Undergraduate Academic Accelerator Pathway (2-Term) - Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Religion

at Shorelight Group - Cleveland State University USA

A student who has completed French course work in high school or at another institution and who wishes to continue the study of that language must begin course work for credit at the level consistent with her or his academic background. A placement test is required for all students with less than three years of high school French or the equivalent. Students who have had three or more years of previous study must consult with an adviser in the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures to determine the appropriate level.

Philosophy addresses fundamental questions about human knowledge and existence from constructive and critical perspectives. Students examine important historical and contemporary theories concerning ethics, social justice, reality and the nature and extent of knowledge. Logic is also central to philosophy, since the critical evaluation of the reasons given for ideas is as important as the study of the ideas themselves. For this reason, philosophy classes are well known for the presentation of philosophical problems and issues in a manner that stimulates questions, discussion, and a general appreciation for the pursuit of truth.

A philosophy major or minor is excellent preparation for fields such as law and business, which rely on skills of critical thinking, as well as for fields such as medicine and social work, where practitioners face ethical dilemmas in their work. Though useful in many careers, the study of philosophy can be expected to enrich a person's life beyond the rewards of the marketplace, through a deeper understanding of important beliefs and their foundations.

The Art History concentration exposes students to a wide range of artistic forms and traditions and to a broad diversity of cultures and issues. Art History students begin with introductory survey courses in Western, Asian, and African Art, and continue with courses in these areas along with Modern, American, AfricanAmerican, and Islamic Art. Advanced seminars in Art History draw on the faculty’s research interests: recent topics include Jewish-American Artists, Medieval Artistic Materials and Processes of Making, and Center and Periphery in African Art. As well as preparing students for graduate study in Art History and related fields, the Art History program provides students with the skills that employers want in college graduates including critical thinking, problem solving, information gathering, and effective oral and written communication.

The English major equips students to understand the historical, cultural, and social context of literature, as well as to excel in their own writing. Studying literature fosters critical thinking, oral and written communication skills, and an understanding of how language shapes our world, from daily interactions, workplaces, to the creative arts.

Cleveland State University's graduate program in civil engineering is designed to provide students with knowledge of advanced methods for analysis and design or for research and development. Students must select one of the following graduate specializations: Structures/Foundations, Water Resources Engineering, Transportation, or Environmental Engineering. Full-time or part-time study may be pursued.

Information Systems (IS) as an academic discipline encompasses two broad areas:

• Acquisition, deployment and management of Information Technology (IT) resources and services
• Development of IS infrastructure to support the organization’s processes

A Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Information Systems prepares you for a career in information systems by focusing on the use of current information technology within the context of an organization. Information Systems as an academic discipline encompasses three broad areas:

• Acquisition, deployment, and management of Information Technology (IT) resources and services
• Development of IS infrastructure to support the organization’s processes
• Development of business-oriented application software

Graduates of the Information Systems major have the necessary managerial skills to solve business problems in functional areas, but also the technical knowledge to develop and support information systems of any scope. Information Systems majors have gone on to careers such as: Systems Analyst, Business Analysts, Software Developer, Software Implementation Specialist, Database Administrator, Information Security Analyst, IT Support, IT Project Manager, Systems Administrator and Web Developer.

The Design concentration provides students with a strong foundation for careers in Graphic Design and other creative fields. Design students begin their studies with introductory courses in Typography and Visual Technology, and continue into advanced courses and electives that include Web Design, Motion Graphics, 3D Modeling, Corporate Identity, Data Visualization, Information Design, Illustration, and Photography. The Design faculty collaborate with a wide range of organizations to bring real-world experiences into their courses and many Design students do internships with employers throughout the city of Cleveland.

A major in Economics equips a student with an improved ability to recognize and understand the important economic problems and issues.  It provides the technical tools needed for critically analyzing these problems and issues.  It also offers insights into how to design, evaluate, and choose among alternative solutions to these problems.  It is an excellent preparation for those who want to become professional economists as well as for those who plan to go on to graduate schools and professions in the areas of business, law, healthcare management, and engineering.

The Mechanical Engineering curriculum prepares students for a wide variety of technical and professional fields having their roots in mechanical engineering - areas as diverse as aeronautics, aerospace, power generation, energy conversion and conservation, transportation, manufacturing, product design, robotics and controls, and others. Furthermore, because of the breadth of the mechanical engineering curriculum, graduates have the adaptability and flexibility to become part of the newest and most exciting technologies. Additionally, graduates of the program may use their educational background as preparation for a career in research and development, business, management, law, etc., in combination with suitable graduate education.

Sociologists study human behavior in industrialized societies. Sometimes this behavior involves personal relationships, perhaps among teenagers or the elderly, sometimes the difficulties facing the urban poor or drug addicts, sometimes the development of modern nation-states and political conflict. Sociology open new windows--challenging conventional wisdom, dissolving myths about social reality, illuminating how the world is socially constructed and clarifying our options and choices.

Sociology students at Cleveland State University are taught to analyze modern social problems scientifically. In addition, they are taught how to do research about these issues using statistics, interviews and participant observation. Good research requires a grasp of the "sociological imagination"--the connections between historical, large-scale social forces and biography, the ways in which people live and understand their lives.

Majors in sociology develop the critical thinking and writing skills basic to a sound liberal arts education; they learn research skills and an understanding of the sociological perspective. This prepares them for a wide range of careers: some students use the degree as preparation for graduate work in one of the social sciences or law, others work in human resource management, social service, criminal justice, corporations or schools.