100. Principles of Sociology. Open to
freshpersons and sophomores. 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. (2). (SS).
Section 201. Sociology is a discipline focusing on analysis
of the social world. In this course, we will explore the basic
principles of sociology and then consider how these principles
can be used to understand social reality. The first half of this
course will be dedicated to examination of the major perspectives
used in sociology to analyze the relationships between individuals, institutions, and ideas. In the second half of the course we will
turn to a series of specific topics in sociological research and theory and examine how the perspective discussed earlier in the
term can be applied to a particular aspect of the social world.
Some of the topics to be discussed are: health and the medical
system, deviance and the sociology of punishment, environmental
sociology, and sociological analyses of rape. Requirements include
two exams and a series of short (1-2 pp.) written reactions to
class materials. WL:1 (Chasteen)
102. Contemporary Social Issues: An Introduction to
Sociology. Open to freshpersons and sophomores. Juniors
are strongly encouraged and seniors must take Soc. 302, 303, 400, 401, 423, 444, 447, 450, 460, or 461. No credit for seniors. (2).
(SS). Credit is granted for a combined total of 8 credits elected through Soc. 102, 202, 203, and 401, provided that the course
topics are different.
Section 201 – Introduction To Sociology Through Gender. The
focus of this course will lie primarily in the explication of
gender as a social constructed category in both Western and non-Western
contexts. The course will follow an historical progression; beginning
with an examination of Marx's view of the social structure and Engel's seminal piece on "The Origins of the Family"
and will proceed to examine gendered experiences as an integral
part of one's social existence. Emphasis will be placed on gender
and labor, religion, and culture. Integral to the course will
be an examination of gender in several non-Western contexts
(i.e., the Middle East, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Pacific Rim) in comparison and contrast to the traditionally
studied Western gendered experience. WL:1
Section 202 – Introduction to Sociology Through the Lens of
Violence. This course will examine the fundamental components
of sociology – class, race/ethnicity, and gender – through the
study of violence in and across societies. The causes and consequences
of various forms of violence such as war/revolutions, gang activity, riots, violence against women, gay bashing, homelessness and poverty
will be presented as lenses through which to better understand class, race, and gender relations in both a national and international
context. Throughout the course we will challenge prevalent explanations
based on "irrational" individuals and/or groups and will examine structural factors such as capitalism, the world
economy, and institutionalized racism and sexism to more fully
understand violence in contemporary society. We will examine a
variety of collective responses to violence thereby highlighting the importance of organized movements in countering violence in
its varied forms. Students will be challenged to discuss and write
about the viability of violent/armed vs. non-violent forms of
conflict resolution. Grading will be based on two short papers, a final exam, and class participation. WL:1 (Billings)
Section 203 – Introduction to Sociology Through Social Inequality. We all know that inequality exists in most societies; but do we know why it exists? How is it perpetuated? In this Introduction to Sociology course we will look for answers. We will first reach an understanding of the sociological way of thinking. With this sociological perspective we will search for the underlying causes of race, class, and gender inequalities. In an analytical and critical manner we will draw upon sociological theory to help us reach our goal. As we gain an understanding of inequality we will also encounter previous attempts to reduce it and will propose our own. Students' analytical and critical skills will be freely expressed through class participation as well as in 3 required papers. Class time will be divided into lecture, discussion, and small group sessions. WL:1 (Hernandez)
202. Contemporary Social Issues I. (2).
(Excl). Credit is granted for a combined total of 8 credits elected through Soc. 102, 202, 203, and 401, provided that the course
topics are different.
Section 201 – Non-Western Social Movements. The premise for this course is that non-Western social movements can be analyzed
using many of the same theories that have been developed to understand the social movements of the United States and Europe. This course
will begin with an introduction to the major social movement theories
such as collective behavior, resource mobilization, and New Social
Movements theory. The course will then focus on a rigorous analysis
of several non-Western social movements ranging from the anti-colonial
revolutions of Africa and the Islamic Revolution of Iran to the
Mau women's movement in Kenya. Class meetings will be devoted
equally to lecture and discussion of course materials, Grades
will be determined on the basis of a midterm exam, a short paper, and an in-class final. WL:1 (Oko)
203. Contemporary Social Issues II. (2).
(Excl). Credit is granted for a combined total of 8 credits elected through Soc. 102, 202, 203, and 401, provided that the course
topics are different.
Section 201. We seem increasingly aware of ecological crises, yet what social forces perpetuate threats to our lives and societies
from pollution by hazardous processes, materials and wastes; and from deforestation and other exploitive practices that, despite their life-threatening consequences, continue to be carried out
by socio-economic and political organizations? We will document
environmental crises through a sociological lens that explains
our current crises and how practices are perpetuated through social
inequalities of environmental racism and sexism, of power and economic imbalances between industrialized and less-industrialized
regions of the world. We will explore theoretical visions and practical alternatives of a global society reclaiming its world
commons, of actions, organizations, and social movements that
offer solutions to the consequences of worldwide environmental
degradation. (Wellin)
452. Law and Social Psychology. (2). (Excl).
Law and social psychology intersect around issues of norms and justice. Sociology 452 examines the concepts of norms, responsibility and justice in both a social psychological and legal context and discusses how findings from social psychology, which is a science, bear on issues that arise in the law, a normative system of social control. After exploring abstract concepts like justice and responsibility in some detail, the course looks in some depth at one institution, the jury, which lies closest to the intersection of these two fields and which has been the subject of extensive social psychological research. WL:1 (Murphy)
461. Social Movements. One of the following: Soc. 100, 101, 102, 195, 202, 203, 400, or 401; or permission of instructor. (2). (Excl).
Unity. Anger. Morality. Violence. Social movements often involve such forces, and they are making history throughout today's world. This course explores the history of several movements, including labor, women's rights, civil rights, revolutionary and conservative movements. It also introduces several theoretical frameworks for understanding the origins, organization, dynamics, and outcomes of social movements. It will have elements of a seminar, with heavy emphasis placed on careful reading and classroom discussion. Grades will be based on class participation, a series of brief written assignments, and an in-class final essay exam. WL:1 (Freyberg)
495. Special Course. One of the following:
Soc. 100, 101, 102, 195, 202, 203, 400, or 401; or permission
of instructor. (2). (Excl). May be repeated for credit, provided that the course topics are different.
Section 210 – Women, Race & Class: Gender, Community, and Status. This course will closely examine the theories, concepts, realities, and ramifications relating to gender relations and gender inequality. We will investigate how gender constructs impact
and are impacted by our lives, our communities, and our social
structures. Topics to be explored include work, families, violence, interpersonal relations, socialization, politics, science and knowledge. This will be done through the use of lectures, films, readings, and small group discussions. The purpose of this class
is for students to explore some of the many elements of our society that are used as forms of stratification and barriers to equality.
Historical as well as contemporary readings would be used, including theoretical and experiential subject matter. Class performance
will be evaluated through several papers, including a term paper, that will require students to relate sociological theories with
personal life experiences. WL:1 (Ore)
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