Course Descriptions - General Studies

GES110 • College Writing (3 credits)
Focuses on the knowledge and skills necessary for successful college-level academic research and writing. Emphasizes writing as a process that includes planning/prewriting, drafting, revision, and editing, and affords multiple experiences of the process. Topics include thesis formulation, development, and support; conventions of writing (grammar, usage, and mechanics); ownership of information and creative work (issues of plagiarism, copyright, and ethical management of information); and information literacy competencies. Students are required to perform in-depth research that involves gathering, reading, and evaluating information, and to write a formal research paper that synthesizes information from a variety of properly documented sources. Offered Online.

GES305K • HIV/AIDS: Anatomy of a Pandemic (3 credits)
Exploration of the history, biology, and social and global impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic since discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus in 1983. Evaluation of technological advances that have generated anti-retroviral therapies, technological challenges that have prevented vaccine development, and social factors related to availability of medical treatment. Prerequisites: Laboratory Science (D) course; Mathematics (M) course. Blended (online and classroom) format.

GES311K • Forensics: The Science of Crime (3 credits)
An introduction to the roles that biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology play in criminal investigations. Discovery, identification, and comparison of physical evidence using various current techniques. Discussion of the processes and limitations of scientific knowledge.  Prerequisites: Laboratory Science (D) course; Mathematics (M) course. Offered online.

GES338K • Great Controversies in Science and Technology (3 credits)
Overview of great scientific controversies past and present. Topics include: science versus religion, age of the earth, evolution and creation, global warming, and energy issues. Relationships between science and society with particular emphasis on discerning the difference between scientific results, popular consensus, and societal pressures.  Prerequisites: Laboratory Science (D) course; Mathematics (M) course. 

GES410P • Family Life Cycle (3 credits)
Study of the stages in the family life cycle, with attention to the factors that cause the family unit to separate during the cycle. Special emphasis on studying one’s own family of origin in light of both Scripture and society’s messages about what family should be. Opportunity to consider preparation for one’s own future family development. Prerequisites: Senior standing; GES110 College Writing or GES245 Western Humanity in Christian Perspective III; Nature of Persons (N) course; THE201 Christian Theology; Comparative Systems (G) course.

GES421P • Social Justice and Christian Responsibility (3 credits)
Attempts to understand selected themes of social justice in the United States and the global community. Examines viewpoints of different groups of Christians concerning issues such as the market economy and business, the positive and negative consequences of international trade, the debate about the fairness of public policies in the United States, and the global community. Explores possible actions of concerned and compassionate Christians in collaboration with others to address problems of social injustice. Prerequisites: Senior standing; GES110 College Writing or GES245 Western Humanity in Christian Perspective III; Nature of Persons (N) course; THE201 Christian Theology; Comparative Systems (G) course.

GES428P • Theology of Suffering (3 credits)
An examination of biblical and contemporary Judeo-Christian understandings of loss, illness, suffering, and death. Exploration of varieties of human sufferings, biblical perspectives on suffering and death, and contemporary religious views on the meaning of life, death, and suffering. Student identifies human sufferings and creates own theology of  suffering.  Prerequisites: Senior standing; GES110 College Writing or GES245 Western Humanity in Christian Perspective III; Nature of Persons (N) course; THE201 Christian Theology; Comparative Systems (G) course.

GES444P • Christians and Conflict (3 credits)
Examination of how we are called as Christians to respond to interpersonal conflicts that continually exist in our lives. Emphasis on analyzing many different types of interpersonal conflicts, which include conflicts in friendships, marriages, parent/child relationships, workplaces, and churches. Analyzes conflict as it is portrayed in the media, including conflicts that are currently making headlines in the news. Prerequisites: Senior standing; GES110 or GES245; Nature of Persons (N) course; THE201; Comparative Systems (G) course.

GES453P • Ethics and Faith in the Workplace (3 credits)
Practical application of what it takes to function as a Christian in today’s workplace. Emphasis on the transition from college to a professional environment, focusing on personal maturity, workplace ethics, and lifelong Christian growth and service. Prerequisites: Senior standing; GES110 College Writing or GES245 Western Humanity in Christian Perspective III; Nature of Persons (N) course; THE201 Christian Theology; Comparative Systems (G) course. Blended (online and classroom) format.