This program involves interdisciplinary study that includes material that crosses departmental and divisional lines. Occasionally, the program involves fields not regularly offered at the college. A degree plan is not associated with the program.
GS 102 Advanced Placement Seminar
Students earning a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Seminar course will receive credit for this course.
GS 103 Advanced Placement Research
Students earning a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Research course will receive credit for this course.
GS 155 Veterans Onward: Locating Yourself in a New Landscape
Who am I now? Where do I want to go? How do I get there? A course designed specifically for service members transitioning to civilian life, this program equips learners with key knowledge and skills and supports opportunities for broader self-reflection. Beginning with core questions of identity and vocation, this course guides learners toward a better understanding both of themselves and of the kinds of opportunities that are open to them. From a detailed understanding of the GI Bill and systems of education and training to honing communication and financial literacy skills, learners are then able to build specific answers to these questions. Combining classroom discussion, applied learning experiences, and community engagement, this course challenges learners to ask themselves where they see their post-military life and how to chart a course into their future.
GS 201 Interdisciplinary Topics
Study abroad experience that is not offered in the language of the country.
GS 202 Study Abroad Intercultural Reflection
This is a 1/4 credit academic course taken the semester a student returns from abroad. Upon return to Austin College, the student will be asked to reflect on the depth upon the study abroad experience. We require this of students to ensure that they can fully appreciate the experience and effectively connect it to their Austin College education. PREQ: Student must have studied abroad for a full semester prior to taking this course. Required the first term back at Austin College. Instructor permission required. Requirements met: Applied Learning Experience. 0.25 credit.
GS 205 Quantitative and Statistical Reasoning
The goal of this general studies course is to engender some of the critical quantitative skills and methods needed for an understanding of many of the complex issues currently facing individuals, groups, and the modern world. Among the topics and skills are: understanding and working with numbers in context, and over many orders of magnitude; issues with units and unit conversions; ratios with units, per-cents of per-cents, and Simpson’s paradox; probability, expectation value, and decision making; key statistical ideas and techniques; the manifold charts, tables, graphs of data presentation; various functions (especially logarithm and exponential) in context. Real-world and in-depth examples will constitute a significant part of our focus. Requirements met: Quantitative Competency (Fall 2019 & after).
GS 220 Professionalism in Healthcare
Successful healthcare professionals have to do more than master the biological and chemical foundations of their field; they also have to develop strong interpersonal skills, cultural competence, ethical decision-making skills, self-awareness, integrity, resilience, and a capacity for growth and improvement. In short, they have to be professional. This course will explore what “professionalism” means in a healthcare context, and the various ways it can be enacted and embodied. Students will practice critical self-reflection throughout the course to improve self-awareness. The course will also challenge students to engage with difficult social, ethical, economic, scientific, and political issues facing contemporary health care, at the local, national, and global levels. Graded on S/D/U basis only. PREQ: Sophomore standing. 0.25 credit. (Each fall)
GS 222 Movies: Introduction to Narrative Film
A primary aim of the course is to gain practice in productive ways of viewing movies. Active viewing is designed to capture the power, beauty, and complexity of narrative film. Secondary aims entail developing a notion of the historical depth of the form’s tradition, developing a notion of film genre and how it works, and developing an appreciation of movies as a collaborative enterprise. Students will prepare two analytical papers, one oral presentation, and numerous short lab reports. May be repeated for credit. Requirements met: Humanities Breadth/Discover. (Each fall or spring)
GS 230 Post-Internship Reflection
This course follows upon the pre-internship retreat and the successful completion of the internship. It is intended to provide structured time and resources for vocational reflection upon the internship experience. Through readings, lectures, outside speakers, discussions, and written reflections, different voices are brought to bear on the various ways in which work and a meaningful life intersect. The course will draw upon cultural, historical, philosophical, psychological, and religious perspectives in the process of making significant life choices (As needed).
GS 240 Trial Advocacy
Trial Advocacy will train students in the art of courtroom presentation. Students will get the opportunity to step into the shoes of an attorney and/or a witness in a mock trial setting. Students will compete in American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) sanctioned mock trial tournaments. Student attorneys will be expected to learn basic rules of evidence, develop opening and closing statements, prepare witnesses for trial, prepare trial notebooks and exhibits, and be able to present their cases in a courtroom setting. Student witnesses will be expected to have a working knowledge of the rules of evidence, to aid attorneys in the preparation of exhibits, to learn basic acting skills, to develop one or more witnesses for presentation in a mock trial setting. Course may be repeated up to one course credit earned. 0.25 course credit.
GS 250 Intermediate Topics in General Studies
A study of selected topics for beginning students based on faculty and student interests. Offered on an occasional basis. Course may be repeated when topic varies. 1 course credit.
GS 260 Intermediate Directed Study in General Studies
Student investigation of topic of interest working in collaboration with a faculty member resulting in significant oral and written work. See On-Campus Learning Opportunities for more information. PREQ: Freshman JanTerm or Sophomore standing. Special permission required. Offered in variable course credit from 0.25-1.00.
GS 350 Advanced Topics in General Studies
An investigation of selected topics for more advanced students based on faculty and student interests. Offered on an occasional basis. Course may be repeated when topic varies. Prerequisites vary. 1 course credit.
GS 460 Advanced Directed Study in General Studies
Student investigation of topic of interest related to the major or minor working in collaboration with a faculty member resulting in significant oral and written work. See On-Campus Learning Opportunities for more information. PREQ: Junior or Senior standing. Special permission required. Offered for variable course credit from 0.25-1.00.
GS 490 Independent Study in General Studies
Student-driven independent work to produce a high quality body of work such as paper, report, art project, etc. See On-Campus Learning Opportunities for more information. PREQ: Junior or Senior standing. Special permission required. 1 course credit.