1. Students will learn the fundamental ways in which signs produce and extend meanings, and be able to relate in writing, on tests and in discussions how signs are fundamental to human communication. Students will be able to explain how and why we make choices about the significance of value and meaning of signs within the multiple fields of discourse addressing culture and society, including but not limited to art, advertising, film, journalism, politics and literature. They will demonstrate this ability in writings, and during speeches and discussions and exercises.
2. Students will develop an understanding of and be able to explain why certain forms of discourse are appropriate to certain topics, and why such forms come to be both received and debated over the significance and value of certain ideas and cultural practices. This study of discourse will extend across the disciplines of various fields, including but not limited to anthropology, history, journalism, psychology, religion, the sciences, politics, and philosophy. They will demonstrate this ability in writings, speeches, discussions and exercises.
3. Students will develop an informed sense of how various techniques of rhetorical strategy are put to use in the service of particular cultural ideas. Such forms point to the ways that rhetoric serves both the social status quo, as well as arguments proceeding against dominant ideas and their values. They will demonstrate this knowledge both analytically and critically, as well as applying such skills to their in their own arguments in essays, speeches, discussions and exercises.

1. Students will learn the fundamental ways in which signs produce and extend meanings, and be able to relate in writing, on tests and in discussions how signs are fundamental to human communication. Students will be able to explain how and why we make choices about the significance of value and meaning of signs within the multiple fields of discussion addressing culture and society, including but not limited to art, advertising, film, journalism, politics and literature. They will demonstrate this ability in writings, and during speeches and discussions and exercises.
2. Students will develop an understanding of and be able to explain why certain forms of discussion are appropriate to certain topics, and why such forms come to be both received and debated over the significance and value of certain ideas and cultural practices. This study of discussion will extend across the disciplines of various fields, including but not limited to anthropology, history, journalism, psychology, religion, the sciences, politics, and philosophy. They will demonstrate this ability in writings, speeches, discussions and exercises.
3. Students will develop an informed sense of how various techniques of rhetorical strategy are put to use in the service of particular cultural ideas. Such forms point to the ways that rhetoric serves both the social status quo, as well as arguments proceeding against dominant ideas and their values. They will demonstrate this knowledge both analytically and critically, as well as applying such skills to their in their own arguments in essays, speeches, discussions and exercises.

The 21st century has witnessed a rise in the tragedies of displaced persons and populations, all across the globe. While immigration, migration and refugees are not new themes or topics within literature, and this course grounds its perspective in texts providing historical treatment of these matters, focus will also be on the ensuing post-9/11 events, including the deepening crises in the Middle East, Africa and other war zones, and the migrating of displaced populations from these regions into Europe, the US, the UK and other nations. These human movements have caused massive political and social upheaval among various affected groups in several regions, some stemming from conflicts between races, others antagonistic ideological/political alignments, many often resulting in humanitarian disasters and broken lives. How these deepening problems are articulated and understood within literature is of a profound concern to the ways in which the victims of such events may gain voice, and what their voices may have to teach us about the awful human toll of their traumatic and untenable experiences and responses.

The 21st century has witnessed a rise in the tragedies of disposed persons and populations, all across the globe. While immigration, migration and refundes are not new themes or topics within literature, and this course grounds its perspective in texts providing historical treatment of these matters, focus will also be on the ensuring post-9/11 events, including the deeping creses in the Middle East, Africa and other war zones, and the migrating of displaced populations from these regions into Europe, the US, the UK and other nations. These human movements have caused massive political and social upheaval among various affected groups in several regions, some steering from conflicts between races, others antagonistic ideacial/political alignments, many often resulting in humanitarian disasters and broken lives. How these deeping problems are articulated and understood within literature is of a profound concern to the ways in which the victims of such events may gain voice, and what their voices may have to teach us about the awful human toll of their traumatic and untenable experiences and responses.

Students will engage readings from the primary text while instructor provides lecture and other material explaining background of and reflecting significance on the reading materials/topic areas. Students will engage in discussion during class time relative to issues that they need to clarify and understand within the reading. A feature of this process will be keying on terms and critical strategies relative to the concerns of the text. Shorter essay, longer research project, quizzes, midterm and final exam.

Students will engage readings from the primary text while instructor provides lesson and other material explaining background of and reflecting significance on the reading materials/topic areas. Students will engage in discussion during class time relative to issues that they need to clarify and understand within the reading. A feature of this process will be keying on terms and critical strategies relative to the concerns of the text. Shorter essay, longer research project, quizzes, midterm and final exam.