USC Schedule of Classes

Mediterranean and European art and architecture presented in historical, cultural and social context that introduces art history as a discipline.

A broad survey, covering some 8,000 years and focusing on the material culture of the ancient world in a historical and social context.

Analyzing a wide range of case studies, this course provides a roadmap to analyze and interpret the built environment in many different eras and contexts.

Medieval visual culture as an introduction to the Christian heritage of western civilization and to the interaction of Church and state from the 3rd to the 13th century.

Examination of social conflicts and political controversies in American culture through the lens of visual art and photography.

Questions of social engagement and political structure address this examination of major international movements in art since 1940.

Exploration of one or more major traditions of visual culture in Asia through cross-cultural, interdisciplinary perspectives.

Examines the relation between U.S. national culture, race, and popular culture.

Introduction to an interdisciplinary study of American political, cultural and social life with a particular emphasis on the Western United States as a region. Recommended preparation: HIST 200, ENGL 263

Introduction to sociocultural anthropology, emphasizing the study of human values and social structures across diverse examples. Readings in ethnography and social analysis. Gateway course for the Anthropology Major.

Archaeology as the means of investigating our shared human past, from the origins of humanity to the foundations of current civilization.

The effects of globalization on social life in diverse communities, approaching related issues from an ethnographic perspective. Gateway course for the Global Studies Major.

Southeast Asia is studied as a meeting place of different races and cultural traditions, with emphasis on the precolonial heritage of sexual equality and postcolonial reinterpretations of men's and women's worlds.

Concepts of social anthropology, using filmic representations of societies throughout the world. Gateway course for the Anthropology major.

Role of Native Americans in American public life from colonial times to the present; Native American societies and governments and their relations to the U.S.

Everyday life, politics, social transformations, and cultural practices in the People's Republic of China, from cultural studies and social science perspectives.

Exploration of illness, disability, and healing narratives, how narratives are culturally shaped, and their significance for western biomedical practices.

An introduction to the field of food studies, as a historical and cross-disciplinary study of the place of food in culture and society.

Survey of the universe: planets, satellites, comets, stars, nebulae, galaxies. Practical component includes planetary observations and dark-sky field trip. Not available for major credit.

Survey of the prospects for life in our solar system and beyond, based on the evolution of life on Earth.

Cellular and molecular biology with examples related to human biology and diseases. Fundamental life processes examined at the genetic, cellular and molecular levels.

An examination of the physical and biological laws that influence agriculture, pollution, population dynamics (including humans), climate, biodiversity and ecosystem structure and function. Not available for major credit.

Structure and function of the human body, including the role of organ systems, tissues, and cells in normal function. Malfunctions resulting from disease, substance abuse and lifestyle. Not available for major credit.

In-depth survey of key topics related to advances in our knowledge of the diversity of life and evolution; origin of life; eukaryotes/prokaryotes; ecology.

Equivalent to 120Lg, but taught at a higher level for exceptionally well-prepared students. Admission to the course by departmental approval only.

The human organism; the nature of inherited and acquired diseases;the biological and societal basis for the AIDS epidemic; therapy,drug design and the future. Not available for major credit.

In-depth survey of key topics related to advances in our knowledge of cellular biology and physiology; cell composition/metabolism; gene action; organism structure and function. Recommended preparation: high school chemistry; BISC 120L or BISC 121L.

Exploration of the unique properties of brain cells that allow complex perceptions and behaviors; examination of structure and activity of brain cells that underlie function.

Structure and synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins; molecular biology of prokaryotes and eukaryotes; principles of genetics and cell biology.

Chemistry for environmental studies, neuroscience and other life sciences: organic and inorganic structures, nomenclature, stoichiometry, solutions, gases, non-covalent interactions, equilibria, acid-base and redox reactions. Not for major credit in chemistry.

Fundamental principles and laws of chemistry; laboratory work emphasizes quantitative procedures. Prerequisite to all more advanced courses in chemistry. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory and discussion, 4 hours. Quiz, 1 hour.

Fundamental principles and laws of chemistry emphasizing contemporary chemistry; laboratory work focuses on quantitative procedures. Open only to Chemistry majors. (Duplicates credit in CHEM 105a and CHEM 115a)

Equivalent to 105agL-bL, but taught at a higher level forexceptionally well-prepared students. Admission to course bydepartmental approval only. Lecture, 3 hours; lab and discussion,4 hours; quiz, 1 hour. Prereq: 1 year high school chemistry andmathematics through pre-calculus.

Coronavirus 101! We explore pandemic diseases from historic plagues to Covid-19 and beyond, discussing their societal impact and the "science" of drugs, vaccines and tests.

Scientific principles underlying forensic approaches to the investigation of crimes and its societal impact on law, culture and media. Not available for major credit.

Ancient Roman values, ideas, and institutions of relevance to later periods of civilization.

Classical Greek and Roman mythology as inspiration for literature, art, music, and film in various historical contexts.

Tragedies and comedies of the ancient world; later influences.

Comparative study of works from a broad range of cultural traditions that originate from, and provide insight into, vital global locations outside the Western sphere.

An introduction to and overview of the contemporary cinemas of East Asia: China (Hong Kong, the People's Republic, and Taiwan), Japan, and Korea.

Comparative approach and general introduction to literature and cinema from the four major nations of maritime Southeast Asia (Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia).

Characteristics and aspects of Chinese civilization;interpretation of philosophy, literature, religion, art, music.Conducted in English.

Main patterns of change in modern China, Japan, and Korea;historical framework and the insights of geography, economics,political science, and other disciplines.

Behavior of firms and consumers, functions of the price system, competition and monopoly, labor markets, poverty, government regulation, international trade, and the environment.

Unemployment, inflation and output determination and links.Effects of government taxation and spending on growth, investment,saving, consumption, and trade.

Introduction to the pleasures and power of poetry, exploring elements drawn from high-points of English poetry, and the lives and works of major poets. (Duplicates credit in ARLT 101g)

An exploration of the culture, vibrance, heritage, mythology, variety, and pathology of a city that was born in hopes and captured the worlds imagination. Duplicates credit in ARLT 101g.

Close study of Shakespeare's plays and poems to introduce his language, stagecraft, literary "genius," social and literary contexts, precursors and rivals, and legacy.

Intensive reading of major writers to 1800.

Intensive reading of major writers, 18001950.

Intensive reading of representative writers.

Introduction to major forms, styles and theories of narrative, with attention to characterization, plot, genres, ethics, empathy, perspective, audience and social conditions.

An introduction to the close reading of fiction and the understanding of the genre as an aesthetic and historical phenomenon.

Questions of gay and lesbian identity, expression and experience in a variety of literary and cultural forms; emphasis on sexual politics, equality and difference.

Literary travel using novels to explore regional culture and unify the study of literature, history, geography, politics and social studies.

Study of prose written in English since 1945, principally fiction of the past two decades.

Study of poetry written in English since 1945, with special emphasis on the last two decades.

Gateway to the majors and minors in environmental studies. Provides students with an overview of how government agencies and societal institutions address (or fail to address) the interrelated social and scientific aspects of environmental problems and policies.

Exploration of the major social, political, economic, religious, and philosophical disagreements that exist between scholars, leaders, and citizens concerning today's most serious environmental issues and problems. Not available for credit to environmental studies majors and minors.

Study of post-colonialism as a ferment for literary creation in the literature of French expression from Africa, the Caribbean and Canada. Conducted in French.

Study of health, the body and medicine through literature and culture in comparative fashion. Taught in English.

An exploration into how genocides and episodes of mass violence have been thought about, remembered and expressed in France and the Francophone world. Conducted in English.

Geologic structure and evolution of planet earth. Principles ofplate tectonics, rocks and minerals, processes of mountainbuilding, continent and ocean formation, earthquakes, volcanism,development of landforms by running water and glaciers. Lecture, 3hours; laboratory, 2 hours. One all-day or two-day field triprequired.