Availability: Director Shaun Huston is available via e-mail (gened@wou.edu) and phone (503-838-8296). His remote “drop-in” Student Hours are Wednesdays 10-11 and Fridays 2-3.
Petition review: will normally be conducted on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Feel free to let Director Huston know if a request is time-sensitive. To submit a petition and for more information: https://wou.edu/gened/petitions/
News & Updates
Welcome to Winter 2023!
FEATURED COURSES
CS 422 Demystifying Computer Science
This course is designed to demystify the subject of computer science to create citizen teachers and learners of this field, which is the 21st century literacy. In the process of studying what computer science is, we will address how it impacts society by considering biases within the tech field as well as the humanitarian application of writing code to make the world a better place.
HST 484 Health, Medicine and Gender in Historical Perspective
This course presents three key areas of analysis for the study of health, medicine and gender in historical perspective. The first concerns gendered ideas about sexuality and gender roles and how these relate to health care in history. The second is a comparative examination of women and men as health care providers in different cultures. The third is a focus on women and men as recipients of health care and as health care activists. (CRN 31233)
ES 340 Geospatial Techniques
Introduction to applied field and laboratory techniques used to capture, store, manipulate, visualize and analyze geospatial data. Geospatial techniques together with remote sensing, geographic information science, Global Positioning System (GPS), cartography, and spatial statistics are applied to understand complex spatial relationships and solve real-world environmental problems. Four hours of lecture and active learning per week.
CH 345 Introduction to Toxicology
Surveys general mechanisms underlying the effects of toxic compounds on biological systems. Topics covered include: poisons and toxic agents, biotransformation of xenobiotics, reproductive toxicology and teratology, analytical/forensic toxicology, chemical carcinogenesis and molecular toxicology.
HST 460 The Black Death
This class focuses on the epidemic that swept across Europe from 1347-52, affecting all those living, regardless of social status, age, gender, or religion. This course explores the nature of the epidemic-the disease itself, its spread, the fear and speculation it caused, and its societal devastation.
BI 370 Humans and the Environment
The study of how humans interact with their environment and the effect of the environment on human society. Topics include climate change, biodiversity, human population growth, environmental health, pollution, toxicology, agriculture, and forest management. Emphasis placed on ecological principles, scientific inquiry, and developing awareness of individual impact and agency in the context of environmental challenges. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory including field trips. Does not apply toward biology major.
GEOG 331 Environmental Justice
Introduction to environmental justice as a concept, a social and political movement, and a topic of analysis focused on the uneven social and geographic distribution of environmental harms such as air pollution and toxic waste. (CRN 31257)
COM 430 Social Media and Culture
Examines the history, theory, technology and uses of social media. Focus on the relationship between technical affordance of a technology and the social norms of a user community in order to better understand the complexities of engaging with emerging technologies.
HE 341 Environmental Health
This is an introductory environmental health course examining population growth, environmentally-linked disease, and health concerns associated with toxic substances, food quality, air pollution, water pollution, noise, solid and hazardous waste, and pesticide use. Scientific topics will studied in a global context, and will be discussed in light of society, technological, and economic systems that impact our collective environment.
HST 484 Health, Medicine and Gender in Historical Perspective
This course presents three key areas of analysis for the study of health, medicine and gender in historical perspective. The first concerns gendered ideas about sexuality and gender roles and how these relate to health care in history. The second is a comparative examination of women and men as health care providers in different cultures. The third is a focus on women and men as recipients of health care and as health care activists.
PS 447 Environmental Politics & Policy
An analysis of the history, politics and implementation of national environmental policy and the most important environmental laws and organizations. (CRN 31221)
PS 447 Environmental Politics and Public Policy
An analysis of the history, politics and implementation of national environmental policy and the most important environmental laws and organizations.
GS 325 Learning Science through Scientific Practice
Introduces students to learning science through scientific practices of scientific inquiry and engineering design, and the connection of science and technology to everyday lives. Students examine life, Earth and physical sciences content through collaborative learning projects. (CRN 30334 & 30335)
BI 441 Human Heredity
Basic principles of human inheritance, including patterns of traits, chromosomes, sex determination, how DNA is connected to traits, and DNA technology used for diagnostics. Not open for credit to biology majors or biology minors; may not be used in a degree in addition to BI 314, Introductory Genetics. BI 541 is designed for graduate students in education or related fields. (CRN 30529 & 30997)
ED 466 Technology in Inclusive Early Childhood Environments
This course is designed to explore trends, issues and tools related to the use of technology with young children from birth-8 years of all abilities in inclusive settings. Students will gain experience identifying, evaluating and using a variety of technologies that are appropriate for use with young children and their families.
BI 302 Evolution and Infectious Disease
This course explores how evolution has enabled and impacted infectious diseases and their causative microbial agents, emphasizing outbreaks over the last 100 years. Study the basic biology of bacteria and viruses, the genetic and selective processes that drive microbial evolution, and the impact of historic and ongoing technological advances in prevention, treatment, diagnostics, and detection.
GEOG 480 Nature in the American West
Examines historical and contemporary importance of nature, as concept and physical reality, to the economies, cultures and politics of the American West. Specific topics and areas of focus will vary each term. (CRN 31538)
ANTH 494 Northwest Native Nations
A survey of indigenous peoples of Northwestern North America, including the Northwest Coast, the Columbia-Fraser Plateau and the Great Basin. Emphasis on adaptation to particular environments and interactions with other cultures in both pre- and post-contact periods.
GEOG 331 Environmental Justice
Introduction to environmental justice as a concept, a social and political movement, and a topic of analysis focused on the uneven social and geographic distribution of environmental harms such as air pollution and toxic waste.
ANTH 395 Medical Anthropology
Examines the place of the visual in anthropological analysis. Introduces some of the techniques and theories used to analyze visual images. Students investigate aspects of visual anthropology through readings, discussions, independent research and projects.
PHIL 255 Environmental Ethics
Comprises a study of the unique moral relationship and responsibilities that humans have to the non-human environment. Topics may include: global warming, endangered species, pollution, food production and consumption, limited resources and energy.
ES 324 Living with Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Course explores the impact of earthquakes and volcanoes on humans and the environment throughout history. Study the mechanisms that cause earthquakes and volcanoes, threats to people, infrastructure, and natural resources in the western United States, and how technologic advances can be used to mitigate hazards and reduce risk.
CS 340 Computer Ethics
Acquaints students with the contemporary or possible future moral problems that might arise due to computerization. Gives students a deeper understanding of the nature of morality or the nature of society. Helps students understand the relationship between deep human needs, socioeconomic institutions and technology.
LIT 382 Cultural Trauma & Memory
This course examines how cultural traumas are memorialized in literary and aesthetic texts. We will read key theoretical texts on trauma and memory from various academic disciplines. Drawing on interdisciplinary trauma and memory studies, we will analyze representations of culture trauma in literature, film, or other arts. Topics explored may include genocide and reconciliation, intergenerational memory, insidious and everyday violence, and trauma as experienced within non-Western memory systems. (CRN 31486)
HST 496 Empire and Environment
Examines the ways in which colonial empires impacted the environment of conquered lands and the influence of the environment on colonial policies.
GEOG 480 Nature in the American West
Examines historical and contemporary importance of nature, as concept and physical reality, to the economies, cultures and politics of the American West. Specific topics and areas of focus will vary each term.
COM 380 Environmental Communication
An overview of the rhetorical, mass mediated, organizational, interpersonal and political communication dimensions of environmental studies. Critical analysis and practical application of environmental communication concepts and strategies.
GEOG 391 Biogeography
Historical and ecological perspectives in analyzing plant and animal distributions. Topics include: speciation, extinction, dispersal, biodiversity and human impacts or biotic distributions.
BI 441 Human Heredity
Basic principles of human inheritance, including patterns of traits, chromosomes, sex determination, how DNA is connected to traits, and DNA technology used for diagnostics.
ES 420 Medical Geology
Focus on the emerging specialty discipline of medical geology, the study of the effect of geological phenomena on animal and human health. The public health effects of Earth materials and geological processes are well established.
CS 340 Computer Ethics
Acquaints students with the contemporary or possible future moral problems that might arise due to computerization. Gives students a deeper understanding of the nature of morality or the nature of society. Helps students understand the relationship between deep human needs, socioeconomic institutions and technology. (CRN 31321 & 31460)
BI 224 Health and Human Evolution
Evolutionary medicine integrates evolutionary biology, anthropology and medicine to improve our understanding of human health, disease, and disease prevention. This course will introduce students to fundamental concepts of evolutionary medicine and students will practice applying these concepts to modern human health concerns like diet, physical activity, mental health, contagious disease, and genetic impacts on health.
LIT 382 Cultural Trauma and Memory
This course examines how cultural traumas are memorialized in literary and aesthetic texts. We will read key theoretical texts on trauma and memory from various academic disciplines. Drawing on interdisciplinary trauma and memory studies, we will analyze representations of culture trauma in literature, film, or other arts.
WR 401 Writing Across Media
Experience with principles of media theory and media genre conventions that affect the display of digital writing.
PHIL 252 Medical Ethics
Examines and critically evaluates contemporary issues in medical ethics. Overview of both theoretical and applied issues. Topics may include: patients’ rights, privacy of personal medical information, problems surrounding death and dying including the issues of physician-assisted suicide and medical research including issues of human cloning and stem cell research.
GS 325 Science Inquiry and Design
Introduces students to learning science through scientific practices of scientific inquiry and engineering design, and the connection of science and technology to everyday lives. Students examine life, Earth and physical sciences content through collaborative learning projects.
HST 446 Pandemics and Crises in Latin America
A study of pandemics and crises, including natural disasters and their social, political and economic impact, in Latin America since pre-colonial times until present days.
COM 430 Social Media and Culture
Examines the history, theory, technology and uses of social media. Focus on the relationship between technical affordance of a technology and the social norms of a user community in order to better understand the complexities of engaging with emerging technologies. (CRN 30691)
Military Veterans and Active Duty Personnel
Make sure you file your Joint Services Transcript with the registrar’s office. You may have filled some General Education requirements already.
GENERAL EDUCATION CONTACT
Phone: 503-838-8296 | E-mail: gened@wou.edu | Location: Instructional Technology Center
