Diploma Students: Full-time — Online Courses

ANTH-1005-40: The Story of Us 

Where did humans come from? What is our relationship with the rest of the animal world? How did we become a species that walks upright, and has an unusually large brain? Why are we so diverse today? These are the sorts of questions asked by physical anthropologists, as they seek to understand 'what it means to be human'. This course will introduce this discipline and assist students in gaining an understanding of human inheritance; an appreciation of human diversity; primatology; the origins of humanity; and the development of early human culture. 

CRIM-3001-40: Criminology 

This course introduces students to the study of crime and delinquency within a Canadian context. Topics included for study are: the making of laws, the elements of crime, crime statistics, correlates and theories of crime, specific forms of crime and strategies for crime control. 

ENGL-1065-40: Crime Stories 

Stories of crime and detection have been among the most popular narratives produced from the 19th century to the present. While popular crime stories have often been derided as cheap escapism, this course investigates a variety of fictional criminals and crime-fighters to show popular narratives holding up society's moral mirror to dark and horrible deeds and raising questions about the social and individual complexities of guilt, innocence, crime, and the means of punishment. 

ENVR-1038-40: Climate Change, Adaptation, and Innovation 

To mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis, we must minimize the human activities driving climate change and reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. Communities must also implement resilient strategies to adapt to the changing climate and impacts already being felt around the world. Covering emerging, innovative solutions in energy, food, agriculture, land use, industry, transportation, buildings, carbon sinks, health, and education, this course invites students to explore creative responses to address climate change and its impacts locally and beyond. All of humanity is predicted to be impacted by climate change, albeit not equally. In this course, students will be encouraged to explore why climate change disproportionally impacts vulnerable communities and how multiple intersecting identity factors influence how individuals are affected by the changing climate. While we have faced, and will continue to face, many challenges to mitigate and adapt to the changing climate, our successes will not only benefit the planet, but our society and economy as well. 

FILM-1007-40: Hollywood: Viewer’s Perspective 

This course explores film from an audience perspective by analyzing both how and why our culture watches movies. The course examines the Hollywood formula and its appealing offer of comfort, closure, and familiarity to viewers. In addition, the degree to which cinematic rules can be bent and/or broken before an audience loses interest is a primary focus of the course.   Focusing on four categories of film theory - Character Identification, the Male Gaze, Narrative, and Historical Context- this course examines the way mainstream film has influenced patterns of spectatorship, and promotes critical analysis of contemporary media. 

FILM-1009-40: Film Genres: Comedy 

This course is for movie lovers who want to study the presentation of comedy on the silver screen. An analysis of different approaches to humour will show how audience interpretation is shaped by various directors. We will also study the ways in which comedy reflects the social tastes and anxieties of our times. Students will be required to watch one weekly film outside of class hours. Some of the films which we will study are Horrible Bosses, 21 Jump Street, Bridesmaids, and Groundhog Day. 

FILM-1020-40: Film Genres: Introduction 

This course is designed to examine North American culture through the lens of genre films. Movies reflect the values, beliefs, hopes, and fears of the times in which they are produced. Analysis of genre cinema provides insight into historical and contemporary ideologies and increases our understanding of the society in which we live and work. 

HIST-1037-40: History of the World in 15 Machines 

This course examines the history of technology by surveying some of the most significant inventions in human history. Students learn not only about the machines themselves, but also about the inventors responsible for their creation. Topics include the invention of the printing press, telescope, plow, cotton gin, automobile, and computer. By placing these inventions in their historical contexts, students gain an understanding of the social, economic, and political impact of each invention. 

HUMA-1021-40: Discovering Humanities 

Have you ever wondered...uhh...WHY?!? By examining humanity's effort through art, story, music, and religion to create out of a chaotic universe a meaningful existence, as well as the human obsession with those elements that destroy our meaning making (like disease, death, and doubt) this course strives to understand life, the universe, and, well...kinda everything. 

HUMA-1026-40: Protest Works of Art 

This course examines protest works of art, music, and literature from around the world. Some of the most influential protests and revolutions have produced inspiring, creative works of art. Examples include photographs, songs, human rights charters, speeches, poems, street art, social media posts, banners, and paintings. Protest art criticizes something in society by appealing to the audience's sense of justice and, sometimes, sense of humour. These works of art are not only the by-products of social protest movements; they are also the choice weapons. 

INDG-1013-40: Indigenous Resistance 

Students gain exposure to Indigenous resistance movements across the globe. Within this framework, students learn about the current efforts of Indigenous artists, authors, athletes, photographers, musicians, filmmakers, educators, and language revitalizers who collectively are changing stereotypes about Indigenous populations. Students learn first-hand from guest speakers about ways they can co-facilitate this movement and acquire a deeper knowledge of Indigenous people and their vibrant history, which is reshaping conceptions of the future. 

INDG-1027-40: Reservation Dogs 

This course delves into the day-to-day wellness of Indigenous youth by exploring themes presented in the television series "Reservation Dogs." Through critical analysis of selected episodes and reflective discussions, students will examine topics such as identity, cultural heritage, coping with loss, friendship, family dynamics, and empowerment. The course aims to provide students with insights into the challenges and strengths of Indigenous youth, offering strategies to navigate personal wellness and promote resilience in their own lives. 

INDS-1028-40: Science in the News 

Science is everywhere in the news: global warming, pandemics, mental health, the possibility of life on Mars and even new technology like gene editing. These are only a few of the current scientific topics that we find trending on social media. Science is vital in helping us understand the problems we face in our modern world, as well as assisting us to create solutions that lead to a better future! In addition to examining vital issues, we will also cover some fun and unusual topics in science: tiny robots built using frog cells, rats that are trained to drive cars and even people who can remember exactly what they ate for breakfast 30 years ago!  Also, a unique feature of the course is that some topics will be based on events and discoveries that are happening and developing the very week we are learning about them! This course is aimed at a general audience and no knowledge of science will be assumed. We will use videos, podcasts, articles, blogs and social media to learn about our amazing world (and beyond!). 

INDS-1033-40: Video Game Theory 

This course will analyze the cultural and artistic significance of video games, and the ways gaming reflects our larger relationships with technology. This course aims to discuss the relationship between video games and other media; gamers and the gaming community; and the important sociological, cultural, industrial, and economic issues that surround gaming. 

INDS-1035-40: New Media Culture 

This course is designed to focus on the thinking of students interested in the history, nature, and development of new media. The changing nature of media is considered, as are its influences on contemporary journalists and the development of culture in North American society. Students reflect on how media can shape consumers' thinking about current issues and how technological innovations are altering the dissemination of information. Students will participate in a weekly lab hour to facilitate their research and writing. 

INDS-1040-40: Conspiracy Theories 

This course explores the psychological and historical circumstances that have helped popularize conspiracy theories. Through an analysis of issues like the "fake" moon landing, "flat earth," 9/11 Truth, as well as various other conspiracies (some not-so-crazy, some very outlandish!), our course develops a philosophy of clear, rational thinking and then applies it to our contemporary world, asking difficult questions about how to explain, justify, and rationalize the stories we believe. Above all else, this course is about engaging intelligently, logically, and skeptically with stories presented to us, and it does so by teaching strategies for living skeptically with both the world and, more importantly, with ourselves. 

INDS-1059-40: Myth, Folktale & Fairytale 

This course will examine a selection of myths and legends from Ancient Greece, Continental Europe, and Britain. We will look at how these stories have evolved over time from sacred tales to secular stories. The course will also explore the important role that folktales and fairy tales have played in shaping the culture of the people who told these stories. Our goals will be to discover connections among the stories, seek out similar themes and characters across cultures and time periods, and explain the enduring popularity of these stories to this day. 

INDS-1075-40: Digital Identity 

What is the cultural impact of social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter? How important is having an online identity? In this course, students will engage with issues of new media integration and take up questions of online identity. While the digital realm is often complicated and chaotic, this course explores the space(s) that subjectivity takes up and in turn reflects onto broader issues of identity. Beginning with theories originating in the late 19th century, students will consider the online world in and outside of the classroom both on a personal and on a social level. This course aims to help students critically reflect on the ever shrinking line between online and offline identity and its impact on culture at large. 

INDS-1077-40: Queer as Folk 

How does one define sexual desire and/or gender identity, particularly when it differs from that of the majority?  This interdisciplinary course will introduce students to the field of sexuality studies  specifically, representations of LGBT culture  through the lens of literature, film, art, news media, advertising, and television, as well as changing conceptions of gender identity throughout history, and contemporary legal and political issues.  Students of all orientations and gender identities will have the opportunity to gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the multifaceted nature of the society within which we live. 

INDS-1081-40: Personal Wellness 

This course introduces students to the concept of wellness. Students develop strategies for a healthy lifestyle in all aspects of their lives. Through traditional lectures and learning activities, they learn through both individual and group processes. They investigate wellness as it applies to mindfulness, self-responsibility, social/emotional development, stress-management, physical activity, spirituality, substance abuse, nutrition, and complementary health. This course provides the opportunity for students to evaluate their present lifestyle, identify successes, and develop areas requiring personal growth. 

INDS-1088-40: The Ever-Changing Workplace 

It sometimes seems like the terms "job" and "career" mean the same thing. In fact, they have very different meanings. In this course students will learn the difference between both, culminating in a journey that lasts a lifetime! Students will participate in self-reflection and careers and skills exploration. Furthermore, students will gain an understanding regarding key issues around the new world of work, diversity, communication and workplace expectations and etiquette. This course will give students the opportunity to explore the sociological trends, as well as historical shifts, regarding employment standards and evolution of workplace communication. 

INDS-1095-40: History of Rock & Roll: 70s/80s/90s 

This course examines the social, cultural, and musical history of rock and roll in the 70's, 80's, and early 90's. It examines the fragmentation of rock and roll which took place in the 70's and 80's when rock no longer dominated the pop charts. It also examines in detail how punk affected the evolution of rock and roll. 

INDS-1110-40: Stranger Things 

What lies on the outer recesses of the scientifically known universe? Throughout human history, people have engaged in a wide array of strange and incredulous beliefs and practices. They have sought to find hidden realms, special powers, and concealed entities that evade our day-to-day perceptions and expectations. This course will examine the historical origins, practices, and beliefs of such strange things. Topics covered will include inter-dimensional beings and aliens, cryptozoology, monster hunting, the many expressions of extrasensory perception, psi powers, out of body experiences and dreams, divination practices such as tarot and astrology, ghost-hunting, séances, and many other occult magical beliefs and practices. 

INDS-1124-40: The Secret History of Aliens & UFOs 

It has been over seventy years since U.S. pilot Kenneth Arnold encountered what he described as a string of nine shiny unidentified flying objects flying past Mount Rainier in Washington State, at speeds exceeding 1,930 km/h. Subsequent to the sighting, the press of his day called these unidentified flying objects 'flying saucers.' In response, the general public became captivated with the idea, setting off a wave of reported UFO and extraterrestrial encounters that have persisted up until the present and its recent promises of Governmental Disclosure. Since those early day in the late 1940s, aliens have burned a deep imprint into the collective psyche of our culture at large. This course will examine the forgotten historical and cultural precursors to the phenomenon, the history of its more popular elements, and the many more obscure and repressed beliefs and aspects of the wider genre that remain unknown to the larger public. 

INDS-1130-40: Disability Studies 

Have you ever noticed how many movie villains walk with a limp, have a scar across their face, or are part bionic? Have you ever wanted to know why they do. . . and why our heroes do not? This course explores cultural representations of disabilities. While uncovering a wide range of disabled representations on the page, the stage, and the screen, we will seek to understand the social stigmas surrounding disabled identities. We will also think about how disability as a marker of difference connects to other misunderstood or misrepresented identities by considering markers of race, class, religion, and gender. 

INDS-1131-40: Canada, Eh? 

This is a crash-course in all things Canada - history, politics, food, geography, music, law, and more! Over the semester, we'll look at these topics in depth and think critically about the impact this has on Canadians (both our identity and our view of the world). By the end of the semester, you should have a good grasp of what makes us uniquely Canadian, eh? 

INDS-1133-40: Korean Culture 

This course offers students the opportunity to delve into the impact of Korean popular culture within the social and historical context of contemporary global society. Students will critically analyze the domestic and international effects of Korean Wave (Hallyu), with a particular focus on North America. The course examines K-culture, including language, food, beauty, and entertainment (e.g., music, online games, cinema, TV dramas). By exploring these topics in depth, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the cultural significance of Korean popular culture in today's globalized world. 

PHIL-1006-40: Great Philosophers  

The history of philosophy is full of colourful personalities, thought-provoking propositions, and challenging arguments. This course will introduce students to a wide range of these by discussing and evaluating some of the most prominent Western philosophers of the past three thousand years. Each class will focus on one important idea from a particular philosopher, and we will see how these ideas have changed and developed over time. Most importantly, we will ask whether these ideas are good or bad, right or wrong, and what impact they have, or should have, on our lives. 

POLI-1016-40: Sport & Public Policy 

Sports play a vital role in society.  They help promote a particular values system, shape national identity, and contribute to economic development.   This course will provide each student with an understanding of the relationship between sports, the economy, and the political system. 

POLI-1024-40: American Politics 

This course will provide an introduction to the American political system. Beginning with the first colony in Jamestown, we will study the institutions and people that helped transform America into the global superpower it is today. Topics of study include elections, foreign policy, and the bill of rights. Special attention will be given to contemporary political issues and conflicts. 

PSYC-1027-40: Human Relations 

To a very large degree, the satisfaction we experience in life is greatly influenced by the quality of our interpersonal relationships. There are numerous personal and social factors that play a role in shaping our thoughts, feelings and behaviour with others. As such, this course is designed to examine some of the fundamental variables underlying the dynamics of human relations. The particular topics of interest will include culture, socialization, personality, the self-concept, perception, emotions and communication factors. At the end of this course, the successful student will have learned the skills and knowledge essential for both personal and career development. 

PSYC-1055-40: Positive Psychology  

This course explores the nature of well-being, happiness, and the good life. Course content includes a sampling of psychological theories, research and measures of personal strengths that impact well-being. We will examine ways to enhance appreciation of life through mindfulness, gratitude, creativity, and flow and apply these experiences in a personal way. Students in this course should expect to learn and participate in personal gratitude and growth, prosocial behaviours, and savoring experiences. 

PSYC-1067-40: A Culture of Addictions  

As an introductory and interdisciplinary survey of the role of addiction in human cultures, this course is designed to expose students to how narcotic as well as non-narcotic-related addiction manifest themselves within various individual and institutional practices. In particular, students will explore the major biological, psychological and social/cultural theories applied to addiction. Focus is given to the nature of drug use, conceptions of 'the addict,' how drugs impact the brain, the impact on family, and consequences for changing social drug behaviors. This course also explores current theoretical and practical treatment approaches and education and prevention strategies. Emphasis will be given to special issues and hot topics in drug addiction, including youth, women, media portrayal of drug use and current debates on the war on drugs. Finally, understanding common perspectives on treatment and prevention strategies related to drug dependence and education will be studied. 

PSYC-1072-40: Psychology of the Internet 

In this course we explore psychology in the context of the internet.  We examine classic psychological concepts such as impression management and self presentation, helping behaviours, aggression, group dynamics, love and relationships, and online addiction. We form and maintain relationships online, we shop online, we work online, we seek out help online, etc.  The internet has become a crucial part of human existence;  to fully understand human behaviour we must also be able to understand our online behaviour. 

PSYC-1077-40: Psychology of Evil  

Evil has been a focus of study since time immemorial. Recently psychologists have attempted to examine and explain why certain people act in destructive and horrific ways toward others. This course is an examination of the darker side of human behaviour and how psychology attempts to define and understand evil. Topics discussed in this course include discovering how we decide if an action is evil or not, psychopaths and why they commit evil, how big business can unknowingly (or knowingly) commit evil, and how people can be convinced to kill their neighbour (genocide). 

PSYC-1094-40: Psychology of Sport 

Have you ever wondered why the USA Olympic hockey team was more upset when they received a silver medal than the team who won the bronze? How do athletes maximize performance potential and what are the unwritten rules of retaliation and fighting in sport? This course delves into the principles of psychology that drive emotion, motivation, expectation, self-worth, and relationships of athletes and explores the different aspects of Sport Psychology. 

PSYC-1100-40: Altered States of Consciousness 

The average adult will spend about 600 hours each year dreaming and have more than 100,000 dreams over a typical lifetime. We will spend 25 years of our lives sleeping. Have you ever wondered how consciousness changes while we sleep and dream? Why do some people dream in colour while others dream in black and white? How do hypnosis and medication and drugs alter consciousness? This course will familiarize students with some of the main issues in consciousness. Topics covered will include daydreaming, sleep, dreams, psychedelics, hypnosis, trance and meditation, and death. This is a theory-and research-based course into the world of consciousness, including various theories such as clinical and cognition. 

PSYC-1123-40: Art of Intelligence 

This course introduces students to the various forms and theories of intelligence. Topics include creativity, emotional intelligence, non-verbal intelligence, social intelligence, mindfulness, learning disabilities and exceptionalities. This course comprehensively examines the role of intelligence for personal and professional success, as well as the application of both verbal and non-verbal forms. 

RELG-1003-40: World Religions 

Why do billions of people pray, meditate, celebrate, and seek meaning through religious traditions?  How have religions shaped cultures, art, and politics throughout history?  This course invites students to explore those questions with a journey through many religious traditions.  We will start in the east with Daoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism.  From the Indian Sub-Continent we discover Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism, then continue to the Middle East, finding Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and the Baha'i faith.  And we conclude our journey with aboriginal religions from around the world - including the Anishinaabe from the Great Lakes region, and a look at modern expressions of paganism and wicca.  Whether you are religious, spiritual, skeptical, or simply curious, this course offers an opportunity to encounter the rich diversity of human belief and to better understand the ideas that continue to shape our interconnected world. 

SOCI-1093-40: Homicide  

This 'Homicide' course will provide students with definitions of homicide and theoretical explanations from both the sociological and criminological traditions. Homicide can be described as the killing of one person by another. Society generally describes this act as murder. Homicide rates in Canada are reasonably low; however, certain individuals and groups are disproportionately at risk for this violent event. Through a criminology lens, this course aims to understand the relationship between social factors and crime. It combines theoretical perspectives with case studies to uncover who is at risk of being a homicide victim and how their life chances are impacted by social structures and inequality. Throughout the course, we will critically examine concepts including stereotypes, discrimination, rehabilitation, restorative, and social justice. 

SOSC-1012-40: Discovering the Social Sciences  

This course connects the exciting world of social science to our everyday experiences. By highlighting discipline-specific tools and concepts used by anthropologists, psychologists, and sociologists, students gain insight into how people function and how relationships develop between individuals, society, and the global world. Discussions focus on current and controversial topics that deal with individual, social, and global concerns, allowing us to understand the origins and consequences for some of life's most pressing issues. This interdisciplinary approach leads to a better understanding of social science and gives students the foundation for future learning in all areas of study. 

SOSC-1033-40: Mysteries of Sleep  

Have you ever wondered why we dream? Why do our eyes sometimes twitch during sleep? What are the consequences of sleep deprivation? Through a variety of learning activities, students will navigate this complex and fascinating topic to uncover some of the mysteries of sleep. Drawing on fields of inquiry including neuroscience, psychology, and sociology, we will investigate some key theories on sleep and dreams and cover topics such as the circadian rhythm, sleep disorders, and sleep across the lifespan. Through self-reflection, students will also examine their own thoughts and behaviours around sleep with the purpose of fostering improved sleep hygiene.