All students at CCA are required to complete Cultural History as a part of their Humanities & Sciences requirement. A menu of courses will be offered each year and students may choose from these courses to fulfill the Cultural History requirement. The courses offered to complete the requirement will be historical in nature, will have a substantial non-Western component, and will introduce students to an historical awareness of cultural diversity. Objectives include an introduction to historical and critical thinking, to research methods and uses of evidence and primary sources, and to provide historical context for contemporary citizenship.

Are heroes still necessary or even possible in contemporary cultures? Why are Anti-Heroes so prevalent? Heroes and anti-heroes have played a crucial role in the culture of nations and civilizations from ancient to contemporary times. Often honored by society but sometimes unrecognized or disdained, heroes (male and female) reflect and shape standards of excellence (often in opposition to society), provide inspiration, overcome adversity, and pursue ideals, lead, and challenge. Antiheroes, while reflecting the qualities of a villain, can question convention and test ideals, and lead and challenge as well. What do the heroes and anti-heroes of a particular age and place say about that time period and culture? How is a hero different from a leader or role model? Does every age get the heroes it deserves? What qualities or deeds qualify a person for hero status? How are heroes developed and sustained? Has the function of heroes changed over time? What is the appeal of anti-heroes? Is it possible to be simultaneously a hero and an anti-hero? In this course we will study select political, intellectual, creative, social, and ethical heroes from diverse cultures and historical time periods as well as select anti-heroes.