ISS Course Descriptions

Interdisciplinary Social Science (2009-2010)

An introduction to some of the major social and political ideas of Western civilization. Attention is given to the influence and applicability of these ideas to social policy and political practice in contemporary Canada.

An examination of the significant psychosocial events during the lifespan with consideration of the impact of crises. Topics may include attachment, loss, stress, identity crisis, role change, mid-life transition.

Childhood has changed as a social and cultural concept. This course will trace these changes, examining sociological, psychological, cross-cultural, historical and political factors. Art and literature will also be used to reflect attitudes about childhood.

Social issues and themes explored through the arts. Topics include art and social change, war and peace, propaganda, art of conscience, and the response of artists to poverty, hunger and catastrophic events. Specific applications include art as cross-cultural awareness and art as therapy.

This introductory level statistics course will emphasize the collection, manipulation, descriptive presentation and statistical analysis of social research data.

Introduction to the philosophy and methodology of applied social science research including treatment of the problems and strategies of research design and execution.

This course examines the evolution, logic, processes, and impacts of government policies developed specifically for Native peoples, with particular attention to government policy as both a cause of and a response to social problems within Native communities.

This course provides students with a basic overview of homelessness in modern society. Its goal is to familiarize students with the human, social, political and economic aspects of homelessness. Throughout, the emphasis will be on understanding homelessness from a public policy framework - its incidence and prevalence, etiology, consequences and strategies for its prevention and amelioration.

A study of normal events occurring during the adult years, why they happen and how we cope with them. Relying on research, popular literature, and life experiences, students examine social change, the future, adult development and adjustment.

Consideration of the court system; investigation of divorce mediation, court mandated custody, access and juvenile predispositional assessment, child welfare, psychiatric advocacy, corrections, and highlighting of professional, ethical, confidentiality, civil and criminal liability issues for social workers.

This course examines the evolution of family law in aboriginal, francophone, anglophone, and other communities in Canada to the end of the twentieth century. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, the course not only explores the demographic, economic, social, and political contexts in which family law developed but also assesses its significance for Canadian society.

An exploration of how religious, economic, political and other social institutions shape values in our society, and what impact society's changing values are having upon marriage and the family.

This course examines sociocultural realities of a country other than Canada through on site experience and academic study.

This course will deal with selected topics in Interdisciplinary Social Science. Subjects will be dependent upon the research and/or instructional interests of faculty.

Interdisciplinary focus, in greater depth than is available in other courses, on a selected area of concern to the student. Available to individuals or small groups of third- or fourth-year Social Development Studies students and arranged with one of the program's faculty members.

Interdisciplinary focus, in greater depth than is available in other courses, on a selected area of concern to the student. Available to individuals or small groups of third- or fourth-year Social Development Studies students and arranged with one of the program's faculty members.

This course explores human nature, issues fundamental to human life, and theories which have developed around these issues. The approach is interdisciplinary with emphasis on such themes as self knowledge, community, loneliness and anxiety, free will and purpose in human life, and the nature of human happiness.

Honours seminars may include weekly readings, individual and/or group projects, class presentations and discussions, research proposals, essay/literature reviews, assignments, midterms, and final exams. Consult departmental listings for topics and prerequisites for the current year.

An independent, in-depth study, based on empirical research and/or extensive reading from multiple disciplines on a contemporary social issue under the direction of individual instructors in Social Development Studies. Available to individuals or small groups of fourth-year Social Development Studies Majors and arranged with one of the faculty members from the plan. The project must be approved by the academic supervisor of the course prior to registration.

This course invites students to work with a professor on the latter's research project. During this unpaid apprenticeship (six to eight hours per week throughout the term), students will do agreed-upon tasks to help them acquire skills and gain understanding of the research process and of the discipline itself. The faculty member and the student will determine the exact duties together. A document outlining these duties must be approved by the Social Development Studies Chair and kept on file. The course is offered on a credit/non-credit basis only. Paid or volunteer positions outside this course are not eligible for credit.

This course provides third- and fourth-year Social Development Studies students with an opportunity for an unpaid apprenticeship in an applied setting. The course consists of two components. The apprenticeship component normally requires a commitment of 6-8 hours per week for 10 weeks. The seminar component requires students to meet bi-weekly, as a group, with a course coordinator to set learning goals, to discuss issues arising from their apprenticeship and to present their apprenticeship experiences and outcomes.

The essay will normally be related to the student's chosen theme area, supervised by one faculty member, and critically examined by faculty from all areas of the program.

The essay will normally be related to the student's chosen theme area, supervised by one faculty member, and critically examined by faculty from all areas of the program.