Description

Yucca symbol = This course also meets the U.S. Global Diversity requirement.

The digital realm is comprised of storied sites such as commerce, employment, education, therapy, community, political expression, crime, and ideas. Technology has transformed the who, what, where, and why of how we define community and identity in the digital age. However, who you are and where you are still matters, despite the benefits of anonymity in cyberspace. This course will investigate the relevance of race, gender, class, identity, and the “cultural capital” that one can spend in our Digital Age economy. To this end, we will start with critical race scholar, Prof. Derrick Bell’s 1990 sci-fi influenced work which prophesied a 21st century “post-racial” American: entwining over two centuries of racial designations on an ever evolving economic marketplace. This course will approach our present “post-racial” moment as an exceptional period for developing new models for identity formation.

Description

This class provides an introduction to theories of the?�environment, theories of justice in the context of environmental justice policy,?�and to histories of poor peoples' struggles around the?�unequal distribution of?�toxic waste. We will focus on the ways race, class, gender, sexuality, region,?�eco-colonialism and their intersections shape environmental and political?�struggles over?�natural resource use. Students will learn to examine the ways in?�which socially constructed representations of nature shape our interactions?�with natural environments and shape our?�perceptions of environmental problems?�and solutions.

Description

An interdisciplinary introduction to the issues of race, class and ethnicity in American life and society.

Description

What does it mean to be human?  Over our 5-million-year history we have developed an incredible capacity to form complex bonds with each other, create tools to enhance our abilities, manipulate environments in astonishing ways, and communicate our creative and violent histories in many forms.  At the same time, our bodies have changed both physically and physiologically to adapt to new environments and cultural landscapes.  This course surveys the intersection of human biology, culture, and language, exploring the breadth of Anthropology as a tool to understand the human past, present and future.  By the end of this course you will understand key concepts from Anthropology including cultural and biological evolution and diversity, origins and history of inequality in human societies, how humans and their environments interact, and why our communication skills make us unique as a species.

Description

Yucca symbol = This course also meets the U.S. Global Diversity requirement.

What do people mean when they talk about "culture"?  Is "culture" a kind of knowledge that people know about or is it unconsciously guiding our behavior?  Do we all have "a culture" or do we move between many, depending on the context?   What is the difference between culture and society?  Is it even realistic to speak about distinct cultures or societies in a world of interconnected peoples, religions, music, and other expressive forms?   And, how does one study these entities?  Cultural Anthropology is the discipline that focuses upon these and many other questions.  In this class, basic concepts and methods of cultural and social anthropology will be explored through case studies from around the globe.

Description

This is an introductory course which provides an overview of the discipline of Linguistic Anthropology. The course will discuss the implications of language within anthropology, as well as within the sciences and social sciences more generally. The course explores the core concepts and methods of linguistic anthropology, such as the basic structure of language, first and second language acquisition, bilingualism, and social and regional variations that are used to help students understand what it means to be human and the role of language in human societies.

Description

For 99% of our history, humans lived off the land as small groups of foragers using simple hand-made tools and fire. In the past 15000 years, our species has transitioned from this foraging existence to a complex urbanized world based on advanced technology that we only now are beginning to come to terms with. How did we get here? ?�In this course, you?�will learn about the major global transitions in our species�?? history, including the advent of modern human cooperative?�behavior and technology, the origins of domestication of plants and animals, the emergence of sedentary village life, and the rise of civilization and urbanism.  Along the way, you?�will gain familiarity with the ideas and?�debates regarding the causes and consequences of these major global transitions, ideas that are fundamental to our understanding of what it means to be human.

Description

Development of the major issues, concepts and methods emerging from the relationship of social systems and the natural environment.

Description

The course explores historical and contemporary social forces that impact ethnic communities across the Americas. Students will examine social and economic dynamics of Indigenous, Latino, Asian-Pacific, Africana communities, and women's experiences.

Description

Development of the major issues, concepts and methods emerging from the relationship of social systems and the natural environment.

Description

Macroeconomics is the study of national and global economies. Topics include output, unemployment and inflation; and how they are affected by financial systems, fiscal and monetary policies.

Description

What's the best way to reduce carbon emissions?  Will a soda tax reduce obesity?  Why are your clothes made in China?  How does Starbucks decide how many stores to build in Albuquerque?  What impact does a minimum wage have on workers?  Why is there a physician shortage in rural areas?  Should N.M. legalize recreational marijuana?  Why do economics majors earn more than other social sciences or liberal arts majors?  Why do women earn less than men?  Can an economist really save lives? /n Microeconomics Principles provides the tools to answers questions like these by analyzing decision-making under scarcity, how incentives shape human behavior and why there are tradeoffs in virtually any decision.  By the end of the course, you will better understand the world around us, develop improved problem solving and analytical thinking skills; and recognize the powerful role microeconomics plays in your daily life.

Description

This is an introduction to the ways in which technology shapes the world�??and is itself shaped by society, culture, politics, economics and history. Topics include industrialization, technological changes, cultural impact, environmental policies and social and ethical responsibilities.

Description

Marriage and Family Relationships is designed for both majors and non-majors and provides a broad overview of important topics related to marriage and family relationships. Students will learn about the science as it pertains to healthy romantic relationships, predictors of divorce, and communication skills that improve relationships. Other topics include unintended teen pregnancy, step families, health and racial disparities, raising children, diversity in marital relationships and overcoming crisis in relationships. Special emphasis will be placed on topics related to abuse and neglect in the family including child maltreatment, corporal punishment, sexual assault, parental alcoholism and marital violence.

Description

This course is designed to provide students with a survey of the histories, innovative concepts, and creative possibilities of digital media.  Within the lecture hall and the studio lab, we consider a wide variety of digital media processes and applications.  You will create a photo essay, a digital video project, an animation, and a multi-media project, visualizing lessons and concepts from your major and other areas of interest.  Coursework will involve personal projects and teamwork.

Description

Yucca symbol = This course also meets the U.S. Global Diversity requirement.

This class explores the patterns and processes that create our complex global mosaic of human communities.  Using a variety of approaches from the social sciences, �??People and Place�?� leads students through a systematic analysis of population, demography, economics, political systems, and cultural patterns that define and link our world regions. The class focuses on globalization, development, and the way these forces produce different human patterns in different parts of the world.  Students who take this class will gain a good basic understanding of social science and will be ready to take next-level coursework in Geography & Environmental Studies.  They will also have critical thinking and analysis skills that help them understand global issues from a variety of angles.

Description

A look at the social, ethical, and environmental impacts of energy use both now and through history. A survey of renewable energy and conservation and their impact on environmental and social systems.

Description

This is an interdisciplinary introduction to the social and behavioral sciences. Insight from multiple disciplines including psychology, anthropology, political science, sociology and economics will be used to critically analyze local, national, or global problems. Restriction: admitted to Honors College.

Description

This class teaches you how to think about language from a scientific perspective. If you are interested in learning how to do research on language and in improving your critical thinking skills, Linguistics 101 will give you experience with both!  In addition to building these important workplace skills, you will study the sounds, words, and sentences of the world�??s languages.  This knowledge will be applied to topics such as language acquisition, bilingualism, marketing, language change, social dialects, and writing systems.

Description

A look at the social, ethical, and environmental impacts of energy use both now and through history. A survey of renewable energy and conservation and their impact on environmental and social systems.

Description

Yucca symbol = This course also meets the U.S. Global Diversity requirement.

In PH 101, Students will learn about the exciting field of population health and the tools used by disease detectives and population health professionals to measure and track disease patterns, identify health disparities, and prevent disease and disability.  We will learn about the efforts to reduce costs and improve the quality of care in our health care system and efforts being taken to improve access to care and reduce health disparities.  We will discuss contemporary population health issues and how population health impacts our lives.  Students will work in groups to discuss and research these issues and learn about approaches to support communities and improve health for all.

Description

Yucca symbol = This course also meets the U.S. Global Diversity requirement.

The course will introduce students to the main concepts of global public health, and the critical links between population health and social and economic development.  Students will get an overview of the determinants of health, how health status is measured, and the influences of various factors, including social, economic, and political issues on the health of individuals and of communities.  Students will also review the burden of disease, who is most affected by different disease burdens, risk factors, and key measures to address the burden of disease in cost-effective ways.  Special attention will be paid to health system issues. The course will also introduce students to key concerns regarding nutrition, reproductive health, infectious disease, and chronic diseases. The course will cover key concepts and frameworks, but be very practical in orientation.  The course will be global in coverage, but with a focus on low- and middle-income countries, the health of the poor, and equity and inequality.

Description

Survey of American politics, including political behavior of the American electorate, the theory of democracy, the structure and function of American political institutions, and contemporary issues. Meets New Mexico Lower-Division General Education Common Core Curriculum Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences (NMCCN 1123). (C)

Description

An introduction to politics, with emphasis on the ways people can understand their own political systems and those of others. (Students who have already had courses in political science may not count 110 toward a major.) Concurrent enrollment in 110L mandatory. Meets New Mexico Lower-Division General Education Common Core Curriculum Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences (NMCCN 1113).

Description

Designed to give students the ability to understand and evaluate political regimes by focusing on the political history, socioeconomic structure and contemporary political institutions and behavior.?� Includes consideration of European and developing systems.?� Meets New Mexico Lower-Division General Education Common Core Curriculum Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences.?�(C)

Description

Analyzes significant factors in world politics, including nationalism, �??national interest,�?� ideology, international conflict and collaboration, balance of power, deterrence, international law and international organization.  Meets New Mexico Lower-Division General Education Common Core Curriculum Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences. (C)

Description

Overview of the major content areas in psychology. Topics to be covered include learning, cognition, perception, motivation, biological systems, social and abnormal psychology, development, personality and approaches to psychotherapy.

Description

Introduction to Sociology is an exploration into the lives, experiences, and systems of our communities and world.  This course engages students in developing the skills and imagination of sociology as a framework to explore processes including culture, socialization, power/politics, education, �??race,�?� gender, sexuality, and other dynamic elements of the world around us.  We are all part of this world made up of relationships and networks. These form our encounters, our groups, our institutions, and our societies.  They are built, dismantled, walled off, opened up, isolated, and free flowing.  They channel society�??s resources: diverting some, distributing others. As sociologists, we study these hidden and exposed networks that work to make up our reality, and this course builds the tools that help each of us to be engaged and active participants in our own lives, communities, nation, and world.

Description

Yucca symbol = This course also meets the U.S. Global Diversity requirement.

How can we conceptualize the social construction of race, gender, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and disability?  This course focuses on the individual-, institutional- and structural-level dynamics of difference, power, discrimination and resistance by centering intersectionality or sustained attention to the simultaneity of settler colonialism/tribal status, patriarchy/gender, structural racism/race, heterosexism/sexual orientation, nativism/citizenship, ethnocentrism/ethnicity/culture/language, capitalism/class, disability/ableism, etc.  This course further addresses the concept of privilege and asks students to critically engage this concept in contemporary society (from media consumption to policy implementation) to understand the relationship between privilege, power, prejudice, discrimination and inequity.  Students will use intersectionality as a conceptual framework to reflect upon how they can personally engage these issues and create policy-relevant knowledge projects that aim to propose solutions to historic and contemporary inequalities in a variety of domains.

Description

This course provides a broad survey of various aspects of sustainability. Students will explore topics such as climate change, renewable energy, water, agriculture, green building, socially responsible business, micro lending, environmental justice, smart growth and alternative progress indicators. Students will examine both contemporary challenges to sustainable development and examples of successful sustainability initiatives on local, national, and global levels.