AN-101  Observing Other Cultures
CD-110  Language and Culture of the Deaf
EL-274  Diversity in America's Schools
GG-150  People and Places of the World
GG-180  Cultural Geography
MC-101  Mass Communications and Society
MK-201  Values and Social Issues in Business
PE-201  Sport and Society
PL-245  Social Philosophy
RC-100  Leisure in a Diverse Culture
RS-101  World Religions
SO-102  Society, Culture and Social Behavior
SO-120  Cities and Society
SW-207  Understanding Social and Cultural Diversity
 

AN-101    Observing Other Cultures

Catalog Description (including prerequisites)

Students will learn and apply scientific methods of observing cultural and social behavior.  Provides foundation for anthropological study of culture.  (3)

Course Content

This course helps students learn the skills necessary to objectively observe other cultures free of personal bias and ethnocentrism.  The student masters a series of skills which allows her/him to view the world in the same terms informants from another culture or subculture use to view their world.  The skills learned help avoid conflicts based on cultural misunderstanding.

Nature of Course

This course emphasizes experiential learning.  The student will learn to use techniques rather than simply memorizing them.  Students will participate in, and observe, a culture or subculture significantly different from their own.  They will keep detailed observational notes on their encounters and a personal journal based on their experiences.  They will analyze their observations of the other culture and will present a written report (ethnography) describing the rules by which the observed culture generates and interprets social behavior.  This is a laboratory course which requires the student to spend 40 or more hours observing her/his chosen culture. 

Student Expectations

Students are expected to be informed participants in class discussion groups.  They are expected to be able to describe the culture they observed as seen by the cultures insiders.  Students are expected to master the basic concepts and skills of observing other cultures and to demonstrate their mastery in a written report (ethnography).

A study of the history and culture of the deaf, including an introduction to sign language designed to enable students to communicate with and develop a basic understanding of persons in the deaf community.  (3)

Course Content

This course is an introduction to the use of various communication methods and will provide a basic understanding of an exposure to issues relating to the deaf culture.

Students will have experience with the use of a variety manual communication systems which will assist them in communicating with persons who are hearing impaired or deaf.

Cultural content of this course will allow students to develop an understanding of the cognitive and emotional development, social barriers, educational and occupational issues, cultural biases and family issues of persons who are deaf.  The historical perspective of the deaf community will also be included.  Students will develop communication skills and cultural knowledge through interaction with persons who are deaf.

Nature of Course

This is a participation course which emphasizes active learning and experience in interacting with persons who are deaf.  Class activities include sign language practice demonstrations, guest speakers, video presentations, lecture and class discussion.

Student Expectations

The course will include frequent quizzes covering reception and expression of sign vocabulary, periodic exams covering sign vocabulary and deaf culture, and literature and video reviews.  Students will be expected to attend presentations by guest speakers.  Grades are based on the composite of student quizzes, exams, literature and video reviews, and class participation.

Exploration of race, ethnicity, social issues, and gender issues in schooling today.  (3)

Course Content

The study of diversity issues in the schools is explored through a variety of perspectives.  The formation of the cultural composition of the United States serves as an introduction to the course.  Particular focus is then given to conceptual frameworks of racial, ethnic, social class and gender identity development, current equity issues, and post-modern critiques of schooling.

Nature of Course

The course involves a significant amount of reading and writing.  Assigned reading comes primarily from the textbook and reserve materials.  These readings draw from the literatures of schooling, ethnic history and identity development, and post-modernist studies.  Students are expected to generate their own reading of research in order to fulfill their term project requirement.  Assigned writing varies from informal reflective pieces to formal essays and term projects.  It is expected that the writing will demonstrate both creative and critical thinking skills.  Group projects include informal debates and role plays.  Class sessions are mainly interactive, combining short lectures with small and whole group discussions.  Students will be expected to come to class prepared to actively contribute and participate in these discussions.

Student Expectations

Complete all written, oral, and group assignments in a timely manner.
Actively prepare readings and research for participation in class.
Show satisfactory performance on the exams.

Spatial treatment of ethnic diversity of the world's macro cultures (e.g. Europe) and contemporary social problems associated with economic development.  (3)

Course Content

The primary purpose of this course is to help students with limited geographic background to learn about the cultural-social complexity of the world.  A secondary purpose of the course is to examine the benefits and problems of modern economic development on traditional cultural groups, thereby dividing the world into two unequal parts:  Developed World and Developing World.  These purposes will be accomplished through examining such contemporary social topics as effects of population growth on migration, urbanization, food supply, and resource management.  Of lasting benefit to students is an enlarged interest and understanding of the world which can lead to a greater sense of social responsibility.

Nature of Course

1. Emphasis on Reading:  Assignments will be made in the textbook.  Additional reading assignments will include articles and chapters from other books.
2. Emphasis on Writing:  Writing assignments will include a class journal and short projects.
3. Out-of-Class Project:  A library assignment will be required in the use of atlases.  Students will also receive class handouts to develop critical thinking skills. 
4. Teaching Format:  Lectures and class discussions about relevant geographic topics will be used.

Student Expectations

Exams (3 or 4) will account for about 90% of the grade.  These exams will be a combination of objective and short essay or paragraph questions.  Class projects will be used to determine the remaining percentage. 

Study of the interrelationship of the components of human cultures, i.e., belief, social and material systems.  Emphasis on social geographic principles and issues.  (3)

Course Content

The purpose of this course is to make the student aware of geographic concepts involving major social and cultural issues e.g., population, ethnicity, politics, and urbanization.  The course will provide a framework for interpreting major cultural patterns of the world e.g., language and religion.  Drawing from this framework students will be better able to evaluate their own cultural attitudes about life in relation to values of other world cultures e.g., family size, food preferences, and religious decisions.

Nature of Course

Emphasis on Reading:  Most of the assignments will be in the textbook. 
Group Discussions:  Group discussions will focus on the influence of one's cultural background on social issues such as family size (2-3 in the course).
Emphasis on Writing:  Writing assignment in the form of a term paper.
Teaching Format:  Lectures and discussions about relevant topics will be used.

Student Expectations

Exams will account for 75% of the grade.  These exams will be a combination of objective and short essay or paragraph questions.  Class projects will be used to determine the remaining percentage.

An examination of the media environment in the United States, emphasizing what impact they have upon society.  (3)

Course Content

The purposes of this course are:

To provide a broad overview of the mass media processes, as shaped by both media managers and society.
To provide a broad overview of the mass media and their impact on society.
To help students become discerning consumers of the products of the mass media.
To develop the critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate issues that appear in the media.

Nature of Course

In order to provide a contemporary overview of all media, this course includes lectures, discussions, written assignments, critiques of the news and entertainment media to emphasize mass media impact on life and culture in the United States.

Student Expectations

All students are expected to complete required readings and participate in class discussions.
Students will complete two writing assignments that compare and contrast newspaper articles on specified topics and a paper that analyzes the content of national broadcast television news.
Students will complete four examinations (objective/essay questions).

Business as a social system and its conceptual foundation will be examined, along with business values and social issues.  (3)

Course Content

This course emphasizes past, present and future values of business people as well as the social issues impacting businesses today.  The course content is designed to meet the following objectives:

To help students understand the basic attitudes, values, concepts, ethics, and ideologies that underlie particular economic institutions and social systems.  For example, the values and ideology upon which the free enterprise system was built are examined.

To provide a systematic framework for students to use in analyzing the effects of business decisions on other institutions and people (customers, employees, community residents, suppliers, shareholders and management).  Additionally, ethical analysis techniques are presented to assist the student in dealing with ethical dilemmas.

To assist students in formulating and clarifying their own personal values and goals.  It is hoped that with critiquing and examining one's own values, the student will be better equipped to analyze business problems and issues.

To help students define their expectations of both business and the government's interaction with business.
 
Nature of Course

A participative style of teaching is used for several reasons:  to encourage debate and discussion of the social issues; to enhance reasoning ability; and to maintain an active mode of learning in the classroom.

The course assignments usually include the following:  readings in the textbook; a minimal number of readings supplemental to the textbook; selected case studies to be analyzed individually and with a team; current business issue reports; a manageable number of short written assignments; and a course paper.

Student Expectations

Students are expected to actively participate in class discussions and satisfactorily complete class assignments and examinations.  The performance criteria and weightings (in parentheses) for the course grade include:  exams (40%-60%); written assignments (20%-30%); and oral presentations and class participation (20%-30%).

The study of interrelationships between society, culture, values and sport, and the ways in which they influence one another.  (3) 

Course Content

Sport and Society provides a historical overview of the development of sport in America.  It pays particular attention to the social and cultural sources contributing to the rise of sport in this country, and how sport then in turn both promotes and reflects the American value system.  It also examines the symbiotic relationship that exists between sport and other societal institutions such as religion and politics.  Finally, it closely examines societal ills such as racism and sexism and the extent to which they are prevalent in the world of sport.

Nature of Course

Sport and Society is a lecture/discussion class which examines the extent to which sport serves as a microcosm of American society.  Students will be expected to take a stance on issues discussed in class which deal with the extent of racism and sexism in sport, and the use of sport to promote political systems.  They will be expected to defend their stance through position papers, oral presentations, and class debates.

Student Expectations

Students are expected to:

1. Attend class regularly and participate in discussions.
2. Complete all written assignments.
3. Participate in one class debate.
4. Present one oral report.
5. Complete all examinations.

A study of basic concepts theories and issues in the organization of society, with attention to the problems of justice and economic distribution.  (3)

Course Content

Man as a Social Animal
Human nature and human needs
How ought society to be organized to satisfy human needs?
Human Nature and Legitimate Social Authority
What is social authority?
Human nature is inconsistent with legitimate social authority
Human nature is consistent with legitimate social authority
Classical Greek theories
Early Christian theories
Renaissance theories
Enlightenment social contractarians
Post-enlightenment social liberalism
Post-enlightenment social conservatism
Contemporary theories of the person in society
Human Nature and the Problem of Relativism
Relativism cultural and philosophical
Cultural relativism and the methodology of the social sciences
Justice and Economic Distribution
Justice as desert
Justice as fairness
Justice as equal distribution of benefits and burdens
 
Nature of Course

This course is geared toward developing an understanding of various normative ethical theories, and the ability to apply those theories to problematic situations.  Classes are a combination of lecture and discussion, and students will be expected to do considerable reading outside of class.  Essay questions are a component on all exams.

Student Expectations

Students are expected to read assigned texts, attend class regularly, and participate in class discussion.  Students should also expect to maintain a notebook, write one or more short papers on assigned topics, and demonstrate achievement on midterm and final examinations.  No term paper.

Study of leisure and its impact on contemporary culture, diverse populations, and the lives of individuals.  (3)

Course Content

RC-100 examines the concepts and philosophical implications of leisure, work, play, games and recreation and how these concepts affect and reflect the lives of individuals and members of different societal groups.  Students will examine the benefits of recreation and leisure as well as the constraints and problems sometimes associated with leisure.  A feature of this course is to analyze individual patterns of participation and become familiar with developing life plans for leisure.

Nature of Course

RC-100 combines lecture, discussions, assigned readings, role playing, debates, problem solving activities, and student presentations.  Students are required to research specific topics of interest to them by finding relevant literature and observing people involved in related leisure pursuits.  Students are also required to document and analyze their own time use patterns to understand how their behavior patterns relate to the larger culture to which they belong.

Student Expectations

Each student will participate in all class meetings and complete pertinent assignments and readings prior to class meetings.

Each student will fully participate in experiential learning experiences as described by the course outline at the beginning of the semester.

Each student will achieve satisfactory grades on tests, papers, oral presentations, class activities, and other assignments.

RS-101    World Religions

Catalog Description (including prerequisites)

A study of major world religions, including an examination of various definitions and characteristics of religion as exemplified in the histories of religions and their impact on societies.  (3)

Course Content

Class lectures and reading assignments follow the textbook.  The course materials cover indigenous religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Shinto, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  Particular attention is given to the dynamic relationship between religion and its cultural setting.  Attention will also be given to the growth of new religious movements.

Nature of Course

Students will be required to read the textbook in preparation for class lectures and discussions, as well as additional source materials related to the significant sacred literature of each religion.

In order to develop research and writing skills, each student will be required to write a short paper on the subject of what constitutes religion, and a medium-length paper on a new religions movement.  In addition, each student will be required to compile a scrapbook with entries from each of the major world religions.  Through reading assignments, written projects and classroom discussions students should receive a sound understanding of the religions of the world and develop an appreciation of their own and others' religious heritage.
 
Student Expectations

Students are expected to read assigned texts, attend class regularly, and participate in class discussions.  In addition to the reading assignments and written projects, there will be two in-class examinations and a final examination.  The examinations contain a mixture of completion and fill-in-the-blank statements, and may contain one or more discussion questions.  Study sheets are provided for each major religion, and ample time is provided during class to ask questions for additional information and clarification.

A series of lectures, projects and group discussions analyzing the impact of society and culture on human social behavior.  (3) 

Course Content

The impact of society and culture on human behavior is analyzed.  The effects of values, social institutions, and culture on the human experience is emphasized within a scientific framework.  In the concluding part of the course, the material will be evaluated and applied to selected controversial social issues.

Nature of Course

1. Teaching format:  A series of lectures, reports and group discussions will be used in the classroom.
2. Emphasis on reading.
3. Individual oral reports and group projects may be assigned by the instructor.
4. Emphasis upon enhancing critical thinking.

Student Expectations

Attend class, take notes, participate in class discussions and role play, and satisfactorily complete class assignments and examinations.  Examinations will normally include both objective and essay type of questions.  Contact the individual instructor for more information.

An analysis of urbanization, including city life and problems, land use patterns and the future of the city.  (3)

Course Content

The city as a way of life including norms, values, and relationships to material objects and the city as an ecological system including land use patterns and other aspects of the city as a geographic unit will be examined in this course.  Theories and other conceptualizations of these two dimensions will be discussed and used to explore, clarify and examine possible solutions to specific social problems.  Perspectives on the implementation of the solutions, including politics and city planning, and the future of the city will also be discussed.  Domestic and world-wide illustrations will be used to clarify the concepts utilized in this course.

Nature of Course

Lecture, class discussion, and the textbook as well as specific class exercises will be used to clarify concepts and to introduce students to methods which can be used to study the city.  Short writing assignments will allow students to conceptualize urban frameworks, to explore their use in solving urban problems and to express their ideas in written form.

Student Expectations

1. Attend class and participate in class discussion.
2. Read all assigned materials.
3. Demonstrate mastery of course content on four examinations.
4. Timely completion of two short written assignments.

This course explores the impact of cultural and social diversity on human identity and behavior.  Content emphasizes ethnic minorities of color, gender, class and sexual orientation.  (3)

Course Content

Understanding Social and Cultural Diversity examines a framework for how race and ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and class influence identity and behavior.  Each will be explored in an historical perspective, examining some of the stereotypes, prejudices and discrimination known to each group.  A primary course purpose is to provide a foundation essential for valuing diversity.  Additionally, the course focuses on how change toward eliminating group oppression can occur at individual, familial, organizational or societal levels.

Nature of Course

This course is taught largely using a seminar model.  The course is designed to aid students in understanding the role diversity plays in our lives--the development of identity and the influence on behavior.  A course project is intended to allow students the chance to try to develop strategies for changing some specific form of prejudice or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, class, or sexual orientation.

Student Expectations 

Since the course is taught using a seminar format, it is essential that students finish all required readings on time and come to each class prepared to share ideas and discuss the assigned readings.  In addition to a mid-term and final examination, there is a major course project which requires independent library research and possible interaction with community organizations.  The project is a series of seven (one to two-page) papers written over the course of the semester which will be revised and presented orally at the end of the semester to the class.  Students will respond in small groups to each others' papers.

Back to top

Printer-friendly

E-mail this page to a friend