Catalog Course Descriptions
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Integrative Studies (INTS - Formerly NCLC) Courses
Undergraduate
Explores the concept of identity through the study of literature and oral communication. Introduces aesthetic, cultural, and historical aspects of these forms of communication as well as their psychological, political, and practical significance, with special emphasis on the role of communication in a free society. Limited to three attempts.
Prepares students for participation in a global society by investigating global and local issues in a historical context. Considers critical topics of western civilization, globalization, (neo)colonialism, imperialism, and hegemony. Students gain an in-depth perspective of the intricate relationships between people and cultures at various moments in our history. Limited to three attempts.
Investigates the vital role played by human creativity in fine arts and natural sciences. Fosters an understanding of the aesthetic and intellectual components of the arts while exploring the scientific method, the relation of theory and experiment, and the development and elaboration of major ideas in science. Limited to three attempts.
Directed field studies in topic not otherwise available to students. Notes: Topics vary, but entire course or significant component is located off campus. In addition to fieldwork, course may also include reading assignments, tutorials, lectures, papers, presentations, portfolios, journals, and exams. Students bear costs of required field trips and should consult the Center for Social Action and Integrative Learning for more information. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 24 credits.
Combines process of learning to speak in front of audiences with analysis of arguments and persuasive appeals. Students learn how to create and present effective speeches, adapt messages to specific audiences, and evaluate and critique messages produced for others. One credit of experiential learning enables students to examine public speeches, news stories, political campaigns, and advertising, among others, to make meaningful connections between public speaking theory and practice. Limited to three attempts.
Examines the relationships between academic research, individual acts and society's social and political structures. Students design a community-based research project, explore a rich array of qualitative and quantitative approaches, apply information and communication technologies to all aspects of the research process, and learn from individuals and organizations outside the classroom. Limited to three attempts.
Examines historical and contemporary leadership theories and invites students to be reflective of their own leadership experiences through the lenses of those theories. Students develop critical lenses through which to evaluate their own self-awareness, effectiveness in groups, and ability to navigate structures and systems. Limited to three attempts.
Covers basic issues in the natural and social sciences that underlie current environmental problems. Considers ethical matters such as equity as they pertain to global resource consumption, pollution, and climate change. Limited to three attempts.
Provides foundation for the integrative study of environmental conservation. Formal and informal writing assignments and oral presentations designed to strengthen critical thinking and communication skills important to students who pursue conservation-related professions. Instructors encourage students to use course assignments and off-campus work to identify suitable educational and career paths within the conservation world. Limited to three attempts.
Explores the role of visual culture in contemporary society including an examination of photography, the visual and performing arts, film and video, and electronic media. Readings focus on the historical foundations of visuality as well as theories of visual culture and aesthetics. Students investigate the ways that forms of visual culture function in society and how these are linked to race, class, and gender as well as politics and economics. Students will gain hands-on experience working with contemporary visual media tools such as computer graphics and digital video editing. Limited to three attempts.
Investigates information literacy, the mobile web, and interactive and immersive media, including gaming, social networking, blogging and micro-blogging, intellectual, political and civic collaborations, digital aesthetics and emerging digital cultures and art forms. Explores major theories of digital literacy and culture and introduce diverse social, artistic, theoretical and cultural practices that characterize today's digital domains and virtual environments. Notes: One experiential credit is required in this class. Limited to three attempts.
Studies topics of special interest to undergraduates. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 18 credits.
Bridges students' academic interests with their residence hall living experience. Students with common interests live together in the same residence hall and develop personal and academic relationships with other students and faculty from their chosen Living Learning Community focus. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 8 credits.
For students living in the Sustainability Living Learning Community and/or students panicipating in the Greenleaf ENCORE Series. Develop your understanding of sustainability in both theory and practice. Learn how change happens at Mason and identify contributions you can make to Mason's continuing pursuit of campus sustainability. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 8 credits.
Service-learning courses offer students, faculty, and community partners an opportunity to work together to integrate and apply knowledge to address community needs. Learning goals, action strategies, and assignments developed collaboratively. Students demonstrate progress through critical reflection that illustrates growth in acquiring and comprehending values, skills, and knowledge content. Critical reflection may take the form of papers, presentations, portfolios, journals, and exams. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 15 credits.
Directed field studies in topic not otherwise available to students. Notes: Topics vary, but entire course or significant component is located off campus. In addition to fieldwork, course may also include reading assignments, tutorials, lectures, papers, presentations, portfolios, journals, and exams. Students bear costs of required field trips and should consult the Center for Social Action and Integrative Learning for more information. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 24 credits.
Intended for participation in formally organized course offered by Center for Global Education. A maximum of 15 credits may apply toward INTS degree requirements. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 16 credits.
Combines various teaching methods including lectures, the Socratic method, case studies, discussion of readings and films, debates, and active inquiry-based learning to investigate the major institutions in the American legal system. Limited to three attempts.
Examination and discussion of the current trends in science as reported in the popular media. Students learn how to evaluate the science that is reported so they may become informed consumers; discuss how scientific advancement might shape society by looking at how science and society have changed together over time; and use examples from the past to discuss future trends. Limited to three attempts.
Explores a multi-disciplinary approach to addressing world issues. Combines lectures, field trips, discussion of readings, films, case studies, projects, and active inquiry-based learning to examine the natural environment, infectious disease and globalization, media and technologies, and war and violent conflict, with an attempt to deepen community members' understanding of an increasingly interdependent world. Limited to three attempts.
Examines how citizens, individually and collectively, accomplish social change in society through case study analysis. Considers advantages and limits of social change strategies from communication and social movement theory perspectives. Surveys topics including how leaders maintain momentum in face of opposition; how movements and organizations use slogans, symbols and music to inspire followers; and how participants construct persuasive media campaigns and political arguments to facilitate policy change. Notes: One credit of experiential learning enables students to explore their role as social advocates and effective citizens in context of community. Limited to three attempts.
Examines the nature and dynamics of conflict and ways to resolve and transform conflict. Experiential learning is used as the vehicle through which students explore their assumptions about communication and develop their skills for resolving interpersonal conflicts. Limited to three attempts.
Using nonfiction, documentaries, oral histories, case studies, literature, and feature films, examines the dynamics of violence through different cultural lenses as they relate to gender identity, sexuality and socioeconomic status. Equivalent to WMST 320.
Investigates the biology of migration and its implications for science policy. Students consider the phenomenon of migration in the context of natural history, conservation, and cultural issues. The course includes several weekend trips for field study. Limited to three attempts.
Immerses students in the images of childhood through the media of literature, video, and poetry, with a strong emphasis on historical perspectives of childhood. The class is interactive, requires some work in groups, and requires classroom participation. Equivalent to HIST 386, HIST 498.
Examines the history of therapeutic play programs, theoretical basis for play and how the application of play techniques are used to promote healing, growth, and development for children and adolescents as it relates to multiple professions including child life. Equivalent to HDFS 302.
Develops in students an appreciation of human resilience and helps them acquire better coping mechanisms. Imparts knowledge of the nature and dynamics of trauma and healing. Investigates the difficulties people face in responding to settings of conflict such as war, school shootings, abuse, domestic violence, including natural disaster. Examines case studies from a variety of personal, national, and international settings. Limited to three attempts.
Examines dimensions of spirituality, including peacemaking efforts in large-scale conflicts, conflicts within faith communities, and interpersonal disputes. Experiential learning explores spiritually informed resolution. Limited to three attempts.
Focuses on the study of childhood from birth to adolescence from the perspective of several disciplines. Covers childhood theory, research, and policy and their applications to decisions regarding children and youth. Limited to three attempts.
Focuses on interrelationships of communication processes and family systems. Examines how families evolve as members grow, leave, and create related family systems. Content draws from fields of family communication and family relations, and allied disciplines of psychology, social psychology, and family counseling. Major activities include class discussions; analyses and applications of course concepts in small classroom learning groups; group applications of concepts to enhance current and future family relationships; individual research on a family issue pertinent to the student’s career or family interests. Notes: One credit of this course is earned for experiential learning, which occurs through activities beyond the specific class content. Limited to three attempts.
Examines how scholars study youth, theories they use to guide their research, and how media and culture influence understandings of youth development with special focus on empowerment and social justice. Limited to three attempts.
Introduces students to concepts and challenges in parenting, along with family diversity and risk factors. Considers interactions between parents and children from birth to adolescence as well as cross-cultural, historical, and societal influences. Explores efforts that have been successful in changing detrimental parenting actions. Limited to three attempts.
Examines the rich heritage of the teaching profession in Western society. Traces the history of educational philosophy and teaching, beginning with the ancient Greeks and culminating in the 21st century United States. Using the exploration of the various philosophies of education as a foundation, examines contemporary images of teachers in literature and film. Limited to three attempts.
Examines the philosophy, purposes, and concepts of Child Life Specialists. Explores developmental and psychological needs of hospitalized children, their families, and those who provide services to children. Examines the impact of illness and illness-related stressors on the dynamics of the family and strategies for coping. Equivalent to HDFS 301.
Readings, classroom discussions and activities, and practical experience reveal historical, legal, and socioeconomic forces that define and influence the American nonprofit sector. Explores structures, issues that affect nonprofit management, governing, and financial systems. Limited to three attempts.
Examines the types of approaches businesses can take to take to respond to sustainability concerns, Designed to prepare students for assisting organizations to incorporate sustainability considerations into their strategic decision-making. Notes: Students from multiple disciplines (business, social sciences, natural sciences, humanities, education, etc.) can participate in the class without having had previous courses in management. Equivalent to EVPP 322.
Examines historical and contemporary sociopolitical and socioeconomic conditions that have given rise to the environmental justice movement. Analyzes how individuals contribute to environmental justice or injustice through everyday decisions. Considers how environmental justice movement responds to these issues. Limited to three attempts.
Explores the social, cultural, political, and spiritual implications of poverty, wealth, and inequality in the United States. Examines the ways in which class identity informs one's views of the world and its politics; how socioeconomic status affects one's access to education and other social goods; and how dominant discourses and stereotypes related to poverty influence mass perception regarding a range of social issues, from educational policy to welfare. Limited to three attempts.
Explores the many spaces at which the quest to strengthen social justice consciousness interacts with processes and commitments for personal transformation. Analyzes through the lens of the activist and in the spirit of bringing mindfulness to activism, how we come to see and experience the world. Examines how socialization informs consciousness. Limited to three attempts.
Introduction to the theoretical underpinnings of music, popular and youth culture, and social and political change. While music is generally relegated to a subcategory of popular culture, or viewed as a mere minor facet of youth culture, in this class we will examine its impact and importance as a rhetorical and communicative vehicle, specifically in regards to its instrumentality in social and political movements. Limited to three attempts.
This learning community explores historical records to understand different ways art has been produced, distributed, and consumed. Examines ways artists have affected change in their worlds. Through interdisciplinary studies, teaches major social movements and artists and theories used in socially engaged art. Students engage in experiential learning outside classroom as course requirement. Limited to three attempts.
Explores the way in which gender has been represented across the decades in television, movies, music videos, pop art, and print media. Provides a review of the scholarship on historical and contemporary gender roles and examines the contradictions and expectations associated with these. Incorporates active group learning through creative, insight-oriented exercises, critical thinking and discussions, and group presentations and media research activities. Limited to three attempts.
Investigates important contemporary issues such as surveillance-privacy, censorship, piracy, gender and ethnicity, digital labor and play, mobile media and globalization, and the commercialization and political potential of the digital public spheres. Introduces students to the latest technological, philosophical and creative thinking on the future of human society in a digital age. Limited to three attempts.
Explores the science of well-being, including theories and practices linked to various domains of well-being such as mindfulness, resilience, life-satisfaction, happiness, mind-body wellness, and meaning and purpose. Limited to three attempts.
Focusing on the individual in context, examines the growing research, science, and literature on well-being and resilience. Considers the many ways in which resilience can be learned and developed on individual, community, and organizational levels. Explores how resilience promotes growth and restores efficacy and agency, leading to higher levels of flourishing. Limited to three attempts.
Examines, records, and interprets objects, structures, and landscapes that compose our built environment. Draws on the fields of historical archaeology, architectural history, and urban geography, and employs photography, cartography, and evocative writing to represent the material world we inhabit. Builds on study of one neighborhood in Arlington, Virginia, and expands to entire metropolitan area. Equivalent to ANTH 315, ANTH 399.
Examines processes of neighborhood formation and transformation in the context of urbanism, suburbanism, immigration, and transmigration. Limited to three attempts.
Considers the philosophical foundations of social justice and human rights. Explores the interpretive difficulties related to identifying what constitutes human rights abuses, and evaluates regional perspectives on human rights. Analyzes institutions that strive to promote and enforce social justice and human rights standards including the United Nations system, regional human rights bodies, and domestic courts. Limited to three attempts.
Analyzes depictions and aspects of social justice and injustice in contemporary literature (children’s literature, historical fiction, creative nonfiction, biography and essays). Students will develop an informed awareness of the complex perspectives, uses and boundaries of literature and will learn to recognize and analyze how literature depicts stories related to social justice, tolerance, equality and social change. Limited to three attempts.
Individualized section form required. Study of a topic not otherwise available to the student. May involve any combination of reading assignments, tutorials, lectures, papers, presentations, or field/laboratory study (determined in consultation with instructor) Students are encouraged to work as a team on a particular topic. Notes: Maximum 12 credits can be used to fulfill graduation requirements. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.
Examines the evolution of US food systems with particular emphasis on the national capital region. Students place conventional agriculture and food systems in historical context; examine changing representations of food systems in film, literature, and other media; and research alternative systems that emphasize sustainability. Through a combination of classroom work and experiential learning, this course asks students to contemplate how capitalism, industrialization, and environmental ethics shape our land, culture, and society. Limited to three attempts.
Examines the roles of individuals, corporations, and government in creating and communicating food policy. Students explore the rationale and rhetorics of US agriculture, food production and the environment, food and beverage processing, food safety and labeling, food sales and marketing, dietary guidance, and federal food assistance programs. Limited to three attempts.
Focuses on constructions of race, gender, and sexuality in contemporary and classic television. Examines television through genres, consumption, and social justice issues. Topics can be specific to certain decades of TV, specific identities in representation, and/or specific genres. Equivalent to WMST 375.
Studies topics of special interest to undergraduates. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 18 credits.
Structured and supervised professional experience, within an approved agency, for which the student earns academic credit. The primary purpose of an internship is to connect the student's academic course work to experiences and challenges outside the university classroom. The faculty also expects that students will enhance their competencies and skills and explore career options. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 24 credits.
Familiarizes students with the theory and practice of integrative learning. Challenges students not only to learn but also to think deeply about what, why, how, and for what purposes you learn. Develops reflective, critical thinking, and research skills. Limited to three attempts.
Service-learning courses offer students, faculty, and community partners an opportunity to work together to integrate and apply knowledge to address community needs. Learning goals, action strategies, and assignments developed collaboratively. Students demonstrate progress through critical reflection that illustrates growth in acquiring and comprehending values, skills, and knowledge content. Critical reflection may take the form of papers, presentations, portfolios, journals, and exams. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 15 credits.
Directed field studies in topic not otherwise available to students. Notes: Topics vary, but entire course or significant component is located off campus. In addition to field work, course may also include reading assignments, tutorials, lectures, papers, presentations, portfolios, journals, and exams. Students bear costs of required field trips and should consult the Center for Social Action and Integrative Learning for more information. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 24 credits.
Teaching assistantship and peer-mentoring duties carried out through existing university programs, such as Technology Assistants, Writing Tutors, and Residence Advisors. Also includes teaching assistantship arrangements for specific courses detailed in individualized course contract signed by instructor and student. In addition to peer mentoring/advising, course work may include logistical support, reading assignments, papers, presentations, and portfolios. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
For students who wish to add one or more experiential learning credit to existing experiential learning course or learning community. Notes: May also be used by students who wish to add an experiential learning component to course that provides no experiential learning credit (with permission of instructor). Unless experiential learning add-on requirements are spelled out in course syllabus, requirements for add-on experiential learning credit must be detailed in individualized course contract signed by instructor and student. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 4 credits.
Experiential-based individualized studies, mentored by instructor. Notes: Topics decided by student and instructor and approved by executive director. Requirements must be detailed in individualized course contract signed by student, instructor, and executive director. May include reading assignments, papers, journals, and portfolios. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 15 credits.
Intended for participation in formally organized course offered by Center for Global Education. A maximum of 15 credits may apply toward INTS degree requirements. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 32 credits.
Examines the portrayal of powerful and/or sexual women throughout history, identifying famous historical and fictional temptresses and villianesses and investigating the facts known about them. Explores representations and perceptions of contemporary women's sexuality and power. Limited to three attempts.
Provides students with a working knowledge of conservation biology. Integrates the study of social, economic, and political factors with biodiversity, population modeling, habitat degradation, and management issues. Students confront the leading edge of this exciting field by developing real species conservation plans. The experiential learning component of the course will include trips to the Smithsonian Institution's Conservation and Research Center in Front Royal, Virginia, to study with nationally known experts. Limited to three attempts.
Examines the direct relationships between people and plants by integrating perspectives from both ethnobotany and economic botany. Provides students with an appreciation of the fundamental role of plants and plant-derived products in all aspects of human life in both industrialized and non-industrialized societies. Explores how plants and their uses have shaped both past and present cultures around the world. Limited to three attempts.
Introduces students to conservation behavior, a field that seeks to apply theories of animal behavior towards solving biological conservation and wildlife management problems. Consists of interactive lectures, readings (including a text and primary literature) and discussion, and hands-on, inquiry-based experiential learning while working in groups at the National Zoo to design and conduct independent behavioral-based research on endangered species. Limited to three attempts.
Uses an interdisciplinary approach to deepen and broaden student's learning about theories, models, and constructs related to the study and practice of ethics and leadership. Teaches students to develop ethical decision making strategies, communicate effectively in diverse group settings, value civic engagement and actively apply ethical leadership skills. Includes experiential learning activities and discussions that connect formal knowledge with real world experiences and includes one credit of experiential learning. Limited to three attempts.
Examines leadership within the context of the theoretical principles of women's studies through discussion of course texts, interactive exercises, field trips, documentary films, guest speakers, and reflection. Investigates the role that gender plays in the various forms of leadership and leadership styles. Explores the historical record of women in leadership roles, identifying the barriers as well as the opportunities. Limited to three attempts.
Develops a concept of global leadership, emphasizing the critical importance of ethical decision-making, social responsibility, and cultural awareness. Students formulate the construction process of a global mindset and begin to develop a personal philosophy of global leadership. Limited to three attempts.
Recognizing the value and contribution of science to improving the human condition, this course provides students the opportunity to apply integrative learning approaches to explore the intersections between science, health, and society with a focus on diverse societies and the implications for social justice. Limited to three attempts.
Provides students with a deeper understanding of refugee and internal displacement. Explores causes of displacement and its impact on people and societies. Studies the role played by governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the international community in addressing problems faced by refugees in internally displaced persons in terms of relief assistance and humanitarian services. Limited to three attempts.
Explores the complexity of human trafficking and smuggling, one of the fastest growing criminal enterprises in the world. Examines forms of human trafficking and smuggling and the countries that serve as source, transit or destinations of trafficked and smuggled individuals and groups. Studies the role of the international community in addressing trafficking and smuggling, including regional and national authorities and non-governmental agencies. Limited to three attempts.
Focuses on contemporary perspectives on youth, resistance, and advocacy, both in the form of social movements and subcultures. Asks questions such as: When do everyday activities constitute "resistance"—and resistance to what?—and how do everyday forms of resistance relate to broader forms of historical change? How do these forms of resistance perpetuate forms of exclusion and inequality? Limited to three attempts.
Develops a variety of work-readiness skills needed to transition to local and global marketplaces. Topics and skills covered include developing a tailored cover letter or goal statement, problem solving in the business setting, workplace ethics and etiquette, interviewing skills, professional networking, and salary negotiations. Limited to three attempts.
Examines history of philanthropy and public policy, and the economic and legal frameworks that shape it. Combining theory and practice, students study human behavior, communications, and management systems that are hallmarks of successful fund raising, and begin to develop skills to generate donations, foundation grants, and other unearned revenue for a nonprofit organization. Notes: Includes 1 experiential learning credit. Limited to three attempts.
Introduces interdisciplinary research methods for social change. Explores students' epistemological assumptions, and uses tools of inquiry and discovery to explore transformative approaches to scholarship and creative work. Examines multiple critical approaches to inquiry including auto-ethnography and ethnography, feminist, queer, and Indigenous research methods, participatory action research, critical quantitative analysis, and more. Limited to three attempts.
Examines diverse definitions and processes of change across multiple complex contexts. Focuses on identifying innovative, collaborative solutions to seemingly intractable social problems. Explores topics such as social change and globalization, creative conflict resolution, the nature of power, oppression and influence, and systemic leadership. Limited to three attempts.
Examines educational policy, practice, and materials using a variety of lenses informed by social justice theory and praxis. Investigates ways in which racism, sexism, economic injustice, heterosexism, ageism, and other forms of discrimination influence schools and educational access and opportunity for youth. Considers and practices what individuals and communities can do to ensure that all students have equitable educational opportunities. Limited to three attempts.
Engages students in an examination of the forms and impacts of racism, as well as movements for racial justice, in the United States. Draws on theoretical frameworks including critical race theory and intersectionality theory in order to examine the structural roots of racism and the implicit and explicit ways in which racism manifests today. Limited to three attempts.
Investigates the social and cultural construction of racial categories that have led to inaccurate and stereotypical representations that persist and cause harm today. Limited to three attempts.
Explores Black women theorists from the antebellum era to the twenty-first century. Students will gain a deeper understanding of Black feminist theories, philosophies, and practices while also considering how Black women have simultaneously embraced and complicated established feminist and anti-racist readings of race and gender oppression. This course will focus on questions of epistemology, ontology, temporality, the archive, queerness, geography, and intersectionality while paying particular attention to how Black women critique colonialism, sexism, heterosexism, classism, and racism. Students will take a historical and theoretical look at Black women thinkers, activists, creatives, freedom fighters, and dreamers using a range of texts including historical documents, novels, documentaries, films, and visual culture. Limited to three attempts.
Interdisciplinary examination of clinical care of dying persons along with psychosocial issues related to processes of death and dying. Special emphasis on application of ethical principles in resolving complex problems for individuals with life-threatening illnesses and their families as care givers or decision makers. Students consider the changing norms and mores surrounding end-of-life decisions and explore the care available to terminally ill patients. Limited to three attempts.
Interrogates the myriad ways in which Black Bodies are formally and informally policed. Special focus is given to the ways in which Black women’s bodies are policed not only by the criminal justice system, but also informally through sexual and intimate partner violence, forced sterilization and contraception. Course utilizes the theoretical lenses of intersectionality and of color blind racism. Equivalent to WMST 416.
Develops students' capacity to engage in positive social change. Examines social innovation approaches, including social and political entrepreneurship, philanthropy, corporate responsibility and social movements. Explores how social innovators catalyze multistakeholder collaborations across commercial, governmental and nonprofit sectors, exploring social innovation through case studies, best practice analyses and relevant readings. Limited to three attempts.
Offers a dynamic, practical, and hands-on approach to synthesizing our leadership philosophy with real problem-solving and decision-making skills. Through cases and experiential learning, students will work through framing and diagnosing problems as well as identifying and implementing solutions. Integrates students' interests with the tools necessary to be an organizational problem-solver. Limited to three attempts.
Covers how principles and practices of consciousness and transformation relate to the major and career pathway it represents. Includes the theory and practices for deepening the student's own experience with the mindfulness and contemplative approaches to inquire. Capstone course for the minor in consciousness and transformation. Limited to three attempts.
Prepares students to understand and meet a distinct set of challenges facing professionals in careers that involve directly helping others. Studies research findings about factors such as stress, burnout, and compassion-fatigue that undermine professional success and longevity in these career fields. Explores the fundamental tenets of the science of well-being, learning the vocabulary and core principles related to aspects of self-care and well-being such as positivity, strengths, mindfulness, and resilience. Limited to three attempts.
Individualized section form required. Study of a topic not otherwise available to the student. May involve any combination of reading assignments, tutorials, lectures, papers, presentations, or field/laboratory study (determined in consultation with instructor) Students are encouraged to work as a team on a particular topic. Notes: Maximum 12 credits can be used to fulfill graduation requirements. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.
Culminating experience for Environmental and Sustainability Studies majors enrolled in the Sustainable Food and Agriculture concentration. Focused on helping students see how their specific talents, interests and experiences can prepare them for specific professional roles within the emerging field of sustainable food systems. Limited to three attempts.
Studies topics of special interest to undergraduates. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 18 credits.
Students may take no more than 6 credits in any one semester, unless approved by executive director. A maximum of of 12 credits can apply to the Integrative Studies degree. Structured and supervised professional experience, within an approved agency, for which the student earns academic credit. The primary purpose of an internship is to connect the student's academic course work to experiences and challenges outside the university classroom. The faculty also expects that students will enhance their competencies and skills and explore career options. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.
This course requires students to reflect and self-assess their undergraduate learning, synthesizing knowledge and ideas from various courses and experiences; address an issue of multidisciplinary inquiry from the perspective of their concentration in order to demonstrate critical thinking, research and communication skills; and to provide evidence of their qualifications for the workplace or graduate study. 85 credits required. Graduation requirement for integrative studies students. Limited to three attempts.
May be repeated within the degree.
Service-learning courses offer students, faculty, and community partners an opportunity to work together to integrate and apply knowledge to address community needs. Learning goals, action strategies, and assignments developed collaboratively. Students demonstrate progress through critical reflection that illustrates growth in acquiring and comprehending values, skills, and knowledge content. Critical reflection may take the form of papers, presentations, portfolios, journals, and exams. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 15 credits.
Directed field studies in topic not otherwise available to students. Notes: Topics vary, but entire course or significant component is located off campus. In addition to field work, course may also include reading assignments, tutorials, lectures, papers, presentations, portfolios, journals, and exams. Students bear costs of required field trips and should consult the Center for Social Action and Integrative Learning for more information. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 24 credits.
Teaching assistantship and peer-mentoring duties carried out through existing university programs, such as technology assistants, writing tutors, and residence advisors. Also includes teaching assistantship arrangements for specific courses detailed in individualized course contract signed by instructor and student. In addition to peer mentoring/advising, course work may include logistical support, reading assignments, papers, presentations, and portfolios. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
For students who wish to add one or more experiential learning credit to existing experiential learning course or learning community. Notes: May also be used by students who wish to add an experiential learning component to course that provides no experiential learning credit (with permission of instructor). Unless experiential learning add-on requirements are spelled out in course syllabus, requirements for add-on experiential learning credit must be detailed in individualized course contract signed by instructor and student. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 4 credits.
Experiential-based individualized studies, mentored by instructor. Notes: Topics decided by student and instructor and approved by executive director. Requirements must be detailed in individualized course contract signed by student, instructor, and executive director. May include reading assignments, papers, journals, and portfolios. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 15 credits.
Studies topics of special interest to undergraduates. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 18 credits.
Directed field studies in topic not otherwise available to students. Notes: Topics vary, but entire course or significant component is located off campus. In addition to field work, course may also include reading assignments, tutorials, lectures, papers, presentations, portfolios, journals, and exams. Students bear costs of required field trips and should consult the Center for Social Action and Integrative Learning for more information. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 24 credits.
Experiential-based individualized studies, mentored by instructor. Notes: Topics decided by student and instructor and approved by executive director. Requirements must be detailed in individualized course contract signed by student, instructor, and executive director. May include reading assignments, papers, journals, and portfolios. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 15 credits.
Studies topics of special interest to undergraduates. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 18 credits.
Directed field studies in topic not otherwise available to students. Notes: Topics vary, but entire course or significant component is located off campus. In addition to field work, course may also include reading assignments, tutorials, lectures, papers, presentations, portfolios, journals, and exams. Students bear costs of required field trips and should consult the Center for Social Action and Integrative Learning for more information. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 24 credits.
Experiential-based individualized studies, mentored by instructor. Notes: Topics decided by student and instructor and approved by executive director. Requirements must be detailed in individualized course contract signed by student, instructor, and executive director. May include reading assignments, papers, journals, and portfolios. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 15 credits.
Graduate
Explores contemporary leadership theories, models, and concepts using a theory-to-practice-to theory framework. Covers leadership theory, supporting research, and practical application. Focuses on active learning through classroom presentations, course texts, a reflection on theory and practice, and team work. May not be repeated for credit.
Introduces interdisciplinary research methods for social change. Explores students' epistemological assumptions, and employs methods of inquiry and discovery to explore transformative approaches to scholarship. Examines multiple critical approaches to inquiry, including auto-ethnography and ethnography, feminist and indigenous research methods, participatory action research, critical and quantitative analysis. May not be repeated for credit.
Examines change and its elements by asking students to explore and design innovative, collaborative solutions to seemingly intractable social problems. Considers and discerns topics such as social change and globalization, creative conflict resolution, the nature of power, oppression and influence, and systemic leadership. Explores methods of personal and social transformation and examine the strategies, and ideas of effective social change advocates in the 21st century. By the course’s end, each student will develop a creative proposal for solving a societal problem. May not be repeated for credit.
Engages students in an examination of the forms and impacts of racism, as well as movements for racial justice in the United States. Draws on theoretical frameworks including critical race theory and intersectionality theory in order to examine the structural roots of racism and the implicit and explicit ways in which racism manifests today. May not be repeated for credit.
Investigates the social and cultural construction of persistent and harmful racial categories. May not be repeated for credit.
Explores Black women theorists from the antebellum era to the twenty-first century. Students will gain a deeper understanding of Black feminist theories, philosophies, and practices while also considering how Black women have simultaneously embraced and complicated established feminist and anti-racist readings of race and gender oppression. This course will focus on questions of epistemology, ontology, temporality, the archive, queerness, geography, and intersectionality while paying particular attention to how Black women critique colonialism, sexism, heterosexism, classism, and racism. Students will take a historical and theoretical look at Black women thinkers, activists, creatives, freedom fighters, and dreamers using a range of texts including historical documents, novels, documentaries, films, and visual culture. Limited to three attempts.
Students will examine, study the socio-historical significance of, and consider solutions for some of the most pressing social justice and human rights issues in the world today. The issues examined will cut across identity, region, and scope, and may include concerns as varied as human trafficking, hegemony, animal abuse, child labor, and sexism. May not be repeated for credit.
Interrogates the myriad ways in which Black Bodies are formally and informally policed. Special focus is given to the ways in which Black women’s bodies are policed not only by the criminal justice system, but also informally through sexual and intimate partner violence, forced sterilization and contraception. Course utilizes the theoretical lenses of intersectionality and of color blind racism. Limited to three attempts.
Develops students' capacity to engage in positive social change. Examines social innovation approaches, including social and political entrepreneurship, philanthropy, corporate responsibility and social movements. Explores how social innovators catalyze multistakeholder collaborations across commercial, governmental and nonprofit sectors, exploring social innovation through case studies, best practice analyses and relevant readings. May not be repeated for credit.
Studies topics of special interest to graduate students pursuing integrative, multidisciplinary degrees. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.
Experiential Learning May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.
Studies topics of special interest to graduate students pursuing integrative, multidisciplinary degrees. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.
Experiential Learning May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.
