AU Encounters
AU Encounters is course that examines key themes in U.S. society and beyond by exploring the works and legacies of significant figures or the history and impact of significant ideas. Through a multidisciplinary approach, including readings, films, guest lectures, or museum visits, students critically engage with complex topics like race, ethnicity, gender, class, and sexuality, while developing skills for dialogue.
In spring 2025, AU Encounters will satisfy the AU Experience II requirement (CORE-200/201) and will focus on the the works and legacy of James Baldwin to examine key themes within U.S. society and beyond. The calendar year of 2024 would have been James Baldwin’s 100th birthday. It’s fitting then to design intellectual inquiry that uses his work—and work about him—to explore the key concepts central to the curriculum.
About the Course
The format for the course will include a combination of both in-person and asynchronous sessions to create a rich environment for discussion and intellectual inquiry, but in-person meetings will be confined to four meetings during the weeks of:
- February 03-07
- February 24-28
- March 24-28
- April 14-18
Classes will be facilitated by full-time faculty from across the University and University leadership. Class sizes will be roughly 75 students per section, who will form small groups of approximately 8-12 students for the in-class dialogues, which Peer Facilitators will help to facilitate.
Learning Outcomes
-
Analyze how James Baldwin’s works address race, identity, and power in society.
-
Question the intersections of social identities such as ethnicity, gender, class, and sexuality in Baldwin’s writings.
-
Engage in thoughtful dialogue about complex and often uncomfortable social issues.
Enrollment Links
| Academic Term | Course Title | Section Number | Meeting Dates | Day | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2025 | AU Encounters: Baldwin | CORE-200-119 | 02/04/25, 02/25/25, 03/25/25, 04/15/25 | Tuesday | 11:20 AM | 12:35 PM |
| Spring 2025 | AU Encounters: Baldwin | CORE-200-122 | 02/04/25, 02/25/25, 03/25/25, 04/15/25 | Tuesday | 11:20 AM | 12:35 PM |
| Spring 2025 | AU Encounters: Baldwin | CORE-200-123 | 02/04/25, 02/25/25, 03/25/25, 04/15/25 | Tuesday | 12:55 PM | 2:10 PM |
| Spring 2025 | AU Encounters: Baldwin | CORE-200-145 | 02/04/25, 02/25/25, 03/25/25, 04/15/25 | Tuesday | 2:30 PM | 3:45 PM |
| Spring 2025 | AU Encounters: Baldwin | CORE-200-147 | 02/04/25, 02/25/25, 03/25/25, 04/15/25 | Tuesday | 2:30 PM | 3:45 PM |
| Spring 2025 | AU Encounters: Baldwin | CORE-200-146 | 02/04/25, 02/25/25, 03/25/25, 04/15/25 | Tuesday | 4:05 PM | 5:20 PM |
| Spring 2025 | AU Encounters: Baldwin | CORE-200-148 | 02/04/25, 02/25/25, 03/25/25, 04/15/25 | Tuesday | 4:05 PM | 5:20 PM |
| Spring 2025 | AU Encounters: Baldwin | CORE-200-127 | 02/04/25, 02/25/25, 03/25/25, 04/15/25 | Tuesday | 5:30 PM | 6:45 PM |
| Spring 2025 | AU Encounters: Baldwin | CORE-200-149 | 02/05/25, 02/26/25, 03/26/25, 04/16/25 | Wednesday | 9:45 AM | 11:00 AM |
| Spring 2025 | AU Encounters: Baldwin | CORE-200-129 | 02/05/25, 02/26/25, 03/26/25, 04/16/25 | Wednesday | 11:20 AM | 12:35 PM |
| Spring 2025 | AU Encounters: Baldwin | CORE-200-130 | 02/05/25, 02/26/25, 03/26/25, 04/16/25 | Wednesday | 11:20 AM | 12:35 PM |
| Spring 2025 | AU Encounters: Baldwin | CORE-200-132 | 02/05/25, 02/26/25, 03/26/25, 04/16/25 | Wednesday | 12:55 PM | 2:10 PM |
| Spring 2025 | AU Encounters: Baldwin | CORE-200-133 | 02/05/25, 02/26/25, 03/26/25, 04/16/25 | Wednesday | 12:55 PM | 2:10 PM |
| Spring 2025 | AU Encounters: Baldwin | CORE-200-150 | 02/05/25, 02/26/25, 03/26/25, 04/16/25 | Wednesday | 2:30 PM | 3:45 PM |
| Spring 2025 | AU Encounters: Baldwin | CORE-200-152 | 02/05/25, 02/26/25, 03/26/25, 04/16/25 | Wednesday | 2:30 PM | 3:45 PM |
| Spring 2025 | AU Encounters: Baldwin | CORE-200-151 | 02/05/25, 02/26/25, 03/26/25, 04/16/25 | Wednesday | 4:05 PM | 5:20 PM |
| Spring 2025 | AU Encounters: Baldwin | CORE-200-153 | 02/05/25, 02/26/25, 03/26/25, 04/16/25 | Wednesday | 4:05 PM | 5:20 PM |
| Spring 2025 | AU Encounters: Baldwin | CORE-200-136 | 02/05/25, 02/26/25, 03/26/25, 04/16/25 | Wednesday | 5:30 PM | 6:45 PM |
| Spring 2025 | AU Encounters: Baldwin | CORE-200-154 | 02/06/25, 02/27/25, 03/27/25, 04/17/25 | Thursday | 9:45 AM | 11:00 AM |
| Spring 2025 | AU Encounters: Baldwin | CORE-200-157 | 02/06/25, 02/27/25, 03/27/25, 04/17/25 | Thursday | 9:45 AM | 11:00 AM |
| Spring 2025 | AU Encounters: Baldwin | CORE-200-143 | 02/06/25, 02/27/25, 03/27/25, 04/17/25 | Thursday | 12:55 PM | 2:10 PM |
| Spring 2025 | AU Encounters: Baldwin | CORE-200-144 | 02/06/25, 02/27/25, 03/27/25, 04/17/25 | Thursday | 12:55 PM | 2:10 PM |
| Spring 2025 | AU Encounters: Baldwin | CORE-200-155 | 02/06/25, 02/27/25, 03/27/25, 04/17/25 | Thursday | 2:30 PM | 3:45 PM |
| Spring 2025 | AU Encounters: Baldwin | CORE-200-158 | 02/06/25, 02/27/25, 03/27/25, 04/17/25 | Thursday | 2:30 PM | 3:45 PM |
| Spring 2025 | AU Encounters: Baldwin | CORE-200-156 | 02/06/25, 02/27/25, 03/27/25, 04/17/25 | Thursday | 4:05 PM | 5:20 PM |
| Spring 2025 | AU Encounters: Baldwin | CORE-200-159 | 02/06/25, 02/27/25, 03/27/25, 04/17/25 | Thursday | 4:05 PM | 5:20 PM |