"Foundations of the Social Sciences"
CAS room 522, Thursday 12:30 - 2 PM

Announcements

• A PDF with reading selections from Malinowski can be downloaded here
• Adam Smith's letter on the death of David Hume can be read here
• The handout accompanying Prof. Barfield's 9/24 lecture on Locke is now available

Course Description

The Social Science Core is designed to complement the Humanities and Natural Sciences Cores by introducing the social sciences within their historical setting. It will pursue major intellectual themes rather than attempt to cover each discipline separately. The first semester focuses on the emergence of the social sciences up to the end of the 19th century and early 20th century. Our purpose is to outline the modes of thought, scope of problems, types of analysis and their significance in understanding the world. For this reason historical context plays a vital role in determining how the very societies we study have changed through time and helps explain why some problems received more attention in one period than another. The readings for each lecture theme are drawn from original sources in order to represent the most fundamental theories as they were first presented.

The syllabus outlines the schedule of lecture topics and reading assignments for each week. It is vital that you keep up with the reading if the course is to be a success. To the extent possible the assigned selections from longer works have been specifically chosen so that you can focus on the major ideas.

Grade and Exam Policy

There are three components to the course that will make up the final grade:

1. Lecture attendance, section attendance and participation in discussion
   Sections will meet as scheduled. Topics for discussion will provided each week although students are encouraged to raise other issues that may arise during the course of lectures or in the readings.
2. Writing assignments. These writing assignments are designed to integrate the lectures, readings and discussions. Each instructor will provide details about the topics, length, schedule, and number of papers required. Students who successfully complete both semesters of the second-year Core Humanities or the Core Social Sciences (either CC201/202 together or CC203/204 together) receive credit for WR150.
   3. Final examination: 12/19, 9-11 AM. Please note well the date of the exam. Do not plan to take your vacation break before taking the exam. The date is fixed by the College and it cannot be taken in advance of this date!

Faculty List and Office Hours

Discussion Section Schedule

Academic Conduct Policy

All Core students are expected to be familiar with the provisions of the CAS Academic Conduct Code, particularly regarding issues such as plagiarism and cheating on exams. It is your obligation to know these rules, copies of which are available in room CAS 105. Any case of suspected academic misconduct will be referred to the Dean’s Office.

All members of the University are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity; we have the same expectations of each other in this course. Seminar leaders take the issue of plagiarism seriously and expect all the work you do in this course to be your own. If you have any questions about what constitutes plagiarism and how it differs from the appropriate use of other people’s work, consult the Academic Conduct Code or your instructor.

Lecture, Exam, and Reading Assignments