Sociology

The course covers cities, towns, villages, and farming communities in a world of globalization. It will emphasize the mobility of people, money, products, and information which has transformed the logic, delimitation, and relations between urban and rural communities in different countries. Major theories on the interplay between culture and structure are covered as well as the societal and technological changes which have reconstructed urban-rural distinctions and interconnections. Special attention is given to patterns of migration within and between countries and their effects on the development of different settlements.

This course explores the effects of globalization and development on education and societies in Asia. It discusses the roles and activities of agencies such as the UN, the World Bank, JICA, and grassroots NGOs and their impact on education in the developed and developing countries of East and Southeast Asia.

The international community has become more globalized - increasingly become more interdependent and enhancing opportunities for people to acknowledge their common humanity across arbitrarily drawn political borders and cultural divides. What does the term "globalization" really mean? How does it affect our lives? This course explains the various dimensions of globalization: cultural, economic, political and ecological. It also discusses the positive and negative effects of globalization as well as its future outlook.

This course focuses on the theoretical tools for examining problems faced in social work practice as well as their application for understanding professional ethics and the development of the profession. Topics include: fundamental concepts of moral philosophy; contemporary ethical theories in social work; ethical principles of social work; applied ethics and professional deontology; ethical dilemmas and resolution models.

This course is an introduction to research in environmental sociology with an emphasis on the social processes, dynamics and institutions that are influential in contemporary environmental crises. It looks at the social dimensions of our natural world and considers how our social life shapes our ecological life (and vice versa!). It will focus particularly on how environmental problems are created by social drivers and experienced unequally. Topics include production and consumption and its environmental effects, inequality and environmental risk, and social movements for environmental justice. 

This course offers a study of Spanish territory and society from a geographical perspective. Topics include: diversity of the physical environment; population in Spain; settlement and the urban system; economic activities; transport and its role in structuring the territory; environmental problems; Spain in an international context.

This course examines characteristics of health disorders that may lead to need for care and social support with special reference to disabilities. Topics include: consequences of illness; primary disabling diseases with early manifestation; primary cardiocirculatory and respiratory diseases associated with disability; primary metabolic diseases associated with disability; disability due to diseases of the musculoskeletal system; disability due to neurological disorders; disability due to psychiatric pathology.

The world faces a variety of identity-based politics that are considered a cause of social divisions today. Ongoing globalization—the process of human movements, networking, and intensifying interconnectivity—has facilitated various interactions, often causing disparities, conflicts, and injustices. At globalization hubs, racially and culturally diversifying populations experienced geographically uneven social transformation. Sometimes, people form “identity” to create “others” as an enemy, and other times, they do so to become “we” to achieve a common goal.  

This course pays special attention to women’s experiences in the United States, a nation known for the diversity of its population. Hoisting the banner of freedom, democracy, and capitalism, the United States engaged in settler colonialism and imperialism through the nineteenth century to lead in shaping the world order and globalization process. The course examines major historical events in their respective socio-historical contexts. By taking local, national, and transnational perspectives, the course explores the complex workings of gender, class, race/ethnicity, ideology, sex, age, etc., in women’s collective power-building and analyze how they affected their identities and society. The course discusses similarities and differences among American, Japanese, and/or societies of class interest, pursuing lessons to be learned from American examples and how this knowledge can better communities today. 

This course analyzes the main demographic phenomena and theories regarding the relationship between different demographic variables and economic, social, and environmental factors. It examines the ethical implications of demographic policies carried out in the last century.

Students complete an internship with a local organization or company. Each placement includes oversight and regular check-ins with an internship supervisor from the company or organization. The Internship Methodology Seminar accompanies the internship placement and offers a platform for reflection, enhancement of skills, and development of cultural competence. It focuses on practical skill application, cultural understanding, and adaptability within professional environments to provide a bridge between academic learning and real-world experience.