From economic inequality and digital labor exploitation to climate change and global conflict, the modern world is shaped by complex social problems that demand critical inquiry and creative solutions. This course examines the structural forces that drive social stratification and global inequality, analyzing how these dynamics manifest in issues such as poverty, war, environmental instability, and the rise of artificial intelligence. Students will explore case studies on digital sweatshops, climate displacement, social media’s role in identity formation, and the geopolitics of armed conflicts to understand how social problems develop and persist. By engaging with contemporary research, data analysis, and interdisciplinary perspectives, we will examine how power, privilege, and systemic inequalities shape individual and collective experiences. Whether tackling the ethics of AI-driven economies, the loneliness epidemic, or educational disparities, this course aims to cultivate a nuanced understanding of the world’s most pressing social issues and the possibilities for change.Social Science and History (SSHIS) courses develop students' critical thinking skills through the study of history and the social sciences (e.g. sociology, psychology, economics, political science, anthropology, geography), as well as through contemporary interdisciplines that draw heavily on these fields (e.g. feminist and queer studies, media studies, urban studies, ethnic studies). Subject matter in these courses contributes to students' cultural literacy while instructional materials and classroom assignments introduce basic research problems and techniques.

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