Social Science (SOCS-SHU)

The sociological perspective helps us to understand connections between self and society, order and conflict, and continuity and change. It reveals how social forces shape our own life and the lives of those around us, in ways that are often hidden or overlooked. This course will help you to develop your “sociological imagination” – understanding individual experiences in the broader context of social structures. The course will also provide an overview of and introduction to the field of sociology. You will learn what sociology is, how sociologists do their research, and the key theories and concepts that guide the discipline. We will explore a variety of different topics of interest to sociologists and lay persons, including inequality and social class, cities and communities, gender, family and marriage, education, migration and immigration, health, and social networks. Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: Social Science Foundational course.

In a world where interests and values often conflict, how should societies be governed? Which form of government is best? What rights and responsibilities ought to be assigned to individuals, families, and other fundamental institutions of society? What are legitimate and illegitimate uses of power? We consider these questions by examining foundational political theorists from different eras and their contemporary counterparts.

This course introduces urbanization in China in the context of the East Asian region and globalization. By examination of the development of selected cities and discussion of experimental urban themes, this course aims to depict prevalent patterns of urbanization at appropriate levels, such as neighborhood types, metropolitan areas, and regional urban agglomeration. We examine traditional forms of settlement and place more recent urban phenomena in a broader historical perspective. We explore relevant political traditions and forms of planning administration to reveal underlying social, economic, cultural and environmental circumstances at work, while learning tools and methods of spatial analysis that can be applied to the study of cities all over the world. Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: CORE SSPC; Social Science Foundational course or Urban Studies 200 level; Humanities 18-19 Critical Concepts; GCS The Politics, Economy, and Environment of China.

Topics examined include environmental history and concepts of nature and the environment; the rise of environmentalism; environmental skepticism; anthropogenic global change; population and consumption, ecological footprint analysis, and other environmental indicators; environmental justice; public goods and collective action problems; regulatory regimes; environmental politics; environmental values; environmental movements, protest, and disobedience; and the future of environmentalism. Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: CORE STS; Social Science Foundation course.

In this course we examine contemporary cultural, social, and political issues through the lens of socio-cultural anthropology, the study of human society and culture. We approach the discipline through a historical examination of how anthropologists have studied rituals and beliefs, family and kinship, sex and gender, systems of exchange, bodies and selves, race, nationalism, globalization, power and human agency. Students become familiar with ethnography, the study of cultural and social systems through long-term fieldwork and observation. In addition to introducing students to the history of anthropological thought, we study contemporary ethnographies that explore border-crossing and migration, media and digital social lives, infrastructure and state-making, and faith and development. Pre-requisite: None. Fulfillment: Social Science Foundational course.

This course serves as an introduction to the broad range of methodologies used to produce knowledge in the social sciences, including political science, economics, anthropology, psychology, and sociology. Students will learn how to effectively pose questions about social phenomena, how to design a research project, and how to identify and work with data. Readings also expose students to prominent examples of how both quantitative and qualitative methods are chosen and applied in the social sciences, to serve as a basis for students to choose methods in which they want to train further in their subsequent study. The focus of the lectures and discussions is thus on understanding the various methods and how they affect the design of a research project rather than actually applying them; the final project will require students to design a proposal for an independent research project of their choosing. Pre-requisite: None. Fulfillment: Social Science Methods; Data Science concentration in Social Science.

Public policy affects our lives in profound ways even when we are not aware of them. This course is designed to introduce students to the profession of public policy and policy analysis. It provides an introduction to public policy and policy analysis, why it is important, and how it involves a systematic approach for examining a variety of actors contribute to public policy choices. Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: Social Science Foundational Course.

Why do some nations succeed while others fail? What is the relationship between regime type and prosperity? Can "struggling" countries learn from more "successful" ones? How do we define the success and failure of nations in the first place? This course will address these and other questions about the relationship between the domestic politics of a country and the outcomes in the country that most humans care about -- wealth, happiness, stability, opportunity, and more. Students will learn tools for analyzing complicated issues like politics and prosperity through a social scientific lens. Students will master the fundamentals of the area of Comparative Politics through assignments, readings, exams, and hands-on analysis opportunities. Students will be challenged to leave their expectations and presumptions about "good" or "bad" regimes at the door, and come in, sleeves rolled up, ready to rigorously engage in the disciplined practice of Comparative Politics -- including questioning whether it even makes sense to "compare" "politics" at all. The course will prepare students for upper level coursework in Political Science as well as general life success. Prerequisites: None. Fulfillment: Social Science Foundational course; Data Science concentration in Political Science.

Life course is characterized by the embeddedness of human development featuring age-differentiated transitions in familial, institutional, societal, and historical contexts. This course introduces the modern literature on adolescent development and its contexts, as represented in journal articles, research reports, media coverage, public talks, etc. As explicitly a reading course, it focuses on ideas, facts, and findings derived from a wide range of disciplines, including biology, psychology, public health, sociology and anthropology. The course considers major theories and debates about adolescence, key aspects of adolescent life (physical development and cognition, personality and social cognition, psychological wellbeing, behavioral problems, and sexuality), and critical social contexts for adolescent development (family, schools, peer networks, social media, historical and societal settings). The course concludes with a discussion on the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: Social Science Core course.

What are the causes of war? Why are some countries able to cooperate over issues like trade or the environment, while others are not? What is the role of international organizations and alliances, such as the UN, NATO, and the EU in the international state system? This course will give students an introduction to thinking analytically and systematically about outcomes in the international system, will teach them the prevailing major theories about these issues, and will equip students to begin to formulate their own answers to these questions. Students will learn a set of formal tools to analyze complex world events, which will prepare them for upper level international relations and other social science courses, as well as to become comfortable applying social science methodologies and theories to better understanding the world around us. The class will use some basic math, including introductory game theory, and some background in inferring statistical results will be helpful, but is not required. Over the course of the semester students will be challenged to apply the models and theories from class to real world situations. Fulfillment: Social Science Foundation; GCS Politics, Economy and Environment of China; Data Science concentration in Social Science/Political Science. Pre-requisite: NONE.

This course provides an introduction to current challenges in global public health. The central concepts and tools will be introduced, and health policies and health systems will be analyzed in different environments. We will discuss the role of demographics, geography, and socio-economic factors like income, resources and infrastructures disparities. We will discuss in depth a few important case studies, such as the rise of life expectancy and the epidemiological transition, and aging and global health, underline the role of environmental factors in global health, and discuss the new trends of global health for the immediate future. Pre-requisite: None. Fulfillment: CORE STS; Social Science Foundational course.

This course serves as an introduction to qualitative research methods in social sciences. By the end of the semester students should be able to (1) digest and understand a broad range of research in social sciences, and (2) have a firm grasp of how to design their own qualitative research project in one of the assigned social scientific areas. The students will learn how to effectively pose research questions; how to choose research methods in relation to potential inquiries and materials; how to select and compare cases; how to analyze contents and discourses; how to appraise the methodological strengths and weaknesses in other researches; and finally, how to design their own research projects. Prerequiste: None. Fulfillment: Social Science Methods course.

This course invites students from diverse backgrounds and provides an accessible introduction to the burgeoning field of Computational Social Science (CSS). We aim to explore research design and data skills at the intersection of social sciences and digital innovations. This course emphasizes using big and rich social digital data to understand and explain societies and human behaviors. We introduce fundamental topics in CSS, including digital trace data collection, social network analysis, and text-as-data, using the R programming language. Besides discussing the new opportunities of CSS, this course also highlights critical topics, such as data ethics and data-driven bias. Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: Core AT; Social Science Foundational Course; Social Science Methods Course.

How do different forms of transportation influence society and urban development? How and why do these impacts differ across regions? How can we make the global movement of people easier and better? This course introduces students to themes, concepts, and methods of analysis in urban studies through the lens of transportation. Through interactive discussions of case studies drawn from a wide variety of places and modes of transit, we will explore how variation in transportation characteristics relates to issues of urban studies, politics, the economy, public health, the environment, business, and society. Students will learn about technological advancements in transportation and develop data interpretation and analysis skills. They will critically discuss relationships and engage in comparative analysis across the cases to better understand national and regional differences. Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: CORE STS; Social Science Urban Studies Focus 200 level course.

Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: Social Science Focus Sociology 200 level.

This course takes an interpretative look at the spatial conditions of our rapidly urbanizing world. It focuses on comparisons and contrasts between urban development patterns of global cities, such as New York City, Shanghai, Abu Dhabi, and Mumbai. By introducing multiple scales (neighborhood, city, and regional) of urban growth, the course seeks to foster an understanding of the socio-economic processes, physical planning and design practices, cultural influences, and policy interventions that influence urban design and planning. While introducing the basic analytic skills necessary for spatial interpretation, the course addresses the challenges and opportunities of future smart cities in the era of urban big data. Pre-requisite: None. SOCS-SHU 133 Urbanization in China is recommended but not required Fulfillment: Social Science Focus Self-Designed/Urban Studies 200 level.

How did cities emerge, why have they grown so dramatically, and what forces shape urban life today? This course traces the global history of urban development – from ancient settlements and imperial capitals to industrial cities and today’s megacities – to understand how political power, social inequality, migration, technology, and environmental pressures have shaped urban life across time. We explore how planners, governments, and everyday residents have built, contested, and transformed cities, and why urban challenges such as housing crises, climate risks, and spatial inequality emerge differently around the world. Through case studies spanning multiple continents, students gain a foundation in urban studies while critically analyzing the factors that have made cities central to human societies past and present.

When considering predictions by many scholars of apocalyptic scenarios, we are left asking: Has humanity escaped the pending environmental disasters? Numerous environmental problems—like global climate change, massive extinctions, increasing pollution—are still threatening the sustainability and prosperity of global societies. Will the new apocalyptic predictions become realities? Can we sustain the current pace of economic growth indefinitely? What can we do to survive and thrive? To equip students with the knowledge needed in answering those questions, this course offers a comprehensive survey of the key topics in environmental science, using a system science perspective. The system science perspective provides insights into why some environmental issues are nonlinear, surprising, and difficult to solve. Moreover, the system science perspective also unravels the hidden connections between various environmental topics including human population; global chemical cycles; ecosystems and biodiversity; energy flows in nature; agriculture and food systems; energy systems from fossil fuels to renewable forms; water resources; atmosphere and climate change; urban environments. Prerequisite: None. Environment and Society is (SOCS-SHU 135) recommended but not required Fulfillment: CORE STS; Social Science Focus Environmental Studies 200 level.

Every day, satellites capture images of our planet while algorithms organize billions of data points by location. From ride-hailing apps to climate monitoring, machines are constantly mapping human activity. But how do they actually work? This course integrates Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing to explore how spatial technologies perceive, analyze, and represent our world. We learn to manipulate location data, process satellite imagery using platforms like ArcGIS, QGIS, and Google Earth Engine, and apply machine learning to detect patterns invisible to the human eye, such as informal-economy hotspots, speculative land value shifts, hidden mobility flows. The course emphasizes hands-on skills applicable across disciplines: tracking disease clusters, measuring heat islands, estimating GDP from space. No prior spatial analytics experience required.

Maps have the power to shape how we see and understand the world. This course asks students to think critically about maps, spatial data, and the cartographic process. Students will engage in hands-on exercises to gain experience with map design and a variety of spatial analysis tools. Mapping is used in research across a wide range of social science disciplines, from political science to urban studies to environmental science. This course draws on interdisciplinary readings and examples to introduce students to the fundamentals of spatial analysis methods. Students will leave the course with an understanding of how spatial data can contribute to social science research in a variety of disciplines, how cartographic decisions impact outcomes, and how to produce maps and use other tools for spatial analysis. Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: Social Science Methods Course.

This course introduces students to the field of urban design and architecture in three steps. In the first step, we develop students’ understanding and appreciation of architectural design through the introduction of design principles, precedent studies, walking tours and architectural exhibitions. In the second step, we extend the knowledge to a city scale, in which students learn how the decision making processes of urban and architectural design can affect the outcomes of a city. In the third step, we apply the concepts and skills leant to design a pocket space , in which students work in groups to produce innovative schemes for a selected site (i.e. an urban block) in Shanghai. The goal of the course is to raise student’s awareness of urban issues, environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic viability into the creation of place identity. We also encourage students’ consciousness and take responsibility for the place (Shanghai) they live in by focusing on three aspects: understanding what you see, what to do, and what to communicate. These aspects will provide students with the basic ideas of the power of architectural design and urban planning. Prerequisite: None. SOCS-SHU 133 Urbanization in China is recommended but not required Fulfillment: Social Science Focus Urban Studies 200 level.

In the next three decades, urban populations will grow by more than 70 million in the United States, more than 210 million in China, and more than 2 billion in the world. This rapid pace of urbanization continues to create various environmental challenges in cities. Urban residents tend to consume more energy, animal products, and material goods. Urban land expansion leads to losses of valuable agricultural lands, natural habitats and results in more intensive heat waves and flooding. However, almost every urban environmental challenge also presents an opportunity. For example, to achieve the same living standard, urban residents may consume less energy, water, and land per capita compared to their high-income rural or suburban counterparts. The first half of this course will survey six aspects of environmental challenges in cities, including energy, heat, water, food, waste, and land. Through lectures, readings, writings, and discussions, students will understand the past, present, and future of these six challenges, and how they are interconnected with each other. In the second half of this course, students will revisit the six aspects with a more optimistic lens, to understand the possibilities in turning these environmental challenges into opportunities. Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: CORE STS; Social Science Focus Environmental Studies/Urban Studies 200 level.

Students gain familiarity with data description, variance and variability, significance tests, confidence bounds, and linear regression, among other topics. Students work on social science data sets, learn approaches to statistical prediction, and learn to interpret results from randomized experiments. Prerequisite: None Fulfillment: Social Science Methods course.

The United States and China have vastly different systems of property yet similar problems in controlling the use and possession of land. This course explores the constitutional and regulatory frameworks for dealing with land in the United States, China, and beyond. Starting with some foundational readings in the law, politics, and economics of property, the course explores selected topics in property law and land-use regulation in China and the United States, organized under four foundational categories of possession, use, finance, and compensation. The basic approach of the course is to match judicial decisions and other resolutions of actual property disputes with theoretical literature in economics and politics discussing the normative and positive aspects of the general issue at stake in the case. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or above. Fulfillment: Social Science Focus Political Science 200 level.

Our society is interconnected, spanning physical and digital spaces, making network science a substantive approach to comprehending social relationships. This course introduces social network analysis (SNA) as a method and its real-world applications. This course is designed with four main modules: we start with an overview of SNA history and related social theory, followed by an introduction to SNA data collection, key measures, and visualization, using the R programming language. Finally, we explore network formation and effects by learning the selection and influence (and diffusion) empirical models. The course materials are designed to engage students from diverse disciplinary backgrounds in social science. Prerequisite: SOCS-SHU 190 Introduction to Computational Social Science OR CSCI-SHU 101 Introduction to Computer and Data Science OR MATH-SHU 235 Probability and Statistics OR BUSF-SHU 101 Statistics for Business and Economics Fulfillment: Social Science Methods course or Sociology track 200 level focus course..

Remote sensing measures objects without direct contact. Data about the earth’s surface has been collected for decades and currently there are more than 4,500 active satellites in orbit. From tropical cyclones to pavement markings, satellite remote sensing can provide unprecedented details via a continuous stream of images. This course introduces fundamental concepts and principles of remote sensing, and its various applications in social science. Specifically, the course will cover basic physics of electromagnetic radiation, techniques of image interpretation, characteristics of different sensing systems (such as multispectral, thermal, microwave and lidar). We will use powerful web-based interactive tools from Google Earth Engine to access a multi-petabyte catalog of satellite imagery, and discuss real world applications. Upon completion, Students will understand how remote sensing technologies enable unparalleled awareness and decision making for the society. Fulfillment: Social Science Methods course.

This is an entry-level course for beginners to quantitative data analysis. With a deliberate “hands-on” orientation, this course focuses on practices of managing, presenting, analyzing, and interpreting data for social scientific research, many of which are not covered in regular statistics courses. A signature feature of the course lies in its close integration with two of the most widely used social surveys in China, namely CGSS and CFPS. This course also takes a comparative perspective on data analysis. Whereas nearly all lecture demonstrations will draw on data from the two Chinese surveys throughout the course, survey data from other parts of the world, in particular the United States, will be used for some of the in-class exercises. Prerequisite: Statistic for Business and Economics (BUSF-SHU 101) OR Statistics for Behavioral and Social Sciences (SOCS-SHU 210) OR Probability and Statistics (MATH-SHU 235) Fulfillment: Social Science Methods course.

What is the family? How does society and individuals affect family and vice versa? Are people born to become who they are? To what extent does your family determine your future? This course provides an introduction to the study of family. We will explore the meaning and social basis of family life, with particular attention to social stratification and inequality. Specific topics include education, gender, population, history, and culture. By making vivid the meaning of family, we will develop critical thinking and build a holistic understanding of its relationship with and influence on everyday life. Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: Social Science Focus Sociology 200 level.

This course is an introduction to law and its role in society in the US from a practical and a critical standpoint. In the first part of the course we engage in legal analysis and writing about cases in contracts, torts, criminal and constitutional law. This part of the course is an introduction to "how lawyers think" and how lawyers and judges write about legal issues. Students learn to "brief" and debate several cases each week. In the second part of the course we take a wider and more critical view of the civil litigation and criminal justice systems in practice. We look at instances where law has changed society and where society has changed the law, especially in the area of economic class and race and women's rights. We consider classic questions in the philosophy of law as well as contemporary radical critiques of the American legal system. We conclude the course with a moot court on a case currently before the US Supreme Court. Pre-requisite: None. Fulfillment: Social Science Focus Political Science 200 level.

This course introduces the concepts, frameworks, and tools used by political economists to study the relations, structures, and processes that constitute the international political-economic system. Course readings will reflect the interdisciplinarity that characterizes the field of IPE, which draws on theoretical and empirical resources from political science, economics, sociology, anthropology, and history to better understand and evaluate policies, institutions, opportunities, and challenges in the global political economy. Prerequisit: None. Fulfillment: Social Science Focus Political Science/Political Economy/International Relations 200 level course.

This course is a theory and skills-based course designed to introduce students to the tools of measuring and detecting discrimination in the market and non-market contexts. It is designed for all students in social sciences, humanities, economics, and allied fields. The focus is on the application of modern tools and race and ethnicity relations research to specific problems of market and non-market discrimination. Students will read, summarize and synthesize classic journal and recent articles on discrimination. They will work through several exercises designed to sharpen empirical skills related to analyzing discrimination. Grading is based on class participation, four problem sets, one individual analysis of assigned reading(s), and a Research Note. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above Fulfillment: Social Science Core (multidisciplinary) and Sociology 200 level focus course.

Where will you live in 2050? How will climate disasters reshape daily life? How much will you pay for electricity and insurance? Over the next 30 years, climate change will fundamentally transform the economic, social, and environmental landscape that you will navigate throughout your adult life. Your generation faces two alternative futures: one shaped by rapid decarbonization that reorganizes economies, assets, and where people live; and another shaped by escalating climate disruptions that threaten food security, livability, and stability. These changes will directly shape decisions you will make about careers, housing, mobility, health, and financial security throughout adulthood. How can we better understand and prepare for these futures? To make sense of these coming transformations, this course takes an interdisciplinary, future-oriented approach, examining how physical climate processes interact with social, political, economic systems to shape the world you will inherit in 2050.

Inequality has reemerged as a central concern in social science research and also in the contemporary world. Studies of social stratification and mobility seek to understand how patterns of inequality emerge and persist over time, and what the implications of inequality are for society, families and individuals. This course will introduce the basic concepts and theories in analyzing social and economic inequalities in the contemporary era. Readings on selected topics will be drawn from the studies on the US, China, and other countries as available. Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: Social Science Focus Sociology/Political Economy 200 level.

Brokers and intermediaries bring people together for material or symbolic rewards, often overcoming a lack of trust or information between strangers. Brokers have been viewed, over time, with endearment as well as with suspicion, more recently viewed as superfluous middle-men in a supposedly “friction-free” world. Despite several predictions about the end of brokers, they are still present and thriving in different forms and scales. How do we think of brokers in an increasingly (inter)networked, digitized, and automated world? We explore the role of brokers and intermediaries across a range of social, cultural, and political relations and institutions, including gender, media, political rule, public health, infrastructure, and religion. Course readings are drawn from various disciplines and fields, including anthropology, sociology, political science, economics, and history, and we consider how inter-disciplinary discussions and debates have approached the concept of mediation over time. Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: Social Science New Challenges core course; Humanities Advanced (18-19: Topic) course.

The ideological clash between capitalist and communist regimes shaped much of the politics of the 20th century, and continues to frame the discourse of world politics with the rise of China as a global power. In this course, we study the varieties of capitalism, socialism, and communism envisioned by theorists and put into practice by nations. We examine the economic and political aspects of these regime types in their imagined and existing forms to develop a taxonomy with which to classify and evaluate contemporary regimes. Course case studies include the U.S., Sweden, and China, and students complete a case study of another regime as a final project. PREREQ FOR SOCS-SHU 229 is Sophomore standing or above required. Fulfillment: Humanities Interdisciplinary course (18-19: Topic); Social Science Core Classic Problems in Social Science/Focus Political Economy/Political Science 200 level.

How does the application of international law by international institutions, and through treaties among states, contribute to the peace and well being of the peoples of the world? What are the sources of international law? Who says what international law is, and who may compel obedience? What areas of human life does international law address? What are the legal, political and moral foundations of international institutions such as the United Nations and the UN Security Council, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court? In this course we examine core concepts in international law and crucial players in its formation and enforcement, and consider compelling critiques of its moral force and efficacy, focusing throughout the course on several international crises in recent history, to better understand these questions. Prereq: None Fulfillment: Social Science Focus International Relations/Political Science 200 level.

The family, one of the key social units, has changed significantly over time around the globe. While traditional Chinese families were governed by Confucian ethics, Chinese families in the 20th century have also been shaped by state policies, modernization, and globalization. This course introduces students to family values and practices around marriage, reproduction, parenting, and intergenerational care in Chinese societies, especially in their modern history. It also contextualizes family values and practices and their transitions within broader demographic, social, and cultural changes in the Chinese and international settings. In this course, students engage with historical and modern cultural artifacts as well as scholarly work on Chinese families, and reflect on their own experiences with, observations of, and beliefs about Chinese families. In this way, students develop a nuanced way of understanding and analyzing family-related issues in the Chinese and global contexts. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above. Fulfillment: CORE SSPC or IPC; Social Science Classic Problems core; GCS Chinese History, Society and Culture.

The fast-developing relationship between China and Europe has become one of the most important in international affairs. While most geopolitical analyzes focus on great power politics such as US-China relations, the complexity of Sino-European interactions are central to this course.This course explores the intricate and evolving interactions between China and Europe, particularly within the context of contemporary global challenges. Starting with historical perspectives, the course delves into the development of Sino-European relations, examining policy decisions, trade dynamics, investment trends, human rights issues, migration patterns, and diplomatic engagements. By analyzing these dimensions, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how China and Europe perceive and influence each other in the global arena. Prerequisite: None Fulfillment: Core IPC; Social Science International Relations track and Political Science track focus course 200 level.

This is an entry-level course that introduces key principles and practices of population-based probability sampling survey. Preferably, students should have already taken an introductory course in Social Science and/or a methods course before taking this one. The topics can be organized into four sections. The first section elaborates the logic of survey by explaining key concepts and practices of survey design. The second section deals with practical issues involved in the operation of survey, including questionnaire design, measurement, field administration, and modes of interviewing. The third section discusses how to manage survey data. Lastly, the course concludes with a brief overview of statistical analysis of survey data. This course will bring relevant concepts, principles, and practices “to life” by demonstrating a variety of widely-used social surveys as examples. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above. Fulfillment: Social Science Methods course.

This dynamic course invites students to delve into the critical role of China within the international political economy as it rises to become a global economic leader. Through a comprehensive examination of China's unique economic model of state-led capitalism and its strategic maneuvers in a globally connected arena, students will engage with pivotal questions regarding China's ascent, the differentiation of its economic practices from other models, and its diplomatic strategies on the world stage. By analyzing China's influence on international organizations, its foreign aid strategies, and its impact on global trade, finance, and investment, participants will gain deep insights into the complex interplay of economic and political forces shaping our world. Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: Social Science International Relations track and Political Science track focus course 200 level.

In this course we will travel around the world, meeting people who have very different ideas about who is mentally ill, what is wrong with them, and how to help them. We will also examine one particular, Euro-American psychological culture that is being spread worldwide by pharmaceutical companies, humanitarian interventions, and mass media. We will begin by observing how contemporary psychologists diagnose and treat mental illness. Then we will read memoirs and ethnographic studies, seeing how people interpret psychological distress. Examining clinical trials, we will investigate how scientific knowledge is shaped by social and cultural forces including capitalism, inequality, and individualistic values. Finally, we will encounter new ideas about mental health emerging from social justice movements that integrate diverse perspectives on the mind. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above Fulfillment: Core STS; Social Science Anthropology and Global Health tracks 200 level focus course.

While ethnography––literally “to write” (grapho) “people” (ethnos)––has become synonymous with anthropology, it signifies a range of research methodologies widely used within the social sciences. The course considers discussions and debates about ethnographic research, ethics, and representation within the social sciences and beyond. The readings survey ethnographic theory and practice through a number of conceptual and methodological domains, including the problems they raise. Course topics are: objectivity, critiques of representation, participant-observation, cultural relativism, ethno-history, archives, conflict, interpretation and discourse analysis, verifiability, and life histories. Pre-requisites: None. Fulfillment: Social Science Core Classic Problems in Social Science; Humanities Introductory course (18-19: Topic).

The concept of the digital smart city has gained significant attention in the field of computational urban science due to its global impact. This course explores essential research questions, including: (1) What are the key metrics necessary to promote the digital transformation of future cities? (2) What role do digital algorithms play in constructing urban digitalization platforms that support the sustainable operation of cities? The course begins by reviewing the theoretical frameworks of low-carbon smart city development and examining current trends in urban digitalization. Following this, it delves into computational methods in urban science, with a focus on urban computation and city digital algorithms, organized into three key areas: (1) Fundamentals: The foundational concepts and principles of computational urban science. (2) Urban Scenes: Analytical methods for understanding and modeling specific urban contexts. (3) City Index: Development of composite indices to evaluate urban performance and vitality. Key analytical factors include data integration, spatial modeling, urban systems simulation, algorithmic decision-making, urban digital twins, urban climate modeling, and the development of predictive indices. By examining supporting algorithms, analyzing application scenarios in diverse societal contexts, and selecting appropriate computational techniques, this course integrates a city vital sign system and urban climate communities. These systems are designed to diagnose urban transformation and address emerging challenges in urban policy-making, thereby equipping students with the knowledge to navigate the complexities of future cities.

Why is it so difficult to eliminate some of the greatest causes of human suffering—war, state-failure, poverty, and tyranny? This course examines moral and practical controversies over how we ought to respond to these problems. We will focus in particular on whether, and if so how, the international community is justified in intervening in poor and violent parts of the world. By the end of the course students will be better at analyzing and discerning the plausibility of policy proposals and ideas. Prerequisite: None. Equivalent to CORES-AD-78 Fulfillment: Social Science Core New Challenges in Social Science

Why is it so difficult to eliminate some of the greatest causes of human suffering—war, state-failure, poverty, and tyranny? This course examines moral and practical controversies over how we ought to respond to these problems. We will focus in particular on whether, and if so how, the international community is justified in intervening in poor and violent parts of the world. By the end of the course students will be better at analyzing and discerning the plausibility of policy proposals and ideas. Along the way we will learn much about China’s growing role in leading and shaping global governance. Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: Social Science Focus Political Science or International Relations 200 level; Humanities Interdisciplinary course.

What’s nature? What’s our relationship to it? In this course, we examine various answers to these questions from past generations of social thinkers. We survey a range of texts from different parts of the world, written under different historical circumstances. We consider the ideas on these pages in their respective social and political contexts. Whereas some of the ideas are long gone with time, others become sediments of time – continuing to shape, and be shaped by, our thoughts and deeds. In fact, many of these ideas still inform and inspire empirical research and theoretical debates in the social sciences. As an introduction to environmental social theory, this course provides a selective overview of (1) the intellectual lineage of “nature” in different social scientific traditions, and (2) the ongoing empirical investigations into our relationship with nature in the Anthropocene. Prerequisites: Successful completion of GPS. Fulfillment: Social Science Core Classic Problems in Social Science; Social Science Focus Environmental Studies 200 level.

China’s economic rise and shifting politics are shaping the world today, but how do these rapid changes affect daily life for the country’s 1.4 billion people? In this class we focus on diverse daily experiences of work, family, gender and sexuality, poverty and wealth, ethnic difference, religion, political engagement, illness and wellness, and environment for people in contemporary China. We examine these topics through ethnography – cultural analysis based on close observation and interaction, presented in writing and film. We examine how Chinese reformers and revolutionaries aspired to change Chinese culture in the Republican Period and Mao years, as well as how foreign and native scholars have grappled with the overwhelming changes in everyday life since Reform and Opening Up. Students in this class develop an understanding of what cultural change means to Chinese people today. Prerequisite: None. SOCS-SHU 136 recommended but not required Fulfillment: CORE SSPC/HPC/IPC; Social Science Focus Anthropology 200 level; GCS Chinese History, Society, and Culture; Humanities Advanced Course (18-19: Topic).

People have looked to a variety of “authorities” for verifiable, believable information around which they could build a worldview. In the 21st century those old sources of authority are in crisis, as the public simply refuses to believe what individuals and institutions assert to be true. Growing skepticism has eroded institutional authority, culminating in what’s been widely called “Post-Truth politics.” This course will examine the development of an intensely suspicious polity at the very time when more information, from more sources, than ever available in human history has changed the very act of “knowing.” This has created a perilous landscape for journalists, policy-makers, and citizens. We will examine what the public believes, why it believes, the increasingly tribal nature of “knowing” in the 21st century, and what this means going forward. Prerequisite: None. Sophomore standing is recommended but not required. Fulfillment: Social Science Focus Political Science and International Relations 300 level (only for Fall 2022).

This course is centered on current and future challenges pertaining to Global Public Health. We will focus on relevant topics within the areas of Environmental and Planetary Health, Migrants and Minorities Health, and Population Ageing and Healthcare Systems. Some topics covered during Introduction to Global Health will be revisited more in depth. This course encourages students to develop a deeper understanding of the factors that influence these topics, critical thinking of current health programs, and original approaches to address them.

Digital technology is reshaping modern healthcare by improving accessibility, efficiency, and quality of care through innovations such as artificial intelligence, telemedicine, and wearable devices. Yet challenges remain in ethical design, rigorous evaluation, and long-term implementation. In this course, students will learn about this rapidly changing and emerging field through case studies, hands-on workshops, themed lectures, a field trip and a fictional hackathon, applying key concepts learned in the course to develop a digital prototype addressing a real-world health problem.

This course offers an introduction to population study from a sociological perspective. It covers classic topics of fertility, mortality, and migration, and more contemporary extensions into the fields of population aging, gender inequality, marriage and families, and sustainable development. It also provides an overview of the data sources and basic methods commonly used in demographic research, including life tables and the calculation of life expectancy, fertility, and mortality rates. This course explores population issues in Chinese society and examines Chinese demographics in a global perspective. It aims to help students to understand the roots of population structures, processes, and consequences for individuals, families, and societies at the local, national, and global levels. Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: GCS elective Chinese History, Society, and Culture; Social Science Focus Sociology 200 level.

This course surveys post-1949 Chinese society, focusing on socioeconomic changes since 1978. It draws from scholarly work on China in sociology, economics, and political science. It explores the basic institutional make-up of Chinese society, the structural changes brought forth in the economic reform era, and how these institutions configure social life in contemporary China. Attention is paid to both changes from and continuities with the pre-reform past. After taking this course, students will be equipped with background information necessary to understand China’s complex economic, political, and social phenomena, and the impact of reform on social structures/institutions, individuals’ life chances, and social relations in contemporary China. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above required. Fulfillment: CORE SSPC or IPC; Social Science Core New Challenges in Social Science.

This course covers some basic political concepts and legal doctrines lying at the foundation the United States’ Constitution, with the goal of assessing whether and to what extent these concepts and doctrines are relevant to China. The basic American concepts include the ideas of popular sovereignty and inalienable individual rights (in particular, freedom of speech), federalism, and separation of powers. The basic doctrines include judicial review to enforce the Constitution against “political” actors; Executive powers to act in the absence of, and interpret, legislation; Limits on the legislature’s power to enforce legislation; and the duty of subnational officials to extend the equal protection of the laws to all citizens, regardless of race or geographic origin. In addition to examining these ideas using American sources, we will also apply them to present-day controversies in China, examining whether these American ideas might improve governance by Chinese officials or inform the interpretation of the Chinese Constitution. Students will be divided into two teams, one team supporting and the other team opposing the use in Chinese law and politics of some version of an American constitutional concept or doctrine. The teams will hold oral arguments, and each team member will submit four briefs of roughly 1,250 words each, attacking or defending four American positions arguing their team's positions on topics ranging from the powers of the Supreme People’s Court to engage in judicial review to the powers of the Chinese executive to detain citizens without judicial process. Underlying both the discussion of American law and its application to Chinese controversies is a broader question: How is it possible for any law -- mere words on a piece of paper -- practically to control the actions of very powerful political actors like members of Congress, state legislatures, governors, Presidents, and judges? Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: CORE SSPC (before Fall 20); Humanities Interdisciplinary course (18-19: Topic); Social Science Focus Political Science 200 level.

This course examines the complexities of the bilateral relationship between the People’s Republic of China (China) and the United States (US), focusing on their historical rapport, major debates, and current relations. Topics include Sino-US economic relations, media reporting, variation in political systems, global politics, climate/energy issues, military affairs, and contested territories. Prerequisite: None. SOCS-SHU 160 is recommended, but not required. Fulfillment: Core SSPC or IPC; GCS China and the World/The Politics, Economy, and Environment of China; SS Focus International Relations/Political Science 200 level; HUMN 18-19 Topic.

This course combines historical narratives/documents, on-site observations, and statistical analyses to bring a specific set of Chinese cities (Shanghai and Hong Kong) to the fore of sociological analyses. Students are guided to read literatures in social science disciplines (primarily from sociology) on globalization, population and migration/immigration, inequalities/poverty, class, gender and family, neighborhood and housing, and urban social life and culture, to develop comparative and analytical frameworks to account for the similarities and differences between the two Chinese cities and beyond, and to gain contextual and deep understanding of social changes in China from the perspective of cities. After taking this course, students will be equipped with the historical background, comparative perspectives, and analytical skills to analyze complex issues in urban transformation and its impact on human life in the two cities. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above. Fulfillment: Core SSPC/IPC; Social Science focus Sociology or Urban Studies 200 level.

This course aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of major population issues in contemporary Asia, including changing trends in family formation, gender inequality, and population aging. Students will learn about the socioeconomic and cultural factors that have shaped population dynamics in Asia and the implications of these changes. The course introduces major theoretical concepts and empirical research on population issues, with an emphasis on their relationship to social inequalities. Although the course also covers other Asian countries, it primarily focuses on East Asian countries. Students are expected to learn about core population issues in Asia and become familiar with social science research methods. Additionally, the course aims to help students develop critical thinking skills to evaluate and assess empirical research and evidence. Students are expected to complete all assigned readings before each class. Prerequisite: Sophomore Standing or above Fulfillment: Social Science Focus Sociology 200 level.

Why are some neighborhoods flood zones while others stay dry? Why do certain communities live beside factories while others enjoy parks? This course teaches how to read landscapes—understanding how physical systems (atmosphere, water, soil, ecosystems) shape what's possible in a place, and how human decisions about agriculture, industry, technology, and cities reshape those systems in return. We then examine something rarely taught: how different philosophical frameworks lead to radically different conclusions about the same place. Throughout the semester, we build a multi-media "story map" of a site, combining spatial analysis with visual narrative.

This course introduces you to various topics in the study of language and politics. We will explore three major themes: identity formation, communication, and development. First, we will examine the identity-defining roles of languages in the process of nation building, drawing on experiences from the modern Europe, post-colonial countries, former Soviet Union countries, and contemporary China. Second, we will examine how language rationalization contributes to state building by facilitating state-society communication. Finally, we will explore how language regimes affect economic outcomes from both macro and micro perspectives. This is a seminar-style course. You must complete all readings in advance of class meetings and participate actively in class discussions. Prerequisite: SOCS-SHU 150 Introduction to Comparative Politics OR SOCS-SHU 160 Introduction to International Politics Fulfillment: Social Science Core course and Political Science 200 level focus course.

In an increasingly globalized world, the prevention and control of infectious diseases is becoming exceptionally complex. Emerging social, political and demographic changes in our population as well as dynamic changes in animal and vector populations and the environment have developed the prevention and control of infectious diseases into a multifaceted issue leading to new global challenges. Particularly concerning are new and re-emerging infectious diseases of pandemic potential (e.g., COVID-19) or of regional critical importance (e.g., Ebola). In this course, we will discuss and analyze the impact of infectious diseases from a geopolitical, economic, social, and environmental perspective, including governance preparedness, pandemic response, and policies in a post-COVID 19 world. Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: Social Science Global Public Health Focus 200 level course.

The invention of airplanes revolutionized the way the world is connected. In less than a century, an entirely new system of infrastructure and new patterns of movement emerged. What impacts does this have on society? On city development? On the environment? On health? On politics? On economics and business? What are the challenges we're facing today in each of these areas, and how can we address them? We'll learn about topics such as the rise of aviation, the industry's economic and business structure, its relationship to urban development, infrastructure and transportation planning, political debates, spatial relationships in cities, technological advancements in aviation, climate impacts and sustainability challenges. The course is interdisciplinary and appropriate for students from a range of backgrounds. Prerequisite: Sophomore status. Fulfillment: Social Science Focus Urban Studies 300 level.

The course introduces students to the complex problems of epidemics and considers various efforts to define and address these problems. Shifts in social, economic, political, and demographic factors in our population as well as dynamic changes in animal and vector populations and the environment greatly contribute to the emergence and re- emergence of infectious diseases. The course is designed to offer students an engaging discussion and analysis of the actors, institutions, and factors at play in addressing epidemics, as well as the impact of epidemics through an array of perspectives and research practices. By exploring the cultural, economic, environmental, social, political, and epidemiological factors that shape patterns of disease and disorder across the world, the course allows students to analyze the systems and methods for prevention and control of epidemics from a multifaceted and intersectoral approach in a post-COVID-19 world.

Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: General Elective.

This course provides an overview of the models, concepts, and skills used for the planning development, and evaluation of health programs and policies based on population health needs. Using a hands-on approach, this course will follow the program planning framework for evidence-based public health programs in a global setting. Students will learn the process of planning of public health intervention, developing programs to meet health needs, and evaluate the effectiveness of these public health interventions. Additionally, students will learn and practice how to conduct needs assessments, develop logic models for planning programs based on community needs, identify goals and objectives that can serve as a foundation for program evaluation, and recognize models and procedures for evaluating community health programs.

In this course, we will explore how anthropologists study health and well-being by attending to connections with politics across varying scales—social, institutional, and governmental. Using ethnographies and public health research, we will examine the ideologies and priorities that form national and transnational health programs; how these forces shape and sometimes produce unintended effects on local delivery of care, with in-depth case studies from Sub-Saharan contexts; how the allocation of care and services can play out unequally, organized by colonial, structural, racial, and ethno-religious lines. Some of the topics we will cover include structural inequality, global health, therapy, politics of health, pandemics, health systems, care, risk, and pandemics. Prerequisite: One Social Science Foundational or Introductory Course Fulfillment: Social Science Focus Anthropology, Global Public Health, and Political Science Track 300 level course.

This course is a practicum-based seminar in methods of ethnographic fieldwork and anthropological inquiry and writing. The course explores the conceptual and critical basis of ethnography through fieldwork assignments and readings. The approach of the course is both experiential and experimental––how do we build theories about the world and our place in it? How does anthropology secure evidence and meaning in ways that are empirical, comparative, and deeply theoretical? The course offers students the opportunity for creative and rigorous training in ethnographic methods as well as a chance to produce a piece of ethnographic work. Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: Social Science Methods; Humanities 18-19 Topics; Data Science concentration in Social Science.

This seminar examines the causes and consequences of poverty and rising inequality around the globe. Students will study the ways in which poverty and inequality are shaped by multifaceted contexts; understand the theories underlying strategies and programs which address key poverty and inequality issues faced by many developed, developing and least developed countries; and learn about different countries' experiences addressing their own poverty and inequality issues. Students should be prepared to tackle advanced social science readings, analysis, and writing. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above. Fulfillment: Social Science Focus Political Economy/Sociology 300 level.

This course examines how digital technologies shape, and are shaped by, sexuality in global contexts. We will begin with foundational texts in sexuality studies and seek understanding of the construction and mutability of sexuality to foreground our discussions. In this seminar, we will focus on investigating and analyzing how emerging digital technologies, such as social media, dating apps, and VR, mediate and transform sexual practices and identities during the past two decades. We will cover a wide range of topics, including self, body and embodiment, mediated intimacy, spatiality, networking and dating, sexual labor, queer/trans identities, and video games. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above. Fulfillment: CORE STS; Social Science Focus Anthropology 300 level.

As environmental crises intensify across the planet, and with more than half of humanity living in cities – perhaps two out of three by 2050 – the city is perhaps the key site where future ecological understanding and intervention is needed. However, as there is no such thing as an “apolitical” ecology, the task of considering the city ecologically presents a challenge. Knowledge about the nonhuman, biophysical world must be integrated with human social relations and the political processes that generate uneven and unjust urban landscapes. Our goal in the course is to take up this challenge, to develop a theoretically-informed understanding about cities, ecology, and power, and to apply this thinking in the development of a research project. Prerequisite: SOCS-SHU 135 Environment and Society or SOCS-SHU 133 Urbanization in China Fulfillment: Social Science Focus Environmental Studies, Political Science or Urban Studies 300 level.

This course examines the complexities of politics within China, focusing on the decline of dynastic China and the contemporary challenges of re-creating political order. Topics include rise of the Communist Party, political organization and policy in the People’s Republic, role of ideology, foreign relations, the politics of modernization, and China’s increasing integration into the world economy. This course is designed to introduce students to the political institutions and processes as well as major events in Chinese politics. In addition, students will be asked to develop a significant, writing-intensive research paper over the semester. Based on previous analytical frameworks from the study of political science, the course considers historical and current dynamics such as the changing roles of political institutions (government, bureaucracy, parliament and legal systems), party dynamics, politics of economic reforms, democratization and Chinese foreign affairs. Prerequisites: SOCS-SHU 150 OR 160 Fulfillment: CORE SSPC or IPC; Social Science Focus Political Science 300 level.

Utilizing research from multiple fields including psychology, anthropology, sociology, medicine, public health and epidemiology, students will explore 1) approaches to the treatment and prevention of mental ill health and behavioral disorders, 2) the role of culture in mental illness, 3) epidemiological approaches to study and measure the prevalence and incidence of mental ill health, 4) trends in the field (e.g., implementation science), and 5) mental health among key populations (migrants). Readings in the course will focus on peer-reviewed research literature. A particular emphasis will be placed on research and case examples from Asian country contexts, so the course will have particular local and regional relevance. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing AND SOCS-SHU 170 Introduction to Global Health or PSYC-SHU 101 Introduction to Psychology Fulfillment: CORE STS; Social Science Focus Global Health or Psychology 300 level.

This course examines the ethics, law, politics, and policy of global environmental issues. It provides a broad overview of the key concepts, debates, actors, and issues in global environmental politics. The course reviews the development of global environmental regimes in areas ranging from climate change to waste management. It equips students with conceptual depth and empirical breadth to critically examine the state of the global environment. Prerequisites: None. It is recommended, but not required, that students take SOCS-SHU 135 Environment and Society prior to enrolling in this course. Fulfillment: CORE STS; Social Science Focus Environmental Studies or International Relations 300 level.

The course provides an overview of research in legal psychology and how it can be used to improve criminal investigations, legal processes, and judicial decision-making. For example, we consider factors that negatively affect the reliability of witness statements and what can be done to improve them, issues related to child witnesses and criminal investigations involving children, and criminal profiling and dangerousness assessment of offenders. The course adopts an interdisciplinary approach, examining the influence of organizational, societal and cultural factors on legal practices and procedures. The course ends with a mock trial, based on materials created from real criminal cases, in which students adopt the role of either a psychological expert or a lawyer. Pre-requisite: PSYC-SHU 101 Intro to Psychology: Score of 5 or IB Psychology HL (Higher Level): Score of 7 or A Level Psychology: Score of A OR SOCS-SHU 220 Law and Society in the US. Fulfillment: CORE STS; Social Science Core New Challenges in Social Science or Focus Psychology 300 level; Data Science Concentration in Psychology.

Why do some countries experience revolution? What differentiates a revolution from a civil war, military coup, or foreign invasion? Importantly, how do various factors or variables come together to create revolution and can these constitute a generalizable theory of the emergence of revolution? This course is based on the study of revolutions in the modern context. Also, the course will hone your skills in social science writing, in qualitative comparative methods, and in theory building. We will define revolution and examine competing theories about its causes, outcomes, and processes. While examining the cases of France, Russia, and China, we will be particularly concerned about explaining why revolution occurs. We will then consider how more contemporary cases challenge or support those theories, focusing on the case of Iran and expanding the study to other cases while considering examples that might not fit our definition of revolution. As states face tumultuous change, the study of social movements and revolutions becomes particularly salient for both comparative politics and international affairs. Prerequisite: SOCS-SHU 160 or SOCS-SHU 150. Fulfillment: Social Science Focus Political Science 300 level.

The relationship across the Taiwan Strait has been a source of tension in East Asia for decades, not only between Taiwan and mainland China, but also as a potential flashpoint in the relationship between China and the United States. Furthermore, Taiwan’s geostrategic position and territorial claims make it of interest to other states in the region. This course aims to introduce students to the complex sources of these tensions and the dynamics of these relationships, all of which are rooted in the two sides' closely linked histories. Students in this course develop a strong grasp of the dynamics of the cross-Strait relationship, including the role of the U.S., while honing their critical thinking and analytical skills through focused discussions of the readings and an independent final paper project. Pre-requisites: SOCS-SHU 150 Introduction to Comparative Politics or SOCS-SHU 160 Introduction to International Politics or GCHN-SHU 110 The Concept of China. Fulfillment: CORE SSPC or IPC; GCS China and the World; Social Science Focus Courses International Relations/Political Science - 300 level; Humanities 18-19 Topic Courses.

Examples of complex organizations include hospitals, schools, places of employment, the government, the military, churches, and prisons. Where do those organizations come from? What accounts for organizational success and failure? How can we make organizations better for individuals and society? This course examines different types of organizations, organizational goals and outcomes, institutional authority and structure, organizational change, and organizational fields. Most importantly, the goal of this course is to expand your knowledge and understanding of the relationships between organizations and society. You will learn to develop a critical lens and an analytical framework that can apply to understand specific complex organizations. This course will help you to think about how you might better survive and thrive in our organizational world! Prerequisite: Sophomore Standing. Fulfillment: Social Science core or Sociology focus 300 level.

This is a hands-on course in conducting empirical research in behavioral and social sciences with a focus on quantitative methods. The course consists of two major components: First, students work in teams to address a research question provided by the instructor. The teams then plan a small-scale research project, collect empirical data, analyse the data and present the results in a Poster Session. Research projects can involve an experiment, a survey, an observational study or content analysis of empirical materials. The use of the internet as a data collection venue and source of raw materials to analyse is especially encouraged. Second, students write an individual research plan on a topic of their choosing. In some cases, the research plan can be further developed into a Capstone project. The teams are encouraged to make frequent use of instructor office hours for individual consultations. Pre-requisites: Sophomore standing or above required. PSYC-SHU 101 recommended but not required. Fulfillment: Social Science Methods course; Data Science concentration in Psychology.

The course uses primary materials including trial transcripts, secondary scholarship in sociology, psychology and politics, and imaginative literature and film, to engage with ten notable legal trials. These include the trials of Socrates, Jesus, Joan of Arc, Galileo, the Salem Witches, Alfred Dreyfus and Oscar Wilde, and the Scopes “Monkey” Trial, the Moscow “Show” Trials, the Nuremberg Trials and the Central Park Five. Students will consider questions raised in these cases of truth and evidence, fair process and prejudice, authority and power, and justice and injustice, and the implications for contemporary society. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above. Fulfillment: Social Science Core/Focus Political Science 300 level.

The course teaches students how to participate in an urban design project in three steps. First is the introduction of design principles and precedent study phase. Students are expected to learn the basic concept of urban design and study existing urban design projects. Second is the design exercise phase. Students are required to sketch out design concepts and or use innovative ways to communicate their design concepts mapping geometry and urban space. They will present their design projects to design critics during the mid-term review. Third is the pocket space design phase. Students are required to further develop their design project at an architectural scale, for example, choose a pocket space or an urban block. The aim is to train students with the basic skill sets to participate in design competition, find design related summer internship, and apply for design and planning programs for graduate schools. Students are encouraged to learn the basic software such as Rhino or Sketch up but not required. Students are required to perform due diligent and spatial analysis of the site, in person or virtual. Pre-requisite/Co-requisite: SOCS-SHU 133 Urbanization in China. SOCS-SHU 201 Planning Global Cities is recommended but not required. Fulfillment: Social Science Focus Self-Designed/Urban Studies 300 level; IMA/IMB elective.

Are cities sites of individual opportunity and rich communal life, or sources of individual pathology and community decline? What social, economic, and political factors promote one outcome or the other? How do different groups fare in the urban context, and why? This course approaches the city from a social scientific perspective. It offers an introduction to sociological theories on the city and empirical strategies for studying the city. Students will participate in a group research project on Shanghai as part of the course requirement. A previous course in Social Science methodology or equivalent preparation is required. Prerequisite: Sophomore Standing or above. Fulfillment: Social Science Focus Sociology/Self-Designed-Urban Studies 300 level.

This course aims to challenge and expand what you believe and know about the relationships between education and society. First, we will explore different theoretical approaches to understanding the educational system. We will examine the macro-level relationship between educational systems and aggregate social and economic development across different national contexts. Second, we will discuss the micro-level dynamics of student outcomes in relation to social background factors with a particular focus on the issues of social class, gender, and race/ethnicity. Finally, our investigation will touch upon recent heated debates over other related topics, including school choice, intensive parenting, and school reforms. Prerequisite: Introduction to Sociology or any other intro courses from Social Science ((Intro to Psych, Intro to Comparative Politics, Intro International Politics, Intro to Global Health, Intro to Political Theory, Urbanization in China, Human Society and Culture, Environment & Society). Fulfillment: Social Science focus course in the Sociology track (300 level).

This seminar examines China’s foreign policy from the end of the imperial era in the late 19th century, through the Republican period, and into the contemporary People’s Republic. It aims to introduce students to broad theoretical perspectives on foreign policy from international relations scholarship, while also interrogating how well China's historical foreign policy behavior fits those general theories. Students in this course will engage with a number of questions about China in international affairs. For example, how important are local officials in China's foreign policy decision-making processes? Is China really a uniquely peaceful nation as its leaders often claim, or do existing theories sufficiently explain China's historical use of military force? What is different about the rise of China to great power status compared to the rise of other great powers? Should there be a "Chinese theory of international relations" Students in this course will examine these and other questions about China's place in the world while developing an independent final paper project focused on analyzing the course readings. Prerequisite: SOCS-SHU 160 Introduction to International Politics or GCHN-SHU 252 20th-Century East Asia-U.S. Relations. Fulfillment: CORE SSPC or IPC; Social Science Focus International Relations/Political Science 300 level; GCS China and the World/The Politics, Economy, and Environment of China.

How are health and illness shaped by society? What does it mean to be sick or cured? Who enjoys better health, and how does this reflect and reinforce social inequality? When do new technologies become part of treatment? This course provides an introduction to health from a sociological perspective. Students will learn how to use their sociological imagination to understand how health—a seemingly individual issue—is actually a social issue that reflects a larger social context. Course topics include medicalization, social construction of disease, health disparities, physician authority, health care, and medical ethics. This course draws a critical relationship between sociological theories and the empirical world. We will unpack health inequalities along the lines of class, race, gender, age, and geography. We will also discuss how agents can combat these inequalities through the medical and social systems. Prerequisite: Sophomore Standing or above. Fulfillment: Social Science Focus Sociology 300 level.

“Women hold up half the sky,” as Mao famously said, but in almost every known society women have been subordinate to men and continue to suffer inequalities of power, resources, and recognition. In this course we survey feminist methods of social inquiry and analysis that offer explanations of why and suggest pathways to a more gender egalitarian future. Readings include classic and contemporary works of feminist theory and research in anthropology, economics, political science, psychology, sociology, law, philosophy, and urban studies. Students complete a literature review related to the course themes on a topic of their choosing. Prerequisite: Sophomore Standing. Fulfillment: Social Science Core Course Classic Problems and Political Science Focus 300 level course.

This course provides a survey of some key issues in the international relations of the Asia- Pacific. The course is designed to provide an introduction to relevant theories, adequate historical background to operate in the region, as well as an understanding of current policy issues, such as the balance of power in the region, trade and economic integration, strategies of key states, alliance relationships, venues for regional cooperation, territorial disputes, and power competition between China and the United States. Prerequisite: SOCS-SHU 160 Introduction to International Politics Fulfillment: Social Science Focus International Relations or Political Science 300 level.

Children, as a special and vulnerable population, can become victims, witnesses, and/or perpetrators of alleged crimes. Integrating child development research with psychology and law, this course concentrates on the scientific study of children’s interaction with the legal system. The main goal is to provide students with an understanding of relevant theories, empirical findings, research methodology, and legal implications. Students will learn about developmental psychology research and how it can be used to understand and improve children’s experiences when they come into contact with the legal system. Prerequisite: PSYC-SHU 101 Introduction to Psychology Fulfillment: Social Science Focus Psychology 300 level.

This research seminar combines a brief introduction to the modern research literature on social stratification and social mobility and discussion of scholarly work on inequality and stratification in contemporary China, with a focus on changes in the post-Mao era. Students will be led to read a set of the English-language publications, as represented by journal articles and book chapters in the field. After taking this course, students will be well-versed both in the long-term trajectory of research in this area and in the most recent themes and findings. The discussion of the general materials is expected to stimulate ideas and finally lead to a research paper on inequality, stratification and social mobility in China. Prerequisite: Junior/senior standing or ONE related course (SOCS-SHU 110 “Introduction to Sociology” or SOCS-SHU 227 “Inequality and Society”. Fulfillment: CORE IPC; Social Science Focus Sociology 300 level.

We explore issues frequently encountered by international legal counsel and business executives and government officials in cross-border investment transactions involving developing countries. We look particularly at issues in China and Africa. Topics include: multilateral development institutions and development banks, state-owned companies and "state capitalism," government ministries and the approval process, national security review and antitrust review, land and environmental issues, labor relations and unions, management compensation, due diligence and corruption, intellectual property protection, corporate governance and ownership structures, disclosure in public offerings, foreign exchange controls, private equity structures, cross border financing, political risk and political risk insurance, bilateral investment treaties, dispute resolution and choice of law, and (throughout) the role and ethical obligations of local and international legal counsel and business advisors. The course has three parts. First we study the highly developed and evolving Chinese inbound foreign direct investment regime. Second we look at risk issues in cross border project financing. Finally we reverse our perspective and consider issues from the standpoint of African countries considering Chinese outbound investments. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above Fulfillment: CORE SSPC; IMB Business Elective; Social Science Focus International Relations/Political Economy/Political Science 300 level; Business and Finance Non-Finance Elective; Business and Marketing Non-Marketing Electives.

Why do slums exist next to luxury towers? How can housing help fight climate change? What can local and national governments do to ensure their citizens have access to affordable housing? Why do cities with thousands of vacant homes also struggle with high rates of homelessness? In this course, students grapple with these questions and many others, developing a broad understanding of housing through a comparative, global lens. Students develop an understanding of the factors impacting housing’s physical quality, design, location, and cost, and study how housing relates to the health of individuals, neighborhoods, and the wider economy. An emphasis is placed on identifying policy interventions that can improve housing outcomes. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. Fulfillment: Social Science Urban Studies Focus 300 level.

In the Social Science Senior Seminar, students work with a faculty facilitator to identify a capstone topic and to prepare a research proposal. In the SSS Seminar, students develop a research question, select a methodological approach, assemble a working bibliography, and identify a track. This Seminar prepares candidates to enroll in the Spring Capstone Seminar in a focused track. Prerequisite: Open only to Social Science primary major in the senior year. Fulfillment: Social Science Capstone Course.

Students design and conduct an independent research project in their area of focus using the theories, methods, and data with which they have become familiar over the course of completing the major. Prerequisite: SOCS-SHU 401 Social Science Senior Seminar. Open only to Social Science primary major in the senior year. Fulfillment: Social Science Capstone Course.

Candidates for major honors conduct independent research under the supervision of a faculty member in the Social Sciences. Open only to seniors who have been admitted to honors candidacy in Social Science. Prerequisite: SOCS-SHU 410, Social Science Capstone Honors Seminar. Fulfillment: Social Science Capstone course.

Topics in Society, Health, and Medicine is a series of seminars designed to explore current scholarship in the social study of medicine drawn from history, anthropology, and public health science. One seminar a year is organized around a theme (e.g. aging, medical ethics, therapeutics, access to care) that determines the readings and guides the discussions. The series emphasizes contemporary problems in medicine viewed from a humanistic perspective. Spring 2021Topic: Global Mental Health. Utilizing research from multiple fields including psychology, anthropology, sociology, medicine, public health and epidemiology, students will explore 1) approaches to the treatment and prevention of mental ill health and behavioral disorders, 2) the role of culture in mental illness, 3) epidemiological approaches to study and measure the prevalence and incidence of mental ill health, 4) trends in the field (e.g., implementation science), and 5) mental health among key populations (migrants). Readings in the course will focus on peer-reviewed research literature. A particular emphasis will be placed on research and case examples from Asian country contexts, so the course will have particular local and regional relevance. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. Fulfillment: Trauma & Memory: Social Science Focus Anthropology 400 level. Global Mental Health: Social Science Focus Global Health 400 level.

Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: Social Science Focus Urban Studies 200 level.

1 to 4 credits. Students are permitted to work on an individual basis under the supervision of a full-time faculty member in the Social Science discipline if they have maintained an overall GPA of 3.0 and have a study proposal that is approved by a Social Science professor. Students are expected to spend about ten to twelve hours a week on their project for 4 credits. The results of the study are embodied in a report of a type required by the instructor. Prerequisite: permission of the department. Fulfillment: General Elective.

This course offers an in-depth exploration of the evolving interactions between China and Europe in the changing global environment, with a focus on contemporary economic and geopolitical challenges such as the rise of China, the shifting balance of power in international politics, and the securitization of non-conventional issues. The main objective of the course is to understand the responses and the types of actorness pursed by the EU and China at regional and world levels as well as the evolution of their relationship. The course also examines Europe’s strategic autonomy within the China-US rivalry and the role played by the EU member states and European periphery states on EU-China relationship. Through case studies, guest speakers’ talks, and field visits, students will engage critically with real- world examples of Sino-European relations, including the Huawei controversy and electric vehicle sanctions.

This course examines the complexities of the bilateral relationship between the People's Republic of China (China) and the United States (US), focusing on their historical rapport, major debates, and current relations. Topics include Sino-US economic relations, media reporting, variation in political systems, global politics, climate/energy issues, military affairs, and contested territories. Prerequisite: None. SOCS-SHU 160 is recommended, but not required. Fulfillment: Core SSPC or IPC; GCS China and the World/The Politics, Economy, and Environment of China; SS Focus International Relations/Political Science 200 level; HUMN 18-19 Topic.