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School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Welcome to the School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

The School is one of the four schools of the African University College of Communications (AUCC). It is a new school hived off from the Kojo Yankah School of Communication Studies. The School aims at broadening students academic horizons, enhancing their intellectual understanding the liberal arts and social sciences, and equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to meet changing needs of our society. The departments are encouraged to develop programmes for the award of certificates, diploma and first degrees in languages with special focus on Ghanaian languages and social sciences

Required Courses

No matter the school you are enrolled in all undergraduate students must register for and pass some general courses (i.e. university-required courses). If you do not pass them you cannot graduate. It is advisable you work hard and pass your general courses in the first year, and put them behind you. Indeed, all students are advised to begin with these courses regardless of programme or level of study.

It is mandatory that you obtain a minimum grade of D in any required course for which you have registered. Failing a required course however will affect your Grade Point Average (GPA), because all such courses registered for will be used in computing your GPA.

The School has two academic departments:

Department of Language Arts (DLA)

The department provides feeder services to the various schools and departments of the University College by running the courses indicated below:

REQUIRED COURSES OFFERED

  • Academic Writing
  • Public Speaking and Debate
  • Critical Thinking
  • Functional French
  • Literature and Composition

Department of Social Sciences (DSS)

The Department provides feeder services to the various schools and departments of the University.

REQUIRED COURSES OFFERED

  • Africana Studies
  • Computer Fundamentals
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • College Mathematics
  • Science & Tech in Our Lives
  • Introduction to Sociology
Contact us

Contact The Department

Email: [email protected] Phone: +233307016194

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  • Admission
  • Programs Offered
    LEVEL 100 SEMESTER I AUCL 101: Academic Writing I [3 credits] The course intends to sharpen students’ skills in recognising and using English grammatical structures – bridging the gap between the use and usage of grammar. The course covers the following: the identification of sentence parts and the use of a variety of sentence forms; simple, compound and complex sentences; English clauses – noun clauses, adjective clauses, adverb clauses etc., English phrases – noun, adjective, verb etc.; English verbs – transitive and intransitive, modals/auxiliaries, tense, aspect, voice and mood, the use of gerundives and infinitives; nouns – count/non-count, plural formation etc.; pronouns; adjectives; adverbs etc. AUCL 105: Africana Studies – Survey of African History [3 credits] The course is designed to introduce students to the history of Africa before the arrival of the Europeans. The course’s objective is to provide students with thorough understanding of the African continent and its peoples. The course examines the often-debated issue that Africa has been a recipient of development and has in no way contributed to world development – it discusses ways in which Africans developed complex political, cultural, social and economic systems that contributed to the development of the continent prior to the contact with Europeans in the 15th century. The course looks at some of the ancient African kingdoms and empires that had in certain cases achieved development comparable to, and in some instances surpassing medieval European kingdoms and empires, in order to challenge some of the misconceptions made about the continent by Eurocentric scholars. The course also examines the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, and how it affected two continents in seemingly different ways, the partitioning of Africa, colonial rule and the struggle for independence. AUCL 107: Science & Technology in Our Lives [3 credits] This course deals with the application of science and technology to everyday life. The course includes materials to assist students appreciate the foundations of scientific thought, the application of science and technology, and demands of changing societies for scientific and technological advancement. The course fosters broad familiarity with key advances in science and technology, and prepares students to be more rounded. Topics include: meaning of science and technology; significant scientific and technological discoveries and innovations of our time; concepts and principles behind some common phenomena in physics, chemistry and biology; scientific explanation to some of the occurrences in nature; applications of science and technology in agriculture etc. AUCL 109: Management Information Systems [3 credits] This course is intended to familiarise students with computer software and the internet, and to help students find and use information. It provides students with the fundamental concepts, knowledge, skills and attitudes for applying information technology in educational settings. In sum, the course enables students to demonstrate basic understanding of computer hardware and software, problem-solving skills; to utilise web technologies for information gathering and research (online research and correct citation of internet based resources); to apply MIS knowledge and skills learned to facilitate the acquisition, development, deployment and management of information systems; and to effectively communicate strategic alternatives to facilitate decision-making. AUCL 111: Introduction to Literature [3 credits] The objective of this course is to engage students in careful reading and analysis of a challenging selection of literary works from a range of genres including the novel, the short story, poetry, and drama. The focus will be on intensive reading and discussion of the literature to inculcate in students the skill of interpretation. Students are expected to be active readers as they analyze and interpret textual detail, establish connections among their observations and draw logical inferences leading toward an interpretive conclusion. They will be introduced to formal features of the selected texts, including plot, character, and language, as well as to the links between literature and life, to make them better readers of their world. The course will include a writing component that focuses on expository, analytical and argumentative writing about the literature. In short, students will read, discuss and write about texts while developing skills such as the sophisticated use of literary elements and terminology, close readings of various texts, creating, drafting and editing analytical essays. SEMESTER II AUCL 102: Academic Writing II [3 credits] This writing course focuses on the elements of good sentences within the context of simple descriptive and narrative paragraphs on student-centred topics. It combines an introduction to basic paragraph structure with an emphasis on personal writing, the kind of writing that is most appropriate and motivating for learners at the beginning level. The course also seeks to distinguish among different parts of an effective paragraph – the topic sentence, the main idea, supporting ideas and extensions followed by the conclusion in their writing; generate ideas for topics of writing through making an excellent use of prewriting techniques: brainstorming, clustering, and free writing; using different forms and formats of written paragraphs – unity, coherence, and adequate development. The course also deals with common sentence errors and other errors in writing: fragments, run-on sentences, comma splices, misplaced and dangling modifiers etc.; subject – verb agreement, verb tense and pronoun agreement; punctuation: comma, full-stop, semi-colon, and colon; capitalisation, spelling, abbreviation etc. AUCL 106: Africana Studies: African Cultural Institutions [3 credits] This is a 3-credit course designed to introduce students to African cultural institutions. The course examines the often-debated issue of how African culture relates to development; the similarities and diversities of these institutions; challenges facing some African cultural institutions in contemporary times, and the flexibility and ability of these institutions to adapt to changing times. It also examines the various ways in which African culture can contribute to or be inimical to development, as well as continuities and changes in African cultural institutions. Topics include: culture and development; traditional African religions; indigenous African political systems; traditional African marriages; the family in African societies; traditional medicine etc. AUCL 108: Introduction to College Mathematics [3 credits] This course is designed for non-mathematics and non-science students. It aims at laying a good foundation in the basic concepts and applications of mathematics principles. The overarching aim is to among others help students solve problems involving real numbers, indices and sets; identify and solve various types of equations such as linear, simultaneous and quadratic equations and those involving surds, solve various problems of mathematics covering areas in percentages and ratio, simple statistics and probability. AUCL 110: Public Speaking and Debate [3credits] This is an introductory course that covers a variety of public speaking and formal debate. Students will become familiar with these styles through instruction, research, and practice. Each unit will culminate in performance assignments that require students to demonstrate their abilities within the classroom setting. As an introduction to speech communication, there will be emphasis on the practical skill of public speaking, including techniques to lessen speaker anxiety, and the use of visual aids to enhance speaker presentations. The ultimate goal is to prepare students for success in typical public speaking situations and to provide them with the basic principles of organisation and research needed for effective speeches. AUBC 116: Computer Applications in Business [3 credits] The objective of this course is to extend students’ knowledge and competency in the applications of computers and information technology. It focuses on Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, and PowerPoint and personal productivity and problem solving skills using computer applications and tools such as Windows, spreadsheets, databases, word processing, Internet and electronic mail. The course also helps students develop teamwork and communication skills and appreciate technical concepts underlying current and future developments in information technology. LEVEL 200 SEMESTER I AUCL 201: Literature and Composition [3 credits] This course takes students through the basics in the study of Literature and Composition writing. The course is in two parts. The first part takes students through poetry appreciation and analysis. It guides students to developed and practise analytical skills as they read and analyse some African and western poems. The second part seeks to guide students to use critical thinking skills as they become more effective readers and writers of English Language. Students will use varied prose and drama texts as an additional reading material. The students are required to learn some grammar, build a good stock of vocabulary which will help in textual analysis and provision. Students will develop thesis in their write-up and produce good essays based on given topics. AUCL 203: Basic French I [3 credits] The aim of this course is to introduce students to the fundamentals of French grammar and phonetics. It prepares students for communication in a French or francophone set up. The course ensures that students have knowledge of the gender of nouns, the conjugations of some categories of verbs: auxiliary verbs and “–er” verbs, and knowledge of agreement in gender and number between articles and nouns. The focus is on conversational French – self-introduction, interpersonal communication, counting of figures etc. AUCL 205: Africana Studies – African Literature [3 credits] This course introduces students to African literature as a discipline. The various genres and sub genres of African literature are explored. The functions of African literature in different African societies are brought to the fore. Aesthetic values of selected African oral literary forms will be examined. Again, the contents of selected African literary works are also studied to reflect the themes and contemporary relevance of African literature in African societies. The course is designed to sensitive students on the need to appreciate the richness and relevance of African literature in both indigenes African languages and English. Another objective is to make students aware that, African literature pre-dates the introduction of writing in Africa and that a lot of African literatures exist in oral form. AUCL 207: Introduction to Psychology [3 credits] This course focuses broadly on how psychological theories are used to explain particular behavioural outcomes. It examines a significant set of mental processes: perception, cognition, motivation, emotion, learning, memory and creativity. Specific topics include: evolution of psychology and the major pioneers in the field; various approaches, fields and sub-fields of psychology; definition and application of the scientific method to psychology etc. AUCL 211: Critical Thinking [3 credits] Throughout our daily lives, we tend to think things through to their logical conclusions; distinguish between good arguments on one hand and bad ones on the other; determine the value of claims, often for competing goods, that others are presenting and efforts to figure out what to believe or not to believe based on the evidence that is given; gauge the probability of whether something might or might not occur; and thoughtfully construct persuasive arguments to present to others in a variety of conversational situations. That is the essence of this course. The course is designed to expose students to form intelligent opinions, analyse day-to-day situations and draw logical conclusions from same. It is also intended to equip students with knowledge and skills to make good decisions and determine the best course of action. Topics of concentration include logic and critical thinking; claims, arguments (deductive and inductive) as well as the methods used to analyse these arguments into standard forms. SEMESTER II AUCL 204: Introduction to Sociology [3 credits] The aim of this course is to help students develop an awareness of the process involved in human interaction, to appreciate and acquire certain values and ways of thinking about human interaction from the sociological perspective. The objective is to equip students with the necessary skills to analyse social institutions and their significance and also analyse world events and human behaviour through sociological methods and techniques. The course examines the basic concepts in sociology, how these concepts apply in structuring society and shaping human relationship within society. It offers an introduction into the basic nature of society and the relationship between society and the individual. AUCL 206: Africana Studies – African Diaspora Studies [3 credits] The impression is often created that Africa has contributed nothing to world civilisation and until the 15th century when Africans established contact with Europeans, Africans never went beyond the borders of the continent. Thus, the presence of African descent living out of the African continent is seen as a modern phenomenon and novelty. What this course seeks to do is to bring to the fore that long before the 15th century, Africans had established their presence in other parts of the world. The thrust of the course is that these Africans, largely from Ethiopia, Nubia, and Somalia, travelled to Arabia because of the proximity between East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula in their capacities and statuses as merchants, warriors, poets, and slaves. They also travelled to present-day Americas in similar capacities. The course starts by examining the concept of the African Diaspora and its characteristics. It considers the factors that contributed to the creation of the African Diaspora. The course also analyses the causes of the Indian Ocean, Arabic and Trans-Atlantic slave trades ant their effects on the African continent. The factors that contributed to the
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Discovery House,No.2 Jones Nelson Link,Off Kojo Thompson Road. Adabraka, Accra, Ghana.

[email protected]

+233 307 016 193 / +233 50 601 9559