Minor in Sociology
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US Credits
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UK Credits
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TWO of the following: |
6 |
24 |
- SCL 3100 Foundations of Sociology
An introduction to the study of society. Topics include: the origins and nature of sociology and the social sciences; society and culture; social institutions such as family, education, and work; socialization; social stratification, power, and social change; industrialization; and urbanization.
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3 |
12 |
- COM 4115 Digital Society
This course introduces students to critical studies of the digital society, and how it effects institutions, media, and audiences socially, culturally, and politically. It explores the history of 鈥榯he information revolution鈥, and how contemporary digital technologies, the internet, and social media are changing identities, relationships, and practices at both micro- and macro-levels. Through engaging with key debates within digital society (e.g. selfhood and social media, participatory culture, sharing economy, surveillance, truth of online information and democracy), students will develop critical understanding of the relationship between digital technologies and society, and reflect on their own use of digital media.
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3 |
12 |
- COM 4100 Intercultural Communication
Reflecting strongly the mission of the University, this course provides a theoretical and practical foundation for the degree in Communications. It provides students with a strong sense of their own complex cultural identities before moving on to teach them the theories underlying the study of International Communication. There will be opportunities for practical applications of these theories in case studies, simulations, and project work.
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3 |
12 |
plus FOUR of the following: |
Minimum of 12 |
Minimum of 48 |
- COM 5215 Political Communications
The course focuses on the role of political communications in the political process. It examines the relationship between governments, the media and the public in Western democracies, with emphasis on the UK and the US political systems. Starting with an overview of the role of the media in political theory, it moves to the examination of the origins and development of political marketing and public relations, the use of political advertising by political parties, and the representation of non-governmental actors in the media coverage. Furthermore, the course considers issues of national security and secrecy as well as changes in political communications brought about by the introduction of new technologies. Particular attention is given to the use of techniques and strategies during election campaigns. Prerequisite: At least one 4000-level COM, PLT or INR course
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3 |
12 |
- COM 5205 Cultural Theory
This course introduces key thinkers, topics, case studies and theoretical frameworks related to the field of cultural studies. Students will be exposed to different toolkits for analysing everyday cultural practices, with a particular focus on historical, geographical and personal identity. Films, fashion, art, graphic design, video, music and other media objects will be analysed in order to engage with the theoretical frameworks presented. In addition to in-class theoretical discussion, students are encouraged to apply cultural theory in practice, through activities including gallery visits and first-hand explorations of consumerist practices.
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3 |
12 |
- COM 5200 Mass Communications and Society
In this course, "mass communications" is taken in its broadest sense, which may include cinema, television, newspapers, magazines, comics, and the Internet, as well as fashion and merchandising. "Society" involves the people who engage with those texts, from critical theorists to fans, censors to consumers. The course examines the relationship between texts and the people at various points during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, from various cultural and national perspectives. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to test and debate established theories by bringing them to bear on everyday popular texts.
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3 |
12 |
- PSY 5220 Social Psychology
Social psychological processes influence how we perceive, judge, remember, and behave toward people. These processes shape, and are shaped by, our social expectations, social roles, social goals, and social interactions. This course is designed to illustrate the relationship between the individual and society and to demonstrate the multiple ways that social psychology can be applied to the individual - society interface in specific topic areas. Students are encouraged to critically reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of various social psychology theories, to consider their research methods and their applications to real life situations.
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4 |
16 |
- PLT 6103 Political Sociology: Power, State, Society
Investigates the central debates and concepts of 20th and 21st century political theory. Through a close examination of key texts representative of the spectrum of contemporary ideological positions, students will become familiar with a variety of key arguments around political concepts such as equality, freedom, democracy and justice. Students will become familiar with central ideas that have shaped political activity in the 20th and 21st centuries and will become familiar key issues discussed in contemporary political theory.
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4 |
16 |
- PLT 6104 Sustainable Development
This course introduces students to the process of development project evaluation, in the context of the theory and practice of sustainable development. The course enables students to focus on the political, social and economic complexity of managing a specific sustainable development in the developing world. Methods of evaluation are explored, decided upon and utilised in the production of a Project Evaluation Document (PED) for a sustainable development project of choice. Issues such as livelihoods, gender, environmental impact, measurement, participation and consultation processes are raised, though the context varies across urban/rural and blue-green-brown issues depending on the specific project chosen for evaluation.
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4 |
16 |
Minor Requirements |
18 |
72 |