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CHSS Courses

 

 

CHSS101 Eastern Armenian Language 1 (Credits:3)

In this course students will learn the fundamentals of Eastern Armenian in order to be able to form simple sentences, recognize the Armenian alphabet and hold basic conversations. The course is for non-native speakers only.

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CHSS102 Intermediate Eastern Armenian (Credits:3)

This is an intermediate level Eastern Armenian course for students with basic knowledge of the language. Students must be able to read and write Armenian, and have basic conversational skills. The course is designed to enhance reading, speaking, and writing skills through the use of literary texts, through the application of syntax rules, through lectures, class discussions, group work, video-audio presentations, visits by various scholars, writers and artists, and occasional visits to galleries and museums. Students will be introduced to the evolution of the Armenian language, to classical and modern Armenian (similarities/differences), and to Western and Eastern Armenian (similarities/differences). They will also become familiarized with the classical orthography through some original texts. The selected texts will be provided in the form of a Course Reader designed for intermediate level learning and through additional texts handed out by the instructor throughout the course. The reader will contain poems, short stories, fables and short essays. The students will be assigned to read and to analyze the texts both in oral and written forms.

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CHSS108 Contemporary Issues in American Education (Credits:3)

This course engages students in explorations, interactions, and analyses of critical and contemporary educational issues pertaining to American education.  More specifically, students will investigate issues influencing the social and political contexts of public educational settings in the United States.  Students will actively examine the teaching profession from multiple vantage points both within and outside the domains of the American public-school system.  Against this backdrop, students will reflect on and interpret the meaning of education and schooling in a pluralistic society and examine the ethical responsibilities of teaching in a political democracy.  When appropriate, students will be asked to engage in comparative considerations of meanings and functions of public education in the United States and Republic of Armenia. Lecture, in-class workshops and group discussions.

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CHSS110 Introduction to Philosophy (Credits:3)

This course aims at introducing students to some fundamental problems from various branches of philosophy: ontology, epistemology and ethics.  Questions regarding the existence of matter, God, causation, free will and other minds, the possibility of knowledge, as well as some ethical questions will be addressed during the course.  Students will read carefully selected writings from classical and modern philosophers.  Students will be asked to write short essays and participate in well-structured debates and discussions.  This course will help students develop critical and creative thinking skills, the ability to deal with uncertainty, conceptualize and theoretically analyze real life situations and problems.  Home tasks will include readings and writing assignments. Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

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CHSS111 Introduction to Ethics (Credits:3)

This course introduces students to major ethical theories:  virtue ethics, deontology and utilitarianism.    Students will use these frameworks to analyze ethical issues and develop their own positions to perennial problems.  Special emphasis is placed on linking philosophical discussions to topics relevant to students as learners, workers, and citizens which may include numerous aspects of personal, social, professional and political life.   Students will read carefully selected readings from classical and contemporary philosophers.  Through rigorous inclass debates and discussions, students will be challenged to consider ethical dilemmas from different perspectives and weigh the strengths and shortcomings of various ethical theories.  Home tasks will include readings and writing assignments. Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

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CHSS112 Introduction to Logic & Rhetoric (Credits:3)

The course introduces basic laws of logic, forms of thought, strategies and devices of developing and presenting public speeches.  The course concentrates on two main questions:  1) How to reason well? 2) How to make a convincing speech or write a convincing essay?  Students are expected to read selected texts on logic and rhetoric, prepare and perform oral speeches and write essays using various strategies, logical and rhetorical techniques of argumentation.  Speeches and essays will be on various topics, for various audiences.  During the course students will also scrutinize, analyze and assess historical as well as contemporary speeches from public and political life.  Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

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CHSS114 Introduction to Religion (Credits:3)

The course examines religion as a phenomenon of human culture. It firstly introduces the students to the main theoretical approaches and methods through which religion has been studied by historians and social scientists. Secondly, the course looks at the major themes in the study of religion. These themes will be examined drawing on particular religious traditions and through the lens of the theoretical approaches covered. Readings will include theoretical writings about religion by classics and contemporary authors, and primary texts from various religious traditions and by representatives of those traditions. The course combines lectures, in-class discussions, and analytical essays. Its broader aim is to give the students an understanding of the richness of the religious traditions of the world, and to develop skills to analyze religious phenomena and to situate them in their historical contexts.  Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

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CHSS125 History of the Middle East (Credits:3)

A critical survey of the history of the Middle East from the period of Hellenism (323 BCE) to the present. The course especially focuses on the interplay of powerful political, cultural, economic and ideological forces that brought to life the formation and rise of Christianity and Islam, the millennial conflict between the Islamic and European imperialisms, interactions between the Roman-Byzantine, Iranian, Arab, and Turkic ethno-cultural worlds and political systems, westernization and transformations of the Middle East in the course of the First and Second World Wars, and the current regional sociopolitical and economic dynamics. Special attention is paid to the place of Armenia and Armenians in Middle Eastern history. This is a lecture course enhanced by students’ analysis of readings concerning main and supplementary topics. Evaluation is based on letter grading of students’ individual oral presentations, research essays, quizzes, and participation in group projects.

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CHSS 127 World Civilizations (Credits:3)

The course explores the meaning and importance of interdisciplinary study of world history by introducing students to distinctive features and characteristics of civilizations that had developed in the Old and New worlds from the earliest times to 1700 CE. It will emphasize the importance of primary sources and of critical analysis of academic theories.  Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.

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CHSS128  History of the Modern World  (Credits:3)
A critical introductory survey of the history of the Modern World from the beginning of the Age of Great Geographic Discoveries in the 15th century to the present. The course explores especially the foundations and transformations of modern imperialism, globalization, nation state, industrializations, forms of sociopolitical and economic organization, financial capitalism, international and domestic competition and conflict, the current technological civilization and humanism, the individual and the collective from a general perspective of history of civilizations. This is a lecture course enhanced by students’ analysis of readings concerning main and supplementary topics. Evaluation is based on letter grading of students’ individual oral presentations, research essays, quizzes, and participation to group projects.
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CHSS129 Global Perspectives and Site Stories (Credits:3)

This course takes a close look at the historical, cultural, political, global, and economic factors surrounding Armenia’s reemergence as an independent state in the late 20th century and its trajectory in the 21st century.   Students will become acquainted with the main events and factors shaping contemporary Armenia and analyze different interpretations of the recent and more distant past as a frame for thinking about current events and longer term scenarios for the Armenian state and nation, placing an emphasis on global and regional issues. The course will be instructor-led, supplemented by group discussion, and may include visits to cultural or historic sites as well as individual or group projects.

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CHSS130 Introduction to Art (Credits:3)

This course is an introduction to the elements of art: texture, form, shape, color, line and tone/style, proportion, perspective (and for film and mobiles, time/rhythm) as aspects of an artifact, art as it is produced, and art as it is perceived.  It is also a survey in both geographic and time dimensions of art as an expression of human creativity, focusing on painting, sculpture, architecture, photography and film, while making relevant connections to other aspects of culture: music, dance, ritual, literature, religion, technology, politics, commerce (advertising), and design.  This course will introduce students to the language of art, increasing recognition and understanding of references in popular culture, on clothing, and in film and other media. Visits to museums and excursions will be included in the learning activities. Three hours of instructor-led class per week.

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CHSS135 Acting Techniques (Credits:3)

This course introduces students to the process of building a character and interacting on stage using movement, voice, and imagination. Throughout the course, students will explore techniques of improvisation and scene study, and develop the basic skills of the acting process. They will become familiar with the history and theory of the craft of acting, and apply relevant concepts and practices to critically analyze their own work and that of others. Coursework will include reading assignments, written critiques and reflections, and performance-based projects.

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CHSS140 Music Appreciation (Credits:3)

This course aims to equip students to listen to, understand and discuss music as a cultural and aesthetic form of human creativity through acquaintance with Western European classical music from various periods.  In this course students will learn to identify the basic elements of music, instruments, voice, genres, and styles, and will learn terminology used to discuss pieces of music as an art form and historical creation of a particular composer and period.   The basic underpinnings of music in physics, psychology and brain science will also be introduced.  The course requires extensive listening to music in and out of class, class discussion, and short papers on various composers and compositions.   The course may also include mandatory attendance at concerts and a short research paper or class presentation on a work or composer of the students’ choice as an individual or group project.

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CHSS141 Understanding the Twentieth Century through Music (Credits:3)

This course is designed to give students insight into the various cultural, political, economic, social and artistic developments of the twentieth century through the study of different types of music written between 1901 and 2000. Music is an indicator and/or trigger of significant social changes of the past century. The course is focused on revealing the social and cultural circumstances at the root of musical developments, regardless of the type of music (academic, pop/rock, alternative, etc.) The course introduces a vast number of terms and ideas that have influenced both music history, as well as many other fields of modern culture and life. Special attention is paid to the formation of the music industry as a separate and potent market.  The course requires listening to music in and out of class, reading articles related to the history of music and modern history in general, engaging in class discussion, as well as writing short papers on various topics. The course may also include a research paper or class presentation as an individual or group project. Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

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CHSS142 Music Theory (Credits:3)

This course aims to provide students with insight into basic understandings of elementary theory of classical music: Western notation system, musical intervals, chords and their progressions, key, scales, modality, rhythm and meter, as well as basics of classical harmony. The course is designed to enhance understanding of theoretical background of Western classical music, thus paving the way to studying more complex musical disciplines, such as Music Analysis, and Musical Composition. The students will learn both special musical terminology, and its practical use, so the connection between theory and musical practice will also be discussed. The course requires listening to music in and out of class, class discussion, reading, and a number of written assignments including theoretical exercise and basic analysis of musical samples. Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

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CHSS151 Intro to French Language & Culture (Credits:3)

In this course, students will explore how French culture has been shaped by language, geography, historical events, and foreign and internal forces and groups.  We will also examine how France and the French language have played an important role in the areas of culture, arts, cinema, fashion, and cuisine. The importance of the French language and culture has waxed and waned over the centuries, depending on France’s economic, political and military importance.  French culture today is marked both by great ethnic, regional, and socio-economic diversity and by strong unifying tendencies.  Through the study of a variety of sources including media, film, literature, and visual arts, students will gain an understanding of what constitutes the “French identity” of the 21st century.

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CHSS152 Introduction to Korean Language and Culture (Credits:3)

This course introduces students to the basics of Korean language, culture and history, as well as current trends in Korean society and economy. The course also explores Korean identity and its relationship with other countries in the region, through film, media, literature, and popular culture. By the end of the course students should be familiar with simple phrases and the Korean alphabet and able to identify key Korean historic and cultural figures and events, and explain the salient features of Korean culture, its origins and evolution. Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

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CHSS 153 Introduction to Japanese Language & Culture (Credits:3)

This course introduces students to the basics of Japanese language, culture and history, as well as current trends in Japanese society and economy.   The course also explores the Japanese identity and its relationship with other countries in the region, through film, media, literature, and popular culture.  By the end of the course students should be familiar with simple phrases and the Japanese writing system and able to identify key Japanese historic and cultural figures and events, and explain the salient features of Japanese culture, its origins and evolution.   Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

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CHSS154 Armenian Society and Culture (Credits:3)

The course explores the development of Armenian society and culture through a comparative perspective. Topics include but are not limited to mythology, language, art, literature, education, and history. Lectures and discussion will focus on the formation of Armenian communities throughout the world; societal changes both in Armenia and within Armenian communities outside of Armenia; Armenia’s interactions with neighboring countries; and the effects and influences of social and cultural events on the formation of the identity of Armenians. Lectures and class discussions will be paired with literature referenced from ancient, medieval and contemporary scripts, legends, poems, novels, oral history, and some personal accounts of contemporaries.

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CHSS155 Introduction to Russian Language and Culture (Credits:3)

Introduction to Russian Language & Culture explores the development of the Russian culture from historical and comparative perspectives. This course systematically covers the events, factors and figures that have shaped Russian civilization and worldview as reflected in literature, film and the arts.  The course is designed to develop critical thinking and analytical skills through class discussions and projects about Russia’s past and present situation.  Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.

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CHSS156 Introduction to Latin Language and Culture (Credits:3)

Introduction to Latin Language & Culture aims to give students a working knowledge of Latin grammar sufficient to read basic texts and appreciate the rich literary and cultural heritage of the classical Latin tradition. Texts and culture will be considered in their historical context, with special emphasis on their continuing influence.   In addition to excerpts from original texts, students will be exposed to more extended works of history, philosophy and culture in translation, with the aim of gaining insights into the sources of Western civilization.  Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.

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CHSS157 Introduction to Italian Language and Culture (Credits:3)

This course will explore the development of Italian culture in search of understanding “what makes an Italian Italian and Italy Italy.”  Students will become acquainted with the historical events, internal and external, that have played major roles in developing and shaping Italy’s social makeup, unifying its culture, socio-economic system, philosophy of life, remaking of its geographical boundaries, creations of its diversified regions with their specific foods, music, arts and architectures. Students will be exposed to some characteristics of Italian language and learn some commonly used expressions including body-language. To develop a fuller understanding of the issues, students will use a variety of sources and resources—media, film, literature, and essays.  Assessment includes papers, exams and presentations.   Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

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CHSS158 Introduction to Turkish Language and Culture (Credits:3)

This course is an introduction to the basics of the Turkish language, culture and history, current trends in Turkish politics, society and economy, as well as Armenian-Turkish relations. The course explores Turkey and broader Middle East through audio – visual (films, songs, speeches) and textual sources (scholarly works, news articles, policy papers, novels). By the end of the course students should be able to identify key Turkish historical and cultural figures and events, critically analyze and explain the genesis of modern Turkish politics and the impact of modernization on Turkey, and have novice level proficiency in simple Turkish.   Assessment includes tests, papers, presentations.   Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

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CHSS159 Introduction to Chinese Language and Culture (Credits:3)

This course introduces students to the basics of Chinese language, culture and history, as well as current trends in Chinese society and economy. The course also explores Chinese identity and its relationship with other countries in the region, through film, media, literature, and popular culture. The course familiarizes students with simple phrases and the Chinese writing system as well as key figures, events and features of Chinese culture, its origins and evolution. Instructor-led class may include lectures, discussions, case studies, readings, group work. Assessment may include class participation, papers, essays, quizzes, exams, projects and presentations.

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CHSS160 Introduction to Arabic Language and Arab Culture (Credits:3)

This course explores Arab culture development over the course of 1400 years. Questions addressed will be What is Arab culture? How has Arab culture developed? Who is involved? As students are learning about critical points in history—beginning in the Hijaz with pre-Islamic time and the inception of Islam and then ending in the oil era’s hyper-capitalism’s capital of Dubai, they will focus on elements of culture, like music, art, and literature, and will be exposed to Arabic. Students will examine the Arab experience in several times and places to produce informed opinions about cultural transformations. In order to gain a well-rounded view of the internal shifts and stagnations, students will read significant works of poetry, story, religious doctrine, historical journals, novels, news articles, as well as watch movies and listen to music. Assessments will be based on essays, quizzes, and presentations.

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CHSS170 Religion in America (Credits:3)

This course aims to explore religious diversity in America since the establishment of the first European colonies. The first part of the course covers the history of religious organizations in America and the formation of American religious diversity. The second part of the course examines the religious component of sociopolitical and socioeconomic life in the contemporary United States. The third part explores various religious traditions in the American religious landscape. Readings for the course include primary sources that elucidate the development of religious diversity in the U.S. as well as analytical readings by scholars of religion. Instructor-led class may include lectures, discussions, case studies, readings, group work. Assessment may include class participation, papers, essays, quizzes, exams, projects and presentations.

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CHSS180 Introduction to Psychology (Credits:3)

This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of psychology and to the major topics of psychological inquiry. Topics include theories of the mind and investigate normal human growth and development and examines the lifecycle of humans from infancy to old age. An overview of current psychological theories explores topics such as types of temperament, physiological bases of behavior, life-span development, altered states of consciousness, sensation, perception, memory, thinking, motivation, emotion, personality, individual differences and stress. The course will also include basics of experimental psychology and introductory research methods. Three hours of instructor-led class per week.

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CHSS181 Introduction to Sociology (Credits:3)

This course explores how societies function and change over time. Students will use sociological concepts and theories to analyze human behavior, social life, social policies, and social change, both in their individual lives, in their communities, and in the global community at large. Throughout the course, students will evaluate social issues and problems taking into account the dynamic relationship between individuals and society. Topics might include ethnic relations, sexism, and class bias. Home tasks will include readings and writing assignments. Three hours of instructor-led class per week.

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CHSS182 Introduction to Clinical Psychology (Credits:3)

Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. This introductory course will review theories of the mind and investigate normal human growth and development.  We will examine the life cycle of man from infancy to old age.  Personality disorders, neurosis, psychoses, substance abuse and developmental disabilities will be presented.  The class will include assessment of the individual by clinical interview. The types of psychological tests that a clinical psychologist uses to assess individuals will be identified.  An overview of current treatments of emotional disturbances with medication will be presented. Discussion of relevant topics in the field of clinical psychology will include ethics, educational, industrial, sports and forensic issues. Research methods will be introduced.  The course will conclude with a review of current therapeutic modalities.

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CHSS183 Statistics for Humanities and Social Sciences (Credits:3)

The course is designed to facilitate student learning to understand the underlying concepts and philosophy of statistics and why we use these concepts to interpret the world around us.  The course will develop skillsets to properly interpret statistical applications provided in the humanities and social sciences literature and media sources, and to critique the misuse and proper use of statistics.  Special emphasis will be placed on developing communication skills to properly explain the meaning of these findings to the general public. The course will also provide students practice with basic SPSS statistical applications using humanities/social science databases.  Basic Gaussian statistics and the development and interpretation of scales will be covered. Students will be graded by quizzes and exams, group projects, oral presentations and participation.  Three hours of instructor-led class time per week including discussions and problem sets.  Not open to BAB, CS, DS, ES students.

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CHSS184 Social Psychology (Credits:3)

Social psychology is the science of people, being people, around other people. This course will give students a sampling of the core theories and topics of modern social psychology, including research on conformity and obedience, altruism and aggression, attitude formation and change, and interpersonal and intergroup perception. The aim of this course is to give students understanding of how deeply human behavior is influenced by the social environment and how the scientific study of human social behavior can provide insight into the causes of, and possible cures for, a variety of current social problems. Instructor-led class may include lectures, discussions, case studies, readings, group work. Assessment may include class participation, papers, essays, quizzes, exams, projects and presentations.

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CHSS185  Understanding Genocide (Credits:3)
Genocide is a crime against humanity that has occurred throughout history.  This course will focus on genocide in the 20th and 21st centuries from legal, political, sociological, psychological, cultural, ethical, ethnic, religious, economic, historical and comparative perspectives.  Special attention is paid to the Armenian Genocide, Jewish Holocaust, Rwandan Genocide, and other 20th and 21st century genocides, the Genocide Convention, the International Criminal Court, and other institutional and international responses to genocide.   Prevention, intervention, deterrence, and remedies for genocide are also covered in the course, as well as genocide education and reconciliation. Assessment may include essays, examinations and presentations.

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CHSS 186 World Regional Geography (Credits:3)

World Regional Geography is an introduction to the discipline of geography and how the discipline makes sense of the vast complexity of cultures, economies, and environments around the world.   This course is an introductory examination of global geography using the regional geography approach which gives context by breaking down continents into smaller geographical segments that share similar qualities – economics, culture, religion, environment, language, geopolitics, defense, security, economic viability, etc. – and allows for deeper understanding and better dialogue when discussing global issues.  Upon completion, students should be able to describe variations in physical and cultural features of a region and demonstrate an understanding of their functional relationships.  Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

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CHSS187 The Armenian Genocide (Credits:3)

This course introduces students to the Armenian Genocide.   Through first-person and other accounts as well as literature, art and other sources students will explore the history, context and political, social, and economic causes of the genocide, the process of implementation and the consequences of this crime against humanity.  Assessment may include essays, projects, presentations, and quizzes.

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CHSS188 The Holocaust (Credits:3)

This course introduces students to the causes, context, and consequences of the Holocaust. Through primary and secondary sources students will examine thematic and chronological, theoretical, and political as well as other perspectives. Assessment may include essays, projects, presentations and quizzes.

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CHSS189 Gender Perspectives (Credits:3)

This course introduces students to gender as a conceptual tool. It equips the students with perspectives that will enable them to analyze the power relations that constitute what we define as “gender politics.” In this course, students will explore the major theoretical discussions within the field of women’s, gender and sexuality studies. Students will read, hear, and watch experiences and perspectives from around the globe, with a specific focus on Armenia.

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CHSS190 Armenian Heritage and Culture (Credits:3)

This course is aimed at taking on a few broad spheres of the Armenian world. More than one instructor  will be offering multiple perspectives on the rich legacy of the nation through lectures and presentations that touch upon such topics as the origins of the Armenian people, twentieth-century Armenian history, including the Armenian Genocide, Soviet Armenia, and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, plus other policy issue areas; an overview of the economy of the Republic of Armenia, including the role of the Diaspora in it; insights into the geography of Armenia, as well as environmental issues facing the country; and also the heritage of the Armenian Church.

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CHSS192 Introduction to Classical Cultures (Credits:3)

This course will introduce students to a few ancient cultures conventionally deemed “classical”. Through exposure to language, literature, history, philosophy, and art, students will gain an appreciation of the lasting impact that these cultures have had on world civilization. The question of what makes the classical will act as an overall theme of the critical engagement with the elements of culture under discussion. Students will be assessed based on class participation, in-class essays, and a final paper. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.

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CHSS194 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (Credits:3)

This course aims to introduce students to the basic concepts, ideas, approaches, and theories in cultural anthropology. The course material embraces various cultures throughout the globe, as well as different historical periods and covers a range of topics, such as race/ethnicity, language, religion, family, gender, ritual, health, kinship, etc. During the course, students will acquire analytical tools to critically engage with these concepts and phenomena, which are taken for granted in most societies. In addition, students will become familiar with the methods of ethnographic research and will conduct fieldwork throughout the course. Instructor-led class may include lectures, discussions, case studies, readings, group work. Assessment may include class participation, papers, essays, quizzes, exams, projects and presentations.

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CHSS 195 Introduction to Archaeology (Credits:3)

The course introduces students to world archaeology emphasizing its key achievements, concepts, practices, and importance to contemporary society. The most interdisciplinary among social sciences and the humanities, current archaeology integrates in its practice approaches and methods across different fields of human knowledge: from linguistics and art history to nuclear physics, biochemistry, computer science, and environmental studies. Special attention is devoted to the distinctive role of archaeology and cultural heritage management in the present and future of the Republic of Armenia and of the Armenian Diaspora.  Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.

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CHSS196 Archaeological Excavation Practice (Credits:4)

Students will be excavating the oldest sedentary agricultural community in the Southern Caucasus located in the Ararat plain of Armenia. The settlement named Masis Blur dates back 8000 year before present and contains remarkably well preserved architectural remains of the New Stone Age (Neolithic period), along with an abundance of stone and bone artifacts, which paint a detailed picture of vibrant life of the ancient inhabitants of the plain of Ararat. Students will have a unique opportunity to learn how to excavate mud-brick architecture, document archaeological contexts and artifacts, record scientific information, process finds in a laboratory setting, and catalogue them in a digital database. Students will have the opportunity to discover and apply their natural skills by documenting the finds through digital photography, illustration, and expand on their knowledge of statistical analysis.

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CHSS201 Comparative Education (Credits:3)

The course explores the impact of political and cultural differences on educational systems around the world. Utilizing a comparative approach, emphasis is placed on contrasting educational systems and practice in various countries. Major themes include educational access and equity, educational reform movements, the effects of globalization on early childhood care, issues of gender and education, and social transformation in still-developing and industrialized countries. Various case studies will be examined, to provide a broader understanding of comparative research and analysis. A seminar-style learning environment characterizes this class, where alongside lectures, critical reflection on readings, student-led discussions, group presentations, and project-based collaborative work form the main teaching framework.  Instructor-led class may include lectures, discussions, case studies, readings, group work. Assessment may include class participation, papers, essays, quizzes, exams, projects and presentations.

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Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS202 Perspectives in Education (Credits:3)

This course provides an overview of some key perspectives in education, tracing the path of educational thought from early Western thinkers up to contemporary trends in progressive education, and promoting critical thinking about how people should be educated. The course introduces several major educational theories and the application of methods of historical and philosophical inquiry to examine current issues in education, including school readiness, literacy, integration, inclusiveness, diversity, and equity.  Instructor-led class may include lectures, discussions, case studies, readings, group work. Assessment may include class participation, papers, essays, quizzes, exams, projects and presentations.

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Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS203  Philosophy of Mind (Credits:3)

This course approaches mind from two points of view: psychological and philosophical, including the overlap between them.   The course explores the philosophical assumption of the existence of the mind and various religious conceptions of the soul as notions of mind.  The course starts from Descartes’s effort to establish there is a mind (at least his own, to begin with), moving to the reactions to the Cartesian views, which resonated with the scientific revolution of his time and continue to frame the discourse about mind.   Instructor-led class may include lectures, discussions, case studies, readings, group work. Assessment may include class participation, papers, essays, quizzes, exams, projects and presentations.

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Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS204 Bioethics (Credits:3)

Bioethics is the critical study of ethical problems arising from medicine, healthcare and the biological sciences. In this course students will discuss ethical questions surrounding topics including abortion, euthanasia, animal experimentation, health resource allocation, organ donation, medical paternalism, genetic intervention, and human cloning. Assessment may include essay writing, group participation, and quizzes/exams. Instructor-led class time.

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Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS205 Learning, activism, and social movements (Credits:3)

This course will explore the role of knowledge production and education in social change. The focus of the course will be on experiential, transformative, social and political learning in social movements organized with the intention of bringing about social change. As such, a rich tapestry of historical and contemporary, international and local social movements will be examined including feminist, labour, anti-poverty, environmental, global justice and indigenous ones among others, with a particular focus on theories and practices of adult learning and education in such movements. The class will be conducted in seminar-style, where alongside lectures, critical reflection on readings, student-led discussions, group presentations, and project-based collaborative work form the main teaching framework.

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Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS206 Lens on Armenia: Photojournalism in Yerevan (1,4) (Credits:3)

In this course students will learn digital photography as it relates to the journalistic process, documentary work and fine art. Students will examine professional photography, techniques for image capture and camera handling and works, as well as post-production methods in order to tell visual narratives. Students will create individual and group portfolios for exhibition. Assignments are designed to help students attain solid photo coverage of the topics and issues in Yerevan or throughout Armenia. Excursions in Yerevan neighborhoods and possibly to sites outside of Yerevan will help students appreciate the history and culture of Yerevan. Students should have a camera with them in class every day. Some phone cameras are sufficient.  Some cameras may be available for check out on campus on a first come first serve basis.

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Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS210 Philosophy, Politics and Economics Seminar (Credits:3)

This course integrates the methods of the three component disciplines of the PPE minor. Students will apply the methods, theories and concepts learnt in PPE courses to various problems or policy questions. The course aims to enable students to analyze, propose, and defend policies from philosophical, political, and economic perspectives. Students will study a selection of readings on PPE and write a paper defending a position in a specific policy area. Guest lecturers will make presentations on current policies of Armenia. Students will propose their own policy study and write a paper critically analyzing different policy options and defending a specific policy.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed AND [ECON101 OR ECON121 OR ECON122 OR ECON221 OR ECON225 OR ECON228 OR BUS112 OR ECON222] AND [CHSS110 OR CHSS111 OR CHSS112 OR CHSS211 OR CHSS212 OR PSIA201] AND [PSIA101 OR PSIA102 OR PSIA103 OR PSIA271 OR PSIA281 OR PSIA282 OR LAW110 OR LAW201 OR LAW142 OR LAW160]

 

 

CHSS211 Great Books (Credits:3)

This course will work through a few cornerstone works in the field of political writing from the Western tradition. Students will closely read original texts, as a whole or in excerpts, and participate in discussions facilitated by the instructor involving one or more of the questions raised by them. Assessment will be based on writing a number of responses, and one longer essay, including a “defence”. The class will lead to the development of close reading and close listening, as well as working through complex, ambiguous, or contradictory philosophical problems both within one given text and across the texts chosen. Some of the most enduring questions of the human experience are addressed in the chosen works, which include Plato, Machiavelli, and the Founding Fathers. This course does not presume any background in political theory or philosophy, but does expect a lot of time spent on reading.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS212 Epistemology & Philosophy of Science (Credits:3)

This course discusses fundamental issues related to knowledge and science.  The course addresses fundamental epistemological questions such as:  What is knowledge?  Is knowledge possible?   What is truth and what are criteria of truth?  Is there a priori knowledge?  On what grounds is knowledge justified?  What is the difference between science and truth?   The course will also discuss central issues philosophy of science, such as the nature and limits of scientific knowledge, theories of scientific progress and social status of science, and differences between of natural and social sciences.    Assessment will include papers, exams and presentations.   Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS215 Survey and Polling (Credits:3)

Decision making in the many fields relies on the ability to conduct research and critically interpret data. This course introduces students to the theory and practice of survey research, advancing their understanding and skills in social science research methodologies. Students will critically analyze data and results from survey research and public opinion polls. They will also learn how to collect, analyze and interpret original survey data. Assignments may include reading, individual and group projects, fieldwork, written assignments, and oral presentations. Instructor-led discussions/class time including discussions and tasks.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS220 The Study of History (Credits:3)

The course explores one singularly important question: how do we know what we think we know about human societies and ourselves from the perspective of history, which underlies the theories and philosophies of historical research. It analyzes the development of historical thinking in the course of nearly five thousand years – from the discovery of linear time in the Ancient Near East to the current research in globalization. Explorations of social and intellectual processes shaping the search for facts, construction of historical narratives, transmission of historical memory, and interpretations of the goals and meaning of history are at the core of this course. This is an interactive course consisting of instructor’s introductory lectures to the study of each specific topic and students’ proactive work with primary sources, complemented by analysis of major texts, artifacts, and concepts. Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS221 Ancient Near East: History and Civilizations (Credits:3)

A critical survey of the history and civilizations of the Ancient Near East from the earliest times to the collapse of the Iranian Achaemenid Empire during the conquests of Alexander of Macedon in the fourth century BCE. The course explores especially the origins of human culture and foundations of civilizations, the revolutionary growth of technologies from the emergence of agriculture to the Iron Age; economies, ideologies, and authority in first  pristine states, social stratification, secondary state formation, the formation of world’s first empires and first  steps toward globalization. Geographically it covers Egypt, the Levant, Asia Minor, Mesopotamia, the Armenian Highland, Caucasus, Iran, and the southern part of Central Asia, at the same time focusing on the diversity of pathways in human history. Instructor-led class may include lectures, discussions, case studies, readings, group work. Assessment may include class participation, papers, essays, quizzes, exams, projects and presentations.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS222 Soviet Armenia (Credits:3)

The course aims to explore the legacy of Soviet Armenia from various perspectives: political, economic, social and cultural. The course with use sectoral as well as historical approaches to the analysis of the Soviet modernization model and its lasting impact on Armenia, through case studies and comparative analysis. Instructor-led class may include lectures, discussions, case studies, readings, group work. Assessment may include class participation, papers, essays, quizzes, exams, projects and presentations. This language of instruction in this course is Armenian and uses Armenian-language course materials.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS225 The Modern Middle East: Peoples, States and Societies (Credits:3)

In this course students will explore the ethnic and religious minorities in the modern Middle East. Through lectures, discussions and examination of primary and secondary sources students will critically examine the concept and role of religious and ethnic minorities in state policies and the relations between minorities, majorities and states in the wider region between Egypt and Iran. Students will discuss the meanings and limits of concepts such as “coexistence”, “tolerance”, “cosmopolitanism,” and “pluralism.”

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS230 Asian Art (Credits:3)

An iconographic and aesthetic analysis of the three principal Asian religious traditions: Buddhist, Hindu, and Islamic. Study of painting, sculpture and architecture as reflective of various cultures’ definitions of the Divine, life and the afterlife and value structures. Emphasis on the silk route and migration of style. Exams and final paper.   Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS231 Armenian Visual Traditions: Illuminated Manuscripts (Credits:3)

This course is an introduction to the visual traditions of historical Armenia from the ancient period to the seventeenth century. The study of Armenian painting is largely a study of illuminated manuscripts, their texts, illustration and ornamentation. Students will become familiar with the methods of Medieval and Early Modern Armenian book illustration, codicology, paleography, and the history of the book as art object in the Armenian literary experience. In addition to examining individual illustrations in their original contexts, the course will consider the role of individual artists in transforming manuscript illumination without the infrastructure of traditional “schools” of painting. This course will include trips to local collections of Armenian manuscripts, including the Matenadaran where students will view and analyze manuscripts as well as other works on exhibit.  Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS232 Topics in Western Art History (Credits:3)

This course introduces works of art and monumental architecture as complex cultural repositories from ancient civilizations of the West to the present. While exploring Western art, architecture and objects, students will gain familiarity with artists, their artworks and the historical contexts under which these works were conceived and produced. The course emphasizes close looking and visual analysis while using theories of visualization and visuality to examine the phenomena of cultural production and the consumption of a range of media. The course examines how images and objects function, and how they mediate what we see and experience. This course will provide students with the tools to accurately and describe works of art, iconography, stylistic developments, and the cultural and historical contexts of various sculptures, paintings and architecture. Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS233 Creative Productions (Credits:3)

Creative Production is an advanced, interdisciplinary course covering the theory, analysis and practice of producing creative works in various media. The theoretical component has two inter-related elements: (1) Articles on the theories on creativity, imagination, aesthetic emotions, (2) Works of Art (literature, film, animation, TV, fine art and photography, etc.) carefully chosen as illustrative examples of those theories. The practical component includes different creative exercises, experiences, workshops, etc., and a semester-long creative production (written work, theater monologue/duologue/scene, musical video, short film script, photo stories etc.) that students will choose to realize individually or in a team. This final production will be accompanied by a reflection paper. Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS234 Cultural Policy and Arts Management (Credits:3)

This course presents the theory and practice of cultural policy and arts management, models and instruments of cultural policy, specifics of international cultural relations, legal issues on international and national levels. The course explores interrelation of culture with economy, tourism, education, problems of cultural heritage protection, museum and art gallery management.  Other topics include different types of governmental support for culture, public-private partnership, community and civil society role, public relations in cultural institutions and projects, and engagement of media industry and information technologies for promoting culture and art.  Instructor-led class may include lectures, discussions, case studies, readings, group work. Assessment may include class participation, papers, essays, quizzes, exams, projects and presentations.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS235 Women/Gender and the Visual Arts (Credits:3)

Western artistic production and criticism has been monopolized by male heterosexual spectatorship. The result has been an artistic tradition beset with gendered perceptions and a discourse whose objective is to regulate and marginalize the voices of “others.” It is therefore necessary to reread the texts and look afresh at art to expose the fallacies. Topics to be discussed include: mythmaking, the formulation of sexual ideals of beauty, spectatorship and the gaze, feminist theory, gay studies, naked/nude, and constructs of pornography. Exams and papers foster a critical mindset and a sensitivity to biases latent within the realm of art.  Instructor-led class may include lectures, discussions, case studies, readings, group work. Assessment may include class participation, papers, essays, quizzes, exams, projects and presentations.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS236 Baroque Era (Credits:3)

This course aims to explore the developments in Europe during the Enlightenment through the lens of the aesthetic category of the Baroque.   The course examines the distinctive characteristics of the cultural, social and political spheres in the Baroque era, their interdependence, and their continuing relevance.  Through close analysis of texts, political, music, painting, architecture, and intellectual history, students will develop critical thinking skills, the ability to distinguish aesthetic eras and draw parallels across disciplines, and learn to view cultures from different perspectives, while gaining knowledge that will enable life-long learning and enrich their appreciation of the lasting legacy of the Baroque.  Instructor-led class may include lectures, discussions, case studies, readings, group work. Assessment may include class participation, papers, essays, quizzes, exams, projects and presentations.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS237 20th Century Art (Credits:3)

20th Century Art is a survey of major fine art developments in Europe and the United States from post-impressionism to post-modernism. Media discussed include painting, sculpture and architecture. Assessment may include tests, short assignments and longer papers with focuses on theoretical and critical approaches to the analysis of art. Instructor-led class time and may include off-campus excursions.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS238 Psychology of Gender (Credits:3)

The course explores the major theories and central argument in gender studies and human development, and addresses the impact of socio-economic, political, cultural and psychological forces on the development and reinforcement of gender discourse and practice. Students will explore the process of gender socialization and formation of gender roles to unearth why and how social norms, expectations and opportunities are related to gender, and how they affect the experience of gender throughout a person’s life.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS240 Music and Literature 

This course looks at the cross-disciplinary connections between literature and music. Having a long history of mutual influence, literature and music share common concepts and historical contexts.  These commonalities are examined from the point of view of stage works, such as operas and ballets based on classical fiction literature or religious texts; other vocal or choral compositions based on works by great poets; program music directly influenced by literature or philosophical texts; common use of different terms regarding the prosody; existence of certain common musical and literary forms, as well as musical influences in literature and/or poetry and comparison of different styles in both spheres. The course requires listening to music in and out of class, extensive reading (both classical literature and articles or research papers on different literature- and music-related topics), engaging in class discussion and presentations, as well as writing short papers.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

CHSS241  Armenian Music  (Credits:3)

In this course students will explore Armenian music from its origins to the present. Armenian music will be considered in the broader context of world music and will include connections between music and literature, theater, other fields of culture, and history. Students will engage in learning through lectures and discussions, listening to music in and out of class, readings, and musical performance attendance.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed.

 

CHSS250 Professional Communication in Armenian (Credits:3)

This course is designed to give students a comprehensive view of the scope and importance of professional communication in a variety of settings in Armenian. The course aims to develop students’ writing, speaking, and interpersonal skills and specific tools for communicating in professional environments. Students will learn practical skills including writing letters, resumes, proposals, managing meetings and dealing with conflict. The course is intended for native-Armenian speakers and will be taught in Armenian.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed AND FND104

 

 

CHSS251 Topics in Cinema (Credits:3)

Cinema is a “universal language”, a multidimensional medium for telling stories and portraying reality from different perspectives to large, diverse and often dispersed audiences through sight and sound. Topics in Cinema examines a wide range of subjects in global cinema relating to both the artistry and socio-cultural significance of movies. The course will explore such topics as genre, international cinema, film criticism, and the role of film in society as it touches on such subjects as cultural identity, history, race and gender, and societal change. Instructor-led film viewing and discussion, along with reading and writing assignments.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS255 Russian Professional Communication (Credits:3)

This course is designed for those who would like to feel confident using Russian language in professional life. This course focuses on developing oral and written skills in the business setting and emphasizes memo writing, business letters, publicity, oral reporting, interviewing and professional presentations. Special attention is given to intercultural communication. Through observing, simulating and experiencing incidents of cross-cultural communication, students will begin to examine and develop skills that are necessary for effective production of oral and written texts and for successful intercultural communication among Russians and achieve a high level of language proficiency in Russian language.  Assessment includes papers, written and oral presentations, exams.   Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed AND Instructor’s approval

 

 

CHSS256 Latin Language & Literature (Credits:3)

This course aims to deepen the knowledge and understanding of Latin language and literature and their role in the evolution of European culture and society.   Students will acquire a higher level of Latin reading knowledge through study of excerpts from original texts. Special emphasis will be placed on the relationship between Latin and English (vocabulary, phraseology and syntax).   The course will involve study and research of Medieval European societies, culture, religion (Christianity), education, literature, philosophy and architecture.   Assessment will include exams, papers, and presentations.   Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed AND CHSS156

 

 

CHSS261 Armenian Literature in Perspective (Credits:3)

This course exposes students to a variety of texts by Armenian and non-Armenian writers focusing on a specific historical period. Students will study the literary values of these texts to gain an understanding of how literary texts construct and reflect the collective imagination of that period. In this respect, the course discusses literary texts as the materialized aspirations of their authors on the one hand, and as the collective dream of a community on the other hand.  The particular historical period will change each semester.     The course is based on a semester-long student research project. In the beginning of the semester, each student chooses a cultural issue that he/she is interested in.   Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed AND FND103

 

 

CHSS262 Russian Language & Literature (Credits:3)

This course, to be taught in Russian, is designed to introduce students to selected masterpieces of Russian literature and to improve their ability to read complex written works. Through understanding the biographical and historical context, main ideas, aesthetic principles and literary techniques of the most prominent Russian writers, students will develop research, writing and discussion skills that will be transferable to various disciplines and professions. Assessment will include papers, essay, exams and presentations.   Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed AND Instructor’s approval

 

 

CHSS272 Comparative Religion (Credits:3)

The course examines world religious traditions from a comparative perspective. Students will be introduced to the basic tenets, worldview, and practices of the major religious traditions around the world, polytheistic traditions, Asian religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, as well as new religious movements. The course will also examine the sacred texts of various religions.  Upon completing the course, students should be familiar with the key beliefs and practices of the major religions and gain an appreciation of the diversity of religious experience through time and across cultures. The course also aims to equip students with concepts and frames for thinking critically about the relationship of Christianity to other religious traditions and comparing the dogmatic, doctrinal and ritualistic practices within various religious traditions. The course combines lectures, in-class discussions, and analytical essays. Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS280 Clinical Psychology (Credits:3)

Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. This course will review theories of the mind and investigate normal human growth and development.  We will examine the life cycle of man from infancy to old age.  Personality disorders, neurosis, psychoses, substance abuse and developmental disabilities will be presented.  The class will include assessment of the individual by clinical interview. The types of psychological tests that a clinical psychologist uses to assess individuals will be identified.  An overview of current treatments of emotional disturbances with medication will be presented. Discussion of relevant topics in the field of clinical psychology will include ethics, educational, industrial, sports and forensic issues. Research methods will be introduced.  The course will conclude with a review of current therapeutic modalities. Three hours of instructor-led class per week.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS281 Human Development & Personality (Credits:3)

This course provides an overview of the major theories and topics in human development and to the major topics in personality formation. Topics include theories on normal human growth and the human lifecycle from infancy to old age, with special attention to learning, temperament, personality. Special attention will be paid to childhood development.   Upon completing the course, student should gain an understanding of how human thinking, learning, and physical abilities vary and evolve at different ages and stages, and how these various aspects of development influence one another.  Assessment includes tests, paper, case studies and presentations.   Three hours of instructor-led class per week.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS282 Trade (Credits:3)

This course examines the international trade system and the economic concepts and political institutions upon which it is based. Topics covered include a brief history of the development of trade, players and processes involved in trade, the role of trade in development, trade policy and politics, comparative and competitive advantages of nations, gains and losses from trade, international trade negotiations, and effects of regionalization and globalization. The course has an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on case-studies, theory and empirical studies. Students will be expected to make individual and group presentations and engage in case-study analysis in discussion. Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS285 Genocide Studies and Human Rights Seminar (Credits:3)

This upper-level interdisciplinary course explores in-depth one or more themes the phenomenon of genocide as a gross violation of human rights through class discussion, research and presentations.   Themes may include genocide prevention and education, genocide reparations and remedies, genocide interventions and righteous/rescuers, and will vary from year to year.  Assessment based on class preparation, contribution to class discussion, final presentation.   Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed AND [LAW142 OR CHSS185]

 

 

CHSS286 Comparative Genocide (Credits:3)

In this course students will explore in-depth themes related to the phenomenon of genocide with emphasis on a comparative analysis of the Armenian genocide, the Holocaust, the Cambodian genocide, and Rwandan genocides. Themes include causes, similarities and peculiarities of these genocides, perpetrators/rescuers issues, genocide reparations and remedies, international reaction, genocide prevention. Assessment may include essays, projects, presentations, and quizzes.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed AND [CHSS185 OR CHSS187]

 

 

CHSS290 Cultural Geography (Credits:3)

This course is an interdisciplinary course that uses cultural habitats as a window on how individuals and groups develop their societies and way of life, coexisting with neighbors and shaping and being shaped by their environment.  Geographers study ‘culture’ to understand the ways in which culture is constructed, maintained, diffused, and sometimes contested within space and place.  The diversity of human culture is embedded in our shared geographies and is used as a force of inclusion, exclusion, and power.  This course examines the varied perspectives and processes that shape our everyday experiences and seeks to raise awareness of the plurality of cultural landscapes.  Three hours of instructor-led class time per week.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS291 Modernism (Credits:3)

This course is designed to develop students’ skills in analysis, critical thinking, and communication. From 1890-1950 the western world went through a profound transformation that involved industrialization, two world wars, the erosion of colonialism, the rise of psychology, Fascism, Communism, and other massive historical events. At the same time, there was an explosion of innovative literary and artistic output to make sense of all these intense changes: it became a movement known as Modernism. In this course students will engage with various modernist texts which may include poetry, fiction, essays, and also art, films, and music. They will be expected to keep a reading journal and/or write in-class responses to readings. Students will be required to participate in class discussions and give one presentation to the class. There will be a mid-term exam, final exam, quizzes, as well as written assignments. Three hours of instructor-led discussions per week, along with in-class and take home assignments.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS292 Gender and Social Change (Credits:3)

This course is an interdisciplinary women’s studies course with a global perspective, covering various theoretical and empirical approaches from the humanities and social sciences and political, economic and cultural perspectives.  The course explores the dynamic ways in which gender is defined and evolves, as a social institution, and how those definitions affect power relations in society, including issues of class, race, ethnicity, and politics, and the impact of gender equality on development outcomes. The course will also take a comparative perspective, looking the local situation in an effort to understanding the role of women in the family and society. Instructor-led class may include lectures, discussions, case studies, readings, group work. Assessment may include class participation, papers, essays, quizzes,  exams, projects and presentations.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS293 Armenian Studies (Credits:3)

This course introduces students to the Armenian Studies as an interdisciplinary subject, including sources and artifacts of Armenian history and culture, research methods, digital and other resources.   Topics include ancient and modern written sources, secondary sources, schools of thought, comparative and historical approaches to literature, art, music, and other aspects of Armenian studies.  This course will be taught in Armenian.   Instructor-led class may include lectures, discussions, case studies, readings, group work. Assessment may include class participation, papers, essays, quizzes,  exams, projects and presentations.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed AND Instructor’s approval

 

 

CHSS295 Special Topics in the Arts (Credits:3)

Course description tailored to course content when offered

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

CHSS296 Special Topics in Social Sciences (Credits:3)

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS298 Independent Study (Credits:3)

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: At least 30 credits completed

 

 

CHSS380 Introduction to Translation Studies (Credits:3)

The aim of this course is to introduce students to critical discussions in translation studies and to help them develop a language (vocabulary) and discourse (manner) for analyzing translations as well as contextualize and evaluate translations in a constructive manner. Students are encouraged to view translation as a process, involving planning, drafting, and revision for clarity and precision. They are required to complete short readings and weekly writing assignments, which may include but are not limited to response papers, vocabulary journals, and translations from a range of texts from across the disciplines.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite:

 

 

CHSS381 History and Theories of Translation (Credits:3)

This course aims to investigate the history of translation and the theories that have accompanied the changing roles of translation in the societies where they have been put into practice. Translation is viewed here as a factor that has contributed to shifts in intellectual, literary and cultural trends. This course also examines the main theoretical concepts currently discussed in translation studies, and demonstrates how they influence translation in practice. By taking a discourse and intercultural studies approach, rather than a purely linguistic approach, this course explores the impact of translation as a force for change and trace the ways in which texts are received by readers in different cultural contexts.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite:

 

 

CHSS382 Practicum in Translation (Credits:3)

The practicum component aims to consolidate the theory and practice of translation covered in the previous courses. The course helps student translators develop and expand their own translating and editing techniques, and to facilitate the integration of their skills and knowledge through largescale practice. It enables students to translate a wide variety of genres in professional areas (literary, medicine, law, business, etc.) so that they can make informed choices about their own professional future. Students are guided through their apprenticeship in stages—observation, controlled practice of translation techniques, and increasingly difficult and lengthy texts. Throughout the practicum, students receive constructive feedback and assistance and evaluate peer performance.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite:

 

 

CHSS383 Consecutive & Simultaneous Interpreting (Credits:3)

Consecutive and Simultaneous Interpreting is a course grounded in theory and practice and specifically set up to train professional interpreters. The course offers students an opportunity to get acquainted with the theoretical and professional frameworks of consecutive and simultaneous interpreting. Students will learn to interpret in various professional areas such as literature, medicine, law, business, etc. Worksite learning is a key component of the course during which students will perform live interpreting tasks under supervision and shadow professional interpreters at work.

Corequisites:

Prerequisite: