Minors in the General Education Curriculum
Undergraduate students of Hellenic American University have the option to pursue a Minor in Theater & Performance, in Sustainability, in Spanish, in French or in Communication as part of their General Education studies.
Theater & Performance
Requirements (4 courses / 12 credits)
Introduces students to fundamental dramatic genres by exploring the works of key directors, practitioners and artistic movements. Starting from Stanislavski and Brecht, the class will explore Dada, the Surrealists and the Theatre of the Absurd. As well as exploring the philosophy of each artistic movement, students will discuss and analyze selected texts in order to achieve a thorough understanding of both the theory and the practice of theater. The text analyses will be accompanied by some practical group work in the class. There is no need for prior acting experience. Prerequisites: None; Co-requisite: GE105. Credits: 3
Having been introduced to major dramatic movements, in this course students focus on the practical realization of important acting theories and methods. The class approaches texts - representatives from each dramatic genre and works in detail towards their presentation on stage. Students also investigate character work and explore exercises in relation to movement and voice. Prerequisites: None; Co-requisites: GE105, GE144. Credits: 3
Introduces students to the origins of theater. The course looks at the first instances of theater practice in ancient Greece, starting from the dithy ramb, and how they developed into ancient Greek drama. It examines important works from the ancient Greek drama genre - both tragedy and comedy. In addition to discussing myth, the course also explores music, a very significant element of ancient Greek drama, and looks at works of opera and film that are based on Greek drama. Prerequisites: None; Co-requisite: GE105. Credits: 3
Presents the process of producing a play - from the first reading to its staging. Students explore the
roles of all the collaborators in a theatre production (director, actors, designer, composer etc.) and realize them in practice. Depending on the students' interests, the play to be approached will be either from the world repertory or a new work composed by the students. The course will be completed with a performance presented by the students. Interested students are invited to have a short discussion/interview with the instructor before enrolling in the course. Prerequisites: None; Co-requisites: GE105, GE144. Credits: 3
roles of all the collaborators in a theatre production (director, actors, designer, composer etc.) and realize them in practice. Depending on the students' interests, the play to be approached will be either from the world repertory or a new work composed by the students. The course will be completed with a performance presented by the students. Interested students are invited to have a short discussion/interview with the instructor before enrolling in the course. Prerequisites: None; Co-requisites: GE105, GE144. Credits: 3
Electives (2 courses /6 credits)
Approaches the genre of musical theater in both analytical and creative terms. The course includes discussion of musical theater masterworks and analysis of their form and techniques. Students investigate the works’ sociological context, their content and the relationship between music, text and dance. The course will be completed with a performance/compilation of scenes from musicals studied in the term, arranged and presented by the students. Prerequisites: None; Co-requisite: GE105. Credits: 3
Familiarizes students with theories of aesthetics to better understand the arts. The course explores fundamental concepts such as beauty, appreciation and interpretation and analyzes them in the context of the dramatic arts. Students read works by theorists such as Kant, Nietzsche, and Schopenhauer in order to approach drama at a deeper level and investigate its relation to the other arts. Prerequisites: None; Co-requisite: GE105. Credits: 3
Sustainability
Requirements (4 courses / 12 credits)
Studies and analyzes fundamental issues and problems of group life, social organization, culture, interactive processes and socialization, deviance, social inequality, social institutions, and the dynamics of modern society through sociological approaches. Class topics include the sociology of the family, religion, education, law, work, poverty and the relationship of society and the environment. Prerequisites: GE105; Co-requisite: GE106 Credits: 3 Credits: 3
This course is designed to provide a practical overview to the management of environmental issues as practiced in today’s business world, and how these issues are likely to develop in the future. Environmental Management and Sustainability provides the basic foundations to those pursuing careers in private business, environmental consulting or government. Prerequisites: GE105, GE106, GE155. Credits: 3
Examines the support of regional economies through innovation in business development in order to advance social and ecological values in local communities. This course provides basic knowledge on several aspects of sustainable community development including examination of community needs, financial planning, and marketing and management issues, while emphasizing the consolidation of public and private interests. Students will engage in applied research in a real project. Prerequisites: GE105, GE106, GE115, GE155. Credits: 3
This course will investigate the principles guiding environmental policy and decision - making for a sustainable society. Focus will lie on international law, as well as on the role of international and supranational institutions, such as the UN, the WTO, the World Bank etc. Global challenges will be identified and humanity’s current and potential response through treaties, conventions and agreements will be critically analyzed. The current system of global governance (or lack there of) will be investigated, with particular focus on the exchange between multinational corporations, governments and of civil society, and on the role of democratic structures in an era of rapid globalization. The history and political platform of green parties will also be discussed. Prerequisites: GE105, GE106, GE155. Credits: 3
Electives (Select 2 courses / 6 credits – 12 ECTS)
Introduces students to the basic concepts, principles, management objectives, and contemporary issues, of business organizations. The course covers a wide range of topics including, conducting business nationally and internationally, the ethics and social responsibilities of business enterprises, product development, pricing of commodities, and the legal environment of business organizations. Prerequisite(s): GE105. Co-requisite(s): GE106. Credits: 3
Introduces special topics and themes related to issues of ‘Values, Ethics & Social Responsibility’. This interdisciplinary course focuses one of several different disciplines each term, with professors from across the disciplines presenting the material from the perspective of their subject areas. The course involves discussion and critical analysis of various case studies and issues, which will be explored by students from the perspective of their own communities and cultures. The course also explores how differences in world view affect the wider communities. Prerequisites: GE105, GE106. Co-requisites: GE115. Credits: 3
Examines communities that aim to transition towards sustainability. Students will be exposed to the real-life challenges that these communities face in this process and will take part in relevant projects where they will have the opportunity to develop their own proposals under the supervision of project leaders. The course is geared towards students interested in hands-on experience in making change happen under real conditions. Pre-requisites: GE105, GE106, GE155, GE158. Credits 3
Introduces students to the scientific study of the way people think about, feel, and behave in social situations. It involves understanding of how people influence and are influenced by others around them. The topics covered will examine how individuals perceive themselves and others, how individuals interact with others, and how individuals think in social settings. The primary goal of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the perspectives, research methods, and empirical findings of social psychology. An equally important goal will be to develop critical and integrative ways of thinking about theory and research in social psychology. Prerequisites: GE105, GE106, PSY150. Credits: 3
Spanish
Requirements (6 courses / 18 credits)
Enables the student to become a basic user of the foreign language. Students continue the development of the basic communicative skills in Spanish. Further grammatical phenomena and vocabulary develop their knowledge of the language. Exposure to texts concerning the Hispanic culture help students analyze the most relevant cultural and social aspects. This course is taught entirely in Spanish. Prerequisites: GE107, GE108 Credits: 3
Continues the development and mastery of the communicative skills in Spanish. This course is the second of the intermediate Spanish language sequence. Students get acquainted with most grammatical phenomena, expand their vocabulary (by becoming familiar with idioms of everyday language), and develop their writing competence and further their communication skills. At the end of the course, students will be at level A2 (according to the Common European Framework of Reference), able to take the corresponding exam for the A2 Diploma. Prerequisites: GE107, GE108, GE109 Credits: 3
Develops communicative skills and competences studied during the previous four terms. At the same time the course reviews and emphasizes to the fundamental grammar and vocabulary items and permits the students to use the language in an autonomic way. Also the course will be focused to prepare the students for DELE exams (Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera B2). Prerequisites: GE107, GE108, GE109, GE110 Credits: 3
Builds on essential cultural aspects of Spain and Latin American countries; thus, students develop appreciation of various topics in as history, geography, society, art, tradition and everyday culture of the Hispanic people from the aforementioned countries. Prerequisites: GE107, GE108, GE109, GE110, GE205 Credits: 3
Builds on essential cultural aspects of Spain and Latin American countries; thus, students develop appreciation of various topics in as history, geography, society, art, tradition and everyday culture of the Hispanic people from the aforementioned countries. Prerequisites: GE107, GE108, GE109, GE110, GE205, GE206 Credits: 3
Delves into advanced knowledge in cultural aspects of Spain and Latin American countries, so students get acquainted with topics such as business, history, society, art, tradition and everyday culture of the Hispanic people from the afore mentioned countries. Prerequisites: GE107, GE108, GE109, GE110, GE205, GE206, GE207 Credits: 3
French
Requirements - 6 courses / 18 credits (36 ECTS)
Enables the student to become a basic user of the foreign language. Students continue the development of the basic communicative skills in French. Further grammatical phenomena and vocabulary develop their knowledge of the language. Exposure to texts concerning the French culture help students analyze the most relevant cultural and social aspects. Prerequisites: GE179, GE186 Credits: 3
Continues the development and mastery of the communicative skills in French. This course is the second of the intermediate French language sequence. Students get acquainted with most grammatical phenomena, expand their vocabulary (by becoming familiar with idioms of everyday language), and develop their writing competence and further their communication skills. At the end of the course, students will be at level A2 (according to the Common European Framework of Reference), able to take the corresponding exam for the A2 Diploma. Prerequisites: GE179, GE186, GE187 Credits: 3
Intermediate French III develops communicative skills and competences studied during the previous three terms. At the same time, the course reviews and emphasizes on the fundamental grammar and vocabulary items and permits the students to use the language in an autonomic way. Also, the course will be focused to prepare the students for B2 diploma (Diplôme de Français Langue Etrangère Niveau DELF B2). Prerequisites: GE179, GE186, GE187, GE188 Credits: 3
The course presents the essential cultural aspects of France; thus, students get acquainted with topics such as history, geography, society, art, tradition and everyday culture of the French people. It also takes a more profound approach into French vocabulary and Grammar. Prerequisites: GE179, GE186, GE187, GE188, GE189 Credits: 3
The course focuses on essential aspects of French culture; thus, students develop appreciation of various topics in as history, geography, society, art, tradition and everyday culture of the French speaking countries. Prerequisite: GE179, GE186, GE187, GE188, GE189, GE19 Credits: 3
The course offers advanced knowledge in cultural aspects of France and French-speaking countries, so students get acquainted with topics such as business, history, society, art, tradition and everyday culture of people from the afore mentioned countries. Prerequisites: GE179, GE186, GE187, GE188, GE189, GE192 Credits: 3
Communication
Requirements - 6 courses / 18 credits (36 ECTS)
This introductory course acquaints students with the main theoretical issues and applications of communication and the skills and techniques required for effective communication. Students are introduced to theoretical aspects of communication that are related to social dimensions of power and identity with an aim to understand how communication impacts different aspects of everyday life and the sense of oneself. Communication forms are also discussed in association to how messages are shaped and shared. Students analyze communication settings and talk about the role of communication in areas such as public relations, marketing, psychology, and politics. The course also discusses the use of communication for conflict resolution and crisis management. Prerequisites: GE105, GE106, IT100. Credits: 3
This course educates students in the intricate relationships between media, communication and society. It investigates the nature of different media and the influence they have had in shaping the kind of society we live in. It also analyzes the societal forces that are involved in how media operate today. At the same time, the course sharpens the critical reflection skills of students in understanding how they can operate as consumers of mass media content. Through diachronic examples the course explains how different print and digital media (TV, radio, internet, social media) have been influencing societies. Furthermore, the course invites students to subject their own views concerning the role that media play in modern societies and vice-versa and debate around different controversies that may exist on this topic. The course takes a critical look at popular culture and society and manifestation of it in the digital media with an emphasis on celebrity and lifestyle communication. Various aspects of contemporary culture such as food and travel experiences are also examined through the lens of representation(s) in the media. Prerequisites: GE105, GE106, IT100. Credits: 3
The course begins with a critical review of the major models of communication to provide a context for exploring the key role that communications play in business and professional life. It then moves to the notion of communication strategy and the need to consider audience, purpose, cultural context and channel when writing or speaking. Students are exposed to, and given practice in using tools, techniques and methods for generating and organizing ideas, structuring documents and achieving coherence and cohesion in their writing. The course gives ample practice in a range of communication events—both writer and verbal—such as writing reports, drafting content for digital media, delivering presentations, making pitches, working in teams and taking part in meetings. It also explores the presentation of quantitative information—charts, tables and data visualizations—as modes of communication in themselves. Prerequisites: GE105, GE106, IT100. Credits: 3
Prepares students for intercultural communication challenges in organizations by addressing the communication skills necessary for effective cross-cultural organizational interactions. This course examines the cultural variables that may define as well as determine the course and success of these interactions within and between organizations. It focuses on the application of intercultural communication skills and insights to various fields, organizations, and situations in order to achieve organizational goals. Prerequisites: GE105, GE106. Credits: 3
Introduces students to the craft of copywriting. It begins with the importance of audience and the notion of copy as conversation and research-based brand-writing. It looks at what makes for memorable messages and the role of stories and psychological triggers in crafting persuasive texts. Numerous examples, guided observation and a variety of frequent but brief writing assignments help students develop skills in crafting conceptually robust and compelling copy. A third of the course is devoted to copy editing and covers both organizational issues as well as paragraph- and sentence-level editing. Course material and assignments represent a spectrum of print and digital formats in print and digital media drawn from the business and non-profit sectors. Prerequisite(s): GE105, GE106, GE112. Credits: 3
The course introduces students to best practices of designing, writing and editing content for online audiences and develops their skills in writing with clarity, precision and vigor. It presents evidence-based principles of good website and page design, looking at issues of usability, readability, navigation and search-engine optimization. It explores strategies, tools and techniques to heighten reader interaction and build audience. Students are given regular guided practice in creating content for a range of online genres and formats, such as blogs and microblogging, web pages, newsletters, digital journalism, instructional material, and podcasts. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to develop a critical perspective on their craft as they explore the legal and ethical dimensions of producing digital content, particularly questions of privacy, libel, copyright and fair use. Prerequisite(s): GE105, GE106, IT100. Credits: 3