U.S. Perspectives - Core Curriculum

Course Number	Course Title	Course Description
APST 200	Introducing Appalachia	Three hours lecture. Introduces the Appalachian Mountain region through a survey of its geography, history, cultures, lifestyles, and the arts. Readings, discussions, and multi-media presentations on the above topics will be supplemented by library and field research. The class is designed to create an overall awareness and appreciation of life in Appalachia.
ECON 101	Survey of Economics	Three hours lecture. A study of economic theory, institutions and issues. Emphasis on gaining a broad understanding of economic reasoning and its application to major contemporary issues. Students who have completed ECON 105 and 106 may not take ECON 101.
ECON 105	Principles of Economics	Three hours lecture. Macroeconomics. An introduction into the study of scarcity and choice: supply and demand theory, national income accounting, money and banking, monetary and fiscal policy models and how government deals with the problems of inflation, unemployment and economic growth. Principles of Macroeconomics are an introduction to the study of the structure of the U.S. economy. The course will introduce the students to the fundamentals of economic theory and reasoning. This course will focus on understanding, measuring, and analyzing macroeconomic activity and the role of the U.S. government in the economy. The course coverage and material will emphasize historical and contemporary economic issues facing the U.S. economy.
ECON 106	Principles of Economics	Three hours lecture. Microeconomics. Concentrates on microeconomics: elasticity of demand and supply, consumer and producer behavior, market structure, labor market analysis and general equilibrium. Students will be introduced to the science of economics, particularly to the study of markets and degrees of competitive behavior. Students will learn the "economic way of thinking" through studying optimizing behavior. Students will learn basic structures in both the product and factor markets, and relate those concepts to real world activities. Students will build a foundation for the continuing study of economics.
ENGL 203	Readings in American Literature	Three hours lecture. Prerequisite: CORE/ENGL 101, CORE/ENGL 102. Study of selected works in American literature with emphasis on the development of critical reading skills within a historical, cultural, and ideological national context.
GEOG 201	North America	Three hours lecture. Presentation of integrated spatial construction of the continent. Study of physical and human elements in the creation of the present diversity of life.
GEOG 202	The Commonwealth of Virginia	Three hours lecture. Examination of physical and human features of the state; emphasis on past and present human interpretations of the potentials of the land.
GEOG 203	Appalachian Geography	Three hours lecture. A regional geography of Appalachia, this course examines the spatial interactions of people and the environment within Appalachia in historical and current contexts.
HIST 111	U.S. History to 1865	Three hours lecture. Survey of national history from the colonial period through the American Revolution and early national period through the Civil War. Emphasis on economic, political and social developments and the growth of the representative and democratic process.
HIST 112	U.S. History since 1865	Three hours lecture. General survey of national history since the Civil War. Explores economic, political and social developments in the United States and growing American involvement in world affairs.
POSC 120	Introduction to American Government	Three hours lecture. Introduces students to the study of American government. Philosophical foundations, constitutional development, institutions, and contemporary issues will be examined. There will be an emphasis on the continuing influence of founding principles.
SOCY 110	Introduction to Sociology	Three hours lecture. Introduces basic concepts and methods of sociology. It presents significant research and theory in areas such as culture, social structure, socialization, deviance, social stratification and social institutions.