Courses
"Waters Breathe, Too: An Anthology" mural created by the students in the Fall 2023 Introduction to Creativity, the Arts and Social Transformation course, under the guidance of renowned Argentinian artist and human rights activist and scholar Claudia Bernardi.
Photo Credit: Toni Shapiro-Phim
Courses for the Creativity, the Arts, and Social Transformation (CAST) minor are from the creative arts, humanities and social sciences.
For complete information on CAST courses, see the Online University Bulletin, and the Fall 2024 Schedule. Instructors, please see the guidelines on cross-listing courses and developing core courses with CAST.
Fall 2024 CAST Offerings
Toni Shapiro-Phim | T 2:20–5:10 PM
How can music, theater, dance and visual and other arts, and forms of cultural expression contribute to community building, coexistence, and nonviolent social change? Students explore these questions through interviews, case studies, and projects.
Usually offered every year.
William Chalmus | F 2:20-5:10 PM
Presents, analyzes, and discusses art that provokes controversies, discomfort, and other strong responses. This class will focus on a broad range of artistic expressions, including visual art, theater, film, music, and literature with Brandeis faculty as well as visiting artists. Final project consists of students finding, articulating, and advocating for provocative art from multiple perspectives. Note: Students are responsible for attendance and assignments during the shopping period and must be present in those classes to be enrolled off the waitlist.
Usually offered every semester.
Jenny Alexander | W 5:40–8:35 PM
Investigates documentary film as a genre, and explores the potential of the medium for engaging students with immigrant communities in Waltham through hands-on production experiences. Through the process of exchanging narratives with community members, students generate raw material for a film documentary.
Usually offered every year.
Core Electives
Patricia Alvarez Astacio | T,Th 3:55 PM–5:15 PM
Introduces students to the study of visual, aural, and artistic media through an ethnographic lens. Course combines written and creative assignments to understand how culture shapes how we make meaning out of images and develop media literacy. Topics include ethnographic/documentary film, advertising, popular culture, viral videos and special effects, photography, art worlds, and the technological development of scientific images.
Usually offered every second year.
Jenny Alexander | W 5:40 PM–8:35 PM
Investigates documentary film as a genre, and explores the potential of the medium for engaging students with immigrant communities in Waltham through hands-on production experiences. Through the process of exchanging narratives with community members, students generate raw material for a film documentary.
Usually offered every year.
Caren Irr | M,W 4:05 PM–5:25 PM
Explores major schools of thought about nature, ecology, and art.
Usually offered every third year.
Thomas King | M,W 5:40 PM–7:00 PM
Explores paradigms for making performance inside and outside of institutionalized theater spaces, with an emphasis on the performance of everyday life. Students read theories of theater and performance against paradigmatic dramatic texts and documents of social performance. Combining theory with practice, students explore and make site-specific and online performances.
Usually offered every third year.
Melissa Stimell | T,Th 2:20 PM–3:40 PM
Introduces transitional justice, a set of practices that arise following a period of conflict that aim directly at confronting past violations of human rights. This course will focus on criminal prosecutions, truth commissions, reparations, memorials, and the contributions of art and culture.
Usually offered every second year.
Ilana Szobel | T,Th 3:55 PM–5:15 PM
Taught in Hebrew.
Explores trauma and violence in Israeli Literature, film, and art. Focuses on man-made disasters, war and terrorism, sexual and family violence, and murder and suicide, and examines their relation to nationalism, Zionism, gender, and sexual identity.
Usually offered every second year.
Ilana Szobel | T,Th 2:20 PM–3:40 PM
Explores cultural representations of disability in Israel, Europe, and the US. By focusing on literature, film, dance, and visual art, it explores physical, mental, and emotional disability experiences, and their relations to gender, sexuality, nationalism, and identity politics.
Usually offered every second year.
Jennifer Cleary | T,Th 2:20 PM–3:40 PM
Examines ways in which theatrical arts can create change in a variety of non-traditional situations. This course is grounded in the discussion/practice of theater activists such as Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed. For both theater and non-theater students, this course focuses on how and why this collaborative, useful art form can be introduced into sociological, psychological, political, cultural, educational, medical, and historical paradigms. Students will generate work surrounding social issues of importance to them.
Usually offered every second year.
Creative Arts Electives
Will Chalmus | F 2:20–5:10 p.m.
Presents, analyzes, and discusses art that provokes controversies, discomfort, and other strong responses. This class will focus on a broad range of artistic expressions, including visual art, theater, film, music and literature with Brandeis faculty as well as visiting artists. Final project consists of students finding, articulating and advocating for provocative art from multiple perspectives. Note: Students are responsible for attendance and assignments during the shopping period and must be present in those classes to be enrolled off the waitlist.
Usually offered every semester.
Maggie Wong | M,W 9:05 AM–10:55 AM
Beginning-level course. Preference to first-year students and sophomores. May be repeated once for credit if taught by different instructors.
Exploration of three-dimensional aspects of form, space, and composition utilizing a variety of materials and sculptural techniques. Emphasizes students' inventing of images through the use of modern materials and contemporary ideas about sculpture. Assignments are based on abstract thought and problem solving. The intent of this course is to give students a rich studio experience and promote a fresh and meaningful approach to visual concepts.
Usually offered every semester.
This is a popular class and can be a challenge for students outside of the department to get a spot in the class. Still place yourself on the waitlist but if you are interested in taking a 3D course, we recommend you also consider placing yourself on the waitlist for another studio art course, including topic-driven sculpture classes. You may also explore other mediums such as painting, printmaking, and lens-based media. All studio art courses explore foundations in art-making practices. There is an enrollment limit of 0 so that we can prioritize our majors and minors getting into this course. Students outside of the department will be enrolled after early registration is complete. If you have not declared your major or minor, reach out to Christine Kahn (cekahn@brandeis.edu) to express your interest in enrolling AFTER you have placed yourself on the waitlist. We cannot guarantee your enrollment though and encourage students to declare to avoid this in the future. Please do not contact the faculty member teaching the course about enrolling as the administrative staff is enrolling students throughout early registration. Additional questions? Reach out to Christine Kahn.
Tory Fair | T,F 9:35 AM–11:25 AM
Beginning-level course. Preference to first-year students and sophomores. May be repeated once for credit if taught by different instructors.
Exploration of three-dimensional aspects of form, space, and composition utilizing a variety of materials and sculptural techniques. Emphasizes students' inventing of images through the use of modern materials and contemporary ideas about sculpture. Assignments are based on abstract thought and problem solving. The intent of this course is to give students a rich studio experience and promote a fresh and meaningful approach to visual concepts.
Usually offered every semester.
This is a popular class and can be a challenge for students outside of the department to get a spot in the class. Still place yourself on the waitlist but if you are interested in taking a 3D course, we recommend you also consider placing yourself on the waitlist for another studio art course, including topic-driven sculpture classes. You may also explore other mediums such as painting, printmaking, and lens-based media. All studio art courses explore foundations in art-making practices. There is an enrollment limit of 0 so that we can prioritize our majors and minors getting into this course. Students outside of the department will be enrolled after early registration is complete. If you have not declared your major or minor, reach out to Christine Kahn (cekahn@brandeis.edu) to express your interest in enrolling AFTER you have placed yourself on the waitlist. We cannot guarantee your enrollment though and encourage students to declare to avoid this in the future. Please do not contact the faculty member teaching the course about enrolling as the administrative staff is enrolling students throughout early registration. Additional questions? Reach out to Christine Kahn.
Lu Heintz | M,W 1:20 PM–3:10 PM
Beginning-level course. Preference to first-year students and sophomores. May be repeated once for credit if taught by different instructors.
Exploration of three-dimensional aspects of form, space, and composition utilizing a variety of materials and sculptural techniques. Emphasizes students' inventing of images through the use of modern materials and contemporary ideas about sculpture. Assignments are based on abstract thought and problem solving. The intent of this course is to give students a rich studio experience and promote a fresh and meaningful approach to visual concepts.
Usually offered every semester.
This is a popular class and can be a challenge for students outside of the department to get a spot in the class. Still place yourself on the waitlist but if you are interested in taking a 3D course, we recommend you also consider placing yourself on the waitlist for another studio art course, including topic-driven sculpture classes. You may also explore other mediums such as painting, printmaking, and lens-based media. All studio art courses explore foundations in art-making practices. There is an enrollment limit of 0 so that we can prioritize our majors and minors getting into this course. Students outside of the department will be enrolled after early registration is complete. If you have not declared your major or minor, reach out to Christine Kahn.
Muna Güvenç | M,W 2:30 PM–3:50 PM
Through case studies of cities, sites, and monuments, the course presents an overview of the art and the architecture of the Islamic world beginning from the seventh century up to the present. Some of the themes include, but are not limited to, Islamic material culture, orientalist imaginations, systems of governance and the colonial present, search for the local identity, urban modernity and nationalism, and globalization.
Usually offered every second year.
Thomas Hall | M 7:15 PM–10:05 PM
Join the Brandeis Improv Collective and learn how to become more fluidly and joyfully creative, both individually and in a group, through an exploration of musical improvisation. This ensemble is suitable for any student with an interest in having fun playing with other people, regardless of previous experience in improvising or instrumental skill level. Offered exclusively on a credit/no credit basis. Yields half-course credit. Placement auditions will be held at the start of the semester. A maximum of four course credits will be allowed for all enrollments in Ensemble (MUS 80a,b; MUS 88a,b) alone or Private Instruction and Ensemble together. May be undertaken as an extracurricular, noncredit activity by registering in the XC section.
The semester culminates with a performance in Slosberg Recital hall.
Usually offered every semester.
Thomas Hall | M 7:15 PM–10:05 PM
Join the Brandeis Improv Collective and learn how to become more fluidly and joyfully creative, both individually and in a group, through an exploration of musical improvisation. This ensemble is suitable for any student with an interest in having fun playing with other people, regardless of previous experience in improvising or instrumental skill level. Offered exclusively on a credit/no credit basis. Yields half-course credit. Placement auditions will be held at the start of the semester. A maximum of four course credits will be allowed for all enrollments in Ensemble (MUS 80a,b; MUS 88a,b) alone or Private Instruction and Ensemble together. May be undertaken as an extracurricular, noncredit activity by registering in the XC section.
The semester culminates with a performance in Slosberg Recital hall.
Usually offered every semester.
Benjamin Paulding | M,W 5:40 PM–7:00 PM
Offered exclusively on a credit/no credit basis. Yields half-course credit. A maximum of four course credits will be allowed for all enrollments in Ensemble (80a,b ' 88a,b) alone or Private Instruction and Ensemble together. Instruments will be supplied by instructor.
Students in this course will study and perform a repertory of traditional music and dance of a variety of ethnic traditions from Ghana, West Africa. The drum ensemble includes bells, rattles and drums. The vocal music features call-and-response singing in local languages. The dances have choreographic formations as well as opportunity for individual expression. Drumming and dancing are closely intertwined; work will culminate in a final performance.
Usually offered every year.
Benjamin Paulding | M,W 5:40 PM–7:00 PM
Offered exclusively on a credit/no credit basis. Yields half-course credit. A maximum of four course credits will be allowed for all enrollments in Ensemble (80a,b ' 88a,b) alone or Private Instruction and Ensemble together. Instruments will be supplied by instructor.
Students in this course will study and perform a repertory of traditional music and dance of a variety of ethnic traditions from Ghana, West Africa. The drum ensemble includes bells, rattles and drums. The vocal music features call-and-response singing in local languages. The dances have choreographic formations as well as opportunity for individual expression. Drumming and dancing are closely intertwined; work will culminate in a final performance.
Usually offered every year.
Jennifer Cleary |T,Th 2:20 PM–3:40 PM
Examines ways in which theatrical arts can create change in a variety of non-traditional situations. This course is grounded in the discussion/practice of theater activists such as Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed. For both theater and non-theater students, this course focuses on how and why this collaborative, useful art form can be introduced into sociological, psychological, political, cultural, educational, medical, and historical paradigms. Students will generate work surrounding social issues of importance to them.
Usually offered every second year.
Andie Berry | W 2:30 PM–5:20 PM
Introduces the world of female playwrights. This course will engage the texts through common themes explored by female playwrights: motherhood (and daughterhood), reproduction, sexuality, family relationships, etc. Students will participate in writing or performance exercises based on these themes.
Usually offered every second year.
Andie Berry | Th 2:20 PM–5:10 PM
Explores aesthetic innovations and transformations in African American theater and performance and examines the crucial role the stage has played in shaping perceptions and understandings of blackness.
Usually offered every second year.
Humanities Electives
Howie Tam | T,Th 5:30 PM–6:50 PM
ExTaking as its start in the Cold War, when the fear of Communist ideology and scientific advances reached its feverish peak, and ending with today’s increasing amalgamation of machine and humanity, this course opens a field of cultural inquiry into more than half a century of Transpacific imaginations of technological progress and its shadow of social retrogression. We will think capaciously about issues of colonialism and extraction in the name of science in the Pacific, transnational racialized labor and its post-apocalyptic life, techno-orientalism and the fantasy of Asiatic cyborgs, artificial intelligence and its affective concerns, as well as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and what it has to teach us about the human condition. In the wake of the highly racialized Covid-19 pandemic and its thorny questions regarding the health of the body politic, this course will introduce students to some of the most prominent examples of science fiction by diasporic Asian writers who have been inspired by the vast and multitudinous Transpacific as a space not only of conquest and competition but also of promise and possibility.
Usually offered every third year.
Caren Irr | M,W 4:05 PM–5:25 PM
Explores major schools of thought about nature, ecology, and art.
Usually offered every third year.
Emilie Diouf | T,F 9:35 AM–10:55 AM
A comparative exploration of the politics of language in postcolonial African Literature and its impact on literary production. It locates the language question in anglophone and francophone African Literature within the context political independence.
Usually offered every third year.
Dorothy Kim | M,W,Th 11:15 AM–12:05 PM
Works with a selection of medieval mystery plays, medieval-themed video games and participatory live-action role play to explore: play structures and design; alternative-world creation by way of immersion; the significance of gender, race, disability, and sexuality in performance.
Usually offered every third year.
Thomas King| M,W 5:40 PM–7:00 PM
Explores paradigms for making performance inside and outside of institutionalized theater spaces, with an emphasis on the performance of everyday life. Students read theories of theater and performance against paradigmatic dramatic texts and documents of social performance. Combining theory with practice, students explore and make site-specific and online performances.
Usually offered every third year.
Sabine von Mering | T,Th 3:55 PM–5:15 PM
Open to all students.
Introduces European attitudes towards climate change as reflected in policy, literature, film, and art, with a focus on workable future-oriented alternatives to fossil-fueled capitalism.
Usually offered every second year.
Ilana Szobel | T,Th 3:55 PM–5:15 PM
Taught in Hebrew.
Explores trauma and violence in Israeli Literature, film, and art. Focuses on man-made disasters, war and terrorism, sexual and family violence, and murder and suicide, and examines their relation to nationalism, Zionism, gender, and sexual identity.
Usually offered every second year.
Ilana Szobel | T,Th 2:20 PM–3:40 PM
Explores cultural representations of disability in Israel, Europe, and the US. By focusing on literature, film, dance, and visual art, it explores physical, mental, and emotional disability experiences, and their relations to gender, sexuality, nationalism, and identity politics.
Usually offered every second year.
Social Sciences Electives
Patricia Alvarez Astacio | T,Th 3:55 PM–5:15 PM
Introduces students to the study of visual, aural, and artistic media through an ethnographic lens. Course combines written and creative assignments to understand how culture shapes how we make meaning out of images and develop media literacy. Topics include ethnographic/documentary film, advertising, popular culture, viral videos and special effects, photography, art worlds, and the technological development of scientific images.
Usually offered every second year.
Elanah Uretsky | T,Th 2:20 PM–3:40 PM
Explores a range of debates about human rights as a concept as well as the practice of human rights work. The human rights movement seeks the recognition of universal norms that transcend political and cultural difference while anthropology seeks to explore and analyze the great diversity of human life. To what extent can these two goals--advocating for universal norms and respecting cultural difference--be reconciled? The course examines cases from various parts of the world concerning: indigenous peoples, environment, health, gender, genocide/violence/nation-states and globalization.
Usually offered every third year.
Jenny Alexander | W 5:40 PM–8:35 PM
Investigates documentary film as a genre, and explores the potential of the medium for engaging students with immigrant communities in Waltham through hands-on production experiences. Through the process of exchanging narratives with community members, students generate raw material for a film documentary.
Usually offered every year.
Melissa Stimell | T,Th 2:20 PM–3:40 PM
Introduces transitional justice, a set of practices that arise following a period of conflict that aim directly at confronting past violations of human rights. This course will focus on criminal prosecutions, truth commissions, reparations, memorials, and the contributions of art and culture.
Usually offered every second year.