Minors and Cognates
A minor is a concentrated study in a specific supporting field at the graduate level. A minor must be titled and identified on the student's program of study and be approved by a Graduate Faculty member of the minor department/program. The minor will be listed on the student's transcript. Only the courses approved for graduate credit may be included in a minor.
A cognate is a selection of courses providing broad support to the major. All courses numbered 300 or above listed in the catalog, including those offered by departments or fields that do not offer graduate courses or graduate degrees, may be included in the cognate. Courses should be taken in two or three departments or fields. A cognate area will not be titled and will not be listed on a student's transcript.
NOTE: When a graduate student elects to use a 300- or 400-level course for graduate credit, it is understood that the student will be required to do additional work, over and above that typically required of undergraduates. Usually, such work is of an independent nature.
The sociology graduate faculty recommends that graduate students declare a cognate in research methodology and statistics, theory or teaching. A cognate in research methodology would serve a graduate well in preparing them for work in policy research, applied research, program evaluation, or in market research. A cognate in theory would prepare them well for a doctoral program. A cognate in teaching would prepare them for careers in high school, community colleges, or junior college teaching.
SCHOLARLY TOOLS AND/OR COGNATES
Research
Educational Foundations & Research
510. Qualitative Research Methods. 3 credits. Qualitative Research Methods are naturalistic and contextual. The methodology derives from Anthropology and other social sciences and seeks to understand human behavior from the actors' perspective. Students are to learn the fundamental data collection methods: observation, participant-observation, and interviewing as well as data analysis through coding and categorizing.
512. Educational Tests and Measurements. 3 credits. Prerequisite: EFR 515 or consent of the instructor. Application and integration of measurement theory in a research framework; evaluation of cognitive and affective scales with emphasis on the statistical and psychometric properties of the scales.
513. Computer Applications in Educational Statistics. 3 credits. Prerequisites: EFR 515 (or concurrent) or consent of the instructor. A study of computer applications in educational statistics, usually involving relatively large data sets using SPSS and/or SAS.
515. Statistics I. 3 credits. An introduction to basic statistical methods, focusing primarily on descriptive statistics and inferential statistics up to and including one-way analysis of variance.
516. Statistics II. 3 credits. An in-depth study of inferential statistics with primary emphasis on analysis of variance models, multiple regression techniques, analysis of covariance and other higher-order statistical procedures.
517. Advanced Research Methodologies. 3 credits. Both qualitative and quantitative aspects of research are considered for a variety of topics, including ethics in research, use of data banks, Q-methodology, survey research, Bayesian concepts, critical theory, longitudinal research and research consultation. Comprehensive examinations in educational research are addressed. This is a capstone course in educational research. Previous or concurrent involvement in research is highly desirable. Available for doctoral level students only.
History
440. Research. 2 credits. A methodology course. Though designed primarily for history majors, History 440 may prove very useful for students in other social science fields. Through discussion and working inthe library, the students develop skills both in the compiling of a bibliography and in the use of journals, newspapers, government documents, manuscript collections, pictorial materials, etc. Each studentwrites a paper that demonstrates the use and evaluation of these historical source materials. F,S
Political Science
500. Research Methods. 3 credits. Prerequisite: A statistics course or consent of instructor. This course will first focus on various approaches to analyzing political phenomena with the goal of developing students' ability to think analytically and to distinguish between empirical and normative analysis. The course will then introduce techniques of empirical research including research design, measurement, data gathering, and data analysis.
501. Political and Public Policy Analysis. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Political Science 500 or consent of instructor. This course focuses on the use of empirical data both to develop empirical theory and to make policy choices. Topics to be discussed include hypothesis testing, public choice, and policy evaluation. Students will be required to complete an original research project.
Geography
377. Quantitative Applications in Geography. 2 credits. Prerequisite: Math 103 or consent of instructor. Application of statistical and mathematical techniques to research topics in geography. F
377L. Spatial Analysis Laboratory. 1 credit. Prerequisite: Math 103. Co-requisite: Geog 377. Practical applications of statistical and mathematical techniques for geographic problems. Students work on projects which involve solving problems by spatial-oriented computations. Use of revelant statistical programs on computers are emphasized. F
378. Global Positioning Systems: Applications and Theory. 2 credits. This course examines the equipment, procedures, and techniques related to GPS technology, as well as its integration with Geographic Information Systems. Foci include the fundamentals of satellite navigation, the history of GPS, and applications related to mapping and analysis in the environmental sciences. Strong emphasis is placed on providing hands-on experience. S
471. Cartography and Computer-Assisted Mapping. 2 credits. Corequisite: Geog 471L. Principles of graphic communication and skills for producing maps and charts using computer technology. It involves creating both geographic and attribute databases for graphic display of points, lines, areas, and surfaces. Data analysis, classing techniques, history of cartography, and projections are also discussed. F
471L. Computer Mapping Laboratory. 1 credit. Corequisite: Geog 471. Knowledge of computer operating systems and competency to use various mapping software packages to produce accurate and aesthetically pleasing maps and charts. Students implement projects and organize their finished products into a portfolio for presentation. F.
474. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS). 3 credits. Prerequisite: Geog 471/L or instructor consent. An introductory course which examines the nature of raster and vector data models and the analytical capabilities and products which they bring to bear on the solution of geographic problems. F, S
Theory
Philosophy
408. Philosophy of Human Nature. 3 credits. A consideration of philosophical problems arising from the methodology of the behavioral sciences. Of special relevance to students majoring in Psychology, Political Science, Economics, Anthropology or Sociology. S/2
320. Metaphysics: What is Real? 3 credits. A study of the basic categories by which things are understood. Topics include such issues as appearance and reality, substance, particular and general, space and time, and personal identity. F/3
330. Epistemology: What Can We Know and How Can We Know It ? 3 credits. Inquiry into the nature and limits of knowledge as distinguished from belief; types of knowledge; the role of reason and sense experience in empirical knowledge. S/3
Political Science
511. Seminar: Political Theory. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Political Science 311 or consent of instructor. Study of major political theories and the methodologies employed in their formulation.
311. Development of Political Thought I. 3 credits. Classical political thought to the seventeenth century with emphasis on the thought of Plato, Aristotle, Cicero , St. Augustine , St. Thomas Aquinas, and Machiavelli. F
312. Development of Political Thought II. 3 credits. Political thought from the seventeenth century to the present with emphasis on the thought of Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Hume, Burke, Hegel, and Marx. S
Anthropology
371. Cultural Dynamics . 3 credits. Prerequisite: Anth 171. Focus on sociocultural change along a selected theme, such as "the local and the global," "ethnic minorities and nation-states," or "ethnographer as researcher and writer." Also considered are theoretical orientations in the study of society/culture, fieldwork, ethics, and anthropologists' roles with respect to public policy. F
372. Culture Theory . 3 credits. Prerequisite: Anth 171. An overview of the ideas and approaches that have played a role in the development of anthropological studies of societies and cultures. Focus on the contributions of major figures in anthropology, in the past and at present, as well as current issues within the discipline. Once every 3 semesters.
Economics
400. History of Economic Thought. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Econ 105 or Econ 201 and 202. Broad overview of the major schools of thought including Mercantilist, Physiocrat, Classical, Marxian, Socialist, Historical, Austrian, Neoclassical, Institutional, Keynesian, and Monetarist. The coverage includes value theory, income/expenditure theory, growth/development theory, scientific method, scope and public policy. S
Teaching
Educational Foundations & Research
500. Foundations of Educational Thought. 3 credits. A problem-centered class dialogue on those philosophical, social, political and historical concepts of educational thought that have shaped the development of the learning experience.
501. Psychological Foundations of Education. 3 credits. A study of the learning process with secondary emphasis on how the learning process is affected by individual differences, growth and development, and personality. A background in undergraduate Educational Psychology is assumed.
502. Issues and Trends in Education. 3 credits. Prerequisite: EFR 500 or permission of the instructor. The object of this course is to discover the causative and evolutionary factors giving birth to contemporary issues and trends in education.
503. Historical Foundations of Education. 3 credits. An historical examination of the concepts of the meaning, nature, process, and purposes of education as evolved in different historical periods and social contexts with emphasis on the learners, ideas and changing institution.
504. Philosophical Foundations of Education. 3 credits. A study of the representative schools of philosophic thought which have structured major philosophies of education.
505. Social Foundations of Education. 3 credits. The study of schools and education in social context.
506. Multicultural Education. 3 credits. A review of the conceptual, historical, and theoretical aspects of multicultural education. A major goal will be to provide educators with processes for incorporating multicultural education into educational environments: to meet the needs of culturally diverse students and to increase the cultural awareness and sensitivity of all students. North Dakota/Native American issues are primary elements of this course.
507. Gender and Education. 3 credits. A critical feminist analysis of the history, philosophy, theory, curriculum, and practice of education. Teachers' beliefs and practices are presented for analysis and current educational philosophies are evaluated.
508. Anthropological Foundations of Education. 3 credits. Students will examine the convergence of anthropology and education through an analysis of education as cultural transmission and a review of enculturation and acculturation processes in traditional and modern societies.
Educational Leadership
542. Curriculum in Higher Education. 2 credits. A study of processes for planning, implementing, and evaluating curriculum within institutions of higher education. Topics will include historical perspectives on curriculum in higher education, governance systems related to curriculum development and adoption, and issues of current interest and concern.
T&L 539. College Teaching. 2 credits. Explores learning styles and teaching styles, the components and
responsibilities involved in college teaching, methods of teaching and motivating students, and current issues related to instruction in the college classroom.
T&L 570. History of Higher Education in the U.S. 3 credits. Study of major events and people shaping higher education in the US The role, philosophy, and organization of institutions of higher education is discussed.
Geography
Geographic Information Systems
377. Quantitative Applications in Geography. 2 credits. Prerequisite: Math 103 or consent of instructor. Application of statistical and mathematical techniques to research topics in geography. F
377L. Spatial Analysis Laboratory. 1 credit. Prerequisite: Math 103. Co-requisite: Geog 377. Practical applications of statistical and mathematical techniques for geographic problems. Students work on projects which involve solving problems by spatial-oriented computations. Use of revelant statistical programs on computers are emphasized. F
378. Global Positioning Systems: Applications and Theory. 2 credits. This course examines the equipment, procedures, and techniques related to GPS technology, as well as its integration with Geographic Information Systems. Foci include the fundamentals of satellite navigation, the history of GPS, and applications related to mapping and analysis in the environmental sciences. Strong emphasis is placed on providing hands-on experience. S
471. Cartography and Computer-Assisted Mapping. 2 credits. Corequisite: Geog 471L. Principles of graphic communication and skills for producing maps and charts using computer technology. It involves creating both geographic and attribute databases for graphic display of points, lines, areas, and surfaces. Data analysis, classing techniques, history of cartography, and projections are also discussed. F
471L. Computer Mapping Laboratory. 1 credit. Corequisite: Geog 471. Knowledge of computer operating systems and competency to use various mapping software packages to produce accurate and aesthetically pleasing maps and charts. Students implement projects and organize their finished products into a portfolio for presentation. F.
474. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS). 3 credits. Prerequisite: Geog 471/L or instructor consent. An introductory course which examines the nature of raster and vector data models and the analytical capabilities and products which they bring to bear on the solution of geographic problems. F, S
