Governance, Conflict, Responsibility Course Recommendations:
1. French 111A –The Republic
Prerequisite: FREN 106b or the equivalent, or permission of the instructor. The “Republic” analyzes how the republican ideal of the citizen devoid of religious, ethnic, or gender identity has fared in different Francophone political milieux. Course involves understanding how political institutions such as constitutions, parliaments, and court systems interact with reality of modern societies in which religious, ethnic, and gender identities play important roles.
This course has an overall rating of 4.5 on the course evaluations page. This course would be a good fit for students who want to study both French and IGS. It will fulfill the university foreign language requirement, the IGS language requirement, and the writing intensive requirement.
2. HIST 177B — Modern Germany: Rise of a Global Power
Offers a systematic examination of modern Germany from 1815 to the present, with particular attention to Germany’s role in globalization.
This course is taught by professor Gregory Freeze and has received a 4.85 out of 5.00 by students who have taken it last semester. It is a writing intensive class, but students have said that the workload and course is manageable and interesting.
3. HIST 61A — Cultures in Conflict since 1300
Explores the ways in which cultures and civilizations have collided since 1300, and the ways in which cultural differences account for major wars and conflicts in world history since then. Usually offered every year.
The course received an overall 4.21/5.00. Students thought that the “class lectures were interesting and clearly explained”. If you want to fulfill a writing intensive requirement on top of an IGS requirement, this course will push you to develop your critical thinking and writing skills.
Culture, Media, and the Arts:
1. CHIN 136B – Chinese Modernism in International Context
Examines the origins, recurrences, and metamorphosis of modernistic styles and movements in twentieth-century Chinese literature, film, fine art, and intellectual discourses. Usually offered every second year.
This course is taught in English and has received a rating of 4.8/5 from students in the past. Students have said that they really enjoyed the readings and found them be interesting; Professor Wang is very passionate and engaging. It also fulfills the university nonwestern requirement.
2. FA 79A — Modernism Elsewhere
Explores major architectural developments from the late 19th to the 21st century outside the West. While focused on the territories between the India Subcontinent and North Africa, it examines Western colonial politics of center-periphery in creating architectural forms, discourses, and practices in the postcolonial world. Usually offered every third year.
This is a Fine Arts course that covers both the Creative Arts and nonwestern university requirements. Students have enjoyed the lectures, student presentations, and the final project. They gave this course a 4.68/5, and noted that Professor Grigor is a wonderful lecturer with engaging topics of discussion.
1. ANTH 121a – Crossing Cultural Boundaries- Prof. Parmentier
An examination of situations where individuals, either actually or imaginatively, willingly or unwillingly, cross over the boundaries separating their own culture and other cultural traditions. The understandings and misunderstandings that result from these encounters are examined in primary texts and images and in scholarly reconstructions. Transient experiences are compared with sites that develop over a long period of time (colonial settlements, plantations, frontiers). Potentials for reflexive self-understanding and meaningful dialogue are sought in fictional and nonfictional representations of boundary crossings.
Students gave this course a 4.5 out of 5 and said that his lectures are interesting and “conceptually challenging”. UDR Jessie Miller writes: “Even though I had never taken an anthropology class, I really enjoyed Crossing Cultural Boundaries because it taught me how different cultures interact and the importance of cross-cultural understanding. This is incredible relevant if you want to work internationally because you’ll work with people from different cultures. The course also made use of historical information, so it was a great alternative to a traditional history course.”
4. AMST 156b – Transatlantic Crossings
Examines how the United States has interacted with the rest of the world, especially Europe, as a promise, as a dream, as a cultural projection. Focuses less on the flow of people than on the flow of ideas, less on the instruments of foreign policy than on the institutions that have promoted visions of democracy, individual autonomy, power, and abundance.
Prof. Whitfield is known for his engaging, animated, and intellectual lectures and his classes usually attract a full crowd. He’s the type of professor who has an answer for every question you ask. Even if you aren’t majoring or minoring in American Studies, Whitfield’s classes are a great addition to your schedule and he loves teaching students. Received an overall rating of 4.62/5.00; students really enjoyed the course and thought lectures and readings were interesting and stimulating.