Courses
Certificate in Interdisciplinary Graduate Social Theory Certificate
In Regular Text: Courses that automatically count towards the certificate
In Italics: Courses that require approval by student advisor and committee co-chairs (content may change from semester to semester, and vary depending on who will be offering the course in a particular semester)
AMST 510 – Special Topics
ANTH 510 – Method and Theory in Cultural Anthropology
Development of primary theoretical orientations by cultural anthropologists; formulation of research problems and methods of collecting, organizing, and utilizing data.
ANTH 611 – Advanced Seminar in Cultural Anthropology
Critical evaluation of current issues in theory and data interpretation.
ARCH 503 – Modern Architecture: Histories and Theories
Architectural thought in design practice in late 20th century. Examples of contemporary works and review of theoretical issues.
ARCH 507 – Architecture, Culture and Modernity
Scope of ideas generated in architecture’s recent history to reveal and explain production and reception of architecture: historical background necessary to understand those concepts. Complements history sequence but in specialized field of theory.
ARCH 511 – History and Theory of Architecture I
Architecture and ideas of building and community form in major world cultures from the prehistoric era to about 1500.
ARCH 512 – History and Theory of Architecture II
Architecture and ideas of building and community form in major world cultures from 1500 AD to the mid-20th century.
(RE) Prerequisite(s): 511.
ARCH 515 – Seminar in Urban Design Theory
Investigations of urban forms, patterns, and attitudes that have shaped towns and cities.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.
CCI 540 – Communication Theory
Overview of theory-building process and theories in communication.
Registration Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in the College of Communication and Information or consent of instructor.
CCI 610 – Perspectives on Communication and Information Knowledge and Research I
6 Credit Hours
Examination of the paradigmatic underpinnings that drive research in positivistic traditions. Integrative study of the role of theory, various theoretical traditions and methods within positivistic communication and information research. Emphasis on classic and contemporary literature and on conducting primary research across the various fields represented by the college.
Registration Restriction(s): Doctor of Philosophy – Communication and Information major. Minimum student level – graduate.
CCI 615 – Perspectives on Communication and Information Knowledge and Research II
6 Credit Hours
Examination of the paradigmatic underpinnings that drive research in interpretivistic traditions. Integrative study of the role of theory, various theoretical traditions and methods within interpretivistic communication and information research. Emphasis on classic and contemporary literature and on conducting primary research across the various fields represented by the college.
(RE) Prerequisite(s): 610.
Registration Restriction(s): Doctor of Philosophy – Communication and Information major. Minimum student level – graduate.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.
CCI 630 – Theory and Literature in Communication and Information Disciplines
Topics covering specific areas in communication and information. Theory intensive..
(RE) Prerequisite(s): 610 and 615.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.
CFS 550 – Theory and Research in Family Studies
Theoretical models of families; analysis, synthesis, and discussion of historical and contemporary relevance of models; application of theory to research, prevention, intervention, and education; critical reading and evaluation of theory-based research on family.
CSE 526 – Philosophy of Education
Description, interpretation, and critique of philosophical/theoretical arguments: truths, knowledge, and values in relation to education.
CSE 539 – Development of Education Thought
Historic and philosophic approach to lives and writing of influential educators: Plato, Quintilian, Comenius, Rousseau, Pestalozzi, Froebel, Dewey.
CSE 544 – Survey of Contemporary Philosophies in Education
Current debates within various philosophical fields of study related to education.
CSE 545 – Sociology of Education
Sociological analysis of the United States education system. Controversial cultural and social issues that affect the educational system and the students who attend U.S. schools.
CSE 548 – Transforming Critical Thinking: Constructive Thinking and Educational Implications
Critique and transformation of critical thinking to more holistic, relational, and aesthetic model of multicultural and gender-sensitive constructive thinking; confronting power and addressing educational implications.
Cross-listed: (Same as Women’s Studies 548.)
CSE 550 – Multicultural Education
Introduction to history, varieties, theory and practice of multiculturalism and multicultural education. Addresses the promotion and critique of multicultural education and related concepts in theory and educational practice.
CSE 591 – Issues in Cultural Studies
Combination of theoretical readings in cultural studies and service learning for social justice project. Discussion of interdisciplinary, social justice and activism. Links between theory and practice of cultural studies.
CSE 592- Social Justice and Education
Social justice issues: education practices. Social justice, moral commitments to others in educational settings, and equal opportunity to acquire social goods and benefits.
CSE 609 – Feminist Theories and Education
Theoretical research currently presented by feminist scholars questioning traditional (male) theories; application of these feminist theories to current feminist work in education.
Cross-listed: (Same as Women’s Studies 609.)
CSE 645 – Advanced Sociology of Education
In depth analyses of social theories and education addressing contemporary issues and controversies across school structures, practices, cultures, and discourses.
ENGL 479 – Literary Criticism
Historical survey of major works of literary criticism.
ENGL 486 – Special Topics in Criticism
Special topics in theoretical and practical approaches to British and American literature. Content varies.
ENGL 506 – Introduction to Literary Research
Critical examination of aims of English studies, profession of English teacher, theory of literature, and methods of research: collection of information, evaluation of material, and transmission of results of scholarship.
ENGL 507 – Applied Criticism: Rhetorical and Literary Forms (Amy Elias)
Study and application of ways in which major critics have analyzed form in poetry and prose fiction.
ENGL 576 – Intro/Contemporary Criticism (Allen Dunn)
Introductory survey of 20th-century literary criticism from New Criticism to present.
ENGL 584 – Topics in Feminist Studies
Topics vary.
ENGL 590 – Topics in Critical Theory (Katy Chiles)
Topics vary.
ENGL 688 – Studies in Literary Criticism
Content varies. Advanced work in theory and history of literary criticism. Currently: Planetarity: Postmodernism and After (Amy Elias)
FREN 584 – Modern Theory and Criticism
Survey of 20th-century critical theory, including psychoanalysis, Marxism, structuralism, and more. (Daniel Magilow) – see GER 560
GEOG 599 – Geographic Concept and Method
Traditional and modern geographic thought; readings on nature, scope, problems, and methods of geography.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.
GERM 416 – Metropolis Revisited
The 20th-century German or Austrian metropolis in the mirror of history, literature, theory, art, architecture, and music. Taught in English.
(RE) Corequisite(s): 102 or higher German language course or placement score between 338 and 467.
GERM 560 German Literary Theory and Criticism (Daniel Magilow) – see FRE 584
HIST 532 – Topics in Modern Europe
Reading seminar: movements and trends, multinational in focus. Focus varies.
HIST 542 – Topics in 19th-Century United States
Reading seminar. Focus varies.
HIST 543 – Topics in 20th-Century United States
Reading seminar. Focus varies.
HIST 555 – Topics in United States Social and Economic History
Reading seminar. Focus varies.
HIST 557 – Topics in Cultural and Intellectual History
Reading seminar. Focus varies.
HIST 580 – Topics in History
Reading seminar. Focus varies. Fall 2012: Gender in US History (Lynn Sacco)
HIST 632 – Seminar in Modern European History
Research seminar in primary sources culminating in scholarly paper in modern European history. Focus varies.
HIST 643 – Seminar in 20th-Century United States
Research seminar in primary sources culminating in scholarly paper in 20th-century U.S. history. Focus varies.
JREM 530 – Mass Communication Law in a Democratic Society
Advanced study of legal issues in journalism across the media. Constitutional interpretation of First Amendment rights. The evolution of the theory of press freedom in the United States. Principles and case studies in communication law. Analysis of court opinions and regulatory policies. Discussion of legal research. Examination of the impact of globalization and new technologies on the traditional values of the First Amendment.
MFLL 582 – Special Topics in Global Cinema
Content varies. Focus from global perspectives on particular directors, stars, film genres, national and regional cinema movements, film theory/criticism, or other topics. Taught in English.
Cross-listed: (Same as Cinema Studies 582.)
MUCO 570 – Music in the 19th-Century
Music of the nineteenth-century from Beethoven to the post-Romantics with a focus on aesthetic, cultural and social contexts. Opera, symphony, art song, piano works, and others examined against the frameworks of cultural theory, gender studies, orientalism, politics and philosophy.
(DE) Corequisite(s): Music General 510.
Recommended Background: 400.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.
PHIL 441 – Global Justice and Human Rights
Issues such as justice between distinct and diverse political communities; universal human rights; and moral issues in environment, trade, and development. (David Reidy)
PHIL 450 – Topics in Ethical Theory
Topic varies.
PHIL 522 – Topics in Modern Philosophy
Intensive critical work on major philosopher or school. (Richard Aquila)
PHIL 528 – Topics in Contemporary Philosophy
Intensive critical work on themes in late 20th-century philosophy. Fall 2012: John Rawls’s Theory of Justice (Jonathan Garthoff)
PHIL 540 – Topics in Ethics or Value Theory
PHL 622 – Topics in Modern Philosophy (David Reidy)
PHL 624 – Topics in Contemporary Philosophy (Eldon Coffman)
PHIL 640 – Topics in Ethics or Value Theory
PHYS 521 – Quantum Mechanics
Fundamental principles of quantum mechanics, angular momentum, electron spin, particles in electric and magnetic fields, perturbation theory, variational methods, scattering theory; second quantization, quantization of electromagnetic field, emission, absorption, and scattering of light, bremsstrahlung, pair creation and annihilation. Application of quantum mechanics to problems of atomic, molecular, nuclear, and solid state physics.
PHYS 561 – The Theory of Relativity
Geometry of space-time, relativistic electrodynamics, particle mechanics and continuum mechanics, Einstein’s field equations, Schwarzschild solutions, the classical test of general relativity.
POLS 475 – Ancient and Medieval Political Thought
Major western political thinkers from Socrates to Marsilio of Padua.
Cross-listed: (Same as Medieval Studies 475.)
POLS 476 – Modern Political Thought
Major western political thinkers from Machiavelli to Marx.
POLS 520 – Political Theory
Survey of major ideas, thinkers and works of Western political theory.
POLS 628 – Topics in Political Theory
Selected issues and problems in normative political theory. Specific content determined by instructor.
POLS 673 – Comparative Political Economy: Advanced Industrial Countries
Examines comparative political economy through research questions and scholarly works that focus on the advanced industrial countries.
PSYC 420 – History and Systems of Psychology
History of psychological thought. Classical approaches and recent developments.
(RE) Prerequisite(s): 110 or 117.
PSYC 550 – Social Psychology
Survey of theory and research concerning interpersonal interaction and individual behavior in social context.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.
PSYC 577 – Multicultural Psychology: Theory and Research
Provides graduate students who are interested in mental health with a basic foundation of knowledge, awareness, and skills in multicultural issues. Covers theories, research, and counseling interventions for working effectively with clients from different socio-cultural groups.
PUBH 656 – Comparative Theories in Health Behavior
Theoretical models of health behavior; analysis, synthesis, and discussion of historical, contemporary and cross-cultural relevance of models; application of theory to research, prevention and intervention in public health; critical reading and evaluation of theory-based research on health behavior.
(RE) Prerequisite(s): 555.
REST 405 – Modern Jewish Thought
History, culture, and geography of the now Israeli portion of the Levant from 1850 to present. The founding of the modern state of Israel in 1948 and the political complexities of the Middle East. Israeli culture and literature.
Cross-listed: (Same as Judaic Studies 405.)
PUBH 555 – Health and Society
Understanding of social and behavioral factors which influence health status and care in America. Application to behavior in health-related organization. Social and psychological aspects of disease, sociological aspects of health care delivery systems, political economy of health and illness, impact of social movements on health, and social consequences of health legislation.
REST 415 – Psychology of Religion
Cross-listed: (See Psychology 415.)
(RE) Prerequisite(s): Psychology 110 or Psychology 117.
REST 425 – Seminar in Western Religions
Selected figures, themes, movements, and problems.
REST 430 – Seminar in North American Religions
Selected figures, themes, movements, and problems.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.
REST 440 – Seminar in Comparative Religion
Selected figures, themes, movements, and problems.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.
REST 499 – Advanced Seminar in the Study of Religion
Selected topics in the study of religion. For advanced students.
REST 503 – Theory and Method in the Study of Religion
Classical, modern, and post-modern approaches. Required for MA students in philosophy major/religious studies concentration.
REST 505 – Religious Texts and Contexts
Critical study of texts and their interpretations: sacred texts, canons, commentaries, religious autobiographies, and religious themes in literature.
REST 507 – Religion, Power and Society
Studies of religions in relation to social structure and political institutions: issues of gender, race, class, ethnicity, caste, slavery, religion and the state, globalization and human rights.
REST 513 – Religion, the Arts, and the Media
Material and expressive culture, religion and journalism, mass communication technologies, popular culture, issues of representation, cultural studies methodologies.
REST 515 – Critical Reflection on Religion
Analytical and constructive thought by scholars of religion and religious thinkers: philosophy of religion, modern and post-modern religious thought, Advaita Vedanta, neo-Confucianism, and scholastic theology.
REST 532 – Topics in the History of Religions
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.
SOCI 504 – Sociological Foundations of Political Economy
Survey of contemporary sociological theories of political economy, sources of political and economic power and conflict. (Jon Shefner)
SOCI 505 – Foundations of Criminology
Critical overview of contemporary developments in criminology, theories of crime causation and theories of responses to crime.
SOC 521 – Sociological Theory I (Classical)
Assessment of what sociological theory is; its major figures and their approaches to understanding society. (Harry F. Dahms)
SOCI 534 – Advanced Sociological Analysis
Underlying assumptions and logical procedures used by sociologists in formulating explanations; foundations of sociological research strategies and techniques.
SOCI 541 – Collective Behavior, Social Movements, Social Change
Basic theory and research on conditions of social unrest in human collectivities and efforts of collectives to change existing society.
SOCI 560 – Environmental Sociology
Systematic treatment of current research in environmental sociology. Social impact analysis and conflicts over environmental issues. (Damayanti Banerjee)
SOC 621 – Sociological Theory II (Contemporary) (Harry F. Dahms)
Distinct schools of sociological theory and contributions of their principal exponents.
(RE) Prerequisite(s): 521 or consent of instructor.
Soc 638: Comparative Historical Sociology
Soc 640: Discourse Analysis
Course Description – Foundations in the analysis of language, narrative, and meaning making in social life, including approaches to conversation, textual, archival, critical discourse, and genealogical research
Soc 654: Criminal Justice Theories
Course Description – Critical overview of theories of criminal justice policy and theories of crime control behaviors by institutions and individuals (criminal justice agents)
SOCI 644 – Political Sociology
Critical examination of theories of state and political processes.
SOCI 645 – Advanced Studies in Political Economy
Topical seminar.
SOC 653 – Law and Society (Michelle Brown)
Examines the relationships and interactions between law, social structure, and cultural practices, with a focus upon legal, criminal, and political theory and substantive areas of rule of law, rights, citizenship, and statelessness.
SOCI 655 – Advanced Studies in Criminology
Intensive examination of selected topics in criminology. (RE) Prerequisite(s): 505 or consent of instructor.
SOCI 661 – Environmental Theory
Historical and contemporary studies of interaction between humans and their environment.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.
SOCI 665 – Advanced Topics in Environmental Sociology
Topical seminar covering particular lines of research and theory within area.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor. (Damayanti Banerjee)
SOCI 695 – Advanced Special Topics
Topic of special interest or student-initiated courses that will not be regularly offered.
Registration Permission: Consent of department.
SPAN 482 – Trends in Hispanic Thought
Intellectual/philosophical currents represented in literary works, selected thinkers, or movements from historical periods of Spain and Latin American countries.
(RE) Prerequisite(s): 323 and 330.
TPTE 640 – Theoretical Analysis and Theory Construction
Critical analysis of paradigms and theories relevant to educational research. Principles of theory construction with grounded, inductive and deductive modes. Construction of mid-range theories.
Comment(s): Admission to doctoral program required.