This site is an archive. See the current website at www.extension.harvard.edu.

Courses

This page contains content from the 2008–09 academic year. For current information, visit the Harvard Extension School website at www.extension.harvard.edu.

Social Sciences

SSCI E-100a Graduate Research Methods and Scholarly Writing in the Social Sciences: Anthropology and Psychology
Graduate proseminar. Course tuition: graduate credit $1,725. Limited enrollment.
Students who do not have Harvard ID cards must purchase $100 special borrower's cards at Widener Library.

Fall term, section 1 (13108) (Website) (Printable version): David M. Penetar, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Harvard Medical School.
Wednesdays beginning Sept. 17, 5:30-7:30 pm, Sever Hall, Room 104.

Fall term, section 2 (12423) (Syllabus) (Printable version): Noelle L. Huntington, PhD, Instructor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School and Director of General Pediatrics Research Office, Children's Hospital, Boston.
Thursdays beginning Sept. 18, 5:30-7:30 pm, Sever Hall, Room 212.

Spring term (22903) (Website) (Printable version): Dante Spetter, PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University.
Tuesdays beginning Jan. 27, 5:30-7:30 pm, 51 Brattle Street, Room 219.

This proseminar introduces students to basic behavioral science research methods in anthropology and psychology. It teaches them how to read and evaluate research papers and translate their ideas into viable research projects. Topics include library and archival research, scholarly writing and argument, descriptive research methods, quasi-experimental and experimental design, ethical issues, and analytical methods. Prerequisite: undergraduate statistics course is strongly recommended. At the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments. (4 credits)

SSCI E-100b Graduate Research Methods and Scholarly Writing in the Social Sciences: Government and History
Graduate proseminar. Course tuition: graduate credit $1,725.
Students who do not have Harvard ID cards must purchase $100 special borrower's cards at Widener Library.

Fall term, section 1 (12576) (Printable version):

*** SSCI E-100b (Fall term, section 1) has been CANCELED.***

Fall term, section 2 (12775) (Syllabus) (Printable version): Doug Bond, PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University. Joseph Bond, PhD.
Tuesdays beginning Sept. 16, 7:35-9:35 pm, Sever Hall, Room 212.

Fall term, section 3 (13010) (Syllabus) (Printable version): John Ondrovcik, PhD, Lecturer on History and Literature, Harvard University.
Thursdays beginning Sept. 18, 5:30-7:30 pm, Sever Hall, Room 211.

Spring term, section 1 (22116) (Website) (Printable version): John Ondrovcik, PhD, Lecturer on History and Literature, Harvard University.
Tuesdays beginning Jan. 27, 5:30-7:30 pm, Barker Center for the Humanities, Room 128.

Spring term, section 2 (22383) (Website) (Printable version): Katrina Hagen, PhD, Lecturer on History and Literature, Harvard University.
Thursdays beginning Jan. 29, 5:30-7:30 pm, Sever Hall, Room 104.

This proseminar addresses problems and methods related to the study of government, history, history of science, and allied disciplines. It stresses the critical analysis of sources, constructing explanatory models, standards of logical demonstration, and organizing and presenting research results. Emphasis is on developing both writing and research skills. In the fall, section 2 focuses on the evolution of conflict processes and addresses the scientific study of inter- and intranational relations, and section 3 examines the history of the Soviet Union in memoirs and first-hand accounts. In the spring, section 1 focuses on the research and writing skills required for advanced work in historical and social studies, and section 2 examines European empires from colonialism to decolonialization. Prerequisite: at the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments. (4 credits)

SSCI E-102 World Poverty and Human Rights (23055) (Website) (Printable version)
Stephen P. Marks, PhD, François-Xavier Bagnoud Professor of Health and Human Rights, Harvard School of Public Health. Ajay Mahal, PhD, Assistant Professor of International Health Economics, Harvard School of Public Health.
Course tuition: noncredit and undergraduate credit $800, graduate credit $1,725.
Spring term
Online only, beginning Jan. 29. See Distance Education. Lecture 1 video.

This course familiarizes students with the application of the social sciences (political science, law, economics, anthropology, sociology, and philosophy) to issues of human rights as they arise in the context of economic development and the international political economy. We focus on concepts of development; means and methods of human rights promotion and protection; issues of gender and corruption; access to health, food, and housing; lending, trade, liberalization, foreign direct investment, technical cooperation, and poverty reduction strategies. We examine empirical data and the behavior of individuals and institutions (international organizations, government officials, civil society organizations, financial institutions) in the development process. The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences course Social Analysis 80. Prerequisite: students must view sample online lectures before they register. (4 credits)

SSCI E-130 The Madness of Crowds (10792) (Syllabus) (Printable version)
William Henry Anderson, MD, Lecturer on Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School.
Course tuition: noncredit $450, undergraduate credit $800, graduate credit $1,725.
Fall term: Mondays beginning Sept. 15, 7:35-9:35 pm, William James Hall, Room 1.

This course examines behavioral phenomena of groups, crowds, and mobs. Witchcraft manias, financial crashes and panics, behavior during plagues, cults and mass movements, prophecies of apocalypse, and similar events are studied. The approach is eclectic, with biological, psychological, historical, and anthropological perspectives considered. Prerequisite: introductory biology, psychology, or anthropology. (4 credits)

SSCI E-132 Conspiracy (22156) (Syllabus) (Printable version)
William Henry Anderson, MD, Lecturer on Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School.
Course tuition: noncredit $450, undergraduate credit $800, graduate credit $1,725.
Spring term: Mondays beginning Jan. 26, 7:35-9:35 pm, William James Hall, Room 1.

This course examines conspiracies, both real and imagined: their origins, development, and consequences. What psychobiologic factors, personality traits, and social institutions predispose individuals to this perspective? What parts have been played by sects, secret societies, and political parties? How are these beliefs formed, and how may they be supported or refuted? Prerequisite: introductory course in biology, psychology, or anthropology. (4 credits)