PSSC-PACS Social Sciences

PSSC 1153. A History of the United States.3 Credit Hours.

A general historical overview of the United States with a particular focus on the role that the humanities played in shaping this country. (F, Sp, Su) [IV-US].

PSSC 1313. What in the World are the Social Sciences?.3 Credit Hours.

Discusses what comprises the social sciences and how we perform research in the different areas, including addressing ethical questions. (F, Sp, Su) [III-SS].

PSSC 1333. Government in the United States.3 Credit Hours.

An analysis of the differing ideologies governing autocratic vs. democratic systems of government, the structure of the United States government, and the role of extra-governmental elements such as lobbyists and the PACs on the process of governing. (F, Sp, Su) [III-PSC].

PSSC 2313. The Human Experience: The Role of Culture.3 Credit Hours.

A critical discussion of prejudice, discrimination, gender identity and crime and deviance from the perspective of the social sciences. (F, Sp, Su)

PSSC 2323. Human Groups and Distribution of Resources.3 Credit Hours.

A study of culture from a social sciences perspective, including investigating topics such as ethnocentrism, cultural relativism and personal identity within the context of being American. (F, Sp, Su)

PSSC 2333. Contemporary Social Issues.3 Credit Hours.

An introduction to social issues in modern day society. Beginning with an introduction to differing sociological perspectives, and addresses issues such as the changing demographics in the U.S., gender inequality, the environment, and both utopian and dystopian societies. Students will be expected to review, consider, and write how each of the topics impacts their lives, either directly or indirectly. (F, Sp, Su)

PSSC 3203. Diversity in the United States.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Sophomore Standing or permission from an academic advisor. An examination of current issues of race, gender, class, and culture utilizing a combination of empirical data, historic records and conceptual reflection. (F, Sp, Su) [III-SS].

PSSC 3223. Social Justice Leadership.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or permission from academic advisor. An interdisciplinary examination of issues related to social justice and leadership. The concepts of race, class, gender, and ability are addressed from a variety of historical, conceptual, and theoretical perspectives relating to the study of social difference. Also includes an analysis of social movements and strategies for community engagement. (F, Sp, Su)

PSSC 3263. Multiculturalism in the Workplace: Global Challenges.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Junior Standing or departmental permission. An examination of psychological and organizational challenges that leaders experience in a multicultural or multinational workplace. Includes case studies and discussions to illustrate theories and research findings for developing positive employee engagement strategies. (F, Sp, Su)

PSSC 3333. Human Arrangements: Troubled Institutions, Probs. Inequality.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: junior standing or permission from adviser; LSTD 1313 and LSTD 1323. Issues affecting institutions from family through those affecting the national population, including health care, education, the economy, and the interaction of government with all such questions. Problems arising from inequality among groups in the society, including poverty, elderly and young, minority and majority, and gender concerns. (F, Sp, Su)

PSSC 3363. Ethics in Social Sciences.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: junior standing or permission from adviser; LSTD 1313 and LSTD 1323. Concepts, principles and case studies involved in ethics in the social sciences, with a particular emphasis on business ethics. Students will examine core values in light of social conditioning, short-term profiteering and the need for affiliation. (F, Sp, Su)

PSSC 3373. American Public Intellectuals.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission from adviser. Examines the unique and diverse styles of six important Americans from different eras in order to determine the impact these individuals had on society and posterity. (F, Sp, Su)

PSSC 3383. Harry Potter and the Culture of the Wizarding World.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: ENGL 1113 or equivalent, ENGL 1213 or equivalent; junior standing or permission from Academic Advisor. This course takes a social sciences approach to analyze social and cultural themes within the films from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. Students will practice social science methodologies and apply key social sciences concepts to evaluate character actions, relationships, and social structures within the wizarding world, drawing parallels to current and historical events and personal experiences as well. (F, Sp, Su) [III-SS].

PSSC 4133. US History of World War II - Pacific Theater.3 Credit Hours.

A review of several contemporary theories of the United States involvement in World War II: Pacific Theater. Students examine the historical process and practice effective communication skills through exercise. (F, Sp, Su)

PSSC 4263. Understanding Race in American Society.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission from academic adviser. An exploration of the major theoretical perspectives used to explain racial issues in the United States. Identifies common racial/ethnic assumptions through an examination of how race or ethnicity is portrayed in the media with a comparison of current research findings relating to inequality. (F, Sp, Su)