Social Sciences, Humanities, and the Arts (SSHA)

Course Descriptions:

Engineers need to be aware of the environmental concerns and ethical issues when designing/operating equipment or systems. This course presents an overview of environmental concerns in the oil and gas industry including the effects of the industry on the environment and vice versa. Professional practice and ethics are covered to enable the learner to understand ethical and legal expectations within the industry and profession. An introduction to environmental science is also provided, as well as coverage of pollution and the interactions between petroleum and various components of the environment. Through a variety of lectures and group discussions, students acquire the necessary knowledge to take into consideration the environment and ethics in any operation or design of systems and components.

This is an introductory course that presents basic business concepts related to entrepreneurship to students through interactive classes. It aims to help students understand the entrepreneurs’ mindset and how they identify, evaluate, and select business opportunities, transforming ideas into feasible ventures. Throughout the course, students engage in researching and assessing the feasibility of a business idea. Through participation in workshops, such as ideation, and exploring opportunities, students learn to apply fundamental business concepts to a business model to determine its potential for success.

This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of project management throughout the project life cycle. Utilizing the project management framework standardized by the Project Management Institute (PMI), students review project management processes, knowledge areas, and the tools and techniques used to manage projects from their initiation to closeout. Other topics include the importance of stakeholders, work breakdown structure (WBS), critical path analysis, risk analysis, and earned value management (EVM).

This is an introductory course in health care ethics, legal issues, and workplace concerns. Students become aware of, understand, appreciate and evaluate commonly encountered ethical, legal, and professional problems in the workplace. Through course content, lectures, selected readings, and discussions, students examine ethical and legal theories, together with what constitutes professional behavior, values, and practical wisdom. These concepts are then applied to current issues related to healthcare professionals.

This course examines the development of Islamic and Arab civilization, its significance in the social, political, and cultural domains, and its contributions to human society across various fields. The course combines historical and theoretical approaches, with greater emphasis placed on a practical perspective, exploring how the development, thought, and institutions of Islamic and Arab civilization are reflected in modern Arab and Muslim societies and geographies. In light of Qatar National Vision 2030, students reflect on the relevance of Islamic and Arab civilizational theories and values to understand, sustain, and thrive within a society rooted in ideals of justice and openness in the context of ever-changing political, economic, and social conditions.

Sociology focuses on the systematic understanding of important aspects of social interaction, organization, institutions, and change. This course introduces students to major themes in sociological thinking, including the interplay between the individual and society, how society is both stable and changing, the causes and consequences of social inequality, and the social construction of human life. Students discuss social patterns and how such patterns change over time and in different settings. Through engagement with the social basis of everyday life, students develop critical thinking and understanding of the social structures and processes that shape diverse forms of human life.

Psychology is the systematic and scientific study of the mind and behavior. In this course, students will explore the key principles and theories of contemporary psychology from both research-based and historical perspectives. Emphasis will be placed on connecting psychological concepts to everyday experiences and highlighting their practical applications in real-life situations. The course will cover a range of topics, including research methods, brain and behavior, learning and motivation, health psychology, social psychology, and personality development. Students will engage in independent study through readings, quizzes, in-class activities, documentaries, and short video lectures, deepening their understanding of psychology and its real-world applications.

Ethical reasoning is a type of critical thinking that uses ethical principles and frameworks to ensure sound decision-making and effective problem solving. This course introduces the theories, methods, and practical problems of ethics and moral philosophy. Topics covered in this course include the nature of ethical reasoning, moral theories of notable philosophers, the concepts of right and wrong, and moral responsibility. Through a variety of assignments, quizzes, and asynchronous online learning, the course is designed to help students develop their critical thinking capabilities from an ethical perspective and to better understand various moral problems in today's world.

A general understanding of local law benefits all students. This law and society course focuses on general legal topics targeting non-law students. The legal topics include the definition, sources and classifications of the law, including constitutional law, general principles of human rights, commercial, tort and contract law, intellectual property, data protection and privacy law, labor law, oil and gas regulations, QFC securities law, and international laws. Through application of lecture materials and laws, students explore the fundamentals of the law and assess and problem-solve various regional or international legal situations.

Aesthetic appreciation and experience of the arts is an essential component of personal development and ability to relate to the arts as they form a broader cultural context of expression, social reflection, and critique. This course introduces students to the arts in Qatar through the perspective of the exhibitions curated by Qatar Museums. Students will discuss different art forms and learn how to relate personally to artistic expression, as well as its appreciation. Through engagement with artists, exhibitions and cultural events, students will reflect on their own interpretation of different art forms and the role of the arts in defining contemporary culture. Exposure to a wide range of art-industry practitioners allows students to become aware of the creative market and its opportunities.