Coursework

Course Description: A discussion-based course that asks students to carefully consider how they and other people define and judge good agricultural science and practice.

Prerequisite: Senior standing.

Credits: 3

When Offered: (fall only)

NOTE:

* This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

** Some sections of this course are writing-enhanced.

Course Description: This course examines the economics of the sustainable use of natural resources, and the consequences of failure to do so. Topics covered will include: problems associated with optimal usage and management of common-pool resources; environmental regulation; the impact of government taxes and subsidies; environmental benefit estimation methods; cost-benefit analysis; sustainable agriculture; energy policy; transportation policy; and urban design. The EXCEL spreadsheet program will be used to do cost-benefit analysis.

Credits: 3

NOTE:

* The Online Course Fee applies to this course.

Course Description: We study a variety of perspectives on humans and nature, examining questions such as “Do non-human species, or features of the landscape, have intrinsic value?” and “Can (scientific) knowledge affect human behavior?” We attempt to develop an understanding of the resources offered by humanities scholars and social and natural scientists for addressing such questions. Data-driven assessments available from scientists are examined to characterize the state of our planetary inheritance. Particular topics addressed may include food production, loss of biological diversity, and energy generation/use. Public policy (including economic, cultural and sociological considerations) regarding these and other environmental issues like proliferation of industrial pollutants and conservation of endangered species are also addressed. We intend to facilitate informed, critical, interdisciplinary reflection on central issues pertaining to the environment, in part by increasing empirical knowledge of these issues.

Credits: 3

NOTE:

* This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

** This is a writing-enhanced course.

Course Description: This course is an introduction to abiotic and biotic components of Earth’s environment. Scientific principles are emphasized to allow for a fundamental understanding of environmental issues, with some attention given to the role of science and technology in the development of potential solutions.

Credits: 4

NOTE:

* This course counts toward the 63-hour Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation.

Course Description: An examination of current environmental issues with an emphasis on understanding a variety of viewpoints, allowing students to develop a broad understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of environmentalism. This course has an emphasis on discussion and reflection, as students ask questions, share personal reactions, and exchange ideas exploring the underlying causes of current environmental challenges.
This course is normally facilitated by student preceptors under the direction of a faculty member.

Credits: 2

Course Description: Students interact with community partners on a project aimed to have a positive impact on the environment in the surrounding community. A classroom component examines the environmental movement and community communication practices commonly used to effect positive change. Students engage in guided reflection about their experiences and connections between academic and outreach components.
Taught by Student Preceptors under the supervision of a Truman Faculty member.

Credits: 3

Course Description: This course is designed to give students a chance to apply their understanding of Environmental Studies to a real environmental project, on-campus or off-campus. In addition to at least 40 hours of field experience per credit hour, students will engage in guided reflection about the experience and its connection to ENVS coursework and broader issues of sustainability.

May be repeated for up to 5 total credit hours.

Prerequisite: Permission of the ENVS Program Chair.

Credits: 1-5

Course Description: On-the-job specialized training in environmental studies to complement the student’s academic training through an on-campus or off-campus opportunity. Course is graded pass/fail. Internship must be approved by the Director of Interdisciplinary Studies the semester prior to started the internship.
May be offered off-schedule.

May be repeated for up to 12 credits.

Credits: 3-12

Course Description: Directed student research in Environmental Studies, including participation in an undergraduate research program. Research should investigate some aspect of the interaction between humans and the environment, drawing where appropriate on such disciplines as ecology, economics, geography, geology, history, meteorology, politics and sociology.
Consent of academic advisor, research mentor, and ENVS Program Chair is required to take this course.

Prerequisite: Approval of the ENVS program chair or the Director of Interdisciplinary Studies.

Credits: 1-4

NOTE:

* This course counts toward the 63-hour Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation.

Course Description: Students in the course present the results of capstone projects completed as an extension of a previous course or during activities approved by the Environmental Studies Minor Committee, discuss readings on environmental issues, and interact with guest speakers on environmental studies-related topics.

Prerequisite: ENVS 200 – Introduction to Environmental Studies.

Credits: 1

NOTE:

* This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

Course Description: This course introduces students to approaches to managing commons resources, meaning both natural and man-made assets that are used and/or maintained by a community of users. Commons (systems of shared governance and responsibility) can and need to be adapted to successfully manage such shared resources. Examples of commons resources covered may include fisheries, forests, grazing lands, the atmosphere and other natural resources, as well as knowledge commons and tangible man-made assets

Credits: 3

NOTE:

* This course counts toward the 63-hour Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

** The Online Course Fee applies to this course.

Course Description: The purpose of this course is to convey to students a geographically based critique of current, socially and environmentally unsustainable interactions of humans with their natural environment, and of practical strategies to promote more sustainable economic development that addresses the concerns of diverse sectors of society and are adapted to the specificities of different places.

Credits: 3

When Offered: (fall only)

NOTE:

* This course is taught by the Institute for Academic Outreach.

** The Online Course Fee applies to this course.

Course Description: A discussion-based course that surveys the rich and diverse viewpoints surrounding moral principles in relation to food. Subjects discussed include ecology, economics, agriculture/food technology, theology, and philosophy. Subjects are explored starting from the question of “How ought we act?”

Credits: 3

Course Description: This seminar course integrates aspects of global health through an exploration of biomedical and sociohistorical perspectives that influence health disparities; specific themes vary with each iteration. Emphasis is placed on reviewing and integrating information from current scholarly, peer-reviewed literature sources into students’ semester-long service-learning projects. Each directed project takes action in resolving a global health issue that incorporates ideas presented in the course. The course may be repeated, as long as there is minimal or no duplication of topics covered by any previously attended iteration, as judged by the instructor(s) of record. An interest or background in global health issues is desirable.

Credits: 2

When Offered: (spring only)

Course Description: This course investigates the natural environment from a variety of perspectives, focusing especially on the interaction between humans and the natural world. Possible topics: Border Crossings in South and Southeast Asian Forests – An exploration of diverse disciplinary perspectives on South and Southeast Asian forests (from Pakistan to Indonesia), including readings from anthropology, biology, geography, history, and literature. Change in the Great Plains After Lewis and Clark – In this course we link scientific knowledge with choices and behavior to examine the human impact on the Great Plains. We examine some of the ecological principles relevant to human existence in the environment and the human perspective on these principles, be they economic, philosophical, political, religious, sociological or psychological. Students write responses to resource management dilemmas based on solid reasoning accounting for scientific knowledge and human perspective. The Neotropics in Literature and Science – This course examines the New World tropics through the dual perspectives of literary and scientific disciplines. We use these disciplines to examine the commonality of relationships in the Neotropics, both the relationships between the organisms that comprise the complex ecosystems of this region and the constantly evolving relationship between human beings and the environment. Water World-Human Influences on Aquatic Ecosystems – Water World is designed to make students aware of the variety, complexity, magnitude, and immediacy of water-related issues that modern human societies must cope with. The two main disciplinary approaches are biology and political science.

Prerequisite: Junior status.

Credits: 3

NOTE:

* This course fulfills the Junior Interdisciplinary Writing-Enhanced Seminar Interconnecting Perspective of the Liberal Studies Program.

** This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

*** This is a writing-enhanced course.

Course Description: Through the disciplines of ecology and politics, this course examines our society’s efforts to preserve wildlife habitat and maintain biodiversity, while also protecting the property rights needed for economic productivity.

Prerequisite: Junior status.

Credits: 3

NOTE:

* This course fulfills the Junior Interdisciplinary Writing-Enhanced Seminar Interconnecting Perspective of the Liberal Studies Program.

** This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

*** This is a writing-enhanced course.

Course Description: A multidisciplinary study of the structure and function of agricultural systems and of their impact on society and the environment. Includes laboratory.

Credits: 4

NOTE:

* This course fulfills the Scientific: Life Science Mode of Inquiry of the Liberal Studies Program.

** This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

*** Some sections of this course are writing-enhanced.

**** The Science Lab Fee applies to this course.

Course Description: A broad introduction to horticultural science. Following an overview of the horticultural industry and its history, the “basics” of horticulture (plant structure, metabolism) is introduced. Investigation of the environment and its influence on horticultural plants, and consideration of the practices and principles of manipulating and managing horticultural plants is then considered.

Prerequisite: AGSC 100 – Food, Agriculture, and the Environment, AGSC 108 – Introduction to Agricultural Systems, BIOL 100 – Biology, or BIOL 107 – Introductory Biology I.

Credits: 4

NOTE:

* The Science Lab Fee applies to this course.

Course Description: Plant nutritional requirements, fertilizers and fertilization practices, soil amendments, soil fertility as related to plant growth and the production and quality of food and fiber. Includes laboratory.

Prerequisite: AGSC 314 – Principles of Soil Science or an introductory biology or chemistry course.

Credits: 3

When Offered: (fall, even years)

NOTE:

* The Science Lab Fee applies to this course.

Course Description: A comprehensive introduction to soil science. Origin, formulation, characteristics and resultant management implications for use of soil resources, with applications for agriculture, the environment, waste disposal, engineering and society.

Prerequisite: BIOL 100 – Biology, BIOL 107 – Introductory Biology I, BIOL 108 – Introductory Biology II, CHEM 100 – Chemistry for Contemporary Living or CHEM 130 – Chemical Principles I.

Credits: 4

When Offered: (fall only)

NOTE:

* The Science Lab Fee applies to this course.

Course Description: A study of the fundamental principles underlying commercial and home garden production of vegetables and the basic practices required to successfully produce the wide variety of vegetables adapted to the Midwest.

Prerequisites: AGSC 218 – Introduction to Horticulture.

Credits: 4

NOTE:

* The Science Lab Fee applies to this course.

Course Description: Soil conservation and management – utilization, improvement, and preservation of soil productivity for crop production and environmental management. Includes laboratory.

Prerequisites: AGSC 110 – Principles of Plant Agriculture and AGSC 314 – Principles of Soil Science.

Credits: 3

When Offered: (spring only)

NOTE:

* Some sections of this course are writing-enhanced.

** The Science Lab Fee applies to this course.

Course Description: To provide an understanding of domestic and international issues in U.S. agricultural food policy. A study of major problems confronting agriculture. How public policy influences the nature and performance of U.S. and world agriculture.

Prerequisite: AGSC 260 – Agricultural Markets and Products, ECON 200 – Principles of Macroeconomics, ECON 201 – Principles of Microeconomics, or ECON 205 – Principles of Economics.

Credits: 3

When Offered: (spring, even years)

NOTE:

* This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

Course Description: An advanced course in agronomic science to examine topics in crop breeding, physiology, and protection. May be repeated for up to six credits, with distinct topics for each section.

Credits: 3

Course Description: Management systems for the major fruit crops in the US including apples and pears, peaches, cherries, strawberries, grapes of various types, raspberries, blueberries, and related groups. Major nut crops (pecans, walnuts, almonds, etc.) are also covered. Topics include climatic and soil conditions, cultural management, pruning and training. Includes laboratory.

Prerequisites: AGSC 218 – Introduction to Horticulture.

Credits: 4

NOTE:

* The Science Lab Fee applies to this course.

Course Description: This course presents the unifying concepts of biology at the organism level of organization. The diversity of life is emphasized. Laboratory included. Required of all biology majors.

Prerequisite: BIOL 107 – Introductory Biology I.

Credits: 4

When Offered: (spring only)

NOTE:

* This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

** The Science Lab Fee applies to this course.

Course Description: This course documents and seeks to explain patterns of distribution and abundance of organisms in the natural world. Required of all biology majors.

Prerequisites: BIOL 107 – Introductory Biology I and BIOL 108 – Introductory Biology II.

Credits: 4

When Offered: (fall only)

NOTE:

* Honors Scholar Course.

** This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

*** The Science Lab Fee applies to this course.

Course Description: Identification of trees in both winter and spring stages of growth and identification of common vascular plants with the use of taxonomic keys emphasized.

Credits: 3

NOTE:

* This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

** The Science Lab Fee applies to this course.

Course Description: This course provides a survey of the major plants that have impacted human society. In addition to providing oxygen, food, and shelter, plants have played a major role in the development of human civilizations, impacting such areas as medicine, religion, art, literature, industry, and politics. From both botanical and historical perspectives, we study the major plants that provide humans with such important products as coffee, sugar, chocolate, spices, oils, and fibers (and many others). Particular emphasis is placed on plants that have played a direct or indirect role in human medicine.

Prerequisite: One life science course of AGSC 100 – Food, Agriculture, and the Environment, AGSC 108 – Introduction to Agricultural Systems, BIOL 100 – Biology, BIOL 103 – General Botany, BIOL 106 – General Zoology, BIOL 107 – Introductory Biology I, or BIOL 150 – Honors Biology.

Credits: 3

When Offered: (every other fall)

NOTE:

* This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

Course Description: An advanced course in ecology examining the conceptual and theoretical foundations of population and community ecology. Reading and discussion of primary literature is emphasized.

Prerequisite: BIOL 301 – Introduction to Ecology.

Credits: 3

NOTE:

* This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

Course Description: An in-depth study of selected science topics presented under formal classroom organization (not intended for individualized study). The total number of credits on a program is limited to 8; only those credits which have the approval of the student’s advisor may be counted as biology electives.

Credits: 1 to 5 (each topic)

NOTE:

* This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

** Some sections of this course are writing-enhanced.

Course Description: This is a two-week course aimed at individuals passionate about wildlife and who wish to become a part of conservation in action. Wildlife management has become an accepted and necessary part of wildlife conservation. Successful management includes monitoring and moving animals to reestablish the checks and balances of nature. This type of work requires specialized training and experience, which the students receive through this wildlife capture course. The course involves preparatory seminars at Truman State University and culminates in a nine-day hands-on course taught by a team of veterinarians and game management specialists of Parawild Safari, operating in the Limpopo Province of South Africa.

Prerequisites: BIOL 107 – Introductory Biology I, BIOL 108 – Introductory Biology II or equivalent.

Credits: 2 to 3

NOTE:

* This course fulfills the Intercultural Interconnecting Perspective of the Liberal Studies Program.

Course Description: This course is a hands-on, observation-based, in-depth study of marine ecosystems in the field. Students will directly apply ecological theory and concepts through student-developed research projects in a marine environment. Students will develop these projects based on information gained from reading primary literature related to the area of study. Subsequently, students will implement their research projects in the field, collect and analyze data, and present their results to the Truman Community.

Credits: 3

NOTE:

* This course fulfills the Intercultural Interconnecting Perspective of the Liberal Studies Program.

** The Study Abroad Fee applies to this course.

Course Description: Examination of various theories and quantitative models utilized by managers in the operations management area.

Prerequisites: ACCT 221 – Introduction to Management Accounting, BSAD 349 – Organizational Behavior, STAT 190 – Basic Statistics, or STAT 290 – Statistics, or major in computer science, and junior or senior standing.

Credits: 3

NOTE:

* The Business Administration Course Fee applies to this course.

Course Description: Lecture presents the theory of analysis performed in the laboratory. Laboratory includes gravimetric analysis, acid/base titration, pH titration, spectrophotometric trace analysis, ion-exchange, complexometric titration, gas chromatographic analysis, infra-red analysis, and flame-emission analysis. Laboratory 4 hours per week.

Prerequisite: CHEM 131 – Chemical Principles II.

Credits: 5

NOTE:

* Honors Scholar Course.

** This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

*** The Science Lab Fee applies to this course.

Course Description: Surveys “Great Speeches” and critically analyzes major rhetorical movements in history. The course examines the relationship among rhetoric, ideology, and the development of culture.

Prerequisite: COMM 245 – Rhetoric and Civic Life or Political Communication minor.

Credits: 3

NOTE:

* This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

** The Communication Course Fee applies to this course.

Course Description: An examination of some of the major problems associated with the use and conservation of natural resources and environmental quality, the relationship of the political-economic system to environmental and natural resource problems and possible solutions to resource and environmental problems.

Prerequisites: ECON 200 – Principles of Macroeconomics and ECON 201 – Principles of Microeconomics, or ECON 205 – Principles of Economics.

Credits: 3

NOTE:

* Honors Scholar Course.

** This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

Course Description: The purpose of this course is to provide a detailed analysis of the causes of economic growth and structural changes in an economy that take place when growth occurs. Attention is given to theories of economic development and growth as they apply to developed and developing economies, as well as policy options and modes of analysis. Other areas of discussion include income distribution, employment, education, savings, fiscal and monetary policy, foreign investments and foreign aid.

Prerequisites: ECON 303 – Intermediate Macroeconomics

Credits: 3

NOTE:

* Honors Scholar Course.

** This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

Course Description: This course examines topics in literature from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Australia and Oceania, Europe, and the Americas. The topic for each session may vary. Instructors select authors from different periods to demonstrate how various ideologies, genres, genders, classes, and times have dealt with questions posed by the relationship between literature and the topic. Analysis stresses both works’ intrinsic values and their contributions to world cultures. Lectures and presentations are given on historical, cultural, and intellectual background. May be repeated under different topics.

Credits: 3

NOTE:

* This course fulfills the Aesthetic: Literature Mode of Inquiry of the Liberal Studies Program.

** The Post-Colonial Literature section of ENG 266 fulfills the Intercultural Interconnecting Perspective of the Liberal Studies Program.

*** This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

**** Some sections of this course are writing-enhanced.

Course Description: A forum for seniors to examine their progress toward an English or Creative Writing major, determine directions for future studies, and undertake and share new studies through the discipline’s regular public symposia.

Note: Although it is possible to complete a creative capstone in ENG 498, a student who has completed upper-level CRWT workshops may seek an override into CRWT 498 – Creative Writing Senior Capstone to complete the English major capstone requirement, if such seats are available.

Prerequisite: Senior standing.

Credits: 4

NOTE:

* This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

** This is a writing-enhanced course.

Course Description: We study nuclear weapons from the discovery of the atomic nucleus to the present. A given instantiation of the course may also approach the subject from the point of view of the physicist, the culture-critic, or other ways of knowing that instructor and students bring to the conversation. The class is discussion-oriented, and a few labs may be incorporated into the class meetings, with a considerable amount of reading and writing.

Prerequisite: Junior status.

Credits: 3

NOTE:

* This course fulfills the Junior Interdisciplinary Writing-Enhanced Seminar Interconnecting Perspective of the Liberal Studies Program.

** This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

*** This is a writing-enhanced course.

Course Description: This course explores ways of conceptualizing and defining “rural,” describes the geographic, social, economic, and political characteristics found in rural places, and discusses the implications of using alternative perspectives. Beyond this common introduction, specific sections of the course examine in more detail selected contemporary issues relevant to rural people and places.

Prerequisite: Junior status.

Credits: 3

NOTE:

* This course fulfills the Junior Interdisciplinary Writing-Enhanced Seminar Interconnecting Perspective of the Liberal Studies Program.

** This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

*** This is a writing-enhanced course.

Course Description: The course actively involves the student in the determination of environmental health concerns. It examines the impact of the environment on individual and population health, Healthy People 2020 objectives for environmental health, and the sources/etiology, effects, and control measures for selected environmental and personal safety hazards. This course includes an integrated service learning component.

Prerequisite: Junior or senior status and Health Science major, or permission of the instructor.

Credits: 3

NOTE:

* This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

** The Health Science Course Fee applies to this course.

Course Description: The course provides integration of the science of human care nursing and public health concepts with a focus on the rural community as client. Emphasis is placed on health promotion, levels of prevention, principles of epidemiology, population-focused practice, culture, vulnerable populations and community crisis. The rural health care system and problems of access to health care services unique to the rural community are explored.

Prerequisite: NU 375 – Maternal/Neonatal Nursing. Co-requisites: NU 475 – Critical Care Nursing and senior status in nursing.

Credits: 5

NOTE:

* This course fulfills the Intercultural Interconnecting Perspective of the Liberal Studies Program.

** This is a writing-enhanced course.

*** The Nursing Course Fee applies to this course.

Course Description: An introductory course which surveys the general principles and techniques of atmospheric science and introduces students to the atmospheric environment in which we live. Designed to give a better understanding of clouds, precipitation, air masses, frontal systems, jet streams, El Niño, weather forecasting, climate, and climate change. The course includes a laboratory component which includes monitoring the weather, analyzing weather maps and satellite data and performing indoor laboratory experiments.

Prerequisite: MATH 156 – College Algebra and MATH 157 – Plane Trigonometry with grades of “C” or higher, OR MATH 186 – Precalculus with grade of “C” or higher.

Credits: 4

NOTE:

* This course fulfills the Scientific: Physical Science Mode of Inquiry of the Liberal Studies Program.

** This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

*** The Science Lab Fee applies to this course.

Course Description: This course covers the evolution of the environmental movement in the United States; the social and political contexts of environmental policy making; the key institutions, groups, and processes involved in making environmental policy; and the theoretical guidelines employed in environmental decision making. In addition, discussions cover public policies concerning air quality, water quality and land use.

Credits: 3

NOTE:

* This course fulfills the Social Scientific Mode of Inquiry and the Intercultural Interconnecting Perspective of the Liberal Studies Program.

** This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

Course Description: A systematic introduction to the discipline of geography focusing on the study of interpreting maps, physical and human phenomena, and the interconnections between them. This course examines these major aspects of geographic inquiry from the interrelated perspectives of landscapes, environments and spatial variations.

Credits: 3

NOTE:

* This course fulfills the Social Scientific Mode of Inquiry of the Liberal Studies Program.

** This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

Course Description: An overview of evolving global regions using a variety of experiential and analytical approaches to discover and interpret our world.

Credits: 3

NOTE:

* This course fulfills the Social Scientific Mode of Inquiry and the Intercultural Interconnecting Perspective of the Liberal Studies Program.

** This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

Course Description: Anthropology is a comparative science that examines all societies, ancient and modern, simple and complex. Anthropological Inquiry introduces students to anthropology’s four main subdisciplines (sociocultural, archaeological, biological, and linguistic anthropology) as well as a fifth, more recent addition, applied anthropology. It presents anthropology as a social science mode of inquiry, introducing anthropology’s major investigative methods and approaches, important anthropological concepts and principles, and anthropology’s ongoing self-critique and professional development. With its ethnographic breadth and concern with cultural processes over time and within and between human societies, this course also teaches cross-cultural and intercultural perspectives that go beyond simple observation of cultural difference to more complex understandings of cultural diversity and interaction among the world’s peoples.

Credits: 3

NOTE:

* This course fulfills the Social Scientific Mode of Inquiry and Intercultural Interconnecting Perspective of the Liberal Studies Program.

** This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

Course Description: The subject matter of World Prehistory is the archaeological record produced by behaviorally modern humans (Homo sapiens) over the last ~40,000 years and their hominin ancestors in the previous 4-6 million years. This course is a survey of what we think we know about the large scale pattern of biological evolution of our capacity for complex social and cultural behaviors among our hominin ancestors and subsequent patterns of sociocultural change among humans.

Credits: 3

When Offered: (fall only)

NOTE:

* This course fulfills the Social Scientific Mode of Inquiry and Intercultural Interconnecting Perspective of the Liberal Studies Program.

** This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

Course Description: This course draws on anthropological perspectives to appreciate and explore the vast cultural diversity of our species. It offers a brief discussion of our origins as hominids and the large scale historical events and processes that have shaped our development as a social species. It examines in greater depth cultural assumptions and behavior patterns within the context of the many worldviews and systems of logic encountered around the globe today. Finally, students hear firsthand perspectives about life in other cultures from guest speakers (international students) who grew up outside the United States, and from the in-depth ethnographies that are read and discussed over the course of the semester. Ultimately, this course aims to broaden students’ understanding of their own culture with respect to the rest of the world while introducing them to basic concepts in cultural anthropology.

Credits: 3

When Offered: (spring only)

NOTE:

* This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

** This course fulfills the Social Scientific Mode of Inquiry and Intercultural perspective of the Liberal Studies Program.

Course Description: This course explores the dimensions and dynamics of structured inequalities over time and across societies, with a particular emphasis on the growing gap between rich and poor in the US and worldwide. Some questions to be considered: Is inequality necessary or beneficial? What constitutes a social class, and how do classes form? How are structures of inequality shaped by race, ethnicity, and gender? What role do key social institutions, including the family, the labor market, the media, and the school system play in generating and maintaining inequality and lack of mobility? How can we address the challenges of poverty and unequal access to jobs, education, housing, and political and personal power? As a 200-level class in the sociology track of the major, it is also designed to build skills for analyzing arguments and working with data.

Credits: 3

When Offered: (spring only)

NOTE:

* This course fulfills the Social Scientific Mode of Inquiry and the Intercultural Interconnecting Perspective of the Liberal Studies Program.

** This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

Course Description: This course offers an overview of indigenous groups in North and South America, including the history of indigenous people writ large and the struggles of particular groups today. As with other anthropology courses, an emphasis is placed on understanding native perspectives as much as possible. Although the course does not exhaustively cover all of the hundreds of Native American groups in the Americas, it does include discussion of groups in the Midwest (including Mississippian culture), the U.S. eastern seaboard, the U.S. Southwest, the North American Great Plains, Alaska, Mesoamerica, the Andean Highlands, the Amazon, and South America’s Gran Chaco.

Credits: 3

NOTE:

* This course fulfills the Social Scientific Mode of Inquiry and the Intercultural Interconnecting Perspective of the Liberal Studies Program.

** This course counts toward the 63-hour Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.

Course Description: Sections of this course cover a variety of selected topics in Anthropology, Geography and Sociology representing the particular interests of faculty and students in the program. Topics courses are designed to build upon the knowledge and skills gained throughout the Sociology/Anthropology major. May be repeated for credit.

Prerequisite: junior or senior standing.

Credits: 3

NOTE: This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.