PROGRAMS OF STUDY AND COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Courses A-C | Courses E-F | Courses H-J | Courses M-P | Courses R-Y

 Russian Semitic Languages Shaped Major   
Social Work Sociology Spanish Speech and Drama
Speech Pathology/Audiology Statistics Statistics For Business 
Taxation Women's Studies Yiddish

RUSSIAN (RUS)

1101-1102 Elementary Russian. 3 credits.
Introduction to the Russian language. For students with less than two years of high school Russian. Emphasis on reading. RUS 1101 is only for those with no background.
 
SEMITIC LANGUAGES (SEM)
 
5111-5112 Elementary Arabic. 3 credits.
Introduction to the grammar and syntax of classical and modern literary Arabic.
 
5113 Elementary Arabic-Concentrated. 3 credits.
A one-semester version of 5111-5112.
 
5121, 5122 Intermediate Arabic. 3 credits.
Selections from classical texts, with continued study of elements of Arabic grammar.
 
5311, 5312 Biblical Aramaic. 3 credits.
Linguistic analysis of the Aramaic texts in the Bible.
 
5331, 5332 Aramaic of the Babylonian Talmud. 3 credits.
The idiom of the Talmud Bavli.
 
SHAPED MAJOR
 
Students may structure an individual major to meet specialized academic goals. Interested students should design a major with the Shaped Major AdvisOr after they have completed at least 24 credits. They should submit the Shaped Major allocation chart to the Office of the Registrar for review and approval of the Dean. Students wishing to undertake a Combined Plan in Occupational Therapy with Columbia, the joint program with Wurzweiler School of Social Work, or a program in one of a variety of areas in Art and Fashion at Fashion Institute of Technology should develop a Shaped Major to accommodate the special requirements of these programs.
 
 
SOCIAL WORK
 
Stern College
A joint five-year program in social work is offered in conjunction with Wurzweiler School of Social Work, leading to a bachelor of arts degree and a Master of Social Work degree. During the first three years, students complete their general studies and the modified Jewish Studies requirements as well as at least 18 credits toward an individually designed major (see Shaped Major).
 
Qualified students then enter the program at Wurzweiler, on the Wilf Campus. Interested students should consult an academic advisor.
 
 
SOCIOLOGY (SOC)
 
Major: Stern College
30 credits. SOC 1001, 1504 and 1640 and an additional 21 credits in SOC courses. STA 1021 and PSYC 3105 may count toward the major. STA 1021is highly recommended.
 
Minor: Stern College
SOC 1001, 1504, and an additional 9 credits in SOC courses. STA 1021and PSYC 3105 may be counted.
 
1001 Introduction to Sociology. 3 credits.
Introduction to basic concepts, theories, methods, and findings of sociology; forms of social life: interaction, groups, organizations, and societies; socialization; inequality; social institutions.
 
1116 Sociology of Deviance. 3 credits.
Analysis of different theoretical perspectives in the study of deviance; theories of deviance; social sources of deviance; study of various types of deviant behavior and attributes; reduction of deviance; coping with deviance and the reintegration of the deviant in society.
Prerequisite: SOC 1001.
 
1158 Criminology. 3 credits.
The study of delinquent and criminal behavior; theories of criminality; extent and patterns of criminality; behavior systems in crime; an overview of societal response to crime, including the police, courts and prisons; prevention and treatment of crime.
Prerequisite: SOC 1001.
 
1161 Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice. 3 credits.
The criminal justice system, including structure and functions of the courts, role of the police, the correctional system, prisons, probation, parole, and juvenile justice in the context of race, class, demographics, gender, drug use, rehabilitation, and the role(s) of professionals working in the field. Field-based course: Each student recives an internship placement in a criminal justice agency.
Prerequisite: SOC 1001. 
 
1202 Social Institutions. 3 credits.
The role and function of social institutions in the formation and maintenance of community and nationhood; historical background and contemporary ideological, technical, and ethical challenges. The political, economic, sociological, religious and communication structures of contemporary life.
Prerequisite: SOC 1001.
 
1204 Cultural Anthropology. 3 credits.
The study of people in relation to their geographic and sociocultural environments. Cultural variations and adaptive strategies in a broad range of societies focusing on food-gathering, marriage, and the family; kinship terminology; psychology; religion; recreation; and folklore. Emphasis on field research methods. 
 
1215 Sociology of Religion. 3 credits.
Study of the reciprocal relationship between religion and the rest of society; of how people interact and organize themselves within religious settings; research methods and dilemmas raised in the scientific study of religion; religious diversity, change, and stability; the complexities involved in the sociological study of Jewry and the various Eastern and Western religious traditions; how religious rituals, tales, myths, and facts shape, endorse, and validate humanity's responses to the world.
Prerequisite: SOC 1001.
 
1232 Sociology of Health. 3 credits.
Distribution of disease among and within populations; trends in medical practice; politicization of health care; contemporary social and ethical issues in health care: genetic engineering, right to die, living wills, and consumer movements in health care.
Prerequisite: SOC 1001.
 
1233 Introduction to Public Health. 3 credits.
History and philosophy of public health; socioeconomics of health-care delivery and administration; management and planning of health-care programs.
Prerequisite: SOC 1001.
 
1236 Epidemiology. 3 credits.
Distribution of disease and determinants of its frequency; history of epidemiological thinking, concept of cause, sources of data, design of epidemiological studies.
Prerequisite: SOC 1001. 
 
1262 Industrial Sociology. 3 credits.
Intensive analysis of formal organization of industry; comparative study of industrial and nonindustrial organizations; relationship between industrial institutions and social structure in different societies.
Prerequisite: SOC 1001.
 
1283 Sociology of Education. 3 credits.
An exploration of the social organization of educational institutions, utilizing various sociological perspectives to offer views on equality/inequality, organization, curriculum, and achievement.
Prerequisite: SOC 1001.
 
1311 Urban Sociology. 3 credits.
Focuses on contemporary city life. Methods of studying the city ranging from community studies to detailed observation of daily interaction; growth of the city, suburb and metropolis; political and economic issues such as gentrification, race relations and relationship among city, state, and federal government; critical evaluation of classical theorists; contemporary problems of the city.
Prerequisite: SOC 1001.
 
1316 Environmental Sociology. 3 credits.
Study of the city as environment; its people, architecture, transportation, technology, economic system, socio-spatial organization, and related environmental problems. These aspects conform our experience of living in the urban environment. Urban experience from an interdisciplinary perspective that includes sociology, social psychology, architecture, urban planning, geography, and anthropology. The course is guided by discussions of visual presentation and by field experience.
Prerequisite: SOC 1001.
  
1413 Social Stratification. 3 credits.
The study of the distribution of power in society; classical systems of stratification; theories of social stratification; gender and age stratification; social stratification in the United States; measurement of stratification; stratification and social mobility; achieved vs. ascribed status.
Prerequisite: SOC 1001.
 
1436 Social Movements. 3 credits.
Theoretical perspectives appropriate to the analysis of political, religious, and cultural movements; case studies of various social movements, as selected by the students.
Prerequisite: SOC 1001.
 
1480 Introduction to Social Work. 1 hour of lecture plus fieldwork. 3 credits.
Overview of the social work profession; social welfare policy, programs and methods of social work practice. Fieldwork consists of 3 hrs. per week of practicum under close supervision.
 
1504 Methods of Social Research. 3 credits.
Application of the scientific method to social data; definitions, concepts, and hypotheses; research design; techniques of collection and analysis of data.
Prerequisite: SOC 1001.
 
1640 Sociological Theories. 3 credits.
Examination of the foundational theories of three traditions within modern sociology, focusing on how these theories were developed in the writings of Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, and George Herbert Mead. Attention also is given to later sociological theorists such as DuBois, Parsons, Goffman, and Merton.
Prerequisite: SOC 1001.
 
1730 The American Jewish Community. 3 credits.
The effects Jews have had on American society and how American society has influenced Judaism; mechanisms used by Jews and other religious groups to thwart change or adapt to the host culture: membership in associations and organizations, political behavior and lobbies, links with Israel. Relationships between Jews and other societal groups.
Prerequisite: SOC 1001.
 
1746 Ethnic Groups in the United States. 3 credits.
Nature of ethnic and minority groups; acculturation and assimilation in the United States; relation of ethnic groups to the institutions of the dominant society; nature and causes of prejudice and discrimination.
Prerequisite: SOC 1001.
 
1757 Race, Caste, and Ethnicity. 3 credits.
Responsibilities and pitfalls of ascribed status; various approaches to understanding ethnocentrism; hosts, immigrants, and settlement; assimilation patterns; ethnic and racial myths; contributions to society by minorities; responses to subordination practices; consequences of prejudice and discrimination; attitude formation and change; multiculturalism; political correctness: sensitivity and over-sensitivity.
Prerequisite: SOC 1001.
 
1831 Self and Society. 3 credits.
Analyzes how identity and the self are created through social, psychological, cultural and historical processes. These include socialization over the life course, and the performance of social roles such as child, student, spouse, consumer, worker, and senior citizen. Special emphasis on understanding the ways that gender, race and ethnicity, and class shape emotional life and the creation of a multilayered self.
Prerequisite: SOC 1001.
 
1934 Sociology of Mass Media. 3 credits.
Role of mass media in the formation of public opinion in areas ranging from elections to images of women, Jews and other groups; analysis of content of TV programming and production, how media influence politics and public opinion; dynamics and role of the pollster; mass media and consumerism.
Prerequisite: SOC 1001.
 
2110 Demography. 3 credits.
Population trends in relation to resources; changes in birth and death rates; span of life and morbidity; social and other causes and effects of these changes; immigration; population policies and theories; collection, analysis, and interpretation of demographic data.
Prerequisite: SOC 1001.
 
2210 The Family. 3 credits.
Analysis of the family in historical context; analysis of popular myths of the family; changes in gender roles and family relationships; divorce rate and the family; the idealized family.
Prerequisite: SOC 1001.
 
2220 Sociology of Children. 3 credits.
A look at changes in society’s ideas about children and how these reflect social economic circumstances. Covers the history of children in America, focusing on contemporary childhood, and an examination of the impact of social phenomena such as divorce, the media, and changing family roles.
Prerequisite: SOC 1001.

2230 Sociology of Death and Dying. 3 credits.
Current knowledge on a wide variety of death-related topics: attitudes toward death, medical-care systems, grief, living wills, medical ethics, definitions of death, social psychology of aging, death in popular culture, and how life and death affect all sociocultural processes, values, and events.
Prerequisite: SOC 1001.
 
4901, 4902 Independent Study
See Academic Information and Policies section. 
 
4931 Seminar in Sociology. 3 credits.
Seminar for majors.  Extensive reading, discussion of current issues and problems in sociology, and preparation of papers.
Prerequisite: senior status.
 
 
SPANISH (SPA)
 
 
Minor: Stern College
Eighteen (18) credits in SPA courses numbered 1201 or higher.
 
1101-1102 Elementary Spanish. 3 credits.
Essentials of grammar, conversation, comprehension, reading, translation. Spanish 1101 is not open to students who have had high school Spanish. Those who have had one year of high school Spanish may take 1102.
 
1201, 1202 Intermediate Spanish. 3 credits.
Review of grammar; composition, conversation; culture; reading and analysis of literary selections. SPA 1201 is for students who have had two years of high school Spanish. Those who have had three years of high school Spanish may take Spanish 1202.
Prerequisite: SPA 1102 or two years of high school Spanish.
 
1231 Advanced Conversation. 3 credits.
For students who have completed Intermediate Spanish and who would like additional experience with conversational Spanish in the arts and the professions.
Prerequisite: SPA 1202.
 
2022; 2023; 2024 Spanish-American Literature. 3 credits.
Major literary works of Spanish America.
Prerequisite: SPA 1202, or four years of high school Spanish, or near-native fluency.
 
2101; 2102 Masterpieces of Spanish Literature. 3 credits.
Detailed studies of the major literary works of Spain.
Prerequisite: SPA 1202, four years of high school Spanish, or near-native fluency.
 
2113; 2114 Survey of Spanish Literature. 3 credits.
Spanish literature from its beginnings to the present, with selections from the major literary works. Analysis and discussion.
Prerequisite: SPA 1202, four years of high school Spanish, or near-native fluency.
 
2131; 2132 Survey of Spanish-American Literature. 3 credits.
Spanish-American literature from its beginnings to the present, with selections from the major literary works. Analysis and discussion.
Prerequisite: SPA 1202, four years of high school Spanish, or near-native fluency.
 
2340; 2341 Latin American Theater: Short Plays. 3 credits.
Study of Latin American plays relating to society, history, and culture of Latin America. Includes Jewish playwrights.
Prerequisite: SPA 1202, four years of high school Spanish, or near-native fluency.
 
2342 Modern Spanish Theater. 3 credits.
Study of modern Spanish plays as a complement to SPA 2340. Advanced forms of the language and further development of communication skills.
Prerequisite: SPA 1202, four years of high school Spanish, or near-native fluency.
 
2410 Culture and Civilization in Spain Through Literature. 3 credits.
An integrated study of Spanish civilization; historical, literary, and cultural aspects; special attention to Sephardic contributions.
Prerequisite: SPA 1202, four years of high school Spanish, or near-native fluency.
 
2411 Culture and Civilization in Latin America Through Literature. 3 credits.
An integrated study of the literary, cultural, and historical aspects of Latin America through literature.
Prerequisite: SPA 1202, four years of high school Spanish, or near-native fluency.
 
 
SPEECH AND DRAMA (SPE)
 
 
Minor: Stern College
SPE 1010 and 12 elective credits of which no more than 2 credits may be in Theater. With permission of the senior professor, 6 elective credits in ENG may be used to meet the requirement.
 
1010 Speech Communication. 3 credits.
Effective informal and formal public speaking: informative and persuasive purposes. Focuses on logical organization, psychological motivation, research of topics, precise vocabulary, clear and pleasant vocal patterns, application of sound rhetoric to the communication of ideas.
 
1020 Group Discussion. 3 credits.
Communication in small groups for information sharing, problem solving, and negotiation. Focuses on the task group; theory and techniques vital to the dynamics of interaction, barriers to communication, management of conflict, and methods of reaching consensus; participation in symposium, panel discussion. Develops capacity for constructive interaction and leadership techniques.
Prerequisite: SPE 1010. 
 
1510, 1511 Persuasion and Debate. 3 credits.
Analysis of controversy to discover its intrinsic and vital issues; beliefs presented through logical proofs and ethical emotional appeals; participation in decision-making discussion groups and debate. Prerequisite: SPE 1010.
 
1608 Advanced Public Speaking. 3 credits.
Theory and techniques of presenting speeches and eliciting specific audience response; intellectual integrity and ethics of emotional appeals; preparation of speeches (eulogies, introductions, exposés, critical reviews, calls-to-action) to enable the student to gain proficiency in areas related to professional goals (e.g., law and business).
Prerequisite: SPE 1010.
 
1661; 1662 Great Speakers and Speeches. 3 credits.
Techniques of great orators and speeches; rhetorical theory and training. Students analyze and deliver famous speeches of their choice. First semester: classical antiquity; second semester: modern times.
Prerequisite: SPE 1010.
  
2090 Play Production. 3 credits.
Technical areas of play production; function of theater technicians and management; use of stage through lights, set design, costume design, actors and directors; problems of play selection; producing and publicity; role interpretation and acting; theatrical and dramatic analysis of selected plays; practical experiences in classroom and Dramatics Society production.
 
2113; 2114 Theater Arts. 3 credits.
Survey of historical movements in the theater and their relationship to the contemporary theater; technique, development, and innovation in drama, analyzed from the viewpoint of dramatic structure and production. The class attends several professional productions.
 
2910, 2911 Art of the Actor. 3 credits.
Study and development of the power and skills of interpretation necessary for the actor to reflect the ideas of the playwright in various media—legitimate theater, television, radio, and cinema. Students identify the essential characteristics and solve the problems of acting in these media. 

2930 Techniques of the Director. 3 credits.
Theoretical and practical bases for understanding what the potential artistic director must do in preparation and rehearsal of a theatrical production to evoke the ideas, themes, and values of the playwright; working rehearsals in class to clarify acting, stagecraft, lighting, costuming, makeup, music, and movement for the stage.
 
4001, 4002 Oral Interpretation of Literature. 3 credits.
Development of improved vocal and interpretation skills for the oral communication of literature; analysis and performance of prose, poetry, and drama selections.
 
4210 Storytelling . 3 credits.
The art of storytelling and the oral tradition. Students examine familiar story themes, develop critical judgment in choosing material, and practice storytelling techniques and skills.
 
4700 Mass Media in Western Civilization. 3 credits.
Historical development of the various print and electronic media and the impact of mass communications on society; legal and ethical issues in mass media, including the First Amendment; focus on contemporary trends. Not open to students who have taken ENG 4601.
 
4901, 4902 Independent Study
See Academic Information and Policies section. 
 
SPEECH PATHOLOGY/AUDIOLOGY (SPAU)
 
Major: Stern College
35 credits in SPAU courses as follows: 3000, 3001, 3011, 3012, 3015, 3024, 3025, 3033, 3034, 3112, 3320, 3940, PSYC 1010 and STA 1021. BIOL 1001C, 1002C are recommended to fulfill the Natural Sciences requirement. SPAU 3331 and 3332 are recommended electives.
 
3000 Survey of Communication Disorders. 3 credits.
Overview of the scope of speech-language pathology/audiology practice and professions. Pediatric phonological, motor-speech, and language development and disorders; adult neurogenic communication disorders; disorders of voice, fluency, and hearing. Treatment observations.
 
3001 Development of Language. 3 credits.
Processes and products of typical language development from infancy to adulthood; the development of early communication in the context of cognitive, social, and emotional development before and after first words, first sentences, and nascent conversations. Cultural and individual differences in language development.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1010.
 
3011 The Speech Mechanism. 3 credits.
Anatomy, physiology, and neurology of the speech mechanism.  Normal and abnormal development and function considered in relation to speech and language development and performance.

3012 The Hearing Mechanism. 3 credits.
Anatomy, physiology, and neurology of the hearing mechanism.  Normal and abnormal development and function considered in relation to speech and language development and performance and auditory function.  Theories of hearing.  Psychoacoustics with consideration of underlying concepts and implications to function.
 
3015 Introduction to Speech Science. 3 credits.
Acoustical components of speech and their physiological correlates; information- bearing elements in the speech signal and their acoustic/auditory perceptual processing; theories of voice production; speech spectrography and other instrumentation as analysis tools. 
Prerequisite: SPAU 3001, 3112.
 
3024 Speech Pathology in Adults. 3 credits.
Language and speech disorders of adults; normal development; organic, neurological, and psychological conditions underlying disorders; diagnostic and treatment methods; field trips.
Prerequisite: SPAU 3001 and SPAU 3112.
 
3025 Speech Pathology in Children. 3 credits.
Etiologies and treatment of developmental language disorders, language-learning disabilities; phonological, articulation, and motor-speech disorders; disfluency, hearing loss, syndromes (including cleft palate); association of developmental disabilities (autism, cerebral palsy, and mental retardation) with speech-language delay and disorder.
Prerequisites: SPAU 3001 and 3012.
 
3033 Audiology I. 3 credits.
Basic audiologic procedures including pure tone, speech audiometry; masking; physiologic testing I – impedance/admittance, otoacoustic emission; basic etiologies and differential diagnoses for disorders of hearing; special populations including pediatric and functional testing. 
Prerequisite: SPAU 3012.
 
3034 Audiology II. 3 credits.
Diagnostic aspects of audiology, stressing site-of-lesion testing, evaluation of vestibular function, advanced speech audiometry, central testing, non-organic hearing loss; evoked potential procedures, industrial audiology.
Prerequisite: SPAU 3033.
 
3112 Phonetics. 3 credits.
Analysis of American English speech sounds and their variations; articulatory and physiological aspects of phonetics; acoustic phonetics and perceptual phonetics; phonetic transcription using the International Phonetic Alphabet.
 
3320 Aural Rehabilitation. 3 credits.
Use of amplification, auditory training, and speech reading for the hearing-impaired; special problems of the pediatric and geriatric populations.
Prerequisite: SPAU 3033.
 
3331; 3332 American Sign Language I, II. 2 credits.
Basic instruction and practice in sign language as used by the hearing impaired and as an augmentative system to facilitate communication for other communicatively challenged individuals.
 
3940 Clinical Observation in Communication Disorders. 1 hour of lecture. 30 hours observation. 2 credits.
Students observe speech and language and audiological evaluations. Therapy sessions at community speech and hearing clinics.
Laboratory fee: $75. Prerequisite: SPAU 3024 and 3033.
 
STATISTICS (STA)
 
1021 Introduction to Statistics. 3 credits.
Sources of data; descriptive statistics: data display, univariate measures of location and variability; basic probability, normal curve and its applications; correlation and regression. Sampling distributions. Inferential procedures in one and two-sample problems: estimation, hypothesis testing. Chi-square. 
 
1022 Statistical Methods. 3 credits.
Finite populations; statistical decision theory; chi-square; analysis of variance and covariance; time series; index numbers; nonparametric tests; multiple correlation and regression; examples from the fields of biology, political science, psychology, and sociology.
Prerequisite: STA 1021.
 
1320 Mathematical Statistics. 3 credits.
Application of probability theory to the classical parametric models: moment generating functions, chi-square and t distributions, central limit theorem, sampling distributions, maximum likelihood and interval estimation, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing; nonparametric models; the Bayesian controversy. Examples from natural science and social and behavioral research.
Prerequisite: STA 1460.
 
1460 Probability Theory. 3 credits.
Discrete and continuous sample spaces; combinatorial analysis; density and distribution functions of random variables; expectation and variance; independence and conditional probability; Law of Large Numbers; Central Limit Theorem; generating functions; random walk and ruin problems.
Prerequisite: MATH 1510.
 
STATISTICS FOR BUSINESS (STB)
 
1131 Statistics for Business. 3 credits.
Modern statistical methods as a basis for decision making; fundamentals of probability, discrete and continuous distributions, data reduction and display techniques, estimation, regression and correlation analysis, time series. Credit is not given for both STA 1021 and STB 1131.
Prerequisite: Successfully passing the Mathematics Proficiency Exam or Math Min-Course.
 
1456 Quantitative Analysis for Business. 3 credits.
Application of calculus for solving business problems. Modeling with linear functions, limits, and asympototes; techniques of differentiation; rate-of-change problems; marginal analysis, higher-order derivatives and optimization; integration as it relates to business. Required for Finance majors. May be taken in lieu of STB 1601 by other business majors.
Prerequisite: STB 1131.
 
1601 Operations Research. 3 credits.
Introduction to the use of deterministic management science and operations research methods applied to decision-making processes in industry; mathematical programming; inventory theory, optimization theory, queuing theory, game theory; scheduling, forecasting; heuristics.
Prerequisite: STB 1131.
 
TAXATION (TAX)
 
2501 Federal Income Taxation. 3 credits.
Analysis of the basic principles of federal income taxation as they apply to individuals, corporations, trusts, and estates.
Prerequisite: ACC 1102.
 
2502 Advanced Federal Income Taxation. 3 credits.
Federal income tax law and regulations, with emphasis on corporate taxation; tools and methods of tax research; review of the practice requirements of the Internal Revenue Service.
Prerequisite: TAX 2501. 
 
WOMEN’S STUDIES