Sociology

This course studies gender categories and roles in Thai society. It provides an overview of the different theories relevant to the understanding of gender and sexuality; examines the social structure and ideas related to gender and sexuality in Thailand’s history and contemporary society; and analyzes the progress of feminism and LGBT’s rights in Thailand.

This course examines a range of issues rooted in language and culture: language and thought; identities, self and ‘othering’; cultural diversity in verbal and nonverbal communication; language, gender and sexuality; popular culture and global cultural flow; language and power; globalization and language planning and policy in different cultural contexts.

This course examines language in relation to migration in the contemporary multilingual world. It looks at how language is used by people on the move, and by those with whom they interact, in areas including health, education, the law and the workplace. It also explores how language practices are shaped by face-to-face and mediated encounters and by the constraints of political and institutional contexts. Key questions are: What languages and forms of communication get used, when, why and where? What linguistic factors enable and limit access for migrants to services and resources? What are the consequences?

This course examines the main theoretical approaches and discussions of the sociology of the educational system. It analyzes the main indicators and educational data for Spain and other countries. This course looks at educational policies and the assessment of the education system. It explores the relationship between social structure, economy, culture, and the educational system. Topics include: education as a socialization process; the social functions of the school; origins and evolution of the Spanish educational system; the provision of education and educational policies; reform and innovation in teaching; factors affecting education-- processes and education results, international assessments of educational performance and international studies on education, education and inequality, and education and employment in Spain; evaluation of the Spanish educational system-- main problems and major challenges; case studies of educational systems in advanced societies and in Latin America.

What are the trends in both globalization and development? How is our understanding of both globalization and development changing in light of the recent global economic crisis and ongoing systemic weaknesses? Students investigate the trends that are going to shape the world in the coming decades: increased interconnectedness, crises in existing economic, political, and social institutions within nations and internationally; increasing pressure on natural resources; huge demographic shifts; and a shifting in the economic and geo-political balance of power, specifically the rise of China and India, with a secondary look at Brazil. The focus of this semester is on the economic sociology of globalization and development. The second semester focuses on culture and globalization and development.

This course provides the basic skills and theory necessary to carry out rudimentary research in the field of social sciences with a special emphasis on questions in the area of international studies.

This course aims to familiarize students with theories, concepts, and phenomena of population aging, which impacts multiple dimensions of the society and the globe. Aging is a biological phenomenon, but also a social process for both individuals and society at large. We will discuss the economic, healthcare, intergenerational, and environmental, and cultural factors woven in these social processes and phenomena. Topics will include but not limited to aging and life course, demography, dementia, family, caregiving, community support, ageism, productive aging, and social policy. Aging is a life-long process— this course will guide students in developing an understanding of how aging shapes the lives of individuals, families, and society in a broad and holistic sense.

This course examines conceptions and experiences of the body, health, illness and healing from the ancient world to the early modern period. It will focus on the historical development of western medicine in relation to religion, politics, science and culture. Topics covered include changing views of male and female bodies; the meanings of health, illness, disease, and disability; the evolving status of healers and medical practitioners; the role of religion, magic and natural philosophy in this world; and the rise of medical institutions such as hospitals, asylums, pharmacies, universities and anatomy theaters. 

This course offers a study of the sociology of education including the educational system, family and school, knowledge society, and education and employment.