2026-2027 Academic Catalog

Category: Liberal Arts Courses

2026-2027 Academic Catalog

  • DPL-485 SPECIAL PROJECT 300/400

    The Special Project class is offered on an,occasional basis, with course content specific to,the area being explored.,,

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites:

  • DPL-490 INDEPENDENT STUDY

    Independent Study is available to students who are,at Junior or Senior level standing with a,cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above.,The student may receive approval to work in an,area or on a project that is not otherwise offered,or addressed in the regular curriculum. An,Independent Study should include opportunities for,individual student voice and provide a space for,diverse perspectives. Students may receive credit,toward graduation for no more than 6 credit hours.,The student must submit to the chairperson of the,department in which they wish to study, an,Independent Study Proposal of 150 words (no less),of the student’s plan for study and her/his reason,for choosing to study independently. Once the,department chairperson provides approval and the,instructor for the Independent Study is,determined, the faculty member must write an,Independent Study Syllabus with education goals,,learning outcomes, meeting dates, course,expectations, timelines, and due dates. Art,Education candidates must pass DAE 490 with a,grade of ‘C’ (2.00) or higher to qualify for,certification.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: Take one 3.0 credit, 200 level course from one of the,following subjects: DAH (Art History), DEN (English), DAS,(Academic Studies), DVC (Visual Culture).

  • DSS-204 BUSINESS ANTHROPOLOGY

    This class applies concepts of anthropology to,business with a special emphasis on the fashion,industry. Students are introduced to research,methods such as ethnography, psychogeography,,participant observation as well as surveys. Case,studies and in-depth retail analysis are utilized,to provide insight into consumer behavior as well,as cultural patterns and trends and their,implications for product design, marketing,,merchandising, and retail display of fashion,accessories. In addition this class will consider,race, diversity and social justice issues in,relation to the consumer and corporate social,responsibility.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: FAD 102

  • DSS-206 INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABILITY IN,FASHION

    In this course, students explore sustainability in,relation to fashion and accessories design through,lectures and case studies. Students prepare a,sustainability manifesto based on a focus of their,choice and an in-depth case study resulting in an,essay with final presentation.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites:

  • DSS-215 INTRO TO CULTURAL STUDIES

    This course explores the complex web of beliefs,,practices, ideas, and expressions that has shaped,the human world in all times and places. Students,examine power and identity, how popular culture,and mass media influence our beliefs, the power of,subcultures and countercultures, and the complex,ways in which we find meaning in our world. Key,debates within cultural studies will be,considered, covering topics such as defining what,”culture” is, the history and value of “mass,culture,” the meaning of “ideology,” what racism,is and how it works, and the politics of gender,and sexuality.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: WRT 102

  • DSS-220 UNDERSTANDING AI

    This course examines the core concepts needed to,understand, critically evaluate, and effectively,use artificial intelligence systems. Students move,beyond basic prompting to learn more advanced,techniques like strategic prompting, iterative,refinement, workflow augmentation and model,customization. The course emphasizes a critical,framework for evaluating AI, enabling students to,evaluate issues of bias and intellectual property,,as well as the moral dimension of the social and,individual implications of using AI. The goal is,to enable students to be responsible, informed,,and effective users of AI tools.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites:

  • DSS-221 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY

    This course introduces students to basic,principles and theories of human growth,,motivation, action, cognition, personality, and,social interaction.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: WRT 102 (Formerly DEN 102)

  • DSS-240 UNDERSTANDING POLITICS

    Political structures, theories, and practices,shape our world, and this course,gives students the tools and knowledge to,understand political issues. Topics include the,supposed,justifications for political authority, reasons,for limiting freedom, arguments for different,kinds of,property distribution, conceptions of justice, and,responding to oppression and inequality. Students,consider live political issues, the arguments and,ideas behind different positions, and come to,their own,informed and reasoned political views.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: WRT 102 (Formerly DEN 102)

  • DSS-241 SEMIOTICS

    Semiotics is the study of signs, symbols, and,their meaning – it can offer insights into how,visual, textual, and auditory elements communicate,and convey messages, the multilayered way objects,and images speak to us. Topics include semiotic,theories, cultural semiotics, common strategies in,visual culture, and the practical application of,semiotic theories in art and design.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: WRT 102 (Formerly DEN 102)

  • DSS-285 SPECIAL PROJECT

    The Special Project class is offered on an,occasional basis, with course content specific to,the area being explored.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: