Riverland Community College

This course is a survey of the sociological concepts, theories and ideas that have been developed through the scientific study of human interaction. The emphasis of the course is the description and analysis of the nature and characteristics of societies, the structure and processes of social life, the influence of social forces on individuals and groups with an emphasis on cultural diversity and globalism.

• MnTC (Goals 5/SS and 7A/HD);
• (3 Cr – 3 lect, 0 lab)

This is an introductory college writing course designed to help students develop effective writing skills for college level work.  Students learn to generate ideas and organize them into unified, coherent essays.  Methods of instruction vary, but most sections combine individual conferences and peer review with regular class meetings.  Prerequisites:  A grade of C or higher in ENGL 0960 or appropriate placement score.

MnTC (Goals 1/CM and Goal 2/CT); (3 Cr – 3 lect, 0 lab)

This course focuses on the theory and practice of public communication including individual and group presentations.  This course emphasizes audience analysis, organization, content development including topic selection and speaking ethics.  Students will prepare and deliver a variety of both individual and group presentations and demonstrate an ability to apply research from diverse sources.  Students should expect to reduce speech apprehension and develop self-confidence in their ability to communicate in public.

MnTC (Goals 1/CM and 9/EC); (3 Cr – 3 lect, 0 lab)

This course introduces proven strategies and applications to help students achieve greater success in college and in life.  Topics include, but are not limited to, time management, goal setting, learning strategies, critical thinking, communication skills, diversity awareness, health and wellness, college and community resources, and financial planning.  This course introduces students to making choices that promote responsibility, motivation, interdependence, and self-awareness.  Recommended:  Score of 52 or above on test Accuplacer Reading Comprehension.
(1 Cr – 1 lect, 0 lab)

This course focuses on the social processes and social structures of courtship, marriage, and family. The relationships between society, cultures, family systems, families and individuals will also be examined.

• MnTC (Goals 5/SS and 7A/HD);
• (3 Cr – 3 lect, 0 lab)

Why do people break the law, and how do societies respond to criminal behavior? This course presents sociological understandings of criminally deviant behavior. Topics include theories of crime, trends in criminal behavior, and methods of criminological investigation. U.S. and international public policy implications are considered. The global focus of this course draws from cross-cultural, transnational, and international examples, such as the drug trade, human trafficking, or terrorism. (3 Cr – 3 lect, 0 lab)

This is a second semester composition course focused on the writing of an academic research paper.  Students learn how to employ the resources of an academic library and how to cite those sources in a fully documented analytical/interpretive term paper.  Prerequisites: ENGL 1101.

MnTC (Goals 1/CM and 2/CT); (3 Cr - 3 lect, 0 lab)

This honors section is a second semester composition course focused on an enriched study of Peace Studies and the writing of an academic research paper. Students learn how to employ the resources of an academic library and how to cite those sources in a fully documented analytical/interpretive term paper. This course explores nonfiction works addressing issues of peace and nonviolence from such authors as Dorothy Day, Leo Tolstoy, Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Colman McCarthy, H.D. Thoreau, and Thomas Merton. Students will engage in a number of discussions and assignments in an attempt to foster greater understanding of issues related to peace studies. Students may watch films, read literature, research historical figures, and present reports on important topics along with other types of course work all designed to assist in the exploration of peace studies. Honors courses emphasize independent inquiry, informed discussion, and direct application within small transformative classes, which feature close working relationships with instructors. Prerequisites: ENGL 1101.

MnTC (Goals 1/CM and 8/GP); (3 Cr - 3 lect, 0 lab)

This second semester composition course is designed as a continuation of ENGL 1101.  It teaches the skills needed to write clear and coherent essays using different modes of expository prose such as process, comparison and contrast, classification, and definition.  It will culminate in the study of argumentative writing in which the student learns to defend a position and argue a thesis with reason and evidence.  Prerequisite:  ENGL 1101

MnTC (Goal 1/CM and Goal 2/CT); (3 Cr – 3 lect, 0 lab)

This is a second semester composition course based upon writing journalistic pieces and researching topics related to the practice and craft of journalism. Students will learn ways of interviewing and writing for various media, including print, broadcast, and online formats, study ethical issues facing journalists, and explore diversity issues specific to journalism. Students will also develop an understanding of First Amendment rights related to Freedom of the Press, the Freedom of Information Act, and the special role journalism plays in a democracy. Prerequisites: ENGL 1101
MnTC (Goals 1/CM and 2/CT); (3 Cr - 3 lect, 0 lab)

This course examines the historical framework and the social interactions of racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Gender, sexual orientation, religion and other characteristics that contribute to a culturally diverse society are also described and analyzed in this course.

• MnTC (Goals 5/SS and 7A/HD);
• (3 Cr – 3 lect, 0 lab)