Contemporary Issues
2073 Humanities and Social Sciences
Building, Muir College
(858) 534-3589
Director
Susan Smith, PhD
Courses
For course descriptions not found in the UC San Diego General Catalog, 2012–13, please contact the department for more information.
Lower Division
1. CI: The University in Society (4)
Overview of the history and role of higher education in American society, including a focus on the relationship between society and institutions of higher learning. The course utilizes an interdisciplinary, multicultural perspective reflecting the diversity of the university.
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 UC San Diego Libraries. 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.
Upper Division
136. The Anthropology of Medicine (4)
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. Prerequisites: upper-division standing. Course not offered in 2012–13.
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.) Prerequisites: Contemporary Issues 196 and consent of the director of Interdisciplinary Sequences.
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.)