PSY7603: Introduction to Psychology
The following important concepts are examined: the biological basis of behaviour, sensation and perception,
consciousness, learning, memory, thought and language, development, motivation and emotion, personality,
intelligence and assessment, health, stress and coping, psychological disorders, approaches to treatment and
social psychology.
Theme 4: Personal Understanding
PRL7532: College and Career Success
Students develop and expand their abilities as lifelong learners. These abilities are essential to students as they take their place in college, community, family and working life. Course content includes awareness of self as a learner and study of learning, motivation and problem-solving theories. Important throughout are attitudes which help students to deal with a complex, changing world. Teaching/learning methods include classroom discussion and exercises, reflective journals to monitor, evaluate and guide the student’s development, as well as lectures.
Theme 4: Personal Understanding
Rationale: Matter and energy form the basis of all living and non-living systems, the nature and interactions of which are the focus of all scientific study. Science provides an understanding of all natural phenomena, while technology utilizes them for human benefit. As science driven by economic motors, technology increasingly impacts all aspects of human endeavour with myriad psychosocial, cultural, economic, and philosophical implications. For example, the integration of computers into almost every aspect of human life—unique in human history—has far-reaching implications for the environment that supports us and even for our survival as a species.
Content: Courses in this area range in focus from the basics of the scientific method to the diverse technological applications that have changed—and will continue to change—our lives for better and worse. While students may develop a wary eye for the dangers of technological excess and encroachment into every aspect of our collective being, they also explore ways that new technology can be used to right the wrongs of old technology, especially with regard to the environment. Other technologies explored may also bring us to a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the environment and universe. The following Objectives define the general learning outcomes of courses in the Science and Technology General Education Theme:
Theme Objectives:
Scientific Foundations
Technological Advancement
Rationale: Becoming the fully functional, integrated persons necessary to achieve vocational and financial success requires due attention to our physical, mental, emotional, social, sexual, and spiritual health. The long road to personhood can be a bumpy one without roadmaps through the various social systems and institutions that take us safely from early adulthood to retirement.
Content: Courses in this area focus on understanding one’s personal development, economic function, social life, place in the environment and universe, challenges and opportunities, setbacks and success, and meaning and purpose. Courses facilitating the study of human social behaviour systematically allow students to understand how individuals can function and succeed in a variety of contexts. The following Objectives define the general learning outcomes of courses in the Personal Understanding General Education Theme:
Theme Objectives:
Placing Ourselves
Finding Our Potential Selves
Rationale: Knowing the patterns and precedents of the past provides the means by which people may develop awareness of their place in contemporary culture and society. Such knowledge also helps frame an understanding of the main currents of one’s own culture and that of others across time in order to place one’s personal experience in the collective that constitutes culture at large.
Content: Courses in this area deal broadly with major social and cultural themes that define people and events historically and geographically. Many focus on the various ways that historical and contemporary events may be interpreted through available evidence. Students thus develop an appreciation for and understanding of the impact of socio-cultural, ethnic, and religious forces on individuals and groups. The following Objectives define the general learning outcomes of courses in the Social and Cultural Understanding General Education Theme:
Theme Objectives:
Past and Present—Here, There, and Everywhere
Making Sense of It All
Rationale: For people to live responsibly and reach their potential as individuals and citizens in society, they must understand the human relationship patterns that underlie orderly conduct within that society’s various structural units. Informed people must understand the meaning of civic life in relation to diverse communities at the local, national, and global level, and be aware of international issues and their effects on Canada and its place in the international community.
Content: Courses in this area provide students with an understanding of the meaning of rights, freedoms, and participation in community and public life, in addition to a working knowledge of the structure and function of various levels of government in Canada and/or in an international context. They may also provide an historical understanding of major political issues affecting relations between these various levels and their constituents. The following Objectives define the general learning outcomes of courses in the Civic Life General Education Theme:
Theme Objectives:
One Human to Another
The Group
Wider Context
Theme 1 – Arts in Society
Rationale: Your capacity to recognize and evaluate artistic and creative achievements is useful in many aspects of life. Since artistic expression is a fundamental human activity that both reflects and anticipates developments in culture at large, its study enhances your cultural understanding and self-awareness.
Content: Courses in this theme group lead to an understanding of the importance of visual and creative arts in human affairs, of artists’ and writers’ perceptions of the world, and the means by which those perceptions are translated into visual, auditory, performance, literary, and other art forms. They also provide an appreciation of the aesthetic values used in examining works of art and possibly a direct experience in expressing perceptions artistically. The following Objectives define the general learning outcomes of courses in the Arts in Society General Education Theme:
Theme Objectives:
Art Itself
Social Context
Meaning
Creation
GED5003: The Science of Play
Toys and games, key components of play, have evolved from homemade trinkets to highly engineered items in a multi-billion-dollar industry. Students explore the connections between technology and play, specifically the benefits, drawbacks and ethical implications of toy and game design. Case studies allow students to consider familial, cultural, sociological, and other influences upon toy and game design over the last century. Through discussion, analysis and workshops, students move towards designing their own toy or game, or modifying an existing one.
Theme 5: Science and Technology
ENL1829: The Art of Oratory
From ghost stories around the campfire to political speeches by world leaders, oratory plays a significant role in human interaction. Participants examine the social significance of public speaking, including theoretical, psychological and physiological aspects of this art. Participants prepare and take part in workshops, as well as critique and deliver oral presentations, as they tell their own stories.
Prerequisite(s): ENL1813B and ENL1823B (or) ENL1813B and ENL1962.
ENL1798: Contemporary Canadian Issues
A critical understanding of contemporary Canadian issues is essential to being an active member in our democratic society. Students explore a variety of topics and analyze their ethical implications and relevance to Canadian life. Discussions and debates, as well as related interactive activities, offer opportunities to consider recent controversies from different perspectives. Use of a variety of media (e.g. newspapers, articles and electronic resources) allows for in-depth reflection on the history of current social and political issues.