Graduate Courses

This one-semester workshop enables students in the M.A. Higher Education & Student Affairs to launch & complete their capstone project, which consists of a professional philosophy statement & portfolio. The capstone requires students to apply their academic & experiential learning to challenges found in the professional field.

Examines legal problems & issues as they affect the students, faculty, & administrators of colleges & universities. Major topics include liability, contract law, due process, confidentiality of records, search & seizure, and discrimination.

Individually designed internship program to meet special needs of masters candidates. Experiences may combine supervised work assignments at metropolitan and overseas universities, colleges, or community colleges with research studies to be completed in connection with such work responsibilities.

This course is an introduction to finance and public policy within higher education. The course explores policy bases for financing higher education and examines how public policies affect various constituents in higher education. The primary content includes financial benefits of postsecondary and higher education, federal and state funding for higher education, tuition policies, need- and merit-based financial aid programs, and student access and affordability issues.

Examines ways that hip hop culture, texts, and language exists as valuable resources worthy of serious study in secondary English classrooms. Students will learn to teach English by learning hip hop, learning about hip hop, and learning through hip hop. Group projects focus on grounded investigations in the area of critical literacy, sociolinguistics, and English language arts teaching/learning. Readings will cover divergent voices in contemporary society as students consider ways to integrate such voices into existing language and literacy curriculums, K through college.

Exploration of the vernacular & theatrically influenced forms of Hip Hop dance including but not limited to Breaking, Popping, Locking & Krumping & identifying commonalities & differences within the Hip Hop practices. Focusing on the historical & cultural context & its importance to education in the various schools of dance sectors, students will experience pedagogical approaches, along with approaches to technique, improvisation & cognitive content. Classes will be conducted to Hip Hop, house & dance music from the past three decades. Classes will be begin with a set warm-up & follow with stretching & conditioning exercises. Depending on the week’s focus, there will be across-the-floor progression series & practice techniques of that week’s particular hip-hop dance form. Class will always conclude with a combination that incorporates that week’s dance form & other hip-hop dance forms.

Overview of microanatomical structure from the perspective of cells, tissues, and systems. The four tissue types are studied including epithelial, connective, nervous, and muscular tissues. Basic concepts of cell and tissue injury and disease are presented, including examination of acute and chronic inflammation and immune and autoimmune responses.

Covers foundation knowledge of special education and eligibility for educational services across disabilities. Examines historical, social, and cultural practices and beliefs about disability, legal foundations of U.S. education policy for students with disabilities, and patterns of inclusion in home, community, and schools. Focus on issues and trends affecting the diverse U.S. population, equity, and access to education and related services for students with disabilities. Teacher development through observations of individualized and collaborative service models.

Influence of philosophy and early systems of psychology on contemporary views. Examination of British empiricism, structuralism, Gestalt psychology, behaviorism, and psychoanalytic theory.

Study of painting & sculpture in America in 1945 to the present with background information concerning development of styles & movements in art in the 20th century. Lectures, discussions, slides, gallery & museum visits.

This course surveys developments in contemporary visual arts since the '60s, from Conceptual Art to Land Art and Art and Activism through to Globalism of the '90s and early 2000s, including developments in performance art, dance, film, photography, and new media in the history of the arts.

Traces the evolution of dress from early body practices to the rise of consumer culture during the 18th century through topics including clothing as signifier of status and morality; the mechanics of the clothing trades and the impact of technology; trends and personalities; the politicization of dress during the French Revolution. The class considers the materiality of clothing and accessories and the relationship between dress and the body. Through lectures, discussions, and projects students are encouraged to seek their individual concentration in the field.

Traces the development of fashion photography in relation to contemporary fashion, aesthetic influence, photographic styles and techniques, cultural customs and commercial needs. Fashion photography is more than a medium dedicated to commerce: it is a record of artistic movements, ideals of beauty, and social trends. The course begins in the early 20th century with the growth of periodicals devoted to fashion and continues through the work of the present day.

Discussions of selected topics in the social and intellectual history of higher education in America since 1750.Integration of educational policies and functions, with attention to limitations of educational responsibility, development of institutional structures, changing modes for gaining and imparting knowledge, and the social prerogatives and initiatives variously assigned to an educated class.

A survey that examines sources and influences that contributed to the formation of taste and style from about 1850 to the present. Through a concept-driven, cross-disciplinary approach that includes art, architecture, decorative arts, and material culture, taste will be explore thematically and chronologically within a broad cultural context. Factors and forces that shape this context include political events, social customs and fads, fashion, pastimes, entertainment and technological advances. Emphasis is placed on developing critical skills through discussion of connections and relationships between the historical development of taste and current trends.

Tracks evolutions in style, technology, function, and historic developments of textiles from antiquity through the 18th century. Includes close study of important fiber and fabric typologies, including pattern-woven silks, tapestry, embroidery, lace, and printed/painted fabrics. Topics include textiles as indicators of status and wealth, design affinities to other arts, and the impact of cultural exchange among Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Investigates textiles in terms of design, creation, marketing, and use from the 19th century to present. With particular attention to the rapid technological advances of the past two centuries, visual and structural analysis of objects is combined with consideration of historical developments to situate textiles in the context of the surrounding culture. Includes object examination sessions at the Ratti Textile Center at the Metropolitan Museum as well as other New York collections.

This course focuses on developing conceptual, experiential, & pedagogic knowledge in five historical dance education traditions: Graham, Hawkins, Dunham, Horton, & Taylor, & 2 modern fusion techniques that incorporate working with differently abled populations. The course will introduce students to the theories & kinesthetic ideas of each of these choreographer/educators, & students will work closely with the accompanist to learn techniques of accompaniment for these styles. Students will investigate the concepts & constructs of a dance “technique” & what purpose technique classes serve to the dancer & choreographer, including the use of technology & assessment to enhance student experience & comprehension.

This course provides a laboratory environment where students learn to record, arrange, and produce their own high-quality performance videos using low-cost home equipment and software. The class culminates in each student building a website and internet presence that showcases the content created throughout the course.