Houston Christian University Catalog

Interdisciplinary Courses (INDC) Course Descriptions

  • INDC 2333 American Heritage Destinations

    Prerequisite(s): None
    Restriction(s): Only offered during the May Fastterm.

    This course explores various historical and cultural aspects of the nation’s heritage in three specific locations: Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. The first week of the course will be spent in preparation for an academically oriented field trip during the second week. Students may repeat this course for each NEW destination.

  • INDC 3310 Essential Elements of Art

    Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Educator Preparation Program

    This course adds a concentrated focus on art education to an overview of fine arts history and education (including art, music and theatre). It explores the philosophy of preschool and elementary pedagogy based upon Discipline-based Art Education (DBAE) and Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills standards. Practical applications for integrating the arts into a cross-curriculum program are emphasized. (Offered also as ART 3310.)

  • INDC 3315 Cultural Craft for the Pre-Adolescent Student

    Prerequisite(s): Admission to the HCU Educator Preparation Program

    This course combines a basic multicultural study of classical and traditional craft and creative problems in three-dimensional media for teaching in the pre-adolescent (EC-6) classroom. (Offered also as ART 3315.)

  • INDC 3316 Cultural Craft for the Adolescent Student

    Prerequisite(s): Admission to the HCU Educator Preparation Program

    This course encourages expanded multicultural appreciation of classical and traditional craft and includes practical experience and preparation for teaching a variety of fiber arts, printmaking, bookbinding, mosaic and three-dimensional design in the adolescent (6-8 and 9-12) classroom. (Offered also as ART 3316.)

  • INDC 3320 Essential Elements of Music

    Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Educator Preparation Program

    This course adds a concentrated focus on music education to an overview of fine arts history and education (including art, music and theatre). It includes a study of the child voice, rote singing, development of rhythmic and melodic expression, directed listening, and music reading readiness. Basic materials including song text are studied, and simple percussion and melodic instruments are used in creative activities.

  • INDC 3381 Special Topics/Independent Study

    Prerequisite(s): None

    Topics are selected on basis of student need and academic qualifications of staff. If regular lectures are not given, a minimum of 30 hours of work for each hour credit must be included.

  • INDC 4100 Humanities Capstone Experience

    Prerequisite(s): None

    This course is a one-hour classroom and field-based learning experience constructed around student preparation for the next steps after graduation. Students will learn about effective communication, constructing essential documents, impression management during important social occasions, and how to present a best self during interviews and similar professional interactions. Included in the curriculum will be seminars with business and academic leaders who will be able to provide guidance and coaching. At the end of the capstone course, students will be better prepared professionally, socially, and spiritually to enter the next stage of their life.

  • INDC 4160 Wellness and Fitness for Children

    Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Educator Preparation Program

    This course prepares students to effectively teach health and P.E. in grades PK-6. In addition to PK-6 health content and methodology, it includes exploration of developmentally appropriate movement education methods for PK through grade 6 as well as ways to use movement activities to help children learn academic content areas other than health and P.E. (such as math, science, social studies and language arts).

  • INDC 4181 Special Topics/Independent Study

    Prerequisite(s): None

    Topics are selected on basis of student need and academic qualifications of staff. If regular lectures are not given, a minimum of 30 hours of work for each hour credit must be included.

  • INDC 4281 Special Topics/Independent Study

    Prerequisite(s): None

    Topics are selected on basis of student need and academic qualifications of staff. If regular lectures are not given, a minimum of 30 hours of work for each hour credit must be included.

  • INDC 4302 Multimedia Instructional Strategies

    Prerequisite(s): None

    This course is designed to develop skills necessary for today’s educators in the development and integration of multimedia projects into their curriculum and to explore trends and issues in the use of multimedia tools for communication and instruction.

  • INDC 4319 Internet Resource Management

    Prerequisite(s): None

    Internet Resource Management is designed to allow participants to experience appropriate uses of technology as a learner, and thus better use technology in teaching and learning. The goal of this course is to provide a combination of hands-on and student-centered experiences that will assist in the management of Internet resources. These experiences will enable participants to search for information, share information, generate materials, and evaluate web-based instructional materials. Instructional strategies will focus on the acquisition, analysis, and synthesis of Internet resources that address appropriate educational needs.

  • INDC 4340 Social Studies for Pre-Adolescents

    Prerequisite(s): EDUC 4301
    Restriction(s): Field-based experiences and technology applications are required.

    This course provides an exploration of social studies content and skills as well as teaching/learning materials and strategies for developing content and skills at preschool through grade 6 levels. Essential knowledge and skills are emphasized.

  • INDC 4350 Essential Elements of Science

    Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Educator Preparation Program and (EDUC 4301 or EDUC 4311)
    Restriction(s): Technology applications are required.

    This course provides an exploration of science content and skills, as well as teaching/learning materials and strategies for helping preschool through grade six students learn science. It includes an overview of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for science at these grade levels and exploration of discipline specific pedagogy and reading strategies.

  • INDC 4360 Essential Elements of Math

    Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Educator Preparation Program and (EDUC 4301 or EDUC 4311) and MATH 2302 and MATH 2303

    This math methods course prepares prospective elementary and middle school teachers with knowledge of methods and materials needed to teach math effectively. EC-6 math content is briefly reviewed as students explore research validated ways to develop children’s problem solving and reasoning abilities as well as their understanding and use of whole numbers, decimals and fractions. Active learning using models and inquiry is emphasized. Fieldwork in which students teach mathematics in an elementary or middle school is required.

  • INDC 4380 Essential Elements of Social Studies

    Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Educator Preparation Program and (EDUC 4301 or EDUC 4311)

    This course is an introduction to theories, pedagogical considerations and current methodology, including technology integration, in the teaching of social studies to elementary age children. Students gain experience in applying this knowledge through instructional design projects and simulated teaching experiences. The course includes an overview of PK-8 social studies content including Texas history and world geography and an exploration of discipline specific reading strategies.

  • INDC 4381 Special Topics/Independent Study

    Prerequisite(s): None

    Topics are selected on basis of student need and academic qualifications of staff. If regular lectures are not given, a minimum of 30 hours of work for each hour credit must be included.

  • INDC 4385 Essential Elements of Fine Arts

    Prerequisite(s): None

    This course explores EC-6 fine arts content and methodology. It includes development of knowledge, skills and dispositions identified in the art, music and theatre Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) as well as ways to integrate fine arts into learning in other content areas.

  • INDC 4390 Advanced Elements of Social Studies

    Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Educator Preparation Program and (EDUC 4301 or EDUC 4311)

    This course provides an exploration of social studies content and skills. Social studies content will include World History, Geography, and Texas History. The course will introduce students to teaching/learning materials and strategies for developing concepts and skills for middle to high school students. Integration of technology and interactive learning are integral aspects of this course.

  • INDC 6330 Global Political Economy

    Prerequisite(s): None
    Restriction(s): Graduate Business programs only.

    This course examines the interaction of politics and the economy at the global level. In particular, it evaluates how political and economic decisions of one country or groups of countries affect institutions and life circumstances in others and assesses the causes and consequences of globalization as rooted in political economy. Key topics include major conceptual frameworks for understanding the linkages between international politics and international economics, international monetary and financial relations, international trade, foreign investment and multinational enterprises, key international economic institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organization, and World Bank, the rise of the BRIC economics and the shift of global balance, and global economic governance.

  • INDC 6331 Foreign Cultures

    Prerequisite(s): None
    Restriction(s): Graduate Business programs only.

    As global corporations span national boundaries, their employees must interact with a wide variety of national cultures, societal structures, and world views. This course adopts the viewpoint of the anthropologist, applying anthropological theory to business situations. This course covers a wide variety of topics, including, but not limited to, the following: the methods of anthropology; issues of culture; issues of language and communication; the economic aspects of anthropology; the role of family and kinship in society; religion and ethics; gender; and issues of ethnicity. It also examines how national cultures affect behaviors in business situations.

  • INDC 6332 International Organizations

    Prerequisite(s): None
    Restriction(s): Graduate Business programs only.

    As global corporations span national boundaries, they must interact with a large number of international organizations. This course examines the major international institutions that deal with crime, diplomacy, grade, finance, the environment, and human rights, and how these institutions both facilitate and constrain the activities of global corporations. Examples of such organizations are the United Nations, the World Bank and IMF, the World Trade Organization, the World Court, and others. This course deals with a wide variety of issues, including, but not limited to: theoretical frameworks of international organizations; the historical evolution of international organizations; the structure and governance of international organizations; classification of international organizations; and the functions and roles of individual international organizations.