From vampires to motorcycles and the study of Jane Austen’s literature works, the variety of college courses that NSU offers range from one spectrum to the other and everything in between.
Here are some humanities courses that stray far from the required math or science classes, and are available for registration for the upcoming school year. You may have never thought to sign up for them but these courses examine interesting approaches, and may engage students in subjects they may not have otherwise expressed an interest in.
Vampire
This course taught by James Doan, professor in the division of humanities, investigates the development of the vampire through the myths and legends of Eastern and Western cultures.
The course analyzes literature, art, and films dealing with the vampire. It also focuses on the historical background of figures like Vlad the Impaler and Elizabeth Bathory and looks at modern films and television series about vampires like “Twilight” and “True Blood”.
This course is open for all undergraduate students and is offered every other winter semester.
Doan said that students who are interested in vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural creatures and how their traditions developed should consider registering for this course.
Austen
This course, taught by Suzanne Ferriss, professor in the Division of Humanities, examines the life and works of Jane Austen. It focuses on Austen’s six published novels and their impact on contemporary popular culture.
Besides analyzing Austen’s contributions to literature, student will also discuss the issues raised by Austen’s text, like the differences between social classes and genders. This course is open to all undergraduate students.
Ferris said that students should consider taking the course that, “will introduce them to this British author and the continued fascination with her works and life.”
Death and Dying
This course, taught by Stuart Horn, distinguished professor in the Division of Humanities, examines and explores personal encounters with the dying process, the experience of death, and the grieving process.
The topics range from the study of the changing attitudes toward death and dying found in western history and also studies the relationship between how someone lives and dies.
Questions of attachment, forgiveness, and fear that come with death are addressed, as well as the ways in which different people grieve.
This is an online course that is available twice a year and is open to all undergraduate students.
Horn said that this course helps student understand the inevitability of dying and the choices one makes during a lifetime.
“I think the reality of one’s mortality is central to the human experience and should be examined in a thoughtful way,” said Horn.
Motorcycle Myth and Culture
The course was created and is taught by Steven Alford, professor in the division of humanities, and Suzanne Ferris. It focuses on the motorcycle’s cultural significance in the development of history, technology, engineering, design, and its effect on gender and sexuality.
Topics discussed in the course include the development of the motorcycle and the role that motorcycles have played in American culture.
This course is an honors seminar course and is available for registration in the fall semester.
Alford said the course reveals some interesting and unexpected relationships between technological devices and their effects on society.
“It’s fun to talk about bikes and , hopefully, this course dispels some of the more cartoonish idea about motorcycles held by the majority of Americans,” said Alford.
Costuming and Makeup
This course, taught by Daniel Gelbmann, assistant professor in the Division of Performing and Visual Arts, focuses on the design of costumes and makeup for theatrical productions. In the course, students create costume designs and make-up designs for characters.
They also participate in in-class practical make-up application.
The topics discussed in the course include the designer’s role in a production, how artistic choices affect the characters, and how costumes can relate to the connections that different characters have.
This class is available every winter semester and is open to all undergraduate students.
Gelbmann said that this course is an interesting insight into how clothing and make-up effect characters and how the audience views them.
“It demonstrates how everything we see on television, film, or theater has been chosen by a designer, and how each designer has something to say about the character and environment that they portray,” said Gelbmann.
