Math 100: Algebra Enrichment
Credits 2 | Gen Eds: None | Class Limit: None
This course offers three different levels of courses; MATH 100A, MATH 100B, and MATH 100C. The descriptions for these courses are as follows:
MATH 100A: Algebra Enrichment I:
Beginning Algebra. Students at this level cover the following topics: Fractions, decimals, and percents; Order of operations; Solving basic (linear) equations and inequalities; Using algebraic expressions to represent basic real-world scenarios to help solve word problems. Exponents, polynomial operations, factoring, and rational expressions as time allows.
MATH 100B: Algebra Enrichment II:
Intermediate Algebra. Students at this level cover the following topics: Exponents; Polynomial operations; Factoring; Linear equations; Systems of linear equations and inequalities; Solving quadratic equations; Rational expressions/complex fractions. Functions and graphing.
MATH 100C: Algebra Enrichment III:
Advanced Algebra/Pre-Calculus. Students at this level cover as many of the following topics as possible: Solving higher-order polynomial, rational, radical, and absolute value equations; Solving polynomial, rational, and absolute value inequalities; The study of various types of functions (linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric), their properties, and operations.
WRIT 101: Bridging Academic Writing
Credits 2 | Gen Eds: W | Class Limit: None
WRIT 101, "Bridging Academic Writing," is a course designed to help students bridge the gap between high school and college. Drawing from theories informed by the latest research in composition studies, WRIT 101 aims to provide students the necessary tools to be successful participants in a college-going culture.
CHEM 197: Foundations for Success in General Chemistry (Listed as Ind Study: General Chemistry)
Credits 2 | Gen Eds: None
CHEM 197 is designed to complement CHEM 100 (Basic Chemistry) and support student success in introductory chemistry and beyond. In this hands-on, collaborative environment, students will work together to solve problems, explore key concepts, and develop essential skills for succeeding in General Chemistry. Activities will reinforce foundational topics such as unit conversions, dimensional analysis, and significant figures, with connections to laboratory practices.
The Politics of Dystopia
Credits 4 | Gen Eds: H, C |
Humanity has dreamed of utopia for thousands of years, but in the twentieth century, we became obsessed with dystopias: imagined societies that warn us of all the ways the future might go wrong. In this course, we will examine the conventions and concerns of dystopian writing, addressing its preoccupation with totalitarian governments, intrusive technologies, and ecological collapse. As we situate key works of dystopian fiction in their historical context, we will consider how each dystopia reflects the specific political concerns of its author and the broader fears and anxieties of its time. We'll also ask what dystopia can tell us about our world: from the novel challenges of authoritarianism, inequality, artificial intelligence, surveillance, and climate change, to enduring philosophical questions about power, freedom, and responsibility. Readings may include selections from H.G. Wells, E.M. Forster, Franz Kafka, Aldous Huxley, George Orwell, Phillip K. Dick, J.G. Ballard, Ursula K. LeGuin, Margaret Atwood, and Octavia Butler, among others, as well as occasional forays into dystopian film, television, popular music, and other genres.
ENG 280K: Let's Talk About K-Pop
Credits 4 | Gen Eds: H, C |
This course focuses on the capitalistic influence of the United States on modern K-pop. The U.S. became involved with South Korea after World War II through direct militaristic control and, later, neocolonial foreign aid. Through the first K-pop idol group H.O.T. in 1996 and the first girl group S.E.S. in 1997, to second generation groups such as BIGBANG and Girls’ Generation and, finally, more recent groups, such as EXO, BTS, Red Velvet, Twice, BLACKPINK, Stray Kids, LOONA, SuperM, and others, this course aims to analyze the K-pop wave against the rise of neoliberal polices in South Korea, especially after the 1997 Asian financial crisis, and powerful entertainment companies, such as SM, through a postcolonial lens: how has the East Asian model of capitalism, the 1997 Asian financial crisis, and subsequent neoliberal policies of South Korea, all of which derived from Western influence, affected K-pop since the Korean Wave began in the 1990s? This course is classified as four-credit Humanities (H) and Composition (C) courses.
DIDA 120: Interactive Fiction
Credits 4 | Gen Eds: H |
In this course students will plan, craft and publish interactive fiction (IF) stories their audience will navigate by making choices based on given prompts. Students will create stories using Twine, a free and open source tool while learning basic coding skills to create countdowns, trackers, puzzles and add images and effects to their stories. Students will also engage with and present to each other about a variety of forms of interactive fiction including tabletop RPGs, video games, and choose your own adventure books exploring the various genres and theories of interactive fiction each form engages with.