Graduate Courses
Graduate Proseminar in Social Justice and Human Rights
Since the end of World War II in 1945 and the conclusion of the Nuremburg Trials in 1949, the concept of human rights has evolved from an abstract theoretical idea to a moral and legal instrument for confronting suffering and injustice around the world. Over the same period of time, political and cultural debates have become increasingly focused on questions pertaining to diversity, oppression, and justice. Yet the discourse on social justice and human rights remains fractured and riddled with tensions. Not only does the notion of ‘universal' human rights clash with social justice demands to respect cultural difference, but scholars and professionals are struggling to reconcile individualist and collectivist positions. This class directly confronts these gaps and dichotomies to establish multifaceted understanding. In addition to examining social justice in the context of politics and culture, we will interrogate human rights as a set of laws and institutions at national and global levels of analysis. Covering current and often controversial themes, we will focus our inquiry on violations, resistance, and change. The thematic dimensions of this course will be co-determined by the class as a whole using participatory pedagogy. With my guidance, students will assume responsibility for designing and teaching one course session. Each student will additionally conduct self-guided reading on a topic of potential thesis interest.
Undergraduate Courses
Social Inequality
Social inequality is rising within and between nations. At the global level, extreme poverty rates have fallen, but nearly half of the world’s population continues to live in poverty. Not only is the gap between wealthy and poor growing, but the resurgence of authoritarian attitudes and practices is fueling social unrest around the world. Over the course of this semester, we will study inequality through the prism of difference and as a critical aspect of globalization. In addition to examining the structural factors impacting different social groups and institutions, we will explore questions pertaining to human agency. My primary objective is to foster integrative thinking. As the theoretical paradigms explaining social inequality are incomplete, it is only by transcending ideological barriers that we can achieve more comprehensive understanding of issues that impact us all. By the end of the semester, your knowledge on social inequality will be informed by a range of theoretical and empirical contexts, enabling you to connect with diverse experiences and worldviews. You also will gain professional experience by conducting a research project that will introduce you the principles of qualitative fieldwork. This project will equip you with technical capacity in research design, data collection, and written analysis.
Environmental Sociology
If we accept scientific consensus in relation to the environment, societies around the world are facing a series of imminent crises resulting from ecological degradation. Planetary resources are being depleted at record rates despite growing awareness of issues such as global climate change. The level of toxic pollutants in our atmosphere, food, water, and consumer goods are fueling systemic health crises, particularly among populations experiencing environmental injustice. Not only have powerful interest groups resisted environmental reforms, but efforts to address destructive practices are increasingly individualized, making it challenging to resolve structural problems. These issues pose interesting questions for social scientists that this class will examine from a variety of perspectives. To connect theoretical understanding with empirical observation, you will conduct environmental service learning projects (ESLP) with a venue of your choice. Occurring throughout the semester, ESLP provides you with an opportunity to develop your own awareness of environmental challenges and prospects while gaining professional experience in a real-world setting.
Grassroots Social Movements
This course is designed to familiarize students with the study of social movements. Recognizing the influence of globalization on collective action, our framework is both grassroots and global. The course is divided into three sections. First, we will examine the fundamentals of grassroots organization via an in-depth study of the eighteenth century anti-slavery campaign—arguably the world’s first global justice movement. Second, we will analyze a range of contemporary social movements, with particular focus on emergence, mobilization, organization, and impact. Third, we will study how global justice and direct democracy movements are using social media platforms and transnational networking strategies to challenge authoritarian institutions in various world regions. Course activities will provide you with the opportunity to apply the principles of collective organization. At the start of the semester, you will form into collective action teams (CATs). These will conduct research on a social movement determined by team choice. The course will conclude with a multi-day “Social Movements Conference” where CATs will present research findings and preside over panel discussions. The grading rubric for this assignment will be determined via classroom discussion and you will be encouraged to apply additional collective action strategies to maximize your course performance.
Gender and Society
This course employs social theories and feminist perspectives to clarify the relationship between gender and society. Over the course of the semester we will: (1) examine social constructions of sex and gender; (2) develop an intersectional understanding of power, privilege, and oppression; and (3) attain a more nuanced awareness of gendered identities. We will investigate roles and trends across a range of social institutions, with dual focus on micro-level interactions and macro-level arrangements that lead to systemic inequities. Although our primary focus will be on the United States, the final section of the course will cover international issues and debates, laying the foundation for more advanced study. Throughout the course, I will ask you to connect theoretical understanding with empirical evidence via direct observation and written analysis. Preliminary activities will enable you to apply the principles of social research in a structured way; and in the latter half of the semester you will use the skills that you have gained from these activities to conduct independent research on a topic of your choice.
Graduate Proseminar in Social Justice and Human Rights
Since the end of World War II in 1945 and the conclusion of the Nuremburg Trials in 1949, the concept of human rights has evolved from an abstract theoretical idea to a moral and legal instrument for confronting suffering and injustice around the world. Over the same period of time, political and cultural debates have become increasingly focused on questions pertaining to diversity, oppression, and justice. Yet the discourse on social justice and human rights remains fractured and riddled with tensions. Not only does the notion of ‘universal' human rights clash with social justice demands to respect cultural difference, but scholars and professionals are struggling to reconcile individualist and collectivist positions. This class directly confronts these gaps and dichotomies to establish multifaceted understanding. In addition to examining social justice in the context of politics and culture, we will interrogate human rights as a set of laws and institutions at national and global levels of analysis. Covering current and often controversial themes, we will focus our inquiry on violations, resistance, and change. The thematic dimensions of this course will be co-determined by the class as a whole using participatory pedagogy. With my guidance, students will assume responsibility for designing and teaching one course session. Each student will additionally conduct self-guided reading on a topic of potential thesis interest.
Undergraduate Courses
Social Inequality
Social inequality is rising within and between nations. At the global level, extreme poverty rates have fallen, but nearly half of the world’s population continues to live in poverty. Not only is the gap between wealthy and poor growing, but the resurgence of authoritarian attitudes and practices is fueling social unrest around the world. Over the course of this semester, we will study inequality through the prism of difference and as a critical aspect of globalization. In addition to examining the structural factors impacting different social groups and institutions, we will explore questions pertaining to human agency. My primary objective is to foster integrative thinking. As the theoretical paradigms explaining social inequality are incomplete, it is only by transcending ideological barriers that we can achieve more comprehensive understanding of issues that impact us all. By the end of the semester, your knowledge on social inequality will be informed by a range of theoretical and empirical contexts, enabling you to connect with diverse experiences and worldviews. You also will gain professional experience by conducting a research project that will introduce you the principles of qualitative fieldwork. This project will equip you with technical capacity in research design, data collection, and written analysis.
Environmental Sociology
If we accept scientific consensus in relation to the environment, societies around the world are facing a series of imminent crises resulting from ecological degradation. Planetary resources are being depleted at record rates despite growing awareness of issues such as global climate change. The level of toxic pollutants in our atmosphere, food, water, and consumer goods are fueling systemic health crises, particularly among populations experiencing environmental injustice. Not only have powerful interest groups resisted environmental reforms, but efforts to address destructive practices are increasingly individualized, making it challenging to resolve structural problems. These issues pose interesting questions for social scientists that this class will examine from a variety of perspectives. To connect theoretical understanding with empirical observation, you will conduct environmental service learning projects (ESLP) with a venue of your choice. Occurring throughout the semester, ESLP provides you with an opportunity to develop your own awareness of environmental challenges and prospects while gaining professional experience in a real-world setting.
Grassroots Social Movements
This course is designed to familiarize students with the study of social movements. Recognizing the influence of globalization on collective action, our framework is both grassroots and global. The course is divided into three sections. First, we will examine the fundamentals of grassroots organization via an in-depth study of the eighteenth century anti-slavery campaign—arguably the world’s first global justice movement. Second, we will analyze a range of contemporary social movements, with particular focus on emergence, mobilization, organization, and impact. Third, we will study how global justice and direct democracy movements are using social media platforms and transnational networking strategies to challenge authoritarian institutions in various world regions. Course activities will provide you with the opportunity to apply the principles of collective organization. At the start of the semester, you will form into collective action teams (CATs). These will conduct research on a social movement determined by team choice. The course will conclude with a multi-day “Social Movements Conference” where CATs will present research findings and preside over panel discussions. The grading rubric for this assignment will be determined via classroom discussion and you will be encouraged to apply additional collective action strategies to maximize your course performance.
Gender and Society
This course employs social theories and feminist perspectives to clarify the relationship between gender and society. Over the course of the semester we will: (1) examine social constructions of sex and gender; (2) develop an intersectional understanding of power, privilege, and oppression; and (3) attain a more nuanced awareness of gendered identities. We will investigate roles and trends across a range of social institutions, with dual focus on micro-level interactions and macro-level arrangements that lead to systemic inequities. Although our primary focus will be on the United States, the final section of the course will cover international issues and debates, laying the foundation for more advanced study. Throughout the course, I will ask you to connect theoretical understanding with empirical evidence via direct observation and written analysis. Preliminary activities will enable you to apply the principles of social research in a structured way; and in the latter half of the semester you will use the skills that you have gained from these activities to conduct independent research on a topic of your choice.
