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Social Science

SSCI 135 PARENTING KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours

This course examines the application of the natural science and technology of behavior to improvements both in knowledge of parenting and in child rearing skills. The range of advances in behaviorologically-based child rearing practices discovered since the 1950’s is covered after reviewing scientifically uninformed practices used earlier. Behavior management-related skills for application in everyday public and personal situations involving children and their care givers is included. Three hours lecture per week.

SSCI 181 ALCOHOL, DRUGS, AND SOCIETY

Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours GER 3

This course examines the various theories and models of drug abuse and addiction. The pharmacology of drugs and alcohol and the behavioral and social consequences of drug abuse are studied. Students will have an opportunity to explore the scope of and impact on American Society by the abuse of alcohol and drugs. Topics will include: the impact on family systems, treatment, prevention and social control and public policy in the United States. Three hours lecture per week.

SSCI 221 INTRODUCTION TO CHINESE HISTORY AND CULTURE

Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours GER 6

This course introduces students to the major aspects of Chinese history and culture. The broad outlines of the interaction between history and culture are developed though coverage of the major Chinese dynasties together with coverage of the influence of Chinese literature, language, and art, in the context of current social life. Three hours lecture per week.

SSCI 223 CHINESE CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

Summer, 3 credit hours

Students will spend three weeks traveling to sites of cultural and historical interest in China (Xi’an and Beijing) and meeting with students and faculty at Chinese universities as well as local populations. They will learn about language, literature, fine arts, and ancient and modern historical trends and events. All instruction will be given in English. Students will also produce several writings about their experiences, including an introductory essay which will discuss their preconceptions about China, journals which record specific experiences and impressions, and a final essay in which they will synthesize their preconceptions with their experiences, discuss information they have assimilated, and explain how their views have changed as a result of the experience. Students will spend approximately one week in and around Beijing and approximately two weeks in and around Xi’an. Thirty-six hours lecture, thirty-two hours laboratory (lecture and tours) plus individual cultural interaction.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Chinese History and Culture (SSCI 221) or permission of instructor.

SSCI 245 INTRODUCTION TO THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF BEHAVIOR

Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours GER 3

An introduction to the natural science and technology of behavior, encompassing the areas of fundamental principles, basic methods and measurements, and elementary technologies of behaviorology including techniques applied in prevention and intervention settings, plus historical and philosophical perspectives, ethics, and current trends. Three hours lecture per week.

SSCI 271 CONTEMPORARY GLOBAL ISSUES

Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours GER 6

This course introduces the students to global economic and political issues. The primary focus is on the global interplay between the changing resource base, dynamics of needs and concerns of human beings, and the economic, social, and political systems. The intent is to examine the extent to which our economics, social and political systems are successfully adjusting to changes in the underlying natural resource base (ecology), and contributing toward global sustainability of modernization and development. Specific topics covered each semester may vary. Three hours lecture per week.

SSCI 275 INTRODUCTION TO UKRAINIAN CULTURE AND HISTORY

Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours GER 5

Introduction to major aspects of Ukrainian culture and history. Cultural topics related to family, religion, population demographics, government, arts, music, literature and education will be included. Contemporary life in Ukraine and the broad sweep of historical forces contributing to today’s culture will be the focus of the course. The recent events in Ukraine will be discussed, such as the election of October-December 2004 and the “Orange Revolution.” Ukraine gained its independence in 1991 and is fiercely proud of this independence from the Soviet Union. Three hours lecture per week.

SSCI 315 DEATH, DYING, AND BEREAVEMENT

Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours

This course is designed to present various ways in which social science views the human experience of death, dying, and bereavement. Drawing from sociology and psychology, this course will introduce macro and micro level theories and associated concepts. Micro-level concepts and theories about the interaction patterns between the dying patients and the family, medical staff and others involved will be examined. Also discussed will be: societal (or macro level) theories of social change, the ethical problem of euthanasia, and the needs of the dying; the biological, social, and psychological factors in the lengthening of life; and the consequences of death, dying, and bereavement. Cross-cultural experiences with these phenomena will also be examined. Three hours lecture per week.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 101) or Introduction to Sociology (SOCI 101) and 30 credit hours, or permission of instructor.

SSCI 345 APPLIED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF BEHAVIOR

Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours

Common problematic human behaviors from a range of ordinary settings are analyzed along with the accessible independent variables of which these behaviors are a function as discovered by the natural science of behavior. Together, these are examined for prevention and solutions through the basic behavior/environment engineering applications that are derived from the basic principles and techniques of behaviorology. Also considered are (a) the historical circumstances leading to these applications, (b) the value in design over accident or chance in the control of individual behavior and cultural practices, and (c) the place of ethics in considering and solving behavior problems. Three hours lecture per week.

Prerequisite: Introduction to the Science and Technology of Behavior (SSCI 245) or permission of instructor.

SSCI 365 BEHAVIOR ENGINEERING: REHABILITATION

Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours

This course examines the application of the natural science and technology of behavior to foster improvements in human interactions and success rates in institutional rehabilitation settings such as hospitals and prisons. The scientific basis of punishment that often informs many practices in such settings is covered along with rehabilitation considerations focused on both adult and youth clients or offenders. The course takes a systematic and data-based behaviorological orientation to the organization and management of hospital or corrections personnel and institutions, and patient/prisoner rehabilitation. The development of behavior management-related knowledge and skills for application in everyday situations in institutional rehabilitation settings is an integral course component. Three hours lecture per week.

Prerequisite: Introduction to the Science and Technology of Behavior (SSCI 245) or Correctional Philosophy (JUST 105), or permission of instructor.

SSCI/DHYG/HEFI/NURS 370 RESEARCH METHODS IN THE SOCIAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES

Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours

This course provides an intense comprehensive study of the scientific research process utilized in the social and health sciences. Students will be trained to be critical consumers of published research and will be expected to complete a research project. Topics that will be covered include the underlying theory of research; critically evaluating research; measurement; sampling techniques, establishing causation, surveys, qualitative approaches, field research, and data management and presentation. Three hours lecture per week.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 101) or Introduction to Sociology (SOCI 101) or Introduction to the Science and Technology of Behavior (SSCI 245) or Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON 101) or Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 103) or permission of instructor. Statistics (MATH 141) or equivalent coursework is a Prerequisite/Corequisite. Expository Writing (ENGL 101) or Oral and Written Expression (ENGL 102) are prerequisites for this writing intensive course. Additionally, students must have at least junior level status or permission of instructor.

SSCI 375 BASIC AUTISM ABA METHODS

Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours

This course examines the application of the natural science and technology of behavior to the interventions for children with autism using basic Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) methods. Exercising a systematic and data-based behaviorological orientation, the course topics include: (a) the evaluation of different approaches for effectiveness, (b) the skills to be taught to children with autism, (c) the behavior engineering practices and skills needed to teach autistic children effectively, (d) the different roles of professionals and paraprofessionals involved in autism intervention efforts, (e) the organizational and legal supports available to autistic children and their families, (f) the roles of different autism treatment team members, (g) the organizational and legal interactions between families with autistic children and their local schools, and (h) the answers to the most common questions asked by parents of autistic children. Examination of actual autism training curricula, programs, practices, data sheets, settings, and case histories are also integral parts of the course. Three hours lecture per week.

Prerequisites: For undergraduates: Introduction to the Science and Technology of Behavior (SSCI 245) with Applied Science and Technology of Behavior (SSCI 345) recommended, or permission of instructor.

SSCI 380 INTRODUCTION TO VERBAL BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS AND APPLICATIONS

Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours

Based on natural science principles and practices, this course introduces students to (a) the behaviorological analysis of verbal behavior/language, (b) the historical context in which verbal behavior analysis arose, and (c) some applications of verbal behavior analysis especially as it is applied to enhance the acquisition of verbal behavior/language, by foreign language learners or students with developmental disabilities.

Covered analysis topics include such fundamental concepts as (a) differentiating verbal and nonverbal behavior, (b) the verbal community, (c) mediated reinforcement, (d) the basic verbal behaviors called mands, tacts, intraverbals, codics, and duplics, (e) various extensions of these elementary verbal operants, (f) the most common variables of which verbal operants are a function, (g) some of the ways these variables combine in the multiple control of complex verbal behaviors, (h) response products, (i) point-to-point correspondence, (j) formal similarity, (k) thematic and formal controls over verbal behavior and (l) the ways the verbal community teaches speakers to respond verbally to their private experiences. Three hours lecture per week.

Prerequisites: Introduction to the Science and Technology of Behavior (SSCI 245) and 30 credit hours earned, or permission of instructor.

SSCI 455 PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND PREVENTING WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours

This course examines the application of the natural science and technology of behavior to the understanding, prevention, and deterrence of workplace violence, and does so on three levels: The course examines the scientific analysis of punishment as punishment informs many practices present in workplace settings that match the violence-prone profile. Next, the course emphasizes the acquisition and application of behavior management-related knowledge and skills relevant to changing the circumstances that lead to workplace violence so as to prevent its possible occurrence. Then, the course extends its systematic and data-based behaviorological orientation from the understanding of workplace violence, and its prevention, to developing, comparing, applying, and evaluating policies and procedures to intervene in the dynamics, indicators, types, and triggers of workplace violence to deter its imminent occurrence. These three levels are considered for all workplaces including those in industrial/manufacturing, organizational, marketing, financial, institutional, or retail business settings. Three hours lecture per week.

Prerequisites: For undergraduates: Introduction to the Science and Technology of Behavior (SSCI 245) or Human Resource Management (BSAD 310) or Management Communications (BSAD 340) or Organization Psychology (PSYC 360), or permission of instructor.

SSCI 465 CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT AND PREVENTING SCHOOL VIOLENCE

Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours

This course covers the application of the natural science and technology of behavior to classroom management practices to prevent school violence. This course first examines the scientific understanding of punishment and coercion, because these provide the bases of many school practices that, unintentionally, promote violence. Through a systematic and data-based behaviorological orientation, the course next examines the positive, proactive, non-coercive classroom management practices that school teachers and staff can personally implement-especially in the classroom but also in the cafeteria, in the gym, on the bus, and on the playground-to reduce and prevent the occurrence of all kinds of school violence while also enhancing the effectiveness of instruction. Then, the course examines the school-wide policies and procedures (as encouraged by legislation such as the New York State Safe Schools Act) that can be implemented to deter incipient school violence. Developing behavior management-related skills, especially those applicable to changing the circumstances that lead to school violence so as to reduce that violence, is an integral course component. Three hours lecture per week.

Prerequisites/Corequisites: For Undergraduates: Introduction to the Science and Technology of Behavior (SSCI 245) or Principles of Education (EDUC 210), or permission of instructor.

SSCI 291-295, 391-395, OR 491-495 SPECIAL TOPICS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE

Fall/Spring, 1 - 4 credit hours

An introductory or more advanced exploration of subjects not covered or only partially covered by other courses in any social science discipline. The course is specified in the semester class schedule. The course will address topics which require a broader scope or an examination in greater depth. Providing a different topic is selected, the student may take this course twice for credit.