Sociology

This course applies concepts and theories of social psychology to explain human behavior related to clothing. Major concepts examined include psychological factors such as personal characteristics, desire, and self-concept, as well as social factors such as sex, age, role, status, symbolic communication, and impression formation. 

This course introduces both qualitative and quantitative research methods in sociological research. It covers the basics, such as the purpose and significance of social research; the history of social research; research ethics, and how to review sociological literature. Students will also learn about research design, research planning, constructing hypotheses, making questionnaires, sampling, and conducting fieldwork. In the second half of the course, students will write a research proposal, conduct social research, and summarize their findings in a report. By learning the basics of qualitative and quantitative social research methods in this course, students will be able to choose research topics that align with their academic interests and conduct empirical research.

This course examines key ideas and concepts about the family, as well as looking at how issues like poverty and disability impact upon the family. This course will help students consider multiple perspectives on the family; engage in key debates about the family and its construction; and reflect on their own personal experiences and reactions to the family in all its forms in the broader structural contexts of Aotearoa/New Zealand society.

This course examines the ideas and approaches that scholars have used and developed to study Quebec, including some of the foremost issues that have shaped Quebec historically and continue to influence contemporary life. The changing notions about territory, identity, language, citizenship and belonging, the complexity and diversity of Quebec (11 Aboriginal nations, multilingual, multiethnic and religious communities, minority status within Canada) will also be explored from a comparative perspective to identify characteristics that Quebec shares with other nations and those that are different.

The Internship Program gives students hands-on experience with local, regional, or international organizations and businesses to place their work experience into the broader context of professional development and development in Jordan. Students are exposed to the complex developmental, social, political, and business fabric of Jordan and gain valuable work experience. The main part of the course is the practicum, which is monitored by the CIEE lecturer through office hours, check-ins, and follow up with the internship on-site supervisor. In addition, the class meets bi-weekly for guest lecturers, planned site visits, and discussions on topics related to development in Jordan and international careers to provide practical insight into donor/host organizations and their efforts to support Jordan.

This course explores the complexity of current international society and social inequalities through social indicators, demographic and environmental data, political and economic indicators, and life stories. It analyzes the social policies of Western countries, developing countries, and underdeveloped countries. This course discusses the main international and European programs and organizations fighting and preventing social inequality as well as Catalonia and Spain within the context of European and international social policy.

This course examines social change in Hong Kong since from the post-war period. The focus is on how industrialization, urbanization, globalization ,and modernity affect everyday lives, institutions, relationships ,and identities. The first two sections of the course will look at the mechanics of these changes and selected social problems associated with them: the transformation of community life, mental health, political, economic and gender inequalities. The final part will examine the implications of and responses to these problems; the rise of social movements for democracy, experiences of discrimination, the emergence of distinct Hong Kong cultural identities, the search for intimacy, and family life.

This course introduces the microsociology of small groups and subcultures and reviews the sociological theories and research methods used to understand them. It examines how small groups and subcultures structure social life, as well as how they form and change over time. The course discusses key social aspects of group and subcultures such as norms, social structures, leadership, conformity, power, inequality, conflict, and cooperation. It identifies the different social roles that exist in small groups and subcultures and considers how small groups and subcultures affect identity, deviance, emotions, and creativity. The course highlights the significance of small groups and subcultures for social life and individual biographies, and provides an understanding of the complex interplay between micro and macro forms of social interaction.