ECON 151 Principles of Economics (3). F and S. Core: Societal Structures in North America. The institutions of the North American market economy are studied, examining the determinants of resource allocation, income distribution, prices, production, income and employment levels, and economic growth. Topics include international economic relations and the role of government in the economy. Christian ideas about justice, freedom, and stewardship are applied to economic questions. Students intending to major or minor in economics or business should not take this course, but should take Economics 221 to satisfy this core requirement.

ECON 221 Principles in Microeconomics (4). F and S. Core: Societal Structures in North America. This course involves a study of the institutions of mixed-market economies such as those of North America, their role in resource allocation, and the determination of prices, outputs, and income distribution. Topics include the role of the government in the economy and environmental impact of economic activity. Christian views concerning justice, freedom, stewardship, and the nature of human beings and society are applied to economic analysis and issues.

ECON 241 Health Economics and Health Policy (3). F and S. An introduction to economics in the context of a study of health economics and health policy, with detailed focus on the U.S. health care system. The intent of the course is to develop an understanding of economic principles that can be used with other criteria to evaluate the historical and future direction of the U.S. health care system. Topics include: efficiency and equity of resource allocation, ethical perspectives of health care access, history and reform of health care policy , the evolution and influence of managed care, and financial planning and budgeting. In this context, students will be challenged to further develop and apply a reformed Christian world-view. This course is especially recommended for students who are seeking a professional career in mental health, medicine, nursing, or public policy. Not open to first-year students.

GEOG 241 The Geography of Canada and the United States (3). S. Core: Societal Structures in North America. This course provides an overview of the geographic forces that shaped this region of North America. These forces include natural processes and the distribution of resources, structures of the market economy, relative location of resources and markets, and the history of migration. These processes are used as a framework for the analysis of the regional economic and cultural patterns of North America with an emphasis on worldview as a formative agent in the creation of this regionalization.

IDIS 205 Societal Structures and Education as a Social Enterprise (3). Core: Societal Structures in North America. This course provides students with insights into the genesis, composition, and impact of fundamental societal structures of North American society. The course has as a special focus the two-way interaction between education as a socio-cultural institution, and the societal structures that constitute education's cultural, economic, and political context. The class explores how a social science perspective offers insight into current social institutions and cultural practices that constitute North American society. The course employs central concepts, theories and research skills of the social sciences as well as Christian norms such as social justice to help students think critically about the interaction between education and society.

POLS 101 American Politics (3). Core: Societal Structures in North America. This course examines American national government and politics, focusing on 1) the constitutional formation and structures of the U.S. political system, 2) the processes by which institutions and groups formulate and implement public policy, 3) individual, group, and institutional behavior in the policy-making process, and 4) methods of evaluating the American political system in comparison with its stated goals.

POLS 102 Canadian Politics (3). Core: Societal Structures in North America. This course examines Canadian national government and politics, focusing on 1) the development of the Canadian state and constitution, 2) the ongoing issue of French and English Canada, 3) the processes by which institutions and groups formulate and implement public policy, 4) individual, group, and institutional behavior in the policy-making process, and 5) methods of evaluating the Canadian political system.

POLS 212 American Public Policy (3). S. Core: Societal Structures in North America. American public policy is studied, focusing on 1) the ways in which social, economic, and political institutions influence policy formation, 2) methods of evaluating public policy, and 3) the historical development and current content of American public policy in key areas such as defense, social welfare, criminal justice, and education.

SOC 151 Sociological Principles and Perspectives (3). F and S. Core: Societal Structures in North America. This course is an introductory study of human social activity. The primary objectives of the course are 1) to introduce students to origins, basic concepts, theories, and research methods of sociology, 2) to provide students with an overview of the structure, effects, promise, and limitations of our most basic social institutions, 3) to provide an overview of the nature of social organization, 4) to encourage students to think analytically and critically about the society in which they live, and 5) to introduce students to the traditions of Christian reflection on social life.

SOC 210 Crime and Criminal Justice in American Society (3). An examination of the criminal justice system in the United States, focusing on (1) ethical, legal, structural and social issues in law enforcement, the courts, and corrections, (2) its reciprocal relationship to larger social structures, (3) the central concepts and theories that inform our understanding of the criminal justice system, (4) methods of evaluating the U.S. criminal justice system, and (5) goals of restoration and moral accountability from a Reformed-Christian perspective.

Last updated Tuesday, July 22, 2008