Fall 2024 New & Trending Online Courses

Instructor: Carol Fortney

This non-lab, 3-credit course develops fundamental concepts, basic calculations, and problem-solving skills in General Chemistry.  This course is designed for those who seek to gain knowledge and ability as a foundation to subsequently taking General Chemistry 1, or those students desiring to fill a Natural Science GER with a Chemistry experience without plans of taking additional Chemistry courses. 

Topics typically introduced include Measurement, Matter, Energy, Atoms, Elements, Molecules, Chemical Composition, Chemical Reactions, Stoichiometry, Periodic Properties of the Elements, and Bonding.

What does this course count for in CGS: General Education Requirement for Natural Science.

Interested in Chemistry?  Visit the Department of Chemistry »

Instructor: Beth Marcello

Corporate writers play key roles in defining and developing the communications landscape for organizations and their audiences.

In this course, students will explore the conventions of content marketing, search engine optimization, writing for the web, and the other forms of business writing in order to craft inventive and accessible messages. We will also examine corporate storytelling as a tool used to construct and maintain strong company personas. 

What does this course count for in CGS: Major - Media and Professional Communications BA Corporate and Community Relations Track and Liberal Studies BA (self design); Certificates - Corporate and Community Relations and Writing. Writing Intensive Course (WRIT)

Interested in English Composition?  Visit the Department of English »

Instructor: Ryan Pilcher

Taught in English. From kissing to romantic escapades, from Paris to the Riviera, from Tahiti to Marrakesh, France and the Francophone world have a highly recognizable profile in matters of sex and love.

In this class, we will adopt a historical lens to retrace the cultural transformations of sex and love in the French cultural and social landscape. We will address controversial issues such as virginity, adultery, same-sex relationships, women's sexual agency, gender definitions through sexuality, the shifting boundaries of pornography and other related matters.

What does this course count for in CGS: Major - Liberal Studies BA (self design); General Education Requirement for Diversity, Geographic Region, and Literature.

Interested in French?  Visit the Department of French and Italian »

Instructor:  Alonna Carter

What is sex? What is gender? What is sexuality? How are these concepts related to culture? To nature? To help you answer these important questions, this course will introduce you to the exciting field of gender and sexuality studies. We will use a range of interdisciplinary concepts, tools, and methods to understand and analyze sex, gender, femininity, masculinity, and sexuality.

In addition, we will consider how gender intersects with other identity categories such as race, class, ethnicity, nation, age, ability, and sexuality. Because we all have a gender and a sexuality, this course is crucial for any profession and for understanding the world around us.

What does this course count for in CGS: Major - Liberal Studies BA (self design); and GSWS Certificate; General Education Requirement for Diversity and Writing. 

Interested in Gender, Sexuality & Women Studies?  Visit the GSWS Program »

Instructor:  Cordelia Brazile

The course will survey the history of sports, focusing primarily on the 20th century.  We will balance consideration of professional sports with that of the games the people play.  We will look both at the impact of television as well as the new fitness (revolution). 

Topics considered will include women in sports, the commercialization of culture and collegiate sports.  A major focus will be the role in sports in Pittsburgh in the past 50 years

What does this course count for in CGS: Major - Liberal Studies BA (self design); General Education Requirement for Diversity and Historical Analysis. 

Interested in History?  Visit the History Department »

Instructor: Salvatore Poier

This course examines the concept of deviance, including types and theories of deviant behavior as well as how deviancy and responses thereto are socially constructed. We will examine the hypothesis that social, emotional, and legal responses to many types of behavior depend on myriad factors distinct from the behavior itself, including historical context and the social status of those both judging and being judged. Special attention will be given to variation in criminalization and punishment across historical contexts and social groups

What does this course count for in CGS: Major - LCJS BA and Liberal Studies BA (self design); Minor - LCJS

Interested in Law, Criminal Justice, and Society?  Visit the LCJS Program »

Instructor: Sheila Ford

This course introduces students to major laws governing the rights of consumers.  The evolution of consumer rights is traced from the common law to our present statutes.  Students are introduced to state and federal laws, including: the Truth in Lending Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.

What does this course count for in CGS: Major - LCJS BA and Liberal Studies BA (self design); Minor - LCJS; General Education Requirement for Social Science.

Interested in Law, Criminal Justice, and Society?  Visit the LCJS Program »

Instructor: Klaus Libertus

The course focuses on development of the child from birth to adolescence, the current theory and research concerning social, emotional, intellectual, perceptual and language development.  The organization of the course is topical. Coverage is confined to normal development; what develops, how and why in the average child.  Little attention to abnormal development.

What does this course count for in CGS: Major - Liberal Studies BA (self design) and Natural Sciences BS Standard (Multi-Disciplinary) and Pre-PA Tracks.

Interested in Psychology?  Visit the Department of Psychology »

Instructor: James Hassinger

This course will introduce the profession of urban planning through a review of the historical development of cities. With this framework we will look at the actual work of the planner:  data gathering, analysis, policy, public process and politics.  We will address the relation between the physical nature of cities and the quality of community that develops. 

This course underscores the importance of physical and geographic determinants to city growth, and makes the connection between democratic values and city development policy.

What does this course count for in CGS: Major - Public Service BA, Liberal Studies BA (self design); Minor - Public Service

Interested in public administration?  Visit GSPIA »

Instructor: Chihuangji (Herbert) Wang

This course introduces the practice of urban planning, focusing on the opportunities and challenges of professional planning in Pittsburgh's metropolitan region. The course focuses on how planning processes and methods can address different urban needs.

Students will engage with guest speakers and plans that illustrate approaches to land use, zoning, transportation planning, placemaking, public health, and sustainability. On completion, students will concisely and effectively communicate findings and recommendations and develop practical solutions to their professional, urban plans.

What does this course count for in CGS: Majors: Health Services BA Community Health Assessment Track and Liberal Studies BA (self design); Certificates - Community Health Assessment and Leadership 

Interested in Urban Studies?  Visit the Urban Studies Program »