Curriculum & Courses

This class will explore representations of Rome in classical texts and their adaptations in cinema, focusing on shifts accompanying Rome’s changing political and cultural status vis-à-vis America’s. Rome is not a fixed and unchanging entity but rather a set of constantly shifting and adapting representations. As a primary text, we will use Monica Cyrino’s Big Screen Rome to get a sense of the film history and sociopolitical contexts of the films, as well as readings in ancient literature that correspond to the films under discussion, including Plutarch’s Lives, Suetonius’ Lives, Tacitus’ Histories, Plautus’ plays, and the poetry of Catullus and Horace. We will begin the class with Plautus and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, moving through films including Spartacus, Cleopatra, and Life of Brian, and end with the film The Eagle and episodes in HBO’s Rome with readings from Suetonius and Caesar. We will also read short scholarly articles about the production and reactions to the films of the course. In addition to written assignments, such as weekly musings and analysis of secondary sources, we will also complete creative assignments crafting our own reimaginings of Rome in varied formats. Through this course, we will gain a foundation in Roman history and Rome’s changing image in America that directly correlates with America’s own changing image.

This online course is open to BLS online students only.

Using an interdisciplinary approach, this course surveys foundational texts in the field of childhood studies. This course examines the ways that childhood has been conceptualized and understood as a social category. We consider the meaning of “the child” as it intersects with the dimensions of age, race, class, gender, and religion. As historian Corrine Field encourages, we will regard children as more than “consumers of culture and objects of socialization” but as “producers or even conduits of ideas.” This course combines social history with cultural studies to better understand the social construction of childhood across time and space. We consider what it means to come of age amid ever-changing social relations and cultural contexts. We will explore subjects such as labor, sexuality, gender, education, media, and popular culture.

This online course is open to BLS online students only.

Students will experiment with design thinking tools and mindsets to gain new perspectives and problem-solving skills to use in careers as entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, or whatever path they choose. This course focuses on learning by doing in an interactive, team-based, and reflective way.

This online course is open to BLS online students only.

This course offers a selective introduction to the study of philosophy through the critical examination of ethical issues arising within situations calling for responsible leadership. We will apply theoretical principles to selected case studies from professional life, carrying out careful analysis of problems concerning right and wrong surrounding finance, accounting, and investment, marketing and advertising, corporate governance, international human rights, data science, global business, distributive and social justice, environmental policy, and national and global democratic citizenship.

This online course is open to BLS online students only.

This multidisciplinary course explores the dynamics of international relations in the context of cyberspace, focusing on cyber power, sovereignty, and global cyber governance. Students will examine key aspects of cybersecurity, cyber warfare, as well as the economic and political impacts of the digital domain. The course also addresses ethical and societal implications such as privacy, surveillance, and the digital divide. Students will learn how digital technologies influence geopolitics and national security. The course also explores emerging trends and future scenarios in cyber conflicts and diplomacy. Students will learn through engaging case studies, short lectures, and practical activities.

This online course is open to BLS online students only.

Introduction to Politics and Social Justice explores the political, theoretical, and activist approaches to social justice while considering representations and the larger impact of social justice struggles in the United States and around the world. Through an analysis of colonialism, imperialism, globalization, and social privileges, to name a few, students will learn the importance of applying knowledge from a variety of theoretical and political standpoints. The approach to this course will pay particular attention to issues of power, privilege, and “freedom.”

This online course is open to BLS online students only.

This course explores the multifaceted world of intelligence. Students will examine the core principles, methodologies, and ethical considerations that underpin the intelligence community's role in safeguarding society. Through a blend of theory and case studies, students will gain a foundational understanding of intelligence's crucial function in strategic decision-making and operational applications across national security, homeland security, law enforcement, cyber intelligence, and business intelligence. The course features dynamic discussions focused on applied intelligence, knowledge checks for concept reinforcement, written assignments to develop students’ analytical skills, and presentations to refine their communication skills. Central to the course is a group project where students critically analyze an AI-generated intelligence report, offering hands-on experience in intelligence analysis.

This online course is open to BLS online students only.

This course offers a broad introduction to leadership in international relations and wonders whether leaders make history, if history makes leaders, or if some third option is possible. Leadership in international relations is usually thought of in one of two ways. On the one hand, good leadership is thought of as the opposite of bad leadership (tyranny), in which case good leadership means something like providing subjects with freedom from tyrants. This course is designed to promote a full understanding of how leadership functions in international relations. It introduces the key paradigms and theories of “leadership” and examines a wide variety of portraits of leaders in international relations, and their consequential choices.

This online course is open to BLS online students only.

Here is a stunning fact: the world can be understood mathematically. This fact underlies our success in science, computers, and even our private every-day reasoning processes. But how is this so? Why is mathematical thinking so astonishingly useful to help us understand the world around us? In this course, we examine the conceptual foundations of mathematics. No prior mathematical knowledge is required for this course. This is not a course about doing calculations. It is about abstract structures, and how we use such structure in our thinking. Throughout the course, we will ask the following questions. How do we organize things into collections, and networks? Does "+" (adding) mean what you think it means? Are there numbers that can't be enumerated (even by God), and if so, how do we even know about such spooky numbers? How do computers work, and how could it possibly all boil down to just ones and zeros? Are there math problems that can't be solved (even with an infinitely powerful computer)? And how do we even know how to figure out the answer to that? Finally, how do computer simulated neural networks "learn," and how much is it like human learning?

This online course is open to BLS online students only.

Professional communication is a critical skill in every professional setting, every job and in every industry, but it is also valuable in everyday life. If you learn to communicate more clearly and directly you are more likely to avoid conflict, advocate for what you want and save time. This course teaches you how to analyze, develop, and effectively communicate via writing in every channel – from social media and videos to emails and presentations. We will use a variety of methods including lectures, a variety of writing techniques to get started, reading and sharing class examples, a simulation, personal reflections and lots of practice. Communication is a practiced and learned skill so we will start your journey where you are and help you communicate more effectively and learn ways that work for you. Harness the power of this invaluable skill.

This online course is open to BLS online students only.

This course introduces students to debates at the intersection of racial justice, environmental justice, and climate justice in Africa. A brief introduction to history, theory, and policy grounds our exploration of case studies. Case studies vary year to year but allow us to answer key questions at the intersection of the injustices of race and enviro-climatic realities and policies: What are the environmental legacies of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and colonialism? How does the production of scientific knowledge about African environments reproduce racial injustice? How do inequalities within African societies themselves reinforce environmental and climate injustice? In what ways does African Traditional Religion support the quest for racial, environmental, and climate justice? What are the injustices of green capitalism?This course is open to students in the online BLS program.

What does theology have to do with liberation? And, in turn, what does it mean for being a good person? This course explores these themes in three segments. First, we explore how St. Ignatius, founder of the Jesuit order, reflected and codified his religious experience to help people discern and move towards where God is active in their lives and in the world. His emphasis on reflection on experience, adaptability, and freedom led to an extensive commitment to education and “finding God in all things.” In the next course segment, we will look at how experience is fundamental to theology and education, for all people, and particularly for those who may not hold political or social power. We will read feminist, latino, and black theology to better appreciate the relationship between theology, education and liberation. Finally, we will consider how theology and liberation shape key virtues of justice and hope. While this course will have a focus on Christian ethics, all are warmly welcome.

This online course is open to BLS online students only.

Focusing primarily on Greco-Roman mythologies, this class explores the metamorphoses, societal transitions, and political upheavals found in mythology, which always depend on shifting relationships between sex and power. We will read Greco-Roman texts in conversation with other mythologies, pop culture, and contemporary discussions of how sex and power shape civilizations. Note: Contains graphic sexual and violent material, please read syllabus prior to joining course

This online course is open to BLS online students only.

Are you curious about artificial intelligence but unsure where to begin? Artificial Intelligence is the perfect starting point, and no technical or programming background is required. This course provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to AI and its growing impact on everyday life. From smart assistants and facial recognition to personalized recommendations and autonomous vehicles, AI is transforming industries—and this course will help you understand how, why, and what it means for the future. Designed for students from all academic and professional backgrounds, the course focuses on building conceptual understanding through thoughtfully curated readings, discussions, self-paced assignments, and collaborative team projects. Whether you're looking to understand AI's relevance in your industry, thinking about a future career in tech, or simply want to be a more informed citizen in a digital world, this course will give you the tools to engage with AI confidently and critically.

This online course is open to BLS online students only.

This course offers a broad introduction to comparative politics, the subfield of political science concerned mainly with political ideas, institutions, and behavior within states. The course examines such themes as the origins and functions of states, formal institutions such as legislatures and executives, the variety and impact of electoral systems, the nature of democracy and autocracy, internal and external challenges to political order, and the impact of international and domestic factors on state performance. Discussions of theoretical and cross-regional issues will be accompanied by the treatment of individual countries and contexts. This course counts for the Comparative Government distribution requirement. The course is taught by Dr. Manuel, a research fellow at the Berkley Center and an affiliated professor in both the Department of Government and the McCourt School of Public Policy. Manuel has published twelve books and numerous peer reviewed articles. His scholarship has contributed to democratization literature in Portugal, with a focus on religion and politics.

This online course is open to BLS online students only.

This course will discuss Cybersecurity Risk Management.

This online course is open to BLS online students only.

Female rulers have existed since antiquity, and many have left lasting legacies that have been kept alive through iconic television series and films. While at times they may have done little to advance female rights, they nevertheless pushed the boundaries of what was socially acceptable for women at their time, all while navigating complex power dynamics, obstacles, and salacious scandals. In this course, we will explore what female leadership looks like, what challenges these rulers faced, and how they navigated a social, political, and military landscape dominated by men. We will analyze why we remain fascinated by their reigns today, and how their legacies still impact our modern world.

This online course is open to BLS online students only.

This course introduces the theory and practice of corporate financial management and the application of financial management techniques to business decision-making. Topics include financial statement analysis, financial ratio analysis, the time value of money, risk and return, capital budgeting, cost of capital, sources and uses of financing, and international markets. Students will learn about data security standards, the importance of data anonymization and methods to identify and prevent insider threats.

This online course is open to BLS online students only.

This course provides students with a basic framework for understanding the nature of contemporary international relations. The first part covers the intellectual traditions and classical theories used for examining the international system (realism, liberalism, radicalism, behavioralism). The second part looks at enduring issues in global security; great power competition, globalization, the problem of war, terrorism, and the emerging crises of environmental change and natural resource depletion. Throughout the course, we will take time to discuss the ethical dilemmas we confront when theory meets real world developments. Upon completion, students should be able to identify key concepts, actors, and issues in the modern interstate system and be prepared for advanced coursework in the field of international relations.

This online course is open to BLS online students only.

In this course, we will explore key areas of study within criminology including the nature and extent of crime, theories of criminal behavior, the social and economic roots of crime, and the effectiveness of various approaches to preventing and controlling crime. You will be introduced to the psychology of crime as well as the anomie, social control, social conflict, social disorganization, and routine activity theories. We will also examine contemporary issues related to hate, racism, Violent Extremism, mass violence, and cybercrime from the theoretical lens of criminology. Throughout the semester, you will have the opportunity to discuss the application of core criminology concepts to current social affairs.

This online course is open to BLS online students only.

This course will cover those activities for creating and communicating the message of an organization regarding the goods or services it wishes to offer to customers, clients or members, and will include the concepts of advertising and selling. The course will consider both theoretical and practical aspects of how businesses engage in marketing efforts. Required course for Entrepreneurship and Organizational Leadership concentrations.

This online course is open to BLS online students only.

Public policy-- that is, all the laws, regulations, and guidelines, along with judicial decisions, executive actions, and funding priorities-- shape every aspect of our lives. This introductory course explores this mosaic of rules through the lens of real people trying to make real changes through public policy. Using personally relevant examples, students will analyze how public policy is created, modified, implemented, and evaluated. We will explore 1) the federal and state governments’ overlapping policy responsibilities, 2) the legal system’s checks and balances on the policymaking process, and 3) the role of advocacy, including grassroots activism and nonprofit and philanthropic organizations, in shaping public policy. This course also provides experiential learning of public policy. Students will learn about policymaking in their own communities, observe and analyze policy-making in their own communities and practice creating and communicating evidence-based policy recommendations. Students will also analyze existing advocacy organizations to learn best practices and evaluate real-world strategies for changing public policies. There are no prerequisites for this class; everyone is warmly welcome

This online course is open to BLS online students only.

This course provides a general introduction to operations management. Operations management is the science and art of designing and controlling business processes to support an organization’s delivery of goods and services. It is a primary organization function along with marketing and finance. Operations encompass the entire organization including, design, productions, operations, marketing, sales, and customer support. This course seeks to (A) familiarize you with the primary operational challenges and issues that managers encounter, and (B) provide you with terminology, concepts, practices, and tools to address these challenges in order to gain competitive advantage through operations. This course will interest people seeking a career in managing and enhancing business processes. The course should also be of interest to people who manage interfaces between operations and other business functions such as finance, marketing, and human resources. A working knowledge of operations is critical for general managers and entrepreneurs. The course will examine how different business strategies necessitate different business processes, and vice versa, how different operational capabilities support different strategies to achieve competitive advantage. A process view of operations will be used to analyze different key operational dimensions such as quality management, resource management, and supply chain management.

This online course is open to BLS online students only.

This course provides an introduction to the vibrant and interdisciplinary field of sexuality studies, and investigates the ways in which sex and sexuality are shaped by society, and the ways in which they are connected to power and inequality in our world. We will begin the course by exploring some key theories and concepts within the field, and situate them alongside the history of LGBTQ activism in the United States and elsewhere. We will then consider how these concepts can be applied to a variety of contemporary issues such as sexual identity and the state, same-sex marriage, representations of sexuality in popular culture and the media, transnational sexualities and sexual identities, and consumerism. Throughout the course, we will examine how sexuality intersects with other social categories such as gender, race, class, nationality, age and ability/disability.

This online course is open to BLS online students only.

This course is an introduction to strategy and the strategic mindset for business. We will learn the basics of strategic management, which provides tools to help a business answer the following two questions: Where should we compete? How should we compete? At the same time, we will focus on the fundamentals of game theory, which provides mathematical tools for analyzing strategic environments so as to determine the best strategies. In addition, students will consider strategy from a philosophical point of view, and investigate the epistemology and ethics of competing in strategic environments.

This online course is open to BLS online students only.