Short Term Course Descriptions

ART 111: Art Appreciation (3 units)

• Through the examination of examples from various art movements and cultures, this course explores art through a discussion of the history, vocabulary, methods and media of art.

ART 301: Art Fundamentals (3 units)

• This course is designed to introduce studio art, art history, art criticism and aesthetics to the future elementary school teacher. This class will provide a foundation for life-long learning within the art discipline. Competencies pertaining to art instruction will be developed through various experiences based upon art education theory and practice. A lab fee will be charged to cover various materials for hands-on demonstrations.

BIOL 125: Introduction to Biology (3 units)

• This foundational course examines the central concepts of cellular biology, human biology, genetics, evolution, taxonomy and ecology.

CHEM 100: Introductory Chemistry (3 units)

• This course is designed to foster a general understanding of chemistry. The class will use demonstrations and laboratory experiments to introduce and clarify questions about the concrete world within the context of the abstract model of the atom. Everyday materials will be used in order to emphasize the extent to which chemistry affects human life. Outside reading will be used as a means of extending classroom learning into an analysis of current events within the context of chemistry.

COM 111: Academic Writing (3 units)

• This course focuses on the development of prewriting, writing and revision skills through a review of rhetorical problems and conventions in narrative, expository and argumentative writing. There will be a review of audience analysis, creative thinking, organizing ideas, editing and revision strategies and selected points of English usage.

COM 121: Fundamental Communication Skills (3 units)

• This course analyzes the verbal and nonverbal elements of communication and development of communication skills, including critical listening, audience analysis, language use, reasoning, persuading, and informing through formal and informal oral presentations.

COM 342:  Advanced Academic Research & Composition (3 units)

• This course focuses on the advanced phases of conducting research and developing scholarly writing. Students learn the steps of the research process, the structure of a research/scholarly report and how to access the scholarly and professional literature surrounding a specific topic. Emphasis is placed on the critical thinking and academic writing required for successful research. there will be opportunities to synthesize research and the literature provided. Additionally, students explore productive techniques for developing the personal introspection, discipline and habits necessary for advanced academic work.

CRIM 210: Criminal Justice Administration (3 units)

• This course explores the history and purpose of criminal justice administration agencies with particular emphasis on a review of organization and structure of federal, state and local enforcement agencies; organization and function of the courts; interplay of probation, parole, restorative justice and victim services; and overview of penology and prison administration.

CRIM 220: Criminal Law (3 units)

• This course is a basic introduction to substantive criminal law, examining nature, origins and purposes of criminal law and general principles of criminal liability. Students will analyze substantive elements of crime including act and mental state, defenses, justifications, participatory parties and review specific substantive crimes.

ENV 151: Environment and Humanity (3 units)

• This course explores the interaction between humans and the natural environment from an interdisciplinary perspective involving ecological, social and religious issues. Use of natural resources and environmental damage are central themes.

HIST 122: Western Civilization I (3 units)

• This course covers the history of Western civilization from its prehistoric antecedents in the Middle East to the rise of modern European nations in the 17th century and their world-wide political, cultural and economic influence. The format will be a short-term (six-week) course with methodologies that include lecture, discussion, video and assigned readings along with an oral report.

HIST 142: Western Civilization II (3 units)

• This course covers the history of Western civilization from 1648 to the present including the political, cultural, scientific and economic influence of the West on the world. The format will be a short-term (six-week) course with methodologies that include lecture, discussion, video and assigned readings along with an oral report.

HIST 151: American History I (3 units)

• This course covers the history of the United States from the beginning of colonization through the Civil War, including political, social, economic and cultural aspects. The format will be a short-term (six-week) course with methodologies that include lecture, discussion, video and assigned readings along with an oral report. (This course meets the U.S. Constitution requirement for teaching credential candidates.)

HIST 152: American History II (3 units)

• This course covers the history of the United States from the end of the Civil War to the present, including political, social, economic and cultural aspects. The format will be a short-term (six-week) course with methodologies that include lecture, discussion, video and assigned readings along with an oral report.

HIST 396: The European Union (3 units)

• This course will reveal the historical development and current status of the new, united Europe. The impact of the European Union (EU) on the United States will be analyzed as the EU seeks to be both a partner and competitor with America. The EU's strategy to challenge and surpass American economic and cultural hegemony while relying heavily on American military dominance will also be explored, as well as the EU's social agenda. As on-site visits to major European cities will be a part of this course, the course is limited to students participating in the university's European summer study tour for degree completion students.

KIN 121: Concepts of Wellness (2 units)

• This is an introductory course that studies the different dimensions of wellness. Special emphasis is given to health-related fitness. Other emphases include nutrition, destructive behaviors and spirituality. Students learn basic concepts, techniques and strategies that can be applied to positively affect each of these areas. A portion of the course is activity based in which students learn to apply various exercise techniques.

LANG 170: English for Academic Purposes (2 units)

• At an advanced level, this course develops the process of writing, revising and editing compositions, a process which includes logical development and organization of ideas; develops analytical and critical thinking skills by reading and responding to student's own writing; reinforces grammar skills through self-editing instruction in complex linguistic structures. Permission of IELP director required.

LIT 181: Critical Reading (3 units)

• This course examines literary concepts, conventions and genres through close reading and written analyses of novels, drama and poetry.

MATH 121: Mathematical Problem Solving (3 units)

• This course provides a broad survey of mathematical techniques and topics, including problem-solving from inductive and deductive perspectives. Topics include finite differences, Pascal's triangle, permutations, combinations, probability, statistics, number theory and topology.

MATH 250:  Introduction to Statistics (3 units)

• This course introduces basic concepts of analysis and interpretation of data collected in a statistical frame work. Primary course objectives are to develop mastery of basic statistical concepts, to develop the ability to apply these concepts correctly, to communicate effectively in writing the results of a statistical analysis, and to gain exposure to modern statistical computing software. Topics include but are not limited to summarizing and graphing data,  central tendency, measures of variations, measures of position, binomial distribution, normal distribution, estimation, hypothesis testing, correlation and regression, and one-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA).

MUS 104: Music Appreciation (3 units)

• Students in this course survey past, present, classical and popular musical styles to develop aesthetic appreciation for music of different cultures.

MUS 107: Elements of Musicianship (3 units)

• Elements of Musicianship will provide an introduction to the elements of music including beat, rhythm, dynamics, tempo and written notation. The class will loosely follow a lecture format: lecture will be used to introduce concepts, but various practice activities will be used in class to reinforce said concepts in the whole class, individual and group performance settings. Practice activities will include singing, dancing, clapping, playing instruments, writing, notating music, reading, listening to music and viewing video examples.  Lecture and practice activities will be presented in a way that has shown to be effective in an elementary classroom setting, and special attention will be given to applications of these techniques in the classroom.

PHIL 104: Applied Logic & Critical Thinking (3 units)

• This course is an introduction to formal and informal logic, and includes critical thinking and critical analysis of various philosophical positions.

PHYS 151: Geology and Planet Earth (3 units)

• This course explores the geological processes that are at work impacting this planet and is intended to enhance an awareness of the power of nature and the environmental concerns facing Earth and its people. This course must be completed by the end of the semester. Check course schedule for specific date.

PS 121: American Government (3 units)

• This course will survey U.S., state and local government including the development of the U.S. Constitution and its interpretations, the various branches of the federal government, the checks and balances in place to maintain a free society, the structures and roles of state and local government, the processes by which civil authority and power are maintained, the limits of government, the development and impact of political parties, and the responsibilities of the citizens of a democratic society.

PSY 121: Human Learning (3 units)

• This course is an introduction to theories of learning as related to cognition and language, behavior and environments.

PSY 322: Discovery Learning in the Mind, Brain, and Body (3 units)

• This course helps students to develop an understanding of how people process information and learn; studying the history, content and application of learning theories, intelligence and thinking dispositions, including the development of the mind and brain and its role in education. 

PSY 325: Emotional Intelligence (3 units)

• This course introduces issues related to the study of emotions including reviews of theories that concern functions, mechanisms and meaning of emotions as well as the role of emotions in human development, thinking, memory and social interactions. How individuals regulate moods and deal with overwhelming emotions will be considered along with the nature of specific emotions such as love, hostility, fear and disgust. A personalized emotional intelligence profile and application to leadership and teamwork will be analyzed.

PSY 351: Child Growth & Development (3 units)

• This course will focus on child growth and development from both classic and current theory and the effect that research has on our understanding of this complex field of study. The joint contributions of biology and environment to the developing child (birth through age eight) and his/her family will be examined throughout the course. Real-world situations will be studied and discussed as they pertain to the developing child and those who provide services including care, support and education. Illustrations and distinctions will be made as they address commonalities and differences between ethnic groups, cultures and traditions with particular attention to our Central Valley and policy/programming issues that are crucial for safeguarding children and their families.

PSY 381: Psychology of Learning (3 units)

• This course will introduce students to the major principles and theories of learning. The practical application of learning to such areas as education, behavior control and modification, and psychotherapy will be studied.

PSY 441: Introduction to Counseling Theories (3 units)

• This course is designed to introduce students to the various theoretical components of counseling. Contemporary psychological theories are presented. The course will provide an introduction to interviewing and to individual and group counseling skills. Laboratory components include experiential activities, role playing, case studies and other simulation experiences.

SOC 325: Building Lasting Relationships (3 units)

• This course offers the self-awareness, evaluation tools and communication skills to make wise choices in relationships including lifetime marriage. Students evaluate the marriage model in the homes where they grew up or their own marriage and today's societal norms against a biblical worldview of marriage.  Early childhood experiences are assessed to discover any residual anger that may distort relationships and deny the healing grace of Christ. Students practice communication skills that exhibit the loving care necessary to sustain a lifelong best friendship in marriage. Married and single students find these principles and practices enable healthy relationships in business, at church, among friends and in the extended family.