Fall 2019
For more information regarding the Academic Communities, including the course titles, days, and times of the classes in each, click the Academic Community title.
International Studies: Asia
Learn more about Asian culture and language and the history of Asian art with other students who share your interest. Find out about study abroad opportunities and explore the Hillman Library’s extensive collection of materials on Asian studies. Participate in campus events and visit important sites relevant to Asian culture and art. (4 credits plus language credits)
To be a member of this Academic Community, students must also enroll in any level of one of the following languages: Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, or Vietnamese.
NOTE: Students enrolled in this Academic Community will travel to Cleveland, Ohio, to visit the Cleveland Museum of Art's amazing collection of Asian art. (This trip is funded by the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences.)
| Class Number | Department & Catalog Number - Course Title | Day(s) | Time | Credit(s) |
| 15554 | HAA 0020 - Introduction to Asian Art | TuTh | 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | 3 |
| 11414 | FP 0001 - Academic Foundations | W | 3:00 - 3:50 p.m. | 1 |
International Studies: Europe
What is a nation? And how have individual answers to this question created the Western world in which we live? Trace the political life of Europe and how it has affected the individual’s sense of identity and place in the growing European Union and in the world. (4 credits plus language credits)
To be a member of this Academic Community, students must also enroll in any level of one of the following languages: French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Irish Gaelic, Italian, Swedish, modern Greek, Hungarian, Polish, Slovak, Russian, or Arabic.
NOTE: Students enrolled in this Academic Community will visit New York City, tour the United Nations (UN), visit with the Delegation of the European Union to the UN, and learn about study abroad and funding opportunities at the Institute of International Education. (This trip is funded by the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences.)
| Class Number | Department & Catalog Number - Course Title | Day(s) | Time | Credit(s) |
| 29574 | HIST 1109 - France, Spain, and Italy in the 20th Century | TuTh | 10:00 -10:50 a.m. | 3 |
| 31052 | HIST 1109 - France, Spain, and Italy in the 20th Century Recitation | F | 1:00 - 1:50 p.m. | 0 |
| 11504 | FP 0001 - Academic Foundations | Th | 4:00 - 4:50 p.m. | 1 |
International Studies: Global
Examine the ways in which nation-states interact on a global level and the challenges that arise for our leaders, policymakers, and fellow citizens because of different governing strategies. Find out about study abroad opportunities and participate in campus and local events centered on global studies themes. (7 credits)
| Class Number | Department & Catalog Number - Course Title | Day(s) | Time | Credit(s) |
| 23039 | PS 0550 - Introduction to Global Studies | TuTh | 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | 3 |
| 11689 | SOC 0317 - Globalization | MWF | 2:00 - 2:50 p.m. | 3 |
| 10401 | FP 0001 - Academic Foundations | Tu | 3:00 - 3:50 p.m. | 1 |
International Studies: Quebec
Learn about the rich linguistic, cultural, and geographical landscape of our French-speaking neighbor to the north while studying the French language. Participate in a unique and exciting “study abroad” weekend and explore North America’s French speaking province first hand. (4 credits plus language credits)
To be a member of this Academic Community, students must enroll in one of the following French classes: FR 0103, 0104, 0020, 0021, 0027, 0055, 0056, or 1090.
NOTE: Students enrolled in this Academic Community will have the opportunity to visit Montreal, Quebec and explore museums and landmark buildings as well as other areas of cultural, geographical, and political significance. (This trip is funded by the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences.)
NOTE: Students traveling to Montreal must have a valid passport with an expiration date more than six months after October 31st. Students must verify that they are in possession of a valid passport at the beginning of fall term.
NOTE: Students must be 18 years old or older to participate in the trip to Montreal.
NOTE: Interested International Students must contact the Office of First-Year Programs prior to enrolling in this community.
| Class Number | Department & Catalog Number - Course Title | Day(s) | Time | Credit(s) |
| 26936 | FR 0014 - Introduction to French-Speaking Canada | TuTh | 9:30 - 10:45 a.m. | 3 |
| 10661 | FP 0001 - Academic Foundations | Th | 4:00 - 4:50 p.m. | 1 |
Inside the Theater
Study the evolution of modern theater as a cultural mirror and gain insight into the different perspectives of actors, directors, and designers. Try your own skills on stage, and attend productions by Pitt’s Department of Theatre Arts and professional theater troupes in the city. (7 credits)
| Class Number | Department & Catalog Number - Course Title | Day(s) | Time | Credit(s) |
| 11034 | THEA 0810 - Introduction to Dramatic Art | TuTh | 1:00 - 2:15 p.m. | 3 |
| 10475 | THEA 0830 - Introduction to Performance | MWF | 12:00 - 12:50 p.m. | 3 |
| 11005 | FP 0001 - Academic Foundations | Th | 4:00 - 4:50 p.m. | 1 |
How to Make a Movie
“Hollywood in Pittsburgh” is a common phrase here. Learn the important role Pittsburgh has in the production and creation of films, both past and present. Learn the processes of movie-making by scripting, creating, and editing your own film. Write about your own engagement with film and film production, and discover where you fit in Pittsburgh’s vibrant film community. (7 credits)
To enroll in this Academic Community, students must place into Seminar in Composition. ENGCMP 0205 fulfills the Seminar in Composition requirement.
NOTE: Students enrolled in theis Academic Communty will travel to Rochester, NY to visit the George Eastman House to study early photographic and film technologies, as well as the Strong Museum’s Video and Electronic Game collection to investigate the present and near-future of media technologies. (This trip is funded by the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences.)
| Class Number | Department & Catalog Number - Course Title | Day(s) | Time | Credit(s) |
| 10816 | ENGCMP 0205 - Seminar in Composition: Film | MW | 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | 3 |
| 25450 | ENGFLM 0590 - Filmmaking: Production and Criticism | F | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | 3 |
| 11029 | FP 0001 - Academic Foundations | W | 5:00 - 5:50 p.m. | 1 |
Sports, The Body, and Society
How does society use media to understand the relationship between sports, athletics, and the human body? This community will introduce you to the history of sports in broadcast and film, the history and use of technology in the representation of athletes and the body, and exciting educational options for sports related careers. (7 credits)
NOTE: In addition to visiting sporting events and Pitt Studios to learn about the ACC Network, students enrolled in this Academic Community will travel to Rochester, NY to visit the George Eastman House to study early photographic and film technologies for recording human movement, as well as the Strong Museum’s Video and Electronic Game collection to investigate the present and near-future of e-sports. (This trip is funded by the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences.)
| Class Number | Department & Catalog Number - Course Title | Day(s) | Time | Credit(s) |
| 31568 | ENGCMP 0205 - Seminar in Composition: Film | M | 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. | 3 |
| 30935 | ENGFLM 0585 - Technologies of the Body | W | 1:00 - 4:50 p.m. | 3 |
| 25592 | FP 0001 - Academic Foundations | M | 1:00 - 1:50 p.m. | 1 |
NOTE: There has been a change to this Academic Community. Sociology of Sports (SOC 0465) will no longer be taught this fall term. Seminar in Composition: Film (ENGCMP 0205), which will have a focus on sports and athletics, has been added to the community.
Who Are You?
How and when does a person develop a sense of one's self? How do both psychology and philosophy help us understand our natures and personalities? The courses in this community will provide a multifaceted approach to finding answers to these questions. (7 credits)
NOTE: To enroll in this Academic Community, students should anticipate receiving either AP or transfer credit for Introduction to Psychology, a prerequisite for Psychology of Personality.
| Class Number | Department & Catalog Number - Course Title | Day(s) | Time | Credit(s) |
| 23595 | PHIL 0010 - Concepts of Human Nature | TuTh | 9:00 - 9:50 a.m. | 3 |
| 31055 | PHIL 0010 - Concepts of Human Nature Recitation | M | 10:00 - 10:50 a.m. | 0 |
| 10311 | PSY 0160 - Psychology of Personality | TuTh | 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | 3 |
| 22669 | FP 0001 - Academic Foundations | W | 10:00 - 10:50 a.m. | 1 |
Mind and Meditation
Recent studies looking at the intersection of psychoanalysis and Buddhism have demonstrated the value of Buddhist practice to an understanding of the human psyche. Learn about how these fields intersect and how meditation can influence how we understand human psychology. (7 credits)
| Class Number | Department & Catalog Number - Course Title | Day(s) | Time | Credit(s) |
| 11042 | PSY 0010 - Introduction to Psychology | TuTh | 1:00 - 2:15 p.m. | 3 |
| 25429 | RELGST 1558 - Buddhism and Psychology | TuTh | 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | 3 |
| 10414 | FP 0001 - Academic Foundations | M | 1:00 - 1:50 p.m. | 1 |
Art and Algorithms
Explore the commonalities between studio arts and computing by investigating core concepts like information, abstraction and representation, communication, and creative expression. Learning through hands-on investigations in materials, media, and ideas will be central to both the CMPINF and SA courses. (8 credits)
| Class Number | Department & Catalog Number - Course Title | Day(s) | Time | Credit(s) |
| 29653 | CMPINF 0010 - Big Ideas in Computing and Information | TuTh | 1:00 - 2:15 p.m. | 4 |
| 29657 | CMPINF 0010 - Big Ideas in Computing and Information Lab | W | 11:00 a.m. - 12:50 p.m. | 0 |
| 24274 | SA 0110 - Visual Thinking | TuTh | 10:00 - 11:40 a.m. | 3 |
| 10688 | FP 0001 - Academic Foundations | F | 10:00 - 10:50 a.m. | 1 |
The Beautiful Mind
Like the father of Neuroscience, Santiago Ramón y Cajal, you have the opportunity to examine the intersection of art and neuroscience by developing artistic talent while studying the brain. Consider the relationship between art and science and how they complement each other. Nothing demonstrates this like the human mind, truly beautiful in its neural structure and its propensity for creative expression. (7 credits)
| Class Number | Department & Catalog Number - Course Title | Day(s) | Time | Credit(s) |
| 25687 | NROSCI 0080 - Brain and Behavior | MWF | 9:00 - 9:50 a.m. | 3 |
| 11458 | SA 0130 - Drawing Studio 1 | TuTh | 1:00 - 2:40 p.m. | 3 |
| 11569 | FP 0001 - Academic Foundations | W | 11:00 - 11:50 a.m. | 1 |
Nature/Cities/Humans
How do humans live in harmony with each other and nature in urban areas? Pittsburgh is the perfect backdrop to explore how sustainability plays out in natural and built environments. Explore the tradeoffs, challenges, and opportunities of balancing equity, environment, and economics at the campus and city scale (7 credits).
| Class Number | Department & Catalog Number - Course Title | Day(s) | Time | Credit(s) |
| 25600 | GEOL 0840 - Environmental Science | Tu | 6:00 - 7:50 p.m. | 3 |
| 31053 | GEOL 0840 - Environmental Science Recitation | F | 1:00 - 1:50 p.m. | 0 |
| 10477 | URBNST 0080 - Introduction to Urban Studies | TuTh | 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | 3 |
| 10404 | FP 0001 - Academic Foundations | W | 1:00 - 1:50 p.m. | 1 |
Biology and the Brain
How does the human brain interact with the world around it to produce our perceptions, reactions, and responses? Study the basic biology that makes communication between parts of the brain possible and find out how brain function shapes what we do. (7 credits)
| Class Number | Department & Catalog Number - Course Title | Day(s) | Time | Credit(s) |
| 10779 | BIOSC 0150 - Foundations of Biology 1 | MWF | 12:00 - 12:50 p.m. | 3 |
| 23624 | BIOSC 0150 - Foundations of Biology 1 Recitation | W | 2:00 - 2:50 p.m. | 0 |
| 10933 | NROSCI 0080 - Brain and Behavior | MWF | 4:00 - 4:50 p.m. | 3 |
| 11568 | FP 0001 - Academic Foundations | Tu | 1:00 - 1:50 p.m. | 1 |
NOTE: All students intending to enroll in BIOSC 0150 Foundations of Biology 1, must take the pre-assessment to be able to enroll. Information concerning the pre-assessment can be found at http://tinyurl.com/biosc0150.
Molecules and Morals
Explore ethical dilemmas in modern medicine—such as medical experimentation, resource allocation, and health care reform—in connection with modern chemistry, the advances of which have made medical miracles possible and have raised the question of ethics to a new level. (8 credits)
| Class Number | Department & Catalog Number - Course Title | Day(s) | Time | Credit(s) |
| 10504 | CHEM 0110 - General Chemistry 1 | TuTh | 1:00 - 2:15 p.m. | 4 |
| 31057 | CHEM 0110 - General Chemistry 1 Lab | Tu | 6:00 - 9:50 p.m. | 0 |
| 11473 | HPS 0613 - Morality and Medicine | MW | 2:00 - 2:50 p.m. | 3 |
| 28687 | HPS 0613 - Morality and Medicine Recitation | W | 1:00 - 1:50 p.m. | 0 |
| 10406 | FP 0001 - Academic Foundations | Tu | 3:00 - 3:50 p.m. | 1 |
Cells and Society
Explore the relationship between medicine and society. Consider how the delivery of medical services can be dependent on a physician’s knowledge of social and biological systems. (7 credits)
| Class Number | Department & Catalog Number - Course Title | Day(s) | Time | Credit(s) |
| 26366 | BIOSC 0150 - Foundations of Biology 1 | TuTh | 8:00 - 9:15 a.m. | 3 |
| 31050 | BIOSC 0150 - Foundations of Biology 1 Recitation | Th | 11:00 - 11:50 a.m. | 0 |
| 22539 | SOC 0477 - Medical Sociology | TuTh | 1:00 - 2:15 p.m. | 3 |
| 11077 | FP 0001 - Academic Foundations | Th | 3:00 - 3:50 p.m. | 1 |
NOTE: All students intending to enroll in BIOSC 0150 Foundations of Biology 1, must take the pre-assessment to be able to enroll. Information concerning the pre-assessment can be found at http://tinyurl.com/biosc0150.
Neurons and Chemicals
Deepen your understanding of chemical structures and states of matter while learning about their wider application in psychopharmacology. Develop a better understanding of the basic structures of the brain and chemicals. (8 credits)
| Class Number | Department & Catalog Number - Course Title | Day(s) | Time | Credit(s) |
| 10503 | CHEM 0110 - General Chemistry 1 | TuTh | 9:30 - 10:45 a.m. | 4 |
| 31056 | CHEM 0110 - General Chemistry 1 Lab | Tu | 1:00 - 4:50 p.m. | 0 |
| 10931 | NROSCI 0081 - Drugs and Behavior | MWF | 1:00 - 1:50 p.m. | 3 |
| 10424 | FP 0001 - Academic Foundations | Th | 1:00 - 1:50 p.m. | 1 |
Health-Related Careers
Join a community of students interested in pursuing careers in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, athletic training, health and rehabilitation sciences, and more—and build the foundation for future success in the health professions. (8 credits)
| Class Number | Department & Catalog Number - Course Title | Day(s) | Time | Credit(s) |
| 10170 | BIOSC 0150 - Foundations of Biology 1 | MW | 6:00 - 7:15 p.m. | 3 |
| 28674 | BIOSC 0150 - Foundations of Biology 1 Recitation | W | 7:30 - 8:20 p.m. | 0 |
| 10502 | CHEM 0110 - General Chemistry 1 | MWF | 2:00 - 2:50 p.m. | 4 |
| 31058 | CHEM 0110 - General Chemistry 1 Lab | Tu | 8:00 - 11:50 a.m. | 0 |
| 10428 | FP 0001 - Academic Foundations | M | 4:00 - 4:50 p.m. | 1 |
NOTE: All students intending to enroll in BIOSC 0150 Foundations of Biology 1, must take the pre-assessment to be able to enroll. Information concerning the pre-assessment can be found at http://tinyurl.com/biosc0150.
Health Care Communication
Take the first steps toward developing the communication skills that health care professions need. Learn strategies for expressing yourself clearly, asking good questions and providing solid answers. Delve into the first of the science classes you will need to reach your goals in the health care field. (7 credits)
| Class Number | Department & Catalog Number - Course Title | Day(s) | Time | Credit(s) |
| 10779 | BIOSC 0150 - Foundations of Biology 1 | MWF | 12:00 - 12:50 p.m. | 3 |
| 31051 | BIOSC 0150 - Foundations of Biology 1 Recitation | W | 3:00 - 3:50 p.m. | 0 |
| 26874 | COMMRC 0530 - Interpersonal Communication | Th | 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. | 3 |
| 10421 | FP 0001 - Academic Foundations | M | 3:00 - 3:50 p.m. | 1 |
NOTE: All students intending to enroll in BIOSC 0150 Foundations of Biology 1, must take the pre-assessment to be able to enroll. Information concerning the pre-assessment can be found at http://tinyurl.com/biosc0150.