Sociology

This course gives an introduction to the Nordic social and welfare state models focusing on work, family, immigration, labor relations, economic policies, pensions, schooling, and gender equality. Theoretically, the course is informed by comparative welfare state research and political economy. It focuses on contemporary debates on the sustainability of Nordic welfare state models in the context of challenges such as the ongoing pandemic, ageing, flows of immigrants and asylum seekers, financial internationalization, climate crisis, and relations to the EU single market. The course covers the historical roots of the Nordic states and the development of their political and welfare systems in the twentieth century. Also discussed are the social conflict lines, alliances, and compromises that created the post-war context of highly organized civil societies (centralized labor unions and employers associations, strong organizations of farmers and fishermen), and how they are linked to the state in patterns of democratic corporatism. Other topics covered are: the reconciliation of work and family life in the setting of the Nordic welfare state; the policy reforms that have been agreed on in order to respond to present challenges; and the sustainability of the ambitions of gender equality and universalist welfare provisions. Reflecting on both the history and the contemporary challenges of the region, the course critically assesses various idealized accounts of Nordic peculiarities and discusses the similarities and differences between the Nordic countries with that of other European countries.

This class explores the meaning and necessity of interpersonal relationships, major psychological variables that affect human interpersonal relationships; and the meaning and characteristics of human relationships between family members, peers, and colleagues.

This interdisciplinary course examines the socioeconomic and political disenfranchisement experienced by residents of the "other France"—a France comprised of working-class citizens often of immigrant origin and from France’s former colonies. It introduces students to urban sociology by requiring that they focus on the particular problems experienced by social actors who live in economically and socially disfavored parts of Paris. Topics covered include urban sociological theories, de-facto segregation, poverty, crime, schooling, public policy, national identity, the negotiation of bi-culturality, and the French secularizing mission. Students investigate these topics from a variety of sources, ranging from documentary film and photojournalism to literary and cinematic expressions. Via these sources, students become familiar with a vibrant urban "vernacular" culture that contests issues pertaining to citizenship, racialization, and representation.

This course analyzes how social problems can be approached through social policy and welfare organizations. It focuses on problems that are endemic to Korea and explores possible solutions.

The course examines social problems and social policy challenges created by the existence and persistence of social inequality and associated factors such as social exclusion, inequity, vulnerability, marginalization and discrimination. To this effect, current policies and programmes to reduce social inequality in Botswana will be critically assessed to determine the extent to which they alleviate social problems that may arise due to inequality. Dimensions and causes of social inequality will be analyzed within several theoretical frameworks. The course adopts a historical and comparative perspective in examining the forms, manifestations, persistence and changeability of inequality structures as they are found within and between societies cross-culturally, however focus will on the issues relevant to most developing countries especially Botswana. Some of the specific topics covered include inequalities based on; class, status, power, race and ethnicity, gender, and age.

This course aims to cultivate students’ systematic and critical thinking about science, technology, innovation, and society, especially in light of the transition from traditional China to contemporary China. Differing from the usual courses focusing on this subject, this course will take a social and  critical approach, enabling students to understand and analyze the social, political, and cultural preconditions and impacts of scientific and technological development.

This course examines the institutions and practices of the criminal justice system. As well as considering the operation of various components of the criminal justice system - including the police, courts, and corrections - it will also address new and emerging developments in criminal justice practice, crime prevention, and responses to crime. 

This course focuses on data about connections, forming structures known as networks. Networks and network data describe an increasingly vast part of the modern world, through connections on social media, communications, financial transactions, and other ties. The course covers the fundamentals of network structures, network data structures, and the analysis and presentation of network data. Students work directly with network data and structure, and analyze these data using R.

This course examines global policies, politics, industry and institutions and their neo-colonial underpinnings, and their influence on current global health theory, research and practice, with a special focus on the health of Indigenous peoples in Canada and other racialized groups. It looks at the environmental and social determinants of health and health inequities, with attention to women and children’s health, communicable and non-communicable disease, and the complexities of disasters and humanitarian crises, as well as global health governance,systems, and innovations and social entrepreneurship in health.

This course introduces students to the study and history of these economic inequalities. It is a detailed survey of the key evidence on inequality, both contemporary and historical, and the sources and methods used to measure it. Students learn how to critically interrogate the quality of inferences from such evidence. They explore the dimensions of inequality along historical, contemporary, spatial, ethnic, and gender lines, drawing on research in economic history, economic geography, and sociology.