Course Level: Undergraduate

General Education Area 1 Topic (1-3)

World Music

This course covers a wide array of themes by examining the confluences and divergences of culture that happen in borderland regions, whether geographical, political, or social, through the lens of musical practice. A case study on Umm Kulthum, the queen of a century of Arab music, for example, opens the door to issues of gender, music and politics, nationalism, and pan-Arab identity. Discussing Brazilian samba and West African ceremonial music in relation to each other reveals themes of colonial nation relations and historical processes of the slave trade, which had deep influences on culture in both Africa and South America. Musical phenomena such as Bhangra music reveals the role of immigration patterns, diasporic urban community relations, and the confluences of musical practices as diverse as African American hip hop and South Asian folk music.

Course Level: Undergraduate

General Education Area 1 Topic (1-3)

Cultural Foundations of Italian Politics

This first-year seminar for entering freshmen on the cultural foundations of Italian politics opens with an intensive 3-week summer living and learning experience in Rome and continues with a fall term seminar on the AU campus. The course has an international and comparative perspective and includes the cultural, artistic, religious, and historical foundations of Rome and its many and evolving political systems and its continuing influence throughout history, as well as Italian political institutions and sites. In Rome, students are based at the American University of Rome. Open only to students in the Cultural Foundations of Italian Politics Program.

Course Level: Undergraduate

General Education Area 1 Topic (1-3)

Theory and Performance of Comedy

This course explores theories of humor and comedy, attempting to identify both what is universally, humanly funny and also when humor is more predicated on cultural, social, political, and historical factors, including issues of race, class, and gender. While primarily focusing on a range of dramatic texts and theatrical performances from different genres, countries, and historical periods, the course also examines literature, film, television, and other media.

Course Level: Undergraduate

General Education Area 1 Topic (1-3)

Cultural Foundations of Italian Politics

Following the intensive 3-week summer living and learning experience in Rome, this first-year seminar for entering freshmen on the cultural foundations of Italian politics continues on-campus in the fall semester. The course has an international and comparative perspective and includes the cultural, artistic, religious, and historical foundations of Rome and its many and evolving political systems and its continuing influence throughout history, as well as Italian political institutions and sites. Open only to students in the Cultural Foundations of Italian Politics Program. Meets with GNED-120 001 GNED-130 001 GNED-140 001.