Humanities

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Is it wrong to enjoy true crime media because it’s based on harm done to real people? Is it ok for one country to threaten another with nuclear warfare, to avoid world destruction? Should some books be banned from schools? Such ethical questions surround us, and each one comes with a range of reasonable answers. Through lectures, discussions, and practice drills based on Ethics Bowl cases, students will learn to develop the foundational skills required to discuss complex issues productively, build strong arguments, respond to objections, and explore ethical theories. The course will conclude with a tournament-style scrimmage where students will apply their newly acquired understanding of public speaking, argumentation, and ethical theory. This course has no prerequisites, though current or future Ethics Bowlers and Debaters are especially encouraged to attend. For Summer 2025, participation in this course is limited to students from the Gulf South, with preference given to Louisiana residents.

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The world is facing many global challenges in the 21st century. One of the most significant is global climate change, which is an existential threat to humans – and the planet. Within this challenge are issues related to environmental injustices. These are concerns about how local communities – usually working-class, lower income and, very often, BIPOC communities – are the most likely to carry the burdens of industrial production, consumption, and waste. In this course, we will explore the role of science, politics, and society in both creating – and, hopefully, solving – these challenges.

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Explore Louisiana’s role as a global leader in incarceration and its ongoing efforts in criminal justice reform. This class dives into the inequalities of the justice system, the fight for change, and the power of media in shaping perceptions about crime and punishment. Students will meet with formerly incarcerated activists, study the prison industrial complex, and learn media techniques to create impactful projects. Through hands-on collaboration, you’ll produce media pieces for Voice of the Experienced (VOTE), amplifying stories of reform and redemption. Join us to uncover the challenges and possibilities of building a fairer justice system!

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This is the Way. Science fiction enables us to study the contemporary political world from a distance -- to shed light on its problems and its weaknesses, and to be imaginative about alternatives, both hope-filled and deeply troubling. Through science fiction, we will consider ideas like power, authority, legitimacy, equality, and identity. Many of the readings, television shows, and movies we examine in this course will reflect upon the current political, social, cultural, and religious environment we reside in; whereas the technology may be from a distant future, the struggles the characters face all find their roots in our collective human existence.

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Discover the untold stories of New Orleans through its cultural institutions! This class explores how museums and historic sites have both silenced and amplified Black voices, focusing on three impactful spaces: the TEP Center, the New Orleans African American Museum, and the Backstreet Cultural Museum. You’ll learn about their roles in addressing racism, celebrating Black traditions, and preserving African American history. With interactive class visits, an exciting field trip, and group projects, you’ll dive deep into the powerful narratives shaping New Orleans’ culture. Join us to uncover history, challenge perspectives, and create meaningful audio-visual projects!

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In this course, students work with experienced faculty to learn techniques for music and audio production using Digital Audio Workstation software like Ableton, Logic, and Reaper. Students engage in critical listening and work on daily creative projects, culminating in a concert of student work at the end of the week. Topics and techniques covered in the class include Sound Synthesis, Sample Manipulation, Songwriting and Arranging, Mixing and Mastering.

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In "Music, Gender, and Sexuality in New Orleans," we will use Black feminism and queer theory as a means to analyze and understand a variety of the city's music genres including bounce, brass band, Black Masking Indian funk, hip-hop, and R&B. How do musicians use music and sound to contest and enforce ideas about gender and sexuality? And how do these gender expressions intersect with other identity categories such as race and class? In asking these and other questions, this course makes a case for the intimate and inseparable relationship between gender performance and sexual expression in contemporary and historical music in New Orleans.

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Spend the week diving into the history, mechanics, and ethics of visual journalism with hands-on time dedicated to making a cohesive, sequenced photo story with an award-winning National Geographic photographer. Emphasis will be placed on developing story, strengthening technical ability, and learning how to develop specialized skills like intimate portraiture and compelling narrative. No specialized equipment required — smartphone cameras welcome and encouraged.

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This course introduces an array of tools, techniques and motivations associated with Computer Music Composition and Creative Audio Programming. Students will gain familiarity with the Digital Music Studio and Audio Workstation environments as they prepare frequent short composition assignments. Music Production paradigms to be explored in the course include MIDI Arranging, Sampling and Audio Editing, Sound Spatialization, Sonification Techniques and Process Music. We will also explore basic sound synthesis techniques including FM synthesis, ring modulation, granular synthesis, additive and subtractive synthesis.

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Everyone seems to be expressing themselves online, telling their story, and trying to explain their point of view. But rarely is someone’s authentic voice able to come through. In this course, students will develop their unique voices and tell meaningful stories about current socio-political issues. Students will learn how various art forms have been used to shape social change, theories of social change; as well as marketing, advertising and public relations tactics that can be utilized for promoting certain social issues to become leaders for their community. How will you develop your authentic voice to create messages that are meaningful and surprising, creative, and simply true—your truth?

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Students are passionate about social issues in their communities. But how can they get the word out and effect change? In this course, students will learn the tactics of persuasive communications necessary to advocate for causes they believe in. Students will practice these methods, from effective public speaking to strategic social media, to create effective communications. Seminar discussions will focus on contemporary issues of gender, politics, and advocacy work.