General Catalog - John F. Kennedy University

School of Education and Liberal ArtsSchool of Educationand Liberal ArtsSEC _____________________________________________________________________3311 Diversity Workshop 1–3As U.S. society becomes increasingly more multicultural, we facenew challenges in crossing the bridges that may divide us and inlearning how to interact in healthy, compassionate ways. Thisexperientially based workshop provides a supportive context forexploring a variety of issues pertinent to healthy social interactionsin our magnificently diverse society. Participants have anopportunity to investigate belief systems, unlearn myths, and gainpractical knowledge applicable to work and social settings.SEC 3315 World Systems, World Societies 3_____________________________________________________________________This course examines the origin, structure, dynamics, andpotential destiny of the emerging world social system. The coursewill examine the technological changes brought about by thecomputer/electronics revolution. It will also analyze the globalizationof capitalism along with its strengths and weaknesses.SEC 3330 Cultural Crossroads 3_____________________________________________________________________We live and work in increasingly diverse communities and mustnow be prepared to interact effectively within this fast-changingcultural landscape. Utilizing creative exercises and assignments,the class provides a container for exploring major cultural shiftsof recent decades and the challenges and opportunities accompanyingthese changes. Emphasis is placed on understanding thestructural roots of cultural differences, identifying needs of diversecommunities, and developing multicultural competency.SEC 3415 Transformation andSocial _____________________________________________________________________Change through the Arts 3Explores the power of arts to transform communities and createsocial change. Discover how dance, music, stories, and visual artsare catalysts for social change globally and in our local communities.SEC 4000 Women’s Lives andSocial _____________________________________________________________________Transformation 1–3Investigates a range of contemporary issues affecting differentwomen’s lives. Topics may include economic and political conditions,relations between women and technology, cross-racial andcross-class relations, women’s movements locally and globally,cultural images of women, and women’s health.SEC _____________________________________________________________________4010 Feminist Mosaics 3This course explores the rich mosaics of theories (and the movementsthey’ve spawned) explaining gender roles and women’slives. Includes introduction to the basic concepts within feministtheories, the problematics of theorizing about women, andan overview of the major strands of feminist theory includingpsychoanalytic, materialist, Marxist, socialist, liberal, radical,poststructural, postmodern, postcolonial, multicultural, transnational,global, and ecofeminism.SEC _____________________________________________________________________4125 Sacred-Spiritual Aspects of Silence 3An examination of silence as it is practiced in mystical Christian,Buddhist, and Native American traditions. Although the primaryfocus will be on these three spiritual traditions, others includingJudaic/Kabbalishi, Islamic/Sufi, and Hindu will also be discussed.Through a practice of silence and weekly experiential exercises,students will have the opportunity to find their own answers tolifelong questions.SEC _____________________________________________________________________4150 Cancer, Health, and Politics 3Same as SCI 4150.SEC _____________________________________________________________________4205 Culture, Language, and Consciousness 3A study of how language informs all aspects of social life andhuman consciousness. Explores language as the middle groundbetween thought and action and as the barrier to and vehicle forfull and clear communication.SEC _____________________________________________________________________4230 Native America 3This course seeks to understand multiple dimensions of indigenousNative American history, culture, spirituality, and politics. Examinesenduring struggles and lasting influence of Native Americansin the U.S. May include study of individual tribes and nations aswell as cross-tribe customs, values, events, practices. Repeatableon different topics.SEC _____________________________________________________________________4312 Women and Integral Health 3Same as SCI 4312.SEC _____________________________________________________________________4505 Making Race, Making Peace 3An examination of the historical construction of “race,” its continuinglegacies, and creative efforts to transform contemporaryracial relations. Uses history, social theory, literature, biography,media, and the arts to explore the dynamics of racism as well aspractices for healing and transforming racial relations. The courseitself models effective avenues to cross-racial communication.SEC _____________________________________________________________________4510 Living in a Global Village 3We are now globally interconnected in unprecedented ways. Howdoes globalization affect our own lives and influence our relationswith “community?” What are the new opportunities for globalconnection and the new challenges for global cooperation in thisexpansive social web? This course, repeatable with different topics,explores a wide variety of pressing issues facing our global villageincluding such topics as migration of spiritual practices, economicglobalization, human migration, our changing sense of identityand purpose in the world, shifting consumer practices, crossculturalbreaches and bridges, worldwide activism, environmentalimpacts, and sustainable living.SEC _____________________________________________________________________4520 African Culture through the Arts 3The African continent and diaspora come alive through thisexploration of the dances, music, chants, folktales, literature, andvisual arts of African peoples. Topics include exportation andmigration of African culture around the world, village life versusurban life, healing arts, rituals for life transitions, spiritual andreligious practices, and arts in the service of politics, justice, freedom,and struggle.SEC _____________________________________________________________________4900 Topics in Social Ecology 1–3Topics vary according to instructor and student interest. May berepeated for credit with a change in topic.SEC _____________________________________________________________________4995 Independent Study in Social Ecology 1–3Studies and projects to be arranged with the instructor and thedepartment chair. May be repeated for credit with a changein topic.68 School of Education and Liberal ArtsJohn F. Kennedy University