Introductory Special Topics Courses (090’s, 190’s, and 290’s) – Spring 2020

Spring 2020 Offerings

Courses numbered in the 190’s and 290’s focus on a particular topic and are offered only once or twice. These courses are taught at an introductory or intermediate level; specific prerequisites (if any) are noted in the course descriptions.

Please consult WebAdvisor for the days, times, and locations of these sections.

COMRT 290 0, Musical Theatre Performance
Professor Fettig
TTH 3:00 PM 4:15 PM
4 Credits
Focused scene study in order to develop proficiency in analyzing and performing musical theatre scores and scenes. Emphasis is placed on developing performance skills that integrate voice and movement to create dynamic characters through physically sustainable techniques. Performance of memorized musical scenes is required. Must be taken Graded Only.

ECON 190 A1 & A2, Introduction to Bloomberg Terminals
Short Title: Intro to Bloomberg
A1 M 1:30 PM 4:00 PM, Professor Bianco
A2 W 1:30 PM 4:00 PM, Professor Michaelides
2 Credits
An interactive introduction to financial market analysis using a mix of Bloomberg modules and in-class software-based exercises. Students will be exposed to key properties of financial data and applications. Upon completion, students will be well suited to obtain their Bloomberg certification and be better prepared for careers in financial institutions. This will be taught as a seven-week course. Must be taken Credit/No Credit.
Prerequisites: None

ECON 290 0, Neuromarketing and Consumer Behavior
Professor Rancati
MW 11:00 AM 12:15 PM
An examination of  the science and practice of neuromarketing and consumer behavior, the part within marketing that studies the marketing effects (brand, product, communication, pricing) on consumers’ sensorimotor, cognitive, and emotional responses.  Students study key psychological topics like learning, perception, attention, decision-making, and reward system, and apply them to online and in-store shopping behaviors. Students also explore various neuromarketing research methods, including eye-tracking, autonomic measures, brain activity, and facial expression.  Particular emphasis is given to the research on the innovative topics of neuro-selling and neuro-retail and their connections with artificial intelligence and robotics. Must be taken Graded only.
Credits: 4
Prerequisites: None

ENVSC 290 0, Geography of Consumption
Professor Pallant
TTH 9:30 AM 10:45 AM
4 Credits
A study of the environmental costs of consumption of products manufactured and sold around the world, and of the impact on the lives of the people whose jobs depend, for better or worse, on production. Examples of products studied are coffee, mobile phones, and apparel. Students will investigate the Life Cycle Analyses of several commodity chains and how production and consumption are related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Prerequisite: ENVSC 110

GEO 290 B1, Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Geology
Professor K. Carter
TTH 7:00 PM 8:15 PM
2 Credits
A study of Pennsylvania’s oil and gas geology, students explore the development of the commonwealth’s petroleum industry through lectures and classroom activities; study and apply common geologic concepts and methods used to assess an oil or gas reservoir’s potential; and consider the economic impact (past, present and future) of petroleum hydrocarbons on both the state and national economies.
Prerequisite: ENVSC 110 or GEO 110 or GEO 190

LS 190 A0, Cultural Competency
Professor Perez-Johnston
F 11:00 AM 12:15 PM
1 Credit
An exploration of other cultures and of how students’ intersecting identities impact the ways in which they view, interact and navigate college. Discussions include personal perceptions, recognizing and challenging unconscious bias. Students explore how cultural differences can enhance the college experience of people from various backgrounds. This will be taught as a 7-week course. Must be taken Credit/No Credit Only
Prerequisites: LS 190, Student Success as a Student of Color

LS 191 B0, 1st Gen Guide to Thriving in the 1st Year II
Professor Perez-Johnston
F 11:00 AM 12:15 PM
1 Credit
A continuation of the module B course LS 191 from Fall 2019, Thriving in the first year as a first-generation college student. Students process their experiences as a first-generation college student, reflect upon the first year and determine what worked and what didn’t. Students define their successes throughout the first year and discuss what to expect and how to make any necessary changes to their current behaviors to continue to achieve success into the second year. This will be taught as a 7-week course. Must be taken Credit/No Credit Only
Prerequisites: LS 191, Thriving in the First Year as a First-Gen

PHYS 290 0, Black Hole Astrophysics
Professor Lombardi
WF 8:00 AM 8:50 AM
2 Credits
A quantitative overview of the mechanics of black holes and a qualitative introduction to concepts from the theory of General Relativity. Topics include classical Keplerian orbits, spacetime and
spacetime curvature, orbits around non-spinning black holes, angular momentum in curved spacetime, gravitational waves, and black hole interiors. Students will also explore numerical integration techniques using Python. Must be taken Credit/No Credit Only.
Prerequisites: PHYS 110 or permission of instructor.

POLSC 290 0, Gender in American Politics
Professor Williams
TTH 3:00 PM 4:15 PM
4 Credits
A study of women’s participation in American politics as activists, citizens, and elites. We examine the suffrage movement as well as modern women’s liberation movements. We explore how gender shapes public opinion and voting behavior. We study the experiences and challenges faced by women running for or holding political office. Throughout the course, we consider the meaning and nature of gender equality and analyze the ways that gender intersects with other categories such as race, sexuality, and class.

RELST 190 0, Christianity, Politics, and Social Justice
Short Title: Christianity, Politics, Justice

Professor Burroughs
4 Credits
A study of Christian understandings of social justice and the role of politics in achieving social justice. Christianity has developed a long and rich tradition of reflection on the nature of justice and has also inspired influential justice movements. This course examines both. In addition to reading the works of prominent thinkers, such as Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, and Martin Luther King, Jr., we also analyze prominent examples of Christian movements seeking justice in our contemporary context.