Course Descriptions

SOC 366 - Sociology of American Indians

• Identify the social institutions present in “Indian Country”.
• Outline the differences between the social institutions in “Indian Country” and the dominant society.
• Summarize the basis for sovereignty in “Indian Country.”
• Demonstrate knowledge of political, economic, family, religious and educational systems in tribal society.

SOC 367 - Sociology of Religion (Put on reserve 9/16/18)

SOC 369 - Mass Media and Society

SOC 370 - Social Change

SOC 371 - Globalization

• Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of globalization and its impact on social institutions, social structures, culture, and social relationships within and between different societies.
• Discuss globalization in its different dimensions: economic, political, cultural, and social.
• Compare and contrast different perspectives in the globalization debates.

SOC 375 - Sociology of Conflict

SOC 376 - Sociology of the Military and Veterans in U.S. Society

• Identify basic outlines of the historical development of the U.S. military; demonstrate an understanding of the organizational structures of the military, and the economic, social and cultural impacts of U.S. military institutions in society.
• Demonstrate knowledge of demographic and social structures of active duty military personnel; patterns of recruitment and participation, training and employment conditions, deployment; family and social structures.
• Demonstrate understanding of patterns and issues in transition of military personnel from active duty to civilian life; demonstrate knowledge about physical and mental health conditions, educational opportunities and labor force participation, housing, family life, community involvement (e.g. advocacy organizations).
• Demonstrate knowledge of resources for active duty military, military veterans, and service providers.
• Demonstrate an understanding of sociological aspects of active military duty: training for service, working conditions, culture and rules, ‘social relationships in the context of active duty,’ impact of active duty on relationships in the civilian world.

SOC 380 - Social Ecology

SOC 382 - Sociology of the Future

• Be introduced to and become familiar with current advances in the bio-medical and technological fields as well as the social and psychological consequences that these changes might bring.
• Be asked to familiarize themselves with the ethical issues.
• Gain knowledge of the relationship between technological change and social change as well as an understanding that a person can consciously shape the future.

SOC 386 - Seminar on Racism

SOC 396 - Individual Study

SOC 397 - Honors

SOC 398 - Special Topics

SOC 399 - Seminar

SOC 415 - Urban Sociology

SOC 425 - Sociology of Education

SOC 442 - Social Welfare Policy

• Demonstrate knowledge of historical and political processes in social welfare policy
• Develop critical thinking and writing skills, demonstrate knowledge of contemporary social welfare policy
• Demonstrate knowledge of a substantive social welfare program- i.e. Child welfare, Food assistance

SOC 445 - Social Inequality

SOC 446 - Sociology of Immigration

• Identify the various factors (economic, social, political) affecting immigration to America in the modern age (post-1965).
• Identify the unique factors that compelled varying ethnic/racial and religious groups to immigrate to America.
• Identify how the sociological perspective addresses the issue of immigration in modern America.

SOC 447 - White-collar and Organization Crime

• Identify and discuss repertoires of white-collar crime and demonstrate an understanding of their embeddedness in socioeconomic markets of exchange.
• Identify and discuss the organization’s embedded relationships with peers, their rivals, their suppliers, their customers or clients, their access to capital, securities markets, and production markets.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between principals and agents and the social functions of trust in socioeconomic exchange.
• Identify and discuss the social structural contingencies related to organizational cohesion or disintegration in political conspiracies.

SOC 449 - Contemporary Native American Cultures and Issues (Put on reserve 9/16/18)

• Identify how imposed contemporary reservation/reserve systems have impacted Native cultures in North America.
• Identify major US political and legal policies that define Native American “reserved rights”.
• Demonstrate a recognition of how non-native cultural values have influenced the various types of knowledge of contemporary American Indians
• Critically assess key issues influencing at least two of the following: Indian education, Native American health; contemporary resource management and economic development; religious freedom and contemporary practices; Pan-Indianism
• Research and critically assess the key issues influencing major contemporary issues facing a single Native American tribal group or confederated groups.

SOC 459 - Organizations

SOC 460 - Community Structure and Organization

SOC 489 - Senior Seminar

• Demonstrate clear communication strategies and techniques in oral and/or written form.
• Apply higher-order critical thinking and/or problem-solving skills.
• Reflect upon, integrate, and apply the knowledge and skills they gleaned from their undergraduate experience, including General Education.
• Synthesize and present a response, propose a solution/answer, or showcase their own creative work

SOC 490 - Cooperative Education

SOC 491 - Workshop

SOC 492 - Sociology Teaching Experience

SOC 494 - Research Practicum

• Identify the contribution that sociology makes to liberal education and a critical awareness of contemporary issues in sociology
• Apply sociological skill and knowledge through direct involvement as a research assistant
• Gain information about career opportunities, graduate study and the comprehensive examination in sociology
• Give the opportunity for faculty and students to explore intellectual issues of common concern through shared experience
• Learn about and demonstrate the ethical application of sociological knowledge
• Identify the interrelatedness of sociological theory, research, and applied practice
• Provide faculty and peer support for student presentations at professional and student conferences

SOC 495 - Sociological Research

• Describe and assess various teaching styles.
• Identify and describe effective teaching practices.
• Assess the use of instructional objectives in course planning and classroom research.
• Identify the basic assumptions that affect teaching in a United States classroom.
• Assess the potential difficulties in various teaching styles and develop strategies to compensate for problems.
• Analyze the ethical dilemmas of instructional communication and identify implications for practice.

SOC 496 - Individual Study

SOC 497 - Honors Thesis

SOC 498 - Special Topics

SOC 499 - Seminar

SPAN 151 - First-year Spanish

• Describe everyday topics in the present, past and future indicative, orally and in writing
• Use elementary vocabulary and grammar appropriately, orally and in writing
• Recognize appropriate use of vocabulary and grammar in oral and written input
• Identify cultural practices of Spain and Latin America

SPAN 152 - First-year Spanish

• Describe everyday topics in the present, past and future indicative, orally and in writing
• Use elementary vocabulary and grammar appropriately, orally and in writing
• Distinguish appropriate use of present indicative and subjunctive moods
• Recognize appropriate use of vocabulary and grammar in oral and written input
• Identify cultural practices of Spain and Latin America

SPAN 153 - First-year Spanish

• Describe everyday topics in the present, past and future indicative, orally and in writing
• Use elementary vocabulary and grammar appropriately, orally and in writing
• Distinguish appropriate use of present indicative and subjunctive moods
• Recognize appropriate use of vocabulary and grammar in oral and written input
• Identify cultural practices of Spain and Latin America

SPAN 160 - Spanish Current Events

• Relate a basic outline of Spain’s recent history including the authoritarian antecedents of the democratic system and Spain’s political transition to a constitutional Monarchy.
• Describe the structure of the Spanish political system and identify salient features of government institutions such as the Congress of Deputies, the Senate, and the Constitutional Court.
• Describe salient features of contemporary Spanish cultural politics including regionalism, migration, politics of the family, women’s and LGBTQ movements, politics of memory, and debates surrounding the European Union.
• Apply knowledge of Spain’s recent history, current political system, and contemporary cultural politics in order to contextualize readings in contemporary Spanish news media.
• Compare and contrast Spanish news media, in the context of recent history and current events, to US new media. 

SPAN 181 - Intensive Review of First-year Spanish (Put on Reserve 9/16/16.)

• Demonstrate novice-high/intermediate-low level competence as defined by the ACTFUL proficiency guidelines in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
• Handle successfully limited interactive and social situations, can ask and answer questions, initiate and respond to simple statements and maintain face-to-face communications although highly restricted and with much linguistic inaccuracy.
• Express basic personal background and needs, such as introductions, ordering a meal, asking directions, and making purchases.
• Comfortable manipulating past, present and future tenses, and most grammar presented in the course.
• Understand and produce main ideas and some facts in linguistically noncomplex texts.

SPAN 251 - Second-year Spanish

• Examine and discuss a variety of common topics likely to be encountered in the target language culture
• Use intermediate vocabulary and grammar appropriately, orally and in writing
• Analyze and interpret simple oral and written texts in Spanish
• Recognize appropriate use of vocabulary and grammar in oral and written input
• Identify cultural practices of Spain and Latin America
• Demonstrate appropriate use of past, present and future indicative mood

SPAN 252 - Second-year Spanish

• Examine and discuss a variety of common topics likely to be encountered in the target language culture
• Use intermediate vocabulary and grammar appropriately, orally and in writing
• Analyze and interpret simple oral and written texts in Spanish
• Recognize appropriate use of vocabulary and grammar in oral and written input
• Identify cultural practices of Spain and Latin America
• Distinguish appropriate use of present indicative and subjunctive moods

SPAN 253 - Second-year Spanish

• Examine and discuss a variety of common topics likely to be encountered in the target language culture
• Use intermediate vocabulary and grammar appropriately, orally and in writing
• Analyze and interpret simple oral and written texts in Spanish
• Recognize appropriate use of vocabulary and grammar in oral and written input
• Identify cultural practices of Spain and Latin America
• Distinguish appropriate use of present indicative and subjunctive moods

SPAN 261 - Spanish for Heritage Speakers I

• Identify the major parts of speech using appropriate Spanish grammar terminology in various sentence structures.
• Read, summarize, answer questions about, and respond to written texts from a variety of sources.
• Demonstrate knowledge of new vocabulary dealing with everyday topics.
• Write short essays using standard academic Spanish.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the geography and principal cultural aspects of Mexico.

SPAN 262 - Spanish for Heritage Speakers II

• Identify the major parts of speech using appropriate Spanish grammar terminology in various sentence structures.
• Read, summarize, answer questions about, and respond to written texts from a variety of sources.
• Demonstrate knowledge of new vocabulary dealing with everyday topics.
• Write short essays using standard academic Spanish.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the geography and principal cultural aspects of Central and South America.

SPAN 263 - Spanish for Heritage Speakers III

• Identify the major parts of speech using appropriate Spanish grammar terminology in various sentence structures.
• Read, summarize, answer questions about, and respond to written texts from a variety of sources.
• Demonstrate knowledge of new vocabulary dealing with everyday topics.
• Write short essays using standard academic Spanish.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the geography and principal cultural aspects of Spain.
• Distinguish a variety of registers in both written and spoken Spanish.

SPAN 298 - Special Topics

SPAN 299 - Seminar

SPAN 301 - Introduction to Spanish and Latin American Literature

• Analyze literary movements, genres and authors
• Apply principles of literary criticism and theory to the study of literary texts
• Develop personal interpretations of literary texts
• Synthesize research findings in a literary area
• Develop original work of creative writing

SPAN 310 - Hispanic Civilizations and Cultures

• Analyze historical processes and cultural artifacts from Spain
• Analyze historical processes and cultural artifacts from Latin America
• Develop a personal point of view on issues affecting Spain and Latin America
• Develop analytical skills to interpret cultural and historical data
• Summarize the history and culture of a Spanish-speaking country

SPAN 341 - Spanish Composition and Grammar I

• Compose multi-draft compositions.
• Critique self- and peer-generated writing samples.
• Analyze and use appropriately advanced grammar and vocabulary.
• Recognize and respond to coded corrective feedback.
• Use different rhetorical devices.
• Distinguish linguistic, literary, and/or cultural features of Spanish speaking countries being discussed.

SPAN 342 - Spanish Composition and Grammar II

• Compose multi-draft compositions at a more complex level than those done in 341.
• Critique self- and peer-generated writing samples.
• Analyze and use appropriately advanced grammar and vocabulary.
• Recognize and respond to coded corrective feedback.
• Use different rhetorical devices.
• Distinguish linguistic, literary, and/or cultural features of Spanish speaking countries being discussed.

SPAN 343 - Spanish Conversation

• Create and organize individual oral presentations
• Comprehend and formulate a response to impromptu topics
• Employ appropriate communicative strategies in peer conversations and in oral presentations to the class
• Recognize and produce prescriptive grammar and vocabulary in peer conversations and in oral presentations to the class
• Elaborate on a vocabulary list on specific topics

SPAN 345 - Composition and Grammar for Heritage Speakers I

• Apply rules of standard Spanish orthography and accentuation.
• Write compositions in Spanish in formal, academic style with appropriate rhetorical organization, grammar, vocabulary, and format.
• Identify parts of speech and metalinguistic terminology in Spanish.
• Recognize and respond to coded corrective feedback.
• Express opinions and defend positions using context-appropriate register, both orally and in writing.
• Identify non-standard Spanish vocabulary and grammar usage and provide standard equivalents.
• Identify and/or explain the significant historical and cultural events/artifacts of the Spanish speaking countries under study.

SPAN 346 - Composition and Grammar for Heritage Speakers II

• Expand application of rules of standard Spanish orthography and accentuation.
• Write compositions in Spanish in formal, academic style with appropriate rhetorical organization, grammar, vocabulary, and format. Essays will expand in length and complexity from 345.
• Identify parts of speech and metalinguistic terminology in Spanish.
• Recognize and respond to coded corrective feedback.
• Express opinions and defend positions using context-appropriate register, both orally and in writing.
• Identify non-standard Spanish vocabulary and grammar usage and to provide standard equivalents.
• Identify and/or explain the significant historical and cultural events/artifacts of the Spanish speaking countries under study.

SPAN 351 - The Camino de Santiago

• Demonstrate knowledge of lectures and selected readings in Spanish culture and history, from pre-Roman times to the present
• Demonstrate high-intermediate/low-advanced conversational proficiency in Spanish used for travel on the Camino de Santiago
• Demonstrate knowledge of logistics on the Camino de Santiago

SPAN 352 - Spanish Boot Camp: A Language Immersion Course on the Camino de Santiago

• Demonstrate high-intermediate to low-advanced proficiency in Spanish conversation
• Demonstrate high-intermediate to low-advanced proficiency in Spanish writing
• Synthesize concepts from SPAN 351 (The Camino de Santiago) and new concepts introduced during the Camino pilgrimage
• Express through photography the student’s personal journey on the Camino

SPAN 380 - Contemporary Hispanic Literature and Cultures (Put on reserve 9/16/18)

• Read and understand literary texts in a variety of genres
• Interpret literary texts in light of critical theory
• Develop personal interpretations of literary texts
• Synthesize research findings in a literary area
• Examine the body of work of an author

SPAN 381 - Hispanic and U.S. Latino Literatures and Cultures

• Analyze literary movements, genres, and authors
• Apply analytical methods for writing essays on literature and/or authors
• Synthesize research findings in a literary area
• Examine Latino Literature and Cultures

SPAN 385 - Spanish Phonetics

• Describe the sounds of Spanish with appropriate phonological terminology.
• Transcribe Spanish phonetically.
• Produce standard Latin American Spanish pronunciation (Non-native/Non-Heritage speakers).
• Evaluate non-native Spanish pronunciation of L-2 learners (Native/Heritage speakers).
• Provide phonetic symbols that correspond to specific sound sequences and spelling conventions and vice versa.
• Identify types of words based on rules of accentuation, provide missing written accent marks, and identify stressed syllables.
• Distinguish the major dialects of Spanish and describe how they differ from standard Latin American Spanish.

SPAN 396 - Individual Study

SPAN 397 - Honors

SPAN 398 - Special Topics

SPAN 399 - Seminar

SPAN 432 - Advanced Spanish Composition and Grammar

• Compose advanced, multi-draft compositions.
• Critique self- and peer-generated writing samples.
• Analyze and use more advanced grammar and vocabulary.
• Recognize and respond to coded corrective feedback.
• Apply specific writing strategies, techniques, and rhetorical devices.
• Distinguish linguistic, literary, and/or cultural features of Spanish speaking countries being discussed.
• Articulate metalinguistic concepts and terminology.
• Conduct a contrastive analysis between English and Spanish.

SPAN 442 - Spanish Translation and Interpretation

• Analyze and contrast the theories of translation and interpretation
• Apply specialized vocabulary in translation and interpretation of texts
• Articulate semantic and syntactic issues in translating and interpreting English and Spanish
• Perform interpretation in professional settings

SPAN 443 - Advanced Spanish Translation

• Analyze advanced theory of translation and interpretation
• Apply appropriate specialized vocabulary in translation and interpretation of texts
• Articulate semantic and syntactic issues in translating and interpreting English and Spanish
• Create a business plan for a translation/interpretation agency in both English and Spanish
• Create a business plan for a retail company to be advertised in both English and Spanish

SPAN 445 - Spanish Medieval Literature

• Examine medieval Spanish literary movements, genres and authors
• Apply analytical methods for writing essays on Spanish medieval literature and/or authors
• Synthesize research findings in Spanish medieval literature
• Examine the thematic continuity between Spanish Medieval Literature and modern literature
• Analyze the themes of love and other dominant themes in Spanish Medieval literature in their historical, political and social contexts

SPAN 446 - Hispanic Cinema

• Explain basic filmmaking theory
• Identify the themes, symbols and metaphors posed in Spanish, Latin American and US Latino films 
• Analyze plot, characters, sequence of film narratives of films viewed in the course
• Interpret films viewed in class, including technical features, screen writing, themes, and characterization
• Synthesize research findings on how films from Spain and countries in Latin America, or from the US Latino culture, can communicate effectively across cultural, linguistic, and political systems

SPAN 447 - Framing Latin American Cinema

• Explain basic filmmaking theory
• Identify the themes, symbols and metaphors posed in Latin American films
• Analyze plot, characters, sequence of film narratives of films viewed in the course
• Interpret films viewed in class, including technical features, screen writing, themes, and characterization
• Synthesize research findings on how films from Latin American countries can communicate effectively across cultural, linguistic, and political systems

SPAN 448 - Framing South American Cinema (Put on reserve 9/16/17)

• Explain basic filmmaking theory
• Identify the themes, symbols and metaphors posed in South American filmmaking
• Analyze plot, characters, sequence of film narratives of films viewed in the course
• Interpret films viewed in class, including technical features, screen writing, themes, and characterization
• Synthesize research findings on how films from South America can communicate effectively across cultural, linguistic, and political systems

SPAN 449 - Spanish Golden Age Literature

• Outline key moments in 16th- and 17th-Spanish history
• Interpret literary texts in light of historical data and literary theory
• Develop personal interpretations of literary texts
• Synthesize research findings in Spanish Golden Age literature
• Analyze a person or event of historical or cultural import from the Spanish Golden Age

SPAN 454 - Medical and Legal Spanish for Translators and Interpreters

• Recognize English vocabulary for common medical conditions and common issues in law.
• Define and correlate medical and legal terminology in both English and Spanish.
• Apply appropriate English and Spanish vocabulary for diagnosing physical conditions and justify language application.
• Apply appropriate English and Spanish vocabulary for use in legal cases and justify language application.
• Evaluate the ethical issues  pertaining to medical and legal interpretation.

SPAN 456 - The Spanish and Latin American Short Story

• Differentiate between and apply literary terms and concepts
• Analyze the literary movements and aesthetics of Hispanic prose fiction
• Appraise critically important short stories authors from Spain and Latin America
• Apply analytical methods for writing essays on the short story
• Synthesize research findings on a specific topic and or author

SPAN 457 - Latin American Theater (Put on reserve 9/16/2014.)

• Demonstrate knowledge of literary movements, genres, and authors in Latin American theater.
• Develop analytical methods for writing essays on literature and/or authors in Latin American theater.
• Conduct research on a specific topic in Latin American theater.

SPAN 459 - Latin American Poetry (Put on reserve 9/16/17)

• Differentiate between and apply literary terms and concepts
• Analyze the literary movements and aesthetics of Latin American Poetry
• Appraise critically important poetry and poets from Latin America
• Apply analytical methods for writing essays on poetry
• Synthesize research findings on a specific topic and or poet

SPAN 466 - Spanish Poetry

Study of poetic theories and the main developments in the poetry of Spain. Course will not have an established scheduling pattern.

Prerequisites:
Prerequisite: SPAN 301 or by permission of instructor.

Credits: (5)

Learner Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Differentiate between and apply literary terms and concepts
• Analyze the literary movements and aesthetics of Spanish Poetry
• Appraise critically important poetry and poets from Spain
• Apply analytical methods for writing essays on poetry
• Synthesize research findings on a specific topic and or poet

SPAN 467 - Spanish and Latin American Literature and Film

• Demonstrate ability to comprehend and interpret works in various literary genre in the Spanish language
• Demonstrate ability to comprehend and interpret films in the Spanish language
• Demonstrate ability to synthesize concepts from various works in literature and film in the Spanish language

SPAN 491 - Workshop

SPAN 492 - Practicum in Spanish Translation and Interpretation

• Report and analyze translation/and or interpretation experience during practicum.
• Generate an experience-based diary in both English and Spanish.
• Create a vocabulary handbook organized by theme.
• Write a paper in both English and Spanish on the experience of the practicum.

SPAN 496 - Individual Study

SPAN 497 - Honors

SPAN 498 - Special Topics

SPAN 499 - Seminar

SPM 101 - Contemporary Sport Management

• Explain the differences between the various functional areas of sport management.
• Describe the organizational and managerial foundations of sport management.
• Identify and explain the historical, sociological, cultural, and psychological foundations of sport management.
• Identify and evaluate current trends and issues in sport management.
• Explain the relevance of ethical and legal concepts to the management of sport.
• Demonstrate an understanding of theories of management, leadership, and organizational behavior and how these theories are applied in sport enterprises.

SPM 298 - Special Topics

SPM 299 - Seminar

SPM 315 - Legal Liability and Risk Management in Sport

• Discuss sports torts in relation to waivers, statutes of limitations, intentional torts, and products liability.
• Apply various aspects of law to the concept of risk management within a sport or recreation setting.
• Describe and apply Title IX legislation as it relates to decision making in sport organizations.
• Explain the effects the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the ADA has had on sport.
• Demonstrate the ability to utilize the library and electronic resources to research sport law cases and legal principles.
• Demonstrate the ability to develop a risk-management plan for a sport or recreation organization.

SPM 355 - Public Relations and Promotions in Sport

• Demonstrate usage of terminology and theory related to public relations and promotions in the sport industry.
• Explain sport promotion theory and how it can be used in the sport industry to meet the wants and needs of the sport consumer.
• Recognize and design sport promotion research tools.
• Develop effective sport promotion plans based on data-driven decision making and time-tested public relations and promotions principles.
• Analyze case studies in sport to recognize sound public relations decisions, and to articulate sport promotion solutions for various constituents.
• Synthesize course material into a public relations and promotion plan for a sport organization.

SPM 365 - Sports Facilities and Events Management

• Describe and explain the organizational designs and operational structures within different types of businesses in the sport industry.
• Describe and explain the planning and development processes of sport facility design.
• Demonstrate the knowledge necessary to successfully develop, plan, and implement a sporting event.
• Determine policies and practices for maintenance, use, and scheduling within sport facilities.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the issues associated with the management of personnel in a sport venue.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of risk management, and the significance of legal issues in the area of sport facility management.

SPM 396 - Individual Study

SPM 397 - Honors

SPM 398 - Special Topics

SPM 399 - Seminar

SPM 465 - Global Perspectives in Sport

• Explain the history and cultural significance of international sport.
• Explain how global politics impact international sport.
• Describe sporting cultures in societies outside the United States.
• Outline the various models of sport organization and governance internationally.
• Analyze the role of the media in international sport.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the role of sport in economic development.

SPM 490 - Sport Management Internship

SPM 492 - Practicum in Sport Management

• Demonstrate a growing awareness of professional responsibilities associated with various areas of sport management.
• Observe and/or apply theory and principles to work situations.
• Demonstrate professional behavior appropriate to the situation.
• Demonstrate interpersonal and professional communication skills.
• Demonstrate initiative, creativity, and ability to assume a degree of professional responsibility.
• Reflect on various ethical decision making skills in the Sport Marketing and Management field.

SPM 496 - Individual Study

SPM 497 - Honors

SPM 498 - Special Topics

SPM 499 - Seminar

STP 201 - Inquiry Approaches to Teaching

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Use exemplary sources of inquiry-based instructional models to adapt and teach engaging STEM lessons to elementary students.
• Write performance objectives and assessments aligned with state and national standards.
• Design questions to determine students’ acquisition of knowledge.
• Research, observe, and critique strategies and assets for achieving instructional equity.
• Based on effective research on daily procedures and behavioral expectations or guidelines, describe professional teaching/management practices (safe classroom, mutual respect, professional conduct and appearance, effective use of technology, etc).
• Based on professional research, identify and describe qualities of effective teachers and personal management style, (e.g., authoritarian, interacting, democratic, etc.)
• Describe the range of learner characteristics that are significant for instructional decisions (e.g. edTPA Task 1 Part A).
• Reflect on professional research on policies for K-12 laws and court decisions regarding state and federal funding, agencies, constitution, and governmental structures.