School of Community Education
Course Descriptions
Spring 2006
Courses with the SCED designation are offered with the approval of the Wittenberg faculty through the School of Community Education. They appear in the Evening and Weekend schedule exclusively. Although designed primarily for adult/non-traditional students in the Organizational Leadership and Health Care Leadership programs, most of them are also open to traditional students who meet stated prerequisites.
Where appropriate, the Dean allocates a fixed number of places for traditional students in these and other SCE-sponsored courses, and registration for these places is through the regular procedure. In cases where the Dean's allocation has been filled, traditional students need his signature on a Course Change (ADD) form in order to register. Adult students enroll through the normal SCE process.
For the descriptions of Evening courses not listed in this section, go to the various departmental sections.
ENGL 101E Expository Writing
Mrs. Karen Hayes, Visiting Instructor of English.
See the description under the English section.
GEOG 250C Regional Geography: Globalization
Dr. Olga Medvedkov, Professor and Chair of Geography
See the description under the Geography section.
GEOL 110B Introduction to Geology
See the description under the Geology heading. Note the required Saturday field trip to Ohio Caverns and Cedar Bog. Dr. David Miller (Ph.D., Ohio State University) is on the faculty at Clark State Community College and has taught at Wittenberg for the last two years.
MGT 260S-4W Organizational Behavior
Mr. Ron Larsen
We will examine the behavior of people in formal organizations, with work organizations being the principal object. In our examination, we will consider individual behavior and motivation; we will explore the relation-ships between individuals—communication, team and other group dynamics, leadership, influence, power; and we will study key organizational characteristics—structure, culture, and adaptation to environmental changes (especially the balancing of stability and change. The emphasis will be on using applicable theories to analyze and improve individual, team, and organizational performance. Under the “learning contract” structure of this section, students will have flexibility in establishing personal course objectives but must also manifest a high degree of initiative and responsibility in achieving them. This course uses the @witt/@home format, combining limited classroom meetings and web-supported interactive learning. Mr. Larsen, a management consultant with the EdVantage Group, worked for many years in training and development for the NCR Corporation. He is past president of the American Society for Training and Development—Western Ohio Chapter.
MATH 112Q—The Language of Mathematics
See the description under the Mathematics heading. Mr. Garry Barhorst (M.A., Ohio State University) is Adjunct Instructor of Mathematics. He teaches algebraic math at Clark-Shawnee High School and has taught Calculus and other courses at Wittenberg. He is a recipient of the Clark County Teacher of the Year award.
RELI 101R—Introduction to the Bible
See the description under the Religion heading. Dr. Larry Welborn (Ph.D., Vanderbilt University) is a faculty member at Union Theological Seminary, Dayton.
RUSS 106F Russian for Professionals II
Dr. Lila Zaharkov, Associate Professor of Foreign Languages.
Second course of a two-course sequence (with RUSS 105) enabling adults to achieve language competency goals within the context of their professional and personal interests. This sequence introduces Russia 's language and culture. The course meets once a week, using the most up-to-date methodology, including video, multimedia language lab, and web-accessed exercises that allow students to work at their own pace. The textbook is accompanied by an instructor-developed manual that enables students to work on assignments between class meetings.
SCED 200L Liberal Studies Colloquium:Catastrophe and Its Aftermath—Community in the Balance
Dr. Jerry Pankhurst, Professor of Sociology
The foundation of the adult degree program and an intellectual orientation to Wittenberg for adults—but also open to traditional students, particularly transfers seeking to meet the Integrated Learning (L-course) requirement. The Colloquium—Latin for “speaking together”—introduces students to a mature level of critical thinking, research processes, and both written and oral expression. In this semester's version, we'll pursue this development through the study of the topic indicated.
We will examine the deadly events that communities have faced around the world, from ancient times through such contemporary instances as the 2004 tsunami and the 2005 hurricanes; we will consider how the social fabric is torn and then—sometimes—mended after a catastrophe. A special concern will be how catastrophe scenarios would play out in Springfield. What are the strengths of this community in the face of such an event? How would we go about reconstructing community after a disaster?
We will bring in several guest speakers to ascertain the threats to our community and the plans for dealing with them. We will also share the conclusions of our study with community resources and seek out ways to apply some of our knowledge in active service.
SCED 300-01 Issues Topic—Media Images and Workplace Communication
Dr. Forest Wortham
Media images—from rap videos to sitcoms to evening news reports—have a pervasive impact on our communication with our workplace associates, generating powerful and sometimes subtle stereotypes that shape the way we perceive others. We will explore in particular media images of masculinity, femininity, and ethnicity. We will examine television programs and advertising, movies, music videos, and various print media to learn how the accumulation of images impacts such functions as job searches, hiring, promotion, and general workplace status. This course uses the @witt/@home format, combining limited classroom meetings and web-supported interactive learning. Dr. Wortham (D.Ed., Penn State University) is Director of Multicultural Student Programs
SCED 300-02 Issues Topic—Organizational Development,
Dr. Danal Neal
While formally an application of behavioral theory to organizational structures, in common terms OD is a form of change management. The change in question may be one that has occurred due to the intrusion of events—e.g., a merger or the introduction of a new technology. Or it may be one that ought to happen—e.g., the infusion of a proactive and customer-focused approach in an organization that has become stodgy and turf-ridden. Essentially, OD is the means of organizing and empowering people to meet changed or changing conditions. The tools available for leading an OD effort include assessment, team-building, training/coaching, and leadership development. Through a case-oriented approach, we will consider selected OD theories and will test these by practicing planning and implementation activities. This course uses the @witt/@home format, combining limited classroom meetings and web-supported interactive learning. Dr. Neal (Ed.D., University of Tennessee) is Executive Manager of the Electrical Contractors Association, Western Ohio Chapter and brings a lengthy experience in training and development.
SCED 300-03 Issues Topic—Administering Employee Benefits,
Staff
The goal is to develop a clear awareness of this responsibility in both profit and not-for-profit organizations and to provide techniques for effective, legally compliant, equitable, and ethical administration of programs. We will examine such areas as insurance, pension, and retirement plans; policies for vacation and personal leave; and flexible spending accounts, using these practical areas as a basis for analyzing benefit theory and practice and the ethical and legal concerns attaching to them. Associated concerns for the practicing professional include challenges in administration, access, affordability and cost control, communicating with employees, attraction and retention effects, and wider societal questions inherent in various benefits.
SCED 300-04 Issues Topic—High-Diversity Human Resources Applications,
Mrs. Cathy Balas
Using as a comparison the local site of a national company, we will consider the special challenges that HR managers face in environments characterized by unusual diversity in ethnic composition, language, and other qualities. We will consider such areas of concern as hiring practices, supervision, respect for religious customs, conflict resolution, and legal implications for the employment of non-citizens. Our comparison will be face-to-face, with a week-long excursion to sites in Florida. This course uses the @witt/@home format, combining limited classroom meetings and web-supported interactive learning. Mrs. Cathy Balas ( M.S. Central Michigan University) is Director of Education for Avetec.
SCED 400 Senior Leadership Seminar
Dr. Elma Lee Moore
Adult students synthesize their learning from previous study and experience and develop it into a major report. In this report, students typically identify a problem or process in an organizational setting, provide analysis, present options, and propose appropriate action. The inquiry process, developed in conjunction with the instructor and through activities with the group, addresses the dimensions of both management and leadership. Students present their report in writing to the instructor and orally to the seminar group. The report also serves as the basis for the oral senior assessment presentation for the Liberal Studies major —taking the form of an executive briefing. This course uses the @witt/@home format, combining limited classroom meetings and web-supported interactive learning. Dr. Moore is Director of Adult Leadership Programs.
SPAN 105 Spanish for Professionals I
Mr. John Cantrell, Instructor of Spanish—Foreign Languages Department
First course of a two-course sequence (with SPAN 106F) that follows a modified individualized instruction format, with students meeting to review grammar, to discuss, and to present assignments and projects. Assignments are keyed to students’ professional and/or personal interests, including such areas as business, health care, and law enforcement. Limited to adult/non-traditional students. Mr. Cantrell co-directed the 2005 Summer program in Guatemala.
THDN 120A Art of the Theatre
Dr. Corwin Georges, Professor and Chair, Theatre and Dance
See the description under the Theatre and Dance heading.
