A general survey of the political, constitutional, economic, and social history of the United States.
Art
An introduction to media involving spatial and temporal dimensions, including sculpture, video, sound, installation, computer-aided design, and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) fabrication. The course incorporates the fundamental theoretical, technical and aesthetic principles of composition in space and time. Assignments involve design of sound; video production; computer modeling; traditional and non-traditional sculpture techniques.
Art History
This survey of architecture and urban planning begins with the revivalist architecture of the nineteenth century and concludes with global contemporary practice, exploring along the way efforts to formulate a "modern" architecture and subsequent postmodern critiques. Students are introduced to significant figures like Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Jane Jacobs, Frank Gehry, Michael Graves, and Zaha Hadid, and to significant themes in modern and postmodern architectural practice, like the archetype of architect as hero, architecture as social engineering, and architecture as spectacle. Students thus learn of essential reference points for understanding our built environment and its discourse.
Biology
A study of ecology, evolution and biological diversity, with an emphasis on scientific investigations in the natural areas in and around the university. The course, which is scheduled for one afternoon each week, meets the general education requirement for a natural science course but does not fulfill the requirement for a laboratory science course.
This course is an introductory study of the molecular and cellular basis of life, of the structure and function of cells, and of molecular genetics. Biol 130 is not a prerequisite. Non-laboratory course.
This interdisciplinary field course combines the study of geology, oceanography, marine biology, botany, and wildlife behavior in a single coastal island ecosystem.
Business
The instructional objective is to provide students with an understanding of the concepts that are fundamental to the use of accounting. Students will focus on the accounting cycle and the preparation of financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, and statements of cash flows, as well as on the use of financial ratios. A decision-making approach is employed which involves critical evaluation and analysis of information presented. Analytical tools are integrated throughout the course
The course focuses on the internal use of accounting information in the formulation of management decisions. Students learn how financial systems can add value to a company. Different costing systems, budgetary planning, and incremental analysis are among the course contents.
This course examines business trends and business structures in emerging markets located in the region of focus through field applications of cross-cultural travel and business interviews. This field applications course discusses the evolution of conglomerate enterprises and business networks through first-hand study and consultation with business and government leaders. It introduces students to examples of corporate organization and management of these enterprises, and elaborates how these structures impact the success of companies from the region of study. The course will examine the policies and case examples of new start-up business development and entrepreneurship, and how economies in the region are adapting structures to shape an innovation economy. The faculty-led travel /study-away course will also explore business practices in the countries of study, providing students with a first-hand understanding of business culture, protocol, and business customs.
A selection of topics are explored depending on interest. This course may be repeated once for credit when the topic differs.
Classical Studies
The course focuses on portrayals of Greek and Roman culture in film, with readings from classical and later literature in translation as well as criticism.
Community Engaged Learning
A selection of topics are explored depending on interest. This course may be repeated once for credit when the topic differs.
English
This writing-intensive introduction to literature written in English may include a selection of formal verse, fiction, drama, and at least one play by Shakespeare. The course is designed to develop the student’s imaginative understanding of literature along with the ability to write and speak with greater clarity. It is intended to be of interest to students at any level of preparation.
Speculative fiction is a genre that asks “what if,” allowing us to imagine alternative social arrangements while holding up a mirror to our own assumptions about culture and human identity. The nationality and time period of speculative fiction examined in this course may vary based on the instructor. In different semesters, this class may focus on such topics as the origin and development of science fiction, featuring such writers as Mary Shelley and H.G. Wells; climate speculative fiction (Richard Powers), feminist speculative fiction (Margaret Atwood, Ursula K. Le Guin), or Afrofuturism (Octavia Butler, N.K. Jemisin).
Environmental Sciences
This interdisciplinary field course combines the study of geology, oceanography, marine biology, botany, and wildlife behavior in a single coastal island ecosystem.
Film Studies
An introduction to media involving spatial and temporal dimensions, including sculpture, video, sound, installation, computer-aided design, and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) fabrication. The course incorporates the fundamental theoretical, technical and aesthetic principles of composition in space and time. Assignments involve design of sound; video production; computer modeling; traditional and non-traditional sculpture techniques.
This course focuses on Italian cinema from Neorealism to the present day. Through films, the course examines the social, cultural, and political history of Italy from the 1940s to today. Taught in English.
Finance
This course addresses the concepts underlying corporate finance and equity markets. Topics include financial statement analysis, time value of money, security valuation, capital budgeting, capital structure, dividend policy, and working capital management.
French and French Studies
Geology
A study of the geological features and processes that shape the earth's surface and subsurface. Lectures detail major components of the earth and the dynamic processes that generate them (including rocks, minerals, fossils, mountain belts, ocean basins, tectonic activity, magma formation, and climate change). Environmental issues related to geology (earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity, groundwater contamination, and coastal and stream erosion) are major topics of discussion. Field-oriented lab exercises utilize excellent geological exposures of the Cumberland Plateau and the nearby Appalachian Mountains. Lecture, three hours; laboratory and field trips (including one weekend trip).