Academic Courses

COM409 Intercultural Communication Seminar - 2 credits
Students study and explore special topics in intercultural communication in this advanced seminar course. Students apply intercultural communication concepts, theories, and models to various contexts, including educational, political, social, and religious institutions. The seminar format allows students opportunities to discuss ideas in depth and to cater projects and papers to individual areas of special interest. (Prerequisite: COM309 or consent of instructor)

ED330 Human Diversity and Relations    2 credits
This course helps students experience, understand, and become sensitive to human diversity and presents strategies for teaching human relations skills in the classroom setting. A 25-hour field experience that satisfies a portion of the university's human relations requirement is included.

ENG327 Reading and Writing for Hmong - 2 credits
Students enrolled in the class will gain general understanding of the origin of the Hmong language and also be able to read and write basic Hmong.

ENG328 Reading and Writing for Hmong-Intermediate- 2 credits 
With regular interactive group activities, students will enhance their Hmong through a series of reading and writing Hmong short stories, poems, proverbs as well as key activities surrounding family and social events. (Prerequisite: ENG327 or have some proficiency in reading and writing Hmong.)

HIS339 Race and Ethnicity in American History - 4 credits
This course examines those who came or were brought to the United States through the slave trade, economic, social, and political dislocations in different parts of the world and more personal factors. Various modes of assimilation and diversity will be discussed, as will the stories of many of the different peoples who have served to create the citizenry of the United States.

HMG101 Introduction to Hmong Studies - 2 credits
Through a combination of lectures, reading and research, students will gain a better understanding of the Hmong community and the area of Hmong studies through the work of Hmong scholars and researchers from around the world.

HMG110 Introduction to Hmong History - 4 credits
This course will examine the rich history of the Hmong people in China, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and America and the various roles that the Hmong have had on these nations. The class will also look at the various challenges and opportunities that the Hmong faced in these countries.

HMG201  Hmong Culture and Society - 4 credits
Through a combination of lectures and field work experiences, students will gain a better understanding of the Hmong community here and throughout the world as they deal with changes relating to globalization and acculturation.

HMG202 Hmong Literature and Art - 4 credits
In this course, students will explore the various literatures (folk as well as modern) and art forms that have been in use by the Hmong for over 4,000 years. A combination of field experiences/observations, and readings, as well as class discussion will be used.

HMG301 Hmong Cosmology and Belief - 4 credits
This class will explore all the aspects of Hmong beliefs and the different forms of religions that are practiced by the Hmong throughout the world. Students will learn from books/assigned readings, lectures, class interaction and field work/observation.

SOC254 People and Culture of Southeast Asia- 4 credits
This course explores the people and culture of countries in Southeast Asia including Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. These Southeast Asia countries known for their ancient culture, increasing modernization and breathtaking beauty, provide a rich setting for interdisciplinary learning. This course is designed to introduce students to the region's history and culture. Students will learn about language, literature, history, religion, economics, politics, education, arts and other aspects of Thai, Vietnamese, Cambodian and Laotian cultures. Students will receive an orientation prior to the trip that will acquaint them with the course and its learning objectives. Classroom instruction and cultural appreciation will be integrated with the cultural tours. Particular attention is given to the Hmong experience in two comparative contexts: Southeast Asia, and the United States. The program will take place in a number of southeast Asian countries: Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.(Recommended prerequisite: SOC152)

SOC255 People and Culture of China - 4 credits
China, known for its ancient culture, increasing modernization and breathtaking beauty, provides a rich setting for interdisciplinary learning. This course is designed to introduce students to the people and culture of China. Students will learn about the Chinese language, literature, history, religion, economics, politics, education, arts and other aspects of Chinese culture. Students will receive an orientation and become acquainted with the course objectives prior to the course. Classroom instruction and cultural appreciation will be integrated with a cultural tour of Beijing, Xi'an, and other major Chinese cities and sites. Visits to the great wall of China, the temple of heaven, the summer palace, Tiananmen Square, the forbidden city, and the Lama Temple. Excursions will be made to local markets, a Chinese cooking class, a river cruise, a site visit to a Chinese school, the Terracotta Warriors, and a Hmong village. Particular attention is given to the Hmong experience in two comparative contexts: China, and the United States. (Prerequisite: SOC152)

SOC357 Class and Community - 4 credits
This course analyzes the nature and functions of American social class and community life. The primary focus is on patterns of social in equality and resulting systems of stratification, both of which are evaluated in terms of their consequences for the individual and the community. The debate of rights verses responsibilities forms the basis of inquiry into the individual-community relationship. (Prerequisite: SOC152)

SOC358 Minority Groups - 4 credits
Students study various racial, ethnic, and other social groups in the broad context of American society. Attention is given to the concept of minority status as it relates to prejudices, discrimination and segregation in contemporary life. (Prerequisite: SOC152)

SOC359 Social Welfare as an Institution - 4 credits
This course examines basic social welfare theory and methods in order to understand the structure and function of public and private welfare in American society. Social welfare is examined as part of the larger American social structure, reflecting cultural values as well as political and economic processes. Attention is given to several areas of social welfare in which specialization has occurred, including work with the elderly, the chemically dependent and battered children and adults. (Prerequisite: SOC152)