Course Descriptions
Course assignments are based on the following criteria:
• Evidence of the student’s suitability for the course;
• Information provided in the essays;
• Date the completed application is received;
• Available space in the class; and
• Alumni status in the program.
Although SMU does not grant high school credit for TAG courses, many students have negotiated with their local school districts to arrange for high school credit. For assistance, contact the Director of TAG.
Morning Selections (Credit Courses)
Typically, students with strong SAT/ACT or comparable test scores are the first considered for credit-course placement. Individual classes have specific requirements. Qualified younger students are eligible for (and have been highly successful in) credit classes. All students who participate in these freshman-level, college-credit courses receive grades which will appear on an official SMU college transcript.
EDU 2310: Leadership Dynamics: Theory, Practice, and Innovation
Dr. Carol Clyde
3 college credits
Students examine the theories and skills necessary for the
development of effective leadership with an emphasis on leadership, its theory
and practice. The course includes opportunities for evaluating leaders and
leadership behavior in a variety of contexts. Leadership is explored through
readings, films, group projects, class discussions, and guest lectures. Topics
include personal characteristics of effective leaders, special skills of female
leaders, assessing yourself as a leader, training and opportunities for
leadership, the skills of a group leader, communication skills for leaders,
developing group dynamics, planning groups activities, and transformational
leadership.
EDU 2349: Psychology Of Adjustment
Dr. Ken Springer
3 college credits
This course introduces the field of psychology, with emphasis on how people
deal with the problems and challenges of everyday life. Students learn
about classical and contemporary theories, recent research, and applications of
the science of psychology to everyday situations.
Dr. Montie Monzingo
3 college credits
Students explore operations on sets, permutations and combinations, probability, vectors and matrices, Markov chains, linear programming, and elementary statistics. Prerequisite: Algebra I.
ME 1301: Machines and Society
Dr. Chuck Lovas
3 college credits
What would we do without our vehicles? We depend on our cars and trucks, so we are frustrated when they don’t work! In this course, students will learn how such machines as the automobile, the airplane, and the mag-lev train operate as well as why they sometimes don’t perform as they should. The course “Machines and Society” focuses on a variety of modern machines and how they impact us as individuals and as a society.
PHIL 1305: Introduction to Philosophy
Dr. Robert Howell
3 college credits
Philosophy is perhaps the characteristic human pursuit: beasts have no capacity for it, and Gods have no need for it. We are intellectual beings, capable of cognition and perception of the world, but we are also embedded in the world, which means that we not only come to the world with a particular perspective on it, but that we are made of its same metal. Many of philosophy’s most pressing problems stem from this predicament. In this class we will analyze some of these problems, trying to discover solutions to them in an effort to understand the human situation. Questions discussed will include: how can conscious experience and subjectivity exist in a physical world; how can humans have free will and moral responsibility; what is the nature of the self, and how can we survive the various psychological and physical changes we undergo in a lifetime; how is knowledge of the world, in any robust sense, possible? Through critical analysis, argument, and a touch of common sense, we will try to find a glimmer of clarity in these abstract waters.
PLSC
4326 : Presidential ElectionsDr. Dennis Simon
3 college credits
An examination of presidential nominations and general elections. Topics include voter decision making, media coverage, campaign finance, delegate selection rules, the electoral college, and kindred concern examined in the context of the current and most recent elections.
Afternoon Selections (Noncredit Courses)
All afternoon courses are taken for noncredit.
Discovering Downtown: Geography Of Urbanism
Mr. Tim Murray
Dallas has moved into
the world of mass transit with its train system linking north and south. The
train can whisk TAG students to the West End or to downtown in minutes to
explore among the skyscrapers and discover secrets of architecture and careers
hidden among the glass-front buildings. Students in this course will explore all
this and more as they visit various sites throughout Dallas and meet with
professionals within the city. The course will combine architecture, urban
planning, government, and sociology by applying them to real world situations.
Exploring Engineering
Dr. Chuck Lovas
Students explore the world of engineering by engaging in a problem-solving
context for which they must create a design to address a particular need.
Students work in teams to research information, design the product, test the
product, refine the product, and build a final prototype. The final design will
be presented and the performance of the product will be demonstrated through
testing. In addition to these activities students will explore engineering
career opportunities and how to prepare for a career in engineering.
Literature:
A Writer's Workshop
Mr. Ben Koch
Participants in the workshop will experience how
writers think, imagine, and invent new ideas as well as create new forms. Class
activities will include discussion and analysis of a variety of examples from
various genres as well as the opportunity to hone their own writing skills.
Student editing groups and a final class writing product are integral parts of
the class.
Microbiology: A Survey of the Life (and non-living
entities) That Exists On, Around and Within Us...That We Cannot See.
Mr. Michael Foster
This course will include an overview of living microbes, such as bacteria,
fungi, parasites and protists...as well as non-living, disease causing entities
such as the virus and prions. Emphasis will be placed on not only the individual
(or group of) microbes, but the disease associated with and current treatment
modalities of each that is presented. Interesting conditions/diseases, both
domestic and exotic to North America, will be examined. Correlation(s) will be
made with economic, social and political issues as they relate to microbiology
as well as the use of microbes as bio-weapons. Discussion regarding genomics and
future research will be encouraged.
Photography As Art
Ms. Tammy McNary
This course provides students with the technical aspects of photography
and its aesthetic principles. Students learn the craft of printing black
and white photographs in an on-campus darkroom. Additionally they view the work of
several photographic artists as a basis for forming an appreciation of a variety
of styles and also as a forum for discussing and learning about art. Students
are encouraged to use their cameras as tools to express themselves.
The emphasis of the class is on
photography as art.
Theater Arts
Ms. Linda Raya
This course focuses on body technique, voice and diction, imagination, acting
techniques, characterization, and preparation of monologues and duets. Visiting
experts provide enrichment workshops on topics such as stage combat, sword fighting,
stunts, makeup, and dance. The expanded class format allows former students
to continue their Theater Arts studies.
* The University reserves the right to make changes in this schedule at any time. Classes are subject to cancellation if enrollment is insufficient.