Friday Morning Continuing Education Schedule

What the Heck Is an "Influencer?"

Have you wondered what a social media "influencer" is? What do they do? Why are their opinions important or even newsworthy? Influencers, or professional content creators who make their primary income from social media posting, are everywhere.

They started out in fashion, comedy, and gaming, but are quickly branching out to other genres, like travel and lifestyle, health and fitness, financial advice, cooking, travel, political commentators, realtors, and more! If you can think of a hobby, there are probably influencers in that space.

Come learn with Brandon Harris as he explains how this industry works, why brands and companies are willing to spend so much for sponsored content, and how this structures attention online and on social media. 

Presented by: Brandon Harris, Associate Professor of Communication at UHCL

On Stage With UHCL Storytellers

The UHCL Storytellers is a platform organization on campus that puts on in-house, Performance Studies-based productions. In this course, we will showcase a staged reading of the one act play, "Widow." 

Presented by: Andrea Baldwin, Senior Lecturer at UHCL

The Story Behind Black History Month

This presentation will explore how different philosophies and viewpoints emerged from the Civil Rights Movement for African Americans. The discussion will start with examples of leaders of social movements like Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and the Black Panthers. What sparked these social movements, and how did they influence each other? Come and join the discussion.

Presented by: Malcolm Jamal, Senior Academic Transfer Advisor

The Disease Concept of Addiction

The presentation discusses the genetic traits that are associated with the disease concept of addiction as a mental process. Discussion will be centralized to the behaviors that are associated with addiction that are fundamental to the diagnosis of Substance Use Disorder.

We will be examining the fundamental traits of anxiety, depression, illogical behavior, and the ability to indulge in self-harm. The topic will delineate between substance abuse and substance dependence. The goal of the topic will be to help those in attendance better diagnosis the addiction pattern of an individual and what level of treatment fits best practices.
 
Presented by: Gary Hilliard, Addiction and Substance Abuse Counselor

Locating Women in the Civil War Past

Warfare places a heavy burden on every member of society, even as traditional narratives focus on powerful and charismatic male leaders. How do historians locate and excavate the stories of women within those narratives? Together, we will explore the impact of curiosity on scholarship and take a glimpse into the stories of white women who never sought the spotlight but nonetheless made secession possible and maintained memories of the Confederacy in the years that followed. 

Presented by: Pearl Young, Assistant Professor of Liberal Arts at UHCL

Misconceptions About Crime and the Criminal Justice System

People often have misconceptions about crime and the criminal justice system. Are you one of these people? Let’s find out. In this course, we will explore the causes of crime, deterrence, punishment, and rehabilitation. This course seeks to debunk the most common misperceptions about crime and the criminal justice system.

Presented by: Kimberly Dodson, Professor and Criminology Program Director at UHCL

Human Impacts on the Amazon Rainforest

Upwards of 10% of all species on earth live only in the Amazon rainforest and 90% of the discoveries of new species occurs there. Yet the World Wildlife Fund estimates that 17% of the Amazon forests have been completely lost and another 17% are seriously degraded as the forces responsible continue to increase. Join us as we look at the history of increasing human populations in the Amazon rainforest and explore the factors contributing to our negative ecological impact. 

Presented by: Cindy Howard, Professor of Environmental Sciences at UHCL

The Future of Accessibility on UHCL's Campus

Join the Common Reader Program as we discuss this year's reader, "Disability Visibility," Alice Wong's edited collection of 37 disabled writers and advocates. We will outline the history of disability access in the Clear Lake area. Finally, we will explore what our campus community is doing to ensure our university is accessible to all. 

Presented by: Anne Gessler, Clinical Associate Professor of Liberal Arts at UHCL 

"Just Words: Rhetoric of Embattlement and Exhortation"

This interactive workshop engages participants in the foundations of activist rhetoric. Christal will guide us by tracing the evolution of this genre from 16th century military manuals through to 21st century social media. Participants will investigate discursive strategies used by embattled populations over the last 60 years, including sociopolitical manifestos of the 1960s and 70s, the riot grrl zine movement of the 1990s, and contemporary digital technologies.

Presented by: Christal Seahorn, Associate Professor of Communication & Studio Arts at UHCL

From the China Virus to Kung-Flu

This talk will explore the recent rise of Asian hate in the context of broader trends of xenophobia and a history of American othering.

Presented by: Stephen Cherry, Professor of Social & Cultural Sciences at UHCL

Blitzed - Secrets, Drugs, and the Soldiers Who Took Them

Let's join Bill as we learn the hidden secrets of drug usage and abuse in the US military during wartime, and other armed forces as well. What will your opinions be once you learn the facts? Come learn with us and be prepared to be astounded. You will be shocked!

Presented by: Bill Powers, Professor of Social & Cultural Sciences at UHCL

The Original Battleship Texas: Confluence of Technology and Tenacity

You may have visited the Battleship Texas at the San Jacinto Monument, but did you know that there was another Battleship Texas in the late 1800s? Yes! It was the nation's first battleship and it served in the Spanish American War. What was this ship's role in U.S history? Come and join as we learn about the ship's role in turn-of-the-century geopolitics and technology. You will be amazed! 

Presented by: Kevin Wooten, Professor of Management at UHCL