McMaster University Course Instructor: Dr. Mark Busser Faculty of Social Sciences

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1 McMaster University Course Instructor: Dr. Mark Busser Faculty of Social Sciences Course Description SOCIAL SCIENCES 1T03: LIFE, THE UNIVERSITY, AND A BIT OF EVERYTHING Fall 2014 The purpose of this course is to give you a foundation in the Social Sciences and the skills you need to succeed at university. There are no traditional lectures in this course, and no heavy textbooks. Instead, it is a blended learning course, which means that you will learn some of the material on-line, while also spending time in the classroom discussing and applying the on-line material through discussion and activities rather than lecture. Face-to-face class time will also be used to build important university skills, such as critical and reflective thinking, study habits, time management, and conflict resolution. Experiential learning will be a key component of the course, giving you the chance to actively engage with materials rather than being an audience member. The small size and social atmosphere of the face-to-face sessions will also help you to meet new people and make connections with the Faculty of Social Sciences, McMaster University, and the broader Hamilton area. Course Objectives 1) To assist students in building the foundational skills necessary for a successful transition to university. 2) To give students an introduction to the range of subjects in the Faculty of Social Sciences, and to identify those they find most interesting. 3) To give students an opportunity to apply what they learn through experiential activities. 4) To assist students in becoming active learners. 5) To help students to develop an academic plan that meets their particular interests and needs. 6) To help students to make connections with their peers, the Faculty, the university and the broader communities involved with McMaster.

2 Class Format Instead of a lecture, each week will begin with one (1) hour of online multimedia content and activities, which you can complete at a time convenient for your weekly learning schedule. Through videos, websites, activities and modules, you will get a glimpse into one of the departments in the Faculty of Social Sciences. You will also learn about some of the most interesting subject matter covered by exciting researchers and teachers. You will have an opportunity to make connections between online readings, videos, and other media content related to each discipline. You will also learn crucial details about university-level research, writing, and interactions, leaving you feeling prepared and energized to continue your studies successfully. Once per week, after working through online content you will meet with other students in a two (2) hour face-to-face tutorial. This scheduled tutorial will be your only in-person commitment for this course. With guidance from a tutorial leader, you will apply the online material through discussion, active learning, and experiential activities. Each week will also focus on a foundational skill required for success in university. Evaluation 1. Quizzes on on-line and reading material. 2. Weekly reflections as part of a personalized e-portfolio. 3. Participation, as assessed by completion of experiential tasks, small written assignments and participation in discussion. Exams There are no exams for this course. Course Material There are no textbooks to purchase for this course. Online material will consist of: o Original web-based guest lecture videos developed for this class; o Online academic articles (accessible at no cost via McMaster); o Videos and clips;

3 o Cartoons, comics, and internet memes. Unmarked, self-assessment activities helping you prepare for the quizzes. Occasional tutorial worksheets and handouts.

4 Course Schedule Week One Introductions and Organizing What is Social Science and why is it important in the 21 st Century? Skill Tutorial - Introduction to the Class Structure/Getting to Know Your Classmates Week Two - Political Science: studying the nature of politics, power and the institutions of political governance within countries and internationally. Skill Tutorial - Academic etiquette (Or how to stay on your professor/ta s good side), active listening and note-taking. Week Three Anthropology: the exploration of the archaeological, physical, and cultural aspects of human and social being. Skill Tutorial How to stay on track and out of trouble: learning strategies, study habits, test-taking, plagiarism and academic honesty. Week Four Sociology: the study of individuals, groups, patterned behaviors, social processes and social institutions. Skill Tutorial - What does it mean to be an active learner? What is an academic plan? How to set goals for success in school and life. Week Five Indigenous Studies: learning about and working with Canada s first peoples. Skill Tutorial How to deal: looking at how things are different for you now, why and what to do about it. Week Six - Social Work: exploring the connection between private troubles and public issues. Skill Tutorial - Dealing with bumps in the road Illness, homesickness, problems with learning Getting to know on-campus services. Week Seven Labour Studies: examining workers and their work. Skill Tutorial I thought I would have plenty of time : time management, dealing with stress and assessing your course load. Week Eight Religious Studies: understanding humankind and human visions of reality. Skill Tutorial Why can t we all just get along? : problem solving and conflict management. Week Nine Economics: exploring both micro and macro-economics, from the behavior of individuals to global economies. Skill Tutorial Where does all the money go? : developing financial literacy.

5 Week Ten Health Aging and Society: studying health and/or aging from a multi-disciplinary perspective. Skill Tutorial Sometimes this is much harder than I thought it would be : mental health and self-care. Week Eleven Psychology, Neuroscience and Behavior: the science of the brain and behavior and Social Psychology: examining the relationship between individuals and society Skill Tutorial University is much more than sitting in classes : getting to know Hamilton and thinking about extra-curricular activities. Week Twelve Human Geography/Environmental Studies: a geographic perspective on social and cultural phenomena. Skill Tutorial Ackk! Already? : Preparing for exams.