Six-Week Credit Courses

This course will teach the basic principles of small format (35mm) black and white photography, both technical and aesthetic.

This course will teach the basic principles of small format (35mm) black and white photography, both technical and aesthetic.  Topics will include camera use and techniques, film developing, darkroom and printing skills, image selection and presentation, and an overview of the history of photography. The department will supply students with a 35mm camera. Estimated cost of class materials without camera $150-$200.  There is a $85 lab fee.

An opportunity to read, discuss, and write poems. We will focus on cultivating the craft of poetry with particular emphasis on what makes a poem work.

An opportunity to read, discuss, and write poems. We will focus on cultivating the craft of poetry with particular emphasis on what makes a poem work- metaphor, image, musicality, voice, etc. In a workshop setting, we will work to develop the critical language necessary for discussing each other's work and for critically approaching our own poems during the important process of revision.

This course will introduce you to fundamental concepts and techniques used in writing short fiction.

This course will introduce you to fundamental concepts and techniques used in writing short fiction. You’ll write and revise two to three short stories; give feedback on others’ work; execute in-class exercises; learn basics from Writing Fiction; and engage in close analysis and discussion of published and student writing—all with the aim of helping you think like a creative writer.

Microeconomics is the study of rational choice in a world of scarce resources. It examines how buyers and sellers make decisions about the allocation of resources.

Microeconomics is the study of rational choice in a world of scarce resources. It examines how buyers and sellers make decisions about the allocation of resources. This course covers how markets work, how firms behave under perfect and imperfect competition, and the conditions under which markets are inefficient. Microeconomic tools will be used to explore a wide range of economic issues such as: Is charging different people different prices for the same product necessarily bad? Should pollution be controlled and if so how? Are minimum wage laws and rent controls good for society?

This course will explore the history of American education from colonial to modern times.

This course will explore the history of American education from colonial to modern times. It concentrates on several enduring themes: conflicts about religion, race, gender, and social class; the relationship between the schools and the American economy; the use of schools to solve major social problems; and the nature of curriculum change in American educational history. The course makes significant use of primary source documents.

Classics of Educational Thought is a chronological study of Western education philosophy from its roots in Hebrew, Greek, and Roman traditions to the present.

Classics of Educational Thought is a chronological study of Western education philosophy from its roots in Hebrew, Greek, and Roman traditions to the present. The course will focus on primary source material from major educational thinkers, including Plato, Rousseau, and Dewey, emphasizing their contributions to current educational practice.

This course teaches students the critical skills involved in the interpretation of films.

This course teaches students the critical skills involved in the interpretation of films. During the first half of the semester, we will learn the basic techniques of film form and style. For the remainder of the course, we will discuss these techniques as they relate to issues of critical analysis (cultural criticism, genre, ideology) in both Hollywood narrative cinema and non-Hollywood/alternative cinemas. Note: The evening film screening is mandatory.

This beginning level course gives you the advantage of an immersion method by presenting native French speakers in real-life settings.

This beginning level course gives you the advantage of an immersion method by presenting native French speakers in real-life settings. The basis of the curriculum is a video/audio program, French in Action, with an unfolding mystery story. You will follow the characters as they move through France. You will learn living French that has not been simplified. At the same time, the program is structured so that you will acquire the new language efficiently. Course work is supplemented by the on-line software program, Oh là là … quelle aventure!  Discovering Basic French.

Examines the early forms of those societies that came to dominate the European continent and explores their early expansion and influence.

Examines the early forms of those societies that came to dominate the European continent and explores their early expansion and influence.  Topics treated include: the heyday and demise of Classical Civilization; the spread and influence of Christianity; the formation of European countries and peoples; the crusades; the medieval synthesis (feudalism, manorialism and the Church); medieval learning; the new geography; the Renaissance; the Reformation. 

Examines major themes in European history during the modern era, roughly mid-seventeenth century to the present; special attention to conflicts in economic, political, social, and intellectual life.

Examines major themes in European history during the modern era, roughly mid-seventeenth century to the present; special attention to conflicts in economic, political, social, and intellectual life.  Topics treated include: Absolutism – Stuart England, Hapsburg Central Europe, and Bourbon France; the French Revolution and Napoleon; the Restoration; the Industrial Revolution; nation-state formation; World War I; World War II; the post-war paradigm.

This is the first course of the two semester introductory sequence (Ital 101-Ital 102), which are taught with the new Italian Virtual Class inter-active cultural text. From the first day of class, instruction is in Italian, and students are encouraged to participate actively in the acquisition of integrated language skills.

This is the first course of the two-semester introductory sequence (Italian 101 and 102) that is taught with the new Italian Virtual Class interactive cultural text.  From the first day of class, instruction is in Italian and students are encouraged to participate actively in the acquisition of integrated language skills.  Emphasis will be placed on useful conversation, elementary grammar, and Italian culture; written and oral exercises will be assigned daily to reinforce material presented in class.  Students will be regularly exposed to direct and live cultural footage and interviews conducted in Italy in order to create a coherent and meaningful fusion of language and culture.  When students have successfully completed Italian 101 and 102 they will have the skills necessary to communicate with Italians and Italian speakers, both here and in Italy, on at least a practical level. Text:  Required IVC textbook plus computer access with Flash Player.  Suggested: the Collins Italian-English Dictionary.

This course presents a linguistic view of the history, society, and culture of the United States.

This course presents a linguistic view of the history, society, and culture of the United States. It discusses the many languages and forms of language that have been used in this country over its history, including standard and nonstandard forms of English, different social and geographical dialects, African American English, creoles, Native American languages, and immigrant languages from Asia and Europe. Students are introduced to the basic concepts of linguistics with an emphasis on sociolinguistics and the politics of language. They examine historical and contemporary political dimensions of several issues, including: the “English-Only” controversy; ideologies of standardization and nationalism; bilingualism and bilingual.

Elementary methods for calculating probabilities along with the construction of statistical models.

Elementary methods for calculating probabilities along with the construction of statistical models. Illustrations from the social sciences and natural sciences. A major goal is to enable the student to draw the correct conclusions to statistical questions, avoiding some of the pitfalls and fallacies encountered.

Introduction to the derivative and limits, including motivation; differentiation of functions; the chain rule; applications of differentiation including max-min problems and related rate problems; antiderivatives and the definite integral.

Introduction to the derivative and limits, including motivation; differentiation of functions; the chain rule; applications of differentiation including max-min problems and related rate problems; antiderivatives and the definite integral.

This course is an introduction to computer science for the student who expects to make serious use of the computer in course work or research.

This course is an introduction to computer science for the student who expects to make serious use of the computer in course work or research. Topics include: fundamental computing concepts, general programming principles, the Unix Operating System, the X-window system, and the Java programming language. Emphasis will be on algorithm development with examples highlighting topics in data structures.No previous programming experience is required for this course. Students expecting to take more advanced Computer Science courses should start here.

This course is a comparative examination of the figures of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus in the Bible and the Qur'an.

This course is a comparative examination of the figures of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus in the Bible and the Qur’an.

This course introduces the study of music as historical and cultural practice.

This course introduces the study of music as historical and cultural practice. It considers essential repertoires of vernacular and art music in both Western and non-Western traditions and teaches foundational skills needed to research and write critically about musical cultures, repertoires, and practices.

This course will focus on the question of the self.

This course will focus on the question of the self. Philosophy encourages us to “know thyself,” yet it remains unclear how to understand what a self is. What does it mean to have a self? How do we know what a self is? Is it possible to know one’s self? What is the relationship between the self and life? What is the relationship between the self and identity? What is the relationship between the self and others? Do only humans have a self? In the first half of the course, we will address these questions by reading texts in the history of philosophy, including writings from Plato, René Descartes, David Hume, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Jean-Paul Sartre. In the second half of the course, we will turn to more contemporary texts that challenge traditional considerations of the self. Such texts will come from the areas of feminism, race theory, disability studies, and philosophy of animals.

In everyday conversations we speak and think using logical principles and forms. Logic is implicit in the way that we understand and communicate. Accordingly, studying logic gives us the ability to make these implicit rules and structures explicit, so that we can evaluate arguments and develop our own valid reasoning.

In everyday conversations we speak and think using logical principles and forms. Logic is implicit in the way that we understand and communicate. Accordingly, studying logic gives us the ability to make these implicit rules and structures explicit, so that we can evaluate arguments and develop our own valid reasoning.   In this course, we will spend time on both informal and formal logic. Informal logic is important for understanding how to read critically and develop valid arguments. Formal logic builds on informal logic by allowing us to understand the nature of argumentation in terms of rules and formal structures. Students will learn how to identify different types of logical arguments and fallacies, translate everyday language into logic, and work with propositional and predicate logic. 

This course will serve as an introduction to biomedical ethics, an interdisciplinary field spanning philosophy, medicine, life sciences, and law.

This course will serve as an introduction to biomedical ethics, an interdisciplinary field spanning philosophy, medicine, life sciences, and law.  Such controversial topics as abortion, end-of-life issues, organ transplantation, human and animal experimentation, genetic enhancement, cloning, and universal health care will figure prominently in readings and in class discussion.  In addition to these current debates, students will be exposed to classic ethical theory as a means to assess and evaluate the arguments.  Over the course of the semester, students will learn factual information and hone critical thinking skills, as well as develop their own perspectives on the issues presented and discussed.

Introductory classical mechanics and thermodynamics. The student is expected to be competent in algebra, trigonometry, and plane geometry.

Introductory classical mechanics and thermodynamics. The student is expected to be competent in algebra, trigonometry, and plane geometry.

This is one-half of a two-semester introduction to the field of contemporary psychology. The course has to do with the organization and operation of the nervous system as it pertains to behavior and its cognitive underpinnings.

This is one-half of a two-semester introduction to the field of contemporary psychology. The course has to do with the organization and operation of the nervous system as it pertains to behavior and its cognitive underpinnings. Topics receiving special attention include the development of sexual identity, sensation and perception, learning and memory, love, fear, and other emotions. The course fulfills one-half of the introductory course requirement for psychology majors. All students enrolled in the course are required to participate in psychology department human subject research studies. Students have the option of substituting a writing project for this participation, details to be arranged with Professor Edwards.

This course will begin with a detailed, close reading of the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, a classic text of philosophical Taoism. We will read two different translations side by side, to facilitate our own inquiry into the meanings of texts, and discuss the views of language in the Tao Te Ching itself.

This course will begin with a detailed, close reading of the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, a classic text of philosophical Taoism. We will read two different translations side by side, to facilitate our own inquiry into the meanings of texts, and discuss the views of language in the Tao Te Ching itself. Other themes of the text will include: its political philosophy, its relativism, the cultivation of the body, and its cosmology. We will then read the Taoist text Chuang Tzu, and a brief selection of later Taoist works. We will focus on two themes of the Tao Te Ching and other texts: the martial tradition and the utopian tradition, that is, what these Taoist texts have to say about war and violence, and about the ideal peaceful society.

This course helps students develop a basic ability to communicate in Spanish.

This course helps students develop a basic ability to communicate in Spanish. Class time is dedicated to interactive activities which allow students to acquire skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Through activities and readings, students are introduced to many aspects of Hispanic culture. Class meets five times per week and is conducted exclusively in Spanish in order to maximize exposure to the language. Workbook and language Lab activities are also incorporated in order to develop students' listening skills and pronunciation. PREREQUISITES: None, but students must take the Spanish Placement Exam and receive an Official Placement for SP101 from the Department of Spanish and Portuguese.

This course develops students' communicative abilities in Spanish as well as understanding of the cultural context in which the language is used.

This course develops students' communicative abilities in Spanish as well as understanding of the cultural context in which the language is used. Students learn to communicate through activities in speaking, listening, reading and writing; review and learning of vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation; and study of Hispanic cultures and societies. Classroom activities are highly interactive and focus on speaking and listening. Reading about Hispanic cultures is emphasized, as are informal writing (to develop fluency) and brief compositions (to develop accuracy). Language Lab activities are also used to improve listening skill and pronunciation.PREREQUISITES: Spanish 102 or equivalent. Students must take the Spanish Placement Exam and receive an Official Placement for SP201 from the Department of Spanish and Portuguese.

This course is a theoretical and practical initiation to theater as a collaborative art.

This course is a theoretical and practical initiation to theater as a collaborative art. This course serves as an introduction to the major movements in theater history and to contemporary theatrical practice.

This course explores U.S. history from 1877 to the present by examining a series of debates and conversations regarding the meaning of America.

This course explores U.S. history from 1877 to the present by examining a series of debates and conversations regarding the meaning of America. We will explore themes such as race and ethnicity and their relationship to national identity; industrial capitalism and the role of government in economic regulation; the notion of "exporting democracy" and America's role in world affairs; and immigration, citizenship and the role of national borders. The reading material will consist largely of first-hand accounts—speeches, memoirs, Congressional reports and testimony, newspaper accounts, letters, music, and artwork—which will present a variety of positions on these themes. Readings:  All readings for the class will be available on electronic reserve.

An introduction to drawing and painting, developing skills in various techniques and attitudes. Exploration of recent concepts and processes with emphasis on personal development.

An introduction to drawing and painting, developing skills in various techniques and attitudes. Exploration of recent concepts and processes with emphasis on personal development.

This course will explore the many ways American artists anticipated and responded to the Civil War in landscape, genre, and still-life painting, photography, portraiture, and commemorative sculpture.

This course will explore the many ways American artists anticipated and responded to the Civil War in landscape, genre, and still-life painting, photography, portraiture, and commemorative sculpture. Field trips include the High Museum, to see the exhibition Rising Up: The Talladega Murals of Hale Woodruff, and the Atlanta Cyclorama in Grant Park.

The lecture and laboratory portions of this course will be organized around four modules that relate biology to current issues.

The lecture and laboratory portions of this course will be organized around four modules that relate biology to current issues. Students in the course will help to shape the content of the course. Both the lecture and laboratory portions of the course will emphasize student-centered, collaborative, inquiry-based learning.  Satisfies GER Tag SNT [Area V. (Science, Nature, Technology)] laboratory course.

Introduction to Dance is an overview of dance as an expressive art form, a symbolic language, and an integral aspect of world cultures.

Introduction to Dance is an overview of dance as an expressive art form, a symbolic language, and an integral aspect of world cultures. The course is designed to help students grasp a range of cultural, aesthetic, and bodily worlds from which dance is born. Course work enables students to develop intuitive and verbal skills which allow them to articulate about movement and its meaning. This is supported by direct physical experience in various dance forms, styles, genres, and thoroughly exploring the creative process.

French 102 uses the same video/audio program as French 101, French in Action. Building on material in French 101 or an equivalent first year course at the high school level, French 102 broadens the fundamental skills of listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing.

French 102 uses the same video/audio program as French 101, French in Action. Building on material in French 101 or an equivalent first year course at the high school level, French 102 broadens the fundamental skills of listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. As in French 101, classes are conducted entirely in French. Course work is supplemented by the on-line software program, Oh là là … quelle aventure!  Discovering Basic French.

This course will concentrate on the emergence and consequences of Europe¿s rise to and decline from global hegemony in the half millennium from 1500-2000.

This course will concentrate on the emergence and consequences of Europe’s rise to and decline from global hegemony in the half millennium from 1500-2000.  It will explore the causes and consequences of this historical trajectory with the emphasis on Europe, rather than the world.  In other words, this is not a “world history” course but a history of Europe in the world.  Discrete topics such as the medieval roots of European expansionism, the age of discovery, commodities and Empire, the impact of Revolution, the “new” Imperialism, world wars, the Cold War, decolonization and globalization are all addressed.  Although different topics will highlight different European countries, the texts and lectures will try to take a broad view of the topic.  As a course that serves a General Education Requirement (HSC), it is not intended to be a preparation course for later European history courses nor does it presume that students have knowledge of the topic.  It is hoped, however, that the students having completed the course will be able to critically read historical primary sources, as well as various scholarly approaches to the issues, analyze them in context, and express this analysis cogently using the historical method.  For this reason, reading, discussion and exposition is emphasized in this class. 

Required textbook: Jerry Bentley & Herbert Ziegler, Traditions and Encounters. Vol. 2.  From 1500 to the Present.  4th Edition.  McGraw Hill. 2007. (ISBN: 0073195685)

This is the second course of the two-semester introductory sequence (Italian 101 and 102) that is taught with the new Italian Virtual Class interactive cultural text.

This is the second course of the two-semester introductory sequence (Italian 101 and 102) that is taught with the new Italian Virtual Class interactive cultural text.  From the first day of class, instruction is in Italian and students are encouraged to participate actively in the acquisition of integrated language skills.  Emphasis will be placed on useful conversation, elementary grammar, and Italian culture; written and oral exercises will be assigned daily to reinforce material presented in class.  Students will be regularly exposed to direct and live cultural footage and interviews conducted in Italy in order to create a coherent and meaningful fusion of language and culture.  When students have successfully completed Italian 101 and 102 they will have the skills necessary to communicate with Italians and Italian speakers, both here and in Italy, on at least a practical level. Text:  Required IVC textbook plus computer access with Flash Player.

Elementary methods for calculating probabilities along with the construction of statistical models.

Elementary methods for calculating probabilities along with the construction of statistical models. Illustrations from the social sciences and natural sciences. A major goal is to enable the student to draw the correct conclusions to statistical questions, avoiding some of the pitfalls and fallacies encountered.

Introduction to the derivative and limits, including motivation; differentiation of functions; the chain rule; applications of differentiation including max-min problems and related rate problems; antiderivatives and the definite integral.

Introduction to the derivative and limits, including motivation; differentiation of functions; the chain rule; applications of differentiation including max-min problems and related rate problems; antiderivatives and the definite integral.

Exponential and logarithmic functions; trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions; techniques of integration; numerical methods of integration; improper integrals; infinite sequences and series; polar coordinates.

Exponential and logarithmic functions; trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions; techniques of integration; numerical methods of integration; improper integrals; infinite sequences and series; polar coordinates.

A continuation of CS 170. Emphasis is on the use and implementation of data structures, introductory algorithm analysis, and object oriented design and programming with Java.

A continuation of CS 170. Emphasis is on the use and implementation of data structures, introductory algorithm analysis, and object oriented design and programming with Java. The course will also introduce the basics of procedural programming with C.

J.S. Mill famously writes in Utilitarianism, "It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied." Is this true, or is it merely a prejudice of philosophers?

J.S. Mill famously writes in Utilitarianism, “It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied.” Is this true, or is it merely a prejudice of philosophers? Is there a connection between being happy and acting morally? In this course, we will examine various philosophical conceptions of happiness. We will also inquire into the role that reason plays in the ethical systems under discussion and the various ways in which the authors we read assess the process of ethical decision-making and the possibility of moral knowledge.Key concepts/themes to be considered will include: eudaimonia (human flourishing), values and community, individual autonomy, cultural relativism, hedonism and pessimism.

Introduction to analytical concepts, the nature of the inter-state system, the assumptions and ideas of diplomacy, and the determinants of foreign policy.

Introduction to analytical concepts, the nature of the inter-state system, the assumptions and ideas of diplomacy, and the determinants of foreign policy. 

Introduction to electricity, magnetism, optics, and the essentials of quantum mechanics, atomic and nuclear physics, and special relativity.

Introduction to electricity, magnetism, optics, and the essentials of quantum mechanics, atomic and nuclear physics, and special relativity.

Political systems of major nations in comparative perspective.

Political systems of major nations in comparative perspective. 

Study of human social behavior.

Study of human social behavior.  Social and cultural aspects of the emergence, maintenance, modification, and adjustment of human groups.

Introduction to the sociological study of culture.

Introduction to the sociological study of culture. Examines relationships between values, beliefs, and expressive symbols, on the one hand, and the institutional structure of society on the other. Attention to art, media, religion, and ideology.

This course is a continuation of Spanish 101 and is an integrated-skills course designed to further promote basic communication in and with Hispanic communities and to heighten cultural awareness.

This course is a continuation of Spanish 101 and is an integrated-skills course designed to further promote basic communication in and with Hispanic communities and to heighten cultural awareness. The goals of this course include: 1) learning to use Spanish to communicate (through intensive interaction), primarily in speaking and listening, but also in reading and writing; 2) learning of and about the tools of communication, including pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary; and 3) continuing the study of Hispanic cultures to continue learning about how culture affects language use. PREREQUISITES: Spanish 101 or Official Spanish Placement for SPAN 102 from the Department of Spanish and Portuguese.

This course is a continuation of Spanish 101 and is an integrated-skills course designed to further promote basic communication in and with Hispanic communities and to heighten cultural awareness.

This course is a continuation of Spanish 101 and is an integrated-skills course designed to further promote basic communication in and with Hispanic communities and to heighten cultural awareness. The goals of this course include: 1) learning to use Spanish to communicate (through intensive interaction), primarily in speaking and listening, but also in reading and writing; 2) learning of and about the tools of communication, including pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary; and 3) continuing the study of Hispanic cultures to continue learning about how culture affects language use. PREREQUISITES: Spanish 101 or Official Spanish Placement for SPAN 102 from the Department of Spanish and Portuguese.

This course is a continuation of Spanish 201 and is designed to further develop students' Spanish skills.

This course is a continuation of Spanish 201 and is designed to further develop students' Spanish skills. Students refine grammar usage through continued review of basic structures and the study of complex structures. They expand their spoken Spanish skills through discussion and analysis of cultural topics, current events, personal experiences and literary and journalistic texts. Students are provided opportunities for focused listening through use of recorded texts (conversations, music, video) and for oral expression through general classroom and small-group discussions and oral reports or interviews. Readings in the course focus on both historical and current cultural and social issues in the Hispanic World and conclude with the reading of a novel. Classes meet three times per week and are conducted in Spanish to maximize exposure to the language. PREREQUISITES: Spanish 201 or Official Spanish Placement from the Department of Spanish and Portuguese.

The course provides a theoretical and practical introduction to the basic skills of acting: warming up, voice and movement, improvisation, character development, script analysis, scene work, and collaborating as an ensemble.

The course provides a theoretical and practical introduction to the basic skills of acting: warming up, voice and movement, improvisation, character development, script analysis, scene work, and collaborating as an ensemble. The student will acquire a working vocabulary in the fundamentals of acting.