Prerequisite Grade

Any course listed in this department with a prerequisite assumes a grade of C– or better in the prerequisite course.

121 Culture and Civic Responsibility

This course introduces students to program themes, including diversity (issues of race, class and gender), the environment, democracy, the arts and service learning. Lectures and discussions are complimented by a cultural workshop, a visit to Glide Memorial Church and attendance at art events. STudents are required to devote time each week to a service-learning project, write essays, intellectual integrations and a self-assessment. Class sessions are supplemented by a biweekly activity lab. Prerequisites: English 4, and level 2 of foreign language. Sophomore standing required. 

122 Environmental Responsibility in a Global Community 

Taken the semester immediately following L&CS 121 whenever possible, this courses focuses on the natural world in which we lie, and the complex interrelationship between human activities, the values which determine these activities and their consequences for the environment. Different societies' belief systems along with their responsibilities and attitudes toward the environment are examined. Students are required to devote time each week to a service-learning project, write essays, intellectual integrations and a self-assessment. Class sessions are supplemented by a biweekly activity lab. Prerequisites: L&CS 121, English 5, Collegiate Seminar 20/110. 

123 Modern Global Issues

The purpose of this course is to gain broad-based exposure to some of the cultural, political and economic issues related to and arising from the processes of globalization. Students will study recent critical dialogues and philosophies of globalization, including issues of ethnicity/race, gender, identity, urban culture, post-nationalism, multiculturalism and post-colonial studies. Students are require to participate in class, lead discussion, write essays and news articles responses, give an oral presentation and complete a midterm exam.   Prerequisite: L&CS 121 or permission of instructor.

127 Praxis: Community Service (.25)
129 Praxis: REACH program (.25)

The Praxis courses are a sequence of two optional .25-credit courses. Offered every semester, these courses enable students to involve themselves in exploration of the arts, community service, or public policy. In addition to field work (e.g., attending plays or museums; doing community service; working in student government, environmental projects, or in a political campaign), students meet frequently to discuss their experiences. They produce a culminating paper or project. This course may be repeated for credit as content varies.

Senior Capstone I 

Democracy and Active Citizenship: This is the capstone course of the Liberal and Civic Studies Program. It involves a careful examination of the assumptions upon which democracy is based and the work of citizen groups who are addressing America’s social problems, from education and government to human services, jobs and the media. The course also examines the possible challenges that the current generation will face in the future. Students complete a research project that is designed to integrate L&CS core courses with service-learning work, and culminates in a formal paper and group presentation to the SMC community. This course has a biweekly activity lab. Prerequisites: L&CS 123

Education, Democracy and Active Citizenship: This is the capstone course of the L&CS Program for the students in the Teachers for Tomorrow Program.  Democracy and citizenship are examined with the unique challenges that the current generation will face in the future. This course also focuses on educational issues that are of special concern to the future teacher.  Students complete a research project that is designed to integrate L&CS core courses with service-learning work, and culminates in a formal paper and group presentation to the SMC community.  This course has a biweekly activity lab. Prerequisites: L&CS 123

Senior Capstone II (.50)

Students take this course in the semester immediately after Senior Capstone I.  The course, which consists of eight sessions, assists students in preparing their academic portfolios and themselves for their assessment interview, which occurs in the latter part of the semester. Prerequisites: Senior Capstone I

192 Text-Based Discussion in the Middle School Classroom (.25) 

This field-based course trains and gives students hands-on experience in facilitating seminar-style, text-based discussion groups for children. After introductory training workshops, students will lead such discussion groups on-site in a middle-school classroom. Students will learn about and practice an educational style that develops critical skills, speaking, reading, and thinking in open discussion. This course is required of all Teacher for Tomorrow students and Education track students would benefit from this course. This course must be taken before L&CS 124. Prerequisite: Collegiate Seminar 122.