Course Entry Form

1. Complete List By Minor Area of Study

Accounting

Accounting for Decision Makers
BME-211956
6 credits,lower level,
This course is a six-credit intensive study of accounting in today’s business environment. This course covers fundamentals of financial and managerial accounting from the perspective of users. The course emphasizes the relevance of accounting information to managers in all areas of business as well as administrators in nonprofit organizations. Topics covered include the analysis of financial statements, financial planning, the importance of cost analysis and understanding the master budget. These components are connected to practical implications of the business decision-making process. Students are expected to critically evaluate and offer possible solutions for business problems.

Note: students need EXCEL or equivalent spreadsheet software.

This course has no formal course prerequisites. It is appropriate for both those pursuing a non-accounting major/concentration degree in the area of Business, Management and Economics as well as for students studying in other areas who want to understand the accounting process. This course will satisfy the prerequisite for Corporate Finance. It does not meet the prerequisites for further accounting study.

This course is a combination of Introductory Accounting I and Introductory Accounting II [for non-accounting concentration]. Consequently, the credit for this course can not be counted in a student degree plan which has either Introductory Accounting I and Introductory Accounting II or both.

Accounting

Accounting for Governmental and Not-for-Profit Organizations
BME-213204
4 credits,upper level,
Governmental and nonprofit organizations account for a very large segment of industry in the United States. It is about 80% of the whole business organizations in the U.S. The accounting function in these organizations follows unique guidelines that are not covered in other offered accounting courses except an introductory part in the Advanced Accounting course. The purpose of this course is to provide students not only with the fundamentals of accounting for this sector of industry, but also with the operational concerns an accountant has to take into consideration that have an impact on the accounting functions or the tax exempt status of these organizations. Also the CPA exam tests the candidate’s knowledge in applying the accounting principles and procedures to the governmental and not-for-profit organizations.

Prerequisite: Intermediate Accounting I and II or equivalent.

Accounting

Accounting Information Systems
BME-213214
4 credits,upper level,
The course provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to function within cutting edge accounting information systems that integrate information technology and software in the transactions control procedures and financial reporting cycles. Throughout this course, students learn how to be proactive accountants to improve the analysis and design of the Accounting Information Systems (AIS) to add a real value to business organizations, protect business information and its net worth, and advise businesses about security risks which affect the business internal control systems over financial documentation, record keeping and reporting. In addition, students will have hands-on using accounting software in designing an accounting information system for a small-to-medium size business. Student may enroll in both Management Information Systems (MIS) and AIS. However students who are interested in accounting concentration are strongly recommended to enroll in AIS as it is directly geared to accounting application.

Prerequisites: Intermediate Accounting I and II or equivalent upper-level knowledge and/or experience of financial accounting. Basic computer skills are recommended. Students should have access to a private computer where they can download and use the course software.

Accounting

Advanced Accounting
BME-214014
4 credits,upper level,
Apply financial accounting theory to problems and cases involving the recording of transactions, changes in ownership and liquidations, adjusting and closing procedures, the reporting processes for partnerships, consolidated financial statements, multinational enterprises and governmental units.

Note: students need EXCEL or equivalent spreadsheet software.

Prerequisites: Introductory Accounting 1, Introductory Accounting 2, Intermediate Accounting 1, Intermediate Accounting 2, at least one course in Legal Environment of Business or equivalents. Prior coursework in income tax, cost accounting and finance would also be helpful. If a significant time interval has occurred since the student completed intermediate accounting and other prerequisite courses, the student should undertake an intensive review of this foundation knowledge before attempting this study. Such students are advised to consult with the course tutor before enrolling.

Accounting;Finance

Auditing
BME-214024
4 credits,upper level,
Undertake an in-depth analysis of auditing procedures. Emphasis is placed on various decision-making and judgment processes involved in auditing. Distinguish between different types of audit classifications and relate them to the current practice. Learn to understand the cost-benefit analysis involved in auditing decisions, perform an audit and build strong communication and reporting skills. Special attention is devoted to professional and business ethics, international auditing environment and legal and social responsibilities.

Notes: students need EXCEL or equivalent spreadsheet software.

Prerequisite: Intermediate Accounting I & II

Accounting;Business (General);Finance

Corporate Finance
BME-213514
4 credits,upper level,
Understand and apply the theories of managerial finance. Focus on the dynamic economic environment in which corporate financial decisions are made, the role of the financial manager within the firm and the empirical aspects of corporate finance. Topics include the financial environment; techniques of financial analysis and planning; management of working capital; fixed assets and capital budgeting; cost of capital; dividend policies; and sources of long-term financing.

The Wall Street Journal is required reading for this course. Student discount subscription can be obtained by calling 1 800 568-7625.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Accounting, Economics/Macro or Economics/Micro, Algebra and/or Statistics or their equivalents.

Accounting

Cost Accounting
BME-213104
4 credits,upper level,
Develop an understanding of the attributes of cost behavior, cost accumulation systems and techniques, management planning and control systems, relevant cost information for short-term decision-making and accounting data in long-term capital budgeting decisions. Includes detailed coverage of cost-volume-project analysis; job order and process costing including spoilage, budgeting, standard costing and variance analysis; absorption and variable costing; relevant costs; and capital budgeting.

Note: students need EXCEL or equivalent spreadsheet software.

Prerequisite: Introductory Accounting 1, Introductory Accounting 2 or equivalent.

Accounting

Income Tax 1
BME-213604
4 credits,upper level,
This is individual Federal income taxation course. It is the first of two course-sequence in Federal income taxes. The second course Federal Income Tax 2 covers business income tax. The main purpose of this course is to provide a basic overview and general understanding of the Federal income tax structure and its legislative history with emphasis on the major provisions of the tax laws as they relate to the personal income tax return preparation, and to promote an understanding of the simple tax planning for individuals and enhance students’ searching skills using the Federal taxation database to access tax law, cases, and ruling. It aims at developing crucial professional skills dealing with personal income tax regulations, ethics and equity, global perspective and court decisions. The course seeks to enhance critical learning skills through tax planning cases. Among topics covered are the Federal income tax Law history, sources and procedures, tax filing statuses, sources of income, taxable income, deductible expenses, simple tax planning and strategy to maximize the benefits from allowable deductions, exemptions and allowances, itemized deductions, self-employment taxable income, alternative minimum taxes, and preparing a simple-moderate personal Federal income tax return.

Prerequisite: Introductory Accounting 1 or equivalent.

Accounting

Income Tax 2
BME-213624
4 credits,upper level,
This course builds on knowledge gained in Income Tax I (Individual/Personal Income Tax) course. The main goal of this course is to establish the appropriate professional skills needed to accumulate data, analyze the information available, understand tax regulation and laws and their implications on various decisions from a business perspective and enhance the research skills needed to deal with various guidelines, laws, regulations, rulings, and courts’ decisions for different tax scenarios. It aims at developing basic professional Federal income tax preparations skills apply to businesses enterprises in form of: corporations, partnerships, estates, and trusts. It deals with business tax implication of various transactions relevant to formation, equity distribution, liquidations, reorganization, and consolidations of a business Among topics covered are: identifying tax sources, statutory, administrative and judicial tax rules unique to corporations' ownership, legal status, and operations; tax consequences of the distribution of the corporation and its shareholders, redemption, liquidation and accumulated earnings tax; tax effect of business reorganization and consolidation; the tax consequences of the partnership’s financial transactions on its partners upon the formation of the partnership and through its operations and liquidation/dissolving; the tax consequences of financial transactions of an S Corporation and its implications on the shareholders through formation, operation, distribution and termination; the tax effect of conducting a business under other form distinguished from corporations and partnership; the applicable rules for gift taxes, trusts and estate taxes from family perspectives to minimize taxes; the tax audit, penalty, assessment and appeal process, as well as compliance procedures with regulations; and preparing simple Federal income tax returns for Corporations, S Corporations, Partnerships, and Estates/gift and/or Trusts.

Prerequisites: Income Tax 1, Accounting 2 or equivalent.

Accounting

Intermediate Accounting 1
BME-213014
4 credits,upper level,
Apply financial accounting principles in a corporate setting to topics such as revenue and expense recognition, income statement and balance sheet analysis, stockholders' equity and present value. Also covers working capital management including cash management, receivables, inventories and liabilities, long-term assets and liabilities and intangible assets.

Knowledge of basic accounting principles as well as practice in opening, maintaining and closing books for all types of businesses, including corporations, is necessary. Proficiency in using spreadsheet software is helpful.

Note: students need EXCEL spreadsheet software. This course has a required CD-ROM component.

Prerequisite: Introductory Accounting 2 or equivalent.

Accounting

Intermediate Accounting 2
BME-213024
4 credits,upper level,
Apply accounting principles in a corporate setting to topics such as long-term liabilities, capital stock, earnings per share, securities and funds investment, revenue recognition, leases, pension funds, financial reporting and basic financial statement analysis. Emphasis is placed on special situations and business problems. Proficiency in using spreadsheet software is helpful.

Note: students need EXCEL spreadsheet software. This course has a required CD-ROM component.

Prerequisite: Intermediate Accounting 1 or equivalent.

Accounting

Introductory Accounting 1
BME-212054
4 credits,lower level,
This course is an intensive four-credit study of the basic accounting principles and procedures for gathering, recording, summarizing, reporting and interpreting accounting data. It examines generally accepted accounting principles for measurement and reporting of financial information in a balance sheet and income statement. Topics include financial assets including cash, short-term investments and accounts receivables; inventories and the cost of goods sold; and plant assets and depreciation including acquisition of assets, disposal of plant and equipment, intangible assets and natural resources. Liabilities common to most businesses are also considered. It includes an introduction to the interpretation of financial data for decision-making purposes.

Since the course content is similar, students cannot count the credit for Accounting for Decision Makers in their degree plan if they also take introductory Accounting I and/or introductory accounting II.

Note: participation in this course requires the use of EXCEL spreadsheets.

Accounting

Introductory Accounting 2
BME-212064
4 credits,lower level,
This course is a continuation of BME-212054, Introductory Accounting 1.

The course focuses on developing basic knowledge of management accounting concepts, tools and techniques used from various disciplines to strengthen their analytical skills. It also utilizes the current professional pronouncements and their application in management accounting. The course aims at building students’ skills in comprehending some of specialized financial reporting issues such as preparing, interpreting and using of statement of cash flows, financial statement analysis and international reporting in decision making. It also strengthens the students’ analytical skills in making various decision making such as buy or make, sell or process further, long and short-term financial investment and production decisions. Topics covered in this course include, corporate organizations and stockholders' equity, reporting unusual events and special equity transactions and special types of liabilities; managerial accounting topics including accounting for manufacturing operations, measuring unit costs and cost control, cost behavior and allocation; use of cost-volume-profit analysis and increment analysis in decision-making process; impact of income taxes rules and their effect on business decisions, operational budgeting and capital budgeting; and impact of globalization on accounting and financial reporting.

Since the course content is similar, students cannot count the credit for Accounting for Decision Makers in their degree plan if they also take introductory Accounting I and/or introductory accounting II.

Note: participation in this course requires the use of EXCEL spreadsheets.

Accounting;Business (General);Finance

Investing
BME-213524
4 credits,upper level,
Learn about the overall investment environment, including the concepts of risk and return. Examine investment vehicles such as common stock, bonds, preferred stocks, options and the vehicles, techniques and strategies used when making investment decisions. Topics include financial markets; tax structures and laws governing securities trading; sources of investment information and advice; measuring investment risk and return; common stock analysis; pricing and efficient markets; investment vehicles; portfolio management and performance evaluation.

The Wall Street Journal is required reading for this course. Student discount subscription can be obtained by calling 1 800 568-7625.

Prerequisites: knowledge of or introductory courses in economics and business mathematics is very useful.

Aging and Gerontology;Human Development;Psychology

Adult Development
HDV-283204
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course takes a psychological approach to understanding human development during adulthood. Within a life-span developmental framework, transitions, common issues and trends during young adulthood and middle adulthood will be studied in-depth, with some attention to aging. Individual development will be emphasized, but with an appreciation of the impact of individuals' social networks and historical contexts. Following an examination of assumptions, definitions and methods, the course turns to some theories of adult development. This is followed by an examination of changes in health, cognition, social roles, relationships, work roles, personality, stresses and differential emphases on the meanings of life. Students will be evaluated on the basis of their written essay assignments (four), and their participation in the on-going Web discussions.

Prerequisite: Human Development or equivalent.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Aging and Gerontology;Critical Thinking;Educational Studies;Educational Planning;Human Development;Human Services;Sociology

Adults as Learners: Theories and Strategies
HDV-283184
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This 4-credit advanced-level course provides a thorough treatment of adults as learners, making use of key learning theories, research on adult learning and relevant strategies for understanding adults as learners. This course is appropriate for students who approach Human Development from a learning perspective; who are (or will be) involved with adult learners in academia, communities, or business; and who, as adult learners, wish to reflect on their personal process. The focus of the course is on approaches to adult learning and associated learning strategies. The primary perspectives covered in the course are: Critical Pedagogy; Communities of Learning and Practice; Adult Development; and Systems of Learning. Major theorists from each perspective will be reviewed in some detail. Students will have the opportunity to relate a particular learning environment to one or more theory/perspective of personal interest to them.

Prerequisites: A foundational course in the social sciences and upper level critical thinking skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Aging and Gerontology;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Sociology

Aging and Society
HDV-283254
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This upper level course is intended for students in Human Development (Development, Psychology and Social Studies), Family Studies, Community and Human Services, and Health Services, as well as others who are interested in the study of aging (including AARP students). The course includes: aging as part of the human life cycle and of family life; biological, developmental, and psychological aspects of aging; an examination of aging in various cultures; changing views of aging in the United States; how aging affects different segments of our diverse population, including men and women; death and bereavement; health and support services for the aging; and social policy issues. This course will expose students to information and perspectives on aging from across the disciplines that contribute to the study of human development; including Human Development, Psychology, Sociology, Human Services and Health.

Note: this course has a required video component.

Note to NYS Nursing Home Administrator Certificate Students: this course fulfills the requirement in Gerontology.

Prerequisite: Human Development or equivalent.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Aging and Gerontology;Early Childhood Studies;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Psychology

Attachment: Continuity and Separation: Advanced
HDV-283124
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This 4-credit advanced level course will have you examining the current knowledge about continuity and separation in Human Attachment from infancy to old age, developmentally and behaviorally. The scope and contexts of attachments across the life cycle, particularly as they arise from early attachment experiences, will be grounded in theory and research relevant to historical, cultural, familial, personal and age-related contexts. Students will also study the counterpart of attachment separation, normative and precipitous--lifelong and temporary such as interruptions in attachments due to military service. This base of understanding sets the groundwork for understanding attachment in both personal and professional settings across all age groups, including family relationships, i.e., parent, sibling, grandparent; and beyond, i.e., friends, caregivers, life partners. This course offers information for students studying for the Infant Toddler Care Credential. Finally, this study is useful for students, particularly those from the social sciences, who wish to know more about their personal relationships.

Note: Students may receive credit for EITHER Survey of Social Science Research Methods 283424 OR Quantitative Research: Design and Methods 283604. Effective January 2012, this course no longer meets the general education requirement in mathematics. This course was renamed effective the May 2014 term and was previously offered as Quantitative Research: Design and Methods. Students who have successfully completed 283604 should not enroll in this course.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in social sciences.

Aging and Gerontology;Early Childhood Studies;Human Development

Research Perspectives on Lifespan Development

HDV-284244

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

This four credit 400-level course is designed to be a capstone course for students in the Human Development Area of Study with a concentration in Human Development, particularly those who plan to go on to graduate school and/or do action research in the area. This course augments what students have learned about humans at different stages of development, integrating it with what they have learned about research methods. Students will have the opportunity to create a developmental design for a study in an area of professional or personal interest.

Statistics is a prerequisite for this course and Survey of Social Science Research (or the equivalent) is a prerequisite or corequisite for this course.

Prerequisites: Statistics is a prerequisite for this course. Survey of Social Science Research (or the equivalent) is a prerequisite (or corequisite) for this course; and since this is a 400-level course, students need significant prior knowledge in Human Development and the social sciences.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Aging and Gerontology;Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Anthropology;Communications and Media;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Early Childhood Studies;Emergency Management;Family Studies;Fire Protection;Gender Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Psychology;Sociology;Women's Studies

Survey of Social Science Research Methods
SOC-283424
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Social research provides answers to questions about people and the social settings and systems in which they are involved. This social science research course introduces the fundamentals of qualitative and quantitative research methods. Students learn how to formulate a viable research question, collect and analyze data, understand the ethical issues of social science research, and write a formal research proposal.

Prerequisite: At least one introductory course in the discipline of a social science concentration . The course does not require a working knowledge of Statistics as a prerequisite, although it does include some elementary statistics as part of the subject matter of the course.

Note: This course has a required SPSS component.

Note: Students may receive credit for EITHER Survey for Social Science Research Methods OR Quantitative Research: Design and Methods, 283604. This course replaced Social Research for Professionals, 283504.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development

Adolescence and Addictions

CHS-253854

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

This upper-level course will examine the array of substance use disorders common among adolescents. Students will learn and apply new knowledge using various assignments that consider adolescent developmental issues, substance use diagnostic criteria applied to adolescents, engagement strategies, areas of assessment, counseling techniques, and harm reduction methods. The student will also develop a basic understanding of how concurrent mental health disorders and impulse control disorders negatively interact with and affect adolescents with substance use disorders.

Prerequisites: students require an understanding of developmental theory and a fundamental knowledge of chemical abuse and dependence. Completion of CDL courses Chemical Addiction: Theories and Practices plus Adolescence and Identity, or similar courses would fulfill these requirements.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Health Services;Human Services

Chemical Addiction: Theories and Practices
CHS-253184
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course will enable the student to conceptualize, explain and apply knowledge to variety of issues specific to substance use disorders, addiction, screening, assessment, treatment, and recovery. Criteria for substance use disorders, neurochemistry, psychopharmacology and psychoactive drug use will be examined and discussed. Clinical methods will be examined as will the variety of treatment programs and practices that frame the provider system. The basic effects of substance use disorder on the family, use of 12 step/mutual help groups, and risk/harm reduction principles will be introduced. There will be some exposure to the clinical issues of working with diverse populations (e.g. co-occurring disorders, etc.) to better understand the practical issues of treatment engagement, service delivery and counseling. Note: This course is also offered at CDL in a 6 credit format, as CHS-253186. Students may only take either CHS-253184 or CHS-253186, not both.

Prerequisite: the student should have already completed lower-level human and/or health services courses.

Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Health Services;Human Services

Chemical Addiction: Theories and Practices
CHS-253186
6 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course is similar to CHS-253184 and requires completing three (3) additional written assignments. This course will enable the student to conceptualize, explain and apply knowledge to variety of issues specific to substance user disorders, addiction, screening, assessment, treatment, and recovery. Criteria for substance use disorders, neurochemistry, psychopharmacology and psychoactive drug use will be examined and discussed. Clinical methods will be examined as will the variety of treatment programs and practices that frame the provider system. The basic effects of substance use disorder on the family, 12 step/mutual help groups, and risk/harm reduction principles will be introduced. There will be some exposure to the clinical issues of working with diverse populations (e.g. co-occurring disorders, etc.) to better understand the practical issues of treatment engagement, service delivery and counseling. Note: This course is also offered at CDL in a 4 credit format, as CHS-253184. Students may only take either CHS-253184 or CHS-253186, not both.

Prerequisite: the student should have already completed lower-level human and/or health services courses.

Accommodations Note: There is a required assignment in the course that involves direct visitation to and observation of a 12 step/mutual help group. An alternative assignment will be provided for students requesting reasonable accommodations through their instructor and/or the Office of Disability Services.

Aging and Gerontology;Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Anthropology;Communications and Media;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Health Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Sociology;Women's Studies

Qualitative Social Science Research: Design and Methods
SOC-284534
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Qualitative social science research utilizes inductive approaches to explore and understand human behaviors, social interactions, and the construction of social reality. This course examines the ways social scientists ethically formulate questions, collect and analyze data, and present their findings. Students will apply this knowledge by writing a formal research proposal, conducting fieldwork, using visual and/or narrative analysis.

Prerequisites: At least one introductory course in the discipline of a social science concentration.

Note: Students may receive credit for EITHER Survey for Social Science Research Methods OR Qualitative Research: Design and Methods.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Important Note: This course was renamed effective the May 2014 term and was formerly offered as Qualitative Research: Design and Methods. Students who have successfully completed 284534 should not enroll in this course.

Aging and Gerontology;Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Communications and Media;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Health Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Psychology;Sociology;Women's Studies

Quantitative Research: Design and Methods
SOC-283604
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course enables students to understand and conduct systematic inquiries on social and behavioral topics, using quantitative social science research methods. Major topics include hypothesis development, causation, the logic of inquiry, research ethics, conceptualization and measurement, quantitative research design and data collection, and data analysis and interpretation. The course requires the use of advanced-level thinking skills, including analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

Recommended prerequisites include: at least one course in a social science discipline. A working knowledge of statistics is useful but not required; statistical analysis of data using SPSS is a required part of the course.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in social sciences.

Aging and Gerontology;Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Anthropology;Communications and Media;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Early Childhood Studies;Emergency Management;Family Studies;Fire Protection;Gender Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Psychology;Sociology;Women's Studies

Survey of Social Science Research Methods

SOC-283424

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

Social research provides answers to questions about people and the social settings and systems in which they are involved. This social science research course introduces the fundamentals of qualitative and quantitative research methods. Students learn how to formulate a viable research question, collect and analyze data, understand the ethical issues of social science research, and write a formal research proposal.

Note: This course has a required SPSS component.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Anthropology;Cultural Studies;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Sociology;Women's Studies

Contemporary Global Migration: Gender and Family

SOC-283214

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

Note: This course has a required SPSS component.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Anthropology;Cultural Studies;Environmental Studies;Gender Studies;Multicultural and Diversity Studies

Travel and Tourism: A Critical Perspective

SOC-283244

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

This course explores tourism, one of the world’s largest and fastest growing industries, from an anthropological perspective. We will examine the meanings and consequences of tourism from both the tourist and toured/host views. Students will be exposed to diverse theories on travel, tourism and the tourist experience. There are many kinds of tourism including: solidarity/humanitarian tourism, sex tourism, historical or heritage tourism, cultural tourism, ecotourism, and nature tourism. The course will probe the differences among these various types of tourists and tourist sites, and analyze their impacts. Through the focus on tourism, the course also exposes students to concepts and methods of cultural anthropology which studies cultural variations among contemporary peoples around the world. Using texts, films, and case studies focusing on a variety of non-western cultures, we will analyze the processes of shaping and marketing culture, identity, history and nature for tourist consumption, and the implications of this growing type of global encounter.

Prerequisites: At least one course in a social science discipline (anthropology, sociology, psychology etc.) is recommended. Upper level college reading and writing skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences and Other World Civilizations.

Anthropology;Cultural Studies;Women's Studies

Women Activists: The Voices of Human Rights in Latin America
HIS-242214
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Women's Testimonials: The Voices of Human Rights in Latin America is a survey course on the modern history of Latin America and the personal stories of its citizens, women in particular. The history of the region is advanced through the voices of women who have lived the events that portray the overall essence and character of the region as a whole. Focusing on Brazil, Cuba, Argentina, Mexico and Guatemala, the use of testimonials provides a survey of the social, cultural, economic and human rights history of the region as a whole. Latin America will serve as a catalyst for a larger study of the overall struggles of women globally within the context of the broader issues surrounding human rights.

Students will engage in a variety of activities ranging from ongoing substantive discussions, to reading and reflecting upon required texts, completing a mapblog assignment, and conducting an in-depth cumulative research project. For the final project, students may research a topic and region of their choice that deals with the subject matter.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the January 2012 term and was formerly offered as Women's Testimonials: Voices of Human Rights in Latin America. Students who have successfully completed 242214 should not enroll in this course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Other World Civilizations.

Arts: Visual and Performing

A World of Art
ART-221654
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Explore the formal elements of art, the principles of design, and the different media that artists use. Gain insight into the process of artistic creation, including questioning, exploration, trial and error and discovery. The course is organized around five main themes: 1) The Visual World: Understanding the Art You See, 2) The Formal Elements and Their Design: Describing the Art You See, 3) The Fine Arts Media: Learning How Art is Made, 4) The Visual Arts in Everyday Life: Recognizing the Art of Design, 5) The Visual Record: Placing the Arts in Historical Context. Students will learn how artists use formal elements of design and the unique characteristics of each medium to make a work of art, apply principles of design, appreciate how making art is a process that involves critical thinking and problem-solving skills that relate to their own life experiences and develop an awareness of the social contexts in which works of art are created. Assignments include not only reading, writing and discussion, but also several hands-on creative projects intended to enrich the students' actual experience of art materials, methods and problem-solving processes.

Note: students are required to digitize and post their work online for evaluation; thus, students will need access to a digital camera or a scanner and the digital capacity to submit print material online as low-resolution JPEG images. This course has a required video component.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in The Arts.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies;History and Civilizations

American Popular Music in the Twentieth Century
ART-223414
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
What are the roots of the music that Americans listen to today? How have the ways Americans listen to music changed and how have these changes affected musical tastes and listening habits? Are songs that Americans listen to creations of commercial enterprises, individual artists or products of a cultural environment? As a nation composed of many different cultures that have influenced each other, America has produced many forms of music known as uniquely “American.” Students in this course will explore the origins and development variety of the musical styles listened to in America. They will examine the impact of a myriad of cultural influences: commercial, economic, technological and social upon the development of American popular music. The course will allow students a great deal of choice in their exploration of musical history. They will engage in interactive discussions including the creation and exchange of playlists. Students will also have the option to access the course through their mobile devices. Although a smart phone is not required for the course, students that do have a smart phone with a data plan will be able to interact with the course the same way they listen to their music, on the go.

Prerequisites: advanced level reading, writing and research skills

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in The Arts.

Arts: Visual and Performing

Art History: A Study of Cultures
ART-223514
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
There are many different approaches to the study of art history. This course offers one way to approach this vast subject by thinking about art history as inseparable from the study of cultures. Whether we are considering an individual artist or artwork, an artistic movement or time period, or an artistic medium or practice, we become involved in the development of tools for understanding and interpreting social attitudes, values and beliefs, as well as aesthetic trends and customs in different eras and locales. In doing so, we can also make a start at tracing out wider understandings of the role of art in our own lives, and at deepening our experiences, enjoyment and appreciation of artworks and artists we already enjoy. This course is designed to cultivate skills for constructing a lens on history and culture out of a web of artists, artworks and artistic practices. It aims to connect artistic practices not only with questions of beauty and form, but also with the shifts of time, wealth, spiritual attitudes and power.

This course is appropriate both for students whose concentrations are art-related, as well as for those interested in art as part of their upper-level general learning. This course is structured around core-learning modules. In these modules, students will study together the history of art history, the politics of art history, and visual culture. In addition, each student will individualize their study by choosing to focus in depth on particular time periods, on multicultural art history (for instance, issues of gender and ethnicity) and/or on particular artistic mediums or artists. In addition to class discussions and brief writing assignments (summaries and responses), students will design and complete a research papers on a topic of interests. Students will also complete a final project in which they may choose to develop a visual presentation on a topic of interest, or to design a 21st century art museum.

Note: while there are no formal prerequisites, students must be prepared for advanced-level work: critical reading, writing and research. It is recommended that students have achieved the equivalent of lower-level learning in the arts or cultural studies, as well as familiarity with U.S. and/or world history.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in The Arts.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Environmental Studies;Multicultural and Diversity Studies

Artistic Expression in a Multicultural America
ART-222444
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This multicultural art course investigates the artistic expressions of diverse ethnic and cultural groups in America. Examples of artistic expressions range from traditional ethnic artifacts like baskets and quilts to contemporary art like painting and sculpture. Students are encouraged to study the artistic expressions from their own/familiar groups. Students will read, explore, discuss with classmates and write about diverse artistic expressions, the creative processes, the artists' motivations, multiculturalism in art, and critical issues related to all the above topics. Assignments, including interactive online discussion, reading, writing, and hands-on projects, will enrich students' knowledge of artistic traditions and practices of diverse ethnic and cultural groups as well as foster students' ability to respond to the issues of multicultural art critically and sensitively.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in The Arts.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Business (General);Management

Arts Management
ART-223524
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course will provide an advanced exploration of the history and theories of arts management while providing a basic understanding of the language of the artist. The course will provide opportunities for practical application of theory and technique through projects which may include research, case studies , or the development of marketing , business or strategic plans. Students will develop an understanding of the impact on the external environments which affect arts organizations and businesses today. Comparisons between profit and not for profit organizations provide a context for issues of fund raising and various conceptual approaches to management.

Prerequisites: Prior knowledge, skills, or experience in art and business or management is required.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Writing: Expository and Creative

Creative Writing: Fiction
CUL-222504
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Consider the basic elements of fiction (e.g., plot, character, setting, theme) from the point of view of the creative writer, who makes both conscious and unconscious choices about these elements in the process of artistic creation. Read about the process of writing short fiction, and read a variety of short works that exemplify fictional elements to analyze the choices that other writers have made. Apply learning to the creation, discussion and revision of your own creative work. This course focuses on the writing process. Students participate in a workshop setting online to post their own drafts and to discuss other students' and established writers' short works of fiction.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in The Arts.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Multicultural and Diversity Studies

Dance Across World Cultures
ART-223504
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course is a cross-cultural examination of dance traditions from around the world in their historical, critical, artistic and socio-cultural contexts. Students will learn to contextualize a variety of dance traditions and differentiate folk, popular and classical traditions. Students will also learn to observe and write about dance from critical, analytical and ethnographic (writing about culture) perspectives.

Materials will include documentary films and selected writings about dance using critical, cultural, historical, sociological, political and philosophical frameworks. Students will have the opportunity to design a research project of their choice using either participant observation in a series of dance classes, observation of live performance, analysis of dance on film or the study of a dance school as the basis for their research.

Prerequisites: upper-level standing with advanced level critical thinking and writing skills.

Recommended: one of the following (or their equivalent, with instructor permission): Humanities Through the Arts, Artistic Expressions in a Multicultural America, An Introduction to Culture.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities for 4 credits or in The Arts for 4 credits.

Arts: Visual and Performing

Digital Art and Design: Advanced
ART-224444
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
In this course, students will learn advanced levels of creative development through the use of the Adobe Suite CS6 Web & Design Premium: Photoshop Extended, Illustrator, InDesign, Flash, Dreamweaver, Fireworks & Bridge. Through instructor- and student-based exercises and projects, individual and group critique, portfolio development and evaluation, and research and written assignments, students are expected to develop effective visual communications skills, strengthen individual and artistic style, and demonstrate a professional and sophisticated understanding of the technical and creative processes inherent in digital art. Topics explored include: Advanced graphic tools and color models, advanced manipulation and compositing techniques, image optimization, layout and composition, and cross-media design formats (print and digitally based formats). Students will also use advanced web based media in a variety of formats, including audio and video. They are expected to complete individual research projects to demonstrate understanding and application of visual theories, professional techniques and other academic skills such as decision-making, problem-solving, critiquing and writing skills.

This course is designed for advanced-level students with previous knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and the prior skills needed to learn advanced digital art techniques taught in the course.

NOTE: There are no texts required for this course. Students will receive instructions to subscribe to Lynda.com tutorials from their instructor when they start the online course. Students must have Adobe Suite CS6 Web & Design Premium (Student & Teacher Edition) by the time the course begins. Contact the bookstore to inquire about where to purchase the software. The instructor is not responsible for assisting students with the purchase of the software. Students should also have access to a scanner and the digital capacity to submit their creative work online. Broad-band Internet access is preferred.

Prerequisites: OS Platform: PC or Mac, Software: Adobe Photoshop and Knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, and an introductory level digital art course.
Important Note: this course was renamed effective the September 2008 term and was formerly offered as Digital Art and Design: Advanced (224444).
This course fully meets the General Education requirement in The Arts. Students who have previously taken Digital Art and Design Advanced should not take this course.

Arts: Visual and Performing

Digital Art and Design: Introductory

ART-222454

4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This student-based and project-driven course is designed to engage the student in the creative process and foster a technical and aesthetic understanding of digital art and design at the introductory level. The course will provide an introduction to and an overview of Adobe Photoshop CS6 software. Students participate in student-based exercises and projects, individual and group critique, discussion of topics relevant to digital art and design, portfolio development and evaluation, and research. Students are expected to develop effective visual communications skills, cultivate an individual artistic style, and gain basic understandings of the creative and technical processes inherent in digital art and design. Students develop a working knowledge of how two-dimensional bit-map images are acquired, created and manipulated in Adobe Photoshop. Students are expected to apply techniques learned to create projects that meets their own professional or individual interests/needs. In addition, students develop academic skills such as decision-making, problem-solving, peer critique, and writing skills throughout the projects.

This course provides the technical and aesthetic foundation for students to master concepts of effective digital design, layout, and image manipulation. Using a major digital art software, Adobe Photoshop, students produce designs to advance their art career, arts education, or personal business. Students develop a working knowledge of how two-dimensional bit-map images are acquired, created and manipulated. Additional topics explored include: image acquisition, preparation and retouching; special effects, filter, tool pallet; color-correction and compositing/masking techniques. Finally students gain an understanding of how digital art and design impacts society and how to protect their own and other's copyright and intellectual property. All students are expected to participate in the core learning activities, such as peer critique and discussion of topics relevant to digital art and design.

NOTE: There are no texts required for this course. Students will receive instructions to subscribe to Lynda.com tutorials from their instructor, when they start the online course. Students must have Adobe Photoshop CS6 Extended by the time the course begins. Contact the bookstore to inquire about where to purchase the software. The instructor is not responsible for assisting students with the purchase of the software. Students should also have a scanner and the digital capacity to submit their creative work online as JPEG images. Broad-band Internet access is preferred. If you plan to take the advanced course as well (Digital Art and Design: Advanced), you should purchase Adobe Suite CS6 Web & Design Premium (Student & Teacher Edition) instead of Adobe Photoshop CS6 Extended.

Prerequisites: hardware: PC or Mac, software: Adobe Photoshop CS6 Extended. Since this course requires students to use computer and software intensively, they should have strong interests in using the computer as a design tool and intermediate computer skills.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the September 2008 term and was formerly offered as Digital Art and Design 1, 222454. Students who have successfully completed 222454, should not enroll in this course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in The Arts.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Communications and Media;Literature

Digital Storytelling

CUL-223054

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
In a digital age, we have new tools and frameworks for the ancient art of storytelling. This course examines both the theory and practice of digital storytelling, especially the possibilities available via the World Wide Web. Students will explore others' digital stories (e.g., family memoirs, stories promoting organizations or programs) and specific tools (e.g., web pages, text, images, audio, RealSlideShow, etc.) to learn about the future of narrative in a digital world for storytelling and for educational applications of storytelling in history, geography, science, language arts, fine arts and other fields. Students will create two simple projects in this course, in addition to completing other course activities (online discussions, research and resource sharing, critical evaluation of projects, reading, writing).

This course does not assume any previous experience designing web pages. Knowledge of HTML is helpful but not necessary, as web page text editors are available.

This course partially meets the General Education requirement in The Arts.

Anthropology;Arts: Visual and Performing;Communications and Media;Cultural Studies

Documenting Community Arts and Traditions
ART-224314
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Students will learn concepts of folklore and use a range of fieldwork methods to study and document community arts and traditions. Emphasis will be on material culture, verbal art, and belief systems of the local communities. The course will begin with an overview of key concepts, genres, and ethics in folklore studies. Students then will learn fieldwork methods such as interviewing, participant observation, visual and audio documentation, and representation/reporting. Concurrently, students will be expected to carry out a project to practice these fieldwork documentation methods at their own local community. Through regular online discussion of the course readings and individual project, students will also engage with critical issues that arise in the context of conducting local fieldwork. Projects could deal with any of the wide array of local or everyday life artistic expression and traditions that sustain communities: regional arts and crafts, festival/fair, rituals, jokes, proverbs of community elders, regional foodways, and so on. At the end of the course, students will develop a fieldwork portfolio including all the (digitalized) raw material collected from the field, field notes, a well crafted example of visual or audio documentation (e.g., photographic documentation, short video documentation, audio-recording/reporting), and a final culminating report.

Note that this course emphasizes practical exercise of research methodology in the field of folklore studies: interview, visual and audio documentation, and reporting. The primary audience for this course includes students interested in cultural studies, folklore studies, public history, journalism, community services, and the arts. In addition, a student in gender studies could use this course as an opportunity to research some aspect of women's creativity and culture in the local community. Or, a student in Community and Human Services might focus on the role of a regional arts organization in promoting the well-being of the community. Alternatively, a Labor Studies student could study some aspect of working class lore in the local community.

Prerequisites: Camera and audio recorders are required. No prior knowledge of folklore or art is assumed or required. Time, equipment, and ability to conduct a fieldwork project at the local community are crucial.

NOTE: Audio editing software is required only for students who choose to produce an audio project. Video recorder and editing software are required only for students who choose to produce a short video project.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Environmental Studies

Exploring Place: Arts
ART-224754
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This is an advanced-level research course in which students, with guidance from the instructor, propose and carry out their own semester-long, self-directed, in-depth research agendas.

Thinking of place as a community in a geographical location or physical environment, this interdisciplinary course seeks to offer an opportunity for a place-based approach to the arts. Explore artistic expression in and/or about the place you live (or some other place of interest), whether you define that place as a neighborhood, a whole village or town or city, a geographical region or a watershed. Research, for example, art about a particular place, local museums, graffiti, billboards, yard decorations, regional dance traditions, local music or regional crafts. Examine a variety of critical methodologies from the arts and related fields of cultural criticism to understand local/regional artistic expression and the creative process inherent within.

Collaborate with other students interested in the arts, culture, history and environmental history to learn concepts for thinking about place as a process, as a coming together of nature and culture, of the local and global and of issues ranging from gender, class, ethnicity and the environment to modernization, conservation and preservation. Design and share with peers the results of your own projects about artistic expression and the place you are interested in. "Visit" one another's place online as part of a cross-place comparison. Some of the reading materials for this course have been predetermined and are available at the bookstore. However, each student, in consultation with the instructor, will be responsible at the outset of the course for proposing a set of individualized, place-specific research topics that will comprise the bulk of their work throughout the term. (For example, a project might require acquiring a scholarly book and a popular book about your place in order to analyze and compare how they represent its landscape.) Each student will be responsible for acquiring (borrowing or purchasing) in a timely fashion the books and materials necessary for these projects. Such materials are not available at the bookstore.

Students and mentors should note that the highly-individualized approach of this course can enable students to develop projects that support a particular personal interest or degree program need that is not directly motivated by an interest in the arts per se. For example, a student who is interested in gender studies could choose to develop their projects in this course entirely around the question of women artists in his or her community. Or, a student in Community and Human Services could focus for the entire term on the role of regional arts organizations on the well-being of his or her local community.

Important Note: this course overlaps with Exploring Place: Humanities and Exploring Place: History. No more than one of these three should be included in a degree program.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in The Arts.

Arts: Visual and Performing

Exploring the World of Music
ART-221514
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course has two main purposes: 1) to help the student understand music in cultural, multicultural and historical contexts and 2) to help the student understand and appreciate music as an art form. The questions of how music is used in various cultures and how human beings create music are central to the course. Units focus on different themes (e.g., music and memory, the transformative power of music) and elements (e.g., melody, rhythm, texture) of music; each theme and element is explored from a variety of cultural and historical perspectives using a range of examples from classical and popular music. This is an introductory course in music appreciation designed to develop listening skills along with a broader understanding of the importance of music in human life.

Note: this course has required CD-ROM components.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in The Arts.

Anthropology;Arts: Visual and Performing;Literature;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Sociology

Gays and Lesbians in American Culture
SOC-242204
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
The greater visibility of lesbians and gay men has been one of the most notable changes in contemporary American culture. Whereas once lesbians and gays were confined to the cultural “closet,” cultural productions by and about gay people now span popular media such as sit-coms and more “serious” genres such as theater.

These works of art and culture are part of a more general social awareness of diversity, including diversity of sexual orientation, and they raise a number of issues for Americans, both gay and straight. Is homosexuality (or heterosexuality, for that matter) something you are or something you do? What is the relationship between differences in sexual orientation and other formulations of difference? This course will examine how recent American plays, novels, autobiographies, movies, television programming, comic strips, and other cultural texts have been exploring these and related issues. In doing this work, students will also be introduced to tools of cultural analysis used in the contemporary humanities, contributing a foundation for more advanced work in Cultural Studies and the arts.

Note: Students will need the capability to acquire and view DVD materials for this course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies;Gender Studies;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs

Hip-Hop America: The Evolution of a Cultural Movement
HIS-243554
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
How do history and hip-hop connect? This course explores that question through a study of hip-hop in the U.S. The course will begin with a look at the 1970s Bronx, where hip-hop originated, and will then journey across New York City and the United States, exploring how the beats and breaks of the Bronx evolved into both an artistic genre as well as a political and cultural movement. We will study 1) the social conditions of the 1970s Bronx that enabled the emergence of hip-hop; 2) the 1980s growth of the genre through the commercialization of rap; 3) the early 21st century uses of hip-hop as a vehicle for political organizing, education, community outreach, and entrepreneurialism in cities across the U.S.; 4) the challenge of balancing the political potential of hip-hop against the commercial context of popular arts; and 5) the harnessing of hip-hop by churches and other religious organizations as a vehicle for personal uplift and empowerment.

Students who enroll in this highly interactive class will visit virtual renditions of historic hip-hop sites; participate in conversations with hip-hop artists; listen to and carry out interviews with hip-hop community activists; conduct field based explorations of hip-hop activities in their own communities; analyze connections between hip-hop and race, ethnicity, gender and class; and experiment with creative expression through the writing and podcasting of spoken word poetry.

Prerequisites: Some prior background in U.S. history or political science is recommended

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies

Humanities through the Arts
ART-221634
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Through a study of Western artistic and intellectual expression, this course introduces the humanities, its disciplines, and its enduring themes. Students will survey humanities disciplines such as literature, art, music, theater, cinema, and so forth. They will learn about basic language of art, a number of important artworks and diverse genres in each discipline. Students will discuss several enduring themes in the humanities such as morality, happiness, life and death attitudes, and freedom. Assignments will enable students to appreciate and value the arts in historical, social, (multi)cultural, biographical, and aesthetic contexts, and to develop ability to critically respond, interpret, and evaluate the arts. The course will include on-going interactive online discussion, reading and writing, and local, self-guided field trips.

No prerequisites or prior background in the arts are required.
Require reading, writing, internet, and basic online library research skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities for 4 credits or in The Arts for 4 credits.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Communications and Media

Illustration
ART-223124
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This is an advanced studio art course exploring the discipline of illustration with an emphasis on technical proficiency, individual direction, and history and theory of illustration. Traditional and non-computer based studio art tools will be the primary media for illustration. Learning activities evolves from greater proficiency on technique and traditional drawing to an increasing focus on content, experimental, and creative advanced approaches. Students will have opportunities to practice illustrations with a range of subject matters, materials and formats. Emphasis is placed on conceptualization and technical process as well as professionally executed product. Illustration exercises and other learning activities will foster students' ability to research and observe quality illustration styles and techniques as well as critique each other's works. Students will be guided to apply their lower level studio art skills and knowledge in different areas such as drawing, painting, watercolor, collage and acrylic and continue to develop their advanced level art skills and knowledge.

Prerequisites: A lower level studio art course or experience in drawing and painting. Equipment (e.g., a flat screen scanner or a digital camera) and ability to digitize illustration works.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in The Arts.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Family Studies;History and Civilizations;Sociology;Women's Studies

Images of Women in Western Civilization
ART-223534
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
What have been women’s roles and life experiences since ancient times until present? How have women seen their position in the development of Western civilization? How have women been represented in Western art? How did women’s domestic art become fine art? What does this change entail? What interpretive frameworks do scholars use to examine and understand women’s art and its connection to the development of Western civilization? This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to explore questions like these and look broadly and in-depth at women’s contributions to the development of Western civilization. Students are encouraged to identify and analyze significant events, societies, people and ideas which contributed to the development of European, Western and world attitudes and institutions. Students will be able to develop a wider perspective which recognizes the political, economic and cultural development of western societies and women’s experiences, and which encourages a more inclusive view of the human experience.

To enhance upper level academic skills, students will read scholarly literature and theories relevant to women, art, and western societies. Students will analyze images of women found in sculptures, paintings, cultural artifacts, magazine covers, and other products of popular culture, from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, up until the present. Students will examine such examples as ancient fiber arts, folk arts, LGBT arts, and feminist arts. Students will design their own independent research projects to examine theories and images of women, interpret women’s roles and experiences in specific times and places in Western civilization, and respond to, or generate new, questions they set out to explore. Students will also have a chance to do a creative work to (re-/de-)construct their own images of women. Students will need to have the digital capacity to submit images online (i.e., a digital camera or a scanner) as low-resolution JPEG images.

Prerequisites: upper-level standing with advanced level critical thinking, reading and writing skills.

Recommended: one of the following (or their equivalent): Artistic Expression in a Multicultural America, Visual Literacy, An Introduction to Culture, General Education courses in Western Civilization.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Western Civilization for 4 credits and in The Arts for 4 credits.

Arts: Visual and Performing

Introduction to Studio Art
ART-221114
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Through a sequential study of artistic elements, art media, drawing and painting techniques and art criticism, this course introduces students to the fundamentals of studio art. Students will be encouraged to explore media and think, talk and write about art. Students will build foundation skills, as well as the beginning of a portfolio, through hands-on practice and assignments. Through a variety of drawing and painting lessons, mostly based on perception, students will study line, shape and form, focusing on light, tonal drawing and linear and atmospheric perspective in black and white and color. Students will gain historical and cultural knowledge through their course readings and the visit to the museums. Students will learn about art criticism to evaluate self and other’s works.

Students need to purchase their own set of art media. Students need to digitally document and post their work online for critiquing and evaluation; thus, students will need access to a digital camera or a scanner and the digital capacity to submit print material online as low-resolution JPEG images. Students will also need to submit their portfolio to the instructor via the regular mail.

Note: this course has required video components.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in The Arts.

Arts: Visual and Performing;History and Civilizations;Philosophy and Religious Studies

Introduction to the History of Western Architecture
ART-221434
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This lower-level introductory course surveys western architecture and society from ancient times to the present. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the language of architecture, architects, and major architectural styles in several key periods across western civilization with a special emphasis on architecture of the 19th to 21st century.

In addition to the main purpose of introducing students to western architectural history and its styles and architects, the course also seeks to enhance the critical understanding of the development of western culture as a whole, and to further develop the understanding and relevance of architecture in our current society.

Students will be able to learn about the development of western civilization through the contextual understanding of the function and meanings of architecture in a variety of cultures throughout time. Studying relationships between different architecture, society, cultures, institutions, and other relevant contexts will enable students to understand western civilization and its connection to other cultures, societies, and times.

The core learning topics will consist of (1) Understanding Architecture; (2) History of Architecture from Caves to the Age of Enlightenment; and (3) History of Architecture from the 19th Century to Postmodernism. Assignments will encourage students to explore architects and architecture of their interests and discover architecture in their own community.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Western Civilization for 4 credits and in The Arts for 4 credits.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Communications and Media

Media and Visual Literacy

ART-222424

4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements

This course is designed to introduce students to the field of media studies. It is appropriate for students with concentrations or interest in media studies, communications, or art, gender, or ethnic studies, and may enhance a program in marketing. Students will learn to consider how media is created, and how to interpret media, including photography, film/video, television, social and web-based media. Students will analyze, interpret and understand the role the media plays in their lives and in our culture. They will learn to interpret media using the theory of semiotic analysis and also to consider media ownership and influence. Particular emphasis will include gender, race, and class in the media. Students will develop an understanding of the visual arts aspect of mass communications, and the creative processes inherent in them, including developing media artifacts. Students are also expected to create a blog and experiment with social media.

Prerequisite: Students must have taken College Writing, Introduction to College Reading and Writing, Composition, or have equivalent learning prior to taking this course.

Africa has inspired resistance to oppression, from slavery to stereotypes, from racism to sexism. We’ll study this through the lens of one West African culture (Yoruba) that is deeply embedded in American cultures. We will look at how the historical construction of stereotypes and stereotypical constructions of history are perpetuated by contemporary media, and how Yoruba thought and practices break these stereotypes.

Students interested in the global implications of how stereotypes affect power and privilege will learn to address these through the lens of historical theories, philosophy, critical race and gender theories, and art history. Our “case studies” will dismantle the terror factor around African religions to reveal and consider African philosophical tenets that inspire people to freedom.

Students will learn about, research, and share findings about the roles Yoruba culture has played in resistance movements via philosophy and religion (Humanities track), cultural expressions (Arts track); rebellions and politics (History track).

The three tracks of this course overlap. No more than one of these three should be included in a degree program.

Note: Some films in this course must be rented or purchased by the student and are available through Netflix or Amazon.

Prerequisites: Students who enroll in this course should have advanced college level reading and writing skills. Though not required, course work or prior experience with analysis of race, class, and gender issues would be helpful. The readings and films are challenging and broach complex issues and concepts that call for developing a high level of critical, analytical, and interpretive skills.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies;Gender Studies;History and Civilizations;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Women's Studies

Roots and Routes of African Diaspora Resistance: History

CUL-224224

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

African Diaspora religions such as Voodoo and Santeria have literally become the stuff of horror films. Why, when brewed together in popular imagination, do some people find it so scary?

The three tracks of this course overlap. No more than one of these three should be included in a degree program.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies;Gender Studies;History and Civilizations;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Women's Studies

Roots and Routes of African Diaspora Resistance: Humanities

CUL-224334

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

African Diaspora religions such as Voodoo and Santeria have literally become the stuff of horror films. Why, when brewed together in popular imagination, do some people find it so scary?

The three tracks of this course overlap. No more than one of these three should be included in a degree program.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Communications and Media

Television and Culture

CUL-223354

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

Study television as a cultural artifact. Students will investigate television's distinctive features, programming and cultural impact. Acquire skill in interpreting the sort of cultural impact television programs may have on viewers. Discover the way television's generic conventions create limits on the creativity of television producers through group project. Become a more knowledgeable and selective viewer.

Learn to interpret television ratings and track the performance of various shows. Read and critically evaluate articles.

Note: Students must be able to analyze and write at an advanced level. Access to a television set and DVD player, and/or computer with DVD player and ability to download television programs required.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the September 2008 term and was formerly offered as The Television and the Environment, 223354. Students who have successfully completed 223354, should not enroll in this course.

Prior to September 2008, this course partially met the General Education requirement in Social Sciences and partially met the General Education requirement in Basic Communication.

Effective September 2008, this course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities (it no longer partially meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences or partially meets the General Education Requirement in Basic Communication).

Arts: Visual and Performing;Communications and Media

The American Cinema
ART-223374
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Study film as a cultural, social and artistic expression. Investigate American cinema's origin and development, the rise of the studio and star systems and the impact of television on film. Consider film genres and the American cinema's use of genre to reflect societal concerns. Investigate film techniques and develop a vocabulary for discussing the art of film. Study the origin and development of classical Hollywood style and investigate Hollywood as an institution. Practice active, critical viewing and complete research and critical writing about American film.

Note: Students should be prepared to rent and screen 12 additional films chosen from the extensive video bibliography provided. This course has a required video component.

Prerequisites: upper-level standing with advanced-level critical thinking, reading, research and writing skills.

Recommended: College Writing or the equivalent, and an introductory humanities or arts criticism course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in The Arts.

Arts: Visual and Performing

The Photographic Vision
ART-222024
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Photographic images can have a powerful and memorable impact. Discover how structure, form, composition and special effects contribute to a final work while compiling your own portfolio of photographs. Learn the technical aspects of the camera and the communicative and artistic potential of the medium. Photographs will be shared with the class for critique to further develop technique and personal style. Additional topics covered include the history of photography, various genres such as portraiture and photojournalism, and photography as art. We will also study the work of accomplished professional photographers through virtual field trips and explore the consistent elements present in successfully executed photographs.

Note: students need access to a camera (a digital SLR is preferable, but any camera is acceptable), and digital capability to submit photographs as low-resolution JPEG images.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in The Arts.

Arts: Visual and Performing

What is Art?
ART-224514
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
What is art? Who gets to decide? Why do people respond to it the ways they do? What does art mean? How has it been interpreted? What does art have to do with beauty? What is a philosophy of art? When we experience art, how is that experience similar to or different from other experiences in our lives? Why are we drawn to certain works more than others? Are there underlying reasons, or is it a matter of whim or chance? What do our assumptions, conscious or unconscious, about what art "does" for people, have to do with our responses to it? What changes when we begin to articulate and question those assumptions?

This course will not only be useful for arts students desiring a workshop in art theory and criticism, but more generally for anyone who has ever been interested in asking questions such as these. It is designed to help students explore these questions through readings by prominent thinkers who have grappled with them over the years. It is also meant to provide students opportunities to strengthen their critical thinking and inquiry skills as well as better articulate their own philosophies and interpretations of art, of any genre, era or culture. This course, thus, is appropriate both for students whose concentrations are art-related, as well as for those interested in art as part of their upper-level general learning.

While practicing their descriptive, interpretive and evaluative skills, all students will complete assignments that require their personal responses to works of art throughout the term. The assignments will also provide foundations for the writing of an "aesthetic autobiography." Students will continue to individualize their study in each module and read key works by major aesthetic philosophers of their choice. Each student will lead a discussion based on the readings from topics that include: modernism and postmodernism; art and technology; the (ir)relevance of art museums; how do people respond to art?; the body in art; the role of the critic; interdisciplinary issues in art criticism; hunger, abundance, power and stuff; a genealogy of "art." Finally, all students will prepare a final project or extended paper that provides reflective analysis on their own personal aesthetic views in relation to contemporary views about art.

While there are no formal prerequisites, students must be prepared for advanced-level work as some of works are challenging readings and require critical writing and research skills. It is also recommended that students have achieved the equivalent of lower-level learning in the arts or cultural studies.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in The Arts.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Communications and Media;Critical Thinking;Gender Studies;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Women's Studies

Women, Girls and the Media
CUL-224114
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
In this course, students will examine the portrayals of women and teenage girls in the media. Each student will choose which particular media to examine, choosing to examine magazines, newspapers, television, film, popular music and/or the Internet along with the advertising that supports so many of these. Students may pursue such topics as race and ethnic issues, class issues, working women v. motherhood, body images of teen, younger and older women, disability, and sexuality. They may focus on American culture or on the global needs of women.

For students new to the field of media studies, this course provides an opportunity to examine media particularly in terms of how women and girls are portrayed by the culture industries.

For those students who have taken courses such as Visual Literacy, Television and Culture, American Cinema, Images of Women in Western Civilization or other media or gender-related courses, they can further pursue the topics they considered in those courses. These students will be expected to examine images of women in a deeper and more nuanced way than they did in those courses.

Students concentrating in communications or media fields have the opportunity to research those fields and particular woman leaders involved in them or issues that women in those media face.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Business (General);Languages

Advanced Spanish for Health Care Professionals
CUL-223214
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course has the major purpose of teaching Spanish to health care professionals who need to assess, treat, reassure or educate patients who do not speak English and come from countries where Spanish is their native tongue. This course provides a task-based approach to using the Spanish language in a health care environment. Through intensive practice, advanced students will hone their Spanish communication skills and develop strategies for ensuring understanding and accuracy while relaying critical information. They will also learn to identify cultural differences in attitudes towards health care and medicine and how to address these cultural differences in the health care job place.

Language learning in this course will focus on advanced communication skills, advanced vocabulary and intermediate-to-advanced grammatical structures. All language skills will be practiced: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students will be required to practice weekly speaking and listening skills in real time over the Internet with the instructor and the teaching assistant. Students should be available for 30 minutes for oral practices scheduled between 7:30-9:00 PM EST at least twice a week. Special accommodations will be made for Army students.

Prerequisites: A basic familiarity with Spanish fundamentals such as verb structures in the present and past tenses, adjective/noun agreement, articles and prepositions.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Foreign Language.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Business (General);Management

Arts Management
ART-223524
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course will provide an advanced exploration of the history and theories of arts management while providing a basic understanding of the language of the artist. The course will provide opportunities for practical application of theory and technique through projects which may include research, case studies , or the development of marketing , business or strategic plans. Students will develop an understanding of the impact on the external environments which affect arts organizations and businesses today. Comparisons between profit and not for profit organizations provide a context for issues of fund raising and various conceptual approaches to management.

Prerequisites: Prior knowledge, skills, or experience in art and business or management is required.

Business (General);Computers and Information Systems;Emergency Management

Business Continuity Planning and Disaster Recovery
SMT-274604
4 credits,upper level,
Organizations must plan for contingencies. Business continuity planning and disaster recovery must start long before a catastrophe strikes. Electronic/digital processes are ubiquitous and at the core of many business functions, so no longer is restoration of a centralized data center sufficient. While the work is often rooted in IT, the entire organization must be considered. Thus, it is important to learn to analyze organizations; identify risk and impact; understand complexity; identify mission-critical systems; communicate the need for planning; create, test and implement business continuity plans; and conduct disaster avoidance.

Prerequisites: familiarity with the functions of management including planning, organizing, staffing, leading, and controlling (such as one should gain through an introductory management course such as Introduction to Management or Management Principles or through professional experience). Students must also have the ability to do academic research using the college library, evaluate material, and effectively communicate ideas in an academic format (such as one should develop through lower-level college studies).

Business (General);History and Civilizations

Business Enterprise in American History
BME-213034
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Follow the evolution of United States business enterprise from the exchanges among the Plymouth settlers to America's participation in the economy of "the global village." Study from a variety of perspectives the development and change of the institutions, people, attitudes, and behavior of business enterprise as they relate to the consumer, the worker, the shareholder(s), other businesses, the community, and the government at all levels.

Business (General)

Business Ethics
BME-214754
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Learn how business ethics permeate corporate philosophy, environmental concerns and management behavior. Examine ethics through an in-depth study of a number of important social issues related to the conduct of business in modern society. Topics range from business and the environment to interpersonal relations. Includes ethical theory and its application to business, theories of economic justice, corporate social responsibility, self-regulation and government, conflicts of interest and obligation, investment and production and advertising issues.

No prerequisite but prior business and management experience is essential.

Business (General);Math and Quantitative Studies

Business Mathematics
SMT-212034
4 credits,lower level,
Refine mathematical skills while studying many of the business concepts used in everyday life, such as purchasing different types of insurance, buying on credit, obtaining stock in a company and money handling in general, while refining and refreshing mathematical skills. Includes the mathematics of trade, operating a business, financial decisions, owning or investing in a business and summarizing and analyzing data.

Note: this course has a required CD-ROM Component.

Business (General)

Business Policy: A Team-Based Approach
BME-214824
4 credits,upper level,
Learn about formulating, implementing and evaluating organizational strategy and policy in a complex business environment. Topics include objectives and strategic management of the business portfolio; analysis and diagnosis of the organization's external opportunities and threats and the internal competitive advantages or weaknesses related to its marketing, production, personnel and financial areas; strategy alternatives and choice (including acquisitions, mergers and diversification); and implications of strategy for organizational structure and change.

Students, working in teams, will apply their business knowledge in a web-based simulation.

This is a capstone course for students with concentrations in Business Administration. Students are expected to integrate their knowledge from their prior studies and work experiences in this course. Students interested in health care management, fire service administration and other community and service concentrations may also find this course useful.

Note: there is an additional technology component, Mike's Bikes simulation, required to participate in this course, which is available only for Windows PCs. There is no product for this component that will support either Macintosh or Linux users.

Prerequisites: coursework (or equivalent knowledge) in the following subjects: management principles, marketing principles, human resource management, corporate finance, or equivalents.

Business (General);Management;Marketing

Consumer Behavior
BME-213914
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Consumer Behavior is the study of the cognitive, affective, behavioral and environmental factors that influence decision-making in the marketplace. Through the use of case analyses, students will explore theoretical concepts and learn how the consumer engages in the buyer-seller relationship. The psychological factors that influence and shape consumer behavior will be explored. In addition, students will read some of the primary research and will develop a final paper or other project to demonstrate their integrated understanding.

Prerequisite: Introductory Marketing is required; Introductory Psychology is recommended.

Accounting;Business (General);Finance

Corporate Finance
BME-213514
4 credits,upper level,
Understand and apply the theories of managerial finance. Focus on the dynamic economic environment in which corporate financial decisions are made, the role of the financial manager within the firm and the empirical aspects of corporate finance. Topics include the financial environment; techniques of financial analysis and planning; management of working capital; fixed assets and capital budgeting; cost of capital; dividend policies; and sources of long-term financing.

The Wall Street Journal is required reading for this course. Student discount subscription can be obtained by calling 1 800 568-7625.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Accounting, Economics/Macro or Economics/Micro, Algebra and/or Statistics or their equivalents.

Business (General);Human Resources;Management;Multicultural and Diversity Studies

Diversity in the Workplace
BME-213164
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Gain an understanding of diversity issues in the workplace. Examine the impact of a multicultural society on organizations and individuals within the organizations. Incorporating both theory and practice, analyze critical issues from multiple perspectives including historical, legal, economic and sociological frameworks.

Important Note: this course was formerly offered as Working with Cultural Diversity. Students who have completed Working with Cultural Diversity, 153164, should not enroll in this course.

Prerequisites: At least one introductory course in one of the following subjects: economics, management, and public administration/policy. Analytical, research, and writing skills at the upper level.

Business (General);History and Civilizations

Globalization: Business and Society in the Information Age
HIS-213254
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Examine the international trends and the nature of socio-technological change over the past 25 years. Develop the skills necessary to forecast current and future trends in business, employment, trade, capital and labor flows, human rights issues and politics.

Prerequisites: three courses in business, economics, history and/or social sciences.

Business (General);Management;Marketing

Hospitality and Tourism Marketing Management
BME-214464
4 credits,upper level,
Learn about the fundamental role of marketing management and the importance of being customer oriented in hospitality and tourism. This course introduces students to external marketing environments; helps understand the role of consumer behavior in hospitality and tourism; identifies and explains strategies for developing and promoting service "products" and various distribution channels; highlights the latest trends in destination marketing, e-marketing, international marketing, as related to hospitality and tourism.

This course will be of interest for students pursuing degrees in the BME areas of marketing, management, and business administration. It is ideal for students who plan to enter the field of hospitality marketing (management) or tourism marketing (management). Co-requisites would include Services Marketing, Service Management (or equivalents). A prior knowledge of hospitality and tourism operations is desirable, but not mandatory.

Prerequisites: A previous study (or equivalent knowledge) in Principles of Marketing or Principles of Management is highly recommended.

Business (General)

International Business
BME-213314
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Acquire an understanding of the theories and practices involved in international business. Study the nature and patterns of international business; role of international organizations; economic, socio-cultural, political, legal and labor issues; and operational and strategic management issues related to business with foreign nations, including topics on international human resource development. Consider NAFTA and GATT and their significance for North American business establishments.

Prerequisites: at least one course in management and one course in economics.

Business (General)

International Business Law
BME-214214
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
International Business Law is designed to be an upper-level course that will familiarize the student with the principles, laws and organizations that regulate and control international trade. Additionally, this course will allow that student to explore the managerial, "real-life" implications of the application of those principles, law and rules. International law is an increasingly critical part of the business world -- not only for those companies engaged directly in import or export of finished goods for sale, but also for those traditionally "domestic" companies that use raw materials or those companies that have been drawn into the web economy, an economy without borders. Throughout the course, the students will be exposed to the cultural and ethical issues that arise in international trade and will be expected to apply their learning to specific case studies that involve not only legal problems but ethical ones as well. The course will focus on both the European Community and North American trade partners and the developing and nonmarket economies, such as the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.

Prerequisites: Management Principles, Legal Environment of Business 1, Legal Environment of Business 2 or equivalents.

Business (General);Management;Multicultural and Diversity Studies

International Cross-Cultural Management
BME-213974
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
The main objective of this study is to learn the management of successful business relationships between international business participants from different cultures. Beginning with a definition of culture and an examination of the dissimilarities in cultural systems in various societies and world regions, students will gain knowledge and skills in several major topics such as: the building blocks of national cultures, problems of cross-cultural communication, impact of cross-cultural differences on business and management performance, the role of the role of culture in managing organizational change and strategies for overall organizational success in the global business context.

Prerequisites: Management Principles, Organizational Behavior is required. Course work in Management Principles and/or Organizational Behavior and International Business and some basic understanding of world geography. Some real-life management experience will be very useful. International Business or International Marketing is recommended. Skills Needed: Writing, on-line presentation, Internet, and e-library research skills.

Business (General);Finance

International Finance
BME-213424
4 credits,upper level,
In today's global market, there are trillions of dollars of assets that are priced and traded in the global financial market. It has become a necessity for those who are interested in business finance, financial management, international entrepreneurial ventures and global business to be educated in international financial institutions, financial mechanism of international markets and social and economics drivers of the international financial market. This course prepares students to be leaders and catalysts in multinational business corporations. It educates students not only to function in a high-risk environment but also to search for opportunities that create value for their organizations by integrating the strategic and financial challenges that face today's business environment. This course meets the understanding organizations within broader contexts area of study requirement for students in the business, management and economics area and is recommended for the finance concentration.

Additional Course Requirements: Graphing calculator or computer required.

Prerequisites: Corporate Finance 213514 or equivalent.

Business (General);Management;Marketing

International Marketing
BME-214324
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Examine the issues and problems of global marketing from a strategic and managerial perspective. Course focuses on the choice of marketing mix in an international setting (i.e., whether the product, pricing, distribution, promotion and customer service decisions are effectively analyzed and identified relative to the cultural, political, legal and economic differences among countries and markets). In addition, export trade procedures and the coordination and controlling of international marketing will be explored. This course meets the Understanding Organizations within Broader Contexts requirement for students in the business, management and economics area and is recommended for the marketing concentration.

Prerequisite: Marketing Principles or equivalent.

Note: This course is a liberal study effective September 2010 term.

Business (General);Languages

Introductory Spanish for Health Care Professionals
CUL-221194
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course has been designed for students who have had no previous experience with Spanish language and Hispanic cultures. Students will have an opportunity to learn functional grammar, vocabulary and cultural concepts to apply in interactions at work. The major goal of this course is to facilitate better communication between health care providers and the growing Spanish-speaking community in the United States.

All language skills will be practiced: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students will be required to practice weekly speaking and listening skills in real time over the Internet with the instructor and/or teaching assistants. This is a very intensive course and students should be prepared to devote a significant amount of time to it. No previous knowledge of Spanish is required. Students who do have advanced knowledge of Spanish cannot take this course.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the September 2011 term and was formerly offered as Spanish for Health Care Professionals. Students who have successfully completed 221194 should not enroll in this course.

Students will be required to practice weekly speaking and listening skills in real time over the Internet with the instructor and/or teaching assistants. Students should be available for 45 minutes for oral practices scheduled between 7:30-9:00 PM EST at least twice a week. Special accommodations will be made for army students.

Note: this course will use voice-chat activities over the Internet. Students taking this course will need to make sure they have access to a computer that meets the minimum technological requirements which are outlined at the links below. Before enrolling, students should know how to successfully use or have tested the web conferencing service on their computer. See the links below for more information about hardware requirements, testing and using the web conferencing software:

Elluminate System Requirements and Setup Instructions: http://www.esc.edu/elluminatesetup
Elluminate Student Training Schedule and Information: http://www.esc.edu/elluminatestutraining

Mac Users: Elluminate supports Macintosh OS X and higher. If your Mac is running OS 9 or lower, you will need to notify your instructor immediately at the start of the term to make arrangements regarding Elluminate.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Foreign Language.

Accounting;Business (General);Finance

Investing
BME-213524
4 credits,upper level,
Learn about the overall investment environment, including the concepts of risk and return. Examine investment vehicles such as common stock, bonds, preferred stocks, options and the vehicles, techniques and strategies used when making investment decisions. Topics include financial markets; tax structures and laws governing securities trading; sources of investment information and advice; measuring investment risk and return; common stock analysis; pricing and efficient markets; investment vehicles; portfolio management and performance evaluation.

The Wall Street Journal is required reading for this course. Student discount subscription can be obtained by calling 1 800 568-7625.

Prerequisites: knowledge of or introductory courses in economics and business mathematics is very useful.

Business (General)

Legal Environment of Business 1
BME-212154
4 credits, liberal study, lower level,
Examine the dynamic nature of law, American legal processes and specific areas of law that guide business decisions. Addresses the aspects of law and its standards for human behavior that increasingly affect and constrain business activity. Includes introduction to the legal system, tort and criminal law, contract and sales law, negotiable instruments, secured transactions and bankruptcy.

Note: this course has a required access card which will be sent with your text when ordered from the Empire State College Bookstore.

Business (General)

Legal Environment of Business 2
BME-212164
4 credits, liberal study, lower level,
Examine how specific areas of law deal with disruptions in norms of business behavior. Includes agency, partnerships, corporations and selected aspects of regulatory law. Consider the law's goal for stability in guiding business relationships and the dynamic nature of law in responding to our changing social, political, regulatory and economic environment.

Note: this course has a required access card which will be sent with your text when ordered from the Empire State College Bookstore.

Prerequisite: Legal Environments of Business 1 or equivalent.

Business (General);Management;Marketing

Marketing Management
BME-213804
4 credits,upper level,
Examine the development and implementation of marketing programs with a focus on the integration of product planning, pricing, distribution, promotion and service. By analyzing the marketing efforts of organizations across various industries, gain an understanding of the critical factors to consider in developing and evaluating marketing programs.

This course is designed as an advanced level study in marketing for students with concentrations in business administration, business management, international business. For students with concentration in marketing the course can be useful as an elective but it is not designed as a capstone (BME -214934 "Marketing Planning and Strategy" is the designated capstone in marketing).

Prerequisite: Marketing Principles or Management Principles or equivalent.

Business (General);Computers and Information Systems;Management

Project Management

SMT-273454

4 credits,upper level,
Project management requires a combination of understanding the project life cycle, organizational, behavioral, and management concerns, and project management tools. This course will seek to provide students with at least an introduction to all of these in a comprehensive, non-fragmented way, and give them the foundation to further develop their abilities. At the completion of this course, students will have acquired project management knowledge that can be helpful in thinking about, understanding, discussing, and managing projects.

Prerequisites: Ideally, students enrolled in this course will have course work or equivalent professional experience in management (such as covered in a basic management course); Organizational Behavior is preferred.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the September 2009 term and was formerly known as Project Management in IT/IS. Students who have successfully completed 273454, Project Management in IT/IS, should not enroll in this course.

Business (General);Communications and Media;Management;Marketing

Public Relations
BME-213634
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Students will learn about the theory and practice of public relations, how public relations operates in organizations, its impact on publics and its functions in society. They will study the professional development of the field; concepts, issues, and principles in the practice; and models and theories guiding the practice. Course contents will be applied to public relations program planning and management by working on a strategic public relations planning project. The primary audience of this course are students with concentrations in business administration, management, and marketing. The course also meets the needs of those in careers in government, not-for-profit organizations, and human resource management where an understanding of public relations concepts and management practices would be advantageous. For those planning advertising/copy writing/media research/public relations careers, this course provides a foundation for a public relations (interdisciplinary)concentration where other studies may include, but not limited to Marketing Communications, Organizational Behavior, advanced level studies in communications, journalism, writing, new media and technologies, ethics, globalization.

Prerequisites: Marketing Principles required, Management Principles (or equivalent knowledge) recommended.

Business (General);Management;Marketing

Sales Management
BME-214834
4 credits,upper level,
Sales managers and sales personnel in the 21st century are as much consultants as they are sales representatives and their roles are expanding. Learn how this new breed manages a sales force, solves customer problems, engages in consultative relationships, operates in selling teams, gathers research information, advises marketing, and, by the way, sells a product or service. This course provides students with comprehensive information of the five critical stages in the sales management process, including Sales Force Management; Organizing, Staffing, and Training; Sales Force Operations; Sales Planning; Evaluating Sales Performance. Because technology has become a major force in management, the course also offers extensive discussions on customer relationship management systems, the Internet, virtual offices, Web-based recruiting, instant messaging, and virtual presentations.

This course will be of interest for students pursuing degrees in the BME areas of marketing, management, and business administration. It is ideal for students who plan to enter the field of service (or product) marketing where selling and sales management are interwoven functions of marketing efforts. For those students who are pursuing a concentration in marketing, it also can meet their needs as a capstone course.

Prerequisites: A previous study (or equivalent knowledge) in Principles of Marketing or Principles of Management are highly recommended.

Business (General);Educational Planning;Management;Marketing

Self-Management and Self-Marketing
BME-214524
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This 4-credit, 15-week course is designed to provide students with theoretical knowledge and practical, job related skills in self-management and self-marketing. Students will learn how to use contemporary learning theories and fundamental management and marketing concepts to guide their self and career development. Throughout the course, students will engage in a series of learning activities aimed at developing, documenting, evaluating, peer-reviewing, presenting and improving their practical self-management and self-marketing competencies and skills. They will learn how to use e-portfolios for conducting their personal SWOT analysis and self-assessment and will use social media tools to support their ongoing personal and professional development; in addition, they should be prepared to participate in a live, peer reviewed, mock job interview session conducted via a video-conferencing system. Overall, this course will foster students’ self-awareness and self-reflection and will help them develop effective strategies for self-improvement and self-promotion.

As an educational planning study within the BME area, the course will be useful for BME students in any concentration; depending on the individual degree program design, it can be placed either as part of their concentration, or general learning. During the course, students will be required to present and evaluate concrete evidence of essential skills in all areas specified in the BME general guidelines; this activity is intended to strengthen the students' focus on learning outcomes of their college studies. This study can be taken at any point during the degree provided that prerequisite requirements are met. Students can discuss issues of timing with mentors. The advantage of taking it earlier (and before they finalize their degree plans) is that they should be better able to identify and understand their essential skills' gaps and then calibrate their ESC studies to address those deficiencies and build a stronger competency base. The advantage of taking it at a later stage is that they will have the opportunity to evaluate their progress and think proactively about their future self-improvement and career goals, including, but not limited to, graduate study.

Note: CDL matriculated students can use this course as part of their Educational Planning credit.

Prerequisites: Foundational courses in principles of marketing and principles of management or equivalent knowledge/experience AND upper level critical thinking skills.

Communications and Media

Communication Analysis
CUL-223314
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Develop skill in comprehending underlying meanings in public communications. Develop the ability to spot flaws and strengths in others' arguments, detect manipulative communication strategies and recognize mythic/narrative dimensions in everyday communication. Conduct critiques of rhetoric and research propaganda campaigns. Sources for analysis include student-selected items such as speeches, editorials, films, advertisements, or magazine articles.

Work with basic principles of argumentation and debate, rhetorical criticism, the narrative paradigm, social influence and propaganda analysis. Develop critical skills for responding competently to the multi-mediated, corporately-managed communication that exists in the current communication environment.

Prerequisite: students should have the ability to do upper-level work.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Basic Communication.

Communications and Media;Computers and Information Systems;Writing: Expository and Creative

Communication through New Media
CUL-223424
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course gives students the chance to use a variety of new media applications to promote a message of their choice (for example, marketing a product, spreading news traditional journalistic outlets are not, or planning an event for a number of people). Students will study media history, including earlier phases of the Internet, learn to distinguish between the various new media, also known as Web 2.0 or Social Networking, applications that can be used for effective communications. Email, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter are just a few of the applications that one might use to promote a business, send a message to the public, forward news the mainstream outlets may not air, communicate within a business, association or group, tell a story, or keep up with old friends and new acquaintances. This course will ask students to research the very latest technologies, share information, and consider best uses and best practices for these tools.

Recommended: Experience writing for the web and/or using social networking tools, such as Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube, will be helpful. Tutorials will be provided for those who need training, but this work will be in addition to class assignments.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Basic Communication.

Communications and Media;Writing: Expository and Creative

Communications for Professionals
CUL-222304
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Communications for Professionals focuses on the theories, processes, and forms of professional communications. Students will learn to consider communication variables (e.g., audience, purpose, role, cultural context) as a means of analyzing a communication situation and creating effective communications. Students will create a portfolio of professional communications throughout the course: short communications for different purposes, resume and cover letter, report, proposal. Students will also do short oral presentations and a final project (individual or group) intended to integrate communication skills. In addition to creating communications in standard written form, students will apply communication concepts as they use different media tools. As much as possible, students are encouraged to create actual communications that they can use at work or in a professional capacity. Although there are no formal prerequisites, students should have a good grasp of basic writing skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Basic Communication.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Communications and Media;Literature

Digital Storytelling
CUL-223054
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
In a digital age, we have new tools and frameworks for the ancient art of storytelling. This course examines both the theory and practice of digital storytelling, especially the possibilities available via the World Wide Web. Students will explore others' digital stories (e.g., family memoirs, stories promoting organizations or programs) and specific tools (e.g., web pages, text, images, audio, RealSlideShow, etc.) to learn about the future of narrative in a digital world for storytelling and for educational applications of storytelling in history, geography, science, language arts, fine arts and other fields. Students will create two simple projects in this course, in addition to completing other course activities (online discussions, research and resource sharing, critical evaluation of projects, reading, writing).

This course does not assume any previous experience designing web pages. Knowledge of HTML is helpful but not necessary, as web page text editors are available.

This course partially meets the General Education requirement in The Arts.

Anthropology;Arts: Visual and Performing;Communications and Media;Cultural Studies

Documenting Community Arts and Traditions
ART-224314
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Students will learn concepts of folklore and use a range of fieldwork methods to study and document community arts and traditions. Emphasis will be on material culture, verbal art, and belief systems of the local communities. The course will begin with an overview of key concepts, genres, and ethics in folklore studies. Students then will learn fieldwork methods such as interviewing, participant observation, visual and audio documentation, and representation/reporting. Concurrently, students will be expected to carry out a project to practice these fieldwork documentation methods at their own local community. Through regular online discussion of the course readings and individual project, students will also engage with critical issues that arise in the context of conducting local fieldwork. Projects could deal with any of the wide array of local or everyday life artistic expression and traditions that sustain communities: regional arts and crafts, festival/fair, rituals, jokes, proverbs of community elders, regional foodways, and so on. At the end of the course, students will develop a fieldwork portfolio including all the (digitalized) raw material collected from the field, field notes, a well crafted example of visual or audio documentation (e.g., photographic documentation, short video documentation, audio-recording/reporting), and a final culminating report.

Note that this course emphasizes practical exercise of research methodology in the field of folklore studies: interview, visual and audio documentation, and reporting. The primary audience for this course includes students interested in cultural studies, folklore studies, public history, journalism, community services, and the arts. In addition, a student in gender studies could use this course as an opportunity to research some aspect of women's creativity and culture in the local community. Or, a student in Community and Human Services might focus on the role of a regional arts organization in promoting the well-being of the community. Alternatively, a Labor Studies student could study some aspect of working class lore in the local community.

Prerequisites: Camera and audio recorders are required. No prior knowledge of folklore or art is assumed or required. Time, equipment, and ability to conduct a fieldwork project at the local community are crucial.

NOTE: Audio editing software is required only for students who choose to produce an audio project. Video recorder and editing software are required only for students who choose to produce a short video project.

Communications and Media;Emergency Management

Emergency Communications
CHS-263824
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course will provide students with an understanding of the fundamentals of communication and their application in emergency situations. Students will examine the use of oral and written communications in various levels of emergency and crisis situations and will learn to identify internal and external audiences and analyze their information needs. Students will also gain an understanding of the use of communications systems and the role of technology in facilitating communication during crises.

Prerequisites: course work or experience in emergency response or emergency management.

Communications and Media

History and Theory of New Media
CUL-223544
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
In this course, students analyze the history and theory of new media, with an examination of its evolution within the contexts of emerging media environments, new media arts, Cyberstudies, media ecology, and media archaeology. Emphasis will be given to social, political, cultural, economic, and aesthetic dimensions of new media within various theoretical frameworks. Students will choose a primary path of inquiry in one of the following areas: digital democracy, media and learning, social networking, media and society, media ecology, media archaeology, the business of new media, virtual worlds and gaming, augmented reality, emerging technologies or mobile media. Course communications will take place in emergent media environments, including mobile media.

Each student will create a personal blog to reflect on the readings and provide further research, resources and analysis. Course activities also include discussions of the readings and research on the history, theory and practice of new media, with topics related to the student’s selected path of inquiry; research and exploration of web 2.0 and social media tools selected by the student, with a focus on cultural context, political economy, and social implications; and an advanced level culminating final project, with a formal research proposal and annotated bibliography.

Prerequisites: Advanced Level Standing. An advanced level course in digital arts, digital media, media studies, or the equivalent.

Communications and Media

Humor in the Workplace
CUL-222342
2 credits, liberal study, lower level,
Examine the nature of humor and the uses of humor as a communication strategy in the workplace, whether office, hospital, or home. Consider the psychological and physiological benefits of humor and learn effective strategies for incorporating humor into workplace settings. Examine culture and gender considerations as well as appropriate uses of humor in communication situations. Assignments include a humor journal and a plan of action to incorporate humor into a recurring workplace situation.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Communications and Media

Illustration
ART-223124
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This is an advanced studio art course exploring the discipline of illustration with an emphasis on technical proficiency, individual direction, and history and theory of illustration. Traditional and non-computer based studio art tools will be the primary media for illustration. Learning activities evolves from greater proficiency on technique and traditional drawing to an increasing focus on content, experimental, and creative advanced approaches. Students will have opportunities to practice illustrations with a range of subject matters, materials and formats. Emphasis is placed on conceptualization and technical process as well as professionally executed product. Illustration exercises and other learning activities will foster students' ability to research and observe quality illustration styles and techniques as well as critique each other's works. Students will be guided to apply their lower level studio art skills and knowledge in different areas such as drawing, painting, watercolor, collage and acrylic and continue to develop their advanced level art skills and knowledge.

Prerequisites: A lower level studio art course or experience in drawing and painting. Equipment (e.g., a flat screen scanner or a digital camera) and ability to digitize illustration works.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in The Arts.

Communications and Media

Information Design
CUL-224104
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Explore the fundamentals of information design in different media such as text, diagrams, charts, signs, the World Wide Web, museum displays and more. Learn how to communicate information effectively and analyze the information around you. Topics include types of information (verbal, visual, metaphoric, narrative, etc.), information classification, graphic design, scientific visualization, the design of instructional and other applications, and information design in media, advertising and the entertainment industry. The course is useful for professionals in a wide range of fields including business, marketing, science, math, statistics, art, computer science and technical writing.

Communications and Media

Intercultural Communications
CUL-221232
2 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
In this eight-week course, students will explore various approaches to culture and intercultural communication; sample different styles of communication in different countries, ethnicities, and groups; consider the potential for miscommunication in the United States and abroad; and identify strategies for conflict reduction, teamwork, and leadership. After taking this course, students should more sensitive to the communication needs of others and understand how to improve their personal intercultural communication competence.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Basic Communication (effective September 2009 term).

Communications and Media

Interpersonal and Small Group Communications
CUL-222332
2 credits,lower level,
Understand various communication strategies and the implications of personal communication style. Cover three aspects of spoken communications: principles and practices of effective listening, managing conflict for positive results and strategies for conducting meetings. Through study guides, personal inventories, case studies, readings, video and audio tapes and short analytical papers, students will learn the principles and apply the strategies for results-oriented communications in workplace settings.

For the May term only, this course is offered as an 8-week course.

Note: this course has required video and audio components.

Students obtaining Federal Direct loans: If you are only taking 8 week courses during the Summer term your student loans may be reduced or cancelled. Please visit our Web site at www.esc.edu/FinancialServices for more information.

Communications and Media

Introduction to Mass Communications
CUL-221214
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
In this course students will learn principles of communication, explore the world of the mass media, and be able to develop projects in their choice of Journalism, Public Relations, or Advertising. This course includes a general introduction to communication theories and methods, followed by an introduction to journalism, advertising or public relations. Students develop progressively more advanced projects of their choosing. Because of this, this course will be fairly individualized with relatively little set content and more chances for students to follow their own paths of interest, and develop their primary sources, content, and direction.

Prerequisite: Students are expected to be strong, clear writers. Experience in some type of professional writing would be beneficial.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Communications and Media

Media and Visual Literacy
ART-222424
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course is designed to introduce students to the field of media studies. It is appropriate for students with concentrations or interest in media studies, communications, or art, gender, or ethnic studies, and may enhance a program in marketing. Students will learn to consider how media is created, and how to interpret media, including photography, film/video, television, social and web-based media. Students will analyze, interpret and understand the role the media plays in their lives and in our culture. They will learn to interpret media using the theory of semiotic analysis and also to consider media ownership and influence. Particular emphasis will include gender, race, and class in the media. Students will develop an understanding of the visual arts aspect of mass communications, and the creative processes inherent in them, including developing media artifacts. Students are also expected to create a blog and experiment with social media.

Prerequisite: Students must have taken College Writing, Introduction to College Reading and Writing, Composition, or have equivalent learning prior to taking this course.

Note: This course replaces Visual Literacy at both the upper and lower levels. Students should not take this if they have already taken either level of visual literacy. Students with Visual Literacy on their degree plans at the upper level should consider taking Media Arts.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in The Arts.

Communications and Media

Media Arts
ART-223324
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course provides students with the opportunity to collaborate on interdisciplinary media arts projects with peers sharing expertise from different artistic genres within the emerging field of media arts. Students taking the course must have advanced knowledge and experience with one or more of the following areas: digital art and design, computer arts, video, electronic music, digital storytelling, filmmaking, game design, animation, visual effects, motion graphics, animation art and design, digital photography, 3D virtual worlds, digital performance, and audio production. Course projects will be tailored to fit the expertise and interests of each student cohort. The course will include a critical analysis of media arts in various contexts, including aesthetic, ethical, social and professional considerations for media artists. Advanced level media arts require effective collaboration among artists from different genres. The course will include a significant collaborative project as well as opportunities to focus on individual artistic growth and portfolio development.

Students will explore various tools and concepts while producing a digital portfolio and advanced level collaborative media arts project. Students will read, analyze and discuss texts and articles related to media arts, new media, electronic arts, mixed reality, virtual worlds, games, and digital performance. They will participate in peer critique, and provide feedback on the works in progress of their peers. The primary course project will be threaded throughout the course, including processes such as a proposal, storyboard, script, rough cut, and refined final project piece. Students will be expected to use social media, web 2.0 tools, and emerging media environments for course communications and research.

Prerequisites: Advanced knowledge and experience with one or more of the following areas: digital art and design, computer arts, video, electronic music, digital storytelling, filmmaking, game design, animation, visual effects, motion graphics, animation art and design, digital photography, 3D virtual worlds, digital performance, and audio production.

Communications and Media

Media, Ethics and Law
CUL-223884
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course will introduce you to the basic principles and application of the First Amendment as it relates to communications and the media. Since First Amendment rights are constantly evolving we will examine its application to free speech, political speech, commercial speech, and advertising and the ethical components related to these topics. In addition, we will explore the government’s monitoring and restriction of media as well as the balancing act and various tests the courts apply when allowing journalistic reporting versus a defendant’s right to a fair and impartial trial. Media considered include Print Media, Radio, Television, Video Games, and the Internet.

This course covers the ethics and the legal and policy guidelines for those concentrating in Communications and Media. It is appropriate for those considering Law School. It includes the outcomes of active learning, breadth and depth of knowledge; social responsibility; communication; critical thinking and problem solving; information and digital media literacy.

Prerequisite: This course requires the ability to conduct research using online library databases, cite academic sources correctly, and write an analytical research paper. Recommended: At least one previous course in college writing, and one in communication or media.

Note: this course was formerly offered as Communications and the Law. Students who have successfully completed 123504 should not enroll in this course.

Communications and Media;History and Civilizations

News: Fact or Fiction?
HIS-243504
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Become more informed about and develop your ability to analyze contemporary issues, problems, controversies, questions and topics of national and international significance from the historical perspective. The New York Times online is required reading and will serve as one vehicle for monitoring the news; other online sources, print publications and radio and television broadcast news are also used.

Note: This writing and research course requires ready access to library resources, in person and/or through the Internet.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the March 2012 term and was formerly offered as News in Historical Perspective. Students who have successfully completed 243504 should not enroll in this course.

Prerequisites: 6 credits in college level history courses.

Communications and Media;Cultural Studies;History and Civilizations;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Women's Studies

Public History: A Shared Conversation with the Past
HIS-243434
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
In this advanced course students will explore the concepts and practices of Public History. Students will explore and critique diverse media,including film and web sites, oral history collections and photographs. They will also take self guided tours to physical and virtual public history sites. Students will have the opportunity to conduct hands on research projects ranging from video documentation to traditional research papers. Students interested in history, culture, journalism,arts management,art history, museum studies, historical studies, and public policy will benefit from this course. In addition, this course will also appeal to those students interested in non-academic careers. Students in Social Theory, Structure and Change will also benefit from this course because of its focus on collective memory and identity. The course will also appeal to Communications and Media Studies students as it will also cover traditional and non-traditional media as well as physical venues that may be used to communicate a common story to a diverse audience.

Prerequisites: Experience in research projects suggested.

Optional: Students interested in doing video and or audio documentation should have access to visual and or audio equipment.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Business (General);Communications and Media;Management;Marketing

Public Relations
BME-213634
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Students will learn about the theory and practice of public relations, how public relations operates in organizations, its impact on publics and its functions in society. They will study the professional development of the field; concepts, issues, and principles in the practice; and models and theories guiding the practice. Course contents will be applied to public relations program planning and management by working on a strategic public relations planning project. The primary audience of this course are students with concentrations in business administration, management, and marketing. The course also meets the needs of those in careers in government, not-for-profit organizations, and human resource management where an understanding of public relations concepts and management practices would be advantageous. For those planning advertising/copy writing/media research/public relations careers, this course provides a foundation for a public relations (interdisciplinary)concentration where other studies may include, but not limited to Marketing Communications, Organizational Behavior, advanced level studies in communications, journalism, writing, new media and technologies, ethics, globalization.

Prerequisites: Marketing Principles required, Management Principles (or equivalent knowledge) recommended.

Aging and Gerontology;Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Anthropology;Communications and Media;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Health Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Sociology;Women's Studies

Qualitative Social Science Research: Design and Methods
SOC-284534
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Qualitative social science research utilizes inductive approaches to explore and understand human behaviors, social interactions, and the construction of social reality. This course examines the ways social scientists ethically formulate questions, collect and analyze data, and present their findings. Students will apply this knowledge by writing a formal research proposal, conducting fieldwork, using visual and/or narrative analysis.

Prerequisites: At least one introductory course in the discipline of a social science concentration.

Note: Students may receive credit for EITHER Survey for Social Science Research Methods OR Qualitative Research: Design and Methods.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Important Note: This course was renamed effective the May 2014 term and was formerly offered as Qualitative Research: Design and Methods. Students who have successfully completed 284534 should not enroll in this course.

Aging and Gerontology;Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Communications and Media;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Health Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Psychology;Sociology;Women's Studies

Quantitative Research: Design and Methods
SOC-283604
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course enables students to understand and conduct systematic inquiries on social and behavioral topics, using quantitative social science research methods. Major topics include hypothesis development, causation, the logic of inquiry, research ethics, conceptualization and measurement, quantitative research design and data collection, and data analysis and interpretation. The course requires the use of advanced-level thinking skills, including analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

Recommended prerequisites include: at least one course in a social science discipline. A working knowledge of statistics is useful but not required; statistical analysis of data using SPSS is a required part of the course.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in social sciences.

Communications and Media;Writing: Expository and Creative

Speechwriting

CUL-223404

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

Students will read and critique a wide range of speeches from a wide variety of writers (e.g., John F. Edward Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Bob Newhart, Abraham Lincoln, Elie Weisel). Students also will read selections of texts on rhetoric (e.g., Aristotle's Rhetoric, Erasmus' writings on abundant speech, Perelman's New Rhetoric). Students will create "think pieces" designed to get them to discuss these speeches and actively engage the concepts and principles in each unit of the course. Additionally, students will link to online resources such as Rhetoric Central!, Douglass Archive of American Public Address, etc. Students themselves will write, critique and revise five types of ceremonial speeches: acceptance, apologia, commencement, dedication and eulogy. We anticipate bringing in "guest lecturers" -- professional speechwriters who will be available to offer different perspectives (subject to availability). We also will investigate ways of delivering speeches online (perhaps through asynchronous voice files), depending on the technology available to the students in the course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Basic Communication.

Aging and Gerontology;Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Anthropology;Communications and Media;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Early Childhood Studies;Emergency Management;Family Studies;Fire Protection;Gender Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Psychology;Sociology;Women's Studies

Survey of Social Science Research Methods
SOC-283424
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Social research provides answers to questions about people and the social settings and systems in which they are involved. This social science research course introduces the fundamentals of qualitative and quantitative research methods. Students learn how to formulate a viable research question, collect and analyze data, understand the ethical issues of social science research, and write a formal research proposal.

Note: This course has a required SPSS component.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Communications and Media

Television and Culture

CUL-223354

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

3. Students must also purchase the text that corresponds to the Microsoft Office software they will use to complete the course.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the March 2008 term and was formerly offered as Microcomputer Applications. Students who have successfully completed 271454, Microcomputer Applications, should not enroll in this course.

Computers and Information Systems

Computer Information Systems

SMT-272954

4 credits,lower level,

Study the fundamental concepts of computer structure and function and the wide range of applications in data and information processing. Gain an overview of both hardware and software. Discuss general programming principles and software development, computer languages and types and applications of commercial utility software. Examine the various functional roles of people in computer information systems. The course includes personal computers as well as large computer systems and explores aspects of systems analysis and design, data and file organization, decision-support systems, telecommunications and computers in society.

Note: this course has a required video component.

Computers and Information Systems

Computer Operations and Security
SMT-273324
4 credits,upper level,
As computers become ever more present and interconnected in modern society, the IT professional needs to be more and more concerned with the issues of levels of service, security and recovery. This course will cover the topics of management and security; quality of service and system performance; viruses, worms, trojan horses and denial-of-service; firewalls; and strategies for Ensuring Appropriate Levels of Security. A student project of sufficient rigor will be the core of this course.

Prerequisite: familiarity with the core concepts of networking, including awareness of the existence of protocols; an understanding of hardware such as routers and hubs and switches, common operating systems, basic systems and network security. This knowledge can be gained in Introduction to Networks.Specifically, students in this course should have knowledge in the following areas: Basic concepts of networks, basic hardware and software concepts; elementary algebra.

Computers and Information Systems;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security

Cyber Crime and Computer Forensics
SMT-273614
4 credits,upper level,
Computer forensics is one of the fastest growing areas in computer security and law enforcement. Virtually every criminal investigation requires that any computer related to the investigation is seized and searched. Studies have shown that about 90 percent of human recording of words, images, sounds, etc is in digital format, making computer storage a gold mine for investigators. The expertise for conducting investigations requires knowledge ranging from disk structure, file formats, commercial software to investigation techniques and expert testimony. This course will provide an introduction to the field.

Note: students must have the ability to work at the upper-level; students must have the ability to install software and a computer on which they can install required software. It is recommended, but not required, that students have familiarity with criminal investigations, trial procedure and the legal system, such as that gained in law enforcement or from a course such as Introduction to Law and the Legal System or Introduction to Criminal Justice.

Computers and Information Systems

Data Communications and Networking
SMT-273304
4 credits,upper level,
Knowledge of data communications and networking is crucial to today's IT professional. Virtually all computers are connected to some sort of network and exchange information with each other. This course will cover the topics of network models and architecture, interfacing and communication, fault tolerance and system performance evaluation. A student project of sufficient rigor will be the core of this course.

Prerequisite: familiarity with the core concepts of networking, including awareness of the existence of protocols; an understanding of hardware such as routers and hubs and switches, common operating systems, basic systems and network security. This knowledge can be gained in Introduction to Networks.

Computers and Information Systems

Data Structures and Algorithms
SMT-274304
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course is intended to help students develop an understanding of data structures and algorithms, which are fundamental to computer science and software engineering. The real-world performance of software is strongly influenced by:

1. The choice of appropriate data structures for storing the software’s data in order to effectively store, manipulate, and retrieve the data values;
2. The use of algorithms that are appropriate and efficient across the various layers of system implementation.

This course will focus on good principles of algorithm design, elementary analysis of algorithms, and fundamental data structures. The emphasis is on the selection of appropriate data structures and designing correct and efficient algorithms to operate on these data structures. To reinforce student learning, this course utilizes practical lab projects and a final term project.

Prerequisite: knowledge on programming that can be gained from a programming language course, preferably object oriented programming language.

Computers and Information Systems

Database Systems
SMT-273984
4 credits,upper level,
Explore database systems. Data modeling and the implementation of data models will be a major component of the course, with students studying normalization and formal modeling conventions. The model will be implemented using SQL. Metadata is also covered. Larger picture topics such as ethics and implementation will be addressed as well. Students will use an Oracle database (to be installed on their own machines). A group modeling project will allow students to develop their ability to work as a team -- a common practice in the industry. Students will complete an individual project involving the design and implementation of a database.

Note: students in this course are required to install and use an assigned Oracle DBMS on their personal computer.

Prerequisites: A basic understanding of databases. Knowledge of systems analysis and design is helpful but not required.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the January 2008 term and was formerly offered as Database Systems Development 2. Students who have successfully completed 273984, Database Systems Development 2, should not enroll in this course.

Computers and Information Systems;Economics

Economic Issues and Strategies for IT
SMT-273154
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course examines some of the new ways that businesses and consumers are both using new information technologies and reacting to those uses by others. Some businesses use shoppers' personal information to make their shopping experience more satisfying but some customers are wary of how their personal information is being used. Technologies which allow consumers to obtain music and other information goods without payment are challenging content creators to create new business models. Add to these questions of which technologies will survive and which will fail, as well as antitrust concerns, and you have an interesting environment in which to do long-range planning. Students will apply concepts from microeconomic analysis to examine: value-based pricing and personalization, digital rights and their management, lock-in, network effects, standards and alliances, and information policy.

Note: students must be prepared with critical thinking, research and writing skills at the upper level.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Computers and Information Systems;Educational Planning

Exploring the Disciplines: Information Systems
EDU-232172
2 credits, liberal study, lower level,
Through this course, students will be exposed to the discipline of information systems and its major areas of professional application. Students will use resources such as articles (print and online), databases and each other to gain a broader perspective of this discipline.

Important Note: students should not include this course twice in their degree program. This course can only be taken once, either at the lower-level or at the upper-level.

Computers and Information Systems;Educational Planning

Exploring the Disciplines: Information Systems
EDU-233172
2 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Through this course, students will be exposed to the discipline of information systems and its major areas of professional application. Students will use resources such as articles (print and online), databases and each other to gain a broader perspective of this discipline.

Note: students will be expected to demonstrate upper-level critical thinking and analytic skills in their work.

Important Note: students should not include this course twice in their degree program. This course can only be taken once, either at the lower-level or at the upper-level.

Computers and Information Systems;Environmental Studies

Geographic Information Systems and the Use of Spatial Information
SMT-273764
4 credits,upper level,
Students will explore the application of spatial information to a range of problems in different organizational settings. Application areas might include: natural and social science, such as geography, geology, oceanography, archaeology and meteorology; government, such as city planning, law enforcement, military and social services; natural resource management, such as forestry and water resources management; and business, such as marketing. Topics will include data acquisition, accuracy, analysis and presentation and social and legal issues.

Note: students must have regular access to a computer on which they can install software.

Prerequisites: students should have a background in statistics, such as that gained in Statistics: An Activity-Based Course. Students must be comfortable using personal computer applications, and must be able to install software.

Computers and Information Systems;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security

Information Assurance
SMT-273494
4 credits,upper level,
A well-rounded knowledge of the managerial aspects of information security and assurance, including policy issues is a very important component of information technology. In this course, students will learn about security governance; organizational needs; security risks, including physical, infrastructure, and human threats; and options for addressing those risks.

Prerequisite: An understanding of data communications and computer network models (such as one would gain in an upper-level networking study), database systems and database administration concepts (such as one would gain in a database study), and web technologies and related applications (such as one would gain in a web systems study).

Computers and Information Systems

Introduction to C++ and OOP
SMT-272504
4 credits,lower level,
This course deals with object-oriented programming (OOP) using C++. The main topics of discussion include C++ language features and the implementation of the OOP features of encapsulation, classes, inheritance, polymorphism and data hiding. C++ programming examples will be discussed and students will work on hands-on C++ programming assignments.

Computers and Information Systems

Introduction to Data Management Tools
SMT-272404
4 credits,lower level,
Computer software provides powerful tools for organizing, managing, displaying and analyzing information. Numerous jobs in business, human services and other fields require the ability to use spreadsheets or databases. Students will learn to use spreadsheet and database software to address information management and data analysis problems. A case study approach will be used to gain experience in organizing and displaying information, in writing arithmetic and logical expressions and in analyzing data.

Note: Microsoft EXCEL and Microsoft Access software (2007 or later version) and a computer able to run the software.

Prerequisites: an introductory-level college mathematics study and the ability to use MS Windows and a word processor. Some experience with EXCEL would be helpful.

Computers and Information Systems

Introduction to Networks
SMT-272124
4 credits,lower level,
Networks have become pervasive as communication among computers has evolved into a requirement for businesses and individuals. While the scale of computing ranges from SOHO (small office/home office)-level to enterprise-level, there are some common core concepts. In this course, students will study SOHO computing fundamentals as an entrance into the world of networks. Topics will include: networking concepts, routers, hubs, switches, the more common SOHO operating systems, basic systems and network security.
Note: students must have appropriate computer skills including comfort with computer applications, and a basic level of familiarity with an operating system (managing files, changing control settings).

Computers and Information Systems

Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming: JAVA
SMT-272984
4 credits, liberal study, lower level,
Explore computer programming and the object-oriented language, Java. This course introduces techniques and processes that are necessary in a professional software development setting. A background in programming is not assumed. Topics include modern software development tools including debuggers; general programming techniques; object-oriented programming; maintainability; algorithm design; and event-driven, graphical interface design. A team-based project is included to allow students to enhance their ability to develop software as a team -- a common practice in the industry.

Note: students must have regular access to a computer on which they can install software.

Prerequisites: an introductory-level college mathematics study that included algebra and problem solving. Students must also have the ability to install software.

Computers and Information Systems

Introduction to Web Publishing with HTML
SMT-271354
4 credits,lower level,
Learn basic HTML commands and acquire the knowledge needed to create and mount a web page (using either a text editor or a commercial web development tool, as well as other authoring tools). Explore topics in communication (audience, purpose, content development and copyright), design (style, layout, human factors in computing and accessibility) and technology (use of web development tools). Through readings, comparative review of web sites, reflective writing and discussion, develop concepts of what makes an effective web site. As an integrating project, plan and create a web site as a final project.

Note: students must have appropriate computer skills including proficiency with MS Windows (or the Macintosh operating environment). Students must have regular access to a personal computer with access to the web, a word processor and a web browser.

Computers and Information Systems

Management Information Systems
SMT-273754
4 credits,upper level,
Explore the impact of advances in information technology in the context of organizational decision making and the potential of an effective management information system to contribute to organizational learning, to be a source of competitive advantage and to assist an organization in a global arena. This course focuses on understanding the use and management of information as an organizational resource. A group project will allow students to develop their ability to work as a team -- a common practice in the industry.

Prerequisites: an understanding of basic management principles either through prior study or professional experience.

Computers and Information Systems

Operating Systems
SMT-273644
4 credits,upper level,
This course builds on lower level topics in process synchronization, inter-process communication and file system organization. It starts with a brief historical perspective of the evolution of operating systems over the last fifty years and then covers the major components of most operating systems, with particular focus on the advanced topics in concurrency, deadlock protection, multiprocessor scheduling, computer system modeling and virtual memory management etc. Discussions in this course will emphasize the balancing between performance and functionality during the design and implementation of an operating system, particularly process management, memory management, file systems and operating system support for distributed systems in the comparative environments of UNIX and Linux operating systems. Simulated lab experiments will be used to illustrate key concepts.

Prerequisites: experiential knowledge of the functionality of operating systems; familiarity with operating systems; experience in systems programming; or knowledge of network systems.

Business (General);Computers and Information Systems;Management

Project Management
SMT-273454
4 credits,upper level,
Project management requires a combination of understanding the project life cycle, organizational, behavioral, and management concerns, and project management tools. This course will seek to provide students with at least an introduction to all of these in a comprehensive, non-fragmented way, and give them the foundation to further develop their abilities. At the completion of this course, students will have acquired project management knowledge that can be helpful in thinking about, understanding, discussing, and managing projects.

Prerequisites: Ideally, students enrolled in this course will have course work or equivalent professional experience in management (such as covered in a basic management course); Organizational Behavior is preferred.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the September 2009 term and was formerly known as Project Management in IT/IS. Students who have successfully completed 273454, Project Management in IT/IS, should not enroll in this course.

Computers and Information Systems

Social/Professional Issues in IT/IS
SMT-273404
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
The global use of computers, communications, information systems, and information technology continues to rise with new applications and technologies developing rapidly. As the pace of change accelerates, new challenges, tensions, and complexities arise between what can be done and what should be done. Understanding the social, legal, and ethical issues and the frameworks available for assessing them is important for everyone but especially for those who work with these systems. This course will examine the role of these systems and technologies, ways they can change the world, the dangers and the protections, and professional responsibilities. Topics will include intellectual property, privacy, security, and accessibility.

Computers and Information Systems

Software Engineering
SMT-274144
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
There are formal methods for designing robust and reliable software systems. Computer scientists and software engineers need to learn these formal methodologies in order to effectively and efficiently build and maintain these large and/or complex software projects. In this course, students will learn the concepts of software engineering including software processes, requirements specification, software verification and validation, and software evolution.

Prerequisites: Before taking software engineering, students should have:

A familiarity with data structures and the ability to identify appropriate data structures along with an understanding of the principles of algorithm design including the ability to design correct and efficient algorithms such as one would gain in a course on Data Structures and Algorithms or through professional experience.

A working knowledge of functions, relations, and sets; formal logic; proof techniques; basics of counting; graphs and trees; and discrete probability such as one would gain in a course on Discrete Mathematics.

It is recommended that students also have a familiarity with the social context of computing and professional and ethical responsibility such as one would gain in a course on Social/Professional Issues.

Computers and Information Systems

Systems Analysis and Design

SMT-273224

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

The focus of this course will be to enable the IT professional to use the appropriate logical and design processes to develop useful and useable business information systems. The course will incorporate general systems theory and development methodologies. Business case studies will be used, and a student project of sufficient rigor (approved by the instructor). This course is appropriate for IT professionals seeking to supplement or upgrade their skill sets, students with an information systems background but with no systems analysis and design expertise.

Important Note: Effective the September 2010 term this course replaces 273204 (Systems Analysis and Design: The Traditional Approach) and 273214 (Systems Analysis and Design: Object-Oriented Analysis and Design with UML). Students who have successfully completed 273204 or 273214, should not enroll in this course.

Prerequisites: Some programming experience. Work in some aspect of information systems or an introductory information systems course. Students will be expected to install and use Microsoft Visio on their computers.

Computers and Information Systems

Visual BASIC: Computer Programming
SMT-272964
4 credits,lower level,
A person completing any degree area that involves computers and information systems is well served to master a variety of programming skills. In the modern programming environment, one component of that mastery is applications development for the Windows operating system. Visual BASIC (VB) is the intermediate level language for developing the standard Windows graphical user interface. Students will learn some object-oriented, event-driven programming using the intrinsic and ActiveX controls familiar to users of Windows applications.

Designing these types of applications is more complex than standard non-graphical languages. As a result, including the design process for both the graphical and logical components of applications developed in VB is essential.

Students will need to install Visual BASIC, along with the operating system and hardware configuration necessary to support that software.

Computers and Information Systems

Web Systems Development
SMT-273254
4 credits,upper level,
This course explores content management and the implementation of an enterprise web system. Students will address various design issues involving accessibility, usability and content design, management and presentation, while simultaneously learning fundamental web technologies like cascading style sheets, the Document Object Model, client-side and server-side scripting and creating database-driven dynamic pages. Assignments will include creating web pages using XHTML, JavaScript, PHP and SQL and will culminate in the development of a simple content management system with sub-systems for content entry, management and presentation. This course covers a wide spectrum of topics in moderate detail, rather than an in-depth focus on a specific area. It is particularly suited for current information systems professionals, managers with an information systems background and advanced students in a computer related program who wish to increase their understanding of web systems technologies.

Note: students should have regular access to a personal computer with access to the Web and will be required to install and use a text-based HTML editor, an FTP client and a variety of web browsers.

Prerequisites: the most critical prerequisite is a solid foundation in programming skills and practices, such as would be gained in Introduction to C++, Introduction to Object Oriented Programming: Java, etc. Students should also have a basic understanding of HTML and web publishing, such as is covered in Introduction to Web Publishing. A familiarity with database systems, especially SQL, would be helpful.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security

Alternatives to Incarceration
CHS-264644
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course examines the various options to traditional correctional institutions, as we know them today. The current system is often viewed as an antiquated caldron of government experiments grounded in the belief that isolating the inmate is best for the inmate and safest for society. Through this study, students will examine the myriad of models established at the local, state and federal levels of government, a system that criminologists often say has failed almost as much as individuals it was created to serve. Topics include: parole, probation, boot camps, substance abuse treatment centers, electronic monitoring, intensive supervision, house arrest, community service and day-reporting centers. In addition, students will analyze the major political and economic considerations of maintaining the current system within the 21st century. This course will consider a limited number of alternatives attempted outside American borders.

Prerequisite skills and knowledge: The student should have an understanding of the structure and functions of the various parts of the criminal justice system and the relationship of federal, state and local criminal-justice agencies, such as might be learned in a course in Introduction to Criminal Justice. Introductory study in sociology, psychology and/or human development is desirable but not required.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security

American Corrections

CHS-264624

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

The student will critically examine the intention and implementation of correctional policy and practices. To do this, the history of corrections will be traversed, taking into consideration the justification and effects of corrections. Using the historical development as a way of understanding current ideas, students will be asked to analyze contemporary methods, focusing again upon the justification and its impact upon the offender, future offenders, the Criminal Justice System and society. The student will read the assigned texts. In addition, there are a number of web sites that are used to illustrate key points and issues. One of the texts also comes with a CD-ROM which is intended to be used to intensify the lessons. The student will post research articles and books with a short critique and share resources with other students for the final paper. Graded discussions will give the opportunity for the student to participate actively and expand upon the information presented in the readings. Four brief papers and a position paper on the death penalty are required.

Prerequisite skills and knowledge: The student should have an understanding of the structure and functions of the various parts of the criminal justice system and the relationship of federal, state and local criminal-justice agencies, such as might be learned in a course in Introduction to Criminal Justice. This can be supported through work within the field of criminal justice, or related civil service fields. Introductory study in sociology, psychology and/or human development is desirable but not required.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the May 2014 term and was formerly offered as American Corrections: Theory, Policy and Practice. Students who have successfully completed 264614, should not enroll in this course.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Science

Bioterrorism
SMT-272112
2 credits, liberal study, lower level,
This eight-week course will cover the study of some biological organisms and toxins that may be used as weapons. This includes examining the type of organism (bacteria, virus, etc.) and the mechanism by which they are harmful. In the process, students will study the means by which their use can be prevented, appropriate defensive strategies and therapies that can be used to treat those who are affected by an attack. Not covered in this class are the social, governmental, economic or political aspects of bioterrorism.

Important note: This course will only run the first 8 weeks of the summer term.

Students obtaining Federal Direct loans: If you are only taking 8 week courses during the Summer term your student loans may be reduced or cancelled. Please visit our Web site at www.esc.edu/FinancialServices for more information.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security

Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
CHS-264614
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
The student will examine the criminal justice systems of England, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, China, and Japan in terms of the four families of law: Common Law, Civil Law, Socialist Law, and the Islamic (Sacred) Law. An analysis is made of the criminal procedure, constitutions, court systems, law enforcement agencies, and correction systems. Transnational crimes such as smuggling are examined as well as supranational courts. The course consists of eight modules with the final module consisting of a comprehensive research project. The student will learn the terms, reasons for comparing criminal justice systems, the basics of political culture vs. political justice, and basic values in the criminal justice systems, as well as the use of crime statistics.

Prerequisite skills and knowledge: The student should have an understanding of the structure and functions of the various parts of the criminal justice system and the relationship of federal, state and local criminal-justice agencies, such as might be learned in a course in Introduction to Criminal Justice and/or through extensive work within the field of criminal justice. Students should possess an advanced competency in formal, college level analytical writing, being able to examine facts and problems, analyze issues, research remedies, apply theoretical concepts, examine alternatives and formulate and communicate solutions. Additional previous coursework in introductory sociology, psychology and/or human development is desirable but not required.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security

Constitutional Criminal Procedure

CHS-263652

2 credits, liberal study, upper level,

In this eight-week course, students will become familiar with the constitutional issues and court rulings related to the arrest, search and seizure, detention, trial and incarceration of criminal defendants. The rights of prisoners and constitutional responsibilities of correctional institutions will also be studied and analyzed. The student will analyze and apply the law to hypothetical fact patterns and prepare written responses. The student will write short response papers, using internet resources to find statutory and case law, then analyze and summarize the research.

Prerequisite skills and knowledge: The student should be familiar with reading, analyzing and “briefing” legal cases, as might be learned in such introductory law courses as Introduction to Law and the Legal System or Legal Environment of Business.

Students obtaining Federal Direct loans: If you are only taking 8 week courses during the Summer term your student loans may be reduced or cancelled. Please visit our Web site at www.esc.edu/FinancialServices for more information.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Sociology

Contemporary American Social Issues
SOC-281214
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
What is the difference between a social issue and a social problem? Who decides that an issue is a social problem? This course uses a sociological perspective to explore a number of contemporary American problems in education, the family, health care, and criminal justice as well as issues of inequalities and deviance.

Prerequisites: "Exploring Society" or equivalent knowledge.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security

Courts and the Administration of Justice
CHS-263694
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Students will become familiar with the procedures, structures and functions of state and federal trial and appellate courts. Methods by which crimes are prosecuted and adjudicated in the courts will be examined; such controversial issues as plea-bargaining and the use of the death penalty will be analyzed; and special attention will be given to alternative methods of adjudicating criminal disputes, such as mediation, "drug courts" and restorative justice.

Prerequisite skills and knowledge: The student should be familiar with reading, analyzing and “briefing” legal cases, as might be learned in such introductory law courses as Introduction to Law and the Legal System or Legal Environment of Business.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Sociology

Crime and Intelligence Analysis

CHS-264664

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

The student will examine the emerging field of crime and intelligence analysis, with an emphasis on the local level of law enforcement. The student will synthesize information from various papers, relevant texts and selected websites regarding the development of analysis in law enforcement, obstacles to its growth, benefits of analyzing data and future applications of crime and intelligence analysis in efforts to reduce crime, prevent crime and apprehend criminals. Theories, concepts and applications of crime mapping and geographic and behavioral profiling will be examined.

Prerequisite skills and knowledge: The student should have an understanding of the structure and functions of the various parts of the criminal justice system and the relationship of federal, state and local criminal-justice agencies, such as might be learned in a course in Introduction to Criminal Justice. Basic knowledge of common information systems is also necessary to ensure success in this course.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security

Criminal Justice Management and Policy

CHS-263614

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

The student will examine and apply major concepts and foundations of management theory related to the planning, organizing, staffing, controlling and leading functions to related, but significantly different, sectors of the criminal justice system: police; courts, and corrections. Readings in general management, police, courts and corrections management will be required. The student will learn and apply the steps of successful policy planning, implementation and evaluation in various criminal-justice settings. Requires strong writing skills.

Prerequisite skills and knowledge: The student should have an understanding of the structure and functions of the various parts of the criminal justice system and the relationship of federal, state and local criminal-justice agencies, such as might be learned in a course in Introduction to Criminal Justice. Strong skills in writing and documenting work are required.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security

Criminal Law

CHS-263672

2 credits, liberal study, upper level,

In this eight-week course, students will become familiar with the history, philosophy and purposes of the criminal law as well as the elements of crimes in general and of specific crimes against the person, property, public order and public morals. Students will be required to analyze specific factual situations and apply those elements to determine whether specific crimes have been committed; the elements necessary to prove criminal defenses and the policies underlying them will also be examined and analyzed.

Prerequisite skills and knowledge: The student should be familiar with reading, analyzing and "briefing" legal cases, as might be learned in such introductory law courses as Introduction to Law and the Legal System or Legal Environment of Business. Familiarity with internet research will be expected.

Students obtaining Federal Direct loans: If you are only taking 8 week courses during the Summer term your student loans may be reduced or cancelled. Please visit our Web site at www.esc.edu/FinancialServices for more information.

Computers and Information Systems;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security

Cyber Crime and Computer Forensics
SMT-273614
4 credits,upper level,
Computer forensics is one of the fastest growing areas in computer security and law enforcement. Virtually every criminal investigation requires that any computer related to the investigation is seized and searched. Studies have shown that about 90 percent of human recording of words, images, sounds, etc is in digital format, making computer storage a gold mine for investigators. The expertise for conducting investigations requires knowledge ranging from disk structure, file formats, commercial software to investigation techniques and expert testimony. This course will provide an introduction to the field.

Note: students must have the ability to work at the upper-level; students must have the ability to install software and a computer on which they can install required software. It is recommended, but not required, that students have familiarity with criminal investigations, trial procedure and the legal system, such as that gained in law enforcement or from a course such as Introduction to Law and the Legal System or Introduction to Criminal Justice.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Sociology

Deviance and Social Control
SOC-263634
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Students will explore how societies and social groups come to define some behaviors and characteristics as deviant; patterns and explanations of social deviance among adults and youths (in areas such as violence, aggression, criminality, drug use, white-collar crime, academic deviance and variations in sexual conduct); and how societies and groups respond to social deviance. Alternative social science theories about such behavior are compared and contrasted.� Research methodologies and findings in recent social-science literature are examined and interpreted.

Recommended prerequisites include: Introduction to Criminal Justice or Exploring Society or Introduction to Psychology or equivalents.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the September 2007 term and was formerly offered as Psycho-Social Issues in Deviant Behavior. Students who have successfully completed 263634 should not enroll in this course. This course was titled Deviant Behavior from 2007 to January 2014.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Emergency Management;Human Development;Human Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Sociology

Disaster and Society
SOC-283434
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
What is a disaster? How do social structures, groups and institutions react to the loss of social function as a result of natural, technological, or sociopolitical events? This upper level course explores social effects of disaster from both a macro and a micro level of analysis, using social theories of organizational behavior, political sociology, community development, religion, urban planning, and rural sociology that inform the field of disaster research.

Prerequisites: Upper-level standing with advanced-level critical thinking, reading, research and writing skills. A previous study (or equivalent knowledge) in social theory or structure is desirable, but not mandatory.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security

Ethical Dilemmas in Criminal Justice
CHS-264502
2 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course explores ethics from the perspective of real-life dilemmas and decisions that criminal justice and public safety professionals face every day. Although the thrust of this course is applied professional ethics, it is designed to help students from any discipline or profession to develop the knowledge and acquire the learning that will help them understand the process of ethical decision-making. The content of this course is particularly relevant to discussions of governmental responses to terrorism and threats of terrorism in a post-911 democracy.

Prerequisite skills and knowledge: Familiarity with ethical theories and concepts, such as might be studied in Introduction to Ethics, is needed, as well as an understanding of the structure and functions of the various parts of the criminal justice system and the relationship of federal, state and local criminal-justice agencies, such as might be learned in a course in Introduction to Criminal Justice.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Family Studies;Human Services;Psychology

Family Violence and Abuse

HDV-283314

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

Develop a broad overview of the social problem of family violence. Includes physical and sexual abuse of children, neglect, sibling abuse, dating violence, marital violence, sexual violence against women and elder abuse. For each category of abuse, discover the historical factors regarding its identification as a social problem. Understand contributing factors and dynamics, consequences for victims and perpetrators and social policy and intervention issues. The student will read one textbook, read a number of commentaries and online resources and view a film. Assignments include topic quizzes, position papers, research essays, a two-part project and discussion participation.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Psychology

Forensic Psychology
HDV-284164
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This upper level course examines the evolving field of forensic psychology. It is designed to provide a comprehensive insight into the complex relationship of psychology, criminology and law. The course examines the clinical and legal framework of forensic psychology and includes such topics as the insanity defense, the assessment of potential recruits to the police service and the role and status of "expert" testimony.

Prerequisites: Completion of Introduction to Psychology/General Psychology and Introduction to Criminal Justice (or equivalent) Completion of a course in Abnormal Psychology or its equivalent is strongly recommended or can be taken concurrently with this course.

Computers and Information Systems;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security

Information Assurance
SMT-273494
4 credits,upper level,
A well-rounded knowledge of the managerial aspects of information security and assurance, including policy issues is a very important component of information technology. In this course, students will learn about security governance; organizational needs; security risks, including physical, infrastructure, and human threats; and options for addressing those risks.

Prerequisite: An understanding of data communications and computer network models (such as one would gain in an upper-level networking study), database systems and database administration concepts (such as one would gain in a database study), and web technologies and related applications (such as one would gain in a web systems study).

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security

Introduction to Criminal Justice
CHS-262604
4 credits, liberal study, lower level,
The student will discover the theories of crime and criminals, as well as society's understanding of the concepts and treatment of criminals. The nature of crime, problems in the assessment of crime and the administration of the segments of the criminal justice system will be explored. The course is organized into five sections: (1) Crime in America (2) Policing; (3) Adjudication; (4)Corrections; and (5) Special Issues. The student will complete five essays drawing on the assigned readings and additional research and engage in four major discussions activities and a pro-con debate on the use of public and secret surveillance systems.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security

Introduction to Law and the Legal System
CHS-261102
2 credits, liberal study, lower level,
Students will be introduced to the structures, purposes and jurisdiction of state and federal courts and the roles of lawyers, lay persons, judges and jurors in civil, criminal, administrative and alternative justice systems. Rudimentary skills in briefing cases and legal research and analysis will be developed. The student will be required to undertake a limited amount of research, using the internet. Participation in class debates and discussions will be mandated. The modules contain short quizzes designed to test student progress. The student will also write short papers and brief selected decisions, following a format that is used throughout the legal education world.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security

Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
CHS-264604
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Examine in depth the nature, causes and control of juvenile delinquency. Evaluate the major theories of the causes of delinquency, focusing on sociological theories. Explore the juvenile justice system, its aims, actors and processes. Analyze current programs and policies directed at the prevention, treatment and control of delinquency.

Prerequisite skills and knowledge: The student should have an understanding of the structure and functions of the various parts of the criminal justice system and the relationship of federal, state and local criminal-justice agencies, such as might be learned in a course in Introduction to Criminal Justice.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security

Mental Health and the Law

CHS-264514

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

This study will familiarize the student with the procedures that the civil and criminal law uses to address the treatment of individuals with mental disabilities, including guardianship for those determined unable to manage their property or their welfare, those deemed a danger to themselves or others, those incompetent to stand trial and those not responsible for criminal behavior. The increasing role of the police and correctional institutions in dealing with these individuals will be examined, including the right of mentally-disabled persons to treatment and their right to refuse treatment. Assignments include quizzes, written papers, research essays, a course project, and discussion participation.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs;Sociology

Perspectives on Terrorism
CHS-264684
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course explores the history, politics, psychology, and social policy of terrorism. Students examine possible connections between philosophical discourse, social change, and the psychology of fear related to acts or threatened acts of terrorism.

Prerequisite: prior college-level learning in world history or world politics.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Sociology

Privacy, Security and Freedom: Social Concerns for the 21st Century
SOC-283274
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
The sociological and philosophical exploration of the questions of privacy, security and freedom in the 21st Century in the context of both the theory and practical, policy-oriented aspects of these social concerns. This study will include an examination of some of the concepts of political and social philosophy, such as private vs. public domains, the individual and the state, freedom, political obligation and their relevance to contemporary society and government, with a particular focus on the Patriot Act, the Homeland Security Act and Total Information Awareness/Terrorism Information Awareness.

Note: students should be prepared to do upper-level work.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security

Protecting America: Cases and Controversies
CHS-264824
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Review contemporary issues of policy, law and ethics in criminal justice and homeland security, including drug policy and enforcement, gun regulation, racial profiling, new challenges in homeland security, cameras in the courtroom, the insanity defense, the privatization of prisons, the incarceration of juvenile offenders and the consequences to civil liberties of the fight against terrorism. This course is intended as a capstone study for students in criminal justice and homeland security.

Note: This course has a required video component.

Prerequisite skills and knowledge: The student should have an understanding of the structure and functions of the various parts of the criminal justice system and the relationship of federal, state and local criminal-justice agencies, such as might be learned in a course in Introduction to Criminal Justice. The student should be able to examine facts and problems, analyze issues, research possible remedies, apply theoretical concepts, examine alternatives and formulate and communicate solutions. Familiarity with reading, analyzing and “briefing” legal cases, as might be learned in such introductory law courses as Introduction to Law and the Legal System or Legal Environment of Business, is also necessary to ensure success in this course. Strong skills in writing and documenting work are required.

Aging and Gerontology;Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Anthropology;Communications and Media;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Health Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Sociology;Women's Studies

Qualitative Social Science Research: Design and Methods

SOC-284534

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

Qualitative social science research utilizes inductive approaches to explore and understand human behaviors, social interactions, and the construction of social reality. This course examines the ways social scientists ethically formulate questions, collect and analyze data, and present their findings. Students will apply this knowledge by writing a formal research proposal, conducting fieldwork, using visual and/or narrative analysis.

Prerequisites: At least one introductory course in the discipline of a social science concentration.

Note: Students may receive credit for EITHER Survey for Social Science Research Methods OR Qualitative Research: Design and Methods.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Important Note: This course was renamed effective the May 2014 term and was formerly offered as Qualitative Research: Design and Methods. Students who have successfully completed 284534 should not enroll in this course.

Aging and Gerontology;Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Communications and Media;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Health Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Psychology;Sociology;Women's Studies

Quantitative Research: Design and Methods
SOC-283604
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course enables students to understand and conduct systematic inquiries on social and behavioral topics, using quantitative social science research methods. Major topics include hypothesis development, causation, the logic of inquiry, research ethics, conceptualization and measurement, quantitative research design and data collection, and data analysis and interpretation. The course requires the use of advanced-level thinking skills, including analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

Recommended prerequisites include: at least one course in a social science discipline. A working knowledge of statistics is useful but not required; statistical analysis of data using SPSS is a required part of the course.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in social sciences.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security

Sexual Offending: Assessment and Treatment

HDV-284994

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

The advanced level course covers a multitude of topics and is the cause of tremendous conflict and debate. The course content is tied intimately to biology, psychology, forensics, and to interpersonal relationships. This course attempts to give students a modern perspective in the field, as well as to show how this topic must be studied in a diverse and ever-changing world. The course attempts to help students develop critical thinking skills, while bringing a greater understanding of the issues, attitudes and behaviors associated with sexual offending. In particular, each student will study and evaluate various theories of sexual offending and treatment and will assess actual cases of sex offending with respect to the likelihood for re-offense using static and dynamic risk factors and other measures currently applicable in the field. Students also will learn about assessment and treatment of those in special populations, such as those who offend as juveniles, those with cognitive impairments and those with significant psychiatric issues. In addition, each student will study the gender differences in sex offender recidivism.

Prerequisites: Completion of General Psychology/Introduction to Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Human Sexuality (or equivalent course). Completion of or concurrently taking a course in Forensic Psychology is strongly recommended.

Aging and Gerontology;Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Anthropology;Communications and Media;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Early Childhood Studies;Emergency Management;Family Studies;Fire Protection;Gender Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Psychology;Sociology;Women's Studies

Survey of Social Science Research Methods
SOC-283424
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Social research provides answers to questions about people and the social settings and systems in which they are involved. This social science research course introduces the fundamentals of qualitative and quantitative research methods. Students learn how to formulate a viable research question, collect and analyze data, understand the ethical issues of social science research, and write a formal research proposal.

Note: This course has a required SPSS component.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Sociology

Terrorism and Homeland Security

CHS-264844

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

This survey course provides a comprehensive look into the complex issues surrounding terrorism and homeland security. It will explore the relationship between terrorism and homeland security, the origins and criminology of modern-day domestic and international terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and the impact of terrorism on national security policy. Additional examination will explore such areas as cyber terrorism, terrorism and the media, civil liberties and the bureaucracy of federal, state and local governments.

Prerequisite skills and knowledge: The student should have an understanding of the structure and functions of the various parts of the criminal justice system and the relationship of federal, state and local criminal-justice agencies, such as might be learned in a course in Introduction to Criminal Justice. They should also be able to examine facts and problems, analyze issues, research remedies, apply theoretical concepts, examine alternatives and formulate and communicate solutions.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security

Understanding Crime and Justice

CHS-263604

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

The student will examine criminological theories that attempt to explain crime and criminal behavior and will consider theories of justice, particularly as they apply to the rights and restoration of victims, offenders and the community at large. As part of this examination, they will consider the methods that social scientists use to explore the causes and nature of crime, including observation, hypothesis development, measurement and data collection, experimentation, evaluation of evidence and employment of mathematical and interpretive analysis.

Prerequisite skills and knowledge: The student should have an understanding of the structure and functions of the various parts of the criminal justice system and the relationship of federal, state and local criminal-justice agencies, such as might be learned in a course in Introduction to Criminal Justice.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security

Women, Crime and Criminology
SOC-283414
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Rates of female (girls and women) offending and incarceration have greatly exceeded those of males (boys and men) in recent years. This course explores relatively recent research on socioeconomic and demographic patterns of female offending, as well as the theoretical explanations offered to explain the historical lack of both theory and research on this very important topic. The reluctance of society to recognize the increased prevalence of female offending; the special treatment and correctional needs of female offenders; and the criminal justice system’s attempts to apply theories and treatments based on males to females are explored as well.

Prerequisites include: Introduction to Criminal Justice or Exploring Society or Introduction to Women's Studies or equivalents.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Aging and Gerontology;Critical Thinking;Educational Studies;Educational Planning;Human Development;Human Services;Sociology

Adults as Learners: Theories and Strategies
HDV-283184
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This 4-credit advanced-level course provides a thorough treatment of adults as learners, making use of key learning theories, research on adult learning and relevant strategies for understanding adults as learners. This course is appropriate for students who approach Human Development from a learning perspective; who are (or will be) involved with adult learners in academia, communities, or business; and who, as adult learners, wish to reflect on their personal process. The focus of the course is on approaches to adult learning and associated learning strategies. The primary perspectives covered in the course are: Critical Pedagogy; Communities of Learning and Practice; Adult Development; and Systems of Learning. Major theorists from each perspective will be reviewed in some detail. Students will have the opportunity to relate a particular learning environment to one or more theory/perspective of personal interest to them.

Prerequisites: A foundational course in the social sciences and upper level critical thinking skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Critical Thinking;Cultural Studies;Economics;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs;Sociology

Contemporary Global Social Issues
SOC-284544
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Contemporary Global Social Issues explores various social problems that cross national boundaries and their effects on society. This course begins by examining the definitions of social problems and globalization. Students then investigate a number of issues that have a global scope including sovereignty, food production, militarized conflicts, human rights, global climate change, transnational migration and work, and transnational social movements.

Prerequisites: at least one course in the discipline of a social science concentration. Upper level college reading and writing skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Critical Thinking;Cultural Studies;Educational Planning;Philosophy and Religious Studies

Introduction to Critical Thinking
EDU-232312
2 credits, liberal study, lower level,
This course offers concepts basic to critical thinking (clear communication, persuasion, argument, fact and opinion, etc.) in a real-world, problem-solving context geared toward working adults. Students will learn how to approach issues and problems in a reasoned way, considering purpose, language, awareness of argument structure and other concepts. Students will be expected to apply critical thinking to real-world decision-making (e.g., cases dealing with different employee perspectives at work, managing a staff reduction plan, developing a small business strategy), and to cases that they are currently confronting in their own work, community and/or personal situations. Students will participate in discussions; define, recognize, analyze and evaluate sample arguments; apply critical thinking strategies to real-world situations; and write their own arguments, applying concepts and processes of critical thinking.

Critical Thinking;Math and Quantitative Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Writing: Expository and Creative

Introduction to Proof and Logic
SMT-272164
4 credits, liberal study, lower level,
Logic is an essential underpinning for many other fields which rely on analytical reasoning. This multidisciplinary study offers an introduction to formal logic and methods of proof. A particular emphasis will be placed on clear exposition in proof-writing, strategies in approach for the construction of mathematical proofs, and critical reflection on proof composition and methodology.

This study is intended to facilitate the transition to studies in advanced-level undergraduate mathematics. Students interested in various other fields that require strong analytical skills, like computer science and the law, might also be interested in this course.

Note: This course delves more deeply into formal logic than the Introduction to Critical Thinking course. In particular, it will introduce the formal definitions and rules necessary for: creating well-formed formulae; translating natural language into a logical formalism; assessing truth functionality; assessing argument forms; determining valid inferences; recognizing validity and soundness. This foundation will prepare students to think mathematically and can also improve their argumentation and debate skills in other contexts.

Prerequisites: Pre-calculus is strongly recommended and may be taken concurrently.

Critical Thinking;Educational Planning

Making Time: Time Management and the Sociocultural Construction of Time
EDU-231402
2 credits, liberal study, lower level,
In today's busy world, managing one's time for studies, for work, for family, for leisure, and for other responsibilities is seldom an easy task. Yet, an important factor in student success in college is finding ways to manage sufficient quality time for study. In this educational planning course, students reflect on their time-management skills through an introduction to humanities and social science scholarship about time. It combines practical assignments for students to reflect on and analyze their own time-management skills with academic readings and assignments that consider "time" from sociocultural, sociohistorical perspectives. In this regard, it also aims to help students consider how to integrate academic theories with everyday "real life" practice. Some of the theoretical questions considered may include: How have people in different cultures perceived, measured, or managed time? How do the ways people handle their time correlate with certain social, cultural, and historical changes? What kinds of demands does our contemporary sociohistorical context put on our time and how we manage it? How might women be affected by time differently than men? CDL matriculated students can use this course as part of their Educational Planning credit.

Note: This is a fifteen-week 2-credit course.

Critical Thinking;Educational Planning;Human Development

Reflective Learning
EDU-233022
2 credits, liberal study, upper level,
How do you learn? Knowledge about learning styles can make a significant difference in motivation, effectiveness, speed and depth of learning. In this eight-week course, you will have the opportunity to briefly learn about cultural contexts of learning styles, sensory processes associated with various modes of learning, and possible applications of this knowledge in your personal, interpersonal and professional lives. through your analysis of your own learning preferences and their impact on your studies, this course fulfills the requirements for Educational Planning. You will evaluate how to make use of this knowledge in your life and the lives of those whom you influence. Multimedia will be used wherever possible in the course and accepted as assignments, with permission of the instructor.

Note: this course has a required CD-ROM component.

For students receiving NYS financial aid: If you are taking 8 week courses during a 15 week term, you must have at least one 15 week course in the term to maintain eligibility for a NY State TAP award.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Communications and Media;Critical Thinking;Gender Studies;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Women's Studies

Women, Girls and the Media
CUL-224114
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
In this course, students will examine the portrayals of women and teenage girls in the media. Each student will choose which particular media to examine, choosing to examine magazines, newspapers, television, film, popular music and/or the Internet along with the advertising that supports so many of these. Students may pursue such topics as race and ethnic issues, class issues, working women v. motherhood, body images of teen, younger and older women, disability, and sexuality. They may focus on American culture or on the global needs of women.

For students new to the field of media studies, this course provides an opportunity to examine media particularly in terms of how women and girls are portrayed by the culture industries.

For those students who have taken courses such as Visual Literacy, Television and Culture, American Cinema, Images of Women in Western Civilization or other media or gender-related courses, they can further pursue the topics they considered in those courses. These students will be expected to examine images of women in a deeper and more nuanced way than they did in those courses.

Students concentrating in communications or media fields have the opportunity to research those fields and particular woman leaders involved in them or issues that women in those media face.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Cultural Studies;Environmental Studies;History and Civilizations

African History and Culture
HIS-243344
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
A multidisciplinary approach to Africa. Colonization and its impact provide historical context. A geographical framework encourages students to individualize their learning through case studies of two of the following five areas: East Africa, West Africa, North Africa, South Africa and Central Africa. A research project enables students to correlate their geographical case studies to a choice of topical issues: AIDS, the environment, family and kinship, women and development, religion or literature. Particular attention is devoted to contemporary ethnic conflict. The course concludes with an examination of trends and prospects for the future of Africa.

Learning activities include multidisciplinary readings (anthropological, economic, historical, political and sociological), instructor and student facilitated discussions, case studies, short essays and a research paper. Students also follow contemporary news reports from Africa. Students individualize their learning through selections that synthesize their studies of the human ecology and colonial legacy of Africa; post-colonial African societies; and Africa as part of a global system.

Recommended: World History 1, World History 2 or equivalent. Advanced level research and writing skills are expected of this upper level course.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the March 2008 term and was formerly offered as Africa and Its Peoples. Students who have successfully completed 243344 should not enroll in this course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Other World Civilizations.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies;History and Civilizations

American Popular Music in the Twentieth Century
ART-223414
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
What are the roots of the music that Americans listen to today? How have the ways Americans listen to music changed and how have these changes affected musical tastes and listening habits? Are songs that Americans listen to creations of commercial enterprises, individual artists or products of a cultural environment? As a nation composed of many different cultures that have influenced each other, America has produced many forms of music known as uniquely “American.” Students in this course will explore the origins and development variety of the musical styles listened to in America. They will examine the impact of a myriad of cultural influences: commercial, economic, technological and social upon the development of American popular music. The course will allow students a great deal of choice in their exploration of musical history. They will engage in interactive discussions including the creation and exchange of playlists. Students will also have the option to access the course through their mobile devices. Although a smart phone is not required for the course, students that do have a smart phone with a data plan will be able to interact with the course the same way they listen to their music, on the go.

Prerequisites: advanced level reading, writing and research skills

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in The Arts.

Cultural Studies;Environmental Studies

An Introduction to Culture
SOC-242404
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
In this introductory study, students will examine, share, and expand their individual understandings of and interests in culture. Broadly defined for this study, "culture" refers to the diversely basic beliefs and activities by which groups of human beings understand, make meaningful, and sustain common experiences. Every student will begin with a common reading taken from anthropology (an academic discipline devoted to the study of cultures): Paul Rabinow’s Reflections on Fieldwork in Morocco. Then, students will investigate their own themes and questions about culture by using items from pertinent reading lists representing a variety of endeavors and academic disciplines (anthropology, sociology, and social psychology, as well as history, philosophy, and literature). This study is meant to be individualized, in collaboration with the mentor, so that all students can follow their own curiosity. It is also organized as an "online seminar" so that all participants can learn from each other. Thus, combining individual inquiry and common discussion, the participants can create a diverse learning community, a "culture," of their own.

Note: each student will be responsible for obtaining some of the additional individualized reading materials from a library, local bookstore, or other source. The Rabinow text is available at the Empire State College Bookstore.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Cultural Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies

An Introduction to Philosophy
CUL-222224
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course introduces students to some of (primarily Western) philosophy's major concepts and questions, such as: "Can we distinguish right from wrong? (How?)" "Does God exist?" "What is real?" "Should we consider scientific knowledge to be truth?" Students will gain familiarity with several prominent figures in the history of philosophy and read brief excerpts of philosophical texts. Students will discuss philosophically with fellow learners, and they will develop or practice critical-thinking skills for analyzing and writing about experiences and issues philosophically.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Cultural Studies;History and Civilizations

Asian American Experience
HIS-244294
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course explores the history and experience of Asian Americans within the framework of American history. Students will investigate how, when and why various groups of Asians migrated to America; the impact of law, economics, politics, religion, and cultural differences upon the formation of Asian American cultures; the evolution and impact of stereotypes surrounding Asians; how major trends in American history affected Asian Americans; and major concerns of different groups of Asian Americans today. Students will seek to understand the complexities of these topics in different time periods, for different Asian cultures, and for Asian men versus Asian women.

Prerequisites: Upper-level reading, writing, research and computer skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in America History.

Cultural Studies

Caribbean History and Culture
HIS-244224
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course is designed to give students' a broad understanding of the history and culture of the peoples of the Caribbean. Utilizing an interdisciplinary approach, the course will examine the many facets of Caribbean society through a humanities lens. The course will enhance students abilities to think logically and respond critically to a range of both primary and secondary historical evidence and broaden students awareness on the variety of contemporary and historical issues and interpretations relevant to the Caribbean. Additionally, students will be asked to subscribe to Netflix.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Other World Civilizations.

Cultural Studies;Early Childhood Studies;Literature

Children's Literature: Advanced
CUL-224524
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
The figure of the child is striking for its ability to exemplify the competing demands of the culture which invents it. At once, children embody both our most precious fantasies and our worst fears; as "blank slates," children are particularly suited--at least fictively--to serve as proxies in our cultural debates. Recent scholarship in children's literature is increasingly interested in the ways that representations of childhood participate in, but also resist, our very ideas about childhood itself. In this course, we will examine the ways that children's literature is central to the ways that cultural values are disseminated, but also the ways that literature--like poorly behaved children--can fail to be contained by the constraints of the genre which aims to normalize it.

In addition to reading widely in the genre and participating in class discussion, students will be expected to write a short reflection essay, three short critical essays, and a final research paper.

Prerequisite skills and knowledge: the introductory level Children’s Literature course is not a prerequisite for the course at the advanced level, though students who have taken the introductory course may take it for credit at the advanced course as well. Students may find an introductory study in literature such as Introduction to Literature or its equivalent and a study in academic writing helpful. This course assumes that students can construct substantiated and rhetorically effective arguments about literature, produce clear and correct prose appropriate to advanced-level studies, and document sources correctly.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Cultural Studies;Early Childhood Studies;Literature

Children's Literature: Introductory
CUL-222514
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course is designed for two primary purposes: 1) for students to learn about the many types of literary works for children (e.g., oral and written, historical and contemporary), their purpose and their audience, and 2) for students to learn how to read children's literature as literature, to analyze, critique, and evaluate quality in children's literature. Students will also read widely in different types of literature for children (e.g., fiction, non-fiction, poetry, picture books, young child through young adult literature). Although developing a broad and deep understanding of children's literature as a specialized classification of world literature is the main goal of this course, students will also investigate the ways in which literature may be used by educators, therapists, counselors, parents, and others whose professional practices involve children. Students will read course texts and independently chosen works, participate in class discussion, keep a reading journal, and complete four short and one longer paper.

Please note: a course in Children’s Literature is offered at the advanced level as well, and students may include both courses on a degree plan.

Anthropology;Cultural Studies;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Sociology;Women's Studies

Contemporary Global Migration: Gender and Family

SOC-283214

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

Millions of people make their home and livelihood in a country that is not their birthplace. This course explores migration today through the lens of gender. We will examine how contemporary migration affects family life both for those who migrate and for those left behind. What happens to family dynamics when they migrate together? How are relations maintained with those left behind? Migration also changes gender relations, expectations and intimacy among migrant men and women. How are men’s and women’s gendered selves transformed by migration? Gender is a central feature shaping who migrates, how they migrate and to where they migrate. This course explores these gendered flows of people across the globe considering the role of global economic inequalities in shaping these mobilities. While most of the readings and materials focus on transnational migration to the US, some materials address migration to Europe, Asia and other regions.

Prerequisites: At least one course in a social science discipline (anthropology, sociology, political science,etc.) is recommended. Upper level college reading and writing skills.

Critical Thinking;Cultural Studies;Economics;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs;Sociology

Contemporary Global Social Issues
SOC-284544
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Contemporary Global Social Issues explores various social problems that cross national boundaries and their effects on society. This course begins by examining the definitions of social problems and globalization. Students then investigate a number of issues that have a global scope including sovereignty, food production, militarized conflicts, human rights, global climate change, transnational migration and work, and transnational social movements.

Prerequisites: at least one course in the discipline of a social science concentration. Upper level college reading and writing skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Anthropology;Arts: Visual and Performing;Communications and Media;Cultural Studies

Documenting Community Arts and Traditions
ART-224314
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Students will learn concepts of folklore and use a range of fieldwork methods to study and document community arts and traditions. Emphasis will be on material culture, verbal art, and belief systems of the local communities. The course will begin with an overview of key concepts, genres, and ethics in folklore studies. Students then will learn fieldwork methods such as interviewing, participant observation, visual and audio documentation, and representation/reporting. Concurrently, students will be expected to carry out a project to practice these fieldwork documentation methods at their own local community. Through regular online discussion of the course readings and individual project, students will also engage with critical issues that arise in the context of conducting local fieldwork. Projects could deal with any of the wide array of local or everyday life artistic expression and traditions that sustain communities: regional arts and crafts, festival/fair, rituals, jokes, proverbs of community elders, regional foodways, and so on. At the end of the course, students will develop a fieldwork portfolio including all the (digitalized) raw material collected from the field, field notes, a well crafted example of visual or audio documentation (e.g., photographic documentation, short video documentation, audio-recording/reporting), and a final culminating report.

Note that this course emphasizes practical exercise of research methodology in the field of folklore studies: interview, visual and audio documentation, and reporting. The primary audience for this course includes students interested in cultural studies, folklore studies, public history, journalism, community services, and the arts. In addition, a student in gender studies could use this course as an opportunity to research some aspect of women's creativity and culture in the local community. Or, a student in Community and Human Services might focus on the role of a regional arts organization in promoting the well-being of the community. Alternatively, a Labor Studies student could study some aspect of working class lore in the local community.

Prerequisites: Camera and audio recorders are required. No prior knowledge of folklore or art is assumed or required. Time, equipment, and ability to conduct a fieldwork project at the local community are crucial.

NOTE: Audio editing software is required only for students who choose to produce an audio project. Video recorder and editing software are required only for students who choose to produce a short video project.

Cultural Studies;Environmental Studies;Literature

Exploring Place: Humanities
CUL-224764
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This is an advanced-level research course in which students, with guidance from the instructor, propose and carry out their own semester-long, self-directed, in-depth research agendas.

Thinking of place as a community in a geographical location or physical environment, this interdisciplinary humanities course seeks to offer an opportunity for a place-based approach to cultural studies. Explore culture of and/or about the place you live (or some other place of interest), whether you define that place as a neighborhood, a whole village or town or city, a geographical region, or a watershed. Research, for example, literature about a place, local literary or other cultural genres or practices such as song texts sung at local coffee shops, regionally published poetry, essays in local newspapers, proverbs of community elders, local storytellers, regional foodways, or local festivals. Examine a variety of humanities methodologies from the language arts, literature, communications, folklore and cultural anthropology, for engaging with representations of place and place-based cultural practices.

Collaborate with other students interested in culture, the arts and history to learn concepts for thinking about place as a process, as a coming together of nature and culture, of the local and global and of issues ranging from gender, class, ethnicity and the environment to modernization, conservation and preservation. Design and share with peers the results of your own projects about culture and the place you are interested in. "Visit" one another's place online as part of a cross-place comparison. Some of the reading materials for this course have been predetermined and are available at the bookstore. However, each student, in consultation with the instructor, will be responsible at the outset of the course for proposing a set of individualized, place-specific research topics that will comprise the bulk of their work throughout the term. (For example, a project might require acquiring a scholarly book and a popular book about your place in order to analyze and compare how they represent its landscape.) Each student will be responsible for acquiring (borrowing or purchasing) in a timely fashion the books and materials necessary for these projects. Such materials are not available at the bookstore.

Students and mentors should note that the highly-individualized approach of this course can enable students to develop projects that support a particular personal interest or degree program need that is not directly motivated by an interest in the humanities per se. For example, a student who is interested in Labor Studies could choose to develop their projects in this course entirely around the question of "working class culture" in his or her community. Or, a student in Community and Human Services could focus for the entire term on the role of regional cultural organizations on the well-being of his or her local community.

Note: this course overlaps with Exploring Place: Arts and Exploring Place: History. Students interested more in the artistic cultural aspects (including visual culture, say, or music) of place should take Exploring Place: Arts. No more than one of these three should be included in a degree program.

No formal prerequisites, but considering the flexibility and individualization of research and exploration involved, students must be comfortable working at the upper-level in terms of reading, writing and research skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Cultural Studies;History and Civilizations

Fashion in U.S. History
HIS-243194
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This study will survey the ways in which fashion in the United States has been shaped by major developments in American history. Beginning with the development of the textile industry, this course will place fashion and the fashion industry within social, cultural and economic frameworks, and will cover a variety of topics including: industrialization, immigration, "becoming American", labor movements, gender and the women's movement, class differentiations, haute couture, consumer culture, and the influence of the entertainment industry and globalization on American fashion. Students will develop an understanding of the trajectory of fashion in American history, which will require both a knowledge of various aspects of fashion and fashion industry and of major trends in American history. Students will gain theoretical and concrete knowledge of how fashion "works" within the context of American history - what purposes it serves, how it changes, how it reflects culture, and how it may be analyzed as a cultural and historical text.

Prerequisites: Advanced-level reading, writing, computer and research skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in American History.

Cultural Studies;Environmental Studies

Food and Drink in Cultural Context: Advanced
CUL-223604
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This interdisciplinary course offers an advanced-level introduction to humanities approaches to the study of culture using the topic of "food" as its primary focus. By viewing food (and drink) both as cultural practice and cultural expression, students may learn about such concepts as: cultural identity, values, practice, experience, language/meaning, and aesthetics. The course provides opportunities to survey various humanities approaches through the lens of food, including those of literature, folklore studies, cultural anthropology, cultural criticism, and more. It considers food in terms of such issues as gender, race/ethnicity, class, environmentalism, consumerism, and regionalism/nationalism.

In addition to readings and discussions, the course centers around student-initiated inquiry into a food and culture issue of the student's own interest and choosing, from one or more humanities perspectives. Students may conduct such inquiries as individuals or as part of a voluntarily-convened student team. Therefore, students have a lot of freedom to individualize their research and assignments in accordance with their particular interests. For example, a student who is pursuing a degree in literary studies might choose to do all of his or her written assignments on representations of food in literature, whereas an arts student might focus on food and film. Students in the social sciences might focus more on the sociology or anthropology of foodways. Students in health services might develop projects that consider the cultural politics of food and nutrition, whereas a student in marketing might look closely at representations of food and culture in the media and advertising. The most important restriction that students and mentors should be aware of is that students' assignments must focus on food and drink from a social or cultural perspective, as this is a humanities course. (Thus, for example, it would not be appropriate to do work on the science of nutrition per se. Consideration of the ethics or politics of nutrition science, however, would be perfectly acceptable.) The aforementioned examples are just examples, simply meant to give a sense of the range of actual possibilities.

This advanced level study intends to help students gain practice and skill in conducting academic inquiry and presumes that the student has already achieved introductory-level facility with college reading, writing, and research. There is also a lower-level version of this course, which might be considered by students who are not yet prepared to take on advanced-level academic inquiry/research.

Important Note: students should not include Food and Drink in Cultural Context twice in an ESC degree program. This course can only be taken once, either at the lower-level or at the upper-level.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Cultural Studies;Environmental Studies

Food and Drink in Cultural Context: Introductory
CUL-222604
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This interdisciplinary course offers an introduction to humanities approaches to the study of culture using the topic of "food" as its primary focus. By viewing food (and drink) both as cultural practice and cultural expression, students may learn about such concepts as: cultural identity, values, practice, experience, language/meaning, and aesthetics. The course provides opportunities to survey various humanities approaches through the lens of food, including those of literature, folklore studies, cultural anthropology, cultural criticism, and more. It considers food in terms of such issues as gender, race/ethnicity, class, environmentalism, consumerism, and regionalism/nationalism.

In addition to readings and discussions, the course centers around student-initiated inquiry into a food and culture issue of the student's own interest and choosing, from one or more humanities perspectives. Students may conduct such inquiries as individuals or as part of a voluntarily-convened student team. Therefore, students have a lot of freedom to individualize their research and assignments in accordance with their particular interests. For example, a student who is pursuing a degree in literary studies might choose to do all of his or her written assignments on representations of food in literature, whereas an arts student might focus on food and film. Students in the social sciences might focus more on the sociology or anthropology of foodways. Students in health services might develop projects that consider the cultural politics of food and nutrition, whereas a student in marketing might look closely at representations of food and culture in the media and advertising. The most important restriction that students and mentors should be aware of is that students' assignments must focus on food and drink from a social or cultural perspective, as this is a humanities course. (Thus, for example, it would not be appropriate to do work on the science of nutrition per se. Consideration of the ethics or politics of nutrition science, however, would be perfectly acceptable.) The aforementioned examples are just examples, simply meant to give a sense of the range of actual possibilities.

This introductory level study intends to help students gain practice and skill in conducting academic inquiry and does not presume that the student has already achieved mastery. There is also an upper-level version of this course, which might be considered by students who are prepared to take on more advanced-level academic inquiry/research.

Important Note: students should not include Food and Drink in Cultural Context twice in an ESC degree program. This course can only be taken once, either at the lower-level or at the upper-level.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies;Gender Studies;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs

Hip-Hop America: The Evolution of a Cultural Movement
HIS-243554
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
How do history and hip-hop connect? This course explores that question through a study of hip-hop in the U.S. The course will begin with a look at the 1970s Bronx, where hip-hop originated, and will then journey across New York City and the United States, exploring how the beats and breaks of the Bronx evolved into both an artistic genre as well as a political and cultural movement. We will study 1) the social conditions of the 1970s Bronx that enabled the emergence of hip-hop; 2) the 1980s growth of the genre through the commercialization of rap; 3) the early 21st century uses of hip-hop as a vehicle for political organizing, education, community outreach, and entrepreneurialism in cities across the U.S.; 4) the challenge of balancing the political potential of hip-hop against the commercial context of popular arts; and 5) the harnessing of hip-hop by churches and other religious organizations as a vehicle for personal uplift and empowerment.

Students who enroll in this highly interactive class will visit virtual renditions of historic hip-hop sites; participate in conversations with hip-hop artists; listen to and carry out interviews with hip-hop community activists; conduct field based explorations of hip-hop activities in their own communities; analyze connections between hip-hop and race, ethnicity, gender and class; and experiment with creative expression through the writing and podcasting of spoken word poetry.

Prerequisites: Some prior background in U.S. history or political science is recommended

Cultural Studies

History of Sexuality
HIS-244534
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Sex is a matter of intense interest, both personally and academically. This course is about sexuality and the way it has been represented, perceived, and experienced from the nineteenth century through to the present. We will consider the ways that sexuality has been defined and how it defines categories of identity. Using history, literature, and theory, we will come to a clearer understanding of the ways that sexuality, as a category, has changed over time. Through readings and discussion, we will consider the cultural history of sexuality and its impact on the current sexual climate.

Prerequisites: the ability to think, read, and write at an advanced level. A course in gender, sexuality, or psychology would be helpful but there are no specific prerequisite courses.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies

Humanities through the Arts
ART-221634
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Through a study of Western artistic and intellectual expression, this course introduces the humanities, its disciplines, and its enduring themes. Students will survey humanities disciplines such as literature, art, music, theater, cinema, and so forth. They will learn about basic language of art, a number of important artworks and diverse genres in each discipline. Students will discuss several enduring themes in the humanities such as morality, happiness, life and death attitudes, and freedom. Assignments will enable students to appreciate and value the arts in historical, social, (multi)cultural, biographical, and aesthetic contexts, and to develop ability to critically respond, interpret, and evaluate the arts. The course will include on-going interactive online discussion, reading and writing, and local, self-guided field trips.

No prerequisites or prior background in the arts are required.
Require reading, writing, internet, and basic online library research skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities for 4 credits or in The Arts for 4 credits.

Cultural Studies;Educational Planning;Writing: Expository and Creative

Independent Learning Strategies
EDU-233104
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Explore independent and advanced level study through assignments focused on helping students develop as critical readers, writers, thinkers and self-aware adult learners. The course is designed to facilitate the transition from introductory to advanced levels of engagement with ideas and sources. Students are required to use a research library and online learning resources where available. A critical issue, selected by the student in consultation with the tutor, is used to test the understandings acquired while enabling the student to tailor this study to his or her own particular interests.

There are no specific prerequisites for this course, but students should have had some prior college-level study and be ready to move to upper-level study. Students also should have access to a four-year college library or a major public library. CDL matriculated students can use this course as part of their Educational Planning credit.

This course partially meets the General Education requirement in Basic Communication.

Cultural Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies

Intro to Ethics (2cr)
CUL-222242
2 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This introductory fifteen-week, two-credit course is designed to prepare students for more advanced studies in ethics in their respective field or profession. Through common readings and active learning centered on a semester-long individually-designed project in the context of that reading, this course exposes students to some of the basic categories and frameworks that ethicists use and provides opportunities for students to pursue their own curiosity regarding ethics as academic subject matter, whether in terms of practical contemporary ethical issues or abstract analysis and articulation of ethical assumptions, theories, and decision-making processes. It aims more than anything to help students think and communicate about ethical problems in a well-reasoned and critical manner, and to prepare them for further studies of ethics.

Students will learn to identify when and where ethical claims or assumptions are being made in texts and discussions, explicitly and implicitly. Students will learn to identify where ethical claims or ethical assumptions are supported (or not) by reasoned arguments, to supply their own reasoned arguments, and in many cases to provide a well-reasoned counter-argument to any given ethical argument. Finally, students will learn to describe in their own words examples of the kinds of questions that ethicists might ask, some of the fundamental issues that arise in ethical decision-making, and connections between ethics and other areas such as politics, culture, or civic engagement.

NOTE: Students should not take both the 4-credit and the 2-credit courses titled Introduction to Ethics as these overlap. Students who do not plan to continue with any further studies of ethics are encouraged to consider taking the 4-credit Introduction to Ethics course instead of this one.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Cultural Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies

Intro to Ethics (4cr)
CUL-222244
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course provides an opportunity for students to study ethics. The course is based on discussion of some common reading followed by learning activities planned by students themselves. The purpose of the course is to help students practice reasoning about ethics from a variety of perspectives and across a range of contexts. Each student will have the opportunity to shape his or her learning activities in ways that speak to his or her own reasons for taking the course--be they an interest in the discipline of philosophy, general learning to support a professionally-oriented degree, concern for the common good, sheer wonder, or just about anything else.

Note: Students should not take both the 4-credit and the 2-credit courses titled Introduction to Ethics as these overlap.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Critical Thinking;Cultural Studies;Educational Planning;Philosophy and Religious Studies

Introduction to Critical Thinking
EDU-232312
2 credits, liberal study, lower level,
This course offers concepts basic to critical thinking (clear communication, persuasion, argument, fact and opinion, etc.) in a real-world, problem-solving context geared toward working adults. Students will learn how to approach issues and problems in a reasoned way, considering purpose, language, awareness of argument structure and other concepts. Students will be expected to apply critical thinking to real-world decision-making (e.g., cases dealing with different employee perspectives at work, managing a staff reduction plan, developing a small business strategy), and to cases that they are currently confronting in their own work, community and/or personal situations. Students will participate in discussions; define, recognize, analyze and evaluate sample arguments; apply critical thinking strategies to real-world situations; and write their own arguments, applying concepts and processes of critical thinking.

Cultural Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies

Introduction to Religious Studies
CUL-222034
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
An introduction to the ways in which religious behaviors and traditions create a world. The study looks at religious traditions and how they account human experience and how life should be lived. It also looks at how people go about being "religious." What does religion involve in everyday terms? How do traditions inform and shape people's lives? What are we doing when we are being religious?

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Cultural Studies;Languages

Introductory Spanish: Language and Culture
CUL-221294
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course introduces students to the Spanish language so that they can develop proficiency on a basic level. Language learning in this course will focus on understanding and learning to speak simple phrases, learning limited vocabulary and very basic grammatical structures. The course does not overlap with Spanish 1. All language skills will be practiced: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students will be required to practice weekly speaking and listening skills in real time over the Internet with the instructor and/or teaching assistants. Students should be available for 30 minutes for oral practices scheduled between 7:30-9:00 PM EST at least once a week. Special accommodations will be made for army students. This course also introduces students to the Spanish-speaking cultures of Spain, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and South America. Students will learn similarities and differences in values, attitudes and actions as they investigate different cultures through a wide variety of resources (e.g., online resources, texts, videos). Students will also investigate specific topics related to cultural experiences (e.g., ecotourism in Costa Rica, indigenous cultures in Guatemala). Students who do have advanced knowledge of Spanish cannot take this course.

Note: this course will use voice-chat activities over the Internet. Students taking this course will need to make sure they have access to a computer that meets the minimum technological requirements which are outlined at the links below. Before enrolling, students should know how to successfully use or have tested the web conferencing service on their computer. See the links below for more information about hardware requirements, testing and using the web conferencing software:

Elluminate System Requirements and Setup Instructions: http://www.esc.edu/elluminatesetup
Elluminate Student Training Schedule and Information: http://www.esc.edu/elluminatestutraining

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Foreign Language.

Cultural Studies;History and Civilizations

Modern China
HIS-243324
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Study the culture and society of pre-modern China, the evolution of China's relationship with the outside world and the efforts China has made over the last 150 years to become a modern industrialized society. Investigate the ways Chinese political civilization has organized itself during the last century and explore contemporary controversies within China regarding ideas such as democracy and human rights.

Recommended: World History 1, World History 2, Pacific Asia: Culture and History or equivalent.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Other World Civilizations.

Cultural Studies;Literature

Mythology and Modern Life
CUL-223104
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course will explore how mythology gives meaning to human experience. Myths are ancient yet timeless stories of both cultural and personal identity that come down from the past. Some tell about mystical experiences that stretch the bounds of daily understanding, while others embed lessons derived from nature or about ostensibly historical events. Together, these kinds of mythological stories illuminate the world view of a people, account for a practice or a belief, or explain a natural phenomenon. Even if the origin of a myth has been lost or forgotten, myths are part of shared communication and memories. We will compare myths from several cultures, explore the different ways these manifest as collective experience, and investigate their continuing relevance to contemporary experience.

This is an upper-level course. Although there are no specific content prerequisites, students should have had the equivalent of two years of lower-level college work and should be able to function at an advanced level of analysis, research and writing.

Note: this course has a required audio component. Students will choose DVD or VHS.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Cultural Studies;History and Civilizations

Pacific Asia: Culture and History
HIS-242304
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Explore the vibrant history and culture of Pacific Asia. Investigate the countries of East and Southeast Asia, including China, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia and others. Study the region, its history, belief systems, and creativity, while developing an appreciation for its literatures, popular literatures, visual and graphic arts and films. Connect cultural traditions to religion, history, politics, economics, and social organizations. Look into the construction and perception of Pacific Asian cultural identities. Examine the region’s distinctive history, institutions, economies, and societies by exploring cultural production and traditions in socio-historical context. Become familiar with Pacific Asian culture while using it as a means for understanding historical developments. Appreciate the diversity and dynamism of Asia by exploring the contributions each country makes to the concept of Asia.

Through its examination of culture in historical context, this course is particularly useful for students interested in historical studies, cultural studies, or both. It allows students to take advantage of a multimedia environment in order to examine art, literature, film, and web-based resources in historical context; it seeks to encourage critical reading and writing; and, it provides opportunities for students to individualize their study in accordance with their own particular geographical interests.

Important Note: this course was formerly offered as The Pacific Century. Students who have successfully completed 242304 should not enroll in this course.

This course meets the General Education requirement in Other World Civilizations.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies

Photography: A History
ART-223654
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This study will be based on Beaumont Newhall’s seminal text, The History of Photography. We will look at the art history of photography as well as other histories, particularly those approaches that have emerged since Newhall first wrote on the subject. Students will participate in on-going discussions, learn to analyze specific photographs of their choice, explore the topics and questions posed by the instructor as well as by other students in the course, and develop a final project.

Prerequisites: the ability to think critically and to complete upper-level college work. This may be demonstrated by previous study in the humanities.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the September 2014 term and was formerly offered as Special Topics: History of Photography. Students who have successfully completed 223654 should not enroll in this course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirements in The Arts.

Communications and Media;Cultural Studies;History and Civilizations;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Women's Studies

Public History: A Shared Conversation with the Past
HIS-243434
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
In this advanced course students will explore the concepts and practices of Public History. Students will explore and critique diverse media,including film and web sites, oral history collections and photographs. They will also take self guided tours to physical and virtual public history sites. Students will have the opportunity to conduct hands on research projects ranging from video documentation to traditional research papers. Students interested in history, culture, journalism,arts management,art history, museum studies, historical studies, and public policy will benefit from this course. In addition, this course will also appeal to those students interested in non-academic careers. Students in Social Theory, Structure and Change will also benefit from this course because of its focus on collective memory and identity. The course will also appeal to Communications and Media Studies students as it will also cover traditional and non-traditional media as well as physical venues that may be used to communicate a common story to a diverse audience.

Prerequisites: Experience in research projects suggested.

Optional: Students interested in doing video and or audio documentation should have access to visual and or audio equipment.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Cultural Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies

Religious Thought in World Perspective
CUL-224034
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course looks at a variety of religious traditions, customs, scriptures, liturgies in order to better understand how religious thought and practice has shaped the landscape of human culture in various civilizations. Over the course of the term, students will be using scholarly literature and doing reading in the textual sources of the major traditions to better understand how they account for human experience, the problem of evil, of loss, of what is sacred and what is not and why. The course is designed thematically, offering a vantage point from which to see what traditions share, how they differ and what that difference has to tell us. Students will also be looking at the changing religious landscape of America in order to understand how East and West actually do meet in this country and what the lived realities of religious pluralism involve.

Prerequisites: Prior academic study in religion, philosophy, or world history. Critical reading and analytical writing ability ordinarily attained after at least two years of academic study is expected.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities for 4 credits or Other World Civilizations for 4 credits.

Cultural Studies;History and Civilizations;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs

Renaissance and Reformation: Origins and Impacts
HIS-244344
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
What is a Renaissance man, and where did that term come from? What did Machiavelli really say? Why was Pope Julius II excluded from heaven? What was Martin Luther thinking when he pounded a nail into a church door in Wittenberg? In this course we will try to answer these questions, and others. This course examines two important phenomena in the history of Western civilization: the Renaissance and the Reformation. The Renaissance was a time of creativity, genius, and rediscovery of classical wisdom, and it gave us not only the great art of Michelangelo, da Vinci, and Raphael, but also the infamous political advice of Machiavelli and the rousing verse of Petrarch. Once the Renaissance reached its apex Western civilization, and especially religious life, fell into the confusion and wars of the Protestant Reformation. Reformers such as Luther and Calvin took on the Catholic Church in a search for the authentic Christian religion. Their reforms left a lasting and profound impression on the subsequent development of Western civilization. We will explore the foundations, the history, and the lasting impact on Western civilization of the Renaissance and the Reformation. In completing this course students will become more familiar with the development of the distinctive features of the history, institutions, economy, society, culture, etc., of these pivotal periods in Western civilization.

Prerequisites: A previous course in World History is recommended.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities or Western Civilization.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies;Gender Studies;History and Civilizations;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Women's Studies

Roots and Routes of African Diaspora Resistance: Arts
CUL-224124
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
African Diaspora religions such as Voodoo and Santeria have literally become the stuff of horror films. Why, when brewed together in popular imagination, do some people find it so scary?

The three tracks of this course overlap. No more than one of these three should be included in a degree program.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies;Gender Studies;History and Civilizations;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Women's Studies

Roots and Routes of African Diaspora Resistance: History

CUL-224224

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

African Diaspora religions such as Voodoo and Santeria have literally become the stuff of horror films. Why, when brewed together in popular imagination, do some people find it so scary?

The three tracks of this course overlap. No more than one of these three should be included in a degree program.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies;Gender Studies;History and Civilizations;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Women's Studies

Roots and Routes of African Diaspora Resistance: Humanities

CUL-224334

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

African Diaspora religions such as Voodoo and Santeria have literally become the stuff of horror films. Why, when brewed together in popular imagination, do some people find it so scary?

The three tracks of this course overlap. No more than one of these three should be included in a degree program.

Cultural Studies;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Human Development;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Sociology

Sex and Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective: Advanced

SOC-283324

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

This course will provide an advanced exploration of the comparative study of gender and sexuality. Students will be expected to have an introductory or intermediate understanding of either sociology, anthropology, gender studies (or a related social science) including a basic grasp of the cultural construction of gender before taking this advanced-level course. Students will probe how different cultures define femininity and masculinity and explore why these differences exist. How do work, play, language, appearance and sexual expression come to be marked as appropriate or even natural for women and men? How do structures and institutions within these cultures reinforce and support those distinctions? The course explores the variations in the sexual division of labor and economic organization, and the impact of forces of change such as colonialism and globalization on gender issues. Drawing primarily on anthropological and ethnographic studies from a broad range of non-Western cultures, the course examines how male and female gender roles are shaped within arenas such as kinship relations, work, politics, religion, ritual, and reproduction. As an upper-level course, there will be a higher expectation for synthesis and comparison across course materials. Through course materials students will learn about the research methods and some of the theoretical approaches used in cultural anthropology.

Note: This course is offered at the introductory SOC-282324 and advanced level SOC-283324. Students should not include this course
title twice in their degree program. This course can only be taken once, either at the introductory level or at the advanced level.

Prerequisites: Upper-level standing with advanced critical thinking and writing skills, and one lower-level course in sociology, anthropology, psychology or social science fields.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in Social Sciences and Other World Civilizations.

Cultural Studies;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Human Development;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Sociology

Sex and Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective: Introductory
SOC-282324
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course will provide an exploration of the comparative study of gender and sexuality. We will address questions such as: What does it mean to be female or male and how do different cultures define femininity and masculinity? How do work, play, language, appearance and sexual expression come to be marked as appropriate or even natural for women and men? The course explores the variations in the sexual division of labor and economic organization, and the impact of forces of change such as colonialism and globalization on gender issues. Drawing primarily on anthropological and ethnographic studies from a broad range of cultures, the course examines how male and female gender roles are shaped within arenas such as kinship relations, work, politics, religion, ritual and reproduction. Through course materials students will be introduced to the research methods and some of the theoretical approaches used in cultural anthropology.

Note: This course is offered at the introductory SOC-282324 and advanced level SOC-283324. Students should not include this course title twice in their degree program. This course can only be taken once, either at the introductory level or at the advanced level.

Recommended: One lower-level course in sociology, anthropology, psychology or social science fields.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in Social Sciences and Other World Civilizations.

Cultural Studies;English;Literature

Special Topics in Literature: Literature and the Popular Cult(ure) of the Vampire
CUL-224404
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
The vampire, as an enduring cultural metaphor for sexuality, class struggle, and Imperialism, has inconveniently and consistently refused to die. He (and, more recently, she) eerily transforms to suit history and circumstances: as Nina Auerbach explains, “every age embraces the vampire it needs.” Spanning from Stoker's hideous Count Dracula to the pretty, sparkly vampires of the Twilightseries, we will survey some of the most popular incarnations of the vampire in literature, television, and film. After reading some of the classics of the genre, students will choose their favorite works and consider them in the light of recent critical scholarship which takes them seriously, to help us decide what is at stake for our culture in the figure of the vampire.

This course is 4 credits, advanced and liberal. There are no prerequites for this course.
Please note: Special Topics in Literature may be repeated for credit with different topics.

This course fully meets the General Education requirements in Humanities.

Cultural Studies;Gender Studies;Sociology

Sports and Society
SOC-284424
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Sports and leisure are social constructions that provide interesting insights to society. This course examines sports and leisure from various sociological perspectives, analyzes the role of socialization and deviance in sports, compares the role of sports in a global perspective, explores how sports and leisure interacts with other social institutions, and analyzes the role of sports and leisure throughout the life span.

Prerequisites: Prior college level knowledge of introductory sociology concepts and theories.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Cultural Studies

Stories and Creative Leadership
CUL-223024
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Learn about stories and their implications for leadership in diverse fields. Case studies include experiences and strategies from business, human services, political science, nursing, cultural leaders, and community activists. This rich mix of approaches allows you to understand how your "stories" will be received in a wide range of potential leadership situations. Students will learn about story structures, and how the skillful creation and articulation of stories is a fundamental part of the leader's vocation. Students will learn to assess how leaders utilize storytelling to frame issues, and how they update personal, political, community, and corporate stories to open opportunities in the face of change.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Cultural Studies;History and Civilizations

The Enlightenment

HIS-224054

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Study the 18th century Enlightenment that changed the perception of the universe, rocked the thrones of Europe, shook the roots of religious heterodoxy and gave new dimensions to philosophy, literature and the arts. Read classic studies by Enlightenment scholars and analyze the influences of the Enlightenment upon the development of the United States policy and the role of women in Europe and beyond. Develop a set of personal conclusions and assess the contemporary meaning of the Enlightenment.

Recommended: previous study in World History 2 or equivalent, and two years college credit.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities for 4 credits or Western Civilization for 4 credits.

Anthropology;Cultural Studies;Environmental Studies;Gender Studies;Multicultural and Diversity Studies

Travel and Tourism: A Critical Perspective
SOC-283244
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course explores tourism, one of the world’s largest and fastest growing industries, from an anthropological perspective. We will examine the meanings and consequences of tourism from both the tourist and toured/host views. Students will be exposed to diverse theories on travel, tourism and the tourist experience. There are many kinds of tourism including: solidarity/humanitarian tourism, sex tourism, historical or heritage tourism, cultural tourism, ecotourism, and nature tourism. The course will probe the differences among these various types of tourists and tourist sites, and analyze their impacts. Through the focus on tourism, the course also exposes students to concepts and methods of cultural anthropology which studies cultural variations among contemporary peoples around the world. Using texts, films, and case studies focusing on a variety of non-western cultures, we will analyze the processes of shaping and marketing culture, identity, history and nature for tourist consumption, and the implications of this growing type of global encounter.

Prerequisites: At least one course in a social science discipline (anthropology, sociology, psychology etc.) is recommended. Upper level college reading and writing skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences and Other World Civilizations.

Cultural Studies;Environmental Studies

Water Talks: Rights and Cultures
CUL-253424
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Water is life. Without it, nothing grows. Fresh water is in jeopardy. What to do about this depends on who’s talking. Is it a sacred trust, or a chemistry problem? Is it our patriotic right, or a political pawn? Is it a human right, or “blue gold,” the latest corporate frontier? http://video214.com/play/e0ExL6KrIji7s4uHohnEZA/s/dark

These different kinds of “water talks” raise the question: who decides who deserves what? This course questions cultural assumptions about “deserving” and explores how these play out as narratives about water. Control of Water is at the crux of ethical issues such as: Can we “own” nature? Are water rights human rights? A resource in and of itself, water distribution also involves contemporary approaches to resources generally, from fuels to run bottling plants, to petroleum to manufacture bottles, to metals in caps, to packaging and transportation technologies, and so on.

We’ll examine a range of verbal and visual cultural productions that tell conflicting tales of water, promoting divergent values and beliefs with a variety of narratives, from corporate to indigenous. We’ll look at how clashing cultural beliefs translate into actions, which translate into ecological effects, which arouse diverse political responses. The goal is triple: to learn about multiple aspects of contemporary issues surrounding water; to learn about the relationships between diverse ways of “telling the story” in order to develop media and public sphere literacy; to apply this literacy to water issues in our own neighborhoods.

This course will employ a range of resources, from visual media to literature, and a variety of activities, from collaborative cultural analyses to independent research, to address public policy concerns. Therefore it fits in varied degree programs. While it meets the Humanities General Education requirement, students can use this venue to explore Literature, Media, Cultural Studies, history of diverse cultures and places, Social Theory, the intersection of public discourse with Environmental Studies, or some marketing aspects of business.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Anthropology;Cultural Studies;Women's Studies

Women Activists: The Voices of Human Rights in Latin America
HIS-242214
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Women's Testimonials: The Voices of Human Rights in Latin America is a survey course on the modern history of Latin America and the personal stories of its citizens, women in particular. The history of the region is advanced through the voices of women who have lived the events that portray the overall essence and character of the region as a whole. Focusing on Brazil, Cuba, Argentina, Mexico and Guatemala, the use of testimonials provides a survey of the social, cultural, economic and human rights history of the region as a whole. Latin America will serve as a catalyst for a larger study of the overall struggles of women globally within the context of the broader issues surrounding human rights.

Students will engage in a variety of activities ranging from ongoing substantive discussions, to reading and reflecting upon required texts, completing a mapblog assignment, and conducting an in-depth cumulative research project. For the final project, students may research a topic and region of their choice that deals with the subject matter.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the January 2012 term and was formerly offered as Women's Testimonials: Voices of Human Rights in Latin America. Students who have successfully completed 242214 should not enroll in this course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Other World Civilizations.

Early Childhood Studies;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Psychology

Attachment in Early Childhood
HDV-281124
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This 4-credit lower level course examines current knowledge about attachment from infancy to adolescence, developmentally and behaviorally. The scope and contexts of attachments, particularly as they arise from early attachment experiences, will be grounded firmly in attachment theory and research findings relevant to historical, cultural, familial, personal and age-related contexts. The effects of attachment on human functioning, including brain development and the consequences of negative early experiences will be addressed. This base of understanding sets the groundwork for attachment in both personal and professional early childhood settings, including family relationships (sibling, parent, grandparent) and relationships beyond the family (friends, caregivers). This course meets the requirements for the Infant Toddler Care Credential. In addition, it is useful for students, particularly those from any of the social sciences, seeking a more personal understanding of the foundations of human emotional attachment. Level of Study: Introductory.

Important Note: This course was renamed effective the September 2011 term and was formerly offered as Attachment: Continuity and Separation: Introductory.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Aging and Gerontology;Early Childhood Studies;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Psychology

Attachment: Continuity and Separation: Advanced
HDV-283124
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This 4-credit advanced level course will have you examining the current knowledge about continuity and separation in Human Attachment from infancy to old age, developmentally and behaviorally. The scope and contexts of attachments across the life cycle, particularly as they arise from early attachment experiences, will be grounded in theory and research relevant to historical, cultural, familial, personal and age-related contexts. Students will also study the counterpart of attachment separation, normative and precipitous--lifelong and temporary such as interruptions in attachments due to military service. This base of understanding sets the groundwork for understanding attachment in both personal and professional settings across all age groups, including family relationships, i.e., parent, sibling, grandparent; and beyond, i.e., friends, caregivers, life partners. This course offers information for students studying for the Infant Toddler Care Credential. Finally, this study is useful for students, particularly those from the social sciences, who wish to know more about their personal relationships.

In addition to reading widely in the genre and participating in class discussion, students will be expected to write a short reflection essay, three short critical essays, and a final research paper.

Early Childhood Studies;Human Services

Developing Infant Toddler Programs

CHS-254324

4 credits,upper level,

Students in this upper-level course will learn to provide creative, developmentally appropriate learning experiences and environments for infants and toddlers in a variety of contexts. We will review the skills of observation as we examine various curricular models with a focus on respectful, responsive relationship-based care. This course addresses competencies for the NYS Infant-Toddler Care and Education Credential and is also useful for teachers, child care administrators and others charged with the creation of formal and informal programs for infants and toddlers.

Prerequisites - Child Development or Infant Toddler Development although not required, would be beneficial.

Early Childhood Studies

Developing Preschool Programs
CHS-254424
4 credits,upper level,
Planning a high quality learning environment for young children begins with a solid foundation of developmental theory informed by skilled observation. Now that you understand the basics of child development, this course will move you into a classroom setting where you will observe a program, plan curriculum and practice the skills necessary to become successful in an early childhood setting. The foundations of developmentally appropriate practice, current best practices in curriculum, activities, methods and materials appropriate for planning a program for young children will be examined.

Prerequisite: One course in child development.

Early Childhood Studies;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Human Development;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Women's Studies

Development of Gender Identity
HDV-283104
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course provides upper-level students with the opportunity to reflect on the personal meaning of gender and to consider frameworks ranging from the biological influences on gender and sexuality, to gender as a social institution that affects our behaviors and beliefs. The course addresses (and distinguishes) sexuality and gender as experienced on the personal level, particularly gender as applied to the physical self; relationships of a self with intimates, friends and family; and relationships with environments such as school and work (using the Bronfenbrenner ecological model of psychological development). The wide variation of gender perspectives through history are reviewed, as well as variations in gender concepts across current cultures. Keeping those broader perspectives in mind, psychosexual variations are identified and discussed. Gender biases in the study of gender are presented, and each student has the opportunity to set up a simple gender study.

Recommended prerequisites include: Introduction to Human Development or Introduction to Psychology or Exploring Society or equivalent.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Aging and Gerontology;Early Childhood Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Science

Developmental Neurobiology: A Lifespan View
HDV-283112
2 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Building on their basic knowledge of human development and human biology, students in this 2 credit, 8-week advanced-level course will gain knowledge about developmental processes in humans across the lifespan, viewed from both the inside (neurological changes) and the outside (changes in behavior). They will see how the neurological changes and behavioral changes interact. This course will help students feel comfortable with basic vocabulary and concepts associated with developmental neurobiology.

Prerequisites: An introductory course in lifespan human development, and an introductory course in human biology.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the September 2013 term and was formerly offered as Developmental Neurobiology: A Human Lifespan and also offered as Developmental Neurobiology. Students who have successfully completed 283112 should not enroll in this course.

Students obtaining Federal Direct loans: If you are only taking 8 week courses during the Summer term your student loans may be reduced or cancelled. Please visit our Web site at www.esc.edu/FinancialServices for more information.

Early Childhood Studies;Educational Studies;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development

Developmental Psychopathology
HDV-284234
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Developmental Psychopathology is designed to introduce students to a field, which has emerged as a unique discipline in the past two decades, to interpret non-normal developmental paths from within the framework of normative development. It has four central characteristics: 1) the use of classical developmental theory and research to inform issues of psychopathology; 2) the use of insights from developmentally atypical populations to increase understanding of normal developmental processes; 3) integration of methods and theories from various social science disciplines; and 4) derivation of implications for interventions and social policy. Students will learn about the basic issues underlying this field and apply them to better understand the range of developmental possibilities. They will learn about the nature and extent of various disorders through an understanding of common etiologies and developmental trajectories. By the end of the course, students should be able to define developmental psychopathology and explain how it differs from other traditions, understand how to identify and study developmental deviations, describe some of the most common forms of abnormal development, and apply the knowledge gained throughout the course to diverse populations of children and families.

Prerequisites: A lifespan human development course is required, such as Human Development at CDL. Introduction to Psychology, Human Exceptionalities, and Abnormal Psychology would augment understanding of this material.

Early Childhood Studies;Educational Planning

Exploring the Professions: Child Care Management
EDU-233422
2 credits,upper level,
This course is intended for students who plan to study Child Care Administration and/or complete studies toward the New York State Children’s Program Administrator Credential. This two-credit advanced study invites future leaders in the child care profession to examine the history of child care as a profession, the history of child care credentialing, child care ethics, and an overview of competencies needed to succeed as a professional leader and manager. Students will have an opportunity to observe and evaluate child care settings as well as interview administrators and parents about their experiences with child care. To assist them in further classes in the child care administration sequence, students will prepare a resource portfolio as a final project.

Important Note: This course was renamed effective the September 2014 term and was formerly offered as Exploring the Professions: Child Care Advanced. Students who have successfully completed 254322 should not enroll in this course.

Early Childhood Studies;Educational Planning

Exploring the Professions: Children and Child Care
EDU-232422
2 credits,lower level,
Explore the professional role of teachers in the field of early childhood within the context of educational planning. This course will begin with an overview of child care as a profession and how the field has adapted to accommodate our increasing knowledge of child development. Students will explore child care credentialing, professionalism, ethics and the foundations of teaching and learning in formal and informal child care settings. Skills such as observation, supervision and assessment will be introduced. The course places emphasis on ways to enhance development and learning through an environment and curriculum that supports young children. Students will complete the course with an individualized final project related to the profession of their choice.

Important Note: This course was renamed effective the September 2014 term and was formerly offered as Exploring the Professions: Child Care Introductory, 252422. Students who have successfully 252422 should not enroll in this course.

Early Childhood Studies;Human Services

Funding and Human Service Organizations
CHS-254184
4 credits,upper level,
Learn how to develop a healthy nonprofit organization with multiple funding streams and budgetary accountability. Topics covered will include a brief history of human service funding, the funding and regulatory relationships between nonprofit organizations and various levels of government, the importance of appropriate structure, attaining nonprofit status, the role of in-kind resources including volunteers, foundation funding, grant-seeking from both private and governmental, assessing funding opportunities, the role of regulatory agencies, grant writing, fund-raising campaigns, and the role of fee-for-service. Explore various methods of budgeting and accountability structures that assure maximum productivity as well as new directions for meeting human needs such as social entrepreneurship and the role of profit-making institutions.

Note: This course is intended primarily for persons who plan to become managers in private human service organizations. Its “sister course” Public Finance and Budgeting” is intended for those who work directly in government bureaucracies.

Prerequisites: Students taking this course should have had Human Services Management or Nonprofit Management or their equivalent in experience.

Preferred: Program Planning and Evaluation.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the November 2009 term and was formerly offered as Resource Development in Human Services. Students who have successfully completed 254184 should not enroll in this course.

Aging and Gerontology;Early Childhood Studies;Family Studies;Human Development;Human Services;Psychology

Human Development
HDV-282174
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the current theories and research findings about human development, from the beginnings of life through the end. Students are introduced to the major conceptualizations and methods of understanding development (i.e., theories, frameworks and research models.) Students will study expected developmental achievements and variations, both group and individual, as well as the factors, biological and environmental, that influence development across the lifespan.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Early Childhood Studies;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Psychology

Human Exceptionalities
HDV-283224
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
In this 4-credit advanced-level course the student will examine what is meant by human developmental exceptionality, theories of developmental difference, cultural perspectives of differences and how we judge what is normal. In order to understand developmental exceptionality, the student must have a good understanding of typical development. The student will build on their knowledge of human development and how development may be affected by a specific disability/giftedness. The student will examine the various types of developmental disabilities linked with physical/health issues, emotional/behavioral, particularly as regards learning and communication issues, as well as levels of intellectual learning and related developmental disabilities. Another area of developmental difference to be examined is that of giftedness and gifted children with disabilities. Current research in the study of childhood developmental exceptionalities will be investigated. Well-identified differences will be covered in this course, including Asperger's syndrome, autism, emotional trauma; extremely slow learners, and those identified as exceptionally bright. Students hopefully will come away from this course with a stronger respect for the variety of human learning experiences, and a clearer understanding of how to interact successfully with exceptional learners. Childhood and adolescent differences will be discussed, with reference to their impact on adulthood.

Prerequisites: Human Development Lifespan Development, Developmental Psychology, or Child Development or the equivalent.

Early Childhood Studies;Educational Studies;Human Development

Human Learning: A Developmental Approach
HDV-284404
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This advanced level study of human learning across the lifespan from a developmental perspective follows learning throughout life, portraying the role of developmental stages; critical support for learning at each stage; and effects of social, personal and cognitive variations at junctures in development. The study integrates the work of major theorists (Piaget,Vygotsky, Erikson, Kegan, Selman, Maslow and others) with current empirical research. Students will be encouraged to gain principled and practical knowledge about learning trajectories and to apply that knowledge to professional and personal experiences requiring an understanding of learning.

Prerequisites: Human Development and significant exposure to developmental theory. Students should be prepared to do advanced-level work.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Early Childhood Studies;Human Services

Human Service Management
CHS-253144
4 credits,upper level,
Examine human service management from several perspectives. The writings of major contributors to the field of human service management are considered; major theoretical and ethical orientations are examined; and the applications of different management theories and models are explored through discussions, written projects, teamwork and independent study assignments.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Human Services or equivalent.

Early Childhood Studies;Human Development

Infant and Toddler Development: Advanced
HDV-284504
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Students will examine the history of child development, and the major theories and theorists in the area of child development as they describe and interpret the behavior of infants and young children, and as they influence the responses of adults, parents and researchers to very young children. The student will develop an understanding of research strategies and the impact of cultural, biological and environmental influences on the development of the young child. Current research in the areas of prenatal development, physical, cognitive, language, social, emotional and early brain development will be examined.

This course differs from Child Development with its specific focus on the development of the very young child (depth), and environmental influences on the early development of young children (breadth). This course differs from Infant and Toddler Development: Introductory with its higher level of expectation with respect to amount and breadth of reading and complexity and length of assignments. This course is recommended for students of Human Development who are interested in acquiring an in-depth understanding of early childhood development. Students in this course will typically have knowledge about human development and the development of children.

Note: this course satisfies the requirement for Infant and Toddler Development for the Infant/Toddler Credential.

Important Note: students should not include this course twice in their degree program. This course can only be taken once, either at the lower-level or at the upper-level.

Prerequisites: a course in Human Development, Lifespan Development or Child Development is required.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Early Childhood Studies;Human Development

Infant and Toddler Development: Introductory
HDV-282504
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Students will briefly examine a human developmental framework within which to place the study of infant and toddler development. An overview of major theories in child development will be provided, to interpret the behavior of infants and young children, and as they influence the responses of adults, parents and researchers to very young children. The student will develop an understanding of research strategies and the impact of culture, biological and environmental influences on the development of the young child. Current research in the areas of prenatal development, physical, cognitive, language, social, emotional and early brain development will be examined.

The content of this course is to be distinguished from Child Development in that it more specifically focuses on the development of the very young child (depth), and provides exposure to environmental influences on the early development of young children (breadth). This course is recommended for students working with young children professionally, or as parents or grandparents.

This course differs from Infant and Toddler Development: Advanced in the quantity and breadth of reading, the level of complexity in assignments, and the length of assignments.

Note: this course satisfies the requirement for Infant and Toddler Development for the Infant/Toddler Credential.

Important Note: students should not include this course twice in their degree program. This course can only be taken once, either at the lower-level or at the upper-level.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Early Childhood Studies

Introduction to Child Development
HDV-281154
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
In this study, students will become familiar with the current knowledge of child development. Students will explore the theories and research findings that seek to explain developmental shifts from conception through adolescence. Although child development is understood as a holistic process, the information is organized topically, through the developmental domains of physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development. Learning will take place through multiple modalities of asynchronous group discussion, projects and written assignments. As much as possible, students' study will be tailored by their individual inquiry. It is expected students will leave this study with both a comprehension of how children develop and a beginning capacity to critically examine new information in the field.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Early Childhood Studies;Educational Studies;Educational Planning;Human Development

Learning Styles
EDU-233222
2 credits, liberal study, upper level,
In this 8-week course, students will review traditional and contemporary learning theories that investigate the importance of self-reflection, the social nature of learning, biological bases for learning and emotional aspects of learning. Working topics will include: how we define ourselves as learners; centering and creating self-affirming beliefs; what is life-long, global learning?; the social nature of learning; the brain, emotions and learning; learning as change and managing learning/managing change. This course will enable students to both learn about learning and apply concepts to become more aware of themselves as learners.

Note: this course has a required CD-ROM component. Students interested in learning more about themselves as adult learners may select this course for Educational Planning to be more successful students at Empire State College. Students of adult or child learning will find this course useful to more effectively engage students in classrooms or clients in training and non-formal education (business training, religious education, etc). Those pursuing educational studies will find this course useful as they differentiate instruction for learners with different learning needs.

Early Childhood Studies;Educational Studies;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Human Development

Play, Fantasy and Reality
HDV-284354
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This four credit advanced level course will cover the complexity and beauty of children’s play and its extension into adult worlds. Students in Human Development, Educational Studies, and Community and Human/ Health Services are likely to find this course addresses both professional and personal interests in the constraints upon, limits to, and manifestations, uses and potential of play in its myriad forms in both childhood and across the life cycle. Distinctions among play, fantasy and reality will be drawn using themes both connecting and discriminating child and adult play. An understanding of play will be shown to be central to pragmatic issues such as learning, developmental assessment, curriculum development, and treatment of a diversity of problems. The primary perspectives covered in the course are: What is Play?; Origins and Manifestations of Play; Development and Assessment of Play: Birth to 8 Years; Play and the Development of the Whole Child; Diversity and Individual Differences in Play; Contexts of Play; Play in Preadolescence and Adolescence; and Play Beyond the Playground. Major theoretical approaches such as those by Dewey, Rousseau, Piaget, Vygotsky, Parton, Sutton-Smith, Winnicott, and others will be explored. Students will come away from this course with a deep appreciation and understanding of the importance of play in the life of a child - and the life of the child within us.

Prerequisites: A lifespan human development course.

Aging and Gerontology;Early Childhood Studies;Human Development

Research Perspectives on Lifespan Development
HDV-284244
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This four credit 400-level course is designed to be a capstone course for students in the Human Development Area of Study with a concentration in Human Development, particularly those who plan to go on to graduate school and/or do action research in the area. This course augments what students have learned about humans at different stages of development, integrating it with what they have learned about research methods. Students will have the opportunity to create a developmental design for a study in an area of professional or personal interest.

Statistics is a prerequisite for this course and Survey of Social Science Research (or the equivalent) is a prerequisite or corequisite for this course.

Prerequisites: Statistics is a prerequisite for this course. Survey of Social Science Research (or the equivalent) is a prerequisite (or corequisite) for this course; and since this is a 400-level course, students need significant prior knowledge in Human Development and the social sciences.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Early Childhood Studies;Educational Studies;Human Development;Sociology

Schooling in America
SOC-282244
4 credits, liberal study, lower level,
Examine schools as organizations from a personal and a sociological perspective. Examine the current system of public schooling in the United States, including the historical, social and political forces that have shaped it. Compare different views of public schooling, consider issues of school reform and develop positions on the future of public schooling in America.

Early Childhood Studies;Human Development

Supervising Quality Child Care Programs
CHS-253214
4 credits,upper level,
Create a learning environment and learning experiences for children of all ages in non-formal settings such as day care centers and after-school programs. This advanced level course will enable you to create child centered learning experiences emphasizing cultural diversity and family involvement. While it is useful for persons working with children and families in all sorts of non-formal learning, it is especially recommended for students seeking the NYS Children's Program Administrator Credential or its equivalent elsewhere.

Prerequisite: Exploring the Professions: Child Care (preferably the advanced version).

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the September 2011 term and was formerly offered as Beneficial Programs for Children and Families. Students who have successfully completed 253214 should not enroll in this course.

Aging and Gerontology;Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Anthropology;Communications and Media;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Early Childhood Studies;Emergency Management;Family Studies;Fire Protection;Gender Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Psychology;Sociology;Women's Studies

Survey of Social Science Research Methods
SOC-283424
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Social research provides answers to questions about people and the social settings and systems in which they are involved. This social science research course introduces the fundamentals of qualitative and quantitative research methods. Students learn how to formulate a viable research question, collect and analyze data, understand the ethical issues of social science research, and write a formal research proposal.

Note: This course has a required SPSS component.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Economics;History and Civilizations

An Economic History of the West

HIS-242504

4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements

The scholarship of many historians suggests that trade and commerce are among the most important factors that have influenced the evolution and direction of human civilizations. Accordingly, this course examines how economic developments have served as a catalyst for change throughout the development and spread of Western Civilization. In order to understand the distinctive features of the history, institutions, society, culture, and politics of Western Civilization, students will be introduced to Western philosophies or theorizations of "economy" in terms of history and civilization, and examine different expressions of such theory through the analysis of labor systems, imperialism, industrialization, urbanization, trade, distribution of income, and agricultural expansion. They will follow the evolution of such theories and consider how they have shaped historical developments from antiquity to the present. Students will illustrate connections between economic, social, cultural, and political developments within the context of the historical and contemporary West. In short, students will engage with "the economic" as a particularly useful lens for understanding Western Civilization.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Western Civilization.

Economics

Business, Government and Society
BME-214544
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Business, Government, and Society is an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the dynamic interrelationships among the three major sectors of an economy. It is an advanced level study that enables the student to develop insights into roles of government and business in society. It is a general audience study that can be taken by: students in management and business to help them meet the ethical and social responsibility aspect of the BME guidelines; students in economics adding breadth to their concentration; and students outside that area of study who wish to further the inter-disciplinary perspectives in their degree program plans.

Prerequisites: Some knowledge of economics is required while some background in any of the following is useful - management, history, political science, and philosophy. Students must demonstrate abilities to: write at an advanced level; conduct disciplined internet/library research; analyze case study issues and problems, discuss alternatives approaches to their resolution, and create well defended recommendations.

Important note: this course replaced Deregulation: Do Market Solutions Really work? (213224 which was last offered in September 2004).

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Critical Thinking;Cultural Studies;Economics;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs;Sociology

Contemporary Global Social Issues
SOC-284544
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Contemporary Global Social Issues explores various social problems that cross national boundaries and their effects on society. This course begins by examining the definitions of social problems and globalization. Students then investigate a number of issues that have a global scope including sovereignty, food production, militarized conflicts, human rights, global climate change, transnational migration and work, and transnational social movements.

Prerequisites: at least one course in the discipline of a social science concentration. Upper level college reading and writing skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Economics

Contemporary Issues in Economics
BME-211344
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Apply basic concepts of economic decision-making to a discussion and analysis of contemporary economics issues. Includes supply and demand concepts, health care, unemployment, inflation, taxation, monopoly and competition in certain industries, international trade and trade agreements. Discuss and debate controversial and real world situations requiring the use of economics principles and concepts.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences. It is primarily intended for students who seek a basic knowledge of economics to improve their own decision-making in the marketplace, and to develop a better understanding of public policy affecting their incomes and budgets. This study is open to all students except those pursuing a Concentration in Business Administration.

Computers and Information Systems;Economics

Economic Issues and Strategies for IT
SMT-273154
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course examines some of the new ways that businesses and consumers are both using new information technologies and reacting to those uses by others. Some businesses use shoppers' personal information to make their shopping experience more satisfying but some customers are wary of how their personal information is being used. Technologies which allow consumers to obtain music and other information goods without payment are challenging content creators to create new business models. Add to these questions of which technologies will survive and which will fail, as well as antitrust concerns, and you have an interesting environment in which to do long-range planning. Students will apply concepts from microeconomic analysis to examine: value-based pricing and personalization, digital rights and their management, lock-in, network effects, standards and alliances, and information policy.

Note: students must be prepared with critical thinking, research and writing skills at the upper level.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Economics;Health Services

Economic Issues in Health Services
CHS-253724
4 credits,upper level, general education requirements
Through group discussions, and learning tasks, investigate the health services sector using the tools of microeconomic analysis. Understand why many health care markets do not perform according to the competitive ideal; critically examine reform proposals and explore the rapidly evolving institutional environment including the role of government programs, payment systems and the rise of HMOs and other managed care organizations. Study the impact of both private and public insurance on supply, demand and market performance, including trade-offs involved in achieving the goals of quality care, access and reasonable cost.

Students will answer a number of mathematical chapter problems from the Getzen text, write one short essay (5-6 pages) and one longer paper (10-12 pages.)

Requirements for success: Use of a word processor (e.g., MS Word, Google Docs) and basic knowledge of spreadsheet software (e.g., MS Excel, Google Docs) to develop simple tables and charts is needed. You should be comfortable with basic arithmetic and algebraic operations, including the computation of rates, ratios and percentages. A basic knowledge of health service provider/payer organizations and their fiscal operations, as well as internet and library research skills are needed.

Note to NYS Nursing Home Administrator Certificate students: this course fulfills the requirement in Health Care Financing.
This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Economics

Economics/Macro
BME-212214
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Discover the broad and general aspects of the economy as a whole in this foundation course and basic economic theories, principles and issues. Includes evaluation of the market system, an overview of the economy and its history and growth, savings and investment dynamics, aggregate demand and supply, public expenditures and deficits, the money and banking system, fiscal and monetary policy and selected current economic issues.

A basic knowledge of algebra is essential to understand economic relationships (functions, identities and equations) depicted in tables or graphs.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Economics

Economics/Micro
BME-212224
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Develop an understanding of the micro aspects of economics -- the study of components of larger aggregates -- by investigating a wide range of problems from prices to monopolies and from urban decay to industrial pollution. Includes the anatomy of the market system, prices and allocation of resources, competition and the firm, big business, market imperfections, income distribution, trade, the underdeveloped world and economic planning.

Prior knowledge: knowledge of algebra is useful but not required.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Economics;Environmental Studies;History and Civilizations;Political Science and Public Affairs;Science

Global Climate Change
SMT-272114
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
There is little doubt that the Earth's climate is changing due to the influence of human activities. In this course students will explore the evidence that climate change is occurring, how human activities have affected this process, the primary forces influencing the Earth's climates, and what steps can be taken to adapt to or mitigate these changes.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

History and Civilizations;Economics

History of Economic Thought
BME-213124
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
History of Economic Thought examines major contributions made to the field of economics by great thinkers from Adam Smith to Milton Friedman. Systems of economic thought and their applications to economic practice and policy making are compared and evaluated in judging their efficacy to solve current economic problems and address emerging issues, especially in an increasingly globalized environment. By the end of the study, students should have developed an overview of the main approaches to the history of thought; a sound knowledge of the discipline of economics; and the ability to critically evaluate the major contributions to the theories of value, production, and distribution. This is an advanced level study and students are expected to analyze, critique, synthesize, and form informed positions on economic principles and theories.

Prerequisite: Micro and Macro Economics or the equivalent

Economics

International Economics
BME-214514
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Explore international economics and theories of international trade and finance. Includes major issues of international economics: immigration, capital flows, multinational corporations, developing countries and problems facing countries in transition from central planning to market economies. Requires familiarity with basics of macro-microeconomic theories.

A required video component is available by rental from the Empire State College Bookstore.

Prerequisites: Economics/Macro, Economics/Micro or equivalent.

Economics

International Political Economy
BME-214424
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Learn about growing interdependence of global economic and political problems over last 25 years. Explore why the current set of global problems cannot be understood as just international politics or international economics. Focus on a complex multidisciplinary approach provided by international political economists to study the causes and effects of globalization of markets. The topics include the nature and main theories of international political economy; the national systems of political economy; the evolution of international trade; the evolution of international financial system; the state and multinationals; the state and economic development; the political economy of regional integration; the nation-state in the global economy; the governance in the global economy.

Prerequisites: A previous course in economics or equivalent is recommended.

Economics;Labor Studies

Labor Economics
LAB-263714
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course provides an economic analysis of the market for workers (the labor market). Students will analyze the determinants of labor supply and labor demand. Topics include educational and training investments, occupational choice, worker mobility, pay and productivity, wage structure, income inequality and policy issues such as labor shortages, the effects of minimum wage on employment, the labor effects of outsourcing, economic analysis of unemployment, the impact of welfare policy on labor supply and demand and the role of unions. We will also discuss current labor issues related to occupational health and safety, changes in trade unions, levels of unionization and immigration.

Prerequisite: Introductory microeconomics or equivalent knowledge. Knowledge of labor history and/or economic issues facing unions today is helpful, but not required.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Economics

Money and Banking
BME-214414
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Develop an understanding of the theoretical, institutional, historical and empirical aspects of money and banking. Gain insight into the relationship between the government's changing fiscal and monetary policies (especially the role of the Federal Reserve System) and the economy and how that relationship affects economic and business decisions.

Note: The Wall Street Journal is required reading for this course. Student discount subscription can be obtained by calling 1 800 568-7625.

Prerequisite: Economics/Macro or equivalent.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Educational Planning

21st Century Careers: Advanced
EDU-233062
2 credits,upper level,
In this eight-week course, students examine projected employment trends of the 21st century, predict the effect of these trends on their own careers, identify reliable sources of occupational and job information and use these sources to design personal career goals and a job-advancement, job-search, or career-change plan. Issues such as career definition in the 21st century and the importance of developing new skills for a changing environment will be addressed. Course learning activities include reading, Internet searching, manipulation and use of web-based occupational databases and interests/skills/work values inventories, web-based discussion and three different types of writing: web-based discussions, papers on occupational and job research and personal career plans and portfolios. The course is appropriate for students of any age or previous career preparation, whether they are beginning to investigate career choice or job advancement options, finalizing career change plans, or selecting new careers after retirement from other work.

Notes: students may enroll once in this course, either for two lower-level credits or for two upper-level credits. CDL students may use this course as part of their Educational Planning credit.

Students obtaining Federal Direct loans: If you are only taking 8 week courses during the Summer term your student loans may be reduced or cancelled. Please visit our Web site at www.esc.edu/FinancialServices for more information.

Educational Planning

21st Century Careers: Introductory
EDU-232062
2 credits,lower level,
In this eight-week course, students examine projected employment trends of the 21st century, predict the effect of these trends on their own careers, identify reliable sources of occupational and job information and use these sources to design personal career goals and a job-advancement, job-search, or career-change plan. Issues such as career definition in the 21st century and the importance of developing new skills for a changing environment will be addressed. Course learning activities include reading, Internet searching, manipulation and use of web-based occupational databases and interests/skills/work values inventories, web-based discussion and three different types of writing: web-based discussions, papers on occupational and job research and personal career plans and portfolios. The course is appropriate for students of any age or previous career preparation, whether they are beginning to investigate career choice or job advancement options, finalizing career change plans, or selecting new careers after retirement from other work.

Notes: students may enroll once in this course, either for two lower-level credits or for two upper-level credits. CDL students may use this course as part of their Educational Planning credit.

Students obtaining Federal Direct loans: If you are only taking 8 week courses during the Summer term your student loans may be reduced or cancelled. Please visit our Web site at www.esc.edu/FinancialServices for more information.

Aging and Gerontology;Critical Thinking;Educational Studies;Educational Planning;Human Development;Human Services;Sociology

Adults as Learners: Theories and Strategies
HDV-283184
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This 4-credit advanced-level course provides a thorough treatment of adults as learners, making use of key learning theories, research on adult learning and relevant strategies for understanding adults as learners. This course is appropriate for students who approach Human Development from a learning perspective; who are (or will be) involved with adult learners in academia, communities, or business; and who, as adult learners, wish to reflect on their personal process. The focus of the course is on approaches to adult learning and associated learning strategies. The primary perspectives covered in the course are: Critical Pedagogy; Communities of Learning and Practice; Adult Development; and Systems of Learning. Major theorists from each perspective will be reviewed in some detail. Students will have the opportunity to relate a particular learning environment to one or more theory/perspective of personal interest to them.

Prerequisites: A foundational course in the social sciences and upper level critical thinking skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Educational Planning

Assessing Learning
EDU-232032
2 credits, liberal study, lower level,
This eight-week course is intended to help students explore the concept of "learning," especially as it relates to both academic and experiential learning. Students will investigate what we mean by college level learning, the different ways that such learning might be demonstrated, what specific learning they want to demonstrate for credit and how to pursue a credit request for their learning. This course will be especially important for students who plan on doing a substantial amount of credit by evaluation, but it will also be appropriate as a more general investigation of learning for any student pursuing a degree with Empire State College.

Students obtaining Federal Direct loans: If you are only taking 8 week courses during the Summer term your student loans may be reduced or cancelled. Please visit our Web site at www.esc.edu/FinancialServices for more information.

Educational Planning;Marketing

Capstone in Media and Communications
CUL-224324
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Are you close to graduation and planning a career in communications, journalism, advertising, PR, broadcasting, digital media, or Internet content creation? Have you been studying media as a cultural form as your concentration and plan to continue, either in graduate school or or on your own? If so, this course is for you. In this course, you will consider "new economy" solutions to the changing media environment through readings, research, exploratory interviews, and discussions, develop or refine a resume and portfolio or web site of past work that will present you as someone who is prepared for an entry level job or to study the subject further, and develop a past paper or paper into a writing sample. This course is designed for students within 24 credits of graduation. It meets the Educational Planning requirement.

Prerequisites: At least three upper level courses in communications and/or media studies, OR work experience in communications, journalism, advertising, public relations, broadcasting, digital media, Internet content creation, or equivalent work experience.

Although this course gives "Educational Planning" credits, it is not designed to substitute for an Educational Planning or Planning and Finalizing the Degree Workshop in which the student creates a degree plan and writes a rationale essay.

Educational Planning

Educational Planning Workshop: Advanced
EDU-233082
2 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course will allow student and mentor to individualize investigations that support planning the degree. Students may work on a mixture of investigations related to the nature of academic learning, expected academic skills, learning management skills and/or professional expectations. Working with their mentor, students may select appropriate investigations from Educational Planning Resources (www.esc.edu/epresources), or they may further individualize the course as appropriate to their educational planning needs and interests. As this is an upper-level study, students will do additional analytical work, developed in consultation with their mentor.

Note: this course is open to matriculated Center for Distance Learning students only, and only with mentor/advisor permission.

Educational Planning

Educational Planning Workshop: Introductory
EDU-232082
2 credits, liberal study, lower level,
This course will allow student and mentor to individualize investigations that support planning the degree. Students may work on a mixture of investigations related to the nature of academic learning, expected academic skills, learning management skills and/or professional expectations. Working with their mentor, students may select appropriate investigations from Educational Planning Resources (www.esc.edu/epresources), or they may further individualize the course as appropriate to their educational planning needs and interests.

Note: this course is open to matriculated Center for Distance Learning students only, and only with mentor/advisor permission.

Educational Planning;Writing: Expository and Creative

Effective Academic Writing
EDU-232042
2 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This eight-week course examines key types of academic writing (e.g., critique, review, essay, reflection) and key elements of style that writers manipulate to create effective writing (e.g., sentence structure, paragraph creation, diction, language choice). Although the course will provide the chance to work on basic academic writing concepts (e.g., creating a thesis, researching and documenting sources), the focus will be on extending this learning to different types of academic writing and making writing more precise, concise and interesting. This course will provide students with the opportunity to apply and refine basic college writing processes to create effective academic prose.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Basic Communication.

Students obtaining Federal Direct loans: If you are only taking 8 week courses during the Summer term your student loans may be reduced or cancelled. Please visit our Web site at www.esc.edu/FinancialServices for more information.

Computers and Information Systems;Educational Planning

Exploring the Disciplines: Information Systems
EDU-232172
2 credits, liberal study, lower level,
Through this course, students will be exposed to the discipline of information systems and its major areas of professional application. Students will use resources such as articles (print and online), databases and each other to gain a broader perspective of this discipline.

Important Note: students should not include this course twice in their degree program. This course can only be taken once, either at the lower-level or at the upper-level.

Computers and Information Systems;Educational Planning

Exploring the Disciplines: Information Systems
EDU-233172
2 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Through this course, students will be exposed to the discipline of information systems and its major areas of professional application. Students will use resources such as articles (print and online), databases and each other to gain a broader perspective of this discipline.

Note: students will be expected to demonstrate upper-level critical thinking and analytic skills in their work.

Important Note: students should not include this course twice in their degree program. This course can only be taken once, either at the lower-level or at the upper-level.

Educational Planning;Literature

Exploring the Disciplines: Literature
EDU-232072
2 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This eight-week course is intended to get students to investigate the nature of literature. The course is focused around two texts, Shakespeare's Hamlet and Lolita Files' Child of God, which students will read and discuss in depth. Both texts include a similar story-line: a murder, an incestuous relationship, an uneasy resolution at the end. By exploring these texts written over 300 years apart, students will learn about the types of themes, questions, comparisons and insights that literature has to offer. The course will also start to offer insight into literary analysis and research.

Note: this course is open to all students. Center for Distance Learning students taking this course for educational planning credit should obtain mentor/advisor permission. This course can be used towards CDL Educational Planning and SUNY general education credit.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Students obtaining Federal Direct loans: If you are only taking 8 week courses during the Summer term your student loans may be reduced or cancelled. Please visit our Web site at www.esc.edu/FinancialServices for more information.

Educational Planning;Math and Quantitative Studies

Exploring the Disciplines: Thinking Mathematically
EDU-233032
2 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Use this upper level course in conjunction with Planning and Finalizing the Degree to both learn more about what a degree in mathematics means, as well as experience the world of theoretical mathematics. Students also explore the use of Maple software in this course. Ideally, this is taken before or concurrently with any advanced level math course (2 credits toward Educational Planning).

Early Childhood Studies;Educational Planning

Exploring the Professions: Child Care Management
EDU-233422
2 credits,upper level,
This course is intended for students who plan to study Child Care Administration and/or complete studies toward the New York State Children’s Program Administrator Credential. This two-credit advanced study invites future leaders in the child care profession to examine the history of child care as a profession, the history of child care credentialing, child care ethics, and an overview of competencies needed to succeed as a professional leader and manager. Students will have an opportunity to observe and evaluate child care settings as well as interview administrators and parents about their experiences with child care. To assist them in further classes in the child care administration sequence, students will prepare a resource portfolio as a final project.

Important Note: This course was renamed effective the September 2014 term and was formerly offered as Exploring the Professions: Child Care Advanced. Students who have successfully completed 254322 should not enroll in this course.

Early Childhood Studies;Educational Planning

Exploring the Professions: Children and Child Care
EDU-232422
2 credits,lower level,
Explore the professional role of teachers in the field of early childhood within the context of educational planning. This course will begin with an overview of child care as a profession and how the field has adapted to accommodate our increasing knowledge of child development. Students will explore child care credentialing, professionalism, ethics and the foundations of teaching and learning in formal and informal child care settings. Skills such as observation, supervision and assessment will be introduced. The course places emphasis on ways to enhance development and learning through an environment and curriculum that supports young children. Students will complete the course with an individualized final project related to the profession of their choice.

Important Note: This course was renamed effective the September 2014 term and was formerly offered as Exploring the Professions: Child Care Introductory, 252422. Students who have successfully 252422 should not enroll in this course.

Cultural Studies;Educational Planning;Writing: Expository and Creative

Independent Learning Strategies
EDU-233104
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Explore independent and advanced level study through assignments focused on helping students develop as critical readers, writers, thinkers and self-aware adult learners. The course is designed to facilitate the transition from introductory to advanced levels of engagement with ideas and sources. Students are required to use a research library and online learning resources where available. A critical issue, selected by the student in consultation with the tutor, is used to test the understandings acquired while enabling the student to tailor this study to his or her own particular interests.

There are no specific prerequisites for this course, but students should have had some prior college-level study and be ready to move to upper-level study. Students also should have access to a four-year college library or a major public library. CDL matriculated students can use this course as part of their Educational Planning credit.

This course partially meets the General Education requirement in Basic Communication.

Educational Planning

Information Literacy
EDU-232012
2 credits, liberal study, lower level,
This course is designed to help develop students' information literacy skills: how information is gathered and stored electronically and how information relevant to academic research projects can be extracted and evaluated. Students will have the chance to explore the Empire State College Library and Learning Resources web site and use various types of electronic databases, along with other sources on the Internet. The course is also intended to help students with concrete research tasks: identifying a research topic and narrowing it into a researchable question; understanding how to place the topic in its context, findings resources (reference sources, books, articles, Internet sites) that provide answers to the research question; understanding various search strategies (e.g., Boolean search techniques) appropriate to each type of source; evaluating sources for validity; and listing and annotating sources using a standard documentation format (APA preferred or MLA). All reading resources are online. Primary assignments will include reading, writing, and online discussion. CDL matriculated students can use this course as part of their Educational Planning credit.

Important Note: this course was formerly offered as 232011. Students who have successfully completed the one-credit version of this course (232011) should not enroll in the two-credit version (232012).

Educational Planning

International E-learning Skills: EP Workshop for Russian Special Programs

EDU-232182

2 credits, liberal study, lower level,
Description: This educational planning workshop will allow Russian-speaking international distance learning students to integrate successfully into the American college environment and to develop necessary global competencies, including expected academic skills, learning management skills, cross-cultural and e-learning skills. For successful transition, students will use bilingual guidelines prepared by Russian-speaking professors. Students will learn how to make efficient use of the vast electronic information resources, online databases and other information technology services of the College; they will learn how to participate in international virtual teams, discussions and projects. Working with their mentor, students may individualize investigations that support transferring credits from their home institution and planning their American degree. They may further individualize the course as appropriate to their educational planning needs and interests.

Note: this course is open to non-matriculated Russian-speaking International Distance Learning students only.

Educational Planning

Introduction to College Studies

EDU-232022

2 credits, liberal study, lower level,
This course will help students become familiar with expectations for academic studies at the college level and get ready for Empire State College studies. The learning activities are organized by the following themes: getting ready for college studies, introduction to Empire State College learning resources and support services, exploration of active and independent learning skills, development of strategies, resources, and attitudes needed for successful college studies, and assessment of learning effectiveness. The course utilizes a "learning by doing" approach to help students develop and practice important college study skills: active and independent learning skills. Through group and individual projects, students will have opportunities to assess their learning styles and study skills as well as to collaboratively develop strategies and resources for successful Empire State College studies. As students engage in active and guided independent learning activities, they will also be expected to exercise critical thinking, critical reading, effective writing and technology literacy. New Empire State College students may find this course beneficial in helping them make transition to the college and prepare for academic success. CDL matriculated students can use this course as part of their Educational Planning credit.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the January 2010 term and was formerly offered as Introduction to Guided Independent Study. Students who have successfully completed 232022 should not enroll in this course.

Critical Thinking;Cultural Studies;Educational Planning;Philosophy and Religious Studies

Introduction to Critical Thinking
EDU-232312
2 credits, liberal study, lower level,
This course offers concepts basic to critical thinking (clear communication, persuasion, argument, fact and opinion, etc.) in a real-world, problem-solving context geared toward working adults. Students will learn how to approach issues and problems in a reasoned way, considering purpose, language, awareness of argument structure and other concepts. Students will be expected to apply critical thinking to real-world decision-making (e.g., cases dealing with different employee perspectives at work, managing a staff reduction plan, developing a small business strategy), and to cases that they are currently confronting in their own work, community and/or personal situations. Students will participate in discussions; define, recognize, analyze and evaluate sample arguments; apply critical thinking strategies to real-world situations; and write their own arguments, applying concepts and processes of critical thinking.

Early Childhood Studies;Educational Studies;Educational Planning;Human Development

Learning Styles
EDU-233222
2 credits, liberal study, upper level,
In this 8-week course, students will review traditional and contemporary learning theories that investigate the importance of self-reflection, the social nature of learning, biological bases for learning and emotional aspects of learning. Working topics will include: how we define ourselves as learners; centering and creating self-affirming beliefs; what is life-long, global learning?; the social nature of learning; the brain, emotions and learning; learning as change and managing learning/managing change. This course will enable students to both learn about learning and apply concepts to become more aware of themselves as learners.

Note: this course has a required CD-ROM component. Students interested in learning more about themselves as adult learners may select this course for Educational Planning to be more successful students at Empire State College. Students of adult or child learning will find this course useful to more effectively engage students in classrooms or clients in training and non-formal education (business training, religious education, etc). Those pursuing educational studies will find this course useful as they differentiate instruction for learners with different learning needs.

Critical Thinking;Educational Planning

Making Time: Time Management and the Sociocultural Construction of Time
EDU-231402
2 credits, liberal study, lower level,
In today's busy world, managing one's time for studies, for work, for family, for leisure, and for other responsibilities is seldom an easy task. Yet, an important factor in student success in college is finding ways to manage sufficient quality time for study. In this educational planning course, students reflect on their time-management skills through an introduction to humanities and social science scholarship about time. It combines practical assignments for students to reflect on and analyze their own time-management skills with academic readings and assignments that consider "time" from sociocultural, sociohistorical perspectives. In this regard, it also aims to help students consider how to integrate academic theories with everyday "real life" practice. Some of the theoretical questions considered may include: How have people in different cultures perceived, measured, or managed time? How do the ways people handle their time correlate with certain social, cultural, and historical changes? What kinds of demands does our contemporary sociohistorical context put on our time and how we manage it? How might women be affected by time differently than men? CDL matriculated students can use this course as part of their Educational Planning credit.

Note: This is a fifteen-week 2-credit course.

Educational Planning

Planning and Finalizing the Degree: Advanced
EDU-233092
2 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Plan the particulars of your degree: courses, credit amounts, etc. Learn what you can do at Empire State College in terms of degree design and research other colleges along with Empire State College to develop ideas about your degree design. Develop a specific degree plan and rationale essay explaining that plan, documents which then go to an Assessment Committee for approval. Investigations will deal with the nature of college degrees, academic and professional expectations for degrees and breadth/integration/progression. Students will examine and evaluate sample student degree plans and rationale essays. By the end of the course, students will have created and finalized their own degree plans and rationale essay drafts for feedback and discussion. Students will be expected to participate in discussions at least twice a week. As this is an upper-level study, students will do additional analytical work, developed in consultation with their mentor.

Note: this course is open to matriculated Center for Distance Learning students only, and only with mentor/advisor permission.

Educational Planning

Planning and Finalizing the Degree: Introductory
EDU-232092
2 credits, liberal study, lower level,
Plan the particulars of your degree: courses, credit amounts, etc. Learn what you can do at Empire State College in terms of degree design, and research other colleges along with Empire State College to develop ideas about your degree design. Develop a specific degree plan and rationale essay explaining that plan, documents which then go to an Assessment Committee for approval. Investigations will deal with the nature of college degrees, academic and professional expectations for degrees and breadth/integration/progression. Students will examine and evaluate sample student degree plans and rationale essays. By the end of the course, students will have created and finalized their own degree plans and rationale essay drafts for feedback and discussion. Students will be expected to participate in discussions at least twice a week.

Note: this course is open to matriculated Center for Distance Learning students only, and only with mentor/advisor permission.

Educational Planning;Writing: Expository and Creative

Proposal Writing
EDU-233052
2 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
In this eight-week, two-credit course, students will develop analytical, research and writing skills at the upper level. Proposal Writing offers a way of presenting these skills in a concrete, real-world context. Students will read and analyze sample proposals and build on basic communication theory as they write short and long proposals. Students will be expected to write short, academic research proposals and longer, formal, work-or community-related proposals. They will share and discuss their writing throughout the course as part of learning how to analyze a proposal's effectiveness. Students taking this course should have advanced-level skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Basic Communication.

Students obtaining Federal Direct loans: If you are only taking 8 week courses during the Summer term your student loans may be reduced or cancelled. Please visit our Web site at www.esc.edu/FinancialServices for more information.

Critical Thinking;Educational Planning;Human Development

Reflective Learning
EDU-233022
2 credits, liberal study, upper level,
How do you learn? Knowledge about learning styles can make a significant difference in motivation, effectiveness, speed and depth of learning. In this eight-week course, you will have the opportunity to briefly learn about cultural contexts of learning styles, sensory processes associated with various modes of learning, and possible applications of this knowledge in your personal, interpersonal and professional lives. through your analysis of your own learning preferences and their impact on your studies, this course fulfills the requirements for Educational Planning. You will evaluate how to make use of this knowledge in your life and the lives of those whom you influence. Multimedia will be used wherever possible in the course and accepted as assignments, with permission of the instructor.

Note: this course has a required CD-ROM component.

For students receiving NYS financial aid: If you are taking 8 week courses during a 15 week term, you must have at least one 15 week course in the term to maintain eligibility for a NY State TAP award.

Business (General);Educational Planning;Management;Marketing

Self-Management and Self-Marketing
BME-214524
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This 4-credit, 15-week course is designed to provide students with theoretical knowledge and practical, job related skills in self-management and self-marketing. Students will learn how to use contemporary learning theories and fundamental management and marketing concepts to guide their self and career development. Throughout the course, students will engage in a series of learning activities aimed at developing, documenting, evaluating, peer-reviewing, presenting and improving their practical self-management and self-marketing competencies and skills. They will learn how to use e-portfolios for conducting their personal SWOT analysis and self-assessment and will use social media tools to support their ongoing personal and professional development; in addition, they should be prepared to participate in a live, peer reviewed, mock job interview session conducted via a video-conferencing system. Overall, this course will foster students’ self-awareness and self-reflection and will help them develop effective strategies for self-improvement and self-promotion.

As an educational planning study within the BME area, the course will be useful for BME students in any concentration; depending on the individual degree program design, it can be placed either as part of their concentration, or general learning. During the course, students will be required to present and evaluate concrete evidence of essential skills in all areas specified in the BME general guidelines; this activity is intended to strengthen the students' focus on learning outcomes of their college studies. This study can be taken at any point during the degree provided that prerequisite requirements are met. Students can discuss issues of timing with mentors. The advantage of taking it earlier (and before they finalize their degree plans) is that they should be better able to identify and understand their essential skills' gaps and then calibrate their ESC studies to address those deficiencies and build a stronger competency base. The advantage of taking it at a later stage is that they will have the opportunity to evaluate their progress and think proactively about their future self-improvement and career goals, including, but not limited to, graduate study.

Note: CDL matriculated students can use this course as part of their Educational Planning credit.

Prerequisites: Foundational courses in principles of marketing and principles of management or equivalent knowledge/experience AND upper level critical thinking skills.

Educational Planning;Health Services;Human Development

Stress and Coping
HDV-282214
4 credits, liberal study, lower level,
This course will examine the consequences of stress on individuals and the social environments in which their lives take place: such as family, work, school, communities, among other social contexts. Topics to be explored include: definitions and theories of stress, key stressors, stress prevention and coping skills, balanced lifestyles; and research and information technology sources related to mental health and stress relief. This course includes a combination of theory, practical knowledge, and application experiences that will help the student understand many day-to-day situations which create stress and have health consequences. Understanding sources of stress and practicing prevention habits as well as learning about coping skills is a vital way of keeping healthy, physically and emotionally. Along with discussions and written assignments, students will use online video demonstrations, and applications–based exercises to track stressful situations and practicing coping skills.

Prerequisites: Completion of Introduction to Psychology OR General Psychology and completion of a course in Human Biology or equivalent. Completion of or currently taking Behavioral Neuroscience: Introductory or Health Psychology is recommended.

Educational Planning;Environmental Studies;History and Civilizations

The Pursuit of Happiness in American History

CUL-222114

4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements

Presumably, students come to college because they believe a higher education and/or a college degree will improve their lives, and thus, in some way, make them "happier." This course encourages students to ponder what happiness means to them (and where a college education fits into the picture) by taking a trip through U.S. history that focuses on various ways that happiness (or well-being, or the "good life") has been constructed in different ways and in different contexts.

Through contextual studies of primary texts of all kinds from the colonial period to the present, students will examine many different ways that happiness has been defined and pursued in different contexts throughout the history of the United States, as well as ways that "America" as a nation has been imagined or defined in terms of concepts of happiness. Emphasis will be placed on students learning to be aware of and think about assumptions about happiness that are explicit or implicit in such texts, and to situate these in their respective historical contexts. In this way, students will be introduced to, and participate in the construction of one kind of narrative of American history. Insofar as this narrative of American history broadens students' understanding of their own historical context, they will be expected, in turn, to more fully articulate their own sense of how they are thinking about their own lives and their own education.

Activities in the course will generally fall into two categories, which are meant to mutually reinforce and stimulate each another. First, students will study, discuss, and write critically about a variety of primary historical documents, in order to understand American history through the lens of "happiness." Second, students will discuss and write about what happiness means to them personally, and articulate particular ways that they envision their college studies addressing that happiness. It is expected that many students will find the latter activities useful to their overall work in educational planning by helping them to consider their reasons for pursuing a degree in relation to some of the ideas about happiness that have been articulated throughout American history.

Note: In addition to the required readings available at the bookstore, all students who take this course are required to use at least one good college-level general American history reference. Examples of such a text include The American Promise: A History of the United States (volumes 1-2) by Roark, Johnson, et al., Who Built America? Working People and the Nation's History (volumes 1-2) by Clark, Hewitt, et al., or A People and a Nation by Norton, et al. For those students who do not already have access to such a text, the Norton text (A People and a Nation: Brief Edition) is optionally available for purchase from the Empire State College bookstore.

CDL matriculated students can use this course as part of their Educational Planning credit.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in American History.

Educational Planning

Transitions: Career and Educational Skills for Military and Veterans
EDU-233212
2 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Students in the advanced version of this course do assignments that require evaluation, analysis, and work with primary research. The read about the nature of advanced-level work and apply their learning to create advanced-level writings.

Aging and Gerontology;Critical Thinking;Educational Studies;Educational Planning;Human Development;Human Services;Sociology

Adults as Learners: Theories and Strategies
HDV-283184
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This 4-credit advanced-level course provides a thorough treatment of adults as learners, making use of key learning theories, research on adult learning and relevant strategies for understanding adults as learners. This course is appropriate for students who approach Human Development from a learning perspective; who are (or will be) involved with adult learners in academia, communities, or business; and who, as adult learners, wish to reflect on their personal process. The focus of the course is on approaches to adult learning and associated learning strategies. The primary perspectives covered in the course are: Critical Pedagogy; Communities of Learning and Practice; Adult Development; and Systems of Learning. Major theorists from each perspective will be reviewed in some detail. Students will have the opportunity to relate a particular learning environment to one or more theory/perspective of personal interest to them.

Prerequisites: A foundational course in the social sciences and upper level critical thinking skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Early Childhood Studies;Educational Studies;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development

Developmental Psychopathology
HDV-284234
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Developmental Psychopathology is designed to introduce students to a field, which has emerged as a unique discipline in the past two decades, to interpret non-normal developmental paths from within the framework of normative development. It has four central characteristics: 1) the use of classical developmental theory and research to inform issues of psychopathology; 2) the use of insights from developmentally atypical populations to increase understanding of normal developmental processes; 3) integration of methods and theories from various social science disciplines; and 4) derivation of implications for interventions and social policy. Students will learn about the basic issues underlying this field and apply them to better understand the range of developmental possibilities. They will learn about the nature and extent of various disorders through an understanding of common etiologies and developmental trajectories. By the end of the course, students should be able to define developmental psychopathology and explain how it differs from other traditions, understand how to identify and study developmental deviations, describe some of the most common forms of abnormal development, and apply the knowledge gained throughout the course to diverse populations of children and families.

Prerequisites: A lifespan human development course is required, such as Human Development at CDL. Introduction to Psychology, Human Exceptionalities, and Abnormal Psychology would augment understanding of this material.

Educational Studies;Family Studies;Human Development;Psychology

Educational Psychology
HDV-284334
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This four credit advanced course provides a thorough study of educational psychological research, and the factors affecting the process of human growth and development from primary school through high school as it pertains to learning. The focus of this course is on applying the methods of psychology to studying the processes of education. The primary perspectives covered in the course are: cognitive and linguistic theory; emotion, psycho-social, and moral development, diversity, motivation, exceptionalities, learning theories, behaviorism and cognitive learning theory, testing measurements and assessment. Major theorists from each perspective will be reviewed in some detail. Students will have an opportunity to connect or relate a particular developmental stage to one or more theories or perspectives of development which are of personal interest.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Psychology or Human Development.

Early Childhood Studies;Educational Studies;Human Development

Human Learning: A Developmental Approach
HDV-284404
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This advanced level study of human learning across the lifespan from a developmental perspective follows learning throughout life, portraying the role of developmental stages; critical support for learning at each stage; and effects of social, personal and cognitive variations at junctures in development. The study integrates the work of major theorists (Piaget,Vygotsky, Erikson, Kegan, Selman, Maslow and others) with current empirical research. Students will be encouraged to gain principled and practical knowledge about learning trajectories and to apply that knowledge to professional and personal experiences requiring an understanding of learning.

Prerequisites: Human Development and significant exposure to developmental theory. Students should be prepared to do advanced-level work.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Educational Studies;Science

Human Nutrition
SMT-272354
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Understand the scientific basis of human nutrition and develop a critical approach to nutrition information. Includes discussion of the digestion, absorption, metabolism and dietary sources of micro- and macro-nutrients necessary for human health. Explore the social, psychological and economic forces which affect nutrition and food choice. Develop an ability to analyze the dietary adequacy of foods and critically discuss some current issues and topics in nutrition. Activities include: careful recording of food intake, diet analysis exercises and completion of a project which explores some aspect of nutrition of particular interest.

This course is a good general learning science study and may be of special interest to students working in human services. It is a good study for development of critical thinking skills. No prior study in biology or nutrition required.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Early Childhood Studies;Educational Studies;Educational Planning;Human Development

Learning Styles
EDU-233222
2 credits, liberal study, upper level,
In this 8-week course, students will review traditional and contemporary learning theories that investigate the importance of self-reflection, the social nature of learning, biological bases for learning and emotional aspects of learning. Working topics will include: how we define ourselves as learners; centering and creating self-affirming beliefs; what is life-long, global learning?; the social nature of learning; the brain, emotions and learning; learning as change and managing learning/managing change. This course will enable students to both learn about learning and apply concepts to become more aware of themselves as learners.

Note: this course has a required CD-ROM component. Students interested in learning more about themselves as adult learners may select this course for Educational Planning to be more successful students at Empire State College. Students of adult or child learning will find this course useful to more effectively engage students in classrooms or clients in training and non-formal education (business training, religious education, etc). Those pursuing educational studies will find this course useful as they differentiate instruction for learners with different learning needs.

Educational Studies

Learning through ePortfolios
EDU-223102
2 credits, liberal study, upper level,
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to electronic portfolios as individual learning, communal learning, and presentation tools, and to explore their usefulness in academic and professional contexts. Studenst will learn the capabilities of one portfolio system (Mahara). They will create portfolio content throughout the course using journal, page, discussion, and other features. Students will also read and research in the areas of portfolio-based learning, reflection in the learning process, and public communication. By the end of the course, students will have created an individual academic/learning journal and two public/professional portfolio pages. Students will learn to analyze and provide feedback on public portfolios in terms of the creator's purpose, audience, content, media, and overall usability, and students will reflect on the usefulness of journals and portfolios to their own learning processes.

Early Childhood Studies;Educational Studies;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Human Development

Play, Fantasy and Reality
HDV-284354
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This four credit advanced level course will cover the complexity and beauty of children’s play and its extension into adult worlds. Students in Human Development, Educational Studies, and Community and Human/ Health Services are likely to find this course addresses both professional and personal interests in the constraints upon, limits to, and manifestations, uses and potential of play in its myriad forms in both childhood and across the life cycle. Distinctions among play, fantasy and reality will be drawn using themes both connecting and discriminating child and adult play. An understanding of play will be shown to be central to pragmatic issues such as learning, developmental assessment, curriculum development, and treatment of a diversity of problems. The primary perspectives covered in the course are: What is Play?; Origins and Manifestations of Play; Development and Assessment of Play: Birth to 8 Years; Play and the Development of the Whole Child; Diversity and Individual Differences in Play; Contexts of Play; Play in Preadolescence and Adolescence; and Play Beyond the Playground. Major theoretical approaches such as those by Dewey, Rousseau, Piaget, Vygotsky, Parton, Sutton-Smith, Winnicott, and others will be explored. Students will come away from this course with a deep appreciation and understanding of the importance of play in the life of a child - and the life of the child within us.

Prerequisites: A lifespan human development course.

Educational Studies;Human Development;Psychology

Principles of Testing and Measurements
HDV-283404
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This is a foundation course in psychology. Testing is one of the primary facets of a psychologist’s work, both historically and currently. An understanding of how psychological testing and measurement tools are created and the criteria by which they are judged is an introduction to the methods of the social scientist, especially the psychologist. This course focuses on the principles, applications and issues of psychological testing, with a short introduction on the history of testing. Students will be exposed to the structure and usage of different types of tests and their appropriate usage and limits to usage.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Psychology or equivalent. Prerequisite or Co-requisite: Statistics. Quantitative Research: Design and Methods provides an excellent background, but is not required.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Early Childhood Studies;Educational Studies;Human Development;Sociology

Schooling in America
SOC-282244
4 credits, liberal study, lower level,
Examine schools as organizations from a personal and a sociological perspective. Examine the current system of public schooling in the United States, including the historical, social and political forces that have shaped it. Compare different views of public schooling, consider issues of school reform and develop positions on the future of public schooling in America.

Business (General);Computers and Information Systems;Emergency Management

Business Continuity Planning and Disaster Recovery
SMT-274604
4 credits,upper level,
Organizations must plan for contingencies. Business continuity planning and disaster recovery must start long before a catastrophe strikes. Electronic/digital processes are ubiquitous and at the core of many business functions, so no longer is restoration of a centralized data center sufficient. While the work is often rooted in IT, the entire organization must be considered. Thus, it is important to learn to analyze organizations; identify risk and impact; understand complexity; identify mission-critical systems; communicate the need for planning; create, test and implement business continuity plans; and conduct disaster avoidance.

Prerequisites: familiarity with the functions of management including planning, organizing, staffing, leading, and controlling (such as one should gain through an introductory management course such as Introduction to Management or Management Principles or through professional experience). Students must also have the ability to do academic research using the college library, evaluate material, and effectively communicate ideas in an academic format (such as one should develop through lower-level college studies).

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Emergency Management;Human Development;Human Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Sociology

Disaster and Society
SOC-283434
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
What is a disaster? How do social structures, groups and institutions react to the loss of social function as a result of natural, technological, or sociopolitical events? This upper level course explores social effects of disaster from both a macro and a micro level of analysis, using social theories of organizational behavior, political sociology, community development, religion, urban planning, and rural sociology that inform the field of disaster research.

Prerequisites: Upper-level standing with advanced-level critical thinking, reading, research and writing skills. A previous study (or equivalent knowledge) in social theory or structure is desirable, but not mandatory.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Emergency Management;Fire Protection

Disaster Planning and Control
CHS-264064
4 credits,upper level,
Develop an understanding of "disaster," its impact on human populations, the control of its consequences, modes of preparation and planning for disaster contingencies and the institutional context of disaster/fire defense planning. Methods of evaluating fire defense and disaster preparedness programs and the psychological dimensions of disaster related behavior are also included. Apply course content to local disaster/fire defense planning issues and problems.

Recommended: previous study in College Writing, Introduction to Public Administration and/or Advanced Fire Administration, plus State and Local Government or equivalents, or have experience in administration, some background in chemistry, as well as fire training and experience.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the May 2008 term and was formerly offered as Disaster and Fire Defense Planning. Students who have successfully completed 264064 should not enroll in this course.

Communications and Media;Emergency Management

Emergency Communications
CHS-263824
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course will provide students with an understanding of the fundamentals of communication and their application in emergency situations. Students will examine the use of oral and written communications in various levels of emergency and crisis situations and will learn to identify internal and external audiences and analyze their information needs. Students will also gain an understanding of the use of communications systems and the role of technology in facilitating communication during crises.

Prerequisites: course work or experience in emergency response or emergency management.

Emergency Management

Introduction to Emergency Management
CHS-262804
4 credits,lower level,
Examine the need for emergency management in American society, and the emergency management process. Understand an emergency operations center and examine the role of the three levels of American government in emergency management. Study the concepts of mutual aid and the team approach to emergency management.

Recommended: previous study in College Writing, Introduction to Public Administration and/or Advanced Fire Administration, plus State and Local Government or equivalents, or have experience in administration, some background in chemistry, as well as fire training and experience.

Emergency Management

Introduction to Emergency Planning
CHS-262814
4 credits,lower level,
Learn to participate effectively in the emergency planning process. Explore the need for planning; examine hazard analysis and capability assessment; and help design, coordinate, review and promulgate an emergency operations plan.

Emergency Management;Environmental Studies;Fire Protection

Managerial Issues in Hazardous Materials
CHS-264134
4 credits,upper level,
This course presents current issues in management of a department-wide hazardous materials program. It includes issues that are pertinent to officers and managers in public safety departments, including regulations and requirements for hazardous materials preparedness, response, storage, transportation, handling and use, and the emergency response to terrorism threat/incident. Subjects covered include state, local, and federal emergency response planning, personnel and training, and operational considerations such as determining strategic goals and tactical objectives.

Emergency Management;Health Services

Managing Bioterrorism and Public Health Emergencies
CHS-264834
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Examine the roles and responsibilities of hospitals and public health agencies in responding to natural and human-made disasters, including bioterrorism. Explore environmental and mental health consequences and study methods of planning and prevention.

Prerequisites: depending on student's concentration, an introductory course, or equivalent, in emergency management, health administration, public health, public administration or public policy.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the September 2007 term and was formerly offered as Mass Disasters: Implications for Public Health. Students who have successfully completed 264834 should not enroll in this course.

Emergency Management;Political Science and Public Affairs

Mass Disasters: Implications for Public Policy
CHS-264854
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course explores the consequences of federal, state, and local policy decisions on the way that emergency managers carry out their work. An understanding of these consequences can help the emergency manager or policy analyst be an advocate for policies that help communities mitigate, plan and prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural and human-caused disasters. Students will draw policy lessons from studying a variety of disasters, large and small, that have occurred over the past several decades. Topics include federalism and inter-governmental relations and their connection to disaster planning and response, community resilience in recovery, and the legal and ethical obligations of the emergency management profession, among others.

Emergency Management

Organization and Management of Disaster Response
CHS-264304
4 credits,upper level,
This course will help students deepen their managerial skills and leadership abilities by studying and applying the Competing Values Framework to management situations
and decisions that arise in the course of catastrophic events. Students will learn how to balance the needs for flexibility vs. control and the internal vs. external orientation to enhance the
effectiveness of their organization in responding to events. Topics include historical perspectives of management in disasters, management of public resources, information systems,
and command systems, understanding managerial styles and leadership strategies, and the elements of decision-making in extreme situations.

Prerequisites: Principles of Management, or equivalent experience in some aspect of Emergency Management.

NOTE: this course was previously offered as a 2-credit course. Effective the September 2010 term, this course is now a 4-credit course. Students who successfully completed 264302 should not register in this course.

Emergency Management;Fire Protection

Psycho-Social Impacts of Mass Disasters
CHS-264864
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Examine the mental health consequences of disaster on individuals and their communities. Topics to be explored include: changing definitions of disaster, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, mental health intervention strategies, research and information technology sources related to mental health and disaster. Students will read three texts, perform website research, watch feature films, become familiar with major research journals and professional disaster mental health organizations and prepare a final research paper or project. Students studying in the areas of Community and Human Services, Human Development, Business Studies, Criminal Justice and Emergency Management will benefit from this study.

Prerequisites: introductory course in one of the following: Human Development, Human Services, Criminal Justice, Emergency Management or Sociology.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Emergency Management

Risk Analysis and Hazard Mitigation
CHS-264424
4 credits,upper level,
This course integrates the strategic planning of an organization or municipal entity with the risk assessment and mitigation process. Risk analysis and hazard mitigation can be applied to a wide range of functions and activities. Several special applications, however, are uniquely significant to organizations that, in the course of delivering their services to the public, cope with high-risk situations as an integral component of their missions. It is a fundamental tenet of risk management that it is an ongoing, evolving, regularly refreshed and continuously improved process. Students will develop an understanding of the complex evolution of risk management as both a concept and a physical fact.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Emergency Management or study or experiential background within the areas of business continuity planning, community and human services planning or information systems.

Aging and Gerontology;Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Anthropology;Communications and Media;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Early Childhood Studies;Emergency Management;Family Studies;Fire Protection;Gender Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Psychology;Sociology;Women's Studies

Survey of Social Science Research Methods
SOC-283424
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Social research provides answers to questions about people and the social settings and systems in which they are involved. This social science research course introduces the fundamentals of qualitative and quantitative research methods. Students learn how to formulate a viable research question, collect and analyze data, understand the ethical issues of social science research, and write a formal research proposal.

Note: This course has a required SPSS component.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Cultural Studies;English;Literature

Special Topics in Literature: Literature and the Popular Cult(ure) of the Vampire

CUL-224404

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

The vampire, as an enduring cultural metaphor for sexuality, class struggle, and Imperialism, has inconveniently and consistently refused to die. He (and, more recently, she) eerily transforms to suit history and circumstances: as Nina Auerbach explains, “every age embraces the vampire it needs.” Spanning from Stoker's hideous Count Dracula to the pretty, sparkly vampires of the Twilightseries, we will survey some of the most popular incarnations of the vampire in literature, television, and film. After reading some of the classics of the genre, students will choose their favorite works and consider them in the light of recent critical scholarship which takes them seriously, to help us decide what is at stake for our culture in the figure of the vampire.

This course is 4 credits, advanced and liberal. There are no prerequites for this course.
Please note: Special Topics in Literature may be repeated for credit with different topics.

This course fully meets the General Education requirements in Humanities.

Cultural Studies;Environmental Studies;History and Civilizations

African History and Culture
HIS-243344
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
A multidisciplinary approach to Africa. Colonization and its impact provide historical context. A geographical framework encourages students to individualize their learning through case studies of two of the following five areas: East Africa, West Africa, North Africa, South Africa and Central Africa. A research project enables students to correlate their geographical case studies to a choice of topical issues: AIDS, the environment, family and kinship, women and development, religion or literature. Particular attention is devoted to contemporary ethnic conflict. The course concludes with an examination of trends and prospects for the future of Africa.

Learning activities include multidisciplinary readings (anthropological, economic, historical, political and sociological), instructor and student facilitated discussions, case studies, short essays and a research paper. Students also follow contemporary news reports from Africa. Students individualize their learning through selections that synthesize their studies of the human ecology and colonial legacy of Africa; post-colonial African societies; and Africa as part of a global system.

Recommended: World History 1, World History 2 or equivalent. Advanced level research and writing skills are expected of this upper level course.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the March 2008 term and was formerly offered as Africa and Its Peoples. Students who have successfully completed 243344 should not enroll in this course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Other World Civilizations.

Cultural Studies;Environmental Studies

An Introduction to Culture
SOC-242404
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
In this introductory study, students will examine, share, and expand their individual understandings of and interests in culture. Broadly defined for this study, "culture" refers to the diversely basic beliefs and activities by which groups of human beings understand, make meaningful, and sustain common experiences. Every student will begin with a common reading taken from anthropology (an academic discipline devoted to the study of cultures): Paul Rabinow’s Reflections on Fieldwork in Morocco. Then, students will investigate their own themes and questions about culture by using items from pertinent reading lists representing a variety of endeavors and academic disciplines (anthropology, sociology, and social psychology, as well as history, philosophy, and literature). This study is meant to be individualized, in collaboration with the mentor, so that all students can follow their own curiosity. It is also organized as an "online seminar" so that all participants can learn from each other. Thus, combining individual inquiry and common discussion, the participants can create a diverse learning community, a "culture," of their own.

Note: each student will be responsible for obtaining some of the additional individualized reading materials from a library, local bookstore, or other source. The Rabinow text is available at the Empire State College Bookstore.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Environmental Studies;Multicultural and Diversity Studies

Artistic Expression in a Multicultural America
ART-222444
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This multicultural art course investigates the artistic expressions of diverse ethnic and cultural groups in America. Examples of artistic expressions range from traditional ethnic artifacts like baskets and quilts to contemporary art like painting and sculpture. Students are encouraged to study the artistic expressions from their own/familiar groups. Students will read, explore, discuss with classmates and write about diverse artistic expressions, the creative processes, the artists' motivations, multiculturalism in art, and critical issues related to all the above topics. Assignments, including interactive online discussion, reading, writing, and hands-on projects, will enrich students' knowledge of artistic traditions and practices of diverse ethnic and cultural groups as well as foster students' ability to respond to the issues of multicultural art critically and sensitively.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in The Arts.

Environmental Studies;Science

Biology of Ecosystems
SMT-272204
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Gain an understanding of and appreciation for fundamental themes of biology through the study of plants, insects and living organisms in ecosystems. Learn about the importance of biodiversity and the complex interdependence and interaction between plants and animals in a healthy ecosystem. Develop a conceptual framework that will enable you to apply what you learn to critical examinations of complex ecological issues.

While some background in biology will be helpful, there are no specific prerequisites for this course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Environmental Studies;Science

Contemporary Environmental Issues
SMT-274544
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This interdisciplinary course examines a broad range of contemporary global environmental issues, such as biodiversity, pollution, population growth, and global warming, and focuses on how those big issues might affect us locally. It develops students' environmental literacy and enables them to take part in informed debate and action. It explores environmental materials in a variety of media and teaches students how to navigate these materials; how to analyze and evaluate information; how to balance information from a variety of scientific and nonscientific, objective and subjective sources; and how to develop arguments surrounding environmental problems.

Prerequisites: An understanding of basic environmental issues and concepts such as would be gained in a lower-level ecology course, e.g., "Biology of Ecosystems"

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Environmental Studies;Science

Ecology, Adaptation and Sustainable Development
SMT-271504
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course provides a comprehensive, clear and engaging introduction to human ecology, biological adaptation, cultural adaptation and sustainable development. Included are studies of the organization and function of ecosystems, the interactions of human social systems with them and how social institutions and processes contribute to, or conflict with, sustainability. The readings concentrate on how humans affect global ecosystems and how these changes impact our health, behavior, social and cultural life. The course will integrate long-standing ecological principles with more recent case studies that focus on achieving ecologically sustainable development. The coursework includes concepts that can be applied in our individual and collective lives to pursue a promising and secure future. This material is a thought provoking exercise aimed at sensitizing the students via case studies on biological and cultural adaptations from different parts of the world. By pursuing this course, students will also be able to investigate ecological principles relevant to global concerns and will be able to cultivate values that prepare them as informed and responsible global citizens.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Environmental Studies;Science

Energy: The Issues and the Science
SMT-271544
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
In this world, energy is crucial for events of any kind. The existence of life, the origin of civilization, and our modern society are all based on the capture and flow of energy. However, as the largest user of fossil fuel energy with the highest per capita consumption in the world, the current patterns of energy use in the United State are without question unsustainable over the long term and raise critical questions of self-sufficiency and global impact.

This course will discuss fundamental energy science principles in the context of chemistry, biology, and physics. The study will examine the origin and flow of energy through the system, what it does, and its ultimate fate. The course will further explore current issues in energy including the economics of energy production, how public policy on energy will impact our everyday life, how the environment is effected by energy consumption, and how new technologies can help achieve a sustainable energy policy. Students in this course will be challenged to critically examine the use of energy in our society and to formulate a personal understanding of this complex issue.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Environmental Studies;Science

Ethnobotany
SMT-272054
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Our human ancestors depended on plants for food, shelter, medicine, and clothing. Plants also had a key role in religion and mythology. Knowledge of plants and their uses was vital for survival for early peoples, and many cultures today still depend on plants for many of their resources. In this course, students will learn about plant biology and the role of plants in societies throughout the world. Ethnobotanical field methods will be introduced and students will engage in field/practical activities. Other topics for exploration and discussion will include conservation, sustainable development, bioprospecting, and intellectual property rights.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Environmental Studies

Exploring Place: Arts
ART-224754
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This is an advanced-level research course in which students, with guidance from the instructor, propose and carry out their own semester-long, self-directed, in-depth research agendas.

Thinking of place as a community in a geographical location or physical environment, this interdisciplinary course seeks to offer an opportunity for a place-based approach to the arts. Explore artistic expression in and/or about the place you live (or some other place of interest), whether you define that place as a neighborhood, a whole village or town or city, a geographical region or a watershed. Research, for example, art about a particular place, local museums, graffiti, billboards, yard decorations, regional dance traditions, local music or regional crafts. Examine a variety of critical methodologies from the arts and related fields of cultural criticism to understand local/regional artistic expression and the creative process inherent within.

Collaborate with other students interested in the arts, culture, history and environmental history to learn concepts for thinking about place as a process, as a coming together of nature and culture, of the local and global and of issues ranging from gender, class, ethnicity and the environment to modernization, conservation and preservation. Design and share with peers the results of your own projects about artistic expression and the place you are interested in. "Visit" one another's place online as part of a cross-place comparison. Some of the reading materials for this course have been predetermined and are available at the bookstore. However, each student, in consultation with the instructor, will be responsible at the outset of the course for proposing a set of individualized, place-specific research topics that will comprise the bulk of their work throughout the term. (For example, a project might require acquiring a scholarly book and a popular book about your place in order to analyze and compare how they represent its landscape.) Each student will be responsible for acquiring (borrowing or purchasing) in a timely fashion the books and materials necessary for these projects. Such materials are not available at the bookstore.

Students and mentors should note that the highly-individualized approach of this course can enable students to develop projects that support a particular personal interest or degree program need that is not directly motivated by an interest in the arts per se. For example, a student who is interested in gender studies could choose to develop their projects in this course entirely around the question of women artists in his or her community. Or, a student in Community and Human Services could focus for the entire term on the role of regional arts organizations on the well-being of his or her local community.

Important Note: this course overlaps with Exploring Place: Humanities and Exploring Place: History. No more than one of these three should be included in a degree program.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in The Arts.

Cultural Studies;Environmental Studies;Literature

Exploring Place: Humanities
CUL-224764
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This is an advanced-level research course in which students, with guidance from the instructor, propose and carry out their own semester-long, self-directed, in-depth research agendas.

Thinking of place as a community in a geographical location or physical environment, this interdisciplinary humanities course seeks to offer an opportunity for a place-based approach to cultural studies. Explore culture of and/or about the place you live (or some other place of interest), whether you define that place as a neighborhood, a whole village or town or city, a geographical region, or a watershed. Research, for example, literature about a place, local literary or other cultural genres or practices such as song texts sung at local coffee shops, regionally published poetry, essays in local newspapers, proverbs of community elders, local storytellers, regional foodways, or local festivals. Examine a variety of humanities methodologies from the language arts, literature, communications, folklore and cultural anthropology, for engaging with representations of place and place-based cultural practices.

Collaborate with other students interested in culture, the arts and history to learn concepts for thinking about place as a process, as a coming together of nature and culture, of the local and global and of issues ranging from gender, class, ethnicity and the environment to modernization, conservation and preservation. Design and share with peers the results of your own projects about culture and the place you are interested in. "Visit" one another's place online as part of a cross-place comparison. Some of the reading materials for this course have been predetermined and are available at the bookstore. However, each student, in consultation with the instructor, will be responsible at the outset of the course for proposing a set of individualized, place-specific research topics that will comprise the bulk of their work throughout the term. (For example, a project might require acquiring a scholarly book and a popular book about your place in order to analyze and compare how they represent its landscape.) Each student will be responsible for acquiring (borrowing or purchasing) in a timely fashion the books and materials necessary for these projects. Such materials are not available at the bookstore.

Students and mentors should note that the highly-individualized approach of this course can enable students to develop projects that support a particular personal interest or degree program need that is not directly motivated by an interest in the humanities per se. For example, a student who is interested in Labor Studies could choose to develop their projects in this course entirely around the question of "working class culture" in his or her community. Or, a student in Community and Human Services could focus for the entire term on the role of regional cultural organizations on the well-being of his or her local community.

Note: this course overlaps with Exploring Place: Arts and Exploring Place: History. Students interested more in the artistic cultural aspects (including visual culture, say, or music) of place should take Exploring Place: Arts. No more than one of these three should be included in a degree program.

No formal prerequisites, but considering the flexibility and individualization of research and exploration involved, students must be comfortable working at the upper-level in terms of reading, writing and research skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Environmental Studies;Fire Protection;History and Civilizations

Fire and Western Civilization
HIS-243054
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Survey the history of civilization as the story of humanity’s relationship to fire, one of the most productive and most destructive forces we live with. Learn how fire, as a tool and as a technology, shaped both the landscape and ecology of the planet and the culture and psyche of the primate who tamed it. Understand the role that domesticated fire played in pre-agrarian and agrarian societies; in ancient Greece and Rome; in Asia and in pre-contact North America; in pre-industrial Europe; in Asia and Australia; and (through the burning of coal and petroleum) in creating the modern industrial age and the largest public policy problem we face today, Global Warming. Integrate perspectives from anthropology, sociology, ecology, engineering, religious studies and social and environmental history in grasping both the similarities (all civilizations controlled fire) and differences (no other civilization systematically exploited fossil fuel on the scale that Western Civilization did) between Western and non-Western civilizations. Learn about the development and distinctive features of Western civilization and the relation of Western Civilization’s development to other regions of the world by investigating environmental history. Trace how humanity’s evolving control of fire shaped the institutions, economies, social relations, cultural characteristics and practices of human societies over time.

Prerequisite: successful completion of either World History 1 or 2; evidence of readiness for upper-level study (completion of two years' college credit).

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Western Civilization.

Environmental Studies;History and Civilizations

First Peoples of North America
HIS-243134
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
The history of the First Peoples of North America from first contact with Europeans to the present includes dislocation, cultural disruption and assimilation, fragmented communities, as well as transformation, resilience, and continuity. Using a mix of primary documents and contemporary videos and writings, we will hear the voices of North America's indigenous people. We’ll learn about histories, environments, cultures, and activities of American Indian nations and communities, on and off the reservations, in the past and today. The course also examines the history of relationships between First Nations and the United States government and political system, as well as American Indian activism in global concerns. We will conclude with a look at Pan Indianness and the questions and possibilities it opens for the global future.

Prerequisites: prior learning in American history and/or government such as learning demonstrated by fulfillment of SUNY General Education Requirement in American History.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Other World Civilizations.

Cultural Studies;Environmental Studies

Food and Drink in Cultural Context: Advanced

CUL-223604

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This interdisciplinary course offers an advanced-level introduction to humanities approaches to the study of culture using the topic of "food" as its primary focus. By viewing food (and drink) both as cultural practice and cultural expression, students may learn about such concepts as: cultural identity, values, practice, experience, language/meaning, and aesthetics. The course provides opportunities to survey various humanities approaches through the lens of food, including those of literature, folklore studies, cultural anthropology, cultural criticism, and more. It considers food in terms of such issues as gender, race/ethnicity, class, environmentalism, consumerism, and regionalism/nationalism.

In addition to readings and discussions, the course centers around student-initiated inquiry into a food and culture issue of the student's own interest and choosing, from one or more humanities perspectives. Students may conduct such inquiries as individuals or as part of a voluntarily-convened student team. Therefore, students have a lot of freedom to individualize their research and assignments in accordance with their particular interests. For example, a student who is pursuing a degree in literary studies might choose to do all of his or her written assignments on representations of food in literature, whereas an arts student might focus on food and film. Students in the social sciences might focus more on the sociology or anthropology of foodways. Students in health services might develop projects that consider the cultural politics of food and nutrition, whereas a student in marketing might look closely at representations of food and culture in the media and advertising. The most important restriction that students and mentors should be aware of is that students' assignments must focus on food and drink from a social or cultural perspective, as this is a humanities course. (Thus, for example, it would not be appropriate to do work on the science of nutrition per se. Consideration of the ethics or politics of nutrition science, however, would be perfectly acceptable.) The aforementioned examples are just examples, simply meant to give a sense of the range of actual possibilities.

This advanced level study intends to help students gain practice and skill in conducting academic inquiry and presumes that the student has already achieved introductory-level facility with college reading, writing, and research. There is also a lower-level version of this course, which might be considered by students who are not yet prepared to take on advanced-level academic inquiry/research.

Important Note: students should not include Food and Drink in Cultural Context twice in an ESC degree program. This course can only be taken once, either at the lower-level or at the upper-level.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Cultural Studies;Environmental Studies

Food and Drink in Cultural Context: Introductory
CUL-222604
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This interdisciplinary course offers an introduction to humanities approaches to the study of culture using the topic of "food" as its primary focus. By viewing food (and drink) both as cultural practice and cultural expression, students may learn about such concepts as: cultural identity, values, practice, experience, language/meaning, and aesthetics. The course provides opportunities to survey various humanities approaches through the lens of food, including those of literature, folklore studies, cultural anthropology, cultural criticism, and more. It considers food in terms of such issues as gender, race/ethnicity, class, environmentalism, consumerism, and regionalism/nationalism.

In addition to readings and discussions, the course centers around student-initiated inquiry into a food and culture issue of the student's own interest and choosing, from one or more humanities perspectives. Students may conduct such inquiries as individuals or as part of a voluntarily-convened student team. Therefore, students have a lot of freedom to individualize their research and assignments in accordance with their particular interests. For example, a student who is pursuing a degree in literary studies might choose to do all of his or her written assignments on representations of food in literature, whereas an arts student might focus on food and film. Students in the social sciences might focus more on the sociology or anthropology of foodways. Students in health services might develop projects that consider the cultural politics of food and nutrition, whereas a student in marketing might look closely at representations of food and culture in the media and advertising. The most important restriction that students and mentors should be aware of is that students' assignments must focus on food and drink from a social or cultural perspective, as this is a humanities course. (Thus, for example, it would not be appropriate to do work on the science of nutrition per se. Consideration of the ethics or politics of nutrition science, however, would be perfectly acceptable.) The aforementioned examples are just examples, simply meant to give a sense of the range of actual possibilities.

This introductory level study intends to help students gain practice and skill in conducting academic inquiry and does not presume that the student has already achieved mastery. There is also an upper-level version of this course, which might be considered by students who are prepared to take on more advanced-level academic inquiry/research.

Important Note: students should not include Food and Drink in Cultural Context twice in an ESC degree program. This course can only be taken once, either at the lower-level or at the upper-level.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Computers and Information Systems;Environmental Studies

Geographic Information Systems and the Use of Spatial Information
SMT-273764
4 credits,upper level,
Students will explore the application of spatial information to a range of problems in different organizational settings. Application areas might include: natural and social science, such as geography, geology, oceanography, archaeology and meteorology; government, such as city planning, law enforcement, military and social services; natural resource management, such as forestry and water resources management; and business, such as marketing. Topics will include data acquisition, accuracy, analysis and presentation and social and legal issues.

Note: students must have regular access to a computer on which they can install software.

Prerequisites: students should have a background in statistics, such as that gained in Statistics: An Activity-Based Course. Students must be comfortable using personal computer applications, and must be able to install software.

Environmental Studies;Science

Geology and the Environment
SMT-271404
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course is offered as an introduction to earth science. Material covered will include a description of the earth, its major features and the processes responsible for their formation. Major topics will include plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanism, climate change and earth resources. Emphasis will be placed on demonstrating the interaction between our civilization and the environment.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Economics;Environmental Studies;History and Civilizations;Political Science and Public Affairs;Science

Global Climate Change
SMT-272114
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
There is little doubt that the Earth's climate is changing due to the influence of human activities. In this course students will explore the evidence that climate change is occurring, how human activities have affected this process, the primary forces influencing the Earth's climates, and what steps can be taken to adapt to or mitigate these changes.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Environmental Studies;Science

GPS and the New Geography
SMT-272774
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
The environment is a major topic of public discussion and debate. Spatial information and geographic literacy is a basis for a growing number of disciplines. From agriculture to climate change, people need to know how location affects our understanding of natural systems. This course combines both topics. In this activity-based course, students will explore environmental science from a geographic perspective using global positioning systems and mass GIS to gather and analyze geographically referenced environmental data while learning about the broader applications of these tools to environmental science and other fields. At the same time, students will get a hands-on look at how geographic data is gathered and turned into maps.

Prerequisites: students must be comfortable using microcomputer applications, and must be able to install software and have a computer available on which they can install software. Students should have access to a high-speed Internet connection and basic familiarity with Internet technologies.

Note: This course replaced Introduction to Geographic Information Systems, 272764, effective the January 2008 term.

All students in GPS and the New Geography must have an appropriate GPS/track plotter device. The Garmin eTrex Venture HC and the Magellan Triton 200 are examples of suitable devices. These models recently replaced the Garmin Venture H and the Magellan Explorist 200/210. Those models are also suitable and may be available used. Please note that many freestanding GPS units intended for automobile use, and GPS enabled cell phones, do not have the necessary functionality. However, in both cases the situation is changing rapidly and newer devices of these types may meet the requirements.

For this course, the GPS unit you use must have the following features:
* Hand-held
* Ability to store waypoints
* Multiple channels (12 is the minimum)
* WAAS enabled
* Capable of working with lat/long or UTM coordinate systems

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Emergency Management;Environmental Studies;Fire Protection

Managerial Issues in Hazardous Materials
CHS-264134
4 credits,upper level,
This course presents current issues in management of a department-wide hazardous materials program. It includes issues that are pertinent to officers and managers in public safety departments, including regulations and requirements for hazardous materials preparedness, response, storage, transportation, handling and use, and the emergency response to terrorism threat/incident. Subjects covered include state, local, and federal emergency response planning, personnel and training, and operational considerations such as determining strategic goals and tactical objectives.

Environmental Studies;Science

Marine Biology
SMT-273374
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course introduces marine biology as the study of living organisms within saltwater ecosystems. Through this course, concerned citizens can acquire the necessary tools to teach others about the importance of saving our oceans. Students develop a firm grasp of scientific vocabulary, facts, and concepts along with scientific literacy: the ability to read scientific studies, interpret numeric information, weigh and assess data, make connections, apply what was learned to issues outside of the classroom and write effectively about scientific results. These skills are invaluable in advocating for informed protection of the marine environment.

In this course, students are expected to have prior college biology (see suggested prerequisites) and strong writing skills. From the beginning, the student will learn biological concepts through an exploration of the sea and through reading, discussing, and analyzing scientific literature. This course builds on and extends prior knowledge of college biology through emphasis on genetics, cell biology, evolution, and the importance of microbiology to all life. Students study the oceans globally through the Blue Planet video series and locally on Long Island sound through the videos developed by Empire State College in collaboration with The Maritime Aquarium of Norwalk.

Along the way, students develop a facility in reading, interpreting, analyzing, assessing, and discussing scientific information. Through online discussion of research studies, students examine competing hypotheses and frame new questions. Students interact and learn from each other through an engaging set of roundtable discussions and in class presentations of journal article reviews. In this way, a strong sense of learning community is fostered. Students develop and demonstrate the ability to make constructive and sound decisions on issues regarding the health and resilience of ocean ecosystems today and for the future.

Note: this course has a required DVD-based video component.

Prerequisites: prior college biology must include one of the following: Biology of Ecosystems, General Biology or equivalent. In addition, strong writing and research skills are absolutely necessary for the successful completion of this advanced level course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Environmental Studies;History and Civilizations

Nature in American History

HIS-243544

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

Explore the history of the changing relationship between American culture and its environment, especially as that relationship has been manifest physically (as "nature," the ecosystems we’ve inhabited, which have been changed by our activity) and conceptually (as "nature," a concept that has a history and evolution of its own and which has entered into the thinking of philosophers, economists, poets, artists, legislators, environmentalists, biologists, etc.) Become familiar with the main eras and episodes of American history as they relate to American culture’s grounding in nature: the European encounter with a (supposedly) virgin wilderness; the rapid exploitation of resources that accompanied westward and industrial expansion; the closing of the frontier and the development of resource conservationism; continued industrialization of the nature-culture relationship through nearly a century of war; the modern tension between economics and a concern for ecological health and balance. Through readings, discussions, writing and other study activities, learn a basic narrative of the American experience by tracing the nature-culture relation over time and trace the complex interaction between the character of that relationship and contemporaneous political, social, economic and cultural changes. Study the work and historical context of such influential thinkers as Henry David Thoreau, John Muir, Gifford Pinchot, Aldo Leopold, Theodore Roosevelt, Rachel Carson. In addition, participants will engage in a practical component of study by learning to read contemporary American landscapes for what they record of cultural, social, land-use and ecological history - a basic element of environmental literacy that has been neglected in our era.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in American History.

Environmental Studies;Science

Ornithology
SMT-274534
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Ornithology is an upper level biology course with a full lab component, that will build on knowledge obtained in introductory biology courses. It will reinforce students' understanding of basic anatomy and physiology, evolution and ecology. It will then expand their knowledge with an in-depth study of the biology of birds, including avian form and function, behavior and migration. Students will discuss the roles of birds in ecosystems and the importance of conservation efforts to preserve habitats. Students will learn to identify birds by characteristics such as size, shape, color, markings, flight patterns, habitat and behavior. They will also be required to learn to identify birds by call and song. Students will keep a journal of sightings throughout the course.

Prerequisites: One of the following courses (or similar learning/understanding): Biology of Ecosystems or another lower-level biology course that includes a significant environmental science component.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Environmental Studies;Science

Plant Ecology
SMT-273524
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Plant ecology is the scientific study of interactions that determine the distribution and abundance of plants within the environment. This course will introduce students to the fundamental principles and concepts of plant ecology through an examination of plants within the environment. Topics will include: the individual plant and how it interacts with its environment; population biology; communities -- how populations of different plant species interact; from ecosystems to landscapes; and global patterns and processes of plant ecology. Some of the subjects covered are unique to plants, such as photosynthesis and the ecology of plant-soil interactions. Other topics, such as resource and mate acquisition, emphasize the distinctive ways plants (in contrast to mobile animals) deal with their environments. Human environmental influences on plants are covered.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Prerequisites: Biology of Ecosystems or equivalent.

Anthropology;Environmental Studies;Science;Sociology

Populations and Diseases
SMT-272044
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Diseases can manifest differently in different populations; diseases can also impact populations disproportionately. What determines how a disease progresses is a combination of genetic, biological, environmental and/or social factors. Adopting a public health or epidemiological approach is useful to interpret and understand how diseases manifest themselves and impact populations differently. This course is based on a careful examination of six diseases that may (or may not) affect populations differently. Concepts of risk, exposure, prevention and treatment will be explored in each disease module. Students will learn analytic skills and become familiar with publicly available data on select diseases. Students will read, write and research together and individually to learn to think critically about published scientific findings.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences

Environmental Studies;History and Civilizations

Science and Technology in Western Culture
HIS-243454
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Study the entire range of scientific and technological discoveries and developments, from the Ionian Greeks to the present day. View the 20th century as a century of revolutions: new discoveries in electricity and electronics revolutionized industrial production and upset landscapes, lifestyles and liberties.

Recommended: a previous study of Western civilization or world history is advised. Students not having taken such courses are advised to acquire a text on western civilization and use it as a companion reference work.

Ten required one-hour video programs are available by rental through the Empire State College Bookstore.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Western Civilization.

Educational Planning;Environmental Studies;History and Civilizations

The Pursuit of Happiness in American History
CUL-222114
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Presumably, students come to college because they believe a higher education and/or a college degree will improve their lives, and thus, in some way, make them "happier." This course encourages students to ponder what happiness means to them (and where a college education fits into the picture) by taking a trip through U.S. history that focuses on various ways that happiness (or well-being, or the "good life") has been constructed in different ways and in different contexts.

Through contextual studies of primary texts of all kinds from the colonial period to the present, students will examine many different ways that happiness has been defined and pursued in different contexts throughout the history of the United States, as well as ways that "America" as a nation has been imagined or defined in terms of concepts of happiness. Emphasis will be placed on students learning to be aware of and think about assumptions about happiness that are explicit or implicit in such texts, and to situate these in their respective historical contexts. In this way, students will be introduced to, and participate in the construction of one kind of narrative of American history. Insofar as this narrative of American history broadens students' understanding of their own historical context, they will be expected, in turn, to more fully articulate their own sense of how they are thinking about their own lives and their own education.

Activities in the course will generally fall into two categories, which are meant to mutually reinforce and stimulate each another. First, students will study, discuss, and write critically about a variety of primary historical documents, in order to understand American history through the lens of "happiness." Second, students will discuss and write about what happiness means to them personally, and articulate particular ways that they envision their college studies addressing that happiness. It is expected that many students will find the latter activities useful to their overall work in educational planning by helping them to consider their reasons for pursuing a degree in relation to some of the ideas about happiness that have been articulated throughout American history.

Note: In addition to the required readings available at the bookstore, all students who take this course are required to use at least one good college-level general American history reference. Examples of such a text include The American Promise: A History of the United States (volumes 1-2) by Roark, Johnson, et al., Who Built America? Working People and the Nation's History (volumes 1-2) by Clark, Hewitt, et al., or A People and a Nation by Norton, et al. For those students who do not already have access to such a text, the Norton text (A People and a Nation: Brief Edition) is optionally available for purchase from the Empire State College bookstore.

CDL matriculated students can use this course as part of their Educational Planning credit.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in American History.

Environmental Studies;History and Civilizations;Political Science and Public Affairs

The West in American Culture
HIS-243224
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
In American history, the “West” is a mercurial concept that is freighted with many divergent meanings and associations. This course explores these multiple meanings, for the American West elicits many questions to consider: Is the West a geographic place or process called westering -- the frontier experience? Where are the West’s historical boundaries? Are there specific Western characteristics? Is the West a state of mind? Is it true that the West, according to some historians, is just America, but more so? To engage these questions, we will examine the variety of participants from the 16th century to the present who populated and imposed their hopes and desires on the land, while paying close attention to the historic struggles between sovereign nations to control the destiny and development of the West. This incorporates considering indigenous tribal sovereignty from pre-contact to the present. Moreover, this interaction included, and still includes, people from all over the world as agents and contributors to the cultural, social, economic, and often colorful milieu called the West. Most important, the American West has played a unique and pivotal role in our national culture that stimulated the expanded dominant role of the federal government throughout the United States and ultimately the world. This course is interdisciplinary in nature and the readings will be accordingly cross-disciplinary. First, a British scholar of American history investigates the origins of the mythic West in The American West: The Invention of a Myth. Second, an historian and former director of the Center for the American West at University of New Mexico, narrates the chronological historic West in Beyond the Missouri: Story of the American West. Third, in Western Places and American Myths, an historical geographer edits a group of essays that focuses on the tensions between the West as an exceptional region, not part of US national culture; the West as real and not mythic; and the West as a definite region, not a process. And finally, an American Studies scholar and historian discusses the impact of tourism past, present and future on the West in Devil’s Bargains: Tourism in the Twentieth-Century American West.

Prerequisite: College level writing and research skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in American History.

Anthropology;Cultural Studies;Environmental Studies;Gender Studies;Multicultural and Diversity Studies

Travel and Tourism: A Critical Perspective
SOC-283244
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course explores tourism, one of the world’s largest and fastest growing industries, from an anthropological perspective. We will examine the meanings and consequences of tourism from both the tourist and toured/host views. Students will be exposed to diverse theories on travel, tourism and the tourist experience. There are many kinds of tourism including: solidarity/humanitarian tourism, sex tourism, historical or heritage tourism, cultural tourism, ecotourism, and nature tourism. The course will probe the differences among these various types of tourists and tourist sites, and analyze their impacts. Through the focus on tourism, the course also exposes students to concepts and methods of cultural anthropology which studies cultural variations among contemporary peoples around the world. Using texts, films, and case studies focusing on a variety of non-western cultures, we will analyze the processes of shaping and marketing culture, identity, history and nature for tourist consumption, and the implications of this growing type of global encounter.

Prerequisites: At least one course in a social science discipline (anthropology, sociology, psychology etc.) is recommended. Upper level college reading and writing skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences and Other World Civilizations.

Cultural Studies;Environmental Studies

Water Talks: Rights and Cultures
CUL-253424
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Water is life. Without it, nothing grows. Fresh water is in jeopardy. What to do about this depends on who’s talking. Is it a sacred trust, or a chemistry problem? Is it our patriotic right, or a political pawn? Is it a human right, or “blue gold,” the latest corporate frontier? http://video214.com/play/e0ExL6KrIji7s4uHohnEZA/s/dark

These different kinds of “water talks” raise the question: who decides who deserves what? This course questions cultural assumptions about “deserving” and explores how these play out as narratives about water. Control of Water is at the crux of ethical issues such as: Can we “own” nature? Are water rights human rights? A resource in and of itself, water distribution also involves contemporary approaches to resources generally, from fuels to run bottling plants, to petroleum to manufacture bottles, to metals in caps, to packaging and transportation technologies, and so on.

We’ll examine a range of verbal and visual cultural productions that tell conflicting tales of water, promoting divergent values and beliefs with a variety of narratives, from corporate to indigenous. We’ll look at how clashing cultural beliefs translate into actions, which translate into ecological effects, which arouse diverse political responses. The goal is triple: to learn about multiple aspects of contemporary issues surrounding water; to learn about the relationships between diverse ways of “telling the story” in order to develop media and public sphere literacy; to apply this literacy to water issues in our own neighborhoods.

This course will employ a range of resources, from visual media to literature, and a variety of activities, from collaborative cultural analyses to independent research, to address public policy concerns. Therefore it fits in varied degree programs. While it meets the Humanities General Education requirement, students can use this venue to explore Literature, Media, Cultural Studies, history of diverse cultures and places, Social Theory, the intersection of public discourse with Environmental Studies, or some marketing aspects of business.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Environmental Studies;Science

Winter Ecology
SMT-272514
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
There are elements of secrecy and risk embedded within a winter landscape that seemingly belies the change of seasons and the progression of living things. Yet to the observant, winter is replete with beauty, movement, and life. This course explores the vast intricacies of nature that encapsulate winter, drawing upon the sciences and our individual experience to reveal its pattern. The peculiar adaptations of plants and animals (including humans) to the cold will be understood from the constraints and opportunities afforded by the physical environment. The tutor will emphasize the student's own development as winter interpreters through a sequence of exercises and inquiry, including descriptions of the landscapes that surround us.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Environmental Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs

World Population
HIS-243314
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Acquire a broad background understanding of the United States and world population, including the causes and consequences of its growth. Learn about the three primary demographic processes -- fertility, mortality and migration -- that are at the heart of population questions. Learn how to locate demographic data sources online, including U.S. Census Bureau sources. Apply your understanding of world and U.S. population and population processes to related issues such as U.S. Census 2000, overpopulation, undocumented international migration, social security, or ethical questions about population policy; to issues less directly related to population, such as natural resource exhaustion, environmental degradation, or business and economic development.

Prerequisites: prospective students should have some coursework in the social sciences and be able to perform elementary algebraic calculations. No knowledge of statistics or calculus is necessary.

Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development

Adolescence and Addictions
CHS-253854
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This upper-level course will examine the array of substance use disorders common among adolescents. Students will learn and apply new knowledge using various assignments that consider adolescent developmental issues, substance use diagnostic criteria applied to adolescents, engagement strategies, areas of assessment, counseling techniques, and harm reduction methods. The student will also develop a basic understanding of how concurrent mental health disorders and impulse control disorders negatively interact with and affect adolescents with substance use disorders.

Prerequisites: students require an understanding of developmental theory and a fundamental knowledge of chemical abuse and dependence. Completion of CDL courses Chemical Addiction: Theories and Practices plus Adolescence and Identity, or similar courses would fulfill these requirements.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Family Studies;Human Development

Adolescence and Identity: Home, School, Community
HDV-283174
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Study adolescence from a variety of medical, psychological and social perspectives. Examine how changes in family structure; a diminished public commitment in health, education, and recreation; pessimistic economic forecasts; and persistent social problems such as racism and sexism influence opportunities and risks for contemporary adolescents.

Prerequisite: Human Development or equivalent.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Aging and Gerontology;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Sociology

Aging and Society
HDV-283254
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This upper level course is intended for students in Human Development (Development, Psychology and Social Studies), Family Studies, Community and Human Services, and Health Services, as well as others who are interested in the study of aging (including AARP students). The course includes: aging as part of the human life cycle and of family life; biological, developmental, and psychological aspects of aging; an examination of aging in various cultures; changing views of aging in the United States; how aging affects different segments of our diverse population, including men and women; death and bereavement; health and support services for the aging; and social policy issues. This course will expose students to information and perspectives on aging from across the disciplines that contribute to the study of human development; including Human Development, Psychology, Sociology, Human Services and Health.

Note: this course has a required video component.

Note to NYS Nursing Home Administrator Certificate Students: this course fulfills the requirement in Gerontology.

Prerequisite: Human Development or equivalent.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Early Childhood Studies;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Psychology

Attachment in Early Childhood
HDV-281124
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This 4-credit lower level course examines current knowledge about attachment from infancy to adolescence, developmentally and behaviorally. The scope and contexts of attachments, particularly as they arise from early attachment experiences, will be grounded firmly in attachment theory and research findings relevant to historical, cultural, familial, personal and age-related contexts. The effects of attachment on human functioning, including brain development and the consequences of negative early experiences will be addressed. This base of understanding sets the groundwork for attachment in both personal and professional early childhood settings, including family relationships (sibling, parent, grandparent) and relationships beyond the family (friends, caregivers). This course meets the requirements for the Infant Toddler Care Credential. In addition, it is useful for students, particularly those from any of the social sciences, seeking a more personal understanding of the foundations of human emotional attachment. Level of Study: Introductory.

Important Note: This course was renamed effective the September 2011 term and was formerly offered as Attachment: Continuity and Separation: Introductory.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Aging and Gerontology;Early Childhood Studies;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Psychology

Attachment: Continuity and Separation: Advanced
HDV-283124
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This 4-credit advanced level course will have you examining the current knowledge about continuity and separation in Human Attachment from infancy to old age, developmentally and behaviorally. The scope and contexts of attachments across the life cycle, particularly as they arise from early attachment experiences, will be grounded in theory and research relevant to historical, cultural, familial, personal and age-related contexts. Students will also study the counterpart of attachment separation, normative and precipitous--lifelong and temporary such as interruptions in attachments due to military service. This base of understanding sets the groundwork for understanding attachment in both personal and professional settings across all age groups, including family relationships, i.e., parent, sibling, grandparent; and beyond, i.e., friends, caregivers, life partners. This course offers information for students studying for the Infant Toddler Care Credential. Finally, this study is useful for students, particularly those from the social sciences, who wish to know more about their personal relationships.

Level of Study: Advanced. Important: This course is also offered at an introductory level under the title Attachment in Early Childhood. Students should NOT include this course twice in their degree programs: It can be taken only be taken once, either at the introductory level or the advanced level of study.

Prerequisite: A basic social science course such as Human Development, Introduction to Psychology, or The Sociological Imagination

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Anthropology;Cultural Studies;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Sociology;Women's Studies

Contemporary Global Migration: Gender and Family
SOC-283214
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Millions of people make their home and livelihood in a country that is not their birthplace. This course explores migration today through the lens of gender. We will examine how contemporary migration affects family life both for those who migrate and for those left behind. What happens to family dynamics when they migrate together? How are relations maintained with those left behind? Migration also changes gender relations, expectations and intimacy among migrant men and women. How are men’s and women’s gendered selves transformed by migration? Gender is a central feature shaping who migrates, how they migrate and to where they migrate. This course explores these gendered flows of people across the globe considering the role of global economic inequalities in shaping these mobilities. While most of the readings and materials focus on transnational migration to the US, some materials address migration to Europe, Asia and other regions.

Prerequisites: At least one course in a social science discipline (anthropology, sociology, political science,etc.) is recommended. Upper level college reading and writing skills.

Early Childhood Studies;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Human Development;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Women's Studies

Development of Gender Identity
HDV-283104
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course provides upper-level students with the opportunity to reflect on the personal meaning of gender and to consider frameworks ranging from the biological influences on gender and sexuality, to gender as a social institution that affects our behaviors and beliefs. The course addresses (and distinguishes) sexuality and gender as experienced on the personal level, particularly gender as applied to the physical self; relationships of a self with intimates, friends and family; and relationships with environments such as school and work (using the Bronfenbrenner ecological model of psychological development). The wide variation of gender perspectives through history are reviewed, as well as variations in gender concepts across current cultures. Keeping those broader perspectives in mind, psychosexual variations are identified and discussed. Gender biases in the study of gender are presented, and each student has the opportunity to set up a simple gender study.

Recommended prerequisites include: Introduction to Human Development or Introduction to Psychology or Exploring Society or equivalent.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Early Childhood Studies;Educational Studies;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development

Developmental Psychopathology
HDV-284234
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Developmental Psychopathology is designed to introduce students to a field, which has emerged as a unique discipline in the past two decades, to interpret non-normal developmental paths from within the framework of normative development. It has four central characteristics: 1) the use of classical developmental theory and research to inform issues of psychopathology; 2) the use of insights from developmentally atypical populations to increase understanding of normal developmental processes; 3) integration of methods and theories from various social science disciplines; and 4) derivation of implications for interventions and social policy. Students will learn about the basic issues underlying this field and apply them to better understand the range of developmental possibilities. They will learn about the nature and extent of various disorders through an understanding of common etiologies and developmental trajectories. By the end of the course, students should be able to define developmental psychopathology and explain how it differs from other traditions, understand how to identify and study developmental deviations, describe some of the most common forms of abnormal development, and apply the knowledge gained throughout the course to diverse populations of children and families.

Prerequisites: A lifespan human development course is required, such as Human Development at CDL. Introduction to Psychology, Human Exceptionalities, and Abnormal Psychology would augment understanding of this material.

Educational Studies;Family Studies;Human Development;Psychology

Educational Psychology
HDV-284334
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This four credit advanced course provides a thorough study of educational psychological research, and the factors affecting the process of human growth and development from primary school through high school as it pertains to learning. The focus of this course is on applying the methods of psychology to studying the processes of education. The primary perspectives covered in the course are: cognitive and linguistic theory; emotion, psycho-social, and moral development, diversity, motivation, exceptionalities, learning theories, behaviorism and cognitive learning theory, testing measurements and assessment. Major theorists from each perspective will be reviewed in some detail. Students will have an opportunity to connect or relate a particular developmental stage to one or more theories or perspectives of development which are of personal interest.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Psychology or Human Development.

Anthropology;Family Studies;Sociology

Families: A Global Perspective
SOC-284434
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
The family is a central human institution and takes a wide range of forms; this study will be a cross-cultural exploration and comparison of family and kinship structures within the tradition of cultural anthropology. Looking at family and kinship holistically, within the broader context of culture, this study will examine the cultural construction of families and the roles of males and females, old and young within families across several different non-Western cultures (e.g., African, Asian, Middle Eastern and/or Latin American). By examining an array of non-Western cultures we will explore what constitutes a family, and what roles and opportunities women and men have in these various manifestations of families. We’ll explore people’s experiences in families around issues such: reproduction, parenting and parenthood, family and household economies, marriage, domestic life, post-marital residence patterns and kinship and polity.

Recommended: a lower-level social science course (such as sociology or anthropology) and advanced level critical thinking and writing skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Other World Civilizations.

Family Studies;Human Development;Human Services

Family and Society
HDV-283304
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course examines the institution of the family in contemporary America and the socio-cultural dynamics affecting family behavior. In addition to identifying the family's function, in society, students explore the social psychology of gender construction, intergenerational relationships, and the "politics" of family relationships.

Family Studies;Human Services

Family Intervention
CHS-253504
4 credits,upper level,
This course is intended for human service practitioners who will be working with clients and their families. It examines strategies and techniques of major family theories and therapeutic models to help students understand how the family functions as a system and how professionals interact with family members to discern patterns of communication. Students will learn assessment tools such as the genogram and, through written assignments, will have an opportunity to explore issues of particular interest to them.

Important Note: this course was formerly offered as Intervention in Human Service: The Family. Students who have successfully completed 253504 should not enroll in this course.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Human Services or equivalent. A basic course in interviewing or counseling skills is recommended.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Family Studies;Human Services;Psychology

Family Violence and Abuse
HDV-283314
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Develop a broad overview of the social problem of family violence. Includes physical and sexual abuse of children, neglect, sibling abuse, dating violence, marital violence, sexual violence against women and elder abuse. For each category of abuse, discover the historical factors regarding its identification as a social problem. Understand contributing factors and dynamics, consequences for victims and perpetrators and social policy and intervention issues. The student will read one textbook, read a number of commentaries and online resources and view a film. Assignments include topic quizzes, position papers, research essays, a two-part project and discussion participation.

Aging and Gerontology;Early Childhood Studies;Family Studies;Human Development;Human Services;Psychology

Human Development
HDV-282174
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the current theories and research findings about human development, from the beginnings of life through the end. Students are introduced to the major conceptualizations and methods of understanding development (i.e., theories, frameworks and research models.) Students will study expected developmental achievements and variations, both group and individual, as well as the factors, biological and environmental, that influence development across the lifespan.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Early Childhood Studies;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Psychology

Human Exceptionalities
HDV-283224
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
In this 4-credit advanced-level course the student will examine what is meant by human developmental exceptionality, theories of developmental difference, cultural perspectives of differences and how we judge what is normal. In order to understand developmental exceptionality, the student must have a good understanding of typical development. The student will build on their knowledge of human development and how development may be affected by a specific disability/giftedness. The student will examine the various types of developmental disabilities linked with physical/health issues, emotional/behavioral, particularly as regards learning and communication issues, as well as levels of intellectual learning and related developmental disabilities. Another area of developmental difference to be examined is that of giftedness and gifted children with disabilities. Current research in the study of childhood developmental exceptionalities will be investigated. Well-identified differences will be covered in this course, including Asperger's syndrome, autism, emotional trauma; extremely slow learners, and those identified as exceptionally bright. Students hopefully will come away from this course with a stronger respect for the variety of human learning experiences, and a clearer understanding of how to interact successfully with exceptional learners. Childhood and adolescent differences will be discussed, with reference to their impact on adulthood.

Prerequisites: Human Development Lifespan Development, Developmental Psychology, or Child Development or the equivalent.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Family Studies;History and Civilizations;Sociology;Women's Studies

Images of Women in Western Civilization
ART-223534
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
What have been women’s roles and life experiences since ancient times until present? How have women seen their position in the development of Western civilization? How have women been represented in Western art? How did women’s domestic art become fine art? What does this change entail? What interpretive frameworks do scholars use to examine and understand women’s art and its connection to the development of Western civilization? This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to explore questions like these and look broadly and in-depth at women’s contributions to the development of Western civilization. Students are encouraged to identify and analyze significant events, societies, people and ideas which contributed to the development of European, Western and world attitudes and institutions. Students will be able to develop a wider perspective which recognizes the political, economic and cultural development of western societies and women’s experiences, and which encourages a more inclusive view of the human experience.

To enhance upper level academic skills, students will read scholarly literature and theories relevant to women, art, and western societies. Students will analyze images of women found in sculptures, paintings, cultural artifacts, magazine covers, and other products of popular culture, from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, up until the present. Students will examine such examples as ancient fiber arts, folk arts, LGBT arts, and feminist arts. Students will design their own independent research projects to examine theories and images of women, interpret women’s roles and experiences in specific times and places in Western civilization, and respond to, or generate new, questions they set out to explore. Students will also have a chance to do a creative work to (re-/de-)construct their own images of women. Students will need to have the digital capacity to submit images online (i.e., a digital camera or a scanner) as low-resolution JPEG images.

Prerequisites: upper-level standing with advanced level critical thinking, reading and writing skills.

Recommended: one of the following (or their equivalent): Artistic Expression in a Multicultural America, Visual Literacy, An Introduction to Culture, General Education courses in Western Civilization.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Western Civilization for 4 credits and in The Arts for 4 credits.

Family Studies;Gender Studies;Women's Studies

Introduction to Women's Studies
SOC-281324
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
What are women’s studies? What are feminism and feminist theory? Where do they come from and where are they going? This introductory course provides students with an interdisciplinary base to explore questions of gender, sexuality, and power, and their intersections with race, ethnicity, class, and disability. The course includes foundational historical thinkers and events, global perspectives, and voices from a new generation of feminists. The goals of the course include broadening students’ perspectives with regard to women in society and in terms of understanding the diversity of women’s lives.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Early Childhood Studies;Educational Studies;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Human Development

Play, Fantasy and Reality
HDV-284354
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This four credit advanced level course will cover the complexity and beauty of children’s play and its extension into adult worlds. Students in Human Development, Educational Studies, and Community and Human/ Health Services are likely to find this course addresses both professional and personal interests in the constraints upon, limits to, and manifestations, uses and potential of play in its myriad forms in both childhood and across the life cycle. Distinctions among play, fantasy and reality will be drawn using themes both connecting and discriminating child and adult play. An understanding of play will be shown to be central to pragmatic issues such as learning, developmental assessment, curriculum development, and treatment of a diversity of problems. The primary perspectives covered in the course are: What is Play?; Origins and Manifestations of Play; Development and Assessment of Play: Birth to 8 Years; Play and the Development of the Whole Child; Diversity and Individual Differences in Play; Contexts of Play; Play in Preadolescence and Adolescence; and Play Beyond the Playground. Major theoretical approaches such as those by Dewey, Rousseau, Piaget, Vygotsky, Parton, Sutton-Smith, Winnicott, and others will be explored. Students will come away from this course with a deep appreciation and understanding of the importance of play in the life of a child - and the life of the child within us.

Prerequisites: A lifespan human development course.

Aging and Gerontology;Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Anthropology;Communications and Media;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Health Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Sociology;Women's Studies

Qualitative Social Science Research: Design and Methods
SOC-284534
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Qualitative social science research utilizes inductive approaches to explore and understand human behaviors, social interactions, and the construction of social reality. This course examines the ways social scientists ethically formulate questions, collect and analyze data, and present their findings. Students will apply this knowledge by writing a formal research proposal, conducting fieldwork, using visual and/or narrative analysis.

Prerequisites: At least one introductory course in the discipline of a social science concentration.

Note: Students may receive credit for EITHER Survey for Social Science Research Methods OR Qualitative Research: Design and Methods.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Important Note: This course was renamed effective the May 2014 term and was formerly offered as Qualitative Research: Design and Methods. Students who have successfully completed 284534 should not enroll in this course.

Aging and Gerontology;Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Communications and Media;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Health Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Psychology;Sociology;Women's Studies

Quantitative Research: Design and Methods
SOC-283604
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course enables students to understand and conduct systematic inquiries on social and behavioral topics, using quantitative social science research methods. Major topics include hypothesis development, causation, the logic of inquiry, research ethics, conceptualization and measurement, quantitative research design and data collection, and data analysis and interpretation. The course requires the use of advanced-level thinking skills, including analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

Recommended prerequisites include: at least one course in a social science discipline. A working knowledge of statistics is useful but not required; statistical analysis of data using SPSS is a required part of the course.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in social sciences.

Cultural Studies;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Human Development;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Sociology

Sex and Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective: Advanced

SOC-283324

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

Note: This course has a required SPSS component.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Family Studies;Gender Studies;Human Services;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Sociology;Women's Studies

Thinking About Race, Class and Gender

SOC-282264

4 credits, liberal study, lower level,

Explore race, class and gender, with an emphasis on conceptual tools developed since the 1970s in both empirical studies and critical thought about these categories. The student will develop analytic methods for understanding distinctions and controversies, e.g., the difference between sex and gender; the difference between race and ethnicity; arguments for and against affirmative action; and the ways in which race, gender and class overlap.

There are no prerequisites for this course, although students should have had the equivalent of one year of college.

Family Studies;Literature;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Women's Studies

U. S. Women's Multicultural Life-Writings
CUL-224014
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Investigate personal narratives, memoirs and autobiographies by U.S. women selected for their literary excellence in describing their participation in more than one culture within the U.S. Writers include Marita Golden, Eva Hoffman, Aurora Levins Morales and Rosario Morales, Shirley Geok-Lin Lim and Julia Alvarez, among others. Discuss how narrative is used to construct meaning, identity and culture.

Prerequisite: analytical thinking and writing skills at the upper-division undergraduate level, evidenced in successful completion of prior advanced-level work.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Family Studies;Gender Studies;History and Civilizations;Women's Studies

U.S. Women's History: Lives and Voices
HIS-243254
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course seeks to hear the voices of women in U.S. history, and to construct narratives about their lives from the time of Europeans' first contact with the New World to the present. Topics include women's daily lives, their interactions with their families and other social institutions (e.g. government, religion, etc...), women's activism, and women's impact on sociopolitical structures in the United States, and in the world today.

Prerequisite: A general knowledge of United States history, acquired from a course in U.S. history, or other sources.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the January 2010 term and was formerly offered as Women's and Family History. Students who have successfully completed 243254 should not enroll in this course.

For students enrolling in this course as of the January 2010 term:
This course fully meets the General Education requirement in American History.

For students enrolled in this course prior to the January 2010 term:
This course partially met the General Education requirement in American History for all students, but fully met the General Education requirement in American History for students scoring 85 or above on the New York State Regents exam in United States History and Government.

Family Studies;Health Services;History and Civilizations;Human Development;Human Services;Philosophy and Religious Studies

Western Civilization and Human Development
HDV-283374
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
The primary goal of this course is to help students understand the historical context for philosophical issues and controversies that have shaped the contemporary study of human development. The historical inquiry traces conceptualization of human nature from the Greek philosophers and the Hebrew scriptures to current Western beliefs about child and adult development.

Two traditions addressing the nature of human nature, the Greek and Hebrew, will be explored for their continuing influence on contemporary scientific, educational, and therapeutic perspectives on human lives. Within this inquiry, the course considers central philosophical issues that inform and divide the field today: the nature-nurture controversy; continuity versus discontinuity in development (including the controversy surrounding stage theories); and the basic good or evil nature of the human.

Students will gain an appreciation for the major intellectual and heart-felt debates about human nature that have influenced the field of human development. The course will consider their divergent expressions in academia and the world of policy and practice. Throughout this inquiry students will consider the shaping of modern perspectives on human development through the interaction of facts with values and research with beliefs.

Prerequisites: A course in the social sciences or humanities and upper level critical thinking skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Western Civilization.

Accounting;Finance

Auditing
BME-214024
4 credits,upper level,
Undertake an in-depth analysis of auditing procedures. Emphasis is placed on various decision-making and judgment processes involved in auditing. Distinguish between different types of audit classifications and relate them to the current practice. Learn to understand the cost-benefit analysis involved in auditing decisions, perform an audit and build strong communication and reporting skills. Special attention is devoted to professional and business ethics, international auditing environment and legal and social responsibilities.

Notes: students need EXCEL or equivalent spreadsheet software.

Prerequisite: Intermediate Accounting I & II

Accounting;Business (General);Finance

Corporate Finance
BME-213514
4 credits,upper level,
Understand and apply the theories of managerial finance. Focus on the dynamic economic environment in which corporate financial decisions are made, the role of the financial manager within the firm and the empirical aspects of corporate finance. Topics include the financial environment; techniques of financial analysis and planning; management of working capital; fixed assets and capital budgeting; cost of capital; dividend policies; and sources of long-term financing.

The Wall Street Journal is required reading for this course. Student discount subscription can be obtained by calling 1 800 568-7625.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Accounting, Economics/Macro or Economics/Micro, Algebra and/or Statistics or their equivalents.

Business (General);Finance

International Finance
BME-213424
4 credits,upper level,
In today's global market, there are trillions of dollars of assets that are priced and traded in the global financial market. It has become a necessity for those who are interested in business finance, financial management, international entrepreneurial ventures and global business to be educated in international financial institutions, financial mechanism of international markets and social and economics drivers of the international financial market. This course prepares students to be leaders and catalysts in multinational business corporations. It educates students not only to function in a high-risk environment but also to search for opportunities that create value for their organizations by integrating the strategic and financial challenges that face today's business environment. This course meets the understanding organizations within broader contexts area of study requirement for students in the business, management and economics area and is recommended for the finance concentration.

Additional Course Requirements: Graphing calculator or computer required.

Prerequisites: Corporate Finance 213514 or equivalent.

Accounting;Business (General);Finance

Investing
BME-213524
4 credits,upper level,
Learn about the overall investment environment, including the concepts of risk and return. Examine investment vehicles such as common stock, bonds, preferred stocks, options and the vehicles, techniques and strategies used when making investment decisions. Topics include financial markets; tax structures and laws governing securities trading; sources of investment information and advice; measuring investment risk and return; common stock analysis; pricing and efficient markets; investment vehicles; portfolio management and performance evaluation.

The Wall Street Journal is required reading for this course. Student discount subscription can be obtained by calling 1 800 568-7625.

Prerequisites: knowledge of or introductory courses in economics and business mathematics is very useful.

Finance

Personal Finance
BME-212424
4 credits,lower level,
This course provides an introduction to personal financial management. Emphasis will be on personal financial decision making, interpreting financial data, budget planning, risk management, retirement and estate planning. The basic financial concepts of time value of money, asset valuation and risk and return will be presented. Students will be introduced to the fundamental concepts, techniques and theories for making effective financial decisions.

Prerequisites: Algebra or its equivalence

Finance

Security Analysis and Portfolio Management
BME-214334
4 credits,upper level,
This course examines various concurrent theories of investment portfolio management that integrates both the Unites States and global market. It is intended to serve advanced level students who are interested in more in-depth analysis of the investment market instrument and the balance between return and risk management. The course is more analytical and practical in nature and exposes the student to real empirical case studies and the real practice of market trading and examining actual companies’ financial data. Among the topics to be covered are global exchange funds, index funds, hedging funds, exchange trading funds, electronic communication network, behavioral finance and anomalies, empirical implementation of arbitrage pricing policy, various models of stocks and assets valuation, passive versus active management techniques in managing the portfolio, analysis of the Euroland sector, debt and equity security market, derivatives and hedging, and performance measurement. It is a real hands-on application of trading in the security market

Prerequisites: Introductory Accounting I 212054, Statistics 272384 and Corporate Finance 213514 or investing 213524 or equivalent.

Fire Protection

Advanced Principles of Safety and Survival
CHS-264334
4 credits,upper level,
This course prepares students to manage and administer training and education programs in fire and emergency services. Topics include the many systems of training and education available and the concept of professional development on both individual and organizational levels. The focus is on safety, especially understanding and preventing training deaths and injuries. Discussion explores how higher education/training contributes to the professional development of fire-service personnel.

Prerequisites: Fire and Emergency Services Administration, Personnel Management for the Fire and Emergency Services, or equivalent experience

Fire Protection

Analytical Approaches for the Fire and Emergency Services
CHS-264044
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Study the foundations of systems analysis, exploring both fire prevention and suppression systems. Because fire department deployment analysis is the focus of much of the course, significant application of mathematics to the fire service is required, including formulas for resolving such issues as response time and resource utilization. Activities emphasize data collection, analysis, presentation and interpretation, simulation, resource allocation, planning, the evaluation of service delivery strategies, preparation of written objectives.

Note: this course has a required CD-ROM component.

Recommended: previous study in Accounting for Decision Makers, Business Mathematics, Statistics, Economics/Micro, Algebra or equivalents.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the January 2011 term and was formerly offered as Analytic Approaches to Public Fire Protection. Students who have successfully completed 264044 should not enroll in this course.

Fire Protection

Applications of Fire Research
CHS-264124
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Learn the basic principles of research and methodology of analyzing fire research reports. Examine the scientific method, decision analysis, research hypothesis, validity, descriptive and inferential statistics, the limitations of research application and current research directions. Covers fire test development, development of fire safety standards, laboratory methods for testing flame spread, fire toxicology, fire modeling, fire resistance and structural research, methodologies for evaluating extinguishing agents, computer simulation of occupant evacuation, convergence cluster behavior, technical improvements and procedural changes in transportation as a result of research, risk analysis, human tenability research and thermal characteristics of various fabric materials. Background in psychology, chemistry, physics and mathematics is suggested.

Prerequisites: Fire Protection Structures and Systems and/or Fire Dynamics or equivalent.

Fire Protection

Community Risk Reduction for the Fire and Emergency Services
CHS-264094
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Examine the fire department as a part of the complex organization of the community. Investigate how departments interact with their communities, review community profiles and structures and consider the variables within particular community types. Focus on the sociological, economic and political characteristics of communities, including how these characteristics influence the fire problem. Students need a working knowledge of statistics and an understanding of environmental variables and socioeconomic factors in fire casualties.

Recommended: previous study in Statistics, Economics/Macro, Economics/Micro, The American Political System, College Writing, Communication Decisions, Advanced Fire Administration, Introduction to Sociology or equivalents, and introductory studies in psychology and sociology.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the September 2008 term and was formerly offered as The Community and Fire Threat. Students who have successfully completed 264094 should not enroll in this course.

Emergency Management;Fire Protection

Disaster Planning and Control
CHS-264064
4 credits,upper level,
Develop an understanding of "disaster," its impact on human populations, the control of its consequences, modes of preparation and planning for disaster contingencies and the institutional context of disaster/fire defense planning. Methods of evaluating fire defense and disaster preparedness programs and the psychological dimensions of disaster related behavior are also included. Apply course content to local disaster/fire defense planning issues and problems.

Recommended: previous study in College Writing, Introduction to Public Administration and/or Advanced Fire Administration, plus State and Local Government or equivalents, or have experience in administration, some background in chemistry, as well as fire training and experience.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the May 2008 term and was formerly offered as Disaster and Fire Defense Planning. Students who have successfully completed 264064 should not enroll in this course.

Fire Protection

Emergency Services Training and Education
CHS-263284
4 credits,upper level,
This course prepares students to manage and administer training and education programs in fire and emergency services. Topics include the many systems of training and education available and the concept of professional development on both individual and organizational levels. The focus is on safety, especially understanding and preventing training deaths and injuries. Discussion explores how higher education/training contributes to the professional development of fire-service personnel.

Prerequisites: Fire and Emergency Services Administration, Personnel Management for the Fire and Emergency Services, or equivalent experience.

Fire Protection

Fire and Emergency Services Administration
CHS-264014
4 credits,upper level,
Review the history and development of the American fire service. Addresses management issues and organization of a fire department. Includes value engineering for capital resources; cost effectiveness in service delivery; fire prevention, suppression and investigation; emergency medical services; the utilization of computers in data collection, retrieval and analysis. Apply content to local fire protection issues.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Public Administration or equivalent, or significant practical background in administration and management.

Recommended (1 or more): Accounting for Decision Makers, Management Principles, The American Political System, College Writing, Communication Decisions, Human Service Management or equivalents.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the September 2009 term and was formerly offered as Advanced Fire Administration. Students who have successfully completed 264014 should not enroll in this course.

Environmental Studies;Fire Protection;History and Civilizations

Fire and Western Civilization
HIS-243054
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Survey the history of civilization as the story of humanity’s relationship to fire, one of the most productive and most destructive forces we live with. Learn how fire, as a tool and as a technology, shaped both the landscape and ecology of the planet and the culture and psyche of the primate who tamed it. Understand the role that domesticated fire played in pre-agrarian and agrarian societies; in ancient Greece and Rome; in Asia and in pre-contact North America; in pre-industrial Europe; in Asia and Australia; and (through the burning of coal and petroleum) in creating the modern industrial age and the largest public policy problem we face today, Global Warming. Integrate perspectives from anthropology, sociology, ecology, engineering, religious studies and social and environmental history in grasping both the similarities (all civilizations controlled fire) and differences (no other civilization systematically exploited fossil fuel on the scale that Western Civilization did) between Western and non-Western civilizations. Learn about the development and distinctive features of Western civilization and the relation of Western Civilization’s development to other regions of the world by investigating environmental history. Trace how humanity’s evolving control of fire shaped the institutions, economies, social relations, cultural characteristics and practices of human societies over time.

Prerequisite: successful completion of either World History 1 or 2; evidence of readiness for upper-level study (completion of two years' college credit).

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Western Civilization.

Fire Protection

Fire Dynamics
CHS-264114
4 credits,upper level,
Study the combustion process, with an emphasis on fire chemistry, oxidizers, reducing agents, temperature criteria and molecular chain reactions. Historical and current theories of combustion are studied. Activities address heat transfer, fuel configuration and geometry, thermal columns, ventilation, theoretical considerations of flashover, research concerning fire spread, computer models and modeling as a means to understand fire phenomena.

Prerequisite: students should have some academic or practical background in chemistry, physics, algebra and hazardous materials, advanced fire training and experience.

Recommended: previous study in Fire Protection Structures and Systems, College Writing or equivalents.

Fire Protection

Fire Investigation and Analysis
CHS-264104
4 credits,upper level,
This course examines the technical, investigative, legal, and social aspects of the arson problem, including principles of incendiary fire analysis and detection, environmental and psychological factors of arson, legal considerations, intervention and mitigation strategies.

Prerequisite: A basic knowledge of fire behavior and fire suppression is required.

NOTE: This course was formerly offered as Incendiary Fire Analysis and Investigation, 264104. Students who have successfully completed 264104 should not enroll in Fire Investigation and Analysis.

Fire Protection

Fire Prevention, Organization and Management
CHS-264024
4 credits,upper level,
Review fire prevention background and concepts; non-governmental fire prevention functions; government fire prevention efforts; preparation of fire prevention personnel; fire prevention through building and fire safety codes; effective fire prevention inspection; human reaction to fire emergencies; public fire education; research in fire prevention; international fire prevention practices; evaluation of fire safety efforts; cause determination; and arson suppression.

Prerequisites: students should be familiar with fire prevention practices and have fire training experience.

Suggested: College Writing, Computer Information Systems, Advanced Fire Administration or equivalents.

Fire Protection

Fire Protection Structures and Systems
CHS-264074
4 credits,upper level,
This course examines the underlying principles involved in structural fire protection systems, building furnishings, and fire protection systems including water-based fire suppressions systems, fire alarm and detection systems, special hazard suppression systems, and smoke management systems.

Recommended: previous study in Algebra, College Writing or equivalents, and knowledge of building construction.

Fire Protection

Fire Related Human Behavior
CHS-264054
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Explore the interaction of traditional fire service concerns with a range of social sciences, relating theory to practice. Focus on the dynamics of human behavior during fire incidents and explore how these are related to fire prevention practices, programs, codes and ordinances. The psychological effects of communications during emergencies and the conduct of post-fire interviews with victims and fire fighters are studied in depth.

Recommended: previous study in introductory psychology course and advanced technical understanding through fire training and experience. College Writing, Communication Decisions, Competition and Cooperation: A Cross-Cultural Perspective or equivalents.

Emergency Management;Environmental Studies;Fire Protection

Managerial Issues in Hazardous Materials
CHS-264134
4 credits,upper level,
This course presents current issues in management of a department-wide hazardous materials program. It includes issues that are pertinent to officers and managers in public safety departments, including regulations and requirements for hazardous materials preparedness, response, storage, transportation, handling and use, and the emergency response to terrorism threat/incident. Subjects covered include state, local, and federal emergency response planning, personnel and training, and operational considerations such as determining strategic goals and tactical objectives.

Fire Protection

Personnel Management for the Fire and Emergency Services
CHS-264034
4 credits,upper level,
Develop an understanding of basic personnel management concepts, their legal foundations and their application to the fire service. Examine the role of the personnel administrator and the processes of procuring, developing, allocating and coordinating human resources. Activities cover personnel planning, staffing, supervision and discipline, labor relations, affirmative action and equal employment opportunity, employee motivation, productivity, compensation and performance evaluations.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Public Administration and/or Advanced Fire Administration or equivalents, and have significant experience as a line officer.

Recommended: Management Principles, Labor/Management Relations, Human Service Management, Theories of the Labor Movement, College Writing or equivalents.

The title of this course was amended from Personnel Management for the Fire Service to Personnel Management for the Fire and Emergency Services effective the January 2008 term.

Fire Protection

Political and Legal Foundations of Fire Protection
CHS-264084
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course examines the legal aspects of the fire service and the political and social impacts of legal issues. This course includes a review of the American legal system and in-depth coverage of legal and political issues involving employment and personnel matters, administrative and operational matters, planning and code enforcement, and legislative and political processes.

Recommended: Previous study in college writing, law and government.

Emergency Management;Fire Protection

Psycho-Social Impacts of Mass Disasters
CHS-264864
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Examine the mental health consequences of disaster on individuals and their communities. Topics to be explored include: changing definitions of disaster, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, mental health intervention strategies, research and information technology sources related to mental health and disaster. Students will read three texts, perform website research, watch feature films, become familiar with major research journals and professional disaster mental health organizations and prepare a final research paper or project. Students studying in the areas of Community and Human Services, Human Development, Business Studies, Criminal Justice and Emergency Management will benefit from this study.

Prerequisites: introductory course in one of the following: Human Development, Human Services, Criminal Justice, Emergency Management or Sociology.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Aging and Gerontology;Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Anthropology;Communications and Media;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Early Childhood Studies;Emergency Management;Family Studies;Fire Protection;Gender Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Psychology;Sociology;Women's Studies

Survey of Social Science Research Methods
SOC-283424
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Social research provides answers to questions about people and the social settings and systems in which they are involved. This social science research course introduces the fundamentals of qualitative and quantitative research methods. Students learn how to formulate a viable research question, collect and analyze data, understand the ethical issues of social science research, and write a formal research proposal.

Note: This course has a required SPSS component.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Anthropology;Cultural Studies;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Sociology;Women's Studies

Contemporary Global Migration: Gender and Family

SOC-283214

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

This course fully meets the general education requirement in social sciences.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies;Gender Studies;History and Civilizations;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Women's Studies

Roots and Routes of African Diaspora Resistance: Arts

CUL-224124

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

African Diaspora religions such as Voodoo and Santeria have literally become the stuff of horror films. Why, when brewed together in popular imagination, do some people find it so scary?

The three tracks of this course overlap. No more than one of these three should be included in a degree program.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies;Gender Studies;History and Civilizations;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Women's Studies

Roots and Routes of African Diaspora Resistance: History

CUL-224224

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

African Diaspora religions such as Voodoo and Santeria have literally become the stuff of horror films. Why, when brewed together in popular imagination, do some people find it so scary?

The three tracks of this course overlap. No more than one of these three should be included in a degree program.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies;Gender Studies;History and Civilizations;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Women's Studies

Roots and Routes of African Diaspora Resistance: Humanities

CUL-224334

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

African Diaspora religions such as Voodoo and Santeria have literally become the stuff of horror films. Why, when brewed together in popular imagination, do some people find it so scary?

The three tracks of this course overlap. No more than one of these three should be included in a degree program.

Cultural Studies;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Human Development;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Sociology

Sex and Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective: Advanced

SOC-283324

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

This course will provide an advanced exploration of the comparative study of gender and sexuality. Students will be expected to have an introductory or intermediate understanding of either sociology, anthropology, gender studies (or a related social science) including a basic grasp of the cultural construction of gender before taking this advanced-level course. Students will probe how different cultures define femininity and masculinity and explore why these differences exist. How do work, play, language, appearance and sexual expression come to be marked as appropriate or even natural for women and men? How do structures and institutions within these cultures reinforce and support those distinctions? The course explores the variations in the sexual division of labor and economic organization, and the impact of forces of change such as colonialism and globalization on gender issues. Drawing primarily on anthropological and ethnographic studies from a broad range of non-Western cultures, the course examines how male and female gender roles are shaped within arenas such as kinship relations, work, politics, religion, ritual, and reproduction. As an upper-level course, there will be a higher expectation for synthesis and comparison across course materials. Through course materials students will learn about the research methods and some of the theoretical approaches used in cultural anthropology.

Note: This course is offered at the introductory SOC-282324 and advanced level SOC-283324. Students should not include this course
title twice in their degree program. This course can only be taken once, either at the introductory level or at the advanced level.

Prerequisites: Upper-level standing with advanced critical thinking and writing skills, and one lower-level course in sociology, anthropology, psychology or social science fields.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in Social Sciences and Other World Civilizations.

Cultural Studies;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Human Development;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Sociology

Sex and Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective: Introductory
SOC-282324
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course will provide an exploration of the comparative study of gender and sexuality. We will address questions such as: What does it mean to be female or male and how do different cultures define femininity and masculinity? How do work, play, language, appearance and sexual expression come to be marked as appropriate or even natural for women and men? The course explores the variations in the sexual division of labor and economic organization, and the impact of forces of change such as colonialism and globalization on gender issues. Drawing primarily on anthropological and ethnographic studies from a broad range of cultures, the course examines how male and female gender roles are shaped within arenas such as kinship relations, work, politics, religion, ritual and reproduction. Through course materials students will be introduced to the research methods and some of the theoretical approaches used in cultural anthropology.

Note: This course is offered at the introductory SOC-282324 and advanced level SOC-283324. Students should not include this course title twice in their degree program. This course can only be taken once, either at the introductory level or at the advanced level.

Recommended: One lower-level course in sociology, anthropology, psychology or social science fields.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in Social Sciences and Other World Civilizations.

Cultural Studies;Gender Studies;Sociology

Sports and Society
SOC-284424
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Sports and leisure are social constructions that provide interesting insights to society. This course examines sports and leisure from various sociological perspectives, analyzes the role of socialization and deviance in sports, compares the role of sports in a global perspective, explores how sports and leisure interacts with other social institutions, and analyzes the role of sports and leisure throughout the life span.

Prerequisites: Prior college level knowledge of introductory sociology concepts and theories.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Aging and Gerontology;Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Anthropology;Communications and Media;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Early Childhood Studies;Emergency Management;Family Studies;Fire Protection;Gender Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Psychology;Sociology;Women's Studies

Survey of Social Science Research Methods
SOC-283424
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Social research provides answers to questions about people and the social settings and systems in which they are involved. This social science research course introduces the fundamentals of qualitative and quantitative research methods. Students learn how to formulate a viable research question, collect and analyze data, understand the ethical issues of social science research, and write a formal research proposal.

Note: This course has a required SPSS component.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Family Studies;Gender Studies;Human Services;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Sociology;Women's Studies

Thinking About Race, Class and Gender

SOC-282264

4 credits, liberal study, lower level,

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

NOTE: This course was previously offered as Behavioral Neuroscience. Students, who completed Behavioral Neuroscience 283474, cannot take Behavioral Neuroscience: Advanced.

Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Health Services;Human Services

Chemical Addiction: Theories and Practices

CHS-253184

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

This course will enable the student to conceptualize, explain and apply knowledge to variety of issues specific to substance use disorders, addiction, screening, assessment, treatment, and recovery. Criteria for substance use disorders, neurochemistry, psychopharmacology and psychoactive drug use will be examined and discussed. Clinical methods will be examined as will the variety of treatment programs and practices that frame the provider system. The basic effects of substance use disorder on the family, use of 12 step/mutual help groups, and risk/harm reduction principles will be introduced. There will be some exposure to the clinical issues of working with diverse populations (e.g. co-occurring disorders, etc.) to better understand the practical issues of treatment engagement, service delivery and counseling. Note: This course is also offered at CDL in a 6 credit format, as CHS-253186. Students may only take either CHS-253184 or CHS-253186, not both.

Prerequisite: the student should have already completed lower-level human and/or health services courses.

Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Health Services;Human Services

Chemical Addiction: Theories and Practices
CHS-253186
6 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course is similar to CHS-253184 and requires completing three (3) additional written assignments. This course will enable the student to conceptualize, explain and apply knowledge to variety of issues specific to substance user disorders, addiction, screening, assessment, treatment, and recovery. Criteria for substance use disorders, neurochemistry, psychopharmacology and psychoactive drug use will be examined and discussed. Clinical methods will be examined as will the variety of treatment programs and practices that frame the provider system. The basic effects of substance use disorder on the family, 12 step/mutual help groups, and risk/harm reduction principles will be introduced. There will be some exposure to the clinical issues of working with diverse populations (e.g. co-occurring disorders, etc.) to better understand the practical issues of treatment engagement, service delivery and counseling. Note: This course is also offered at CDL in a 4 credit format, as CHS-253184. Students may only take either CHS-253184 or CHS-253186, not both.

Prerequisite: the student should have already completed lower-level human and/or health services courses.

Accommodations Note: There is a required assignment in the course that involves direct visitation to and observation of a 12 step/mutual help group. An alternative assignment will be provided for students requesting reasonable accommodations through their instructor and/or the Office of Disability Services.

Health Services

Community Health
CHS-253554
4 credits,upper level,
Community Health will explore the health care needs of various ethnic and cultural population groups and the cultural, social, political and economic factors involved in the access and utilization of health care systems by diverse groups of people in America. Barriers to the health care system that will be discussed include communication, financial, cultural and geographic factors. The goals of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Campaign, Healthy People 2020, will be addressed. Factors that influence the epidemiological measures of morbidity and mortality, including environment health issues will be included.

Prerequisites: United States Health Systems or equivalent.

Health Services;Human Services

Crisis Intervention
CHS-252154
4 credits,lower level,
In group discussions and assignments, learn the aims and assumptions of crisis intervention treatments, the primary procedures of crisis intervention techniques, applications of each technique and a six-step model that provides a systematic way of dealing with people in crisis. Discover strategies for handling a variety of different crisis situations and understand why certain techniques and strategies are used in specific situations.

Students will be required to complete the following assignments for this course: four written assignments.

Requires working knowledge of human service, health or community organizations.

Aging and Gerontology;Early Childhood Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Science

Developmental Neurobiology: A Lifespan View
HDV-283112
2 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Building on their basic knowledge of human development and human biology, students in this 2 credit, 8-week advanced-level course will gain knowledge about developmental processes in humans across the lifespan, viewed from both the inside (neurological changes) and the outside (changes in behavior). They will see how the neurological changes and behavioral changes interact. This course will help students feel comfortable with basic vocabulary and concepts associated with developmental neurobiology.

Prerequisites: An introductory course in lifespan human development, and an introductory course in human biology.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the September 2013 term and was formerly offered as Developmental Neurobiology: A Human Lifespan and also offered as Developmental Neurobiology. Students who have successfully completed 283112 should not enroll in this course.

Students obtaining Federal Direct loans: If you are only taking 8 week courses during the Summer term your student loans may be reduced or cancelled. Please visit our Web site at www.esc.edu/FinancialServices for more information.

Early Childhood Studies;Educational Studies;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development

Developmental Psychopathology
HDV-284234
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Developmental Psychopathology is designed to introduce students to a field, which has emerged as a unique discipline in the past two decades, to interpret non-normal developmental paths from within the framework of normative development. It has four central characteristics: 1) the use of classical developmental theory and research to inform issues of psychopathology; 2) the use of insights from developmentally atypical populations to increase understanding of normal developmental processes; 3) integration of methods and theories from various social science disciplines; and 4) derivation of implications for interventions and social policy. Students will learn about the basic issues underlying this field and apply them to better understand the range of developmental possibilities. They will learn about the nature and extent of various disorders through an understanding of common etiologies and developmental trajectories. By the end of the course, students should be able to define developmental psychopathology and explain how it differs from other traditions, understand how to identify and study developmental deviations, describe some of the most common forms of abnormal development, and apply the knowledge gained throughout the course to diverse populations of children and families.

Prerequisites: A lifespan human development course is required, such as Human Development at CDL. Introduction to Psychology, Human Exceptionalities, and Abnormal Psychology would augment understanding of this material.

Health Services;Human Services;Sociology

Disabled in America
CHS-252054
4 credits, liberal study, lower level,
Study the civil rights movement of individuals with disabilities through a review of significant historical events, changing social policy. Through this course, the student will find out about the daily lives and characteristics of the more than 54 million Americans who are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Current initiatives in education, employment, housing, transportation, communication, cultural activities, recreation, health services, assistive technology and access to public services is also covered.

Students will be required to complete the following assignments for this course: five written assignments and a final project.

Economics;Health Services

Economic Issues in Health Services
CHS-253724
4 credits,upper level, general education requirements
Through group discussions, and learning tasks, investigate the health services sector using the tools of microeconomic analysis. Understand why many health care markets do not perform according to the competitive ideal; critically examine reform proposals and explore the rapidly evolving institutional environment including the role of government programs, payment systems and the rise of HMOs and other managed care organizations. Study the impact of both private and public insurance on supply, demand and market performance, including trade-offs involved in achieving the goals of quality care, access and reasonable cost.

Students will answer a number of mathematical chapter problems from the Getzen text, write one short essay (5-6 pages) and one longer paper (10-12 pages.)

Requirements for success: Use of a word processor (e.g., MS Word, Google Docs) and basic knowledge of spreadsheet software (e.g., MS Excel, Google Docs) to develop simple tables and charts is needed. You should be comfortable with basic arithmetic and algebraic operations, including the computation of rates, ratios and percentages. A basic knowledge of health service provider/payer organizations and their fiscal operations, as well as internet and library research skills are needed.

Note to NYS Nursing Home Administrator Certificate students: this course fulfills the requirement in Health Care Financing.
This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Aging and Gerontology;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services

Grief and Loss
CHS-254044
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Explore the phenomenon of grief including theoretical understanding of the stages and process of dealing with major life losses, the roles of ritual, faith and Remembrance within the context of culture. The course will also deal with determining when grief becomes dysfunctional and how the Human Services worker can appropriately determine if referral is needed for the client.

Students will be required to complete the following assignments for this course: two written assignments and an annotated bibliography.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Human Services or Psychology, or an entry-level Sociology course.

Health Services;Human Services

Group Work Practices
CHS-253204
4 credits,upper level,
Group work is the foundation of many treatment approaches in human services. This course enables you to gain a knowledge of the varied components of group work practice through an understanding of the concepts of group member dynamics, leader roles and duties and the group process. Examine the various theoretical approaches used in group work and apply them to treatment populations. Develop competency in evaluating the various stages of group work, including client screening, evaluation of group progress and member and group outcomes. It is highly recommended for all direct service students in the human services.

Health Services

Health Informatics
SMT-273124
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
The improved use of data and communication of information is a vital component to improving health care and public health. Health informatics is the integration of information systems into the health fields, such as health care, public health and health services. The course will explore the concepts of healthcare informatics, health information management, the types of data and use of data. In addition, topics that will be introduced include implementation and use of systems as well as organizational dynamics. Consideration of ethical issues and the implication of regulatory requirements related to the use of health information and information systems will be included in the course.

Prerequisites: Critical thinking, research and writing skills at the upper level.

Note: Health Informatics does not satisfy the requirement for Nursing Informatics and cannot be used in place of this course.

Health Services

Health Psychology
HDV-284174
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course will focus on the way psychology, the science of behavior, connects with health and disease. Topics to be covered in this course will include health enhancement, disease prevention and rehabilitation. The impact of, and issues concerning, stress, pain, drugs and social supports will also be addressed. The prevention of illness and individual responsibility will constitute a primary focus. Students will have an opportunity to look at theory and research and then reflect upon their own health concerns and actions regarding their personal health care.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Psychology, Health or equivalent experience.

Health Services;Sociology

Health, Illness and Society
SOC-283164
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course explores the broad area of sociological inquiry known as the sociology of medicine. Students examine the relationship between health, illness and the social factors that may affect wellness. In addition to applying theories and models of society to issues of health and illness, students examine how health care is organized and delivered in the USA and in other capitalist, socialist and emerging societies.

This course was previously offered as Sociology of Medicine. Students who have successfully completed Sociology of Medicine should not enroll in this course.

Prerequisites: At least one foundation course in Sociology.

Early Childhood Studies;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Psychology

Human Exceptionalities
HDV-283224
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
In this 4-credit advanced-level course the student will examine what is meant by human developmental exceptionality, theories of developmental difference, cultural perspectives of differences and how we judge what is normal. In order to understand developmental exceptionality, the student must have a good understanding of typical development. The student will build on their knowledge of human development and how development may be affected by a specific disability/giftedness. The student will examine the various types of developmental disabilities linked with physical/health issues, emotional/behavioral, particularly as regards learning and communication issues, as well as levels of intellectual learning and related developmental disabilities. Another area of developmental difference to be examined is that of giftedness and gifted children with disabilities. Current research in the study of childhood developmental exceptionalities will be investigated. Well-identified differences will be covered in this course, including Asperger's syndrome, autism, emotional trauma; extremely slow learners, and those identified as exceptionally bright. Students hopefully will come away from this course with a stronger respect for the variety of human learning experiences, and a clearer understanding of how to interact successfully with exceptional learners. Childhood and adolescent differences will be discussed, with reference to their impact on adulthood.

Prerequisites: Human Development Lifespan Development, Developmental Psychology, or Child Development or the equivalent.

Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Nursing;Science

Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Global Health
NUR-203254
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course is open to both nursing and nonnursing students and will introduce students to the main concepts of the global health field. Students will get an overview of principles and goals of global health, cross cutting global health issues, burden of disease and cooperating to improve global health. Students will utilize critical reasoning and evidence based practices to propose and support solutions for public health concerns around the world.

Prerequisites for non-nursing majors: U.S. Health Systems

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the May 2012 term and was formerly offered as Global Health. Students who have successfully completed 203254 should not enroll in this course.

Health Services

Issues in Health Policy and Management
CHS-254714
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course is a policy analysis course which examines several areas of health policy and offers students the opportunity to think critically about selected health policy issues including National Health Care Reform. This course is a capstone study for Health Services concentrations. Students will understand the policy process by utilizing a specific policy framework; will learn analysis including agenda setting, policy formulation, policy implementation, evaluation and revision; will relate course theories and concepts to an understanding of the political and regulatory impact on the health policy development process and ultimately on the operations of health services organizations; will examine the influence of internal and external stakeholders in the process; and will identify significant policy analysis themes which underline the values and assumptions of course authors and others in the field of health policy.

Students will be required to complete the following assignments for this course: five written assignments and a final project.

Prerequisites: The United States Health Systems or equivalent experience and knowledge. A course or equivalent experience/knowledge dealing with public administration or public policy is helpful.

Health Services

Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Services
CHS-253744
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Through group discussions and learning tasks, study some of the important legal and ethical issues facing the providers, payors and consumers of health services. Review the basics of the legal system and processes as they relate to the health services industry. Study legal and ethical issues related to: access, quality of care, patients' rights, medical technology, organ transplants, licensure and financing of health services. Address legal and ethical issues from the perspectives of health service providers, payors and consumers.

Students will be required to complete the following assignments for this course: two to three written assignments and a final project.

Note to NYS Nursing Home Administrator Certificate students: this course fulfills the requirement for Legal Issues in Health Care.

Prerequisite: The United States Health Systems or equivalent.

Health Services

Managed Care
CHS-253754
4 credits,upper level,
Through group discussions and learning tasks, study basic concepts related to managed care activities in payor, consumer and provider health and social service organizations. Study the evolution of managed care in the United States. Compare and contrast managed care concepts and structures, alternative financing mechanisms, health (physical and mental) and human service models of managed care operations. Relate the functions of utilization review, networking, contracting, information management, service delivery, fiscal accountability and marketing to managed care organizations.

Students will be required to complete the following assignments for this course: four written assignments.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Human Services or United States Health Systems or equivalent.

Health Services

Management of Health Services
CHS-253304
4 credits,upper level,
Relate concepts and theories of management to health and human service organizations. Study how the external and internal environments impact the roles of managers in these organizations. Focus on how the core management functions (planning, organizing, staffing, leading, controlling and decision-making) are applied in health or human services organizations.

Complete a common core related to the management functions that apply to all health and human service organizations, and then focus on the application of management functions to a local health or human service provider, payor and consumer organizations. Students will interview a health or human service organization manager in their area and relate their management practices to the theories and concepts presented in the course.

Students will be required to complete the following assignments for this course: four written assignments and a final project.

Prerequisite: knowledge of health or human services provider, payor and consumer organizations gained through coursework (e.g., The United States Health Systems, Introduction to Human Services) or work experience; and an understanding of management principles gained through coursework or work experience.

Emergency Management;Health Services

Managing Bioterrorism and Public Health Emergencies
CHS-264834
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Examine the roles and responsibilities of hospitals and public health agencies in responding to natural and human-made disasters, including bioterrorism. Explore environmental and mental health consequences and study methods of planning and prevention.

Prerequisites: depending on student's concentration, an introductory course, or equivalent, in emergency management, health administration, public health, public administration or public policy.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the September 2007 term and was formerly offered as Mass Disasters: Implications for Public Health. Students who have successfully completed 264834 should not enroll in this course.

Aging and Gerontology;Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Anthropology;Communications and Media;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Health Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Sociology;Women's Studies

Qualitative Social Science Research: Design and Methods
SOC-284534
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Qualitative social science research utilizes inductive approaches to explore and understand human behaviors, social interactions, and the construction of social reality. This course examines the ways social scientists ethically formulate questions, collect and analyze data, and present their findings. Students will apply this knowledge by writing a formal research proposal, conducting fieldwork, using visual and/or narrative analysis.

Prerequisites: At least one introductory course in the discipline of a social science concentration.

Note: Students may receive credit for EITHER Survey for Social Science Research Methods OR Qualitative Research: Design and Methods.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Important Note: This course was renamed effective the May 2014 term and was formerly offered as Qualitative Research: Design and Methods. Students who have successfully completed 284534 should not enroll in this course.

Aging and Gerontology;Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Communications and Media;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Health Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Psychology;Sociology;Women's Studies

Quantitative Research: Design and Methods
SOC-283604
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course enables students to understand and conduct systematic inquiries on social and behavioral topics, using quantitative social science research methods. Major topics include hypothesis development, causation, the logic of inquiry, research ethics, conceptualization and measurement, quantitative research design and data collection, and data analysis and interpretation. The course requires the use of advanced-level thinking skills, including analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

Recommended prerequisites include: at least one course in a social science discipline. A working knowledge of statistics is useful but not required; statistical analysis of data using SPSS is a required part of the course.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in social sciences.

Educational Planning;Health Services;Human Development

Stress and Coping

HDV-282214

4 credits, liberal study, lower level,

This course will examine the consequences of stress on individuals and the social environments in which their lives take place: such as family, work, school, communities, among other social contexts. Topics to be explored include: definitions and theories of stress, key stressors, stress prevention and coping skills, balanced lifestyles; and research and information technology sources related to mental health and stress relief. This course includes a combination of theory, practical knowledge, and application experiences that will help the student understand many day-to-day situations which create stress and have health consequences. Understanding sources of stress and practicing prevention habits as well as learning about coping skills is a vital way of keeping healthy, physically and emotionally. Along with discussions and written assignments, students will use online video demonstrations, and applications–based exercises to track stressful situations and practicing coping skills.

Prerequisites: Completion of Introduction to Psychology OR General Psychology and completion of a course in Human Biology or equivalent. Completion of or currently taking Behavioral Neuroscience: Introductory or Health Psychology is recommended.

Survey of Social Science Research Methods

SOC-283424

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

Note: This course has a required SPSS component.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Health Services

The United States Health Systems

CHS-252104

4 credits,lower level,

Study the origins, changes and current status of the major programs that provide for the delivery, financing and regulation of health care services in the public and private sectors. Explore how these programs shape the activities of health service providers, payors and interest groups and how each attempts to influence the activities of the program managers. Provides a foundation for further study of the major issues of accessibility, cost and regulation of health services as they relate to policy, management and economic considerations.

Students will be required to complete the following assignments for this course: two written assignments and a research assignment.

Suggested: strong writing skills.

Family Studies;Health Services;History and Civilizations;Human Development;Human Services;Philosophy and Religious Studies

Western Civilization and Human Development
HDV-283374
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
The primary goal of this course is to help students understand the historical context for philosophical issues and controversies that have shaped the contemporary study of human development. The historical inquiry traces conceptualization of human nature from the Greek philosophers and the Hebrew scriptures to current Western beliefs about child and adult development.

Two traditions addressing the nature of human nature, the Greek and Hebrew, will be explored for their continuing influence on contemporary scientific, educational, and therapeutic perspectives on human lives. Within this inquiry, the course considers central philosophical issues that inform and divide the field today: the nature-nurture controversy; continuity versus discontinuity in development (including the controversy surrounding stage theories); and the basic good or evil nature of the human.

Students will gain an appreciation for the major intellectual and heart-felt debates about human nature that have influenced the field of human development. The course will consider their divergent expressions in academia and the world of policy and practice. Throughout this inquiry students will consider the shaping of modern perspectives on human development through the interaction of facts with values and research with beliefs.

Prerequisites: A course in the social sciences or humanities and upper level critical thinking skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Western Civilization.

Cultural Studies;Environmental Studies;History and Civilizations

African History and Culture
HIS-243344
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
A multidisciplinary approach to Africa. Colonization and its impact provide historical context. A geographical framework encourages students to individualize their learning through case studies of two of the following five areas: East Africa, West Africa, North Africa, South Africa and Central Africa. A research project enables students to correlate their geographical case studies to a choice of topical issues: AIDS, the environment, family and kinship, women and development, religion or literature. Particular attention is devoted to contemporary ethnic conflict. The course concludes with an examination of trends and prospects for the future of Africa.

Learning activities include multidisciplinary readings (anthropological, economic, historical, political and sociological), instructor and student facilitated discussions, case studies, short essays and a research paper. Students also follow contemporary news reports from Africa. Students individualize their learning through selections that synthesize their studies of the human ecology and colonial legacy of Africa; post-colonial African societies; and Africa as part of a global system.

Recommended: World History 1, World History 2 or equivalent. Advanced level research and writing skills are expected of this upper level course.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the March 2008 term and was formerly offered as Africa and Its Peoples. Students who have successfully completed 243344 should not enroll in this course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Other World Civilizations.

History and Civilizations;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs

America's Founding Ideas
SOC-263454
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
The founding of The United States of America is one of the defining events of world history, and the political ideas of the founding generation continue to be invoked all manner of political debate. But, questions about the founding generation remain: What did Thomas Jefferson and James Madison really think about politics? How did the American founding generation understand terms like “liberty,” “democracy,” and “freedom?” This course is designed to separate fact from fiction by introducing students to the intellectual, economic, and social context of the American founding.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in American History.

For more information about political science courses at the Center for Distance Learning, please visit: http://commons.esc.edu/cdlpoliticalscience.

History and Civilizations

American Ethnic History
HIS-243234
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Study a narrative history of the United States in the context of native and immigrant ethnic groups and their interactions with one another. Ethnic and immigrant history serve as a vehicle for understanding both unity and diversity in American society and for revealing the complexities of political, economic, social and cultural history, as well as America's evolving relationship with the rest of the world.

Important Note: Effective the January 2008 term, this course was changed from lower level to an upper level course. Students who successfully completed this course at the lower level (HIS-242234) should not enroll in this course at the upper level.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in American History.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies;History and Civilizations

American Popular Music in the Twentieth Century
ART-223414
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
What are the roots of the music that Americans listen to today? How have the ways Americans listen to music changed and how have these changes affected musical tastes and listening habits? Are songs that Americans listen to creations of commercial enterprises, individual artists or products of a cultural environment? As a nation composed of many different cultures that have influenced each other, America has produced many forms of music known as uniquely “American.” Students in this course will explore the origins and development variety of the musical styles listened to in America. They will examine the impact of a myriad of cultural influences: commercial, economic, technological and social upon the development of American popular music. The course will allow students a great deal of choice in their exploration of musical history. They will engage in interactive discussions including the creation and exchange of playlists. Students will also have the option to access the course through their mobile devices. Although a smart phone is not required for the course, students that do have a smart phone with a data plan will be able to interact with the course the same way they listen to their music, on the go.

Prerequisites: advanced level reading, writing and research skills

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in The Arts.

Economics;History and Civilizations

An Economic History of the West
HIS-242504
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
The scholarship of many historians suggests that trade and commerce are among the most important factors that have influenced the evolution and direction of human civilizations. Accordingly, this course examines how economic developments have served as a catalyst for change throughout the development and spread of Western Civilization. In order to understand the distinctive features of the history, institutions, society, culture, and politics of Western Civilization, students will be introduced to Western philosophies or theorizations of "economy" in terms of history and civilization, and examine different expressions of such theory through the analysis of labor systems, imperialism, industrialization, urbanization, trade, distribution of income, and agricultural expansion. They will follow the evolution of such theories and consider how they have shaped historical developments from antiquity to the present. Students will illustrate connections between economic, social, cultural, and political developments within the context of the historical and contemporary West. In short, students will engage with "the economic" as a particularly useful lens for understanding Western Civilization.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Western Civilization.

Cultural Studies;History and Civilizations

Asian American Experience
HIS-244294
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course explores the history and experience of Asian Americans within the framework of American history. Students will investigate how, when and why various groups of Asians migrated to America; the impact of law, economics, politics, religion, and cultural differences upon the formation of Asian American cultures; the evolution and impact of stereotypes surrounding Asians; how major trends in American history affected Asian Americans; and major concerns of different groups of Asian Americans today. Students will seek to understand the complexities of these topics in different time periods, for different Asian cultures, and for Asian men versus Asian women.

Prerequisites: Upper-level reading, writing, research and computer skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in America History.

Business (General);History and Civilizations

Business Enterprise in American History
BME-213034
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Follow the evolution of United States business enterprise from the exchanges among the Plymouth settlers to America's participation in the economy of "the global village." Study from a variety of perspectives the development and change of the institutions, people, attitudes, and behavior of business enterprise as they relate to the consumer, the worker, the shareholder(s), other businesses, the community, and the government at all levels.

History and Civilizations;Political Science and Public Affairs

Ethnic Conflict in Global Perspective
HIS-243854
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Study selectively ethnic conflict among the 5000 ethnic groups found in about 170 nation-states. Focus on past and contemporary conflicts between and among ethnic groups and between ethnic groups and the state. Specific case studies will vary from term to term and may include, at your option, studies of the Holocaust or others based upon Internet resources.

Prerequisites: two courses in history and/or the social sciences.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the September 2008 term and was formerly offered as Ethnic Conflict: Cross-National Studies. Students who have successfully completed 243854 should not enroll in this course.

History and Civilizations

Exploring Place: History
HIS-244774
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This is an advanced-level research course in which students, with guidance from the instructor, propose and carry out their own semester-long, self-directed, in-depth research agendas.

Thinking of place as a community in a geographical location or physical environment, this interdisciplinary course seeks to offer an opportunity for a place-based approach to history. Explore the local history of the place you live (or some other place of interest), whether you define that place as a neighborhood, a whole village or town or city, a geographical region, or a watershed. Research, for example, a particular topic or period of local history by engaging with historical scholarship, consulting local archives and historical societies and/or interviewing community members who have witnessed local history.

Collaborate with other students interested in history, the arts and culture to learn concepts for thinking about place as a process, as a coming together of nature and culture, of the local and global and of issues ranging from gender, class, ethnicity and the environment to modernization, conservation, and preservation. Design and share with peers the results of your own projects about local history and the place you are interested in. "Visit" one another's place online as part of a cross-place comparison. Some of the reading materials for this course have been predetermined and are available at the bookstore. However, each student, in consultation with the instructor, will be responsible at the outset of the course for proposing a set of individualized, place-specific research topics that will comprise the bulk of their work throughout the term. (For example, a project might require acquiring a scholarly book and a popular book about your place in order to analyze and compare how they represent its landscape.) Each student will be responsible for acquiring (borrowing or purchasing) in a timely fashion the books and materials necessary for these projects. Such materials are not available at the bookstore.

Students and mentors should note that the highly-individualized approach of this course can enable students to develop projects that support a particular personal interest or degree program need that is not directly motivated by an interest in history per se. For example, a student who is interested in ethnicity could choose to develop his or her projects in this course entirely around the immigration history of a particular ethnic group in his or her local community. Or, a student in Business, Management, and Economics could focus for the entire term on the historical impact of a local business or industry on the community, or vice versa (e.g., a resident of Glens Falls, NY might look at the history of the paper mill industry).

Important Note: this course overlaps with Exploring Place: Humanities and Exploring Place: Arts. No more than one of these three should be included in a degree program.

Cultural Studies;History and Civilizations

Fashion in U.S. History
HIS-243194
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This study will survey the ways in which fashion in the United States has been shaped by major developments in American history. Beginning with the development of the textile industry, this course will place fashion and the fashion industry within social, cultural and economic frameworks, and will cover a variety of topics including: industrialization, immigration, "becoming American", labor movements, gender and the women's movement, class differentiations, haute couture, consumer culture, and the influence of the entertainment industry and globalization on American fashion. Students will develop an understanding of the trajectory of fashion in American history, which will require both a knowledge of various aspects of fashion and fashion industry and of major trends in American history. Students will gain theoretical and concrete knowledge of how fashion "works" within the context of American history - what purposes it serves, how it changes, how it reflects culture, and how it may be analyzed as a cultural and historical text.

Prerequisites: Advanced-level reading, writing, computer and research skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in American History.

Environmental Studies;Fire Protection;History and Civilizations

Fire and Western Civilization
HIS-243054
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Survey the history of civilization as the story of humanity’s relationship to fire, one of the most productive and most destructive forces we live with. Learn how fire, as a tool and as a technology, shaped both the landscape and ecology of the planet and the culture and psyche of the primate who tamed it. Understand the role that domesticated fire played in pre-agrarian and agrarian societies; in ancient Greece and Rome; in Asia and in pre-contact North America; in pre-industrial Europe; in Asia and Australia; and (through the burning of coal and petroleum) in creating the modern industrial age and the largest public policy problem we face today, Global Warming. Integrate perspectives from anthropology, sociology, ecology, engineering, religious studies and social and environmental history in grasping both the similarities (all civilizations controlled fire) and differences (no other civilization systematically exploited fossil fuel on the scale that Western Civilization did) between Western and non-Western civilizations. Learn about the development and distinctive features of Western civilization and the relation of Western Civilization’s development to other regions of the world by investigating environmental history. Trace how humanity’s evolving control of fire shaped the institutions, economies, social relations, cultural characteristics and practices of human societies over time.

Prerequisite: successful completion of either World History 1 or 2; evidence of readiness for upper-level study (completion of two years' college credit).

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Western Civilization.

Environmental Studies;History and Civilizations

First Peoples of North America
HIS-243134
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
The history of the First Peoples of North America from first contact with Europeans to the present includes dislocation, cultural disruption and assimilation, fragmented communities, as well as transformation, resilience, and continuity. Using a mix of primary documents and contemporary videos and writings, we will hear the voices of North America's indigenous people. We’ll learn about histories, environments, cultures, and activities of American Indian nations and communities, on and off the reservations, in the past and today. The course also examines the history of relationships between First Nations and the United States government and political system, as well as American Indian activism in global concerns. We will conclude with a look at Pan Indianness and the questions and possibilities it opens for the global future.

Prerequisites: prior learning in American history and/or government such as learning demonstrated by fulfillment of SUNY General Education Requirement in American History.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Other World Civilizations.

Economics;Environmental Studies;History and Civilizations;Political Science and Public Affairs;Science

Global Climate Change

SMT-272114

4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
There is little doubt that the Earth's climate is changing due to the influence of human activities. In this course students will explore the evidence that climate change is occurring, how human activities have affected this process, the primary forces influencing the Earth's climates, and what steps can be taken to adapt to or mitigate these changes.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

History and Civilizations

Global History from the 15th Century
HIS-242114
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course addresses major themes and issues within Global History since 1600. Through films, texts, and interactive tools, we’ll explore the impact of science, technology, and religion; how political absolutism in Europe gave way to the rise of a democratic ideology forged by social contract theories of the Enlightenment; the causes of war and revolution; the development of global systems to include slavery, colonialism, and labor migration; the rise of nationalism and the onset/passing of the Cold War; and perceived differences between tradition, modernity, and globalization.

Globalization is a product of historical forces, political, cultural, and/or socio-economic, which continue to shape the world. The course will address our contemporary world as a global community, promoting a vibrant comparative analysis of our lives today. Students will learn about the art and science of historical inquiry through the use of primary sources, maps and timelines. This approach to global history contributes to various disciplines, from business to health to the arts and more.

Important Notes: students should NOT take both World History 2 and European Civilization Since 1815.
Students do not have to take both Global History to the 15th Century and Global History from the 15th Century. They can take one or both in either order.

This course was renamed effective the September 2010 term and was formerly offered as World History I I Circa 1600 - Present. Students who have successfully completed 242114 should not enroll in this course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Other World Civilizations and partially meets the General Education requirement in Western Civilization.

History and Civilizations

Global History to the 15th Century
HIS-242104
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Through texts, film, and interactivity, this course will introduce students to Global History through 1600. Globalization is a product of historical forces that have shaped the world since the dawn of time. All histories are part of a greater global whole as evidenced by the interlinking of contemporary societies via the unprecedented phenomenon labeled globalization. This course will promote a vibrant understanding of our world today by exploring multifaceted forces and interactions that brought individuals and cultures together in both conflict and cooperation, encouraging comparative analysis from a global perspective that can contribute to various disciplines.

We will explore the rise of the world’s first major civilizations (including Mesopotamia, China, India and Egypt); specific cultural, political and social encounters; the classical foundations of both the Greek and Roman civilizations; and the impact of religion, memory schemes, and oral traditions in shaping world civilizations. Students will begin to learn the art and science of historical inquiry through the use of primary sources, maps and timelines, to bring into perspective our contemporary view of the origins of civilizations.

Important Note: Students do not have to take both Global History to the 15th Century and Global History from the 15th Century. They can take one or both in either order.
This course was renamed effective the September 2010 term and was formerly offered as World History I to 1600. Students who have successfully completed 242104 should not enroll in this course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Other World Civilizations and partially meets the General Education requirement in Western Civilization.

History and Civilizations;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs

Global Perspectives on Political Theory
SOC-263444
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
As the world continues to become increasingly integrated in terms of economics, communication technology, trade, and the impact of human activity on the environment, it has become clear that political theory should be approached from a global perspective. In this course students will explore the history and controversies associated with the idea of human rights; different theories of cosmopolitanism (i.e. the idea that a common thread of humanity ought to influence how we think about politics in a globalized world); and a range of perspectives about the relationship between human civilizations and the global physical environment.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in Western Civilization.

For more information about political science courses at the Center for Distance Learning, please visit: http://commons.esc.edu/cdlpoliticalscience.

Important Note: This course was renamed effective the September 2011 term and was formerly offered as Comparative Political Theory. Students who have successfully completed 263444 should not enroll in this course.

Business (General);History and Civilizations

Globalization: Business and Society in the Information Age
HIS-213254
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Examine the international trends and the nature of socio-technological change over the past 25 years. Develop the skills necessary to forecast current and future trends in business, employment, trade, capital and labor flows, human rights issues and politics.

Prerequisites: three courses in business, economics, history and/or social sciences.

History and Civilizations

Hispanic/Latino Peoples of the United States
HIS-243094
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
The group of people described as “Hispanic/ Latino” is one of the fastest growing minorities in the US and is becoming more and more important politically and economically. Students will have an opportunity to discuss and study several important issues related major Latino ethnic groups in the United States. The course will examine problems Latinos have faced and continue to face in relation to immigration, education, discrimination, and participation in the political arena. Students will explore a variety of cultures defined as Hispanic in the contexts of their unique histories in the US and will use a variety of approaches (historical, sociological, political), and sources (literature, media, popular culture) to understand each culture.

Recommended: Prior study in history, sociology, anthropology or politics.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

History and Civilizations

Historiography
HIS-244444
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Historiography seeks to understand the ways in which history has been written by exploring what shapes historical works. Historiography considers influences on works of history like what methods and sources were chosen and why, who was the intended audience, and why certain sources or topics are ignored in certain historical accounts.

Larger questions include: What is History? What are historical facts? What is the relationship between past and present? What are current issues concerning the writing and teaching of history? How do views on the role and interpretation of history relate to the methods and sources that historians use? Why is history rewritten? These are the kinds of questions that students will consider in the fifteen week course, focusing on conceptual issues surrounding the writing of history. Students enrolled in the 4-credit Historiography will choose a topic of their choice, such as a comparative analysis of several books and/or articles on the same topic; or an in-depth study of some approach to history, such as women's/gender studies, "history from below," oral history; or historiographical issues in teaching history. In examining these issues, students will also deal with methodological concerns and changing approaches to historical analysis.

Prerequisites: Previous history courses, including at least one upper-level course.

History and Civilizations;Psychology

History and Systems of Psychology
HDV-284104
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This advanced level course is designed to provide psychology students an opportunity to reflect upon the field as a whole – specifically to understand the history of the profession and evolution of ideas over time. The course will review areas that currently define the study of psychology, and explore older ideas that are no longer current, those ideas that are still relevant, and areas that are likely to be important in the future. Students will examine major philosophical approaches that informed the questions and methods of psychologists, including the classical systems and schools of psychology, and will review some of the major empirical findings and theories that have influenced the directions of research. Students will be encouraged to critically examine the ways by which psychologists have written their own history and to consider how intellectual and cultural contexts may have shaped their interpretation of this history.

Prerequisites: Completion of Introduction to Psychology OR General Psychology and at least two intermediate or advanced psychology courses.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Western Civilization.

History and Civilizations;Economics

History of Economic Thought
BME-213124
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
History of Economic Thought examines major contributions made to the field of economics by great thinkers from Adam Smith to Milton Friedman. Systems of economic thought and their applications to economic practice and policy making are compared and evaluated in judging their efficacy to solve current economic problems and address emerging issues, especially in an increasingly globalized environment. By the end of the study, students should have developed an overview of the main approaches to the history of thought; a sound knowledge of the discipline of economics; and the ability to critically evaluate the major contributions to the theories of value, production, and distribution. This is an advanced level study and students are expected to analyze, critique, synthesize, and form informed positions on economic principles and theories.

Prerequisite: Micro and Macro Economics or the equivalent

History and Civilizations;Math and Quantitative Studies

History of Mathematics
SMT-273904
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This interdisciplinary course offers an advanced-level introduction to the development of mathematics from antiquity to the present. Moving beyond an outline of the development of mathematical ideas in Europe and its colonies, students will also study mathematical developments in other cultures, including the ancient Mesopotamian, Chinese, Indian and Egyptian civilizations, and the medieval Islamic caliphate. An emphasis will be placed on the understanding of mathematical developments in broader historical and cultural context. Students will discuss various points of view concerning selected core controversies in mathematics, research and write about the contributions of individuals or cultural groups to the development of mathematics, and solve a variety of mathematical problems of historical interest.

Students will propose a course theme in accordance with their particular interests around which to build their principal research and writing assignments. For example, a student may wish to explore the mathematical contributions of a particular culture in greater depth. A student may also wish to explore the historical development of a particular mathematical field or to research mathematical connections throughout history to another field of their choosing, such as art, music, or the sciences. Students will be encouraged to identify significant mathematical developments, to analyze key ideas, contributors and events that made these possible, and to discuss implications for mathematics in the 21st century.

Prerequisites: This advanced-level study presumes that the student has already achieved upper-level standing with fluency in college reading, writing, research and critical thinking. This study also presumes that the student has excellent knowledge of college level mathematics through Pre-calculus. Further studies in mathematics, such as Calculus 1 are strongly recommended. There is also an introductory version of this course, in which students who may not yet be prepared for advanced-level studies are encouraged to enroll.

Important Note: Students should not include History of Mathematics twice in their degree program. This course can only be taken once, either at the lower-level or at the upper-level.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Mathematics and Other World Civilizations.

History and Civilizations;Math and Quantitative Studies

History of Mathematics
SMT-272904
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This interdisciplinary course offers an introduction to the development of mathematics from antiquity to the present. Moving beyond an outline of the development of mathematical ideas in Europe and its colonies, students will also study mathematical developments in other cultures, including the ancient Mesopotamian, Chinese, Indian and Egyptian civilizations, and the medieval Islamic caliphate. An emphasis will be placed on the understanding of mathematical developments in broader historical and cultural context. Students will discuss various points of view concerning selected core controversies in mathematics, research and write about the contributions of individuals or cultural groups to the development of mathematics, and solve a variety of mathematical problems of historical interest.

Prerequisites: Good algebraic and expository writing skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Mathematics and Other World Civilizations.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Family Studies;History and Civilizations;Sociology;Women's Studies

Images of Women in Western Civilization
ART-223534
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
What have been women’s roles and life experiences since ancient times until present? How have women seen their position in the development of Western civilization? How have women been represented in Western art? How did women’s domestic art become fine art? What does this change entail? What interpretive frameworks do scholars use to examine and understand women’s art and its connection to the development of Western civilization? This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to explore questions like these and look broadly and in-depth at women’s contributions to the development of Western civilization. Students are encouraged to identify and analyze significant events, societies, people and ideas which contributed to the development of European, Western and world attitudes and institutions. Students will be able to develop a wider perspective which recognizes the political, economic and cultural development of western societies and women’s experiences, and which encourages a more inclusive view of the human experience.

To enhance upper level academic skills, students will read scholarly literature and theories relevant to women, art, and western societies. Students will analyze images of women found in sculptures, paintings, cultural artifacts, magazine covers, and other products of popular culture, from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, up until the present. Students will examine such examples as ancient fiber arts, folk arts, LGBT arts, and feminist arts. Students will design their own independent research projects to examine theories and images of women, interpret women’s roles and experiences in specific times and places in Western civilization, and respond to, or generate new, questions they set out to explore. Students will also have a chance to do a creative work to (re-/de-)construct their own images of women. Students will need to have the digital capacity to submit images online (i.e., a digital camera or a scanner) as low-resolution JPEG images.

Prerequisites: upper-level standing with advanced level critical thinking, reading and writing skills.

Recommended: one of the following (or their equivalent): Artistic Expression in a Multicultural America, Visual Literacy, An Introduction to Culture, General Education courses in Western Civilization.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Western Civilization for 4 credits and in The Arts for 4 credits.

Arts: Visual and Performing;History and Civilizations;Philosophy and Religious Studies

Introduction to the History of Western Architecture
ART-221434
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This lower-level introductory course surveys western architecture and society from ancient times to the present. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the language of architecture, architects, and major architectural styles in several key periods across western civilization with a special emphasis on architecture of the 19th to 21st century.

In addition to the main purpose of introducing students to western architectural history and its styles and architects, the course also seeks to enhance the critical understanding of the development of western culture as a whole, and to further develop the understanding and relevance of architecture in our current society.

Students will be able to learn about the development of western civilization through the contextual understanding of the function and meanings of architecture in a variety of cultures throughout time. Studying relationships between different architecture, society, cultures, institutions, and other relevant contexts will enable students to understand western civilization and its connection to other cultures, societies, and times.

The core learning topics will consist of (1) Understanding Architecture; (2) History of Architecture from Caves to the Age of Enlightenment; and (3) History of Architecture from the 19th Century to Postmodernism. Assignments will encourage students to explore architects and architecture of their interests and discover architecture in their own community.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Western Civilization for 4 credits and in The Arts for 4 credits.

History and Civilizations;Political Science and Public Affairs

Latin America: History, Politics and United States Policy

HIS-243154

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

Examine Latin America's social history and United States-Latin American relations during the "modern" period of Latin American history (1821 to the present). Explore the thicket of human diversity and political controversy that stamps all of Latin American and United States history. Examine the broad scope of modern Latin American history, culture, ethnicity, economic development, society, politics, migration patterns and foreign relations in the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico and South America. Develop a knowledge of Latin American diversity from the early 1800s to the present, with emphasis on its importance to the United States.

Recommended: previous study in World History 2 or equivalent.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Other World Civilizations.

Cultural Studies;History and Civilizations

Modern China
HIS-243324
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Study the culture and society of pre-modern China, the evolution of China's relationship with the outside world and the efforts China has made over the last 150 years to become a modern industrialized society. Investigate the ways Chinese political civilization has organized itself during the last century and explore contemporary controversies within China regarding ideas such as democracy and human rights.

Recommended: World History 1, World History 2, Pacific Asia: Culture and History or equivalent.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Other World Civilizations.

History and Civilizations;Political Science and Public Affairs

Modern Russia: Building a Civil Society
HIS-243384
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Study modern Russia from the fall of Czarist Russia to the Bolsheviks and the rise and fall of the Soviet Union. Examine the current difficulties in creating a democratic society in Russia and become aware of the conditions facing the Russian citizenry in light of the Soviet legacy.

Environmental Studies;History and Civilizations

Nature in American History
HIS-243544
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Explore the history of the changing relationship between American culture and its environment, especially as that relationship has been manifest physically (as "nature," the ecosystems we’ve inhabited, which have been changed by our activity) and conceptually (as "nature," a concept that has a history and evolution of its own and which has entered into the thinking of philosophers, economists, poets, artists, legislators, environmentalists, biologists, etc.) Become familiar with the main eras and episodes of American history as they relate to American culture’s grounding in nature: the European encounter with a (supposedly) virgin wilderness; the rapid exploitation of resources that accompanied westward and industrial expansion; the closing of the frontier and the development of resource conservationism; continued industrialization of the nature-culture relationship through nearly a century of war; the modern tension between economics and a concern for ecological health and balance. Through readings, discussions, writing and other study activities, learn a basic narrative of the American experience by tracing the nature-culture relation over time and trace the complex interaction between the character of that relationship and contemporaneous political, social, economic and cultural changes. Study the work and historical context of such influential thinkers as Henry David Thoreau, John Muir, Gifford Pinchot, Aldo Leopold, Theodore Roosevelt, Rachel Carson. In addition, participants will engage in a practical component of study by learning to read contemporary American landscapes for what they record of cultural, social, land-use and ecological history - a basic element of environmental literacy that has been neglected in our era.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in American History.

Communications and Media;History and Civilizations

News: Fact or Fiction?
HIS-243504
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Become more informed about and develop your ability to analyze contemporary issues, problems, controversies, questions and topics of national and international significance from the historical perspective. The New York Times online is required reading and will serve as one vehicle for monitoring the news; other online sources, print publications and radio and television broadcast news are also used.

Note: This writing and research course requires ready access to library resources, in person and/or through the Internet.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the March 2012 term and was formerly offered as News in Historical Perspective. Students who have successfully completed 243504 should not enroll in this course.

Prerequisites: 6 credits in college level history courses.

Cultural Studies;History and Civilizations

Pacific Asia: Culture and History
HIS-242304
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Explore the vibrant history and culture of Pacific Asia. Investigate the countries of East and Southeast Asia, including China, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia and others. Study the region, its history, belief systems, and creativity, while developing an appreciation for its literatures, popular literatures, visual and graphic arts and films. Connect cultural traditions to religion, history, politics, economics, and social organizations. Look into the construction and perception of Pacific Asian cultural identities. Examine the region’s distinctive history, institutions, economies, and societies by exploring cultural production and traditions in socio-historical context. Become familiar with Pacific Asian culture while using it as a means for understanding historical developments. Appreciate the diversity and dynamism of Asia by exploring the contributions each country makes to the concept of Asia.

Through its examination of culture in historical context, this course is particularly useful for students interested in historical studies, cultural studies, or both. It allows students to take advantage of a multimedia environment in order to examine art, literature, film, and web-based resources in historical context; it seeks to encourage critical reading and writing; and, it provides opportunities for students to individualize their study in accordance with their own particular geographical interests.

Important Note: this course was formerly offered as The Pacific Century. Students who have successfully completed 242304 should not enroll in this course.

This course meets the General Education requirement in Other World Civilizations.

History and Civilizations;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs

Politics and Religion in America
SOC-264204
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Religion has played a prominent role in American public life for over 400 years, and it remains a powerful force in American politics. This course will examine the relationship between religion and politics from philosophical, historical and strategic perspectives. Students will explore current movements, events and issues in the frameworks of the past, present and future. The course begins by building an historical framework within which to assess the present role of religion in politics. Students also will explore the strategic dimensions of political action, seeking to understand the tactics, rhetoric, and social environments in which religious political actors attempt to influence public policy through voting, lobbying, and grassroots mobilization.
This course fully meets the general education requirement in American History.

For more information about political science courses at the Center for Distance Learning, please visit: http://commons.esc.edu/cdlpoliticalscience.

Communications and Media;Cultural Studies;History and Civilizations;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Women's Studies

Public History: A Shared Conversation with the Past
HIS-243434
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
In this advanced course students will explore the concepts and practices of Public History. Students will explore and critique diverse media,including film and web sites, oral history collections and photographs. They will also take self guided tours to physical and virtual public history sites. Students will have the opportunity to conduct hands on research projects ranging from video documentation to traditional research papers. Students interested in history, culture, journalism,arts management,art history, museum studies, historical studies, and public policy will benefit from this course. In addition, this course will also appeal to those students interested in non-academic careers. Students in Social Theory, Structure and Change will also benefit from this course because of its focus on collective memory and identity. The course will also appeal to Communications and Media Studies students as it will also cover traditional and non-traditional media as well as physical venues that may be used to communicate a common story to a diverse audience.

Prerequisites: Experience in research projects suggested.

Optional: Students interested in doing video and or audio documentation should have access to visual and or audio equipment.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Cultural Studies;History and Civilizations;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs

Renaissance and Reformation: Origins and Impacts
HIS-244344
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
What is a Renaissance man, and where did that term come from? What did Machiavelli really say? Why was Pope Julius II excluded from heaven? What was Martin Luther thinking when he pounded a nail into a church door in Wittenberg? In this course we will try to answer these questions, and others. This course examines two important phenomena in the history of Western civilization: the Renaissance and the Reformation. The Renaissance was a time of creativity, genius, and rediscovery of classical wisdom, and it gave us not only the great art of Michelangelo, da Vinci, and Raphael, but also the infamous political advice of Machiavelli and the rousing verse of Petrarch. Once the Renaissance reached its apex Western civilization, and especially religious life, fell into the confusion and wars of the Protestant Reformation. Reformers such as Luther and Calvin took on the Catholic Church in a search for the authentic Christian religion. Their reforms left a lasting and profound impression on the subsequent development of Western civilization. We will explore the foundations, the history, and the lasting impact on Western civilization of the Renaissance and the Reformation. In completing this course students will become more familiar with the development of the distinctive features of the history, institutions, economy, society, culture, etc., of these pivotal periods in Western civilization.

Prerequisites: A previous course in World History is recommended.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities or Western Civilization.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies;Gender Studies;History and Civilizations;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Women's Studies

Roots and Routes of African Diaspora Resistance: Arts
CUL-224124
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
African Diaspora religions such as Voodoo and Santeria have literally become the stuff of horror films. Why, when brewed together in popular imagination, do some people find it so scary?

The three tracks of this course overlap. No more than one of these three should be included in a degree program.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies;Gender Studies;History and Civilizations;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Women's Studies

Roots and Routes of African Diaspora Resistance: History

CUL-224224

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

African Diaspora religions such as Voodoo and Santeria have literally become the stuff of horror films. Why, when brewed together in popular imagination, do some people find it so scary?

The three tracks of this course overlap. No more than one of these three should be included in a degree program.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies;Gender Studies;History and Civilizations;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Women's Studies

Roots and Routes of African Diaspora Resistance: Humanities

CUL-224334

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

African Diaspora religions such as Voodoo and Santeria have literally become the stuff of horror films. Why, when brewed together in popular imagination, do some people find it so scary?

The three tracks of this course overlap. No more than one of these three should be included in a degree program.

Environmental Studies;History and Civilizations

Science and Technology in Western Culture

HIS-243454

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

Study the entire range of scientific and technological discoveries and developments, from the Ionian Greeks to the present day. View the 20th century as a century of revolutions: new discoveries in electricity and electronics revolutionized industrial production and upset landscapes, lifestyles and liberties.

Recommended: a previous study of Western civilization or world history is advised. Students not having taken such courses are advised to acquire a text on western civilization and use it as a companion reference work.

Ten required one-hour video programs are available by rental through the Empire State College Bookstore.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Western Civilization.

History and Civilizations;Political Science and Public Affairs

The African American Experience
HIS-243124
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course describes and analyzes African American experiences from slavery to contemporary times, primarily within the United States, but also as related to the Diaspora in other parts of the Americas. The course briefly examines the economic, geographic and political effects of slavery and its aftereffects. Twenty-first century African-American cultural and social history will form the core of the course. Topics covered will include arts and cultural achievements, issues in education, political developments, racial conflict and violence, the civil rights movement and contemporary issues as viewed by the African-American cartoonist Aaron McGruder.

Recommended: A United States history course and United States government course.

This course partially meets the General Education requirement in American History for all students, but fully meets the General Education requirement in American History for students scoring 85 or above on the New York State Regents exam in United States History and Government.

History and Civilizations;Political Science and Public Affairs

The American Presidency
SOC-263314
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course will examine the office of the American presidency and the operation of the executive branch of the American federal government
from a historical perspective. We will analyze the office of the presidency throughout the history of the Republic, identifying patterns of change as well as continuities in presidential power. We will consider the presidency’s design in the Constitution and what factors have led to departures from that framework. The class begins with an examination of the historical development of the American presidency and then moves into an examination of modern executive power. Our readings will examine the notion of “the modern presidency” from a variety of angles. The course will provide students with the background to explore such questions as, “How have residents attempted to persuade the American citizenry through rhetoric? Have modern American presidents been successful policy innovators and legislative leaders? What is the relationship of the president with the bureaucracy, legislature and the judiciary? What form of presidential leadership is possible in the 21st century?”

This course fully meets the general education requirement in American History.

For more information about political science courses at the Center for Distance Learning, please visit: http://commons.esc.edu/cdlpoliticalscience.

Cultural Studies;History and Civilizations

The Enlightenment
HIS-224054
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Study the 18th century Enlightenment that changed the perception of the universe, rocked the thrones of Europe, shook the roots of religious heterodoxy and gave new dimensions to philosophy, literature and the arts. Read classic studies by Enlightenment scholars and analyze the influences of the Enlightenment upon the development of the United States policy and the role of women in Europe and beyond. Develop a set of personal conclusions and assess the contemporary meaning of the Enlightenment.

Recommended: previous study in World History 2 or equivalent, and two years college credit.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities for 4 credits or Western Civilization for 4 credits.

History and Civilizations;Political Science and Public Affairs

The Middle East
HIS-243414
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Explore the origins of the current political conflicts and social conditions in the Middle East. Study the land and its peoples, religion and civilization, Western expansion and influence, nationalism, consequences of World War I, oil, development of nation-states, tradition and change and revolution.

Recommended: prior study in history, religion, sociology, anthropology, or politics.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Other World Civilizations.

Educational Planning;Environmental Studies;History and Civilizations

The Pursuit of Happiness in American History
CUL-222114
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Presumably, students come to college because they believe a higher education and/or a college degree will improve their lives, and thus, in some way, make them "happier." This course encourages students to ponder what happiness means to them (and where a college education fits into the picture) by taking a trip through U.S. history that focuses on various ways that happiness (or well-being, or the "good life") has been constructed in different ways and in different contexts.

Through contextual studies of primary texts of all kinds from the colonial period to the present, students will examine many different ways that happiness has been defined and pursued in different contexts throughout the history of the United States, as well as ways that "America" as a nation has been imagined or defined in terms of concepts of happiness. Emphasis will be placed on students learning to be aware of and think about assumptions about happiness that are explicit or implicit in such texts, and to situate these in their respective historical contexts. In this way, students will be introduced to, and participate in the construction of one kind of narrative of American history. Insofar as this narrative of American history broadens students' understanding of their own historical context, they will be expected, in turn, to more fully articulate their own sense of how they are thinking about their own lives and their own education.

Activities in the course will generally fall into two categories, which are meant to mutually reinforce and stimulate each another. First, students will study, discuss, and write critically about a variety of primary historical documents, in order to understand American history through the lens of "happiness." Second, students will discuss and write about what happiness means to them personally, and articulate particular ways that they envision their college studies addressing that happiness. It is expected that many students will find the latter activities useful to their overall work in educational planning by helping them to consider their reasons for pursuing a degree in relation to some of the ideas about happiness that have been articulated throughout American history.

Note: In addition to the required readings available at the bookstore, all students who take this course are required to use at least one good college-level general American history reference. Examples of such a text include The American Promise: A History of the United States (volumes 1-2) by Roark, Johnson, et al., Who Built America? Working People and the Nation's History (volumes 1-2) by Clark, Hewitt, et al., or A People and a Nation by Norton, et al. For those students who do not already have access to such a text, the Norton text (A People and a Nation: Brief Edition) is optionally available for purchase from the Empire State College bookstore.

CDL matriculated students can use this course as part of their Educational Planning credit.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in American History.

Environmental Studies;History and Civilizations;Political Science and Public Affairs

The West in American Culture
HIS-243224
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
In American history, the “West” is a mercurial concept that is freighted with many divergent meanings and associations. This course explores these multiple meanings, for the American West elicits many questions to consider: Is the West a geographic place or process called westering -- the frontier experience? Where are the West’s historical boundaries? Are there specific Western characteristics? Is the West a state of mind? Is it true that the West, according to some historians, is just America, but more so? To engage these questions, we will examine the variety of participants from the 16th century to the present who populated and imposed their hopes and desires on the land, while paying close attention to the historic struggles between sovereign nations to control the destiny and development of the West. This incorporates considering indigenous tribal sovereignty from pre-contact to the present. Moreover, this interaction included, and still includes, people from all over the world as agents and contributors to the cultural, social, economic, and often colorful milieu called the West. Most important, the American West has played a unique and pivotal role in our national culture that stimulated the expanded dominant role of the federal government throughout the United States and ultimately the world. This course is interdisciplinary in nature and the readings will be accordingly cross-disciplinary. First, a British scholar of American history investigates the origins of the mythic West in The American West: The Invention of a Myth. Second, an historian and former director of the Center for the American West at University of New Mexico, narrates the chronological historic West in Beyond the Missouri: Story of the American West. Third, in Western Places and American Myths, an historical geographer edits a group of essays that focuses on the tensions between the West as an exceptional region, not part of US national culture; the West as real and not mythic; and the West as a definite region, not a process. And finally, an American Studies scholar and historian discusses the impact of tourism past, present and future on the West in Devil’s Bargains: Tourism in the Twentieth-Century American West.

Prerequisite: College level writing and research skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in American History.

History and Civilizations

Transformations During the Colonial Experience in America 1607-1776
HIS-243364
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Colonial America calls up images of determined Pilgrims and dour Puritans, the Salem Witchcraft Trials as well as the First Thanksgiving. Those images reflect a new and distinctly American civilization that Europeans, Africans and Native Americans were constructing from the time of the first European settlements to the American Revolution. This course examines the birth and maturation of the American civilization that developed out of political, economic, social, cultural, environmental, religious as well as human factors. It explores the values and institutions that colonial Americans created that are the hallmark of modern American civilization, and evaluates how men and women experienced their lives in Colonial America.

Prerequisites: a previous course in American history is recommended as well as the ability to do college level work at the advanced level.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in American History.

History and Civilizations

United States in a Global Context
HIS-243394
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course seeks to explore the development of the United States as a global power and evaluate the sources of the nation’s domestic and international strength. Students will become familiar with Joseph Nye’s theory of “soft power” and “hard power” as sources of national strength, which will provide a framework for students to evaluate American institutions and America’s participation in the global arena. Students will learn how America developed into an urban, industrial nation and entered the global arena economically and politically in the twentieth century. The course will explore America's economic development and strategies to position itself in a global context. We will pay particular attention to foreign affairs of the past 50 years and explore specific events to understand their importance. Students will read a basic text familiarizing them with the history of America in a global context, explore several historical case studies, and read two provocative books that will force them to think critically about the actions of the United States supporting economic growth and positioning itself as a global power.

Prerequisite: Advanced level reading, research and writing skills.

This course meets the General Education requirement in American History.

History and Civilizations;Labor Studies

United States Labor History
LAB-263704
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course examines the roles of workers and their organizations from colonial American times to the present. The goals are to develop informed and critical analyses of these historical developments and to draw conclusions about them in ways that make sense to the student. Students will critically examine and discuss labor as a form of economic, political, and social expression; will learn how to identify, understand, and appreciate labor traditions in their historical, critical, and socio-cultural contexts; and will learn to differentiate economic, political, social, and organizational traditions. The course will also consider the manner in which both unionized and non-unionized work developed. This will include discussing how gender, race, and ethnicity have influenced workers in America. Course activities require students to observe, discuss and write about labor from critical and analytical perspectives, including cultural, historical, sociological, political, and philosophical frameworks.

Prerequisites: There are no specific prerequisites for this course. Students must be able to read, research, analyze and write at the advanced level.

For students enrolling in this course as of the January 2008 term:
This course fully meets the General Education requirement in American History.

For students enrolled in this course prior to the January 2008 term:
This course partially met the General Education requirement in American History for all students, but fully met the General Education requirement in American History for students scoring 85 or above on the New York State Regents exam in United States History and Government.

History and Civilizations

U.S. History From 1865 to the Present
HIS-241224
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
In 1865, the United States was in tatters. Civil War had divided the nation into two, and even after the war ended, deep rifts remained between whites and blacks, immigrants and “natives,” and the descendants of European settlers and indigenous Americans. The meaning of a simple word - freedom - lies at the core of these rifts and that word will guide our study. The course begins with a look at how the meaning of freedom changed in the Reconstruction era before moving into an exploration of America’s westward and overseas expansion in the late 19th century, the economic booms and busts of the period between the two world wars, the social upheavals of the civil rights movements of the 1960s, and the conservative turn of the post-Reagan era. Students will read and discuss primary texts from each of these eras, listen to recorded speeches, and view documentary footage. Learning activities will include individually completed writing assignments, a visual presentation, a policy oriented project, and a final research project on the historical roots and significance of a major contemporary event.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in American History. No prerequisites are required.

Important Note: this course has been renamed several times. Students who have successfully completed 241224, with a different title, should not enroll in this course.

History and Civilizations

U.S. History to 1865: What Does It Mean To Be A Free Nation?
HIS-241214
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
What was life like for the first European colonists? What were the ideas, events and actions that led to the American Revolution? What did the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution mean to the people who wrote it? How did the idea of liberty and the practice of slavery develop and co-exist? What was it like to be a woman, an immigrant, a slave, or a poor worker in America’s formative years? This course will explore such questions. In doing so, we will meet and hear the voices of a diverse group of people ranging from well-known figures such as Thomas Jefferson and George Washington to others who by law and custom were excluded from the political process but still made a significant impact upon our nation’s history and identity. Students will read and discuss primary texts on each of these topics, and complete both written assignments and contribute to an ongoing blog. The goal of the course is to stimulate dialogue about the meaning of America and each of our own places within it.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in American History. No prerequisites are required.

Important Note: this course has been renamed several times. Students who have successfully completed 241214, with a different title, should not enroll in this course.

Family Studies;Gender Studies;History and Civilizations;Women's Studies

U.S. Women's History: Lives and Voices
HIS-243254
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course seeks to hear the voices of women in U.S. history, and to construct narratives about their lives from the time of Europeans' first contact with the New World to the present. Topics include women's daily lives, their interactions with their families and other social institutions (e.g. government, religion, etc...), women's activism, and women's impact on sociopolitical structures in the United States, and in the world today.

Prerequisite: A general knowledge of United States history, acquired from a course in U.S. history, or other sources.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the January 2010 term and was formerly offered as Women's and Family History. Students who have successfully completed 243254 should not enroll in this course.

For students enrolling in this course as of the January 2010 term:
This course fully meets the General Education requirement in American History.

For students enrolled in this course prior to the January 2010 term:
This course partially met the General Education requirement in American History for all students, but fully met the General Education requirement in American History for students scoring 85 or above on the New York State Regents exam in United States History and Government.

Family Studies;Health Services;History and Civilizations;Human Development;Human Services;Philosophy and Religious Studies

Western Civilization and Human Development
HDV-283374
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
The primary goal of this course is to help students understand the historical context for philosophical issues and controversies that have shaped the contemporary study of human development. The historical inquiry traces conceptualization of human nature from the Greek philosophers and the Hebrew scriptures to current Western beliefs about child and adult development.

Two traditions addressing the nature of human nature, the Greek and Hebrew, will be explored for their continuing influence on contemporary scientific, educational, and therapeutic perspectives on human lives. Within this inquiry, the course considers central philosophical issues that inform and divide the field today: the nature-nurture controversy; continuity versus discontinuity in development (including the controversy surrounding stage theories); and the basic good or evil nature of the human.

Students will gain an appreciation for the major intellectual and heart-felt debates about human nature that have influenced the field of human development. The course will consider their divergent expressions in academia and the world of policy and practice. Throughout this inquiry students will consider the shaping of modern perspectives on human development through the interaction of facts with values and research with beliefs.

Prerequisites: A course in the social sciences or humanities and upper level critical thinking skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Western Civilization.

Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development

Adolescence and Addictions
CHS-253854
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This upper-level course will examine the array of substance use disorders common among adolescents. Students will learn and apply new knowledge using various assignments that consider adolescent developmental issues, substance use diagnostic criteria applied to adolescents, engagement strategies, areas of assessment, counseling techniques, and harm reduction methods. The student will also develop a basic understanding of how concurrent mental health disorders and impulse control disorders negatively interact with and affect adolescents with substance use disorders.

Prerequisites: students require an understanding of developmental theory and a fundamental knowledge of chemical abuse and dependence. Completion of CDL courses Chemical Addiction: Theories and Practices plus Adolescence and Identity, or similar courses would fulfill these requirements.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Family Studies;Human Development

Adolescence and Identity: Home, School, Community
HDV-283174
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Study adolescence from a variety of medical, psychological and social perspectives. Examine how changes in family structure; a diminished public commitment in health, education, and recreation; pessimistic economic forecasts; and persistent social problems such as racism and sexism influence opportunities and risks for contemporary adolescents.

Prerequisite: Human Development or equivalent.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Aging and Gerontology;Human Development;Psychology

Adult Development
HDV-283204
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course takes a psychological approach to understanding human development during adulthood. Within a life-span developmental framework, transitions, common issues and trends during young adulthood and middle adulthood will be studied in-depth, with some attention to aging. Individual development will be emphasized, but with an appreciation of the impact of individuals' social networks and historical contexts. Following an examination of assumptions, definitions and methods, the course turns to some theories of adult development. This is followed by an examination of changes in health, cognition, social roles, relationships, work roles, personality, stresses and differential emphases on the meanings of life. Students will be evaluated on the basis of their written essay assignments (four), and their participation in the on-going Web discussions.

Prerequisite: Human Development or equivalent.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Aging and Gerontology;Critical Thinking;Educational Studies;Educational Planning;Human Development;Human Services;Sociology

Adults as Learners: Theories and Strategies
HDV-283184
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This 4-credit advanced-level course provides a thorough treatment of adults as learners, making use of key learning theories, research on adult learning and relevant strategies for understanding adults as learners. This course is appropriate for students who approach Human Development from a learning perspective; who are (or will be) involved with adult learners in academia, communities, or business; and who, as adult learners, wish to reflect on their personal process. The focus of the course is on approaches to adult learning and associated learning strategies. The primary perspectives covered in the course are: Critical Pedagogy; Communities of Learning and Practice; Adult Development; and Systems of Learning. Major theorists from each perspective will be reviewed in some detail. Students will have the opportunity to relate a particular learning environment to one or more theory/perspective of personal interest to them.

Prerequisites: A foundational course in the social sciences and upper level critical thinking skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Aging and Gerontology;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Sociology

Aging and Society
HDV-283254
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This upper level course is intended for students in Human Development (Development, Psychology and Social Studies), Family Studies, Community and Human Services, and Health Services, as well as others who are interested in the study of aging (including AARP students). The course includes: aging as part of the human life cycle and of family life; biological, developmental, and psychological aspects of aging; an examination of aging in various cultures; changing views of aging in the United States; how aging affects different segments of our diverse population, including men and women; death and bereavement; health and support services for the aging; and social policy issues. This course will expose students to information and perspectives on aging from across the disciplines that contribute to the study of human development; including Human Development, Psychology, Sociology, Human Services and Health.

Note: this course has a required video component.

Note to NYS Nursing Home Administrator Certificate Students: this course fulfills the requirement in Gerontology.

Prerequisite: Human Development or equivalent.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Early Childhood Studies;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Psychology

Attachment in Early Childhood
HDV-281124
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This 4-credit lower level course examines current knowledge about attachment from infancy to adolescence, developmentally and behaviorally. The scope and contexts of attachments, particularly as they arise from early attachment experiences, will be grounded firmly in attachment theory and research findings relevant to historical, cultural, familial, personal and age-related contexts. The effects of attachment on human functioning, including brain development and the consequences of negative early experiences will be addressed. This base of understanding sets the groundwork for attachment in both personal and professional early childhood settings, including family relationships (sibling, parent, grandparent) and relationships beyond the family (friends, caregivers). This course meets the requirements for the Infant Toddler Care Credential. In addition, it is useful for students, particularly those from any of the social sciences, seeking a more personal understanding of the foundations of human emotional attachment. Level of Study: Introductory.

Important Note: This course was renamed effective the September 2011 term and was formerly offered as Attachment: Continuity and Separation: Introductory.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Aging and Gerontology;Early Childhood Studies;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Psychology

Attachment: Continuity and Separation: Advanced
HDV-283124
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This 4-credit advanced level course will have you examining the current knowledge about continuity and separation in Human Attachment from infancy to old age, developmentally and behaviorally. The scope and contexts of attachments across the life cycle, particularly as they arise from early attachment experiences, will be grounded in theory and research relevant to historical, cultural, familial, personal and age-related contexts. Students will also study the counterpart of attachment separation, normative and precipitous--lifelong and temporary such as interruptions in attachments due to military service. This base of understanding sets the groundwork for understanding attachment in both personal and professional settings across all age groups, including family relationships, i.e., parent, sibling, grandparent; and beyond, i.e., friends, caregivers, life partners. This course offers information for students studying for the Infant Toddler Care Credential. Finally, this study is useful for students, particularly those from the social sciences, who wish to know more about their personal relationships.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

NOTE: This course was previously offered as Behavioral Neuroscience. Students, who completed Behavioral Neuroscience 283474, cannot take Behavioral Neuroscience: Advanced.

Human Development;Psychology

Behavioral Neuroscience: Introductory

HDV-282274

4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements

This course is a survey of neurophysiological systems and how they affect mood, thinking, and behavior. This area of study is an integral part of modern psychology, and is an increasingly important area of study in the field of psychology. This course will focus on basic concepts of neuroscience and how brain mechanisms mediate sensation, motivation, emotion, learning, and abnormal behavior. Students will be introduced to the cellular components of the central and peripheral nervous systems, neurotransmitters, and cellular communication, then will apply these concepts to the study of behavior.

Prerequisites: Completion of Introduction to Psychology OR General Psychology is required. Prior completion of a course on Human Biology, General Biology, or Anatomy and Physiology is strongly recommended.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

NOTE: This course was previously offered as Brain and Behavior. Students, who completed Brain and Behavior 282274, cannot take Behavioral Neuroscience: Introductory.

Early Childhood Studies;Human Development;Psychology

Child Development: Advanced

HDV-283154

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

In this advanced level study, students will become increasingly familiar with child development from conception through adolescence. Students will examine the theoretical foundations of child development including psychoanalytic theory, behaviorism and social cognitive theory, theories of cognitive development, and evolutionary theory. As an advanced level course, students will be required to develop an in-depth study of one of these foundational theories as it relates to children and the many contexts of development. Learning will take place through multiple modalities of asynchronous group discussion, quizzes, written assignments and individual projects. Students will leave this study with both a comprehension of differing developmental approaches and an advanced capacity to critically examine new information in the field. Previous academic or experiential learning about human development is a prerequisite.

Prerequisites: Human Development and/or relevant training and experience or the ability to complete advanced level work.

Important Note: this course was previously offered as Theoretical Approaches to Child Development. Students who have successfully completed 283154 should not enroll in this course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Early Childhood Studies;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Human Development;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Women's Studies

Development of Gender Identity
HDV-283104
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course provides upper-level students with the opportunity to reflect on the personal meaning of gender and to consider frameworks ranging from the biological influences on gender and sexuality, to gender as a social institution that affects our behaviors and beliefs. The course addresses (and distinguishes) sexuality and gender as experienced on the personal level, particularly gender as applied to the physical self; relationships of a self with intimates, friends and family; and relationships with environments such as school and work (using the Bronfenbrenner ecological model of psychological development). The wide variation of gender perspectives through history are reviewed, as well as variations in gender concepts across current cultures. Keeping those broader perspectives in mind, psychosexual variations are identified and discussed. Gender biases in the study of gender are presented, and each student has the opportunity to set up a simple gender study.

Recommended prerequisites include: Introduction to Human Development or Introduction to Psychology or Exploring Society or equivalent.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Aging and Gerontology;Early Childhood Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Science

Developmental Neurobiology: A Lifespan View
HDV-283112
2 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Building on their basic knowledge of human development and human biology, students in this 2 credit, 8-week advanced-level course will gain knowledge about developmental processes in humans across the lifespan, viewed from both the inside (neurological changes) and the outside (changes in behavior). They will see how the neurological changes and behavioral changes interact. This course will help students feel comfortable with basic vocabulary and concepts associated with developmental neurobiology.

Prerequisites: An introductory course in lifespan human development, and an introductory course in human biology.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the September 2013 term and was formerly offered as Developmental Neurobiology: A Human Lifespan and also offered as Developmental Neurobiology. Students who have successfully completed 283112 should not enroll in this course.

Students obtaining Federal Direct loans: If you are only taking 8 week courses during the Summer term your student loans may be reduced or cancelled. Please visit our Web site at www.esc.edu/FinancialServices for more information.

Early Childhood Studies;Educational Studies;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development

Developmental Psychopathology
HDV-284234
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Developmental Psychopathology is designed to introduce students to a field, which has emerged as a unique discipline in the past two decades, to interpret non-normal developmental paths from within the framework of normative development. It has four central characteristics: 1) the use of classical developmental theory and research to inform issues of psychopathology; 2) the use of insights from developmentally atypical populations to increase understanding of normal developmental processes; 3) integration of methods and theories from various social science disciplines; and 4) derivation of implications for interventions and social policy. Students will learn about the basic issues underlying this field and apply them to better understand the range of developmental possibilities. They will learn about the nature and extent of various disorders through an understanding of common etiologies and developmental trajectories. By the end of the course, students should be able to define developmental psychopathology and explain how it differs from other traditions, understand how to identify and study developmental deviations, describe some of the most common forms of abnormal development, and apply the knowledge gained throughout the course to diverse populations of children and families.

Prerequisites: A lifespan human development course is required, such as Human Development at CDL. Introduction to Psychology, Human Exceptionalities, and Abnormal Psychology would augment understanding of this material.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Emergency Management;Human Development;Human Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Sociology

Disaster and Society
SOC-283434
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
What is a disaster? How do social structures, groups and institutions react to the loss of social function as a result of natural, technological, or sociopolitical events? This upper level course explores social effects of disaster from both a macro and a micro level of analysis, using social theories of organizational behavior, political sociology, community development, religion, urban planning, and rural sociology that inform the field of disaster research.

Prerequisites: Upper-level standing with advanced-level critical thinking, reading, research and writing skills. A previous study (or equivalent knowledge) in social theory or structure is desirable, but not mandatory.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Educational Studies;Family Studies;Human Development;Psychology

Educational Psychology
HDV-284334
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This four credit advanced course provides a thorough study of educational psychological research, and the factors affecting the process of human growth and development from primary school through high school as it pertains to learning. The focus of this course is on applying the methods of psychology to studying the processes of education. The primary perspectives covered in the course are: cognitive and linguistic theory; emotion, psycho-social, and moral development, diversity, motivation, exceptionalities, learning theories, behaviorism and cognitive learning theory, testing measurements and assessment. Major theorists from each perspective will be reviewed in some detail. Students will have an opportunity to connect or relate a particular developmental stage to one or more theories or perspectives of development which are of personal interest.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Psychology or Human Development.

Family Studies;Human Development;Human Services

Family and Society
HDV-283304
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course examines the institution of the family in contemporary America and the socio-cultural dynamics affecting family behavior. In addition to identifying the family's function, in society, students explore the social psychology of gender construction, intergenerational relationships, and the "politics" of family relationships.

Aging and Gerontology;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services

Grief and Loss
CHS-254044
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Explore the phenomenon of grief including theoretical understanding of the stages and process of dealing with major life losses, the roles of ritual, faith and Remembrance within the context of culture. The course will also deal with determining when grief becomes dysfunctional and how the Human Services worker can appropriately determine if referral is needed for the client.

Students will be required to complete the following assignments for this course: two written assignments and an annotated bibliography.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Human Services or Psychology, or an entry-level Sociology course.

Aging and Gerontology;Early Childhood Studies;Family Studies;Human Development;Human Services;Psychology

Human Development
HDV-282174
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the current theories and research findings about human development, from the beginnings of life through the end. Students are introduced to the major conceptualizations and methods of understanding development (i.e., theories, frameworks and research models.) Students will study expected developmental achievements and variations, both group and individual, as well as the factors, biological and environmental, that influence development across the lifespan.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Early Childhood Studies;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Psychology

Human Exceptionalities
HDV-283224
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
In this 4-credit advanced-level course the student will examine what is meant by human developmental exceptionality, theories of developmental difference, cultural perspectives of differences and how we judge what is normal. In order to understand developmental exceptionality, the student must have a good understanding of typical development. The student will build on their knowledge of human development and how development may be affected by a specific disability/giftedness. The student will examine the various types of developmental disabilities linked with physical/health issues, emotional/behavioral, particularly as regards learning and communication issues, as well as levels of intellectual learning and related developmental disabilities. Another area of developmental difference to be examined is that of giftedness and gifted children with disabilities. Current research in the study of childhood developmental exceptionalities will be investigated. Well-identified differences will be covered in this course, including Asperger's syndrome, autism, emotional trauma; extremely slow learners, and those identified as exceptionally bright. Students hopefully will come away from this course with a stronger respect for the variety of human learning experiences, and a clearer understanding of how to interact successfully with exceptional learners. Childhood and adolescent differences will be discussed, with reference to their impact on adulthood.

Prerequisites: Human Development Lifespan Development, Developmental Psychology, or Child Development or the equivalent.

Early Childhood Studies;Educational Studies;Human Development

Human Learning: A Developmental Approach
HDV-284404
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This advanced level study of human learning across the lifespan from a developmental perspective follows learning throughout life, portraying the role of developmental stages; critical support for learning at each stage; and effects of social, personal and cognitive variations at junctures in development. The study integrates the work of major theorists (Piaget,Vygotsky, Erikson, Kegan, Selman, Maslow and others) with current empirical research. Students will be encouraged to gain principled and practical knowledge about learning trajectories and to apply that knowledge to professional and personal experiences requiring an understanding of learning.

Prerequisites: Human Development and significant exposure to developmental theory. Students should be prepared to do advanced-level work.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Human Development;Psychology

Human Sexuality
HDV-283334
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
The study of human sexuality involves many disciplines and topics. It involves anatomy and physiology, gender, psychology, human development and interpersonal relationships to name a few. It is the cause of both tremendous social conflict and debate. This course attempts to give students a modern perspective on the field, as well as to show how this topic must be studied in a diverse and ever-changing world. Variations in sexual orientation, the nature of sexual coercion, the physiology and psychology of sexual behavior are all addressed in this course. It also seeks to bring a greater understanding of sexual health issues, attitudes and behaviors.

Early Childhood Studies;Human Development

Infant and Toddler Development: Advanced
HDV-284504
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Students will examine the history of child development, and the major theories and theorists in the area of child development as they describe and interpret the behavior of infants and young children, and as they influence the responses of adults, parents and researchers to very young children. The student will develop an understanding of research strategies and the impact of cultural, biological and environmental influences on the development of the young child. Current research in the areas of prenatal development, physical, cognitive, language, social, emotional and early brain development will be examined.

This course differs from Child Development with its specific focus on the development of the very young child (depth), and environmental influences on the early development of young children (breadth). This course differs from Infant and Toddler Development: Introductory with its higher level of expectation with respect to amount and breadth of reading and complexity and length of assignments. This course is recommended for students of Human Development who are interested in acquiring an in-depth understanding of early childhood development. Students in this course will typically have knowledge about human development and the development of children.

Note: this course satisfies the requirement for Infant and Toddler Development for the Infant/Toddler Credential.

Important Note: students should not include this course twice in their degree program. This course can only be taken once, either at the lower-level or at the upper-level.

Prerequisites: a course in Human Development, Lifespan Development or Child Development is required.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Early Childhood Studies;Human Development

Infant and Toddler Development: Introductory
HDV-282504
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Students will briefly examine a human developmental framework within which to place the study of infant and toddler development. An overview of major theories in child development will be provided, to interpret the behavior of infants and young children, and as they influence the responses of adults, parents and researchers to very young children. The student will develop an understanding of research strategies and the impact of culture, biological and environmental influences on the development of the young child. Current research in the areas of prenatal development, physical, cognitive, language, social, emotional and early brain development will be examined.

The content of this course is to be distinguished from Child Development in that it more specifically focuses on the development of the very young child (depth), and provides exposure to environmental influences on the early development of young children (breadth). This course is recommended for students working with young children professionally, or as parents or grandparents.

This course differs from Infant and Toddler Development: Advanced in the quantity and breadth of reading, the level of complexity in assignments, and the length of assignments.

Note: this course satisfies the requirement for Infant and Toddler Development for the Infant/Toddler Credential.

Important Note: students should not include this course twice in their degree program. This course can only be taken once, either at the lower-level or at the upper-level.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Nursing;Science

Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Global Health
NUR-203254
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course is open to both nursing and nonnursing students and will introduce students to the main concepts of the global health field. Students will get an overview of principles and goals of global health, cross cutting global health issues, burden of disease and cooperating to improve global health. Students will utilize critical reasoning and evidence based practices to propose and support solutions for public health concerns around the world.

Prerequisites for non-nursing majors: U.S. Health Systems

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the May 2012 term and was formerly offered as Global Health. Students who have successfully completed 203254 should not enroll in this course.

Human Development;Psychology

Learning and Memory
HDV-283654
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
An introduction to learning and memory, grounded in research and theory. Students will be able to explore important phenomena of human learning and memory, theories that attempt to make sense of these phenomena and some practical applications in the fields of education and psychological treatment. Topics covered include: history and context of research in this field, behaviorist principles for respondent and operant conditioning, cognitive theories, concept learning and problem solving, contemporary models of memory, experimental analysis of memory processes, and social learning phenomena and theories. Students have opportunity to explore areas and questions of interest to them, and develop an applied project in a field of their choice. The course touches issues relevant to human development, human services, education, organizational learning and information systems. Satisfactory completion of at least one course in introductory psychology is a requisite to ensure familiarity with concepts and methods of this science.

Prerequisites: satisfactory completion of at least one course in introductory psychology is a prerequisite for enrollment in this course. Appropriate choices are Introduction to Psychology, Experimental Psychology or Cognitive Psychology. This prerequisite is necessary to ensure that students have some familiarity with the language, basic concepts and general methodology of psychology.

Early Childhood Studies;Educational Studies;Educational Planning;Human Development

Learning Styles
EDU-233222
2 credits, liberal study, upper level,
In this 8-week course, students will review traditional and contemporary learning theories that investigate the importance of self-reflection, the social nature of learning, biological bases for learning and emotional aspects of learning. Working topics will include: how we define ourselves as learners; centering and creating self-affirming beliefs; what is life-long, global learning?; the social nature of learning; the brain, emotions and learning; learning as change and managing learning/managing change. This course will enable students to both learn about learning and apply concepts to become more aware of themselves as learners.

Note: this course has a required CD-ROM component. Students interested in learning more about themselves as adult learners may select this course for Educational Planning to be more successful students at Empire State College. Students of adult or child learning will find this course useful to more effectively engage students in classrooms or clients in training and non-formal education (business training, religious education, etc). Those pursuing educational studies will find this course useful as they differentiate instruction for learners with different learning needs.

Early Childhood Studies;Educational Studies;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Human Development

Play, Fantasy and Reality
HDV-284354
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This four credit advanced level course will cover the complexity and beauty of children’s play and its extension into adult worlds. Students in Human Development, Educational Studies, and Community and Human/ Health Services are likely to find this course addresses both professional and personal interests in the constraints upon, limits to, and manifestations, uses and potential of play in its myriad forms in both childhood and across the life cycle. Distinctions among play, fantasy and reality will be drawn using themes both connecting and discriminating child and adult play. An understanding of play will be shown to be central to pragmatic issues such as learning, developmental assessment, curriculum development, and treatment of a diversity of problems. The primary perspectives covered in the course are: What is Play?; Origins and Manifestations of Play; Development and Assessment of Play: Birth to 8 Years; Play and the Development of the Whole Child; Diversity and Individual Differences in Play; Contexts of Play; Play in Preadolescence and Adolescence; and Play Beyond the Playground. Major theoretical approaches such as those by Dewey, Rousseau, Piaget, Vygotsky, Parton, Sutton-Smith, Winnicott, and others will be explored. Students will come away from this course with a deep appreciation and understanding of the importance of play in the life of a child - and the life of the child within us.

Prerequisites: A lifespan human development course.

Educational Studies;Human Development;Psychology

Principles of Testing and Measurements
HDV-283404
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This is a foundation course in psychology. Testing is one of the primary facets of a psychologist’s work, both historically and currently. An understanding of how psychological testing and measurement tools are created and the criteria by which they are judged is an introduction to the methods of the social scientist, especially the psychologist. This course focuses on the principles, applications and issues of psychological testing, with a short introduction on the history of testing. Students will be exposed to the structure and usage of different types of tests and their appropriate usage and limits to usage.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Psychology or equivalent. Prerequisite or Co-requisite: Statistics. Quantitative Research: Design and Methods provides an excellent background, but is not required.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Critical Thinking;Educational Planning;Human Development

Reflective Learning
EDU-233022
2 credits, liberal study, upper level,
How do you learn? Knowledge about learning styles can make a significant difference in motivation, effectiveness, speed and depth of learning. In this eight-week course, you will have the opportunity to briefly learn about cultural contexts of learning styles, sensory processes associated with various modes of learning, and possible applications of this knowledge in your personal, interpersonal and professional lives. through your analysis of your own learning preferences and their impact on your studies, this course fulfills the requirements for Educational Planning. You will evaluate how to make use of this knowledge in your life and the lives of those whom you influence. Multimedia will be used wherever possible in the course and accepted as assignments, with permission of the instructor.

Note: this course has a required CD-ROM component.

For students receiving NYS financial aid: If you are taking 8 week courses during a 15 week term, you must have at least one 15 week course in the term to maintain eligibility for a NY State TAP award.

Aging and Gerontology;Early Childhood Studies;Human Development

Research Perspectives on Lifespan Development
HDV-284244
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This four credit 400-level course is designed to be a capstone course for students in the Human Development Area of Study with a concentration in Human Development, particularly those who plan to go on to graduate school and/or do action research in the area. This course augments what students have learned about humans at different stages of development, integrating it with what they have learned about research methods. Students will have the opportunity to create a developmental design for a study in an area of professional or personal interest.

Statistics is a prerequisite for this course and Survey of Social Science Research (or the equivalent) is a prerequisite or corequisite for this course.

Prerequisites: Statistics is a prerequisite for this course. Survey of Social Science Research (or the equivalent) is a prerequisite (or corequisite) for this course; and since this is a 400-level course, students need significant prior knowledge in Human Development and the social sciences.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Early Childhood Studies;Educational Studies;Human Development;Sociology

Schooling in America
SOC-282244
4 credits, liberal study, lower level,
Examine schools as organizations from a personal and a sociological perspective. Examine the current system of public schooling in the United States, including the historical, social and political forces that have shaped it. Compare different views of public schooling, consider issues of school reform and develop positions on the future of public schooling in America.

Human Development;Psychology

Sensation and Perception
HDV-284364
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This upper level course explains how information gets into the human organism and how this information is interpreted. It emphasizes the practical application of knowledge about the function of the sensory systems and the perceptual phenomena in various professional areas. The sorts of questions addressed in this class include the following; how are sensation and perception developed through the lifespan? What are the anatomical structures of the senses? How is perception constructed from the information of the sensory channels and what factors affect this complex process? How are visual and aural illusions produced? How can knowledge of sensation and perception be useful in practical affairs? The course studies visual perception in detail, while the other senses are discussed in an introductory manner: audition, skin senses, smell, and taste. This is primarily a course for students planning further study of Psychology, Human Development or those with an especial interest in the physiology of perception.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Psychology/General Psychology or equivalent. Completion of or concurrently taking Behavioral Neuroscience: Introductory, Biology of the Brain, or a related course is recommended.

Note: this course requires access to and use of a Windows-based PC for completion of certain assignments.

Cultural Studies;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Human Development;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Sociology

Sex and Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective: Advanced
SOC-283324
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course will provide an advanced exploration of the comparative study of gender and sexuality. Students will be expected to have an introductory or intermediate understanding of either sociology, anthropology, gender studies (or a related social science) including a basic grasp of the cultural construction of gender before taking this advanced-level course. Students will probe how different cultures define femininity and masculinity and explore why these differences exist. How do work, play, language, appearance and sexual expression come to be marked as appropriate or even natural for women and men? How do structures and institutions within these cultures reinforce and support those distinctions? The course explores the variations in the sexual division of labor and economic organization, and the impact of forces of change such as colonialism and globalization on gender issues. Drawing primarily on anthropological and ethnographic studies from a broad range of non-Western cultures, the course examines how male and female gender roles are shaped within arenas such as kinship relations, work, politics, religion, ritual, and reproduction. As an upper-level course, there will be a higher expectation for synthesis and comparison across course materials. Through course materials students will learn about the research methods and some of the theoretical approaches used in cultural anthropology.

Note: This course is offered at the introductory SOC-282324 and advanced level SOC-283324. Students should not include this course
title twice in their degree program. This course can only be taken once, either at the introductory level or at the advanced level.

Prerequisites: Upper-level standing with advanced critical thinking and writing skills, and one lower-level course in sociology, anthropology, psychology or social science fields.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in Social Sciences and Other World Civilizations.

Cultural Studies;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Human Development;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Sociology

Sex and Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective: Introductory
SOC-282324
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course will provide an exploration of the comparative study of gender and sexuality. We will address questions such as: What does it mean to be female or male and how do different cultures define femininity and masculinity? How do work, play, language, appearance and sexual expression come to be marked as appropriate or even natural for women and men? The course explores the variations in the sexual division of labor and economic organization, and the impact of forces of change such as colonialism and globalization on gender issues. Drawing primarily on anthropological and ethnographic studies from a broad range of cultures, the course examines how male and female gender roles are shaped within arenas such as kinship relations, work, politics, religion, ritual and reproduction. Through course materials students will be introduced to the research methods and some of the theoretical approaches used in cultural anthropology.

Note: This course is offered at the introductory SOC-282324 and advanced level SOC-283324. Students should not include this course title twice in their degree program. This course can only be taken once, either at the introductory level or at the advanced level.

Recommended: One lower-level course in sociology, anthropology, psychology or social science fields.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in Social Sciences and Other World Civilizations.

Human Development;Sociology

Social Analysis of Behavioral Choices
HDV-284284
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
We routinely contemplate our behavior choices and those of others. There is a tendency in undertaking such analyses to rely mostly on psychological explanations at the expense of examining the role external social forces may play in determining what options are perceived to be possible and reasonable. In this course, a review of scholarly findings about behavioral choice precedes analyses of case studies from literary sources.

Prerequisites: Advanced-level critical reading and writing skills are required.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the May 2014 term and was formerly offered as Analyzing Behavioral Choices. Students who have successfully completed 263634 should not enroll in this course.

Educational Planning;Health Services;Human Development

Stress and Coping
HDV-282214
4 credits, liberal study, lower level,
This course will examine the consequences of stress on individuals and the social environments in which their lives take place: such as family, work, school, communities, among other social contexts. Topics to be explored include: definitions and theories of stress, key stressors, stress prevention and coping skills, balanced lifestyles; and research and information technology sources related to mental health and stress relief. This course includes a combination of theory, practical knowledge, and application experiences that will help the student understand many day-to-day situations which create stress and have health consequences. Understanding sources of stress and practicing prevention habits as well as learning about coping skills is a vital way of keeping healthy, physically and emotionally. Along with discussions and written assignments, students will use online video demonstrations, and applications–based exercises to track stressful situations and practicing coping skills.

Prerequisites: Completion of Introduction to Psychology OR General Psychology and completion of a course in Human Biology or equivalent. Completion of or currently taking Behavioral Neuroscience: Introductory or Health Psychology is recommended.

Early Childhood Studies;Human Development

Supervising Quality Child Care Programs

CHS-253214

4 credits,upper level,

Create a learning environment and learning experiences for children of all ages in non-formal settings such as day care centers and after-school programs. This advanced level course will enable you to create child centered learning experiences emphasizing cultural diversity and family involvement. While it is useful for persons working with children and families in all sorts of non-formal learning, it is especially recommended for students seeking the NYS Children's Program Administrator Credential or its equivalent elsewhere.

Prerequisite: Exploring the Professions: Child Care (preferably the advanced version).

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the September 2011 term and was formerly offered as Beneficial Programs for Children and Families. Students who have successfully completed 253214 should not enroll in this course.

Aging and Gerontology;Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Anthropology;Communications and Media;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Early Childhood Studies;Emergency Management;Family Studies;Fire Protection;Gender Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Psychology;Sociology;Women's Studies

Survey of Social Science Research Methods
SOC-283424
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Social research provides answers to questions about people and the social settings and systems in which they are involved. This social science research course introduces the fundamentals of qualitative and quantitative research methods. Students learn how to formulate a viable research question, collect and analyze data, understand the ethical issues of social science research, and write a formal research proposal.

Note: This course has a required SPSS component.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Family Studies;Health Services;History and Civilizations;Human Development;Human Services;Philosophy and Religious Studies

Western Civilization and Human Development

HDV-283374

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

The primary goal of this course is to help students understand the historical context for philosophical issues and controversies that have shaped the contemporary study of human development. The historical inquiry traces conceptualization of human nature from the Greek philosophers and the Hebrew scriptures to current Western beliefs about child and adult development.

Two traditions addressing the nature of human nature, the Greek and Hebrew, will be explored for their continuing influence on contemporary scientific, educational, and therapeutic perspectives on human lives. Within this inquiry, the course considers central philosophical issues that inform and divide the field today: the nature-nurture controversy; continuity versus discontinuity in development (including the controversy surrounding stage theories); and the basic good or evil nature of the human.

Students will gain an appreciation for the major intellectual and heart-felt debates about human nature that have influenced the field of human development. The course will consider their divergent expressions in academia and the world of policy and practice. Throughout this inquiry students will consider the shaping of modern perspectives on human development through the interaction of facts with values and research with beliefs.

Prerequisites: A course in the social sciences or humanities and upper level critical thinking skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Western Civilization.

Human Resources

Compensation, Organizational Strategy and Performance
BME-213754
4 credits,upper level,
Study from a strategic perspective the process involved in remunerating workers for services/work performed. Develop a comprehensive understanding of how an organization balances competing perspectives and values in creating a compensation system. Learn how to analyze the linkages among organizational strategy, pay systems and performance. Learn how to analyze organizational and job factors to determine the structure of a pay system and to assess external competitiveness to determine pay level. Learn how to use employee performance indicators (e.g., performance appraisal systems) to determine individual pay.

Prerequisites: Human Resource Management or equivalent. Studies in organizational behavior, psychology and statistics are also helpful.

Human Resources;Labor Studies

Dispute Resolution in the Workplace
BME-214654
4 credits,upper level,
This course provides an in-depth analysis of the current status of dispute resolution in labor-management relations. Primary focus is on the process for resolving disputes arising under the labor agreement. Students examine the grievance procedure culminating in arbitration. Legal, historical and economic viewpoints are considered. Topics include the different forms of grievance procedures; the role of each step in the grievance process; the subjects of disputes, particularly in labor arbitration; the impact of external law on the grievance process; the role of third party neutrals; and evidence and procedure in presenting and deciding grievances. Current trends in dispute resolution will also be accessed. Students research and prepare grievance cases as advocates and as neutrals.

Note: for students in the Labor-Management Relations certificate program, this course is the final required course.

Prerequisites: Labor/Management Relations or equivalent experience.

Business (General);Human Resources;Management;Multicultural and Diversity Studies

Diversity in the Workplace
BME-213164
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Gain an understanding of diversity issues in the workplace. Examine the impact of a multicultural society on organizations and individuals within the organizations. Incorporating both theory and practice, analyze critical issues from multiple perspectives including historical, legal, economic and sociological frameworks.

Important Note: this course was formerly offered as Working with Cultural Diversity. Students who have completed Working with Cultural Diversity, 153164, should not enroll in this course.

Prerequisites: At least one introductory course in one of the following subjects: economics, management, and public administration/policy. Analytical, research, and writing skills at the upper level.

Human Resources;Labor Studies;Management

Employment and Labor Law
BME-214874
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course provides an overview of the legal issues associated with employment-related actions and decisions. It covers both common and statutory law, including the regulation of labor-management relations under the National Labor Relations Act, as amended, and the Railway Labor Act, and the employment discrimination laws dealing with race, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability and affinity orientation. Students will also examine the employment-at-will doctrine, wrongful discharge, affirmative action, legal issues impacting employee performance, the right to privacy and other protections from employer intrusions and law governing health and safety and income security.

NOTE: Students who have completed 213904, Employment Law, should not take this course.

Prerequisites: Legal Environment of Business 1 or equivalent and Human Resource Management or Labor-Management Relations or equivalent

Human Resources;Management

Human Resource Management and Development
BME-213504
4 credits,upper level,
Students will examine the personnel/human resource management (P/HRM) function and related activities. The course focuses on the strategic importance of this function for effective management and organizational success. Students will assess the impact of the external environment (e.g., laws, regulations and the economy) on the human resource function and gain skills in environmental scanning. They will also examine how organizations integrate the demands of the external environment with the needs of the organization. Students will then analyze the relationships among organizational strategies and HR policies/procedures. Finally, students will focus on understanding sub-functions of HR and how they are integrated with other functions of the organization (e.g., finance, operations, marketing). The sub-functions include: job analysis and design, recruitment and selection, compensation and motivation, training and development, employee rights and discipline and labor-management relations. This course is applicable to private, public and third sectors organizations.

Note to NYS Nursing Home Administrator Certificate students: this course fulfills the requirement in Personnel Management.

Prerequisite: Principles of Management or equivalent knowledge.

Human Resources

International Human Resource Management
BME-213874
4 credits,upper level,
This comprehensive study offers an integrated introduction to the strategic, organizational, human resource and industrial relations issues posed by globalization. Multinational corporations require not only coordination of their international strategy, but also the people and the organization to implement it. This study focuses on resource policy and practice and encourages students to develop their understanding of the processes involved and to formulate their own strategic solutions. The study covers four major areas: the changing international context of contemporary business and its implications for human resource strategy; national differences in human resource management and their effects on organizational and personnel policy in multinational corporations; the practicalities of appointing and managing an international staff, including the processes of assessing and rewarding the managers and questions of industrial relations and industrial democracy and their relation to the functioning of multinational corporations.

Prerequisites: Human Resources Management or equivalent.

Human Resources;Labor Studies;Management

Labor/Management Relations
BME-213654
4 credits,upper level,
Explore the nature, determinants and socioeconomic impact of collective bargaining and labor-management relations in the United States. Attention is devoted to the procedural and substantive aspects of the collective bargaining process and the settlement of labor-management disputes. Subject material focuses on the structure, issues and activities arising from the establishment of the union and the bargaining relationship; contract negotiations, gamesmanship and the problems of reaching an agreement; and administration of the contract.

In addition, this course has applications to other specialized areas of study: Business Policy: A Team Based Approach, Human Resource Management and Development, International Business, Organizational Behavior and Personnel Management for the Fire Service.

Prerequisite: at least one study in management.

Human Resources;Labor Studies;Management

Organization Development and Change
BME-214314
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
In this course, students will examine theories and applications associated with organization development and change with specific focus on improving organizational effectiveness. Topics include managing the challenges of planned and unplanned change, changing organizational culture with an understanding of ethical and value considerations, role of the organization development practitioner; processes associated with organization change, employee empowerment, developing high performance teams and high performing systems, learning organizations, organizational transformation and an exploration of the trends and future of organizations. This course can serve as a capstone for students concentrating in Management and Human Resource Management with a focus on organization/workforce development.

Prerequisites: Organizational Behavior (or equivalent) is required. Recommended courses/studies include Human Resource Management, the Learning Organization and/or Managerial Leadership (or equivalent). Students should have advanced-level critical thinking, writing and reading skills.

Human Resources;Multicultural and Diversity Studies

Selected Topics: LGBT Issues in the Workplace
BME-213712
2 credits,upper level,
This course is the first seminar in a series of selected topics dealing with current and emerging issues in the workplace. Estimates vary, but the percentage of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered (LGBT) employees comprise between three and twelve percent of the workforce in America today. LGBT issues, however, are rarely addressed in current management courses. This course will provide a framework for understanding issues of organizational heterosexism, homophobia and heterosexist privilege. Students will learn a broader framework within which to manage and lead in today's diverse workplace. Students will also learn how to recognize inequities that may go unnoticed in the short run, but impact individual and organizational effectiveness and productivity over time.

Prerequisites: Foundation knowledge in human resources management and/or organizational behavior through courses/studies or experience.

Human Resources

Staffing the Organization
BME-213854
4 credits,upper level,
Understand modern day practices of employee recruitment and selection in organizations; and strategies for aligning organizational goals with human resource planning, the impact of staffing on management decisions, measurement of staffing effectiveness, job/competency analysis, recruitment and job choice, external selection practices and internal staffing decisions. Emphasis is also placed on relevant legislation and court decisions and practical application of relevant theory and past research.

Prerequisite: Human Resource Management or equivalent. Studies in organizational behavior, psychology and statistics are also helpful.

Human Resources

Strategic Human Resource Management
BME-214504
4 credits,upper level,
This course focuses on the role that the human resource function plays in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of organizational strategy and policy in a complex environment. Initially, the students will examine the context of strategic HR and develop a framework and conceptual model for the practice of strategic HR. The students then examine the actual practice and implementation of strategic HR through a discussion of strategic issues that need to be addressed and the development of specific programs and policies related to the traditional functional areas of HR (staffing, training, performance management, etc.). The course emphasizes an integrative framework that requires linkage between, as well as consistency among, these functional HR activities and requires a strategic perspective. Several strategic business tools, such as analysis and diagnosis of the external environment to identify opportunities and threats for the organization, internal analysis focusing on identifying the capabilities of the organization in terms of strengths and weaknesses and strategic alternatives and the choice process, as well as strategy implementation and its implications for the organization are woven into the approach.

Prerequisites: Human Resource Management or equivalent and at least 3 upper-level courses dealing with the functions of human resource management. This course should be taken as the last course in the student's concentration.

Human Resources;Labor Studies

The Global Workplace: Its Impact on Employers, Workers and Their Organizations
LAB-263724
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Explore the interrelationships among global economic competition, technological change and resulting structures of corporate and workplace arrangements, innovations in labor-management relations and programs of worker participation. Consider both the promise and the problems which economic forces represent for corporations, labor, work and society.

Human Resources

The Learning Organization
BME-213704
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Examine the learning organization, one of the most promising approaches to building effective, productive organizations that are places where employees at all levels feel valued and eager to develop, grow and contribute. Study related concepts of adult learning, knowledge management or knowledge sharing, change theories, innovation and futures prediction and development, as well as their application to different types of organizations and to human resource development and training. Explore the nature and diversity of adult learners and learning, particularly as they relate to the workplace; and factors that affect learning, such as learning styles and differences, motivation and barriers, use of effective strategies and learning technologies. Analyze case studies and develop a model for building and sustaining a learning organization. This study applies the principles of adult education in the workplace setting and relates them to the concepts of leadership and management in organizations.

Aging and Gerontology;Critical Thinking;Educational Studies;Educational Planning;Human Development;Human Services;Sociology

Adults as Learners: Theories and Strategies
HDV-283184
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This 4-credit advanced-level course provides a thorough treatment of adults as learners, making use of key learning theories, research on adult learning and relevant strategies for understanding adults as learners. This course is appropriate for students who approach Human Development from a learning perspective; who are (or will be) involved with adult learners in academia, communities, or business; and who, as adult learners, wish to reflect on their personal process. The focus of the course is on approaches to adult learning and associated learning strategies. The primary perspectives covered in the course are: Critical Pedagogy; Communities of Learning and Practice; Adult Development; and Systems of Learning. Major theorists from each perspective will be reviewed in some detail. Students will have the opportunity to relate a particular learning environment to one or more theory/perspective of personal interest to them.

Prerequisites: A foundational course in the social sciences and upper level critical thinking skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Early Childhood Studies;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Psychology

Attachment in Early Childhood
HDV-281124
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This 4-credit lower level course examines current knowledge about attachment from infancy to adolescence, developmentally and behaviorally. The scope and contexts of attachments, particularly as they arise from early attachment experiences, will be grounded firmly in attachment theory and research findings relevant to historical, cultural, familial, personal and age-related contexts. The effects of attachment on human functioning, including brain development and the consequences of negative early experiences will be addressed. This base of understanding sets the groundwork for attachment in both personal and professional early childhood settings, including family relationships (sibling, parent, grandparent) and relationships beyond the family (friends, caregivers). This course meets the requirements for the Infant Toddler Care Credential. In addition, it is useful for students, particularly those from any of the social sciences, seeking a more personal understanding of the foundations of human emotional attachment. Level of Study: Introductory.

Important Note: This course was renamed effective the September 2011 term and was formerly offered as Attachment: Continuity and Separation: Introductory.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Aging and Gerontology;Early Childhood Studies;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Psychology

Attachment: Continuity and Separation: Advanced
HDV-283124
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This 4-credit advanced level course will have you examining the current knowledge about continuity and separation in Human Attachment from infancy to old age, developmentally and behaviorally. The scope and contexts of attachments across the life cycle, particularly as they arise from early attachment experiences, will be grounded in theory and research relevant to historical, cultural, familial, personal and age-related contexts. Students will also study the counterpart of attachment separation, normative and precipitous--lifelong and temporary such as interruptions in attachments due to military service. This base of understanding sets the groundwork for understanding attachment in both personal and professional settings across all age groups, including family relationships, i.e., parent, sibling, grandparent; and beyond, i.e., friends, caregivers, life partners. This course offers information for students studying for the Infant Toddler Care Credential. Finally, this study is useful for students, particularly those from the social sciences, who wish to know more about their personal relationships.

Level of Study: Advanced. Important: This course is also offered at an introductory level under the title Attachment in Early Childhood. Students should NOT include this course twice in their degree programs: It can be taken only be taken once, either at the introductory level or the advanced level of study.

Prerequisite: A basic social science course such as Human Development, Introduction to Psychology, or The Sociological Imagination

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Human Services

Case Management
CHS-252114
4 credits,lower level,
Case management is the basis of effective health and human service practice. In this course you will learn the basics of case management including client assessment, collaborative problem solving, treatment planning, referral, participation in treatment teams, record keeping and outcomes evaluation. You will consider the role of case manager as the “hub” of treatment planning, referral, and evaluation as well as learning about how the role of case manager is vital to effective cost containment, high quality care, and consumer satisfaction.

Note: This course requires a working knowledge of health or human service organizations, preferably an overview course such as Introduction to Human Services.

Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Health Services;Human Services

Chemical Addiction: Theories and Practices
CHS-253184
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course will enable the student to conceptualize, explain and apply knowledge to variety of issues specific to substance use disorders, addiction, screening, assessment, treatment, and recovery. Criteria for substance use disorders, neurochemistry, psychopharmacology and psychoactive drug use will be examined and discussed. Clinical methods will be examined as will the variety of treatment programs and practices that frame the provider system. The basic effects of substance use disorder on the family, use of 12 step/mutual help groups, and risk/harm reduction principles will be introduced. There will be some exposure to the clinical issues of working with diverse populations (e.g. co-occurring disorders, etc.) to better understand the practical issues of treatment engagement, service delivery and counseling. Note: This course is also offered at CDL in a 6 credit format, as CHS-253186. Students may only take either CHS-253184 or CHS-253186, not both.

Prerequisite: the student should have already completed lower-level human and/or health services courses.

Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Health Services;Human Services

Chemical Addiction: Theories and Practices
CHS-253186
6 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course is similar to CHS-253184 and requires completing three (3) additional written assignments. This course will enable the student to conceptualize, explain and apply knowledge to variety of issues specific to substance user disorders, addiction, screening, assessment, treatment, and recovery. Criteria for substance use disorders, neurochemistry, psychopharmacology and psychoactive drug use will be examined and discussed. Clinical methods will be examined as will the variety of treatment programs and practices that frame the provider system. The basic effects of substance use disorder on the family, 12 step/mutual help groups, and risk/harm reduction principles will be introduced. There will be some exposure to the clinical issues of working with diverse populations (e.g. co-occurring disorders, etc.) to better understand the practical issues of treatment engagement, service delivery and counseling. Note: This course is also offered at CDL in a 4 credit format, as CHS-253184. Students may only take either CHS-253184 or CHS-253186, not both.

Prerequisite: the student should have already completed lower-level human and/or health services courses.

Accommodations Note: There is a required assignment in the course that involves direct visitation to and observation of a 12 step/mutual help group. An alternative assignment will be provided for students requesting reasonable accommodations through their instructor and/or the Office of Disability Services.

Human Services

Community Organizing
CHS-253124
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Work with fellow students and community members to apply the theory and practice of community organization to real life projects. Learn the theoretical frameworks and practical tools that have enabled ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things in their communities. Through the applied small group dynamics, experience the challenge of working together to create the future. The class focuses on “altruistic grassroots initiatives” or projects begun by community people at the local level to solve local problems. By the end of the course, students will have the tools, theoretical understanding, and confidence needed to create successful community based projects.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the September 2009 term and was formerly offered as Community Organization. Students who have successfully completed 253124 should not enroll in this course.

Health Services;Human Services

Crisis Intervention
CHS-252154
4 credits,lower level,
In group discussions and assignments, learn the aims and assumptions of crisis intervention treatments, the primary procedures of crisis intervention techniques, applications of each technique and a six-step model that provides a systematic way of dealing with people in crisis. Discover strategies for handling a variety of different crisis situations and understand why certain techniques and strategies are used in specific situations.

Students will be required to complete the following assignments for this course: four written assignments.

Requires working knowledge of human service, health or community organizations.

Human Services

Delivering Human Services: Consumers, Agencies and Communities
CHS-253114
4 credits,upper level,
Delivering Human Services is an upper-division course designed to bring together prior learning regarding consumers, agencies and communities that were covered in previous courses. The course covers advanced case management, agency structure and administration and working with communities on the group level. The course is delivered primarily in a case study format with students focusing on an in-depth analysis of systems and practices in one human services agency of their choice throughout the course. Much of the learning comes from interaction with other students who share their experiences in a wide variety of settings. Human Services Delivery partially meets Community and Human Service Area of Study requirements in skills, ethics, and practical experience.

Delivering Human Services may be seen primarily as a capstone course for students concentrating in Community and Human Services.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the January 2012 term and was formerly offered as Human Services Delivery. Students who have successfully completed 253114 should not enroll in this course.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Human Services.

Early Childhood Studies;Human Services

Developing Infant Toddler Programs
CHS-254324
4 credits,upper level,
Students in this upper-level course will learn to provide creative, developmentally appropriate learning experiences and environments for infants and toddlers in a variety of contexts. We will review the skills of observation as we examine various curricular models with a focus on respectful, responsive relationship-based care. This course addresses competencies for the NYS Infant-Toddler Care and Education Credential and is also useful for teachers, child care administrators and others charged with the creation of formal and informal programs for infants and toddlers.

Prerequisites - Child Development or Infant Toddler Development although not required, would be beneficial.

Health Services;Human Services;Sociology

Disabled in America
CHS-252054
4 credits, liberal study, lower level,
Study the civil rights movement of individuals with disabilities through a review of significant historical events, changing social policy. Through this course, the student will find out about the daily lives and characteristics of the more than 54 million Americans who are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Current initiatives in education, employment, housing, transportation, communication, cultural activities, recreation, health services, assistive technology and access to public services is also covered.

Students will be required to complete the following assignments for this course: five written assignments and a final project.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Emergency Management;Human Development;Human Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Sociology

Disaster and Society
SOC-283434
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
What is a disaster? How do social structures, groups and institutions react to the loss of social function as a result of natural, technological, or sociopolitical events? This upper level course explores social effects of disaster from both a macro and a micro level of analysis, using social theories of organizational behavior, political sociology, community development, religion, urban planning, and rural sociology that inform the field of disaster research.

Prerequisites: Upper-level standing with advanced-level critical thinking, reading, research and writing skills. A previous study (or equivalent knowledge) in social theory or structure is desirable, but not mandatory.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Human Services

Documentation in Human Services
CHS-253164
4 credits,upper level,
Learn to plan, implement, and manage a complete documentation system through a variety of case studies and practical applications. Compare and contrast alternative techniques of information collection and analysis and illustrate alternative manual and automated techniques and formats for recording, filing and retrieving information. Apply the legal, ethical, administrative and professional requirements related to the recording and disclosure of private and confidential information. Understand the importance of time management in meeting documentation requirements. Illustrate effective communication skills when documenting course requirements. Create a viable documentation and management information system for a target agency.

Course prerequisites: Case Management or equivalent experience.

Preferred: Human Service Management, Non-profit Management, or equivalent experience.

Family Studies;Human Development;Human Services

Family and Society
HDV-283304
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course examines the institution of the family in contemporary America and the socio-cultural dynamics affecting family behavior. In addition to identifying the family's function, in society, students explore the social psychology of gender construction, intergenerational relationships, and the "politics" of family relationships.

Family Studies;Human Services

Family Intervention
CHS-253504
4 credits,upper level,
This course is intended for human service practitioners who will be working with clients and their families. It examines strategies and techniques of major family theories and therapeutic models to help students understand how the family functions as a system and how professionals interact with family members to discern patterns of communication. Students will learn assessment tools such as the genogram and, through written assignments, will have an opportunity to explore issues of particular interest to them.

Important Note: this course was formerly offered as Intervention in Human Service: The Family. Students who have successfully completed 253504 should not enroll in this course.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Human Services or equivalent. A basic course in interviewing or counseling skills is recommended.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Family Studies;Human Services;Psychology

Family Violence and Abuse
HDV-283314
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Develop a broad overview of the social problem of family violence. Includes physical and sexual abuse of children, neglect, sibling abuse, dating violence, marital violence, sexual violence against women and elder abuse. For each category of abuse, discover the historical factors regarding its identification as a social problem. Understand contributing factors and dynamics, consequences for victims and perpetrators and social policy and intervention issues. The student will read one textbook, read a number of commentaries and online resources and view a film. Assignments include topic quizzes, position papers, research essays, a two-part project and discussion participation.

Early Childhood Studies;Human Services

Funding and Human Service Organizations
CHS-254184
4 credits,upper level,
Learn how to develop a healthy nonprofit organization with multiple funding streams and budgetary accountability. Topics covered will include a brief history of human service funding, the funding and regulatory relationships between nonprofit organizations and various levels of government, the importance of appropriate structure, attaining nonprofit status, the role of in-kind resources including volunteers, foundation funding, grant-seeking from both private and governmental, assessing funding opportunities, the role of regulatory agencies, grant writing, fund-raising campaigns, and the role of fee-for-service. Explore various methods of budgeting and accountability structures that assure maximum productivity as well as new directions for meeting human needs such as social entrepreneurship and the role of profit-making institutions.

Note: This course is intended primarily for persons who plan to become managers in private human service organizations. Its “sister course” Public Finance and Budgeting” is intended for those who work directly in government bureaucracies.

Prerequisites: Students taking this course should have had Human Services Management or Nonprofit Management or their equivalent in experience.

Preferred: Program Planning and Evaluation.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the November 2009 term and was formerly offered as Resource Development in Human Services. Students who have successfully completed 254184 should not enroll in this course.

Aging and Gerontology;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services

Grief and Loss
CHS-254044
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Explore the phenomenon of grief including theoretical understanding of the stages and process of dealing with major life losses, the roles of ritual, faith and Remembrance within the context of culture. The course will also deal with determining when grief becomes dysfunctional and how the Human Services worker can appropriately determine if referral is needed for the client.

Students will be required to complete the following assignments for this course: two written assignments and an annotated bibliography.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Human Services or Psychology, or an entry-level Sociology course.

Health Services;Human Services

Group Work Practices
CHS-253204
4 credits,upper level,
Group work is the foundation of many treatment approaches in human services. This course enables you to gain a knowledge of the varied components of group work practice through an understanding of the concepts of group member dynamics, leader roles and duties and the group process. Examine the various theoretical approaches used in group work and apply them to treatment populations. Develop competency in evaluating the various stages of group work, including client screening, evaluation of group progress and member and group outcomes. It is highly recommended for all direct service students in the human services.

Aging and Gerontology;Early Childhood Studies;Family Studies;Human Development;Human Services;Psychology

Human Development
HDV-282174
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the current theories and research findings about human development, from the beginnings of life through the end. Students are introduced to the major conceptualizations and methods of understanding development (i.e., theories, frameworks and research models.) Students will study expected developmental achievements and variations, both group and individual, as well as the factors, biological and environmental, that influence development across the lifespan.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Early Childhood Studies;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Psychology

Human Exceptionalities
HDV-283224
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
In this 4-credit advanced-level course the student will examine what is meant by human developmental exceptionality, theories of developmental difference, cultural perspectives of differences and how we judge what is normal. In order to understand developmental exceptionality, the student must have a good understanding of typical development. The student will build on their knowledge of human development and how development may be affected by a specific disability/giftedness. The student will examine the various types of developmental disabilities linked with physical/health issues, emotional/behavioral, particularly as regards learning and communication issues, as well as levels of intellectual learning and related developmental disabilities. Another area of developmental difference to be examined is that of giftedness and gifted children with disabilities. Current research in the study of childhood developmental exceptionalities will be investigated. Well-identified differences will be covered in this course, including Asperger's syndrome, autism, emotional trauma; extremely slow learners, and those identified as exceptionally bright. Students hopefully will come away from this course with a stronger respect for the variety of human learning experiences, and a clearer understanding of how to interact successfully with exceptional learners. Childhood and adolescent differences will be discussed, with reference to their impact on adulthood.

Prerequisites: Human Development Lifespan Development, Developmental Psychology, or Child Development or the equivalent.

Human Services

Human Service Ethics
CHS-254124
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Through group discussions and learning tasks, explore ethical issues in the human services, and professional roles and stresses in human service work. Select one aspect of human services practice and then analyze the ethical and other issues related to that practice.

Prerequisite: not restricted to students in the Community and Human Services concentration; however, those outside the concentration should consult with their mentors before registering for the course. Students enrolling in this course should have completed the equivalent of three years of prior college work and have a basic knowledge of human service delivery and management practices in the United States.

Important Note: this course was formerly offered as 254124, Issues in Human Service: The Family. Students who have successfully completed 254124 should not enroll in this course.

Early Childhood Studies;Human Services

Human Service Management
CHS-253144
4 credits,upper level,
Examine human service management from several perspectives. The writings of major contributors to the field of human service management are considered; major theoretical and ethical orientations are examined; and the applications of different management theories and models are explored through discussions, written projects, teamwork and independent study assignments.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Human Services or equivalent.

Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Nursing;Science

Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Global Health
NUR-203254
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course is open to both nursing and nonnursing students and will introduce students to the main concepts of the global health field. Students will get an overview of principles and goals of global health, cross cutting global health issues, burden of disease and cooperating to improve global health. Students will utilize critical reasoning and evidence based practices to propose and support solutions for public health concerns around the world.

Prerequisites for non-nursing majors: U.S. Health Systems

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the May 2012 term and was formerly offered as Global Health. Students who have successfully completed 203254 should not enroll in this course.

Human Services

Interviewing Skills and Techniques
CHS-252134
4 credits,lower level,
Study and practice basic interviewing skills and techniques used in the helping professions. Learn and practice skills related to: attending behavior, questioning, observation, rapport and relationship building, reflection, structuring interviews, confrontation, focusing and influencing in the different types of interviewing situations. Develop skills that can be used in a variety of settings, situations, jobs and activities that require interviewing skills.

Note: this is not a course in counseling or psychotherapy nor is it a preparation for job interviews.

Students will be required to complete the following assignments for this course: four written assignments.

Human Services

Introduction to Human Services
CHS-252094
4 credits, liberal study, lower level,
This course gives an overview of human services as a profession and as an academic discipline. It provides a sampling of the knowledge, skills, ethical values, and practical experiences needed to successfully assist others to a higher quality of life. Assignments are based on case studies, practical experiences, ethical dilemmas and a field practicum or project designed to help you decide if human services is the career path for you. Introduction to Human Services partially completes the Community and Human Services Area of Study requirements for human service values and practical experience. Even if you are already employed in a human service field, you will want to take this course in order to understand the history and breadth of the profession as a whole.

Human Services

Investigative Theory and Practice
CHS-253174
4 credits,upper level,
This course focuses on the theories and skills needed to develop, conduct and summarize fact-finding investigations. It is intended primarily for direct service personnel in the human services, but may be useful to others who must investigate potential wrong-doing. The course addresses the Community and Human Services Area of Study guidelines in knowledge, skills and values especially for those in direct service delivery and/or protective services.

Note: this course is not intended for police or other criminal justice students.

Prerequisites: there are no prerequisites for this course. However, Human Services students will benefit from Introduction to Human Services and Interviewing Skills and Techniques.

Human Services

Social Policy Analysis
CHS-254234
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This is an upper-level course intended for anyone who is interested in policy analysis and/or political and social change. In group discussions and learning activities, students gain a broad understanding of theories and analytic models used in the development of social policy and how social policy applies to particular sectors of social and public life.

Students explore how general government policies impact the quality of American life. Students select a specific policy issue they are interested in, apply tow different methods to analyze how the policies related to their issue were developed and implemented as well as how they affect their target populations. Finally, students develop strategies for implementing positive policy change. Students enrolling in this course should have completed the equivalent of three years of college studies and possess a solid upper level background in the concepts, theories and practices of their chosen concentration. For human services students, especially those in human services management and/or advocacy, this course is considered a capstone offering as it unites various concepts learned throughout the human services curriculum.

Important note: This course was renamed effective the September 2010 term from Human Services and Social Policy to the original title of Social Policy Analysis, 254234. Students who have successfully completed 254234 in either title should not enroll in this course.

Aging and Gerontology;Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Anthropology;Communications and Media;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Early Childhood Studies;Emergency Management;Family Studies;Fire Protection;Gender Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Psychology;Sociology;Women's Studies

Survey of Social Science Research Methods
SOC-283424
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Social research provides answers to questions about people and the social settings and systems in which they are involved. This social science research course introduces the fundamentals of qualitative and quantitative research methods. Students learn how to formulate a viable research question, collect and analyze data, understand the ethical issues of social science research, and write a formal research proposal.

Note: This course has a required SPSS component.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Family Studies;Gender Studies;Human Services;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Sociology;Women's Studies

Thinking About Race, Class and Gender

SOC-282264

4 credits, liberal study, lower level,

Elluminate System Requirements and Setup Instructions: http://www.esc.edu/elluminatesetup
Elluminate Student Training Schedule and Information: http://www.esc.edu/elluminatestutraining

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Foreign Language.

Languages

French 2
CUL-221334
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course is designed to be a continuation of French 1. Students will build on their introductory studies in French language and culture. They will learn functional grammar, vocabulary and cultural concepts that apply to many different practical applications. All language skills will be practiced: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students will be required to practice weekly speaking and listening skills in real time over the Internet with the instructor and/or teaching assistants. Students should be available for 45 minutes for oral practices scheduled between 7:30-9:00 PM EST at least twice a week. Special accommodations will be made for army students. Because of the intensive nature of learning all aspects of French (reading, writing, listening, speaking, culture), students should be prepared to devote a significant amount of time to the course.

Note: this course will use voice-chat activities over the Internet. Students taking this course will need to make sure they have access to a computer that meets the minimum technological requirements which are outlined at the links below. Before enrolling, students should know how to successfully use or have tested the web conferencing service on their computer. See the links below for more information about hardware requirements, testing and using the web conferencing software:

Elluminate System Requirements and Setup Instructions: http://www.esc.edu/elluminatesetup
Elluminate Student Training Schedule and Information: http://www.esc.edu/elluminatestutraining

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Foreign Language.
.

Languages

Introductory Chinese: Language and Culture
CUL-221244
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course introduces students to the Chinese language (Mandarin) so that they can develop proficiency on a basic level. Language learning in this course will focus on elementary communication skills, basic vocabulary and grammatical structures. All language skills will be practiced: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students will be required to practice weekly speaking and listening skills in real time over the Internet with the instructor and the teaching assistant. Students should be available for 30 minutes for oral practices scheduled between 7:30-9:00 PM EST at least once a week. Special accommodations will be made for army students. This course also introduces students to traditional Chinese beliefs and contemporary culture. Students will learn about China and its regions through a wide variety of resources: online resources, texts, videos, blogs and Podcast. Students will also investigate specific topics related to cultural themes (e.g., Chinese cuisine, horoscopes, garden and tea cultures,family and business relationships as well as customs of ethnic minorities such as Tibetan and Xinjiang Muslims).

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Foreign Language.

Business (General);Languages

Introductory Spanish for Health Care Professionals
CUL-221194
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course has been designed for students who have had no previous experience with Spanish language and Hispanic cultures. Students will have an opportunity to learn functional grammar, vocabulary and cultural concepts to apply in interactions at work. The major goal of this course is to facilitate better communication between health care providers and the growing Spanish-speaking community in the United States.

All language skills will be practiced: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students will be required to practice weekly speaking and listening skills in real time over the Internet with the instructor and/or teaching assistants. This is a very intensive course and students should be prepared to devote a significant amount of time to it. No previous knowledge of Spanish is required. Students who do have advanced knowledge of Spanish cannot take this course.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the September 2011 term and was formerly offered as Spanish for Health Care Professionals. Students who have successfully completed 221194 should not enroll in this course.

Students will be required to practice weekly speaking and listening skills in real time over the Internet with the instructor and/or teaching assistants. Students should be available for 45 minutes for oral practices scheduled between 7:30-9:00 PM EST at least twice a week. Special accommodations will be made for army students.

Note: this course will use voice-chat activities over the Internet. Students taking this course will need to make sure they have access to a computer that meets the minimum technological requirements which are outlined at the links below. Before enrolling, students should know how to successfully use or have tested the web conferencing service on their computer. See the links below for more information about hardware requirements, testing and using the web conferencing software:

Elluminate System Requirements and Setup Instructions: http://www.esc.edu/elluminatesetup
Elluminate Student Training Schedule and Information: http://www.esc.edu/elluminatestutraining

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Foreign Language.

Cultural Studies;Languages

Introductory Spanish: Language and Culture
CUL-221294
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course introduces students to the Spanish language so that they can develop proficiency on a basic level. Language learning in this course will focus on understanding and learning to speak simple phrases, learning limited vocabulary and very basic grammatical structures. The course does not overlap with Spanish 1. All language skills will be practiced: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students will be required to practice weekly speaking and listening skills in real time over the Internet with the instructor and/or teaching assistants. Students should be available for 30 minutes for oral practices scheduled between 7:30-9:00 PM EST at least once a week. Special accommodations will be made for army students. This course also introduces students to the Spanish-speaking cultures of Spain, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and South America. Students will learn similarities and differences in values, attitudes and actions as they investigate different cultures through a wide variety of resources (e.g., online resources, texts, videos). Students will also investigate specific topics related to cultural experiences (e.g., ecotourism in Costa Rica, indigenous cultures in Guatemala). Students who do have advanced knowledge of Spanish cannot take this course.

Note: this course will use voice-chat activities over the Internet. Students taking this course will need to make sure they have access to a computer that meets the minimum technological requirements which are outlined at the links below. Before enrolling, students should know how to successfully use or have tested the web conferencing service on their computer. See the links below for more information about hardware requirements, testing and using the web conferencing software:

Elluminate System Requirements and Setup Instructions: http://www.esc.edu/elluminatesetup
Elluminate Student Training Schedule and Information: http://www.esc.edu/elluminatestutraining

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Foreign Language.

Languages

Italian 1
CUL-221224
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course introduces students to the Italian language so that they can develop proficiency on a basic level. Language learning in this course will focus on elementary communication skills, basic vocabulary and grammatical structures. All language skills will be practiced: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students will be required to practice weekly speaking and listening skills in real time over the Internet with the instructor and the teaching assistant. Students should be available for 30 minutes for oral practices scheduled between 7:30-9:00 PM EST at least once a week or 10:00 am - 12:00 pm on Saturday. Special accommodations will be made for army students. This course also introduces students to the cultures of Italy and Ticino, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. Students will learn about these cultures through a wide variety of resources: online resources, texts, videos and Podcast. Students will also investigate specific topics related to cultural themes (e.g., cheese and chocolate: a Swiss experience, “agriturismo” in Tuscany). Students who do have advanced knowledge of Italian can not take this course.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the January 2013 term and was formerly offered as Introductory Italian: Language and Culture. Students who have successfully completed 221224 should not enroll in this course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Foreign Language.

Languages

Italian 2
CUL-221424
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course is designed to be a continuation of Italian 1. Students will build on their introductory studies in Italian language and culture. They will learn functional grammar, vocabulary and cultural concepts that apply to many different practical real-life situations. All language skills will be practiced: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students will be required to weekly practice speaking and listening skills in real time over the Internet with the instructor and/or teaching assistants. Students should be available for 30 minutes for oral practices scheduled between 7:00-9:00 PM EST at least once a week. Special accommodations will be made for army students. Because of the intensive nature of learning all aspects of Italian (reading, writing, listening, speaking, culture), students should be prepared to devote a significant amount of time to the course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Foreign Language.

Prerequisites: Italian 1 or equivalent

Note: this course will use voice-chat activities over the Internet. Students taking this course will need to make sure they have access to a computer that meets the minimum technological requirements which are outlined at the links below. Before enrolling, students should know how to successfully use or have tested the web conferencing service on their computer. See the links below for more information about hardware requirements, testing and using the web conferencing software:

Elluminate System Requirements and Setup Instructions: http://www.esc.edu/elluminatesetup
Elluminate Student Training Schedule and Information: http://www.esc.edu/elluminatestutraining

Languages

Spanish 1

CUL-221304

4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements

This course has been designed for students who have had no previous experience with Spanish language and culture. Students will have the opportunity to learn functional grammar, vocabulary and cultural concepts which they can apply in interactions at work, with clients, or during travel. All language skills will be practiced: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students will be required to practice weekly speaking and listening skills in real time over the Internet with the instructor and/or teaching assistants. Students should be available for 45 minutes for oral practices scheduled between 7:30-9:00 PM EST at least twice a week. Special accommodations will be made for army students. Students will learn about the cultures of Spanish-speaking peoples through links to other Internet sites such as newspapers, chat rooms, or web sites appropriate to topics they are learning. Because of the intensive nature of learning all aspects of Spanish (reading, writing, listening, speaking, culture), students should be prepared to devote a significant amount of time to the course. Students who do have advanced knowledge of Spanish can not take this course.

Note: this course will use voice-chat activities over the Internet. Students taking this course will need to make sure they have access to a computer that meets the minimum technological requirements which are outlined at the links below. Before enrolling, students should know how to successfully use or have tested the web conferencing service on their computer. See the links below for more information about hardware requirements, testing and using the web conferencing software:

Elluminate System Requirements and Setup Instructions: http://www.esc.edu/elluminatesetup
Elluminate Student Training Schedule and Information: http://www.esc.edu/elluminatestutraining

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Foreign Language.

If you have had some Spanish instruction, or if you are a heritage speaker of Spanish, you may need to decide whether to take Empire State College's Introduction to Spanish 1 or Introduction to Spanish 2.

The activities in this self-test will assess your knowledge of Spanish grammar covered in Spanish 1 to see if you are better placed in Spanish 1 or Spanish 2.

The entire self-assessment consists of 20 questions. Please pay close attention to the instructions, as you are asked to provide different types of information.

Languages

Spanish 2
CUL-221314
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This introductory-level course, a continuation of Spanish 1, is designed for students who have had some experience with the language. Students will continue to learn basic grammatical concepts and vocabulary useful to people talking about everyday life, travel, health and well-being, commerce and finance and the media. All language skills will be practiced: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students will be required to practice weekly speaking and listening skills in real time over the Internet with the instructor and/or teaching assistants. Students should be available for 45 minutes for oral practices scheduled between 7:30-9:00 PM EST at least twice a week. Special accommodations will be made for army students. They will use related websites to learn about the culture of Spanish-speaking countries. Because of the intensive nature of learning all aspects of Spanish (reading, writing, listening, speaking, culture), students should be prepared to devote a significant amount of time to the course.

Note: this course will use voice-chat activities over the Internet. Students taking this course will need to make sure they have access to a computer that meets the minimum technological requirements which are outlined at the links below. Before enrolling, students should know how to successfully use or have tested the web conferencing service on their computer. See the links below for more information about hardware requirements, testing and using the web conferencing software:

Elluminate System Requirements and Setup Instructions: http://www.esc.edu/elluminatesetup
Elluminate Student Training Schedule and Information: http://www.esc.edu/elluminatestutraining

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Foreign Language.

Languages

Spanish in the World of Business
CUL-221414
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course is designed for students who are interested in international business as well as for those interested in enhancing communication with Hispanic clients and consumers in the U.S. Business Spanish presents a pragmatic, “real world” introduction to the Spanish language through the lens of the Hispanic business environment. Through intensive practice, beginning students will become comfortable with ‘need-to-know’ language and be able to apply it in a professional context. Language learning in this course will focus on elementary communication skills, basic vocabulary and grammatical structures. All language skills will be practiced: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students will be required to practice weekly speaking and listening skills in real time over the Internet with the instructor and the teaching assistant. Students should be available for 40 minutes for oral practices scheduled between 7:00-9:00 PM EST at least twice a week. Special accommodations will be made for army students. Students who do have advanced knowledge of Spanish can not take this course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Foreign Language.

Literature

American Literature: 1600-1865
CUL-222404
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course offers an introduction to the development of literary styles and genres spanning the early European exploration of America through the Civil War. The course will examine individual authors and the motivating impulses for their writings, along with the broader contexts in which those authors wrote. Students will not only gain understanding of the literature itself, but also will gain a general sense of American political, cultural and social history. Readings will be drawn from a diverse selection of writers within the time period, and will include a diverse selection of types: personal writing, autobiography, historical exposition, poetry, correspondence, political oratory, religious oratory and fiction. Students will read selections in chronological order to strengthen their historical understandings. Coursework also includes significant discussion. Written work includes informal personal response (a reading journal), formal personal response (short essays), critical response and research writing using secondary critical materials.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Literature

American Literature: 1865-Present
CUL-222414
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Study literary styles and genres from the Civil War through the present. The course will examine individual authors and the motivating impulses for their writings; it places American literature in historical perspective. The course is organized around these basic areas: The Age of Expansion 1865-1915, Modern American Literature 1915-1945, Approaching a Millennium 1945-Present. Assignments include significant reading, online discussion and a variety of written work (personal response, short essays, short critical responses and use of secondary critical materials).

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Cultural Studies;Early Childhood Studies;Literature

Children's Literature: Advanced
CUL-224524
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
The figure of the child is striking for its ability to exemplify the competing demands of the culture which invents it. At once, children embody both our most precious fantasies and our worst fears; as "blank slates," children are particularly suited--at least fictively--to serve as proxies in our cultural debates. Recent scholarship in children's literature is increasingly interested in the ways that representations of childhood participate in, but also resist, our very ideas about childhood itself. In this course, we will examine the ways that children's literature is central to the ways that cultural values are disseminated, but also the ways that literature--like poorly behaved children--can fail to be contained by the constraints of the genre which aims to normalize it.

In addition to reading widely in the genre and participating in class discussion, students will be expected to write a short reflection essay, three short critical essays, and a final research paper.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Communications and Media;Literature

Digital Storytelling

CUL-223054

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

In a digital age, we have new tools and frameworks for the ancient art of storytelling. This course examines both the theory and practice of digital storytelling, especially the possibilities available via the World Wide Web. Students will explore others' digital stories (e.g., family memoirs, stories promoting organizations or programs) and specific tools (e.g., web pages, text, images, audio, RealSlideShow, etc.) to learn about the future of narrative in a digital world for storytelling and for educational applications of storytelling in history, geography, science, language arts, fine arts and other fields. Students will create two simple projects in this course, in addition to completing other course activities (online discussions, research and resource sharing, critical evaluation of projects, reading, writing).

This course does not assume any previous experience designing web pages. Knowledge of HTML is helpful but not necessary, as web page text editors are available.

This course partially meets the General Education requirement in The Arts.

Cultural Studies;Environmental Studies;Literature

Exploring Place: Humanities
CUL-224764
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This is an advanced-level research course in which students, with guidance from the instructor, propose and carry out their own semester-long, self-directed, in-depth research agendas.

Thinking of place as a community in a geographical location or physical environment, this interdisciplinary humanities course seeks to offer an opportunity for a place-based approach to cultural studies. Explore culture of and/or about the place you live (or some other place of interest), whether you define that place as a neighborhood, a whole village or town or city, a geographical region, or a watershed. Research, for example, literature about a place, local literary or other cultural genres or practices such as song texts sung at local coffee shops, regionally published poetry, essays in local newspapers, proverbs of community elders, local storytellers, regional foodways, or local festivals. Examine a variety of humanities methodologies from the language arts, literature, communications, folklore and cultural anthropology, for engaging with representations of place and place-based cultural practices.

Collaborate with other students interested in culture, the arts and history to learn concepts for thinking about place as a process, as a coming together of nature and culture, of the local and global and of issues ranging from gender, class, ethnicity and the environment to modernization, conservation and preservation. Design and share with peers the results of your own projects about culture and the place you are interested in. "Visit" one another's place online as part of a cross-place comparison. Some of the reading materials for this course have been predetermined and are available at the bookstore. However, each student, in consultation with the instructor, will be responsible at the outset of the course for proposing a set of individualized, place-specific research topics that will comprise the bulk of their work throughout the term. (For example, a project might require acquiring a scholarly book and a popular book about your place in order to analyze and compare how they represent its landscape.) Each student will be responsible for acquiring (borrowing or purchasing) in a timely fashion the books and materials necessary for these projects. Such materials are not available at the bookstore.

Students and mentors should note that the highly-individualized approach of this course can enable students to develop projects that support a particular personal interest or degree program need that is not directly motivated by an interest in the humanities per se. For example, a student who is interested in Labor Studies could choose to develop their projects in this course entirely around the question of "working class culture" in his or her community. Or, a student in Community and Human Services could focus for the entire term on the role of regional cultural organizations on the well-being of his or her local community.

Note: this course overlaps with Exploring Place: Arts and Exploring Place: History. Students interested more in the artistic cultural aspects (including visual culture, say, or music) of place should take Exploring Place: Arts. No more than one of these three should be included in a degree program.

No formal prerequisites, but considering the flexibility and individualization of research and exploration involved, students must be comfortable working at the upper-level in terms of reading, writing and research skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Educational Planning;Literature

Exploring the Disciplines: Literature
EDU-232072
2 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This eight-week course is intended to get students to investigate the nature of literature. The course is focused around two texts, Shakespeare's Hamlet and Lolita Files' Child of God, which students will read and discuss in depth. Both texts include a similar story-line: a murder, an incestuous relationship, an uneasy resolution at the end. By exploring these texts written over 300 years apart, students will learn about the types of themes, questions, comparisons and insights that literature has to offer. The course will also start to offer insight into literary analysis and research.

Note: this course is open to all students. Center for Distance Learning students taking this course for educational planning credit should obtain mentor/advisor permission. This course can be used towards CDL Educational Planning and SUNY general education credit.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Students obtaining Federal Direct loans: If you are only taking 8 week courses during the Summer term your student loans may be reduced or cancelled. Please visit our Web site at www.esc.edu/FinancialServices for more information.

Anthropology;Arts: Visual and Performing;Literature;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Sociology

Gays and Lesbians in American Culture
SOC-242204
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
The greater visibility of lesbians and gay men has been one of the most notable changes in contemporary American culture. Whereas once lesbians and gays were confined to the cultural “closet,” cultural productions by and about gay people now span popular media such as sit-coms and more “serious” genres such as theater.

These works of art and culture are part of a more general social awareness of diversity, including diversity of sexual orientation, and they raise a number of issues for Americans, both gay and straight. Is homosexuality (or heterosexuality, for that matter) something you are or something you do? What is the relationship between differences in sexual orientation and other formulations of difference? This course will examine how recent American plays, novels, autobiographies, movies, television programming, comic strips, and other cultural texts have been exploring these and related issues. In doing this work, students will also be introduced to tools of cultural analysis used in the contemporary humanities, contributing a foundation for more advanced work in Cultural Studies and the arts.

Note: Students will need the capability to acquire and view DVD materials for this course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Literature

Ideal Worlds: Utopian Literature
CUL-224504
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This is a study of utopian literature, a genre characterized by narratives about ideal communities -- places where people live without war, hunger, or need. Such narratives use a variety of fictional situations (such as dreams, travel tales, futuristic visions) to present the ideal culture.

The texts present particular challenges to the reader, demanding personal considerations of such questions as: What is an ideal society? What potential for peace and equality do humans possess? In what ways do our contemporary cultures manifest a utopian impulse, if they do? Is the concept of utopia of value -- if so, why? As with any examination of other cultures (real or fictional), this study will assist readers to examine their own culture, to reflect on it from a broader perspective and to develop new insight into our own cultural assumptions and values.

Students entering this study should be prepared to read works that vary greatly in style and should be comfortable with the central concepts of literature. This level of experience could be provided by prior academic work in literature. Students should also be strong writers and comfortable with research methods; this learning is often provided through introductory studies such as College Writing.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Literature

Introduction to Literature
CUL-221404
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
The course offers a critical introduction to various genres of literature (a diverse selection of short stories, poems, plays, novels) as well as an introduction to critical reading methods. Purposes of the course are threefold: 1) to enhance overall appreciation and understanding of major types of literature as well as the nature of literature itself, 2) to develop critical approaches to thinking, reading and writing about literary works, and 3) to acquire an overall understanding of the relationship between literature and other academic subjects as well as literature and everyday life. Discussion of literary texts will be a large portion of this course, to foster the development of critical views of literature.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Literature

Literary Interpretation as a Method of Inquiry
CUL-223454
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Through analytical reading and writing activities, students will deepen their skills in interpretation. Students will create original interpretations of U.S. and international literary works by identifying, analyzing, and evaluating the various lenses through which they, and selected literary and cultural theorists and critics, see the literary works; and by producing various kinds of writing to discover and communicate their own interpretations.

Students will read U.S. and world literature - novels, short stories, and a play - that reflect the complexities of the literal and figurative borderlands where disparate groups and cultures meet and interact, both within and across national boundaries. Through examining and interpreting the complexities and the richness of these borderlands, students will learn more about the places they occupy in this complex world, and about their interconnectedness with others’ realities. Students will also read theoretical and applied writings about interpretation from a variety of disciplines. These writings will include investigations of traditional and contemporary literary criticism theories.

Students will engage in the creation of new learning, and demonstrate their learning, through discussion responses to tutor-generated thinking prompts and to other students’ ideas, and through a combination of formal, informal, and creative writing products. Student writing will occur in discussions, a learning journal, essays, and informal and/or “visual” writing such as annotated lists and charts.

Ability to read, write, and think at the advanced level. Some previous study of literature is helpful, but is not required.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Cultural Studies;Literature

Mythology and Modern Life
CUL-223104
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course will explore how mythology gives meaning to human experience. Myths are ancient yet timeless stories of both cultural and personal identity that come down from the past. Some tell about mystical experiences that stretch the bounds of daily understanding, while others embed lessons derived from nature or about ostensibly historical events. Together, these kinds of mythological stories illuminate the world view of a people, account for a practice or a belief, or explain a natural phenomenon. Even if the origin of a myth has been lost or forgotten, myths are part of shared communication and memories. We will compare myths from several cultures, explore the different ways these manifest as collective experience, and investigate their continuing relevance to contemporary experience.

This is an upper-level course. Although there are no specific content prerequisites, students should have had the equivalent of two years of lower-level college work and should be able to function at an advanced level of analysis, research and writing.

Note: this course has a required audio component. Students will choose DVD or VHS.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Literature

Shakespeare
CUL-223554
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Study six of Shakespeare's plays, including Henry IV- Part 1, The Merchant of Venice, Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth,and Much Ado About Nothing,and a sampling of Shakespeare's sonnets in depth. Explore the use of theme, the power of language, play production, and background on such areas as tragedy and comedy, the Shakespearean theatre, and the Elizabethan worldview. This course fulfills the general education requirement in Humanities.

Prerequisite: an introductory study in literature, such as Introduction to Literature, Humanities Through the Arts or equivalents. This course assumes that students can write about literature analytically (e.g., identify themes, create an analytical thesis, document sources correctly, etc.).

Note: this course was formerly offered as Shakespeare: Power and Justice.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Cultural Studies;English;Literature

Special Topics in Literature: Literature and the Popular Cult(ure) of the Vampire
CUL-224404
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
The vampire, as an enduring cultural metaphor for sexuality, class struggle, and Imperialism, has inconveniently and consistently refused to die. He (and, more recently, she) eerily transforms to suit history and circumstances: as Nina Auerbach explains, “every age embraces the vampire it needs.” Spanning from Stoker's hideous Count Dracula to the pretty, sparkly vampires of the Twilightseries, we will survey some of the most popular incarnations of the vampire in literature, television, and film. After reading some of the classics of the genre, students will choose their favorite works and consider them in the light of recent critical scholarship which takes them seriously, to help us decide what is at stake for our culture in the figure of the vampire.

This course is 4 credits, advanced and liberal. There are no prerequites for this course.
Please note: Special Topics in Literature may be repeated for credit with different topics.

This course fully meets the General Education requirements in Humanities.

Literature

U. S. Multicultural Fiction
CUL-224024
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Focus on literature by African American, Asian American, Latin American and Native American writers, with an opportunity to read additional works by writers that reflect your own family's tradition. Explore the treatment, meanings and implications of multiculturalism in contemporary U.S. fiction. These explorations will include investigations of how diverse American cultures are valued, critiqued and transmitted through literature. Writers include Toni Cade Bambara, Ernest Gaines, Oscar Hijuelos, Gish Hen, Anna Llnzer, N. Scott Momady and others. Student writing will include personal, critical and researched responses to issues of multicultural fiction, presented both in online discussions and formal essays of literary analysis.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Family Studies;Literature;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Women's Studies

U. S. Women's Multicultural Life-Writings
CUL-224014
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Investigate personal narratives, memoirs and autobiographies by U.S. women selected for their literary excellence in describing their participation in more than one culture within the U.S. Writers include Marita Golden, Eva Hoffman, Aurora Levins Morales and Rosario Morales, Shirley Geok-Lin Lim and Julia Alvarez, among others. Discuss how narrative is used to construct meaning, identity and culture.

Prerequisite: analytical thinking and writing skills at the upper-division undergraduate level, evidenced in successful completion of prior advanced-level work.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Business (General);Management

Arts Management
ART-223524
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course will provide an advanced exploration of the history and theories of arts management while providing a basic understanding of the language of the artist. The course will provide opportunities for practical application of theory and technique through projects which may include research, case studies , or the development of marketing , business or strategic plans. Students will develop an understanding of the impact on the external environments which affect arts organizations and businesses today. Comparisons between profit and not for profit organizations provide a context for issues of fund raising and various conceptual approaches to management.

Prerequisites: Prior knowledge, skills, or experience in art and business or management is required.

Business (General);Management;Marketing

Consumer Behavior
BME-213914
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Consumer Behavior is the study of the cognitive, affective, behavioral and environmental factors that influence decision-making in the marketplace. Through the use of case analyses, students will explore theoretical concepts and learn how the consumer engages in the buyer-seller relationship. The psychological factors that influence and shape consumer behavior will be explored. In addition, students will read some of the primary research and will develop a final paper or other project to demonstrate their integrated understanding.

Prerequisite: Introductory Marketing is required; Introductory Psychology is recommended.

Business (General);Human Resources;Management;Multicultural and Diversity Studies

Diversity in the Workplace
BME-213164
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Gain an understanding of diversity issues in the workplace. Examine the impact of a multicultural society on organizations and individuals within the organizations. Incorporating both theory and practice, analyze critical issues from multiple perspectives including historical, legal, economic and sociological frameworks.

Important Note: this course was formerly offered as Working with Cultural Diversity. Students who have completed Working with Cultural Diversity, 153164, should not enroll in this course.

Prerequisites: At least one introductory course in one of the following subjects: economics, management, and public administration/policy. Analytical, research, and writing skills at the upper level.

Human Resources;Labor Studies;Management

Employment and Labor Law
BME-214874
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course provides an overview of the legal issues associated with employment-related actions and decisions. It covers both common and statutory law, including the regulation of labor-management relations under the National Labor Relations Act, as amended, and the Railway Labor Act, and the employment discrimination laws dealing with race, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability and affinity orientation. Students will also examine the employment-at-will doctrine, wrongful discharge, affirmative action, legal issues impacting employee performance, the right to privacy and other protections from employer intrusions and law governing health and safety and income security.

NOTE: Students who have completed 213904, Employment Law, should not take this course.

Prerequisites: Legal Environment of Business 1 or equivalent and Human Resource Management or Labor-Management Relations or equivalent

Management

Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
BME-214704
4 credits,upper level,
Develop an in-depth understanding of the principles and functions of small business management. Incorporate, and build upon, many of the functional areas of business study so as to establish their relevance to the small business. Enhance the ability to apply concepts through computer-based instruction, such as simulation packages.

This is a capstone course for students with concentrations in Business Administration. Students are expected to integrate their knowledge from their prior studies and work experiences in this course.

Prerequisites: coursework, or equivalent knowledge, in the following subjects: management principles, marketing principles, human resource management, corporate finance or equivalents.

Business (General);Management;Marketing

Hospitality and Tourism Marketing Management
BME-214464
4 credits,upper level,
Learn about the fundamental role of marketing management and the importance of being customer oriented in hospitality and tourism. This course introduces students to external marketing environments; helps understand the role of consumer behavior in hospitality and tourism; identifies and explains strategies for developing and promoting service "products" and various distribution channels; highlights the latest trends in destination marketing, e-marketing, international marketing, as related to hospitality and tourism.

This course will be of interest for students pursuing degrees in the BME areas of marketing, management, and business administration. It is ideal for students who plan to enter the field of hospitality marketing (management) or tourism marketing (management). Co-requisites would include Services Marketing, Service Management (or equivalents). A prior knowledge of hospitality and tourism operations is desirable, but not mandatory.

Prerequisites: A previous study (or equivalent knowledge) in Principles of Marketing or Principles of Management is highly recommended.

Human Resources;Management

Human Resource Management and Development
BME-213504
4 credits,upper level,
Students will examine the personnel/human resource management (P/HRM) function and related activities. The course focuses on the strategic importance of this function for effective management and organizational success. Students will assess the impact of the external environment (e.g., laws, regulations and the economy) on the human resource function and gain skills in environmental scanning. They will also examine how organizations integrate the demands of the external environment with the needs of the organization. Students will then analyze the relationships among organizational strategies and HR policies/procedures. Finally, students will focus on understanding sub-functions of HR and how they are integrated with other functions of the organization (e.g., finance, operations, marketing). The sub-functions include: job analysis and design, recruitment and selection, compensation and motivation, training and development, employee rights and discipline and labor-management relations. This course is applicable to private, public and third sectors organizations.

Note to NYS Nursing Home Administrator Certificate students: this course fulfills the requirement in Personnel Management.

Prerequisite: Principles of Management or equivalent knowledge.

Business (General);Management;Multicultural and Diversity Studies

International Cross-Cultural Management
BME-213974
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
The main objective of this study is to learn the management of successful business relationships between international business participants from different cultures. Beginning with a definition of culture and an examination of the dissimilarities in cultural systems in various societies and world regions, students will gain knowledge and skills in several major topics such as: the building blocks of national cultures, problems of cross-cultural communication, impact of cross-cultural differences on business and management performance, the role of the role of culture in managing organizational change and strategies for overall organizational success in the global business context.

Prerequisites: Management Principles, Organizational Behavior is required. Course work in Management Principles and/or Organizational Behavior and International Business and some basic understanding of world geography. Some real-life management experience will be very useful. International Business or International Marketing is recommended. Skills Needed: Writing, on-line presentation, Internet, and e-library research skills.

Business (General);Management;Marketing

International Marketing
BME-214324
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Examine the issues and problems of global marketing from a strategic and managerial perspective. Course focuses on the choice of marketing mix in an international setting (i.e., whether the product, pricing, distribution, promotion and customer service decisions are effectively analyzed and identified relative to the cultural, political, legal and economic differences among countries and markets). In addition, export trade procedures and the coordination and controlling of international marketing will be explored. This course meets the Understanding Organizations within Broader Contexts requirement for students in the business, management and economics area and is recommended for the marketing concentration.

Prerequisite: Marketing Principles or equivalent.

Note: This course is a liberal study effective September 2010 term.

Management

Introduction to Entrepreneurship
BME-212704
4 credits,lower level,
Develop the ability to analyze entrepreneurial opportunities and problems. Learn the basic tools needed for success as an entrepreneur running a small business. Includes an introduction to the characteristics of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial organizations; the historical role of entrepreneurs and small businesses in the economic development of the United States; and the process of developing and maintaining a new business. Learn about the legal, financial and human resource issues critical for success.

Human Resources;Labor Studies;Management

Labor/Management Relations
BME-213654
4 credits,upper level,
Explore the nature, determinants and socioeconomic impact of collective bargaining and labor-management relations in the United States. Attention is devoted to the procedural and substantive aspects of the collective bargaining process and the settlement of labor-management disputes. Subject material focuses on the structure, issues and activities arising from the establishment of the union and the bargaining relationship; contract negotiations, gamesmanship and the problems of reaching an agreement; and administration of the contract.

In addition, this course has applications to other specialized areas of study: Business Policy: A Team Based Approach, Human Resource Management and Development, International Business, Organizational Behavior and Personnel Management for the Fire Service.

Prerequisite: at least one study in management.

Management

Management Principles
BME-212314
4 credits,lower level,
Study concepts through which a modern organization can be viewed as a system. Learn practical applications of management concepts in the work environment in this introductory course. This course provides the student with the opportunity to apply course concepts to organizations in the private, non-profit and public sectors. Examines the role of the manager in modern organizations and general principles of management including: decision-making, planning, organizing, staffing, leading and controlling. Read current periodicals to gain a better understanding of management in the different sectors.

Management

Managerial Leadership
BME-214624
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Study the nature of leadership, particularly leadership effectiveness. Review theory as well as guidelines and recommendations for improving managerial leadership effectiveness. Includes the nature of managing and leading, behavioral indicators of managerial and leadership effectiveness, theories of leadership and sources of power and influence.

Note: Small group projects are required in this course. Students will also be required to read Business Week online, which is available to students at no cost.

Prerequisite: Organizational Behavior or equivalent.

Management

Managing the Service Sector Operation
BME-214234
4 credits,upper level,
This course will provide students with a broad understanding of services. The course content is an ideal study for expanding a BME concentration in Management, Business Administration or Business Management. Industries covered include retail, private practices such as law and healthcare, transportation, entertainment and others. Eighty-five percent of the jobs in the US economy are in the Service Sector. Specifically, the purpose of this course is three-fold. First, the content is designed to expand the student’s understanding of services as a science. Core to the concept of services is the customer, who, unlike the manufacturing customer, participates in the service delivery. Therefore, the design and execution of the service process with customer’s needs and desires considered is essential. Second, the essence of this study is to teach students how to recognize the working elements of a service operation. Lastly, information technology is a critical component of services. Gaining an understanding of the focus of technology in services will be an underlying theme throughout the course.

Prerequisites: Management Principles or equivalent knowledge and Accounting 1 or equivalent knowledge.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the May 2010 term and was formerly offered as Service Management. Students who have successfully completed 214234 should not enroll in this course.

Management

Manufacturing Management
BME-214304
4 credits,upper level,
Acquire an in-depth understanding of manufacturing management. Study the fundamentals of manufacturing management, resource planning, concepts of lean manufacturing, leadership manufacturing management, synchronous manufacturing, manufacturing resource planning and total productive maintenance.

Prerequisites: Management principles or equivalent knowledge.

Business (General);Management;Marketing

Marketing Management
BME-213804
4 credits,upper level,
Examine the development and implementation of marketing programs with a focus on the integration of product planning, pricing, distribution, promotion and service. By analyzing the marketing efforts of organizations across various industries, gain an understanding of the critical factors to consider in developing and evaluating marketing programs.

Management

Not-for-Profit Management

BME-213354

4 credits,upper level,
Develop an overview of management of the not-for-profit organization, the environment in which it operates and the special problems not-for-profit managers face. Examine problems relating to governance and organizational systems, managing human and financial resources and public policy issues.

Management

Operations Management
BME-214204
4 credits,upper level,
Learn methods and tools used by managers to plan and run productive systems and to improve effectiveness and efficiency in producing goods and/or delivering services. Develop facility with analytical tools important in modeling the operations of a firm or organization and learn to apply those tools to improve the organization's operations. Topics include: designing and controlling for customer satisfaction; translating demand or customer need into orders/production/service delivery models; converting planned orders/production into actual output; and measuring, managing and improving operations management resources. In the context of this course, "operations" refers to the output of the organization, be it physical goods or a variety of services. Students who take the course may have special interest in any application -- technology, financial services, human services delivery, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, etc.

Note: this course includes special online lessons that may include audio or video. Your computer must meet the minimum computer/technical requirements set by Moodle. In addition, you will need a CD-ROM drive and should have a sound card. You will receive a CD-ROM with your course materials that will help you download the browser "plugins" to use these lessons. If you have questions or concerns about these technical requirements, please contact the help desk online at http://techinfo.esc.edu or call 800 847-3000 ext. 2420. Students also need EXCEL or equivalent spreadsheet software, and a CD-ROM/DVD drive on their computer.

Prerequisite: an understanding of management principles and statistics through prior study or experience.

Human Resources;Labor Studies;Management

Organization Development and Change
BME-214314
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
In this course, students will examine theories and applications associated with organization development and change with specific focus on improving organizational effectiveness. Topics include managing the challenges of planned and unplanned change, changing organizational culture with an understanding of ethical and value considerations, role of the organization development practitioner; processes associated with organization change, employee empowerment, developing high performance teams and high performing systems, learning organizations, organizational transformation and an exploration of the trends and future of organizations. This course can serve as a capstone for students concentrating in Management and Human Resource Management with a focus on organization/workforce development.

Prerequisites: Organizational Behavior (or equivalent) is required. Recommended courses/studies include Human Resource Management, the Learning Organization and/or Managerial Leadership (or equivalent). Students should have advanced-level critical thinking, writing and reading skills.

Management

Organizational Behavior
BME-214614
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Focus on the sociological and psychological foundations of behavior in organizations and the fundamental tension between the needs and experiences of individual organization members and the objectives and structures of an organization. Topics include individual and group decision-making; organizational theory; motivation; communication; leadership and management; power and control; organizational diversity; organizational culture; organizational conflict; ethics and group dynamics. This course meets the understanding people in an organizational context area of study requirement for students in the business, management and economics area.

Prerequisite: an introductory study in one or more of the social sciences (psychology, sociology, economics, political science) or significant management experience and/or previous management study.

Business (General);Computers and Information Systems;Management

Project Management
SMT-273454
4 credits,upper level,
Project management requires a combination of understanding the project life cycle, organizational, behavioral, and management concerns, and project management tools. This course will seek to provide students with at least an introduction to all of these in a comprehensive, non-fragmented way, and give them the foundation to further develop their abilities. At the completion of this course, students will have acquired project management knowledge that can be helpful in thinking about, understanding, discussing, and managing projects.

Prerequisites: Ideally, students enrolled in this course will have course work or equivalent professional experience in management (such as covered in a basic management course); Organizational Behavior is preferred.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the September 2009 term and was formerly known as Project Management in IT/IS. Students who have successfully completed 273454, Project Management in IT/IS, should not enroll in this course.

Business (General);Communications and Media;Management;Marketing

Public Relations
BME-213634
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Students will learn about the theory and practice of public relations, how public relations operates in organizations, its impact on publics and its functions in society. They will study the professional development of the field; concepts, issues, and principles in the practice; and models and theories guiding the practice. Course contents will be applied to public relations program planning and management by working on a strategic public relations planning project. The primary audience of this course are students with concentrations in business administration, management, and marketing. The course also meets the needs of those in careers in government, not-for-profit organizations, and human resource management where an understanding of public relations concepts and management practices would be advantageous. For those planning advertising/copy writing/media research/public relations careers, this course provides a foundation for a public relations (interdisciplinary)concentration where other studies may include, but not limited to Marketing Communications, Organizational Behavior, advanced level studies in communications, journalism, writing, new media and technologies, ethics, globalization.

Prerequisites: Marketing Principles required, Management Principles (or equivalent knowledge) recommended.

Management;Math and Quantitative Studies

Quantitative Methods for Management
SMT-214104
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Explore quantitative methods and techniques for decision support in a management environment, including applications of the computer. Includes formal project management tools and techniques, such as linear programming; use of time series analysis for forecasting; applications of regression analysis in management; and aspects of decision theory and simple modeling. Complete a final project, applying one or more of these techniques in an area of interest. Excel spreadsheet software is used extensively in course assignments.

Prerequisite: Statistics or equivalent; students should have some background knowledge in management; students need intermediate level of proficiency with Excel spreadsheets (capable of creating data tables, manipulating data, graphing, working with Excel functions, and applying formulas to data groupings) as may be gained from a course in Computer Applications. Students must have access to a microcomputer that will run the software.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Mathematics.

Business (General);Management;Marketing

Sales Management
BME-214834
4 credits,upper level,
Sales managers and sales personnel in the 21st century are as much consultants as they are sales representatives and their roles are expanding. Learn how this new breed manages a sales force, solves customer problems, engages in consultative relationships, operates in selling teams, gathers research information, advises marketing, and, by the way, sells a product or service. This course provides students with comprehensive information of the five critical stages in the sales management process, including Sales Force Management; Organizing, Staffing, and Training; Sales Force Operations; Sales Planning; Evaluating Sales Performance. Because technology has become a major force in management, the course also offers extensive discussions on customer relationship management systems, the Internet, virtual offices, Web-based recruiting, instant messaging, and virtual presentations.

This course will be of interest for students pursuing degrees in the BME areas of marketing, management, and business administration. It is ideal for students who plan to enter the field of service (or product) marketing where selling and sales management are interwoven functions of marketing efforts. For those students who are pursuing a concentration in marketing, it also can meet their needs as a capstone course.

Prerequisites: A previous study (or equivalent knowledge) in Principles of Marketing or Principles of Management are highly recommended.

Business (General);Educational Planning;Management;Marketing

Self-Management and Self-Marketing
BME-214524
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This 4-credit, 15-week course is designed to provide students with theoretical knowledge and practical, job related skills in self-management and self-marketing. Students will learn how to use contemporary learning theories and fundamental management and marketing concepts to guide their self and career development. Throughout the course, students will engage in a series of learning activities aimed at developing, documenting, evaluating, peer-reviewing, presenting and improving their practical self-management and self-marketing competencies and skills. They will learn how to use e-portfolios for conducting their personal SWOT analysis and self-assessment and will use social media tools to support their ongoing personal and professional development; in addition, they should be prepared to participate in a live, peer reviewed, mock job interview session conducted via a video-conferencing system. Overall, this course will foster students’ self-awareness and self-reflection and will help them develop effective strategies for self-improvement and self-promotion.

As an educational planning study within the BME area, the course will be useful for BME students in any concentration; depending on the individual degree program design, it can be placed either as part of their concentration, or general learning. During the course, students will be required to present and evaluate concrete evidence of essential skills in all areas specified in the BME general guidelines; this activity is intended to strengthen the students' focus on learning outcomes of their college studies. This study can be taken at any point during the degree provided that prerequisite requirements are met. Students can discuss issues of timing with mentors. The advantage of taking it earlier (and before they finalize their degree plans) is that they should be better able to identify and understand their essential skills' gaps and then calibrate their ESC studies to address those deficiencies and build a stronger competency base. The advantage of taking it at a later stage is that they will have the opportunity to evaluate their progress and think proactively about their future self-improvement and career goals, including, but not limited to, graduate study.

Note: CDL matriculated students can use this course as part of their Educational Planning credit.

Prerequisites: Foundational courses in principles of marketing and principles of management or equivalent knowledge/experience AND upper level critical thinking skills.

Management;Marketing

Supply Chain Management in the Global Context
BME-214344
4 credits,upper level,
Acquire an understanding of the supply chain management practices in a global context. Study the nature and patterns of global supply chains, the impact of international business on supply chain, structure of a supply chain, factors impacting supply chain design, procurement processes, logistics management, information technology in supply chain, coordination patterns in supply chain and revenue management and customer relationship management. This course meets the understanding organizations within broader contexts area of study requirement for students in the business, management and economics area.

Prerequisites: Upper-level standing with advanced-level critical thinking, reading, research and writing skills. In addition principles of Management would be a prerequisite for this course. A previous study (or equivalent knowledge) in international business is desirable, but not mandatory.

Management

Technology and Innovation Management
BME-214224
4 credits,upper level,
Acquire an understanding of issues and complexities involved in the effective management of technology and innovation. Develop skills and critical thinking to help solve problems related to effective management of technology and innovation. Examine possible frameworks and methodologies for assessing firm’s technological and innovative capabilities from a strategic perspective. Given the global nature of businesses the course will also incorporate topics such as managing international R & D, intellectual property, competitor assessment, and management of new product & process development.

Prerequisites: Management Principles or equivalent knowledge.

Management

The Third Sector: Not-for-Profits in the United States
BME-213324
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Examine the major domestic forces shaping the continuing evolution and development of not-for-profit organizations. Examine the relationship of the third sector to government in the areas of advocacy, legislation and oversight and to the for-profit sector. Compare and contrast the not-for-profit and industrial sectors regarding issues of cooperation and competition for resources. Explore the effects of restructuring within the third sector itself.

Management;Women's Studies

Women in Business: Managing and Leading
BME-213224
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Although women have made inroads as managers and leaders, they still continue to lag their male counterparts in the executive suites and boardrooms of many major organizations across the globe. This study, based on the research of Alice H. Eagly and Linda L. Carli, as published in their seminal work, Through the Labyrinth (2007), will examine the theories and findings behind the roadblocks women continue to face in their quest for upward mobility as well as insight into how women are increasingly gaining access to the upper echelons of management. Topics covered will include the economic strength of women as a market, an international examination of women in the United States compared with other countries worldwide, obstacles faced by women such as the glass ceiling, nonlinear career paths, and work /life/family balance, the importance of attracting and retaining talented women, and leadership styles and traits of women. These topics will be supplemented with additional research findings in these fields, articles from current business journals, and case studies of contemporary women in managerial and leadership positions.

Prerequisites: Knowledge of management concepts through career/job experiences or lower level study in management.

Marketing

Business-to-Business Marketing
BME-213322
2 credits,upper level,
Many marketing graduates begin their career as business-to-business specialists. In recent years, business-to-business (B2B) marketing, also known as industrial marketing, has emerged as a new marketing discipline. While many of the concepts are similar to those used in consumer (i.e., B2C) marketing, there are significant differences. This 2-credit, upper level course will explore the unique issues of marketing to industrial customers including private firms, not-for-profit entities, and government agencies. Topics include: the nature of industrial markets; buying behavior of industrial customers; legal, political and ethical issues of industrial marketing; essentials of marketing strategy in business markets; relationship management; frameworks for analyzing the appropriateness and effectiveness of the industrial marketing functions of firms with respect to their products and services, markets, and industries. The course may be recommended for students with concentrations in marketing, management, and business administration.

Prerequisites: A previous study in Principles of Marketing or Marketing Management is required.

Educational Planning;Marketing

Capstone in Media and Communications
CUL-224324
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Are you close to graduation and planning a career in communications, journalism, advertising, PR, broadcasting, digital media, or Internet content creation? Have you been studying media as a cultural form as your concentration and plan to continue, either in graduate school or or on your own? If so, this course is for you. In this course, you will consider "new economy" solutions to the changing media environment through readings, research, exploratory interviews, and discussions, develop or refine a resume and portfolio or web site of past work that will present you as someone who is prepared for an entry level job or to study the subject further, and develop a past paper or paper into a writing sample. This course is designed for students within 24 credits of graduation. It meets the Educational Planning requirement.

Prerequisites: At least three upper level courses in communications and/or media studies, OR work experience in communications, journalism, advertising, public relations, broadcasting, digital media, Internet content creation, or equivalent work experience.

Although this course gives "Educational Planning" credits, it is not designed to substitute for an Educational Planning or Planning and Finalizing the Degree Workshop in which the student creates a degree plan and writes a rationale essay.

Business (General);Management;Marketing

Consumer Behavior
BME-213914
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Consumer Behavior is the study of the cognitive, affective, behavioral and environmental factors that influence decision-making in the marketplace. Through the use of case analyses, students will explore theoretical concepts and learn how the consumer engages in the buyer-seller relationship. The psychological factors that influence and shape consumer behavior will be explored. In addition, students will read some of the primary research and will develop a final paper or other project to demonstrate their integrated understanding.

Prerequisite: Introductory Marketing is required; Introductory Psychology is recommended.

Business (General);Management;Marketing

Hospitality and Tourism Marketing Management
BME-214464
4 credits,upper level,
Learn about the fundamental role of marketing management and the importance of being customer oriented in hospitality and tourism. This course introduces students to external marketing environments; helps understand the role of consumer behavior in hospitality and tourism; identifies and explains strategies for developing and promoting service "products" and various distribution channels; highlights the latest trends in destination marketing, e-marketing, international marketing, as related to hospitality and tourism.

This course will be of interest for students pursuing degrees in the BME areas of marketing, management, and business administration. It is ideal for students who plan to enter the field of hospitality marketing (management) or tourism marketing (management). Co-requisites would include Services Marketing, Service Management (or equivalents). A prior knowledge of hospitality and tourism operations is desirable, but not mandatory.

Prerequisites: A previous study (or equivalent knowledge) in Principles of Marketing or Principles of Management is highly recommended.

Business (General);Management;Marketing

International Marketing
BME-214324
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Examine the issues and problems of global marketing from a strategic and managerial perspective. Course focuses on the choice of marketing mix in an international setting (i.e., whether the product, pricing, distribution, promotion and customer service decisions are effectively analyzed and identified relative to the cultural, political, legal and economic differences among countries and markets). In addition, export trade procedures and the coordination and controlling of international marketing will be explored. This course meets the Understanding Organizations within Broader Contexts requirement for students in the business, management and economics area and is recommended for the marketing concentration.

Prerequisite: Marketing Principles or equivalent.

Note: This course is a liberal study effective September 2010 term.

Marketing

Internet Marketing
BME-213924
4 credits,upper level,
Learn the business model of electronic marketing, its strategic perspective and the global issues involved. The integration of e-marketing with basic marketing principles will be considered. The relationship between firm and consumer in the e-environment will be discussed from the technological, legal, ethical and global environment.

Prerequisite: Marketing Principles or equivalent.

Marketing

Marketing Communications: Advertising and Promotion
BME-213414
4 credits,upper level,
Study the various aspects of integrated marketing communications and the development of promotional strategy based on both consumer needs and wants as well as demands of the social environment and legal constraints. Focus on ethical issues confronting marketers. Topics include the marketing communication process and channels of marketing communication, the promotional planning process, creative strategies and media planning, the use of various media in advertising, direct marketing, interactive marketing, personal selling, and public relations.

Prerequisite: Marketing Principles or equivalent.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the September 2010 term and was formerly offered as Marketing Communications and Marketing and Sales Promotion. Students who have successfully completed 231414 in either title should not enroll in this course.

Marketing

Marketing Ethics
BME-213942
2 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course will enable future marketeers to form their individual perspective on ethical marketing. Through exploring issues and problems surrounding consumerism, shareholder accountability and globalism, an ethically directed marketing function is considered. Through scenario analysis, the way forward for ethical decision-making in marketing management is planned. This course meets the Ethics and Social Responsibility requirement for students in the business, management and economics area and is recommended for the marketing concentration.

Prerequisite: Principles of Marketing or equivalent knowledge.

Business (General);Management;Marketing

Marketing Management
BME-213804
4 credits,upper level,
Examine the development and implementation of marketing programs with a focus on the integration of product planning, pricing, distribution, promotion and service. By analyzing the marketing efforts of organizations across various industries, gain an understanding of the critical factors to consider in developing and evaluating marketing programs.

Marketing

Marketing Planning and Strategy

BME-214934

4 credits,upper level,
This is a capstone course for students with concentrations in Marketing. Students are expected to integrate their knowledge from their prior studies and work experiences in this course. It is strongly recommended that students undertake this study as the last in their concentration. The course is not recommended as an elective for students with concentrations other than Marketing.

Students will analyze real marketing situations and propose sound solutions to marketing problems by designing and implementing market-driven strategies, with a clear emphasis on strategic analysis, marketing planning and implementation. The course is writing intensive; students will be expected to write short and longer case study reports and must be comfortable working at the upper-level in terms of reading, writing and research skills. It is expected that students are experienced in finding and appropriately using professional and scholarly marketing literature (in addition to the assigned text).

Prerequisites: Principles of Marketing, Introductory Psychology, Statistics, Consumer Behavior, Marketing Communications, Marketing Research or equivalents. Prior course work in International Marketing and Marketing Ethics would also be helpful. Before attempting this study, students should undertake an intensive review of their prerequisite knowledge and skills and consult with their mentors and the instructor.

Important Note: this course was formerly offered as Marketing Strategy. Students who have successfully completed 214934 should not enroll in this course.

Marketing

Marketing Principles

BME-212414

4 credits,lower level,

This course is a survey course and focuses on developing a strong conceptual framework for understanding and applying the principles of marketing. Marketing is treated as a complete system of activities in the complex field of business, which is part of the greater socio-economic system. Major topics include evolution of the concept of modern marketing, identification of markets, design of products to meet wants and needs, pricing strategies, distribution structures and systems, promotional activities and the evaluation of the marketing effort. You will engage in discussion of issues related to the above topics in various contexts. You will also engage in a simulation, case analyses and research requiring in-depth exploration and analysis of a topic of your choice. Basic knowledge of/willingness to learn a presentation package (e.g., Microsoft PowerPoint) is expected.

Marketing

Marketing Research
BME-214924
4 credits,upper level,
Study the principles, skills and techniques used in quantitative marketing research. Topics include marketing problem identification, sources of secondary data, marketing decision-making and research planning, sampling, experimentation, measurement concepts, data collection, analysis and report preparation. Develop a marketing research proposal for a particular organization's situation or problem. Students are required to purchase the latest edition of the SPSS software (packaged with the required textbook).

Prerequisites: Statistics and Marketing Principles or equivalents. The nature of this Marketing Research course necessitates students to have completed both Statistics and Marketing Principles studies before enrolling in the course.

Business (General);Communications and Media;Management;Marketing

Public Relations
BME-213634
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Students will learn about the theory and practice of public relations, how public relations operates in organizations, its impact on publics and its functions in society. They will study the professional development of the field; concepts, issues, and principles in the practice; and models and theories guiding the practice. Course contents will be applied to public relations program planning and management by working on a strategic public relations planning project. The primary audience of this course are students with concentrations in business administration, management, and marketing. The course also meets the needs of those in careers in government, not-for-profit organizations, and human resource management where an understanding of public relations concepts and management practices would be advantageous. For those planning advertising/copy writing/media research/public relations careers, this course provides a foundation for a public relations (interdisciplinary)concentration where other studies may include, but not limited to Marketing Communications, Organizational Behavior, advanced level studies in communications, journalism, writing, new media and technologies, ethics, globalization.

Prerequisites: Marketing Principles required, Management Principles (or equivalent knowledge) recommended.

Business (General);Management;Marketing

Sales Management
BME-214834
4 credits,upper level,
Sales managers and sales personnel in the 21st century are as much consultants as they are sales representatives and their roles are expanding. Learn how this new breed manages a sales force, solves customer problems, engages in consultative relationships, operates in selling teams, gathers research information, advises marketing, and, by the way, sells a product or service. This course provides students with comprehensive information of the five critical stages in the sales management process, including Sales Force Management; Organizing, Staffing, and Training; Sales Force Operations; Sales Planning; Evaluating Sales Performance. Because technology has become a major force in management, the course also offers extensive discussions on customer relationship management systems, the Internet, virtual offices, Web-based recruiting, instant messaging, and virtual presentations.

This course will be of interest for students pursuing degrees in the BME areas of marketing, management, and business administration. It is ideal for students who plan to enter the field of service (or product) marketing where selling and sales management are interwoven functions of marketing efforts. For those students who are pursuing a concentration in marketing, it also can meet their needs as a capstone course.

Prerequisites: A previous study (or equivalent knowledge) in Principles of Marketing or Principles of Management are highly recommended.

Business (General);Educational Planning;Management;Marketing

Self-Management and Self-Marketing
BME-214524
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This 4-credit, 15-week course is designed to provide students with theoretical knowledge and practical, job related skills in self-management and self-marketing. Students will learn how to use contemporary learning theories and fundamental management and marketing concepts to guide their self and career development. Throughout the course, students will engage in a series of learning activities aimed at developing, documenting, evaluating, peer-reviewing, presenting and improving their practical self-management and self-marketing competencies and skills. They will learn how to use e-portfolios for conducting their personal SWOT analysis and self-assessment and will use social media tools to support their ongoing personal and professional development; in addition, they should be prepared to participate in a live, peer reviewed, mock job interview session conducted via a video-conferencing system. Overall, this course will foster students’ self-awareness and self-reflection and will help them develop effective strategies for self-improvement and self-promotion.

As an educational planning study within the BME area, the course will be useful for BME students in any concentration; depending on the individual degree program design, it can be placed either as part of their concentration, or general learning. During the course, students will be required to present and evaluate concrete evidence of essential skills in all areas specified in the BME general guidelines; this activity is intended to strengthen the students' focus on learning outcomes of their college studies. This study can be taken at any point during the degree provided that prerequisite requirements are met. Students can discuss issues of timing with mentors. The advantage of taking it earlier (and before they finalize their degree plans) is that they should be better able to identify and understand their essential skills' gaps and then calibrate their ESC studies to address those deficiencies and build a stronger competency base. The advantage of taking it at a later stage is that they will have the opportunity to evaluate their progress and think proactively about their future self-improvement and career goals, including, but not limited to, graduate study.

Note: CDL matriculated students can use this course as part of their Educational Planning credit.

Prerequisites: Foundational courses in principles of marketing and principles of management or equivalent knowledge/experience AND upper level critical thinking skills.

Marketing

Services Marketing
BME-213454
4 credits,upper level,
Study, understand and apply the basic theories of service marketing. Examine strategic issues related to service marketing (positioning a service in the marketplace, managing the customer portfolio, managing demand) and tools for service marketers (creating and delivering services, communicating and promoting services, developing and managing customer-service marketing).

Prerequisite: Marketing Principles or equivalent.

Management;Marketing

Supply Chain Management in the Global Context
BME-214344
4 credits,upper level,
Acquire an understanding of the supply chain management practices in a global context. Study the nature and patterns of global supply chains, the impact of international business on supply chain, structure of a supply chain, factors impacting supply chain design, procurement processes, logistics management, information technology in supply chain, coordination patterns in supply chain and revenue management and customer relationship management. This course meets the understanding organizations within broader contexts area of study requirement for students in the business, management and economics area.

Prerequisites: Upper-level standing with advanced-level critical thinking, reading, research and writing skills. In addition principles of Management would be a prerequisite for this course. A previous study (or equivalent knowledge) in international business is desirable, but not mandatory.

Math and Quantitative Studies

Abstract Algebra 1: Group Theory
SMT-274404
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Explore the theory and applications of the algebraic structures known as groups. Topics covered in this course include: an introduction to groups; the dihedral groups; homomorphisms and isomorphisms; subgroups and cyclic subgroups; group actions; permutations; cosets and Lagrange's Theorem, Cayley's Theorem; the Sylow Theorems and the Fundamental Theorem of Finitely Generated Abelian Groups. Following this thorough investigation of group theory, students will begin to explore the basic ideas of ring theory.

The primary audience for this course is students who wish to concentrate in either mathematics or applied mathematics. Students interested in various fields which have a strong connection to this branch of mathematics (such as music theory, physics, chemistry, computer science, or the cognitive sciences) may also be interested in this course.

Prerequisites: Prior to enrolling in this course, students should be fluent in the foundations of mathematics and mathematical proof: logic, methods of proof (both inductive and deductive), sets, relations and functions. This knowledge may be obtained from a course such as Discrete Mathematics, for example. Students should also be familiar with matrices and determinants; this knowledge can be obtained from a course such as Linear Algebra.

Math and Quantitative Studies

Algebra
SMT-271104
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Learn or improve skills in basic algebra concepts and problem-solving techniques. Study relationships, models, and theories that can be expressed quantitatively -- often in algebraic form. Understand quantitative arguments and methods such as those used in the social sciences, business, and other areas; learn to use algebraic symbols actively -- to formulate verbal problems in algebraic form, to manipulate algebraic expressions, and to solve algebraic equations.

Develop a solid basis for further study in mathematics, statistics, finance, science, and other quantitative areas. Facility with arithmetic of whole numbers, fractions, and decimals is assumed.

This course uses web-based software extensively.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Mathematics.

Business (General);Math and Quantitative Studies

Business Mathematics
SMT-212034
4 credits,lower level,
Refine mathematical skills while studying many of the business concepts used in everyday life, such as purchasing different types of insurance, buying on credit, obtaining stock in a company and money handling in general, while refining and refreshing mathematical skills. Includes the mathematics of trade, operating a business, financial decisions, owning or investing in a business and summarizing and analyzing data.

Note: this course has a required CD-ROM Component.

Math and Quantitative Studies

Calculus 1
SMT-272104
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course introduces the student to limits, derivatives, continuity, and applications of these concepts. Maple is used as a tool for problem solving, and the course uses web-based math software with multimedia resources as well.

Prerequisites: Pre-Calculus

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Mathematics.

Math and Quantitative Studies

Calculus 2
SMT-272144
4 credits, liberal study, lower level,
The course focuses on techniques of integration, applications of integration, and other essential topics for further studies in mathematics, the physical sciences, and the applied sciences.
Topics include u-substitution, solids of revolution, arc lengths, the logarithm defined as an integral, hyperbolic and inverse functions, integration by parts, trigonometric integrals, finding integrals by trigonometric substitution, the method of integration by partial fraction decomposition, improper integrals, sequences and series, convergence tests for infinite series, Taylor and MacLaurin series, and an introduction to parametric and polar coordinates.

Prerequisite: Calculus 1 or equivalent.

Math and Quantitative Studies

Calculus 3
SMT-273144
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course is an introduction to the study of calculus in multiple dimensions. Topics covered will include: parametric and polar coordinates, three dimensional co-ordinate space and vectors, calculus on vector-valued functions, functions of several variables, partial derivatives, directional derivatives and gradients, extrema and saddle points, double and triple integrals, integration in vector fields and physical applications.

Prerequisites: Calculus 1 and 2.

Math and Quantitative Studies

Complex Variables
SMT-273314
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
The theory of complex variables is elegant and rich in applications. This advanced-level study is a proof-based exploration of the theory of functions in a single complex variable. There will be an emphasis on developing aspects of the theory that are commonly used in applications to engineering and the physical sciences. Numerous applications will be explored throughout the study. Topics covered include: complex numbers, analytic functions, elementary functions, branch cuts, contour integrals, the Cauchy-Goursat Theorem, the Cauchy Integral Formula, Liouville’s Theorem, singularities, residues, Cauchy’s Residue Theorem, zeroes and poles, applications of residues, mapping and conformal mapping.

Prerequisites: Prior to enrolling in this course, students should be fluent in differential, integral, and multivariable calculus. These topics are usually covered in a three-term calculus sequence. Students should also be fluent in the foundations of mathematics and mathematical proof: logic, methods of proof, sets, relations, and functions; this knowledge may be obtained from a course such as Discrete Mathematics, for example. Students should also be familiar with vector spaces, matrices and determinants; this knowledge can be obtained from a course such as Linear Algebra. Complex Vairables may be taken concurrently with Real Analysis or Abstract Algebra.

Math and Quantitative Studies

Contemporary Mathematics
SMT-271954
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Explore the exciting world of mathematics through such diverse topics as social choice and decision-making, growth and form, investing models and scheduling models. Engage in discussions and cooperative activities as you learn these topics.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Mathematics.

Math and Quantitative Studies

Discovering Math Across Generations
SMT-271604
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Section 1 (only) is a special Mobile Learning section for which students must have access to a mobile device, either an iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad, on which the student will download Apple brand math learning Apps. Other sections are the traditional course.

Interested in helping children with math? Do you understand and can you convey mathematical concepts in construction or creative home projects? As a citizen or employee, do you have the numerical skills to understand and communicate quantitative concepts? This course presents exciting mathematics materials to help families to learn and enjoy mathematics together. An interactive approach is used to help adults at home to understand and use topics in algebra, geometry, number sense, estimation, logical thinking, probability and statistics with other family members and children. This course is designed for interaction with children between the ages of 6 and 12. Since the course is designed around this interaction, access to a child of this age is highly recommended.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Mathematics.

Math and Quantitative Studies

Discrete Mathematics
SMT-273104
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Explore the precise, foundational, mathematical concepts that underlie much of computer science and further studies in mathematics. Beginning with foundational mathematical concepts, including formal symbolic logic, an introduction to deductive proof, sets, relations, functions, and partial orders, this study will also encompass number theory, the Euclidean Algorithm, induction and recursion, the principles of counting and elementary probability theory, algorithms and complexity and an introduction to graph theory.

Discrete Mathematics is a key study for students interested in mathematics, applied mathematics, computer science, information systems or information technology.

Prerequisites: Excellent algebraic skills and working knowledge of mathematical notation and terminology are essential for success in this course. This essential knowledge might be gained from a course such as Pre-calculus or above. At least two semesters of undergraduate mathematics is strongly recommended.

Educational Planning;Math and Quantitative Studies

Exploring the Disciplines: Thinking Mathematically
EDU-233032
2 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Use this upper level course in conjunction with Planning and Finalizing the Degree to both learn more about what a degree in mathematics means, as well as experience the world of theoretical mathematics. Students also explore the use of Maple software in this course. Ideally, this is taken before or concurrently with any advanced level math course (2 credits toward Educational Planning).

History and Civilizations;Math and Quantitative Studies

History of Mathematics
SMT-273904
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This interdisciplinary course offers an advanced-level introduction to the development of mathematics from antiquity to the present. Moving beyond an outline of the development of mathematical ideas in Europe and its colonies, students will also study mathematical developments in other cultures, including the ancient Mesopotamian, Chinese, Indian and Egyptian civilizations, and the medieval Islamic caliphate. An emphasis will be placed on the understanding of mathematical developments in broader historical and cultural context. Students will discuss various points of view concerning selected core controversies in mathematics, research and write about the contributions of individuals or cultural groups to the development of mathematics, and solve a variety of mathematical problems of historical interest.

Students will propose a course theme in accordance with their particular interests around which to build their principal research and writing assignments. For example, a student may wish to explore the mathematical contributions of a particular culture in greater depth. A student may also wish to explore the historical development of a particular mathematical field or to research mathematical connections throughout history to another field of their choosing, such as art, music, or the sciences. Students will be encouraged to identify significant mathematical developments, to analyze key ideas, contributors and events that made these possible, and to discuss implications for mathematics in the 21st century.

Prerequisites: This advanced-level study presumes that the student has already achieved upper-level standing with fluency in college reading, writing, research and critical thinking. This study also presumes that the student has excellent knowledge of college level mathematics through Pre-calculus. Further studies in mathematics, such as Calculus 1 are strongly recommended. There is also an introductory version of this course, in which students who may not yet be prepared for advanced-level studies are encouraged to enroll.

Important Note: Students should not include History of Mathematics twice in their degree program. This course can only be taken once, either at the lower-level or at the upper-level.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Mathematics and Other World Civilizations.

History and Civilizations;Math and Quantitative Studies

History of Mathematics
SMT-272904
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This interdisciplinary course offers an introduction to the development of mathematics from antiquity to the present. Moving beyond an outline of the development of mathematical ideas in Europe and its colonies, students will also study mathematical developments in other cultures, including the ancient Mesopotamian, Chinese, Indian and Egyptian civilizations, and the medieval Islamic caliphate. An emphasis will be placed on the understanding of mathematical developments in broader historical and cultural context. Students will discuss various points of view concerning selected core controversies in mathematics, research and write about the contributions of individuals or cultural groups to the development of mathematics, and solve a variety of mathematical problems of historical interest.

Prerequisites: Good algebraic and expository writing skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Mathematics and Other World Civilizations.

Critical Thinking;Math and Quantitative Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Writing: Expository and Creative

Introduction to Proof and Logic
SMT-272164
4 credits, liberal study, lower level,
Logic is an essential underpinning for many other fields which rely on analytical reasoning. This multidisciplinary study offers an introduction to formal logic and methods of proof. A particular emphasis will be placed on clear exposition in proof-writing, strategies in approach for the construction of mathematical proofs, and critical reflection on proof composition and methodology.

This study is intended to facilitate the transition to studies in advanced-level undergraduate mathematics. Students interested in various other fields that require strong analytical skills, like computer science and the law, might also be interested in this course.

Note: This course delves more deeply into formal logic than the Introduction to Critical Thinking course. In particular, it will introduce the formal definitions and rules necessary for: creating well-formed formulae; translating natural language into a logical formalism; assessing truth functionality; assessing argument forms; determining valid inferences; recognizing validity and soundness. This foundation will prepare students to think mathematically and can also improve their argumentation and debate skills in other contexts.

Prerequisites: Pre-calculus is strongly recommended and may be taken concurrently.

Math and Quantitative Studies

Linear Algebra
SMT-273014
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This study begins with an examination of linear equations, matrices and determinants. This foundational knowledge leads to a detailed study of real vector spaces, including linear independence, basis, dimension, and orthogonality. Following an introduction to eigenvalues and eigenvectors, the study will culminate in an exploration of linear transformations, which are the multidimensional generalization of the familiar linear functions.

Prerequisites: At least two semesters of undergraduate mathematics, including Calculus 1. Calculus 2 is strongly recommended. Excellent algebraic skills and working knowledge of mathematical notation and terminology are essential for success in this course.

Math and Quantitative Studies

Math for the Inquiring Mind
SMT-271854
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Focus on problem-solving as a process of identifying, defining, and understanding the problem; and then modeling, validating, and documenting its solution. Improve and refine problem-solving skills, including analytical and critical thinking, and quantitative reasoning. Use a learning journal throughout the course as a strategy for reflection and self-assessment. The course includes use of tables, data management and analysis, graphical analysis, and modeling. A spreadsheet will be used as a problem-solving tool.

Students will be using web-based Math and Graphing Skills software.

This course meets the general education requirement in Mathematics.

Please note: Students who have previously taken 271754 Math for Decision Making should not take this course. It is essentially the same course.

Math and Quantitative Studies

Math Modeling
SMT-273504
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Learn about different models in areas such as science, business, and social science. Learn about the modeling process, including how to formulate a model, test it, and refine it. Apply what you learned to the development of a model for an application of your choice.

Prerequisites: Calculus I, Statistics required. Calculus II recommended

Math and Quantitative Studies

Mathematical Statistics
SMT-273114
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course is designed primarily for students seeking applied math degrees or those with a calculus background who are interested in the theoretical foundations of probability and statistics. Topics include: descriptive statistics; probability models; discrete, continuous, and multivariate distributions; the Normal distribution; statistical estimation; tests of statistical hypotheses; and quality control. Maple is used as a tool for problem solving and writing mathematics.

Prerequisites: Calculus 1 and 2 or equivalent.

Math and Quantitative Studies

Number Theory
SMT-274314
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Explore the properties of integers in this introduction to elementary number theory, including core concepts such as divisibility and prime numbers, advanced topics such as Fermat's Little Theorem, and applications such as public key encryption. Students will experience topics through numerical calculations both by hand and utilizing Maple, reading and writing of proofs, discussion and projects.

The primary audience for this course is students who wish to concentrate in either mathematics or applied mathematics. Students interested in teaching mathematics will find rich material that can be tailored to share with their future students in grades K-12.

Prerequisites: Prior to enrolling in this course, students should be fluent in the foundations of mathematics and comfortable with mathematical proof (both reading and writing of proofs). Such knowledge may be obtained from courses such as Logic & Proof, Discrete Mathematics or Linear Algebra, for example.

Math and Quantitative Studies

Numerical Methods
SMT-273344
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
In physical applications it is often not possible to find an analytical solution. In this course students will learn how to choose and apply techniques for the approximation of solutions to such problems. Topics covered include interpolation and polynomial approximation, numerical integration and differentiation, and solution methods for linear systems. Maple software will be used as a tool for applying these methods.

Prerequisites: Calculus 1 and 2 or equivalent. Familiarity with linear algebra and programming recommended.

Math and Quantitative Studies

Ordinary Differential Equations
SMT-274104
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Differential equations describe the behavior of an unknown function in terms of its instantaneous rates of change, and are widely used in applications to model physical and economic systems. This course provides an introduction to standard methods for solving ordinary differential equations. In addition to learning practical problem-solving methods, students will develop an understanding of the related theory. Applications to physics, biology, and economics will also be explored.

Topics covered include: first-order differential equations, higher-order linear equations, applications of higher-order equations, systems of linear differential equations, the Laplace transform, and series solutions.

Prerequisites: Calculus 1, Calculus 2, and Linear Algebra

Math and Quantitative Studies

Precalculus: Fundamentals of Mathematics

SMT-271204

4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements

Learn the foundational concepts needed to prepare for further studies in mathematics and its applications. Topics covered will include: precise and correct usage of mathematical terminology, sets, functions and their inverses, rational functions, linear, quadratic, cubic and quartic equations, trigonometry, exponential and logarithmic functions, changing number bases, complex numbers, graphing, and solving word problems. The Maple computer algebra system will be employed as a tool for exploration.

Students will individualize their learning experience by selecting one of three possible tracks: preparation for Calculus, preparation for Discrete Mathematics, or preparation for mathematical aspects of studies in Business. Selected additional topics will be covered in accordance with the individual student's chosen track.

The primary audience for this study consists of beginning students who are planning further studies in Mathematics, related fields, IS/IT, or Business. This course will also be appropriate for students seeking general education credit in mathematics.

Important Note: students should not include Precalculus twice in their degree program. This topic may only be studied once, either in the 2 credit version or in the 4 credit version.

Prerequisites: Algebra

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Mathematics.

Management;Math and Quantitative Studies

Quantitative Methods for Management
SMT-214104
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Explore quantitative methods and techniques for decision support in a management environment, including applications of the computer. Includes formal project management tools and techniques, such as linear programming; use of time series analysis for forecasting; applications of regression analysis in management; and aspects of decision theory and simple modeling. Complete a final project, applying one or more of these techniques in an area of interest. Excel spreadsheet software is used extensively in course assignments.

Prerequisite: Statistics or equivalent; students should have some background knowledge in management; students need intermediate level of proficiency with Excel spreadsheets (capable of creating data tables, manipulating data, graphing, working with Excel functions, and applying formulas to data groupings) as may be gained from a course in Computer Applications. Students must have access to a microcomputer that will run the software.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Mathematics.

Math and Quantitative Studies

Real Analysis: The Theory of Calculus
SMT-274344
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
What makes calculus work? This advanced course is an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look into the theory of calculus of functions of a single real variable.

Topics covered in this course include: the real numbers, limits of sequences, completeness, the Monotone Convergence Theorem, the Bolzano-Weierstrass Theorem, the Cauchy Criterion, the Cantor Set, open and closed sets, sequential compactness, limits of functions, continuity, the Intermediate Value Theorem, the derivative, the Mean Value Theorem, the Riemann Integral, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.

The primary audience for this course is students who wish to concentrate in either mathematics or applied mathematics. Students concentrating in a tangentially related field, such as physics, may also be interested in this course.

Prerequisites: Differential and Integral Calculus. Fluency in the foundations of mathematics and mathematical proof: logic, methods of proof (both inductive and deductive), sets, relations and functions. Familiarity with the concepts of Linear Algebra (vector spaces) as well as with infinite sequences and series.

Math and Quantitative Studies

Statistics: An Activity Based Approach
SMT-272384
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Study and apply the fundamental concepts and methods of data analysis, including both descriptive and inferential statistics. Includes arranging data; tables and graphs; measures of central tendency and dispersion; regression analysis and correlation; sampling; significance testing; Chi-square tests and analysis of variance. Understand how to evaluate which statistical analyses are appropriate for a given set of data. Excel spreadsheet software is used extensively in assignments to assist in data manipulations, calculations and graphing of data and information.

Prerequisite: facility with arithmetic and basic algebra; intermediate level of experience with Excel spreadsheets, as may be gained from a course in Computer Applications; and ability to install the appropriate software and describe any troubles encountered.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Mathematics.

Math and Quantitative Studies

Visualizing Mathematics
SMT-271514
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Are you a visual learner? This course will give you an opportunity to learn mathematics primarily through seeing it. Focus will be on topics in geometry, which are naturally visual, and graphing, which will give you an understanding of the visual aspect of algebra. The course will also look at mathematics and art. DVDs and text materials will be used, along with internet resources. No previous background in math is assumed.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Mathematics.

Math and Quantitative Studies

Voter Math
SMT-271202
2 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
A Green Party candidate runs for city council. The Board of Directors chooses a chair. Five people run for three judgeships. What is the mathematics behind elections? Are there different ways to vote? Who holds power and who does not in an election? How do candidates decide what position to take? How do we elect the President of the United States? Mathematics is a big part of decision making on election day. Voter Math will examine the mathematics of elections while building math skills and understanding.

Note: Students will need Microsoft Excel or equivalent spreadsheet software.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Mathematics.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Environmental Studies;Multicultural and Diversity Studies

Artistic Expression in a Multicultural America
ART-222444
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This multicultural art course investigates the artistic expressions of diverse ethnic and cultural groups in America. Examples of artistic expressions range from traditional ethnic artifacts like baskets and quilts to contemporary art like painting and sculpture. Students are encouraged to study the artistic expressions from their own/familiar groups. Students will read, explore, discuss with classmates and write about diverse artistic expressions, the creative processes, the artists' motivations, multiculturalism in art, and critical issues related to all the above topics. Assignments, including interactive online discussion, reading, writing, and hands-on projects, will enrich students' knowledge of artistic traditions and practices of diverse ethnic and cultural groups as well as foster students' ability to respond to the issues of multicultural art critically and sensitively.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in The Arts.

Anthropology;Cultural Studies;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Sociology;Women's Studies

Contemporary Global Migration: Gender and Family
SOC-283214
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Millions of people make their home and livelihood in a country that is not their birthplace. This course explores migration today through the lens of gender. We will examine how contemporary migration affects family life both for those who migrate and for those left behind. What happens to family dynamics when they migrate together? How are relations maintained with those left behind? Migration also changes gender relations, expectations and intimacy among migrant men and women. How are men’s and women’s gendered selves transformed by migration? Gender is a central feature shaping who migrates, how they migrate and to where they migrate. This course explores these gendered flows of people across the globe considering the role of global economic inequalities in shaping these mobilities. While most of the readings and materials focus on transnational migration to the US, some materials address migration to Europe, Asia and other regions.

Prerequisites: At least one course in a social science discipline (anthropology, sociology, political science,etc.) is recommended. Upper level college reading and writing skills.

Critical Thinking;Cultural Studies;Economics;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs;Sociology

Contemporary Global Social Issues
SOC-284544
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Contemporary Global Social Issues explores various social problems that cross national boundaries and their effects on society. This course begins by examining the definitions of social problems and globalization. Students then investigate a number of issues that have a global scope including sovereignty, food production, militarized conflicts, human rights, global climate change, transnational migration and work, and transnational social movements.

Prerequisites: at least one course in the discipline of a social science concentration. Upper level college reading and writing skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Multicultural and Diversity Studies

Dance Across World Cultures
ART-223504
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course is a cross-cultural examination of dance traditions from around the world in their historical, critical, artistic and socio-cultural contexts. Students will learn to contextualize a variety of dance traditions and differentiate folk, popular and classical traditions. Students will also learn to observe and write about dance from critical, analytical and ethnographic (writing about culture) perspectives.

Materials will include documentary films and selected writings about dance using critical, cultural, historical, sociological, political and philosophical frameworks. Students will have the opportunity to design a research project of their choice using either participant observation in a series of dance classes, observation of live performance, analysis of dance on film or the study of a dance school as the basis for their research.

Prerequisites: upper-level standing with advanced level critical thinking and writing skills.

Recommended: one of the following (or their equivalent, with instructor permission): Humanities Through the Arts, Artistic Expressions in a Multicultural America, An Introduction to Culture.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities for 4 credits or in The Arts for 4 credits.

Early Childhood Studies;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Human Development;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Women's Studies

Development of Gender Identity
HDV-283104
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course provides upper-level students with the opportunity to reflect on the personal meaning of gender and to consider frameworks ranging from the biological influences on gender and sexuality, to gender as a social institution that affects our behaviors and beliefs. The course addresses (and distinguishes) sexuality and gender as experienced on the personal level, particularly gender as applied to the physical self; relationships of a self with intimates, friends and family; and relationships with environments such as school and work (using the Bronfenbrenner ecological model of psychological development). The wide variation of gender perspectives through history are reviewed, as well as variations in gender concepts across current cultures. Keeping those broader perspectives in mind, psychosexual variations are identified and discussed. Gender biases in the study of gender are presented, and each student has the opportunity to set up a simple gender study.

Recommended prerequisites include: Introduction to Human Development or Introduction to Psychology or Exploring Society or equivalent.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Business (General);Human Resources;Management;Multicultural and Diversity Studies

Diversity in the Workplace
BME-213164
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Gain an understanding of diversity issues in the workplace. Examine the impact of a multicultural society on organizations and individuals within the organizations. Incorporating both theory and practice, analyze critical issues from multiple perspectives including historical, legal, economic and sociological frameworks.

Important Note: this course was formerly offered as Working with Cultural Diversity. Students who have completed Working with Cultural Diversity, 153164, should not enroll in this course.

Prerequisites: At least one introductory course in one of the following subjects: economics, management, and public administration/policy. Analytical, research, and writing skills at the upper level.

Anthropology;Arts: Visual and Performing;Literature;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Sociology

Gays and Lesbians in American Culture
SOC-242204
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
The greater visibility of lesbians and gay men has been one of the most notable changes in contemporary American culture. Whereas once lesbians and gays were confined to the cultural “closet,” cultural productions by and about gay people now span popular media such as sit-coms and more “serious” genres such as theater.

These works of art and culture are part of a more general social awareness of diversity, including diversity of sexual orientation, and they raise a number of issues for Americans, both gay and straight. Is homosexuality (or heterosexuality, for that matter) something you are or something you do? What is the relationship between differences in sexual orientation and other formulations of difference? This course will examine how recent American plays, novels, autobiographies, movies, television programming, comic strips, and other cultural texts have been exploring these and related issues. In doing this work, students will also be introduced to tools of cultural analysis used in the contemporary humanities, contributing a foundation for more advanced work in Cultural Studies and the arts.

Note: Students will need the capability to acquire and view DVD materials for this course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies;Gender Studies;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs

Hip-Hop America: The Evolution of a Cultural Movement
HIS-243554
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
How do history and hip-hop connect? This course explores that question through a study of hip-hop in the U.S. The course will begin with a look at the 1970s Bronx, where hip-hop originated, and will then journey across New York City and the United States, exploring how the beats and breaks of the Bronx evolved into both an artistic genre as well as a political and cultural movement. We will study 1) the social conditions of the 1970s Bronx that enabled the emergence of hip-hop; 2) the 1980s growth of the genre through the commercialization of rap; 3) the early 21st century uses of hip-hop as a vehicle for political organizing, education, community outreach, and entrepreneurialism in cities across the U.S.; 4) the challenge of balancing the political potential of hip-hop against the commercial context of popular arts; and 5) the harnessing of hip-hop by churches and other religious organizations as a vehicle for personal uplift and empowerment.

Students who enroll in this highly interactive class will visit virtual renditions of historic hip-hop sites; participate in conversations with hip-hop artists; listen to and carry out interviews with hip-hop community activists; conduct field based explorations of hip-hop activities in their own communities; analyze connections between hip-hop and race, ethnicity, gender and class; and experiment with creative expression through the writing and podcasting of spoken word poetry.

Prerequisites: Some prior background in U.S. history or political science is recommended

Business (General);Management;Multicultural and Diversity Studies

International Cross-Cultural Management
BME-213974
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
The main objective of this study is to learn the management of successful business relationships between international business participants from different cultures. Beginning with a definition of culture and an examination of the dissimilarities in cultural systems in various societies and world regions, students will gain knowledge and skills in several major topics such as: the building blocks of national cultures, problems of cross-cultural communication, impact of cross-cultural differences on business and management performance, the role of the role of culture in managing organizational change and strategies for overall organizational success in the global business context.

Prerequisites: Management Principles, Organizational Behavior is required. Course work in Management Principles and/or Organizational Behavior and International Business and some basic understanding of world geography. Some real-life management experience will be very useful. International Business or International Marketing is recommended. Skills Needed: Writing, on-line presentation, Internet, and e-library research skills.

Anthropology;Multicultural and Diversity Studies

Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
SOC-282224
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course introduces students to the concepts, contributions, trends and methods of cultural anthropology, stressing the insights they offer into contemporary social issues, both in the US and abroad. We will examine the cultural practices and institutions of people living in societies ranging from hunter-gatherer groups to urban centers focusing primarily on non-Western societies. In doing so, we explore the difference, creativity and inventiveness of cultures as well as the divisive aspects of class, ethnic, racial and gender hierarchies. Topics will include: kinship and social organization; beliefs and ritual; language and communications; economic and political systems; and systems of social stratification (race, ethnicity, gender, etc.). Throughout the course we will employ a cross-cultural perspective on these topics, examining a range of societies and diverse cultures.

This course meets the General Education requirement n Other World Civilizations.

Communications and Media;Cultural Studies;History and Civilizations;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Women's Studies

Public History: A Shared Conversation with the Past
HIS-243434
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
In this advanced course students will explore the concepts and practices of Public History. Students will explore and critique diverse media,including film and web sites, oral history collections and photographs. They will also take self guided tours to physical and virtual public history sites. Students will have the opportunity to conduct hands on research projects ranging from video documentation to traditional research papers. Students interested in history, culture, journalism,arts management,art history, museum studies, historical studies, and public policy will benefit from this course. In addition, this course will also appeal to those students interested in non-academic careers. Students in Social Theory, Structure and Change will also benefit from this course because of its focus on collective memory and identity. The course will also appeal to Communications and Media Studies students as it will also cover traditional and non-traditional media as well as physical venues that may be used to communicate a common story to a diverse audience.

Prerequisites: Experience in research projects suggested.

Optional: Students interested in doing video and or audio documentation should have access to visual and or audio equipment.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies;Gender Studies;History and Civilizations;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Women's Studies

Roots and Routes of African Diaspora Resistance: Arts
CUL-224124
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
African Diaspora religions such as Voodoo and Santeria have literally become the stuff of horror films. Why, when brewed together in popular imagination, do some people find it so scary?

The three tracks of this course overlap. No more than one of these three should be included in a degree program.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies;Gender Studies;History and Civilizations;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Women's Studies

Roots and Routes of African Diaspora Resistance: History

CUL-224224

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

African Diaspora religions such as Voodoo and Santeria have literally become the stuff of horror films. Why, when brewed together in popular imagination, do some people find it so scary?

The three tracks of this course overlap. No more than one of these three should be included in a degree program.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies;Gender Studies;History and Civilizations;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Women's Studies

Roots and Routes of African Diaspora Resistance: Humanities

CUL-224334

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

African Diaspora religions such as Voodoo and Santeria have literally become the stuff of horror films. Why, when brewed together in popular imagination, do some people find it so scary?

The three tracks of this course overlap. No more than one of these three should be included in a degree program.

Human Resources;Multicultural and Diversity Studies

Selected Topics: LGBT Issues in the Workplace

BME-213712

2 credits,upper level,

This course is the first seminar in a series of selected topics dealing with current and emerging issues in the workplace. Estimates vary, but the percentage of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered (LGBT) employees comprise between three and twelve percent of the workforce in America today. LGBT issues, however, are rarely addressed in current management courses. This course will provide a framework for understanding issues of organizational heterosexism, homophobia and heterosexist privilege. Students will learn a broader framework within which to manage and lead in today's diverse workplace. Students will also learn how to recognize inequities that may go unnoticed in the short run, but impact individual and organizational effectiveness and productivity over time.

Prerequisites: Foundation knowledge in human resources management and/or organizational behavior through courses/studies or experience.

Cultural Studies;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Human Development;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Sociology

Sex and Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective: Advanced
SOC-283324
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course will provide an advanced exploration of the comparative study of gender and sexuality. Students will be expected to have an introductory or intermediate understanding of either sociology, anthropology, gender studies (or a related social science) including a basic grasp of the cultural construction of gender before taking this advanced-level course. Students will probe how different cultures define femininity and masculinity and explore why these differences exist. How do work, play, language, appearance and sexual expression come to be marked as appropriate or even natural for women and men? How do structures and institutions within these cultures reinforce and support those distinctions? The course explores the variations in the sexual division of labor and economic organization, and the impact of forces of change such as colonialism and globalization on gender issues. Drawing primarily on anthropological and ethnographic studies from a broad range of non-Western cultures, the course examines how male and female gender roles are shaped within arenas such as kinship relations, work, politics, religion, ritual, and reproduction. As an upper-level course, there will be a higher expectation for synthesis and comparison across course materials. Through course materials students will learn about the research methods and some of the theoretical approaches used in cultural anthropology.

Note: This course is offered at the introductory SOC-282324 and advanced level SOC-283324. Students should not include this course
title twice in their degree program. This course can only be taken once, either at the introductory level or at the advanced level.

Prerequisites: Upper-level standing with advanced critical thinking and writing skills, and one lower-level course in sociology, anthropology, psychology or social science fields.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in Social Sciences and Other World Civilizations.

Cultural Studies;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Human Development;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Sociology

Sex and Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective: Introductory
SOC-282324
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course will provide an exploration of the comparative study of gender and sexuality. We will address questions such as: What does it mean to be female or male and how do different cultures define femininity and masculinity? How do work, play, language, appearance and sexual expression come to be marked as appropriate or even natural for women and men? The course explores the variations in the sexual division of labor and economic organization, and the impact of forces of change such as colonialism and globalization on gender issues. Drawing primarily on anthropological and ethnographic studies from a broad range of cultures, the course examines how male and female gender roles are shaped within arenas such as kinship relations, work, politics, religion, ritual and reproduction. Through course materials students will be introduced to the research methods and some of the theoretical approaches used in cultural anthropology.

Note: This course is offered at the introductory SOC-282324 and advanced level SOC-283324. Students should not include this course title twice in their degree program. This course can only be taken once, either at the introductory level or at the advanced level.

Recommended: One lower-level course in sociology, anthropology, psychology or social science fields.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in Social Sciences and Other World Civilizations.

Family Studies;Gender Studies;Human Services;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Sociology;Women's Studies

Thinking About Race, Class and Gender
SOC-282264
4 credits, liberal study, lower level,
Explore race, class and gender, with an emphasis on conceptual tools developed since the 1970s in both empirical studies and critical thought about these categories. The student will develop analytic methods for understanding distinctions and controversies, e.g., the difference between sex and gender; the difference between race and ethnicity; arguments for and against affirmative action; and the ways in which race, gender and class overlap.

There are no prerequisites for this course, although students should have had the equivalent of one year of college.

Anthropology;Cultural Studies;Environmental Studies;Gender Studies;Multicultural and Diversity Studies

Travel and Tourism: A Critical Perspective
SOC-283244
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course explores tourism, one of the world’s largest and fastest growing industries, from an anthropological perspective. We will examine the meanings and consequences of tourism from both the tourist and toured/host views. Students will be exposed to diverse theories on travel, tourism and the tourist experience. There are many kinds of tourism including: solidarity/humanitarian tourism, sex tourism, historical or heritage tourism, cultural tourism, ecotourism, and nature tourism. The course will probe the differences among these various types of tourists and tourist sites, and analyze their impacts. Through the focus on tourism, the course also exposes students to concepts and methods of cultural anthropology which studies cultural variations among contemporary peoples around the world. Using texts, films, and case studies focusing on a variety of non-western cultures, we will analyze the processes of shaping and marketing culture, identity, history and nature for tourist consumption, and the implications of this growing type of global encounter.

Prerequisites: At least one course in a social science discipline (anthropology, sociology, psychology etc.) is recommended. Upper level college reading and writing skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences and Other World Civilizations.

Family Studies;Literature;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Women's Studies

U. S. Women's Multicultural Life-Writings
CUL-224014
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Investigate personal narratives, memoirs and autobiographies by U.S. women selected for their literary excellence in describing their participation in more than one culture within the U.S. Writers include Marita Golden, Eva Hoffman, Aurora Levins Morales and Rosario Morales, Shirley Geok-Lin Lim and Julia Alvarez, among others. Discuss how narrative is used to construct meaning, identity and culture.

Prerequisite: analytical thinking and writing skills at the upper-division undergraduate level, evidenced in successful completion of prior advanced-level work.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Communications and Media;Critical Thinking;Gender Studies;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Women's Studies

Women, Girls and the Media
CUL-224114
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
In this course, students will examine the portrayals of women and teenage girls in the media. Each student will choose which particular media to examine, choosing to examine magazines, newspapers, television, film, popular music and/or the Internet along with the advertising that supports so many of these. Students may pursue such topics as race and ethnic issues, class issues, working women v. motherhood, body images of teen, younger and older women, disability, and sexuality. They may focus on American culture or on the global needs of women.

For students new to the field of media studies, this course provides an opportunity to examine media particularly in terms of how women and girls are portrayed by the culture industries.

For those students who have taken courses such as Visual Literacy, Television and Culture, American Cinema, Images of Women in Western Civilization or other media or gender-related courses, they can further pursue the topics they considered in those courses. These students will be expected to examine images of women in a deeper and more nuanced way than they did in those courses.

Students concentrating in communications or media fields have the opportunity to research those fields and particular woman leaders involved in them or issues that women in those media face.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Nursing

Advanced Clinical Experience
NUR-204095
5 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This is the culminating capstone clinical experience in the RN to BSN in nursing program, in which students reflect on the transition from associate degree to baccalaureate degree preparation for nursing practice. The course provides a foundation for enhanced professional growth in an existing or future nurse role, by exposing the student to selected contemporary challenges in a health care delivery setting. The course specifically affords the RN to BSN in students an opportunity to examine and develop the multidimensional competencies essential to become an effective nurse leader.

Prerequisites: Students must complete the following courses prior to taking this course: Educational Planning: Transition to Baccalaureate Nursing (NUR-203014), Advanced Health Assessment (NUR-203024), Nursing Informatics (NUR-203064), Nursing Research (NUR-203074), Pharmacology (NUR-203044) and Community Health Nursing (NUR-204084).

This course is only available for Empire State College nursing program students.

Nursing

Advanced Health Assessment
NUR-203024
4 credits,upper level,
This course focuses on the application of independent and collaborative advanced health assessment techniques. Students integrate concepts, research and theories of biologic, psychologic, and socio-cultural knowledge, anticipatory guidance, prevention and early detection of risk factors into the analysis and synthesis of clinical data relating to health promotion, maintenance and illness care. Activities for the course facilitate the development of critical thinking and collaborative communication skills, which are vital competencies needed for the professional nurse.

This course is only available for Empire State College nursing program students.

Nursing

Community Health Nursing
NUR-204084
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course addresses contemporary community health nursing issues, focusing on key concepts of wellness, prevention and chronic case management while caring for culturally diverse populations. This course includes a clinical experience in a community health setting supervised by program faculty and on-site preceptors. Students design these experiences in consultation with faculty mentors and preceptors.

Important note: This course will only run the first 8 weeks of the summer term.

Prerequisites: Students must complete the following courses prior to taking this course: Educational Planning: Transition to Baccalaureate Nursing (NUR-203014), Advanced Health Assessment (NUR-203024), Nursing Informatics (NUR-203064), Nursing Research (NUR-203074), Pharmacology (NUR-203044).

This course is only available for Empire State College nursing program students.

Nursing

Educational Planning: Transition to Baccalaureate Nursing
NUR-203014
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
In this course, students and faculty plan a program of study leading to the baccalaureate degree, focused around students’ understanding of the nursing profession, as well as their analysis of their own academic and professional skills, experiences and goals. In this process, students identify concepts and skill sets, as elucidated in the AACN Essentials of Baccalaureate Nursing Education, needed to perform effectively in professional baccalaureate nurse roles. Students will be introduced to the history and future of the profession, the impact of culture within health care systems, and the influence of culture on the role of the professional nurse. Students articulate an understanding of professional values and value-based nursing behaviors. This course satisfies the college’s liberal arts and sciences requirements.

Nursing

Health Care Delivery Systems and Policy
NUR-204034
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course provides an in-depth overview of the U.S. health care delivery system and its impact on selected health care delivery environments. Specific emphasis on how health care policy shapes both the health care delivery system and patient care services including accessibility, accountability, and affordability will be explored. This course satisfies the college’s liberal arts and sciences requirements.

This course is only available for Empire State College nursing program students.

Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Nursing;Science

Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Global Health
NUR-203254
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course is open to both nursing and nonnursing students and will introduce students to the main concepts of the global health field. Students will get an overview of principles and goals of global health, cross cutting global health issues, burden of disease and cooperating to improve global health. Students will utilize critical reasoning and evidence based practices to propose and support solutions for public health concerns around the world.

Prerequisites for non-nursing majors: U.S. Health Systems

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the May 2012 term and was formerly offered as Global Health. Students who have successfully completed 203254 should not enroll in this course.

Nursing

Nursing Informatics
NUR-203064
4 credits,upper level,
This course provides an overview of traditional and developing methods of discovering, retrieving and using information in nursing care of clients in a variety of health care settings. There is specific emphasis on methods, technology, equipment for assessment data, electronic databases, privacy, confidentiality and patient care technology.

This course is only available for Empire State College nursing program students.

Nursing

Nursing Research
NUR-203074
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course provides a foundation for understanding the language of nursing research and underlying concepts of the research process. The course prepares nurses to analyze, critique, interpret and apply evidence-based research to professional nursing practice. As a special focus of the course, students select an area in which to apply their knowledge of research methodology. This course satisfies the college’s liberal arts and sciences requirements.

This course is only available for Empire State College nursing program students.

History and Civilizations;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs

America's Founding Ideas
SOC-263454
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
The founding of The United States of America is one of the defining events of world history, and the political ideas of the founding generation continue to be invoked all manner of political debate. But, questions about the founding generation remain: What did Thomas Jefferson and James Madison really think about politics? How did the American founding generation understand terms like “liberty,” “democracy,” and “freedom?” This course is designed to separate fact from fiction by introducing students to the intellectual, economic, and social context of the American founding.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in American History.

For more information about political science courses at the Center for Distance Learning, please visit: http://commons.esc.edu/cdlpoliticalscience.

Cultural Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies

An Introduction to Philosophy
CUL-222224
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course introduces students to some of (primarily Western) philosophy's major concepts and questions, such as: "Can we distinguish right from wrong? (How?)" "Does God exist?" "What is real?" "Should we consider scientific knowledge to be truth?" Students will gain familiarity with several prominent figures in the history of philosophy and read brief excerpts of philosophical texts. Students will discuss philosophically with fellow learners, and they will develop or practice critical-thinking skills for analyzing and writing about experiences and issues philosophically.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

History and Civilizations;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs

Global Perspectives on Political Theory
SOC-263444
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
As the world continues to become increasingly integrated in terms of economics, communication technology, trade, and the impact of human activity on the environment, it has become clear that political theory should be approached from a global perspective. In this course students will explore the history and controversies associated with the idea of human rights; different theories of cosmopolitanism (i.e. the idea that a common thread of humanity ought to influence how we think about politics in a globalized world); and a range of perspectives about the relationship between human civilizations and the global physical environment.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in Western Civilization.

For more information about political science courses at the Center for Distance Learning, please visit: http://commons.esc.edu/cdlpoliticalscience.

Important Note: This course was renamed effective the September 2011 term and was formerly offered as Comparative Political Theory. Students who have successfully completed 263444 should not enroll in this course.

Cultural Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies

Intro to Ethics (2cr)
CUL-222242
2 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This introductory fifteen-week, two-credit course is designed to prepare students for more advanced studies in ethics in their respective field or profession. Through common readings and active learning centered on a semester-long individually-designed project in the context of that reading, this course exposes students to some of the basic categories and frameworks that ethicists use and provides opportunities for students to pursue their own curiosity regarding ethics as academic subject matter, whether in terms of practical contemporary ethical issues or abstract analysis and articulation of ethical assumptions, theories, and decision-making processes. It aims more than anything to help students think and communicate about ethical problems in a well-reasoned and critical manner, and to prepare them for further studies of ethics.

Students will learn to identify when and where ethical claims or assumptions are being made in texts and discussions, explicitly and implicitly. Students will learn to identify where ethical claims or ethical assumptions are supported (or not) by reasoned arguments, to supply their own reasoned arguments, and in many cases to provide a well-reasoned counter-argument to any given ethical argument. Finally, students will learn to describe in their own words examples of the kinds of questions that ethicists might ask, some of the fundamental issues that arise in ethical decision-making, and connections between ethics and other areas such as politics, culture, or civic engagement.

NOTE: Students should not take both the 4-credit and the 2-credit courses titled Introduction to Ethics as these overlap. Students who do not plan to continue with any further studies of ethics are encouraged to consider taking the 4-credit Introduction to Ethics course instead of this one.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Cultural Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies

Intro to Ethics (4cr)
CUL-222244
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course provides an opportunity for students to study ethics. The course is based on discussion of some common reading followed by learning activities planned by students themselves. The purpose of the course is to help students practice reasoning about ethics from a variety of perspectives and across a range of contexts. Each student will have the opportunity to shape his or her learning activities in ways that speak to his or her own reasons for taking the course--be they an interest in the discipline of philosophy, general learning to support a professionally-oriented degree, concern for the common good, sheer wonder, or just about anything else.

Note: Students should not take both the 4-credit and the 2-credit courses titled Introduction to Ethics as these overlap.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Critical Thinking;Cultural Studies;Educational Planning;Philosophy and Religious Studies

Introduction to Critical Thinking
EDU-232312
2 credits, liberal study, lower level,
This course offers concepts basic to critical thinking (clear communication, persuasion, argument, fact and opinion, etc.) in a real-world, problem-solving context geared toward working adults. Students will learn how to approach issues and problems in a reasoned way, considering purpose, language, awareness of argument structure and other concepts. Students will be expected to apply critical thinking to real-world decision-making (e.g., cases dealing with different employee perspectives at work, managing a staff reduction plan, developing a small business strategy), and to cases that they are currently confronting in their own work, community and/or personal situations. Students will participate in discussions; define, recognize, analyze and evaluate sample arguments; apply critical thinking strategies to real-world situations; and write their own arguments, applying concepts and processes of critical thinking.

Critical Thinking;Math and Quantitative Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Writing: Expository and Creative

Introduction to Proof and Logic
SMT-272164
4 credits, liberal study, lower level,
Logic is an essential underpinning for many other fields which rely on analytical reasoning. This multidisciplinary study offers an introduction to formal logic and methods of proof. A particular emphasis will be placed on clear exposition in proof-writing, strategies in approach for the construction of mathematical proofs, and critical reflection on proof composition and methodology.

This study is intended to facilitate the transition to studies in advanced-level undergraduate mathematics. Students interested in various other fields that require strong analytical skills, like computer science and the law, might also be interested in this course.

Note: This course delves more deeply into formal logic than the Introduction to Critical Thinking course. In particular, it will introduce the formal definitions and rules necessary for: creating well-formed formulae; translating natural language into a logical formalism; assessing truth functionality; assessing argument forms; determining valid inferences; recognizing validity and soundness. This foundation will prepare students to think mathematically and can also improve their argumentation and debate skills in other contexts.

Prerequisites: Pre-calculus is strongly recommended and may be taken concurrently.

Cultural Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies

Introduction to Religious Studies
CUL-222034
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
An introduction to the ways in which religious behaviors and traditions create a world. The study looks at religious traditions and how they account human experience and how life should be lived. It also looks at how people go about being "religious." What does religion involve in everyday terms? How do traditions inform and shape people's lives? What are we doing when we are being religious?

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Arts: Visual and Performing;History and Civilizations;Philosophy and Religious Studies

Introduction to the History of Western Architecture
ART-221434
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This lower-level introductory course surveys western architecture and society from ancient times to the present. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the language of architecture, architects, and major architectural styles in several key periods across western civilization with a special emphasis on architecture of the 19th to 21st century.

In addition to the main purpose of introducing students to western architectural history and its styles and architects, the course also seeks to enhance the critical understanding of the development of western culture as a whole, and to further develop the understanding and relevance of architecture in our current society.

Students will be able to learn about the development of western civilization through the contextual understanding of the function and meanings of architecture in a variety of cultures throughout time. Studying relationships between different architecture, society, cultures, institutions, and other relevant contexts will enable students to understand western civilization and its connection to other cultures, societies, and times.

The core learning topics will consist of (1) Understanding Architecture; (2) History of Architecture from Caves to the Age of Enlightenment; and (3) History of Architecture from the 19th Century to Postmodernism. Assignments will encourage students to explore architects and architecture of their interests and discover architecture in their own community.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Western Civilization for 4 credits and in The Arts for 4 credits.

Philosophy and Religious Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs

Modern Political Theory

HIS-243444

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

The course will examine some of the most important contributions to political theory in the history of Western Civilization with a focus on the modern period, roughly from 1500-1900. We will explore questions about the proper role of government, the nature of political and moral obligation, the role of economics in political life, and the importance of personal, political and religious liberty. Authors who may be studied in this course include Niccolo Machiavelli, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, John Stuart Mill, Karl Marx, and Friedrich Nietzsche.

For more information about political science courses at the Center for Distance Learning, please visit: http://commons.esc.edu/cdlpoliticalscience.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in Humanities for 4 credits OR Western Civilization for 4 credits.

Important Note: This course was renamed effective the September 2009 term and was formerly offered as Western Civilization: Internal Critiques and Analyses. Students who have successfully completed 243444 should not enroll in this course.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs;Sociology

Perspectives on Terrorism
CHS-264684
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course explores the history, politics, psychology, and social policy of terrorism. Students examine possible connections between philosophical discourse, social change, and the psychology of fear related to acts or threatened acts of terrorism.

Prerequisite: prior college-level learning in world history or world politics.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

History and Civilizations;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs

Politics and Religion in America
SOC-264204
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Religion has played a prominent role in American public life for over 400 years, and it remains a powerful force in American politics. This course will examine the relationship between religion and politics from philosophical, historical and strategic perspectives. Students will explore current movements, events and issues in the frameworks of the past, present and future. The course begins by building an historical framework within which to assess the present role of religion in politics. Students also will explore the strategic dimensions of political action, seeking to understand the tactics, rhetoric, and social environments in which religious political actors attempt to influence public policy through voting, lobbying, and grassroots mobilization.
This course fully meets the general education requirement in American History.

For more information about political science courses at the Center for Distance Learning, please visit: http://commons.esc.edu/cdlpoliticalscience.

Cultural Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies

Religious Thought in World Perspective
CUL-224034
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course looks at a variety of religious traditions, customs, scriptures, liturgies in order to better understand how religious thought and practice has shaped the landscape of human culture in various civilizations. Over the course of the term, students will be using scholarly literature and doing reading in the textual sources of the major traditions to better understand how they account for human experience, the problem of evil, of loss, of what is sacred and what is not and why. The course is designed thematically, offering a vantage point from which to see what traditions share, how they differ and what that difference has to tell us. Students will also be looking at the changing religious landscape of America in order to understand how East and West actually do meet in this country and what the lived realities of religious pluralism involve.

Prerequisites: Prior academic study in religion, philosophy, or world history. Critical reading and analytical writing ability ordinarily attained after at least two years of academic study is expected.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities for 4 credits or Other World Civilizations for 4 credits.

Cultural Studies;History and Civilizations;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs

Renaissance and Reformation: Origins and Impacts
HIS-244344
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
What is a Renaissance man, and where did that term come from? What did Machiavelli really say? Why was Pope Julius II excluded from heaven? What was Martin Luther thinking when he pounded a nail into a church door in Wittenberg? In this course we will try to answer these questions, and others. This course examines two important phenomena in the history of Western civilization: the Renaissance and the Reformation. The Renaissance was a time of creativity, genius, and rediscovery of classical wisdom, and it gave us not only the great art of Michelangelo, da Vinci, and Raphael, but also the infamous political advice of Machiavelli and the rousing verse of Petrarch. Once the Renaissance reached its apex Western civilization, and especially religious life, fell into the confusion and wars of the Protestant Reformation. Reformers such as Luther and Calvin took on the Catholic Church in a search for the authentic Christian religion. Their reforms left a lasting and profound impression on the subsequent development of Western civilization. We will explore the foundations, the history, and the lasting impact on Western civilization of the Renaissance and the Reformation. In completing this course students will become more familiar with the development of the distinctive features of the history, institutions, economy, society, culture, etc., of these pivotal periods in Western civilization.

Prerequisites: A previous course in World History is recommended.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities or Western Civilization.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies;Gender Studies;History and Civilizations;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Women's Studies

Roots and Routes of African Diaspora Resistance: Arts
CUL-224124
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
African Diaspora religions such as Voodoo and Santeria have literally become the stuff of horror films. Why, when brewed together in popular imagination, do some people find it so scary?

The three tracks of this course overlap. No more than one of these three should be included in a degree program.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies;Gender Studies;History and Civilizations;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Women's Studies

Roots and Routes of African Diaspora Resistance: History

CUL-224224

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

African Diaspora religions such as Voodoo and Santeria have literally become the stuff of horror films. Why, when brewed together in popular imagination, do some people find it so scary?

The three tracks of this course overlap. No more than one of these three should be included in a degree program.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies;Gender Studies;History and Civilizations;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Women's Studies

Roots and Routes of African Diaspora Resistance: Humanities

CUL-224334

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

African Diaspora religions such as Voodoo and Santeria have literally become the stuff of horror films. Why, when brewed together in popular imagination, do some people find it so scary?

The three tracks of this course overlap. No more than one of these three should be included in a degree program.

Philosophy and Religious Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs

Special Topics in Political Science

SOC-264214

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

Fall (September) 2014: The Lives and Death of the American Middle Class
Income inequality in the United States has been growing since the early 1970s and there is less socio-economic mobility in the USA than in a number of other countries. Concerns over income disparities, corruption, concentration of wealth, and global competition have led some political commentators to warn of the impending collapse of the middle class. This special topics course is dedicated to the question of whether or not the American middle class is indeed in danger of disappearing. We will draw on economic data, legal precedents, social science research, and relevant theoretical frameworks to gain a better understanding of the past, present, and possible futures of the American middle class.

Spring (January) 2015: Politics and the Media

It is often claimed that freedom of the media is a necessary condition for a healthy democracy. In this course we will explore the relationship between the media and contemporary democratic politics. We will examine both traditional media (television, print) and emerging media (twitter, social media, blogs).

For more information about political science courses at the Center for Distance Learning, please visit: http://commons.esc.edu/cdlpoliticalscience.

Family Studies;Health Services;History and Civilizations;Human Development;Human Services;Philosophy and Religious Studies

Western Civilization and Human Development
HDV-283374
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
The primary goal of this course is to help students understand the historical context for philosophical issues and controversies that have shaped the contemporary study of human development. The historical inquiry traces conceptualization of human nature from the Greek philosophers and the Hebrew scriptures to current Western beliefs about child and adult development.

Two traditions addressing the nature of human nature, the Greek and Hebrew, will be explored for their continuing influence on contemporary scientific, educational, and therapeutic perspectives on human lives. Within this inquiry, the course considers central philosophical issues that inform and divide the field today: the nature-nurture controversy; continuity versus discontinuity in development (including the controversy surrounding stage theories); and the basic good or evil nature of the human.

Students will gain an appreciation for the major intellectual and heart-felt debates about human nature that have influenced the field of human development. The course will consider their divergent expressions in academia and the world of policy and practice. Throughout this inquiry students will consider the shaping of modern perspectives on human development through the interaction of facts with values and research with beliefs.

Prerequisites: A course in the social sciences or humanities and upper level critical thinking skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Western Civilization.

History and Civilizations;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs

America's Founding Ideas
SOC-263454
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
The founding of The United States of America is one of the defining events of world history, and the political ideas of the founding generation continue to be invoked all manner of political debate. But, questions about the founding generation remain: What did Thomas Jefferson and James Madison really think about politics? How did the American founding generation understand terms like “liberty,” “democracy,” and “freedom?” This course is designed to separate fact from fiction by introducing students to the intellectual, economic, and social context of the American founding.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in American History.

For more information about political science courses at the Center for Distance Learning, please visit: http://commons.esc.edu/cdlpoliticalscience.

Political Science and Public Affairs

Citizen Participation in the Political Process
SOC-263214
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Examine in depth the ways citizens participate in setting the public policy agenda and influence policy making. Evaluate two dominant institutions through which American citizens communicate their political demands to policy makers: the political parties and interest groups. Includes the debate over the future of political parties and the mechanics of political party involvement in nominations, campaigns, campaign finance and the formation of public policy. Study interest groups and their activities and the growing influence of political action committees.

For more information about political science courses at the Center for Distance Learning, please visit: http://commons.esc.edu/cdlpoliticalscience.

Political Science and Public Affairs

Comparative Politics
SOC-263414
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Comparative Politics is the study of different political systems. In this course students will learn about different methods and approaches to the comparative study of political systems, institutions and forms of government. Some themes explored in this course include globalization, political economy, political violence, and the division between developed and developing countries. Students will gain a real world understanding of global studies and be able to analyze and evaluate past, present and future geopolitical issues in an informed manner. This course will both compare countries and regions, as well as specific institutions. Students will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different political systems by studying the evolution of each political system. Using a combination of careful analysis, critical thinking, and the synthesis of information presented in texts and online course materials, students will be asked to present a case study comparison of two countries or regions. Students will be given the opportunity to tailor this case study to match their own interests and academic goals.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in Social Sciences.

For more information about political science courses at the Center for Distance Learning, please visit: http://commons.esc.edu/cdlpoliticalscience.

Critical Thinking;Cultural Studies;Economics;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs;Sociology

Contemporary Global Social Issues
SOC-284544
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Contemporary Global Social Issues explores various social problems that cross national boundaries and their effects on society. This course begins by examining the definitions of social problems and globalization. Students then investigate a number of issues that have a global scope including sovereignty, food production, militarized conflicts, human rights, global climate change, transnational migration and work, and transnational social movements.

Prerequisites: at least one course in the discipline of a social science concentration. Upper level college reading and writing skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Emergency Management;Human Development;Human Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Sociology

Disaster and Society
SOC-283434
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
What is a disaster? How do social structures, groups and institutions react to the loss of social function as a result of natural, technological, or sociopolitical events? This upper level course explores social effects of disaster from both a macro and a micro level of analysis, using social theories of organizational behavior, political sociology, community development, religion, urban planning, and rural sociology that inform the field of disaster research.

Prerequisites: Upper-level standing with advanced-level critical thinking, reading, research and writing skills. A previous study (or equivalent knowledge) in social theory or structure is desirable, but not mandatory.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

History and Civilizations;Political Science and Public Affairs

Ethnic Conflict in Global Perspective
HIS-243854
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Study selectively ethnic conflict among the 5000 ethnic groups found in about 170 nation-states. Focus on past and contemporary conflicts between and among ethnic groups and between ethnic groups and the state. Specific case studies will vary from term to term and may include, at your option, studies of the Holocaust or others based upon Internet resources.

Prerequisites: two courses in history and/or the social sciences.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the September 2008 term and was formerly offered as Ethnic Conflict: Cross-National Studies. Students who have successfully completed 243854 should not enroll in this course.

Economics;Environmental Studies;History and Civilizations;Political Science and Public Affairs;Science

Global Climate Change
SMT-272114
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
There is little doubt that the Earth's climate is changing due to the influence of human activities. In this course students will explore the evidence that climate change is occurring, how human activities have affected this process, the primary forces influencing the Earth's climates, and what steps can be taken to adapt to or mitigate these changes.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

History and Civilizations;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs

Global Perspectives on Political Theory
SOC-263444
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
As the world continues to become increasingly integrated in terms of economics, communication technology, trade, and the impact of human activity on the environment, it has become clear that political theory should be approached from a global perspective. In this course students will explore the history and controversies associated with the idea of human rights; different theories of cosmopolitanism (i.e. the idea that a common thread of humanity ought to influence how we think about politics in a globalized world); and a range of perspectives about the relationship between human civilizations and the global physical environment.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in Western Civilization.

For more information about political science courses at the Center for Distance Learning, please visit: http://commons.esc.edu/cdlpoliticalscience.

Important Note: This course was renamed effective the September 2011 term and was formerly offered as Comparative Political Theory. Students who have successfully completed 263444 should not enroll in this course.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies;Gender Studies;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs

Hip-Hop America: The Evolution of a Cultural Movement
HIS-243554
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
How do history and hip-hop connect? This course explores that question through a study of hip-hop in the U.S. The course will begin with a look at the 1970s Bronx, where hip-hop originated, and will then journey across New York City and the United States, exploring how the beats and breaks of the Bronx evolved into both an artistic genre as well as a political and cultural movement. We will study 1) the social conditions of the 1970s Bronx that enabled the emergence of hip-hop; 2) the 1980s growth of the genre through the commercialization of rap; 3) the early 21st century uses of hip-hop as a vehicle for political organizing, education, community outreach, and entrepreneurialism in cities across the U.S.; 4) the challenge of balancing the political potential of hip-hop against the commercial context of popular arts; and 5) the harnessing of hip-hop by churches and other religious organizations as a vehicle for personal uplift and empowerment.

Students who enroll in this highly interactive class will visit virtual renditions of historic hip-hop sites; participate in conversations with hip-hop artists; listen to and carry out interviews with hip-hop community activists; conduct field based explorations of hip-hop activities in their own communities; analyze connections between hip-hop and race, ethnicity, gender and class; and experiment with creative expression through the writing and podcasting of spoken word poetry.

Prerequisites: Some prior background in U.S. history or political science is recommended

Political Science and Public Affairs

International Politics and Relations
SOC-264454
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
In this course students will learn about how states, multi-state organizations, and non-state actors relate to one another through governance structures and other means. Students will be introduced to different theories of international relations, such as realism and idealism. Particular attention will be given to international environmental organizations and regimes that have emerged in the governmental and non-governmental arenas of international relations. Using the social science methods addressed in the course, each student will be able to develop a major research project based on his or her specific interests and goals.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in Social Sciences.

For more information about political science courses at the Center for Distance Learning, please visit: http://commons.esc.edu/cdlpoliticalscience.

Note: Prior to September 2014, this course was offered at the lower level as SOC-262454.

Political Science and Public Affairs

Introduction to Public Administration
CHS-262164
4 credits, liberal study, lower level,
Survey the organization, management and growing influence of public bureaucracies at the federal, state and local levels of government. Covers values and ethics in public service, policy analysis and evaluation, organization theory, decision making, public personnel systems, public unionism and collective bargaining, leadership, communication, theories of budgeting, ecology of public administration and productivity in the public sector. Evaluate initiatives designed to make public organizations more accountable, rational, cost-effective and creative.

Recommended: The American Political System: An Introduction to American Government or equivalent.

Political Science and Public Affairs

Introduction to Public Policy
CHS-262204
4 credits, liberal study, lower level,
This study is designed to introduce students to substantive public policy issues that shape contemporary public sector debates and decision-making in the U.S. Grounded in multiple theoretical approaches and analytic models, the study will develop students’ potential to describe, formulate, implement and evaluate public policy. Further, the study will provide students with the opportunity to appreciate the complex organizational and institutional environments in which public policy operates via exploring several policy areas such as criminal justice, health and welfare, civil rights, and homeland security.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the January 2014 term and was formerly offered as Introduction to Public Policy: The Structure, Politics and Outcomes of the Policy Process. Students who have successfully completed 262204 should not enroll in this course.

History and Civilizations;Political Science and Public Affairs

Latin America: History, Politics and United States Policy
HIS-243154
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Examine Latin America's social history and United States-Latin American relations during the "modern" period of Latin American history (1821 to the present). Explore the thicket of human diversity and political controversy that stamps all of Latin American and United States history. Examine the broad scope of modern Latin American history, culture, ethnicity, economic development, society, politics, migration patterns and foreign relations in the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico and South America. Develop a knowledge of Latin American diversity from the early 1800s to the present, with emphasis on its importance to the United States.

Recommended: previous study in World History 2 or equivalent.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Other World Civilizations.

Emergency Management;Political Science and Public Affairs

Mass Disasters: Implications for Public Policy
CHS-264854
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course explores the consequences of federal, state, and local policy decisions on the way that emergency managers carry out their work. An understanding of these consequences can help the emergency manager or policy analyst be an advocate for policies that help communities mitigate, plan and prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural and human-caused disasters. Students will draw policy lessons from studying a variety of disasters, large and small, that have occurred over the past several decades. Topics include federalism and inter-governmental relations and their connection to disaster planning and response, community resilience in recovery, and the legal and ethical obligations of the emergency management profession, among others.

Philosophy and Religious Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs

Modern Political Theory
HIS-243444
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
The course will examine some of the most important contributions to political theory in the history of Western Civilization with a focus on the modern period, roughly from 1500-1900. We will explore questions about the proper role of government, the nature of political and moral obligation, the role of economics in political life, and the importance of personal, political and religious liberty. Authors who may be studied in this course include Niccolo Machiavelli, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, John Stuart Mill, Karl Marx, and Friedrich Nietzsche.

For more information about political science courses at the Center for Distance Learning, please visit: http://commons.esc.edu/cdlpoliticalscience.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in Humanities for 4 credits OR Western Civilization for 4 credits.

Important Note: This course was renamed effective the September 2009 term and was formerly offered as Western Civilization: Internal Critiques and Analyses. Students who have successfully completed 243444 should not enroll in this course.

History and Civilizations;Political Science and Public Affairs

Modern Russia: Building a Civil Society
HIS-243384
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Study modern Russia from the fall of Czarist Russia to the Bolsheviks and the rise and fall of the Soviet Union. Examine the current difficulties in creating a democratic society in Russia and become aware of the conditions facing the Russian citizenry in light of the Soviet legacy.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs;Sociology

Perspectives on Terrorism
CHS-264684
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course explores the history, politics, psychology, and social policy of terrorism. Students examine possible connections between philosophical discourse, social change, and the psychology of fear related to acts or threatened acts of terrorism.

Prerequisite: prior college-level learning in world history or world politics.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

History and Civilizations;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs

Politics and Religion in America
SOC-264204
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Religion has played a prominent role in American public life for over 400 years, and it remains a powerful force in American politics. This course will examine the relationship between religion and politics from philosophical, historical and strategic perspectives. Students will explore current movements, events and issues in the frameworks of the past, present and future. The course begins by building an historical framework within which to assess the present role of religion in politics. Students also will explore the strategic dimensions of political action, seeking to understand the tactics, rhetoric, and social environments in which religious political actors attempt to influence public policy through voting, lobbying, and grassroots mobilization.
This course fully meets the general education requirement in American History.

For more information about political science courses at the Center for Distance Learning, please visit: http://commons.esc.edu/cdlpoliticalscience.

Political Science and Public Affairs

Program Planning and Evaluation
CHS-263544
4 credits,upper level,
The ability to critically plan, implement and evaluate programs is essential for human service managers and public administrators at all levels. This course is the middle of a sequence of courses that normally begins with Human Service Management or Introduction to Public Administration and concludes with Resource Development in Human Service or Public Finance and Budgeting. Students develop a program of their choice from start to finish and may focus on newly created grassroots initiatives, a new program focus for an existing non-profit, or a new initiative for a public agency. The course provides an opportunity for students to meet and converse with fellow professionals from across many fields.

Note: This course was formerly offered using different course numbers. Students who have successfully completed this course under 163044 or 263044 should not enroll in this course.

Prerequisites: Human Services Management or Introduction to Public Administration or equivalent.

Political Science and Public Affairs

Public Finance and Budgeting
CHS-263524
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Understand the essential components of a public budgeting system. Examine the theory and practice of obtaining and allocating resources among competing priorities in the public sector, and the relationships among budgeting and other aspects of public finance such as accounting, auditing, management analysis and program evaluation. Includes discussion of budgets as a reflection of public policy, as an economic and fiscal policy tool and as a political tool. Includes the evolution of modern public budgeting, budgetary reform and the issues of contemporary budget process.

Prerequisites: The American Political System, and one of the following: Introduction to Public Policy, Economics/Macro, Introductory Accounting or equivalents.

Important Note: this course was formerly offered using different course numbers. Students who have successfully completed this course under 163024 or 263024 should not enroll in this course.

Aging and Gerontology;Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Anthropology;Communications and Media;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Health Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Sociology;Women's Studies

Qualitative Social Science Research: Design and Methods
SOC-284534
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Qualitative social science research utilizes inductive approaches to explore and understand human behaviors, social interactions, and the construction of social reality. This course examines the ways social scientists ethically formulate questions, collect and analyze data, and present their findings. Students will apply this knowledge by writing a formal research proposal, conducting fieldwork, using visual and/or narrative analysis.

Prerequisites: At least one introductory course in the discipline of a social science concentration.

Note: Students may receive credit for EITHER Survey for Social Science Research Methods OR Qualitative Research: Design and Methods.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Important Note: This course was renamed effective the May 2014 term and was formerly offered as Qualitative Research: Design and Methods. Students who have successfully completed 284534 should not enroll in this course.

Aging and Gerontology;Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Communications and Media;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Health Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Psychology;Sociology;Women's Studies

Quantitative Research: Design and Methods
SOC-283604
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course enables students to understand and conduct systematic inquiries on social and behavioral topics, using quantitative social science research methods. Major topics include hypothesis development, causation, the logic of inquiry, research ethics, conceptualization and measurement, quantitative research design and data collection, and data analysis and interpretation. The course requires the use of advanced-level thinking skills, including analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

Recommended prerequisites include: at least one course in a social science discipline. A working knowledge of statistics is useful but not required; statistical analysis of data using SPSS is a required part of the course.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in social sciences.

Cultural Studies;History and Civilizations;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs

Renaissance and Reformation: Origins and Impacts

HIS-244344

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

What is a Renaissance man, and where did that term come from? What did Machiavelli really say? Why was Pope Julius II excluded from heaven? What was Martin Luther thinking when he pounded a nail into a church door in Wittenberg? In this course we will try to answer these questions, and others. This course examines two important phenomena in the history of Western civilization: the Renaissance and the Reformation. The Renaissance was a time of creativity, genius, and rediscovery of classical wisdom, and it gave us not only the great art of Michelangelo, da Vinci, and Raphael, but also the infamous political advice of Machiavelli and the rousing verse of Petrarch. Once the Renaissance reached its apex Western civilization, and especially religious life, fell into the confusion and wars of the Protestant Reformation. Reformers such as Luther and Calvin took on the Catholic Church in a search for the authentic Christian religion. Their reforms left a lasting and profound impression on the subsequent development of Western civilization. We will explore the foundations, the history, and the lasting impact on Western civilization of the Renaissance and the Reformation. In completing this course students will become more familiar with the development of the distinctive features of the history, institutions, economy, society, culture, etc., of these pivotal periods in Western civilization.

Prerequisites: A previous course in World History is recommended.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities or Western Civilization.

Philosophy and Religious Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs

Special Topics in Political Science
SOC-264214
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Fall (September) 2014: The Lives and Death of the American Middle Class
Income inequality in the United States has been growing since the early 1970s and there is less socio-economic mobility in the USA than in a number of other countries. Concerns over income disparities, corruption, concentration of wealth, and global competition have led some political commentators to warn of the impending collapse of the middle class. This special topics course is dedicated to the question of whether or not the American middle class is indeed in danger of disappearing. We will draw on economic data, legal precedents, social science research, and relevant theoretical frameworks to gain a better understanding of the past, present, and possible futures of the American middle class.

Spring (January) 2015: Politics and the Media

For more information about political science courses at the Center for Distance Learning, please visit: http://commons.esc.edu/cdlpoliticalscience.

Political Science and Public Affairs

State and Local Government
SOC-262224
4 credits, liberal study, lower level,
Undertake a comparative examination of the public policy responsibilities and innovations of state and local governments. Learn the structure and operations of state and local political institutions and the nature and character of citizen participation in state and local government and politics. Focus on the “devolution” of policy responsibilities and fiscal authority from the federal government to the states and localities as well as the growing influence of PACs, interest groups and the media on the political process.

For more information about political science courses at the Center for Distance Learning, please visit: http://commons.esc.edu/cdlpoliticalscience.

Aging and Gerontology;Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Anthropology;Communications and Media;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Early Childhood Studies;Emergency Management;Family Studies;Fire Protection;Gender Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Psychology;Sociology;Women's Studies

Survey of Social Science Research Methods
SOC-283424
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Social research provides answers to questions about people and the social settings and systems in which they are involved. This social science research course introduces the fundamentals of qualitative and quantitative research methods. Students learn how to formulate a viable research question, collect and analyze data, understand the ethical issues of social science research, and write a formal research proposal.

Note: This course has a required SPSS component.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

History and Civilizations;Political Science and Public Affairs

The African American Experience

HIS-243124

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

This course describes and analyzes African American experiences from slavery to contemporary times, primarily within the United States, but also as related to the Diaspora in other parts of the Americas. The course briefly examines the economic, geographic and political effects of slavery and its aftereffects. Twenty-first century African-American cultural and social history will form the core of the course. Topics covered will include arts and cultural achievements, issues in education, political developments, racial conflict and violence, the civil rights movement and contemporary issues as viewed by the African-American cartoonist Aaron McGruder.

Recommended: A United States history course and United States government course.

This course partially meets the General Education requirement in American History for all students, but fully meets the General Education requirement in American History for students scoring 85 or above on the New York State Regents exam in United States History and Government.

Political Science and Public Affairs

The American Political System: An Introduction to American Government
SOC-261204
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Explore the principles, institutions and processes of American government and politics. Gain an understanding of the structure and operation of U.S. government and political systems; a recognition of the avenues available to individuals and groups for effective political involvement; an appreciation of the role of the media in influencing politics and public policy; detailed comprehension of key decision making and implementing political institutions with particular attention to the budgetary process; an introductory working knowledge of the public policy process and policy area substance; and a foundation for advanced study in public affairs, public policy and public administration. This course fully meets the general education requirement in Social Sciences.

For more information about political science courses at the Center for Distance Learning, please visit: http://commons.esc.edu/cdlpoliticalscience

History and Civilizations;Political Science and Public Affairs

The American Presidency
SOC-263314
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course will examine the office of the American presidency and the operation of the executive branch of the American federal government
from a historical perspective. We will analyze the office of the presidency throughout the history of the Republic, identifying patterns of change as well as continuities in presidential power. We will consider the presidency’s design in the Constitution and what factors have led to departures from that framework. The class begins with an examination of the historical development of the American presidency and then moves into an examination of modern executive power. Our readings will examine the notion of “the modern presidency” from a variety of angles. The course will provide students with the background to explore such questions as, “How have residents attempted to persuade the American citizenry through rhetoric? Have modern American presidents been successful policy innovators and legislative leaders? What is the relationship of the president with the bureaucracy, legislature and the judiciary? What form of presidential leadership is possible in the 21st century?”

This course fully meets the general education requirement in American History.

For more information about political science courses at the Center for Distance Learning, please visit: http://commons.esc.edu/cdlpoliticalscience.

History and Civilizations;Political Science and Public Affairs

The Middle East
HIS-243414
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Explore the origins of the current political conflicts and social conditions in the Middle East. Study the land and its peoples, religion and civilization, Western expansion and influence, nationalism, consequences of World War I, oil, development of nation-states, tradition and change and revolution.

Recommended: prior study in history, religion, sociology, anthropology, or politics.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Other World Civilizations.

Political Science and Public Affairs

The United States Constitution: A Survey
SOC-263344
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Students in this course will learn about the history, structure, interpretation, and evolution of the American Constitution. Substantial portions of the course will be dedicated to the issues of constitutional rights, constitutional interpretation, the interplay between the American constitutional system and the environment, and major judicial decisions about how, when, and where certain parts of the Constitution are applicable. In addition to gaining a better understanding of the Constitution, students will also be expected to become better equipped to read and analyze court decisions.

This course partially meets the general education requirement in American History for all students, but fully meets the general education requirement in American History for students scoring 85 or above on the New York State Regents exam in United States History and Government.

For more information about political science courses at the Center for Distance Learning, please visit: http://commons.esc.edu/cdlpoliticalscience.

Environmental Studies;History and Civilizations;Political Science and Public Affairs

The West in American Culture
HIS-243224
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
In American history, the “West” is a mercurial concept that is freighted with many divergent meanings and associations. This course explores these multiple meanings, for the American West elicits many questions to consider: Is the West a geographic place or process called westering -- the frontier experience? Where are the West’s historical boundaries? Are there specific Western characteristics? Is the West a state of mind? Is it true that the West, according to some historians, is just America, but more so? To engage these questions, we will examine the variety of participants from the 16th century to the present who populated and imposed their hopes and desires on the land, while paying close attention to the historic struggles between sovereign nations to control the destiny and development of the West. This incorporates considering indigenous tribal sovereignty from pre-contact to the present. Moreover, this interaction included, and still includes, people from all over the world as agents and contributors to the cultural, social, economic, and often colorful milieu called the West. Most important, the American West has played a unique and pivotal role in our national culture that stimulated the expanded dominant role of the federal government throughout the United States and ultimately the world. This course is interdisciplinary in nature and the readings will be accordingly cross-disciplinary. First, a British scholar of American history investigates the origins of the mythic West in The American West: The Invention of a Myth. Second, an historian and former director of the Center for the American West at University of New Mexico, narrates the chronological historic West in Beyond the Missouri: Story of the American West. Third, in Western Places and American Myths, an historical geographer edits a group of essays that focuses on the tensions between the West as an exceptional region, not part of US national culture; the West as real and not mythic; and the West as a definite region, not a process. And finally, an American Studies scholar and historian discusses the impact of tourism past, present and future on the West in Devil’s Bargains: Tourism in the Twentieth-Century American West.

Prerequisite: College level writing and research skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in American History.

Political Science and Public Affairs;Sociology

Urban Studies
HIS-243304
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Using a multidisciplinary approach, explore aspects of urban society including: historic emergence of cities across the world; urban development and growth in the U.S.; diversity of U.S. urban/suburban life; contemporary world-wide urbanization; urban geography and environment; urban political economy, public works, planning; culture, aesthetics, architecture; and prospects for the future. Gain a sound grasp of contemporary thinking and research on urban society, particularly in the U.S., and the intellectual tools to apply this knowledge to topics in the student's own particular area of scholarly interest.

Prerequisites: students should have taken at least two courses in history, sociology, anthropology or political science and be prepared for upper-level work.

Environmental Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs

World Population
HIS-243314
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Acquire a broad background understanding of the United States and world population, including the causes and consequences of its growth. Learn about the three primary demographic processes -- fertility, mortality and migration -- that are at the heart of population questions. Learn how to locate demographic data sources online, including U.S. Census Bureau sources. Apply your understanding of world and U.S. population and population processes to related issues such as U.S. Census 2000, overpopulation, undocumented international migration, social security, or ethical questions about population policy; to issues less directly related to population, such as natural resource exhaustion, environmental degradation, or business and economic development.

Prerequisites: prospective students should have some coursework in the social sciences and be able to perform elementary algebraic calculations. No knowledge of statistics or calculus is necessary.

Psychology

Abnormal Psychology
HDV-284074
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This advanced level course examines how normal and abnormal behavior is defined, and the role of abnormal behavior in mental health disorders. Considers normality and abnormality in historical perspective, along with common assumptions such as whether abnormality routinely means maladaptive functioning and whether normal behavior always means healthy functioning. Reviews the historical and contemporary theoretical schemes for understanding and explaining abnormal behavior, Definition of mental disorder and the various categories of mental health disorders are explored. Methods of assessment, treatment and prevention are also explored. A series of required video components are included within the course and with the course text.

Prerequisites: Completion of Introduction to Psychology (or equivalent), plus either Theories of Personality or Adolescent Development. Completion of or currently taking a course in social psychology is recommended.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Aging and Gerontology;Human Development;Psychology

Adult Development
HDV-283204
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course takes a psychological approach to understanding human development during adulthood. Within a life-span developmental framework, transitions, common issues and trends during young adulthood and middle adulthood will be studied in-depth, with some attention to aging. Individual development will be emphasized, but with an appreciation of the impact of individuals' social networks and historical contexts. Following an examination of assumptions, definitions and methods, the course turns to some theories of adult development. This is followed by an examination of changes in health, cognition, social roles, relationships, work roles, personality, stresses and differential emphases on the meanings of life. Students will be evaluated on the basis of their written essay assignments (four), and their participation in the on-going Web discussions.

Prerequisite: Human Development or equivalent.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Early Childhood Studies;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Psychology

Attachment in Early Childhood
HDV-281124
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This 4-credit lower level course examines current knowledge about attachment from infancy to adolescence, developmentally and behaviorally. The scope and contexts of attachments, particularly as they arise from early attachment experiences, will be grounded firmly in attachment theory and research findings relevant to historical, cultural, familial, personal and age-related contexts. The effects of attachment on human functioning, including brain development and the consequences of negative early experiences will be addressed. This base of understanding sets the groundwork for attachment in both personal and professional early childhood settings, including family relationships (sibling, parent, grandparent) and relationships beyond the family (friends, caregivers). This course meets the requirements for the Infant Toddler Care Credential. In addition, it is useful for students, particularly those from any of the social sciences, seeking a more personal understanding of the foundations of human emotional attachment. Level of Study: Introductory.

Important Note: This course was renamed effective the September 2011 term and was formerly offered as Attachment: Continuity and Separation: Introductory.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Aging and Gerontology;Early Childhood Studies;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Psychology

Attachment: Continuity and Separation: Advanced
HDV-283124
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This 4-credit advanced level course will have you examining the current knowledge about continuity and separation in Human Attachment from infancy to old age, developmentally and behaviorally. The scope and contexts of attachments across the life cycle, particularly as they arise from early attachment experiences, will be grounded in theory and research relevant to historical, cultural, familial, personal and age-related contexts. Students will also study the counterpart of attachment separation, normative and precipitous--lifelong and temporary such as interruptions in attachments due to military service. This base of understanding sets the groundwork for understanding attachment in both personal and professional settings across all age groups, including family relationships, i.e., parent, sibling, grandparent; and beyond, i.e., friends, caregivers, life partners. This course offers information for students studying for the Infant Toddler Care Credential. Finally, this study is useful for students, particularly those from the social sciences, who wish to know more about their personal relationships.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

NOTE: This course was previously offered as Behavioral Neuroscience. Students, who completed Behavioral Neuroscience 283474, cannot take Behavioral Neuroscience: Advanced.

Human Development;Psychology

Behavioral Neuroscience: Introductory

HDV-282274

4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements

NOTE: This course was previously offered as Brain and Behavior. Students, who completed Brain and Behavior 282274, cannot take Behavioral Neuroscience: Introductory.

Early Childhood Studies;Human Development;Psychology

Child Development: Advanced

HDV-283154

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

Psychology

Counseling Theory

HDV-284044

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

Explore the major theories of counseling and counseling models and methodologies. Various models are studied intensively to provide students an opportunity to learn how to approach and attempt to facilitate their own growth as human service workers. A solid grounding in personality theory is a prerequisite.

Prerequisites: Theories of Personality and Abnormal Psychology or equivalents.

Psychology

Cultural Psychology
HDV-283544
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This advanced level course examines the degree to which cultural psychology has been successful in questioning the assumption that people are basically the same throughout the world in the ways that they think, feel, learn and maintain a sense of themselves and the extent to which its own research has been successful in establishing that different cultural experiences lead to fundamentally different ways of thinking, emoting and learning. The first half of this course will look at the ways that the fundamental concepts of psychology such as the self and personality might themselves be cultural creations rather than "scientific discoveries." The other half of the course will examine the way that such concepts (or their alternatives) function in non-Western cultures.

Prerequisites: Completion of Introduction of Psychology and Theories of Personality or Human Development. Completion of or currently taking a course in Social Psychology is recommended but not required.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Other World Civilizations.

Educational Studies;Family Studies;Human Development;Psychology

Educational Psychology

HDV-284334

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

This four credit advanced course provides a thorough study of educational psychological research, and the factors affecting the process of human growth and development from primary school through high school as it pertains to learning. The focus of this course is on applying the methods of psychology to studying the processes of education. The primary perspectives covered in the course are: cognitive and linguistic theory; emotion, psycho-social, and moral development, diversity, motivation, exceptionalities, learning theories, behaviorism and cognitive learning theory, testing measurements and assessment. Major theorists from each perspective will be reviewed in some detail. Students will have an opportunity to connect or relate a particular developmental stage to one or more theories or perspectives of development which are of personal interest.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Psychology or Human Development.

Psychology

Evolutionary Psychology
HDV-283454
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Evolutionary Psychology is a relative newcomer to the social sciences. It claims to present a new and different way of understanding things like the family and family conflict, relationships between the two sexes, group cooperation, crime, xenophobia and racism. For example, have you ever wondered why women as a general practice continue to play a high disproportionate role in raising children despite (allegedly) living in an era of social equality? Evolutionary psychology claims to know, though the answer has not been to everyone's liking. Are people predisposed to dislike those who look least like them through evolutionary pressures? What is the origin of human aggression and why is that young men especially engage in risky behavior? Evolutionary Psychology opposes itself to what it terms the Standard Social Science Model (SSSM); that is, that culture, learning, socialization, explains human behavior. Not entirely. "Nature keeps culture on a leash". This area of the human sciences is increasingly influential and continues to generate a great deal of debate.

Prerequisites: Completion of Introduction to Psychology. Completion of or currently taking a course in Social Psychology or Cultural Psychology is highly recommended.

Psychology

Experimental Psychology

HDV-283354

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

Understand and use the terminology and methods used for experimental psychology. Engage in online laboratory work, and become familiar with the research questions and current thinking in a number of different topical areas in the field of psychology, specifically: psychophysics, perception, attention, conditioning and learning, memory, thinking and problem solving, individual differences, social influence, environmental psychology and human factors.

Prerequisites: Completion of a course in Statistics or equivalent, and Introduction to Psychology, plus completion of at least one intermediate or advanced course in psychology.

Note: this course requires use of a CD-ROM component and requires access to and use of a Windows-based PC for completion of certain assignments.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Family Studies;Human Services;Psychology

Family Violence and Abuse
HDV-283314
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Develop a broad overview of the social problem of family violence. Includes physical and sexual abuse of children, neglect, sibling abuse, dating violence, marital violence, sexual violence against women and elder abuse. For each category of abuse, discover the historical factors regarding its identification as a social problem. Understand contributing factors and dynamics, consequences for victims and perpetrators and social policy and intervention issues. The student will read one textbook, read a number of commentaries and online resources and view a film. Assignments include topic quizzes, position papers, research essays, a two-part project and discussion participation.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Psychology

Forensic Psychology
HDV-284164
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This upper level course examines the evolving field of forensic psychology. It is designed to provide a comprehensive insight into the complex relationship of psychology, criminology and law. The course examines the clinical and legal framework of forensic psychology and includes such topics as the insanity defense, the assessment of potential recruits to the police service and the role and status of "expert" testimony.

Prerequisites: Completion of Introduction to Psychology/General Psychology and Introduction to Criminal Justice (or equivalent) Completion of a course in Abnormal Psychology or its equivalent is strongly recommended or can be taken concurrently with this course.

History and Civilizations;Psychology

History and Systems of Psychology
HDV-284104
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This advanced level course is designed to provide psychology students an opportunity to reflect upon the field as a whole – specifically to understand the history of the profession and evolution of ideas over time. The course will review areas that currently define the study of psychology, and explore older ideas that are no longer current, those ideas that are still relevant, and areas that are likely to be important in the future. Students will examine major philosophical approaches that informed the questions and methods of psychologists, including the classical systems and schools of psychology, and will review some of the major empirical findings and theories that have influenced the directions of research. Students will be encouraged to critically examine the ways by which psychologists have written their own history and to consider how intellectual and cultural contexts may have shaped their interpretation of this history.

Prerequisites: Completion of Introduction to Psychology OR General Psychology and at least two intermediate or advanced psychology courses.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Western Civilization.

Aging and Gerontology;Early Childhood Studies;Family Studies;Human Development;Human Services;Psychology

Human Development
HDV-282174
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the current theories and research findings about human development, from the beginnings of life through the end. Students are introduced to the major conceptualizations and methods of understanding development (i.e., theories, frameworks and research models.) Students will study expected developmental achievements and variations, both group and individual, as well as the factors, biological and environmental, that influence development across the lifespan.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Early Childhood Studies;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Psychology

Human Exceptionalities
HDV-283224
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
In this 4-credit advanced-level course the student will examine what is meant by human developmental exceptionality, theories of developmental difference, cultural perspectives of differences and how we judge what is normal. In order to understand developmental exceptionality, the student must have a good understanding of typical development. The student will build on their knowledge of human development and how development may be affected by a specific disability/giftedness. The student will examine the various types of developmental disabilities linked with physical/health issues, emotional/behavioral, particularly as regards learning and communication issues, as well as levels of intellectual learning and related developmental disabilities. Another area of developmental difference to be examined is that of giftedness and gifted children with disabilities. Current research in the study of childhood developmental exceptionalities will be investigated. Well-identified differences will be covered in this course, including Asperger's syndrome, autism, emotional trauma; extremely slow learners, and those identified as exceptionally bright. Students hopefully will come away from this course with a stronger respect for the variety of human learning experiences, and a clearer understanding of how to interact successfully with exceptional learners. Childhood and adolescent differences will be discussed, with reference to their impact on adulthood.

Prerequisites: Human Development Lifespan Development, Developmental Psychology, or Child Development or the equivalent.

Human Development;Psychology

Human Sexuality
HDV-283334
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
The study of human sexuality involves many disciplines and topics. It involves anatomy and physiology, gender, psychology, human development and interpersonal relationships to name a few. It is the cause of both tremendous social conflict and debate. This course attempts to give students a modern perspective on the field, as well as to show how this topic must be studied in a diverse and ever-changing world. Variations in sexual orientation, the nature of sexual coercion, the physiology and psychology of sexual behavior are all addressed in this course. It also seeks to bring a greater understanding of sexual health issues, attitudes and behaviors.

Psychology

Introduction to Psychology
HDV-282164
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course will provide a general overview and introduction to the field of psychology. Psychology covers many areas and students will be introduced to the use of scientific thinking and research in psychology, basic brain physiology, cognition, motivation, memory, learning, language, personality, human development, psychological disorders, and psychological treatment. Students will have the opportunity to become sufficiently familiar with the subject matter of psychology to decide if they wish to pursue further study of psychology.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Human Development;Psychology

Learning and Memory
HDV-283654
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
An introduction to learning and memory, grounded in research and theory. Students will be able to explore important phenomena of human learning and memory, theories that attempt to make sense of these phenomena and some practical applications in the fields of education and psychological treatment. Topics covered include: history and context of research in this field, behaviorist principles for respondent and operant conditioning, cognitive theories, concept learning and problem solving, contemporary models of memory, experimental analysis of memory processes, and social learning phenomena and theories. Students have opportunity to explore areas and questions of interest to them, and develop an applied project in a field of their choice. The course touches issues relevant to human development, human services, education, organizational learning and information systems. Satisfactory completion of at least one course in introductory psychology is a requisite to ensure familiarity with concepts and methods of this science.

Prerequisites: satisfactory completion of at least one course in introductory psychology is a prerequisite for enrollment in this course. Appropriate choices are Introduction to Psychology, Experimental Psychology or Cognitive Psychology. This prerequisite is necessary to ensure that students have some familiarity with the language, basic concepts and general methodology of psychology.

Psychology

Post-Traumatic Stress
HDV-284332
2 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This upper level course will provide an understanding of the etiology, assessment, diagnosis, treatment and challenges involved with trauma and stressor related disorders, with emphasis on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We will examine and critique theoretical models and empirical studies regarding this particular disorder. While containing a basic foundation regarding the nature of PTSD, the course focuses on the mental health issues facing clinicians, assessment/evaluation, current standards of treatment, and future directions in research. The course will use case studies, topic discussions, current research in the field, plus other resources available for PTSD management.

Prerequisites: Completion of Introduction to Psychology and Abnormal Psychology. Completion of a course on Stress and Coping, Health Psychology, or related course is strongly recommended.

Educational Studies;Human Development;Psychology

Principles of Testing and Measurements

HDV-283404

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

This is a foundation course in psychology. Testing is one of the primary facets of a psychologist’s work, both historically and currently. An understanding of how psychological testing and measurement tools are created and the criteria by which they are judged is an introduction to the methods of the social scientist, especially the psychologist. This course focuses on the principles, applications and issues of psychological testing, with a short introduction on the history of testing. Students will be exposed to the structure and usage of different types of tests and their appropriate usage and limits to usage.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Psychology or equivalent. Prerequisite or Co-requisite: Statistics. Quantitative Research: Design and Methods provides an excellent background, but is not required.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Psychology

Psychology and Aging
HDV-284224
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
The underlying theme throughout the course will be the interplay of physiological changes, cognitive changes, behavioral changes, societal expectations and the psychological impact on the aging adult. Current research will be integrated with real-life examples to create a greater picture of what it is like to be an older adult. Students will be exposed to the challenges that face these individuals and will observe how older adults are portrayed in literature and the media. Additionally, the course will present more than a conventional survey of the discipline by incorporating the theme of “positive aging” through the exploration of these milestones and challenges of aging.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Psychology OR General Psychology, plus a course in human development or its equivalent. Completion of or currently taking Behavioral Neuroscience: Introductory, Biology and the Brain, or a related course is recommended.

Important Note: this course was formerly offered as Geropsychology and was renamed in September 2010. Students who have successfully completed 284224 may not enroll in this course.

Aging and Gerontology;Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Communications and Media;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Health Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Psychology;Sociology;Women's Studies

Quantitative Research: Design and Methods
SOC-283604
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course enables students to understand and conduct systematic inquiries on social and behavioral topics, using quantitative social science research methods. Major topics include hypothesis development, causation, the logic of inquiry, research ethics, conceptualization and measurement, quantitative research design and data collection, and data analysis and interpretation. The course requires the use of advanced-level thinking skills, including analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

Recommended prerequisites include: at least one course in a social science discipline. A working knowledge of statistics is useful but not required; statistical analysis of data using SPSS is a required part of the course.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in social sciences.

Human Development;Psychology

Sensation and Perception

HDV-284364

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

This upper level course explains how information gets into the human organism and how this information is interpreted. It emphasizes the practical application of knowledge about the function of the sensory systems and the perceptual phenomena in various professional areas. The sorts of questions addressed in this class include the following; how are sensation and perception developed through the lifespan? What are the anatomical structures of the senses? How is perception constructed from the information of the sensory channels and what factors affect this complex process? How are visual and aural illusions produced? How can knowledge of sensation and perception be useful in practical affairs? The course studies visual perception in detail, while the other senses are discussed in an introductory manner: audition, skin senses, smell, and taste. This is primarily a course for students planning further study of Psychology, Human Development or those with an especial interest in the physiology of perception.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Psychology/General Psychology or equivalent. Completion of or concurrently taking Behavioral Neuroscience: Introductory, Biology of the Brain, or a related course is recommended.

Note: this course requires access to and use of a Windows-based PC for completion of certain assignments.

Psychology

Social Psychology
HDV-284064
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Social Psychology explores social behavior and how this affects and is influenced by an individual’s personality, values, beliefs, and attitudes. Major topics are conformity, obedience, prejudice, intra-group behavior, group conflict, cognitive biases, aggression, and altruism. Understand the assumptions and values underpinning these perspectives and how such assumptions influence the ways in which social behavior is explained. Compare and contrast the major theoretical perspectives and learn how individual identities are related to collective identities (cultures, nations, etc.). Course assignments will aid in the developing an understanding of key social psychological concepts and offer opportunities to learn how these concepts are used to analyze social behavior.

Prerequisite: Completion of Introduction to Psychology or General Psychology.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Survey of Social Science Research Methods

SOC-283424

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

Note: This course has a required SPSS component.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Psychology

Theories of Personality

HDV-284134

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

This course will study the psychology of personality, including how the concept is defined and conceptualized. Gain a broad grasp of the field of contemporary personality psychology and the various theoretical perspectives, both recent and earlier views. Learn about three distinct but interrelated areas in the study of personality: theory, assessment and research.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Psychology/General Psychology and at least one additional course in psychology. Completion of a course in adolescent development or human development is highly recommended.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Science

Anatomy and Physiology I
SMT-272724
4 credits,lower level,
Anatomy and Physiology I is the first course of the two-term sequence in anatomy and physiology. This course serves as an introduction to the basic principles of anatomy and physiology. Themes to be explored include integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous and special senses systems which are covered in detail. This course gives the student an in-depth understanding of how these systems work both independently and together in the human body.

Science

Anatomy and Physiology II
SMT-272734
4 credits,lower level,
Anatomy and Physiology II is the second course of the two-term sequence in anatomy and physiology. Themes to be explored include the endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive urinary and reproductive systems as well as how these systems work and relate to one another.

Prerequisites: Anatomy and Physiology I

Science

Biology I
SMT-271014
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Biology I is the first course of the two term sequence in general biology. This course serves as an introduction to the basic principles of biology, primarily in the domain of cellular and molecular biology. Themes to be explored will include: cell structure; membrane structure and function; cellular respiration and photosynthesis; cell communication; the cell cycle; the chromosomal and molecular basis of inheritance; gene expression; and the biology of viruses.

The course is intended primarily for students who need an introduction to biology in preparation for work in science concentrations and professions (biology, chemistry, environmental science, health science, etc.). The course can also serve as a basic introduction to science for students interested in concentrating in physics, mathematics, or applied mathematics. This course includes a laboratory component.

NOTE: This course has a laboratory component which requires a lab kit that must be purchased from ESC's bookstore (http://www.esc.edu/bookstore/). Please order in time to allow for shipping before the start of the term.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Science

Biology II
SMT-271024
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
The course is intended primarily for students who need an introduction to biology in preparation for work in science concentrations and professions (biology, chemistry, environmental science, health science, etc.). The course can also serve as a basic introduction to science for students interested in concentrating in physics, mathematics, or applied mathematics.

Biology II is the second course of the two term sequence in general biology. This course serves as an introduction to the basic principles of biology, primarily in the domain of microbial, plant and animal biology. Themes to be explored will include: the biological diversity of bacteria, archaea, protists, and fungi; plant form and function, including plant structure, growth, development, and transport; animal form and function, including digestion, respiration, immune responses, excretion, endocrinology, reproduction, and neurology. This course includes a laboratory component.

NOTE: This course has a laboratory component which requires a lab kit that must be purchased from ESC's bookstore (http://www.esc.edu/bookstore/). Please order in time to allow for shipping before the start of the term.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Environmental Studies;Science

Biology of Ecosystems
SMT-272204
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Gain an understanding of and appreciation for fundamental themes of biology through the study of plants, insects and living organisms in ecosystems. Learn about the importance of biodiversity and the complex interdependence and interaction between plants and animals in a healthy ecosystem. Develop a conceptual framework that will enable you to apply what you learn to critical examinations of complex ecological issues.

While some background in biology will be helpful, there are no specific prerequisites for this course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Science

Biology of the Brain
SMT-273364
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Explore the structure and function of the human nervous system to understand sensory perception; movement and coordination; regulation of thirst, hunger, temperature; sleep and dreams; pain management; emotions; cognition; psychiatric disorders and the effects of drugs on the nervous system and on behavior. Build on knowledge of underlying themes and concepts of basic biology such as molecular and cellular structure, genetics and evolution. Interpret scientific literature and research as well as acquire the fundamental concepts of neurobiology relevant to contemporary issues in health and human behavior.

Note: the Study Guide contained on the CD-ROM is not required for assignments, but may be helpful for study and self-assessment of learning.

Prerequisites: prior college biology is required (e.g., Human Biology, General Biology or Anatomy and Physiology). In addition, strong writing and research skills are absolutely necessary for the successful completion of this advanced-level course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Science

Bioterrorism
SMT-272112
2 credits, liberal study, lower level,
This eight-week course will cover the study of some biological organisms and toxins that may be used as weapons. This includes examining the type of organism (bacteria, virus, etc.) and the mechanism by which they are harmful. In the process, students will study the means by which their use can be prevented, appropriate defensive strategies and therapies that can be used to treat those who are affected by an attack. Not covered in this class are the social, governmental, economic or political aspects of bioterrorism.

Important note: This course will only run the first 8 weeks of the summer term.

Students obtaining Federal Direct loans: If you are only taking 8 week courses during the Summer term your student loans may be reduced or cancelled. Please visit our Web site at www.esc.edu/FinancialServices for more information.

Science

Cell Biology
SMT-274244
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This upper-level course will begin with an overview of the molecular structure of the major biomolecules that comprise cells, eukaryotic sub-cellular structures, organelles and their functions. Key concepts such as protein and lipid synthesis, transport, and degradation, vesicular trafficking, endocytosis and exocytosis will be explored. Cell signaling mechanisms, molecular structure and behaviors of the cytoskeleton, and the basic events of the cell cycle and the importance of programmed cell death (apoptosis) will be studied in detail. Problem-solving, virtual laboratories and the use of cutting-edge online resources will be utilized to develop an understanding of the relevance of cell biology to current human medical practices.

Prerequisites: Human Biology or General Biology or professor’s permission.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Science

Chemistry I
SMT-271044
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Chemistry I is the first course of the two term sequence in general chemistry. This course serves as an introduction to the basic principles of chemistry, chemical bonding, molecular structure, periodic properties, thermochemistry, and gases. Themes to be explored will include: atomic structure, periodic properties of matter, chemical bonding, and molecular geometry of organic and inorganic molecules, states of matter, stoichiometry, and properties of solutions. This course includes a laboratory component.

Prerequisites: Understanding of algebra.

NOTE: This course has a laboratory component which requires a lab kit that must be purchased from ESC's bookstore (http://www.esc.edu/bookstore/). Please order in time to allow for shipping before the start of the term.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Science

Chemistry II
SMT-271054
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Chemistry II is the second course of the two term sequence in general chemistry. This course is a continuation of the study of the fundamental principles and laws of chemistry. Topics include kinetics, equilibrium, ionic and redox equations, acid-base theory, electrochemistry, thermodynamics, introduction to nuclear and organic chemistry, and complex ions. This course includes a laboratory component.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Chemistry I.

NOTE: This course has a laboratory component which requires a lab kit that must be purchased from ESC's bookstore (http://www.esc.edu/bookstore/). Please order in time to allow for shipping before the start of the term.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Environmental Studies;Science

Contemporary Environmental Issues
SMT-274544
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This interdisciplinary course examines a broad range of contemporary global environmental issues, such as biodiversity, pollution, population growth, and global warming, and focuses on how those big issues might affect us locally. It develops students' environmental literacy and enables them to take part in informed debate and action. It explores environmental materials in a variety of media and teaches students how to navigate these materials; how to analyze and evaluate information; how to balance information from a variety of scientific and nonscientific, objective and subjective sources; and how to develop arguments surrounding environmental problems.

Prerequisites: An understanding of basic environmental issues and concepts such as would be gained in a lower-level ecology course, e.g., "Biology of Ecosystems"

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Aging and Gerontology;Early Childhood Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Science

Developmental Neurobiology: A Lifespan View
HDV-283112
2 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Building on their basic knowledge of human development and human biology, students in this 2 credit, 8-week advanced-level course will gain knowledge about developmental processes in humans across the lifespan, viewed from both the inside (neurological changes) and the outside (changes in behavior). They will see how the neurological changes and behavioral changes interact. This course will help students feel comfortable with basic vocabulary and concepts associated with developmental neurobiology.

Prerequisites: An introductory course in lifespan human development, and an introductory course in human biology.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the September 2013 term and was formerly offered as Developmental Neurobiology: A Human Lifespan and also offered as Developmental Neurobiology. Students who have successfully completed 283112 should not enroll in this course.

Students obtaining Federal Direct loans: If you are only taking 8 week courses during the Summer term your student loans may be reduced or cancelled. Please visit our Web site at www.esc.edu/FinancialServices for more information.

Environmental Studies;Science

Ecology, Adaptation and Sustainable Development
SMT-271504
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course provides a comprehensive, clear and engaging introduction to human ecology, biological adaptation, cultural adaptation and sustainable development. Included are studies of the organization and function of ecosystems, the interactions of human social systems with them and how social institutions and processes contribute to, or conflict with, sustainability. The readings concentrate on how humans affect global ecosystems and how these changes impact our health, behavior, social and cultural life. The course will integrate long-standing ecological principles with more recent case studies that focus on achieving ecologically sustainable development. The coursework includes concepts that can be applied in our individual and collective lives to pursue a promising and secure future. This material is a thought provoking exercise aimed at sensitizing the students via case studies on biological and cultural adaptations from different parts of the world. By pursuing this course, students will also be able to investigate ecological principles relevant to global concerns and will be able to cultivate values that prepare them as informed and responsible global citizens.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Environmental Studies;Science

Energy: The Issues and the Science
SMT-271544
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
In this world, energy is crucial for events of any kind. The existence of life, the origin of civilization, and our modern society are all based on the capture and flow of energy. However, as the largest user of fossil fuel energy with the highest per capita consumption in the world, the current patterns of energy use in the United State are without question unsustainable over the long term and raise critical questions of self-sufficiency and global impact.

This course will discuss fundamental energy science principles in the context of chemistry, biology, and physics. The study will examine the origin and flow of energy through the system, what it does, and its ultimate fate. The course will further explore current issues in energy including the economics of energy production, how public policy on energy will impact our everyday life, how the environment is effected by energy consumption, and how new technologies can help achieve a sustainable energy policy. Students in this course will be challenged to critically examine the use of energy in our society and to formulate a personal understanding of this complex issue.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Environmental Studies;Science

Ethnobotany
SMT-272054
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Our human ancestors depended on plants for food, shelter, medicine, and clothing. Plants also had a key role in religion and mythology. Knowledge of plants and their uses was vital for survival for early peoples, and many cultures today still depend on plants for many of their resources. In this course, students will learn about plant biology and the role of plants in societies throughout the world. Ethnobotanical field methods will be introduced and students will engage in field/practical activities. Other topics for exploration and discussion will include conservation, sustainable development, bioprospecting, and intellectual property rights.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Science

Evolution: One Long Argument
SMT-273194
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Evolution is the great unifying theory for biology. No idea in biology has been more powerful scientifically. Yet the idea of evolution has been enmeshed in controversy, especially within the United States. This course will trace the history of evolutionary ideas, using the development of Darwin’s theory and The Origin of Species as the scaffolding for our current understanding, examining the vast amount of evidence that has accumulated in support of evolution. The course will emphasize how evolution has continued to provide a research program today in diverse areas of research, from paleontology to molecular biology to human behavior to medicine. In doing so the course explores the frontiers and controversies of working evolutionary biologists.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of at least one entry level biology course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Science

Genetics
SMT-273384
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This upper-level course will have balanced coverage of both classical and modern genetics. It will emphasize concepts and problem-solving and use cutting-edge online resources to explore the current explosion in genetics research. The course will begin with a review of basic biological principles involving DNA, genes and chromosomes, and will introduce the concepts of heredity and discussions of modern biotechnology, including recombinant DNA, cloning, stem cell research and DNA fingerprinting.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Prerequisites: Human Biology or Biology of Ecosystems or General Biology or professor’s permission.

Environmental Studies;Science

Geology and the Environment
SMT-271404
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course is offered as an introduction to earth science. Material covered will include a description of the earth, its major features and the processes responsible for their formation. Major topics will include plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanism, climate change and earth resources. Emphasis will be placed on demonstrating the interaction between our civilization and the environment.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Economics;Environmental Studies;History and Civilizations;Political Science and Public Affairs;Science

Global Climate Change
SMT-272114
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
There is little doubt that the Earth's climate is changing due to the influence of human activities. In this course students will explore the evidence that climate change is occurring, how human activities have affected this process, the primary forces influencing the Earth's climates, and what steps can be taken to adapt to or mitigate these changes.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Environmental Studies;Science

GPS and the New Geography
SMT-272774
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
The environment is a major topic of public discussion and debate. Spatial information and geographic literacy is a basis for a growing number of disciplines. From agriculture to climate change, people need to know how location affects our understanding of natural systems. This course combines both topics. In this activity-based course, students will explore environmental science from a geographic perspective using global positioning systems and mass GIS to gather and analyze geographically referenced environmental data while learning about the broader applications of these tools to environmental science and other fields. At the same time, students will get a hands-on look at how geographic data is gathered and turned into maps.

Prerequisites: students must be comfortable using microcomputer applications, and must be able to install software and have a computer available on which they can install software. Students should have access to a high-speed Internet connection and basic familiarity with Internet technologies.

Note: This course replaced Introduction to Geographic Information Systems, 272764, effective the January 2008 term.

All students in GPS and the New Geography must have an appropriate GPS/track plotter device. The Garmin eTrex Venture HC and the Magellan Triton 200 are examples of suitable devices. These models recently replaced the Garmin Venture H and the Magellan Explorist 200/210. Those models are also suitable and may be available used. Please note that many freestanding GPS units intended for automobile use, and GPS enabled cell phones, do not have the necessary functionality. However, in both cases the situation is changing rapidly and newer devices of these types may meet the requirements.

For this course, the GPS unit you use must have the following features:
* Hand-held
* Ability to store waypoints
* Multiple channels (12 is the minimum)
* WAAS enabled
* Capable of working with lat/long or UTM coordinate systems

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Science

Human Biology
SMT-272364
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Pursue a systematic study of the major systems of the human body and understand the relationships between structure and function in living organisms. Includes fundamental concepts and principles of chemistry and biology, including cells and tissues, necessary for understanding the major topics. Study systems of the human body -- nervous, endocrine, reproductive, circulatory, immune, respiratory -- in detail.

Provides for critical reading and interpretation of scientific text and information as well as greater understanding of facts, concepts and principles in biology related to contemporary issues in health, medicine, biotechnology and human behavior. There is no laboratory component in this course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Educational Studies;Science

Human Nutrition
SMT-272354
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Understand the scientific basis of human nutrition and develop a critical approach to nutrition information. Includes discussion of the digestion, absorption, metabolism and dietary sources of micro- and macro-nutrients necessary for human health. Explore the social, psychological and economic forces which affect nutrition and food choice. Develop an ability to analyze the dietary adequacy of foods and critically discuss some current issues and topics in nutrition. Activities include: careful recording of food intake, diet analysis exercises and completion of a project which explores some aspect of nutrition of particular interest.

This course is a good general learning science study and may be of special interest to students working in human services. It is a good study for development of critical thinking skills. No prior study in biology or nutrition required.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Nursing;Science

Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Global Health
NUR-203254
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course is open to both nursing and nonnursing students and will introduce students to the main concepts of the global health field. Students will get an overview of principles and goals of global health, cross cutting global health issues, burden of disease and cooperating to improve global health. Students will utilize critical reasoning and evidence based practices to propose and support solutions for public health concerns around the world.

Prerequisites for non-nursing majors: U.S. Health Systems

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the May 2012 term and was formerly offered as Global Health. Students who have successfully completed 203254 should not enroll in this course.

Science

Introductory Astronomy
SMT-271434
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course will introduce students to the physics of planets, moons and stars. They will also learn about telescopes, celestial geometry, the history of astronomy and the scientific method. Activities will include solving both qualitative and quantitative problems, using planetarium software, and observing the sky outdoors.

Prerequisite: knowledge of basic high school algebra.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Science

Invention by Design
SMT-271564
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Explore the development of the built world, investigate inventions from the paperclip to the bridge. In this course, you will discover the "principles and processes that turn thought into the many things that define our made world." It is recommended, but not required that students taking this course have the ability to post digital images (digital or scanned pictures). Access to a PC is required for this course as the software involved is not designed for a Mac.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Environmental Studies;Science

Marine Biology
SMT-273374
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course introduces marine biology as the study of living organisms within saltwater ecosystems. Through this course, concerned citizens can acquire the necessary tools to teach others about the importance of saving our oceans. Students develop a firm grasp of scientific vocabulary, facts, and concepts along with scientific literacy: the ability to read scientific studies, interpret numeric information, weigh and assess data, make connections, apply what was learned to issues outside of the classroom and write effectively about scientific results. These skills are invaluable in advocating for informed protection of the marine environment.

Note: this course has a required DVD-based video component.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Science

Minds and Machines

SMT-271554

4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements

This course will introduce students to the theory of consciousness, artificial intelligence and argue the possibility of building a machine with a mind. The course will be based on introductions to the following topics in the order given: mind versus brain, artificial intelligence, natural language, formal systems, truth and proof, syntax and semantics, Godel's theorem and the halting problem, the Turing test and the Chinese room, internal and external points of view and possibilities of formalizing a logical model of a brain/mind. The evolutionary development of the brain/mind will be emphasized throughout the course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Environmental Studies;Science

Ornithology
SMT-274534
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Ornithology is an upper level biology course with a full lab component, that will build on knowledge obtained in introductory biology courses. It will reinforce students' understanding of basic anatomy and physiology, evolution and ecology. It will then expand their knowledge with an in-depth study of the biology of birds, including avian form and function, behavior and migration. Students will discuss the roles of birds in ecosystems and the importance of conservation efforts to preserve habitats. Students will learn to identify birds by characteristics such as size, shape, color, markings, flight patterns, habitat and behavior. They will also be required to learn to identify birds by call and song. Students will keep a journal of sightings throughout the course.

Prerequisites: One of the following courses (or similar learning/understanding): Biology of Ecosystems or another lower-level biology course that includes a significant environmental science component.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Science

Physics I
SMT-271074
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Physics I is the first course of the two-term sequence in general physics. This course serves as an introduction to the basic principles of physics, primarily in the domain of mechanics, the study of the motion of objects. The course presents physics concepts using an algebra-based framework. Themes to be explored will include: linear, two-dimensional, and rotational kinematics (motion); linear, two-dimensional, and rotational dynamics (force); models of energy and momentum; gravity; simple harmonic motion; waves and sound; fluids. This course includes a laboratory component.

Prerequisites: comfort with algebra and trigonometry; Precalculus is preferred.

NOTE: This course has a laboratory component which requires a lab kit that must be purchased from ESC's bookstore (http://www.esc.edu/bookstore/). Please order in time to allow for shipping before the start of the term.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Science

Physics II
SMT-271084
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Physics II is the second course of the two-term sequence in general physics. This course serves as an introduction to the basic principles of physics, primarily in the domain of electromagnetism, the study of electrical and magnetic systems and phenomena. Additional topics in thermal physics and quantum physics will be explored. The course presents physics concepts using an algebra-based framework. Themes to be explored will include: heat and temperature; phases and phase changes; laws of thermodynamics; electric charges, forces, and fields; electric potential; electric current and direct-current circuits; magnetism; electromagnetic waves; geometric optics; physical optics; quantum mechanics; atomic and nuclear physics. This course includes a laboratory component.

Comfort with algebra and trigonometry. Precalculus is preferred. Background knowledge of kinematics, dynamics, energy, and waves/harmonic motion (such as found in a Physics I course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

NOTE: This course has a laboratory component which requires a lab kit that must be purchased from ESC's bookstore (http://www.esc.edu/bookstore/). Please order in time to allow for shipping before the start of the term.

Environmental Studies;Science

Plant Ecology
SMT-273524
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Plant ecology is the scientific study of interactions that determine the distribution and abundance of plants within the environment. This course will introduce students to the fundamental principles and concepts of plant ecology through an examination of plants within the environment. Topics will include: the individual plant and how it interacts with its environment; population biology; communities -- how populations of different plant species interact; from ecosystems to landscapes; and global patterns and processes of plant ecology. Some of the subjects covered are unique to plants, such as photosynthesis and the ecology of plant-soil interactions. Other topics, such as resource and mate acquisition, emphasize the distinctive ways plants (in contrast to mobile animals) deal with their environments. Human environmental influences on plants are covered.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Prerequisites: Biology of Ecosystems or equivalent.

Anthropology;Environmental Studies;Science;Sociology

Populations and Diseases
SMT-272044
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Diseases can manifest differently in different populations; diseases can also impact populations disproportionately. What determines how a disease progresses is a combination of genetic, biological, environmental and/or social factors. Adopting a public health or epidemiological approach is useful to interpret and understand how diseases manifest themselves and impact populations differently. This course is based on a careful examination of six diseases that may (or may not) affect populations differently. Concepts of risk, exposure, prevention and treatment will be explored in each disease module. Students will learn analytic skills and become familiar with publicly available data on select diseases. Students will read, write and research together and individually to learn to think critically about published scientific findings.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences

Science

The Science of Cooking
SMT-271364
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Have you ever wondered why we cook certain foods? Do you understand why specific ingredients and procedures are used when preparing your favorite recipes? Do you want to learn more about the foods that we eat? Through hands-on activities done in your own kitchen, we will explore the science of cooking using common household items and ingredients. We will investigate food preparation and cooking techniques such as kneading bread and browning meat. We will also consider the underlying biological, chemical, and physical concepts behind such methods, as we experiment with the cooking of foods in a delicious way.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Environmental Studies;Science

Winter Ecology
SMT-272514
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
There are elements of secrecy and risk embedded within a winter landscape that seemingly belies the change of seasons and the progression of living things. Yet to the observant, winter is replete with beauty, movement, and life. This course explores the vast intricacies of nature that encapsulate winter, drawing upon the sciences and our individual experience to reveal its pattern. The peculiar adaptations of plants and animals (including humans) to the cold will be understood from the constraints and opportunities afforded by the physical environment. The tutor will emphasize the student's own development as winter interpreters through a sequence of exercises and inquiry, including descriptions of the landscapes that surround us.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Aging and Gerontology;Critical Thinking;Educational Studies;Educational Planning;Human Development;Human Services;Sociology

Adults as Learners: Theories and Strategies
HDV-283184
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This 4-credit advanced-level course provides a thorough treatment of adults as learners, making use of key learning theories, research on adult learning and relevant strategies for understanding adults as learners. This course is appropriate for students who approach Human Development from a learning perspective; who are (or will be) involved with adult learners in academia, communities, or business; and who, as adult learners, wish to reflect on their personal process. The focus of the course is on approaches to adult learning and associated learning strategies. The primary perspectives covered in the course are: Critical Pedagogy; Communities of Learning and Practice; Adult Development; and Systems of Learning. Major theorists from each perspective will be reviewed in some detail. Students will have the opportunity to relate a particular learning environment to one or more theory/perspective of personal interest to them.

Prerequisites: A foundational course in the social sciences and upper level critical thinking skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Aging and Gerontology;Family Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Sociology

Aging and Society
HDV-283254
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This upper level course is intended for students in Human Development (Development, Psychology and Social Studies), Family Studies, Community and Human Services, and Health Services, as well as others who are interested in the study of aging (including AARP students). The course includes: aging as part of the human life cycle and of family life; biological, developmental, and psychological aspects of aging; an examination of aging in various cultures; changing views of aging in the United States; how aging affects different segments of our diverse population, including men and women; death and bereavement; health and support services for the aging; and social policy issues. This course will expose students to information and perspectives on aging from across the disciplines that contribute to the study of human development; including Human Development, Psychology, Sociology, Human Services and Health.

Note: this course has a required video component.

Note to NYS Nursing Home Administrator Certificate Students: this course fulfills the requirement in Gerontology.

Prerequisite: Human Development or equivalent.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Sociology

Contemporary American Social Issues
SOC-281214
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
What is the difference between a social issue and a social problem? Who decides that an issue is a social problem? This course uses a sociological perspective to explore a number of contemporary American problems in education, the family, health care, and criminal justice as well as issues of inequalities and deviance.

Prerequisites: "Exploring Society" or equivalent knowledge.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Anthropology;Cultural Studies;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Sociology;Women's Studies

Contemporary Global Migration: Gender and Family
SOC-283214
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Millions of people make their home and livelihood in a country that is not their birthplace. This course explores migration today through the lens of gender. We will examine how contemporary migration affects family life both for those who migrate and for those left behind. What happens to family dynamics when they migrate together? How are relations maintained with those left behind? Migration also changes gender relations, expectations and intimacy among migrant men and women. How are men’s and women’s gendered selves transformed by migration? Gender is a central feature shaping who migrates, how they migrate and to where they migrate. This course explores these gendered flows of people across the globe considering the role of global economic inequalities in shaping these mobilities. While most of the readings and materials focus on transnational migration to the US, some materials address migration to Europe, Asia and other regions.

Prerequisites: At least one course in a social science discipline (anthropology, sociology, political science,etc.) is recommended. Upper level college reading and writing skills.

Critical Thinking;Cultural Studies;Economics;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs;Sociology

Contemporary Global Social Issues
SOC-284544
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Contemporary Global Social Issues explores various social problems that cross national boundaries and their effects on society. This course begins by examining the definitions of social problems and globalization. Students then investigate a number of issues that have a global scope including sovereignty, food production, militarized conflicts, human rights, global climate change, transnational migration and work, and transnational social movements.

Prerequisites: at least one course in the discipline of a social science concentration. Upper level college reading and writing skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Sociology

Crime and Intelligence Analysis
CHS-264664
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
The student will examine the emerging field of crime and intelligence analysis, with an emphasis on the local level of law enforcement. The student will synthesize information from various papers, relevant texts and selected websites regarding the development of analysis in law enforcement, obstacles to its growth, benefits of analyzing data and future applications of crime and intelligence analysis in efforts to reduce crime, prevent crime and apprehend criminals. Theories, concepts and applications of crime mapping and geographic and behavioral profiling will be examined.

Prerequisite skills and knowledge: The student should have an understanding of the structure and functions of the various parts of the criminal justice system and the relationship of federal, state and local criminal-justice agencies, such as might be learned in a course in Introduction to Criminal Justice. Basic knowledge of common information systems is also necessary to ensure success in this course.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Sociology

Deviance and Social Control

SOC-263634

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

Students will explore how societies and social groups come to define some behaviors and characteristics as deviant; patterns and explanations of social deviance among adults and youths (in areas such as violence, aggression, criminality, drug use, white-collar crime, academic deviance and variations in sexual conduct); and how societies and groups respond to social deviance. Alternative social science theories about such behavior are compared and contrasted.� Research methodologies and findings in recent social-science literature are examined and interpreted.

Recommended prerequisites include: Introduction to Criminal Justice or Exploring Society or Introduction to Psychology or equivalents.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the September 2007 term and was formerly offered as Psycho-Social Issues in Deviant Behavior. Students who have successfully completed 263634 should not enroll in this course. This course was titled Deviant Behavior from 2007 to January 2014.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Health Services;Human Services;Sociology

Disabled in America
CHS-252054
4 credits, liberal study, lower level,
Study the civil rights movement of individuals with disabilities through a review of significant historical events, changing social policy. Through this course, the student will find out about the daily lives and characteristics of the more than 54 million Americans who are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Current initiatives in education, employment, housing, transportation, communication, cultural activities, recreation, health services, assistive technology and access to public services is also covered.

Students will be required to complete the following assignments for this course: five written assignments and a final project.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Emergency Management;Human Development;Human Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Sociology

Disaster and Society
SOC-283434
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
What is a disaster? How do social structures, groups and institutions react to the loss of social function as a result of natural, technological, or sociopolitical events? This upper level course explores social effects of disaster from both a macro and a micro level of analysis, using social theories of organizational behavior, political sociology, community development, religion, urban planning, and rural sociology that inform the field of disaster research.

Prerequisites: Upper-level standing with advanced-level critical thinking, reading, research and writing skills. A previous study (or equivalent knowledge) in social theory or structure is desirable, but not mandatory.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Sociology

Exploring Society
SOC-282124
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This introductory course explores how humans construct and interact with the social, political, economic, and cultural components of society. Students learn foundational sociological theories and then apply a sociological perspective to contemporary issues. Topics include: class, race, ethnicity, gender, socialization, groups, deviance, family, media, culture, and globalization. This course is designed for students who are interested in examining the many ways that sociology matters regardless of a person’s chosen field of occupation or social position.

Important Note: this course was formerly offered as The Sociological Imagination: An Introduction to Sociology. Students who have successfully completed 282124 should not enroll in this course.

Note: this course has a required video component.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Anthropology;Family Studies;Sociology

Families: A Global Perspective
SOC-284434
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
The family is a central human institution and takes a wide range of forms; this study will be a cross-cultural exploration and comparison of family and kinship structures within the tradition of cultural anthropology. Looking at family and kinship holistically, within the broader context of culture, this study will examine the cultural construction of families and the roles of males and females, old and young within families across several different non-Western cultures (e.g., African, Asian, Middle Eastern and/or Latin American). By examining an array of non-Western cultures we will explore what constitutes a family, and what roles and opportunities women and men have in these various manifestations of families. We’ll explore people’s experiences in families around issues such: reproduction, parenting and parenthood, family and household economies, marriage, domestic life, post-marital residence patterns and kinship and polity.

Recommended: a lower-level social science course (such as sociology or anthropology) and advanced level critical thinking and writing skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Other World Civilizations.

Anthropology;Arts: Visual and Performing;Literature;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Sociology

Gays and Lesbians in American Culture
SOC-242204
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
The greater visibility of lesbians and gay men has been one of the most notable changes in contemporary American culture. Whereas once lesbians and gays were confined to the cultural “closet,” cultural productions by and about gay people now span popular media such as sit-coms and more “serious” genres such as theater.

These works of art and culture are part of a more general social awareness of diversity, including diversity of sexual orientation, and they raise a number of issues for Americans, both gay and straight. Is homosexuality (or heterosexuality, for that matter) something you are or something you do? What is the relationship between differences in sexual orientation and other formulations of difference? This course will examine how recent American plays, novels, autobiographies, movies, television programming, comic strips, and other cultural texts have been exploring these and related issues. In doing this work, students will also be introduced to tools of cultural analysis used in the contemporary humanities, contributing a foundation for more advanced work in Cultural Studies and the arts.

Note: Students will need the capability to acquire and view DVD materials for this course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Health Services;Sociology

Health, Illness and Society
SOC-283164
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
This course explores the broad area of sociological inquiry known as the sociology of medicine. Students examine the relationship between health, illness and the social factors that may affect wellness. In addition to applying theories and models of society to issues of health and illness, students examine how health care is organized and delivered in the USA and in other capitalist, socialist and emerging societies.

This course was previously offered as Sociology of Medicine. Students who have successfully completed Sociology of Medicine should not enroll in this course.

Prerequisites: At least one foundation course in Sociology.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Family Studies;History and Civilizations;Sociology;Women's Studies

Images of Women in Western Civilization
ART-223534
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
What have been women’s roles and life experiences since ancient times until present? How have women seen their position in the development of Western civilization? How have women been represented in Western art? How did women’s domestic art become fine art? What does this change entail? What interpretive frameworks do scholars use to examine and understand women’s art and its connection to the development of Western civilization? This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to explore questions like these and look broadly and in-depth at women’s contributions to the development of Western civilization. Students are encouraged to identify and analyze significant events, societies, people and ideas which contributed to the development of European, Western and world attitudes and institutions. Students will be able to develop a wider perspective which recognizes the political, economic and cultural development of western societies and women’s experiences, and which encourages a more inclusive view of the human experience.

To enhance upper level academic skills, students will read scholarly literature and theories relevant to women, art, and western societies. Students will analyze images of women found in sculptures, paintings, cultural artifacts, magazine covers, and other products of popular culture, from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, up until the present. Students will examine such examples as ancient fiber arts, folk arts, LGBT arts, and feminist arts. Students will design their own independent research projects to examine theories and images of women, interpret women’s roles and experiences in specific times and places in Western civilization, and respond to, or generate new, questions they set out to explore. Students will also have a chance to do a creative work to (re-/de-)construct their own images of women. Students will need to have the digital capacity to submit images online (i.e., a digital camera or a scanner) as low-resolution JPEG images.

Prerequisites: upper-level standing with advanced level critical thinking, reading and writing skills.

Recommended: one of the following (or their equivalent): Artistic Expression in a Multicultural America, Visual Literacy, An Introduction to Culture, General Education courses in Western Civilization.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Western Civilization for 4 credits and in The Arts for 4 credits.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Political Science and Public Affairs;Sociology

Perspectives on Terrorism
CHS-264684
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course explores the history, politics, psychology, and social policy of terrorism. Students examine possible connections between philosophical discourse, social change, and the psychology of fear related to acts or threatened acts of terrorism.

Prerequisite: prior college-level learning in world history or world politics.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Anthropology;Environmental Studies;Science;Sociology

Populations and Diseases
SMT-272044
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Diseases can manifest differently in different populations; diseases can also impact populations disproportionately. What determines how a disease progresses is a combination of genetic, biological, environmental and/or social factors. Adopting a public health or epidemiological approach is useful to interpret and understand how diseases manifest themselves and impact populations differently. This course is based on a careful examination of six diseases that may (or may not) affect populations differently. Concepts of risk, exposure, prevention and treatment will be explored in each disease module. Students will learn analytic skills and become familiar with publicly available data on select diseases. Students will read, write and research together and individually to learn to think critically about published scientific findings.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences

Sociology

Power and Privilege
SOC-284264
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This advanced-level study will explore the personal and collective ideologies that contribute to shaping our perceptions of inter-person and group differences and the prejudices and discriminatory practices that emanate from them. Many of our stereotypes about people whom we perceive as being different invade our lives without much conscious deliberation on our part. As a result, we may be blinded to the privileges and advantages we enjoy as a result of our membership in particular groups and to the disadvantages suffered by others. In surfacing these dynamics, we may become more sensitive to how our understanding and treatment of others may be based less on some presumed objective assessment of their circumstances and more on a belief system that was born of myths and misperceptions. The study draws upon social science research related to these issues and requires advanced-level critical thinking and writing skills for successful completion.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Sociology

Privacy, Security and Freedom: Social Concerns for the 21st Century
SOC-283274
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
The sociological and philosophical exploration of the questions of privacy, security and freedom in the 21st Century in the context of both the theory and practical, policy-oriented aspects of these social concerns. This study will include an examination of some of the concepts of political and social philosophy, such as private vs. public domains, the individual and the state, freedom, political obligation and their relevance to contemporary society and government, with a particular focus on the Patriot Act, the Homeland Security Act and Total Information Awareness/Terrorism Information Awareness.

Note: students should be prepared to do upper-level work.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Aging and Gerontology;Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Anthropology;Communications and Media;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Health Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Sociology;Women's Studies

Qualitative Social Science Research: Design and Methods
SOC-284534
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Qualitative social science research utilizes inductive approaches to explore and understand human behaviors, social interactions, and the construction of social reality. This course examines the ways social scientists ethically formulate questions, collect and analyze data, and present their findings. Students will apply this knowledge by writing a formal research proposal, conducting fieldwork, using visual and/or narrative analysis.

Prerequisites: At least one introductory course in the discipline of a social science concentration.

Note: Students may receive credit for EITHER Survey for Social Science Research Methods OR Qualitative Research: Design and Methods.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Important Note: This course was renamed effective the May 2014 term and was formerly offered as Qualitative Research: Design and Methods. Students who have successfully completed 284534 should not enroll in this course.

Aging and Gerontology;Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Communications and Media;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Health Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Psychology;Sociology;Women's Studies

Quantitative Research: Design and Methods
SOC-283604
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course enables students to understand and conduct systematic inquiries on social and behavioral topics, using quantitative social science research methods. Major topics include hypothesis development, causation, the logic of inquiry, research ethics, conceptualization and measurement, quantitative research design and data collection, and data analysis and interpretation. The course requires the use of advanced-level thinking skills, including analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

Recommended prerequisites include: at least one course in a social science discipline. A working knowledge of statistics is useful but not required; statistical analysis of data using SPSS is a required part of the course.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in social sciences.

Early Childhood Studies;Educational Studies;Human Development;Sociology

Schooling in America

SOC-282244

4 credits, liberal study, lower level,

Examine schools as organizations from a personal and a sociological perspective. Examine the current system of public schooling in the United States, including the historical, social and political forces that have shaped it. Compare different views of public schooling, consider issues of school reform and develop positions on the future of public schooling in America.

Cultural Studies;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Human Development;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Sociology

Sex and Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective: Advanced
SOC-283324
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course will provide an advanced exploration of the comparative study of gender and sexuality. Students will be expected to have an introductory or intermediate understanding of either sociology, anthropology, gender studies (or a related social science) including a basic grasp of the cultural construction of gender before taking this advanced-level course. Students will probe how different cultures define femininity and masculinity and explore why these differences exist. How do work, play, language, appearance and sexual expression come to be marked as appropriate or even natural for women and men? How do structures and institutions within these cultures reinforce and support those distinctions? The course explores the variations in the sexual division of labor and economic organization, and the impact of forces of change such as colonialism and globalization on gender issues. Drawing primarily on anthropological and ethnographic studies from a broad range of non-Western cultures, the course examines how male and female gender roles are shaped within arenas such as kinship relations, work, politics, religion, ritual, and reproduction. As an upper-level course, there will be a higher expectation for synthesis and comparison across course materials. Through course materials students will learn about the research methods and some of the theoretical approaches used in cultural anthropology.

Note: This course is offered at the introductory SOC-282324 and advanced level SOC-283324. Students should not include this course
title twice in their degree program. This course can only be taken once, either at the introductory level or at the advanced level.

Prerequisites: Upper-level standing with advanced critical thinking and writing skills, and one lower-level course in sociology, anthropology, psychology or social science fields.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in Social Sciences and Other World Civilizations.

Cultural Studies;Family Studies;Gender Studies;Human Development;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Sociology

Sex and Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective: Introductory
SOC-282324
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This course will provide an exploration of the comparative study of gender and sexuality. We will address questions such as: What does it mean to be female or male and how do different cultures define femininity and masculinity? How do work, play, language, appearance and sexual expression come to be marked as appropriate or even natural for women and men? The course explores the variations in the sexual division of labor and economic organization, and the impact of forces of change such as colonialism and globalization on gender issues. Drawing primarily on anthropological and ethnographic studies from a broad range of cultures, the course examines how male and female gender roles are shaped within arenas such as kinship relations, work, politics, religion, ritual and reproduction. Through course materials students will be introduced to the research methods and some of the theoretical approaches used in cultural anthropology.

Note: This course is offered at the introductory SOC-282324 and advanced level SOC-283324. Students should not include this course title twice in their degree program. This course can only be taken once, either at the introductory level or at the advanced level.

Recommended: One lower-level course in sociology, anthropology, psychology or social science fields.

This course fully meets the general education requirement in Social Sciences and Other World Civilizations.

Human Development;Sociology

Social Analysis of Behavioral Choices
HDV-284284
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
We routinely contemplate our behavior choices and those of others. There is a tendency in undertaking such analyses to rely mostly on psychological explanations at the expense of examining the role external social forces may play in determining what options are perceived to be possible and reasonable. In this course, a review of scholarly findings about behavioral choice precedes analyses of case studies from literary sources.

Prerequisites: Advanced-level critical reading and writing skills are required.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the May 2014 term and was formerly offered as Analyzing Behavioral Choices. Students who have successfully completed 263634 should not enroll in this course.

Cultural Studies;Gender Studies;Sociology

Sports and Society
SOC-284424
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Sports and leisure are social constructions that provide interesting insights to society. This course examines sports and leisure from various sociological perspectives, analyzes the role of socialization and deviance in sports, compares the role of sports in a global perspective, explores how sports and leisure interacts with other social institutions, and analyzes the role of sports and leisure throughout the life span.

Prerequisites: Prior college level knowledge of introductory sociology concepts and theories.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Aging and Gerontology;Alcohol and Substance Abuse;Anthropology;Communications and Media;Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Early Childhood Studies;Emergency Management;Family Studies;Fire Protection;Gender Studies;Health Services;Human Development;Human Services;Political Science and Public Affairs;Psychology;Sociology;Women's Studies

Survey of Social Science Research Methods
SOC-283424
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Social research provides answers to questions about people and the social settings and systems in which they are involved. This social science research course introduces the fundamentals of qualitative and quantitative research methods. Students learn how to formulate a viable research question, collect and analyze data, understand the ethical issues of social science research, and write a formal research proposal.

Note: This course has a required SPSS component.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Criminal Justice / Homeland Security;Sociology

Terrorism and Homeland Security

CHS-264844

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

Family Studies;Gender Studies;Human Services;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Sociology;Women's Studies

Thinking About Race, Class and Gender

SOC-282264

4 credits, liberal study, lower level,

This course fully meets the general education requirement in social sciences.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies;Gender Studies;History and Civilizations;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Women's Studies

Roots and Routes of African Diaspora Resistance: Arts

CUL-224124

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

African Diaspora religions such as Voodoo and Santeria have literally become the stuff of horror films. Why, when brewed together in popular imagination, do some people find it so scary?

The three tracks of this course overlap. No more than one of these three should be included in a degree program.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies;Gender Studies;History and Civilizations;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Women's Studies

Roots and Routes of African Diaspora Resistance: History

CUL-224224

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

African Diaspora religions such as Voodoo and Santeria have literally become the stuff of horror films. Why, when brewed together in popular imagination, do some people find it so scary?

The three tracks of this course overlap. No more than one of these three should be included in a degree program.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Cultural Studies;Gender Studies;History and Civilizations;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Women's Studies

Roots and Routes of African Diaspora Resistance: Humanities

CUL-224334

4 credits, liberal study, upper level,

African Diaspora religions such as Voodoo and Santeria have literally become the stuff of horror films. Why, when brewed together in popular imagination, do some people find it so scary?

The three tracks of this course overlap. No more than one of these three should be included in a degree program.

Survey of Social Science Research Methods

SOC-283424

4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements

Note: This course has a required SPSS component.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

Family Studies;Gender Studies;Human Services;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Sociology;Women's Studies

Thinking About Race, Class and Gender

SOC-282264

4 credits, liberal study, lower level,

Explore race, class and gender, with an emphasis on conceptual tools developed since the 1970s in both empirical studies and critical thought about these categories. The student will develop analytic methods for understanding distinctions and controversies, e.g., the difference between sex and gender; the difference between race and ethnicity; arguments for and against affirmative action; and the ways in which race, gender and class overlap.

There are no prerequisites for this course, although students should have had the equivalent of one year of college.

Family Studies;Literature;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Women's Studies

U. S. Women's Multicultural Life-Writings
CUL-224014
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Investigate personal narratives, memoirs and autobiographies by U.S. women selected for their literary excellence in describing their participation in more than one culture within the U.S. Writers include Marita Golden, Eva Hoffman, Aurora Levins Morales and Rosario Morales, Shirley Geok-Lin Lim and Julia Alvarez, among others. Discuss how narrative is used to construct meaning, identity and culture.

Prerequisite: analytical thinking and writing skills at the upper-division undergraduate level, evidenced in successful completion of prior advanced-level work.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Family Studies;Gender Studies;History and Civilizations;Women's Studies

U.S. Women's History: Lives and Voices
HIS-243254
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course seeks to hear the voices of women in U.S. history, and to construct narratives about their lives from the time of Europeans' first contact with the New World to the present. Topics include women's daily lives, their interactions with their families and other social institutions (e.g. government, religion, etc...), women's activism, and women's impact on sociopolitical structures in the United States, and in the world today.

Prerequisite: A general knowledge of United States history, acquired from a course in U.S. history, or other sources.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the January 2010 term and was formerly offered as Women's and Family History. Students who have successfully completed 243254 should not enroll in this course.

For students enrolling in this course as of the January 2010 term:
This course fully meets the General Education requirement in American History.

For students enrolled in this course prior to the January 2010 term:
This course partially met the General Education requirement in American History for all students, but fully met the General Education requirement in American History for students scoring 85 or above on the New York State Regents exam in United States History and Government.

Anthropology;Cultural Studies;Women's Studies

Women Activists: The Voices of Human Rights in Latin America
HIS-242214
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Women's Testimonials: The Voices of Human Rights in Latin America is a survey course on the modern history of Latin America and the personal stories of its citizens, women in particular. The history of the region is advanced through the voices of women who have lived the events that portray the overall essence and character of the region as a whole. Focusing on Brazil, Cuba, Argentina, Mexico and Guatemala, the use of testimonials provides a survey of the social, cultural, economic and human rights history of the region as a whole. Latin America will serve as a catalyst for a larger study of the overall struggles of women globally within the context of the broader issues surrounding human rights.

Students will engage in a variety of activities ranging from ongoing substantive discussions, to reading and reflecting upon required texts, completing a mapblog assignment, and conducting an in-depth cumulative research project. For the final project, students may research a topic and region of their choice that deals with the subject matter.

Important Note: this course was renamed effective the January 2012 term and was formerly offered as Women's Testimonials: Voices of Human Rights in Latin America. Students who have successfully completed 242214 should not enroll in this course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Other World Civilizations.

Management;Women's Studies

Women in Business: Managing and Leading
BME-213224
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Although women have made inroads as managers and leaders, they still continue to lag their male counterparts in the executive suites and boardrooms of many major organizations across the globe. This study, based on the research of Alice H. Eagly and Linda L. Carli, as published in their seminal work, Through the Labyrinth (2007), will examine the theories and findings behind the roadblocks women continue to face in their quest for upward mobility as well as insight into how women are increasingly gaining access to the upper echelons of management. Topics covered will include the economic strength of women as a market, an international examination of women in the United States compared with other countries worldwide, obstacles faced by women such as the glass ceiling, nonlinear career paths, and work /life/family balance, the importance of attracting and retaining talented women, and leadership styles and traits of women. These topics will be supplemented with additional research findings in these fields, articles from current business journals, and case studies of contemporary women in managerial and leadership positions.

Prerequisites: Knowledge of management concepts through career/job experiences or lower level study in management.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Communications and Media;Critical Thinking;Gender Studies;Multicultural and Diversity Studies;Women's Studies

Women, Girls and the Media
CUL-224114
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
In this course, students will examine the portrayals of women and teenage girls in the media. Each student will choose which particular media to examine, choosing to examine magazines, newspapers, television, film, popular music and/or the Internet along with the advertising that supports so many of these. Students may pursue such topics as race and ethnic issues, class issues, working women v. motherhood, body images of teen, younger and older women, disability, and sexuality. They may focus on American culture or on the global needs of women.

For students new to the field of media studies, this course provides an opportunity to examine media particularly in terms of how women and girls are portrayed by the culture industries.

For those students who have taken courses such as Visual Literacy, Television and Culture, American Cinema, Images of Women in Western Civilization or other media or gender-related courses, they can further pursue the topics they considered in those courses. These students will be expected to examine images of women in a deeper and more nuanced way than they did in those courses.

Students concentrating in communications or media fields have the opportunity to research those fields and particular woman leaders involved in them or issues that women in those media face.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Humanities.

Writing: Expository and Creative

College Writing
CUL-221624
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Learn essential writing skills such as how to create ideas, choose a focus for writing, develop and organize ideas and choose appropriate language for the writing purpose and situation. Prepare to write competently in any academic discipline by focusing on writing skills within the context of the larger writing process. Learn how to approach and work through a writing task from prewriting through revising for both research and personal interest essays. Share and discuss one another's drafts in an online writing workshop.

This is not a remedial writing course. Students must write grammatically and read with understanding in order to be able to learn reading, writing and thinking skills on the college level. Those with more than four introductory composition credits should select a more advanced study in writing.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Basic Communication.

Communications and Media;Computers and Information Systems;Writing: Expository and Creative

Communication through New Media
CUL-223424
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
This course gives students the chance to use a variety of new media applications to promote a message of their choice (for example, marketing a product, spreading news traditional journalistic outlets are not, or planning an event for a number of people). Students will study media history, including earlier phases of the Internet, learn to distinguish between the various new media, also known as Web 2.0 or Social Networking, applications that can be used for effective communications. Email, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter are just a few of the applications that one might use to promote a business, send a message to the public, forward news the mainstream outlets may not air, communicate within a business, association or group, tell a story, or keep up with old friends and new acquaintances. This course will ask students to research the very latest technologies, share information, and consider best uses and best practices for these tools.

Recommended: Experience writing for the web and/or using social networking tools, such as Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube, will be helpful. Tutorials will be provided for those who need training, but this work will be in addition to class assignments.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Basic Communication.

Communications and Media;Writing: Expository and Creative

Communications for Professionals
CUL-222304
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Communications for Professionals focuses on the theories, processes, and forms of professional communications. Students will learn to consider communication variables (e.g., audience, purpose, role, cultural context) as a means of analyzing a communication situation and creating effective communications. Students will create a portfolio of professional communications throughout the course: short communications for different purposes, resume and cover letter, report, proposal. Students will also do short oral presentations and a final project (individual or group) intended to integrate communication skills. In addition to creating communications in standard written form, students will apply communication concepts as they use different media tools. As much as possible, students are encouraged to create actual communications that they can use at work or in a professional capacity. Although there are no formal prerequisites, students should have a good grasp of basic writing skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Basic Communication.

Writing: Expository and Creative

Craft and Practice in Creative Writing
CUL-224204
4 credits, liberal study, upper level,
Craft and Practice in Creative Writing will build on introductory-level skills with greater focus on the specific skills necessary for finished works of creative writing. Students will explore both narrative and poetic writing as a means of bringing writing skills to a more advanced level. Topics covered will include character development, dialogue, world building, plot structure, fine-tuning of language use to include visual/auditory/kinesthetic elements, and how writing process influences writing outcome. The course will be structured around assignments that build a consciously articulated sense of individual process and interests, and the skill sets appropriate to creative writing at a professional level.

Writing: Expository and Creative

Creative Nonfiction: Advanced
CUL-224454
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Creative Nonfiction is a catalyst for adult learners to tell the stories of their experiences, insights, and knowledge. Whether they are writing memoirs, personal essays, portraits, essays of place, opinion essays or literary journalism, students use the tools of storytelling to develop an engaging voice, add personal authority to their expression, and write truthfully about the real world. Writing workshops provide responsive audiences and will help students develop and hone a set of tools to critique writing. Students will both analyze published works and create and revise their own writing via peer work shopping. Discussion will focus on such subgenres as memoir, portrait, essay of place, and literary journalism.

This course can fulfill either Humanities OR The Arts general education credit (not both). Students choosing Humanities will have the option of focusing more on reading and analysis of creative nonfiction, while students choosing The Arts will have the option of focusing more on creating and revising their own work.

This course is offered at both introductory and advanced levels. Advanced-level students engage in advanced literary analysis and will help lead discussions and moderate writing workshops. Prerequisite for advanced-level: a previous course in literature or college writing.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in The Arts for 4 credits or in Humanities for 4 credits.

Writing: Expository and Creative

Creative Nonfiction: Introductory
CUL-221454
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Creative Nonfiction is a catalyst for adult learners to tell the stories of their experiences, insights, and knowledge. Whether they are writing memoirs, personal essays, portraits, essays of place, opinion essays or literary journalism, students use the tools of storytelling to develop an engaging voice, add personal authority to their expression, and write truthfully about the real world. Writing workshops provide responsive audiences and will help students develop and hone a set of tools to critique writing. Students will both analyze published works and create and revise their own writing via peer work shopping. Discussion will focus on such subgenres as memoir, portrait, essay of place, and literary journalism.

This course can fulfill either Humanities OR The Arts general education credit (not both). Students choosing Humanities will have the option of focusing more on reading and analysis of creative nonfiction, while students choosing The Arts will have the option of focusing more on creating and revising their own work. This course is offered at both introductory and advanced levels.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in The Arts for 4 credits or in Humanities for 4 credits.

Arts: Visual and Performing;Writing: Expository and Creative

Creative Writing: Fiction
CUL-222504
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Consider the basic elements of fiction (e.g., plot, character, setting, theme) from the point of view of the creative writer, who makes both conscious and unconscious choices about these elements in the process of artistic creation. Read about the process of writing short fiction, and read a variety of short works that exemplify fictional elements to analyze the choices that other writers have made. Apply learning to the creation, discussion and revision of your own creative work. This course focuses on the writing process. Students participate in a workshop setting online to post their own drafts and to discuss other students' and established writers' short works of fiction.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in The Arts.

Educational Planning;Writing: Expository and Creative

Effective Academic Writing
EDU-232042
2 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
This eight-week course examines key types of academic writing (e.g., critique, review, essay, reflection) and key elements of style that writers manipulate to create effective writing (e.g., sentence structure, paragraph creation, diction, language choice). Although the course will provide the chance to work on basic academic writing concepts (e.g., creating a thesis, researching and documenting sources), the focus will be on extending this learning to different types of academic writing and making writing more precise, concise and interesting. This course will provide students with the opportunity to apply and refine basic college writing processes to create effective academic prose.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Basic Communication.

Students obtaining Federal Direct loans: If you are only taking 8 week courses during the Summer term your student loans may be reduced or cancelled. Please visit our Web site at www.esc.edu/FinancialServices for more information.

Cultural Studies;Educational Planning;Writing: Expository and Creative

Independent Learning Strategies
EDU-233104
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Explore independent and advanced level study through assignments focused on helping students develop as critical readers, writers, thinkers and self-aware adult learners. The course is designed to facilitate the transition from introductory to advanced levels of engagement with ideas and sources. Students are required to use a research library and online learning resources where available. A critical issue, selected by the student in consultation with the tutor, is used to test the understandings acquired while enabling the student to tailor this study to his or her own particular interests.

There are no specific prerequisites for this course, but students should have had some prior college-level study and be ready to move to upper-level study. Students also should have access to a four-year college library or a major public library. CDL matriculated students can use this course as part of their Educational Planning credit.

This course partially meets the General Education requirement in Basic Communication.

Writing: Expository and Creative

Introduction to College Reading and Writing
CUL-221014
4 credits, liberal study, lower level, general education requirements
Work with reading and writing processes such as previewing the text, organizing text information, identifying main ideas, summarizing, evaluating information, clustering, outlining, writing and revising. Read and write about selections in a variety of academic disciplines to develop critical reading and writing skills. Write to inform, react, apply, analyze and synthesize. Complete a final research paper applying reading, writing and thinking skills to an academic field of interest.

Note: this is not a remedial writing course. Students must write grammatically and read with understanding in order to be able to learn reading, writing and thinking skills on the college level.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Basic Communication.

Critical Thinking;Math and Quantitative Studies;Philosophy and Religious Studies;Writing: Expository and Creative

Introduction to Proof and Logic
SMT-272164
4 credits, liberal study, lower level,
Logic is an essential underpinning for many other fields which rely on analytical reasoning. This multidisciplinary study offers an introduction to formal logic and methods of proof. A particular emphasis will be placed on clear exposition in proof-writing, strategies in approach for the construction of mathematical proofs, and critical reflection on proof composition and methodology.

This study is intended to facilitate the transition to studies in advanced-level undergraduate mathematics. Students interested in various other fields that require strong analytical skills, like computer science and the law, might also be interested in this course.

Note: This course delves more deeply into formal logic than the Introduction to Critical Thinking course. In particular, it will introduce the formal definitions and rules necessary for: creating well-formed formulae; translating natural language into a logical formalism; assessing truth functionality; assessing argument forms; determining valid inferences; recognizing validity and soundness. This foundation will prepare students to think mathematically and can also improve their argumentation and debate skills in other contexts.

Prerequisites: Pre-calculus is strongly recommended and may be taken concurrently.

Educational Planning;Writing: Expository and Creative

Proposal Writing
EDU-233052
2 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
In this eight-week, two-credit course, students will develop analytical, research and writing skills at the upper level. Proposal Writing offers a way of presenting these skills in a concrete, real-world context. Students will read and analyze sample proposals and build on basic communication theory as they write short and long proposals. Students will be expected to write short, academic research proposals and longer, formal, work-or community-related proposals. They will share and discuss their writing throughout the course as part of learning how to analyze a proposal's effectiveness. Students taking this course should have advanced-level skills.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Basic Communication.

Students obtaining Federal Direct loans: If you are only taking 8 week courses during the Summer term your student loans may be reduced or cancelled. Please visit our Web site at www.esc.edu/FinancialServices for more information.

Communications and Media;Writing: Expository and Creative

Speechwriting
CUL-223404
4 credits, liberal study, upper level, general education requirements
Students will read and critique a wide range of speeches from a wide variety of writers (e.g., John F. Edward Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Bob Newhart, Abraham Lincoln, Elie Weisel). Students also will read selections of texts on rhetoric (e.g., Aristotle's Rhetoric, Erasmus' writings on abundant speech, Perelman's New Rhetoric). Students will create "think pieces" designed to get them to discuss these speeches and actively engage the concepts and principles in each unit of the course. Additionally, students will link to online resources such as Rhetoric Central!, Douglass Archive of American Public Address, etc. Students themselves will write, critique and revise five types of ceremonial speeches: acceptance, apologia, commencement, dedication and eulogy. We anticipate bringing in "guest lecturers" -- professional speechwriters who will be available to offer different perspectives (subject to availability). We also will investigate ways of delivering speeches online (perhaps through asynchronous voice files), depending on the technology available to the students in the course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Basic Communication.