EC Course Descriptions
*Sequence and course availability may vary depending on year and grade level
Grade 10
First Year Experience (FFL100)
First Year Experience (COM100) is a liberal arts elective designed for all students new to college. The expected outcome of FYE is to develop our students' college readiness skills as they navigate their way through the early years of higher education and consider future career paths. North Shore Community College offers an innovative approach. FYE blends the "Freshman Seminar" course that is increasingly popular in two and four-year colleges with career exploration to meet the practical 21st century workforce development needs of our students.
Speech (SPE102)
Focuses on the nature and effects of verbal communication. Students will become familiar with the communication process, including some of the following: principles of organization, purpose, language structure, effective delivery, and audience analysis. Students individually will use these elements in informative and persuasive speaking in the traditional speaker-audience relationship. Fulfills open, liberal arts, and humanities electives.
Grade 11 and 12 (sequence and availability may vary)
Composition 1 (CMP101)
Emphasis is on developing skills of writing, reading, analytical thinking, and research. Students are introduced to thought provoking ideas in readings from a variety of disciplines and learn to organize material, analyze ideas, and produce clear writing. Fulfills open and liberal arts electives.
Introduction to Psychology (PSY102)
Systematic study of behavior including the development of psychology as a science, the biological basis of behavior, learning and memory, motivation, sensation and perception, personality development, cognitive processes, maturation and development, and adjustment. Fulfills open, liberal arts, social science, and behavioral science electives.
World History 2 (HIS132)
An examination of the major themes and their legacies in world history since the era of global interaction. Attention will focus on a comparative analysis of various world societies. Fulfills open, liberal arts, social science, and with HIS131, history sequence electives.
Introduction to Sociology (SOC106)
Introduction to the study of society, employing all the basic concepts of sociology, such as: the structure and functions of society, culture, norms, roles and status. Attention is given to the origins of sociology, its methods and its place as one of the social sciences. Fulfills open, liberal arts and social science electives.
The Body in Health and Disease (BIO108)
A study of the interrelationships of anatomy, physiology, and pathology with chemical and microbiological consideration for students in the health care field. Primarily for mental health technicians, medical assistants, medical secretaries and public and environmental health officers. Fulfills open, science and liberal arts electives.
Composition 2 (CMP 102)
Emphasis is on analytical and researched writing based on a range of texts. Classic and contemporary authors will be studied.
Introduction to Statistics (MAT143)
This course is an introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics and the basic laws of probability as used in business, social science, or education. Topics examined are: frequency distributions, measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion, normal distributions, confidence intervals, sampling, introduction to hypothesis testing, correlation, and linear regression. Other topics such as chi-square distribution and F-distribution will be covered as time permits. The course emphasizes the practical understanding and use of concepts and procedures essential to statistical analysis (statistical software may be used at the instructor's discretion for solving applied problems). Fulfills open, liberal arts and mathematics electives.
Quantitative Reasoning (MAT140)
This course consists of mathematical topics chosen to provide an overview of a broad range of higher mathematics to aid students in interpreting and understanding current issues and to increase students' ability to reason and think critically. Topics may include but are not limited to reasoning and problem solving, sets, logic, consumer mathematics, social choice, numerations systems, growth and symmetry, and fractals. Fulfills open, liberal arts, and mathematics electives.
Understanding Nutrition (SCI104)
This course presents an overview of human nutrition by exploring nutrients and how they function in the body. In addition, students will learn tools for planning adequate diets for individuals and groups. The role of foods and nutrients in health and disease is discussed throughout the course, underlining the use of research to validate nutrition claims. Counts towards RHS Science and Health Requirement
State and Local Government in America (PLS104)
The study of the structure, process and policies of state and local government, with a focus on the Massachusetts political system. Emphasis is placed on the policies and problems of state and local government and their relationship to the federal government. Special attention is given to direct participation in the political process in addition to the study of public policies on issues such as spending and taxation, crime, education, housing, and welfare. Fulfills open, liberal arts and social science electives. Counts towards RHS History requirement.
Introduction to Criminal Justice (CRJ101)
Introduces students to the study of the criminal justice system. Three components of this system, the police, courts, and corrections, will be studied and interrelationships will be shown between components. Outside readings and guest speakers will combine the practical and academic aspects. Fulfills open and liberal arts electives.
The World in the 20th Century (HIS126)
A survey course that will focus on the political, economic, and ideological forces surrounding the most important events of the 20th century. Topics to be examined include the two world wars, the Holocaust, the Cold War, the Vietnam War, the disintegration of the Soviet Union, and the subsequent rearrangement of the world balance of power. We will examine the evolution of the United States' role in the world community. Counts towards RHS History requirement.