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To see a list of courses that fulfill ConnectED's requirements, select a section below:
- UNIV 111 — Focused Inquiry I
- UNIV 112 — Focused Inquiry II
- UNIV 200 — Advanced Focused Inquiry
- BUSN 171 — Mathematical Applications for Business
- BUSN 212 — Calculus for Business, Life and Social Sciences
- HONR 200 — Rhetoric
- HONR 250 — Expository Writing
- MATH 131 — Introduction to Contemporary Mathematics
- MATH 139 — College Algebra with Applications
- MATH 141 — Algebra with Applications
- MATH 151 — Precalculus Mathematics
- MATH 200 — Calculus with Analytic Geometry I
- STAT 208 — Statistical Thinking
- STAT 210 — Basic Practice of Statistics
- STAT 212 — Concepts of Statistics
- ALHP 202 - Meaning Making and Creative Expressions of Healing and Resilience
- ARTE 222 - Rethinking Popular, Visual, and Media Culture (Examined Life)
- ARTH 201 - Banned! Art & Controversy
- CREA 201 - The Creative Economy
- DANC 230 - Dance in Hollywood
- EDUS 203 - Pop-cultural Foundations of Education: Film/TV, Music, Literature and Schooling in the U.S.
- EGMN 111 - Great Inventions: How They Work and their Impact on Society
- ENGL 215 - Reading Literature
- ENGL 217 - Reading New Literature
- ENGL 250 - Reading Film
- IDES 261 - "What is Good Design": A Survey of 20th-21st century Design
- INNO 210 - The Innovation Intersection: Industry and Entrepreneurship
- MHIS 251 - American Popular Music
- MHIS 252 - Soundscapes: World Music
- MKTG 222 - Marketing and Society
- NEXT 240 - Reading Technology, Media, and Culture
- SPCH 221 - Oral Communication and Presentation
- THEA 215 - Live Theatre Now
- WRLD 203 - Cultural Texts and Contexts
- WRLD 230 - Intro to World Cinema
- CLED 200 - The Science of Resilience and Holistic Health
- CSIJ 200 - Race and Racism in the United States
- ECON 202 - Inequality in America
- GRTY 200 - Disrupting Ageism: An Exploration of Diversity and Aging
- GSWS 201 - Introduction to Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies
- HADM 215 - Intro to Health Care Through a Policy Lens
- HIST 201 - The Art of Historical Detection
- HSEP 101 - Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
- MASC 101 - Mass Communications
- MASC 274 - Diversity in the Media
- NURS 103 - Culture, Diversity and Communication in Healthcare Settings
- NURS 104 - Conceptualizing Mental Illness in Western Culture
- PHIL 201 - Introduction to Ethics
- POLI 103 - U.S. Government
- PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology
- RELS 108 - Human Spirituality
- SLWK 200 - Building a Just Society
- SOCS 340 - Human Sexuality
- SOCY 101 - Introduction to Sociology
- TEDU 207 - Urban Awareness and Urban Education
- UNIV 299 - What's the Big Idea?
- AFAM 111 - Introduction to Africana Studies
- ANTH 103 - Introduction to Anthropology
- BUSN 205 - Introduction to the World of Business
- ECON 203 - Introduction to Economics
- ECON 205 - Economics of Product Development and Marketing
- ECON 210 - Principles of Microeconomics
- HIST 202 - History without Borders
- INTL 101 - Human Societies and Globalization
- INTL 295 - Media Diplomacy and Globalization
- MASC 151 - Global Communication
- POLI 105 - International Relations
- SEDP 202 - Preparing Diverse Learners from Multicultural and Global Perspectives
- SOCY 250 - Confronting Climate Crisis
- URSP 350 - Great Cities of the World
- BIOL 101 - Biological Concepts
- BIOL 103 - Global Environmental Biology
- BIOL 151 - Introduction to Biological Sciences I
- BNFO 125 - Disease and Human Ancestry
- CHEM 101 - General Chemistry
- CHEM 110 - Chemistry and Society
- CHEZ 101 - General Chemistry Laboratory I
- CLLS 202 - Introduction to Infectious Disease and Societal Impacts
- CMSC 210 - Computers and Programming
- EGRB 102 - Introduction to Biomedical Engineering
- EGRB 105 - Successes and Failures in Biomedical Technologies
- ENVS 201 - Earth Systems Science
- FIRE 301 - Personal Financial Planning
- FRSC 202 - Crime & Science
- HPEX 310 - Fitness and Health
- INSC 201 - Energy!
- MATH 120 - Seeing, Playing, Deciding -- this is math?
- PHIL 221 - Critical Thinking
- PHYS 101 - Foundations of Physics
- PHYS 103 - Elementary Astronomy
- PHYS 201 - General Physics I
- PHYS 207 - University Physics I
- SCTS 200 - Science in Society: Values, Ethics, and Politics
- TEDU 210 - Debunking Classroom Myths: How and Why Do We Learn Ideas Incorrectly?
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Utilizes contemporary themes to give students opportunities and practice in writing, critical thinking, oral presentation, collaborative learning, information retrieval and evaluation, and social and civic responsibilities. Incorporates common reading materials and course activities across all sections. [A minimum grade of C is required in UNIV 112 and UNIV 200. Transfer credits are not accepted for these three UNIV courses after a student is enrolled at the university.]
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: UNIV 111 or equivalent. Builds on skills introduced in UNIV 111 by providing practice in expository essays, argument and contextual analysis. Focuses on practice in writing in a variety of genres, framing writing according to both purpose and audience and identifying academically valid sources. Students must earn a minimum grade of C to receive credit for this course. [A minimum grade of C is required in UNIV 112 and UNIV 200. Transfer credits are not accepted for these three UNIV courses after a student is enrolled at the university.]
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: UNIV 112 or HONR 250 with a minimum grade of C. A research and writing process course that emphasizes critical analysis, elements of argument, inquiry-based research skills, writing conventions of academic argument and the presentation of argument and research into new mediums. Students must earn a minimum grade of C to receive credit for this course. [A minimum grade of C is required in UNIV 112 and UNIV 200. Transfer credits are not accepted for these three UNIV courses after a student is enrolled at the university.]
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. In-depth study of principles of rhetoric and argumentation in both written and oral formats. Emphasis is on research-based expository writing and debate, with skills development in technological applications for information retrieval. Students may not receive credit for both HONR 200 and UNIV 200.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. In-depth study of principles of expository writing focusing on purpose and audience. Particular emphasis on critically engaging with texts and writing about original ideas informed by the thinking of others. Develops a number of writing strategies and skills including narration, description and figuration as well as the art of persuasion. [HONR 250 can replace UNIV 111 and UNIV 112 for honors students.]
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: MATH 139 or MATH 141, either with a minimum grade of C, or satisfactory score on the VCU Mathematics Placement Test within the one-year period immediately preceding the beginning of the course. Formulation and solution of problems using a spreadsheet and algebra, mathematics of finance, matrices and introductory linear programming. Instruction will include spreadsheet use as a calculation and graphing tool. This course was formerly numbered MGMT 171 and SCMA 171.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: BUSN 171* or MATH 151 with a minimum grade of C, or satisfactory score on the VCU Mathematics Placement Test within the one-year period immediately preceding the beginning of the course. Univariate and bivariate differential calculus and optimization of algebraic functions that model business phenomena. Students should take BUSN 212 immediately after completing BUSN 171. Students may not receive degree credit for more than one of BUSN 212, MGMT 212, SCMA 212 or MATH 200. This course was formerly numbered MGMT 212 and SCMA 212. *Formerly MGMT 171, SCMA 171.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Topics include optimization problems, data handling, growth and symmetry, and mathematics with applications in areas of social choice. Major emphasis is on the process of taking a real-world situation, converting the situation to an abstract modeling problem, solving the problem and applying what is learned to the original situation. Does not serve as a prerequisite for MATH 151 or other advanced mathematical sciences courses.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: MATH 129 with a minimum grade of C or placement through the VCU Math Placement Test within the one-year period immediately preceding the beginning of the course. An in-depth exploration of the characteristics, graphs and applications of linear, exponential, logarithmic and power functions. Topics include fundamental concepts of functions, including but not limited to transformations, inverses, arithmetic operations and composition. Opportunities to investigate, analyze and communicate findings from real-world scenarios will be supported by the use of technology. Students may receive credit toward graduation for only one of MATH 139 and MATH 141.
Semester course; 4 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 4 credits. Prerequisite: one year of high school algebra and satisfactory score on the VCU Mathematics Placement Test within the one-year period immediately preceding the beginning of the course. Topics include concepts and applications of linear, exponential, logarithmic, power and quadratic functions; graphing; transformations and inverses of functions; algebra and composition of functions. Students may not receive credit toward graduation for both MATH 141 and either MATH 129 or MATH 139.
Semester course; 3 lecture and 1 mathematics laboratory/recitation hours. 4 credits. Prerequisite: MATH 139 or MATH 141 with a minimum grade of C, or satisfactory score on the VCU Mathematics Placement Test within the one-year period immediately preceding the beginning of the course. An exception to this policy is made in the case where the stated alternative prerequisite course has been completed at VCU. Concepts and applications of algebra and trigonometry. Topics include graphics, transformations and inverses of functions; linear, exponential, logarithmic, power, polynomial, rational and trigonometric functions.
Semester course; 4 lecture hours. 4 credits. Prerequisite: MATH 151 with a minimum grade of C or satisfactory score on the VCU Mathematics Placement Test within the one-year period immediately preceding the beginning of the course. Limits, continuity, derivatives, differentials, antiderivatives and definite integrals.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: satisfactory score on the VCU Mathematics Placement Test within the one-year period immediately preceding the beginning of the course, or a minimum grade of C in MATH 131, MATH 141, MATH 151, MATH 200 or MATH 201. An exploration of the use of statistics in the world around us through in-depth case studies. Emphasis is on understanding statistical studies, charts, tables and graphs frequently seen in various media sources. Some lectures involve activities centered on case studies. Students may receive credit toward graduation for only one of STAT 206, STAT 208, STAT 210, STAT 212, STAT 312 or SCMA 301.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: satisfactory score on the VCU Mathematics Placement Test within the one-year period immediately preceding the beginning of the course, or MATH 131, MATH 141, MATH 151, MATH 200 or MATH 201. Designed for students who will likely take another quantitative reasoning course for which statistics may be a prerequisite. Not open to mathematical sciences or computer science majors. Topics include examining distributions, examining relationships, producing data, sampling distributions and probability, introduction to inference. Students may receive credit toward graduation for only one of STAT 206, STAT 208, STAT 210, STAT 212, STAT 312 or SCMA 301.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: satisfactory score on the VCU Mathematics Placement Test within the one-year period immediately preceding the beginning of the course, or MATH 151, MATH 200 or MATH 201. Introductory statistics course with an emphasis on descriptive statistics, correlation and regression, probability, normal distributions, t distributions, and statistical inference. Graphing calculators will be used extensively. A core course for mathematical sciences. Students may receive credit toward graduation for only one of STAT 206, STAT 208, STAT 210, STAT 212, STAT 312 or SCMA 301.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course will take students on a journey exploring ways that people from diverse backgrounds use creative expression (e.g. story, poetry, painting, drawing, dance, music, etc.) to help them define the meaning of life events. During the course, students will explore creative expression from a variety of people who have experienced some major life event and have used creative expression as a part of their healing. In addition, students will have the opportunity to discover their own voice in creative expression through a variety of interactive exercises.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online). 3 credits. Learning to rethink the consumption and production of popular, visual and media texts. This course provokes investigations of cultural texts (visual art, digital media, performance and sites of popular culture) and their relationship to the sociocultural constructions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, ability, class, etc., as well as the intersections of privilege and oppression in contemporary life.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. What could make a work of art so controversial that it divides public opinion, is banned from public view or even gets destroyed? This course examines the reasons why visual art can be such a provocative and polarizing creative endeavor. By examining case studies from various historical and geographical contexts, students will explore the ways in which artistic controversy intersects key humanistic concerns, including questions of aesthetics and economic value; politics and cultural heritage; sacredness and religion; and gender and sexuality. This course will promote critical looking and thinking by introducing students to a variety of criteria used to evaluate art and by challenging them to consider diverse, often contradictory, interpretations of art.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (offered online). 3 credits. Examines the contribution of creative ideas to the world economy with a focus on where, how and why creative ideas are produced and consumed.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course will use an interdisciplinary approach to investigate how dance on screen has been portrayed in 21st-century Hollywood films. Students will learn how to discuss dance and choreography as a cultural lens for contemporary issues. Through film viewings, readings and lectures, the role of dance will be examined in relation to how it perpetuates and challenges issues of power, race, class, gender, sexual orientation and age. Students will discuss popular perceptions of dance, dance in Hollywood and dance as a reflection of the political within the past 20 years.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course will examine the relationship between education, schools and society as presented in film/TV, popular music and literature. Visual media and literature are valuable windows that can help us to see how a culture thinks about education and to consider the place of schools in contemporary society. Furthermore, popular culture images of teachers, teaching and schools are powerful influences on public educational debates, arguably even more powerful than educational research. As such, it is essential to think critically about these images, how they have evolved over time, the meanings they convey, and how they structure the ways we think about educational issues. Students will use visual media, music and literature to explore issues such as teaching, equality, educational aims and the relationship between schooling and social change.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course explores how creativity and innovation have led to a broad range of significant engineering inventions in areas such as engines, mechanical flight and rockets, electrification, engineering materials, mass production, industrial agriculture, computers, telecommunications, medical devices, refrigeration, and clean and sustainable energy, including nuclear energy. The course discusses the historical context for each invention, how the invention works and the impact of the invention on society.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. An inquiry into literary and cultural texts, emphasizing critical thinking and close reading. Individual sections may survey a portion of literary history or focus on a theme or unifying question.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. An introduction to literary texts published in the new century.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Develops students' visual literacy by exploring and analyzing the various elements of film (cinematography, lighting, editing, art direction, acting and sound, among others). Examples will be drawn from both U.S. and world cinema and from all eras of filmmaking.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course poses the question, “What is good design?” Students will consider the ways that designers have responded to major shifts in technology, politics and the environment from the early 20th century to today. The purpose of this course is to promote a greater awareness of the larger cultural context within which value and meaning are discovered in design, as well as provide a competent knowledge of the architecture, interiors, furnishings, decorative arts, graphic design, fashion and industrial design of the past and present.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course will explore the intersection of industries of innovation and entrepreneurship in the social world we live in. This course will operate as part speaker series, part podcast and part group dialog. Topics include, but are not limited to, innovation in education, systemic exclusion and discrimination, ecosystem building, innovation in health care, equity, access, and funding.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. A music history course studying the origins of today’s popular music. Attention will be given to comprehensive study of the timeline of popular music starting in the late-19th century and ending with present-day popular music. Emphasis will be placed on understanding social and cultural impacts on popular music in America and vice versa. Additional emphasis will focus on the ability to tie in historical elements while discussing and reflecting on current popular music trends and popular music’s influence around the world. The primary objectives for students in this class are to gain comprehensive knowledge of American popular music from the 19th century to the present, distinguish related musical styles that influenced the development of American popular music and be able to properly recognize American popular musical styles aurally.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This class will serve as an introduction to music from around the world. Students will learn to identify musical genres and their instruments. In addition to covering the musical characteristics of each geographical area students will take an ethnomusicological approach and explore the social, political and cultural context within which each genre is played.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online). 3 credits. Ethical issues abound in marketing and business. Creative marketing tools (e.g., product innovation, social media, advertising or multicultural marketing campaigns) can benefit society and influence behaviors to improve well-being, social justice, the environment and individual ethics. But marketing and consumption have a dark side. This course explores ethical decision-making and frameworks; consumerism; legal and regulatory issues; harmful or controversial products; social marketing; corporate social responsibility; and how marketing and business can contribute to a better world.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Builds on students’ ability to analyze texts, media and associated cultural productions, emphasizing critical thinking, relationships between forms and cultural contexts. Individual sections may focus on a particular theme, unifying question or interdisciplinary approach.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. The study of oral communication across various mediums and best practices for effectively presenting to diverse groups and in diverse situations.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. An introduction to theatre as an art form and live theatrical event. The course is designed to cultivate an appreciation, understanding and critical perception of live theatre performance. Students will study the fundamentals of theatre and the theatrical production process.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Through the analysis and interpretation of literary, cinematic and other cultural texts, this course explores the ways cultural and national identities have been shaped, imagined and contested in various regions of the world. While responding to the readings and films as artistic manifestations or social documents, students will also become familiar with the aesthetic, political and social contexts in which the works were and are produced. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester.
Semester course; 5 lecture/screening hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. An overview of the main theoretical frameworks, critical concepts and debates devoted to non-Hollywood world cinemas, with special emphasis on the rethinking of national cinema and the problematizing of identity in an increasingly transnational era. Broad interdisciplinary readings in film theory, film history and cultural studies will be supplemented by case studies of particular cinemas and filmmakers, so as to convey an appreciation of the main international movements in the history of cinema.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course brings together wellness concepts based on literature in health psychology, spirituality, health and wellness counseling, stress research and other disciplines to introduce students to the growing field of holistic wellness, including the practical application of theoretically and empirically supported wellness models and interventions to enhance social, emotional, mental, physical and spiritual well-being.
Semester course; 2 lecture and 1 recitation hours. 3 credits. Interrogates four key areas of inquiry: origins, ideology, maintenance and resistance to race and racism in the U.S., and applies an intersectional lens to examine how race interlocks with other systems of power. Reflecting the diverse faculty and students who co-created it, this course will draw from a variety of scholarly disciplines spanning the humanities and the social, natural and applied sciences to explore these issues and to help students understand how racism operates in the U.S. Lecture will be delivered asynchronously online and students will attend one weekly 50-minute recitation section. Graded as pass/fail.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Today economic inequality in the United States is higher than at any point in the past century. This course is an introduction to the latest research on various aspects of inequality, including: What are the origins of inequality in employment, income, wealth and health? How is inequality related to age, sex, race, education, geography and technology? How does equality of opportunity differ from equality in outcomes? What are the consequences of inequality for individuals, families and the economy as a whole? Which policies would have the largest impact on inequality, and what will happen to inequality in the future? As students explore these questions, the class will also cover important scientific techniques which will improve the ability to read data, test theories and make predictions. These will include key economic concepts such as scarcity, opportunity costs, prices, supply and demand, equilibrium, and compensating differentials.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Provides an exploration of issues related to social roles, power, intersectionality and how they impact aging -- with an emphasis on gender and sexual minorities. Also focuses on aging within communities of privilege, as well as barriers and opportunities for positive aging among diverse populations.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. An interdisciplinary and intersectional introduction to the perspectives and core concerns pertaining to gender, sexuality and women's studies.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course will examine the four forces of power, policy, politics and payment as they have affected the health care sector in the past and will affect it in the future. It will explore how health care services are delivered, by whom, for whom and with what outcomes, as well as who pays for health care services, how and how much. Outcomes in the U.S. health care system will be compared to those in other wealthy countries.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Introduces non-history majors to the methods of the discipline by undertaking a series of case studies in historical inquiry. Each case study will consist of a close examination of a single historical question, covering the general background to that question and exploring relevant primary and secondary sources. Students will then use this evidence to propose well-reasoned solutions to the question at hand.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. An introduction to the public- and private-sector dimensions of the broad range of theoretical and practical aspects of homeland security and emergency preparedness, including: origins of natural and terrorist-caused disasters; local, state and federal emergency management planning and operations; health infrastructure capabilities; public communication strategies; business community concerns; ethical, legal and constitutional questions; as well as the social and psychological dimensions of disasters.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. A comprehensive overview of mass media which examines its history and evolution. Emphasis is given to the ways in which communications technologies have shaped and are shaped by society. Considers how digital and earlier technologies have led to increasing integration of world cultures and economies. Includes discussion of mass media law and ethics, including the origins and evolution of a free press and the legal framework of contemporary mass media practice.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: MASC 101 with a minimum grade of C. Examines historical and contemporary issues associated with the presence and portrayal of selected groups in/by the media in the United States. Examines groups based on race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion and other characteristics. Issues related to diversity and diversity awareness in advertising, journalism and public relations are also explored.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course challenges individuals to recognize how and to what extent diversity affects the interactions that occur within the health care system and to explore communication skills through a more holistic and inclusive framework. Effective communication across diverse groups of people is a necessary skill in today’s society, but it is especially important in health care interactions. Most individuals will interact with the health care system in the U.S. at several points in their lives as patients and, for some, in a practitioner or policy-maker role. Interactions with the health care system are often brief, fragmented and sometimes involve multiple people for the care of one patient. It is critical to develop one’s awareness for how identity, culture and group membership influence health behaviors and decisions to appropriately advocate for oneself and others.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course explores the conceptualization of mental illness and psychiatric disorders in Western culture. The course covers content related to the history of psychiatry and psychiatric treatment, nosology of psychiatric diagnosis, lived experience of persons with mental illness, societal stigma and beliefs about mental illness, and the concept of recovery and peer-support programs. The course will also highlight the experience of mental illness in persons from marginalized groups. Students will be asked to explore their beliefs, experiences and implicit bias related to mental health and mental illness.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: UNIV 112; or HONR 200 and one of ENGL 295 or HONR 250. An introduction to the main topics in moral philosophy. Includes a discussion of contemporary moral issues. Possible topics include the morality of abortion, animal rights, world hunger, pornography, capital punishment, sexual behavior, environmental ethics and reverse discrimination.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. A study of American national government focusing on its underlying political ideas, constitutional basis, major institutions and their interaction in the determination of public policy.
Semester course; 3 lecture and 1 computer-assisted laboratory hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 4 credits. A survey of the basic principles, methods of investigation and fields of study and application. Includes individualized application of principles and methods in computerized learning activities. This course is a prerequisite for upper-level work in the field of psychology.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. A study of the manifestations of one or more of the themes of religious studies in a diverse group of religious communities. The themes may include such wide-ranging topics as the sacred and profane, the epistemology of faith and knowledge, creation stories, human identity, the nature of the divine, the possibility of liberation or salvation, mythology, ritual, ethics, religion and art, religion and law, and religion and politics.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online or face-to-face). 3 credits. Course will introduce students to social justice issues in a local context with a focus on expanding and deepening their knowledge and skills to effect change through active engagement in the community. Course promotes an understanding and critical analysis of multiple forms of oppression in social systems and in personal experience using professional social work perspectives and theoretical frameworks. Selected reference materials and experiential learning activities are designed to enhance student understanding of what constitutes a just community and a just society. The course may be offered as service-learning.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. A study of the variety of the forms, sources and consequences of human sexual behaviors and the attitudes, beliefs and values associated with them. The data and its analysis are directed to the significance of sex in human experience.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. An introduction to the study of human society. The basic concepts of society and culture and their relationships to each other are studied and then used to analyze the major social institutions.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered in hybrid format). 3 credits. This course is designed to enhance students’ knowledge of urban schools through the examination of historical, economic, political and socio-cultural frameworks that explore how issues of race, class, gender and immigration status have affected the distribution of equal educational opportunities in urban schools in the United States. Diversity in human experiences will be examined within urban cultures and educational settings. Students will engage with research and various literature about inequities in urban schools but also investigate the complexity and challenges of providing excellent education in urban school contexts. The research projects and class book discussions will provide an understanding of communities, their resources, demographics and economy in urban settings that affect education in various ways.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Each section in this interdisciplinary course will focus on a particular "big question" that has intrigued thinkers throughout time and across cultures. As students move from personal to global — and from theoretical to practical — investigations of the question, they will come to understand inquiry as a complex cycle of questioning, gathering, examining, interpreting, comparing, analyzing and evaluating, with important application to decision-making and problem-solving in the real world.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Using a multidisciplinary approach, this course will familiarize students with important events developments, personalities and other phenomena that help facilitate the study and understanding of peoples of African descent dispersed throughout the world from their early continental African past to their present existence.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. A general survey of anthropology with emphasis on learning about and from global cultures, and on the four fields of anthropology.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: UNIV 112, HONR 200 or HONR 250. This course will cover the concepts, principles and operations of private enterprise in the world economy. Students will explore the functions of modern business management, marketing and accounting. They will have a chance to practice making business decisions in a safe environment; learn how to approach ethical dilemmas in business and explore classic international business blunders made due to a lack of cross-cultural awareness; and begin working on their own professional habits, learn how to search for a job or internship and learn professional ways to get a team to work well together.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. A survey of economic principles, institutions and problems. The course is designed to provide basic economic understanding for students who do not expect to major in economics or in the School of Business. Not applicable for credit toward economics and business majors. Students may receive credit toward graduation for only one of the following three courses: ECON 203, ECON 205 or ECON 210.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. An introduction to some of the fundamental economic concepts necessary to effectively operate in today's marketplace. Basic elements of microeconomics, net present value analysis and market strategy will be covered in class. The goal is to provide students with a better understanding of how to approach business problems and of proven problem-solving techniques. Intended for engineering students. Students may receive credit toward graduation for only one of the following three courses: ECON 203, ECON 205 or ECON 210.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. A course designed to acquaint the student with a theoretical and practical understanding of the economic institutions and problems of the American economy with a focus on microeconomics. Students may receive credit toward graduation for only one of the following three courses: ECON 203, ECON 205 or ECON 210.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Introduces non-history majors to the analytical modes of transnational history, which explores networks of connection that link individuals and communities across established political or cultural boundaries. Students will consider the historical influence of networks such as systems of economic exchange, the movements of people or the spread of technologies and ideas. See the Schedule of Classes for topics offered each semester.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. An interdisciplinary inquiry into how societies around the world are organized and how they are interrelated on social, economic, political and cultural dimensions. The course is organized around themes that are important to prominent globalization processes -- topics such as human rights, global inequalities, cultural globalization, global crime, globalization and religion, the global mass media, and environmental issues. Students also explore the implications of rapid social change for international issues and interpersonal interaction.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course introduces students to the relationship between media and globalization through the concept of media diplomacy. Students engage with conceptual, archival and practical learning activities, including comparative media analysis at national and transnational scales. Students will be able to better position themselves in a world characterized by integration and interdependence through communications technologies.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Explores how communication media and globalization drive each other and how they both impact the nation-state as well as international institutions. Examines how technology, the global economy and international media corporations influence culture, politics, business, law and other institutions in countries around the world. Explores the relationship between media systems and governments and how both are affected by technology and globalization. Crosslisted as: INTL 151.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. An introductory analysis of interstate relations and world affairs. Attention focuses on theories of international politics, military capabilities and their application, international organizations, global economic trends, domestic sources of state behavior and other selected issues as appropriate. Crosslisted as: INTL 105.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered in hybrid format). 3 credits. This course is designed to enhance cultural competence of students through exploration of diversities from multicultural aspects and global perspectives. Students enrolled in the course will have multiple opportunities to increase their cultural awareness individually, reciprocally and socially. Throughout the course, students will explore diverse cultures and contexts within and outside of the U.S. Students will learn to view the relationship between the U.S. and the rest of the world as a dynamic and reciprocal interconnected unit instead of separate units. Topical areas centering on the main theme of multicultural and global perspectives include race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, linguistic, gender, abilities, urban youth and sexual orientation differences. Key concepts include cultural beliefs, values, equity, diversity and inclusion. Personal and theoretical constructs of these key concepts are explored. Through lectures, readings, group projects, community activities, videos and class discussions, students will identify factors that have an impact on diverse learners and explore innovative approaches leading to the success of all learners.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Explores the many ways that people -- including students -- are confronting the climate crisis, from the local to the global. Engages with major debates in the fight to understand and address climate crisis, centering ways in which Black, migrant, Indigenous peoples and folks in the Global South are forging a path toward socially just responses. Crosslisted as: INTL 250.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. An interdisciplinary course with a focus on the origin, expansion and significance of one or more cities, the specifics of its/their culture and the role of language. Particular emphasis will be placed on relating the physical, social and economic aspects of the city's growth and development to the cultural expression of urbanism. Crosslisted as: FRLG 345/INTL 345.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. A topical approach to basic biological principles. Topics include molecular aspects of cells, bioenergetics, photosynthesis, cellular respiration, cellular and organismal reproduction, genetics and evolution, and ecology. Not applicable for credit toward the major in biology.
Semester course; 3 lecture and 2 laboratory hours (delivered mostly online). 4 credits. Online presentations, assignments, debates and exams require students to understand situations and ideas that involve scientific, social and economic concepts associated with Earth’s environment. Laboratory exercises reinforce major course concepts. Integrates aspects of biology, chemistry, geology, physics and sociology. Topics include ecology, evolution, natural resources, air and water resources, energy and recycling, population biology, and sustainable global societies. Not applicable as a prerequisite for any biology course at the 200 level or above, nor for credit toward the B.S. in Biology.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: MATH 139, MATH 141, MATH 151, MATH 200, MATH 201 or a satisfactory score on the math placement exam; and CHEM 100 with a minimum grade of B, CHEM 101 with a minimum grade of C or a satisfactory score on the chemistry placement exam. Introduction to core biological concepts including cell structure, cellular metabolism, cell division, DNA replication, gene expression and genetics. Designed for biology majors.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course introduces the role that disease has played in human existence. A key part of this understanding comes from new DNA sequencing and genomic data analysis tools that provide information about our ancestry and origin, as well as about the ancestry and history of disease organisms that have co-evolved with us. The vast amount of new data has opened controversial doors to social and ethical implications, such as questions of race and discrimination, and teach us how to fight emerging disease at local and global levels. This course will discuss these topics through case examples of different diseases from parasites (e.g., malaria), bacteria (e.g., bubonic plague, tuberculosis and syphilis) and viruses (e.g., smallpox, influenza and AIDS).
Semester course; 3 lecture and 1 recitation hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: MATH 141, MATH 151, MATH 200, MATH 201 or satisfactory score on the VCU mathematics placement test within the one-year period immediately preceding the beginning of the course; and CHEM 100 with a minimum grade of B or satisfactory score on the chemistry placement exam/assessment within the one-year period immediately preceding the beginning of the course. Fundamental principles and theories of chemistry.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. The basic principles of chemistry are presented through the use of decision-making activities related to real-world societal issues. Not applicable for credit toward the B.S. in Chemistry.
Semester course; 1 lecture and 2 laboratory hours. 1 credit. Pre- or corequisite: CHEM 101. Experimental work correlated with CHEM 101 with selected forensic science applications. Each student is charged for breakage incurred. Approved safety glasses are required. Failure to check out of laboratory upon withdrawal or for other reasons will incur a charge billed from the Student Accounting Department.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Presentation and discussion of infectious diseases and the impact that these diseases have had on the way that we live. Recent and historical infectious disease outbreaks will be discussed, including transmission, prevention and outcomes. Changes that occurred in society due to these outbreaks will also be discussed.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online). 3 credits. Introduction to object-oriented programming using Python. The course introduces students to structured programming logic and design techniques. The course content also includes instruction in critical thinking and problem-solving skills using contemporary tools. Specific topics include flowcharting, pseudocode and program control structures, including sequence, selection and repetition. This course is not applicable for credit toward the B.S. in Computer Science.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: MATH 151 or a satisfactory score on the math placement exam. Biomedical engineering is a multidisciplinary STEM field that combines biology and engineering, applying engineering principles and materials to medicine and health care. This course provides students with an introduction to biomedical engineering, beginning with a framework of core engineering principles, expanding to specializations within the field of biomedical engineering and connecting the concepts to real-world examples in medicine and health care.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course will look at successes and failures in biomedical engineering and technologies through case studies, as well as consider the ethical implementations and framework for developing evidence-based reasoning. Origins and recent advances in biomedical engineering and technologies will be explored, including applications of biomechanics, bio- and nanotechnologies, medical imaging, rehabilitation engineering and biomaterials.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. An introduction to the processes of and linkages among the major systems that drive planet Earth. The biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and sociosphere are presented as dynamic and interdependent systems.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Designed to assist individuals and households in understanding and making common financial decisions. Units include income and expenditure, credit, borrowing, banking, savings, insurance, home buying, investment, and estate planning.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Introduces the scientific theory, concepts and practices used in any physical science by relating them to the analysis of physical evidence performed in forensic laboratories and the fundamentals of crime scene investigation, and their relationship to the criminal justice system and criminal investigations. Not applicable for credit toward the B.S. in Forensic Science.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Presents the knowledge and pedagogical principles of strength, flexibility, aerobic and anaerobic training programs, as well as the role that exercise and lifestyle play on overall health. Emphasis is on understanding, experiencing and applying conditioning principles for individuals and how they impact health.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: MATH 131, MATH 141, MATH 151, MATH 200 or higher MATH; or BUSN 171*, BUSN 212** or SCMA 301***; or STAT 208, STAT 210, STAT 212 or higher STAT; or satisfactory score on the VCU Mathematics Placement Test within the one-year period immediately preceding the beginning of the course. A study of global energy demands, how they are being met, environmental consequences and alternative energy sources. *Formerly MGMT 171, SCMA 171; **formerly MGMT 212, SCMA 212; ***formerly MGMT 301.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Students will learn about the beautiful and often surprising interactions between mathematics and three broad areas: the visual arts, games and public policy. Representative topics include perspective in the visual arts; tessellations; origami; games and strategies in recreational settings and in the social and natural sciences; the often hidden mathematics behind public policy; and assessing quantitative claims in the public arena.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. An introduction to inductive and deductive reasoning, with emphasis on common errors and fallacies.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. For non-science majors. Introduction to the fundamental ideas of physics. The course covers selected topics in mechanics, heat, optics, electricity and magnetism, and modern physics. Not applicable toward the physics major. An optional laboratory may be taken with this course; see PHYZ 101.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. A descriptive approach to astronomy dealing with basic features of our solar system, our galaxy and the universe. Not applicable toward physics major. An optional laboratory may be taken with this course; see PHYZ 103.
Semester course; 3 lecture and 3 laboratory hours. 4 credits. Prerequisite: MATH 151. Designed primarily for life-science majors. Basic concepts of motion, waves and heat. Not applicable toward the physics major.
Semester course; 3 lecture, 1 recitation and 3 laboratory hours. 5 credits. Prerequisite: MATH 200 or permission of instructor. A vector- and calculus-based introduction to the fundamental concepts of mechanics, heat and wave motion.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. An interdisciplinary introduction to the ethical, social and political dimensions of science, technology and medicine examined through case studies and debates.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered in hybrid format). 3 credits. Ever wonder why concepts are taught over and over and are still difficult to explain? This course explores misconceptions commonly learned in K-12 math, science, humanities and social sciences. Students will investigate these ideas through the lens of their own experiences and what is known about how people learn. This course builds understanding of best practices in learning through reading, discussion, reflection and presentation.