• This is an elective course offered by the Faculty of General Studies; (however, it is a mandatory course for students majoring in Business Administration, "Economics Track").   The course is offered in two parts over two successive semesters.  Each part is valued at 4 credit hours.

• DD121 offers study techniques and skills pertaining to independent learning as well as basic knowledge relating to theories, practical issues and debates in the domain of social science.

• It aims at equipping students with an intelligent understanding of social change and trains them in the exercise of critical, informed and analytical approach to social issues as well as involved engagement in the field.

• DD 121 (Parts I and II) must be successfully completed as they are essential pre-requisites for DD 122.

• The course is delivered in two parts (I and II). Completion of Part (I) is a prerequisite for studying Part (II). Each part is taught over one semester (16 weeks).  It consists of 8 tutorials (class contact).   Each tutorial lasts for two hours.  Tutorials are supported by office hours (2 hours per week) which allow student to meet tutor on a weekly basis.

• The student is required to submit for each part, two essays (TMA's = 17 points), and sit for 2 mid-term assessment test (MTA's = 8 points), and end of semester final examinations (25 points). Total of 2 TMA's + 2MTA = 25 points, that cover semester work.

• This course Endeavour's to articulate in depth students' understanding of recent theoretical issues and trends relevant to the study of social science and enable them to interact with issues discussed by the course as well as practice argument and demonstrate a thorough understanding of the material.

• Articulate and develop additional analytical skills as students seek to engage with a culture other than their own, remaining sensitive to possible constraints on understanding, and compare the different culture's precepts with students' own culture precepts.

• Enhance students' skills pertaining to rules and structures governing advanced academic essay writing in English.

• DD122 revisits in depth some of the material studied in DD 121 in its aim to enable students to select relevant information and concepts from different areas of social science and to synthesize and integrate them within new given perspectives.

• The course starts with a look at challenging issues such as race and ethnicity and then broadens to assess the principal challenges and consequences of globalization in economic, political, social and cultural domains.

• Additionally, the course examines the nature of knowledge itself, its processes, link to reality, what is reality? Whose reality? And how knowledge could be interpreted and assessed critically and culturally. Discussion also centers on the impact of ideology on the functioning of society.

• DD 122 concludes with a review of issues pertaining to change and influence in the urban context, discussion of the relationship between the city, diversity and change, as well as structure and agency, knowledge and knowing.

• This is an elective course offered by the Faculty of General Studies; (however, it is a mandatory course for students majoring in Business Administration, "Economics Track").   The course is offered in two parts over two successive semesters.  Each part is valued at 4 credit hours.

• This course builds on the ground-work laid down in DD121. It develops the student's understanding of how society functions.

• The course stresses common links between the various disciplines such as economics, human geography, politics, philosophy, psychology, and sociology.  It shows the inevitability of interdisciplinary approach to different sciences, thus enhancing the student's analytical thinking and knowledge of the challenges facing human beings and influencing their daily life.

• The course is delivered in two parts (I and II). Completion of Part (I) is a prerequisite for studying Part (II).  Each part is taught over one semester (16 weeks). It consists of 8 tutorials (class contact). Each tutorial lasts for two hours. Tutorials are supported by office hours (2 hours per week) which allow student to meet tutor on a weekly basis.

• The student is required to submit for each part, two essays (TMA's = 17 points), and sit for 2 mid-term assessment test (MTA's = 8 points), and end of semester final examinations (25 points). Total of 2 TMA's + 2MTA = 25 points, that cover semester work.

• DD121 is about people and how they act individually and collectively.  It deals with major topics such as questioning identity, interaction between the worlds of the natural and the social, concerns of the contemporary society, and crime issues.

• The course also studies issues raised by individual, social and national perceptions of identity.  Social response to challenges posed by the workplace, as well as natural hazards and their impact on the environment are given a central place.

• Other topics include social justice and inequality, public and individual health, institutional management theories and the impact of power structure on individuals and societies.

• This course aims at providing students with a global knowledge about fundamental social science theories and concepts develop their critical thinking and the ability to engage in analytical evaluation of arguments within their specific cultural contexts.

• Moreover, the course seeks to offer training on the applied social science skills through linking theories that study human situations to issues arising in student's local community.  Additionally, special attention is paid to the development of essential academic essay writing skills in English.

• Demonstrate an understanding of basic technology, chemistry and biology, both to meet the needs of this course.

• Apply a basic knowledge of numeracy, statistics, data interpretation and analysis.

• Demonstrate confidence and apply essential skills in learning at a distance in preparation for undertaking higher level courses.

• Critically analyze the presentation of arguments concerned with technology, the environment and sustainable development and develop reports and essays writing.

• Understand the environmental, human health and developmental consequences, on a local, regional and global scale, of the use of technology to meet personal needs.

• Identify and specify appropriate technical approaches to the reduction of such impacts.

• Recognize and apply some tools and approaches to the environmental assessment of products, processes and systems.

• Understand the importance of judgment, uncertainty and risk in environmental assessment and decision-making.

• Consists of a detailed Study Guide, Audiovisuals notes, glossary, spreadsheets and computer based activities e.g Eco-cal activity and Surveyor 3.

• The audio and video cassettes are used in the course as part of the main teaching material for each theme.

• Glossary is the part of the course in that it brings together these words, phrases and concepts in one place. It may be used as a guide index.

• In addition to supplementary material, the course package contains the Sciences Good Study Guide book which is designed to help students improve their study skills and to provide the basic maths required for the course. It includes also useful advice on examinations and how to prepare for it.

• Enables students to understand and assess the ways in which their requirements for housing, energy, transport, food, etc., have impacts on the environment.

• Considers the extent to which reducing the environmental impact of homes and households can contribute to a sustainable future.

• Explores the environmental challenges created by transport activities.

• Considers possible future social and technological changes to create a sustainable transport system.

• Analyzes the production, processing and distribution activities that are undertaken by the food industry, and the effects of these activities on the environment.

• Examines ways to reduce the impact of food-related activities and looks critically at the ways in which arguments about novel methods of food production are presented.

• Examines the constraints on environmental action, which arise from the need to live in a world in which countries are interdependent both economically and technologically.

• Evaluates the choices available to individuals in different parts of the world and the challenges to the environment that arise because of the huge gaps between the poor and rich countries.

• This course is part of a of Level 1 courses for the Faculty of General Studies It will appeal to those students who have an interest in finding out about engineering and our engineered world, and it is particularly suitable for students who are building a foundation in business studies and for those who intend to continue their studies in technology. This course provides core subject knowledge and study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning, to help students to progress to higher courses.

• The course offers an introduction to engineering principles as they are applied in modern engineering practice, and looks at the historical development of engineering, how engineering is performed today, and trends for the future. It also teaches general skills such as numeracy, critical reading and analysis, writing reports and essays, problem solving, and learning at a distance.

• There is an introduction to some more specialized skills and knowledge, such as aspects of engineering principles and engineering science and draws heavily on examples of the application of technology in its innumerable guises. It is also is taking a step further to incorporate environmental dimension in day to day activities and in purchasing decisions through a thorough follow up of resources, materials, designing and production processes.

• The Sciences Good Study Guide is a generic resource throughout The T173 course.
• It provides general information on topics such as math help, study skills and report writing.

• There are several audio tracks (Audio 1-5) associated with each Block.

• Fairly conventional engineering principles can have novel and exciting applications.

• Within each theme students will develop both study skills and skills related to engineering: the course will enable students to read technical information critically and to understand fundamental engineering science behind it.

• There is computer-based material to illustrate some parts of the course.

• This is an 8 credit hours course and is divided into two parts covering two semesters .Blocks 1, 2 and 3, 1-2 are taught in the first semester. Blocks 3, 3-5 and Blocks 4 & 5 are taught in the second semester.

• To introduce the course by defining what engineering is, and the social and economic contexts of its practice.
• To reveal the origins and landmarks of engineering.
• To show engineering as a creative and intellectual human activity.
• To explore why and how we engineer.

• The block is a general introduction to the process of design, with specific examples taken from the engineering design world. It looks at the complexity of design as an activity and exposes the difficulty in making general conclusions about how designers work.

• The course should enable students to understand the scope of activity that is described as 'engineering' and how it has evolved with the discovery of new techniques. As well as providing some of the principles and skills that underlie the course are engineering themes, it also looks forward to how engineering is likely to be applied in some fields in the future.

• The block is a general introduction to the process of design, with specific examples taken from the engineering design world. It looks at the complexity of design as an activity and exposes the difficulty in making general conclusion s about how designers work.

• Text of a style and complexity and interpret simple maps, plans, line graphs and tabulated data.

• The course should enable students to understand the scope of activity that is described as 'engineering' and how it has evolved with the discovery of new techniques. As well as providing some of the principles and skills that underlie the course are engineering themes, it also looks forward to how engineering is likely to be applied

• To introduce applications which are engineering the future
• To demonstrate the ways in which current engineering knowledge can be used to shape future products.

• This block covers a broad range of topics under the general heading of 'Rules'
• Taken as a whole, it indicates some of the non-technical issues and constraints that affect engineers in practice.
• The components of Block 3 consist of the main learning text, and engineering standards and patent documents.
• The main learning text of the block has been divided into two bindings containing parts1-2 and parts 3-5 which is taught in the second semester.

• To show how standards affect engineers
• How patents can be used to protect ideas and inventions.
• Introduce the concept of risk
• Illustrate the need for identifying priorities in risk assessment.

• To examine the wide choice of available materials and why specific ones are selected for particular applications.
• To introduce the resource implications of choosing particular materials.
• To examine energy accounting in manufacturing and recycling.

• The block looks at some area of engineering Endeavour that are shaping our future; the drive for portable power sources in the form of batteries; the need for non polluting energy sources and the development of solar cells; the integration of engineering and medical technologies for enhancing and prolonging humans' lives; and the developing field of 'intelligent ' machines that are able to think and act without direct human control.
• As with Blocks 3 and 4, the main text of the block is split into two bindings. The first contains block 5, parts 1 and 2; the other contains Block 5 Parts 3 and 4.

• To present and illustrate design practice.
• To disentangle the complex relationship between products and processes.
• To identify innovation in a wide variety of designed objects.
• To illustrate the influence of principles ,context ,method and practices on the products of designing
• To show models of the design process.
• To present examples of engineering design.

• For more information, please contact: GRS-PC@aou.edu.kw

• For more information, please contact: ASK@aou.edu.kw