Liberal Arts (AA) in the Dougherty Family College — Liberal Arts (AA - Dougherty Family College) | Undergraduate Catalog

Liberal Arts Major (A.A.)
Part of the Dougherty Family College

THM (301), 651-962-8017
Fernandes, Gaalaas, Gibson, McCann, Rosado, Smith, Trost

All students must complete the requirements outlined below. Unless specifically noted, all courses are four credits each.

64 credits total

Literature, Writing, Communication

Complete all four courses*

ENGL 110: Intensive writing [*Students may place out of 110, please see your advisor. If you do not take this course you must take an additional 4-credits from Fine Arts]
ENGL 121: Critical Thinking: Literature and Writing
ENGL 203: Texts in Conversation, Writing Intensive
COMM 100: Public Speaking

Natural and Physical Sciences

Complete two courses

Choose one from:

BIOL 101: General Biology
BIOL 102: Conservation Biology*
BIOL 105: Human Biology

Choose one from:

CHEM 100: Chemistry in Our World*
CHEM 101: Environmental Chemistry*
GEOL 115: Environmental Geology
ENGR 123: Energy and the Environment

*Students who take CHEM 100 or CHEM 101 must then take BIOL 102

Math and Quantitative Literacy

Complete one course

Choose one from:

MATH 101: Finite Mathematics
MATH 105: Precalculus

History and Social Science

Complete three courses

SOCI 100: Introduction to Sociology

HIST 112: The History of the Modern World since 1550
OR HIST 115: The World Since 1900

PSYC 111: General Psychology
OR ECON 251: Principles of Macroeconomics

Faith, Social Responsibility, and Human Diversity

Complete all three courses:

THEO 101: The Christian Theological Tradition
PHIL 115: Philosophy of the Human Person
JPST 250: Introduction to Justice and Peace Studies

Fine Arts

Complete one course (* an additional 4 credits are required if ENGL 110 was waived)

Choose one from:
ARTH 110: Introduction to Art History
MUSC 115: Understanding Music & Culture
MUSC 130: Introduction to World Music
MUSC 162: The Roots of Blues, Rock, and Country Music

Additional Requirements, to be completed by the end of the first year:

Complete at least two courses

All students must complete:
FYEX 120: First Year Seminar: Leading & Serving (2-credits per semester, must enroll for both semesters of first year)

Choose at least four (4) credits from:
HLTH 250: Personal Health and Wellness (2 credit sections only)
HLTH 275: Lifelong Stress Management (2 credits)
HLTH 296: Topics (2 credits)
PHED 101: Physical Fitness (2 credits)


Course Number	Title	Credits


Course Number	Title	Credits
BIOL 101	General Biology	4
Description of course General Biology :	Emphasizing biology as a creative, investigative process and its relevance in today's world, this course provides an overview of cell biology, genetics, physiology, and human impact on the environment. Two laboratory hours per week. Not open to biology majors, pre-professional students, or students who have completed BIOL 105 or BIOL 106.
BIOL 102	Conservation Biology	4
Description of course Conservation Biology :	An introduction to the basic concepts of conservation biology, including the history of conservation, the value of biological diversity, threats to biodiversity, conservation at the population, species, and community levels, and applications to human activities. Laboratories will emphasize data collection and analysis, and the practical application of conservation practices. This course is designed to meet the needs of the Environmental Studies major for a core course in environmental biology. Two laboratory hours per week.
BIOL 105	Human Biology	4
Description of course Human Biology :	An introduction to cells, genetics, development and the human body, and the impact of humans on the environment. Laboratories will emphasize investigative scientific problem solving and creative thinking. Three laboratory hours per week. Not open to students who have completed BIOL 101 or BIOL 106.


Course Number	Title	Credits
CHEM 100	Chemistry in Our World	4
Description of course Chemistry in Our World :	An introduction to chemistry and its applications to modern society and personal life. The course is intended for non-majors and satisfies a general requirement for one semester of a laboratory science course. The chemistry studied includes the structure of matter, elements and compounds, chemical bonding, reactions, energy changes and an introduction to organic chemistry. The emphasis in the course is the relevance of chemistry in everyday life, and the applications studied will include various topics such as environmental problems, energy resources, chemistry and health, and consumer chemistry. Lecture plus three laboratory hours per week. Offered fall semester. NOTE: Students who receive credit for CHEM 100 may not receive credit for CHEM 101.
CHEM 101	Environmental Chemistry	4
Description of course Environmental Chemistry :	An introduction to chemistry with particular emphasis on environmental science. Basic chemistry topics covered include the structure of matter, elements, compounds, reactions, energy and energy changes. These fundamentals lead to the study of currently relevant environmental problems and their proposed solutions, for example the depletion of ozone in the stratosphere, global warming, acid rain, smog, waste disposal, water pollution and the study of energy resources. Lectures and laboratory. NOTE: Students who receive credit for CHEM 101 may not receive credit for CHEM 100.


Course Number	Title	Credits


Course Number	Title	Credits
ECON 251	Prin of Macroeconomics	4
Description of course Prin of Macroeconomics :	An introduction to macroeconomics: national income analysis, unemployment, price stability, and growth; monetary and fiscal policies; international trade and finance; application of economic theory to current problems. Students who enroll in this course are expected to be able to use high-school algebra.


Course Number	Title	Credits
ENGL 110	Intensive Writing	4
Description of course Intensive Writing :	The course provides students with intensive practice in writing, enabling them to adapt to the demands of differing rhetorical contexts. Emphasis on understanding writing processes and learning to respond thoughtfully to writing at various stages. Critical reading will be practiced as an integral part of the writing process. Prerequisite: participation in the Academic Development Program
ENGL 121	Critical Thinking: Lit/Writing	4
Description of course Critical Thinking: Lit/Writing :	Students will read and write about literary texts critically and closely. The course emphasizes recursive reading and writing processes that encourage students to discover, explain, question and clarify ideas. To this end, students will study a variety of genres as well as terms and concepts helpful to close analysis of those genres. They will practice various forms of writing for specific audiences and purposes. Students will reflect on and develop critical awareness of their own strengths and weaknesses as readers and writers. The writing load for this course is a minimum of 12 pages of formal revised writing.
ENGL 190	Adv Crit Thinking: Lit&Writing	4
Description of course Adv Crit Thinking: Lit&Writing :	English 190 is a core course in literature and writing for specially qualified students who show greater aptitude and preparation than typical first-year students or those whose pre-matriculation credits cover some, but not all, of the content of ENGL 121. The learning goals are the same as those for ENGL 121; however, writing, critical thinking, and textual analysis are taught at a higher level and with increased complexity in this course.
ENGL 203	Thematic/Intertextual Perspect	0 OR 4
Description of course Thematic/Intertextual Perspect :	With its focus on thematic and intertextual perspectives, the readings in this course might be ordered any number of ways: according to theme, an idea that develops across genres or literary periods, or by their incorporation of specific oral or textual precedents (e.g. mythology, the Bible, classical writings, legends, or folklore). The writing load for this course is a minimum of 15 pages of formal revised writing.


Course Number	Title	Credits
ENGR 123	Energy and the Environment	4
Description of course Energy and the Environment :	The course examines the core concepts of energy and power technologies. A hands-on laboratory will examine how refrigerators, swamp coolers, generators, turbines, car engines and solar panels work. The class covers how electricity from fossil fuels is generated and transported, and the status of the technology behind harnessing geothermal resources, solar power, fuel cells, wind power, and biomass energy. Students will be introduced to the 1st and 2nd laws of thermodynamics, trade-off charts and the design process. The cultural, social, and economic impacts of energy production are discussed as well as their effects on the environment. (This course is limited to non-majors or students with Freshman or Sophomore standing.)


Course Number	Title	Credits
GEOL 115	Environmental Geology	4
Description of course Environmental Geology :	This course emphasizes the interactions between humans and their environment, focusing on those processes and issues that are fundamentally geological in nature. Early in the course, students will be introduced to basic geoscience concepts and principals, the scientific method, plate tectonics, and earth materials (rocks and minerals). The remainder of the course will focus on specific topics at the interface between humans and their environment, including volcanic and earthquake hazards, human impacts on the hydrological cycle, surface and groundwater contamination, climate and the carbon cycle, nuclear waste storage, soil erosion, non-renewable resources, and slope stability. NOTE: Students who receive credit for GEOL 115 may not receive credit for GEOL 102, 110, 111, or 114.


Course Number	Title	Credits
HIST 112	Hist Mod World Since 1550	4
Description of course Hist Mod World Since 1550 :	Introduces students to historical reasoning. Students learn to analyze evidence from the past in context in order to explain how the past produced the ever-changing present. This course surveys the foundation and expansion of global networks from the sixteenth-century exploration to the contemporary world, and it examines the resulting breakthrough in communication and cultural exchanges between Europe and Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Key aspects of the modern world are explored, such as state power and citizenship, economic systems and human labor, ideas about belonging and community, and the relationships and activities that constitute daily life.
HIST 115	The World Since 1900	4
Description of course The World Since 1900 :	Introduces students to historical reasoning. Students learn to analyze evidence from the past in context in order to explain how the past produced the ever-changing present. This course examines the origin, development, reception, alteration, and rejection of various ideologies—including, but not limited to, nationalism, imperialism, communism, liberalism, fascism and Nazism—and the political, social, economic, and cultural changes that they produced. Through a close examination of the twentieth century, students gain appreciation for the intricate nature of power and dependency that characterizes the modern world.


Course Number	Title	Credits
HLTH 250	Personal Health & Wellness	2 OR 4
Description of course Personal Health & Wellness :	This course will entail an examination of the components of a healthful lifestyle. The interrelationship of physical, intellectual, spiritual and emotional health will be the focal point. Specific areas such as mental health, stress and coping, human sexuality, resiliency enhancement, disease prevention, aging, grief and loss will be addressed.
HLTH 275	Lifelong Stress Management	2
Description of course Lifelong Stress Management :	The focus of the course is on exploration of effective, healthful strategies of stress management. This course is an opportunity to expand ones understanding of how to redirect stress responses into positive sources of energy. For those going into health education either in the field or for licensure, there will be ample items that you could adopt into your own teaching and classroom. This course is open to students from all fields.
HLTH 296	Topics	2
Description of course Topics :	The subject matter of these courses will vary from year to year, but will not duplicate existing courses. Descriptions of these courses are available in the Searchable Class Schedule on Murphy Online, View Searchable Class Schedule


Course Number	Title	Credits
IDSC 120	First Year: Leading & Serving	0 OR 2
Description of course First Year: Leading & Serving :	The purpose of this course is to integrate scholars into the life and culture of the University of St. Thomas and prepare them with the foundations for academic and professional success. The course will focus on leadership competencies such as written and oral communication, team building, career and professional development, financial literacy and information literacy. In addition, the course will introduce students to the key principles of Social Justice Leadership.


Course Number	Title	Credits
JPST 250	Intro to Justice & Peace	4
Description of course Intro to Justice & Peace :	Major aspects of world and local conflict, theories of social science relating to conflict and violence, and various proposals for solutions. Among the aspects of conflict studied are cultural differences, scarcity of resources, economic and social structures, international trade, the arms race, corruption, oppression and war. Proposed solutions assessed include development, structural changes, world governance, multinational agencies, military power, civilian-based defense, active nonviolence for social change, conflict resolution, disarmament, cultural exchange, religious revival and prayer. These topics are considered in the light of theory, history, and literature. Students apply these concepts by investigating one country or geographic area in depth through a semester long research project. Usually offered every semester.


Course Number	Title	Credits
MATH 101	Finite Mathematics	4
Description of course Finite Mathematics :	Elementary set theory, linear equations and matrices, linear programming (optional), finite probability, applications primarily in business and the social sciences. Offered Fall, J-Term, Spring and Summer.
MATH 105	Precalculus	4
Description of course Precalculus :	The real numbers; basic algebra; analytical treatment of the elementary functions emphasizing the exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions and their graphs. (This course is intended as preparation for 113 and does not fulfill a general graduation requirement.) Prerequisite: Palcement at MATH 105 or above. NOTE: Students who receive credit for MATH 105 may not receive credit for MATH 108 or 109.


Course Number	Title	Credits
MUSC 115	Understanding Music&Culture	4
Description of course Understanding Music&Culture :	This survey course explores the classics of European and American music in their historical, cultural and social contexts. It will investigate the many ethnic, religious, political, philosophical, economic and scientific influences that have shaped these traditions. This course is designed to enable students, regardless of musical background, to increase their understanding of music. The listening skill and knowledge acquired will provide a foundation for students to become more critical and discerning listeners of music of all types. NOTE: Students who receive credit for MUSC 115 may not receive credit for MUSC 118 or 119.
MUSC 117	Survey Music in West Culture	2
Description of course Survey Music in West Culture :	This fully online survey course explores the historical foundations of western European concert music traditions. It will explore the various ethnic, religious, political, economic, and scientific influences that have shaped our understanding of “classical” western music into stylistic periods or eras – Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Twenty/Twenty-First Century. Students will conduct listening fieldwork by attending live concert events as approved by the instructor. The listening skills and knowledge gained in this course will provide an essential foundation for students seeking a degree in music.
MUSC 130	Introduction to World Music	4
Description of course Introduction to World Music :	This course provides students a foundation for developing critical thinking and self-analysis, by way of exploring the diversity of musical traditions across the world. Students will develop attentive listening skills and analytical perspectives that engage with music’s distinctive sounds, settings, and meanings. Students will gain awareness and appreciation of music as expressions of human experience at the individual, community, and global level.
MUSC 162	Roots of Blues, Rock, Country	4
Description of course Roots of Blues, Rock, Country :	This course traces the development of American popular music from its roots through multiple genres such as minstrelsy, jazz, big band, swing, crooning, jump blues, gospel, rhythm and blues, country, western, folk/protest, and rock 'n' roll, concluding with the British Invasion. Popular music development is critically examined through four interrelated driving forces: identity (ethnicity, gender, culture, generation), centers vs. peripheries (the established vs. the innovative ), technology (impact on musical performance and listening), and business/law (commercial competition and development). Multimedia presentations include extensive audio and video support. Designed for the Popular Music minor.


Course Number	Title	Credits
PHED 101	Physical Fitness	2
Description of course Physical Fitness :	A physical activity course that will cover planned, structured and repetitive instruction to improve or maintain one or more components of physical fitness. These activity courses are also designed to improve proficiency in a selected physical activity. Students will learn basic skills, strategy and rules of the activity. Students will also learn how physical fitness can contribute to personal lifelong health and wellness through assessment, monitoring and discipline. There will be a written test(s) along with proficiency test(s) depending on the type of physical activity. Credits may be earned twice (for a maximum of 4 credits) under this number for different activities. For further descriptions, please see the Online Printable Schedule.


Course Number	Title	Credits
PHIL 115	Philosophy of Human Person	0 TO 4
Description of course Philosophy of Human Person :	An examination of fundamental conceptions of the human person in ancient, medieval and modern philosophy. Possible topics include: the existence and immortality of the human soul, free will and determinism, the immateriality of the intellect, the relationship between mind and body, and the relevance of different conceptions of the human person for ethics and religion. Attention is given to relevant issues of human diversity. The development of logical and critical thinking receives special attention.


Course Number	Title	Credits
PSYC 111	General Psychology	4
Description of course General Psychology :	An introduction to the research questions, concepts, theories, methods, and findings of psychological science. Although the selection varies with instructor, topics include brain function, psychological testing, sensation and perception, cognition (learning, memory, language), states of consciousness, motivation, human development, personality, origins and treatment of disorders, social behavior, stress and health, and applied psychology (workplace, community, environment).


Course Number	Title	Credits
SOCI 100	Intro to Sociology	4
Description of course Intro to Sociology :	Introduction to the concepts, theories, methods and applications of the scientific study of society and social concerns. Enables students to understand the connections between the individual and larger social and cultural forces. Heightens awareness of the diversity of American and other societies.


Course Number	Title	Credits

Liberal Arts Major (A.A.)Part of the Dougherty Family College