Course
Descriptions:
PSY113
Introduction to Psychology
Introduction
to psychology will explore the trends that
psychology has changed in the recent years. The
most important of these changes in the growing
effort of the field to extend to a broader
society, both by applying the principles and
findings of psychology to practical problems,
and by recognizing the increasing cultural
diversity present in all societies. The extended
look in this course will explore the newer
issues of, Beyond the Boundaries: How psychology
is used in other fields and a Multi cultural
Perspective, emphasizing the differences between
cultural groups and how psychology addresses
these differences.
SOC101
Introduction to Social Work
This
course introduces students to the field of
social work and its relationship to social
welfare policy, both from an historical and
practical overview of the profession. The course
integrates policy coverage with social work
practice, values and ethics, and social justice
issues. The relationship between policy and
practice is carefully examined in the context of
nine major fields of social work, and in
discussions of the challenges faced by today's
practitioners. The course continues to keep up
with current changes and developments in social
work and social policy, with valuable new
information on welfare reform, Social Security,
privatization of social services, and the NASW
Code of Ethics, as well as on current career
opportunities in the field.
SOC103
Casework for the Psychosocial Therapy Worker
This
course introduces readers to the basic theory
and principles in the practice of psychosocial
therapy, along with attention to the historical
development of the approach as it has been
enriched and expanded over the years. The course
approach reflects a balanced focus on people,
their environment, and the ways in which people
interact with their environment. Essential
techniques including how to conduct initial
interviews with clients, crisis intervention,
arriving at assessments, and choosing
appropriate treatment, are thoroughly explained,
and often clarified with case studies and
vignettes, preparing students to assess social
work clients from a variety of perspectives.
Topics include, the influence of ethnicity and
diversity on the worker/client relationship;
social work research; gay, lesbian, and gender
issues; brief treatment and crisis intervention;
managed care; assessing substance abuse; changes
in family life roles and structure; single
parents, step families and three-generation
families; childhood abuse and recovered
memories; and family violence and battering.
SOC105
Role of Sex and Gender in Social Work
This
course provides a current, multicultural
analysis of gender-related issues, theories, and
research. The presentation of the perspectives
and issues related to sex and gender studies
enables students to easily comprehend the
material. Further, a highly practical approach
prompts students to examine their self-awareness
and social tolerance. Topics include a balance
between male and female issues, coverage of such
current issues as p.m.s., gendercentrism, legal
issues regarding maternity, lesbian and gay
issues, the possible biological basis of
homosexuality, the men's movement, women in
politics, women in the music industry, and
gender portrayals on television.
SOC109
Role of Ethnicity in American Society
This
course provides a concise introduction to the
dynamics of racial and ethnic relations. After
summarizing key concepts and theories, the course
develops a simple theoretical framework that
guides the presentation of data on each of the
prominent ethnic groups in America. As a result,
the course examines each ethnic group from the
same perspective, allowing students to compare the
dynamics of discrimination against African
Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans,
white ethnics, and Latinos. Moreover, this
framework provides a way to examine ethnic
relations around the world and to compare the
dynamics in other parts of the world with those
operating in America.
SOC111
Evolution of Drugs into American Society
The
course probes the drug phenomenon in all
its social, cultural and legal complexity. It
covers the full range of psychoactive drug use,
from legal medical and prescription use to
criminal, recreational use, from casual use to
addiction. Emphasis is placed on the sociological
perspective, explaining the drug phenomenon using
sociological concepts supported by recent data
from a wide range of sources. Topics include the
myths and realities of drug use and abuse,
exploring such as marijuana as medicine, crack
babies, and the CIA and drugs, drug panics,
"gendering" drug use, and social class
differences in use and abuse
SOC113
Demography of Social Stratification
This
course provides a comprehensive, up-to-date
exploration of the economic and social divisions
in human societies. While grounded in the nature
of social stratification in the United States, the
course maintains a commitment to keeping a global
perspective. To that end, this course includes
detailed timely information on stratification
around the world, addressing the ways in which
governments, corporations, and workers cope with
milestone changes such as greater European
unification and an increased U.S economic
presence. Extensive comparative information, as
well as an overview of how, historically, social
stratification has changed and evolved, gives
students a global perspective on class conflict.
Topics include material on the cornerstones of
social stratification; the growing poverty rate,
the effects of welfare reform on gender and race
inequality, and the status of global attempts to
relieve social stratification in the wake of
continued changes in the world system.
SOC115
Social Work and an Aging Society
By
combining a sound academic approach with numerous
applications, the course meets the needs of those
who work with older people and also those who
simply want to know more about growing older and
its personal and social implications. The course
is multi-disciplinary in its scope and acquaints
students with the implications of an aging
population; the theories of aging; the physical,
social, psychological, and economic realities of
growing older; the impact of housing options; the
support systems available; and the public policy
issues of aging that affect young and old alike.
SOC119
Social Exploration of Groups
This
course takes an interdisciplinary look at eight
extraordinary groups of people. Organized around a
sociological principle that is illustrated by a
descriptive explanation of the lifestyles of these
groups. Topics include, description of Amish shift
into small businesses other than the family farm,
discussion of love within the Oneida community,
research on Gypsies after the fall of European
communism, material on the financial situation of
the Church of Christ, Scientist, coverage of the
death of Rebbe Manachem Mendel Schneerson,
discussion of women within the Mormon Church, and
on Jehovah's Witnesses and their views on medical
treatments.
SOC120
Child and Adolescent Development
Incorporating
a solid research base with real-life applications,
this course discusses the cognitive, psycho
social, and physical development of children in
the context of today's society. Topics include the
role of adults in the lives of children with
expanded discussions of the applied and practical
implications of developmental research for
parenting, teaching, nursing, etc, also coverage
of the social construction of knowledge in the
context of children's lives.
SOC121
Introduction to Sociology
Introduction
to Sociology is designed to orient the student
about the personal choices he or she may have to
make in the next few years, such as getting
married, education, pursuing a career or raising
children. Sociology, while it cannot make those
decisions easier, does offer the student a new way
of seeing them. It allows the student to step back
and look at the social forces that shape even the
most private aspects of your life - not only the
big decision, but everyday concerns such as your
tastes, political views, and how you spend your
leisure time. Sociology will aid the student in
placing their personal experience into the context
of the world.
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