Course |
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology |
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Professor |
Amy Ansell |
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CRN |
17444 |
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Schedule |
Tu Th 1:00 -2:20 pm OLIN 304 |
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Distribution |
OLD: A/C |
NEW: Social
Science
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Cross listed: American Studies, Environmental
Studies
The purpose of this course is to provide an
introduction to the sociological perspective. Its goal is to illuminate the way
in which social forces impinge on our individual lives and affect human
society. The course is organized into four main parts. In the first, key
sociological concepts and methods will be introduced via the study of the
`fathers’ of sociology: Durkheim, Weber, and Marx. In the second part, we will
examine the significance of various forms of social inequality, particularly
those based on class, race, and gender. We will then survey several important
social institutions: the family, the economic order, and education. The fourth
and final part of the course will focus on the inter-related issues of social
movements and social change. On-line registration
Course |
SOC 120 Inequality in America |
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Professor |
Yuval Elmelech |
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CRN |
17239 |
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Schedule |
Tu Th 10:30 - 11:50 am OLIN 203 |
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Distribution |
OLD: C/E |
NEW: Social
Science/ Rethinking Difference
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Cross-listed: American Studies, Gender Studies, Human Rights, Social Policy, SRE
Why do some people have more wealth, more power,
and receive greater respect than others? What are the sources of this
inequality? Is social inequality inevitable? Is it undesirable? Through
lectures, documentary films and discussions, this course examines the ways by
which socially-defined categories of persons (e.g., women and men, Blacks and
Whites, rich and poor, native- and foreign-born) are unevenly rewarded for
their social contributions. Sociological theories are used to explain how and
why social inequality is produced and maintained, and how it affects the well
being of individuals and social groups. The course will focus on two general
themes. The first deals with the structure of inequality while studying the
unequal distribution of material and social resources (e.g., prestige, income,
occupation). The second examines the processes that determine the allocation of
people to positions in the stratification system (e.g. education, intelligence,
parental wealth, gender, race). On-line registration
Course |
SOC 203 The History of Sociological Thought |
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Professor |
Michael Donnelly |
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CRN |
17240 |
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Schedule |
Tu Th 10:30 - 11:50 am PRE 128 |
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Distribution |
OLD: A/C |
NEW: Social
Science
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Cross-listed: Human Rights
This course retraces the origins of modern social
theory in the aftermath of the democratic revolutions in America and France and
the capitalist Industrial Revolution in Britain. Readings are drawn in
particular from the major works of Marx, Weber, Durkheim, and Simmel. The course thereby introduces many of the
enduring themes of sociology: alienation and anomie; social disorganization and
community; class conflict and solidarity; secularization and the decline of
traditional religion; bureaucracy, division of labor, and professional
expertise. The course aims to assess
both the contributions of classical sociologists to subsequent social science,
and their political or ethical aspirations to criticize, reform, or
revolutionize modern society. On-line registration
Course |
SOC 205 Introduction to Research Methods |
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Professor |
Yuval Elmelech |
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CRN |
17241 |
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Schedule |
Tu Th 1:00 -2:20 pm OLIN 203 |
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Distribution |
OLD: E/G/Q |
NEW: Mathematics
and Computing
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Cross-listed: Environmental Studies, Human Rights, Social Policy
The aim of this course is to enable students to
understand and use the various research methods developed in the social
sciences, with an emphasis on quantitative methods. The course will be
concerned with the theory and rationale upon which social research is based, as
well as the practical aspects of research and the problems the researcher is
likely to encounter. The course is divided into two parts. In the first, we
will learn how to formulate research questions and hypotheses, how to choose
the appropriate research method for the problem, and how to maximize chances for
valid and reliable findings. In the second part, we will learn how to perform
simple data analysis and how to interpret and present findings in a written
report. For a final paper, students use survey data on topics such as attitudes
toward abortion, sexual attitudes, affirmative action, racism, sex roles,
religiosity, and political affiliation. By the end of the semester, students
will have the necessary skills for designing and conducting independent
research for term papers and senior projects, as well as for non-academic
enterprises. On-line registration
Course |
SOC 246 Race & Ethnicity: The Key Concepts |
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Professor |
Amy Ansell |
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CRN |
17242 |
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Schedule |
Mon Wed 1:30 -2:50 pm OLIN 301 |
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Distribution |
OLD: A/C |
NEW: Social
Science/ Rethinking Difference
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Cross-listed:
Africana Studies, American Studies, Human Rights, SRE (core course)
Although it is popular today to celebrate the
existence of a “post-racial” world, many in the academy concur that it is a
world still in the making. Race
continues to affect the social world and the people who inhabit it in multiple
ways. Given the unfulfilled promises of
a post-racist world and the sheer ubiquity of race matters, it is more crucial
than ever to carefully understand the variety and particularity of meanings and
uses with which the concepts have been historically associated. The course aims to situate the study of race
and ethnicity within its own historical and intellectual context and, in so
doing, expose students to the broad diversity of scholarship in the field and
convey the excitement and challenge of the enterprise. Its purpose is to provide students with an
understanding of the conceptual evolution of key terms, the variety of meanings
with which the concepts have been historically associated, and the differing
ways in which the concepts are deployed or remain pertinent in current
debates. Key concepts surveyed include:
race formation, ethnic identity, assimilation, racism, race and science, racial
categorization, race and politics, gendered racism, segregation, discrimination,
and whiteness. On-line
registration
Course |
SOC 332 Seminar on Social Problems |
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Professor |
Yuval Elmelech |
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CRN |
17243 |
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Schedule |
Wed 9:30 - 11:50 am OLIN 305 |
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Distribution |
OLD: C |
NEW: Social
Science
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Cross
listed: Africana Studies, American Studies, Human Rights, Social Policy, SRE
We often read alarming stories about segregated and
failing schools, the proliferation of poor immigrant
children, the weakening of the American family, and numerous other
problems in contemporary American society. While these accounts provide a
sensational and superficial treatment of various social problems, what do
researchers really know about the causes of and solutions for these problems?
This course provides a critical survey and analysis of the varied social and
structural factors that facilitate and help perpetuate social problems in the
U.S. Topics include: schools and education; wealth and poverty; lifestyle
preferences; violence and abuse; social mobility; teenage childbearing; racial segregation;
immigration and assimilation; gender inequality; work and socioeconomic
attainment. The course will also provide framework for developing the skill of
academic writing, and the appropriate use of theories, research questions and
hypotheses. In particular, this seminar will serve social science majors and
other advanced students who are developing their research and writing skills
for term papers and senior projects.
On-line registration
Course |
HIST/ SOC 3335 America, its Jews & Israel |
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Professor |
Joel Perlmann |
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CRN |
17246 |
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Schedule |
Th 4:00 -6:20 pm OLIN 203 |
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Distribution |
OLD: C |
NEW: History /
Rethinking Difference
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Cross-listed: American Studies, Human Rights, Jewish Studies, Middle Eastern Studies
This course deals with ethnicity, domestic politics
and foreign policy. First, it deals with themes of American ethnicity by
tracing striking shifts in American Jewish attitudes towards Israel since the
establishment of the Jewish state in 1948. Second, the course deals with
American politics by illuminating the changing role of Israel in the American
Jewish voting patterns, lobbying efforts, and financial contributions for
politics. The course will also take up various non-Jewish domestic pressure
groups that call for or oppose strong support for Israel – for example, in
recent years the religious right has been an important supporting force, while
Arab-American organizations have typically opposed such support. And third,
this course deals with American foreign policy itself, evaluating the
dramatically shifting history of American involvement with the Jewish state, a
history in which domestic interest groups comprise only one among several
important components.
Course |
SOC 338 Welfare States in Comparative Perspective |
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Professor |
Michael Donnelly |
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CRN |
17244 |
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Schedule |
Wed 1:30 -3:50 pm PRE 101 |
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Distribution |
OLD: C |
NEW: Social
Science
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“The era of big government is over.” Is it? If so, with what consequences? This
course retraces the main lines of development of the welfare state, examining
the social demands and political conflicts out of which “welfare” emerged, and
the values and principles which have subsequently informed welfare
policies. The course proceeds,
secondly, to consider debates and conflicts over the scope and aims of welfare
states during the last two decades. It
ends, finally, by considering innovative policy ideas to reform the welfare
state or bring it into line with changing realities. Case studies will be drawn from Sweden, Germany, Britain, Italy,
and the USA; comparison of the limited, piecemeal approach of the US with more
comprehensive European social democracy will be a consistent focus. The policy arenas to be discussed will
include youth unemployment and job sharing; equal opportunity for women; the
social integration of marginalized groups; flexible time regimes; and the
challenge of an aging population. On-line registration