EN-038
English Fundamentals with Lab I
Noncredit
This is the first of two noncredit courses for students who are accepted to the College in the EASE Program. These are students whose native language is not English and who need to increase their fluency in written and spoken English as they pursue their degrees. Students will be engaged in activities and assessments focused on listening, formal and conversational speaking, and writing grammatically correct sentences and paragraphs. The course provides intensive English instruction for nine hours a week with six classroom hours and a three hour lab.
Prerequisite: None
EN-041
Academic Reading & Vocabulary I
Noncredit
This is the first of two noncredit reading courses for students who are accepted to the College in the EASE Program. These are students whose native language is not English and who need to increase their fluency in written and spoken English as they pursue their degree programs. Attention will be paid to the building of vocabulary and to reading comprehension using periodicals and textbooks.
Prerequisite: None
EN-042
English Fundamentals with Lab II
Noncredit
This is the second of two noncredit courses for students who are accepted to the College in the EASE Program. These are students whose native language is not English and who need to increase their fluency in written and spoken English as they pursue their degrees. This course is designed to bring students to a college-level competency in grammar, sentence structure, coherence, and clarity. This begins with the preparation of a well-composed, coherent paragraph and moves on to the process of writing focused essays of at least five paragraphs in a variety of rhetorical modes. Standard written English, including appropriate grammar and syntax, is covered in detail. In addition, students will hone their formal and informal speaking skills, develop their listening and note-taking skills and improve their overall reading skills. The course provides intensive English instruction for six classroom hours per week, plus a weekly three hour lab
PREREQUISITE: EN-038 or Placement
EN-043
Academic Reading & Vocabulary II
Noncredit
This is the second of two noncredit reading courses for students who are accepted to the College in the EASE Program. These are students whose native language is not English and who need to increase their fluency in written and spoken English as they pursue their degree programs. Attention will be paid to expanding vocabulary and to developing college-level reading comprehension using appropriate academic periodicals and textbooks.
Prerequisite: EN-041 or Placement
EN-068
English Fundamental Essentials
Noncredit
This course is designed to bring students to college level competency in grammar, sentence structure, coherence, and clarity. This begins with the preparation of a well-composed, coherent paragraph and moves on to the process of writing focused essays of at least five paragraphs in a variety of rhetorical modes. Standard written English, including appropriate grammar and syntax, is covered in detail. In addition, reading comprehension and vocabulary building will be emphasized. A grade of C or better is required to pass EN 070 and EN 068. A grade of D, however, may be assigned to students in EN 068 who have shown improvement but who are not yet prepared for credit English. In this case they progress to EN 070, not EN 109.
Prerequisite: None
EN-070
Developmental English
Noncredit
This course is designed to bring students to a college-level competency in grammar, sentence structure, coherence and clarity. Students will be introduced to the process of writing focused essays of at least five paragraphs in a variety of rhetorical modes. Reading comprehension and vocabulary building will also be emphasized.
Prerequisite: None
EN-107
Ethnic Literature
3 credits
This survey course introduces students to a variety of explorations into the experiences of cultural groups as reflected in American literary styles. Students will read and discuss literature representative of various ethnic groups.
Prerequisite: EN-109
EN-108
American Literature
3 credits
This course is a chronological survey of representative prose and verse from the Colonial Period to the Twentieth Century. Authors include Cooper, Emerson, Twain, Dickinson, Poe and others.
Prerequisite: EN-109
EN-109
Expository Writing
3 credits
Expository Writing will develop students’ competency in preparing focused and substantiated essays in a variety of rhetorical modes using multiple revisions. Assigned readings will prepare students in determining author’s purpose, understanding literary terms, and analyzing essay structure. A major focus of the course is methods of research and proper documentation and citation. All writing assignments will contain a research component that includes documentation using both electronic and print sources. In addition, a fully documented term paper is required.
Prerequisite: Placement
EN-110
Composition and Literature
3 credits
A variety of literary genres, including the short story, poetry, and drama will be analyzed to increase awareness of different modes of fiction. In addition to submitting a series of essay assignments and reaction papers, students will complete a correctly documented research paper.
Prerequisite: EN-109 or satisfactory placement score on placement test
EN-116
Women Writers
3 credits
This course is designed to introduce students to a wide variety of literature written by women of different backgrounds and cultures. Students will read and discuss material representative of different groups.
Prerequisite: EN-109
EN-117
Creative Writing
3 credits
This course introduces students to the different techniques and genres employed by professional writers. Students experiment with various types of writing and receive feedback from instructor and peers.
Prerequisite: EN-109
EN-118
The Art of Poetry
3 credits
This course covers the basics of poetry writing – purpose, tone, denotative and connotative meanings, rhythm, meter, imagery, symbolism, and figures of speech. Students will survey masters of the poetic genre with special emphasis on American poetry. Various forms of poetry writing — sonnet, elegy, ode, ballad, etc., — will be analyzed. A brief history of jazz, rap, hip-hop poetry will also be studied. Students will research one poet and his/her works in detail and structure their own experiences in verse form. Students will memorize and recite poems.
PREREQUISITE: None
EN-205
Business Writing
3 credits
Writers in a business environment manage the form and flow of information both within an organization and to customers, potential clients, and the general public. Such information may take the form of letters, memoranda, email, proposals, reports, visual presentations, analyses, and summaries. This is a writing course that emphasizes the principles of effective professional writing with an emphasis on precision, clarity, brevity, and accuracy.
Prerequisite: EN-109
EN-210
Film and Literature
3 credits
This course emphasizes the relationship between film and literature. It includes viewing and discussion of selected films in a context of film history. The terminology of film, genres, themes, screen writing, and cinematic techniques will be studied. Novels, short stories, and plays are analyzed in relation to film versions of the same works. The impact of movie making on business and on society will be discussed.
Prerequisite: EN-110
EN-211
African-American Literature
3 credits
African-American literature offers a chronological survey from the Eighteenth Century to the present. It presents a wide range of literary selections including drama, fiction, poetry, and autobiography. It also explores the rich African-American oral tradition of folktales, spirituals, and speeches, which will be studied through a companion CD that will add breadth to the anthology.
Prerequisite: EN–110
EN-212
Autobiography
3 credits
Autobiographical works have had a loyal following for centuries, but their form, content, authorship, and readership have changed. Autobiography crosses class, age, gender, race, and cultural lines. What prompts one to keep a diary or journal? Is it self-discovery, a way to promote self-healing, or a desire to transmit knowledge to others? Through the genre of autobiography, it is possible to explore contemporary issues about oneself and society in satisfying and challenging ways. The course will expose students to some of the world’s great literature, validate the importance of self-evaluation, and explore how race, class, gender, and talent relate to the psychology of its composition.
Prerequisite: EN-110
EN-208
The American Novel
3 credits
This course introduces students to the novel genre, specifically as it relates to American novelists. It is designed to expose students to novels of a variety of authors whose works spanned the nineteenth century to the present. Students will concentrate on the development of those analytical skills, which will allow them to understand and to appreciate great works of fiction. Advanced research skills and literary criticism will also be covered.
Prerequisite: EN-110
EN-220
Shakespeare: Stage and Film
3 credits
This course will introduce students to the plays of Shakespeare and will enhance their understanding through blending his verse with performances on video and DVD. Students will study representative plays from each period of Shakespeare’s career, including histories, tragedies, and comedies. Through close analysis of these plays, both on the page and on film, students will develop an appreciation of the richness of Shakespeare’s theatrical art through its powerful words and images. Students will also explore how film artists create visual performances out of dramatic literature. The course will also examine how Shakespeare’s plays reflect the history, values, social structure, and modes of expression of the time.
Prerequisite:EN 110
EN-230
STORYTELLING ACROSS THE MEDIA
3 credits
This course will focus on how non-fiction stories are shaped and introduce students to different modes of storytelling, including: print articles, videos, web articles, and creative non-fiction literature. Students will choose a particular social issue to study and explore and then craft stories on the issue in various formats to gain an understanding of how each medium shapes the story. Projects in print, video, web, and creative non-fiction will be conducted. Students will develop basic skills in news writing, creative writing, video production, digital editing, and web design.
Prerequisite: EN 110
EN-300
Multicultural Children’s Literature
3 credits
This course is a survey and history of children’s literature from various cultures. Topics include authors and illustrators, principles of selection, evaluation, and integration of literature, fiction and nonfiction in a variety of formats to enrich classroom activities and recreational and lifelong reading. Knowledge of significant children’s literature authors and illustrators will be gained through the reading and analysis of numerous children’s literature titles. Special attention will be placed on techniques for using literature throughout pre-K- second grade classrooms.
Prerequisite: EN-110
EN-305
Advanced Professional Communication
3 credits
Accurate written and oral communication in all kinds of professional contexts saves organizations time and money, and promotes goodwill. This course is an advanced professional-technical writing and communication course that focuses on the further development, refinement, and sharpening of skills previously introduced in EN-205. The course is based on the premise that sounding professional means using a simple, concise style and making the communication worth reading. Topics taught include: audience analysis; research methods; questionnaire and survey preparation; data collection, interpretation, and documentation; and composition of reports in special formats. Students will be encouraged to relate course materials to their major programs and summarize and analyze case studies in those areas. Students will also research and prepare an in-depth proposal that relates to their majors using primary and/or secondary data. Collaboration is crucial in the business world today. This requires strong listening and interpersonal skills. Students will research, prepare, and deliver an oral group presentation that incorporates visual material. Prerequisite: EN-205
EN-315
Masterpieces of World Literature
3 credits
Students are introduced to a selection of major works from the Classical, Medieval and Renaissance periods that have contributed to establishing the Western literary tradition. Heroic tales, romances, fable, myths, and legends are among the genres studied.
Prerequisite: EN-110
EN-325
Advanced Writing for the Social Sciences
3 credits
This course builds on the foundations of critical thinking, reading, and writing, with an emphasis on applying these skills within a professional, public, or academic environment. The objective of the course is to develop writers who write clear, grammatical, well-structured prose, and who can discover and convey complex ideas critically in various applications. Students will construct a weblog/e-portfolio (blogfolio) with original work that focuses on current topics selected from the social sciences. Students will create a portfolio for graduate and professional school, job, or internship applications, among other needs.
Prerequisite: EN-110
Foreign Language
FR-101
French I
3 credits
This introductory course emphasizes the basic skills of reading, writing, and speaking French as well as translating text from French to English. Students will demonstrate their language skills by preparing brief compositions and reading appropriate texts.
Prerequisite: None
FR-102
French II
3 credits
This course will continue to emphasize the skills of reading, writing and speaking in French as well as translation of French to English. More advanced French grammatical constructions will be stressed. In addition, basic translation of English into French will be introduced.
Prerequisite: FR-101
IL-101
Italian I
3 credits
Italian I is an introductory course that emphasizes the basic skills of reading, writing, and speaking Italian, as well as some translation. Since global demand is great for competencies in written and spoken languages, Italian I offers students, especially those in the culinary arts, the opportunity to learn, understand, and use Italian while at the same time, reinforcing their English competencies. The course will be supplemented by audio-visual material.
Prerequisite: None
IL-102
Italian II
3 credits
Italian II will continue to emphasize the skills of reading, writing, and speaking in Italian as well as translation. More advanced Italian construction will be stressed. The semester will continue with exercises in pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. There will be a strong emphasis on spoken proficiency and cultural awareness.
PREREQUISITE: IL-101
SP-101
Spanish I
3 credits
Spanish I is an introductory course and emphasizes basic skills in reading, writing, and speaking Spanish, as well as some translation. Since global demand is great for competency in written and spoken languages, Spanish I offers students the opportunity to learn, understand, and use Spanish in the world of business and communication, and at the same time, reinforce their English skills.
Prerequisite: None
SP-102
Spanish II
3 credits
Spanish II will continue to emphasize the basic skills of speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish as well as translation. More advanced Spanish construction will be stressed with translation of English into Spanish and Spanish into English.
Prerequisite: SP-101
Honors
HN-150
The Honors Experience
3 credits
This course is recommended for all students in their first semester of enrollment in the Honors Program.
This introductory course utilizes New York City as a basis for interdisciplinary investigations into fields such as politics, economics, transportation, demographics, science and technology, labor, culture, and the arts using the case study approach. The diversity and complexity of New York City provides a rich framework for a series of academic analyses where various issues and perspectives dramatically intersect. Several topics will be selected by the instructor each semester for focused research. The course will involve extensive reading (including original sources) and writing assignments in conjunction with site visits to complement coursework and will culminate in the presentation of a final research project.
Prerequisite: None
HN240
THE ART AND CULTURE OF WORLD DANCE
3 Credits
Students explore the cultural heritage, social mores, religious influences, and history of three geographic locations through the medium of dance. A constantly developing art form, dance is shaped by the various influences around it. Yet, dance also contributes to the cultural tenor of its geographic origin. Students will study the function of dance as an art and as a lens for the society around it. Choreography and performance will also be a part of this interdisciplinary course.
Prerequisite: None
HN-250
The American Presidency
3 credits
Decisions made in the White House have started and ended wars, caused and cured economic crises, and expanded and contracted human rights. The role of the presidency today is remarkably different than when George Washington first took the oath of office in 1789. Seven men, in particular, can be cast in the part of change agent for the American presidency: George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Lyndon Johnson, and Ronald Reagan. Using the careers of these seven, students will explore the processes of decision-making. Students will study both primary and secondary sources to see what others thought of them. In addition to several short essays, students will prepare a major essay critically detailing the presidency of one of the seven.
Prerequisite: None
HN-260
The Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights
3 credits
This interdisciplinary course uses the study of the Holocaust to investigate causes and lessons of other modern genocides. Besides readings, videos, and museum visits, lecturers with particular expertise and experiences will offer their perspectives during the semester. Students will complete reading assignments, participate in classroom discussions, take part in site visits, and conduct research on genocidal conditions and responses. As a culminating project, the students present a final project that reflects the information they learned in the classroom and through their own investigation and analyses. This course fosters the development of a community of scholars, guiding them to become global citizens and “upstanders” for social justice.
Prerequisite: None
HN-350
Comparative Urbanism
3 credits.
This interdisciplinary advanced honors course challenges the student to understand the dynamic relationship of spatial organization and the built environment to politics, economics, cultures, demographics, technology, and societies. Students study the changing forms of the city over time and analyze the variety of ways through which people have recreated urban life through time and across cultures.
Each academic year, the cities studied will vary, but will include three that developed under differing circumstances.
The period of study begins with the age of the “city beautiful” movement, popularized by the classical elements of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, and concludes in the era of the re-emergence of the city as a location of choice in the last decades of the century. Students may pursue detailed research in realms such as planning, architecture, urban social and economic relations, political influences on housing and urban development, interactions between tourism and the economy, influence of changing populations, history, and environmental issues.
Prerequisite: HN 150 and Junior Standing
HN-450
Honors Program Research Seminar
3 credits
This upper division seminar provides students enrolled in the college’s Honors Program a capstone experience. Students complete assigned readings prior to the beginning of the semester to provide a common intellectual context and experience. A reflective essay based on the readings and related to the specific semester’s theme is required; students will discuss the content of the readings in a coherent essay. One goal of this course is to prepare students to undertake graduate-level research. Accordingly, students will prepare a research design, literature review, anotated bibliography, and an assessment of the sources. Research will involve both primary and secondary sources and may include surveys, interviews, and historical documents. The culmination of the course is preparation of a research paper, presentation, or other means by which the results of the undertaking may be disseminated.
PREREQUISITE: HN-150 and Senior Status
Social Sciences
LA-100
College Strategies and Career Development Freshman Seminar
3 credits
This course will prepare entering freshmen to succeed in college. This will be accomplished through a variety of instructional modalities, one focus of which will be to increase exposure to information literacy. This will development students’ ability to recognize, retrieve, and use information that is needed to effectively accomplish a specific task while preparing them for the rigors of effective research necessary for more advanced and major-specific coursework.
Additionally, throughout the course, the second focus will be a strong emphasis on assisting students in the development of a meaningful career direction through self-assessment, decision-making, and goal setting. This will lead to the development of a career portfolio, which will allow students to hone their written, oral, research, critical thinking, and human relations skills through a variety of exercises and assignments.
Active classroom participation, an oral presentation, and a field experience project are required.
Prerequisite: None
LA-101
Introduction to Psychology
3 credits
In this general introduction to the field of psychology, emphasis is placed on the basic principles of human behavior as presented in the theories of learning, motivation, emotion, thinking, intelligence, maturation, perception and ego-defensive behavior. Attention is also given to the various schools of psychology, general aspects of clinical methods, tests and measurements and findings of research.
Prerequisite: None
LA-102
Introduction to Sociology
3 credits
Sociology is the study of human behavior in the context of group situations and relation-ships. This course investigates the nature and structure of social groups and studies how certain social institutions function.
Prerequisite: None
LA-103
Introduction to Political Science
3 credits
The organization and functioning of political institutions in the United States on the national, state and local levels are studied. Special emphasis is placed on the arrange-ments and procedures developed to effect the principle of separation of powers, to insure popular control of governments and to formulate public policy. The organization and functioning of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government are given major consideration.
Prerequisite: None
LA-105
Marriage and the Family
3 credits
This course examines the family as an institution: its roles, authority patterns, and functions. Topics studied include the comparison of various family systems, alternate marriage styles, variations in the family according to class, religion, sexual orientation, ethnic background, mate selection, and marital adjustment.
Prerequisites: LA-101 or LA-102
LA-106
Sex and Gender
3 credits
This advanced social science course will explore how sex, gender roles, and the expressions of masculinity and femininity are built into the social structures of American life and various cultures around the world. Analysis of prejudice and discrimination (inequality and stereotyping) as they exist in the social institutions of family, religion, economics, education, and political arenas will be addressed, as well as ideas for appropriate change for the future.
Prerequisite: LA-101 or LA-102
LA-107
Introduction to Civil Rights Law
3 credits
The United States was founded on the principle that the protection of individual rights is paramount. Despite constitutional protections of individual liberties, there have been many violations of these fundamental concepts. This course will examine the evolution of the law regarding discrimination. Particular emphasis will be placed on race discrimination, sex discrimination, as well as other relevant areas. This course has rigorous reading and class participation requirements.
Prerequisite: None
LA-108
Psychology of Abnormal Behavior
3 credits
This course is designed to give students the background to recognize certain types of abnormal behavior and to classify the development, maintenance, and effects of the behavior. The major areas covered include anxiety and stress, dissociative and somatoform disorders, personality and impulse control disorders, psychoactive substance use disorders, sexual disorders, schizophrenia, and suicide.
Prerequisite: LA 101
LA-111
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
3 credits
Cultural anthropology is the study of social organizations and systems of thought and values that reflect social practice in different cultures. This course provides an introduction to the discipline of anthropology and is intended to help students come to a better understanding of human cultures through analysis of religious, economic, social and political practices of diverse societies.
Prerequisite: None
LA-112
The New York Experience
3 credits
This course examines New York City in detail from sociological, historical, geographical, political, and cultural perspectives. Topics include the overall geography of New York City, the historical growth and development from its early colonization to the great metropolis it is today, an ethnic study done on a neighborhood-to-neighborhood basis, an examination of New York’s economy and political system, and an overview of the many cultural achievements that New York and New Yorkers have given to the world.
Prerequisite: None
LA-114
History of Art I: Ancient Civilizations to the Gothic Period
3 credits
This course offers an historical survey of painting, sculpture and architecture from ancient times through the Gothic period. The development of different civilizations will be examined as well as stylistic developments and differences between cultures. Through slide lectures, key monuments will be explored in terms of content, function, and the changing role of the artist in society. The course includes study of significant works of art in New York City museums.
Prerequisite: None
LA-115
History of Art II: The Renaissance to the Twentieth Century
3 credits
This course offers an historical survey of painting, sculpture and architecture from the early Renaissance through the Twentieth Century. The stylistic development of different cultures will be studied as well as how artists influenced the time in which they lived. Artists’ individual contributions to the development of art history will also be examined. Through slide lectures, key monuments will be explored in terms of content, function and the changing role of the artist in society. This course includes study of significant works of art in New York City museums.
Prerequisite: None
LA-116
Modern Art: Black and Hispanic Artists of the 19th and 20th Centuries
3 credits
Native traditions have always had a continuity in African and Latin American art and have often conflicted with artists’ attempts toward modernism. The course will explore questions of national cultural identity and its relationship with contemporary art. Such influential artists as Rivera, Siqueiros, Kahlo, Duncan and Tanner will serve as a focal point around which the student will gain a broad knowledge of these two important centuries of modern art.
Prerequisite: None
LA-118
Introduction to Music
3 credits
In this survey course students are introduced to some of the highlights and major works of western music since Bach and Handel. The instructor will present the composers and their works in their historical and geographic frameworks and relate developments in music to developments in other art forms such as literature and painting. New York City offers students an unparalleled opportunity to experience live music. The city has three internationally known music schools (Julliard, Manhattan and Mannes) that offer low priced or free concerts, recitals, and operas.
Prerequisite: None
LA-120
Speech Communication
3 credits
This course covers the fundamentals of verbal communication – audience, message, and channel. Topics include interpersonal interaction, small group communication, and formal speech delivery. Students research, organize, and present speeches to the class several times.
Prerequisite: None
LA-130
American History I: Independence to the Civil War
3 credits
A survey course designed to present students with a broad overview of the people and events that have shaped America from 1776 to the Civil War. Major ideas, institutions, social groups and crises will be examined in the historical context.
Prerequisite: None
LA-131
American History II: Reconstruction to the Present
3 credits
A survey course with a broad overview of the people and events that have shaped America from Reconstruction to the present. Emphasis will be on the major ideas, institutions, social groups and crises which took place and have helped to shape contemporary America.
Prerequisite: None
LA-135
Caribbean History
3 credits
As with most regions in the world, the Caribbean has experienced major historical and geographical changes. Different groups of people have migrated into the region. Some groups are now extinct, but descendants of some comprise the region’s population today. Over the years, these groups have interacted with the landscape and have transformed it in many ways. This course uses the “eye” of the historian to survey some of the transformations that have occurred, from the advent of the Amerindians around 500 , to the Twentieth Century.
Prerequisite: None
LA-204
Psychological Disorders of Childhood
3 credits
This course provides students with an overview of the clinical issues associated with psychological disorders of childhood, including definitions and classifications, theoretical and historical perspectives, as well as related assessment, diagnostic and treatment methods. Specific disorders that will be discussed include: behavioral and emotional disorders, developmental and learning disabilities, as well as problems related to physical and mental health in children. Recent studies in the field of psychological disorders of childhood will also be examined.
Prerequisite: LA-104 or LA-108
LA-205
Advanced Speech Communication
3 credits
Today we live in a global community where international communication is crucial. A variety of speech communication topics will be studied in this course with an emphasis on intercultural communication, conflict management, and small group dynamics. A major component of the course is argumentation and debate. Students will research and prepare several oral presentations using audio visual material. They will engage in debates and participate in projects advocating various positions.
Prerequisite: LA-120 and EN-109 or HN-150
LA-209
Social Issues
3 credits
This course is designed to investigate contemporary social issues, policies and problems (i.e., AIDS, abortion, crime, discrimination, domestic violence, drugs, homelessness, poverty, privacy, social deviance, the welfare system and others) and their impact on American social structures. How society attempts to find solutions to alleviate these social problems will also be examined. Students will be asked to assess issues in terms of their origins, extent, impact, implications, and various possible avenues of resolution.
Prerequisite: LA-101 or LA-102
LA-212
Drugs and Behavior
3 credits
This course provides an introduction to the various types of drugs and their impact on behavior. Special attention will be paid to the physiological, psychological, and societal effects of psychoactive drugs; patterns and causes of their use and abuse in individuals and societies; and methods of education, prevention and treatment. We will also consider the social and policy issues that arise from having behaviorally active drugs widely available.
Prerequisite: LA-101/LA-102
LA-214
Developmental Psychology
3 credits
This course examines the behavior of individuals at different ages from the prenatal period until adolescence. Topics include: caretaker-child relationship, unusual parenting, maternal deprivation and the effect of environment. Developmental, psychoanalytic and cognitive theories are discussed.
Prerequisite: LA-101
LA-215
Introduction to Dramatic Arts
3 credits
This course provides an introduction to dramatic art as presented on the stage. Students will learn theatre terminology and gain a deeper appreciation for the imaginative aspects of this art form through participation in creative exercises and assignments. Students will explore character development and script analysis through the reading and discussion of plays. The course will expose students to different dramatic genres through attending outside performances, watching recorded presentations, creating performance pieces in class, and presenting a 4-5 minute monologue.
Prerequisite: EN-110
LA-220
Philosophy
3 credits
This course examines basic questions about human life and its place in the universe. Topics include the nature of knowledge and reality, the mind and the physical universe, ethics, skepticism, religious and secular condition and rationality and faith. These central issues will be studied in the context of brief selections from writings of major philosophers from antiquity to the present.
Prerequisite: EN-109
LA-221
Religions of the World
3 credits
Religious experience is a universal phenomenon for humanity. The histories, developments, and interactions of the world’s major religions have shaped the cultures and societies of our contemporary world. This course provides students with an under-standing of the major ideas and practices of these religions. One section will examine the religions of Western civilization that trace their roots to the biblical figure of Abraham: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The second section explores the religions of India – Buddhism and Hinduism, and the third deals with the philosophies of life in Southeast Asia – Confucianism and Taoism. (A possible fourth section may delve into indigenous Native American beliefs, Jainism, and Zoroastrianism.).
Prerequisite: EN-109
LA-240
Criminology
3 credits
An introduction and overview of crime as a social phenomenon from an interdisciplinary perspective. Classical concepts of criminal behavior will be discussed followed by a more detailed exploration of the contemporary major biological, psychological, and sociological explanations of criminal behavior. Other significant issues in criminology such as the measurement and extent of crime, the role of demographics (age, race, gender, social class) in the causation of and reaction to crime, and explanations of specific crime types such as non-violent (e.g. larceny) and violent (e.g. homicide) crime will also be discussed.
Prerequisite: LA-101 or LA-102
LA-241
Juvenile Delinquency
3 credits
This course focuses on the nature of juvenile delinquency in society. It will address the nature and extent of delinquency; its causes and correlations, and contemporary social, political, and legal techniques and strategies to reduce and eliminate the problem. Relevant legal issues, research methodologies, and theories of causation will be explored.
Prerequisite: LA-101 or LA-102
LA-242
Victimology
3 credits
An examination of the nature of victimization, including the demographic and geographical patterns and trends associated with victimization, the nature of risk and the potential for victimization, the relationship between victims and offenders, and the interactions between crime victims and the police, court, and correctional systems. Research methodologies and victim support services will be considered.
Prerequisite: LA-102, LA-240
LA-243
Introduction to Human Services
3 credits
The course examines the historical, social and political forces that have led to the development of both governmental and non-profit human services systems in contemporary America. The organization and operation of the primary social supports for meeting human service needs; the various models for the delivery of those services; theoretical perspectives; target populations, and the characteristics and skills of a human service professional will be examined in detail. Ethical considerations and diversity issues will be addressed.
Prerequisite: LA-101
LA-245
Introduction to Counseling Theory
3 credits
This course is an introduction to contemporary counseling theories and techniques, and their applications, including a review of major behavioral models, such as psychoanalytic, existential, person-centered, interpersonal, Gestalt, behavior therapy, rational-emotive therapy, reality therapy, solution-focused, feminist, and non- – traditional perspectives. Emphasis will be placed on conditions for an effective helping relationship, attending and interviewing skills, basic theoretical assumptions, ethical principles, and professional orientation, including the attributes necessary for the practice of counseling.
Prerequisite: LA-101
LA-246
Child Abuse
3 credits
This course will explore the dynamics of child abuse, maltreatment, and neglect. The course will provide a historical perspective of the problem of child abuse and society’s response. The different types of abuse, as well as, the process of identifying and assessing child abuse will be covered. Students will gain insight into the role of the social services and legal agencies involved in the detection, processing, investigation, and treatment of both child abusers and the child victim. This course will provide students with the principals of the mandated reporting procedures for child abuse and neglect as it pertains to students seeking employment in the legal and social service professions.
Prerequisite: LA-101
LA-247
Crisis Intervention
3 credits
This course will examine the dynamics of persons in crisis and the various intervention modalities. Areas of focus will include theoretical, historical, ethical and cultural considerations. Students will be provided with the knowledge, values and skills of working with people in crisis.
Prerequisite: LA-101
LA-254
HIV/ AIDS in Society
3 credits
This course will examine the nature and causes of HIV Disease and AIDS from a variety of perspectives. The goal of this course is to investigate the scientific and humanistic approaches to understanding the current epidemic. Emphasis will be placed on the impact of community and worldwide response, civil rights, legal aspects, harassment, prevention measures, education, counseling, confidentiality, testing, and other vital issues as it relates to HIV/AIDS. A brief history of HIV/ AIDS in the last two decades will be examined and an overview of the nature of epidemics in general will be covered. The topic of this course is inherently controversial. Students are expected to communicate between themselves and the instructor in a manner that encourages open and respectful dialogue, appreciates diversity, and tolerates disagreement.
Prerequisite: LA-101/LA-102
LA-255
Lifespan Psychology
3 credits
This advanced course examines human lifespan development. It covers the psychological development of human life from conception to death. Physical, cognitive, and social modes of development are explored in the stages of infancy, preschool, middle childhood, adolescence and adulthood, and old age. The textbook provides an historical record of the field while focusing on current research findings and trends. The course explores the psychological approaches to development by theorists such as Freud, Piaget, Erikson, and Kohlberg. Pertinent and contemporary topics such as autism, adolescent suicide, midlife crisis, and Alzheimer’s disease are studied and classic psychological studies in this field are examined
Prerequisite: LA-101
LA-300
Educational Psychology
3 credits
This course explores the cognitive and affective dimensions of child and adolescent development, including the analysis and appreciation of principles of learning and motivation. Special attention will be paid to the application of psychology to learning processes and theories. Topics include student behavior patterns in the school environment, theoretical concepts of learning and personality, implications for learning, and assessment of behavior of ELLS and special needs learners.
Prerequisite: LA-101
LA-305
Introduction to case Management
3 credits
This course will cover the core functions of case management through discussion and exploration of fundamental concepts, components, principles and models of case management in various settings. Students will learn best practices associated with effective management of the whole person from intake through termination. The course material will cover the comprehensive, coordination, and human service integration to ensure continuity of care to individuals that require such. Case Management task such as referrals, collaboration with other professionals, consultation, assessment and service planning will be covered. Students will have the opportunity to look at historical types of case management-service provision from the Temperance Movement, Deinstitu-tionalization, Social Work and Social Psychiatry, to the current use of COBRA and Community based Case Management. Students will be provided with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage in case management activities which brings resources, agencies, and significant collaterals in the individual’s life together within a planned framework of action towards the achievement of stability and an improved quality of life. An emphasis will be on current issues, trends and approaches. The tasks associated with case management such as treatment planning, documentation and recording will also be covered with specific case studies incorporated to help students with skill development.
PREREQUISITE: LA-245
LA-330
Foundations of Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling
3 credits
This course is designed to introduce students to the field of Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling and the foundations of the vocational rehabilitation process. It will examine the historical, social and political forces that led to the development of this field. The subject will be examined as a part of the human services continuum, including community based resources for clients, professional opportunities for counselors, as well as related ethical considerations and diversity issues.
Prerequisite: LA-101
LA-340
Social Deviance
3 credits
An examination of deviance as social phenomena with particular attention to its causes and to the methods society has developed to control deviant behavior. The course will address the nature of both criminal and non-criminal forms of deviance, a variety of theoretical perspectives to address etiological causes of such behaviors, and the role of society in labeling certain segments of the population as deviant. The course will also examine the complex interaction between such factors as culture, race, gender, the law, and power in shaping current and historical definitions of deviance.
LA-342
Introduction to Case Management
3 credits
This course will examine the evolution of the process of providing case management services to individuals in society that require comprehensive, coordination, and human service integration to ensure continuity of care. Case Management task such as referrals, collaboration with other professionals, consultation, assessment and service planning will be covered. Students will have the opportunity to look at historical types of case management-service provision from the Temperance Movement, Deinstitutionalization, Social Work and Social Psychiatry, to the current use of COBRA and Community based Case Management. Students will be provided with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage in case management activities which brings resources, agencies, and significant collaterals in the individual’s life together within a planned framework of action towards the achievement of stability and an improved quality of life.
Prerequisites: LA-245
Prerequisite: LA-102 and LA-240
LA-345
Group Dynamics
3 credits
This course provides an orientation to group dynamics and group leadership. Various kinds of groups, group leadership styles, and basic skills for group leaders will be studied, with special attention given to group intervention strategies for the beginning stage, the middle stage, and the closing stage of a group. Emphasis will focus on helpful skills and strategies for dealing with problem group situations and group work with specific populations.
Prerequisite: LA-245
LA-350
Urban Sociology
3 credits
This course, divided into four units, provides an in-depth understanding of cities including their unique qualities and persistent problems. In the first unit, students explore the historical evolution of human settlements and the emergence of urban society. In the second unit, the rise of urban America is examined including the structure and organization of cities in the United States and how they compare and contrast to their suburban counterparts as seen through the ecology and political economic perspectives. The third unit examines the social environment of large cities by looking at race, ethnicity, gender, class, and the role they play in shaping the urban experience. The fourth unit examines the causes and potential solutions to some of the major social and economic issues confronting large cities: overcrowding, affordable housing, economic inequality, crime, drug and substance abuse, homelessness, access to healthcare, and quality education.
Prerequisite: EN-110
LA-400
Principles and Theoretical Perspectives on Parenting
3 credits
This course examines the reciprocal interactions between parent and child from birth to adulthood including consideration of cross-cultural, historical and societal influences and various family characteristics. The principles and theoretical foundations of parent-child relationships will be explored, including establishing and maintaining a nurturing relationship between parents and children, and parent-child communication. Current issues affecting parenting are also studied.
Prerequisite: LA-204 or LA-300
LA- 243
LA-405
Multi Cultural Diversity and Competencies
3 credits
This course will explore the dynamics of cultural diversity and the competencies needed to work effectively in any human service domain with individuals that are from diverse cultural backgrounds. The shared values, traditions, norms, customs, religion, art, history, folklore, language, and specific institutions of a cultural group will be covered with a focus on cultural characteristics such as race, gender, sexual orientation, and ethnicity. Barriers to cultural competencies include language, stereotyping, prejudice, and value differences will inform and sensitize students to the need for tolerance and the acceptance that cultural diversity is a needed element in the provision of services to people in society.
Prerequisites: CJ-320
LA-410
Multi-Cultural Diversity Competency
3 credits
This course will explore the dynamics of cultural diversity and the competencies needed to work effectively in any human service domain with individuals that are from diverse cultural backgrounds. The shared values, traditions, norms, customs, religion, art, history, folklore, language, and specific institutions of a cultural group will be covered with a focus on cultural characteristics such as race, gender, sexual orientation, and ethnicity. Barriers to cultural competencies include language, stereotyping, prejudice, and value differences will inform and sensitize students to the need for tolerance and the acceptance that cultural diveristy is a needed element in the provision of services to people in society.
PREREQUISITE: CJ-320 |