Course Catalog System (Course Inventory Management and Review System, CIMRS)

SEM 100: First Year Seminar I

Tin Shine Aung(A)/James Batcho(B&C)/Winmar Way (D)/Andya Paz(E) — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

The four-sequenced seminar courses are part of a one mega-course (16 credits), that share the same objectives and learning outcomes. In Freshman Seminar I, students will take a cross-cultural perspective on human existence in the context of the many worlds we all occupy: natural, social and existential. Human beings, the philosopher Martin Heidegger once wrote, is "being-in-the-world." In this course, students will experience and explore a wide variety of ways in which we can conceptualize what it means to be situated in the world. Students will explore human existence in the context of post-Darwinian understandings of what it means to be a human animal. Building on this foundation, they will consider what it means to be radically and irreducibly social. Through exploring the work of both Confucian philosophers and evolutionary theories of ethics, they will ask what it means to be a social animal. And they will explore the rich traditions of existentialism to explore what it means to find ourselves here, evolved beings living in society with each other, conscious of our limitations, our freedom and our death. This Seminar I course will give students the ability to move between radically different frameworks of understanding, to derive rich and complex insights into the human experience.

Prerequisites: None

4 Credit Hours | Descriptors:DVID,PTVA,LOGR

SEM 200: Second Year Seminar I

Lina Kassem(A&B)/Olusola Ololade(C)/Sophia Gao(D&E)/Kyaw Win Tun(F) — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

The four-sequenced seminar courses are part of a one mega-course (16 credits), that share the same objectives and learning outcomes. In Sophomore Seminar 1, we will explore how difference is socially and historically constructed, what it can mean to us, and how it can act on us. We will also ask critical questions on what we already know about differences among humans in today’s world. The Seminar will start with exploring the concept of “the Other”, which is one aspect of difference. We will look into different views on “the Other” from European history and different parts of the world through Ryszard Kapuściński’s accounts and insights. Then we will read Said’s Orientalism to understand power, difference, and otherness. Along with him, we will question knowledge production projects of the European colonizing countries which still condition how and what we know about differences. After this, we will study how “othered(ing) races” were born out of differences in modern, historical events reading Charles W. Mills’ “The Racial Contract”. Next, we will keep reflecting on differences through the literary perspectives of Toni Morrison. This will also lead us into the US context contemplated by Angela Davis. Angela Davis will help us understand the
intersectionality of gender, race, and class and how this embeds oppression, as well as how we can resist such oppression in collective movements. Finally, we will read Merry E. Wiesner-Hanks exploring “gendered otherness” and its intersectionality with social, political, ideological, and economic life across different times and spaces.

4 Credit Hours | Descriptors: DVID, LOGR, DVIC

SECP 498 PPE: Senior Capstone I

Dale Mineshima-Lowe(A)/ Will Buckingham(B) — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

Senior Capstone is a year-long project-based/research-based course that all senior students have to take and complete. Senior Capstone I is taken in the first semester of their senior year and Capstone II is taken in the second semester of their senior year.

Senior Capstone projects are always associated with student’s declared majors. While the syllabus is shared by all Senior Capstone Instructors, a student will work closely throughout the entire year with a dedicated capstone instructor, who will create a conducive research and learning environment for all capstone course students. This is made possible by the fact that each capstone course has no more than 16 students, who will be advised closely by the capstone instructor. The students will also be required to provide feedback to one another in the course.

The senior capstone courses are characterized not by the delivery of instruction by the instructor, but by the immersive and collaborative environment. This is made possible by the cumulative and progression-based nature of the course. In the first semester, the students will be taken on sequential steps to finally produce a detailed project proposal. In the second semester, the students will do research and produce a thesis, which will then be recommended by the instructor to be approved by the division of capstone origin in order for the student to graduate from Parami University.

This course meets for three hours once every week, and expects students to put in at least ten independent project hours per week.

Prerequisites: This course is available only to fourth year students.

SECP 498 SDS: Senior Capstone I

Nwe Nwe Htay Win(A)/ Si Thu Aung(B) — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

This course meets for three hours once every week, and expects students to put in at least ten independent project hours per week.

Prerequisites: This course is available only to fourth year students.

ENCP 100: English Composition I

Karie Pieczynski(A&B)/ Lori Enns(C&D)/ Zahnur Rofia(E&F) — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

English Composition I focuses on foundation skills of university-level writing. The course will take students through all the steps of the expository writing process from pre-writing to revising and proofreading. Students will work through a series of expository essays, including narratives and descriptive pieces. The course will support them in acquiring appropriate critical reading skills, as well as following conventions of standard English in writing. Students will also be introduced to selecting, using, and correctly referencing sources.

ECON 110: Introduction to Microeconomics

Min Thura Mon(A)/ Omar Osman(B) — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

This course is an introduction to Microeconomics from a very broad perspective. Microeconomics is the science of how people use resources. A large part is about decision making: Which is the best route for going to school, and should I walk or take the bus? Can I get a dog as a pet, should I buy vegetables in the market in the morning or in the afternoon, and why are the prices different in different cities? This course is a foundation course which is needed in order to follow higher level courses in the Economics module.

Prerequisites: None

PHIL 201: Introduction to Political Philosophy

James Batcho(A)/ Clemens Loidl(B) — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

This course introduces students to the questions, theories, and classic texts of political philosophy, engaging issues of ethics, citizenship, democracy, representation, shared resources and other features of theoretical approaches to politics. This course will introduce and critically engage students in the fundamental questions of how we are to live in the world with others.

Prerequisites: None

POL 100: Introduction to Political Science

Kyaw Hsan Lang and Lian Thang(A)/ Swe Oo Mon(B) — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

The course is a broad introduction to the discipline of political science. Students will be introduced to subfields within the discipline: political theory, comparative politics, and international relations. Then, the bulk of the course examines major themes in comparative politics, including the formation of nation-states, political regimes, and political violence. We will also examine themes that cut across the subfields, including globalization, populism, and human rights.

Prerequisites: None

PHIL 300: Philosophy and Gender

Anna Ezekiel — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

What is gender? What are sex and sexuality? What role does the gendered body play in the practice of philosophy? This course will take a cross-cultural approach to the philosophy of gender, while also taking a critical approach to the gendered nature of the world’s philosophical traditions.

In this course, students will explore how philosophy has always been gendered, from the very beginning. And they will explore traditions of critique towards the gender assumptions built into philosophy from ancient times to the present day.

Prerequisites: PHIL 201: Introduction to Political Philosophy

POL 301: Power and Resistance

Lina Kassem — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

How does power operate in contemporary society? How do subjects navigate power – are they able to resist, and if so, how is resistance able to manifest? The course will explore these respective domains and how they articulate together.

Prerequisites: POL 100: Introduction to Political Science

ECON 111: Introduction to Macroeconomics

Omar Osman(A)/ Elena Nikolova(B) — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

This course is an introduction to Macroeconomics from a very broad perspective. Macroeconomics analyzes topics such as economic growth, inflation and unemployment. How can the central bank influence the economy in times of crises? What should the government do in order to counteract environmental issues? Why do countries trade with each other?

Though ultimately based on the actions of individuals and firms (which we will analyze in Microeconomics), Macroeconomics is concerned with developments on the aggregate level: countries as a whole, government spending, taxation and Central Bank policies. This course is a foundation course which is needed in order to follow higher level courses in the Economics module.

Prerequisites: None

ENVR 160: Sustainable Development Policy

Tin Shine Aung — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

The Environmental Policy and Governance course provides students with an in-depth understanding of environmental policy development, implementation, and governance at various levels, including international, national, and local. The course explores the processes and challenges of formulating and implementing effective environmental policies, as well as the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders. It covers topics such as policy analysis, environmental law, regulatory frameworks, stakeholder engagement, and policy evaluation. Through lectures, case studies, discussions, and practical exercises, students will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to critically analyze environmental policies and contribute to effective environmental governance.

POL 450: Politics of Authoritarian Rule in Myanmar

Swe Oo Mon — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of
authoritarian rule in Myanmar and its interaction with society, the
economy, and political institutions. It introduces key concepts linking
military power, governance structures, and state–society relations, and
examines their application to contemporary political challenges. Students will learn how political, social, and economic perspectives can be used to analyze the foundations of authoritarian rule, the mechanisms of control and compliance, and the role of elites and institutions in sustaining the regime. The course also explores resistance and education, democratic actors, and the role of civil society in challenging authoritarian governance, while evaluating the influence of regional and international actors on Myanmar’s political trajectory.

Prerequisites: POL 100: Intro to Political Science

PH 100: Principles and Practices of Public Health

Win Khaing — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

This course provides the core principles, history, and practices of public health. It explores the determinants of health, major public health functions, and the interdisciplinary nature of the field. The course emphasizes how public health addresses health challenges through prevention, policy development, and community engagement, with a focus on Myanmar and Southeast Asia.

POL 300: Democracy, Authoritarianism, and Regime Transitions

Dan Wessner — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

What is democracy? How does democracy emerge? Why are some countries democracies but not others? Why is authoritarianism persistent in some countries? These are some of the most enduring questions in political science. This course addresses these questions by examining the political science scholarship on regimes and regime transitions. This is an advanced course in political science, and some introductory courses on political philosophy or political science are required.

Prerequisites: POL 100: Introduction to Political Science

PHIL 100: The Art of Argument

Clemens Loidl — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

This course introduces students to questions about the art (or arts) or argument, and gives them the tools they need to better evaluate, think about and make arguments. The course sees argument as a social practice that exists cross-culturally, and draws upon a wide array of sources to explore the complexities of the human search for agreement and truth.

Prerequisites: None

ECON 251: Behavioral Economics

Elena Nikolova — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

In the course, we will study how behavioral economists explain a range of psychological and social phenomena, and how those explanations differ from standard economic ones. Likely topics include drug use, sex, crime, gambling, over-eating, overconfidence and procrastination. In particular, we will study various ways in which (apparent) irrationality influences people’s judgment and decision-making.

Behavioral economics is invaluable to anyone with an interest in human behavior. It is particularly relevant to those with an interest in economics, management, marketing, industrial organization, public policy, and the psychology of judgment and decision-making. No previous acquaintance with behavioral economics is necessary.

Prerequisites: ECON 110: Introduction to Microeconomics

POL 230: Comparative Politics of SE Asia

Dan Wessner — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

This course examines Comparative Politics through the lens of the ten Southeast Asian member states of ASEAN. The subfield of Comparative Politics in the discipline of Political Science hones comparative and contrastive skills to discern the purpose and attributes of various political entities: principally states, societies, and subnational groups, but also militaries, media, and leaders. Drawing on the ASEAN context, this course will examine democratic, non-democratic, socialist, and communist regimes. It will study the political violence, political economy, and political cultures that have arisen in the historical context of Southeast Asian colonialism, capitalism, imperialism, militarism, and independence movements. Students will select one group of regional states to research, present, and write about in terms of ASEAN principles, precarity, and prospects in this age.

Prerequisites: None

PHIL 251: Comparative Philosophy

Sophia Gao — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

This course will take a global perspective on the practice of philosophy. It will introduce students to a variety of philosophical traditions, and explore their continued resonance in the present day.

Prerequisites: PHIL 100: The Art of Argument

SSST 100: Craft of Social Inquiry

Romina de Jong (A)/ Omar Osman (B) — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

This course is an introductory course for social studies. We will cover what social inquiry is and why it is important.
During this course we will look at different methods of knowing and making sense of the world. We will focus on typical questions that are asked in social science and specific approaches to answer these questions. You will learn the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to answering questions in the field of social science, for instance through a in-depth study on climate change. Selected readings from different social science disciplines will be used as an interdisciplinary approach to addressing questions in this field.

Prerequisites: None

INST 470: Culture, Science, and Technology

David Golding — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

This course explores the cultural dynamics of how science and technology are conceptualized, practiced, and opposed. The approach is interdisciplinary in that, for example, anthropological research is read alongside science fiction, the philosophy of science is accompanied by poetry, and postgenomic research is understood through film and time travel narratives. Throughout the course, students develop a learning journal in which they reflect both emotionally and critically on their experiences with science and technology.
The course begins by analyzing research on animal culture as a lens into the relations between race, science, and the Other. As the focus shifts to postgenomic research on humans, questions about eugenics, futurities, and indigeneity are raised. The colonial politics of data and computation are diagrammed during the final segment of the course. Virtualities past and future and discussed in relation to artificial intelligence, transhumanism, and the body.

The course concludes with working groups presenting semester-long multimedia projects that communicate a critical perspective on science and technology. Each project merges multiple media of expression and includes a bibliography that explains the influences of academic and artistic works upon the project. For all assignments in this class, the products of generative AI are may only be submitted if you explicitly identify and critique them as such. The work of generative AI will not be considered to be your own.

Prerequisites: SST 100: Craft of Social Inquiry OR DATA 201: Data Communication and Ethics

PHIL 300 Philosophy and Gender

Anna Ezekiel — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

Prerequisites: PHIL 201: Introduction to Political Philosophy

ENSC 210: Ecological Systems and Biodiversity

Olusola Ololade — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

Students will examine the intricate relationships between organisms and their environments, studying ecosystems, biodiversity, and the impacts of human activities on ecological systems.

The Ecological Systems and Biodiversity course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of ecosystems, their structure, function, and the importance of biodiversity within them. The course explores ecological principles, patterns, and processes, as well as the threats and conservation of biodiversity. Students will learn about the interconnections between organisms and their environment, the roles of ecological interactions, and the ecological services provided by ecosystems. Through lectures, fieldwork, laboratory exercises, and case studies, students will develop a strong foundation in ecological concepts and gain an appreciation for the importance of biodiversity conservation.

ENVR 430: Environment, Technology, and Resilience in Southeast Asia

Zaw Naing — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

This course provides a strategic exploration of environmental resilience in Southeast Asia,
focusing on how geospatial information informs regional governance and disaster mitigation.
Students will analyze the complex interplay of the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus and the
drivers of Land-Cover and Land-Use Change (LCLUC), including forest dynamics and rapid
urban sprawl. The curriculum addresses critical regional crises such as transboundary air
pollution (haze), water contamination from extractive industries, and the socio-economic
environmental implications of unplanned population growth. By introducing the "Resource Curse" framework, the course examines the paradox of resource-rich nations facing environmental degradation, with a specific strategic overview of the
energy sector including onshore mining and offshore oil and gas. Through the analysis of professional geospatial outputs—including tools like the Agro-ecological Atlas of Myanmar—students will develop the analytical literacy to leverage technology for Strategic Environmental Management and Disaster Response without requiring technical software proficiency.

Prerequisites: SSST 100: Craft of Social Inquiry

ENVR 120: Environmental Justice

Olusola Ololade — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

This course explores environmental justice and injustice in relation to various environmental issues, including mining, urbanization, conservation, climate change, water resource utilization, and land reform. Rather than approaching these topics as technical or scientific problems, they are approached as social issues that are profoundly interwoven with colonialism, patriarchy, and racial capitalism. The course will reflect the praxis of environmental justice in its alternation between close and critical analysis of the dynamics and causes of environmental injustice and the social possibilities and movements for environmental justice.

In addition to required readings, the course will involve two film screenings and numerous short media texts that depict environmental issues.

Prerequisites: None

ENVR 445: Gender and Environment

Elena Nikolova — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

This course examines the complex relationships between gender and the environment, with a focus on how environmental
challenges and policies affect men and women differently across the Global North and South. Students will explore key topics such
as natural resource management, agriculture, energy access, climate change, urbanization, and environmental health through a
gender lens. The course integrates economic theory, empirical methods, and policy analysis, emphasizing real-world applications
and evidence-based interventions. Students will also design and present an NGO-style project addressing a gender-environment
issue.

Prerequisites: SSST 100: Craft of Social Inquiry and (ECON 111: Intro to Macroeconomics or ECON 110: Intro to Microeconomics)

ITRL 300: International Relations

Dale Mineshima-Lowe — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

What is international relations? How does international politics work? In this course students will be introduced to major theories in IR: realism, liberalism, and constructivism. We will examine how these theories are applicable to different facets of international politics such as grand strategy and international political economy. We will also examine key questions in contemporary politics – such as humanitarian intervention, peacekeeping, and climate change.

Prerequisites: None

PHIL 200: Introduction to Ethics

Clemens Loidl(A)/ Will Buckingham(B) — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

In this course we will confront some of the major ethical issues that arise in our society—the treatment of animals (vegetarianism, experimentation), the beginning of life (abortion, in vitro, PGD testing), the ethics of war (when to go, how to wage), the ethics of politics (what ought our representatives do), the end of life (right to die, suicide, euthanasia), fear of death, the ethics of food, and the environment.

In Ethics, we seek not simply opinions or personal positions on these contentious problems, but hope to make a broader claim about right and wrong. These issues are ethical issues insofar as when we take a position on them we make a claim about what is the right or wrong thing to do. And we are not simply making the statement that this is right or wrong for me, but also for anyone else who is as properly thoughtful and informed as I am. That is, I think I have good reasons for saying such-and-such is right or wrong, and you ought to also be convinced by my reasons.

In order to have such convincing reasons, we will need to say what it means for something to be right or wrong in general. This is where ethical theories come in. An ethical theory makes a claim about what makes something right or wrong in general. If we know that, then we ought to be able to look at each of these specific problems and any cases in which they arise, and evaluate them to see how they ought to be resolved. That will be our goal in this course–to introduce and engage students in the theories of ethics and their application to practical ethical problems so that they develop the knowledge of each ethical theory and the ability to apply them to particular issues.

Prerequisites: None

MATH 100: Introduction to Probability

Zeynep Yetkiner-Ozel — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

This is an introduction to probability for statistics and data science students. There is no prerequisite for this course. In addition to major students, this course is relevant and useful for non-major students.

Prerequisites: None

STAT 100: Introduction to Statistics

Si Thu Aung — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

This course provides an introduction to the quantitative tools for monitoring, analyzing data, and evaluating data. Through practical and real-world applications, students learn statistical methods that can be used in quantitative analysis of real-world problems. This course focuses both on concepts underlying statistical methods as well as problem solving through the use of STATA, a popular statistical software package.

Prerequisites: None

STAT 301: Mathematical Statistics

Mohamed Megheib — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

This is a course on mathematical statistics: an introduction to statistical inference. This is an advanced level course, and students are expected to have completed required introductory courses as outlined in the program, such as Intro to Stats, Probability, Linear Algebra, etc.

Prerequisites:

MATH 100: Introduction to Probability

STAT 100: Introduction to Statistics

MATH 210: Linear Algebra

CS 301: Operating Systems and Networks

Nwe Nwe Htay Win — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

Operating Systems (OS) are the intermediaries between the user and the computer. Learning about the basic functions and architecture broadens the abilities and horizon of the user, working with the machines more efficiently and effectively. Networks are at the heart of today's web and define how data is communicated.

Prerequisites: CS 210: Programming with Python

CS 210: Programming with Python

Aye Hninn Khaing(A)/ Khin Sandar Kyaw(B) — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

This course is an introduction to programming with Python for students without any previous programming experience. Throughout the class, we will cover different data types, writing functions, using packages like Numpy and Python and creating data visualizations. We will also use version control with Git.

Prerequisites: STAT 100: Introduction to Statistics

CS 251: Statistical Programming with R

Mohamed Megheib — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

This course will introduce students with higher level statistical programming using R, data visualization with base graphics and ggplot2, reproducible reports with Markdown, and developing dashboards with Shiny.

Prerequisites: STAT 100: Introduction to Statistics

INST 105: Science in Daily Life

Win Maw Hlaing Oo — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

The Citizen Science program is offered to all first-year students, and is a science literacy foundation program that introduces students to use various approaches to scientifically analyze a chosen theme. While a focused theme may be different from year to year, the theme has the characteristics of general importance and relevance to society. The theme for the year 2024-2025 is “Digital Earth.”

Prerequisites: None

PHYS 103: Science of the Universe

Win Maw Hlaing Oo — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

This course is a general introduction to astronomy and cosmology for non-science majors. Topics will cover the latest discoveries about stars, galaxies and the universe as a habitat for life. The science of the universe relies on the tools of physics and astronomy, quantitative reasoning is an integral part of this course. However, previous knowledge of physics and astronomy is not required.

Prerequisites: None

MATH 110: Calculus I

Moutu Abdou Salam Moutui — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

This course is an introduction to differential calculus and is designed to meet the needs of Statistics and Data Science students. Topics will cover functions, limits, derivatives and applications. Basic concept of integration is also included.

MATH 111: Calculus II

Zeynep Yetkiner-Ozel — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

This course is a continuation of Calculus I. The topics cover integration and its applications, series and sequences.

Prerequisites: MATH 110: Calculus I

DATA 300: Data Management

Khin Sandar Kyaw — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

This course is an overview over important algorithmic concepts and how efficient algorithms depend on the design of suitable data structures.

Prerequisites: CS 210: Programming with Python

CS 300: Introduction to Machine Learning

Nwe Nwe Htay Win — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

This course is an introduction to Machine Learning. Requirements for this class are completion of basic Mathematics and Statistics modules, as well as the Introduction to Python. Throughout the class, we will cover the data preprocessing process as well as different types of machine learning models from the realms of supervised and unsupervised learning together with model evaluation metrics.

Prerequisites: STAT 100: Introduction to Statistics, CS 210: Programming with Python

ARTS 100: Hearing Cultures, Transforming Ourselves

Ne Myo Aung — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0630

This seminar-format survey of historical and contemporary performing arts in multi-cultural Southeast Asia invites students to explore both their personal relationship with the lively arts (stage, recording and film) and cultural similarities and contrasts among societies and nations in Mainland and Maritime Southeast Asia.