Click on each of the course names below to view a description. (Note: clicking on a course name will not take you away from this page.)
Careers
Career and Life Planning
Designed to aid students in making the most of their Blackburn experience while preparing for life after college, this course will focus on developing interpersonal and transferable skills and will include career interest inventories, career mentoring, career and life planning, communication skills, managing a household budget, household finance and investment.
Prerequisites: sophomore standing; no concurrent enrollment in CA 275 and CA 401 is permitted.
Offered: every semester.
Credits: 1.0
Career Entry Seminar
Focus is on job-search-related skills. Location of career information, production of a resume package, utilization of career resource personnel and development of the art of interviewing will be emphasized.
Prerequisites: junior or senior standing.
Offered: every semester.
Credits: 2.0
Cooperative Education
Cooperative Education I
Cooperative education is a work/study program wherein periods of study may be regularly alternated with intervals of employment or may be concurrent with the employment. Primary emphasis is on preparing students for related careers following graduation. Students should contact the Associate Dean of Work in the Work Program for current information on requirements. Junior standing is required. Three semester hours credit for a semester or summer of full-time work (minimum of 30 hours per week). May be repeated provided the total credits earned in CE 300 and CE 400 together do not exceed 12.
Prerequisites: none.
Offered: every semester, including summer.
Credits: 3.0
Cooperative Education II
Same as CE 300 except that senior standing and at least one previous cooperative experience at the 300 level are required. May be repeated provided the total credits earned in CE 300 and CE 400 do not exceed 12 hours.
Prerequisites: at least one previous cooperative experience at the 300 level.
Offered: every semester, including summer.
Credits: 4.0
Human Resource Development
Introduction to Human Resource Development
This course provides an overview of leadership and education in the workplace. Perspectives from sociology, psychology, philosophy, business and economics, leadership, and education will be introduced and related to the concept of meaningful work in our society.
Prerequisites: none.
Offered: every spring.
Credits: 3.0
Communication in a Global Workplace
This course provides an introduction to the role of communication in the workplace with particular emphasis on issues related to values, language and non-verbal behavior as they relate to effective multicultural and intercultural interaction.
Prerequisites: WR 111, 112; sophomore standing.
Offered: every fall.
Credits: 3.0
Internship
"All Human Resource Development majors will complete an internship on or off campus. Each student’s program is developed consistent with college guidelines under the sponsorship of a faculty member.
Prerequisites: participation in the Blackburn College Work Program for at least 4 semesters; good academic, work, and social standings; junior standing; and consent of department chair.
Offered: every semester.
Credits: determined on an individual basis.
Human Resource Development Seminar
Students will engage in a comprehensive project to highlight their work in the human resource development major.
Prerequisites: senior standing.
Offered: every spring.
Credits: 3.0
Leadership
Introduction to Teamwork
An introduction to teamwork including an examination of the role of teams in the workplace and the development of communication, problem solving, decision-making, and conflict resolution skills.
Prerequisites: freshman standing.
Offered: every fall.
Credits: 1.0
Human Work and Worth
Provides students with the opportunity to reflect on the meaning and value of work through the examination of a variety of scholarly readings and popular works and media.
Prerequisites: sophomore standing or consent.
Offered: every fall.
Credits: 3.0
Leadership Communication I
An introduction to the emotional origins and impact of interpersonal communication using in-class exercises, readings, and reflective writing to prepare for and process the leadership experience.
Prerequisites: concurrent participation in a significant leadership position and sophomore standing.
Offered: every fall and as needed.
Credits: 0.5
Leadership Communication II
A continuation of LD 220 that emphasizes giving and receiving feedback in emotionally constructive ways through in-class exercises, readings, and reflective writing to prepare for and process the leadership experience.
Prerequisites: LD 220.
Offered: every fall and as needed.
Credits: 0.5
Team Building I
An introduction to leadership styles, phases of team development, and their emotional impact on team members using in-class exercises, readings, and reflective writing to prepare for and process the leadership experience.
Prerequisites: concurrent participation in a significant leadership position and sophomore standing.
Offered: every fall and as needed.
Credits: 0.5
Conflict Resolution I
An introduction to win-win bargaining and joint problem-solving using in-class exercises, readings, and reflective writing to prepare for and process the leadership experience.
Prerequisites: concurrent participation in a significant leadership position and sophomore standing.
Offered: every fall and as needed.
Credits: 0.5
Conflict Resolution II
A continuation of LD 240 that emphasizes managing emotions, mediation, and problem-solving through in-class exercises, readings, and reflective writing to prepare for and process the leadership experience.
Prerequisites: LD 240.
Offered: every fall and as needed.
Credits: 0.5
The Constructive Resolution of Conflict
An interdisciplinary study of methods to resolve conflict through negotiation, mediation, joint problem-solving; consideration of interpersonal, intergroup, interorganizational, and international disputes.
Prerequisites: sophomore standing.
Offered: every fall.
Credits: 3.0
Philosophy of Leadership
A historical and philosophical examination of the concept of leadership, leadership skills and qualities, relationships between leaders and their environments and leaders and followers. Attention to views of such philosophers, social scientists, and commentators as Plato, Aristotle, Confucius, Lao Tzu, Machiavelli, Nietzsche, Gandhi, Du Bois, Lippmann, Gardner, Burns and others.
Prerequisites: none.
Offered: First semester, alternate years. Offered 2019-2020.
Credits: 3.0
Theory and Practice of Leadership
An examination of leadership roles in American and non-American contexts and in a variety of settings, including small group, legislative, administrative, national and international arenas; analysis of leadership skills common to these roles and linkages between occupants of different roles; consideration of the ethical implications and responsibilities of leadership.
Prerequisites: PS 102 or 301 or LD/PR 210.
Offered: every spring.
Credits: 3.0
Team Building II
A continuation of LD 230 that emphasizes delegation, reinforcement, leading meetings, group problem-solving techniques, and building commitment through in-class exercises, readings, and reflective writing to prepare for and process the leadership experience.
Prerequisites: LD 230.
Offered: every fall and as needed.
Credits: 0.5
Leadership Experience Seminar
A senior capstone that includes self-assessments, goal setting, development of a learning agenda, skill development, reading, and reflective writing.
Prerequisites: junior standing and concurrent leadership experience.
Offered: every fall.
Credits: 1.0
Leadership Experience Seminar
A continuation of LD 491 that includes self assessments, goal setting, development of a learning agenda, skill development, reading, and reflective writing.
Prerequisites: Junior standing and concurrent leadership experience.
Offered: Second semester.
Credits: 1.0
Political Science
U.S. National Goverment
Analysis of the national political system, the Constitution and the effects of values, pressure groups, parties and voters on the organizations, behavior and decisions of Congress, the President and the courts.
Prerequisites: none.
Offered: every fall.
Credits: 3.0
Introduction to World Affairs
Current world affairs problems with emphasis on their background, causes and alternative solutions, with special attention to the role of the United States in world affairs.
Prerequisites: none.
Offered: every fall.
Credits: 3.0
State and Local Government
Analysis of state and local government with an emphasis on Illinois state government. Includes study of the Constitution, functions of government, and the formulation and implementation of policy.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Second semester, alternate years. Offered 2018-2019.
Credits: 3.0
Introduction to International Relations
Nature and causes of wars, development of the state system, balance of power, collective security, and international law as approaches to peace, formulation and implementation of foreign policy, and problems of global interdependence.
Prerequisites: PS 103.
Offered: every spring.
Credits: 3.0
Public Administration
A study of policy implementation and evaluation that focuses on the leadership roles of bureaucrats, the political skills they need to manage the agency and work with external groups such as elected officials and clientele, and the politics of the implementation and evaluation process.
Prerequisites: PS 102.
Offered: Second semester, alternate years. Offered 2018-2019.
Credits: 3.0
The Congress and the Presidency
A study of policy formulation and authorization that focuses on Presidential and congressional leadership roles, coalition building, and politics of legislative-executive relations in the policy-making process.
Prerequisites: PS 102.
Offered: Second semester, alternate years. Offered 2019-2020.
Credits: 3.0
Government and Politics in Advanced Democracies
An introduction to the comparative method and the comparative study of governments and politics of Western Europe and Japan, including approaches to public policy in advanced, industrialized nations.
Prerequisites: PS 102 or 103.
Offered: every other spring.
Credits: 3.0
Model United Nations
Intensive training in Model UN parliamentary procedures and public speaking tactics through the use of simulations. Preparation of draft resolutions and country position papers on international issues. Attendance at and active participation in Model UN Conference. May be repeated for credit four times.
Prerequisites: none.
Offered: every spring.
Credits: 3.0
Comparative Legal Systems
This course introduces the idea and social practice of law conceptually, historically, and comparatively. We examine its general characteristics, the historical peculiarities of the American system, and compare legal and ethical problems across culturally and nationally differentiated systems.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Second semester, alternate years. Offered 2018-2019.
Credits: 3.0
Internship
Internships involve working and learning experiences off campus. Each student’s program is developed according to established College guidelines under the sponsorship of a faculty member.
Prerequisites: junior standing or above. Not open to any student who is on academic, disciplinary, or Work Program probation.
Offered: every semester.
Credits: 3.0
The Constructive Resolution of Conflict
An interdisciplinary study of methods to resolve conflict through negotiation, mediation, joint problem-solving; consideration of interpersonal, intergroup, inter-organizational, and international disputes.
Prerequisites: sophomore standing.
Offered: every fall.
Credits: 3.0
Political Philosophy
An examination of Western political thought from Plato and Aristotle to Marx and J.S. Mill. Special attention to the concepts of political authority, legitimacy, obligation, political education, virtue, rights, justice, equality, liberty, harm, and political goods.
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or consent of the instructor.
Offered: Second semester, alternate years. Offered 2019-2020.
Credits: 3.0
Feminist Political Theory
This course examines the basics of liberal, socialist, radical, and post modernist feminist political theory from the 18th century onward in Europe and the U.S. Special attention is given to the contributions of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, John Stewart Mill, Marx and Engels, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Simon de Beauvoir, Betty Friedan, Kate Millett and others.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Second semester, alternate years. Offered 2018-2019.
Credits: 3.0
Development in the Post-Colonial World
Analysis of the historical, political, and economic development in the Third World since 1945, focusing on the political and economic relations between the developed and less developed world.
Prerequisites: none.
Offered: every other fall.
Credits: 3.0
Intensive Country Study
This course allows students to undertake intensive study of the history, politics, society, and culture of the assigned country pertaining to the Model United Nations experience. May be repeated for credit four times.
Prerequisites: none.
Offered: every fall.
Credits: 1.0
Imperialism and Colonialism in the Non-Western World
Study of the comparative impact of colonialism and imperialism on African, Asian, Latin American and Caribbean societies since the 18th century from a non-Western perspective. Topics include issues of local and regional responses to global change, cultural and political resistance to empire, economic exploitation, war, rise of nationalism and separatism, and effects of post-colonialism on Non-Western societies in the last century. This course is cross-listed as HI 320.
Prerequisites: none.
Offered: every spring.
Credits: 3.0
Public Policy Analysis
A study of substantive areas of public policy and the methods and approaches used in the design and evaluation of public policy including needs analysis, assessment of political feasibility and risk, assessment of alternate approaches to policy design, and methods of policy evaluation.
Prerequisites: PS 102.
Offered: Second semester, alternate years. Offered 2018-2019.
Credits: 3.0
Theory and Practice of Leadership
An examination of leadership roles in American and non-American contexts and in a variety of settings, including small group, legislative, administrative, national and international arenas; analysis of leadership skills common to these roles and linkages between occupants of different roles; consideration of the ethical implications and responsibilities of leadership.
Prerequisites: PS 102 or 301 or PR/LD 210 or junior standing.
Offered: every spring.
Credits: 3.0
Introduction to Constitutional Law
The course introduces the fundamentals of American constitutional law. It examines key concepts and cases in the areas of civil rights and liberties and intergovernmental relations.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Second semester, alternate years. Offered 2018-2019.
Credits: 3.0
Judicial Politics
An introduction to the role of American judges and courts in the wider political system. Attention is given to the role of judges in American democracy, the structure of the court system, relationships between the branches of government, determinants of judicial behavior and decision-making, and legal and judicial procedures.
Prerequisites: PS 102.
Offered: Second semester, alternate years. Offered 2019-2020.
Credits: 3.0
Topics in Political Science
The study of selected topics in Political Science to be drawn from American government, comparative politics, international relations, public policy, and public administration; topic to be announced in Time Schedule of Classes.
Prerequisites: PS 102 or 103.
Offered: as needed.
Credits: 2.0
Independent Study in Political Science
Independent study in an area of political science, culminating in a research paper. May be repeated for up to 6 hours.
Prerequisites: consent of the instructor, junior standing.
Offered: every semester.
Credits: 3.0
Legal Research and Writing
An introduction to legal research and writing including basic techniques of legal research, writing, and analysis including case briefing, case synthesis, and analysis through a series of research and writing assignments involving complex legal issues in a variety of settings and for a variety of audiences. Students will present an oral argument in a simulated court setting, arguing a motion based on a brief written by the student.
Prerequisites: senior standing or consent.
Offered: every spring.
Credits: 3.0
Seminar I
Design and implementation of individual research in the field of political science.
Prerequisites: senior standing or departmental approval and SS 230 or concurrent enrollment.
Offered: every fall.
Credits: 3.0
Seminar II
Continuation of PS 491. Completion and oral defense of senior thesis.
Prerequisites: PS 491.
Offered: every spring.
Credits: 3.0
Sociology
Principles of Sociology
A survey of the fundamental principles of sociology, including basic sociological concepts, theoretical perspectives and research techniques.
Prerequisites: none.
Offered: every fall.
Credits: 3.0
Social Science
Introduction to Gender and Women's Studies
This interdisciplinary course will explore ideas and debates about gender as a social and cultural construction. In particular, students will examine intersections of social science, natural science, the humanities and gender to understand some of the ways in which culturally determined values and roles shape our everyday lives.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Second semester, alternate years. Offered 2019-2020.
Credits: 3.0
Cultural Geography
Study of relationships between people and the environment. Specifically examines the interrelations of cultural development and the environmental conditions in which we exist.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Second semester, alternate years. Offered 2018-2019.
Credits: 3.0
American Cultures
A survey of the history, values, and contributions of the various cultures and ethnic groups that make up American society. The course will incorporate multicultural literature, current events, and historical, political, and sociological perspectives of the growth of our multicultural society.
Prerequisites: none.
Offered: as needed.
Credits: 3.0
Introduction to Research Methods for the Social Sciences
An introduction to research methods used in the social sciences. The purpose of the course is to familiarize students with basic methods and techniques for designing, conducting, and analyzing research in the social sciences. Emphasis is on developing appropriate and researchable questions, reviewing the literature critically, planning cogent research, and interpreting data.
Prerequisites: sophomore standing or consent of the instructor.
Offered: every spring.
Credits: 3.0
Social Science Seminar (Special Topic)
A topical seminar offered periodically by the Social Science Division faculty to explore interdisciplinary concerns or study a topic of contemporary relevance. Seminar topics and credit hours announced in Time Schedule of Courses.
Prerequisites: consent of the seminar chairman.
Offered: either semester.
Credits: 1.0-4.0
Statistics for the Social Sciences
An introduction to and overview of parametric and nonparametric statistical methods commonly used in the social sciences for the analysis of data. Emphasis will be on data management, selection of appropriate analytical methods, and meaningful interpretation of statistics.
Prerequisites: MA 120 or MA 140 or proficiency or consent of the instructor.
Offered: every semester.
Credits: 3.0
Research Design for the Social Sciences
A review of a wide range of research designs and issues raised by questions of design. Purpose, quality, implications, sampling, identification of variables, selection of methods of data analysis, data collection, and broad conceptions of reliability and validity in research will be addressed. Emphasis is on the thorough and thoughtful planning of methodologically sound and empirically useful research in social science applications.
Prerequisites: none.
Offered: every spring.
Credits: 3.0