Courses

A general survey of Cultural Anthropology from a behavioral, cognitive, and material perspective and viewed as a social science, focuses on cultural factors that affect human behavior, including a brief overview of the four major fields of anthropology. Topics include cultural change, language, family, religious practices, economic subsistence patterns, and political power systems. (3 units; Fall/Spring)

This course offers a common sense approach to economics, covering basic economic laws and how they apply to our world and everyday life. The course focuses on the overall economy and economic theories that offer explanations for its fluctuations and changes. Also, the course is designed to give the student a sufficient grounding in the terminology, basic concepts, and issues of economics to stimulate interest in further study and provide background in business. (3 units; Fall/Spring & OPS)

This course addresses the basic elements of the Christian faith in the context of participating in Gods global agenda. Topics include Christian worldview, the Kingdom of God, the gospel of Jesus Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, the mission of the Church, and the role of prayer. (3 units; Fall/Spring)

This course begins with an examination of the relevant international relations paradigms and evaluates several foreign policy decision-making models. The course considers important actors within the international system, such as intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations and concludes with an examination of contemporary international relations issues, such as interstate war, economic development, human rights, and trade. (3 units; Spring)

The course begins with an overview of factors (constitutions, political systems, and political ideology) political scientists use to understand and explain variations in policy outcomes at the national level. The course also examines actors (political parties, interest groups, social movements, and public opinion), processes (elections), and political institutions from a comparative perspective. The course concludes with an overview of the public policy process and examination of specific policy areas. (3 units; Fall & OPS)

An examination of the relationship between culture and language including a basic understanding of language, the development of language, linguistic aspects of culture and how the symbiosis of language and culture affect individuals, groups and nations. (3 units; Spring)

Linguistic theory and method. Includes the study of the five universal elements of language (phonology, morphology, semantics, syntax, and pragmatics) as well as the use of language and its variants in culture. Fieldwork required. Prerequisite: ENG 123. (3 units; Fall/Spring & OPS)

The course consists of a historical survey exploring primarily the cultural and intellectual features of specifically non-Western cultures, with emphasis given to East Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East, additionally covering Africa, and the pre-Columbian Americas. (3 units; Spring & OPS)

This course will address principles and processes of communication from one culture to another. Attention will be given to different perceptions, ways of thinking, values, verbal and non-verbal expression, and sub-groups within a given culture. Prerequisite: 3 units of Biblical Studies coursework. (3 units; Spring)

This course explores the relationship between the economy and politics and provides both a description and assessment of the economy. This entails an overview of economic theory, macroeconomics, savings, investments, microeconomics and markets, inflation, monetary policy, international economics and globalization, and the role of the private sector and government. (3 units; Fall, odd years, & OPS)

This course studies the world's geographic areas and the outstanding human, social, and physical features of realms and regions. In doing so, special attention is given to the more important features of histories, societies, cultures, and religions of the people living in the region. It also examines the relationship between human life and natural environment. The purpose is to help students better understand the world, our relationship with the environment, and human connections around the globe. (3 units; Fall/Spring & OPS)

The course provides a critical assessment of political economy with a special emphasis on the increasing pace of globalization. The course begins with an overview of economics, which is the study of how human beings cope with the problem of provisioning themselves. After discussing the relevant economic principles, the course examines the causes and consequences of economic globalization. (3 units; Fall, even years)

This course examines the research methods used in Political Science. Topics addressed in the course include the philosophical and theoretical foundations of social science research; ethical issues related to research; research design; descriptive and inferential statistic analysis; survey, qualitative field, unobtrusive, and evaluation research; and qualitative and quantitative data analysis with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Students will obtain the statistical knowledge necessary to read and critique scholarly articles and books. In addition, the course will prepare students to use statistical methods in their own research in graduate school or in their professional careers. (3 units; Fall & OPS)

A senior capstone course designed to demonstrate the competence of Political Science majors in the discipline and showcase their research and writing skills. The portfolio produced by the student in completion of this project must conform to the departmental guidelines for Senior Projects. Prerequisites: POL 450 and Senior status. (3 units; Spring)