UHD 2000/2001 Catalog UHD Catalog Home | Academic Programs | College of Humanities and Social Sciences Table of Contents | Previous Section | Next Section | Index | How to Use the Online Catalog COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES Bachelor of Science Major in Interdisciplinary Studies 24 COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES Michael R. Dressman, PhD, Dean B. Christiana Birchak, PhD, Associate Dean Room 1015-South, 713-221-8009 The College of Humanities and Social Sciences offers courses and degrees that explore human culture and social interaction and that develop skills in analysis and communication. The fundamental courses in humanities and social sciences constitute basic requirements in the common core curriculum for a university education. Programs of Study Degree Programs The College of Humanities and Social Sciences offers the following degree programs: Bachelor of Arts with majors in: English Interdisciplinary Studies (Elementary Education) History Humanities Social Sciences Bachelor of Science with majors in: Criminal Justice Interdisciplinary Studies Professional Writing Psychology Social Sciences Master of Science with major in Criminal Justice Teacher Education Program The University of Houston-Downtown’s teacher education program offers certification in elementary, secondary, and bilingual education. Students wishing to obtain elementary certification may choose teaching fields in English, history, mathematics, biology, or speech communication. Secondary certification majors may choose from mathematics, English, Social Studies, Science or generic (additional areas by advisement for post-baccalaureate students). An endorsement in English-as-a-Second Language is also available. For formal admission to teacher education students should have: Junior, senior, or post-baccalaureate standing; Passing scores on all three sections of the TASP; and An overall 2.5 grade point average for undergraduate majors and for post-baccalaureate students. Teacher education students are not permitted to self-advise or telephone register for BED, EED, SED, or PED courses. Students interested in the teacher education program should contact the Department of Urban Education at 713-221-8906 or visit Room 601-South. General Education Requirements in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences All students seeking a degree in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences must complete the general education requirements, including the common core courses, application courses, enhancement courses and the Writing Proficiency Examination required of all UH-Downtown graduates, as well as meet the specific requirements of the particular degree sought. Fulfillment of general education requirements may vary depending on the degree. Common Core Requirements (42 hours) The courses listed below fulfill the common core requirements. Equivalent courses taken at UH-Downtown or transferred from another institution may be substituted with a degree coordinator’s permission. All placement and prerequisite regulations apply. Communication Skills (9 hours of English composition and 3 hours of speech communication) ENG 1301 Composition I ENG 1302 Composition II Any speech course. Mathematical Skills (3 hours) MATH 1301 College Algebra or MATH 1310 College Mathematics for Liberal Arts or Any mathematics course with MATH 1300 or 1301 as a prerequisite Natural Sciences (6 hours) Any two introductory courses (6 hours) in the natural sciences (biology, chemistry, geology or physics). Computer Literacy (3 hours) CIS 1301 Introduction to Computer Based Systems or CS 1305 Introduction to Computer Technology or HUM 2305 Computer Applications in the Humanities Literary Arts (3 hours) One of the following: ENG 2301 25 Literature of the Western World: Ancient to Renaissance ENG 2302 Literature of the Western World: Neoclassical to Modern ENG 2311 American Literature to 1865 ENG 2312 American Literature from 1865 ENG 2313 British Literature to 1800 ENG 2314 British Literature from 1800 or Any college literature course, sophomore level or above Fine Arts History or Appreciation (3 hours) One of the following: ART 1301 History of Art I ART 1302 History of Art II ART 1310 Art Appreciation DRA 1301 Introduction to Theater DRA 3303 History of Theater I DRA 3304 History of Theater II MUS 2301 Music Appreciation: Before 1750 MUS 2302 Music Appreciation: After 1750 Transfer courses in history or appreciation of architecture or dance are acceptable. Studio and performance courses do not fulfill this requirement. Social & Behavioral Sciences One of the following: ANTH 2301 Physical Anthropology ANTH 2302 Cultural Anthropology ECO 1301 Introduction to Economics GEOG 1301 Introduction to Geography PSY 1303 General Psychology SOC 1303 Principles of Sociology American History (6 hours) Two of the following: HIST 1305 U.S. History to 1877 HIST 1306 U.S. History after 1877 HIST 2303 Texas History HIST 2309 Ethnic Minorities in American History Political System (6 hours) POLS 2303 U.S. Government I POLS 2304 U.S. Government II Application Courses (9 hours) Application courses are not additional course requirements. They may already be included in a student’s degree program and may, thus, fulfill other degree requirements. However, a potential graduate’s program of studies must include application courses in writing skills and nonverbal analytical skills. Writing Skills (6 hours) Two upper-division courses in which there are substantial written assignments. Consult a degree advisor for specific courses which complement a particular degree. Courses commonly used to fulfill this requirement in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences include: ENG 3302 Business and Technical Report Writing ENG 3308 Legal Writing ENG 4305 Advanced Composition All upper-division courses in English literature and history Nonverbal Analytical Skills (3 hours) One course which fits with and supports a student’s degree program and which employs mathematical or symbolic reasoning skills. Consult a degree advisor for specific courses which complement a particular degree. Courses commonly used to fulfill this requirement in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences include: SOS 3312 Statistics in the Social Sciences PHIL 4315 Symbolic Logic Any additional course in mathematics, computer science or natural sciences. Courses in accounting, economics or music theory may provide additional possibilities, depending on the program. Enhancement Courses (6 hours) Enhancement courses are not additional course requirements. They may already be included in a student’s degree program and may, thus, fulfill other degree requirements. However, a potential graduate’s program of studies must include enhancement courses in ethics and morality and world community. Ethics and Morality (3 hours) One course which addresses topics of ethics and morality. Consult a degree advisor for specific courses which complement a particular degree. Courses commonly used to fulfill this requirement in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences include: CJ 3311 Ethics of Social Control PHIL 3301 Moral Issues, Personal and Professional Other selected courses in philosophy World Community (3 hours) One course which addresses topics beyond American society. Consult a degree advisor for specific courses which complement a particular degree. Courses commonly used to fulfill this requirement in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences include: Courses in geography, foreign languages and literature, or courses in history, political science, and humanities that focus on other cultures. Writing Proficiency Examination This examination should be taken as soon as possible after a student has completed ENG 1302 and has earned 60 hours. Five criteria are used to evaluate essays: (1) The essay must respond to the assigned topic. (2) The essay must adequately develop a point; i.e., it must have a central point which it supports at enough length and in enough detail. (3) The essay must be organized. Signs of organization, not all of which will necessarily appear in a successful essay, are: a) an introductory paragraph or section which states the main idea of the essay; b) a series of body paragraphs, each of which is unified by an idea relating to and advancing the main idea of the essay; c) an arrangement of these paragraphs in a logical progression; d) an ending which leaves the reader with a sense of completion. (4) The essay must be clearly worded. (5) The essay must be written in standard English. In standard English, the writing, though perhaps informal, is clearly that of an educated person. 26 Being Accepted as a Degree Major All students at UH-Downtown are assigned for academic advising to University College until they are accepted into one of the degree programs. Before applying for acceptance to programs in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, a student must: Pass all portions of the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) test; Have completed all required developmential courses; Complete a minimum of 30 hours toward the general education requirements; Be in good academic standing; and Be released by University College. After these requirements are met, University College will refer the student to the College of Humanities and Social Sciences’ Coordinator of Academic Advising. Requirements for Majors All degree programs in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences require a minimum of 30 semester credit hours in residence and a minimum of 18 upper-level semester credit hours earned at this university. The College reserves the right to limit the number of directed study, internship, service learning, experience learning, and credit-by-examination credit hours that can be applied to degree requirements, especially major requirements. Minors The College of Humanities and Social Sciences offers minors in the following areas: Art Criminal Justice English Ethnic Studies Gender Studies History Philosophy Political Science Professional Writing Psychology Quantitative Methods in Research Sociology Spanish Speech Communication Theatre Students seeking minors in these areas must meet the following requirements: The grade point average for all courses taken at UH-Downtown and applied to the minor must be at least 2.0. Transfer courses applied to the minor may be restricted by the individual program. Courses applied toward a minor must include a minimum of six hours of upper-level course work taken at UH-Downtown. Upper-level courses applied toward the major may not also be counted toward the fulfillment of minor requirements. Requirements for each minor are listed with the curricula of the departments offering the minor. The requirements for the minors in Ethnic Studies and Gender Studies are available at the office of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Bachelor of Science Major in Interdisciplinary Studies Cindy Kistenberg, PhD, Coordinator Room 1009-South, (713) 221-7692 The College of Humanities and Social Sciences supervises the program of studies leading to the Bachelor of Science degree major in Interdisciplinary Studies. Course work in support of this program is offered in this college, as well as in the Computer and Mathematical Sciences Department and Natural Sciences Department which are in the College of Sciences and Technology. The Interdisciplinary Studies degree offers the student a broad-based, flexible curriculum in the arts and sciences so that the individual may design a course of study to meet his or her interests and needs, both personal and career-oriented. At the lower level (freshman and sophomore years), the Interdisciplinary Studies student receives a solid foundation in the arts and sciences. In addition to these core requirements, students take courses in three broadly defined clusters of the arts and sciences: humanities (art, drama, English, communication, foreign language, music, philosophy and speech communication); social sciences (anthropology, geography, history, political science, psychology and sociology); and mathematics and science (biology, chemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics and physics). On this foundation the student builds an upper-level program, either by pursuing interests in traditional arts and sciences or by structuring an interdisciplinary program suited to personal needs and interests. In addition, a student may use the large number of elective hours to gain proficiency in specific career areas. In compliance with the accrediting principles of the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business, the business content of nonbusiness programs is limited to 25 percent of the credit hours applied toward graduation. When released by the University College, students interested in the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies may enroll in the program by contacting the coordinator of academic advising in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (located adjacent to the Office of the Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences). Degree Requirements The degree requires completion of 123 hours, at least 36 of which must be upper-level courses (numbered 3000–4999) within the arts and sciences. For degree completion, at least 25 percent of the semester credit hours must be earned through instruction offered by UH-Downtown.The last 30 of the total hours and 18 of the upper-level hours in the arts and sciences must be successfully completed in residence at UH-Downtown. The minimum grade point average of 2.0 required for graduation is computed for all course work which could apply toward the degree at UHD. 27 Common Core Requirements (42 hours) See listing under General Education Requirements in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Lower-Division Cluster Requirements (18 hours) Six hours of arts and humanities, excluding ENG 1300, RDG 1300, ENG 1105, SPCH 1301; three additional hours of literature; six hours of social sciences; three hours of mathematics, computer science or natural sciences, excluding MATH 0300 and MATH 1300. Upper-Division Requirements (36 hours) At least 36 hours of upper-level work in the arts and sciences offered by the following departments at UH-Downtown: Arts and Humanities, English, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Computer and Mathematical Sciences. Selected courses from Urban Education or the College of Business may apply with the coordinator’s approval. Six hours of credit in writing-intensive courses are required as part of this program. No more than 18 upper-level hours in a single discipline may be counted toward the major, and no more than 27 total hours in a single discipline (excluding courses used to satisfy common core requirements) may be used to satisfy degree requirements. Electives (27 hours) From any department at any level, with the following restrictions: Developmental courses (ENG 1300, MATH 0300, MATH 1300 and RDG 1300) may not apply to graduation requirements. No more than 25 percent of the hours presented for graduation may be credits in business.