LAS - Liberal Arts Studies

The first-year seminar is designed to evoke questions, to develop habits of mind that lead to independent thinking, and to orient students to the academic realities of college. Discussion and small group work are emphasized. Reading and focused writing assignments will be required. The thematic focus for individual sections is determined by instructors; students rank their preferences and are assigned to one of their top three choices.

Course focuses on the fundamental elements of information literacy and the concepts and skills involved with locating, evaluating, and using information from a variety of print and electronic sources in an effective and ethical manner.  Students must have a minimum of 12 earned credit hours or successful completion of First Year Seminar to enroll.  This requirement will be waived for students who score at 70% proficiency level on the SAILS exam.

This one-hour, eight-week seminar orients students to the OU philosophy of education, outlines the expectations of academic life, and (re) introduces students to information literacy.  This course is required of all first-year students.

This course includes critical readings of and analytical writing in response to, representative texts from across the disciplines (e.g., humanities, social sciences, natural sciences).  Required of all students either fall or spring of their freshman year.  Fulfills OU writing competency requirement. 

The first of two foundational liberal arts courses introduces the breadth areas of the liberal arts and examines the importance and meaning of a liberal arts education that integrates learning across the disciplines. The course engages students in adult learning methods and emphasizes skills of critical self reflection for learning, reading for comprehension and deeper understanding, effective class participation, and thinking and writing at the higher levels of Bloom's Taxonomy.

The second of two foundation liberal arts courses examines Ottawa's liberal arts breadth areas in greater depth. Students acquire skills for learning in particular disciplines, including developing research questions and methods in the different breadth areas. Students learn to integrate and synthesize information as they read scholarly articles and develop a properly cited research paper. Prerequisite: LAS 20010 Seminar I: Exploring the Liberal Arts.

An examination of subject areas from different historical periods in which the idea of variation is perceived in the fine arts, with an emphasis on visual arts, music, and dance. Also explored is the concept of improvisation as variation as found in painting, music, and film, as well as an examination of common themes with their various interpretations. Cross-listed with MUS 30003 Contrasts in the Arts.

Engages students in exploring and understanding different ways of knowing through activities, readings, and discussion in four breadth areas. Students strengthen skills in reflective and critical thinking, written and oral communication, problem-solving, information literacy, and research writing as they explore knowledge and values in the interdisciplinary context of the liberal arts. Students apply new and experiential knowledge in everyday life as they learn to examine multiple points of view and evaluate sources.

This course will engage the different definitions of disability in a variety of sociopolitical and cultural contexts. From the beginning, this course will encourage students to become aware of their own personal values and beliefs as they relate to disability and societal perspectives. It explores how those who embrace "disability identities," emanating from their unique human experience, stake claims for psychological well-being and social change in the face of stereotyping and expectations of "normality."  Prerequisite: PSY 12053 General Psychology. Cross-listed with PSY 30155 Disability as a Cultural Variable.

This course unpacks the theme of human relationships -- romantic, filial, obsessive, and otherwise -- through the reading of such works as Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice', Louise Erdrich's 'Love Medicine', and Andre Aciman's 'Call Me by Your Name', viewed through the lens of history and shifting cultural values. Cross-listed with ENG 30223 IDS: Reading Relationships.

An examination of a variety of literary works written about baseball from its inception to the present, focusing on the ways the represent or call into question the social, historical, and political currents that produced them. Readings may include Malamud's The Natural, Greenberg's The Celebrant, and the poetry of former Kansas City Royals pitcher Dan Quisenberry.  Cross-listed with ENG 31100 Baseball Literature.

Understanding Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and + identities goes beyond the wish to respect human rights. Such education is an essential step to contribute actively to the construction of an inclusive society. The exploration of this subject must be motivated by the wish to understand LGBTQIA+ as a culture per se, to discover its subcultures and to get acquainted with the main issues encountered by the members of this community throughout their lifespan. Through an evidence-based theoretical framework related to the field of psychological science, this course promotes the development of an academically informed cultural sensitivity with the hope that it will result in ethical decision-making for professionals of all disciplines.  Prerequisite: PSY 12053 General Psychology. Cross-listed with PSY 31454 LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Psychology.

This course explores the relationships among the subjects of knowledge, work and meaning. Students seek to integrate ideas and approaches of several disciplines in both individual and group projects.

An examination of a variety of literary works from several genres, focusing on the portrayal of physical environments and the connections between these environments and human spheres of influence. This course will explore how human beings relate to the natural world, and how that relation influences the way we read texts and the world around us, Authors to be studied might include Leopold, Thoreau, Defoe, the Brontes, Wordsworth, Merwin, Snyder and Kingsolver. Cross-listed with ENG 33523 Environmental Literature.

Course reviews the written and material record of continuous settlement in the Orkney Islands, dating back 5000 years. Topics include a select review of archaeological evidence for Neolithic and Bronze Age sites as well as the contemporary socio-cultural structure of the Islands from a literary and anthropological perspective. Cross-listed with ENG 34000 Tombs/Tales Ancient Scotland and SOC 34000 Tombs/Tales Ancient Scotland.

A study of the literature of social protest, emphasizing the relationship between aesthetics and politics, or the political purposes of literature. This course will examine how various authors assault the status quo of an often inhumane, brutal, and repressive society. Readings might include works by Richard Wright, Upton Sinclair and Nelson Algren. Cross-listed with ENG 34023 Protest Literature.

States plans for current educational, personal and vocational goals, listing all completed and planned courses, outlining courses in major area of study and containing list of all courses fulfilling breadth areas in liberal arts education.

Explores film to promote understanding of cultural diversity.  Examines the power of media effects and the use of cinematography as a catalyst for public dialogue and political change.  Evaluates the practice of visual learning techniques and digital storytelling as a pedagogical tool.

A philosophical examination of the arts and aesthetic experience. This course explores theories of beauty and drama from ancient and contemporary theorists. Students apply aesthetic theories to analyze works of art in multiple domains from different perspectives. Cross-listed with ENG 37223 Aesthetics.

Interdisciplinary seminar which interrogates the literary, artistic, and cultural representations of madness across culture and time. Cross-listed with ENG 37623 Madness: Multifaceted Approach.

An introduction to basic concepts and tools used in online information research. Emphasis is placed on effective techniques for accessing and searching research databases, subject specific databases, and other specialized online resources. Strategies for critically evaluating information will also be discussed. 

An investigation of the body, mind and spirit in self, culture and nature as developed by Ken Wilber and the Integral Institute. Students explore truth in the domains of philosophy and eastern spirituality and consider ways to improve their well-being.

An examination of key existentialist thinkers. Readings include Kierkegaard, Nietzsch, Sartre, and others. After a survey of existentialist philosophers, students explore works of art from an existentialist perspective.  Cross-listed with ENG 38223 IDS: Existentialism in Philosophy and Arts and PHL 38223 IDS: Existentialism in Philosophy and Arts

Provides theoretical and practical resources to examine and understand international cross-cultural issues. Guides search for understanding and comprehension of the many dimensions of a culture, enabling greater insight into how societal considerations effect the conduct of social interactions both within specific organizations and countries and on an international basis. Includes analysis of how a country's history, culture, economic paradigms, legal system, spiritual heritage and social development influence business, personal and inter-cultural relationships.

Reflects on the Social/Civic and Value/Meaning breadth areas. Begins to view these areas and places within society in critical vein. Relationships are made between values and ways one acts upon these values in society. Question rights and responsibilities of individual and how these conflict with rights and responsibilities to society.

Course deals with classic and contemporary environmental ethics and focuses on the controversies shaping the relationship between humans and nature, both now and in the future. Topics include theories of intrinsic value of nature, wilderness preservation, deep ecology, ecofeminism, and nature friendly Native American spirituality. Cross-listed with PHL 40023 Environmental Ethics.

Explores scientific methodology, religious methodology and the relationship between these domains of inquiry. Brief survey of the historical relationship between science and religion (e.g., Christianity and the rise of western scientific method, the Galileo affair, etc.) and contemporary controversial issues such as Big Bang and evolution. Cross-listed with BIO 41523 Issues in Science & Religion and REL 41523 Issues in Science & Religion.

This interdisciplinary seminar gives seniors (classified as having earned 92 or more credit hours) the opportunity to bring their entire college experience to bear on a complex issue. Working in small groups (usually four or five), students first identify and define a significant problem or issue (e.g.child abuse, athletics and education, the energy crisis), and then articulate a way or ways to solve or cope with that problem or issue. The student group is given the major responsibility for the task. The tutor acts as a resource person and critic. Twice during the course, the group presents and defends its work before a jury of faculty and persons from the University community who have particular expertise in the areas of their research. The first presentation and defense occurs midway through the course, the second occurs during the last week of classes. Prerequisite: Senior standing (92 credit hours or more) and an approved learning contract.

In this liberal arts capstone course, students reflect on experience, knowledge, and skills in each of four breadth areas and apply that learning as they examine current issues and concerns in global contexts.  Students use critical thinking skills to recognize different values systems, cultural interpretations, and social constructs. They demonstrate research and writing skills in exploring a global issue.

Students focus on a selected business perspective which culminates in a travel-abroad experience. Cross-listed with OAD 45570 Special Topics: Global Business Perspectives.

Students apply critical thinking and appropriate research skills to demonstrate ability to confront an integrated problem, issue, or circumstance in the liberal arts. Research will reflect learning acquired through the business or liberal arts track.

Religion and spirituality are an essential part of culture. Whether they are implicit or explicit, religious and spiritual orientations can affect our daily lives, including an individual's attitudes, motivations, cognition, emotions, and behaviors. Religious and spiritual perspectives also affect the way people express, suppress and regulate emotions, define themselves within the family system, experience their sexuality, conduct interpersonal relationships, plan their future etc. This course will examine religion through different theoretical approaches: neurobiological, psycho-dynamic, behavioral, cognitive, evolutionary, humanistic, existential, etc. This course will be research and case-study oriented and will consider measurements of religiosity and spirituality in a research and/or clinical context.  Prerequisite: PSY 12053 General Psychology. Cross-listed with PSY 49000.

With an eye to clinical applications, this course will teach the main notions that define Buddhism as a spiritual system: karma, dharma, the origin and use of mantras, the 8-fold path, the psycho-physical nature of the self, the cause-and-effect law, the "world as a mirror", the intrinsic Buddha condition to all human beings, the four Noble Truths, the three treasures as well as essential definitions of existential aspects of life as suffering, happiness, altruism, love, success, fortune, etc.  This course will also propose the multiple potential to pose a challenge to students who take it to engage in self-reflection as a healing practice.  Prerequisite:  PSY 12053 General Psychology.  Cross-listed with PSY 49901 Buddhist Psychology.

Course reviews the written and material record of continuous settlement in the Orkney Islands, dating back 5000 years. Topics include a select review of archaeological evidence for Neolithic and Bronze Age sites as well as the contemporary socio-cultural structure of the Islands from a literary and anthropological perspective. This course meets the LAS capstone requirement.

As one of the LAS capstone courses, this class aspires to provide students with an introduction to a variety of written manifestos and documentary films that espouse particular diets. In the course of the semester, we will gain an understanding of dietary plans, both personal and collective, as well as an appreciation for the social and cultural forces that produce them. Texts may include 'The Omnivore's Dilemma', 'Food, Inc.', 'In Defense of Food', 'Forks over Knives', and a volume of essays entitled 'Know That What You Eat, You Are'. Cross-listed with ENG 49400 The American Diet.