Course Schedule and Catalog

Long Title: INTERMEDIATE CANTONESE (MCMURTRY)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: This course is a further accelerated investigation of spoken Cantonese in practical applications. The course will first review fundamental vocabulary and grammatical concepts. Then, more complex topics and scenarios will be covered, with a focus on conversation-based vocabulary. The course will be discussion based to reinforce material taught in class.

Long Title: INTRODUCTION TO CANTONESE (MARTEL)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: This course is provided as an introduction to spoken Cantonese, a language that is widely used in Hong Kong and Chinatowns. Students will learn expressions like greetings, sentence structure and essential vocabulary that are used in everyday communication with native speakers. The class time will include vocabulary learning and application, quizzes and mini-games to help remembering the new words and grammatical structures. Besides language, students will also be exposed to Southern Chinese culture, especially Hong Kong culture. They may watch video clips about Hong Kong culture and Hong Kong movies. No written Cantonese is taught and no prior knowledge to Chinese is required.

Long Title: HANDS-ON WITH THE MAKER MOVEMENT (JONES)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory

Credit Hours: 1

Description: This course seeks to give students a general understanding of tools and fabrication techniques while also introducing them to the maker movement.

Long Title: WEB APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT (DUNCAN)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: This course will explore topics in web-based application development and deployment using the latest industry-standard technologies. By the end of the course, students will have a fundamental understanding of how web-based applications function and the knowledge and tools necessary to build their own web applications.

Long Title: STEM CELL BIOLOGY AND RESEARCH (HANSZEN)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: This course will provide students with biological information on stem cells, furthering their knowledge of human biology. Students will also be introduced to current research and clinical trials being done in the field, through guest lectures from TMC, and encouraged to analyze the validity of sensationalist news articles.

Long Title: THE BASICS OF KNITTING AND YARNWORK (MARTEL)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: Have you always wanted to learn how to knit? Do you know the basics but want to learn more? In this class students will be introduced to the basics of knitting and will expand their skills through a series of projects. All skill levels are welcome to join!

Long Title: MUSIC MEDIA ANALYSIS OF FEMALE HIP HOP ARTISTS (DUNCAN)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 1

Description: The purpose of this course is to equip undergraduate students with critical analytic ability to read visual and auditory text, be able to analyze a music video and identify communicative strata and to familiarize students with international hip hop artists.

Long Title: INTRODUCTION TO PHOTOSHOP (SID RICH)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory

Credit Hours: 1

Description: Have you ever considered learning Photoshop? If not now, when? We will be exploring the basics of the program (tools, terminology, shortcuts, etc.) and its applications (more than just pictures). Our goal is to provide a solid foundation that will enable further individual development after the class is over.

Long Title: BIOFUELS PRODUCTION: TECHNOLOGY & POLICY (BAKER)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory

Credit Hours: 1

Description: The objective of this course is to instruct students on emerging and existing biofuels technology, as well as the global, national, and local policy surrounding biofuels.

Long Title: VIDEO GAMES AS AN ART FORM (BAKER)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: This course is meant as an introduction to viewing video games as a form of creative self-expression by examining the central themes of several popular games. It will encourage students to view games not merely as entertainment, but as an art form that often provides some type of commentary.

Long Title: THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF MUSICALS-AN ANALYSIS OF MUSICALS FROM BROADWAY TO DISNEY (DUNCAN)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: The purpose of this course is to help students achieve an understanding of and appreciation for the deeper meanings behind musical theatre and film. This class will address what the musical perspective adds to the story and will provide the students with the tools to critically evaluate these differences.

Long Title: CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF ANIME (DUNCAN)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: This course will consist of case studies highlighting unique elements within the anime industry. Discussion topics will touch on different thematic interpretations between the East and West and culturally relevant perspectives on social and philosophical topics. Students will also encounter discussions on translation, animation studios, and the anime creation process.

Long Title: INTRODUCTION TO EMERGING AND FUTURISTIC TECHNOLOGY (HANSZEN)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 1

Description: The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the science behind the technological advancements of the near future as well as a forum for discussion of their impacts on our lives. Topics such as genetic engineering, nanotechnology, brain-machine interface, artificial intelligence, and mind-uploading will be covered.

Long Title: INDIAN CINEMA & POLITICS (JONES)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 1

Description: This course will allow students to gain an introductory view of the various filmmaking industries in India divided by language, culture and politics. Each film will be accompanied by a discussion of the interplay between the political and social background of the film and the region from which it originates and the aesthetics and filmic language used, in the context of a discussion on “national cinema.” Throughout the course, students will view approximately 10 films and prepare to discuss and evaluate them during class sessions. By the end of the course, students will have a basic understanding of filmic language, what constitutes "national cinema," and a broad view of Indian cinema.

Long Title: BASIC SKILLS IN BATON TWIRLING (MARTEL)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Activity Course

Credit Hours: 1

Description: This course will be an introduction to the sport of baton twirling. Students will learn a variety of basic skills under the supervision of the instructor. Throughout the semester, students will also learn a short routine that will be performed in small groups on the last day of class. Batons will be provided.

Long Title: ETHICS OF JOURNALISM (MCMURTRY)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 1

Description: This class will cover the tenets of ethical journalism as outlined by the SPJ guidelines. Students will analyze whether news articles from different media outlets are biased and follow the SPJ guidelines. We will discuss whether journalists should be social advocates – is cold, hard news really the best journalistic mindset?

Long Title: THE STRUCTURE OF SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTIONS (SID RICH)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: An introduction to philosophical and social scientific understandings of the practice of science, primarily through the lens of Thomas Kuhn's The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. Students will be challenged to think of the ways in which Structure and its implications apply to their disciplines and to everyday life.

Long Title: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF CHILDREN'S LITERATURE (WIESS)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 1

Description: By examining the creative minds of children’s book authors, students will gain a better understanding of and appreciation for the process it takes to develop picture books. At the end of the course, participants will travel to an elementary school to share their favorite children’s book with a child.

Long Title: SHORT FORM IMPROV: WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? (LOVETT)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 1

Description: This is a course in the practical training of comedic, short-form, improvisation. Students will learn how to craft scenes spontaneously using tools like character dynamic, status, beat structuring, and agreement.

Long Title: ZOMBIES: THE RISING POPULARITY OF THE UNDEAD IN POPULAR CULTURE (BAKER)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Long Title: PSYCHOLOGY OF THE BLACK EXPERIENCE (BROWN)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Long Title: COMPARATIVE COLLEGE GOVERNMENTS (HANSZEN)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: The course will compare the structures of the college governments using analytical tools and concepts from comparative political science. It’ll then analyze how these similarities and differences play into interaction with other actors. Finally, it’ll make comparisons more broadly between other institutions of higher education and full-fledged political governments.

Long Title: SEEDS OF CHANGE: HOW FOOD CULTURE CAN GROW COMMUNITY (JONES)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: In what ways can food bring or not bring people together? Through case studies, we seek to examine different food systems around the world, aspects of these systems that contribute to community creation, and how changing aspects of the food system can influence larger societal structures.

Long Title: BEER BIIIIIKE: EXPLORING THE RICE TRADITION (JONES)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 1

Description: What is Beer Bike? Does a similar tradition exist elsewhere? This course aims to answer these questions and explore the history and cultural implications of Beer Bike by examining the tradition through the lenses of the residential colleges, the university, and the outside community.

Long Title: BUILDING A TEAM IN THE MODERN NBA (LOVETT)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: Students will study the various tools of an NBA general manager. These include the NBA Draft, free agency, and trading. Students will also study league-wide issues such as “Tanking”, “Super Teams”, and the disparity between small and large markets. Through this class, students will better understand the NBA landscape.

Long Title: HOW TO SUCCEED IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS (LOVETT)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 1

Description: Students will learn the music business and its various digital platforms. The course will focus on familiarizing students with the various roles individuals and organizations play in the music world. Topics will include record labels, recording contracts, music production, distribution, promotion, and brand development.

Long Title: CULT CLASSIC FILMS (MCMURTRY)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: This course will examine the influence and unique subcultures of so-called “cult classic” films – films that typically did not achieve widespread success but nevertheless garnered a dedicated, passionate fan base. Films include The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Donnie Darko, The Big Lebowski, Shaun of the Dead, and others.

Long Title: INTRODUCTION TO DEVELOPMENT: SOCIAL JUSTICE APPROACHES TO GLOBAL INEQUALITIES (MCMURTRY)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: Course will explore principles of international development in an accessible manner, utilizing books, articles, TED Talks, and documentaries. Various global inequalities will be explored through the lens of social justice, including issues related to gender, health, education, religion, and migration. Culminates in final project analyzing student’s issue of choice.

Long Title: INTRODUCTION TO LEED AND GREEN BUILDINGS (MCMURTRY)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: Appropriate for sustainability enthusiasts and young professionals alike, this class serves as an introduction to green buildings and delves deeply into related concepts such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) checklists, green building economics, and sustainable construction techniques and technologies.

Long Title: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE MODERN GREEK LANGUAGE (MCMURTRY)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: This course is designed to teach students the fundamentals of speaking, reading, and writing Modern Greek. The course will cover the Greek alphabet, pronunciation, and basic expressions. Further, it will cover useful vocabulary for various situations including family, food, restaurants, shopping, etc. Also, simple grammatical concepts will also be discussed.

Long Title: ADULTHOOD: THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF LIFE AFTER COLLEGE (WILL RICE)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: A philosophical and pragmatic guide to navigating life after college. This class draws from philosophical, neuroscience, literature, and contemporary culture. The class will include both discussion-focused lectures exploring what it means to be an adult and hands-on sessions focusing on the skills vital to the adult repertoire.

Long Title: INTRODUCTION TO ASTROBIOLOGY (WILL RICE)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: In this introduction to Astrobiology, we will explore what makes planets habitable, how the Earth became a livable world, and how scientists hunt for alien planets.

Long Title: HOW TO BE HAPPY (DUNCAN)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: This course will combine experiential learning, practical applications, readings, interactive lectures, videos, and discussions to foster an understanding of what happiness means to you! Students will become well-versed in the scientific and personal skills needed to create life perspective and define your personal happiness on a daily basis.

Long Title: IPAS TO IBUS: A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO BEER (WILL RICE)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: This course will focus on exposing and educating novice beer drinkers to different varieties of this beverage. Students will gain an understanding of what makes a style of beer different from another beyond taste and appearance. Due to the necessity of sampling, this class will be limited to ages 21+.

Long Title: THE WIRE: TELEVISION AS TEXT, CITY AS CHARACTER (WIESS)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 1

Description: This course will examine the HBO series The Wire, which explores the Baltimore drug trade in relation to law enforcement, urban decay, politics, education, and media. Students are required to watch 60 episodes of the series, write blog responses, participate in class discussions, and produce a final project.

Long Title: INTRODUCTION TO GUITAR (BROWN)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory

Credit Hours: 1

Description: This course covers the basic theories and techniques essential to all guitarists. Students who complete the course will be able to interpret their favorite songs and be well prepared to continue their journey as guitarists. Guitar required.

Long Title: SYMPHONIES AND STORIES (MCMURTRY)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: Modern classical music is intimidating. This class will help students find music that they can relate to through comparisons to popular music and through the development of a rudimentary language for discussing music. Students will learn active listening skills and apply their knowledge of a piece of music listening.

Long Title: INTRO TO FLAMENCO DANCING (BAKER)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: Flamenco dancing is a beautiful art form originating from Spain that is underrepresented in America. This intro to flamenco dancing will challenge Rice student’s opinions of flamenco through lecture and dance practices in order to foster the culture of global awareness in students on campus.

Long Title: COMPETITIVE SUPER SMASH BRTOHERS MELEE (MARTEL/BROWN)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: This class involves analysis of gameplay, the theory behind different options, and the improvement of one's skill in the video game Super Smash Brothers Melee.

Long Title: APPLIED PEER LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 1

Description: This class is designed to assist O-Week Coordinators in the critique, design, development and execution of a comprehensive presentation and new student transition program for freshmen and transfer students. Instructor Permission Required.

Long Title: TEACHING PRACTICUM

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Internship/Practicum

Credit Hours: 1

Description:  Repeatable for Credit.

Long Title: INTRODUCTION TO LAW (LOVETT)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: This class is to introduce students to the legal system. Students will be given a preview of what life is like for first year law students. It will include such topics as the basic principles of Tort, Contract, Criminal, and Criminal Procedure law, and include a moot court problem.

Long Title: COOKING WITH CHEF ROGER (WIESS)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Laboratory

Credit Hours: 1

Description: Cooking with Chef Roger teaches the students the fundamentals of cooking, help them to cook healthy delicious meals. The class also gives the students a clear idea about shopping for fresh ingredients, how to host successful parties. Students must pay a $50.00 fee on the first day of class. The second week of classes is the last day to withdraw with a refund.

Long Title: CYBERCRIME (LOVETT)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 2

Description: This class will introduce students to the current issues in cybercrime. It will include topics such as auction fraud, hacking, and identity theft. Students will read and discuss the statutes and cases that govern each area. Each class will have a fact scenario that will be analyzed using Federal and State law.

Long Title: RICE AFRICAN MUSIC ENSEMBLE (MCMURTRY)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory

Credit Hours: 1

Description: Students will build rudimentary marimbas based on plans from Carl Dean’s book Making Marimbas. The class will study traditional marimba music from Zimbabwe, drumming rhythms from Ghana and traditional African stories and games. The ensemble will prepare for a final concert in collaboration with the Rice African Student Association (RASA). Repeatable for Credit.

Long Title: BLACK MEN WRITING ABOUT THEIR WORLD: DU BOIS, BALDWIN, AND THEIR HEIRS (WIESS)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 1

Description: For Black men, what good are essays? This course explores the writerly activism, historical imagination, and the consequence of some of the best known work of W.E.B. Du Bois, James Baldwin, and several of their 21st century heirs. Taking cues from the subjects of the course, students will also get ample practice using the essay as a way to describe, analyze, and affect the contemporary black male condition. Permission of Instructor required. Instructor Permission Required.

Long Title: YEEZUS WALKS: THE CAREER AND CONTEXT OF KANYE WEST

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: Kanye West serves perfectly as a focal point for many contemporary social concepts, including African-American history, political alienation of minorities, portrayals of African-Americans in contemporary media, and the prevalence of sexism and racism throughout our country. Throughout this course, we will discuss the music, public image, and constant storm that surrounds Kanye in an attempt to access the intersectionality of race, gender, class, politics, and privilege in our country. Through the juxtaposition of Kanye’s music with readings from contemporary pieces on African-American history and sociology, we will attempt to decide if Kanye should be depicted as a paragon of the black intelligentsia, the villain of pop culture, or an admittedly flawed hero.

Long Title: POLICING AND TRUST (MCMURTRY)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: The public’s expectations and its trust of law enforcement in America are varied and wide. It may depend on race, age, social economic status, geography and personal experiences. This course will examine conditions and issues that erode public trust as well as strategies that foster trust. Topics examined will include police use of force; citizen’s constitutional rights; racial profiling; and community policing.

Long Title: BLACK IN SCHOOL: READINGS IN RACE AND EDUCATION (WIESS)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: Black in School: Readings in Race and Education: A study of key works in the humanities and social sciences grappling with the ways that race (especially blackness) continues to affect what transpires in the nation's schools-from kindergarten to college, and in our finest and most needy schools alike. Instructor Permission Required.

Long Title: SCIENTIA: LECTURES IN SCIENCE AND CULTURE

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: Annual lecture series, panel discussions and discussion talks on topics bridging science, culture and art. 4 lectures plus 2 discussion talks. Lectures are on specified dates, usually Tuesdays. Discussion talks scheduled at semester beginning. Topics vary year to year. Cross-list: UNIV 299. Repeatable for Credit.

Long Title: PEDAGOGY FOR STUDENT INSTRUCTORS

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory

Credit Hours: 1

Description: In the first three weeks we will guide each student in the development of a proposal for a Student Taught Course. In the remaining four weeks we will learn and practice techniques of effective instruction.