Community Based Learning Courses

CBL 115: GATEWAY TO SERVICE (2)
This course will introduce students to the philosophy, theory, and best practices of academically based community service work. Working with faculty and concepts from a wide range of academic disciplines, students will gain knowledge about community action and community service, while developing first-hand practical skills and applications for effective work in Baltimore City. Topics and skills to be learned include community building, effective mentoring, developing community partnerships, perspectives on learning development, and others. One hour lecture and two hours community service required per week. Instructor: Michael Curry

CBL 299: INDEPENDENT WORK (1.5)
Building on community-based learning experiences in other courses, the independent study is designed to give students the chance to further explore working in the community. The student will be supervised by a faculty member and will complete a Community Learning Agreement before starting work. May not be repeated for credit. Graded pass/no pass. Instructor: Michael Curry

COM 301 ISSUES IN HUMAN COMMUNICATION (3)
An intensive study of a specific issue or issues in one of the major research traditions in the field: mass communication or interpersonal, small group, and/or organizational communication. Concentration on a topic of current debate in communication studies. The specific topic for the class is posted before registration. Examples of topics include Media, Consciousness, and Culture; Gender and Popular Culture; The Information Society; and The Cultural History of Advertising. Prerequisites: at least two of the 200-level required theory/criticism and history courses, departmental and college writing proficiency, and junior or senior status; or permission of the instructor. Repeatable if topic is different. Fall semester, repeated spring semester. Instructor: Burton, Marcus

COM 365 ADVANCED PUBLIC RELATIONS (4)
This course enables students to apply the critical thinking and public relations skills learned in introductory public relations and communications courses to the professional arena. Working in teams under supervision with nonprofit community organizations, students will help plan, manage, and implement a public relations campaign for a nonprofit community organization. Prerequisites: COM 238 and college and departmental writing proficiency, or permission of the instructor. Spring semester. Instructor: Gayle Economos

PCE 148: NONVIOLENCE IN AMERICA (4) (GEN. ED #10)
Survey of the history of nonviolent actions and principles in what is now the United States, including groups such as Native Americans; Quakers; abolitionists; pacifists; and those in the women's suffrage, labor and civil rights movements. Study of the philosophical principles of nonviolence in relation to historical events and policies; assessment of justification of the principles and success or failure of the policies. Service component in Baltimore City after-school programs. Instructor: Frances Donelan

PSY 226: RELATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY (4) (GEN. ED. #10)
Moving away from a framework of psychological research, theory, and evaluation that unduly values objectivity, independence, and personal achievement, students explore collaboratively the ramifications of a psychology that places human relationship, connection, community, and care at the center of psychological health and development, where mutual empowerment and empathy, rather than separation from others, are the goals. This feminist, antiracist, and critical psychology recognizes the powerful impact of the sociocultural context in impeding mutuality, and provides an interpretive framework for understanding and reshaping culture, lives, and theory. Specific topics vary from year to year, but include the following: the works of Carol Gilligan, the relational psychology of Jean Baker Miller and the Stone Center, the psychology of gender (e.g., girls' development, the construction of masculinity), the psychology of oppression, and relational classrooms and environments. Prerequisite: PSY 111 or 114, or sophomore standing. Instructor: Rick Pringle

SP 130S: INTERMEDIATE SPANISH (4) (GEN. ED. #2)
This course is designed to expand knowledge of the Spanish language and explore the cultural diversity in the Spanish-speaking world through the development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. This is the third and final course of the lower-division language sequence. Satisfactory completion of the course fulfills the foreign language requirement. Four contact hours. Prerequisite: SP 120, 120C, or SP 120V, with a minimum grade of C- or placement. Instructor: Frances Ramos Fontan

SP 230: INTERMEDIATE CONVERSATION AND COMPOSITION (4)
Development of conversation and writing skills through the study and discussion of texts, audio, short videos, and full-length films. Special attention is given to the acquisition and active use of everyday vocabulary. Grammar exercises are integrated with the readings and dialogues. Course includes a 12-hour service learning component. Prerequisite: SP 229 or equivalent placement. Instructor: Florencia Cortes-Conde

SP 263: SPANISH IN THE WORKPLACE: LANGUAGE AND CULTURE (3)
The course is designed to integrate the study of Spanish language and Hispanic culture with other fields through exploration of pertinent issues in the workplace and the community in the United States. Course includes a 12-hour service learning component. Prerequisite: SP 235 Spring semester. Offered 2010-11 and alternate years. Instructor: Aida Ramos-Sellman

SOC 393: SEMINAR: SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF SELECTED TOPICS (4)
A critical examination of theoretical and methodological contributions of classic and contemporary work in the field. Topics selected according to current debates in the field. Topics include domestic violence, poverty and social welfare, and issues in mental health. May be repeated for credit if the topic is different. Prerequisites: SOC 210 and junior standing or permission of the instructor.Fall or spring semester. Instructor: Joan Burton.

THE 290: INTERNSHIP IN THEATRE (3-4)
Full- or part-time internships with professional production companies. Prerequisite: at least one course in theatre. Preliminary application and interview required. May be taken for a letter grade or pass/no pass. Instructor: Michael Curry