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2024-25 Academic Catalog

LACC Course Descriptions

Table of Contents

LACC 105 Writing Excellence

1 credit hour

This course is an adult-centered course designed to equip students with the skills to captivate, educate, and persuade their readers -- whether writing a business proposal, an academic essay, an email, a blog, or a social media post. Students will ponder together the importance of purpose, audience, and writerly self-awareness, and discuss what’s new in the ever-changing world of proper grammar and internet etiquette.

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LACC 160 Hiking for Health

2 credit hours

This course is intended to provide students with skills to enjoy safe and holistically beneficial hiking experiences. The course will include completing several hikes as well as engaging in personal reflections on the many health benefits of hiking. Specific skills learned in this course will include planning and preparing for a hike, navigation, and using the outdoors responsibly and courteously. (Note: This course is fully online; hikes will take place in student-selected locations. If there is enough Portland metropolitan area interest from students, optional in-person class hikes may be offered.)

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LACC 161 Walking for Fitness

1 credit hour

This course will introduce walking as an excellent fitness activity for people of all ages. Students will participate in various walking activities and learn about the health benefits of walking on a regular basis.

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LACC 162 Lifetime Fitness

3 credit hours

The course focuses on physical activity and the development and maintenance of good health. The goal of health and human performance is to develop physically educated individuals who have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of healthful physical activity.

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LACC 178 Ecology of the Pacific Northwest

3 credit hours

This course examines the ecology, geology, and climate of the Pacific Northwest from the perspective of the Native American groups that first lived here. The class includes the biology of the major organisms that live in this area, the geology that underlies the various habitats of Oregon and Washington, and the culture of respect for and love of the land that the Native American groups shared. This class will allow students to get outside and explore, while still being a completely virtual class.

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LACC 201 Writing for Adults I

3 credit hours

An adult-focused course designed to build on student writing and research skills such as composition techniques, critical reading and thinking skills, grammar and editing, and basic research skills, and offer an introduction to APA formatting and citation.

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LACC 202 College & Professional Writing

3 credit hours

This course builds on student understanding of basic mechanics, sentence construction, intermediate composition, elements of prose, and research skills. Students will practice effective processes and techniques for producing efficient, effective writing, including focused consideration of purpose, audience, and appropriate formatting and citation.

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LACC 207 Faith & Worldview

3 credit hours

In this course, students will investigate concepts of worldview as it relates to personal identity, cultural assumptions, interpersonal communication, individual decision-making, and faith. Students will explore the roots of the Christian faith and the influence of Christianity on society, seeking to construct a personal worldview that informs their understanding of the meaning of life.

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LACC 208 Intercultural Communication

3 credit hours

This course provides an introduction to the varied worldviews, patterns of perception, and intercultural complexities that impact effective communication within and across cultures. Students will assess and apply intercultural communication theories as they explore the following topics: the nature of culture and cultural definitions; privilege, power, and oppression in historical and contemporary U.S. society; globalization, transnational conflict, and modern technological influences; representation of cultures and identities in popular media; and the relationship between language, power, and culture.

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LACC 210 Conflict Resolution Strategies

3 credit hours

In this course, students will be introduced to the history and evolution of conflict resolution as well as basic concepts and methods required to work through the process. Students will explore the importance of communication in a conflict resolution environment and build strategies for their own personal use.

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LACC 211 The Art of Persuasion

3 credit hours

In this course, students will explore the art of effective persuasion both in the workplace and in everyday living. Students will consider historical definitions of persuasion, examples of persuasive speech and writing, and the impact of 21st-century communication mediums such as social media and internet news sources. Students will articulate individual needs for effective tools for persuasion, weighing the impact of purpose, audience, worldview, and medium.

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LACC 212 The Art of Storytelling

3 credit hours

This course will consider general elements of effective storytelling (voice, character, setting, theme); examine the components of plot (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, denouement); and discuss 21st-century storytelling genres (fiction, poetry, drama, film, memoir). Students will engage in peer workshops as they practice varied genres and complete a final project in a genre and medium of their choosing.

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LACC 218 World Literature

3 credit hours

This course offers a selected study of literary masterpieces that reflect varying aspects of human identity throughout history. Students will study poetry, drama, and fiction in their historical and cultural contexts, analyzing the relationship of literature to social change and stability. The course is designed to offer students multiple perspectives of the people and cultures who share our globe.

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LACC 219 Grant Writing

3 credit hours

In this introductory grant writing course, students will examine the role of foundations, learn how to identify sources of funding, and write grant proposals for nonprofit organizations. A focus is on the grant proposal writing process and the elements of a comprehensive narrative, including program description with goals and “SMART” outcomes. Students will produce a base or “master” grant proposal for a nonprofit, as well as a “letter of inquiry.” This is a writing intensive course. Prerequisite: LACC 202 Writing for Adults II.

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LACC 220 Religion and American Popular Culture

3 credit hours

This course will study the mutual influence and interaction of religion and American popular culture, focusing on themes in entertainment media, the internet, politics, sports, education, church, and civil religion. It gives attention to the ability to compare and contrast biblical Christianity with cultural expressions of religion.

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LACC 221 U.S. History

3 credit hours

This course examines key developments in the history of the United States. Students will consider selected events, trends, and personalities in politics, religion, popular culture, and technology, and their influence on the shape of society today.

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LACC 222 Writings of C.S. Lewis

3 credit hours

Once a self-described atheist scholar, C. S. Lewis has become one of the most widely read Christian apologists of all time. Best known for The Chronicles of Narnia and Mere Christianity, Lewis wrote more than 70 books in the mid-20th century. In this course, students will read a sampling of his nonfiction and his fiction as they explore the broader societal contexts and implications for Lewis' life and far-reaching influence.

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LACC 223 Social and Cultural Diversity

3 credit hours

This course is designed to encourage students to develop multicultural awareness and competencies for working with people of diverse groups in society.

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LACC 224 Narratives of the Old Testament

3 credit hours

This course examines how the identity of Israel was shaped by particular narratives in the Old Testament. Students will discover the influence of the social, cultural, historical, and religious context on the narratives. Students will learn how the narratives convey theological concepts and explore personal application of those concepts.

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LACC 226 Jesus & Leadership

3 credit hours

This course will consider leadership through a New Testament lens, exploring the example Jesus provided in his years of ministry as presented in the Gospels. Students will examine Jesus' unwavering IQ (intelligence quotient), EQ (emotional quotient), and AQ (audience quotient), drawing connections between Jesus' example found in the Gospels and current popular theories of effective business leadership.

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LACC 230 World of Art

3 credit hours

This course provides an introduction to the materials, techniques, and theories of art, including painting, drawing, sculpture, and what is considered fine art in general. Through aesthetic, historical, and critical analysis, students will broaden their understanding and experience of art and its role in society.

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LACC 231 Music Appreciation

3 credit hours

This course acquaints the students with a broad range of musical styles reflecting diverse cultures, including classical, jazz, and popular music. Various composers, performers, and their music are listened to and studied.

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LACC 233 Mission & Calling

3 credit hours

In this course, students will discuss personal mission, individual calling, and the danger of mission drift at both a personal and corporate level. In considering the groundwork that undergirds a clear sense of mission, students will explore what it means to live lives that are self-aware and intentional, identifying the impact of moral systems, ethical codes, values, beliefs, and biases on both individual decision-making and cultural assumptions.

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LACC 234 Introduction to Chaplaincy

3 credit hours

This course introduces students to what chaplaincy is and is not, the various organizations that utilize chaplains, and how chaplains of different worldviews interact with those who call on them. Students will be introduced to concepts and techniques that successful chaplains use as providers, facilitators, caregivers, and advisors.

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LACC 236 Grief & Loss

3 credit hours

This course will examine the physical, psychological, spiritual, and cultural impacts of grief and loss as a human experience. Throughout the course, students will discuss a holistic approach to understanding the many aspects of grief, loss, bereavement, and healing. Students will also explore strategies and skills to respond to grief and loss.

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LACC 237 Spiritual Formation & Discipleship

3 credit hours

In this course, students will explore the orthodoxy (right thinking), orthopraxy (right behaviors), and orthopathy (right feelings) of spiritual formation, asking such essential questions as, “Who am I?”, “How do I view God?”, and “How does my faith impact how I engage with those around me?” As students consider effective ways to articulate and communicate a deepening relationship with God, they will also explore specific spiritual practices and the art of discipling others within a faith community.

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LACC 240 Technology & Media

3 credit hours

The 21st-century digital age has introduced an exponential number of online tools that make electronic social and professional interaction possible. Through readings, videos, case presentations, and engagement with digital media, this interactive course provides an opportunity to explore how the digital age is changing the way individuals think, interact, and engage.

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LACC 241 Personality Theory in Everyday Life

3 credit hours

This course is a study of major theories of personality, including Freudian, Neo-Freudian, behaviorist, trait, and humanistic theories. An experimental dynamic will involve synthesis of important elements of theory, faith, and personal thought processes and behaviors.

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LACC 242 Foundations of Psychology

3 credit hours

This course explores the study of human behavior through a scientific and sociocultural lens, including an introduction to the history and major theories of psychology, disciplines in the field of psychology, biological bases of behavior, scientific method, sensation, perception, learning, memory, emotion, and motivation. Students will also consider gender, culture, and ethnicity as related to human behavior, perceptions, and emotions.

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LACC 243 Foundations of Sociology

3 credit hours

This course introduces the field of sociology, including an examination of how social interactions and groups comprise the social landscape. While developing a sociological imagination, students will consider how society functions and their role in it.

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LACC 246 Mentoring in the Workplace & Community

3 credit hours

This course is designed to provide participants with an opportunity to investigate the mentoring process and its application in professional and personal settings. Participants will explore mentor qualities, relationships, skills, and best practices for those who mentor others. There will be a specific emphasis on mentoring in the workplace, as well as mentoring in avocational settings. Students will discuss, demonstrate, and apply techniques and strategies that develop their mentoring skills.

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LACC 247 Innovation & Social Impact

3 credit hours

In this course, students will be introduced to innovative business solutions whose primary goal is creating a better society and healthier environment. Using case studies, students will analyze and evaluate specific successful business models of social enterprise that made positive changes; then they will apply the same principles to current social issues. Further, they will explore how a mission and careful planning approach produce sustainable business operations that design and deliver value to society and the environment.

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LACC 250 Health & Stress Management

3 credit hours

This course incorporates a theoretical and experiential exploration of the causes and effects of stress physiologically and psychologically. Students will be introduced to physical, mental, and spiritual techniques to understand and reduce stress and increase relaxation.

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LACC 251 Social & Ethical Psychology

3 credit hours

This course will introduce students to the concepts that can affect social situations and events in their everyday lives. Students will explore the impact of culture, perceptions, prejudices, stereotypes, and attitudes on social awareness and interpersonal relations. This course will engage students in ethical decision-making processes as they relate to modern and historical approaches to social psychology.

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LACC 252 Culture, Kin, & Community

3 credit hours

This course provides a general introduction of culture through anthropology, with a focus on kinship and community structure. We will explore the way anthropology has offered a coherent system for understanding broader social connections. Because family, kin, and community are rapidly changing units in contemporary culture, we will study historical and current perspectives. We will consider both the western and global contexts and look at their emerging forms.

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LACC 260 Contemporary Healthcare

3 credit hours

A study of our nation’s current health problems and concerns. Emphasis on health consumerism and current trends, diseases, the sanctity of life, and fitness. The goal is to develop an educated view on current health issues.

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LACC 261 Nutrition for Health & Wellness

3 credit hours

This course introduces students to the basic concepts of nutrition and its role in health, wellness, and prevention of chronic disease. Topics covered include nutrients (macronutrients and micronutrients), nutritional needs across the lifespan, weight management, fad diets, nutrition for exercise and sport, food safety, and food security. Further, this course will provide students with important information and tools in making personal dietary decisions.

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LACC 262 Yoga

3 credit hours

Students will develop a foundation for using yoga to enhance their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being throughout the lifespan. While exploring the basics of yoga practice, history, and philosophy, students will also study modern scientific research on the practice, and how to integrate yoga into their own worldview and spirituality. Special emphasis will be given to understanding how yoga can be integrated into Christian theology, prayer, and contemplative practices.

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LACC 270 Foundations of Math

3 credit hours

This course will focus on problem solving using the mathematics of finance, probability, and statistics. From simple and compound interest models to amortized loans, students will calculate and solve for relevant variables, then create spreadsheets to assist them in the empirical problem solving necessary for budgeting and comparative financial applications.

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LACC 274 Earth Science

3 credit hours

This course provides an introductory survey of physical geology, historical geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy. Students will examine various landforms and earth processes, and may engage with special topics and fieldwork as they consider cycles related to the earth’s form and function.

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LACC 285 Selected Topics

3 credit hours

A scheduled class with topics chosen to meet the special needs and interests of students, faculty, or visiting professors.

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LACC 295 Individualized Study

1-3 credit hour

Individualized study or supervised research in an area of special interest to the student which is outside the regular offerings of the major.

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