Special Topics Course Descriptions

This course explores the various ways cultures deal with death and construct different beliefs of the afterlife. From a global anthropological perspective, students examine various topics ranging from how mortuary traditions develop and shape society, to how expressions of grief and mourning differ cross-culturally, and how humans and nonhumans become ancestors. This course draws on multiple disciplinary perspectives, including archaeology, medicine, cultural anthropology, and Indigenous understandings, to appreciate the diversity of human social practices and beliefs about death. Students also learn about the ethical treatment and study of the dead as well as the preferences of different descendant communities.

This course offers an overview of Asian cultures and societies, spanning from East Asia to India and the Tibetan Culture Area. The course takes a critical approach to studying Asia, examining it from transcultural and transnational perspectives. By exploring various anthropological studies of Asia, students will gain insights into the historical legacies (such as colonialism, postcolonial nation-building, and Cold War politics) as well as current social trends (including migration, globalization, displacement, and environmental crisis) that have influenced and continue to impact the social and cultural dynamics in the region, going beyond the conventional nation-state framework. The course covers a range of specific themes, including gender, sexuality, social class, religions, ethnicities, family and kinship systems, health and the body, expressive cultures, and economies.

The course introduces students to current topics of importance to the study of fishes. An emphasis will be placed on the fishes of Tennessee and the Southeast. Lecture topics to be covered include evolutionary history, structure & form, taxonomic diversity, and ecology & conservation. The laboratory will introduce students to research techniques and standard sampling & species identification methods.

This course explores the intersection between economic principles and educational systems, policies, and outcomes. Drawing upon foundational economic theories and methodologies, students delve into the complexities of educational investment, resource allocation, human capital development, and the socioeconomic implications of educational policies.

100 years ago, the Indian Citizenship Act brought a major turning point for Indigenous rights in the United States. This is a retrospective investigation of the much longer history of this struggle. While Native nations often rejected citizenship as a hollow promise and conduit of colonization, other Indigenous people within the United States actively sought citizenship to combat inequality and dispossession. Some achieved unique recognition of rights, while most navigated limited citizenship as a framework to remain in their homeland. With a focus on the nineteenth-century U.S., the course features readings on regional case studies of Native rights. Topics explored include Native petitioning and suffrage; conflicts around tribal citizenship and allotment; transitions in state and federal policy during the Civil War and Reconstruction; and how Indigenous people have defined citizenship on their own terms. Through collaborative research, students will contribute to a digital humanities project which commemorates this milestone anniversary.

This course uses contemporary cinema to introduce students to the diverse histories, communities, and sociocultural practices associated with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Students will watch and analyze a series of feature films made by MENA-based filmmakers, considering their form, style, and content–as well as the sociopolitical conditions under which they were made. The focus will be on “reading” these films ethnographically–i.e., students will engage them as “texts” that shed light on contemporary life in the MENA region. Through this work, students will explore topics that have been of enduring interest to filmmakers from–and scholars of–the region, including gender identities and sexuality, religious practices and daily life, family and kinship, class, and sociopolitical conflict.

This course is about the struggle for Black people to have political responsiveness from the government in the United States. It focuses on their struggle for political rights and will be used as a CEL course to increase the political participation in Tennessee. Moreover this course is designed to expose students to the complexity of participation, the consequences of political participation, and the gap between practice and theory.

An introduction to empirical psychology, designed for students who do not plan to major in psychology and/or neuroscience. Key areas, approaches, and theories in psychology are illustrated. The process of scientific inquiry, including experience with a variety of research approaches and methodological issues, is integrated into the course. This course may not be used to satisfy requirements for the major or minor in Psychology. Open only to first- and second-year students. Not open for credit to students who have received credit for PSYC 100, PSYC 101, or for a 100-level psychology course taken at another university.

How can understanding the human mind contribute to protecting the planet? Open to students of all majors, this interdisciplinary course explores how psychological principles can be applied to global environmental challenges. Explore the intersection of human behavior and ecological principles of interconnectedness, the impact of minor actions, circular life systems, growth limits, and how diversity fuels resilience. Learn how psychological innovations and action research approaches can promote environmental justice. Through a hopeful lens, this course encourages a shift from despair to actionable solutions, equipping students with tools to foster a sustainable future for all. This course may not be used to satisfy requirements for the major or minor in Psychology. Open only to first-and second-year students. Not open for credit to students who have received credit for PSYC 100, PSYC 101, or for a 100-level psychology course taken at another university.

Drugs impact our brain and behavior in myriad ways. This course will explore pharmacological, biological, psychological and sociocultural factors contributing to drug use in medical and recreational contexts. No prior knowledge or experience in psychology and/or neuroscience is required; content is designed for students who do not plan to pursue degrees in psychology and/or neuroscience. This course may not be used to satisfy requirements for the major or minor in Psychology. Open only to first-and second-year students. Not open for credit to students who have received credit for PSYC 100, PSYC 101, or for a 100-level psychology course taken at another university.

How do psychologists harness their understanding of the human mind to champion environmental sustainability? This course explores the critical role psychologists play in promoting sustainable behaviors and environmental stewardship. Examine the nuanced relationship between psychological processes and environmental factors, and gain insight into how human behavior affects and is affected by natural and built environments. Learn about psychological theories and practices that encourage environmental justice and sustainability, and apply research methods that foster actionable solutions for a sustainable future. This course prepares students to work at the intersection of psychological and environmental well-being.

How do we build a meaningful life? What actually interests us, how do those interests align with our values and skills, and how can we use that self-knowledge to do work that the world needs? This course will help students to identify strengths, set goals, and cultivate a clearer sense of purpose, and explore potential career paths using your psychology or neuroscience degree. Students will conduct informational interviews and develop professional materials, including personal statements & cover letters, and will craft an evidence-based project in one of their key interest areas. Open to sophomores, juniors, & seniors pursuing majors in psychology or neuroscience.

This course explores effective and appropriate ways to communicate psychological topics to diverse audiences in both face-to-face and mediated contexts. Students will explore primary psychological sources on a topic of interest, with the goal of understanding and effectively communicating the ideas to a broader audience. Students will analyze the needs and perspectives of different audience groups, including professionals and the general public, and practice accessible communication. Discussions will cover various settings, such as conference presentations, business meetings, workshops, and online platforms like social media, blogs, and podcasts. Open only to seniors pursuing programs in psychology.