Global Engagement (GBL)

GBL 0301  Recitation  (3)  

The recitation course is structured as language and study skill support for academic courses in which the students are enrolled. This course is a structured, scheduled academic environment providing the opportunity for students to complete assignments and work closely with their language instructor.

GBL 0310  Language in Context  (3)  

Language in Context is an integrated-skills class that uses materials from literature, the internet, and articles on current issues for student reading, writing, presentation, vocabulary building, and discussion. Students will work with a variety of text types and activities that are similar to those used in university courses. In particular, students will be introduced to concepts in humanities and social sciences that may be new to them.

GBL 0315  Research Skills  (3)  

Research Skills is an advanced-level course to guide students in the process of conducting undergraduate research at an American university. Students will learn and practice a variety of research and research-writing skills, including citation, documentation, quoting, and paraphrasing, and summarization. Students will also learn why research is needed, the different types of research they might conduct, and why documentation is so vital.

GBL 0329  U.S. Culture  (3)  

US Culture offers students a means for analyzing and evaluating the complex social and moral issues that are specific to the landscape of the United States. As students examine their own cultures and compare them with others, culture shock and cultural conflict may be lessened and appreciation for cultural differences may be strengthened. Students will engage in interactive tasks, including researching and case analysis.

GBL 0337  Critical Thinking  (3)  

The purpose of this course is to develop the critical thinking skills needed to interpret and assess arguments and information. This course will highlight the language skills essential for critically analyzing and discussing the quality of the information and opinions presented in authentic texts and listening selections. The course will concentrate on detecting errors of reasoning in short and long passages, and evaluating evidence.

GBL 0411  Reading I  (4)  

The purpose of Reading I is to prepare students for the reading tasks they will face when taking academic classes. In this course students will learn and practice the skills necessary for comprehending academic texts. Readings of different types that cover different topics will be used to develop students’ reading comprehension, speed, and vocabulary, as well as writing, listening, and speaking skills.

GBL 0412  Writing I  (4)  

In this course students will learn and apply the writing skills essential for academic success including sentence, paragraph, and basic essay writing. This course is aimed at students planning to study, or are already studying, at university level in English. Course work will focus on planning and writing clear paragraphs and essays, as well as on improving sentence structure, vocabulary, and grammar in written work.

GBL 0413  Listening and Speaking I  (4)  

This course provides short and focused activities to help students improve their English listening and speaking skills. It includes practice in understanding main ideas and key words, phrases and specific sounds to assist students in developing better speaking and comprehension skills. Students will learn and use new vocabulary, pronunciation, and conversation skills while giving academic presentations as well as speaking in small groups.

GBL 0414  Grammar I  (4)  

Grammar I will focus on grammatical structures that enable students to better understand and use academic English. Students will learn and apply grammatical knowledge to express themselves confidently and appropriately in different academic situations, as well as social situations that they might experience while studying in the U.S. Students will learn and practice parts of speech, word forms, clauses, and sentence construction.

GBL 0421  Reading and Writing II  (4)  

In this course, students develop and apply the reading skills essential for academic learning and inquiry, in the context of authentic academic reading tasks. Students will work to build fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary skills through extensive and intensive reading tasks of increasing complexity. This course will serve as preparation for college composition course and any writing intensive courses.

GBL 0423  Listening and Speaking II  (4)  

In this course students will learn and apply the listening, note-taking, and presentation skills essential for academic learning, inquiry, and communication in the context of authentic academic listening and speaking tasks. Students will work to build fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary skills through extensive and intensive listening tasks of increasing complexity.

GBL 0424  Grammar II  (4)  

This course will focus on high-intermediate grammatical structures that enable students to better comprehend and use academic English. Students will learn to appreciate the relevance of acquiring and applying grammatical knowledge to express themselves confidently and appropriately in different academic situations, as well as social situations relevant to the American college context.

GBL 0431  Reading and Writing III  (4)  

Reading and Writing III is designed to help students read and write academic English and to facilitate development in these skills for success in future university studies. Students will be provided opportunities to analyze and express ideas in academic writings while reading and critiquing the work of others. Students will write essays to become familiar with aspects of conducting research and following APA and/or MLA guidelines.

GBL 0433  Listening and Speaking III  (4)  

In this course students will learn and apply listening, note-taking, and presentation skills essential for academic learning, inquiry, and discourse in the context of authentic academic listening and speaking tasks. Students will work to build fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary skills through extensive and intensive listening tasks of increasing complexity. Students will listen to academic lectures, presentations, and discussions.

GBL 1101  Developing Intercultural Competence  (1)  

This course is designed to help prepare students for study abroad or international Missions trips by developing knowledge of the destination to be visited along with cultural skills, attitudes and behaviors that will allow for more meaningful engagement while abroad.

GBL 1102  Intercultural Competence Abroad  (1)  

This course is designed to help you engage with your host culture while abroad, and at the same time learn more about yourself and your own cultural values.

GBL 1103  Reentry From Study Abroad  (1)  

This course is designed to help students with reentry into American culture and Baylor University specifically following study abroad or international mission experience. Students will identify and deepen cross-cultural learning gained through study abroad or missions, and apply that knowledge going forward.

GBL 1105  Developing Strategic Skills for Global Gateway Students  (1)  

Developing Strategic Skills for Global Gateway Students introduces new students in the Global Gateway Program to Baylor University, U.S. Higher Education, and study skills that will lead to academic and personal success.

GBL 1205  Transition to the U.S. University II  (2)  

Transition to the U.S. University System II focuses on the study and life skills necessary to be successful in an American university setting. This 2 credit course introduces IY2 GGP students to Baylor campus resources and norms.

GBL 1305  Transition to the U.S. University System for Global Gateway Students  (3)  

This course focuses on the study and life skills necessary for success in the American university setting, while also developing academic English language skills.

GBL 1311  Perspectives on Global Culture  (3)  

This class is about understanding the power of culture and its impact on communicating with others. This is an important part of being an effective professional in the modern world, and is also part of being a better human being. To hone one's cultural communication skills one must understand his or her own cultural worldview. For this reason, the class includes an ample amount of self-reflection, and requires learners to be open to understanding both themselves, as well as others, in new ways. This has the potential to be an enlightening experience – especially as students interact with, and learn from, students from other cultures.

GBL 3331  Introduction to Applied Data Analytics  (3)  

Teaches applied job skills in close connection to the concepts and theories that drive software development. Students will work on real-world cases featuring international organizations, then will learn to solve the problems from a technical approach. Topics include, applications of statistics, data visualization tools in Excel, linear regression, time-series, classification algorithms, and bias in data.

GBL 3332  Data Visualization with Tableau  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): GBL 3331  

This course, which is Part 2 of the Global Data Bootcamp, is designed to teach the skills, concepts, and theories relevant to data visualization and its applications. Students learn theoretical fundamentals and design principles of data-based visualizations, how to spot misleading and untruthful visualizations, and how to use Tableau, a leading data visualization software.

GBL 3335  Introduction to Responsive Web Design with HTML, CSS, and Bootstrap  (3)  

This course is designed to teach students first how to holistically understand the user experience in order to inform responsive web design. Then, students will learn HTML, CSS and application of frameworks to build both beautiful and effective websites.

GBL 3336  Web Development with JavaScript and APIs  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): GBL 3335  

This course is designed to teach students how to holistically understand the user experience in order to inform responsive web design. Students will learn HTML, CSS and application of frameworks to build both beautiful and effective websites. The course teaches students applied job skills in close connection to the concepts and theories that drive software development. Each module will focus on a primary theme.

GBL 3V98  Baylor Study Abroad  (9-18)  

Students planning to pursue a course of study outside the USA at an institution with a standing arrangement with BU will be enrolled in sections of GBL 3v98 for a combined total not to exceed 18 credit hours. This is a temporary course registration designation. Students will be dropped from GBL 3V98 once they conform their abroad enrollment at their host university.