Sociology

Economic inequalities are prevalent and persistent around the world. In this seminar, we will tackle the question of how economic inequality intersects with the political realm. In the first half of the seminar, students will gain an overview of the national and global structure of inequality along indicators like income and wealth. We will analyze, what perceptions of inequality people have and which beliefs accompany them. Furthermore, we will engage with theories on how one’s economic circumstances might impact political preferences and behavior.  In the second half, we will look at studies connecting people’s economic realities and their policy preferences, policy responsiveness, political participation and voting behavior. We will especially focus on redistributive and economic policy priorities as well as radical voting patterns.

This course aims to introduce students to the sociological study of social inequalities. That is, to gain a broad understanding of the social processes through which some end up having more resources than others and through which some become included and some excluded. In the introductory sessions, we will begin by defining social inequality and its relevant dimensions, learning about its trends in Europe and the world as well as its pernicious effects for society. Students will also learn key sociological concepts such as social class, social mobility, and ethnoracial categorization processes. In the second part of the course students will be introduced to some of sociology’s most studied mechanisms that help explain the perpetuation of inequalities in a wide range of contexts such as cumulative advantage, opportunity hoarding, discrimination, boundary making, and social networks. As a next step we will learn about some of the most relevant engines of inequality such as families and schools, labor markets, tax systems, extreme weather events, and migration systems. We will end the course by learning about how to tackle inequality. We will discuss how acceptance or opposition to it comes about and reflect on sociology’s relevance in addressing societal disparities.

This course explores the intersection between food cultures and food politics, emphasizing the pivotal debates and discussions that have shaped French culinary traditions. It delves into how food serves as a medium for studying urban transformations, global interactions, and the evolution of national identity. The course examines how food has been a tool for constructing community and belonging, as well as exclusion. Through a combination of interdisciplinary readings, analytic and ethnographic writing assignments, and immersive excursions around Paris, the course considers the role of food in structuring identities, everyday practices, and political landscapes in modern France.

This course examines the question: what is sustainable development? Other topics include: key concepts linking the economy, society, and environment; social and biophysical limits to growth; pro-growth versus post-growth perspectives on sustainable development. It also discusses current topics in sustainable development and case studies.

The primary objective of this course is to introduce students to the main theories and contemporary debates regarding globalization processes. The course is interdisciplinary and consists of sessions hosted by different members of the institute, providing perspectives on the intersection of global, regional, and transregional processes. These processes are set in a historical perspective, and students become familiarized with perspectives from different areas of the world.

This course offers an exploration of diverse family models, emphasizing equality, inclusivity, and the roles of gender in parenting. It delves in the complexities of surrogacy, reproductive technologies and the legal frameworks surrounding parenthood, focusing on international issues and comparative perspectives, through a blend of lectures, interactive discussions, case studies and research projects.

This course includes critical and sociological considerations on various social problems related to contemporary families in Japan. 

It is sometimes difficult to discuss or even think about marriage and family because it is too close, too natural or too emotional. This course aims at acquiring basic skills and knowledge to discuss family issues through lectures and group discussions in class.

Relatively new approaches and concepts including modern family, gender studies, queer theories and dependency theories are expounded to address controversial family problems such as Konkatsu (spouse hunting), Ikumen (active fathering) and Shoushi-ka (fertility crisis), etc.

How can Japanese culture be better known across the world? This simple question lies at the heart of many Japanese governmental policies, local revitalization efforts, tourism initiatives, and artistic projects. In particular, the goal of preserving Japanese traditions through global transmission — and to encourage other nations to similarly preserve their own traditions — often guides foreign policy discussions. But why is this goal so prevalent today, and what ways of thinking about culture does it encourage? Who decides what is defined as ‘Japanese culture’, or which traditions should be transmitted? This course discusses common understandings (and countercultural re-imaginings) of tradition in contemporary Japanese culture. The course explores media texts that both decry and extol the potential for global exchange to alter tradition and classes focus particularly on the political implications of rhetoric used to talk about the spread of culture today. Through class discussion and independent projects, the course re-thinks common ideas about culture and its global spread.

This course introduces students to key social, economic, and political current issues—such as climate change, economic liberalization, transnational migrations, terrorism, pandemics—and how different stakeholders—municipalities, nation-states, civil societies, as well as regional and international organizations—measure up to these issues and challenges. The course will also emphasize the connection and the articulation of these current affairs and public policies between the global and local levels. The course will thus make room for guest-speakers from local NGOs, news agencies or institutions to present their own take on global matters. While some of the topics addressed in this class have been covered at length by the literature, some will reflect immediate concerns as they arise from current affairs.