Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with Concentration in Law and Courts

at Shorelight Group - University of Illinois at Chicago USA

The computer systems concentration focuses on understanding and designing computer hardware. Students in this concentration continue to learn the fundamentals of computer science—programming, data structures, discrete math, algorithms, formal languages, architecture and operating systems—but they also delve into low-level circuit analysis and high-level system design and have the option to take additional hardware-oriented courses. The result is a unique blend of computer science and computer engineering.

The Department of Communication offers work leading to degrees at the master’s and doctoral levels and participates in the interdepartmental concentrations in Black Studies, Gender and Women’s Studies, Latin American and Latino Studies, and Survey Research Methodology.

The department goal is to produce scholars and researchers who will be critical consumers and producers of research about communication, whether in academic or applied settings, and who will contribute to the growth of knowledge in those settings.

At the master’s level, study and research are available in two general areas, media studies and cultural diversity. Because the areas intertwine, program emphasis is on breadth and integration. Inquiry in media studies ranges, for example, from journalism ethics to electronic media and computer-mediated communication. Cultural inquiry includes language and symbolic representation, critical theory, social inequality and racism, and cross-cultural differences.

At the doctoral level, the program focuses on communication and technology. Students develop thorough understanding of the field, expertise in its theories, skills needed to conduct effective research, and experience teaching in a university setting. They also acquire a specialty from among those recognized in scholarly societies and reflected in current research emphases among department faculty.

A signature feature of department programs is their flexibility. Students pursue individual and professional aims with guidance from an advisor, designing a course of study to reach their own educational goals. Because the department strongly encourages interdisciplinary work, students may study with scholars in allied disciplines.

Our Bachelor of Science in kinesiology focuses on the study of human movement from the cellular level to the whole body. Through courses in anatomy and physiology, assessment and programming, biomechanics, exercise physiology, exercise psychology and motor control, you’ll explore all aspects of physical activity.

Physical activity is one of our nation’s most important public health strategies for preventing, managing and treating chronic disease. Our students are well-prepared to be a part of important health care solutions.

We are a tight-knit community of faculty, staff and students working together to live our mission and achieve our vision as we are guided by our values. The curriculum is built on strategic competencies to ensure you are prepared to be an influence in the health, wellness and fitness industries.

Students interested in an education that emphasizes an understanding of human behavior should consider a major in psychology. Psychology as a major/minor can lead to a broad range of career possibilities. An education that focuses on behavior principles is valuable for anyone whose future involves interacting with others.

Psychologists pursue careers in such areas as clinical services, health services, business, industry, testing, education, and behavioral research. There are plenty of career opportunities for students with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, particularly in the areas of social work, healthcare, business, and human resources. Career opportunities in some specializations may require a master’s degree, while career opportunities in others require a doctorate. Therefore, students should take time to examine their own interests, values, and goals in addition to job requirements and career options in their area of interest before embarking on an educational journey in psychology.

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Major in Psychology is appropriate for students who wish to gain a strong base of knowledge for understanding the theories and scientific method of psychology. Students considering graduate study in a research-oriented psychology program or who plan to pursue an advanced degree in another discipline where a degree in a scientific discipline is required or preferred (e.g., medicine, occupational therapy) may choose this major.

The fundamental goal of the science of physics is to develop a basic and comprehensive understanding and description of all forms of matter and energy. This goal is pursued through experimental and theoretical investigations, with experimental results pointing the way toward possible new theories and tentative theories suggesting new experiments. Physics occupies a middle ground between mathematics and engineering, using the techniques of the former and providing new ideas and materials (structures and properties) to the latter.

The Department of Physics offers the Bachelor of Science in Physics (Curriculum in Physics) and the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences with a Major in Physics.

Mathematics is the abstract study of number, pattern, quantity, systems, and space, as well as the language of science and all fields in which patterns and systematic processes are analyzed. Taking courses in the mathematical sciences helps students learn to conceptualize abstract structures and provides them with the framework and analytical tools necessary for understanding our technology-based and data-intensive society. The MATH major prepares students for graduate study in pure mathematics, applied mathematics, statistics, and mathematical computer science. Both the MATH major and minor sequences help prepare students for a wide range of opportunities in the natural sciences, social sciences, business, finance, and government; for professional schools, such as law school; and for almost any job or career in which strong analytical and communication skills are valued.

The Program in Rehabilitation Sciences will introduce you to the wide range of knowledge required to provide the best health-related and rehabilitation services. Our curriculum begins with people’s experiences of illness, injury or disability, focusing on these core aspects of rehabilitation:

• Research and evidence-based practices in rehabilitation
• Person-centered care
• Professional collaboration and teamwork
• Critical case management and access to health and human services.

All departments in the College of Applied Health Sciences contribute to the required core courses, providing you with a breadth of knowledge. You’ll study body systems (anatomy, psychology, nutrition), physical and mental health, interventions, health care systems and health informatics, and disability. Students take required and selective courses in disability and human development, kinesiology, nutrition, health information management, occupational therapy and physical therapy.

The Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Major in Integrated Health Studies is a collaborative program of the College of Applied Health Sciences and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The program will be jointly supported by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Departments of Biological Sciences and Psychology and administered by the Department of Biological Sciences.

The Major in Integrated Health Studies provides students the opportunity to explore the complexity of human health, from the level of the gene to society, by providing a diverse, interdisciplinary curriculum that includes core content spanning the life sciences, natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities. As a more holistic perspective of health has evolved, the training of health professionals has evolved as well. Students will graduate with a broad understanding of human structure and function in health and disease across the lifespan; a broad understanding of how human health and disease are impacted by culture, the environment, society, and personal behavior; and an appreciation for health issues that are unique to the urban environment and to the global society. Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree, graduates will be competitive for admission into professional and graduate health-related programs or entry into health-related careers.

History is the study of the human past. It is both a subject matter and a way of thinking—a discipline. No people, time, or place is neglected in the investigation of the human community’s historical record. And no method is alien to the historian’s quest for understanding. The historian’s interests embrace the permanent and changing concerns of our civilization: the individual and society; the emergence of nations; the rise and fall of empires; race and ethnicity; class, gender, and status; war and revolution; science and technology; slavery and emancipation; dictatorship and democracy; rural life and urbanization; the interaction of human communities and the environment; the struggle for empowerment waged by minorities, women, and workers; the life of the mind; religion; and culture. Because every succeeding generation has new questions to ask of the past, history is constantly being rewritten. The discipline of history rests on the discovery, evaluation, and ordering of evidence. It sharpens critical-thinking, reading, and writing skills and gives students practice in the use of these basic tools of modern life. The study of history is excellent preparation for careers in a wide variety of fields, including business, journalism, government, information science, museum administration, and the law.

Philosophy (from the Greek “love of wisdom”) originated as the search for understanding concerning the most basic features of reality, the natural world, and human life. The discipline prizes and develops the skill of engaging effectively with arguments on a tremendous range of subjects. In ancient times, philosophers pioneered the study of topics from the physical cosmos to the gods to human conduct. They debated not only the character of fundamental reality but also questions of how we can attain knowledge of it. To this day, philosophy engages with questions drawn from every part of our life and experience. For example: Is there such a thing as a purely objective observation? Am I identical with my brain? Is it ever permissible to break the law? Why is there evil in the world? Is death to be feared, and why?

Job candidates and applicants to professional schools can only be helped by being able to examine both sides of a question, think critically, write cogently, and solve very general abstract problems. Moreover, the powers of reflection, imagination, self-expression, and engagement with the ideas of others that philosophy cultivates are in themselves of fundamental value for human life.