For the fall 2020 semester, Missouri S&T will offer upper-level courses to help students develop an understanding of current political and social issues. Students can register for the courses online through JoeSS, which includes:

Art/French 4320: Contemporary French and Francophone Cinema – Films explore topics including the Nazi Occupation of France, anti-Semitism, racism, immigration, colonialism and disability. Dr. Audra Merfeld-Langston, associate professor and chair of arts, languages, and philosophy, will teach the course.

English 2002: Critical Approaches to Literature – Addresses issues of race, language, and society through literature. The course will be taught by English and technical communication faculty: Dr. Kristine Swenson, professor and chair; Dr. Sarah Hercula, assistant professor; and Dr. Carleigh Davis, assistant professor.

English 3304: Language in Society – Examines language variation and change in society from the perspective of the intersection of language and identity, race, gender, class and other social factors. Dr. Sarah Hercula will teach the class.

English 3227: American Gothic – The development of horror literature and dark fiction in American writing as a reflection of class, ethnic and social issues. Dr. Kathryn Dolan, associate professor of English and technical communication, will teach the class.

History 4245: Nazi Germany and the Holocaust – Engages with issues including anti-Semitism, social and legal exclusion of minorities, police actions and resistance to government. Dr. Shannon Fogg, professor of history and political science and interim dean for academic affairs in the College of Arts, Languages, and Business, will teach the course.

Philosophy 4340: Social Ethics – Discusses ethical issues confronting society such as freedom of speech, capital punishment, affirmative action and government regulation. Paul Hamilton, a lecturer in arts, languages and philosophy, will teach the course.

Political Science 3001: Politics of the Middle East – Explores politics in a region with deep religious, ethnic and social divisions. Dr. Tseggai Isaac, professor of history and political science, will teach the course.

Psychology 4600: Social Psychology – Topics related to human social behavior include social thinking, attitudes and attitude change, conformity and persuasion. Dr. Daniel Shank, assistant professor of psychological science, will teach the class.

Psychology 4993: Psychology of Gender – Highlights issues of gender including sexism and its intersection with racism, classism and heterosexism from a psychology perspective. Dr. Jessica Cundiff, assistant professor of psychological science, will teach the class.

Technical Communication 3570: Writing in the Sciences – Learn about the social impact and context of scientific research, information deserts and correcting the spread of misinformation about science. Dr. Carleigh Davis, assistant professor of English and technical communication, will teach the class.

For more information about the courses, please contact the faculty members shown above.