PHIL-1024-60: Searching for Reality (Tuesday 3:00 – 5:00 PM, Oxford St Campus)

What exists, and how can we know it? Metaphysics and epistemology are the two branches of philosophy devoted to asking these questions, and this course is a historical examination of these two areas in Western philosophy. Each historical era will be viewed through the lens of a guiding question that frames metaphysical and epistemological investigation. Along the way we will discuss classical philosophical issues such as free will, the existence of God, the nature of consciousness, and the limits of science.

SOCI-1102-60: Sociology of Advertising (Tuesday 3:00 – 5:00 PM, Oxford St Campus)

The average person encounters over 3,000 advertisements a day. How do the advertisements we see impact us and our society? This course will explore the topic of advertising through a sociological perspective. It will focus on the representation of gender, sexuality, and race in advertising. This course will explore how advertising has reflected and reproduced societal issues like racism and sexism. A historical perspective of advertising will also address how advertising has developed alongside human history, from prehistory to the present age of social media. Advertising techniques and methods will be discussed and critically evaluated.

INDS-1123-60: Global Music (SILEx) (Wednesday 5:00 – 7:00 PM, Oxford St Campus)

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.

INDS-1118-60: The Global Drug Trade (SILEx) (Thursday 6:00 – 8:00 PM, Oxford St Campus)

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. 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.