In Christianity and Judaism, gender roles have historically been informed by varied interpretations of their sacred texts. This course focuses on issues related to gender (including such topics as the roles and relationships of female and male characters) situated in the historical contexts of when these scriptural texts were written and initially received. Students will investigate and critique the transmission and interpretations of these traditions up to the present day.

Readings in Greek and Roman mythology, epic poetry, and short poetry with attention to the cultural and literary context of these works of literature, including the literary construction of gender. This course includes the study of selected works of English literature that have been influenced by the Greek and Roman literary tradition.

An introduction to Gender Studies, an interdisciplinary field that asks critical questions about the meanings of sex and gender in society. Students will examine key issues, questions and debates in Gender Studies, both historical and contemporary, and will analyze the multiple ways that sex and gender have interacted with and continue to intersect with race, class, nationality and other social identities, including religious ones.

Equip students in academic reading and writing in order to fulfill scholarly expectations and develop academic literacy, critical thinking, and application skills at the graduate level. Through the process of reading and analyzing scholarly journal articles, including theories and cases in interdisciplinary fields such as leadership, students will become responsible for academic integrity and confident in engaging and communicating in graduate-level academic writing such as article reviews, case studies, and literature reviews.

This course introduces students to the foundation of generative artificial intelligence (AI) from various lenses including a Christian worldview. Students will focus on analyzing ethical issues, risks, and biases commonly found in AI outputs and explore methods for more effective and appropriate use as their mode of inquiry. With examining and discussing its current topics and future technological trends, students will be equipped with practical approaches to their current and future social context.

A scientific investigation of the various aspects of soil as a natural resource. Topics include: physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of soils applied in the context of soil formation, soil classification and land use, agriculture, and environmental engineering. Soil mapping and spatial distribution of soils is also considered. Field trips and field studies are required.

The scientific examination of the physical processes which shape landform development, structure, and dynamics. Topics include: weathering, slope systems, fluvial and coastal environments, and glacial and periglacial systems. Special emphasis is placed on deciphering past events from current landscape structures. Field trips and field studies are required.

Introduction to the geological causes and characteristics of natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, landslides, floods, weather-related events, and climate change. The focus will be on understanding how the natural hazards affect us in everyday life and how we can predict the hazard, prevent, or moderate the hazard to avoid a natural disaster.

An overview of the fundamental earth science processes responsible for the creation, transformation, and ongoing physical development of western North America. These processes are studied in the context of the building of the North American continent through tectonic forces and surface dynamics. Topics include: geologic time, tectonics, volcanology, seismology, stratigraphy, glaciation, erosion, paleontology, paleoclimatology, and environmental issues.

An introduction to the materials and processes of the physical earth: rocks and minerals, earth structure and composition, plate tectonics, volcanology, seismology, crustal deformation, weathering and erosion, slope movement, sedimentation, wind and water processes, glaciation, and geologic time. Earth materials and processes are studied in the laboratory and in the field. This course is an environmental studies core requirement.