Learning Communities

BLY 121 is our flagship introductory Biology course in which students will be introduced to the fundamentals of living systems with enthusiasm for the cornerstones of biological function (cell theory, energetics, genetics, & evolution). The Modular design of this course provides a one-stop-shop for all course content as students explore their biological curiosities 

Come sail away with me on an open course for the Gulf of Mexico onboard vessel MAS 134 Ocean Sciences.  We’ll take a journey through the water column to discover all that the ocean encompasses from the minute free floating phytoplankton near the surface to the midwater fishes that illuminate the twilight zone to the great dark depths of the abyssal plans were deep sea organisms such as the anglerfish roam.   Along the way we will discuss the chemical and geological components as well as the physical as these mechanisms affect the biology of the organisms that reside in the ocean.  We’ll take a two-hour boat trip aboard the Research Vessel Alabama to trawl in Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, collecting local flora and fauna to identify using dichotomous keys, learning more about the habitats in which they reside.  We’ll use this data to determine abundance values and transform it into Excel graphs and figures that we can then interpret.  In addition, we’ll dissect a few invertebrates and vertebrates to better understand the external and internal anatomy of different marine phyla as well as learn valuable ecological sampling techniques and implement them in the field.  We'll explore all that the Dauphin Island Sea Lab's Estuarium, Alabama's Aquarium, has to offer as well as take part in Alabama's Coastal Cleanup (free t-shirt).  It’s a trip of a lifetime and one that you should take as we’re inhabitants of the coast, a coastal community living near Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.  And as our population grows, it stresses the ability of our society to produce food, water, and shelter.  We will continue to look to the oceans to help sustain our basic needs. The ocean is the planet’s largest ecosystem covering more than 70% of the Earth’s surface, but there’s still so much we don’t know.  Let’s discover some of it together!

Global Issues, students explore some of the environmental, political, and social challenges that our global society faces. Through current events, students will examine some of the organizations that impact our lives, such as the United Nations and World Health Organization, as well as important issues such as global health, migration, and natural resources. This course fulfills a social science general education requirement. 

Knowledge and awareness of history and society are important ingredients of a student's education. The Department of History offers general courses for all students, a major and a minor in history, and preparation for students who plan to continue study at the graduate level, to teach history, or to enter related fields.

Hi, I’m Dr. Robert Faust. My History 101 course introduces you to some of the important political, economic, cultural, and intellectual themes of Western Civilization from ancient times through approximately 1650 CE. We cover topics related to the ancient Near East, Hebrews, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Muslims, and medieval Europeans. We look in depth at the origins of several major religions, the fate of the Roman Empire, the contributions of the Greeks, and what these and other ancient peoples can tell us about ourselves. Your semester begins at a dynamic and anxious time in the history of the United States, and indeed, of the world at large. While each generation faces its own unique challenges, the issues of the day are often born of decisions made and actions taken by the people that came before us, perhaps very long ago. As we learn something of their stories, we keep in mind that we are also telling our own.

I also teach the HY 135 Learning Community course. This course will cover the origins of America through the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution. America’s start was a trying time for people of the new country, but as we work through the course, you will see the perseverance the American people had to change the way things were.

The study of mathematics focuses on the core problem-solving and quantitative reasoning skills that form the backbone of most scholarly and professional pursuits. At least one math course is required of all majors. Topics will differ based on which math you are placed in, but some topics could include logic, permutations, algebraic functions, polynomials, graphing functions, or inequalities.

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior as well as the mental and biological processes that control thoughts and emotions. In PSY 120, Dr. Josh Foster will review a variety of psychology’s major research areas and highlight what we know (research findings), what we don’t know (research questions), and how we know it (research methods). Psychology has implications for almost everything you do in life, and the hope is that by the end of this course you will be familiar enough with psychology to discuss it intelligently and apply its concepts to your life.

SY 109, Introduction to Sociology is one of those classes that students often look back on later as one of the most influential and important courses they took in college. The course helps students understand social behavior and social phenomena through the lens of social forces and social structures, with an emphasis on mining classical sociological theory for explanatory mechanisms. Along the way, we touch on everything from the nature of science to animal cognition, games, self-identity, family life, inequality, religion, cities, and the (short) history of bathing, among much else.

A survey of the major regions of the world, excluding North America, and the interrelationship of environmental, cultural, economic, and political factors that characterize each. 

BLY 121 is our flagship introductory Biology course in which students will be introduced to the fundamentals of living systems with enthusiasm for the cornerstones of biological function (cell theory, energetics, genetics, & evolution). The Modular design of this course provides a one-stop-shop for all course content as students explore their biological curiosities 

In PHL 131, we look at the answers to some of the most important questions we have as moral agents. What makes an action right or wrong? What makes someone a good person? How can we decide what to do in morally tricky situations? This course looks at answers to these questions through the lens of the "big three" ethical theories. We also explore other, related topics such as the moral permissibility of abortion, what (if anything) we owe to others, and whether killing is worse than merely letting die. Learning how to engage with these philosophical issues helps you develop problem-solving skills and trains your process of critical thinking. Plus, these topics are both fascinating and fun!

Global Issues, students explore some of the environmental, political, and social challenges that our global society faces. Through current events, students will examine some of the organizations that impact our lives, such as the United Nations and World Health Organization, as well as important issues such as global health, migration, and natural resources. This course fulfills a social science general education requirement. 

Knowledge and awareness of history and society are important ingredients of a student's education. The Department of History offers general courses for all students, a major and a minor in history, and preparation for students who plan to continue study at the graduate level, to teach history, or to enter related fields.

Hi, I’m Dr. Robert Faust. My History 101 course introduces you to some of the important political, economic, cultural, and intellectual themes of Western Civilization from ancient times through approximately 1650 CE. We cover topics related to the ancient Near East, Hebrews, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Muslims, and medieval Europeans. We look in depth at the origins of several major religions, the fate of the Roman Empire, the contributions of the Greeks, and what these and other ancient peoples can tell us about ourselves. Your semester begins at a dynamic and anxious time in the history of the United States, and indeed, of the world at large. While each generation faces its own unique challenges, the issues of the day are often born of decisions made and actions taken by the people that came before us, perhaps very long ago. As we learn something of their stories, we keep in mind that we are also telling our own.

I also teach the HY 135 Learning Community course. This course will cover the origins of America through the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution. America’s start was a trying time for people of the new country, but as we work through the course, you will see the perseverance the American people had to change the way things were.

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior as well as the mental and biological processes that control thoughts and emotions. In PSY 120, Dr. Josh Foster will review a variety of psychology’s major research areas and highlight what we know (research findings), what we don’t know (research questions), and how we know it (research methods). Psychology has implications for almost everything you do in life, and the hope is that by the end of this course you will be familiar enough with psychology to discuss it intelligently and apply its concepts to your life.

SY 109, Introduction to Sociology is one of those classes that students often look back on later as one of the most influential and important courses they took in college. The course helps students understand social behavior and social phenomena through the lens of social forces and social structures, with an emphasis on mining classical sociological theory for explanatory mechanisms. Along the way, we touch on everything from the nature of science to animal cognition, games, self-identity, family life, inequality, religion, cities, and the (short) history of bathing, among much else.

AN 100 is an introductory course to Cultural Anthropology using a comparative cross-cultural approach. We will examine how various peoples around the world have adapted to their environments and developed behaviors to meet their biological, economic, psychological, social, recreational, and political needs. You will learn different ways of living and thinking from cultures all around the world, and we will have group discussions on the interconnectivity of all humans (from the global to the local). We are all more alike than we are different!

In AN 101, we explore the human past in order to understand our present and look to shape our future. Today, many people predict gloom and doom, but archaeology and biological anthropology show us the resilience of us and our ancestors. In this class we consider how we know about the human past and what we know, so we can work to shape our future. You will
be part of a permanent class team for the semester to deepen your understanding and come to well thought out conclusions. Six million years of human biological and cultural change has plenty of surprises and leads us to consider the possibility of unimaginable futures!

CJ 105 is the first course in the Criminal Justice curriculum and a prerequisite for additional coursework in Criminal Justice. This course provides an overview of the three major institutions of criminal justice in the United States: law enforcement, courts, and corrections.

A survey of the major regions of the world, excluding North America, and the interrelationship of environmental, cultural, economic, and political factors that characterize each. 

Global Issues, students explore some of the environmental, political, and social challenges that our global society faces. Through current events, students will examine some of the organizations that impact our lives, such as the United Nations and World Health Organization, as well as important issues such as global health, migration, and natural resources. This course fulfills a social science general education requirement. 

Knowledge and awareness of history and society are important ingredients of a student's education. The Department of History offers general courses for all students, a major and a minor in history, and preparation for students who plan to continue study at the graduate level, to teach history, or to enter related fields.

Hi, I’m Dr. Robert Faust. My History 101 course introduces you to some of the important political, economic, cultural, and intellectual themes of Western Civilization from ancient times through approximately 1650 CE. We cover topics related to the ancient Near East, Hebrews, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Muslims, and medieval Europeans. We look in depth at the origins of several major religions, the fate of the Roman Empire, the contributions of the Greeks, and what these and other ancient peoples can tell us about ourselves. Your semester begins at a dynamic and anxious time in the history of the United States, and indeed, of the world at large. While each generation faces its own unique challenges, the issues of the day are often born of decisions made and actions taken by the people that came before us, perhaps very long ago. As we learn something of their stories, we keep in mind that we are also telling our own.

I also teach the HY 135 Learning Community course. This course will cover the origins of America through the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution. America’s start was a trying time for people of the new country, but as we work through the course, you will see the perseverance the American people had to change the way things were.

In PSC 130, Intro to U.S. Government, Professor Abrams offers an overview of U.S. government and politics over three sections, covering both the development of our political system and current issues and debates. Section 1 of the course is grounded in the U.S. Constitution and includes our government's institutions and civil liberties and civil rights. Section 2 evaluates the inputs to our democracy, including public opinion, political parties, voting and elections, and the media. Section 3 dives deeply into our three branches of government: legislative (Congress), executive (the Presidency and bureaucracy), and judicial (the Courts, especially the Supreme Court); and it concludes with public policy. Together students will have a solid foundation for understanding our system of government and those who mold and shape it, including one’s own role in politics and governance.

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior as well as the mental and biological processes that control thoughts and emotions. In PSY 120, Dr. Josh Foster will review a variety of psychology’s major research areas and highlight what we know (research findings), what we don’t know (research questions), and how we know it (research methods). Psychology has implications for almost everything you do in life, and the hope is that by the end of this course you will be familiar enough with psychology to discuss it intelligently and apply its concepts to your life.

SY 109, Introduction to Sociology is one of those classes that students often look back on later as one of the most influential and important courses they took in college. The course helps students understand social behavior and social phenomena through the lens of social forces and social structures, with an emphasis on mining classical sociological theory for explanatory mechanisms. Along the way, we touch on everything from the nature of science to animal cognition, games, self-identity, family life, inequality, religion, cities, and the (short) history of bathing, among much else.

In ARH 103, Dr. Kara Burns will highlight transcultural connections in the arts, investigate how artworks have been used to both uphold and question institutional power structures, link visual and material cultures of the past with those of the present-day, and encourage student participation in these endeavors.

CJ 105 is the first course in the Criminal Justice curriculum and a prerequisite for additional coursework in Criminal Justice. This course provides an overview of the three major institutions of criminal justice in the United States: law enforcement, courts, and corrections.

A basic survey of theatre practice. 

Global Issues, students explore some of the environmental, political, and social challenges that our global society faces. Through current events, students will examine some of the organizations that impact our lives, such as the United Nations and World Health Organization, as well as important issues such as global health, migration, and natural resources. This course fulfills a social science general education requirement. 

Knowledge and awareness of history and society are important ingredients of a student's education. The Department of History offers general courses for all students, a major and a minor in history, and preparation for students who plan to continue study at the graduate level, to teach history, or to enter related fields.

Hi, I’m Dr. Robert Faust. My History 101 course introduces you to some of the important political, economic, cultural, and intellectual themes of Western Civilization from ancient times through approximately 1650 CE. We cover topics related to the ancient Near East, Hebrews, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Muslims, and medieval Europeans. We look in depth at the origins of several major religions, the fate of the Roman Empire, the contributions of the Greeks, and what these and other ancient peoples can tell us about ourselves. Your semester begins at a dynamic and anxious time in the history of the United States, and indeed, of the world at large. While each generation faces its own unique challenges, the issues of the day are often born of decisions made and actions taken by the people that came before us, perhaps very long ago. As we learn something of their stories, we keep in mind that we are also telling our own.

I also teach the HY 135 Learning Community course. This course will cover the origins of America through the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution. America’s start was a trying time for people of the new country, but as we work through the course, you will see the perseverance the American people had to change the way things were.

The study of mathematics focuses on the core problem-solving and quantitative reasoning skills that form the backbone of most scholarly and professional pursuits. At least one math course is required of all majors. Topics will differ based on which math you are placed in, but some topics could include logic, permutations, algebraic functions, polynomials, graphing functions, or inequalities.

In PSC 130, Intro to U.S. Government, Professor Abrams offers an overview of U.S. government and politics over three sections, covering both the development of our political system and current issues and debates. Section 1 of the course is grounded in the U.S. Constitution and includes our government's institutions and civil liberties and civil rights. Section 2 evaluates the inputs to our democracy, including public opinion, political parties, voting and elections, and the media. Section 3 dives deeply into our three branches of government: legislative (Congress), executive (the Presidency and bureaucracy), and judicial (the Courts, especially the Supreme Court); and it concludes with public policy. Together students will have a solid foundation for understanding our system of government and those who mold and shape it, including one’s own role in politics and governance.

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior as well as the mental and biological processes that control thoughts and emotions. In PSY 120, Dr. Josh Foster will review a variety of psychology’s major research areas and highlight what we know (research findings), what we don’t know (research questions), and how we know it (research methods). Psychology has implications for almost everything you do in life, and the hope is that by the end of this course you will be familiar enough with psychology to discuss it intelligently and apply its concepts to your life.

SY 109, Introduction to Sociology is one of those classes that students often look back on later as one of the most influential and important courses they took in college. The course helps students understand social behavior and social phenomena through the lens of social forces and social structures, with an emphasis on mining classical sociological theory for explanatory mechanisms. Along the way, we touch on everything from the nature of science to animal cognition, games, self-identity, family life, inequality, religion, cities, and the (short) history of bathing, among much else.