Interdisciplinary and Supporting Courses (College of Arts and Sciences)
Description
Interdisciplinary courses link disciplines within the liberal arts to promote analysis and synthesis of topics through multiple lenses. CRS courses, integrated into the first-year experience, nurture the portfolio of critical reading, writing and analytical skills foundational to a student’s journey through a liberal arts education. Interdisciplinary courses are organized as follows:
Critical Reading (CRS) courses strengthen critical reading skills through close readings of disciplinary texts. The courses focus on foundational critical reading objectives, among which are identifying a text’s thesis or themes, main points, and types and quality of evidence; paraphrasing or summarizing the content and meaning of the text; identifying the text’s purpose and audience; identifying the author’s organizational and rhetorical strategies; and recognizing strengths, weaknesses, and inconsistencies in diverse texts. CRS courses may be organized around a topic or set of topics, or may survey a collection of texts from different academic disciplines.
Humanities (HUM) courses are offered in arts and humanities disciplines, and may encompass Africana studies, art, English, language and cultural studies, history, global studies, music, philosophy, theology, and women’s studies.
Interdisciplinary (INT) courses involve study across disciplines. Such courses challenge the student to engage in in-depth analysis of content within the context of the connection of seemingly diverse and disparate disciplines, such as humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. They may also be courses offered outside of a particular discipline and focused on experiential learning. Courses offered under the INT designation are often offered in a seminar format.
Language Studies (ASL, FREN, SPAN) courses are offered in American Sign Language, French, and Spanish to develop fluency in another language and to provide experiences in the culture of its speakers. These skills promote a liberal education that is global in breadth and experiential in practice.
Language Studies Policies
Advanced Placement:
Credit is granted for a score of 4 or 5 on the AP examination. These credits may replace the General Education Curriculum language requirement.
CLEP Policy:
The standard score or above on the CLEP examination satisfies the language requirement of the General Education Curriculum.
Grades in Designated Courses:
Students are required to earn a grade of “C” (2.0) or better in ASL 101 American Sign Language IIntroduces basic communications skills in American Sign Language (ASL). This course includes an introduction to deaf culture and to the basic structure of its language, as well as the mastery of finger spelling and a number of basic signs.
Gen Ed: Knowledge and Inquiry, FREN 101 Elementary French IIntegrates the skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing at the elementary level. Emphasizes oral communication through paired and group activities. Integrates cultural information.
General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry, and SPAN 101 Elementary Spanish IIntroduces language skills that enable students to speak and write about certain, specific learned contexts, such as weather, food, names of family members, individual preferences, etc. and to express them in present and future tense. Students will comprehend and discuss simple texts related to vocabulary studied. Visual aids and special materials will be used in class to help students achieve basic competency. Students must complete the course with a grade of C or better in order to register for SPAN 102. Formerly SPA 101 Elementary Spanish I.
Prerequisites: None
Credits: 3
General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry to advance to the next level. These courses cannot be taken Pass/No Pass.
Progression:
Students taking courses in a language must take the courses in sequence starting with the introductory course to be followed by the second course (e.g., SPAN 101 Elementary Spanish IIntroduces language skills that enable students to speak and write about certain, specific learned contexts, such as weather, food, names of family members, individual preferences, etc. and to express them in present and future tense. Students will comprehend and discuss simple texts related to vocabulary studied. Visual aids and special materials will be used in class to help students achieve basic competency. Students must complete the course with a grade of C or better in order to register for SPAN 102. Formerly SPA 101 Elementary Spanish I.
Prerequisites: None
Credits: 3
General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry before SPAN 102 Elementary Spanish IIServes as a continuation of Elementary Spanish I. Students learn to speak and write about past events, and further develop their capacity to interact in spontaneous situations. Can comprehend and discuss simple texts related to vocabulary studied. Visual aids and special materials will be used in class to help students achieve basic competency. Formerly SPA 102 Elementary Spanish II.
General Education: Knowledge and Inqiury and then SPAN 201 Intermediate Spanish for CommunicationDevelops and builds increasing confidence and competency in using Spanish. Special materials will be used to develop speaking and listening comprehension abilities without neglecting the writing and reading skills necessary to achieve higher levels of proficiency. Formerly SPA 201 Intermediate Spanish I. before SPAN 202 Spanish for Professional CommunicationDevelops basic effective communication with Spanish-speaking co-workers, clients, students, their parents and others who don't master the English language. Specific professional focuses of the course will vary according to students' needs. Class materials centers on simulated communication situations to build listening and oral comprehension through simple and clear linguistic structures. Generates a useful communication style generated from cross cultural understanding to be acquired from readings and class discussions. Formerly SPA 202 Intermediate Spanish II.).
Transfer Credits:
Students may apply transfer credits to meet the language requirement of the General Education Curriculum.
Challenge Exam:
Students may challenge language courses by taking a placement exam through Academic Services. Students who successfully challenge 100 level courses in a language (101, 102) are waived from the language requirement. The waiver is non-credit bearing.
Natural Sciences and Math (NCSM) courses are offered in the disciplines of natural sciences and mathematics. These courses may combine any of the following: biology, biochemistry, chemistry, environmental science, forensic science, and mathematics.
Social Sciences (SSC) courses are offered in the social science disciplines. These courses are a combination of any of the following: Africana studies, communication, economics, environmental studies, global affairs, politics & policy, psychology, sociology, and women’s studies, as well as business and education.
Trinity also offers courses that support major coursework and serve as electives and/or General Education Curriculum requirements for students. These courses are listed below as Supporting Courses.
Critical Reading Courses (CRS)
CRS 101 Critical Reading and Writing Seminar IThis course strengthens critical reading and academic writing skills through engagement with liberal arts texts with a focus on "Discovering your strength" as a Trinity woman. The ability to comprehend and write about arguments in academic texts is essential for success in all liberal arts courses and in lifelong learning. Students will develop the ability to identify a text's main argument and the evidence used to support that argument. Students will also reflect comprehension by accurately and clearly paraphrasing and summarizing texts' arguments. Students will also use annotation and argumentation strategies to respond to liberal arts texts with their own ideas.
All students will be expected to work toward the following learning goals:
Explore and develop values, especially those relating to social justice, race, and gender, through the study of and response to a variety of academic texts;
Develop confidence as readers and writers;
Actively read, summarize, and analyze texts;
Articulate and support an argument;
Write clearly, logically, and with attention to audience;
Formerly CRS 101 - Critical Reading Seminar.
4 credits
Prerequisitea: None.
CRS 102 Critical Reading and Writing Seminar IIThis course further develops the critical reading and academic writing skills addressed in CRS 101 through engagement with texts in a particular academic discipline. Students will choose a CRS 102 course that addresses an interesting, meaningful or important disciplinary question, and build reading and writing skills through close readings and written responses to the assigned texts. CRS 102 courses are offered on a variety of academic topics, and students choose the one that is most compelling to them.
All students will be expected to work toward the following learning goals:
-Describe and apply comprehension strategies
-Summarize textual ideas accurately and in their own words
-Compare, contrast and organize textual ideas and arguments into writing
-Apply revision and editing strategies to writing
-Acknowledge sources according to disciplinary conventions
-Locate, differentiate between and evaluate the credibility of academic sources
Formerly CRS 102 - CRS: Prof & Career Success in the Health Professions.
3 credits
Prerequisite: CRS 101.
This course is usually taken simultaneously with English 107.
Humanities Courses (HUM)
HUM 300 Women in Love: The Novel in Europe and the AmericasAnalyzes the social construction of gender and gender roles in the contexts of marriage and heterosexual and lesbian relationships as explored in the 19th and 20th century novels drawn from canonical and non-canonical literature and film produced in Europe and the Americas. Representative readings may include such works as Flaubert's Madame Bovary, Bombal's Shrouded Woman, Minot's Evening, and Esquivel's Like Water for Chocolate.
3 credits
FLC Seminar II
HUM 450 Seminar in EthicsExamines current readings in ethical theory and applications. Students take a central role in conducting the seminar and each will undertake and present an independent research project.
Interdisciplinary Courses (INT)
INT 109 Information LiteracyIntroduces information literacy, skills, and technology tools that support the discovery, analysis, and integration used in critical thinking and constructing knowledge in the classroom and the larger world, including values and legal issues that impact ethical use of these tools.
3 credits
Core Area I: Skills for Work and Life
INT 201 Instruction on Effective Peer TutoringIntroduces students to tutoring techniques, learning methodologies, and study strategies. Students will act as peer tutors and engage in academic tutoring experiences. Closed to open enrollment; students must apply to Office of Academic Services in order to enroll.
1 credit
INT 203 Developing Career LeadersImparts skills and resources for successfully navigating the various stages of the internship process. Course completion is required to become a peer career leader. *0 credits *Prerequsiste: Permission of instructor
INT 290 Capstone ProjectThe capstone course allows students an opportunity to create a body of work which will show that they have met the goals of the Associate Degree Program.
Specific student goals include: preparedness to metriculate to a Trinity Bachelor's Degree program; acquisition of core skills in quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, problem solving, technological literacy, and communication; an appreciation of the interrelatedness of knowledge from various academic disciplines, and an understanding of how the program goals will assist students in becoming ethical, engaged citizens as well as successful professionals.
This course is open only to students in the Associate's degree program.
INT 310 Honors Research SeminarIntegrating research skills developed in pre-requisite honors courses, students will learn the stages of the interdisciplinary research process: choosing a mentor, formulating research questions, evaluating sources, generating and presenting analyses. Course readings invite students to explore the relationship between academic research and promoting social justice. Written assignments guide students to research questions and source materials that speak directly to social justice issues in their local communities, resulting in appropriate social justice research topics.
*3 credits
Prerequisites: ENG 107 (H) ENG 299, INT 309
Language Studies (ASL, FREN, SPAN)
ASL 101 American Sign Language IIntroduces basic communications skills in American Sign Language (ASL). This course includes an introduction to deaf culture and to the basic structure of its language, as well as the mastery of finger spelling and a number of basic signs.
Gen Ed: Knowledge and Inquiry
ASL 102 American Sign Language IIDevelops basic communication skills in American Sign Language (ASL). Builds on knowledge acquired in ASL I to deepen understanding of deaf culture and increase communicative ability.
*3 credits
FREN 101 Elementary French IIntegrates the skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing at the elementary level. Emphasizes oral communication through paired and group activities. Integrates cultural information.
General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry
FREN 102 Elementary French IIContinues to integrate the skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing acquired in FREN 101. Emphasizes oral communication through paired and group activities. Integrates cultural information.
General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry
FREN 201 Intermediate French IReviews and develops aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: FREN 102 or placement
FREN 202 Intermediate French IIDevelops and emphasizes conversational skills. Structural practice, spontaneous exchanges, role playing, prepared presentations.
SPAN 101 Elementary Spanish IIntroduces language skills that enable students to speak and write about certain, specific learned contexts, such as weather, food, names of family members, individual preferences, etc. and to express them in present and future tense. Students will comprehend and discuss simple texts related to vocabulary studied. Visual aids and special materials will be used in class to help students achieve basic competency. Students must complete the course with a grade of C or better in order to register for SPAN 102. Formerly SPA 101 Elementary Spanish I.
Prerequisites: None
Credits: 3
General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry
SPAN 102 Elementary Spanish IIServes as a continuation of Elementary Spanish I. Students learn to speak and write about past events, and further develop their capacity to interact in spontaneous situations. Can comprehend and discuss simple texts related to vocabulary studied. Visual aids and special materials will be used in class to help students achieve basic competency. Formerly SPA 102 Elementary Spanish II.
General Education: Knowledge and Inqiury
SPAN 201 Intermediate Spanish for CommunicationDevelops and builds increasing confidence and competency in using Spanish. Special materials will be used to develop speaking and listening comprehension abilities without neglecting the writing and reading skills necessary to achieve higher levels of proficiency. Formerly SPA 201 Intermediate Spanish I.
SPAN 202 Spanish for Professional CommunicationDevelops basic effective communication with Spanish-speaking co-workers, clients, students, their parents and others who don't master the English language. Specific professional focuses of the course will vary according to students' needs. Class materials centers on simulated communication situations to build listening and oral comprehension through simple and clear linguistic structures. Generates a useful communication style generated from cross cultural understanding to be acquired from readings and class discussions. Formerly SPA 202 Intermediate Spanish II.
SPAN 213 Latina VoicesFosters awareness and understanding among women of the Americas, their different cultures and traditions as told through their own stories. Students will also reach a better understanding of the ethnic and racial diversity that characterizes the whole American continent including the United States, thus becoming more able to participate in a multicultural environment, both in the labor force and in their personal lives. Readings and discussions will be in English. Native speakers of Spanish may choose to do written assignments in Spanish. Formerly SPA 210 Latina Voices.
3 credits
FLC II
General Education Requirements: Knowledge and Inquiry
SPAN 215 Spanish for Global Business EnterprisesSpanish for Global Business enhances students' intermediate Spanish language skills and competencies through an interdisciplinary framework with an international and global business focus. In addition to expanding students? linguistic and cross-cultural competencies, the course develop knowledge and skills in international business principles and practices. Through the lens of language and intercultural context, the world of global business will be brought to life in the classroom. The course will also highlight Hispanic/Latinx business communities, both nationally and internationally.
3 credits
Pre-requisite: SPAN 102
SPAN 223 An Introduction to Latin American LiteratureThe course will serve as an introduction to Latin American authors through the study of short tales and poetry. The readings will always be in Spanish, though the instruction will be in both Spanish and English.
3 credits
Prerequisites: SPAN 102 or Permission of Instructor.
SPAN 301 Reading and Writing for Advanced or Native SpeakersDesigned for Spanish speakers whose dominant language is English, this course draws from the students' linguistic background in both languages in order to teach them to write effectively in Spanish. Activities include news reporting, book reviews, essays, and business and formal letters. Students may suggest their own topics of interest to be used in three out of the six papers required. Grammar explanations including accentuation, orthography, verb tenses and uses of the subjunctive mood will be used in relation with vocabulary and idiomatic expressions to enhance language development. Readings based on the cultural life and experience of Spanish-speaking people in the U.S. Formerly SPA 401 Advanced Composition.
3 credits
Prereq: Native or near-native proficiency in Spanish
SPAN 302 Reading and Writing for Advanced or Native Speakers IIServes as a continuation of SPAN 301, expanding and refining many of the grammar explanations and raising the writing activities to a higher level of proficiency and sophistication. Students may suggest their own topics of interest to be used in three out of the six papers required Formerly SPA 401 Advanced Composition.
SPAN 491 InternshipProvides students with the opportunity to perform an internship to apply the academic knowledge they have learned in the classroom. Formerly SPA 488 Internship.
Natural Sciences and Math (NSCM)
NSCM 498 STEM Experiential Learning ExperienceProvides an opportunity to apply program content and skills through experiential learning outside of the classroom. This may include, but is not limited to, traditional laboratory research, education, and/or service learning experiences.
1-4 credits, variable
Prerequisites: BIOL 113 and BIOL 114 or CHEM 111 and CHEM 112 (100 level introductory science courses).
NSCM 499 Divisional SeminarExamines selected topics in the natural sciences. Requires written and oral presentations based on reading and analysis of the current scientific literature.
3 credits
General Education Requirements: Applications (Leadership)
Social Sciences Courses (SSC)
SSC 207 Writing for the Social SciencesOffered in a seminar format, the course equips students with the skills necessary to write papers for social science courses. The course covers the process of writing for the social sciences and develops technical skills in researching and writing a variety of paper types. Specific topics include proposal writing, library research skills, internet research skills, critical thinking and writing, organization, outlines, drafts and documentation.
3 credits
General Education Requirements: Capstone Seminar
SSC 350 Interdisciplinary Research MethodsThis course introduces students to research methods used in a variety of social science and interdisciplinary studies. It is designed for undergraduate students in sociology, political science, international affairs, and other disciplines. Topics of emphasis include crafting research questions, hypothesis formation, quantitative and qualitative research techniques, data collection, and initial/basic data analysis. As part of the course, students will complete a number of mini-projects to practice these skills. (Formerly SSC 250)
Supporting Courses
ENVS 101 Discovering Planet EarthIntroduces non-science majors to evolution, earth science, and plate tectonics with an emphasis on the mid-Atlantic region. Labs include use of the scientific method, development of observational skills, computer-assisted learning, and several field trips. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly ENV 101 Discovering Planet Earth.
4 credits
General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area IV
Core Area II: Understanding Self, Society, and Nature
PHYS 111 General Physics ICovers mechanics in a calculus-based course in fundamental physics. Topics include Newton's laws, work and energy, rotational dynamics, conservation of energy, and momentum. Intended primarily for students in math and science but open to all qualified students. The course consists of three hours of lecture, three of laboratory, and a one-hour problem session per week. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly PHY 115 General Physics I.
4 credits
Prerequisite: MATH 125
General Education Requirement: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area IV, Laboratory Science Cluster
PHYS 112 General Physics IICovers electricity, magnetism, and electro-magnetic propagation in a calculus-based course in fundamental physics. Topics include electric fields, Maxwell's equations, electrical circuits, magnetic fields, and light. Intended primarily for students in math and science but open to all qualified students. The course consists of three hours of lecture, three of laboratory, and a one-hour problem session per week. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly PHY 116 General Physics II.
4 credits
Prerequisites: MATH 125 and PHYS 111