Discovery Seminars

Nicole Gonzalez

What if learning worked more like your social media feed, guided by curiosity, discovery, and unexpected connections?

This Discovery Seminar explores how curiosity drives learning in a world shaped by algorithms, platforms, and constant information. Students examine how questions, recommendations, and digital media influence what we notice, explore, and believe, and how these patterns compare to the ways knowledge is built across different fields.

Through discussion, reflection, and creative activities, students practice following ideas across topics, evaluating sources, and thinking critically about how information flows online. For a final project, students design a personalized learning “feed” by choosing themes, questions, and sources that reflect their interests while also considering balance, depth, and discovery.

This course is less about what you’re supposed to learn and more about how learning actually happens.

Session: C (Aug. 20-Dec. 4)
Day/time: Monday, 3:35-4:25 p.m.
Location: PVW163
Class #: 74570

Sean Dudley

What if a robot could be partly alive? In this seminar, we’ll explore how researchers combine living elements—like cells, tissues, or even whole organisms—with technology to build hybrid machines. This rapidly growing field (often called “biohybrid robotics”) ranges from tiny, microscale devices to much larger systems, including cyborg-like designs, and it’s expanding in labs around the world.

Together we’ll unpack the scientific and technical ideas behind these “living machines,” and dig into the ethical and social questions they raise: What counts as a robot? Where do we draw the line between living and nonliving? Who benefits, and who decides? No prior knowledge is required and all students are welcome—bring your curiosity and an open mind.

Session: C (Aug. 20-Dec. 4)
Day/time: Monday, 2:30-3:20 p.m.
Location: ARM L1-17
Class #: 88120

Liza Roger

Think coral reefs are just pretty underwater scenery? Think again! In this seminar, we’ll dive into how corals and their tiny algae partners create dazzling colors, strange proteins, and powerful natural compounds that not only keep them alive but also inspire breakthroughs in medicine, technology, and climate research. Along the way, you’ll discover how reefs are built, how they face rising ocean temperatures, and what scientists are learning from them about life on a changing planet. Expect lively discussions, short readings, and hands-on activities—no science background needed. By the end, you’ll see coral reefs not just as endangered ecosystems but as living laboratories bursting with creativity and discovery.

Session: C (Aug. 20-Dec. 4)
Day/time: Wednesday, 2:30-3:20 p.m.
Location: ARM147
Class #: 85773

Mary Nadarski

The purpose of this course is to expose students to the world of healthcare. Students will be provided insights into the activities required over the next few years to prepare for successful candidacy into health professional schools. Students will also explore the human elements of medicine and a variety of fields of healthcare.

Session: C (Aug. 20-Dec. 4)
Day/time: Wednesday, 3:35-4:25 p.m.
Location: ARM L1-53
Class #: 88118

Rachel Porter

We watch movies all the time—but how often do we stop to think about what they’re actually doing?

This freshman seminar explores movies as entertainment and as cultural commentary, with a focus on how filmmaking and movie-watching have changed in the age of streaming. Students examine how the shift from DVDs and theaters to Netflix, YouTube, and TikTok-era viewing has shaped what kinds of movies get made, how they’re shared, and how audiences understand them.

Using film clips, discussion, and reflection, the course invites students to ask big but accessible questions: What is a movie trying to say? When does it succeed or fail? How does technology shape storytelling? And how do our own backgrounds and experiences influence what we see on screen? Designed as a low-pressure, conversation-driven seminar, the course uses movies as a starting point for building critical thinking and discussion skills.

Session: C (Aug. 20-Dec. 4)
Day/time: Friday, 3:35-4:25 p.m.
Location: PVW163
Class #: 76490

Bartu Bingol

What do mathematicians do? Are they just a bunch of dull people who invented a weird symbolic language that no one else can understand? Is the goal of mathematics simply to handle the arithmetic of numbers so we can do accounting, or to understand shapes so we can share a birthday cake fairly? In this seminar, we will explore mathematics as a creative, collaborative way of thinking through short puzzles, games, and group challenges that are designed to be approachable for students from any major. Each week, we will do something concrete first, then step back and ask the bigger question: What kind of reasoning helped us get there, and why does it matter outside of class? We will learn how to count wisely when there are finitely many objects, how to compare “sizes” of infinite sets in a surprising but understandable way, and how to swim in the ocean of data without getting fooled by it. Along the way, we will meet several modern mathematical ideas, with a light twist of philosophy, and use them to think about real-world reasoning: fairness, patterns, evidence, uncertainty, and how we justify a claim when the answer is not obvious. You do not need to be a math person to do well here. If you bring curiosity and a willingness to try, you already have the right background.

Session: C (Aug. 20-Dec. 4)
Day/time: Wednesday, 4:40-5:30 p.m.
Location: PVW159
Class #: 67221

Joris Van Ouytsel

Why do people act differently online than they do in person? Is it rude to leave someone on read? And what happens when your friendships, dating life, classes, and job search all live on the same screen?

This Discovery Seminar explores how digital media shape the way we connect—with friends, partners, classmates, and future employers. We’ll look at texting norms, dating apps, phone use during face-to-face conversations, Zoom fatigue, LinkedIn, and the pressure to always be “on.” Along the way, we’ll talk about digital stress, online identity, and how misunderstandings happen when communication moves to screens.

Students will reflect on their own digital habits and create a final project—such as an infographic or short video—that encourages healthier, more thoughtful communication in an always-online world.

No technical background required—just curiosity about how technology shapes relationships.

Session: C (Aug. 20-Dec. 4)
Day/time: Tuesday, noon-12:50 p.m.
Location: PVW159
Class #: 76492

Erich Schneider

Leadership isn’t just about being “in charge.” It shows up in how you manage your time, respond under pressure, work with others, and make everyday decisions—especially when no one is watching.

This Discovery Seminar explores what effective leadership actually looks like in college, at work, and in daily life. Drawing on ideas from writers and leaders such as Stanley McChrystal, William McRaven, James Clear, Angela Duckworth, and Carol Dweck, students will examine how habits, mindset, and small choices shape long-term success. Topics include building productive routines, prioritizing what matters (not just what feels urgent), communicating clearly, and staying resilient when plans fall apart.

Through case studies, discussion, and reflection, students will practice skills they can use right away—juggling classes and commitments, contributing to group projects, getting involved on campus, and preparing for internships and future careers. Open to all majors, this seminar helps students rethink leadership as something they do, not something they wait to be given.

Session: A (Aug. 20-Oct. 9)
Day/time: Monday, 11:50 a.m.-1:40 p.m.
Location: PVW159
Class #: 87528

Gabriel Acevedo

With national conversations around 'Drag Queen Story Times,' 'Don't Say Gay' in Florida, and Anti-trans national bans, how do young adults reflect and mobilize different ideas of gender, sexuality, and LGBTQ+ identities in pop culture, specifically in Films and Television? This course will examine LGBTQ+ films and TV and how they frame, approach, and represent adolescent experiences with queerness and sexuality. We will talk about how adolescence, queerness, and sexuality have changed over time in media and pop culture, how LGBTQ+ young adults are visually shown, and how representations of gender and sexuality are connected by identity, race, ability, class, and others. In addition to learning how to engage with representations and misrepresentations of queerness in these films and shows, we will also determine the extent to which LGBTQ+ experiences and conversations can unlock unprecedented, crucial, and essential cultural movements for young adults and teens.

Session: A (Aug. 20-Oct. 9)
Day/time: Wednesday, 2-3:50 p.m.
Location: PVW159
Class #: 80635

Michelle Quispe

Join us to learn about the 8 dimensions of wellness as it relates to holistic well-being: physical, emotional, intellectual, social, financial, occupational, spiritual, and environmental. We will explore how each dimension intersects with one another to guide students through their well-being journey. Each section will include an overview of resources available to students at ASU.

Session: C (Aug. 20-Dec. 4)
Day/time: Friday, 2:30-3:20 p.m.
Location: PVW163
Class #: 74571

Andrea Dickens

In a hypermodern era where our leisure time has been hijacked by doomscrolling, reading among adults has seen a decline in nearly all genres, but not romance. The market and Bookstagram and Booktok are brimming with new titles offering relationship-driven escapism.

In this class, we’ll take a closer look at bestsellers from three wildly popular sub genres: The Amish Romance, Dark Romance, and The Romantasy, each of which diverge from the traditional romance formula while still promising a happy ending. The emphasis turns to the journey and the enjoyment of that journey, back to the craft of getting lost in a book through the author’s worldbuilding. Through close reading and discussion, we’ll dig deeper into these trends. Why are readers yearning for a chaste chase—stolen glances and the brush of a calloused hand— in a strict Amish community? And what drives leading Amish Romances to sell millions of copies? Why is Booktok aflutter with Fantasy novels where passion and adventure share equal footing, as in A Court of Thorn and Roses, the international bestseller which inspired dozens of series of similar DNA? Once we establish what it is these authors have revealed about our collective desires, students will pitch and receive feedback on their own ideas for a romance novel.

Session: C (Aug. 20-Dec. 4)
Day/time: Thursday, 4:30-5:20 p.m.
Location: PVW159
Class #: 87525

Grace Crain

Learn more on why Peers are Powerful! During the course of this seminar students will become a Certified Peer Educator (CPE). When becoming a CPE, students will gain the skills that will make them a better leader, role model, activist, and team member. Peers are one of the most potent sources of influence on one another! This training will be covering an array of actionable skills including how to help peers make a behavior change, listening skills, response and referral skills, how to take action, intervene, recognizing the role of diversity and inclusivity, programming and presentation skills, self-care, and group dynamics. Once this course is completed students will be eligible to receive a certificate, membership card, and resume attachment by completing the online test.

Session: C (Aug. 20-Dec. 4)
Day/time: Monday, 4:40-5:30 p.m.
Location: PVW159
Class #: 85780

Maya Shamsid-Deen

In this seminar, we'll unearth the profound ways plants have altered our world. Long before humans existed, plants transformed Earth’s atmosphere, making complex life possible. We'll explore how plants shaped life on Earth by building and collapsing economies, enabling scientific and medical discovery, anchoring cultures, fueling resistance, and forming the foundation of entire ecosystems. Through stories and case studies, we will trace the impact of plants from ancient oxygen-producing ancestors to crops that drove trade, empire, and survival. We leave with a new view of plants: not as passive background entities but as active forces of change.

Session: B (Oct. 14-Dec. 4)
Day/time: Monday, 11:50 a.m.-1:40 p.m.
Location: PVW159
Class #: 87531

Irasema Coronado

Why does music spark political debate? How can a soccer match reflect national identity? Why do tacos tell stories about migration and globalization? This seminar invites students to explore Latin America through the cultural experiences they already know – music, food, sports, and social media – while uncovering the deeper political and historical forces behind them. We examine colonial legacies, inequality, resistance movements, and U.S.-Latin America relations through the lens of contemporary cultural icons and everyday practices. By the end of the course, students will see how culture is never “just culture” – it is power and identity in motion.

Session: C (Aug. 20-Dec. 4)
Day/time: Wednesday, 3:35-4:25 p.m.
Location: PVW163
Class #: 81700

Johnnie Hendrickson

From Cleopatra’s beauty secrets to TikTok “miracle cures,” people have always blurred the line between medicine and poison. This seminar dives into the fascinating world of potions, pills, and promises—some helpful, some harmful, and some just hilarious. Together we’ll explore curious cases from history and today, decode the language of “miracle” products, and experiment with separating fact from fiction. Expect lively discussion, quirky examples, and a hands-on look at the thin line between what heals and what harms.

Session: A (Aug. 20-Oct. 9)
Day/time: Wednesday, 11:50 a.m.-1:40 p.m.
Location: PVW159
Class #: 87529

Ron Broglio

Your attention is constantly being fought over—by apps, ads, notifications, and algorithms designed to keep you scrolling.

This Discovery Seminar explores why attention has become one of the most valuable resources of our time, how it is captured and monetized, and what that means for our ability to think, focus, and choose for ourselves. Students learn about the growing movement known as attention activism, which pushes back against technologies and systems that profit from distraction.

Through discussion, examples from everyday digital life, and creative activities, students will examine how attention is shaped, why it matters, and how people are resisting “attention extraction” in practical ways. Together, the class will experiment with strategies for reclaiming focus, setting boundaries, and designing healthier relationships with technology. The goal is not to unplug completely, but to better understand—and take back—control of our own minds."

Session: C (Aug. 20-Dec. 4)
Day/time: Tuesday, 3-3:50 p.m.
Location: ARM L1-74
Class #: 88121

Charles Gerard Ripley

AI isn’t just writing essays and recommending videos, it’s helping decide who gets watched, targeted, or protected.

This Discovery Seminar explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping national security in the real world. Students examine how AI is used in intelligence gathering, surveillance, drone operations, and military decision-making, as well as the powerful companies and technologies operating behind the scenes. From data platforms like Palantir to algorithmic tools used by governments, the course pulls back the curtain on how modern security actually works.

Rather than focusing on technical coding, the course emphasizes understanding, questioning, and evaluating how AI systems influence global power, conflict, and accountability. By the end of the seminar, students will have a clear, grounded understanding of how AI shapes contemporary national security—and why it matters far beyond the headlines.

Session: C (Aug. 20-Dec. 4)
Day/time: Friday, 3:35-4:25 p.m.
Location: PABLO105
Class #: 85778

Iuliia Inozemtseva

Who’s responsible when an algorithm messes up? Should AI be allowed to grade your work or decide if you get hired? And how much of your data are you really giving away for convenience?

This Discovery Seminar dives into the real-world ethical dilemmas created by artificial intelligence and large-scale data collection. Using weekly debates, case studies pulled from current events, and hands-on ethical scenarios, students explore how AI shapes everyday life, from classrooms and social media to transportation, surveillance, and beyond.

Rather than focusing on technical details, the course asks students to wrestle with hard questions about power, responsibility, fairness, and accountability. Students will practice making and defending ethical arguments, balancing benefits against harms, and deciding where lines should (or shouldn’t) be drawn. No technical background required, just curiosity and a willingness to argue your case.

Session: B (Oct. 14-Dec. 4)
Day/time: Friday, 11:50 a.m.-1:40 p.m.
Location: PVW159
Class #: 87533

Laura Turchi

This Discovery Seminar re-imagines the Shakespeare you might have met in high school. Through discussion, playful dramatic activities, and online explorations, we'll focus on key scenes from A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Taming of the Shrew. Together we'll ask how these 'old, old, old' plays help us think about our lives now-parent-young adult relationships, what people will do for love, and who decides what's best. We'll also look at social-justice dimensions like bias and ownership as we study the plays. To share what we discover (and test whether these stories still matter), students will collect, share, and create digital images and videos using (social) media. Along the way, we'll get to know each other, and you'll have chances to get information-and, if you want it, advice-about navigating the academic world at ASU.

Session: C (Aug. 20-Dec. 4)
Day/time: Monday, 2:30-3:20 p.m.
Location: PVW163
Class #: 80601

Dr. Kenneth Ladenburg

Protest is not only seen—it is heard. This seminar examines the role of language, art, music, and sound in shaping protest movements and democratic life in the United States. Tracing examples from the abolitionist movement through the Civil Rights era and into the present, students explore how voices, songs, and spoken words have influenced social change.

Through listening, discussion, and analysis, students will consider how sound communicates ideas, builds community, and challenges power. The course invites students to think critically about the relationship between expression and democracy.

Session: C (Aug. 20-Dec. 4)
Day/time: Tuesday, 3-3:50 p.m.
Location: PVW159
Class #: 70666

Terri and Montreux Hlava

Have you ever wondered how your dog knows just when you feel stressed, or how watching fish swim can reduce someone's blood pressure? Come investigate these and other fascinating questions and ask the experts who bring animals to our classroom! Learn the benefits of having therapy animals in hospitals, elder-care facilities, and schools, and meet the human (and non-human) practitioners who provide these therapies! Join us on field trips, meet even more animals and the people they partner with, and have fun learning about the important connections we share with other species!

Session: B (Oct. 14-Dec. 4)
Day/time: Wednesday, 2-3:50 p.m.
Location: PVW159
Class #: 76488

Chan Lwin

What makes a dish “national”? This Discovery Seminar explores food, flavor, and identity in Mainland Southeast Asia, with a focus on Myanmar and Vietnam. Using iconic dishes such as Pho. Mohinga and Khao Soi, students examine how food reflects history, migration, trade, and debates over national identity. The course emphasizes hands-on learning through tasting, smelling, and identifying flavor profiles, alongside short readings, discussion, and media. No prior knowledge required—just curiosity about food and how everyday dishes tell larger stories.

Session: C (Aug. 20-Dec. 4)
Day/time: Wednesday, 3:35-4:25 p.m.
Location: PABLO105
Class #: 72425

Joshua Horton

We are the weirdos, mister.' This course invites you to explore the many facets of punk counterculture: style, art, literature, music, film, and, of course, zines. If you are interested in learning about the nebulous origins of punk and examining its numerous forms and countercultures, I invite you to take part in this unique academic experience. In this seminar, rather than trying to define punk, we will explore it as a system of strategies for pushing against the mainstream. We will look at how different groups have used punk to bypass the implicit censorship enacted by media within the dominant culture. Starting with the concept of the monster, we can see how punk aesthetics mark a person as living outside of what is mainstream. From there, we get the loud music, rude lyrics, and unpolished zines that punk is known for. These disruptive models of communication allow for an uncensored expression of a variety of emotions while bringing together the freaks and weirdos out of isolation. Through lively discussions and fun readings, you will have the opportunity to see how the music and subculture you love work within the broader context of the public and learn about movements like Queercore, Riot Grrrl, Afropunk, Chicanx Punk, and more. During this course, you will curate a playlist, analyze punk media, and create your own zine. Come be a part of something you won't find anywhere else.

Session: C (Aug. 20-Dec. 4)
Day/time: Tuesday, 4:30-5:20 p.m.
Location: PVW159
Class #: 87524

Holli Trentowski-King

Are you ready to turn your college experience into a dream career? Look no further! This class is your key to unlocking the skills and knowledge you need to stand out in the job market. At ASU Career Services, we know that a degree is just the starting point. To achieve your career goals, you need to develop a set of essential skills that will make you competitive and attractive to employers. In this class, you'll learn how to: Boost your Career & Self-Development; Master effective Communication; Develop Critical Thinking and problem-solving skills; Embody Equity & Inclusion in the workplace; Unleash your Leadership potential Exude Professionalism in any setting; Collaborate with ease through Teamwork; and Harness the power of Technology to stay ahead. Through interactive and practical exercises, you'll create a personalized plan to develop these skills during your undergraduate journey. Whether you're seeking a part-time job, internship, or full-time employment, this class will give you the edge you need to succeed. Join us and start building your dream career today!

Session: A (Aug. 20-Oct. 9)
Day/time: Friday, 11:50 a.m.-1:40 p.m.
Location: PVW159
Class #: 87530

Gina Woodall

Campaign ads. Polling swings. Viral moments. Fundraising battles. What actually decides a midterm election? In this class, students will adopt a competitive 2026 House or Senate race and follow it from early fall through Election Day. We’ll break down campaign strategy, social media, political advertising, turnout efforts, and the broader national stakes, in real time.

This course will help you cut through the political noise, become smarter consumers of news, and understand how midterm elections shape power in Washington. You will learn how to examine elections as a political scientist. No prior political knowledge required, just curiosity about how democracy works.

Session: C (Aug. 20-Dec. 4)
Day/time: Thursday, 3-3:50 p.m.
Location: ARM L1-15
Class #: 88123

Susan Nguyen

Witches have always been more than villains, costumes, or fairy-tale side characters. They are powerful, controversial figures who show up wherever rules are being broken and stories are being rewritten.

In this Discovery Seminar, students explore witches as cultural icons—artists, rebels, memory keepers, and figures of resistance. Through fairy tales, films, TV shows, and social media, the course examines how witches have been used to challenge authority, question gender roles, and survive systems designed to silence them. We’ll also look at gossip as a tool of power and protection, especially for women and marginalized communities.

Each week, students will read, watch, and discuss famous witches from popular culture, including The Little Mermaid, Practical Magic, Hocus Pocus, Agatha All Along, Kiki’s Delivery Service, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and more. We’ll trace how witches have evolved over time—and why they’ve made a major comeback in the age of #WitchTok.

Session: C (Aug. 20-Dec. 4)
Day/time: Thursday, 3-3:50 p.m.
Location: PVW159
Class #: 85775

Olena Tanchyk

What was everyday life actually like in the Soviet Union—not in textbooks, but in kitchens, classrooms, and movie theaters?

This Discovery Seminar explores daily life behind the Iron Curtain through food, fashion, music, movies, school, and popular culture. Students learn how ordinary people grew up under a political system very different from their own: what they ate (or couldn’t find), how they dressed, what they listened to and watched, and how schools shaped young people’s lives.

Using images, short videos, personal stories, and discussion, the course looks beyond Cold War stereotypes to understand how history shaped everyday experiences for millions of people, with particular attention to Soviet Ukraine and Russia. This seminar invites students to see the Soviet past as lived, felt, and remembered—not just studied.

Session: C (Aug. 20-Dec. 4)
Day/time: Tuesday, 4:30-5:20 p.m.
Location: PVW163
Class #: 87526