Interdisciplinary Studies

INTR 100 (6) Popular Culture and University Writing

A combination of ENGL 115 and MEDI 115 in an integrated learning environment. Students will explore the core concepts of popular culture and university writing and research. Readings, assignments, and assessment will be shared in an interdisciplinary environment. Note: students will receive course exemption for ENGL 115 and MEDI 115 upon completion. (4:2:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in English 12 or equivalent.

INTR 101 (6) Digital Media and Literature

Combines ENGL 125 and DIGI 110 in an integrated learning environment. Students will explore the relation between literature and digital media and their historical and cultural contexts. This course emphasizes reading, research, writing, and introductory digital media skills. Readings, assignments, and assessment will be shared in an interdisciplinary environment. Note: Students will receive course exemption for DIGI 110 and ENGL 125 upon completion. (4:2:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in English 12 or equivalent.

INTR 102 (6) Introduction to Criminology and Sociology

A combination of CRIM 101 and SOCI 111 in an integrated learning environment. Students will explore the basic concepts and theories of Criminology and Sociology. Readings, assignments, and assessment will be shared in an interdisciplinary environment. Note: Students will receive course exemption for CRIM 101 and SOCI 111 upon completion. (6:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in English 12 or equivalent.

INTR 103 (6) World Regional Geography and University Writing

A combination of ENGL 115 and GEOG 100 in an integrated learning environment. An introduction to world regional geography and university writing and research. Readings, assignments, and assessment will be shared in an interdisciplinary environment. Note: students will receive course exemption for ENGL 115 and GEOG 100 upon completion. (6:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in English 12 or equivalent.

INTR 104 (6) Criminological Theory and the Lived Experience

This course integrates CRIM 103 and THEA 115 using a lecture/workshop format to introduce explanations for anti-social behavior related to psycho-sociological science. Students experience theory in multiple ways including socio-political drama and participatory theatre to think deeply about the lived experience of individuals in conflict with the law. Note: Students will receive course exemption for CRIM 103 and THEA 115 upon completion. (6:0:0)

Prerequisite: None.

INTR 106 (6) Environmental Geography and Literature

An interdisciplinary, team-taught course combining study of environmental literature, the Earth's biophysical processes and systems, and the impact of human population and land use activities. Topics include energy cycles, air pollution and climate change, resource consumption and waste, and sustainability. We will explore scientific and non-scientific ways of making knowledge. Note: Students will receive course exemption for GEOG 101 and ENGL 125 upon completion. (6:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C' in English 12 or equivalent.

INTR 111 (4) Indigenous Science & Western Science of the Human Body

An introduction to selected topics about the human body. Indigenous Science topics include history of Indigenous Science; life cycles; body systems; how life came to be; environment; and applications to health sciences. Western Science topics include history of Western Science; cells; body systems; evolution; environment; and applications to Indigenous Science. (3:0:2)

Prerequisite: Biology 12 or permission of instructor.

INTR 150 (3) University Essentials

An introduction to university studies providing essential skills required for academic success and lifelong learning. Topics include university-level literacy skills (ie. bibliographies, literature reviews) and university-level numeracy skills (ie. reading tables and graphs). This course focuses on reading, writing and numeracy skills accomplished through project-based learning. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in English 12.

INTR 208 (6) Public Speaking and Slide Design

An introduction to the speaking and image-making skills required to create and deliver professional presentations in the workplace and other settings. Students learn the theory of effective speech-writing and delivery as well as how to leverage type and images to support and enhance presentations. (6:0:0)

Prerequisite: One first-year university English course with a minimum grade of "C."

INTR 211 (4) Indigenous & Western Sciences of Plants and the Environment

A study of plants and the environment. Indigenous Science topics include selected plant species; plant structures; and their uses and applications to health sciences and the environment. Western Science topics include classification of plants; plant structures; aspects of biochemistry; and applications to Indigenous Science. (3:0:2)

Prerequisite: INTR 111 or permission of instructor.

INTR 401 (4.5) Community-Based Applied Interdisciplinary Research I

Students work as research-consultants in teams assigned to a community partner for which they conduct and complete a research project. Each team develops a research proposal; obtains institutional approvals; collects, compiles, and analyzes data; prepares a research report; and presents findings to colleagues, clients, and VIU community members. (0:3:1.5)

Prerequisite: Third-year standing; one of ANTH 215, CRIM 220, CRIM 350, CRIM 351, MARK 366, SOCI 250, SOCI 350, SOCI 351, or equivalent; and permission of instructor.

INTR 402 (4.5) Community-Based Applied Interdisciplinary Research II

Students work as research-consultants in teams assigned to a community partner for which they conduct and complete a research project. Each team develops a research proposal; obtains institutional approvals; collects, compiles, and analyzes data; prepares a research report; and presents findings to colleagues, clients, and VIU community members. (0:3:1.5)

Prerequisite: INTR 401; third-year standing; one of ANTH 215, CRIM 220, CRIM 350, CRIM 351, MARK 366, SOCI 250, SOCI 350, SOCI 351, or equivalent; and permission of instructor.

SSID 250 (3) Introduction to Social Research

An introduction to concepts and strategies of social science research: current methodological issues, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, and an introduction to computer-assisted data analysis. Credit will only be granted for one of SOCI 250,CRIM 220 or SSID 250. (3:0:1)

Prerequisite: Any 100-level course in Psychology, Sociology, Geography, Anthropology, Criminology, or Political Studies.

SSID 300 (1) Dean's Seminar in the Social Sciences

Close reading and critical evaluation, through roundtable discussion, of a significant work pertinent to the social sciences. Students will receive a Pass or Fail on the basis of participation alone. This 1-credit course involves no lectures, examinations or written assignments, and may be repeated up to three times with a different topic. (0:1.5:0)

Prerequisite: Third-year standing in a declared Major or Minor in the Faculty of Social Sciences, and one of the following: mention in the Dean's Honour List or invitation from the Dean.

SSID 350 (3) Qualitative Research

An introduction to ethical and practical issues in conducting qualitative research and analysis. Topics may include qualitative traditions such as case studies, grounded theory, ethnography, narrative research, historical and textual analysis, and research approaches such as observation, interviewing, focus groups, program evaluation, and participatory action research. Credit will only be granted for one of PSYC 304,CRIM 350 or SSID 350. (2:0:1)

Prerequisite: Any 100-level course in Psychology, Geography, Anthropology, Criminology, Sociology, or Political Studies; and one of SSID 250, SOCI 250, GEOG 324, CRIM 220, or PSYC 204; or permission of instructor.

SSID 370 (3) Program Evaluation

A critical introduction to theoretical, methodological and practical issues involved in evaluating programs in public and non-profit organizations. Topics include understanding the logic of evaluation, program evaluability, identifying evaluation questions, working with stakeholders, research design, the strengths and weaknesses of various methodologies, and appreciating contemporary issues faced by evaluators. Credit will only be granted for one of PSYC 460 or SSID 370. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: One of SSID 250, SOCI 250, CRIM 220, PSYC 204, or equivalent.

Courses