Contemporary Issues

OFFICE: 2073 Humanities and Social Sciences Building, Muir College, (858) 534-3589

Director

Susan Smith, Ph.D.

Courses

For course descriptions not found in the 2006-2007 General Catalog, please contact the department for more information.

Lower-Division

22. Human Sexuality (4)    A survey of the nature and problems of human sexuality in the development of the individual, in cultural traditions and values, and in social roles and organizations, particularly with regard to contemporary America. Staff. Not offered in 2006-07.

40. Contemporary Issues: The AIDS Epidemic (4)    Using current information, this course will deal with the worldwide spread of AIDS, particularly into communities, colleges, and universities. Discussion topics: origin, infection, biology, clinical expression, risks, vaccines, epidemiology, and the social, ethical, economic, and legal aspects of this epidemic. Not offered in 2006-07.

50. Information and Academic Libraries (2)    An introduction to research strategies directed at satisfying the information needs of the student using the academic library, with emphasis on the UCSD library system. Library techniques will be acquired through lectures and discussion, problem sets, and a term project. Students will learn to extend these techniques to independent research. Not offered in 2006-07.

Upper-Division

136. The Anthropology of Medicine (4)    (Same as ANGN 128.) Theoretical approaches to and cross-cultural analyses of the role of the medical profession, the sick and the healers, and culture as communication in the medical event. The theoretical anthropological aspects of medical practice and medical research will include a consideration of the “Great Traditions” of medicine as well as primitive and peasant systems. Western medicine will be considered in the foregoing framework, with issues of contemporary concern by way of introduction. Prerequisite: upper-division standing. Not offered in 2006-07.

195. Discussion Leading in Contemporary Issues (4)    Students will lead groups of ten to twenty students in discussions of contemporary concern. Students will meet with the professor to plan and prepare for their discussions to be held weekly. Students will also consult with another faculty member specializing in their topics for further check on reading materials and course of discussion. (P/NP grades only.) Prerequisite: Contemporary Issues 196 and consent of the director of Interdisciplinary Sequences. Not offered in 2006-07.

196. Contemporary Issues Workshop (2)    A workshop for potential discussion leaders in the Contemporary Issues Program. Students will investigate topics for discussion and methods of presentation and inquiry. Participating in the workshop does not guarantee selection as discussion leader. (P/NP grades only.)

198. Group Studies in Contemporary Issues (4)    Group studies, readings, projects, and discussions in areas of contemporary concern. Course is set up so that students may work together as a group with a professor in an area of contemporary concern whereby the group emphasis would be more beneficial and constructive than individual special studies. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (P/NP grades only.)

199. Special Studies in Contemporary Issues (2-4)    To be offered during fall, winter, and spring quarters. Permission of the director of Interdisciplinary Sequences is required. The 199 course is to be made up of individual reading and projects in the areas of contemporary concern. Term paper and/or completed project is required. This class is given under special circumstances, e.g., student abroad. (P/NP grades only.)

500. Apprentice Teaching in Contemporary Issues (4)    A course in which teaching assistants are aided in learning proper teaching methods by means of supervision of their work by the faculty: handling of discussions, preparation and grading of examinations and other written exercises, and student relations. Prerequisite: graduate standing.