COURSES INSTRUCTED

–Special Topic: The Death Penalty (Spring 2024) CJUS/POLS/SOC

This course examines the legal, social, historical, and political issues surrounding capital punishment by utilizing an interdisciplinary approach consisting of research, critical thinking, reading, class lectures, guest speakers, debate, and an educational outing to the South Dakota State Penitentiary. 

Guest Speaker of Note: Attorney Genera of South Dakota, Marty Jackley

Media Coverage: https://aberdeeninsider.com/jackley-discusses-death-penalty-with-northern-state-students/ 

 

-First Year Seminar: Major Clues: Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies and Problem Solving (Fall 2025)

This course will utilize the interdisciplinary method to examine ways in which scholars from various majors come together with the skills and methodologies of their individual fields to reach a common goal of understanding and solutions within in a collective of cohorts from differing fields of study.  Throughout the semester, we will be presented with various real-world problems and come together to solve them.  We will utilize an interdisciplinary approach consisting of research, critical thinking, reading, class lectures, guest speakers, writing, group presentations, and campus activity engagement outside of the classroom. 

Outing of Note: Class attendance at the Aberdeen City Council meeting Oct 6, 2024

 

-First Year Seminar: The In-(Sane) Crowd: Understanding Cults, Groupthink, and Mass Hysteria (Fall 2025)                                                                                                                                                                                                  Everyone wants to be liked and accepted, but to what lengths will we go to do so?  Young adults are at a point in their lives when developing a sense of identity and cultivating meaningful relationships with others is paramount.  Herein lies the danger of what begins as a desire to fulfill natural longings during a vulnerable period twist and spiral into sinister worlds of isolation, misinformation, mental deterioration, and often substance abuse and crime. “The In-(Sane) Crowd”is designed to enlighten first year students on understanding the nature of these phenomena, the purpose they serve, and how to avoid them or assist loved ones in doing so.  This course will examine these phenomena through an interdisciplinary approach including fields such as psychology, sociology, political science, religious studies, philosophy, and more.  Students will gain an understanding of who successfully preys upon the vulnerable among us in tandem with convincing the educated and autonomous and why.  

 

MEDIA COVERAGE:

Aberdeen Insider-SD State Attorney Marty Jackley Disccusses Death Penalty With Northern State Students

 

MISSION

Northern State University will provide diverse academic, civic, social and cultural opportunities that prepare students through the liberal arts, professional education and E-learning for their future endeavors, while also enriching the local and regional community.

 

VISION

Northern State University will be regionally recognized as a student-centered, diverse community dedicated to excellence in teaching and learning, creativity, and civic and global awareness.

 

VALUES

Northern State University’s students, faculty and staff are committed to the following values:

COMMUNITY

Building a culture of inclusion, belonging and collegiality that respects diversity in knowledge, culture and world view

DISCOVERY

Pursuing rigor and excellence in education, inquiry and engagement for the benefit of our students, state and region

INTEGRITY

Adhering to the highest standards of honesty, fairness and transparency with a commitment to responsible stewardship of resources

 

STRATEGIC PLAN

Institutional strategic priorities and actions will align with the university’s authorization, mission, vision and values, and the university will be regionally recognized for:

  • Distinctive Learning: experiential, innovative, interdisciplinary, relevant
  • Distinctive Culture: diverse, engaged, inclusive, welcoming
  • Distinctive Partnerships: collaborative, entrepreneurial, supportive, sustainable
  • Distinctive Leadership: accountable, ethical, responsive, transparent