New Courses 2012-2013

The following courses have been approved during the 2012-2013 academic year:

EDUC 436 Middle Education Preservice Teaching I (8)
A preservice teaching experience in grade 6. Student teaching I and II provide over 300 clock hours and 150 hours of direct instruction. The placements are in diverse school settings. The student must request a placement from the Director of Field Experiences the semester before student teaching. Includes an on-campus seminar. Prerequisite: consent and admission to the Education Program. Offered each semester.

EDUC 437 Middle Education Preservice Teaching II (8)
A preservice teaching experience in grades 7-8. Student teaching I and II provide over 300 clock hours and 150 hours of direct instruction. The placements are in diverse school settings. The student must request a placement from the Director of Field Experiences the semester before student teaching. Includes an on-campus seminar. Prerequisite: consent and admission to the Education Program. Offered each semester.

EES 425 The Age of Oil (4)
Explores all aspects of oil: its chemistry and origin; how we find it and turn it into myriad products; the influence that cheap, abundant oil has had on our society; and its role in politics and war.  Environmental effects and the questions about the future supply will also be considered.

HIST 349 Topics in U.S. History (4)
Applies advanced historical exploration of a variety of geographical, temporal, cultural, social, and political subjects in U.S. history.  Students focus on understanding how societies change over time, analyze primary documents in their historical context, and develop independent arguments based on analysis of primary sources.  Course may be repeated as topics change.

HIST 350 Topics in European History (4)
Applies advanced historical exploration of a variety of geographical, temporal, cultural, social, and political subjects in European history.  Students focus on understanding how societies change over time, analyze primary documents in their historical context, and develop independent arguments based on analysis of primary sources.  Course may be repeated as topics change.

HIST 351 Topics in World History (4)
Applies advanced historical exploration of a variety of geographical, temporal, cultural, social, and political subjects in world history.  Students focus on understanding how societies change over time, analyze primary documents in their historical context, and develop independent arguments based on analysis of primary sources.  Course may be repeated as topics change.

HIST 489 Pop and Rock Music Seminar (4)
Examines the history of Western popular music in the twentieth century.  Situates pop and rock music in their socio-cultural contexts, investigating the nexus between socio-political developments and musical expression.  Focuses on the interactions between different cultures, the development of international youth styles, music as political expression, and cultural imperialism.

JST 381 Internship in Jewish Studies (4)
Internship with local Jewish community or religious organization.  Students participate in the institutional workings of educational, philanthropic, religious, or health-care related Jewish organizations.  Off-campus: personal means of transportation necessary. Prerequisites: RELST 180 or 181 or permission of the faculty member administering the JST minor.

JST 481 Readings in Jewish Studies (4)
In-depth, faculty guided, but student initiated readings course in an area of Jewish studies, focusing on a specific theme, issue, geographic area, or time period relevant to the study of Judaism or the Jewish people. Prerequisites: RELST 180 or 181 or permission of the faculty member administering the JST minor.  Offered on demand.

MATH 150 Topics in Modern Mathematics (4)   
Course exposes students to areas of modern mathematics.  Topics vary but may includee voting theory, game theory, mathematics and art, elementary number theory, graph theory and scheduling problems, management science, and others.  Focus is on critical thinking skills, communicating mathematics orally and in writing, and applications to other disciplines. Prerequisite: placement level A or B. Offered each spring.

MATH 189  Games and Decisions (4)             
Learn how to win games with math!  In this course, use discrete mathematics (game theory, logic, probability) to model real-world situations involving decision making.  Prerequisite: placement level A, B or H. Offered each fall.

MATH 410 Mathematical Models (4)
An introduction to mathematical models and sensitivity analysis.  Emphasizes construction of models for real world applications in a variety of area.  Mathematical software is used extensively for problem solving.  Topics include optimization models, linear and discrete programming, dynamic models and probability modes.  Offered spring of odd-numbered years.

354   Vocal Music Methods and Materials (4)        
Designed for students seeking certification in music education, this course covers facets of vocal music education in Elementary, Middle and High School areas.  This course also serves as preparation for the Praxis II Music Content Knowledge test. Prerequisite: MUS 321. Offered spring of even-numbered years.

315   Politics in the Media (4)
Explores recurring themes in studies of the mass media, including the interplay between news producers, consumers, and politicians. Students will examine the role of mass media within a democracy, the media's effects on the citizens who consume it, and how the economic needs of news producers shapes their product. Prerequisites: POLS 111 or 112. Offered on demand.
237  Animals and Society (4)                         
Focusing on human-animal relationships, this course explores the role and impact of animals in human society, and the impact of humans on the lives of animals. Content includes the social construction of animals, human/animal interaction in social institutions, current debates, and the future of human/animal relations. Offered when circumstances permit.

Experimental Courses

ENG 388 British Literary History (4)
A survey covering British literature from the medieval period to the twentieth century.  Provides students with a sense of the historical breadth of British literature.  It is highly recommended that students read the major works over the summer, as the reading list is substantial.  Offered fall of odd years.

INST 102 Problem Solving in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics (1)
This problem-solving seminar will include problems from the natural sciences and mathematics.  Course is restricted to NSF S-STEM Scholarship recipients only.

 MBE 360 Operations Management (4)
Reviews qualitative and quantitative techniques such as decision analysis, forecasting, linear programming, project scheduling, inventory cost minimization, and queuing analysis as well as concepts such as TQM and process analysis.  Emphasis is on their practical application to production and operations management problems in both the manufacturing and service sectors.