General Studies
The College offers not only departmental or single-discipline courses
but also a variety of interdisciplinary courses which may not fall into
the classical disciplines.
First Year Seminar (FYS)
As part of the General Education curriculum, first year students are required to successfully complete a minimum of two credits of a first year seminar. These courses focus on the interdisciplinary nature of important and timely social, scientific and cultural issues and are designed to provide every new student with high quality student-faculty interaction that helps students develop skills in critical thinking and communication. Some courses will apply toward the Quill requirement, as indicated on the schedule for the term.
Exercise and Health Science (EHS)
| EHS 110. |
Beginning Tennis |
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1 credit |
$3 |
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| EHS 112. |
Beginning Golf |
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1 credit |
$4 |
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| EHS 118. |
Racquetball |
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1 credit |
$4 |
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| EHS 130. |
Beginning and Advanced Beginning Swimming |
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1 credit |
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| EHS 131. |
Advanced Beginning/ Intermediate Swimming |
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1 credit |
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| EHS 150. |
Fitness for Life |
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1 credit |
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| Introduction to lifetime activities for physical fitness and cardiovascular health; includes fitness testing and personalized exercise prescription. |
| EHS 154. |
Conditioning |
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1 credit |
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| EHS 156. |
Strength Training |
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1 credit |
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| EHS 157. |
Aerobic Exercise |
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1 credit |
$35 |
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| EHS 160. |
Independent Individual Activity |
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1 credit |
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Permission |
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| EHS 165. |
Independent Group Activity |
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1 credit |
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| Designed for a group of students to contract for a specific goal-centered learning experience. Goals, activities and means of evaluation must be detailed with the instructor. |
| EHS 200. |
Lifeguarding |
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2 credits |
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| Fundamentals of lifeguarding. Satisfactory completion of this course qualifies student for American Red Cross lifeguarding certification. |
| EHS 201. |
Water Safety Instruction |
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2 credits |
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Advanced Life Saving Certificate |
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| EHS 202. |
Scuba Diving |
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2 credits |
$100 |
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| Designed to prepare students for scuba certification as a Scuba Schools International (SSI) open water diver. Students complete a classroom component as well as a pool component. |
| EHS 203. |
Advanced Open Water Scuba Diving |
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2 credits |
$100 |
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IPH 202 |
| Designed to enhance the performance skills completed in IPH 202. Students complete a classroom component as well as a pool component. |
| EHS *350. |
Principles of Coaching for Teachers |
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2 credits |
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| Designed as a variable content course with the subject to be determined on a demand basis. Topics may include basketball, football, soccer, track, volleyball or baseball/softball. |
| EHS *390. |
Field Work in IPH/Recreation |
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2 credits |
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Permission |
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Health Studies (HSS)
| HSS 201. |
Health, Medicine and Humans (NS-1) |
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4 credits |
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MTH 099 |
| Topics in physiology, health and medicine including a laboratory experience which emphasizes diagnostic testing. Sample topics include circulation, respiration, digestion, reproduction and excretion. |
Honors Program (HNR)
Courses with this designation are open to students accepted into the Alma College Liberal Arts and Sciences Honors Program. As the foundational course in the Honors Program, the First-Year Seminar explores variable topics from a multi-disciplinary and integrative perspective while addressing essential issues of liberal education. For an explanation of the program requirements, please refer to the Honors Program information in this catalog.
Humanities (HUM)
| HUM 100. |
Fine Arts Education (AH) |
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4 credits |
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| Study of the knowledge, understanding and application of the content, functions and achievements of dance, music, theatre and the visual arts to promote one's ability to create, perform and respond in and through the arts. Designed for all students, but of special interest to Elementary Education majors. |
| HUM 180. |
Topics in Humanities |
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4 credits |
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| Courses in the humanities, often incorporating an interdisciplinary focus from two or more programs, which do not fit within current departmental boundaries. |
Physical Science (PSC)
| PSC 101. |
General Physical Science (NS-2) |
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4 credits |
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| An introduction to the basic concepts in physical science in the areas of physics, chemistry, earth science and astronomy. Meets standards for elementary certification. Laboratory. |
| PSC 380. |
Physical Science Concepts |
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4 credits |
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Permission |
| A standards-based class and laboratory experience in physics and astronomy that supports K-8 pre-service teachers in understanding the physical sciences and expanding their repertoire of teaching and assessment techniques suitable for science subject areas. |
Non-Departmental (STC)
Non-Departmental courses are offered during Spring Term along with a large number of departmental courses. An announcement of current Spring Term course offerings is issued each January. The following non-departmental courses have been offered. They do not count toward departmental majors.
| STC 003. |
Cross-Cultural Learning in Scotland |
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4 credits |
Fee TBA |
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Permission |
| International experience emphasizes active involvement with Scottish people both at home and at work. Students will carry out a research project which takes advantage of the site. |
| STC 005. |
Interdisciplinary Seminar in Cross-Cultural Learning |
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4 credits |
Fee TBA |
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By application |
| Cross-cultural learning experience offered in a significantly different culture. Consideration of the history, social structure, and geographic setting of the culture. Participation in community-oriented service. Location/country varies. |
| STC 006. |
Serious Games: Simulation in the Social Sciences |
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4 credits |
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| Introduction of concepts in the social sciences and the use of simulations/games in teaching and research. The class: (1) examines the rationale for gaming and simulations; (2) participates in large-group games, small-group games and computer simulations; and (3) designs simulations/games for topics of interest. |
| STC 007. |
Understanding Relief Efforts |
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4 credits |
Fee TBA |
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Permission |
| Service learning course. Introduction to relief efforts of local and global non-profit organizations (American Red Cross, United Way, Habitat for Humanity, Community Cafe and Hands to Honduras). Students perform service for local organizations, complete a service project and construct Web pages about their experiences. Journal required. Location varies. |
| STC 009. |
The Holocaust: Causes, Legacies |
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4 credits |
Fee TBA |
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Permission |
| Team-taught service learning course. Exploration of causes and legacies of the Holocaust. Includes restoration of a Jewish cemetery in Poland. Through interaction with members of a local Jewish community, visits to former centers of Jewish culture and tradition (Berlin, Prague, Krakow), students gain first-hand experience. |
| STC 012. |
New Zealand Experience |
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4 credits |
Fee TBA |
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Permission |
| Students spend Spring Term studying natural history, flora and fauna, economics, politics, culture and other aspects of New Zealand. |