SOCIAL SCIENCES

ANTHRO. 1

Introduction to Anthropology

The history of the discipline from the mid-19th century -- its branches, schools, and key concepts; the relevance of the theory of humanoid evolution; fieldwork and ethnographic methodology.

ANTHRO. 2

Cultural Anthropology

Cultural anthropology is the study of cultural diversity in the world. The course describes the methods and approaches to research that both tie and distinguish cultural anthropology from other sub-fields in the discipline. It focuses on the major research form of cultural anthropology -- ethnography, investigating appropriate methodologies and research. The course concludes by reviewing the anthropology of religion, art, and cultural change.

ECON. 1

Introduction to Economy

The class provides an introduction to the principles of micro- and macro-economics. The objective is to provide a general introduction and foundation for the more advanced and specialised economics courses. It is also aimed at equipping students with a knowledge and understanding of basic economic theory.

ECON. 2

Intermediate Economics

The course is devoted to an exposition of the main principles of micro- and macroeconomics, developing on the theoretical foundations established in Introduction to Economics. While the emphasis is on abstract theory, the course also explores the link between theory and practical problems.

ED. 1

Teaching Principles and Methods

The role of the primary and secondary teacher is examined in the context of salient theories in psychology and sociology, and their instructional implications are applied to the classroom setting. Topics include reinforcement theory, elementary Piagetian theory, Maslow's needs hierarchy, transfer, concept formation, and the role of experience, testing, and evaluation. Theory and application are clearly distinguished on the basis of cultural differences and material constraints in the developing world.

POL. ST. 1

Introduction to Politics

The course introduces students to the major aspects of politics: the study and context of politics; links between government and citizenry; policy making and implementation; and sub national and supranational politics. Key topics include models, system dynamics, ideology, political socialisation, representation, political parties, executives, assemblies, bureaucracies, law, idealism vs. realism, and global consciousness.

POL. ST. 2

Public Policy

The course deals with management concepts and their relevance to the public sector, including the study of bureaucracy and management behaviour, structure and process of government , policy making and management, methods of co-ordination, as well as decision-making and policy determination.

POL. ST. 3

Business Environment and Public Policy

The objective of this course is to help students acquire a comprehensive understanding of broad environmental matters of concern to business and management: the political, social, economic, legal, and ethical environments of business; government inspection and regulation; government-business relations; and the public policy requirements of business.

PSYCH. 1

Introduction to Psychology

Psychology is defined in the text we will use as 'the scientific study of the behavior of individuals and their mental processes.'
Psychology could also be called the philosophy of mind. According to the Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy the philosophy of mind is 'the branch of philosophy that includes the philosophy of psychology, philosophical psychology, and the area of metaphysics concerned with the nature of mental phenomena and how they fit into the causal structure of reality.' In order to explore psychology one must have the basic vocabulary of both philosophy and psychology. This course will provide the student with both and raise questions about the feeling of being an individual confronted with the myriad situations of daily life.
The scientific method, research steps, biological bases of behavior, mind-body interactions, sensation, perception, emotion, and cognitive processes will take up the bulk of the content of the curriculum.
Consciousness or simply the awareness of one's existence as self is probably the central issue that stimulates the arousal of the other concerns. Metaphysics is a very general philosophical term. The term itself raises the eyebrows of many in the scientific and philosophical community. The reasons for this uneasiness are a central concern of psychology..
Speaking of teaching methods the American psychologist and educator John Dewey said: "I believe that the study of science is educational in so far as it brings out the materials and processes which make social life what it is.
I believe, finally, that the teacher is engaged, not simply in the training of individuals, but in the formation of the proper social life." This quote was taken from his essay entitled, My Pedagogic Creed.

PSYCH. 3

Clinical Psychology

Prereq.: Psych 1, Psych 3 or any university course in human biology

The course deals with definitions of abnormalities, perspectives regarding abnormalities, classifications of abnormal behaviour, the nature of psychotherapy, the varied approaches to psychotherapy, health maintenance, psychology of mind and body, stress and health, and the psychiatric profession. Emphasis is placed on integration and eclecticism in psychotherapy and psychiatry, biomedical approaches to therapy, community mental health services, and the correlation of psychology and psychiatry.

SOC. 1

Introduction to Social Theory & Constructs

The class opens with a summary of 19th century social criticism, including Comte's theory of social action; Durkheim's concern about social fragmentation; Marx's notion of industrial alienation; Simmel's model of social conflict; and Weber's 1920 coda to "The Protestant Ethic" in which he warns of "mechanised petrification" within Western culture. Once the critical approach to society has been assimilated, the conventional constructs of sociology are reviewed -- i.e., social class, race, and gender; social institutions; socialisation, the family, religion, and education; urbanisation and technology; management, labour, and the professions; political sociology and criminal justice.

SOC. 1

Methods of Social Research

Students are equipped with the basic skills of social research in order to undertake research assignments and draw conclusions based on their findings. Topics covered include the scientific method, research design, archival review, naturalistic observation, survey research, data analysis, and presentation format.

SOC. 3

Sociocultural Change

Prereq: Soc 1

This course is an advanced seminar that studies in detail two of the most provocative social theorists of the mid-20th century -- Herbert Marcuse and Marshall McLuhan. Marcuse's "Eros & Civilization" is examined as an attempted marriage between classical philosophy and mythology, on one hand, and modern social thought, on the other ... as well as between Marxian criticism and radical Freudian analysis. McLuhan's "Understanding Media" is studied as the definitive sociology of the moving image, with attention to the communication concepts of "cool," "deep", and "mosaic" images, as well as the sociological notions of "extension", "synesthesia", "retribalism", and the "global village".