ABS - Applied Behavioral Sciences

This course introduces students to the research on adult learning and development and enhances students' development as learners, professionals, and persons. Students are exposed to ideas and trends in adult learning (such as transformational and emancipatory learning) and adult development and have opportunities for self-assessment and discovery and for applications to varied social contexts. Students assess their learning and personality styles through classroom simulations and group activities. Opportunities are provided for students to review, evaluate, and reflect upon their learning and development and how others learn and develop through their lifespan Pre-requisite(s): ABS 309 and ABS 331. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This course centers on ways students can apply ethical reasoning to their daily lives. It explores the fundamental framework of ethical dilemmas of moral choice, the moral implications of decision making, and personal integrity. Students examine a range of ethical theories as they discuss case studies, textbook readings, and current world events. Students further consider trends in philosophical, moral, and ethical thinking as it evolved from ancient times to the present. Pre-requisite(s): ABS 407 and ABS 430; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This intensive writing course equips students with skills that assist them in thinking critically and writing descriptively about social and behavioral life experiences. Students learn key elements of writing effectively within the social and behavioral sciences, including engaging beginnings, summarization, arguments and counter-arguments, evidence, analysis, and conclusions. This course is designed to support and challenge the student in strengthening academic writing and critical thinking skills. Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the Applied Behavioral Sciences B.A. program; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 2 quarter hours

This course introduces the study of group behavior and the effect that group functioning has upon organizational effectiveness. Emphasis is placed on the basics of group behavior, principles of group dynamics, problem solving, decision making, diagnosing and resolving conflict in groups, leadership, and management. Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the Applied Behavioral Sciences B.A. program; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This course focuses on dyadic and small group relationships, and examines their connections and interactions in our personal lives, families, businesses, and communities. Students explore the components of healthy relationships, the roles and responsibilities of the individuals in those relationships, and further develop skills in interpersonal communication. In addition, the course draws on concepts presented in previous program coursework to apply behavioral science research in social and professional settings. Pre-requisite(s): ABS 300, ABS 309, and ABS 331; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

Students are introduced to the basic concepts, methods, and tools employed in the research process. In this course, students narrow their topic of interest, build upon library research skills, and initiate exploratory fieldwork. Emphasis is placed on practical applications of these ideas, providing students the opportunity to learn the methods of social and behavioral science research by conducting small projects of their own design. This course culminates in a construction of a proposal for a research project to be completed in the future/concurrent coursework in the program. Pre-requisite(s): ABS 340, ABS 431, and LIBR 300; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): ABS 401. 5 quarter hours

In this course, students revise their research proposal completed in previous/concurrent coursework in the program and implement an independent research project engaging in self-directed inquiry. This inquiry is guided by the research concepts that include: review of the topics covered in the Applied Behavioral Sciences program to guide the student in honing the choice of a research topic; role of background research in constructing a research program; proper construction of a research design plan; methodologies of assessing human behavior; proper means for analyzing research data; and construction of a useful summary research report. Pre-requisite(s): ABS 340, ABS 431 and LIBR 300; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): ABS 400. 2 quarter hours

This course focuses on the intricacies of leadership, major behavior patterns, ethical issues, and strategies that promote effectiveness in organizations. Students define leadership and differentiate it from management and explore leadership characteristics, values, theories, and differing approaches. Students become more aware of their leadership style, how they develop their ability to influence others, and how they use their position of power to increase and enhance their leadership potential. They also study current and emerging trends s in leadership in a global context and in regard to their own lives. Pre-requisite(s): ABS 407, ABS 430; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None 5 quarter hours

This course examines the ways in which people and ideas are presented in public forums, from speaking to a group of people to the use of media to convey an idea. With the expanding use of technology, it is critical to be able to analyze how media shapes behaviors and values and to learn how to engage technology to communicate effectively. This course is designed to help students understand, analyze, evaluate, and engage in public discourse in diverse situations. Students practice professional presentation skills required for formal situations and explore the effects of communication technologies at the team, organizational, and societal level. Pre-requisite(s): ABS 400, ABS 401 and ABS 426; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This course examines the social construction of difference, investigating how economic, political, cultural, and social factors mediate experiences of race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, and (dis)ability individually and institutionally. Students focus on the intersections of power, ideology, and inequality and how they shape popular imagination, public and private discourse, and social institutions. Topics include the important role of social and political contexts in intercultural interactions; how symbols, beliefs, and rules that make up systems of culture can create and perpetuate inequality, shape individual and group identity, and influence conflict management styles; and opportunities and frameworks for achieving social justice. Pre-requisite(s): ABS 340, ABS 431, and LIBR 300; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

In this course, students are introduced to economic models of human behavior. These models, based on the concept of exchange, are used to describe decision making by the individual, decision making between two individuals, and decision making among groups of individuals. The course also covers selected concepts from both microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, and how these concepts guide our personal, group, and decisions. Pre-requisite(s): ABS 400, ABS 401, and ABS 426; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

Students explore organizational theories, the merger of scientific management, and bureaucratic and administrative theory in relation to managerial and supervisory behavior. Emphasis is placed on practical applications and research in the areas of motivation, decision making, problem solving, and employee/subordinate development, as well as on discovering how people and groups in organizations behave and react. Students also delve into the role of organizational systems, structures, and processes in shaping behavior, and explore how organizations work. Students apply behaviors within organizational structure and draw on concepts presented in previous program courses to more effectively manage their personal and professional interactions and supervise others. Pre-requisite(s): ABS 300, ABS 309, and ABC 331; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hour

This course is the culmination of the Applied Behavioral Sciences program. Students review and reflect on key concepts learned throughout the program, integrating these concepts related to their future personal and professional careers. Students produce a portfolio demonstrating their learning through the program. Pre-requisite(s): ABS 407, and ABS 430; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 2 quarter hours