Art and Culture at UMass

Art and Culture at UMass looks at the lively and vibrant arts and culture of UMass, including museums and galleries, rare books and manuscripts, one of America?s foremost literary magazines, innovative and historic architecture, a major international film archive, and other cultural resources on campus. The seminar will offer a history of the arts, writing, and design at UMass, and will include on-campus field trips to all the places and resources we learn about.

Preparing/Undergrad Research

This course is for prospective Biology undergraduate researchers who are interested in conducting undergraduate research or creative endeavors. Students who have not already started an independent research project with a research mentor will learn valuable skills to prepare for and find research opportunities. During the semester students will visit research labs and core facilities that support research and receive environmental health and safety training. Students will discuss research experiences with juniors and seniors working in research labs.

Molecules, Cells & Systems

Students in this course investigate the structure, function and physiology of cells; the properties of biological molecules; information transfer from the level of DNA to cell-cell communication; and cellular energy generation and transfer. The development of multicellular organisms and the physiology of selected organ systems is also explored. In addition to attending lectures, each student participates in discussion sections that focus on data analysis and interpretation while integrating mechanisms across scales. Concurrent registration in BIO 133 recommended but not required.

Fascism, Gender and Sexuality

This course explores the use of gender in historical and contemporary fascist movements, examining the ways in which fascist movements construct images of "masculine" and "feminine" to shape ideology. We will look at the rhetoric of gender equity to enforce regression and oppression systems, and how these rhetorics are used as tools to enforce xenophobic and racist narratives against immigrants to the U.S. and Europe.

The Marriage of Figaro

In conjunction with the Five College Opera's Spring 2026 production of Mozart's 1786 opera Le Nozze di Figaro, this course will give students a thorough grounding in the adaptation of plays into operas, and the analysis of opera. We will undertake a close reading of Beaumarchais' play (in translation), da Ponte's libretto, Mozart's settings, and a number of historic and contemporary productions, in order to explore how operas work with and against their source texts, and also how opera analysis and dramaturgy can inform creative choices about music and staging.

Playwriting Studio

This playwriting course is designed for students with prior writing experience who are ready to dive more deeply into the art and craft of writing full-length plays across multiple genres in an advanced workshop setting.

Intro to Playwriting

What is a play and how do you write it?  In this course, students will be introduced to the basic principles of writing for the stage (voice, craft, and process), and study short plays. Students will gain an understanding of foundational aspects such as conflict, character, objectives, obstacles, and stakes. In parallel to learning elements of playwriting, students will read plays reflecting various periods, cultures and narratives, as well as critical theories around the craft of playwriting and theatrical forms.

LGBTQ Rights 1945-2020

(Offered as HIST 424 and SWAG 424) The LGBTQ Rights Movement in the U.S. has revolutionized the lives, rights, and representations of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people in modern life. Despite its transformative impact, few people know much of anything about the people, organizations, or legal issues involved in the struggle.

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