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An introduction to the art of public speaking, focusing primarily on the construction and critique of persuasive discourse. Students study the classical rhetorical tradition as a continuing influence on the contemporary theory and practice of persuasion.

People of every time and culture have studied the skies, named the arrangements of stars and used the apparent motions of the sun and moon to mark time. This course, designed for the non-scientist, surveys the known contents of the universe and explores the dynamic natures of celestial objects through study of their motions, interactions and evolutions.To foster appreciation for the methods of science, naked-eye observations are required of each student and attention is given to Western culture’s slow path toward understanding the cosmos and our place within it.

This course is the first of a two-semester sequence designed to provide a general survey of physics. It emphasizes the relationship between basic physical principles and observations, both in the laboratory and in everyday events around us. It covers topics in mechanics and wave phenomena. The mathematical level of presentation assumes elementary algebra and basic trigonometry. While it serves as the appropriate physics course for students in the life sciences, it is designed to be accessible to all who have an interest in the subject.

This course covers the nature of energy, its application in modern society and a variety of issues associated with that use. We will study the physical principles of mechanical, thermal, electrical, optical and nuclear energy in order to better understand the role of energy in society, focusing on fossil fuels, electric power plants, automobiles, global warming, the ozone layer and energy conservation, as well as nuclear, solar and other power sources. This course makes extensive use of elementary algebra and scientific notation. Major credit restricted.. Also offered as ENVS 105.

This course surveys the scientific study of behavior and mental processes as natural phenomena. Basic psychological areas such as biopsychology, perception, learning, memory, motivation and emotion are typically addressed. Broader, integrated topics such as development, personality, and social and abnormal psychology are also explored. Students who enroll in 100WL gain additional focus on how psychologists formulate research questions, gather data and interpret findings based on the major conceptual approaches in the field of psychology.

This course presents students with conceptual approaches and practical techniques for applying the scientific method to behavioral research. Students learn about observational, correlational and experimental research designs and have the opportunity to apply these designs in the laboratory while investigating relevant psychological phenomena. Appropriate statistical procedures and computer software are used to analyze the data from these labs; therefore, students must take a course in statistics prior to 205.

Personality theories provide a framework with which to understand a person’s development, motivation, and behavior. This course examines traditional and contemporary theories of personality, focusing on representative theorists from the psychoanalytic, trait, behavioral, cognitive, and phenomenological approaches. Evaluation of theories on logical and empirical grounds is discussed. Prerequisite: PSYC 101WL or 101NL.

This course is designed to develop an understanding of human behavior and mental processes in sport and exercise settings.

This course is designed to study the major psychological disorders, and how stress plays a role in their appearance and severity. The course uses case histories, lecture, movie excerpts, discussion, and extensive use of primary literature to explore the latest thinking in how our biology, psychology, and social environment intertwine to create mental illness and mental health. Prerequisite: PSYC 101WL or 101NL.

This lecture-laboratory course covers the theory and research of how individual humans think, feel, and behave when influenced by their social environment. Topics include the social self, thinking about people and situations, attributions, attitude formation and change, conformity, affiliation and attraction, altruism, aggression, prejudice and group dynamics. The laboratory is required of all students. Prerequisite: PSYC 101WL or 101NL and PSYC 205. Also offered through Peace Studies.