Culture Courses
Only want to take one class with a focus on sustainability rather than a minor or major? You can still take a variety of courses within the curriculum that also count towards General Education Credit, Issues credit, or may be required within your major.
For updated information of course listings and descriptions visit the Course Catalog
African American Studies
AAA 341 - Civil Conflicts in Africa
The analysis of the nature and dynamics of both non-violent and violent conflicts - civil wars - in Africa, and the efforts to resolve them. The focus will be on selected case studies of African states. Fulfills one of the Issues requirements.
Offered every year. Credits: 3
AAA 490 - Practicum: Career-Service in Community Building
Agency experience in the community relating practical training and independent study in a specialized area in African American studies. Maximum of six credits. Nine hours of course preparation and permission of instructor and program coordinator. Offered fall and winter semesters. Credits: 1 to 6
AAA 333 - Study Abroad in Ghana
Of varying focus, the course makes use of the history, culture, and society of a host country in order to highlight disciplinary perspectives in context. To be taught in that country (or countries) as part of an approved study abroad program. By permit only. Credits may vary. Offered as needed. Prerequisites: Specific to course and instructor.
Anthropology
ANT 204 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Introduces the discipline of anthropology by examining the diversity of human cultures that have been described by
anthropologists over the last 100 years. The principles of anthropology are explained with examples drawn from non-Western culture. Comparisons are drawn with our own. Fulfills one of the Foundation - Social and Behavioral Sciences. Fulfills Cultures - Global Perspectives. Offered fall and winter semesters. 3 cr
ANT 215 - Origins of Civilization
This course examines the consequences of decisions made by our ancestors, the successes and failures of past civilizations, so that we may better understand our own behavior. Development of world civilizations is explored using historic, archaeological and other perspectives that inform us about the past. Fulfills Foundation - Historical Analysis. Fulfills Cultures - Global Perspectives. Offered winter semester. 3 cr.
ANT 308 - Field Experience Abroad
Of varying focus, the course makes use of the history, culture, and society of a host country in order to highlight disciplinary perspectives in context. To be taught in that country (or countries) as part of an approved study abroad program. By permit only. Credit may vary. 1-6 cr.
ANT 340 - Culture and Environment
Compares different adaptive strategies of cultures from around the world and seeks understanding of ethical and social values different groups have related to the environment. Attention is focused on how humans relied on cultural mechanisms in the past to adapt and change their physical and natural environment. Fulfills Cultures - Global Perspectives. Part of the Sustainability Issue. Offered each semester. Prerequisites: Junior Standing, WRT 150, and either Historical Analysis or US Diversity. 3 cr.
ANT 345 - Perspectives on Globalization
The anthropology of globalization examines the emergence of “globalized local cultures.” Students employ the ethnographic approach to understand globalization as the intensification of interconnectedness, in which anthropologists learn that fundamental problems of deep and universal concern to humans everywhere will need to be addressed at local, national, and global levels. Offered fall semester, even years. Fulfills Cultures - Global Perspectives. Part of the Globalization Issue. Prerequisite: Junior standing. 3 cr.
ANT 380 - Special Topics in Anthropology
A series of courses providing an in-depth study of a problem in anthropology and the methods of investigating it. Various topics of cross-cultural interest, such as human evolution, peasant cultures, preliterate societies, kinship pattern, and culture and personality will be examined. Offered on sufficient demand.
Art
ART 423 - Animals and Art
This course will explore varied facets of human-animal relationships by exploring representations of animals in visual arts
Intercultural Training Certificate
ITC 100 - Introduction to Intercultural Competence
This course introduces students to the concept of cultural competence, and provides them with the knowledge and
application of skills necessary to succeed in diverse settings. This course examines theories of intercultural engagement and then requires students to consider how they might apply knowledge in diverse practical settings. Fulfills Cultures - U.S. Diversity. 3 cr
ITC 490 - Practicum: Intercultural Learning Experience
The course is an application of intercultural principles in a public or community setting. Students will engage in both cohort learning activities as well as individual experiential placements. Students on qualifying semester study abroad programs can complete the practicum concurrently with participation in the cohort. Offered fall and winter semester. Prerequisite: ITC 100, and filing of application for certificate in Intercultural Competence. 3 cr
ITC 495 - Culminating Seminar in Intercultural Competence
This is the culminating course required for completion of the Intercultural Competence Certificate. Students identify issues of cultural conflict in their communities or academic disciplines, and develop plans for how these issues might be addressed through cultural understanding or training. Offered winter semester. 3 cr
Liberal Studies
LIB 201 - Diversity in the United States
Explores how the intersections of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, class, religion and physical abilities affect the material lives and media representations of various cultural groups in the United States. Engages historical and current debates regarding issues of immigration, meritocracy, segregation, the economy, the environment, and identity. Fulfills one of the Foundation - Social and Behavioral Sciences. Fulfills Cultures - U.S. Diversity. Offered fall and winter semesters. 3 cr
LIB 322 - Wicked Problems of Sustainability
Sustainability, as a wicked problem, is an intractable, on-going and high-stakes issue. This course engages students in participatory research on the inextricably linked dimensions of sustainability, such as economics, environment and social equity. Students will work with community partners to address specific interdisciplinary problems of sustainability.
LIB 323 - Design Thinking
Design Thinking is an iterative, project-based, problem-solving process valued in organizations both locally and internationally. As interdisciplinary teams, students in this course will use the Design Thinking process to better facilitate the chaos of innovation by collaborating with stakeholders to meet real world needs. Part of the Information, Innovation, and Technology Issue. Offered fall and winter semesters. Prerequisite: Junior standing.
3.000 Credit hours
LIB 330 - The Idea of Nature
An historical and cross-cultural examination of how nature has been interpreted by science, philosophy, religion, literature, and art. Part of Earth and Environment theme.
Offered once a year, winter semester. 3 cr.
LIB 341 - Leadership for Social Change
An examination of the theory and practice of leadership in social change movements, focused on developing personal and organizational capacities for leadership in a liberal education context. Students identify a contemporary social issue and create an action plan for resolution, addressing that issue with at least one action step. Part of the Information, Innovation, and Technology Issue. Offered fall and winter semesters. Prerequisite: Junior standing. 3 cr
LIB 341 - Food Matters
This course offers an interdisciplinary exploration of the relationship between food systems and food we consume every day. Analysis of competing information and integration of evolutionary, historical, socio-political, cultural and environmental factors shaping our current food systems lead back to the basics of nutrition, agricultural practices and equitable food systems.