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 100 to 299 are lower-division; courses numbered 300 to 499 are upper-division; courses numbered 500 to 999 are graduate. For more information on course numbers and, please visit our Academic Definitions page.

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 the JanTerm catalog (top right, drop down menu). The College reserves the right to cancel any course for enrollment or administrative purposes.

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Theology & Religious Studies - Upper Division
	TRS 429 - Foundations of Theology Upper Division Prerequisites TRS 281 or TRS 380 or TRS 381 or TRS 382 or TRS 383 or TRS 384 or TRS 385 or TRS 386 or TRS 387 or TRS 388 or TRS 389 or PHIL 220 ; Minimum grade D-.; And Instructor’s permission required. (If you are interested, please ask!) Theology is the human attempt to speak (logos) about God (theos). It starts from the presupposition that divine reality exists and is, at least in some sense, knowable to human beings - hence the classic description of theology as “faith seeking understanding.” But what can the human mind grasp and the human tongue say about a reality that is so much larger than either? Does one rely on revealed texts, on philosophical reasoning, on community sentiment, on individual experience? These questions, and many more, lead not to one theology but to many theologies. This course seeks to introduce students to the questions, methods, sources, and history of Christian theology with a special emphasis on introducing students to the types of theology practiced in the modern academy. Core Curriculum Designation(s) TUTE - Theological Explorations Repeatable No Fee $5 Additional Notes Previous course number: TRS 129 Course credits: 4
	TRS 459 - Christianity & Interreligious Dialogue Upper Division Prerequisites TRS 281 or TRS 380 or TRS 381 or TRS 382 or TRS 383 or TRS 384 or TRS 385 or TRS 386 or TRS 387 or TRS 388 or TRS 389 or PHIL 220 ; Minimum grade D-. WRIT 200 or WRIT 201 or WRIT 205 or WRIT 210 or WRIT 215 or WRIT 220 or WRIT 225 or WRIT 230 or WRIT 308 , previously or concurrently In light of our increasingly diverse nation and our ever more global world, this course will critically assess current Christian theological thinking about other major religious traditions and offer possibilities for interreligious understanding. Offered from the Christian perspective as part of an examination of contemporary discourses on the issues of religious identity, religious diversity, and religious pluralism, this course addresses the philosophical and theological issues and conflicts that arise in a religiously pluralistic environment. This includes an historical examination of the Christian disposition towards other religions, the problem of conflicting truth claims, the nature of salvation, the role of religious language, and the process of interreligious dialogue. Core Curriculum Designation(s) TUTE - Theological Explorations, WID - Writing in the Discipline Repeatable No Fee $5 Additional Notes Previous course number: TRS 157 Course credits: 3
	TRS 479 - Theory and Method in the Study of Religion Upper Division Prerequisites TRS 281 or TRS 380 or TRS 381 or TRS 382 or TRS 383 or TRS 384 or TRS 385 or TRS 386 or TRS 387 or TRS 388 or TRS 389 or PHIL 220 ; Minimum grade D-.; And Instructor’s permission required. (If you are interested, please ask!) This course is designed to give students a foundation in the classical and contemporary theories and methods used in the academic study of religion. A key focus of the course will be on seminal theories and methods such as those formulated by Sigmund Freud, Emile Durkheim, Mircea Eliade, and Clifford Geertz. We’ll also examine the methodologies employed by some prominent, recent scholars and consider the connections these make with underlying theory. A key component of the course will be an exploration of the differences between theological and religious studies and the development of religious studies as an academic discipline. Students will also have the opportunity to become familiar with critical issues and debates within the contemporary field of religious studies such as the role of the body in religion, religion and power, the debate over “insider” and “outsider” perspectives, and the place of theological commitments in the academic study of religion. This is a required course for TRS Majors and one of two options, along with TRS 429, for TRS Minors. Core Curriculum Designation(s) TUTE - Theological Explorations Repeatable No Fee $30 Additional Notes Previous course number: TRS 179 Course credits: 4
	TRS 495 - TRS Internship Upper Division Prerequisites TRS 281 or TRS 380 or TRS 381 or TRS 382 or TRS 383 or TRS 384 or TRS 385 or TRS 386 or TRS 387 or TRS 388 or TRS 389 or PHIL 220 ; Minimum grade D-. Repeatable No Additional Notes Previous course number: TRS 195 Course credits: 1-4
	TRS 496 - TRS Capstone Upper Division Prerequisites TRS 281 or TRS 380 or TRS 381 or TRS 382 or TRS 383 or TRS 384 or TRS 385 or TRS 386 or TRS 387 or TRS 388 or TRS 389 or PHIL 220 ; Minimum grade D-. Though it is not required, in the spring of their last full year, TRS majors are invited to take a capstone course under the direction of a faculty mentor with departmental approval in which, as part of its successful completion, they will make a public presentation. Core Curriculum Designation(s) WID - Writing in the Discipline Repeatable No Additional Notes Previous course number: TRS 196 Course credits: 3
	TRS 497 - TRS Independent Study Upper Division Prerequisites TRS 281 or TRS 380 or TRS 381 or TRS 382 or TRS 383 or TRS 384 or TRS 385 or TRS 386 or TRS 387 or TRS 388 or TRS 389 or PHIL 220 ; Minimum grade D-. An independent study or research course for students whose needs are not met by the regular course offerings of the department. Repeatable Yes Additional Notes Previous course number: TRS 197 Course credits: 1-4
Women’s and Gender Studies - Lower Division
	WGS 101 - Introduction to Women’s 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) ARTS & HUM - Arts and Humanities Analysis Repeatable No Fee $25 Additional Notes Previous course number: WGS 001 Course credits: 4
	WGS 201 - Histories of Women, Gender, Sexuality Lower division An examination of the histories of women, gender, or sexuality across different parts of the world and during different periods of time. Repeatable No Additional Notes Previous course number: WGS 002 Course credits: 3
Women’s and Gender Studies - Upper Division
	WGS 300 - Topics in Women, Gender, Sexuality Upper Division Prerequisites WGS 101 (highly recommended but not required) or permission of instructor An exploration of a theme or problem area in the field of Women’s and Gender Studies not included in the regular course offerings. 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. Repeatable Yes Additional Notes Previous course number: WGS 107 Course credits: 4
	WGS 311 - Queer Theories Upper division Prerequisites WGS 101 is highly recommended but not required 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. Core Curriculum Designation(s) IPE - Identity, Power, and Equity in the United States Repeatable No Additional Notes Previous course number: WGS 171 Course credits: 4
	WGS 312 - Masculinities Upper division Prerequisites WGS 101 is highly recommended but not required 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 Additional Notes Previous course number: WGS 172 Course credits: 4
	WGS 321 - Social Justice Praxis Upper Division Concurrently WGS 321EL Prerequisites WRIT 100 or WRIT 101 is required previously; Minimum grade C-. WGS 101 is recommended previously. 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. Repeatable No Additional Notes Previous course number: WGS 126 Course credits: 4
	WGS 321EL - Social Justice Praxis EL Upper Division Concurrently WGS 321 Engaged Learning component to accompany WGS 321 . Engaged learning, as an important aspect of Lasallian education, provides students opportunities to apply their academic knowledge and skills to serve a community and to learn in partnership with its members. Students are expected to spend 20-30 hours working with the community partner in addition to the related Engaged Learning coursework. Core Curriculum Designation(s) EL - Engaged Learning Repeatable No Course credits: 1
	WGS 351 - 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. Lecture and/or Lab Hours ARTS & HUM - Arts and Humanities Analysis, WID - Writing in the Discipline Repeatable No Additional Notes Previous course number: WGS 177 Course credits: 4
	WGS 495 - 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. Repeatable No Additional Notes Previous course number: WGS 195 Course credits: 1
	WGS 496 - Senior Thesis Research Upper Division Prerequisites Upper-division standing; WGS 101 , WGS 351 , and WGS 300 or WGS 311 or WGS 312 . Open to minors upon approval by the director and instructor of the course. 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. Repeatable No Additional Notes Previous course number: WGS 196 Course credits: 4
	WGS 497 - 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. Repeatable Yes Additional Notes Previous course number: WGS 197 Course credits: 4
World Languages and Cultures - Lower Division
	WLC 100 - Virtual Study Abroad Lower Division In this introductory course, first-semester students will take a virtual trip around the world, exploring six cities on four different continents. The course will be conducted in English. The course is designed as a highly interactive experience in which students will use immersive technologies to go on a “scavenger hunt” in each city. During the “trip,” students will participate in interest-driven research and group projects, field trips, seminar-style discussions and lab-based exercises to discover the complexity of these urban spaces. The course is designed to explore both the specificities of each city and the interconnectedness of today’s world. In an increasingly globalized world, students need to develop a complex understanding of how global cities evolve through patterns of migration, colonization, urbanization, and globalization. At the same time, they also benefit by gaining an appreciation of the cultural, historical, linguistic and social specificities of each local community. Learning materials will include city-specific art and readings, learning technologies (Google Expeditions, Google Tour Creator, Great Big Story, etc.), as well as introductory-level theoretical readings. To provide a unified theoretical framework, we will use two sets of complementary theories: global cities theory and critical geography. Core Curriculum Designation(s) ARTS & HUM - Arts and Humanities Analysis Repeatable No Additional Notes Previous course number: WLC 001 Course credits: 4
World Languages and Cultures - Upper Division
	WLC 300 - Modern Critical Theory Upper Division Prerequisites Placement into any language at level 201 or higher. 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. Core Curriculum Designation(s) GIP - Global Issues and Perspectives Repeatable Yes Additional Notes English majors accepted with permission of chair of Department of English. Previous course number: WLC 170 Course credits: 3
	WLC 301 - 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. Repeatable Yes Additional Notes Previous course number: WLC 126 Course credits: 4
	WLC 302 - 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 Yes Additional Notes Previous course number: WLC 130 Course credits: 4
	WLC 303 - 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 Yes Additional Notes Previous course number: WLC 131 Course credits: 4
	WLC 304 - 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 No Additional Notes Previous course number: WLC 132 Course credits: 4
	WLC 305 - Culture/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. Repeatable No Additional Notes Previous course number: WLC 186 Course credits: 3
Undergraduate
	LDSH 416 - Leadership, Systems & Organizational Change Upper Division This course lays the groundwork for understanding and practicing a new paradigm of leadership; one that promotes meaningful systems change to transform people and their organizations toward a state of flourishing. This course provides a deep and expansive exploration of contemporary leadership frameworks and theories, their underlying values and world-views. We explore several key distinctions and trends in the field of leadership theory, such as: management and leadership, transactional and transformational, technical and adaptive, heroic and post-heroic, leader-centric and relational, and hierarchical and networked leadership. We examine these distinctions and trends in relationship to the culture and purposes of organizations and the kinds of change sought. By delving more deeply into established leadership theories and perspectives, learners enhance their practice of leadership, taking to heart the oft-quoted view of the pioneering social psychologist Kurt Lewin, who said, “There is nothing so practical as a good theory.” Repeatable No Fee $15 Additional Notes Previous course number: LDSH 206 Course credits: 3
	LDSH 473 - Facilitating Change: Individual and Group Approaches Upper Division As a specialized focus of leadership practice, coaching and facilitation enhances one’s effectiveness in developing others, improving performance, fostering learning and promoting collaboration, in service of personal and organizational goals and aspirations. This course draws upon the variety of disciplines that inform the practice of coaching, such as psychology, adult learning, communication, and human performance to acquaint the learner with the theories, models, and skills needed to effectively coach individuals and/or groups. The course offers ample opportunities for learners to explore the craft of coaching, to develop their skills, and their unique style. The course also focuses on coaching in organizational life as part of one’s leadership practice as a pathway for individual and organizational learning and change developing others. Attention to how coaching links with organizational goals and culture, as well as designing and learning from results- oriented actions, is explored as well. Repeatable No Fee $35 Additional Notes Previous course number: LDSH 273 Course credits: 3

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Course Descriptions

TRS 429 - Foundations of Theology

TRS 459 - Christianity & Interreligious Dialogue

TRS 479 - Theory and Method in the Study of Religion

TRS 495 - TRS Internship

TRS 496 - TRS Capstone

TRS 497 - TRS Independent Study

WGS 101 - Introduction to Women’s Studies

WGS 201 - Histories of Women, Gender, Sexuality

WGS 300 - Topics in Women, Gender, Sexuality

WGS 311 - Queer Theories

WGS 312 - Masculinities

WGS 321 - Social Justice Praxis

WGS 321EL - Social Justice Praxis EL

WGS 351 - Feminist and Gender Theories

WGS 495 - Internship

WGS 496 - Senior Thesis Research

WGS 497 - Independent Study

WLC 100 - Virtual Study Abroad

WLC 300 - Modern Critical Theory

WLC 301 - Film

WLC 302 - Special Topics in Literary Studies

WLC 303 - Special Topics in Linguistics

WLC 304 - Special Topics in Cultural Studies

WLC 305 - Culture/Civilization of Italy

LDSH 416 - Leadership, Systems & Organizational Change

LDSH 473 - Facilitating Change: Individual and Group Approaches