University of Southern Maine

This page provides a listing of all online/blended, ITV, and VC courses offered at USM this semester. Click on the black subject areas below to see the complete listing of course offerings in that area of study this semester.

Please see the Winter Session Home page for information on Registration.

Semester dates: 12/21/09 - 1/15/10
Information Last Updated:10/02/2009

This course is designed to help students appreciate the role of accountants in providing information helpful to decisions of investors, creditors, government regulators, and others, and how that information can be used. Emphasis is on understanding the meaning and value of the balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows. The role of the auditor, internal controls, and ethical issues are examined. The annual report is used to explore how corporations apply accounting principles in presentations to the public. Online computer use required. Computers are available at centers statewide and at sites by appointment.
Prerequisites: minimum of 12 earned credit hours and evidence of successfully meeting the University's writing and mathematics proficiency requirements.
CR3. Asst. Prof. Douglas Chene (return to top)

This course provides students with an overview and brief history of the field of communication, introduces them to theory development and the research process, and illustrates how communication theories can be applied to everyday life. Students will explore communication in a variety of contexts, including intrapersonal, organizational, intercultural, and mass communication.
CR3. Asst. Prof. Russ Kivatisky (return to top)

This course introduces the methodology of communication research.  We will study the methods of experimental research, survey research, textual analysis, and ethnography. Topics to be studied include formulation of hypotheses, identification of variables; selection of research design; collection of data; and theory construction in a variety of communication contexts. The course is designed to enable students to evaluate critically the literature in communication research.  For more information visit: http://www.usm.maine.edu/com/researchonline/resonline.html. 
CR3.  Prof. Leonard Shedletsky

This course will study informal social order as the tacit framework for the formal legal order. This will be an empirical test of criminological theories introduced in CRM 215. Through different methods of field research, students will be asked to observe and analyze the informal order of legal institutions such as courtrooms, prisons, and police stations.
Prerequisite: CRM 100J or permission. 
CR 3.  Prof. Dusan Bjelic

This course will cover the major military, political, economic, social and intellectual developments of the Cold War, which dominated world politics from the late 1940s to the late 1980s.  While particular emphasis will be given to the conflict’s impact upon the United States, the perspective will be global in that a wide variety of topics and all regions of the world will be considered.  Topics under consideration include the onset of the ideological struggle between East and West after World War II and the development of rival military and political alliances; the arms and space race; the decline of colonialism and increasing importance of the Third World; major local conflicts such as Korea, Vietnam and Afghanistan and “brush fire” wars of national liberation in Latin America, Asia and Africa; domestic politics, including dissident movements; and the end of the Cold War. 
CR3.  Chris Beam (return to top)

In this course, we will seek an understanding of why people have always felt the need for a connection to something beyond the merely human. We will focus on the monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and compare how each of them has sought, and understood, God.  We will also look at Hinduism and Buddhism, to see if the cultures in which they originated have given them an approach to the divine that differs from the three monotheistic religions. In addition, we will read some of the literature that has grown out of this quest for the divine. 
CR 3.  Hillel Katzir (return to top)

This course gives students an understanding of how people behave in groups and the skills needed by group members to participate effectively in group activities. It provides a theoretical foundation for how groups function, with focus on group process and development; and it discusses how these theories can be applied to a wide range of group settings. This course uses multiple assessments and discussion work to help students develop critical skills and understanding of group dynamics.
CR 3.    Assoc. Prof. Tara Coste (return to top)

An introduction to probability and statistics.  This course consists of three parts: data analysis, probability and random variable, and inferential statistics. Basic concepts, rather than detailed derivation, are stressed. Exploratory data analysis;  random variables; means and variances; binomial, Poisson, hypergeometric, uniform, exponential and normal distributions; confidence intervals; the testing of statistical hypothesis; and regression and correlation.  During the semester, students will meet in a virtual classroom hosted by Elluminate.  Students should verify they have the necessary plug ins at the site http://www.elluminate.com/support/  
Prerequisite: Successful completion of the University's mathematics proficiency requirement.  The final exam must be taken in class on Friday January 15, 2010, 2:00-4:00 P.M. in 204 Payson Smith Hall, Portland Campus.  Students who will be out of state on the exam day will need to locate a proctor for approval by the instructor. 
CR4.  Asst. Prof. Abou El-Makarim Aboueissa (return to top)

A survey of music from the Gregorian chant to the modern times, covering musical practices of the renaissance, baroque, classical, romantic, and contemporary periods.  Representative works by the outstanding composers of each period.  This course requires a computer with multimedia capabilities, internet access, and at least a 56K speed modem.  "High Speed" access is very desirable and may be necessary for online testing.  Students should have an ability to use their computers in common ways, such as listening to music, downloading and uploading files, word processing, and searching for information [Google].  Students will need to make sure that their software for these purposes is up-to-date, and are advised that a broadband internet connection is greatly preferred for the audio and video portions of the course. Computers with specific multimedia capabilities available at UC Centers. Open to all students. 
CR3.  Assoc. Prof. Michele Kaschub (return to top)

A background study of concepts and skills essential to an intelligent reading of music. An appreciation of music through awareness of basic structures. This is a fully paper-less, self-paced class where all course materials, including the musical examples on CD-ROM, will be accessed electronically. Electronic mail (e-mail) and Discussion Forums will be the main source of information and interaction. This course requires a computer [Windows 95/NT/98/2000/Me/XP or Mac OSX.]  with specific free software installed, an internet connection, as well as CDROM text. Open to all students. This course requires a computer with specific multimedia capabilities available at University College Centers. Home students should visit http://www.learn.maine.edu/crs/multimedia.php before registering. 
CR3.  Assoc. Prof. Thomas Parchman (return to top)