With: Jingjing Lou, louj@beloit.edu

Advanced Topics in Education and Youth Studies: Ecology, Development & Education (1). This seminar explores the interconnections between ecology, development, and education. Drawing on theories and practices from the West and the East, and the ancient and the contemporary, we examine key concepts such as sustainability, ecology, modernity, and development from interdisciplinary and international perspectives. We also discuss the possibility to foster a new philosophy of sustainable development, one that marries scientific understanding of ecology and development with a renewed appreciation for traditional cultural values. Ecology is defined in both physical and metaphorical terms, including both natural and social ecosystems. We discuss three agendas on ecology: 1) on modern conservation policies and practices; 2) on the changing ecology of local and global community associated with modern industrial life; and 3) on human ecology, specifically in the field of education. The course will examine a few case studies, both at the global and the local levels, and students will

Time: TR 12:25 PM-1:45 PM

With:  Chris Wagner, wagner@beloit.edu, & Mary Gaines, gainesmm@beloit.edu

Advanced Topics in Education and Youth Studies: Introduction to Turtle Tunes Music Outreach Program (.5). Intro to Turtle Tunes PART 081 is a one-time course required prior to teaching music to small groups of third graders at nearby Todd Elementary School. In this introductory course students work with Turtle Tunes directors, Chris Wagoner and Mary Gaines, for one month prior to teaching at Todd Elementary. Instruments taught include violin, cello, guitar and percussion (and others depending on availability). Students learn about the philosophy and psychology of teaching, how to co-teach and work within an organization, and develop their own lesson plans and classroom management protocols based on established practices and an understanding of their own personality, strengths and weaknesses. After one month of training, students teach two days a week for an hour after school at Todd Elementary. Depending on the class size there may be some scheduling flexibility for the required training sessions prior to teaching at Todd Elementary.

Time: TBD

With: Chris Wagner, wagner@beloit.edu, & Mary Gaines, gainesmm@beloit.edu

Advanced Topics in Education and Youth Studies: Turtle Tunes Music Outreach Program for Continuing Teachers (.25). This course is only for continuing Turtle Tunes teachers who have completed the Intro to Turtle Tunes Music Outreach Program (PART 081) in a prior semester but not necessarily the previous semester. After a brief reorientation and review session, continuing Turtle teachers begin teaching after school group lessons at Todd Elementary School. Instruments are dependent on instrument availability and include, but are not limited to the following: Violin, Viola, Cello, Guitar, Piano and Percussion. In addition to teaching two days for one hour after school at Todd Elementary School, continuing Turtle Tunes teachers meet weekly with the directors and other Turtle Tunes teachers to share insights and problem-solve as a group. Prerequisite: Performing and Applied Arts 081.

Time: TBD

With: Suzanne Goebel, goebels@beloit.edu

PRAX 286. Impact Beloit: Community & Civic Engagement (1). In this course, students deepen their understanding and role in the community by working with local organizations and businesses that serve the city of Beloit. Students will also learn about different approaches to community development and social change by examining strengths and assets of non-profit, for-profit, government, and grassroots institutions. This is a community-based learning course, integrating fieldwork and reflection. Each student is assigned a placement with a community partner where they are supervised by experienced community leaders and assist in supporting the mission of the institution. Students spend approximately seven hours a week (90 hours a semester) at their placement. Students reflect on their experiences at their site placements and the role of individuals and institutions in communities through supporting readings, materials, and activities used during weekly class periods. Applications can be found at https://forms.gle/gjCWkBvD7ygpUFAaA. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above. Students must apply and provide references to be admitted into this course.

Time: MW 7:15 PM-9:00 PM

With: Suzanne Goebel goebels@beloit.edu, Sylvia López lopezs@beloit.edu, Charles Westerberg westerbc@beloit.edu

Impact Beloit Community Fellowship I (1). The Impact Beloit Community Fellowship provides advanced students opportunities to have sustained engagement with a community partner organization, completing project-based work driven by the organization’s needs. Each student spends approximately eight to 10 hours a week working with a community partner, mostly non-profits. In addition, all Fellows attend weekly meetings with their Fellows cohort and/or mentor to set and assess goals, engage in professional development workshops, discuss experiences at their respective sites, and learn about the social impact of civic engagement. Writing assignments, such as written reflections on the work experience, are required. Students must apply, provide references, and be interviewed by an Impact Beloit faculty or staff member. If they pass the screening process, they then interview with the community partners that Impact Beloit instructors identify could be a good match. Preference is given to seniors who have previous community-based experience. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing.

M: 2:30 PM - 1:30 PM

With: Tim Leslie leslietj@beloit.edu

Impact Beloit Concierge Internship I (1). The Impact Beloit Concierge Internship provides high-achieving juniors and seniors with paid internship opportunities within a Beloit-area business to gain invaluable experience, applying what they have learned in the classroom in a Beloit area commercial business enterprise. The students apply to the program as they would to a job, completing an application, submitting a resume, providing references, and interviewing with Beloit College faculty or staff. If they pass the screening process, they then interview with the company, which makes the final decision. As part of the program, the students meet every other week to discuss on-the-job experience, set and monitor goals, and engage in professional development workshops and peer-to-peer sharing. Concierge Interns are overseen by the Vice President of Career & Professional Development. Each student also has a Beloit College alumni mentor to guide them. Each student spends at least 10 hours per week and up to 20 hours per week (approx. 150 to 300 hours per semester) working with the Beloit-area business, in addition to 10-15 hours per semester of in-class time and time with their mentors. During the semester, students complete three written reflections on what they are learning and assessing their performance. Preference is given to seniors. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing.

Time: W 12:25 PM-1:20 PM

With: Suzanne Cox, coxs@beloit.edu

Life-Span Developmental Psychology (1). This course examines the physical, social, and cognitive changes that occur between conception and older adulthood. A wide range of issues will be addressed, such as the contributions of genetics and the environment, gender differences, family and interpersonal relations, career development, retirement, and death. Includes at least 15 hours of field experience. (3B) Offered each year. Prerequisite: Psychology 100.

Time: TR 10:00 AM-11:45 AM

 With: Suzanne Cox, coxs@beloit.edu

Psychology of Women (1). This course examines theoretical viewpoints on the development of gender identification and gender-typed behavior; research evidence for the existence/non-existence of gender differences; female social development across the life span; psychological aspects of women’s roles in the family and in the workplace; clinical issues relevant to women, such as depression and eating disorders; and additional topics selected by class members. Includes at least 15 hours of field experience. (3B) (Also listed as Critical Identity Studies 225.) Offered occasionally. Prerequisite: Psychology 100.

Time: TR 12:25 PM-1:45 PM

With: Suzanne Cox, coxs@beloit.edu

Through hands-on engagement and academic reflection, this course provides students with the opportunity to further develop and apply their psychological knowledge in an area of personal and community interest. With the help of the instructor and community partners, students will complete a project or internship involving approximately six hours a week (approximately 70 hours over the course of the semester) working with and/or at an assigned field site in the local community. In addition, class meetings will focus on the development of professional skills and career planning, as well as discussion of the opportunities and challenges of putting psychology into practice. (CP) Offered most years. Prerequisite: Psychology 162 and senior standing; approval of department.

Time: MWF 10:15 AM-12:05 PM 

With: Kate Linnenburg, linnenbe@beloit.edu

Families in Transition (1). An examination of dominant demographic changes in family structure in the United States. We study major variations in family life as shaped by social class, race/ethnicity, and sexuality. Exploration of select topics such as single motherhood, childrearing practices, marriage, the division of household labor, and family policy. (Also listed as Critical Identity Studies 245.) Offered every other spring. Prerequisite: Sociology 100 or 150, or consent of instructor.

Time: TR 12:25 PM-1:45 PM

With: Kate Linnenburg, linnenbe@beloit.edu

Capstone (1). This course focuses on the application of sociological theories, paradigms, and methods in examining social processes. Students focus on particular institutions to examine some aspect of institutional structure, culture, or interactions. The goal is to identify patterns in social processes within institutions and to utilize sociological theories, paradigms, and methods to make sense of these patterns. The course also focuses on the structure of the sociology major, a liberal arts education, and post-college pathways. May be repeated for credit if topic is different. (CP) Offered each year. Prerequisite: Sociology 100 or 150, 200, 205, and 211.

Time: TR 10:00 AM-11:45 AM