Students in this seminar will define, identify, and evaluate diverse notions of justice, equity, equality, oppression, discrimination, and prejudice specifically related to diversity. While thinking more broadly about what constitutes a fair and just society, students will build skills in cultural awareness and empathy. The course culminates in a group problem-solving project. Prerequisite: any 100-level VUSM course or transfer student placement. LDW

This seminar is designed to increase students awareness, understanding, and appreciation of diversity, broadly defined (e.g., diversity in race and ethnicity, social class, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, and religion). Students will build skills for becoming responsible citizens and advocates for cultural competency. Students will complete course expectations through an intercultural travel experience. Prerequisite: any 100-level VUSM course or transfer student placement and completed study abroad application and approval. LDW

The content of this course focuses on novels written between 1983 and 2004 by women who identify as Caribbean even though they may not live or have been born in that part of the world. All but one of the novels used in the course were originally written in English. I, Tituba was written in French and translated into English. The novels to be read are set in several different countries (Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Barbados, Antiqua, Cuba); but as Caribbean womens fiction, they share common themes and ways of perceiving the world.

Global Music in a Diverse World raises critical consciousness of diverse populations through the exploration of various musical and cultural traditions from around the world. Examples include Indonesia, Puerto Rico, Ghana, Argentina, Jazz, Gospel and other traditions. These cultures will be studied within the broader context of rituals, memory, migration, politics, transmission, identity and life-cycle events. Students will learn through directed reading, listening, online group discussion, giving online presentations and attending live performances.

At its best, theatre helps us understand who we are; it can explain, examine, ridicule, or celebrate the human condition. Gender is a fundamental aspect of personal and social identity. It is a biological, psychological, and cultural category of paramount importance. In addition, gender is often a criterion for social stratification and differing political treatment, as well as a favored symbol for expressing essential values and beliefs.

Multicultural America Literature addresses questions of cultural difference through analysis of contemporary hyphenated-American narratives by authors such as Toni Morrison and Jhumpa Lahiri. Students will examine how character choices and options are culturally shaped and socially bordered. Against the background of dominant white culture, students will explore the common ground among these cultures-conflicts between genders and generations as well as assimilation pressure. Students will also compare their own cultural identities with those represented in the narratives they analyze.

Viterbo University mission related topics offered on the basis of need, interest, or timeliness. Prerequisites as determined by the instructor. Restricted to students with freshman or sophomore standing. May be repeated for credit. For specific section description, click to the Section Details in VitNet. LDW

Independent reading and/or research under the guidance of a mission seminar faculty member. Refer to the academic policy section for independent study policy. Independent study contract is required. May be repeated for credit.

This course familiarizes students with the social, economic, psychological, and political issues that challenge contemporary women locally and internationally. It also encourages students to further their personal progress toward understanding and dealing constructively with womens issues. Cross-listed with WMST 100. Prerequisite: any 100-level VUSM or transfer student placement. LDW

This course familiarizes international students with expectations and conventions typical of the American college classroom and the resources and supports available at Viterbo including the library, tutoring and other academic supports.