This page contains a listing of all active undergraduate 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
A basic outline of the diversity and complexity of the African-American experience in the United States: the early academic and social concerns of Black Studies advocates; the changes in the field's objectives that arise from its connections to contemporary social movements for Black Power, women's liberation and multiculturalism; and its major theoretical and critical debates.
Survey of African American literature from its earliest expressions to the present. In order to identify the aesthetics of the African American literary tradition, the course material includes spirituals, slave narratives, poetry, drama, autobiography, fiction, and nonfiction.
A survey of mainstream Christian expressions of black spirituality as well as other forms of sacred collective consciousness. Study of local churches and theology is encouraged.
A study of the "miseducation" of Africans in America. The course explores education for blacks from West Africa at the middle of the second millennium and early American society to the emergence of the separate school system of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Role of black Americans in American life from the 17th century to the beginning of the 20th century, with emphasis on the institutions and events of the 1800s.
This course introduces students to the major themes, questions, primary sources, monographs, and fiction in regards to slave resistance in the United States and Atlantic World. Specifically, course readings and assignments will revolve around agency and empowerment of enslaved individuals, power relations between masters and enslaved individuals and the various forms of resistance (everyday acts, runaways, rebellions, and marronage).
What are the causes and consequences of bias-motivated crimes? What are the larger social and political contexts? In this class, students will examine how bias-motivated violence receives attention in the media, how and why hate crimes legislation came to be seen as a necessary legal tool to curb crimes based on race, gender, gender identity, religion, and sexual orientation. Students will also explore the opposition to such laws and the degree to which communities are able to respond to incidents of bias-motivated violence. Students will also explore the proliferation of hate groups and the impact of those groups on social and political debates over hate crimes laws.
The field of Black Family Studies is an area that has received very little attention in the last decade. This course will use historical literature to address issues that have impacted Black families in America. Throughout this course, we investigate the various reasons why the majority of Black families are not the traditional units that were prevalent before the turn of the 20th century. A broad perspective will be taken to provide a balanced understanding of gender and the challenges men and women face from patriarchy, racism, mass incarceration, poverty, and economic exploitation. Students will be responsible for reading the assigned text and actively engage in class discussion.
Analysis of American social structure, demographic and institutional trends over time related to race and the description of racism. This course offers a critical introduction to the conditions of possibility for modern racial thinking, with particular emphasis on racial slavery and anti-blackness. We will begin with the working assumption that slavery is at the root of the problem of race and racism. In order to excavate this assumption, we will survey debates on 1) the origin and history of race and racism (from the Ancients to the early moderns); 2) the deployment of categories in contested proximity to race (from class to gender); and 3) the development of different conceptual paradigms (from double consciousness to political ontology) to parse the relationship between race and the world. Instead of resolving these debates, our problem-based approach will emphasize how the scope and framing of texts bear on present problematics. In doing so, we will learn to mobilize our readings as theoretical and historical tools in interpreting the contemporary and interrogating our responsibility toward the themes of the class.
This course examines the historical origins and present framework of Black politics, including the civil rights movement, Black political culture, local and community politics, and current and future issues for Black America such as Black imagery in television/film, Black feminism, sexuality, the War on Drugs, the impact of mass incarceration, and modern social justice and protest movements like #BlackLivesMatter. Students will explore questions regarding the history of race in American political life as well as how race has shaped a broader national identity. And evaluate what concepts like “equal treatment under the law” and “liberty and justice for all” mean with respect to the legacy of Black political participation.
A cross-genre survey of African American literature, historical events, and critical movements. Authors may include Frederick Douglass, Harriet Jacobs, Richard Wright, Zora Neale Hurston, Nella Larson, Langston Hughes, and Toni Morrison.
Analysis of inequities of wealth, power, and prestige; major theories of racial and cultural minorities; behavioral correlates of stratification; social mobility.
Feminism understands itself to be fundamentally liberatory - that is, concerned with increasing liberty, particularly (but not exclusively) of women. Feminist political theory often treats freedom within a liberal framework that prioritizes individual rights: for example, the right to control one’s reproductive health, the right to equal pay, or the right not to experience harassment. According to this framework, to be free is to enjoy one’s rights without interference or limitation. The aim of this course is to think about freedom beyond rights. Specifically, we will consider what it means to be a free political actor, whether freedom is the highest political good, whether, and how, freedom is compatible with other values, such as equality and justice, and how different kinds of politics, social norms, and modes of living might affect attempts to increase and experience freedom.
Examination of selected problems and issues in Sociology, African American Studies, and Women's Studies. May be taken a total of six times, with different topics.
An upper level seminar designed to provide students with an in-depth study of major intellectual debates and mvoements that have shaped the politics, history and identities of the people of African descent in the United States and the African diaspura. The course will combine methodologies and concepts from multiple disciplines including, history, political theory, literature, women's studies, sociology, pyschology and philosophy.
An examination of selected African American topics. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 hours.
An examination of slavery in popular culture from the 1840s to the present. Topics and media include fiction, autobiography, film and television, advertising, and confederate celebrations.
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. 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.
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. 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 course is designed to provide the student with an overview of race and ethnicity as it relates to health as well as major issues facing the overall health status of our society. This class will provide examples for the application of minority health basic competencies in the field of community health and medical sociology. Topics to be covered include: mental health and individual behavior access to health care, socioeconomic status and racial differences, racial/ethnic group specific health issues. The health care system covers the physician-patient relationship and increasing commercialization in the health care system.
Emphasis is placed on theories and research on the inter relationships between the conceptualizations of gender, race, and class. The many different schools of thought on these issues are brought into productive tension with each other, depending on the course content. Students explore through reading primary and secondary texts the interactions between the practices that define these concepts. This course is preparation for further study at the graduate level, and considered a capstone course in the major.
This course will examine the socio-historical perceptions and constructions of Black masculinities in various regions and periods. Students will also examine the social, political, and economic conditions of Black male life in the contemporary period and interrogate representations of Black men and boys in U.S. culture and society in relation to the broader politics of race, class, gender, and sexuality in the post-civil rights era. Specific attention will be paid to the history of ideas and approaches that have shaped and defined our understanding of Black males. Students will be introduced to historical and socio-cultural circumstances that affect Black males and the diverse nature of Black culture. This course will also attempt to heighten awareness and sensitivity to the contemporary problems affecting Black males and thus help discover and evaluate social policies and programs geared towards Black males.
Independent study on any subject pertaining to African-American studies, under the supervision of a professor in the chosen field and/or Director of the program.
An examination of selected African American topics. May be repeated for a maximum of 18 hours.
This seminar is to be completed by all Applied Liberal Arts and Sciences students with 90 or more credit hours. This course gives student the opportunity to practice interdisciplinary and integrative methods of scholarship while deepening and refining knowledge of their individual study areas. This course serves as a culminating learning experience, which is integrative, reflective and transitional. Students will complete one paper that reflects upon the interdisciplinary nature of their degree. In addition, students will create and present a portfolio in which they collect and curate work and reflect upon the challenges, learning, and experiences of their undergraduate college career.
Selected American topics for lower-division undergraduate students offered by American studies faculty members or supervised teaching assistants. Some examples include the following five-week, one-hour courses: African-American Star Athletes, Superbowl Ads, Stand Up Comedy, Disney's America, and Why Eat Local?.
Selected American topics for lower-division undergraduates offered by American Studies faculty members or supervised teaching assistants.
Selected American topics for lower-division undergraduates offered by American Studies faculty members or supervised teaching assistants.
Selected American topics for lower-division undergraduates offered by American Studies faculty members or supervised teaching assistants.
Selected American topics for lower-division undergraduates offered by American Studies faculty members or supervised teaching assistants.
Selected American topics for lower-division undergraduates offered by American Studies faculty members or supervised teaching assistants.
Selected American topics for lower-division undergraduates offered by American Studies faculty members or supervised teaching assistants.
Exploration varied components of popular culture in America roughly from the 1880s through the 1970s. The course considers how American culture and history combine to impact social values and behaviors. Through this examination, students explore the complexities within the social beliefs and cultural patterns that contribute to American popular culture. This course is team taught by all the members of the American studies faculty. Offered fall semester.
A broad survey of American culture formed by global, national, and regional influences. The first section, "World," looks at the United States as a product and shaper of international movements, ideas, and cultures from 1500 to the present. The second section, "Nation," examines the creation of a distinctly American identity between 1790 and 1890 that ultimately incorporated and reflected global issues. The third section, "Regions," focuses on the South and other regions as contributors to and consequences of national and global interactions. Team taught by the entire AMS faculty, lectures will include topics on film, music, literature, art, sports, and other cultural artifacts. Offered spring semester.
Selected American topics for lower-division undergraduate students offered by AMS faculty members or Americanists from related departments. Recent examples include The Asian-American Experience, The American Road, The Sporting Life, Baseball Since 1945, and Twilight Zone Culture. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 hours.
This course provides a basic outline of the diversity and complexity of the African American experience in the United States. It surveys the early academic and social concern of Black Studies advocates; the changes in the field's objectives that arise from its connections to contemporary social movements for Black Power, women's liberation, and multiculturalism; and its major theoretical and critical debates.
This discussion-based course introduces students to major texts and interdisciplinary methodologies in the field of Southern Studies. Traversing epochs from before the Civil War until after the Civil Rights Movement, we will scrutinize the interplay between course materials (autobiographies, fictional texts, historical accounts, and films) and major political, cultural, and social forces influencing the region and the nation.
A lecture/discussion course utilizing a biographical approach to the salient themes, issues, and episodes of the American West. Some of these lives are real, some of them imagined, and others are a little of each. All of them, however, reveal much about both region and nation and how each has changed over time.
This course explores jobs that get you "dirty." Work is one of the aspects that most shapes individual lives, and many lines of work are viewed as dangerous, dirty, or somehow unsavory by American society. This course uses films, TV shows, written narratives, and music to explore different types of "dirty" work in the United States.
There’s a lot more to Native Americans than the first Thanksgiving, the Battle of the Little Bighorn, and casinos (although we’ll discuss all those things too). This course will introduce you to the diversity of Native American societies, their histories, and their significant influence on American culture, contemporary U.S. policy, and law. We’ll be examining everything from ancient archaeological artifacts to contemporary film and literature as we investigate the vital role of indigenous people in North America. As much as possible, we’ll be directly engaging Native sources and voices as we explore the struggles over land, sovereignty, and culture that have shaped (and continue to shape) Native American lives.
This course introduces students to the range of issues and analytical approaches that form the foundation of Latinx studies. By tracing the history of the Latinx concept in relation to key elements of life, such as time, space, identity, community, power, language, nation, and rights, students will develop understandings of the particular ways in which Latinx studies takes shape. Focus for the course will be on the largest Latino groups in the U.S.: those of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban and Dominican descent.
This course will provide a basic understanding of immigration to the United States and its social and political consequences, including the role immigration and immigrants have played on the development of the U.S. In doing this, students will examine what it means to be an American and why the criterion for becoming an American has, and continues to be, in flux. Additionally, students will use primary and secondary sources to cover today’s headlines and major milestones in immigration history to understand why immigrants and migrants have always been perceived as the “other.”.
In this discussion-based honors course, students engage with major texts and methodologies in the interdisciplinary field of Southern Studies. We will study the history, literature, and culture of the U.S. South through autobiographies, fictional works, scholarly analyses, and popular media. We’ll look at major events like the Civil War and Civil Rights Movement and evaluate varying and often conflicting ideas about what makes the South distinctive.
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the intricacies of city life and to look at how place and space shape the human experience. Throughout the course, we will examine the city as a physical and spatial place as well as a place defined by its people and institutions. We consider the social and behavioral relations that form communities, including the diversity produced by factors such as race, class, and gender. As we proceed through the course, you should come to understand that physical and social structures are related to one another, and often times, are inseparable.
During the past decade, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) Americans have achieved various forms of empowerment and visibility in the nation’s political, legal, social, and cultural arenas. However, LGBTQ persons continue to face various barriers to full equality and well-being including employment discrimination, high rates of homelessness among teens, violence, and inadequate access to health care. This 3 credit hour course places the events of the last decade into a longer history of LGBTQ communities, visibility and politics that begins in the late nineteenth century and ends in the early twenty-first century. During the semester, we will explore the historical development of LGBTQ identities, communities, politics, and cultural production. Together, we will analyze an array of materials including scholarly texts, oral histories, newspapers, films, photographs, art and political ephemera.
This course analyzes the changing nature of American values for the period dating from the 1970s through the 2000s by examining key developments in the everyday life patterns and cultural expressions of Americans in contexts that range from the local to the international. In doing so, we will draw connections between the economic and political contexts of these decades and contemporaneous works of creative expression and popular culture. This course also will serve as an introduction to the types of interdisciplinary research methods used in American Studies. Offered fall and spring semesters.*.
This course analyzes the changing nature of American values for the period dating from the 1970s through the 2000s by examining key developments in the everyday life patterns and cultural expressions of Americans in contexts that range from the local to the international. In doing so, students will draw connections between the economic and political contexts of these decades and contemporaneous works of creative expression and popular culture. This course also will serve as an introduction to the types of interdisciplinary research methods used in American Studies.
This course will tell the story of mainstream popular music in the United States from the arrival of rock and roll in the 1950s through to the present, including stops along the way for Top 40, soul, arena rock, country, punk, MTV, hip-hop, electronic dance music, American Idol, and the culture of streaming hits on YouTube and Spotify today. In addition to learning about different kinds of sounds, students will read work by artists, fans, and label people to think about how music shaped identity — the soundtrack of new groups emerging in American life.
Selected American topics for advanced undergraduate students, offered by American Studies faculty members or Americanists from related departments. Recent examples include American Hobo Subculture, World War II and Modern Memory, Women's Liberation Movement, Justice and Civil Society, Southern Sexual Cultures, and Cultures of American Slavery. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 hours.
Shining a light on a marginalized yet momentous figure—the poor white—this class asks: What kinds of cultural work do representations of poor white Southerners do? How do depictions of poor white women’s experiences differ from men’s? How and why do accounts of poor white life in the South change over time? We will study scholarly analyses, fictional works, autobiographies, and movies in search of answers to these and other questions.
An interrogation, through the use of autobiography and memoir, of the meanings of self, identity, region, and citizenship across a range of eras and social groups in the American South. The course will also introduce students to theory about autobiography and memoir as literary genres and sources of historical knowledge.
This course focuses on the history of people of Latin American descent (Latinas/os) living in the United States. Although we will examine communities comprised of people of Central and South American descent, the focus of this course will be on the four largest Latinx groups: those of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban and Dominican descent. Students will become familiar with issues that have affected different Latinx populations in the United States: migration patterns, cultural interaction, community and cultural formation; and racial formations. We will also examine relations among Latinx and European immigrants, and consider the affects of US intervention and imperialism in Latin America on US Latinx communities. Lectures, readings, and films will explore connections between the past and the present and provide students a forum to express their own viewpoints on the legacy of this history. 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 course explores the centrality of amusement and tourism in defining the American pursuit of happiness. The course examines varied forms of leisure culture that emerged in the 19th century and exploded in popularity throughout the 20th century. By asserting connections between a wide range of amusement and tourist activities, the course provides a framework for understanding how Americans at play participate in a vibrant component of American social, economic, and aesthetic history.
This course explores major writers, performers, works, and themes of American humor that have achieved enduring popularity among mass audiences. It examines the social and historical contexts that reverberate in humor produced in the United States and focuses on three persistently popular mediums: prose and performance; film; and the television situation comedy.
An examination of the objects created by African Americans variously classified as "folk," "self-taught," and "outsider" artists. Course material will address the African origins and American transformations of traditional arts and crafts (architecture, pottery, iron work, and quilting) as well as the work of selected 20th-century artists in such media as painting, sculpture, and assemblage. Key concerns will include not only analysis and cultural/historical contextualization of these artists and their works but also political and theoretical debates with respect to issues of collection, modes of exhibition, and use of the above-listed classifications. 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. One of the written assignments will be graded and returned before the mid-term.
This course examines the often contentious and always passionate American relationship with “nature,” an idea as much as a physical reality. Students consider the varying ways that nature has been imagined over a wide range of time periods and through the lenses of various forms of creative expression and cultural practices. The course explores how our complex relationship with “nature” has influenced American culture at large, its history and mainstream values.
Few things remained so central to the 19th American century experience as the West, a region to be explored, inhabited, and incorporated into an expanding urban-industrial society. From Lewis and Clark to Buffalo Bill, this lecture/discussion course examines the relationship between America and the West as it developed throughout the 19th century.
This lecture/discussion course examines the growth of the American West during the 20th century as both the embodiment of modernity and, as mythic imagination, an escape from the very modernity it represents.
This course explores the Great Depression, the single most important economic event of the 20th Century. We will focus on the causes, events, policies, movements, personalities, and human tragedy and triumph of this era through an interdisciplinary historical perspective that will examine aspects of this twentieth century crisis. As an American Studies course, we will use films, TV shows, written narratives, and music to explore the era.
This course looks at science fiction through literature, film, and television. We’ll explore how futuristic settings reflected anxieties of the all-too-real present. These included the impact of new technology, changing notions of race, gender, sexuality, and class, threats to life such as the Cold War, and the general sense of constant, rapid change in modern life. 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.
After 1965, rock and roll became rock, representing the counterculture; rhythm and blues became soul, representing Black Power; and country music became the emotional voice of the post-Civil Rights white South. This class contrasts these three dominant American popular music genres, with particular emphasis on how race, but also gender, class, and region, came to invest certain sounds with charged social significance. 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.
What insights into American experience are afforded by reading nineteenth- and twentieth-century texts in which Southern women engage questions of gender, class, race, labor, and region? This class will explore fictional and nonfictional prose by and about Southern women in order to examine how historical, cultural, and sociopolitical factors have shaped the lives and writings of women in the South. 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.
An examination of the work of formally trained 20th century African American painters, sculptors, and photographers in relation to broader currents in the social and cultural history of the United States. Examines ways in which African American art has alternately reflected, shaped, and challenged such important historical events and currents as the Harlem Renaissance, the Great Depression, the Cold War, the Civil Rights and Black Power movements, the Women's Movement, and contemporary identity politics. Also evaluates the contributions of selected artists in relation to such key art movements as Modernism, Social Realism, and Postmodernism.
This course examines the American War on Drugs through film. The course starts with the premise that the content in films, and the events contemporary to the making of the films, should be critically analyzed for their perspectives, biases, reliability, and interpretive choices. In the course, students will examine the ability of film to successfully portray the war on drugs and analyze how present events, cultures and attitudes shape our view of the past. Students will examine how the history of drugs in the U.S and how the war on drugs affects people of different nationalities and of different racial and ethnic groups.
What insights into American experience do we gain by reading texts in which Southern women engage questions of gender, class, race, labor, and region? In this course, students will explore fictional and nonfictional prose by and about Southern women in order to examine how historical, cultural, and sociopolitical factors have shaped the lives and writings of women in the South. 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 course examines genres of American folk culture expression such as ghost stories, urban legends, foodways, music, and art—paying special attention to how these diverse forms of expression reflect and shape regional, ethnic, class, and gender identities. Course materials include ethnographic writing, sound recordings, film, and folklore scholarship. The course also will consider the competing definitions of “folk” and “folklore” prevalent from the late 19th century to the present. Assignments will emphasize experiential learning through student collection and analysis of original folklore material.
Native American imagery is widespread in American culture, from butter packaging to sports mascots and from children’s picture books to epic films. These depictions have embedded ideas about American Indians—often romanticized, stereotyped, or just inaccurate ideas—in the imaginations of millions of readers and film-goers. In this course, we will examine representations of Native Americans in art, writing, film, music, and more, ranging from early encounters between Natives and newcomers to contemporary pop culture. We’ll consider continuities and changes in how Indians have been imagined by outsiders, while also exploring Native self-representation in the face of cultural appropriation and stereotyping. We’ll explore a variety of methods and sources as we reflect on the pervasiveness of ideas about, and images of, Natives in American culture. 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.
An internship opportunity that combines independent study and practical fieldwork experience focusing on a particular problem or topic related to American culture and experience. Examples are internships in archival fieldwork, material culture fieldwork, museum management, and sound recordings. Credits earned in this course are applicable to the major and minor in American studies but are not counted in 400-level requirement. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours.
Selected African American topics for advanced undergraduate students. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 hours.
Internship opportunity that combines guided and independent study with on- or off-campus research experience involving a particular methodological approach to American culture and experience. Examples are social science methods, oral history, original manuscript research, and technology.
May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours.
Independent study in American Studies.
A study of cultural and environmental landscapes of the American South, with a particular emphasis on the historical processes through which successive waves of southerners have turned physical and geographic spaces into socially-defined places. 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 course examines the American love affair with the open road. It considers the dramatic influence of car culture on the national imagination and the many ways it permeates and defines the United States. Drawing from an array of literary, historical, and cultural sources, the course encourages students to examine how writers, filmmakers, and artists in all mediums demonstrate the pervasiveness of the road in our historical, literary, and cultural imagination. 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.
Popular conceptions of nature hold extraordinary power in shaping our responses and policies toward both the geophysical world and built environments. This interdisciplinary course examines key concepts and controversies in American thought about nature since before colonization. Using accounts from various regions, the course explores evolving conceptions of nature and justice, competing claims about race and class, and changing institutional responses and remedies to environmental degradation in the context of global change. The course is highly interactive, inviting critical thinking about the human place in the physical world. We read and discuss ecological views as presented in colonial writings, slave narratives, Transcendentalist thought, Gilded Age preservationist and conservationist debates, and the work of Progressive Era occupational health specialists and ecologists. We give specific attention to twentieth century social movements for environmental public health, examining contemporary approaches, including eco-feminism, environmental justice, and sustainability. 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 course offers a comparative examination of responses by 20th century literary and visual artists to perceived social crises and challenges to American cultural values, such as sex in the early 20th century American city, working class struggles during the Great Depression, issues of atomic anxiety during the early years of the Cold War, the ethical dilemmas of the Vietnam War, the perils of the AIDS/HIV crisis, and the flourishing of contemporary consumer culture. The course also introduces several important movements in twentieth century American arts and letters, including Naturalism, Modernism, Social Realism, the Beat movement, Social Surrealism, and Postmodernism. 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.
A selective survey and analysis of 20th century U.S. popular culture-- particularly, comic books, fan culture, television, music, advertising, and sports. Examines ways in which popular culture has reflected and shaped aspects of American society such as gender ideologies, economics, race, class, and regional identity. 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 class surveys American music from ragtime, blues, and hillbilly to Broadway, Hollywood musicals, and swing jazz. Our focus will be on commercial mainstreams and democratic audiences – how selling sound led to different identities being expressed through taste and style. Race, gender, class, sexuality, age, technology, and the music business will all factor as we move from blackface minstrelsy in the 1800s to World War II. We will listen closely to several songs each week, connecting music to larger themes through primary and secondary sources, regular writing, and in-class discussion. 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.
Selected American topics for advanced undergraduate majors in American studies, offered by American Studies faculty members or Americanists from related departments. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours.
This interdisciplinary social science course provides an introduction to the cultural and physical ecology of cities, focusing primarily on urbanization in the United States from the late 19th century to the present. Course readings include classical scholars in urbanism and urban design. Contemporary urban environmental histories explore population shifts and land use along the urban gradient from the suburbs to urban centers, with attention to water, sewer, and transportation infrastructure, pollution, and urban sprawl. 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 course explores nineteenth- and twentieth-century American literature and culture. Novels and short stories by Zora Neale Hurston, Henry James, Gish Jen, James Weldon Johnson, Toni Morrison, Vladimir Nabokov, and other writers are studied in the context of debates over slavery, national identity, women’s roles, immigration and assimilation, social mobility, sexual mores, consumer culture, and race relations. Paper assignments emphasize close reading techniques and process-oriented writing. Assigned literary critical readings include papers written by students in this class and subsequently published in The Explicator, a journal of text-based critical essays. 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 capstone seminar explores a specific topic related to American cultural experiences and expressions. No matter what the subject focus will be in any particular year, students will initiate, develop, and complete a major research project using primary and secondary sources and interdisciplinary approaches. Recent topics have included Death in America, Mapping Native Alabama, The American City, The Drug War, Social Protest Movements, Cold War America, Americans Abroad, Folklore, and Science Fiction.
This course introduces students to the subfields of anthropology and demonstrates the benefits of a holistic approach to understanding globalization, multiculturalism, and cultural diversity. The concepts of evolution, human prehistory, language, and culture are explored as well as the diversity of human cultural patterns, including variations in marriage, kinship, and religion.
An introduction to the discipline of cultural anthropology, the branch of anthropology that examines the rules and behaviors of contemporary human cultures. The course will demonstrate the importance of a holistic approach to understanding human diversity, and compare and contrast the various developments cultures use to tackle the universal problems of human living. SB Credit.
This course examines the major archaeological discoveries of the last two centuries that have led to significant insight about the nature of human organization. Not only will some of the broader cultural patterns in human prehistory be explored such as the origins of writing, religion, art, calendar systems, agriculture, and cities, but we will also learn about several remarkable archaeological sites and phenomena, including Stonehenge, the pyramids of Egypt, upper Paleolithic cave paintings, Machu Picchu and many other impressive achievements of the past.
Comprehensive overview of the prehistory, history, and modern day cultural diversity of Native Americans throughout North America. Historical and technological developments of different native groups are explored including changes as a result of European contact and the more recent attempts to revitalize Native American culture.
Overview of the methods archaeologists use to study prehistoric cultures and an introduction to the study of human culture over the past two million years.
Medical Anthropology is the study of human health and healing and the diverse cultural, social, linguistic, and biological factors that influence lived experiences of pain, illness, suffering, and well-being in societies across the globe. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to content related to four core themes over the course of a semester: theoretical orientations and key concepts, diversity of health beliefs and practices, comparative medical systems, and contemporary health issues in various populations and sociocultural settings. This course is designed for any student interested in a holistic, introductory exploration of human health and healthcare practices.
This course is an introduction to human sexuality from a biocultural perspective with emphases on sexual diversity and pluralism and psychosexual evolution. It traces the evolution of human sociosexual behavior, including human sexual physiology, preproductive strategies; contemporary courtship, mating and marital patterns; gender differences in the brain and behavior; and sexual and social emotions. It compares the sexuality of humans to non-humans, especially to that of other primates. It also discusses human sexuality from the perspective of different cultures throughout the world. Among other topics, the course will address the psychobiocultural dimensions and implications of attraction, fidelity sex techniques, gender, incest, homosexuality and transexuality and sexually transmitted diseases.
Human activity in its linguistic, cultural, and social contexts; interrelationships between culture and natural language; and the influences of language and culture on thought and behavior.
This discussion-based course explores the anthropology of Asia, with a different topical focus each semester. These foci include diverse subjects of anthropological study (marriage, class mobility, labor, masculinity, politics, medicine, freedom). Over the course of the semester, students will pay special attention to how these subjects are shaped by the circulation of social movements and globalizing forces like production and consumption, global media, and human rights discourses. In so doing, this course will raise questions about the relationships between theory, epistemology and method as they pertain to the anthropology of Asia, and to anthropology more generally.
Athletic play is found across cultures and likely has deep evolutionary roots. This class explores the anthropology of sports, from biological, cultural, and historical perspectives. Topics are wide-ranging and may include the evolution of sport, rituals and fandom, transgender athletes, and cultural beliefs on race, sex, and class in athletics.
Archaeology, the study of past people through material culture, is primarily concerned with understanding human behavior, culture, and social structures in the past. However, archaeology also has a long tradition of inspiring tantalizing theories about ancient aliens, lost civilizations, and conspiracies. In this course we will examine historical hoaxes from all over the ancient world and learn to evaluate contemporary pseudoscience claims about archaeology. How can we determine whether the information we are consuming is un-biased and based on rigorous science? How can we present archaeological research to the public in such a way that it is accurate and of interest? And is archaeological study still a worthwhile endeavor without aliens and Atlantis?.
This course covers the biological, cultural, social aspects of major international health issues, especially in the areas of infectious disease, nutrition, and environmental health. The course will also explore the integration of anthropology in global health work. Other topics include population groups with special risks, policies and programs designed to reduce health inequalities, and basic methods used to study global health.
This course is a flexible listing designed to cover specific topics in anthropology not already offered through an existing course. It is similar to ANT 450 Problems in Anthropology, but allows students with less exposure to ANT or the particular issues addressed an opportunity to learn more at a more introductory level.
This laboratory course is designed to examine stone production technology, especially chipped stone, in past and present populations. Topics are directed toward the understanding of lithic tool classes through experimental stone tool making but also examination of tool manufacture in an anthropological context, include the selection of materials, manufacturing techniques, discarding practices of past and present tool makers. Additional class time will be devoted to discussions of archaeological techniques to measure and date prehistoric tools including micro-debitage analysis, x-ray fluorescence spectrometry in the service of lithic technology. and biface analysis. Students are required to purchase a flintknapping kit.
An introduction to human evolution, biological variation, and adaptation, from the deep past to the present, with a special focus on the biocultural foundations of human nature. Students will become familiar with cutting edge evidence from the fossil record and molecular biology about our origins and prehistory, and how humans today respond to our widely varying physical and social environments.
Historical and contemporary perspectives on human biological diversity, including the concepts of race, ethnicity, adaptation, and some of the social implications of these views.
This course examines language as practice in relation to the concepts and consequences of race, racism and racial identity in the contemporary U.S. Based in linguistic anthropology but also drawing from medical anthropology, the course emphasizes the connections between language, embodied experience, and health in the context of culture. The course examines links between everyday language and cultural processes of racialization as they occur in educational contexts, healthcare settings, in the media, in religious practice, in music, on social media, and in public policy discourse. After reviewing several core concepts in linguistic anthropology, the course focuses on understanding how power is enacted in everyday language; how speakers of various language varieties experience everyday interaction in various contexts; how “code-switching” works in complex social encounters; how “style” and “stance” are drawn upon in racialized identity construction (for all speakers); and how language, race, and gender work together in interaction.
This course covers the basics of Hieroglyphic Mayan and Classic Maya culture using the outstanding material legacy of the ancient civilization. It explores the indigenous Maya myths, histories, and stories of life at the ancient courts of lords and nobles. The course begins with an overview of Classic Maya writing and its historical and cultural contexts. After the introductory section on the fundamentals of Maya glyphs, each week combines a discussion of the grammar of the Hieroglyphic Mayan and thematic lectures on a range of topics from tags and texts on drinking cups to parallels between Pre-Columbian, Colonial, and present-day Maya literatures. The lectures are accompanied by practical translation exercises and three essay assignments. The course does not require any prior knowledge of Mayan languages or hieroglyphs. 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 course provides an introduction to body modification through the lens of tattooing. Today, one in four Americans has at least one tattoo, and peoples of the world have been tattooing for over 5500 years, based on evidence of tattooed mummies found throughout the world. Yet tattooing can be a health risk, even in an era of improved hygiene and sanitation. This course explores body use from the 4-field anthropological perspective—biological, cultural, linguistic, and archaeological—with a special focus on tattooing.
This course examines the complex relationships between gender, race, culture, science, and technology from an anthropological perspective. The course provides an array of vantage points to analyze complex social issues and centers the perspectives and contributions of historically marginalized people in the U.S. Drawing upon intersectional quantitative and qualitative inquiry, we address questions surrounding how to create more diverse, equitable, ethical uses of science/technology.
Focuses on the relationships among human ecology, population growth, health and disease, and adaptation in modern and prehistoric societies. Explores the origins of infectious diseases, emphasizing the principles of epidemiology and evolution of pathogens.
This course is an introductory survey of the world's living non-human primates. The focus is on the taxonomy, anatomy, behavior, ecology and cognition of our closest living relatives. It is intended both as a starting point for further coursework in primate behavior and as a survey course for non-science students.
An introduction to the ancient civilizations of Mesoamerica and South America. Explores the development of economic and political institutions as well as hieroglyphic texts, art styles, and religious rites. 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 course offers students a broad understanding of Complementary/Alternative (CAM) & Integrative Medicine (IM), including a basic appreciation of the multiple existing modalities and healthcare philosophies that draw together diverse healing traditions and perspectives on the person in innovative forms of clinical practice. We will not only learn the various existing definitions of “integration” in healthcare, but we will also examine the ways in which IM is being researched in medicine and beyond, and the implications of such research for both mainstream and alternative clinical practice. The course focuses especially on CAM/IM in the US, but also includes perspectives on CAM/IM as it has developed in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Students will thus develop an anthropological perspective on the socio-cultural, political, and economic context of multiple forms of CAM/IM.
This class integrates community service and anthropology, with the goal of co-creating solutions to stakeholder-identified challenges. Students will be paired with a community organization, such as Tuscaloosa City Schools, and will commit to a minimum of three (3) volunteer hours per week, in addition to our weekly course meeting. Course meetings will help orient students toward the needs of the community organization and to promote thoughtful reflection on their experiences in service. Through participant observation and informal interviews, students will work with the organization and the community it serves to determine a potential solution to the stakeholder-identified challenge or work on an existing community-engaged project. This process will require that students meet with their group and relevant stakeholders outside of class time. It will also require that students conduct independent research to better understand the stakeholder-identified challenge and to identify appropriate grants. By the end of the course, students will have developed their skills in applying anthropological methods, identified and analyzed potential solutions, and have written a grant application for the co-created solution.
Humans have transformed and interacted with their environments for thousands of years. Using scientific techniques from earth sciences, biology, and other interdisciplinary sciences, archaeologists can gain insights into past human life. This course explores the varied applications of environmental reconstruction in the investigation of archaeological sites. Students will be introduced to a variety of analytical techniques, including methods for dating and paleoenvironment and climate reconstruction. Students will also learn how to interpret and integrate these data to better understand past human societies and their environments.
In this course, students and the supervising archaeologists work together as a research team on an archaeological excavation. Students learn basic excavation techniques and skills: how to identify, map, measure, recover, record, and process archaeological data. At the conclusion of the course, students will have excavation experience and insights into the archaeological research process including site mapping, geophysical survey, excavation and data recovery, and on-site documentation. This course will be offered either as a 3-week Interim or a 5-week Summer course. The location of the course will be determined by the professor and students may be required to travel.
In this course students will participate in an archaeological survey and testing at Moundville and surrounding sites, learning how archaeological research is structured and enacted. Working as a team, students will learn archaeological excavation and survey techniques, including how to identify, record, map, and document archaeological artifacts and features. Students will also become familiar with shallow geophysical survey techniques, including electrical resistivity and magnetic gradiometry, and advanced mapping and surveying methodologies.
Origin and development of pre-Columbian and early historic cultures of the Southeast. Offered according to demand.
Scientific study of natural language, phonology, grammar, lexicon, meaning and the role of linguistics in anthropological research.
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. 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.
An examination of how culture influences individual thought, emotion, and behavior, and how culture is shaped by individual psychology. Topics include: models of culture; culture and visual perception; culture and personality; culture and mental health; as well as other topics. 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 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.
This course will review three main models of research within psychological anthropology: psychodynamic, cognitive, and experiential/phenomenological. Students will 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. The goal for the course will be for each student to produce a report based on their research and for the work to be of sufficient substance, quality, and intellectual and/or applied significance, that it would be an ideal submission for the UA Undergraduate Research & Creativity Conference in the following semester. Students will finish the course with a critical and sophisticated understanding of how social interaction works in a variety of contexts.
A cross-cultural overview of medical systems, and the health, illness, and healing experiences within them. Patients and healers will be studied through the lens of etiology, help seeking, diagnosis and treatment. 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 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. 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.
A review of selected aspects of Latin American social systems and cultures. Topics include social structure, ethnicity, economics, material culture, gender roles, religion, sports, and political systems. 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.
A survey of the standards, customs, and beliefs that exist among African cultures. Students in this class will learn about the extensive diversity of cultural beliefs and behaviors across the African continent, make connections between local/global historical events and contemporary contexts, and critically evaluate the factors influencing perceptions of African cultures. Students will additionally compare contemporary and historical ethnographies as well as those written by African and non-African anthropologists. This class has applications for those interested in anthropology, international relations, politics, and history.
This course offers students the opportunity to learn about everyday life in contemporary China from an anthropological perspective. Beginning with a brief overview of Chinese history, the bulk of the course is dedicated to understanding how life in contemporary China is shaped by various historical, cultural, social, economic, and political realities. Specific topics include family, religion, healthcare and wellbeing, art (including music and cinema), gender, personal relationships, and issues related to changing urban landscapes. 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.
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. 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.
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. 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 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. 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.
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 will provide students with strategies and frameworks to protect, preserve, learn from, and properly consider cultural landscapes and places under relevant regulatory regimes, such as the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and associated guidance, Executive Orders (EOs), and agency policies. Course training involves learning to satisfy the regulatory requirements of the cultural heritage and resources management profession in both standard and creative ways. At its center, the course includes Native American and Indigenous worldviews, values, and practices to inform the research design, data collection, interpretation, and presentation of research.
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.
Examination of the origins and developments of pre-Columbian and early historic cultures of eastern North America.
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.
This course is an introduction to the archaeology of North America, from initial colonization of the continent by hunter-gatherers, to the arrival of European explorers. We begin with an examination of the theories and debates concerning the arrival of humans in the New World. The remaining majority of the course will be an in-depth examination of prehistoric archaeological developments in the major culture areas of North America. 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.
Honors readings for seniors and graduate students. Offered with permission of instructor only. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours.
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.
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. Students will also engage with 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.
An examination of contemporary issues and topics in the anthropology of religion.
A selective review of past and contemporary concepts, theories, and methodological approaches adopted by cultural anthropologists. 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 course is a survey of the method and theory of the discipline of historical archaeology. Focusing particularly on the historical archaeology of North America, this course reviews the development of the field, considers the related fields of colonial archaeology and the archaeology of the contemporary, and examines what distinguishes historical archaeology within the broader discipline. Additionally, during this course we will consider specific material approaches utilized in historical archaeological analyses. 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.
Devoted to issues not covered in other courses. Each section of the course represents a separate class with a specific professor and list of topics. The course may be repeated for a maximum of 12 hours.
Introduction to independent anthropological research with a focus on constructing testable hypotheses, selecting variables, measuring attributes, recording data, making interpretations and writing and presenting results.
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.
Examines the historical connections between anthropology and natural history museums in the United States. Explores the present operation of such museums and develops exhibits based on collection studies. 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 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.
This class is a “hands-on” course in archaeological laboratory methods and most useful for anthropology majors/minors. Students will read about different kinds of analyses, and then put theory into practice by classifying and analyzing prehistoric artifacts. Students will learn how to build interpretations of the past by using artifact assemblages, how to discriminate between reliable and less reliable information, and collaborate in group activities.
Survey of the discoveries, methods, and theories that provide the background for modern research in macroevolution. Offered according to demand.
In this course students will be introduced to the human skeleton and how to conduct human osteological analysis through complete and fragmentary remains. Students will learn criteria for determination of sex, age, stature, and epigenetic traits. Additionally, students will be introduced to common health related pathologies and evidence of trauma. Students will engage with casts and virtual 3D models to gain these skills. This course also examines the ethics of excavating and analyzing human remains.
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. 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.
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 classes teaches students how to conduct nutritional anthropological fieldwork within local community settings. 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.
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.
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.
Students are introduced to the new material outside of class—they study the new vocabulary or grammatical concepts, watch a video, or read a story/article outside of class. In turn, class time will be devoted to activating the vocabulary and structures prepared at home through homework assignments. Most of the class time will be used to deepen understanding through activities with pairs and small groups.
This course is a continuation of ARB 101. Students in this semester will be introduced to new vocabulary that will help them extend their sentence structuring in order to engage in more conversations and be able to negotiate meaning in various contexts. In addition, students will be engaged into the four communication skills (reading, speaking, listening and writing) and will be immersed in Arabic language and culture through various audio and visual activities.
It is designed to further reinforce all the linguistic skills in the Arabic language. Although Special importance is given to reading, all skills are stressed as well. Students will also get a wide exposure to many aspects of Arabian culture. Continuation of Arabic language on the intermediate level. Students who already have basics of Arabic speaking, writing and reading will develop their skills further. The class meets three hours per week.
Continuation of ARB 201. This course develops students` four primary language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Students at this level go beyond memorizing expressions and start understanding and using more complex language forms. The course is also designed to help students better understand cultural practices and perspectives in many Arabic countries.
This course introduces students to the Arabian Nights (One Thousand and One Nights) in translation. The Arabian Nights are a collection of stories framed in one story narrated by Shahrazad. The narratives are a mixed potion of magic, love, fear, and death. This course will discuss the history of the tales as well as the different translations, in addition to the socio-cultural concepts of antagonists and protagonist forces, such as magic spells and the Jinni. The students will cover a variety of tales: Sinbad, Ali Baba, and Aladdin. The course will also examine the Islamic context in the Arabian Nights. Taught in English.
This course is the foundation for the advanced level in Arabic. Students in this course will be exposed to new contexts, sentence structure, and vocabulary. The students will be trained to negotiate meaning in more complex contexts. In addition, students will be engaged in several language skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking, and translating), especially in political and cultural contexts.
This course is the foundation for the advanced level in Arabic. Students in this course will be exposed to new contexts, sentence structure, and vocabulary. The students will be trained to negotiate meaning in more complex contexts. In addition, students will be engaged in several language skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking, and translating), especially in political and cultural contexts.
Students will learn about the social, cultural, geographical, religious, linguistic, historical, and other aspects of the Arab and middle eastern culture. Students in this course will gain knowledge about certain topics, such as social values and identities, minority groups, religious influence, technology in the Arab world, daily life practices and traditions. Students will watch movies and videos, and read chapters related to the topics discussed. In addition, students will learn about gender relations, multicultural issues, and male-female dynamics. Course taught in English.
This course introduces students to various texts of modern Arabic prose and poetry and their development through time. We will discuss literary traditions, genres, and styles in Arabic modern literature from the Middle East and North Africa. We will cover: Poetry, short story, and novel. We will also explore the political, economic, and social issues Arab writers confront, such as, the effect of history, literary tradition, and religion on modern text writing. Other topics will also be discussed: Literature and resistance, Arab women writers and the Arab Spring context in today`s Arab literature. This course is taught in English.
This course introduces students to the Arabian Nights (One Thousand and One Nights) in translation. The Arabian Nights are a collection of stories framed in one story narrated by Shahrazad. The narratives are a mixed potion of magic, love, fear, and death. This course will discuss the history of the tales as well as the different translations, in addition to the socio-cultural concepts of antagonists and protagonist forces, such as magic spells and the Jinni. The students will cover a variety of tales: Sinbad, Ali Baba, and Aladdin. The course will also examine the Islamic context in the Arabian Nights.
This course allows students an in-depth look at the diverse women who represent a number of cultures in the Arab world and to study such women through the eyes of leading Arab women theorists. Students will explore the Arab woman’s place in her respective society, in political and economic systems, in education, and in the family and analyze the Arab woman’s contributions to art and literature as well as to the sciences. The course will provide an overview of the Arab woman throughout history. A passing grade in a W designated course is contingent upon students writing coherent, logical, carefully edited prose in a minimum of two papers, one of which must be completed, graded, and returned by mid-semester. 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. Rubrics are available for each assignment.
This course with a study abroad component will explore Jordan through both on-campus and field work experiences. Students will learn how Jordan’s historic past has contributed to building a nation with a diversity of cultures that plays an important role in politics and diplomacy today. The very fabric of Jordanian society will be at the center of this course which means that a considerable amount of our focus will also be on gender roles and relations and their impact not only on Jordanian society but also on issues involving human rights and equality in the Middle East.
This course focuses on expanding students' ability to understand and speak in Arabic. Emphasize everyday topics of conversation, including current events. Students in this course are exposed to conversation practices that would be useful to them when visiting or working in the Arab world. The students will practice hearing dialogues between native speakers in everyday situations to help them prepare for similar experiences, such, arriving at the airport, getting acquainted, eating out, etc. Students will also be exposed to videos and audios that would enhance their listening and speaking skills in Arabic.
This course is designed to include all students interested in learning Arabic terms and terminologies related to Islam and religious studies. The course introduces Islamic concepts using Arabic and will enhance students’ knowledge in communicating and discussing religious Islamic concepts with native speakers. The course will discuss the Quran, the holy Muslim book, the Islamic faith and beliefs, and the pillars of Islam.
This course is uniquely designed to introduce a brief history of poetry in the Arab world starting from classic to contemporary poetry. Students will study one of the greatest light poems that have been sung, enjoy the Arabic music, and perform some of those songs, knowing what the lyrics mean and the story behind each poem and song. The musical dimension offered in this course will have students studying not only language and culture but also music to have a taste of a different kind of music from a different world. Some of the selected poems may be in a spoken language /dialect of different parts of the Middle East, which increases students’ knowledge of another side of the Arabic spoken language.
This Media Arabic course introduces the language of newspapers, magazines, and internet news sites to intermediate and advanced-level students of Modern Standard Arabic. This course is ideal for students who want to work in the Middle East. This class will be conducted in Arabic (MSA).
This course integrates learners with the Arab communities in their social occasions. The course will allow students to engage in and experience cultural aspects and use what they learn throughout the language courses they had in two years. This will be a great alternative to the study abroad program for those who don’t have the chance to travel internationally.
Not applicable to the studio or art history majors or minors. Introduction to the appreciation of art through an examination of the nature, themes, and purposes of art, the exploration of visual arts media and methods; and a survey of art history and artistic masterpieces.
Survey of major examples of painting, sculpture, and architecture from the prehistoric through the medieval periods.
Survey of major examples of painting, sculpture, and architecture from the Renaissance through the modern periods.
Survey of major examples of painting, sculpture, and the applied arts of India, China, Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia.
This number is used for special projects determined by the instructor or for independent research projects proposed by students. In the latter case, the project must be approved by a sponsoring faculty member and the department chairperson. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours.
This course surveys the architecture, painting, and sculpture of Ancient Italy and the lands of the Roman Empire from the earliest record of the Etruscans to the death of Constantine the Great in 337 CE. Lectures, readings, and classroom discussion focus on the socio-political, technological, and religious contexts of Etruscan and Roman material culture.
This course focuses on major monuments of painting, sculpture, and architecture, as well as wider visual culture, produced in the Early Christian West and the Byzantine Empire 312-1453 CE. Attention will be paid to major styles/developments with reference to relevant social, political, religious, historical and technical issues.
This course examines the vibrant and diverse art and visual culture of South and Southeast Asia through the art, architecture, and material culture associated with the current geopolitical states of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines.
This course will examine the varied traditions and genres of art and architecture produced in China during its important imperial era from the Tang to Qing dynasties (7th century to late 19th century). 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 course will examine the rich traditions and varied genres of prints and print production in East Asia (China, Korea, and Japan) from around the ninth century to the present time. 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 course focuses on major monuments of painting, sculpture, and architecture, as well as wider visual culture, produced in Western Europe between 500-1150 CE. Beginning with backward glances at Roman traditions, special attention is focused on works of art representative of major styles/developments during the focus period with reference to relevant social, political, religious, historical and technical issues.
This course examines the wealth of visual and material cultures of Europe and the broader Mediterranean from roughly 1200-1450. Materials considered will include sculpture, architecture, painting and manuscripts, as well as metal work and enamels, ivories, textiles, and portable objects from both European and non-Western cultures. Objects and monuments will be explored within their relevant social, political, religious, cultural and historical contexts. 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 course provides students with a survey of painting, sculpture and architecture produced in Northern Europe (France, Flanders, Germany, England) between 1350 and 1600, concentrating on knowledge of major monuments and artists. Beginning with backward glances at the fourteenth century, attention will be focused on developments and major themes important to study of the period (including relations between North and South, the status of the artist, and the impact of religious change on works of art), thus encouraging students to have a long-range view of the traditions behind the focus works.
Survey of the art of Florence emphasizing the artists and the patrons, such as the religious orders, guilds, and private families who created the Renaissance style in painting, sculpture, and architecture.
This course provides students with a survey of painting, sculpture and architecture during the early Italian Renaissance in major city centers, concentrating on knowledge of major monuments and artists. Attention will be focused on fourteenth-century traditions, fifteenth-century developments, and major themes important to study of the period (technical innovations, the inheritance and influence of antiquity, the status of the artist, religious and political symbolism, the requirements of patrons and the market, and the impact of social conditions and historical events).
This course provides students with a survey of painting, sculpture and architecture in the later Italian Renaissance (c. 1480-1580) in major city centers, concentrating on knowledge of major monuments and artists. Beginning with backward glances at the fifteenth century, attention will be focused on sixteenth-century developments and major themes important to study of the period (including Mannerism, the status of the artist, and the impact of religious change on works of art), thus encouraging students to have a long-range view of the traditions behind the focus works.
This course provides a survey of Southern Baroque painting, architecture, and sculpture, focusing primarily on Italian and Spanish art produced between 1600-1700. A variety of genres are addressed including Christian and mythological works, portraiture, still-life, and landscape. Issues considered include the impact of the Counter Reformation on artistic production; patronage; gender; classicism and naturalism; and the status of artists. 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 course examines the artistic, material, and visual cultures of the African diaspora. Various geographic regions and historical periods will be covered. 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.
A study of American Art and visual and material culture from the 1815 to 1880. 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 class discusses the cultural and social history of photography from the nineteenth century to the present day, including the influence of photography on colonization; race, sex, and gender identities; the impact of photographic imagery (and photographic reproduction) on avant-garde art movements; and the theoretical and philosophical frameworks developed to examine the aesthetics of the photographic image. The role of photography in other areas – including popular culture and mass media, science, and medicine – also plays a role in the curriculum. 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 course examines many different examples of painting, architecture, photography and sculpture that served to define modernism in European and American art. We will follow the development of those aesthetics associated with modernity from the late nineteenth to the early twentieth century (c. 1939). This course is meant to familiarize students with major movements, concepts, and styles, and also to help them develop an understanding of how these movements relate to one another within a larger cultural and historical context. 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. Students will produce two, individual written assignments (one submitted and returned before the mid-term and one after) that demonstrate coherent, logical, and carefully edited prose. In these assignments, students must demonstrate higher-level critical thinking skills, such as analysis and synthesis.
This course focuses on art produced across the Latin American world from the colonial period to the twentieth century. It discusses the role of visual representation in the process of conquest and colonization of the territories of Latin America and the Caribbean, and later in the construction and consolidation of national states and regional identities. The history of fine art aesthetics and the development of regional styles of painting, sculpture, and decorative arts will be addressed. The main objective of the course is to develop an awareness of the general history of art produced in Latin America, but also to form a contextual basis for it. Therefore, issues of race, ethnicity, class, and gender will figure heavily into class investigations, especially regarding the relevance of colonization and slavery to the works studied.
This class will focus on the creative production, contemporary reception, and critical interpretation of African American art from the colonial period to the present—an examination that intersects inexorably with studies in American art, material culture, Modernism, and post-colonialism (among a host of other fields and disciplines.) So, while visual representations of and by African Americans provide the content for this course, the broader methodological and theoretical issues they raise are applicable to images, objects, and structures from a variety of cultures and civilizations. Indeed, this course will engage at least three general themes central to art historical and visual cultural studies generally: 1. Cultural encounters within colonial contexts; 2. Constructions of “race” and “blackness” within the African diaspora; and 3. Conceptualizations of “Modernism” in 20th-21st centuries. 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.
Throughout the 20th century, African Americans employed a variety of strategies toward the attainment of social, political, and economic equality. At different historical moments, specific agenda, tactics, and participants have come to the forefront, yet the overall objectives remain the same. During the 1920s and 1930s, many African Americans put forth a fusion of cultural and political activism as the vanguard of the movement. While exploring the rich art of the era, this course looks beyond traditional artistic models and delves into the work of literary and performing artists to present students with a deeper and more complete understanding of the complex and dynamic social, cultural, and political phenomenon known as the New Negro or Harlem Renaissance. We will explore the intersection between culture and politics during a specific moment in African American history and examine its place within the larger quest for equality. Readings will include works by Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Augusta Savage, Alain Locke, Carl Van Vechton, Fannie Hurst, and Aaron Douglass, among others. 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 course is a survey of Indigenous art across North America, from pre-contact to the contemporary period. The class will study the art of various Native people, exploring regional styles, with an emphasis on aesthetics, cultural function, and factors of change, as well as ceremonial and commercial art. Topics will include sovereignty, the impacts of historical and present-day colonialism, appropriation, and other issues of current concern.
This seminar course examines a special topic of the art, architecture, and material culture of East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. 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.
Selected topics in the art and architecture of the Middle Ages. 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 course provides students with an in-depth study of a specific issue or theme in Renaissance or Baroque Art. 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.
Study of a selected theme in American art or architecture. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 hours. 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 course surveys various genres, themes, and aesthetic theories that have informed modern and contemporary art. The class approaches this wide array of material through attention to specific themes and/or various critically defined paradigms and applies these themes/paradigms to various subjects and media areas including institutional critique, popular culture, photography, painting, sculpture, performance, installation, and video. 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.
In this course we will study the politics of representation (and the relationship between the image and ideology) in African American photography from the 1840s to the present. Aesthetics, gender, class, the impact of slavery, lynching, colonialism, neocolonialism, and globalization on the arts, as well as issues of memory, identity, subjectivity, historical “truth,” and race, will be explored in relation to African American photographers. We will consider the production, distribution, consumption, and archiving of these visual texts, as well as the materiality and mass replication of the photographic artifact, and examine various genres of visual texts, from the social documentary to portraiture to art photography. As we analyze the photography of Jules Lion, A.P. Bedou, Louis Agasisz, James VanDerZee, Gordan Parks, Carrie Mae Weems, and Latoya Ruby Frazier, among others, we will consider to what extent photographs comment upon or subvert racial identities and social hierarchies, what role the camera plays in protest movements, and whether one, as Audre Lorde asks, can ever dismantle the master’s house with the master’s tools. 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 seminar examines the disciplinary foundations, historiography, and major issues of art history and explores the various methodological approaches used in the field. It investigates the ways in which the methods and theories of art history contribute to our understanding of history, aesthetics, and social practices through art objects. Students will explore the methodologies employed by art historians and evaluate – as scholars, readers, and writers – complex issues and a range of scholarship. Class time will center on verbal communications, including student-led discussions of assigned readings and oral presentations. 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 number is used for special projects determined by the instructor or for independent research projects proposed by students. In the latter case, the project must be approved by a sponsoring faculty member and the department chairperson. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours.
Basic studio course concerned with comprehension of visual concepts and development of skills through exposure to drawing media.
Introductory course that explores two-dimensional concepts in a variety of processes and media.
Introductory course that explores three-dimensional concepts in a variety of processes and media.
Topics not taught in the regular curriculum. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 hours.
Continuation of Drawing I with emphasis on creative development of visual ideas using traditional and experimental techniques and media.
Study of digital photography as a creative medium. Introduction to technical, conceptual, and aesthetic concerns, as well as individual approaches to media, methods, and activities.
This course is designed to provide the student with the opportunity to conduct an in-depth investigation of his/her sculptural ideas and abilities in the areas of welding and casting a variety of metals. Projects will combine assignments and student concept generation to develop ability in the field of metal-based sculpture.
This course is designed to provide the student with the opportunity to conduct an in-depth investigation of his/her sculptural ideas and abilities based on a variety of material assignments. Projects will make use of specific materials and techniques which combined with individual concept generation by the student will develop ability in the field of sculpture. Students will choose a semester focus of either welding & casting, woodworking, or digital fabrication.
Course offers students a chance to explore figurative ceramic modeling and sculpting as it relates to representing a likeness. Topics will vary as course is repeated for credit.
Emphasis is on individual approaches to media, methods, and activities. Topics will vary as course is repeated for credit.
Further development of design methods and processes including typography, image processing, visual communication, and digital design production. This course is restricted. Only students who have been accepted into the BFA Graphic Design program may enroll in this course.
Further development of design methods and processes including grids, page layout, visual communication, and digital design production. This course is restricted. Only students who have been accepted into the BFA Graphic Design program may enroll in this course.
The applied study of pictorial manipulation through color and design principles.
A course designed to increase understanding of subject, meaning and context with the objective of making the transition between guided assignments and personal pursuits.
Study of intermediate digital photographic art practices. Emphasis on technical, conceptual and aesthetic concerns, as well as individual approaches to media, methods, and activities. There will be a survey of contemporary photo / digital artists to stimulate ideas, discussion and practice across numerous conceptual themes. Students will learn best practices for building and managing files that will drive top-quality output. Aesthetically, these skills will be put into practice through the creation of refined and realized artworks. There will be critiques to facilitate the creative process. The semester will culminate in the production of a final portfolio.
Further exploration of intaglio and relief processes, including a review of basic techniques, grounds, printing in color, printing multiple plates or blocks, and medium/large format printing. Assignments emphasize both technical and conceptual development. Topics will vary as course is repeated for credit.
This course explores traditional and experimental approaches to stone and plate lithography. Students will make a series of lithographs using a variety of approaches, matrices, and drawing materials. Assignments emphasize both technical and conceptual development. Topics will vary as course is repeated for credit.
Introduction to advanced sculptural thinking and problem solving with assignments geared toward the development of skills and abilities in working with a range of materials and techniques. Emphasis is focused on developing craftsmanship and content as applied to the making of objects.
Continued development of 3-D thinking and technical skills through assignments addressing a variety of materials and processes, including physics in three dimensions, the illustration of intangible thoughts with physical objects, the relevance of self to sculpture, and an examination of personal aesthetic. Topics will vary as course is repeated for credit.
This course presents intermediate concepts and production techniques in digital media.
This course examines printmaking through the lens of painting, including the vocabulary, materials, and techniques of painting with acrylics or oils. Students will use drawing and brushwork techniques to establish images on a variety of printable matrices, using a variety of printmaking processes. Assignments emphasize experimentation, collaboration, and exploring the creative process. Topics will vary as course is repeated for credit.
This course provides introductory instruction on 3D modeling and other digital processes pertaining to three-dimensional forms in physical or virtual space.
This course examines printmaking through the lens of photography, including the vocabulary, materials, and techniques of the analog and digital photograph. Students will create work using a variety of light sensitive printmaking processes. Assignments emphasize both technical and conceptual development. Topics will vary as course is repeated for credit.
An intermediate course developing design skills used in the creation and production of printed materials for visual communications with an emphasis on logos, identity systems, stationery sets, advertising, and promotional materials. This course is restricted. Only students who have been accepted into the BFA Graphic Design program may enroll in this course.
An intermediate course developing design skills used in the production of printed materials for visual communications with an emphasis on both digital and printed newsletters, magazines, and annual reports. This course is restricted. Only students who have been accepted into the BFA Graphic Design program may enroll in this course.
The course will present essential skills in photographic studio lighting. Both natural and artificial light sources will be explored for producing aesthetically and conceptually engaging artworks. A wide range of applications will be explored including still life, portraiture, classic lighting problems, and open creative projects. Experimentation and improvisation is highly encouraged. Topics will reference both historical precedents and contemporary practices. The course will culminate with a portfolio of work.
This course covers drawing at the intermediate level, including media, form, content, and theory. This course emphasizes personal direction. This course is designed to encourage student investigation into experimental drawing and contemporary art practices. All topics will be devoted to promoting individual student creativity, mastery of drawing means and techniques, and a further understanding of graphic concerns.
This course is designed to enable the student to explore mixed media processes and strategies within the context of painting.
Students may make proposals for projects not taught in the regular curriculum. Proposals must be approved by a sponsoring faculty member and the department chairperson.
This course is designed to focus on a variety of topics in Studio Art that are not regularly offered within the Studio Arts curriculum. Topics will vary on media chosen form ceramics, digital media, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. The course can be taken for a maximum of 6 hours.
Self-directed studio practice overseen by the instructor. The student works toward creating a consistent and conceptually sound body of work that investigates contemporary and traditional definitions of drawing. Topics will vary as course is repeated for credit.
An advanced level course that prepares students for pursuing a career in graphic design. Students organize and refine past projects into a printed and digital portfolio. Students apply written communication skills to draft resumes, cover letters and invoices. All of the professional materials are unified through a systematic self-identity system. 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 course is restricted. Only students who have been accepted into the BFA Graphic Design program may enroll in this course.
This course provides students with a valuable opportunity to gain firsthand experience working with creative professionals in the industry. Internships must be approved beforehand with all required documents completed and submitted to the internship faculty supervisor. Students must work no less than 135 hours during the semester to earn 3 credit hours. The Department of Art and Art History offers support in identifying potential positions, but it remains the obligation of the student to obtain the position. This course is restricted. Only students who have been accepted into the BFA Graphic Design program may enroll in this course.
Self-directed studio practice overseen by the instructor. The student is expected to work toward creating a consistent and conceptually sound body of work. Enrollment for 4, 5, or 6 hours requires permission of the instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 hours.
Study of alternative, experimental, and extended approaches to photography. Emphasis on technical, conceptual and aesthetic concerns, as well as individual approaches to advanced photographic practice resulting in a cohesive body of work suitable for exhibition.
This course explores the medium of printmaking through the history of the handmade poster. We will study posters made by designers and artists from a variety of time periods and communities, and we will discuss several different printmaking techniques. Students will learn the process of screen printing and complete their projects using both analog and digital methods.
This course is designed to introduce and familiarize the student to the fundamental issues involving both making and thinking in three dimensions as applied to making art in the public realm. Assignments are formed to familiarize the student with a variety of materials and techniques that make up the foundations with which to address public sculpture. We will be developing proposals for public art to be placed and installed around Tuscaloosa. Classes will take place in the form of class discussions, guest lecturers, and studio work days.
Special topics in digital media. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 hours.
An intermediate course to package design, this course covers the history, science and process of package design. Students will explore 3D templates, typography, color and imagery to design and assemble an array of structures that follow the strategy of a creative brief. This course is restricted. Only students who have been accepted into the BFA Graphic Design program may enroll in this course.
Conceptual approaches, materials and techniques used to solve problems in illustration, emphasizing developing rendering skills in both traditional and digital mediums. This course is restricted. Only students who have been accepted into the BFA Graphic Design program may enroll in this course.
An introduction to interactive applications. This course provides instruction in innovative, artistic design and development of visual communication skills related to interactive applications. This course is restricted. Only students who have been accepted into the BFA Graphic Design program may enroll in this course.
This course covers drawing at the advanced level, including media, form, content, and theory. This course emphasizes personal direction. This course is designed to encourage student investigation into experimental drawing and contemporary art practices. All topics will be devoted to promoting individual student creativity, mastery of drawing means and techniques, and a further understanding of graphic concerns.
This is an interdisciplinary capstone course that represents the culmination of the BA in Studio Art degree. Focusing on issues pertaining to professional practices, this course is designed to assist students as they prepare for the next step in their education and/or in their work as professional studio artists or work as professionals in art related fields after they leave the University. To this end, students will develop a written final paper, produce promotional materials, refine verbal communication in the discussion of their work, and hone various other skills in the development of professional practices. Writing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. A student who does not write with skill normally required of upper-division students will not earn a passing grade, no matter how well the student performs in other areas of the course.
The BFA Capstone is an interdisciplinary course that represents the culmination of the BFA Studio Art program at The University of Alabama. Focusing on issues pertaining professional practices, this course is designed to assist students as they leave the university and prepare for the next step in their education and/or in their lives as professional artists and producers of culture. The course would focus on development of a written statement, production of promotional materials, refining of verbal skills in the discussion of work and various other skills in the development of professional practices. 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 course focuses on the development of an independent thesis project of a body of creative work in the area of the primary concentration and is restricted to BFA studio art majors with senior standing. The thesis must be publicly exhibited. The course can be taken for a maximum of 6 hours.
Used as a course designation for all students enrolled in Early College.
An orientation course designed to introduce students to the University and the College of Arts and Sciences and to assist in academic planning. Open to freshmen. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 hours. Pass/fail.
This course exposes students to research and creative activities being conducted by faculty in the College of Arts & Sciences. Lectures provided by A&S faculty members help students learn how new knowledge is created, receive career advice, and potentially lead to students identifying faculty mentors. This course is open to all majors.
This course allows students to execute creative projects or research with a faculty mentor. Students and their faculty mentor will be required to develop an Undergraduate Research Mentoring Agreement in consultation with the College Coordinator of Undergraduate Research. This course is open to all majors. Students taking AS 104, however, cannot also take UA 155 or UA 156. AS 104 can be taken for a maximum of 6 credit hours. Since credit hours are variable, course expectations will be adjusted to reflect the desired credit hours.
This course is designed to support academic success at UA and in the College of Arts and Sciences.
This course is designed to open students minds to what evolution is and how it applies to all life. Toward that end, students will view lectures given by evolutionary scholars from varied institutions and disciplines.
This course introduces students to the multiple disciplines involved in the study of the medieval and early modern and the broad issues, methods, and areas of study in the field via readings and interactions with participating faculty through guest lectures and related activities.
Seminar for premedical, prelaw, and undecided juniors and seniors.
This course is the capstone to the Evolutionary Studies minor and should be taken in the final semester of the program. This course meets in conjunction with "Evolution for Everyone," the minor introductory course to the minor, to revisit the basic principles and application of evolutionary theory. These courses are team-taught by faculty from around the University and integrate the Alabama Lectures of Life's Evolution series, so they are likely to be different for you in both iterations. The course will review applications of evolutionary theory in the natural, social, and applied sciences and in the humanities. Additionally, you will conduct or complete a culminating project during the first half of the semester. During the second half of the semester, you will present this to the class and submit an article based on your project for publication in a peer-reviewed science journal.
The capstone to the Evolutionary Studies minor, this course meets in conjunction with “Evolution for Everyone,” and should be taken in the final semester of the program. In addition to reviewing applications of evolutionary theory in the natural, social, and applied sciences and in the humanities, students will also conduct or complete a culminating project, present this work to the class, and submit an article based the project for publication in a peer-reviewed science journal.
This course is for students studying any beginning level of less commonly taught languages offered by the Critical Languages Center or abroad, and repeatable for credit with different languages. Supervised self-study system applied. This course is an introduction to American Sign language (ASL) as used within the culturally Deaf Community of the United States. This course will be taught as a hybrid of online and in-class instruction by native users to utilize the best approaches to learning this visual language. This is a SUPERVISED-SELF-STUDY class. Students are required to study the textbooks and practice with assigned materials by themselves outside of the class. Students will also be expected to spend 5 field hours at Deaf-related events within the community. English use will be kept to minimum in class. Language trainers will monitor active participation throughout the semester by use of the STUDENT PERFORMANCE SHEET reports which will be sent to the director of the CLC.
This course is the second semester class of American Sign Language, and is intended for students who have taken ASL 101 at The University of Alabama. Any students with background knowledge of this language must see the CLC director BEFORE registering, and shall be assigned an appropriate class level by CLC staff. This course will emphasize the development of practical communicative ability in ASL along with cultural knowledge of Deaf Culture. This is a hybrid supervised self-study class. Students are required to study the textbooks and practice with assigned materials by themselves outside of the class. Spoken language use will be kept to a minimum in class. Language trainers will monitor active participation throughout the semester by use of the STUDENT PERFORMANCE REPORT which will be sent to the instructor and director of the CLC. Regular class attendance and participation is required. Cultural aspects of deaf community will be added to communication skill practice to help students’ understanding of the deaf culture through language.
This course is the third-semester class of American Sign Language, and is intended for students who have taken ASL 102 at The University of Alabama. Any students with background knowledge of this language must contact the CLC director before registering, and shall be assigned to an appropriate class level. This course further develops vocabulary, conversational competence, and grammatical knowledge unique to ASL. Students will learn the significance of linguistic aspects of the language and Deaf culture and community while practicing ASL in class.
This course surveys the development of our current understanding of the Universe, including our Solar System, exoplanets, stars and stellar evolution (including white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes, and supernovae), galaxies and cosmology (dark matter, dark energy, the Big Bang, the accelerating universe, supermassive black holes), and life in the Universe. NOTE: If the student plans to apply AY 101 toward satisfaction of the N requirement of the University Core Curriculum, AY 102 must also be taken.
This laboratory course involves indoor hands-on activities interpreting stellar spectra, stellar luminosity-temperature diagrams, celestial spheres, and astronomical imagery of the Moon, stars (including the Sun), star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, and galaxy clusters. NOTE: If the student plans to apply AY 102 toward satisfaction of the N requirement of the University Core Curriculum, AY 101 must also be taken.
This course is a survey of the new and rapidly-developing interdisciplinary science of astrobiology, accessible to the non-science major. Using the tools of astronomy, biology, geology, and chemistry, we will explore some of the biggest questions ever asked: How did life start on the Earth? Did life start elsewhere in our solar system, and elsewhere in our galaxy? Are we alone in the Universe? If there is life on other planets, how would we recognize it? Using the example of the history of life on Earth, we will explore locations in our solar system to gather evidence of whether life could have started, and could currently thrive in those locations. We will then broaden our scope to explore possibilities of life on planets orbiting other stars in our galaxy (and beyond) by summarizing what has been learned recently from surveys of planets orbiting other stars, in the Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence.
In this course students learn to observe and record images and spectra of planets, stars, nebulae, and galaxies using portable telescopes on campus, the 16-inch telescope of the campus observatory, telescopes located in the darker skies at Moundville, and observatory telescopes in Arizona and Chile by internet control. Both indoor exercises and observing projects are undertaken. Students should normally have already completed an introductory or advanced astronomy course. NOTE: If the student plans to apply AY 203 toward satisfaction of the N requirement of the University Core Curriculum, AY 204 or AY 206 must also be taken.
This course provides (1) a discussion of orbital mechanics and of the interior structure, surface features, atmosphere, and origin of the sun, planets, and solar system; (2) an understanding of the detection techniques and current census of extrasolar planets; and (3) a discourse on the possibility of life on other planets. NOTE: If the student plans to apply AY 204 toward satisfaction of the N requirement of the University Core Curriculum, AY 203 must also be taken.
This course: (1) connects the observed properties of stars (including our Sun) to their physical structure and evolution, up to their final endpoints as white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes; (2) surveys the properties of galaxies (including our Milky Way), their baryonic and dark matter content, their dynamics and evolution (star formation history, feedback, secular processes, mergers, growth of central supermassive black holes) and galaxy clustering; and (3) presents modern cosmology, including the Big Bang, the Cosmic Microwave Background, the accelerating expansion of the Universe, dark energy, inflation, and the formation of the lightest elements. NOTE: If the student plans to apply AY 206 toward satisfaction of the N requirement of the University Core Curriculum, AY 203 must also be taken.
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).
Students will learn to perform astronomical observations with eye, telescope, and modern detectors, using techniques of digital imaging, photometry, and spectroscopy. Wavelength ranges from radio to gamma-ray will be addressed. Students will gain familiarity with current software tools for data analysis, model fitting, and error analysis. Students will carry out and report on all components of observational research, from concept and data collection to analysis and presentation of conclusions. 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 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 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.
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Bama Biology Bootcamp (B³) is a one-week intensive program for incoming Biological Sciences majors and other freshmen enrolled in introductory biology courses. Students will learn study and time management skills that can be used across all classes.
Lecture and laboratory. Not open to biology majors or minors, or pre-health professions students. Survey of the basic principles of cellular biology, genetics, plant and animal diversity, and evolution. Usually offered fall, spring, and summer. BSC 108 and BSC 109 may be taken in either order.
Lecture and laboratory. Not open to biology majors or minors, or to pre-health professions students. Study of the physiology of living organisms with emphasis on the physiology of humans. Includes an overview of general ecology and animal behavior. Usually offered fall, spring and summer. BSC 108 and BSC 109 may be taken in either order.
This course will provide students with proven strategies that are designed to improve their ability to study and learn biology. Students will gain skills in time management, inquiry-based learning techniques, logical reasoning, and critical thinking to support understanding and application of biology theory.
For biology majors, biology minors and pre-health professions students. Study of general biological principles, including the chemical basis of life; cellular biology, including cell structure and metabolism, genetics evolution; and a survey of simple organisms, including viruses, bacteria, protista and fungi. Offered fall, spring and summer. NOTE: A student must take both BSC 114 and BSC 115 in order to use either one of the courses to satisfy a portion of the natural science (N) requirement of the University Core Curriculum.
For biology majors, biology minors, and pre-health professions students. Study of the structure, function, and ecology of organisms, including bryophytes, vascular plants, invertebrate animals, and vertebrate animals. Offered fall, spring, and summer. NOTE: A student must take both BSC 116 and BSC 117 in order to use either one of the courses to satisfy a portion of the natural science (N) requirement of the University Core Curriculum.
This course is a laboratory course that explores diverse life forms through experimentation and promotes the scientific process through inquiry-based investigation of organism structure and function, while promoting careful observation, analysis of biological problems and an understanding of biological principles.
Lecture, discussion period, and laboratory. Thorough study of general biological principles, including the chemical basis of life, cellular biology, genetics, evolution, and a survey of prokaryotic organisms.
Lecture, discussion period, and laboratory. Thorough study of the structure, function, physiology, and ecology of organisms, including higher and lower plants and vertebrates and invertebrate animals.
Lecture, laboratory, and laboratory lecture. Integrated survey of human anatomy and physiology that includes cellular aspects; tissues and skin; the skeletal, muscular, nervous and endocrine systems; and the special senses of sight, hearing, taste, and smell.
Lecture, laboratory, and laboratory lecture. Integrated survey of human anatomy and physiology that includes the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems.
An introductory course on the evidence for evolution, mechanisms of evolutionary change, natural and sexual speciation, and common misconceptions about evolution.
The course is designed to provide an understanding of the molecular basis of cell function. Topics include metabolism, gene control, cell membranes, and cell-to-cell signaling.
A laboratory course that focuses on demonstrating Cell Biology principles and developing competency with basic laboratory equipment, methods, techniques and analyses. The course investigates fundamental processes while promoting observation, analysis of problems, and an understanding of biological principles.
This course will survey the common plants, plant families and plant communities of Alabama through field trips and identification in the laboratory. Development of the identification skills necessary for ecological and wildlife professions, for both native and invasive plants, will be emphasized.
Lecture and laboratory. Course presents methods for the isolation, microscopic observation, enumeration, and determination of the biochemical characteristics of bacteria. 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 class will be a combination of lectures, field trips, and some inside laboratory plant identification exercises. The majority of the class will be conducted in natural areas surrounding Tuscaloosa. Most class time is dedicated to lab- and field-based activities.
Lecture and laboratory. Introduction to freshwater natural history and ecology with specific emphasis on the common freshwater habitats of Alabama. 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.
Introduces students to basic principles of natural resources conservation, including fundamental concepts in natural resource conservation and management. Examines humanity’s past and present impacts on world environments; the influence of culture and the wants, needs, and desires of human beings will be integrated into the material. Discusses conservation of natural resources, including soil, water, air, forests, rangelands, energy, wildlife and fisheries, based on scientific principles.
Lecture and laboratory. This course is designed to provide you with comprehensive exposure to the subject of plant biology. You will learn about the structure, function, systematics, evolution and ecological roles of plants including algae, mosses, liverworts, ferns, gymnosperms and angiosperms. If you are a person who has over-specialized in zoology or human biology, this course will expand your horizons significantly. As a study of producers (plants!), this course will examine these organisms that are essential to life because of their position at the energy and elemental intake portion of the energy pyramid and the food web! Human survival is dependent on plants. At the end of this course students should take away an appreciation for the extensive role plants play in our ecosystem as well as our everyday life. The course will consist of lectures, laboratory experiments, group discussions and other activities relating to course material. Registration is required for both lecture and laboratory. 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.
4 Cr Hours. Lecture and Laboratory. This course is designed to provide you with comprehensive exposure to the subject of biology of lower plants. You will learn about the morphology, systematics, evolution, economic significance and ecological roles of the lower plants including cyanobacteria, algae, mosses, liverworts, fern allies and ferns with emphasis in their diversity in the southeastern USA. If you are a person who has over-specialized in zoology or human biology, this course will expand your horizons significantly. This course will examine these organisms that are essential to life because of their position at the energy pyramid and the food web, the negative effect on the environment and human health, and their commercial importance. At the end of this course students should take away an appreciation for the extensive diversity and roles the lower plants play in our ecosystem as well as our everyday life. The course will consist of lectures, laboratory experiments, group discussions and other activities relating to course material. Registration is required for both lecture and laboratory. 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.
Lecture and laboratory. Introductory course in the study of vertebrate zoology. Subjects included are principles of systematics and nomenclature, a survey of vertebrate taxa, the species concept, analysis of taxonomic characters, and an introduction to zoogeography and behavior.
This course will provide an introduction to probability and statistical methods that are commonly used in the biological sciences. Practical, real-world examples from biology, ecology, and natural resources management will be used throughout the course. This course is aimed at 300-level students who intend to work with biological data, or anyone interested in statistics. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
This course introduces the student to two fundamental disciplines in biology – ecology and evolution. We introduce the student to the processes common to both disciplines and show how these have shaped the diversity and organization of life on this planet.
A discussion and problem solving-based course focusing on ecological issues. Emphasis is placed on integration and practical application of ecological concepts. Students will explore theories and practice ecology at different scales of biological organization: individual, populations, species interactions, community organization and environmental processes.
Survey of the literature relating to a topic approved by the supervising faculty member; not to include laboratory or field research. A formal paper and/or examination is required. May be taken for one credit hour in each of two consecutive semesters, or for one or two credit hours in any one semester. Offered according to demand.
Survey of literature, design of active learning projects and teaching science concepts to elementary students to encourage and enrich young children’s interest in science. 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. A maximum of 4 hours credit may be applied to the requirements for the biology or microbiology major.
Independent research or research participation. A maximum of 4 hours credit for BSC 398 may be applied to the requirements of the biology and microbiology majors; an additional 4 hours may be taken as elective credit and applied to the 120-hour requirement.
Exploration of the process of presenting research results in different written formats including: abstract, poster, and full journal article. How the needs for clear presentation and response to peer review can inform the experimental process will also be covered. 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.
Recommended for pre-health professions students. The course focuses on the comparative anatomy of vertebrates with a broad evolutionary perspective on functional, physiological, and performance implications of anatomy. The laboratory involves hands-on activities focused on the identification of anatomical features in major groups of vertebrates. Some emphasis is given to mammals, but the course provides a comprehensive survey of vertebrates.
Seminar and discussion. In the first semester, students present seminars based on the current literature. In the second semester, students present seminars derived from their honors theses. A maximum of 2 hours of credit for BSC 407 may be applied to the requirements of the biology or microbiology major. Offered according to demand.
This course provides a one semester apprenticeship at a local health care facility and is intended for all pre-health professional students. This course also has a service learning component. It does not count as applicable hours for the biology major or minor.
This course provides a one semester apprenticeship at a local health care facility and is intended for all pre-health professional students. This course also has a service learning component. It does not count as applicable hours for the biology major or minor.
This class focuses on biology related to caves and subterranean habitats, including biodiversity, ecology, evolution, microbiology, conservation, and applications to human health.
Although the study of biogeography and evolution isn't fundamentally different in the ocean than it is on land, important differences exist in the history and pace of discovery, as well as in the mode and tempo of how biodiversity is generated, distributed, and maintained across geographic space. In this course we will focus on historical and contemporary biogeography in the marine realm, and compare and contrast evolutionary processes between marine and terrestrial ecosystems. There will be a special focus on the origin of marine biodiversity hotspots, geological processes & extinction, ocean currents, temperature gradients, depth gradients, the relative contribution of allopatric and sympatric speciation, gene flow, and effective population sizes.
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. Offered in alternate years.
This class will focus on the study of host-pathogen interactions within the context of their environment and evolution.
This course covers the study of the general principles of neuroanatomy across invertebrates and vertebrates, including their evolutionary relationships, brain morphology, and cellular biology. Anatomy will be learned via hands-on dissection and illustrations of various neural structures from flies to sheep.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lecture and laboratory. Survey of the structure, function, ecology, and classification of fishes. Offered in alternate years. 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.
Study of microorganisms related to health and disease with emphasis on molecular mechanism of pathogenesis. Offered in alternate years.
Lecture and laboratory. Characteristics and distribution of the major families of vascular plants as well as practice in the collection and identification of flowering plants. One weekend field trip required. Offered in alternate years.
Thorough exploration of various aspects of modern immunology at the molecular and cellular levels.
This course will acquaint students with the principles of epidemiology and provide an understanding of the applications of epidemiology to public health and global disease burden. Major concepts include introductions into the various applications of epidemiological studies; discrimination between epidemics caused by infectious organisms, genetic backgrounds, and human behavior; and examples of how epidemiology can be applied in a clinical setting.
Students participate in the generation of new knowledge, thus the experiments vary. Techniques taught include agarose gel electrophoresis, cycle sequencing, sequence analysis, plasmid purification, restriction endonuclease digestion, gel purification of DNA, ligation, transformation, primer design, PCR, gene knockouts, protein fusions, and enzyme assays.
A detailed examination of the vertebrate endocrine system that uses a comparative approach to explore intricate relationships between the brain, endocrine glands, hormones and target organs. 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 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. 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 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. 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.
A detailed examination of the vertebrate endocrine system that uses a comparative approach to explore intricate relationships between the brain, endocrine glands, hormones and target organs. 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 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.
Lecture and laboratory. Development of the human embryo and fetus, including molecular, physiological, and structural aspects of morphogenesis, and functional development. Offered in alternate years. 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.
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. 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 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: their structure, development, taxonomy, and distribution. 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.
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.
A general survey for upper-level undergraduate students covering all aspects of plant physiology including plant transport, translocation of sugars in plants, plant biochemistry, plant metabolism, plant growth and development, photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, flowering and plant hormones. The course will consist of lectures, in-class experiments, group discussions, presentations and other activities relating to course material. 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.
Lecture and laboratory. Introduction to the fungi and their biology, including aspects of their structure and function, taxonomy, genetics, and ecology. Offered in alternate years. 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.
Bioinformatics BSC 473/573 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. 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.
Lecture and laboratory. Survey of the structure, function, classification, and habits of insects. 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.
Lecture and laboratory. Survey of aquatic insects with emphasis on their identification, life histories, and ecology. Offered in alternate years.
The classification, morphology, evolution, and ecology of invertebrate animals. 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 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. 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 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.
Thorough investigation of evolution, including population genetics, molecular evolution, adaptation, and speciation. Offered in the spring semester. 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 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 geographic distribution of plants and animals. Offered alternate years.
This course is a one-hour weekly seminar where students will be exposed to current research being performed in the UA Department of Biological Sciences and at other institutions. Students will gain exposure and familiarity with research and current methodology being used in the fields of Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, Animal Behavior and Physiology, Microbiology and Cell and Molecular Biology.
Lecture and laboratory. Thorough study of the structural (physical and biological) and functional attributes (energy flow, nutrient cycling, community structure) characteristic of stream and river ecosystems. Offered in alternate years.
An advanced undergraduate seminar on current topics related to signal transduction as it pertains to the molecular basis of neurobiology and development. Offered in alternate years.
A biological sciences topic not covered in other courses. The credit hours and format are determined as appropriate to the topic, and a course title is added to the schedule of classes. Offered according to demand.
Experiences to extend and complement the Blount Scholars Program foundation courses. May be repeated once for credit.
Culture and nature are not merely the spaces we inhabit, they are the principal objects of human reflection and interpretation, or should be. This year-long course uses a survey of influential texts in philosophy, science, religion, political theory, and literature produced in the West over three millennia to provide students with an introductory practicum in the interpretation of culture and nature. Within this framework, more specific concepts to be explored will include the nature of society, the nature of the individual, the nature of government and justice as regulatory mechanisms between the two, the nature of power in its various forms, the concept of nature itself, and America as a social experiment in which these concepts are continually interpreted and reinterpreted.
Culture and nature are not merely the spaces we inhabit, they are the principal objects of human reflection and interpretation, or should be. This year-long course uses a survey of influential texts in philosophy, science, religion, political theory, and literature produced in the West over three millennia to provide students with an introductory practicum in the interpretation of culture and nature. Within this framework, more specific concepts to be explored will include the nature of society, the nature of the individual, the nature of government and justice as regulatory mechanisms between the two, the nature of power in its various forms, the concept of nature itself, and America as a social experiment in which these concepts are continually interpreted and reinterpreted.
A text-centered examination of a more specific problem connected with core concepts of the first-year Foundations sequence and viewed through the methodological lens of one of the disciplines in the liberal arts. May be taken 3 times for credit.
The student will work 10 hours per week with an approved mentor/organization and complete several academic projects based on their work.
Through the trope of sight-as-knowledge, the term worldview identifies any system of ideas, beliefs, and practices used by a particular group of people at a particular time in order to inhabit and understand the space they occupy and their lives within it. The concept of a worldview is intrinsically connected to the issues that structure the Blount first-year Foundations sequence, to wit, the nature of society, the nature of the individual, the nature of the regulatory mechanisms between the two, the nature of power in its various forms, and the concept of nature itself. The Capstone Worldviews course asks senior Blount students to explore some aspect of the concept of a worldview by undertaking a series of theoretical readings and developing a critical or creative project over the course of the semester.
Introduction to the traditional and contemporary forms of cybercrime, including hacking, insider threat, illicit drug markets, cyber bullying, and cyber terrorism.
This course introduces students to intelligence studies. It takes a broad look at how intelligence informs policy. It emphasizes critical thinking and critical reading. Its goal is to teach students to effectively monitor, collect, and analyze security threats in order to facilitate threat prioritization and the development of policy solutions.
Examination of selected issues in cyber security in the United States and throughout the world.
Examination of cyber criminology from a law and policy perspective, including its impact on the Fourth and Fifth Amendment, jurisprudence, and the changing conceptions of privacy and identity.
Opportunity for students to conduct career exploration and build a record of experience in the fields of cyber criminology, network analysis, and digital forensics. To take this course students must obtain permission from the instructor for a specific number of hours and pass a background check. A maximum of 3 credit hours can be used towards the minor.
Examination of the role that technology plays in modern-day policing; provides students with a detailed overview of how the cyber, digital, and technological worlds have historically impacted policing.
Technical examination of how investigators collect, extract, analyze, and preserve data seized from devices in criminal cases; students gain hands-on experience with different forensic tools and software and learn of the various legal challenges in digital forensic investigations.
Examination of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies as they pertain to criminal investigations; students will learn how to track and trace Bitcoin transactions using open source and proprietary tools. Students will have the opportunity to become trained and certified from Chainalysis.
Examination of selected issues in cyber security in the United States and throughout the world. A maximum of six hours may be used toward the minor.
Opportunity for students to further build a record of experience in the cyber criminology field by focusing on a topic agreed upon by the instructor and student. A maximum of 3 hours may be used toward the minor.
At the completion of this course, students will have a general understanding of Speech Pathology and Audiology as it relates to the culture of disability. Specifically, they will read, think, synthesize, and reflect on information related to social and educational inclusion practices, laws, and accessibility to services.
At the completion of this course, students will have a general understanding of Speech Pathology and Audiology as it relates to the culture of disability. Specifically, they will read, think, synthesize, and reflect on information related to social and educational inclusion practices, laws, and accessibility to services.
This course will introduce students to speech, language, hearing and swallowing disorders. Principles of rehabilitation and consideration of employment setting within communication sciences and disorders will be included.
This course covers the study of the principles of phonetics and their application to speech production, with a focus on English.
Detailed study of the anatomical and physiologic foundations for articulation & resonance, to include embryology, genetics, and foundations of the nervous system.
Detailed study of the anatomical and physiologic foundations for swallowing and voice.
Detailed study of the bases of speech and hearing, including anatomy, physiology, and neurology.
Structured observational activities for students prior to their enrollment in a practicum course in speech-language pathology. Open to CD majors only.
This course is designed to provide students with knowledge of the normal development of phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics in children's communication. Through a combination of lectures, readings, films, slides, practical data collection assignments and interaction with the instructor, students will gain knowledge of typical language development in multicultural environment, and aspects of atypical language development. This course should give students a basic understanding of the acquisition, theory, and environmental influence of language in order to enhance their ability to be effective decision-makers when evaluating normal and atypical language.
Supervised clinical experience in audiology including hearing evaluation and rehabilitation across the lifespan.
Directed readings in an area of communicative disorders. Open to CD majors only.
This course will provide the student with an understanding of the physical aspects of sound and how it is processed physiologically through the human auditory system. In addition, the student will become familiar with the anatomy of the hearing mechanism.
An introductory course in neuroscience as it relates to the field of speech-language pathology. Students will be able to explain the anatomy and physiology of the brain, explain functions associated with structures in both the central and peripheral nervous systems, appreciate the nature and scope of neurogenic impairments, and understand brain abnormalities and neurological illnesses.
Undergraduate Independent study with faculty members for students enrolled in Honors College. This honors course emphasizes critical thinking, promotes active community and clinical engagement, and encourages peer collaboration. This course also promotes leadership and advocacy in the area of communication science and disorders.
This course will focus on developing competent and empathetic professionals considering career opportunities in educational and healthcare settings. Professional standards including education and certification requirements will be outlined for those seeking careers in US and international contexts. Prevention, assessment, and treatment will be explored across settings in a global context. The impact of Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (IPP) on client outcomes will be discussed and used to pose solutions to sustainable educational and healthcare challenges.
This course will focus on developing competent and empathetic professionals considering career opportunities in educational and healthcare settings. Professional standards including education and certification requirements will be outlined for those seeking careers in US and international contexts. Prevention, assessment, and treatment will be explored across settings in a global context. The impact of Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (IPP) on client outcomes will be discussed and used to pose solutions to sustainable educational and healthcare challenges. Honors students will investigate additional assignments centered around innovative initiatives that will add value to clinical practice in local and global settings.
This course provides a basic introduction to the principles, methods, and techniques of quantitative and/or qualitative research in communicative sciences and disorders and related fields. The class will cover the fundamentals of the scientific method and scientific inquiry, ethical considerations in research, basic methods of quantitative and qualitative data collection, and strengths and weaknesses of various data collection methods. The precise topic of the course will be a current ‘hot topic’ within communication sciences and disorders research, within the expertise and research area of the instructor. Students can take the course up to 5 times (15 credit hours), with a different topic covered in each class. The course is designed to make students informed consumers of scientific research through discussion, analysis, and hands-on practice in laboratory and other research settings. Students enrolled in this course must also be on the roster of a research laboratory within the Department of Communicative Disorders.
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.
The course includes presentations of theories and methods in diagnostics and evidence-based interventions for neurodiverse populations.
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 course will introduce students to the diagnosis and treatment/patient management of hearing loss. The normal auditory system will also be discussed. As part of these goals, the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the normal and impaired auditory system will be included in the presented lectures.
This course examines the implications of hearing loss across the life span, assistive technology including hearing aids and implantable devices, and the underlying principles and evidence-based approach to intervention in the discipline of auditory (re)habilitation.
Supervised clinical experience in audiology including hearing evaluation and rehabilitation across the lifespan. 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 this course. This proficiency will include the ability to write coherent, logical, and carefully edited clinic reports and prose with higher-level critical thinking skills, such as analysis and synthesis. This course earns the “W” designation for the core.
This course is designed to provide undergraduate students with quality clinical practicum experiences involving assessment and treatment of individuals across the lifespan. Students will develop clinical documentation skills, and learn to synthesize clinically relevant information and data using higher-level critical thinking skills. Writing proficiency within this discipline 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 proficiency will include the ability to write coherent, logical, and carefully edited clinical reports with higher-level critical thinking skills, such as analysis and synthesis. *Clinical Practicum earns the "W" designation for the core.
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.
This course is designed to provide undergraduate Communicative Disorders seniors with clinical topics and professional tools needed to be successful in their first year of clinical practicum and beyond. Each week, students will participate in experiential learning labs that will provide hands-on learning and connection to real world SLP clinical experiences. Through this course students will gain insight into positive professional practices and skill sets, learn how to collaborate with diverse organizations and professions, and gain insight into their own interests, passions, and values. 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 will not earn a passing grade, no matter how well the student performs in other areas of this course. This proficiency will include the ability to write coherent logical, and carefully edited clinical documentation and prose with higher-level critical thinking skills, such as analysis and synthesis. This course earns the “W” designation for the core.
This course is designed to provide undergraduate students with quality clinical practicum experiences involving assessment and treatment of individuals across the lifespan. Students will develop clinical documentation skills and learn to synthesize clinically relevant information and data using higher-level critical thinking skills. Additional Honors’ requirements include formation of a comprehensive treatment guide for an assigned evidenced-based intervention approach/technique. 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.
Introduction to the clinical impact of voice and swallowing disorders.
Introduction to the clinical impact of voice and swallowing disorders.
This course is designed for students with lower level math backgrounds to successfully complete the freshman level entry course in general chemistry, a foundational and core science survey course. This is a 5 credit hr course for students who are taking, or meet the requirements to take, MATH 112 or 113 and who do not have placement into at least MATH 115. Chemistry topic coverage for CH100 is identical to that of CH101 and CH117 (ch E-10, Tro textbook), but the course content is expanded to include additional development of basic science, chemistry, math, and problem-solving skills. Additional lecture time is included for instruction in these areas, including added supervised problem-solving and mentoring of these students to better prepare and train them for successful completion of the first semester of general chemistry. Students who receive credit for CH100 will qualify to subsequently take CH102. Students cannot receive credit for both CH 100 and CH 101.
Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory. First semester of the general chemistry sequence designed for students majoring in science, engineering, or pre-health profession pathways. Topics include basic chemical calculations, structure and naming of compounds, and behavior of gases. Degree credit is not awarded for both CH 101 and CH 100 or for both CH 101 and CH 117. Usually offered in the fall, spring, and summer semesters.
Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory. Second semester of the general chemistry sequence designed for students majoring in science, engineering, or pre-health profession pathways. Topics include chemical equilibria, kinetics, and thermodynamics. Degree credit is not awarded for both CH 102 and CH 105 or both CH 102 and CH 118. Usually offered in the fall, spring, and summer semesters.
Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory. The course is primarily for students in the Capstone College of Nursing and the College of Human Environmental Sciences; it may not be substituted for CH 101 except with departmental permission. Degree credit is not awarded for both CH 104 and CH 107. An introductory survey of the facts, principles, and theories of chemistry. Usually offered in the fall and summer semesters.
Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory. Not open to chemistry majors or minors or to students who have earned credit for CH 102. Degree credit is not awarded for both CH 105 and CH 102 or both CH 105 and CH 108. The course may not be substituted for CH 101 or CH 102. Brief survey of organic and biochemistry. Usually offered in the spring and summer semesters.
Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory. Not open to students who have earned credit for CH 101. Degree credit is not awarded for both CH 117 and CH 101. A comprehensive study of the fundamental facts, principles, and theories of general chemistry. Usually offered in the fall semester.
Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory. Not open to students who have earned credit for CH 102. Degree credit is not awarded for both CH 118 and CH 102, or both CH 118 and CH 105. Continuation of CH 117 with basic inorganic chemistry. Includes a systematic study of the elements and of the structures, properties, and reactions of their compounds. Usually offered in the spring semester.
First semester of a two-semester sequence in organic chemistry for students majoring in the sciences, engineering, and pre-health professional programs. Topics include structure, stereochemistry, and reactivity (addition, substitution, and elimination reactions) of organic compounds.
Second semester of a two-semester sequence in organic chemistry for students majoring in the sciences, engineering, and pre-health professional programs. Topics include structure, reactivity, and analysis of major organic functional groups, including carbonyls, amines, and conjugated pi systems.
A one-hour lecture and five-hour laboratory. The course is designed for chemistry majors to demonstrate advanced organic chemistry concepts. 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.
Three lectures. This course is designed for students in the pre-health professional degree or pursuing the chemistry minor and is a study of the application of physical chemical concepts in biological systems. It is a general course not requiring extensive preparation in calculus.
Fundamental considerations in drug design. Includes lead discovery, target identification and validation, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and metabolism, and formulations/drug delivery systems. Chemical modifications to improve efficacy and pharmacokinetics will be emphasized.
Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory. Survey in areas of coordination, main-group, and organometallic chemistry. Laboratory experiments involve the preparation, purification, and identification of inorganic compounds. Usually offered in the fall semester.
This course is designed for students interested in pursuing research in materials chemistry. This course looks at materials science from the chemist’s point of view and uses chemistry language.
Two lectures and one five-hour laboratory. The course covers the general operating principles of the commonly used analytical instruments with an emphasis on theory. Wherever possible, mathematical interpretations and derivations are given. Usually offered in the spring semester. 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.
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.
This class provides an overview of the theory and mechanism of organic molecular structure and transformations. Topics will include evaluation of organic electronic structure; molecular orbitals; molecular dynamics and energetics; tools to study organic reaction mechanisms; and energetics of reaction paths.
This course is an introduction to the theory, application, and interpretation of four major types of structural analysis used by synthetic chemists: absorption, infrared, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, as well as mass spectrometry. We will focus heavily on interpretation of spectra and application of these tools to address questions of structure and reactivity. While this is an organic chemistry class, examples of applications to organometallic and inorganic materials will also be presented.
The course is designed for chemistry majors in the BCH degree and is a study of the structure and properties of matter with emphasis on theoretical principles and their mathematical interpretation.
This course covers the principles that govern the macroscopic behavior of chemical systems. These principles are contained in the laws of thermodynamics and chemical kinetics. The goal of the first part of the course is to understand the laws of thermodynamics and learn to apply them to chemical systems. The second part will deal with understanding the kinetic theory of gases and elementary chemical kinetics.
This class is designed to illustrate the experimental principles behind the theory presented in the physical chemistry lecture courses. The course is designed to be taken concurrently with CH 442. 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.
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. 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 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).
This course provides an introduction to the science of brewing beer, its historical impacts, and how the modern beer industry operates. The history of fermentation and its impact on culture will be discussed. Students will learn about the complex chemical substances and chemical transformations responsible for the flavor, aroma, texture, & color variations beer. The Science and Chemistry of Beer & Brewing exposes students to the process of making beer from fermentation and flavoring of sweet mashes through yeast growth and accompanying chemical transformations. Participants will learn about the different types of grains and mashes used to make beer and will learn to evaluate beer, choose beer to compliment the chemistry and taste of foods and differentiate between many locally and internationally produced ales. There is a significant biochemistry and organic Chemistry involved in the malting, mashing and fermentation process and understanding the chemistry behind the flavor, aroma, and color of beer. Participants will learn to correlate the scientific underpinnings with the flavor and aroma characteristics of the resultant beers. Field trips will allow students to see the beer brewing process in action, visit QA laboratories, interact with brewers directly, and evaluate ingredients such as barley, yeast and hops.
The course is designed for students in the Chemistry Department Honors Program.
The course is designed for students in the Chemistry Department Honors Program.
Contemporary Chinese Language (Mandarin): speaking, listening, reading and writing of simplified Chinese characters. The class meets five hours per week with an instructor. This course is intended for students with NO PRIOR KNOWLEDGE of Chinese. Native speakers or near native speakers of the language are NOT allowed to enroll. Any students with background knowledge of this language must see the program director before enrolling.
This is a continuation of Chinese language (Mandarin) on the elementary level. Course goals include stress on authentic reading and writing Chinese and a continuation of speaking with listening comprehension. The class meets five hours per week with an instructor. Native speakers or near native speakers of the language are NOT allowed to enroll.
This is a continuation of Chinese language on the intermediate level. Course goals include stress on reading and writing Chinese and a continuation of speaking with listening comprehension. Native speakers or near native speakers of the language are NOT allowed to enroll.
What makes Chinese people Chinese? Delivered in English, this course provides an introduction to Chinese culture and society. In this course, ten key Chinese cultural values will be discussed. While these concepts are situated in relation to traditional Chinese culture, their relevance to the rapidly changing China today will be investigated. Readings, lectures, discussions, videos, and experiential learning sessions are integrated into this course to dissect the complexity of Chinese culture.
This course introduces students to the rich and diverse world of Chinese mythology. Through a comprehensive exploration of various myths, legends, and religious traditions, students will gain a deeper understanding of the cultural, historical, and philosophical aspects that have shaped Chinese mythology. Readings, lectures, discussions, videos, and projects are integrated into this course to investigate the complexity of Chinese mythological universe.
Study of contemporary Chinese language and culture. Emphasis is on the development of reading and writing skills in cultural context. Native speakers or near native speakers of the language are NOT allowed to enroll.
Continuation of CHI301. Study of contemporary Chinese language and culture. Native speakers or near native speakers of the language are NOT allowed to enroll.
Introduction to Chinese literature from the earliest times to the 20th century. No knowledge of Chinese is required.
Introduction to 20th-century Chinese literature. No knowledge of Chinese is required.
This course is intended for students of the intermediate level Chinese. Classes emphasize communicative aspects of socially correct conversational skill as well as reading and writing of authentic contemporary Chinese (Mandarin).
Continuation of CHI353 with more emphasis on reading and writing of Chinese.
This course helps students gain an understanding of the social, political, cultural, and economic, and historical changes that have taken place in China since the 1920s. Students will discuss a broad range of films from Chinese classics, independent movie, to mainstream box office that all address individual sensation and important themes in contemporary society. Through combination of viewing, reading, discussing, and writing, students will understand Chinese values, culture, human sensation, and historical contexts.
Chinese cuisine forms a significant aspect of heritage identification of Chinese ethnic groups. This course use the lens of food to explore Chinese heritage, culture, and history. Students assess the complex ways that food connects not only to daily life, through cooking and eating, as spice, herbs and as medicine, from the expression and formation of the self to the mediation of social relationship, but to larger histories of trade, ecology, medicine, religion, agriculture, travel and ethnic identity.
Advanced level Chinese. Emphasis on reading and writing of modern Chinese (Mandarin). Native speakers or near native speakers of the language are NOT allowed to enroll.
This course is designed for new and transfer international students. It will help them WIN at UA – through welcoming, integrating, and navigating a new academic and cultural experience. The course covers topics such as academic resources, honor code, academic misconduct, an overview of the U.S. higher education system and UA in particular, U.S. classroom culture, the cultural adjustment cycle and culture shock, strategies for successful integration into U.S. campus life, and student services resources.
Designed as the first course to be taken in the Global and Cultural Perspectives minor, this course introduces the undergraduate student to the cultural, economic, physical and political aspects of being a world citizen in the 21st century. The emphasis of this course is the contemporary rather than the historical and will set the philosophy for the students' approach to the entire Global and Cultural Perspectives curriculum, both core and emphasis-area courses.
The increasing interconnectedness among people around the world is indisputable. As a society, we are increasingly aware of the way trends and processes reach beyond the confines of local, regional, and national boundaries. At UA’s Capstone International Center, we know that a 21st century citizen is certain to live a life that includes a variety of encounters with other cultures. It is our hope that you will take advantage of the many opportunities UA offers for intercultural engagement. And, this course has been designed to be one of those opportunities.
Out-Going International Exchange.
Non-credit Abroad Experience.
Out-Going International Exchange.
Out-Going International Exchange.
CIP out-going independent/direct enrollment, Study abroad student, graduate or undergraduate, in-state or out-of-state student.
This course is designed for students not majoring or minoring in CCJ. An overview of the criminal justice system with emphasis on the roles and problems of law enforcement, courts, and correctional components.
This course is for CCJ major and minors only. It presents an overview of the criminal justice system and social control, from policing to trials and sentencing policy. Among other topics, we will discuss tough on crime policies, drug treatment courts, the War on Terrorism, the politics of crime and crime control, the punishment of sex offenders and its implications for public safety, rules of evidence, prison riots, and the death penalty. The emphasis in the course is to critically evaluate how we process individuals through the criminal justice system and the implications this processing has on public safety, civil liberties, public policy, and social control.
Development of law enforcement; organization and jurisdiction of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies; and functions of police officers.
Organization and management of the security function in industry, business, and government. Exploration of methods to protect personnel, facilities, and other major assets.
Overview of the United States Department of Homeland Security from its initiation to present day; exploration of the wide range of issues that the department influences, both policy and operational.
Introduction and overview of the complex world of Community Based Corrections; offering a history of the evolution of punishment and implementation of alternative sanctions.
Examines the extent and patterns of delinquency, theories of delinquency, research on the causes of delinquency, the juvenile justice system, and the prevention and control of delinquent behavior.
Overview of the judicial component of the criminal justice system in the United States; examines the organization of courts, roles and responsibilities of courtroom players, and systemic challenges.
Overview of U.S. corrections, jails and prisons, institutional procedures, recent innovations, and the future of corrections.
Examination of selected problems and issues in Criminology and Criminal Justice. A maximum of six hours may be use toward the major.
Effect of race and/or ethnicity on experiences in the criminal justice system, focusing mostly on research/theories of offending, victimization, and experiences as CJ system workers. 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.
Effect of gender on experiences in the criminal justice system, focusing mostly on research/theories of offending, victimization, and experiences as CJ system workers. 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.
Examination of issues related to the oppression of people on the basis of their class, race, sex, gender, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and physical or mental ability within the criminal justice system. 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.
Theoretical and specific instruction in both the conduct and application of research methods in criminal justice settings. Includes problem of research and policy dimensions of both direct and applied approaches.
Study of intermediate punishments and alternatives to incarceration.
Exploration of crime and criminal justice systems around the world; various transnational and international crimes, state criminal justice systems, and regional and supranational criminal justice mechanisms are examined.
This course presents an overview of the nature of street gangs. A general survey of theory, measurement, and reproach on gangs along with gang control programs and policies will be presented. Diverse research-based perspectives about gangs will be exposed to students, often times contrasting with depictions of gangs from law enforcement and the news/entertainment media. Various mediums will be used to illustrate the gap between the idea of what a street gang is and the reality of street gangs. The emphasis in this course is to critically evaluate what we know about street gangs, their relationship to crime, and what public policies can and should be used to deter crime and violence.
Examines the historical, philosophical, and legal underpinnings of the juvenile justice system, the institutions related to the control and prevention of delinquent behavior, and the various challenges and dilemmas faced by the professionals working in those institutions.
Greek and Roman mythology is at the spiritual core of much of Western civilization. For the ancients, myth was a religion, a means of alleviating common fears, a way of adding structure to the world, and a means of communicating values from one generation to the next. For literary authors and dramatists from ancient times to now, myth has provided a mechanism for conveying the desired message and image to the reader’s mind. For material artists of all periods, myth has been a favorite subject matter. Thus, the investigation of myth should be undertaken early in one's studies in order to lay the foundation for understanding other cultural and artistic disciplines.
In this course, students examine the vision and impact of Alexander the Great, whose military expedition to North Africa and the Middle East offers a model of a stable political structure on a global scale. Alexander’s activity ranged from Greece to India. The world he encountered was as foreign, diverse, strange and occasionally averse to his Western sensibilities as it is to us today. Yet, his vision was to overcome xenophobic tendencies (both among the conquering Greeks and the conquered people) and create a global and inclusive empire that was enriched by the different races, cultures, religions and civilizations it encompassed. This course is broad in scope and content and takes a global perspective regarding the factors of Alexander’s success, emphasizing the history and appreciation of the Humanities, rather than simply the ability to perform tasks at the written level. The study of Alexander’s achievement cultivates an appreciation of history and the Humanities on a practical level, while developing the students’ ability to deal with questions of values, ethics, and aesthetics on a global and historical level.
This course is taught in Greece and aims at introducing students to the history and culture of Greece, from antiquity to the modern era. Greece is at the crossroads between Europe, Africa and the Middle East and, as a result, a variety of cultures have left their cultural marks in the area: Egyptian, Minoan, Roman Christian, Muslim and Jewish. Yet, in the course of time, the Greeks have developed their own particular civilization, which is characterized by tremendous inventions, discoveries and technological advancements that have impacted the Western world and its identity. The Greeks do not claim to have invented the wheel, but to have used it in order to give the world theater, art, architecture, the Golden Mean, geometry, the Parthenon, automated machines, medicine, philosophy, the first universities and, above all, democracy. Students participating in the Greece program learn about (i) the value of myths and legends associated with historical sites; (ii) the history and important events in every site; and (iii) the influence of Greek culture on the modern world.
This course examines the figure of Julius Caesar, and his reception in later eras, through his own writings and later texts that re-imagined his life and achievements. 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 course provides an in-depth study of the public and private religious practices of ancient Rome from the earliest times into the Christian period. Students will learn about the rituals (calendrical festivals, burial rites, special celebrations) and structures (the priesthood, temples, State control, etc.) that constitute Roman religion along with the world-view behind it. Some attention will be given to theoretical aspects and comparative anthropological models. This is an advanced course for majors or minors and for those with a broader interest in the study of religion. 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 course uses a two-step approach to ancient literature: epic poems, dramatic plays, historical works and historical biographies are, first, analyzed for their own value as pieces of timeless beauty and wisdom; then, they are seen in the light of film adaptations, as they are repurposed for the benefit of modern audiences. In the process, students learn to appreciate the literature while becoming competent in critiquing films based on their portrayal of ancient culture. Overall, this course addresses student ability to deal with questions of values, ethics and esthetics as they are represented in literature, film and related fields in the Humanities. It also emphasizes the history and appreciation of the Humanities, rather than simply the ability to perform tasks at the written level. Nevertheless, this course will include substantial writing assignments that encourage the development of critical thinking and require students to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate knowledge.
Detailed investigations of specific aspects of Greco-Roman civilization such as ancient drama, women's lives, ancient religion, and technological achievements.
This course surveys the history of Rome from its founding to its fall, beginning with the first settlements in what would later be the city center of Rome ca. 1000 BC, and ending with the collapse of the Empire in the West in AD 476.
Introduction to the ancient history of Rome, with emphasis on the Republic from its Etruscan beginnings to the Second Punic War, and on the golden age of Caesar Augustus at the beginning of the Roman Empire.
This course covers the life, thought, and influence of the Greek philosopher Aristotle with a particular interest in his system of logic (the syllogism), and doctrines of ontology, change, causes, knowledge, the natural world, the soul, ethics, and other aesthetic matters. Readings from Ackrill’s selections of Aristotle will serve as a gateway into these topics. 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.
Independent research and writing to produce an honors thesis in the fields of Classical Civilization, Latin, or Greek.
Independent research and writing to produce an honors thesis in the fields of Classical Civilization, Latin, or Greek.
This course is for students studying any beginning level of less commonly taught languages offered by the UA Critical Languages Center or abroad, and repeatable for credit with different languages. Supervised self-study system applied. The CLC classes are supervised self-instructional under the Critical Languages Center and are best suited for highly motivated and disciplined students.
This course is equivalent to the second semester level of less commonly taught languages at the UA Critical Language Center or abroad, and repeatable with different languages. Supervised self-study system applied. The CLC classes are supervised self-instructional offered by the Critical Languages Center and are best suited for highly motivated and disciplined students.
This course is equivalent to the third semester level of a less commonly taught language at the Critical Languages Center or abroad, and repeatable for credit with different less commonly taught languages. Supervised self-study system applied. The CLC classes are self-instructional and are best suited for highly motivated and disciplined students.
This course is equivalent to the fourth semester level of less commonly taught languages at the Critical Languages Center or abroad, and repeatable for credit with different less commonly taught languages. The CLC classes are self-instructional and are best suited for highly motivated and disciplined students.
This course is for students who have completed four semesters of a less commonly taught language and wish to pursue a higher level of language proficiency. Language proficiency must be evaluated as adequate for this level by the Critical Languages Center, and the consent of the CLC director is required. The CLC classes are self-instructional and are best suited for highly motivated and disciplined students.
This course is a continuation of the 301 course provided through the UA Critical Languages Center. The course is for students who have a comprehensive grammatical knowledge, and are already able to communicate in the target language on the level of daily life in the target language. Students will work in this class to improve the accuracy and authenticity of socially correct communication in the target language.
This course is open to first-year UA Dance majors and is designed to help students navigate college and introduce them to the field of dance as they progress through the major. The course provides an introduction to the UA dance faculty and their various specialties along with various topics related to the study of dance. It additionally includes information about resources and services at UA.
Introduction to ballet, modern, and jazz dance through theory and practice at the beginning level.
This course will introduce the basics of modern and contemporary dance techniques.
A studio course in classical ballet for first year dance majors or musical theatre majors.
The development of theory and practice of classical ballet for first year dance majors or students with some previous experience in ballet.
Development of jazz dance technique at the beginner level. This course is designed to provide an introduction to basic jazz technique, including proper warm-up, alignment work, center work, isolations, traveling sequences and improvisations.
Investigation of dance theories and principles. May be repeated for differing topics.
This course will include study of various dance styles at the intermediate level in order to prepare the musical theatre student for more advanced study. Students will be taught dance combinations from musical theatre repertoire in order to enhance technical skills while preparing for performance. The history and development of musical theatre dance will also be explored. Musical Theatre majors only or permission of the instructor.
A studio course in modern dance techniques at the intermediate level. Dance majors only.
A studio course in modern dance technique at the advanced intermediate level. Dance majors only.
Development of classical ballet technique, and performance quality at the intermediate level for dance majors. Dance majors only.
Development of the classical theory and practice of ballet, at the advanced intermediate level. Dance majors only.
A studio course in jazz dance technique at the intermediate level. Dance majors only.
A studio course in jazz dance technique at a more advanced intermediate level. Dance majors only.
A course designed to introduce tap dance language and style while immersing the beginning/intermediate student in the execution of proper tap dance technique and performance. Warm-up and across the floor exercises as well as various combinations will be taught.
This course explores the art forms informed by the history, people, and culture of the African Diaspora, with a heavy emphasis on dance in the body. The process by which dance is examined includes influences of music, literature, visual art, and theater with context rooted in traditions, rituals, spiritual systems, and social economics. The roots of this examination will also trace the path of the movement vocabulary as a road map to evidencing the cultural continuum that exists inside the sharing, performing, and teaching of specific dances. Class format will involve frequent faculty and student-led conversations combined with lab movement days throughout the semester as students develop more understanding of connecting culture, history, and movement.
This course provides for participation in departmental dance productions in the form of working on dance shows in a capacity other than performing.
Study of dance theories and principles for performance,choreography or pedagogy. Permission of instructor.
This course will focus on one area of dance such as technique, repertoire, composition or pedagogy in order to facilitate a more advanced analysis of that specific area.
Choreography and Performance Workshop allows students to apply their knowledge of choreographic and performance practice in a faculty-mentored environment.
Choreography & Performance workshop allows students to apply their knowledge of choreographic and performance practice in a faculty-mentored environment.
Students apply and extend their knowledge of choreographic and performance practice in a faculty-mentored environment.
Continued exploration of musical theatre dance technique and style at a more advanced level. Students will learn movement covering a wide range of musical theatre eras and styles, with a focus on learning material quickly. For Musical Theatre majors. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours.
Continued development of ballet technique at the advanced level. Includes ladies' pointe work and men's technique.
Independent Study as approved by faculty.
Independent Study to develop research and/or applied skills, and gain expertise in the chosen topic area.
Prepare dancers for a professional career in dance performance through the rehearsal process of learning and performing, ballet, modern and jazz dance repertoire.
Performance skills and practice for dance.
Additional performance skills and practice for dance.
Additional performance skills and practice for dance.
Ballet pointe technique and preparation for advanced classical and contemporary pointe repertoire.
An introduction to the art of dance focusing on cultural influences, functions of dance in society, styles, choreographic trends, and notable artists and dances.
Basic exploration of the rhythmic and spatial elements in the development of movement phrases and choreographic dance studies. Dance Majors only or permission of instructor.
Lecture/studio course covering the basics of the musculoskeletal system and kinesiology with an emphasis on dance. Dance majors only.
This course will investigate the possibilities for synthesizing elements of dance technique and dance academics to facilitate success in the professional dance industry.
This is a composition course for the camera with an emphasis on capturing human movement. The class begins with instruction in basic camera and digital editing skills. In a series of studies for the camera that culminate in a final project, students develop a compositional vocabulary, taking into consideration, choreography, sound, and visual composition. Students’ compositional understanding will be expanded by video-viewing, reading, and discussion. Students with an interest in dance, visual art, theatre, experimental filmmaking, and music are encouraged to enroll.
This is a technical production course specifically for dance majors and covers the practical aspects of theatre technology of lighting and sound.
This course is designed to introduce students to the costume design and production processes for dance.
This course provides continued exploration of choreographic methods for concert dance. Students will build upon their compositional skills and knowledge to workshop ideas and explore elements of dance concert production. Classes will involve heavy faculty and peer feedback throughout the semester. Collaboration is emphasized through the creative and production process. The course aims to deepen students’ understanding of their choreographic interests and artistic process, fostering a capacity for ongoing self-assessment and growth in their creative endeavors.
This is the second phase of an immersive exploration into the choreographic development and realization of a public dance performance. Building on creative choreographic research from the previous semester, students engage in leading weekly rehearsals, mentorship from faculty, and collaboration with production partners emphasizing professionalism within the dance production setting. Post-performance, critical analysis and portfolio creation prompt students to articulate the broader implications of their choreographic experiences. This course cultivates choreographic and production skills alongside the ability to critically assess and contribute meaningfully to collaborative dance production environments.
This course explores creative processes in various dance styles. Students will research their chosen subject matter with a public presentation as the culmination of the class. Dance Majors or permission of the instructor only.
This course explores creative processes and performance in various dance styles. Students will research their chosen subject matter with a public presentation as the culmination of the class. The class promotes unique staging and performance opportunities by allowing students to develop work to be presented off campus, with the possibility of presentation internationally. Students learn about creating press releases, an on-line presence, and video/photo promos for concert promotions. Classes will involve heavy faculty feedback throughout the semester as students develop work for production.
This course is a service-learning course developing techniques for teaching movement concepts. This course includes a practicum component teaching dance to elementary students in the public schools. Dance Majors or permission of the instructor.
The history of dance from pre-classic, romantic, classical and early modern ballet. Dance majors only. 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 history of dance with an emphasis on 20th century and contemporary dance styles. 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. Dance Majors only.
A capstone seminar in which students use the skills, tools, and resources they have acquired through the dance major to demonstrate mastery of their discipline through individual projects that will vary according to educational and career goals. The course seeks to inform students about many aspects of the dance field through guest presenters, readings, research, and assignments designed to prepare them for professional pursuits as they graduate as dance majors. Through introspective assignments and presentations, students learn how their interests can be consolidated to develop a foundation of success for professional employment, creative or scholarly pursuits, or graduate school. This course aims to help students identify, plan, and strategize for their next steps after graduation.
Intended for students with a cumulative high school GPA below 3.0. Introduction to the rhetorical strategies, critical reading and thinking skills, composing processes, sentence-level conventions, and reflection skills needed to participate successfully in the University of Alabama discourse community. Intended for native speakers of English. Grades are reported as A, B, C, or NC (No Credit). A grade of C- or higher is required as a prerequisite for advancing to another English course at The University of Alabama. Offered each semester and in summer school. EN 101 does not apply as credit to the English major or minor. This course satisfies 3 hours of the FC (freshman composition) core requirement.
Intended for students with a cumulative high school GPA below 3.0. Continuation of students’ practice in rhetorical strategies, critical reading and thinking skills, composing processes, sentence-level conventions, and reflection skills. The course also emphasizes university-level research and source usage techniques. Intended for native speakers of English. Grades are reported as A, B, C, or NC (No Credit). A grade of C- or higher is required as a prerequisite for advancing to another English course at The University of Alabama. Offered each semester and in summer school. EN 102 does not apply as credit to the English major or minor.
Intended for students with a high school GPA of 3.0 and above. With the completion of EN 103 with a grade of C- or higher, three additional hours of placement credit are awarded and the general education requirement for Freshman Composition is completed. Covers rhetorical strategies, critical reading and thinking skills, composing processes, sentence-level conventions, reflection skills, as well as university-level research and source usage techniques. Grades are reported as A, B, C, or NC (No Credit). EN 103 does not apply as credit to the English major or minor.
Intended for students for students enrolled in the University Honors Program or Blount Scholars Program. With the completion of EN 104 with a grade of C- or higher, three additional hours of placement credit are awarded and the general education requirement for Freshman Composition is completed. Covers rhetorical strategies, critical reading and thinking skills, composing processes, sentence-level conventions, reflection skills, as well as university-level research and source usage techniques. Grades are reported as “A,” “B,” “C,” or “NC” (“No Credit”). EN 104 does not apply as credit to the English major or minor.
Introduction to rhetorical strategies, critical reading and thinking skills, composing processes, sentence-level conventions, and reflection skills needed to participate successfully in the University of Alabama discourse community. Intended for multilingual speakers of English and required for international students from non-English speaking countries. Exempted for transfer students who have earned a “C” or better grade in a face-to-face, university-level composition course at the 101 level (ESL courses do not qualify). Multilingual students who have graduated from a U.S. high school have the option to take either this course or EN 101. Grades are reported as A, B, C, or NC (No Credit). A grade of C- or higher is required as a prerequisite for advancing to another English course at The University of Alabama. Offered each semester.
Continuation of students’ practice in rhetorical strategies, critical reading and thinking skills, composing processes, sentence-level conventions, and reflection skills. The course also emphasizes university-level research and source usage techniques. Intended for multilingual speakers of English and required for international students from non-English speaking countries. Exempted for transfer students who have earned a “C” or better grade in a face-to-face, university-level composition course at the 102 level (ESL courses do not qualify). Multilingual students who have graduated from a U.S. high school have the option to take either this course or EN 102. Grades are reported as A, B, C, or NC (No Credit). A grade of C- or higher is required as a prerequisite for advancing to another English course at The University of Alabama. Offered each semester.
Introduction to the craft of imaginative writing, the landscape of contemporary literature, and the writer as artist. Students will engage UA’s literary arts culture and regularly attend readings and author events.
This course will introduce students to the wide-ranging discipline of linguistics that incorporates aspects of both the humanities and the social sciences. Students will explore the elements from which languages are composed, examine differences across languages, and see how linguistic data and methods are brought to bear on real-world issues in the realms of psychology, literary studies, sociology, education, and the judicial system. Language will be presented as a constantly changing phenomenon that is embedded in culture and steeped in ideology.
Survey of African American literature from its earliest expressions to 1935. The course material includes spirituals, slave narratives, poetry, drama, autobiography, fiction, and nonfiction.
Honors survey of African American literature from its earliest expressions to 1935. The course material includes spirituals, slave narratives, poetry, drama, autobiography, fiction, and nonfiction.
Honors survey of African American literature from 1935 to the present. The course material includes poetry, drama, autobiography, fiction, and nonfiction.
An introductory course that explores representations of professions and work in literature. This course asks students to consider issues relating to ethics, national identity, personal or cultural identity, social status, ideas about success, and other themes as they read and discuss relevant literary works.
An introductory literature course featuring texts that map the development of social issues, movements, or other forms of social change over time. Course offerings might include Literature and the Environment, Literature and Feminism, or Literature and Civil Rights.
An introductory literature course that explores the intersection of literature and pop culture, with topics including Literature and Film, Literature and Music, Literature and Sports, among others.
An introduction for English majors to the methods employed in the discipline of English. Students will be exposed to the fundamental issues of critical reading, interpretation, and writing, especially to the use of critical methods in the study of primary texts. Readings will include a selection of texts in the traditional categories of poetry, drama, and prose, as well as the genre of the critical essay. There may also be investigations into other genres and media.
Study of basic principles of writing fiction. Reading and assigned writing experiments in a broad range of forms.
Study of basic principles of writing poetry. Reading and assigned writing experiments in a broad range of poetic forms.
Study of the basic principles of writing creative nonfiction. Reading and assigned writing experiments in a broad range of forms of the genre.
Study of various practical applications for creative-writing-related skills and techniques, including arts programming, teaching, and literary publishing.
Study and practice in methods of exposition, explanation and explication, logic and persuasion, definition and analogy, analysis and evaluation. Enrollment is limited to 15. 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.
Topics vary from semester to semester; examples are legal writing, writing about the social sciences and reading and writing in cyberspace. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours.
Topics vary from semester to semester and may include courses offered by other departments. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours.
An introduction to the history, theory and practice of Writing Centers. Students completing the course can apply for positions on the Writing Center staff.
Focuses on principles and practices of technical writing, including audience analysis, organization and planning, information design and style, usability testing, and collaborative writing. 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.
Introduction to the study of language, including subjects such as language acquisition, variation, and origins. The system of sounds, syntax, and meaning are illustrated in English and other languages. Prerequisite for EN 423, EN 424, EN 425, EN 466.
A study of English grammar integrating principles from linguistic theory with structural approaches to grammar. The course includes a focus on the expectations of grammatical usage in different contexts and an understanding of how to apply this knowledge in teaching, writing, and editing. This course is a prerequisite for EN 423, EN 424, EN 425, EN 466.
Prerequisite: Enrollment only by previous arrangement with a specific instructor and with the permission of the director of undergraduate English studies. A reading list and a draft syllabus are required. Please see the departmental website for more information. EN 329 may be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours.
Examines works of the Old and Middle English Periods, the formative years of British literature. Works from pre-conquest England may include Beowulf, Bede's History of the English Church, and poems from the Exeter and Vercelli manuscripts. The major works from the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries may include Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, William Langland's Piers Plowman, John Gower's Confessio Amantis, and Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde and the Canterbury Tales.
A cross-genre survey of the literature of the Elizabethan period. Authors may include Sir Thomas More, Sir Thomas Wyatt, Sir Philip Sidney, Sir Walter Raleigh, Edmund Spenser, Aemilia Lanyer, Christopher Marlowe, and William Shakespeare.
An introduction to Shakespeare's plays and poems. Elizabethan customs, politics, history, and philosophies are examined in relation to his works.
A cross-genre survey of literature in English from 1603 to 1660. Authors may include John Donne, Ben Jonson, Francis Bacon, John Webster, Lady Mary Wroth, William Bradford, Anne Bradstreet, and Andrew Marvell.
An introduction to Milton's English poetry along with the history, politics, aesthetics, philosophy, and theology of seventeenth-century England. Typically devotes approximately half the semester to a close reading of Paradise Lost.
A cross-genre survey of American literature from its beginnings to 1900. Authors may include Mary Rowlandson, Cotton Mather, Phillis Wheatley, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Frederick Douglass, Henry James, and Mark Twain.
A survey of developments in British fiction from its beginnings to 1900. Authors may include Aphra Behn, Daniel Defoe, Samuel Richardson, Henry Fielding, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and George Eliot.
Limited to a maximum of three authors. Attention to the national literatures of Britain and America, and to different genres of prose, drama, and poetry, will vary from semester to semester. Authors may include John Milton, Alexander Pope, Jane Austen, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Herman Melville, Frederick Douglass, and Emily Dickinson.
A cross-genre survey of English literature during the period 1660-1800. Authors may include John Locke, John Bunyan, Mary Astell, Jonathan Swift, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, Samuel Johnson, Hester Thrale, and James Boswell.
A cross-genre survey of British Romantic writers such as William Blake, Jane Austen, William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Lord Byron, John Keats, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Mary Shelley.
A survey of the genres, authors, and issues in British literature, 1832-1900. Authors may include Thomas Carlyle, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Robert Browning, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Matthew Arnold, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Christina Rossetti, and Oscar Wilde.
A cross-genre survey of African American literature, historical events, and critical movements. Authors may include Frederick Douglass, Harriet Jacobs, Richard Wright, Zora Neale Hurston, Nella Larson, Langston Hughes, and Toni Morrison. Topics in this course will vary semester to semester.
A cross-genre survey of major literary figures, critical movements, historical events, and significant texts since the Second World War in America. Authors may include Langston Hughes, Arthur Miller, James Baldwin, Norman Mailer, Toni Morrison, Sam Shepherd, Adrienne Rich, and John Ashbery. Topics in this course will vary semester to semester.
A cross-genre survey of major literary figures, critical movements, historical events, and significant texts within the first half of the twentieth century in Britain. Authors may include Joseph Conrad, George Bernard Shaw, W. B. Yeats, Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, Katherine Mansfield, and T. S. Eliot. Topics in this course will vary semester to semester.
A cross-genre survey of major literary figures, critical movements, historical events, and significant texts since the Second World War in England. Authors may include Samuel Beckett, W. H. Auden, Doris Lessing, Seamus Heaney, Harold Pinter, and Jeanette Winterson. Topics will vary semester to semester.
A survey of the major American, British, European and African plays from the 19th and 20th centuries. Authors may include Eugene O'Neill, Tennessee Williams, Ntozake Shange, Oscar Wilde, Harold Pinter, Tom Stoppard, August Strindberg, Anton Chekhov, Wole Soyinka and Athol Fugard.
A survey of American fiction (novels and short stories) written in the 20th century. Authors may include F. Scott Fitzgerald, Willa Cather, William Faulkner, Toni Morrison, N. Scott Momaday and Leslie Marmon Silko.
A survey of major authors and trends in modern poetry in America, Britain, and the larger Anglophone world, as poetry in English became an international phenomenon. Attention will be paid to modernist and post-modernist poetry movements, American regionalisms, war poetry, and the poetry of neocolonial experiences.
A cross-genre survey of tragic literature that may begin with the classical tragedians and proceed through the present. This course, like tragedy itself, will focus on the individual confronting the larger forces of society, god, or fate. This course considers changing conceptions of the tragic whether in fiction, poetry, or drama.
A survey of British and American literature written by and/or about women. Authors may include a cross-genre range from Anne Bradstreet and Fanny Burney to Toni Morrison and Louise Erdrich.
This course will examine the various ways writing is involved in the legal profession. Subjects may include but are not limited to written legal claims, written materials required during stages of litigation, and how to construct other forms of legal argumentation in writing. The course will include significant writing analysis, grammar reviews, and legal writing exercises. Writing proficiency within this discipline is required for a passing grade in this course. This course’s written assignments require coherent, logical, and carefully edited prose. These assignments will require students to demonstrate higher-level critical thinking skills, such as analysis and synthesis. Student writing will be graded and commented upon and become part of the assigned grade. 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.
This course will study a subgenre of nonfiction writing that seeks to communicate challenging, complex, and nuanced facts and ideas in clear, engaging prose. While learning to evaluate and synthesize the claims of scientists and intellectuals across various domains, students will produce data-rich essays and articles aimed at being accessible and enjoyable to a broad, lay public. Writing proficiency within this discipline is required for a passing grade in this course. This course’s written assignments require coherent, logical, and carefully edited prose. These assignments will require students to demonstrate higher-level critical thinking skills, such as analysis and synthesis. Student writing will be graded and commented upon and become part of the assigned grade. 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.
This course develops the interdisciplinary writing and rhetorical skills necessary to create compelling content and effective strategic communications useful in any type of workplace, whether corporate, nonprofit, or entrepreneurial. Students will learn best-practice and collaborative approaches to an array of situations encountered in the course of doing business—from data-rich analysis to storytelling that moves—tailored to engage both general and industry-specific audiences. Writing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. This course’s written assignments require coherent, logical, and carefully edited prose. These assignments will require students to demonstrate higher-level critical thinking skills, such as analysis and synthesis. 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 course explores the history and aesthetics of print design, applied specifically to the techniques and practices of book publishing. Utilizing industry standard software, students will gain facility and experience with every step of the publishing process, from copyediting to layout to production and distribution, as well as learn about current industry challenges and trends.
This course introduces students to the methodologies of successful grant writing. Students will explore the grant writing process from researching granting agencies, through writing a grant proposal, to managing grants, and grant reporting. Practicum element includes student partnerships with community organizations engaged in grant-seeking. This course’s written assignments require coherent, logical, and carefully edited prose. 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.
This course teaches research skills and methods and research-based writing in literary studies. This course is required for any student who wishes be eligible for departmental honors through subsequent enrollment in EN 499. The course is, however, open to all students who meet the pre-requisites and will be useful for those wishing to develop their skills in research-based writing. The course covers locating, evaluating, and integrating research materials into literary critical writing, as well as the entire process of writing a research-based paper. A grade of B or higher in this course is required for students who wish to apply for admission into EN 499.
Required of students wishing to write an English Honors thesis in Creative Writing. This course is a required for students wishing to write an English Honors creative writing thesis in a subsequent semester. Students should enroll in this course no later than spring of their junior year. Admission to the course is competitive: students should apply to the Undergraduate Creative Writing Program director prior to pre-registration. Additional seats may be open by application to students who have completed at least two creative writing courses. Students will study sustained creative projects such as poetry chapbooks, novellas, story or essay collections, and other long-form works, and plan and begin their own substantial creative writing projects. The course will also include professionalization in the field of creative writing, covering topics such as how to approach publishing and editing, how to submit creative writing for publication, how to apply to graduate school, how to prepare for careers in writing, and how to identify and connect to resources in the field. During the course, students will develop a proposal for their EN 498 project that includes a reading list, project description, and process description.
Covers selected topics in English that vary from year to year. Topics are most likely to be thematic and to cut across conventional divisions of literary period and literary form. Required for departmental honors.
Senior Seminar.
Special topics in Creative Writing. Focus may be on poetry, fiction, nonfiction or a combination. Students produce imaginative writing and read related texts. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 hours.
Designed for advanced English majors, a special topics course that focuses on issues involving comparative literatures and/or cultural studies. 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.
Designed for advanced English majors, a special topics course that focuses on issues in American literature. 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.
Prerequisite: Enrollment only by previous arrangement with a specific instructor and with the permission of the director of undergraduate English studies. EN 429 may be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours.
An on- or off-campus training position in which students use the skills they have gained as English majors and enhance their employment opportunities after graduation. Interns work approximately 10 hours a week, holding responsible positions with, among others, Alabama Heritage, Alabama Alumni Magazine, and the Tuscaloosa Public Defender's Office. Apply to the director of undergraduate studies in the Department of English. Please see the departmental website for the application form and further details. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours.
Provides an overview of the field of composition studies: teaching writing, history of the discipline, and discussion of professional issues in rhetoric and composition. Writing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. This course’s written assignments require coherent, logical, and carefully edited prose. These assignments will require students to demonstrate higher-level critical thinking skills, such as analysis and synthesis. 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.
Designed for advanced English majors, a special topics course that focuses on issues in British literature. 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.
Designed for advanced English majors, a special topics course that focuses on issues involving literary criticism and critical theory. 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.
Designed for advanced English majors, a special topics course that focuses on the process of writing. The forms this writing may take include, but are not limited to, film, creative non-fiction, autobiography, and local color. 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.
Designed for English majors, a special topics course that focuses on current issues in linguistics. 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.
Designed for advanced English majors, a special topics course that focuses on issues in genre criticism. 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.
Designed for the advanced English major, a special topics course that focuses on issues in African American literature. 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 Creative Writing Honors Thesis is an individualized class that culminates in a complete, long-form piece of creative writing such as a poetry chapbook, novella, essay collection, short story collection, or extended creative non-fiction piece of publishable quality, approximately 30-60 pages. A student who completes this course with a grade of A or A- and who meets GPA requirements will be awarded Departmental Honors with a creative emphasis. Each student enrolled will work individually with a faculty mentor. Students must submit a proposal to the Director of Undergraduate Creative Writing by a designated date and have that proposal be approved by the Undergraduate Creative Writing committee.
The Senior Thesis is an individualized, directed readings class that culminates in a thesis. The thesis is a research-based work making an original analytical claim in the fields of literary studies, linguistics, or rhetoric and composition. Students enrolled will work individually with a faculty mentor. A student who completes this course with a grade of A or A- and who meets GPA requirements will be awarded Departmental Honors. To enroll students must submit a research proposal to the Departmental Honors Coordinator before the end of the previous semester, and that proposal must be approved by the Honors Committee. 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.
An introduction to the fine arts, drawing especially on campus and community cultural events. This course is usually open to incoming freshmen.
In this course, students acquire essential fundamental French structures and vocabulary and learn their appropriate socio-linguistic application in both spoken and written communication. Through classroom discussions, a diverse set of media resources (films, cultural videos, literary texts, songs, artwork), and various projects, students explore the social, cultural, artistic, and historical issues and movements of French and French-speaking cultures and societies. This course develops basic communicative competence as well as intercultural competence and is taught in French.
In this course, students continue to advance their knowledge of essential fundamental French structures and vocabulary as they learn their appropriate socio-linguistic application in both spoken and written communication. Through classroom discussions, use of a diverse set of media resources (films, cultural videos, readings, literary texts, songs, artwork) and various projects students further explore multiple perspectives and develop deeper knowledge of the social, cultural, artistic, and historical issues and movements of French and French-speaking cultures and societies. Students also develop critical vocabulary for describing and interpreting the aesthetic qualities of various art forms, branching into literary analysis. This course expands basic communication skills as well as intercultural competence and is taught in French.
In this course, students broaden their cross-cultural understanding as as they interpret and reflect critically on the content and aesthetic qualities of various literary and journalistic texts, watch short films, and listen to songs or other multimedia broadcasts. While reviewing and refining grammatical and vocabulary knowledge within a culturally rich context that considers how values are reflected in cultural products and practices across the Francophone world, student develop their oral and writing skills through the completion of creative and persuasive texts, projects, and presentations.
In this course, students refine their linguistic and intercultural competences with various creative and persuasive writing activities and projects, extensive grammar review, and class discussions based on various literary and journalistic texts, short films, advertisements, and multimedia broadcasts. The course prepares students for advanced literature, linguistics and culture courses by developing their ability to interpret and analyze the aesthetic qualities of literary texts, as well as think critically about the values reflected in cultural products and practices across the Francophone world.
This course is designed to expand upon the existing volunteer program FLEX (French Language Exploration) which currently teaches French and Francophone culture at University Place Elementary school. Students enrolled in this course will engage in a hands-on service-learning project at University Place Elementary school lessons with an emphasis on understanding different Francophone cultures and understanding what it means to be a global citizen. This experiential learning course will develop students’ French language skills, leadership skills, along with interpersonal and presentational communication skills while gaining real-world experience using the French language. Through course readings, discussions, development of cultural and language teaching materials, service at the local elementary school, and written reflection on the experience students will gain a deeper understanding of the complicated connection between language, culture, identity, and global citizenship.
This course aims to introduce students to the main theories, ideas, notions, terms, and practices in Discourse Analysis, interdisciplinary branch of linguistics. Being interdisciplinary in both content and methodology , topics of Discourse Analysis include Discourse, Text, Communication Constraints (both system and ritual constraints), Power and Solidarity, Identity, Gender, Discourse and Culture, Voice and Ideology, Stereotyping/Political Correctness, Code-switching and Negotiation of meaning, Critical Discourse Analysis, Contextual features and text analysis, Schemata, Stylistics, Discourse and Pragmatics to co-textual relations. Applying a multidisciplinary approach, this course examines written and spoken languages/texts as a springboard to understand not only the linguistic qualities of socially situated language use but also, more importantly, the impact of surrounding discourse(s) on people’s beliefs, attitudes, assumptions, actions, interactions, and social behaviors.
In this rigorous discussion and writing course, students will develop their capacity in French to collaborate and work with engineering teams from Francophone countries. Cross-cultural comparisons will be performed to improve students’ abilities to work with international companies and facilitate communication. Assignments will include analyzing sample reports, a mock interview, a study of typical company hierarchies in various Francophone countries, an intensive review of relevant vocabulary within an Engineering context, and a project proposal. A review of government regulation concerning international business situations will be conducted to ensure familiarity with potential conflicts. Students will also be introduced to formatting differences expected within mathematic and measurement systems so they can minimize common errors which occur in collaborations between English and French-speaking countries.
Introduction to literary and cultural analysis through selected works of French cultural expression. Emphasis on expanding vocabulary and improving grammar in order to develop speaking, reading, and writing proficiency beyond the second year. In this third-year French-language course, students focus on improving reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Students develop basic knowledge of, strategies and techniques for reading French for comprehension and analysis without the massive and systematic use of a dictionary. With that purpose in mind, we read accessible and engaging short stories and online or print articles introduced and followed by analytical and creative writing activities that integrate the techniques of description, characterization, narration, and dialogue effectively. 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. Class instruction, interactions and participation will be entirely in French.
In this dynamic and intensive writing course, students develop and perfect their conversation and writing skills in French as they engaged their perspective and activate their creativity through assignments based on visual, audio, and print media. In this course, writing assignments will be progressive (from 1-2 pages to 4 pages or more), promote peer-editing, offer ample opportunities for rewrite, and emphasize fluidity, coherency in argument as well as grammatical accuracy in French. Because the course carries a W-designation, students fulfill a University of Alabama writing requirement through extensive writing practice that also calls upon and develops critical thinking skills. A passing grade in a W designated course is contingent upon students writing coherent, logical, carefully edited prose in a minimum of two papers, one of which must be completed, graded, and returned by mid-semester. 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 course uses a semester-long experiential approach designed to engage students in performing real-life and business-related tasks in French. In the course, students progress from performing internship-search related activities to working as an intern for a sustainable travel organization. Analysis of work-related protocols, written and oral communications, CVs, job interviews, travel and professional documentation, political and economical challenges in French-speaking countries provide opportunities to develop interpersonal, interpretive and presentational skills as well as engage a critical reflection on local, political, historical and economic factors that affect tourism in French-speaking countries.
This course is designed to advance students’ proficiency in spoken and conversational French while exploring French and Francophone cultures. Improves ability to function in the interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes of communication. Topics at the discretion of the instructor teaching the course.
This course concentrates on the mastery of business vocabulary useful for those working in international corporations and various economic institutions in France and throughout the French-speaking world. This vocabulary will be learned and practiced through a series of activities encountered by those who live and work in France and Francophone countries. Students will also become aware of the cultural contexts in which such vocabulary is used. Students will become familiar with actual forms and manuals commonly found in the French-speaking business world (taxes, import-export forms, insurance, banking, etc.). Subjects of study include telecommunications, banking, information technology, sales, advertising, the stock market and investments, sales and revenue taxes, and the organization of companies. At the end of the course, students will have the option to sit for the exam leading to a French diploma certified by the Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie Paris-Ile-de-France, a diploma which is recognized worldwide.
This course is a skills-based introduction to the use of French for international relations. It is designed to prepare students to acquire the B1 level language diploma in French for International Relations offered by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) of Paris Ile-de-France. Beyond the acquisition of this diploma, the skills learned in this course (such as presentation, synthesis of information, and negotiation) will position them to succeed in careers in international relations, whether in diplomacy, international business, or non-governmental organizations.
This course will be dedicated to discussions of current news in French-speaking countries and the study of principles of journalistic reporting. Students will examine the concepts of freedom of speech and freedom of the press within the context of the French-speaking world. Students will consider how the 5Ws (Who, What, Where, When, Why?) are addressed in television and radio broadcasts, local and national news articles from print and online news sources and how journalists use tenses to express facts, hypotheses, and opinions. Various creative projects, in-class oral presentation, and in-depth analyzes of how journalists use sources to create news will enable students to put principles into practice as the student develops their ability to narrate and describe events.
This course offers an introduction to visual and material culture in the French-speaking world and how it has evolved from the Middle Ages to today and how artistic production was impacted by political and social structures of its era. We will explore developments in architecture, fine art, decorative arts, photography and film, and examine how the acquisition of colonial territories affected the production of art in France and around the world. Students will have the opportunity to develop their own interests in museums around the world and to demonstrate what they have learned creatively.
With a dual focus on language and culture, this course delves into the stories of prominent French fashion houses that defined the 20th century. Through the examination of narrative texts, films, videos from the French National Archives, and artifacts, students will explore the role of designers and their creations in fashioning societal, cultural, and ideological changes in contemporary societies. With class discussions and projects, students will develop their knowledge of the language of fashion and its codes and refine their communicative skills with an emphasis on narration and description.
This course is a study of selected topics and resources in Economic Development which provides an in-depth examination of the economic challenges, opportunities, and strategies related to the development of African countries. The course explores the complex factors that have shaped the economic landscape of the African continent, including historical, political, social, and environmental dimensions. Throughout the course, students will study the diverse economies of African countries, analyzing key economic indicators, development theories, and policy frameworks. Students will explore the major sectors driving economic growth, such as agriculture, industry, and services, and examine the role of natural resources and international trade in Africa's economic development.
This course explores the diverse religious traditions of Francophone Africa, examining the cultural, historical, and linguistic contexts that shape these traditions. Through an interdisciplinary approach, students will delve into the rich tapestry of beliefs, rituals, and cosmologies found in French-speaking African countries.
French literature from its origins through the 18th century. Readings from major authors, lectures, and reports. 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. Offered fall semester.
Modern & Contemporary French Literature covers the post-revolutionary through the modern periods. Key authors, from Balzac to Zola (19th century), from Apollinaire to Sebbar (20th century), and key literary movements, from pre-romanticism to the new novel, are introduced with a view to exposing students to modern French literary history. A selection of works of various genres (poetry, short story, novel, play) are read, analyzed, and discussed in relation to past and present. Writing proficiency is required for a passing grade in the 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 means written assignments (all in French) require coherent, logical, and carefully edited prose, and students are expected to demonstrate higher-level critical thinking skills, including analysis and synthesis. Class instruction and participation will be in French.
Explores important works of literature of French-speaking regions around the world including the Caribbean, Africa, and Canada. Using a trans-historical approach, this course includes texts from the major literary movements of the late- and post-colonial periods, such as Négritude, Pan-Africanism, Créolité, and Antillanité. Works of various genres (nonfiction, fiction, poetry, theater, and film) are analyzed in relation both to literary and geopolitical history. This course is conducted exclusively in French. As a W-designated class, 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.
Introduction to linguistic science and its use in describing language in general and the Romance languages in particular.
During this writing and discussion course, students will analyze how changes in grammar usage are shaped by societal change and how society can be influenced by existing grammar. Students will explore the history of grammatical trends where written and spoken language follow different patterns, such as ne-dropping, inversion avoidance, and the limited role of the passé simple. Students will compare French and English to look at how systematic differences can affect perceptions, for example the emergence of gendered nouns for certain professions compared to the use of the masculine as “default” or pronoun systems without gender-neutral terms like “it” or “they” (both in singular and plural uses). Students will also evaluate the effects of governmental and other organizational efforts to steer the use of language directly, such as the Académie française in France, the Loi 101 in Québec, and more recent developments like the bill passed by the French Sénat in 2023 to restrict the use of inclusive language. The course will also include a review of more challenging grammar patterns that English-speaking learners of French often struggle with, including subordinate clauses, aspectual differences, object pronouns, and the subjunctive mood.
Directed reading, research, or French Immersion Retreat. Also offered within the curriculum for the faculty-led UA in France summer program. Topic to be determined in consultation with the instructor or program director.
In this fourth-year French-language course, students will be introduced to the history and culture of various French Canadian regions. Students will learn about Quebec, Franco-Ontario, Franco-Manitoba, and Acadia through exposure to literature, poetry, film, music, popular media, cultural artifacts and more. Students will develop vocabulary skills with regional terminology, critical analysis techniques applied to fictional and non-fictional works, and an understanding of the socio-political and cultural context of French Canadian communities. Students will also improve their knowledge of strategies and techniques for French comprehension and expression both at the written and oral levels.
This course is articulated around a semester-long experiential simulation designed to connect you with current real-world marketing and digital practices in French. With a partner, you will develop a website to launch a fictitious product or service on the French market. Throughout the semester students will explore brand identities, characteristics of French consumers, marketing strategies and advertising practices. Students will reflect on issues of global versus local markets through analysis of written, audio, and video communications, advertising, and marketing material, navigation of French company websites, and study of French corporate businesses and cultures.
Through this writing and discussion course, students will expand their knowledge of the French language and its history. The evolution of pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and syntax will be analyzed across multiple timeframes in a diachronic study, including Vulgar Latin, Old Romance, Old French, Middle French, Renaissance French, and Modern French. Students will develop a knowledge of how French became distinct within the Romance language family and which elements it continues to share. Through a linguistic lens, students will analyze texts from multiple centuries, evaluate the role of French as an academic and liturgic language, and see how the spread of French through imperialism contributed to the role it plays today. The students will also look at linguistic policies of France such as the suppression of regional languages, the emergence of the Académie française, and modern laws which aim to preserve the use of the language and prevent the spread of English and other languages.
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.
Intensive examination of a selected topic, with emphasis on student research and presentations. A representative sample of topics would include: Francophone Africa, The 19-Century French Novel, French-English Translation, and Poetry of the French Renaissance. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 hours.
This course is a seminar for undergraduate students in French 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.
An intensive examination of a selected subfield of French and Francophone literary studies, with emphasis on student research using primary sources and secondary critical sources as well as presentations. Studying representative works of the subfield, students will learn to situate and analyze these texts within the historical, cultural, and sociopolitical contexts within which they were produced, while applying modern literary theories to the interpretation. A representative sample of topics would include: Poetry of the French Renaissance, The Enlightenment in Light of Colonialism, Francophone Africa, The 19-Century French Novel, and French-English Translation.
The Capstone Experience in Linguistics is a detailed exploration of a branch of French linguistics. The course includes an evaluation of recent publications to determine whether the findings correspond with existing frameworks. Students will work with data and articles by authors from a wide spectrum of Francophone countries in order to contribute to the global discussion around the French language. They will also analyze gaps in current models and identify potential solutions. Sample topics include Grammaticalization, Language Contact and Creolization, Francophone Dialectology, Romance Morphology, and Lexical Reconstruction.
Contemporary Farsi (Persian): speaking, reading, and writing. Course involves supervised-self-instructional approach in the Critical Languages Center. Students are required to study the textbook and practice with assigned audio visual materials (CDs, DVDs, or computer files). Students have practice sessions three hours per week with a “language trainer” who is a native/near native (or superior level) speaker of the language. Native or near native speakers of this language are NOT allowed to take this course. Any students with any background knowledge of this language must see the CLC director BEFORE enrolling. Not repeatable without permission of the CLC director. The CLC classes are self-instructional and are best suited for highly motivated and disciplined students.
Contemporary Farsi: speaking, reading, and writing. Course involves directed self-instructional approach in the Critical Languages Center. Students are required to study the textbook and practice with assigned audiovisual materials (CDs, DVDs, or computer files). Students have practice sessions three hours per week with a “language trainer” who is a native/near native/superior-level speaker of the language. This is a SUPERVISED-SELF-STUDY class. The language “trainer” will help students develop their communicative ability during class meetings. During the class meetings students will actively participate in practicing spoken language to acquire better pronunciation and conversation skills. English use will be kept to a minimum in class. Language trainers will monitor active participation throughout the semester by use of the STUDENT PERFORMANCE REPORT which will be sent to the director of the CLC. Regular class attendance and participation is required. The CLC classes are self-instructional and are best suited for highly motivated and disciplined students.
Three lectures and one laboratory. Study of the earth including materials, internal and external processes, deformational events, and plate tectonics. Offered in the fall, spring, and summer semesters.
Three lectures and one laboratory. Survey of earth's history including origin of the earth, plate tectonics and evolution of the continents and ocean basins, and the development of life. Offered in the fall, spring, and summer semesters.
This course is an introductory study of the Earth Ocean system, including processes shaping the ocean floor and coastlines; basic physical and chemical properties of the seawater; ocean circulation and climate change, and biological productivity and marine life.
This natural science course examines geologic and other Earth hazards that impact humans and ways that human activities often increase these hazards. The course consists of lecture and lab, and includes field trips and videos that illustrate various natural hazards.
Three lectures and one laboratory. Lecture and laboratory provide an understanding of important earth resources (rocks and minerals, soil, water, fossil fuels, alternative energy) and how their utilization by humans impacts the environment. Includes discussion of water pollution, air pollution and waste disposal as primary issues related to resource utilization.
An introductory course that builds upon Earth Science concepts through applied, hands-on assignments, laboratories, and field exercises. This course investigates rigorous concepts in mineralogy, structural geology, tectonics, petrology, sedimentology/stratigraphy, hydrogeology, geochemistry, paleontology, geophysics/seismology, planetary sciences, and topics directly related to the exploration and sustainability of Earth’s resources including impacts of climate change on Earth’s resources and systems from small to global scales. Specifically, this course investigates relevant topics in critical minerals and energy resources, geological and climate related hazards, environmental restoration, ocean circulation and nutrient availability, water resources and groundwater sustainability, artificial intelligence and machine learning to develop improved resources and climate related challenges, and new paradigms in planetary and solar system evolution, among others. This course will cover field techniques, laboratory/experimental/analytical approaches, and computer-based applications/methods in Earth Sciences that are at the forefront of related multidisciplinary sub-fields. This course will prepare students for various Earth science careers and development, and for success in obtaining highly relevant certifications/licensures for the field.
This course will focus on building a solid set of fundamental skills necessary for various Water Science careers. These skills are critical for solving multiple challenges that we are facing in managing water resources to maintain healthy ecosystems, clean environments, and economic wellbeing. The course will discuss geological, physical, chemical, and biological aspects of Water Science and train students in field techniques, laboratory analytical approaches, and computer-based applications in Water Sciences. Students will be exposed to a variety of topics, such as the Hydrological Cycle, Water Quality, Environmental Measurements and Statistics, and Watershed Dynamics. These topics will prepare students for success in upper-level core and elective courses for Water Science and Sustainability major and minor.
Introduction to the principles of groundwater flow, groundwater exploration, water quality, and groundwater contamination; environmental topics in groundwater. Offered in the fall semester.
Three lectures and one laboratory. Megascopic and microscopic study of igneous and metamorphic rocks, with emphasis on identification, classification, genesis, and relationships to tectonism. Offered in the spring semester.
This course provides an introduction to computer programming in the Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences. The course covers basic coding concepts, theory, and logic in context of examples related to modeling and data analysis in the Earth Sciences. Students that take this course will have a foundation in basic programming in an interpreted language sufficient for more advanced computational courses in the discipline. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Two lectures and one laboratory. Study of landforms with emphasis on the basic geomorphic processes that contribute to their origin. Offered in the fall semester.
This is an introductory course that focuses on the current study of the evolution, adaptation, and extinction of dinosaurs, and other Mesozoic reptiles. Using dinosaurs as a “biological model”, students will be introduced to key concepts of evolutionary biology, historical geology, fossilization, functional morphology, physiology, biomechanics, among others. Also, this is a writing course and therefore, writing proficiency within the discipline is required for a passing grade in this course.
Two lectures and one laboratory. An introductory study of the deformation of rocks, including mechanical principles, description and identification of folds and faults, map interpretation, and regional tectonics. Offered in the fall semester.
Three lectures and one laboratory. Study of the principles involved in the description and classification of sedimentary rocks and stratigraphic units, with emphasis on sedimentary processes and depositional environments. Offered in the spring semester.
Introduction to the major fields of exploration geophysics such as seismology, isostasy, heat flow, gravity and magnetic prospecting, and electrical methods. The course includes both principles and applications to petroleum, mining, and environmental problems. Offered in the fall semester.
A maximum of 4 hours can be applied toward the major in geology. Approval of the department chairperson is required prior to registration. Offered according to demand.
Survey of the history of global climate change and the methods used to measure paleoclimate in the geological record. Offered in the Spring semester. 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 course will cover the geologic events that leads to formation of petroleum systems and petroleum plays in different type of sedimentary basins which are filled by coupled processes that cause subsidence and delivery of sediments to the basin. The sedimentary fill is modified by compaction as well as the transport of heat and reactive fluids through the rock matrix during the 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.
This course provides an overview of earthquake seismology for both upper-level and graduate geo-science students. Topics include elastic wave propagation, seismic ray theory, travel time interpretations, surface wave dispersion, and seismic tomography.
Methods for restoring contaminated soil groundwater by examining the factors and processes influencing the efficacy of remediation systems. Emphasis 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 the physical properties of magmas, eruptive mechanisms, volcanic products, and the relationship between volcanism and tectonism. 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. Offered in the fall semester.
Special topics in the following areas: economic geology, geochemistry, geophysics, geomorphology, hydrogeology, mineralogy, paleontology, petrology, sedimentology, stratigraphy, structural geology, and tectonics. Offered according to demand.
Introduction to sedimentary hydrothermal, metasomatic, and magmatic ore deposits, including geologic setting and genesis. Offered on demand.
Sedimentary basins are formed in a particular Plate Tectonics context as they relate to share certain characteristics. This course covers tectonics and sedimentation in basins formed in extensional, compressional and strike slip tectonic settings. The basins are classified based on their tectonics settings. This course will cover the tectonic settings of basins, their sedimentary fill, and their economic resources.
Oral presentations on current geological topics. Offered in the fall semester.
Oral presentations on current geological topics. Offered in the 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.
This course will provide an overview of the major processes that have shaped our Solar System, with some focus on extra-terrestrial materials and mission 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. 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.
Weekly seminar meetings on ‘Paleo’ topics as guided by enrolled students. Typical semesters will focus on specific areas or concepts within Paleo-related sciences, including, but not limited to paleobiology, paleoclimatology, and paleoecology. Meeting times may also be used to discuss active Paleo research by participating students, faculty, or visiting scholars.
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. 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. Offered in the Spring semester.
Theory, techniques, and applications of methods for the environmental sampling and geochemical analysis of rocks, soils, and aqueous fluids. Offered in alternate Fall semesters.
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. 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 course covers broad topics in Cosmochemistry and Analytical Techniques. Many topics here will be learned in-class, though some background in geochemical/astronomy themes is strongly encouraged. The following UA courses AY 204, GEO 416, or GEO 470 would provide some background into this overall topic. Students are encouraged to read additional materials to expand on broader concepts.
This course serves as the capstone for Geology BA majors. It offers students a wide array of experiential learning opportunities and should result in a presentation at a scientific conference, submission of a scientific manuscript, or some other summary report at the discretion of the advisor(s).
Offered according to demand.
German 101 is an introductory course for students with no previous experience studying German. The course introduces students to the language and culture of the modern German-speaking world. Every effort is made to present opportunities to use the language: for self-expression in everyday situations, for basic survival needs in German-speaking language communities, and for personal enjoyment. To this aim, each lesson centers on linguistic, communicative, and cultural goals, reflecting language competency at the beginner (A1) level. At the center of the course is the overarching theme of friendship and relationships with others, a theme explored across each of the four chapters through such topics as: school and university life, sports and recreational activities, family and friends, and food culture. Throughout the semester, students will develop deeper understanding of these topics through the genre of conversation. Class instruction and assignments will provide students with opportunities to practice and receive feedback on basic conversational skills in German.
German 102, a second-semester German course, continues instruction begun in German 101. By the end of German 102, students will be familiar with most basic structures of the German language and will have developed basic cultural knowledge about the German-speaking world. As vocabulary and grammar sophistication grow, students will become increasingly proficient at expressing their thoughts, feelings, and opinions on a variety of subjects related to everyday life. To this aim, each lesson centers on linguistic, communicative, and cultural goals, reflecting language competency at the advanced beginner (A2) level. At the center of the course is the overarching theme of home and away, a theme explored across each of the four chapters through such topics as: celebrations and life events, living spaces and household routines, travel and vacation, transportation, and technology and communication. Throughout the semester, students will develop deeper understanding of these topics through the genre of storytelling, as they recount past holidays, read popular children’s stories, and narrate past vacations. Class instruction and assignments will provide students with opportunities to practice and receive feedback on sharing stories with others in German.
This course is an introductory course that combines the first- and second-semester German courses in an intensive format. No previous German language study is required. The course is well-suited for highly motivated students and those interested in refreshing knowledge of foundational grammar and vocabulary structures. By the end of German 103, students will be familiar with most basic structures of the German language and will have developed basic cultural knowledge about the German-speaking world. As vocabulary and grammar sophistication grow, students will become increasingly proficient at expressing their thoughts, feelings, and opinions on a variety of subjects related to everyday life. To this aim, each lesson centers on linguistic, communicative, and cultural goals, reflecting language competency at the advanced beginner (A2) level.
German 201 is a third-semester, intermediate German course that builds on language abilities acquired in German 101 and 102 (or in GN 103). Organized topically using a content-based approach to language instruction, the course helps students develop their German across the three communicative modes (interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational), while expanding their understanding of social, historical, and cultural aspects of the German-speaking world. An overarching theme for the course is our relationship to the world, a theme that is explored across three chapters through such topics as health and well-being, living in cities, and work and career. Embedded within each of the chapters is an extended film unit that delves more deeply into these topics (i.e., health, city life, and work) through the lens of contemporary German film. In the course, students will learn how to critically read, talk, and write about these critically acclaimed films in German. Tasks in the course will help students to develop their ability to narrate, describe, and evaluate different aspects of film as well as other related text types.
German 202 is a fourth-semester, intermediate German course that builds on language abilities acquired in German 201 (or equivalent) and reflects language competency of an emerging independent user (A2-B1). Using a content-based approach to language instruction, the course helps students expand and refine their German across the three communicative modes (interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational) as they engage with the topic of popular German music. The course takes a historical approach to this topic, beginning with the jazz age and ending with contemporary music in the German-speaking world. In learning about pop and rock music, students will learn about key events in modern German history through the lens of German youth culture. The course draws on a range of authentic texts (e.g., songs, music videos, podcasts, newspaper articles, documentaries, and full-feature films) to help students develop extensive content knowledge of Germany’s rich past and present musical landscape while improving their German. Tasks in the course involve recounting biographies of musicians and musical groups, describing historical events, musical periods, and genres, interpreting and describing songs as cultural artifacts, and creating integrated language-culture lessons involving popular songs.
Students living in the German House agree to speak only German, under the supervision of a house director who is a native speaker of German.
Students living in the German House agree to speak only German, under the supervision of a house director who is a native speaker of German.
Course introduces students to basic linguistic concepts as they apply to German and language generally. What are the different kinds of German spoken by different speakers in varied places? Why are there different kinds of German used? We will also examine the sounds of German (phonology), word parts (morphology), how the parts stream together (syntax), lexicon, semantics, and how German fits in in the broader world.
Much like mythology of ancient Greece and Rome, Germanic mythology provides a rich abundance of traditional stories that help students better understand and appreciate the history, attitudes, and aesthetics that developed within the Western cultural heritage. Throughout history, Germanic mythology has provided powerful visions of nature and the cosmos, justice and injustice, communities and individuals, power and helplessness, life and death, and values and ethics. These are universal themes that we still explore today, and part of the power of myth has been its ability to provide a space for people throughout the history of western civilization and in the present day to renegotiate their positions on those topics.
An overview of German Cinema from Silent Era in the 20's through New German Cinema, to post-wall works. Topics: history, socio-cultural frame, directors and cinematography.
As the Holocaust recedes in time, written and filmic documents (history, autobiography, art) increasingly shape our perception and understanding of the event. In this course we investigate important and exemplary literary and filmic renderings of the Holocaust.
German 264 is a survey in English of German literary masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the period around 1800. This semester we will read the highly influential epic poem from German medieval literature – Nibelungenlied; a picaresque novel from the Early Modern period – The Life of Courage; an essay on the question “What is Enlightenment?” by the eighteenth-century philosopher Immanuel Kant; Gotthold Emphraim Lessing’s increasingly topical “dramatic poem” urging religious toleration – Nathan the Wise; a tragedy by Friedrich Schiller which banned throughout German-speaking Europe for its seemingly controversial message – The Robbers; and we will finish with what is often regarded as the most canonical text of German literature– Goethe’s Faust I. We will also examine the impact these literary works have had and still have on German culture, including art, music and film.
The course introduces students to major works of German literature in different genres from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Themes include politics, gender, war and peace, issues of class, race and sexuality. Through the use of film, art, and other media we will attempt to follow the introduction of these literary works into the popular imagination.
Topic varies. No knowledge of German is required.
Emphasis is on increasing speaking and writing skills in German. Includes essay writing and grammar review.
Emphasis is on increasing speaking and writing skills in German. Includes essay writing and grammar review.
A survey of German cultural history from the Germanic tribes through the Age of Goethe. Emphasis is on developments in philosophy, religious thought, music, art, architecture, and popular culture in the context of political and social history.
Students planning to enroll should confer with the instructor before registration.
Expands and deepens knowledge of business German, and prepares students for such internationally recognized business German examinations as the Zertifikat Deutsch für den Beruf and Prüfung Wirtschaftsdeutsch International.
This course emphasizes review and further development of communication skills, and includes readings of literary, cultural, and/or historical texts in German. Students will continue to practice all four skills (writing, reading, speaking and listening), but the focus will be on improving conversational and writing skills. This course will review important grammar topics and work on expanding students' vocabulary to give students the ability to express themselves in a variety of stylistic contexts. Apart from the textbook, students will read various fiction and non-fiction as well as watch various films and film clips. 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 course emphasizes review and further development of communication skills, and includes readings of literary, cultural, and/or historical texts in German. Students will continue to practice all four skills (writing, reading, speaking and listening), but the focus will be on improving conversational and writing skills. The course will review important grammar topics and work on expanding the student's vocabulary to give the student the ability to express themselves in a variety of stylistic contexts. Apart from the textbook, students will read various fiction and non-fiction as well as watch various films and film clips. 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.
Students planning to enroll should confer with the instructor before registration.
In this course students will learn the fundamentals of Ancient Greek grammar and syntax as well as enough vocabulary to be able to comprehend and translate simple Greek prose. Overall, this course addresses the ability to deal with questions of values, ethics, and aesthetics as they are represented in literature and related fields within the Humanities, which will be the focus. This course emphasizes the history and appreciation of the Humanities, rather than simply the ability to perform tasks at the written level.
In this course students continue building on their knowledge of the language and advance in the fundamentals in Greek grammar and syntax, while they expand their vocabulary and hone their ability to translate extensive passages of Greek prose. This course offers a deeper understanding of ancient Greek culture and overall addresses the ability to deal with questions of values, ethics, and aesthetics as they are represented in literature and related fields within the Humanities, which will be the focus. This course emphasizes the history and appreciation of the Humanities, rather than simply the ability to perform tasks at the written level.
Introduction to and practice in reading Greek literature, particularly Koine Greek and the New Testament.
An introduction to Greek prose with an emphasis on Plato's Apology.
Select readings from Greek prose and poetry. An effort is made to accommodate the student's special interests. Offered according to demand.
More select readings from Greek prose and poetry. An effort is made to accommodate the student's special interests. Offered according to demand.
Select readings in Greek literature. An effort is made to accommodate the student's special interests. The course may be repeated for credit. Offered according to demand.
A one-, two-, or three-part course in academic skills for students eligible for the Student Support Services Program. Enrollment in each of the components is based on a diagnosed need. Offered in the fall and spring semesters.
Independent study and/or research on an approved topic, under the direction of a College of Arts and Sciences faculty member. The subject matter, methodology, goals, and objectives of the study are intended to be unique.
Students work with a faculty member on a planned and supervised activity related to the instructional, research, or service functions of the College of Arts and Sciences.
The primary objective of this course is to provide an introduction to the complex themes of environmental science that arise from the interactions between humans and the environment. Environmental science is an interdisciplinary field that synthesizes information from natural and social sciences and humanities to understand the natural world and our relationship to it. The content includes overviews of select biophysical systems and how they impact and are impacted by human agencies, and interdisciplinary approaches necessary to contend with modern environmental challenges are emphasized. Current environmental issues will be considered theoretically and through case studies.
Three hours lecture and one two-hour laboratory period. Earth-space relations, latitude and longitude, seasons, time, weather, climate, and vegetation. Particular attention is given to the causes of weather and climate and why they tend to be different from place to place.
Three hours lecture and one two-hour laboratory period. Study of earth-surface processes, with consideration of human interaction with the physical environment. Subjects include landforms, water resources, soils, and mapping the physical environment.
This course, through lecture, lab and on-campus field trips, will introduce students to earth materials and their origins, and the dynamic physical processes that shape the Earth’s landforms and landscapes. Topics covered will include earth structure and materials, tectonic processes, soils, weathering and mass movements, karst processes and landscapes, fluvial systems and landforms, coastal process and landforms, glacial and periglacial processes and landforms, and both surface water and groundwater resources. Through on-campus field trips and interactions with current research faculty on campus, students will gain an understanding of how current geographic research is applied to solve complex global issues.
Introduction to geography through a survey of the world's major geographic regions. Examines their physical and cultural features, economies, and populations.
Introduction to geography as a science for learning the fundamentals of human behavior and decision making. Examines how human events, natural resources, economies, development, and urbanization impact the way humankind lives, organizes its space, and makes decisions for the future.
This course is about water on earth, and the content will integrate scientific elements from the disciplines of atmospheric science, geography, geology, hydrology, oceanography, and water resources. The course is organized based on the large-scale elements of the hydrologic cycle and the smaller-scale elements of the water balance concept, especially as they affect water resources.
Three hours lecture and one two-hour laboratory period. Fundamentals of map reading and interpretation.
Water is one of the most abundant, yet most precious, natural resources on Earth. Its movement and properties are determined by processes occurring within and across many geosystems, including rivers, lakes, glaciers, groundwater, and climate systems. This course explores how different components of Earth’s water system operate and the processes linking the components together. We will also explore how people modify and utilize Earth’s water systems. Our course will be based in Innsbruck, Austria, a geographic location with a variety of water systems, including glaciers, which have very strong ties to Earth’s climate system. We will take fieldtrips to local glaciers and rivers to examine how water systems operate in the “real world” and learn techniques used to measure and understand how these systems change over space and time. We will also take fieldtrips to Prague, Czech Republic and Munich, Germany to better understand how humans modify water systems, through processes such as river regulation. GY 207 is designated a natural science (NS) course.
Introduce the fundamentals of the earth-atmosphere system as they comprise the climate of Earth, drive spatial and temporal climate variability, and impact life.
This course is devoted to the topic of the management of the public domain of the United States. It will examine how the public domain came to be, how it has been disposed through the centuries by homesteading, and how remaining public lands are managed by different government agencies for mining, grazing, tourism, defense, or water storage and energy production. The focus will be on western states but public holdings in eastern states, oceans, and the electromagnetic spectrum will be covered.
Examination of the causes, consequences, and spatial distribution of climatic, geomorphic, and human-induced natural hazards. 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.
Three hours lecture and one two-hour laboratory period. Introduction to computer graphics and their application in both the natural and social sciences, with special emphasis on mapping. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Analyzes human interactions with the physical environment and ways of dealing with them. Integrates environmental science, social science, and planning, and includes environmental impact assessment.
Study of the physical and human geography of the United States and Canada.
Study of the physical and human geography of Africa.
This course is designed to provide a regional survey of Latin America’s environments and peoples from a geographic perspective. The course presents the physical landscape as well as the changing environment in Latin America. The course then explores the major historical, cultural, and economical aspects of the region. The course will have an emphasis in processes that shape the major contemporary issues, such as development, urbanization, and environmental change.
This course is designed to provide a regional survey of Europe in terms of economic activities and the physcial environment. Special emaphasis is on the historical development of European landscapes.
Examines the growth of cities, their spatial distributions, internal dynamics, functional bases, and social and political patterns.
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 provides a broad introduction to the study of transport and other networks around the world, such as roads, rail, air, water, electronic, and social. Students will explore a variety of approaches to networks, beginning with fundamental definitions, a review of transport networks around the world, and then move through a range of topics, including topological measures, models of network formation, network components (links, nodes, flows), accessibility measures, spatial interaction, political influences on networks and flows, urban transport networks, and social networks.
No description available.
Sports are an important part of society and contribute billions of dollars to the global economy. This course examines the geographic dimensions of sports, primarily in North America, with some reflections on Europe for contrast. The geography of sports can be analyzed through the use of concepts found in a variety of human geography subdisciplines, including cultural, historical, economic, population, urban, and political geography. The course covers a variety of topics and helps students develop a holistic view of sports with regards to spatial interactions. Geography courses explain why things are where they are on the surface of the Earth. In other words, students develop a spatial perspective in thinking about their surroundings.
This course is designed to be primarily an experiential course and will address development and implementation of a Watershed Management Plan. The North River Watershed Management Plan will be used as a working model and students will review theory before carrying out experiential learning in the field.
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.
Hands-on, problem solving in the field of physical geography.
Hands-on, problem solving in the field of human geography.
This course is devoted to the changing geography of the national park system and protected areas, with an emphasis on their design, planning, and operations.
Applied Climatology is a graduate/senior level course designed to expand upon fundamental concepts learned in GY 101. Within this broad field, a specific focus in GY 413 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 examines the individuals, institutions, research, controversies, and policies that have developed around wildlife extinction, ecological problems associated with extinction, and endangered species. The course also examines the stories of several lost or vanishing species. This course, which has been developed out of the instructor's current research projects, uses lectures, readings, student-led discussions, writing assignments, and one exam to explore how humans have contributed to, while at the same time grappling with, the issue of wildlife conservation and extinction.
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 seminar class consisting of readings, discussion, and lectures on perception, understanding, and communication of severe weather hazards. 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 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.
Three hours lecture and one two-hour laboratory period. Introduction to the basic principles of electromagnetic radiation, interaction between energy and earth features, remote sensing instruments, and information extraction from remotely sensed data. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
This course is an advanced course in the field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and covers spatial database design and management. Specifically, this course covers the following aspects: basic concepts and principles of relational and spatial databases, relational/spatial database design, entity-relationship (ER) diagram, structured query language (SQL), spatial query, data/user management, spatial indexing, etc. Meanwhile, this course also aims to help students develop some practical skills in relational and spatial databases via the use of relevant database software (e.g., PostgreSQL/PostGIS and Microsoft SQL Server) in the lab section.
This course will prepare students for real-world safe operation of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), and will provide basic understanding of the regulations in preparation for small Unmanned Aircraft Systems FAA 107 certification test. The class covers the history of UAS, types of UAS platforms, payloads/sensors, UAS operational requirements, current FAA rules and regulations, industry and societal implications, career outlooks, and geospatial applications of UAS. The field flight demonstration involves flight mission planning with Pix4Dcapture software. Activities will focus on using simulation tools to help students learn how to operate a drone and how to use ArcGIS Pro and PIX4Dmapper to process common drone data. This course is designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in UAS, blending theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience.
Individual work experience in cartography, supervised by faculty and staff of The University of Alabama. A maximum of 3 hours of internship or practicum credit can be applied to the geography major. Credit for GY 424 cannot be applied to the geography minor.
Individual work experience on a cartographic project, supervised by the staff of an off-campus agency. A maximum of 3 hours of internship or practicum credit can be applied to the geography major. Credit for GY 425 cannot be applied to the geography minor.
This course covers an overview of a variety of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) field applications. This course will provide students with real world applications of UAS used by scientists and professionals and their applied benefits of using UAS products. Examples of UAS field application topics to be discussed in this course will be on water, agricultural, land, and natural resources.
This course will focus on how to process and analyze different types of data collected by UAS. The class covers different types of UAS data, flight mission planning, and relevant methods and tools for UAS data processing and analysis. Class activities will focus on how to use ArcGIS Pro and PIX4Dmapper to process and analyze different types of drone data.
This course is about the use of GIS in the web environment. Specifically, this course covers the following aspects: basic concepts and principles of Web GIS, Web GIS design, Web GIS implementation, and Web GIS applications. Meanwhile, this course also aims to help students develop practical skills in using ArcGIS products to design and implement Web GIS applications.
This course is a hands-on, practical Geographic Information Systems (GIS) introduction for non-majors in Geography or GIS Certificate.
Three hours lecture and one hour laboratory period. 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. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Individual work experience in GIS, supervised by the faculty and staff of The University of Alabama. A maximum of 3 hours of internship or practicum credit can be applied to the geography major. Credit for GY 433 cannot be applied to the geography minor.
Individual work experience in GIS, supervised by the staff of an off-campus agency. A maximum of 3 hours of internship or practicum credit can be applied to the geography major. Credit for GY 434 cannot be applied to the geography minor.
Three hours lecture and one two-hour laboratory period. Analysis and extraction of thematic information from nonphotographic remotely sensed data for geographic information systems. Topics include image processing, image enhancement, and image classification. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Three hours lecture and one two-hour laboratory period. Evaluation of case studies, spatial model development, and database design for geographic information systems. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
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.
Principles, processes, and analysis of public facility location planning, with emphasis on the spatial search process, impact analysis, and public facility location models. 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.
Theory and use of zoning, eminent domain, taxing and police powers, enabling acts, charters, official maps, codes, nuisance ordinances, and environmental impact statements in community planning.
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.
Three-week intensive field study in Ghana. Explores geographical perspectives on Africa's level of development and the responses of the African peoples to their circumstances.
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.
Ireland with its long history of occupation, colonization, invasion, emigration and immigration, together with its diverse geology, geomorphology, culture, history and heritage is an ideal location to study the intricacies of human-earth relationships in a dynamic modern setting. Located on the western most edge of Europe, and a member of the European Union, Ireland welcomes over 11 million visitors each year and during the last decades has evolved into a forward-thinking center of globalism and multiculturalism. This course is designed to immerse each student in all things Irish, past and present, and through readings, field visits, excursions and exposure to the Irish people and culture develop an understanding of the complexity, interdisciplinarity and global interconnections that exist in Ireland and throughout our global community. This is a unique opportunity for students to experience the real Ireland.
Study Belize’s diverse rainforests, coral reefs, and visit Mayan ruins for a glimpse into a past civilization. Belize is unique in that it still contains relatively undisturbed rainforests and the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. However, while Belize has emerged as an international leader regarding conservation efforts, threats from climate change, poverty, and development still exist. The purpose of this course is 1) examine current conservation efforts to safeguard this biodiversity; 2) familiarize students with the most important aspects of tropical lowland terrestrial and marine ecosystems; 3) understand the role of local culture in sustainable conservation; 4) gain an understanding of the fundamental importance of biodiversity; and 5) expose students to new and unique cultures and environments. The course is designed for students who are interested in conservation issues, biogeography, marine sciences, ornithology and birding, archaeology, and outdoor adventures.
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. I will provide a summary of the weekly topic and as a class we will discuss issues raised in the research and readings.
Review of the history of natural resources in the U.S. and current environmental topics, followed by discussion of techniques to facilitate environmental decision making and management.
Exploration of the linkages between the biophysical environment and human social systems. Public policy implications are viewed from a social science perspective. 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 program will provide students with a broad interdisciplinary experience encompassing tropical ecology, conservation and development (TECD) in a highly experiential learning context. Specific topics will vary.
Individual work experience in planning, supervised by the staff of an off-campus agency. A maximum of 3 hours of internship or practicum credit can be applied to the geography major. Credit for GY 456 cannot be applied to the geography minor.
Interested in starting a nonprofit? Working with or leading one? In this course students will create their own nonprofit organization from conception to incorporation. Build on an existing idea or start a new organization around students' goals and passion. Learn what it takes to run an organization by building one from the ground up, including business planning, legal structures, board development, and incorporation process. Classes will be structured around brief lectures, reading quizzes, class discussions, maker space project development, and presentations.
A study of contemporary urban landscapes, political and economic power structures, and resultant conflicts. Includes an in-depth analysis of the role of externalities, the urban planner, urban policymaking, and analytical methods in the planning and administration of urban landscapes. 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 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.
In this reading intensive and discussion based course, students will engage with a variety of contemporary texts that grapple with pertinent questions about the meaning of conservation in our contemporary moment, one which many have labelled the Anthropocene. The seminar will introduce students to key theoretical concepts related to the Anthropocene and its Anthro-adjacent terms (the Capitalocene, the Plantationocene, etc.), with particular focus on how new ways of understanding human transformation on the planet inform and push us to re-evaluate human relationships with nonhuman species. Students will pay special attention in this course—through a variety of ethnographic, empirical, and more theoretical texts—to reconfigurations and rearticulations of human-wildlife relationships and conservation politics, inclusive of both plant and animal life and human efforts to govern nature on a rapidly changing planet. As we face the rapid and ongoing acceleration of planetary species extinction and anthropogenic climate change, new ways of articulating environmental discourses and nature-society relations are necessary, which students will discuss and debate from a number of vantage points where the ecological meets the social (and thus, political).
This course is devoted to the geography of the automobile/highway/sprawl system, primarily in an urban North American context. Examines the location and function of the multimodal North American transportation system, the urban transportation planning process and methodologies. Assesses the political and environmental contexts of transport systems, including impacts of continued reliance on the automobile.
This upper level writing course teaches students how to create and present a nonprofit grant writing program. Students will work with local nonprofit organizations and develop research opportunities, prepare reusable master language, and draft real grant applications for their nonprofit client. Students will be required to construct a strong grant application portfolio and presentation on behalf of project partner(s). 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.
Special Topics in Geography.
Three hours lecture and required field and lab work. Introduction to the study of soils, including soil formation, classification, and the interpretation of soils to reconstruct environmental histories.
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.
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.
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.
Individual work experience in environmental science, supervised by the staff of an off-campus agency. A maximum of 3 hours of internship or practicum credit can be applied to the geography major. Credit for GY 483 cannot be applied to the geography minor.
Individual work experience in an environmental nonprofit organization, supervised by the staff of an off-campus agency. A maximum of 3 hours of internship or practicum credit can be applied to the geography major. Credit for GY 484 cannot be applied to the geography minor.
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.
An examination of the physical operation of watersheds focusing on surface water hydrology, erosion, and sedimentation. 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 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.
Three hours lecture and required field work. Study of the nature of forest communities and the interrelationship of organisms that compose them. 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.
Work experience in an agency involved in geographical analysis. A maximum of 3 hours of internship or practicum credit can be applied to the geography major. Credit for GY 490 cannot be applied to the geography minor.
This course provides an in-depth investigation of the processes that determine the form and evolution of rivers and streams. Questions addressed by this course include the following. What processes determine the form and evolution of rivers and streams? How can we infer process from form and vice versa? How do river form and process vary spatially and temporally? What principles of fluvial geomorphology are needed for river restoration and management? The course will combine lectures, discussions, field data collection, and modeling activities. 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 field course is focused on the biotic and abiotic elements that create distinct forest communities throughout the eastern US, with a particular emphasis on woody plant assemblages including the silvics of dominant and indicator species in different community types. Applications to forest management are stressed.
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. 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 course is required of all geography majors and is to be taken in the spring semester of the year students intend to graduate. The course has two main purposes: (1) to help students synthesize what they have learned during the program about the field geography and their chosen concentrations and (2) to help students articulate the value and potential relevance of this learning for future employment or study.
Contemporary Hebrew: speaking, reading, and writing. Course involves directed-self-instructional approach in the Critical Languages Center. Students are required to study the textbook and practice with assigned audio visual materials (CDs, DVDs, or computer files). Students have practice sessions three hours per week with a “language trainer” who is a native/near native (or superior level) speaker of the language. Native speakers of this language cannot take this course. Any students with background knowledge of this language must see the CLC director before registering for permission. Not repeatable without permission of the CLC director. Offered each semester. The CLC classes are self-instructional and are best suited for highly motivated and disciplined students.
Contemporary Hebrew: speaking, reading, and writing. Course involves mixed self-instructional approach in the Critical Languages Center. Students are required to study the textbook and practice with assigned audio visual materials (CDs, DVDs, or computer files). Students have practice sessions three hours per week with a language "trainer" who is a native/near native speaker of the language. Not repeatable without permission of CLC director. Offered each semester. The CLC classes are self-instructional and are best suited for highly motivated and disciplined students.
Contemporary Hindi: speaking, reading, and writing. Course involves directed-self-instructional approach in the Critical Languages Center. Students are required to study the textbook and practice with assigned audio visual materials (CDs, DVDs, or computer files). Students have practice sessions three hours per week with a “language trainer” who is a native/near native (or superior level) speaker of the language. Native speakers of this language cannot take this course. Any students with background knowledge of this language must see the CLC director for permission before registering. Not repeatable without permission of the CLC director. The CLC classes are self-instructional and are best suited for highly motivated and disciplined students.
A history of Western civilization from its origins in Greece and Rome through the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and Reformation, and the age of discovery and expansion during the emergence of modern Europe. Usually offered in the summer session.
Covers the development of the Western world from the Thirty Years' War to the post-World War II era: the age of absolutism, the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, industrialization and the wars of the 20th century. Usually offered in the summer session.
A survey of American history from its beginning to the end of the Civil War, giving special emphasis to the events, people, and ideas that have made America a distinctive civilization. Open to freshmen.
A survey of American history from the Civil War to the present, giving special emphasis to the events, people, and ideas that have made America a distinctive civilization. Open to freshmen.
An honors-level approach to the American experience; parallel to HY 203.
An honors-level approach to the American experience.
Formation of the largely Spanish speaking New World, from the shock of conquest to the trials of freedom that spawned the modern nations of Latin America.
Survey of political, economic, and social life in the 19th and 20th centuries with emphasis on the larger countries (Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina).
Broad survey of Asian civilization from the earliest times covering India, China, Korea, Japan and Southeast Asian, with large cultural and religious emphases.
Conditions of various Asian civilizations in the 15th century, followed by the arrival of Europeans, with emphasis on imperialism, colonialism and Asian nationalism.
This course will explore the origins and evolution of science and technology and the relationship both had to the societies that produced them. In addition to reading foundational texts in the history of science, like Aristotle and Galileo, we will address larger themes, including the relationship between science and religion and the role of science and scientists in the societies that produced them.
Science and technology are ever-present in today’s world, defining not only how we live our daily lives but also shaping our conceptions and evaluations of modernity, civilization, and progress. How did science and technology become so important and pervasive to the modern world? This course is intended as an introduction to the history of modern science and technology from the Enlightenment to the present. Our focus will be on the development of science and technology in the Western World (Europe and North America). However, we will also make comparisons across cultures to explore how science and technology shaped notions of what counts as “Western” and “modern.” In addition to learning about key developments in the history of science and technology, from Ford’s Model-T to Einstein’s theory of relativity, we will address larger themes, including the relationship between science and religion and the role of technology in war and empire.
This course examines the political, economic, religious and social history of the world from the first civilizations that emerged around 3000 BC to about the year AD 1500. In this course we will discuss the creation of civilizations, the rise and fall of empires, and the similarities and differences between these various cultures with regard to their development. As this is an introductory course to world history, it is important to note that we will not be able to delve too deeply into any one topic.
This course is a continuation of HY 117, Comparative World Civilizations. The course will examine the interactions between major world civilizations in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Course material will examine developments of history, politics, economics, and religion since 1500.
A required component of the larger Legal History concentration. Registered students will meet with the professor individually three times during the term, will be required to attend three pre-approved legal-themed events, and will complete brief reflection essays about their experiences at these events. Requires instructor approval to register.
State history under the flags of Spain, France, Great Britain, the U.S., and the Confederate States, with emphasis on cultural heritage.
Survey of Alabama's history and personalities since 1865: Reconstruction, agrarian revolt, Progressivism, the KKK, Dixiecrats and the Civil Rights movement.
Directed study done by special arrangement with a faculty member of the History Department. Requires sophomore standing and permission of the instructor.
Students learn the mechanics of teaching History writing, editing, and instruction. Under the supervision of a faculty member, they learn the pedagogy of writing and then practice their craft by working with other students. Requires a recommendation from a professor to participate.
This course covers a range of special topics in European History. Typically taught as a combination of lecture and discussion, with emphasis on primary sources, its topics cover major themes in medieval, early-modern, and modern European civilization. These include, among others, the origins of medieval and early modern Europe, national and cultural identity, revolution, gender, sexuality, consumerism, daily life, war, transnational exchange, and the environment.
This course covers a range of special topics in American History. Typically taught as a combination of lecture and discussion, with emphasis on primary sources, its topics will include, among others, the indigenous and European encounters, colonial and constitutional history, the development of the American nation, race, slavery, and civil war, the World Wars and the Cold War, American foreign policy, and the civil rights movement.
This course covers a range of special topics in Latin American, Asian, Middle Eastern or African History. Typically taught as a combination of lecture and discussion, with emphasis on primary sources, its topics include, among others, national and cultural identity, revolution, gender, sexuality, consumerism, daily life, war, transnational exchange, and environment.
History of the social, cultural, and political interactions of all the peoples in early North America and the Caribbean from the sixteenth century through the 1760s, with an emphasis on the diversity of experiences across categories of race, gender, socioeconomic status, religion, and age.
This course surveys key developments in US legal history from the colonial period to present day.
This course explores the nuances of antebellum history by presenting an array of real-life people who push the boundaries of societal expectations. Using a variety of sources, we meet animated historical actors who compel us to think through the stories we tell ourselves about our shared past in the years leading to the Civil War.
This course is designed as an examination of the history of the region that became known as the American South, from the colonial era through the end of Reconstruction. Students will be focusing particularly on the evolution of the institution of slavery; its centrality in shaping regional identity and the social, cultural, political, and economic lives of white and black southerners; and the meaning and implications of its destruction during the Civil War.
History of the South since 1865, covering Reconstruction, the Bourbon Democracy, the New South Creed, populist revolt, World War I, the 1920s, the Great Depression, the civil rights movement, and Southern politics.
This course will provide an overview of the wide-ranging efforts Americans made to reform themselves and their nation in the decades before the Civil War, understanding those efforts largely as reactions to and engagements with the sweeping economic changes of the era that many historians have come to call the “market revolution.” Topics will include the evolution of family and religious life in the first half of the nineteenth century, new religious movements such as Adventism and Mormonism, the founding of experimental utopian communities, transcendentalism, health and diet reforms, prison and school reforms, efforts to “improve” American cities, workingman’s movements, abolitionism, temperance, and feminism.
The American Civil War and Reconstruction continue to attract great scholarly and popular attention. This course takes a chronological and thematic approach to discuss the war's complex meaning to past and present Americans. Through readings, lectures, class discussions and movies, students will explore traditional military and political aspects of the era, causes and consequences of the crisis, as well as racial, social, gender and cultural dimensions.
The life and legend of the man often considered to be the representative American.
This course examines the ways in which Americans have organized and used armed force in the last 100 years, and the models that historians have used to understand and explain those actions. The central theme involves how Americans have addressed the security issues they faced and how they have both succeeded and failed to achieve stable political solutions they called “peace,” across the spectrum from the conventional to the unconventional. The format will be largely lecture-based, accompanied by images of people and events.
Topical survey of the economic, social, political, and cultural developments in the United States since World War II.
This course explores the early modern history of all the Americas through the study of the varied and changing ideals of behavior for women, men, and other genders, as well as how those ideals affect all other areas of society. Half of the course content focuses on the Caribbean and Latin America.
The Great Depression and the Second World War were crucial in shaping the American political, social, economic and cultural landscape for decades, and continue to impact our lives today. Much of the era coincided with the presidency of Franklin Roosevelt, who was elected to an unprecedented four terms as president, and actually served in that office for thirteen years. The Age of Roosevelt class will explore the problems that faced the United States in the thirties and forties, the solutions that generation tried in order to solve their problems, and the impact of policy on the inhabitants of the United States. The class will aid you in building critical thinking skills, give you a basic introduction to a set of historical literature, and expose you to primary sources from the Depression and the Second World War.
Deals with the evolution of constitutional law and the nature and process of judicial review, including 18th-century constitutional theory and Supreme Court decisions.
Continuation of HY 323, tracing developments up to the current Supreme Court.
Emphasizes idealism and realism in foreign policy, the change from isolationism to international involvement, "New Manifest Destiny," and the rise of America to world power.
This course will engage students in the study of war and American society since 1865. It is not a class about military strategy or foreign policy. Rather, students will survey the radiating impact of armed conflict and military service on individuals, communities, culture, and politics. And in the other direction, students will examine the ways fundamental features of American society (race, gender, class, citizenship, sexual orientation, and so on) influence the country’s military experience. To give shape to such a vast subject, we will organize our inquiry around three questions: How do Americans mobilize for, fight, and remember their wars? Together those dimensions describe a society in the throes of militarization and perhaps militarism and/or anti-militarism. We will explore the difference between these ideas and assess which of them, if any, characterizes the United States in this period. These questions and terms will guide our main effort: to scrutinize the ways America’s experience with armed conflict has reflected and shaped broader truths about society in the past century.
An introduction to American religious history from the first encounters between Native Americans and Europeans through the mid-nineteenth century. The course will explore important religious traditions and consider the connections between religious values and crucial questions in American history.
History of the leaders, organizations, and events of the Civil Rights Movement during the years 1945 to 1968.
This course looks at “American character,” or swagger, as a historical development that can be studied various countries and historical actors in view. Using variety of sources, we will find meaning in how the bold ways of particular human beings shape the past, present and future.
This course examines the histories of hundreds of indigenous peoples in North America from early human habitation to the present day, with a focus on those residing in what is now the United States and Canada. We will study their experiences; their encounters with one another, Europeans, and Africans; and the different histories that people have told about those experiences and encounters. Class materials, which include art, film, and fiction as well as history and anthropology, stress the diversity of Native lifeways as well as the ways in which the history of American Indians has often been ignored, changed, appropriated, and distorted, as well as reclaimed and re-evaluated over time. Some of the questions we will consider throughout the semester include: How much can we know about Indigenous peoples before they had an alphabetic written history? What can European sources teach us about the Native peoples they encountered? How did the Natives of North America live before 1492? Does it make any sense to generalize about “Indians,” given that they include a large number of diverse peoples? How did contact with Europeans and Africans (and their diseases and technologies) change Native societies? How did Natives affect Europeans and Africans? Why did Native peoples lose ground (literally and figuratively) in the nineteenth century? How have Natives experienced and reacted to the changes of the twentieth century? What does it mean to be a Native person in the United States today?.
This course will examine the multiple and changing views of sexual behavior and race in early American history. Students will focus on mainstream and nonmainstream sexual practices, beliefs, and identities, asking why various ideas about sexual behavior developed and how they related to religious, political, and cultural belief systems as well as how they intersected with ideas about race. Topics include various cultures' sexual practices; racialized sexual beliefs and violence; the social and legal regulation of women's bodies; definitions and categories of gender.
Knitting has enjoyed a huge comeback in the U.S. in the last decade, largely thanks to interest in DIY and environmentally sustainable consumption. This class explores the history, art, and politics of knitting. Students will learn to knit (or develop their skills as knitters) and also analyze knitting as a fascinating window onto the rest of the world. Topics explored include the craft’s history, women’s and men’s work, the politics of art vs. craft, consumerism, globalization, and the craft’s role in activism. Half of class time will be studio-based and half will focus on discussion of the readings. There are no prerequisites. You will also develop the ability to think historically through critical analysis of primary and secondary sources; place events, people, and documents in their historical contexts; and create your own historical interpretations and narratives about the past. In this course, you should expect to do much more than memorize facts or dates -- you will be busy actively learning by knitting and doing history, not passively sitting back and being told what to think.
This course places the experiences of people with disabilities at the center of the American story, from long before Europeans arrived in North America through today. We will explore the changing lives of people with disabilities—from railroad workers and rights activists to wheelchair athletes and participants in freak shows to college students and more—as well as the history of disability policy and conceptions of disability. We will focus on the social and cultural history of disability rather than its strictly physical or medical aspects. U.S. Disability History takes a new approach to familiar topics in U.S. history, including colonization, slavery, immigration, racial and gender stereotypes, education, civil rights, and citizenship, among others.
The broad goal of this class is to introduce students to the use of food, eating, and the ways in which various societies have met these challenges. Food is a constant in human societies, and yet the ways in which we choose to meet our nutritional needs can vary widely, across both distance and time. We will examine the ways in which Americans, broadly defined as those who live in or adjacent to the current-day United States, have chosen to eat, and some of the many meanings those choices carried.
This course provides a general but analytic introduction to the development of contemporary China from 1921, when the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was founded, to 1949 when the People’s Republic of China (PRC) was founded, and on towards the present, concluding around the year 2000. We will review key historical phenomena that distinguish contemporary China, particularly Marxist and Stalinist theories and their use by the CCP in varying circumstances not only to purse and carry out political revolution (1921-1949) but also political-economic developments after 1949. Such developments initially involved PRC state formation via agricultural transformation & large-scale Soviet-style industrialization accompanied by bureaucratization, the oppositional anti-bureaucratic thrust that eventually produced the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), the rebuilding of both the CCP & PRC after Mao’s death in 1976, the “second Communist Revolution” after 1978 associated with Deng Xiaoping, and the places of “intellectuals” in all of this.
A study of crime, punishment, and race in the American South from slavery through the rise of mass incarceration in the 21st century. Topics include slave patrols, convict lease system, lynching, the Lost Cause, white supremacy, the death penalty, the modern prison system and Black responses to these systematic oppressions. Special attention will be paid to understanding these national themes locally, within Alabama and Tuscaloosa, and working with community partners.
This course studies human-made objects to learn about the history of the Americas (North, Central, South, and the Caribbean) from 1300 to 1800. Topics studied include gender, race, religion, colonization, work, leisure, and family. Key themes include cultural interactions and the place of objects in the creation of memory.
Survey of the historical background of the conflict in Indochina leading to U.S. involvement and its consequences.
Students will explore the history of women in early North America and the United States from the seventeenth century to 1890. Students will learn about the diversity of women’s experiences across different racial and ethnic groups in varied regions of the United States. Students will also look at the major events of U.S. women’s history and how and why those events do not always fit neatly into the traditional and more familiar periods of U.S. history.
Race and Science examines the diverse interactions between science and race from the 18th century to the present era of human genomics. The class looks both at the scientific study of race and the impact of racial concepts on science. These interactions have given us: Nazi medicine, American eugenics, the Tuskegee experiments, and “race specific” contemporary pharmaceuticals. By the end of this course, students will have the opportunity to write (with consultation) a publishable-quality essay on one aspect of this important issue in history and bioscience ethics.
The history of medicine is the history of disease. Plague, bloody flux, yellow fever, the flu, cholera, ebola, smallpox, AIDS — at one time or another, each of these terms inspired terror. They’ve entered our otherwise flourishing civilizations and, like a wildfire, cut down men, women, children, rich, poor, religious, non-believers, even the healers themselves. Like phantoms, they disappeared as fast as they came; but once introduced to these mysterious visitors, no society remained unchanged. In this history of medicine, we examine six major epidemics over the last three thousand years. We’ll then turn to three epidemics of the present: cancer, healthcare-associated infections, and bioterrorism. How have humans responded to these threats? How has medicine adapted, if it has? What are our triumphs and when have we been unable to stop our invisible adversaries?.
The goal of this course is to use games as a primary source, a “window” into portions of the human experience at various times and places, and to incorporate experiential learning by adding gameplay and rule discussion to scholarly readings and class discussion. Students will study a series of specific games and the societies which produced them, focusing on games which involve mastery of rules and chance rather than on contests of physical skill or endurance.
This course examines major trends in the social, cultural, economic and political history of modern France. Major themes include: republicanism and citizenship, nationalism, daily life, war, class conflict, consumerism, imperalism, the arts and gender.
This course explores the evolution of the First Amendment throughout American legal history from its creation in the 18th century to the digital age. Major themes will include free speech law, slander and libel law, the “establishment” and “free exercise” clauses, the legal boundaries of public protest, and how these things have changed over time.
This course explores the history of the right to privacy in the United States from the Gilded Age to the Digital Age. Major themes include the evolution of privacy law, tabloid journalism, physical surveillance, private property, data collection, sexual privacy, the “privacy vs. security” debate, and the relationship between privacy and technology.
This course examines the conceptual foundations of digital history and offers a survey of its practices. Historians and public historians rely on digital methods for research, analysis, and presentation, thus the importance for a foundational class for emerging practitioners. Though not exhaustive, the course will familiarize students with tools and methods for collection and preservation of digital records; for public history interpretation and storytelling on the web; for textual and spatial analysis; and for thinking critically about issues of design, usability, and accessibility.
Delving deep into the manuscript collections at the University of Alabama and Birmingham Public Library, students reconstruct the struggle for rights, visibility, and sexual equality for queer students at universities across Alabama. Combining in-class readings with rarely-seen primary sources and taking oral histories of the early leaders of the queer civil rights movement, students shed new light on the birth and development of this fight for equality. Their findings have been presented at Queer Alabama, a website that documents the queer civil rights movement at The University of Alabama.
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This class examines the origins and meanings of the “Holocaust" through the emergence of anti-Semitism and scientific racism in the nineteenth century; European nationalism and imperialism and early forms of genocide; the history of Jewish assimilation in Europe; the ramifications of Great War; the rise of Nazism; World War II and the “twisted road to Auschwitz.” The final phase of the course addresses the subject of “coming to terms with the past” in several national contexts.
The war to end all wars," from the European crises culminating at Sarajevo in 1914 to peacemaking at Versailles in 1919, with emphasis on the western and eastern fronts and on the war at sea.
The global conflict, or series of conflicts, from Manchukuo in 1931 to Tokyo Bay in 1945, with emphasis on battles on land and sea and in the air, life on the home fronts and in enemy-occupied areas, and the legacy of the war to future generations. Writing proficiency within this discipline is required for a passing grade in this course.
Political history of Russia from the ninth to the 19th centuries, followed by social and cultural history of the Russian revolutionary movement.
Crisis in Russian society and the coming of the Revolution; the emergence of Stalinism; and political developments since World War II, including the disintegration of the Soviet system.
This course is a history of Christianity from its origins in the Jewish ministry of Jesus of Nazareth and the writings of Paul in the Roman Empire to the outbreak of the Reformations, Protestant and Catholic, in the sixteenth century. It will focus primarily on the story of Christianity in the Mediterranean and Western Europe, in the context of broader historical developments in both the Byzantine and Islamic worlds, with occasional glances as well to wider global contexts. At the center of the course is the question of how Christian belief and practice both reflected and shaped the broader processes of historical change of which it was a part, and how complex and contested questions of doctrine, practice, authority, and interpretation could be throughout this religions first millennium and a half.
This course explores the evolution of modern Europe's consumer society from the 18th century to the present to understand how changing patterns of consumption fostered new relationships between individuals and the material world.
This course explores the most important social, economic and political developments in the Britain since the beginning of the eighteenth century. It covers topics including Britain’s century-long conflict with France in the 1700s, the rise of industrial society, Victorian ideas and attitudes, British feminism, the rise and fall of the British Empire, the emergence of the Labour Party and British socialism, the impact of the two world wars, and postwar political and social changes.
This course explores the most important social, economic and political developments in the Britain since the beginning of the eighteenth century. It covers topics including Britain’s century-long conflict with France in the 1700s, the rise of industrial society, Victorian ideas and attitudes, British feminism, the rise and fall of the British Empire, the emergence of the Labour Party and British socialism, the impact of the two world wars, and postwar political and social changes.
Conquistadors! Planters! Pirates! Indians! Enslaved Africans! Religious Reformers! Independence Leaders! Radical Revolutionaries! Together these people built a new world – a world forged at the intersection of imperial ambitions and international contact, where the peoples and cultures of the Americas, Africa, and Europe collided. This class examines how colonialism, plantation slavery, the age of abolition, and the emergence of national independence movements made the modern Caribbean.
In what ways did the Atlantic Ocean resemble an early-modern super-highway, moving people, ideas, and products across its waters? How did the individuals who shaped this world – rebellious slaves, elite planters, Aztec emperors, wayward sailors, Kongolese kings, infamous pirates and radical revolutionaries – contribute to the creation of this vibrant and dynamic world? A History of the Atlantic World answers these questions by tracing four centuries of interactions among Europeans, Africans and Native Americans, from the first European forays down the west coast of Africa in the fifteenth century, to the turbulent Age of Revolutions at the close of the eighteenth century.
This course examines the environmental history of the Americas from pre-contact to the modern day, with the aim of understanding the ways in which humans have adapted to and transformed American landscapes, ecologies, and eco-systems. From the last ice age to the modern-day Anthropocene, human societies have profoundly shaped and been shaped by the environment of the Americas.
This course will introduce students to the basic history of the rise and fall of Caribbean piracy in the early modern period, paying attention at the international context in which Caribbean piracy first appeared in the 16th century, its impact in European competition for land and resources in the Americas, and its ultimate decline in the 18th century, as European nations banded together against piracy and its threat over colonial possessions and intercolonial and transatlantic trade.
From the 16th to the 18th century, the Spanish empire was one of the most important early modern political, social, economic, and cultural centers of the nascent Atlantic World. This course aims at exploring at legal justifications of slavery in the Spanish colonial world, as well as presenting multiple interactions of enslaved people with the Spanish legal system. Even though the course will focus mostly on Afrodescendants, students will spend time discussing other groups who were also subject of enslavement. First espoused by historian Sherwin Bryant, this course is constructed around the idea that slavery was not an accidental or tangential element of Spanish colonial expansion, but it was a crucial element at the center of Spanish global empire. This course is not meant to be a comprehensive chronological review of the history of colonial Latin America, although students will certainly work our way through some of the most important moments in the history of the region.
This course will explore Mexican Independence, the Constitution of 1824, Santa Anna, revolutions in the 19th and 20th centuries, and contemporary Mexico.
This course is a hybrid survey of Mexican history since conquest, the history of the US-Mexican border, and a view of that history through the lens of drug production, consumption, and influence on Mexican society and US-Mexican relations. In short, the goal of this course is to impart an understanding of drugs as embedded in Mexican social, political, economic, and cultural contexts, providing students with a view from the Mexican side of the border. Alcohol and marijuana will be the focus of the course, but other substances will enter into certain readings throughout the semester. An important theme in this course is to answer the question “What are the origins of today’s War on Drugs?” In addition, the course will endeavour to provide a broader, international context for the development and use of intoxicants and the drug trade, both legal and illegal.
From the time of its incorporation into the Spanish Empire, the land now known as Argentina has held out the promise of fabulous wealth and opportunity. This potential made Argentina the foremost destination of European immigrants to Latin America in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, during which time it became one of the wealthiest nations in the world. Many Argentines have anxiously awaited the day when their nation would be included among the ranks of “first world” or “civilized” nations, and they take great pride in their adoption and adaptation of European culture. However, Argentina’s history has not always been so rosy. Political violence, economic catastrophe, and social unrest define the modern Argentine experience as much as economic prosperity, industrialization, and the development of a rich and dynamic culture. From the gauchos (Argentine cowboys) of the vast Pampas to the smoke-filled tango parlors, immigrant tenements, and factories of Buenos Aires, Argentina offers a fascinating case for examining the creation and sustainment of identity and nationality in Latin America.
England was transformed during the early modern period. In the sixteenth century, England saw the Reformation, the beginnings of the British Empire, the educational revolution, the rise of humanism, the growth of the state, the last feudal rebellions, and the explosion of urbanization; then, divided by a civil war that pitted monarch against Parliament, seventeenth-century England saw the foundation of institutions and ideas that shape our world to this day. We will study some of the most compelling figures of British history: the insatiable Henry VIII and his brilliant daughter, Elizabeth I; the driven Oliver Cromwell and the ‘merry monarch’ Charles II; writers like Shakespeare, Milton, Margaret Cavendish, and Aphra Behn; explorers Walter Raleigh and Francis Drake; thinkers such as Thomas More, Francis Bacon, Thomas Hobbes, and John Locke; But we will also look at larger social and cultural forces that shaped early modern England, including the rise of literacy, a sharpening economic stratification, new understandings of magic and witchcraft, gender roles, the growth of the common law system, and the politics of migration.
England was transformed during the early modern period. In the sixteenth century, England saw the Reformation, the beginnings of the British Empire, the educational revolution, the rise of humanism, the growth of the state, the last feudal rebellions, and the explosion of urbanization; then, divided by a civil war that pitted monarch against Parliament, seventeenth-century England saw the foundation of institutions and ideas that shape our world to this day. We will study some of the most compelling figures of British history: the insatiable Henry VIII and his brilliant daughter, Elizabeth I; the driven Oliver Cromwell and the ‘merry monarch’ Charles II; writers like Shakespeare, Milton, Margaret Cavendish, and Aphra Behn; explorers Walter Raleigh and Francis Drake; thinkers such as Thomas More, Francis Bacon, Thomas Hobbes, and John Locke; But we will also look at larger social and cultural forces that shaped early modern England, including the rise of literacy, a sharpening economic stratification, new understandings of magic and witchcraft, gender roles, the growth of the common law system, and the politics of migration. What Makes This an Honors Class? This course will ask students to make big connections about a critical time in history. We will examine some of the seminal texts in Anglo-American culture, and we will study foundational changes in British and American law, politics, and society. More than anything, though, this class will push you to answer the why questions about this history: why did people assent to the Reformation? Why did a Civil War break out? And, perhaps most importantly, why was this question so important: which do you fear more, tyranny or anarchy? In doing so, students will be asked to do extra, independent research for all essay questions. They will also be asked to write a reflective piece at the end of the course about these very questions.
Ancient Egypt Near East.
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This course explores, from multiple perspectives, the troubled medieval marriage of religion and violence known as “the crusades.” It offers not only an overview of the traditional, largely military narrative of “numbered” crusades. It also explores the broader view – the general context of “holy war” down to c. 1100; tensions between the ideal and reality of crusading; the social and cultural impact of the crusades, for good and ill; the Muslim perception of the “Franj” as both invaders and neighbors, and the long afterlife of the crusades down through the early modern period. Later sessions of the course then turn to the range of contested historiographical issues that have characterized the study of the crusades in recent years. There are no pre-requisites for the course, though completion of our introductory Western Civilization course (HY 101/105) would be helpful.
By the 1920s, the British Empire stretched over nearly a quarter of the Earth’s surface and governed nearly a quarter of its entire population. This course will examine the formation and dissolution of the British Empire from its earliest expansions into Ireland to the complicated process of decolonization that continues to this day. Topics covered will include world exploration, settlement formation, imperial warfare, consumption practices and luxury goods, imperial culture, slavery, migration and immigration, and the effect of empire on today’s world. From Ireland to Barbados, Virginia to India, Iraq to Canada, Australia to South Africa, students will explore the ways in which the British Empire shaped and was shaped by world history.
This class covers the basics of historiographical theory, unpacking all of the ways that scholars have attempted to understand the purpose of history, what drives it, and how to do it. Students will read and write on some of the greatest philosophers of history: from ancient cuneiform to Thucydides in Greece and Ibn Khaldun in the Middle East to the Enlightenment thinkers, Kant and Voltaire, to the 19th century iconoclasts, Marx and Mill, to the professionalization of the field with von Ranke and the modern challenges of Arendt, Debord, Barthes, Geertz, Foucault, Fanon, Said, and Crenshaw. 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 course introduces critical debates on culture and society in twentieth-century Korea (1900 to the present). The course will examine core issues in modern Korean society—colonization, the Korean War, economic development, gender dynamics, social movements, and the most recent phenomena of the so-called Korean Wave. By reading, watching, and discussing various materials including scholarly works, primary sources, film, and TV drama, this course provides students opportunities to trace salient features of cross-cultural and transnational aspects in Korean society. No Korean language skill is required. Fulfills History Major /Asian Studies Minor.
This course explores the place of law in Chinese society and culture during the late imperial period and the 20th century. Students will cover various topics, including the Chinese legal tradition, its modern transformations, judicial practices, government, popular legal knowledge, and the social effects of legal system. Students will read and discuss both primary and secondary sources to study conceptions of law and justice, as well as the operations of judicial system in Chinese history. Students will also develop a broader understanding of the historical development of Chinese society, culture, and government.
Survey of Chinese history in the Ch'ing Dynasty and the 20th century with emphasis on 19th- and 20th-century events.
This course covers a range of special topics in European history at the advanced undergraduate level. Normally taught as a relatively small course (enrollment of c. 25), it will emphasize close reading of primary sources, class discussion, and research and writing, including an series of extensive formal writing projects (usually a research paper of c. 10-15 pages). Topics will vary by instructor but will include major themes in medieval, early-modern, and modern European civilization. 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 course covers a range of special topics in American history at the advanced undergraduate level. Normally taught as a relatively small course (enrollment of c. 25), it will emphasize close reading of primary sources, class discussion, and research and writing, including an series of extensive formal writing projects (usually a research paper of c. 10-15 pages). Topics will vary by instructor but will include major themes in American history. 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 course covers a range of special topics in Latin American, Asian, Middle Eastern, and African history at the advanced undergraduate level. Normally taught as a relatively small course (enrollment of c. 25), it will emphasize close reading of primary sources, class discussion, and research and writing, including an series of extensive formal writing projects (usually a research paper of c. 10-15 pages). Topics will vary by instructor but will include major themes in the world civilizations. 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 development of revolutionary sentiment in the North American colonies, the resulting revolution, and the subsequent efforts to establish the new nation. 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.
Explores the development of slavery and the struggles for emancipation in the Americas 1400-1900. Focusing on how race, gender and region shaped experiences.
This class is an overview of how slavery has been rendered and interpreted in American popular culture from the antebellum era to the present day. Students will be discussing some of the realities of American slavery, but most of the course will focus on slavery as it has appeared in the work of memoirists, novelists, stage performers, artists, advertisers, filmmakers, journalists, and others; on how and why interpretations and images of slavery have changed over the course of American history; and on the significance of those changing interpretations and images for American society as a whole.
This course examines the moral frameworks that Americans have used to understand—and to change—their society. Focusing on the major movements for social change that have shaped American society, this course will investigate the way that Americans thought about issues such as slavery, animal cruelty, sex, family roles, labor, economics, war and citizenship, and civil rights. 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 course studies the historical gap between Americans’ behavior and their moral and spiritual aspirations for themselves. How did this gap shape how Americans understood—or challenged—their society? What did it mean to be a good or bad person? What counted as sin at particular points in time? Why did Americans care about some kinds of wrongdoing more than about others? 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.
American freedom took shape amid slavery. This course traces the interconnected histories of slavery, family life, politics, and American thought to help better understand the evolution of Americans’ ideas about freedom, independence, and authority. This course explores the role of concepts—and institutions—of freedom and slavery, dependence and independence, and autonomy and authority in shaping American thought, values, and institutions from the seventeenth to twentieth centuries. 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 course, sponsored by the Summersell Center for the Study of the South, is organized around discussing and researching the history of lynching and its public remembrance in the American South, with a particular focus on Alabama and its central and western counties. Building on the research into lynching recently pioneered by the Equal Justice Initiative based in Montgomery, Alabama, students will strive to understand how these events of racial violence emerged in the South and how men and women subsequently recalled them. In particular, students will explore what different southerners have chosen to remember and to forget. Throughout the course the role of class, gender, sexuality, and racial ideology in shaping collective memory will be emphasized. 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 course will examine Mexican history from the late-eighteenth century to present day through the lens of film. Students will move chronologically, for the most part, viewing one film per class period and completing readings that correspond to the film and/or the period/theme in question. We will address the film from two perspectives. First, students will examine the historical context of each film’s content and evaluate the film as an expression of that context. Students will also examine each film as a primary source and an expression of the time period in which it was produced.
American intellectual/cultural history to 1860. Includes changing ideas about society, politics, morality, science, nature, religion, gender and race. 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 course will engage students in the study of war and United States society and culture since 1861. For our purposes, that means focusing on the way wars are fought, understood, portrayed, and manifested on the domestic front, both during the years of conflict and in the years after they end. We’ll look at propaganda, censorship, public opinion, race and gender relations, civil liberties, literature, popular culture, memory, and divergent notions of patriotism, citizenship, and treason. Course grades depend on writing and participation.
Explores contact between Native Americans and Europeans in the early Americas through attention to gender, stressing the diversity of Native life ways. This course fulfills the A&S “W” or writing-intensive designation. 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 is a course for those who are wondering about their future financial security in retirement and how our retirement system came to be. It’s not your typical history class. Ever wondered what the difference is between an IRA and a 401k or a defined contribution plan and a defined benefit plan? And what the heck a Roth, an index fund, or an expense ratio is? In this course you will learn both the origins and evolution of our retirement system (such as Social Security, Medicare, and the 401k), the historical opposition to retirement programs, as well as an understanding and explanation of how to plan for and navigate your future within the system and options available today.
In this course, you will absorb readings, participate in discussions, and undertake hands-on work that will begin your engagement with the field of public history. By the end of the course, you will be familiar with major debates that engage public historians; the professional workplaces of public historians; new directions in the field; and the ways in which we accomplish our goal of working in partnership with stakeholders to make the past accessible to public 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 course provides a practical introduction to public history work via an internship. Public History internships offer an opportunity for students to apply knowledge gained through their academic training in history and public history to a meaningful, practical work experience under the mentorship of experienced and knowledgeable public history professionals.
The purposes of this course are twofold: to expose students to the theory, major conceptual themes, and methodologies that oral historians use to frame and implement their work, and to hone skills as an oral history practitioner. 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.
Foundations of the modern world in barbarian Europe: retreat into the countryside and private government, recovery of public institutions, money economy, and cultural vitality. This course carries a W designation. As such, writing proficiency is required for a passing grade. A student who does not write with the skill normally required of an upper-division course will not earn a passing grade, no matter how well the student performs in other areas of the course.
This course explores the intellectual and religious landscape of later medieval Europe (c. 1200-1500) through the interpretive lens of some of its leading intellectual figures—monks and nuns, university masters, mystics and heretics. At its heart are a series of contested questions and issues: the place and purpose of education in society; its Western European origins in monastic life and the university; its intersections with political and ecclesiastical power, society, morality, and culture; its women’s experiences, as both marginal and central, empowered and persecuted. Please note that writing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. A student who does not write with sufficient skill will not earn a passing grade, no matter how well the student performs in other areas of the course.
History of the separation of the Catholic and Protestant churches from the ideal of the universal Christian church and late medieval religious practice. 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 course examines the history of Enlightenment Europe from the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries. We study Locke, Rousseau, Kant, Adam Smith, and Voltaire— as well as Catherine the Great, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson. Topics covered will include popular resistance and protest; the influence of science and rationality; the role of women in the Enlightenment; absolutism and liberty; and the life of the mind. 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 course surveys women's lives in Europe from 1750 to the present. Themes explored include: identity construction, power relationships, domesticity, class, war, consumerism and sexuality.
What do Oscar Wilde, Jack the Ripper, and Alfred Dreyfus all have in common? All three dominated the European press and tabloid headlines between 1880 and 1914. Indeed, this period in history, referred to as the “fin de siècle,” or the “end of the century” was riddled with anxiety and characterized by malaise. Why were Europeans so anxious? What were they so concerned about? What role did the media play in creating and generating these fears? To answer these questions, this class examines European anxiety at the turn of the twentieth century through the lens of some of the century’s most salacious and divisive public scandals. Students will explore how the unraveling of the middle-class family threatened to tear apart the social fabric; how scandals of sex and sexuality fueled fears of depopulation, degeneracy, and national decline; and consider how political scandals divided the French nation in the years just before the WWI.
Though it is often believed to begin with Charles Darwin, Evolutionary Theory has a history dating back to the seventeenth century. In this course we will focus on this history from those early beginnings century through modern genetics and epigenetics. Along with Charles Darwin himself, we will explore the contributions of other well-known scientists, such as Lamarck, Charles Lyell, T. H. Huxley, Gregor Mendel, and T. H. Morgan. Additionally, we will familiarize ourselves with the ideas of less well known but important individuals whose theories are crucial for understanding the development of evolutionary theory and the shaping of Darwin’s legacy. Throughout the course, we will also examine their contributions in specific historical contexts, pausing to pay particular attention to social responses to the developing theory of Darwinism. Ultimately, we will leave with a fuller understanding of and a greater appreciation for what we now term “evolutionary theory.” 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. Written assignments will require coherent, logical, and carefully edited prose. Students will be required to demonstrate higher-level critical thinking skills.
This course covers Russia’s revolutionary history from Peter the Great to Stalin. We examine the Russian autocratic system that planted the seeds of revolution, the early thinkers who sought moderate solutions, and the turn to radicalism that lead to the Russian Revolution. We examine the role of the Enlightenment in shaping Russia’s future and the causes and consequences of the Russian Revolution in world history. 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.
Spanning 1953-1969, the Warren Court handed down numerous landmark decisions on crucial social and political issues such as civil rights, free speech, the rights of the accused, police powers, reproductive rights, professional sports monopolies, and the right to privacy. This course examines the legal history of the Warren Court and its decisions from Brown v. Board of Education (1954) through Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969). 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 course examines the legal history of slavery through the statutes and court cases that shaped its development in Europe’s American empires. Comparing and contrasting practices in British, Spanish, French, and Portuguese contexts, it will focus both on the ways that enslavement was imposed on people of Native American and African descent, and on the ways that enslaved individuals used legal systems to challenge their bonded status, and in the institution of slavery itself. 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 course examines important legal cases in 19th and 20th century France. Students will participate in a weekly 2.5 hour seminar where they will read and discuss assigned materials. Students will complete weekly writing assignments and present on a case of their choosing at the end of the semester. 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 Mexican Revolution of 1910 was the first great social revolution of the twentieth century and the last non-ideological revolution. Over one million died in the conflict (out of a population of about 15 million). This course will analyze and evaluate its origins, the definition of revolution, and how the revolution shaped Mexican politics, society, culture, and Mexico-US relations to the present day. Lectures, movies, and literature will provide students with multiple angles to understand and assess this defining event & enduring process in modern Mexican history.
The period from the 15th through the 18th centuries saw an unprecedented global expansion. Great empires—British, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Inca, Mughal, Ottoman, and Chinese—grew far beyond their original borders through sea voyages, land wars, and conquest. This global history course examines this Age of Exploration and Conquest, looking not only at the European settlements in the Americas, Africa, and Asia but also the changing dynamics of imperial life around the globe.
This course explores the features that defined the Spanish world during this period by focusing on the most significant urban spaces in the Spanish world and their citizens. We will learn about larger demographic, social, cultural, and environmental issues that affected, and sometimes defined, the Spanish empire as a whole. 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.
Chronological survey of diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations, with emphasis on the 20th century. 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 objective of this course are twofold. First, it will introduce students to the basic history of the rise and fall of Caribbean piracy in the early modern period, paying attention at the international context in which Caribbean piracy first appeared in the 16th century, its impact in European competition for land and resources in the Americas, and its ultimate decline in the 18th century, as European nations banded together against piracy and its threat over colonial possessions and intercolonial and transatlantic trade. Second, students will have to reflect both orally and written form on the ways in which American popular culture has taken elements from the world of early modern Caribbean piracy and reinterpreted it for the average 20th/21th century American consumer. In order to do that, students will interact with different media forms: films, boardgames, and video games.
This course provides a view of the politics, society, and culture of the Spanish empire from 1450 to 1700. It examines Spain’s rise and fall as a global power and its “Golden Age”, a time of high accomplishments by artists, writers, and playwrights. It traces the history of Iberian society in the western Mediterranean, the roots of the Spanish empire, its impact on Europe, and the Americas. 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 course will be dedicated to analyze the early processes of Spanish colonization in the Americas and their clash against Native American polities. We will focus mainly in the cases of Mexico and Peru, and the ways in which Spaniards and American indigenous societies confronted each other, the cultural assumptions they brought to these encounters, and how these assumptions affected the outcome. 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 course examines developments in European warfare and diplomatic practice in the late medieval and early modern periods. 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 course examines the complex interrelationships between religion and armed conflict in the Western tradition from the ancient world into modern times. 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 course explores the background, events, and consequences of the Thirty Years’ War that raged in the center of Europe from 1618 to 1648. We will examine not only the history of the war itself, but also the multiple controversies that continue to divide scholars over the causes, nature, and significance of the conflict. Readings will include both primary and secondary sources. This is also a Writing (W) designated course. This means that the ability to write coherent, logical, and carefully edited prose is one of the conditions for passing the 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.
Development of an early modern state: establishment of a strong central monarchy, religious crises from the Reformation to the Puritan movement, and exuberance and excess of an expanding society. 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.
How Englishmen of the 17th century worked out the great questions of their day: Was liberty compatible with strong government? Could English elites share power without destroying it? What did God want for England? 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.
Britain at her apogee: possessor of the empire on which the sun never set, world economic leader, nation of Peel and Palmerston, Gladstone and Disraeli, Dickens and Trollope, Tennyson and Browning, Turner and Constable. 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.
In 1815, the Pax Britannica that concluded the Napoleonic wars enabled the most prosperous and powerful century in the history of Britain. This class will examine the industrial revolution and colonial Britain, the life of Queen Victoria, the rise of class conflict, the Luddites, the Chartists, the New Model Unionists, and the agricultural laborers’ union, the new Labour party, and the move towards The Great War. 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 class develops advanced research techniques with students, with a particular focus placed on primary source research and longform writing. Students will pick topics of their choice and engage on a semester-long research project, using resources drawn from the library, its digital databases, and other primary source repositories. They will construct a summative project that displays this research through one of the typical media of the historical profession. Focus will be placed on written communication, and students must demonstrate writing proficiency in order to pass the class.
This course offers students extensive training in historical research methods and writing. It will normally culminate in a 15 page research paper based on primary source materials, as well as an oral presentation. Instructors may also choose to offer a range of equivalent alternatives at their discretion. In all events the course will offer students a rewarding opportunity to practice the craft of historical research. A grade of C or higher is required for credit in the major. 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.
Independent research and writing to produce a senior honors thesis in history.
History 499 is the writing portion of the History honors thesis course sequence. Students taking HY 499 will have completed HY 498, Honors Thesis I, in which they will have selected and researched a topic in conjunction with their advising professor. Individual requirements may vary, but all honors theses will be based on original primary source research, and typically are about fifty pages/fourteen thousand words in length. The thesis will demonstrate advanced writing and research ability for the undergraduate level. Per the University designation for Writing courses, 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. In order to complete the course, two professors other than the professor of record must read and approve the final thesis.
The McCollough Scholars cohort gathers to converse with speakers on various aspects of the medical profession.
The practice of medicine is as old as civilization. This course studies fundamental questions about the shifting conceptions of health and disease, and how that affects our conception of physicians, remedies, mental sickness, and societal responses to sickness. The course will address these questions from an interdisciplinary perspective drawing on key texts from a wide variety of perspectives. The course is divided into three sections: history & philosophy of medicine, medicine & society, and medicine & culture.
The practice of medicine is as old as civilization. This course deals primarily with study of human behavior in the context of medicine and the social and cultural aspects of medical practice. The course addresses large scale questions about the psychological and sociological factors that affect medical judgement, the complex interplay between culture, race, and medicine; and the multifaceted personal, interpersonal, and organizational questions relating to aging and death.
This course will reflect on the experience of Italians in America. The course’s aim will be to track back the experience of Italian immigration to the living conditions in the Italian peninsula of the nineteenth and twentieth century and to explore the journey and experience of the Italian immigrants in the United States. Students will consider the matter historically by comparing multiple waves of Italian immigration in their similarities and differences and, sociologically, by investigating the relation of Italians with other minorities, and the role played by race and socio-economics in it.
This course is the first semester of college-level study in Italian. Emphasis is placed on the development of oral proficiency and listening skills, reading comprehension, writing skills, analysis of grammatical structures, and an understanding of Italian culture and society.
This course is the first semester of college-level study in Italian. Emphasis is placed on the development of oral proficiency and listening skills, reading comprehension, writing skills, analysis of grammatical structures, and an understanding of Italian culture and society.
This course focuses on the development of Italian American literature through the reading and analysis of the works of some of the most influential Italian American writers of the twentieth century. Students will study Italian American literature in connection with theories and questions pertaining to cultural backgrounds as well as ethnic, gender and class struggle. We will analyze the different stages of Italian integration and / or assimilation in North America and how they are represented in the works of Pietro Di Donato, John Fante, Jerre Mangione, Kim Ragusa and Mari Tommasi. Watching movies inspired by or adapted from these authors’ works will allow us to reflect on the way in which a medium of mass communication such as cinema has altered and influenced the reception and perception of such works.
This course focuses on the Westerns produced in Italy during the 1960s and 1970s, and the ideological work that these films performed by examining the genre’s departure from the conventions and myths of the classic Hollywood Western. Students will hone their ability to deal with questions of values, ethics and aesthetics pertaining to this cinematic genre, seeking to understand what possible explanations may exist as to why it came into being at a time when the country was undergoing major cultural changes.
This course will focus on the films of Sergio Leone, one of the most influential directors in the history of cinema. The appeal of his films, which derives from the stylized, exaggerated, and often humorous renditions of a world portrayed as ruthless and vengeful, keeps inspiring filmmakers to this day. Students will examine Leone’s stylistic formalism, identifying the key organizing and aesthetic principles in his films, as well as their legacy beyond national borders.
Through the study of language (reading, writing, listening and speaking), in this course students will develop a new perspective on Italian culture, values, and civilization. Class discussions will center especially on the cultural, historical, and social fabric of Italy, and the values and ethics of language learning and cultural exchange. Students will also hone their ability to evaluate cultural products at an aesthetic level; alongside film clips, artistic masterpieces, musical compositions, and journalistic essays, among other forms, students will read and evaluate a work of contemporary prose fiction.
Through the study of language (reading, writing, listening and speaking), in this course students will develop a new perspective on Italian culture, values, and civilization. Class discussions will center especially on the cultural, historical, and social fabric of Italy, and the values and ethics of language learning and cultural exchange. Students will also hone their ability to evaluate cultural products at an aesthetic level; alongside film clips, artistic masterpieces, musical compositions, and journalistic essays, among other forms, students will read and evaluate a work of contemporary prose fiction, Gianni Rodari’s Favole al telefono.
What is ‘Italian style,’ and why does it attract us? Breathtakingly vast, the world of Italian fashion has a rich history, with roots reaching into antiquity, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance. This class offers a vibrant interdisciplinary journey through the history of Italian dress, style, and identity. With the help of artistic masterpieces, films, photography, advertising, magazines, and historical documents, we will explore concepts like luxury, fantasy, desire, control, masculinity and femininity, self-fashioning and self-expression, consumption, manufacturing, technology, and cultural competition. From the toga to the creations of Fashion Week, from the invention of the button to the emergence of digital medial platforms, we will also develop a vocabulary with which to talk about cultural production and its integration into societies. Placing dress in context, this class offers a nuanced and lively overview of Italian history and heritage. Italy, students shall discover, has always been remarkably good at fashioning itself on an international stage.
This course examines key events that marked Italian history from the Unification of Italy in 1861 up to the present day through their representation in Italian cinema. The focus will be on the impact of the historical, cultural, and social fabric of Italy through these events and how this is represented in film. While gaining an understanding of the basic changes in Italian history and society over the last 150 years, students will improve their ability to think critically and express their thoughts clearly through written work and in-class discussion. Students will view one film per week. The movies will have English subtitles. The course is taught in English.
This class explores more than a dozen “ingredients” that defined the innovations of the era, from art to exploration and from music to science. Spanning the literary, the artistic, the philosophical, the social, and the performative, they will assist students in mapping the historical and cultural transitions between the medieval and the modern.
This course provides a chronological overview of the history of Italian cinema from WW2 to the present. We will survey the major Italian film movements, including Neorealism, commedia all’italiana, and the Spaghetti Western, as well as the work of key filmmakers of the period. Through the analysis of cinematic tools and techniques, and the study of the historical and geo-political contexts of the films in the course, students will refine their skills in critical thinking and film analysis, while learning more about Italian culture and history. The course is in English and the films shown are in Italian with English subtitles. 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.
Rome is a city with a glorious but bloodied past. From the gladiator arenas of the ancient empire to the terrorism of the 1970s, from predictions of the city’s divine castigation to the futurists’ desire to symbolically blow the place up, the history of Rome across the centuries has been one peppered with violence of diverse forms, motivations, and consequences. In this class, students will approach the major periods and problems of Roman history (antiquity, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Roman Inquisition, the Napoleonic era, the Interbellum period, Nazi occupation, and the era of modern terrorism) through the lens of brutality as a historical, social, literary, and artistic phenomenon in Rome and the regions that fell under its control. Combining close readings of literary texts and the study of artistic, performative, and musical works and film, along with the consideration of select scholarly histories, students will explore the different shapes violence takes and why, from the legendary, spectacular, and aesthetic to the religious and apocalyptic, from war, authoritarianism, torture, and terrorism to satire and regeneration. Taught in English.
From its local origins in Sicily, the Mafia has become a global phenomenon and a widespread model of organized crime that threatens and corrupts the international economy, political systems, and social environments. Although its power and underworld activities affect legal business, control illegal traffic, and trample human rights, a romanticized and even heroic vision of the Mafia nevertheless persists in film, television, and literature. This class explores the history of the Mafia and efforts to combat it from the nineteenth century until today, setting the realities of organized crime against the representations of it found in American and Italian movies, novels, and media. We will not only challenge the stereotypes through which cultural productions envision the Mafiosi but also, and more importantly, we will explore how the Mafiosi envision the world. Taught in English.
Offered as a part of our “UA in Italy: Culture and Language” study abroad program, this class explores Italian culture from ancient times to the present through the lens of art, literature, music, history, and food. Students will spend a month in Florence, where they will take classes in sites like the Uffizi, Palazzo Pitti, the Galileo Museum, and the National Library. In addition to having access to material including manuscripts and paintings, students will read masterpieces of Italian literature and political theory such as Dante’s Divine Comedy and Machiavelli’s The Prince. The course includes a culinary class with a professional chef, short trips to Tuscan cities like Lucca, Siena, and Pisa, as well as a trip to Verona, the city of opera.
This course focuses on the development of conversational skills through group discussion, oral presentations, vocabulary building, and other related activities. It is taught at the Leonardo Da Vinci School in Florence, Italy. The Leonardo Da Vinci School is licensed by the Italian Ministry of Education and recognized by the Region of Tuscany as a Professional Training Center.
This is a combined writing theory and writing skills course focusing upon more advanced notions of Italian grammar and on the development of techniques for written expression. It is taught at the Leonardo Da Vinci School in Florence, Italy.
A combined writing theory and writing skills course focusing upon more advanced notions of Italian grammar and on the development of techniques for written expression. May be taken once in Italy (IT 354) and once on campus (IT 356).
Introduction to linguistic science and its use in describing language in general and the Romance languages in particular.
This course traces Italian literature and thought from its origins to early modernity (13th-17th centuries). Through a broad spectrum of genres (poetry, epic, short stories, letters, comedy, treatises, dialogue, librettos), it examines questions of love, sin, beauty, power, appearance, truth, deception, and civility. By analyzing major moments in intellectual history, from the composition of Dante’s Inferno to the birth of humanism to the scientific revolution, this class also considers the role and importance of the liberal arts and suggests that in these centuries literature, art, music, theater, philosophy, history, and science were interwoven disciplines proper to man’s understanding of self and society.
This course presents a critical survey of Italian literature and culture from the 18th century to contemporary times. Ranging from essayistic prose to lyrical poetry, opera, novel, and film, the primary sources selected aim to provide students with a comprehensive outlook on the developments of Italian identity during and after the process of national unification. This course places particular emphasis on the transnational dimension of Italian culture, its complex web of connections with other world cultures, and the ways in which foreign contact contributed to the shaping itself of a national consciousness. Over the course of the semester, students will read representative literary texts from crucial moments in Italian history, including the Enlightenment, Risorgimento, the rise and fall of fascism, post-World War II reconstruction, and the impact of globalization. Readings in English. Course taught in English.
This course provides an introduction to the theory and practice of translation from Italian into English and vice versa. Through work on different genres of texts—from journalism and essayistic non-fiction to poetry, prose fiction, technical texts, film, song, and TV shows—students will gain familiarity with the skill set and methodological demands of translation and will learn how to critically reflect on their work—and their peers’—by applying theoretical frameworks used in the field of Translation Studies. Issues pertaining to the concepts of (un)translatability, cultural difference, re-translation, adaptation, and inter-semiotic translation will be at the forefront of this course’s discussions. By focusing on the ways in which Italian and English articulate concepts, this course will put into practice the students’ linguistic competence and give them tools to transfer their knowledge into the professional sphere. Course taught in Italian.
This course is an outreach and community engagement course. It will function as a bridge between the Tuscaloosa community and the learners of Italian at The University of Alabama. Students will study the basics of Italian language pedagogy and will deepen their knowledge of Italian and Italian American culture and traditions in order to engage with the community of Tuscaloosa. The course is divided into three parts: a) learning the material and preparation for the field activities b) collaboration on site c) reflections and proposals for possible implementation.
The subject matter varies. Intensive study of one or more significant subjects, authors, periods, works, or genres not studied in depth in other courses. May be repeated for credit. Offered according to demand.
Five hours of instruction per week. Acquisition of elementary Japanese language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Japanese 102 is the successor of Japanese 101, and it is designed for beginning learners. Students will learn vocabulary and sentence structures for use in essential daily situations through various forms of communicative practice. While continuing to develop students’ communicative competence in Japanese, six cultural topics will be introduced and explored from each chapter of the textbook through short readings, lectures, and videos.
Japanese 201 is the successor of Japanese 102, and it is designed for intermediate learners. Students will learn vocabulary and sentence structures for use in essential daily situations through various forms of communicative practice. While continuing to develop students’ communicative competence in Japanese, five cultural topics will be introduced and explored from each chapter of the textbook through short readings about planning trip in Japan, Japanese and marriage and Japanese host family, lectures, and videos about Japanese famous sightseeing places. A continuation of JA 102.
A continuation of JA 202. The course is for students who have a comprehensive grammatical knowledge and are already able to communicate in Japanese. Students will work in this class to improve the accuracy and authenticity of socially correct communication of Japanese. The instructor conducts the class extensively in Japanese whenever possible, and English explanations of the expressions will be minimal. Students are required to communicate entirely in Japanese in class.
Introduction to Japanese literature from the earliest times through the Tokugawa/Edo period. No knowledge of Japanese is required.
Introduction to modern Japanese literature and movie from the Meiji period to the present. No knowledge of Japanese is required. Students will learn historical/technical aspects, and will develop critical thinking skills based on the reading of Japanese stories and viewing of Japanese films and understand the value of Japanese literature, artistic concept in cultural context.
Discussion and research of various topics related to Japanese language/culture. Topics may change each semester, such as KANJI, or traditional and modern Japanese culture including theatrical arts, music, and religious thoughts of Japan. With permission of the program director, this course may be applied toward the Japanese minor.
A continuation of JA 302 with emphasis on development of reading and writing skills. The course is for students who are already able to communicate (reading and writing of intermediate high level) in Japanese freely. The instructor conducts the class extensively in Japanese unless very unusual situation happens. Students are required to communicate ACTIVELY entirely in Japanese while in the classroom. Students are required to study new vocabulary, phrases, expression using dictionaries or other material BEFORE coming to class. Students will improve the accuracy, fluency, and authenticity of Japanese communication and reading/writing and obtain the ability of express deep feeling, and discuss cultural matter with socially correct communication skills to be ready to use in Japanese organizations.
The purpose of the course is for students who have an advanced level of proficiency in Japanese to obtain a higher level of Japanese reading and writing ability (equivalent to 日本語能力試験 1級). The instructor will conduct the class in Japanese except for the study of translation / interpretation. Students are required to read short novels, newspaper articles, journals, and stories for specified topics, and discuss in Japanese during the class meetings. Also students write papers in Japanese.
The purpose of the course is for students who have an advanced level of proficiency in Japanese to obtain a higher level of Japanese reading and writing ability (equivalent to 日本語能力試験 1級). The instructor will conduct the class in Japanese except for the study of translation / interpretation. Students are required to read short novels, newspaper articles, journals, and stories for specified topics, and discuss in Japanese during the class meetings. Also required is the writing of papers in Japanese.
Contemporary Korean: speaking, reading, and writing. Course involves directed-self-instructional approach in the Critical Languages Center. Students are required to study the textbook and practice with assigned audio visual materials (CDs, DVDs, or computer files). Students have practice sessions three hours per week with a “language trainer” who is a native/near native (or superior level) speaker of the language. Native speakers of this language cannot take this course. Any students with background knowledge of this language must see the CLC director for permission before registering. Not repeatable without permission of the CLC director. Offered each semester. The CLC classes are self-instructional and are best suited for highly motivated and disciplined students.
Contemporary Korean: speaking, reading, and writing. Course involves directed self-instructional approach in the Critical Languages Center. Students are required to study the textbook and practice with assigned audio visual materials (CDs, DVDs, or computer files). Students have practice sessions three hours per week with a “language trainer” who is a native/near native/superior-level speaker of the language. Not repeatable without permission of the CLC director. Offered each semester. This is a SUPERVISED-SELF-STUDY class. The language “trainer” will help students develop their communicative ability during class meetings. During the sessions students will actively participate in practicing spoken language to acquire better pronunciation and conversation skills. English use will be kept to a minimum in class. Language trainers will monitor active participation throughout the semester by use of the STUDENT PERFORMANCE SHEET reports which will be sent to the director of the CLC. Regular class attendance and participation is required. The CLC classes are self-instructional and are best suited for highly motivated and disciplined students.
Continuation of Korean language on the intermediate level. Emphasis is on the development of reading skills and writing proficiency. Offered according to demand. Not repeatable without permission of the CLC director. The CLC classes are self-instructional and are best suited for highly motivated and disciplined students.
Continuation of KOR 201. Emphasis is on the development of reading skills and writing proficiency. Offered according to demand. Not repeatable without permission of the CLC director. The CLC classes are self-instructional and are best suited for highly motivated and disciplined students.
This is the first in a two-course sequence that will introduce the student to the fundamentals of Latin syntax and grammar, Roman thought and culture, and offer significant reading and translating practice. This course presumes that the student has little to no experience with the Latin language. The goal is to learn Latin not just for its own sake but as a means to gain insight into how the Romans lived and thought. Additionally, students will examine the following throughout the course: the influence of the Latin language and Roman authors throughout literature into the Middle Ages and Renaissance, English derivatives of Latin vocabulary, foundational grammar in romance languages, and modern uses in literature, religion, philosophy, law, and science.
This is the second in a two-course sequence that will introduce the student to the fundamentals of Latin syntax and grammar, Roman thought and culture, and offer significant reading and translating practice. This course presumes that students will only have the experience gained in LA 101 with the Latin language. The goal is to learn Latin not just for its own sake but as a means to gain insight into how the Romans lived and thought. Additionally, students will examine the following throughout the course: the influence of the Latin language and Roman authors throughout literature into the Middle Ages and Renaissance, English derivatives of Latin vocabulary, foundational grammar in romance languages, and modern uses in literature, religion, philosophy, law, and science.
This course provides an introduction to reading Latin prose texts, with a focus on reviewing and applying the rules of Latin grammar that students learned in Latin 101-102/high school Latin to the reading of original, unadapted Latin texts. Understanding of grammar and syntax will be emphasized throughout. Readings for this semester will focus on the Carthaginian general Hannibal, Rome’s greatest enemy, who invaded Italy during the Second Punic War (218-201 BC). Students will read from Eutropius, who in the 4th century AD discussed Hannibal in his Breviarium (“Abridgement” of Roman History); and a biography of Hannibal by Cornelius Nepos, written in the 1st century BC. This will allow students to compare and contrast depictions of Hannibal over a range of centuries and discuss how he is understood by different authors.
Selected readings from Latin literature. Offered in the spring semester.
Readings in Latin literature to the time of Julius Caesar. Offered in the fall semester.
Selected readings in later Roman literature. Offered in the spring semester.
An interdisciplinary introduction to the field of Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies and the capstone seminar to the LACLS minor. Students will develop significant research projects on varied topics. 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.
Brief review of arithmetic operations and basic algebraic concepts: factoring, operations with polynomials and rational expressions, linear equations and word problems, graphing linear equations, simplification of expressions involving radicals or negative exponents, and elementary work with quadratic equations. Grades are reported as pass/fail.
Prerequisites: Placement and two units of college-preparatory mathematics; if a student has previously been placed in MATH 005, a passing grade in MATH 005 is required. Intermediate-level course including work on functions, graphs, linear equations and inequalities, quadratic equations, systems of equations, and operations with exponents and radicals. The solution of word problems is stressed. NOT APPLICABLE to UA Core Curriculum mathematics requirement. Grades are reported as A, B, C or NC (No Credit).
This course is intended to give an overview of topics in finite mathematics with applications. This course covers mathematics of finance, logic, set theory, elementary probability and statistics. This course does not provide sufficient background for students who will need to take Precalculus Algebra or Calculus. Prerequisites: Placement and two units of college-preparatory mathematics; if a student has previously been placed in MATH 005, a passing grade in MATH 005 is required.
A higher-level course emphasizing functions including polynomial functions, rational functions, and the exponential and logarithmic functions. Graphs of these functions are stressed. The course also includes work on equations, inequalities, systems of equations, the binomial theorem, and the complex and rational roots of polynomials. Applications are stressed. Grades are reported as A, B, C or NC (No Credit). Degree credit will not be granted for both MATH 115 and (MATH 112 or MATH 113).
Continuation of MATH 112. The course includes study of trigonometric functions, inverse trigonometric functions, trigonometric identities and trigonometric equations. Complex numbers, De Moivre's Theorem, polar coordinates, vectors and other topics in algebra are also addressed, including conic sections, sequences and series. Grades are reported as A, B, C or NC (No Credit). Degree credit will not be granted for both MATH 115 and (MATH 112 or MATH 113).
Properties and graphs of exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions are emphasized. Also includes trigonometric identities, polynomial and rational functions, inequalities, systems of equations, vectors, and polar coordinates. Grades are reported as A, B, C, or NC (No credit). Degree credit will not be granted for both MATH 115 and (MATH 112 or MATH 113).
A brief overview of calculus primarily for students in the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration. This course does not provide sufficient background for students who will need higher levels of Calculus. Note: This course does not satisfy the requirement for MATH 125 or 126. Degree credit will not be granted for both MATH 121 and MATH 125 or MATH 145.
This is the first of three courses in the basic calculus sequence. Topics include the limit of a function; the derivative of algebraic, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions; and the definite integral. Applications of the derivative are covered in detail, including approximations of error using differentials, maxima and minima problems, and curve sketching using calculus. There is also a brief review of selected precalculus topics at the beginning of the course. Degree credit will not be granted for both MATH 121 and MATH 125 or MATH 145.
This is the second of three courses in the basic calculus sequence. Topics include vectors and the geometry of space, applications of integration, integration techniques, L'Hopital's Rule, improper integrals, parametric equations, polar coordinates, conic sections and infinite series.
This course covers the same material as MATH 125 but in a depth appropriate for honors students. It is the first course in the three part honors calculus sequence for students majoring in mathematics, science or engineering. Topics include limits, continuity, differentiation, applications of differentiation, and integration. Applications of the derivative are covered in detail, including approximation of errors using differentials, maxima and minima problems, curve sketching, optimization problems, and Newton’s method. Topics on integration include Riemann sums, properties of definite integrals, integration by substitution and integrals involving logarithmic exponential and trigonometric functions.
This course covers the same material as MATH 126 but in a depth appropriate for honors students. It is the second course in the three part honors calculus sequence for students majoring in mathematics, science or engineering. Topics include vectors and the geometry of space, L'Hospital's Rule, applications of integration, integration techniques, improper integrals, infinite series, conic sections, plane curves, parametric equations, and polar coordinates.
This course is the first of a three-course sequence designed to develop deeper understanding of elementary school mathematics content needed for teaching. The course topics include whole numbers and integers, fractions, ratio, percent, decimals and arithmetic operations within these systems. The goal of the course is to develop conceptual understanding (instead of just procedural understanding) of the number systems and operations by focusing on basic concepts and principles, exploring multiple representations and strategies, and illuminating connections among concepts and procedures. The content knowledge needed for teaching will be reinforced by engaging in inquiry-based activities, analyzing children’s ways of thinking, focusing on explanation and communication of underlying mathematical principles when solving problems, and using appropriate manipulative and technology.
Properties of two- and three-dimensional shapes, rigid motion transformations, similarity, spatial reasoning, and the process and techniques of measurement. Class activities initiate investigations of underlying mathematical structure in the exploration of shape and space. Emphasis is on the explanation of the mathematical thought process. Technology specifically designed to facilitate geometric explorations is integrated throughout the course.
Data analysis, statistics, and probability, including collecting, displaying/representing, exploring, and interpreting data, probability models, and applications. Focus is on statistics for problem-solving and decision making, rather than calculation. Class activities deepen the understanding of fundamental issues in learning to work with data. Technology specifically designed for data-driven investigations and statistical analysis related to elementary school teaching is integrated throughout the course.
This is the third of three courses in the basic calculus sequence. Topics include: vector functions and motion in space; functions of two or more variables and their partial derivatives; and applications of partial derivatives (including Lagrange multipliers), quadric surfaces, multiple integration (including Jacobian), line integrals, Green's Theorem, vector analysis, surface integrals and Stokes' Theorem.
Fundamentals of linear algebra and matrix theory are covered. Topics include vectors in Euclidean spaces, solving systems of linear equations, matrix algebra, inverses, determinants, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors. Also vector spaces and the basic notions of span, subspace, linear independence, basis, dimension, linear transformation, kernel and range are considered. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Introduction to analytic and numerical methods for solving differential equations. Topics include numerical methods and qualitative behavior of first order equations, analytic techniques for separable and linear equations, applications to population models and motion problems; techniques for solving higher order linear differential equations with constant coefficients (including undetermined coefficients, reduction of order, and variation of parameters), applications to physical models; the Laplace transform (including intial value problems with discontinuous forcing functions). Use of mathematics software is an integral part of the course. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
This course covers the same material as MATH 227 but in a depth appropriate for honors students. It is the third course in the three part honors calculus sequence for students majoring in mathematics, science or engineering. Topics include analytic geometry in space, vector-valued functions and motion in space, functions of two or more variables and their partial derivatives, applications of partial differentiation (including Lagrangian multipliers), quadric and cylindrical surfaces, and multiple integration (including Jacobian) and applications, line integrals, Green's Theorem, curl and divergence, surface integrals, and Stokes’ Theorem.
An introduction to mathematical logic and proof within the context of discrete structures. Topics include basic mathematical logic, elementary number theory, basic set theory, functions, and relations. 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.
An introduction to using computer algorithms to solve mathematical problems, such as data analysis, visualization, numerical approximation and simulation. Basic programming concepts, such as variables, statements, loops, branches, functions, data structures, and debugging will be introduced in Python. A brief introduction to MATLAB tools for handling vectors, matrices, and vectorizing codes for performance, will be discussed as well in the later portion of the course. Some advanced mathematical and computational topics may be offered at the discretion of instructor.
Continuation of Appl Diff Equations I (MATH 238) and is designed to equip students with further methods of solving differential equations. Topics include initial value problems with variable coefficients, methods of infinite series, two-point boundary value problems, wave and heat equations, Fourier series, Sturm-Liouville theory, phase plane analysis, and Liapunov's second method.
The foundations of the theory of probability, laws governing random phenomena and their practical applications in other fields. Topics include: probability spaces; properties of probability set functions; conditional probability; and an introduction to combinatorics, discrete random variables, expectation of discrete random variables, Chebyshev's Inequality, continuous variables and their distribution functions, and special densities.
An introduction to the mathematical foundations of data science and machine learning. The fundamental roles of linear algebra and probability theory in data science will be explored. Heuristics for a variety of learning tasks, such as methods for clustering, classification, regression, or deep learning will be discussed in tandem with mathematical justifications for their use and effectiveness, as well as exercises illustrating their practical use in data analysis. Theoretical models for the feasibility of machine learning and for different types of learning problems will be introduced.
Topics include inner product spaces, norms, self adjoint and normal operators, orthogonal and unitary operators, orthogonal projections and the spectral theorem, bilinear and quadratic forms, generalized eigenvectors, and Jordan canonical form.
Explore the interconnections between the algebraic, analytic, and geometric 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.
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.
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 systems, analysis of errors in numerical methods for solving linear systems, least-squares problems, orthogonal and unitary transformations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and singular value decomposition.
Credit will not be granted for both MATH 411 and MATH 300. An introduction to numerical methods. Topics include numerical methods for solving nonlinear equations; iterative methods for solving systems of equations; approximations and interpolations; numerical differentiation and integration; and numerical methods for solving initial value problems for ordinary differential equations.
This course is an introduction to theory of linear programming (focused on development of theory and algorithms with only a limited coverage of examples and applications), a basic component of optimization theory. 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.
Methods of solving the classical second-order linear partial differential equations: Laplace's equation, the heat equation, and the wave equation, together with appropriate boundary or initial conditions. Usually offered in the fall semester.
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.
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.
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.
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. Usually offered in the spring semester.
Basic notions in topology that can be used in other disciplines in mathematics. Topics include topological spaces, open sets, basis for a topology, continuous functions, seperation axioms, compactness, connectedness, product spaces, quotient spaces.
Homotopy, fundamental groups, covering spaces, covering maps, and basic homology theory, including the Eilenberg Steenrod axioms.
An introduction to ring theory. Topics include rings, polynomial rings, matrix rings, modules, fields and semi-simple rings. Usually offered in the fall semester.
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 486. 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.
A project-based course that integrates the skills and abilities developed throughout the curriculum for the Data Science major. The course will require the analysis of a real world data set, a plan for conducting that analysis, a report on the analysis, and an oral presentation of the results and reasoning behind them.
Offered as needed.
Independent or collaborative research experience in mathematics.
Introduction to Modern Greek language & culture.
Contemporary modern Greek speaking, reading and writing.
Continuation of modern Greek on the intermediate level. Emphasis is on the development of reading skills and writing proficiency. Not repeatable without permission of the CLC director. Offered according to demand.
Continuation of MDGR 201. Emphasis is on the development of reading skills and writing proficiency. Not repeatable without permission of the CLC director. Offered according to demand.
This course is designed to engage with a panoramic view of the culture and the sociopolitical developments in the territory known as Catalonia. It emphasizes the complex natures of different communities and heritages. This course presents critical approaches about a variety of aspects that conform the richness of European culture, and seeks to explore them through activities that develop students’ critical and analytical thinking skills.
The "Africanity and Pan-Africanism" course offers thoroughly an exploration of African identity, culture, and the Pan-Africanist movement. It examines the historical, social, political, and intellectual dimensions of Africanity and Pan-Africanism, with a focus on their impact on the African continent and its diaspora. The course aims to foster critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the complexities and significance of African identity and the Pan-Africanist ideology. Along the way, students will delve into various aspects of Africanity and Pan-Africanism, including historical antecedents, key figures and movements, cultural expressions, and contemporary debates. They will analyze the origins, evolution, and different interpretations of Africanity, as well as the development and significance of Pan-Africanism as a political, intellectual, and cultural force.
This course is a study of selected topics and resources in Economic Development which provides an in-depth examination of the economic challenges, opportunities, and strategies related to the development of African countries. The course explores the complex factors that have shaped the economic landscape of the African continent, including historical, political, social, and environmental dimensions. Throughout the course, students will study the diverse economies of African countries, analyzing key economic indicators, development theories, and policy frameworks. They will explore the major sectors driving economic growth, such as agriculture, industry, and services, and examine the role of natural resources and international trade in Africa's economic development.
This course provides an overview of the rich and diverse religious traditions across the African continent. Through an interdisciplinary approach, students will explore the historical, cultural, and social contexts that shape these traditions. Key themes include cosmology, mythology, rituals, and the interaction between African traditional religions and external influences.
Topics may be in literature, linguistics, culture, or a combination. Topics may pertain solely to one or more language or to an array of languages. May be repeated for credit.
This course will cover the genesis the genre of dystopian fiction and how it spread across various cultures. The students will begin with two famous examples of the utopian genre, then proceed to its antithesis. Authors covered include More, Campanella, Jerome, Zamyatin, Čapek, Mayakovsky, Huxley, Orwell, Rand, and Bradbury. All materials produced in a non-Anglophone culture are read in English translation.
Credit earned in this course may not be applied to the requirements of the biological sciences major or minor. Field sampling techniques, laboratory analysis of sediments, topography, sediments, and history of the world oceans.
Survey of the invertebrates, vertebrates, and marine plants as communities, with emphasis on local examples.
Comparative study of the major marine invertebrate phyla, protozoa through protochordates. The focus is on their morphology, physiology, ecology, and phylogenetic relationships.
Bioenergetics, community structure, population dynamics, predation, competition, and specialization in marine ecosystems.
Review of ecological features, physical management policies for coastal communities, and a description of relevant federal and state programs.
A general introduction to the oceans, with emphasis on chemical, physical, and geological processes and their relation to biological systems.
Systematics, zoogeography, and ecology of marine vertebrates.
Reproduction, taxonomy, systematics, distribution, and ecology of the major marine plant groups.
A marine science topic not covered in other courses. The credit hours and format are determined as appropriate to the topic. Offered according to demand and instructor availability.
Music Convocation.
No description available.
The Tuscaloosa-UA Community Chorus is an auditioned choral ensemble that unites members of the University of Alabama School of Music and the greater Tuscaloosa community. This SATB choral ensemble celebrates and embraces the diversity of humanity through music in the form of solo choral performances and collaborative choral-orchestral performances. Members of this ensemble will engage with a wide variety of choral repertoire styles, composers, and historical eras representative of the diverse world in which our community exists.
Using principles of constructivist learning, students will collaborate in small groups to create original music, arrangements of existing music, and performances in desired and blended music genres. Collaborations will also involve preparing, promoting, and producing music in live and videographic formats. All instruments, voice types, digital audio workstations (DAWs), and genre preferences are welcome.
Applied performance ensemble for trumpet students at the undergraduate level.
Studio ensemble is a lab ensemble. The group will rehearse and perform in the Bryant Jordan Recording Studio. The format will be a recording session. Each rehearsal will have a new piece that the students must learn and record within the constraints of a standard time-sensitive recording session, a la film score, jingle, CD backing musician, etc.
This is the first course in a four-semester sequence of courses (MUA 121, 122, 123, 124) designed to develop the keyboard skills which are essential for all musicians. Most degree programs offered by the School of Music require competency in keyboard skills. The topics covered in Class Piano are designed to equip one to use the piano as a resource in all manners of music-life. Topics can include (but are not limited to) the following: sight-reading, learning repertoire, scales and arpeggios, transposition, harmonization, composition, improvisation, fundamentals of various styles (classical, jazz, blues, mainstream), advanced chord use, song creation, chord chart and lead sheet reading, accompaniment, playing by ear, open-score reading, etc. Class Piano is designed for music majors. Non-music majors with prior music knowledge and experience may enroll in the course with instructor permission as seats are available.
This is the second course in a four-semester sequence of courses (MUA 121, 122, 123, 124) designed to develop the keyboard skills which are essential for all musicians. Most degree programs offered by the School of Music require competency in keyboard skills. The topics covered in Class Piano are designed to equip one to use the piano as a resource in all manners of music-life. Topics can include (but are not limited to) the following: sight-reading, learning repertoire, scales and arpeggios, transposition, harmonization, composition, improvisation, fundamentals of various styles (classical, jazz, blues, mainstream), advanced chord use, song creation, chord chart and lead sheet reading, accompaniment, playing by ear, open-score reading, etc. Class Piano is designed for music majors. Non-music majors with prior music knowledge and experience may enroll in the course with instructor permission as seats are available.
This is the third course in a four-semester sequence of courses (MUA 121, 122, 123, 124) designed to develop the keyboard skills which are essential for all musicians. Most degree programs offered by the School of Music require competency in keyboard skills. The topics covered in Class Piano are designed to equip one to use the piano as a resource in all manners of music-life. Topics can include (but are not limited to) the following: sight-reading, learning repertoire, scales and arpeggios, transposition, harmonization, composition, improvisation, fundamentals of various styles (classical, jazz, blues, mainstream), advanced chord use, song creation, chord chart and lead sheet reading, accompaniment, playing by ear, open-score reading, etc. Class Piano is designed for music majors. Non-music majors with prior music knowledge and experience may enroll in the course with instructor permission as seats are available.
This is the fourth course in a four-semester sequence of courses (MUA 121, 122, 123, 124) designed to develop the keyboard skills which are essential for all musicians. Most degree programs offered by the School of Music require competency in keyboard skills. The topics covered in Class Piano are designed to equip one to use the piano as a resource in all manners of music-life. Topics can include (but are not limited to) the following: sight-reading, learning repertoire, scales and arpeggios, transposition, harmonization, composition, improvisation, fundamentals of various styles (classical, jazz, blues, mainstream), advanced chord use, song creation, chord chart and lead sheet reading, accompaniment, playing by ear, open-score reading, etc. Class Piano is designed for music majors. Non-music majors with prior music knowledge and experience may enroll in the course with instructor permission as seats are available.
Applied ensemble for horn students at the undergraduate level.
Applied ensemble for tuba and euphonium students at the undergraduate level.
No description available.
No description available.
No description available.
No description available.
No description available.
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No description available.
Double bass study for non-majors.
No description available.
No description available.
No description available.
No description available.
No description available.
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Applied Ensemble at the undergraduate level.
Applied ensemble for brass musicians. Permission of instructor is required.
Applied Ensemble at the undergraduate level.
Applied Ensemble at the undergraduate level.
Applied Ensemble at the undergraduate level.
Applied ensemble for trombone students at the freshmen level.
Applied Ensemble at the undergraduate level.
Applied ensemble at the undergraduate level.
Applied Ensemble at the undergraduate level.
Applied Ensemble at the undergraduate level.
Applied Ensemble at the undergraduate level.
Applied Ensemble at the undergraduate level.
Applied Ensemble at the undergraduate level.
Applied Ensemble at the undergraduate 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 undergraduate level.
Applied Ensemble at the undergraduate level.
Applied Ensemble at the undergraduate level.
Applied Ensemble at the undergraduate level.
Applied Ensemble at the undergraduate level.
No description available.
No description available.
No description available.
Applied jazz bass lessons for music majors only.
Voice study at the freshman and sophomore levels for music majors.
No description available.
No description available.
No description available.
Double bass study at the undergraduate level for music majors.
No description available.
No description available.
No description available.
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This course is an extension of Marching Band activities in the Fall semesters for the Spring semesters.
Applied Ensemble at the undergraduate level.
No description available.
The Tuscaloosa-UA Community Chorus is an auditioned choral ensemble that unites members of the University of Alabama School of Music and the greater Tuscaloosa community. This SATB choral ensemble celebrates and embraces the diversity of humanity through music in the form of solo choral performances and collaborative choral-orchestral performances. Members of this ensemble will engage with a wide variety of choral repertoire styles, composers, and historical eras representative of the diverse world in which our community exists.
Using principles of constructivist learning, students will collaborate in small groups to create original music, arrangements of existing music, and performances in desired and blended music genres. Collaborations will also involve preparing, promoting, and producing music in live and videographic formats. All instruments, voice types, digital audio workstations (DAWs), and genre preferences are welcome.
Applied performance ensemble for trumpet students at the undergraduate level.
Studio ensemble is a lab ensemble. The group will rehearse and perform in the Bryant Jordan Recording Studio. The format will be a recording session. Each rehearsal will have a new piece that the students must learn and record within the constraints of a standard time-sensitive recording session, a la film score, jingle, CD backing musician, etc.
Basics guitar techniques, especially accompanying self and ensembles with a variety of strumming and picking patterns relevant to music therapy clinical practice.
Applied ensemble for horn students at the undergraduate level.
Applied ensemble for tuba and euphonium students at the undergraduate level.
Applied guitar lessons as a secondary instrument for music majors only.
Applied jazz bass lessons as a secondary instrument for music majors only.
Applied lessons for music students majoring in another discipline.
Applied lessons for music students majoring in another discipline.
Applied lessons for music students majoring in another discipline.
Applied lessons for music students majoring in another discipline.
Applied Lessons for music majors of another discipline.
Applied Lessons for music majors of another discipline.
Applied Lessons for music majors of another discipline.
Applied Lessons for music majors of another discipline.
Applied Lessons for music majors of another discipline.
Applied Lessons for music majors of another discipline.
Applied Lessons for music majors of another discipline.
Applied Lessons for music majors of another discipline.
Applied Lessons for music majors of another discipline.
Applied Lessons for music majors of another discipline.
Applied Lessons for music majors of another discipline.
Applied Lessons for music majors of another discipline.
Applied Lessons for music majors of another discipline.
Applied Lessons for music majors of another discipline.
Applied Lessons for music majors of another discipline.
Sophomore level ensemble.
Applied ensemble for brass musicians. Permission of instructor is required.
Sophomore level ensemble.
Sophomore level ensemble.
Sophomore level ensemble.
Applied ensemble for trombone students at the sophomore level.
Sophomore level ensemble.
Applied Ensemble at the undergraduate level.
Applied ensemble focusing on music of the 20 and 21st centuries.
Sophomore level ensemble.
Sophomore level ensemble.
Sophomore level ensemble.
Sophomore level ensemble.
Sophomore level ensemble.
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 undergraduate level.
Applied ensemble at the sophomore level for keyboard majors.
Sophomore level ensemble.
Applied Ensemble at the undergraduate level.
Sophomore level small ensemble.
Applied lessons for music majors at the sophomore level.
Applied lessons for music majors at the sophomore level.
Applied lessons for music majors at the sophomore level.
Applied lessons for music majors at the sophomore level.
Applied lessons for music majors at the sophomore level.
Applied lessons for music majors at the sophomore level.
Applied lessons for music majors at the sophomore level.
Applied lessons for music majors at the sophomore level.
Double bass study at the undergraduate level for music majors.
Applied lessons for music majors at the sophomore level.
Applied lessons for music majors at the sophomore level.
Applied lessons for music majors at the sophomore level.
Applied lessons for music majors at the sophomore level.
Applied lessons for music majors at the sophomore level.
Applied lessons for music majors at the sophomore level.
Applied lessons for music majors at the sophomore level.
Applied lessons for music majors at the sophomore level.
Applied lessons for music majors at the sophomore level.
Applied lessons for music majors at the sophomore level.
Applied lessons for music majors at the sophomore level.
Applied study at the sophomore level for music majors.
Applied Ensemble at the undergraduate level.
No description available.
The Tuscaloosa-UA Community Chorus is an auditioned choral ensemble that unites members of the University of Alabama School of Music and the greater Tuscaloosa community. This SATB choral ensemble celebrates and embraces the diversity of humanity through music in the form of solo choral performances and collaborative choral-orchestral performances. Members of this ensemble will engage with a wide variety of choral repertoire styles, composers, and historical eras representative of the diverse world in which our community exists.
Using principles of constructivist learning, students will collaborate in small groups to create original music, arrangements of existing music, and performances in desired and blended music genres. Collaborations will also involve preparing, promoting, and producing music in live and videographic formats. All instruments, voice types, digital audio workstations (DAWs), and genre preferences are welcome.
Applied performance ensemble for trumpet students at the undergraduate level.
Studio ensemble is a lab ensemble. The group will rehearse and perform in the Bryant Jordan Recording Studio. The format will be a recording session. Each rehearsal will have a new piece that the students must learn and record within the constraints of a standard time-sensitive recording session, a la film score, jingle, CD backing musician, etc.
Applied ensemble for horn students at the undergraduate level.
Applied ensemble for tuba and euphonium students at the undergraduate level.
Applied ensemble at the junior level.
Applied ensemble for brass musicians. Permission of instructor is required.
Applied Ensemble at the junior level.
Marching Band at the junior level.
Applied Ensemble at the junior level.
Applied ensemble for trombone students at the junior level.
Applied Ensemble at the junior level.
Applied ensemble at the undergraduate level.
Applied Ensemble at the junior level.
Applied ensemble at the junior level.
Applied ensemble at the junior level.
Applied ensemble at the junior level.
Applied Ensemble at the junior level.
Applied Ensemble at the junior 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 undergraduate level.
Applied ensemble at the junior level.
Applied Ensemble at the undergraduate level.
Applied ensemble in a small chamber group.
Advanced study of performance techniques and literature directly related to the harp.
Advanced study of performance techniques and literature directly related to the piano.
Advanced study of performance techniques and literature directly related to the organ.
Advanced study of performance techniques and literature directly related to Jazz Bass.
Advanced study of performance techniques and literature directly related to the voice.
Advanced study of performance techniques and literature directly related to the violin.
Advanced study of performance techniques and literature directly related to the viola.
Advanced study of performance techniques and literature directly related to the cello.
Advanced study of performance techniques and literature directly related to the double bass.
Advanced study of performance techniques and literature directly related to the flute.
Advanced study of performance techniques and literature directly related to the oboe.
Advanced study of performance techniques and literature directly related to the bassoon.
Advanced study of performance techniques and literature directly related to the clarinet.
Advanced study of performance techniques and literature directly related to the saxophone.
Advanced study of performance techniques and literature directly related to the trumpet.
Advanced study of performance techniques and literature directly related to the French horn.
Advanced study of performance techniques and literature directly related to the trombone.
Advanced study of performance techniques and literature directly related to the euphonium.
Advanced study of performance techniques and literature directly related to the tuba.
Advanced study of performance techniques and literature directly related to percussion.
Advanced study of performance techniques and literature directly related to the piano.
This course serves as an extension of Marching Band Activities from the fall semester, into the Spring semester for upper class men.
Applied Ensemble at the undergraduate level.
No description available.
The Tuscaloosa-UA Community Chorus is an auditioned choral ensemble that unites members of the University of Alabama School of Music and the greater Tuscaloosa community. This SATB choral ensemble celebrates and embraces the diversity of humanity through music in the form of solo choral performances and collaborative choral-orchestral performances. Members of this ensemble will engage with a wide variety of choral repertoire styles, composers, and historical eras representative of the diverse world in which our community exists.
Using principles of constructivist learning, students will collaborate in small groups to create original music, arrangements of existing music, and performances in desired and blended music genres. Collaborations will also involve preparing, promoting, and producing music in live and videographic formats. All instruments, voice types, digital audio workstations (DAWs), and genre preferences are welcome.
Applied performance ensemble for trumpet students at the undergraduate level.
Studio ensemble is a lab ensemble. The group will rehearse and perform in the Bryant Jordan Recording Studio. The format will be a recording session. Each rehearsal will have a new piece that the students must learn and record within the constraints of a standard time-sensitive recording session, a la film score, jingle, CD backing musician, etc.
Applied ensemble for horn students at the undergraduate level.
Applied ensemble for tuba and euphonium students at the undergraduate level.
Senior level ensemble.
Applied ensemble for brass musicians. Permission of instructor is required.
Senior level ensemble.
Senior level ensemble.
Senior level ensemble.
Applied ensemble for trombone students at the Senior level.
Senior level ensemble.
Applied ensemble at the undergraduate level.
Applied ensemble at the senior level focusing on music of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Senior level ensemble.
Senior level ensemble.
Senior level ensemble.
Senior level ensemble.
Senior level ensemble.
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 undergraduate level.
Senior level ensemble.
Applied Ensemble at the undergraduate level.
Senior level small ensemble.
Senior level applied double bass study for music majors.
Senior level applied french horn study for music majors.
Applied Ensemble at the undergraduate level.
No description available.
A foundational course in music focused on the rudiments of music and tonal theory. Topics include clefs, pitches, rhythm, meter, scales, keys, intervals, and triads. The class is open to non-majors if space permits.
Study of the fundamental elements of music theory, including rhythm, melody, consonance, dissonance, and functional harmony. We explore these through counterpoint exercises in two, three, and four voices. The prerequisite for this course is MUS 100. A placement exam is available. Contact the department for details.
Study of the diatonic principles of the common-practice era, including voice leading in triads and seventh chords, basic harmonic syntax, and contrapuntal embellishment. We explore these through four-part writing, analysis, harmonic dictation, keyboard exercises, and sight singing.
This course surveys the history of Western music. Musical styles and genres from the 1600s through present-day will be covered. This course will not only examine the music of the baroque, classical, and romantic periods, but will also delve into the musical worlds of musical theater, film, jazz, the mainstream, as well as other innovative ideas of the 20th and 21st centuries. In addition, this course will focus on teaching students to become active listeners rather than passive hearers in order to discover the beauty, intricacy, and greatness of music from all styles and eras. Students will have the opportunity to apply learned listening concepts by attending live concert events during the semester. No musical experience or training is necessary for this course.
This course will explore one of the fundamental modes of aesthetic expression, music. Presupposing no formal training on the part of the students, we will explore aural skills and tools for recognition through study of music fundamentals and masterworks of Euro-American art music from the Baroque era (1600s) to the present. At the same time, students will be given an overview of the development of Western art music, and critically think how that development relates to larger issues of culture and society. This course is a combination of both online work for which the students are responsible outside of class time, as well as in-class work during the class meeting times each week. Please pay close attention to the online course deadlines as we move through the semester.
Musical components of songs will be analyzed and compared with songwriting literature; students will sing and perform songs and song concepts on musical instruments.
Songs containing melody, harmony, lyrics, and a title will be composed.
Independent laboratory instruction in oboe reedmaking. Up to four semesters of MUS 161 may be counted toward the degree.
Study of the chromatic principles of the common-practice era, including tonicization and modulation, sequences, advanced figuration, and mixture. We explore these through four-part writing, analysis, harmonic dictation, keyboard exercises, and sight singing.
Study of advanced chromatic principles of the common-practice era, including chromaticized sequences, advanced mixture, chromatic modulation, and equal division of the octave. We explore these through four-part writing, analysis, harmonic dictation, composition exercises, and sight singing.
Basic techniques of musical composition.
Introduction to theoretic principles of jazz and application on the piano, including definition and applications of chords and scales, progressions, chord substitution principles. Offered in the fall semesters of even-numbered years.
Continuation of MUS 228. Focus on modes, synthetic scales, altered extensions, and other extended techniques of the jazz idiom. Offered in the spring semesters of odd-numbered years.
Theoretical and applied study of the tonal and rhythmic elements used in developing improvisational skills in jazz, rock, and pop media. Offered in the fall semesters of odd-numbered years.
Continuation of MUS 230. Designed to develop advanced improvisational skills in the jazz idiom. Offered in the spring semesters of even-numbered years.
Study of teaching principles, methods, and materials; includes microteaching and observation. Offered in alternate spring semesters.
Study of music in non-Western traditions (Africa, India, Japan, Indonesia, etc.).
History of music from the ancient Greeks through the end of the 17th century, with emphasis on critical analysis of musical, historical, and cultural contexts. Offered in the fall semester.
History of music in the 18th and early 19th centuries, with emphasis on critical analysis of musical, historical, and cultural contexts. Offered in the spring semester.
Introduction to the International Phonetic Alphabet; study and practice of Italian and English diction. Offered in alternate years.
Study and practice of German and French diction. Offered in alternate years.
The purpose of this course is to learn the wealth of folk, popular, and recreational music of the main segments of American culture, as well as develop polished singing and accompanying skills needed for competent performance as a music therapist. Students will also be introduced to other music therapy interventions.
Learn to develop specific therapeutic experiences (singing, movement, rhythm, relaxation, lyric analysis, lyric rewrite, etc.) for each age group (infancy through older adults) as well as for specific populations. By the end of the semester students will have acquired the skills necessary for MUS 382.
The purpose of this course is to offer the music therapy student experience in facilitating music therapy sessions at a local agency which serves a specific population and to observe other populations in music therapy sessions. Across the two semesters students will develop group leadership skills in singing and accompanying with guitar, build a repertoire of appropriate songs for this population, and practice appropriate interaction skills with those served, their families, the staff, classmates, and the professor.
An introduction to current trends in music theory with an emphasis on close reading and analytical writing.
Practical study, through analysis and composition, of vocal polyphony as developed in the 16th century.
The 18-century style of counterpoint as developed by J.S. Bach.
Complete survey of the forms of composition, beginning with phrase and period and covering large forms such as rondo, sonata, concerto, and fugue. 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.
Pro Tools essential is an introductory course guiding the student through the art of digital audio recording. Founded in the industry-standard Pro Tools, the students will be guided through the process of recording in a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). Focus will be on the basic applications of processes in digital recording that are applicable to all DAW in the industry.
Basic jazz arranging techniques for small ensembles. Offered in the fall semester.
Continuation of MUS 310 (Arranging). Emphasis on writing for the big band and mixed media instrumentation, focusing on extended arranging techniques. Offered in the spring semester.
Practical consideration of all aspects of concert production and administration for musicians and music business people.
Projects in musical composition.
Projects in musical composition.
History of music in the 19th and 20th centuries, with emphasis on critical analysis of musical, historical, and cultural contexts. 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. Offered in the fall semester.
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, such as composition, performance, audio engineering, and music production.
Through course readings, lectures, guest presentations, and hands-on experience students will learn the roles and operations of arts and music venues. This class is a combination of practical work and classroom lectures. The class will be held at several local venues, the primary one being the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater. Other venues include Tuscaloosa River Market, Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum, Bama Theatre and UA venues.
Thorough study of topics not included in the curriculum. Offered according to demand.
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.
No description available.
This course will introduce you to a variety of theories and practices of musical experimentalism in a global context. We will begin be defining what experimental music is - what is the impulse that drives some artists to push outside the realms of their traditions, or even outside what is normally called music? Rather than limiting our view to experimentalism in Western art music, as has largely been the case in surveys of this subject, we will also listen to and study experiments in jazz, rock, hip hip, reggae and other global musics to put the experimentalist aesthetic in a broad historical and cultural context. In addition to critical reading, discussion and listening we will perform experimental music compositions to encourage a "hands-on" engagement with the subject. 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.
Survey of accompanying techniques and of the standard repertoire in the vocal, string, and wind areas. Experience is gained through assigned projects and/or assigned studio accompanying. Offered in the spring semester of even-numbered years.
Exploration of the basics of the art of sound recording. Emphasis on the mixing console, microphone placement, effects, recording basic tracks, and mixdown.
This course is a continuation of MUS 340, Introduction to Recording Techniques. Focus will be placed on recording techniques with an emphasis on the mix down process. Students will work in a hands-on environment to apply techniques discussed in class, including but not limited to: extended recording techniques; use of plugins and outboard gear; mastering; etc.
No description available.
Introduction to the basic techniques of conducting with emphasis on the understanding and control of music materials. Offered in the fall semester.
A study of the art of scoring music for films. Emphasis will be placed on the short jingle and the technical aspects of film scoring. Offered in the fall semester.
Continuation of MUS 401. Emphasis will be placed on writing the extended film score by analysis of psychological impact, orchestrational techniques, etc. Offered in the spring semester.
The analysis and writing of fugue, variation, ground-bass, and canon.
Continued development of arranging and orchestrating techniques in both jazz and commercial settings, with an emphasis on the studio orchestra, MIDI instrumentation, and vocal groups.
Applied survey of figured bass, choral open-score reading, transposition, and harmonization. Offered in the fall semesters of odd-numbered years.
Marketing the Arts will provide students with a general overview of communications including public relations, advertising, marketing and new media. Through readings, discussions, quizzes, an examination and a final group presentation students will develop an understanding of marketing practices involved in promoting an arts organization. Emphasis will be on not-for-profit organizations, community theatres and symphony orchestras.
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.
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.
Thorough study of topics not included in the curriculum. Offered according to demand.
Applied recording is an individualized study of the art of recording, mixing, mastering, and production of an entire recording project. Based upon needs of the majors as determined by the professor and student, an individualized program of study for the semester will be designed to assist the student and guide them through topics needed for a comprehensive education in recording/mixing engineering.
Advanced Piano Pedagogy focused on the teaching of the intermediate and advanced pre-college piano student. Topics covered will include learning styles; methods of teaching advanced rhythm and reading; creating a healthy technical approach for advanced repertoire; intermediate and advanced pedagogical solo material; teaching stylistic interpretation and musicianship; and issues of motivation in advancing students.
Introduction to the concepts, methods, and materials essential to effective teaching of the singing voice. Offered in alternate years.
The scope, organization, and administration of choral programs in public schools. Includes analysis of teaching techniques and materials appropriate to specific levels of development. Offered in the fall semester.
Problems encountered in the development of instrumental programs in public schools; analysis of beginning method books for heterogeneous and homogeneous groups; and development of a course of study to guide the new teacher. Offered in the fall semester.
History of the development of jazz to the present, from its African roots to its American florescence. Particular attention is paid to early styles and forms.
Survey of the important solo repertoire from Bach through Schubert. Examination of the development of keyboard technique from the time of the harpsichord through the time of the early piano. Offered in the fall semesters of even-numbered years.
Survey of the important solo repertoire from the early Romantic era through the present. Examination of the development of piano technique from Chopin and Liszt through Cage and Crumb. Offered in the spring semesters of odd-numbered years.
Study of the standard repertoire for bowed instruments, from the Baroque period to the present.
Survey of the performance criteria and historical significance of the solo song literature of the United States, the British Isles, Germany, Austria, France, and Italy. Performance and class participation are required. Offered in alternate years.
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. Offered in the fall semesters.
Study of mental health diagnoses as well as various therapeutic techniques and systems in music therapy using a hypothetical mode of inquiry. 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 purpose of this course is to provide music therapy students supervised experience in facilitating music therapy sessions at local facilities throughout the community. This encompasses assessment, program planning, implementation, documentation, and evaluation of music therapy services.
The purpose of this exam is to prepare students for success in the music therapy workforce via the CBMT Self-Assessment Examination and a comprehensive written exam covering material from all music therapy coursework.
Music therapy internship through a university affiliation or national roster site. Student must accumulate 1200 clinical training hours, in which 900 hours or more take place during the internship.
Theories and techniques of securing funds for nonprofit organizations, including donor cultivation and grant preparation.
Continuation of MUS 351 with emphasis on the problem of the choral ensemble. A study of rehearsal technique, vocal problems, diction, score analysis, style, and choral literature. Offered in the spring semester.
Continuation of MUS 351 with emphasis on the problem of the wind ensemble. A study of baton technique, score reading, rehearsal procedure, and band literature. Offered in the spring semester.
A minimum of one semester of internship with the following recommended host organizations: (1) a performing arts organization, (2) a community, state, or regional arts council, (3) a performing arts venue, (4) a musical festival or (5) a reputable recording studio. The internship must have the approval of and will be under the supervision of the Music Administration Coordinator.
Required of all BA students in music (excepting music administration): Capstone experience consisting of a substantial paper or project on a topic approved by the faculty advisor and completed in consultation with the advisor and examined by a faculty mentor, or a supervised practicum arranged through the advisor.
Independent study of music at the undergraduate level.
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 is designed to introduce students to the theory and practice of museum exhibit development and education. As exhibition and education are intricately linked in museums, this course will explore the strategies and techniques behind creating effective museum exhibits and accompanying education programs. Students should be prepared to not only design appealing museum exhibits but also successfully translate their content into engaging programs for various audiences.
Each prospective LifeTrack student is required to attend the on-campus 2-day Adult Learning Seminar. This seminar includes online work in writing, assessment of computer skills, examining potential for learning outcomes including experiential learning and critical reading and thinking skills.
Writing Skills and Strategies reviews writing principles for developing college level essays.
Writing Strategies for Research teaches the fundamentals of researching and writing research papers.
Writing Strategies for Research teaches the fundamentals of researching and writing research papers.
The purpose of this course is to allow students to gain an understanding of basic learning principles and strategies to improve adult students’ study and learning skills. It provides an opportunity for adult students to develop their own methods of using the strategies and skills they learn to become more effective, involved, and productive workers in their educational experiences and journey.
This three hour course will equip students with the tools necessary to utilize the application of critical thinking. It provides a series development of experiential learning assessment. The course also guides students through the preparation and compilation of components required for prior learning assessment portfolio evaluation. After completion of the course, students may choose to submit a portfolio for evaluation by faculty assessor (fee required).
To introduce the student to the social, legal, and ethical issues related to the use of social media and other Internet technologies in professional and academic settings. The widespread use of technology, including social media, has changed the way we make decisions, communicate, and interact with colleagues, instructors, peers, and others. These changes continue to contribute to new social and legal issues that demand a critical examination. The course also focuses on the potential of social media and other Internet sources as research tool.
This course examines approaches to career development such as: Personality Theory of Career Choice, Trait Factor, Psychological, Decision – Situational or Sociological, Developmental, the theory of work-adjustment, Holland’s Theory of Vocational Personalities in Work Environment, the Self-concept Theory of Career Development, the Theory of Circumscription and Compromise, and Social Cognitive Career Theory.
This course covers a variety of personality theories including the theoretical and scientific explanations for individuals' characteristic patterns of perception, thought, emotion and behavior. Emphasizes the understanding and mastery of personality constructs applied to students' personal and professional lives.
This course is to introduce students to the Internet as a method of communicating in both professional and academic settings. The use of the Internet has changed the way we work, play and communicate with others. This course will also focus on several new emerging methods of communicating via the Internet.
This three credit contract is intended to provide an overview of the history of the digital (including video) game industry and the process of game development and design. Game terminology, platform comparisons, psychological concepts of interactivity, selected motivation theory, and methods of content creation are examined for business, educational, and/or entertainment uses.
Recreation for Life is an independent study for New College LifeTrack students interested in engaging in a new physical activity, and developing an exercise routine that they hope to continue on a regular basis for the rest of their lives (hence the name “Recreation for Life”).
This course allows students to engage with community organizations to learn the challenges and rewards of volunteer service. Students are also exposed to various opportunities for civic engagement.
This course will be a student-designed interdisciplinary travel course. It will include the use of materials in the chosen area, work done at a distance and an off-campus visit to a site related to the topic of the course, using interdisciplinary methods of examination, experiential learning and critical thinking and writing.
This contract is designed to allow students to have an experiential learning experience based on their attendance of either an on-campus extra-course event (lecture based) and follow through with a research project based on the analysis of said event.
This course will introduce students to the function, value, and character of the arts in our everyday lives. It will give students the opportunity to consider the value of the arts in their own development as a person, a student, and as a professional. This course may function a little differently from other courses you take at the University of Alabama. The goal is to push students out into various art communities: formal and informal, professional and student, local and global. Students are encouraged to develop for themselves the resources necessary to make thoughtful decisions about their future with the arts as consumers, practitioners, citizens, leaders, critics, students, skeptics towards the arts, and lovers of the arts.
In this course, students will learn about different types of science, primarily natural sciences, and how they relate to other disciplines. What does cooking have to do with chemistry? How is ecology related to economics? Students will also do a final paper connecting multiple science disciplines back to a project or event in their own community.
This course is to introduce students to the Social Sciences, their methods, and the major areas of study.
This course is meant to give the student an understanding of leadership through studying theories and current topics that addresses the concept of leadership and to be able to identify effective leadership styles.
This course offers four different possible sections that each explore different topics related to professional discourse including the sending and receiving of information between two or more people and the interaction in varying relational situations such as between co-workers, clients, and superiors and subordinates. The course requires significant writing and evaluation of discourse.
The overall purpose of this course is to introduce the beginning student to the fundamentals of creative writing (primarily fiction) through a series of reading assignments and writing exercises.
To further refine and sharpen creative writing skills and techniques introduced in "The Creative Writing Process" course.
This course will examine various topics through literature and film. Topics may include a range of genres such as: American Comedy, The American South, American Crime, The American Hero, The 1960s, Decades of Lit & Film, and Best Sellers/Blockbusters.
This course will examine various topics in the arts and humanities. The course topics will vary each semester.
This contract is designed to increase the student's understanding and appreciation of several humanities disciplines through a variety of resources (texts, readings and attendance at cultural events) that direct attention to current ethical and cultural issues.
To acquaint students with myth, mythological systems and mythography in relation to the human cultural system through examination of belief systems and rituals in order to explain the actions of others.
Through literary and other readings, the contract introduces students to the women's movement in the 20th Century and to issues associated with female identity and socialization.
This seminar uses creativity as its organizing principle. Human culture, the creative process, and creative expression are explored through written examples, audio/video materials, individual and group projects, and interactions with creative individuals. Throughout the semester students will explore and challenge their own creative processes and acquire scholarly knowledge of creativity in a variety of fields.
This course will introduce students to the function, value, and character of music in our everyday lives. Students will consider music in their everyday life and be introduced to music from other genres and cultures. Students will have the opportunity to explore the value of music in their own development as a person, a student, and as a professional.
This course examines local culture as expressed through festivals and public displays of various traditions. Students will attend a range of festivals and learn how to thoroughly describe and analyze the festivals using methods from folklore, cultural anthropology, and performance studies. You will explore festivals through selected reading and viewing materials. You will also attend one festival in or near your community. You will learn about the ways in which arts, music, food, film, heritage, ethnic, and/or religious festivals contribute to and represent local cultures and societies.
This course will introduce you to the blues and will focus on the early development of this genre in the Mississippi Delta region. Students will examine migrations of blues performers and the influence of this music style beyond the southeastern United States. Following an exploration of blues origins and history, students will study the blues and its transformation over time in other American music genres.
This course will focus on the individual artists and scholars who will be giving guest lectures as part of this series (typically on the University of Alabama campus). This is an excellent opportunity to hear first hand perspectives from highly regarded visual artists and art scholars. The student may choose one artist or all three and complete required assignments for each one. Each mini-mester course will include one assignment prior to the lecture for students to become familiar with the artist and his or her work, one summary/reflection assignment after attending the lecture in person or viewing the lecture online, and one final essay based on the artist's work or scholarship. Distance students who cannot attend the on-campus visit, will be able to view the artist lecture via streaming video.
This course will be designed by the student with the assistance of their Academic Advisor/selected course UA faculty member. It can cover any topic within the area of Literature, Art and other Humanities. It should be interdisciplinary in construction and all elements will be agreed upon between student and course director.
This course is online only and will be completed using Blackboard Learn software. Science is often steeped in controversy. Some of this comes from misunderstandings between scientists and non-scientists, while some is a result of bad science. In this course we will look at these different types of controversies to come to a better understanding of what constitutes good science and how to better understand science. Controversies covered include climate change, evolution, human cloning, vaccines, and more.
It has been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. This is becoming increasingly true and obvious as innovative designers and engineers look to a truly original design source for inspiration: nature and life around us. Hence was born the field of ‘Biomimicry’ which imitates elements of nature to solve complex human problems. In this course students will learn about key components of everyday life and their biological -inspired origins. At the end of the course students will put their knowledge to use either researching a biologically inspired item already in use or by developing their own novel biomimetic innovation.
The recent explosion of popular entertainment focused on “supernatural” creatures such as vampires and werewolves has done much to reimagine these ever-popular myths. Any particular version of this genre is sure to add its own twist to origination stories and characteristics. Yet where in fact did these legends begin? And more importantly, is there any data supporting these prevailing classics of folklore? In this course students will examine several works of non-fiction that attempt to explain supernatural myths in our everyday lives.
The world around us is a complicated one. Our lives are governed by natural processes and human technology. Understanding how these processes interact goes a long way towards allowing us to be better citizens. In this course we will explore seven different areas: climate/weather and other natural phenomena, water, energy, pollution, garbage and recycling, agriculture, and biology. This course is online only.
These are instructor designed courses which will explore various topics in the natural sciences.
In this course, students will learn about what makes up the human body as well as how people fit into the broader environment. Topics will include anatomy, physiology, disease, the microbiome, ecology, and humans as animals.
In this course students will learn about human disconnection from and fear of the natural world and the harm this can cause to children and adults alike. The course will cover many phobias that keep people away from nature such as snakes, spiders, and fear of getting dirty. The course will also cover biophilia; the idea that human connection to nature is necessary and beneficial to our well-being.
Our world is incredibly diverse in terms of the animals, plants, and other organisms that live here and its geology and other natural features. In this course students will explore this diversity, reasons that it exists, threats to it, and what efforts are being taken to protect it.
This one hour course will equip students with the tools necessary to examine the fundamental principles of soil quality and the relationship of soil characteristics to productivity. The student will collect a soil sample from a location of choice to determine local soil quality. The sample will be submitted to the local USDA extension office and obtain a certified soil report (fee required).
This one hour course will equip students with the tools necessary to examine the fundamental principles of water quality, with particular emphasis on nutrients and the watershed-level approach. The student will collect a freshwater sample from a lake, river, stream, or pond to determine local water quality. The sample will be submitted to the local USDA extension office and obtain a certified water quality report (fee required).
This course will be topic specific to the area of Technology & Culture. It will include the use of materials in the chosen area using interdisciplinary methods of examination, experiential learning and critical thinking and writing. The course topics will vary each semester.
This course will be designed by the student with the assistance of their Academic Advisor/selected course UA faculty member. It can cover any topic within the area of Science, Technology & Culture. It should be interdisciplinary in construction and all elements will be agreed upon between student and course director.
At some point in all of our lives we will reach the new normal of caring for aging parents, grief, and loss of those dear to us. Many travel this road alone. Together we will explore the many areas of our lives where we face what it means to be an adult child, a widower, or a parent who lost a child. The process of aging, caregiving, grief, and loss of a loved one is not a brief space of time. How do we move back to being a part of the living world? How do we move beyond feelings of seemingly unending grief, and begin our lives again?.
Aliens landed in New Mexico! Elvis did not leave the building! Who shot JFK?! The moon landing was fake! 9/11 was an inside job! AIDS is manmade! RFID chips in your babies! The end is nigh... “It’s the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine” --REM This course will explore a sample of conspiracy theories in United States history. Using written and visual sources (Letters, emails, newspaper, editorial cartoons, speeches, etc.), students will be exposed to the conspiratorial language used by Americans to explain the unexplainable. They will emerge from the course with the ability to analyze sources and identify reasons why conspiracies are started.
This seminar explores the rise and fall of the Nazi Party.
This class will explore the history and present of women at work. There is a long history of women working in America that includes a wide range of employment from the domestic sphere to the boardroom. Throughout history and presently, the majority of women have not been able to break “the glass ceiling” which refers to an invisible barrier that prevents someone from achieving further success. It is most often heard in the context of women who cannot advance to the highest levels of power in the workplace. This also affects women based on race and socioeconomic status. The glass ceiling is a way of describing whatever keeps women from achieving power and success equal to that of men. We will look at the past and the present of working women, the challenges they face and decisions they make along the way.
To become familiar with the local history of a community by studying its burial spaces.
This course explores cooperation and conflict in human society. We will investigate these ideas within conflicts around race, gender, class, immigration, poverty, etc. Students will investigate and seek solutions to contemporary social problems found within these areas. Specific themes will include economic citizenship, healthcare, and environmentalism. The Socratic imperative that “The unexamined life is not worth living,” will be central to this class. We must strive to interrogate who each of us, as i ndividuals, are in relation to various examples of social conflict. For example, in terms of conflicts surrounding race, we must each ask ourselves, “How do I participate in race?” The same goes for conflicts surrounding immigration, poverty, class, gender, etc. By asking such questions, we can then discuss how we as individuals, in the “everyday”, contribute to conflict as well as how we can contribute to cooperation.
The purpose of this course is to provide the student with a general knowledge and understanding of the problems stemming from delinquency which plague society, theoretical explanations for delinquent behavior, and how juvenile delinquents are processed through the criminal justice system.
The courses provides students with a better understanding of what terrorism is, its origins and its purpose, and the steps used to combat it.
This course will develop understanding and sympathy for women's lives and experiences around the globe. It will increase the students knowledge of history and culture as well as reading, analytical and writing skills.
This course will examine various topics in the social sciences. The course topics will vary each semester.
This course will be designed by the student with the assistance of their Academic Advisor/selected course UA faculty member. It can cover any topic within the area of Community Studies. It should be interdisciplinary in construction and all elements will be agreed upon between student and course director.
This course will be designed by the student with the assistance of their Academic Advisor/selected course UA faculty member. It can cover any topic within the area of Social Sciences. It should be interdisciplinary in construction and all elements will be agreed upon between student and course director.
The purpose of the course is to introduce concepts and principles that are essential to understanding how organizations (public, private and educational) operate. In order to understand administration, one must understand the environment in which administration takes place. organizational studies provide us insight on how effective administration impacts on people, products and society.
Students explore what it means to be a mentor, how mentors and proteges form and maintain pro-social interactions and the benefits of these unique interpersonal relationships.
Family owned enterprises have played a long and significant role in both world and U.S. economic history. Many of the products and services used today were first envisioned and created by entrepreneurs who went on to establish and sustain business enterprises that would last for generations. And yet, most family enterprises do not survive more than one or two generations. Research indicates that upwards of one third of all family firms only last one generation, while fewer than that last beyond two generations. But despite the difficulties they have faced, family owned firms have shaped much of our current world.
Great literary works are often remembered for their great characters. Shakespeare’s King Lear, Arthur Miller’s Willy Loman and Conrad’s Kurtz are just three of many that come to mind. And many of the characters in great literary works are required by the author to exhibit leadership in one form or another. In this course, the role of leadership, as portrayed by key characters in several important works of literature, will be studied.
To learn the basic fundamentals for starting and operating a small business.
The nonprofit sector complements the roles of government and business in addressing social and individual needs. This course is designed to provide a theoretical and practical understanding of the nonprofit sector, an introduction to skills essential for effectively managing nonprofit organizations, and exposure to contemporary issues and strategic opportunities. Through first-hand experience to working with local nonprofits, students will develop a practical understanding of what it takes to be successful as a nonprofit leader or administrator. Engaging with practicing professionals will also provide an opportunity for students to reflect upon their own career goals and interests.
This course may examine various topics in the Leadership Studies. Topics may include: Mentoring, Communication, Human Resource issues, Data Analysis, Strategic Decision Making, Leadership Techniques.
This course will be designed by the student with the assistance of their Academic Advisor/selected course UA faculty member. It can cover any topic within the area of Leadership Studies. It should be interdisciplinary in construction and all elements will be agreed upon between student and course director.
This course is designed to familiarize students with the ethical nature and dilemmas of public administration in American society. The most common approach to ethics in government focuses on avoiding impropriety. This is generally a negative and technical dimension stressing ethical boundaries defined by law. Typical examples include conflict of interest, misuse of public resources for private ends, whistleblowing, and resignation in protest. Though these matters are at times important, they arise infrequently relative to the dilemmas faced in day-to-day decision-making, and seldom have implications beyond the career of the affected administrator.
This course will be topic specific to the area of Literature, Art and Society. It will include the use of materials in the chosen area, work done at a distance and one weekend on-campus visit, using interdisciplinary methods of examination, experiential learning and critical thinking and writing.
This course will be topic specific to the area of Science, Technology & Culture. It will include the use of materials in the chosen area, work done at a distance and one weekend on-campus visit, using interdisciplinary methods of examination, experiential learning and critical thinking and writing.
This course will be topic specific to the area of Community or Leadership Studies. It will include the use of materials in the chosen area, work done at a distance and one weekend on-campus visit, using interdisciplinary methods of examination, experiential learning and critical thinking and writing.
This course will be topic specific to the area of Social Sciences. It will include the use of materials in the chosen area, work done at a distance and one weekend on-campus visit, using interdisciplinary methods of examination, experiential learning and critical thinking and writing.
This course will be an interdisciplinary travel course. It will include the use of materials in the chosen area, work done at a distance and one off-campus visit to a site related to the topic of the course, using interdisciplinary methods of examination, experiential learning and critical thinking and writing.
The Senior Project is a distinctive feature of the LifeTrack Program. It is the culmination of the skills students have learned during their time in the program. The project is designed by the student and includes research, analysis, and synthesis of a particular subject. It is the final step in the completion of the undergraduate degree. The Senior Project may be done for professional enhancement, development of personal interests, academic preparation for graduate school or a combination of these goals. Student projects are matched with a University of Alabama professor.
Designed to help current and prospective New College students become more informed about the University and about the interdisciplinary studies degree so that they may maximize their opportunities in their undergraduate programs through New College.
In an increasingly polarized world, being an engaged citizen requires skills for resolving the conflicts inherent in a diverse democratic society. Sustained Dialogue (SD) is a five-stage dialogue-to-action model that focuses on transforming change-blocking relationships in order to address issues of social and political differences more effectively. Students will learn the principles and practices of Sustained Dialogue, and they will develop skills for participating in and moderating positive, productive exchanges on challenging topics.
This experiential, service-learning seminar will focus on biodiversity and introduce students to our local environment, local environmental issues, related global environmental issues, and UA’s environmental faculty.
American society today features more cultural acceptance and legal protection than ever before for sexual and gender diversity, but we don’t always know how to live out these changing norms and how to talk about controversial sexual material in the public sphere. This course engages debates around sexuality as central to human behavior and to social structures, in both America and the world. It provides an overview of the “new sexual revolution” and the growing interdisciplinary field of sexuality studies. The course adopts a consent-based model of sexual wellbeing. Its approach is sex-positive—aiming toward sexual justice, responsibility, and pleasure—within a classroom that functions as an open and affirming space for discussion and learning. Students gain the knowledge, critical thinking skills, and cultural competence to evaluate for themselves issues of sexuality in society.
In this course (designed by the student and his or her advisor using the out-of-class learning contract), the student agrees to participate in some form of physical activity that might result in a lifelong interest. These include jogging, swimming, cycling, etc. This course will frequently include a reading requirement relating to the activity.
Introductory course in the humanities (art, literature, music, etc.) with a focus on problem solving, risk taking and communication. Human behavior and writing skills are stressed.
This interdisciplinary seminar uses creativity as an organizing principle. Human culture and consciousness are explored through reading, writing, the arts, projects, studios, and discussion.
This honors interdisciplinary seminar uses creativity as an organizing principle. Human culture and consciousness are explored through reading, writing, the arts, projects, studios, and discussion.
Considers perspectives on environmental studies within the humanities by examining key texts of environmental literature.
This fine arts seminar uses creative work with digital tools as its organizing principle. Human culture, the creative process, and creative expression are explored through written texts, digital media, research, oral and written reports, journals, and individual and group projects. The class goal is to gain a deeper understanding of creativity, innovation and interdisciplinarity in the arts by using computer technology to make creative work. Students will learn through research, hands-on work on creative projects and collaborative work with peers.
An intensive, hands-on course in organic farming taught at a local working farm. Covers the basics of organic farming while also addressing questions about organic versus industrial agriculture models in relation to current environmental problems and solutions.
This course engages students in the study of environmental problems and solutions. It includes an examination of fundamental assumptions about the ethical human-nature relation and of how to value nature. The approach is interdisciplinary, drawing on the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
This seminar explores significant social problems in contemporary society and the complex ways in which social change occurs. Students investigate and seek solutions for current social problems. This course has a 12 hour service-learning component.
This honors seminar explores significant social problems in contemporary society and the complex ways in which social change occurs. Students investigate and seek solutions to current social problems. This course has a service learning component that may involve 12 service learning hours outside of class time.
This seminar demonstrates how the nature of the laboratory experience plays an essential role in the understanding and advancement of science. Several multidisciplinary experiments are performed in geology, chemistry, physics, and biology.
This seminar is designed to develop an awareness of the methodologies and concerns of the social sciences as they relate to ethical inquiry. The primary focus is on the nature of inquiry and models for the analysis of ethical issues confronting the modern world. Students will explore the complexity of moral dilemmas and effective societal responses to competing moral obligations in the areas of health care, socio-economic disparities, affirmative action, immigration, and racism.
The goal of this course is to prepare students to successfully and safely plan and lead small group excursions into wilderness, backcountry, and front-country outdoor areas using various outdoor recreational activities as a medium. There will also be an emphasis placed on teaching technique and presentation skills as students will be required to present information to the class.
A student desiring to pursue an academic interest for which no University class is available may plan their own scholarly, creative or skills-based "course" for graded credit through Out-of-Class Learning. A contract, or agreement, with New College is prepared by the student, in which the student identifies a variety of features of the proposed study: its goals and objectives, the methodology and resources to be employed in the attempt to meet the goals and objectives, and the procedure by which the study will be evaluated upon its completion. The process of preparing the contract should be in cooperation with New College, from which contract forms are available online, and with a faculty member or another authority qualified to assist and assess the study. The number of graded credit hours awarded for Out-of-Class Learning is based, in part, on the breadth or depth of the study and is subject to approval by the contract advisor and director of New College. All New College Independent Study contracts require relevant reading and writing of some kind.
A student desiring to pursue an internship or other academic interest for which no University class is available may plan an experiential or other "course" for pass-fail credit through Out-of-Class Learning. A contract, or agreement, with New College is prepared by the student, in which the student identifies a variety of features of the proposed internship or course: its goals and objectives, the methodology and resources to be employed in the attempt to meet the goals and objectives, and the procedure by which the study will be evaluated upon its completion. The process of preparing the contract should be in cooperation with New College, from which contract forms are available online, and with a faculty member, internship supervisor, or another authority qualified to assist and assess the study. The number of pass-fail credit hours awarded for Out-of-Class Learning is based, in part, on the breadth or depth of the experience or study and is subject to approval by the contract advisor and director of New College. All New College Independent Study contracts require relevant reading and writing of some kind.
A student desiring to pursue an academic interest for which no University class is available may plan their own scholarly, creative or skills-based "course" for graded credit through Out-of-Class Learning. A contract, or agreement, with New College is prepared by the student, in which the student identifies a variety of features of the proposed study: its goals and objectives, the methodology and resources to be employed in the attempt to meet the goals and objectives, and the procedure by which the study will be evaluated upon its completion. The process of preparing the contract should be in cooperation with New College, from which contract forms are available online, and with a faculty member or another authority qualified to assist and assess the study. The number of graded credit hours awarded for Out-of-Class Learning is based, in part, on the breadth or depth of the study and is subject to approval by the contract advisor and director of New College. All New College Independent Study contracts require relevant reading and writing of some kind.
A student desiring to pursue an internship or other academic interest for which no University class is available may plan an experiential or other "course" for pass-fail credit through Out-of-Class Learning. A contract, or agreement, with New College is prepared by the student, in which the student identifies a variety of features of the proposed internship or course: its goals and objectives, the methodology and resources to be employed in the attempt to meet the goals and objectives, and the procedure by which the study will be evaluated upon its completion. The process of preparing the contract should be in cooperation with New College, from which contract forms are available online, and with a faculty member, internship supervisor, or another authority qualified to assist and assess the study. The number of pass-fail credit hours awarded for Out-of-Class Learning is based, in part, on the breadth or depth of the experience or study and is subject to approval by the contract advisor and director of New College. All New College Independent Study contracts require relevant reading and writing of some kind.
A student desiring to pursue an academic interest for which no University class is available may plan their own scholarly, creative or skills-based "course" for graded credit through Out-of-Class Learning. A contract, or agreement, with New College is prepared by the student, in which the student identifies a variety of features of the proposed study: its goals and objectives, the methodology and resources to be employed in the attempt to meet the goals and objectives, and the procedure by which the study will be evaluated upon its completion. The process of preparing the contract should be in cooperation with New College, from which contract forms are available online, and with a faculty member or another authority qualified to assist and assess the study. The number of graded credit hours awarded for Out-of-Class Learning is based, in part, on the breadth or depth of the study and is subject to approval by the contract advisor and director of New College. All New College Independent Study contracts require relevant reading and writing of some kind.
A student desiring to pursue an internship or other academic interest for which no University class is available may plan an experiential or other "course" for pass-fail credit through Out-of-Class Learning. A contract, or agreement, with New College is prepared by the student, in which the student identifies a variety of features of the proposed internship or course: its goals and objectives, the methodology and resources to be employed in the attempt to meet the goals and objectives, and the procedure by which the study will be evaluated upon its completion. The process of preparing the contract should be in cooperation with New College, from which contract forms are available online, and with a faculty member, internship supervisor, or another authority qualified to assist and assess the study. The number of pass-fail credit hours awarded for Out-of-Class Learning is based, in part, on the breadth or depth of the experience or study and is subject to approval by the contract advisor and director of New College. All New College Independent Study contracts require relevant reading and writing of some kind.
A student desiring to pursue an academic interest for which no University class is available may plan their own scholarly, creative or skills-based "course" for graded credit through Out-of-Class Learning. A contract, or agreement, with New College is prepared by the student, in which the student identifies a variety of features of the proposed study: its goals and objectives, the methodology and resources to be employed in the attempt to meet the goals and objectives, and the procedure by which the study will be evaluated upon its completion. The process of preparing the contract should be in cooperation with New College, from which contract forms are available online, and with a faculty member or another authority qualified to assist and assess the study. The number of graded credit hours awarded for Out-of-Class Learning is based, in part, on the breadth or depth of the study and is subject to approval by the contract advisor and director of New College. All New College Independent Study contracts require relevant reading and writing of some kind.
A student desiring to pursue an internship or other academic interest for which no University class is available may plan an experiential or other "course" for pass-fail credit through Out-of-Class Learning. A contract, or agreement, with New College is prepared by the student, in which the student identifies a variety of features of the proposed internship or course: its goals and objectives, the methodology and resources to be employed in the attempt to meet the goals and objectives, and the procedure by which the study will be evaluated upon its completion. The process of preparing the contract should be in cooperation with New College, from which contract forms are available online, and with a faculty member, internship supervisor, or another authority qualified to assist and assess the study. The number of pass-fail credit hours awarded for Out-of-Class Learning is based, in part, on the breadth or depth of the experience or study and is subject to approval by the contract advisor and director of New College. All New College Independent Study contracts require relevant reading and writing of some kind.
A student desiring to pursue an academic interest for which no University class is available may plan their own scholarly, creative or skills-based "course" for graded credit through Out-of-Class Learning. A contract, or agreement, with New College is prepared by the student, in which the student identifies a variety of features of the proposed study: its goals and objectives, the methodology and resources to be employed in the attempt to meet the goals and objectives, and the procedure by which the study will be evaluated upon its completion. The process of preparing the contract should be in cooperation with New College, from which contract forms are available online, and with a faculty member or another authority qualified to assist and assess the study. The number of graded credit hours awarded for Out-of-Class Learning is based, in part, on the breadth or depth of the study and is subject to approval by the contract advisor and director of New College. All New College Independent Study contracts require relevant reading and writing of some kind.
A student desiring to pursue an internship or other academic interest for which no University class is available may plan an experiential or other "course" for pass-fail credit through Out-of-Class Learning. A contract, or agreement, with New College is prepared by the student, in which the student identifies a variety of features of the proposed internship or course: its goals and objectives, the methodology and resources to be employed in the attempt to meet the goals and objectives, and the procedure by which the study will be evaluated upon its completion. The process of preparing the contract should be in cooperation with New College, from which contract forms are available online, and with a faculty member, internship supervisor, or another authority qualified to assist and assess the study. The number of pass-fail credit hours awarded for Out-of-Class Learning is based, in part, on the breadth or depth of the experience or study and is subject to approval by the contract advisor and director of New College. All New College Independent Study contracts require relevant reading and writing of some kind.
A student desiring to pursue an academic interest for which no University class is available may plan his or her own "course" through Out-of-Class Learning. A contract, or agreement, with New College is prepared by the student, in which the student identifies a variety of features of the proposed study: its goals and objectives, the methodology and resources to be employed in the attempt to meet the goals and objectives, and the procedure by which the study will be evaluated upon its completion. The process of preparing the contract should be in cooperation with the New College office, from which contract forms may be procured, and with a faculty member or other authority qualified to assist and assess the study. Credit hours awarded for Out-of-Class Learning are available, relative to the breadth or depth of the study, and subject to approval of the advisor to the study and director of the New College.
This course will introduce you to a variety of theories and practices of musical experimentalism in a global context. We’ll begin by defining what experimental music is – what is the impulse that drives some artists to push outside the realms of their traditions, or even outside what is normally called music? Rather than limiting our view to experimentalism in Western art music, as has largely been the case in surveys of this subject, we will also listen to and study experiments in jazz, rock, hip hop, reggae and other global musics to put the experimentalist aesthetic in a broad historical and cultural context. In addition to critical reading, discussion and listening we will perform experimental music compositions to encourage a “hands-on” engagement with the subject. 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 course serves as the course students register for as part of the exchange program with the Consoritum for Innovative Environment in Learning. Students pay tuition to UA but actually study as a full-time student at one of the 12 CIEL sister institutions.
This course will prepare students to understand natural resource practices to better manage one’s woodlands in a rural or urban situation. This course is for any student interested in basic forestry management techniques and should serve future home and land owners, individuals interested in conservation issues, and as an introduction to a broader field for students with professional interest in forestry or environmental studies. This course will discuss basic forest management concepts in order to improve the woodland’s habitat according to the objectives of a landowner. Students will learn how to identify all major tree species in Alabama as well as all major forest insects and diseases. Other topics that will be discussed will include compass and pacing, forest site evaluation, timber estimation, topographic map interpretation, and invasive woodland species. This course does not presuppose any previous knowledge and no prerequisite is required. Much of this course will include “hands-on” outdoor field trips.
The goal for this course is to prepare students to understand creative uses of managing wildlife species according to management objectives. This course is intended for any student interested in basic wildlife management techniques and should serve future home and land owners, individuals interested in conservation issues, and as an introduction to a broader field for students with professional interest in environmental studies or natural resources. This course does not presuppose any previous knowledge and no prerequisite is required.
The purpose of this course is to prepare and encourage students to incorporate the principles of sustainability and the ethics of permaculture into their home or apartment landscape. This course is intended for any student interested in learning the basics of sustainable gardening, water management, pest management, and the use of native plants to provide a backyard habitat for birds and wildlife. No prerequisite is required.
This workshop provides students with practical experience in writing and publishing a special interest publication, the New College Review. Students gain experience in thematic approaches to a publication, concept formation for an audience, socially responsible publishing, and writing and editing persuasive essays. Students are strongly encouraged to take both.
What functions do arts serve in communities? How do creative activities affect cognitive and social learning? We will explore these questions as we develop and offer arts workshops in local public schools. Arts are broadly defined to include theatre, dance, creative media, language arts, engineering, painting, pottery, etc. This is a service learning course. Class time will include active involvement in community arts projects.
How do we experience, define, use and abuse sound? What elements of a sound determine their meaning to us, and why? What can we learn about the world by focusing on its sounds? An emerging interdisciplinary field of research, sound studies asks these questions and more, in an attempt to uncover the important role of sound in our lives. Why do shopping malls sound like they do? What do cellphone ringtones tell you about a person? How has the changing soundscape of the ocean affected natural processes and wildlife? Why do clocktower bells ring? How is music used to both soothe, entertain, and torture or control people? This interdisciplinary course explores sound in a variety of current and historical global contexts – of which music is only one small part – examining the many ways sound signifies and defines our cultures and histories. 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 introductory environmental policy course reviews major developments in environmental regulation in the United States, considered in a global context. Readings examine the evolution of U.S. environmental policy, the form and function of social institutions used to govern human-environment interactions, including markets, state and civil society, and conventions, norms, and morals. U.S. and U.N. legal structures, agencies, and NGOs are addressed, with attention to comparative regulatory frameworks. The “new institutional approach,” “resource regimes,” and various incremental and transformative institutional reforms are discussed. The impact of economic and cultural factors—including class, race, gender, and location—on resource use and other policy decisions affecting the physical and built environments will be explored. Evolving institutional approaches to energy use, such as sustainability, “wise use,” adaptive management, and resilience are examined. This course is cross-listed with PSC 365.
Subject matter varies. New College Special Topics seminars vary by instructor-chosen theme, but all are highly interactive courses that enable students to critically engage content in responsible ways. Each seminar is designed to explore interdisciplinary approaches to a particular issue or theme.
A 2016 Pew Research study found that the political polarization in the U.S. continues to deepen and grow more hostile, and the widening economic disparities predicted by the July 2019 McKinsey Global Institute report The Future of Work in America are likely to further accentuate our national divides. In response to these alarming trends, this course takes an innovative approach to prepare students to be citizens more capable of addressing a politically divisive environment, locally and globally. Serving as a civic learning “laboratory,” the Civic Leadership Dialogues offer students the opportunity to acquire the “democratic knowledge and capabilities” that can only be “honed through hands-on, face-to-face, active engagement.”.
This course will introduce students to the popular hobby of birding or bird watching. As such, basic field identification methods will be reviewed and practiced. We will also discuss larger conservation issues as they relate to birds. As we will learn, the phrase “canary in a coal mine” has very practical implication for the modern terrestrial world. We will also discuss the cultural connection between people and birds, and what that has meant for both the destruction and conservation of birds during the past couple of centuries.
This seminar explores global health from the perspective of multiple disciplines and from a number of geographic scales from the local to the global. Collectively students will examine major global health determinants, challenges, programs and policies. Students will analyze past, current and emerging global health priorities with a focus on emerging infectious diseases, chronic disease burden in both the developed and developing worlds, health systems across the world, major global health initiatives, and health inequity with associated challenges such as poverty and conflict. This course will contain a heavy focus on case studies and experiential learning, including field trips and service learning activities. 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.
A study of environmental and cultural landscapes of the American South, as altered and used by successive waves of native peoples, explorers, immigrants, laborers, industrialists, and urban builders, addressing historical and contemporary environmental challenges. 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.
What does it mean to write about a culture? What can we discover about our environment by talking to people and listening to their stories? How do we learn enough to express something of their essence through words on a page? This course will engage with these and other issues surrounding the act of ethnography (the writing and interpretation of people's lives and cultural practices) through a combination of theoretical and practical approaches. Students interested in anthropology, journalism, sociology, storytelling, cultural criticism, filmmaking, folklore, the arts, social work and oral history will learn useful skills and gain practical experience that can be applied to their own work. We will read critical theory that discusses the role and craft of ethnography. We will examine a range of existing research on a number of global topics that use a variety of disciplinary approaches. Finally, as a research team, we will pursue self-designed research projects to begin the first stage of an "ethnographic map" of our region of Alabama, to learn new things about the world in our backyard and produce a website to share our findings. Interested students should be aware that the second half of the class will likely involve a significant amount of individual or group research in place of traditional course meeting times. 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.
Are you passionate about your writing? This New College seminar provides a supportive space for writers of all abilities to work on their own projects. The workshop provides friendly peer review and group study of the craft of writing. We’ll learn about the publishing industry from visiting authors, editors, and agents. Invited genres include: science fiction and fantasy; fanfiction, children’s literature and young adult, poetry; song lyrics, erotica and romance, film and TV treatments and scripts, memoir and creative nonfiction (travel writing, science writing, food writing, etc.), devotional or inspirational writing, general fiction (in short story and novel form), graphic novels, experimental form and fiction, and more.
This songwriting workshop focuses on how songs are made. After a brief study of various popular song genres (e.g., blues, troubadour, folk) students will produce their own songs. 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.
What is “mind” and how does it work? This course, designed for anyone interested in neuroscience, psychology, anthropology, and education, seeks to answer these questions by exploring the influence of cultural and social processes on the ways we think and feel.
What constitutes "femininity" and "masculinity" in 21st century America? How have gender roles changed? Is gender performance? What are the cultural expectations around sexuality, and how is it influenced and policed in society? Includes professor's current case research in this field. 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.
Popular conceptions of nature hold extraordinary power in shaping our responses and policies toward both the geophysical world and built environments. This interdisciplinary course examines key concepts and controversies in American thought about nature since before colonization. Using accounts from various regions, the course explores evolving conceptions of nature and justice, competing claims about race and class, and changing institutional responses and remedies to environmental degradation in the context of global change. The course is highly interactive, inviting critical thinking about the human place in the physical world. We read and discuss ecological views as presented in colonial writings, slave narratives, Transcendentalist thought, Gilded Age preservationist and conservationist debates, and the work of Progressive Era occupational health specialists and ecologists. We give specific attention to twentieth century social movements for environmental public health, examining contemporary approaches, including eco-feminism, environmental justice, and sustainability. We identify different disciplinary approaches, among them environmental history, ecological anthropology, sociology, and geography, and explore conceptual links between disciplines. A brief introduction to research methods, utilizing qualitative techniques, case studies, and specialized data sources, will be included. Journal articles, law review essays, regulatory documents, court decisions, and films supplement classic texts as we examine race, ethnicity, gender, poverty, and other factors shaping environmental health. 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 interdisciplinary course discusses intermedia intersections in 20th and 21st century art and music through lectures, discussions and interactions with visiting artists. We will examine the cultural and historical roots of intermedia art, the outpouring of experimentation in the 20th century avant-garde, and the postmodern pastiche of the digital realm in the 21st century. Spanning work created for galleries, to art and music from urban streets and rural villages, we will explore examples from the visual arts, dance, music, film and architecture to learn how and why artists work with and combine different media. In addition to engaging with a variety of artistic works, we will discuss the cultural, philosophical, theoretical, and compositional issues that meet at intermedia junctions. 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 course is an exploration of Arts Entrepreneurship in a seminar format. The class goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the creative process as applied to entrepreneurial activity, with a focus on value-driven, arts-based endeavors. Students will study a variety of creative, entrepreneurial approaches within the context of the Design Thinking Process. Throughout the course students will practice what they learn by developing their own entrepreneurial micro-ventures. Students will learn essential concepts and skills to pursue successful careers in the arts.
This seminar provides an introduction to how we interact with and consume popular culture. Students will debate the merits of popular culture and consider questions of audience, authorship, ideology, and everyday life. 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 interdisciplinary seminar introduces students to the key debates, concepts, and questions raised by the emerging field of Girls’ Studies. The course will examine the history and social construction of girlhood in the 20th and 21st centuries, as well as draw on girls’ lived experiences, activism, and cultural productions, in order to challenge established definitions of “girls” and “girlhood.” Writing proficiency within this discipline 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 seminar helps students develop the understanding and skills necessary for the practice of public leadership. The course emphasizes framing public issues for discussion and leading the decision making necessary to set the direction of public policy. 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 course will teach students key components of the American legal system using popular literature, current events, and academic readings. Through written assignments, presentations, and discussion, students will gain knowledge about various bodies of law, conceptions of law / justice, and the implications of law and American culture on one another. This course will benefit students who plan to attend law school, those considering law school, and those who want to expand their legal literacy. Students will learn concepts relevant to: criminal law, torts, contracts, wills / trusts, constitutional law, and procedure / evidence. Further, students will learn how to write about legal issues using the vocabulary of the domain of knowledge. 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 interdisciplinary social science course provides an introduction to the cultural and physical ecology of cities, focusing primarily on urbanization in the United States from the late 19th century to the present. 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 upper level writing intensive seminar explores the ethical dimensions of ecological relationships, with particular attention to conceptions of nature, justice, and environmental health. We will consider classical ethical concepts, such as utilitarianism and natural law theories, and contemporary environmental approaches, including biocentrism, deep ecology, environmental justice, eco-feminism, and sustainability. This course will be highly interactive, inviting critical thinking about changing ideas about the human place in the natural world. Examining various case studies, we explore the ethical debates surrounding such topics as populations, genetically altered crops, global climate change, biodiversity, and emerging crises in global environmental public health. Readings also address corporate responsibility, science ethics, and public policy. We will consider the ethics of sustainability from the campus to the transnational level. 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 has New College designations for Environment, Sustainability, and Conservation (ESC) and Social Problems and Social Change (SPSC).
This interdisciplinary seminar provides an introduction to the key debates and questions raised by the increasingly close relationship between humans and advanced technologies. The course will draw on critical works, as well as narrative fiction and popular culture texts, to examine how a dependence on technology might change the very definition of "human" and what subsequent ethical, psychological, and philosophical dilemmas result from this close relationship. 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.
Study Belize’s diverse rainforests, coral reefs, and visit Mayan ruins for a glimpse into a past civilization. Belize is unique in that it still contains relatively undisturbed rainforests and the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. However, while Belize has emerged as an international leader regarding conservation efforts, threats from climate change, poverty, and development still exist. The purpose of this course is 1) examine current conservation efforts to safeguard this biodiversity; 2) familiarize students with the most important aspects of tropical lowland terrestrial and marine ecosystems; 3) understand the role of local culture in sustainable conservation; 4) gain an understanding of the fundamental importance of biodiversity; and 5) expose students to new and unique cultures and environments. The course is designed for students who are interested in conservation issues, biogeography, marine sciences, ornithology and birding, archaeology, and outdoor adventures! The trip will be divided between a rainforest and a marine field station located next to the barrier reef. So we will have easy access the most diverse environments on the planet.
This seminar is concerned with the process and analysis of social change. In this seminar, students study the Holocaust, attempting to understand it as an intense and unparalleled human experience. The causes, events, outcomes, and implications are researched through books, films, interviews, tapes, and discussions. 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.
In this seminar, students study the nature of human and societal survival under extreme conditions. Topics range from issues of a global nature to violent crime, prejudice, and disease. Causes, effects, and possible solutions are all considered.
This course offers a practicum experience for students pursuing the Civic Engagement and Leadership minor, New College students pursuing a depth study in an area related to civic engagement and/or leadership, and student leaders with significant campus or community leadership experience. The course will assist students in applying the theoretical knowledge gained in their academic study of civic engagement and leadership to a professional context of their choosing through a carefully designed and implemented leadership project. Upon completion of the leadership practicum, students will submit a portfolio documenting their professional growth as a leader.
A critical look at the role of religion in public education, the separation of church and state in American education, and educational policies emanating from debates about the separation of church and state.
Subject matter varies. New College Special Topics seminars vary by instructor-chosen theme, but all are highly interactive courses that enable students to critically engage content in responsible ways. Each seminar is designed to explore interdisciplinary approaches to a particular issue or theme.
The Senior Project, completed by all New College students in their senior year, gives students the opportunity to put into practice interdisciplinary and integrative methods of scholarship while integrating and refining knowledge of their depth study area. Projects must result in a piece of interdisciplinary writing and a twenty-minute oral presentation at the New College Senior Research Symposium, and may include other components as well. This course also includes a mentoring component wherein seniors work with incoming New College students. Senior standing in New College and completion of the Third Year Review is required to enroll.
No description available.
No description available.
Lectures and laboratory. An algebra-based introductory course including classical mechanics and thermodynamics. Topics include: kinematics, Newtonian dynamics, conservation of energy and momentum, rotational motion, oscillations and waves, kinetic theory of gases, and thermodynamics. Degree credit can only be awarded for one of the following: PH 101, PH 105, or PH 125.
Lectures and laboratory. An algebra-based introductory course including electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics. Topics include: electrostatic force and fields, electrical energy, capacitance, resistance, dc circuits, magnetism, induction, ac circuits, electromagnetic waves, geometric optics, wave optics, relativity, quantum mechanics, atomic physics, and nuclear physics. Degree credit can only be awarded for one of the following: PH 102, PH 106, or PH 126.
Lectures and laboratory. This is an introductory calculus-based course covering classical mechanics, conservation laws, oscillations, waves, and thermal phenomena. Two course format options may be offered: a studio format with integrated lectures and laboratories and a non-studio format in which lectures and laboratories meet separately. Degree credit can only be awarded for one of the following: PH 101, PH 105, or PH 125.
Seminar on current topics in Physics, aimed at a level accessible to all undergraduates. A broad introduction to exciting recent developments in physics, current areas of interest, and ongoing research at UA. Multiple faculty will present seminars, including some based on student suggestions.
A non-technical course designed for non-science majors intended to give an introduction to physics with no math prerequisites. Demonstrations and lectures on the chief topics of classical and modern physics and how they relate to everyday life. Credit earned in this course may not be counted toward fulfillment of the requirements for the major or minor in physics. Credit will not be granted for both PH 101 and PH 115. Three lecture hours and one laboratory period.
This is an Honors version of PH 105, primarily intended for Physics majors and Honors students. This is an introductory calculus-based course covering classical mechanics, conservation laws, oscillations, waves, and thermal phenomena. This course is usually offered in the studio format (integrated lectures and labs). Degree credit can only be awarded for one of the following: PH 101, PH 105, or PH 125.
Lecture, discussion, and laboratory. This is an Honors version of PH 106, primarily intended for Physics majors and Honors students. Introductory calculus-based course in classical physics, including electricity, magnetism, and optics. Degree credit can only be awarded for one of the following: PH 102, PH 106, or PH 126.
Study of topics in modern physics, including special relativity, quantum physics, atomic structure, solid state physics, and selected additional topics (e.g. lasers, molecular physics, the atomic nucleus). NOTE: If the student plans to apply PH 253 toward satisfaction of the N requirement of the University Core Curriculum, PH 255 must also be taken.
Experimental work in the topics that form the subject matter of PH 253, including special relativity, quantum physics, atomic and nuclear structure, and solid state physics. Successful students will develop their ability to collect and analyze experimental data, interpret the results, and present their findings in a clear, concise, and convincing way. NOTE: If the student plans to apply PH 255 toward satisfaction of the N requirement of the University Core Curriculum, PH 253 must also be taken.
This course is a more rigorous and sophisticated treatment of the classical mechanics topics covered in the introductory courses PH 101/105/125. The treatment is based on differential equations. The list of topics includes vectors, Newtonian mechanics in 1, 2, and 3 dimensions, oscillations, Lagrangian mechanics, gravity and central forces, rotational motion of rigid bodies, non-inertial coordinate systems, and coupled oscillators and normal modes.
This course is a more rigorous and sophisticated treatment of the classical mechanics topics covered in the introductory courses PH 101/105/125. The course is based on differential equations, and is particularly intended for students who plan to pursue graduate studies in physics or astronomy. The list of topics includes Newton's laws, projectile motion, energy, momentum and angular momentum conservation, oscillations, calculus of variations, Lagrangian formalism, two-body central forces, rotation of rigid bodies, coupled oscillators and normal modes. Some aspects of nonlinear motion and chaos, Hamiltonian mechanics, collisions, and special relativity may also be covered.
Electrodynamics, conservation laws, electromagnetic waves, radiation, and relativity.
The course provides an introduction to the topics of modern physics based on a theoretical approach. Topics include: the theory of special and general relativity with applications to black holes and cosmological models; particle physics and basic aspects of the standard model; nuclear physics with applications; fundamental interactions and symmetries; astrophysics of stellar evolution and celestial objects.
Selected topics in contemporary physics for high-school and post-secondary science teachers. 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.
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.
Two laboratory periods. Theory and practical application of digital integrated circuits, including gates, flip-flops, and counters. Computer data acquisition, D/A and A/D conversion, communication and instrument control fundamentals using LabView.
Time-independent perturbation theory, variational principle, WKB approximation, time-dependent perturbation theory, adiabatic approximation, scattering theory. 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. No graduate credit will be awarded for PH 442.
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.
Introduction to thermal phenomena on a macroscopic and a statistical basis, and principles and laws governing them. Introduction to energy and entropy formalism and discussion of thermodynamic potentials (Helmholtz and Gibbs). Applications to systems in equilibrium.
This course covers the structure of crystals, the mechanical, thermal, electrical, and magnetic properties of solids, the free-electron model, and the band approximation.
Topics in physics and astronomy not covered by existing courses. Repeat credit is allowed for different topics.
A seminar course on current topics in physics and astronomy.
Advanced experiments in modern physics. Research, analysis, and reporting of scientific results. 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.
Credit is by arrangement, but no graduate credit will be awarded for PH 493. Student performs research under supervision of a faculty member.
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No description available.
Survey of the main topics of philosophy, which may include God, souls, free will, the nature of right and wrong, just government, truth, and knowledge. Offered in the fall and spring semesters.
Introduction to the concepts and methods used to identify, construct, and assess arguments as they appear in editorials, articles, ordinary speech, etc.
In this course, students will learn how to apply the tools of formal logic to philosophical and everyday reasoning. Students will learn to use formal tools of sentential and predicate logic, such as constructing proofs and countermodels, in order to evaluate a variety of arguments. The class will also consider influential arguments from both the history of philosophy and the contemporary literature—arguments that concern such topics as ethics, knowledge, and identity.
What makes a good life? Why should we live one way rather than another? Is there a purpose to life? These are questions that we must all confront whether or not we explicitly think about them or approach them philosophically. One way to approach them philosophically is by thinking about the meaning of life: is there a meaning, and if so, what is that meaning and what is its source? In this class students will analyze questions about meaning, and then learn about and analyze the different ways of answering these questions. Students will look at ancient answers to these questions about meaning, then turn to some western and non-western religious answers, and then how agnostics, atheists, nihilists and existentialists have responded. Students will also look at the views of those who think we can find meaning in the natural world around us. Finally students will look at how science can inform our answers to questions about meaning, in particular through psychology, the brain sciences and evolutionary framework, and how technology may change the way we find or create meaning.
Survey of the main topics of philosophy, which may include God, souls, free will, the nature of right and wrong, just government, truth, and knowledge. Restricted to UA Honors students.
In this course, students will learn how to apply the tools of formal logic to philosophical and everyday reasoning. Students will also learn to use formal tools of sentential and predicate logic, such as constructing proofs and countermodels, in order to evaluate a variety of arguments. This class will also consider influential arguments from both the history of philosophy and the contemporary literature—arguments that concern such topics as ethics, knowledge, and identity.
This course provides an introduction to some of the most important philosophical ideas, texts, and figures of Ancient Greece and Rome. We will read and discuss a selection of philosophical masterpieces, many of which are literary masterpieces as well, and have exercised an unparalleled influence on the subsequent course of Western Philosophy. Authors to be discussed may include Plato, Aristotle, the Epicureans, Stoics, and Skeptics, as well as some earlier pre-Socratic thinkers. We will be considering the views of these authors on a number of issues, many of which continue to be influential today. These may include their views on ethics, politics, psychology, epistemology, physics, metaphysics, rhetoric, and philosophical method.
This course will look at the main figures and intellectual developments of the early Modern period of philosophy. We will proceed chronologically, starting with Descartes's seminal Meditations on First Philosophy and tracing two very different branches of influence from there to what are often called the Rationalist and Empiricist schools. Other figures of note will be Locke, Leibniz, Berkeley, Hume, and Kant.
Few have had a more profound impact on a discipline than Plato has had on philosophy. The purpose of this class is gain a better understanding of Plato’s philosophical thought and writings. Students will read a selection of dialogues from the early, middle, and late period of Plato’s philosophical career. Special attention will be paid to each dialogue in its own right, but students will also consider the development of Plato’s thought across dialogues. Topics to be discussed may include life and death, the soul, the nature of reality, knowledge, virtue and happiness, rhetoric and persuasion, love, law, and political expertise. This course requires no prior courses in philosophy, and should be of equal interest to students who intend to pursue other majors.
This course is designed to give the students a broad introduction to the field of philosophical ethics. The primary aim is to acquaint students with the basic subject matter of ethics as it is studied within philosophy, a few central authorities and positions, and a feel for how philosophers engage with contemporary ethical issues in light of some of the historical influences on the discipline. We will read a variety of texts ranging from historical works on ethics generally to contemporary works focusing on specific moral issues. The hope is that students will develop an understanding and appreciation of how different ethical theories apply to particular cases, and how they might begin to engage in genuine ethical debates. Restricted to UA Honors students.
This class provides an introduction to the philosophical study of applied ethics by way of a discussion of topics related to the practice of medical and biological science. Topics of discussion will include abortion, stem cell research, cloning, the allocation of scarce or limited resources, animal experimentation, and patient autonomy, among others. Along the way, other important topics in moral philosophy will be discussed.
This course serves as an introduction to central debates in political philosophy. The major questions we explore are the following: How can the coercive authority the government exercises over its citizens be justified? What does justice require in our society today? What role do democracy, freedom, rights and equality play in our understanding of a just society? Through the study of both historical and contemporary texts, we investigate these topics. We also consider how these issues bear upon debates in the contemporary American context concerning the following: restrictions on free speech, participation in the democratic process, the war on drugs, homelessness, education and socioeconomic inequality.
Should we have a government at all? What justifies the government in telling you what to do? What powers does a legitimate government exercise over citizens? What does a just society look like? These are some of the central questions of political philosophy. In this course, we seek to answer these questions using the tools of philosophical investigation. We consider different viewpoints and theories on the value of democracy, freedom, rights, and economic justice. This course serves as an introduction to central debates in political philosophy, and no prior exposure to the subject is presumed.
How should we live together? In this course, we seek to answer this question through moral assessment of the institutional rules and cultural norms that shape our interaction with others and the world around us. We specifically consider issues in the following two categories: I. Markets & consumption. In the modern-day economy, we must grapple with important issues concerning the responsibilities of individual consumers and corporations, what goods may be legitimately bought and sold in a free market, and how economic transactions between nations should be structured to count as fair. II. Violence. One of the features thought to make the state distinctive is that it has a monopoly over the legitimate use of force. Given this power, we will examine the legitimate use of violence by the government. Is the death penalty justified? Is the use of torture permissible under any circumstances? How should it deal with terrorists as opposed to traditional combatants in war?.
This class is an introduction to and survey of philosophical issues in the law, focusing on issues in general jurisprudence such as the nature of law and its relation to morality, the grounds of the legitimacy of legal authority, and the sources of legal normativity and validity. There may also be some discussion of issues in specific jurisprudence such as the value of written constitutions and their interpretations, the nature of extent of legal responsibility, and questions about the authority of non-elected judges. At least one prior course in philosophy is strongly recommended.
This is a course exploring major issues in the philosophy of constitutional law. Generally constitutional law is concerned with what powers and responsibilities governments have as well as what the limits on those powers might be, including civil rights. In doing so, constitutions guide official determinations of what counts as legally valid within the relevant jurisdiction. Topics might include debates over the proper way to interpret constitutions, whether constitutions must (or should) be written documents, whether they are necessary (or desirable) in a democracy, the relation between principles of legality set forth in constitutions and moral principles (especially the relation between legal rights and moral rights), and the advisability of official bodies tasked with interpreting and applying the constitution such as the Supreme Court.
This course will examine some of the major themes in the burgeoning field of philosophy of sport, paying special attention to a number of important ethical issues. We will look at the nature of sports (and games more generally), sportsmanship and fairness, the role of officials, gender equity, racism, and issues surrounding the use of performance-enhancing drugs. This course is reading intensive. Prior exposure to philosophy is welcome but not required.
This course is framed around two questions. First, what is the place of the mind in nature? Second, what is the place of nature in the mind? The first question is a form of mind/problem, which concerns the relationship between mental phenomena such as consciousness and the physical world. The second question is a part of the epistemology, the philosophy of knowledge, and concerns the nature and scope of human knowledge.
Recent results in psychology and neuroscience have relevance to perennial topics in philosophy such as free will, rationality, ethics, and religion. Additionally, the philosophical knowledge accumulated over aeons on these topics continue to inform psychological and neuroscientific research into these areas. This class surveys the give and take between these fields that has occurred over the last few decades, with a keen eye to seeing how the cognitive sciences have helped further the debate over some of these often ancient philosophical issues.
Though studied for millennia, consciousness remains a mystery. This course takes a critical look at philosophical and scientific attempts to account for the mind and consciousness, giving an emphasis to cognitive neuroscientific approaches. The course traces the arc of both philosophical and scientific approaches to studying the mind, and culminates with an examination of how these two approaches have recently become entwined in present-day studies of consciousness. Among the topics covered are the mind-body problem, consciousness research in psychology, and contemporary theories of consciousness.
Topics may include proofs for the existence of God, the nature of reality, free will and determinism, personal identity, and the nature of time.
This course offers introductory-level study of a special philosophical topic that is not a part of the Department's regular course offerings.
In this course, we will be introduced to some of the most fundamental concerns about art: What is distinctive, if anything, about the experience of artworks? Why do we identify anything as a work of art? How do we, or should we interpret an artwork? On what grounds can we criticize an artwork?.
Introduction to competing views of how one ought to live, designed to promote the development of a reasoned view of one’s own. May include such topics as ethical relativism, the nature of justice and of rights, and the relationship of law and morality.
This is a survey course in environmental ethics. Students will be introduced to philosophical debates on a range of contemporary environmental issues. Centrally, we will consider how traditional ethical reasoning, which focuses on humans, can be extended to analysis of the natural world. We will examine conceptual and normative issues concerning biodiversity, sustainability, animal welfare, climate change, and population growth. We will also take up questions such as the following: What is owed to future generations and to distant others? How should we balance the goals of environmental protection and economic development? What does it mean to be an ethical consumer?.
“Doing business” is something that permeates our lives. As customers, employees, employers, business owners, and simply as members of a community, we stand in important business relevant relations to others, for which it is appropriate to ask questions about the ethical status of our actions. Are we acting in ethically appropriate ways? To answer this we need to know what principles should govern our actions and what justifies those principles. In this course we will look at case studies in light of standard philosophical theories about what constitutes and justifies normative ethical principles and action.
This course number is for students who are receiving course credit for working as TAs for philosophy classes. Ordinarily, students working as TAs for classes are responsible for taking roll, proctoring and grading tests, and, most importantly, providing tutorial assistance to the students. Specific duties might vary depending on the needs of the class.
This class explores the moral status of legality and the legal status of morality, the status of unjust laws, and the role of moral judgments of lawmakers. Is a good law one that does good? What is the relation between morality and legal validity? 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 class gives you the reasoning skills you need to enter law school and those you need while in law school and beyond. While learning analytical and logical reasoning skills as well as legal research and argument-writing skills, the course covers topics such as problems with rule following and vagueness, the nature and authority of precedent, statutory interpretation, judicial decisions and burdens of proof.
Advanced study of such traditional metaphysical problems as personal identity, the mind-body problem, action theory, free will, universals, the nature of space and time, creation, causation, and purpose. Must have taken at least two philosophy courses prior to 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.
Advanced study of such topics in religion as concepts of God and religion, ritual, atheism, the problem of evil, the nature of religious language, traditional proofs of God, the concept of faith, mysticism, the concept of miracle, and the relation between theism and morality. At least two previous philosophy courses required. 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 “Darwinian Revolution” – the acceptance and development of evolutionary theory - is one of the most significant intellectual events in recent human history. It is significant partly because it has changed the way we understand the world, and the processes that operate within it. But it is also significant for the philosophical issues it raises about scientific method, conceptions of human nature, biodiversity, knowledge, ethics and the arts. This course will examine these philosophical issues raised by the Darwinian revolution. 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 arts are seemingly found in all human cultures. Why is this so? Is art deeply embedded in what we might call “human nature”? Philosophers have long thought about the arts in terms of human nature. More recently, there are proposals that we can think about the arts “naturalistically” in terms of what the biological and human sciences tell us about human nature, and the very human tendencies to make and appreciate art of all kinds. This naturalistic turn requires philosophical thinking first about how we should conceive art; second, how we can interpret and evaluate art, and third, how it functions in a variety of cultural and environmental contexts. We will be looking first at some classical theories of art and human nature, then at some naturalistic/scientific theories of art. 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. Regardless of examination grades, an average essay grade below a “D-” guarantees a course grade of F. Instructor is willing and able to teach writing skills as needed to assist students in meeting the writing requirements of the course. As is appropriate for courses with the W designation, students are expected to produce “coherent, logical, and carefully edited prose” that demonstrates “higher-level critical thinking skills, such as analysis and synthesis. Your writing will be assessed according the following criteria: Organization Clarity of Exposition Accuracy of Exposition Use of Language (precision and concision) Strength of Reasoning Consistent with the University policy, students enrolled in this course must submit an electronic copy of their first essay to Turnitin.com through Blackboard Learn.
This course offers advanced study of a special philosophical topic or movement that is not a part of the Department's regular course offerings.
With an emphasis on philosophical writing, this seminar offers advanced study of a special philosophical topic that is not a part of the Department's regular course offerings. Prerequisite: successful completion of at least two PHL courses. PHL 392 may be repeated up to 12 hours. 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.
Advanced study of a particular philosopher or philosophical movement or problem in the history of philosophy. Must have taken at least two previous philosophy courses or permission of instructor. 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 course is an opportunity to do self-directed study and writing in an approved topic.
Due to advances in psychopharmacology and brain imaging, scenarios resembling those of science fiction may soon be upon us: Medications that enhance our memory, cognitive abilities, or happiness could be widely available in the near future, and advances in neuroimaging promise to allow the detection of lying, mental illness, or even level of intelligence. Technologies like these bring a host of ethical questions in their wake, ones pertaining to privacy, justice, and authenticity to self. Issues such as these are what compose the field of Neuroethics, and will be what we look at in this class. 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 course provides an in-depth examination of some of the central ethical issues encountered by physicians and other medical professionals. Students will acquire breadth in the field of medical ethics as well as engage in an in-depth examination of specific issues. Possible topics include: The physician-patient relationship, the role of physicians and other medical professionals, end-of-life decision-making (advance directives, do not resuscitate orders, palliative care, the definition of death), beginning of life decision-making (genetic counseling and prenatal screening), and the ethics of clinical research, and bias and unequal treatment in healthcare practice. The course is specifically aimed at students who are considering a career in healthcare but will be of interest to anyone who has a special interest in biomedical ethics. This course carries a W designation. 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.
Usually science and ethics are taken to be about different things: science is concerned with the facts - how things are; ethics is concerned with value - how things should be. But science has increasingly come to study ethics itself: the grounds and foundation of our ethical thinking and practices in evolution, moral psychology, social psychology and human behavioral ecology. While many philosophers think these scientific investigations of human ethics cannot tell us how we should live, what we should do and what is morally good or bad, others think we can use science to inform our ethics, in part by uncovering our biases and correcting our errors in how we think about ethical questions and topics. In this class we will begin with traditional approaches to ethics based on reason, intuition and faith, then turn to challenges to these approaches based on evolutionary thinking, psychology and human ecology. 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.
In this course we will study philosophical issues concerning oppression. Students will take up questions about how we should understand social categories such as race and gender: for instance, what does it mean to belong to a certain race, or to be a man or woman? Students will consider the nature and explore the hallmarks of oppression. In particular, significant attention will be devoted to three specific forms of oppression: racism, sexism, and sizism. The class will also consider questions of responsibility—such as whether victims of oppression have a responsibility to resist the oppressive circumstances they face—and questions concerning what forms of civil disobedience might be justified to combat oppression, and on what basis. 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 is a course covering a specialized advanced topic in specific jurisprudence. Specific jurisprudence deals with issues relevant to one area of law or legal system. Example topics are issues in criminal punishment, debates over the proper way to interpret the U.S. Constitution, and the dilemmas of privacy law. The Professor will determine the specific topic each semester the course is offered. 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.
As the “ticking time bomb” hypothetical typically goes, you are an intelligence agent or law enforcement officer who has detained the one terrorist with knowledge of how to prevent a large-scale attack. One may contort the hypothetical to make it as heart-rending as possible, but the ultimate question is whether you should torture the detainee in such an extreme scenario. These scenarios raise pressing practical and philosophical questions, but they need not be so extreme. This course examines the central legal and philosophical issues relating to national security, including terrorism, torture, the ethics of intelligence, the national security uses and risks of artificial intelligence, and the balance between security and liberty.
This course explores philosophical issues concerning international law. Students consider the circumstances under which violence may be legitimately used in the international arena. Students also consider ethical dimensions of international rules about refugees and border control, ecological and health issues, as well as property rights to territory and natural resources. Along the way, we engage with debates about the status of international law—examining, for instance, which agents, if any, have the authority to make and to enforce international laws.
This course explores the central philosophical issues raised in constitutional law, including constitutional structure, separation of powers, representation, the rule of law, principles of legislation, and judicial review and interpretation. The course also examines how these issues become manifest in actual cases, in the context of both government powers and civil liberties.
This course examines the central philosophical problems that arise within the law of policing. Topics include police authority, legitimacy, and the problem of political obligation; the relationship between police discretion and the rule of law; human dignity and brutality in policing; and special problems in laws governing entrapment, the police's use of informants, and the police's use of surveillance and emerging technology.
This is a course covering a specialized advanced topic in general jurisprudence. General jurisprudence deals with issues relevant to law as a whole. Example topics are issues in legal authority, interpretation and rule following, and legal validity. The Professor will determine the specific topic each semester the course is offered. 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.
What is the relationship between the mental and the physical? That is the central question in the philosophy of mind, and we will approach it from different angles. We will focus largely on consciousness and its place in nature. Most readings will be from the contemporary literature but some will be historical. 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. Two philosophy courses or instructor’s permission. PHL 260 Mind and Nature is recommended but not required.
Consciousness is one of the last great mysteries. Recent years have seen the use of neuroscientific methods to try to understand consciousness, in hopes that this approach succeeds where others failed. This course surveys and analyzes current neuroscientific and philosophical approaches to studying consciousness, the goal being to integrate the two as much as possible. Topics covered include: the relationship between visual consciousness and bodily action; whether higher-order thought is necessary for consciousness; the use of brain lesions in consciousness research; the relationship between attention and consciousness. 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 course concerns the nature of linguistic reference, meaning, and their connection to metaphysics, epistemology, and the philosophy of mind. Students will study classic works by Gottlob Frege, Bertrand Russell, Saul Kripke, and others. Students will also study more recent works by David Chalmers, Amie Thomasson, Jennifer Saul, and others.
This course surveys issues in the philosophical study of knowledge. Typical questions addressed include: What is the nature of knowledge? What are the limits of what we can know? When is a belief justified? What can science tell us about the nature of knowledge or rational thought?.
Uncertainty is a fundamental and unavoidable feature of daily life. Agents must reason and act in an uncertain world. In order to do so intelligently, they need to deal with and reason about this uncertainty. This course discusses modeling and reasoning about uncertainty, going from purely qualitative notions (an event is either possible or it is not) to quantitative notions such as probability (an event has probability .8). Students will learn different rules for making decisions under ignorance, given uncertainty, and in competition with others. Moreover, students will focus on how to think about group decisions and social theory.
Science serves an important role in society, from satisfying our interest in the nature of reality to informing technological advancements and public policy. This course will cover some of the main topics in philosophy of science: the demarcation of science and pseudoscience, scientific methods, the nature of evidence, scientific progress, scientific realism and antirealism, and the role of values in science.
This class will explore a variety of philosophical questions concerning mental health, mental illness, and how we should think about mental health in the context of medical practice more generally. Topics covered may include: Ontology and classification: What makes an illness mental as opposed to physical? When does a mental problem qualify as pathological (and so, get classified as an “illness”) and what are the implications of classifying something as an illness with respect to how we think about and treat it? Research on mental illness: What special challenges arise in studying mental illness? 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.
It is difficult to overstate the significance of medicine, in that it affects each of us from birth through death; or the complexity of medicine, in that it involves scientific, conceptual, economic, ethical and philosophical issues. We will here look at three of these issues from a philosophical standpoint: 1) the ways that we conceptualize health and disease; 2) the relation between medicine and science, and the patterns of reasoning associated with medical thinking; 3) the challenge posed by evolution to how we think about medicine, health and disease. 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 course offers advanced study of a philosophical topic or movement that is not a part of the Department's regular course offerings. At least two previous philosophy courses or permission from instructor required.
With an emphasis on philosophical writing, this advanced seminar offers study of a special philosophical topic that is not a part of the Department's regular course offerings. 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. Prerequisite: successful completion of at least two PHL courses. PHL 492 may be repeated up to 12 hours.
This course is the first semester of college-level Portuguese. As such, it is a broad introduction to the Portuguese language with emphasis placed on developing speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in Brazilian Portuguese, as well as the history and culture of the Portuguese-speaking world.
This course is the second semester of college-level Portuguese. As such, it is a broad introduction to the Portuguese language with emphasis placed on further developing speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in Brazilian Portuguese, as well as the history and culture of the Portuguese-speaking world.
This is the third-semester of college-level Portuguese. As such, it is a broad introduction to the Portuguese language with emphasis placed on refining speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in Portuguese, as well as the history and culture of the Portuguese-speaking world.
This is the fourth-semester of college-level Portuguese. As such, it is a broad introduction to the Portuguese language with emphasis placed on refining speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in Portuguese, as well as furthering knowledge of the history and culture of the Portuguese-speaking world.
This is an accelerated introduction to the Portuguese language and Lusophone culture for those with proficiency in a Romance Language (French, Italian, Romanian, Catalan), especially Spanish. This course uses that knowledge as a basis for the accelerated learning of Portuguese. Emphasis is placed on the concurrent development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, as well as the history and culture of the Portuguese-speaking world. This course is the equivalent of one year of college-level Portuguese.
With over 230 million native speakers spread throughout Brazil, Europe, Africa, and Asia, Portuguese is one of the world’s most widely spoken languages. This course offers a broad introduction to the literatures of Portugal, Brazil, and Portuguese-speaking Africa, from the late 19th century to the present day. Themes of politics, gender, colonialism, war, issues of class, race, and sexuality will be explored in a variety of genres (novels, short stories, drama, poetry and essays). No knowledge of Portuguese is required. This course is taught in English and all readings are available in English.
Due to the worldwide geographical distribution of the Portuguese language, musical expression in Portuguese varies greatly in sound, rhythm, composition, and instrumentation. This course will provide an introduction to the cultures of the Portuguese-speaking world through a broad historical overview from the late 19th century to the present day of classical, popular, and folk music traditions from throughout the Portuguese-speaking world including fado and hip hop tuga from Portugal, samba, bossa nova, funk, tropicália, forró, and choro from Brazil, morna, batuque and funaná from Cape Verde, and kuduro and kizomba from Angola. No knowledge of Portuguese is required. This course is taught in English and all readings are available in English.
This course focuses on the development of conversational skills through role-playing, oral presentations, and vocabulary building.
This course focuses on the development of conversational skills through role-playing, oral presentations, and vocabulary building.
This course offers a broad introduction to the literatures of Portugal, Brazil, and Portuguese-speaking Africa, through a diverse selection of texts by female writers from the 20th and 21st centuries. This course will examine the differing strategies deployed by female-authored fiction, poetry, autobiography, and essay as they negotiate genre and gender, and issues affecting feminism, social relations, and psychological discourses. 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 course is taught in English and all readings are available in English.
This course offers a broad introduction to the literatures of African nations that have Portuguese as an official language through a diverse selection of texts (fiction, poetry, autobiography, and essay) from the 20th and 21st centuries. Readings will range from landmarks of emergent national literatures of Angola, Cape Verde, and Mozambique to recent works from authors who came of age in the post-independence period (after 1975). Literary works will be discussed in the context of significant cultural, social, and political aspects of contemporary Lusophone Africa. 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 course is taught in English and all readings are available in English.
Survey of the principles, political institutions, and practices of American national, state, and local politics. Elucidation of how people can affect government processes and decisions, and how government processes and policies affect people.
Introduction to the conduct of political inquiry and methods of political research.
Theoretical approaches to the comparative study of national political systems.
Survey of the evolution of the modern state system and the basic forces in international relations.
Survey of fundamental concepts in political theory such as liberty, equality, and authority.
Study of the administrative principles and practices in the areas of organization, personnel management, budgeting, government regulation, and democratic controls.
Study of the institutions and functions of American state and local governments and their relationship to the political process.
Activities of parties and pressure groups in American politics. Attention is given to the social composition, organization, finance, and nominating processes of parties.
Analysis of the politics and processes of the U.S. Congress, including its Constitutional origins, evolution, current structures and rules, elections, and relationships with the public and other political actors.
Examination of the U.S. Presidency, including its Constitutional origins and historical evolution; current structure, selection, and powers; and relationships with the broader executive bureaucracy, Congress, and the public.
Introductory analysis of judicial organization, processes, and behavior, with emphasis on the institutional characteristics of the courts.
Law school is often portrayed as an incredibly challenging endeavor. Law school brings together the smartest students from colleges and universities and pits them in an intense, often times, aggressive environment. From the famed Socratic Method of instruction to quite literally learning Latin terms and phrases and discerning what language in opinions really matters, law school challenges both the mind and the will of those who attend it. Significant for this course, law school will refine the way that one thinks, writes, speaks, and lives. This course aims to prepare its students for the academic, social, and emotional rigor of law school.
Examination of the party system of the Southern states in terms of its origin, nature, distribution of power, and impact on national politics.
This course will examine freedom of expression from philosophical, legal, and political perspectives. Students will discuss and evaluate philosophical arguments for protecting freedom of expression, and arguments for regulating expression. The largest section of the course will review the U.S. Supreme Court’s interpretations of the First Amendment’s freedom of speech provision. We will also investigate contemporary issues related to freedom of expression.
Study of the constitutional foundations of federalism and the separation of powers, with emphasis on the role of the Supreme Court.
Study of the Constitution's protections for civil rights and civil liberties, and the Supreme Court's interpretations of them.
Supervised independent reading and research. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours, with permission of the department.
Course content varies from offering to offering. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 hours, with permission of the department.
This course focuses on aspects of US political institutions, attitudes, and/or behavior not typically covered in depth in the department's regular course offerings in American politics. Specific offerings will vary by semester and instructor.
This course covers politics in a country or region not typically covered in depth in the department's regular course offerings, or involves a cross-national analysis of a political institution, issue, policy, or behavior not typically addressed in our regular comparative politics courses. Offerings vary by instructor and semester.
This course addresses aspects of international relations (e.g., diplomacy, trade, conflict, and/or international organizations) not typically covered in depth in the department's regular IR course offerings. Specific offerings vary by semester and instructor. Students must consult the International Studies program director to ascertain whether and/or how a particular edition of this course might apply to the INST major or minor.
This course addresses theorists, issues, cultures, and/or historical eras not typically covered in depth in the Political Science Department's regular course offerings in Political Theory. Specific topics will vary by instructor and semester.
This course addresses issues and/or substantive areas within Public Administration and/or Public Policy that are not covered in depth in the Department's regular course offerings. Specific offerings will vary by semester and instructor. Applicability of specific editions of this course to the Public Policy Minor depends on evaluation by the Coordinator of the Public Policy Minor.
Examination of democratization processes and outcomes in different areas of the world, as well as success and failure in institutionalizing fully democratic systems. 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 course explores political and economic development within the regions of Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
This course will examine Latin American political and economic developments throughout the 20th and early 21st centuries.
Analysis of the democracies of Western Europe. Attention is given to participation, societal cleavages, elections, parties, government institutions, policy making, and the European Union.
This course introduces students to the politics of contemporary Africa. It challenges the dominant representations of the continent as conflict prone, economically underdeveloped, and political unstable. Instead, the course presents Africa as a dynamic region comprised of 54 independent states with diverse political and economic realities. Students will explore core themes such as the politics of the state, politics of identity, economic and political development, the politics of conflict and cooperation, and the role of Africa in global affairs. These themes are examined through a variety of learning materials and collaborative-learning methods that expose students to dominant theoretical approaches and political science methodologies. 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 course is designed to introduce advanced undergraduate students to contemporary Middle East politics. The course adopts a thematic approach to the study of Middle East politics. Important themes and questions in comparative politics will guide analysis of the complex political realities in the contemporary Middle East. The course begins with a historical overview of the emergence of the modern state system in the contemporary Middle East. The rest of the course draws on the tools of comparative politics to address some of the major issues facing the Middle East which include, but are not limited to, authoritarianism, political participation, identity politics, economic development, the political economy of oil, Islamist social and political movements, and the politics of gender.
This course will examine the political history of Mexico and will also provide a survey of contemporary issues in Mexican politics.
This course covers a variety of topics related to civil war using a theoretical and scientific perspective. Topics include the distribution, onset, outcome, recurrence and duration of civil wars, and the management of civil war though third party mediation and negotiated settlements.
The surprising persistence of authoritarian regimes since the end of the Cold War has inspired a major new literature in comparative politics on how non-democracy works. This course will address a number of important questions related to the functioning of authoritarian regimes and will explore authoritarian politics in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, Asia, and the post-Soviet countries.
How are we to make sense of the present-day conflict between Israelis and Palestinians? How do the parties involved see that conflict, and how does it fit into our own conceptions of religion and politics, war and peace, place and space? Why does it seem so intractable? Why does it occupy such prominence in contemporary political discourse? Through an examination of primary and secondary historical texts, literary works, films and artwork, we will explore the origins and unfolding of this conflict both internally (ie, as emerging from within distinct social-political moments for the people involved) and externally (in relation to broader geopolitical and economic developments). As the conflict remains ongoing, we will strive for compassionate, nuanced engagement; to understand rather than judge; and to find hope for new possibilities.
Global governance refers to institutions, regimes and rules that regulate the conduct of global politics in multiple areas. This class focuses on the challenges facing global governance regimes, such as demands for reform, fragmentation, the establishment of alternative institutions, regionalism and normative resistance. Students will learn about how these challenges impact multiple domains of global politics, including the UN Security Council, the global economy, international law, security, health, and the environment.
Key political theorists from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries. Assigned texts may vary, but typically include works by Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, J. S. Mill, Marx, and Nietzsche. Topics include conceptions of a just society, the state, the value of political participation, liberty, and equality.
Study of governmental revenue and expenditure policies with emphasis on the budget as a method of administrative and fiscal control.
An examination of traditional and contemporary organizational theory and its application to public administration.
A historical and contemporary assessment of the political, social and economic development of African-Americans in the American political system.
This introductory environmental policy course reviews major developments in environmental regulation in the United States, considered in a global context. Readings examine the evolution of U.S. environmental policy, the form and function of social institutions used to govern human-environment interactions, including markets, state and civil society, and conventions, norms, and morals. U.S. and U.N. legal structures, agencies, and NGOs are addressed, with attention to comparative regulatory frameworks. The “new institutional approach,” “resource regimes,” and various incremental and transformative institutional reforms are discussed. The impact of economic and cultural factors—including class, race, gender, and location—on resource use and other policy decisions affecting the physical and built environments will be explored. Evolving institutional approaches to energy use, such as sustainability, “wise use,” adaptive management, and resilience are examined. This course is cross-listed with NEW 365.
In this course we will examine the causes and consequences of social movements in U.S. politics. Although social scientists have defined “social movements” in somewhat different ways, we will rely on a relatively simple definition that reflects the shared elements of all of the definitions found in the literature. Social movements are collective, organized efforts of non-state actors to promote or resist change, that rely in whole or in part on unconventional political tactics. Throughout U.S. history, it is difficult to identify major examples of policy change that were not spurred by social movement activity. Yet, social movements remain the least studied form of political influence within the discipline of political science. Therefore, much of the material from this course will draw from the fields of sociology and history, where the majority of the research on social movements can be found.
This course provides a broad overview of public policy in the United States. In addition to learning about the policy process and policy analysis, we will examine the historical context and contemporary status of several policy issues.
This course is designed to permit dedicated instructional time to special issues in the current year’s American Mock Trial Association competition problem. The instructional time will be spent both on examination of specific legal issues and questions present in the case and practical exercises, meant to sharpen individual and team trial advocacy skills.
This course is designed to focus on special issues in the current year’s American Mock Trial Association competition problem. The course will focus on both on examination of specific legal issues and questions present in the criminal case and practical exercises, meant to sharpen individual and team trial advocacy skills.
Students may receive credit for internships they secure in offices, agencies or organizations related to Political Science. Students must secure the agreement of a faculty member to supervise the internship.
The formation, distribution, structure, properties, and techniques of measuring public opinions in the United States.
Examination of the forces and processes affecting United States foreign relations. Attention is also given to the content and problems of contemporary American foreign policy.
This is an overview of the key components of Foreign Policy Decision Making (FPDM). Students are expected to learn the theories and models of FPDM and be able to apply them to case studies of foreign decisions. This course is distinguished from PSC 413 by specifically focusing on how and why decisions are made.
The objective of this course is to understand how gender influences women’s representation and women’s role in the electoral process, both as voters as well as candidates and office holders. We will discuss the concept of gender and cultural norms of womanhood and the way they impact women in the political arena. The political representation of women and their interests, as well as women’s experiences as citizens, candidates, and elected officials, cannot be understood without this contextual lens. Over the course of this class, we will investigate women’s participation, the conceptualization of women’s interests, women’s portrayal in the media and women’s effectiveness as legislators, both on the state as well as the congressional level in the US. PSC 101, highly recommended.
May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours. Selected problems in various areas of political science. Topics, instructors, and political science subfields covered will vary by instructor and semester. 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.
May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours. Selected problems in various areas in political science. Writing proficiency within this discipline is required for a passing grade in this course.
The course deals with the international trade and finance regimes, foreign economic policy, transnational corporations in the world economy, North/South and East/West relations, and the implications of economic interdependence.
This course will introduce you to the government, politics and policy of the United Kingdom (UK). Topics will include political history, parties, interest groups, elections, governing institutions (Parliament, the Prime Minister and Cabinet), regional issues including Northern Ireland, Britain’s process of leaving the European Union (“Brexit”), and a number of specific policy areas. After a brief survey of the political history of Britain, the course will focus on post-WWII politics and policy, from the creation of the National Health Service and the growth of the welfare state in the early post-war years, to the “Thatcher revolution” of the 1980s and its emphasis on free market principles, Prime Minister Tony Blair’s “Third Way” policies, the coalition government of 2010-15, and the current minority government. 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 is an introductory course into two distinct subjects: terrorism and Islamist movements. The main aim of the course is to show when and why Islamists turn violent, but it also emphasizes that not all Islamists are terrorists. The first part discusses correlates of terrorism, including agents, strategies, and ideologies of terrorist organizations as well as the causal underpinnings of terrorist group formation. The course’s second part highlights varieties in Islamist organization, namely social movements, opposition groups, state actors, and militant organizations. The final part of the course focuses on empirical examples of Islamist terrorist organizations: Hamas, Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda, and the Islamic State. 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.
Examination of the various kinds of violent conflicts in which nation-states become involved.
Analysis of domestic policy in advanced industrialized democracies, looking at both policy process and policy substance. Attention will be given to the questions of how and why policies differ across countries, and how one might evaluate policy performance cross-nationally. Writing proficiency within this discipline is required for a passing grade in this course.
This course focuses on understanding and analyzing why states create international institutions and why the effects of these institutions vary. Divided into two sections, students will begin with conceptual and theoretical analysis of why states create international institutions and why such institutions do or do not produce desired outcomes. Next, students will examine how international governance has evolved in four different issue areas – peace and security, the international the environment, and human rights – and what the current challenges are.
Humanitarian action, that is the desire to relieve the suffering of distant strangers, is an idea that is centuries old. And yet, this idea has always been tangled up with ethical and political questions: What are the bases of the desire to help distant strangers? Is there a responsibility or an obligation to help strangers in need? How do we know when humanitarian action is required? In a context of multiple emergencies, which strangers become recipients of humanitarian action and aid? Are there moral and ethical bases of choosing or is it all political?.
The course will cover a variety of topics that link security and political economy. Writing proficiency within this discipline is required for a passing grade in this course.
This course surveys the evolution of regional geopolitics in the Middle East. It traces how colonialism, state building, and nationalism formed the Middle East regional system and how domestic political struggles, external inventions, and geopolitical rivalries have defined shifts in state and societal insecurity and the dynamics of the regional order. Special attention is given to US diplomatic and military interventions in the region, their regional consequences, and state and societal opposition to US influence in the region. The course also considers the “new Arab wars” in the wake of the Arab Uprisings, the rise of new regional powers and non-state actors, and current debates about the future evolution of regional politics and the role of the US in the region. PSC 204 is recommended before taking this course, but not required. 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 in Political Science or International Relations will not earn a passing grade, no matter how well the student performs in other aspects of the course.
Investigates primary sources and secondary literature covering the origin and direction of the U.S. political ideology. Topics typically include liberalism, civic republicanism, and debates between contemporary scholars concerning American exceptionalism.
Study of the American public personnel system at the local, state, and national level. Emphasis is on such areas as the political activity of government employees, the application of the principle of equal opportunity and affirmative action, and the role of collective bargaining in government.
We examine health policy at all levels of government, with particular focus on the interdependence of the national, state, and local governments to provide health services. The political environment of health policymaking and implementation is explored. Health policies such as Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act will be examined, as well as other policies that impact health. We examine the policymaking process in general, applying health policy to the concepts and theories. We compare the US health care system with systems in other industrialized democracies.
In this course we will examine one of the most enduring social problems in the United States – poverty. The course is divided into three sections. In the first section, we will primarily focus on the conceptualization and measurement of poverty, as well as the demographic groups that are most likely to suffer from high poverty rates. In the second part of the course, we will review in detail the major government programs aimed at alleviating poverty. We will examine their historical development, their structure and the social science research on their effectiveness. In the third section of the course we will review alternative explanations for poverty, focusing on the distinction between individual and structural explanations and how it influences public discourse and the politics of poverty. As this is an upper level course that fulfills the university’s writing requirement, there will be a significant amount of writing in this class. 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 class will examine the origins and history of the conservative political movement in the United States, following the development of this ideology from its origins as a small movement of journalists and intellectuals to the dominant ideology of the Republican Party, and ultimately, for a time, the dominant ideology in the United States. This class will focus primarily on texts written from a conservative or right-wing perspective. That said, the purpose of this class is not indoctrination. Students are encouraged to engage in vigorous, respectful class discussions on the ideas presented, noting any weaknesses perceived in the arguments considered. 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 concept of equal opportunity is a bedrock principle of American political culture. We pride ourselves on the idea that all Americans, regardless of race, gender, class level or other demographic characteristics, have a chance to live the American Dream of getting a good job, owning your own home and creating a successful and satisfying life. This course will examine whether equal opportunity is a reality in America, and what effect the law and public policy have on equal opportunity. Writing proficiency within the discipline 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 in this discipline will not earn a passing grade, no matter how well the student performs in other areas of the course.
Law is traditionally studied vocationally. That is, students of the law often learn about it strategically, in order to eventually write legislation, advocate for a client, or decide cases. In this class, students will be introduced to a different way of studying law, one rooted in the interdisciplinary field of legal studies (sometimes known as “law and society”) that draws on knowledge, methodologies, and critical theories from several disciplines. Rather than studying law as an enterprise that operates autonomously, this course introduces students to the study of law as an object that cannot be understood apart from the social, political, and cultural contexts in which it exists, to include race and ethnicity, social class, gender, sexual orientation, and nationality. With these goals in mind, this course will explore how law permeates human life and, conversely, how human life permeates law. As this course is one that satisfies the “W” requirement, writing proficiency within this discipline 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.
Basic principles of psychology.
Methods are presented that enable students to make inferences about a population from a knowledge of small samples. Offered each semester and in the summer session.
This course is for Psychology and Neuroscience Majors only. It presents an overview of methods that allow researchers to make inferences about a population from a knowledge of small samples. This course has a specific focus on statistical analyses used in psychological research, which is necessary to progress into PY 355 – General Experimental Psychology. This course will also include an emphasis on commonly utilized data analysis software.
There is increasing evidence that biological factors either increase risk for or directly cause many psychological disorders. This lecture-based course focuses on understanding biological research on psychological disorders, including research on biological risk factors, biological factors associated with the presence of disorders, and the biological effects of various forms of treatment (e.g., therapy and medication). We will take an interdisciplinary approach, reviewing research from neuroscience, psychopharmacology, biochemistry, genetics, epigenetics, endocrinology, and physiology to understand the biological bases of the development of and treatments for psychological disorders. The course will include an introduction to a variety of biological research methods. The course will include brief introductions to the major psychological disorders listed in DSM-V, but will primarily focus on providing an understanding of the biological basis of these disorders. The course will also include discussions about controversial and ethical issues related to biological research on psychological disorders.
Scientific methods applied to the problems of psychology.
This course will provide an introduction to the field of psychopathology. This course will cover clinical descriptions of psychological disorders, factors that contribute to the development and progression of psychological disorders, and treatment for psychological disorders.
A study of theories that represent the psychoanalytic, neopsychoanalytic, trait, life span, humanistic, cognitive, behavioral and social-learning approaches to understanding human behavior. Clinical and experimental data are used to evaluate representative personality theories.
This course explores the theories, research, and practice of behavioral medicine, particularly as it relates to integration of behavioral health into primary medical care. Students will examine the roles of psychology and other behavioral health professions in research and practice within healthcare. Theories of practice in the field of behavioral health will be covered. Students will develop competence in the connection between behaviors and health.
The course is the second semester of a four-semester honors sequence. Preparation of a research proposal and approval of thesis committee is required. 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 course combines specialized coursework with hands-on mentoring of middle and high school youth. It explores the development of civic engagement in youth and how to promote it.
How does our brain give rise to our abilities to perceive, act and think? Survey of the basic facts, empirical evidence, theories and methods of study in cognitive neuroscience exploring how cognition is instantiated in neural activity. Representative topics include the neural underpinnings of perceptual and motor processes, decision making, learning and memory, attention, reinforcement learning, sensory inference, and cognitive control. The course will cover a functional analysis of cognitive disorders from a biological basis and the relation between brain and behavior. The latter will be addressed through studies of lesion localization and neuroimaging of the intact brain. This class should prepare you to take more specialized upper level classes in specific areas of neuroscience.
Bringing Art to Life is an innovative program developed by Cognitive Dynamics Foundation that pairs students with persons living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias for a transformational empathy-building service learning opportunity incorporating the expressive arts, reminiscence, and life story preservation.
Course will expose students to specialty areas in Psychology and provide opportunities to develop skills associated with writing and oral presentation. 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 course is designed to give students experience working with individuals on the autism spectrum. Each student will be paired with a UA-ACTS student who they will meet with 2-3 times per week to address academic organization, social skills, and daily-living and career-building skills. Students will also learn about best practices, trends, and barriers in working with individuals with ASD in the college environment.
The course will expose students to issues in child mental health and treatment, with a focus on professional ethics, mentoring, and evidence-based treatments for childhood disorders. The course will combine in-class lecture/discussion with a practicum experience at Brewer Porch.
Bodily structures (nervous, muscular, and glandular) underlying behavior.
Scientific approaches to understanding the psychological development of youth and its applications. Suggested for undergraduate seniors.
Contemporary approaches to cognitive psychology, including topics such as attention and memory.
The course is the third semester of a four-semester honors sequence. Implementation of an approved research proposal.
The course is the final semester of a four-semester honors sequence. Preparation and defense of senior honors thesis.
Thorough examination of a selected contemporary psychological area. Different topics are offered each semester; descriptions are available at registration. 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. Offered each semester and in the summer session. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours.
Supervised experience and training in teaching, course administration, etc., as additional preparation for students planning to pursue graduate study in psychology.
Various methodological approaches to the academic study of religion, with examples of religious life and thought drawn from a variety of cultures. This course is required of all majors and minors.
This introductory course examines the socio-cultural constructs called "religion" and "violence" with the help of academic theories and theorists in order to consider relationships between the two. The course introduces theories of evil, violence, and hatred, using historical and contemporary case studies on such topics as terrorism and genocide.
This comparative study of religions highlights complexity in world religions. Topics, such as texts, practices, and deities, organize the study of different pairs of religions.
This introductory level course examines the place and function of religion in modern culture by examining the way stories are (or are not) identified as religious in news media. Drawing on various historical examples—from print to digital media--the course introduces students to the academic study of religion through case studies of how religion is commonly represented in the media, paying particular attention to the possible motives and practical consequences to classifying claims, actions and organizations as religious or not. As part of the core curriculum, this course addresses the ability of students to deal with questions of values, ethics, or aesthetics as they are represented in the humanistic fields of religious studies and history. The course is broad in scope and takes a global perspective of religion and news media and the relationship between all points of view on these subjects. The emphasis of the course is the history and appreciation of religion, media, and culture.
Instead of assuming that religion is a distinct aspect of the human, one that interacts only with elements of elite or high culture, this course examines the ways that the beliefs and behaviors that we commonly classify as religious are a part of everyday culture—in particular, the ways that they are produced by and in turn influence popular culture. Myths, rituals, and traditions circulate all throughout mass culture via print, radio, television, and now the web. The course therefore introduces students to a set of recent, historical examples where the scholar of religion can shed light on the workings of contemporary day-to-day life. As a part of the core curriculum, this course addresses the ability of students to deal with questions of values, ethics, or aesthetics as they are represented in the humanistic fields of learning regarding the study of religion, film, art, music, and online media. The course is broad in scope and takes a global perspective on religion and popular culture as well as the relationship between all points of view on these subjects. The emphasis of the course is the history and appreciation of religion and popular culture.
This course is an introduction to the myths and practices of what contemporary scholars call ancient Greek religion. It examines the problem of defining "religion," and translating specific ancient greek terms as "religion," and the implication involved in this process.
This course explores how digital environments work using the study of religion. The course will focus on the ways social and cultural practices operate in digital environments. The course will also introduce students to methods for studying digital culture.
This course examines religion as both a social phenomenon (i.e. “something someone once called ‘religion’”) and as an exemplar of social formation (e.g. religion as cultural identity, legal classification, traditional practice, value system). It also introduces students to data sets experts use to examine the behavioral, structural, and economic impact of religion in society.
Introduction to the books of the Old Testament, or Hebrew Bible as it is known in Judaism, in their historical setting, with emphasis on textual analysis and on literary forms and their function and use in the past and present.
Introduction to the Hellenistic world of early Christianity, examining the early traditions about Jesus that were organized into the Gospels and the letters of Paul.
This course will examine literary texts from across several genres (such as historical fiction, poetry and essays, magical realism, and graphic novels) that present religion in various social, political, and geographical contexts. These diverse literary case studies all emphasize religion’s sociopolitical and rhetorical functionality, complicating traditional notions of religion as an internal or belief-based phenomenon. Over the course of these readings, we will also trace critical interventions into issues of authority, voice, and identity.
This course is a broad, interdisciplinary introduction to the ways in which “science” and “religion” have been defined.
This introductory level course examines the construction of religion through law, politics, and the nation-state. Students are introduced to the role of religion in liberal political theory, secularism, and the modern rise of the nation-state. This course will be particularly helpful to students interested in religious studies, history, political science, law, and philosophy.
This course offers a survey of religious themes and movements related to Buddhism in various Asian countries and North America. The topics include historical narratives, interpretations of texts, transformations of rituals, diaspora and identity, nationalism and politics, and Buddhism in contemporary culture.
Introductory survey of the major religious traditions of Asia, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Shinto.
Examination of this event, and scholarship on it, from various historical and critical perspectives.
A study of some of the leading schools and interpreters of Judaism and a review of modern developments including the Holocaust and the State of Israel.
Examination of African influence throughout the Americas (e.g., Candomblé in Brazil, Vodou in the Caribbean, African-American religions in North America), focusing on the interplay between religion, culture and politics.
This course surveys the history of a very influential school of modern, Western religious thought called religious existentialism. We will review the major texts, authors, and themes of this eclectic movement. The course will include study and discussion of texts by Kierkegaard, Dostoevsky, Buber, Heidegger, de Beauvoir, Sartre, Fanon, Derrida, Cixous and Zizek.
The role and place of women in several religious traditions, ancient and modern.
An introduction to the traditions of Islam, including their history, texts, intellectual debates, and contemporary practices.
This course offers a survey of social scientific theories used to explain how societies use religion to construct the self and reproduce social structures and institutions.
Survey of major philosophical formulations of the nature and role of Jews and Judaism, written by select Jewish thinkers.
Examines contemporary depictions of apocalypse and dystopia in popular media.
This course surveys the development and change of religious communities, ideas, and movements in America and the social, cultural, economic, and political developments that affected them from the period before European colonization of North America to the present.
This Honors course offers a survey of religious themes and movements in American culture from the period before European colonization to the present.
This one credit course involves monthly films, discussions, and attending either the annual Day or Aronov Lecture.
Analytical and critical study of a number of books of the Bible; each book is examined and evaluated as an example of a particular literary genre. 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 cross-disciplinary course introduces students to the methods of the digital humanities by applying those methods to the study of religion. Students will learn a variety of digital methods and tools and apply those to data drawn from religious studies. Students do not need a background in computing or religious studies.
Investigates the intersections of various social divisions and identities with religious labels and practices by analyzing case studies from South Asia.
This core writing course analyzes retellings of ancient tales within contemporary popular culture, investigating versions of two specific stories, the Ramayana and Journey to the West, to address issues surrounding myths and cultural identity and the ways people adapt stories for various ideological purposes, including the politics of translation, adaptation, and classification. 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.
Media overage of Muslims in the United States and Europe often focus on some kind of comparison or contrast between Islam and "the West." This course examines how ideas of Islam and the West have been co-constructed. 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.
From Hercules to Achilles, to Odysseus, and from Oedipus Rex to Medea, myths of the ancient Greek world are as popular today as they were thousands of years ago. Why do we re-tell those ancient myths today? What makes something a myth? What’s the difference between a myth and a story? How did scholars try to explain the origin and function of myths? Do we produce myths today? The course will address those questions by looking at several myths of the ancient Greco-Roman world but also will look at the theories scholars developed in order to understand those stories. The course examines the history of differing theories of myth, conceived as a sub-type of narrative. 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.
Critical examination of the 2,000-year-old relationship focusing on areas of commonality and difference. 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.
Supervised research of the student's choice. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 hours for differing topics. Speak with the professor before registering.
Supervised research of the student's choice. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 hours for differing topics. Speak with the professor before registering.
Specific context will be determined by faculty responsible for the course that semester. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 hours for differing topics.
Specific context will be determined by faculty responsible for the course that semester. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 hours for differing topics.
Specific context will be determined by faculty responsible for the course that semester. May be repeated for a maximum of May be repeated for a maximum of 9 hours for differing topics.
REL 400 is an independent research course in which the student conducts Honors Thesis research under the guidance of a thesis advisor. Research projects will include the development of an original research question; in-depth research into relevant secondary and primary sources; a prospectus outlining the proposed thesis; a 15-25 page long essay with reference notes and annotated bibliography; and an oral presentation of the research. Students will meet regularly with the thesis advisor throughout the semester during which which the course is undertaken. Talk to the REL advisor for more information.
Explores the phenomenon known as genocide by examining its relationship to the religion in both its institutional and theological frameworks.
This Writing course will look at the roles and implications of myths and rituals in the American South, using the UA campus as its own case study and talking about how notions of “the past” come to be invented in different ways for different social purposes through memorials and monuments. Because the course carries the Core “W” designation, an important component of the seminar is the culminating term paper, which we will take through the writing process throughout the semester. This includes brainstorming, drafting, peer editing, and revising. 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.
Examination of the theories and methods used to study the relations between religious narrative and behavioral systems, with a focus on myth and ritual. 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.
Investigates the Gospel of Mark through the disciplines of contemporary biblical, literary, and cultural criticism. 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 course is a study of how various agents (both Muslim and non-Muslims) construct, debate, and refute ideas about Islam in popular culture and academic sources. We will pay particular attention to how scholars attempt to make sense of such diverse accounts, the assumptions that they make, and the roles that they play in debates over the nature of Islam.
Examines classic and contemporary theories of religion such as functionalism, structuralism, Marxism, and psychoanalysis. Emphasis may vary with each offering.
A seminar on method in the study of religion and popular culture based in the ongoing projects of seminar participants.
Supervised research of the student's choice. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 hours for differing topics. Speak with the professor before registering.
Supervised research of the student's choice. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 hours for differing topics. Speak with the professor before registering.
Specific context will be determined by faculty responsible for the course that semester. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 hours for differing topics.
A seminar offered spring semester of each year for seniors pursuing a major or minor in religious studies or minor in Judaic studies. The professor and subject of the seminar rotate through the four areas of the curriculum. Required of all majors and minors in the Department. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 hours for differing topics.
This course is focused on social justice throughout Hispanic history, to provide a broad perspective of cultural representations of human rights throughout the centuries. Students will engage with major artistic and literary works in multiple forms (art, drama, short story, novel, film) from the Middle Ages to the contemporary period, including works from the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, that represent critical and aesthetic approaches to the humanities from legal, moral, political, scientific, and religious perspectives. The course is taught in English and reading materials are available in English.
The course analyzes a body of works that are essential in the establishment and development of the literature written by Hispanics in the US. Although the main element in the course is the study of US Latino texts of different genres (essay, drama, poetry, and fiction), students will also pay attention to socio-historical aspects that are instrumental in contextualizing the literary text. Weekly in-class discussions based on readings and other assigned activities prepare students for the final written project. The course is taught in English.
At a level of complexity and detail that is appropriate to an intermediate course, students are to examine various topics related to 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 languages and dialects. Weekly in-class discussions based on readings and other assigned activities prepare students for the final written project, which involves the application of the various theoretical, critical and methodological approaches acquired in the special topics course.
At a level of complexity and detail that is appropriate to an advanced seminar, students are to examine various themes related to linguistics. Specific themes may be primarily theoretical, applied, socially oriented or descriptive in nature, or a combination, and may be narrowly focused or may pertain to a wide variety of languages and dialects. When themes are sociolinguistic in focus, they may be diachronic (involving change over time) or synchronic (specific to a certain time period). 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.
At a level of complexity and detail that is appropriate to an advanced course, students are to examine various topics related to linguistics. Specific topics may be primarily theoretical, applied, socially oriented or descriptive in nature, or a combination, and may be narrowly focused or may pertain to a wide variety of languages and dialects. When topics are sociolinguistic in focus, they may be diachronic (involving change over time) or synchronic (specific to a certain time period). 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 special topics course.
This course will teach the basics of Russian grammar while emphasizing the acquisition of reading, listening, and speaking skills by the student.
This course will teach the basics of Russian grammar while emphasizing the acquisition of reading, listening, and speaking skills by the student. Overall, this course addresses the ability to deal with questions of values, ethics and aesthetics as they are represented in foreign languages and related fields in the Humanities which will be the focus. This course emphasizes the history and appreciation of the Humanities.
This course will continue the basics of Russian grammar while emphasizing the acquisition of reading, listening, and speaking skills by the student. Overall, this course addresses the ability to deal with questions of values, ethics and aesthetics as they are represented in foreign languages and related fields in the Humanities which will be the focus. This course emphasizes the history and appreciation of the Humanities.
This course will finish the basics of Russian grammar while emphasizing the acquisition of reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills by the student. Overall, this course addresses the ability to deal with questions of values, ethics and esthetics as they are represented in foreign languages and related fields in the Humanities which will be the focus. This course emphasizes the history and appreciation of the Humanities.
A survey of Russian literature from its beginnings until the 1880’s. Trends covered include Neo-Classicism, Sentimentalism, Romanticism, and Realism. This course covers poetry, drama and prose (short story and novel). All materials are read in English. No knowledge of Russian is required for this course. Overall, this course addresses the ability to deal with questions of values, ethics and esthetics as they are represented in literature and related fields in the Humanities which will be the focus. This course emphasizes the history and appreciation of the Humanities, rather than simply the ability to perform tasks at the written level. Nevertheless, this course will include substantial in-class and out-of-class writing that encourages the development of critical thinking and requires students to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate knowledge.
Survey of modern Russian literature from the latter two decades of the 19th century to the present. Trends covered include Neo-Realism, Symbolism, Acmeism, Futurism and Socialist Realism. This course covers poetry, drama and prose (short story and novel). All materials are read in English. No knowledge of Russian is required for this course. Three (3) credit hours. This course bears the HU and L designations of the university core curriculum. Overall, this course addresses the ability to deal with questions of values, ethics and esthetics as they are represented in literature and related fields in the Humanities which will be the focus. This course emphasizes the history and appreciation of the Humanities, rather than simply the ability to perform tasks at the written level. Nevertheless, this course will include substantial in-class and out-of-class writing that encourages the development of critical thinking and requires students to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate knowledge.
This course will cover the classics of Russian drama since its beginnings in the 18th century. No knowledge of Russian is required for this course.
Topics may include geography, law, science, agriculture, literature, sports, cinema, peasants, icons, the Russian Orthodox Church, Ukrainian Easter egg art and other folk art and crafts, foreign policy, food and cooking, entertainment, etc. No knowledge of Russian is required.
This course will introduce the student to the basic materials of Russian folklore. Students will read the primary materials in English translation. No knowledge of Russian is required for this course. Overall, this course addresses the ability to deal with questions of values, ethics and aesthetics as they are represented in literature and related fields in the Humanities which will be the focus. This course emphasizes the history and appreciation of the Humanities, rather than simply the ability to perform tasks at the written level. Nevertheless, this course will include substantial in-class and out-of-class writing that encourages the development of critical thinking and requires students to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate knowledge.
This course will cover the life and major works of Fyodor Dostoevsky. Writing proficiency required for a passing grade in this course. All materials are read in English translation. No knowledge of Russian is required for this course. Three (3) credit hours. This course bears the W designation of the university core curriculum. 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 course will include substantial in-class and out-of-class writing that encourages the development of critical thinking and requires students to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate knowledge.
The life and works of Leo Tolstoy. No knowledge of Russian is required. 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 study of new grammatical concepts reinforced by translation from English to Russian and by the composition of short essays in Russian on a variety of topics.
The study of new grammatical concepts reinforced by translation from English to Russian and by the composition of short essays in Russian on a variety of topics.
Directed readings.
Directed readings.
This course introduces students to advanced texts in Russian thematically focused on Russian history.
Linguistic analysis of the Russian sound system in conjunction with practice in Russian pronunciation.
Introduction to the scientific study of human social behavior.
Study of contemporary social problems, including definition, description, and analysis. Emphasis is on sociological explanations, social change perspectives, and cultural complexity of social problems.
Interrelationships between the individual and the group. Includes perception, cognition, attribution, attitudes, helping behavior, aggression, personal relationships, prejudice, and gender in social life.
Explores the social relationship between humans and animals; examines the social meanings which shape the roles and status of animals in society and our interactions with them.
Structural and cultural relationship of sport to society and the importance of sport to the development of self and community identity.
Examines the role of theory in sociology; focuses on the major contributions to sociological theory in both the classical and contemporary periods with an emphasis on historical context and philosophical backgrounds.
Examination of food as a social construction; emphasis on food rituals, cultural distinctions and perspectives, federal regulations and subsidies, food-related diseases, and sustainable agriculture.
Analysis of American social structure, demographic and institutional trends over time related to race and the description of racism. This course offers a critical introduction to the conditions of possibility for modern racial thinking, with particular emphasis on racial slavery and anti-blackness. Students will begin with the working assumption that slavery is at the root of the problem of race and racism. In order to excavate this assumption, Students will survey debates on 1) the origin and history of race and racism (from the Ancients to the early moderns); 2) the deployment of categories in contested proximity to race (from class to gender); and 3) the development of different conceptual paradigms (from double consciousness to political ontology) to parse the relationship between race and the world. Instead of resolving these debates, the problem-based approach will emphasize how the scope and framing of texts bear on present problematics. In doing so, students will learn to mobilize the readings as theoretical and historical tools in interpreting the contemporary and interrogating our responsibility toward the themes of the class.
The course will consider the issues related to pedagogy and knowledge and the sociological effects of learning systems in the society, the individual, and with respect to other indices. The course will provide students with an answer to the question of how primary education establishes citizenship, ideals of social relations, and relates to other factors in society, such as health, incarceration, employment, and poverty.
Analysis of inequities of wealth, power, and prestige; major theories of social stratification and poverty; social mobility.
In-depth examination of human sexuality from a sociological perspective, analyzing how sexual behaviors and attitudes are shaped and influenced by larger society.
Examination of selected problems and issues in Sociology, African American Studies, and Women's Studies. May be taken a total of six times, with different topics.
Sociological approach to the study of women and men; exploration of the social construction of genders in institutions and in everyday life, feminist theories of masculinity, gender inequality, and social change.
Examination of a variety of organizational failures and disasters; exploration of the major social and psychological factors that contribute to technical, practical, and ethical failures in organizations.
The course is designed to provide students with an overview of race and ethnicity as it relates to health as well as major issues facing the overall health of individuals in the society. This class will provide examples for the application of minority health basic competencies in the field of community health and medical sociology. Topics to be covered include mental health and individual behavior access to health care, socioeconomic status and racial differences, racial/ethnic group specific health issues. The course also covers aspects of the patient-physician relationship and the problems that arise with care provision in the context of increasing commercialization of the health care system.
Social construction of the body; exploration of how the human body is socially, culturally, and politically constructed according to gender, race/ethnicity, occupation and social class.
Social issues relating to health, medicine, and society; how society shapes individual understandings of what it means to be healthy, produces differential patterns of health and illness, and how medicine is practiced in the United States.
Examination of death and dying from a sociological perspective; death as a social process that varies by culture, context and historical moment.
Examination of selected problems and issues in sociology. A maximum of 12 hours may be used toward the minor.
1-6 hour independent study course allowing students to conduct sociological research under faculty supervision.
This is an introductory course to the Spanish language and Hispanic culture. Part of a two-course sequence, SP 101 and SP 102 are designed to develop: (i) basic communicative skills in Spanish as a foreign language; and (ii) general knowledge about culture in the Spanish-speaking world. Students should not expect this course to be just about memorization of grammar and vocabulary. Although these aspects are necessary to achieve the aforementioned skills and knowledge, they are not the sole focus of this course.
This is an introductory course to the Spanish language and Hispanic culture. Part of a two-course sequence, SP 101 and SP 102 are designed to develop: (i) basic communicative skills in Spanish as a foreign language; and (ii) general knowledge about culture in the Spanish-speaking world. Students should not expect this course to be just about memorization of grammar and vocabulary. Although these aspects are necessary to achieve the aforementioned skills and knowledge, they are not the sole focus of this course.
This is an intermediate course to the Spanish language and Hispanic culture. Part of a two-course sequence, SP 201 and SP 202 are designed to develop: (i) continued communicative skills in Spanish as a second language; and (ii) additional knowledge about culture in the Spanish-speaking world. Do not expect this course to be just about memorization of grammar and vocabulary. Although these aspects are necessary to achieve the aforementioned skills and knowledge, they are not the sole focus of this course.
This is an intermediate course to the Spanish language and Hispanic culture. Part of a two-course sequence, SP 201 and SP 202 are designed to develop: (i) continued communicative skills in Spanish as a second language; and (ii) additional knowledge about culture in the Spanish-speaking world. Do not expect this course to be just about memorization of grammar and vocabulary. Although these aspects are necessary to achieve the aforementioned skills and knowledge, they are not the sole focus of this course.
This course is focused on issues of sociopolitical expectations regarding cultural equity in the Hispanic world throughout history. It examines legal, moral, political, and religious rights, diversity, and individuality from a pre-modern to a contemporary timeline. Students will discuss representative transatlantic authors from different historical periods and analyze how their literature, theater, essay, film, and journalistic works represent politicized, gendered, and inclusionary/exclusionary societal trends.
Offered each semester. This is a required course for majors/minors.
Advanced Spanish course designed for students of Hispanic background, who are either native speakers or heritage speakers of Spanish and want to improve their formal knowledge of the language. As an intermediate Spanish course, it emphasizes review and further development of communication skills, including readings of literary, cultural, and/or historical texts in Spanish.
Review of Spanish grammar with emphasis on written expression in Spanish. This is a required course for majors/minors. Offered each semester.
This course is structured to allow students to familiarize themselves with the world of business in Spanish. The course content focuses on language, vocabulary, concepts, and cultural practices that are specific to the Hispanic world. Key concept areas to be covered include company structure, manufacturing, marketing, export and import, as well as specific cultural themes of commerce in Spanish-speaking countries.
Credit for this course is not applicable toward the requirements of the Spanish major or minor.
This course is designed to build fluency in both spoken and written Spanish that will enable the healthcare professional to communicate more effectively with a patient. The course emphasizes vocabulary acquisition and cultural nuances. In addition, along with a grammar review, students will work on improving their self-expression in order to master the communication skills necessary in a healthcare profession. This course contains a service-learning component. Service-learning is an education experience in which students participate in an organized service activity that meets identified community needs. It is a reflection on the service activity to gain further understanding of course content and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility. All students are expected to engage in a total of 15 hours of volunteering at a local health clinic or a related health fair activity. Your assistance in interpreting for a local health clinic such as the University Medical Center (UMC), Maude Whatley, or the Good Samaritan clinic will provide assistance that is necessary and crucial for the well-being of members of the Hispanic community.
This course is designed to engage with a panoramic view of the sociopolitical developments in the various cultures of Spain. It emphasizes the complex natures of different communities and heritages, offering students fundamental knowledge to advance to more advanced courses. This course presents critical approaches about a variety of aspects that conform the richness of Spanish cultures and seeks to explore them through activities that develop students critical and analytical thinking skills.
This course is designed to engage with a panoramic view of the sociopolitical developments in the various cultures of Latin America. It emphasizes the complex natures of different communities and heritages, offering students fundamental knowledge to advance to more advanced courses. This course presents critical approaches about a variety of aspects that conform the richness of Latin American cultures and seeks to explore them through activities that develop students critical and analytical thinking skills.
This course allows students to learn methods to understand and write documents in technical areas that are usually not taught in conventional language courses, such as International Relations and their intersection with Economics and Political Science. This course adds a useful dimension to language learning by making Spanish a valuable tool for students who will operate in a modern world, where international communications are rapidly expanding. Students will also have the opportunity to practice and improve their knowledge of Spanish grammar and syntax.
This course will introduce students to fundamental concepts and practices of English-Spanish translation and interpreting studies. Students will refine their grammatical skills in Spanish while volunteering for different community organizations in Tuscaloosa county. Translation and interpreting are viewed as socio-cultural and ethical activities as well as linguistic practices. This course has a service-learning component that involves at least 15 service-learning hours outside of class time. Students will reflect on the service activities to gain further understanding of course content and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility.
This course is designed to explore Spanish literature from the Middle Ages until the 18th century. This course offers a panoramic view or the main styles and discourses that characterize the evolution of Spain’s culture. Class debates will be the main interaction method during this course. Students’ reading and writing skills will be reinforced and worked on, particularly as it pertains to critical thinking and writing. 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 course examines literatures and cultures of Spain since 1800. Students will read and analyze a wide corpus of representative authors, genres, literary and cultural movements. This course fosters students’ critical thinking through written and oral communication, based on the contextual as well as textual analysis of the representative works chosen. 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 course covers important works from Hispanic-American literature from the colonial period to around 1900. Three units cover the colonial period, the independence period (nineteenth century), and the fin de siglo (turn of the twentieth century). Class meetings will include a combination of lecture, practice activities, games, and discussion. Students will develop reading comprehension and communication skills, particularly regarding academic writing and critical thinking. 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 course discusses the importance of literature in developing ideas about Latin American citizenship and identities during the 20th and early 21st centuries. Students will read and study key Latin American works from different literary genres and regions to become familiar with issues faced over these time periods such as race, gender, class, violence, sexual orientation, and the experience of modernity. This course fosters students’ critical thinking through written and oral communication through contextual and textual analysis of selected works. 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 purpose of the course is to present a body of works that are essential in the establishment and development of the literature written by Hispanics in the US. Although the main element in the course is the study of US Latino texts of different genres (essay,drama, poetry and fiction), we will also pay attention to socio-historical aspects aspects that are instrumental in contextualizing the literary text. This is a Writing Course; therefore, 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 course is an introduction to Spanish linguistics. It establishes a foundation for the scientific study of language, with Spanish as the object of investigation. At its broadest level linguistics formalizes generalizations about the human faculty of language, a unique cognitive ability that allows us to learn any language(s) that we are exposed to as children and use this knowledge throughout our lives in a variety of ways. The Spanish language is a manifestation of this human capacity and, therefore, Spanish linguistics focuses on understanding how this language in particular works within a general human cognitive framework, as well as its social context.
This course provides students with an introduction to the fundamental features of Spanish pronunciation. This includes an awareness of the sound inventory of Spanish and its variants, the creation of syllables and assignment of word stress, and finally the production of a unique Spanish rhythm and intonation. Students are given basic linguistic tools of analysis along with practical guidance on how to improve their pronunciation in Spanish.
The Spanish Outreach Program is a unique service learning class that seeks to place Spanish majors and minors as semester interns in local schools where they will assist our younger members of society with individual tutoring, comprehension of lesson, personal dialogue, interpretation, and other language based tasks. At the same time the UA “Outreachers” can hone their linguistic skills while they serve the Tuscaloosa-Northport community.
This course is an introduction to contemporary Spanish literature, art and culture. The course includes a selection of works to apply a variety of critical perspectives. Students will consider the social and political events of the period and their effect on Spanish identities. Students will analyze key works from various perspectives and will apply different theoretical tools, including cultural studies. Students will learn about how social and political changes of the period (from the Spanish civil War to the recent years of Democratic stability), affected cultural production in Spain. The content of the course includes the literary, artistic, and cultural characteristics of contemporary Spain.
This course explores contemporary Hispanic culture through visual representations. The course analyzes many films that reflect and represent the social, political, and cultural changes in the Hispanic world. By analyzing cinema and artistic representations, along with selected critical articles on film theory, the course examines women’s roles in society, domestic violence, migration, social problems, globalization, unemployment, and the crisis, among other topics. This course explores the sociological, cultural and political forces that have inspired such visual representations and it focuses on different filmic representations: Latin American, Trans-Atlantic or Spanish cinema.
This course is an undergraduate seminar designed to allow students to explore different perspectives covering societal and cultural issues of social justice in the Hispanic world throughout the centuries. This focus on global issues aims to connect students as global citizens with universal cultural considerations. Each iteration of this course may focus on a different specialty, including linguistics or literature, and may range from a variety of locations (Latin America and/or Spain) to several time periods (Colonial, Early modern, 18-19 or 20-21 centuries).
This course is an undergraduate seminar that allows students to explore cultural texts from Latin America and/or Spain through the transdisciplinary framework of the Environmental Humanities, an emerging method of study that unites humanistic inquiry with environmental science. This focus on ecological and cultural connections in Latin America and Spain aims to strengthen students’ understanding of human impact on the environment and diverse cultural responses to the social and political ramifications of different ways of inhabiting the planet. This course can be repeated for credit with different topics.
This course examines several topics, including the sound system of the language (phonology), how words are formed (morphology), how phrases and sentences are created (syntax), and how words develop different meanings (semantics and pragmatics). In addition, we discuss other areas such as the evolution of Spanish from Latin, and language variation and change (dialectology and sociolinguistics).
This course introduces students to phonetic and phonology features of Spanish within the context of regional variation. The course provides the tools of basic phonetic transcription, which can be used to represent different pronunciations in the Spanish-speaking world. This enhanced view of the Spanish sound system is also used to demonstrate differences with the pronunciation of English.
This course offers students the opportunity to examine an area of Spanish linguistics in more depth. Topics vary, as each iteration of this course is expected to cover different areas of Spanish Linguistics. Examples: History of the Spanish Language, Spanish Syntax, Bilingualism, Sociolinguistics, and Spanish-English Contrasts.
This course proposes an in-depth study of US Latino Literatures, Arts and Cultures. Topics may vary. It may be repeated for credit.
This course is an undergraduate seminar for majors and minors with the main objective of exploring a variety of topics related to literary and cultural representations of Spain. This interdisciplinary course examines critical approaches about a variety of aspects, which may pertain to different time periods, ranging from Colonial, Early modern, 18-19 or 20-21 century Spain. Each iteration of this course is expected to cover a variety of literary authors and cultural movements.
This course is an in-depth analysis of a particular author, a group of authors, a literary movement, literary motifs, cultural discourses, and/or cultural mores pertaining to Latin America and the Caribbean. This seminar considers a diverse body of texts (chronicle, essay, narrative, poetry, theater, film). Active participation is expected from students, who must demonstrate critical thinking in their study of the texts. Each iteration of this course is expected to cover a variety of topics (including but not limited to slavery, servitude and freedom in Cuba; relationships between trash and cultural production in Latin America; and Mexican literature and its portrayal of political, economic, and social crisis during the 20th and 21st centuries).
This course is designed to allow students to familiarize themselves with Cervantes’ writing by reading a variety of his literary works. Although this course will show students a variety of the main critical approaches to Cervantine literature, our focus will not be solely on reading what other critics have said about his works, but on allowing each student to develop their own interpretation of the sociocultural issues presented in them. 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 course is designed to reflect the current linguistic situation of Spanish-speakers in the US, either born in this country, or abroad, and hailing from all countries where Spanish is spoken. This course will examine the different linguistic histories of those who live with two (or three) languages.
This course will emphasize the development of practical communicative ability in Swahili along with basic cultural knowledge of the areas where Swahili is spoken in Africa. Native speakers of this language are not allowed to take this course. The CLC classes are self-instructional and are best suited for highly motivated and disciplined students.
This course will emphasize the development of practical communicative ability in Swahili along with basic cultural knowledge of Swahili-spoken areas in Africa. The CLC classes are self-instructional and are best suited for highly motivated and disciplined students.
Credit for this course will not be awarded to students majoring or minoring in theatre. A beginning course designed to assist the student in improving use of his or her voice and speech. Offered annually and in the summer session.
Introduction to the theatre through the study of plays, stage histories, practitioners, elements of theatre and production techniques. The course meets two days each week to allow students time to fulfill course requirement to attend productions of the Department of Theatre and Dance.
Credit for this course will not be awarded to students majoring or minoring in theatre. Training in the basic elements of the actor's craft. Additional hours in related theatre activities may be required.
An introduction to the various areas of theatrical design and technology, including but not limited to scenery, costumes, lighting, sound, and makeup.
The course is designed to introduce the beginning student to the art and craft of acting.
A course in basic musical theatre skills, including sight-singing, playing keyboard instruments, singing in harmony, phonetic transcription, and audition techniques.
The class is designed to introduce students to basic concepts of vocal technique and musicianship through practical application.
This course provides for participation in productions with The University of Alabama’s Department of Theatre and Dance. Participation typically will be in the form of working on show crews, in the shops, or in the ticket office.
This course provides opportunities in performance and production assignments with The University of Alabama’s Department of Theatre and Dance. Participation typically will be in the form of performing in a production or serving on the creative team on a particular production. Only students who have assignments as a performer or on the creative team on a particular production are allowed to register for this course.
A survey of the techniques and materials for building, rigging, and painting scenery for varied forms of theatre production. Emphasis is on the standard techniques for the legitimate stage. Introduction to stage lighting and sound is also included. REQUIRED LAB.
Required lab. Principles of and practical work in all types of stage makeup.
A studio course in basic patterning, cutting, and construction techniques. Additional hours in related theatre activities may be required.
An introductory course implementing the principles of design as related to costumes.
A beginning course in movement for the actor and development of the physical instrument for performance. May be repeated for up to 6 credit hours as topics rotate.
Majors- only advanced acting course. An in depth study of various techniques used to explore an acting scene in performance: advanced personalization, intense experiential analysis of emotional and intellectual transitions in a text, and specific physical and musical improvisations, which combine to form the basis of a “Simulated Experience” of the character. Students will explore works from the Realistic Period as well as modern texts, in order to develop a personal technique applicable to any material the actor might encounter, both classical and contemporary.
Survey of the practical and theoretical knowledge necessary to teach theatre. Topics include acting, directing, choosing plays for production, and rehearsal techniques.
This course provides for participation in productions with The University of Alabama’s Department of Theatre and Dance. Participation typically will be in the form of working on show crews, in the shops, or in the ticket office.
This course provides opportunities in performance and production assignments with The University of Alabama’s Department of Theatre and Dance. Participation typically will be in the form of performing in a production or serving on the creative team on a particular production. Only students who have assignments as a performer or on the creative team on a particular production are allowed to register for this course.
A technical production course specifically for dance majors covering the practical aspects of theatre technology.
This course will explore a wide range of performance art created by African American artists. The works examined will span from the early nineteenth century to modern contemporary works. Students will view the works of artists, as they have reflected on black identity and experience in theatre, musical theatre, dance and performance art. This course will explore the nature of representation in storytelling: Who tells the story? Why does it matter? How is power reinforced, resisted, subverted, or transformed by the telling and re-telling that occurs in the performing arts?.
The study of the professional stage manager's process: preparing and running rehearsal and performance, conflict resolution, and general responsibilities as defined by Actor's Equity Association. Required production element outside of class.
Using the overview of the history of musical theatre covered in previous courses as a foundation, students will have the opportunity to put what they have learned into practice by studying and performing repertoire that traces the development of the art form. Focus in class will be devoted to acting the song techniques, selecting pieces from various eras and understanding their historical context, personalizing the students material, and giving/receiving constructive feedback.
This course provides for participation in productions with The University of Alabama’s Department of Theatre and Dance. Participation typically will be in the form of working on show crews, in the shops, or in the ticket office.
This course provides opportunities in performance and production assignments with The University of Alabama’s Department of Theatre and Dance. Participation typically will be in the form of performing in a production or serving on the creative team on a particular production. Only students who have assignments as a performer or on the creative team on a particular production are allowed to register for this course.
This course provides an exploration and introduction to the business of being a professional theatre artist or practitioner.
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.
The course provides the student with a working knowledge of theatrical sound design. It emphasizes the creation of sound files for theatre and dance, and the techniques for professional sound design communication.
Lecture, discussion, and projects, training in theatrical lighting design. Provide the undergraduate level design & technical student an in-depth understanding of the design methods of stage lighting, including lighting analysis; generation of paperwork; calculation of field angles; prediction of color effects; assembly of complete designs from concept to technical rehearsal; and a thorough understanding of stage lighting science, terminology, aesthetics, and professionalism.
A studio course in advanced costume construction techniques and/or costume crafts. Topics may include tailoring, corsetry, millinery, armor, wigs, masks, and jewelry. May be repeated for credit.
A studio course in costume design, principles, and presentation.
Preparation of "hard," digital and web-based portfolio presentations. Also included is information on presentation in a professional setting, such as a job interview or adjudication.
Course Description: 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.
Advanced theory and practice of specific stage movement, such as Alexander Technique, Developmental Movement, Grotowski,clowning, Mask, Stage Combat, Mime, and Stage Combat, Laban Movement Analysis, Devised Movement. Techniques alternate in successive semesters. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours for differing topics.
Thorough exploration of character study, script analysis, and scene work for the actor. Offered in alternate years. This course is repeatable up-to 6 credit hours.
The course focuses on audition and interview techniques for stage and screen, unions, resume writing, identification of type and market, and other skills required to apply for positions in the academic and professional theatre. May be repeated once for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
Study and practice of acting styles from 1900 to the present, concentrating on classical comedy, high comedy, situation comedy and acting for the camera. As playwrights studied vary semester to semester, this course may be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.
Study and practice of acting in verse drama, concentrating on the particular demands of Shakespeare's works. As works studied rotate depending on semester, this course may be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
Intensive exercises and practice in the healthy use of voice and speech for performers. This course is repeatable up-to 6 hours, and is also offered as Interim Intensive. The course will include an introduction to Fitzmaurice Voicework, Archetypes for Actor, along with articulation and text work to develop the vocal skills of the actor.
Study of stage dialects for the performer. Offered in alternate years. This course is repeatable up-to 6 hours.
In this acting course, students analyze and participate in the rehearsal process of both unpublished and published scripts. May be repeated once for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
Covers the period from western theatre's beginnings to the 18th century. 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 course is restricted to Seniors or by permission of the Instructor.
Covers the period in western theatre from late 18th century Romanticism to the current 21st century theatre. 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 course is restricted to seniors, or by permission of the Instructor.
Through 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 of a short one-act play or extended scene with minimal, “bare-bones” production value at the end of the semester. May be repeated once for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
A special topics course exploring such areas as musical theatre history, cabaret performance, in-depth study of a single work, etc.
The course introduces the basic fundamentals of writing for the stage. Practical instruction in playwriting includes an opportunity to write a one-act play. The course allows students the opportunity to explore different forms (full length plays, one person shows, etc) in a subsequent semester, so the class may be repeated for a maximum of six credits.
Advanced level seminar on writing for the stage, from dramatic conception to finished one act script, with a particular emphasis on the continuing development of a writer’s voice and personal approach to story composition. Course can be retaken for credit to further develop scripts composed within this course; or study alternate forms of dramatic writing, including full length plays, screenplays and teleplays.
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 with The University of Alabama’s Department of Theatre and Dance. Participation typically will be in the form of working on show crews, in the shops, or in the ticket office.
This course provides opportunities in performance and production assignments with The University of Alabama’s Department of Theatre and Dance. Participation typically will be in the form of performing in a production or serving on the creative team on a particular production. Only students who have assignments as a performer or on the creative team on a particular production are allowed to register for this course.
The Senior Project is a culminating course designed for BFA majors at the University of Alabama that demonstrates the student’s growth in their particular area of study (acting, musical theatre, design/technical production). Each student will present a final project in the area of scholarly research or performance/design work within a production (undertaken at some point in their training) that reflects advanced understanding of their chosen topic and accumulated experience. The supervisor of the particular area of study determines the most appropriate format for the student’s project. This course fulfills the capstone requirement for the department’s core curriculum. A written proposal must be submitted to supervising faculty for approval by the end of the semester preceeding the final semester.
Offerings of this course will pursue a particular topic in the study of theatre assigned by the sponsoring faculty member. The subject matter for the course will require the student to do research, experimentation, analysis, creation, or other academic pursuit to fulfill the goals that are proposed for the specific course instance. The particular course offering will focus on subject matter that will expose the student to aspects of theatre not found in the current department curriculum.
No description available.
Contemporary Thai: speaking, reading, and writing. Course involves directed-self-instructional approach in the Critical Languages Center. Students are required to study the textbook and practice with assigned audio visual materials (CDs, DVDs, or computer files). Students have practice sessions three hours per week (or equivalent) with a “language trainer” who is a native/near native (or superior/advanced level) speaker of the language. Native or near native speakers of this language cannot take this course. Any students with background knowledge of this language must see the CLC director for permission BEFORE registering. Not repeatable.
This course will emphasize the development of practical communicative ability in Thai along with basic cultural knowledge of Thai. The class has a supervised self-study structure. Students are required to study the textbook and practice with assigned audiovisual materials (CDs, DVDs or computer video files) by themselves outside the class. Students have practice sessions three hours per week with a language trainer who is a native/near native speaker (or ACTFL advanced-high or superior level) of the language in class. The language trainer will help students develop their communicative ability during class meetings. During the sessions students will actively participate in practicing spoken language to acquire better pronunciation and conversation skills. English use will be kept to a minimum in class. Language trainers will monitor active participation throughout the semester by use of the Student Performance Sheet which will be sent to the director of the CLC. Regular class attendance and participation is required. Cultural aspects of Thai will be added to communication practice of Thai.
Continuation of Thai language on the intermediate level. Emphasis is on the development of reading skills and writing proficiency. Not repeatable without permission of the CLC director. Offered according to demand.
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.
Musical Theatre History I (1840s-1943): This course offers students an opportunity to analyze the developmental history of the indigenous American art form of musical theatre. With a historical and ethical lens, students will explore the earliest origins and influences of musical theatre against the backdrop of a socially evolving and industrially developing American landscape pre World War II.
This survey course traces the development of the American stage musical from the late 19th/early 20th century to the present day. Students will examine how the musical evolved as an art form and business, study the key individuals and landmark shows that helped define the musical as we know it today, and look at how cultural, political, and economic trends influenced what appeared on the Broadway stage. Limited availability for non-musical theater students – contact instructor for more information.
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.
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.
This course will emphasize the development of practical communicative ability in Turkish along with basic cultural knowledge of Turkey. The CLC classes are self-instructional and are best suited for highly motivated and disciplined students.
This course is intended for students who have already taken TURK 101. Native speakers of this language are not allowed to take this course. The CLC classes are self-instructional and are best suited for highly motivated and disciplined students.
Continuation of Turkish language on the intermediate level. Emphasis is on the development of reading skills and writing proficiency. Not repeatable without permission of the CLC director. Offered according to demand. The CLC classes are self-instructional and are best suited for highly motivated and disciplined students.
This course is an introduction to spoken and written contemporary Ukrainian, emphasizing communicative practice in authentic cultural contexts. It is designed for beginners only, and its objective is to help students to achieve the novice high proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, writing, and cultural competence.
This course is an introduction to spoken and written contemporary Ukrainian, emphasizing communicative practice in authentic cultural contexts. It is designed for beginners who have already mastered the basics of Ukrainian, and its objective is to help students to transition from the novice high to the intermediate low proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, writing, and cultural competence.
This course will introduce students to Ukraine’s history from the origins of Kyivan Rus in the Middle Ages to the present and will invite them to explore various facets of Ukrainian culture (including politics, language, literature, folklore, religion, music, art, cinema, and education, among others) in order to better understand Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s resistance, and the impact of this ongoing war on the architecture of global security.
This course will emphasize the development of practical communicative ability in Vietnamese along with basic cultural knowledge of Vietnam. This course is for students with no prior knowledge of Vietnamese. Native speakers of this language are not allowed to take this course. The CLC classes are self-instructional and are best suited for highly motivated and disciplined students.
An interdisciplinary course examining the roles of women in patriarchal society, with emphasis on how factors such as race, class, gender, and sexuality contribute to the oppression of women and ways they can be challenged through feminist critical practices.
Through an examination of women's autobiographical writings, the roles women have assumed in different cultures and periods are considered. Analytical techniques from the study of art, literature and psychology are used to discover issues inherent in women's experiences.
Investigation of the institution of motherhood, the forces shaping it, and the significance of mother-daughter relationships.
Students in the course will consider the description of gender and sexuality in popular culture, with the aim of understanding the relationship between both concepts. The goal is to follow up on the introduction to Women's Studies with more in depth analysis of how gender and sexuality are defined for individuals, in the law, and as a consequence of social change.
Examination of selected problems and issues in Sociology, African American Studies, and Women's Studies. May be taken a total of six times, with different topics.
What are the causes and consequences of bias-motivated crimes? What are the larger social and political contexts? In this class, students will examine how bias-motivated violence receives attention in the media, how and why hate crimes legislation came to be seen as a necessary legal tool to curb crimes based on race, gender, gender identity, religion, and sexual orientation. Students will also explore the opposition to such laws and the degree to which communities are able to respond to incidents of bias-motivated violence. Students will also explore the proliferation of hate groups and the impact of those groups on social and political debates over hate crimes laws.
This course explores contemporary U.S social movements around gender and racial justice through the lens of social media activism. The multi-faceted online forums that activists have at their disposal today marks a significant break with the past and yet, “using” the media has long been a central tactic for many U.S. justice movements of the late 20th century. Students will be guided through data collection exercises and discursive analysis of the information gathered in order to interrogate the knowledge produced by select social movements through their use of social media overtime. Employing theoretical, historical, and ethnographic arguments at the center of feminist and anti-racist struggles, students will explore the opportunities and constraints of relying on social media and its particular import for what the academy refers to as a “public intellectualism.”.
This seminar's major focus is the impact of law on the status and lives of women.
Examination of the cultural concepts, myths, and experiences of black and white Southern women from a variety of economic and social backgrounds. Special attention is given to the interaction of race, class, and gender in Southern women's lives. Texts include historical studies, autobiographies, biographies, oral histories and novels written by and about women in the 19th and 20th -century South. 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 course examines the historical origins and present framework of Black politics, including the civil rights movement, Black political culture, local and community politics, and current and future issues for Black America such as Black imagery in television/film, Black feminism, sexuality, the War on Drugs, the impact of mass incarceration, and modern social justice and protest movements like #BlackLivesMatter. We will explore questions regarding the history of race in American political life as well as how race has shaped a broader national identity. We will evaluate what concepts like “equal treatment under the law” and “liberty and justice for all” mean with respect to the legacy of Black political participation.
Analysis of inequities of wealth, power, and prestige; major theories of racial and cultural minorities; behavioral correlates of stratification; social mobility.
How do theatre and performance enable or contribute to our ability to understand race and racism? How do contemporary Black theatre artists and playwrights intervene in, redefine, or celebrate notions of Black identity? What are the limits or risks of thinking about race through performance? Students in this course will explore these questions through reading and viewing U.S. American dramatic works from the last 30 years. This course will seek to understand performance and drama as important modes through which African American artists generate and transmit their experience, form community, produce political analysis, and shape the artistic and cultural fabric of the United States.
Students in this course study the development of policies that seek to build a more equitable society in the US. Providing a historical perspective on how social change has occurred in the society, the course also discusses how change has taken place in the last few decades. How have societal institutions changed how the issues of race and gender are addressed since the Civil Rights Movement? How do we apply concepts such as diversity, intersectionality, community, equity, and inclusion throughout US society? The course provides students with an understanding of why these concepts are important, and how social change occurs today.
This course will provide students with an historic and cultural overview of the laws, policies, and politics of gender and sexuality in the United States. In this course, students will understand how law and public policy have had an impact on the lives of marginalized communities in the United States. This course examines how courts have interpreted laws and set policies regarding civil unions and same-sex marriage, privacy and reproductive rights, and discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation in the workplace.
This course will provide the framework to examine how the broad spectrum of queer sexualities are understood. We will investigate stereotypes about masculinity and femininity that govern narratives about race, gender, and sexual orientation. We will explore answers and interpretations to questions of what a “queer” identity is, how gender is constructed, how power operates on sexuality and race, and how the intersection of race and sexuality form a unique positionality for gays and lesbians of color.
Feminism understands itself to be fundamentally liberatory - that is, concerned with increasing liberty, particularly (but not exclusively) of women. Feminist political theory often treats freedom within a liberal framework that prioritizes individual rights: for example, the right to control one’s reproductive health, the right to equal pay, or the right not to experience harassment. According to this framework, to be free is to enjoy one’s rights without interference or limitation. The aim of this course is to think about freedom beyond rights. Specifically, we will consider what it means to be a free political actor, whether freedom is the highest political good, whether, and how, freedom is compatible with other values, such as equality and justice, and how different kinds of politics, social norms, and modes of living might affect attempts to increase and experience freedom.
The history of political thought has long been equated with the history of men’s political thought, with women excluded from the intellectual and public spheres. Yet it would be a grievous mistake to assume that women (including all who identify as such) were not actively engaged in debating issues of gender, sexuality, race, and class before the advent of modern feminism. Indeed, one of contemporary feminist scholars’ greatest tasks has been to recover a long and rich history of ideas and texts written by and about women. This course utilizes primary materials and focuses on women’s contributions to the history of political thought between 1400 and 1914.
Political theory has traditionally associated men with citizenship, public life, and affairs of state, while subordinating or ignoring women’s interests, experiences, and voices. Feminist political theory challenges this imbalance, while also expanding the boundaries of what ought to be considered “political.” Motivated by a concern for inequality in everyday life, feminist political theory seeks to provide a philosophical framework with which to address injustice, while also inquiring about the existential condition of those who identify as women, trans*, or genderqueer. In so doing, feminist political theory pries open the category of “woman” to reveal its complexities, contradictions, and promise. Students will read influential works from contemporary feminist scholars who come from a variety of intellectual traditions and possess differing political commitments. These texts not only disrupt the historic exclusion of women from political theory but also the exclusionary tendencies in some early feminist writing. Topics may include justice, oppression, solidarity, the state, and neoliberalism.
This course explores texts and themes central to the interdisciplinary field of Women's and Gender Studies. Course texts may include theoretical, expository, autobiographical, and fictional writings from early feminism as well as contemporary selections. 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.
Through the study of key feminist political and theoretical texts on an issue central to contemporary feminism, students in this seminar will develop advanced undergraduate research skills and gain a substantial foundation for further study, including graduate work in this area. 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 course will examine the socio-historical perceptions and constructions of Black masculinities in various regions and periods. Students will also examine the social, political, and economic conditions of Black male life in the contemporary period and interrogate representations of Black men and boys in U.S. culture and society in relation to the broader politics of race, class, gender, and sexuality in the post-civil rights era. Specific attention will be paid to the history of ideas and approaches that have shaped and defined our understanding of Black males. Students will be introduced to historical and socio-cultural circumstances that affect Black males and the diverse nature of Black culture. This course will also attempt to heighten awareness and sensitivity to the contemporary problems affecting Black males and thus help discover and evaluate social policies and programs geared towards Black males.
Courses under this rubric are designed to investigate a particular subject supplemental to regular course offerings. Students in this senior seminar will develop advanced undergraduate research skills and gain a substantial foundation for further study, including graduate work in this area. 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 course will provide students with a writing course in topics important to contemporary feminist theory. Among the topics will be a study of classical texts, such as Antigone,for gender politics, the development of student training in areas of feminist analysis from within the fields of natural science, political science, english, anthropology, rhetoric, art, economics, and American Studies. Demonstrated writing proficiency is a requirement for successful completion of the course. Students will complete at a minimum 5 short papers of from 1-3 pages each, essays derived from course readings and topical assignments, as well as a longer paper of from 7-10 pages. Instructor assessment of student writing and constant feedback is an important part of the course, and students will be asked to develop their own writing through in class assignments as well. Students will read a considerable amount of material in feminist analysis, comment upon this, and engage in classroom discussions on a regular basis.
Students will study the different approaches to the study of sexuality within the framework of the disciplines of Women's Studies and African American Studies. The focus is on understanding how gender and sexuality develop through intersectionality, contemporary popular culture, and/or through policy changes. International research in gender and sexuality studies is also a potential focus of the course.
Independent study on any subject pertaining to Women's and Gender Studies conducted under the supervision of a professor in the chosen field.
Students in this writing seminar will develop advanced undergraduate research skills and gain a substantial foundation for further study. Demonstrated writing proficiency is a requirement for passing this course. This seminar will focus on how issues of gender and race emerge in and shape art and art practices across a range of media. Students will gain the tools to critically engage with a range of such work (including but not limited to visual art, TV, film, music, and theatre); to explore how artists have navigated race and gender and their intersections; and— as artists, audience members, fans, and critics— to develop their own feminist and anti-racist responses to art and popular culture. 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.
Emphasis is placed on theories and research on the inter relationships between the conceptualizations of gender, race, and class. The many different schools of thought on these issues are brought into productive tension with each other, depending on the course content. Students explore through reading primary and secondary texts the interactions between the practices that define these concepts. This course is preparation for further study at the graduate level, and considered a capstone course in the major.
Culverhouse College of Business Courses
AC 148 is open to freshmen and sophomores interested in learning more about the accounting profession and the accounting curriculum in the Culverhouse School of Accountancy. This course will introduce basic terminology and methodology, the accounting curriculum, career and educational resources, and career options.
This course revolves around participation as a tutor and mentor in The LIFT (Learning Initiative and Financial Training) Program, teaching computer and financial skills to disadvantaged members of the community.
This course involves participation as a class leader and mentor in The LIFT (Learning Initiative and Financial Training) Program, supervising students and participants in classes involving teaching computer and financial skills to disadvantaged members of the community.
This course covers the same material as AC 188 but in a depth appropriate for honors students. This course involves participation as a class leader and mentor in The LIFT (Learning Initiative and Financial Training) Program, supervising students and participants in classes involving teaching computer and financial skills to disadvantaged members of the community. Students may not take AC 189 if student has taken AC 184 and can only take AC 189 once.
Introduction to accounting and financial reporting concepts and the use of accounting information in financial and managerial decisions. Students who intend to major in accounting should take CS 285 before or concurrently with AC 210 or AC310. Students are limited to three attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals. Students cannot receive credit for both AC 210 and AC 211.
This course covers the same material as AC 210 but in a depth appropriate for honors students. Introduction to accounting and financial reporting concepts and the use of accounting information in financial and managerial decisions. Students who intend to major in accounting should take CS 285 before or concurrently with AC 210 or AC 310. Students are limited to three attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
Promotes technical competency in the accounting process and develops critical thinking, communication, and research skills involving accounting and other business information. By presenting accounting and business consulting issues and requiring the use of technology to solve a typical business entity’s problems, this course exposes students to the professional environment of accounting practice. Students are limited to three attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals. Students who intend to major in accounting should take CS 285 before or concurrently with AC 210 or AC 310, as it is a prerequisite for AC 389.
This course provides a basic overview of fraud risk management in business, including the global fraud problem, fraud risk identification, assessment, prevention, detection, and follow-up.
Study of managerial accounting concepts and their use in business decisions. Not open to accounting majors.
Study of financial accounting concepts and their use in analyzing and interpreting financial reports. Not open to accounting majors.
A study of the theory and application of accounting for measuring the economic attributes of the firm's operations. The course examines the measurement, analysis, and interpretation of accounting information for planning and controlling a firm's business-related activities. Students are limited to three attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
Introduction to tax policy, planning, practice, and research with an emphasis on income taxation. Students are limited to three attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
Introduction to the operation and development of accounting information systems, e-business applications, networking, and controls. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
This course is for accounting students who are returning from a spring internship.
A risk-oriented study of standards, concepts, procedures, and professional ethics underlying governance and the practice of external and internal auditing and assurance services. The course will focus on mechanisms and activities that enhance the reliability of information for decision making. Students are limited to three attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
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.
Special features of budgetary and fund accounting are applied to municipalities, other government units, and institutions such as schools and hospitals.
Examination of the tax implications of business formations, transactions between the entity and the owners, reorganizations, and liquidations. The course develops tax research skills.
Accounting Independent Study. Students can apply a maximum of 3 credits of AC 491 toward their degree.
Special Topics in Accounting. Students can apply a maximum of 9 hours of AC 497 toward their degree.
Introduction to microeconomic analysis concentrating on consumer and producer behavior, competitive and imperfect markets, public policy and regulation, and income distribution.
Introduction to macroeconomic analysis concentrating on national income, price levels, employment, monetary and fiscal policies, and international trade and development. Students are limited to three attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
This course covers the same material as EC 110 but in a depth appropriate for honors students. It is an introduction to microeconomic analysis concentrating on consumer behavior, producer behavior, and market structure. All topics will be explored in more detail than EC 110, using math and graphic tools, additional readings and creative discussion sessions. Students are limited to three attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals. Students cannot receive credit for both EC 110 and EC 112.
This course covers the same material as EC 111 but in a depth appropriate for honors students. Topics include national income, price levels, employment, monetary and fiscal policies, and international trade and development. All topics will be explored in more detail, using math and graphic tools, additional readings and creative discussion sessions. Students cannot receive credit for both EC 111 and EC 113. Students are limited to three attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
Examination of the theory of price and the theory of resource allocation. Topics include demand theory, production and cost functions, pricing and output under competitive and noncompetitive conditions, resource markets, and rudiments of general equilibrium analysis. Students cannot receive credit for both EC 308 and EC 310.
This course covers the same material as EC 308 but in a depth appropriate for honors students. It focuses on how economic agents make optimal decisions given scarce resources and technological constraints. Topics include consumer behavior, producer behavior, and market structure. Students cannot receive credit for both EC 308 and EC 310.
This course covers the same material as EC 309, which is a study of the theoretical framework underlying income, employment, and growth analysis, but in a depth appropriate for honors students. Students cannot receive credit for both EC 309 and EC 311.
Not open to majors in economics and finance. Uses basic economic theory to assess real-world business and economic conditions at the micro and macro levels. This course may not count toward the Economics major, but may count toward the Economics minor or specialization.
This course will use the tools of economic analysis to analyze public policy issues and to explore the intersections between the law and economics. 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.
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.
This course will introduce you to the field of behavioral economics – the economic study of human behavior in individual choices, social interactions, and markets motivated by the goal to improve the descriptive accuracy and explanatory power of traditional economic analysis. Students will explore behavioral economics from the perspective of different methodologies, focusing on fundamental concepts and their applications at different levels of social aggregation (e.g., individuals, groups, and markets).
Course focuses on the application of economic theories to sports and the sports industry and understanding the behavior of economic agents in sports. Students who complete the course will gain insight into economics, understand how to apply economic models to explain observed behavior in sport, and appreciate empirical economic evidence generated from sports-related data.
Analysis of the role of money in the economy and the conduct of monetary policy. Emphasis is given to the money supply process, the demand for money, and the choice of monetary-policy strategies and procedures.
Introduction to the field of international finance. Course deals primarily with international financial markets and the macroeconomics of international financial flows. Topics include foreign exchange and international securities markets and international banking.
This course emphasizes statistical methods for analyzing data used by social scientists. Topics include simple and multiple regression analyses and the various methods of detecting and correcting data problems such as autocorrelation and heteroscedasticity.
In this course, we focus on the empirical techniques mostly used in the analysis of financial markets and how they are applied to actual data. We will begin with calculations and stylized facts of financial asset prices and returns. We next introduce statistical and econometric models to capture or reproduce these data features, mainly relying on time series models, estimations and tests. The first application is to apply these techniques to solve the practical financial issue of portfolio optimization. And then, we continue to time-varying asset returns to search for predictors of financial asset returns using CAPM model. To estimate the financial markets/assets fluctuations and the portfolio uncertainty, we start to learn conditional volatility models, including ARCH, GARCH, etc. Finally, from the perspective of risk management, we introduce the tools to estimate market risk of financial assets.
An introduction to game theory with emphasis on application. Game theory is a toolbox for analyzing situations where decision makers influence one another.
This course introduces students to the field of experimental economics. The course covers methodological issues with designing and conducting experiments and interpreting the results.
An investigation of the microeconomics of the American health care delivery system. The course focuses on the demand for and supply of health care services and emphasizes the efficiency and equity characteristics of the system.
Students can apply a maximum of 6 credits of EC 491 toward their degree.
Students are selected through a competitive process for assignments in approved business or public sector organizations. Students can apply a maximum of 3 credits of EC 492 toward their degree.
Students can apply a maximum of 9 credits of of EC 497 toward their degree.
Overview of the financial systems in which business operates, with emphasis on financial institutions, instruments, and markets.
Study of financial objectives of business enterprise, sources of capital, and financial management of business assets. Emphasis is on establishing a framework for making financing, investing, and dividend decisions. Students are limited to three attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
Introduction to fundamental principles of saving and of equity investing with a value-based approach, informing an in-depth study of the idea generation, business/industry analysis and financial statement analysis phases of the equity investment process. This course will provide students with a useful understanding of what a professional in any field requiring business-related research, analysis, and valuation skills does on a daily basis to analyze corporate strategies, understand industry dynamics, assess competitive advantages, and evaluate corporate management and strategy. Students will also be introduced to common methods to value securities.
Survey of various aspects of real estate business and economics, including marketing, finance, development, law, appraising, etc.
To teach students about financial assets as vehicles for saving for the future. Students will also learn how to invest in a combination of assets to meet their objectives and how their objectives may change over their life span.
Introduction to the components of computerized management information systems and applications of computer-based systems to business decisions. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Builds on the foundation laid in the business core to extend the student's knowledge of basic finance into the areas of operation and management of financial institutions and financial markets and investments.
Development of advanced practices of financial management and their application to decision making in the business firm.
An overall view of the financing process and the role of financial markets. Areas covered are characteristics of instruments traded in money and capital markets; determinants of and the relationships between different asset prices; and international aspects of financial markets.
Study of the various investment media together with analysis models of investment management. Emphasis is on investment decision making and portfolio analysis.
Advanced models for investment management are developed and their application in decision making is discussed. Emphasis is on the use of models for portfolio selection.
Analysis of the role of money in the economy and the conduct of monetary policy. Emphasis is given to the money supply process, the demand for money, and the choice of monetary-policy strategies and procedures.
Addresses 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.
This course continues to develop the practical skills involved in fundamental equity investing, particularly with respect to proprietary research, business-model and competitive analysis, financial analysis, financial modeling and valuation. Students will also examine key findings and practical implications of behavioral finance (the study of the psychology of financial decision-making) and gain valuable experience in preparing and making investment-case presentations.
Informed by the participation of professional investors, students will further hone their equity research, analysis, valuation, and presentation skills through in-depth, real-time case studies of companies and situations that can present investment opportunities, such as neglected stocks, turnarounds, “compounders” and cyclicals. Students will also learn fundamental principles of equity-portfolio construction and management, including position sizing, portfolio diversification and managing risks.
The purpose is to assist students in preparation probability exams by actuarial associations. Concepts are reviewed with an emphasis on working problems.
The purpose is to assist students in preparation for financial mathematics exams by actuarial associations. Concepts are reviewed with an emphasis on working problems.
Introduction to the field of international finance. Course deals primarily with international financial markets and the macroeconomics of international financial flows. Topics include foreign exchange and international securities markets and international banking.
Study of the sources of real estate value and techniques for estimating property value; study of effective use of appraisal information.
Study to the principles of real property management and covers all aspects of the property management process. Students are shown how to maximize the asset value of income-producing real estate for investors/owners through the use of finance, marketing, and management techniques.
Introductory study of life insurance and "personal lines" of property insurance, especially homeowners insurance and auto insurance. Economic environment of insurance and how to read and evaluate insurance contracts. Examines different types of life insurance contracts as well as savings and investment alternatives and their uses in estate planning.
Study of the institutions of real estate finance and of factors affecting the flow of funds; investment analysis and procedures involved in real estate financing.
An examination of the real estate development process including identifying phases of real estate development; applying market analysis and site selection techniques to projects; analyzing key real estate underwriting and investment concepts and metrics; and applying planning, design, and construction management techniques to development projects.
This is the first of a two-course sequence intended to prepare students for the Long-Term Actuarial Mathematics (LTAM) exam, which is required for actuarial certification by the Society of Actuaries. Concepts are presented with an emphasis on working problems.
This is the second of a two-course sequence intended to prepare students for the Long-Term Actuarial Mathematics (LTAM) exam, which is required for actuarial certification by the Society of Actuaries. Concepts are presented with an emphasis on working problems.
Analysis of risks facing business and governmental entities. Various methods of both controlling the risks and financing the risks, including both insurance and non-insurance alternatives.
Current financial, legal, and social problems concerning the property-liability insurance industry. Role of government in providing insurance and topics in the management of property-liability insurance companies and agencies.
A study of the types of life insurance and annuity contracts and their uses; regulations of life and health insurers; Social Security; group and individual health insurance products including major medical, disability income and long-term care policies.
This course provides an in-depth analysis of major lines of insurance and associated contracts. Students learn coverage specifics and apply this knowledge to numerous risk scenarios.
Employee benefits refers to compensation other than hourly wage, salary, or incentive plans. This course examines the most common types of employee benefit practices and fundamental design considerations. Students also examine individual retirement planning objectives and mechanics.
This is the first of a two-course sequence intended to prepare students for the Short-Term Actuarial Mathematics (STAM) exam, which is required for actuarial certification by the Society of Actuaries. Concepts are presented with an emphasis on working problems.
This is the second of a two-course sequence intended to prepare students for the Short-Term Actuarial Mathematics (STAM) exam, which is required for actuarial certification by the Society of Actuaries. Concepts are presented with an emphasis on working problems.
The purpose of this course is to require the student to demonstrate the ability to integrate and apply his or her knowledge of financial planning topics as received through the curricula taught in the Wealth Management Concentration. Through this course, you will apply the financial planning process to real-life situations and to communicate your planning recommendations via both a written plan and an oral presentation.
In this course, we focus on the empirical techniques mostly used in the analysis of financial markets and how they are applied to actual data. We will begin with calculations and stylized facts of financial asset prices and returns. We next introduce statistical and econometric models to capture or reproduce these data features, mainly relying on time series models, estimations and tests. The first application is to apply these techniques to solve the practical financial issue of portfolio optimization. And then, we continue to time-varying asset returns to search for predictors of financial asset returns using CAPM model. To estimate the financial markets/assets fluctuations and the portfolio uncertainty, we start to learn conditional volatility models, including ARCH, GARCH, etc. Finally, from the perspective of risk management, we introduce the tools to estimate market risk of financial assets.
Individually directed research and reading - Students can apply a maximum of 6 credits of FI 491 toward their degree.
Students are selected through a competitive process for assignments in approved business or public sector organizations. Students can apply a maximum of 3 credits of FI 492 toward their degree.
Topics may vary - Students can apply a maximum of 9 credits of FI 497 toward their degree.
This course is open to incoming Culverhouse College of Business freshmen and transfer students. This is the first course in a three-course professional development sequence and provides an introduction to the professional development competencies that are crucial for career success. The goal of this course is to equip each student with the professional skills necessary to succeed in today's business world. This course also provides opportunities for each student to apply and develop these professional competencies within the classroom and through co-curricular events. Students are limited to three attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
This course introduces STEM students to critical and innovative thinking as it pertains to the issues of today's business environment, while providing a modest introduction to basic economics and the global marketplace. The course begins to introduce business model design as a tool to better understand how businesses operate. In addition, the course will provide students with the opportunity to develop an appreciation and basic understanding of the importance of business skills in their STEM careers. It will also create opporunities to network with other students as well as other business faculty.
This course continues to build STEM students' critical and innovative thinking skills as they pertain to the iussues of today's business environment, while providing a modest introduction to business ethics, business ownership structures, and entrepreneurship. The course continues to develop business model design as a tool to better understand how to operate. In addition, the course will provide students with the opportunity to work in teams with a goal of developing an appreciation and basic understanding of the importance of business skills in their STEM careers. It will also create opportunities to network with other students as well as other business faculty.
This course also provides an introduction to the functions, resources, and activities of The University of Alabama and an introduction to professional development topics. This course is designed to develop a better understanding of the learning process, acquire academic success skills, adopt methods for being successful in college, and provide an introduction to personal and professional development topics. The goal of this course is to equip each student with the basic skills necessary for degree attainment and provide an introduction to professional competencies for student development and career success. This course is a mandatory course for distance learning students and a required elective for transfer students.
Building on the GBA 146 course, this course will focus on choosing your path. Through this course, students will learn about professional, interpersonal, and team dynamics, how to work with others, their strengths, professionalism, and leadership skills. Through this course, students will learn how to choose their path through and after Culverhouse. Through the activities and topics in this course, students will continue to develop the professional competencies necessary for career success. Students are limited to three attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
This course continues to build students' critical and innovative thinking skills as they pertain to the issues of today's business environment, while providing a modest introduction to management roles, teamwork, and productive systems. The course continues to develop business model design as a tool to better understand how businesses operate. In addition, the course will provide students with the opportunity to work in teams, with a goal of developing skills in their STEM careers. It will also create opportunities to network with other students as well as other business faculty.
This course continues to build STEM students' critical and innovative thinking skills as they pertain to the issues of today's business environment, while providing a modest introduction to employee motivation, human resources management, and labor relations. The course continues to develop business model design as a tool to better understand how businesses operate, while introducing human centered design for designing business processes and products. In addition, the course will provide appreciation and basic understanding of the importance of business skills in their STEM careers. It will also create opportunities to network with other students as well as other business faculty.
This course offers faculty a chance to present topics of interest in the lower division to Culvershouse freshmen and sophomores.
This course introduces students to the concepts central to effective and efficient writing in the workplace. Students will learn to analyze the rhetorical context that gives rise to common business genres (e.g., meeting minutes, email requests, executive summaries, internal proposals, etc.). Based on rhetorical analysis, students will be able to develop content and manipulate organization and style, as well as use standard grammar and mechanics. 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. Students are limited to three attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
This course provides a basic overview of fraud risk management in business, including the global fraud problem, fraud risk identification, assessment, prevention, dectection, and follow-up.
This course builds on the concepts from GBA 146, 245, and 246 and focuses on helping students pursue their path. The curriculum focuses on applying advanced professional development and leadership topics to cultivate a more prepared and well-rounded student. This course focuses on the transition from the college environment to the workplace. Topics include: job negotiating process, resilience and grit (how to fail), strategies for communication, global engagement, and the importance of a diverse workplace. Students are limited to three attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
This course continues to build STEM students' critical and innovative thinking skills as they pertain to the issues of today's business environment, while providing a modest introduction to marketing, product and pricing issues, distribution and logistics, and customer communication. The course continues to develop business model design as a tool to better understand how businesses operate, and build an understanding of human centered design for designing business processes and products. In addition, the course will provide students with the opportunity to work in teams with a goal of developing an appreciation and basic understanding of the importance of business skills in their STEM careers. It will also create opportunities to network with other students as well as other business faculty.
This course continues to build students' critical and innovative thinking skills as they pertain to the issues of today's business environment, while providing a modest introduction to financial information and accounting concepts, financial management, financial markets & investment strategies and the money supply and banking systems. The course continues to develop business model design as a tool to better understand how businesses operate, and build an understanding of human centered design for students with the opportunity to work in teams with a goal of developing an appreciation and basic understanding of the importance of business skills in their STEM careers. It will also create opportunities to network with other students as well as other business faculty.
This course is for students participating in the STEM Path to the MBA. It provides students in that program with the opportunity to explore issues of special interest in technology and science businesses.
Introduce students to contemporary business issues over a wide spectrum of firms and academic disciplines. Develop critical thinking and communications skills through a two semester client project.
Examination of the managerial tasks of crafting and implementing strategic plans and the tools of strategic analysis. Students gain hands-on experience with tools and concepts of strategic management by participating in a business strategy simulation exercise and by analyzing actual companies. 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 offers students interested in general business the opportunity to study in a particular area of the field, under the guidance of an individual faculty member. Open to juniors and seniors with advice and permission of the appropriate instructor and the approval of program chairperson. Students can apply a maximum of 3 credits of GBA 491 toward their degree.
Detailed study of components of the health care delivery system in the United States. The course emphasizes history, roles, and interactions of the various providers, consumers, and governments.
Introduces students to healthcare databases and technologies. Key topics include the history and current status of information systems in healthcare, administrative and clinical applications, evidence-based medicine, information retrieval, decision support system, security and confidentiality, information system cycles, the electronic health record, key health information systems and standards, and medical devices.
The course offers students interested in health care management the opportunity to study in a particular area of the field, under the guidance of an individual faculty member. Open to juniors and seniors with advice and permission of the appropriate instructor and the approval of the program chairperson.
Supervised administrative work experience in the health care industry.
This course examines the conduct of business across national boundaries and the impact of different cultures on business practices.
A study of the principles and practices of intercultural business communication, written and personal. The course requires substantial reading. The focus is on making students aware of the sources of common intercultural business communication problems, and on helping them develop strategies to avoid or correct these problems.
This course covers the same material as IBA 350 but in a depth appropriate for honors students. This course examines the conduct of business across national boundaries and the impact of different cultures on business practices. Students cannot receive credit for both IBA 350 and IBA 352.
A course in marketing theory and methods as they apply to world markets. Among the topics discussed are: the importance of linking international marketing with the overall strategy of the business while examining the impact of cultural, political and legal issues and the economic differences in global strategies. Emphasis is placed on developing the marketing mix appropriate to various international global environments.
This course is designed to give students meaningful hands on global business experience (any major) by applying the knowledge and skills learned in course work to on the job assignments and responsibilities at the host organization. That is, this course is a field experience conducted abroad. 2.500 GPA required. Students can apply a maximum of 3 credits of IBA 492 toward their degree.
This course offers faculty a chance to present topics of interest to themselves and to students with interests in international business. Students may apply a maximum of 9 credits of IBA 497 toward their degree.
Environmental approach to the study of law, including the way the law interrelates, philosophy of law, and sources of law. The relationship among law, business, political influences, and the society is treated. Students are limited to three attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
This course covers the same material as LGS 200, which studies environmental approach to the study of law, but in a depth appropriate for honors students. Topics include the way the law interrelates, philosophy of law, and sources of law. The relationship among law, business, political influences, and the society is treated. Students are limited to three attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
This course treats principles and rules of law relating to wills and inheritances; how the estates of deceased persons are administered; why and how trusts are created and operated; and the duties and settlement of executors, administrators, and trustees.
This course is concerned with the conveyance of property, deeds, covenants, condemnation of property, rights of landlord and tenant, and bailments.
Provide students with the skills necessary to apply business creativity in developing innovative solutions to problems in uncertain and dynamic business environments.
A course designed to help students understand organizational theory, interpersonal communication, and other behavioral science concepts and then integrate them into managerial tools for effective use in business, industry, and public-sector organizations. Students are limited to three attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
Introductory course surveying problems and issues in labor economics, personnel management, and labor relations. Emphasis is placed on public policies affecting management and union representatives and on the role of the human resources manager in the organization.
Students develop further knowledge, skills, and abilities in the functional areas of management introduced in MGT 300.
This course focuses on the interpersonal dynamics of managers, professionals, and entrepreneurs at work. Case analysis and simulation of problem solving and decision making are used to develop insight into human relations in organizations as well as to develop the personal and interpersonal skills needed in leadership roles. This course will emphasize ethical decision making particularly in challenging business environments.
Systematic examination of current issues and problems in the organization and management of business enterprises. The course combines readings, cases, and lectures that focus on the roles, activities, and ethical choices of managers as they direct organizations within the context of our contemporary society.
Students take this class to learn the foundations of entrepreneurship, innovation, and growth. They learn what it takes to innovate and how entrepreneurial skills and mindsets make a positive difference in organizations of all types and sizes. Students will gain critical skills in learning how to identify and solve problems with new ideas as well as how to take the ideas forward as they learn from a series of experiences that help them build their skills to become lifelong problem solvers. For students who are not majoring in the College of Business, the only prerequisite for this course is junior standing (61 earned hours). Contact Culverhouse Student Services for a permit.
This is one of two courses designed to provide students with the basic knowledge to move from problem/opportunity to prospective solutions and to market potential. In this course, the focus is on developing problem-solving skills by learning to recognize problems and opportunities and then using disciplined methods to develop solutions and evaluate the potential of those ideas. Students will identify and assess numerous opportunities, learning from interviews with potential customers and specialists. Viable ideas will then be researched to determine commercialization potential, with outcomes being clear descriptions of the product/service and the ultimate customer. Students will learn elements of design thinking, customer discovery, and entrepreneurial market research.
This is one of two classes designed to give students the core basic skills and knowledge needed to move from problem/ opportunity to idea to viable business. In this class students start with an idea (it can be their own) and then build a business or operations model for the potential business. The business model includes development of a prototype, project plan for going to market, development of the leadership team needed to start a business or new product launch and the cash requirements to implement the model. Students will learn about ways in which entrepreneurs raise money for their ventures and how to assure adequate cash flow to launch and grow the business. They also learn how others, including potential investors, will evaluate their business and assign a value to the firm.
MGT 406 will offer: 1) several perspectives on family business and 2) address the challenges and opportunities unique to the management of family businesses.
Instruction and practice of information presentation in a business environment. Topics include conference room presentations, media briefings, team presentations, television interviews and audiovisual development.
An investigation of structural, technological, humanistic, and task approaches to organizational change; the resistance to change; and the implementation of change in business and in private- and public-sector organizations.
This course uses a case analysis method to examine the development and implementation of managerial actions in modern organizations.
Analysis of the role of communication in effective leadership for all management situations.
Negotiations are pervasive in all aspects of life. Having the ability to effectively negotiate can provide you with a competitive advantage in many situations. This course will employ negotiations exercises, expert guest speakers and additional readings to help students master negotiation skills.
The main purpose of this course is to provide students with detailed knowledge of an organization's staffing function. The knowledge includes, but is not limited to, understanding how to conduct a job's analysis, how to write a job description and the specifications of that job, how to choose appropriate recruitment and selection methods, how to structure and execute valid job interviews, how to write job offer letters, and how to evaluate the overall effectiveness of an organization's staffing strategy and policies.
This course will enable students to identify the components of a total reward system, understand the major compensation system design issues, become familiar with the provisions of the FLSA, and understand the relationship between compensation and performance management.
This course examines both the theory and practice of training and development in organizations. Topics covered will include organizational, task, and individual needs assessment, training design and implementation, and evaluation techniques. This course will draw upon research and theory from management, psychology, and other relevant domains. Application of the text/lecture materials will be reinforced through class exercises, group assignments, guest lectures, and presentations.
This course is designed to provide a broad, strategic overview of human resource management with practical applications. It will define and describe strategic HRM and identify the specific HR issues within organizational strategies, goals, and tasks. This class is designed to prepare students to sit for the SHRM college level certification exam.
Demonstrate communication effectiveness in a business context by completing team project for a client, using written, oral, visual, and interpersonal skills.
This course is designed to teach students how to analyze data and communicate 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. For students not majoring in the College of Business, the prerequisites for this course are junior standing (61 earned hours), MGT 386, and prerequisites with concurrency are MGT 387 and MGT 388. Contact Culverhouse Student Services for a permit.
This course focuses on getting ideas, innovations, or discoveries into the marketplace in the form of products or services, or into the value chain at any step, to increase the competitive advantage of the enterprise. The course offers an overview of the technology commercialization process. But more importantly, the course provides opportunities to assess technologies for commercialization. Indeed, the most useful description of the course is as a practicum in technology assessment. Throughout the course, students are engaged in technology assessment projects. This course links the activities of research and development, product and process design, technology transfer and marketing, new venture financing, technology entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship, protection of intellectual property, and management.
Detailed review of aspects of managing and growing a small business, including evaluating and purchasing a small businesses, managing banking relationships, hiring and managing small workforces, legal and regulatory constraints, government resources, common accounting software, and creative ways to market with little money. Students will also learn project management as it pertains to small businesses.
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.
Through this course, students are to receive a detailed review of aspects of managing and growing a cyber security strategy as part of a CSEC team within an enterprise. Students may also learn project management as it pertains to cyber security strategy. This is a case-based discussion course that involves assigned text material, live case analysis, and self-directed projects. In this case-based course, students will be introduced to the basics of cyber security strategy through real-world cases covering topics such as security governance, risk management, and cyber security policy formulation and implementation. Throughout this course, students will practice applying foundational concepts of cyber security strategy including: Creating security strategies that align with a company’s goals and objectives and applying risk assessment and strategic decision-making techniques and to real-world situations to implement effective cyber security strategies.
The course offers students interested in management the opportunity to study in a particular area of the field, under the guidance of an individual faculty member. Open to juniors and seniors with the advice and permission of the appropriate instructor and the approval of the program chairperson. Students can apply a maximum of 3 credits of MGT 491 toward their degree.
Students are selected through a competitive process for assignments in approved business or public sector organizations. Students can apply a maximum of 3 credits of MGT 492 toward their degree.
Courses that offer the faculty a chance to present topics of interest to themselves and to management students. Students can apply a maximum of 9 credits of MGT 497 toward their degree.
Business process coordination and decision making through the use of information technology will be explored, emphasizing IT use by organizations in increasingly global markets. Students are limited to three attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
This course is an introductory business-focused computer programming course. The course provides students the opportunity to learn analytical problem solving techniques, software development techniques and the syntax of the c# programming language to solve common business problems. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. Students are limited to two attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
A second business programming course for students pursuing the Management Information Systems major. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. Students are limited to two attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
Logical data modeling, RDBMS, and their use in the business enterprise are presented. Topics include anomalies/normalization, database-connections performance, n-tier architecture, query operations, stored processes and integrity triggers, and Web applications. Students are limited to two attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
Enabling international exchange of digital data to support business operations. Cultural, legal, security and operational requirements coupled with international standards evaluated in multiple network architectural configurations supporting transactional knowledge workers, e-business and e-commerce applications. Students are limited to two attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
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.
Intermediate-level skills in systems analysis and design techniques are presented. Emphasis is placed on systems development and delivery tools, methods, standards, and processes. Students are limited to two attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
Advanced-level skills in systems analysis and design techniques are presented. Emphasis is placed on enterprise-level systems development, creation of tailored methodologies, creation of architectural standards, metrics, and business strategy alignment. Students are limited to two attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
This course assesses information and process requirements to support business decisions in organizations. Students conceptualize, design, develop, and deliver model-based information systems designed to support effective managerial decision making.
Development of advanced software engineering skills to develop, deploy, test, document, and assess large-scale IT-based business solutions. Conversion, migration, training, maintenance, and operations plans and budget are emphasized. Students are limited to two attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
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 is intended to provide 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 learn 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.
Students can apply a maximum of 3 credits of MIS 491 toward their degree.
Students are selected through a competitive process for assignments in approved business or public-sector organizations. Students can apply a maximum of 3 credits of MIS 492 toward their degree.
Special topics in MIS. Students can apply a maximum of 9 credits of MIS 497 toward their degree.
A survey course that describes the nature of domestic and global marketing management. Emphasis is placed on market analysis to include consumer, industrial, institutional, and governmental markets for goods and services. Also emphasized are the marketing management functions of planning, pricing, promoting, and distributing goods and services in business and nonprofit contexts. Students are limited to three attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
Analysis of the basic processes underlying buyer behavior. Various factors are examined, including external influences (e.g., culture, reference groups, family) and internal influences (e.g., perceptions, attitudes, personality). Primary emphasis is on final consumers with a secondary emphasis on the external and internal influences affecting organizational buyers.
Analysis of existing generalizations and principles related to the economic and social role of retailing; competitive strategies; efficiency in retailing; and essential concepts for retail management.
Introduction to successful selling practices and principles through presentation, discussion, role playing, and workshops. Includes principles of prospecting, establishing rapport, generating curiosity, being persuasive, creating desire, handling objections, and closing.
Intensive investigation underlying ideas, principles, and concepts that may be used to inform consumers of the availability and attributes of products and services. The course includes comprehensive overview of promotional and sales management activities and tactics.
This course is designed to introduce students to the study of business and consumer markets from a geographic or a spatial perspective. Geography plays a huge role in marketing, including location decisions for business, marketing strategies and promotional efforts. New data sources that combine marketing and geography are available that help businesses better understand their opportunities and threats. Developers, builders, franchisers, retailers and advertisers hire people with marketing geography skills. The field introduces students to a specialized set of techniques which combine the theories of economic geography with those of strategic and marketing management. Students will learn techniques which will make them much more marketable to businesses and other organizations which make location decisions and/or develop marketing strategies and spatially defined markets.
To understand the basic concepts and principles surrounding services marketing and management including processes, people, and physical evidence.
Systematic examination of product policy and of the major concepts, methods, and strategies involved in decision making in the course of developing new products. Techniques and criteria used to identify and implement new products and services are examined in depth. Consideration is given to issues and strategies involved in the management of mature products.
The purpose of the course is to enhance communication and selling skills. Focus will be on the account managment principles and the processes used to develop account and long term relationships with major accounts. Live selling situations will be used to practice skills.
This course builds on the basic sales process taught in Personal Selling (MKT 337) by focusing on Account Management and Team Management. Through class discussion and an Account Plan project, students gain an understanding of customer partnerships, business management, and sales team development. The concept that sales managers must both implement and facilitate corporate marketing plans is pervasive through the course.
To understand and practice the science of managing customer lifecycles; including account sourcing, analysis, categorization, strategic planning, tactical development and implementation.
The course is designed to expose students to the strategies of digital and social media marketing. Topics include an understanding of the role of digital channels including a firm’s website, social media channels, and mobile applications. In addition to the function of the channels, the course highlights tactics including search engine marketing, search engine optimization, content marketing, and online reputation management.
Designed to prepare the student to be an informed, effective user of marketing research. Provides an overview of research techniques available for collecting information to answer specific research questions. Therefore, the orientation of the course is managerial.
This course begins by providing an overview of utilizing customer data in the strategic marketing process. Building from a foundation establishing the value associated with customer data, the course will dive into the customer and organizational risks of managing this type of data. Specific focus will be on examining the potential and pitfalls associated with data privacy practices.
Students can apply a maximum of 6 hours of MKT 491 toward their degree.
Students are selected through a competitive process for assignments in approved business or public sector organizations. Students can apply a maximum of 3 credits of MKT 492 toward their degree.
Courses that offer the faculty a chance to present topics of interest to themselves and to marketing students.
This course is an introduction to the field of operations management and addresses the design and management of the activities and resources that a firm uses to produce and deliver its products or services. Topics include operations strategy, product and process design, total quality management, statistical quality control, supply chain management, location analysis, forecasting, inventory management, operations planning, and lean/JIT business processes. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. Students are limited to three attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
Introduction to the components of management information systems and applications of computer-based systems to business decisions using Microsoft Excel, SQL, and Python. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. Students are limited to two attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
Concepts of management science and their application to decision making. Topics include linear programming, transportation models, integer programming, dynamic programming, queuing theory, decision theory, and network models. Students are limited to two attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
The planning and control of production and service systems. Attention is given to forecasting, operations planning, scheduling, materials management, and operations control. Students are limited to two attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
Statistical methods that can be used in control of quality in manufacturing or service industry. Topics include Shewhart control charts for variables and attributes; process capability analysis; acceptance sampling plans; design of experiments; total quality management; and six sigma principles. Emphasis is on understanding, design, implementation, and interpretation of these techniques. Students are limited to two attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
Logistics deals with the planning and control of material flows and related information in organizations. This course covers logistics systems planning, organization, and control of these activities with a special emphasis on quantitative aspects of the decisions.
This course teaches the use of simulation as a tool to investigate complex problems, systems, and processes. Fundamental simulation concepts and statistical evaluation are covered through the analysis of existing simulation models and the development of new models. Model development and analysis will be performed using spreadsheet software and a commercially available process simulation software. The primary goal of this course is to help you develop a fundamental understanding of simulation modeling with regard to use, development, and analysis. Another important goal of this course is to develop a more disciplined and rational process in the way you approach management decisions. As a result of this course, you will become more confident in understanding and using simulation models to support management decisions. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. Students are limited to two attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
This course aims to equip undergraduate business students with the fundamental concepts and tools for using data and analytics to solve operations management problems. Students use computer programming and software to manipulate data, conduct analyses, and develop models. This course also teaches Monte Carlo Simulation and Logistic Regression methods with applications on how these methods are used to address business problems. The ultimate learning outcome of this course is to learn how to develop a data-driven solution strategy for a complex business problem and use business analytics methods to generate actionable insights and recommendations to improve business operations or solve a particular problem. Students are limited to two attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
A broad investigation into a variety of scheduling activities in a variety of environments. Topics include scheduling as applied to projects, job-shops, assembly lines, parallel machine systems, workforce, and transportation. Students are limited to two attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
The basics of inventory control techniques and the role of inventory management within an organization’s overall supply chain. This course covers topics including inventory cost components, types and uses of inventory, the process of ordering, planning inventory levels, and metrics associated with inventory management. Students are limited to two attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
Course covers fundamental purchasing systems applications, supplier relations and evaluation, strategic planning in purchasing, purchasing techniques, value analysis and cost analysis.
An analytical study of strategies, tactics, and techniques for designing, evaluating and analyzing, controlling and improving processes. Emphasis is on topics such as Design for Flexibility, Lean, Six Sigma, Constraint Management will all be included along with process application of OM analytical tools such as simulation, queuing analysis, and value stream mapping.
Students are selected through a competitive process for assignments in approved business or public sector organizations. Students can apply a maximum of 3 credits of OM 492 toward their degree.
Operations Management special topics course. Students can apply a maximum of 9 credits of OM 497 toward their degree.
Introduction to the use of basic statistical concepts in business applications. Topics include extensive graphing; descriptive statistics; measures of central tendency and variation; regression, including transformations for curvature; sampling techniques; designs; conditional probability; random variables; probability distributions; sampling distributions; confidence intervals; and statistical inference. Computer software applications are utilized extensively. Emphasis throughout the course in on interpretation. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. Students are limited to three attempts for this course, excluding withdrawals.
This course provides a more in-depth exploration of statistical techniques including a much more focused review of inference. Additionally, 6 nonparametric alternatives to common parametric tests will be introduced as well as sampling concepts and basic linear models.
This course explores the syntax of the R language and its capabilities for statistical data analysis, computing, and graphics.
This course offers an introduction to the field of statistical learning, an essential toolkit far making sense of vast and complex data sets.
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.
Analysis of variance and design of experiments, including randomization, replication, and blocking; multiple comparisons; correlation; simple and multiple regression techniques, including variable selection, detection of outliers, and model diagnostics. Statistical software packages are used extensively to facilitate valid analysis and interpretation of results. Emphasis is on appropriate analysis of data in real situations.
Data analysis using multiple linear regression, including residual plots, transformations, hypothesis tests, outlier diagnostics, analysis of covariance, variable selection techniques and co-linearity. Logistic regression uses similarly discussed for dealing with binary valued independent variables.
Distributions of random variables, moments of random variables, probability distributions, joint distributions, and change of variable techniques.
Theory of order statistics, point estimation, interval estimation, and hypothesis testing.
Students can apply a maximum of 9 credits of ST 497 toward their degree.
College of Communication & Information Sciences Courses
The Professional Exploratory provides the student with one of the following, depending on qualifications: 1) an opportunity to shadow advertising or PR professionals in the workplace while being introduced to current practices and trends in the field or 2) an opportunity to gain practical experience (such as an internship) in the advertising or public relations field. Enrollment is by permission of the internship coordinator (or faculty sponsor) and the departmental chairman. In order to qualify for APR 100 as a shadow opportunity for one hour of credit on a Pass/Fail basis, the student must have an overall GPA of at least a 2.0 and be a declared advertising or PR major or minor. In order to qualify for APR 100 as a practical experience opportunity for one to three hours of credit on a Pass/Fail basis, the student must have an overall GPA of a 2.0 and have completed the foundation courses of the advertising or PR major or minor coursework. This course is repeatable for a six-hour-credit maximum.
A survey of the theoretical, procedural and ethical issues associated with creative thinking. Examines both individual and organizational strategies for promoting creativity, and the creative thinker's role in shaping the culture. Also highlights the intellectual connections between the scholarship in creativity and its practical applications.
A foundation course in advertising that includes historic and contemporary perspectives, advertising institutions and an overview of advertising theory, planning and practice. This course connects advertising strategies with an understanding of human behavior and key environments (i.e., social, economic, competitive, and regulatory) influencing consumer behavior. Key concepts and terminologies are covered, complemented by interactions with advertising faculty and industry professionals.
A foundation course in public relations that includes historic and contemporary perspectives, public relations institutions and an overview of public relations theory, planning and practice. Key concepts and terminologies are also covered, complemented by interaction with public relations faculty and industry professionals whenever possible.
A foundation course in advertising & public relations that includes a comprehensive overview of historic and contemporary perspectives, advertising & public relations institutions, and advertising & public relations theory, planning and practice. Key concepts and terminologies are also covered, complemented by interaction with APR faculty and industry professionals whenever possible. The objectives of the course are to understand the following areas of advertising & public relations: the role of advertising & PR in an ethnically and diverse, global marketplace; research, planning, communication and evaluation; the strategies used in advertising & PR to achieve program objectives; the multimedia tactics required to implement advertising & PR programs in a digital environment; and the application of advertising & PR in the numerous venues of modern society, including corporations, agencies and nonprofit organizations. The course incorporates formal lectures, with guest speakers where appropriate.
Provides training in the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) as well as basic video editing and web development. Primary instruction is delivered online and administrated by an on-campus faculty member. This course is graded on a Pass/Fail basis.
A case-study-based course devoted to the development of critical and strategic thinking skills needed to plan and execute advertising campaigns and related projects, with an emphasis on the decision-making process in regard to difficult ethical, leadership and revenue based scenarios, among others. Also emphasizes using research to effectively assess performance and competently develop a strategic communication plan.
A case-study-based course devoted to the development of critical and strategic thinking skills needed to plan and execute public relations campaigns and programs, with an emphasis on using research to effectively assess public relations situations and competently developing a strategic communication plan. Also emphasizes development of the critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate and critique strategic communication plans.
This course is designed to provide students with exposure to common primary and secondary research sources and tools used to draw meaningful conclusions about audiences. Students will learn how to critique, analyze and interpret data extracted from various sources in order to guide decision-making for programs and campaigns in advertising and public relations.
This course is designed to introduce students to the evolving landscape of paid, owned, earned and shared media channels available to advertising and public relations professionals, as well as how to develop persuasive, channel-specific messaging for various audiences.
Provides intermediate level training for aspiring art directors in the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) as well as video editing, web and mobile app development, and animation. Primary instruction is delivered online and administrated by an on-campus faculty member. This course is graded on a Pass/Fail basis.
A case-study-based course devoted to the development of critical and strategic thinking skills needed to plan and execute advertising campaigns and related projects, with an emphasis on the decision-making process. Also emphasizes using research to effectively assess performance and competently develop an advertising plan. 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 develops the strategic thinking skills needed to plan and execute world class public relations campaigns and features a range of case studies that demonstrate key course objectives. This course emphasizes using research to effectively assess public relations situations. In addition, the course emphasizes developing practical writing skills required in the communications industry. 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.
Rooted in the development of ideation skills and helping students to self-identify as either art directors or writers. Students acquire techniques and develop personal discipline inherent to the generation of novel, sophisticated creative work based on a solid concept: the distinctive, guiding idea that drives campaign messages. Assignments are evaluated in group critiques, and each student completes a final portfolio by semester’s end. 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.
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. 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.
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 course is designed to develop a thorough understanding of digital and social media strategies and their application to all facets of various communication-based industries. Students will learn about how many areas of a business uses digital and social media to reach their target consumers. Students will also participate in practical and relevant projects within the digital and social media realm that will give them a better grasp of the material using real world and relevant examples. This course will be dedicated to exploring the basic fundamentals of utilizing social media accounts for business, such as content planning, brand voice, the importance of video, influencer and ambassador marketing, and social analytics. This course will introduce to practical knowledge and analytical skills necessary to create, evaluate, and execute social media and mobile/digital campaigns. This course will also provide lectures, iconic and current case studies using social media and mobile and engaged activities that will help students in developing a strong social media skill set to take to future job and/or internship interviews in the students respective field of study.
Provides students with the practical writing knowledge and skills to research, plan and execute online and traditional public relations communications successfully. Students learn how to execute commonly used research-based communications that allow an organization to meet its strategic goals and reach target 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 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. 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.
Variable credit (1 to 9 hours). Analysis of advanced theoretical issues in commercial persuasive communication under the supervision of an advertising or public relations faculty member.
Variable credit (1 to 3 hours). Supervised field experiences coupled with investigation of communication problems. Students may take a total of only 3 hours in internship and/or practicum courses.
The course consists of approved work experience. Students may take one additional course when enrolled for internship credit. Grading of P/F is based on the employer's evaluation of the student's performance and on written reports submitted by the student. Students may take a total of only 3 hours in internship and/or practicum courses.
The course consists of approved work experience. Students may take one additional course when enrolled for internship credit. Grading of P/F is based on the employer's evaluation of the student's performance and on written reports by the student. Students may take a total of only 3 hours in internship and/or practicum courses.
Provides advanced level training for aspiring art directors in the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) as well as video editing, web and mobile app development, and animation. Primary instruction is delivered online and administrated by an on-campus faculty member. This course is graded on a Pass/Fail basis.
This workshop course is devoted to the development and execution of portfolio pieces reflecting the pursuit of sound strategic and conceptual thinking. All work is done by art director/writer teams and finished executions are produced as the process of portfolio building begins. This 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. Each creative team’s work is both prepared and evaluated according to the highest industry standards and reviewed by a jury of creative professionals at an end-of-semester critique. Students are also advised regarding job search strategies and personal branding. This course may be repeated as a directed study with instructor permission.
Students will work as part of a creative team in this workshop course to develop professional-level advertising campaigns for inclusion in their creative portfolios. They will create work to compete in a minimum of one national or international creative competition. The work completed in this class will reflect a mastery of strategic and conceptual thinking. Each creative team's work is prepared and evaluated according to the highest industry standards and reviewed by a jury of creative professionals at an end-of-semester critique. Students are also further advised regarding job search strategies and personal branding.
Further develops writing and editing skills that are crucial to successful public relations practice. Highlights some of the differences between writing for traditional print publications versus writing for emerging online communication channels. Students also research, plan, write, edit, produce and distribute a complete issue of Platform Magazine. 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.
Offers students the chance to implement plans for increasing awareness and/or executing fundraising efforts on behalf of nonprofit organizations. This service learning experience culminates in the production of multiple portfolio pieces for at least one real-world client.
This course prepares aspiring account planners to accept responsibilities unique to the practice, including, but not limited to: the writing of creative briefs, data analysis, new product development consultancy, maintenance of productive account team relationships, social anthropology-based research, foresight and media communication planning.
A wide-ranging, strategically focused course intended to develop decision-making skills involving both traditional and non-traditional media as well as the use of other communication channels. Students execute a case study project that involves complex strategy and media buying.
Examines the managerial role in both advertising and public relations practice. Key dimensions in communication management, including, but not limited to, professional and business ethics, business and financial literacy, media management, organizational culture and communication, and leadership are covered. A variety of teaching approaches—case studies, team projects, debates, simulations, student presentations, readings and lectures—are employed. 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 experiential learning course affords students the opportunity to plan, execute and present a complete advertising campaign for a large regional, national or international client. Students, working in agency-style teams, apply both theoretical and practical knowledge acquired in their previous coursework.
Explores the role of strategic and effective public relations practice in crisis management. Focuses on students learning the theory and practice of strategic crisis and emergency management and communication: how issues occur and develop in crises, their impacts on publics and society, and how they should be managed and communicated to publics. A variety of teaching/learning approaches—case studies, a team project, simulations, student presentations, readings and lectures, guest speakers—are used to enhance and increase student responsibility for learning.
Explores the roles of public relations in different countries, in different contexts, and at the local, regional, national, and international levels. Covers current events, timely topics, and trends as they arise and as they are relevant to public relations, including how global technologies have created interconnections between and among corporate, activist, and nonprofit organizations and their stakeholder groups, forming networks of international communities without borders and accelerating the need for PR professionals who understand and can address cross-national and cross-cultural communications. Readings include academic scholarship in global public relations and public relations trade and business media sources around the world.
Public relations leaders represent vital human capital in organizations in today’s dynamic, high-speed communications world. This course describes the process or journey of becoming a PR leader and explores leadership theories, key research findings, top issues in the profession, roles and responsibilities of leaders, and the development process. Students will gain self-insights and develop their own leadership capabilities and capacities through diverse readings, assignments and exercises during the semester.
This course is designed to develop a thorough understanding of sports marketing principles and their application to all facets of the sports industry. Students will learn about how marketing affects other areas of a business that uses sports to reach their target consumers. Students will understand marketing from the perspective of managing a marketing program and participate in one practical field project with a leading organization in the sports industry.
This workshop-style course is designed to provide students with the practical, theoretical and analytical knowledge and skills required to successfully develop, monitor, and execute digitally based and social media campaigns. Students will acquire a 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.
The course concentrates on public relations as an essential element in the effective management of any organization and examines the concepts, perspectives, and practices that apply to the management of communication programs directed to various audiences inside and outside the organization. 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 experiential learning course affords students the opportunity to plan, execute and present a complete public relations campaign for a local, regional, national or international client. Students, working in teams, apply both theoretical and practical knowledge acquired in their previous coursework.
Content marketing has recently become one of the most popular and effective digital marketing strategies. And with the rise of video marketing, podcasting, and mobile design, content now takes many different forms. At the intersection of development, creativity, and marketing, content marketing is an art that requires an understanding of many different disciplines. In this class, students will get a crash course on the most common forms of content creation as well as the methods to drive website traffic and subsequent new business. Marketing principles such as inbound marketing, positioning, segmentation, social media marketing, and email marketing will also be discussed. This is an "agency" style class, where the students will be responsible for creating unique content on deadline for the University of Alabama Twitch channel. The class will be broken into fields of interest working to promote independently but delivering an overall branded message.
This experiential learning course explores pitch strategies, board room presentation skills, and offers students opportunities to practice and gain confidence in speaking in front of small groups in a simulated business environment. The pitching concepts covered include pitching content related to advertising and public relations industry as well as pitching oneself during job searches.
Have you ever wondered why some things become popular while others don’t? This course explains fundamental ideas and factors related to how to make things more persuasive and viral. This course combines theory and practical application. In this course, students will learn how to make your ideas stick by examining the science behind making your ideas stick, increasing their influence, generating word of mouth and harnessing the power of social networks to get your products, ideas and services to catch on.
This course deals with the manner in which individuals in society engage in networked social interactions with one another. The topic is addressed from three perspectives: theoretical, practical, and methodological. On the theoretical side, students explore how social networks form, evolve, and disperse over time. From a practical standpoint, students examine how professionals across disciplines can leverage social networks to achieve their aims. And, in a methodological sense, students learn how those social networks can be analyzed and evaluated to serve academic and industry goals alike. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
This course addresses how cutting-edge and near-future technologies will shape professional and academic work in advertising and public relations in the coming years. This course takes a high-level managerial perspective on these topics, so rather than focusing on programming or other technical skills, students will explore the implications of these technologies, especially how they can be applied to real-world advertising and public relations work.
This class will cover the principles used to brand various entities and the importance of strong imagery within these efforts. The class will incorporate case studies, a history of branded imagery and the use of imaging software such as Adobe Spark and Illustrator. Emphasis will be placed upon the importance of mass communication as a means to effectively brand an organization, product, person or service, the ability to develop images that will translate brand-appropriate characteristics and the presentation of ideas in written, visual and oral form.
This course examines strategic communication in a business context. Key dimensions in business, including accounting, finance, strategic decision making, corporate reputation, transformation and governance, as well as research and measurement are covered. A variety of teaching/learning approaches—case studies, readings and lectures—are used to enhance understanding and increase student responsibility for learning. As in the real world, students will work under deadline pressures and against professional quality requirements.
This course will teach students the roles of ethics and professionalism in contemporary advertising and public relations practice. The course explores steps toward professionalism in advertising and public relations practice, the roles of ethics in professional decision-making and contemporary ethical issues in advertising and public relations professions.
This course is designed to provide students with advanced 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.
A comprehensive study of behavioral models and concepts designed to help understand, evaluate, and predict consumer behavior. This course will deepen a student’s knowledge about consumer psychology and help them apply the knowledge from the perspective of a advertising and public relations professional. This course stresses analytical thinking about consumer psychology and prediction of how advertising and public relations tactics may influence demand for products and services.
This course is designed to mentor advertising and public relations students with an interest in media strategy to participate in the Washington Media Scholars Foundation (WMSF) competition. The WMSF Media Plan Case competition is a national, multi-round competition where student teams of 2 develop a media plan to address a case scenario based on real-world data. Teams compete for a portion of scholarship monies as well as an all expenses paid trip to Washington, DC in June to present their work.
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.
Required readings are determined in consultation with the faculty member overseeing the course.
Advanced seminars on topics related to the practice of advertising and public relations. Content will vary by semester.
This course provides students with a comprehensive introduction to book arts studio practices. Students will learn the safe and proper operation of common equipment in hand papermills, letterpress printshops, and binderies. Through hands-on experiences, readings, discussions, and assignments, students will gain the knowledge and skills needed to begin to undertake the creation of their own handmade books, exploring the rich history and techniques of book arts. This course is suitable for students with no prior experience in book arts.
This course will primarily focus on the history and appreciation of Book Arts traditions and contemporary practices, emphasizing the book as a form of cultural expression. Students will also receive exposure to hands-on technical instruction to understand the evolution of hand-bookmaking practices. Traditional papermaking, letterpress printing, and book binding techniques will be examined in relation to historic book production, modern hand-bookmaking practices, and artistic expression.
This course is an introduction to the history and practice of typography. This course will cover the development and use of typographic design including a global view of the origins of writing systems, the expansion of the written word into print, and the development and refinement of typographic design.
This hands-on studio course is an introduction to the fundamental processes and history of the ancient craft of hand papermaking. Students will learn the step-by-step process to produce contemporary Western and traditional Japanese handmade papers, including pulp preparation, sheet formation, pressing, and drying. By the conclusion of this course, students will develop refined, technical skills and acquire knowledge of the professional methods necessary to produce high-quality handmade paper to suit a variety of practical or creative uses.
This course is an introduction to the history and practice of typography. This course will cover the development and use of typographic design including a global view of the origins of writing systems, the expansion of the written word into print, and the development and refinement of typographic design.
This course is an introduction to the fundamental materials and techniques of traditional bookbinding, with an emphasis on equipment, material properties, and the development of strong foundational hand skills. Through readings and hands-on assignments, students will gain an understanding of the properties inherent in common bookbinding materials and how to use them for high quality work. Several book structures, decorative paper, and fabric techniques will be covered. In addition to the development of good hand skills and proper use of materials, students will look at aesthetic issues concerning book construction.
This course will serve as an introduction to the theories, conceptual concerns, and processes used in contemporary printmaking. Students will gain hands-on experience with processes that are pervasive in twenty-first century print media and book objects, including screenprinting, relief printing using laser cutters, and the creation of cast multiples. The goal is to develop knowledge of analog printmaking methods that still permeate visual culture through the production of fine art objects, books, clothing, and advertisements to name a few.
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.
The focus of this course is the design and production of an artist book in a small edition. Students and the instructor will work together to determine the themes, structure, text, and imagery for the book. Production labor of the book, including preparation of materials, printing, and bookbinding, will be shared by all students. Because of the highly collaborative nature of the course, projects will vary significantly from semester to semester.
This course is designed for first-year majors in the College of Communication and Information Sciences. Students will learn about the various CIS majors, student resources and activities, advising, and career education.
This course is open to students in the College of Communication and Information Sciences (C&IS). The course is designed to aid students in their academic recovery, promote student success strategies, and assist with balancing academics and goals with challenges.
This class is an active learning introductory skills course to the Adobe CC programs Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. Through this class, students will learn the primary skill set for applications used to make professionally designed posters, ads, brochures, newsletters and other documents prevalent in communication. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Intro to Consumer and Media Research Resources introduces the essential research tools professionals use in several fields to help them make better decisions. This would include political science, advertising, public health, human resources, marketing, and public relations professionals. The course has four primary modules — an introduction to basic research concepts and terms, an introduction to presentation software (PowerPoint) and spreadsheet software (Excel), initial hands-on experience with fundamental consumer and media research tools, and exposure to the concept of data storytelling. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Special topics in communication and information sciences. This course may be repeated up to six times for a total of six hours.
Course content will vary to explore issues in Communication & Information Sciences on an individual or group basis. Content may include timely special topics of importance in various college disciplines as well as independent reading, research, experiences, and/or discussion concerning relevant disciplinary issues and will be detailed in each individual section syllabus. May be repeated as necessary.
The impact of public discourse on the ideas and issues of culture and history. HU designation for university core curriculum.
General introduction to communication studies as a way of understanding how humans coordinate social meaning and achieve communicative goals. The focus is on identifying the foundation of human communication and the functions of communication in everyday situations. SB designation for university core curriculum.
The individual events program focuses on the preparation and presentation of various kinds of speeches and on the oral interpretation of literature. The debate program focuses on the research and practice of oral argument. 1 credit hour per semester (may earn up to 8 hours toward COM major).
Introductory course in thinking critically for the purpose of participating in the process of public decision making and understanding how discussion, argumentation, and persuasion function as communication forms for that process. HU designation for university core curriculum.
Introductory course in thinking critically and speaking credibly for the purpose of participating in the process of public decision making and for responsible civic engagement. HU designation for university core curriculum.
Theory and practice of basic principles of public speaking, with emphasis on the compositional and presentational aspects of communication in formal speaking situations. This course may be offered as a lecture course with a performance lab. HU designation for university core curriculum.
This course is designed for students in the Honors College and is themed to emphasize a connection between leadership development and public speaking. Theory and practice of basic principles of public speaking are covered, while focusing on mastery of speech composition and performance in formal speaking situations.
Freshman exploratory-application of readings and discussion to specific activity. Topics may vary.
This course will provide an overview of the discipline of communication as well as foundational skills in writing and research. Students will explore theoretical and methodological traditions and approaches to communication research, identify and reflect on the practical applications of the discipline, and develop skills in academic and professional research and writing. This course will emphasize the academic and professional value of locating, reading, discerning, explaining, and evaluating the content of research.
Beginning course in the oral interpretation of literature. The course covers principles and techniques of analyzing and presenting poetry, prose, and dramatic literature orally. HU designation for university core curriculum.
This course offers a focused investigation of interpersonal communication in the evolution in close relationships. Firmly rooted in communication research and theory, this course examines the overlapping influences of the self, perception, emotion, verbal and nonverbal messages, and listening. Furthermore, the course examines positive and problematic communication in various types of relationships (romantic, family, friend, and workplace) in a diverse society. Students will be challenged to learn through engaged discussions, reflective writing, and systematic application of course concepts and theories to everyday life.
Study of verbal and nonverbal communication in the evolution of human relationships. SB designation for university core curriculum.
Survey and application of communication principles as related to task-oriented interpersonal, small group and team communication in social and organizational contexts.
This course introduces foundational concepts related to the study of nonverbal communication and explores the application of nonverbal code information to specific communication contexts.
Introduces students to the major concepts, theories, and methodological perspectives that Communication Studies scholars bring to the study of sport.
Reading and discussion in various areas of significance in communication studies. Topics will vary, but the course may be attempted only once.
Focus on how communication research can be used to answer practical questions related to human communication and the media. Emphasis is given to critical analysis and empirical research. 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 course explores contemporary theories, ideas, and research in the discipline of communication studies. Students will learn to explain, apply, and critique theories, identify various assumptions about knowledge, and enhance their written communication skills.
Survey of critical approaches to rhetorical analysis of discourse. 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.
An introduction to the major concepts, theories, and issues related to deceptive communication in a variety of arenas, such as relationships, the law, and the media. Students will learn about flaws in research on deception, how effective studies can be conducted, and will develop an enhanced ability to detect deception in everyday life.
This course examines communication strategies and patterns of interaction in intimate and enduring family relationships, including marital, sibling, parent-child, grandparent, and in-law relationships.
An investigation of rhetorical constructions of social identities through cases of popular culture. Emphasis is on how mediated constructions come to reflect and reify dimensions of race/ethnicity, gender, class, sexualities, education, religion, abilities, and other subject positions.
Introduction to the structures and functions of written, spoken, and electronically mass-mediated political discourse in contemporary society. 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.
Study of social protest discourse and how it functions rhetorically. 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.
Theory and practice of argumentation, applying basic principles to both oral and written discourse.
Practical experience in establishing and administering forensic programs, preparing students for competitive forensics events, rendering critical judgments, and conducting forensics tournaments.
Theoretical approach to the study of human communication in the organization context. Emphasis is on predominant organizational communication theories and communication networks, as well as dyadic, small group, and public communication processes.
Application of self-presentation and interaction concepts and skills to the transition from undergraduate studies to professional life, including resume preparation and presentation, interviewing, and interaction management in business and professional settings.
Provides an introduction to the critical understanding of visual images and their uses in a variety of rhetorical actions that humans perform in persuasion, informing, governing, remembering and authorizing public life and culture.
This course explores contemporary theories of influence and their implications for communication practice. Topics include power and influence, logical theory, rhetorical theory, cognitive persuasion theory, framing theory, social influence theory, and socially mediated influence dissemination. 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.
Reading, research, and discussion in areas of significance. Topics vary. May count as an elective in the major only once.
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. 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. W designation for University core curriculum.
This course examines the content, processes, and effects of communication within the American political system. The course emphasizes the foundational theories and concepts central to political communication, as well as the complicated relationship between politics and media.
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.
Practical experience in public speaking consulting, helping clients clarify and craft effective messages, facilitate the recording and immediate feedback to cultivate dynamic delivery, and develop strategies to calm public speaking anxiety.
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.
This course explores what happens in negative communicative interactions, including such "dark side" behaviors as secrets, deception, infidelity, narcissism, bullying, and relational violence, and what we can do to shield against them.
This course is designed to allow eligible students to pursue independent projects or research under the direction of a faculty member. Students will be required to make a formal presentation of their work, as necessary to earning academic credit. If eligible, students may secure permission for this type of work only once.
A seminar-style course designed for Honors College students to investigate issues in communication studies theory and research. Students who are majors are encouraged to produce original research and to share their work to professional or community audiences.
This course explores the theories, models, and strategies that equip leaders to communicate effectively. Students will learn to critically analyze and evaluate their own leadership and communication effectiveness as well as the communication effectiveness of organizational leaders.
An advanced study of small group behavior, examining theories of leadership as they relate to problem solving in group situations.
Critical review of social influence theories and practice in the area of persuasion and human action. Special emphasis is given to the application of the theories in interpersonal and organizational communication contexts.
Focused investigation of communication in close personal relationships, with primary emphasis on contemporary concepts and theories of romantic relationships and friendships. 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. W designation for university core curriculum.
Survey and analysis of major concepts, theories, and research dealing with communication between people of different cultural backgrounds in multicultural and international settings. 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.
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 will vary, but the course may be attempted only once.
This course will focus on defining the myriad representations of black womanhood and how the raced, gendered, classed and situated experiences of black women are communicated and translated through their stories and silences. This class looks at stories as theories about lived experiences and suggests black women (when speaking as/for/with black women) have unique communication practices connected to their shared oppressions.
Explores the role of communication in the construction of gender. Covers theories of gender construction, as well as the roles of gender and communication in various relational contexts. (This is an approved course for the minor in women's studies.).
Introduction to technology and infrastructure management, and information science foundations.
A basic introduction to information consumption in contemporary society focusing on the skills necessary to effectively locate, critically evaluate, and ethically use information.
Introduction to scripting languages for relational systems.
The term "social media" has been applied to Web-based platforms that facilitate communication, collaboration, and network/community-building. This course explores the affordances of social media through the concepts of informatics. Integrated features such as profile, personalization, feed, third-party integration, and linked data are examined for their affordance of information discoverability.
Explores theories, skills and techniques in Human-Computer Interaction promoting User Experience/Universal Design, and Human-Centered Design.
Examines information behavior and information needs, and explores methods for individual and group information needs assessment.
Introduction to story introduces students to narrative structure across a variety of media including film, television, news, documentary, and emerging media.
An introductory course designed to familiarize students with the storytelling technologies that they may be required to utilize while pursuing a degree in Journalism & Creative Media.
The logic of sentence and paragraph structure in the context of media writing, with an emphasis on grammar, punctuation, word choice, conciseness and accuracy. This online course is required for news media, creative media and advertising/public relations majors.
Development of the cinema, with emphasis on relation of technical advances to film content and style.
This course serves as a foundation to the study and analysis of sports media and provides an overview of professional pathways.
This introductory survey course gives students a first look at the history and professional practices of journalism and electronic news by examining both legacy and contemporary media.
JCM 200 is a survey of how the practices of journalism and news work in the context of a humanities course. Students should be able to deconstruct various stories in the news media to understand how economic, social, and ethical principles affect news reporting. In addition, the class covers the ethical and legal principles that guide journalists and the historical context in which the journalism evolved as a key player in democratic societies.
This course introduces students to the theories, concepts and techniques of professional video production and post-production, as well as the fundamentals, history and evolution of the visual language of the moving image. Topics include camera operation and technique, lighting design, sound recording, video editing, story development, and the ethical principles behind producing digital media. In this hands-on course, students will produce short video projects that emphasize visual storytelling, technical proficiency and creative authorship, while learning to critique their own and their peers work with a critical eye.
This course introduces students to the theories and techniques of digital video and computer based post-production. Students will learn the ins and outs of the Adobe Premiere editing system, focusing on media management, efficient editing practices, sound and image manipulation, codec preferences and conversion, and exporting/uploading files to the web. This will primarily be a technical class, focusing on proficiency with the Adobe Premiere application, however the course also covers fundamental editing theory, the evolution of the medium and its impact on the editing craft, and key editing terminology and techniques. Projects will include both scripted and non-fiction material. Required reading will be accompanied by required viewing, in addition to practical editing assignments. Course instruction will only consider the Mac OS platform, however, the Adobe Premiere application is very similar for Windows PC’s. This course assumes a basic working knowledge of the Mac OS, including how digital files are transferred and the basic language associated with using the Mac interface. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Film and Media Theory introduces JCM students to a variety of critical cultural humanistic methods and approaches to evaluating film, television, and emerging media.
This course provides a deep dive into the platforms, structures, cultures, and practices of the social media era, and it emphasizes the processes and practices of news and creative media industries and audiences, including the values, ethics, and aesthetics of the contemporary media environment. Social media are ubiquitous in our everyday lives, but now, more than ever, it is important to think critically about the ways they shape our media use, social interactions, and perceptions of the world around us. The course is divided into three parts: media industries, social audiences, and cultural trends. In the first part of the course, we’ll take a close look at the practices, values, and ethics of platforms and media professionals. In the second part of the course, we’ll examine social media audiences, with an eye toward developing a critical understanding of the media environment around us. Finally, the third part of the course will bring you up to speed on some ongoing cultural trends involving social media.
This course introduces the skills required for basic news writing and reporting. The contents of this course are designed to help you learn how news stories are constructed and how the news industry operates. 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.
Advanced practice of newsgathering and newswriting for specialized topic areas ranging from government, education to more soft news and human interest stories. 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 course will help students reach a better understanding of the documentary by exploring its contemporary development, its many genres, and the journalistic and ethical questions that arise in documentary production. By studying this complex and often controversial form, students will become more knowledgeable as media consumers, and more thoughtful as producers of multimedia material.
This course covers the preparation of copy for publication across media platforms, with an emphasis on careful writing, accuracy and presentation. In this class, you will study and learn the art of connecting language with shared meaning in a news context. By the end of the course, you should have the skills necessary to land entry-level professional editing jobs and you should have gained a conceptual foundation that will serve you well in higher editing positions.
This course will familiarize students with the ways in which industry research professionals think about their work and about the opportunities and challenges they face as they assess audiences in our highly competitive, rapidly evolving, and increasingly complicated media environment.
In this course students will learn how to cover live sporting events, including writing game stories, covering press conferences and writing feature profiles. The course will operate much the same as a real-world newsroom. You will receive hands-on experience in news gathering, interviewing and writing for print and online media. You also will learn to brainstorm and pitch story ideas, which is an invaluable skill in today’s media environment. The course is driven by deadlines. 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.
A practical approach to techniques necessary for effective presentation on radio, television, and the internet; emphasizes copy interpretation, interview skills, and studio and field performance for microphone and camera.
Visual Journalism is a 3-credit-hour beginning course that will help students of all abilities learn about visual tools used in the gathering and distribution of news. This course will challenge students, intellectually and technically, regardless of the prior experience and skills each brings to class. No prior knowledge of visual reporting is required.
Students will explore the principles and practice of broadcast sports announcing including play-by-play, analysis, and sideline reporting skills through examination, discussion, and execution. The class gives students a chance to put pre-production, background research and interview skills into practice by calling games for television and radio broadcasts.
Students will learn the terminology of the electronic reporting industry and will begin writing for broadcast. This course also covers basic equipment used in the newsroom and in the field.
The purpose of this class is to build electronic news skills. Students will build on skills such as writing for broadcast, shooting video, editing video and audio, on-air delivery, enterprising story ideas, finding different angles on stories, and how to evaluate the finished product. This course concentrates on broadcast news, emphasizing on-camera work and the various responsibilities involved in studio and remote production.
This course focuses on voice, music, and sound effects, and the impact they have on the visual image. It addresses the principles of recording sound and explains sound characteristics, basic acoustics, ergonomics, and proper audio recording techniques for field and studio recording, as well as time code and mixing.
This class will give students the skills they need to adjust to a variety of modern and emerging media. Students will produce media projects that build on the skills they already possess from previous classes. Students will prepare and present news and sports for various media outlets, including online and web formats.
This course is designed to learn the elements of screenplay: structure, plot, character arc, subplot, inciting incident, climax, resolution, visual storytelling, dialogue, subtext, secondary characters. Writing will be critiqued and work-shopped by peers. It is imperative to read all work by peers, reading assignments and participate in discussion. This is a Writing 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. Rubrics will be available for each assignment.
This course is designed to teach students about the elements of screenplay for television: structure, plot, character arc, subplot, inciting incident, climax, resolution, visual storytelling, dialogue, subtext, secondary characters. Writing will be critiqued and work-shopped by peers.
This course equally emphasizes modes of visual storytelling and technical practices using digital video cameras and lighting techniques. This course will help students develop creative vision, sharpen aesthetic understand, and advance technical skills. The goal is to take an idea and learn how to bring them to the screen. This hands-on workshop will group students in production teams for working in in-class exercises and for filming outside of class meeting hours. It is a production & time intensive course.
This course is designed to help students understand the elements of narrative, essentials of production, working with crew, understanding set structure, mastering multiple cameras, grip and lighting equipment, visual storytelling in multiple genres and media.
Study of and practice in production techniques and skills used in organizing location shoots for television, film, documentaries, and commercials.
Analysis of current issues and practices in news media and/or creative media under the supervision of a faculty member. May be repeated for credit provided the topics are different.
JCM 381 offers students the opportunity to experience the professional work environment where skills and principles they have learned in the classroom setting are applied. The practicum for qualified undergraduates is conducted under the joint supervision of the Journalism and Creative Media Department and an appropriate organization. Many practicum-level experiences are available through organizations located on campus in the Digital Media Center.
JCM 382 offers students the opportunity to apply in a professional work environment the skills and principles they have learned in the classroom setting. The internship is a part-time or full-time job experience for qualified undergraduates conducted under the joint supervision of the Journalism and Creative Media Department and a profession media organization.
JCM 383 offers students the opportunity to apply in a professional work environment the skills and principles they have learned in the creative media classroom setting. The internship is a part-time or full-time job experience for qualified undergraduates conducted under the joint supervision of the Journalism and Creative Media Department and a profession media organization.
Reporting and writing longer news and feature stories for publication in print and online. Students learn advanced techniques in information gathering, story organization, non-fiction writing and multimedia elements. 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.
Study of selected topics in United States film. 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 course uses a critical-cultural studies approach to analyzing gender and popular music in order to better examine gendered sites within music culture. It draws upon theories and methodologies associated with media studies, popular music criticism, sociology, musicology, sound studies, cultural studies, performance studies, fan studies, star studies, ethnography, literary analysis, women’s and gender studies, critical race theory, and queer studies. 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 course will help develop knowledge of the “cult film” as it has been understood and received historically and culturally. This course will provide strategies that mainstream understandings of cult film have constructed to exclude predominantly Black cast and Black themed films as well as their audience.
The purpose of this class is to build on the sports skills that you should already possess. We will build on skills such as writing, shooting video, on-air delivery, enterprising story ideas, finding different angles on stories, and how to evaluate your work and your colleagues’ work. Topics will include on-camera work and the various responsibilities involved in sports production. This course will also include discussion of current issues in broadcast sports, ethics, and professional career possibilities.
This course focuses on editing, production and visual storytelling for print and digital media, including magazines and periodicals as an editorial standard. This class combines lectures, student presentations, in-class assignments/discussion and project work.
This course will introduce students to the (preproduction, production and postproduction) theories and techniques of multicamera productions. There will be a major emphasis on hands-on instruction in this class throughout the entire semester. In addition, this class will emphasize live directing theory and execution, and multicamera studio/field techniques. Students will learn the language, protocol, and aesthetics used to produce industry standard multicamera programs. This is a course that allows students to experience all aspects of multicamera video production with an emphasis on directing, technical directing and camera operation.
This is an advanced production course focusing on television and film production. The students will serve as a production team responsible for the conceiving, shooting, editing and delivering of broadcast-ready content for television or film outlets.
This course introduces students to advanced editing skills. Students will learn the functionality of the software, as well as discuss the proper way to approach getting material in and out of the system. Students will elevate their editing abilities with emphasis on techniques, understanding performance, pacing and visual story structure, integration of motion graphics and music, advanced project organization, and prepping a project for professional sound and picture finishing.
The course will give students a better understanding of the theory and practice of sports documentary production. Students will explore the contemporary development, its many genres, and the journalistic and ethical questions that arise in the production of sports documentaries. Students will also 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.
Instruction in directing for television and film with an emphasis on directing actors, blocking for the camera, and narrative production techniques. Course includes the production of short fiction projects on digital video.
Directors and producers will work in a collaborative environment to create a short film to be put on the festival circuit. Directors will learn the elements of narrative, working with actors, visual storytelling, and collaborative communicative skills. Producers will work with the directors to secure funding, talent, location, crew, and equipment. Producers will learn to lead a production, budget for a short film, and lock picture in time for the festival circuit.
Documentary production is an advanced level production class in which students create serious original video projects. This course guides students through the design, pre-production planning, production, postproduction and subsequent evaluation of individual and group documentary project(s). Instruction topics include contemporary visual storytelling, cinematic philosophies, ethical issues, research, funding, and distribution.
This course is designed to help students understand writing and editing of long-form articles for publication in print and online depth magazines. Students will learn advanced narrative non-fiction writing techniques and how to gather information for longer feature stories. 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 course covers advanced techniques in reporting and writing for sports media. Students analyze published work, begin their own sports blog and write several articles, including two in-depth pieces. Several of the nation’s most prominent sportswriters will join us either in person or via Skype to offer insight into what it takes to flourish in an increasingly competitive media landscape. 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.
Students will analyze multiple pieces of longform, narrative journalism that have some connection to sports. This analysis will focus in large part on the finished story itself, but students will also look into the story’s cultural context and the process through which it came in to the world.
This course is designed to help you understand the issues pertinent to news, from its production, function, effects to external influences on news. We will look at what constitute news; who are the professionals producing news; who are the people consuming news; what factors affect production and consumption. We will also examine how news serves its audience and society and how news affects the social, economic and political processes. Finally we will examine how news can be manipulated and how news bias affects media credibility. 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 course is designed as an upper level, advanced production course. Its emphasis is placed on utilizing and elevating previously learned technical skills, while students explore their cinematic voices though a conceptual and aesthetically focused narrative project. The course encourages creative risk taking within the pragmatic workflow of producing a short film.
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.
In this course students will learn about film, television, new media and industry through internships and required class activities in Los Angeles. We will network with professionals, attend industry events, film festivals, screenings and master classes, tour graduate film programs, visit working Hollywood studios, and network with many UA alumni. This course aims to help students gain insight in and preparation for careers in creative media industries.
This course extends the learning goals of JCM 452: JCM IN LOS ANGELES INDUSTRY TOUR, where students continue to intern at a Los Angeles-based film, television or media company, and attend career enriching course activities including studio tours, networking events, and meetings with industry professionals.
Advanced study and practice in the skills needed for successful production management, including professional software. Emphasis placed on critical thinking, problem solving and team building.
This foundational course teaches the culture, practices and ethics of entrepreneurship applied to new, journalism-related ventures, with the aim of helping to preserve quality journalism amid industry disruption and shrinkage.
This course introduces students to software in motion graphics creation platforms. Students will develop their creative abilities with emphasis on element creation, green screen technology, practical vs. digital effects, further developing an understanding of codecs, prepping a project for professional sound and picture finishing, and executing the final phases of post-production including output.
This course is designed to help students understand the elements of feature film writing in a 90-120 page format. Students will write a short film and expand the narrative into a feature. Students will do pre-writing such as character biographies, outlines, treatments, and look books to establish the overall vision of the feature script. Students will develop a writing process and will do extensive revision. Students will participate in workshops to critique peer work. All students will submit to the Holle Award for screenwriting. 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 course is designed to explore the varied ways that race and gender intersect with the media industry. Time spent in class will largely consist of deconstructing a number of media industries, including film, television and digitized video, to show just how race and gender operate within media industries.
A specialized interdisciplinary service-learning course in narrative nonfiction. Focusing on a single story of injustice, the class collaborates to use film, audio and other media to create a rich, web-based narrative in its broader social and historical context.
An interdisciplinary course focusing on documentary filmmaking. The aim of the class is to teach students how to 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 in documentary theory and history and the ethics of cinematic nonfiction.
This course will support the production of video projects working with clients. Aimed at teaching student producers who have primarily produced content independently or as part of class projects, this course will show creative producers how to work “for hire” on projects with campus partners and community organizations who will serve as “clients.” The course will engage students in commercial production where they must develop ideas and produce video projects for a client, develop ideas, pitch to clients, filming in studios and on location, and learn how to work through feedback notes from clients. The aim of this course is to help student understand how to develop projects working with campus partners, community organizations and act as producers, directors and crew to create work “for hire.”.
In this course students will learn the business practices as well as the editorial leadership roles associated with producing a magazine. The course will culminate by printing a student-produced magazine in which every student has played a role in the writing, reporting, and photographing of people and cultures in different countries.
This course is the most advanced skills course in the University’s sports media sequence It draws heavily on the writing journalistic, production, and performance skills learned in prior classes. Students will enhance their video, writing and editing skills produce a high-quality sports-related product.
Students adopt staff roles at Dateline Alabama, a news site showcasing the original work of journalism students at the University of Alabama. Students produce and publish original articles, photography, multimedia stories and other reportage. Through team-based coverage, students will shine light on the important events, issues and people of our communities: The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa and the state of Alabama. Students will hone the skills they need to succeed as professional journalists, finishing the semester with the portfolios needed to land internships and jobs.
This course teaches a number of methods for testing news content to determine the effectiveness of that content. Students will learn when it is appropriate to use which methods, along with the limitations of each method, to create better information and storytelling for audiences and communities.
This class provides a real world experience of how to produce news, weather, and sports content for a television station, network, or cable outlet. By producing daily newscasts, students gain extensive experience in writing for broadcast and producing content for various story forms. The emphasis is on the organization and analysis of newsworthy content as well as understanding how to work as a news team to put together a professional on-air product.
This course supports the professional development of JCM media production (application track) majors interested on careers in film, television or broader media industry careers. This course helps to prepare graduates to enter the competitive and challenging landscape of the industry. The course engages students in industry research, career mapping, building resumes, drafting cover letters and exploring formats for portfolios. Students study industry hierarchy and structure, research companies, industry terminology, and learn how to plan successful paths from graduation to a career in the entertainment industry.
Examination of current issues and ethical practices in the field of journalism. Students complete a major research project on issues and ethics. This includes discussion of current events, of course, but through the prism of a systematic study of applied ethics. This class focuses on the “why” of journalism and creative media.
The way media are produced and consumed by audiences is influenced by the different cultures, politics and economics of particular countries, by global economic systems, by political and economic relationships across countries, by growing “cosmopolitan” sameness, and by changing technologies. Students will explore these global trends, and how media systems work in particular countries and in particular industries. Comparisons of media across different cultural and political-economic contexts, media production techniques, and various norms and values of professional media workers will be discussed along with theories that explain why we such variety exists.
Students will explore and discuss project packaging, development labs, fundraising, budgeting, business plans, contracts, distribution platforms, self-distribution, and film festivals, among other topics. After completing this course, each student will have development and distribution strategies for a future and/or current project, as well as a solid foundational understanding of how to navigate the film and television industries.
This class will give students the skills they need to adjust to a variety of modern and emerging media. Students will produce media projects that build on the skills they already possess from previous classes. Students will prepare and present news and sports for various media outlets, including online and web formats.
Introduction to the fields of communication, including theory, law and regulation, history, social implications, and mass media operations.
Study of laws and regulations affecting the mass media and the fields of mass communication. May be taken for graduate credit.
Overview and application of the methods used in quantitative and qualitative mass communication research.
Study of the historical development of mass communication. May be taken for graduate credit. 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.
In this service-learning designated class, students study and analyze mass communication issues of diversity as they relate to groups in society. Students work with area partners on projects related to reaching diverse, mass 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.
The purpose of this course is to explore the general character and dimensions of the cross-disciplinary field of political communication. The principal aim is to familiarize each participant with the literature and propositions surrounding key approaches, methods, and substantive areas of inquiry in political communications. 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 structure and function of media organizations. The decision-making processes inherent in running complex media businesses. Effective leadership styles. Traditional marketing perspectives applied to media. Laws and regulations that affect media management. 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 discussion-oriented class examines the mass media through the lenses of race, ethnicity and gender. The course helps future media practitioners be aware of their roles in creating content that reflects increasingly multicultural audiences. Using current, contemporary and classic media texts, students critically analyze media messages and understand the importance of a diverse workforce.
This course provides a comprehensive overview of video game media as it pertains to students preparing for careers in the entertainment industry, news, creative media, computer programming and related careers. Video games are a globally relevant medium that entertain, educate, inform us; define and are defined by contemporary culture. The course will prepare students for developing projects that can be used as part of their professional portfolios as they prepare for their careers.
The purpose of this course is to introduce core sports media research scholarship to make students literate on this research. By the end of the class, students should be able to interpret, critique, and advance knowledge that can be gleaned from sports media researchers.
Special topics in mass communication theory and research. May be taken for graduate credit.
College of Community Health Sciences Courses
This course provides an overview of health care organization and delivery in the U.S. The course will examine the foundations of the health care system, system resources, processes within the health care system, outcomes, and the future of health care delivery. Current issues in health care including cost of health care, health care quality, and access to care will be analyzed.
This course can by taken by application only. This course will match each student with a physician at University Medical Center or one of our community partners. Students will shadow a physician for one half day per week throughout the semester. Students will gain firsthand knowledge of the practice of medicine in a primary care setting, have frequent opportunities to observe the physician-patient relationship, and explore medicine as a career path. Students will be directed to readings relevant to the patient care matters that they encounter and will document their observations via written reflections. Thirty-five (35) hours of shadowing are required over the course of the semester.
Lectures and readings will examine behaviors that compromise overall health status (eg, tobacco use, noncompliance) and behavioral aspects of specific medical conditions (eg, heart disease, cancer, pain). Topics will include bioethics, racial/ethnic disparities and rural mental health issues. 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.
Introduction to Fundamentals of Medicine I is an interdisciplinary course that provides a foundation for understanding the molecular and biochemical basis of cellular processes and whole body physiology, and initiates an appreciation for their impairment during various human diseases.
Introduction to Fundamentals of Medicine II is an interdisciplinary course that provides a foundation basic pharmacology and cellular physiology. The basic principles of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics will be followed by an introduction to autonomic nervous system pharmacology that will serve as a basis for understanding the pharmacologic treatment of diseases.
This course provides students with exposure to the research process and the opportunity to conduct independent work on a research project under faculty supervision, in the areas of medicine, rural and population health, primary care and bioscience. Students may take 1-4 credit hours per semester. Students may earn up to 12 credit hours of this course across multiple semesters. It is expected that students’ workload on the project will correspond to the number of credit hours. Specifically, it is expected that students work a minimum of 2.5 hours per week for every credit hour registered.
The Emergency Responder course prepares the EMR student to provide emergency prehospital assessment and care for patients of all ages with a variety of medical conditions and traumatic injuries. Areas of study include an introduction to emergency medical services systems, roles and responsibilities of EMRs, anatomy and physiology, medical emergencies, trauma, and special considerations for working in the prehospital setting.
An introductory course designed to teach learners to examine health issues from a population health perspective. Using real local and global health problems, students are introduced to evidence-based population health programs and policies that focus on closing the gap between science and practice.
Empirical evidence demonstrates that structural inequalities and health disparities disproportionately affect historically marginalized populations in the United States. Increasingly, Public Health and medical organizations have called on healthcare professionals to recognize these inequalities and actively work toward social justice and health equity in our research and practice. The goal of this course will be to provide students with evidence-based knowledge and the tools to understand and address health inequities in their research and practice.
An introductory undergraduate level course designed to teach learners how to examine reproductive health issues from a population health perspective using a life course approach to investigate the challenges people face at different times in their lives such as family planning, services to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and early diagnosis and treatment of reproductive health illnesses, and access of essential health supplies such as contraceptives and medicines. The course content will emphasize the social, economic, environmental, behavioral, and political factors associated with reproductive health. Students will make connections between classroom knowledge and use problem solving skills to work with a community organization to update lesson plans and facilitate lessons to pregnant women and their partners during the semester.
The purpose of this course is to understand the role of health care providers, politics, government relations, and effective advocacy planning in the betterment of population health. Writing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Statistical methods and concepts particularly appropriate for biomedical research and health-related subjects.
A basic course in epidemiology designed for students in health or related fields which points out the population-oriented approach to epidemiology and shows how the methodology can be used to develop knowledge of disease etiology with application to the entire spectrum of health service.
This course will match each student with a physician at University Medical Center or one of our community partners. Students will shadow a physician for one half day per week throughout the semester. Students will gain firsthand knowledge of the practice of medicine in a primary care setting, have frequent opportunities to observe the physician-patient relationship, and explore medicine as a career path. Students will be directed to readings relevant to the patient care matters that they encounter and will document their observations via written reflections. Thirty-five (35) hours of shadowing are required over the course of the semester.
Designed to help the student recognize environmental and occupational health hazards in the rural setting, the effects of exposure to these hazards, and preventive measures that should be taken to avoid them.
A combination of scheduled sessions and fieldwork activities. The fieldwork will consist of visiting with an assigned rural advisor, completing a rural community assessment, and assisting with community health screenings and education programs.
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 issues related to rural healthcare, primary care, etc. to encourage a better understanding of the multifaceted role of a rural, primary care physician.
A combination of scheduled sessions and fieldwork activities. The fieldwork will consist of visiting with an assigned rural advisor, completing a rural community assessment, and assisting with community health screenings and education programs.
College of Education Courses
This course for first-year UA students provides an introduction to the nature of higher education and to the function, resources, and activities of The University of Alabama. This course is designed to help students make the transition to a large comprehensive research university, develop a better understanding of the learning process, and acquire basic academic survival skills. The ultimate goal of the course is to equip each student with the confidence and basic skills necessary for degree attainment.
This is a first-year freshman course that provides an introduction to the nature of higher education and to the educational experience at the University of Alabama. The course is designed to help students make the transition to a large comprehensive research university by helping them to understand the learning process in higher education and to acquire the basic academic skills they need to succeed. The ultimate goal of the course is to instill each student with the confidence and basic skills necessary for degree attainment.
A survey course featuring a comprehensive examination of the history, functions, and related issues for the practice of counseling in school, agency, and rehabilitation settings.
An examination of the foundations of education in a modern democratic society and the critical project of promoting social justice through schooling. Attention is also paid to how theories of human nature and the idea of the social good shape distinctive philosophies of education.
An examination of the foundations of education in a modern democratic society and the critical project of promoting social justice through schooling. Attention is also paid to how theories of human nature and the social good shape distinctive philosophies of education.
This course introduces undergraduate students to U.S. educational policy and reform by focusing on the relation of the public school to the state, on principles of education, and on the possibilities for reform. Students will analyze contemporary policy debates and reform efforts in view of philosophical perspectives, policy histories, and empirical support.
A critical look at the role of religion in public schooling, the separation of church and state in American education and educational policies relevant to the church, state, and education.
This course provides students a broad overview of language policy and planning. Drawing on international case studies, students will identify different foci of language planning,including status, corpus, and acquisition planning, as well as the different linguistic and political views that inform policy.
This is the capstone course for the Educational Policy Studies undergraduate minor. The purpose of this course is to have the students create a small research project that reflects on their learning from previous courses in the Educational Policy Studies undergraduate minor.
Provides students with a theoretical and practical understanding of the importance and use of specific learning strategies. This course will also engage students in reflective decision making and critical evaluation of their learning process.
The purpose of this course is to provide students with a comprehensive overview of the behavioral and neuroscientific aspects of learning, memory, and cognition.
In this course, students will develop proficiency in the analytical skills needed to understand and manipulate neuroimaging data. Much of the focus will be on learning the fundamentals of MATLAB programming. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
This course provides a comprehensive overview of experimental design and methodologies within cognitive psychology and neuroscience, as well as exploring interdisciplinary methods within educational neuroscience. Students will learn the basics of experimental design, how to read research articles, communicate research to others, construct literature reviews and generate proposals.
An examination of the social, psychological, philosophical, and historical foundations of education in a modern democratic society. Critical attention is paid to contrasting theories of human nature, the learner and the learning process that, when combined with judgments about the purpose and conduct of life, have shaped pedagogy.
This course will provide a comprehensive overview of the different areas of research in numerical cognition research and how they have shaped various approaches to learning and teaching mathematics. The focus of the course is to provide students with an understanding of the neural, cognitive, and cultural factors that affect numerical cognition and its implications for k-12 math and science teaching and learning. 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 written assignments of this course require coherent, logical, and carefully edited prose that will demonstrate students' analysis and synthesis skills.
In this special topics course, students will develop a deeper understanding of how educational neuroscience research can inform science instruction and learning. Writing proficiency is required for a passing grade. A student who does not write with the skill normally required for an upper-division student will not earn a passing grade, no matter how well the student performs in other areas of the course. The written assignments of this course requires coherent, logical and carefully edited prose that will demonstrate students' analysis and synthesis skills.
What is morality? Would we all make the same decision in a moral dilemma? This course aims to help students answer these questions by providing an overview of the psychology of morality with a focus on the processes leading to moral action. Writing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. A student who does not write with the skills 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 written assignments of this course requires coherent, logical and carefully edited prose that will demonstrate students' analysis and synthesis skills.
This course will focus on the varied neuroimaging methodologies used by our Educational Neuroscience faculty. Faculty will present a different methodology in each iteration of the course. These methodologies include EEG, NIRS, Eye-tracking, and MRI. Please contact the department for information on semester-specific course offerings. Writing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. A student who does not write with the skill normally required for an upper-division student will not earn a passing grade, no matter how well the student performs in other areas of the course. The written assignments of this course require coherent, logical and carefully edited prose that will demonstrate students' analysis and synthesis skills.
This course will provide students with an overview of the methods, experimental design, and analytical skills used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)data, as well as how these methods are used in educational neuroscience. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
This course provides an overview of electrophysiological methods used in the field of educational neuroscience to conduct research on learning and cognition. Students will also gain experience in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of electrophysiology data. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
This course is an introduction to qualitative research that centers on discussions related to the application of qualitative research methods and an understanding of the issues involved in qualitative research ethics, design, analysis and writing. The course is organized into five major emphases: An introduction to qualitative research; the researcher as apart of qualitative research; role of theory in qualitative research; conducting qualitative research; and ethical implications.
Statistical methods in education; graphs, charts, frequency distributions, central tendencies, dispersion, correlation, sampling errors, estimation, and hypothesis testing.
The purpose of this course is to provide a comprehensive overview of experimental design and methodologies within cognitive psychology and neuroscience, as well as interdisciplinary methods within educational neuroscience. Students will learn the basics of experimental design, how to read research articles, communicate research to others, construct literature reviews and generate proposals.
Survey of teacher-made and standardized instruments for understanding students' achievement and evaluating teaching. Field practicum in the schools is required.
Fundamentals of computer use in education, including software applications, keyboard functions, peripherals, utilities, and software.
Introduces computer applications relating to problem solving, critical thinking, instruction, data management and Web page development. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Utilizing computer technology and computer applications in instruction. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Teaching experiences related to P-6 children's learning of science, with emphasis on teaching strategies that use inquiry approaches. Intensive field experience.
Selection and teaching of literature for P-6 children at various developmental levels, according to interests, needs, and abilities. Intensive field experience.
The nature of P-6 social studies, the resource unit, kinds of materials, teaching procedures, and the evaluation of learning. Intensive field experience.
Materials and methods in the teaching of reading, with emphasis on assessment-based instruction and planning a balanced program. Intensive field experience. 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.
P-6 teaching experiences related to children's developmental learning of mathematics, with emphasis on teaching strategies, manipulatives, and other materials useful in teaching content. Intensive field experience.
This course is designed to teach students the principles and theory of classroom management. Emphasis will be placed on the design and implementation of classroom management methods and techniques.
Deepening understanding of the materials and methods for teaching of P-6 language arts with emphasis on planning and implementing a writing program. Intensive field experience. 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.
A foundation in the materials and methods for teaching in early childhood classrooms with an emphasis on child development, assessment, and instruction. Completion of Professional Semester II courses required.
Students will develop advanced skills in planning and facilitating play-based activities to support the learning and development of children from birth through age eight. Students will use an integrated approach to teaching developmentally appropriate curriculum while building their professional knowledge related to advocacy and family engagement.
Open only to students in professional semester II of the early childhood and elementary program. This course offers students significant clinical experience and opportunities to plan and teach lessons in P-6.
Observation, participation, and teaching experiences supervised by selected cooperating teachers in P-6 early childhood and elementary schools. Additional supervision is provided by College of Education personnel.
Theories, methods, techniques, and essential media for teaching foreign languages effectively. 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.
Observation and teaching of the major subject in an elementary and secondary school. Offered in the fall and spring semesters only. Application for student teaching must be made the semester prior to student teaching (excluding summer term) through the Office of Clinical Experience. Formal application meetings are held and their times will be posted in Autherine Lucy Hall and announced in the Crimson White prior to the meetings.
This course, offered on campus or abroad, provides opportunities to engage with topics or projects of collective concern in early childhood, elementary, and/or secondary education. Topics vary. May be repeated. Offered according to demand.
Introduction to literacy development, instruction, and assessment for P-6. Foundational concepts of literacy instruction and best-practice are covered. A field component is required.
A foundation in the materials and methods for teaching of reading and language arts K-12, with emphasis on intervention programs, assessment, and instruction for individual and small groups of students. Intensive field experience is required.
Study of methods and strategies for teaching reading at the secondary and junior-college levels. Methods of teaching word attack and comprehension skills are emphasized. Diagnostic techniques, study skills, and teaching reading in the content areas are also covered. 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 focuses on evaluating teaching and learning behaviors and on general teaching competencies.
Examines and explores various existing and emerging classroom technologies for specifically teaching secondary mathematics topics including but not limited to spreadsheets, hand-held & computer graphing technologies, dynamic geometry software, computer algebra systems and data collection devices. Fall only. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
A required course for candidates in secondary teaching programs that will focus on classroom management and building humanizing classroom communities in secondary classrooms. It will focus on aspects of engaged learning environments, positive responses to challenging behavior, classroom expectations and routines, building connections between home and school, and accountability and responsibility among learners.
Future secondary mathematics teachers examine advanced concepts, structures, and procedures that comprise secondary mathematics. This course focuses on current issues and trends in the curriculum, teaching, and learning of secondary mathematics with an emphasis on the investigation and implementation of current reform efforts. 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.
Study of contemporary literature for young adults, with emphasis on high- interest and high-quality literature from diverse authors.
This is a practical course intended to enhance the student's understanding of the structure of the English language. The course is designed to encourage a thorough study of grammar and its role in the English language arts curriculum, to explore the psycholinguistic nature of language processes, and to develop methods of instruction for the classroom.
This course is designed to prepare prospective English teachers to successfully teach and evaluate writing in grades 6-12.
Examination and evaluation of emerging and existing technologies specific to secondary science teaching. Students will grow their capacity to employ technologies to plan, enact, and assess science teaching and learning. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Methods and media essential to effective instruction of English in the secondary school. Admission to Teacher Education Program is required. 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. Computer proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Theories, methods, techniques, and essential media for teaching foreign languages effectively in the secondary school. Offered fall semester only. 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. Admission to Teacher Education Program is required.
The course presents primarily methods and instructional strategies of teaching mathematics, but necessarily includes a study of selected topics in mathematics. Offered fall semester only. 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 course is designed to assist students' understanding of and application of powerful, inquiry-based strategies to the design of meaningful 21st century social studies instruction and assessment.
Instructional strategies and media essential to effective learning of science in the secondary school. Content includes objectives, inquiry teaching, analysis of curricula, assessment, teaching for diversity, science-thinking skills, unit planning, and laboratory management. Offered only fall semester. 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 course will use a reflective teaching model for examining the history, issues, and contemporary practices related to teaching middle- and high- school social science. 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.
Observation and participation experiences in secondary schools. Computing proficiency and writing proficiency are 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.
A reflective teaching model will be used to explore differences in race, class, gender, and academic achievement as they affect classroom interaction and academic success.
The purpose of the course is to provide an introduction to the foundational and curricular components of education. Students will analyze key socio-cultural, academic, political and economic issues and examine the role of the teacher, student and community member in American education.
This course is designed to prepare prospective candidates with the necessary prerequisite knowledge required for success in TEP.
This course examines differences and diversity of students in education through the exploration of ethnicity, disability, gender, sexuality, language, and class. The course develops knowledge and tools for advocacy through an understanding of relevant law and experience through service.
This course traces the development of educational policy through the history of educational reform from the Common School Movement to the development of No Child Left Behind and its evolution to the present time. Readings and discussion will analyze the development of policy in the context of social, political, legal and institutional contributions to the purposes of public education from diverse viewpoints.
This seminar course serves as a support mechanism to facilitate reflection and performance assessment through regularly scheduled seminars during teacher internship. Class activities involving lecture, group discussions, portfolio development, and successful completion of a culminating teacher performance assessment will be used to facilitate professional development.
The purpose of this seminar is to facilitate students as educational researchers and advocates. Students will integrate what they have learned in the program to conduct research around a problem they will identify.
This course provides a framework for Patterson scholars to achieve the requirements of their receipt of funds. They are required to engage in learning about teaching reading and to report regularly to Mr. James Patterson.
The purpose of this course is to provide the student with knowledge and skills that will assist an individual in participating in safe and effective yoga practices.
The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the knowledge base underlying proper physical conditioning of the body and appropriate techniques for participation.
The purpose of this course is to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to participate in horseback riding.
The purpose of this course is to provide the student with the knowledge and skills necessary for participation in the sport of soccer.
The purpose of this course is to provide the student with the knowledge and skills necessary for participation in basketball.
The purpose of this course is to provide the student with the knowledge and skills necessary for skilled participation in the sport of softball.
The purpose of this course is to provide students with the knowledge and skills to participate in a basic game of golf.
The purpose of this course is to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate at an intermediate level in the game of golf.
The purpose of this course is to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to motivate participation in tennis.
The purpose of this course is to provide the student with knowledge and skills that will assist an individual in participating in safe and effective pilates practices.
The purpose of this course is to help students understand and demonstrate proper risk management and safety techniques, as well as proper technical skills, in order to safely enjoy the activity of indoor rock climbing.
The purpose of this course is to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for the development of intermediate skills with an emphasis on individual stroke analysis, playing strategy and match play, both singles and doubles.
This course builds on the skills and knowledge covered in Pilates I to enable the student to develop a more advanced Pilates practice. Focus will be on learning upper-level mat exercises, refining skills, and furthering an understanding of Pilates principles, history and anatomy.
This course will introduce students to a variety of adapted sports. The sports covered will vary based on participants and available equipment. Example of sports which may be played or reviewed are wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, goalball, beep baseball, wheelchair tennis, rowing, golf, boccia, and table tennis. This class will be activity based with some lecture.
This course will provide students with knowledge of the game of pickleball and the application of fundamental rules, basic strategies, and court positioning for singles and doubles play. Technical skills include forehand and backhand groundstrokes, volleys, serves, lobs, dinks, overheads, and proper footwork.
The purpose of this course is to provide the student with the knowledge and skills necessary for participation in volleyball.
This course is designed to enhance cardio-respiratory fitness through the medium of water aerobics and physical conditioning.
This course is designed to enhance cardio-respiratory function through the medium of stationary bike group cycling.
This course is designed to enhance cardiorespiratory fitness through the medium of aerobic dance and physical conditioning.
The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the basic dances that are performed in a social situation.
This course is designed to enhance cardio-respiratory fitness through the medium of aerobic dance and physical conditioning.
The purpose of this course is to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for participation in basic aquatic activities.
The purpose of this course is to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for participation in more advanced aquatic activities.
The purpose of this course is to prepare the student both mentally and physically to supervise, coordinate, and successfully control an aquatic emergency.
The purpose of this course is to provide knowledge of water safety instruction so that the student will be able to instruct groups and individuals in this discipline.
The purpose of this course is to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in the game of racquetball.
The purpose of this course is to provide the student with the knowledge and skills that will enhance the student's ability to defend herself in case of physical or sexual assault as well as to enhance her overall personal safety.
The purpose of this course is to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and follow a basic weight-training program.
The purpose of this course is to provide the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and follow a basic running program.
The purpose of this course is to provide the student with the knowledge and skills necessary for participation in the sport of karate.
This introductory course examines the basis for and interrelationships among the six aspects of wellness: social, physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and environmental. The course addresses issues of physical fitness, wellness, and personal safety applicable to the college age group.
This course is designed around successful weight management concepts and pitfalls. Topics include physical activity, behavior, and lifestyle modification. Hands-on activities include measures of daily energy expenditure, personal fitness, target body weight, and development of a personalized exercise plan.
A critical analysis of socio-cultural issues of the body throughout history and an in-depth study of physical education, fitness, and sport programs and professions.
The purpose of this course is to improve students' performance and knowledge of skills and strategies in invasion, striking/fielding and target games, and acquaint them with effective teaching behaviors appropriate for these same types.
The purpose of this course is to improve students' performance and knowledge of skills and strategies in track and field and net/wall games, and acquaint them with effective teaching behaviors appropriate for these activities.
The purpose of this course is to improve students' swimming skills and knowledge of water safety and to acquaint them with effective teaching behaviors appropriate for this activity.
The purpose of this course is to improve students' knowledge of the basic principles of health-related fitness and acquaint them with effective teaching behaviors appropriate for fitness instruction.
The purpose of this course is to provide students with a basic background knowledge in horses, to include: history, breeds, basic care and health, use, management, selection and behavior. Students in equine management related fields will require this knowledge in their professional fields to be knowledgeable caretakers and successful in business.
In addition to supervised professional experience in the equine industry through observation/participation under the direction of a professional within the community, students will learn valuable professional development tools such as writing a resume, cover letter, and thank you letter, as well as preparing for a professional interview.
This course is designed to introduce students to the psychology of coaching.
This course is designed to help students improve their abilities to teach elementary physical education and to plan and reflect on lessons, units and a comprehensive K-5 curriculum. This course must be taken concurrently with KIN 360. 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.
Study of growth in phylogenetic and ontogenetic sequence, and the motor development sequence across the lifespan; integration of movement skill and knowledge development. A field experience is required.
Study of the administration and evaluation of test batteries in physical education, fitness management, and personal training.
Public health guidelines, epidemiological evidence, and biological mechanisms related to physical activity and exercise-induced enhancement of physical and mental health (e.g. obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, anxiety, depression) are covered. Personal exercise and health data are collected to engage in scientific inquiry and communication.
This course is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge to coach the game of soccer.
The purpose of this course is to help students understand and demonstrate various aspects of sports officiating, including knowledge of the basic rules in specific sport activities.
This course is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge to coach football.
This course is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge to coach the game of basketball.
This course is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge to coach the game of baseball.
This course is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge to coach the game of volleyball.
Supervised professional experience in a fitness or related setting; observation and participation under the direction of a professional at the site.
In addition to supervised professional experience in fitness through observation/participation under the direction of a professional within the community, students will learn valuable professional development tools such as writing a resume, cover letter, and thank you letter, as well as preparing for a professional interview.
This course explores recent advances in exercise physiology for "clinical" populations. Particular emphasis is placed on the acute and chronic responses to exercise in patients at risk for or having cardiac, pulmonary, and metabolic diseases.
This course provides an overview of the sport industry, and helps orient students to the field of sport administration. Sport administration content areas discussed in detail include the history of sport administration, and how management principles relating to organizational behavior, leadership styles, finance, facility and event management, media relations, and sports broadcasting are applied. Contemporary trends in professional, intercollegiate, interscholastic, and international athletics will be discussed.
This course examines sport marketing and sport consumer behavior. All aspects of a sound sport marketing plan will be addressed in addition to contemporary trends that effect sport marketing efforts.
An analysis of legal issues affecting the delivery of sport services focusing on liability in sport activities and the recognition of social problems in American sport.
This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to financial analysis and budgeting techniques essential for tracking an organization's revenues and expenses.
This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to engage with, explore, and immerse themselves in the extant contemporary literature relating to trends and issues in interscholastic and intercollegiate athletics, as well as youth, professional sports and recreation.
This course is designed to examine current issues, controversies, trends, and problems in the field of coaching.
The purpose of this course is to incorporate information gained in the classroom with a real-world perspective on the state of the equine industry. A wide variety of current topics will be discussed by industry leaders who will act as guest lecturers. Students in equine management related fields will require this knowledge in their professional fields to be knowledgeable caretakers and successful in business.
This course examines the equine industry from a business management perspective and provides an opportunity to analyze the external environmental factors involved in opening and managing an equine business.
The course includes basic information on disability sport and physical education programs. It focuses on the roles of various service agencies and organizations, on state and federal legislation and on various inclusion strategies. A clinical experience is required. 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.
Directed internship in an area of specialization, completed in cooperation with a community agency or business, clinical, or other appropriate organization. Observation and on-the-job experience through direct participation in ongoing programs.
This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to implement additional curricular models at both the elementary- and secondary-school levels.
Directed internship in an area of specialization, completed in cooperation with a community agency or business, clinical, or other appropriate organization. Observation and on-the-job experience through direct participation in ongoing programs.
This course explores the major issues that occupy social sciences involved in the study of sport and exercise. 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 course explores advanced concepts involving integrated human physiological responses to exercise. Laboratory activities expand concepts discussed in lecture. Students in KIN 492 will receive one overall grade in the course that encompasses both the lecture and the laboratory components (i.e. separate grades will not be posted for the lecture and laboratory components of the course).
A study of the application of exercise testing and prescription principles to apparently healthy and diseased populations.
This course is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of strength and conditioning. Emphasis is placed on the exercise sciences (including anatomy, exercise physiology, and biomechanics) and nutrition, exercise technique, program design, organization and administration, and testing and evaluation. The course is designed to prepare students for the nationally accredited CSCS certification exam.
The purpose of this course is to provide the student an opportunity to further develop their skills/knowledge/instructional techniques in the area of kinesiology.
Full-time supervised teaching experience in elementary and secondary schools. Includes a weekly one-hour seminar. Student teaching cannot be completed during the summer term. Application for student teaching must be made the semester prior to student teaching (excluding summer term) through the Office of Clinical Experience. Formal application meetings are held and their times will be posted in Autherine Lucy Hall and announced in the Crimson White prior to the meetings.
This course is designed as a developmental sequence of integrated themes covering historical foundations of education, educational finance, legal and ethical issues, contemporary issues, and fundamental technology concepts and integrated with MAP 302, MAP 403, MAP 404 and MAP 405.
This course continues the developmental sequence of integrated themes from MAP 301. The underpinnings of various school reform efforts and their potential effects on classroom practices are a central focus of the course.
Integrated with MAP 312, MAP 413, MAP 414, MAP 415, this course is a developmental sequence covering concepts of human development, language development, literacy acquisition, and multiculturalism. A central theme is the development of skill in observing children and understanding their behavior from a developmental perspective. Group projects, independent study, observation, assigned readings, and field activities are part of the course.
Integrated with MAP 311, MAP 413, MAP 414, MAP 415, this course is designed as an integrated, developmental sequence covering human development, language development, literacy acquisition, and multiculturalism, as well as concepts of assessment of the learner. The course includes group projects, independent study, observation, assigned readings, and field activities.
Integrated with MAP 322, MAP 423, MAP 424, MAP 425, this course introduces concepts of cooperative partnerships in school and between home and school as a vehicle for quality educational experiences. Topics include social functions of speech communication; verbal and nonverbal communication; and skills essential for professional communication. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Integrated with MAP 321, MAP 424, MAP 425, and other MAP courses, this course further explores the concept of cooperative partnerships to ensure quality educational experiences for children whose needs vary widely (including those with learning and/or behavior disabilities). Skills essential for professional communication, especially those needed for effective collaboration, are a central theme of the course. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
By observing and participating in classrooms, students acquire understanding of pedagogies appropriate for young children. This course is closely related to other MAP "Facilitating Learning" title courses. This course introduces methods of instruction in math, science, literacy, art and social studies. 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.
Using observation and study, students in this course learn about effective instruction of children with diverse needs, including those with learning and/or behavior disabilities. The course covers teaching young children science, math, music, literacy (reading, writing, and language arts), and physical education. A central theme of this course (which is integrated with MAP 331, MAP 433, MAP 434, and MAP 435) is use of instructional tactics and strategies to ensure meaningful learning and empowerment of children. 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.
In this practicum, students complete observation-based research activities in a variety of general and special education classrooms. A variety of practicum experiences with emerging readers is required.
This is the second MAP field experience, and it, too, is integrated with the MAP coursework that precedes and follows it. During the semester month-long practicum, students serve as apprentices in a mentoring teacher's classroom, engaging in co-planning and co-teaching lessons. They have a variety of practicum experiences with elementary students.
This course extends the developmental themes of MAP 302 and is integrated with other MAP courses. Developing a "self as professional" perspective is a central theme of the course.
This course extends developmental themes covered in previous "Professionalism" courses. Emphasis is on gathering and analyzing educational data and information in order to make classroom teaching more effective.
This course extends developmental themes covered in previous "Professionalism" courses. Emphasis is on gathering and analyzing educational data and information in order to make classroom teaching more effective.
The course is integrated with the rest of the MAP curriculum and teaches the theory and practice of the construction of tests for student assessment. Nonbiased assessment and placement of and intervention with culturally/socially/ economically diverse students are emphasized.
Building on previous MAP courses, this course develops a sophisticated understanding of human development, human learning and language acquisition, and the social context of all of these. Vygotsky's social learning theories and their practical implications for the multiple abilities classroom are a key focus.
Building on previous MAP courses, the course focuses on interpersonal skills needed to communicate effectively with parents through conferencing, notes/letters, and newsletters about curriculum topics, themes, classroom events and children's work.
Building on previous MAP courses, the course focuses on planning and conducting conferences to establish, communicate, and achieve the goals and essential characteristics of an educational program.
Building on previous MAP courses, the course focuses on the use of social problem-solving skills: conflict resolution, anger diffusion, and crisis intervention.
By observing and participating in classrooms, students acquire skills in pedagogy appropriate for young children. This course is integrated with MAP 331, MAP 332, MAP 433, and MAP 435. It concentrates on the integration and inclusion of exceptional children and children from diverse backgrounds in various classroom settings: planning for individual needs, modifying objectives and adapting curriculum materials, and personalizing instruction.
This course extends concepts of learning, classroom management, behavior modification, and individual behavior management. Emphasis is on using effective programs and interventions with children of diverse abilities to facilitate social and emotional growth and encourage appropriate behavior.
This course concentrates on learning strategies and thinking skills, and how to integrate them in one's teaching throughout the instructional program. It explores how distinguishing the cognitive from the affective components of thinking skills can help pupils of all abilities to learn responsibility for the decision-making process and help them express their thoughts.
This course begins as an apprenticeship with a mentoring teacher in a special education classroom. It evolves into a 12-week internship in which the student assumes major responsibility for managing and conducting classroom instruction for pupils with mild learning and behavior disabilities.
This course begins as an apprenticeship with a mentoring teacher in an elementary general education classroom setting. It evolves into a 12-week internship in which the student assumes major responsibility for managing and conducting the classroom instruction.
Basic music-reading skills developed through singing and playing of instruments. The course is designed for the prospective elementary school teacher and is a prerequisite for MUE 385.
Techniques associated with teaching music in the public schools. Development of classroom management skills and reflection on the role of the music educator in contemporary classrooms.
Group instruction in and exposure to techniques for working with wind, string, and percussion instruments. This survey course includes lecture, demonstration, and hands-on participation.
Group instruction in and exposure to techniques of teaching and performing on string, and percussion instruments. This survey course includes lecture, demonstration, and hands-on participation.
Survey of standardized instruments and evaluation techniques in music.
Instructional techniques and materials for teaching flute and single reeds.
Instructional techniques and materials for teaching oboe and bassoon.
Designed to provide the instrumental music education major with skills necessary to teach beginning, intermediate, and advanced students of brass wind instruments.
Instructional techniques and materials for teaching intermediate and advanced players.
Examination of vocal pedagogy, diction, and solo vocal literature appropriate for teaching students in a public-school setting.
Examination of the vocal instrument and teaching strategies for working with young voices.
This course prepares future classroom teachers for engaging children in meaningful musical experiences in the early childhood and elementary classroom. Students explore music and movement development in children, and music and movement's role in children's development. Participants design and facilitate musical experiences including preforming (singing and playing), responding (listening, moving and describing), and creating (composing and improvising). Participants examine and create curricular experiences to connect and integrate music across the curriculum.
Comprehensive coverage of the music curriculum in the elementary school, including current methodologies. Teaching techniques and materials are demonstrated and applied in field experiences. Writing proficiency within this discipline is required for a passing grade in this course.
Campus- and field-based experiences in public-school music education at several levels. Microteaching and development of teaching techniques are included.
Fundamentals of marching, maneuvering, and preparation and presentation of formations.
Introduction and overview for non-education majors regarding characteristics of diversity, exceptionalities, and social/behavioral issues in the 21st century. A service learning project experience, to be arranged outside the Tuscaloosa educational community, that exposes students to diverse populations is included. Through web-based readings/critiques, class lecture, and service learning opportunities, participants in this course will explore diverse populations from within the context of characteristics, issues and trends, cultural differences, and research. Offered fall and spring semesters.
Characteristics of all exceptionalities, and educational and behavioral adaptations for exceptional children in the general education classroom. A practicum experience that acquaints students with exceptionalities is included. Offered each semester.
This practicum course to be taken once a semester after TEP admission that corresponds with the methods courses in that semester.
Introduction to group and individual assessments used for evaluating student learning and for planning instruction. Emphasis is on appropriate test selection and use of results. 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.
Addresses curriculum planning and selection of instructional tasks, with emphasis on making decisions that facilitate learning in students with disabilities. 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.
Introduction to the culture of the deaf community and to the sign language continuum, providing a knowledge base from which students can communicate with the deaf and hard of hearing in the school setting.
How to work with families of children with special needs, including supporting them in assessment, intervention planning, and providing supports. Includes families' legal rights, determining their existing assets, determining their needs, using adult learning theory, and determining family outcomes. 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 undergraduate course will help prepare classroom teachers to be effective in setting up their classrooms, managing instruction, grouping, establishing an inclusive, positive classroom climate, and improve instructional delivery.
An overview of the dimensions of thinking skills with a focus on practical instructional techniques for special and regular education programs. Includes detailed training in models for teaching thinking skills that result in improved student and teacher thinking.
Examination of the ways in which individuals interact with educational systems, communities at large, and each other to bring about appropriate educational services for students with special educational needs. Included are fundamentals of group process, human behavior and interaction, and motivation, as well as skills and knowledge necessary for successful collaboration and consultation with others concerned with education of students who present exceptional needs.
Designed to assist students in the development of knowledge and skills to enhance their abilities to make reflective decisions and facilitate positive exchange in education settings for children with severe disabilities. Emphasis is placed on educational programming, subject matter, professional responsibilities of teachers and related service personnel, curriculum development, physical management of children with severe disabilities, adaptation of materials and equipment, and modification of programs in varied settings (clinical, homebound, hospital, public schools).
This course serves as an introduction to the foundations of early literacy. It provides an overview of typical and atypical language development and focuses on intervention procedures that are useful for teaching young children with language delays and developmental disabilities, including children from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
The course addresses the development of models for managing behavior, to help teachers prevent or deal with emotional conflict in the classroom.
A course introducing the field of early childhood special education, including its rationale and legal issues. Offered fall semester.
This course is an examination of the aspects of growth across developmental domains (cognitive, communicative, social-emotional, motor, approaches to learning) during the early childhood years (birth through age 8) and the historical and theoretical basis of early childhood education. Children’s learning within early childhood environments, including the home, group care contexts, and the community, will be explored.
Basic principles and practices involved in the assessment and evaluation of young children. Offered spring semester.
This course examines differentiated instructional methods using cross-content instructional examples. The course provides opportunities to develop knowledge and skills in lesson and unit planning, pedagogy, kinds of materials and evaluation of learning.
Curriculum methodology materials and management technology for young children with disabilities. Admission to Teacher Education Program.
Fourteen week split internship providing supervised teaching experience in classrooms for young children. Offered spring and fall only. Application for internship must be made the semester prior to internship (excluding summer term) through Office of Educational Field Experience.
Designed to develop skill in the use of curriculum, materials, and management strategies with elementary school students who have mild learning and behavior disabilities. Offered fall semester.
Designed to develop skill in the use of curriculum, materials, and management strategies with secondary school students who have mild learning and behavior disabilities. Offered fall semester.
Designed to assist students in the development of knowledge and skills to enhance their abilities to make reflective decisions and facilitate positive exchange in educational settings for child/youth with severe/profound disabilities. Practicum required.
Fourteen-week split internship providing supervised teaching experience in elementary and secondary classrooms. Student teaching is only offered during the spring semester, unless written permission is secured from the department head. Student teaching cannot be completed during the summer term. Application for student teaching must be made the semester prior to student teaching (excluding summer term) through the Office of Clinical Experience. Formal application meetings are held and their times will be posted in Autherine Lucy Hall and announced in the Crimson White prior to the meetings.
College of Engineering Courses
The study of forces, couples and resultants of force systems; free-body diagrams; two- and three-dimensional equilibrium, and problems involving friction; and centroids, center of gravity, and distributed forces.
Syntax and data structures, algorithm development, and data plotting using currently relevant technical computing programing language(s). Prior knowledge of programming is not required, but the course is appropriate for students with prior programming experience.
Concepts of stress and strain; analysis of stresses and deformation in bodies loaded by axial, torsional, and bending loads; combined loads analysis; statically indeterminate members; thermal stresses; columns; and thin-walled pressure vessels.
Mechanical tests of metallic and nonmetallic materials in the elastic and inelastic ranges; use of materials testing for acceptance tests, for the determination of properties of materials, and for illustration of the validity of assumptions made in mechanics of materials.
Methods of analyzing stressed skin structures of the types that are typically found in aircraft, missiles and space vehicles. Unsymmetrical bending and bending and twisting of multiple cell structures are also covered.
Elements of analytical and numerical analysis with engineering applications including, but not limited to, differential equations, linear algebra, root-finding, Gaussian elimination, and Runge-Kutta integration.
Strain gage mounting and bridge circuits analysis; strain measurement in axial, bending, and torsional members resembling aerospace structures using axial and rosette strain gages; stress measurements in wing structural subcomponents (skin, stiffener, spar, rib, stringer) under bending loads using strain data; design, fabrication, and testing of a stiffened panel.
This course is a combination of spacecraft and aircraft performance and flight mechanics. Spacecraft performance and flight mechanics includes rocket propulsion, rocket dynamics, spacecraft attitude, orbits, trajectories, maneuvers, and re-entry. Aircraft performance and flight mechanics includes propeller and turbine propulsion, cruise, climb, glide, range, endurance, takeoff, landing, turning, and static longitudinal stability.
This course covers topics in technical communication, writing proficiency, engineering ethics, and project planning & management to help prepare aerospace engineering students for senior-level courses, career development, and life-long learning. Visiting lecturers may be invited to speak on these topics and other relevant, contemporary issues in the aerospace industry. Writing proficiency within the discipline is required for a passing grade in this course.
Project planning and preliminary design techniques for an aerospace system. 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.
Detailed design of aircraft or space vehicles, including weight and balance, power plant selection, exterior layout, performance, stability, and control. Involves group efforts on selected projects.
Principles of air-breathing jet engines (turboshaft, turboprop, turbojet, ramjet, scramjet) and their applications, aircraft engine matching, introduction to rocket propulsion principles.
This course provides a laboratory counterpart to concepts discussed in aerodynamics and fluid mechanics. Course topics include statistical and uncertainty analysis techniques, design of experiments, computer-based data-acquisition, sensors for fluid mechanic measurements, and aerodynamic measurement techniques and facilities.
The objectives of this course are to teach the design and operation of uncrewed aircraft systems. General design criteria will be developed for radiocommunication, propulsion, avionics, airframe, and integration. Regulatory and operational procedures will be given for communication, and command & control with an emphasis on safety.
Introduction to basic mathematical concepts and engineering problems associated with numerical modeling of fluid systems. Application of the state-of-the-art numerical models to engineering problems. Fundamentals of Finite Difference and Finite Volume Methods and their applications in fluid dynamics and heat transfer problems will be covered. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Formulate, understand, and apply rigid body dynamics to a spacecraft. Determine the orientation of the spacecraft. Demonstrate the ability stabilize a spacecraft (gravity gradient, momentum-bias, spin stabilization). Perform analytic and numerical analysis to understand its behavior.
This course introduces the student to analyses of space and launch-vehicle propulsion and design. Topics covered include mono-propellant, bi-propellant solid and liquid rockets, nuclear rocket, and cold-gas thruster designs. Other advanced schemes such as solar and laser propulsion are also introduced.
Introduction to plane elasticity, failure theories, energy methods, thick walled cylinders and spinning disks, shear center and of unsymmetrical bending of beams, curved beams, beams on elastic foundations, torsion of non-circular cross-sections, thick-walled pressure vessels and other topics.
This course develops, analyzes and discusses the application of uncertainty quantification in engineering systems and design methodologies to include uncertainties in the systems. Topics include: classification of uncertainties and methods of quantification, perturbation approaches, polynomial chaos, sampling techniques, random processes and Bayesian analysis.
Design of tension, compression bending, torsion, and stiffened panel members. Analytical investigation involving aircraft structural components.
First exposure to composite materials. Focus on how heterogeneity/anisotrophy in composites influence thermomechanical behavior. The behavior of both continuous and short fiber reinforced composites will be emphasized. Stress analysis for design, manufacturing processes and test methods of composite materials will be covered.
Concepts of multiscale analysis, nano-mechanics, micromechanics - principles of Analysis of heterogeneous systems, information transfer between multiple spatial and temporal scales, included atomistic-to-continuum coupling, continuum-to-continuum coupling, and temporal bridging.
Fundamental theories, limitations and instrumentation of nondestructive test methods used for metal, polymer and composites materials. The ultrasonic, acoustic emission, vibration, thermography, eddy current, penetrant, and radiography methods are emphasized.
Development of the fundamentals of the finite-element method from matrix and energy methods. Use of the finite-element method for detailed design of aerospace structures. Modeling techniques for static and dynamic analyses. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
The objectives of this course are to present linear, time-invariant dynamical systems and control theory and apply it to aerospace vehicles. Stability analysis is performed for linearized airplane straight-and-level flight dynamics and satellite gravity-gradient attitude dynamics. Design of attitude determination and control systems for airplanes and satellites is introduced.
Introduction to engineering application of celestial mechanics; to formulate, understand, and apply fundamentals in orbital mechanics to trajectory design process. Perform analytic and numerical analysis to understand its behavior. Kepler's laws, coordinate transformations, and related studies.
Study of dynamic behaviors of elastic structures (interaction of elastic and inertial forces) with emphasis on aeronautical applications. Introduction of concepts and tools used in structural dynamics, including the Newtonian and variational methods. Basic numerical integration schemes to solve time-domain responses of elastic structures.
Study of fluid-structure interactions between aerodynamic loads and static and/or dynamic deformations of flexible wings, as well as the influence of the interactions on aircraft performance. Concepts such as divergence, buffeting, and flutter, and rejection of external disturbances (e.g., gust alleviation) are introduced.
Concepts in systems engineering of space systems: systems engineering, space systems, satellites, space transportation systems, space environment, attitude determination and control, telecommunications, space structures, rocket propulsion, and spacecraft systems.
This course provides an introduction to the effects of the space environment on spacecraft. The harsh space environment introduces several unique challenges to the spacecraft designer. Focus on the impact of this environment and how best to mitigate these effects through early design choices will give the satellite designer better tools. Topics include: geomagnetic field, gravitational field of the Earth, Earth's magnetosphere, vacuum, solar UV, atmospheric drag, atomic oxygen, free and trapped radiation particles, plasma, spacecraft charging, micrometeoroids.
This course will explore concepts, theory, and performance of electrical, nuclear, and exotic space propulsion systems for use in space. This exploration will include fundamental physical processes exploited by these propulsion schemes. The course will also include concept, theory and performance of power generation methods in space. Systems studied will include low and high power systems intended for short term or long term applications. Thermal, solar and nuclear devices and the energy conversion means for converting energy from these sources into useful electrical power will be studied.
Discussion-based course that provides an examination of legal and ethical issues regarding outer space. Topics discussed include: the historical development of international and domestic space law; international treaties, principles, and resolutions; specific issues relevant to contemporary space law; and US statutes governing space flight and resources.
Assigned problems are explored on an individual basis. Credit is based on the amount of work undertaken.
Assigned problems are explored on an individual basis. Credit is based on the amount of work undertaken.
Planning, executing, and presenting results of an individual project involving a research design, analysis, or similar undertaking; pass/fail designation.
Selected topics from recent developments in the aeronautical and space engineering fields. There are visiting lecturers and extensive student participation. Several nontechnical topics of immediate interest to seniors are explored. Each student must complete a personal resume. 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 course is designed to allow an AEM student to complete a Capstone project and fulfill the Honors Capstone requirement for University Honors. Prior approval of the Honors College to determine the criteria for earning Honors credit is required. The student will plan and conduct research in an area of current interest to the student and instructor on a topic determined in consultation with the instructor before the student enrolls for class.
This course is designed to allow an AEM student to complete a Capstone project and fulfill the Honors Capstone requirement for University Honors. Prior approval of the Honors College to determine the criteria for earning Honors credit is required. The student will plan and conduct research in an area of current interest to the student and instructor on a topic determined in consultation with the instructor before the student enrolls for class.
Introduce the student to the areas of professional, civil and environmental engineering practices with exposure to faculty members specializing in each area, solving typical problems in each professional area, learning of the activities of service organizations, and the responsibilities of professional practice.
Precise measurement of lengths, angles, areas, and elevations in geodetic systems; computation of construction control, including highway alignment and land areas.
Water is one of the most abundant, yet most precious, natural resources on Earth. Processes occurring within and across many geosystems determine water’s movement and properties. This course explores how components of Earth’s water and climate systems operate and are linked through a combination of lecture and experiential field/lab activities. Fieldtrips and lab activities are designed to expose students to standard and innovative techniques used by engineers and geoscientists to understand water and climate systems, including map interpretation, glacial mass balance analysis, and dendrochronologic (tree ring measurement) analysis to obtain river flow and flood information. Fieldtrips will also help students better understand how humans modify water systems, through processes such as river regulation. Students will reside in Innsbruck (Austria) [with daytrips to King Ludwig II’s castles in Bavaria, Stubaier Glacier in Austria, and Bolzano, Italy] and Munich (Germany).
Introduction to the scientific and engineering principles needed to analyze and solve environmental engineering problems in the practice of environmental engineering related to air, water and waste water management.
Static and dynamic interaction of soil and water; theories of stress distribution, consolidation, strength and failures; stability of soil structures. 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.
An introduction to different modes of transportation with emphasis on roadway and traffic engineering. Topics include transportation economics and planning, highway geometric and pavement design, drainage, construction, traffic control devices, traffic operations, and management and highway capacity analysis.
Applying engineering economic principles to construction and engineering problems; construction management processes and methods in planning, scheduling, and monitoring engineering projects.
The course focuses on providing an overview of the Architectural Engineering discipline and the role of an Architectural Engineer in facilitating the development and operation of an efficient built environment. Various building functions, their components, and the integration of building systems in the design, construction, and operation stages are introduced.
Students use of software to design site projects in teams, prepare construction drawings and deliver engineering reports. This class is normally taken during the last term on campus. 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. Computer proficiency is required for a passing grade in the course. A student who does not display computer upper-division student skills with Civil 3D and HEC-HMS will not earn a passing grade, no matter how well the student performs in the other areas of the course.
Students use software to design projects in teams, prepare construction drawings and deliver engineering reports. Writing proficiency within this discipline and computing proficiency are required for a passing grade in this course. Computer proficiency is required for a passing grade in the course. A student who does not display computer upper-division student skills with Civil 3D and HEC-HMS will not earn a passing grade, no matter how well the student performs in the other areas of the course.
Students use software to design building projects in teams, prepare construction drawings and deliver engineering reports. The course is normally taken during the last term on campus. 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. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. All students will use the software program Revit to model their design project.
Students use software to design building projects in teams, prepare construction drawings and deliver engineering reports. The course is normally taken during the last term on campus. 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. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. All students will use the software program Revit to model their design project. A Revit assignment and test will be given during the semester.
Students use of software to design site projects in teams, prepare construction drawings and deliver engineering reports. This class is normally taken during the last term on campus. 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. Computer proficiency is required for a passing grade in the course. A student who does not display computer upper-division student skills with Civil 3D and HEC-HMS will not earn a passing grade, no matter how well the student performs in the other areas of the course.
Students use software to design building projects in teams, prepare construction drawings and deliver engineering reports. The course is normally taken during the last term on campus. 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. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. All students will use the software program Revit to model their design project.
An overview of management information systems (MIS). The course will focus on the practical aspects, applications and methodology or MIS, particularly from the construction engineer's perspective. Information design methodology and building information modeling (BIM) will be covered in detail.
The course will provide basic examination of processing and analyses of large-scale transportation-related data. The course will prepare the students with programming skills in Python, the understanding of important algorithms and machine learning methods in transportation research and projects, and applying these algorithms and models using transportation data.
An introduction to management principles and the management functions of planning, organizing, motivating and controlling. Management of engineers in research, design, manufacturing/construction and quality will be studied.
Environmental Engineering phenomena are explored through conducting laboratory experiments, selecting analytical protocols to achieve an objective, evaluating collected data sets, and discussing the results in well written reports. The course is composed of classroom lectures/discussions and weekly laboratory activities.
Engineering and regulatory requirements for the collection, storage, recycling, treatment and disposal of solid wastes.
Physical, chemical and biological principles and design of municipal water and wastewater treatment units.
This is an introductory course in Air Quality Engineering. We have to major foci. The first is to understand and evaluate our air resources and air quality (as related to human and environmental health) in terms of fundamental principels and design processes. The second is to introduce the student to a varity of air pollution issues and engineered treatment processes.
This course covers the state-of-the-art and state-of-the-practice methods of non-destructively evaluating and testing various civil engineering structures and materials such as concrete, asphalt, and steel. Students will use the techniques to solve real-world problems by evaluating and testing various structures across campus.
Introduction to the matrix-displacement method of analysis for framed structures, including computer implementation of analysis. An introduction to finite-element analysis is also included.
Concrete materials, placement of concrete and theory and design of reinforced beams, girders, slabs, columns and footings.
Theory and design of structural steel members and their connections.
Modern timber engineering: design of beams, columns, trusses and floor systems.
Design of reinforced concrete building components including two-way slabs, slender columns, prestressed beams, slap-on-grade and retaining walls.
Basic and elementary design procedures for steel structures such as plate girders, mill buildings, multistory buildings, highway bridges and light-gauge steel structures.
Design of wood and masonry components and subassemblies for low-rise residential and commercial buildings according to current design specifications.
Application of the principles of geometric design and traffic signal layout: vertical and horizontal alignment, intersections, traffic control, and traffic signal layout. Design projects will be prepared to illustrate standard techniques.
The course will provide a foundation in urban transportation planning, including an introduction to the planning process, software associated with transportation modeling and conducting transportation planning and traffic impact studies.
This course covers the fundamentals of traffic flow theory. Topics shall include microscopic flow characteristics, macroscopic flow characteristics, microscopic speed characteristics, macroscopic speed characteristics, microscopic density characteristics, macroscopic density characteristics, demand-supply analysis, capacity analysis, traffic stream models, shockwave analysis, queueing analysis, and simulation models.
Vehicle operating characteristics, traffic flow, geometric design of road and intersections, and methods of traffic control.
This course covers two major areas of asphalt and concrete pavements: pavement thickness design and pavement maintenance. Topics include pavement design by the Asphalt Institute and AASHTO methods. Major maintenance will cover overlay design and slab repair, while routine maintenance will cover distress surveys, pothole repair, and crack and joint sealing.
Addresses the estimating and cost control function from conceptual planning through project execution. Topics include productivity analysis, organization of estimates, cost forecasting, estimating tools and techniques, contingency planning, and relationship to contract types and project execution strategies.
An introduction to safety management and accident prevention, including state and federal laws related to general and construction projects. Topics include accident theories, safety regulations, Construction Safety act, hazards and their control, human behavior and safety and safety management.
An introduction to sustainable and lean construction, including application of engineering economics principles to sustainable construction problems. Green design, construction, and operations from a project management standpoint. Theoretical concepts and industry practices used to model, evaluate, and enhance construction performance through the design and implementation of effective project schedules, construction operations, and contracting relationships.
Financial management of construction projects. Topics include alternative selection, life-cycle analysis, applied financial management techniques, insurance/indemnification, risk management and tax implications.
The management structure of construction companies and the laws, regulations, practices, tools and processes used in planning, scheduling and monitoring construction projects. Writing proficiency within this discipline is required for a passing grade in this course.
The course focuses on statistical hydrology, climate, dendrohydrology (tree rings) and glaciers. The classroom lectures and in-class labs include the use of statistical software to analyze hydrologic datasets, the use of remote imagery to evaluate glacier recession, application of empirical equations to estimate glacier mass loss, evaluation of hydrologic (streamflow, snowpack) and climatic datasets, developing skeleton plots and cross dating tree-ring data, and seminars. The field labs consist of hand coring and analyzing tree ring data.
Basic concepts of fluid flow, energy and momentum principles, flow resistance in nonuniform sections, channel controls and transitions, and nonuniform flow computations.
Hydrologic cycle, rainfall-runoff relations, unit hydrograph, statistical hydrology and hydrologic simulation. Includes a class project with application to flood control, water supply and multipurpose projects.
This course develops a quantitative approach to understanding and prediction of hydrologic processes. The processes covered include interception, snowmelt, evapotranspiration, infiltration, groundwater flow, overland flow, and streamflow. Relative (dis-)advantages of different model representations will be highlighted. Process couplings and their impact on the integrated hydrologic response will be also discussed.
When failures in the built environment occur, whether during design, construction or in-service, a thorough examination of the causes is essential to both the evolution sound engineering practices and to dispute resolution through the legal system. The role of the engineer in this process is examined.
Legal aspects of engineering and construction contracts and specifications; contract formation, interpretation, rights and duties, and changes; legal liabilities and professional ethics of architects, engineers and contractors. Writing proficiency within this discipline is required for a passing grade in this course. This is a three hour survey course covering, primarily, the organization of the federal and state courts, construction contracting, potential tort liability and professionalism for engineers in Alabama.
Nature and magnitude of erosion problems. Erosion plan development. Rainfall energy and erosion predictions. Sediment transport in urban areas. Channel and slope stability. Sedimentation and other controls.
Introduction to geographic information system design and use for civil engineering problem solving.
Credit is based on the amount of work undertaken. This course is presents developing topics in the Civil Engineering disciplines including: transportation systems, processes and model; site development; architectural & building systems; advances in civil engineering materials and structural design; environmental analysis, modeling, or processes; hydrologist processes, models and water resources advances; next generation construction engineering; sustainability and resilient infrastructure systems.
Independent study, either as individual students or a group of five students or less working under the guidance and mentorship of an instructor. The independent study will typically focus on: (1) a specific issue, problem, application, design or process in a traditional field of civil engineering OR (2) a specific development, advancement, issue, problem, or challenge in a new or developing specialty area in the fields of civil engineering.
Conduct research under the guidance of a faculty member. Analyze data. Produce and present, submit or publish related scholarly work.
An introduction to the chemical engineering profession, its history and its career-enabling potential. The course contains selected topics, and alumni seminars covering the full range of career opportunities from emerging areas (nanotechnology, biochemical, multifunctional materials) to those found in the more traditional positions within the chemical, petrochemical and petroleum industries.
Study of physical and chemical processes and chemical reactions; material and energy balance calculations for single-phase and multiphase systems; simultaneous energy and material balances. Offered fall and spring.
The backbone of thermodynamics theory is based on ideal gas and structured as following: First, establish theory/property model ideal gas pure substance, use ideal gas model to describe real gas by introduce residual property; Second, use theory/property model ideal gas mixture to describe real gas mixture by residual property and partial property; Third, establish theory/property of model ideal solution, use it to describe real solution mixture with excessive property. Computer proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. Offered fall and spring.
Unified approach to the basic calculations and fundamental concepts involved in the design of equilibrium-stage separations processes and continuous contacting equipment. Computer proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Basic chemical engineering measurements are made, including temperature, pressure, concentration, and fluid flow. Fundamental and empirical equations are used to analyze mass, energy, and momentum transport. 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. Offered both fall and spring semesters.
Performance tests on chemical engineering unit operations, such as distillation and heat transfer, are designed, operated, and analyzed in a formal report. 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. Offered fall and spring semesters. Successful completion of CHE 321 and CHE 322 satisfies the curriculum requirement of CHE 323.
Performance tests on chemical engineering unit operations, such as distillation and heat transfer, are designed, operated, and analyzed in a formal report. 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. Offered summer only. Can be replaced by successful completion of CHE 321 and CHE 322.
This course will give junior & senior level students a working knowledge of conservation equations for mass, momentum and energy with application to steady-state chemical processes. Computer proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Designed to expose students to the rich array of resources, ideas and experiences of chemical engineering. Emphasis and content based on faculty member's area of expertise.
Introduction to the manufacture, processing and applications of organic polymeric materials. This course covers the chemistry of polymer manufacture, the molecular structures of polymers, and the structure-property relationships for thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers. Offered primarily in the spring semester.
Introduction to the manufacture, processing and applications of organic polymeric materials. This course covers the chemistry of polymer manufacture, the molecular structures of polymers, and the structure-property relationships for thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers. Honors designation.
A survey of common software, data processing, and statistical analysis tools applied to chemical engineering, science, and general interest topics. This course covers the fundamentals of computer programming (coding) and problem solving for chemical engineering students.
A survey of common software, data processing, and statistical analysis tools applied to chemical engineering, science, and general interest topics. This course covers the fundamentals of computer programming (coding) and problem solving for chemical engineering students. Honors designation.
Introduction to stem cell biology and bioengineering approaches for stem cell-based therapy and related applications. This course will provide special emphasis on the application of chemical engineering skills to bioengineering and development of stem cell-based therapy and diagnostics.
Introduction to stem cell biology and bioengineering approaches for stem cell-based therapy and related applications. This course will provide special emphasis on the application of chemical engineering skills to bioengineering and development of stem cell-based therapy and diagnostics. Honors designation.
Tissue Engineering is an emerging dynamic, experimental science in which engineering and biological science principles are used to develop techniques for improving or restoring the structure and function of tissue. Offered primarily in the fall semester.
Tissue Engineering is an emerging dynamic, experimental science in which engineering and biological science principles are applied to develop techniques for improving or restoring the structure and function of tissues and organs.
Health and safety in the chemical process industry that will introduce chemical engineering students to health and safety, regulations and the designs and procedures to meet them in the chemical process. Advanced topics will also be introduced, including current relevant topics such as recent accidents and ways and means of preventing a re-occurrence, advanced models of spills and advanced safety analysis. Senior standing required.
Health and safety in the chemical process industry that will introduce chemical engineering students to health and safety, regulations and the designs and procedures to meet them in the chemical process. Advanced topics will also be introduced, including current relevant topics such as recent accidents and ways and means of preventing a reoccurrence, advanced models of spills and advanced safety analysis. The CHE 441/540 designation will allow ChE graduate students and qualified senior-level chemical engineering majors to take this course. Several loss prevention topics are more complex than typically assigned to the undergraduate chemical engineering students. Advanced topics may include recent accidents and ways and means of preventing a reoccurrence, advanced models of spills and advanced safety analysis. Greater analysis, synthesis and evaluation-of-knowledge skills will be required for students enrolled in CHE 441/540.
Study of biological processes; application of chemical engineering skills to areas including enzyme kinetics, fermentation, cell growth and metabolic processes. Offered primarily in the spring semester.
Study of biological processes; application of chemical engineering skills to areas including enzyme kinetics, fermentation, cell growth and metabolic processes. Offered primarily in the spring semester.
Optimal design of chemical processes and plants. 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.
Research combined with practical application and testing. Credit is based on the amount of work undertaken. Students undertaking research project must obtain clearance from the supervising professor before registering.
Various topics relevant to Chemical & Biological Engineering majors.
Presentation of research/practical study results before a group of peers (graduate students, other honors students, faculty and invited guests).
Presentation of research/practical study results before a group of peers (graduate students, other honors students, faculty, and invited guests).
This course is designed to allow B.S. Chemical Engineering students to earn credit for work completed through a co-op, internship, research experience for undergraduates (REU) program or other approved activity external to UA. The course focuses on delivery of a presentation on the work completed in the activity with preparation of the presentation materials done with guidance from the instructor to ensure that material is suited to a freshman- or sophomore- level Chemical Engineering class. Students for this course must submit the ChBE Honors Co-Op/Internship/REU Approval Form before the co-op/internship/REU period ends. Students are also required to receive approval by the ChBE Honors Program Chair prior to registration. Honors designation.
Credit is based on the amount of work undertaken. Research or practical study in a chemical engineering area, the outcome of which is a definite result presented in a report, paper, or manuscript. Instructor permission required.
Credit is based on the amount of work undertaken. Research, teaching assistantship, practical study, honors co-op or internship in a chemical engineering area, the outcome of which is a definite result presented in a report, paper, or manuscript. Instructor or Honors Chair permission required.
A first course in programming for students majoring in computer science. Language concepts include primitives, variables, sequences, function, selection, iteration and recursion. Software engineering concepts include testing and debugging. System concepts include directories, paths, files, and text editing.
A second course in programming for students majoring in computer science. Using a high-level language, students use object-oriented practices to study fundamental data structures and algorithms. Issues such as computability, problem complexity and algorithm analysis, efficient searching and sorting, data structures, and the object-oriented programming paradigm are introduced and explained. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Familiarization with Windows, fundamental and intermediate word processing commands, spreadsheet applications, and database management. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
An introductory course that overviews the core principles of computer science from a broad spectrum of topics. The course content is focused on computing and its relation to creativity, abstraction, algorithms, programming, Big Data, Internet/networking, and societal impact. Students will work on team-based projects that explore topics in Big Data, investigate the impact of the internet, and create their own games and/or smartphone applications. Students will use the graphical programming language Snap. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
This course covers the same material as CS 100 but in a depth appropriate for honors students. It is an honors version of the first course in programming for students majoring in computer science. Prior knowledge of programming is not required, but the course is appropriate for students with prior programming experience. Language concepts include primitives, variables, sequences, function, selection, iteration and recursion. Software engineering concepts include testing and debugging. System concepts include directories, paths, files, and text editing.
This course covers the same material as CS 101 but in a depth appropriate for honors students. It is an honors version of the second course in programming for students majoring in computer science. Using a high-level language, students use object-oriented practices to study fundamental data structures and algorithms. Issues such as computability, problem complexity and algorithm analysis, efficient searching and sorting, data structures, and the object-oriented programming paradigm are introduced and explained.
This course is designed to help the students acquire various competencies that will enable them to safely and effectively use and create digital technologies and Internet resources in personal, academic, and professional contexts. Students will demonstrate their learning by creating a digital literacy portfolio. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
An introduction to the discipline of computing designed for students who are considering a major in Computer Science, a major in Cyber Security, or a minor in Computer Science.
This course provides an introduction to cyber security. It covers fundamental concepts necessary to understand the threats to security as well as various defenses against those threats. The material includes an understanding of existing threats, planning for security, technology used to defend a computer system, and implementing security measures and technology.
Introduction to software engineering: the software crisis, program life cycle, software systems analysis techniques, software modeling, theory and practice of design, program testing methodologies, programmer team organization, and program verification and synthesis. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Data structures including balanced search trees, heaps, hash tables, and graphs. Algorithm design techniques including divide-and-conquer, greedy method, and dynamic programming. Emphasis on problem solving, design, analysis, and reasoning about data structures and algorithms. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Introduces the student to the fundamentals of the internet and web page design and development. Students will be shown how to use the internet, text editors, and build basic web pages using HTML coding. This will include, but not be limited to hyperlinks, tables, basic CSS styling, frames and forms. The student will also be given demonstrations and assignments using a WYSIWYG editor. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Use of spreadsheets and other environments to build business and scientific applications. Course includes development of problem-solving skills and an introduction to the object-oriented paradigm. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Constituent parts of database management (design, creation, and manipulation of databases), including the conceptual and relational data models, SQL, normalization and security. 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.
An introduction to commercial database packages. Students will gain familiarity with both creating and using standard database software packages to solve real-world problems. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
This course is a follow-up course to CS 302 for non-majors wishing to learn more about the design and use of database systems. Now that the underpinnings of data, data representation, and data visualization are in place from CS 302, students will undertake an investigation into the uses of data and the construction of and understanding of databases design principles. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
A course designed to teach website design principles and implementation techniques. The course requires prior knowledge of the fundamentals of the internet and web page design and development. This class is not cross-listed as a graduate course. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
A course designed to build upon topics from the Introduction to Python Programming course and introduces advanced programming and problem-solving topics using the Python language. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
The study and application of common design patterns, frameworks, and best practice to the process of systematic web-based software development. Students build enterprise applications using industry-wide standardized tools and frameworks.
By way of case study, the course finds and frames issues related to legal and ethical issues in computing. Topics include privacy, free speech, intellectual property, security, and software reliability and liability issues. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
By way of case study and fact pattern analysis, we will find and frame advanced legal and ethical issues presented by past, contemporary and emerging technology. Cases and events will be examined. At the conclusion of the semester, students will be able to identify and discuss legal and ethical issues presented by technology. Students will create a seminal project showcasing their understanding of a chosen issue as well as the student's ability to use computing technology to communicate, share and display their work. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
We will analyze advanced legal and ethical issues confronting the usage of new technologies and how these issues impact society. We will examine past, contemporary and emerging cases that have a connection to computing technology. Human values and ethics will be at the forefront of our approach, and we will study the intersection of human values, law and professional ethics.
Design and construction of standard user interfaces using a visual programming environment. Course includes the prototyping of several standard user interface mechanisms. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Special topics in computing.
Software development course designed to meet the needs of individual students. This course is specifically for students developing software for an enterprise, such as those at The Edge Incubator and Accelerator.
Formal study of programming language specification, analysis, implementation, and run-time support structures; organization of programming languages with emphasis on language constructs and mechanisms; and study of non-procedural programming paradigms.
Building upon the concepts from CS 104, students will explore in-depth how computer science education is presented in the secondary education setting. Students will get the opportunity to explore current computer science curriculum and develop resources for future teaching, with a specific emphasis on the College Board’s AP CS Principles (AP CSP) curriculum.
Basic concepts of human-computer interaction, including guidelines for interface design, evaluation of interface designs, virtual environments, menus, forms, natural language interactions, novel interaction devices, information search and information visualization.
An examination of computer security concepts, such as cryptographic tools, user authentication, access control, database security, intrusion detection, malicious software, denial of service, firewalls and intrusion prevention systems, trusted computing and multilevel security, buffer overflow, software security, physical and infrastructure security, human factors, and security auditing.
Fundamentals of interactive 3-D computer graphics, including modeling and transformations, viewing, lighting and shading, mapping methods, graphics pipeline, shading languages, and interaction techniques. Programming projects are required.
The study of the issues related to computer communications. Topics include physical topologies, switching, error detection and correction, routing, congestion control, and connection management for global networks (such as the Internet) and local area networks (such as Ethernet). In addition, network programming and applications will be considered.
This course will cover algorithms and concepts in cryptography and data security. We will undertake an examination of algorithms and concepts in cryptography and data security, such as symmetric ciphers, asymmetric ciphers, public-key cryptography, hash functions, message authentication codes, key management and distribution, etc.
Digital Forensics is an area of study that is rapidly growing in importance and visibility. It involves preserving, identifying, extracting, documenting and interpreting digital data. Though sometimes misunderstood, digital forensics is like other types of investigation. With the continuous rise of computer-related incidents and crimes, and the increased emphasis on homeland defense in this country, there is a growing need for computer science graduates with the skills to investigate these crimes. This course will introduce the topics of computer crime and digital forensics. Students will be required to learn different aspects of computer crime and ways in which to uncover, protect and exploit digital evidence.
This course is an introduction to software security principles and practices. Topics for this course will include but not be limited to security architectures, defensive programming, web security, secure information flow, and common software vulnerabilities.
Software Reverse Engineering is an area of study that is rapidly growing in importance and visibility. This course will reveal to students the challenges of monitoring and understanding software systems. During the course students will become familiar with the practice of software reverse engineering files by utilizing static and dynamic techniques, and methods in order to gain an understanding as to what impact a file may have on a computer system.
Concepts concerning network security, including an examination of network security concepts, algorithms, and protocols.
This course introduces fundamental concepts & techniques in data science as well as develops practical skills for data analysis in real-world applications. Given the multi-disciplinary nature of data science, the course will primarily focus on the advantages and disadvantages of various methods for different data characteristics, but will also provide some coverage on the statistical or mathematical foundations. Topics to cover include data preprocessing, data exploration, relationship mining, prediction, clustering, outlier detection, deep learning, spatial and spatiotemporal data analysis, text data analysis, and big data.
This course is an introduction to information retrieval principles and practices. The course will cover several aspects of Information Retrieval including; indexing, processing, querying, and classifying data. Also, retrieval models, algorithms, and implementations will be covered. Though the class will focus primarily on textual data, other media including images/videos, music/audio files, and geospatial information will be addressed. Topics for this course will include but not be limited to: text processing and classification, web search development techniques, and document clustering.
The world is experiencing rapid growth in the amount of published data which come from different sources, including Social Media platforms. The availability of programming interfaces to these platforms allows for near real-time processing of these data for various purposes. This course will reveal to students the inherent challenges of analyzing Social Media data and introduce tools and techniques that are available to address them.
This course involves the exploration of new forms of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) based on passive measurement of neurophysiological states (cognitive and affective). These include the measurement of cognitive workload and affective engagement.
This course provides students with knowledge and fundamental concepts of high performance computing as well as hands-on experience of the core technology in the field. The objective of this class is to understand how to achieve high performance on a wide range of computational platforms. Topics include: optimizing the performance of sequential programs based on modern computer memory hierarchies, parallel algorithm design, developing parallel programs using MPI, analyzing the performance of parallel programs.
This course offers a comprehensive overview of machine learning, encompassing both theoretical foundations and practical algorithmic approaches from multiple perspectives. The curriculum includes foundational learning theory, supervised learning with a particular emphasis on modern deep learning techniques, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning.
This course covers fundamental principles, algorithms, and implementations of reinforcement learning, including the design of computational agents based on machine learning and control theory. The typical methods include reinforcement algorithms, dynamic programming, approximate functions, and temporal difference learning for policy evaluation and control problems. The course will involve the application of these concepts and methods in simulation or real-world problems as well as potentially in the context of psychology and neuroscience.
The CyberCorps© Scholarship for Service (SFS) Seminar is only for the students in the SFS@Bama program. This course will focus on important information necessary to be successful in a government cyber security career. The CyberCorps© SFS program prepares the next generation of cyber security employees to protect and defend the United States of America’s infrastructure from threats, attacks, and potential intrusions. The course will include briefings, presentations, job related tasks, job fairs, and guest speakers.
A culminating capstone project course that integrates the skills and abilities throughout the curriculum into a comprehensive design and development experience for computer science majors. 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.
No description available.
Introduction to electrical and computer engineering disciplines, specializations, the engineering design process, mathematics required for these disciplines, computer-based modeling and simulation tools, and professional responsibilities.
Physical concepts and mathematical techniques of circuit analysis; DC, transient, and sinusoidal steady-state analysis of circuits; Includes laboratory experiments. Not open to students who have earned credit in ECE 320.
Introduction to circuit analysis, methods, resistive circuits, AC circuits, first-order transients, AC power, operational amplifiers and machines. Not open to electrical engineering or computer engineering majors or to students who have earned credit for ECE 225.
Response of circuits to transient signals, both deterministic and random. Laplace transform solution techniques for circuits and differential equations. Relationship between Laplace and Fourier transforms. Frequency response and representation of circuits and systems. Modeling of uncertainty in circuit elements.
Response of circuits to transient signals, both deterministic and random. Laplace transform and Fourier methods for the solution and modeling of circuits and audio networks. Frequency response and representation of circuits and systems. Modeling of uncertainty in circuit elements. Specific networks and equipment for audio signal processing.
Semiconductor materials and properties, fundamentals of p-n junctions, diodes, diode circuits and operation, signal generators, rectifier and wave-shaping circuits, bipolar and field effect transistors, MOSFET, transistor DC circuit analysis and basic transistor amplifiers. 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. Includes laboratory experiments.
Operational amplifiers, BJTs, MOSFETs, integrated current biasing and active loads, differential and multistage amplifiers, frequency response, feedback and stability, power amplifiers, and introduction to digital circuits. The lab deals with experiments illustrating concepts in electronics. 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. Includes laboratory experiments.
Time domain and frequency domain analysis of continuous and discrete signals and systems; Fourier integral, Fourier series, Z-transform. Numerical implementation using MatLab. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Microprocessors, microcontrollers, assembly-language programming, interrupts, polling and hardware interfaces. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. Includes laboratory experiments.
The ECE Department offers the opportunity for select undergraduate students to become actively engaged in research and development programs lead by our faculty and graduate students. This opportunity provides undergraduate students with practical research experience, knowledge of modern research practices, and advanced technical skills. Students are evaluated on a pass/fail basis.
Solid state physics for semiconductor devices, p-n junction, metal-semiconductor junction, JFET/MESFET, MOSFET, BJT and non-ideal behaviors of solid state devices. Organic thin film devices including organic solar cells, thin film transistors, light emitting diodes and their application for flexible displays.
Crystal structure and defects, film nucleation and growth models, growth of polycrystalline and epitaxial films, vacuum science technology, physical and chemical vapor deposition, solution based methods and thin film characterization techniques.
Mathematics and physics of the radiation, propagation and scattering of electromagnetic waves. Boundary value problems involving finite and infinite structures, waveguides, antennas and media.
Basic power systems concepts and per unit quantities; transmissions line, transformer and rotating machine modeling; power flow; symmetrical component of power systems; faulted power system analysis.
Elemental and compound semiconductors; fundamentals of semiconductor physical properties; solid state physics; optical recombination and absorption; light emitting diodes; quantum well lasers; quantum dot lasers; blue lasers; semiconductor modulators; photodetectors; semiconductor solar cells; semiconductor nanostructure devices.
Diamagnetism and Paramagnetism, Ferromagnetism, Antiferromagnetism, Ferrimagnetism, magnetic anisotropy, domains and the magnetization process, fine particles and thin films and magnetization dynamics.
Nanofabrication with electron beam lithography, focused ion beam, lithography, and nanoimprint; microscopies for nanostructures, including SEM, EDX, TEM, AFM, STM; nanoscale devices based on nanostructured materials (carbon nanotubes and metal oxide nanomaterials).
Digital systems design with hardware description languages, programmable implementation technologies, electronic design automation design flows, design considerations and constraints, design for test, system-on-a-chip designs, IP cores, reconfigurable computing and digital system design examples and applications.
Introduction to computer vision and digital image processing with an emphasis on image representation, transforms, filtering, compression, boundary detection and pattern matching.
Machine learning studies methods that allow computers to learn from the data and act without being explicitly programmed. This course provides an introduction to machine learning and covers various supervised and unsupervised learning techniques, methods of dimensionality reduction and assessment of learning algorithms.
Integration of microprocessors into digital systems. Includes hardware interfacing, bus protocols and peripheral systems, embedded and real-time operating systems, real-time constraints, networking, and memory system performance.
Computational Intelligence is a discipline that relies on biologically inspired computation to solve real-world problems that otherwise are infeasible or impossible to solve using classical engineering approaches. The course will cover the fundamental techniques of computational intelligence and study practical applications in real-world engineering problems.
Investigation of a problem or problems, usually involving research with a faculty member. Credit is based on the individual assignment.
First of a two-course sequence to provide design experience through capstone design, a team-based two-semester-long design project. Also, the first-semester course will include instruction in design methodology, engineering ethics, societal impacts, project economics, and management tools.
Special courses in all areas of electrical or computer engineering, offered as the need arises. Credit is based on the course requirements.
Introductory course for students in all engineering disciplines that provides the basic skills required for engineering with an emphasis on problem solving, sketching, teaming, oral and written technical communication, and the design process.
An introduction to the discipline of engineering and what the future of the field will involve. Focus is on developing and understanding of the discipline, the contributions that the discipline will make to society in the future and career opportunities for students in the field.
Introductory course for Honors students in all engineering disciplines that provides the basic skills required for engineering with an emphasis on problem solving, sketching, teaming, oral and written technical communication, and the design process.
Two-dimensional representations of multiviews, sections, and auxiliaries will be generated.
Use of a commercial software package to produce engineering drawings such as multiviews, sections and auxillaries, isometric and oblique pictorials, dimensional drawings as well as simple topographical and property drawings, with an emphasis on large-scale applications.
Special courses in all areas of engineering, offered as the need arises. Credit is based on the course requirements.
Students will present the project they worked on during their industrial internship and the results they achieved. They will also talk about the challenges and opportunities of participating in the German education system. Finally, they elaborate on how this influenced their personal development and soft skills. (8 seminars spread over 16 weeks).
This first course provides the opportunity to form an identity as an EPIC Scholar and connect with other EPIC Scholars. Students are introduced to new ideas and different viewpoints through respectful and inclusive discussions and explore how engineering and computer science relates to complex societal issues of our times.
This course continues the discussions from EPIC 101, focusing on the students further developing their identity as an EPIC Scholar, exploring their self-perception, identifying their own inherent biases and how such biases can limit their scope of impact as future engineers and computer scientists.
Students practice being part of a larger community of engaged scholars, including focus on how to promote positive and intentional change. Students will gain experience collaborating as a transdisciplinary team and develop a set of team norms assuring greater levels of respect and inclusion.
Students investigate a wide variety of complex, transdisciplinary social issues and explore how such issues can have longitudinal and disproportionate impacts on society or sectors of society, including within the context of the engineering and computer science professions.
Students examine moral, legal, and ethical issues related to respect, diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, including those specifically associated with the engineering and computer science professions.
Through case studies and design exercises, students explore how the engineering design process may be affected if engineers and computer scientists lack an understanding and representation of the full diversity of society.
Students propose and initiate a team-based, transdisciplinary senior thesis project that will include soliciting a diversity of perspectives, promoting a culture of respect, diversity, equity, inclusion and justice, and sustainable and ethical solutions to complex social issues.
Students complete and present the results of a team-based, transdisciplinary senior thesis project that includes integration of a diversity of perspectives, promotion of a culture of respect, diversity, equity, inclusion and justice, and advocacy of sustainable and ethical solutions to complex social issues.
Survey of major works of engineering, how they advanced the state of knowledge, the social issues of their time and the impact they have had on culture and society.
Probability and basic statistical concepts, random variables, discrete and continuous distributions, sampling distributions, inferences concerning means, simple regression, and correlation. Experiments demonstrating probabilistic and statistical concepts are conducted.
Entrepreneurial Ideation and Customer Discovery uses the Evidence-Based Entrepreneurship Approach of the NSF I-Corps Program. The course covers ideation, teaming, customer discovery and the use of the Business Model Canvas to create and optimize a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Teams will focus on the creation of an actual venture, and explore additional concepts such as the cognitive biases that prevent accurate customer discovery, and how and when to execute venture pivots. This course helps students optimize their original idea with active customer discovery and analysis of a value proposition in the Business Model Canvas. This course will prepare them for future courses on protype creation, and business venture launch.
Not open to students with credit for GES 255. Not available for MSIE degree credit. Probability and basic statistical concepts, discrete and continuous distributions, the central limit theorem, sampling distributions, point and interval estimation, hypothesis testing, regression and correlation analysis, and analysis of variance.
Student will enroll in 7 weeks of internship to work in the engineering profession as part of the study abroad program.
Venture Launch picks up where Entrepreneurial Ideation and Customer Discovery ends. Students who have taken GES 320, or those with sufficient experience using customer discovery and a minimum viable product to refine a product/service idea should take this course. It examines how to fund, launch and scale at value-generating venture (profit or non-profit) using a refined product/service idea. The course will examine the relevant legal and regulatory issue in the launch process, and how to raise capital. Both the traditional equity capital approach and a practical bootstrap approach will be explored by students for venture funding. How to scale the business using the recently available on-line business services will also be explored.
Research course designed to meet the needs of individual students.
An introduction to the discipline of mechanical engineering and the role of the mechanical engineer, including both mechanical and thermal/fluid stems. Focus is on learning about the discipline through a series of student hands-on activities.
Introduction to engineering thermodynamics. Topics include units and measures, thermodynamic system, property, and surroundings, closed, open and isolated systems, first law of thermodynamics for closed systems including calculations of boundary work and heat transfer interactions, properties of pure substances including determination of thermodynamic state using the state postulate, introduction to thermodynamic tables, ideal gases, first law of thermodynamics for open systems, second law of thermodynamics, absolute temperature scale, heat engine and refrigeration cycles, Carnot cycle, Kelvin-Planck and Claussius statements of the second law, determination of allowable, reversible, and impossible thermodynamic processes and cycles using the second law, introduction to entropy as a thermodynamic property using the second law, calculation of entropy change and entropy generation for closed and open systems. Introduction to isentropic processes and isentropic efficiencies of devices.
Survey of thermal engineering topics for engineers outside mechanical engineering. To include an overview of subjects typically covered in courses about thermo-dynamics I and II and heat transfer. An emphasis is placed on qualitative concepts of transport and conservation as they relate to thermal-fluids in order to increase the understanding of thermal engineering applications.
This course covers a high-level view of the main automotive systems and their interactions including motive power conversion (both combustion and electric), power transmission and delivery, electrical systems, suspension and chassis, body, and driver assistance and automation systems.
Introduction and analysis of different thermodynamic cycles and factors impacting these cycles. Topics include thermodynamic cycle analysis, thermodynamics of non-reacting and reacting mixtures, power cycles: basic considerations, gas power cycles, vapor and combined power cycles, gas mixtures, air-water vapor mixtures and air conditioning, and chemical reactions from thermodynamics point of view.
Introduction to heat transfer including how to predict and engineer such transfer. Topics to be covered include: conservation laws, conduction, convection, and radiation. Problems and examples include theory and applications drawn from nature and a spectrum of engineering applications.
This course covers fundamental concepts in mathematics and computer programming, which will be the tools for mechanical engineering analysis. It includes Linear Algebra and Numerical Analysis with application to engineering problems with elements of Programming, Statistics, and Engineering Economics. MATLAB is utilized as the programming software with students exposed to basics of coding and high-level functions for solving specific mathematical problems. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
This course covers the analysis of stresses and deflections in machine elements like beam supports, rods, and drive shafts. Methods for describing the stresses through von Mises and various failure criteria are also covered. The topics of fatigue, fatigue strength, and endurance limit are also discussed. Also included is the design of connected joints covering both bolted and welded joints.
This lab provides a working knowledge of finite element (FE) simulation. Upon completion each student will have the ability to set up and run a FE analysis of a realistic engineering assembly, while (a) optimizing computation efficiency,(b) optimizing result fidelity, and (c) employing sound engineering judgment in their assumptions.
Introduction to selection and use of electrical, pneumatic, and other components of mechanical system instrumentation and control. Specific components include modern electrical measurement devices, signal conditioning, force and torque measurement, proximity sensors, AC and DC motors, etc. 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.
Dynamics of four-wheeled vehicles, including acceleration and braking performance, road loads, ride comfort, steady-state cornering, suspensions, steering systems, and rollover. Vehicle dynamics system modeling programs are introduced and used for detailed investigations of the effect of system design parameters on performance.
An introduction to the modeling, analysis and control of dynamic systems. The course takes the student from initial modeling through analysis of the system response and finally into the control of the system. Specific systems include mechanical devices, electrical circuits, and electromechanical systems. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Physical properties of noise; hearing and noise criteria measurement techniques; and noise-control fundamentals applied to practical problems are covered in this course. Both sound and vibration topics are discussed, including the spectral description of these phenomena. Applications of various estimation methods for characterizing room acoustics, such as reverberation time and room modes, are presented. Industrial applications are discussed throughout the course.
Organizational leadership fundamentals for leaders of COE organizations regarding recruiting, motivating team members, managing resources and time, sponsor outreach, fundraising, scheduling, presentations, and budgeting. This is achieved through student led discussion, workshop service and project analysis. Intended that students follow up with Engineering Leadership II (ME 480).
A survey of classical and modern manufacturing processes. Emphasis is on technical fundamentals and practical applications. Components include geometric and service attributes of manufactured products, metal casting processes, forming processes, machine processes, joining processes, and additive manufacturing.
Study of thermal systems emphasizing large power generation systems. Topics include Rankine and gas turbine cycles, fossil fuels combustion, boiler characteristics, cogeneration, combined cycle plants, environmental effects of power generation, and alternative energy concepts.
This course covers basics of kinetic theory and direct simulations Monte Carlo (DSMC) method for modeling non‐equilibrium gas flows. The students will learn how to use the DSMC method to understand gas dynamics effects in both technological processes such as additive manufacturing and aerospace applications such as reentry problem.
Computational techniques to solve conservation equations representing heat transfer, mass transfer, and fluid flow processes. Topics include discretization methods for multi-dimensional diffusion and convection problems, programming and numerical techniques, and pressure-correction algorithms. Use of computer software for practical applications is also covered.
Energy sources, combustion systems, fuels and emissions, combustion thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, 1D reactors, combustion phenomena (ignition, flashback, blow-off, deflagration, detonation, etc.), laminar and turbulent premixed and non-premixed flames, and heterogeneous combustion.
Analysis of energy systems with focus on evaluating baseline energy usage and best practices for efficiency. Topics include overview of utility rate schedules and fuel sources and supplies, economic analysis, lighting systems, industrial energy systems, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning systems.
Contemporary issues surrounding the challenge of providing energy for societal and economic development are examined. Depletion of fossil fuel resources and the impact of fossil fuel use on the environment and climate are considered. Alternative Sustainable sources of energy production are explored.
Build understanding of aviation and industrial gas turbines, their components, design, and performance. The course will also cover improvements being made in the industry to make gas turbines environment friendly and a discussion of future options.
This course is designed to introduce upper-level undergraduate engineering students to reliability and maintainability measures, models, and prediction methods. The course also covers preventive maintenance techniques and philosophies such as FMEA and Reliability Centered Maintenance.
This course is designed to introduce engineering students to automotive manufacturing processes, technologies, and systems. Topics include current status of automotive manufacturing as well as methods of material processing, material handling systems, production facilities and fundamentals of robotics and automation as they relate to automotive manufacturing.
This course introduces how internal-combustion engines work, and links analysis and testing techniques used for their design and development to subjects presented within the mechanical engineering curriculum. Laboratory activities serve to reinforce and illustrate analysis application as well as provide visual reference to common internal-combustion engine components.
The course covers the basic concepts in fuzzy set theory, fuzzy logic, and approximate reasoning. Relation between fuzzy set theory, probability theory, and possibility theory is discussed. Applications of fuzzy set theory in manufacturing systems are outlined.
Understand how structural components fail and apply the proper techniques for a failure analysis investigation. Demonstrate the ability to identify and differentiate fractographic features of material failure including overload and progressive failures (ductile, brittle, fatigue, creep, corrosion, wear). Practical failure analysis project experience included.
This course covers an introduction to materials modeling, terminology, and fundamentals of modeling/simulations in engineering systems, modeling materials at atomic scales using molecular dynamics techniques, statistical methods, mesoscale simulations using phase-field, largescale simulations using continuum mechanics, and finite element method. It also provides basic training on the software tools used in the field – e.g., COMSOL, LAMMPS, VMD, ParaView. Students will learn about different modeling techniques, available software tools, and analysis of the simulation results.
This course focuses on the classical molecular dynamics method as a universal tool for calculation of properties of matter in solid, liquid, and gaseous states. The course includes both lectures and a computer practicum that requires elementary programming in C and use of the LAMMPS molecular simulator. An introduction into C programming is provided as a part of the course.
An overview of the broad field and major challenges of movement bio mechanics; II. The principles of classical mechanics, anatomy, and physiology to describe, analyze, and assess human motion; and III. The engineering tools and the mathematical approaches applied to perform bio mechanical analysis of moving bodies.
This course covers the selection and application of machine elements in dynamic systems. Specific components covered include transmission elements (gears, belt drives, and chain drives), bearings, and brakes and clutches. Linkage synthesis and dynamic analysis of mechanical systems are also covered.
Description of a generic vehicle development process. Full vehicle concepts. Performance and fuel efficiency calculations. Fundamentals of internal combustion engines, thermodynamic principles, vibrations. Transmission and drive train design.
Evolution of a classical automotive electrical point‐to‐point network into a modern electrical/electronic system with bus networking. Influence of E/E systems on the vehicle development process. Analog and digital control systems. Basic electronic components and sensors. Power management of the board network. Principles and behavior of batteries, alternators and starters. Deep dive into ESP‐System (Electronic Stability Program) to understand the operating principles of its subsystems: Anti‐lock Brake System, Traction Control System and Yaw Control System. Review of sensors and actuators used in ESP control. Principles of bus systems in automobiles. Detailed operation of the CAN, LIN and FlexRay bus system. Special topics including Electro Magnetic Compatibility. Knowledge of MATLAB and SIMULINK.
This is the introductory course to the field of Mechatronics and Robotics. It covers fundamentals of electronics required for mechatronics systems, introduction to microcontroller (Arduino/Beaglebone/Raspberry pi) programming and interfacing, data acquisition, sensing and actuation. The course is a mix of instructional theory and lab, coupled with an independent exploratory project.
Introduction to modeling and simulation of automotive systems with various components including internal combustion engine, transmission, battery, electric motor, and chassis dynamics. Energy efficiency and dynamic performances of conventional, hybrid electric, and full electric vehicles are covered.
Techniques of analysis and design of thermal systems including piping networks, heat exchangers, and pumping systems. Hands on experience with these systems through laboratory activities. Statistical design of experiments. Selection and use of basic thermal systems measurement instrumentation. 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 course delves into the world of design of components and processes to be built using Additive Manufacturing techniques. Students explore design principles, advanced techniques, and material selection for crafting intricate metal components. The course empowers participants to harness cutting-edge technologies in metal fabrication, fostering creativity and expertise in the field.
Formulation and solution of free and forced vibration problems for undamped and damped systems with single and multiple degrees of freedom. An introduction to modeling vibrations in continuous systems is also included. Superposition methods utilizing waveform decomposition, such as Fourier Series, are presented for use in both solution methods and system analysis. Experimental techniques of vibration measurement are also introduced.
Fundamental physical principles underlying wave propagation and resonance in mechanical systems. The course introduces modeling, applications, and provides experience in acoustic and audio measurements and the associated instrumentation. The human auditory transduction mechanism is also studied along with physical parameters that describe how humans hear.
This course covers the fundamental concepts of robotics that will enable students to perform kinematic and static force analyses of robotic systems. Rigid-body motion in three-dimensional space is analyzed using rotation and transformation matrices. Screw theory approach is used for representing and conducting forward kinematics of manipulators (product of exponentials). Inverse kinematics of open-chain manipulators is examined using analytical and numerical techniques. Jacobian-based methods are discussed for conducting velocity and static force analyses.
Classical feedback control system analysis, Laplace transform, transfer function, time response, proportional-integral-derivative control, root locus, frequency response, and computerized analysis. Also includes a brief introduction to modern control techniques.
Continues development of organizational leadership fundamentals initiated in ME 380 Engineering Leadership I regarding recruiting, motivating team members, managing resources and time, sponsor outreach, fundraising, scheduling, presentations, and budgeting among leaders working for COE organizations. This is achieved through student led discussion, workshop service and project analysis.
This is an experiential, team-based learning course that allows students to develop ideas for new uses of patented technologies. Students use NASA technologies as the foundation for a new product idea and then work through the lean product development and customer discovery processes to test their ideas.
This course brings together the basic understanding of various microfabrication processes, different Microelectromechanical Systems MEMS devices, and how they can be exploited in a wide range of engineering applications. The physics behind the operation of different fabrication tools will be covered, and the fabrication and operation of real-world examples will be explained.
In this course, student teams serve as consultants to a client. Emphasis is on conducting a professional design study and preparing written and oral presentations of the project.
This is a special topics lecture class or an assigned problem class. Credit is based on the amount of work undertaken.
This course provides automotive-related experience associated with on campus automotive design competition teams such as EcoCAR, Formula SAE, SAE Baja and Autonomous Indy or suitable industrial internships.
This course documents applications of material covered in coursework a student has chosen to satisfy automotive minor academic requirements within the practical experiences gained during the design-team participation or industrial internships required for the Automotive Minor. Coursework topics should be associated with documented activities which made up the portfolios created in the ME 492 experiences.
An individual analytical, experimental or design project. Research on an assigned problem culminates in a required report.
An introduction to the discipline of manufacturing systems engineering and the role of the manufacturing engineering in today’s advanced industrial settings. Focus is on learning about the discipline with a series of student hands-on activities.
This course introduces students to the world of robotics. Students learn fundamental engineering concepts and how to work with the Vex robot in the classroom safely. Also, this course introduces students to programming with Vex V5. Fundamental programming concepts like loops, statements, variables, constants and assignments are reinforced with activities and worksheets. Students learn how to simplify their code and use their new programming skills to make the BaseBot follow complex paths. Moreover, students learn about a robot’s end effectors and how these end effectors affect the robot’s design and performance.
In this course, students learn how to program and use PLCs in industrial applications that require electrical control. The PLC modules feature PLC simulation control software that allows students to program a PLC and simulate industrial applications. Students will learn about programmable logic controllers, input/output relationships, identifying Input/Output addresses for an I/O panel, writing and simulating a basic ladder diagram, different logics and features in programming.
Robotics and Materials Handling gives students the fundamental skills needed to operate, maintain, program and test robotic systems. The lab version enables students to gain experience and skill in robotic operation and programming using the SCORBOT-ER4u, an industrial training robot. Using SCORBASE software, an intuitive tool for robot programming and control, students develop and write robot programs and design solutions for industrial robotic applications.
Students are introduced to the fundamental skills needed to operate, maintain, program and test robotic systems for handling materials. An industrial training robot and its software will be used to design solutions for industrial robotic applications. This will feature PLC simulation control software for industrial applications.
In Robotic Welding, students discover robotic welding fundamentals by first working through the entire welding process in simulation. Only then can they execute actual automated welding applications. Activities challenge students to develop solutions for common welding problems, such as thermal deformation, by adjusting their welding technique. Students also learn to improve weld quality by optimizing important welding parameters such as wire feed rate, robot speed, inert gas shield and voltage.
Robot Expert is a simulation and offline programming software that enables manufacturers to perform complete 3D modeling, visualization and simulation of their automation systems, including robots, tooling and peripheral equipment. In this course, students will learn the basics of how to use this full-featured program and observe how it enables manufacturers to optimize their production processes while eliminating waste and extra costs. In this introductory, students are introduced to some basic manufacturing processes and become familiar with the role of robotics in manufacturing and production.
This course enables students to gain a solid foundation of knowledge and skill in performing measurements and calculations. More specifically, students learn how to use precision measurement tools, such as steel rule, tape measure, protractor, micrometer, height gauge, various calipers and dial indicators. Students gain proficiency in reading mechanical drawings, in selecting the proper tools for inspecting parts and in preparing quality control/inspection reports. Students learn how to collect data on a sample and calculate the mean, median and standard deviation. They also learn how these concepts relate to statistical sampling, tolerance and quality control. The course includes statistical process control activities that allows students to collect and display measurement data in a spreadsheet.
The Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) course exposes students to automation and industrial applications by combining CNC technology with robotics and materials handling. Students develop and edit programs, record precise robotic positions, accurately mill parts, and synchronize mill and robot operation. Students gain "virtual hands-on" experience in CNC and robot programming, especially in I/O commands. Students design solutions for industrial FMS applications with emphasis on real industrial concerns, such as optimized CNC and robotic programming and accurate machine tending.
Introduction to the Internet of Things and Connectivity focuses on the vast network of smart sensors and devices that is the Internet of Things (IoT) and its impact on Industry 4.0 and the manufacturing world. This course also explores topics related to the interconnection of IoT and industrial devices, such as SCADA systems, cloud computing, edge computing, and machine vision systems.
This course is a first course in programming for students majoring in manufacturing systems engineering. Language concepts include arrays, matrices, sequences, functions, selection, iteration and recursion. Software engineering concepts include files & I/O , plotting, as well as general programming techniques.
Advanced Programmable Ladder Logic course teaches students how to program and use PLCs in industrial applications that require electrical control. The PLC modules feature software, which allows students to program a PLC and simulate industrial applications. The course includes the testing of input and output responses to ladder diagrams students have programmed. The combination of graphic simulation software with PLC hardware enables students to test and correct control programs both online and offline.
Advanced Robotics and Materials Handling explores robotic programming. Using RoboCell, a 3D solid-modeling robotic simulation software, students gain a greater understanding of the robotics concepts, and programming commands learned in Basic Robotics and Materials Handling. This course gives students the advanced skills needed to operate, maintain, program, and test robotic systems. In this course, students work with RoboCell to program and operate the robot. The activities challenge students to design solutions for industrial robotic applications, with emphasis on real industrial concerns, such as recording accurate positions, complicated movements, interfacing with peripherals, working with sensors, optimizing programming, and increasing productivity.
The Pressure Process Control course offers students hands-on training in the measurement and control of pressure processes using open loop, on/off loop and three-element (PID) control methods. The Pressure Process Control training system serves to demonstrate and teach the measurement and control of pressure processes. The system gives students a solid understanding of the fundamentals of instrumentation and industrial process control. The course uses Process Motion simulation control software to control a virtual training panel for the practice the measurement and control of pressure processes using open loop, on/off loop and three-element (PID) control methods. Students raise and lower air pressure to preset levels using manual control and auto-tuning methods. Students learn how the E/P converter with the control valve affects a preset pressure in the air tank. They create variable demand and supply disturbances by manipulating the panel's valves. Students also learn to optimize the parameters for PID control of pressure and to verify controller tuning.
The course covers the foundations of modern methods of quality control applied to manufacturing industries. Writing proficiency is required in this course. This course has a W (writing) designation, thus, 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. Both individual weekly assignments as well as the midterm project will be used to assess the writing proficiency of the student. Writing grading rubrics will be available when the assignment is made. All assignments will be graded and returned to the student within a week of submission.
The world is at the onset of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and this revolution is driven by the smarts in automating decision making and processes. Advancements in IT has resulted in immense improvements in computational power across nearly all electronic devices and enhanced capabilities in connecting the dots in an increasingly networked society. Digital platforms in the Cloud provides a perfect canvas for inventing new business models and for intelligent algorithms to analyze data and derive knowledge for operationalize use by cyber physical systems. This course provides a comprehensive coverage on, among others, the role of data, manufacturing systems, various Industry 4.0 technologies, applications and case studies. In particular, we also draw input from researchers and practitioners on what are the opportunities and challenges brought about by Industry 4.0, and how organizations and knowledge workers can be better prepared to reap the benefits of this latest revolution.
The course covers the scientific and engineering principles relevant to materials production. Methods for production of major materials as well as advanced topics including nanofabrication are also discussed in the course. This course has a W (writing) designation, thus, writing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. A student who does not write with the skills 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 deals with the use of measuring instruments such as micrometers, Vernier calipers, scales, go & no-go gages, gage blocks, surface plates, comparators, and coordinate measuring machine. It also includes discussion of metrology-related concepts such as precision, accuracy, standards, repeatability, and reproducibility are discussed in the course. This course has a lab component.
Introduction to application of concepts and techniques of manufacturing systems design. Guest lecturers present professional aspects of engineering. The Capstone Design Project of a manufacturing problem is begun and carried on through MFE 490.
Introduces advanced materials for engineers, emphasizing the production, structure, property and application of advanced materials for manufacturing processes. The course also discusses the principles of additive manufacturing.
This course is designed to introduce engineering student to basic simulation modeling concepts and techniques. The course material emphasizes stochastic and discrete computer simulation. This course has a C (computer) designation, students will have to show proficiency in the use of the Arena software to successfully pass the course.
The course introduces the concept of Computer Aided Manufacturing which deals with the design of components to manufacturing and also includes planning and controlling the processes. Students will be familiar with its hardware and software and also able to write programs for machining. This course has a C (computer) designation, students will have to show proficiency in the CNC programming (i.e., G-Code and M-Code) to successfully pass the course. This course provides additional instruction related to computing skills and applications.
The course deals with the investigation of contemporary technologies and approaches for the analysis, design, and development of manufacturing systems.
Semester-long practicum in which three or four-person teams serve as consultants to an industrial client. Emphasis is on conducting a professional design study and preparing written and oral presentations of the project results.
An introduction to the materials science and engineering profession and history. The course includes selected topics useful in the study of metallurgical and materials engineering.
Alloy preparation and processing of materials. Materials testing and evaluation, laboratory procedures and techniques, metallography, heat treatment, phase diagrams, hardenability, and mechanical testing. Introduction to technical report writing and application to written laboratory reports.
Metal castings principles including pattern design, molding materials, conventional and digital molding methods, sand testing, solidification, risering and gating of castings, casting and mold design, microstructure and casting defects and their influence on mechanical properties. Computer proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Definition of viscosity, elements of laminar and turbulent flow, and overall mechanical energy balance. Thermal conductivity, steady and transient conduction problems, forced and natural convection, heat transfer, and radiative heat transfer. Definition of binary diffusivity, convection mass transfer, and mass transfer coefficient. The application of the principles covered in the design of specific metallurgical systems.
The fundamentals of thermodynamics applied to typical metallurgical processes and reactions, heterogeneous equilibrium, behavior of solutions, standard states, phase diagrams. Emphasis is placed on the use of basic thermodynamic data, graphical representations of thermodynamic data and equilibrium, and the application of using computational tools to solve problems. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Introduction to the principles of physical metallurgy. Topics include crystal structure, deformation, dislocations, point defects, diffusion, phase diagrams, interfaces, nucleation theory, transformations, and growth. 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.
Materials Processing fundamentals as they affect dimensions and microstructure of materials and their application in engineering practice. Survey of classical and modern manufacturing processes for engineering materials.
The course covers principles relevant to materials selection and process selection for manufacturing and design. Advanced topics including composites and hybrid materials are also discussed in the course. Not open to students with credit for MFE 342.
This course introduces undergraduate students to Integrated Computational Materials Engineering, covering basic theories of multi-scale modeling and the usage of relevant software tools to solve specifically designed engineering problems. Key topics include Density Functional Theory, Thermodynamics and Kinetics (CALPHAD), Finite Element Analysis, Statistical Analysis and Machine Learning in Materials Science.
Introduction to the manufacture, processing and applications of organic polymeric materials. The chemistry of polymer manufacture, the molecular structure of polymers, and athe structure-property relationships for thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers are covered.
Thermal,chemical, and mechanical aspects of welding using fusion welding processes. The metallurgical aspects of welding, including microstructure and properties of the weld, are also included.
Application of thermodynamics, fluid flow, and heat and mass transfer to the design and operation of chemical metallurgical processes; roasting, agglomerating, oxidation and reduction reactions, smelting, converting, and refining.
Principles of engineering design. Problem formulation, concept design, configuration design, parametric design, detail design, materials selection, manufacturing process selection, prototyping, project planning and cost analysis, application of computer-based design tools, concepts of shared responsibility, teamwork and communication. Analysis of problems, design and development solutions. Oral presentations and written reports. A project will be assigned. Final project presentations will be evaluated by the MTE faculty.
Capstone design course. Students work in teams on design projects which involve evaluation of industrial based metallurgical or materials problems and emphasize societal impact. Implementation of design principles and the research plan developed in MTE 443. Interim and final design reviews with oral presentations and written reports. Final project presentation will be evaluated by the MTE faculty. Writing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
The course will cover the topic of powder metallurgy, describing the various types of powder processing and how these affect properties of the componentss made. Current issues in the subject area, from high production to nanomaterials will be discussed.
This course will cover fundamental technology involved in thin film processing. Plasma deposition and etch technology will be discussed. The basics of plasma processing equipment will be detailed, with special emphasis on sputtering tools. A range of thin film applications will be explored, with examples of magnetics, semiconductor, optical, and medical applications. The fundamentals of process optimization using a Design of Experiments will be taught with a test case of process optimization for the final exam.
Flow and fracture of solids; uniaxial stress-strain as a reference behavior; theories of terminal stability under impact; monotonic, sustained (creep), and repeated (fatigue) loadings of solids under various states of stress.
Mechanisms and micromechanics of strengthening in engineering materials. This course covers the physical phenomena that contribute towards high mechanical strength in engineering materials. Principles for designing high strength materials will be addressed.
Crystallography, physics of X-rays, diffraction by crystalline materials, applications of X-ray, electron and neutron diffraction, and spectrometric analysis of materials. 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 is aimed at investigating the underlying fundamental causes of corrosion problems and failures. Emphasis is placed on the electrochemical reactions occurring and the tools and knowledge necessary for predicting corrosion, measuring corrosion rates, and combining these with prevention and materials selection.
An assigned problem is explored individually. Credit is based on the amount of work undertaken.
An assigned problem is explored individually. Credit is based on the amount of work undertaken.
Honors College Courses
Taken by first-year students in the Randall Research Scholars Program, this course provides an accelerated introduction that uses algorithmic thinking to develop computational artifacts. Open only to students admitted to the Randall Research Scholars Program. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Taken by first-year students in the Randall Research Scholars Program, this second freshman year course provides an accelerated introduction to additional computational techniques as well as project management techniques. Open only to students admitted to the Randall Research Scholars Program. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Sophomore RRS research seminar where students work as undergraduate research assistants with faculty members on computational research projects. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Sophomore RRS research seminar where students work as undergraduate research assistants with faculty members on computational research projects.
Junior RRS seminar where students work as undergraduate research assistants with faculty members on computational research projects.
Junior RRS seminar where students work as undergraduate research assistants with faculty members on computational research projects.
This is an independent study course, with variable credit. Students develop a research project contract with semester project deliverables to the RRS office by the second Friday of the semester. Students meet with their project supervisors on a regular basis throughout the semester. Prior approval from the RRS Program Director is required to register for this course.
Senior RRS seminar where students work as undergraduate research assistants with faculty members on computational research projects.
Senior RRS seminar where students work as undergraduate research assistants with faculty members on computational research projects.
This seminar on the legal issues, economics, history, politics, and sociology of poverty will begin developing the students’ understanding of systemic injustices and the need for social change, as well as provide context for experience in meaningful community engagement in future semesters.
Seminar experience in which knowledge gained during UFE 101 is applied through the hands-on experience of assessing needs, and designing projects to intervene in systemic poverty in direct partnership with community leaders in the Black Belt region of Alabama.
This course will expand on the students’ understanding of systemic change. Students will examine theories of systemic change through highlighted successes of change agents who have effected change in their systems of influence. Throughout the semester, students will develop their own plan for enacting change in their system of choice, while also exploring ideas of ethical leadership, emotional resiliency, and creativity.
Seminar experience in which knowledge gained and plans developed during UFE 201 are applied through the hands-on experience of assessing systemic needs, and implementing projects in direct partnership with leaders in the systems of the students’ choice.
This course will focus the students’ understanding of systemic change in the global perspective. Specifically, students will become familiar with the international community, including political histories, assessments of strengths and needs, and opportunities for effecting change.
Following the classical purpose of education, the production of good citizens, the University Fellows Experience strives to prepare the most able and dedicated students at The University of Alabama for remarkable lives of leadership in and service to their community, state, nation, and world. Thomas Henry Huxley wrote, “The great end of life is not knowledge, but action.” Similarly, our mission is to shape and enable students with exceptional innate gifts and abilities to use the knowledge gained for leadership and service. It is expected that throughout their lives, University Fellows will make a difference for the good, again and again.Through this course students will explore and challenge their worldviews while also furthering their understanding of their roles as global citizens. Students also will examine issues and challenges of systemic change on the global scale and evaluate cases of leadership that affected change for the good. Guest speakers with pertinent expertise will be a critical contribution to the learning environment.
The University Fellows Experience strives to prepare students for remarkable lives of leadership in and service to their community, state, nation, and world. Three questions guide the program: Engaged citizenship: What does caring deeply about the world look like? Empathetic, dynamic leadership: What are best practices for effective leadership in today’s highly dynamic and diverse environment? Ethical, transformative scholarship: What does it mean to be a transformative, ethical scholar? Through a study-abroad experience in (selected country). This course offers students the opportunity to ponder and confront the issues and challenges related to systemic change on the global scale. Students also explore and challenge their worldviews while broadening their understanding of their roles as global citizens.
The Magnum Opus Experience is a course that provides a context for University Fellows to apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes acquired over their courses of study to the planning, development, completion, and evaluation of an academically-based or inspired project. Students will develop a senior practicum project plan in partnership with a faculty advisor. Project examples include: -Creating a social enterprise, -Launching an organization or movement associated with academic focus, -Conducting community-based research, -Producing a research paper, or -Making a documentary or book.
Honors Connections introduces first-year students to the UA Honors College experience. The aim of this course is to aid each student in finding and interrogating their place within the Honors College, the University of Alabama and the greater community. Students will learn and practice the key concepts of engaged scholarship, including critical and creative thinking, ethical and empathic dialogue, and collaborative and inclusive leadership. Students will gain a practical understanding of the Honors College and their role within it, while also building relationships that foster continued participation in the kinship of scholars.
In this six day, one-credit hour introductory course, students are immersed in the foundations of the Honors College and community engagement. Students attend a daily lecture series followed by small discussions. In addition to the lecture series and small group discussions, students participate in daily community-engaged projects at local public schools. Community engagement-focused readings will link to the course themes, lectures, and service projects.
Honors Engagement introduces first-year students who have completed their first semester of study to the UA Honors College experience. The aim of this course is to aid each student in finding and interrogating their place within the Honors College, the University of Alabama and the greater community. Students will learn and practice the key concepts of engaged scholarship, including critical and creative thinking, ethical and empathetic dialogue, and collaborative and inclusive leadership. Students will gain a practical understanding of the Honors College and their role within it, while also building relationships that foster continued participation in the kinship of scholars. Instruction will include lecture, guest speakers, and small group discussions with Honors College student mentors. Student reading, writing, and reflection will be emphasized and connected to the examination of the Honors College and wider academic communities.
In this course, students will study and discuss the Honors Common Book (chosen annually). This course may not be taken in the same academic year as UH 100 or UH 110.
This course explores the Ascension Story, an adaptation of Joseph Campbell’s “Hero’s Journey,” through an in-depth comparative analysis between a) Judeo-Christian monarchical concepts as recorded in the Hebrew/Christian sacred texts (primarily 1 Samuel- 2 Chronicles, prophetic books, and gospels) and b) Final Fantasy XV, a 2016 video game that reimagines those same kingship narratives. Topics addressed within the Ascension Story include the Trials of a King, Kingly Relationships, a King’s Responsibility, and a King’s Deliverance of Order to Chaos. Concepts of ancient near-eastern kingship, Levitical priesthood, religious prophecy, and messianic hope will be fully analyzed. The course addresses questions of moral virtue and leadership ethics in the humanistic fields of religious literature, theological studies, and secular and sacral kingship archetypes. This course also examines the broad implications that sacral kingship/leadership has on cultural identity, with attention to Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and Jewish narratives. Rather than primarily measuring proficiency in writing, this course emphasizes the history and appreciation of sacred texts and ancient near-eastern kingship narratives.
This course will explore the history of storytelling and how stories and storytelling connect people, create cultural understanding, and effect change. This course will take a global, analytic perspective on storytelling and American narratives. We will develop a vocabulary for discussing the relationships between narratives and social change and analyze written and oral narratives and the cultural and historical contexts that surround them. We will concentrate specifically on narratives of marginalized writers in American literature, various narrative forms of 20th century and modern American literature, and the Honors College Common Book. We will also explore how we shape and interact with narratives in our own lives, examining the question, “Who are you?”.
This course explores how work and leisure influence our everyday lives. Are we governed by the necessity of work, while we pursue momentary havens of leisure? Or, is it the other way around? Is it because of the necessity of leisure in our lives that we pursue work at all? When are we most ourselves? From Nietzsche’s The Birth of Tragedy which explored the antagonism between the Apollonian and Dionysian spirits, to Max Weber’s The Protestant Work Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, to modern movies such as Office Space, the tensions between, not just work and leisure, but ultimately meaning as well, provide productive spaces for exploration.
This course is an introduction to the study of the influence of society and language on each other as well as on individuals. Students will explore the role of language in society and in their own personal development, paying particular attention to the influence of learning an additional language – before and during experiences in other communities. That is, students will reflect on how acquiring another language may change them and impact their own identities. Additionally, students will further refine their understanding of culture and knowledge via discussions. Throughout the semester, this course will strive to understand the impact of varied linguistic experiences in other countries and communities on personal development and on society.
From the Mississippi Delta to Memphis to Chicago then to London and back, The Blues are a potent means of communication, a powerful and persuasive connection. They are a language. Through them, artists and their audiences found a distinct voice that could share and engage emotion, meaning, time, place, change and identity. Students listen to and examine the communicative power of The Blues, and the Blues ‘language’, what they say, who says it, who hears it, what they hear, and how meaning is created and taken. Students will listen to blues alongside a wide range of readings, including Wittgenstein’s Language Games, Foucault on how power is found in everyday language, James Baldwin’s Sonny’s Blues and Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God.
An experimental magazine class that produces, from scratch, an online magazine, website and social media. Students can specialize in writing, editing, graphic design, photography/videography and/or website or social media. The class also helps both on and off campus organizations with multimedia projects that need such expertise as a support service. Students also focus on examining the nature of the communication functions of their creative work with other Mosaic students and with non-creative sources and subjects they interact with in their work. Student staff will work with the aid of UA staff/faculty instructors and advisers.
This course takes "the idea of a scholar" as its theme. Students will examine definitions of education and the university, contrasts and conflicts for students and scholars within academic life, and the "life of the mind" conceptualization of higher education as preparation for lifelong learning. These themes will be explored through detailed readings and class discussions. Moreover, it includes a strong component of comparing and contrasting our readings and class discussions with scholarly life at the University of Alabama, both current and historical.
This course introduces students to the western literary canon from the ancient to the medieval period. Writers to be studied include Homer, Sophocles, Virgil, and Dante. Satisfies HU core curriculum designation.
Examines the impact of the classics on African culture, focusing on reading and writing about the concept of identity in African civilizations and cultures. Students will become familiar with classic works that represent current themes in African culture and societies such as oral tradition, use of language, community, post-colonial influence, and gender roles.
As a “prelude” to service learning, students will understand the philosophical structure of “public goods” (e.g., education, health care, housing, etc.) and how they relate to specific needs in public spaces which are used for the betterment of communities. Students will explore the possible causes of political, educational, social, and economic inequalities as well as the benefits, responsibilities and limits of the service response to public problems. The course provides a basic understanding of what the purpose of “public goods” are and how society actualizes these currencies.
This course introduces students to some of the classic texts of Eastern Civilization. The particular focus of this course will be Ancient China. Students will cover the origin and development of the Chinese intellectual tradition; in particular, the ethical and politics topics that can be grouped under “the way” (dao, 道), as this was the central concern of writers and thinkers in the period. Specific topics to be discussed include: “Is human nature fundamentally good or fundamentally bad?”; “How can we best achieve an enduring social order?”; “What is the shape of a life well lived?”; “Is the development of civilization conducive to human flourishing?”. Figures to be studied include Sunzi, Kongzi (Confucius), Mozi, Mengzi (Mencius), Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Han Feizi, and Sima Qian. A primary goal of the course is to expose students to the richness, vitality, and plurality of the Ancient Chinese intellectual tradition.
What’s next for you after graduation? Is it graduate or professional school or will you be headed into the workforce? Do you have a plan for how to develop and market your most successful personal and professional self? This course will provide students with the knowledge and resources needed to prepare for life after their undergraduate academic career. Students will explore concepts of career readiness, articulate their personal strengths/weaknesses/values, set and pursue personal and professional goals, and develop a strong professional portfolio. This course also seeks to help students understand the importance of personal branding and networking, effective communication, collaboration with an array of persons and backgrounds, emotional intelligence, and leadership.
This class seeks to introduce University Honors Program students to moral discourse and civil deliberation via the analysis of one particular controversial moral resolution. Student teams will then participate in the Moral Forum Tournament, where they will be required to use ethical theories to argue for and against the resolution. The moral issue to be examined in the course changes each semester. Topics are based on current events that offer varied, balanced arguments from multiple ethical perspectives.
A course in the practicality / functionality of improvisation via sound with an eye toward philosophical aspects of improvisation in all the arts and the relationship to other non-arts related disciplines. The goal is to generate creativity and new perspectives in the student’s primary course of study and life, in general, by exploring the art of improvisation.
The Art for Life’s Sake course is an exploration of the artistic process and its application in everyday life. Our primary goals are to study, communicate, and increase the practical application and implementation of art philosophy, core concepts, and principles of creation into both academics and everyday life; synthesizing creativity, open-mindedness, authenticity, and innovation into a holistic, mindful approach, with a concerted effort to increase not only human technological and physical progress, but also psychological freedom, mental fitness and general well-being. Art is a process of exploration, externalized. Human beings are inherently artistic. Therefore, any human activity can be expressed artfully. Our goal is, simply put: to become aware of this phenomenon and learn to practice it in all aspects of our lives.
What is the book’s place in history, and what does the future hold for it? In this transdisciplinary course, students will investigate the close relationship between major world religions and the bookbinding industry, the impact that innovations in printing and binding technology have had on literacy rates throughout the world, the role of women in bookbinding through history compared to women working with books today, and what the rise in digital books, audiobooks, and eReaders mean for the publishing industry today and future of the traditional book. Students will also have some hands-on instruction in bookbinding and will create East Asian accordions, Japanese stab bindings, Coptic bindings, and Ethiopian bindings. Throughout the semester, students will be assigned readings over the history, present, and future of the book, leading to a final research paper that speaks to the student’s specific area of interest.
This multi-disciplinary course will provide an overview of the cultural dimensions, history, and contemporary landscape of papermaking, including Eastern, Western, Mexican, and other papermaking traditions. Special emphasis will be placed on papermaking in the American South. Students will make paper by hand using a variety of techniques, and each student will design a research project using handmade paper as a medium for examining and critiquing significant aspects of culture and identity.
This lecture and active learning course will cover the fundamentals of the science behind color and visual art media, focusing on the physics and chemistry involved in the production and perception of art.
In addition to weekly class meeting patterns, students will be required to spend approximately 25 hours immersed in an “out of the classroom” experience/opportunity, which will vary each semester. This experience/opportunity might involve an approved community-based partner, non-profit organization, or K-12 city/county school or classroom. Students will work in collaborative teams providing solutions to project-based issues, problems, and experiences.
Students will examine contemporary New Zealand neighborhoods and communities by purposefully employing ‘engaged’ and interactive discussions and conversations with (some of the) New Zealanders they encounter each day from a wide range of demographics, i.e. an ethnographic/communications approach. Students will rely on an instructor-generated list of talking points as a general guide. Classes will assemble most, but not all, days in New Zealand to debrief and discuss the day’s conversations with the goal of (a) progressively getting a better understanding (than tourists) of New Zealand community life and (b) progressively getting better at asking people from another culture valuable (instead of predictable) questions and assessing, and following up on, answers. Students will also interact with New Zealand students and academic faculty to help build their understanding of neighborhoods and communities.
The UA Honors in Germany program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to examine the many facets of recent history and of the contemporary situation of German society and engage in meaningful, reflective dialogue with international faculty and students through their experiences while visiting academic, cultural, business and industrial institutions in Karlsruhe, Strasbourg (F), Cologne, Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, and Stuttgart.
Ghana was the first country south of the Sahara to gain independence from British colonial rule and it continues to play a leading role in African development and prosperity to this day. This study abroad course functions as a broad transdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach to the study of the culture, history, economics, politics, sociology and the natural environment of Ghana using innovation as a connective device. The class highlights Ghana’s forward-thinking and progressive past, using the nation as a placeholder for both the future potential and current realities of homegrown growth on the continent. Students will experience Ghana’s progress, seeing first-hand how technological innovations are affecting social and political realities across its width and breadth, and also have the opportunity to play a role in its development as they work alongside local university students in Industry and Innovation Unit at the University of Cape Coast to help develop creative solutions to existing problems. As a bonus, the course will provide a number of vectors for study and learning in various areas of Ghana; including visits to museums, historical sites, African markets, villages, cultural centers and lectures by Ghanaian professors, professionals, practitioners and parliamentarians.
Students will examine Scottish neighborhoods and communities, purposefully employing ‘engaged’ and interactive discussions and conversations with locals from a wide range of demographics, i.e. an ethnographic approach. These conversations, or interviews, will result in general class discussion and writing to examine cultural differences, place them in context, and develop increasingly productive approaches to future conversations. Regular debriefing sessions will include all students recounting encounters and finding value in them, and students critiquing each other’s reports so that, as a group, they become better at knowing what to ask and how to ask it and at interpreting and understanding what they hear in answers.
The modern nation of Egypt encompasses a sharp juxtaposition of modernity and antiquity. Moreover, the land is awash with the vestiges of Arab and Kemetic influences. They are found in the history, in the architecture, the ruins, and most importantly, embodied within the people. In this way, Egypt is a study in conflict and contact and change and continuity. While recognizing the importance of Arab rule in Egypt from the 7th century, this course will focus on the contributions of Africana people to the fabric of ancient and modern Egypt. This seminar will provide students with an induction to Egyptian history, culture, and society from the earliest pottery producing cultures of the Neolithic Period (starting c. 8000 BC) through the early development of the Egyptian state (c. 3000 BC), to the Islamic conquest (639 CE). This long-term perspective will highlight the variability of Egyptian histories and cultures, allowing a comparative study of issues such as state formation, religious change, and imperialism.
In this study abroad course, students will study the many artistic objects, events, and histories of Oxford, England. Characteristic subjects include literature, architecture, gastronomic culture, music, sculpture, gardening, and painting.
In this course, students study and discuss the foundations of Western thought through study of ancient and classical epic poetry (in English translation). Works studied may include The Iliad, The Odyssey, The Theogony, The Aeneid, The Metamorphoses, and On the Nature of Things.
This course, students study and discuss the foundations of Western thought through study of the history, philosophy, and drama (all in English translation) of classical Athens. Authors studied may include Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, Plato, Aristotle, and Thucydides.
This course will study and discuss theories and practices of love, sex, marriage, and the family from a variety of disciplinary perspectives (literature, film, sociology, history, anthropology, psychology, and/or philosophy). Readings and discussions will focus on the ethics of courtship, gender and sexuality, marriage, and parenting.
Often considered the most influential book ever published, the King James Version of the Bible (1611) is a monumental cultural achievement. It encapsulates the Renaissance spirit of eloquence, and four hundred years after its publication, it remains the most frequently used translation of the Bible in the English-speaking world, especially in America. Given the historical, political, literary, and cultural prominence of this translation, this course takes a transdisciplinary approach to understanding how the book came into existence and what accounts for its popularity. The course begins by studying the complex history of how this translation came to be commissioned, who the translators were, how the translation was accomplished, and the politics involved in the translation. The course then critically studies the structures and styles of the KJB, with particular focus on examining genres and performing close readings of texts, as well as considering the political work often attributed to the text (i.e., how the book has been used to enslave and emancipate enslaved people, how it has been used to create and maintain patriarchy, etc). The course ends by paying particular attention to the history of the KJB in the United States, as we discuss the so-called “KJB-Only Movement.” Therefore, rather than studying Jewish or Christian theology, this course aims to introduce students to issues surrounding the material book history of the KJB, its immense literary aesthetic, and its cultural influence.
This course examines the impact of the ancient world on the life of modern women. More specifically, this course examines the evolution of women’s life, starting from ancient Greece and following its trajectory to the modern day. Ancient Greece, known for catapulting civilization to higher levels with its invention of democracy, political science, philosophy, the codification of laws and the professionalization of medicine among other achievements, shaped the world, for better or worse, as it is known today. This same culture, however, has excluded women from public life since the 5th century BC and has set the stage for pioneer women in the West to combat the perception of females as inferior beings and to struggle to enter higher education and public life and, eventually, gain voting rights. This socio-political framework helps to explore the gender ideologies that have impacted women’s life since antiquity, the changes in the perception of women in the course of history, the origin and development of ideas about women’s body and mind, as well as the role of race in regard to these issues. Understanding the gamut of theories and attitudes toward women, students can develop a better grasp of what women want today, where they are headed, what obstacles are still standing in their way and how they can overcome them to achieve their goals.
The heart of this course will be the study of the archetype of the hero's quest in the mythology and literature of adventure. Students will study and discuss theories and practices of Adventure from a variety of disciplinary perspectives (literature, film, sociology, history, psychology, philosophy). They will read classic adventure novels such as J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, as well as stories that challenge the very idea of 'adventure', such as Samuel Beckett's "The Expelled." Through a transdisciplinary lens, students will analyze representations of identity, belief, and class in these novels, supplementing the readings with contemporary films like Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom and Werner Herzog's Grizzly Man.
What does it mean to be African? Black? Are the terms bound by racial, ethnic, or spatial limitations? Who possesses the rights of access to the cultural products and expressions unique to the continent and her descendants? In this course, students will examine how the concept of Africa, as both home and identity, is recreated and imagined through a variety of disciplines and sources (history, sociology, religion, art, media studies, anthropology, psychology, linguistics). During lectures and weekly discussions, and through words, pictures, sounds, and live performance, they will examine objects and stories that collectively make up contemporary expressions of global Africanity. Students will explore questions of home, identity, Afropolitanism, continuity, appropriation, authenticity, historical memory, and creolization using examples from academic scholars, literary figures, and popular culture. Looking and listening closely, students will observe the wide range of African cultural practices present within literature, film, music, artwork, communication styles, dress, and beauty standards to develop a critical understanding of not only how these practices continue to unfold on the African continent, but how they are also transformed by and endure throughout its many diasporas.
Twisted locs, braids, bantu knots, cornrows, and wigs are but some of the many aesthetic practices introduced globally by African people. Historically, African hairstyles were coded and complex and one’s hair could convey significant personal information, including a person’s marital status, wealth, rank, age, religion, and ethnic identity. This course traces the origins of African hair from the continent, where it stood as a marker of culture and prestige, to the Americas, where black hair has often been derided and devalued in a society where European notions of beauty are the societal standards. Students will explore the contemporary social construction of “Black Hair” and the manner in which hairstyles often signify, resist, and conform to societal norms.
This course will cover the fundamentals and curiosities of baking science, focusing on the chemistry and biology concepts interlaced within the art of baking. Students will be introduced to the chemistry and reactions of macromolecules in the baking process, with an emphasis on the characteristics and contributions of ingredients, temperature, techniques, and flavorings. Critical interactions between molecules and component behaviors will be integrated, as well as essential process features such as heat transfer and time. The students will employ critical thinking in the evaluation of the technical and scientific aspects of baking (i.e., heat transfer, reactions, quality control), and creative skills in the practice of baking or troubleshooting and development required of a baker. Students will engage with social/personal and professional baking, considering creative ideology and personal value versus scale and consistency, and collaborate through a series of demos and two baking labs. Finally, students will engage with cultural influences on baking and discuss perspectives on the geographical relevance of available/conventional ingredients and techniques.
This course asks “What” the normal legislative process was and is currently; “How” societal changes will affect current and future law making; and “Why” did we get into this condition? This course will take into consideration public demands, business interests, racial equality, and the working-class poor as influences on law making. The class will discuss immigration, abortion, taxes, health care, and other “Hot Button” issues faced by elected officials. Changing technology in business and buying habits of the public are some of the factors affecting the law-making process. The class will discuss and discover the “what, how, and why” of the political polarization and the extreme divisiveness of social and business issues.
Gain practical insights into the election process. Hear from state and local election officials, candidates, and campaign managers. Learn about candidate decision-making, influences on elections, political parties, and the effect of money on elections. The class will meet and interview state and local leaders of political parties, governments, industries, and those who conduct elections. Each student will interview elected officials in their home state.
This course will examine the relationship between the reality of the law and its depictions in television shows and films. Students will focus on the facts and the fiction of the legal process. This course will start by examining the role and position of law in both historical and modern societies and move from there into the examination of different legal institutions and study how these facets of the law are represented in movies and television shows. Additionally, students will examine the opposite perspective: how does popular culture, and in particular law as portrayed in moving images, affect real law?.
This seminar is about the state of Alabama—its history as well as the public policy issues and culture that grew out of that history and the efforts to reform the injustice embedded in Alabama’s public policy. Students will discuss the readings divided in four units, pondering the objective substance “facts” and subjective questions “why”.
This course is about empowering students to develop an opinion about highly controversial topics in current public discussion. The participants will be encouraged to find and create building blocks based on conceptions of philosophical and theological ethics. In addition to introductory lectures, book discussions, films, and other media, role playing and mock debates will be used as tools to help sharpen argumentation. Possible topics include: “Blue or Red: Why and What Kind of Democracy Do You Want?,” “Labor Unions: Engines or Brakes to Societal Progress?,” "Immigration: Opportunity or Threat?,” “Abortion: Murder or Human Right?,” and “Confederate Flag: Heritage or Hate?”.
The course is designed to enhance the learning and understanding of healthcare and its impact on our changing world. The course serves as an introduction to health care, in which trends and issues will be identified and discussed. In addition, technology in health care delivery, applications, decision-making, planning, and research will also be addressed. The course focuses on understanding the role of the health care professional in health care education, practice, and research. The course also explores health care from the perspective of the health care consumer.
This course is designed to help educate students on the techniques and skills useful in collegiate mock trial. It gives students the opportunity to hone the necessary skills before beginning their journey into the competitive sphere that is collegiate mock trial. Enrolled students are offered the opportunity to try out for the University of Alabama Mock Trial Association, but students’ grades will not be affected by successful placement on a team.
This course will introduce students to the breadth of Sustainability as a subject and will serve as a vehicle for further student research into specific topics within the context of Sustainability. The challenges faced now - both the existential threat of climate change and the unprecedented opportunities for transformation that threat offers - flow directly from the urgent need to understand what it means to be responsibly human. The nature of these questions and concerns are fundamental to all of us and cut across all disciplines and all courses of study. Regardless of their majors, this seminar will strengthen students' ability to recognize and appreciate the power of connection, and will encourage them to be empowered by complexity, rather than overwhelmed by it.
This is a service learning field experience course conducted by the Honors College Engage Tuscaloosa office. The service learning experience is a learning vehicle for the Honors students to be exposed to and learn about educational issues within multiple segments of our surrounding communities. UA students will work with pupils in local elementary, middle or high schools for 8-12 hours during the semester in a variety of educational settings and subject areas. Honors students will receive training during class time on the specific work to be done in the service learning experience, on how to work with school-aged children and how to be an effective mentor.
Students will understand the philosophy of education as it relates to the delivery of curriculum and pedagogy. Students will be trained on and practice the fundamentals of mentoring. Students will be required to spend 25 hours in Tuscaloosa City and County Public School Systems (background check required). Students will be specifically working with 6th grade classes delivering space exploration and rocketry curriculum.
Students will understand the philosophy of education as it relates to the delivery of curriculum and pedagogy. Students will be trained on and practice the fundamentals of mentoring. Students will be required to spend 25 hours in Tuscaloosa City and County Public School Systems (background check required). This course is meant to bring STEM ideas and innovations to elementary school students.
Class is for those students who have completed UH 180, and who return to take positions of leadership, sometimes as editors, working with groups of new students in that class to assist with writing, photography, graphic design, online and website work and social media. Students will be expected to develop original stories or projects that are more sophisticated and complex than their UH 180 work. Students will work with the aid of student editors and UA staff/faculty advisers.
How do writers, and journalists-as-writers, see revolutions (some well known, some not so much) and what role do they play in them? Students will examine writers (some well known, some not so much), their lives, their texts, their words, rhetoric and arguments, address their effects on revolutionary and/or cultural change, and set these writers and their works within their broader economic, social, cultural, and political contexts. Are they archivists or activists? Do they help trigger and/or sustain revolutions, or help understand them, or both? And what have they left to help understand modern political and cultural pressures that hint at radicalism or revolution?.
In this course, students will explore, debate, and analyze a range of cultural controversies that made headlines during the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. The course is organized thematically; focusing on a specific theme for each unit, discussion and analysis will afford opportunities for cross-thematic examination as well as exploration of other related cultural issues.
Global Citizenship encompasses the knowledge of nations, cultures, and societies in a complex, interdependent, and changing world. Introducing students to historical and contemporary global challenges of citizenship, this course explores comparative arenas of interaction, interdependence, and inequity among diverse geographical, social, political, and economic systems. The class will investigate questions of citizenship, membership, and belonging, asking, “What does it mean to be a citizen?” “Who is entitled to the rights, privileges and responsibilities of membership within the citizenry?” “What are the differential effects and impact of globalization in its myriad sub-forms – cultural, social, economic and political – on notions of global citizenship?” To answer these questions the course focuses on a number of distinct but related social and political issues: citizenship, nationalism, migration, and cosmopolitanism.
Students will explore scholarship about peer mentoring in the college setting, developing an understanding of the practice of mentoring and the purpose of their role as mentors within the Honors College. The course will provide the theoretical framework for the interrogation and implementation of mentoring and expose students to the various mentoring options in the Honors College. Students will also develop the skills necessary for facilitating group discussion.
In this six day, one-credit hour field experience course, students will serve as peer leaders for the Honors Action Program. They will help immerse freshmen students in the foundations of the Honors College and community engagement. Peer leaders co-lead the creation and implementation of a community engagement project. This will involve planning before the week-long program in coordination with HYO faculty and staff and Honors Action Student Leadership Team. The week of the program, peer mentors will implement these projects with the freshmen, attend the lectures, and serve as small group discussion leaders.
What is a scholar? Honors Connections/Engagement (UH 100) attempts to answer this question by introducing first-year students to the UA Honors College experience. UH 200, Life as a Scholar, explores the topic by interrogating the relationship of higher education to lifelong learning. UH 301, HCS Creative and Innovative Inquiry, builds on earlier curricular experiences by integrating and applying the ontological and epistemological modalities of Honors education in wholly new ways. Students are led through an exploration of diverse forms of inquiry and ways of knowing surrounding problems and projects of academic and cultural significance. The course explores these topics through a transdisciplinary, creative, and deeply personal lens, focusing on inquiry as connection, provocation, critical wondering, investigation, reflection, representation, and transformation. Using these understandings of inquiry as a foundation, students will develop research proposals around ideas and questions which, given often abstract and multilayered complexities, are not easily explained solely by traditional or western forms of inquiry.
What does it mean to think in a transdisicplinary way? What does it mean to be transdisciplinary? How does a transdisciplinary approach to education and the world make you a better scholar? How does it make you a better person? By building from the knowledges gained in UH 100 and UH 200, this course will prepare students for future experiences such as capstone projects/theses, graduate school, and professional life by examining the philosophical foundations and justifications of transdisciplinarity, as well as its practical applications in life both inside, and outside, of academia. Transdisciplinarity is, at its root, a commitment to creative and bold problem solving. This course will prepare students for how to practice such skills after their undergraduate careers.
This course examines representations of colleges and universities in media and popular culture. Using various forms of media including films, TV shows, novels, news outlets, trade publications, plays, podcasts, Ted Talks, music, etc., this course will examine topics including students, Greek life, athletics, faculty members, graduate school, and more to understand discourse regarding higher education in the United States from various disciplinary perspectives. The course considers the possibility that, beyond entertainment value, representations of college convey a perceived reality of what student and faculty life looks like as well as the status of higher education in the United States. This course will question those portrayals and discuss how they inform and/or miseducate various populations by comparing them with the everyday realities of students, faculty, and institutions in order to become more critical of the media and public messages students consume.
Stanley Kubrick said in an interview for Full Metal Jacket that "truth is too multifaceted to be contained in a five line summary", but here's to trying. Stanley Kubrick, director of such notable films as 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Shining, and the aforementioned Full Metal Jacket, among others, was an inveterate reader who practically could not make a film until he was an expert on the subjects he was dealing with. As such, this course will take a similarly broad approach, drawing on theoretical works from philosophy, psychology, social criticism and others, to study the one true subject Kubrick was eternally a student of--human nature. Is there such a thing, and what features define it? Like Danny Torrance in The Shining, students will draw on knowledge from the past, present and, though they can't "shine", from potential futures, to work their way through the labyrinthian mystery that is the human race.
This course seeks to answer two questions: “What do Americans fear, and what can we learn about American culture after studying that fear?” Americans have always, and perhaps now more than ever, maintained deep fear. Fear of the unknown. Of science. Of technology. Of others. Of terrorism. Of gun violence. Of viruses. Of each other. Answering such questions demands a transdisciplinary approach to fear. Therefore, students will use trauma theory, psychology, science, race theory, historical analysis, philosophy, rhetoric studies, sociology, film criticism, and gender theory to analyze fear from a variety of disciplines. The class is organized around a series of texts that depict and address American fears since the Great Depression, and students will be asked to analyze and then debate the causes of such fears. 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 course explores examples of how the world’s best, most admired leaders not only survive and thrive in today’s rapidly changing world, but also create and innovate by leading their teams using the same principles and philosophies that jazz musicians do. Students will explore how these principles, philosophies, and actions, at the core of jazz music and culture, can help students become a better, more successful leader, and to be more stable in an increasingly unstable world.
This hands-on course provides an introduction to the concepts, aesthetics, and techniques of contemporary book arts. The class will explore fundamental elements of bookbinding and unique artistic book structures, and students will create work that has a narrative for the viewer. Students will discover a variety of contemporary artist book structures, develop basic hand skills, and consider how content and book structure work together in artists’ books. Assignments will be given to further students’ understanding of the book and its potential for artistic expression.
Carl Sagan wrote “If you wish to bake an apple pie from scratch, first you must create the universe.” The same might be said of “explaining” an artist’s work; one must understand the “universe” of ideas and experiences that “baked” the work from scratch. This is perhaps even more true of filmmakers, who work in a medium that inherently synthesizes knowledge from a vast array of fields. In this class students will try to figure out the recipes behind the works of Jordan Peele, Steve McQueen, and Satoshi Kon, three of the most interesting filmmakers in recent memory, by exploring ideas from across a spectrum of disciplines.
This courses focuses on the history, literature, iconography, and sacred practices of the Judeo-Christian tradition. Texts under study may vary at instructor’s discretion, but will generally include readings from the Hebrew and Christian scriptures, Augustine’s Confessions, Dante’s Commedia, Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, and Milton’s Paradise Lost. 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 course focuses on developments in Western thinking from the Renaissance to the present day. Authors to be studied will invariably change at the instructor’s discretion, but students should expect to read and become familiar with the works of Shakespeare, Descartes, Pascal, Swift, Hume, Austen, Darwin, Freud, and Woolf. 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 course examines the philosophy of history in seven plays by Shakespeare and numerous theoretical and critical readings, which may include Herodotus, Plato, Holinshed, Hume, and Hegel. 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 seminar will follow the general themes of myth vs. reality in the world of espionage. Students shall focus on spy novels, possibly including the works of Rudyard Kipling, Somerset Maugham, Alan Furst, Graham Greene and John le Carre to develop the spy storyteller’s craft. The texts students shall read will grapple with the moral questions raised in espionage—the manipulation of other human beings, its justification for protecting the national interests of one’s country, the long-term corrosive effects of deceit and clandestinity on the soul of the spymaster, the role of the spy bureaucracy, and the attraction of the game of espionage for its own sake. The works of fiction will be contrasted with the true lives of master spies, possibly including Oleg Penkovsky and Ryszard Kuklinski, as well as double agents— possibly including Dusko Popov, Kim Philby, Aldrich Ames, Robert Hannsen, and Jim Nicholson, posing the question whether the myth of espionage is stranger than the real thing.
This course will survey not only some of the canonical authors of existential philosophy (e.g., Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Sartre), but more importantly, read them in relation to other authors that are not traditionally included, yet who struggle with the problems of existence and, in turn, provide wonderfully rich insights into the human condition. By breaking the boundaries of race and gender, as they are traditionally drawn by existential philosophy, and by including writers such as Ralph Ellison, Frantz Fanon, and Toni Morrison, a richer conversation on the nature of the human condition, as well as the possibilities for “being”, will be presented. The course’s primary objective is to read existential philosophy across race and gender. 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.
What is a political theory of love? What does a politics of love look like? What is it a love of? Country? Justice? Fellow citizens? Should the concept of love serve as a starting point for thinking politically? Or should it, above all other things, be avoided as a starting point for thinking politically? These are just some of the questions that the tradition of political theory, stretching back to Plato’s Republic, has sought to answer in many different ways. This course will explore such questions and some of the ways that they have been approached by various writers. 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 course will explore the intersections between political theory and environmentalism. When these two fields are brought together, there are interesting questions to be asked about humanity’s historically sovereign relation to, and role in, nature: What is the nature of freedom amidst so many environmental crises? How do we alter our value systems to better reflect environmentally sustainable behaviors? Do we pursue revolution or reform? This course will survey the spectrum of Green political theories, including eco-liberalism, eco-socialism, eco-anarchism, eco-feminism, eco-terrorism, etc., and explore the myriad ways people have rethought present and future politics in relation to the environment. 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.
“A Republic If You Can Keep It” was designed to refresh students' memory of the United States Constitution; to enhance students' sensitivity to the importance of preserving and protecting that constitution; to expose students to the economic, political, social and constitutional challenges of our time; and to develop and reflect on possible responses to these challenges. In developing these possible responses, students will draw on the fields of economics, finance, government, political science, law, management, religion and systems theory. 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 course will focus on women’s texts and explore how women form notions of identity and community through the production of various texts, including quilts, gardens, cookbooks, and diaries. Students will question the gendering of particular crafts and how this affects their cultural knowledge and reading of these texts. Major projects for this course will include a biographical/historical sketch, an oral history project, and a final written project. 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 course will examine the texts and traditions of women writers from the American South. Through close reading and writing, students will analyze the use of autobiography in these texts, exploring how writing as a southerner and as a woman shapes one’s work and achievement. Students will read works by some of the most distinguished writers of the last two centuries–including Zora Neale Hurston, Eudora Welty, Alice Walker, and Ellen Douglas, as well as lesser known writers. As students read and write, they will also discuss their own experiences of the South, its people, and its narratives and how they choose to interact with them. 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 course will explore the literary and historical development of American Dream(s) through narratives in American Literature. This course will engage with narratives throughout American history focusing on the narrative's power to define and develop social norms but also enact social change. Students will develop a vocabulary for discussing the relationships between narratives and social change and analyze written and oral narratives and the cultural and historical contexts that surround them. Students will concentrate specifically on narratives of marginalized people in American Literature. This course will examine how narratives are used to create connections, educate, inform, and inspire readers/listeners/viewers. 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 course surveys the deep historicity, the cultural diversity, and the political-economic complexity of contemporary African societies from the early post- independence period to the present day. This course will examine the Atlantic slave trade, colonialism and African nationalism as foregrounded historical events that have shaped modern Africa while also insightfully examining them from Africana perspectives and standpoints. The range of themes considered within the course include: the status of African development and democracy in a global era, modern innovation in Africa and its effect on African societies, western constructions of Africanity, the role of gender in the experiences of ordinary men and women; the nature of authority in indigenous polities; the ongoing effects of the European scramble for Africa and African responses; contemporary cultural expressions; and the economic, social, and political realities and challenges of modern global Africa.
Paul Gilroy’s The Black Atlantic: Modernity and Double Consciousness (1995) explores the global Black experience and Black identity formations through a transatlantic frame. Gilroy’s thesis argues that contemporary black identity constructions are a result of ongoing processes of travel and exchange between Africa, Europe, and the ‘New World’ during earlier periods of capital accumulation (transatlantic slavery and colonialism). This course disrupts Gilroy’s thesis, repositioning the focus, temporally and spatially, eastward. Students will examine often underexplored relations and routes of passage and exchange between the African continent and the peoples of Japan, China, India, the Pacific Islands, the Middle East, among other nations. The course may alternately consider any of the following propositions: (a) historical and contemporary Africa-Asia (Africa-China) relations, (b) the reasons for dispersal and processes of creating new Afro-Asian identity formations, or (c) issues of cultural continuity, nostalgia, solidarities, and belonging between Africana and Asian communities.
This course introduces three distinguished symbolic figures for the commitment to faith, peace, and justice: Gandhi, Bonhoeffer, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Building on the studies on life, achievements, and doctrines of the three selected historical persons, students will look at contemporary conflicts and reflect about what they may be able to take away from the historical conflicts for their solutions.
How did the United States, founded as colonies with profoundly religious aspirations, come to be the first modern state whose commitment to the separation of church and state was reflected in its constitution? From the election of 1800, when Federalist clergymen considered Deist Thomas Jefferson unfit to lead a “Christian nation,” to today, when religion again plays an unmistakable role in political identity, it has been a crucial and constant element in American politics. This seminar is meant to reconstruct the complicated connections of religion and politics in American history in order to enable the participants to develop a well reflected and solid position in this embattled field.
The class will focus on issues that divide Americans where they live, work, study, worship, and vote. These issues arise due to the demographics of age, sex, nationality, and race. Students will seek to identify the history of the divisive issues as they arise from ethical, economic, social, geographic, and moral conditions. Students will research each topic, analyze various “think tank” approaches to each issue, and interview persons involved in the divisive issues. This analysis will be reduced to a bullet point paper of the major issues. The class will identify and discuss through collaborative discussions the bullet point issues both nationally and in states. Students will face off in class discussions of transdisciplinary solutions to each divisive issue as they face their unrecognized biases that often dictate beliefs.
In both national and local governments, lobbying scandals make the news. Public corruption in national and state governments have caused public distrust in our democracy. Three impeached Presidents, a Vice President and two removed Speakers of the House of Representatives in Congress and convicted Congressmen were but a prelude for corruption and scandals in the states. Two Alabama Governors were convicted of corruption while the Speaker of the House was convicted from a 23-count indictment. South Carolina, Illinois, Texas, Louisiana and many other states have experienced similar misdeeds. Lobbyists have replaced the press as the 4th influence on politics, why? What do they all have in common?.
This class seeks to introduce Honors College students to questions of truth, validity, ethics, subjectivity, and form that ground social science. It will do so by exploring the philosophical foundations of qualitative inquiry, popular and critical methodological traditions, and the methods and processes students might use to engage in research. Students will think with the theories that inform qualitative research while also reading and exploring transdisciplinary qualitative work in order to develop a research proposal for their own qualitative study, which they might implement in their discipline, during graduate education, or as a culminating honors experience. No previous experience with qualitative inquiry or social science research is required for success in this course.
This course explores the connection between medicine and literature, largely (but not exclusively) through the works of a selection of well-known doctors-turned-writers. How does the practice of medicine, with its diagnostic emphasis, its balance of rationality and empathy, and its relentless proximity to human weakness and mortality affect the doctor/writer’s literary and philosophical concerns? Conversely, how might the reflective, imaginative craft of writing influence the practice of medicine? More specific questions to be explored might include: how do William Carlos Williams’ twin vocations of rural doctor and poet set him apart from his literary contemporaries? How might the archetypal characters of Holmes and Watson represent the balance doctors must strike between reason and empathy in the stories of Arthur Conan Doyle? What happens when a doctor becomes a patient? How does it change the way they approach mortality? Why is illness such a powerful cultural and literary metaphor?.
Free Speech vs. Cancel Culture, Right to Life vs. Right to Choose, Gun Control vs. Gun Rights. It all boils down to my freedom vs. your freedom – or does it? The current polarized, political rhetoric surrounding “American freedoms” would have people believe this either/or approach to what it means to be free and to be a citizen of a democratic society is just the way it is. This course will examine traditional and modern texts to consider the nature and power of freedom as a moral concept that has informed our contemporary understandings of the self and citizenship. Using collaborative research and deliberative dialogue experiential learning practices, students will engage the ethical and civic dimensions of how they think and talk about freedom.
This is a service learning field experience course conducted by the Honors College Engage Tuscaloosa office and is a follow up to the UH 270 field experience for students who are interested in a more in-depth experience. This service learning opportunity is meant to enhance the prior learning experience of the Honors students by challenging them to look deeply at not only educational issues, but social issues within multiple segments of our surrounding communities and state. UA students will continue to work with pupils in local elementary, middle or high schools for 10-12 hours during the semester in a variety of educational settings and subject areas. Honors students will receive additional training during class time on the specific work to be done in the service learning experience, on how to work with school-aged children and how to be an effective mentor.
The course will serve as a Leadership/Mentoring course that is connected to the Tuscaloosa Rocketry Challenge Project. Students in this course will be expected to provide leadership and mentoring for the students in UH 272 as well as students in the K-12 public school system. Students will be required to spend 25 hours in Tuscaloosa City and County Public School Systems (background check required). Students will be specifically working as mentors for UH 272 Tuscaloosa Rocketry Challenge.
The course will serve as a Leadership/Mentoring course that is connected to the STEM Outreach course, UH 273. Students in this course will be expected to provide leadership and mentoring for the students in STEM Outreach, as well as students in the K-12 public school system. Students will be required to spend 25 hours in Tuscaloosa City and County Public School Systems (background check required). Students will be specifically working as mentors for STEM Outreach.
This course is a continuation of Mosaic class UH 280. Students return to take positions as highest level of leadership (e.g. Editor-in-Chief, Executive Editor, Managing Editor). Students will make editorial and management decisions (e.g. theme of Mosaic work for the semester, subjects to address, deadlines, assignments, choice of editors, editing decisions, what to run and what not to run, editing instructions, Style, work priorities, work loads, publications times and dates, and approve content, designs and layouts. Students will work with the aid of student editors and UA staff/faculty advisers.
Gossip and rumor are essential, powerful and subversive forms of human communication, yet their roles in society are commonly overlooked, dismissed or trivialized. This class examines their history, morality, psychology, vital agency in social change, commercialization and ethics, the mass media’s amplification of them and their role in our closest circles, workplaces and organizations. This class will also look to their future given the immense impact of social media on interpersonal communication. 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.
English radical Thomas Paine (1737-1809), writer and thinker but more writer than thinker, is author of the most influential and distinctly “American” revolutionary ideals and roadmaps, best selling author of the 18th century, a significant factor in both the American and French Revolutions and pioneer of modern democracy. This class will look at his life, character, times, influences, ideas, works and legacy and compare him to other revolutionary writers. 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 Honors Year One program provides Honors College students the opportunity to serve as peer mentors for incoming Honors College freshmen. Mentors for UH 100 will lead small group discussions and assist first-semester students in developing an awareness of the Honors College, the university, and the greater community. During preparation classes, mentors will develop leadership, teamwork, and inclusivity skills and discuss different tactics for mentoring and what roles mentors play in the transition of first-semester freshmen. During small group discussions with freshmen, mentors will put to practice this work and help first-semester freshmen practice the key concepts of engaged scholarship, including critical and creative thinking, ethical and empathetic dialogue, and collaborative and inclusive leadership.
Honors Year One Mentors for UH 110 will serve as discussion leaders and peer mentors for first-year students in the Honors College have completed at least one semester on campus. Mentors will assist these freshman students in continuing to develop an a sense of belonging and purpose in the Honors College, the university, and the greater community. During preparation classes, mentors will develop leadership, teamwork, and inclusivity skills, discuss mentoring and their role in the HYO program, and analyze the developmental stages for students in their first-year of study. During small group discussions, mentors will put to practice this work and help first year students practice the key concepts of engaged scholarship, including critical and creative thinking, ethical and empathetic dialogue, and collaborative and inclusive leadership.
In this six day, one-credit hour course, students will serve as peer mentors for the Honors Action Program. They will help introduce freshman students to the foundations of the Honors College and community engagement and also take the lead on a project with a first year Action leader, mentoring a first year Action leader as they work together in a pair to plan and conduct the service project. Action peer mentors will take part in service learning project creation and planning before the week-long program in coordination HYO faculty and staff and Honors Action Student Leadership Team. The week of the program, peer mentors will implement these projects with the freshmen, attend the lectures, and serve as small group discussion leaders.
Students work on an independent project with a faculty supervisor.
In “Signature Work,” students will integrate and apply the whole of their Honors learning experience to complex problems and projects that are important to the student and important to society. Students will also participate in a research and methods seminar in which Honors faculty offer support to student projects and in which students have the opportunity to discuss work-in-progress with their peers.
Research on a topic chosen by the student in consultation with a qualified faculty supervisor pertaining to an honors thesis. A proposal outlining the thesis project must be approved prior to registration.
Research on a topic chosen by the student in consultation with a qualified faculty supervisor culminating in an honors thesis. A proposal outlining the thesis project must be approved prior to registration.
College of Human Environmental Sciences Courses
The study of current principles in the prevention; examination, assessment and diagnosis; immediate and emergency care; and therapeutic intervention of injuries and illnesses.
The study and practice of clinical skills in the prevention; examination, assessment and diagnosis; immediate and emergency care; and therapeutic intervention of injuries and illnesses. Directed observations under the guidance of BOC certified athletic trainers.
The discussion and practice of skills and techniques in the emergency response to injuries and illnesses. Includes emergency assessment, first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation for infants, children and adults and AED use.
Study and discussion of topics and clinical skills related to the prevention; examination, assessment and diagnosis; immediate and emergency care; and therapeutic intervention of injuries and illnesses. Introduction to healthcare administration.
This course is a review of external and internal forces on the body. It will explore both the statics and dynamics of motion including kinetics and kinematics. This course will also explore a variety of issues of human movement related to exercise/sport and injury.
Acquisition, evaluation, synthesis and application of clinical skills in the prevention; examination, assessment and diagnosis; immediate and emergency care; and therapeutic intervention of injuries and illnesses. Clinical experiences under the direct supervision of BOC Certified and Alabama Licensed Athletic Trainers.
This course allows students to explore, develop and refine their personal values and ethical foundations as they relate to the psychosocial aspects of healthcare and professional practice. Special emphasis is placed on the psychology of injury and catastrophe, recognition of psychological conditions, counseling and intervention strategies, and the utilization of mental imagery and other psychological skills. Exploration of professionalism, leadership, communication, diversity, inter-relationships between patients, families and the medical community, stress management, burnout, and ethical questions associated with injury, sport and general healthcare also are discussed.
The acquisition and application of advanced literature search and scientific literature interpretation skills. The refinement of scientific writing skills as they relate to the development and completion of a scientific proposal paper. 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 course is designed to present up-to-date information regarding the human physiological response to exercise, as well as the applied aspects of strength and conditioning and the scientific principles that guide this practice. Students will gain knowledge in how to perform pre-exercise assessments, develop appropriate exercise training programs based on these assessments, as well as lead and demonstrate safe and effective methods of exercise by the application of the primary theories and principles of exercise science. This course will also introduce methods of patient assessment and reducing the risk of injury. A combination of lecture and practical class sessions will be used.
Acquisition, evaluation, synthesis and application of clinical, research and teaching skills in athletic training with an emphasis on clinical question development and the incorporation of evidence based practice in resolving clinical questions and developing and implementing patient care plans. Clinical experiences under the direct supervision of allied medical and medical professionals in a range of patient care settings.
Directed internship in a health care facility for the senior athletic training student.
Independent study of skills and topics in athletic training for the senior athletic training student.
Students are expected to demonstrate basic proficiency in the word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet tools as well as other emerging productivity tool sets. Specific emphasis is placed on introducing skills and uses related to data storage applications, basic technology privacy and security issues, mobile device applications, social media, communications technology, and work-place applications. Students exit this class with a basic introduction to each topic and other emerging topics deemed relevant for today’s digital citizens, consumers, and professionals.
This introduction to personal finance is ideal for freshmen and sophomores who are building financial capability. Personal budgeting and money management strategies, the responsible use of credit, automobile and home decisions faced by emerging adults, saving for near and distant goals, and fundamentals of investing are covered. Discussions incorporate current and historical social, economic, and political developments that influence today's consumers.
Management of human, material, and environmental resources to accomplish value-based goals. Highlights importance of decision making to achieve satisfaction and improve quality of life across the family life cycle.
The course presents financial planning within the context of the family life cycle and the consumer decision-making framework. It provides an overview of topics such as family financial goal setting, budgeting, risk management, savings, and investments.
This course covers the same material as CSM 204 but in a depth appropriate for honors students. Foundational financial planning concepts are addressed within the context of the family life course and the consumer decision-making framework. Topics include financial goal setting, budgeting, risk management, savings, and investments. Financial planning and financial counseling careers are also introduced.
Skill building and practical methods for handling organizational and personal conflicts. Appropriate for students who have no formal preparation in managing conflict, and for those who need grounding in basic interpersonal communication and management skills, such as rapport building, empathic listening, behavior modeling, reframing, problem solving, and decision making.
This course teaches students to accurately identify and express emotions, and to develop and improve the emotional intelligence skills essential to managing conflict successfully. Students are directed through a series of self-evaluations to determine their current skill levels, learn the characteristics of specific skills, and apply and model the new learning. Students learn to break the habit of emotional reactivity and to model emotional proactivity.
The focus of this course is to develop a better understanding of the Time Value of Money concept and the types of financial calculations that will be required in courses such as Introduction to Investment Planning, Asset Management, Retirement Planning and the Capstone Course in Financial Planning.
An introduction to the role of consumers in society. Historical, theoretical, and practical consumer decision making concepts provide a foundation for understanding consumer decisions in markets. Emphasis is on how consumers make decisions in the marketplace; consumer choice frameworks; information search; consumer protection; and rational choice.
This community-based learning course will prepare students to solve the financial and economic challenges of vulnerable households. Students will be equipped with skills related to managing cash flow, credit and debt, savings, and insurance. This course prepares students for careers in a variety of fields, including financial services, community organizations, public policy, and social work.
Principles of consumer-oriented marketing management with emphasis on consumer decision-making theory and practice.
Supervised experiences in the areas of consumer affairs or family financial planning with government, business, or industry.
Laws and agencies affecting the consumer's well-being, sources of consumer information, discussion of current consumer issues. 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.
A detailed analysis of U.S. public policy, recognizing the broader social and economic impacts of selected policies. Students will develop a better understanding of how and why specific policies are implemented and assess the strengths and weaknesses of different policy structures.
Provides an overview of the American financial system with emphasis on financial service providers, products and markets. Includes a 6-day tour of New York's financial district, presentations by financial professionals, team activities, assignments and stock market analysis.
This course builds on Personal Investment Planning and Management I with a focus on the valuation of investments and the management of investment portfolios. Financial securities analyzed include equities, derivatives, fixed income, and alternative investments.
An in-depth study of the functions and structures of customer relations as it relates to business and government agencies. Analysis of consumer needs, complaints, and education.
This course provides skill building and practical methods for handling organizational and personal conflicts. Appropriate for the student who has received no formal preparation in managing conflict, and also for the professional who is educated in conflict theory and negotiation strategy, but needs grounding in basic interpersonal communication and management skills, such as rapport building, empathic listening, behavior modeling, reframing, problem solving, and decision making.
This course teaches students to accurately identify and express emotions, and to develop and improve the emotional intelligence skills essential to managing conflict successfully. Students are directed through a series of self-evaluations to determine their current skill levels, learn the characteristics of specific skills, and apply and model the new learning. Students learn to break the habit of emotional reactivity and to model emotional proactivity.
This course deepens students' understanding of negotiation skills that can be used across a variety of settings. Students explore best practices in negotiation and learn to identify and apply optimal strategies. The dynamics of negotiating across diverse cultures and contexts are also examined.
The study of family law for non-lawyers. Topics include marriage, divorce, custody, child support, alimony and property division, and the role of alternative dispute resolution in the family law setting, including mediation, private judges, and collaborative practice. Students will acquire a general understanding of legal terms, resources, and the legal system and its adversarial proceedings.
An innovative study of financial behaviors and their relationship to money management with emphasis placed on both theory and its application.
An in-depth look at leadership principles, qualities, styles, and models with a focus on developing leadership skills and potential within the individual students. Designed to assist students in identifying opportunities for improvement.
In this course students will develop skills for strategic social media marketing and engagement. They will explore and utilize techniques for integrating social media marketing campaigns that serve as listening and outreach tools in building brand awareness. This course will provide a framework for online brand management and promotion for careers and majors in the college of Human Environmental Sciences.
The course encompasses a collection of technical skills beyond basic computer applications; content is focused on the use of technology in real-world contexts, such as the digital consumer society and digital workplaces. Students are expected to demonstrate applied proficiency in word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet tools (by major) as well as other emerging productivity tool sets. Students exit this class with a variety of experiences in the use of personal technologies as well as those which might be encountered in a digital workplace; these may include applied privacy and security defense strategies, organizational applications, mobile device applications, and cloud-computing as applied in case studies and/or project-based activities. Basic computer-use proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
The primary content consists of student skills to live and work in a digital environment by developing technological skills in use and application of digital tools, such as sophisticated mobile device applications, computer-mediated collaboration, content management, social media and personal branding strategies, and cloud-based applications. Students develop or refine their virtual presence using current and appropriate tools. Course activities include writing assignments to meet the W requirement, but these will be integrated into other topics within the 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.
This course will focus on developing students’ ability to understand consumer demographics and impacts from these demographic changes. The course will cover basic concepts and measurement issues of demography as it relates to consumer and families. This class will also develop student’s ability to adapt to changing trends in a dynamic world. 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.
Introductory research methods emphasizing non-experimental research designs. Examples and exercises are drawn from real-world research applications that inform consumer behavior and policy. Topics include: research design, measurement, sampling, data management, descriptive statistics, data visualization, and statistical inference.
The focus of this course is to develop a working knowledge of Microsoft Excel as it may be used to analyze problems related to personal financial planning. The course emphasizes life-cycle planning and computer literacy. The course is designed to help students in becoming better prepared for the actual workplace environment. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
This course explores the indicators, causes, and impact of financial stress and problems on individual’s and family's well-being. The course emphasizes the fundamentals of counseling, communication, and ethics for those working in professional settings to help individuals from different backgrounds achieve personal financial goals as well as the workplace in general. 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.
A systems approach to financial management for individuals and families from the perspective of planner/counselor. Focuses on analytical techniques. Emphasizes identification and development of strategies for meeting client goals. This course should be taken during the last semester of the degree curriculum.
This course will provide an interactive exploration of management skills that enable an individual to effectively communicate, build and lead teams, delegate, make presentations and manage priorities to achieve success.
Offers sound advice and vital practical help on developing an idea into a business on the Internet, addressing areas of specialization in human environmental sciences.
An in-depth study of principled, interest-based negotiation, which replaces adversarial approaches with problem-solving. Students formulate a personal strategy of thoughtful introspection with the goal of satisfying interests on all sides of a conflict and strengthening relationships among conflict partners.
Open to qualified undergraduates with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher. Individualized work may be selected in the areas of consumer affairs, consumer economics, and financial planning and counseling.
Under faculty supervision, student will participate in a research project.
An introduction to fundamental design theories, the elements, and principles of design, design problem-solving and research methods, and design software. Students will develop an understanding of how design shapes the human experience through hands-on two-dimensional and three-dimensional design projects. Minimum Grade of C-required.
Introduction to the interior design profession through a variety of assignments utilizing the design process, design theory, and interior graphic communication methods.
An introduction to the business of fashion with focus on the apparel designer's role. Open to students in the Apparel Design concentration only. Minimum grade of C- required.
An introduction to achromatic and contemporary color graphics media used in sketching, rendering and design drawings, with emphasis on schematics used in problem solving and rapid rendering techniques for interior delineation.
Emphasis is on the development of the fashion figure, design details, fabric rendering, flats, customer profile analysis, and collection development. In addition, students using advanced computer design software, create original digital design layouts of their work. Two lectures, one laboratory.
Introduction to interior surface materials and resources used in the interior environment including aesthetics, application, and maintenance.
Fundamentals of residential interior design focusing on presentation methods and hand drawing. An exploration of universal design, sustainability, and programming.
Introduction to apparel producer-retailer relationships. Emphasis on quality control and time management in meeting apparel specifications through application of apparel construction, fitting, and pattern alteration principles. Two laboratories.
Team approach to apparel product development including market research, design concepts, garment specification writing, sourcing, costing, production, quality control, and promotional materials. Two laboratories.
Building construction for interior design with emphasis on architectural procedures and systems including electrical, plumbing, lighting, acoustical, and thermal control.
This course will provide students with a basic understanding of computer software applications and project documentation commonly used in interior design. Software introduced includes Photoshop, InDesign, Sketchup, and 3D Studio Max. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Characteristics of the textile industry, fibers, yarns, fabric construction, and finishes. Selection, care, and performance characteristics of fibers and fabric applications for environments.
Characteristics of the textile industry, fibers, yarns, fabric construction, and finishes. Selection, care, and performance characteristics of fibers and fabric applications for the interior environment.
Organization, promotion methods, and interrelationship of the textiles, apparel, and retailing industries. Includes consumer demand and diffusion of fashion. Minimum grade of C-.
This class provides an overview of theories and techniques for identifying and utilizing consumer, aesthetic, and quantitative trends. Survey understanding the methods for determining past, current, and future trends within and between the disciplines of forecasting - textiles, color, and style forecasting.
To provide experiences which will increase the students' knowledge of modern furniture, textiles, artwork, and architecture through a variety of learning experiences. A review of 20th century furniture design, class discussions, an assigned research paper and presentation, the design of a chair, area rug, or luminaire, travel for attendance at a professional conference and extended field trip to distinctive design venues, as well as presentations by professionals, are among the varied learning options presented in this course.
A course designed to provide new and diverse experiences to increase understanding of the fashion, apparel, and textile-related industries through design, merchandising and retailing venues in the four major fashion capitals of the world (New York, London, Paris, and Milan). Range of learning environments promoted, including class discussions, company profile reports, assigned readings, journaling and presentations by professionals in the fashion industries of the four cities.
Using the latest computerized design systems, students create original designs, repeats, colorways, and coordinates targeting specific markets. Emphasis is on the creative use of advanced software, awareness of industry trends and the development of an original portfolio of digitally produced designs.
Introduces contemporary display techniques, equipment, and materials for designing three-dimensional product presentations within the retail environment. Using advanced computer software, students create and execute original visual programs.
Study of the furnishings, interior treatments, and life spaces characteristic of selected styles from antiquity to the present.
Exploration of internship possibilities and requirements, development of job-search skills and internship placement.
Design of interior environments for persons with special needs such as health care, rehabilitation, education, and congregate-care interiors. Cabinet and millwork design.
Planning and design of interior spaces, such as restaurants and hotels; project management; design and specification of interior architectural materials and furnishings.
Philosophy and organization of professional practice of interior design; studio management, contracts, budgets, specifications, and professional organizations. Discussion of various certifications such as LEED, EDAC, & NCIDQ.
Introduction to computer-aided design applications within the field of interior design.
Dedicated to the study and completion of a student portfolio.
Application of computer technology to apparel design and product development. Encompasses garment technical sketching, specification package creation, line sheet development, and customer analysis. Incorporates both 2D and 3D design technologies. Two laboratories.
Principles and procedures governing the development and use of basic working (Block/Sloper) patterns. Use of manual flat pattern methods to develop patterns. Emphasis on the design process culminating in the designing of original apparel by the flat pattern method.
Techniques of creating a pattern or garment by working in 3-D by draping on a dress form are applied in the execution of original design.
This course will provide students with a basic understanding of the environmental psychology of design, human behavior and movement, the culture and fashion of the focal country, and the effect these systems have on elements of design. This course provides a structure by which students can partake in a focused study of the built environment and design trends in the focal country, within the framework of environmental design. These ideas are presented in a format that also develops the students’ writing skills as one mode of communication within Interior Design. 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. Such proficiency includes the ability to write coherent, logical, and carefully edited prose.
This course will provide students with a basic understanding of environmental psychology of design, human behavior and movement, the culture and fashion of the focal country, and the effect these systems have on elements of design. This course provides a structure by which students can partake in a focused study of the built environment in the focal country, within the framework of environmental design.
This course provides a comprehensive study of the merchandising process including apparel buying and planning, elements of financial analysis, application of planning and buying principles, the wholesale selling process, and the development of problem-solving skills in the context of a merchandising environment. Minimum overall GPA 2.0.
Integration of the theory, techniques, and art of lighting design; principles, terminology, and equipment used in light distribution systems in the interior environment.
This course provides students with an in-depth exploration of the field of global e-commerce. Students examine how business strategies and fundamental technologies are used in fashion e-commerce and how managers can effectively use digital commerce to execute their organization’s strategic plans.
Focus on professional development and profit analysis. Exploration of internship possibilities and requirements, development of job-search skills, and internship placement. Enrollment open to students applying for fashion retailing internships. Minimum overall GPA 2.0.
This course examines traditional and digital marketing strategy, implementation, and executional considerations for fashion brands. It provides a detailed understanding of all marketing channels and platforms for fashion brands and retailers.
Study of the history of textiles emphasizing the influence of cultural factors. 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 study of original textile design by handloom weaving, including yarn selection, warp yarn preparation, dressing the loom, interpretation of weave drafts, loom-controlled and finger weaving techniques, and methods of finishing loom projects. Hand spinning and dyeing of wool yarns with natural dyes in an outdoor setting are also included. These hand-dyed yarns are used in a loomed project. For those interested drafting by computer software, working with “Weave It-Pro”- may be included.
This class centers around research methods, design theory, and communication. 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. Offered in the spring semester.
Experience in interior design or related business under supervision of advisor and the business management. Offered during the summer session.
Problems in design of the home environment; individual and group problem solving. Emphasis is on historic preservation principles and practices for interior designers.
Application of Design theory in solutions for complex interior spaces. Projects require implementation of all phases of the design process. The course examines contemporary, social, and cultural influences on design theory and its application within the interior design profession.
This course will provide students with an introduction to software applications for interior design problem-solving and project documentation utilizing AutoCAD Revit. Skills are presented in a format that emphasized the use of the computer as a creative tool, developing computing skills relevant to the design industry. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Impact of cultural dynamics on apparel and textile production and marketing. This course focuses on foundational concepts and organizational systems to understand culture and the role it plays in consumer choice. Case studies are used to illustrate the interpretation of culture and dress. Minimum 61 hours.
Study of the evolution of the textile industry and its products, emphasizing multinational characteristics and contemporary issues. 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.
Costume development from prehistoric to modern times. Study of cultural forces in relation to the evolution of costume. Minimum 61 hours.
This course offers the opportunity for students to develop a deeper and broader understanding of textiles materials and textile testing. It includes use of standard laboratory test methods and statistical data analysis to evaluate the quality of textile products. This class is for qualified Junior and Senior CTD students.
Explore concepts in entrepreneurship with emphasis on retail and service related businesses focused on fashion related merchandise. The course will explore individual mindsets and environmental factors that foster entrepreneurship. Students will evaluate success factors and challenges associated with sole-proprietor, family-owned, home-based, and community businesses. Students will develop a business proposal to address a market need. 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. Writing.
A grade point average of 2.50 or higher is required for the professional courses specified under "Fashion Retailing Concentration for AT Majors" in this catalog. The course involves supervised work experience in a business related to the major field of study.
Independent Study.
Under faculty supervision, the student will participate in a research project.
An introductory survey of basic principles of human development across the life span. Developmental principles are studied within the framework of change and stability in the domains of the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development.HD 101 counts toward the Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement of the UA Core.
An introductory survey of basic principles of human development across the life span. Developmental principles are studied within the framework of change and stability in the domains of the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development. Additional emphasis in the honors section is made to develop critical thinking and research skills as applied to the study of human development. This course counts toward the Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement of the UA Core.
The growth and development of the child from conception to three years of age are studied. Methods used in infant research, practical implications of research, and major theoretical issues and observational techniques are addressed. Three lecture hours, one laboratory hour per week. HD 202 and HD 205 cannot be taken in the same semester.
The growth, development, and guidance of young children from three through eight years of age are studied. Practical implications of research and major theoretical issues and observational techniques are addressed. The importance of play in fostering a broad range of developmental goals for children is stressed. Three lecture hours, one laboratory hour per week. HD 202 and HD 205 cannot be taken in the same semester.
This course is an examination of chemical addiction (e.g.drugs) and behavioral addiction (e.g.,gambling). Theories of addiction, treatment of addiction, and current research on addiction will be discussed.
Focuses on the theory, philosophy and goals of early childhood education. Topics include the role of the teacher and of the environment as they influence children’s learning and what it means to be an early childhood professional. This course provides students with an understanding of the appropriate practices to be used with young children, birth through age 5.
Introduction to the process of research in Human Development and Family Studies. Measurement, research design, and statistics with a heavy emphasis on critical thinking and drawing appropriate conclusions from research.
Provides students with an introduction to the field of child life.
A study of marriage and family relationships from a combination of sociological and psychological perspectives.
Introduction to the theory of and research on development of children ages nine to the early twenties. Special attention is given to major transitions in the cognitive, social, and moral domains, as well as to psychological effects of physical maturation. Influences of the family, the schools, and peer relations on adolescent development are considered.
The principles underlying the selection, use, and value of experiences that appropriately foster concept development and creative expression in young children are examined. Students design and implement developmentally appropriate experiences for young children in a supervised laboratory setting. Three lecture hours and one-and-a-half laboratory hours per week. For majors only.
Second in the sequence in which students examine the principles underlying the selection, use, and value of experiences that foster concept development and creative expression in young children.Students design and implement developmentally appropriate experiences for young children in a supervised laboratory setting. Three lecture hours and one-and-a-half laboratory hours per week. For majors only.
Examination of typical and atypical problems during child and adolescent development. The following will be covered: (1) approaches to conceptualizing, theorizing, studying, assessing, and treating problems in development and (2) prevalence, comorbidity, etiology, and developmental course of specific childhood/adolescent disorders.
The role and developmental value of play, including what can be learned from children’s play, planning appropriate play-based activities, and play in special populations, with particular emphasis on play in children experiencing a healthcare event.
This course provides students with an understanding of the forms, functions, methods, and roles of assessment for planning and implementing effective early childhood programs for young children from diverse cultures and with varied learning needs. The students will gain an understanding of appropriate strategies for conducting, reporting, and decision making related to specific functions of assessment. Students are expected to become competent in the use of authentic assessment strategies to describe each child’s learning strengths and instructional needs.
Development and functioning of the human stress response and self-regulation systems. Addresses bi-directional links between problem behavior and stress/trauma and strategies for promoting healthy stress response system functioning in children, individuals, and families.
Examination of essential skills in addiction counseling including screening, assessment, referral, crisis intervention, counseling skills, case management skills, and ethics.
Explores the changing nature and dynamics of parent-child relationships. Implications for parenting strategies and parent education are included.
No description available.
This course provides students a support mechanism to facilitate reflection and performance assessment through regularly scheduled seminars during teacher internship.
This course is designed to understand race and ethnicity in its political, social and historical context. Since the culture in which we are raised as children and youth greatly influences our attitudes, beliefs, values and behaviors, it is important to gain an awareness of the cultural background of our own, as well as others' thoughts, feelings and acts. 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. At the completion of this course, students should be able to recognize and appreciate the emotional and intellectual energies felt by a variety of subculture groups and be able to express this awareness through the written word.
The impact of government policies on youth, adults, and families with addictions will be the focus of this course. The course will examine the intersection of addictions and crime, while exploring the policies and practices of specialty courts such as Juvenile Court, Family Court, Drug Courts and others. In addition, the students will review the current state of the family,family trends, and the implications for family policy. The varied effects that policies and programs can have on different types of families and different aspects of family functioning will be explored. The process of policy formation, implementation, evaluation and advocacy will be reviewed. Finally we will examine current economic and political forces that influence federal and state governments in development and implementation of key areas of legislation, and the impact of such policy on citizens and their families.
Theories of and research on social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development throughout adulthood: young adulthood, middle adult years, and older adult years. 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.
Examination of prevention methods for substance use and addiction. Needs assessment, prevention strategies, program development, and program evaluation will be covered. 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.
Children's centers and programs, including child development and child life programs, are examined and evaluated. Legislation, standards, program planning, and practical aspects of financing, administration, supervision, and management are explored. 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.
Examination of the theoretical basis of the psychosocial care of children, youth, and families in health care settings. The etiology of childhood illness and disease, clinical procedures, communication techniques, and research literature are studied from a developmental perspective. Restricted to HDFS students who have applied and formally been accepted to the concentration in Child Life.
In-depth understanding of contemporary research and practice topics in Early Childhood Education.
In-depth understanding of contemporary research and practice topics in human development and family studies.
In-depth understanding of contemporary research and practice topics in addiction and recovery.
Clinical experiential learning opportunity for child life concentration students to become familiar with the roles of the child life specialist and to develop introductory skills for supporting pediatric patients and their families in clinical settings. Combines observational learning and supervised interactions with pediatric patients to further child life students’ skills and knowledge in offering therapeutic play interventions, completing development and psychosocial assessments, and building rapport with patients and families.
This course is an examination of the impact of substance abuse and addiction on the family as well as the influence of familial factors and family dynamics on addiction and the process of recovery.
Examination of evidence-based treatment for addiction and the process of recovery from addiction.
Designed to give child life students opportunities for in-depth study of issues of grief and bereavement as they impact children and families. An emphasis is placed on theories of grief resolution and applications in health care settings. The class is conducted in a seminar format with out-of-class placements.
The course examines the dynamics of interpersonal interaction related to the development and maintenance of relationships. Current issues and problems are explored and related to marital and family system characteristics.
Examines the principles and methods by which programs for children and families are empirically evaluated.
Current scientific knowledge of physiological, sociological, and psychological factors influencing sexual development and relations.
Opportunities to observe, plan, implement, and evaluate family life education programs. Standards and criteria leading to certified family life educator are overviewed. Professional responsibilities and ethics are emphasized. Writing proficiency within this discipline is required for a passing grade in this course.
Examines philosophy of programs for families and children as well as issues of professional identity and influences on professional and career choices.
Designed to enable students to pursue special needs and interests under supervision.
Designed to enable students to pursue special needs and interests under supervision.
No description available.
Internship experience for students in the child life concentration only. Permission of the instructor required.
Internship experience for students in family life education and advocacy concentration only. Permission of the instructor required.
Internship experience for students in the Adolescence and Youth Development concentration only. Permission of the instructor required.
Designed to help students make the transition to a large comprehensive research university, develop a better understanding of the learning process, and acquire basic academic survival skills.
This course is open to incoming CHES distance learning students and provides an introduction to the nature of higher education and a general orientation to the functions, resources, and activities of The University of Alabama. Students also receive an introduction to the careers within the scope of the family and consumer sciences profession.
Provides students who are interested in becoming one-on-one mentors for at-risk elementary and middle school students with knowledge and skills needed to be successful.
This elective course designed for freshmen and sophomores offers students the opportunity to evaluate themselves, their abilities and interests, their personality characteristics, and their values, in order to begin forming career goals or to complete goals already set. This course will provide students with information on occupational characteristics, the career decision-making process, current issues in the career world, developing employability, job readiness, and job search techniques. Restricted to students outside the College of Human Environmental Sciences.
Encourages volunteerism as a way to develop leadership skills and a sense of responsibility to one's community as advocates for service. Students are provided with a list of nonprofit service agencies in Tuscaloosa, from which they may choose. Students may submit alternative sites for approval by the instructor. Students must provide their own transportation to the volunteer site.
An examination of the multidisciplinary nature of human sciences with an emphasis on identifying and addressing issues through a collaborative framework. Professional development within the context of the discipline and focused on career longevity.
This elective course is designed for juniors and seniors to prepare them for reaching their career goals. The focus of this course will be on helping students match their skills, interests and academic background with a good fit for them in today’s work environment. This course will provide students with information on occupational characteristics, fine tuning their the career decision-making process, current issues in the career world, developing skills for identifying the best career, marketing themselves, applying for jobs/internships, and interviewing techniques to ensure career goals are met.
Prior Learning in HES.
This course is intended to promote a spirit of volunteerism, community service and civic responsibility in the development of leadership skills for the improvement of the larger community. Students gain an understanding of the process for assessing community needs, accessing resources and implementing activities that improve the lives of individuals, families and communities as they complete experiences with non-profit agencies. 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.
Course developed for sport professionals to gain knowledge and understanding of contemporary trends and issues in sport management.
This course explores self-development of the individual and mentoring as a part of leadership development. 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.
Individual study in an area of human environmental studies.
A thoughtful discussion of individual, social, environmental, and political factors that influence personal health and well-being.
The purpose of this course is to help students understand the role of stress in modern lifestyles. The stress process and its relationship to the total concept of health will be examined. The physical and psychological effects of stressors and individual appraisals will be explained using theoretical models and practical examples. Stress management techniques will be examined and taught.
Methods and techniques by which community health workers identify and measure the scope and intensity of health problems.
The course examines the role of health education/health promotion and includes an orientation to the profession and consideration of current trends, problems, and issues in health education.
The purpose of this course is to examine the determinants of health-related behavior and discuss how health education/promotion theories and models are used in research and practice.
The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to topics associated with drug use, primarily from a public health perspective. The course will address the effects of drug use on society and the individual, and examine physiological, psychological, and sociological aspects of this public health problem. 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.
Local, state, and national public health policy and politics. Review and analysis of public and private health systems.
The course will introduce students to the main concepts of the global health field. The course content covers principles and goals of global health; cross-cutting global health issues; the burden of disease; and, cooperating to improve global health. Students learn to think critically about the determinants of global health and what key factors influence disease burdens.
The course is designed to promote the acquisition of environmental health knowledge and skills for application in community/public health education settings. Course content will address environmental factors that affect human and ecological health and environmental health education and promotion strategies.
This course is designed to explore health disparities in the United States and throughout the world. Course content will address societal factors that have an impact on health disparities. The course focus will also address cultural competency and appropriate health education and promotion strategies.
An introductory course in epidemiology designed to promote an understanding of the analysis and application of epidemiological data for students in health professions with a primary focus on health education and promotion.
This course applies theories that relate to the practice of patient education in a variety of health care settings. Additionally, the course provides an overview of the U.S. health care industry. Emphasis is on education for promotion of health and change of lifestyle.
Designed to provide practical tools that can be used in real world settings, this course will examine methods to determine if and how a particular health-related program works. Emphasis will be placed on process and impact evaluation methods.
The purpose of this course is to provide students in the Public Health program with opportunities to apply public health and health education/promotion concepts presented during their undergraduate courses. This course includes observations, applications, and reflections of those concepts in professional practice.
The purpose of this course is to give students the opportunity to provide small group health education in a local community setting based on a health need identified by community members. The didactic component of the course involves an introduction to service learning; an overview of health literacy and health education principles, theory, and strategies; and an in-depth review of the pathophysiology, prevention, and treatment of a particular disease or condition (e.g., Type 2 diabetes). The illness selected would be based on community input. This course will expose students to various genetic, behavioral, and social determinants of health. Approval of instructor required.
Course is designed to help students develop and/or refine skills related to the planning, implementation, and evaluation of health education programs in various settings. Completion of the course is also intended to prepare students for the Certified Health Education Specialist examination.
Designed to provide the opportunity for independent work in any area of health education/health promotion.
Introduction to the opportunities, theory, functions, and principles of management in the food service, meeting and events, and lodging industry. Examination of basic operational systems and problems related to the industry.
Introduction to the structure, stakeholders and principles of management in the meetings and events industry. Examination of basic planning and production elements for meetings and events.
Introduction to the theoretical and applied foundations of sport management including the range of career opportunities and significance of skilled management within the sport industry.
Examine variables that impact a fan experience and review customer service practices that are necessary to maximize the success of a sporting event. Evaluating the experience and measuring fan satisfaction will be explored.
Course focuses on how to profitably manage a food service operation in order to satisfy guests. Students learn how to give guests the highest priority as the details of food and beverage operations are planned, implemented, and evaluated.
Focuses on information managers need in order to recruit, select, and train employees; increase productivity; control labor costs; effectively communicate; manage conflict and change; and use time management techniques.
This course reviews the interdependent functions of event planning for weddings. Students will learn about the decisions, problems and concerns of planning effective wedding events. They will design, plan and execute a wedding from start to finish.
Designed to acquaint students with quality and leadership issues facing today’s hospitality industry. Students learn the principles of the concepts of continuous improvement, quality service, power and empowerment, communication skills, goal setting, teams, diversity, and managing organizational change. 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.
Humans eat meals, and we have developed culturally significant ways of using these foods in cooking and other cultural practices. These food habits become defined and codefined within a culture. Each of ethnic, religious, and regional groups has traditional food habits that differ slightly or significantly, and effective food service requires an understanding of those foods and cultures. This course aims to understand the rapidly expanding field of food and culture.
The course examines the intersections between the sport industry and social and societal occurrences. Several implications discussed will include class, race, gender, and politics. Topics will change from semester to semester given the every-changing nature of our society.
Comprehensive exploration of major concepts about tourism and analysis of the broad range of factors that influence the inter-linked industry composed of many sectors.
Systematic approach to front-office, housekeeping and maintenance procedures. Emphasis is on the fundamentals in each of these three critical areas and the understanding of the mission of each department, people in the department, how the department interacts and management of employees.
An in-depth look at the economic and social impact of Sport Tourism on destinations and exploration of sports travel’s growth and future prospects. This is a writing 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.
This course highlights the foundation, skills, and issues associated with collegiate sports. The history, ethics, and governance of collegiate sports, recreational programs, and wellness education are also examined.
This course will identify the management functions necessary in planning and executing sport facilities. Financing, construction, risk management, food and beverage, marketing, and operations will be reviewed.
This course investigates the philosophies and procedures of sport marketing as a tool for both promotion and sponsorship sales. Course discussions and projects will emphasis the areas of strategic marketing, the sport consumer, market research, marketing segmentation, corporate partnerships and activations, legal considerations, and the various paid media outlets.
This course is designed to provide an understanding of the concept of sustainable tourism development. The characteristics of environmentally, economically, and socio-culturally sustainable tourism are defined and the possibilities and limitations for its implementation within a variety of destinations and product settings are discussed. Theory, practice, history, terminology, and issues in sustainable tourism planning and management are examined in the context of sustainable livelihoods.
Students learn how to market to the Event Target Audience, anticipate client needs, and understand the event business and its unique value position and differentiation. 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 course will focus on food and beverage operations for hotels and events. The course will introduce students to the food and beverage division of hotels: catering and banquets, culinary operations, restaurants/food service outlets, beverage management, and room service. This course will allow students to practice table setting and tablescapes. Food and beverage are an important part of events. In this course students will determine criteria for locating reputable vendors for events and determine the components of catering contracts.
A comprehensive analysis of corporate events. Emphasis is on organizing, arranging, and operating corporate events and conventions. Corporate events include trade shows, product launches, training and development, incentive travel, and consumer shows.
Students gain knowledge, skills, and experience in planning, executing, evaluating, and problem solving with a variety of events on The University of Alabama campus. Students will work a minimum of five hours per week with the University Union to gain “hands-on” experience with event planning processes.
The course provides a basis for the principles and implications of sales and revenue generation in the sport and entertainment industry. Key areas including sales’ role within a sport organization, pricing, consumer needs, consultant-based selling, prospecting, customer retention, and sponsorship sales.
This course examines factors such as demographic, economic, and technological changes that impact tourism around the world. Future trends, geography, and vulnerability of international tourism are discussed.
This course provides an in-depth look at public and private financing options for professional, intercollegiate, interscholastic, and recreational/commercial sport.
Course presents basic knowledge and practices for developing strategic marketing plans for hotel/motel organizations. Includes property/product market and competition analysis, promotion and sales planning, and internal/external sales and promotion techniques. 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.
Students gain an understanding of potential legal problems and how important legal considerations can affect the hospitality industry. Legal cases related to the hospitality industry are explored.
This course covers the ethical standards of the sport industry and the issues of sport law. As the field of sport management has grown, so has the prevalence of lawsuits. The sport professional’s role is discussed.
Leadership and governing practices for a variety of playing levels; from little league, collegiate sports, professional sports, and international federations will be examined.
This course will introduce students to various current and future trends within the sport and entertainment hospitality industry. Additionally, students will examine the role these trends play in the management, operation, and future of sporting and entertainment events.
This course covers practical strategies to collect and analyze big data, disseminate results that will drive informed decision making, and optimize revenue in the sport hospitality industry.
This course is an in-depth exploration of the importance of hospitality, sport, and entertainment industry research, the research process, and how research is used in the hospitality, sport, and entertainment industries. This is a writing 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.
Discussion on strategies to profitably manage the bar and beverage department of the hospitality operation. Covers control systems, hiring and training, responsible alcohol service, and essential information on a wide range of beverage products.
Current hotel and lodging issues are discussed in this course.
Explores the complexities of controlling food, beverages, labor and sales income/cost control, as well as control systems, the basics of computers, and computer applications in planning and control functions.
Work industry experience in a pre-approved position in the sport industry. This work experience will advance students’ expertise and allow them to gain insight within a sport organization. Instructor permission required.
Students majoring in Restaurant and Hospitality Management must complete 1000 hours of work experience in a hospitality facility prior to graduation. Work positions may be paid or non-paid, hourly, or managerial. Work experience may be in restaurants, hotels, institutional food service, convention centers, theme parks, etc.
Work industry experience in a pre-approved position in the hospitality industry. This work experience will advance students’ expertise and allow them to gain insight within a hospitality business. Instructor permission required.
Explores hospitality computer technology and the management of information systems. Discussion of applications for all functional areas, including reservations, rooms, food and beverage, sales and event management and accounting.
Students learn how to make effective managerial, business, and operational decisions based on a thorough understanding of financial statements, identify costs, develop realistic budgets, forecast, and plan cash flow.
Explores requirements in planning for and managing different types of food and beverage operations.
An exploration of techniques used to increase a hospitality property's convention and meeting business through marketing and service. Students learn how to address meeting planners' needs and concerns confidentially, creatively and effectively.
This course will cover the history of fairs and festivals and the economic impact fairs and festivals offer the communities that host such events. Students will acquire hands-on experience with festival planning, set-up, and operations.
Discussion of current issues in the hotel, restaurant, and convention industries. Must be Senior level.
Introduction to principles of the science of nutrition, with implications for and applications to food selection for individuals of all ages.
Introduction to Human Nutrition, as an introduction to principles of the science of nutrition, with implications for and applications to food selection for individuals of all ages. Additional emphasis in the honors section is made to develop critical thinking skills in the application of the principles of nutrition and its role in improving human health.
Applied sports nutrition theory and practice designed to provide physically active students with the basic knowledge of food, drink, and supplements and their effect on optimizing physical performance and health. Topics to include: balancing calorie intake with physical activity, fueling for performance and health, managing a healthy weight for sport, examining sports supplements, appropriate pre/during/post competition fueling/refueling habits, basic practical student cooking and shopping skills, and mindful eating.
An overview of the major of food and nutrition and professions in nutrition and dietetics. Learn medical language by exploring the structure and meaning of terms frequently utilized in health care settings. Course includes guest speakers and lectures. Instructor permission required for non-majors.
Analysis of interaction of nutrition and exercise in weight control. Techniques for measuring energy needs, estimating body composition, applying nutrition principles to weight control, and evaluating popular diet and exercise programs.
Principles of Food Preparation as they relate to food quality and acceptability. Restricted to RHM majors and NHM minors.
Basic research designs will be introduced and their applications in the broad areas of practice in dietetics will be discussed. Students will learn to use the Evidence Based Library of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Web site. Student membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is a requirement of this course.
This course will provide students with an introduction to vegetarian nutrition, including background information on general nutrition. This course will also cover a vegetarian diet's role in disease prevention, courses of plant-based nutrients, vegetarian diets throughout the life cycle, food policy and how to implement vegetarian diets into different areas of dietetic practice.
This course is genre study of the relationships between food, film, and culture. It introduces the portrayal of food and nutrition topics in film media, exploring cultural diversity and food relationships in media, the dynamic interaction of shifting food values with evolving media, and explores ethical and socio-political issues of portraying food in film.
Nutrition assessment of individuals and groups; provision of nutrition services in the community. 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.
Course includes theories, functions, and principles of management and tools for decision making.
Principles, methods, and techniques used in purchasing food and equipment. Analysis of layout and design and of techniques used in evaluating work flow. Principles and techniques used in managing sanitation, safety, and security functions in food service.
This directed individual study is designed to bridge the gap between the student's quantity foods laboratory course and the senior food service management supervised practice. Students will be placed in commercial health-care food service operations. This course is only for students admitted to the Coordinated Program in Dietetics.
Covers the practical application of principles of normal nutrition (including the nutritive value of foods) and introduces nutrition for persons with health problems. Primarily for students pursuing careers in health care.
Chemical and physical properties affecting food product development. Introduction to functional foods with additional value beyond basic nutrition. Strong analytical and writing skills are necessary for synthesizing peer-reviewed literature on experimental and functional foods in order to critically address nutrition questions. Scientific writing proficiency within this discipline is required for a passing grade in this course. One lecture per week with labs embedded within lectures.
Experiences that include nutrition assessment, counseling, and delivery of nutrition services in the community. This course is only for students admitted to the Coordinated Program in Dietetics.
Supervised clinical dietetics experience applying NHM 465 coursework. This course is only for students admitted to the Coordinated Program in Dietetics.
Planned professional experience working in nutrition and/or food services. Usually in a medical care environment.
Supervised practice in an institutional food service setting applying NHM 475 coursework. This course is only for students admitted to the Coordinated Program in Dietetics.
Conduct a research project using appropriate research methods, ethical procedures and statistical analysis to culminate in the execution of a program for a target population. Develop and implement a curriculum, adhere to budget constraints, and implement a marketing plan utilizing web based messages and social media. This course is only for students admitted to the Coordinated Program in Dietetics.
Individual study in nutrition or food service management. Students must receive Instructor Approval for override into class.
Individual professional study in management, clinical, or community dietetics. Requirement of 160 clock hours spent in assigned site. 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.
To provide students in the DPD program who are seeking a Verification Statement with the knowledge to be successful in applying for a dietetic internship upon graduation.
Under faculty supervision, the student designs an investigation; collects and analyzes data; and prepares a written report and seminar on the research project.
College of Nursing Courses
The purpose of this elective course is to introduce the student to the Capstone College of Nursing and to help the student develop an awareness of and appreciation for the nursing profession. Emphasis is placed on the advisement process, study skills, professional nursing organizations, an overview of the CCN curriculum, and opportunities in nursing. (Theory).
The purpose of this elective course is to introduce the student to the Capstone College of Nursing and to help the student develop an awareness of and appreciation for the nursing profession. Emphasis is placed on the advisement process, study skills, professional nursing organizations, an overview of the CCN curriculum, and opportunities in nursing. (Theory) This is the honors section and is designated for honors students only.
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to fundamental pathophysiology of the human body. This course examines physiological change that results in disruptive adaptive responses throughout the lifespan. These disruptive responses are approached in a systematic manner. A combination of identified cellular concepts and a body systems approach is utilized to structure course content. Included are basic cellular processes in human pathology, pathology associated with the major body systems, and physiology associated with the aging process. (Theory).
The purpose of this course is to provide students with the opportunity to review basic math concepts and problems; examine the different systems of measurement and abbreviations; examine methods of dosage calculation required for safe administration of adult and pediatric medications; interpret drug orders; and solve calculations of different medication preparations. Through didactic instruction, case studies, and multimedia, students will develop and enhance their knowledge of medication calculations.
Successful completion of this course is a prerequisite for semester II upper division courses. This course focuses on concepts and issues relevant to professional nursing practice. Content related to the values of professional nursing and issues affecting practice will be examined. Students are introduced to the CCN Vision, Mission and core Values. This course meets the University’s core curriculum requirements for writing. 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 required online course is limited to nursing majors who have previous computer experience. The course focuses on utilization of computers in health care education, practice, research and administration with emphasis on nursing applications. Particular emphasis is placed on HIPAA, social media and information security. Telehealth and the use of encryption software to protect patient information is also a focal point. The computer assignments provide experience with a clinical information system, Internet, PDAs, word processing , databases, spreadsheets, and graphics programs. This course requires the utilization of the following software: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. In addition, students will also have the opportunity to explore and utilize free online software. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
This course prepares the novice nursing student in the development of health assessment skills including the health history, physical, psychosocial, and spiritual aspects necessary for critical thinking in professional nursing practice. Adult physical assessment techniques will be developed through simulation and practice within a practice lab setting.
This course focuses on selected BSN topics under the sponsorship of a nursing faculty member with relevant expertise.
Integration of knowledge, theories and skills from the humanities, arts and sciences serves as the foundation for this introductory nursing course. Students will further build upon adult assessment skills necessary for critical thinking in professional nursing practice. Basic care techniques and psychomotor skills will be developed through practice in the clinical practice lab and simulation center. The nursing process will be presented as a framework for critical thinking, decision-making and nursing practice.
Integration of knowledge, theories and skills from the humanities, arts and sciences serves as the foundation for this clinical course. Students will continue to refine adult assessment skills necessary for critical thinking in professional nursing practice. Clinical skills related to nursing practice will be developed through practice in the clinical practice lab, simulation, and with clients on the clinical unit. The nursing process will be presented as a framework for critical thinking, decision-making and nursing practice. Levels of prevention will be introduced as a model for health care.
This course focuses on individual independent study of a selected topic under the sponsorship of a nursing faculty member with relevant expertise. Prior approval of proposal by faculty sponsor and associate dean required. Elective.
This required online course is limited to nursing majors who have previous computer experience. The course focuses on utilization of computers in health care education, practice, research and administration with emphasis on nursing applications. The computer assignments provide experience with a clinical information system, Internet, PDAs, word processing, databases, spreadsheets, and graphics programs. This course requires the utilization of the current software including but not limited to: Free healthcare mobile device applications, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. In addition, students will also explore and utilize free online presentation software. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Integration of knowledge, theories and skills from the humanities, arts and sciences serves as the foundation for this introductory clinical course. Students will further build upon adult assessment skills necessary for critical thinking in professional nursing practice. Clinical skills related to communication and basic care techniques will be developed through simulation and practice with clients on the clinical unit. The nursing process will be presented as a framework for critical thinking, decision-making and nursing practice. Levels of prevention will be introduced as a model for health care.
The purpose of this required course is to introduce the student to the role of pharmaceutical agents in assisting patients with health problems throughout the lifespan. A brief history and a discussion of the legal controls that regulate the field of pharmacology are included. Drug prototypes are utilized to examine the major classifications of drugs. Use of a handheld electronic devise and accompanying software facilitates discussion of major drug classification with regard to pharmacokinetics, therapeutic uses, adverse reactions, precautions, and contraindications. Special considerations of diverse cultural backgrounds, ethnic factors, access to financial resources, lifespan issues, and genetic variations impacting drug therapy are included. Health teaching and nursing implications for drug classifications are discussed.
This required course introduces nursing students to the basics of the research process and research methodology in a manner to allow the reading and understanding of research articles. Emphasis is placed on nursing research in a context of identification of practice issues, levels of evidence, identification and synthesis of evidence, translation into practice, participation in quality improvement, and evaluation of outcomes. This required course meets the university's core curriculum requirements for writing. 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 required course introduces nursing students to the basics of the research process and research methodology in a manner to allow the reading and understanding of research articles. Emphasis is placed on nursing research in a context of identification of practice issues, levels of evidence, identification and synthesis of evidence, translation into practice, participation in quality improvement, and evaluation of outcomes. This required course meets the university's core curriculum requirements for writing. 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 required course introduces nursing students to the basics of the research process and research methodology in a manner to allow the reading and understanding of research articles. Emphasis is placed on nursing research in a context of identification of practice issues, levels of evidence, identification and synthesis of evidence, translation into practice, participation in quality improvement, and evaluation of outcomes. This required course meets the university's core curriculum requirements for writing. 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 purpose of this course is to provide first semester upper division nursing students with an introduction to the nature of nursing education and to the function, resources, and activities of Capstone College of Nursing and The University of Alabama. The course will provide students with information about themselves as learners, a theoretical and practical understanding of nursing-specific learning strategies, and opportunities to apply these strategies—using processes of reflective decision-making and critical evaluation—for maximizing learning, academic success, and personal fulfillment. The course will explore topics for success, including: developing a better understanding of the learning process, acquiring basic academic survival skills, and ensuring maintenance of students’ physical and mental health and well-being. The ultimate goal of the course is to equip each student with the confidence and basic skills necessary for successful completion of the baccalaureate nursing degree program.
This elective course is designed to give students an opportunity to participate in multiple nursing roles in the perioperative environment. These activities are planned to enrich the student's knowledge and provide application of concepts relevant to operative and anesthesia standards of care.
This online theory course designed for registered nurse students is structured to provide the foundation for continuing development of the students' body of conceptual and practical knowledge essential for enacting the professional nursing roles. This required course meets the University's Core Curriculum requirements for writing. 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. (Theory).
The purpose of this elective course is to provide students with an opportunity to review and develop their pharmacological knowledge through practical application. The course is designed to cover general principles of medication administration as well as how medications influence body systems and physiological processes. Through didactic instruction, case studies, and interactive learning activities students will enhance their knowledge of pharmacological and parenteral therapies.
Integration of knowledge, theories and skills to work as a behavioral health paraprofessional to support the needs of individuals with substance use problems and their families. Students will further build upon their personal experiences with substance use problems to develop competencies to successfully work with communities and other stakeholders.
This elective course introduces nursing students to the basics of rural nursing. Emphasis is placed on health issues specific to local, national and global rural communities and the importance of evidence-based practice strategies in resolving rural health disparities.
This elective course introduces nursing students to the basics of rural nursing. Emphasis is placed on health issues specific to local, national and global rural communities and the importance of evidence-based practice strategies in resolving rural health disparities.
This required course focuses on actions designed to detect and intervene in actual or potential health problems in adults and to determine actions that will ameliorate or reduce the consequences of adult disease through support or rehabilitation. Clinical experiences are designed to develop skills for early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of acute and chronic health problems in adults and prevention of further disability. (Theory and laboratory).
This required course focuses on theory, concepts, and management functions essential to professional nursing. Essential skills are therapeutic communication in mental health, identification of practice issues, interprofessional collaboration, evaluation of outcomes, and the application of evidence-based practice models. Actions will be taken to participate in quality improvement by ameliorating or reducing the consequences of mental health problems. These essential skills are designed to provide quality care while improving the mental health of persons and preventing further disability. (Theory and Laboratory).
This required course focuses on the role of the nurse in providing holistic, patient-centered care to the childbearing family. The student will be given simple to complex situations in classroom, clinical and technological-based experiences, emphasizing evidence-based practice and quality improvement as members of an interdisciplinary team. A major focus will be the implementation of nursing care to childbearing families who are experiencing a normal maturational process as well as related acute/chronic health problems. (Theory and laboratory).
This synthesis course provides opportunities for the student to examine complex, acute and chronic health problems. Students will apply concepts from prerequisite and concurrent courses and use clinical reasoning thinking and decision-making skills to evaluate interventions to ameliorate or reduce health problems. Clinical activities will focus on nursing actions used to intervene in care of complex clients. The first portion of this course serves as a bridge from adult health and mental health nursing concepts into a holistic approach to caring for clients with complex and critical health problems.
This course focuses on actions designed to detect and intervene in actual or potential health problems in children and to determine actions that will ameliorate or reduce the consequences of disease in children through support or rehabilitation. Students will develop skills in early detection and diagnosis of disease in children and treatment of acute and chronic health problems. (Theory and Laboratory).
Community Health Nursing is a required course that focuses on the knowledge and skill competencies required for community/public health nursing practice. Educational and clinical experiences are community-based, community oriented and population focused. Health promotion, risk reduction and management, and disease prevention for individuals, families, and populations in community settings are emphasized. The course also emphasizes knowledge and practice of illness and disease management in non-institutional environments. (Theory and laboratory).
This course will pull together challenging concepts to better prepare the BSN graduate to transition into professional nursing practice. It will focus on team assessment, priorities and characteristics of a leader, time management, empowerment, change, personal growth, relationship management, and problem solving.
The purpose of this elective course is to provide students with an opportunity to participate in an American Heart Association approved ACLS provider course. The course is designed for healthcare providers who either direct or participate in the management of acute cardiopulmonary arrest or other cardiovascular emergencies. Through didactic instruction and interactive participation in simulated case studies, students will be able to enhance their skills in the recognition and intervention of cardiopulmonary arrest, immediate post-cardiac arrest, acute arrhythmia, stroke, and acute coronary syndromes (ACS).
Community Health Nursing is a required course taught online that focuses on the knowledge and skill competencies required for community/public health nursing practice. Educational and experiential learning experiences are community-based, community-oriented, and population-focused. Health promotion, risk reduction and management, and disease prevention for individuals, families, and populations in community settings are emphasized. The course also emphasizes the knowledge and practice of illness and disease management in non-institutional environments. (Theory and Experiential Learning Experiences).
This online course focuses on leadership theory and management functions essential to professional nursing. The application of leadership and management principles through completion of a leadership project comprises the experiential learning experience for the course. Synthesis of concepts basic to organizational and systems leadership, including quality improvement, nurse-sensitive indicators, and patient safety, are explored. (Theory and Experiential Learning Experiences).
This online synthesis course provides opportunities for the registered nurse student to examine complex acute and chronic health problems. Students will apply concepts from prerequisite and concurrent courses and use clinical reasoning and decision-making skills to evaluate interventions to ameliorate or reduce health problems. Activities will focus on nursing actions used to intervene in the care of complex clients. Experiential Learning experiences are embedded to validate physical assessment and clinical reasoning using avatars in the virtual simulation environment. (Theory and Experiential Learning Experiences).
This required course focuses on leadership theory and management functions essential to professional nursing. Essential skills are communication, interprofessional collaboration, negotiation, delegation, coordination, evaluation of interdisciplinary work, and the application of evidence-based practice models. Clinical experiences focus on enactment of the professional nurse role in a concentrated practicum. Leadership and management principles and clinical judgment skills are applied as students enhance direct care delivery skills, critical thinking and decision-making. (Theory and laboratory).
This required course focuses on leadership theory and management functions essential to professional nursing. It serves as a capstone honors course for the traditional BSN nursing program. Essential skills are communication, interprofessional collaboration, negotiation, delegation, coordination, evaluation of interdisciplinary work, and the application of evidence-based practice models. Clinical experiences focus on the enactment of the professional nurse role in a concentrated practicum which requires a culmination of knowledge and skill while in the nursing program. Leadership and management principles and clinical judgment skills are applied as students enhance direct care delivery skills, critical thinking, and decision-making. For Nursing students enrolled in the Honors College, this course can fulfill the Honors Capstone requirement but requires negotiation with the faculty of the course, and approval of the Honors College, to determine the criteria for earning honors credit in addition to other course requirements. Examples of projects that meet Honors Capstone requirements might include a scholarly paper on a chosen topic, data collection and graphic reports on the leadership project topic, and/or a leadership/management problem analysis on the clinical unit. (Theory and laboratory).
This synthesis course provides opportunities for students to assess individual knowledge acquisition and to implement strategies to ameliorate deficiencies and maximize learning with faculty assistance. Students will have the opportunity to use individual, group, and technology-based methods to facilitate critical thinking and problem solving using hypothetical client situations. Students also will complete the licensure application process. (Theory).
College of Social Work Courses
An overview of the many and varied roles in which social workers function in today's society. Reviews the historical development of the profession, its various fields of practice, the profession's code of ethics, and covers current national and local issues. Fifteen hours of volunteer work outside of class are required. Required course for social work majors and social welfare minors; open to all University students, but freshmen and sophomores preferred. Offered in the fall and spring semesters.
The purpose of this course, which is required for social work majors, is to orient social work majors to the School of Social Work (SSW), professional writing standards, and other basic professional skills. Students will learn about establishing an educational plan, professional etiquette, career preparation, self-care, steps in applying for admission to the professional program, campus resources, basic skills in professional writing, and basic knowledge and skills relevant to professional social work practice, including licensure, professional etiquette, and self-care.
Social Work 105 is an introductory course that presents a comprehensive overview of the profession of social work and social workers’ roles in contemporary society. This course is designed for students seeking advanced professional orientation and development in social work. This honors course is designed to provide a critical examination of the profession's values and Code of Ethics and the major fields of social work practice. Students examine the professions’s response to populations-at-risk, including people of color, women, older adults, children and adolescents, gays and lesbians, and low income populations. Each student completes a 30 clock hour service learning assignment in a social service agency. The course provides a broad base of information for further social work education and helps students decide if social work is an appropriate career for them to pursue.
This course provides students with an opportunity to explore and critically evaluate the historical development and change of a broad range of social welfare policies, programs, and services in the United States and the philosophical bases for the provision of various social welfare services to persons throughout the life course. Social welfare policies, programs, and services in the United States have developed, changed, and evolved dramatically throughout history, so this course explores this development and change over a major period of time, from the colonial period to today. Major consideration is given to the development of social welfare programs and services within a social, cultural, political, and economic context, with particular attention to influential social values in the United States; and, as such, students will be expected to utilize critical thinking skills, as they analyze and evaluate major issues affecting the provision of social welfare programs and services to vulnerable and oppressed population, synthesizing primary and secondary source documents to argue a point clearly. Social welfare and social work, historically, are intrinsically linked so the development of social work and its connection to a variety of social welfare programs and institutions will be discussed; however, the focus of this course is historically broad and does not delve into intricacies of social work or professional skills.
SW 205 is open to all students in the honors college at the university and provides students with an opportunity to explore and critically evaluate the historical development and change of a broad range of social welfare policies, programs, and services in the United States and the philosophical bases for the provision of various social welfare services to persons throughout the life course. Social welfare policies, programs, and services in the United States have developed, changed, and evolved dramatically throughout history, so this course explores this development and change over a major period of time, from the colonial period to today. Major consideration is given to the development of social welfare programs and services within a social, cultural, political, and economic context, with particular attention to influential social values in the United States; and, as such, students will utilize critical thinking skills, as they analyze and evaluate major issues affecting provision of social welfare programs and services to vulnerable and oppressed populations, synthesizing primary and secondary source documents to argue a point clearly. Social welfare and social work, historically, are intrinsically linked so the development of social work and its connection to a variety of social welfare programs and institutions will be discussed; however, the focus of this course is historically broad and does not delve into intricacies of social work or professional skills.
This course provides students with knowledge of the field of aging with a primary focus on social gerontology. An overview is provided of the characteristics of the elderly and the biological, physiological, psychological, and social aspects of aging. Emphasis is placed on selected issues confronting the general elderly population.
Examination of the nature and extent of delinquency. Theories of causation and the structure and function of courts are explored. Emphasis placed on prevention, control, and interventions with juvenile offenders and their families.
Examines the current situation in services for children and families. Gives an overview of services designed to strengthen families, as well as those that provide substitute care of children when the family is unable to meet this responsibility.
Analysis of a variety of issues and problems presented by death, dying, and grief in American culture, with some comparison to other cultures. Examines attitudes and responses to death and the perspectives of children and adults.
This course provides a thorough examination of an important topic in social work. The area under examination varies from semester to semester.
Clear and effective communication skills are necessary for social service delivery. This course assists students with acquiring and improving professional writing skills. Students in this class will practice writing skills necessary for serving clients in a variety of practice settings. These skills include drafting client-centered case documentation, writing goals and objectives, using technology to find evidence that informs service delivery, and advocating for clients in writing.
The nature and development of volunteerism in human services in the United States plus current trends in the use of volunteers is discussed. Each student is assigned to a human service agency in order to experience the role of being a volunteer.
This course examines issues related to the lived experiences of people based on age, culture, race, ethnicity, gender/gender identity/gender expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status/class, ability, religion/spirituality, and national origin. It is designed to introduce the student to social, economic, and political systems of power that serve to oppress communities that have been minoritized. This course has the University Core Curriculum 'W' designation. “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 course examines issues related to the lived experiences of people based on age, culture, race, ethnicity, gender/gender identity/gender expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status/class, ability, religion/spirituality, and national origin. It is designed to introduce the student to social, economic, and political systems of power that serve to oppress communities that have been minoritized. This course has the University Core Curriculum 'W' designation. “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 course enables students to develop beginning skill in the analysis of social welfare policies and programs. The course builds on the basic knowledge of the history and philosophy of social welfare programs students have acquired in the prerequisite course, SW 200 or SW 205. 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 course is designed to enable the student to develop skill in the analysis of social welfare policies and programs. The course builds on the basic knowledge of the history and philosophy of social welfare programs students have acquired in the prerequisite course, SW 205. In this course, special attention is given to evidence regarding the effects of policies on persons subject to economic deprivation, discrimination, and oppression. Current policies and policy issues in Alabama and the southeast are emphasized, with a focus on social work values and human diversity. This course has the University Core Curriculum “W” designation. 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 is the first course in a two-semester sequence that that uses a life course perspective as a framework for preparing students with knowledge of theories that support beginning-level generalist practice. It explores the reciprocal relationship between human behavior and social environments. This first course focuses on the development of the individual from conception through adolescence.
Drug and alcohol use and abuse are deeply interwoven into the psychosocial and economic fabric of American society. This course will introduce the student to major theories of addiction as well as the physiological and psychological results of substance abuse. State and federal policies regarding control of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco will also be discussed. The effects of chemical dependency on special populations, including ethnic minorities, people of color, gays and lesbians, dually diagnosed, the elderly, and women will be reviewed.
This course presents information concerning criteria used in assessing mental disorders from infancy through older adulthood. It also provides information about the prevalence and etiology of psychiatric disorders. The impact of mental disorders on clients, their families, and communities is discussed; and students are provided with a brief overview of intervention including the use of psychopharmacology. The course also provides students tools by which they learn to recognize the risk of error within the assessment process, and learn to recognize the potential for bias that can result when assessment tools are inaccurately applied across cultural, ethnic, racial, and other groups.
For students interested in international issues of social welfare and social justice, the course introduces international social work. The course is open to Social Work students as well students from other disciplines. The purpose of this class is to expose students to a wide range of internationally focused issues regarding human well-being and human rights along with contemporary debate on those issues. In this class, students will gain a deeper understanding of international social work and social development issues including global health development, governmental and non-governmental development agencies, role of social work in development, environmental politics, empowerment versus handout, along with resource sharing issues associated with poverty, world hunger, land use, and costs of globalization.
Basic research methods for the generalist social worker. Focuses on the role of research in building knowledge, critical assessment of research reports, use of research techniques, and application of research findings to generalist social work practice.
Basic research methods for the generalist social worker. This honors class focuses on the role of research in building knowledge, critical assessment of research reports, use of research techniques, and application of research findings to generalist social work practice.
Social Work 440 is the first in a sequence of four practice courses required for the BSW degree. The sequence is designed to prepare students for generalist practice. The course focuses on practice with individuals and families. The course emphasizes professional relationships that are characterized by mutuality, collaboration and respect for clients. The course addresses development of self-awareness, identification of personal values, and the potential for ethical dilemmas resulting from conflicting values. The content is intended to develop the knowledge and skills needed to enable individuals and families to reach their potential through a problem-solving approach. Issues of aging, poverty, sexism, racism, and heterosexism are addressed in each unit of study. This course has the University Core Curriculum 'W' designation. 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. Online sections of this course require concurrent enrollment in SW 440 skills lab.
This is a required course in the practice area of the undergraduate social work program. It is designed to provide fundamental knowledge of and skills for generalist social work practice with groups. It is consistent with generalist practice in its use of a problem-solving approach. The generalist social worker must have the ability to assess problems, plan and implement appropriate multi-method intervention with client systems of various sizes and types. The course gives attention to the range of group affiliations, life events and life transitions and their potential impact on various sized systems. It emphasizes the values and ethics of the social work profession, including respect for the positive value of diversity. The knowledge and skills gained in the course should enable the student to be an effective member and leader of groups.Online sections of this course require concurrent enrollment in SW 441 skills lab.
This course is one of three required social work practice courses offered in the professional foundation year of the BSW program. It is designed to help students understand generalist social work practice in and with communities and organizations. SW 442 introduces students to selected macro practice models that emphasize client strengths, empowerment, and resident-driven approaches to engagement, assessment and intervention at the community and organizational levels. The practice models selected for this course explicitly address poverty, inequality and social injustice, give attention to an appreciation of human diversity, and respect for the dignity and worth of the individual.Online sections of this course require concurrent enrollment in SW 442 skills lab.
Required course designed to accompany field placement. Seeks to assist students in integrating foundation content with field experience, with emphasis on generalist practice. Offered only in the fall semester.
This course is designed to prepare social work students for the integrated and experiential learning of a social work field placement. As the profession’s signature pedagogy, field education socializes students to perform the role of practitioner making the connection between the theoretical and conceptual classroom content and the practice setting. The approach to making this connection requires taking classroom knowledge, skills, and values and applying these concepts through a process of reflection and analysis. This course focuses on the salient concepts and issues that commonly pose challenges in the field setting. This is a required course and must be completed before SW 443 or SW 445 and SW 490. Successful completion of this course requires a grade of C- or higher.
This seminar provides structured learning opportunities that enable students to complete their Capstone Honors Project. Students will apply in-depth knowledge of generalist social work practice to projects that emphasize values consistent with the social work profession. Although the projects will vary in scope, the expected results will be improvement in the bio-psychosocial functioning in individuals, families, groups, organizations, or communities. While students will be evaluated individually, it is expected that students will have opportunities to work in teams and groups to accomplish the specific goals of the projects while enrolled in SW 445.
Junior standing Special topics.
Planned field experience in which the student is placed in a community service agency for a minimum of 32 hours a week, working under the joint instruction of the agency and the School of Social Work. For senior social work majors only. Offered in the fall semester only.
An opportunity for individual students or groups of students to assume liberal responsibility for developing their own learning objectives in conjunction with a faculty member who has expertise in the area, and for pursuing these objectives in relation to a social welfare program or function. By permission of the instructor, program chair, and associate dean. Permission must be obtained during the preceding semester.
Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) is a dynamic and integrated grouping of leadership developmental activities designed to meet the needs and expectations of prospective Air Force second lieutenants and complement the AFROTC academic program. Provides an introduction to the military profession, including applications in leadership, drill and ceremony, customs and courtesies and communication service. This course is for first-year AFROTC cadets.
Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) is a dynamic and integrated grouping of leadership developmental activities designed to meet the needs and expectations of prospective Air Force second lieutenants and complement the AFROTC academic program. Provides an introduction to the military profession, including applications in leadership, drill and ceremony, customs and courtesies and communication service. This course is for first-year AFROTC students/cadets.
‘Heritage and Values’ provides an introduction to the Air and Space Forces, allowing students to examine general aspects of the Department of the Air Force, leadership fundamentals, service benefits, and opportunities for officers. The course also lays the foundation for becoming an Air or Space professional by outlining heritage and values. This course provides a historical perspective on airpower providing students with a knowledge-level understanding for the employment of air and space power, from an institutional, doctrinal, and historical perspective. Students will be introduced to the Air Force way of life and gain knowledge on what it means to be an Air or Space professional. AFS 101 Leadership Laboratory is mandatory for AFROTC cadets and complements this course by providing cadets with followership experiences.
‘Heritage and Values’ provides an introduction to the Air and Space Forces, allowing students to examine general aspects of the Department of the Air Force, leadership fundamentals, service benefits, and opportunities for officers. The course also lays the foundation for becoming an Air or Space professional by outlining heritage and values. This course provides a historical perspective on airpower providing students with a knowledge-level understanding for the employment of air and space power, from an institutional, doctrinal, and historical perspective. Students will be introduced to the Air Force way of life and gain knowledge on what it means to be an Air or Space professional. Leadership Laboratory is mandatory for AFROTC cadets and complements this course by providing cadets with followership experiences.
Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) is a dynamic and integrated grouping of leadership developmental activities designed to meet the needs and expectations of prospective Air Force second lieutenants and complement the AFROTC academic program. Provides an introduction to the military profession, including applications in leadership, drill and ceremony, customs and courtesies and communication service. This course is for second-year AFROTC students/cadets.
Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) is a dynamic and integrated grouping of leadership developmental activities designed to meet the needs and expectations of prospective Air Force second lieutenants and complement the AFROTC academic program. Provides an introduction to the military profession, including applications in leadership, drill and ceremony, customs and courtesies and communication service. This course is for second-year AFROTC students/cadets.
A course designed to examine general aspects of air power from a team, leadership, and historical perspective. The course covers the period from the first balloons and dirigibles to the space-age systems of the Global War on Terror. Historical examples are provided to show the development of Air Force core functions to demonstrate the evolution of what has become today's USAF. Furthermore, the course examines several fundamental truths associated with war in the third dimension. As a whole, this course provides the students with a knowledge-level understanding for the general employment of air power, from an institutional, doctrinal, and historical perspective. In addition, what the students learned about the Air Force Core Values in AS100 will be reinforced through the use of operational examples, and they will complete several writing and briefing assignments to meet Air Force communication skills requirements. Leadership Laboratory is mandatory for AFROTC cadets and complements this course by providing cadets with followership experiences.
A course designed to examine general aspects of air power from a team, leadership, and historical perspective. The course covers the period from the first balloons and dirigibles to the space-age systems of the Global War on Terror. Historical examples are provided to show the development of Air Force core functions to demonstrate the evolution of what has become today's USAF. Furthermore, the course examines several fundamental truths associated with war in the third dimension. As a whole, this course provides the students with a knowledge-level understanding for the general employment of air power, from an institutional, doctrinal, and historical perspective. In addition, what the students learned about the Air Force Core Values in AS100 will be reinforced through the use of operational examples, and they will complete several writing and briefing assignments to meet Air Force communication skills requirements. Leadership Laboratory is mandatory for AFROTC cadets and complements this course by providing cadets with followership experiences.
Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) is a dynamic and integrated grouping of leadership developmental activities designed to meet the needs and expectations of prospective Air Force second lieutenants and complement the AFROTC academic program. Provides an introduction to the military profession, including applications in leadership, drill and ceremony, customs and courtesies and communication service. This course is for third-year AFROTC cadets.
Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) is a dynamic and integrated grouping of leadership developmental activities designed to meet the needs and expectations of prospective Air Force second lieutenants and complement the AFROTC academic program. Provides an introduction to the military profession, including applications in leadership, drill and ceremony, customs and courtesies and communication service. This course is for third-year AFROTC cadets.
A study of leadership, management fundamentals, professional knowledge, Air Force personnel and evaluation systems, leadership ethics, and communication skills required of an Air Force junior officer. Case studies are used to examine Air Force leadership and management situations as a means of demonstrating and exercising practical application of the concepts being studied. A mandatory. A mandatory Leadership Laboratory complements this course by providing advanced leadership experiences in officer-type activities, giving students the opportunity to apply leadership and management principles of this course. Students enrolled in AFS 350 and AFS 360 courses are AS 300-level cadets who are in their junior year of AFROTC program, unless approved otherwise.
A study of leadership, management fundamentals, professional knowledge, Air Force personnel and evaluation systems, leadership ethics, and communication skills required of an Air Force junior officer. Case studies are used to examine Air Force leadership and management situations as a means of demonstrating and exercising practical application of the concepts being studied. A mandatory. A mandatory Leadership Laboratory complements this course by providing advanced leadership experiences in officer-type activities, giving students the opportunity to apply leadership and management principles of this course. Students enrolled in AFS 350 and AFS 360 courses are AS 300-level cadets who are in their junior year of AFROTC program, unless approved otherwise.
Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) is a dynamic and integrated grouping of leadership developmental activities designed to meet the needs and expectations of prospective Air Force second lieutenants and complement the AFROTC academic program. Provides an introduction to the military profession, including applications in leadership, drill and ceremony, customs and courtesies and communication service. This course is for fourth-year AFROTC cadets.
Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) is a dynamic and integrated grouping of leadership developmental activities designed to meet the needs and expectations of prospective Air Force second lieutenants and complement the AFROTC academic program. Provides an introduction to the military profession, including applications in leadership, drill and ceremony, customs and courtesies and communication service. This course is for fourth-year AFROTC cadets.
Examines the national security process, regional studies, advanced leadership ethics, and Air Force doctrine. Special topics of interest focus on the military as a profession, officership, military justice, civilian control of the military, preparation for active duty, and current issues affecting military professionalism. Within this structure, continued emphasis is given to refining communication skills. A mandatory Leadership Laboratory complements this course by providing advanced leadership experiences in officer-type activities, giving students the opportunity to apply leadership and management principles of this course. Students enrolled in AFS 470 and AFS 480 courses are AS 400-level cadets who are in their final academic year of AFROTC program, unless approved otherwise.
Examines the national security process, regional studies, advanced leadership ethics, and Air Force doctrine. Special topics of interest focus on the military as a profession, officership, military justice, civilian control of the military, preparation for active duty, and current issues affecting military professionalism. Within this structure, continued emphasis is given to refining communication skills. A mandatory Leadership Laboratory complements this course by providing advanced leadership experiences in officer-type activities, giving students the opportunity to apply leadership and management principles of this course. Students enrolled in AFS 470 and AFS 480 courses are AS 400-level cadets who are in their final academic year of AFROTC program, unless approved otherwise.
This class is designed to be an introductory course that provides a basic understanding of the requirements and outcomes of the Reserve Officer Training Corps program. Each student will develop a sense of what to expect in the ROTC program, as well as what is important to the US Army in the early stages of leader develop. Students will learn the personal development of life skills such as cultural understanding, goal setting, time management, stress management, and comprehensive fitness relate to leadership, officership and the Army profession.
Students are then required to apply their knowledge outside the classroom in a hands-on performance-oriented environment during Leadership LABS and participate in physical fitness training. The lab is 2 hours and the physical fitness training is 3 hours per week.
This class is designed to be an introductory course that provides a basic understanding of the requirements and outcomes of the Reserve Officer Training Corps program. Each student will develop a sense of what to expect in the ROTC program, as well as what is important to the US Army in the early stages of leader develop. Students will learn the personal development of life skills such as cultural understanding, goal setting, time management, stress management, and comprehensive fitness relate to leadership, officership and the Army profession.
Students are then required to apply their knowledge outside the classroom in a hands-on performance-oriented environment during Leadership LABS and participate in physical fitness training. The lab is 2 hours and the physical fitness training is 3 hours per week.
MIL 210 focuses on leadership and decision making. The outcomes are demonstrated through Critical and Creative Thinking and the ability to apply Troop Leading Procedures (TLP) to apply Innovative Solutions to Problems. The Army Profession is also stressed through leadership forums and a leadership self-assessment. MIL 220 focuses on Army doctrine and team development. The course begins the journey to understand and demonstrate competencies as they relate to Army doctrine. Army Values, Teamwork, and Warrior Ethos and their relationship to the Law of Land Warfare and philosophy of military service are also stressed. The ability to lead and follow is also cover through Team Building exercises in small units up to squad level.
Students are then required to apply their knowledge outside the classroom in a hands-on performance-oriented environment during Leadership LABS and participate in physical fitness training. The lab is 2 hours and the physical fitness training is 3 hours per week.
MIL 210 focuses on leadership and decision making. The outcomes are demonstrated through Critical and Creative Thinking and the ability to apply Troop Leading Procedures (TLP) to apply Innovative Solutions to Problems. The Army Profession is also stressed through leadership forums and a leadership self-assessment. MIL 220 focuses on Army doctrine and team development. The course begins the journey to understand and demonstrate competencies as they relate to Army doctrine. Army Values, Teamwork, and Warrior Ethos and their relationship to the Law of Land Warfare and philosophy of military service are also stressed. The ability to lead and follow is also cover through Team Building exercises in small units up to squad level.
Students are then required to apply their knowledge outside the classroom in a hands-on performance-oriented environment during Leadership LABS and participate in physical fitness training. The lab is 2 hours and the physical fitness training is 3 hours per week.
The ROTC Advanced Course is designed primarily for cadets who wish to pursue a commission as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army upon graduation. To enter into the Advance Course, a student must be contracted or about to enter contract with ROTC. The Advanced Course is taken in the final two years of college and includes the Cadet Summer Training (CST) during the summer after the junior or senior year. Instruction includes advanced leadership development, organization ethics critical thinking and problem solving, administration, and tactics. Summer training at Fort Knox, Kentucky enables cadets to put into practice, in a field environment, the principles and theories acquired in the classroom and passing is a commissioning requirement.
Students are then required to apply their knowledge outside the classroom in a hands-on performance-oriented environment during Leadership LABS and participate in physical fitness training. The lab is 2 hours and the physical fitness training is 3 hours per week. This course is only for contracted cadets.
The ROTC Advanced Course is designed primarily for cadets who wish to pursue a commission as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army upon graduation. To enter into the Advance Course, a student must be contracted or about to enter contract with ROTC. The Advanced Course is taken in the final two years of college and includes the Cadet Summer Training (CST) during the summer after the junior or senior year. Instruction includes advanced leadership development, organization ethics critical thinking and problem solving, administration, and tactics. Summer training at Fort Knox, Kentucky enables cadets to put into practice, in a field environment, the principles and theories acquired in the classroom and passing is a commissioning requirement.
Students are then required to apply their knowledge outside the classroom in a hands-on performance-oriented environment during Leadership LABS and participate in physical fitness training. The lab is 2 hours and the physical fitness training is 3 hours per week.
This course is a college-level military history course designed to develop students’ awareness of the relationship of the military establishment to society, particularly in the United States. Further, the course will describe the evolution of war and the progression of military professionalism, give an awareness of the history and purpose of joint operations, discuss the role of history in understanding their profession, and encourage the viewing of American military history from both joint and combined perspectives.
The Army Officer. The focus of this semester is Cadet (MS IV) leadership development, critical thinking and the final preparation for commissioning as an Army Lieutenant. Cadets must be contracted to take this course.
Students are then required to apply their knowledge outside the classroom in a hands-on performance-oriented environment during Leadership LABS and participate in physical fitness training. The lab is 2 hours and the physical fitness training is 3 hours per week. This course is only for contracted cadets.
The Army Officer. The focus of this semester is Cadet (MS IV) leadership development, critical thinking and the final preparation for commissioning as an Army Lieutenant. Cadets must be contracted to take this course.
Students are then required to apply their knowledge outside the classroom in a hands-on performance-oriented environment during Leadership LABS and participate in physical fitness training. The lab is 2 hours and the physical fitness training is 3 hours per week. This course is only for contracted cadets.
Course prepares students to recognize risk behaviors and situations, plan safe and effective training, and reduce risks both on and off duty with a focus on awareness and prevention. Offered fall, spring, and summer.
This course is designed to build students’ knowledge and enhance their practice of community engagement and engaged scholarship through active and real-world experiences. Further, this course will provide opportunities for students to develop leadership skills while working with their peers to explore and reflect on community engagement opportunities on- and off-campus.
This course will explore the experiences of student leaders who identify as women of color in higher education. The course will complement the Lucy's Legacy program for first-year women. The course curriculum is informed by the Culturally Relevant Leadership Learning Model. Students will explore their leadership identity, leadership capacity, and leadership efficacy, in addition to learning and discussing techniques to improve their leadership. Topics will include understanding oneself as leader, leadership in groups, ethical leadership, and peer-to-peer leadership.
This course will explore the role of peer education at an institution in relation to first-year student academic and social transition. The course will complement the practicum experience students will engage in as a Peer Leader, inside and outside of the classroom. Additionally, students will learn and discuss techniques to improve their leadership as a mentor and a role model, as well as best practices when working with a faculty member to supplement the instruction and facilitate course material. Topics will include understanding the first-year student, embracing the concept of peer leadership, fostering student learning, effective communication skills, personal leadership development, and other related topics. Course enrollment limited to participants in the Peer Leader Program.
This compass course is designed for first-year students selected for the First-Gen Scholars scholarship cohort through the Capstone Center for Student Success. This course will focus on the transition to college, the culture and history of the University of Alabama, and most importantly on the first-gen college student identity through a community-driven cohort style class experience.
Introduction to research in creative activities in a major research university. The course will provide special opportunities to freshman students admitted to the Emerging Scholars Program.
This is a 3 hour dynamic course designed to motivate, teach, and engage students in the area of peer health education. Students will explore and develop a deeper understanding of the most pertinent health and wellness issues impacting the college student population and receive training in the following core peer education skills: listening, referral, confrontation, stress management, and presentation skills. The health topics that will be covered include alcohol, tobacco, mental health, nutrition and fitness, eating disorders, financial management, sexual health and healthy relationships. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the opportunity to become Certified Peer Educators (CPE).
Students will work in teams from across disciplines to present at the University of Alabama Global Health Case Competition in the Fall Semester. Students will be placed on teams based on their class standing, discipline/major, and international experience. Students will be required to participate in the UA Global Health Case Competition as a member of a team in the Fall Semester. The purpose of this course and the competition is for students to understand and develop solutions to complex global health concerns from a team and interdisciplinary approach. This course is designed to be collaborative across disciplines and reflect experiential education and engaged scholarship.
Throughout history there have been many regional, national, and/or global disruptions which have resulted in significant reactions, responses, and lasting effects on our communities and world. In many instances, the world students have been preparing for suddenly changes in ways that may be difficulty to predict. Students will explore the lasting effects and how they can be “catalysts for change”. UA faculty and other key experts will explore the cause, effect, and long-term impacts that these instances may have on local, regional, national and global societies.
Throughout history there have been many regional, national, and/or global disruptions which have resulted in significant reactions, responses, and lasting effects on our communities and world. In many instances, the world students have been preparing for suddenly changes in ways that may be difficulty to predict. Students will explore the lasting effects and how they can be “catalysts for change”. UA faculty and other key experts will explore the cause, effect, and long-term impacts that these instances may have on local, regional, national and global societies.
This course actively engages undergraduate students in the research or creative activities process and provide them with the opportunity to develop or practice advanced discipline-specific projects in collaboration with a faculty mentor. A student electing to enroll must contract with a faculty member to work on an existing research project or to develop a new project. This contract must include a specific list of responsibilities, an anticipated schedule, and research requirements in relation to the anticipated credit hours applied prior to approval.
UAEC 200 is a two-credit-hour course designed to orient UA Early College students to the procedures and skills necessary for navigating college-level online courses, and to prepare them to be successful in academic courses at The University of Alabama.