By examining the works of different writers and thinkers, we will explore why “social dreaming” is vital to individuals and communities. We will also examine how the concept of ideology, as well as other contextual circumstances such as economic privilege, geography, and culture, inform and influence human perception and action regarding utopianism. Using the theme of utopianism as a broad starting lens, students will be able to develop arguments, support them with evidence, and present them knowledgeably and convincingly in writing.

Offered by:
Gianfranco Languasco (Mon-Wed-Fri)
Nicholas Walmsley (Mon-Wed-Fri)
Michael Jones (Mon-Wed-Fri)
Gulden Issina (Mon-Wed-Fri)
Adam Hefty (Tues-Thurs)

The course will involve close reading of texts grappling with ideas about seeing and being seen in literal and metaphorical ways. From the mass re-production of works of art, to encounters with natural wonders; from notions of what is normal or abnormal, to how people are categorized anthropologically, we will investigate our identities and interactions with the world through the lens of four writers: Ruth Behar, John Berger, Michel Foucault, and Walker Percy. The challenges will be great, the rewards will be greater.

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Cinderella, Snow White, Baba Yaga, Kozy-Korpesh and Bayan-Sulu. What do these stories have in common? What do they mean? Is there a deeper reason why we still know these stories or are they simply enjoyable tales? In this class, we will examine our continuing fascination with folklore and fairy tales, looking at the ways we have adapted ourselves and the stories we tell to our modern sensibilities. Modern adaptations may include Disney films like Frozen, Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away, or short fiction like “In the Desert Like a Bone.” Throughout the semester, we will consider how fairy tales speak to, subvert, or confirm the biases and underlying assumptions of the cultures that have shaped us and the lives we lead.

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What are the effects and implications of media and social media in modern society? In this course we will explore ways which various media, including digital and social media have shaped contemporary society in terms of our attitudes, beliefs, practices, and daily life in general. Focus areas will include education, employment, journalism, politics, human rights, and privacy, among others.

Offered by:
Thomas Hughes (Mon-Wed-Fri)
Shahreen Mat Nayan (Tues-Thurs)

This course explores the psychology of personality, through the well-established psychometric inventory known as the Big Five, the popular Myer Briggs personality test, and theories of human emotion. We will consider student personalities using Bandura’s self-efficacy paradigm, and explore how cognitive skills and other abilities are based in the brain, but also reflect child-rearing practices, as well as other possible reasons why people excel in different areas. Readings will address states and traits, the eight emotions with a biophysical basis, and other aspects of behaviour and psychodynamics. A range of examples will help detail our understanding, including music and personality, and the use of personality testing in hiring.

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The theme of Identity is explored through several theories; the connection between learning and change in the physical structure of the brain; cultural dimensions; the emergence of agency and identity through experience and action as studied in history; emotional intelligence; the power of emotion in effecting change; possible selves; and multiple intelligences. Through reasoned argument, supported by evidence from these approaches and other sources, with an audience and point of view in mind, reflection by course members throws light on the possibility of creating and self-defining one’s Identity.

Offered by:
Jane Hoelker (Mon-Wed-Fri);
Nurly Marshal (Mon-Wed-Fri)

What is Quality of Life? Is there one single universal idea of Quality of Life? In what different ways can we think about it? In order to measure and monitor quality of life, a systematic approach is needed leading from concept to measure, then to synthesis and interpretation. Critical reading and analysis of a range of credible sources will help you formulate your own conception of quality of life, and the choice of the instruments to measure objective and subjective dimensions of the quality of life. The aim of this work, and specifically of the two papers you will write in the course of your study, is to practice meaningful academic argumentation which values clarity, reason, evidence and rigour.

Offered by:
Ian Albert Peterkin (Mon-Wed-Fri)

“We stand on the brink of a technological revolution that will fundamentally alter the way we live, work, and relate to one another,” says Klaus Schwab, who coined the concept of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as 4IR or Industry 4.0. In this course, we will explore what exactly 4IR means, whether it is really a new era or an extension of the Third Industrial Revolution, and how revolutionary it truly is while questioning the promises and challenges of the 4IR from different perspectives, including economic, legal, political, educational, ethical, sociological, and psychological viewpoints. The 4IR, as our course theme, will give us the ground to understand, analyze, respond to, and develop arguments.

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In this section, we will explore various ways that living in a globalized world impacts conceptions of personal identity and constructions of culture. Course theme readings will address issues of cultural hybridity, locality, representation, global media, tradition, language, public culture, and the cultural impacts of global pandemic. By examining the works of different writers and thinkers, we will discover where we stand as individuals on cultural issues that emerge in our interconnected world. We will also consider how these issues relate to our lived experiences. With a topic and a point of view, we will be able develop arguments, support them with evidence, and present them knowledgeably and convincingly in writing.

Offered by:
Elizabeth Abele (Mon-Wed-Fri)

In this section we will read articles discussing different topics related to food: the process of making food, food and identity, food industry and public policies, food and technology, etc. These discussions explored various issues, such as the purpose and definition of food, our relationships with food and eating, food choices, the future of food, and the food systems, etc. The theme of the course aims to provoke conversations, challenge your thinking, and develop your writing abilities. With a topic and a point of view, we will be able to develop arguments, support them with evidence, and present them knowledgeably and convincingly in writing.

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In this course we will explore various taboos and controversies surrounding animal rights, langauge, gender expression, sexuality, drugs, abortion, and sex work. By analyzing arguments and rhetoric surrounding taboos and controversial topics, we can develop a reasoned and mature point of view on even the most inflammatory subjects. At the end of this course, students will be able to analyze and develop arguments, support these arguments with evidence, and present them according to the rules of good rhetoric.

Offered by:
Jim Swider (Tues-Thurs)

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) comprises a broad set of AI technologies that can be used to create new content. We will explore the current discourses on the potential and risks associated with how generative AI can be used and misused. Whereas a number of claims remain relatively speculative and require more critical scrutiny, there are concrete, well-evidenced, current risks of generative AI documented in scholarly research. Through extensive reading of a range of sources we will try to develop our own critical understanding of the genuine challenges posed by the development and deployment of generative AI and, importantly, of how these challenges can be addressed.

Offered by:
Olga Campbell-Thomson (Mon-Wed-Fri)

Whether you are a sports participant or spectator, a sports lover or hater, is there some aspect of sport you would like to understand better? In this course, you can think about sport in all its complexity from contrasting perspectives based on your interests (e.g., biomechanical, commercial, anthropological, economic, ethical, fictional, gender, genetic, historical, medical, nutritional, physiological, psychological, political, sociological, technological, training...). Motivated by this broad theme, I hope that you will develop your ability to analyze other people’s arguments more critically and, in turn, produce more effective arguments yourself in appropriate styles using high quality academic English to help you with your current and future university courses.

Offered by:
Jerry Spring (Tues-Thurs)

We will consider the potential benefits and challenges of higher education. It will describe, explain, analyze and critically reflect on and evaluate different understandings of the purpose of higher education, the nature and structure of it and different models of learning. At the end of the course you should be able to present a position on the values and value of higher education from the perspective of different stakeholders. It will also introduce you to articles and statistical and visual data that map out trends in higher educational. You will be expected to critically reflect upon and contribute to the debate on the values and value of higher education through evidence-based arguments and through the use of local and contextual knowledge.

Offered by:
Andrew Drybrough (Mon-Wed-Fri)