Understanding Human Behavior Application Form – REVISION 5-2-2015
Name:
Course Number:
Course Title:
Department:
College:
Date submitted:
The semester when you first expect the course to be taught:
UNDERSTANDING HUMAN BEHAVIOR
I. Description of Purpose and Content
Courses in this area will focus on theories and/or methodologies commonly used by
social scientists to understand human behavior. Human behavior is broadly defined and
can include the behavior of social, cultural, economic, or political institutions. Courses
in this area will explore social science methods which are based on the assumption that
human behavior is ultimately understood or explained through rigorous, systematic, and
evidence-based inquiry. Drawing upon a variety of theoretical foundations, principles,
and methodologies, these courses engage students in explorations and interpretations of
how people organize, govern, understand, and explain individual and social
phenomena.
HOW DOES YOUR COURSE FIT THIS CATEGORY?
1. Please provide a course description and explain how your course fits the
overall purpose and content of this Core category. Include any learning
objectives specific to your course.
[BOX for text, limit 500 words]
2. Please provide a preliminary list of readings and/or textbooks for the course.
[BOX for text, limit 300 words]
3. Please describe possible assignments (or types of assignments) for your
course. For longer assignments, you may include an additional
attachment(s).
[BOX for text, limit 500 words]
II. Learning Outcomes
HOW DOES YOUR COURSE ASSESS EACH LEARNING OUTCOME? How do
you measure whether and to what extent students have achieved the learning
outcomes below? Referring to the assignments your described in Part I, please
explain for those outside of your field how your course addresses each of this
Core category’s learning outcomes. (Please note that a single assignment may
address multiple outcomes, and that for learning outcomes asking that students
“value” particular issues or concepts, the course does not need to assess student
opinion or belief but level of engagement with that issue or concept.)
Understanding Human Behavior Application Form – REVISION 5-2-2015
A course that fulfills the Understanding Human Behavior requirement must address the
following. In this course, students will:
 Understand what defines a social science, including its methodologies, and how it
differs from other fields such as humanities.
[BOX FOR TEXT, LIMIT 300 WORDS]

Understand theories and methodologies developed from empirical observation.
[BOX FOR TEXT, LIMIT 300 WORDS]

Be familiar with the results of selected research that systematically and
empirically examines how individuals, groups, or institutions interact in different
contexts.
[BOX FOR TEXT, LIMIT 300 WORDS]

Value the need to support theories and hypotheses with empirical evidence in
order to understand individual, group, or institutional behavior in society.
[BOX FOR TEXT, LIMIT 300 WORDS]

Critically examine outcomes of social science research.
[BOX FOR TEXT, LIMIT 300 WORDS]
PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR GENERAL ASSESSMENT PLAN
Overall, how will you assess students in this course?
[BOX for text, limit 300 words]
III. Defining Characteristics
A course that fulfills the Understanding Human Behavior requirement must:
 Explore theories and methodologies that have bearing on contemporary individual
and social life.
 Examine theories and methodologies that are relevant to real world problems.
 Cover similarities and differences in individual, group, or institutional behavior.
HOW DOES YOUR COURSE MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS?
What do students do (e.g., solve, research, read, write, revise, practice,
collaborate, review, study, perform) and what do you provide as an instructor
(e.g., in-class instruction, written feedback, reading/viewing assignments) to
address the characteristics above (you may use the numbers above to refer to
specific characteristics)? You may refer to assignments or readings listed in Part
I. Note that a single assignment or form of instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion,
group work) may meet multiple requirements.
Understanding Human Behavior Application Form – REVISION 5-2-2015
[BOX for text, limit 500 words]
To submit your proposal, you should:
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Send the proposal electronically to newcore@lmu.edu
CC your chair and Dean on the proposal. Your chair and dean can approve your
proposal by sending an e-mail message stating approval to newcore@lmu.edu.
Once we receive your chair's and dean's approval, your course proposal will be
reviewed by the appropriate core area committee of the UCCC. No proposal will
be reviewed by a core area committee without both your chair's and dean's
approval.
The core area committee may approve the proposal, request revisions (this is
very common), or reject the proposal. Rejections may be appealed to the full
UCCC.
Once the course is approved, you will receive word from the UCCC, who will
copy your chair and dean.