Arts & Sciences

This course will provide students a working foundation toward understanding global cultures, languages, worldviews and belief systems. Emphasis will be placed on comparing and contrasting these dynamics with an eye toward productive and proactive engagement with people of and in different cultures.

This course will introduce learners to the development of the fine arts, including important artists, works, and genres. Students will learn to critically converse with works of art and the ideas they embody, and will develop a personal philosophy of the arts in order to form a basis for wise and discerning engagement with the arts in personal, family, and community environments.

This course will develop student proficiency in text editing and formatting, spreadsheet and database management, and presentation preparation, with special attention to Microsoft Office products and their practical uses. Further study will cover available operating systems, web resources, security software, as well as other specialized software that is available to the student in the modern open source environment.

This course is designed as a practice-oriented introduction to public speaking, as well as small group, and interpersonal communications skills. Attention is given to the fundamental processing of ideas, organization of materials, and group dynamics, along with the use of the voice, articulation, and body expression. Emphasis will be given to the delivery of prepared messages in various settings, with various audiences, and in various formats.

This course is designed to develop the student's understanding of what culture is and how communication occurs within it, and to increase sensitivity to and understanding of intercultural differences and similarities. This awareness will lead to more effective communication by helping the student build an effective approach to communicating in intercultural settings, including those where language barriers may exist. A focus will be placed on the many elements and processes involved in the sending and receiving of messages within intercultural contexts.