Elective Courses
This course studies the major world communities in their independent development before European exploration. Students will compare the social and political structures, family structures, economics and technology, religious belief systems, and cultures of the major societies of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.
Emphasis is placed on the importance of efficient data structures and algorithms in design and implementation. The classic data structures include arrays, strings, list, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, and graphs and iterative and recursive programming techniques. Algorithms include sorting and searching with emphasis on complexity and efficiency.
This course will explore the basics of motion animation using clay, puppets and many other 3D objects. Students will learn how to pitch an idea, develop a concept and work up a production schedule for exercises using cutouts, collage and clay, in 3D stop-motion techniques with digital cameras.
(Also WRT 229) This course surveys the highlights of the Western rhetorical tradition and what they can teach us about how we communicate in contemporary society. Generally speaking, rhetoricians study verbal and nonverbal language and communication. Certainly, language affects everything we do: how we think, learn, identify ourselves, and interact with others. According to American rhetorician Kenneth Burke (18971993), language “reflects, deflects, and selects” reality. In this course, we will look carefully at how this occurs and how the Western rhetorical tradition has influenced our current knowledge of what language does. Rhetoric is perhaps one of the oldest disciplines. What we know of its history has been shaped by Western rhetoricians over the ages-from the ancient Greeks, (Isocrates, Plato and Aristotle), to the Romans, (Quintilian and Cicero), through Medieval Times, (St Augustine) to the Renaissance (Petrus Ramus and Erasmus) and Enlightenment (Sir Francis Bacon and John Locke), and beyond to the 20th and 21st Centuries. This tradition constitutes a Western historical narrative that has shaped what we think rhetoric is and what it does, and is by no means Gospel. Other rhetorics are interrupting this dominant narrative about what the rhetorical tradition is. The field of rhetoric is much too broad to survey, even superficially, in one semester. Consequently, the lens (or to borrow a term from Burke, the terministic screen) we will use to examine the field will focus on the theories of those rhetoricians who have been most influential in a Western tradition.
(Also PHL 226) This course surveys the highlights of the Western rhetorical tradition and what they can teach us about how we communicate in contemporary society. Generally speaking, rhetoricians study verbal and nonverbal language and communication. Certainly, language affects everything we do: how we think, learn, identify ourselves, and interact with others. According to American rhetorician Kenneth Burke (18971993), language “reflects, deflects, and selects” reality. In this course, we will look carefully at how this occurs and how the Western rhetorical tradition has influenced our current knowledge of what language does. Rhetoric is perhaps one of the oldest disciplines. What we know of its history has been shaped by Western rhetoricians over the ages-from the ancient Greeks, (Isocrates, Plato and Aristotle), to the Romans, (Quintilian and Cicero), through Medieval Times, (St Augustine) to the Renaissance (Petrus Ramus and Erasmus) and Enlightenment (Sir Francis Bacon and John Locke), and beyond to the 20th and 21st Centuries. This tradition constitutes a Western historical narrative that has shaped what we think rhetoric is and what it does, and is by no means Gospel. Other rhetorics are interrupting this dominant narrative about what the rhetorical tradition is. The field of rhetoric is much too broad to survey, even superficially, in one semester. Consequently, the lens (or to borrow a term from Burke, the terministic screen) we will use to examine the field will focus on the theories of those rhetoricians who have been most influential in a Western tradition.
This course will deal with the so-called "primitive’’ religious traditions of the Americas (e.g. Navaho), Polynesia, Australia, and Africa. The course will examine the basic beliefs, practices, world views, and mythologies of these disappearing societies. It will also reconsider the usage of terms such as "primitive,’’ "advanced,’’ etc.
This class will explore the history and development of animation throughout the 20th century. Major social and technological movements and the effects they had on animators working at the time will be analyzed and discussed. This work will be examined to see how animation has developed as an art form. The class will read related texts and view historic and contemporary animation work.
Moral problems confronted by both the professional and the lay person in health-care institutions and in biological research. Abortion and infanticide, eugenics, euthanasia and suicide, allocation of scarce resources, experimentation, and general criticisms directed at the medical establishment.
(Also SOC 230) Human behavior as the interaction of individual and social processes. Recent research on topics such as interpersonal attraction, perception, and small group behavior; analysis of events and environments of current interest.
(Also PSY 230) Human behavior as the interaction of individual and social processes. Recent research on topics such as interpersonal attraction, perception, and small group behavior; analysis of events and environments of current interest.
Modern American political thought. Conservatism and liberalism in the American context. The ideologies of the left and the right in contemporary American politics as well as an analysis of their respective constituencies. The role of ideology in American political life.
(Formerly JOU 231) This course traces the history of radio and television. It includes criticism, production, programming issues and ethics.
An introductory survey of the following topics covering a diverse range of species: Sensory/perceptual abilities, communication, learning, mating behavior, parental behavior, kin selection, organization of animal societies, and interactions between species. Laboratory exercises and class demonstrations will be included.
Moral issues in business arising from the actions and decisions in production, advertising, marketing, etc. Justification of profit and private property, truth-telling and social responsibility, privacy, the role of the law in competition and trade, and the morality of worker-owner relations. Problems and perspectives raised by the advent of globalization in international enterprise.
It is often said that we have just finished the American Century, and that the 21st will be the Chinese Century. With 1.3 billion people, the longest and arguably richest history of any country ever to exist, and the fastest growing economy in the world, China is poised to play a dominant role in shaping your future. This course will provide an overview of Chinese culture within the context of Chinese history and politics, including such topics as calligraphy, king fu, Beijing Opera, cuisine, literature, architecture, and contemporary film and music. Each class session will include lessons in speaking basic conversational Mandarin.
(Also LAC 232) Survey of Latin American literature from the sixteenth century to the present. Emphasis is upon literary discourses the reflect and shape the diverse array of Latin American cultural identities throughout the region.
(Also ENG 232) Survey of Latin American literatures from the sixteenth century to the present. Emphasis is upon literary discourses the reflect and shape the diverse array of Latin American cultural identities throughout the region.
(Also REL 232) This course will introduce the student to the basic beliefs and practices of Islam. It will also survey major historical, cultural, theological, and social developments. Special attention will be given to the Arabian origins of Islam and to its subsequent growth into a dynamic global tradition. The role of Islam in the modern world and its impact on American society will also be considered.
Be it anime, judo, sushi, the films of Kurosawa, the cars of Toyota, or the latest game from Nintendo, Japanese culture is very much a part of the American way of life. This course offers a fascinating look at both traditional and contemporary Japanese art forms within the context of Japanese politics, history, and lifestyle. Test, film, multimedia, guests, and class trips will inspire and prepare you for a visit to Japan, and each class session will include lessons in speaking basic conversational Japanese.
(Aso AFS 232) This course will introduce the student to the basic beliefs and practices of Islam. It will also survey major historical, cultural, theological, and social developments. Special attention will be given to the Arabian origins of Islam and to its subsequent growth into a dynamic global tradition. The role of Islam in the modern world and its impact on American society will also be considered.
This course offers different approaches to studying rhetoric and integrating it into various types of writing in different media. Topics and texts vary from semester to semester. As topics change, this course may be repeated for credit.
Please contact your instructor for specific topic
Learning about fitness and health and applying it to life. Topics will require classroomcentered activities, study of science/cultures/history and may include physical exercise. Examples: Yoga, Tai Chi, Nutrition and Fitness, Meditation, Intramural Sports, Self-Image: Strength, Beauty and Brains.
Please contact your instructor for specific topic.
(Also HIS 233) This course provides for the in-depth study of the people, society, culture, or movements during a particular historical period or for comparative analysis of societies, cultures or movements of people or ideas during particular periods, or other historical moments. This course also allows for the in-depth study of particular historical events. The topic and methods of evaluation will be defined by the instructor of the course. Offered most Spring and Fall semesters.
Please contact your instructor for specific topic.
This course provides for the in-depth study of the people, society, culture, or movements during a particular historical period or for comparative analysis of societies, cultures or movements of people or ideas during particular periods, or other historical moments. This course also allows for the in-depth study of particular historical events. The topic and methods of evaluation will be defined by the instructor of the course. Offered most Spring and Fall semesters.
Please contact your instructor for specific topic.
On the cutting edge of new media innovation yet drawing upon a rich cultural heritage, Korea is clearly a country on the move. The land of Buddhist temples, tae kwon do, kim chee, hanji papermaking, and other exquisite traditional crafts is also Asia’s most wired nation. Readings, movies, guest speakers, and class trips provide an overview of Korean culture within a historical and political context. Each class session will include lessons in speaking basic conversational Korean, which is accessible to Westerners because it uses a conventional alphabet (han’geul) of vowels and consonants rather than pictographic characters.