Apr 30, 2024  
2017-2018 Catalog 
    
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2017-2018 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Descriptions

 

Criminal Justice
  
  
  

  • CJ 623 Program Evaluation in Criminal Justice

    Examines the field of Program Evaluation. Brief history and review of those activities essential for assessing a criminal justice or social intervention program from five perspectives: (1) need for a program; (2) program design; (3) program implementation and service delivery; (4) program impact or outcome; (5) program efficiency.
    Credits: 4


    Check course availability in Winter 2024

    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  

  • CJ 653 Advanced Theories and Models in Corrections

    Explores the modern era of corrections. Examines the massive increase in prisons and incarceration rates driving the past several decades. Students will be required to critically analyze past and current prison and post-prison practices. Students will be required to develop corrections models that would serve as “best practice” solutions to problems and/or inconsistencies in previous and current models of corrections. Course is closed to students who have taken CJ 553.
    Credits: 4


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  • CJ 660 Advanced Theories and Research in Crime and Delinquency

    Graduate students will have an opportunity to explore advanced applications of theory and social research methodologies. Students will be required to develop and apply critical analysis of a variety of theoretical and methodological applications within the realm of criminal justice and the broader study of crime.
    Credits: 4


    Check course availability in Winter 2024

    Check course availability in Spring 2024

Communication Studies
  
  
  
  
  

  • COM 212 Advertising and Society

    Examines advertising as an economic force and as a form of cultural representation. Students will use a critical/cultural approach to examine the economic, political and cultural forces that have impacted the evolution of advertising from the 19th to the 21st century, paying particular attention to how advertising has become a litmus for cultural attitudes and ideologies.
    Credits: 3


    Check course availability in Winter 2024

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  • COM 312 Public Relations Communication

    Instruction and practice in the role of communications in American institutions and writing and editing internal and external communications Discussion of the relationship between public relations, advertising and marketing and the role of law and ethics in public relations communications.
    Credits: 3
    Writing Intensive: May meet requirement, see class schedule


    Check course availability in Winter 2024

    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  
  
  
  

  • COM 325 Intercultural Communication

    Examination of the connections between culture and communication. Exploration of the diversity among U.S. American cultural patterns as well as other cultures from around the world. Development of critical, analytical, verbal and nonverbal skills necessary for effective intercultural communication.
    Credits: 3
    Diversity: May meet requirement, see class schedule


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  • COM 328 Law and Popular Culture

    Course is designed to deepen students’ understanding of the intersection between law and popular culture. Through readings, discussion, reflective writing and a final research project, students will be able to understand and describe how movies about law shape society’s understandings of law, society and social history.
    Credits: 3


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  • COM 331 Nonverbal Communication

    Examination of human nonverbal behaviors that have communicative potential. We study current knowledge and perspectives on nonverbal communication, using them to complete both formal and informal research projects, applying and testing contemporary theory and research on nonverbal communication.
    Credits: 3
    Writing Intensive: May meet requirement, see class schedule


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    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  
  
  

  • COM 342 Media Literacy

    Encourages the development of media literacy by examining the complexity of media industries in the areas of production, economics, audience development, media effects and institutional effects. Specific topics include the analysis of media products such as news, entertainment and advertising according to their purposes, message parameters and audience reception.
    Credits: 3


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    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  
  
  

  • COM 360 Sport Communication

    Introduction to issues in sport communication and offers an opportunity for investigation of an individualized area of interest. Topics include player-coach communication, sports journalism, media spectacles and sport controversies, along with emerging issues in sport communication scholarship.
    Credits: 3


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    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  

  • COM 361 Health Literacy

    Investigates health literacy from the perspective of individuals, organizations, public policy, health care organizations and the broader community. Focuses on the health context because of potential impact of lower health literacy on health outcomes, health care costs, mortality and effective care. Course is relevant to any organization that must communicate complex information to the public. Course also covers analyzing written materials and revising them using “plain language” guidelines.
    Credits: 3


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  • COM 370 Communication Ethics

    Explores the theoretical foundations and practice of ethical communication examined in a variety of communication contexts. Specifically, our analysis seeks identification of ethical issues underlying all communication behavior and application of those issues to contemporary and classical examples of communicative behavior. Students will utilize this information to develop clear and appropriate ethical standards and practices in communication.
    Credits: 3


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    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  • COM 416 Communication and Politics

    An examination of the relationship between communication and politics and how their interaction affects American society. Emphasis is on the communication of political issues, the ways in which social institutions help create, advance and reinforce public opinion and the political systems.
    Credits: 3


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  • COM 426 Language of the Mass Media

    Uses of verbal and visual language in the popular media: motion pictures, television, radio, newspapers and magazines-both by direct study and analysis of the various media and by the study of the relevant scholarship and criticism.
    Credits: 3
    Writing Intensive: May meet requirement, see class schedule


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    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  
  
  
  

  • COM 436 Gender, Power and Cultural Production

    Examines the interplay between feminisms, queer theory and cultural production, focusing on how power manifests in ways that contribute to and constrain communication around gender and sexuality. Students will read historical and theoretical texts from feminist and queer scholars and assess how these texts enable them to communicate about sex and genders as social, cultural, political and economic constructions.
    Credits: 3
    Prerequisite: COM 335  or consent of instructor
    Diversity: May meet requirement, see class schedule


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  • COM 439 Contemporary U.S. Public Address

    Survey of several major U.S. speakers and speeches since the mid-20th century in their historical contexts. Analysis and evaluation of the rhetorical features of contemporary oratory grounded in critical and theoretical approaches to speaker, audience, text and context.
    Credits: 3
    Writing Intensive: May meet requirement, see class schedule


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  • COM 440 Relational Communication

    In-depth examination of everyday relational communication issues as behavioral outcomes of theoretically explained communication behaviors, from relationship initiation to relationship termination, including factors such as attraction, relational development and maintenance, critical relational events and other topics in relational communication.
    Credits: 3


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  • COM 444 Global Media

    Provides students with critical perspectives on global media, as industries, transnational cultural flows and part of the globalization process. Lectures, readings, case studies and discussions will help students understand how key issues and media players involved in the processes of global media production and distribution contribute to globalization.
    Credits: 3


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  • COM 446 Critical Media Analysis

    Students will investigate mass media using major theories and methods of critical media analysis, including semiotics, framing and political/sociological analysis. Through informal application assignments, scholarly readings and a formal paper, students will explore the ways critical media analysis yields insights into contemporary social formations.
    Credits: 3
    Writing Intensive: May meet requirement, see class schedule


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  • COM 450 Crisis Communication Management

    Practical experience to effectively manage and overcome a crisis. Students are introduced to sound research and the best practices in the field of crisis communication. Course is based in using case examples to explore a series of crisis communication management problems and strategies. Cases involve managing victims, reducing litigation, recovering reputation, healing corporate wounds, dealing with organizational opposition, engaging the media and influencing employee, community and public attitude.
    Credits: 3
    Prerequisite: COM 312 


    Check course availability in Winter 2024

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  • COM 461 Family Communication

    Examination of communication messaging, strategies and patterns of interaction occurring in family relationships in a variety of different family styles. Topics may include closeness and affection, disclosure, sibling interaction, adolescence, parenting, marital roles and conflict.
    Credits: 3
    Prerequisite: COM 112  and/or consent of instructor


    Check course availability in Winter 2024

    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  

Computer Science
  
  

  • CS 121 Computer Applications

    Covers standard office applications for a personal computer. Currently the class uses the Microsoft Office suite of applications and includes intermediate Microsoft Word, basic and intermediate Microsoft Excel and basic Microsoft Access. As time permits, presentation software (Microsoft Power Point) and web page editing software (Microsoft FrontPage).
    Credits: 2


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  • CS 122 Introduction to Computer Science for Non-Majors

    History and overview of fundamental concepts of computer science. Topics include: introduction to computer hardware and the role of an operating system; data communications and networks; the history and future of the internet; issues in computer privacy, computer security, computer ethics and computer crime; buying and upgrading a personal computer system; and careers in computing.
    Credits: 4


    Check course availability in Winter 2024

    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  

  • CS 123 Introduction to Information Systems

    Introduces students to contemporary information systems and demonstrates how these systems are used in organizations. Focus on the key components of information systems – people, software, hardware, data and communication technologies – and how these components are integrated and managed for organizational advantages. Students will gain an understanding of how information is used in organizations and how information technology improves quality, speed and agility. Introduces systems development, technology acquisition and various types of applications common in modern organizations and society.
    Credits: 4


    Check course availability in Winter 2024

    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  

  • CS 125 Introduction to Computer Game Development

    Students will be exposed to fundamentals of programming by building digital/computer games using a high-level game development framework; no prior programming experience required. Students will gain insights into how programs are designed and developed; learn about the software engineering process; and improve problem-solving skills by creating a digital/computer game. Students will design and develop a digital game at a level appropriate for their background and experience.
    Credits: 4


    Check course availability in Winter 2024

    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  

  • CS 126 Introduction to Smart Phone App Development

    Gentle introduction to computing. Students will build mobile apps for phones and tablets using the visual language “app inventor”; no prior programming experience required. Students will gain insights into how programs are designed and developed; learn about the software engineering process; and improve problem-solving skills by creating a smart phone or tablet application.
    Credits: 4


    Check course availability in Winter 2024

    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  

  • CS 127 Introduction to Multimedia Programming

    Introduction to sound synthesis using the Pure Data programming language. Students will become familiar with basic digital audio and signal processing techniques in a visual programming environment. Generative sound design and production processes will be explored with examples applicable to game development, music composition and sound effect creation.
    Credits: 4


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    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  

  • CS 133 Introduction to Python Programming

    Introduces students to computer programming using the Python language. Python is a general-purpose, high-level programming language whose design philosophy emphasizes code readability. Python combines power with clear syntax. Its standard library is large and comprehensive. Phython supports multiple programming paradigms, primarily but not limited to, object-oriented, imperative and, to a lesser extent, functional programming styles.
    Credits: 4


    Check course availability in Winter 2024

    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  
  

  • CS 135 JavaScript

    Introduction to programming concepts using JavaScript programming language. Discusses the essential elements of programming; syntax, control structures, data manipulation and program logic. Object-oriented and functional programming concepts are introduced. Importance of proper coding practices; commenting, white space and consistency. JavaScript framework is explained and how it is integrated into applications.
    Credits: 4


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    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  

  • CS 137 Introduction to MATLAB Programming

    Introduces students to technical computing using the MATLAB platform. MATLAB is an all purpose interactive computing environment that seamlessly integrates a high-level programming language expressly designed for technical computing. A variety of computational tasks will be examined including simulation and data analysis problem types.
    Credits: 4


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    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  

  • CS 160 Survey of Computer Science

    Explores the disciplines and professions of Computer Science and Software Engineering. Overviews computer hardware and software architecture, the study of algorithms, software design and development, data representation and organization, problem-solving strategies, ethics in the digital world, and the history of computing and its influences on society. Explores career options and begins the process of planning a program of study. Exposes students to both low-level and high-level programming languages.
    Credits: 4


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  • CS 162 Computer Science II

    Second course in the two-course sequence, provides students with a foundation in software development and computer programming. Includes advanced object-oriented programming concepts, GUI and event-driven programming, file I/O, recursion and further explorations of the language libraries. Students apply the fundamental programming concepts gained in CS 161  to create more complex programs. New concepts and tools are introduced, including tools that help in the construction of larger, more durable programs that can be used for practical applications.
    Credits: 4
    Prerequisite: CS 161  and MTH 232  or concurrent enrollment


    Check course availability in Winter 2024

    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  
  

  • CS 196 Web Design Using HTML and JavaScript

    Students learn to use Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) and JavaScript HTML. HTML is a language for structuring and presenting content for the world wide web and is a core technology of the internet. JavaScript is primarily used in the form of client-side language implemented as part of a web browser in order to provide enhanced user interfaces and dynamic websites.
    Credits: 4


    Check course availability in Winter 2024

    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  
  

  • CS 260 Data Structures

    Studies the merging of abstract data types (ADT’s) and the algorithms which manipulate them. Topics may include the study of the elementary searching and sorting algorithms, stacks, queues, lists, trees, graphs, hash tables and implementation strategies. Also introduces complexity analysis, asymptotic measures and resource consumption including the trade-off between time and space. For each data structure examined, common algorithms which utilize the structure will be studied and “Big O” complexity analysis discussed for each algorithm.
    Credits: 4
    Prerequisite: CS 162  and MTH 232 , both with a grade of C or better


    Check course availability in Winter 2024

    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  
  
  
  

  • CS 340 Ethics and Information Management

    Acquaints students with the contemporary or possible future moral problems that might arise due to computerization. Gives students a deeper understanding of the nature of morality or the nature of society. Helps students understand the relationship between deep human needs, socioeconomic institutions and technology.
    Credits: 4
    Prerequisite: Passing grade in WR 135 and/or WR 122  and junior standing
    Writing Intensive: May meet requirement, see class schedule


    Check course availability in Winter 2024

    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  

  • CS 355 UNIX Fundamentals

    Introduction to the UNIX operating system. Emphasis on using a UNIX-based or a Linux-based computer and some basic system administration tasks. Covers fundamental UNIX commands and utilities, including the use of a text editor and a mail handler, configuring a shell, the UNIX file system organization, managing processes in a multiprocessing system and writing simple shell scripts. This class assumes no previous experience with the UNIX operating system.
    Credits: 3
    Prerequisite: CS 162 


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    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  

  • CS 360 Programming Languages

    This course will provide a comparative study of programming language paradigms and their application. Paradigms studied include Imperative, Functional, Logic, and Object Oriented languages. Modern scripting languages that are categorized under multiple paradigms are included. Students will learn how to approach problems from the viewpoint of each paradigm. Similarities and differences in syntax, control structures, types, scoping rules and execution model will be highlighted. The specific languages studied are selected by the instructor and may vary from year to year.
    Credits: 4
    Prerequisite: CS 260  and CS 271  


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    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  

  • CS 361 Algorithms

    Course covers fundamental algorithms and data structures used to solve a variety of problems. These include searching, advanced sorting, graphs, strings and algorithms for solving other hard problems. Develops and explores algorithm design strategies such as divide and conquer, dynamic programming, greedy approaches and backtracking. Algorithm analysis is developed at a more advanced level and includes analysis of recursive algorithms. Covers the classification of algorithms by computational complexity and an introduction to the theory of computation including automata, Turing machines and formal languages.
    Credits: 4
    Prerequisite: CS 260  and MTH 354  


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    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  
  
  

  • CS 365 Operating Systems and Networking

    This course provides an introduction to Operating Systems as managers of systems resources and networking fundamentals. Management of tasks, memory, and peripheral devices is explored. Topics include task synchronization, message handling, scheduling, dispatching, network communications and protocols. Students gain handson experiences via labs and projects.
    Credits: 4
    Prerequisite: CS 260  and CS 271  


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    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  
  
  
  
  
  

  • CS 431 Intelligent Systems

    Fundamentals of classical and modern intelligent systems (artificial intelligence). Covers classic algorithms including search strategies, constraint satisfaction, optimization, knowledge representation and reasoning and classification and overview of modern deep learning methods. Includes laboratory style investigation and algorithm implementation for selected real systems or problems, e.g. autonomous systems or image recognition.
    Credits: 4
    Prerequisite: CS 361 


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    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  

  • CS 434 Data Mining and Data Warehouse

    Course discusses theory and algorithms most commonly used in the analysis of large volumes of data, often referred to as Big Data/BusinessIntelligence/Machine Learning, in the extraction of knowledge from such data,and in making decisions based on the knowledge acquired. Students will build a data warehouse and conduct data mining exercises.
    Credits: 4
    Prerequisite: CS 364  or CS 420


    Check course availability in Winter 2024

    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  
  
  
  
  
  

  • CS 460 Software Engineering I

    This course covers an introduction to the fundamental principles and practices of software engineering. Covers both theory and practical aspects of the first activities of large, group-developed software projects, including tools and environments, software requirements engineering, introduction to software architecture, design and modeling and modern software processes. Students will learn the specific languages, tools, environments and processes necessary to complete the remainder of the capstone course. Computer Science majors must complete the required senior capstone courses in sequence: CS 460 then CS 461  and finally CS 462 .
    Credits: 4
    Prerequisite: CS 361  and CS 364 , both with a grade of C or better


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    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  

  • CS 461 Software Engineering II

    This course emphasizes teamwork in small groups to develop real-world software applications. Teams and individual members will participate in all activities of software development, including project planning, requirements analysis, design, coding, testing, configuration management, quality assurance, documentation, and deployment. Topics in CS 461 will focus on software lifecycle processes, software design, software construction, and engineering management concepts expanding on material from CS 460 . This course provides a capstone experience that integrates knowledge gained in rest of the CS curriculum through work on both team and individual projects. The second term of a 3-term sequence (CS 460 , CS 461, CS 462  ).
    Credits: 4
    Prerequisite: CS 460  with a grade of C or better
    Corequisite: CS 461L


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    Check course availability in Spring 2024
  

  • CS 462 Software Engineering III

    A continuation of the CS 460  and CS 461  capstone course sequence where students focus on the construction and implementation of both individual and team developed software projects. The emphasis in CS 462 is on applying contemporary software development methods, testing, verification, validation, reliability, software evolution, and software deployment. This course concludes the capstone experience that integrates knowledge gained in rest of the CS curriculum through work on both team and individual projects; public presentations of both team and individual projects are part of the course requirements. The third term of a 3-term sequence (CS 460 , CS 461 , CS 462).
    Credits: 4
    Prerequisite: CS 461  with a grade of C or better and CS 461L
    Corequisite: CS 462L


    Check course availability in Winter 2024

    Check course availability in Spring 2024
 

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