TOPICS FOR THE SPRING 2010 SECTIONS OF INQ 260 Social Scientific Reasoning
INQ 260PSG - A: Human Rights in Comparative Politics
Perspective: Global
An examination of the politics of human rights in a global context. The course employs the comparative tool for
analysis and focuses on case studies ranging from torture and human trafficking to civil rights and political
repression.
- Dr. J. Rubongoya
INQ 260PSW - A: The Supreme Court
Perspective: Western
The central question to be asked is how Supreme Court justices decide cases, with the students exploring and
testing legal and extra-legal theories of decision making through the use of pre-existing quantitative data on the
Supreme Court as well as judicial biographies
- Dr. T. Peppers
INQ 260PYG – A & B: Love, Lust, Limerence and Love-Sickness: The Cross-cultural Study of the
Etiology and Course of Romantic, Pair-bonded and Marital Relationships
Perspective: Global
“Love makes the world go ‘round” as lyricists proclaim. With the development of fMRI brain scans cognitive
neuroscientists now have a window into minds as persons enter an altered state of consciousness called
“limerence” or “being-in-love.” Love is now a scientifically describable phenomenon. Cross-culturally, romantic
love is questioned as a valid basis for socially sanctioned marriage. Examined will be the biological and
psychosocial variables of proceptivity that determine the definition of beauty, flirtation, attraction, falling-inlove and pair-bond establishment. Are these factors universally human or culturally and socially specific?
Examined will be at least six species of love and various psychological theories on love. How can pair-bonds
and marriages endure? Need marriage always be monogamous or can it be successful in alternate forms as is
seen in other cultures? What is jealousy and is it helpful or destructive to relationships?
- Dr. G. Pranzarone
INQ 260PYW - B: Humanistic & Positive Psychology
Perspective: Western
Two perspectives of psychology have focused predominantly on what Abraham Maslow called “the farther
reaches of human nature”: humanistic psychology and positive psychology. This course will examine the major
concepts of humanistic psychology (e.g., self-actualization, fully-functioning persons), will examine the
contributions and shortcomings of this approach, and will explore the more recent positive psychology movement
with its stronger research-based emphasis on human strengths and civic virtues and human flourishing. A
thorough investigation of one construct from humanistic psychology will be undertaken (involving an inquiry into
reliability and validity studies, adequacy of support for proposed applications, and critiques). Students will then
address questions concerning the quality and adequacy of assessment techniques and of empirical studies in
such areas in positive psychology as love, empathy, happiness, and self-esteem; each student will select one
narrower area for further inquiry and will write a literature review on their chosen research question
- Dr. E. Whitson
INQ 260SOG - A: In Pursuit of Social Justice
Perspective: Global
Understanding that debates on social problems occur in a socio-cultural context, this course examines how
ideology shapes both perceptions and realities of justice, inequality, and exploitation. A major focus is the
importance of culture and power to definitions of justice. What is justice? Who gets to decide its definition? Is
justice the same for all? In today’s global society, we are witnesses to ideological movements that shape policy
debates, electoral politics, and discussions on societal ills. Drawing on sociological concepts, methodologies,
and theoretical frameworks the course addresses the causes and reactions to environmental and social
problems while considering visions for a just or compassionate society
- Dr. D. Sarabia
INQ 260SOW - A: Elite Deviance: Crime in the Suites
Perspective: Western
This course examines elite deviance which refers to the criminal and deviant behaviors of those with power,
privilege and wealth in society including both individuals and organizations with in the corporate, governmental
and political realms. Students analyze case studies, examine theoretical perspectives and research the social
costs of elite deviance. Questions addressed in this course include: What is the nature of elite deviance and its
consequences for society? What social arrangements contribute this social problem? How does the unequal
distribution of wealth and power in society allow elite deviance?
- Professor Diane Brogan