Sociology

This course discusses migration by situating it within broader social and economic context. In order to gain a comprehensive understanding of human mobility, it conceives of migration as an intrinsic part of broader processes of economic and social change a, instead of as a "problem to be solved." Drawing on empirical and theoretical work, this course considers some contradictions and continuities in the way migration has been understood in social science scholarship. Students explore how migration impacts the economy and society, including some implications from a public health perspective. This course encourages students to critically assess migration not merely as an isolated phenomenon, but as an integral aspect of complex global flows of capital, labor, and cultural exchange. 

This course discusses state terrorism during the military dictatorship and issues in the quest for truth and justice. It explores the concept of human rights as encompassing issues related not only to political repression but also ethnicity, nationality, socio-economic inequality, and gender. This course studies different cultural products that represent aspects of human rights including: literature; photography; painting; theater; film.

This course introduces students to various philosophical and sociological perspectives for analyzing and comparing welfare states. After defining the basic varieties of welfare states, the course explores how individuals interact with the welfare state and the role that politics, family, and the market have on the funding and distribution of welfare programs. To this end, students examine in depth several case studies from different countries. The course also incorporates philosophical justifications for each type of welfare state as well as any social justice implications.

This course investigates why advanced democratic states of the Global North have seemingly been unwilling or unable to grapple with migration, and why their societies feel threatened by migrants despite their vast wealth, stability, and ostensible commitment to human rights. Given this overarching question, the course provides a broad understanding of contemporary developments with respect to international migration in democratic states. It introduces major debates surrounding migration at the domestic, regional, and international levels and offers frameworks for analyzing migration politics tied to foundational theoretical debates in comparative politics and international relations. It provides an opportunity to develop research, written argumentation, and public speaking skills.

The course highlights adolescent health, family planning, pregnancy and childbirth, abortion, sexual identity, sexual coercion and violence, and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS. Perspectives of gender, poverty, sustainability and rights serve as general themes. The topics discussed include evidence-based strategies and interventions related to each theme. The course covers socio-cultural differences through discussions of global challenges such as cervical cancer, female genital mutilation, trafficking and sexual violence in relation to existing theories and current research results. Reflections and discussions of ethical issues and approaches in relation to abortion, genital mutilation, sexual identities and violence take place through participation in different values exercises. The development of international programs and policies, and the discourse used within them, are highlighted. Global as well as regional/local policy documents on sustainability and rights perspectives are studied and discussed.

The course gives an introduction to gender equality in the Nordic context. It provides an overview of how the concept of gender equality has developed, and how it is implemented. The focus is on the period after the 1970s. Central themes in the course include: gender equality as a concept; work-life balance; Nordic masculinities; gender equality in an intersectional perspective; gender equality and the military; gender-based violence; gender equality as nation branding; gender and sustainability.

This course sets out from the seminar room to explore the city of Edinburgh, on foot, and online. It offers students a unique opportunity to engage with the contemporary city as a site for new ideas, designs and methods. The course responds creatively to Edinburgh's various sites and routes, bringing together students from across the university to work in interdisciplinary teams.

This course includes a review of practice models, intervention methods, and techniques for the practice of social work with a focus on mental health care. Areas of study include the effective promotion of mental health through psychoeducation, the prevention of mental illnesses, intervention once mental illness has been identified, relapse prevention, and rehabilitation services. Specific topics include the treatment of severe and persistent mental health issues, depression and suicide, dual diagnosis (i.e. substance abuse in conjunction with a mental health issue), and effective treatment for those suffering from severe trauma. The course embraces an overall value of ‘multicultural competency,' which includes evaluating each social work action and intervention within the cultural context in which it occurs, and modifying and adjusting the methods used to best fit the context.