Economic sociology is concerned with the social bases of economic behavior. It is one of the newest but most vibrant areas of sociology. This course presents an overview of the field. We begin with a discussion of the differences between sociological and economic approaches, followed by samples from the classic works of Adam Smith, Polanyi, Marx, and Weber. We then discuss the rise of the large corporation, focusing on both economic and sociological accounts. Following this unit, we move progressively from the internal workings of the firm toward macro — level discussions of the relation between business and society. Topics covered include issues of corporate control, the social meaning of money, production and financial markets, mergers and divestitures, the role of national cultures in shaping economic behavior, and fundamental questions about the distribution of income and wealth.