Additional course descriptions are pending.
Milestone: Climate and Society
Tim Casey, Political Science
Throughout history, societies have come and gone, often more quickly than they might have intended due to rapid changes in their environment. Using the fields of history, anthropology, sociology, economics and political science, this on-line milestone will explore the impacts of changing climate and depleted resources on past and current societies to understand better what might be expected from the impacts of future climate disruptions on societies at a local and global level.
Web
Milestone: Dark Side of Communication
Deartha Chambers, Communication Studies
Stephen Merino, Sociology
Communication is an essential part of the human social experience. However, it has a “dark side.” The "dark side" of communication refers to harmful modes of interpersonal communication, both in person and online. This includes emotional or psychological manipulation and abuse, harassment and bullying, unhealthy sexual communication, and more. In this interdisciplinary course, we will be examining academic research, looking at real world examples, and learning to recognize and confront such communication.
MWF 10:00-10:50
Milestone: Disease and Culture
Doug O'Roark, History
This course looks at a variety of aspects of disease. The history of disease; the relationship between religion and disease; how disease is depicted in art; technology and disease, including the similarities between computer and human viruses; legal aspects; archaeology, and how disease can be detected in skeletal evidence, among other issues.
Web
Milestone: Entrepreneurship
Georgann Jouflas, Business
Develop your Entrepreneurial Mindset. The entrepreneurial mindset will help you succeed no matter what your career goals are and what discipline you choose. Explore the world of possibilities. Play with ideas. Learn how to turn ideas into opportunities. Collaborate with different disciplines. Learn about problem solving from different perspectives.
T & Th 12:30-1:45
Milestone: Indian Troubles: Native Americans in Life and Literature
Julie Barak, English
John Seebach, Archaeology
The class will use ethnography and native-authored literature to explore the Native American experience and interaction with non-natives in the US. The course is organized into three thematic units: 1) the aftermath of colonialism, 2) the conflict between traditional and contemporary values, and 3) the impact of the constructions of "Indians" by non-Indians.
T & Th 2:00-3:15
Milestone: Landscape and Literature of Western Colorado
Tiffany Kinney, English
Johanna Varner, Biology
This course will be organized around different biomes accessible from the Grand Valley. We will learn about the ecology of each of ecosystem, consider how humans are impacting and conserving species in these habitats, and reflect on how writers have expressed the “sense of place” of each habitat in expository and creative writing. We will take some field trips to experience the areas ourselves, and invite community and faculty guest speakers with expertise specific to each biome. The course material will also involve a wide-range of texts and genres: novels, research reports, poetry, podcasts, and documentaries.
T & Th 2:00-3:15
Milestone: The Role of Play and Leisure Across the Lifespan
Ann McDonald, Kinesiology
This course will teach students the multi-dimensional and cross-disciplinary theoretical approaches to play and leisure from infancy to old age. Students will learn why and how humans engage in play, in its many forms, for creativity, expression of culture and skill development.
Hybrid: T & Th 10:00-10:50 & F Web
Additional course descriptions are pending.
Milestone: Climate and Society
Tim Casey, Political Science
Throughout history, societies have come and gone, often more quickly than they might have intended due to rapid changes in their environment. Using the fields of history, anthropology, sociology, economics and political science, this on-line milestone will explore the impacts of changing climate and depleted resources on past and current societies to understand better what might be expected from the impacts of future climate disruptions on societies at a local and global level.
Web
Milestone: Disease and Culture
Doug O'Roark, History
This course looks at a variety of aspects of disease. The history of disease; the relationship between religion and disease; how disease is depicted in art; technology and disease, including the similarities between computer and human viruses; legal aspects; archaeology, and how disease can be detected in skeletal evidence, among other issues.
Web
Additional course descriptions are pending.
Milestone: Violence in Literature
Labecca Jones, English
This course focuses on the nature, causes, and functions of inter-personal and inter-group violence, as well as effective responses to violence. Using both social scientific and literary analyses, it explores causes and responses to violence in its many forms, ranging from interpersonal acts of verbal and physical violence to international conflict. Students will study social science texts from across the disciplines. The course material will also include a range of texts and genres, including: poetry, autobiography, essay, and short story.
Hybrid: T & Th 11:00-12:12 & F Web
Milestone: From Captain America to Rap
Eileen Mah, Music
Vincent Patarino, History
This course will investigate the ways that popular culture both shaped and reflected American society during the period 1920–1990. Topics will include: theories on high vs. popular culture; the development of popular musical theater, comic books, and various musical forms such as jazz, the blues, rock and roll, punk, and rap.
T & Th 9:30-10:45
Milestone: Disease and Culture
Doug O'Roark, History
A historical and contemporary look at how disease has impacted society in terms of health care, art, law, and science.
Web
Milestone: Field Journal; Rivers
Kate Belknap, English
An interdisciplinary exploration of rivers, with a special focus on the Colorado River and its tributaries, through the lens of a Field Journal. We will look first at the science of rivers and the lands around them before moving on to an examination of the multiple demands of water allocation, agriculture and recreation on the Colorado River. The question of a river’s purpose will be considered in depth.
T 2:00-3:45 & Th 2:00-2:50
Milestone: Music and Human Communication
Timothy Emmons, Music
Nicole Grider, Speech
Music is immeasurably powerful in most lives, human or not. Without beat, we cannot understand the rhythms of life. Thus, students of Music and Human Communication will deconstruct a variety of communication and music terms, concepts, and theories to better see and reconstruct the frameworks that provide the essential soundtracks of our lives. Music and Human Communication is a lecture, activity, and intensive writing course that does not require a background in speechmaking or music.
M 1:00-3:45
Milestone: Bullets, Bullies, and B2 Bombers; Violence in Literature and Society
Labecca Jones, English
This course focuses on the nature, causes, and functions of inter-personal and inter-group violence, as well as effective responses to violence. Using both social scientific and literary analyses, it explores causes and responses to violence in its many forms, ranging from interpersonal acts of verbal and physical violence to international conflict. Students will study social science texts from across the disciplines. The course material will also include a range of texts and genres, including: poetry, autobiography, essay, and short story.
M, W, & F 12:30-1:45
Milestone: Entrepreneurship
Georgann Jouflas, Business
Develop your Entrepreneurial Mindset. The entrepreneurial mindset will help you succeed no matter what your career goals are and what discipline you choose. Explore the world of possibilities. Play with ideas. Learn how to turn ideas into opportunities. Collaborate with different disciplines. Learn about problem solving from different perspectives.
T & Th 12:30-1:45
Milestone: Death across the Disciplines
William Wright, English
This course explores the representations of and responses to death in art, social science, biology, business, literature, and medicine. Students will read, write, talk, and present on the science, business, and art of death, as well as on our personal experiences. Among the many topics, we will discuss fear, grief, care, cost, and humor.
M, W, & F 11:00-11:50 or M, W, & F 12:00-12:50
Milestone: Indian Troubles: Native Americans in Life and Literature
John Seebach, Archaeology
Julie Barak, English
The class will use ethnography and native-authored literature to explore the Native American experience and interaction with non-natives in the US. The course is organized into three thematic units: 1) the aftermath of colonialism, 2) the conflict between traditional and contemporary values, and 3) the impact of the constructions of "Indians" by non-Indians.
T & Th 2:00-3:15
Milestone: Biology as Art
Steve Werman
This course will involve the study of biology as viewed through the lens of art and artists. Prior to the use of photography, biological images and illustrations were produced by scholars that were skilled in both the arts and sciences. Students in this course will learn basic aspects of biology, zoology, human health and disease by exposure to historical works of art and the artists that produced them. The course will also cover some important figures that include the likes of Leonardo da Vinci, Ernst Haeckel, John James Audubon, Frank Netter and others. In addition, the course will explore the philosophical relationships between the Arts and Sciences from historical and modern perspectives. Students will be required to submit a work of art that captures or portrays a biological subject.
T & Th 2:00-3:15
Milestone: Children and Families of Today
Chelsie Hess, Psychology
Stephanie Stelljes, Early Childhood Education
This course focuses on the changing family systems of today. Many changes such as the 21st century family structure, poverty, violence, technology, and education have had an impact on the developing child. Children are our most important resource and our future. We will learn about the needs, efforts, and services for today’s children to foster healthy development. Join us in learning about the needs, efforts, and services for today’s families to foster healthy development of future children.
T & Th 11:00-12:15 & F Web
Milestone: Politics of Children's Literature
Tim Casey, Political Science
This fully on-line Milestone course will explore the political themes found in children’s literature from Dr. Seuss to Harry Potter, and the impact of those themes on the shaping of our political culture and attitudes in society.
Web
Milestone: Disease and Culture
Doug O'Roark, History
A historical and contemporary look at how disease has impacted society in terms of health care, art, law, and science.
Web
Milestone: Bullets, Bullies, and B2 Bombers; Violence in Literature and Society
Labecca Jones, English
This course focuses on the nature, causes, and functions of inter-personal and inter-group violence, as well as effective responses to violence. Using both social scientific and literary analyses, it explores causes and responses to violence in its many forms, ranging from interpersonal acts of verbal and physical violence to international conflict. Students will study social science texts from across the disciplines. The course material will also include a range of texts and genres, including: poetry, autobiography, essay, and short story.
T & Th 12:30-1:45
Milestone: Where the Wild Things Are Now; How Biology and Children’s Literature Capture Nature
Robin Calland, English
Aparna Palmer, Biological Science
Why does a children’s book about tigers look and sound so different from a biologist’s article on tigers? Is this difference always necessary? What stories do children’s books tell (or not tell) about topics such as how organisms actually reproduce, how evolution really works, and about endangered and extinct species? In this class, a biologist and a children’s literature scholar will lead the class in an exploration of the similarities and the differences in the accounts that biology and children’s books give of the same organisms and natural processes. During the course, students will participate in discussions, explore the biology of an organism or environment of their choice, and intertwine their knowledge of these two fields of learning to write their own children’s books about nature.
Day and Time
T & Th 9:30-10:45
Milestone: History LGBT People on Film
Sarah Swedberg, History
Colin Carman, English
Description pending.
Day and Time
T & Th 2:00-4:45
Milestone: Move to Learn
Ann Gillies, Teacher Education
Elizabeth Sharp, Kinesiology
Description pending.
Day and Time
MWF 2:00-2:50
Milestone: Music and Wellness
Jill Cordova, Kinesiology
Timothy Emmons, Music
This course is designed to emphasize the relationship between music and the various areas of wellness including, emotional, intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual wellness. Throughout the semester, students will complete assignments and participate in activities designed to help them understand the wide variety of connections between music and wellness.
Day and Time
MW 1:00-1:50 & Web
Milestone: Entrepreneurship
Georgann Jouflas, Business
Develop your Entrepreneurial Mindset. The entrepreneurial mindset will help you succeed no matter what your career goals are and what discipline you choose. Explore the world of possibilities. Play with ideas. Learn how to turn ideas into opportunities. Collaborate with different disciplines. Learn about problem solving from different perspectives.
Day and Time
T & Th 12:30-1:45
Milestone: Field Journal; Rivers
Kate Belknap, English
An interdisciplinary exploration of rivers, with a special focus on the Colorado River and its tributaries, through the lens of a Field Journal. We will look first at the science of rivers and the lands around them before moving on to an examination of the multiple demands of water allocation, agriculture and recreation on the Colorado River. The question of a river’s purpose will be considered in depth.
Day and Time
T 2:00-4:00 and Th 2:00-3:00
Milestone: Disease and Culture
Douglas O'Roark, HistoryThis course takes a historical and contemporary look at how disease has impacted society in terms of health care, art, law, and science.
Day and Time
Web
Milestone: Politics of Children's Literature
Tim Casey, Political Science
This fully on-line Milestone course will explore the political themes found in children’s literature from Dr. Seuss to Harry Potter, and the impact of those themes on the shaping of our political culture and attitudes in society.
Day and Time
Web
Milestone: From Captain America to Rap
Eileen Mah, Music
Vincent Patarino, History
This course will investigate the ways that popular culture both shaped and reflected American society during the period 1920–1990. Topics will include: theories on high vs. popular culture; the development of popular musical theater, comic books, and various musical forms such as jazz, the blues, rock and roll, punk, and rap.
Day and Time
T & Th 9:30-10:45
Milestone: Oil & Gas
Timothy Winegard, History
Oil, the central factor in world politics and the global economy, in the global calculus of power, and in how people live their lives, is still consistently coupled to war, not deviating from the course of history it created a century ago. And so pipeline politics endure through various mediums, cloaked in evolving disguises, but at its center lives the Anglo-American petroleum cartel. Petroleum has shaped all facets of history, and all that has come to pass and will pass, until alternative energy sources unseat its monopoly of the power-politics of almighty oil. Petroleum continues to be a highly prized commodity.
Day and Time
T & Th 2:00-3:15
Milestone: Mass Media and Politics
Tim Casey, Political Science
Megan Fromm, Mass Communication
We begin by defining the key terms in the different disciplines and major approaches to the questions of the role mass media plays in the shaping of societal expectations and a sense of reality that people then act upon in the realm of public policy. Important concepts in the study of political communications and identity from the fields of Mass Media and Political Science will be introduced.
Day and Time
T & Th 12:30-1:45
Milestone: Creativity and Change
Timothy Pinnow, Theatre Arts
Our world is changing rapidly, and we all need to be able to adapt to change in order to thrive. But if you look even further, the most successful people in our world (think Steve Jobs or Elon Musk) do more than adapt to change—they lead the change. But where do their ideas come from? It’s the creative side of change that seems to be the most mysterious and most difficult to grasp. Where do these ideas come from? How do we create solutions to unsolvable problems? We will look at how creative activity works in the brain, study the creative methods of various artists, and then apply creative thinking to real-world issues.
Day and Time
M & W 9:00-9:50, F Web
Milestone: Music and Human Communication
Timothy Emmons, Music
Nicole Grider, Speech
Music is immeasurably powerful in most lives, human or not. Without beat, we cannot understand the rhythms of life. Thus, students of Music and Human Communication will deconstruct a variety of communication and music terms, concepts, and theories to better see and reconstruct the frameworks that provide the essential soundtracks of our lives. Music and Human Communication is a lecture, activity, and intensive writing course that does not require a background in speechmaking or music.
Day and Time
M 2:00-4:45
Milestone: Politics and Children’s Literature
Tim Casey, Political Science
This fully on-line Milestone course will explore the political themes found in children’s literature from Dr. Seuss to Harry Potter, and the impact of those themes on the shaping of our political culture and attitudes in society.
Day and Time
Web
Milestone: Defining Success
Morgan Bridge, Business
Kurt Haas, English
Ideals of success in U.S. cultural are complex and, at times, contradictory. Some models for success focus on material gain and power, while others focus on ethical principles and moral character. This course provides tools from both Humanities and Professional disciplines to help students critique the ways we define success and to generate their own definitions.
Day and Time
T & Th 11:00-12:15
Milestone: Field Journal
Kate Belknap, English
Stephanie Matlock, Biology
Span the disciplines of science, writing and art as we delve deeply into the ecology and natural history of the desert Southwest, and then create understanding and meaning through the production of individual field journals. Students will be instructed in desert ecology, the conventions of observational writing, research, and the basics of drawing. Students will then be expected to create a field journal that incorporates research, reflection, and drawings based on outings into our local natural landscape.
Day and Time
T 2-2:50 and Th 2-3:40
Milestone: Baseball
Jennifer Hancock, English
Steven Schulte, History
Explores the ways in which the game of baseball is both reflective of and responsive to American life throughout history. Topics include immigration, race and class, gender, and the arts in relation to baseball.
Day and Time
MW 2-3:15
Milestone: People and Power in the Americas
A bird’s-eye-view of the Americas, from the first human migrations to the present, to examine its role in the processes of globalization using the methods of archaeology and history. It explores the ways people used land, how they understood the world and their place in it, and how they came to be linked into networks of trade that encouraged social and cultural change. In doing so it presents the story of many alternate paths of the human experience that suddenly and violently came into contact with the emergent modern West in 1492, and the resulting trajectories of the people in the Americas in the processes of globalization.
Day and Time
TBD
Milestone: Music and Wellness
Jill Cordova, Kinesiology
Timothy Emmons, Music
Designed to emphasize the relationship between music and the various areas of wellness including, emotional, intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual wellness. Throughout the semester, students will complete assignments and participate in activities designed to help them understand the wide variety of connections between music and wellness.
Day and Time
TBD
Milestone: Bullets, Bullies, and B2 Bombers; Violence in Literature and Society
Bill Flanik, Political Science
Labecca Jones, English
Focus on the nature, causes, and functions of inter-personal and inter-group violence, as well as effective responses to violence. Using both social scientific and literary analyses, it explores causes and responses to violence in its many forms, ranging from interpersonal acts of verbal and physical violence to international conflict. Students will study social science texts from across the disciplines. The course material will also include a range of texts and genres, including: poetry, autobiography, essay, and short story.
Day and Time
TR 12:30
Milestone: Disease and Culture
Doug O'Roarke, History
A historical and contemporary look at how disease has impacted society in terms of health care, art, law, and science.
Day and Time
Online
Milestone: Defining Success
Morgan Bridge, Business
Kurt Haas, English
Blend and contrast the often contradictory models for success embraced by our culture. Students will use literature, biography, and business theories to examine their own thinking about how success should be defined and pursued.
Day and Time
TR 11:00
Milestone: Journalism, Media and Politics: The Art of Spin
Tim Casey, Political Science
Megan Fromm, Mass Communication
Exploration of the mutual influence of media/journalism on politics and politics on media/journalism in the last 150 years. These two, in turn, have shaped their social environment. The core of the course will focus on a series of case studies in the interaction between politics/public policy, journalism/media and their social environments.
Day and Time
TBD
Milestone: Baseball in History, Literature, and Culture
Jennifer Hancock, English
Steven Schulte, History
Explores the ways in which the game of baseball is both reflective of and responsive to American life throughout history. Topics include immigration, race and class, gender, and the arts in relation to baseball.
CRN
22227 | ESSL 290 02A OR
22650 | ESSL 290 02B
Day and Time
Monday, Wednesday
2:00 - 3:15
Milestone: Disciplining Dominance in Literature and Biology
Robin Calland, English
Susan Longest, Biology
CRN
22563 | ESSL 290 04A OR
22652| ESSL 290 04B
Day and Time
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
11:00 - 11:50
Milestone: Numbers and Patterns in Nature
Margot Becktell, Biology
Lisa Driskell, Mathematics
Have you ever counted the petals on a flower or noticed the spirals on a pine cone? Nature is full of patterns and special numbers such as Fibonacci numbers. We will investigate the biology and the mathematics behind the most common patterns and designs found in nature.
CRN
22562| ESSL 290 03A OR
22651| ESSL 290 03B
Day and Time
Tuesday, Thursday
12:30 -1:45
Milestone: Southwest Indian Cultures
John Nizalowski, English
John Seebach, Archaeology
CRN
22690 | ESSL 290 005
Day and Time
Tuesday, Thursday
2:00 - 3:15
Milestone: Technology and Empire
Tim Casey, Political Science
Doug O'Roark, History
CRN
22209 | ESSL 290 01A OR
22649 | ESSL 290 01B
Day and Time
Tuesday, Thursday
12:30 - 1:45