SOCI 131 Introduction to Sociology (Cr.3) The purpose of this course is to acquaint students with the development of modern sociology. Reference is made to the contributions of Ibn Khaldun and al-Farabi to sociology and social thought and to the input of some of the founding fathers. The course also includes the study of social institutions as the family, culture, socialization, intergroup relations, social aggregates and the methodology of sociology. Students are encouraged to reflect on the issues confronting their society through the use of sociological principles and guidelines.
SOCI 231 Sociology of the Family (Cr.3) The focus of this course is the family with its related systems. Forms and functions of the family are discussed as they have evolved historically together with the effects of social change on the family and the relationships that contribute to its integration. Kinship systems, marriage and divorce are studied with concentration on modern developments in the Arab family.
Prerequisite: SOCI 131
SOCI 233 Classical Theory (Cr.3) The objective of this course is to familiarize students with the theories of the founding fathers as Comte, Marx, Weber and Durkheim. This knowledge should enable students to understand how classical theories have contributed to the development of sociology and to discuss the relevance of some of these theories to Palestinian and Arab society.
SOCI 235 Modern Sociological Theory (Cr.3) Trends and theories of modern sociology are discussed with attention to structural-functionalism, conflict and psychosocial paradigms. Points of divergence and convergence among the various theories and trends are highlighted enabling students to apply this knowledge to their own society.
Prerequisite: SOCI 233
SOCI 245 Statistics for the Social Sciences (Cr.3) This course comprises a study of the rationale, application and interpretation of statistical concepts pertinent to social sciences. Frequency distribution and graphing, measures of central tendency, measures of relative standing, hypothesis testing, regression, correlation and probability are covered.
SOCI 331 Methods of Social Research (Cr.3) The nature of social research is studied with emphasis on the characteristics of the social researcher and the scientific method in social studies. The steps involved in social research are clarified together with the tools used in gathering, classification and analysis of data. The outstanding methods and tools currently used in social studies are also discussed.
Prerequisite: SOCI 245
SOCI 333 Demography (Cr.3) The aim of this course is to introduce students to the science of population. Demographic terms, equations and theories are studied in order to understand the significance of vital statistics and the characteristics of the population as they relate to age-sex composition, spatial distribution and other specific indicators. Students are encouraged to focus on their own society and to compare its population data and figures with neighboring and other societies.
SOCI 334 Arab Society (Cr.3) The objective of this course is to introduce students to Arab society with emphasis on Palestinian society. Social, cultural and political systems and their manifestations in social structure, institutions and behavior of individuals are examined in the Arab and Palestinian contexts. Prospects and obstacles to development are also studied with focus on the challenges facing Palestinian society.
SOCI 335 Social Stratification (Cr.3) Students are introduced to the concepts of inequality and stratification. Slavery, the estate system, castes and classes are discussed. The Marxist and Weberian approaches to stratification are examined together with the theories expounded by Davis, Moore, Lenski, Dahrendorf and others. Attention is given to stratification in Palestinian society based on the theoretical knowledge gained in the course.
Prerequisite: SOCI 334
SOCI 336 Civil Society (Cr.3) The aim of this course is to focus on the inter- and intra-state relations and civil society. The conditions in which socioeconomic organizations and structures integrate and function are discussed. Some topics studied include social practice, influence, pluralism, democracy, independence in processes of power, leadership and administration.
SOCI 337 Application of Research Methods (Cr.3) This course provides students with the opportunity to practice the research methods and techniques that have been studied in SOCI 331.
Prerequisite: SOCI 331
SOCI 338 Displacement and Forced Migration (Cr.3) This course focuses on refugee status and displacement as a socio-political process of international and national dimensions. Attention is given to causes and effects of this phenomenon and to various proposed solutions in different contexts. Emphasis is placed on the Palestinian refugee experience in its various aspects.
SOCI 343 Computer for the Social Sciences (Cr.3) This course introduces students to the use of the computer and to programs applied in the social sciences. In addition they are introduced to basic knowledge of statistical packages for social sciences. At the completion of the course, students should be able to enter data into the computer and to organize and analyze it.
SOCI 389 Senior Seminar in Social Science (Cr.1) This course provides seniors with an opportunity to review, organize and integrate material from previous major courses. Seminar participants conduct research and present papers for open discussion and defense, with faculty members assisting as resource consultants. Seniors in Sociology are expected to make use of the basic skills they have acquired from the methodology and statistics courses. The seminar course is required for graduation.
SOCI 435 Social Movements (Cr.3) This course examines basic processes by which societies initiate, consolidate, transform and change their basic institutions and social structures. Anatomy of reform and revolutionary social movements, especially those affecting Arab and Third World countries are given special attention.
SOCI 437 Sociology of Development and Social Service (Cr.3) This course examines concepts of development and their relevance to Palestinian society. Theories of development are discussed together with a review of public and private social service organizations engaged in development work. Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with development projects underway and to examine alternative models of development appropriate to the specific conditions of their society.
SOCI 438 Israeli Society (Cr.3) This course studies Israeli society and how it has blended heterogeneous groups who differ in customs, traditions, situations and cultures into one society. The course also focuses on the problems of creating a homogeneous society composed of different subgroups.
SOCI 439 Sociology of Media & Communication (Cr. 3)
The central topic of this course is: Interaction of historical and contemporary communication and media forms in social and cultural relations. The course examines the role of communication and media in everyday life through a variety of sociological perspectives. Emphasis is on “information society” and arguments raised not only from a technical perspective, but also from its sociological organization. Aspects of globalization, including dominance by global media conglomerates and their distinctive effects upon or resistance by national and local cultures are also considered.
PSYC 131 Introduction to Psychology (Cr.3) This course is a general introductory survey presenting the fundamental concepts in learning, developmental psychology, personality and other allied aspects such as motivation and emotion. Emphasis is placed on the essential differences between theory and fact.
PSYC 231 Developmental Psychology (Cr.3) This course includesthe development of the physical, perceptual, emotional, social and cognitive aspects of the stages of childhood and adolescence. Focus is placed on their implications in relation to the educational and social processes.
Prerequisite: PSYC 131
PSYC 232 Psychology for Health Care (Cr.3) This course enables students to acquire the necessary appreciation of the theories of psychology as applied in health care. It includes an awareness of their own behavior and that of others, and its importance in patient-therapist relationships. Topics covered include: perception, motivation, and the development of personality and attitudes. Emphasis is placed on group discussion in order to develop problem-solving skills essential for a competent health care practitioner.
PSYC 233 Social Psychology (Cr.3) This course is designed to acquaint students with new directions in social psychology. Emphasis moves from theories and methods to applied topics, including ways in which social interaction affects the behavior and thought of the individual.
Prerequisite: PSYC 231
PSYC 234 Social Psychology for Health Care (Cr.3) This course introduces students to the effects of social groups on the behavior of the individual. The nature and effects of group pressure, relationships and hierarchical structures within social groups and development of attitudes are also studied. Particular attention is paid to the effects of disability, loss, aging, and bereavement.
PSYC 243 Psychosocial Problems (Cr.3) This course acquaints students with an in-depth analysis of major psycho-social problems as drug addiction, child maltreatment, juvenile delinquency, battered women, societal reactions to mental health problems. Interrelationship among psycho-social problems, policies, social norms and delivery of services in areas of mental health, social welfare and education are discussed. Special attention is given to the identification of and intervention in psycho-social problems.
Prerequisite: PSYC 233
PSYC 331 Psychology of Adjustment (Cr.3) This course reviews theory and research in the psychology of adjustment. Emphasis is placed on major areas in psycho-social adjustment as motives, stress, frustration, anxiety, and inner conflict. The course also acquaints students with psycho-social factors that may influence adjustment in various settings as family, classroom, workplace. Students study models of prevention and intervention in order to facilitate the process of psychological adjustment.
PSCY 333 Culture and Personality (Cr.3) This course focuses on major approaches, methods, and findings in the field of culture and personality. It presents an overview of basic theories, strategies, issues and conclusions in the psychological study of personality. Attention is given to culture emphasizing the person-situation controversy.
PSYC 335 Abnormal Psychology (Cr.3) This course focuses on the concept that abnormal behaviors are no different from other behavior patterns in their development and maintenance. The aim is to acquaint students with a range of approaches to the concept of abnormality by giving a historical introduction to abnormal behavior and diagnostic methods. Students also study theories of abnormality, methods of formulating and measuring abnormal behavior, and its treatment.
PSYC 336 Introduction To Counseling (Cr. 3)
This is a basic course for students of social work and psychology. It provides students with a comprehensive survey of major theories and systems of counseling and stresses the relationship between theory and application with emphasis on counseling micro-skills.
PSYC 341 Group Dynamics (Cr.3) This course reviews theory and research in group processes while demonstrating the relevance of this work in applied Palestinian settings. Conceptual analyses of group processes is reviewed in depth when presenting ideas, evidence and viewpoints. Classic analyses of groups as leadership, reactions to deviance, and determinants of group performance are integrated with contemporary topics. Emphasis is placed on group behavior in therapeutic, educational, organizational, industrial, judiciary and athletic contexts.
Prerequisite: PSYC 131/233
PSYC 343 Political Psychology (Cr.3) A critical examination of the psychological bases of political behavior is covered in this course. It includes an analysis of the concepts of attitudes, ideology, power, influence, consensus, group conflict and social identity. Areas covered include learning and political socialization, personality and ideology, motivation in politics, public opinion and the media, political conflict and change.
PSYC 429 Clinical Psychology (Cr. 3)
Students are exposed to the history, theory and practice of clinical psychology and its relationship with abnormal psychology and counseling. Students are introduced to clinical practices used for individuals with psychological or clinical behavioral problems. Included in this course are an overview of psychotherapeutic procedures, community intervention, interview and assessment methods, and the use of personality inventories and intelligence tests. Research, ethical issues and professional relationships are also discussed.
Prerequisite: PSYC 335
PSYC 431 Exceptional Children (Cr.3) This course presents the characteristics of exceptional children and various ways in which they are educated, trained and treated. The focus is on traditional categories of special education, as learning disabilities, emotional disturbance, speech and language disorders, hearing, visual and physical impairment, and giftedness. Emphasis is placed on diagnosis, etiology, assessment and intervention.
PSYC 432 Cognitive Psychology (Cr.3) This course provides a critical overview of the theories and methods in social cognition. Application of theories and methods of research in therapy, health, politics, education, organizations, marketing and law are discussed. Emphasis is placed on social cognition theories of attribution, psychological control, social schemata, attention, personal memory and social inferences.
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