Summer Experience Course Descriptions

2013 Course Offerings – Catalog Descriptions

ADV 1101 – Foundations for Academic Success: An academic and life skills course in which proven techniques are explored, learned, and practiced to support academic success and college transition. Topics include learning styles, perception, motivation, time management, goal setting, memory, concentration, note taking strategies, reading, exam strategies, stress, self and interpersonal management, and organizational skills. Skills demonstrated through written and oral communication methods. Three hours credit. [This course serves as the basic, central organizing course of Summer Experience and is recommended for all students to take.]

PEC ACTIVITIES – Students taking ADV1101 must select one of the following PEC activities: weight training 1; yoga 1; beach volleyball; pilates; basketball; dodge ball/kickball/whiffle ball; social dance; table tennis/badminton; women’s self-defense; adaptive PE [for students with restricted activity, by permission]. One hour credit. [PEC Activity course not available with Option 2.]

ART 2090 – Introduction to Ceramics: This is a basic course in ceramics with an emphasis in hand-built forms. The methods of pinch, slab, coil, and hump will be used to familiarize the student with clay and clay building. Students will learn language and terminology used in ceramics, firing and glazing stages, and origins of clays as well as gain an appreciation for works of ceramic art.

BIO 1100 – A Human Perspective: A study of biological principles with emphasis on their application to the human organism. The course introduces the student to the process of scientific inquiry along with cell level processes, continuance of the human species, and maintenance of the human body. Not for students majoring in the sciences. A general biology course.

COM 1110 – Human Communication: This course presents fundamental communication theories as applied in various public speaking, interpersonal and small group communication contexts and provides both a theoretical foundation and a practical framework for future studies in the communication area. [Required for students majoring in Communication]

COM 1111 – Mediated Communication Systems: Introduction to the digital technologies employed by the media industries to record, store, edit, and deliver information to audiences. This course provides an introduction to audio, video, and graphic software packages. Students begin a digital portfolio. [Required for students majoring in Communication]

CRJ 1700 – Violent Crime: An in-depth exploration of the most violent acts committed by criminals such as serial murder, rape, arson, abduction, robbery, and aggravated assault. The mind-set, motives, methods, and behavioral profiles of such offenders will be examined in order to reveal common patterns. An introductory-level course for criminal justice majors. Open to all students.

HRE 1550 – Human Relations and Interpersonal Dynamics: An examination of the multiple constructs of interpersonal relations linked to achieving both organizational and individual goals and objectives by developing an understanding of human behavior within organizations. Contributing constructs in communication, perception, personality, leadership, motivation, group behavior, organizational structure, change, power, stress, creativity, and values are examined from both theoretical and practical application viewpoints.

HST1201 – American Beginnings [to 1800]: This course is a survey of Native American contact with Europeans, cultural interactions in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and the Revolution that created the United States.

HST 2202 – American Moments: After the War for Independence, Americans explored what it meant to be free. Using the Second Great Awakening as the “American Moment,” our class will study innovations and change in religion, political life, mobility, and the pursuit of equality and democracy in the early years of the American republic.

MTH1110 – Topics in Contemporary Mathematics: Illustrations of contemporary uses of mathematics, varying from semester to semester, frequently including topics from: graph theory, theory of apportionment, voting theory and methods, counting methods, probability, personal finance, and game theory. Meets graduation requirements; no placement required.

MUS1600 – Human Dimensions of Music: A study of the nature of music in Western culture from ancient to modern times, with a focus on how humankind perceives self through music.

REL1003 – Sacred Experiences in World Religions: This course will explore the phenomenon of religion as found within numerous historical and cultural contexts. No single religious tradition will be treated comprehensively but the following will be examined relative to the human experience: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Shinto, Jainism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.

REL1009 – Introduction to Biblical Themes: An introductory course in religion offering the student opportunities to reflect upon the place of Biblical images of creation, fall, redemption, and sojourner in shaping human self-understanding. The course will include historical, literary, and interpretive responses to the Biblical images.

SOC1010 – The Individual in Society: The course serves as an introduction to the science of sociology. Through sociological readings, class discussions, and visual media students will explore prominent sociological principles, concepts, theories, and ideas. Emphasis will be placed on applying sociological insights to understanding various facets of contemporary life and how we as individuals are influenced by the various social environments and social institutions in which we interact.