Saturday, May 2 from 8:30am-1pm
University Conference Center, 8th Floor, Close-Hipp Building
How do the humanities give us the tools to understand each other and the world around us? The USC Humanities Collaborative invites you to the University of South Carolina to take part in introductory classes with our most extraordinary professors in the humanities and arts. Join us for “Humanities 101” and select from a variety of subjects in philosophy, literature, film studies, and theater for up to 2 sample community lessons. The courses include group discussions, mini-lectures, and hand-on activities, and we’ll supply optional readings and materials.
Lunch will also be provided, and books by USC humanities faculty will be available for purchase.
This event is free and open to the public.
Event Schedule
8:30-9:00 am: Check-in
9:00-9:15 am: Welcome
9:15-10:30 am: Session 1 (select one)
- 1A. "Introduction to Free Will" with Prof. Mathew Kisner (Philosophy)
Imagine that everything that happens is inevitable, necessarily determined to happen as it does by preceding events and the laws of physics. If this is the case, then is it possible for people to have free will? This engaging session will walk through the basic answers that philosophers have offered to this question over thousands of years of debate. Optional Text: Episode 182 of the Philosophize This! Podcast: "What if Free Will is an Illusion?” - 1B. "Make a Mini World: A Cornell Box Workshop" with Prof. Erik Flatmo (Theater)
Create a miniature world inside a small box using found objects to explore a poetic, theatrical, or personal theme. Arrange images and materials into a layered composition that tells a story and captures a mood or memory—an engaging, hands-on craft activity inspired by Joseph Cornell. Optional: Bring a few of your own small objects or photos to personalize your mini world.
Registration limited to 12 participants.
10:30-10:45 am: Break
10:45am-12pm: Sesson 2 (select one)
- 2A. “Coming of Age Literature in the Caribbean Diaspora” with Prof. Claire Jimenez (English and African American Studies)
In this session, we will read and reflect on two powerful excerpts from literature of the Caribbean diaspora by Justin Torres and Paule Marshall. You will also have the opportunity to practice your own creative writing. Optional Texts: “Seven” by Justin Torres and "To Da-duh in Memoriam” by Paule Marshall.
Registration limited to 12 participants. - 2B. “Understanding Film in Context” with Prof. Maureen Ryan (Film and Media Studies)
This is an introduction to the scholarly study of film and media. We will learn about the development of the film industry and its role in shaping society and culture, and learn basic methods of film analysis. Our guiding question in this introductory class is: how do film and media texts express our cultural ideas, beliefs, and values?
12:00-1:00 pm: Lunch and Roundtable Discussion: The event concludes over lunch with a discussion and Q&A with USC faculty.
Many thanks to our co-sponsors SC Humanities and All Good Books!
About the USC Humanities Collaborative:
The goal of the USC Humanities Collaborative is to create opportunities and resources
for the exploration of human culture, thought, and experience on campus and in our
community. Since 2021, we have managed a robust series of programs that include research
and creative working groups, public talks, digital humanities workshops, podcasts,
and partnerships with local arts and humanities organizations. Our activities bring
together faculty and students from across disciplines to generate new knowledge, and
we advocate for the meaningful integration of humanistic inquiry in every classroom
and profession.