The following courses were selected to give students a head start on fulfilling Penn State degree requirements:
CAS 100A: Effective Speech for STEM Majors
3 Credits
Principles of communication, implemented through presentation of speeches, with some attention to group discussion and message evaluation. CAS 100A Effective Speech (3) (GWS) This general education course studies the purposeful use of oral communication as a means of addressing practical problems, both professional and civic. It is designed to introduce students to principles of effective public speaking, implemented through the design and presentation of individual speeches and through practice in message analysis and evaluation. Class size is limited, and class meetings involve considerable attention to developing public speaking skills through in-class activities, collaborative learning, peer critiques, and analysis of public speeches and other messages. At least three individual, graded speeches are required in this course. Additional presentations (graded or non-graded) may be required by some instructors. Course work may also include instruction and practice in group decision making. Assessment includes evaluation by examination (one or two; no final exam is given in the course) and by occasional quizzes and other activities, all of which emphasize the mastery and application of the conceptual content of the course. Public presentations are evaluated for content, organization, and presentation.
During the summer program, engagement opportunities with STEM industry in the Lehigh Valley will be infused into this course and will occur outside of structured course time. This includes field trips to industry partners, invitations to on-campus STEM speakers and events, and opportunities for STEM mentorship. Presentation of speeches will center on engagement experiences, topics, and research.
GLIS 101N: Globalization
3 Credits
This course provides a broad introduction to the topic of global studies. This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements. This interdisciplinary course explores how people and nations confront the phenomenon of globalization, presenting different perspectives for studying and making sense of the world. Students are exposed to a variety of analytical approaches from the arts, humanities and social sciences to allow them to see how different perspectives portray the world, interpret events, and often shape human actions. The course begins from a humanities perspective, exploring the concept of social identity, in particular understanding how people in different cultures develop a sense of their identity and how this is perpetuated over time through a society's products, practices, and perspectives (e.g. artifacts, value systems, traditions). The focus then shifts to organizations in society, comparing how they operate with either national or global identities. This leads to an exploration of how information and communication technologies are tools to create both global connectivity yet can also be a source of division. Globalization is then considered in terms of its impact on the natural environment, populations, and health. Challenges arising in each of these areas are the concern of all global citizens and are explored in terms of how interdependencies are increasing their impact. The focus of the course progresses to gender, poverty, and human rights, exploring these in tandem with their literary representations, presented in both global and comparative contexts. Economic development models are also used to uncover trends in gender and poverty. The final focus is on global peace and conflict, highlighting how globalization, in bringing people and nations closer together, can also give rise to conflict and division.
This course is one of two 100-level courses that are required for the GLIS major. While this course focuses on a general introduction to global studies as a field of study, GLIS 102N complements the topics raised here, exploring many from a range of different perspectives to prepare students for choosing their options through the major.
MATH 97: Special Topics
1 Credit
Math97 provides personal instruction and math support to students. Working with an instructor, students will identify and develop skills necessary for success in STEM courses that requiring analytical thinking and problem solving.