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This seminar takes us on a journey across the various areas of Edo (the former name of Tokyo), from the shogun’s residence to the entertainment district, to explore the roots and hidden meaning of the different segments of Japanese culture, such as kabuki theater and woodblock print making, among others.

This course examines filmmaking in the city in the 1960s, considering distinctly local experimental and documentary filmmakers, filmmakers who began their careers in the city, and Hollywood productions that used Chicago as a location.

The speed of changes in visual art – both its nature and its role in Western culture – had increased after World War II. In this class, we address the most recent and impactful art movements such as: found objects, conceptual art, pop art and many more. How has art practice changed in the second half of 20th century and early 21 century?

This course presents a chronological survey of the history of art through an examination of canonical artists and artworks from Antiquity to the late Medieval period. We will start with developments of the Ancient Greek and Roman world. We will then look at the impact of early Islam and Christianity on the art of the Mediterranean.

Using Biblical scholarship, archaeology, art history, and primary texts in translation, this course will outline the historic development of the Christian religion. Beginning with pre-Christian Mediterranean society, religions, and politics we will engage in a discussion of Jewish messianism and the subsequent birth of a new religion.

Kevin Kwan’s book Crazy Rich Asians is a cultural bridge between the East and the West. In this course, we will discuss central characters in this refreshing book’s multicultural society. We will exam the settings, including cosmopolitan cities like Singapore, of the international bestselling novel that tells stories about Asia in transition.

Over the past century and a half American writers have created a body of literature great in its variety, beautiful prose and illumination into the deeps of the human condition. This course will introduce readers to short stories that exemplify these virtues.

This class is designed for writers who have already explored the basics of memoir and are ready to tackle the challenges of longer essays and excerpts of full-length manuscripts. You may deepen or expand a work-in-progress or begin a new piece of writing.

The speed of changes in visual art – both its nature and its role in Western culture – had increased after World War II. In this class, we address the most recent and impactful art movements such as: found objects, conceptual art, pop art and many more. How has art practice changed in the second half of 20th century and early 21 century?

The frequent banning of books and films in China has reinforced a vision of Chinese censorship as a very strict system. This course explores literary and film censorship in China from the 1980s to the present to complicate this vision.

How do we understand the art that has come out of the great art revolutions of the late 19th and 20th centuries? Even a viewer who is equipped with basic principles for viewing art may be at a loss in addressing modern visual work.

How do we understand the art that has come out of the great art revolutions of the late 19th and 20th centuries? Even a viewer who is equipped with basic principles for viewing art may be at a loss in addressing modern visual work.

What is the ultimate standard of morality? Is it the best possible outcome for the most people? Is it dutiful and self-sacrificial adherence to absolute rules? Or should ethics aim at cultivating excellent moral character for happiness?

One of the more distinctive writing systems ever devised, the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic system covered the walls of tombs, temples, andcoffins for four thousand years of Egypt’s history. This course is a broad introduction, focusing on the classical phase of Middle Egyptian most often seen on works of art in museums around the world.

This course explores the history and continued importance of public art in Chicago through the examination of a selection of notable case studies from the late 19th century to the present. Two issues will shape this course.