When it comes to human caging, the U.S. leads the world. There are now over two million people in the nation's jails and prisons. This is a relatively new phenomenon, with the incarceration rate soaring 500 percent over the last 40 years. All of this is happening at a time when the rate of violent crime has been stable or declining. So, what explains these trends? This course will introduce you to the chronological, political, and institutional development of the U.S. carceral state.

At schools across the country, and right at UMass, students are mobilizing for justice and making demands together! What happens when we get loud and demand our colleges and universities do better? What resources and visions have students won, and how? Whether you are already working in student-led social movements or are curious about getting involved, this seminar will be a space to learn about student activism today, share resources on student-led movements, and gain some practical skills related to organizing.

In this first-year seminar, we will read about and discuss many of these issues that are so pervasive in our daily life that we rarely pay attention to them. The hope is that we can go through our time in college paying a little bit more attention, making more intentional choices, rather than simply floating downstream.

In this course we will study one of Shakespeare's most famous plays, Romeo and Juliet, through its film, musical, performance, visual art, and novel adaptations. We will consider questions such as what is an adaptation? What counts as an "original" vs. an adaptation? What is Shakespeare's role in our contemporary context? How can we learn more about Romeo and Juliet by studying how it has been represented and retold in new contexts and through new genres? How do adaptations or retellings critique and/or reaffirm norms and power structures?

Do you like ancient mythology? Are you a lover of art? Are you interested in getting out of the classroom and exploring different art and archival collections at UMass? This course will take a unique look at ancient Mediterranean mythology along with just some of the countless art pieces and architecture these stories have inspired over the last two thousand years. Every two weeks will focus on a specific mythological story from Greece and the Rome.

What do popular cultural icons such as Kendrick Lamar, Colin Kaepernick, and Beyonce have in common with Black Power activists such as Malcolm X, Angela Davis, and Huey P. Newton? In this first-year seminar, we will explore African American activism beginning with the Black Power movement of the late 1960s and 70s to the current #BlackLivesMatter movement of 2022. As we examine the past and present struggle for racial justice, we will pay close attention to the role of art, music, fashion, mass media, and culture as tools for activism and resistance.

This course is designed to help students meet the demand for effective writing and speaking skills in the professional workplace. Topics include rhetorical considerations involving audience and purpose, writing style and tone, organizational strategies, research skills, evidence-based writing, and page design, along with assignments in professional correspondence, report writing, and public speaking and visual aids. This course satisfies the University's junior year writing requirement.

This course is designed to prepare students for success in the following career and professional development competencies such as networking, internship/job search, professional etiquette and industry research. Specific activities will include but are not limited to: resume building, interviewing skills, dressing for success, utilizing social media platforms, developing elevator pitches, building professional connections, increasing knowledge of industry and career areas and navigating career fairs.

This course is designed to prepare students for success in the following career and professional development competencies such as networking, internship/job search, professional etiquette and industry research. Specific activities will include but are not limited to: resume building, interviewing skills, dressing for success, utilizing social media platforms, developing elevator pitches, building professional connections, increasing knowledge of industry and career areas and navigating career fairs.

In this course, we will collectively and critically explore the question "What is education for social change?" You will participate in discussions and activities that provide hands-on engagement with the learning approaches adopted by these models. You will have the opportunity to reflect on your learning journey so far, and to identify approaches for social change you could utilize in future. Through this course you will learn how education can be channeled for social change in your own educational journey and future career path.