UK Core - University of Kentucky

DISCOVERY SEMINAR PROGRAM CONTINUEDDSP 110 - 003 Those of Us DisLabeled: Disability and Society (3 CR)Intellectual Inquiry in the Social SciencesDisability cuts across age, culture, gender, socioeconomic status, and every other socially developed structure.Disabilities can be visible or invisible. But just because we can’t see something doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Thiscourse is designed to raise awareness and expectations around the construct of disability. Students will beintroduced to disability history, legislation, and advocacy. Students will use critical thinking skills to analyzedifferent models of disability from a variety of perspectives. We will explore the roles of people in society andexamine the interaction of disability and economy, health, employment, sexuality, spirituality, culture,technology, policy and quality of life. We will also discuss disability in terms of empowerment, self-direction,and motivation. A variety of speakers will share their story with us over the semester. Experiential learning willbe emphasized.DSP 110 – 004 & 005 Freedom Isn’t Free: The Role of the Military Officer in American Society (3 CR)Intellectual Inquiry in the Social SciencesEspecially since September 11, 2001, it is common to hear people say that “freedom isn’t free.” Individuals,groups, and even nation states interpret this statement in different ways. This seminar introduces students tohow the Army works and covers the history of the Army and the roles and relationships of the Army within oursociety. The course also covers some of the basic skills necessary for today’s military leaders: oral presentation,time management, map reading, basic rifle marksmanship and squad tactics. Students enrolled in this seminarwill participate in a mandatory weekend-long, hands-on practicum at a US military base nearby that will exposestudents to military skills required to achieve basic technical and tactical competence used by the US Army. Allrelated expenses for this weekend field trip will be covered except for optional personal items.DSP 120 - 001 What’s So Funny? Thinking about Laughter, Humor, Comedy, and Jokes (3 CR)Intellectual Inquiry in the HumanitiesIn this Discovery Seminar we will be investigating a set of interrelated subjects that are seldom taken seriously:laughter, humor, comedy, and jokes. The working premise of this Discovery Seminar is that we might learnsomething important about ourselves -- and about human beings generally -- by addressing questions such asthe following: Why do human beings laugh? Do other creatures laugh as well? How can we tell? What is the natureand social function of laughter? Does laughter really possess a healing power of its own? What is humor? What makes things funny? What is the difference between a good joke and lame one?What is the role of humor in human life, and what -- if anything -- does this tell us about human beings? How is humor related to the more serious business of life? Are there some things that can be bestexpressed only through comedy? Are there some insights that have to be conveyed humorously, or notat all? What are the various types of humor? What are the various functions of the same? What is therelationship between humor and intelligence ("wit"), or between humor and aggression? Does comedy ultimately serve to reconcile us with the limits of human life, or is it, instead, a way oftranscending the same and thereby “redeeming” life?26