http://www.sonoma.edu/users/w/warmotha/303

Psy 303.  The Person in Society:
Constructing a Multicultural Society in the United States

Spring 2005
3 units

Friday, 9-11:40
Stevenson 1002

Instructor:  Sandi Stein
Associate Instructors:  Wayne Downey & Art Warmoth

Course Description:   How humans behave, think and feel in interpersonal relationships, families, workplaces, communities, and natural environments.  How each of these social contexts affects the way people behave in the others. Interrelationships with larger political and economic variables are explored, drawing from other disciplines that offer relevant insights and knowledge.

For the Spring 2005 semester, this course will examine these issues through the lens of how to co-create a truly multicultural society in California and the United States.

The course will be both theoretical and personal in its orientation. Through readings, lectures, and films, you will be introduced to relevant concepts and theories. Through exercises, small group work, and writing, you will be encouraged to apply these concepts to your own life, to reflect on your hopes and visions for the future, and to identify ways that you can make creative contributions to a healthy society.

Films: Films are a central part of the course curriculum. Films illustrate cultural ideas and values that are easily accessible and present pedagogical opportunities for learners to approach psychological and sociological perspectives on individual, social, and cultural behaviors in new ways.

The films for this course have been selected to illustrate different cultural views on issues including family structure, social roles, race, class, and gender. Other films explore the realties of creating political systems and some of the social ideas and prejudices that must be confronted and transformed in creating social inclusivity and multiculturalism.
 

CLASS SCHEDULE:  LECTURES, FILMS, READINGS

MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS

GRADING POLICY

BIBLIOGRAPHY (Additional information on Readings)

FILMOGRAPHY (Additional information on Films)

CONTACT INSTRUCTORS

Psy 303 KEY TERMS

Link to Psy 303 Live Journal at http://www.livejournal.com/community/ssu_psych303/

Below you will find a statement of the Mission, Goals and Objectives of General Education at Sonoma State University.  The goals and objectives that apply to Psych 303 are highlighted in green.

STATEMENT ON THE MISSION, GOALS & 0BJECTIVES OF 
GENERAL EDUCATION AT SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY (Fall 2002)

Unanimously approved by the GE Subcommittee, and sent to EPC, October 23, 2002.
Unanimously approved by EPC, November 14, 2002
Unanimously approved by the Faculty Senate, March 6, 2003 (as revised)

MISSION

General Education (GE) at Sonoma State University (SSU) investigates the complexity of human experience in a diverse natural and social world, and promotes informed and ethical participation as citizens of the world.

TEACHING GOALS

To achieve this mission, in concert with the specific needs of various GE Areas of Study, the GE program asserts the following fundamental goals for all GE approved classes:

I.  Teach students to think independently, ethically, critically and creatively
II.  Teach students to communicate clearly to many audiences
III.  Teach students to gain an understanding of connections between the past and the present, and to look to the future
IV. Teach students to appreciate intellectual, scientific, and artistic accomplishment
V.  Teach and/or build upon reading, writing, research, and critical thinking skills

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1.  Acquire a foundation of intellectual skills and capacities

a. Develop intellectual curiosity (Supports Goals I, II, III, IV, and V)
b. Develop research skills (I, III, IV, V)
c. Write and speak effectively to various audiences (I, II, V)
d. Evaluate everyday experiences critically (I, III, IV, V)
e. Develop capacity to reason quantitatively (I, IV, V)
f. Work collaboratively to achieve defined goals and objectives (I, II, V)
g. Develop skill in the use of information technology (I, II, V)
h. Imagine, design, and execute scholarly and creative projects (I, II, IV, V)
i. Translate problems into common language (I, II, V)

2.  Develop social and global knowledge

a. Understand and appreciate human diversity and multicultural perspectives (I, II, III, V)
b. Prepare for active engagement in the community (I, II, III, V)
c. Understand and be sensitive to the global environment (I, II, III, IV, V)
d. Understand social justice issues (I, III, IV, V)
e. Engage with challenging moral and ethical human dilemmas (I, II, III, IV, V)

3.  Understand and use multiple methods of inquiry and approaches to knowledge

a. Understand and appreciate mathematics and science (I, II, III, IV, V)
b. Understand and appreciate fine and performing arts (I, II, III, IV, V)
c. Understand and appreciate historical and social phenomena (I, II, III, IV, V)
d. Recognize and use perspectives of diverse disciplines (I, II, III, IV, V)

4. Develop capacities for integration and lifelong learning

a. Evaluate alternative career choices (I, III, IV, V)
b. Recognize the importance of lifelong learning (I, II, III, IV, V)
c. Integrate general education experiences (I, II, III, IV, V)
d. Cultivate ways to empower the learning of others (I, II, III, IV, V)
e. Engage in responsible citizenship (I, II, III, IV, V)