Liberal Arts

LA-101 – Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
This introductory course in psychology teaches the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. This introductory course emphasizes the basic principles of human perspective, theories of learning, personality development, emotions and health, and abnormal/clinical psychology. The course introduces studentsto tests, measurements, and research in the field.

Prerequisite: None.

EN-121 — Analytical Thinking, Writing, and Research (3 credits)
This course breaks down the research process into a series of steps to give students the writing and research skills necessary for success in any discipline and for graduate study. The research process is taught step-by-step, showing students how to: choose an appropriate topic; develop a strong thesis statement; formulate research questions; find, select, and evaluate viable, scholarly sources; and implement APA style for citations and bibliographies. Students will complete various written assignments and classroom activities that culminate in research papers that students will orally present and defend.

Prerequisite: EN-111.

EN-206 — Professional Writing and Presentation (3 credits)
This course examines the need for effective and thoughtful communication in the business world.  Students learn how to compose business documents in appropriate formats, choose appropriate professional language, and enhance their knowledge of professional business modalities. Emphasis is placed on defining one’s audience; research methods; data collection, interpretation, and documentation; critical analysis and comprehension of written materials and documents; employing gender neutral language; constructing and delivering professional presentations individually and/or within a collaborative group setting. 

Prerequisite: None. 

EN-221 - Literary Criticism and Analysis (3 credits)
This course provides students with advanced college-level skills in examining and critically analyzing a variety of literary genres. Students are exposed to challenging contemporary and classic literature in fiction, poetry, non- fiction, and drama. They are pushed to not only analyze, but to convey their findings in well-constructed essays with proper academic citations and formatting. In addition to submitting a series of essay assignments and reaction papers, students are required to complete an exploration of a literary genre of their choice. 

Prerequisite: EN-111.

LA101 - Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
This introductory course in psychology teaches the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. This introductory course emphasizes the basic principles of human perspective, theories of learning, personality development, emotions and health, and abnormal/clinical psychology. The course introduces studentsto tests, measurements, and research in the field.

Prerequisite: None.

LA-122 – Fundamentals of Communication (3 credits)
This introductory course in human communication explores the theories and practice of oral and written communication. Students hone practical skills such as working in groups, giving speeches, and making presentations. This course focuses on defining an audience, finding and evaluating information for a presentation, selecting a suitable structure and medium for presenting it, and using language in a clear, concise, and creative manner to communicate ideas effectively. Students develop a digital portfolio as well as research and present a project related to their academic majors. 

Prerequisite: None.

LA-205 — Professional Communications (3 credits)
This advanced communication course studies a variety of speech communication topics with an emphasis on intercultural communication, conflict management, and small group dynamics. A major component of the course is argumentation and debate. Students research and prepare several oral and multimedia presentations, engage in debates, and participate in group projects.

Prerequisite: None.

LA-255 — Psychology Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
This course examines human lifespan development. It covers the psychological development of human life from conception to death. The course explores physical, cognitive, and social modes of development in the stages of infancy, preschool, middle childhood, adolescence and adulthood, and old age. The course explores the psychological approaches to development by major theorists. In addition, the course examines pertinent and contemporary topics such as autism, adolescent suicide, midlife crisis and Alzheimer’s disease are studied and classic psychological studies in this field.

Prerequisite: LA-101.

LA-108 — Psychology of Abnormal Behavior (3 credits)
This course examines the criteria for establishing psychological abnormality and the impact of abnormal psychology on life. The course examines various theoretical perspectives on the causes of abnormal psychology and the risk and prevention of mental disorders. Course discussion includes the system of categorizing, classifying and diagnosing mental disorders using the DSM. Major categories of mental disorders, their diagnostic criteria, assessment and treatments, are considered.

Prerequisite: LA-101.

MA-135 — Statistical Applications (3 credits)
This course emphasizes statistical reasoning, sampling methodology, probability, descriptive statistics, and inference. It includes analysis and interpretation of statistical data generated in the fields of sociology, criminal justice, allied health and hospitality. Common errors in sampling, data interpretation, and research design will be addressed. Topics include statistical thinking, descriptive statistics, the normal distribution, frequency distributions, confidence interval estimates, hypothesis testing, data interpretation and analysis and an introduction to research design. Prerequisite: MA-115 or Satisfactory grade on the placement exam.

Prerequisite: MA-115 or Satisfactory grade on the placement exam.

LA-130 – American History I: Independence to the Civil War
This survey course presents 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 are examined in historical context. 

Prerequisite: EN-075 or Equivalent.

LA-254 — HIV/AIDS in Society (3 credits)
This course examines the nature and causes of HIV Disease and AIDS from a variety of perspectives. The course investigates the scientific and humanistic approaches to understanding the current epidemic. The course emphasizes 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. Students must communicate among themselves and the instructor in a manner that encourages open and respectful dialogue, appreciates diversity, and tolerates disagreement.

Prerequisite: LA-101 or LA-102.

LA-240 — Criminology (3 credits)
This course is an introduction and overview of crime as a social phenomenon from an interdisciplinary perspective. Course discussion includes classical concepts of criminal behavior followed by a more detailed exploration of the contemporary major biological, psychological, and sociological explanations of criminal behavior. 

Prerequisite: LA-101 or LA-102.

LA-209 — Contemporary Social Issues (3 credits)
This course is designed to investigate contemporary social issues, policies and problems and their impact on
American social structures. Society’s attempts to solve these social problems are also examined. Students are asked to assess issues in terms of their origins, extent, impact, implications, and various possible avenues of resolution.

Prerequisite: LA-101 or LA-102.