We seem divided,” writes philosopher Alain de Botton, “between an urge to override our senses and numb ourselves to our setting and a contradictory impulse to acknowledge the extent to which our identities are indelibly connected to … our locations.” Taking de Botton’s observation as a starting point, we will explore concepts of place in works of philosophy, theory (including human geography), and literature as well as examining our own relationships to particular places: what do those experiences mean, how do they mean, how are the places we are from changing, and does that matter?  Because we are studying places (and not just the classroom), we will, whenever feasible and relevant, find our way to other places (downtown Willimantic, the shoreline, Sturbridge Village, and so on).

HON 361

Native American & Ancient Cosmologies in Literature & Culture

Russell Sampson and Meredith James

The focus of this course is to examine Native American cosmologies, studying oral traditions and contemporary Native American literature. Students will learn how the patterns of the stars and stories are interconnected and how this creates a worldview specific to individual tribal nations.  The students will also explore the field of archaeoastronomy - the study of celestial practices of ancient peoples.  As well, the students will learn about the new field of ethnoastronomy - the study of the celestial knowledge of existing cultures.  During this part of the course the class will learn about the motions and appearance of the sun, the moon, planets and constellations.  As time permits an exploration of near-sky phenomena (rainbows, clouds, etc.) will also be undertaken.

The Sami (formerly called “Lapps”) are spread across northern Scandinavia and Russia, and represent one of Europe’s last indigenous populations.  In this course, students will explore some of the issues facing these people as they struggle to maintain their traditions, while simultaneously participating in the modern societies where they live.  The course includes a two-week trip to northern Sweden and Norway in June 2010, where students will meet with Sami reindeer herders, educators, artists and musicians, and experience first-hand this unique culture.

A diversity of races, cultures, and religions has been a distinguishing characteristic of the United States. Our objective in this course will be to gain a better understanding of the role of immigration and ethnicity in the shaping of American society and culture, with the special emphasis on New England, and the state of Connecticut in particular. Students will pursue independent research projects that explore broad dimensions of immigrant and ethnic experience over the decades.