Click here for a printable version of the Spring 2019 course offerings. (pdf)

Spring 2019 Grogan Core

RCO 155: Millennial Narratives: The Personal & Professional in Millennial Perspective
(GRD and SI)
Dr. Love Crossling, Director of Human Relations, City of Greensboro
M 6:00-8:50 PM, Grogan 105

Millennials have been described as the generation to see the most change in the fabric of humanity over the course of their lifetime. Ranging from change in the political landscape, and the dawn of Hip-hop to technological advances, the economic downturn, and the reemergence of radical activism, Millennials have been both the audience and authors of change. Witnessing and co-authoring such historical shifts has directly impacted the way many Millennials’ experience, understand and connect personal and professional identity. Millennial Narratives is a 3-hour course designed to explore Communication Theory through the lens of Millennial experiences which mold and shape new understandings of the synergy between personal and professional life. Students will critically interpret depictions of Millennial experiences that are expressed in a variety of forms (e.g. music, art). Students will also examine the perspectives of contemporary writers who critique the impact of Millennial culture on America. Finally, students will apply what they learn to narrate their own personal and professional identities.

 RCO 155:  Seminar in Critical Thinking:  Evidence Based Persuasion
(GRD, SI)
Meg Horton, Biology
MW 3:30-4:45 PM, Grogan 105

Making oneself understood and giving convincing reasons for what we ask others to do and support is important for leadership and success in life, especially in professional contexts.  Therefore, students in this course will work on developing their ability to make persuasive arguments, practice oral presentations skills and learn fundamentals of digital design. Our dual focus on 1) evidence-based argument as a mode of discourse in data-driven disciplines and 2) professionalism in oral and digital communication, will be explored using themes and issues relevant to your individual career aspirations and/or academic interests.

RCO 202: Work and Modern History
(GHP, GMO, WI)
Mr. John Sopper, Religious Studies and Program Chair, Grogan College
TR 12:30-1:45 PM, Grogan 105

Are you constantly asked what you are majoring in and what you are going to do with that major?  Do you wondered how our daily work lives, careers and economy got to be the way they are today? Have you wondered if it could be different?  This course explores the intersection of economics, society, politics and culture through a sustained historical inquiry into the changing nature of “work” in modern and contemporary times.  We will learn about how modern work came to be and how it is different from the medieval and early modern past. We will also construct our own “economic histories”, practice research skills, make presentation posters and use historical inquiry to gain perspective on our current work-life challenges.

RCO 203: Ethics, Imagination and Education
(GPR and WI)
Dr. Sheryl Lieb, Educational Leadership
TR 11:00 AM-12:15 PM and MWF 1:00-1:50 PM, Grogan 105

The purpose of this course is to examine the theories of key philosophers, scholars, and cultural critics whose works continue to hold ethical implications for educating, living, and working within the complex landscape of the 21st century. From historical and philosophical perspectives, students will engage in primary readings and apply their understandings, interpretations, and imaginations to the contemporary moment—through seminar discussions, various writing activities, and through project-based learning experiences.

RCO 205: Self-Directed Learning
(GSB and SI)
Dr. Dale Schunk, School of Education, Department of Teacher Education and Higher Education
MW 2:00 -3:15 PM, Grogan 105

The purpose of RCO 205 is to engage students in research and scholarly inquiry where they will (a) examine fundamental theories from cognitive psychology and the social sciences and how theory is applied to teaching and learning, b) learn to collaborate, gather and evaluate information, and make connections among diverse perspectives, and (c) develop multicultural awareness, active citizenship, and lifelong learning skills. RCO 205 is designed primarily for aspiring professional educators in the Grogan College living/learning community. Students will utilize research methodologies, critical inquiry strategies, and teaching practices, as they develop skills in project-based learning, academic research, college-level writing, and educational practice

RCO 214:  Science Fiction: Literature of Change
(GLTB, GN, WI and WGSI)
Dr. Sarah Colonna, Women and Gender Studies and Associate Program Chair, Grogan College
TR 9:30-10:45 AM

This course explores the genre of science fiction short stories, looks at the history and functions of science fiction, examines both American and global (Chinese and pan-African) science fiction, and imagines what students can learn from writing their own science fiction short story influenced by these national and global factors

RCO 215-01: Global Social Problems
(GSB, GN and SI)
Dr. Sheryl Lieb, Educational Leadership
TR 2:00-3:15 PM, Grogan 105

In this class, we explore the concept of identity—personal, professional, and social. Emphasizing philosophical, critical, and creative thinking skills, we will address a variety of questions and issues. How do you identify yourself? How has your notion of identity changed over time? What are the common labels of identification to which people and cultures attach, and how can we interrogate long-held assumptions about them? Students will study the phenomenon of identity across time, place, cultures, and countries. Specific to Grogan’s focus on the professions, we will consider the intersections and the tensions between personal identity (existence as a private person) and professional identity (existence as a professional in the world of work). The class format emphasizes individual voice, group discussion, reflective writing and a final project.

RCO 309-01: Capstone
(WI and SI)
Mr. John Sopper, Religious Studies and Program Chair, Grogan College
TR 2:00-3:15 PM, Grogan 128

Intended as a capstone experience for second year students in Grogan College, in this course you will connect your college experiences (curricular and co-curricular) to your preparation for whatever field of study, profession or artistic genre you intend to pursue going forward. To accomplish this, you will develop a digital capstone portfolio of your meaningful academic work and other learning experiences that demonstrates your growth and preparation for your chosen profession. By reflecting on your digital portfolio, you will also create a multi-modal oral presentation that communicates the story of your development and preparation for pursuing the work you want to do in the world. You will also explore a question within your field of study that will culminate in a research paper.