DLA Spring 2026 Class Summaries

The course uses design thinking to address the “wicked problem” of designing your life and career. Offering a framework, tools, space and a community of peers and mentor. The course employs a design thinking approach including empathizing, defining challenges, ideating, prototyping, discussion, reflection, revising to help students from any major develop a constructive and effective approach to finding and designing their lives and vocations during and after their time at UNCSA. Topics include the integration of work and worldviews, ideation & prototyping techniques, designing work/life balance, and methods of critique.
Prerequisites: ENG 1200 or FYS 1200

Exploration of the intersectionality between ethics and morality in the arts industry and how it impacts artist's rights, consumerism, and other related legal principles. Human rights, social and societal justice, and health and wellness are just a few of many ethical issues confronted by artists in their work. How do we continue to empower and inspire artists to challenge and confront what they see as important societal values while also protecting the legality of their work? This course will also attempt to explore the question of where the law should end as it pertains to the field(s) of art.
Prerequisites: ENG 1200 or FYS 1200

This course explores the purposes of Art in our contemporary society, and the impact artists can have on social, cultural and/or political change This course enables students to develop a creative and critical framework to formulate their own answers to these questions, while also developing their leadership capacity toward achieving this impact by practicing tactics and strategies to take on new challenges.
Prerequisite: HUM 2100 or HUM 2101

An introduction to the language of art, visual analysis, and art history, providing the foundation for the study of visual art and visual culture. The class will begin with an overview of visual art language, including the elements, principles, and techniques of visual art and design. Next, the course covers the basics of art theory and methods of art history through close looking at and analysis of art in different media. Third, the course offers a brief survey of the history of art from prehistory to the present. Lectures, discussions, readings, writings and projects introduce a framework of the historical, cultural and environmental forces that affect art, artists and audience. Designed for students who have not had introductory classes in visual art or art history.

This course examines the intersection of art, crime, and cultural memory, exploring the complex motives behind theft, forgery, and vandalism in the art world. By investigating the histories and mythologies surrounding stolen, damaged, and falsified works of art, students will develop a deeper understanding of how these transgressions shape our perceptions of artistic value, authorship, and cultural identity. Through case studies, students will analyze major art movements, criminal motives, and the institutional frameworks designed to safeguard cultural heritage — frameworks that often prove vulnerable to human desire, greed, or ideology. Alongside this exploration, students will hone their writing skills through a variety of assignments, including analytical essays, creative responses, and research-based narratives.
By engaging with films and literature, students will critically examine how crimes against art reveal broader questions about power, ownership, and the role of cultural memory in shaping public discourse. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to articulate complex ideas about art and its social significance through clear, compelling, and sophisticated writing.
Pre-requisite(s): ENG 1200 or FYS 1200

This course will help prepare students that are entering the workforce to better understand the importance of sound personal financial management. Topics to be covered include an introduction to basic business and economic principles, fundamentals of investing (including risk vs. return)., personal budgeting, preparation of an artist's personal income tax return, understanding employee benefits, insurance basics, independent contractor status, and retirement planning. This course is geared toward all student artists; therefore, no prior background in business is required.
Pre-requisite(s): ENG 1200 or FYS 1200

This course examines the use of effective teams and the approaches to motivate and maintain productive collaborations within the team.  By exploring common obstacles that negatively impact teams, this course will help students develop a tool kit to counteract these negative influences.  Topics include: team dysfunction, development of high performance teams, problem solving, conflict handling, advantages of diverse perspectives, and team development processes. Prerequisites: ENG 1200 or FYS 1200

The course will explore the ways people employ language in different cultural and social settings, and encourage students to reflect critically about the relations between language, social and cultural practices, and power. Through a diverse range of readings and case studies, this course will introduce students to the sociolinguistic and ethnographic study of language, language practices, and language beliefs/ideologies. Finally, special emphasis will be given to arguments around language use in art and media.

An introduction to the French language with the goal of oral proficiency. The major emphasis is on spoken French, basic grammar and vocabulary building, which will provide the student with the necessary language skills to function on a basic level in a French-speaking country. The student will also learn about cultural elements of the country and its people. Prerequisites: Passing FRE 1101 required for FRE 1102.

Engaging & Responding courses are small, writing-intensive topics seminars. Through interdisciplinary, project-based learning, students in Engaging & Responding will engage in sustained inquiry about a single topic. Over the course of the term, students will have the opportunity to develop a portfolio of work though a supported process of revision and reflection. Seminar topics will vary year to year based on the DLA faculty areas of study and research.
*SEE TITLE FOR TOPIC BY SECTION OF THIS COURSE*
Prerequisite: FYS 1000

An introduction to the German language with emphasis on reading, writing, and above all listening and speaking German. Basic grammar and vocabulary building and the basic aspects of German-language culture will provide the student with necessary skills to function on a basic level in a German-speaking country.
Prerequisite(s): GER 1102 requires passing GER 1101.

Continued study and practice of German reading, writing, speaking and comprehension for expanded understanding and production of the German language. Students will also study contemporary and historical German-language cultural artifacts such as Lieder, operas, film, plays, etc.
Prerequisite: GER 1102; GER 2102 requires passing 2101, placement test or permission of instructor.

In this core humanities course, students encounter exemplary texts from antiquity to the present and from multiple continents and diverse cultures. How do we make meaning from this expansive record of storytelling, inquiry, and creative expression? How can today's artist-citizens respond as active conversation partners across time and space? Specific content and thematic emphases will vary across course sections, reflecting the diverse specializations and perspectives of Division of Liberal Arts faculty. In all sections, however, students will wrestle both with texts long privileged as 'canonical' and, of equal importance, others that speak from the margins and compel us to think critically about how we assign value and importance to different voices and traditions. All sections also share one significant contemporary text (selected annually). “Critical Dialogues” students will cultivate their skills of research, writing, and verbal expression, and in doing so, situate their artistic and professional practice in specific contexts and as woven into a larger world of ideas. This course fulfills the Foundations of American Democracy requirement. Prerequisites: ENG 1200 or FYS 1200
*APPROVAL TO ENROLL REQUIRED WHEN OFFERED DURING SPRING 2026*

Paths to the Present courses use a single topical focus as an analytical lens to provide students with a historical perspective on the contemporary world. Topics vary across course sections, reflecting the diverse specializations and perspectives of DLA faculty. Paths to the Present students will continue to cultivate the skills developed in Critical Dialogues and, in doing so, situate their creative and scholarly practice in historical contexts and a larger world of ideas. *SEE TITLE FOR TOPIC BY SECTION OF THIS COURSE*

Simon Suggs, a nineteenth century scam artist, once remarked "It's good to be shifty in a new country." This course will explore cons, frauds, fakes, and forgeries. We will examine the intertwined natures of appearance, trust, desire, and identity. How do fakes and hoaxes work? Why do they work? Why do people want to believe? Some of the issues we will be examining include the nature of representation, authenticity, value, talent, desire, identity, and narrative. Prerequisites: none

This course explores how Hip-Hop culture historicizes current events to move forward a “remix” of the artistic renaissance in cinematic production, theatrical performance, literary production design, choreography, and music. Students will think critically about rap music beyond the scope of entertainment by engaging in multidisciplinary discourse and projects that examine the history, influence, and relevance of Hip-Hop culture.
Prerequisite: HUM 2100

An introduction to the Italian language with emphasis on reading, writing, and above all listening and speaking Italian. Basic grammar and vocabulary building, and the basic aspects of Italian-language culture will provide the student with necessary skills to function on a basic level in an Italian-speaking country.
Prerequisites: Passing ITA 1101 required for ITA 1102.

This course surveys pivotal moments and texts in the history of African-American prose. This course places emphasis on literary discourse as a means of defining African-American consciousness, identity and community, understanding representations of African-Americans' notion of community and investigating how the communities that African-Americans inhabit have shaped their discursive experiences. We will examine the oral tradition, both canonical and non-canonical texts, and a variety of genres---spiritual autobiographies, speeches, essays, short stories, music, poetry and novels. Prerequisite(s): ENG 1200.

This course explores the key features, cultural contexts, and evolving narratives of noir fiction emphasizing literary works, but including films, video games, or comics. Students will analyze themes of moral ambiguity, social critique, and psychological complexity in both classic and contemporary works. Through critical analysis and creative projects, students will gain a deeper understanding of noir's aesthetic and thematic significance as a genre.
Prerequisites: ENG 1200 or FYS 1200

By the dawn of the twentieth century the symbolist movement had developed a focus on subjectivity, spirituality, and mysticism to represent a higher truth than mere external observation. This laid the groundwork for the development of the Theatre of the Absurd. By focusing on text, audience reception, and performance style, this course is designed to trace the development of experimental theatre from symbolism to the absurd. Texts will vary, but may include such authors as Maeterlinck, Strindberg, Beckett, Ionesco, and Genet. Prerequisites: ENG 1200 or FYS 1200

Readings selected from among the classics of the 20th-century theater of Germany, Austria and Switzerland will allow students to practice and develop informal and formal written and oral expression, practice and develop critical analysis/interpretation with regard to an artwork's particular aesthetic/artistic style and its historical, social and political context, and become familiar with some of the central themes of the modern German-language theater and of modern theater and art generally. Internationally renowned plays by playwrights such as Brecht, Horvath, Handke, Duerrenmatt, Weiss and others will allow students to appreciate their influence on, reflection of and relevance for contemporary art and life.
Prerequisites: ENG 1200 or FYS 1200

A one-term special topics course taught that focus on the work of individual playwrights or groups of playwrights, or on dramatic works representing various periods, nations, styles or themes.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 1200 or FYS 1200.

Among the topics studied are uses and abuses of percentages, simple and compound interest, compound interest for interest paid n times per year, continuous compounding, savings plans, total and annual returns, types of investments, loan basics, credit card debt and fixed rate options, and mortgages.

Study of human sexuality emphasizing methods of sexuality research, relationships, gender identity, intimacy, sexual response, reproduction, exploitation, and dysfunctions. This course will introduce students to a variety of topics and issues related to human sexuality, primarily by focusing on human sexual behavior of individuals, within groups, and within the environments that support these behaviors. Students will learn and process ideas and information through reading, class discussion lectures and guest lecturers; topic research, active participation in group and individual exercises, project work and other forms of assignments.

A description of the various psychological disorders and the methods used to study them. Each disorder is approached from a number of perspectives: biological, psychosocial (psychodynamic, interpersonal, behavioral, cognitive, and humanistic) and sociocultural. Prerequisite(s): ENG 1200

A study of the normal nutritional requirements of the human body, the relationship of diet to health, and the impact of behavior and cultural influences on food choices. Students will analyze their own diet relative to recommended standards for young adults. Whenever available, community resources will be utilized for content enrichment. 

We will explore the ideas of scientific thinkers such as Aristotle, Ptolemy, Brahe, Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, Newton, and Einstein and compare their ideas to those of modern thinkers in the sciences. Discussions will focus on scientific explanation and methodology, and the scientific, theological, and sociological implications of scientific discoveries.

This case study-based course introduces students to basic cell biology topics and examines how they contribute to common conditions. This course delves into the structure, function, and processes of cells, exploring topics such as cellular metabolism, communication, and the molecular mechanisms that underlie cellular activities. Students will engage in both theoretical and practical approaches to understand the complexities of cellular life. The goal of this course is (1) to foster a deep understanding of cellular processes and their implications in health and disease, (2) to develop skills in scientific inquiry and critical analysis, and (3) encourage collaboration and communication among peers.

Drugs that act on the central nervous system (CNS) are the most widely used group of pharmacologic agents. In addition, drugs are one of the most important tools for studying all aspects of CNS physiology from the mechanisms that control movement to the consolidation of memories. The field of neuropharmacology requires understanding of disease mechanisms as well as the effects of drugs and other compounds on neuronal function. This course will focus on the pharmacodynamics (the actions of the drug on the body) and pharmacokinetics (the actions of the body on the drug) of various drugs in the central nervous system and the communication of this subject to a non-science audience.

This course focuses on the interplay between art and science. We will use artistic expressions to explore and reflect upon the creative process in science and art. We will discuss the relationship between science and art in dance, music, sculpture and the visual arts. Our discussions will lead us to scientific topics ranging from energy to natural history.

How easy would it be for terrorists to develop and distribute biochemical and nuclear weapons? Are there viable alternatives to fossil fuels? Is climate change a reality and, if so, can it be stopped? As responsible citizens, we must understand the answers to these questions. Part of developing an understanding is learning about the science behind these topics. We will explore energy, stem-cell research and genetic engineering, nuclear weapons, space exploration, and climate change with the goal of learning about science in the headlines.

This is a broad survey and introduction to the social sciences discipline of sociology. This course will provide students with an overview of the scientific method in the social sciences, the sociological perspective, sociological theory, and problems and issues in society. Students will engage in critical readings and discussion around topics including social structures, social stratification, and the role of race, ethnicity, and gender in society. Students will learn to apply the sociological perspective and scientific method towards the analysis of social issues, distinguishing between values, opinions, and facts.

This course is designed to provide a cross-sectional view of theater practice by exploring key ideas in dramatic genre, theory and criticism; design, performance and stagecraft from the Restoration to the present.
Prerequisites: ENG 1200 or FYS 1200

This workshop introduces the fundamentals of contemporary stage writing. It teaches students to analyze stage writing and develop dramatic form through readings, discussion and original writing exercises. Student revision is required and based upon peer and instructor feedback.
Prerequisites: ENG 1200

This creative writing workshop draws from student-generated material. It focuses on researching, writing and getting ready to perform a one-person show. Students examine successful examples and develop original material geared for public presentation. Weekly texts and critiques, revisions and mandatory conferences with teacher lead to a final solo performance project. Prerequisites: ENG 1200

This course examines the intersection of art, crime, and cultural memory, exploring the complex motives behind theft, forgery, and vandalism in the art world. By investigating the histories and mythologies surrounding stolen, damaged, and falsified works of art, students will develop a deeper understanding of how these transgressions shape our perceptions of artistic value, authorship, and cultural identity. Through case studies, students will analyze major art movements, criminal motives, and the institutional frameworks designed to safeguard cultural heritage — frameworks that often prove vulnerable to human desire, greed, or ideology. Alongside this exploration, students will hone their writing skills through a variety of assignments, including analytical essays, creative responses, and research-based narratives.
By engaging with films and literature, students will critically examine how crimes against art reveal broader questions about power, ownership, and the role of cultural memory in shaping public discourse. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to articulate complex ideas about art and its social significance through clear, compelling, and sophisticated writing.
Pre-requisite(s): ENG 1200 or FYS 1200

This course begins with a dare: to treat writing as a radical act of attention in a world bent on selling yours back to you. In this class, you will need to be able to pause, linger, and notice. To let the smallest things take the spotlight away from the flashy, immediate gratification. A doorknob slick with the oils of a hundred hands has a story to tell. A puddle opening itself into an entire weather system the second you bend down to look.
Our companions will be writers, storytellers, filmmakers, musicians—the ones who have built their lives around noticing. They’ll help us practice not just seeing, but gazing: deliberate, sustained, sometimes unsettling. Each week, through reading, observing, scribbling, eavesdropping, you’ll train yourself to slow the world, to let the neglected accumulate until it becomes spellbinding, uncanny, resistant.
By the end, the portfolio you hold will be less a collection of assignments than a testament: that paying attention is not passive. It is a form of power. It is devotion. And sometimes, if you let it, it can be a kind of transformation.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 1200

This creative writing workshop examines story, plot, point-of-view, characterization, voice and description and narrative strategies. Students share work with the instructor and one another, getting feedback, guidance and support for writing, and learning to critique and revise. Sketches, character pieces, diverse narrative forms and other exercises lead to at least one final short story.
Prerequisites: ENG 1200 or FYS 1200

This advanced creative writing seminar and workshop builds on concepts introduced in 2000 level creative writing courses. Students will work in a variety of fictional genres, including realistic fiction, flash fiction, and mixed genres, such as thriller, fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, comedy, romance, and other selected genres of choice. Students are expected to have a solid understanding of fictional forms and the elements of fiction. Students will have autonomy over their own writing projects, and are expected to have a high level of motivation and investment in their written work. Coursework includes studio writing exercises, drafts and revisions, class sharing, critiques, and conferencing. Students are expected to have a final portfolio of work completed by the end of the term, with an eye towards publication. This is 3000 level advanced writing course. This course pairs with WRI 3600. Class size is limited to allow for instructor feedback and conferencing at every stage of the writing process.
Prerequisites: HUM 2100: Critical Dialogues; AND at least one 2000 level Writing Course (or received permission of instructor).