»First-Year Foundations: Bridging Ideas (100A) and Engaging the World (100D- Fall Only)

These classes invite you to explore big ideas, ask meaningful questions, and think critically about the world around you. Designed to spark curiosity and expand your intellectual horizons, the classes challenge you to engage deeply from a variety of topics ranging from film, history, politics, to the intersection of math and philosophy. Whether you're drawn to the complexities of social issues, the ethics of artificial intelligence, or the power of storytelling, you will find a course in this category that will speak to your interests and stretch you in new directions. These discussion-based classes offer an inspiring start to your college journey and prepare you for a lifetime of thoughtful inquiry. 

Banned Book Club
Professor Breil Bonaguro
FFC 100A-31 (Wednesdays, 7:00 pm – 9:50 pm)
This course explores the history and impact of book banning and censorship in the United States. Students read and analyze works that have been banned or challenged while examining the cultural and political debates surrounding censorship. Through discussion and critical analysis, the course investigates why certain books are restricted and how censorship affects communities, education, and freedom of expression.

The BeyONd Film
Professor Jason Perlman
FFC 100A-22 (Tuesdays, 4:00 pm – 6:50 pm)
Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that deals with our very existence, spirituality, and how we discern truth. These are broad and beguiling topics, but ones that have found much persuasive voice within the cinema since its inception. In this class, we will explore diverse metaphysical ideas and themes by way of films both old and new. Whether recent blockbuster fare like “Dr. Strange,” indies like “I Saw the TV Glow,” or the work of vintage auteurs like Stanley Kubrick, Lynne Ramsay, and Wim Wenders; “The Beyond On Film” will analyze how complex metaphysical ideas are uniquely translated into the discourse of cinema.

The Case for Kindness
Professor Jody Brown
FFC 100A-13 (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 am – 11:15 am)
FFC 100A-17 (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:30 am – 12:45 pm)
This course examines the philosophical and scientific foundations of kindness and compassion. Students explore questions such as what it means to live a compassionate life and how empathy shapes human relationships and communities. By examining research in psychology and philosophy, the course encourages students to think critically about the role of compassion in personal life, social institutions, and global challenges.

Creative Writing Through Public Art
Professor Sarah Garcia
FFC 100A-20 (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm)
This creative writing course examines the relationship between written expression and public art. Students visit artworks on campus, read artist statements and critical essays, and develop their own creative responses. Through weekly writing exercises and peer discussion, students experiment with multiple genres and forms of storytelling. Final projects may include installations, poetry videos, spoken word performances, or multimedia storytelling inspired by public art.

Dangerous Ideas
Professor Brennan McDavid
Professor Erik Kimbrough
FFC 100A-05 (Mondays and Wednesdays, 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm)
Throughout history, individuals who challenged established beliefs—such as Socrates, Galileo, Karl Marx, Harriet Tubman, and Salman Rushdie—have often faced resistance or punishment before later being celebrated for their contributions. This course examines controversial ideas and dissenting voices across history and contemporary society. Each week, students engage with challenging debates and analyze the arguments and evidence presented by competing perspectives. By reconstructing these arguments and critically assessing their logic and supporting evidence, students develop the analytical tools needed to evaluate complex social and political controversies.

Echoes of Home
Professor Ashley Cosgrove
FFC 100A-09 (Mondays, 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm)
What does “home” mean for individuals whose living situations fall outside traditional expectations? This course explores the concept of home through the experiences of people living in diverse circumstances, including foster care, homelessness, refugee camps, military deployment, incarceration, and assisted living communities. Students examine the social, economic, and political factors that influence housing security while discussing broader questions about belonging, identity, and the meaning of home in contemporary society.

Entrepreneurs of the 21st Century
Professor Kathleen Shields
FFC 100A-08 (Mondays, 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm)
This course explores prominent entrepreneurs who have shaped industries and economies in the twenty-first century. Students analyze the conditions that allow entrepreneurship to flourish and examine how innovative leaders influence technology, markets, and society. Using data analysis and case studies, the course encourages students to compare entrepreneurial strategies and evaluate how different leaders achieve success in competitive global markets. 

Examining Humanity: An Embodied Life
Professor Jan Osborn
FFC 100A-36 (Fridays, 1:00 pm – 3:50 pm)
If you like the idea of focusing on the process of learning, of setting aside perfection for  the pursuit of growth, this could, indeed, be a foundational course for your university experience. Exploring a range of ideas central to our humanity, this is an interactive class  designed to consider human experience through cultures, languages, migrations, and technological innovations. Central to the exploration are reading, writing, observing, recitation,  and the embodiment of ideas as a means to develop curiosity and critical consciousness (awareness). Core texts will include books, film, and poetry by authors such as Kaveh Akbar, bell hooks, Albert Camus, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Toni Morrison, Justin Torres, and Ocean Vuong.

Examining the Black Mirror
Professor Brad Petitfils
FFC 100A-30 (Wednesdays, 7:00 pm – 9:50 pm)
This course analyzes the themes and social commentary found in the television series Black Mirror. Students examine how the show explores technology, media, and the consequences of innovation in modern society. Through discussion, critical analysis, and readings, the course encourages students to reflect on their relationship with technology and the ethical questions that arise from rapid technological advancement. 

From MTV to Moscow: 1980s Protest Music
Professor Olivia Mather
FFC 100A-15 (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 am – 11:15 am)
How did pop music reflect political anxieties during the Cold War? This course examines protest music from the 1980s and its relationship to global politics. Students analyze songs such as Sting’s “Russians” and Genesis’s “Land of Confusion” to understand how musicians addressed nuclear fears, geopolitical tensions, and political activism through popular music. The course explores how musical style, lyrics, and cultural context shaped the political messages of the MTV generation. 

Hallyu from the Inside: History, Trauma, and the Global Rise of Korean Culture
Professor Beverly Min Thiagarajan
FFC 100A-11 (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 am – 9:45 am)
FFC 100A-16 (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 am – 11:15 am)
This course examines the historical and political forces that shaped modern Korean identity before the global rise of Hallyu, or the “Korean Wave.” Students explore the legacy of Japanese colonial rule, the Korean War, authoritarian governments, and democratization movements. Through music, film, literature, and media—from BTS to Parasite and Squid Game—the course analyzes how trauma, resilience, and cultural policy contributed to Korea’s global cultural influence. Students also examine the development of K-pop’s training systems, Korean cuisine, and the beauty industry as expressions of cultural transformation.

The History and Impact of the Surfing Industry
Professor Amy Hurley-Hanson
FFC 100A-04 (Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm)
Surfing is practiced by roughly 35 million people worldwide and fuels a global industry worth more than $22 billion. This course explores how surfing evolved from a pastime on Polynesian islands into a global cultural and commercial phenomenon. Drawing on perspectives from history, economics, physics, marketing, and leadership, students analyze the development of surf culture and its influence on tourism, music, film, art, and social movements. The course emphasizes analytical and critical approaches to understanding surfing’s economic, cultural, and environmental impact. 

Leadership in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Professor Alex Hart
FFC 100A-25 (Mondays, 7:00 pm – 9:50 pm)
This course explores leadership styles through the lens of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Students analyze the leadership strategies of major MCU characters and apply leadership theories to both fictional and real-world situations. Through films, discussions, readings, and case studies, the course helps students understand how leadership works in different contexts and how these lessons can inform their own leadership development. 

Leadership, Communication, and Life
Professor Ezequiel Jimenez Jr.
FFC 100A-29 (Tuesdays, 7:00 pm – 9:50 pm)
This course examines leadership and communication across different environments, including organizations, education, and global contexts. Students explore leadership theories, emotional intelligence, and ethical decision-making while analyzing the qualities of influential leaders. Through presentations, research projects, and discussions, the course encourages students to reflect on their own leadership styles and understand how leadership develops in diverse situations.

Leveling Up: Historical & Cultural Contexts of Videogames
Professor Harrison Gaskill
FFC 100A-37 (Thursdays, 4:00 pm – 6:50 pm)
This course explores the history of video games as a dynamic intersection of technology, business, politics, psychology, and morality. Students will trace the evolution of the medium into a global cultural and economic force and examine: how business models—from coin-operated machines to microtransactions and live-service games—have shaped the industry and player experience; the political dimensions of video games, including regulation, censorship debates, representation, and the use of games in propaganda and activism; player behavior, motivation, addiction, identity formation, and the emotional impact of interactive storytelling; and issues surrounding morality in games—how ethical choices are designed, how games reflect societal values, and how controversies (such as violence, loot boxes, and online toxicity) raise important ethical questions. Through critical readings, gameplay analysis, and discussion, students will develop a deeper understanding of video games not only as entertainment, but as influential cultural artifacts that both shape and reflect the world around us.

Life Reimagined: Insights from Philosophy
Professor Mohammad Rafi
FFC 100A-07 (Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm)
How can individuals live meaningful lives in a rapidly changing world? This course introduces philosophical perspectives on questions related to anxiety, morality, knowledge, and technology. Students begin by examining the purpose of the modern university and the importance of free speech in open societies. The course then engages with thinkers such as Sigmund Freud and Friedrich Nietzsche to explore dissatisfaction with modern civilization, the construction of moral values, and the limits of human knowledge. The final section considers how technological change reshapes communication, social interaction, and human understanding.

Lights, Camera, Soundtrack!
Professor Patrick Gutman
FFC 100A-26 (Mondays, 7:00 pm – 9:50 pm)
FFC 100A-28 (Tuesdays, 7:00 pm – 9:50 pm)
Lights, Camera, Soundtrack: Impactful Storytelling Through Music invites students to dive into the powerful world of film music. From sweeping orchestral scores to iconic pop soundtracks, this course explores how music shapes the story of what we see and how we feel. Students will learn to listen critically and think deeply about how sound tells powerful stories, influences emotion, and drives narrative on screen. Through case studies, discussion, and hands-on analysis of scenes from blockbusters, indie films, and streaming hits, students will develop tools to decode the musical language of cinema. Required: curiosity, open ears, and a love for great stories!

Los Angeles in Film and Fiction
Professor Atalia Lopez
FFC 100A-19 (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm)
FFC 100A-21 (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm)
This course explores how the city of Los Angeles is represented in film and literature. By examining novels, films, and critical essays, students analyze how the city functions as both a physical environment and a symbolic space within storytelling. Texts may include films such as Sunset Blvd., Blade Runner, and Drive, as well as novels like Joan Didion’s Play It As It Lays. The course encourages students to think critically about urban representation and the cultural identity of Los Angeles.

Memories of WWII in French Film 
Professor Allan MacVicar
FFC 100A-01 (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 11:00 am – 11:50 am)
How does France remember the Second World War, and how do filmmakers represent those memories? This course examines shifting debates and interpretations of the war through French cinema. Students explore how films produced over the past eighty years highlight certain events while obscuring others, shaping national identity and collective memory. Through works by directors such as Clément, Melville, Resnais, and Malle, the class analyzes how film reflects evolving historical perspectives and challenges earlier assumptions about the war and its legacy.

Night at the Museum: Curating California at the Hilbert Museum
Professor Mary Platt
FFC 100A-27 (Mondays, 7:00 pm – 9:50 pm)
Set inside Chapman University’s Hilbert Museum of California Art, this course uses the museum as a living classroom. Students explore California’s history through its artistic traditions while learning how museum exhibitions are researched, curated, marketed, and managed. Through collaborative projects and hands-on experience, students work together to design and curate their own exhibition using works from the museum’s collection.

The Perceptron and the Neuron: From Physiology to Learning Theory to Artificial Intelligence
Professor Daniel Alpay
FFC 100A-02 (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 11:00 am – 11:50 am)
This course traces the development of ideas that connect neuroscience, mathematics, and artificial intelligence. Beginning with examples of critical thinking in scientific discovery, students examine the history of the neuron’s discovery and early computational models such as the McCulloch–Pitts neuron. The class then explores key contributions to neural networks, including work by Hopfield and Amit, and studies the rise, controversy, and influence of the perceptron in modern machine learning. The course blends historical perspective with theoretical foundations to illustrate how scientific ideas evolve and influence technological innovation. 

Pop-Culture and Words
Professor Francisco Martinez
FFC 100A-03 (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 11:00 am – 11:50 am)
This interactive, student-centered course explores the relationship between language, popular culture, and mass media. Using historical and socio-critical perspectives, students examine how popular culture influences vernacular language and everyday communication. Through qualitative and quantitative inquiry, the course encourages students to analyze media’s influence on communication while developing their own agency as producers of knowledge and critical thinkers.

The Power of Play
Professor Robert Guyker
FFC 100A-12 (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 am – 9:45 am)
This course explores the role of play in culture, philosophy, religion, and social life. Students investigate the historical and cultural significance of games and play objects—from ancient board games and children’s folk games to digital gaming communities. The course examines how play contributes to creativity, learning, social development, and critical engagement with the world. Through discussion and analysis, students consider how playful activity shapes human culture and intellectual life.

The Righteous Mind
Professor Kyle Hampton
FFC 100A-18 (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:30 am – 12:45 pm)
This course uses film as a way to explore human morality and ethical decision-making. Students examine the evolutionary roots of moral instincts and analyze how cinema portrays moral conflict, sacrifice, and martyrdom. By treating films as a “moral laboratory,” the class investigates how directors use storytelling, perspective, and performance to shape audiences’ understanding of right and wrong. Through discussion and analysis, students develop tools to critically interpret ethical dilemmas in media and society.

The Shero’s Journey
Professor Heather Lenz
FFC 100A-24 (Thursdays, 4:00 pm – 6:50 pm)
FFC 100A-35 (Fridays, 1:00 pm – 3:50 pm)
“The Shero’s Journey: Documentaries By & About Women,” is an intersectional feminist film class that will include weekly screenings of documentaries by and about women. The films screened will include rare, early examples of films by and about female trailblazers as well as increasingly diverse, recent examples that highlight overlapping, concurrent forms of oppression. Screenings will be supplemented by reading assignments that explore the treatment of women in society at large. Conventionally overlooked in history books, the stories of compelling and inspiring women are beginning to be told with increasing frequency. Actress and feminist film activist Geena Davis has said, “If she can see it, she can be it.” Documentary film has been used as a form of activism and this class will also include examples that cover social issues particularly relevant to women. This course involves a variety of assignments that will involve reading, writing, screenings, presentations, verbally sharing your critical analysis, and identifying and interviewing someone you consider a shero. It will be important for you to stay on top of the course assignments and complete your work on time.

Sports Operation Management
Professor Michael Sakhel
FFC 100A-34 (Thursdays, 7:00 pm – 9:50 pm)
This course examines the management and operations of sports organizations across professional, collegiate, and community settings. Students explore topics such as event planning, facility management, marketing, and revenue generation within the sports industry. Through case studies and applied projects, the course develops practical skills in organizing sporting events and managing sports organizations as both businesses and cultural institutions.

Stamped & Scanned: Passports and the Politics of Belonging
Professor Pinar Tremblay
FFC 100A-33 (Thursdays, 7:00 pm – 9:50 pm)
This course explores the history and political meaning of passports, citizenship, and national identity. Students examine how modern states define belonging and how systems of documentation and border control shape migration, mobility, and global inequality. By analyzing topics such as statelessness, surveillance technologies, and human trafficking, the course encourages students to critically question how nations determine membership and identity.

Story: Noir x Netflix x AI Vibes
Professor Jennifer Akana Sturla
FFC 100A-23 (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm)
This course provides a foundation in storytelling and critical thinking through film noir, streamer-era documentaries, and generative AI. Students will explore their own narratives alongside hard-boiled crime fiction, LA noir, and documentary storytelling, analyzing archetypes, visual language, the Hero’s Journey, and how stories reflect or distort the experiences of women and Indigenous people. Projects will develop students’ skills in both traditional and AI-enhanced story creation, with a focus on narrative structure, character, and point of view.

Technologies of Self
Professor Michael Matsuno
FFC 100A-14 (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 am – 11:15 am)
This course examines how everyday music listening reveals deeper connections between technology, culture, and identity. Students explore the history of listening technologies—from early phonographs to modern streaming platforms—and analyze how these technologies shape musical taste and personal identity. By studying concepts such as the “Walkman effect” and “lean-back listening,” the class investigates how listening practices influence social participation and cultural experience.

Understanding the World Order in the 21st Century: Why Your Feed Is More Political Than You Think
Professor Younes Mourchid
FFC 100A-10 (Wednesdays, 4:00 pm – 6:50 pm)
Why do certain TikToks go viral while others are banned? Why do global conflicts affect everyday products like sneakers or smartphones? This course introduces students to the complex systems that shape international relations, economics, and global politics. By analyzing geopolitics, global supply chains, and international power dynamics, students learn how seemingly unrelated global events are deeply interconnected. The course encourages critical thinking about how political, economic, and technological forces shape the modern world. 

Utopia and Dystopia in Film and Fiction
Professor Michael Valdez Moses
FFC 100A-06 (Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm)
This course explores how literature and film imagine ideal societies and dystopian futures. Throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, thinkers and artists experimented with visions of new social orders, often inspired by technological progress or political ideals. Students analyze major literary works by authors such as George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, Margaret Atwood, and Cormac McCarthy alongside influential films including Blade Runner, Children of Men, Gattaca, Her, and Wall-E. Through these texts, the class investigates how utopian dreams can turn into dystopian realities and what these visions reveal about human nature, morality, and political power.

Wilkinson College is committed to leading the conversation in our community on issues of humanity, unity and justice. As such, the college has undertaken semester-long examinations of key societal issues. These interdisciplinary, campus-wide conversations promote thoughtful dialogue; mindful reflection; social tolerance; awareness and respect; peace and kindness.

The Border: Myths, Realities, and Complexities
Professor Lisa Leitz
FFC 100D-04 (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm)
Borders divide nations but also connect cultures, economies, and communities. This course examines the history and politics of the U.S.–Mexico border through interdisciplinary perspectives from sociology, anthropology, and political science. Students analyze historical events such as the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and modern debates surrounding immigration policy and border security. By comparing political narratives with empirical research, the course encourages students to critically evaluate how borders shape identity, migration, and global relationships.

Dancing Towards Social Justice 
Professor Kristopher Pourzal
FFC 100D-06 (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 10 am - 10:50 am)
What do krump dancers in Black Lives Matter protests have in common with Alvin Ailey, the most famous American choreographer of the 20th century? For both, the moving body serves as a vehicle for social justice. In this First Year Foundations Course, we will study how communities use dance to resist oppression and generate freedom. Focusing on diasporic and marginalized groups in the U.S., this broad survey of American dance histories moves beyond what dance means to consider what dance does in the world. (Note: This is primarily a lecture-discussion course and does not require prior dance experience.)

Ecofeminism: Past, Power, Future
Professor CK Magliola
FFC 100D-05 (Mondays and Wednesdays, 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm)
Ecofeminism argues that systems of oppression are interconnected, linking environmental degradation with forms of social inequality such as sexism, racism, colonialism, and classism. This course introduces students to ecofeminist theory while exploring literature, film, and activist movements that address ecological crisis and social justice. Students examine influential figures such as Rachel Carson, Berta Cáceres, Vandana Shiva, and Greta Thunberg, alongside contemporary movements like the Sunrise Movement and Extinction Rebellion. Through both scholarly texts and climate-focused fiction (“cli-fi”), the course investigates how narratives of environmental catastrophe and renewal shape our understanding of the relationship between humanity and the natural world.

Exploring the Escalette Permanent Art Collection: An Experiential Journey
Professor Fiona Lindsay Shen
FFC 100D-03 (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm)
This experiential course introduces students to the Escalette Permanent Art Collection at Wilkinson College. Through direct engagement with artworks, students explore how museums and collections shape cultural narratives and represent social issues. The course culminates in a collaborative project where students curate a public exhibition using pieces from the collection, developing practical skills in museum studies, curatorial practice, and cultural analysis.

Machiavelli’s Global Afterlives: Leadership, Ethics, and the Modern State
Professor Corrado Confalonieri
FFC 100D-01 (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 am - 9:45 am)
How many authors become an adjective? “Machiavellian” suggests cunning and manipulation - but does it truly reflect Niccolò Machiavelli’s ideas? This course explores the life and works of one of history’s most influential and controversial thinkers, beginning with The Prince, a text that redefined politics in Renaissance Florence. We will situate Machiavelli’s writings within the vibrant and turbulent world of the Italian city-states, examining how his reflections on power, ethics, and civic responsibility emerged from crisis and change. From there, we trace the extraordinary global journey of his ideas - how they were debated, adapted, and mythologized across cultures - and consider why they remain central to conversations about leadership today. What makes a good ruler? How do morality and necessity collide in moments of decision? Why does Machiavelli still shape political discourse and popular culture? Through close reading, discussion, and collaborative projects, students will develop critical thinking and communication skills while engaging with questions that continue to define modern politics.

Motion and Emotion in the Urban Environment
Professor Kyle Harp Rushing
FFC 100D-09 (Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm)
This course examines the roles that motion and emotion play in shaping how people experience urban environments. Cities are complex spaces that have been criticized for producing isolation while also celebrated as places where human needs and desires can be fulfilled through movement, interaction, and exchange. The course begins by exploring early modern perspectives that praised or criticized urban life. It then examines science fiction portrayals of cities as utopias or dystopias. The final section focuses on American cities as sites of political action, including responses to immigration enforcement and social movements that generate solidarity and care amid repression and conflict.

No Planet B: Social Movements for the Environment
Professor Skye Niles
FFC 100D-08 (Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm)
This course investigates how social movements have organized to address environmental challenges and climate change. Students explore a wide range of movements, including Indigenous resistance to colonization, conservation efforts to protect wildlife, anti-toxic campaigns focused on public health, environmental justice movements addressing unequal pollution burdens, and youth-led climate activism. By analyzing the strategies, ethics, and outcomes of these movements, students critically evaluate how grassroots organizing influences environmental policy and social change.

Shifting LGBTQ+ Narratives: Precarity, Activism, and Pop-Culture Representation
Professor Joshua Liashenko
FFC 100D-07 (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm)
Over the past fifty years, LGBTQ+ communities have experienced significant social and political change. This course examines how queer and trans identities are represented in media, literature, and activism. Students explore topics such as the HIV/AIDS crisis, debates about marriage equality, and contemporary discussions surrounding gender identity. By analyzing cultural narratives and social movements, the course investigates how LGBTQ+ experiences are shaped by both progress and ongoing structural challenges.

Trails of Tears: The Contest over Indigenous Lands
Professor Ronald Steiner
FFC 100D-02 (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm)
This course examines the history of Indigenous displacement and the struggle over land in the United States and other countries. Students analyze policies of forced migration, land seizure, and reservation formation while studying Indigenous resistance and resilience. By comparing cases from the United States, Australia, and South Africa, the course explores global patterns of colonialism and the ongoing political and cultural consequences of Indigenous dispossession.