Sociology

This course introduces the causes, consequences, and contexts of contemporary migration and ethnicity focusing on selected cases from Asia and the Americas. This course provides a sociological introduction to migration, migrant incorporation, and racial and ethnic relations. It considers how societies experience and manage immigration. Moreover, while migrants are a distinctive group, they are also part of a larger whole, with implications for how we comparatively understand ourselves. We examine key migration theories, concepts and contemporary debates focusing on the experiences of different groups of migrants. This course entails discussions on human mobility, power relations, and dynamics of structure, agency, adaptation and the interconnectedness of place and identity. Weekly readings will illuminate the social, economic, and political salience of migration and ethnicity.

In this interdisciplinary seminar students conduct research in small groups and prepare reports from a comparative perspective, especially a comparative analysis of Chinese and Western views. Research topics include current affairs; political, economic, societal, moral, technological, and art issues; university, Hong Kong, and global issues; and developments and discoveries in various fields. The course objectives are to conduct collaborative research, develop an interdisciplinary and comparative perspective, and achieve cross-cultural team building skills. Students prepare written reports, make an oral class presentation, and participate in discussion of the presentations. Assessment: oral presentation (20%), a 6,000- to 10,000-page written report (50%), and participation in class discussion (30%).

This course explains human behavior through the lens of economists using economic reasoning to answer questions as diverse as the following: Why would your teacher cheat? Which factors cause crime rates to go down? Why do countries fail sometimes? The course uses texts that popularize economic concepts to illustrate how different social phenomena can be understood by applying the tools of economic analysis. However, the course also discusses possible limitations of the economic approach to social issues. This course reviews, challenges, and debates on firmly established ideas about the world, society, and ourselves.

The focus of this course is on gaining a better understanding of theories and research on adolescent risk behaviors that may develop into substance (e.g. smoking, drinking, cannabis use, use of illicit drugs) or behavioral addictions (e.g. internet-related problems, gambling disorder, eating disorder). Attention is given to the prevention and treatment of these problems. The effects of substance abuse, other appetitive behaviors, and addiction to these substances or behaviors is covered. Students apply the acquired theoretical and empirical knowledge when analyzing social youth issues and they reflect on possible policy or intervention practices that may help to prevent social youth issues.

The course covers the basic concepts of social stratification, classical class theory, and modern stratification thinking theory. It provides a study of the hierarchical structure of society (ruling elite, middle class, and lower class) and theory of social mobility (dynamics). It also provides a study of social stratification in China during the transition period.

This course provides an overview of the development of a culture of coercive confinement in Post-Independence Ireland. It examines a range of institutions other than prisons utilized to confine those deemed to be deviant.

This course explores decision-making including identify problems and make diagnoses in complex situations, the stages and tools for decision-making, evaluating diverse alternatives for a problem, and communicating problems and decisions.