General Education Courses

Course Description: With the advent of virtual communities, smart mobs, and online social networks, questions about the meaning of human communication and how we construct our online and offline personal and professional identities need to be reevaluated. This course explores the relationship between social media and the construction of both individual and social identities as well as best practices for constructing the desired community or identity. Although the course is grounded in theory, it is equally committed to practice, and much of the class discussion and activity takes place in various online spaces. As a practicum, those who complete this course will know how to engage productively in practices such as tweeting, blogging, tagging, etc. and will develop an understanding of how these practices affect their construction of identity and community both personally and on behalf of an organization.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: With the advent of virtual communities, smart mobs, and online social networks, questions about the meaning of human communication and how we construct our online and offline personal and professional identities need to be reevaluated. This course explores the relationship between social media and the construction of both individual and social identities as well as best practices for constructing the desired community or identity. Although the course is grounded in theory, it is equally committed to practice, and much of the class discussion and activity takes place in various online spaces. As a practicum, those who complete this course will know how to engage productively in practices such as tweeting, blogging, tagging, etc. and will develop an understanding of how these practices affect their construction of identity and community both personally and on behalf of an organization.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course examines the relationship between gender and media communication with specific attention to how gender affects choices in mass media and social media practices. Students explore how gender, sexual orientation, sexuality and social roles, affect media coverage, portrayals, production and reception. They consider issues of authorship, spectatorship (audience), and the ways in which various media content (film, television, print journalism, advertising, social media) enables, facilitates, and challenges these social constructions in society. The course covers communication theories and scholarship as it applies to gender and media, methods of media analysis, and topics of current interest.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course examines the relationship between gender and media communication with specific attention to how gender affects choices in mass media and social media practices. Students explore how gender, sexual orientation, sexuality and social roles, affect media coverage, portrayals, production and reception. They consider issues of authorship, spectatorship (audience), and the ways in which various media content (film, television, print journalism, advertising, social media) enables, facilitates, and challenges these social constructions in society. The course covers communication theories and scholarship as it applies to gender and media, methods of media analysis, and topics of current interest.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: The course examines the role of the ethnic press in the U.S. and the communities they serve, both historically and contemporarily. Students will pay close attention to how the audiences and their relationships to these media sources have shifted over time due to the news consumers’ changing citizenship status, and shifting linguistic practice and cultural histories. While print newspapers will be the primary source focus due to their foundational role within the ethnic press, students will also explore television broadcasts, online and streaming news and their social media counterparts. Students will learn about the historic and ongoing roles these media outlets play with acculturation and social reform, including the fight for racial and religious equity. Financial viability and tensions with the mainstream press will also be explored.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: The course examines the role of the ethnic press in the U.S. and the communities they serve, both historically and contemporarily. Students will pay close attention to how the audiences and their relationships to these media sources have shifted over time due to the news consumers’ changing citizenship status, and shifting linguistic practice and cultural histories. While print newspapers will be the primary source focus due to their foundational role within the ethnic press, students will also explore television broadcasts, online and streaming news and their social media counterparts. Students will learn about the historic and ongoing roles these media outlets play with acculturation and social reform, including the fight for racial and religious equity. Financial viability and tensions with the mainstream press will also be explored.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Opinion Media teaches students how to craft persuasive personal essays, commentary and op-eds, and get them published on news sites, in trade magazines, in newspapers and on influencer blogs. By drawing upon the ethical deployment of evidence, including argument, anecdote and statistical data, student authors will learn how to become influencers and thought leaders through the deployment of the written word and multimedia texts, including writing scripts, and producing video, for their own social media channels. This course is ideally suited for those seeking to sharpen their persuasive writing skills to sell their ideas, vision, expertise and life experience to a targeted media audience.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Opinion Media teaches students how to craft persuasive personal essays, commentary and op-eds, and get them published on news sites, in trade magazines, in newspapers and on influencer blogs. By drawing upon the ethical deployment of evidence, including argument, anecdote and statistical data, student authors will learn how to become influencers and thought leaders through the deployment of the written word and multimedia texts, including writing scripts, and producing video, for their own social media channels. This course is ideally suited for those seeking to sharpen their persuasive writing skills to sell their ideas, vision, expertise and life experience to a targeted media audience.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course is a history of visual activism from the 20th century to now. The course asks: how is activism represented and disseminated to engage audiences? How is the public sphere in the United States and abroad shaped by visual activist practices? What visual languages are used as forms of documentation, communication, persuasion, and creative expression in the service of social change? We examine a range of examples in their local and global contexts, including counter-culture photography and film, poster graphics, graffiti art, comics and political cartoons, social media, performance, urban interventions, installations, and new media.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course is a history of visual activism from the 20th century to now. The course asks: how is activism represented and disseminated to engage audiences? How is the public sphere in the United States and abroad shaped by visual activist practices? What visual languages are used as forms of documentation, communication, persuasion, and creative expression in the service of social change? We examine a range of examples in their local and global contexts, including counter-culture photography and film, poster graphics, graffiti art, comics and political cartoons, social media, performance, urban interventions, installations, and new media.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: An introduction to developing, executing, and managing media plans for advertising and public relations. This course covers the characteristics and uses of advertising media, media terms and calculations, media strategies and tactics, and media plan development and implementation.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: An introduction to developing, executing, and managing media plans for advertising and public relations. This course covers the characteristics and uses of advertising media, media terms and calculations, media strategies and tactics, and media plan development and implementation.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: An in-depth examination of a selected aspect of the communication discipline (e.g. strategic communication, technical communication, visual communication, computer mediated communication, advertising, public relations, journalism). Topics in Communication can be taken multiple times provided the topic being studied has changed.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: An in-depth examination of a selected aspect of the communication discipline (e.g. strategic communication, technical communication, visual communication, computer mediated communication, advertising, public relations, journalism). Topics in Communication can be taken multiple times provided the topic being studied has changed.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Further development of knowledge and skills learned in public speaking. This course emphasizes language, delivery, and speech organization, requiring students to develop and deliver speeches for various occasions, using a variety of delivery methods. Students will present out-of-the-classroom speeches as well as practice ghostwriting.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Further development of knowledge and skills learned in public speaking. This course emphasizes language, delivery, and speech organization, requiring students to develop and deliver speeches for various occasions, using a variety of delivery methods. Students will present out-of-the-classroom speeches as well as practice ghostwriting.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This is the first course in a two-course sequence in computational problem solving of engineering and scientific problems. The problems solved will stress the application of sequence, selection, repetitive, invocation operations, and arrays. The development of proper testing procedures to ensure computational accuracy will be stressed. Students, upon successful completion of this course, will be able to analyze introductory engineering and scientific problems, design, code, test, and document procedural software solutions.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This is the first course in a two-course sequence in computational problem solving of engineering and scientific problems. The problems solved will stress the application of sequence, selection, repetitive, invocation operations, and arrays. The development of proper testing procedures to ensure computational accuracy will be stressed. Students, upon successful completion of this course, will be able to analyze introductory engineering and scientific problems, design, code, test, and document procedural software solutions.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This is the second course in a two-course sequence in computational problem solving of engineering and scientific problems. This course will focus on object-oriented coding solutions and will cover the following topics: objects & classes, inheritance, pointers & dynamic memory allocation, data structures, and advanced controls and constructs.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This is the second course in a two-course sequence in computational problem solving of engineering and scientific problems. This course will focus on object-oriented coding solutions and will cover the following topics: objects & classes, inheritance, pointers & dynamic memory allocation, data structures, and advanced controls and constructs.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This is the second course in a two-course sequence in computational problem solving of engineering and scientific problems. This course will focus on object-oriented coding solutions and will cover the following topics: objects & classes, inheritance, pointers & dynamic memory allocation, data structures, and advanced controls and constructs.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This is the second course in a two-course sequence in computational problem solving of engineering and scientific problems. This course will focus on object-oriented coding solutions and will cover the following topics: objects & classes, inheritance, pointers & dynamic memory allocation, data structures, and advanced controls and constructs.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course provides an introduction to criminal justice. One of the primary goals of this course is to provide a general understanding of how the criminal justice system responds to crime in society. The main component parts of the criminal justice system (i.e., police, courts, and corrections) will be examined with a particular emphasis on developing an understanding of the behavior and interactions among the main actors in the criminal justice system. To accomplish this goal, we will examine how criminal cases are processed in the criminal justice system. We will also consider how external forces, such as political decisions, public opinion, and the media influence criminal justice decision-making. Students will also formulate, argue, and evaluate ethical perspectives regarding criminal justice systems, individual-level decisions, and recognize relationships with other ethical problems in society. Finally, throughout the course we will emphasize how the societal response to crime has evolved over time.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course provides an introduction to criminal justice. One of the primary goals of this course is to provide a general understanding of how the criminal justice system responds to crime in society. The main component parts of the criminal justice system (i.e., police, courts, and corrections) will be examined with a particular emphasis on developing an understanding of the behavior and interactions among the main actors in the criminal justice system. To accomplish this goal, we will examine how criminal cases are processed in the criminal justice system. We will also consider how external forces, such as political decisions, public opinion, and the media influence criminal justice decision-making. Students will also formulate, argue, and evaluate ethical perspectives regarding criminal justice systems, individual-level decisions, and recognize relationships with other ethical problems in society. Finally, throughout the course we will emphasize how the societal response to crime has evolved over time.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Understanding criminology and social justice or injustice embodies a study of the social, cultural, and institutional responses to and effects of inequality in any society. The course embodies rigorous intellectual engagement through a structure that includes a foundation in social justice and community and the development of critical thinking about efforts to address social justice issues. The course explores the relationship between poverty and inequality with racial and ethnic discrimination. Students will develop strategies to address at least one issue that each student identifies during the course.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Understanding criminology and social justice or injustice embodies a study of the social, cultural, and institutional responses to and effects of inequality in any society. The course embodies rigorous intellectual engagement through a structure that includes a foundation in social justice and community and the development of critical thinking about efforts to address social justice issues. The course explores the relationship between poverty and inequality with racial and ethnic discrimination. Students will develop strategies to address at least one issue that each student identifies during the course.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Develops understanding of theories, management processes, organizational capabilities and social implications of criminal justice technologies. Many categories of technology are considered, ranging from communications and records management, to special assault and protection tactics. Students consider the role of industry, government, and user groups in the historical development and legal/ethical use of specific technologies.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Develops understanding of theories, management processes, organizational capabilities and social implications of criminal justice technologies. Many categories of technology are considered, ranging from communications and records management, to special assault and protection tactics. Students consider the role of industry, government, and user groups in the historical development and legal/ethical use of specific technologies.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course focuses on the relationships between law and other social institutions, and examines the values and interests that are expressed in law and shaped by legal structures and processes. Consensus and conflict perspectives of the law are compared and contrasted, and applied to understanding the law's impact on everyday life. This course takes an explicit interdisciplinary approach to understanding law.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course focuses on the relationships between law and other social institutions, and examines the values and interests that are expressed in law and shaped by legal structures and processes. Consensus and conflict perspectives of the law are compared and contrasted, and applied to understanding the law's impact on everyday life. This course takes an explicit interdisciplinary approach to understanding law.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Introduction to the basic organizations of the correctional system, their functions and performance. Prisons and jails, as well as probation and parole agencies, are discussed with the context of historical and contemporary philosophy. Attention also is focused on decision-making functions, the role of various personnel within the correctional system and the population of offenders within it. Strategies for rehabilitation and their effectiveness are surveyed.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Introduction to the basic organizations of the correctional system, their functions and performance. Prisons and jails, as well as probation and parole agencies, are discussed with the context of historical and contemporary philosophy. Attention also is focused on decision-making functions, the role of various personnel within the correctional system and the population of offenders within it. Strategies for rehabilitation and their effectiveness are surveyed.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Criminal Law deals with the substantive and procedural criminal law. Characteristics of crimes against people, property, and the state will be examined. Emphasis will be placed on the nature of criminal conduct, the requirement of criminal intent, and legal causation. In addition, the principal defenses will be examined.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Criminal Law deals with the substantive and procedural criminal law. Characteristics of crimes against people, property, and the state will be examined. Emphasis will be placed on the nature of criminal conduct, the requirement of criminal intent, and legal causation. In addition, the principal defenses will be examined.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course examines the concepts, theories and environmental influences of juvenile offenders, the impact of the judicial system, control and corrections on juvenile justice. The course also examines the role of forces in the system including police, courts, community resources, and treatment.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course examines the concepts, theories and environmental influences of juvenile offenders, the impact of the judicial system, control and corrections on juvenile justice. The course also examines the role of forces in the system including police, courts, community resources, and treatment.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course provides an overview of the role of communities in crime and criminal justice. The course begins by laying a foundation in community theory. Students will gain an understanding of the critical dimensions and attributes which define community. From here the course will emphasize how these critical community dimensions are related to both crime and criminal justice. We will discuss the extent to which structural characteristics (e.g., poverty, residential mobility, etc.) and social processes (e.g., social capital, collective efficacy, etc.) are related to crime and disorder. The course will also examine the potential that exists within criminal justice to intervene in communities to reduce crime and disorder and build community in the process. Central to this will be a discussion of co-production (i.e., the intersection between formal and informal social control). The remainder of the course will examine how the major components of criminal justice (i.e., police, courts, and corrections) have attempted to intersect with communities. These topics will include community policing, comprehensive community initiatives, community problem-solving, community prosecution, restorative justice, and community corrections/offender re-entry.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course provides an overview of the role of communities in crime and criminal justice. The course begins by laying a foundation in community theory. Students will gain an understanding of the critical dimensions and attributes which define community. From here the course will emphasize how these critical community dimensions are related to both crime and criminal justice. We will discuss the extent to which structural characteristics (e.g., poverty, residential mobility, etc.) and social processes (e.g., social capital, collective efficacy, etc.) are related to crime and disorder. The course will also examine the potential that exists within criminal justice to intervene in communities to reduce crime and disorder and build community in the process. Central to this will be a discussion of co-production (i.e., the intersection between formal and informal social control). The remainder of the course will examine how the major components of criminal justice (i.e., police, courts, and corrections) have attempted to intersect with communities. These topics will include community policing, comprehensive community initiatives, community problem-solving, community prosecution, restorative justice, and community corrections/offender re-entry.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course examines the social and historical origins of the various police systems; police culture, role and career; police in the legal system; social and legal restraints on police practices; police discretion in practice; police and community; police organization and community control mechanisms.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course examines the social and historical origins of the various police systems; police culture, role and career; police in the legal system; social and legal restraints on police practices; police discretion in practice; police and community; police organization and community control mechanisms.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course will examine prostitution and vice in the United States and globally. Through empirical scholarship, various issues will be examined including issues faced by sex workers including crime, victimization, health and safety, and law and policy issues. Quality of life issues for communities will also be examined.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course will examine prostitution and vice in the United States and globally. Through empirical scholarship, various issues will be examined including issues faced by sex workers including crime, victimization, health and safety, and law and policy issues. Quality of life issues for communities will also be examined.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course focuses on domestic violence in the United States and globally. Various types of domestic violence will be examined, including intimate partner violence, child abuse, and elder abuse. The course will also examine criminal justice responses to domestic violence, including police, court processing of domestic violence cases and punishment of domestic violence offenders.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course focuses on domestic violence in the United States and globally. Various types of domestic violence will be examined, including intimate partner violence, child abuse, and elder abuse. The course will also examine criminal justice responses to domestic violence, including police, court processing of domestic violence cases and punishment of domestic violence offenders.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course focuses on sexual violence in the United States and globally. Various types of sexual violence will be examined, including incest, elder abuse, and male victimization. The course will also examine criminal justice responses to sexual violence, including police, court processing of sexual violence cases and punishment and treatment of sexual offenders.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course focuses on sexual violence in the United States and globally. Various types of sexual violence will be examined, including incest, elder abuse, and male victimization. The course will also examine criminal justice responses to sexual violence, including police, court processing of sexual violence cases and punishment and treatment of sexual offenders.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course provides students with an understanding of the recognized functions of courts in the American criminal justice system. Jurisdiction, policies and procedures of courts in the administration of criminal justice, including trial and appellate courts, will be discussed. Courts will be examined at the local, state and federal levels.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course provides students with an understanding of the recognized functions of courts in the American criminal justice system. Jurisdiction, policies and procedures of courts in the administration of criminal justice, including trial and appellate courts, will be discussed. Courts will be examined at the local, state and federal levels.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course deals with women as criminal offenders and as victims of crime, focusing upon theories about women in crime, types of crimes committed, patterns of criminality and the treatment of women offenders. Also examines the role of women as law enforcement officers, judges, lawyers and correctional officers in the criminal justice system.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course deals with women as criminal offenders and as victims of crime, focusing upon theories about women in crime, types of crimes committed, patterns of criminality and the treatment of women offenders. Also examines the role of women as law enforcement officers, judges, lawyers and correctional officers in the criminal justice system.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.