This course is a multidisciplinary exploration of Earth’s past, present, and future. Students will examine theories that explain the origin of the universe, solar system, the Earth, and the Earth’s interrelated systems. Students will discover how evolutionary changes in both physical and biological systems have resulted in the modern Earth. Students will gain insight as to how systems of feedbacks maintain the planetary balance, and how human impacts to those systems have created global environmental change. Through this, students will gain insight on the process of generating and challenging scientific knowledge.

This course explores fundamental sociological principles and seeks to describe individuals in both group and societal contexts. Students will learn to use the sociological imagination as a lens through which to view and experience the world. Students will learn about sociological theory and research methods, and apply these to the basic subject matter of sociology: culture, social structure, socialization, deviance, class, race, and gender. The goals of this course are to stimulate your interest in sociology and to encourage you to recognize its practical value.

This course provides an introduction to human behavior and mental processes, so that students will become conversant with the history on psychology, as well as current issues and careers in psychology. Core topics include critical thinking and research methods in psychology; neuroscience; and learning. Additional topics may include social behavior, personality, psychological disorders and treatment, human development, cognitive psychology, emotions/stress/health, cross-cultural psychology, and community psychology. Students can expect to come out of this class with a basic knowledge and understand of psychological concepts, methods, and issues, and a solid foundation for further study in the field of psychology.

Students in this introductory political science course will explore and analyze political philosophies, political ideologies, the historical development of political thought, and examine the reasons people choose an ideology over others. They will learn to articulate key attributes of democracy, authoritarianism, and the major

In this course, students will engage in the study and practice of philosophy. Students will learn to read and evaluate classic and contemporary philosophical texts and will develop the background and understanding to formulate their own answers to questions that have intrigued philosophers through the ages, for example,

Six of the ten leading causes of death in America are diet-related. In this course students will learn the macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, proteins) and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals) that promote optimum health. Students will examine digestion and metabolism of food; energy balance and weight control; use of exercise as related to energy balance; how current culture influences food choices and health; and risks of obesity, diabetes, and other nutrition related, prevalent diseases. Students will design an individual, healthy diet, discuss the role of government in the education of people, use the scientific method to analyze dietary claims; and learn basic food safety and bio-engineering. Designed for students with little or no biology or chemistry background.