Course Description
Cultural entomology studies the reasons, beliefs, and symbolism behind the inclusion of insects within the humanities. Insects play an important role in the arts, philosophy, psychology, and religions of almost every culture. This course addresses the influence of insects in literature, language, music, the arts, interpretive history, recreation, and more.
Athena Title
Insects in Culture
Non-Traditional Format
Course includes 2 hours/week of instruction and 2 hours/week of applied service-learning field work with the Athens community. Course also includes a service-learning project during the semester that either employs skills or knowledge learned in the course or teaches new skills or knowledge related to course objectives. Students will be involved in the planning and implementation of the project(s) and may spend time outside of the classroom. Students will be engaged in the service-learning component for approximately 25-50% of overall instructional time.
Pre or Corequisite
[(BIOL 1107 or BIOL 1107E or BIOL 1107H) and BIOL 1107L] and (ENTO(BIOL) 2010 or ENTO 2010E) or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The class will be organized around both a lecture and a discussion component. Students will be expected to participate in discussions, prepare brief writing assignments, and work through the theoretical issues presented in lecture and in the readings. Students will learn to articulate and reflect upon the complex interaction of insects in the humanities and arts. Students will recognize the community and the greater common good in addition to individual needs and goals, especially as they apply to insects. Students will contribute to the eradication of arthropod stereotypes and prejudices that exist in society, both in blatant and obvious forms and in more opaque and coded forms.
Topical Outline
1) Culture and Ethnoentomology 2) Religion and Folklore a. Prehistory to Buddhism and Taoism, including Shamanism i. The Scarab as Creator ii. Egyptian Hieroglyph b. Ancient Egypt i. The Scarab and the Mummy c. Indo-Europeans, including Old Europe, India, and Iran d. Judeo-Christian Culture i. Semitic People and the Bible ii. Christian Authors iii. Modern Europe e. Native American Mythology f. Myths 3) History a. Wars and Military b. Interpretive History c. Sericulture 4) Law a. Forensic Entomology 5) Language, Literature, and Film a. Poetry b. Short Stories c. Comics d. Essays e. Anime f. Horror g. Reality Television 6) Medicine a. Medicinal Uses and Biotherapy b. Therapeutic Value 7) Art a. Photography b. Illustration c. Tattoos d. Painting e. Jewelry f. Sculptures g. Metal h. Graphic Design i. Plastic Arts – 3D 8) Music and Performing Arts a. Rock and Roll b. Classical c. Pop d. Sounds 9) Fashion and Design 10) Marketing and Advertising 11) Food and Feed a. Edible Insects b. Insects for Animal Feed 12) Psychology and Psychiatry a. Fears and Phobias b. Values and Perceptions c. Delusary Parasitosis 13) Sports a. Teams b. Mascots c. Games 14) Philosophy 15) Recreation and Curiosities a. Pokemon b. Comic/Dragon Con c. Freak Shows d. Trade Shows