Course Descriptions

The Course Descriptions catalog describes all undergraduate and graduate courses offered by Michigan State University. The searches below only return course versions Fall 2000 and forward. Please refer to the Archived Course Descriptions for additional information.

Course Numbers Policy
Definitions of Course Characteristics (pdf)

Course Descriptions: Search Results

ISS 305  Evaluating Evidence: Becoming a Smart Research Consumer (N)

Semester:
Fall of every year
Credits:
Total Credits: 4   Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 4
Prerequisite:
ISS 210 or ISS 215 or ISS 220 or ISS 225 or ISS 230 or ISS 235 or MC 201 or ISS 205
Restrictions:
Open to sophomores or juniors or seniors.
Description:
Statistical and methodological principles from the perspective of a critical consumer of social science research results. Recognizing non-empirical assertions, necessary bases for inferring relationships and causal relationships, common threats to research validity, and pertinent biases in human judgment.
Effective Dates:
SS24 - Open


ISS 308  Social Science Approaches to Law (D)

Semester:
Spring of every year
Credits:
Total Credits: 4   Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 4
Prerequisite:
ISS 210 or ISS 215 or ISS 220 or ISS 225 or ISS 230 or ISS 235 or MC 201 or ISS 205
Restrictions:
Open to sophomores or juniors or seniors.
Description:
Law theories, practices, methodologies. Social, cultural, institutional, global, environmental, family, or historical context.
Effective Dates:
FS23 - Open


ISS 310  People and Environment (I)

Semester:
Fall of every year, Spring of every year, Summer of every year
Credits:
Total Credits: 4   Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 4
Prerequisite:
ISS 210 or ISS 215 or ISS 220 or ISS 225 or ISS 230 or ISS 235 or MC 201 or ISS 205
Restrictions:
Open to sophomores or juniors or seniors.
Description:
Contemporary issues related to the interaction of socio-cultural and ecological systems. Global, regional, national and local environmental problems and responses.
Effective Dates:
SS24 - Open


ISS 315  Global Diversity and Interdependence (I)

Semester:
Fall of every year, Spring of every year, Summer of every year
Credits:
Total Credits: 4   Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 4
Prerequisite:
ISS 210 or ISS 215 or ISS 220 or ISS 225 or ISS 230 or ISS 235 or MC 201 or ISS 205
Restrictions:
Open to sophomores or juniors or seniors.
Description:
Contemporary issues in global political economy. Social forces and competing ideologies in a world context. Global resource distribution and development strategies. National identities and transnational linkages. First and Third World dichotomies.
Effective Dates:
SS24 - Open


ISS 318  Lifespan Development Across Cultures (I)

Semester:
Fall of every year
Credits:
Total Credits: 4   Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 4
Prerequisite:
ISS 210 or ISS 215 or ISS 220 or ISS 225 or ISS 230 or ISS 235 or MC 201 or ISS 205
Restrictions:
Open to sophomores or juniors or seniors.
Description:
Cultural aspects of biopsychosocial development across the lifespan. Physical development, health and healing. Cognition and language socialization. Views of self, gender, family, and social relationships. Adult development and intergenerational relationships within the context of culture. National and international issues related to human development.
Effective Dates:
SS24 - Open


ISS 320  World Urban Systems (I)

Semester:
Fall of every year, Spring of every year, Summer of every year
Credits:
Total Credits: 4   Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 4
Prerequisite:
ISS 210 or ISS 215 or ISS 220 or ISS 225 or ISS 230 or ISS 235 or MC 201 or ISS 205
Restrictions:
Open to sophomores or juniors or seniors.
Description:
Patterns of urbanization in various areas of the world over time. Linkage within and between urban centers. Economic, political and social/behavioral accommodation and adaptation to urban growth and change.
Effective Dates:
SS24 - Open


ISS 325  War and Revolution (I)

Semester:
Fall of every year, Spring of every year, Summer of every year
Credits:
Total Credits: 4   Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 4
Prerequisite:
ISS 210 or ISS 215 or ISS 220 or ISS 225 or ISS 230 or ISS 235 or MC 201 or ISS 205
Restrictions:
Open to sophomores or juniors or seniors.
Description:
Social conflict, wars and revolutions. Patterns of individual and collective action. Violence and conflict resolution.
Effective Dates:
SS24 - Open


ISS 327  Risk and Society (D)

Semester:
Fall of every year, Spring of every year
Credits:
Total Credits: 4   Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 4
Prerequisite:
ISS 210 or ISS 215 or ISS 220 or ISS 225 or ISS 230 or ISS 235 or MC 201 or ISS 205
Restrictions:
Open to sophomores or juniors or seniors.
Description:
Assessment, management, and communication of risk. Role of media in amplifying risk. Topics may include gangs, terrorism, health, stock markets, job markets, sports, food, and traffic. Similarities and differences in understanding risk among scientists and the public, and between natural and social scientists.
Effective Dates:
SS24 - Open


ISS 328  The Social Science of Sports (I)

Semester:
Fall of every year, Spring of every year
Credits:
Total Credits: 4   Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 4
Prerequisite:
ISS 210 or ISS 215 or ISS 220 or ISS 225 or ISS 230 or ISS 235 or MC 201 or ISS 205
Restrictions:
Open to sophomores or juniors or seniors.
Description:
Contemporary issues in sports. Critical examination of the industrial organization, public finance, labor relations, earnings, discrimination, and historical context of sports in society. Analysis of sports gambling, performance enhancement, and strategic decision-making.
Effective Dates:
SS24 - Open


ISS 330A  Africa: Social Science Perspectives (I)

Semester:
Fall of every year, Spring of every year, Summer of every year
Credits:
Total Credits: 4   Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 4
Prerequisite:
ISS 210 or ISS 215 or ISS 220 or ISS 225 or ISS 230 or ISS 235 or MC 201 or ISS 205
Restrictions:
Open to sophomores or juniors or seniors.
Description:
Comparative study of geography, cultures, politics, and economies of Africa. Diversity and change.
Effective Dates:
SS24 - Open


ISS 330B  Asia: Social Science Perspectives (I)

Semester:
Fall of every year, Spring of every year, Summer of every year
Credits:
Total Credits: 4   Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 4
Prerequisite:
ISS 210 or ISS 215 or ISS 220 or ISS 225 or ISS 230 or ISS 235 or MC 201 or ISS 205
Restrictions:
Open to sophomores or juniors or seniors.
Description:
Comparative study of geography, cultures, politics, and economies of Asia. Diversity and change.
Effective Dates:
SS24 - Open


ISS 330C  Latin America: Social Science Perspectives (I)

Semester:
Fall of every year, Spring of every year, Summer of every year
Credits:
Total Credits: 4   Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 4
Prerequisite:
ISS 210 or ISS 215 or ISS 220 or ISS 225 or ISS 230 or ISS 235 or MC 201 or ISS 205
Restrictions:
Open to sophomores or juniors or seniors.
Description:
Comparative study of geography, cultures, politics, and economies of Latin America. Diversity and change.
Effective Dates:
SS24 - Open


ISS 335  National Diversity and Change: United States (N)

Semester:
Fall of every year, Spring of every year, Summer of every year
Credits:
Total Credits: 4   Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 4
Prerequisite:
ISS 210 or ISS 215 or ISS 220 or ISS 225 or ISS 230 or ISS 235 or MC 201 or ISS 205
Restrictions:
Open to sophomores or juniors or seniors.
Description:
Racial, ethnic, class, gender, and other forms of diversity in the United States. Systems of dominant-minority relations and forms of prejudice and discrimination. Scope of and responses to group inequalities.
Semester Alias:
ISS 335A
Effective Dates:
SS24 - Open