FYHS 102A.  First-Year Seminar: Human Rights, Past and Present   (3).

General education humanities course. Examines human rights by considering how they have been defined and debated, how they have played a role in recent global history, and how they impact our world today. Human rights can be defined as fundamental rights which all humans are entitled to by being human, these rights can neither be created nor can be abrogated by any government or any other political authority, and at their core they are designed to uphold human dignity. But who gets to decide which rights are included as human rights? How are they enforced? By who? Is enforcing human rights by military force justified? Does the use of military force undermine human rights? Do human rights look different in different regions of the globe? Students consider questions like these as they examine the far-reaching impact of human rights ideas and politics from the 20th century to present. This course emphasizes class discussion, and includes guest speakers and campus activities that offer opportunities for students to develop the skills, knowledge and connections to encourage success at WSU. First-Year Seminars do not meet a divisional requirement in the pre-Fall 2024 WSU General Education program, and can only be used in Bucket 7 for General Education starting Fall 2024.

FYHS 102AE.  First-Year Seminar: Facts, Opinions and Why They Both Matter   (3).

General education humanities course. Cross-listed as FYHN 102F. By learning to critically read contemporary news headlines and articles, this first-year seminar course provides a path for students to explore the factors that influence the formation of one’s "opinions" and the ways in which "facts" can be used to support them. Students strengthen their ability to empathize with people who hold opinions different than their own and engage in substantive, informed and respectful discussions about these differences. First-Year Seminars do not meet a divisional requirement in the pre-Fall 2024 WSU General Education program, and can only be used in Bucket 7 for General Education starting Fall 2024. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: FYHS 102AE, FYHN 102F, HIST 319 or HNRS 305N.

FYHS 102G.  First-Year Seminar: Bread and Circuses: Entertaining the City   (3).

General education humanities course. The title of this course stems from a work by the Roman satirist Juvenal. As he saw Roman democracy give way to imperial rule by a single family, he thought the people of the city were being lulled into complacency by food giveaways and free entertainment: bread and circuses. This course looks at Juvenal and his concerns, but also turns him on his head. From the Greek Theatre to the Roman Coliseum, ancient city-states provided both the venues and the talent to entertain, educate and motivate their citizens. The tradition continues to this day as a hallmark of "city living." From London’s Hyde Park to Wichita’s Century II, modern communities have dedicated public space and funding to support the arts and entertainment as an expression of civic identity. This course looks at questions such as: Why have cities done this in the past? How and why has the tradition continued? How do people determine the sort of public art and entertainment that is "suitable" for civic space? How is it funded? How do such displays confirm and create culture that people experience as a community? First-Year Seminars do not meet a divisional requirement in the pre-Fall 2024 WSU General Education program, and can only be used in Bucket 7 for General Education starting Fall 2024.

FYHS 102K.  First-Year Seminar: Contemporary Civil Rights Movements in the United States   (3).

General education humanities course. The civil rights movements of the 1950s and 1960s helped create a rights revolution in the United States, but these movements’ drive toward equality and justice continues today. In this course, students examine contemporary civil rights issues that have become public policy flashpoints. The course approaches each issue by studying the historical background and the legislative, judicial and public policy developed around these movements, and considers how to apply this knowledge in class, around the university and in the larger community. Through examining contemporary civil rights movements, students consider how they address long-standing inequity in American society, and how these movements will affect their lives going forward. In addition, students learn critical thinking and foundational communication skills that will help them navigate the university, their courses and their future endeavors. First-Year Seminars do not meet a divisional requirement in the pre-Fall 2024 WSU General Education program, and can only be used in Bucket 7 for General Education starting Fall 2024.

FYHS 102M.  First-Year Seminar: History and Rock 'n' Roll   (3).

General education humanities course. Investigates the emergence and development of rock ’n’ roll in the Anglo-American world through a variety of different lenses and disciplinary perspectives by examining how political, economic, social and cultural trends have informed the production and consumption of popular music-making from its origins in the 19th-century until the present day. Particularly focuses on how popular music can be used to investigate historical trends and developments, and how historical developments have influenced popular music. In doing so, students come away with a better appreciation of both popular music and history, as well as the skills necessary to be successful at the university level. First-Year Seminars do not meet a divisional requirement in the pre-Fall 2024 WSU General Education program, and can only be used in Bucket 7 for General Education starting Fall 2024.

FYHS 102V.  First-Year Seminar: Creation, the Earth and the Future   (3).

General education humanities course. A first-year seminar course exploring the "big questions" of creation and ecology “creation.” Introduces students to various methods used in the academic study of religion, which is inherently interdisciplinary in nature. Students approach creation through sacred stories, myths and traditions of different cultures. Explores human interaction with nature, and ethical questions of sustainability and stewardship. Students are asked to reflect on existential questions of life, death, nature, fears and hopes by studying ways in which human experiences of these questions are expressed in religious forms, in nonfiction language (for example the natural sciences), and in artistic modes such as poetry, visual arts and music. First-Year Seminars do not meet a divisional requirement in the pre-Fall 2024 WSU General Education program, and can only be used in Bucket 7 for General Education starting Fall 2024.

FYHS 102Z.  First-Year Seminar: So You Want to Write a Book? Publishing as Art, Sci, Profession and Way of Life   (3).

General education humanities course. This is for everyone who has dreamed of being an author and getting their ideas in print. In this course, participants talk about how to think through a writing project from first thinking about audience to the signing party. Along the way students learn that writing the text is the easy part. The next steps are where the real challenges and opportunities lie. This course sees about getting students in print. Be warned, though! Completing one book project often leads to the next one! First-Year Seminars do not meet a divisional requirement in the pre-Fall 2024 WSU General Education program, and can only be used in Bucket 7 for General Education starting Fall 2024.