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Arts & Science Program

ARTSSCI 4MN1 / Local Explorations

An experiential learning course, which offers students the opportunity to explore issues of local significance and global relevance. Students may pursue independent study options or, when available, participate in assorted modules.

These are 1-unit modules that can be taken by any Arts & Science student in any level. The content and schedules vary annually. Details may be found below or by contacting Arts & Science Academic Program Administrator Rebecca Bishop (rbishop@mcmaster.ca or ext. 23153). These courses are evaluated on a Pass/Fail basis. Some modules may require a fee to cover costs of travel and accommodation.

ARTSSCI 4MN1 may be repeated, if on a different topic. Enrolment is limited.

Please Note:

  • Payment of McMaster course credit fees (i.e. tuition and supplementary fees) for ARTSSCI 4MN1 is in addition to the module fees, if applicable.
  • Even if all funds for a trip are paid, you are ineligible to participate in the module if you have not enrolled in the course.
  • Submission of the necessary Release Form(s) must be submitted prior to the start of the course, if applicable.

2024-25 Module

Fall 2024:

Film, Genre, Politics
Instructor: Dr. Beth Marquis (Arts & Science / School of the Arts)
Schedule: Thursdays, 5:30-8:00pm; 19 September; 3, 24 October; 7, 21 November 2024
Course Outline

Why do some film genres (e.g., horror, rom-com, science fiction, the musical) become popular in particular contexts? What are the potential social and political effects of repeated engagement with genre films? This experiential module will engage students in considering such questions through collective reading, screening, and discussion. The course will largely be structured as a mini ‘Genre and Politics’ Screening Series; following an introductory session in which we will discuss existing scholarship taking up the socio-political function(s) of genre film, students will be expected to take part in 4 screenings to be held during class time, and to co-lead one of these screenings by selecting the film to be shown (in partnership with the course instructor) and working in a team to facilitate discussion of it. They will also be asked to reflect on and analyse their own out-of-class viewing of genre films.

Previous Modules

2023-24

  • DOCUMENTARY, PEDAGOGY, AND SOCIAL CHANGE. Fall 2023. Instructor: Dr. Beth Marquis. Course Outline
  • NARRATIVE MEDICINE IN CLINICAL PRACTICE: HONOURING PATIENTS’ STORIES. Winter 2024. Instructor: Dr. Marg Nowaczyk. Course Outline
  • The ART OF SEEING. Winter 2024. Instructors: Nicole Knibb, Dr. Joyce Zazulak. Course Outline

2022-23

  • PATTERNS OF SOCIAL CONNECTION IN THE CITY. Fall 2022. Instructors: Jackie Brown, Ros Pfaff. Course Outline
  • INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACHES TO JUSTICE (1). Winter 2023. Instructor: Jeff Wyngaarden. Course Outline
  • INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACHES TO JUSTICE (2). Winter 2023. Instructor: Dr. Lev Marder. Course Outline

2021-22

  • THEORIES OF DECISION-MAKING AND JUDGEMENT: A PRACTICAL COURSE FOR THE INDECISIVE ARTSCI. Fall 2021. Instructors: Leanna Katz, Daniel Carens-Nadelsky. Course Outline
  • PATTERNS OF SOCIAL CONNECTION IN THE CITY. Winter 2022. Instructors: Jackie Brown, Ros Pfaff. Course Outline

2020-21

  • THEORIES OF DECISION-MAKING AND JUDGEMENT: A PRACTICAL COURSE FOR THE INDECISIVE ARTSCI. Winter 2021. Instructors: Leanna Katz, Daniel Carens-Nadelsky. Course Outline
  • PATTERNS OF SOCIAL CONNECTION IN THE CITY. Winter 2021. Instructors: Jackie Brown, Ros Pfaff. Course Outline

2019-20

  • THEORIES OF DECISION-MAKING AND JUDGEMENT: A PRACTICAL COURSE FOR THE INDECISIVE ARTSCI. Winter 2020. Instructors: Leanna Katz, Daniel Carens-Nadelsky. Course Outline
  • A CELEBRATION OF WINTER AS PLACE. Winter 2020. Instructors: Dr. Bob Henderson, Jeff Cameron, Zach de Jong. Course Outline
  • URBAN PLACEMAKING. Fall 2019. Instructors: Jackie Brown, Ros Pfaff. Course Outline