Spring 2008 Course Descriptions
AHST 3320 PROCESSES OF CREATIVITY
Professor: D. Kratz
Studies in the arts and/or architecture of such eras as ancient Greece and Rome or the 18th and 19th centuries. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (9 hours maximum). Prerequisite: Three hours of lower-division AHST coursework or ARTS 1301.
AHST 2331 UNDERSTANDING ART
Professor: Brettell
An investigation into the nature of the visual arts with an emphasis on the issues and ideas that artists explore through their work and how these ideas translate into the artwork. Attention will be given to the interpretation or “reading” of the artwork and how it may relate to society
CGS 2301 INTRODUCTION TO COGNITIVE SCIENCE
Professor: O'Toole
An introduction to the study of the brain and behavior from the point of view of cognitive science, including approaches from psychology, philosophy, neuropsychology, and computational modeling. Includes phenomena involving sensory systems, memory, decision making, language, and communication.
CJS 1301 INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Professor: Marquart
An overview and analysis of the major agencies, personnel, and decision-making points which comprise the criminal justice system. Includes problems and issues confronting legislatures, police, courts, corrections, and the community, as they respond to crime in a free society. Legal precedents guiding the decisions of criminal justice agents are also discussed.
ECO 2302 PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS
Professor: Beron
An introduction to theories of the behavior of markets. Topics include the theory of demand and supply, market structure, resource markets, international interdependence in commodity markets, the role of government policy and regulation.
GOVT 2302 POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE US AND TEXAS
Professor: Dow
This course explores the primary institutions of U.S. and Texas government. It examines the bureaucracy as well as the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government at the state and federal level.
GOVT 3303 CIVIL LIBERTIES
Professor: Dow
An examination of the development of constitutional law in the area of civil liberties.
GOVT 4330 BIBLE & POLITICS
Professor: Harpham
An investigation of the Bible as a political text. Includes discussion of the political context and themes of the Bible and analysis of political theories based upon biblical perspectives.
GOVT 4367 MOOT COURT
Professor: Champagne
Course examines a hypothetical case which contains two constitutional issues. Based on approximately 20 actual precedents, students are expected to prepare arguments supporting both the petitioner and respondents on each constitutional issue. Students compete in tournaments against advocates from other universities. May be repeated for credit (6 hours maximum). Consent of instructor required.
HIST 2330 AMERICA COMES OF AGE: THE US 1865-1965
Professor: Edmunds
An introduction to the methods of historical inquiry through the study of selected main themes in American history. A course designed to offer students an understanding of the historical and cultural context of America in the contemporary world.
HIST 4380 CRIME AND MENTAL HEALTH
Professor: Sadler
HUMA 1301 INTRODUCTION TO HUMANITIES
Professor: Towner
An introduction to the concept of cultural tradition through the study of selected works of literature, philosophy, music, and visual art. Emphasis on the relations among various forms of cultural expression and developing students’ ability to interpret complex artistic works in their historical, cultural, and intellectual contexts. General education core course.
NATS 3330
Professor: Montgomery
Wide-ranging discussions of the unifying theory of the origin and modification through time of all organisms. Pertinent history, the fossil record, evolution as concerns the human experience, processes and mechanisms and a look at the future are major topics. An optional field laboratory is offered. This course is specifically designed for non-majors. This co
Spring 2007 Course Descriptions
AHST 3320 MODERNISM
Professor: Rushing
ARTS 1301 EXPLORATION OF THE ARTS
Professor: Nelson
This course introduces students to the physical and intellectual demands required of the author, the performer, and the visual artist. This introduction includes, but is not limited to, the student’s production of a creative project as well as written assessments of art and performance.
CGS 2301 INTRODUCTION TO COGNITIVE SCIENCE
Professor: O'Toole
An introduction to the study of the brain and behavior from the point of view of cognitive science, including approaches from psychology, philosophy, neuropsychology, and computational modeling. Includes phenomena involving sensory systems, memory, decision making, language, and communication.
CJS 1301 INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Professor: Marquart
An overview and analysis of the major agencies, personnel, and decision-making points which comprise the criminal justice system. Includes problems and issues confronting legislatures, police, courts, corrections, and the community, as they respond to crime in a free society. Legal precedents guiding the decisions of criminal justice agents are also discussed.
ECO 2302 PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS
Professor: Beron
An introduction to theories of the behavior of markets. Topics include the theory of demand and supply, market structure, resource markets, international interdependence in commodity markets, the role of government policy and regulation.
EE 2310 INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL SYSTEMS
Professor: Pervin
Introduction to hardware structures and assembly-language concepts that form the basis of the design of modern computer systems. Internal data representation and arithmetic operations in a computer. Basic logic circuits. MIPS assembly language. Overview of computer architecture.
GOVT 2301 CONSTITUTION AND POLITICAL BEHAVIOR IN THE US AND TEXAS
Professor: Dow
This honors seminar is designed as an introduction to the constitutional structure and the political processes of the United States and Texas. We will seek a basic understanding of the people, institutions, movements, cultures, and opinions that shape the political landscape. Our first goal will be to understand how American politics is contoured by an ever-changing constitutional system. We will seek answers to a number of questions: What were the origins of the U.S. and Texan constitutions? How should power be divided and shared between the national governments and states? What do states do? How does the Texas Constitution resemble and differ from the U.S. Constitution? What has been the history of civil rights/liberties protection? The second goal of the course will be to understand those processes and institutions through which citizens behave politically. How do people come to form political beliefs? What kinds of groups do people form to promote their ideas and interests? How do these groups interact with governmental actors themselves? We shall explore the development and evolution of political parties (at the national and state levels), the growing dominance of interest groups, the importance of public opinion and the role of news media in shaping the information Americans have about their government and society.
GOVT 2302 POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE US AND TEXAS
Professor: Thielemann
This course explores the primary institutions of U.S. and Texas government. It examines the bureaucracy as well as the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government at the state and federal level.
GOVT 4367 MOOT COURT
Professor: Champagne
Course examines a hypothetical case which contains two constitutional issues. Based on approximately 20 actual precedents, students are expected to prepare arguments supporting both the petitioner and respondents on each constitutional issue. Students compete in tournaments against advocates from other universities. May be repeated for credit (6 hours maximum). Consent of instructor required.
GOVT 4396 MODERN INDIVIDUALISM
Professor: Dow
HIST 2331 ISSUES IN AMERICAN HISTORY
Professor: Rabe
Readings, commentary, and discussion aimed at varying aspects of history and culture.
HIST 4380 TECHNOLOGY AND MENTAL HEALTH
Professor: Sadler
HUMA 1301 INTRODUCTION TO HUMANITIES
Professor: Redman
An introduction to the concept of cultural tradition through the study of selected works of literature, philosophy, music, and visual art. Emphasis on the relations among various forms of cultural expression and developing students’ ability to interpret complex artistic works in their historical, cultural, and intellectual contexts. General education core course.