HSS Special Topics

As part of its ongoing efforts to bring students resonant and engaging courses for students, the Humanities and Social Sciences Department runs a wide selection of Special Topics courses to trial new classes for students. Each section of a special topics course number focuses on a different topic across an array of interests. 

Each course requires students to have completed their 200-level HIST/HUM GER, and will count towards student's 300-level HIST/HUM GER. (Restrictions by degree may apply) 

Explore some of these topics below:

Department of Humanities and Social Sciences

COM 325: Special Topics in Communications and Media

Professor: Michael Laudenbach

"Engineering Communication" is an advanced writing course that combines theory with practice to prepare students as professional & technical writers. Here, students will learn to hone their problem-solving abilities and critical thinking skills by turning complex knowledge into usable forms and familiar genres to be shared with colleagues and peers, community stakeholders, or audiences with varying levels of expertise. The course equips students with the language for naming the features that make any given text effective. In doing so, students learn to reflect on their own writing styles and processes, grasping concepts that will sustain their continued learning well into their professional careers.
 
The course focuses on transferable concepts for writing across technical and professional genres in various disciplines of engineering, and class content will be tailored to students' specific majors and interests. Throughout the semester, students analyze communication in within their own engineering discipline, identifying the field-specific variation in common genres like design specifications, design presentations, technical or academic research, process documentation, funding proposals, and one-page executive summaries. Through this practice of rhetorical analysis, students sharpen their abilities to communicate information effectively, ethically, and authentically to audiences with different expectations. 
 
By the end of the semester, students will have produced a funding proposal or policy recommendation for their individually chosen topics. Addressed to a specific real-world audience, the document can be submitted or presented to the relevant decision-maker(s), which offers value for students outside of class, encouraging them to participate in professional and democratic processes. Thus, while the course prepares students for the kinds of professional writing they can expect to encounter in the future, students interested in pursuing research and securing grant funding are especially encouraged to enroll. Aside from the term-length proposal project, students will complete low-stakes assignments and learn how to write in the genres listed above. 
 
This course satisfies COM 313 degree requirements. 

Professor: Michael Worden

This course provides a comprehensive, interdisciplinary exploration of the music industry. Through an examination of the industry's structure, key players, and evolving landscape, students will gain a practical understanding of how music is created, owned, distributed, and monetized in today's marketplace. Students will explore the roles and relationships between artists, managers, labels, publishers, agents, and other industry professionals, developing a clear picture of how deals are made and careers are built. The course will also examine the foundations of music copyright and intellectual property law, equipping students with the knowledge to understand ownership, licensing, royalties, and the legal frameworks that govern the use of music in commercial and creative contexts.
 
A core focus of the course is understanding the distinct roles that record labels play in the industry. Students will examine how labels function in signing, developing, and distributing artists, while also exploring how publishing operates as a separate but equally critical side of the business. Understanding the difference between owning a recording and owning a song, and how each generates revenue, will be a central theme throughout the course.
 
The course also provides a thorough introduction to music publishing, covering how songs are owned, registered, licensed, and monetized. Students will learn how royalties are generated and collected, the role of performing rights organizations, and how songwriters and publishers navigate an increasingly digital landscape.
 
Artist management and touring round out the curriculum, with attention to how managers guide careers, structure deals, and support artists from early local performances through national touring. Students will examine what it takes to build a sustainable live performance career, negotiate show agreements, and develop a loyal fan base.
 
Through case studies, real-world examples, and current industry readings, students will leave with a working knowledge of how the music business operates and the practical tools to engage with it confidently.

Professor: William Kramer

Professor: Joshua Tobiessen

Professor: Rebekah Rutkoff

LIT 325: Special Topics in Literature

Professor: Kyle Mednick

This course explores the development of the true crime genre through notable cases connected to New Jersey. Using the state as a geographic and cultural framework, students analyze how crime stories are documented, interpreted, and retold across multiple forms of media, including journalism, literature, podcasts, documentary film, and television.

The class traces the evolution of crime narratives from early sensational reporting and penny-press journalism to contemporary long-form documentaries and serialized podcasts. Particular attention is paid to the narrative strategies that influence public understanding of crime and justice, as well as to the ethical questions surrounding the representation of victims, perpetrators, and communities.

Students work with historical records, literary texts, and media portrayals to consider the boundary between documented fact and narrative interpretation. Presentations and research projects centered on specific New Jersey cases highlight how crime stories enter cultural memory and how repeated retellings shape public perceptions of justice, responsibility, and history.

Professor: Maria DiLorenzo

Professor: Maria DiLorenzo

PSY 325: Special Topics in Psychology

Professor: Kelly Connover

This course examines the normative development of children from conception through adolescence, fostering an understanding of the psychological nature of the child. Research, theoretical frameworks, and current events will be integrated to support course topics. Areas of focus include physical, cognitive, moral, social, and emotional development; factors influencing developmental trajectories; and approaches to child and adolescent treatment and therapy.

The purpose of this course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the psychological principles underlying child development.  This course is designed to be a collaborative learning process by which students will engage in class discussions, group work, and assignments.  The primary goal of this course is to encourage and support students as they develop an understanding of the material discussed in class and how it can be applied to the real world.  At the conclusion of this course, students should be able to: 1) Identify and compare major theories of child development; 2) Describe developmental milestones across infancy, childhood and adolescence; 3) Be able to think critically about developmental theories and concepts and how they apply to social and cultural norms; 4) Identify influences on child development; 5) Apply knowledge of theories and other concepts to topics such as parenting, education and mental health; and 6) Understand basic mental health issues affecting children and adolescence and therapeutic treatment modalities. 

Professor: Neel Khichi

Professor: Abriana Gresham

Professor: Brain Oland

This course provides an in-depth, interdisciplinary exploration of human sexuality, examining the complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural influences. Students will study the structure and function of sexual anatomy and reproductive systems, as well as the hormonal and physiological processes that shape sexual development and behavior. The course will also introduce major theories of psychosexual development and consider how these frameworks help explain human sexual expression across the lifespan.

In addition, students will explore the diversity of sexuality across cultures, with attention to how social norms, values, and historical contexts influence attitudes and behaviors related to sex and intimacy. Key topics include gender identity, gender roles, and gender diversity, with an emphasis on inclusivity and the experiences of gender-variant individuals. The course will further examine sexual health and well-being, including common sexual concerns and dysfunctions, as well as the dynamics of healthy and unhealthy relationships.

Legal, ethical, and social issues surrounding sexuality will also be addressed, encouraging students to think critically about consent, rights, and responsibilities in both personal and societal contexts. Through discussion, reflection, and analysis, students will develop a well-rounded understanding of human sexuality and its role in individual lives and broader communities.

Professor: Kaitlin Cohen

Professor: Zackary Kellett

 

Professor: Chia-Ying Shih

Through exploring East Asian popular culture in Japan, South Korea, China, Hong
Kong, and Taiwan, this course critically examines globalization, soft power, and
cultural transmission in the age of AI and digital platforms.
The course covers diverse media forms, including Japanese anime, K-pop, Chinese
video games, and short-form videos such as TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube
Shorts. It also investigates how AI and algorithms are reshaping content creation,
distribution, and fan engagement, revealing the new ecosystem of contemporary
cultural industries.
 

In class, students will observe and discuss how Japan, South Korea, China, Hong
Kong, and Taiwan strategically "sell" their culture. They will consider how cultural,
industrial, and political forces shape regional and global media flows. Students will
critically analyze how diverse cultural forms are produced, consumed, and adapted
both within and beyond East Asia. They will also examine how media technologies
and creative trends, such as fan remixes, AI-generated imagery, and moving videos
from YouTube Shorts to TikTok and then to Instagram Reels, transform industry
operations and market dynamics.

STS 325: Special Topics in Science, Technology, and Society

Professor: Zackary Kellett

This course explores the interwoven cultural and industrial landscape of Japan's "Media Mix." Using Japanese Anime as a focal point, students will examine the history of Japanese popular media and the increasing impact of professionals and fans within "Otaku" culture globally, as well as locate these mediums as part of wider national efforts such as "Cool Japan" to expand Japanese soft power abroad. 

This course will cover the historical origins and influences of traditional Japanese art forms including Noh, Kabuki, Bunraku, Ukiyo-e, Rakugo, Manzai, and Kamishibai on contemporary Manga and Anime storytelling, as well as how professional localization and fan remixing reinterpret and propagate aspects of Japanese culture around the world.

Students will also examine contemporary Japanese popular culture as part of a wider cultural and economic ecosystem. Topics will include ties between the animation and music industries, idol culture, mascots and the "anime-esque," and the process of adapting intellectual properties across mediums. 

Titles that will be examined as part of the course will include Akira, Astro Boy, Cowboy Bebop, Dragon Ball, Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, One Piece, Pokémon, Sailor Moon, and more. Through a mix of media analysis and research, students will gain critical analytical skills in transmedia contexts, and gain a deeper understanding of globalized media.

Professor: Chia-Ying Shih

Through exploring East Asian popular culture in Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, this course critically examines globalization, soft power, and cultural transmission in the age of AI and digital platforms.

The course covers diverse media forms, K-pop, Chinese video games, Japanese anime, and short-form videos such as TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. 

It also investigates how AI and algorithms are reshaping content creation, distribution, and fan engagement, revealing the new ecosystem of contemporary cultural industries.

In class, students will observe and discuss how Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan strategically "sell" their culture. They will consider how cultural, industrial, and political forces shape regional and global media flows. Students will critically analyze how diverse cultural forms are produced, consumed, and adapted both within and beyond East Asia. They will also examine how media technologies and creative trends, such as fan remixes, AI-generated imagery, and moving videos from YouTube Shorts to TikTok and then to Instagram Reels, transform industry operations and market dynamics.

Professor: Ed Johnson

This course examines the evolution, structure, and future direction of political decision-making and public policy in the Garden State. Situating New Jersey within regional, national, and global contexts, it highlights the state’s distinctive political culture, complex governmental institutions, and ongoing fiscal challenges. Students consider how historical developments and contemporary forces shape governance in one of the nation’s most densely populated and economically diverse states.

The course provides a detailed overview of New Jersey’s system of state, county, and municipal government, with attention to the constitutional framework and the roles of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Particular focus is given to state-local relations and the practical implications of the state’s strong tradition of home rule. Fiscal foundations of policymaking—including tax structures, budgetary constraints, and long-term debt—are examined in relation to affordability and policy outcomes across the state.

Key policy areas—including transportation and infrastructure, education finance, land-use planning, and sustainable economic development—serve as focal points for understanding how competing priorities are negotiated and resolved. The course also addresses ethical governance, transparency, accountability, and the influence of campaign finance, lobbying, and interest groups.

Through case studies, policy analysis, and applied discussion, students develop the tools needed to interpret New Jersey’s political system and to evaluate how informed citizens and leaders can shape its future.

Professor: Jim Fraser

Professor: Manail Anis

Professor: Emily Tancredi-Brice Agbenyega

 

 

This course is only open for registration to students part of the Albert Dorman Honor's College

Professor: Dan Loughran

This course examines the life, music, and cultural influence of Bruce Springsteen as a lens for understanding American identity, civic responsibility, and social justice. Through close engagement with song lyrics, performances, and public statements, students consider how his work reflects ongoing tensions between national ideals and lived realities.

The course situates Springsteen within broader traditions of American cultural expression, drawing connections to writers, poets, and thinkers who have shaped public conversations about community, agency, and moral accountability. Particular attention is given to recurring themes in his work, including labor, place, belonging, and the relationship between individual experience and collective life.

Course activities combine textual and media analysis with opportunities for applied and reflective work. Students connect the ideas explored in Springsteen’s music to contemporary social issues and to their own experiences, considering how artistic expression can inform civic engagement and personal responsibility. Projects emphasize critical interpretation, interdisciplinary inquiry, and the role of music and storytelling in shaping public understanding of American values.