The Political Cycle - Honors College

Film from the "Developing World": Arab Film. The Middle East and Beyond

Elizabeth Hanly

Fully Online (Summer B)

Extraordinary filmmaking has been accomplished, often in nearly impossible circumstances, across the Third World. What were the political and cultural circumstances in the country at the time the film was made? How difficult was it to make the film, in both political and economic terms? What is the film telling us about subtle as well as more obvious cultural concerns and realities? How was the film received in-country? How was it received internationally? How might it inform our understanding of these countries today? This course will look at films from Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Iran, Turkey et al.

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Film from the Developing World: Africa

Elizabeth Hanly

Online

This class explores African film as art, leaving Hollywood filming in the dust. The class also considers film as window into understanding the region's cultures, history and politics.

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Animal Justice: Animal Rights Law and Policy

Andrej Milic

Weds., 5:00P-7:30P

This interdisciplinary honors seminar examines the legal frameworks governing human-animal relationships and the emerging field of animal law. Students will critically analyze how different legal systems classify animals—as property, subjects of welfare protections, or potential rights-holders—while investigating landmark cases, statutes, and regulations that shape animal treatment across jurisdictions. Through case studies spanning agricultural law, anti-cruelty statutes, endangered species protection, standing doctrine in animal welfare litigation, and constitutional challenges to animal use, the course explores pressing legal questions: What is the current legal status of animals, and should it change? How do courts balance competing interests in cases involving animal welfare? How effective are existing regulatory frameworks in protecting animals, and what role do enforcement mechanisms play? Students will engage with diverse perspectives from legal practitioners, policymakers, animal advocates, industry representatives, and scholars, while developing skills in legal analysis, statutory interpretation, case briefing, and policy evaluation. The course challenges participants to examine the adequacy of current legal protections and to consider how animal law is evolving in response to new scientific understandings of animal sentience and changing societal values.

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Food and Religion: The Table where God and Man Meet

Erica Del Riego

Weds., 6:25P-7:40P

In a world where food transcends mere sustenance, the act of sharing bread becomes a sacred ritual, bridging diverse cultures and beliefs. This course invites you to explore how the simple act of breaking bread is infused with profound spiritual significance across the three Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. As we knead dough and engage with ancient texts, students uncover the rich tapestry of connections that food fosters within our communities and faith traditions. Additionally, students will undertake three interview projects, encouraging them to explore the interconnectedness of food within each faith by interviewing a member of each tradition. Throughout the course, we will also interweave poetry from the Book of Psalms and Zabur, enhancing our understanding of the sacredness of bread in the context of faith.

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Use Your Voice

Erica Del Riego & Andre Gordon

Weds., 5:00P - 6:15 PM

In this course, students will explore the fundamentals of podcasting, from audio storytelling and interview techniques to recording and editing. Through hands-on practice, they will develop the technical and creative skills needed to produce compelling podcast episodes. During the second half of the course, students will examine the forces driving teachers away from the profession-including economic pressures, unsustainable workloads, and systemic policy issues-while learning how podcasting can elevate these personal narratives to raise public awareness. The course culminates in the production of a short-form podcast episode in the Honors College Podcast Studio, integrating class discussions and interview insights. By the end of the course, students will understand how podcasting can be a powerful tool for advocacy and social change.

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Laughing at Injustice: The Art and Power of Satire

Andrew Otazo

Tuesd., Thurs.,, 2:00P - 3:15P

This course's objective is to teach students how to produce art that lampoons seemingly intractable systemic societal issues. It includes an overview of the definition and history of satire that will explore how people in different settings and periods used satire for their own ends. This will be paired with an exploration of modern satire's many media (literature, movies, music, theater, TV, memes, anime, TikTok, etc.). Professional satirists will further expand this theoretical and practical exploration via guest lectures. By its end, students should feel confident confronting powers that demand fear and complacency by arming them with ridicule and laughter.

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AI and the Future of Human Beings: Intersections of Business, Philosophy, Ethics, Arts, Society, and Robotics

Pouyan Esmaeil Zadeh

Thurs., 8:00A-10:30A

Explore the multifaceted world of Artificial Intelligence and its profound impact on humanity. This interdisciplinary course delves into AI foundations, generative technologies, business implications, ethical considerations, artistic applications, robotics, and societal transformations. Engage with cutting-edge concepts and real-world scenarios to understand how AI is reshaping our world. Develop critical thinking skills to navigate the complex landscape of human-AI interaction and envision our collective future in an AI-driven society.

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Population Health in Latin America

Noel Barengo

Mons., Weds., 3:00P-4:15P

This course provides students with essential concepts, methods, and frameworks to understand and address health at the community level, emphasizing the interplay between individual, social, economic, environmental, and cultural factors. Covering 13 key topics, it examines the historical evolution of health systems, social determinants, epidemiological transitions, environmental challenges, and Indigenous health, while also exploring innovative policy interventions and the role of art and culture in shaping public health narratives. Through interactive case studies, students learn to analyze data, assess community needs, and design equitable interventions grounded in the Social Ecological Model. By integrating historical, structural, and artistic perspectives, the course prepares students to address health inequities and promote culturally informed, community-centered approaches to well-being across Latin America.

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Eco-Choreographies

Niurca Marquez

Weds., 2:00P-3:15P

Centered on concepts of environmental choreography, this interdisciplinary course analyzes the interconnectedness of body and land in the formation contemporary politics, spiritual practices, and identity. By focusing on choreographic principles and some of the latest research in botany, embodiment, somatics, and environmental sciences, the course will expose students to considerations about the body and land that point that the inextricable connections between humans and their environment. We will explore layers of relationality and lines of tension that emerge in the discourse and practice of the body and land. Choreography in this context is presented as an expression of a more general sensibility, to be transited, to be sensed, to be explored. The course includes interactive sessions in three sites where students will have an opportunity to engage with methods and approaches to site-specific and site-responsive work while engaging some of the more complex problems we face today.

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Spiritual Abuse: A Novel Topic in Public Interest Law

Eric Isaac

Tues., Thurs., 12:30P-1:45P

The past several decades have seen a statistical decline in the number of people who claim to believe in God or who choose to participate in a religion. This course will explore the underlying philosophical causes for this shift as well as looking at how people of faith can possibly answer the challenges of modern atheism.

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Haunted Realities: Race, Terror, and the Shadows of Dehumanization

Trina Sanders

Online

In Haunted Realities: Race, Horror, and the Shadows of Dehumanization, you will journey through films, stories, and cultural myths to uncover the deeper meanings behind our collective fears. This course examines how horror intersects with race and societal mechanisms of dehumanization, highlighting how marginalized communities are portrayed and often distorted within the genre. Through diverse films, literary texts, and cultural artifacts, you¿ll analyze how horror reflects and reshapes societal fears surrounding race, identity, and justice. With engaging readings, media, and interactive projects, this course encourages you to think critically about the social narratives that shape our understanding of fear.

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The Digital Fork: From Bites to Bytes

Natalie Yagual

Online

The purpose of this course is to explore the interdisciplinary intersection between pop culture, technology, and nutrition. This course will focus on the influence these areas have on our society. Students will analyze the relationship between media, digital innovations, and nutritional trends, how these areas interact to influence individuals, cultures, and movements across the globe.

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Lit & Limits: The Stories We Debate

Gabriela Icabalceta

Online

Throughout history, books have been questioned, challenged, or removed from schools and libraries due to concerns about content, language, or themes. This course explores works of literature that have been at the center of such debates, examining the narratives, contexts, and perspectives that generate discussion.

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Washington Seminar

Charlyn Stanberry

FIU in DC, Tues., 5:30P- 6:45P

A course designed to help students get the most of their Washington, D.C. semester experience by providing access to elected officials and their teams, government agencies, advocacy organizations, private sector businesses, etc.

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Workers Without Borders: Negotiating Family & Identity

Jeanette Smith

Thurs., 1:00P - 2:15P

In this course, we will examine the conditions that drive migrant workers to the United States as well as their experience in the country and how it informs their concepts of identity and self. The course is intentionally interdisciplinary and will incorporate debates from history, sociology, anthropology, public policy, and more. We will not be limiting our explorations to the United States as this class will incorporate a collaborative online international learning (COIL) component. Students will work directly with their peers at a university in another country on a project related to the class content.

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Practice Philanthropy: A Call to Action

Fang Shu

Fri, 10:00AM-12:30PM

This course has been designed for students who intend to make an impact and make the world a better place using their own philanthropic resources.

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In the Garden of Good and Evil: Symbolism from East to West

Magda Novelli Pearson and Marcela Lopez Bravo

Mon., 11:00A– 1:30P

This course will examine Eastern and Western Gardens through the ages to evaluate how philosophical and cultural trends changed the structure and use of gardens from sacred to secular. Although the content is organized chronologically, a multi-perspective approach will be used to critically examine the diversity and interrelation affecting garden design and use in Italy and Japan. Awareness of contemporary social concerns will be highlighted by examining and evaluating how traditional design influence the present gardens.

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Quantum Narratology and Other Curiosities: Intersections of Science and Storytelling

Rhona Trauvitch

Thurs., 11:00A-12:15P

This course considers how certain concepts in the fields of quantum mechanics, genetics, and taxonomy manifest in narrative structure and dovetail with notions in narrative theory.

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Power of Play

Maikel Right

Thurs., 11:00A-1:30P

This course analyzes the anthropological, biological, and business implications and significance of play throughout the human experience.

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Art in Miami

John Bailly

Every other Wed., 10:00A-3:45P

Art in Miami offers students the opportunity to immerse themselves into the contemporary art world of Miami. The class will visit museums, artists collectives, artists’ studios, and galleries. Students will have the opportunity to assist artists on their projects. All class meetings will be off campus; students need to provide their own transportation.

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Legal Negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution

Andrej Milic

Tue., 5:00P-7:30P

Negotiation is an essential skill for lawyers, regardless of practice area. This course provides an in-depth understanding of the different models of negotiation, practical skill development for meeting negotiation challenges in different contexts, and examines issues relating to professional responsibility and the law pertaining to negotiation and settlement.

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Art Medical History to Date

Amilcar Castellano Sanchez

Mon., 1:00PM – 3:30PM

This course encompasses the study of medical world history in the period that extends after the industrial revolution to current times.

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Diplomacy Lab

Brian Fonseca

Thurs., 5:00P-7:40P

The U.S. Department of State's Diplomacy Lab at FIU's Honors College affords students the opportunity to explore real-world challenges identified by State Department officials.

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Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach

Robert Hacker

Tuesday, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM

The course begins with a detailed examination of transformative research (and fundamental principles), using the National Science Foundation (NSF) definition of the term.

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The Great Books

Ruben Garrote

Tues., Thurs., 2:00P-3:15P

This seminar will survey masterpieces of the Western Canon. The aim is to read them carefully and to appreciate them as works of art and works of memory. Students will discuss the major themes in these works as they relate to the human condition, and to their place in the great conversation about beauty, goodness, and truth that has taken place along the history of the Canon in the West.

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Psychedelic Renaissance

Joseph Lichter

Mon., Wed., 12:30PM - 1:45PM

The course will have us look at the history and chemistry of psychedelics, serotonin receptors, neuronal activity and the glutamatergic system, psychedelics and gene expression, research methodologies used with such molecules, why the criminalization, why the continued research and the recent resurgence of interest in the last decade specifically towards therapeutic uses.

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Life After Death

Jennifer Houston

Wed., 2:00PM-4:30PM

This course invites you on a thought-provoking journey that delves into the multifaceted dimensions of what happens when we die, the ways we cope with death, rituals of celebration and remembrance, and the lasting imprints we leave behind. Death, a universal experience, is intertwined with cultural, ethical, and personal considerations that shape our understanding of life and its meaning. In this course, we will explore the diverse ways that religions, societies, and even businesses navigate the journey from life to death, examining the rituals, practices, and ethical considerations that accompany this profound transition.

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Being a Man

Ruben Garrote

Tues., Thurs., 12:30P-1:45P

This course will enter the fray by engaging in an interdisciplinary study of what it means to be a man, and what manliness has meant in the past and still means in societies around the world. It will offer definitions from fields such as anthropology, psychology, biochemistry, and philosophy, while also engaging how masculinity is contested in contemporary popular American culture.

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Culture And Expression: Censorship, Suppression, And Propaganda Today

Jason Calloway

Wed., 9:00AM - 11:30AM

For as long as humankind has gathered in groups, we have sought to express ourselves through various means: music, visual art, dance, speech, literature, and now digital media.

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Pediatric Experiences in Narrative Medicine

Amilcar Castellano-Sanchez

Tues., 1:00PM-3:30PM

This course continues to explore the unbreakable -- yet not well-valued and sparsely characterized -- connection between the worlds of text (narrative, poetry, short stories, memoirs, interviews, imagery and film adaptations) to the worlds of medical ailments and medical practice focused to the pediatric experiences.

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The Secret War: Brigade 2506 and the Global Consequences of the Bay of Pigs Invasion

Yuleisy Mena

Thurs., 3:30PM-6:00PM

This course presents students with a unique opportunity to learn about Brigade 2506, a force of Cuban exiles that invaded Cuba in April 1961 to oust Communist dictator Fidel Castro and restore democracy to the island. The course will cover the general history of Brigade 2506 and Bay of Pigs Invasion, as well as the political forces driving this momentous chapter in the history of the Cold War.

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Law School in a Nutshell

Angie Puentes-Leon

Wed., 10:00A-12:30P (YEARLONG)

The course is designed to introduce students to a learning experience mirroring the 1st year of law school.

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Thriving in the Law 2

Kioceaia Stenson

Wed., 5:00PM - 7:30PM

*This is the second half of a year-long course* Students will leave this course with a tangible understanding of what it means to practice law, the path to entering the field, and how to thrive once they have joined the legal profession.

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Miami in Miami

John Bailly

Wed., 10:00A-3:45P

Miami in Miami is an experiential seminar which examines the historical, social, and cultural identity of Miami. Class meeting will be off campus at a variety of different setting-everything from hiking in the Everglades to walking on Ocean Drive. All class meetings will be off campus; students need to provide their own transportation.

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Artificial Realities

Joaquin Pedroso & Sean Hermanson

Tues., Thurs., 11:00AM-12:15PM

Students will engage with classic works and foundational theories concerning the question of reality and will become versed in contemporary debates on the issue to develop a nuanced understanding of conceptual approaches to reality and its various dimensions and registers. Topics to be covered include holistic understandings of reality and existence, truth, perception and perspective, the nature and role of science, mind and consciousness, reality in art and culture, the relationship between power and reality, the meaning of reality, universes and multiverses, technology, and virtual realities.

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Challenges in Healthcare 2

Barbra Roller

Mon., Wed., 5:00 - 6:15 PM (Yearlong)

This course is intended primarily for premedical students or those planning to enter other graduate health professions. It provides a comprehensive overview of the US healthcare system, discusses public health issues, gender and health, end of life issues, and the role of technology in medicine, among other contemporary topics It provides clinical case studies and the opportunity for discussion and critical thinking.

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Exploring Disability Culture: Why it Matters

Amy Paul-Ward

Mon. & Wed., 9:30AM-10:45PM (SUMMER A)

This course provides students with an introduction to topics related to Disability Culture. To understand the evolution of disability culture, we will begin by reviewing relevant interdisciplinary theories that highlight foundational concepts, ongoing debates, and critiques of the concept of disability as it relates to representation, access, and inclusion in everyday life.

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The Cult of Baseball

Adam Gorelick

Tues., Thurs., 9:30A-10:45A

This course examines America's national game and its cultural impact, home and abroad. Older than the Civil War, baseball has ever since been inextricably tied to our nation's history: its growing pains, its triumphant joys, and its unique potential for what Walt Whitman described as "transcendental Union."

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Visual Thinking

Gretchen Scharnagl

Mon., Wed., 2:00P-3:15P

An exploration of meaning in meaningless marks. This course is designed for those that are abundantly curious.

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Making Moves in Miami

Yanatha Desouvre

Wed., 10:00AM-12:30PM

Entrepreneurs thrive in the arts and entertainment industries. In this class, we uncover the entrepreneurial fundamentals key to success in entertainment. We also explore current trends and opportunities, with an emphasis on where you fit in and how you can develop your personal brand. To achieve these objectives, a combination of methods will be used, including topical lectures, group discussions/exercises, and presentations by dynamic speakers who are movers and shakers in the business. You will have the opportunity to learn from real world professionals.

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Myth and Ritual in Film, Part 2

Adam Gorelick

Online

This course applies theoretical discussions of myth and ritual to the contemporary medium of film.

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Save our Parks: Environmental Law, Policy and Politics

Anthony Rionda

Mon., 6:00P-7:15P

Our National Parks are America’s Crown Jewels. They are worshipped by avid adventurers, campers, road-trippers and the former students of FIU Honor’s Everglades course. The aim of this course (Save our Parks) is to focus on how politics, policy, and law have shaped, saved, and at threatened our most beautiful natural legacy.

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The Political Cycle

Anthony Rionda

Online

The organization of this course leverages a unique interdisciplinary approach to politics, government, civic engagement, policy analysis, and advocacy.

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Creative Nonfiction: Oral Histories

Elizabeth Hanly

Tues., 2:00P-3:15P (Online Live)

"To survive we tell stories," says Umberto Eco, philosopher, medieval scholar and novelist. This is a course that asks you to lean into your authentic voice, and explore how best to use that voice to tell both your own stories and those of others. It is a course in noticing the myriad stories that are all around us all the time. This course is as much about developing one's skills in listening and reflection as it is about writing.

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Third World Cinema: The Middle East

Elizabeth Hanly

Online

This course leaves Hollywood film-making behind in the dust. Instead, it explores film from the so-called Third World, focusing in particular on work from Africa and the Middle East.

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Beyond the Gaze

Trina Sanders

Online

In this course, we will embark on a critical exploration of the intersectionality between the hypersexualization of black women's bodies, the influence of hip hop and music, and the increase of harmful beauty standards. Grounded in an intersectional feminist framework, we will also delve into historical and contemporary contexts, examining the objectification of black women, the legacy of Saartjie Baartman and others, and the complex relationships between black feminism, colorism, and misogyny.

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Marketing for the Future: A Harvard Business Simulations

Sustainable Development: Using A Harvard Business Simulation Approach Copy

Hortensia Sampedro

Tues., 11:00A-12:15P (Online Live)

This course is suitable for Honors students from all disciplines interested in applying interdisciplinary, practical solutions to global problems. We will study practical approaches to the second nine (9) United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We will use Harvard Business Simulations to gain experiential learning.

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Creativity and Innovation via Design Thinking

Gustavo Roque

Online

This course will introduce you to the Design Thinking methodology for creating and innovating. However, the only way to learn Design Thinking is by doing Design Thinking. Therefore, this course will be light on theory and heavy in practice.

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The Japanese Sense of Beauty

Masako Kubota

Fully Online (Summer A)

During the semester, we will explore the dynamic literary works by Japanese great writers and film directors. After we examine Japanese classic literature and films, we will cover a new generation of writers such as Yoshimoto Banana and a new generation of directors, Kore’eda Hirokazu. Towards the end of this class, we will engage in a Group Activities of development by experiencing Linguistic Landscapes in our communities. The multi-perspective approaches are experienced by analyzing the prominent Japanese literature and the films in the Discussions, Film Reflection Papers and the Group project.

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The Special Relationship: United Kingdom, the United States, the Common Law and the Foundations of Economic Liberty, Democracy and Freedom

Anthony Rionda

Online

This interdisciplinary course focuses on our constant political cycle, a cycle that includes politics, government, communications, business interests, government funding, data analysis (specifically voter targeting, social media, and polling), law (constitutional, state and local, and administrative), and advocacy (how individuals, businesses, and associations lobby government for their interests).

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Turn My Mic Up! Beyond the Lyrics of Hip Hop from A to Z

Trina Sanders

Online

This course will deconstruct rap lyrics to uncover the multilayered/dynamic meanings to reframe the dominant narrative that this music genre is all about violence. We will examine hip hop in America, its historical, racial, and political journey, tracing this movement's creation and evolution from the early 1970s and beyond.

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Comparative Immunology and Socioeconomic Ramifications

Aileen Marty

Online

The course encompasses the scope of immunological functions and principles for bacteria, animals, and humans.

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Law, Literature and Pop Culture

Andrej Milic

Online

The law informs all areas of human existence and yet permeates in a prevalent way throughout pop culture narratives. To properly understand humanity and anthropology we must look at the impact of law throughout history.

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AI, Tech, and the Law

Andrej Milic

Online

This course delves into a diverse array of legal and policy challenges stemming from artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and other emerging technologies. The legal framework in the areas under consideration is often either nonexistent or in its early stages. Consequently, students will have ample opportunities to contemplate how current laws can be adapted to address the regulatory and policy requirements pertinent to these advancing technologies.

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The Top of Your Game: Exploring Paths to Personal Excellence & Power Skills

Amber Webber

Online

What separates the top professionals, athletes, musicians, innovators, creators, analysts, and thinkers from others in their disciplines? What are the habits that allow them to perform at the top of their games again and again? Explore cases from diverse fields and interdisciplinary research to build a personalized plan for performing at the top of your game and striving for personal excellence in your career.

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The End of Ethics or Us? A Study of Humanity in Apocalyptic Narratives

Jacqueline Nusz

Online

How are characteristics of a humane society constructed and normalized? In times of extreme circumstances, the boundaries of ethics and morality are blurred and the pillars of humanity are compromised in an attempt to maintain a sense of normalcy or to ensure the preservation of life.

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The American Dream: Cubans in the US

Veronica Diaz

Online

In, The Cuban-American Dream: Cubans in the US, students will examine prevalent theories of immigrant incorporation and identify factors that either facilitate or hinder upward mobility. Students will then apply an interdisciplinary lens to examine how Cubans have adapted to US society and compare their experiences to that of other immigrant groups.

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Capturing Healthcare: Where Excellence Meets Documentation

Lillybet Guillarte

Online

This comprehensive course is designed to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in the critical field of healthcare documentation, with a specific focus on ethics and legal aspects. Students will explore the multifaceted dimensions of healthcare documentation across various healthcare disciplines, emphasizing the principles of ethics and the legal framework governing this essential sector.

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Digital Legacies

Maikel Right

Online

Digital Legacies, is a course dedicated to evaluating the disruption the “Smart-phone Era” and the Internet of Things have had on our holistic living experience. Students will regularly look to the value of design and the art of digital manipulation. They will then construct a digital campaign of their own promoting either a Topic, Idea, Movement, Object, or Business of their choosing.

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Music Cognition: An Exploration of the Mental Processes Underlying Musical Behaviors Copy

Ernesto Fernandez

Online

This course examines human development regarding how and when musical behaviors emerge and what methods improve musical practice. It takes a close look at how musicians’ brains process audio signals differently from non-musicians. It also explores arguments for and against the notion that music-making is an evolutionary adaptation in humans.

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Applied AI in Entrepreneurship

Paul Jaure

Online

Applied AI in Entrepreneurship is a dynamic semester course that bridges the gap between cutting-edge technology and entrepreneurial success. In this course, you’ll explore the fascinating world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its transformative impact on business. Discover the foundations of AI - Understand the essentials of AI, such as ChatGPT and Computer Vision. Explore how AI predicts market trends and shapes investment decisions. Dive into ethical considerations and risk management in AI adoption.

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Human-Centric Skills for Healthcare

Jason Bell

Tues., 5:00P - 6:15P

Human-Centric Skills for Healthcare explores the connection between emotional intelligence and business sustainability, and the development of soft skills critical to meeting patient expectations. The course emphasizes the development of public speaking and presentation skills. Upon completion of this course, students will understand the value of soft skills and appreciate their importance to careers in healthcare.

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