This page contains a listing of all active graduate courses in The University of Alabama's course inventory by College. Click on any tab above to view the course titles, credit hours, descriptions, and prerequisites.
College of Arts & Sciences Courses
An examination of selected African American topics.
Advanced introduction to contemporary linguistic anthropology: explores various theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of language as a semiotic resource for social actors and communities.
Explores the gendered, ethnic, cultural, and class dimensions that underlie the patterning of disease and illness worldwide, with attention to the long-term health effects of racism, sexism and poverty. Topics include reproductive and sexual health, obesity, body image, HIV/AIDS, mental illness, homelessness, and more.
The cultural and linguistic basis of cognitive organization, local systems of folk classification, and the collection and analysis of data of shared cultural and social information. Offered according to demand.
This course will explore the body as the object and subject of culture. It will examine how viewing the body as a biocultural canvas and looking at culture as “lived through” the materiality of the body influences our understandings of health and health care. Students will be challenged to examine health as a concept that is quantifiable and generalizable as well experiential and person-centered. They will be challenged to view the discipline of medicine as a framework for employing verifiable and shared (or questionable and contested) knowledge of biological systems whose foundational assumptions and core meanings are grounded in particular social and cultural worlds.
In this course, we review three main models of research within psychological anthropology: psychodynamic, cognitive, and experiential/phenomenological. We also gain a comprehensive understanding of person-centered ethnography, which involves in-depth interviews designed to reveal individuals’ self-perceptions and experiences in relation to the sociocultural context. Students gain practice in this methodology by conducting a series of interviews over the course of the semester.
What was the lived daily experience in the pre-contact Maya world? How did aspects of material culture such as architecture, food, musical instruments, tools, and clothing frame Maya society, and how were these elements also framed by it? How are perceptions of the ancient Maya marshaled in today’s politics and policies? In this course, we will engage with the world of the pre- and post-contact Maya, through scholarship that explores the material culture of daily life. The course is arranged around framing questions about the past through ethnographic and ethnohistoric accounts of daily life; using diverse scientific methods and theoretical perspectives to address these questions; and interpreting and possibly re-interpreting daily life of the ancient Maya, focusing on the dynamic interplay between the material and the social.
Students in this course will learn to use the concepts and methods of ethnography of communication by developing and carrying out a research project on language and social interaction. You will learn how social interaction is organized, how to document and study it, and how to address such evidence to to anthropological and applied problems. Graduate students will produce a research report worthy of submission to a research conference of their professional scholarly organization. All students will finish the course with a critical and sophisticated understanding of how social interaction works in a variety of contexts.
Provides the student with an overview of health, illness, and healing as they vary between and within cultural systems.
The course examines ethnicity, nationalism, democratization, unification, and fragmentation with an emphasis on specific countries or regions within Europe. Classic anthropological topics, such as kinship, political organization, ritual, and religion are employed in the study of European nations, ethnicities, and minority communities.
Students in this class will learn about the diversity of cultural beliefs and behaviors across the African continent, make connections between local/global historical events and contemporary contexts, and evaluate the factors influencing perceptions of African cultures. Topics covered include continent history, stereotypes of Africa, sorcery, health and disease, apartheid, subsistence living, childhood, feminism, identity in the diaspora, and art. Students will additionally compare contemporary and historical ethnographies as well as those written by African and non-African anthropologists.
Across cultures, people rely on various belief systems to bring meaning to their lives and understanding of the world around them. This course will dive into the anthropological literature on themes related to religion, including myth, ritual, magic, witchcraft, totemism, shamanism and trance. Cross-cultural ethnographic examples—including a range of religious, spiritual, and magical belief systems—will be provided to illuminate how anthropologists analyze belief systems in their interpretations of culture.
Ethnography is a hallmark of anthropology. It is at once a theoretical approach, set of methods, and style of writing. This course highlights ethnographic theory, methods for collecting ethnographic material, and techniques for writing about culture by reading exemplary texts, discussing key concepts, and practicing various methods. Each student will develop an ethnographic project that involves fieldwork, data analysis, and writing.
Students all encounter dilemmas in their everyday lives. Oftentimes, these situations do not present a clear solution, forcing us to ponder the morals and codes we live by and the manner in which we attempt to present logical responses to ethical conundrums. The field of archaeology may, at first, seem like an odd candidate for discussion of ethics given that it studies past peoples. Students will learn that archaeology is indeed heavily situated in the present and has many ties to such subjects as identity, notions of nationhood and nation-building, collective memory, and historical revision. This class will explore the legal and ethical dimensions of modern archaeology through a consideration of the archaeology as a profession, professional codes on archaeological ethics, the relationship between archaeology and others (the public, ethnic groups, collectors, etc.), international and national approaches to archaeological heritage management, the antiquities trade, maritime law, underwater archaeology, and treasure hunting, cultural resource management in the United States, and archaeological education.
What is law? Do all societies have it? Is there really something distinct about “thinking like a lawyer”? This seminar primarily draws on anthropological studies of legal systems and practices to show that the answers to these questions are surprisingly complex. We will study law both cross-culturally and, within the United States, cross-contextually, in order to explore what really distinguishes legal rules from cultural norms and to ask whether basic legal concepts exist across cultures.
This course covers the basic background and skills necessary to manage and analyze spatial datasets using GIS (Geographic Information Systems). We will emphasize the GIS concepts and techniques that are most useful to archaeologists, and we will be working with real archaeological data for all labs and projects. Topics include data acquisition, spatial queries, working with rasters, catchments, cost‐surface analysis and visualization analysis. The course includes a weekly guided lab on ESRI ArcGIS software.
An examination of the origin and development of pre-Columbian and early historic cultures of eastern North America. Offered according to demand.
Radiocarbon (AMS 14C) dating is the most commonly used dating method in archaeological research. The purpose of this class is to gain a deep understanding of radiocarbon so that we, as archaeologists, can better sample/collect, calibrate, and analyze these data for our own research, and critically evaluate the scholarly literature. We will further our understanding of radiocarbon and its archaeological applications through course lectures, presentations and discussions of the recent literature, calculation and calibration activities, and individual research projects. This course has relevancy for any student interested in field archaeology, as it will train them to collect appropriate samples for dating and design dating strategies that are consistent with their research goals.
Contemporary issues in concept formation, theory construction, methods, and techniques. Offered according to demand.
Geoarchaeology is a field-based discipline that implements earth science methods in archaeology. This course explores the varied applications of earth science in the investigation of archaeological sites by using a landscape-approach to survey geoarchaeological case studies. Methodological emphasis will be on stratigraphy, sedimentology, and soils. This course include will be mixed lecture and student-led seminar-style discussion on our weekly readings. Student participation in the form of weekly discussions, a research paper, and a final class presentation are expected. This course is intended for any student interested in learning more about field interpretation of archaeological sites.
This course will undertake a broad survey of the literature on modern and ancient foodways, addressing major themes including the domestication of plants and animals; food and social complexity; food, power, politics, and status; the daily meal; feasting and drinking; plating and presentation; food preferences/taste and disgust; and the intimate relationship between food and identity. Furthermore, we discuss the wide range of methods and techniques in the archaeologist’s toolkit that aid in the undertaking of gastronomic research, including the analysis of plant and animal remains, residues recovered from cooking and serving ware, and the chemical composition of human bones.
The course views the art that societies past and present produce; it explores culture, creativity, and human beings' distinctive compulsion to make decorative objects.
Directed field study in the excavation and analysis of archaeological deposits. Each student must design and conduct a research project, then adequately report the results. Off campus.
No description available.
12 hours of anthropology or permission of instructor; graduate standing This course combines the methods used in historical archaelogy with a basic survey of the archaeological record of the historic period of North America.
Devoted to issues not covered in other courses. Offered according to demand.
The Andes is a region of geographic and environmental extremes that witnessed the early rise of complex societies long before the Inca Empire. In this course, we examine the prehispanic cultures that resided in this region—from the peopling of South America to the aftermath of Spanish Conquest.
This laboratory class is designed to introduce archaeological laboratory methods, reasoning and interpretation through paleoethnobotanical identification and data analysis. We will be studying the major classes of plant remains likely to be encountered in archaeological sites, how to identify them, and how to organize the data to produce interpretable results. The course will emphasize the use of plant remains to answer archaeological questions, rather than study the plant remains for their own sake.
A survey of the discoveries, methods, and theories that provide the background for modern research in macroevolution in the human lineage.
A detailed introduction to human osteology, emphasizing the identification of fragmentary remains and the criteria for determination of age, sex, and race. Offered according to demand.
This course provides an introduction to evolutionary and biocultural approaches within anthropology to the central and peripheral nervous systems and their interconnections. Topics include the evolution of the brain; how culture and social structure shape the brain, its development, and its activity; and anthropological perspectives on connections among culture, behavior, brain, mind, and body.
An introduction to the biocultural and evolutionary bases of human adaptability.
An introduction to anthropological inquiries and methods in nutrition including food habits, food systems, dietary variability, and food movements using an engaged anthropological framework. This experiential learning class teaches students how to conduct nutritional anthropological fieldwork within local community settings.
Health culturally competent socialized adults and mature physical forms arise from a developmental process with evolutionary, biological, social and cultural dimensions. We survey child/human development from an anthropological perspective, considering interactons across levels of analysis from genes to culture.
Course investigates skeletal pathology and trauma. Topics included: 1. Understanding disease processes, 2. Distinguishing accidental and violent trauma on bone, 3. Recognizing the following conditions in skeletal remains: congential anomalies, circulatory disorders, joint diseases, infectious diseases, metabolic diseases, skeletal dysplasias, neoplastic conditions, diseases of the dentition and other conditions. Students will inventory, evaluate and analyze sets of human skeletal remains for pathology and trauma and complete final reports on those remains.
This course is an introduction to teaching anthropology at the primary and secondary levels. It is a service-learning course, which means that all students will serve as instructors in a local anthropology course offered in the Tuscaloosa area. This course will expose students to applied anthropology through teaching the anthropological perspective via an activity-based four-subfield curriculum in conjunction with local elementary schools, after-school programs, or similar community partners. These programs will be taught by teams, and each student will be responsible for attending weekly course meetings, developing curricular material and implementing it in a classroom setting, and co-teaching with other students.
Directed nonthesis research in archaeology, cultural anthropology, anthropological linguistics, or physical anthropology.
No description available.
This course will acquaint incoming graduate student with the logical sequence of stages involved in the conduct of original research, and to provide an introduction to the broad range of skills necessary to achieve this. Each student will be expected to design and carry out preliminary data collection, write up the results, and use the experience as the basis for writing a fundable research grant proposal. Prerequisites for the course are graduate standing, and consent of professor for any student not enrolled in the UA Anthropology graduate program.
This seminar is designed to refine doctoral students' background in qualitative and quantitative research methods necessary for dissertation research. Emphasis is placed on the integration of qualitative and quantitative methods for students doing ethnographic research, and techniques of numerical induction for archaeology students.
This course provides students with an in-depth understanding of qualitative ethnographic research methods. It also provides students with the skills to understand and critically evaluate reports based on qualitative analysis. Students will learn to formulate qualitative research questions that tie directly into existing research literature.
An examination of contemporary archaeological theory and method and their development during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Contemporary issues in the archaeology of complex societies, including different aspects of complexity and attempts to classify and measure them.
A biocultural overview of the anthropology of health. Topics include biological and cultural approaches to various dimensions of human health and illness.
An examination of Indians and Eskimos of North America during the historical period, focusing on the impact of European contact on culture and society.
A critical examination of archaeology's history as a science, with emphasis on intellectual trends, changes in method and theory, and recent developments. Offered once a year.
This course examines seminal works in the history of anthropology. Works may include books or smaller publications that exemplify important developments in theory and method.
This seminar reviews past and contemporary theories and approaches used in cultural anthropology.
A series of seminars and lectures designed to refine the student's knowledge of research on nonhuman primates, fossil hominids, population genetics, and human variation and adaptation. Offered once a year.
Directed dissertation research in archaeology, cultural anthropology, anthropological linguistics, or physical anthropology.
No description available.
This course focuses on the acquisition of basic grammatical structures, expanding vocabulary and reading comprehension skills. It develops functional communication abilities in written Modern Standard Arabic. Topics will be presented using authentic materials. The course is also designed to help students gain a better understanding of cultural practices and perspectives in many Arabic countries. This course is for graduate programs campus-wide. It will provide graduate students with the necessary knowledge and tools in their research, especially with scientific terms and language structure. Students intending to do research in or about the Middle East and North Africa will find this course beneficial.
Principles and methodology of the discipline as described in the writing of its founders and chief makers; bibliographical research method and mastery. Required of all art history MA students.
This advanced seminar focuses on the development and application of discipline-specific research skills. Students will broaden their knowledge of art historical methodologies and themes generally, as well as construct a research program specific to their area of study (Medieval, Early Modern, Modern/Contemporary, etc.). Each class session will address a different theme or topic that students will discuss in relation/apply to individual topics or questions. Generally, these sessions will focus on historiographic issues, ideas, and trends, as well as professional expectations with regard to scholarship and academic practice. As part of this course, students are expected to work closely not only with the instructor and their peers in the class, but also with their major (faculty) advisor. This seminar is intended to be taken after students complete ARH 550 (Literature of Art) since it demands the further study and application of the methods and theoretical approaches learned in that course.
This seminar course considers a broad range of issues, objects, and themes relevant to the study of Asian art.
This course considers a broad range of issues, objects, and themes relevant to the study of art and architecture in medieval Europe. Class sessions will be organized around readings selected to introduce existing scholarship and methods while stimulating new questions for future research.
This graduate-level seminar will explore a variety of critical themes and issues in the study of Early Modern/Renaissance art.
This seminar course considers a broad range of issues, objects, and themes relevant to the study of Baroque or Rococo art.
This seminar course considers a broad range of issues, objects, and themes relevant to the study of nineteenth-century art.
This seminar course considers a broad range of issues, objects, and themes relevant to the study of American art in a historical context.
This seminar course considers a broad range of issues, objects, and themes relevant to the study of modern or contemporary art.
This course considers a broad range of issues, objects, and themes relevant to the study of African American art. Class sessions will be organized around readings selected to introduce existing scholarship and methods while stimulating new questions for future research. Topics may include African American Photography, American Spectacles and Race, African American Film, African American Portraiture, and Race and American Mythologies.
Independent study allows students to pursue academic interests outside the formal classroom setting under the supervision of a faculty member of the department. The activities may include reading, research, or a special project. Independent study is not a substitute for courses regularly available in the department curriculum and is only available to students who are ready to conduct in-depth and largely self-directed research on a specific topic. Enrollment is subject to approval by the Graduate Program Director and a supervising faculty member. A proposal of the topic, and program of work must be submitted to the instructor for approval.
This independent research course partially fulfills required master’s-level research thesis hours toward the master’s degree in art history. The course is conducted under the guidance of the thesis advisor. Discussion and advisor guidance will be directed towards readings of research articles and development of research methodology, with the aim of producing a unique research contribution that represents a novel development in the field, or a novel perspective on a pre-existing topic in the field.
Prerequisites: Twelve undergraduate hours in the specific studio field requested, review of portfolio, and permission of the department chairperson. This course is open only to graduate students who are not enrolled in a graduate program in the Department of Art.
Students may make proposals for projects not taught in the regular curriculum. These must be approved by a faculty sponsor and the chairperson of the department.
Special projects course titles include Alternative Photographic Process, Photo-based Printmaking, Water Media on Paper, Figurative Modeling and Sculpture, Experimental Drawing and The Photographic Artist's Book.
The focus of this course will be the study and production of drawings as an activity that documents our memories, examines and explains the world around us, transforms our perceptions of time and space, and helps us invent new ways of seeing and thinking.
A critical examination of contemporary issues, philosophies, criteria, and ideas in art.
The ceramics program has a fully equipped facility with a complete inventory of clay and glaze materials. Facilities include equipment for clay mixing and preparation; workstations for forming and throwing; gas, wood fire, raku, and electric kilns; and materials for experimental kiln construction. Personal instruction is given in all forming techniques, glaze calculations, and firings. Students are encouraged to experiment with the medium and explore new processes. Emphasis is placed on the student's development of concepts and forms.
The primary goal of the painting program is to enhance the student's ability in conceiving of a strong personal vision. The program defines painting as a complex and vital art form that exists in a state of constant flux, a tradition that is both mired in history and capable of regularly redefining itself. It equally embraces students who define painting as a practice that goes far beyond the brush, and those who employ more traditional methodologies.
Photography is viewed as a means of personal expression and exploration, emphasizing development of the student's vision. Instruction is individually tailored and, although the facilities are designed for black and white printing, the exploration of alternative applications is encouraged. Graduate students are expected to increase their knowledge of the history of photography and contemporary art, and participate in teaching undergraduates. Facilities include a film developing area, two darkrooms, and a critique space. Computers are accessed through the digital media area.
Graduate printmaking is conducted in a workshop situation, including group critiques and technical demonstrations. The program philosophy embraces a broad spectrum of activities relating to the idea of the multiple and the history of printed material. Students are expected to master traditional techniques and encouraged to work in an interdisciplinary manner, exploring the boundaries of the media area. The facility comprises equipment for intaglio and relief printing, stone and plate lithography, screen printing, and photo-based/digital printmaking.
The sculpture program allows students to work with an extensive range of media and processes while emphasizing conceptual development and refined technical ability. Sculpture encompasses traditional media, methods, and processes as well as technologies that can be adapted to sculptural activities, idioms, and forms. Facilities include a full wood shop, metal fabrication shop, foundry, critique/installation room, and graduate studio space.
This course examines the studio practice through critical discourse, defending and discussing aesthetic philosophy and its application to research in the visual arts.
Graduate students will acquire expertise with teaching concepts and techniques relative to studio foundations teaching.
The ceramics program has a fully equipped facility with a complete inventory of clay and glaze materials. Facilities include equipment for clay mixing and preparation; workstations for forming and throwing; gas, wood fire, raku, and electric kilns; and materials for experimental kiln construction. Personal instruction is given in all forming techniques, glaze calculations, and firings. Students are encouraged to experiment with the medium and explore new processes. Emphasis is placed on the student's development of concepts and forms.
The primary goal of the painting program is to enhance the student's ability in conceiving of a strong personal vision. The program defines painting as a complex and vital art form that exists in a state of constant flux, a tradition that is both mired in history and capable of regularly redefining itself. It equally embraces students who define painting as a practice that goes far beyond the brush, and those who employ more traditional methodologies.
Photography is viewed as a means of personal expression and exploration, emphasizing development of the student's vision. Instruction is individually tailored and, although the facilities are designed for black and white printing, the exploration of alternative applications is encouraged. Graduate students are expected to increase their knowledge of the history of photography and contemporary art, and participate in teaching undergraduates. Facilities include a film developing area, two darkrooms, and a critique space. Computers are accessed through the digital media area.
Graduate printmaking is conducted in a workshop situation, including group critiques and technical demonstrations. The program philosophy embraces a broad spectrum of activities relating to the idea of the multiple and the history of printed material. Students are expected to master traditional techniques and encouraged to work in an interdisciplinary manner, exploring the boundaries of the media area. The facility comprises equipment for intaglio and relief printing, stone and plate lithography, screen printing, and photo-based/digital printmaking.
The sculpture program allows students to work with an extensive range of media and processes while emphasizing conceptual development and refined technical ability. Sculpture encompasses traditional media, methods, and processes as well as technologies that can be adapted to sculptural activities, idioms, and forms. Facilities include a full wood shop, metal fabrication shop, foundry, critique/installation room, and graduate studio space.
This course examines the studio practice through critical discourse, defending and discussing aesthetic philosophy and its application to research in the visual arts.
This course provides a broad introduction to the theoretical foundations of astrophysical phenomena, demonstrating how fundamental phenomenology arises from physical laws. Several broad domains of astrophysics are covered, including planetary and stellar orbits, radiation, radiative transfer, ionization, star and planet formation, stellar evolution, binary stars, special and general relativity (including black holes), galactic structure and dynamics (including dark matter), active galaxies, spacetime structure, formation of large scale matter structure, and cosmology (including the accelerating expansion of the Universe, dark energy, and Grand Unification of forces in the early Universe).
Theoretical and practical aspects of modern astronomical observational techniques. Photometry, spectroscopy, interferometry, and optical and radio data reduction and image processing.
This course is intended to facilitate a fairly complete understanding of stars, including their structure, evolution (formation, stages of burning, end states), synthesis of elements, and the physical processes involved in each of these, as well as introduce the modern computational modeling techniques used to apply stellar physics to stars. For astronomy students, this course will provide the background necessary to understand the underlying principles of stellar processes and modelling as they are used both in ongoing research into stellar physics and phenomena and in support of other areas of astronomical research where stellar populations, products and processes are important. In a broader context, relevant for any physics student, this course will discuss how understanding the physical principles in fluid dynamics, high-density materials, heat transfer, plasma physics, nuclear structure, and nuclear processes are assembled into our modern understanding of how stellar objects behave, and how the study of stars pushes the frontier of understanding in these areas of physics.
This course surveys the evolution of the universe, including discussion of general relativity, the Standard Big Bang Cosmology, cosmological inflation, the cosmic microwave background, large scale structure, baryogenesis, dark matter and dark energy.
This course may deal with any astronomy topic not covered by existing courses. The course title is added at the time the course is taught. Repeat credit is allowed for different course titles.
This course provides graduate students with domain-specific skills and knowledge in their research specialty. This training is expected to be undertaken in the context of active engagement by the student in an ongoing or semester-long research project. Alternatively, if formal preparation beyond the available courses is necessary for a student's success within their specialty, such formal preparation (reading, assignments, etc) will be performed under the direction and supervision of the instructor. Any combination of active research and additional specialty formal preparation may be specified by the instructor, as is necessary to advance the student's knowledge and skill toward that necessary to plan and perform successful research in their specialty.
Required of all full-time physics graduate students specializing in astronomy each semester in residence. Students must attend weekly seminars and make one oral presentation.
This course surveys the observational and physical aspects of galaxies, clusters of galaxies, active galaxies, quasars, and astrophysical cosmology. The cosmic distance scale and galaxy evolution will be addressed. On successful completion of this course, a student will be prepared to understand the relevant research literature and be ready to embark on independent research in these topics.
The subject of this course is the dynamics of collisionless objects (stars and dark matter) within self-gravitating systems, i.e. within galaxies and star clusters. The course is primarily theoretical, but there will be considerable discussion of the connections to observations. The approach will combine rigorous mathematical analysis with computational experiments.
This course covers radiative transfer, blackbody radiation, and non-relativistic and relativistic electromagnetic radiation processes, including bremsstrahlung, synchrotron and Compton radiation, as well as atomic and molecular transitions.
This course may deal with any astronomy topic not covered by existing courses. The course title is added at the time the course is taught. Repeat credit is allowed for different course titles.
Morphology of animals, primarily vertebrates, with emphasis on functional aspects of anatomy. Laboratory deals mainly with comparative anatomy of the vertebrates. Offered fall semester.
This course examines how variation in nucleic acid or protein sequences allow organisms or populations to function within, and adapt to, their environment.
This graduate level course presents topics designed to accelerate the progress and success of incoming and early stage graduate students as they transition into a M.S. or Ph.D. program in Biological Sciences. As a career preparation course, it aims to provide graduate students the practical skills and tools that will be applicable throughout their careers, regardless of their research focus.
Individualized instruction and the application of research techniques to specific problems for graduate students in the department. Offered fall and spring semesters.
A research-based laboratory course that isolates and characterizes bacterial viruses (phages) using modern microbiology, microscopy, and molecular biology techniques.
A study of freshwater environments and organisms living in lakes, ponds, and streams. Offered fall semester.
An in-depth analysis of wetland ecology emphasizing the biology and ecology of vascular plants, including plant adaptations to anaerobic soils, reproductive adaptations, habitat, and plant zonation, and the role of plants in ecosystem function.
This class will focus on the study of host-pathogen interactions within the context of their environment and evolution.
An integrated survey of quantitative principles and computer-based solution techniques important for understanding environmental systems and for environmental problem solving. Offered alternate fall semesters.
Evolutionary Genomics explores fundamental aspects of genome structure and function in an evolutionary context. Course topics range from chromatin structure evolution to whole genome duplication, and explores how these genomic traits impact the evolution of different organisms.
An introduction to the principles, methods and applications of systematic zoology and the zoological classifications. Offered alternate fall semesters.
This course will examine biological techniques that are advancing medical research and care. Topics include personalized medicine, direct-to-consumer genetic testing, predictive medicine, pharmacogenomics, and preimplantation genetic diagnosis. It will also explore concomitant ethical, legal, and societal ramifications related to many of these discoveries, such as ownership of biological material, informed consent for human experimentation, the burden of knowledge regarding genetic information, eugenics, and the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act.
This course is an introduction to the biological principals that explain the origins, development, pathology, and treatment of cancer. Students will work in teams assigned to particular types of cancer and will investigate what is known on various topics as related to that type of cancer.
Examines the cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, muscular, neural, renal, reproductive and respiratory systems. Offered spring semesters.
Centers on principles of physiology and instrumentation for physiology. Offered alternate fall semesters.
Computational Biology Lab introduces the programming skills, statistical methods and conceptual foundations necessary to pursue computational analysis and modeling of biological systems. This course is designed for biology students, and it is not expected that students will have prior with experience with computing or programming.
A survey of the structure, function, ecology, and classification of fishes. Offered alternate spring semesters.
This course will cover the basic principles of pharmacology including mechanisms of drug action and drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
A study of microorganisms related to health and disease. Offered spring semester.
Characteristics and distribution of the major families of vascular plants, and practice in the collection and identification of flowering plants. One weekend field trip is required. Offered alternate spring semesters.
Thorough exploration of various aspects of modern immunology at the molecular and cellular levels. Offered fall semester.
A survey of the common analytical techniques used in molecular biology. Topics include protein purification and characterization, enzymology, DNA isolation and restriction endonuclease mapping, and gene cloning. Offered spring semester.
The course provides basic information about events in developing animal systems, emphasizing cellular, molecular, and genetic research approaches to the study of development. Offered spring semester.
This advanced undergraduate/graduate level course will introduce you the major technologies and concepts in genomics, familiarize you with some publicly available of bioinformatics databases and tools, contribute to the public knowledge base through your own bioinformatics and literature based research, and give you hands-on experience with genomics wet lab methods. This course will also provide information on careers in biotechnology.
The molecular biology of bacterial, animal, and plant virus replication, including the biophysical, biochemical, and biological properties of virus particles. Offered spring semester.
This course is designed to provide modern perspectives on the study of animal behavior, pulling from fields as diverse as evolutionary biology, ecology, neurobiology and economics. However there will be a historical undercurrent which will illustrate the roots of this truly interdisciplinary field.
A detailed examination of the vertebrate endocrine system that uses a comparative approach to explore intricate relationships between the brain, endocrine glans, hormones and target organs.
A one-semester survey of protein structure, enzyme kinetics, bioenergetics, and metabolism and its regulation. Offered fall and spring semesters.
A one-semester survey of the synthesis, processing, and degradation of DNA, RNA, and protein and the regulation of these processes. Offered spring semester.
This course is an advanced laboratory course which will introduce students to some basic concepts and common modern techniques used in biochemical/molecular biology/cell biology research. A broad spectrum of techniques will be presented to students, including native protein purification from animal tissue, chromatography, electrophoresis, characterization of molecular weight and sequences of the purified protein through mass spectrometry, enzymatic kinetics studies, and spectroscopic analysis. For students who have interest and aspire to pursue a research career in biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, immunology and/or other related biological science areas, this course will provide basic training and experience for a smooth start for their future laboratory work.
Chemical interactions underlie and generate the biotic environment in which we live. This course will examine chemical interactions between organisms that can happen on different levels, from cell-cell interactions, intraspecific and multitrophic-level interactions, to community-wide interactions and ecological processes.
A study of microorganisms in the environment, with emphasis on their roles in energy transformations, biogeochemical cycles, and biotic interactions. Offered alternate fall semesters.
A research-based laboratory course that focuses on the identification of new drug leads from natural products using modern pharmacognosy, phytochemistry and phytopharmacology techniques.
Development of the human embryo and fetus, including molecular, physiological, and structural aspects of morphogenesis and functional development. Offered irregularly.
Ecohydrology is the interdisciplinary study of how water flows through and interacts with ecosystems. In this course, students will explore fundamental concepts in hydrology; plant-water interactions and their impact on the structure and function of ecosystems; the movement of materials and energy through watersheds; and ecohydrologic concepts in natural resource management.
The biological barriers offer a formidable separation between various compartments in the body or to the environment. Often times these are cellular barriers that when functioning properly, allow for normal healthy tissue function. However, when these barriers fail, complications such as infection, cancer, cystic fibrosis, and other diseases can occur. This course will examine the various physical and cellular barriers with special emphasis on human and biologically relevant model systems, to study their function in health and dysfunction in disease.
Freshwater and marine algae and their structure, development, taxonomy, and distribution. Offered irregularly.
No description available.
Population genetics is the study of how evolutionary forces (genetic drift, natural selection, mutation, and gene flow) affect allele and genotype frequencies in populations. Population genetics is a field with a rich theoretical history that has allowed scientists to make predictions about these evolutionary processes. With the advent of massive amounts of genetic data in many species, it is now possible to test these predictions, and a solid foundation in theory, its expectations, and assumptions is crucial for interpreting results from genetic analyses. Students should expect to learn how evolutionary forces acting on individuals affect patterns of inheritance and ultimately drive the changes we see between species.
Plant physiology is a survey sourse covering all aspects of plant transport, translocation of nutrients, plant biochemistry, plant metabolism and plant growth and development considered in depth.
Bioinformatics BSC 473/573 is a lecture course that covers the tools and approaches necessary to perform computational analysis of large datasets. We will focus on analyzing high-throughput sequencing data although the tools we will learn are applicable to a wide range of modern biological questions. Specific topics include operating in a UNIX/bash shell environment, scripting, genome assembly, alignment, and algorithms. BSC 473/573 is a writing course and writing proficiency within this discipline is required for a passing grade in this course.
A survey of the structure, function, classification, and habits of insects. Offered irregularly.
A survey of aquatic insects, with emphasis on their identification, life histories, and ecology. Offered alternate spring semesters.
The classification, morphology, evolution, and ecology of invertebrate animals.
This class focuses on the study of host-microbiome interactions within the context of their environment, evolution, and global health.
This course will examine the ecology of plants at different levels: individual, population and community.
This course provides an overview to common statistical methods used in biological research, using case studies from biology, ecology, and natural resources management. The overarching objective of this course is to give students the ability to use and effectively evaluate biological data. We will demonstrate and conduct statistical analyses with an emphasis on utilizing the statistical computing language, R, to apply statistical concepts to biological and ecological data.
A thorough examination of the principles of conservation biology. Offered alternate spring semesters.
No description available.
Review and discussion of current topics in aquatic biology. Offered spring semester.
This course provides an introduction to the foundational ideas of forest resources and conservation. The course includes a history of the forestry profession and a variety of perspectives to develop students' knowledge of forestry field and research methods. This course also helps students develop an understanding and appreciation of the diversity of forest resources both here in Alabama and globally.
Examination of the ecological and historical factors influencing the geographical distribution of plants and animals.
A thorough study of the structural (physical and biological) and functional (energy flow, nutrient cycling, community structure) attributes characteristic of stream and river ecosystems. Offered alternate spring semesters.
Seminar on current topics related to signal transduction, as it pertains to the molecular basis of neurobiology and development. Offered alternate fall semesters.
Non-Thesis Research.
This independent research course partially fulfills required master’s-level research thesis hours toward the master’s degree in Biology. The course is conducted under the guidance of the thesis advisor. Material covered will be of an advanced nature aimed at providing master's students with an understanding of the latest research and current developments within the field. Discussion and advisor guidance will be directed towards readings of research articles and development of research methodology, with the aim of producing an original research contribution that represents a novel development in the field, or a novel perspective on a pre-existing topic in the field.
This course will introduce graduate students to a diversity of current topics and expand their knowledge of the methodology and application of research and research methods in the biological sciences. In addition to attending seminars by invited speakers and departmental faculty members, the course will also provide graduate students with instruction and practice in the oral presentation of research data.
This course will teach students writing skills for grant proposal and research paper preparation as well as other data presentation techniques in the biological sciences.
Individualized instruction and the application of research techniques to specific problems at an advanced level for graduate students in the department. Offered fall and spring semesters.
Discussion of topics associated with teaching biology at the college-level, including reviews of the literature associated with science education, metacognition, and the scholarship of teaching and learning.
This course is designed to provide modern perspectives on integrative biology through primary literature review and by reviewing graduate student manuscripts, conference presentations, and grant proposals. The course also will provide opportunities for graduate students to gain professional development advice and to learn more about statistical techniques for analyzing experimental data.
Theory and methods of phylogenetic analyses using molecular sequence data. Students will be able to select appropriate loci for the desired level of phylogenetic analysis, align sequences, generate phylogenetic hypotheses with a variety of inference methods, generate and evaluate branch-support values, and infer evolutionary patterns of from phylogenetic trees. Students will be able to critically evaluate phylogenetic methods and the support for conclusions reached in the phylogenetic literature for organisms across the Tree of Life.
This course emphasizes the current big ideas in ecology and the history behind these concepts. Students will gain an understanding of a common set of concepts and major lines of ecological development that characterize current research by reading early papers from the Foundations of Ecology. They will match current journal papers on a similar topic to compare changes in ecological thought over the decades. The progression of ideas will move from early to current work on populations, models of population growth, competition, and predator-prey dynamics as well as the early and more recent niche concepts. Students then consider community ecology, succession, and plant-animal interactions as well as ecosystem research on food webs, energy flow, and nutrient cycling. Students refine their research interests by leading discussions and selecting some of the papers for discussion that relate to their own research projects. Papers are meant to help students to initiate writing an introduction to their dissertation or thesis prospectus and prepare to meet with their dissertation committee members for further developing their ideas.
Thorough investigation of theory and empirical studies of ecological communities (plant, animal, microbial), including methods, community structure, diversity, succession, links to ecosystem function, resource management. Offered alternate spring semesters.
An introduction to the methods and applications of electron microscopy in biological research, including techniques for preparation of biological specimens, operation of the transmission and scanning electron microscopes, and photography. Offered irregularly.
This course provides individual training on the use of different equipment in the Optical Analysis Facility in support of graduate student research. Emphasis will be placed on sample preparation techniques and advance microscopy usage (e.g., confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy).
A graduate level seminar on current topics related to use of animal model systems, as they pertains to the molecular basis of human disease. This course is designed to expose students to recent research in a variety of diseases. The instructor and students will give lectures that provide a general survey of current disease research topics. During each class, a student will give an introduction on the particular disease being discussed that week. This introduction usually contains some basic information about the disease (e.g. symptoms, incidence rate, diagnosis and prognosis) as well as the known and unknown aspects of what causes the disease. Detailed student presentations will then follow on specific and recent literature within that topic with a focus on molecular mechanisms. This is designed to foster interactive class discussion and to strengthen the analytical and presentation skills of graduate students in cell and molecular biology. Emphasis on critical thinking and evaluation of scientific approaches and application of methods will be a major component of this course. In addition to the presentation of a disease topic and participation of the course in each class, as a final assignment, students will be asked to write a “News and Views” type “preview” article on a recent or in-press article related to human disease modeling. If demonstrating appropriate scholarly value, select articles might be revised under the supervision of the instructor and then submitted for publication to an appropriate journal, such as Disease Models and Mechanisms or the Journal of Neuroscience. Specific guidelines for this assignment are provided. Assessment of student progress in terms of pre-test/post-test, written critiques of presentations and writing assignments will be provided. Following each class, Dr. Caldwell will provide immediate feedback on their presentation and suggest areas for improvement. Outline of Course Topics: 1) the molecular basis of select diseases 2) strengths/weaknesses of specific animal model systems (worms, flies, mice, zebrafish) 3) role of genetic, cellular, and molecular processes in disease 4) application of model systems toward therapeutic development.
Students will take a detailed look at climate change across a variety of scales (species to biomes) using primary literature sources. Each student will lead a discussion in an area of climate change of their choice (e.g. climate change leading to disease, climate change and biological feed backs, alteration in climate and storm intensity, decline of amphibians); these topics need not be limited to biological subjects. Students will be expected to participate in critiques of primary literature, class discussions, and the development of an individual proposal (including preproposal, budgets, and panel discussions of funding).
This is a graduate level course on the current genetic research methods and technologies using Drosophila as a model system. The course covers topics including using Drosophila to model human disease, developmental biology, evolution and development, and ethics and professionalism in science.
Courses with this number may address any biological topic not covered by existing courses. The credit hours and format are arranged as appropriate to each topic. The specific course title is added at the time the course is taught. Offered irregularly.
Credit for the course is determined by the extent of the coursework. Offered fall and spring semesters.
Research Not Related to Dissertation.
Dissertation Research.
Study of research methods for use in communicative disorders and related disciplines. Emphasis on evaluation of experimental design for clinical research and critical reading of published research.
Language is a system of symbols that we use to communicate. The power of this system enables us to share the contents of our minds with other people who share that language. The evolution of language has profoundly shaped the lives of human beings, enabling our species to transmit knowledge from one generation to the next. This accumulated knowledge over time and space has allowed humans to proliferate as a species. New words are added to a language as new ideas emerge. The psychology of language is the study of the processes by which we as human beings generate grammatical sequences of linguistic symbols for comprehension by the listener.
This course will review the basic aspects of the field of augmentative/alternative communication including aided and unaided symbols, strategies, and techniques.
The course is designed to provide graduate students in speech-language pathology with quality practicum experience evaluating individuals across the lifespan who present with a wide variety of speech-language disabilities.
Advanced study of normal language and communication development. Presentation and discussion of theories, individual differences, and cultural differences in typically developing children.
Presentation and discussion of theories, practices, and methods of differential diagnosis and language intervention for language-impaired children ages birth to 21 years of age.
Presentation and discussion of theories and methods of language assessment and intervantion of variuos language-impaired populations.
Study of professional issues in the field of communicative sciences and disorders. Includes current issues, practice standards, certification, licensure, ethics, employment, and professional organizations.
Individual assignments in selected areas of speech and language therapy. Clinical practice and scholarly investigation, with regular staff consultation.
The course is designed to provide graduate students in speech-language pathology with quality clinical practicum experiences involving diagnostic, treatment, and counseling services to individuals across the lifespan who present with a wide variety of speech-language disabilities. These experiences are offered in a variety of settings including, but not limited to, public schools, medical facilities, early intervention programs, residential settings, and nonresidential clinic settings. The student will demonstrate application of theory, knowledge, and skills in an intense external practicum site.
Graduate students will enroll in special topics one or more times depending upon offerings and student program interests. Topics will vary annually to reflect students' needs for educational experiences within the profession appropriate at the time.
This course is meant to be a gentle-but-fast introduction to conducting research in Communicative Disorders. The goals of it is to help students position themselves to contribute to research in communicative disorders, construct the plan for completing a thesis during their Master’s studies in CD, and develop practical research skills (conducting a systematic literature review, designing a study with attention to possible biases, analyzing data, and writing for professional audiences). Writing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. A student who does not write with the skill normally required of an upper-division student will not earn a passing grade, no matter how well the student performs in other areas of the course.
This graduate-level elective course will address current topics related to the practice of medical speech-language pathology in a variety of medical settings. This course will prepare learners for healthcare practicum placements and a career in the healthcare setting by teaching topics not covered in other content courses. A variety of topics will be explored including the following: collaborative models in the medical setting, medical/administrative terminology, clinical documentation, counseling, as well as practical applications throughout.
Introduction to hearing evaluation, conservation, and impairment. Also considers the auditory system: anatomy, physiology, and pathology. Includes three laboratory sessions.
The rehabilitation of hearing impaired people primarily through audiology and visual training. Other sensory training, language development, speech production, and guidance are also considered. Offered in the spring semester. Open to CD majors only.
Supervised laboratory or clinical experience in hearing evaluation and rehabilitation.
Speech-language pathology students will develop a deeper understanding of how hearing loss impacts speech and language development and learn to deliver evidence-based aural rehabilitation services across the lifespan.
This course examines the relationship between language and society, with a primary focus on regional variation and social variation resulting from the interaction between various social constructs such as gender, class, culture, and ethnicity, with an emphasis on how variation might impact a clinical setting.
No description available.
Advanced study of normal phonological/articulation development. Presentation and discussion of theories, practices, differential diagnosis, and intervention of disorders of articulation/phonology.
Basic neuroanatomy of the normal human cortex and what happens when impacted by disease or trauma.
Advanced study of the nature, assessment, and treatment of language and cognitive disorders associated with acquired brain injury, such as stroke, TBI, and dementia.
The study of the nature, assessment, and treatment of stuttering. Emphasis on understanding the different onset and developmental theories and different approaches to treatment.
Advanced study of the physiological, acoustical, and psychological factors underlying voice disorders, methods of rehabilitation, and problems in research.
Advanced study of the nature, assessment and treatment of acquired speech disorders, including dysarthria and apraxia.
The purpose of this course is to prepare future clinicians to assess, diagnose, and treat aphasia. Students will learn diagnostic procedures as well as intervention and management of the various types of aphasia. The course is designed to help students become competent consumers of the aphasia treatment literature, which will help them provide evidence-based treatment throughout their future careers. Family involvement, quality of life, cultural considerations, working with medical professionals, and clinical documentation will be integrated throughout the course. Students will gain valuable, practical knowledge and skill for working with persons with aphasia.
Advanced study of the nature, assessment, and treatment of swallowing disorders in children. Special populations (tracheostomized, ventilator) will be included.
Advanced study of the nature, assessment, and treatment of swallowing disorders in adults. Special populations (tracheostomized, ventilator-dependent) will be included.
Counseling in Communication Disorders introduces students to basic theoretical foundations of counseling, approaches to conduct interviews, basic counseling strategies, and the role of the counselor in the therapeutic alliance. Students have the opportunity to experience basic counseling strategies via in class activities.
All aspects of the thesis, from selecting a problem to writing the results and conclusions.
Generally, this course is for entering graduate students whose undergraduate training in inorganic chemistry is insufficient.
Deatailed investigation of the drug design process. Includes lead discovery, target identification and validation, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and drug delivery systems. Chemical modification to improve efficacy will be emphasized.
No description available.
Foundational course in graduate chemistry emphasizing the concepts that underpin and connect all chemistry sub disciplines.
Foundational course in graduate chemistry emphasizing the concepts that underpin and connect all chemistry sub disciplines.
Provides graduate students with knowledge of the fundamental aspects of various modern methods of spectroscopic analysis. Reference to analytical applications and experimental methods is made, where relevant.
Chemometrics involves the application of statistical and mathematical methods to chemistry. Areas of emphasis will be data and error analysis, calibration, experimental design, signal processing and transform procedures, and data description and enhancement.
Generally, this course is for entering graduate students whose undergraduate training in organic chemistry is insufficient.
Theory and mechanism of organic transformations, detailed evaluation of organic structure, molecular dynamics, molecular orbital interactions, molecular symmetry, sterochemistry of reactions, and energetics of reaction paths.
Fundamentals of organic transformations and advanced synthetic methodology with application to the synthesis of complex organic structures.
No description available.
First-semester course in basic biochemistry. Structure and properties of biological molecules, including proteins, DNA, RNA, carbohydrates, lipids, and enzyme cofactors and prosthetic groups. Introduction to intermediary metabolism and glycolysis. Offered fall semester.
Continuation of basic one-year course in biochemistry. Intermediary metabolism, TCA cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and catabolism of biomolecules. Biosynthesis of amino acids, nucleotides, carbohydrates, and lipids. DNA and RNA replication, with introduction to recombinant technology. Protein biosynthesis and membrane transport. Offered spring semester.
One lecture and one six-hour laboratory. Biochemical techniques within the structure of a semester-long research project. Topics include protein purification and chromatography, spectroscopy, electrophoresis, kinetics, and DNA manipulation.
The study of physical techniques applied to the development and experimental verification of biochemical hypotheses. Examples include forms of spectroscopy, treatment of multiple equilibria, and enzyme kinetics. Examples of applications are drawn from such areas as oxygen transport, oxidative phosphorylation, and photosynthesis.
Study of current knowledge on the roles of metal ions in biological systems, including structural and catalytic functions. Topics include bio-coordination chemistry, spectroscopic and magnetic methods, and kinetics.
This course will be divided into two main areas. We will begin with methods for studying enzyme reaction mechanisms. This section will include steady-state enzyme kinetics, derivation of rate equations, enzyme inhibition, isotope exchange methods, pH and viscosity effects, kinetic isotope effects, and site-directed mutagenesis. We will then utilize these methods in order to investigate the chemical mechanisms enzymes use to catalyze specific reactions (hydrolysis; group transfer; 1,1 hydrogen shift; 1,2 hydrogen shift; C-C bond formations; and redox chemistry). We will also cover the chemistry associated with several cofactors required by enzymes (flavins, thiamin pyrophosphate, tetrahydrofolate, etc).
Independent study in chemistry to learn the tools of chemical research.
This course is an introduction to researching chemistry literature. Topics covered will primarily be related to scientific critical analysis and effective scientific communication, both written and oral. Students will receive structured guidance from the class instructor (s), chemistry faculty, and their class peers throughout the semester to assist with writing a chemistry research paper and delivering an oral presentation. Successful completion of this course will fulfill the literature seminar requirements (written research paper and seminar) for chemistry graduate students.
Course requires attendance at presentations given by graduate students and outside speakers. All graduate students in residence are required to register for seminar during academic semesters except when the student has received permission from the departmental Director of Graduate Studies.
Presentation of doctoral dissertation or Plan I Master's thesis research results.
No description available.
No description available.
No description available.
Structure, bonding, and reactivity of organotransition metallic compounds, mechanisms of transformations and fundamental reaction types, applications to catalysis and organic synthesis.
No description available.
Introduces the student to the instrumentation and techniques used to study surfaces and interfaces. Spectroscopic, microscopic, desorption, and vacuum techniques are covered.
Deals with all areas of mass spectrometry (MS), including single and multiple stage MS and chromatography/MS. The emphasis is on fundamental principles and instrumentation, as well as applications and data interpretation.
No description available.
Fundamentals of spectroscopic techniques for structure determination of organic molecules. Theory and application of IR, NMR, and MS in organic chemistry.
Independent study in chemistry to learn advanced research techniques used in all areas of chemical research.
MS and PHD students present their initial research project progress to their thesis or dissertation committee, respectively.
PHD students prepare and present a third-year research report and defend an original research proposal in front of their dissertation committee.
CIP out-going independent/direct enrollment, Study abroad student, graduate or undergraduate, in-state or out-of-state student.
No description available.
An analysis of selected areas of terrorism, counter-terrorism, and homeland security with an emphasis on parallels between terrorism and crime.
Analysis of selected areas of law enforcement. Emphasis is on currently developing trends.
The nature and extent of delinquency; competing explanatory models and theories. Evaluation of control and treatment modalities.
Examines the historical and contemporary policy trends in institutional and community corrections.
An evaluation of specific statistical methods for quantitative and nonquantitative analyses, concentrating on proper applications and interpretations in criminal justice settings.
Examination of classical, neoclassical, positive, and social-defense theories of criminality and their interrelation with the broader problems of crime control. Offered spring semester.
Prepares the student to develop and to implement basic research designs. Offered fall semester.
Offers an opportunity for faculty and students to explore in depth topics of contemporary interest that are not generally covered in the standard courses. Course content will vary from section to section.
Research under faculty supervision in any area of interest to the student. Content may not relate to thesis or policy and practice project.
This course provides Criminology and Criminal Justice graduate students with the opportunity to work directly with an agency or a community partner over the course of a semester. Graduate students pursuing the practicum will write a technical report that synthesizes their coursework with their practicum and includes data analysis.
This course provides students who are not completing a thesis or practicum with the opportunity to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge about a policy-related topic selected in consultation with a faculty supervisor. Students completing the policy and practice paper will engage in a comprehensive literature review guided by research questions pertaining to a potential problem or issue associated with the policy or practice under study.
Research may be directed by any member of the faculty who accepts responsibility for supervising the thesis.
This course will prepare students for practical application of technique and the creative process required for dance performance at the graduate level.
This course will continue to prepare students for the practical application of technique and the creative process required for dance performance at the graduate level.
Exploration and development of contemporary dance technique at the graduate level.
Continued exploration and development of contemporary dance technique at the graduate level.
Study of ballet technique at the graduate level.
Continued study of ballet technique at the graduate level.
Exploration of movement styles beyond traditional Western dance forms. May include world dance forms, social dance forms, theatrical movement, or somatic practices.
This course will examine various aspects of music and sound as it relates to dance performance and choreography.
This course is designed to enhance graduate students’ explorations into creative process with particular attention to improvisational and choreographic abilities.
This course is designed to continue to enhance graduate students’ explorations into creative process with particular attention to improvisational and choreographic abilities leading into the thesis proposal.
Study of Jazz dance technique at the graduate level.
Continued study of Jazz dance technique at the graduate level.
This course engages students in their research design and creative process leading to the MFA Capstone Project.
This course engages students in their research design and creative process leading to the MFA Final Project.
This course will examine the process required for restaging and reconstructing dance repertoire.
Continued exploration of movement styles beyond traditional Western dance forms. May include world dance forms, social dance forms, theatrical movement, or somatic practices.
This class will be a laboratory for graduate choreographers, directors, designers, and composers to create collaboratively.
This course explores creative processes in various dance styles. Students will research the chosen subject matter with a public presentation as the culmination of the class.
This course continues to explore creative process in relation to concert performance and promotion.
This course will hone a core set of practical and theoretical skills to help dance-artists navigate the ever-changing digital landscape.
An introduction to Laban/Bartenieff Studies through movement integration, observation, notation, analysis, and application.
This course is designed for graduate dance students to analyze the principles, methods, philosophy, materials, and practice of teaching in colleges and universities.
This course explores dance science and somatics. Includes investigation of techniques for training dancers in order to minimize risk of injury and maximize potential.
Graduate course in research methods for dance.
This course involves the continued implementation of scholarly research leading to the MFA Capstone Project in Dance.
This course is designed to help students prepare for positions in academic and professional settings. Students will create a personal website, write their resume/CV, articulate personal goals and career aspirations, practice interview skills, and examine resources for network building.
This course provides students ways to look at major dance works and choreography figures prominent in the development of dance in America to enhance the viewing and discussion of dance.
Special topics.
Seminar focused on the use of technology to help students improve their writing and to help teachers improve their writing instruction. CRES core course.
An intensive investigation of the structures in the English language, including phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics.
No description available.
A study of the basic pedagogical approaches to teaching expository writing in secondary and higher education, along with examination of traditional conventions as well as innovative pedagogical approaches used in such instruction. Work with course goals, objectives, and writing outcomes, syllabus and writing assignment construction, training in assessing student writing. Required of all graduate assistants in English.
Fall semester only. Required of all graduate assistants teaching EN 101 for the first time. Training in reaching EN 101 course goals and writing outcomes. Format for the course is a one-hour large group meeting taught by the WPA and/or others on the First-year Writing Program staff or CRES faculty, and a one-hour small group meeting taught by the WPA, FWP staff, and/or CRES faculty. The small group meetings will function to offer additional mentoring for GTA teaching and support for GTA student learning. Please note: EN 533 begins with required orientation workshops and an intensive multi-day orientation session immediately prior to the start of the fall semester. Orientation attendance is mandatory for retaining a graduate assistantship.
Spring semester only. Required of all graduate assistants teaching EN 102 for the first time. Training in reaching EN 102 course goals and writing outcomes. Further instruction in teaching formal argumentation and advanced research techniques. Format for the course is a one-hour large group meeting taught by the WPA and/or others on the First-year Writing Program staff or CRES faculty, and a one-hour small group meeting taught by the WPA, FWP staff, and/or CRES faculty. The small group meetings will function to offer additional mentoring for GTA teaching and support for GTA student learning.
A study of selected major critics and critical trends from the classical period into the 20th century.
A study of selected bibliographical resources and of some of the important method approaches employed in literary study, including an introduction to critical approaches, scholarly writing, and issues in the profession.
This course is required for all GTAs assigned to teach a 200-level EN survey for the first time. It may be taken concurrently with or in advance of teaching one’s first literature survey, and is typically taken by Ph.D. students in their second year of coursework and by MFA students in their third year of coursework. A grade of “pass” is required for students to teach literature courses in the department of English. Students should expect to meet weekly to discuss practical subjects like how to manage daily discussion, construct exams, assign and grade papers, and otherwise ensure that learning outcomes are being met. Students should also expect to prepare teaching materials for a number of the 200-level surveys and to have those items evaluated for their agreement with the department’s 200-level course guidelines. Student Learning Outcomes: • Students can produce a syllabus and other teaching materials that accord with departmental and disciplinary expectations for the 200-level literature surveys • Students attain a broad knowledge of the scope and pedagogical goals of EN 205 • Students attain a broad knowledge of the scope and pedagogical goals of EN 206 • Students attain a broad knowledge of the scope and pedagogical goals of EN 207 • Students attain a broad knowledge of the scope and pedagogical goals of EN 208 • Students attain a broad knowledge of the scope and pedagogical goals of EN 209 • Students attain a broad knowledge of the scope and pedagogical goals of EN 210 • Students attain a broad knowledge of the scope and pedagogical goals of EN 249.
In this one-hour course, graduate students learn professional strategies and practices. Topics may include practical advice for navigating graduate school, finding funding, preparing for conferences, and applying for academic and non-faculty posts. Students might expect to produce all the standard materials required to apply for an academic job, major research grant, or postdoctoral fellowship.
Non-Thesis Research.
No description available.
Enrollment limited to students with approved portfolios (approval secured upon admission to the MFA program or during advising period; see creative writing director). Focus will be discussion of original student writing; other reading and writing may be assigned.
Enrollment limited to students with approved portfolios (approval secured upon admission to the MFA program or during advising period; see creative writing director). Focus will be discussion of original student writing; other reading and writing may be assigned.
Enrollment limited to students with approved portfolios (approval secured upon admission to the MFA program or during advising period; see creative writing director). Focus will be discussion of original student writing; other reading and writing may be assigned.
Through readings of primary works and theory by writers in a particular genre or form, this course examines the traditional and contemporary practice of that genre's aesthetics. Sample topics: Prosody, Short Short Fiction and the Prose Poem, Characterization Across Genres.
Short course in specialized topic of interest to creative writers. Sample topics: Teaching Creative Writing, Profession of Authorship, Writing Internship, Publishing: A Brief History, Poetry and Dance, Episodic Form.
A detailed account of language teaching approaches and methods according to their underlying theories of language and language learning.
Rotating topics in applied linguistics.
A study of psycholinguistic, sociolinguistic, neurolinguistic, and other approaches to understanding how people develop skill in a second language.
A course focusing on the teaching of academic writing skills in the context of an American university.
An advanced introductory linguistics course that focuses on the English language and which has relevance for students in the applied linguistics/TESOL, literature, rhetoric and composition, and MFA programs.
No description available.
Intensive study in the writings of one critic or exploration of a topic involving works by several critics. Recent topics have included feminist criticism and psychoanalytic criticism.
A writing workshop normally taken in the student's final year of coursework. To pass this course, the doctoral student will be required to revise a paper and submit it for publication.
This seminar covers rhetorical texts from ancient Greece to the Renaissance, particularly texts having influence on today's field of composition.
Topics to be proposed by faculty each semester. Typical topics include literacy theory, theoretical perspectives on basic writers, and computers and literacy.
Recent topics have included "American Madness: the Literary Figurations of Unreason"; and Thoreau, Dickinson, and related contemporary writings.
Intensive literary and historical study of writing by one or more American authors. A recent topic was the making, recording, and remaking of history in 19th-century American literature.
Intensive literary and historical study of writing by one or more American authors. Recent topics have included the American 1960s and Hemingway.
An intensive look at a major aspect of Southern American drama, poetry, and/or prose. Recent topics have included a study of race and gender in writings of Southern women; Faulkner and his legacy; and Tennessee Williams.
A critical exploration of African-American literature (culturally, historically, politically and aesthetically) with efforts to define and contextualize the African-American experience.
Introduction to the theories and practices of pedagogical politics as they impact teaching, learning, and power relations in the composition classroom.
A survey of major theories in composition studies, exploring philosophical underpinnings and major issues in the field.
Survey of empirical research methods, with practice of methodological frameworks employed in composition/rhetoric research reports and designs. CRES core course.
Seminar focused on understanding rhetoric in visual and digital texts, with emphasis on pedagogical applications. CRES core course.
This seminar covers rhetorical texts from the Renaissance to the Postmodern era, particularly texts having influence on today's field of composition.
The Canterbury Tales, Troilus and Criseyde, and selected minor poems. Includes advanced study of Chaucer's language and the 14th-century milieu.
A survey of the period with emphasis on types of literature, allegory, and satire. The opinions and attitudes of the Middle Ages are examined.
Recent topics have included Elizabethan drama and friendship in Renaissance literature.
Recent topics have included Jacobean and Caroline drama and Shakespearean tragedy.
Shakespeare wrote his plays to be performed, and this course investigates conditions and implications of performance on stage and in film, present and past.
Recent topics have included John Donne's poetry and mourning and the elegy.
This seminar is offered in the spring semester of even-numbered years and typically features visits from distinguished faculty from other universities. Recent topics have included constructing gender and Milton and Shakespeare in literary history.
Emphasis is on a major figure (Fielding, Pope, Swift) and/or groups of writers (The Age of Johnson) and/or form (the novel, biography, drama). Specific topics are announced prior to registration.
Intensive study of English Romantic poetry and prose. Recent topics have included Wordsworth and Coleridge, and the Shelley circle.
Intensive study of Victorian literature. Recent topics have included Browning and Hopkins, and "Anatomies of Pleasure and Pain.
A study of some major aspect or aspects of the literature from 1890 to 1945. Recent topics have included Modernism; Woolf, psychoanalysis, and feminism; and Dylan Thomas, D. H. Lawrence, and Ted Hughes.
A seminar that examines literatures from the Global South. Recent topics have included postcolonial theory, colonialism, decolonization, diaspora, and globalization.
No description available.
No description available.
Intensive introduction to French grammar and vocabulary. Emphasis on reading and translation skills. Preparation of the French reading examination. For students in graduate programs campus-wide.
Continued study of grammar and vocabulary, with emphasis on further developing reading and translation skills.
Basic research tools and techniques.
The analysis and various practical applications of selected teaching techniques.
In this course, students will explore procedures commonly used within a qualitative research framework in applied linguistics and second language studies. Students will examine a range of qualitative research methodologies, such as case study, narrative inquiry, participant observation, interviews, questionnaires, discourse analysis and experience collecting data through selected methods. We will discuss the Institutional Review Board process, the general organization of a research report and how qualitative research evidence can be evaluated. Critical examination of published research will enable students to reflect on the connection between research questions, data collection instruments, and analysis procedures. Students will develop their own research proposal using one of the qualitative research methodologies discussed in the course.
Topics vary. Analysis of major issues, theories, research findings and their implications for teaching. Examples: second language reading, classroom language acquisition. May be repeated for credit.
Introduction to phonetic theory and corrective phonetics aimed at mastery of French pronunciation. Instruction on the articulation of the sounds of French, the phonetic transcription of French, and the correspondence between the sounds of French and its standard orthography. Frequent practice exercises.
Prominent themes of the African experience, seen through the eyes of Francophone authors and cinematographers of Sub-Saharan Africa and the diaspora.
Exploration of the political, technological, and cultural movements of post-revolutionary France from 1789 to the present through the evolution of its democratic institutions. The first half of the semester will explore the history of democratic movements and institutions in France from the Revolution until the second World War; the second half of the semester will focus on issues facing contemporary France, including decolonization, the rise of the European Union, and the current migrant crisis.
Culture, language, image, and narrative as uniquely captured and represented in French Bande Dessinée. Recognized and developed as an art form in the Francophone spaces of Europe and beyond, graphic novels and comics incorporate a wide spectrum of topics, resulting in complex representations, both factual and fictional. The development and methods of the medium, especially in France and Belgium, are highlighted, as well as the semiotics of the multimodal systems used in the creation of comics.
17th century French literature.
Verse writings of the 17th century including, but not limited, to the pre-classical poets (such as Saint-Amant and de Viau) and the dramatic works in verse (such as the plays of Corneille, Molière and Racine).
In this course we will study key works of the French Enlightenment, a thorough knowledge of which is essential to understanding both the modern and the postmodern intellectual scene.
Readings in poetry, theatre and prose either genre-specific or in combination, generally focusing on the first or latter half of the century in order to consider movements in literary thought. May be repeated for credit.
Major novelists of the period and their works. Reading and discussion of complete texts; lectures and reports.
Major trends in 20th and 21st Century French poetry , theater, essays, and history of ideas. Seminar including lectures and reports.
A study of the history, culture and literature of Québec and French Canada, with emphasis on the modern period.
Linguistics theory applied to the analysis and description of French phonological, morphological, syntactic, and lexical systems. Tendencies of change in contemporary French. Dialect areas.
Study of the problems of translation and of translation strategies addressing them, in connection with relevant theoretical approaches.
In depth study of French or Francophone literature, linguistics, civilization, or a combination. Emphasis on research and analytic skills. May be repeated for credit.
Critical study of motion pictures produced in French with emphasis on student research and presentations. Film screenings are a necessary part of this course.
This course is a graduate seminar that focuses on writings on immigration in the context of all movement of immigrants in the French-speaking world, not just the French metropole and its immigrant neighborhoods. Writings cover a range of experiences and social classes, from an elite class of immigrants to clandestine immigration. Interdisciplinary critical theory is an important tool in literary analysis for this course.
Special topics in relation to French or Francophone literature, linguistics, civilization, or a combination. Emphasis on research and analytic skills. May be repeated for credit.
Directed Readings / Directed Study.
No description available.
No description available.
May take the form of either a graduate seminar or individual research, as circumstances warrant. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.
This course is designed to allow students to pursue independent exploration of a particular field or topical area, under the guidance of an advisor, leading to the production of a prospectus for the doctoral dissertation. Material covered will be of an advanced nature aimed at providing students with an understanding of current developments within the field. Discussion and advisor guidance will be focused on readings and methodologies that allow students to develop their research capacity, independent thought, and the ability to interpret professional and/or research materials in their field. Credit hours may vary in accordance with a number of factors, but typically the doctoral candidate must be enrolled in a minimum of 3 credit hours every fall and spring semester until the dissertation has been successfully defended and submitted to the Office of the Graduate School.
No description available.
Evaluate and develop effective scientific communication skills including writing, oral presentations and poster presentations.
The course will cover the geologic events that lead to the formation of petroleum systems and plays. Geologic events form sedimentary basins by causing subsidence and delivery of sediments to a basin. This sedimentary fill is modified by compaction as well as the transport of heat and reactive fluids through the rock matrix during sedimentation and lithification. These processes determine the amount and nature of oil and/or gas accumulation and production in a basin. Petroleum system analysis requires the integration of geology, geophysics, petrophysics, geochemistry, and risk analysis. The generated basin models incorporate data obtained directly from outcrops via geologic mapping, petrographic thin section analysis, geochemical data, seismic reflection profiles and well log analysis if there are wells drilled for oil and gas exploration in a sedimentary basin.
An introduction to fundamental concepts in biogeochemistry, a scientific discipline that integrates the study of geological, physical, chemical, and biological principles that govern the natural environment. The course discusses the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere, and emphasizes their interactions and connectivity through the cycles of elements and energy. Students will learn through lectures, discussions, field trips, and laboratory exercises.
This is an introductory course to molecular biomarkers, which are a group of source-specific compounds preserved in the environment. Biomarkers have core structures that are generally resistant to environmental degradation. These structures allow tracing back to the source biota and making interpretations of modern and past activities of life and associated environmental and climatic changes. Lectures acquaint students with different classes of biomarkers and their applications to geological and environmental research. Labs familiarize students with the analytical methods including extraction, purification, chromatographic separation, and instrumental analysis of biomarkers.
An advanced level hydrogeology course that investigates groundwater flow and continuum approach in groundwater hydrology, applied stochastic subsurface hydrology, development of governing groundwater flow equations, analytical and numerical modeling of groundwater flow, unsaturated flow, well hydraulics, and environmental topics of interest related to water resources.
Methods for restoring contaminated soil and groundwater by examining the factors and processes influencing the efficacy of remediation systems. An emphasis will be placed on the scientific principles upon which soil and groundwater remediation is based.
This course will cover topics related to the transport and fate of contaminants in subsurface systems. Specifically, this course will discuss the many factors and processes influencing contaminant transport such as the effects of dispersion, inter-phase mass transfer, transformation reactions, and porous-media heterogeneity. In addition, representative conceptual/mathematical models describing contaminant transport phenomena will be discussed.
Study of metamorphic processes, types, textures, and petrogenesis and the use of metamorphic rocks for understanding tectonism. Offered on demand.
Rheologic properties of magmatic systems and application of these principles to the understanding of volcanic processes. Offered on demand.
Examination of the evolution and development of sedimentary basins. Emphasis is on sedimentary, tectonic, and geochemical processes and their influence in petroleum generation, accumulation, and preservation. Offered on demand.
Advanced topics in the following areas: economic geology, geochemistry, geohydrology, geophysics, geomorphology, mineralogy, paleontology, petrology, sedimentation, stratigraphy, structural geology, and tectonics. Offered on demand.
Oral presentations on current geological topics. Offered fall and spring semesters.
Oral presentations on current geological topics. Offered fall and spring semesters.
Introduction to the structure of the Earth's interior and theory of plate tectonics. Quantitative analysis of the physical processes governing the formation of major tectonic and magmatic features on the Earth. Emphasis is on understanding geodynamic processes in orogenic belts, volcanic arcs, intraplate magmatism, sedimentary basins and continental extensional provinces. Offered spring semester.
This course serves as an introduction to statistics for the Earth and Environmental Sciences. Topics include an introduction to probability theory, experimental design, statistical hypothesis testing, regression, clustering, Kriging and other forms of spatial analysis, time series analysis, and an introduction to machine learning. All material is covered theoretically and with practical implementation in Matlab. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. Writing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. A student who does not write with the skill normally required of an upper-division student will not earn a passing grade, no matter how well the student performs in other areas of the course. The course includes two lectures and one computer lab weekly.
The objective of this course is to introduce students to currently used isotope techniques in aquatic science. Emphasis will be given to the application of the U/Th- naturally occurring radioactive decay series.
This course will involve operation and use of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) for applications relevant to the Earth, environmental, and planetary sciences. Topics will include sample preparation, secondary electron imaging, backscattered electron imaging, x-ray element mapping, and energy/wavelength dispersive spectroscopy. Laboratory exercises will provide hands-on experience in preparing geologic samples and obtaining data on those samples with the SEM.
Analysis of the original literature on structural families and deformation-mechanism associations, emphasizing the low-temperature environment.
This course in Planetary Science will provide an overview of the major processes that have shaped our Solar System, with some focus on extra-terrestrial materials and associated data. The course will examine the major aspects of our Solar System, considering physical, chemical and geological concepts. We will explore the different bodies in the Solar System, and learn from the data collected from missions and analytics on samples.
This course is an introduction to concepts of stable isotope fractionation, and the application of stable isotopic measurements to answering geological questions. This class specifically focuses on light elements, primarily H, C, O, S, and N, though other elements/systems may be explored if there is time/interest.
Introduction to the field of low-temperature geochemistry (elementary chemical equilibria and thermodynamics, solubility and redox equilibria, organic geochemistry), with an emphasis on solving geologic problems. Three lectures and one seminar per week. Offered in the Spring semester.
This course in cosmochemistry and analytical techniques will examine notable topics, geological concepts and analytical methods used to better understand our Solar System. The course will be part-lecture and part discussion/seminar based, where students will read journal articles on topics and make short presentations for discussion, to develop scientific curiosity and critical thinking. Writing proficiency within the discipline is required for a passing grade in this course.
Study of tectonics, plate motions, and tectonic environments. Includes discussion of controlling factors, driving forces, and resulting structures with emphasis on island arcs, trenches, backarc basins, transform boundaries, and continental margins. Offered alternate spring semesters or on demand.
Field and laboratory projects with government and industry.
Non-Thesis Research.
This independent research course partially fulfills required master’s-level research thesis hours toward the master’s degree in Geology (Geological Sciences). The course is conducted under the guidance of the thesis advisor. Material covered will be of an advanced nature aimed at providing master's students with an understanding of the latest research and current developments within the field. Discussion and advisor guidance will be directed towards readings of research articles and development of research methodology, with the aim of producing an original research contribution that represents a novel development in the field, or a novel perspective on a pre-existing topic in the field.
Evaluate and develop effective scientific communication skills including writing, oral presentations and poster presentations.
Advanced topics in the following areas: economic geology, geochemistry, geohydrology, geophysics, geomorphology, mineralogy, paleontology, petrology, sedimentation, stratigraphy, structural geology, and tectonics. Offered on demand.
Oral presentations on current geological topics. Offered fall and spring semesters.
Oral presentations on current geological topics. Offered fall and spring semesters.
Non-Dissertation Res.
This independent research course partially fulfills required doctoral-level research dissertation hours toward the doctoral (Ph.D.) degree in Geology (Geological Sciences). The course is conducted under the guidance of the dissertation advisor. Material covered will be of an advanced nature aimed at providing doctoral students with an understanding of the latest research and current developments within the field. Discussion and advisor guidance will be directed towards readings of research articles and development of research methodology, with the aim of producing an original research contribution that represents a novel development in the field, or a novel perspective on a pre-existing topic in the field.
Introduction to German grammar and vocabulary, with emphasis on developing basic reading and translation skills.
Continued study of grammar and vocabulary, with emphasis on further developing reading and translation skills.
The relationship to Indo-European and to the other Germanic dialects; linguistic development from the earliest times to the present.
Analysis of basic concepts and practical applications of foreign language teaching and learning.
Introduction to the language and literature of the Middle High German period.
Advanced introduction to various levels of historical language change. Variety of language used for examples.
Works from the Renaissance (including literature from the Reformation and Humanism) and the Baroque (17th century).
Includes the German Enlightenment, Sturm und Drang, Weimar Classicism, and the Romantic movement.
Special Problems / Directed Readings.
Special topics chosen by students in conference with the instructor.
Students will normally give reports and write at least one research paper.
Students will normally give reports and write at least one research paper.
No description available.
An investigation of the historical development of geography, including its changing philosophies and prominent contributors. Students are also introduced to various approaches for conducting research in geography and must develop a written research proposal in an area of their interest.
A study of the physical landscapes in the southeastern United States. Emphasis is on the geological setting, geomorphic features, climate, soils, and vegetation, and the interrelationships of these conditions that shape the landscape in this region.
No description available.
No description available.
Investigation of the theories, tools, and techniques used in historical ecology with a focus on the establishment of reference conditions for habitat restoration and management decisions.
This course is devoted to the changing geography of the national park system and related protected areas throughout the world, with an emphasis on their design, planning, and operations.
To provide a basic understanding of the waters of Earth, especially with relation to the effects of precipitation and evaporation upon the occurence and character of water in streams, lakes and on or below the land surface.
Applied Climatology is a graduate/senior level course designed to expand upon fundamental concepts learned in GY 101 and also GY 402 (Climatology). Within this broad field, a specific focus in GY 513 concentrates upon climate and human health/behavior, and human modification of climate. The course contains a mixture of lecture, lab, and field assignments.
This course is an introduction to the effect of global climate change on health. The course will be taught from a geographical perspective and will introduce students to the physical science of climate change and the impact it has on health through discussion of extreme weather events, altered ecological systems, and threats to human security and welfare. Discussion will build on the core concepts of climate change science to provide students with a solid foundation to further examine a variety of topics from acute impacts such as heat waves and other weather extremes to chronic conditions such as shifting disease vector habitats, degraded air quality, and food security. Direct correlations between health impacts and climate change will be emphasized throughout as will discussion of mitigation and adaptation strategies.
This course is an introduction to geostatistical data analysis using R. The course will be taught from the perspective of geographical and climate data analysis but serves as a broad introduction to the high-level programming language, R, as well as applied spatial data analysis. Students will load and manipulate data of different types, perform a variety of statistical analyses, generate graphical output, and create productive workflows using R alone. The primary outcome will be to facilitate students’ use of R to analyze data of their own choosing on a final project. Students will present these methods to the class for others to critique, analyze and learn from. Code sharing and re-use is highly emphasized, as is collaboration. The course is designed as a 1-hour lecture plus 2-hour lab each week.
EW&S is an integrated physical and social science (W) seminar class consisting of readings, discussion, and lectures on perception, understanding, and communication of severe weather hazards.
This course presents a comprehensive overview of the geographic sub-disciplines of Spatial Statistics and Geostatistics. Students will learn about the nature of spatial data, and the methods of centrography, point pattern analysis, spatial interpolation, spatial autocorrelation, density mapping and estimation, spatial regression, and both spatio-temporal and network based spatial statistical analyses. Students will learn the limitations of the methods, their proper use, and how to accurately describe their outputs.
Focuses on basic principles behind remote sensing physics, techniques, and technology and introduces new sensor systems and digital image processing. Major topics include electromagnetic radiation principles, airborne remote sensing, microwave remote sensing, satellite remote sensing, and digital image processing.
This course introduces several quantitative methods used by geographers to analyze and interpret geographic data and solve geographic problems. Topics include: Data formatting and organization, descriptive statistics, sampling, hypothesis formulation and testing, and parametric and non-parametric statistical procedures through factor analysis.
This course is a hands-on, practical Geographic Information Systems (GIS) introduction. GIS is a computer-based system used for gathering, analyzing, and displaying geographic information. GIS enables users to integrate multiple spatial data sources, perform complex geographic analysis and present the results in digital and paper map. This technology has a wide range of applications for research, businesses and governments. Tailored toward first-time users, this course will focus on learning how to use the ArcGIS software package to import, generate, display and analyze spatial data.
Introduces the basic concepts of GIS, including definition and components of GIS, spatial data structures, data sources, data input, manipulation and analysis, applications of GIS, and managing GIS.
No description available.
Individual work experience in GIS supervised by the staff of an off-campus agency.
Focuses on the quantitative analysis of non-photographic remote sensor data, providing students with hands-on experience using a digital image processing software package. Topics include preprocessing, image enhancement, classification, digital change detection, and remote sensing and GIS.
Focuses on the analytical use of spatial information as well as GIS applications. Topics include spatial aspects of geographic information, attribute data structure, error and uncertainty, spatial analysis theories, GIS modeling, and GIS design.
The application of Geographic Information Systems to transportation has resulted in a sub-field known as GIS-T. This course will provide a hands-on introduction to GIS-T.
This course focuses on the extension of geographic information systems (GIS) through programming as well as on the development of stand-alone algorithms for spatial analysis and numerical modeling.
The course explores the legal standards by which land is regulated and controlled in the U.S. It is designed for students who wish to become actively involved or exposed to land management and the planning profession.
Environmental problems are social problems, and social problems are environmental problems. This truism is becoming increasingly apparent with the convergence of several grand challenges: climate change, biodiversity loss, widening socioeconomic inequality, and meeting the growing food demands of a global population expected to top 9 billion by 2050. Moreover, possible solutions to these problems often present unavoidable social value tradeoffs that are difficult to judge objectively, and the complexity of social and ecological systems make unintended consequences nearly impossible to foresee. In other words, social-ecological problem are “wicked problems”.
This course presents the theory and practice of Location Science – the study of the optimal or near optimal spatial location and allocation of facilities, routes, personnel, or other assets. A variety of optimal procedures for location problems is presented, including minimum spanning tree, shortest path, maximal flow, and transportation problem algorithms. The Simplex method as applied to location problems is outlined and demonstrated. Heuristic approaches to location problems including greedy heuristics and Tabu search heuristics are reviewed. The peer-reviewed literature in location science is explored.
This course examines the geographical elements of how people use the biophysical environment to grow domesticated plants (crops). Agriculture is understood in this course as the transformation of biophysical or “natural” environments into "cultural" environments. It is assessed in regard to both the plants cultivated, and the soil, slope, moisture, and temperature conditions that exist and then are modified or created by farmers. Ecological and systematic approaches are taken in order to understand how different agricultural strategies insure continual long-term productivity and stability. Microeconomics is an important and recurring theme.
Global Environmental Change focuses on the major issues of global change, including anthropogenic climate change, land use and land cover change, biodiversity issues, environmental pollution, potential global change-related impacts on human health, and relevant social policies. The class will follow a quasi-seminar format where individual presentations and group discussion will comprise a large portion of the in-class activity. Each week students will do research on and/or read assigned articles and additional articles of your own selection on relevant subjects. Instructor will provide a summary of the weekly topic and as a class, students will discuss issues raised in the research and readings.
Designed to help students develop both the tools and the personal philosophy necessary to analyze and manage scarce resources. A review of current environmental topics is followed by a survey of different paradigms and techniques that contribute to environmental decision making.
Explores the linkages between the biophysical environmental and human social systems. Public-policy implications are viewed from a social science perspective.
A thorough examination of the literature in economics, political science, and sociology that is relevant to the geographical study of contemporary urban structure, power, and conflict.
The primary objective of this course is to introduce students to the essential characteristics and basic processes of inquiry and analysis in the area of the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus. Specifically, the WEF nexus will be considered in relation and its application to human concerns, such as emerging supply and demand issues and their impacts of social and economic systems, ecological health, and human well-being. This course will encourage the development of critical thinking skills and requires students to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate knowledge about core WEF concepts.
Political ecology is a multidisciplinary approach to studying the environment through interrogating how power shapes and intersects with human-environment relationships. As a field of inquiry and practice, political ecology has greatly expanded over the past several decades to not just understand the political foundations of environmental problems or challenges, but also the co-production of environments with close attention to matters of justice, power, and inequality. Political ecology contends that through critical analysis and interdisciplinary methodologies, we can come to better understand the roots of socio-environmental problems in order to work for political change and social good.
This course explores the interactions between land use, land cover, and social and environmental processes at multiple scales. The emphasis is on understanding how the natural landscape influences human activities, how humans modify the natural landscape to meet our needs, and how those modifications create a co-evolution between landscapes and human use. Understanding how land uses are, or should be, allocated to achieve multiple goals, including food and fiber production, space for human settlement, provision of ecosystem services, and access to renewable energy sources, requires consideration of these multiple objectives and of the various factors driving land-use decisions at multiple scales.
Examines location and function of the multimodal North American transportation system, the urban transport planning process, and the political and environmental contexts of transport systems, including impacts of continued reliance on the automobile.
No description available.
Introduction to the scientific study of soils. Covers soil physical properties, morphology, development, classification, environmental functions and uses, and resource degradation.
This course will evaluate the current approaches to policy theory and examine systematically the broader implications of the substantive aspects of public policy development in the water resources spectrum. In analysis of public policy development in water resources, the student will look at both policy process and policy substance. Attention will be given to the questions of how and why water policy differs across states, and how one might evaluate policy performance cross-nationally.
Individual work experience in cartography supervised by the faculty and staff of the University.
Individual work experience in GIS supervised by the faculty and staff of the University.
The Water Resources Management, Law, and Policy course will provide students with a survey of water resources development, control, law, policy and management with particular emphasis on public policy considerations including: the acquisition and exercise of water rights—appropriative and riparian; groundwater management; water districts and user organizations; environmental considerations; Federal/State relations including interstate allocation; and the Alabama Water Resources Act. The course will also address international water law—the multinational treaties, laws, cases, practices and politics governing Earth’s transboundary freshwater resources (watercourses including rivers, streams, lakes, and groundwater aquifers) shared by two or more countries.
Individual work experience in planning supervised by the staff of an off-campus planning agency.
The course will focus on the linkages between water resources policy and conflict or cooperation with primary interest on interstate (transboundary) and intrastate water issues. The conceptual framework of the course is centered on water scarcity, water conflict, hydropolicy, hydrohegemony, water security, and dispute resolution. The role of disparate stakeholders and the problem of scale will be considered. The policy, norms and laws for mediating water conflict at different jurisdictional levels, including adversarial legalism (lawsuits) are examined.
Rivers are dynamic natural systems that are of great importance to ecosystems and society. This course examines river hydrology processes from a physical geography perspective. A major theme of the course will be impacts of human actions on river systems.
This course covers concepts, numerical algorithms, and techniques for digital terrain and watershed analysis. It combines lectures with a substantial practical lab component. The lectures covers spatial representation of topography, topographical data acquisition techniques (Photogrammetric Stereo, InSAR, LiDAR, GPS, cartography), terrain visualization, terrain parameter derivation, extraction of critical terrain features, landform recognition and classification, viewshed analysis, cut-and-fill and volumetric analysis, drainage network extraction, watershed delineation, and distributed watershed models. The practical component, involving 8 lab assignments and one individual mini-project, will give students hands-on experience in using proprietary GIS software packages, ArcGIS, EPA BASINS 4.0 and HSPF 12.0 to handle topographic and image data for terrain and watershed analysis.
A study of the relationship of trees to the environment, and the interrelationship of organisms that compose the forest community.
Individual work experience with agency involved in geographical research, analysis, and reporting.
This course provides an in-depth investigation of the processes that form rivers and their evolution.
In this course silviculture is treated as applied forest ecology. The goal of this course is to provide students with a knowledge of silviculture and its ecological basis so they can design manipulations in forest ecosystems to achieve a range of management objectives. The course requires field trips to tour different sites and visit with forest scientists and managers. In this course students learn about tree growth and stand development and use this information to develop silvicultural prescriptions to meet a diverse range of management goals. We will explore how silvicultural treatments can influence stand structure and composition and how these changes influence timber quantity and quality, forest health, biodiversity, soil, and wildlife habitat among other features. We will also focus on how silviculture is influenced by broader social, economic, and ecological issues.
No description available.
This independent research course partially fulfills required master’s-level research thesis hours toward the master’s degree in Geography. The course is conducted under the guidance of the thesis advisor. Material covered will be of an advanced nature aimed at providing master's students with an understanding of the latest research and current developments within the field. Discussion and advisor guidance will be directed towards readings of research articles and development of research methodology, with the aim of producing an original research contribution that represents a novel development in the field, or a novel perspective on a pre-existing topic in the field.
This course is a doctoral level research intensive seminar in the geographic sub-field of climatology. The course will be taught by faculty with varied expertise within climatology and will, therefore, be dynamic in its topical focus from semester to semester. Content will broadly fall within hydro-climatology, synoptic climatology, climatological extremes, bio-climatology, and historical or paleo-climatology. The material covered will be of an advanced nature aimed at providing doctoral students with an understanding of the latest research and current developments within the field. Discussion will be directed towards readings of research articles and development of research methodology with the aim of producing an original research product that could be submitted in a scholarly journal for publication.
This is a reading and discussion intensive graduate seminar course. Each week you will be expected to come to class prepared to critically discuss the readings and other assignments. We will cover a diversity of topics in forest science and management and some additional reading may be necessary for you to be fully prepared to engage in class discussion. Our seminar time will be devoted to discussion of topics selected by individual students and the instructor. Students are encouraged to select a topic related to their research, but this is not a requirement. Throughout the semester we will also discuss the philosophy of science, the rubrics of scientific evaluation, the publication process, and other topics to aide in your training as a research scientist.
This is a reading and discussion intensive graduate seminar course. Each week, students will be expected to come to class prepared to critically discuss the readings and other assignments. A diversity of topics will be covered in human-environmental interactions in geography and some additional reading may be necessary for students to be fully prepared to engage in class discussion. Seminar time will be devoted to discussion of topics selected by individual students and the instructor. Throughout the semester there will be discussion of the philosophy of science, the rubrics of scientific evaluation, the publication process, and other topics to aide in student training as a research scientist.
Geographic Information Sciences (GISci) include a range of spatial technologies, including Geographic Information Systems, remote sensing, computer modeling, GPS, and cartography. This seminar will examine contemporary issues in GISci through readings and group discussion.
Geomorphology is the study of earth surface processes and landforms, including quantitative analyses of how and why landscapes change over space and time. In this seminar students will examine how and why geomorphic systems function and change in response to climatic and tectonic forcing and human activities through readings and group discussions.
This independent research course partially fulfills required doctoral level research dissertation hours toward the Ph.D. in Geography. A total of 24 dissertation hours are required. The course is conducted under the guidance of the Ph.D. advisor. The student repeats hours in this course at least until the dissertation requirements have been satisfactorily completed. Material covered will be of an advanced nature aimed at providing doctoral students with an understanding of the latest research and current developments within the field. Discussion and advisor guidance will be directed towards readings of research articles and development of research methodology with the aim of producing an original scientific contribution that represents a novel development in the field or a novel twist on a pre-existing topic in the field.
No description available.
No description available.
A basic introduction to teaching history in colleges and universities. Will treat such issues as course planning, lecturing, handling discussions, classroom procedures and policies, student evaluation and ethical problems in teaching.
No description available.
Course examines major historical scholarship of American history since the Civil War.
This course examines major historical scholarship of European Literature.
This course examines major historical scholarship of Latin American History.
No description available.
No description available.
This reading-intensive proseminar introduces students to important historiographical debates in the History of the American South. Chronogical boundaries of the course vary by instructor.
Course examines major historical scholarship of early modern British European history.
No description available.
No description available.
A special topic seminar: the seminar work varies each time offered. Students primarily work independently on selected projects; however, they work closely with the course instructor. Students will share their research with their colleagues and engage in peer critique throughout the semester.
This course will offer students the opportunity to do original research in primary sources for the purpose of completing an article-length piece of original scholarship. In addition to working intensively (in conjunction with the instructor) on all stages of their individual seminar paper projects, students will examine the skills and methods necessary to conduct research, discuss matters of common concern in the research and writing processes, share the results of their research with their colleagues, and engage in peer-critique of each other's work. Our group conversations will not only be designed to aid individual students in the production of their seminar papers, but also will continually focus on the historians’ craft, the challenges historians face in carrying out our work, and the methods we deploy to address those challenges.
No description available.
No description available.
No description available.
No description available.
This course is to prepare graduate students to teach departmental, lower-division courses. These 3 credit hours will not count toward any degree program, but will be considered part of the tutoring duties assigned to graduate students during the semester. 3 hours per week scheduled for this course will correspond to 3 fewer hours scheduled for tutoring each week.
Explore the interconnections between the algebraic, analytic, and gemetric areas of mathematics with a focus on properties of various number systems, importance of functions, and the relationship of algebraic structures to solving analytic equations. This exploration will also include the development and sequential nature of each of these branches of mathematics and how it relates to the various levels within the algebra mathematics curriculum.
Diverse mathematical topics designed to enhance skills and broaden knowledge in mathematics for secondary mathematics teachers.
This course will give an overview of geometry from a modern point of view. Axiomatic, analytic, transformational, and algebraic approaches to geometry will be used. The relationship between Euclidean geometry, the geometry of complex numbers, and trigonometry will be emphasized.
Content changes from semester to semester to meet the needs of students. Designed for graduate students not majoring in mathematics.
Concepts and techniques of posing questions and collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. Topics include: univariate and bivariate statistics, probability, simulation, confidence intervals and hypothesis testing.
Further study of matrix theory emphasizing computational aspects. Topics include direct solution of linear algebraic systems, analysis of errors in numerical methods for solutions of linear systems, linear least-squares problems, orthogonal and unitary transformations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and singular value decomposition.
Mathematical principles of numerical analysis and their application to the study of certain methods. Topics includes numerical methods for solving nonlinear equations; iterative methods for solving linear systems of equations; approximation and interpolation methods; numerical differentiation and integration techniques; and numerical methods for solving initial-value problems for ordinary differential equations.
This is the second course in the numerical analysis sequence for graduate students in mathematics, science or engineering with an emphasis on numerical methods for solving boundary value problems, ordinary differential equations and partial differential equations, multistep methods for initial value problems, and approximation theory (least-squares problems, fast Fourier Transforms).
This course is an introduction to theory of linear programming. Topics include: basic theory (fundamental theorem of LP, equivalence of basic feasible solutions and extreme points, duality and sensitivity results), simplex algorithm and its variations, and special applications to transportation and network problems. Non-simplex methods are also briefly introduced.
This course is an introduction to nonlinear programming. Topics will include necessary and sufficient conditions for optimality, as well as basic theory and numerical algorithms for several traditional optimization methods, e.g., basic descent methods, conjugate direction methods, quasi-Newton methods, penalty and barrier methods, Lagrange multiplier methods. A brief introduction to selected modern topics may be added if time permits.
An introduction to financial engineering and mathematical model in finance. This course covers basic no-arbitrage principle, binomial model, time value of money, money market, risky assets such as stocks, portfolio management, forward and future contracts and interest rates.
This course is a survey of topics in applied mathematics.
No description available.
Emphasis on boundary value problems for classical partial differential equations of physical sciences and engineering. Other topics include Fourier series, Fourier transforms, asymptotic analysis of integrals and boundary-value problems for ordinary differential equations.
Introduction to mathematical statistics. Topics include bivariate and multivariate probability distributions, functions of random variables, sampling distributions and the central limit theorem, concepts and properties of point estimators, various methods of point estimation, interval estimation, tests of hypotheses and Neyman-Pearson lemma with some applications. Usually offered in the Fall semester.
This course considers further applications of the Neyman-Pearson lemma, likelihood ratio tests, Chi-square test for goodness of fit, estimation and test of hypotheses for linear statistical models, analysis of variance, analysis of enumerative data, and some topics in nonparametric statistics. Note: Credit for this course will not be counted toward an advanced degree in mathematics.
Order statistics, asymptotic distributions, point estimation, interval estimation, and hypothesis testing.
Introduction to the basic concepts and applications of stochastic processes. Markov chains, continuous-time Markov processes, Poisson and renewal processes, and Brownian motion. Applications of stochastic processes including queueing theory and probabilistic analysis of computational algorithms.
Continuation of MATH 557. Advanced topics of stochastic processes including Martingales, Brownian motion and diffusion processes, advanced queueing theory, stochastic simulation, and probabilistic search algorithms such as simulated annealing.
Introduction to basic classical notions in differential geometry: curvature, torsion, geodesic curves, geodesic parallelism, differential manifold, tangent space, vector field, Lie derivative, Lie algebra, Lie group, exponential map, and representation of a Lie group.
Basic notions in topology that can be used in other disciplines in mathematics. Topics include topological spaces, open sets, closed sets, basis for a topology, continuous functions, separation axioms, compactness, connectedness, product spaces, quotient spaces, and metric spaces.
Homotopy, fundamental groups, covering spaces, covering maps, and basic homology theory, including the Eilenberg Steenrod axioms.
This is a first course in abstract algebra. Topics include groups, permutations groups, Cayley's theorem, finite Abelian groups, isomorphism theorems and Lagrange’s theorem. Usually offered in the spring semester. Credit for this course will not be counted toward a Ph. D. in Mathematics.
An introduction to ring theory. Topics include rings, polynomial rings, matrix rings, modules, fields and semi-simple rings. Usually offered in the fall semester.
Vector spaces; linear transformations and matrices; determinants; systems of linear equations and Gaussian elimination; eigenvalues, eigenvectors and diagonalization; generalized eigenvectors and Jordan decomposition; minimal polynomials, Cayley-Hamilton theorem; Inner product spaces.
Fundamental aspects of group theory are covered. Topics include Sylow theorems, semi-direct products, free groups, composition series, nilpotent and solvable groups, and infinite groups.
Topics covered include measure theory, Lebesgue integration, convergence theorems, Fubini's theorem, and LP spaces.
The basic principles of complex variable theory are discussed. Topics include Cauchy-Riemann equations, Cauchy's integral formula, Goursat's theorem, the theory of residues, the maximum principle, and Schwarz's lemma.
Rigorous development of the calculus of real variables. Topics include the topology of the real line, sequences and series, limits, limit suprema and infima, continuity, and differentiation.
A continuation of MATH 586. Topics include Riemann integration, sequences and series of functions, uniform convergence, power series, Taylor series. Optional topics may include the Reimann-Stieltjes integration, Weierstrass Approximation Theorem and the Arzela-Ascoli Theorem, metric spaces, multi-variable calculus.
Preparation for future mathematics faculty for the teaching component of a faculty position at community colleges, four-year colleges or universities, comprehensive universities, or research universities. Topics include active learning strategies and course development, including syllabi, textbook selection, and assessment strategies.
This course is designed to enable students to understand and synthesize current research in college mathematics education involving subjects usually taught during the first two years of college. This will include a survey of a range of educational research models and will discuss qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research design in mathematics education research.
Research not related to thesis.
No description available.
Describes some of the best iterative techniques for solving large sparse linear systems.
Finite difference methods for hyperbolic, parabolic, and elliptical partial differential equations; consistency, convergence, and order of accuracy of finite difference schemes; stability analysis and the Courant-Friedrichs-Lewy (CFL) condition; numerical dispersion and dissipation; finite difference schemes in higher dimensions; implicit methods and alternating direction implicit (ADI) schemes; a brief introduction to additional topics, such as spectral methods, pseudo-spectral methods, finite volume methods, and finite element methods, may be offered at the discretion of instructor.
This is an introductory course in partial differential equations. It covers the theory, methods of solution, and applications related to the three second order equations of mathematical physics (the Laplace’s equation, the heat equation, and the wave equation), and the nonlinear first order equations.
This is an introductory course in perturbation methods. It covers both the theory and the methods of solution for a variety of equations ranging from algebraic, ordinary differential equations, to partial differential equations containing either small or large parameters.
This course concerns the modern theory of partial differential equations (PDE). We will concentrate on modern techniques in the theoretical study of linear and nonlinear PDEs. Topics include Sobolev spaces, weak solutions for second order elliptic, parabolic, and hyperbolic equations, the calculus of variations, nonvariational techniques, systems of conservation laws, fluid dynamics, and other topics decided by instructor.
In-depth study of homotopy and homology. The theory of cohomology is also introduced as are characteristic classes.
Fundamental aspects of ring theory are covered. Topics include Artinian rings, Wedderburn's theorem, idempotents, polynomial rings, matrix rings, Noetherian rings, free and projective modules, and invariant basis number.
Content decided by instructor. Recent topics covered include linear groups, representation theory, commutative algebra and algebraic geometry, algebraic K-theory, and theory of polycyclic groups.
A continuation of MATH 580. Topics covered include basic theory of LP spaces, convolutions, Hahn decomposition, the Radon-Nikodym theorem, Riesz representation theorem, and Banach space theory, including the Hahn-Banach theorem, the open mapping theorem, and the uniform boundedness principle.
We will cover various topics in Complex Analysis. Some possible topics include: Riemann mapping theorem, conformal mapping, normal families, Zalcman's lemma, Picard's theorem, Bloch's theorem, the monodromy theorem, elliptic functions, ultrahyperbolic metrics, harmonic measure, Hardy spaces, special functions.
An introduction to functional analysis. Topics include Banach spaces, duality, weak and weak* topologies, Banach-Alaoglu Theorem, Hilbert spaces, Riesz theorem, orthonormal bases, operator theory on Banach and Hilbert spaces, spectral theory, compact operators.
Advanced course in real analysis. Topics may include harmonic analysis (the Fourier transform, Hardy-Littlewood maximal operator, interpolation, singular integral operators, BMO and Hardy spaces, weighted norm inequalities) or analysis and PDEs (Sobolev spaces, weak solutions to PDEs, Lax-Milgram theory, the Fredholm alternative, existence and regularity for elliptic and parabolic equations).
This course will examine a topic not included in the student's dissertation.
No description available.
A general introduction to the oceans, with emphasis on chemical, physical, and geological processes and the relationship of these processes to biological systems.
Private instruction.
Applied performance ensemble for trumpet students at the graduate level.
Applied ensemble for horn students at the graduate level.
Small applied ensembles at the graduate level.
Applied ensemble at the graduate level.
Applied ensemble for brass musicians. Permission of instructor is required.
Applied Ensemble at the graduate level.
Applied ensemble for trombone students at the graduate level.
Percussion ensemble at the graduate level.
Applied ensemble at the graduate level open to the entire campus community.
Applied ensemble at the graduate level.
Applied ensemble in jazz for graduate students.
This course will explore all aspects of opera production, including musical and staging rehearsals, technical elements and stage management and will culminate in a full length production.
Applied Ensemble at the Graduate level.
Applied ensemble at the graduate level.
The Alabama Chamber Choir is a mixed choral ensemble primarily conducted by advanced University of Alabama undergraduate choral music education students. Chamber Choir will afford all choristers the opportunity to peruse a broad spectrum of choral ensemble music, most of which will be suitable for programming in a traditional public school choral music setting. While experiencing breadth of repertoire will be a key philosophical component of Chamber Choir, high quality choral performance will drive the methodology. In that regard, student directors, through collaboration with the instructor, will prepare and conduct one selection in an authentic performance setting.
Applied ensemble for flute students at the graduate level.
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Applied Ensemble at the Graduate level.
Small applied ensembles at the graduate level.
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Double bass study at the graduate level for music majors.
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Applied Bassoon study for majors in the Masters of Music program.
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Applied Ensemble at the Graduate level.
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Double bass study at the graduate level.
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Applied oboe study at the Doctoral level.
Applied bassoon study at the Doctoral level.
Applied clarinet study at the Doctoral Level.
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An introduction to the basic bibliographic tools and research techniques in music. Offered fall semester.
A study of the art of scoring music for films. The course will examine aesthetics of film scoring and apply it in this course. Offered fall semester.
The analysis and writing of fugue, variation, ground-bass, and canon.
Survey of recent analytical techniques for tonal repertoires with an emphasis on creating close readings of complete pieces.
This course is an approach to arranging and orchestration in both jazz and commercial settings. The emphasis will be placed on writing for the studio orchestra, MIDI instrumentation, and vocal groups with a focus on the 4- to 6-piece group (jazz and commercial). Offered fall semester.
Study of current techniques in arranging, including use of symmetrical scales and chords, pedal points, polytonality and planing techniques. Offered spring semester.
A survey of seminal works featuring electronic elements. Mastering the principles of recording, editing, signal processing, mixing, mastering, MIDI, sampling, and sound design. This course encourages work that overlaps with other programs of study; particularly composition, performance, audio engineering, and music production.
A continued survey of seminal works featuring electronic elements. Instruction in the design and utilization of sound-generating computer programs for digital synthesis, MIDI, and advanced techniques associated with recording and producing audio. This course encourages work that overlaps with other programs of study; particularly, composition, performance, and audio engineering degrees.
Advanced course in music theory; topics may vary according to instructor.
Advanced course in music composition; topics may vary according to instructor.
Study of pitch structure in tonal compositions as revealed by Heinrich Schenker and his followers.
Creation of large-scale musical compositions. Offered fall and spring semesters and on demand.
Creation of large-scale musical compositions. Offered fall and spring semesters and on demand.
A survey of instrumental strengths, abilities, and weaknesses. Basic instrumentation and writing for all ensembles and orchestra. This course encourages work that overlaps with other programs of study; particularly composition, performance, audio engineering, and music production.
Materials vary each semester. May be repeated for credit up to four semesters.
A survey of instrumental strengths, abilities, and weaknesses. Special emphasis on the art and science of writing for larger ensembles. This course encourages work that overlaps with other programs of study; particularly composition, performance, audio engineering, and music production.
This course is an intensive review of undergraduate diction designed for graduate students who did not perform adequately on the Diction Diagnostic examination at matriculation. A grade of no lower than C must be earned in this course if the student is to satisfy the requirement for mediation.
An intensive study of the music, the composers, the diverse styles, genres, and techniques, the theoretical and aesthetic principles, and the performance practices associated with music of the Renaissance via reading, listening, and musical analysis.
An intensive study of the music, the composers, the diverse styles, genres, and techniques, the theoretical and aesthetic principles, and the performance practices associated with Baroque music via reading, listening, and musical analysis.
Survey of operatic styles from the 17th to the 20th centuries via discussion and analysis of selected works.
Survey of a variety of technical approaches to composition in the 20th century and such organizing techniques as harmony, voice leading, textural design, form, and orchestration.
This course is a rotation of special topics in advanced lyric diction designed for graduate students demonstrating basic proficiency in International Phonetic Alphabet usage as applied to lyric diction.
A detailed study of the historical and contemporary methods of pedagogy, and analysis of pedagogical problems.
An intensive study of the music, the composers, the diverse styles and techniques, the theoretical and aesthetic principles, and the performance practices associated with music of the pre-classical and classical periods via reading, listening, and musical analysis.
Independent research projects in piano pedagogy. Offered each semester.
An intensive study of the music, the composers, the diverse styles and techniques, the theoretical and aesthetic principles, and the performance practices associated with music of the 19th century via reading, listening, and musical analysis.
A study of jazz history and performance practices as applied to the performing musician and educator via transcription, analysis and research. Offered spring semester.
An intensive study of the music, the composers, the diverse styles and techniques, the theoretical and aesthetic principles, and the performance practices associated with music composed after 1900 via reading, listening, and musical analysis.
Advanced study of a selected topic in musicology. Offered on demand.
Comprehensive study of band history from the Renaissance to the present, together with a survey of early and traditional wind works of Mozart, Mendelssohn, Berlioz, Holst, Grainger, Poulenc and others. Offered fall semesters and during the first summer terms of even-numbered years.
Survey of rehearsal techniques and studies in wind performance practices and transcription. Offered fall and spring semesters and during the first summer term.
An analytical survey of the content and performance practices of selected wind ensemble literature for chamber groups.
In-depth survey of choral literature up to 1750. Offered spring semesters of odd-numbered years.
In-depth survey of choral literature since 1750. Offered spring semesters of even-numbered years.
A survey of the literature of the organ from the 15th to the 18th centuries. Offered fall semesters of even-numbered years.
Readings in Music History.
Representative literature from all periods is studied and conducted. Conducting techniques, rehearsal and vocal techniques, diction, performance practice, and score analysis are emphasized. Offered each semester. May be repeated for credit with varied repertoire.
Baton technique, score reading, analysis, interpretation, rehearsal techniques and instrumental problems in a few selected scores. Offered spring semester.
This course is a review and recasting of classical concepts, including harmony, counterpoint, and form.
All master of music students are required to register for this course at the beginning of the semester during which they take the comprehensive examination. A grade will be determined entirely by an assessment of the student's performance on the comprehensive examination and will either be pass or fail. The course may be repeated once and must be passed if the student is to graduate.
All master of music students are required to register for this course at the beginning of the semester during which they take the oral examination. A grade will be determined entirely by an assessment of the student's performance on the oral examination and will either be pass or fail. The course may be repeated once and must be passed if the student is to graduate.
No description available.
This independent research course partially fulfills required master’s-level research thesis hours toward the master’s degree in music. The course is conducted under the guidance of the thesis advisor. Material covered will be of an advanced nature aimed at providing master's students with an understanding of the latest research and current developments within the field. Discussion and advisor guidance will be directed towards readings of research articles and development of research methodology, with the aim of producing an original research contribution that represents a novel development in the field, or a novel perspective on a pre-existing topic in the field.
No description available.
No description available.
An intensive study of a specific topic associated with Medieval and/or Renaissance music. Topic varies.
An intensive study of a specific topic associated with 19th-century music. Topic varies.
An intensive study of a specific topic associated with music written in the 20th century. Topic varies.
This course is a rotation of special topics in advanced lyric diction designed for graduate students demonstrating basic proficiency in International Phonetic Alphabet usage as applied to lyric diction.
This two-course sequence is designed for graduate students interested in teaching opera stage craft and in opera stage direction. Opera Pedagogy and Stage Direction I will primarily focus on administration and teaching within an Opera Workshop training and performing program.
An analytical survey of voice teaching with emphasis on practical application. Offered on demand.
Intended to teach doctoral students how to be successful in applied studio teaching at the collegiate and preparatory level. The focus of the course will be specific relative to the student's major instrument. Offered each semester.
A practical and theoretical study of conducting instruction.
A practical and theoretical study of conducting instruction.
Students will acquire a basic working knowledge of standard solo art song by composers from Great Britain and France.
The Seminar in Wind Literature, Large Forms, focuses on a particular genre, composer or style period within the wind band repertoire. The seminar for Spring 2014 will explore the music of David Maslanka. Mr. Maslanka is considered to be one of the most significant composer of wind music over the later portion of the 20th century to the present. The works to be studied were selected based on: an effort to include a representative sample of Maslanka’s complete catalogue, an effort to include representative types of his works (e.g. concerti, symphonies, etc.), an effort to include the works considered to be most significant, and the works intrinsic value.
A thorough analysis and historical study of the repertoire for the lecture recital. May be repeated for credit.
In-depth study of the organ literature of a specific period, its content and performance practice related to the organs of the period, and the performance of the literature. Offered each semester. May be repeated for credit if literature varies.
Advanced conducting techniques, score analysis and preparation, performance practice and interpretation, rehearsal, and vocal techniques and diction.
Advanced baton technique, score reading, interpretation, rehearsal techniques and instrumental problems in selected scores.
All doctor of musical arts students are required to register for this course at the beginning of the semester during which they take the comprehensive examination. A grade will be determined entirely by an assessment of the student's performance on the comprehensive examination and will either be pass or fail. The course may be repeated once and must be passed if the student is to graduate.
All doctor of musical arts students are required to register for this course at the beginning of the semester during which they take the oral examination. A grade will be determined entirely by an assessment of the student's performance on the oral examination and will either be pass or fail. The course may be repeated once and must be passed if the student is to graduate.
No description available.
This independent research course partially fulfills required doctoral-level research dissertation hours toward the doctoral degree in music. The course is conducted under the guidance of the dissertation advisor. Material covered will be of an advanced nature aimed at providing doctoral students with an understanding of the latest research and current developments within the field. Discussion and advisor guidance will be directed towards readings of research articles and development of research methodology, with the aim of producing an original research contribution that represents a novel development in the field, or a novel perspective on a pre-existing topic in the field.
This course is normally taken near the end of the museum studies program after the majority of other required courses have been completed. For the internship, students will develop a project proposal for a 40-hour unpaid internship at a host museum of their choice. Once the proposal is approved by the MUSM Internship Coordinator and MUSM Chair, students will complete the internship at their chosen host museum and be evaluated by their host museum supervisor and MUSM Internship Coordinator.
This course utilizes case studies, analysis of timely topical issues, and problem-based learning exercises to explore many facets of museum studies relevant to administration and management in not-for-profit museums of various types (art, history, natural history, or science/technology). Intended for students considering a career in arts administration, or museums specifically, this course provides an inter-disciplinary introduction to museum work. Students will gain an understanding of the history and philosophy of museums, the role of museums in society, collecting policies, governance, strategic planning, budgeting, grant-writing, museum ethics, multicultural issues, and legal issues in museums. Behind-the-scenes visits to museums and guest speakers will be included.
This course considers the intellectual, physical, legal, financial, social, and ethical challenges of preserving and providing access to museum collections. Through lectures, readings, hands-on activities, and field trips students explore the theory and practice of collections management and learn how to maximize available resources for collections care in any museum regardless of size.
This course provides an overview of museum exhibition and education initiatives; two of the most important functions of all museums. The emphasis of the first part of the course will be on critiquing, designing and presenting museum exhibitions to various audiences. As exhibition and education are intricately linked in museums, the education component of this course will explore various ways to engage the visiting public through museum displays as well as other public outreach programs. Students should be prepared to not only design appealing museums displays but also successfully export their content in various formats to various publics that include schoolchildren.
This course introduces future museum professionals to an artistic perspective on exhibit design and production. We will learn to use modern tools to enhance a variety of design scenarios. Lighting, material, and manufacturing technologies will be explored. Digital design software training will establish a skill set with immediate practical applications that students can easily build upon. Student designers will refine strategies and techniques required to engage today’s ever-changing audience, developing unique artistic responses to inspirational content selected from the vast collections of the University Museums. The class will visit sites for both display and manufacturing research. Hands-on exhibit development will help students to generate a portfolio of projects to assist with placement in the professional museum job market.
Variational principles and Lagrange's equations; two-body central-force problems; kinematics of rigid-body motion; rigid-body equations of motion; special relativity; Hamilton's equations of motion; and canonical transformations.
Selected topics in contemporary physics for high school and post-secondary science teachers.
Physics of biological systems: proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, supramolecular structures, and molecular motors; structure, function, energetics, thermodynamics, bionanotechnology. Emphasis on systems that are best understood in physical and molecular detail.
This is a course in teaching methodologies for introductory physics, based on recent results from physics education research.
Special relativity, equivalence principle, tensor analysis, gravitational effects, curvature, Einstein's field equations, action principle, classic tests of Einstein's theory.
Electric and magnetic fields, Green's functions, and Maxwell's equations.
Electromagnetic waves, relativity, and selected topics.
Theory and practical application of digital integrated circuits, including gates, flip flops, counters, latches, and displays. Computer data acquisition and control using LabView, A/D and D/A fundamentals. Digital communications.
Solution of the Schroedinger equation, matrix methods, angular momentum, and approximation methods.
Time-dependent perturbation theory, scattering theory, radiation, identical particles, and spin.
The course will cover a mixture of foundational and applied machine learning topics related to practical applications in analysis of large scientific data. Students will learn the theory behind various machine learning algorithms and tools and will learn how to apply them to real-world problems. This course will introduce the fundamentals of machine learning and classification theory based on statistical learning and describe classes of popular algorithms in depth: decision and rule-based methods (decision trees and rules, bagging and boosting, random forests), deep learning-based models (fully connected, convolutional, recurrent, recursive, Bayesian, geometric deep learning and graph neural networks) as well as other machine learning algorithms. The lectures will be augmented by active learning techniques to promote greater and deeper student engagement. There will be various in-class activities and small-group discussions and problem solving to allow students to build and reinforce connections with fellow students.
Structure and properties of nuclear and subnuclear matter; conservation laws; scattering and decay processes; and fundamental interactions.
Ensembles, partition function, quantum statistics, Bose and Fermi systems, phase transitions and critical phenomena, and applications.
Structure of simple crystals; thermal, electrical, and magnetic properties of solids; the free-electron model and the band approximation; and semiconductors.
May deal with any physics or astronomy topic not covered by existing courses. The course title is added at the time the course is taught. Repeat credit is allowed for different course titles.
PH585 is the first course of series of graduate level courses on magnetism (PH585, PH586 - Advanced Magnetism: Magnetic Materials, Phenomena and Devices), magnetic phenomena, magnetic materials with examples of magnetic devices for physical science and engineering students. The course is based on a combination of physical principles (materials physics, condensed mater, physics of magnetism) and examples their applications. Lecture examples, lecture and home work problems throughout the course will be based on applications (see list of applications in the topics list) with emphasize on impact of fundamental magnetism for advances in particular technology.
PH586 a graduate level course in magnetism, magnetic phenomena, magnetic materials with examples of magnetic devices for physical science and engineering students. The course is based on a combination of physical principles (condensed mater and physics of magnetism) and examples their applications to magnetization process and magneto-transport phenomena. The course material will include the following topics: • Review Principles of Magnetism: Fundamental Magnetic Properties • Magnetic domains and domain walls • Thermal Effects • Micromagnetics • Magnetization Processes • Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert Equation • Hard and Soft Magnetic Materials , Permanent magnet applications • Overview of modern magnetic recording: magnetic recording media • Ferromagnetic Resonance • Interlayer and Interfacial Exchange and Exchange Bias • Review Principles of Electronic structure and Electronic transport • Magneto-transport Phenomena • Anisotropic Magnetoresistance • Giant Magnetoresistance • Tunneling Magnetoresistance • Overview of MagntoElectronic devices : HDD reader, MRAM • Special topics may be included, such as critical phenomena (Ising/Heisenberg model), magnetic and non-magnetic neutron scattering, or principles of VSM magnetometry, spin polarized electron characterization techniques.
This course provides graduate students with domain-specific skills and knowledge in their research specialty. This training is expected to be undertaken in the context of active engagement by the student in an ongoing or semester-long research project. Alternatively, if formal preparation beyond the available courses is necessary for a student's success within their specialty, such formal preparation (reading, assignments, etc) will be performed under the direction and supervision of the instructor. Any combination of active research and additional specialty formal preparation may be specified by the instructor, as is necessary to advance the student's knowledge and skill toward that necessary to plan and perform successful research in their specialty.
Experimental work in modern physics at an advanced level.
No description available.
Required of all full-time physics graduate students each semester in residence. (Students specializing in astronomy must take AY 597.) Students are required to attend at least 10 department colloquia and/or specialty research seminars. Students in their second year and beyond are required to give one oral research presentation.
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The Dirac equation, Lorentz covariance, free-particle solutions of the Dirac equation, Foldy-Wouthuysen transformation, propagator theory, and applications to quantum electrodynamics.
Classical field theory, quantization of free fields, interacting fields, the scattering matrix, Feynman rules and diagrams, evaluation of integrals and divergences, and electroweak and strong interactions. Offered according to demand.
Gauge invariance, non-Abelian gauge theories, hidden symmetries, electroweak interactions of leptons and quarks, strong interactions among quarks, string theories, and phenomenology of high-energy interactions. Offered according to demand.
This course will review physics beyond the Standard Model, Grand Unified Theories, Supersymmetric Theories, Superstrings, and Exact Solutions in Quantum Field Theory.
May deal with any physics topic not covered by existing courses. The course title is added at the time each course is taught. Repeat credit is allowed for different course titles.
Because this is non-dissertation research, students may repeat this course each semester for up to 18 credit hours.
No description available.
This course covers information on teaching, research, and the profession of political science.
This course covers information on teaching, research, and the profession of political science. A continuation of PSC 500.
The formation, distribution, structure, properties, and techniques of measuring public opinions in the United States.
A detailed analysis of the Constitutional design, evolution and development, current structure and functioning, and policy outputs of the US Congress, Presidency, and the Federal Bureaucracy. Key political science theories, current public controversies, and reform proposals concerning these Federal institutions will be discussed.
Includes but is not limited to the role of theory, development of hypotheses, modes of observation and analysis, and testing of hypotheses.
Introduction to statistical techniques, including univariate and bivariate descriptive statistics and their application within the field of political science.
An examination of the various kinds of violent conflict in which nation-states become involved.
Investigates the origin and direction of the U.S. political ideology, including liberalism, civic republicanism, and debates condemning American exceptionalism.
The impact of legal powers and procedures of administrative agencies on public policy. Analysis of regulatory powers in American governments.
A study of the American public personnel system, with an emphasis on the political setting of government employment, equal opportunity and affirmative action, and collective bargaining.
Introduction to the scope, theory, and substantive issues of public administration.
No description available.
No description available.
No description available.
This is a survey of classic or foundational research in most areas of American Politics, incorporating studies of the mass public, elites, and national-level institutions. The objectives are to help prepare students for their Comprehensive Exams in American Politics, and to provide introductions to various approaches and subject areas within American Politics that can be explored further in more advanced, focused graduate seminars. This course is required for all students taking American Politics as a graduate field.
Research and methodology in the areas of social and psychological factors related to voting, party preference, and ideology.
Examines the role of the courts in political systems with primary emphasis on the United States Supreme Court.
In this course we will examine theories and related research on state government and the policymaking process in the U.S. states. The course is divided into three parts. For approximately the first third of the semester, we will examine a fairly representative set of readings which span a broad range of political institutions through which policy is made. These institutions include the office of the governor, the state legislature, the state judicial system, and the various practices of direct democracy across the states. Part two of the course will be spent studying theories of the state policy process. We will examine a variety of theories, reflecting a broad range of forces that are thought to play a significant role in shaping state policy outcomes. As we will see, despite the complex and seemingly idiosyncratic nature of the policymaking process, state politics scholars have identified many systematic relationships between various institutional and contextual variables, and state policy outcomes. The insights that have been generated from this literature not only contribute to our understanding of state policymaking, but in many cases they shed light on debates that are relevant to scholars of American (national) politics, or in some cases, comparative politics. In the final section of the course, we will examine research in several substantive policy areas which have traditionally been considered the domain of the states. Our emphasis in this section will be broadened to include not just studies of policy adoption, but studies of policy implementation and impact as well.
Despite the passage of the Civil Rights Act (1964) and the Voting Rights Act (1965) fifty years ago, and the recent election of an African American president in 2008, racial inequality persists across many dimensions of American life, including earnings, wealth, educational and occupational attainment, health and longevity, and access to political power and influence. Despite claims of a “post-racial” America, the events in Ferguson, Missouri and the recent movement that they have sparked, serve to remind us that racial inequality and its impact on race relations continue to play a central role in American politics. Today, African Americans and Latinos comprise approximately a quarter of the U.S. population. In many cities and some states, white Anglo citizens actually comprise a minority of the population, and demographic projections over the next two decades suggest that the white share of the population will continue to decline. Thus, it seems clear that race relations will remain central to understanding American politics at all levels of government in the years to come. In this course we will examine theories and related research on the role of race relations and racial stratification in American politics. The course is divided into four major sections. The first section of the course examines theories of racial prejudice. In this section we will examine some of the most important debates in the literature, including the possible existence and precise definition of a “new racism,” innovations regarding the measurement of prejudice to overcome social desirability bias, and the effects of increasing diversity on racial attitudes and race relations. In part two of the course we will examine the effects of racial attitudes on political behavior. We will examine the effects of race and prejudice on vote choice, the role of racial attitudes in the growth and success of the Republic Party in the South in recent decades, racial framing effects and the effects of the use of racial “code words” in campaigns and the mass media, and the role that racial attitudes have played in evaluations of and support for Barack Obama. In part three of the course, we turn out attention to the causes and consequences of the election of minority elected officials. What factors contribute to the success of black and Latino candidates in elections? And what difference does it make? In this section we will examine the debate over the importance of minority descriptive representation in advancing minority interests, as well as the effects of the increasing diversification of elected officials on other aspects of American politics. In the final section of the course, we will examine the importance of race in the policy process. We begin by examining theories and evidence of the influence of race relations in policy design and policy adoption. We then turn our attention to the importance of race in policy implementation and policy outcomes.
An examination of selected problems in American politics. Content varies.
Data analysis and statistical applications in political research, including data processing, inferential statistics, correlation and regression, multivariate analysis, and other multidimensional techniques.
A survey of the theoretical literature in the field of comparative politics.
An examination of selected problems in comparative politics.
An examination of major problem areas in the international system and their effects. Content varies.
A survey of contemporary theoretical approaches to the study of international relations, providing an overview of traditional and behavioral orientations.
This is the first of a series of two seminars on the core "traditions" of international theory. "Traditions" means a series of loosely connected ontological, epistemological and normative propositions: claims as to what the world is made of, how it can be understood, and what the work of scholarship could or should be. These propositions are interwoven in a variety of ways that make them hard to unravel. They are made even more so by the fact that they are intercut with a variety of different methodologies to form highly disparate research programs. Core concepts and testable propositions meld with background beliefs and lived experiences to structure our thinking in ways that can be hard to see.
This is the second of a series of seminars on the core "traditions" of international theory. "Traditions" means a series of loosely connected ontological, epistemological and normative propositions: claims as to what the world is made of, how it can be understood, and what the work of scholarship should be. These propositions are interwoven in a variety of ways that make them hard to unravel. They are made even more so by the fact that they are intercut with a variety of different methodologies to form highly disparate research programs. As a result, what we think of as ‘IR-liberalism’ cannot be studied as a series of simple and testable propositions, nor as simply the extension of a consensus body of philosophical or political principles into the field of world politics.
This course is an introduction to the advanced study of civil wars. We will explore: the impact, causes, duration, and outcome of civil war; the duration of peace after civil war; peacekeeping. Seminars will consist of Power Point lectures, student presentations, and discussion. Students are expected to write quality research papers that are theoretical, analytical and bring to bear empirical evidence.
This class is an overview of the key components of Foreign Policy Decision Making (FPDM). Learning goals include understanding theories and models pertaining to FPDM as evidenced by student presentations, an exam, and a term paper. Students are expected to participate in class discussions.
An examination of key political theorists from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Assigned works may vary but typically include those by Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, J. S. Mill, Marx, and Nietzsche.
An examination of selected political theorists. Content varies.
An analysis of the theories of organization and management that examines models, reviews current administrative philosophy, and presents contemporary trends in organization and management.
May be repeated up to a maximum of 12 hours of credit. In-depth analysis of a policy issue or administrative problem. Specific topics vary.
Focuses on the analysis of public policy through techniques based on economics, systems theory, and political reasoning. Explores the role of policy analysis in democratic society and addresses applications of public policy analysis to contemporary policy issues.
This course examines major local government issues and the administrative approaches to solving these problems. The focus will be on government managers and public-sector employees in localities. Topics will include the difficulties of providing human services through street level bureaucracies, local government policymaking, and how to achieve innovation. These topics will be examined in both an historical and contemporary context, with special emphasis on the impact of the political climate on the management of local government agencies. Using a case-study approach, students will learn what public managers actually do and will evaluate the effectiveness of their leadership and management strategies.
Problems of financial management in governmental units: revenue sources, budgeting, financial management, and control.
This course introduces students to the framework of evaluation, the development of plans to perform various types of evaluations, and the data collection tools for implementing evaluation. It focuses on various disciplines, including performance measurement, management, and data analysis. Additionally, we will explore the role of evaluators, program staff, and stakeholders in planning, implementing, and responding to program evaluation.
Field work and research opportunities to be supervised by departmental faculty.
No description available.
Selected supervised readings.
In-depth examination of a selected contemporary psychological area. Different sections offered each semester. Section descriptions are available at registration.
This independent research course partially fulfills required master’s-level research thesis hours toward the master’s degree [in your field]. The course is conducted under the guidance of the thesis advisor. Material covered will be of an advanced nature aimed at providing master's students with an understanding of the latest research and current developments within the field. Discussion and advisor guidance will be directed towards readings of research articles and development of research methodology, with the aim of producing an original research contribution that represents a novel development in the field, or a novel perspective on a pre-existing topic in the field.
An applied course explaining how to use categorical predictor variables to explain continuous response variables. Covers t-tests, ANOVA, and nonparametric alternatives in between-, within-, and mixed-model designs.
An applied course explaining how to use continuous predictor variables to explain continuous response variables. Covers correlation, regression, and general linear models including both categorical and continuous predictor variables.
Study and analysis of psychological methodology.
Introduction to ethical issues as they affect the practice of psychology.
Principles of psychological evaluation; introduction to the clinical use of assessment techniques, with particular emphasis on intellectual assessment.
The theory and application of projective techniques and personality inventories for adults.
Principles of psychological evaluation, with particular emphasis on the assessment of children.
This course will provide you with an introduction to the theory and application of structural equation models. Structural equation models are a class of statistical techniques that incorporate regression analysis, path analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and full scale models incorporating both measurement and structural components. These techniques are useful for both experimental and non-experimental data; for cross-sectional datasets; for multiple-group comparisons; and for longitudinal datasets, including the modeling of growth curves.
Given the nature of the nesting data structure in social science including psychology (e.g., patients are nested within the clinicians), it is crucial to know how to handle the data dependency when analyzing this kind of nesting structured data. This course is designed to teach students the concept of MLM and the statistical technique to analyze the data appropriately.
This course is designed to expose students to the current body of research on clinical supervision and professional consultation in clinical Psychology in order to prepare them for the role of supervisor.
Students in this course will be introduced to statistical consulting techniques useful for work with researchers and policy makers in university and/or industry. This course is especially designed to improve student’s real-world problem solving skills through experiential learning opportunities.Students are expected to have some knowledge in ANOVA, Multiple Regression, Multilevel Modeling, and Structural Equation Modeling.
The study of psychotherapeutic processes, outcomes, and systems, with particular attention given to the operations common to all approaches.
A skills-building seminar emphasizing interview and communications techniques. Introduction to practicum.
Current issues relating to research in cognitive and individual differences are presented and discussed.
The study of brain mechanisms of perception and thought through a variety of methodological approaches (e.g., lesions, brain imaging, and normal subject experiments).
This course will provide an overview of the principles, theory, and applications of human affective neurophysiology. The course will provide an introduction to theory and research in major areas of affective neuroscience, including cross-level integration of anatomical, affect, and physiology data. The course will provide an introduction to laboratory techniques and methodological principles in human affective neurophysiological methods. Readings will come from the texts as well as relevant selections from the current literature. The course will involve a combination of lecture, discussion, demonstrations, and laboratory exercises.
Supervised experience in psychotherapeutic procedures in an approved clinical facility; seminars and case conferences.
This course is an advanced clinical practicum course designed to provide specialized training in Clinical Health Psychology. Practicum involves providing assessment and treatment for clients with overlapping health concerns (e.g., pain, sleep, cancer) and/or who could benefit from Clinical Health interventions such as stress management, lifestyle behavior change, excessive illness behavior, treatment and prescription adherence/optimization, etc. Clients may be seen through the clinic and/or through an external placement in the community. Students who have previously successfully completed Health Practicum (e.g., 4th year students who have met the performance criteria below) may choose to serve as peer consultants for third year students who are currently completing the practicum. All practicum activities are supervised by the practicum instructor.
Supervised experience in psychotherapy in groups.
Intensive experience with a variety of child and family disorders and therapy techniques. Exposure to interdisciplinary treatment settings and personnel.
Supervised experience in an approved setting. Primary clinical supervision by faculty or licensed psychologist at a placement facility.
Supervised experience in clinical geropsychology.
The field of children’s social development is rich in its theoretical foundations, history, methodology, and connections to applied and policy issues. The purpose of this graduate course is to provide an overview of current theory and research on social and emotional development. The emphasis will be on issues and questions that have dominated the field over time and that continue to provide impetus for research. The goal is to provide a foundation for your later coursework and research by introducing you to a broad range of topics, theories, and studies rather than to give in-depth coverage of any area.
The goal of this course is to facilitate intelligent discussion of the most influential and current research in the field of cognitive development. Students will read peer-reviewed empirical articles, intelligently discuss the implications of the science in informing the public’s knowledge of cognitive development, and conduct their own study into one specific area of cognitive development. Students will advance their writing and critical thinking skills by writing a research proposal to further explore an area of cognitive development.
Contemporary approaches to cognition and learning. A broad survey, with in-depth looks at selected topics including attention and memory.
This course will provide an overview of theories and empirical research on a range of different topics in life-span developmental psychology. In the first part of the course, we will discuss various theories of developmental psychology. Theories of Developmental Psychology (6th Edition) along with additional readings made available via Blackboard will be the text for this first section of the course. In the second part of the course, we will explore empirical findings related to cognitive, affective, and social bases of behavior across the lifespan.
Course will provide an overview of current theory and research on social and emotional development.
Course provides in-depth coverage of current research in the area of cognitive Psychology.
Course will provide an overview of issues in the scientific study of emotions, with a focus on neuroscience, social, and cognitive approaches.
A survey of manifestations of abnormal behavior, and the diagnosis of abnormal behavior and mental disorders.
Overview of Psychometric principles used to evaluate psychological test instruments.
Examines diagnosis and treatment of childhood disorders from empirical, theoretical, and practical standpoints.
Issues in research and practice of clinical child psychology.
An introduction to issues and concepts in the study of perception. Fundamental theoretical and empirical controversies are analyzed.
Systematic points of view placed in historical perspective.
Major aspects of social psychology including attitude change, attribution theory, aggression, altruism, prejudice, interpersonal relations, and group dynamics.
Familiarizes students with relevant issues in criminal forensic assessment and introduces them to current forensic assessment instruments.
The application of clinical psychology to forensic and legal issues. Competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility, testamentary capacity, jury decision making and dynamics, jury selection, and expert witness testimony.
Issues in research and practice of psychology as related to the law.
A survey of clinical geropsychology including review of major disorders experienced by older adults, assessment issues, and treatments used in work with older adults.
Issues in research and practice related to adult clinical psychology.
This seminar emphasizes the role of ethnicity, class, culture, gender, sexual orientation, and disability in mental health, and the impact of these factors on assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
Seminar:Advanced General Psychology.
This course intended to provide foundational knowledge in Behavioral Medicine. The course will focus on scientific knowledge of the interrelationships among behavioral, emotional, cognitive, social and biological components in health and disease as they relate to the promotion and maintenance of health and the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of illness and disability. The course will examine the typical populations that are the focus in Behavioral Medicine research and intervention. Thus, assessment of and intervention with chronic disease (HIV/AIDS, cancer, heart disease, chronic pain, diabetes etc.) as well as acute health problems will be covered.
Principles of teaching and supervised experience.
Independent research by the advanced graduate student.
This independent research course partially fulfills required doctoral-level research dissertation hours toward the doctoral degree [or Ph.D. degree in your field]. The course is conducted under the guidance of the dissertation advisor. Material covered will be of an advanced nature aimed at providing doctoral students with an understanding of the latest research and current developments within the field. Discussion and advisor guidance will be directed towards readings of research articles and development of research methodology, with the aim of producing an original research contribution that represents a novel development in the field, or a novel perspective on a pre-existing topic in the field.
This three credit hour graduate seminar introduces students to terms and ideas from social theory and their relevance to the academic study of religion. Throughout the course, students will apply theories to analyze examples relevant in Religious Studies, both ancient and modern. Each student will also select an important work in their chosen field of study in consultation with their advisor and analyze that work in depth in relation to the various issues discussed in the course.
This graduate seminar introduces students to public humanities and digital humanities approaches to the study of religion. Students learn methods and tools for conducting digital research and explore ways to communicate theoretical and religious studies research to public audiences through digital media. Students are introduced to a number of digital tools for research, scholarly communication, and public engagement and will work to apply those tools to their individual research interests and goals.
This graduate seminar introduces students to methods for the digital study of religion with a focus on the interfaces that enable computationally mediated scholarship. Students will tackle two core issues in digital scholarship: the development of computational research questions and the design and creation of digital text. Each student will develop a proof of concept for a computation-driven research question in their chosen field of study and a web page that introduces their project idea. The course is structured around a series of intensive, hands-on and collaborative workshops, the first focused on questions of computation and the second on web development.
To illustrate the gains of applying social theory to the study of religion, this course will draw upon current examples to study in light of the skills gained in the social theory foundations course. Specific content will be determined by faculty responsible for the course each semester. This course may be repeated for a maximum of 9 hours for differing topics.
This graduate seminar surveys the origins, objects of study, and pivotal thinkers that scholars often highlight when outlining the historical development/current shape of Religious Studies. By course end, each student will narrate the study of religion in light of their own research interests.
This graduate seminar will acquaint students with contemporary debates and authors, emphasizing the work of a newer generation of scholars, in order to consider more closely the tools that scholars use to study religion, the various contexts in which they carry out their work, and some of their wider implications.
This graduate seminar introduces students to terms and ideas related to constructions of the self and society and their relevance to the academic study of religion. Towards the end of the semester, a specific case study will serve as a site where students will apply theories discussed to analyze examples relevant in Religious Studies. Each student will also select an important work or issue in their chosen field of study in consultation with their advisor and analyze that work in depth in relation to the various issues discussed in the course.
This graduate seminar introduces students to terms and ideas related to expressions of power and persuasion and their relevance to the academic study of religion. Throughout the course, a specific case study will serve as a site where students will apply theories discussed to analyze examples relevant in Religious Studies. Each student will also select an important work or issue in their chosen field of study in consultation with their advisor and analyze that work in depth in relation to the various issues discussed in the course.
This graduate seminar introduces students to terms and ideas related to discourse and practice and their relevance to the academic study of religion. Throughout the course, students will apply theories to analyze examples relevant in Religious Studies, both ancient and modern. Each student will also select an important work in their chosen field of study in consultation with their advisor and analyze that work in depth in relation to the various issues discussed in the course.
This graduate seminar introduces students to terms and ideas related to the construction of the past and its relation to the present and their relevance to the academic study of religion. Throughout the course, students will apply theories to analyze examples relevant in Religious Studies, both ancient and modern. Each student will also select an important work in their chosen field of study in consultation with their advisor and analyze that work in depth in relation to the various issues discussed in the course.
This graduate seminar introduces students to terms and ideas related to issues of identification and place and their relevance to the academic study of religion. Throughout the course, a specific case study will serve as a site where students will apply theories discussed to analyze examples relevant in Religious Studies. Each student will also select an important work or issue in their chosen field of study in consultation with their advisor and analyze that work in depth in relation to the various issues discussed in the course.
This variable credit hour graduate course provides students with the opportunity to pursue a topic of their choosing in relation to social theory and its relevance to the academic study of religion. Throughout the course, students will meet with the professor to select and discuss readings and writing assignments.
This variable credit hour graduate course provides students with the opportunity to pursue a topic of their choosing in relation to social theory and its relevance to the academic study of religion. Throughout the course, students will meet with the professor to select and discuss readings and writing assignments.
This course reflects the Department's aim to help prepare students with a wide variety of research and professional interests for futures beyond their M.A. To that end, the Department has established relationships with a variety of offices on- and off-campus whose workplaces rely on the kinds of skills students learn in the M.A. degree program. When students sign up for this course, they will be assigned to a supervisor working in one of these professional settings. This assignment will consist of participating in at least five hours per week of hands-on training, while also applying the analytical and digital skills gained in their M.A. coursework. Various projects will be determined by the supervisor overseeing the graduate student's work, in conversation with the Graduate Director. By the end of the semester, the student will have not only completed a number of site-specific tasks but also written at least one blog post for the Department's website synthesizing their take-aways from the experience.
The purpose of this seminar is to shape a piece of each student's critical writing into publishable form. To this end the class will be run as a workshop, with the students' own writing as the primary material. On days when there is focus on a single student's essay, another class member will be assigned to present that essay to the class, by identifying its thesis, describing its situation in a larger critical field of religious studies, and outlining its argument. At other times students will be asked to bring in pieces of their essays for more intense focus. At the end of the class each student will submit their essay to a refereed journal in the academic study of religion.
In this culmination class experience, normally enrolled in final Spring semester, students will present their ongoing original thesis research for the purposes of soliciting feedback from the instructor and classmates. In light of the feedback, students will respond and revise their work. Having begun the degree with two common foundations courses (one on social theory and one on public humanities digital skills), students in this course will integrate and apply the skills learned throughout the degree.
This independent research course which partially fulfills required master’s-level thesis hours for students completing a formal thesis project as part of their degree program. The course is conducted under the guidance of the student’s thesis advisor. Material covered will be of an advanced nature aimed at providing master’s students with an understanding of the latest research and current developments within the field. Discussion and advisor guidance will be directed towards readings of research articles and development of research methodology, with the aim of producing an original research contribution that represents a novel development in the field, or a novel perspective on a pre-existing topic in the field. Research projects will result in the production of an article length essay or equivalent digital project (as approved by the thesis advisor), as well as an oral presentation of the research. Students will meet regularly with the thesis advisor throughout the semester during which the course is undertaken.
In this course, students will explore procedures commonly used within a qualitative research framework in applied linguistics and second language studies. Students will examine a range of qualitative research methodologies, such as case study, narrative inquiry, participant observation, interviews, questionnaires, discourse analysis and experience collecting data through selected methods. We will discuss the Institutional Review Board process, the general organization of a research report and how qualitative research evidence can be evaluated. Critically examination of published research will enable students to reflect on the connection between research questions, data collection instruments, and analysis procedures. Students will develop their own research proposal using one of the qualitative research methodologies discussed in the course.
Advanced introduction to various levels of historial language change. Variety of language families used for examples.
In this course students are introduced to statistical methods that are commonly used in quantitative linguistics research, with examples drawn from a variety of languages and dialects. In doing so, they will gain an understanding of the types of computations involved, as well as a familiarity with some of the software currently used in statistical analysis. Students will also gain experience in how to interpret and explain statistical findings in relation to data sets. The goals of this course are to prepare students to be conversant in basic statistical methods in order to understand published research findings in linguistics, to discuss research design with statistical consultants, and to conduct their own field research projects, targeting any language or dialect, according to common data collection techniques. The course if repeatable for credit when curriculum varies.
A critical component of any research is making sure that it is centered upon a sound methodological base. When it comes to studying languages and the speakers of those languages, there are many challenges that are specific to researching bilingualism, and it is important to take into account all the unique considerations. This course serves as a general overview of common issues and best practices in bilingualism research, and it also provides hands-on training for how to go about designing an experimental study on bilingualism, collecting quantitative data, and analyzing the results both descriptively and using statistical tests.
Study and critical application of literary theory.
Topics may be in literature, linguistics, civilization, or a combination. Topics may pertain solely to one or more of the Romance Languages or to an array of languages including one or more of the Romance Languages. May be repeated for credit.
Topics may be in literature, linguistics, civilization, or a combination. Topics may pertain solely to one or more of the Romance Languages or to an array of languages including one or more of the Romance Languages. May be repeated for credit.
Broadly defined, pragmatics is the study of the use of language in context, including interlocutors, the time, place, and topic of the communication situation, and shared community rules for performing in an appropriate way according to the above parameters. During this graduate level introduction to pragmatics, some of the typical topics explore main theories around relating to others in socially and contextually appropriate ways, politeness, relevance, cooperation and taking turns in conversation, and cross-cultural and sociocultural variation.
The majority of the world speaks more than one language. This linguistics course explores the myths and realities of being bilingual. Areas of study include how to define the term, bilingual first language acquisition, and other cognitive and/or psycholinguistic aspects regarding individuals who speak more than one language. This course also touches upon the best methods for conducting research on bilingualism.
Non-thesis research.
Thesis research.
Topics may be interdisciplinary or language-specific. Topics may include literature, linguistics, culture or a combination. A special topics course in Italian or Italian studies is offered on occasion. May be repeated for credit.
This independent study course is designed to allow students to pursue independent exploration of a particular field or topical area, under the guidance of an advisor, leading to the production of a prospectus for the doctoral dissertation. Material covered will be of an advanced nature aimed at providing students with an understanding of current developments within the field. Discussion and advisor guidance will be focused on readings and methodologies that allow students to develop their research capacity, independent thought, and the ability to interpret professional and/or research materials in their field. Credit hours may vary in accordance with a number of factors, but typically the doctoral candidate must be enrolled in a minimum of 3 credit hours every fall and spring semester until the dissertation has been successfully defended and submitted to the Office of the Graduate School.
Dissertation research.
In-depth analysis of fundamental concepts in foreign language learning and teaching. Topics include grammar and vocabulary acquisition, classroom discourse, reading and listening comprehension, writing and principles of language testing.
Introduction to Spanish grammar and vocabulary, with emphasis on developing basic reading and translation skills.
In-depth study of texts from the colonial period, with emphasis on colonialism and the role of writing in colonization and decolonization. Readings may vary. May be repeated for credit when the content varies substantially.
In-depth study of major literary works of the period, with emphasis on Romanticism, social Romanticism, and Romantic realism. Readings may vary. May be repeated for credit.
Reading and discussion of complete texts representative of the literary movements of the period; lectures and reports.
In this course students are introduced to statistical methods that are commonly used in quantitative linguistics research, including Hispanic linguistics. In doing so, they will gain an understanding of the types of computations involved, as well as a familiarity with some of the software currently used in statistical analysis. Students will also gain experience in how to interpret and explain statistical findings in relation to data sets. The goals of this course are to prepare students to be conversant in basic statistical methods in order to understand published research findings in linguistics, to discuss research design with statistical consultants, and to conduct their own field research projects focusing on Hispanic linguistics according to common data collection techniques. The course if repeatable for credit when curriculum varies.
A critical component of any research is making sure that it is centered upon a sound methodological base. When it comes to studying languages and the speakers of those languages, there are many challenges that are specific to researching bilingualism, and it is important to take into account all the unique considerations. This course serves as a general overview of common issues and best practices in bilingualism research, and it also provides hands-on training for how to go about designing an experimental study on bilingualism, collecting quantitative data, and analyzing the results both descriptively and using statistical tests.
Reading and discussion of texts representative of the literary movements of the period. Lectures, discussions, and reports. May be repeated for credit.
This course explores texts that were created from a female perspective. A selection of short stories, novels, plays, films, and poems by Spanish women writers, artists and filmmakers are covered throughout the semester. Students will discuss representative women authors and analyze how their works represent changes in feminine preoccupations. Repeatable for credit when subject matter varies.
In-depth study of the relationship between history, memory, fiction and identity in Spain. This seminar will explore the reconstruction of the Spanish Civil War and dictatorship as depicted in literature and film.
Topics will include: National Identity, Immigration, Social Changes, Economic Crisis and Family Dynamics. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.
This course offers a critical approach to Hispanic works by analyzing significant trends in cultural understandings and representations of gender in society. Repeatable for credit when topics vary.
This course offers a critical approach to an extensive corpus of representative texts belonging to the Latin American short story genre. It seeks to provide a theoretical model that understands central aspects of the genre within the context of the formation of national States, for which literature, and literary genres and movements (Romanticism, Realism, and Naturalism) become agents for social change. Repeatable for credit when topics vary.
This course is a graduate seminar on Spanish literature. This interdisciplinary course examines the origins and evolution of honor in Spain throughout history, as well as the courtly archetype of masculinity that was its center. Students will discuss some of the most representative authors who write about honor issues and analyze how their work represents the creation of a societal honor code, the requisites it demands of Spaniards as well as the effects of its fulfillment – and unfulfillment – for men and women. Through these canonical works students will assess both the rigidity as well as fragility of said code, revealing how easily it may be broken, paradoxically, by following its own precepts.
Linguistic theory applied to the analysis of the Spanish language. Topics include phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and language change and variation.
Students are to examine various topics related to Spanish linguistics. Specific topics may be primarily theoretical, applied or descriptive in nature, or a combination, and may be narrowly focused or may pertain to a wide variety of dialects. Weekly in-class discussions based on readings and other assigned activities prepare students for the final project, which is typically both oral and written and which involves the application of the various theoretical, critical and methodological approaches acquired in the seminar.
Students are to examine various topics related to Spanish linguistics, theoretical or applied. Weekly in-class discussions based on readings and other assigned activities prepare students for the final project, which is typically both oral and written and which involves the application of the various theoretical, critical and methodological approaches acquired in the seminar.
Analysis of major issues, theories, research findings, and their implications for teaching. Examples: second language reading, classroom language acquisition, input/output, acquisition of pragmatics. May be repeated for credit.
This seminar serves an introduction the linguistic discipline of theoretical syntax. The objective will be to present the basic notions of a generative grammar. This will be accomplished by studying universal linguistic principles, while also understanding linguistic variation via the systematic options provided by such principles. Specifically, the course will cover the elementary syntactic aspects of phrase structure, the lexicon, Case theory, and movement; it will also include more advanced topics, such as covert movement, locality conditions, control, auxiliaries, ellipsis, and so on.
Detailed examination of Spanish phonetics including dialectical variations.
This course provides students with an examination of the evolution of Spanish from Latin to modern Spanish. Both internal and external factors will be addressed, including sound change, word formation, syntax and vocabulary, as well as influence from other languages. In doing so, students will be able to observe how variation in earlier forms of Spanish has led to the creation of different dialects found in modern Spanish. Students will also have the opportunity to analyze medieval and classical Spanish texts in order to trace the development of Spanish along different levels of linguistic analysis. The role of orthography at the various stages of evolution will also be addressed. Taught in Spanish.
Pragmatics is the study of the use of language in context, including interlocutors, the time, place, and topic of the communication situation, and shared community rules for performing in an appropriate way according to the above parameters. During this introduction to pragmatics, some of the typical topics explore main theories around relating to others in socially and contextually appropriate ways, politeness, relevance, cooperation and taking turns in conversation, and cross-cultural and sociocultural variation.
The majority of the world speaks more than one language. This linguistics course explores the myths and realities of being bilingual. Areas of study include how to define the term, bilingual first language acquisition, and other cognitive and/or psycholinguistic aspects regarding individuals who speak more than one language. This course also touches upon the best methods for conducting research on bilingualism.
In this course, variation in Spanish is studied from a dialectal perspective, which incorporates examination of geographic differences in Spanish at the lexical, phonological, and morphosyntactic levels. Related sociopolitical contexts in which the dialects have developed are considered. The role of dialectology in the broader analysis of language variation and change is also addressed. Research methodology in dialectology is discussed in relation to language use in the regions of origin and among the Spanish-speaking diaspora. Taught in Spanish.
In this course, the use of Spanish in the Spanish-speaking world is explored from a variety of perspectives within the field of sociolinguistics. Spanish language variation and change is examined at the sound, word, and phrase levels, along with the social factors that contribute to this change (e.g., age, education, gender, and language attitudes). The specific role of languages in contact and bilingualism within the Spanish-speaking world is also addressed. Taught in Spanish.
Special topics courses, with variable subject matter, relating to any area of Spanish language, literature, culture or linguistics/ Repeatable for credit because topics vary.
Works of Cervantes.
Reading and discussion of selected works of the period.
Reading and discussion of selected works of the period.
No description available.
No description available.
May take the form of either a graduate seminar or individual research, as circumstances warrant.
Seminar on Spanish American Literature.
This independent study course is designed to allow students to pursue independent exploration of a particular field or topical area, under the guidance of an advisor, leading to the production of a prospectus for the doctoral dissertation. Material covered will be of an advanced nature aimed at providing students with an understanding of current developments within the field. Discussion and advisor guidance will be focused on readings and methodologies that allow students to develop their research capacity, independent thought, and the ability to interpret professional and/or research materials in their field. Credit hours may vary in accordance with a number of factors, but typically the doctoral candidate must be enrolled in a minimum of 3 credit hours every fall and spring semester until the dissertation has been successfully defended and submitted to the Office of the Graduate School.
No description available.
A studio course which allows exploration into woodworking, metal working/welding, foam sculpting, casting, upholstery, Photoshop and any other process required to create stage props. Lab fee, $25.00.
This course covers the theories and analysis of rigging systems, their design and engineering as well as practical implementation and operation. This course is intended for the student that already has been exposed to standard theatrical production concepts and methodologies. Furthermore, a large portion of the subject matter of the class deals in scientific theory and computations so competency in basic mathematics, algebra, and basic physics are essential.
This course provides study and studio work in aspects of electricity and electronics with reference to understanding, usage, and design of systems for theatrical production. This course will cover the essential concepts of electrical theory for both AC and DC systems. The student will not only be exposed to theory, but will also have hands-on experience. As a large portion of the subject matter of the class deals in scientific theory and computations, competency in basic mathematics and algebra is essential.
This course will provide students with an overview of the technical design, construction techniques, and the administrative and management functions that are a part of the field of technical direction.
A survey of period architecture, ornament, and furniture as applied in the stage designer's research.
A studio course concentrating on traditional technical drafting techniques as applied to the theatre. Skills learned will include orthographic and isometric projections, ground plans, sections, perspective drawing, and layout.
A studio art course in the materials and techniques of painting and carving surfaces for stage scenery. Lab fee: $25.
A course providing a working knowledge of sound production, with an emphasis on the creation of sound files for theatre and dance and the setup and maintenance of sound reproduction and modification equipment. Lab fee, $25.00.
A studio course exploring the creation of technical drawings through Computer Aided Drafting. Skills learned will include commands for drawing, layout of information, and other CAD techniques.
A studio course in drawing and painting architectural and natural environments appropriate for a variety of stage settings. Exploration of media to render light, color, and texture.
A historical study of civil costume in relation to costuming for the stage.
A studio course in patterning, cutting, and constructing costumes for the stage. Additional hours in related theatre activities are required. This course has a $20 lab fee to cover materials ordered by the professor for use in the classroom as well as to help cover maintenance fees for equipment used.
Bodice, skirt, sleeve, and torso slopers will be created and manipulated through drafting techniques. Patterns will be created from muslin draping techniques. Examination of designer sketches, fashion/movie/theatre photos and research images to determine how they should be patterned as well as the fabric yardage needed for each garment.
A studio course in costume design principles and presentation for stage costumes.
The study and development of professional presentations for theatre artists. This includes, but is not limited to, "hard" portfolios, digital portfolios, exhibits and personal presentations.
This course explores and introduces a variety of techniques in which to modify the original appearance and/or intent of fibres and fabrics. This is done through the use of various dyes/techniques, surface treatment, use of non-traditional materials and restructuring of fabrics.
A studio course for drawing the human figure in a variety of stage settings and period garments. Exploration of a variety of media to render light, shadow, and textures for all types of fabrics and hard surfaces.
An advanced course in Alexander Technique, body awareness, alignment, breathing techniques, physicalization, and physical characterization. May be repeated once for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
Advanced course in specific methodologies for character conception and projection. This course may be repeated twice for credit for a total of 6 hours, due to rotating theatrical material studied.
A course focusing on audition and interview techniques, unions, résumé writing, and other skills required to apply for positions in the academic and professional theatre.
Theory and methodology of the textual analysis of playscripts for production. Offered every three years.
Study and practice of period acting styles.
A continuation of TH 544, usually focusing on verse drama, especially Shakespeare. This class may be repeated once for credit, as the material performed will rotate through period and style.
This course will examine vocal anatomy and physiology, and vocal health and care for the performer's voice. Various methods and approaches to voice work using breath, text, speech work and study of the International Phonetic Alphabet. Students will explore their vocal development through exercises, drills, performance and use of heighten text language.
An advanced voice and speech course studying the phonetics of various dialects and accents used by actors needed to create certain roles. Students will apply the dialect/accent work to exercises, drills, and acting/performance projects.
Acting course in which students analyze and participate in the rehearsal process with both unpublished and published scripts. May be repeated once for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
Beginnings to the Restoration. Offered every fall semester.
Restoration to the present. Offered every spring semester.
An examination of trends and developments in the theatre and drama since the Vietnam Era. Offered every three years.
The theatre and drama of ancient Greece and Rome.
Theatre and drama in the United States from its beginnings. Special focus on 19th-century developments and current post-modern adaptations of earlier plays and forms. Offered every three years.
A seminar/survey of 20th century american feminist texts, critical essays and videos tracking the shifting focus of feminists theory, concerns and performance.
Through research, class discussions and presentations of various styles, theories and approaches to the craft and art of directing, students will apply new ideas and concepts in a practical, hands-on studio setting. This studio work will be augmented with the direction (selecting, proposing, casting and rehearsing) of a 10-minute play with minimal, “bare-bones” production value at the end of the semester.
Principles of management applied to the fields of theatre operation and production, with emphasis on marketing, development, budgeting, and organizational structure.
This class is designed to introduce students to basic concepts of vocal technique and musicianship through practical application.
This class is designed to further students’ understanding of basic concepts of vocal technique and musicianship through practical application. Students will discuss various topics related to singing and will further explore those topics through performance. Students will give four solo performances over the course of the semester.
A graduate level course in writing for the stage, from dramatic conception to finished full length script, with an emphasis on the identification and development of a writer's "voice." In subsequent semesters, students can explore other script forms (full length plays, one person shows, etc), so the class may be repeated for a maximum of six credits.
In this course the student will be pursuing study in subject matters involving the collaborative theatre process. The specifics of a particular course offering will be assigned by the sponsoring faculty member. The subject matter for the course will require the student to do research, experimentation, analysis or other academic pursuit to fulfill the goals that are proposed for the specific course instance. The particular course offering will focus on a topic that will expose the student to specific collaborative methods found in the production of theatre.
This course provides for participation in productions by graduate level students within Acting, Arts Management, Costume Design and Production, Design and Technical Production, Directing, Stage Management, or other areas.
This course provides for participation in productions by graduate level students within Acting, Arts Management, Costume Design and Production, Design and Technical Production, Directing, Stage Management, or other areas.
Professional, practical application of various theatre specialities in conjunction with professional/commercial theatre companies.
This course provides for participation in productions by graduate level students within Acting, Arts Management, Costume Design and Production, Design and Technical Production, Directing, Stage Management, or other areas.
Advanced theory and practical application of stage management techniques and responsibilities.
A thorough study of the technical aspects of stage lighting, including electricity, optics, color, control theory; implementation and maintenance of lighting fixtures, cables, and control equipment; and a thorough understanding of stage lighting science, terminology, technique, and professionalism.
An advanced course covering the theory and practice of lighting design for the theatre, with an emphasis on the design process and execution.
Provide the graduate level design and technical student an in-depth understanding of the design methods of stage projection, including workflow; generation/acquisition of imagery; visual effects; video production; video systems; hardware; surfaces; and control.
A seminar involving the presentation of designs for various productions and preparation of problem-related demonstrations. May be repeated.
This course will concentrate on mathematical problem solving, the study of structural design and its application to theatrical structures and an investigation of why we build scenery the way we do.
A survey of the history of stage design and the development of stage technology, suitable for all MFA design and technical students. Includes several historically related design and research projects.
A studio course in scenic design for theatre. Students will design three or more plays learning analysis, drafting, drawing, painting, and building models.
A studio course in scenic design building on the techniques learned in TH622. Emphasis on complete design drafting and the building of models.
An intensive study of the designer's responsibility involving design for varied forms of staging and design drafting.
A studio course in advanced costume construction and costume crafts. Included topics are tailoring, corsetry, millinery, armor, wigs, masks, and jewelry, both period and modern. May be repeated. Lab fee, $25.00.
Male and Female torso body blocks will be created and manipulated through draping and drafting techniques. Patterns will be created from muslin drapes as well as drafting. Examination of professional designer sketches, Movie/theatre costume photos, period research, commercial patterns will be examined and evaluated to learn how to assess and interpret costumes. As topics may shift this course may be repeated.
Course projects include costume designs for theatrical musicals, opera and dance. May be repeated.
Projects focus on analysis, research and designs for personality and characters.
The student will be able to analyze a script and apply the principles of design to character appropriate costumes. Projects will include scripts representing time periods prior to 1900. May be repeated for credit.
A studio course in the patterning, fit, and construction of garments popular prior to the 20th century. Different periods of fashion will be covered in each course offering. Each course offering will allow for full development of patterning, fit, and construction for costume projects for a particular time period.
A studio course in both hand and machine tailoring techniques needed to produce high quality custom tailored garments for the stage. This includes, but is not limited to hand padding, machine padding, decorative and couture techniques.
Study and studio work in a specialized area of costume design or technology.
Advanced theory and practice in stage movement topics such as Anatomy/Alexander Technique, Clowning, Mask, Laban Movement Analysis, Stage combat, Mime, etc. May be repeated for credit for up to 6 credit hours as topics differ.
Private instruction in graduate level Alexander Technique. This course is designed to provide advanced, specialized work on movement re-education for the performer. Topics include, but are not limited to, alignment, balance, psychophysical coordination, and applied work.
A course to provide practical experience in teaching and coaching actors, and developing methods and various approaches in teaching acting.
A course covering the practical aspects of teaching, including syllabi preparation, course planning, and classroom experience.
This course provides comprehensive training and experience in aspects of teaching courses in theatre. The subject matter will include course planning, course development, course presentation, and course evaluations.
Advanced theory and practical application of performance techniques.
This course provides study and studio work in aspects of theatre technology. The subject matter will include a variety of aspects of theatre technology including electronics and electricity, physics and motion, automation and programming, or other state-of-the-art techniques.
Advanced theory and exploration of the history of modern Directing and Stage Management.
Advanced theory and practical application of directing techniques. As topics vary, this course is repeatable up to 9 credit hours.
Advanced theory and practical application of directing techniques. As topics vary, this course is repeatable up to 9 credit hours.
Advanced theory and practical application of directing techniques.
Students will learn and subsequently apply the theories and practices to successfully acquire unearned revenue through annual and major gifts, corporate and foundation support, planned giving, capital campaigns and grant writing.
Students will develop and understanding of leadership theory and effective management practices and the ability to model and adapt their leadership, management styles and behaviors as situations change in arts organizations. Students will also develop perspective and coaching on how to apply the course materials to their current work situation and future work environment scenarios.
Public assembly venue management represents one of the fastest growth areas in the sports, entertainment, meeting, and convention industries. With the construction of new arenas, stadiums, theaters, convention centers, and other venues, there are numerous job opportunities for properly trained individuals. This course will review and examine the principles and practices associated with managing a public assembly venue and the nature of the venue business. This is a comprehensive course designed to cover applied versus theoretical knowledge with an emphasis on assisting the student in understanding the concepts related to this professional field. In addition, this course will cover the process undertaken by event managers to plan all types of events from fundraising galas to conventions.
There are two parts to this class. First, a study of the application and principles of microeconomics to the arts. The topics include supply, demand, cost, pricing, margin and the arts organization as a business entity. Second, the class will deal with the principles and practices of financial management applied to the arts enterprise. Analysis of financial statements and financial management function as it is applied to the arts will be examined.
A study of the history and manifestation of public arts policy in the United States, with emphasis placed on arts advocacy and public relations tactics and campaigns.
An examination of legal requirements of nonprofit arts organizations, specifically addressing tax exemption, reporting of contributions, development considerations, and contemporary legal issues affecting artists.
A study of contemporary marketing practices and how they are applied to the nonprofit arts organization. Special emphasis on marketing audits, forecasting, analysis, and campaigns.
This course is an in depth study of the role and impact of a board of directors and the planning process in the operation of an arts organization. Specific topics covered will include board and staff interaction, board duties and responsibilities, fundraising, governance models, the strategic planning process, parliamentary procedures, board committee structures and developing bylaws and articles of incorporation.
Directed studies in specific arts management techniques and theoretical development of theatre projects. May be repeated for credit when the topic differs.
Independent Study of topic found within theatre.
This course is designed for an MFA student in Theatre to demonstrate their accumulated training and experience within their particular area of concentration. Areas of concentration are Acting, Arts Management, Costume Design and Production, Design and Technical Production, Directing, and Stage Management.
Research Not Related to Thesis.
Private Instruction. This class is designed to work on vocal technique, including but not limited to, breathing, resonance, coordination of vocal registers, and musical theatre repertoire.
Private Instruction. This class is designed to work on vocal technique, including but not limited to, breathing, resonance, coordination of vocal registers, and musical theatre repertoire.
Independent study on any subject pertaining to women. Projects are conducted under the supervision of a professor in the chosen field and must be approved in advance by the program director.
This course explores pedagogical theories and practices advanced by feminist and cultural studies scholars and teachers. Students read pedagogical works, attend sections of WS 200 and AAST 201, develop teaching modules and pedagogical philosophies, perform teaching demonstrations, and construct syllabi for courses. Meetings with other discussion leaders and supervisors are required in addition to written work.
Course Description: This interdisciplinary graduate seminar explores the ways in which memory and the past construct political identities and the interplay of race, class, gender, and ethnicity in its social construction through readings, discussion, and student research. Reading selections include core theoretical texts on memory studies and specific case studies on topics, including not but exclusive to the American Civil War memory, U.S. South, slavery, and Reconstruction. Issues and questions are: how memories are constructed, translated into identities and political action; bases of shared memories and contested memories; political memorialization and the effects of collective amnesia; and how “communities of memory” are developed, sustained, and dissolved.
Seminar format. The course offers an interdisciplinary approach to topics, which vary by semester. Active student engagement, such as conducting an interview, is required. Sample topic: women in the world.
This course offers students an introduction to the main approaches to the study of race. Students begin by exploring the early approaches to sociology, both that of DuBois and the Chicago school. Students then develop an understanding of the work done by scholars in the Harlem Renaissance, the 1960s, and the contemporary period. The goal of the course is to provide students with the foundation for further research in the field of critical race theory.
Seminar consists of close readings in feminist theory, with an emphasis on primary texts. Intellectual, cultural, and political theory.
Considers major economic, social, psychological, and philosophical approaches to the study of women. Emphasis is on the formulation of theories and mastery of primary works in the field.
This seminar focuses on interdisciplinary research and problems in methodology in Gender and Race Studies.
This upper level undergraduate/graduate seminar exposes students to the key figures texts and concepts that constitute black feminist thought.
Topics vary each semester. Graduate students are required to conduct original research. The courses focus on such topics as language and gender, Southern women's culture.
The course provides students with an understanding of the important research interests within the discipline of Women's Studies. Concepts and problems in Women's Studies are addressed, with the goal of providing students with a history of the discipline as well as knowledge of contemporary debates in the field. The course is considered an overview and introduction for first year MA students.
Transnational Feminisms is a contemporary paradigm of study that moves beyond international conceptions of feminism to think across national borders by interrogating the intersections of nationality, race, gender, class, and sexuality in the context of global capitalism. This field works to decolonize the contested terrain of knowledge production upon gendered subjectivites are constituted and reconstituted within global relations of power and privilege. While globalization relies upon the heightened mobility of bodies, capital, commodities, technologies, and conceptual imaginaries across borders, it simultaneously requires the reconfiguration and reconstitution of the state, its bordering practices, and colonial and national hierarchies of social-spatial relations and their attendant binaries—self-other, first world-third world, traditional-modern, private-public, citizen-noncitizen. While a richly theoretical field, transnational feminisms provocatively engages with a feminist politics and practice attentive to feminism as both a liberatory formation and one with longstanding ties to colonialism, racism and imperialism. As such, it resists utopic ideas about "global sisterhood" while simultaneously working to lay the groundwork for more productive and equitable social relations among women across borders and cultural contexts.
This seminar is designed for the advanced study of race, gender, sexuality, and class. Students should expect to read the most complex of theoretical texts, a basic knowledge of some of the following: Hegel, Foucault, Marx, Liberal theory, Black feminist thought, feminist theory, psychoanalysis, and literary criticism is expected of each participant. The course will offer students the opportunity to develop their training in the topical area of choice by the professor.
The focus of this research may involve traditional or community-related research on the student's approved thesis topic in Gender and Race Studies.
Culverhouse College of Business Courses
Study of the fundamentals of financial accounting. Attention is given to the interpretation and uses of information contained in financial statements.
Study of the fundamentals of managerial accounting. Attention is given to the use of accounting by business managers.
Basic accounting concepts and procedures with an emphasis on the use of accounting information by business managers.
Advanced topics in financial accounting and reporting considered from a practical and theoretical perspective.
This course is for accounting students who are returning from a spring internship.
The analysis of accounting information for purposes of valuing businesses for investment, credit, and related decisions.
Advanced study of standards, concepts, procedures, and professional ethics underlying governance and the provision of assurance services.
Advanced study of the forensic accounting profession, fraud prevention, detection, and investigation, and the character needed to manage ethical challenges.
Discussion of a common framework for the analysis of general purpose financial statement information. Includes discussions of the accounting process and availability of financial information, selected intermediate and advanced accounting concepts, required disclosures, modeling & valuation implications, and various analytical techniques available to the investment professional.
A study of applied data analysis with an emphasis on accounting and business settings. The course will focus on tools and techniques used to draw insights from and solve problems with data.
Discussion and application of a common framework for the analysis of general purpose financial statement information for a variety of contexts. Includes discussions of the accounting process, availability and relevance of financial information, analytical implications of selected intermediate and advanced accounting concepts, required disclosures, and various analytical techniques available to the accounting or finance professional.
Special features of budgetary and fund accounting as applied to municipalities, other governmental units, and institutions such as schools and hospitals.
Concepts and procedures employed in developing and using accounting information for management decisions.
A course to prepare tax preparers and auditors to accurately determine a company's income tax provision, related deferred tax account balances and income tax footnote.
A study of federal income tax problems of corporations and the relationships of these problems to the tax problems of the corporate shareholder.
A study of the tax accounting problems relating to corporate organizations, commonly controlled corporations, and consolidated tax returns.
Designed to explore, in depth, the taxation of the formation, operation, and disposition of partnerships and LLCs. In addition, a brief review of the taxation of S corporations is presented.
This course is designed to provide an overview of the key state and local tax considerations for individuals, partnerships, and corporations. With the significant changes enacted in a number of states as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and the CARES Act and the Supreme Court Wayfair decision, tax professionals need the skills which will enable them to competently gather facts, locate applicable state and local tax law, analyze the facts in light of the relevant law, and present the findings both orally and in writing.
Examination of information systems development and control issues from the perspective of ensuring relevance, reliability, and security of business systems and information.
No description available.
A study of tax research procedures, documentation of research, and presentation of research findings.
No description available.
Study of the production of accounting research, with specific focus on the scientific method. Intensive focus on problem identification and communication, and theory and hypothesis development.
Study of advanced research methods with intensive focus on design and method development, data analysis, and interpretation of results.
Study of the archival accounting research literature.
Study of the experimental accounting research literature.
Examination of the literature and methodology associated with a specific research topic. Directed focus on development of second-year paper.
Development of a first year project under the supervision of a faculty member. Resulting papers are presented at a departmental research workshop.
Development of a second-year research project under the supervision of a faculty member. Resulting papers are presented at a departmental research workshop.
Participation in a research colloquium series involving scholars from top academic institutions.
This independent research course partially fulfills required doctoral-level research dissertation hours toward the doctoral degree. Under the guidance of their dissertation advisor, students conduct research toward the completion of their doctoral dissertation. Employing various research techniques and methodologies, students work on theoretical and/or applied research topics with the aim of making a novel contribution to the field.
An introduction to the foundations of both micro- and macroeconomic analysis, including consumer demand, production and cost analysis, price determination, and macroeconomic theory and policy. Emphasis is on the theory of the firm.
An examination of the theory of resource allocation. Topics include demand theory, production and cost functions, theory of markets, general equilibrium analysis, and welfare theory.
This overview of modern macroeconomic theory and its implications for the conduct of stabilization policies is intended to provide a solid background in macroeconomics for master's students. The course also considers the microeconomic foundations of aggregate economic analysis.
This course is for master’s students in Economics or Finance. It provides students with tools of economic analysis and analytical methods to analyze legal issues and explore some of the intersections between the law and economics. Writing proficiency within this discipline is required for a student to receive a passing grade in this course. A student who does not write with the skill normally required of an upper division student in the discipline will not be given a passing grade, no matter how well the student performs other course requirements.
A survey of the analytical techniques used by economists to forecast the macro- and micro-levels of economic activity and the effects of public policy on the economy. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Theoretical and empirical analysis of the money supply process, the demand for money, the impact of money on the economy, and the implementation of monetary policy.
An examination of the foreign exchange market, exchange rate determination, international financial institutions, and the management of the risks associated with international business.
An introduction to mathematical tools commonly used in advanced economic theory and econometrics.
A quantitative analysis of actual economic phenomena based on the current development of theory and observation, related by appropriate methods of inference.
This course is for master's students in Economics or Finance. It provides students with analytical methods and programming skills for solving issues in financial economics, asset pricing, and risk management.
An introduction to game theory with emphasis on application. Game theory is a toolbox for analyzing situations where decision makers influence one another.
No description available.
No description available.
This course requires the student to apply his/her knowledge of the field of Economics to recognize operational problems in the field. Further, the student must provide evidence of his/her abilities to communicate understanding of the problem, describe the analysis performed and organize this material effectively for both a written report and corresponding oral presentation.
None.
Economics Research.
Thesis Research.
This is a course for incoming Ph.D. students in Economics, Finance, and Accounting. It aims to provide students with advanced mathematical tools needed to understand other Ph.D. courses in Economics and Econometrics. Topics include linear algebra, single/multivariable calculus, unconstrained/constrained optimization, and basic differential/difference equations.
An advanced study of the modern theory of value and price. The seminar includes demand and supply analysis, marginal analysis, and the monopolistic and competitive structure of markets.
Selected topics in contemporary macroeconomic theory, with emphasis on dynamic analysis of cyclical fluctuations, stabilization policies, and growth.
A survey of selected topics in industrial organization. Both theoretical and applied topics are examined, with special emphasis on recent developments.
This course is a field course for Ph.D. students in Economics. The course provides a discussion of the topics and methods of Empirical Industrial Organization (IO). It is designed to provide a broad introduction to topics and industries that current researchers are studying as well as to expose students to a wide variety of techniques. It will start the process of preparing economics Ph.D. students to conduct thesis research in the area, and may also be of interest to doctoral students in other fields.
This course is a field course for Ph.D. students in Economics. This course introduces students to the study of human behavior in individual choices, social interactions, and markets, to explain real world phenomena, not easily explained by standard models of rational decision-making.
Selected topics in contemporary monetary theory, with emphasis on determination of the value of money and the effectiveness of monetary policies.
A survey of selected topics in the field of political economy with an emphasis on voting theory, collective action and rent seeking.
An introduction to non-cooperative game theory. Emphasis on applications in microeconomics and macroeconomics.
This course is the second course in the first year course sequence for Ph.D. students in Economics. It provides the tools needed for the analysis of dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) models in Macroeconomics.
Introduction to methods of analyzing economic data. Topics include linear and non-linear least squares, maximum likelihood estimation, statistical inference, and methods for handling data problems.
A study of selected topics and problems in econometrics emphasizing methodology for economic research measurements.
This course will discuss the principles of nonparametric methods. It will provide intuitive explanations of theoretical concepts and empirical examples of nonparametric techniques.
This course introduces PhD students to the field of experimental economics. The course covers methodological issues with designing and conducting experiments and interpreting the results.
This course is geared towards developing skills to conduct research in the areas of monetary theory and policy analysis. It builds on advanced topics that were introduced in Economics 616: Graduate Seminar on Monetary Economics. By the end of the semester, each student should have completed the initial stages of developing a potential dissertation chapter.
Consists of supervised study and investigation of specific problems in economics and academics. Only open to graduate students beyond first year.
This independent research course partially fulfills required doctoral-level research dissertation hours toward the doctoral degree. Under the guidance of their dissertation advisor, students conduct research toward the completion of their doctoral dissertation. Employing various research techniques and methodologies, students work on theoretical and/or applied research topics with the aim of making a novel contribution to the field.
Corporate financial planning and decision making; working capital management, capital budgeting, financing, risk-return analysis, valuation, and dividend policy.
A case study course that focuses on the valuation of publicly held firms.
An examination of corporate acquisitions, including firm valuation, bidding contests, and defense managers, as well as the corporate tax and legal environment.
A course concerned with the management of corporate capital. Emphasis is on analysis of problems.
A detailed analysis of the role of money and capital markets in the financial process and of the influence outside forces have on these markets.
An overview of the investment decision process. Areas covered are financial statement analysis, risk measures, stock-price valuation models, and portfolio management.
Acquaints the student with the quantitative approaches used in modern portfolio theory and investment analysis.
Theoretical and empirical analysis of the money supply process, the demand for money, the impact of money on the economy, and the implementation of monetary policy.
Advanced quantitative analysis designed to improve managing financial risks such as adverse stock price movements, adverse interest rate changes and adverse commodity price changes, with specific attention given to employing futures, options and swap contracts.
Advanced methodologies of valuing and managing financial derivative contracts are introduced, including numerical integration, lattice approaches and simulation. A particular emphasis is given to implementing these methodologies as computer programs.
A case course examining various aspects of managing a commercial bank in a dynamic environment.
An examination of the foreign exchange market, exchange rate determination, international financial institutions, and the management of the risks associated with international business.
A survey of the major topics and issues in real estate, including real estate investment, alternative financing arrangements, law and agency theory, appraisal, market analysis, taxation, and brokerage.
A study of the concepts and principles of real property valuation and the analysis of real estate investments.
This course is for master's students in Economics and Finance. It provides students with analytical methods and programming skills for solving issues in financial economics, asset pricing, and risk management.
No description available.
No description available.
This course requires the student to apply his/her knowledge of the field of Finance to recognize operational problems in the field. Further, the student must provide evidence of his/her abilities to communicate understanding of the problem, describe the analysis performed and organize this material effectively for both a written report and corresponding oral presentation.
No description available.
Advanced practices of financial management and their application to decision making in the business firm.
An extension of the content of previous courses to summarize modern developments in financial theory.
Advanced management theory and techniques in the finance area. Emphasis is on current publications in the academic finance literature.
Provides an understanding of theoretical and functional aspects of professional investment management theory.
This seminar provides for a deep understanding of the monetary and financial system, required of finance specialists in corporate finance, banking, and investments.
Consists of supervised study and investigation of specific problems in finance and academics. Only open to graduate students beyond first year.
This independent research course partially fulfills required doctoral-level research dissertation hours toward the doctoral degree. Under the guidance of their dissertation advisor, students conduct research toward the completion of their doctoral dissertation. Employing various research techniques and methodologies, students work on theoretical and/or applied research topics with the aim of making a novel contribution to the field.
This course will employ negotiations exercises, expert guest speakers and additional readings to help students master negotiation skills.
An integrative study of the manager's role as chief strategy maker and chief strategy implementer, using case analysis and management simulation techniques.
Examines conceptual tools for the in-depth analysis of industries and competitors; how to build and defend competitive advantages and how to formulate a successful competitive strategy. Usually offered spring semester.
This course is the seventh in a series of eight STEM Business Honors courses that students take in the STEM Path to the MBA. It is intended to be taken in the fall semester of the students' senior year. It will focus on a year-long (two semester) project.
This course is the last in a series of eight STEM Business Honors courses that students take in the STEM Path to the MBA. It is intended to be taken in the spring semester of the students' senior year. It will focus on a year-long (two semester) project.
Open to all graduate students on an elective basis. This course offers students an opportunity to pursue a course of study that they design according to their own interests. Students may also work on a faculty-directed research project and receive credit.
Open to all graduate students on an elective basis. Through the cooperation of participating organizations, students are exposed to actual management situations and are given an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to practical decision problems.
The course requires the student to apply his/her knowledge of the field of General Business to recognize operational problems in the field. Further, the student must provide evidence of his/her abilities to communicate understanding of the problem, describe the analysis performed and organize this material effectively for both a written report and corresponding oral presentation.
A seminar emphasizing the environmental factors affecting international business operations, and studying different economic, social, cultural, legal, and other environmental conditions and their influence on both the formulation and execution of business policy of firms engaged in multinational business.
The object of this course is to investigate the effects of cultural similarities and differences on marketing practices worldwide. Also examined are the effects of market idiosyncrasies on globally oriented products, promotion, pricing, and distribution strategies.
This course will provide a detailed overview of marketing, management, and logistics issues relative to setting up and operating an import/export firm or engaging in these activities in an existing firm.
This course requires the student to apply his/her knowledge of the field of International Business Administration to recognize operational problems in the field. Further, the student must provide evidence of his/her abilities to communicate understanding of the problem, describe the analysis performed and organize this material effectively for both a written report and corresponding oral presentation.
This course offers faculty a chance to present topics of interest to themselves and to students with interests in international business.
Instruction and practice of information presentation in a business environment. Topics include conference room presentations, media briefings, team presentations, television interviews and audiovisual development.
This course is an overview of leadership theory and models including discussions of ethical issues that corporate decision makers face.
The major objective of the course is to introduce students to the most recent thinking about strategic change, its drivers, and the techniques that are currently used for its management.
Analysis of the role of communication in effective leadership for all management situations.
This course will employ negotiation exercises, expert guest speakers and additional readings to help students master negotiation.
Students learn to design and execute data analysis methods and solutions to support managers in developing organizational strategies grounded in evidence-driven decision-making.
A course designed to acquaint the student with a scientific approach to the selection, training, and placement of employees. Validation of selection practices and evaluation of training programs are emphasized.
This course examines how organizations expend considerable sums to attract talented employees. Students learn how Training and Development helps employers to motivate employees and tailor their skills sets to organizational needs. The course will focus less on basic training methods and more on advanced topics in workforce development as well as making the case to skeptical executives on the value of these methods.
An analysis of methods and techniques used in the management of human resources.
An analysis of the application of advanced data analytic tools to help address human resources concerns.
Methodology for understanding both written and oral presentations. Students develop a language to use to manage written and oral verbal skills in specific business environments.
Demonstrate communication effectiveness in a business context by completing a team project for a client, using written, oral, visual and interpersonal skills.
This course is designed to teach students the principles behind analyzing data and communicating it visually with Tableau software.
This course provides an opportunity to develop a business plan for a new venture or for expansion of an existing company. Students are expected to acquire skills in evaluating business ventures; to learn alternative financing sources; to develop ideas for differentiating products; and to develop an understanding of what is required to harvest the profits of a growing business.
This course is designed to offer education and training in the art of management consulting as it applies to smaller firms. The overall purpose of the course is the acquisition of knowledge and skills that will enable students to provide management advice to entrepreneurs and businesspersons to improve the performance of smaller organizations.
Open to all graduate students on an elective basis. This course offers students an opportunity to pursue a course of study that they design according to their own interests. Students may also work on a faculty-directed research project and receive credit.
Open to graduate students with the approval of the chairperson of the human resources management program. Graduate students receive on-the-job experience in human resources management in actual organizational settings, under the joint guidance of the cooperating organizational officials and faculty members.
This course requires the student to apply his/her knowledge of the field of Management to recognize operational problems in the field. Further, the student must provide evidence of his/her abilities to communicate understanding of the problem, describe the analysis performed and organize this material effectively for both a written report and corresponding oral presentation.
This course is devoted to the study of current topics of interest in management.
A supervised study of specific issues and problems in management. The course is open to students in their final semester of coursework leading to the completion of a master's degree in management.
Thesis Research.
Provides doctoral students with an introduction to the academic community.
Provides doctoral students with an introduction to the academic community.
Provides doctoral students with an introduction to the academic community.
Provides doctoral students with an introduction to the academic community.
A course designed to develop thorough understanding of individual behavior within formal organizations. Consideration is given to a number of important behavioral processes, including learning, perception, attitudinal structuring, conflict, motivation, and social reinforcement. Attention is devoted to the individual's effect on the organization and the way behavior affects the achievement of organizational goals.
A study of human interaction and interpersonal behavior within working relationships. Emphasis is given to findings of the behavioral sciences as related to management problems. Theoretical and empirical approaches to issues such as communication, socialization, and role theory are presented.
A course that gives special attention to the human aspects of problems that arise in technical, social, and organizational arenas faced with the need to change. The course includes detailed analyses of organizations as systems and of organizational leadership, change, and development.
This course deals with the definition and grouping of work units, the relationships between work units, and the assignment of decision-making authority to units within a contingency framework. Special emphasis is placed on the influence of the external environment on the structure and design of the organization.
This seminar provides students with the theoretical foundation necessary to conduct empirical research in strategic management through the study of seminal works and current literature.
This course offers a systematic overview of the research literature on entrepreneurship. As is the case with the academic field of entrepreneurship, the course takes an interdisciplinary approach, building on research in economics, sociology, psychology, geography, and other academic disciplines.
The purpose of this class is to build skills in the design, conduct and evaluation of research. Students are introduced to the basics of designing studies to test hypotheses and research.
Research Methods II.
A supervised study and investigation of specific problems in management. Open to students nearing the completion of coursework for the PhD.
This independent research course partially fulfills required doctoral-level research dissertation hours toward the doctoral degree. Under the guidance of their dissertation advisor, students conduct research toward the completion of their doctoral dissertation. Employing various research techniques and methodologies, students work on theoretical and/or applied research topics with the aim of making a novel contribution to the field.
This course will highlight one or more core programming languages (e.g., Java, Python) used within modern, data-driven organizations for the purpose of data collection, manipulation, and analysis. The first portion of the course will focus on essential programming knowledge and practices. The second portion of the course will emphasize the development of programmatic solutions, which will acquire data (e.g., web content, social media data, geospatial data, sensor-based data) through the integration of APIs and/or web services as well as ethical scraping techniques and then store the data in a modern backend database.
This course will cover the essentials of database design and management in modern, data-driven organizations. The first portion of the course will focus on relational database design as well as SQL for the storage and access of structured data. The focus of the second portion of the course will highlight modern database structures/systems (e.g., Apache Hadoop, graph databases) as well as their query languages for storing, accessing, and analyzing more unstructured data or data having relationships not easily queried by traditional databases. Additional topics may include data cleansing, query optimization, and extract-transform-load (ETL) processes.
Data communications and networks; impact on business enterprises and issues pertaining to design and implementation. Security and operational requirements evaluated in multiple network architectural configurations.
Motivation for, construction of, and application of MIS. Topics include IS strategic alignment, information intensive business processes, and decision making. Business analysis techniques are emphasized for systems such as TPS, e-business, management reporting systems, and data warehouses.
This bridge course intends to introduce students into the basics of application development using Python programming language. Students will gain a fundamental understanding of contemporary application development using Python as the programming language. Students will gain proficiency in creating functional Python scripts to build variety of applications in the area of system development. Python provides a simple and versatile development environment suitable for projects ranging from simple scripting applications to large-scale enterprise applications. In addition to core programming fundamentals, the course will also incorporate system development best practices such as team collaboration, version management, documentations, unit testing, styles and standards. In the process, students will explore the multitude of standard libraries available in the Python development ecosystem to accomplish various problem-solving tasks.
Experiential learning in a dual-coached, commercial IS environment reporting to faculty and organizational management. Projects started during the practicum continue through the remainder of the program.
Techniques and methodologies of systems analysis and design are introduced, including conducting project scoping, requirements elicitation, requirements definition, and operations specifications.
The study, application, and analysis of advanced software engineering, application patterns, and file structures. Students design, construct and test software structures for effective information management.
Techniques and methodologies of project level scoping, staffing, planning, scheduling, monitoring, and controlling the development of value-added information technology business solutions on time and within budget.
Course covers fundamental purchasing systems applications, supplier relations and evaluation, strategic planning in purchasing, purchasing techniques, value analysis and cost analysis.
Techniques and methodologies of project-level systems development and delivery are introduced including interface design, platform constraints, application architecture, testing, quality control, security, and performance evaluation.
The fragmented healthcare environment is going through a profound shift in its approach to delivering better healthcare services through the implementation of healthcare IT (HIT). This course provides an overview of the healthcare environment and the role of HIT in enabling service delivery capabilities. Specifically, this course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skill to understand the role of HIT in creating and managing the cross-continuum systems of care. Furthermore, the course prepares students with the knowledge and skills essential to managing HIT and its assimilation in the complex domain of healthcare.
Techniques and methodologies in client relationship management, proposal development, scope negotiation, component-based costing, knowledge management, software module and deliverable integration, systems deployment, and change management.
Emphasizes commercial business application of relational DBMS. Topics include semantic data modeling, normalization, process triggers, enterprise integrated, ODBC, n-tier architecture, e-business application, and performance tuning.
System level concepts, methods, tools and techniques for model-driven, data-intensive decision making. Topics include: structuring data, information and knowledge in data warehouses and dat marts, and analytic procedures.
Introduction to techniques and methodologies of enterprise-level governance, architecture, analysis, design, procurement, integration and deployment.
This course examines management issues and practical implications related to securing information systems. This course focuses on the Threat Environment, security Policy and Planning, Cryptography, Secure Networks, Access Control, Firewalls, Host Hardening, Application Security, Data Protection, Incident Response, and Networking and Review of TCP/IP. A clear theoretical understanding supports a large practical component where students learn to use contemporary security software to secure and assess information systems and network infrastructure using a hands-on approach.
This course provides students with a solid foundation of information security management, with an emphasis on its human element. As part of this understanding, we will explore how humans, as employees of an organization and consumers of organizational products and services, perceive threats to themselves, their digital assets, their privacy, and to their organizational affiliations. We also explore how these perceptions are operationalized in their behaviors as organizational insiders, serving to either undermine or facilitate security management practices.
The course is intended to teach students how to develop and apply an information security management plan to an organization. Topics include governance and security policy, threat and vulnerability management, incident management, risk management, information leakage, crisis management and business continuity, compliance management, and security awareness and security implementation considerations. Students will also be exposed to the national and international policy and legal considerations related to cybersecurity and cyberspace such as privacy, intellectual property, and cybercrime.
This course introduces the topics of cybercrime and digital forensics. Students will learn different aspects of cybercrime and methods to uncover, protect and analyze digital evidence. They will be exposed to different types of software and hardware tools and use them to perform rudimentary investigations. Cybercrime and digital forensics are increasingly important areas of study. Students will also gain an understanding of evidentiary law from the perspective of first responders. Tools are becoming more powerful and attacks more sophisticated. Consequently, there is a growing need for graduates with the skills to investigate these crimes.
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Open to students nearing completion of coursework for the master's degree. A supervised study and investigation of specific problems in management and management information systems.
The exploration of IS development and delivery research issues. Emphasis is placed on exploring the scientific method, theory building research, and methods of inquiry. Provides a framework for undertaking and evaluating MIS research.
This doctoral research seminar will provide students with a strong foundation in the theoretical and methodological knowledge required to conduct rigorous security and privacy research projects that lead to manuscripts suitable for publication in leading journals. This knowledge is what we term "procedural knowledge" and, just as you cannot learn how to ride a bike by reading about it, students must engage in actual research activities to learn the requisite knowledge. In this course, students will first critically review security and privacy research publications from the leading MIS journals and then, based on those studies, conceive a full research project, including a relevant set of research questions and a research design appropriate to the questions.
This course is an examination of the process of designing and conducting research projects on information systems phenomena. Students will gain an appreciation for the challenges and issues associated with the application of different research methodologies to MIS phenomena.
This seminar is a discussion of the basis and principles of systems modeling and the methods of social science research. The seminar also nurtures the motivation to become a contributor to the organizational sciences and information systems research communities by examining research processes, methodologies, and strategies, the information systems research context, concepts, theories, the application of systems modeling, and the nature of MIS research.
This independent research course partially fulfills required doctoral-level research dissertation hours toward the doctoral degree. Under the guidance of their dissertation advisor, students conduct research toward the completion of their doctoral dissertation. Employing various research techniques and methodologies, students work on theoretical and/or applied research topics with the aim of making a novel contribution to the field.
An intensive investigation of the process of new product development, including its role in the organization, analysis of market opportunities, creative idea generation, concept screening, design, forecasting, manufacturing, and launch. Teaching emphasis is on processes, tools, and techniques. A group project provides real-world product development experience.
MKT 511 is a graduate (master's) level counterpart to MKT 411 Supply Chain Management. Its focus is on providing a managerial perspective of best practice supply chain management. The course encompasses the collaborative strategies and planning processes needed to build and manage supply chains for systemic effectiveness and efficiency. It will be offered coterminously with MKT 411 during each spring semester. The target students for MKT 511 are MBA's with marketing concentrations and master of arts (MA) and master of science (MSC) students in marketing. Graduate students in other degree programs may also enroll as an elective for graduate credit.
A combination of lectures and cases is used to examine and analyze the marketing process. Emphasis is on decision making: the refinement of skills needed to recognize and solve marketing problems, and to effectively communicate recommendations both within and without the organization. The following components of the marketing mix are examined: product management, pricing, promotion, personal selling, buyer behavior, marketing channels, distribution, and segmentation.
Supply Chain Strategies are key to firms developing a sustainable competitive advantage. This course addresses the changing and increasingly important role of supply chain management from a strategic standpoint. Topics include Distribution Strategy, Inventory & Information Strategy, Demand Management, Operations Integration, Outsourcing, Partnering & Customer Relationship Strategy, Redesign & Contingency Planning, Reverse Logistics, Strategic Sourcing, Technology and Sustainability. The main objective of the course is to teach the participants how to develop a comprehensive supply chain to support overall business objectives. The course is case based giving the student pragmatic training for their first career placement.
This course for Master of Science in Marketing and second-year MBA students concerns the generation of marketing research results to help make marketing decisions. The course is designed to complement and build on the skills acquired in Marketing 518, the Survey of Marketing course. The core of Marketing 530 is decision-relevant data; planning its acquisition; getting it from a variety of internal, secondary and primary sources; analyzing it; and using it as the basis of decisions. The course also provides students with marketing analytics-centered skills (ANOVA, regression, factor and cluster analysis). Knowledge developed in the courses can be applied in the fields of market management, product management and project management. This course also helps prepare students to successfully complete team-based projects (Marketing 581) in the spring semester.
An examination of how service firms achieve and maintain marketing excellence via customer insights. This course will help students become astute discoverers of business-relevant consumer insights through the use of framework, concepts, tools, and techniques to understand the hearts, minds, and motives of consumers.
To understand the basic concepts and principles surrounding personal selling including the sales process and emerging advanced sales topics.
The Sales Management course builds on the basic sales process taught in Professional Sales by focusing on Account Management and Team Management.
This course focuses on key account management from a foundations, technology, and real world perspective. The course will provide students a deep dive into how to best manage customer relationships to drive ongoing “customer success” with products that keeps customer buying and using products.
This course will address the distinct needs of digital and social media in the area of marketing. Opportunities for application of these skills to real-world business situations will be given to students. The course covers theory along with the tactical elements of creating and branding digital and social media content for companies and organizations.
This course will give students experience and exposure to advertising analytics in digital and social media. Special focus will be placed on Google AdWords and Google Analytics – the premiere digital advertising and analytics program online at this time. Students will analyze current professional literature on digital and social media analytics and focus on return on investment of online advertising and analytics for businesses and organizations.
This course will give students real world experience in using social media professionally. Students will work in teams on live social media projects with a professional organization while learning Return on Investment strategies and analytical skills.
An in-depth examination and evaluation of strategic thinking behind marketing decisions. This course focuses on utilizing market intelligence in problem identification, analysis, solving, and communication in order to plan effective and customized tactics constructing a company's marketing strategy. This course uses a combination of cases and marketplace simulation to deeply examine and analyze strategic marketing problems. The course is designed to be completed in small teams with heavy emphasis on applied learning.
This course allows students to work one-on-one with faculty on a topic mutually agreed on by the faculty and student.
Students work for an organization in an approved business or public sector setting. The internship is administered through the Master of Science in Marketing program.
This course is devoted entirely to the completion of real-world marketing projects for specific organizational clients. Teams are created based on skills and interests as well as the needs of the clients. The scope of each project is determined by the needs of the client, but it typically is based in decision-making insights from marketing research and involves one or more of such marketing-oriented tasks as:market segmentation and target marketing activities associated with a proposed new product, service, or strategic initiative; the gathering and application of marketing research pertinent to an important GO/NO GO decision by the firm; gauging specific reaction from the potential customer market regarding a proposed new initiative by the client; evaluating the potential competitive advantage of a strategic or tactical move by the firm; creation of and implementation of a plan for research, promotion, launch, pricing, and/or distribution for some aspect of the firm’s business. This course is unique. It allows students to use the skills and knowledge that they have acquired in graduate marketing courses as well as build new skills in marketing analysis, project management, client relationship building/maintenance skills, communications, decision-making, and leadership.
This course requires the student to apply his/her knowledge of the field of Marketing to recognize operational problems in the field. Further, the student must provide evidence of his/her abilities to communicate understanding of the problem, describe the analysis performed and organize this material effectively for both a written report and corresponding oral presentation.
This course offers faculty a chance to present topics of interest to themselves and to marketing students.
A course designed to focus on student's independent research projects.
This course will focus on exposing PhD students to academic research related to understanding how and why people consider, choose, use, and evaluate goods and services. Offered spring semester, every other year.
A course that covers measurement theory and how it is applied in scientific research. Students learn to construct effective questionnaires, to develop psychometrically-sound measures of constructs, and to assess measure reliability and validity. Quantitative methods, including exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling, are emphasized. Offered fall semester.
This course covers multiple approaches to quantitative analysis of marketing data. Modeling skills are developed through analysis of actual data and examination of published applications. Analysis approaches include both dependence models, such as multiple regression and MANOVA, and interdependence models, such as factor analysis. Offered fall semester.
This course provides an overview of the role of theory in academic research. The course begins with an introduction of philosophy of science concepts and follows with discussions of what constitutes theory and the importance and role of theory in academic research. To provide students with an appropriate background, various theories are discussed in-depth throughout the semester along with applications of those theories in the literature. Offered every fall semester.
Through the reading of this course, we will explore in depth several specific areas that are informed by strategic marketing thought. We will not only trace the development of theory in marketing strategy, but chart several courses for future research.
This course offers faculty a chance to present contemporary research and practice topics of interest to marketing students.
A course designed to focus on students' independent research projects.
This independent research course partially fulfills required doctoral-level research dissertation hours toward the doctoral degree. Under the guidance of their dissertation advisor, students conduct research toward the completion of their doctoral dissertation. Employing various research techniques and methodologies, students work on theoretical and/or applied research topics with the aim of making a novel contribution to the field.
This course provides Operations Management concepts and applications in data-driven decision making. Emphasis is on data clean-up, data analysis, problem formulation, and interpretation of results using spreadsheet-based modeling and solution procedures including optimization and simulation approaches.
Building on the foundations of spreadsheet modeling analysis, this course provides a deeper understanding of optimization and simulation. Course topics include discrete optimization, duality and sensitivity, large scale optimization, multi-objective optimization, dynamic programming, and Monte Carlo and process simulations with an emphasis on practical applications. In addition to spreadsheets, the students will learn specialty optimization and simulation software, including heuristic methods and algorithms. Extensive use of software.
This course provides Operations Management concepts and applications in data-driven decision making. Emphasis is on data clean-up, data analysis, problem formulation, and interpretation of results using spreadsheet-based modeling and solution procedures including optimization and simulation approaches.
This course will address the important concepts and issues related to the design and management of business operations including manufacturing, distribution, logistics, transportation, and service operations. The course will demonstrate how certain quantitative methods can be applied to the analysis and solution of problems that arise in operations management.
This course provides a framework and quantitative methods for designing, managing, and analyzing the supply chain operations needed to support a firm's business strategy. Students will study the structure of supply chain operations in terms of six supply chain drivers (facilities, inventory, transportation, information, sourcing, and pricing). Students will develop analytical models and analyze the relationship between supply chain structure and performance through case studies and examples.
A broad investigation of a variety of scheduling activities in production, logistics or service environment are discussed. Typical topics include project scheduling, job-shop scheduling, routing related problems and manpower scheduling.
Principles, models, and techniques for planning, analyzing, and controlling inventory systems are discussed. Topics include in depth analysis of deterministic and stochastic inventory models and their applications. The limitations and usefulness of these models in practice are addressed.
Provide participants with a broad understanding of philosophies and methods used to enhance organizational effectiveness in a wide range of organizational settings.
No description available.
This course requires the student to apply his/her knowledge of the field of Operations Management to recognize and model operational problems and/or processes targeted for improvement. Further, the student must provide evidence of his/her abilities to communicate understanding of the problem or process, describe the analysis performed, and organize this material effectively for both a written report and corresponding oral presentation.
No description available.
Open to students nearing completion of coursework for the master's degree. A supervised study and investigation of specific problems in management and operations management.
The theory and application of linear programming are rigorously studied. Software tools such as AMPL and OPL Studio for solving linear programs are introduced.
Probabilistic models in the decision-making process are discussed. Attention is given to the assumptions, development, and administrative implications of dynamic programming, queuing analysis, and decision analysis.
Theoretical and applied aspects of nonlinear modeling and optimization such as unconstrained and constrained optimization, duality, barrier and interior point methods, and large-scale optimization.
Theoretical and applied aspects of integer and discrete modeling and optimization such as valid inequalities, transformations, branch and bound, column generation, and branch and cut.
A quantitative study of models and procedures used in various decision problems addressed by production and operations managers is completed in this course. Mathematical modeling and optimization software packages are used in solving these models.
A learning environment designed to expose Ph.D. students to a wide array of issues and topics related to operations management research.
Special Topics.
No description available.
A broad introduction to statistical and probabilistic methods useful for managerial decision making. Topics include graphical displays, numerical summaries, basic probability models, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis.
Introduction to the management of data using SAS. The collection and management of data from business or scientific research projects are emphasized.
This course provides students with insight and understanding into the advanced aspects of data management. Emphasis will be placed on computer techniques for the preparing and cleaning of data from scientific research projects as well as for business-oriented projects in order to conduct advanced level analyses. Techniques for detecting, quantifying, and correcting data quality will be covered.
A detailed study of data mining techniques including logistic regression, neural networks, decision trees, general classifier theory, and unsupervised learning methods. Mathematical details and computer techniques are examined. The SAS programming language and SAS's Enterprise Miner will be used to accomplish these tasks. Other packages may also be used.
This course explores the syntax of the R language and its capabilities for statistical data analysis, computing, and graphics.
Emphasis is on practical methods of statistical data analysis and their interpretation. Topics include simple and multiple linear regression, regression model interpretation, regression diagnostics, transformations on dependent and independent variables, qualitative independent variables, regression inference, strategies for model building, methods for forecasting time series data. Extensive use of statistical software.
Emphasis is on practical methods of statistical data analysis and their interpretation. Topics include design and analysis of experiments (completely randomized design, randomized block design, factorial designs, 2^(k−p) fractional factorial designs, response surface optimization), multivariate inference, dimension reduction, classification, and clustering. Extensive use of statistical software.
Data visualization is one of powerful tools to explore and understand data. This course is intended to introduce students to useful visualization techniques for data exploration and presentation using the free and open-source R computer programming. Basic syntax and capabilities of the R language are also covered.
Development of fundamental concepts of organizing, exploring, and summarizing data; probability; common probability distributions; sampling and sampling distributions; estimation and hypothesis testing for means, proportions, and variances using parametric and nonparametric procedures; power analysis; goodness of fit; contingency tables. Statistical software packages are used extensively to facilitate valid analysis and interpretation of results. Emphasis is on methods and on selecting proper statistical techniques for analyzing real situations.
Modeling issues for multiple linear regression are discussed in the context of data analysis. These include the use of residual plots, transformations, hypothesis tests, outlier diagnostics, analysis of covariance, variable selection techniques, weighted least squares and colinearity. The uses of multiple logistic regression are similarly discussed for dealing with binary-valued dependent variables.
Methods and business applications of multivariate analysis, discriminant analysis, canonical correlation, factor analysis, cluster analysis, and principal components.
The course introduces probability theory. It covers fundamental concepts and theorems, such as probability distribution; random variable; mathematical expectation, variance, moments, independence, and transformations of random variables; multivariate distributions, sampling distributions, central limit theorem and law of large numbers.
Theory of order statistics, point estimation, interval estimation, and hypothesis testing.
Statistical methods for summarizing data; probability; common probability distributions; sampling and sampling distributions; estimation and hypothesis testing for means, proportions, and variances using parametric and nonparametric procedures; power analysis; goodness of fit; contingency tables; and simple regression and one-way analysis of variance.
An introduction to the design and analysis of experiments. Topics include factorial, fractional factorial, block, incomplete block, and nested designs. Other methods discussed include Taguchi Methods, response surface methods, and analysis of covariance.
The study and application of advanced analytics application. Students design, construct, test, and present applications to solve real-world analytics problems.
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Gauss-Markov Theorem, solution of linear systems of less than full rank, generalized inverse of matrices, distributions of quadratic forms, and theory for estimation and inference for the general linear model.
Theory of the general linear regression models and inference procedures, variable selection procedures, and alternate estimation methods including principal components regression, robust regression methods, ridge regression, and nonlinear regression.
Theory and applications of various nonparametric statistical methods are covered for one-sample, two-sample, and multi-sample problems. Goodness of fit techniques such as Chi-square and the kolmogorov-Smirnov test are covered along with graphical analysis based on P-P and Q-Q plots. Computer software such as MINITAB, SAS, and STATXACT are used.
Special topics in statistics.
Open only to graduate students nearing completion of coursework. Independent study and investigation of specific problems for advanced students of statistics.
No description available.
College of Communication & Information Sciences Courses
This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to use research to select appropriate media channels to communicate to stakeholders. Students will learn to create media briefings and plans for persuasive communication campaigns that include data-driven recommendations. Students will also learn how to retrieve, assess and visualize social media and web analytics.
This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to manage relationships with media gatekeepers in order to facilitate communication through their channels, including media selection, build relationships with gatekeepers, and interacting with the media through interviews and press conferences. Students will also learn how to track and analyze media coverage and sentiment using online tools.
This course is designed to introduce students to the practice of managing integrated communication to build, maintain and repair an organization’s reputation. Emphasis will be placed on issues and risk management, corporate social responsibility, cause-related marketing, advocacy advertising and crisis communication.
This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to branding from a marketing perspective, and how integrated communication is used to communicate a brand’s identity to build, manage and protect brand equity. Emphasis will be placed on brand assessment, brand positioning, audience selection and the marketing promotional mix.
Students develop optimal media strategies to reach consumers in a complex media landscape, using advanced media and audience analytic techniques. Students complete sophisticated, research-driven media plans.
Students develop ideation skills and professional identities as either art directors or writers. Students acquire techniques and develop personal discipline inherent to the generation of novel, sophisticated creative work.
This seminar course is devoted to the exploration of leadership theories, strategies, and practices as they relate to supporting and enhancing the creative process within the advertising industry.
For aspiring writers, this course offers an intensive exploration of the craft across a variety of genres. Students gain an understanding of the power of words and the use of distinctive voices, with implications for strategic advertising copywriting. Students are also expected to research and write creative briefs.
For aspiring art directors, this course offers an in-depth examination of formal graphic design principles and their application in advertising via lectures, reading assignments and projects. Topics include color theory, typography, and layout as well as applied skills associated with an art director’s daily work.
This workshop course is devoted to the development and execution of portfolio pieces reflecting the pursuit of sound strategic and conceptual thinking. Student work is reviewed by a jury of creative professionals at an end-of-semester critique.
This workshop course is devoted to the continued development and professional-level execution of a complete advertising portfolio reflecting mastery of strategic and conceptual thinking. The course also covers job search strategies and personal branding.
This course introduces students to the core theoretical and practical approaches to managing social and digital media. Students will begin learning a skill set based on the demands of current industry practice that will allow them to strategically manage digital communications for organizations.
This course is designed to provide students with skills and concepts to effectively create content across digital media platforms. Students will be introduced to frameworks and practices on content creation and strategy, along with tools on how to drive the development of future content through analytics. Emphasis will be placed on creating engaging content for target audiences that is written clearly and accurately.
This workshop-style course is designed to provide students with advanced practical, theoretical and analytical knowledge and skills required to successfully develop, monitor, and execute digital communication campaigns. Students will build upon their already-acquired skill set based on the demands of current industry practice. This course is a combination of lectures and exercises where strategic thinking, attention to detail and creative problem solving are crucial.
This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to plan and analyze secondary, qualitative and quantitative data to draw meaningful academic and/or industry conclusions, monitor and measure outcomes of communication efforts, and present and visualize data proficiently.
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the fundamental theories and concepts that drive the research and practice of advertising and public relations and how to apply those theories and concepts for academic and industry inquiry.
This course exposes students to the main quantitative research methods required for analysis in social scientific research, whether academic or applied. Students learn the main quantitative methodological approaches from the field of communications, and also provides essential skills required for analyzing and tackling major research issues.
This course is designed to acquaint students with the ethical and professional practice of advertising and public relations. Students will prepare for the job and internship search by creating resumes, CVs, cover letters and portfolios that will make them viable on the job market. Students will also discuss networking, job etiquette, building relationships with stakeholders and clients, creating presentation-ready documents using Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite, and presentation and pitching skills.
The practice of creating, writing, editing, and producing persuasive communication for advertising and public relations. Writing skills are exercised extensively in this course.
Problems and decision-making processes involved in the management of advertising and public relations programs and organizations.
This course is the second part of a two semester course designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to plan and analyze secondary, qualitative and quantitative data to draw meaningful academic and/or industry conclusions, monitor and measure outcomes of communication efforts, and present and visualize data proficiently. This course includes an introduction to social and digital media analytics.
This course is designed to provide students with exposure to and the ability to enact computational approaches to research. It will introduce students to methods of data collection, management, analysis, and visualization using Python, arguably the most widely used general programming language for computational research, and R, a dedicated interface for computational data analysis. These two resources jointly represent the state of the art for computational research today.
The practice of developing ideas and creative strategies for professional evaluations about design and its application. Each student prepares a portfolio.
This course is designed to provide students with skills and concepts to communicate to stakeholders effectively using a variety of media channels (mass, controlled, digital, social, interpersonal) and focusing on communication as an art and a science. Emphasis is placed on assessing research to guide strategic decisions and on evaluating writing for persuasive content across various media channels.
This industry-driven course is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to lead persuasive communication departments and agencies effectively on an international scale. Emphasis is placed on understanding how to use critical thinking and problem solving to make ethical, cultural, financial and personnel decisions that affect multi-market organizations.
This course is designed for graduate students who have chosen to complete the comprehensive examination as their capstone experience for the degree.
This independent study course is designed to allow students to pursue independent exploration of a particular field or topical area, under the guidance of an advisor. Material covered will be of an advanced nature aimed at providing students with an understanding of current developments within the field. Discussion and advisor guidance will be focused on readings and methodologies that allow students to develop their research capacity, independent thought, and the ability to interpret professional and/or research materials in their field.
Research and planning to develop an integrated communication campaign for a specific organization. This is the preparation stage for the campaign planbook prepared by the student for APR 598.
Development and presentation of an integrated communication plan or applied research project for a specific organization under the supervision of an instructor of record or committee. Integration of theory, concepts, and techniques in a complete communication program.
This independent research course partially fulfills required master’s-level research thesis hours toward the master’s degree in advertising and public relations. The course is conducted under the guidance of the thesis advisor. Material covered will be of an advanced nature aimed at providing master's students with an understanding of the latest research and current developments within the field. Discussion and advisor guidance will be directed towards readings of research articles and development of research methodology, with the aim of producing an original research contribution that represents a novel development in the field, or a novel perspective on a pre-existing topic in the field.
This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of bookbinding and letterpress printing, with an emphasis on the unique conceptual and narrative potentials of the book form. Content generation and design will be explored alongside instruction about studio equipment, studio practice, and the fundamental techniques and materials used in hand book work. Through readings and studio assignments, students will learn about type setting, registration, imposition, and press operation. A variety of book structures that support the creation of artist books will be explored.
This course is devoted to the fundamentals of letterpress. Students will develop fine craft skills in a studio environment. Through hands on assignments, students will be introduced to hand setting type, press operation, and image making techniques. They will learn fundamental terminology, gain an understanding of the interaction of type, ink, and paper, and develop familiarity with the equipment. The emphasis is on fine printing and relief image making.
Students in this course will build on their skills on the press through the production of two assignments, culminating in the design and production of a book project. This course is focused on typographic design, the intersection of text and image, and press work. Readings and discussions in this course will focus on typography and the hierarchy of information in the book format.
This course is devoted to book production. Students in this course will produce and refine a series of mockups before embarking on the production of an ambitious book project. Readings, discussions, and visits to special collections will help direct the course. Individual projects will be a catalyst for the refinement of skills on the press, including the production and use of polymer plates, setting type, press operation, and maintenance. A minimum of 3 credit hours is required when taken for the first time. After the initial 3 credits the course can be taken for variable credit and will contain unique content not covered in the initial 3 credit hours.
Students in the course will design and produce an ambitious, letterpress-printed book project. Students will refine their skills on the press as well as develop tactics for disseminating their work. A book produced in this course can be a stepping stone towards a career in book arts. Discussion and critique are foundational to this course. Class time will be spent on troubleshooting project issues, creating budgets for book projects, and developing an online presence for the marketing of books. A minimum of 3 credit hours is required when taken for the first time. After the initial 3 credits the course can be taken for variable credit and will contain unique content not covered in the initial 3 credit hours.
This course is devoted to the history, context, and production of artist books. It is also an opportunity to develop a habit of creativity. We will use the power of sequence and innovative book structure to complicate and deepen our creative work. Since the end of the 19th century, a wide spectrum of artists enlisted the form of the book as a means of creative expression. In this course, we will engage in creative mark-making, writing assignments, content-generation exercises, and bookbinding to facilitate the creation of a series of artist book projects. Our book production will be supplemented by readings and visits from guest artists and special collections librarians in order to provide a broad context for artist books. Books are interdisciplinary by nature, and this course can complement a wide range of interests, including photography, printmaking, painting, creative writing, architecture, libraries, graphic design, art history, zines, graphic novels, and many other topics.
Drawing upon both the historic and contemporary Western bookbinding traditions, this course is an initiation into fundamental binding forms, techniques, materials, and design. Through the construction of a series of cloth and paper structures, students will gain an understanding of the properties inherent to the materials and how they work in the context of bookbinding. In addition to the development of good hand skills and proper use of materials, aesthetic and design issues concerning book construction will be addressed.
An introduction to the materials and techniques of case bookbinding. Students will continue to refine the fundamental binding skills acquired in BA 530, while being introduced to more advanced materials techniques. Case bookbinding and custom built enclosures will be constructed using paper, cloth, and leather. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of these skills necessary for completing both one-of-a-kind and edition work.
An introduction to the materials and techniques of leather bookbinding along with the principles of conservation treatments as they relate to the processes of rebinding. Students will study the methods of production of animal skins for book making, the qualities of these skins, and their identification. Instruction in the use of leather-working tools, advanced case binding techniques, and in-board binding construction will be introduced. A strong emphasis will be placed on paper mending, forwarding techniques and leather preparation. A minimum of 3 credit hours is required when taken for the first time. After the initial 3 credits the course can be taken for variable credit and will contain unique content not covered in the initial 3 credit hours.
This course is devoted to advanced techniques in hand bookbinding. Students will refine their binding skills while exploring methods for fine and design work. Readings and discussions will focus on sound binding practices, and the examination of both historic and contemporary book construction and design. An advanced final project will allow students to demonstrate their mastery of the materials and techniques presented in the binding I-IV course sequence. After the initial 3 credits the course can be taken for variable credit and will contain unique content not covered in the initial 3 credit hours.
An exploration of traditional and experimental forms of boxes and other protective enclosures for books. Boxes serve both aesthetic and functional purposes: they house, protect, and present their contents. Students will learn box making techniques such as measuring, fitting, covering, and casing; these will be considered also in connection with more complex components like partitioning and layering. We will discuss aesthetics in the context of overall design as well as selection of materials and structures appropriate for specific applications.
Provides hands-on experience in the fundamentals of making traditional Western-style handmade papers using a variety of fibers. The objective is to produce reference samples of various kinds of sheets, as well as edition sheets of papers for book or art-making purposes. After the initial 3 credits the course can be taken for variable credit and will contain unique content not covered in the initial 3 credit hours.
This course will focus on creative processes unique to hand papermaking that stemmed from developments and innovations in the field since the 1950s. Through lectures, readings, and projects, students will gain an understanding of paper as an activated entity that can stand alone or be integrated with other media in meaningful ways. Students will refine and expand on Western sheet formation skills through hands-on experience with processes such as pigmenting, pulp painting, and blowout. After the initial 3 credits the course can be taken for variable credit and will contain unique content not covered in the initial 3 credit hours.
Through brainstorming, discussion, and writing, students in this course will develop the concept of and proposal for their Creative Thesis Project for the MFA Book Arts degree. This course will also guide students through the development of CVs, artist statements, workshop proposals, and a digital portfolio. A significant portion of the course will involve speaking to individuals practicing in the field and developing strategies for the business side of working as an artist. This course may be repeated for a maximum of six credit hours.
Workshops covering all subjects in the book arts, held both on and off campus.
Practical experience teaching introductory courses in printing, binding, and other appropriate book arts.
Provides an opportunity for the student to pursue independently a project in the book arts.
Provides an opportunity for an intensive investigation of both historical and technical studies of a book-arts craft.
A direct learning experience in a studio of a professional book artist.
The capping experience of the MFA in the book arts program is the creative project, thesis, and exhibition. Working with a faculty advisor, the candidate develops a project that demonstrates a deep understanding of the craft and the aesthetic, historic, and critical contexts of the book; to establish technical expertise; and to work independently.
This proseminar helps doctoral students explore methods and effective practices of teaching at the university level. Students examine how to employ different teaching modalities in an effort to engage students. Students discuss the varying teaching demands associated with class design (small classes, large lectures, and online courses). Students learn how to clearly communicate course expectations, deal with potential conflict, and construct and maintain a high level of professionalism. This one-hour proseminar builds on and extends the coverage of pedagogy provided in CIS 610 Foundations of Doctoral Study. It is recommended only for students who have completed CIS 610.
The course provides detailed study of quantitative research methods appropriate to the various areas of study in communication and information sciences.
This course is a survey of the foundational theories of mass communication and media processes and effects.
Survey of foundational cultural and critical theories in communication.
This course offers a survey of theoretical developments in the study of knowledge and information.
This course provides detailed study of the philosophical foundations of theory construction and current issues in theories of the nature of knowledge.
This course is an introduction to qualitative research methods in communication, yet with a doctoral level of sophistication and expectations. The aim is to introduce students to all primary forms of qualitative methodologies from a social science perspective; however, each method or approach described could easily be the subject of a course itself.
Founded on a logical conceptualization of knowledge creation, this course surveys eight modes of knowing in the humanities: philological interpretation, phenomenological interpretation, explanatory history, narrative history, aesthetic/technical criticism, cultural criticism, theoretical analysis, and theoretical synthesis. Treatment of modes includes investigation of theories and examination of applications. The course is designed to support disciplinary research and publication by participants.
Students develop familiarity with college graduate faculty members, their professional lives, teaching specialties, research interests, and service involvements. Students become familiar with the norms of doctoral life. Students develop their own unique approach to research, teaching, and service in the context of their area of expertise.
Topics vary. Course supports research in areas appropriate for advanced study and original research in communication and information sciences. Depending on the interests of participants and on the topic of the seminar, students may conduct research individually or may work together on research projects. May be repeated.
This graduate seminar explores the major interpersonal issues related to health communication, focusing on both classical and contemporary perspectives.
The examination of a wide range of mediated texts through the intersecting perspectives of cultural, critical and rhetorical analysis.
Focuses on both scholarly and commercial networked digital publishing within the context of the information cycle and information chain from the vantages of contemporary publishing and communication. The course is concerned with the numerous and varied problems/opportunities of electronic publishing and the accompanying paradigm shifts.
This course provides an overview of foundational theoretical and research perspectives focusing on communication and culture from functionalist (post-positivist), interpretive, and critical perspectives. Students study intercultural communication theories addressing the relationship between culture and communication, including theories related to identity (including race, gender, nationality, etc.), face negotiation, transitions and adjustment, pedagogy, and intercultural alliances.
Explores the major theories and issues related to health information seeking, focusing on the roles of mediated and interpersonal communication in seeking, understanding, and sharing health information.
This graduate course presents a focused investigation of communication in close personal relationships, with primary emphasis on foundational theories and concepts of relational communication.
This graduate seminar provides an overview of research in foundational and contemporary mediated interpersonal communication relations, reviewing modern conceptions of interpersonal relationships, communication, and mediated communication from a wide breadth of disciplines.
This course is designed to introduce students to research in interpersonal deception and to acquaint students with deceptive verbal and nonverbal behaviors and their motives and consequences, as well as with the research that has explored deception detection strategies.
This course covers the process of promoting health by disseminating messages through mass media, emergent media, and interpersonal communication. It covers the role of campaign designers in assessing consumer health needs and communication behaviors and in planning, implementing, and assessing campaigns.
Topics may vary. Study and analysis of the development and management of communication institutions and their place in society. May be repeated.
Theoretical and research perspectives on information policy, the set of interrelated principles, laws, and regulations guiding the oversite and management of the information lifecycle through its production, collection, distribution, use, and preservation.
Study and analysis of the persuasive function of communication through theoretical and/or strategic approaches. May be repeated.
Theoretical and research perspectives in social justice and advocacy in information studies and related information disciplines. This course explores information structures, contexts, technologies, institutions, and policies as structures and sites of power that shape inequalities. Students investigate what socially-just outcomes and interventions might look like for communities, institutions, and individuals in the information studies context.
Study and analysis of visual communication in its various forms, intended uses, and potential effects. May be repeated.
This course covers basic concepts of health communication within a mass communication and communications context. It covers methods and theories used to study health communication, the effects of health messages in the media, the content of health messages in the media, influences on conceptions of health and illness, and crisis communication in a health context.
Study and analysis of the formation and expression of public opinion and its relation to communication. May be repeated.
Historical investigations of communication through descriptive, evaluative, critical, and/or archival approaches.
This course examines the content, processes, and effects of communication within the American political system with a focus on the roles of human communication and media production and use. Students will learn about foundational theories and research central to political communication and consider normative theories of deliberative systems, the political economy of media and politics, and the complex relationship between media content and individual attitudes and behaviors. Students will critically examine the role of communication technologies in shaping political communication and civic life within today's hybrid media system.
Surveys the history and present landscape of sports media research. Students will read and critique existing published research while also learning how to conduct and advance original research in the topic area.
Theoretical and research approaches to the sociological study of media production. Students explore and analyze the many contexts that shape media practices and media content, including: political and economic systems and institutions; media organizations, professions and technologies; and human cultures and communities.
This course introduces basic computational approaches for social scientific research, emphasizing the use of R and Python to collect, organize, and analyze data. Students will learn how to create and manipulate variables, use conditional statements and functions, obtain descriptive statistics, develop a variety of visualizations, and perform both quantitative and qualitative analyses.
Covers widely used and emerging theories employed to understand media processes and effects. Considers the implications of theory in designing and conducting research in media processes and effects.
Provides students an opportunity to understand and use advanced quantitative research methods widely used in the communication and information science disciplines.
Covers widely used and emerging theories employed in the study of applied communication. Considers the implication of theory in designing and conducting research in applied communication.
Covers topics especially relevant in the current academic study of media processes and effects, typically focusing on a single theoretical or contextual issue.
This seminar covers specific topics relevant to the current academic study of Applied Communication, typically focusing in-depth on one theoretical or contextual aspect. Topics will vary by semester.
This independent study course is designed to allow doctoral students to pursue independent exploration of a particular field or topical area, under the guidance of an advisor. Material covered will be of an advanced nature aimed at providing students with an understanding of current developments within the field. Discussion and advisor guidance will be focused on readings and methodologies that allow students to develop their research capacity, independent thought, and the ability to interpret professional and/or research materials in their field.
This independent research course partially fulfills required doctoral-level research dissertation hours toward the Ph.D. degree in Communication and Information Sciences. The course is conducted under the guidance of the dissertation advisor. Material covered will be of an advanced nature aimed at providing doctoral students with an understanding of the latest research and current developments within the field. Discussion and advisor guidance will be directed towards readings of research articles and development of research methodology, with the aim of producing an original research contribution that represents a novel development in the field, or a novel perspective on a preexisting topic in the field.
This course is an introduction to graduate level learning in the discipline of Communication Studies. The primary goal is to provide new graduate students with an orientation to the discipline and the department. This course provides a broad introduction to the various topics and approaches of studying communication, including the metatheoretical principles guiding knowledge production. As such, students will be introduced to theories and concepts of Communication, as well as how these can be applied to understand phenomena across various contexts. Another goal of the course is to prepare students for success in graduate studies by reinforcing skills such as critical reading, writing, information gathering, syntheses, and presentation. The course covers program requirements, degree completion options, and professional development within and outside academia.
The primary goal of this course is to facilitate the instruction of COM 123 Public Speaking. Graduate students enrolled in this course will provide lesson plans for their classes and discuss options for improving classroom learning.
The primary goal of this course is to facilitate the instruction of general education courses in Communication Studies. Graduate students enrolled in this course will provide lesson plans for their classes and discuss options for improving classroom learning.
This course is designed for graduate students in their final semester of study who have chosen to complete the comprehensive examination as their capstone experience for the degree.
Study and analysis of issues of diversity as they relate to groups in society and in communication fields. Emphasis is on the media's treatment of various groups in society. Approved as a communication and culture elective.
A historical-critical investigation of African American public discourse from the Revolutionary era to the present, exploring rhetorical strategies for social change and building community.
An exploration of rhetorical, media, and cross-disciplinary theories and literature related to political communication as expressed in campaigns and institutional governance.
This course introduces ancient rhetorical origins shared by communication and the practice of law and examines how contemporary communication theory informs the way legal systems work today. Students are given the opportunity to investigate a specific legal practice or phenomenon through the application of communication theory.
This class explores the relationship between forensics and academia, investigating the placement of competitive forensic activities within specific academic departments, the development of strong, competitive programs through responsible coaching, and the application of forensics experience beyond the competitive environment.
Study of the impact of gender on political communication activities. Topics include gender differences in political messages and voter orientation, masculine ideals of leadership, women's roles and advancement in the political sphere, and media representations.
Individualized research under graduate faculty supervision. Students who want to include this course in their Plans of Study to complete degree requirements must secure official approval from their faculty advisor and the department. No more than three hours of independent study may be applied toward degree requirements for the M.A. in Communication Studies.
A survey of major contributions to rhetorical theory from the 20th century up to the present.
A systematic inquiry into the development of Greek and Roman rhetorical theory during the classical period (ca. 480 B.C.E. 400 C.E.).
An examination of various methodological perspectives of rhetorical criticism. Specifically, the course aims to familiarize students with both traditional and alternative critical methods and to encourage students to perceive the rhetorical dimensions of all manner of public discourse, ranging from speeches, advertising, film, popular music to discursive forms in new media and the Internet.
An introduction to qualitative research methods in communication, including data collection and analysis. The goals of the course are to provide exposure to a broad array of qualitative methods, help students learn to use some of these methods, and to help them to understand the role of research in our field. The course is designed to help student actually conduct research, resulting in two conference-worthy papers.
This course explores the theories, research, and practice that identify communication skills and competencies in the educational setting.
Negotiation is fundamentally a communicative activity. The main objective of this course is to understand processes of formal conflict management in mixed motive settings. Students will apply negotiation theory and skills to simulated negotiation cases that include buyer-seller transactions, negotiating through an agent or mediator, salary negotiations, deal making, resolution of workplace disputes, multiparty negotiations, international and intercultural negotiations, and ethical decision making and communication in negotiation. The skills and theory introduced in this course will help students manage integrative and distributive aspects of the negotiation process to achieve individual and collective goals.
An advanced study of small-group behavior, examining in detail theories of leadership as they relate to problem solving in group situations.
A detailed review of selected theories of speech communication with a focus on the critical examination of the foundation of social scientific theories.
Focused investigation of to communication in close personal relationships, with primary emphasis on contemporary concepts and theories of romantic relationships and friendships.
Survey and analysis of major concepts, theories, and research dealing with communication between people of different cultural backgrounds in multicultural and international settings.
A topical consideration of individual case studies from public discourse, designed to probe problems of the nature of the audience, the ethics of persuasion, and the power of public advocacy in mass society. Topics may vary.
This course focuses on the foundations for studying communication occurring in the professional and everyday practices of health and healing, including patient-provider relationships, health education, health care organizations, health and the body, and other political, cultural, and material forces that influence how we make sense of health.
An introductory examination of historical and contemporary issues in organizational communication scholarship from a variety of theoretical and methodological perspectives.
Examines the theoretical issues inherent in the study of organizational communication, the primary factors requiring assessment and intervention, the impact of on-going changes and new information techniques, current challenges facing the organizational consultant, and the practical application of communication processes for improving organizations.
This course studies the communicative processes and strategies for engaging with community stakeholders through research and experiential learning. Students are placed in an environment to practice application of these methods, to learn firsthand the effects of engagement communication models, and to experience the community building possible through careful communication.
Study of the complexity of technologically-mediated communication across cultures. This course combines literature and concepts from intercultural communication with human communication and technology and addresses the challenges of interacting with others via technology, working in global virtual teams and organizations, and participating as a citizen and consumer in the technology age.
This course examines autoethnography as perspective, method, and content area, concentrating on writing as a method of knowing that privileges lived experience.
This course gives students opportunities to demonstrate learning by interpreting, synthesizing, and integrating their knowledge from previous coursework in communication studies. This course serves as a culminating experience and should be taken during the last term of students' program of study.
Proposal for supervised field experience in communication studies must be submitted and approved.
Topics vary by instructor.
MA students in Communication Studies who elect the Professional Plan II Option may earn 3 hours credit for completing a research or creative project.
No description available.
This course introduces students to graduate study and sets the stage for the remainder of their coursework. Students learn about research in journalism and media studies, and they become familiar with the department faculty’s interests and expertise. Students will develop an overall research question and begin to work on a topic proposal.
Instruction in and critical analysis of communication technologies used in the production of community journalism.
This course focuses on gathering, writing, editing, and presenting of news and information across media platforms.
This course entails reporting and writing in-depth news and feature stories for publication in print and online. Students learn advanced techniques in information gathering and non-fiction writing. Deadline reporting and writing skills are addressed, as well.
The analysis of American cinema--focusing on three critical methods: genre study, authorship (the auteur theory), and the star system.
Advanced techniques in reporting and writing for sports media, as well as ethical and societal implications of sports journalism.
Theoretical study of individual and societal effects of media, including the impact and influence on attitudes and cultural beliefs.
Students apply theoretical perspectives useful in understanding the role of entertainment media in public engagement with science. This course foregrounds the role of storytelling in science and environmental communication in both contemporary and emergent media.
The art and practice of writing editorials, columns and other persuasive forms for print and online.
This course examines how emerging media have and are evolving the relationship between journalism/mass media and society. From primarily a social scientific perspective, this course addresses key theories and issues relevant to journalism’s ongoing shift to the digital world.
The course will give students a better understanding of the theory and practice of sports documentary production. Students will research and create mini-documentaries on sport-related topics.
This course is designed to give students an overview of journalism and the process and pedagogy of instructing K-12 and college journalism classes.
This course focuses on writing and editing of long-form articles for publication in print and online depth magazines. Students learn advanced narrative non-fiction writing techniques and how to gather information for longer feature stories.
The course will teach students to tell stories using data and visualization techniques. The course will cover a variety of topics in pursuit of this goal, including data collection, data cleaning and manipulation, basic statistics, and data visualization.
Advanced techniques in writing and editing feature articles for publication across media outlets. Students will learn nonfiction writing techniques and apply them to a variety of feature article forms, with an emphasis on storytelling for digital audiences. Students will study top-notch published work to observe these techniques in action, and then sharpen their own skills through several short and lengthier, in-depth feature articles.
Historical and critical study of electronic-media news in the United States.
Development of leadership skills for managing media organizations in the global environment. Students will analyze media industries and media data, review case studies and try to resolve media challenges. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the impact of a digitized media world.
Exploration of theory and an overview of research approaches as they relate to the study of news media and their role in communities.
Covers the methods by which journalists and marketing professionals monitor the interests and activities of readers, viewers, and users of content.
Practices, ethics and theory of entrepreneurship in the journalism field.
Course content varies to explore current topics relevant to journalism and creative media. Repeatable for up to 6 credits if the topics are different.
Examines current issues facing the news media, ranging from professional problems to the human, social, and other consequences of news, news practices, and news technology.
This course focuses on the study of the origin and development of journalism and mass media, covering major ideas and milestones and the individuals who have made notable contributions to the field. The history and philosophy of freedom of the press and the First Amendment receives particular attention.
An immersion in a community and in the news organization that covers it, and an introduction to the daily practice of professional journalism at the community level.
Studies in selected aspects of the practice of journalism. May be repeated.
Documenting Justice I is an interdisciplinary course in documentary filmmaking. Harnessing a variety of perspectives drawn from disciplines across the humanities, students use film to document and analyze the many dimensions of culture and social experience at issue when focusing on a story of justice or injustice in Alabama. The course involves study of documentary history and theory as well as the ethics of cinematic non-fiction.
Documenting Justice II is an interdisciplinary course in documentary filmmaking. Harnessing a variety of perspectives drawn from disciplines across the humanities, students use film to document and analyze the many dimensions of culture and social experience at issue when focusing on a story of justice or injustice in Alabama. The course involves study of documentary history and theory as well as the ethics of cinematic non-fiction.
Anatomy of a Trial is an interdisciplinary service-learning course in narrative nonfiction, focusing on audio storytelling. Students learn to develop their own personal voice and style while also learning practical skills about the emerging podcast landscape. Students are introduced to professional audio techniques, including recording, editing and sound design. The course involves study of radio journalism history and theory as well as the ethics of narrative nonfiction.
This is an interdisciplinary service-learning course in narrative nonfiction, focusing on audio storytelling. Students learn to develop their own personal voice and style while also learning practical skills about the emerging podcast landscape. Students are introduced to professional audio techniques, including recording, editing and sound design. The course involves study of radio journalism history and theory as well as the ethics of narrative nonfiction.
Independent study as arranged.
Students produce a professional-level project or complete comprehensive exams.
This independent research course partially fulfills required master’s-level research thesis hours toward the master’s degree in Journalism. The course is conducted under the guidance of the thesis advisor. Material covered will be of an advanced nature aimed at providing master's students with an understanding of the latest research and current developments within the field. Discussion and advisor guidance will be directed towards readings of research articles and development of research methodology, with the aim of producing an original research contribution that represents a novel development in the field, or a novel perspective on a pre-existing topic in the field.
This introductory course examines information science through conceptual foundations and historical underpinnings of the field as they relate to the nature and roles of information and information institutions. Students will learn fundamental approaches to understand the relationships between Information and individuals, organizations, and society.
This required course introduces students to values and ethics and power structures that impact information and information services to diverse communities. It serves as a foundation for broadly thinking about information, communities, power, and social responsibility of LIS professionals.
Introduces research design and statistical techniques used in library, media, and information science. At the conclusion of the course, the student should be able to comprehend and utilize research reports in these fields and to design and carry out basic research projects.
Instructional modules that introduce the student to basic skills in the preparation and utilization of educational media.
Explores principles and issues involved in developing library collections. Aspects such as community analysis, policy development, selection and acquisitions, resource sharing, evaluation, weeding, and preservation are examined.
Investigates approaches to current and historical methods for information organization by librarians, including emerging approaches to resource identification and description via linked data. Explores subject access in using traditional access tools, and contemporary issues in bibliographic control in the Web era.
Introduces reference and instructional services in libraries.
Designed to introduce students to the theory and practice of modern management by studying the management aspects of authority, communications, decision making, delegation, leadership, personnel, planning, budgeting, and motivation. Use is made of case studies and simulations.
Surveys scientific and technical communication, the bibliographic structure of science and technology, and information services for scientists and technologists. In-depth study of the major information sources in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, and geology is included.
This required course introduces students to the multi- and interdisciplinary nature of Library and Information Science and to the career paths available to them through the MLIS degree. As a result of this course, students will be better able to make informed decisions about the educational, experiential, and technical opportunities needed in order to pursue their chosen professional path.
This course provides students with the conceptual frameworks, methodologies, analytical approaches, and argumentation skills needed as information professionals to resolve complex ethical crises and dilemmas surrounding the use of information, data, and emerging technologies.
Introduces a wide variety of print and non-print early literacy materials for young children ages birth to seven with an emphasis on selecting materials and developing literature-based story programs to meet their educational, cultural, and recreational needs. Among the types of story programming techniques to be explored are storytelling, flannel boards, drama, puppetry, and finger rhymes. Emphasis will be placed on investigating the principals involved in designing, implementing, promoting and evaluating early literacy story programs for young children.
Explores materials (print and non-print) and programs appropriate for children ages 6 to 12.
Explores materials (print and non-print) and programs appropriate for teenagers and young adults.
Examines services, programming, and popular materials provided to adult users of public libraries.
Introduces graduate level concepts and skills associated with project management in information rich environments. Includes teamwork, team development, and collaboration.
This course is intended to provide students with an introduction to the concepts, theories, and practice of library user instruction through reading, discussion, class speakers, and practice. The focus of the course will be on instruction for adult users in public and academic library settings.
Examination of public library development, purpose, governance, and services and exploration of issues and concepts involved in managing public libraries.
Study of the role of library service in higher education.
Develops a philosophical and functional background of the school-media program as an integral part of the teaching-learning process.
Philosophy, environment, and unique aspects of the services, operation, and management of special libraries and information centers are covered. Provides considerable opportunity for study of topics of interest to individual students.
Introduces the fundamentals of information and records management. Content includes (a) inventory, scheduling and auditing records; (b) active and inactive information maintenance; (c) organizing and administering a records center; and (d) applications for information systems (computer, microform and paper).
Explores various types of literacy programs and outreach services for youth (children, tweens, and teens) as well as the development and management of library environments that facilitate life-long learning and reading adventures.
Comprises a series of modules that cover the basic skills required to undertake instructional development. Materials needed to plan and prepare instruction, as well as exercises designed to upgrade interpersonal skills, are included. Designed for library-media specialists, supervisors, administrators, and others who assist teachers in the development of instruction.
Introduces a wide variety of storytelling techniques both traditional and digital (technology-based) and explores how these strageties can be used in library programs and services for children and young adults. Emphasis is placed on developing personal storytelling skills via technology and traditional resources. A web-cam is required for this course.
Explores the development and implementation of various types of library programs and outreach services for children and young adults that promote cultural diversity.
This course introduces students to the preservation of moving image and sound material. Participants will learn about current archiving methodologies and the challenges of preservation (for both analog and digital media), approaches to restoration, systems of description and retrieval for archival audiovisual material, and ways to provide ongoing access to them.
This course offers an introduction to archival theory and practice. Emphasis is placed on investigating the nature and character of archival forms, the role of the archivist in society, the ethics of archival practice, and the social function of records and archives.
Archives are made by ideas. Archivists have defined, and described, archives as functioning as memory, evidence, and information. In addition, archives have been ascribed cultural, historical, and artifactual values. This course is a critical examination of archival thought and its influence on how archives are conceived, constructed, and ultimately used.
This course explores topics in the selection and appraisal of archival materials. In this course you will gain exposure to the principles and approaches, which influence how records are selected for long-term retention and preservation, as well as practical performing this archival practice.
This course explores topics in the organization of archival materials. Specifically, the topics addressed include the description, arrangement, and representation of archival objects and collections. In studying these topics, students will obtain an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of these practices as well as practical experience in creating usable collections through archival arrangement and description.
Provides future information professionals with a solid foundation of basic information technologies at the skill, conceptual, and analytical levels. Acquaints students with the role of technology in information organizations. Students gain hands-on experience in web application production from a user-centered perspective, including: hypertext, usability analysis, database application, and technology instruction. Foundations of change management are addressed. IT Fluency is used as a model to explore the topics of this course.
Prepares students to develop digital libraries, exploring the issues associated with creating, operating, and maintaining digital libraries; analyzing electronic library programs in the U.S. and assessing their impact on education, scholarship and research.
This course examines the principles and practice of linked data for organizing and sharing information in libraries and other cultural heritage organizations.
Students learn basic programming concepts and skills for managing different types of content and developing interactive systems. PHP, as part of the "LAMP Stack" (Linux, Apache, PHP, Mysql) is the programming language used in this course to explore the development of digital libraries. We will start out at a beginner's level with PHP & MySQL, and students will gain understanding of basic programming syntax, data structures, and logic. Students will then learn how to develop web applications for more applied tasks, including data parsing and processing, and extending specialized PHP libraries for implementing further functionality of system components found in digital libraries.
This course explores the affordances of social software applications such as blogs, tagging, and online social networks and their functions in various work locales through the concepts of informatics. The focus of this course is on social software fluency for work and productivity.
Introductory course that examines conceptual and ethical foundations of metadata in a range of practice contexts including library cataloging and special collections. Introduces data management software tools and techniques used for acquiring, cleaning, enhancing, and analyzing metadata datasets.
Explores societal problems and professional developments that relate to digital reference services in public, academic and special libraries. Explores the impact of digital reference on users and libraries.
This course examines the history of cyber-related espionage and terrorism, explores websites and Web 2.0 media that support and fight against terrorism, and identifies human behaviors indicative of potential information and communication technology (ICT) interaction misuse. The focus of this course is primarily on human behaviors as they relate to ICT use and provides students with opportunities to identify and examine strategies to protect their organizations from misuse of technology systems and applications.
This course introduces database design, creation, and manipulation using a database management system. The course combines both conceptual and practical discussions for a relational database. Topics include data modeling, database design, implementation, Structured Query Language (SQL), and remote access to databases. NoSQL structure for web-archival databases and social media collections will also be introduced.
Internship.
Intern Sch Media Cntrs.
Explores diverse cultural groups and the ways that all types of libraries can effectively serve the informational and recreational needs of these populations.
Examines the place of information and communication technologies, online resources, and social networking tools in the current practice of information and communication interactions for persons with mild to severe physical access challenges.
This course explores how race, gender, and sexuality shape (and are shaped by) LIS as a profession and practice. Socially constructed theories of race, gender and sexual identity will be critically examined in different contexts as they intersect, overlap and impact LIS institutions, information use, technology practices, and the design of information resources and services in the processes of creation, organization, and dissemination of information in library and information professions.
This course covers a range of social, political, and economic issues related to how people interact with information and communication technologies. The class explores the effects of different social contexts on the creation, use, and meaning of information technologies. Subject matter will range from examining online interactions, mobile technologies, information and work, digital labor practices, and laws and policies related to information technologies.
Explores societal problems and professional developments that have, or are likely to have, an impact on the practice of librarianship. May be taken more than once.
Provides the opportunity for an intensive investigation of a special aspect of library and information studies, under the supervision of an appropriate faculty member.
Thesis Research. Maximum of 6 hours may be earned.
Examines the ways in which graphic novels, comics, and other visual narratives serve as engaging and enriching media for contemporary youth (children and young adults); explores the use of these materials in classrooms and libraries to teach information, visual, and cultural literacies; and provides opportunities to explore and critically analyze visual narratives using multiple methods.
This course addresses cultural stereotypes and issues surrounding cultural authenticity in children's and young adult literature, and suggests how librarians / educators can help children use literature to make intercultural connections with youth from diverse cultural backgrounds. Provides opportunities to explore diverse perspectives and theories related to selecting, analyzing, and interpreting international and multicultural literature for youth.
A study of the theories and strategies related to instructional collaborations involving school libraries and media centers.
A critical examination of issues related to social and cultural justice in the administration of school libraries and media centers.
Examines the intellectual objectives served by descriptive bibliographies and introduces the methods and problems of bibliographical description of printed books of the hand- and machine-press periods. Emphasis is on the examination and historical analysis of books as physical objects. Primarily for students interested in the history of books, special collections, rare book cataloging, and humanities reference work.