Comparative Studies Courses
This list is current as of 8/11/22. Course schedule and descriptions are subject to change. Please refer to SIS for the most up-to-date information. Contact arceno.1@osu.edu if you notice any discrepancies or have any questions.
Comparative Studies 1100 Introduction to the Humanities: Cross-Cultural Perspectives
Online (asynchronous) and In-person | Multiple sections
COMPSTD 1100 is an introductory course designed to survey some of the current preoccupations in the Humanities, especially as they relate to culture, power, and identity. Across several sections with varied content, instructors of 1100 seek to present relevant issues in comparative cultural study, employing a mix of cultural theory, current events, and literature, visual, and performing arts with a focus on race, ethnicity, and gender. GE Literature and Diversity: Global Studies.
Comparative Studies 1100H Introduction to the Humanities: Cross-Cultural Perspectives Honors
TuTh 11:10-12:30 | Kwaku Korang | PAES 103
Explores the role of literature and the arts in constructing, maintaining, and questioning the values and beliefs of diverse cultures and historical periods; topics vary. GE Literature; and Diversity: Global Studies. Honors version.
COMPSTD 2099 Question of Comparative Studies
M 5:20-6:15 | Philip Armstrong | Hagerty Hall 451
This course offers an introduction to the Comparative Studies major. It is designed to help students to take advantage of curricular, research, and advising opportunities; to manage the particular challenges of independent and interdisciplinary work; to link classroom work to social and political engagement with relevant communities; and to prepare for life after graduation. This course is graded S/U.
COMPSTD 2101 Literature and Society
TuTh 9:35-10:55 | Rhiar Kanouse | Hagerty Hall 042
Study of relationships among politics, society, and literature; analysis of social and political elements of literature and film from diverse cultures and historical periods. Prereq: English 1110 (110) or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 2101H (201H, 201). GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts course.
COMPSTD 2105 Literature and Ethnicity
TuTh 11:10-12:30 | Mercedes Chavez | Denney Hall 214
Study of relationships between literature and ethnicity; analysis of concepts of ethnicity as represented in literature and film of diverse cultures and historical periods. Prereq: English 1110 (110) or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 205. GE lit and diversity soc div in the US course.
COMPSTD/ENGLISH 2264 Intro to Popular Culture Studies
WeFr 12:45-2:05 | Rob Barry | Campbell Hall 251
TuTh 3:55-5:15 | Dennin Ellis | Campbell Hall 209
Introduction to the analysis of popular culture texts, with special emphasis on the relationship between popular culture studies and literary studies. Prereq: English 1110 (110) or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 264, or English 2264 (264). GE cultures and ideas course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course. Cross-listed in English.
COMPSTD 2281 American Icons
TuTh 3:55-5:15 | John Brooks | Campbell Hall 309
Interdisciplinary methods in American studies; emphasis on the plurality of identities in American culture.
Prereq: English 1110 (110) or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 234. GE cultures and ideas and diversity soc div in the US course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course.
COMPSTD 2301 Intro to World Literature
TuTh 11:10-12:30 | Ashley Pérez | Hayes Hall 025
Analysis of oral and written literatures of diverse cultures and historical periods. Prereq: English 1110, or equiv. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts course.
COMPSTD 2322 / SPANISH 2242 Intro to Latino Studies
WF 11:10-12:30 | Ignacio Corona | Mendenhall 175
Introduction to Latino studies; history, politics, and cultural production of Latino/a communities in the U.S. and its borderlands. Prereq: English 1110 (110) or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 242, or Spanish 2242. GE cultures and ideas and diversity soc div in the US course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course. Cross-listed in Spanish 2242.
COMPSTD 2340 Intro to Cultures of Science and Technology
WF 3:55-5:15 | Professor TBA | Psychology Building 14
Critical analysis of the multiple relations of science to society, with emphasis on knowledge, power, authority, values, and ethics. Prereq: English 1110 (110), or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 2341 (272). GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course.
COMPSTD 2341 Technology, Science, and Society
Online | TuTh 12:45-2:05 | Seth Josephson
+ In-Person Recitations | F 10:20-11:15 or 11:30-12:25 | Deanna Holroyd | Bolz Hall 318
Critical analysis of the relations among science, technology, and culture, with particular emphasis on ethical issues in technology and engineering. Prereq: English 1110.01 (110.01) or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 2340 (272). GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course.
COMPSTD 2350 / ENGLISH 2270 Intro to Folklore
TuTh 11:10-12:30 | Zahra Abedi | Mendenhall 125
A general study of the field of folklore including basic approaches and a survey of primary folk materials: folktales, legends, folksongs, ballads, and folk beliefs. Prereq: English 1110 (110) or equiv. Not open to students with credit for English 2270 (270), or 2350H. GE cultures and ideas course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course. Cross-listed in English 2270.
COMPSTD 2350H / ENGLISH 2270H Intro to Folklore Honors
TR 2:20-3:40 | Merrill Kaplan | McPherson 1021
A general study of the field of folklore including basic approaches and a survey of primary folk materials: folktales, legends, folksongs, ballads, and folk beliefs. Prereq: Honors standing, and English 1110 (110) or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 2350, English 2270 (270), or 2270H. GE cultures and ideas course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course. Cross-listed in English 2270H.
COMPSTD 2360 Intro to Comparative Cultural Studies
TuTh 12:45-2:05 | Philip Armstrong | Hopkins Hall 250
Introduction to interdisciplinary field of cultural studies; emphasis on relation of cultural production to power, knowledge, and authority, globally and locally. Prereq: English 1110 (110) or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 274. GE cultures and ideas course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course.
COMPSTD 2367.04 Science and Technology in American Culture
WF 3:55-5:15 | NJ Jesser | Hagerty Hall 251
Role of science and technology in contemporary American society; their relationship to human values; sources of concern about their impact; evaluation of selected issues. Prereq: English 1110 (110), or equiv, and Soph standing. Not open to students with credit for 2367.04H (367.02H) or 367.02. GE writing and comm: level 2 and cultures and ideas and diversity soc div in the US course.
COMPSTD 2367.08 American Identity in the World
TuTh 2:20-3:40 | Sarah Craycraft | Enarson Building 240
Second Session Course, TuTh 3:55-5:15 | Sarah Craycraft | Enarson Building 246
American culture viewed from inside and from the perspective of foreign cultures, as seen in literature, film, art, music, journalism, folklore, and popular culture. Prereq: English 1110, or equiv, and Soph standing. Not open to students with credit for 2367.08H. GE writing and comm: level 2 and cultures and ideas and diversity soc div in the US course.
COMPSTD 2995 Race and Gender in Eastern Europe and the US: A Transatlantic Comparison
Online | Yana Hashamova | Mendenhall Lab 175
By studying how identities (racial, ethnic, gender, and religious) exist as cultural constructs, this course will examine and compare the experiences of Russian and East European ethnic and racial minorities in their respective countries and African Americans in the US regarding racialization and marginalization through cultural and social constructs. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for Slavic 2995.99. Cross-listed in Slavic 2995.99. GE foundation race, ethnicity and gender div course.
COMPSTD 3302/E Translating Literature and Cultures
TuTh 9:35-10:55 | Gregory Jusdanis | Hagerty Hall 159
Introduction to issues and problems inherent to translating literatures and cultures. Prereq: English 1110 (110), or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 3302E (373E) or 373. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course.
COMPSTD 3603 Love in World Literature
TuTh 9:35-10:55 | Lucia Bortoli | Derby 80
TuTh 3:55-5:15 | Lucia Bortoli | Campbell Hall 335
Representations of love in world literature; emphasis on mythological, psychological, and ideological aspects of selected representations in different cultures and time periods. Prereq: English 1110 (110), or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 3603H (301H) or 301. GE lit and diversity global studies course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts course.
COMPSTD 3607 Film and Lit as Narrative Art
M 12:10-2:00 + WF 12:40-1:35 | Umut Gurses (online section); Nicole Stevens (in-person section) | Mendenhall 125
Relationships between film and literature; emergence of cinematic art as a form of representation with emphasis on diverse cultural traditions. Prereq: English 1110 or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 3607H. GE VPA and diversity global studies course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts course.
COMPSTD 3608 Representations of the Experience of War
MWF 9:10-10:05 | Jason Payne | Campbell Hall 209
Representations of war in works of literature, religious texts, and film from diverse cultures and time periods. Prereq: English 1110 (110) or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 308. GE lit and diversity global studies course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts course.
COMPSTD 3645 Cultures of Medicine
WF 12:45-2:05 | NJ Jesser | Mendenhall Lab 173
Humanistic, scientific, and clinical perspectives on medical issues; literary uses of medical themes; medicine as art and science. Prereq: English 1110 (110) or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 3645H (305). GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course.
COMPSTD 3645H Cultures of Medicine
WF 12:45-2:05 | Andrew Millar | Scott Lab 245
Critical analysis of the multiple relations of science to society, with emphasis on knowledge, power, authority, values, and ethics. Prereq: English 1110 (110), or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 2341 (272). GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course.
COMPSTD 3686 Cultural Studies of American Music
Hybrid | MWF 12:40-1:35 | Professor TBA | Mendenhall 135
Online | MWF 10:20-11:15 | Professor TBA
(Please note the course format/time may change)
Investigation of the social, political, and cultural contexts of the development of popular musics in the U.S. Prereq: English 1110 or equiv. GE VPA and diversity soc div in the US course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts course.
COMPSTD 3990 Approaches to Comparative Studies
WF 9:35-10:55 | Barry Shank | Hale Hall 110A
Introduces comparative studies majors to theoretical tools, methods of investigation, and key concepts in comparative studies research and scholarship. Prereq: English 1110 (110) or equiv. CompStd major, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 398.
COMPSTD 4597.02 Global Culture
TuTh 12:45-2:05 | Jasper Waugh-Quasebarth | Mendenhall Lab 175
Examines contemporary global cultural flows, the concepts useful in analyzing them, and the questions they raise about power and cultural change. Prereq: Completion of Second Writing course. Not open to students with credit for 597.02. GE diversity global studies and cross-disciplinary seminar course.
COMPSTD/AFAMAST/WGSST 4921 Intersections: Approaches to Race, Gender, Class, and Sexuality
TuTh 11:10-12:30 | Maurice Stevens | Location TBA
Examines intersections of race, gender, class, and sexuality in various sites within American culture (e.g., legal system, civil rights discourse, social justice movements). Prereq: One course in CompStd, WGSSt, or AfAmASt. Not open to students with credit for 545, AfAmAst 4921 (545), or WGSSt 4921 (545). Cross-listed in AfAmASt and WGSSt.
COMPSTD/AFAMAST/PUBAFRS 5240 Race and Public Policy in the US
WF 9:35-10:55 | Miranda Martinez | Page 60
This course explores Race and Public Policy in the United States from Reconstruction to the present. In particular, the class is designed to look at the long list of "hot topics" in the current policy landscape, including policing, housing, wealth gap, immigration, voting, political representation, and others.
Religious Studies Courses
This list is current as of 6/14/22. Course schedule and descriptions are subject to change. Please refer to SIS for the most up-to-date information.
RELSTDS 2102.02 Comparative Sacred Texts
TuTh 11:10-12:30 | Savannah Finver | Journalism Building 375
Introduction to religious views of the universe, the supernatural, social organization, ethics, etc., through sacred texts (oral and written) of diverse cultures and historical periods. Prereq: English 1110 (110), or equiv. Not open to students with credit CompStd 2102.02 (202.02). GE lit and diversity global studies course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts course.
RELSTDS 2370 Introduction to Comparative Religion
TR 1:50-2:45 | Hugh Urban | Orton 110
+ In-Person Recitations | F 10:20-11:15 or 11:30-12:25 | Asad Zaman | Hagerty 046
Introduction to the academic study of religion through comparison among major traditions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.) and smaller communities. Prereq: English 1110 or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 2370H or CompStd 2370H or 2370. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies and race, ethnicity and gender div course.
RELSTDS 2370H Intro to Comparative Religion Honors
WF 2:20-3:40 | Spencer Dew | Mendenhall Lab 129
Introduction to the academic study of religion through comparison among major traditions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.) and smaller communities. Prereq: Honors standing, and English 1110 or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 2370, CompStd 2370, or 2370H. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies and race, ethnicity and gender div course.
RELSTDS 3210 Jewish Mysticism and Kabbalah
TR 2:20-3:40 | Michael Swartz | Enarson 246
The history of Jewish mysticism from antiquity to the present, with emphasis on its implications for the comparative study of religious experience. Prereq: English 1110 or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 2210, 2210H, 3210H, CompStd 2210, 2210H, Hebrew 2210, 3210, 2210H, 3210H, JewshSt 2210, 3210, 2210H, or 3210H. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course. Cross-listed in JewshSt.
RELSTDS 3678 Religion and American Culture
WF 12:45-2:05 | Spencer Dew | Mendenhall Lab 175
Thematic approach to the intersections of religion and American culture, with attention to varied topics such as pluralism, nationalism, race, gender, sexuality, law, media, science, economics, and popular culture. 2370 recommended. Prereq: English 1110 or equiv. Not open to students with credit for CompStd 3678. GE diversity soc div in the US course. GE theme citizenship for div and just wrld course.
RELSTDS 3680 Religion and Law in Comparative Perspective
TuTh 2:20-3:40 | Isaac Weiner | University Hall 056
Comparative, interdisciplinary approach to studying religion and law. Drawing on concrete cases, historical studies, and theoretical literature, the course explores how the relationship between religion and law has been configured differently in different liberal democracies, such as the U.S., France, and Israel, and what this might mean for contemporary debates.
Prereq: Not open to students with credit for History 3680. GE historical study and diversity global studies course. GE theme citizenship for div and just wrld course. Cross-listed in History.