Undergraduate Catalog 2005 - 2006

General Studies (GS)

Dean: Krista K. Rodin
Assistant Dean: Jeet Joshee
Program Director: Kenneth Fuchsman
Department Office: Room 133, Bishop Center

For major requirements, see the College of Continuing Studies section of this Catalog.
 
200. BGS Continuous Registration

Either semester. No credit.

A course without academic credit for which BGS students must register when not taking credit courses at any college or university for use in the BGS program during a particular semester.

201. BGS External Study

Either semester. No credit. Open only with consent of BGS advisor.

A course without academic credit for which a BGS student must register when taking approved credit courses at another college or university for transfer back into the BGS program at the University of Connecticut.

202. Introduction to Arts Administration

First semester. Three credits. Rodin

Examines different types of arts organizations; operating structures they might adopt, management issues surrounding different organizational structures, and resources available to managers of arts organizations. Discussions will include the history of arts management, administrative theory, the profit vs. non-profit business model, the role of arts advocacy in administration, working with boards of directors, and case studies. A final project will involve creating a business model for a hypothetical arts organization.

203. Systemic Analysis

Second semester. Three credits. Rosenbaum

Provides students with a foundational understanding of the complex and dynamic relationships between issues and the systems that cause them. Systemic analysis trains students to understand in the operational dynamics of the social and structural dimensions of a society or group

217. Entrepreneurial I

Either semester. Three credits. Not applicable to School of Business degree requirements.

"The idea" and is it really viable; market research and the competition; promotion and advertising; patents, copyrights, and trademarks; cash flow management; pricing of products and services; record keeping and accounting; organization forms such as incorporation, partnerships and dba; taxes and tax implications of decisions and actions; government regulations; leases and licenses; and how to get your accountant and lawyer involved. 

218. Entrepreneurial II

Either semester. Three credits. Not applicable to School of Business degree requirements.

Interviewing, hiring, evalution and firing of employees; legal issues related to Human Resources; fringe benefit issues; time management; providing excellent customer service; the diversity of the market place; presentation skills and presentation etiquette; using Powerpoint for presentations and proposal preparation; how to deal with success and growth; how to deal with failure; the positives and the negatives of being an entrepreneur and is it for you. 

219. Advanced Entrepreneurial 

Either semester. Three credits. Not applicable to School of Business degree requirements.

Integrating topics in Entrepreneurial Skills I and II with more detailed information on types of financial support and how the types differ, on pricing a product and service in the marketplace, on what e-commerce is and how to use it effectively together with more traditional marketing methods, and on the managerial and fiscal management that is required for success; quality control issues, working in teams and team building, and long range planning and strategizing will also be covered. 

220. Entrepreneurial Seminar

Either semester. Three credits. Not applicable to School of Business degree requirements.

In-depth discussion of business plans and the different types of business plans and how each type relates to the type of funding sought (e.g., a bank versus a venture capitalist) together with the actual writing of a business plan. Students can work individually or on a team basis to prepare and present a business plan suitable to the type of funding source desired using a real entrepreneurial idea or doing the plan as an academic exercise. Each student or team must present the plan to  class on a trial run basis for class comment and analysis. The polished business plan must then be presented to an external panel and the panel acts as if it were a funding agent being asked to give money to implement the plan.

221. Dimension of American Civic Engagement

Either semester. Three credits. 

Examines the concept of citizenship in America. Discusses and evaluates the state of citizenship through historical, philosophical, cultural and contemporary political analyses. Discussion course will focus on selected theoretical traditions of citizenship, the historical development of citizenship and community in America, citizenship as political participation, some challenges to participation, and the development of citizenship skills. Through discussion of assigned readings and current issues, it is hoped that the student will come to a greater understanding of rights, responsibilities, and unique challenges of civic engagement that frame the concept of citizenship in America.

222. Federal Law and Collective Bargaining

Second semester. Three credits. Hoffman, Sullivan

This course provides the student with the fundamental skills needed to understand the collective bargaining under federal law.

240. Marketing Concepts and Practices into the 21st Century

Either semester. Three credits. Not applicable to School of Business degree requirements.

Discussion of marketing concepts, processes, strategies and management within context of product/service organizations both in the profit and the non-profit sector whether large or small.

241. Financial Statement Analysis for Non-Financial Managers

Either semester. Three credits. Not applicable to School of Business requirements.

Concepts and principles to enable non-financial managers to intelligently read and analyze financial reports.

250. Introduction to Behavior Analysis

Second semester. Three credits. Fitzgerald

 Survey of the principles of learning and their applications. Topics include the identification of behavior, its function, and methods of controlling  its intensity and timing. Utilizes components of the Personalized System of Instruction and Precision Teaching.

251. Introduction to Behavioral Assessment

Summer semester. Three credits. Fitzgerald

 Introduction to the science of behavioral assessment through a survey of the strategies, tactics, tools, and practices that behavioral researchers and practitioners utilize to measure behavior change.

252. Introduction to Behavioral Interventions

First semester. Three credits. Fitzgerald

 An advanced application of the principles of learning to produce meaningful social outcomes for a variety of learners across settings. Utilizing the tools of behavioral assessment, the selection of an appropriate intervention and the steps in data-based decision making will be examined. The design and implementation of behavior change programs that will be maintained in various environments will be addressed. The use of high ethical standards and best practices will be emphasized.

265. Labor and American Politics
Second semester. Three credits. Howell, Sullivan

 The class is organized chronologically using the high points of our countrys political history and labors attempts to influence the political process.
 

285. Introduction to Hinduism

Both semesters. Three credits.  Joshee, Pandey

Study of one of the world's oldest religions and how its distinct traditions that have enhanced the lifestyles of more than 800 million people in several countries of Asia.  Reviews Hinduism's  history, heritage, and philosophy. Closely examines the practices of this religion in Nepal, the only Hindu country.

286. Introduction to Nepali Culture

Both semesters. Three credits.  Aryal, Joshee

Introduction to different cultures and traditions found among various ethnic groups of Nepal. It will examine the two religions widely practiced in Napal, mainly Hinduism and Buddhism, its affect in shaping the cultural values in people's lives.

287. Introduction to Buddhism

Both semesters. Three credits.  Bajracharya, Rodin

Study of Buddhism, Buddhist culture, and the teachings of Buddha.  Examines differing schools of the religion and their distinct literary and cultural traditions with special emphasis on Buddhism in Nepal  as a cultural example. Students are challenged to apply the ethical foundations, the Four Noble Truths, and Eightfold Path to their own lives. Discusses the influence that cultural background has on understanding of the world.

288. Introduction to Himalayan and Tibetan Culture

Both semesters. Three credits.  Dhungel, Joshee

This course includes a semester long online study in which the students will be introduced to the origin, development and nature of the Himalayan or Tibetan religions and cultures. This course will provide the student with enough knowledge and confidence to enable them to communicate the fundamental knowledge of Tibetans in Nepal, Tibetan culture, and the people of the Himalayan region and their cultural and religious practices.

293. Foreign Study

Either semester. Three credits. Credits and hours by arrangement. Joshee, Rodin

Utilizing experiential learning approaches, this course will provide students the hands-on opportunity to learn about a particular country, culture, religion, society and people. Students in this course will physically travel to the country to be studied and participate in a series of lectures and seminars together with site visits and field trips of historic places, educational institutions, museums and libraries. 

295. Integrating General Studies

Both semesters. Three credits. Fuchsman

Integrates the fields of general and interdisciplinary studies. Traces emergence of interdisciplinary studies and compares different academic disciplines. Future of interdisciplnary studies is assessed. 

296. BGS Internship

Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of instructor and BGS mentor/advisor. With a change in content, may be repeated for credit.

297. BGS Summary Project

Either semester. Three credits. Open only with consent of BGS mentor/advisor.

A project demonstrating the student's educational accomplishments and ability to synthesize the disciplines studied into a coherent whole.

298. Variable Topics

Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. With a change in content, may be repeated for credit.

299. Independent Study

Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of instructor and BGS mentor/advisor. With a change in content, may be repeated for credit.