Consent of current instructor and Department Chairperson. Ability to comprehend complex subject matter. This course is designed for the serious student who is willing to critically examine issues which are of utmost importance to mankind. Through intelligent analysis and synthesis, the student will emerge from this course with a better understanding of basic beliefs and convictions, as well as the ability to deal effectively with certain questions which are not dealt with by other disciplines. In so doing, we may better understand and control our own culture, and be more cautious in generalizing about other cultures on the basis of our own.
Emphasis is placed on case studies and field observation of ancient and contemporary cultures.
Through this examination of the social and cultural processes within society, the student will have the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the complex and ethical issues involved in many social problems. Students further study the social forces that affect minority groups entering the mainstream of our society. Students examine their attitudes as well as those of society regarding discrimination, stereotyping, and prejudice. An attempt is made to develop better attitudes toward various ethnic and cultural groups. The purpose of the course is a theoretical study of the arts and their related experiences.