2022-2023 Catalog 
    
    May 10, 2024  
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2022-2023 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Courses

Description of courses offered by the various departments

The symbols FA (fall), SP (spring), and SU (summer) indicate when each course is offered. The credit (semester hours) for each course is indicated in parentheses after the course name. Interim course descriptions are made available during the fall semester and are published online.

 
 

German
  

  • GERM 303 - Topics in German Literature

    (3)
    SP. The course offers an introduction to reading more substantial works of literature than those encountered in core-level courses. Works are drawn from various periods and genres. Attention is also directed at the processes of reading and interpretation, and at what it means to mature as a Christian reader of literature. This course may be repeated with a different course topic. Prerequisite: GERM 202 .
  

  • GERM 320 - German Studies Abroad

    (3)
    SU, May intensive. Participants engage with and improve their knowledge of the German language and culture on this study experience, which includes stays in Lower-Saxony, Hamburg, Berlin, locations in former East Germany, and in southwest Germany. Activities include three home stays, Sunday worship, lectures, discussions, interviews, tours, and attendance at cultural and social events. Course participants choose where they will travel independently during free travel days. Course goals include active participation in course activities, growth in intercultural sensitivity, gains in mastery of the language, and increased understanding of various religious, political, and broadly cultural phenomena of Germany. Students will be assessed on their individual vocabulary acquisition, submission of an examination of a current issue in German society based upon two interviews, and submission of a reflective essay upon completion of the course. This course counts toward the German Studies major or minor. Fee: $3,225 and up to $650 for personal and final-week costs. May 4-30, 2022. Prerequisite: GERM 202.
  

  • GERM 361 - Advanced Writing in Cultural Context

    (3)
    FA, alternate years. Further development of advanced language skills through intensive work with written, aural, and visual media dealing with contemporary issues in the German-speaking world. The course includes a review of grammar topics and writing genres. Prerequisite: GERM 301 , GERM 303 , or permission of the instructor. Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • GERM 362 - Culture and Language through Performed Texts

    (3)
    FA, alternate years. An introduction to different eras and cultural themes of German-speaking Europe through the reading, interpretation, and presentation of a variety of texts. Works studied represent different performance genres, such as medieval mystery plays, sermons, epic poetry, traditional theater, music, radio plays, speeches, modern theater, and poetry slams. Students learn to interpret these texts as cultural products with implicit goals, assumptions about audience and the role of performance texts, and worldviews. Connections to specific historical events, the visual arts, and literary trends are explored as they relate to historical and contemporary performances of the various German texts. Students are expected to progress in their German language skills, including grammar, reading, speaking, and listening comprehension. Prerequisite: GERM 301 , GERM 303 , or permission of the instructor. Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • GERM 371 - German Visual Culture and Literature

    (3)
    SP, alternate years. An exploration of the culture of German-speaking Europe through its rich and intricately linked traditions of visual and literary culture. Students examine the interplay of texts and a broad variety of visual media including architecture, painting, sculpture, photography, theatrical and operatic production, film, and television. Students will analyze materials for their rhetorical strategies and how they seek to move their audience with appeals to culturally and historically charged themes. While becoming familiar with salient ideas in German cultural history and the insights offered by an analysis and appreciation of particular works of literature and the arts, students will gain valuable experience interpreting German cultural artifacts for their implicit worldviews, assumptions, and goals. Prerequisite: GERM 301 , GERM 303 , or permission of the instructor.
  

  • GERM 372 - Outside Voices: German Culture from the Margins

    (3)
    SP, alternate years. This course looks at German cultural history through the eyes of the outsider. Defining “outsider” as anyone marginalized because of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or native language, course materials focus on the nature of exclusion, resistance, and the way German cultural history and national identity have been shaped by voices traditionally outside of the normative or mainstream culture. Perspectives addressed will include the experiences of women, Jews, Turks, Afro-Germans, Muslims, and other minority groups. Prerequisite: GERM 301 , GERM 302 , or GERM 303 . Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • GERM 381 - Special Topics

    (1-3)
    This course offers the opportunity for focused study of a specific work, topic, or authors in a seminar setting. It includes intensive discussion in German of both primary and secondary texts. This course may be repeated with a different topic focus. Prerequisite: GERM 202, or permission of the instructor. Corequisite: GERM 202 Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • GERM 383 - External Practicum

    (1)
    Students work at least 60 hours in a position that must be related to their major. May be repeated multiple times for credit. No more than 12 credit hours of internship and/or practicum can be counted toward graduation requirements. International students enrolled in this course may apply for CPT authorization. Online. Prerequisites: Not open to first-year students. Must be a major in department and have received approval from the department. Applications are initiated through the Career Center. Students find their own position, which must be approved by the Career Center and the department.

Global Development Studies
  

  • GDS 201 - Introduction to Global Development

    (3)
    FA, SP. An introduction to the history of global development, to the realities of contemporary life in the world’s low income countries, and to competing theoretical perspectives on development and change. The course addresses cultural, social, political, religious, economic, and environmental elements of people’s lives in the Global South. It also surveys and critiques such dominant perspectives on development as modernization, dependency, globalization, and sustainable development. Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • GDS 351 - National and Regional Development

    (3)
    FA. An in-depth study of the major contemporary explanations for low levels of development and corresponding recommendations for promoting development at national and regional levels. These explanations focus variously on economic institutions and policies; political institutions and governance; cultural and religious orientations; human rights; geography and the natural environment; technology; social capital and civil society; and globalization/imperialism. Prerequisite: GDS 201 , SPHO 205 , or permission of instructor. Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • GDS 355 - Community Development

    (3)
    SP. A study of the theories, problems and methods associated with global development work at the community level. Topics include participatory methods, community mapping, survey and assessment methods, project planning and evaluation, asset based community development, appreciative inquiry, donor-client relationships, organizational partnerships, gender mainstreaming, and adult education methods. Special attention is given to the way Christian development organizations carry out these methods in both domestic and international contexts. Prerequisite: GDS 201 , SPHO 205 , ENTR 201 , or permission of instructor. Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • GDS 359 - Internship in Development

    (12)
    FA, SP. Internships will typically take place in collaboration with the World Renew, and will generally involve World Renew’s placement of the student with one of its partner organizations, either in a developing nation or in North America. Students will work for four to five months with this partner in areas of development work including community development, micro-enterprise and business development, literacy and adult education, organizational capacity building, data gathering, basic health, disaster preparedness and response, refugee assistance and resettlement, local church-based development, and peace and reconciliation work. Placement will occur through an application and interview process. See one of the GDS advisors for more information. Prerequisites: GDS 201  or SPHO 205  and SOC 231 . It is strongly recommended that prior to this internship students have taken GDS 355 , an educational experience in a developing nation or its equivalent, appropriate language capabilities, and junior/senior status. Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • GDS 383 - External Practicum

    (1)
    FA, SP, SU. Students work at least 60 hours in a position that must be related to their major. May be repeated multiple times for credit. No more than 12 credit hours of internship and/or practicum can be counted toward graduation requirements. International students enrolled in this course may apply for CPT authorization. Online. Prerequisites: Not open to first-year students. Must be a major in department and have received approval from the department. Applications are initiated through the Career Center. Students find their own position, which must be approved by the Career Center and the department.
  

  • GDS 395 - Senior Seminar in Global Development Studies

    (3)
    SP. A study of the worldview foundations of contemporary development theories, with special attention to Christian perspectives on development and development work. Topics include economic liberal, sociological-based modernization, Marxian, post-developmental, feminist and capabilities-based approach perspectives on development, as well as Christian perspectives on development arising from the Roman Catholic, Mennonite, and Reformed traditions. Prerequisites: junior/senior status and two GDS courses.

Greek
  

  • GREE 101 - Elementary Greek I

    (4)
    FA. A beginning study of classical Greek with emphasis on the essentials of grammar and basic vocabulary. Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • GREE 102 - Elementary Greek II

    (4)
    SP. A continuation of GREE 101 with the reading of selected prose passages. Completion of this course allows the student to read works like the New Testament or Attic Greek prose with the help of a grammar and lexicon. Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • GREE 201 - Intermediate Greek

    (3)
    FA. A thorough review of the essentials of grammar will accompany the reading of selected Greek prose and/or poetry Prerequisite: two years of high school Greek or two courses of college Greek. Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • GREE 203 - Biblical Greek

    (3)
    SP, every third year. Readings in the New Testament, with special emphasis on gaining reading proficiency in koine Greek. Prerequisite: GREE 201. May be repeated for credit, depending on course content and permission of the instructor. Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • GREE 205 - Greek Prose

    (3)
    SP, every third year. Readings in a selected Greek prose author, with special emphasis on gaining reading proficiency in Greek prose. Prerequisite: GREE 201 or permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit, depending on course content and permission of the instructor. Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • GREE 206 - Greek Poetry

    (3)
    SP, every third year. Readings in a selected Greek poet, with special emphasis on gaining reading proficiency in Greek poetry. Prerequisite: GREE 201 or permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit, depending on course content and permission of the instructor. Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • GREE 300 - Readings in Greek Literature

    (3)
    FA. Readings from a Greek prose author and/or poet, with special emphasis on literary qualities, as illumined by critical scholarship. May be repeated for credit, depending on course content and permission of the instructor. Not offered in 2022-23.

Health Education
  

  • HE 115 - Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology

    (4)
    FA, SP. This is a study of the major theories of biology as applied to humans. The student is introduced to the concepts of cells, genetics, ecology, and evolution through the study of anatomy, physiology, and development of the human body and health. Students apply these concepts to contemporary issues in human biology, society, and the environment. The laboratory utilizes methods of biological investigation, with an emphasis on human anatomy and physiology. Laboratory. Cross-listed BIOL 115.
  

  • HE 203 - First Aid and Emergency Care

    (2)
    SP. This course will enable the student to acquire increased accident and safety awareness, as well as understand the liability aspects of administering first aid. The course will cover the cognitive and practical skills of standard first aid, artificial respiration, and CPR. Opportunity for American Red Cross Certification in adult, child, and infant CPR and first aid will be offered as part of the course. Fee: $30.
  

  • HE 254 - Nutrition

    (3)
    FA, SP, SU. This course will provide the student with a basic understanding of human nutrition. Special emphasis will be placed on the role of food and nutrients in sustaining optimal health. Specific topics of study will include nutrition as it relates to athletic performance, the onset of diseases, and obesity. Prerequisite: BIOL 115 , BIOL 206 , or equivalent. This course is limited to students with kinesiology majors, nursing majors, and students in the pre-professional programs for veterinary, physician assistant. Fee: $30.
  

  • HE 265 - Basic Health Concepts: Mental Health, Fitness, Sexuality, Aging, Addictive Behaviors, and Death

    (3)
    FA, alternate years. This course is designed to provide students with basic health content. Topics to be discussed include a Christian perspective on health and wellness, mental health and stress, physical fitness, sexuality and reproduction, addictive behaviors, and aging and death. Prerequisite: BIOL 115 or equivalent.
  

  • HE 266 - Basic Health Concepts: Diseases, Substance Abuse, Community, and Environment

    (3)
    SP, alternate years. This course is designed to prepare health education minors with a wide variety of health education content include the following: A reformed perspective on health, risk factors for lifestyle diseases, consumer health, environmental health, lifestyle and communicable diseases, substance abuse, and cancer. Prerequisite: BIOL 115 or permission of the instructor. This course may be taken before HE 265.
  

  • HE 308 - Administration and Methods

    (2)
    SP, alternate years. This course is designed to provide experiences that will enable the student to develop methodology, management, administrative, and instructional skills required to plan and implement a contemporary health education program in school settings.

History: Introductory Courses
  

  • HIST 151 - History of the West and the World I

    (3)
    FA, SP, SU. A survey of world history from the late Paleolithic to the beginnings of European overseas expansion (c. 1500 CE), highlighting the development of agrarian societies, the evolution of the world’s major religious and cultural traditions, human migration and intercultural encounters, and impulses from these as seen in gender and class relations, technological exchange, and political and economic interchange and conflict.
  

  • HIST 152 - History of the West and the World II

    (3)
    FA, SP, SU. A survey of world history from the onset of European overseas expansion (c. 1500 CE) to the present, highlighting developments and problems in social, political and cultural history that have continuing relevance in today’s world, such as cultural change and exchange, imperialism and colonization, industrialization, political reform and revolution, the interplay between religion and society, class and gender relations, and the causes and forms of human conflict. Attention will be paid to both “western” and “non-western” cultures and to the dynamic and often violent relations between cultures.
  

  • HIST 153 - Explorations in World History

    (3)
    FA, SP. This course introduces students to world history through focused study of a particular topic or theme, chosen by the instructor of each section. Among possible topics for the course include: Slavery in World History, the History of Food, Health & Medicine in History, Science & Technology in History, and Empires Ancient & Modern. The theme of each section will span different world regions and time periods. Students will view the topic in specific cultural, political, and social contexts, in both Western and non-Western world regions. Students will also examine development of the topic over centuries, allowing them to understand the historical processes of change and continuity.

History: Intermediate Courses - World Regions
  

  • HIST 233 - Modern Middle East

    (3)
    FA, SP, or as needed. The subject matter of this course is the Ottoman Empire and the creation of the Arab countries including Egypt, as well as Turkey, Iran, and Israel in the 20th century. Themes include colonialism and nationalism, secularism and religion, and literature and pop culture. Through this survey of Middle Eastern history the course aims to open up the American mental and emotional atlas and uncover the many meanings of the course title.
  

  • HIST 235 - India and Its World

    (3)
    A cultural history of South Asia from the earliest times to the twentieth century. Primary emphasis will be placed on the civilization of Hindustan and the interplay of Hindu and Islamic religious and cultural forces there. Themes include the rise of the major Indian religions, the cultural synthesis of the Mughal Empire, the impact of British rule, and the rise of the modern nations of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. Economic, social, political, religious, and intellectual themes receive consideration. Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • HIST 242 - Africa and the World

    (3)
    FA. This course covers specific themes in African history from ancient civilization to the contemporary period. Special attention will be given to Africa’s relation to the Mediterranean world, Africa’s contribution to the development of the Christian church, Islam in Africa, slavery and slave trades, the African diaspora, imperialism, colonialism, and the age of independence. This course seeks to place Africa within a number of global contexts asserting that far from being the “Dark Continent,” Africa was a major crossroads of civilizations throughout history. HIST 242 fulfills the Global Regions and Cultures tag in the Engaged Citizenship Commitments core category.
  

  • HIST 245 - East Asia to 1800

    (3)
    SP, alternate years. The history of East Asian civilizations from early times until the early modern period. Emphasis is on China and Japan, but Korea is also included. Primary objectives are for students to grasp the essential patterns of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean social structures, political systems, cultural values, and religious and ethical norms as they developed from the late traditional period through to 1800, and also to appreciate the similarities and differences among these civilizations. Not offered in 2022-23.

History: Intermediate Courses - North America
  

  • HIST 229 - Seminar in United States History

    (3)
    FA. This seminar takes a broad, student-centered learning approach in order to survey the history of the United States as it evolved from its Native American roots and first African and European populations into an independent political unit with an industrial economy and an urban society that ultimately emerged as a global power in the mid-twentieth century. The course will emphasize several interlocking themes: colonial roots and cultural and political divergence; family history and national history; the costs and benefits of expansion; industrialization and immigration; American leadership in the twentieth century; and the challenges of the twenty-first century. Emphasis will be given to teaching these topics at the elementary and secondary-school level.
  

  • HIST 251 - Early America

    (3)
    FA, SP, alternate years or as needed. Study the region that became the United States in a trans-Atlantic context, from the first European settlements through the Napoleonic wars. We will treat colonial America as a cluster of distinct socio-cultural regions: plantation Virginia, Caribbean Carolina, Puritan New England, commercial mid-Atlantic, and the Scots-Irish backcountry. These regions converged to sustain a successful war against the British, but almost fell apart again during the first decades of independence. We will pay special attention to the unexpected dynamics of the Revolutionary War and to the Constitution as establishing an arena of combat rather than a set of settled answers.
  

  • HIST 252 - America from Republic to Empire

    (3)
    FA, SP, alternate years or as needed. An examination of United States history after independence as the nation expanded, industrialized, and came to dominate the Western hemisphere. Special attention is given to the nation’s foundations, western expansion, and slavery; the Civil War and Reconstruction; the Progressive response to industrialization; and the United States’ overseas expansion and participation in World War I.
  

  • HIST 253 - Recent America

    (3)
    FA, SP, alternate years or as needed. An examination of United States history from the 1920s to the present, focusing on the ways in which recent history shapes contemporary American culture, politics, economics, and religion. Topics include the “Roaring Twenties” and the Great Depression, WWII, Cold War America and Vietnam, the Civil Rights Movement and the Rights Revolution, conservative politics and religion, a post-industrial economy, and the role of the state at home and abroad. Special attention is given to changing configurations of race, religion, ethnicity, and gender in American social relations, and to the intersections of cultural history with political and economic history.
  

  • HIST 255 - African-American History

    (3)
    SP. A survey of African-American history from West African societies to contemporary times. Highlights include the creation of a slave society in British North America, African-American intellectual traditions, the African-American church, and social and political movements for freedom.
  

  • HIST 256 - Women and Gender in US History

    (3)
    FA. A study of the history of women and gender in American history in global context. The course examines the social construction of femininity and masculinity; intersections of race, class and gender; changing understandings of sexuality; the history of feminism; and the relationship between Christianity and feminism. The course provides an introduction to significant questions and methodologies in women’s history and gender studies and equips students to approach contemporary issues related to women and gender from a historical perspective. Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • HIST 258 - U.S. Military History

    (3)
    SP, every third year or as needed. This course studies the military as an American institution from the colonial period through the “War on Terror.” Though primary focus will be on the major wars fought by the United States, the course will also examine the various social, economic, and political factors influencing the development of the American military. Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • HIST 259 - American Economic & Business History

    (3)
    SP, alternate years. A study of American economic history from colonial times to the present, emphasizing the foundations of the American economy, the dynamics behind American economic expansion, the history of American business, the social costs and benefits of industrialization and modernization, the impact of various economic policies, and the nature of the economic changes of the 21st century. Not offered in 2022-23.

History: Intermediate Courses - Europe
  

  • HIST 225 - England

    (3)
    FA, alternate years. A survey of English history including the Anglo-Saxon background; the medieval intellectual, religious, and constitutional developments; the Tudor and Stuart religious and political revolutions; the emergence of Great Britain as a world power; and the growth of social, economic, and political institutions in the modern period. Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • HIST 261 - Ancient Mediterranean

    (3)
    SP. A study of the political, social, cultural, and economic developments of the ancient Mediterranean world, chronologically from the late Bronze Age to the beginning of Late Antiquity. Special attention is given to the formation of the Greek polis, radical democracy in Athens, the effects of Alexander’s conquests, the Roman Republic, the transition to the Roman empire, and the rise and spread of Christianity, in the comparative context of concurrent developments in North Africa and the Near and Middle East.
  

  • HIST 262 - Early Medieval Worlds, 300-1000

    (3)
    FA. In the wake of the Roman Empire, three distinct political cultures emerged from the disintegration of the Roman Empire: the Byzantine Empire, the Islamic commonwealth, and Christian Western Europe. This course will study the emergence of these areas, their interactions, and how they incorporated their Hellenistic legacy. Special attention is given to rise of Islam, the Christianization of Western Europe, the role of monasticism in East and West, and the way each civilization integrated its Roman-Hellenistic heritage into its institutions and culture. Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • HIST 263 - Medieval and Renaissance Europe, 1000-1500

    (3)
    SP. A treatment of one of the most formative periods in the development of European culture and institutions, when strong monarchies emerged out of feudalism and a new religious vitality transformed Christian spirituality. These impulses are traced through the rise of schools and universities, the Crusades, and the role of the papacy as a unifying political force in Western Christendom, concluding with the late-medieval economic and demographic crisis and the break-up of the medieval worldview in Renaissance Italy.
  

  • HIST 264 - The Reformation in Historical Context (1500-1700)

    (3)
    SP. A study of Europe’s Protestant Reformation, its roots in late medieval Christian culture, and its expression in the writings of theologians such as Martin Luther and John Calvin and others from the Reformed, Anabaptist, and Anglican traditions, as well as the parallel Catholic Reformation of the same era. Through primary and secondary-source readings and historical role-playing games, students will examine the interplay between religion, politics, and social relations among Protestants and Catholics in this tumultuous period and consider its relevance for our own times.
  

  • HIST 267 - Modern Europe

    (3)
    FA, SP, alternate years or as needed. A survey of Europe from the Congress of Vienna (1815) to the present. Using 1945 as a pivotal year, the course examines the major social, economic, cultural, and political trends that dominated the continent and inspired the two world wars: nationalism, industrialization, militarization, secularization, protest movements, and imperialism. The balance of the course examines the changes and continuities that have characterized the post-war period: economic integration, the Cold War and its aftermath, immigration, decolonization, the tension between European unity and national identities, as well as the burden of Europe’s past.

History: Intermediate Courses - Global Histories
  

  • HIST 271 - War and Society

    (3)
    This is not a military history course. Instead, the course addresses the social and cultural contexts of warfare. Case studies are drawn from different conflicts during the 20th century in different world regions, such as Austria-Hungarian World War I, Japan after World War II, post-colonial West Africa, and the recent wars of the United States. Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • HIST 274 - Environmental History

    (3)
    SP. An introduction to environmental history, the course gives particular attention to North America and in each unit makes global comparisons or examines transnational trends. Key topics include the methods of environmental history, pre-human natural history, the relationship between hunter-gatherers and the environment, the development of agriculture, the impact of European colonization globally, the consequences of the industrial revolution and urbanization, the emergence of environmental movements, changing cultural patterns in conceptualizing nature and humanity’s place in it, and the relationship between religious traditions, particularly Christianity, and environmental issues.

History: Intermediate Courses - Theory and Practice of History
  

  • HIST 280 - Introduction to Archaeology

    (3)
    FA. An introduction to the study of the human past through the material evidence that has been left behind. Archaeology will be introduced as a historical and anthropological endeavor that seeks to document the past and create new histories through the critical and contextual evaluation of both material and documentary sources. The course emphasizes the global history of archaeology, archaeological theory and methods, interpretation, site conservation, relevant legal frameworks, and the ways in which archaeology serves as a bridges between historical disciplines and the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Upon completion, students will be prepared to participate in archaeological field work. The course serves as a prerequisite for HIST 380. Crosslisted as IDIS 240.
  

  • HIST 293 - Public History

    (3)
    “Public history” refers to historical work done in non-academic fields. Students will explore the varied aspects of public history through field trips to local museums, historical societies, and historic preservation sites, and meetings with representatives from these and other fields of public history. They will also learn about the varieties of public history through readings and classroom lectures, create their own historical exhibits for display in a public setting on or off the Calvin campus, and explore the varied career opportunities related to public history. Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • HIST 294 - Research Methods of History

    (3)
    SP. An introduction to historical sources, bibliography, and research techniques, giving particular attention to the different genres of history writing, critical historical thinking and the role of perspective and worldview, the mechanics of professional notation, critical use of print and electronic research data bases, organizing and writing research essays, and the vocation of the historian. Intended as preparation for 300-level courses.

History: Advanced Courses - World Regions

Enrollment in all 300-level courses presupposes two courses in history or permission of the instructor.
  

  • HIST 331 - Studies in Middle Eastern History

    (3)
    FA, SP, alternate years. An in-depth analysis of a particular topic or period within the history of the Middle East. Calling upon the rich variety of sources from antiquity to the present, the course practices historical analysis on interdisciplinary materials from the region. Possible topics may include Ancient Mesopotamian Literature and Science, Religion and Society in the First Millennium, Pre-Islamic Arabia, the Islamic Golden Age, Ottoman Tanzimat Reforms, U.S.-Middle East Relations, the Arab Spring, or other relevant topics tied to faculty research specializations. Topics for coming semesters are advertised by the Historical Studies Department. Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • HIST 346 - Modern China

    (3)
    SP, alternate years. An in-depth, comprehensive treatment of Chinese history from the Qing Dynasty, about 1650, to the present. In addition to the basics of political, social, and economic history, the course will stress intellectual and religious currents, including the role of Christianity.

History: Advanced Courses - North America
  

  • HIST 353 - Studies in U.S. Religious and Intellectual History

    (3)
    FA, SP, alternate years or as needed. This course examines the role of ideas, beliefs, and values in U.S. history, focusing topically on dominant and dissenting systems of thought and conviction that have been particularly important in U.S. history. The course will analyze both elite and popular materials from across the full range of public expression—from state papers to protest publications, the arts, journalism, religion, literature, and the academy—to understand how these have both shaped and responded to the key historical forces of their times. Topics for upcoming semesters are advertised by the Historical Studies department. Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • HIST 356 - American Social and Cultural History

    (3)
    FA, SP, alternate years or as needed. A study of the development of American society from colonial times to the present organized around the themes of power, consumption, material culture, and the social construction of space. Attention will be given to the ways in which new sources, methods, and theoretical frameworks open up new topics and questions in American history, including the changing meaning of the American landscape, the development of suburbia, the rise of consumerism and the mass media, popular religion and the creation of sacred space, and the hidden ways in which power is exercised. Class, gender, and race will be categories of inquiry and analysis. Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • HIST 358 - Native American History

    (3)
    FA, SP, alternate years or as needed. (Studies in the North American West) The course is national in scope, but focuses especially on the American West, with comparisons to indigenous peoples in Mexico and Canada. Specifically, it looks at regional Native American chiefdoms and states in the centuries before European contact; the impact of horses on the Plains; trade with Europeans and Americans; Christian missions in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries; the “Indian Wars” in the American West, 1840s-1890s; efforts to assimilate Native Americans in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries; and campaigns by Native Americans to promote their civil rights and tribal sovereignty in the twentieth century.

History: Advanced Courses - Europe
  

  • HIST 362 - Studies in Ancient and Medieval Europe

    (3)
    FA, SP, alternate years or as needed. Offers an in-depth analysis of a particular topic or period within ancient and/or medieval Europe. Calling upon the rich variety of sources in ancient and/or medieval European culture and society, it practices historical analysis on interdisciplinary materials. Possible topics include the Greek polis, the Roman Empire of Augustus, Late Antiquity, Jews and Christians in the Middle Ages, Sex and Society in the Middle Ages, the Bible in the Middle Ages, and the Crusades. Topics for upcoming semesters are advertised by the Historical Studies department. Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • HIST 364 - Studies in Early Modern and Modern Europe

    (3)
    FA, SP, alternate years or as needed. This course focuses on a particular period or movement in European history within either the early modern period (c. 1500-1789) or the modern period (since 1789). The specific content will vary from year to year. Past topics have included the Italian Renaissance, international Calvinism, imperial Spain, nationalism and communism in Eastern Europe, and the history of Christianity in 20th-century Europe. Topics for upcoming semesters are advertised by the Historical Studies department. Not offered in 2022-23.

History: Advanced Courses - Global Histories
  

  • HIST 372 - Studies of Modern Empires

    (3)
    FA, SP, alternate years or as needed. The course examines the changing nature of empires and imperialism between the 15th and 20th centuries. It considers the influence of factors such as environment, religion, demography, race, technology, economic institutions, politics, and war on the creation of empires, the conduct of those who led them and were affected by them, and on their ultimate demise. While the particular empires examined will vary from one semester to the next, the broad underlying theme will be the evolution of empires and imperialism, from the land-based and overseas “gunpowder” empires of the early modern era to the “high imperialism” of the 19th century to the Cold War and globalization in the 20th century. Topics for upcoming semesters are advertised by the Historical Studies department. Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • HIST 376 - Studies in the History of Women and Gender

    (3)
    FA, SP, alternate years or as needed. An introduction to topics in the history of women and to the use of gender as a category of historical analysis. This course examines experiences unique to women, as well as the social history of male-female interactions (in such institutions as the family, the church, and the political sphere) and the changing perceptions of masculinity and femininity in various historical contexts. Depending on the instructor, the course will focus either on early modern Europe (c. 1500-1800) or modern North America. Topics for upcoming semesters are announced by the Historical Studies department. This course serves as an elective in both History and Gender Studies.

History: Advanced Courses - Theory and Practice of History
  

  • HIST 359 - Seminar in Secondary Social Studies Pedagogy

    (3)
    SP. This seminar employs an active, student-centered learning approach in order to assist student teachers in developing appropriate goals and applying effective methods and practices of teaching history and social studies at the middle and high school level. The seminar also provides a forum to discuss the various challenges that arise during student teaching. Prerequisites: IDIS 375 , concurrent enrollment in EDUC 346 , and an approved history or social studies major.
  

  • HIST 380 - Field Work in Archaeology

    (3-6)
    SU (May), alternate years. Offered in conjunction with field work done by Calvin faculty or qualified field schools of other universities. An off-campus, on-site introduction to archaeological field work designed to expose the student to the methodologies involved in stratigraphic excavation, typological and comparative analysis of artifacts, the use of material remains in the writing of cultural history, and the preservation and presentation of sites. Field school enrollment and placement is overseen by the Archaeology Program Coordinator. Crosslisted as IDIS 340. Prerequisites: HIST 280 /IDIS 240  and permission of the instructor. Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • HIST 383 - External Practicum

    (1)
    FA, SP, SU. Students work at least 60 hours in a position that must be related to their major. May be repeated multiple times for credit. No more than 12 credit hours of internship and/or practicum can be counted toward graduation requirements. International students enrolled in this course may apply for CPT authorization. Online. Prerequisites: Not open to first-year students. Must be a major in department and have received approval from the department. Applications are initiated through the Career Center. Students find their own position, which must be approved by the Career Center and the department.
  

  • HIST 390 - Independent Study

    (1-4)
    FA, SP, SU. Contingent on instructor approval, students may complete an independent study on a topic of their choice. Honors Scholars majoring in History must complete HIST 390 as preparation for HNRS 399  (Honors Thesis), which will be a continuation of the research they began in HIST 390. (Note: both HIST 390 and HNRS 399  require the prior agreement of a faculty mentor.)
  

  • HIST 391H - Honors Senior Thesis

    (3)
    FA, SP. The second course in a two-semester independent-study sequence designed to lead students in writing a substantial research-based seminar paper. Students spend the fall term in HIST 390H conducting a thorough investigation of the secondary literature on and around a topic that they choose in close consultation with their advisor. They proceed in spring term to write a senior thesis upon that topic. Required for students in the department’s honors track and highly recommended for those planning to pursue graduate studies in history. Enrollment in HIST 390H-391H is contingent on instructor approval; before enrolling in HIST 390H, students must secure the agreement of a faculty advisor willing to mentor the two-semester Honors thesis. Students may enroll in 391H only after successful completion of HIST 390H.
  

  • HIST 393 - History Internship

    (3)
    SP. A specialized class in which students engage in experiential learning at a historical institution or site in other appropriate fields of work, as approved by the Historical Studies Department. Prior to enrolling in HIST 393, students must secure a semester-long internship and submit a description of their planned activities and educational objectives. The internship should involve 10 hours of work weekly for the duration of the 14-week semester. In order to pass HIST 393, students must also receive a favorable review from their internship site supervisor, attend regular meetings with the Calvin faculty mentor, and complete an internship journal and reflective essay.
  

  • HIST 395 - Historiographical Perspectives

    (3)
    FA. The capstone in the history major, this course examines the history of historical writing and the historian’s vocation, primarily in the Western tradition. Emphasis is on reading and discussion of significant texts and issues in Western historical writing in past and present times. We will consider such questions as: What is history? How should it be studied, taught, and written? What purposes does it serve? Students will evaluate a variety of Christian and non-Christian perspectives on these questions and be challenged to articulate their own answers.

Human Resource Management: Undergraduate
  

  • HRM 301 - Human Resource Management

    (3)
    SP. An introduction to human resource functions along with principles and issues involved in managing an organization’s human capital. Emphasis is placed on the modern day importance of human resource management and focuses on the formulation and implementation of strategies that help companies achieve a sustained competitive advantage. Emphasis is also placed on respect, integrity and the inherit dignity of human beings and how business can create opportunities for individuals to express their vocation in the performance of God-glorifying work. The course will introduce a framework for integrated talent management and will include the study of talent acquisition, compensation and rewards management, organized labor, career succession, performance management, learning management and leadership development, employee engagement and retention, and redeployment. For entry into this 300-level human resource management course, students must have achieved at least a C in BUS 101 , BUS 201 , and ACCT 203 . Prerequisite: BUS 201 . Not offered 2022-23.
  

  • HRM 305 - The Psychology of Work

    (3)
    FA. A consideration of psychological concepts and research related to human action in work situations, particularly in organizations. The principles of industrial and organizational psychology and human resource management are applied to current topics including organizational identity, psychometrics for screening and selection, employee socialization, performance measurement and management, and employee attitudes and behaviors. The relationship of psychological theory and practice are analyzed through case studies of organizational experiences. Also listed as PSYC 305. For entry into this 300-level human resource management course, students must have achieved at least a C in BUS 101, BUS 201, and ACCT 203. Prerequisites: BUS 201  or PSYC 151 , and STAT 143  or PSYC 255 .
  

  • HRM 310 - Special Topics in Human Resource Management

    (3)
    FA. Human Resource Management is an expanding and ever-changing area of study. We will offer a series of courses on a rotating basis that will allow students more advanced study in the specific areas of interest. Anticipated special-topics courses are likely to include Compensation and Reward Systems, Negotiation and Labor Relations, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace, Talent Acquisition and Measurement, Talent Development and Management, and Organizational Development and Change. Prerequisite: HRM 301 . Not offered 2022-23.
  

  • HRM 383 - External Practicum

    (1)
    FA, SP, SU. Students work at least 60 hours in a position that must be related to their major. May be repeated multiple times for credit. No more than 12 credit hours of internship and/or practicum can be counted toward graduation requirements. International students enrolled in this course may apply for CPT authorization. Online. Prerequisites: Not open to first-year students. Must be a major in department and have received approval from the department. Applications are initiated through the Career Center. Students find their own position, which must be approved by the Career Center and the department.

Interdisciplinary

This section includes not only courses that are interdisciplinary (IDIS), but others also that do not fit logically into any single department or which are in disciplines not otherwise offered at Calvin.
  

  • HNRS 100 - Community and Commitments in Literature

    (5)
    FA. As a point of entry for both Calvin’s Core curriculum and the Honors Scholars program, HNRS 100 introduces the institutional project of thinking deeply, with eyes always toward justice and renewal. Anchored by literature credits (applicable to Calvin’s Humanities Core requirements), the course emphasizes Calvin’s Reformed theological foundations and its attendant commitments to justice, intercultural learning, and sustainability. Through a range of literary works, students will hone skills in reading, writing, and textual interpretation—as well as skills for listening to diverse voices with sensitivity and hospitality.
  

  • HNRS 103 - Foundations in Biblical Literature and Theology

    (3)
    SP. This course provides an introduction to the Bible, both Old and New Testaments. The goal of the course is to equip students to interpret biblical writings in a rigorous and sophisticated manner, with attention to the historical context (author, audience, purpose) of each text as well as the theological, ethical, and spiritual questions—about the nature of God, humanity, morality, and evil—that each text raises. This class will explore the spiritual richness and theological depth of the Bible but will also wrestle with some of the difficult issues raised by the text. Prerequisite: HNRS 100 .
  

  • HNRS 203 - Intermediate Studies in Biblical Literature and Theology

    (3)
    FA. This course will build upon the knowledge and analytical skill gained in HNRS 103. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the analysis and interpretation of scripture and theological texts, this course may be taught from a theological, literary, philosophical, or historical perspective. Prerequisite: HNRS 103 .
  

  • HNRS 205 - Philosophy: Addressing Fundamental Questions

    (3)
    FA, alternate years. Students will address fundamental questions about God, the world, and human life through the study of historically significant and contemporary philosophical texts. Students will engage in philosophical reflection and discussion, and develop skills in constructing and evaluating arguments, reading and interpreting philosophical texts, and writing clear expository prose. The course aims to equip students use philosophy to respond to central issues in human life and contemporary society. Prerequisite: HNRS 103 .
  

  • HNRS 209 - Rhetoric in Society

    (5)
    SP. In this team-taught course, students will consider the role of rhetoric in society—to elevate or silence voices, to foster dialogue across difference or reinforce divisions, to promote justice or uphold inequalities.  Students will learn key sociological concepts and theories and consider the promise and limitations of social institutions. Students will also learn to recognize oral, written, and visual rhetorical strategies, begin to develop skills for effective communication to a variety of audiences, and consider how these tools might be used to promote the thriving of communities. Prerequisite: HNRS 103 .
  

  • HNRS 230 - Concepts and Methods in Science

    (4)
    SP. In this team-taught course, students will investigate a variety of contemporary natural science topics and challenges, including sustainability, from multiple disciplinary perspectives. Students will learn foundational concepts, develop an appreciation for the process of science as it is practiced in laboratories and other research environments, practice careful observation, and consider social and ethical dilemmas. Students will also develop technical and analytical skills while performing laboratory or field-based experiments. This course is for honors students who are pursuing a major outside of the STEM disciplines. Prerequisite: HNRS 209 . Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • HNRS 231 - Dialogues in STEM

    (1)
    SP. The questions addressed by those within the STEM disciplines are increasingly complex, requiring collaboration, effective communication, and careful attention to social and ethical factors. In this seminar, STEM students will consider practices that promote work in interdisciplinary teams and strategies for conveying ideas across a wide variety of audiences. Students will also consider the benefits of cross-disciplinary engagement with experts outside of the STEM disciplines. Prerequisite: HNRS 209 . Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • HNRS 280 - Honors Colloquium

    (0-3)
    FA, SP, SU. An advanced exploration of a topic, practice, or theme that is interdisciplinary in nature. Students from various disciplines will engage ideas employing knowledge, methodologies, and insights from diverse areas of study. This course will fulfill an upper-level interdisciplinary course requirement for honors students. Students that are not participating in the honors program may register for the course with instructor permission. This course may be repeated.
  

  • HNRS 299 - Preparation for the Honors Thesis

    (1)
    FA. An introduction to literature-based research methods used by scholars in various disciplines. Students will practice research methods, generate a research question, and develop an honors thesis project timeline. Students will also engage with senior honors student mentors. Prerequisite: HNRS 209 . Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • HNRS 399 - Honors Thesis

    (1-3)
    FA, SP. A substantial independent research or creative project within a student’s major field(s) of study conducted under the direction of a faculty mentor. Required for students graduating with honors. Before enrolling in this course, students must secure the approval of an honors advisor and a faculty advisor willing to mentor the proposed Honors research or creative project.
  

  • IDIS 102 - Oral Rhetoric for Engineers

    (2)
    FA, SP. A study of the principles of oral rhetoric, with emphasis on developing student competency in preparing and delivering effective speeches. The emphasis is on basic speech design for engineers communicating their creation and refinement of ideas to peers, managers, subordinates, venture capitalists, and to the public at large.
  

  • IDIS 106 - Introduction to Health Professions

    (1)
    SP. Students considering a health-related pre-professional program and a career in health care are introduced to various health professions, as well as the required preparation for these careers, to help them identify career path(s) they may want to pursue. Students consider Christian perspectives on health professions, evaluate ethical dilemmas, and engage in discussions about current issues in the health-care field. Students also receive certifications that prepare them for shadowing and volunteer experiences.
  

  • IDIS 107 - Introduction to Ecological and Environmental Professions

    (1)
    FA. Students considering careers related to ecology, conservation, and environmental biology are introduced to various professions and avenues for employment, as well as the required preparation for pursuing these careers. Students explore graduate education and the prospects for immediate employment after receiving an undergraduate degree. Students consider Christian perspectives on creation care, evaluate ethical dilemmas, and engage in discussions about current issues.
  

  • IDIS 110 - Foundations of Information Technology

    (1)
    FA, SP. A first-year introduction to the foundations of information technology. Topics discussed include computer hardware and software systems, quantitative analysis with spreadsheets, networking and web publishing, the cultural impact of this technology and the ethical responsibilities of its users.
  

  • IDIS 149 - First Year Seminar

    (1)
    FA. The first year Seminar course introduces students to the mission and community of Calvin University and helps them transition to being college students, especially with regard to developing their abilities to think, discuss, and write. Students will also learn more about the values and attributes that sustain this community of learners.
  

  • IDIS 150 - Developing a Christian Mind

    (3)
    FA, SP. This course introduces students to the central intellectual project of Calvin University, the development of a Christian worldview and a broad, faith-based engagement with the ambient culture. A set of common readings sketches out basic biblical themes and helps students begin to formulate a Christian frame of reference as they pursue their academic vocation. In addition to these common readings and themes, each section of the course defines a particular academic issue to explore from the perspective of Christian faith and praxis. Sections of the course have specific subtitles indicating the special focus of each.
  

  • IDIS 160 - Energy: Resources, Use, and Stewardship

    (4)
    An introduction to the nature of energy and energy transformations with an emphasis on the different forms of energy and the use and availability of different energy resources, this course includes a study of the environmental implications of the use of a variety of energy resources such as fossil fuels, renewable resources, and nuclear energy resources. This course is taught from a biblical worldview and includes a discussion of the relationship between God, humans, the creation, the nature of science, and the validity and limitations of scientific knowledge. From these discussions a biblical view of stewardship and its implications for our use of energy resources is developed.
  

  • IDIS 170 - Special Topics

    (1-3)
    Offered as needed. This course is a platform for the Global Campus to reach out to a range of learning communities by addressing emerging issues or other specialized content not covered in the regular curriculum.
  

  • IDIS 190 - Contextual Diversity Studies

    (1)
    FA, SP. The Mosaic Floor is a living-learning community made up predominantly of first year and sophomore students. Students explore cultural diversity and racism. Due to the intentional nature of the community, students must apply to live on the floor.
  

  • IDIS 192 - Crossing Cultures

    (1)
    SP. This course equips students to engage in relationships with people from a cultural background different from their own. Students who’ve grown up in different cultures will be paired to reflect and share from their different backgrounds. Together, these students will build skills in cross cultural communication through weekly discussions, class activities, and course assignments. This course has limited enrollment by application.
  

  • IDIS 193 - Conversation Partners

    (1)
    FA, SP. Each American or Canadian student partners with someone, usually a Calvin seminarian or spouse, for whom English is a foreign language. While the ESL partner has opportunity to practice spoken English and learn about the American culture, the American/Canadian student has opportunity to learn about the life and culture of their international partner. Class meets two times at the beginning of the semester. Partners meet for conversation throughout the semester.
  

  • IDIS 196 - Transcultural Caring for the Health Professions

    (3)
    The major focus of the course will be to increase student understanding and knowledge in the area of transcultural care (culture care), an area of study that is essential in the diverse and global world in the 21st century. Students will examine culture care from a Christian perspective, implementing a variety of theoretical perspectives on culturally congruent care. Students will have the opportunity to directly be involved with several ethnic groups as they examine the lifeways and cultural norms and values of groups in relationship to their health care needs. This course provides valuable information to students who are interested in entering the health care professions.
  

  • IDIS 198 - Classical and Medieval Palaeography

    (1)
    This course offers a practical introduction to reading Late Antique, Medieval, and Humanist Latin and vernacular script, from c. 200 AD until c. 1500 AD. We will master reading these scripts, while learning about their historical development and the production of written texts before the invention of the printing press. The script types studied in this course will range from square capital, cursive, uncial and half-uncial, Carolingian minuscule, Anglo-Saxon script, and the various forms of Gothic and Humanist script, while the texts we read will include Classical and Patristic texts, vernacular texts, and especially the Latin Bible. Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • IDIS 201 - Introduction to the United States Health Care System

    (3)
    FA. This course introduces students to important concepts for their individual and professional understanding of health systems and health outcomes. Students will study the US Health care system and national health related goals. The course will explore how social determinants of health and use of research and data could impact health outcomes.  Students will examine the impact of interprofessional collaborations on health, and how governmental, financial, and social issues impact health. Health disparities will be considered in a reflection of the roles of Christian professionals in promoting positive change.
  

  • IDIS 206 - Introduction to Medieval Studies

    (3)
    A classroom introduction to the skills that are specific to the interdisciplinary method of studying the Middle Ages, structured around a theme such as, “The Bible in the Middle Ages”, or “The cult of the Virgin Mary”. This course is mandatory for those students who have selected a minor in medieval studies, but it is open to anyone with an interest in the Middle Ages. Not offered in 2022-23.
  

  • IDIS 210 - Introduction to the Digital Humanities

    (3)
    FA, alternate years. This course teaches the use of digital tools and methods for study, research, and presentation within humanities. Students will learn and apply technical skills including how to develop and query databases, use computers for textual and numerical analyses, map locations from novels and historical periods, and present projects in print and digital formats. Students will also explore social media, including “fake news,” and what it means to be a good digital citizen. Learning is hands-on and interactive, and builds a foundation for future computer-based collaborative research and career opportunities. This course is open to students in all majors and may be of particular interest to those in the humanities and social sciences.
  

  • IDIS 211 - Cancer: A Multidisciplinary Examination of a Complex Disease

    (3)
    Current reports indicate that cancer affects one out of every three Americans. As such, accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of cancer patients has become a priority for scientists, public health officials, and health care providers. However, cancer is complex, as is our current medical system. Providing high-quality, effective, affordable, and equitable care for cancer patients will require collaboration among those with varied expertise. In this course, students use a multidisciplinary approach to study cancer drawing on insights from cell biology, genetics, public health, sociology, economics, ethics and others. Discussions with health care professionals and scientists, and visits to health care facilities and research centers highlight the value of collaborative bench to bedside treatment strategies. Meetings with cancer patients and survivors provide insights into current successes and challenges in patient care. A final project challenges students to develop a multidisciplinary strategy for improving cancer care. This graded course is intended for Honors students from all disciplines. Individuals completing the course receive honors credit. Pre-course reading and attendance at one meeting in December are required.
 

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