The Following are courses designed to be used towards degrees in Business, Criminal Justice, Information Technology, Psychology, Sociology, Human Services, and Management.
Human Services Courses
HUSV 2101: Introduction to Human Services
Prerequisite: NA
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
This course is an interdisciplinary overview of the field of human services. The origin and scope of human services will be explored, with special attention given to the political, economic, organizational, and social factors currently affecting the field. Students will examine the theoretical frameworks of the field, as well as the day-to-day functions and activities of human services organizations. A service learning project is a requirement of the course.
HUSV 3001/PSYC 3001/SOCI 3001: Research Methods in the Social Sciences
Pre-requisite: HUSV 2101; and MATH 2101 or HUSV 3341
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
This course introduces the fundamentals of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including experimental design, observational studies, and data analysis. It will explore questions about people and the social settings and systems in which they act. Students will learn how to formulate a research question, evaluate ethical issues pertaining to research, collect and evaluate data, and develop an appropriate presentation of findings.
HUSV 3060: Human Service Agencies and Processes
Pre-requisite: HUSV 2101
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
This course will explore the differing characteristics of various types of agencies, public and private. It will investigate the need for bureaucracies to help organize society and businesses as well as examine the impacts these agencies can have on policies. It will focus on the ways to negotiate around administrations, explore the problems associated with the agencies and bureaucracies, and investigate the reforms that seek to improve them.
HUSV 3080: Social Welfare Policies and Programs
Pre-requisite: HUSV 2101; SOCI 1101
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
The course deals with socio-economic welfare issues and programs such as human capital development, income redistribution, family and child-care support, food stamps, Medicare, and Medicaid. It examines current fiscal policy, social policy, and housing policy.
HUSV/MGNT 3341: Applied Statistics
Pre-requisite: Minimum of 45 hours completed including Area A mathematics requirement
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
This course is an introduction to managerial and administrative decision making utilizing statistical analysis. The emphasis will be on use of basic descriptive statistics, probability, and inferential statistics including estimation and hypothesis testing using contingency tables, analysis of variance, and regression. Specific examples will utilize Microsoft Excel, emphasizing decision making using datasets drawn from both business and nonprofit environments.
HUSV 4010: Program Planning, Development, and Evaluation
Pre-requisites: HUSV 2101
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
Study of planning, program development, and evaluations as the basic functions of human services agencies. Students will learn how to analyze social welfare programs and policies by using a variety of quantitative approaches and program models. Emphasis on developing different techniques of program planning and understanding diverse evaluation techniques as they relate to data collection.
HUSV 4030: Legal & Ethical Issues in Human Services
Pre-requisite: HUSV 2101 or BUSA 2106
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
An overview of ethical and legal issues related to provision of human services including examination of ethics statements from national professional organizations related to human services and the helping professions. Issues covered will include cultural diversity, informed consent, confidentiality, equal opportunity, discrimination, responsibility to clients, and collaboration with colleagues.
Psychology Courses
PSYC 1101: Introduction to Psychology
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
A broad survey of the major topics in psychology, including research methodology, biological and social factors influencing behavior, development, learning, memory, personality, and abnormal psychology.
PSYC 2103: Introduction to Human Growth and Development
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
A non-laboratory introduction to human development across the lifespan with an emphasis on normal patterns of physical, cognitive, and social development.
PSYC 3020/ HUSV 3020: Interviewing and Counseling
Pre-requisite: PSYC 1101 or SOCI 1101; and HUSV 2101
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
The purpose of this course is to explore the theories and skills necessary to effectively interview and counsel individuals from various backgrounds and cultures. Students will learn the basic elements of good communication, practice good listening skills, and learn how to structure the interview process. This information will be useful in many client-based settings, both medical and nonmedical.
PSYC 3040: Social Psychology
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
Social psychology is the scientific study of individual human behavior in social situations and how individuals' behaviors and mental processes are affected by other people. It considers how diverse individuals think, feel, and behave with regard to others and covers topics such as the social self, perceiving others, group processes, stereotyping and prejudice, attitudes, conformity, attraction and relationships, and helping others.
PSYC 3050: Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
Abnormal behavior and psychopathology will be explored from different theoretical perspectives as will the historical, social and individual factors that define abnormality. The etiology, classification, diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders will be studied.
PSYC 3055/SOCI 3055: Addictions
Prerequisites: PSYC 1101 and SOCI 1101
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
The assessment, etiology, diagnosis and treatment of substance abuse disorders and other addictive behaviors will be examined. Biological, psychological and social factors associated with addictions will be studied as will their impact on diverse populations. Other topics will include the effects of substance abuse and addictive behaviors on the family and community.
PSYC 3060: Organizational Psychology
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
This course focuses on the application of psychological principles to human behavior in the workplace. Students will examine how the workplace context of leaders, co-workers, and organizational policies, structure and culture affect employee attitudes and actions. Course topics include motivation, leadership, employee selection and assessment, team development, program design and evaluation, and occupational health.
PSYC 3065/ SOCI 3065 Family Systems
Prerequisite: PSYC 1101 or SOCI 1101, HUSV 2101
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
This course is an advanced look at the group dynamics of the family with its own language, roles, rules, and patterns. It also looks at the intersection of family with social institutions and micro, meso, and macro influences on family functioning. The course will include theoretical perspectives, current issues, public policy, and resources available to improve family functioning.
Sociology Courses
SOCI 1101: Introduction to Sociology
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
An introduction to the discipline of sociology, including sociological theory, methods, and selected substantive areas.
SOCI 1160: Introduction to Social Problems
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
A theoretical and empirical analysis of selected major social problems confronting American society.
SOCI 3045: Poverty
Prerequisite: SOCI 1101
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
This course examines the structure of poverty in the U.S., focusing upon the way poverty influences individuals' life chances (i.e., access to health care, education, employment, residence, aging, etc.), and family functioning. Other topics include U.S. trends in poverty, critiques of theories of poverty, and consequences of poverty for communities and the nation. Emphasis is given to how poverty is experienced on a daily basis and may utilize approaches such as poverty simulations, case studies, and out-of-class assignments.
SOCI 3060: Culture and Diversity
Prerequisite: SOCI 1101
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
This course will examine the multiple ways race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and geographic identities, to name a few, impact individuals' lives. Emphasis will be placed on students increasing their understanding of cultural diversity, enabling them to work in the field of human services and other work environments.
SOCI 3090: Population and Society
Prerequisite: Completion of 45 credit hours and MATH 1001, 1111, 1113, or 1501
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
An introduction to the theoretical foundations, concepts, methods, data, and applications of Population Studies, which is also as Demography, emphasizing the effect of the basic demographic processes of fertility, mortality, and migration on population size, composition, and distribution.
Skill Development/Field Experience
HUSV 4900: Human Service Internship
Pre-requisites: Senior status and completion of all required courses with a minimum grade of "C" in each.
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
Supervised internship experience in an approved human services agency. Students work a minimum of fifteen hours per week in an agency or service organization relevant to career aspirations. Students are responsible for securing their own internship placement according to Gordon State College internship guidelines.
HUSV 4901: Human Service Capstone Seminar
Pre-requisites: Senior status and completion of all required courses with a minimum grade of "C" in each.
Credit Hours: (1-0-1)
This course is the culmination of the human services program, focused on integrating students' education and experience. Through group discussion and analysis of field experiences, students build and expand upon theoretical foundations to improve skills and techniques necessary for effective human services work.
MGNT4900: Management and Administration Senior Seminar
Pre-requisites: Completion of 90 credit hours toward the BSMA degree with grades of C or higher.
Credit Hours: 3 (1.5-6.5-3)
The Senior Seminar provides a forum for carrying out the BSMA degree requirement for either an internship or a research project in a rigorous academic and intellectual framework.
MGNT 4990: Independent Study in Management & Administration
Pre-requisites: Requires prior approval of the supervising instructor and the department head
Credit Hours: 1 to 3 (0-3-1) or (0-6-2) or (0-9-3)
Independent investigation of a topic through a research project or a program of directed readings. Topics will be developed by the student and the sponsoring faculty member.
Management & Leadership Courses
MGNT 3000: Principles of Management
Prerequisite: 45 hours with 3 hours in BUSA, ACCT, or ECON
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
Management functions and processes as applied to organizations and to individuals in organizations. Topics to be covered include strategic thinking and organization design, ethics and social responsibility, diversity, global influences, leadership, motivation, human resource management, and organizational change.
MGNT 3050: Human Resource Management
Prerequisite: 45 hours with 3 hours in BUSA or Permission of Professor
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
This course examines the role of managers as human resource professionals. Key management functions of recruitment, selection, development, appraisal, retention, compensation, and labor relations are examined. Implications of legal and global environments are appraised and current issues such as diversity, discrimination, sexual harassment policies, and rising benefit costs are analyzed. The student will 318 be exposed to practical situations, problem solving, and application of laws affecting human resource issues.
MGNT 3100: Principles of Marketing
Prerequisite: 45 hours with 3 hours in BUSA, ACCT, or ECON
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
Examination of the ways organizations satisfy consumer and organizational needs and wants for products and services. Emphasis is placed on how the elements of the marketing mix are used to provide customer satisfaction in the marketing of goods and services.
MGNT 3200 Financial Management
Prerequisite: 45 hours including MATH 1111 and 3 hours in BUSA, ACCT, or ECON or Permission of Professor
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
Introduction to managing an organization's financial resources with the aim of achieving its business objectives, emphasis on defining objectives, understanding and evaluating resources, and making financial decisions in an environment of uncertainty.
MGNT/HUSV 3341 Applied Statistics
Prerequisite: Minimum of 45 hours completed including Area A mathematics requirement
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
This course is an introduction to managerial and administrative decision making utilizing statistical analysis. The emphasis will be on use of basic descriptive statistics, probability, and inferential statistics including estimation and hypothesis testing using contingency tables, analysis of variance, and regression. Specific examples will utilize Microsoft Excel, emphasizing decision making using datasets drawn from both business and nonprofit environments
MGNT 3400 Management Information Systems
Prerequisite: 45 credit hours including BUSA 2101 or CSCI 1101
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
Introduces students to the study of organizations as systems supported by information processing. Students will learn to distinguish needs for information at different levels in organizations. They will learn to evaluate information system decisions. They will analyze business information problems using formal methods.
MGNT 3500 Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
Prerequisite: 45 credit hours with 3 hours in BUSA, ACCT, or ECON or permission of professor
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
This course explores fundamentals of entrepreneurship and managing the small business operation, including management, marketing, and finance. The course is intended to prepare students to launch and manage new and existing small businesses with an emphasis on practical application. The course will include case studies, profiles of effective entrepreneurs, market research methods, and business plan development.
MGNT 3600 Managerial Economics
Prerequisite: 45 credit hours and ECON 2106
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
This course will introduce students to how firms make managerial decisions to maximize profits and will equip students to understand the problems faced by a manager as well as how to solve those problems strategically and efficiently. Students will evaluate the theory and application of economic concepts such as cost, production, markets, and pricing decisions undertaken by firms. The course will conduct an analysis of the structure and performance of the market by investigating the four market structures of perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition, and oligopoly. Students will gain a strong understanding of economic concepts and the application of these concepts in the real-world business environment through case-studies.
MGNT 3700 Personal Financial Planning for Professionals
Prerequisite: 45 credit hours with grades of C or better in MATH 1001 or above, ACCT 2101, and ECON 2105 or 2106
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
This course is designed as an introductory course to the Personal Financial Planning profession. In addition to covering an overview of the profession, the course will focus on time value of money, personal financial statement analysis, cash and debt management, housing, and education funding. An overview of other areas of the profession will be provided in order to provide students a comprehensive understanding of the overall personal financial planning process.
MGNT 4400 International Economics
Prerequisite: 45 credit hours and ECON 2105
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
This course will introduce students to basic global economics issues and their applications. Students will gain an understanding of global economics issues and markets such as international trade, trade deficits, exchange rates, capital flows etc; look at the role of various organizations and international institutions in the global economy; and examine the impact, integration and markets of Latin American countries and countries such as India and China in the world economy.
MGNT 4500 International Management
Prerequisite: 45 credit hours and ECON 2105
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
An introduction t globalization and the cultural, economic, political, and legal environments of international business including an overview of risks, challenges, and opportunities of competing in the global marketplace. This course will introduce students to the theory and applications of international management. The students will advance their understanding of global firms and markets so that they 321 can make managerial decisions and solve problems strategically and efficiently. This course will analyze the structure of multinational businesses and markets.
COMM 3950: Organizational Communication
Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in both ENGL 1102 and completion of a 2000 level English course.
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
Contemporary theory and intellectual traditions applied to the study of organizations and the role of organizations in society and cultural practices.
Special Topics Courses
HUSV 4080: Special Topics in Human Services
Pre-requisite: HUSV 2101
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
A relevant topic in the area of Human Service practice will be examined. Specific topics will vary.
HUSV 4081: Special Topics in Human Service Leadership
Pre-requisite: HUSV 2101
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
A relevant topic in the area of Human Service leadership will be examined. Specific topics will vary.
MGNT 4080: Special Topics in Management & Administration
Prerequisite: 45 credit hours, with 3 of these hours in BUSA, ACCT, or ECON
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
This course provides for the advanced study of emerging issues or specialized content in areas of management, leadership, finance, entrepreneurship, technology and other topics related to Management & Administration. Course may be repeated when topics are different for a maximum of six credit hours towards graduation.
Additional Lower Level Courses
BUSA 1105: Introduction to Business
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
An integrative study of the functional areas of business, including finance, operations, marketing, and human resources.
BUSA 2101: Introduction to Business Computer Systems
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
A survey of Management Information Systems and the application of computers in business and related areas, including hardware, software, data, procedures, human resources, an operating environment, an electronic spreadsheet, a database management system, a presentation management system, and the Internet.
BUSA 2105: Communicating in the Environment of Business
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
An analysis and practical applications of the external and internal communications of business organizations.
BUSA 2106: The Environment of Business
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
An introduction to the legal, regulatory, political, social, ethical, cultural, environmental, and technological issues which form the context for business, including an overview of the impact of demographic diversity on organization.
Recommended Lower Level Electives
POLS 1101: American Government
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
An introduction to the basic institutions, structure, and processes of the American political system. (Successful completion satisfies the legislative Constitution requirement.)
POLS 2201: State and Local Government
Prerequisite; POLS 1101
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
An examination of the structure, organization and functions of state and local governments. The role of state and local governments in the federal system will be analyzed. Particular attention will be paid to Georgia government.
MATH 2101: Introductory Statistics
Prerequisites; MATH 1001, MATH 1111 or any higher level MATH course.
Credit Hours: (3-0-3)
An introduction to non-calculus based statistics, including descriptive statistics, probability, distributions, hypothesis testing, estimation and sample size, correlation, simple regression, and chi-square and F-tests. Students must provide a graphing calculator.