Organizations and Society (SOCS-SHU 345)

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.

Social Science (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 15 Weeks

Sections (Spring 2025)


SOCS-SHU 345-000 (21488)
02/03/2025 – 05/16/2025 Mon
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Late afternoon)
at Shanghai
Instructed by Li, Angran

Urbanization in China (SOCS-SHU 133)

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.

Social Science (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 15 Weeks

Sections (Fall 2024)


SOCS-SHU 133-000 (3206)
09/02/2024 – 12/13/2024 Mon
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Late afternoon)
at Shanghai
Instructed by Li, Ying

Introduction to the Computational Social Science Methods (SOCS-SHU 190)

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.

Social Science (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 15 Weeks

Sections (Fall 2024)


SOCS-SHU 190-000 (20125)
09/02/2024 – 12/13/2024 Tue,Thu
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM (Morning)
at Shanghai
Instructed by Chen, Zixi

Poverty and Inequality Around the Globe (SOCS-SHU 326)

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. We consider philosophies of global justice and the ethics of global citizenship, and students are expected to critically reflect upon their own engagements with poverty relief activities and aspirations for social changes. Students should be prepared to tackle advanced social science readings, analysis, and writing. Open to seniors, and to other students with instructor’s permission. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above. Fulfillment: Social Science Focus Political Economy/Sociology 300 level.

Social Science (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 15 Weeks

Sections (Spring 2023)


SOCS-SHU 326-000 (20242)
01/30/2023 – 05/12/2023 Wed
8:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Evening)
at Shanghai
Instructed by Zelleke, Almaz