Spring 2014 Course Descriptions for New Courses, Contemporary Issues, Revised Courses
and Special Topics Courses
BIO277 01 SPECIAL TOPICS IN BIOLOGY- Biostatistics (3.0): Statistics are critical to understanding data and the implications of interpreting data analysis results. Students in
this one-semester course will be introduced to data, data collection, experimental design, and hypothesis testing. Students will then be instructed on how to make informed
and proper choices of statistical tests for different types of biological and environmental data sets. Students will complete the course by evaluating and interpreting data
analyses and providing rationale for choices and interpretations made. – Chris Tripler
BUS177-01 SPECIAL TOPICS IN BUSINESS – Business Fundamentals for Non-Business Majors (3.0): This course focuses on the interdependencies in business while providing
a foundation for advanced study. It is designed to provide preparation for the practical and academic challenges students will face over the course of their academic and
professional careers in business and strategic management with particular emphasis on: business and business Strategy, organizational planning, behavior and design;
marketing. Readings, exercises, team projects, and the first internship experience are used to develop the analytical and interpersonal skills.
CMM400-01 CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN MEDIA STUDIES - The Dark Side of the Internet (3.0): The Internet and World Wide Web have dramatically changed the way we
now live our lives. Many pundits, academics and “regular-folks” extol the virtues of the digital domain. There is a dark side to the Internet that many critics and theorists are
now starting to discuss. Students in this class will explore, from an academic perspective, issues such as privacy, social media anxiety, data collection and Panopticon control
to better understand the negative consequences of living life online.
CMM400-02 CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN MEDIA STUDIES - The Sound Machine (3.0): This class explores the rapidly growing rich world of podcasts broadcast by comedians,
scientists, storytellers, journalists, and amateur producers. The focus will be on independently produced podcasts. Each student will produce and promote podcasts and
listening events.
CMM400-03 CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN MEDIA STUDIES - Contemporary Film and Television Dramas (3.0): In the past 10 years, popular film and television dramas have
displayed layered, rich, and very different narratives. In this seminar, students will watch a variety of contemporary television shows and films and engage in critical reading
and discussion on their content from a variety of perspectives.
CJ 400 01 CURRENT ISSUES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE - Global Crimes (3.0): The course will investigate criminal justice from a global perspective through exposure to the
definitions, underpinnings and interpretations of global forms of crime. Issues surrounding the incidence and trends of crimes that extend beyond physical borders will be
examined. Possible topics will include human trafficking, war crimes, international drug trafficking, cybercrime and terrorism. – Ashlie Perry
ECN377-01 SPECIAL TOPICS IN ECONOMICS – Intermediate Economics (3.0): Students learn to apply modern analytical techniques to economic situations at the micro level.
Topics include the mathematic treatment of neoclassical demand and supply curves, including the consumer and producer theory, understand the market equilibrium,
different types of market structures and market failures.
ENG277-01 SPECIAL TOPICS IN ENGLISH crosslisted with HST 277-01 SPECIAL TOPICS IN HISTORY - Ireland: Past & Present (3.0): From the time of the ancient Celts to
today's contemporary multicultural society, Ireland has had a fascinating and often tragic history. This course will address events such as the Potato Famine, Irish Diaspora,
Easter Rising, and the Troubles, considering political conflict and consensus as well as nationalism, economics, religious affiliation, social class, gender, culture, music, and art.
Studies of major literary figures, including Wilde, Yeats, Joyce, Beckett, Flann O’Brien, and Seamus Heaney, will explore the emergence of modern Irish literature from a
background of social and political upheaval. Through this interdisciplinary approach, students will explore in detail Ireland’s transformation from a British colony to a 21stcentury society, as well as its outsized influence on world culture. The course will culminate in a week-long trip to Ireland. *If we cannot get the budget for this trip
approved in time, we will run the course without the trip and simply drop the last sentence from the description.
Spring 2014 Course Descriptions for New Courses, Contemporary Issues, Revised Courses
and Special Topics Courses
ENG 277-02 SPECIAL TOPICS IN ENGLISH - The History of Writing and Rhetoric (3.0): This course will introduce students to the history of rhetoric and writing in western
culture, surveying the contributions of several key figures from the classical period to the present day. Through class discussion, research projects, presentations, and
analysis of primary works, students will explore the progression of rhetoric’s role within society and Liberal Arts education. Students will also examine the development of
composition pedagogy in relation to rhetoric and consider how emerging visual and digital mediums are impacting the field of rhetorical studies.
ENV377-01 SPECIAL TOPICS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE - Urban Ecology/Ecosystem Ecology (3.0): Urban areas have created novel environmental conditions for seminatural communities embedded in them that have led to novel ecosystem and community dynamics. This course will introduce the concept of urban areas as part of our
changing planet’s composition, and hence, requires a different perspective and understanding of ecosystem operations from traditional natural communities. This course will
require students to walk within cities and make observations and measurements in these city environments. – Chris Tripler
HON350-01 HONORS SEMINAR: Global Conflict, Women and Children (3.0): Description: The impact of global conflict, either intentional or collateral, on women and
children will be examined from a historical and cultural perspective. The dichotomy of women and children as both perpetrators and victims of global conflict, violence and
terrorism will be investigated against the background of changing family constellations and societal standards.
HON350-02 HONORS SEMINAR: Terrorism Studies (3.0): Description: This course is a survey of the contextual, causes, correlates, and consequences of terrorism. It poses
the questions: What is terrorism? How can terrorism best be fought? The course covers individual, group, and organizational factors that motivate domestic and
international terrorist groups to action. Using an interdisciplinary approach, linking history, psychology, sociology, anthropology, criminal justice and political science,
terrorism dating from the French Reign of Terror to modern terrorist organizations are examined.
HTM400-01 CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN HOSPITALITY – Social Media (3.0): This specific section will examine various web based technologies. Social media platforms will be
examined based on the direct impact to the hospitality industry. These tools can be used to enhance strategies for hospitality, in such areas as branding, marketing,
recruiting, service quality, and engagement.
NU 320-01 HOLISTIC & COMPLEMENTARY APPROACHES TO HEALTH & HEALING (3.0):
This course provides an informative and experiential overview of Complementary and Alternative therapies, (CAM) drawing from a selection of holistic and integrative
approaches to health. Healing is distinguished from curing, and students are given opportunities to directly experience such practices as mindfulness, expressive art, and
energy therapy. Core values of self-care and self-knowledge for health are foundational toward preparing to work with others in the areas of preventative, natural health
care and education. An underlying principle of the course will be a cultural understanding and appreciation for the wisdom of our ancestors in applying natural health
principles, body, mind and spirit.
Last Updated 10/22/2013