Connection Courses

Connections Course is a program imbedded into selected general education courses. The program is designed to create unique experiences for first-year students with co-enrollment in a one-weekend retreat class followed by peer-led, out-of-class meet-ups as part of the course requirement. The goal is to give first-year students the opportunity to make “connections” with their mentors who facilitate the meet-ups,  with their classmates, our campus and our community. Connections Courses are only offered in the fall semester and are within one of three different themes/interest areas

First-Year Students

RHPM 180 – Leisure and Life (health and wellness theme)
Orientation to leisure in terms of personal and social growth, leisure and recreational planning, leisure time management, fitness and health enhancement, stress management, constructive use of leisure, and the development of personal leisure values.

UNIV 105W – Self, Identity, and Sustainability (sustainability
theme)
This course introduces several methods for considering identity formation using students; direct experiences and researched examples of emerging adult identity and eco-identity. Students read, write, discuss, and do case analyses and problem-solving to examine tensions among the idea of a consistent self, the concept of identity as a set of ongoing processes, and the gaps between self-presentation and environmental commitments.

WMST 170 – Introduction to Women's Studies (equity and social justice theme)
This course explores the impact of cultural beliefs and practices on diverse womens lives. Readings, films, and lectures analyze womens challenges, struggles, and accomplishments. Specific topics include race and class, media images of women, the womens movement, work, motherhood, and sexuality. 

MCGS 155 – Introduction to Multicultural and Gender Studies
(equity and social justice theme)
An introduction to the concepts, terminology, and issues in multicultural and gender studies, including exploration of Americas multicultural history, gender as an element of culture, and contemporary issues in the field.

Transfer

POLS 365W (5453)/ RHPM 399 (5721)This course introduces students to the theories and practices of justice, as well as the administration of justice. As a writing intensive course, students examine pertinent justice issues of local, national, or international significance, identify the theory (or theories) of justice relevant to the situation, and investigate how justice was (or was not) administered and an independent study of special problems found in Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management.

ENG 330W (3690)/RHPM 399 (5721) 
 A study of technical writing and presentation skills in business and scientific environments, including audience analyses, writing processes, genres of technical and business discourse, visual communication, collaboration, professional responsibility, clear and correct expression and an independent study of special problems found in Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management.

PSYC 391 (1021)
Examination of the nature of prejudice and hate and their contribution to societal violence. How prejudice and hatred affect personal, family, and group behavior are considered in a context of understanding factors that contribute to their development. Strategies for reducing the prevalence of prejudice, hatred, and violence in our contemporary culture are evaluated and an independent study of special problems found in Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management.