Social Sciences (SSC)

This course challenges students to develop a critical thinking approach to reading, discussing and writing about psychological writing. Specific content covers major issues in the field of psychology, including the place of values in research, the origins and treatment of mental illness, learning and intelligence, psychological assessment, personality, motivation and behavior, and relationships. Broader issues of nature vs. nurture and the influence of gender and culture will be considered throughout the course.

The course covers contemporary courtship, marriage and family behavior; factors in dating, marriage and interaction, and counseling instruments.

This course is the introductory course for child advocacy studies. This course covers the history, comparative perspectives, the legal framework, responses to child maltreatment, the skills necessary to do the work, other pertinent issues pertaining to child maltreatment and child advocacy, and the future. The field of child maltreatment is fraught with controversy. Much of the class focuses on these controversies. The approach of the course will be from a variety of diverse, professional perspectives including the perspectives of a prosecuting attorney versus a defense attorney. The course is designed for students majoring in sociology, psychology, criminal justice, education, ministry, or other areas where knowledge of child maltreatment and advocating for children might be necessary.

An introduction to the field of gerontology and its approaches to the social, psychological, and physical concerns of aging. A special concern will be aging well in later life. Includes personal exposure to the aged and their environment, and consideration of ministries among the aged as viable vocational options.

This course is designed to examine how culture, social structure, and social processes contribute to the creation of problems in society. Various strategies and interventions used to solve the different social problems are reviewed and evaluated.

This course examines the historical construction of the city of Chicago, from its origins to the present day. In the course, students analyze the influence of culture, social organization, politics and government, economics, and the built environment on urban society. Students also assess the role of the city in regional and national life, and investigate ways of thinking historically and sociologically about the city, with particular emphasis on employing a Christian worldview.

An examination of three functions of human services (casework, group work and community organization) and exposure to local human services agencies. Includes presentations by agency staff members and visits to facilities. Students also explore options for licensure/certification in the human services field and are introduced to professional issues (working with diverse populations, professional ethics)

Reviews psychological principles and underlying social behavior; social perception, interpersonal relations, motivation formation, change, and assessment of attitudes, values, and beliefs; conformity and non conformity; and social interaction in small groups, role theory, leadership, organizational behavior, and change.

Reviews psychological principles and underlying social behavior; social perception, interpersonal relations, motivation formation, change, and assessment of attitudes, values, and beliefs; conformity and non conformity; and social interaction in small groups, role theory, leadership, organizational behavior, and change. Fulfills Honors Program credit hour requirement.

An overview of theories of development of sex differences as well as gender as a social construction. This course will emphasize feminist theory as applied to different areas of social and psychological development, such as personality traits, aggression, achievement, cognitive ability, and relationships. Students will examine their personal experiences related to gender in light of the course content and Christian faith.

Studies diverse lifestyles, values, socio-economic classes, ethnic, racial and immigrant backgrounds, and their social significance.

Gives rationale, assumptions and applications of experimental designs and statistical techniques used in analysis of research data; measures of central tendency, normal distribution, probability, linear regression, correlations, chi square, t tests and analysis of variance; and models based on anthropological, psychological and sociological experiments.

An introduction to research methods currently used in psychology and other social sciences. The course includes the steps involved in research from the foundation of research questions to the interpretation of findings. Both quantitative and qualitative methods are introduced. Students will also learn basic skills in using current statistical software packages.

This course will give a foundational understanding of the major theories involved in family studies and how those theories lead to different definitions of 'family.' Theories to be covered include exchange theory, symbolic interaction, conflict theory, family life cycle, and family systems theory. Students will be introduced to the subdiscipline of family psychology and the profession and discipline of family therapy. Students will also begin to develop 'a theology of family.'