Course Descriptions

Any course listed in this catalog with a prerequisite assumes a grade of C– or better in the prerequisite course, unless specified otherwise by the department or program in its course listings.

Courses numbered 1 to 99 are lower-division; courses numbered 100 to 199 are upper-division; courses numbered 200 to 599 are graduate. Course numbers which are hyphenated (e.g., ACCTG 160 -ACCTG 161 ) indicate that the course is continued from the previous term, and that the first part is normally prerequisite to the second part. Credit is given for each part.

Final information concerning course offerings and class schedules will be issued at the time of registration for each term. January Term courses are listed separately in a special on-line catalog published each fall. The College reserves the right to cancel any course for enrollment or administrative purposes.

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Theology & Religious Studies - Intensive Inquiry Courses
	TRS 181 - Intensive Inquiry in Scripture Upper Division Prerequisites Two TRS courses, or permission of instructor. An in-depth investigation of a topic in Scripture, designed for TRS majors and minors. Topics are announced prior to registration each semester. Core Curriculum Designation(s) WID - Writing in the Disciplines Repeatable May be repeated as content varies. Course credits: 1
	TRS 182 - Intensive Inquiry in Systematic Theology Upper Division Prerequisites Two TRS courses, or permission of instructor. An in-depth investigation of a topic in Systematic Theology, designed for TRS majors and minors. Topics are announced prior to registration each semester. Repeatable May be repeated as content varies. Course credits: 1
	TRS 183 - Intensive Inquiry in Sacraments and Spirituality Upper Division Prerequisites Two TRS courses, or permission of instructor. An in-depth investigation of a topic in Sacraments and Spirituality, designed for TRS majors and minors. Topics are announced prior to registration each semester. Repeatable May be repeated as content varies. Course credits: 1
	TRS 184 - Intensive Inquiry in Ethics Upper Division Prerequisites Two TRS courses, or permission of instructor. An in-depth investigation of a topic in Ethics, designed for TRS majors and minors. Topics are announced prior to registration each semester. Repeatable May be repeated as content varies. Course credits: 1
	TRS 185 - Intensive Inquiry in World Religions Upper Division Prerequisites Two TRS courses, or permission of instructor. An in-depth investigation of a topic in World Religions, designed for TRS majors and minors. Topics are announced prior to registration each semester. Repeatable May be repeated as content varies. Course credits: 1
	TRS 186 - Intensive Inquiry in Theology, Religion, and the Arts Upper Division Prerequisites Two TRS courses, or permission of instructor. An in-depth investigation of a topic in Religion and the Arts, designed for TRS majors and minors. Topics are announced prior to registration each semester. Repeatable May be repeated as content varies. Course credits: 1
	TRS 187 - Intensive Inquiry in Religion and Culture Upper Division Prerequisites Two TRS courses, or permission of instructor. An in-depth investigation of a topic in Religion and Culture, designed for TRS majors and minors. Topics are announced prior to registration each semester. Repeatable May be repeated as content varies. Course credits: 1
Theology & Religious Studies - Internships and Independent Study
	TRS 195 - Internship Upper Division Prerequisites Permission of instructor and department chair required. Work-study program conducted in an internship position under the supervision of a faculty member. Course credits: 1
	TRS 197 - Special Study Upper Division Prerequisites Permission of the department Chair and instructor required. An independent study or research course for students whose needs are not met by the regular course offerings of the department. Course credits: Credit may vary
	TRS 199 - Special Study - Honors Upper Division Prerequisites Permission of the department Chair and instructor required. An independent study or research course for upper-division majors with at least a B average in theology & religious studies. Course credits: 1
Women’s and Gender Studies - Lower Division In addition, new courses are approved on a term-to-term basis. Examples of such electives include ENGL 154 - Studies in African-American Literature or ENGL 141 - Studies in Medieval Literature .
	WGS 001 - Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies Lower Division An introduction to the interdisciplinary field of Women’s and Gender Studies. The course provides a broad perspective on research in gender in a variety of disciplines (including sociology, psychology, politics, philosophy, history, and literature). Topics include the historically changing representations of women; the history of the women’s movement in the United States; globalization; contemporary feminisms, sexualities, ecology, and the intersection of gender, race, and class. A goal of the course is for each student to develop a critical perspective on the meaning of gender in our society. Core Curriculum Designation(s) SHCU - Social, Historical, and Cultural Understanding; TCG - The Common Good Course credits: 1
	WGS 002 - Histories of Sexuality, Women, and Gender Lower division Prerequisites None What is the history of sexuality? This course explores sexual practices and beliefs in different time periods and societies, including discourses about and representations of sexuality, gender, and women. Students will analyze the relationship between the individual and social, political, cultural, ideological, and economic structures and how they have affected sexual mores, behaviors, and ideas about reproduction, pleasure, same-sex desire, pornography, marriage, and family. Repeatable No. Additional Notes May be petitioned for History credit. Course credits: 1
Women’s and Gender Studies - Upper Division Please refer to the Women’s and Gender Studies webpage for course offerings every semester.
	WGS 107 - Research Seminar in Topics in Women’s and Gender Studies Upper Division Prerequisites WGS 001 or permission of instructor. An exploration of a theme or problem area in the field of Women’s and Gender Studies. Past topics have included: women and work; gender and science; women and religion, gender and popular culture; transnational perspectives on gender; U.S. cultural representations of gender; women and the media; masculinities; the history of sexuality. The course combines seminar discussions of texts that represent a variety of methodologies and disciplines with research papers. Research topics are designed by individual students in consultation with the instructor. Course credits: 1
	WGS 126 - Engaging Communities Upper Division Prerequisites ENGL 004 or WGS 001 . This course will examine issues in gender and social justice through community engagement. Students will be asked to address a “real world” understanding of topics ranging from violence to electoral politics, poverty to environmental sustainability, and many others, through service-learning on behalf of community partners whose work addresses a range of related social issues. This course will satisfy requirements for the major and minor in Women’s and Gender Studies and is open to all students. Experience in WGS 001 - Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies is encouraged but not required. Core Curriculum Designation(s) TCG - The Common Good; CE - Community Engagement Course credits: 1
	WGS 171 - Queer Theories Research Seminar Upper division Prerequisites WGS 001 is highly recommended. This course utilizes a wide range of theoretical approaches to understanding the nature of queerness. How do we think about “queer” people and acts that challenge the dominant ways of thinking about sex, gender, and sexuality? Taking a multi-displinary approach, this class will examine the representation of queerness in literature, art, and science in contemporary society, looking critically at cultural practices and constructs that shape sexuality as act and as identity. Repeatable No. Cross-Listing No. Course credits: 1.0
	WGS 172 - Masculinities Research Seminar Upper division Prerequisites WGS 001 is highly recommended. This course examines “masculinity” as a concept and as performance. The class explores how contemporary society constructs what is “masculine,” “male,” “female” and gender identity, as well as the structures that shape, create, reinforce, and restrict understandings and manifestations of masculinity. Students analyze media representations, social and political gender-based movements, female masculinities, trans masculinities and how these intersect with race and class. Topics may include childhood, inter-personal relationships, work, family, and violence Repeatable No Course credits: 1.0
	WGS 177 - Feminist and Gender Theories Upper Division Prerequisites Limited to Juniors and Seniors Only. This seminar provides a series of inquiries into the diverse theoretical frameworks of contemporary feminism. Critical race theory, cultural studies, post-structuralism, Marxist and postcolonial theories, gender difference and queer theories, sexualities studies, ecofeminism, and contemporary identity politics are a few of the directions in discussion and research. Course credits: 1
	WGS 195 - Internship Upper Division Prerequisites Permission of instructor and program director required. Work-study program conducted in an internship position under the supervision of a faculty member. Course credits: 1
	WGS 196 - Senior Research Thesis Upper Division Prerequisites Upper-division standing; WGS 001 , WGS 107 , and WGS 177 . Open to minors upon approval by the director and instructor of the course. (In the case of a split or double major, WGS 196 may be taken in conjunction with thesis work in the other discipline. In the case of a minor, WGS 196 may be taken in conjunction with thesis work in the major.) Critical examination of theories and issues in contemporary Women’s and Gender Studies methodologies. Directed readings, research, and writing of a final senior paper or project, including a poster for public presentation, under the supervision and approval of the instructor. Core Curriculum Designation(s) WID - Writing in the Disciplines Course credits: 1
	WGS 197 - Independent Study Upper Division Prerequisites Permission of instructor and program director required. An independent study or research course for students whose needs go beyond the regular courses in the curriculum. Course credits: 1
	WGS 199 - Honors Independent Study Upper Division Prerequisites Permission of the instructor and program director required. An independent study or a research course for upper-division students with a B average in the major. Course credits: 1
Studies for International and Multilingual Students - Lower Division
	SMS 015 - American Culture and Civilization Lower Division A survey course delivered through the Anthropology Department provides the student with the tools to interpret and evaluate culture from a social science perspective. The approach is a cross-cultural comparative model using American values, life-styles and traditions within a framework of the day-to-day workings of American culture. Course work is composed of lectures, readings, discussions and fieldwork projects. The course is required of all international students and must be taken during the first semester of attendance. In certain cases, permission for exemption may be granted upon evaluation by the Faculty Committee and Registrar. Core Curriculum Designation(s) SHCU - Social, Historical, and Cultural Understanding; AD - American Diversity Course credits: 1
	SMS 023 - Writing Lab Lower Division Concurrently Corequisite: ENGL 004C , ENGL 005C , ENGL 004 , or ENGL 005 The SMS Labs help support ENGL 004C , ENGL 005C , ENGL 004 , and ENGL 005 , as well as other first-year courses that have significant writing requirements and would give multilingual students a better chance of succeeding in all of their courses. Students will gain: greater fluency in written English; understanding of course expectations at Saint Mary’s regarding writing; increased proficiency in English grammar and vocabulary; better understanding of the stages of assembling an essay (including thesis formation, overall essay organization, paragraph development, and effective sentence construction) through focused work on each stage; better writing habits gained through practice in assessing writing assignments across the disciplines, setting writing schedules, brainstorming and drafting techniques, and revising essays. Course credits: 0.25
	SMS 024 - Writing Lab Lower Division Concurrently Corequisite: ENGL 004C , ENGL 005C , ENGL 004 , or ENGL 005 The SMS Labs help support ENGL 004C , ENGL 005C , ENGL 004 , and ENGL 005 , as well as other first-year courses that have significant writing requirements and would give multilingual students a better chance of succeeding in all of their courses. Studentswill gain: greater fluency in written English; understanding of course expectations at Saint Mary’s regarding writing; increased proficiency in English grammar and vocabulary; better understanding of the stages of assembling an essay (including thesis formation, overall essay organization, paragraph development, and effective sentence construction) through focused work on each stage; better writing habits gained through practice in assessing writing assignments across the disciplines, setting writing schedules, brainstorming and drafting techniques, and revising essays. Course credits: 1
World Languages and Cultures - Upper Division
	WLC 126 - Film Upper Division Viewing and discussion of French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish or Latin American films. Each course focuses on a particular genre, director, country or area sharing a common language and culture. Core Curriculum Designation(s) AA - Artistic Understanding (Analysis) Repeatable May be repeated as content varies. Course credits: 1
	WLC 130 - Special Topics in Literary Studies Upper Division This course is an intensive study and analysis of a single salient feature or movement in literature. Repeatable May be repeated as content varies. Course credits: 1
	WLC 131 - Special Topics in Linguistics Upper Division This course explores a particular linguistic topic of the language, including such areas as historical linguistics, sociolinguistics, morphology, second language acquisition, bilingualism, and methodologies of teaching language. Repeatable May be repeated as content varies. Course credits: 1
	WLC 132 - Special Topics in Cultural Studies Upper Division Courses taught under this designation seek to provide students with an understanding of the history, cultures, and contemporary issues of Latin America, including the presence of Latinos in the United States. Repeatable May be repeated as content varies. Course credits: 1
	WLC 170 - Modern Critical Theory Upper Division General introduction to movements or trends in current critical theory, including psychoanalytic (Freudian, Lacanian), postmodernism (deconstructionism), feminist theory, structuralism, semiotics, etc. Discussion of theory is in English. Students’ written work is in French or Spanish. Additional Notes English majors accepted with permission of chair of Department of English. Course credits: 1
	WLC 180 - Medieval and Early Renaissance Poetry and Music Upper Division A study of popular and cultivated poetry of Medieval and Renaissance Europe and the musical expressions in the context of the Medieval and Renaissance world and mind. Course credits: 1
	WLC 181 - Renaissance and Baroque Literature of Europe Upper Division A study of the literature of 17th-century Europe. Repeatable May be repeated as content varies. Course credits: 1
	WLC 182 - The Romantic Movement in Literature Upper Division A study of the literary expression of the 19th century. Repeatable May be repeated as content varies. Course credits: 1
	WLC 183 - Authors, Genres and Themes in Western Literature Upper Division An investigation of a single author, genre, theme or topic in Western or Third-World literature. Repeatable May be repeated as content varies. Course credits: 1
	WLC 184 - Topics in Hispanic Literature Upper Division Reading and discussion of Hispanic literature in translation. Topics include Hispanic women writers, modern Chicano literature, Hispanic theater in the United States. Course credits: 1
	WLC 185 - Culture and Civilization of France Upper Division A study of the relationship between the rich culture of France and its turbulent history. Attention given to the interchange between artistic or literary expression and the political process, with consequent socioeconomic developments. Core Curriculum Designation(s) SHCU - Social, Historical, and Cultural Understanding Additional Notes Recommended to majors in business administration, politics, history and communication: Course credits: 1
	WLC 186 - Culture and Civilization of Italy Upper Division Italian culture has been central in the development of western civilization. The aim of this course is to consider the intellectual and artistic manifestations of this important culture in all its brilliant variety. Core Curriculum Designation(s) AA - Artistic Understanding (Analysis); TCG - The Common Good Additional Notes Recommended to majors in business administration, politics, history and communication: Course credits: 1
	WLC 187 - Culture and Civilization of Spain Upper Division Highlights of Spain’s culture. Masterpieces of Spanish artistic expression are studied and the roles of social, religious and political values in the development of Spain’s culture and civilization to contemporary times. Additional Notes Recommended to majors in business administration, politics, history and communication: Course credits: 1
	WLC 188 - Culture and Civilization of Latin America Upper Division The study of the culture of the various Latin American nations from pre-Colombian times to the present. Special consideration of manifestations of Latin American artistic expression. An examination of the social, religious and political values of the culture, and the similarities and differences between Latin American nations. Additional Notes Recommended to majors in business administration, politics, history and communication: Course credits: 1
	WLC 189 - Culture and Civilization of Mexico Upper Division A study of major historical periods, from pre-Colombian times to the present. Emphasis given to cultural traits particular to Mexico. An overview of art history: Mesoamerican art, the mural movement and contemporary currents. Additional Notes Recommended to majors in business administration, politics, history and communication: Course credits: 1
	WLC 195 - Internship Upper Division Prerequisites Permission of instructor and department chair required. Work-study program conducted in an internship position under the supervision of a faculty member. Additional Notes Recommended to majors in business administration, politics, history and communication: Course credits: Credit may vary
	WLC 196 - Capstone Upper Division An independent project integrating language and culture designed in consultation with an instructor in a student’s language studies area. Additional Notes Recommended to majors in business administration, politics, history and communication: Course credits: 0.25
	WLC 197 - Independent Study Upper Division Prerequisites Permission of instructor and department chair required. An independent study or research course for students whose needs go beyond the regular courses in the curriculum. Additional Notes Recommended to majors in business administration, politics, history and communication: Course credits: Credit may vary
	WLC 199 - Honors Independent Study Upper Division Prerequisites Permission of the instructor and department chair required. An independent study or a research course for upper-division students with a B average in the major. Additional Notes Recommended to majors in business administration, politics, history and communication: Course credits: 1
English - Graduate
	ENGL 396 - Composition Pedagogy Upper Division Designed to support, inspire, and assist instructors preparing for their first semester teaching first-year writing, this class aims to create a productive community where new instructors and the course professors can discuss teaching strategies and philosophies related to the teaching of writing. Our meetings will rely on the expertise and contributions of all participants. New instructors will be asked to think critically, reflectively, and deeply about their work as teachers of writing, and they will receive guidance in working with the course structure and materials. Some time will be spent developing materials that reflect both the program’s and the instructor’s own goals for student learning. Reading and writing in the course will be practical and reflective. Course credits: 3
SMC
	SMC 070 - First Year Advising Cohort Lower Division This course will provide you with the important access you need to a faculty and academic advisor, who will serve as a constant resource and mentor to you during this year of acclimation to college. It will also guide you through the many learning and living experiences you will encounter during your time here. It will combine class discussions with co-curricular activities and a variety of workshops to enhance your college experience and support you in achieving your highest potential. Course credits: 0.0, 0.25
	SMC 150 - Community Engagement: A Retrospective Learning Experience Upper Division Concurrently N/A Prerequisites Students must have completed: A minimum of 20 hours of service/internship/praxis in a community setting (i.e., nonprofit organization, hospital, school, etc.) During college Be able to relate that experience to a college course (similar to what they would be doing if they were taking a CE course). Receive instructor approval to register so the instructor can confirm their experiences and the course they identified. This course is intended for students who have already completed significant work/service/praxis (20 hours minimum) that is directly related to coursework and that occurred during their time at Saint Mary’s College, but who did not receive community engagement (CE) credit for that work/service/praxis. Possibilities include completed internships in fields related to coursework (e.g., teaching, business), completed volunteer work in hospitals for students who have taken science courses, completed political action work for students who have taken politics or sociology classes, etc. Students will actively and critically reflect upon these experiences and integrate them in their academic understanding of the world to fulfill the community engagement requirement. Instructor approval required. Core Curriculum Designation(s) CE- Community Engagement Repeatable No Additional Notes No Cross-Listing No Course credits: 0.25
	SMC 151 - Academic Integrity and the Honor Code Upper Division Prerequisites This course is available only to those students currently serving on the Academic Honor Council. One of the most important means by which students serve the Saint Mary’s community is through promoting and maintaining the academic integrity of the College via their work on the Academic Honor Council (AHC). This 0.25 credit course accompanies a year’s service on the AHC. Topics of study include the philosophy of integrity and best practices with regard to honor codes in contemporary higher education. In addition to better preparing the students for their 20 hours (minimum) service to the campus through the AHC, students will also complete a specific Community Engagement project in the spring, developed in collaboration with the AHC and other key campus constituencies. Core Curriculum Designation(s) CE- Community Engagement Term Offered Fall Course credits: 0.25
SOLA
	SOLA 075 - Living a Purpose Driven Life Lower division Concurrently None Prerequisites None This course will help you get clear about your priorities as they relate to your professional, academic, and life goals. It will also give you time and space to listen to others and discuss what you are learning, week by week, about yourself, your passion and sense of calling, your strengths, and the complexity of the 21^st Century world of work. It will be a highly interactive and engaging experience. You will leave having learned something important about getting quiet, managing anxiety, connecting to resources, and navigating your next steps. It will support your journey towards finding work that matters. Core Curriculum Designation(s) None Repeatable No Course credits: 0.25

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Course Descriptions

TRS 181 - Intensive Inquiry in Scripture

TRS 182 - Intensive Inquiry in Systematic Theology

TRS 183 - Intensive Inquiry in Sacraments and Spirituality

TRS 184 - Intensive Inquiry in Ethics

TRS 185 - Intensive Inquiry in World Religions

TRS 186 - Intensive Inquiry in Theology, Religion, and the Arts

TRS 187 - Intensive Inquiry in Religion and Culture

TRS 195 - Internship

TRS 197 - Special Study

TRS 199 - Special Study - Honors

WGS 001 - Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies

WGS 002 - Histories of Sexuality, Women, and Gender

WGS 107 - Research Seminar in Topics in Women’s and Gender Studies

WGS 126 - Engaging Communities

WGS 171 - Queer Theories Research Seminar

WGS 172 - Masculinities Research Seminar

WGS 177 - Feminist and Gender Theories

WGS 195 - Internship

WGS 196 - Senior Research Thesis

WGS 197 - Independent Study

WGS 199 - Honors Independent Study

SMS 015 - American Culture and Civilization

SMS 023 - Writing Lab

SMS 024 - Writing Lab

WLC 126 - Film

WLC 130 - Special Topics in Literary Studies

WLC 131 - Special Topics in Linguistics

WLC 132 - Special Topics in Cultural Studies

WLC 170 - Modern Critical Theory

WLC 180 - Medieval and Early Renaissance Poetry and Music

WLC 181 - Renaissance and Baroque Literature of Europe

WLC 182 - The Romantic Movement in Literature

WLC 183 - Authors, Genres and Themes in Western Literature

WLC 184 - Topics in Hispanic Literature

WLC 185 - Culture and Civilization of France

WLC 186 - Culture and Civilization of Italy

WLC 187 - Culture and Civilization of Spain

WLC 188 - Culture and Civilization of Latin America

WLC 189 - Culture and Civilization of Mexico

WLC 195 - Internship

WLC 196 - Capstone

WLC 197 - Independent Study

WLC 199 - Honors Independent Study

ENGL 396 - Composition Pedagogy

SMC 070 - First Year Advising Cohort

SMC 150 - Community Engagement: A Retrospective Learning Experience

SMC 151 - Academic Integrity and the Honor Code

SOLA 075 - Living a Purpose Driven Life