Entry Requirements

• Two GCE ‘A’ Level subjects including one of the following:
  Economics, History, Geography, Mathematics and Modern Language.
• The University of Guyana accredited Commonwealth Diploma in Youth Work.
• CPCE – Trained Teacher’s Certificate
• 5 CXC at one (1) sitting or six (6) at two sitting inclusive of Math and English.

The Curriculum includes the following courses:

• Year 1

  • Semester I

    • POL 110 - Theory & Practice of Politics
      
      Credits : 3
      This course is intended to provide student with an understanding of the basic concepts, issues and practices involved in the theory and practice of politics.
      As far as is practically possible the course will seek to use the theories and concepts to understand and explain the issues involved in the politics of Guyana and the Caribbean.
      Students will also be exposed to the ideas of the founding fathers of Political Science as they relate to the theory and practice of politics.
    • SOC 110 - The Study of Society
      
      Credits : 3
      This is an introductory course in Sociology. It is designed to introduce students to some of the basic concepts used in sociological analysis. The student’s attention is directed towards understanding of the world as a single society, the nature of society, the organization of culture, interpersonal and inter groups relations, social institutions and the basic processes of change.
    • ENG 115 - Introduction to the Use of English
      
      Credits : 4
    • MNG 210 – Computer Studies I
      
      Credits : 4
      To acquaint students with a general understanding of computers and their use in the processing of data; To acquaint students with the advantage of dealing with any electronic form of data manipulation.

  • Semester II

    • POL 120 - Introduction to Political System and Institutions
      
      Credits : 3
      In Semester 1 the focus was on providing you with basic information on what is politics and other issues related to the theory and practice of politics. This course focuses on the political system. It describes and analyses some of the most important political institutions and the strategies or methods of organizing political structures and government.
    • ENG 125 - Use of English
      
      Credits : 4
    • MNG 220 - Computer Studies II
      
      Credits : 4
      To introduce students to the components of a computer system (hardware, software, data and storage devices.
      The students should be able to make intelligent choices about aspects that affect his/her information technology needs – what type of computer, application and system software needed, participate intelligently and knowledgeably in systems development in the organization. To understand the capabilities of different types of information systems. To understand the importance of telecommunications – be aware of the need for security and understand the problem of ethics and invasion of privacy in the computer environment
    • SOC 120 - Introduction to Sociological Theory
      
      Credits : 3
      This course serves to introduce Sociology students to the fundamentals of Sociological theories. It examines the Historical, and philosophical foundations of existing sociological theories, from as far back as Ancient and Medieval times, up to the latter half of the twentieth century. The course examines models and paradigms of Sociology, the analyses of specific theories and focuses on major assumptions, concepts and propositions.

• Year 2

  • Semester I

    • SOC 210 - Classical Sociological Theory
      
      Credits : 4
      The course examines the core traditions in the pre-modern sociological theory, from their origins in the 19th century Positivism and their development in Classical Sociology. While the major focus of this course is to give students an exposition on the contributions of the “Founding Fathers” of Sociology to theory and methodology, yet emphasis throughout the course, will be placed on assessing the analytical utility of the various theories in understanding aspects of the structure and dynamics of the modern world.
    • SOC 215 - Elements of Survey Sampling and Social Statistics
      
      Credits : 4
      This course is designed to give students of Social Sciences an introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics, in order that they will be able to:-

      • Employ graphical and numerical techniques for describing data.
      • Plug simple data into formula and arrive at correct answers.
      • Understand what these answers mean and do not mean.
      • This course also gives students an exposure to elementary survey sampling and an understanding of the role of sampling in data collection and statistical procedures.
    • SOC 217 - Social Psychology I
      
      Credits : 4
      This course is designed, first to provide students with an introduction to the general orientation in Social Psychology; and, second to present them with some perspectives whereby they may be able to develop a better understanding of their social environment and its relationship to them and their behaviour. Since all the students registered for this course are not majoring in psychology, the focus of this course will rest on those humanly significant issues, in order to present the fundamental content that these students will need.
    • ECN 110 - Introductory Microeconomics
      
      Credits : 4
      The principal aim of this course is to equip each student with a conceptual foundation in micro-economic theory and policy.
      Developing basic tools; Market Allocation of Resources; Price System; Consumer Theory; Production Market Structures; Income Distribution; General Equilibrium and Welfare Economics.

  • Semester II

    • SOC 220 - Contemporary Sociological Theory I
      
      Credits : 4
      This course reflects the need for a transitional bridge between Classical and Contemporary Theory, and as such focuses on the classical foundations of Contemporary Theory. It aims at demonstrating the historical continuities in the ideas that inform theoretical explanations of social behaviour, at tracing their reformations over time, and at showing how both have contributed to the historical development of various theoretical perspectives which are current. The course also examines the application of contemporary theory to problems and issues which are particularly pertinent to the Guyanese context.
    • SOC 225 - Inferential Statistics for Social Research
      
      Credits : 4
      This course presents statistical reasoning as a means of discovering and verifying sociological knowledge. It is designed for use by undergraduates in sociology and other related fields as well as to guide these students toward proficiency in statistical manipulation. The main objective of this course is to develop an appreciation for the general logic of statistical inference and to promote skill in the application of statistical formulas. Also students will be introduced to measures of association - statistics that show direction and/or magnitude of a relationship among variables.
    • SOC 227 - Social Psychology II
      
      Credits : 4
      This course is designed to assist students to examine themes, theories and research pre-occupations of Social Psychology. The focus is on reciprocal relationships between the individual and society, some sociological perspectives in social psychology emphasizing the individual in group interaction.
    • ECN 120 - Introductory Macroeconomics
      
      Credits : 4
      The principal aim of this course is to equip students with a conceptual foundation in macro-economic theory and policy.
      Institutional framework and relationships between and among various institutions; National Income; Income Determination; Money and Banking; Inflation; Fiscal and Monetary Policies; Unemployment; Stabilization Policy; Growth Theories; International Trade, Grants; Economic Underdevelopment.

• Year 3

  • Semester I

    • Option
      
      Credits : 4
      Options may be selected from the following courses:

      • Semester I
        
        

        DSW 215	Social Policy & Legislation	4 credits
        The course attempts to explain the nature of Social Policy, to put it into a socio-economic and politico- cultural context, and to examine the options which are open to policy makers. It then focuses attention on the process by which welfare rights are organised and delivered within a legislative framework. Social Policy is a wide ranging subject and specific facts are not always appropriate and applicable to different countries, but the course will attempt to address and examine the major concepts within the context of Guyanese reality and the impact of global trends.
        DSW 314	Community Practice	4 credits
        This course seeks to give participants grounding in the concepts, characteristics, purposes and process of community as a social organization. It begins with an overview of community and the context in which organizing takes places. It then deals with several important aspects of community work including people, problems, participation and varying goals. The course also addresses issues pertaining to the increasing influence/activitism of communities in the Era of Globalization.
        DSW 313	Introduction to Counselling	4 credits
        The aim of this course is to introduce students to the fundamental skills and concerns of beginning counseling practitioners. It is designed to teach the significance and relevance of interpersonal interaction in all disciplines. Students will learn about the role of the practitioner as well as how the counseling relationship evolves. Additional attention will be given to the usage of basic listening skills and active listening responses such as paraphrasing and confrontation.
        SOC 313	Contemporary Sociological Theory	4 credits
        SOC 319	Populations Studies	4 credits

        
        

      • Semester II
        
        

        DSW 225	Social Administration	4 credits
        This course focuses on human service organizations and their responsiveness to human needs within the context of social, cultural, economic and political realities of Guyana, and support linkages and systems existing within the nation-states of the Caribbean and internationally. Students are also guided towards an understanding of the administration or management of the services of their own agency.
        DSW 328	Social Work in Addictions	4 credits
        Drugs and the cost of abuse and addictions have an enormous impact on individuals and entire communities around the world. This course examines the most popular drugs of abuse in Guyana (alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine) and their impact on the individual and the community. Students will learn the process of addiction, the pharmacology of the aforementioned drugs, approaches to treatment, the recovery process, use and disease, and use and pregnancy.
        DSW 325	Social Work and the Aging	4 credits
        The course is designed to expose students to general overview of the major issues and gerontological perspectives on social work and the aging with reference to the Caribbean and other societies: myths and attitudes about aging and the aging process; definition of social gerontology; demographic aspects of aging; social theories of aging; social work with the aged; aging and health; the psychological context of aging; social context of aging, social work and families and groups; social policies to address social problems.
        SOC 323	Theory Construction in Sociology	4 credits
        HST 225	Survey of Guyanese History	4 credits

    • SOC 314 - Social Science Methodology I
      
      Credits : 4

    • SOC 318 - Marriage and the Family
      
      Credits : 4

    • HST 215 - Survey of Guyanese History I
      
      Credits : 4

  • Semester II

    • SOC 324 - Social Science Methodology II
      
      Credits : 4
      This course is intended to provide students with an understanding and practical (hands-on) experience in the crafting of a research proposal. It is a follow-up to SOC 314 and is essentially task - oriented requiring students to choose a research question or problem, basic research methods, theories and statistical techniques for their respective research projects.
      Students are trained to follow a specific format in logical order in achieving the final out-put the research proposal.
    • SOC 326 - Comparative Social Institutions
      
      Credits : 4
      This course examines the general variables that interplay within society, and the resulting variations that evolve within and among the major institutional sets. Students are exposed to the use of the multi-dimensional approach for analyzing the major socio-cultural institutions – their organization and behaviour. Each student is therefore expected to acquire a functional attitude for understanding the processes of systematic and integrative research and analysis of cross-cultural behaviour/cross societal studies.
    • SOC 329 - Poverty Analysis
      
      Credits : 4

    • Option
      
      Credits : 4
      Options may be selected from the following courses:

      • Semester I
        
        

        DSW 215	Social Policy & Legislation	4 credits
        The course attempts to explain the nature of Social Policy, to put it into a socio-economic and politico- cultural context, and to examine the options which are open to policy makers. It then focuses attention on the process by which welfare rights are organised and delivered within a legislative framework. Social Policy is a wide ranging subject and specific facts are not always appropriate and applicable to different countries, but the course will attempt to address and examine the major concepts within the context of Guyanese reality and the impact of global trends.
        DSW 314	Community Practice	4 credits
        This course seeks to give participants grounding in the concepts, characteristics, purposes and process of community as a social organization. It begins with an overview of community and the context in which organizing takes places. It then deals with several important aspects of community work including people, problems, participation and varying goals. The course also addresses issues pertaining to the increasing influence/activitism of communities in the Era of Globalization.
        DSW 313	Introduction to Counselling	4 credits
        The aim of this course is to introduce students to the fundamental skills and concerns of beginning counseling practitioners. It is designed to teach the significance and relevance of interpersonal interaction in all disciplines. Students will learn about the role of the practitioner as well as how the counseling relationship evolves. Additional attention will be given to the usage of basic listening skills and active listening responses such as paraphrasing and confrontation.
        SOC 313	Contemporary Sociological Theory	4 credits
        SOC 319	Populations Studies	4 credits

        
        

      • Semester II
        
        

        DSW 225	Social Administration	4 credits
        This course focuses on human service organizations and their responsiveness to human needs within the context of social, cultural, economic and political realities of Guyana, and support linkages and systems existing within the nation-states of the Caribbean and internationally. Students are also guided towards an understanding of the administration or management of the services of their own agency.
        DSW 328	Social Work in Addictions	4 credits
        Drugs and the cost of abuse and addictions have an enormous impact on individuals and entire communities around the world. This course examines the most popular drugs of abuse in Guyana (alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine) and their impact on the individual and the community. Students will learn the process of addiction, the pharmacology of the aforementioned drugs, approaches to treatment, the recovery process, use and disease, and use and pregnancy.
        DSW 325	Social Work and the Aging	4 credits
        The course is designed to expose students to general overview of the major issues and gerontological perspectives on social work and the aging with reference to the Caribbean and other societies: myths and attitudes about aging and the aging process; definition of social gerontology; demographic aspects of aging; social theories of aging; social work with the aged; aging and health; the psychological context of aging; social context of aging, social work and families and groups; social policies to address social problems.
        SOC 323	Theory Construction in Sociology	4 credits
        HST 225	Survey of Guyanese History	4 credits

• Year 4

  • Semester I

    • SOC 411 - Applied Sociology I
      
      Credits : 4
      This course is designed to afford students the opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge and the research techniques which they had acquired in previous methodology courses. It is essentially a research oriented course that prepares students for the second semester course SOC 421: Applied Sociology II, and provides a platform upon which the students will embark on their respective research projects. In essence the course SOC 411 seeks to present some of the important issues involved in research, such as methodological field and ethical problems that students are likely to encounter.
    • SOC 416 - The Study of Social Change
      
      Credits : 4
      This course directs attention towards an understanding of the process of social change, particularly within Third World Societies. It seeks to expose students to the intellectual tradition on social change and further, analyse the different ways social change occurs, both at the micro and macro levels. A critical examination of the relationship between class and power, and social change is also undertaken.
    • DSW 317 - The Sociology of Punishment and Corrections
      
      Credits : 4
      Intervention with and treatment of juvenile and adult offenders with institutions, through community based systems, and through systems of probation and parole.
    • Option
      
      Credits : 4
      Options may be selected from the following courses:

      • Semester I
        
        

        DSW 215	Social Policy & Legislation	4 credits
        The course attempts to explain the nature of Social Policy, to put it into a socio-economic and politico- cultural context, and to examine the options which are open to policy makers. It then focuses attention on the process by which welfare rights are organised and delivered within a legislative framework. Social Policy is a wide ranging subject and specific facts are not always appropriate and applicable to different countries, but the course will attempt to address and examine the major concepts within the context of Guyanese reality and the impact of global trends.
        DSW 314	Community Practice	4 credits
        This course seeks to give participants grounding in the concepts, characteristics, purposes and process of community as a social organization. It begins with an overview of community and the context in which organizing takes places. It then deals with several important aspects of community work including people, problems, participation and varying goals. The course also addresses issues pertaining to the increasing influence/activitism of communities in the Era of Globalization.
        DSW 313	Introduction to Counselling	4 credits
        The aim of this course is to introduce students to the fundamental skills and concerns of beginning counseling practitioners. It is designed to teach the significance and relevance of interpersonal interaction in all disciplines. Students will learn about the role of the practitioner as well as how the counseling relationship evolves. Additional attention will be given to the usage of basic listening skills and active listening responses such as paraphrasing and confrontation.
        SOC 313	Contemporary Sociological Theory	4 credits
        SOC 319	Populations Studies	4 credits

        
        

      • Semester II
        
        

        DSW 225	Social Administration	4 credits
        This course focuses on human service organizations and their responsiveness to human needs within the context of social, cultural, economic and political realities of Guyana, and support linkages and systems existing within the nation-states of the Caribbean and internationally. Students are also guided towards an understanding of the administration or management of the services of their own agency.
        DSW 328	Social Work in Addictions	4 credits
        Drugs and the cost of abuse and addictions have an enormous impact on individuals and entire communities around the world. This course examines the most popular drugs of abuse in Guyana (alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine) and their impact on the individual and the community. Students will learn the process of addiction, the pharmacology of the aforementioned drugs, approaches to treatment, the recovery process, use and disease, and use and pregnancy.
        DSW 325	Social Work and the Aging	4 credits
        The course is designed to expose students to general overview of the major issues and gerontological perspectives on social work and the aging with reference to the Caribbean and other societies: myths and attitudes about aging and the aging process; definition of social gerontology; demographic aspects of aging; social theories of aging; social work with the aged; aging and health; the psychological context of aging; social context of aging, social work and families and groups; social policies to address social problems.
        SOC 323	Theory Construction in Sociology	4 credits
        HST 225	Survey of Guyanese History	4 credits

  • Semester II

    • SOC 421 - Applied Sociology II
      
      Credits : 4
      This course is designed for all final year majors in Sociology, who have successfully completed the course SOC 411 (Applied Sociology I). The aim of this course is to further develop students’ in knowledge of employing methodological techniques when undertaking their respective research projects.
      The final examination in this course will take the form of a research paper. Thus students will be expected to complete a research report on some social phenomenon in the Guyanese society. The research topic will be agreed upon between the student and lecturer in order to ensure that the project selected is within the resources available to the student.
    • SOC 426 - Modernization & Development
      
      Credits : 4
      This course provides students with a basic understanding on modernization and social change. The themes reflect modernization models, modernizing peasant societies, classical theories of social change, paradigms of development, development solutions and the East Asian Model of development.
    • SOC 420 - Caribbean Social Structure
      
      Credits : 4
      The main objectives of this course is to relate some of the basic sociological concepts to the experiences of countries in the Caribbean. These include Guyana, West Indian Islands, Haiti, Cuba and Suriname. Emphasis will be placed on the historical process of Caribbean formation and transformation within the world system.
    • Option
      
      Credits : 4
      Options may be selected from the following courses:

      • Semester I
        
        

        DSW 215	Social Policy & Legislation	4 credits
        The course attempts to explain the nature of Social Policy, to put it into a socio-economic and politico- cultural context, and to examine the options which are open to policy makers. It then focuses attention on the process by which welfare rights are organised and delivered within a legislative framework. Social Policy is a wide ranging subject and specific facts are not always appropriate and applicable to different countries, but the course will attempt to address and examine the major concepts within the context of Guyanese reality and the impact of global trends.
        DSW 314	Community Practice	4 credits
        This course seeks to give participants grounding in the concepts, characteristics, purposes and process of community as a social organization. It begins with an overview of community and the context in which organizing takes places. It then deals with several important aspects of community work including people, problems, participation and varying goals. The course also addresses issues pertaining to the increasing influence/activitism of communities in the Era of Globalization.
        DSW 313	Introduction to Counselling	4 credits
        The aim of this course is to introduce students to the fundamental skills and concerns of beginning counseling practitioners. It is designed to teach the significance and relevance of interpersonal interaction in all disciplines. Students will learn about the role of the practitioner as well as how the counseling relationship evolves. Additional attention will be given to the usage of basic listening skills and active listening responses such as paraphrasing and confrontation.
        SOC 313	Contemporary Sociological Theory	4 credits
        SOC 319	Populations Studies	4 credits

        
        

      • Semester II
        
        

        DSW 225	Social Administration	4 credits
        This course focuses on human service organizations and their responsiveness to human needs within the context of social, cultural, economic and political realities of Guyana, and support linkages and systems existing within the nation-states of the Caribbean and internationally. Students are also guided towards an understanding of the administration or management of the services of their own agency.
        DSW 328	Social Work in Addictions	4 credits
        Drugs and the cost of abuse and addictions have an enormous impact on individuals and entire communities around the world. This course examines the most popular drugs of abuse in Guyana (alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine) and their impact on the individual and the community. Students will learn the process of addiction, the pharmacology of the aforementioned drugs, approaches to treatment, the recovery process, use and disease, and use and pregnancy.
        DSW 325	Social Work and the Aging	4 credits
        The course is designed to expose students to general overview of the major issues and gerontological perspectives on social work and the aging with reference to the Caribbean and other societies: myths and attitudes about aging and the aging process; definition of social gerontology; demographic aspects of aging; social theories of aging; social work with the aged; aging and health; the psychological context of aging; social context of aging, social work and families and groups; social policies to address social problems.
        SOC 323	Theory Construction in Sociology	4 credits
        HST 225	Survey of Guyanese History	4 credits