Social Sciences Courses
Here is a selection of courses in the Social Sciences that are of interest to students majoring in the Social Sciences. Please note, this is NOT a complete listing of courses available at CMU. For a more detailed listing of courses in the Social Sciences, follow links to each of the majors.ANTH-1610/3 Cultural Anthropology: The comparative study of human societies and cultures, including language, economic and political organization, family and kinship, ritual and belief systems, cultural stability and change.
ANTH-1620/3 Human Origins and World Prehistory: An introduction to the study of the biological nature of the human species and its origins, and of the cultural and biological record of the past. Topics to be engaged include biological evolution, the positions of humans within the Order Primates, the human fossil record, the nature of modern human variation, the nature of the archaeological record of the past, and the methods of archaeology.
PSYC/BUSI-2020/3 Organizational Behaviour: Examination of the impact of human behaviour on the formal and informal organization. Topics include leadership, work groups, organizational conflict, and communications. Prerequisite: BUSI- 1000/3 or PSYC -1020/3 or permission of instructor
BUSI/ECON-3500/3 International Business and Economics: This course examines economic theory and its application to business in an international context. The course will address social, environmental, ethical and economic issues associated with international business, including the interaction between government and business. Prerequisites: Two of ECON-1000/3, ECON-1010/3, or BUSI-1000/3.
COMM-1000/3 Communications and Media: This course introduces students to contemporary public communications media, examines how audiences and content are determined, and identifies critical issues such as media ethics, financing, regulation and ownership.
COMM/POLS/SOCI-3000/3 Politics, Society and Mass Media: This course examines the relationship between the mass communications media and the political and social processes in which they operate, investigating the state of research on mass media, the role of media in creating and shaping political awareness, and in influencing human behaviour and values. Examples of topics which may be covered are: media ownership and organization patterns, media in the electoral process, the media in developing nations, the media and globalization, propaganda, media freedom and public opinion. Prerequisite: 30 credit hours of university-level studies, including six credit hours in social science.
DRS-1010/3 Disaster Recovery Practice: Disaster recovery responses cover a broad spectrum of sectors ranging from shelter, livelihood adaptation, health, education, mental health, and disaster preparedness. This course identifies best practices by examining how social and political vulnerabilities interact with the recovery process. The course will also highlight organizational, program, and project management practices.
DRS/IDS-2171/3 Crisis, Humanitarian Aid, and Disaster Recovery: Today crises threaten global human security as never before. These crises are caused by a complex mix of natural hazards (such as floods, earthquakes, or droughts) and human action or inaction. This course will explore how humanitarian assistance and disaster recovery efforts can best promote resilience by reducing vulnerability and disaster risk. Community and organizational responses to humanitarian crises will be examined, emphasizing efforts to improve aid quality and accountability. Prerequisite or corequisite: 6 credit hours of introductory social Science; IDS-1020 is recommended.
ECON-1000/3 Introduction to Macro-economics: An analysis of contemporary economic institutions and the application of macro-economic theory to current economic problems. The course will consider economic theories of the determination of national income, governmental monetary and fiscal policy, the role of money and the banking system, international trade and the determination of foreign exchange rates.
ECON-1010/3 Introduction to Micro-economics: An analysis of contemporary economic institutions and the application of micro-economic theory to current economic problems. The course will consider economic theories of production, consumption and exchange, price determination and the role of competition.
ECON/IDS-2010/3 Economics of Development: This course introduces neoclassical and alternative economic theories relevant to understanding various aspects of development: (i) national aspects, including theories of growth, inequality, labour, and the role of the state; (ii) international aspects, including theories of finance, international financial institutions, trade and globalization; and (iii) sub-national aspects of development, including theories of growth linkages, micro-credit and community economic development. Prerequisites: IDS-1020/3 or former IDS-1100/6 or both ECON-1000/3 and 1010/3.
GEOG-1000/3 Introduction to Physical Geography: An examination of elements of the physical environment such as weather, climate, hydrology, landforms, soils, vegetation, and the processes producing variations of these elements through time on the surface of the earth. Examples of environmental interrelationships and problems that affect people are emphasized.
GEOG-1010/3 Introduction to Human Geography: An examination of aspects of the human world. Topics may include: distribution of human populations, evolution of human societies, behavioural norms or cultures of these societies, and the influence of culture in its various manifestations (language, religion, customs, politics, etc.) on the human landscape including settlement types, forms of agriculture, and travel patterns. Attention is given to environmental and cultural factors involved in the present-day divisions between the “developed” and the “underdeveloped” worlds.
GEOG-1030/3 Introduction to Environmental Studies: This course is a study of interactions between humans and the environment: the natural systems and resources upon which human activity depends, the environmental problems that have resulted from human activity, and the efforts being made toward environmental sustainability. Environmental problems such as air and water pollution, climate change, soil degradation and deforestation, energy sustainability, and biodiversity are introduced with an interdisciplinary perspective, using both Canadian and global examples.
HIST-2040/3 History of Native Peoples in Canada: The contemporary cultural resurgence and political organizing of indigenous peoples invokes new perspectives on Canadian history. This historical survey will explore: pre-contact social organization, colonialism and resistance, treaties and land claims, reserves and residential schools as structures of social control, evolving public policy (e.g. Indian Act), Native identities, struggles for self-determination and the rights of revolution.
HIST-2060/3 Religion and Conflict in Historical
Perspective: This course attends to a range of perspectives that world religions have had toward peace and conflict throughout the ages in various social environments. Students will be introduced to theories and practices related to conflict and nonviolence in such religions as Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
IDS-2110/3 Participatory Local Development: The failure of large scale development efforts to eradicate poverty in the South—Asia, Africa, and Latin America—and developing communities in Canada has led to a search for alternative participatory, community development projects. This course examines historic efforts at participatory development, including community development and co-operative formation, and then considers the attention given to non-governmental organizations and grassroots movements today. Prerequisite: 30 credit hours of university-level studies, including IDS-1020/3 or former IDS-1100/6.
IDS-2131/3 Rural Development: This course examines changes to rural society and economy in the South—Africa, Asia, and Latin America— and rural communities in Canada brought about historically by colonialism and more recently through modern development efforts. Discussion highlights the impact of agrarian reform, technological change, and domestic government policies on economic development and social differentiation. Prerequisite: IDS-1020/3 or former IDS-1100/6.
IDS-3111/3 An Analysis of Development Aid Policy: This course explores ideology, debates, policies, and program of macro development agencies. The course begins with an examination of the ideology of neoliberalism and the policies of structural adjustment and considers how these affect the South. This is followed by an analysis of the principal actors of macro development and an examination of important issues within the donor community, e.g., poverty and gender imbalance, economic growth and environmental degradation. Prerequisite: 30 credit hours of university-level studies, including IDS-1020/3 or former IDS-1100/6.
PCTS/INTG-2221/3 Restorative Justice: Identifies the principles of restorative justice and explores the application of these principles. Includes a critical assessment of victim-offender mediation, and the application of restorative principles within the criminal justice system, as they affect victims, offenders and the community. Alternative models of the justice system as a whole will also be considered. Prerequisites: PCTS-1010/3 and 1020/3 or former PCTS-1010/6.
PCTS/INTG-2620/3 Ecological Peacebuilding: This course will explore the role of the ecology in peacebuilding, focusing on relationships between environmental insecurity and conflict, ecological integrity and justice, and on the politics, theory and skills of ecological peacebuilding. Drawing upon a broad range of historical and contemporary case studies, students will be encouraged to apply these insights as part of the learning process. Prerequisites: PCTS-1010/3 and 1020/3 or former PCTS-1100/6.
PCTS-2810/3 History and Strategies of Non-Violence: Non-violence has a long and rich history, usually overshadowed by history as the story of violence. This course reviews the history of non-violent social change and explores the dynamics of non-violent action. It also examines the motivations and strategies of a variety of non-violent actions. Prerequisites: PCTS-1010/3 and 1020/3 or former PCTS-1100/6.
PCTS-2820/3 Aggression, Violence and War in a Social-Scientific Perspective: This course will investigate and assess psychological, sociological, anthropological, and socio-biological perspectives and theories of aggression, violence and war. Case studies will be used to test the applicability of these theories, and their usefulness for approaching peacebuilding work. Prerequisites: PCTS-1010/3 and 1020/3 or former PCTS-1100/6, PSYC-1020/3, SOCI-1020/3 or former SOCI-1000/6 or ANTH-1610/3 and1620/3.
POLS-1000/3 Democracy and Dissent: An introductory study of democratic politics and institutions, political ideas, electoral systems and political culture. The lens of dissent is used to trace the emergence of democracy and its liberal development. Issues to be explored include: the roles of opposition, questions of accountability, the meaning and practice of justice, the evolving implications of citizenship, the crisis of the state under globalization, and the contemporary idea of democracy without dissent.
POLS-1010/3 Global Politics: An introduction to the fields of International Relations and Comparative Politics with particular emphasis on current global issues. Topics include globalization, American domination, terrorism and security, the changing nature of states, international law and justice, the politics of the environmental crisis, political development, human migration, and the dilemmas of democratization. Active participation in debates, simulation games, and media studies contribute to critical skills that provide insight behind the “political veil.”
POLS-2120/3 Peace and Conflict in World Politics [WP]: A study of large-scale violence, including conventional warfare and “low intensity” warfare (e.g. liberation movements, counter-insurgencies and terrorism). Consideration is given to the political economy of such violence, including the arms industry and resource wars. What is the role of politics in perpetuating militarism, violence and in enabling peace? How are conflicts politically mediated through diplomacy, international law, NGO’s, international organizations, etc.? We consider the relation of violence to underdevelopment, environmental degradation, and human rights violations.
POLS-2200/3 Human Rights and Dignity [WP] [CPS]: Human rights claim to protect the interests and dignity of people. How do governments, the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, religious groups, corporations, and activists help or impede this process? What is the political and moral place of individuals, communities, law, and justice in the current global reality? Changing and cross-cultural understandings of rights are considered.
POLS-2400/3 Comparative Politics of Development—Africa [CPS]: With Africa as our lens, the course invites a comparative study of how development is informed by the practices and institutions of governance, and by asymmetries of power and resources. The focus is on change in African regimes and their historical response to poverty, civil society’s role in social ordering, and on cultures of governance and public policy in a globalizing context. Themes include: democratization and social movements; civil and regional conflicts; international aid and intervention; refugees; colonialism and post-colonialism; race, ethnicity, religion, class and gender; health and HIV/AIDS; and environmental crises and politics.
POLS/SOCI/PHIL-2600/3 Social and Political Philosophy [PTM]: What is human nature? Should society be organized to reflect this? What is justice? Are states coercive by nature? How does property inform politics? What is ethical citizenship? These questions are explored through a survey of Western political thinkers including Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, de Gouges, Burke, Wollstonecraft, Mill, and Marx, and by examining their contemporary legacy.
BTS/POLS/INTG-3260/3 Plato’s Republic and Paul’s Romans in Dialogue [PTM]: Plato’s Republic and Paul’s Romans are both discourses on the concept of “justice,” encompassing the body politic, the just individual within it, and the entire cosmos. Following an overview of Platonism and Paulinism within their respective Greek and Judeo-Christian traditions, this course will consist of a close reading consecutively of the Republic and Romans, and will conclude with a comparison and dialogue between these two classics and the traditions they represent. Prerequisite: 30 credit hours of university-level studies, including 6 credit hours in Biblical and Theological Studies.
POLS-3500/3 Gender and Politics [GIP]: Examines the public exclusion of women and their emergence as political actors. By looking at the roles of women and men, we will consider how the construction of gender informs citizenship. What do feminist critiques reveal about the theory and practice of politics? What roles do market, culture, race and class play? Ethical questions raised by identity politics are emphasized. We will consider how communities and institutions might become more just and more inclusive. Prerequisite: 30 credit hours of university-level study, including 6 credit hours at the 1000-or 2000-level in political studies.
PSYC-2110/3 Social Relationships and Behaviour: A study of how relationships are formed, maintained, and disrupted. Topics may include group dynamics, close relationships, prejudice, aggression, attraction, and conflict. Prerequisite: PSYC-1020/3 or permission of instructor.
PSYC-2200/3 Developmental Psychology—Childhood: A study of psychological development from prenatal life until puberty. Topics include personality and social development, perceptual and cognitive development, language, intelligence, and moral development. Prerequisite: PSYC-1010/3 or permission of instructor.
PSYC-2210/3 Developmental Psychology—Adolescence: A study of psychological development from puberty until adulthood. Topics may include history of theory and research on adolescence, family structures, parent and peer pressure, sex role development, identification, cognitive development, and youth culture. Prerequisite: PSYC-1010/3 or permission of instructor.
PSYC-2300/3 Cognitive Processes: A study of the unique cognitive processes that determine our understanding of the external world (and its people). We will examine the processes of perception and attention, of learning and memory, of language production and comprehension, and of reasoning and decision making. Attention is given to both effective functioning and to the biases and distortions that influence our thinking. Prerequisite: PSYC-1020/3 or permission of instructor.
PSYC-2400/3 Counselling Theories: An overview of current counselling theories, such as Psychoanalytic, Existential, Person-Centered, Gestalt, Reality, Behaviour, and Cognitive therapies. Attention will be given to their respective therapeutic processes and to a critical evaluation of each theory. Prerequisite: PSYC-1020/3 or permission of instructor.
PSYC-2410/3 Counselling Techniques: Explores the formation of helping relationships, using the Human Relations Model of Helping, with a focus on self-understanding as a basis for effective communication and understanding of human interactions. Topics will also include helping skills, helper characteristics, communication skills, barriers to communication, relationship establishment, ethics and values clarification. Prerequisite: PSYC- 2400/3.
PSYC-3400/3 Abnormal Psychology: An examination of current theory and research regarding abnormal human behaviour, and an attempt to understand psychological disorders within the context of human biology, development, and society. Topics may include stress and anxiety, affective disorders, psychophysiological and personality disorders, mental health, policy and social issues. Both scientific explanation and phenomenology will be addressed. Prerequisite: 30 credit hours of university-level studies, including PSYC-1020/3 or permission of the instructor.
PSYC/INTG-3800/3 Psychology and Christianity: Both Christian belief and psychological theory have much to say about human nature, about what/ how we can know, and about how we should think and behave. There are many points of agreement and of conflict. This course represents a re-consideration of various psychological theories and well-known research findings from Christian perspectives. Prerequisite: 12 credit hours in Psychology.
SOCI-1010/3 Introduction to Sociology I: Analysis of the general principles that guide human association and of methods used in the study of social behaviour. Topics that may be considered include: culture, ethnic groups, families, communities, population, social stratification, crime, social change, and institutions including economic, political, religious, and educational.
SOCI-1020/3 Introduction to Sociology II: A continued analysis of the general principles that guide human association and of methods used in the study of social behaviour. Topics that may be considered include: culture, ethnic groups, families, communities, population, social stratification, crime, social change, and institutions including economic, political, religious, and educational. Prerequisite: SOCI-1010/3.
SOCI-2000/3 Social Welfare: Explores how economic, political, and ethical theories on society and human nature are manifested in societal responses to human need in providing social services. Includes a survey of the history of social welfare in Canada and a review of the major social welfare institutions.
SOCI-2020/3 Communities and Organizations: Examines the characteristics and interactions of communities and organizations (e.g., service, advocacy, NGOs, government agencies) in light of sociological theory. Critical attention will be devoted to structural responses to social issues such as childcare, immigration, housing, unemployment, disability, healthcare, aging, and poverty.
SOCI-2030/3 Inter-Cultural Theory and Practice: Introduces the theoretical and methodological issues in inter-cultural study. Attention will be given to cultural translation, cultural encounters between groups, concomitant cultural appropriations, cross-fertilizations, transnational influence, identity, and resistance.
