Course Descriptions
Art History (ARHS)
Professor Kihn (chair)
ARHS-101 Landmarks of World Art (3-0)3
The course encompasses the study of outstanding works of the visual arts from past times to the present: (1) sources of the creative impulse, and (2) relationship of art to the civilization producing it.
Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSAD)
Professor Kihn (chair)
CSAD-270 Effective Public Speaking (3-0)3
Designed for improvement of the student’s speech based upon theory and demonstrated performance of voice and diction skills and public-speaking skills for effective communication in a variety of speaking situations.
Communication Studies (COMM)
Professor Kihn (chair)
COMM-100 Principles of Human Communication (1-0)1 S
Introduction to the human communication process with emphasis on the principles, variables, and social contexts of communication.
COMM-102 Human Communication in the Interpersonal Context (2-0)2 S
Introduction to interpersonal communication with emphasis upon application of one-to-one communication in a variety of social contexts.
English (ENGL)
Professor Kihn (chair); Assistant Professors Barko, Bragg, Clough, Mitrik
ENGL-090 Developmental Writing (3-0)3
A course designed for students needing to develop basic writing skills. Entering freshmen with ACT verbal score 17 or less or SAT verbal 450 or less. May not register for English 101 until successful completion of ENGL 090. Pass/ Fail grading. Course does not count toward graduation.
ENGL-091 Fundamental Reading (2-0)2
A course designed to improve reading speed and comprehension. Entering freshmen with ACT 17 or lower or SAT 450 or below in reading must pass ENGL 091 prior to registering for ENGL 101. Pass/Fail grading. Does not count toward graduation.
ENGL-101 Composition and Rhetoric (3-0)3
A course in writing non-fiction prose, principally the expository essay. Required of all bachelor’s degree candidates unless the requirement is waived under regulations prevailing at the time of admission. (Note: Entering Freshmen who score 18 or below on the ACT English or 450 or below on the SAT verbal may not register for ENGL 101 until they demonstrate requisite skills on the English Department’s Writing Placement Test. Because of anticipated revisions in SAT or ACT scores, these scores are subject to change. Students should contact the English Department for more current information.
ENGL-102 Composition and Rhetoric (3-0)3
(ENGL 101)
Writing college-level research papers based on argumentative models. Precision in footnotes, bibliographies, usage, punctuation, and stylistics assumed. Required of all bachelor’s degree candidates unless the requirement is waived under regulations prevailing at the time of admission.
ENGL-111 Introduction to Creative Writing (3-0) 3
(ENGL 101 and ENGL 102 or equivalent)
Practice in writing a sequence of structured exercises designed to enhance creative writing skills.
ENGL-131 Poetry and Drama (3-0)3
An introduction to the genres.
ENGL-132 Short Story and Novel (3-0)3
An introduction to the genres.
ENGL-212 Creative Writing: Fiction (3-0)3
An open enrollment introduction to the writing of fiction.
ENGL-221 The English Language (3-0)3
(ENGL 101 & sophomore standing)
An introduction to language, its structure in the mind, and its use in the United States.
ENGL-225 World Literature (3-0)3
(ENGL 102 or department consent)
Great literature from outside the United States and Great Britain; includes both Western and Non-Western Literature.
ENGL-232 Poetry (3-0)3
Appreciation and enjoyment of poems through critical and analytical reading. Studies in the various types of poetry, and of the language, imagery, and techniques of poetic expression.
ENGL-233 The Short Story (3-0)3
The short story’s structure, history, and contemporary forms.
ENGL-234 Drama (3-0)3
The drama’s structure, history, and contemporary forms.
ENGL-235 Novel (3-0)3
The novel’s structure, history, and contemporary forms.
ENGL 236 The Bible as Literature 3 Hours.
Analysis of the themes, topics and literary genres of the Old and New Testaments. Issues to be discussed include the unity of the text, the status of authorship, translation, and the depiction of God.
ENGL-241 American Literature 1 (3-0)3
A historical introduction and survey from its beginnings to the mid-nineteenth century.
ENGL-242 American Literature 2 (3-0)3
A historical introduction and survey from the mid-nineteenth century to the present.
ENGL-252 Appalachian Fiction (3-0)3
Reading of short stories, novels, and other narratives by Appalachian authors.
ENGL-258 Popular American Culture: Film & Fiction (3-0)
A study of the history and nature of science fiction from H.G. Wells to the present, with special attention to features of prose narration.
ENGL-261 British Literature 1 (3-0)3
A historical introduction and survey from the Middle Ages through the eighteenth century.
ENGL-262 British Literature 2 (3-0)3
A historical introduction and survey from the late eighteenth century to the present.
ENGL-263 Shakespeare 1 (3-0)3
Several of Shakespeare’s most important plays.
ENGL-272 Modern Literature (3-0)3
British and American poetry, drama, and fiction from 1900 to 1960.
ENGL-301 Writing Theory & Practice (3-0)3
(ENGL 101 and ENGL 102)
Tradition and contemporary approaches to rhetoric and writing theory for professional writing and editing students who wish to develop their abilities to analyze and produce written texts.
ENGL-302 Editing (3-0) 3
A comprehensive approach to editing, including the correctness and effectiveness of a document, information design, and editorial responsibility. Students gain a realistic perspective on workplace practice through real-world scenarios, case studies, and technological applications.
ENGL-303 Multimedia Writing (3-0) 3
Study of communication and design issues in multimedia composition. Focuses on communication, creative expression, persuasion, interactivity, and rhetorical principles. Practice in composing multimedia documents such as online publications, interactive literary works, and tutorials.
ENGL-304 Business and Professional Writing (3-0) 3
(ENGL 101 and ENGL 102)
Students will analyze different writing contexts, meet the needs of different audiences, and organize and present material in letters, memos, and reports. Includes some research, Internet components, and a review of style, grammar and usage.
ENGL-305 Technical Writing (3-0)3
(ENGL 101 & ENGL 102)
Writing in scientific and technical fields. Introduces students to typical genres, workplace practices, document design, and conventions of writing for experts and non-experts.
ENGL-306 Topics in Humanities Computing (3-0) 3
Topics include: literary studies (electronic publications, web-based, interactive fiction, poetry, drama, nonfiction), creative writing in digital media, composition on-line, pedagogy, cultural studies of electronic media, online communications, language studies. Topics rotate; check with instructor.
ENGL 321 History of the English Language (3-0) 3
Study of the nature of the language; questions of origins, language families, development, relationships of English as one of the Indo-European languages.
ENGL-493 Special Topics (1-6-0)1-6
(Department consent)
Investigation of topics not covered in regularly scheduled courses.
Geography (GEOG)
Professor Kihn (chair); Assistant Professor Sartore
GEOG-102 World Regions (3-0)3 F
Comparison and relationships of world regions. Geographical perspectives of contemporary global problems. Developing regions contrasted with modernized regions and the consequences of their interactions.
GEOG-108 Human Geography
A course introducing students to the study of geography as a social science by emphasizing the relevance of geographic concepts to human problems.
GEOG-240 United States and Canada (3-0)3 S
Regional study of the United States and Canada emphasizing such geographic features as climate, natural vegetation, topography, natural resources, population distribution and trends, agriculture, manufacturing, transportation systems, and regional culture.
History (HIST)
Professors Brown, Kihn (chair) Rakes; Assistant Professor Sartore
HIST-105 The Middle East (3-0) 3
History of the Middle East from the rise of Islam (610 C.E.) to twentieth century. Special attention given to religion, gender issues, political developments, economic problems, relations with the West, cultural patterns and changes in the modern era.
HIST-152 Growth of the American Nation to 1865 (3-0)3
Examines the basic political, economic, and social forces in formation and development of the United States before 1865. Emphasis on national development from independence through the Civil War.
HIST-153 Making of Modern America: 1865 to the Present (3-0)3
(HIST 153 may precede HIST 152)
Continues the examination of basic political, economic, and social forces in the development of the United States since the Civil War.
HIST-179 World History to 1500 (3-0)3
Comparative history of Africa, Asia, and Europe from earliest times until 1500. Political, economic, social, and religious developments with emphasis on patterns of authority, the individual, nature, and society.
HIST-180 World History Since 1500 (3-0)3
(HIST 180 may precede HIST 179)
Comparative history of Africa, Asia, and Europe 1500 to the present. Political, economic, and social developments with emphasis on patterns of authority, the individual, nature, society, and the impact of the West.
HIST-203 Introduction to Medieval Europe 3
Treats the emergence of the distinctive culture of Western Europe from the Fall of Rome to the Renaissance, considering the transformation and interaction of politics, economics, society, religion, and ideas.
HIST-261 Recent America: The United States since 1918 (3-0)3
The 1920’s, the New Deal, World War II, and a survey of developments since World War II.
HIST-277 Revolutions in Science and Technology (3-0)3 F
Examines particular periods of intensified change in science and technology, to develop general understanding of scientific and technical change. Episodes may include the scientific, industrial, Darwinian, or other revolutions.
HIST-293 A-Z Special Topics (1-6-0)1-6
Investigation of topics not covered in regularly scheduled courses.
HIST-300 Greece and Rome (3-0)3
Covers the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations, Archaic and Classical Greece, Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic Age, the Roman Republic, the Etruscan and Carthaginian states, and the rise of the Roman Empire.
HIST-367 History of England (3-0)3 F-Even
England under Celtic, Roman, and Anglo-Saxon rule; the Norman conquests, the Tudor Monarchy; Elizabethan and Stuart England; England in the Age of the American and French Revolutions; Nineteenth-Century England; England in World War I; England in World War II; the decline of England as a world power.
HIST-393 A-Z Special Topics (3-0)3
Investigation of topics not covered in regularly scheduled courses.
HIST-453 Civil War and Reconstruction (3-0)3 S-Even
Causes as well as constitutional and diplomatic aspects of the Civil War; the role of American blacks in slavery, in war, and in freedom; and the economic and political aspects of Congressional Reconstruction.
HIST-473 Appalachian Regional History (3-0)3
Historical survey of Central Appalachia’s three phases of development: traditional society of the nineteenth century, the transformation of a mountain society by industrialization at the turn of the twentieth century, and contemporary Appalachia.
HIST-484 Historical Research-Capstone (3-0)3 S-Even
(History major or department consent)
Capstone course that introduces historical research techniques. Completion and presentation of major research paper required.
HIST-495 Independent Study. 1-6 Hr
(Department consent)
Faculty supervised study of topics not available through regular course offerings.
Journalism (JRL)
Professor Kihn (chair)
JRL-101 Media and Society (3-0)3 S
Examines the relationship between media, culture and society, with emphasis on the history, structure, and organization of the mass media.
Multidisciplinary Studies (MDS)
Professor Kihn (chair); Assistant Professor Mitrik
MDS-495 Independent Study 1-6 Hrs.
Faculty supervised study of topics not available through regular course offerings. MDS 495 Guided Electives are projected for the IDSC Senior Project.
Music (MUSC)
Professor Kihn (chair)
MUSC-111 Introduction to Music (3-0)3
Introductory course designed to develop an appreciation and understanding of the significance of music as a fine art, and to help the student develop intelligent listening habits.
MUSC-115 Introduction to History of Jazz (3-0)3
An introduction to jazz, its characteristics, important performers, and their music, including an historical survey with attention to the changing style of the music.
Spanish (SPAN)
Professor Kihn (chair)
SPAN-101 Elementary Spanish 1 (3-0)3 F/S
(Score of S1 on placement test or no prior study of the language) (Course presumes no prior knowledge of the language.)
Introduction to the sound and writing systems of the language with emphasis on listening, speaking, reading and writing within an authentic cultural context.
SPAN-102 Elementary Spanish 2 (3-0)3 S
(SPAN 101 or score of S2 on placement exam)
Continuation of SPAN 101. Introduction to the sound and writing systems of the language with emphasis on listening, speaking, reading, and writing within an authentic cultural context.
SPAN-203 Intermediate Spanish 1 (3-0)3 F
(SPAN 102 or score of S3 on placement exam)
Continuation of Span 102
SPAN-204 Intermediate Spanish 2 (3-0)3 S
(SPAN 203 or score of S4 on placement exam)
Foundation for advanced study of Spanish. Emphasis on oral and written communication.
SPAN 495 Independent Study 1-6 Hours
Faculty supervised study of topics not available through regular course offerings
Theatre (THET)
Professor Kihn (chair)
THET-300 Practicum 1-3 Hrs. F/S
Participation in scheduled theatre productions. May be repeated up to a maximum of 6 Hr