Elective Course List

HIST-7024-60 History of Western Art (SILEx)

An introduction to key works in the history of western art and architecture through an examination of their intellectual and social contexts. This course is a university transfer course. The overall goal of this course is to provide a working knowledge of the History of Western Art and Architecture as well as a foundation for critical thinking about art's history. This is a SILEx course-a signature learning experience. It will include one of the following SILEx elements: applied research, entrepreneurship, global projects, live client interactions or a multi-disciplinary project. In addition, it is important to note that there may an additional fee when enrolling in this course.

INDS-1120-60: Physical Fitness and Movement (SILEx)

This course introduces students to the study of human movement along with systems, factors, and principles related to physical fitness. Students will learn about the effects of physical activity on health, the history and evolution of physical activity and sport, movement and directional terms, bones and muscles, and factors that influence an individual's participation in physical activity. This course is well suited for students interested in learning more about the basics of kinesiology, recreation, physical exercise, and fitness. This is a SILEx course-a signature learning experience. It will include the following SILEx elements: applied research, entrepreneurship, and a multi-disciplinary project. For some students, there may be an additional fee when enrolling in this course.

PSYC-1138-60: Community Psychology (SILEx)

Community psychology uses a social justice framework to examine the many ways that belonging to a community impacts our health and well-being. In this SILEx course we will apply ecological and critical perspectives to explore humans in context, and what it means to be an active member of a community. Taking a local approach, we will examine a variety of social issues that affect residents of London, Ontario; with the goal of understanding how to create a more socially just community for all.
 

INDS-1117-60: Racism in Canada (SILEx)

Is everyone really equal in Canada? Canada is often described as a mosaic of cultures, ethnicities, and races where differences are thought to strengthen the country. However, is Canada really a mosaic? We will explore these questions against the back drop of increased racism in Canadian society. As we explore these questions, we will consider Canada's history of racism in order to comprehensively understand the contemporary dynamics of racism in society. We will also examine how other forms of oppression, like sexism and classism, intersect with racism so that we can gain a holistic understanding of how oppression is developed and maintained. This is a SILEx course-a signature learning experience. It will include one of the following SILEx elements: applied research, entrepreneurship, global projects, live client interactions or a multi-disciplinary project. In addition, it is important to note that there may an additional fee when enrolling in this course.

PSYC-7006-60: Intro to Psychology I

This course is a two-semester introduction to modern scientific psychology.  Topics include:  history and research methods, the brain and behaviour, genetic and evolutionary influences on behaviour, sensation and perception, states of consciousness, learning and motivation, memory, language and cognitive processes, intelligence, lifespan development, social psychology, personality, health psychology, psychological disorders and treatment.
 

COMM-3073-60/61: Communications for General Arts

This course focuses on written and verbal communication skills. Students learn to prepare a variety of professional documents. In addition, students learn about research methods and documentation formats. The principles of effective writing - organization, grammar, style, clarity, and tone - are reinforced throughout the course. The goal of the course is to prepare students for the communication tasks and considerations they will encounter in the workplace and/or future education in order to meet the needs of employers and/or the communities they will serve.
 

WRIT-1030-60/61/62: Reason & Writing 1

This course introduces students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking.
 

BIOL-3012-60/61: Biology: Select Topics

This is an introductory course in biology where emphasis is limited to processes in biology at the cellular level. The topics discussed will include cell structure and function, cellular respiration and photosynthesis, cell replication, genetics, DNA structure and protein synthesis.
 

BIOL-3013-60: College Qualifying Biology

The content of this course will continue from BIOL-3012 (cellular biology) and provide the student with a basic understanding of evolution and the diversity of organisms.  The topics will include general characteristics of the major groups of organisms, including prokaryotes, protists, fungi, plants and animals.  The course also discusses the different levels of ecology and human impacts on the environment.
 

ANAT-3010-60: Anatomy: Select Topics

This introductory course provides students with the fundamental knowledge of human anatomy and physiology. The material includes basic anatomical terminology, fundamental physiological principles and an introduction to histology. The focus will be on the relationship between the structure and function of the major body systems including the skeletal, muscular and nervous systems. The content of this course leads into ANAT-3011 (College Qualifying Anatomy).

INDS-1123-60: Global Music (SILEx)

Music has existed for thousands of years and is played and enjoyed all around the world. It can be one of the richest and rewarding ways to learn about another culture. In this course, students will explore music from different cultures. They will learn about music practices from a variety of places in the world and the social, cultural, and historical context of those practices. Through listening to different musical examples, students will learn about topics such as diversity, identity, intercultural collaboration, globalization, and cultural appropriation, as well as consider the role of technology. Students will deepen their understanding and appreciation of different musical traditions as well as their own. No prior background in music or ability to read music is required. This is a SILEx course-a signature learning experience. It will include one of the following SILEx elements: applied research, entrepreneurship, global projects, live client interactions or a multi-disciplinary project. In addition, it is important to note that there may an additional fee when enrolling in this course.

PHIL-7002-60: Intro to Philosophy I

This is a 'big-picture' course that surveys a number of the central questions of philosophy in order to introduce students to the rich tradition of Western philosophy. Six major themes will be addressed: the existence God and the problem of evil, ethics, political philosophy, metaphysics, epistemology, and aesthetics. Through an introduction to historically and conceptually significant theories and arguments in these six areas, students will develop the skills philosophy requires: careful reading, critical thinking, and clear writing.
 

ANTH-1005-40: 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.

BIOL-3012-40: Biology: Select Topics 

This is an introductory course in biology where emphasis is limited to processes in biology at the cellular level. The topics discussed will include cell structure and function, cellular respiration and photosynthesis, cell replication, genetics, DNA structure and protein synthesis.

BIOL-3013-40: College Qualifying Biology 

The content of this course will continue from BIOL-3012 (cellular biology) and provide the student with a basic understanding of evolution and the diversity of organisms. The topics will include general characteristics of the major groups of organisms, including prokaryotes, protists, fungi, plants and animals. The course also discusses the different levels of ecology and human impacts on the environment. BIOL-3012 is a pre-requisite for this class.

** Successful completion of both BIOL-3012 & BIOL-3013 will equate to a 12U Biology (SBI4U) credit.

CHEM-3014-40: Chemistry: Select Topics 

This introductory course teaches terminology, classification of matter, nomenclature, chemical formulae, chemical equations, atomic theory, chemical bonding, calculation of quantitative composition of compounds, the mole concept, stoichiometry and related problem solving.

CHEM-3015-40: College Qualifying Chemistry 

This course covers gases, liquids, solutions, acids, bases and salts, oxidation-reduction reactions, nuclear chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry. CHEM-3014 is a pre-requisite for this class.

** Successful completion of both CHEM-3014 & CHEM-3015 will equate to a 12U Chemistry (SCH4U) credit.

COMM-3073-40/41: Communications for General Arts

This course focuses on written and verbal communication skills. Students learn to prepare a variety of professional documents. In addition, students learn about research methods and documentation formats. The principles of effective writing - organization, grammar, style, clarity, and tone - are reinforced throughout the course. The goal of the course is to prepare students for the communication tasks and considerations they will encounter in the workplace and/or future education in order to meet the needs of employers and/or the communities they will serve. Please note that students must successfully complete WRIT-1030 before registering in COMM-3073.

ENVR-1038-40: Climate Change, Adaptation & 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.

INDS-1058-40: Foodonomics FULL

How can we have an epidemic of obesity when most of the world is starving? How can the very thing that's supposed to bring us strength and longevity make us ill? The answer is simple: Food is big business. In this course we discuss foodonomics or the business of food. We examine what we really know about the food we eat, the way food defines cultures and traditions, the plight of the local farmer, and controversies such as bioengineered and drug crops. We also discuss the validity of the organic and buy local movements, the positive and negative effects of globalization, and how and why our food is making us sick. Finally, we examine the true power of agriculture and why some are starved while others are stuffed. 

INDS-1081-40/41: Personal Wellness FULL

This course introduces students to the concept of wellness. Students develop strategies for a healthy lifestyle in all aspect 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-1093-40: The Global Drug Trade 

This course examines addictive substances as a global commodity, tracing their impact on issues of race, empire, and inequality. Beginning with the opium wars of the nineteenth century and concluding with narco violence in present-day Mexico, students will gain an understanding of the various impacts of the drug trade on the modern world. Beyond simple issues of criminality and policing, transnational flows of licit and illicit drugs shape how societies interact with one another and reveal persistent power imbalances. During the course, students will be introduced to an extensive and surprising cast of characters - from imperial administrators to Colombian drug lords; CIA agents to Central American villagers; mafia dons to pharmaceutical sales reps.

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

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-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.

MATH-3068-40: Mathematics: Theory to Practice

This course is for students who need to refresh or upgrade their mathematical knowledge and skills in preparation for entry into the College Qualifying Mathematics course (MATH 3069). It will cover topics such as operations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals and exponents, as well as applications of these operations including ratios, proportions and percents. Attention is paid to deconstructing mathematical theories and applications in a student-centered environment permitting students to comprehend mathematical theory as it applies to real-world scenarios. It is strongly recommended that students who need review or preparation in foundational mathematics take this course. Successful completion of MATH-3069 will equate to a 10C Mathematics credit.

MATH-3069-40: College Qualifying Mathematics 

This course is for students who need a qualifying credit in Mathematics for entry into college programs and will cover topics such as algebra, graphing, conversions, geometry, trigonometry, and statistics. Successful completion of MATH-3069 will equate to a 12C Mathematics (MAP4C) credit. This class has two unit tests that require in-person testing.

MATH-3080-40: Advanced Functions

This course will cover topics such as evaluating, graphing, combining and solving functions, specifically polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions. Successful completetion of MATH-3080 will equate to a 12U Mathematics (MHF4U). This class has two unit tests that require in-person testing.

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-1077-40: Psychology of Evil FULL

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).

SOCI-1073-40: Building Sustainable Societies

The world's population has recently surpassed seven billion, and communities worldwide are facing numerous social, environmental, and economic problems. While gloomy headlines dominate environmental news, there are solutions. Building sustainable societies looks at current problems like urban sprawl, pollution, climate change, and suggests ways to reverse unsustainable trends. From growing food and gardens to developing more efficient transportation, to reducing waste and developing green buildings, sustainable societies move beyond diagnosing the problems to finding solutions. A key part of the course is to give students the insight and confidence to encourage sustainability in their own lives and communities.

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 FULL

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 FULL

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.

WRIT-1030-40: Reason & Writing

This course introduces students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking. Please note that students must successfully complete WRIT-1030 before registering in COMM-3073.
 

INDS-1121-40: Humans & the Honeybee (SILEx)

What's all this talk about honey bees? This course is designed to explore the fascinating life of the honey bee and the evolution of the human connection to the species. Students will learn about the natural history of honey bees and their interesting behaviours, the animal husbandry practices and how humans have managed honey bees throughout time, and the important role bees and other pollinators play in supporting healthy ecosystems. 

** Please note that these are compressed classes that run 6 hours/week from May 4th until June 19th.