The MCTS offers courses each term covering a range of disciplines, including Literature, Political Science, Law, Business, Communications, and more.   All of our courses, as well as those available to our students to take from the Roosevelt Academy, are taught in English, with the exception of the Dutch Culture and Language course, which is for obvious reasons taught in Dutch.  To see what is being offered, please browse through the courses by using the Courses Menu on the left-hand side of this page.

MCTS is happy to announce its semester-length courses for Fall 2010:

SSC: International Relations: Immigration and Asylum 
SSC: Ethics of Capitalism: Case Studies in International Business
ACC: Dutch Language and Culture

1. International Relations: Immigration and Asylum

Prof. Miles Williams, University of Central Missouri, USA 

This course examines international migration and asylum in the context of the evolving international political system.  It explores the changing nature of legal/jurisdictional systems and international politics and their relationship to the migration process; the implication of population shifts for sending and receiving jurisdictions; and the consequences of the population transfers for the relations between sovereign jurisdictions.  The geographic focus of the course includes Europe and the wider transatlantic region.  The circumstances and motivations of immigrants and asylum-seekers are examined, but the primary goal is a better understanding of how political institutions, jurisdictional arrangements and international political environment affect and are affected by the migration and asylums-seeking process. 

2. Ethics in Capitalism: Case Studies in International Business. 

Prof. Jay Pence, ITESM, Mexico 

 This course is designed to motivate students to reflect upon the nature of professional and business ethics in the context of the globalized market economy. In general the course seeks to cultivate awareness and appreciation of the similarities and differences between how business ethics is defined and conducted in the United States as compared to Europe, with special interest paid to England, the Netherlands, and Germany. Its specific aims are twofold. First, to define and locate ethics in terms of international business and professional life. Here the nature of capitalism itself and the role of cultural values will be examined as context for understanding how business ethics should be understood in order to prove useful for future professionals. Moreover, ethical theory will be introduced in order to provide the necessary intellectual tools for nuanced ethical reflection of professional ethical dilemmas in various fields and contexts, but particularly in international business. Second, to examine specific areas of international business ethics in order to understand how ethics can be applied in different contexts for the benefit of both business and societies. In order to complement this understanding of applied international business ethics, an investigative project of an international enterprise will be required of each student.

3. Dutch Language and Culture

This course helps students to develop the basic skills and strategies necessary to successfully handle uncomplicated oral and written communication in a variety of social situations they may encounter in daily life in the Netherlands. The language of instruction will mainly be Dutch, though some explanations will be repeated in English when necessary. Class meetings will mainly be devoted to the discussion of grammatical features and to practicing speaking, listening and writing skills. Students will also be introduced to Dutch culture in order to gain a better understanding of the environment around them and the people they meet.  

Reminder:

Remember, if you're attending MCTS beginning Fall 2010, you take a mix of MCTS and Roosevelt Academy courses.  The Dutch Language and Culture Course is required of all MCTS students so you will need to choose only three other courses.  You need to be registered for a total of four courses. 

For a look at the Roosevelt Academy course listing, visit http://www.roac.nl/roac/courses.shtml.

MCTS Courses:

Media Literacy 

Prof. Shonna Tropf, University of Central Missouri 

Media literacy is an expansion of what we commonly think of when we hear of literacy—the ability to read and write. A commonly used definition of media literacy comes from the 1992 Aspen Media Literacy Leadership Institute, “MEDIA LITERACY is the ability to read, analyze, evaluate and produce communication in a variety of media forms (television, print, radio, computers, etc.).” Based on this definition we will read and discuss information that will help us understand just how to be media literate. In addition we will engage in activities to aid in the understanding of media. I expect that students in this class will interact with the material and peers. This will provide for the best opportunity to get the most out of your educational experience in this course.

International Leadership in the Marketplace

Prof. Pat McCallister, Eastern Illinois University 

An interactive discussion course with applicable field trips, case studies, video clips, current global marketplace issues  that explores and applies howconsumers from different economic, political and developed countries make decisions which impact the marketplace, and in turn, how products, services, and consumption activities shape consumers’ experiences within the global marketplace.  This course is relevant for: travel and other writers; students in business, marketing and  economics; psychology, gender, race and ethnic studies; popular culture and the arts; foreign policy, politics, social sciences and legal issues; globalization studies along with media and communications. 

Contemporary Dramatic Literature: A Transcontinental Examination

Prof. Egla Hassan, Western Illinois University 

Students will have the opportunity to analyze dramatic literature and to identify ad describe new plays.  Additionally, the class will explain the directions contemporary American playwrights are taking in their work and how they are similar to or different from the works of European playwrights.  Students will also get to offer their own analysis to any given play, i.e. to express their impressions of a work of dramatic literature.  

ACC Rhetoric: Communication Studies and Speech

Roosevelt Academy Courses:

For a look at the Roosevelt Academy course listing, visit http://www.roac.nl/roac/courses.shtml.

MCTS Courses:

SSC International Leadership

A+H Media Studies

ACC English as a foreign language

Course proposals from various academic disciplines are welcome

Roosevelt Academy Courses:

For a look at the Roosevelt Academy course listing, visit http://www.roac.nl/roac/courses.shtml.

Political Communication in Comparative Perspective

Christopher Cooper, Faculty Director

Western Carolina University

An understanding of politics and government increasingly requires an understanding of the media.  In most countries politicians depend on the media to get their message out.  Similarly, citizens depend on the media to learn what their government is doing.  This course analyzes the importance of political communication in various political systems.  The focus is on determining how the media affects politics and how the media systems and political systems in each country affect the news environment.  The course will be taught using a mix of discussion, guest speakers, audio and video clips and lecture.

Introduction to Photography

Janet Bonsall

University of Central Missouri

This course encompasses the fundamental aesthetics and technology of photography for anyone interested in improving their photographic expertise. The emphasis will be on the effectiveness of the resultant image, using appropriate aesthetics and technology as the means to that end. Basic camera handling, exposure, image processing and output will be covered. Students may elect film or digital capture however the emphasis of the course has been upgraded to emphasize current introductory technological practice. This course is suitable to beginners but more advanced students will be accommodated.

Corporate Leadership

Gene Culwell

University of Colorado- Boulder

This course will focus on and develop concepts of leadership "within the confines of a corpus, or group of people" and beyond. It will include an exploration of theory, and practice of leadership, with diverse examples from multiple sources. The course will be taught through discussion, analysis, and comparison of various styles. This course will provide insights into a large variety of leadership methods.

Pulitzer Prize Winning Composers: Barber, Menotti, Marsalis

Joyce Culwell

University of Colorado- Boulder

This course is a study of the elements of which music is composed. It identifies the sensual, emotional and intellectual levels of music, and how to enjoy music by appreciating various composers' works. The study will be launched by an examination of the Pulitzer Award criteria as it relates to Samuel Barber, Gian Carlo Menotti, and Winton Marsalis.

Russian Civilization: Intercultural Dimensions (upper level humanities)

Irina Ivliyeva

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Intercultural Dimensions is an upper level humanities class with the prerequisite of an English writing course / an introductory European history course. It is tailored to students interested in comparative culture studies and cross-cultural communication, as well as in basic art and literature appreciation.

Regional Identity and Politics

Heyward (Gibbs) Knotts, Faculty Director

Western Carolina University

This class will focus on the concept of regional identity, integrating material from a number of academic disciplines. The course brings a transatlantic perspective to regional identity exploring identity and politics in the United States as well as a number of European states. The class will spend considerable time examining the common history and culture in the American South and how these shared experiences shape politics. Lessons from the American experience will be applied to an exploration or regional identity and politics in several European states. The course concludes by focusing on the ways identity will shape politics at the state and European level in the twenty first century.

World Theatre: Culture and Identity

Jeannie Woods

Western Illinois University

This course introduces students to commonalities and differences in world cultures through the examination of dramatic literature from America, China, England, South Africa and India. Students will read, study, and discuss several contemporary plays to explore the family relationships, gender and generational issues within the play’s cultural context. Assignments include research and writing and in-class exercises and quizzes or exams. Where possible, attending live theatre will be incorporated into the course.

Economics of the European Region  

Cho Li Lim

Northwest Missouri State University

Economis of the European Region is an exciting, and challenging course that focuses on how the European economic region has evolved into a formidable economic power around the world in a short period of time. The course with cover trade theories and strategic trade policies assist or hinder growth in international trade and investments. Competitive international business strategies and concepts are studied.  This course consists of interactive lectures, in-class activities on various international business concepts. Special attention is given to the integration of globalization, diversity, monetary system, and global marketplace.

Religion and Violence in a Global Context

Phil Mullins

Montana State University-Billings

This class is a comparative (i.e., working across religious/cultural traditions) exploration of the connections between religion and violence. The exploration will involve an examination of some contemporary and some historical cases. Thinking historically and cross-culturally and looking at several concrete cases rescues us from the sort of parochialism that characterizes much popular discussion of the topic found in newspapers and magazines.