J-term classes

ART 124 – Mobile Digital Photography; Brandon Bauer; online synchronous instruction M/W/F from 8:30 a.m.

This course is an introductory course in the creative use of mobile digital media. Students will learn basic techniques that will help them to take better photographs with a smartphone. The course will cover image acquisition, image manipulation, and creative control. The final work will be output for critique through online forums. The course will progress as an exploration of mobile photography tools and applications. The course will provide foundational skills for understanding and increasing control of photographic techniques and processes through a smartphone.

ART 310 - Global Art History; Debbie Kupinsky; online asynchronous instruction

This course is a lecture and discussion based course with a student research component, that will explore non-Western art and architecture from a cultural, religious and historical perspective. The thematic organization of the course will allow students to make connections between the spread of religions, cultural values, conquest, trade and the expression of these elements in artistic traditions. The course will explore the arts of Asia, Africa, the Americas and the Middle East with an emphasis on art as the fluid expression of culture. Non-Western canonical works in art, sculpture and architecture will be highlighted, as the course will cover major works from these four major regions of the world. Through readings, discussion, research and presentations students will gain the ability to recognize, analyze and interpret non-Western Art.

BIOL 386 – Neuroscience with lab; David Bailey; online asynchronous instruction

A lecture, laboratory, and discussion course on the scientific study of the nervous system. Topics covered include a history of the field, nerve, and glial cell physiology, the evolution of neurotransmission, learning, and memory especially relating to sensitive periods, sexual differentiation of the nervous system, and nervous system disorders. Laboratory exercises will focus on histological techniques, immunohistochemical localization of components of neuroendocrine systems, neuroanatomy and gene expression patterns in rodents, and stereotaxic surgery. Current articles from the primary literature as well as those seminal to the field of neuroscience will be discussed. Prerequisites: BIOL 120 and BIOL 121. BIOL 372 preferred. J-term or summer sessions.

BUAD 386 – Leading Through Adversity; Jamie O’Brien; online asynchronous instruction

This class in Leading Through Adversity: Historical Case Studies will take an interdisciplinary approach that includes psychology, communication, and management and examine some of the most historic human error case studies. The class will explore scenarios where: leaders and managers must solve significant problems; humans have made critical errors; the role of the individual is vital in solving these problems in various settings; and recommendations need to be made so as to learn from these scenarios and stories. These case studies will explore a variety of areas: societal problems (for example – leadership in the face of challenging societal norms), cultural problems (for example – leadership issues in different cultural contexts), decision making (for example – the biases that cause human error and prevent robust decision making), and understanding how individuals interact (for example – how humans working in groups can cause problems and how we solve them), to name a few. 

BUAD 387 – Decision Making in Disasters; Jamie O'Brien; online asynchronous instruction

This class will explore some of the most famous disasters through the lens of human decision-making errors. It will take an interdisciplinary approach that includes social psychology, communication, and management as we examine some of the most interesting case studies. The class will explore scenarios where: leaders and managers must solve significant problems; humans have made critical errors, the role of the individual is vital in solving these problems in various settings, recommendations need to be made so as to learn from these scenarios and stories. These case studies will explore a variety of applied theoretical areas: resilience in decision making (for example – leadership in the face of extreme crisis), cultural problems (for example – accidents caused by issues in different cultural scenarios), cognitive biases (for example – disasters caused by the unchecked biases that cause human error and prevent robust decision making ), and understanding how individuals interact (for example – how humans work and communicate in groups and how several aviation accidents have been caused by not understanding group dynamics), to name a few.

BUAD 388 - International Management; Jamie O'Brien; online asynchronous instruction

The study of international management is gaining importance as organizations expand their operations globally. This international management class is designed to help students learn the fundamentals of international management strategies and cross-cultural management. Further, throughout the course, students are expected to develop a sense of ease to engage in business in a multicultural business management environment.

BUAD 615 - Entrepreneurship; Joy Pahl; classroom lecture T/TH from 6-9 p.m.

This course develops passionate, motivated entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship is a way of thinking and acting; it is a practice, integrated with theory, that can be learned and applied in any organizational setting. This course helps participants grow already-formed ideas, and those without ideas learn how to identify opportunities and act on them. All participants learn to create and build their ventures and discover how business ideas fit into the broader society. This course is based on the theme “act, learn, build,” therefore, class sessions are active learning experiences. Participants acquire an understanding of the entrepreneurial method, a practice of opportunity recognition, resource gathering and team building, all driven by business methodologies in idea generation, feasibility analysis and business plan creation. This course helps participants re-evaluate their own views of entrepreneurship within the framework of entrepreneurial thinking and putting this mindset into action.

COME 122 – Interpersonal Communication; Anna Antos; online asynchronous instruction

Interpersonal communication is the most fundamental aspect of the human experience. By communicating with people around us we develop a sense of self and establish a relational network critical for our survival, success, and emotional well-being. This course will survey key theories, concepts, and research in the field of Communication. We will work to connect theory with practical applications to build interpersonal competencies. By the end of the course, you should acquire understanding of the psychology of human relations and be better equipped to evaluate and respond to everyday communication challenges.


COME 317 – Netflix: Disruptive Entertainment; Valerie Kretz; online asynchronous instruction

This course will explore the ways that Netflix is (and is not) disruptive across three major components of media: content, production, and consumption. One of the primary topics will be Netflix and groups that are typically underrepresented in entertainment media both behind the scenes and on screen.

COME 320 - Crisis Communication; Mark Glantz; online asynchronous instruction

This course considers how human beings use communication to repair our reputations and keep us safe in times of crisis. It considers several perspectives on apologetic rhetoric, including Benoit’s theory of image repair discourse and Koesten & Rowland’s writings about the rhetoric of atonement. The course also examines the role of crisis communication plans and social media in responding to crises such as natural disasters and national security concerns.

ECON 101 – Principles of Macroeconomics; Marc Schaffer; online asynchronous instruction

Introduction to macroeconomic problems — unemployment and inflation. National income accounting — measures of gross domestic product. Aggregate demand and supply. Fiscal and monetary policies. Open-economy issues.

EDUC 279 - Child & Adolescent Development; Reid Riggle; online asynchronous instruction

Child & Adolescent Development is designed to offer a critical perspective and examine child and adolescent development as it is shaped and experienced in various social contexts with an emphasis upon the world of the school. We will focus on normative development of the individual personality, from childhood through adolescence. Theories and empirical literature relevant to the biological, cognitive/intellectual, emotional, social, cultural, and transcultural development of the individual personality are explored. We will explore a variety of lenses to understand child and adolescent behavior and development—models of psychosocial, interpersonal, cognitive, moral, emotional and racial identity development will be studied within the multiple contexts of family, peer group, community and school. You will be encouraged to reflect on your own developmental experiences during childhood and adolescence. The course will also help you to challenge assumptions you may unknowingly hold and gain insight on how it has shaped your perspective and behavior.

MUSI 184 – History of American Popular Music; Eric High; online asynchronous instruction

The course covers the history of popular music in the United States from the late 19th-century to the present day. Genres discussed include modern styles such as rock, R & B, hip-hop, folk, country, jazz, ragtime, blues, and early musical theater. A chronological study of popular styles will expose students to important songwriters and performers and show how their music was influenced by elements like racial prejudice, political events and social structures. Modern technological influences (radio, recording media, television, computers) will also be explored. Variable.

MUSI 276 – Music and Catholocism; John Hennecken; online asynchronous instruction; FULL – waitlist available

This course focuses on the Catholic intellectual tradition and its profound dialogue with music. Students will explore genres in Catholic music such as the mass, requiem mass, oratorio, passion, and other biblically inspired works. Course content will focus on pieces of music that are inspired by sacred texts. With each work, students will engage with the meaning of the text and how the music exemplifies it. Through the study of music fundamentals, students will build frameworks for listening that increase understanding and transform the listening experience. Coursework will involve readings, exercises in listening, lecture, discussion posts, and short essays. Students will improve communication skills and contemplate how the course material impacts a life lived with purpose. Variable.


MUSI 318 - Evolution of Jazz; Eric High; online asynchronous instruction

The study of jazz from its origins in New Orleans to the present day. The course focuses on important performers and songwriters, types of literature, an appreciation of jazz improvisation, as well as the interaction of social, political, and economic elements that strongly influenced the genre. Audio and video presentations will be used extensively. Variable.

PHIL 120 – Philosophy Foundations in Human Nature; Joel Mann; online asynchronous instruction

This course provides a thematic and historical introduction to basic philosophical issues regarding human nature utilizing primary texts from established figures in the philosophical tradition. Topics include the moral dimension of human experience, the fundamental nature of the world, the nature of truth and knowledge, and justice. Readings include dialogues of Plato, authors from at least three of the four philosophical epochs (ancient, medieval, modern and contemporary), and at least one author from the Christian philosophical tradition. Emphasis will be placed on methods of logical inquiry including Socratic dialectic, deductive and inductive inference, and other forms of philosophical discourse with the goal of developing the student’s skills in written and oral communication.

PHIL 389 – Gender Based Violence Prevention and Masculinity; Sydney Keough; online asynchronous instruction.

POLI 310 – Fascism, Socialism; Wendy Scattergood; online asynchronous instruction

People use labels like "fascist," "liberal," "neo-con," "socialist," etc. usually to criticize other people. But, what do these b=labels mean? What are the political philosophies and practices that actually define these terms? In this course, we will delve into these ideas and practices, then examine how these labels are being used in the news on current events and political figures. In this way, students will be able to critically examine current global events through the lens of political ideologies. This course is a mix of traditional textbook discussion and lecture, combined with films, music and discussion of current events.

PSYC 310 – Psychopharmacology; John Dose; online asynchronous instruction

This course is designed to provide a broad, general introduction to behavioral pharmacology by examining the neurological, physiological and psychological mechanisms of drug action. Topics covered include tolerance, side effects, drug interactions, and abuse potential of both recreational and therapeutic drugs. In addition, societal issues associated with drug use and abuse will be examined (for example, decriminalization and public costs of drug dependence). Prerequisites: PSYC 100 or BIOL 121 and sophomore standing.

SSCI 301 – Environment and Society with lab; Melanie Jackson; online asynchronous instruction

This course familiarizes students with an array of environmental issues concerning human interaction with the natural world. Environmental problems are present at all scales ranging from local to global — and in our everyday lives. The course will examine, via lecture and discussion/lab sessions, varied examples of environmental issues — their causes, dimensions, and distributions. The course will explore proven or possible solutions, and “trade-offs” associated with these solutions. Topics include basic ecological principles, the value of biodiversity, human population issues, food production, air and water pollution, and energy resources and use. Offered each semester. Students may not take both SSCI 301 and ENVS 300 for credit.

SSCI 408 – Social Inequalities; Omobolade Delano-Oriaran; online asynchronous instruction

The exploration of social inequality will move beyond the place of individuals in society and try to understand how social inequality is a feature of society. Students will see themselves in some of what they are studying and they will find much of the subject matter familiar. At the same time, the course is intended to encourage students to think in different ways about some of what is “known” and taken for granted in large sections of society. Students will read materials that may present perspectives far different from what they have heard before. It is expected that students will be surprised, perplexed, challenged and perhaps angered by some of the material. Moreover, because the course examines issues that affect us daily, this course will elicit more than intellectual growth. Since each person is a part of the world and occupies positions in systems of social inequality, students will find themselves dealing with emotional and spiritual questions about who they are and where they fit into the world.

SPAN 102 – Elementary Spanish 2; Judy Cervantes; online synchronous instruction M, W, F from 12 p.m.; FULL – waitlist available

Continuation of SPAN 101. Prerequisite: SPAN 101 or formal placement.

THEA 237 – History of Clothing and Fashion; April Beiswenger; online asynchronous instruction

This class is a survey of clothing and its relationship to culture and society. The student will discover how dress throughout the ages reflects individual communication and cultural expression. We will also cover manufacturing, modern fashion industry, and ethics of clothing consumption.

THEO 505 - Christology; Kathleen Elkins; online asynchronous instruction

The central question of all Christian theology is Jesus’ challenge, “Who do you say that I am?” The Christian community in every age has explored the question and attempted to answer it in light of scripture and human experience. The course will study both past answers and contemporary positions.

THEO 389 - Interfaith Relations in the Mediterranean; Andrew O'Connor; online asynchronous instruction

This course engages the contributions of U.S. Latinx Catholic thinkers in the field of theology connected to specific issues, concerns, and beliefs unique to Latinx communities. The context of U.S. Latinx catholicity will be contextualized within the pre-colonial Indigenous communities and the Spanish colonial project that inflicted trauma-violence against indigenous and African communities in the newly named Americas. This course focuses on forming responsible citizens and deepening spiritual values in an increasingly interdependent and diverse world committed to dismantling all structures of oppression. This course fulfills the Catholic Imagination Core Requirement.