Sociology

This course explores the concepts of social justice, citizenship, and democracy and their relationship to the disciplinary debate and professional practice of social work. It examines contemporary debates on social justice, citizenship, and democracy as well as their implications for current social, economic, and cultural challenges.

Prejudices and stereotypes against different groups are widespread and can lead to discrimination and exclusion. In order to break down prejudices against different groups, it is often suggested that contact and exchange be established between the groups concerned. In this seminar we will deal with the question of whether contact between two groups can actually lead to a reduction in prejudices, which framework conditions are useful for reducing prejudices through contact and what further consequences contact can have for both groups. The topics are developed on the basis of empirical studies and presented, discussed and applied to practical examples in the context of lectures and interactive group work.

This course critically examines the topic of gender violence including historical dimensions, how and why it happens, and the diversity of social and institutional responses that have sought and seek to eradicate it. 

This course offers a study of consumer decision-making processes. Topics include: consumer behavior; external factors to consumer behavior; internal factors to consumer behavior; types of purchase and decision-making processes; consumer society.

The course explores the individual, the social context of behavior, and the relationship between the two. It encourages students to think in an interdisciplinary way by linking social psychology to other subject domains in psychology, and in particular to topics in other social science disciplines (particularly sociology). Students are presented with key theories, methods (including experimental work), concepts as well as new developments in the field of social psychology. Examples of key topics include attitudes and attitude change, social constructionism, social cognition, the self and social identity, group behavior, social influence, violence and aggression, prosocial behavior, prejudice and discrimination, and interpersonal relationships.

The contemporary world is characterized by both interconnectedness and disconnectedness. Some people, ideas, and capital move between different parts of the world with ease, speed, and frequency: companies exist in multiple countries simultaneously; new technologies enable us to connect with people all around the world; environmental change creates new challenges to be faced by all. Other people, ideas, and cultures are entrenched in their own isolation, shut off from these global flows: people find comfort in local attachments, political space is increasingly fragmented, and cultural boundaries reinforced. How do academics understand these experiences, and how might they challenge some of the core assumptions of sociology? This course examines some of the key ways in which the contemporary world is evolving. By investigating specific social spheres such as migration, religion, culture and risk, the course considers both the potential and limits of globalization.

This course examines themes present within the issue of violence and social order, primarily against the background of Rio. It analyzes how the State has been legitimizing the use of violence and the process of criminalization in some sectors of civil society. Starting with a general theory of violence, the course discusses the concept of violence and the violent urban criminality, its political uses, and articulations with power. Other topics include the different forms of violence against minorities, such as the black population, indigenous peoples, women, and LGBT groups.

This course is a continuation of the course, Critical Social Issues I. This course is focused on the social issues facing contemporary Japan, covering topics such as war responsibility and memory; nuclear energy and waste; issues involving 3/11; media, the imperial family; yakuza, and education. As the course progresses, student interests are expected to generate additional topics for discussion.

Students will be required to do background reading for the class and come to class prepared to discuss a particular issue (or set of issues) each week in the first part of the course. In the second part of the course, students will suggest and present on topics on contemporary Japan for presentation. Each student must participate in these discussions and the assessment will be based on the discussions and written reflections on the issues after each class.

This course provides students with a broad overview of violence and harm as committed by individuals or groups within society. Several forms of violence are examined within the course including but not limited to intimate partner violence, stalking, sexual violence, and elder abuse. In addition to examining the nature and prevalence of violence and harm, the course also examines the ways in which violence and harm are assessed, managed and communicated by professionals who work with perpetrators and victims of violence. Concepts related to violence or the prevalence and nature of violence such as psychopathy and gender are also examined. 

This course explores different sub-disciplines in the field of humanities. Its main focus is concerned with the understanding of human beings and being a human through different disciplinary lenses. This course thematically covers different aspects in humanities with a relevant introductory overview.