Reading & Writing Workshop
Course Description
This intensive course is designed to prepare students for college-level reading and writing assignments. Students will learn reading comprehension and critical reading strategies as they work with articles, essays, and college textbook material. Short writing assignments will focus on basic writing skills including paragraph development, sentence structure, and mechanics.
Course Objective
By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
College Composition
This course emphasizes the development of professional writing, analytical reading, and critical thinking skills, so that students are able to use their own writing and that of experts to communicate ideas and arguments. Students will draft, revise, and edit short and long essays, including a research paper, as they build a writing portfolio that demonstrates their progress and competence as writers.
Prerequisite: None. Requisite: Open mind, passionate heart, and success-oriented will.
2. Write with fluency and confidence in their college courses;
3. Utilize writing as a tool for learning;
4. Use their knowledge of their writing process to be more
effective writers;
5. Provide useful feedback to their peers about their writing;
6. Produce rough drafts of writing and then revise drafts for focus,
organization, purpose, audience, elaboration, and/or brevity;
7. Adapt writing to various modes and genres, such as informal and
formal narrative, critical analysis, persuasion, and argumentation;
8. Proof-read and edit writing for mechanics and grammar;
9. Locate and evaluate resources for conducting research;
10. Prepare an MLA reference page and use appropriate in-text references.
U.S. Civil Rights History:
The Struggle for Equality and Justice
Course Description
Strongly Recommended: ENG 101 or equivalent
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Indicate an understanding of civil rights as a concept as well as historical and contemporary issue;
2. Identify and discuss pivotal struggles for civil rights in U.S. history;
3. Recognize the diversity of definitions, views, and developments in the quest for civil rights;
4. Appreciate the vision and vocabulary of the voices for civil rights in U.S. history;
5. Delineate skills and perspectives required for the effective presentation of visionary ideas and sound arguments as part of public debate;
6. Discuss contemporary issues of equality in light of historic struggles and changes;
7. Communicate effectively in speaking and writing with respect to analyzing and interpreting public voices and arguments--expressed in literary and media forms;
8. Demonstrate understanding of the value of diversity and dialogue with respect to differences in gender, race, religion, ethnicity, and sexuality;
9. Gain an increased ability to apply critical thinking skills and sound judgment to contemporary issues.
Course Description
This course of study entails a survey of 400 years of the U.S. religious saga, noting major themes, groups, persons, trends, and contributions of the central religious movements and institutions in U.S. history. Focus is also given to the interchange between religion, culture, morality and politics.
The course also emphasizes critical thinking skills, interpretation, reasoning, dialogue, and the expression of ideas in writing.
Pre-requisite: ENG 095 or equivalent; recommended: ENG 101
Learning Objectives
The purpose of this course is to provide a brief overview of the U.S. religious story, with an eye toward enhancing one's understanding of that narrative and increasing one's insight with respect to the development and meaning of the U.S. religious and social heritage. It is intended that in the course of study participants will be enabled to:
1) Discuss the historical origins, primary characteristics, and different histories of some of the major U.S. religious groups;
2) Compare and contrast the features of at least one American religious group with another;
3) Summarize at least one key theological and ecclesial issue shaping U.S. religious history;
4) Research and summarize the essential historical and cultural contributions of one U.S. religious group, with reference also to the group’s legacy and contemporary practices
5) Identify at least two issues of religious and political interface in U.S. history and comment on their significance for the development of U.S. culture and society;
6) Express through class discussion one’s understanding, insights and viewpoints on the role and influence of religion in U.S. history and contemporary society;
7) Assess and summarize in writing how religion has shaped and still impacts U.S. society and life,noting also one’s personal evaluation of its influence and significance.
World Religions
This course endeavors to provide a survey of the major religions impacting human history, culture, and civilization. Focus will be on summarizing the features of the world’s major religions, denoting their development in history and identifying their contributions to contemporary societies. In this regard, notation will be given to these religions’ vision for life, their doctrines and rituals, regular practices, special holy days, and ethical and social values.
Special attention will be given to the major world religions of Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and Baha’i, highlighting their traditional and contemporary practices. Discussion will also be given to the nature and variety of civil religion, humanism, universalism, and secularism. Class presentations and discussion will revolve around topics such as each religion’s sense of purpose for life, doctrinal, ritual, and ethical teachings, marriage and family relationships, social morality, and annual observances. Denominational and other subdivisions within each religious group will also be compared and contrasted as appropriate.
The course also emphasizes critical thinking skills, interpretation, reasoning, dialogue, and the expression of ideas in writing.
Pre-requisite: ENG 095 or equivalent; recommended: ENG 101
The purpose of this course is to provide a basic chronological and conceptual framework for understanding the world’s major religions. Through class discussion, media presentations, reading, research, and reflection, participants successfully completing the course will be able to:
1) Identify and summarize the primary characteristics of the
various world religions;
2) Summarize the essential historical and cultural contributions
of the world’s major religions;
3) Compare and contrast the features of at least one religion
with another;
4) Discuss the ethical and social features of major world religions
and their impact on human life;
5) Examine and interpret a selected passage of a sacred text,
expositing its ancient meaning and contemporary relevance;
6) Research and examine a contemporary issue/topic/theme in
world religion;
7) Describe the essence of religious belief and how one thinks
about life in the world, and be able to articulate their own
world and life view in religious or non-religious terms.
Historical & Literary
Survey of the
Judeo-Christian Bible
Course Description
This course provides an overview of the historical background, cultural characteristics, literary genre, and primary ethical, social, and religious themes of the literature of the Judeo-Christian Bible as reflected in its major divisions and individual books. Focus will be given to identifying the historical and cultural context for the variety of literary forms represented in the biblical anthology and interpreting the texts based on historical and literary content. The nature of narrative, legal, proverbial, poetic, allegorical, parabolic, prophetic, epistolary, and apocalyptic literature will be examined. Attention will be given to understanding literary techniques and nurturing interpretive skills in working with the biblical text. Reference to Hebrew and Greek languages will be correlated to contemporary English vocabulary. Prerequisite: ENG 101
Learning Objectives
It is intended that in the course of study participants will be enabled to:
1) Identify the major literary divisions and genres of the Bible;
2) Discuss the historical/cultural setting, literary genre, and
thematic emphases of each major section and most
individual books within the Bible;
3) Recognize and define major literary genre as represented
in the biblical literature;
4) Demonstrate through class discussion and written work an
understanding of the multi-faceted historical, cultural,
and literary characteristics of the Bible;
5) Illustrate the application of basic interpretive skills with
a biblical text;
6) Identify key literary, ethical, social, and religious themes
from the text and discuss connections and contributions
to human history, especially western civilization and culture;
7) List new insights gained as to the contribution of biblical literature
to human culture;
8) Identify new understandings and applications of biblical themes
to contemporary life in personal and/or social terms.
Ethics and Contemporary Society
Course Description
This course introduces students to classical, historical, and contemporary perspectives on the theory and practice of ethics. Students will apply this knowledge by examining a variety of contemporary personal, social, and professional ethical issues and problems and by practicing methods for arriving at ethical solutions and decisions. The course emphasizes critical thinking skills, reasoning, and the expression of ideas in writing.
Prerequisite: ENG 101 (College Composition)
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Identify and explain the various schools of ethical thought and the
key concepts and principles central to them;
2. Research and examine a contemporary ethical dilemma;
3. Explain the concept of ethical relativism;
4. Explore the conflict between ethical relativism and human rights
in a cross-cultural context;
5. Recognize and understand ethical issues in everyday life;
6. Articulate their own system of ethical reasoning;
7. Apply a step-by-step reasoning process for ethical decision-making.
Introduction to Philosophy
Course Description
This course introduces students to classical, historical, and contemporary perspectives on the “ultimate questions” of philosophy. Students will pursue a systematic study of traditional philosophic topics of logic, metaphysics, epistemology, theology, ethics, freedom, and justice, and students will examine theories, explanations, and arguments pertaining to these central philosophical topics. Since philosophy is an ongoing dialogue about the ultimate questions that concern humans, students will be challenged to foster critical thinking skills of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation in examining philosophical arguments and then articulating one’s own view in response. Through this process of interaction, students will enhance their critical thinking, reading, and writing skills. Furthermore, in reflecting on such questions, students will gain greater appreciation of the complexities of philosophic inquiry and the possibilities for answers to central human questions about life.
Prerequisites: ENG 101 (College Composition)
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Indicate a basic understanding of the nature of philosophy and
the work of a philosopher;
2. Identify and explain the central questions of traditional
philosophical inquiry;
3. Recognize philosophical assumptions in arguments,
literature, and life;
4. Utilize the vocabulary of philosophy, the structure of
arguments, and the variety of logical and metaphorical
strategies employed in criticism and persuasion;
5. Discuss theories of knowledge and reality;
6. Demonstrate skills and perspectives required for the effective
presentation of sound arguments;
7. Examine enduring human concerns as to the most plausible
reasons for and against proposed solutions;
8. Demonstrate an increased ability to apply critical thinking
skills and sound judgment to everyday life issues.
The purpose of this course is to assist students in developing and demonstrating basic skills, understanding, and applications related to the possibilities and problems of democracy in the tradition of
Prerequisite: None. (ENG 101 desirable).
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Acquire an increased ability to ready, research, and report on a variety of resources and topics related to U.S. government, politics, current events, and citizenship;
2. Explain the philosophy of the federal system and the reason for its development in the
3. Discuss the role of the Constitution and Bill of Rights in guiding the
4. Explain how the “balance of powers” operates in American democracy;
5. Explain the role of the Executive Branch of government and specific powers delegated to the President;
6. Discuss the role of Congress in creating law and public policy;
7. Discuss how the court system, especially the Supreme Court, contributes to defining and developing law and policy;
8. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the electoral system for electing presidents;
9. Explore the watchdog role of the media in American government;
10. Analyze the role of voters, interest groups, lobbyists, and the media in influencing elections and in developing public policy;
11. Comment on important epochs, developments, documents, institutions, trends, and changes in the practices of
12. Analyze at least one current civil liberties issue in detail;
13. Explain the differences between liberal, conservative, and libertarian philosophies and analyze a political issue, article or person for its political perspective;
14. Analyze and comment on contemporary political issues and problems in American government from an informed perspective;
15. Identify the social values central to one’s own understanding of citizenship and one’s awareness and involvement in community, social and political issues.
U.S. Government Internship
The purpose of this course is to assist students in developing and demonstrating basic skills, understanding, and applications related to the possibilities and problems of democracy in the tradition of
Prerequisite: Completion of one or more of the following: American Government course, Social Problems course, or comparable academic experience as determined by the instructor.
Through successful completion of the internship, students will be able to:
1. Acquire an increased ability to read, research, and report on a variety of resources and topics related to U.S. government, politics, current events, and citizenship;
2. Summarize and discuss the role of Congress in creating law and public policy, representing district populations, addressing constituent concerns, and serving constituent needs;
3. Discuss and provide illustration of the roles of the media, interest groups, and bureaucracy in American government, politics, elections, and public policy;
4. Analyze and comment on contemporary political issues and social problems in American society and government from an informed perspective;
5. Identify the personal, social, and work values central to one’s own understanding of citizenship and one’s awareness and involvement in community, social and political issues;
6. Demonstrate a knowledge base of political awareness and a variety of professional skills--including writing, research, and reflection--as applied and enhanced through the intern experience;
7. Reflect on one’s own vocational interests and competencies and display proficiency and professionalism through the production of a portfolio of documents representative of work completed and experience gained as an intern.
Introduction to Sociology
An examination of the basic concepts and methods of sociology as the scientific study of human social activity, toward the goal of analyzing and understanding the social and cultural forces that govern human behavior. As an introductory study, the course will focus on the social dynamics, institutions, and values of especially contemporary
Discussion will be given to the role of culture, socialization, and social interaction in shaping individual and societal values and behavior. Topics of discussion include the role of culture, the process of socialization, social interaction and organization, primary groups and family, stratification, collective behavior—especially regarding race, gender, politics, and religion, as well as population, ecology, and social change. Focus will be on identifying issues, reviewing their history, probing their current circumstances, and analyzing their relationship to the lives of individuals and society.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Acquire an increased ability to ready, research, and report on a variety
of resources and topics related to culture and society, and reflect on
one’s own social experience;
2. Apply the steps of sociological investigation to a small-scale sociological
investigation in their community;
3. Apply critical thinking skills to evaluate sociological terms, definitions
and concepts;
4. Utilize sociological definitions, terms and concepts to describe their own
culture and to distinguish social problems from individual problems;
5. Identify, define and evaluate the various theories of human social
development;
6. Describe the positive and negative functions of group conformity;
7. Evaluate the definition and function of deviance;
8. Discuss some effects of social stratification on health, values, politics,
and family patterns;
9. Discuss how ethnic and cultural diversity impacts social relations in
the family, workplace, and community;
10. Evaluate the impact of gender in the workplace, family life, and
education;
11. Describe the most significant trends affecting family life and identify
contemporary issues and the socio-economic, political, religious,
racial, and familial characteristics of them;
12. Apply sociological terms and concepts to evaluate their own past
and present educational experiences and to develop their own
personal model for understanding, analyzing, and responding
to contemporary social issues;
13. Discuss how their lives have been affected by contemporary
demographics, population growth and urbanization;
14. Evaluate and critique various sociological perspectives on the
environment;
15. Relate theories of social change to contemporary society, propose
alternative solutions to social problems, and demonstrate basic
problem-solving skills in addressing them;
16. Enhance their own sense of personal value and competency
through the social dynamics of the class experience.
Social Problems
This course will develop students’ skills of critical analysis through the application of sociological principles to current social issues. Possible issues to be examined include: global inequality, poverty, health care, homelessness, aging, racial/ethnic conflict, gender roles, and national and global conflict. The basic concepts and methods of sociology as the scientific study of human social activity are assumed and will be utilized toward the goal of analyzing and understanding the social and cultural forces that govern human behavior, especially with respect to the social problems faced by individuals and society.
Prerequisite: SOC 101 (Introduction to Sociology).
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Read, research, and report on a variety of resources and topics
related to culture and society, and reflect on one’s own social
experience;
2. Apply the steps of sociological investigation to a small-scale
sociological investigation in their community;
3. Apply critical thinking skills to evaluate sociological terms,
definitions and concepts;
4. Utilize sociological definitions, terms and concepts to describe
their own culture and to distinguish social problems from
individual problems;
5. Articulate theoretical and comparative perspectives on a variety
of social problems.
6. Discuss similarities and differences between social groups within
a society or between societies.
7. Outline sociological debates about the relational, cultural, political,
economic, and historical context of the human experience.
8. Demonstrate an increased awareness and understanding of
different social systems and power structures in society.
9. Explain the impact of stratification systems on local, societal,
and global living.
10. Discuss the role of the government and economy in addressing
social problems.
11. Articulate alternate strategies for evaluating and dealing with
social issues.
12. Enhance their own sense of personal value and competency
through the social dynamics of the class room experience.