Ferrum College Class Information:
Course descriptions from the Ferrum College course catalog for anyone interested in knowing specifics about what I learned. I’ve included this information to help potential employers see how my education may make-up for any hands-on experience I may lack.
Writing/Media:
- Feature Writing (ENG 312)
- Course Description: Principles and techniques of feature writing and publication production. Extensive practice in writing and designing feature stories for various print media. Study of the basic elements of publication production, including headline writing and design, proofreading, page makeup, graphic design, and printing processes.
- Journalism Practicum (ENG 131, 132, 231, 232)
- Course Description: An introduction to the basic principles and techniques of journalism through practical experience on the campus newspaper. In addition to class meetings on such general topics as the reporter’s stance, news leads, news sources, attribution techniques, copy-editing, and layout, all students will take an active role in the writing and production techniques of the campus newspaper. Courses must be taken in sequence.
- Media Management/Independent Study (ENG 315)
- Course Description: The course involves practical and theoretical study of issues such as communications law and ethics, staff motivation, media processes, and production quality and provides the student the opportunity to undertake an independent research project focusing on a topic in publication, communications, or broadcast management. The student must be in a leadership position on a campus publication or broadcast facility and have permission of instructor to enroll.
- Professional Writing (ENG 461)
- Course Description: A course designed to reinforce and extend undergraduate writing competency and to advance students to the composition proficiency demanded in business and other professions and in graduate programs. Students study and write expository and persuasive forms such as letters, memoranda, reports, and proposals.
- News Writing and Editing (ENG 311)
- Course Description: Principles and techniques of information gathering, reporting, and copy-editing. Extensive practice in writing and editing news stories and releases for various print media. Study of the basic elements of journalistic writing, including leads, organization, and style, as tools to achieve accuracy and clarity. Prior publication experience is recommended.
- Public Speaking (COM 201)
- Course Description: Development of basic skills in oral communication through the study and practice of public speech construction and delivery, audience analysis, and listening and fundamental voice and body control.
History:
- Western Civilization I & II (HIS 101, 102) – No longer listed in FC Course Catalog. The closest match is World History to 1500 (HIS 111) and World History after 1500 (HIS 112).
- Course Descriptions: An overview of the history of the world from the rise of the earliest civilizations to the development of a global economy; An overview of modern history of the world, from the rise of colonialism to the present.
- The American Civil War (HIS 305)
- Course Description: A study of the American Civil War and emphasis on the political, economic, social, and cultural differences between the belligerents, the causes of the war, the conduct of the war, and the impact of personalities on the conflict, the inevitability of the result, and the war’s impact on the nation then and now.
- History of Ancient Rome (HIS 340)
- Course Description: A history of classical Rome from the Etruscans to the Barbarian conquest and triumph of Christianity. The causes of the fall of the Roman Empire, as well as Rome’s legacies and lessons will be analyzed and discussed. This course is no longer listed in the FC Course Catalog; I do not see any comparable courses as of Dec 7, 2022.
- International Conflict (HIS 405)
- Course Description: A topical approach to the impact of warfare in the 20th century of technology, ideology, politics, economics, religion and geography. It will also study the resulting changes in military theory and doctrines which modify the strategy and methodology of war. In studying these areas, historical examples of international military conflict will be investigated. This course is no longer listed in the FC Course Catalog; I do not see any comparable courses as of Dec 7, 2022.
- Holocaust (HUM 300)
- Course Description: This course is a team-taught, multidisciplinary course examining the Holocaust through the perspectives of history, psychology, sociology, art, music, language, and literature. It will include discussions and activities with students and faculty teams dealing with the historical and social conditions leading up to the Holocaust, the resulting dehumanization and death, and well as the strategies for survival. The course will also examine the post-war dangers of neo-Nazism, totalitarianism, racism, and intolerance in our own times. Students will be asking themselves difficult, often painful, questions about their own feelings on these subjects by reading, writing, inquiring, and interacting as they work toward becoming more informed and humane members of society.
- Historiography (HIS 398)
- Course Description: This course is an introduction to historiography, the history, theory, and practice of historical studies. All students with a History major, minor, or concentration are required to take this course.
Russian:
Except for Russian History, Russian language and related classes are not currently listed in the FC Course catalog.
- Elementary I & II (RUS 101, 102)
- Course Description: A study of Russian grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary. The course includes practice in speaking, reading, and writing of the Russian language and an introduction to the culture of Russia.
- Culture (RUS 304)
- Course Description: A study of Russian civilization and culture as depicted in its art, geography, history, and literature, with a particular emphasis on Russian folkways. Lectures are in English.
- Literature, 19th Century (RUS 401)
- Course Description: An introductory survey of Russian literature of the 19th century. The course is taught in English with emphasis on oral and written expression by the student.
- Literature, 20th Century (RUS 402)
- Course Description: An introductory survey of Russian literature of the 20th century. The course is taught in English with emphasis on oral and written expression by the student.
- *Intermediate I & II (RUS 201, 202)
- Course Description: An intermediate course in reading, writing, grammar, and conversation.
- *Advanced I & II (RUS 301, 302)
- Course Description: A study of advanced Russian written and oral communication, with continued intensive work on grammatical structure.
* Was granted unusual permission to take these courses back-to-back in the same semester, and completed both successfully.