Undergraduate Courses
Graduate Courses
LST 711 The Black Death (A)
Having lived through a 21st –century pandemic, we are in a unique position to consider historical pandemics. The onset of Plague in medieval Europe in from 1346 to 1349, known as “The Black Death,” was a cataclysmic experience and introduced a period of recurring plague epidemics into global Eurasian culture until the 18th century. Although historians debate the process and details of plague’s impact, they agree that the presence of plague throughout this era changed society, medicine, global trade, religion, and intellectual life from its outbreak in 1348 to 1700. Why did one disease have such sweeping effects? In this course, we will attempt to understand these effects and investigate how plague changed European life forever, leaving in its wake a pessimistic fascination with death, NYSED requires a minimum course grade of “B-” (undergraduate sections) or “B- (graduate sections) for certification. 3 Cr.
LST 713 Music in Contemporary Society (A)
Explores the complex role of music in contemporary society. This course utilizes theoretical approaches from the field of ethnomusicology to study of music as it permeates, underscores and accompanies our daily lives at many levels. 3 Cr. Fall.
LST 714 Democratic Philosophies of Education (A)
Students will be exposed to a variety of democratic philosophies of education - to examine whether or not democracy needs educated citizens or education needs to be more democratic. 3 Cr. Spring.
LST 715 Graphic Novel & Comic Studies (A)
Draws on the fields of English, media studies, history, and education to understand the development of comics and graphic novels as a popular genre in American culture. Interdisciplinary in nature, the course provides an overview of how comics and graphic novels emerged and proliferated across American culture, how comics and graphic novels responded to social and political movements across American history, and how comics and graphic novels became vital to contemporary popular culture (through various media adaptations) in America and abroad. Students will also consider how the study of graphic novels operates in a chosen area of study (ex. Women and gender studies, education, political science). Fulfills MALS arts/humanities requirement NYSED requires a minimum course grade of “B- (graduate sections) for certification. 3 Cr.
LST 716 The Literature and Culture of Gambling (A)
Will examine gamblers and the culture of gambling as a metaphor for social interaction and a marker of social class, and the character of gamblers as examples of classic American types (e.g., the frontiersman, the femme fatale, the lone wolf, etc.), attempting to account for the popularization of various gambling activities, for example, horse racing, poker tournaments, fantasy sports leagues, etc., as spectator sports and national pastimes. 3 Cr.
LST 717 The Literature and Culture of Terrorism (A)
We will survey definitions of the term "terrorism" and themes conventionally associated with terrorism in stories, poems, and novels, to better understand the cultural, political and historical dimensions of the text. We will trace how terms such as “terrorism,” “freedom,” and “war on terror” are used to create frames that enable the representation of "others" as terrorists. If, as novelist Don DeLillo says, “true terror is a language,” then what does it mean to be able to speak that language, and to understand it? 3 Cr.
LST 718 Social Class and Culture in American Literature (A)
Examines the relationship between social class, culture, and work, as expressed in the writing of mid-twentieth century American poets, fictionists, essayists, and directors, emphasizing representations of what conventionally has been termed “working class” labor. In relation to the depiction of such work, we will explore the contradictions at the heart of the “American Dream” and the myth of America as a classless society, and we will examine how historically writers have challenged that myth. 3 Cr.
LST 719 Professional Communication (A)
Students practice communicating professionally; learn to write in work-related genres; design compelling presentations using varied technologies; strategize group problem solving. 3 Cr.
LST 720 Graphic Novel & Comic Studies (A)
Draws on the fields of English, media studies, history, and education to understand the development of comics and graphic novels as a popular genre in American culture. Interdisciplinary in nature, the course provides an overview of how comics and graphic novels emerged and proliferated across American culture, how comics and graphic novels responded to social and political movements across American history, and how comics and graphic novels became vital to contemporary popular culture (through various media adaptations) in America and abroad. Students will also consider how the study of graphic novels operates in a chosen area of study (ex. Women and gender studies, education, political science). Fulfills MALS arts/humanities requirement NYSED requires a minimum course grade of “B- (graduate sections) for certification. 3 Cr.
LST 721 Environmental Issues (A)
Examines ecology, environmental quality, pest management, water quality, energy utilization, economics and waste to develop a responsible awareness of natural resource use and availability. Addresses interrelationships between organisms and the physical environment. Focuses on population and community dynamics, energy flow, nutrient cycling, environmental disease, pollution, climate change, and toxic substances. Overall, the course will foster a deeper understanding of nature and society. 3 Cr.
LST 730 Evolution and Disease (A)
Applies human evolution to understand infectious, chronic, psychiatric, and environmentally-linked disease. Covers a diverse range of related topics including scientific research methods, the fundamentals of evolutionary theory, diversity of infectious disease agents, immunology, epidemiology, evolution and longevity, drug-resistant antibiotics, longevity, evolution and industrial pollutants, acculturation and health. 3 Cr. Summer.
LST 731 Ethical Issues in Science and Medicine (A)
Examines ethical problems and policy issues that rise in contemporary science, medicine, healthcare, and biomedical research. Also examines the field of bioethics, raising questions about what issues count as ethical ones and exploring the role of ethical expertise in contemporary societies. Perspectives from social science, history, and law will also be discussed which will consider ethical issues in their social and institutional context. 3 Cr. Spring.
LST 750 The Food System (A)
Provides an overview of the global, industrial food system interdisciplinary social science perspective. Describes the structure of the food system and its impact on farmers, consumers, human health, and the environment. Questions the resilience of the contemporary food system in the face of global challenges and explores efforts to change the system to achieve equity, sustainability, and a high quality of life. 3 Cr.
LST 755 Sustainability (A)
Explores the emergence of sustainability as a compelling concept inspiring efforts at local, regional, national and international levels. Examines different definitions and measures of sustainability and their relation to corporate and public policy. Uncovers the surprising ties between ecological integrity, democracy, and human well being. NYSED requires a minimum course grade of B- (graduate sections) for certification. 3 Cr.
LST 756 Sexuality and Society (A)
Students learn to apply the sociological perspective to the examination of human sexuality and its expression. Topics covered include sexuality as a social construction, biosocial perspectives on sexuality, research methodology in the investigation of sexuality, sexual practices and diversity, and cross cultural differences in the expression of sexuality. 3 Cr. Fall.
LST 757 The Food System (A)
Provides an overview of the global, industrial food system interdisciplinary social science perspective. Describes the structure of the food system and its impact on farmers, consumers, human health, and the environment. Questions the resilience of the contemporary food system in the face of global challenges and explores efforts to change the system to achieve equity, sustainability, and a high quality of life. Add statement - NYSED requires a minimum course grade of “B- (graduate sections) for certification. 3 Cr.
LST 758 Families and Society (A)
Examines families from a sociological perspective. Explores the meaning of family in contemporary American culture, including what relationships are included and excluded, paying special attention to same sex and interracial relationships. The gendered and classes nature of parenting are explored in depth. The intersections of work and family life, including paid and unpaid work inside and outside the home are also examined. 3 Cr.
LST 759 Social Science Perspectives on Health and Illness (A)
Provides an overview of social scientific perspectives on health and illness. Specific topics to be addressed in this course include the social determinants of health, with special attention on social class, race and ethnicity, gender; the social meanings and experiences of illness; and the medicalization of society. 3 Cr.
LST 760 Family Violence (A)
Examines physical, sexual and emotional violence between family members and intimate partners. The student develops the capacity to think critically, actively, and deeply about family violence and abuse. Using a multi-disciplinary approach, the student will learn how family studies, sociology, psychology, criminology and related disciplines research and view family violence and how it could be prevented, reduced, or eliminated. 3 Cr.
LST 797 Portfolio (A)
Portfolio to include: a paper reflecting an appreciation of the three Liberal Studies perspectives (Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences) and their contributions to understanding an issue or problem in contemporary society; documentation of an integrational experience leading to one?s educational goals; sample work from both required and elective courses. Students may not register for this course until they have completed all of the Liberal Studies degree requirements or, in exceptional cases, are concurrently registered for their final course requirements (for a maximum of 3 credits subject to approval by the Director) as specified in their Plan of Study. 3 Cr. Every Semester.
LST 799 Independent Study in Liberal Studies (A)
Course content defined in consultation with the instructor. 1-6 Cr.