Economic, Political and Policy Sciences

EPPS 1110 Critical Issues in the Social Sciences (1 semester credit hour) This course is a graduation requirement for all first time in college EPPS freshman. This course is designed to introduce incoming freshmen to the intellectual and cultural environment of the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences. Students will learn about EPPS majors, research opportunities, careers, and internships. The course covers introductory information applied to criminology, political science, public affairs/public administration, nonprofit management, economics, global economy, and sociology. This course is also open to all non-EPPS majors. (1-1) Y

EPPS 2301 Research Design in the Social and Policy Sciences (3 semester credit hours) Approaches adopted by the social and policy sciences to increase understanding and develop actions to improve the world. Topics include: philosophy of science, logic of inquiry, role of theory in attributing cause, articulating answerable research questions, efficient exploration of the research literature, types of research design, qualitative approaches, transforming abstract concepts into measurable indicators, producing reliable data, assessing validity of conclusions, and research ethics and politics. Students completing this course will have a good understanding of systematic inquiry and its capacity to yield useful knowledge and a solid foundation for further study of research methods. (3-0) S

EPPS 2302 Methods of Quantitative Analysis in the Social and Policy Sciences (3 semester credit hours) This course introduces basic concepts and methods of statistical analysis used in different fields of social and policy science research to better understand human relationships and the impacts of government action on them. Topics include data description, using probability to assess the reasonableness of claims about the world based on sample data, exploring cause-effect interactions through regression models, and application of software to ease visualization and calculation. Students completing this course will be good consumers of statistical information and have a solid foundation for pursuing further study of quantitative analysis. NOTE: EPPS 2302 is required for all School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences majors. Prerequisite: MATH 1314 or equivalent. (3-0) S

EPPS 2305 Spatial Thinking and Data Analytics (3 semester credit hours) This course explores the role that Spatial Thinking plays across a variety of subject areas in science, engineering, mathematics, arts and humanities. We will introduce rich resources of geospatial data from government agencies, social media, and semantic web. Students will be exposed to introductory methods in Spatial Data Analytics afforded by Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Remote Sensing (RS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Spatial Analysis, and Mapping technologies and learn how to bring spatial considerations into research and applications. The course is intended to empower students with spatial intelligence (one of the nine intelligences on Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences) and with experiences of applying spatial thinking and data analytics to problem solving. (Same as GEOS 2305 or GISC 2305) (3-0) Y

EPPS 2307 Digital Earth (3 semester credit hours) This course will introduce you to the topics and concepts in digital earth and geospatial technologies that are becoming increasingly important tools in research, policy, and everyday life. The topics will cover digital earth and geospatial data sources (ex., GPS, citizen science, satellite imagery, government agencies, social media, and semantic web), methods and applications (ex., disaster relief, biodiversity conservation, disease spread), and implications (ex., privacy, ethical, legal issues). Students will gain experience compiling/collecting and analyzing analog, digital, and geospatial data as a mechanism to understand and research our physical and social world. Spatial problem-solving will be emphasized and analyses will address real-world issues in which geospatial technologies have played an important role. Finally, cartographic methods and tools to create maps that can be used to communicate data, ideas, and concepts to officials and policy makers will also be discussed. (Same as GEOS 2307 and GISC 2307) (3-0) Y

EPPS 3100 Leading for Good (1 semester credit hour) This course focuses on personal development and current policy issues and social challenges to explore the theory and practice of leadership. Through lectures, group discussion, and dialogue with guest speakers, students are encouraged to use their own leadership skills to address pressing social and policy problems. Personal and professional development are also integrated into the curriculum. Credit/No Credit only. Instructor consent required. (1-0) R

EPPS 3111 Careers in the Social Sciences (1 semester credit hour) This one-credit course is designed to provide social sciences majors and those interested in the social sciences with information and skills that will help them select and pursue a career in their major or a related field. (1-0) Y

EPPS 3301 Special Topics In Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (3 semester credit hours) Explores current topics in Economic, Political and Policy Sciences. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (9 semester credit hours maximum). Instructor consent required. (3-0) R

EPPS 3310 Community-Based Service Learning (3 semester credit hours) This interdisciplinary course aligns students with different community partners to effect social change through community-based/service learning. Community-based learning is a form of experiential education where students learn to apply educational content in a community setting with three distinct goals; academic learning, personal growth, and civic engagement. Each course section will have a different emphasis but will share a focus on the inter- and intra-personal development of 21st century skills, and reflective and reciprocal experiences. Community-based learning has been described as a transformative experience and identified as a high-impact practice in education. The course will integrate topic relevant reading and reflective writing assignments in a small-group setting. Credit/No Credit only. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (6 semester credit hours maximum). Instructor consent required. (3-0) S

EPPS 3331 Smart and Sustainable Cities (3 semester credit hours) This course will focus on the influence of urban networks, smart city urban planning, smart city infrastructure, sustainable transportation, flow of information and communications, and the role of digital and geospatial data infrastructure and information technology for creating future sustainable urban societies. The course will also discuss the criteria for measuring the smartness of a city, including quality of life, citizen governance, and highlight the issues and challenges that go towards the making of a future smart city. (Same as ENVR 3331 and GEOG 3331) (3-0) T

EPPS 3336 Fundamentals of Sustainability (3 semester credit hours) This course will introduce students to the basic concepts of sustainability, its manifestation in multiple human dimensions, as well as its implications for the future. Various topics related to sustainability will be covered including the meaning and history of sustainability, natural systems, sustainability metrics, global energy production and consumptions, climate change and greenhouse gas reduction, water management and conservation, sustainable agriculture and food production, transportation planning, environmental ethics and history, and social justice. Additionally, the course will explore the complex interrelationships between modern environmental, social, and economic problems, as well as the possible solutions that can be employed to overcome them. Through this course, students will be empowered to make informed decisions and that support a sustainable future. (Same as ENVR 3336 and GISC 3336) (3-0) Y

EPPS 4300 EPPS Policy Lab (3 semester credit hours) Intended to provide students with an action-based academic experience that offers important "hands-on" learning opportunities to analyze, develop, advocate for, and help drive the execution of effective policy solutions in a real-world context, involving actual client organizations. In addition, the EPPS Policy Lab is intended to strengthen and expand students' professional experience, professional skills development, and professional networks in the public policy sector. Students effectively serve as policy consultants, working in interdisciplinary teams to conduct research, analyze complex data, and engage with clients and other experts to produce a set of solution-oriented final deliverables. In addition to gaining first-hand experience on a specific policy issue, students hone other skills that prepare them for policy careers such as working with imperfect data, navigating team dynamics, and communicating complex analyses and policy recommendations to a client's leadership. Each Lab will focus on a particular policy area or set of policy tools and engage one or more different client organizations. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (9 semester credit hours maximum). Instructor consent required. (0-3) S

EPPS 4317 Python Programming for Social Science (3 semester credit hours) Introduction to computer programming skills and their application in social sciences using Python. Topics covered include fundamental programming syntax, control structural, numerical and scientific computation, visualization, and social data analytics. Students are expected to programmatically design and build a project related to social sciences. (Same as GISC 4317) (3-0) Y

EPPS 4338 Hazard and Disaster Management (3 semester credit hours) This course will introduce students to the realm of disasters that have affected, overwhelmed and changed human lives throughout the ages. It will first review the causes, characteristics, and histories of various disasters including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, tsunamis, and man-made disasters from various countries around the world. Then, the course will investigate the impacts of these hazards and how they affect our human lives, social and economic structures. Students will also learn key concepts and terminologies used by disaster practitioners to describe and report the impacts of disasters. Finally, students will learn how governments and rescue and relief organizations deal in evacuating, mitigating and managing the communities stricken by a disaster. (Same as ENVR 4338 and GEOG 4338) (3-0) Y

EPPS 4386 Climate Change and Sustainable Solutions (3 semester credit hours) This course will address the issues related to climate change including the science, impacts, and technical and policy solutions to combat it in the near future. In the beginning of the course, students will examine and evaluate the evidence for human-caused climate change with relevant scientific evidence and uncertainties. They will then understand the impacts of climate change on the well-being of the residents in the urban and rural areas as well as the natural environment. Finally, they will be exposed to the various smart and sustainable solutions that are becoming available and policies that are being implemented at the state, federal, and international levels to adapt, combat, and mitigate the climate change impacts in the near future. (Same as ENVR 4386 and GISC 4386) (3-0) Y

EPPS 4V99 Senior Honors in Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (1-6 semester credit hours) For students conducting independent research for honors theses or projects. Credit/No Credit only. May be repeated for credit (6 semester credit hours maximum). Instructor consent required. ([1-6]-0) S