GS 318 World Civilizations (3–0–3)
The development of world civilizations from 1500 AD until the present, examining the peoples, forces and concepts that have shaped the rise of major world civilizations. This includes: the history of nation-states and related inter-nation and inter regional rivalries, colonialism and geographical context, the discovery and exploration of the new world, the role of societal development and intellectual thought, analysis of diverse socio-cultural perspectives and religions in determining the interaction of world cultures and their influence on the development of world civilization.
Prerequisite: ENGL 102
GS 321 Principles of Human Behavior (3–0–3)
Understand and explain human behavior: psychological concepts, theories, and scientific methods. Human activities: processing information and world perception, learning, remembering. Behavioral energizers: motivation, emotions and changing (development). Mental processes: critical thinking, and creatively. Individual differences: intelligence and personality. Social interactions and influences. Mental health: stress, adaptation and coping, and psychological disorders.
Prerequisite: ENGL 102
GS 332 Principles of Sociology (3–0–3)
Concepts, relevance, development, and research methods of sociology. Major sociological paradigms and theories. Socialization and social interaction. Social groups and institutions: analyses of function and impact. Analyses of everyday social life through sociological concepts, such as social stratification, social control (conformity, deviance and authority), social and cultural changes, and social development.
Prerequisite: ENGL 102
GS 336 Work & Society (3–0–3)
Development of Industrial Society. Management and work forces relations. Theories of human relations and interactions. Various economic activities. Theories of motivation, bureaucracy, leadership, emphasizing basic needs and human relations.
Prerequisite: ENGL 102
GS 342 International Relations (3–0–3)
The nature of the International community and how states interact. Theories of international relations and the factors that affect the international community. Aspects related to international relations such as globalization, United Nations and other Organizations. Some regional and international current issues.
Prerequisite: ENGL 102
GS 355 Cultural Anthropology (3–0–3)
The discipline of cultural anthropology including key theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of culture. The nature of ethnographic analysis: how cultural anthropologists understand, describe, explain, and highlight the particularities, similarities, and differences of the human experience. Examine the comparative study of contemporary human societies, cultures, and diversity, including local and regional cultures. How people adapt to, make sense of, and transform their worlds. Examine and understand the cultural dimensions of human life expressed through value of systems, language, and social practices and their meanings.
Prerequisite: ENGL 102
GS 420 Personality Psychology (3–0–3)
Personality definitions, assumptions, different characteristics (traits, dispositions, and styles), and effects on behavior. Measurement of personality. Theories of personality. Personality and related issues; namely: its relation to some psychological concepts and constructs. Culture and gender. Individual well-being.
Prerequisite: ENGL 102
GS 424 Business Psychology (3-0-3)
Introduction to business psychology. Research and application of business psychology. Individual differences and the foundation and procedures of assessment. Psychological aspects of organizational processes related to employee selection and recruitment, job analysis, and performance measurement. Psychological health, wellbeing, and attitude toward work. Teams, leadership and other organizational dynamics.
Prerequisite: ENGL 102
GS 426 Social Psychology (3-0-3)
The study of the social nature of humans: social psychology notions and development; exploring and implementing the scientific methods of social psychology; the influence of heredity and culture on the individual; the development of the components of the self; an introduction to social cognition, including person perception, stereotyping, and prejudice; the foundations of social influence, including compliance, persuasion and obedience; understanding the processes that drive pro-social and antisocial behavior; a comparative approach to the nature of belonging and social relationships; the effects of groups on the individual and vice-versa: group and the self, power, status, and leadership.
Prerequisite: ENGL 102
GS 434 Mass Media & Society (3–0–3)
An overview and analysis of sociological perspectives regarding the role of mass media in society. Critical analysis of issues in mass media. Mapping mass media structure. The basic functions of communication through analyses of information, opinion, entertainment, advertising and marketing. Ways of directing public opinion. An overview of the impact of mass media in promoting economic products and industries. Effects on society and cultural change. Legal and ethical issues in mass media. History and development of mass media in the Middle East.
Prerequisite: ENGL 102
GS 447 Globalization (3–0–3)
The nature of globalization including: definitions, concepts, dimensions, and prospects. The historical context of globalization. The global security. International political economy in a global age. International law, international system, and international organizations in a globalized world. Transitional actors in global politics. Globalization and contemporary global issues. The overall impact of globalization and its future prospective locally and internationally.
Prerequisite: ENGL 102
GS 454 Anthropology of Travel (3–0–3)
Introduction of the social implications of travel; exploration of the origins, history, and contemporary development of human travel and its impacts for socio-cultural change of society; examination of multiple theories of travel and global mobility; travel accounts of great travelers and explorers as well as explaining various forms of human travel; investigating globalization and transnationalism and their links to society's capital and economic flow; implications of human travel for changing social boundary and identity; Arab diaspora across the world; Saudi Arabia as a global migrant destination.
Prerequisite: ENGL 102
GS 457 Social Networks (3–0–3)
Introduction of the subject of social human connectivity through social organization and network analysis; foundations of social networks theory, the constructs of social networks, and transformative properties of networks; exploration of the science of social networks analysis, choice, and its limitations; the role of social capital and social capital's relationship to social networks; consideration of large and egocentric networks and the mapping and visualization of such networks.
Prerequisite: ENGL 102
GS 494 Special Topics I (3-0-3)
The course presents a special topic that fits within the areas, policy and objectives of the Department. Topics are selected from either Cultural Anthropology, History, International Relations, Psychology, or Sociology. A detailed description and syllabus of the course is announced one semester in advance.
Prerequisite: ENGL 102
GS 495 Special Topics II (3-0-3)
The course presents a special topic that fits within the areas, policy and objectives of the Department. Topics are selected from either Cultural Anthropology, History, International Relations, Psychology, or Sociology. A detailed description and syllabus of the course is announced one semester in advance.
Prerequisite: ENGL 102
GS 496 Special Topics III (3-0-3)
The course presents a special topic that fits within the areas, policy and objectives of the Department. Topics are selected from either Cultural Anthropology, History, International Relations, Psychology, or Sociology. A detailed description and syllabus of the course is announced one semester in advance.
Prerequisite: ENGL 102
