University of Maryland: Terp Young Scholars | College of Arts and Humanities

The College of Arts and Humanities aims to produce creative problem solvers and global visionaries prepared for a wide range of careers and ready to serve their communities and the larger society. Through Terp Young Scholars, students engage in learning about culture, writing, and advances in technology.

2023 course offerings include:

AMST213: Heroes and Villains in American Film- Campus

Examine the complex, changing, and ever-present representations of heroes and villains in American film with this in-person course. Beginning with a foundational understanding of how heroes and, conversely, villains have been defined through classic Hollywood film, we will explore how these definitions have shifted throughout the 20th and 21st century in various narrative genres, including westerns, war films, film noir, fantasy, science fiction, and, of course, superhero movies. In particular, we will be focusing on how the hero and villain maintain or disrupt specific cultural ideologies concerning race/ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and ability. This course will examine how these various ideologies have evolved throughout the 20th and 21st century, impacting the ways in which heroes and villains are both represented in American film and perceived by diverse audiences. Finally, we will examine our own complicated and sometimes troubling identification with these heroes, even when they might stand in stark contrast to our cultural values and identities.

ARHU 298J: Creative Writing Workshop - Campus

Immerse yourself in the writing of fiction and poetry that encourages creativity while expanding knowledge. Hone your writing craft in a nurturing, interactive environment while developing skills that help uncover your own distinctive voice. You will read great poems and stories from across cultures, refine your skill through close reading, radical revision, and the delivery of constructive criticism on peer work. Morning sessions emphasize assigned readings, writing, analysis, and discussions of craft. Students receive careful, detailed responses to their writing from both instructors and peers. Afternoon sessions are devoted to studio time spent reading and writing. You will share your original writing in a supportive workshop setting and discover new approaches to revision.

Contemporary Moral Issues – Online

The uses of philosophical analysis in thinking clearly about such widely debated moral issues as abortion, euthanasia, pornography, charity, trans youth hormone access, drug use, the death penalty, business ethics, sexual equality, and more.