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PHIL 3900 - Philosophy of Humour

Humour is one of the activities that is distinctly human. In this course we will discuss the evolution of humour, several theories about how it works, and what makes us laugh. We will address several topical issues such as the ethics of humour, gender and humour, and the phenomenon of “gallows” or dark humour. Additionally we will take a brief look at some interesting areas like joking and natural language, humour and horror, and self-deprecating humour.

HIST 1000 – Queer Activism

Students engage with 2SLGBTQ+ activism from the 1950s onward, with a special emphasis on Canada. Students investigate how queer communities in North America are created and sustained through protest, alliance-building, symbols, and digital spaces. Students will also reconcile with and navigate historical and contemporary politics of “inclusion” that has been wrought through queer communities. Students will engage with formal and informal forms of queer activism and apply core principles learned into transformative social justice projects.

AGSC 2200 – Food Systems at a Local Level and Beyond

Students explore, at an introductory level, agriculture and food systems at the local, but including information on global systems. Topics of discussion include agriculture, local food production, food security and food policy, sustainability, commercialization, and globalization.

GEOG 3100 – Environment, Resources and Sustainability

Students explore the natural and human-modified environment from a geographical viewpoint. They examine topics such as environmental worldviews, the history of the environmental movement, ecosystems, energy principles, human population dynamics, patterns of resource use, and environmental issues and ethics.

ENGL 2400 – Heroes in Literature

Heroes have always had a prominent place in literature. Since antiquity, writers have focused on great individuals who do great things. Exactly what makes one a hero, or how a hero is supposed to act, however, varies from text to text. In this course, we will examine various types of heroes who have appeared in literature including tragic heroes, Byronic heroes, reluctant heroes, everyday heroes, and antiheroes. Some possible texts include Oedipus the King, Pride and Prejudice, Manfred, the graphic novel The Dark Knight Returns, and the film Star Wars.

SOCI 3210 – Feminist Theory

Students engage in learning the history of feminist thought, the major traditions of feminist theory, as well as the debates central to the dialogue of classical and contemporary feminist theory. They study the original work of some of the major theorists and pay close attention to how historical conditions and social issues have shaped the thinking of each author. Topics include historical and contemporary liberal and socialist feminist thought and practice, second-wave radical feminism, feminist theories of intersectionality, and postmodern, post-colonial, queer and third-wave approaches to feminist theory. Throughout the course, students critically analyze the relevance of the various traditions of feminist thought and practice to contemporary social life. Students also discuss the social, economic and political forces that influence contemporary perceptions of feminism.

BIOL 1210 – Principles of Biology 2

Students will explore evolution as unifying principle of biology: how it occurs, and how it leads to increasing biological diversity through speciation. They will develop an understanding of how evolutionary opportunities and constraints are reflected in the history of life on Earth and will examine the evolutionary conundrum of sexual reproduction (or lack thereof) in both plants and animals.

NRSC 1220 – Dendrology 2

Students explore a variety of British Columbian, North American, and introduced coniferous tree species.

ECON 3410 – Economics of Climate Change

Students investigate the climatic changes resulting from global warming and the policy actions being taken to address these problems. Topics include an overview of the science and economics of climate change; the impact of climate change on growth and economic development; the economics of stabilization including efficiency, externalities, public goods, and environmental policy instruments; inter-temporal decisions and uncertainties about the impacts of climate change; the policy responses to mitigation and adaption and their cost; international collective action and its challenges; and prominent climate policy approaches, such as the United Nations Framework Convention and the Kyoto Protocol.

MKTG 2430 – Introduction to Marketing

Students receive an overall view of the marketing function, the role of marketing in society and its application within organizations. Topics include an overview of marketing; developing a marketing plan and strategies; analyzing the marketing environment; consumer behaviour; segmentation, targeting, and positioning; developing new products; product, branding, and packaging decisions; pricing concepts and strategies; distribution strategies; and integrated marketing communications.

HMGT 1110 – Catering and Service Management

This course presents a basic overview of the principles of catering and service management in a hospitality environment. Students review and critique styles of service and develop an understanding of how to make food and beverage outlets more guest-friendly and profitable. Service management is introduced by both theory and practice, and students reflect on contemporary issues related to providing service excellence in different service environments.

TMGT 2610 – Environmental Issues in the Tourism Industry

The rapid growth of tourism on a global scale has resulted in significant negative environmental impacts, and there is increasing concern about the relationship between tourism and the environment, both natural and cultural. This course explores the challenges facing the tourism industry in attempting to create a balance between environmental and economic concerns. The rich history of the conservation movement and development of the national parks system provides a lens through which to understand the foundation of the North American tourism industry. In addition, students examine the current "greening" of the tourism industry.

PHIL 1020 – Introduction to Philosophy: Great Thinkers – Enlightenment to Modern

This course is a general introduction to philosophy which spans the Enlightenment to present day time period. The major philosophers discussed in this course include Kant, Marx, Cugoano, Mill, Nietzsche and Sartre. The major topics explored include: Is there progress in history? What are the origins of our moral ideas? What rights do individuals have? Does life have meaning? We will pay particular attention to the arguments from a variety of thinkers on a range of pressing philosophical questions and debates. What is the nature of progress? Does history have meaning? Arguments against oppression and slavery. What is the nature of values and moral judgments? What does nihilism mean? What is existentialism? What are key arguments in the history of Black feminism, Indigenous resistance?

ENGL 2120 – Reading Literature: Essential Skills

Students from all disciplines, especially English Majors, develop advanced reading and writing skills as well as practical tools for success in writing and literature courses. Students learn greater appreciation for the language of literature, practice close reading skills, and analyze the historical, political, and cultural dimensions of works from three genres: poetry, drama, and fiction. Also, students explore diverse critical approaches to the study of literature.

POLI 4900 – The Politics of Corporate Social Responsibility

This course aims to provide students with the skill-set to analyse the social and environmental issues that are relevant to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable development within a political context. We will assess the corporate behaviour of foreign and local companies; outline the CSR practices of multinational corporations, and the challenges and opportunities of acting responsibly in the area now referred to as the world's factory (Asia). We will also assess the role of small and medium-sized companies in acting responsibly in a highly competitive environment; comprehend local government strategies to attract FDI and the dilemmas these present for responsible business practices; and understand the complex interactions between stakeholders, business actors and governments. This course will also involve a rare opportunity to participate in an experiential learning activity designed by the International Labour Organization.

ECON 3990 – World in the 2020s & Beyond

Description TBA.

ECON 3990 – World in the 2020s & Beyond

Description TBA.

PSYC 3720 – Human Behaviour Modification

This course focuses on the behavioural principles and techniques used to understand, analyze, and modify human behavior.

ANTH 3390 – Ecological Anthropology

From climate justice, sacred waters and food sovereignty to the #land back movement and Standing Rock, anthropologists engage key debates related to culture and environment. This course focuses on how we understand human-environment relationships, human ecology and local environmental issues, in the context of rooted histories, diverse knowledge and language systems, legal pluralism and living cultures. Theories are examined and applied through comparative case-study analyses. Cultural constructions of "environment" and “nature” are compared and analyzed. Natural resource management systems and conflicts are examined in depth and across time and space.

ECON 3410 – Economics of Climate Change

Students investigate the climatic changes resulting from global warming and the policy actions being taken to address these problems. Topics include an overview of the science and economics of climate change; the impact of climate change on growth and economic development; the economics of stabilization including efficiency, externalities, public goods, and environmental policy instruments; inter-temporal decisions and uncertainties about the impacts of climate change; the policy responses to mitigation and adaption and their cost; international collective action and its challenges; and prominent climate policy approaches, such as the United Nations Framework Convention and the Kyoto Protocol.

ARET 3310 – Building Technology 2

This course is a continuation of ARET 3300 and advances students' knowledge of construction systems commonly used in multi-storey commercial, institutional or multi-residential buildings that are regulated under Parts 3 and 5 of the British Columbia Building Code.

ENGR 1200-LO2 – Engineering Design II

Students apply the knowledge of the engineering design process by developing and completing relatively complex and self-directed engineering project that consists of electrical, mechanical, and software sub-systems Students learn the incorporation of sustainability, regulatory, environmental, ethical, health, and safety-related issues relevant to the design of an engineering product. Students are exposed to several engineering tools to manage time and resources. Students learn theories related to teamwork and leadership. Students work in teams, complete design projects through several milestones, and generate technical reports and oral presentations. Students understand the role of an engineering profession towards society and ethical obligations.

BLAW 2910 – Commercial Law

Students examine the legal environment in which businesses operate and how common law and different provincial and federal government statutes influence decision-making. Topics include origins of Canadian law; resolving disputes and navigating the court system; tort law; contract law; sales of goods and consumer protection; methods of carrying on business; workplace law; property law; and creditor law.

ASTR 1150 – Introductory Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies

This is a general interest course on the night sky, telescopes, stars, and galaxies, and is intended for non-science majors. The student will develop an understanding of astronomy and be able to relate that knowledge to other areas of science, develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, and obtain the basics for a life-long appreciation of astronomy. Topics include: telescopes and observing the night sky, radiation and spectra, stellar properties and evolution, black holes, the Milky Way and other galaxies, and cosmology.

HIST 1000 – Global History of Capitalism

The past six centuries have witnessed enormous changes in global history largely due to a single system: capitalism. In HIST 1000, we will explore the nature and evolution of this system: what is capitalism? Where did it come from? Where is it going? How has it helped to shape people’s lives over the past several centuries? Beginning with its modern origins in the expansion of European seaborne empires to Africa, Asia, and the Americas in the 15th century and concluding with early 21st century climate change, we will examine the spread and development of global capitalism. We will also challenge some common assumptions about the place of the West in these processes.

TMGT 4010 – Experience Creation and Product Development

This course deals with the concept of experiences as products and the overall development of new products/services in the tourism field. Students will explore the foundations and theories of an "experience-driven" enterprise or economy from both the consumer (tourist) and producer (firm or destination) perspective. Emphasis is placed on undertaking new tourism product inventories to ensure the provision of engaging experiences and vivid memories for guests.

TMGT 2060 – People, Places and the Toured Landscape

Students explore historical, geographical and cross cultural contexts for understanding tourism products, experiences and impacts.