Take me to the Fall Time Schedule
Introductory Courses
100. Principles of Sociology.
Open to first- and second-year students. Juniors
are strongly encouraged to enroll in Soc. 400. Seniors must elect
Soc. 400. No credit granted to those who have completed or are
enrolled in 195 or 400. No credit for seniors. (4). (SS).
Section 001. C. Wright Mills once wrote, "The sociological
imagination enables us to grasp history and biography and the
relations between the two within society. That is its task and promise. To recognize this task and this promise is the mark of the classical social analysis." As a general introduction
to sociology this course seeks to fulfill that promise. Through
readings, lectures, and discussions, you will develop a working
understanding of the concepts and phenomena of interest to sociologists
and social scientists in general. The subjects researched by sociologists
overlap in large part with those studied by economists, political
scientists, and psychologists. These subjects include, for example, the role of social relations and culture in forming personality, and the importance of institutions and organizations in understanding
politics, economics, social problems, and individual lives. Although
sharing some of the assumptions and methods of other social and behavioral sciences, sociologists tend to take different perspectives than other social scientists. Understandably, this course emphasizes those approaches that are fairly unique to sociologists and, perhaps, anthropologists. For example, sociology emphasizes the importance
of personal biography, immediate context, and collective history
for understanding human behavior. We summarize these factors in the term: social structure. Much of the course is an attempt to
define and identify social structire. We can contrast this structuralist
approach to that of individualism, a way of thinking about people
and their world that is profoundly embedded in American culture
and society, and reflected for example in most psychological theories
of human behavior. Because you are already probably so well accustomed
to the individualist view, individualist explanations will probably
seem more "obvious" and "true" than the alternative
structuralist understanding we present. However, as a discipline
with the aspirations of science, sociologists seek to determine
whether what seems obvious is, in fact, true. Accordingly, we
consider the diverse methods sociologists employ in their research.
(Newman)
Section 020. How do class, race, age, gender, and sexual preference shape our and other peoples' lives? Why do people
who make $30,000 and people who make $140,000 all feel middle
class? Why do women in dual career couples do a month of 24 hour
days more housework per year than men? Why do we need affirmative
action? Why do women Marines have to wear makeup and take etiquette
classes? Why do we spend almost five times as much of the federal
budget on the elderly than on children? In this course we will
use sociological imagination, theory, analysis, and empirical
research to answer these questions. We will examine various theoretical
explanations for social inequality in the United States as well
as empirical research about inequality. Students will learn to think and write critically about the basic concepts of the discipline
and to use research and theory when engaging in a discussion of these issues. (Martin)
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Times, Location, and Availability
101. Person and Society:
An Introduction to Sociology Through Social Psychology. Open
to first- and second-year students. Juniors are strongly encouraged
and seniors must take Soc. 400 or 401. No credit for seniors.
(4). (SS).
This course introduces students to the topics in Sociology that
lie at the interface with Psychology. Four major themes within
social psychology will be examined: (1) the impact that one individual
has on another individual; (2) the impact that a group has on
its individual members; (3) the impact that individuals have on the group; (4) the impact that one group has on another group.
The themes, concepts, theoretical approaches, and research methods
within social psychology will be presented. Topics to be covered
include socialization, the self, perception, cognition, attitudes, interpersonal relationships, group behavior, altruism, aggression, and deviance. (Carr)
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Times, Location, and Availability
102. Contemporary Social
Issues: An Introduction to Sociology. Open to first-
and second-year students. Juniors are strongly encouraged and seniors must take Soc. 400 or 401. No credit for seniors. (4).
(SS). Credit is granted for a combined total of eight credits
elected through Soc. 102, 202, 203, and 401, provided that the
course topics are different.
Section 001. Social inequalities – that is, inequalities
in economic resources and opportunities, prestige or status, cultural
capital, civil rights and political power – have been a central
concern of sociology from its inception. This course introduces
students to sociology as a mode of inquiry by examining the most
important questions that sociologists have asked about social
inequalities, their answers to these questions, and the ways in
which they have tried to assess the merits of competing answers.
We begin with the classics – Marx, Weber, and Durkheim – in order
to identify the fundamental issues and key concepts. We also examine the way in which theories of social inequality fit into larger
conceptions of social order, conflict, and change. We then turn
to studies that explore the causes and consequences of growing
economic inequality, as experienced by different groups in the
United States over the last 20 years. (Robinson)
Section 009 – Introduction to Sociology Through Culture
and Intergroup Relations.
The emerging demographic diversity has raised fundamental questions
about America's identity and culture. As we approach the new millennium, our understanding of the person/environment interaction seems
to be taking on a more multicultural flavor. This seems to be
forcing us to become citizens of a "shrinking world"
rather than "the great United States." In this class
we will study the influence of culture on the theories and findings
of social behavior, and then investigate how culture influences
our understanding of these theories. Through the exploration of
a number of topics, including gender, intergroup relations, minority
influence, and social representations, we will gain an international
perspective on sociological research. (Harris-Reid)
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Times, Location, and Availability
195. Principles in Sociology
(Honors). Open to first- and second-year students
admitted to the Honors Program, or other first- and second-year
students with a grade point average of at least 3.2. Juniors are
strongly encouraged and seniors must take Soc. 400. Credit is
not granted for both Sociology 195 and Sociology 100 or 400. No
credit for seniors. (4). (SS).
Introduction to sociology through the study of class, race, and gender. Basic principles of sociology as developed by Marx and Weber through their analyses of capitalism as a social system
applied to the fundamental forms of inequality in modern society.
Although basic concepts will be stressed recent controversies
in class analysis, critical approaches to race and feminist theory
will be introduced. Readings inclde Wright, Class Counts;
Luker, Politics of Motherhood; Roediger, Wages of
Whiteness; Sayer, Capitalism and Modernity, and basic texts by Marx and Weber. Brief essay assignments, final
paper. (Paige)
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Times, Location, and Availability
Primarily for First- and Second-year Students
105. First Year Seminar
in Sociology. Only first-year students, including those with sophomore standing, may pre-register for First-Year
Seminars. All others need permission of instructor. (3). (SS).
Section 001 – Transforming
America: Immigrants Then and Now. That America is a nation
of immigrants is one of the most common yet truest statements.
In this course we will survey a vast range of the American Immigrant
experience, that of the Irish, Germans, Jews, Italians, Chinese, Japanese, Blacks, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and Mexicans. Immigration
to America can be broadly understood as consisting of four major
waves: the first one, that which consisted of Northwest Europeans
who immigrated up to the mid-19th century; the second one, that
which consisted of Southern and East Europeans at the end of the
19th century and the beginning of the 20th; the third one, the
movement from the South to the North of Black Americans and Mexicans
precipitated by two World Wars; and the fourth one, from 1965
on, is still ongoing in the present, of immigrants mostly from
Latin America and Asia. At all times, our effort will be to understand the immigrant past of these ethnic groups, both for what it tells
us about the past as well as their present and possible future.
This course is a First-Year Seminar, limited to 25 entering students
at the University. As such, it will be run as a seminar, involving
a fair amount of discussikn and writing. (Pedraza)
Section 003 – Life Stories
and the Sociological Imagination. This course begins with
sociologist C. Wright Mills' definition of sociology as the study
of the intersection of biography and history. Course readings, in addition to Mills' classic work, The Sociological Imagination,
will focus on autobiographies and memoirs. Together we will analyze these "life stories" to ascertain how "biography
and history" intersect – how personal lives are changed and shaped by social circumstance. Mills also argued that a significant
feature of sociological analysis is that it distinguishes "personal
troubles" from "public issues". In addition to
examining the intersection of biography and history, we will discuss
how to tell the difference between private concerns and public
issues in the lives of the people that we read about – how to know
whether we are reading about a shared social condition that has
impact on individuals, or about a problem that is truly an individual
one. Readings for the course will be selected to represent important
social differences in American society such as race and ethnicity, gender, class, and age. (Rose)
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Times, Location, and Availability
122/Psych. 122. Intergroup
Dialogues. Permission of instructor. Intended primarily
for first- and second-year students. (2). (Excl). May not be included
in a concentration in psychology or sociology. May be repeated
for a total of four credits.
See Psychology 122. (Beale)
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Times, Location, and Availability
195. Principles in Sociology
(Honors). Open to first- and second-year students
admitted to the Honors Program, or other first- and second-year
students with a grade point average of at least 3.2. Juniors are
strongly encouraged and seniors must take Soc. 400. Credit is
not granted for both Sociology 195 and Sociology 100 or 400. No
credit for seniors. (4). (SS).
Introduction to sociology through the study of class, race, and gender. Basic principles of sociology as developed by Marx and Weber through their analyses of capitalism as a social system
applied to the fundamental forms of inequality in modern society.
Although basic concepts will be stressed recent controversies
in class analysis, critical approaches to race and feminist theory
will be introduced. Readings inclde Wright, Class Counts;
Luker, Politics of Motherhood; Roediger, Wages of
Whiteness; Sayer, Capitalism and Modernity, and basic texts by Marx and Weber. Brief essay assignments, final
paper. (Paige)
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Times, Location, and Availability
205. Poverty, Race, and Health. (3). (Excl).
This course critically examines the health status of the poor
and of major racial/ethnic minority groups in the United States.
Attention will be focused on the patterned ways in which the health
of these groups is embedded in the social, cultural, and political, and economic contexts and arrangements of U.S. society. Topics
covered include racism and its effects on health; the effect of
social inequality on health; health problems among the poor; the
impact of social factors on medical care use; trends in population
health over time; and the impact of poverty and race on health
in other countries. (Musick)
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Times, Location, and Availability
220/RC Soc. Sci. 220.
Political Economy. (4). (SS).
See RC Social Science 220.
(Thompson)
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Times, Location, and Availability
For Undergraduates Only
210. Elementary Statistics.
Sociology Honors students should elect this course
prior to beginning the Honors Seminar sequence. Sociology concentrators
should elect this course prior to their last term. No credit granted
to those who have completed or are enrolled in Stat. 100, 265, 311, 402, 405, or 412, or Econ. 404 or 405. (4). (MSA). (BS).
(QR/1).
This course introduces students to three important aspects of
statistics: (1) data collection – including opinion polls, surveys, experiments, and sampling; (2) data description – graphical and numerical procedures for summarizing data; and (3) data analysis
- using data to make decisions, predictions, and draw inferences.
Problem sets allow hands-on experience in working data, and provide
opportunities to apply and interpret statistical procedures and results. Microcomputers will be used for some assignments. Students
are not assumed to have any prior experience with microcomputers
or any mathematical training beyond basic algebra. Grading is
based on problem sets and three exams. Attendance at all lectures
and discussion sections is essential. (Harris)
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Times, Location, and Availability
212. Sports and Society.
(3). (Excl).
American society has had a long affair with sport. The number
of sport participants has increased tremendously over the last
decade, as has the proliferation of sports facilities and organizations.
Larger proportions of our population than ever before are now
directly and indirectly participating in sports activities. Spectator
participation in the traditional sports events such as baseball, football, and basketball has also increased the hours of exposure
to these events on television where twenty-four hours of sports
broadcasting is now easily available on cable sports channels.
Not only is there increased media exposure to the traditional
sports events, but now tennis, golf, and gymnastics also enjoy
national as well as international prominence. (Deskins)
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Times, Location, and Availability
303/CAAS 303. Race and Ethnic Relations. An introductory course in sociology
or CAAS. (4). (SS). (R&E).
The goal of this course is to introduce students to the social
history (past and present) of racial minorities in the United
States. We will begin by defining the principal concepts that
sociologists use in their analysis of race relations. Central
to this discussion will be the understanding of racism NOT as
prejudice, ignorance, an attitude, or a set of beliefs but rather
as a comprehensive historical system that changes over time. After this theoretical discussion, we will survey the historical experiences
of five racial minorities, namely, African Americans, Chicanos/Mexican
Americans, American Indians, Puerto Ricans, and Asian Americans.
The course will conclude with a discussion of possible solutions
to the racial dilemmas faced by the U.S. (Wilson)
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Times, Location, and Availability
304/Amer. Cult. 304.
American Immigration. (3). (SS).
The very foundation of American culture is built on immigration.
This course will focus on immigration as an historical and social
phenomena. We will explore the topic from a number of theoretical
perspectives of racial and ethnic relations in order to situate the discussion in a broad context. The experiences of several
immigrant groups including Europeans, Hispanics, Blacks, and Asians
will be discussed and we will seek to understand how structures, institutions, and statuses have shaped the face of immigration
and our view of immigrants. In addition to the historical context
of immigration, this course will also address contemporary immigration
issues. These issues include: the current debate about immigration
policy and reform; the move by some states to restructure bi-lingual
education and to enact English-only laws; California's Prop 187;
and ethnic conflicts like those between Blacks and Koreans. (Harris-Reid)
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Times, Location, and Availability
310. Introduction to
Research Methods. One introductory course in sociology;
or completion of one social science course in economics, anthropology, political science, psychology or other sociology course. Sociology
Honors students should elect this course concurrently with Soc.
397. (4). (Excl). (BS). (QR/1).
This course teaches the main basic research methods used by social
scientists: observation, survey, experimentation, and statistics.
It demonstrates the logic (as well as the "illogic")
of reasoning in social science. You will learn how to use computer
for statistical analysis and word processing. Evaluation is based
on four quizzes (40%) and four research projects (60%). You should
be prepared to take computer labs. Prior knowledge of IBM-family
microcomputers and popular software's (such as Microsoft Word
and Excel) is helpful but not required. The research projects
will be based on real data that have already been collected. (Xie)
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Times, Location, and Availability
320/Psych. 310. Training
in Processes of Intergroup Dialogues. Permission
of instructor. Open to juniors and seniors. (3). (Excl). (EXPERIENTIAL).
This course is designed to give students a foundation in the skills
and knowledge needed to facilitate multicultural group interactions, including structured intergroup dialogues. Topics include: basic
group facilitation skills and their applications to multicultural
settings; social identity group development; prejudice and stereotyping
and their effects on groups; the nature of social oppression;
facilitation of intergroup communication; conflict intervention
skills; techniques of community building; and survey of some contemporary
intergroup topic areas (e.g., affirmative action, sexual
assault, separation/self-segregation). Students who successfully
complete this training may apply to act as peer facilitators for the course Psychology 122, "Intergroup Dialogues." Recent
trainees have facilitated dialogues with groups such as blacks/Jews;
lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and heterosexuals; white women/women
of color; blacks/Latinos/as; men/women. Class meetings to be arranged, Permission of Instructor required. Contact Psychology Department
for details. (Chesler)
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Times, Location, and Availability
321/Psych. 311. Practicum
in Facilitating Intergroup Dialogues. Sociology 320
and permission of instructor. (3). (Excl). A combined total of
8 credits of Sociology 321, 389, and 395 may be counted toward
a concentration in Sociology. (EXPERIENTIAL).
See Psychology 321. (Beale
and Behling)
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Times, Location, and Availability
330. Population Problems.
(3). (SS).
This course is intended for a wide range of students who might
be interested in learning about the current population situation
and the range of problems associated with it. There are no prerequisites
for the course, nor is any special background required – although
average ability to read tables and interpret quantitative material
will be assumed. The course focuses specifically on social and economic problems associated with population matters. Family planning
and other related population programs and policies are discussed.
The course is a complement rather than an alternative to Soc.
430 (Introduction to Population Studies) which deals with the
determinants of behavior. Soc. 330 presents a variety of views
concerning the ways population is perceived as a problem and what
should be done about it. The focus of the course is international, dealing both with less developed and more developed countries.
Attention is given to population growth; population and development;
demographic impact of AIDS; age structure, aging and associated
problems; and population policy and programs, especially those
related to the reduction of birth rates. The course is run as
a lecture with in-class discussions encouraged. Films and other
audio-visual aids are used. Grades are based largely on in-class
exams. Written assignments and class participation are given some
additional weight. (Knodel)
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Times, Location, and Availability
389. Practicum in Sociology.
Permission of instructor. (2-4). (Excl). Offered
mandatory credit/no credit. Up to four credits of 389 may be included
in a concentration plan in sociology. A combined total of eight
credits of Sociology 321, 389, and 395 may be counted toward a
concentration in sociology. Laboratory fee ($22) required. (EXPERIENTIAL).
May be repeated for a total of eight credits.
Section 001 – Project Community. See http://www.umich.edu/~ocsl/Proj_Community/index.html.
(Chesler)
Section 002 – Advanced Seminar in Leadership. See
http://www.umich.edu/~salead/SAL-Education.html.
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Times, Location, and Availability
392/REES 395/Hist. 332/Poli.
Sci. 395/Slavic 395. Survey of Russia: The Russian Empire, the
Soviet Union, and the Successor States. (4). (SS).
Laboratory fee ($10) required.
See Russian and East European
Studies 395. (Rosenberg)
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Times, Location, and Availability
398. Senior Honors in
Sociology. Honors standing in sociology. Soc. 210
and 310, and permission of instructor. (3). (Excl).
This is a second course of a three-course sequence (Sociology
397, 398, 399) designed to guide the students through the completion
of their Honors thesis. The focus of this seminar will be on collection
and analysis of data for the thesis. Time will be spent every
week sharing research experiences and problems, and doing problem-solving.
(Martin)
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Times, Location, and Availability
For Undergraduates and Graduates
415. Economic Sociology.
One of the following: introductory economics, psychology, or political science. (3). (Excl).
The field of economic sociology is one of the most vibrant and rapidly growing areas of the discipline. This course presents
an introduction to economic sociology. We begin with an examination
of sociological perspectives on markets and historical background
on the development of capitalist economies. We then focus on the
rise of the large American corporation as well as its internal
workings. Finally, we turn to the relation between corporations
and the larger society, focusing on the issues of corporate social
responsibility, corporate control, and the role of business in
politics and government. Throughout the course the emphasis will
be on the recurring theoretical debates about the role of business
in modern society. (Mizruchi)
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Times, Location, and Availability
420. Complex Organizations.
One introductory course in sociology. (3). (Excl).
This course provides an introduction to contemporary theory and research on complex organizations, such as business enterprises, schools, government, and voluntary organizations. We will consider the internal structure of organizations, the relationship of the
organization to its environment, and the organizational strategies
and decision-making. The first part of the course covers the internal
structure of organizations and introduces three perspectives on
organizational structure: organization as rational systems, as
natural systems, and as open systems. The second part of the course
places the organization in a wider context and examines the organization's
relationship to the various elements of its environment. We will
learn how different theories conceptualize the organization's
environment, and how organizations manage their relationship to the environment. In the third part of the course, we will discuss
organizational strategies and decision-making, or what makes organizations
useful and successful. The course will conclude with an examination
of Japanese organizations: using theories learned in the course, we will examine how and why Japanese organizations differ from the Western organizations in their structure and behavior. Readings
will include both theoretical material and case studies. Course
requirements are three short essays, final exam, and participation
in class discussion and exercises. (Takata)
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Times, Location, and Availability
430. Introduction to
Population Studies. Soc. 430 does not meet core requirements
for graduate students in sociology. No credit granted to those
who have completed or are enrolled in 530. (3). (Excl). (QR/2).
This course is intended as a general introduction to the study
of population. There are no prerequisites, although ability to
deal with quantitative material and concepts is essential. Considerable
emphasis is given to basic demographic concepts, their measurement
and interrelationships. The basic demographic processes which
determined demographic change – fertility, mortality and migration
- are each treated as to their measurement, history, and present
status. There is special consideration of the demographic transition
from high to low birth rates and death rates. The processes determining
fertility levels are analyzed separately for less and more developed
countries. Finally, there is a consideration of the age-sex structures
resulting from various combinations of demographic processes and how they affect projections of the U.S. and the world. (Anderson)
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Times, Location, and Availability
452. Law and Social Psychology. (3). (Excl).
Law and social psychology intersect around issues of norms and justice, and this will be a focus of this course. We shall examine the concepts of norms, responsibility, and justice in both a social
psychological and legal context and will look at how findings
from social psychology, which is a science, bear on issues that
arise in the law, a normative system of social control. We will
look at legal processes in general and will consider the roles
of different actors in legal systems: civil parties; criminal
victims; lawyers; judges; and juries. Focus will be given to the
central process of legal systems: the trial; jury selection; eyewitness
testimony; the presentation of evidence; jury deliberations; and so on. (Sharphorn)
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Times, Location, and Availability
458. Sociology of Education.
One introductory course in sociology. (3). (Excl).
This course will examine the role of schooling in reproducing
and reinforcing prevailing social, political, and economic relationships, including a focus on how the dominant school culture can marginalize
students from different backgrounds and experiences. During the
first half of the course we will explore the history of schooling, the interaction of schooling and social stratification, the social
organization of schools and classrooms, and the uses of both formal
and hidden curriculums. During the second half of the course we
will look at contemporary policy issues related to schools and debate the potential of these policies to create social change through schooling. Students will have a role in the presentation
and discussion of assigned readings and will be asked to examine their own educational experiences in order to relate personal
experience to the impact of schooling on society. (Kinney)
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Times, Location, and Availability
463/Comm. 485. Mass Communication
and Public Opinion. Comm. Studies 361 or 381 strongly
recommended. (3). (SS).
See Communication Studies 485.
(Craig)
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Times, Location, and Availability
465/Psych. 488. Sociological
Analysis of Deviant Behavior. Introductory sociology
or introductory psychology as a social science. (3). (SS).
The course will examine how people become social deviants and how relevant social institutions contribute to this process. Early
portions will examine the legal enforcement, judicial and corrections
systems which together determine who will be designated deviant
and with what consequences. Later portions will focus on particular
forms of deviance (e.g., delinquency, theft, fraud, rape)
with a view to understanding and evaluating the several theoretical
perspectives that have been proposed to explain their genesis
and perpetuation. (Modigliani)
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Times, Location, and Availability
468. Criminology. (3). (SS).
This course is an introduction to crime, criminals and society's
response to both. It explores the construction of crime, problems
of measurement, patterns of criminal activity and the contours
of criminal careers, the problem of violence and causes of crime.
Special attention will be paid to the age, race, class, and crime
nexus. Major issues to be examined include; crime in the United
States, the criminal justice system – doomed to failure? Also; the impact of race and class; how much violent crime exists? Finally, the imposition of the death penalty in the United States. Criminological theory and research will be used to answer questions to the nature
of crime in contemporary society. (Martinez)
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Times, Location, and Availability
472/Psych. 381. Advanced
Laboratory in Social Psychology. Stat. 402 and Psych.
380. (3). (Excl).
See Psychology 381. (Bernstein)
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Times, Location, and Availability
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