Faculty Booklet - The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine ...

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P O S T G R A D U A T E R E G U L A T I O N S & S Y L L A B U S E S 2 0 1 2 - 2 0 1 3
THE FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
SEMESTEr: 1
COUrSE CODE: SOWK 6009 (SW68I)
COUrSE TITLE: FAMILY SYSTEMS AND DYNAMICS IN
MEDIATION
NO. OF CrEDITS: 3
PrErEqUISITES:
COUrSE OUTLINE: The family is a social institution, subject
to forces such as culture, economics, social class, religion, and
education, which affect its structure and internal processes
of control and integration. This course will provide a study of
the family as a social institution; its biological and cultural
dimensions, history, changing structures, functions and
contemporary trends.
Course Outline
1. Historical background of the family in different societies:
European, African, Indian and Caribbean.
2. Theoretical Perspectives on the family.
3. The Family in Transition: The ways in which families and
households have changed and adapted over time: changes
in marriage, family composition, social relations and roles,
as well as the mutual interdependence among these and
other institutions of society.
4. Gender roles, with emphasis on power and conflict from a
variety of theoretical perspectives.
5. Analysis of current trends and some tentative predictions
about future families and alternate family forms are made.
6. Policy making and legislation related to the family in the
Caribbean.
grading :
Coursework - 30%
Final Exam- 70%
SEMESTEr: 2
COUrSE CODE: SOWK 6017
COUrSE TITLE: CONFLICT rESOLUTION: THEOrY AND
APPrOACHES
NO. OF CrEDITS : 3
PrErEqUISITES:
COUrSE DESCrIPTION: A foundation course examining macro
and micro theories from various disciplines about the nature
of conflict, and various approaches to conflict resolution and
peace studies. This graduate seminar is envisioned as a collective
exercise in critical thinking. It is an interactive seminar based on
readings and analytical/evaluative discussions of conflict theory.
The course is structured in such a way so as to highlight many
of the theoretical roots of modern approaches to social conflict
and conflict resolution interventions.
The primary objective for each student is to become familiar
with the root theories and theoretical perspectives which
dominate the field of conflict resolution. Students will be able
to critically analyse theories for their respective strengths and
weaknesses as each is applied to commonly occurring conflict.
In order to provide an educational setting congruent with the
material, the seminar will be structured generally after the
manner of a colloquium, where students and instructor gather to
discuss the material in a critical and systematic manner. Course
assessment involves class participation in weekly seminars,
conflict analysis and a critical evaluation of selected approaches
to conflict resolution.
Major Objectives of the Course
The course will give students a strong foundation in root
theories and theoretical perspectives which dominate the field
of conflict resolution and analysis. The course is expected to
achieve the following specific objectives:
1. Instruct students on the method of presentation of conflicts
in such a manner that provides an adequate background
or history of the conflict.
2. Students will learn how to present theories while
understanding and paying attention to three critical areas:
a. The theoretical perspective(s) being adopted
b. The specific theoretical focus
c. What are the primary characteristics of the conflict
and theory and are there specific variables that carry
more explanatory clarity than others?
3. Students will be instructed on how to apply the theory to
their chosen conflict and to analyse the conflict.
4. Students will be able to critique main theories in order to
determine whether or not the theory can indeed explain
what it claims it can.
5. Students may find that many of the conflict theories
reviewed in the seminar and through their own reading,
do not completely capture the essence of the conflict they
have chosen to analyse. Therefore, they will be encouraged
to develop their own. Combining numerous theories
and/or focal lenses into a new improved or innovative
theory is legitimate theory development and is strongly
encouraged.
COUrSE rEqUIrEMENTS:
Class Participation
This class will be run to a large extent as a graduate seminar.
Class sessions will comprise student-led seminar discussions
of identified reading material. The expectation is that all
members will attend regularly. This is a pro-active, hands-on
learning approach to improve one’s communication and critical
thinking skills. – the focus is on learner-processing rather than
lecturer-processing common in traditional didactic teaching
environments. 15% of your grade will be based on class
participation.
Class Presentations
Students will be required to do one class presentation; these
presentations will act as a catalyst for the broader class
discussion. The students leading the discussion must summarize
the key points in the reading material and use them to generate
in-class discussions that are culturally-relevant.