Humanities Center Seminar (HUMC 294)
How can students, as critically informed and engaged citizens of the world, build and restore communities? "Speaking Truth to Power" is a one-unit, tuition-free course that brings together artists, scientists, humanities scholars, engineers, social scientists and other distinguished faculty from across the curriculum to discuss the history, cultural meanings, ideologies, practices and evolution of the concepts and realities of citizenship and community.
In this summer class, USD’s faculty introduces incoming first-year students to the different ways that academic disciplines help us develop critical intellectual skills so that we can make a sustained positive impact in the world. Taught remotely, this course will be highly participatory and introduce students to the interdisciplinary nature of a USD liberal arts education.
Week 1
Shaping Citizens with Critical Thinking, Information and Technology
- Speakers
- Readings
- Kristin Moran, PhD | Communication Studies
- Satyan Devadoss, PhD | Mathematics
- Casey Dominguez, PhD | Political Science and International Relations
- Meghan Donnelly, PhD | Anthropology
Week 2
Global Systems and the Fight for Equity and Truth
- Speakers
- Readings
- Brittany Asaro, PhD | Languages, Cultures and Literatures
- Eliza Smith, PhD | Languages, Cultures and Literatures
- Thomas Reifer, PhD | Sociology
- Derrick Cartwright, PhD | Art, Architecture + Art History
Week 3
Civic Engagement and Healing Communities of Critical Social Issues
- Speakers
- Readings
- Jen Wenzel, PhD | Psychological Sciences
- Mike Williams, JD, PhD | Political Science and International Relations
- Frank Jacobitz, PhD | Mechanical Engineering
- Amanda Makula, MA | Copley Library, Digital Initiatives
Week 4
Alternative Solutions to the Postmodern and the Practical
- Speakers
- Readings
- Michael Kelly, PhD | Philosophy
- Hannah Holtzman, PhD | Humanities Center
- Kathleen Kramer, PhD | Electrical Engineering
- Sara Hasselbach, PhD | English
Week 5
Decolonial Approaches to Cultural Citizenships and Communities
- Speakers
- Readings
- Amanda Petersen, PhD | Languages, Cultures and Literatures
- Emilie Amrein, DMA | Music
- Alberto Pulido, PhD | Ethnic Studies
- Marni LaFleur, PhD | Anthropology