5 interesting classes to consider during drop/add

Struggling to find the last classes to add your schedule among the myriad of options listed on DukeHub? Your search ends here.

Here is The Chronicle’s guide to five captivating courses being offered next semester.

K-Pop, Idols and Fandom

Taught by Cody Black, Friedl Building 107, MW 3:05-4:20 p.m.

Course credits: AMES 237, CULANTH 237, ICS 281, LIT 237, MUSIC 232 (CCI, ALP)

Are you a K-Pop stan who can’t stop talking about your bias? This class covers the ABCs of the genre, from its history and the current state of the industry for idols to the ethics surrounding Western K-pop listeners. Whether you love BTS, Blackpink, TXT, Stray Kids or any other group, this cross-listed class is the one for you.

Sex, Power and Religion

Taught by Natalie Gasparowicz, Friedl Building 102, Tu 1:25-3:55 p.m.

Course credits: ICS 390S, HISTORY 390S, GSF 390S (CCI, CZ)

Many think that religion and sexuality are at odds, but this course challenges that idea. From forbidden chocolate to religious objects with unexpected uses, students will uncover surprising anecdotes in this class, with a particular focus on Latin America. Students can expect to engage with various forms of media, including art, music, pop culture and more. If you’re a first-year looking for a thought-provoking seminar class to fulfill your first-year requirement, this may be the one for you.

Puppetry

Taught by Torry Bend, Bryan Center 045, Tu 3:05-5:35 p.m.

Course credits: ARTSVIS 264S, THEATRST 264S (ALP)

Bring out your inner puppeteer by designing your very own puppet in this seminar course. If you love performing or crafting, you’ll appreciate diving into mastering the art of bringing felt and fabric to life. This class is pure fun; no strings attached!

Wakanda Forever

Taught by Tsitsi Jaji, Allen 326, MW 1:25-2:40 p.m.

Course credits: AAAS 224, ENGLISH 276 (CCI, EI, W, ALP, CZ)

Step into the vibrant world of Wakanda by studying Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther and Wakanda Forever films, which broke box office records and took the pop culture world by storm. Just don’t expect a biweekly film screening — students will also engage with African poetry, literature, science-fiction and music in this course, also replete with famed guest artists and speakers and visits to the Nasher Museum and Rubenstein Library archives. Be ready to channel your analytical and artistic skills, since assignments will include “extensive weekly writing” and a self-designed final project, past iterations of which have included podcasts and paintings.

Sexual Pleasure in the Modern World

Taught by Peter Sigal, East Duke 209, TuTh 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Course credits: HISTORY 112, SXL 116 (CCI, EI, CZ)

Are you curious about sex scandals at Duke, human sacrifice, sadomasochism or anything in between? If so, this all-inclusive course is for you. Students will “think all semester about orgasm,” touching on themes of pornography, adultery and prostitution along the way. Assignments include a short video, a group research project, two papers and short weekly in-class writing assignments.

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