Sociology

This course provides an interdisciplinary focus on six issues of current social concern. The topics include the consequences of child abuse, the effect of divorce on children, perceptions of rape and rape victims, eating disorders, stereotyping and prejudice, and abortion. Students have the opportunity to explore these contemporary social issues from a psychological and sociological perspective, using relevant readings as well as intimate lectures and a range of media sources.

While the study of social and public policy has traditionally been concerned with actions taken by governments, the wider non-governmental sector is increasingly recognised as playing a key role. This course focuses on both international and local “non-governmental organizations” (NGOs) that have emerged around the world to address a wide range of social, political, and environmental concerns. It offers a critical perspective on NGOs in the context of development and social policy, covering both theoretical and policy issues. The focus is on two main inter-related themes: how NGOs serve as vehicles through which citizens organize, and how NGOs are instruments through which states, businesses, and funding agencies pursue their interests.

This course provides a study of the family, main social problems caused by gender inequality, and social policies aimed at addressing equality. Topics are divided into the following sections: women, men and family in social theory; feminist theory; the contemporary family; gender violence; state, family, and gender; the place of women and family in other parts of the world.

This course examines examines the concept of 'youth' and the historical, economic and political contexts in which young people live and are schooled in New Zealand society. The concept of youth is explored as a fundamental aspect of human development, identity and culture. The ways that we learn about what it is to be a young person in New Zealand today, including sport, body image, media, music, technology and social networking will be explored.