Courses

Introduction to the general field of anthropology, including reviews of scientific theories as basis of the academic research, as well as social, cultural, ethnographic and methodological topics which refer to the discipline. The course includes a study of diversity and similarity of behavior patterns, values, traditions, economical systems and customs of people in different cultural contexts- present and past. The focus will be to enhance students understanding of human nature. This will be derived from the investigation of the variety and range of socially standardized responses to the circumstances of human living. Such insight transcends a culture- bound approach, which views things from the narrow perspective of one's native cultural background. In each aspect of human culture this introduction seeks to provide an appreciation of other cultures as well an understanding of our values attitudes within society, lastly it reflects the perspective of our Christian faith toward society.

This course provides an introduction to the field of international development through an overview of the many issues and challenges relating to economic disparity among people of various nations. Students engage in the exploration of responses to these situations. The course is open to students from all disciplines.

This course gives students the opportunity to examine and interpret how the socio-cultural context affects the way people speak in that setting. Topics in focus include regional and social dialects, multilingualism, language attitudes and their impact on national and personal identity, linguistic politeness, the maintenance, shift, loss, and spread of languages, and the impact of modern technology. Applications to gender and education are explored in depth.

The study of sound systems of human language, including initial principles of phonological analysis. Application of these principles to a wide range of natural language data.

Theories of grammar and principles of language analysis. Topics include: morphology, syntax, stems, words, phrases, sentences, and categories of meaning. Problem solving with data from a variety of languages is a major part of the course.

This course is about the nature of cross-cultural interaction. Cultural concepts and contexts are explored through taxonomies, theories, and comparative analysis. Through in-class and out-of-class activities, students become self-aware and other-aware. Students also experiment with cultural behaviours and cultural change, aiming to increase both explanatory and predictive cultural knowledge, and enhance behavioural competencies.

This course provides an analysis of the relationship of government policies and economic development in selected Asian, African, and Latin American countries. Topics include the role of leadership and public policy; challenges of development; obstacles to democratization; and the interaction of domestic and global political/economic structures.

Religion asks foundational questions about human existence and identity. Who am I? What can I know about God, and does God’s existence give my life greater meaning and purpose? How should I regard my neighbor and the stranger? What are my responsibilities in this world? This course addresses these and other questions through the lens of the Old Testament. Students will develop skills of interpretation in order to gain insight into its literature, history, and beliefs. Students will learn to interpret the Old Testament contextually and respectfully, articulating the relevance of its theology, ethics, and spirituality for the twenty-first century.

Religion asks foundational questions about human existence and identity. Who am I? What can I know about God, and does God’s existence give my life greater meaning and purpose? Who is Jesus and how has his death and resurrection redefined conceptions of human identity? This course addresses these and other questions through the lens of the New Testament. Students will develop skills of interpretation in order to gain insight into its literature, history, and beliefs. Students will learn to interpret the New Testament contextually and respectfully, articulating the relevance of its theology, ethics, and spirituality for the twenty-first century.