Current Semester Course Descriptions

These pages provide unofficial lists of courses that will be offered. They are strictly for the use of expanded course descriptions. For the complete official course offerings, please consult the My.UIC portal.

For a list of all courses and general course descriptions, please see the UIC Academic Catalog.

LCSL 250 Heading link

LCSL 250: Introduction to Comparative Cultural Studies (Same as CEES 224/225)

Tu/Th 9:30-10:45 AM

Instructor: Prof. Michał Markowski. 3 hours. CRN: 47219

One of the most essential and desirable skills in today’s divided and conflicted world is understanding how people live, work, and create in a multicultural environment. Join us as we explore how authors and artists represent and problematize the boundaries of national and cultural identities. Is culture a “biased” term or “neutral? Is it universal? Is culture a political idea, or it shies away from politics? What is the relationship between culture and civilization? Are different cultures comparable? How does globalization impact artistic individuality? What is globalization? How does translating texts and cultures allow the global circulation of ideas? The course will help students better comprehend how the specificity of national cultures is appropriated and consumed by readers and audiences across the “world.” The course will also explain the origin of categories and concepts we use when speaking about culture. Emphasis on diverse worldviews across Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Francophone cultures and their interactions. Competencies developed: analysis, critical thinking, equity & inclusion, and intercultural communication. The course format implies active participation and discussion of reading materials in English.