New Courses

NEW COURSES

ANTH 212: Food and Culture. The consumption of food is not merely a human biological need, but also a means of defining ourselves according to culture. To understand what and how a people eat is to understand part of the history and values of that group. This course will explore the production, distribution, and consumption of food in different human societies, examining the influential role food has played in human governance, economy, spiritual belief, and gender roles. We’ll also examine modern foodways, paying careful attention to issues of identity, food security, and globalized food production. Finally, we’ll focus on our own foodways, examining the rise of “nutritionism” in the United States, along with its implications for our health, economy, and, of course, culture. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. This course will serve as an elective within the Sociology major and minor programs. 3/10

ANTH 240: Race and Human Evolution. The goal of this course is to create a broad understanding of the human existence from a biological standpoint: Where did we come from? How can the physical differences between us be explained? This introduction to the basic concepts of physical/biological anthropology discusses scientific theories of human evolution and biodiversity alongside detailed discussion of the cultural origins of human racial classifications. Topics covered include basic genetic and evolutionary theory, human biological adaptation, primate evolution and behavior, fossil and other evidence of human evolution, the inherent fallacy associated with biologically-driven racial classification, and the history of “race” as a concept in popular and academic discourse. This course is designed to be accessible to both non-science and science majors. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.  3/10

ANTH 310: Global Storytelling: Exploring the Ethnographic Process. Ethnography is anthropology’s hallmark methodology; a dynamic way of seeing and living in the world of the other. This is a project-intensive course examining the ways in which anthropologists conduct ethnographic research and write ethnography. Students will practice a variety of ethnographic fieldwork techniques including, but not limited to, participant observation, field note-taking, interviewing, mapping, photography, and film production. We will examine a few key ethnographic works, several anthropologists’ reflections on the practice of ethnography, and a variety of analytic and interpretive approaches to the production of ethnography. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. This course will be an elective in the Sociology major and minor programs and in the Anthropology concentration. 4/10

ANTH 380: Creating Community Change: Applied Anthropology. How can the anthropological worldview be used to improve the lives of individuals and communities? Why do some development programs work, while others fail? The purpose of this course is to allow you to recognize the role of culture in contemporary human problems and to use this recognition to identify means of creating positive, sustainable, and minimally biased change. The course will include overviews of the history of applied anthropology and of the current state of the field in several different domains of application, including health, the environment, business, and education. Importantly, the course will also contain considerable discussion of the ethical quandaries inherent in applied work. Finally, the course includes an active community research component, which is designed to provide some field experience in applying course material. As such, you will be exposed to some training in the anthropological methods of participant observation and interviewing. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. This course will serve as an elective within the Sociology major and minor programs. 3/10

ANTH 406: Independent Study. A supervised research project or extensive literature review. (1) Pre-requisite: Approved written proposal. This course will be an elective within the Anthropology concentration. 4/10

ANTH 416: Internship. Practical experience in a community or field setting in which anthropology is applied. (1) Pre-requisite: Approve written proposal. This course will be an elective within the Anthropology concentration. 4/10

ARTH 343: Early Netherlandish Painting. Robert Campin, Jan van Eyck, and Rogier van der Weyden set the tone for the Art of the Netherlands in the fifteenth century. This class will study each Artist’s oeuvre and how it reflected contemporary concerns, particularly the interrelationship between the historical context, religious life, and social standing of the Artists who made the paintings and the patrons who commissioned and used them. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.  Pre-requisite: ARTH 146 or permission. This course will be an elective in the Art History and Art  majors and minors. 9/09

ARTH 348: Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael. In the 21st century, Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael are considered the three Artistic geniuses of Italian Renaissance Art. This class will study each Artist’s oeuvre and how it reflected contemporary concerns, examine the interdependence of career and biography, and consider notions of genius in the study of Art. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Pre-requisite: ARTH 146 or permission. This course will be an elective in the Art History and Art  majors and minors. 9/09

ARTH 353: The Dutch Golden Age: Rembrandt and Vermeer. Rembrandt and Vermeer are among the most popular “Old Master” painters. Exhibitions of their works and movies and books about their lives attract huge audiences. This course explores the oeuvres of these two painters, comparing what we know (and want to know) about them as Art historians with how they have been seen by non-scholars in the past twenty-five years. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.  Pre-requisite: ARTH 146 or permission. This course will be an elective in the Art History and Art majors and minors. 9/09

ARTH 381: Romanticism. An examination of European Art from 1795-1848, focusing on the cultural concept of Romanticism, which is a broad perspective characterized by drama, tension and exoticism. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Pre-requisite: ARTH 156 or permission. This course will be an elective in the Art History and Art majors and minors. 9/09

ARTH 388: Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. Explores in detail the work of major figures in French Art during the second half of the 19th century, including: Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, Gauguin and Cezanne. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Pre-requisite: ARTH 156 or permission. This course will be an elective in the Art History  and Art majors and minors. 9/09

BIOL 225: History of Life. An overview of current thinking on the origin and progression of life on our planet. The history of evolutionary thought will be traced from before Darwin to the Modern Synthesis. Current scientific information will be considered in a variety of topical areas, including the origin of multi-cellular life, and the paleobiology and evolutionary development of representative organismal groups, including humans. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.  Pre-requisite: BIOL 125 or permission. 10/09

BUAD 328: Application Development in Business. A comprehensive overview of computer applications development in business using application programming and application development tools. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Pre-requisite: BUAD 258.  This course will serve as an elective within the Business Administration major and as a requirement in the Business Information Systems concentration. 3/10

BUAD 368: Decision Support and Intelligent Systems. A comprehensive study of managerial decision making and the use of such tools as Data Base Management, Decision Support, and Intelligent Systems in solving business and management problems. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Pre-requisites: BUAD 258 and INQ 240. This course will serve as an elective within the Business Administration major and as a requirement in the Business Information Systems concentration. 3/10

CHEM 200: Laboratory Safety. An exploration of all aspects of safety in the laboratory including hazards and regulations associated with chemicals, equipment, and procedures, waste disposal, PPE, and laboratory design. Students will analyze safety requirements in their intended post graduation workplace: high school classroom, industrial employment, or graduate research laboratory. (0.50) Lecture: 1.5 hrs/wk. Pre-requisite: CHEM 221 and   permission. 3/10

CHEM 260: Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry. A study of the elements and their compounds. The properties of these substances, spanning the entire periodic table, will be described and explained through the connections to chemical theories and concepts. The occurrence, isolation, uses, and compounds of elements will be explored. Biochemical and industrial applications will be considered. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk; Laboratory: 3 hrs/wk. Pre-requisite: CHEM 112.  This course will be required in the BS Chemistry major; it will be an elective in the BA Chemistry and BS Biochemistry majors and the Chemistry minor. 9/09

CHEM 270: Environmental Chemistry. A study of the sources, reactions, transport and fate of chemicals in air, water, and soil environments as well as the effects of these compounds on human health and the natural environment. The chemistry of both natural and anthropogenic processes will be examined. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk; Laboratory: 3 hrs/wk. Pre-requisite: CHEM 112. 9/09  This course will be required in the BS Environmental Science major; it will be an elective in the BA and BS Chemistry and BS Biochemistry majors and the Chemistry and Environmental Science minors. It will replace CHEM 250 & 370.

CHEM 340: Pharmaceutical Chemistry. A study of the chemistry of pharmaceuticals, with emphasis on the molecular-level interactions between drugs and the body. Drug metabolism, drug-receptor interactions, and drug development are explored with case studies including cancer drugs, opiates, and antibiotics. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Pre-requisite: CHEM 222. This course will be an elective in the BA and BS Chemistry and BS Biochemistry  majors and the Chemistry minor. 9/09

CHIN 201: Intermediate Chinese I. A review of the essentials of Chinese grammar with the introduction of advanced structures, continued development of essential language skills, and further acquisition of vocabulary. An emphasis will be placed on cultural issues and on conversational skills to handle situations of everyday life and to increase the range of personal expression; inclusion of cultural materials. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Pre-requisite: CHIN 102. 3/10

CHIN 202: Intermediate Chinese II. A continuation of the advancement of Chinese grammar with the introduction of advanced structures, continued development of essential language skills, and further acquisition of vocabulary. An emphasis will be placed on cultural issues and on conversational skills to handle situations of everyday life and to increase the range of personal expression; inclusion of cultural materials. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Pre-requisite: CHIN 201. 3/10

EDUC 492: Student Teaching. Examination of the processes and strategies necessary to teach effectively in public or independent school classrooms: planning and implementing instruction, managing classrooms, and collaborating successfully with teachers, administrators, and parents.  (1) Lecture: 1 hr/wk; Student Teaching: 35 hrs/wk. Pre-requisite: Praxis I math completed successfully or have met the SAT/ACT established pass score, Praxis II completed successfully, VCLA completed successfully, EDUC 338 or competency, background check, minimum 2.5 GPA (overall, licensure area content courses, and education/psychology licensure courses) and approval of theEducation Department. 3/10

FREN 150: Elementary French Review.  A one semester review of the essentials of French grammar and basic vocabulary to promote listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Emphasis is on developing conversational skills and cultural awareness to handle topics of everyday life in French. This course is designed for students who have studied French previously, but lack sufficient preparation to enter French 201. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk; Laboratory: 1 hr/wk. Pre-requisite: FREN 101 or its equivalent. Credit cannot be received for both FREN 102 and FREN 150.1/10

HHP 225: Contemporary Issues in Sport Management. A study of the sports industry through examination of problems and issues faced in a modern sport environment. Unique characteristics of sport and resulting social and ethical responsibilities of sport managers are discussed. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Pre-requisite: HHP 221 or permission. This course will be required in both the Health and Exercise Science and Sport Management majors.1/10

HHP 412: Advanced Principles and Practice of Sport Management. An in-depth analysis of the sport industry with special emphasis given to the sport manager’s roles and functions.  Students will develop a thorough understanding of the following principles: facilities management, event management, risk management, marketing, finances, sponsorship, communications, compliance and career preparation. This course is designed to integrate key concepts from previous courses while requiring a comprehensive understanding of the industry. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Pre-requisite: HHP 225. This course will be required in the Sport Management major. 1/10

HIST 253: Africa to 1850. A survey of the history of Africa to 1850. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. This course will be an elective within either part B.1 “Pre-Modern” or B.3 “Non-Western” of the History major and within the “Core Course” requirement in the Africa and African Diaspora concentration.1/10

HIST 254: Africa from 1850. A survey of Africa’s history from 1850 to the present. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. [This course replaces the existing History 254 Modern Africa]. 2/10

HIST 255: History of Southern Africa. A survey of southern Africa’s history from earliest times to the present. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. This course will be an elective in the B.3 Non-Western category of the History major; an elective within the Non-Western Perspectives category IV of the International Relations major; and an elective within the Core Course category I of the Africa and the African Diaspora concentration. 2/10

LATN 201: Intermediate Latin I. A continuing study of Latin, with emphasis on more complex grammatical structures, vocabulary, and translation. Students will read selected excerpts in Latin as part of an ongoing introduction to the cultural life of ancient Rome. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Pre-requisite: LATN 102. 3/10

PHIL 302: Aristotle. A detailed examination of a topic or theme in Aristotle's philosophy.  Specific topics might include logic, theory of knowledge, natural philosophy, metaphysics, psychology, ethics, or political philosophy. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. This course will be an elective within the “Advanced” category of the Philosophy, Religion and Christian Studies majors and minors. 2/10

PSYC 280: Evolutionary Psychology. Why do some humans like spicy food and drinking alcohol? Why are younger women attracted to older men? Why would we risk our life to save a total stranger? Evolutionary psychology suggests that a considerable amount of human activity can be explained as evolutionary adaptations. Human beings, like other animals on this planet, evolved certain traits, preferences, and abilities to deal with their environment. This class will explore the latest research applying evolution to human psychology. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. Pre-requisite: PSYC 101. This course will be an elective in the Psychology major and minor. 9/09

PSYC 350: Sensation and Perception. Study of the functionality of the different senses and how perception arises within the human brain. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. This course will be an elective in both the Psychology B.A. and B.S. majors as well as in the Psychology minor. 2/10

RELG 205: Hinduism. This course will be a survey of Hindu traditions from the early Indus Valley through the Vedic, Epic and Puranic eras to the medieval and modern eras. We will focus on Hindu texts, rituals, aesthetics and philosophies, and social and family structures. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. This course will be an elective within the “Religion and Society” category of both the Religion major and minor. 2/10

RELG/PHIL 206: Buddhism. This course will encounter the varieties of one of the oldest and most diverse religions as it developed in India, China, Japan, Tibet, and the United States. The course will examine Buddhism’s history, philosophy, ethics, Art, literature, and ritual practices. First, we will study the life and awakening of the Buddha, how the Buddha’s perception of reality transforms our relationships to ourselves and to each other, and how it directs us to live a life of compassion for others. Second, we will see how the Buddha’s core teachings changed as they spread to other countries. The course is divided into three parts: Foundations, which provides an introduction to the Buddhist world view; Development, which charts the changes and elaborations made to that world view under the Mahayana philosophers; and Literature, which explores how Buddhist ideas have been expressed in poetry, the novel, and film. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. This course will serve as an elective in the Religion and Philosophy majors and minors programs. 3/10

RELG 235: Religion and Literature. This class explores the interface between religious ideas and practices and literary form. We will do close readings of a variety of literary works to determine how their forms have adapted to traditional religious ideas. Each unit will begin with an exploration of a religious tradition to familiarize students with the traditions’ essential concepts, symbols, and practices. We will then read various works that express these in new ways through literary conventions and analyze how literary techniques specific to poetry, narrative, and film shape these expressions. (1) Lecture: 3 hrs/wk. This course will serve as an elective within the Religion and Philosophy majors and minors programs.  3/10

RELG 295: Methods and Theories in the Study of Religion. By comparing early theories of religion, testing classic definitions and concepts, we appreciate and evaluate modern and postmodern methods and theories in religious studies. Along the way we gauge the implications of thinking about religious studies as a distinct subject, but also think reflectively about our role as observers of the world’s religions as part of vast landscapes of human experiences and cult. (1) Lecture: 3 hr/wk. Pre-requisite: one prior course in Religion. 4/17