IIR Schedule of Classes

Explores the theory and practice of contemporary communication and advocacy short form video.

From agricultural technologies such as genetically engineered corn/rice with betacarotene to optimize vitamin A synthesis, to the use of CRISPR to edit genes of interest in animal and human embryos, biotechnological breakthroughs often raise ethical concerns that need to be examined and addressed. This course will explore how philosophical concepts/theories and social policies can be used to study and reflect on some of the complex ethical issues in emerging biotechnological research.

The influence of culture on child development will be examined from several perspectives. Issues examined include the influences of group; differences in family organization, how styles of parenting affect children’s socio-emotional development, how language and communication practices affect cognitive development, national differences in cultural tradition reflected in the pattern of educational and other institutions, and implications for the participation of minority cultural groups in American education.

Introduction to human information processing, including such topics as concept formation, pattern recognition, attention, memory and problem-solving. Note: This course may be subject to a Course Materials Charge. The charge may vary by semester, depending on the course materials required. The Course Materials Initiative (CMI) was established to provide students with more affordable course materials, enhance the students’ experience on a common digital platform via Blackboard, and position UMBC to be ahead of the curve with digital content. More information is available at UMBC Bookstore’s website.

Explores how communication shapes constructions of gender, sex, sexuality and other identity markers. Topics include issues of oppression, identity, and power and social, political, and economic situations and examines how these issues impact our daily lives.

Structure and function of communication within organizations: organizational climate and culture, information flow, networks and role relationships.

This course explores America’s democratic experiment, from the American Revolution through the mid-19th century. The course covers political topics like voting rights and party politics, but also examines the social, cultural, and economic aspects of democracy in this turbulent era. Students will learn what men and women of all races and classes wanted from democracy, how they tried to have their voices heard, and assess how well the American political system worked for them. Recommended Preparation: Any 100-level Social Science course.