own research topics, including suggesting readings for the rest of the class.
CRN 4096: M/W 10:30 am – 12:20 pm
USEM 102: American Schools and Schooling
Instructor: Dr. Nigel Waterton
What is a public school supposed to do? What makes a good teacher? Have contentious issues in schooling ever been as divisive as today? You bet they have. In USEM Course: American Schools and Schooling, we will examine how public schools developed and changed over the last 100+ years and how the teachers’ roles have evolved accordingly. We’ll also explore the narrative experiences of students and teachers in schools and examine society’s expectations of teachers and public schools. Most importantly, we will begin to see the classroom as a place of work, of community, of inclusion, and of infinite promise.
CRN 4144: T/R 1:30 – 3:20 pm
USEM 102: The American Dream: Truth or Fake News?
Instructor: Edward Derr
The American Dream is a complex ideal that includes the values of equality, opportunity, democracy, freedom, and personal rights. In the mix, we also find economic upward mobility and a fair and just society. The American Dream is a constellation of values that are constantly changing, shifting, evolving. What is the real American Dream for our contemporary times? What can it be? What do you want it to be?
CRN 2139: M/W 3:30 – 5:20 pm
*USEM 102 continues a three-term sequence beginning in USEM 101 and ending with USEM 103. USEM 102 engages University Studies learning goals [A, B, C]. Prerequisite(s): Completion of USEM 101 with a C- or better or transfer credit of WR 121 or equivalent. Grade( A-F) only.
USEM 103: Creativity
Instructor: Laura Jessup
Explore the science of creativity, participate in improvisation, enjoy creative works, and nurture personal perspectives. Follow your curiosities to better know the world and understand what sustains a creative life–ultimately growing as writers, speakers, and logical and creative thinkers.
CRN 4084: T/R 10:30 am – 12:20 pm
103: Mandates, Musings, and the Law of Expression
Instructor: Jaelle Dragomir
Discuss the legal and social rules that govern human expression. Examine the tensions between logical reasoning and raw emotion. Analyze complex issues related to mass hysteria, freedom of expression, media, and satire. Compose arguments in the legal tradition to make your case!
CRN 4087: T/R 3:30 – 5:20 pm
*USEM 103 is the last course in a three term sequence. USEM 103 engages University Studies learning goals [A, B, C]. Prerequisite(s): Completion of USEM 102 with a C- or better or a transfer credit of WR 122 or equivalent. Grade(A-F) only
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