Social Science

Through a combination of close reading, in class lecture and discussion, and reading response assignments, this course will introduce students to the study of philosophy. Traveling through the ethical theories of Aristotle in the ancient world, to those of J.S. Mill, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Henry David Thoreau in the 19th century, to those of Theodor Adorno in the 20th century, this introduction will be organized around the perennial philosophical question of what constitutes the good life for human beings and the possible role of art in such a life

Under the guidance of the professor, students will write a 15-page paper on the topic of international relations; examples of research topics: What is globalization? How do we measure it? What are the pros and cons of globalization? What is the best way to reduce government corruption? Use the data of Transparency International, select a country and write a report, etc.

This Psychology Research Program takes knowledge from the Introductory psychology course, leads students to understand all aspects of psychology, and explores their interests through conducting research. The professor will guide students through an empirical review of current psychological literature.

Students will learn important terminology and concepts and how these apply to the political process in the U.S. Students will learn basics about the U.S. Constitution, the relationship between the national government and the state governments; the three branches of the national government; the role of political parties, the media, and big business/corporations; lobbying, the role of money in politics, especially in electoral campaigns.

This course is a survey of a wide range of topics in international relations. The course will cover several widely used theories that explain recurring patterns in international relations, including Liberalism, Realism, Marxism, and Constructivism. The course will introduce institutions that have been pillars of the world order since World War II, such as the United Nations, the Bretton Woods monetary system, and the world trading system.

Through Historical Research and Writing, students will learn about choosing a topic, composing research questions, effective research methods, drafting, composing, and revising. These skills will be taught with an emphasis on historical research, allowing students to engage in analysis of primary and secondary sources, discover interesting insights in history, and partake in the active pursuit of understanding the importance of the historical study.