Architectural Design
Hours: 5 classes/week, 3 hours each Assignments: 3-8 hours/classThis course explores the built environment and introduces students to the architectural profession. The class focuses primarily on the formal principles of architectural design by examining examples from lectures and by visiting buildings on and off campus. Students will also develop an understanding of concepts in two-dimensional composition, furniture design, landscape architecture, and urban planning. Students will express their ideas in scaled models and drawings. The course consists of several week-long projects, including architectural drawings of existing buildings, abstract sculptural design, furniture design, and designing new landscape and architectural structures. While working individually and in teams, students will be able to explore their creative potential and develop their ability to work effectively in groups. Knowing how to draw or build models is not a prerequisite.
Note: Additional fee-based class materials are needed.
Social Studies Track
The American Culture & Society course brings together topics of history, politics and culture to guide students in the exploration of American way of thinking and the values, cultural differences, and ultimately gaining the understanding to communicate effectively.
On the other hand, the Social Psychology course aims to discover the different ways in which people interact with others and helps you understand yourself, others and society at large by examining scientific studies of various areas. Engaging classroom discussions, collaborative work, and stimulating writing activities will challenge you to step out of your comfort zone to think critically and formulate your own opinions and arguments.
American Culture & Society
Hours: 3 classes/week, 3.5 hours each Assignments: 3-6 hours/classStudents in this course will use tools from the social sciences and humanities to pursue a rich understanding of American culture. We will consider a variety of source material, including key events in American history and politics, themes in American literature and popular culture, and rituals and symbols that represent and permeate daily life in America. Through ongoing discussion and a variety of reading and writing exercises, students will identify the ways in which American habits, beliefs, and values are communicated and maintained. This language‐heavy course will also give students an opportunity to strengthen their English fluency. Topics include education, family, diversity, business, and government.
Social Psychology
Hours: 2 classes/week, 3.5 hours each Assignments: 2-4 hours/classSocial psychology is the scientific study of the way people think about, feel, and behave in social situations. It involves understanding how people influence, and are influenced by, others around them. A primary goal of this course is to introduce you to the perspectives, research methods, and empirical findings of social psychology. We will use a college-level textbook along with supplementary readings to cover topics including: impression formation, conformity, pro-social behavior, interpersonal attraction, persuasion, stereotyping and prejudice. Equally important is the goal of cultivating your skills for analyzing the social situations and events that you encounter in your everyday lives. Finally, throughout the course, emphasis will be placed on developing critical and integrative ways of thinking about theory and research in social psychology.