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Introduction to Sociology
Introduction to Sociology
Description. This course provides a systematic introduction to sociology, equipping students with the foundational tools to analyze social life, institutions, and structures. It begins with an exploration of sociology’s core questions, classical and contemporary theories, and research methodologies. Students will critically engage with key sociological concepts, including social class, race, ethnicity, gender, and nationality, examining their roles in shaping individual and collective experiences. The course also emphasizes the development of a "sociological imagination," encouraging students to challenge taken-for-granted assumptions and apply sociological perspectives to everyday life. Through a combination of theoretical discussions, empirical studies, and multimedia materials—including films, case studies, and interactive assignments—students will gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between power, inequality, and social change.
[Syllabus - Summer 2024] [Syllabus - Spring 2024] [Syllabus - Fall 2023] [Syllabus - Summer 2021]
Sociological Theory
Sociological Theory
Description. This course offers a systematic introduction to classical sociological theory. It begins with an exploration of modernity through the works of Rousseau and Kant, laying the foundation for understanding society as an object of social scientific inquiry. The course then examines the key concepts, methods, and arguments in the theories of Marx, Durkheim, and Weber, followed by discussions on Georg Simmel, George Herbert Mead, W.E.B. Du Bois, and the Frankfurt School. The course concludes with a critical examination of classical sociological theory, focusing on black feminist epistemology.
Economic Sociology
Economic Sociology
Description. This course provides an introduction to the sociological study of economic phenomena. It begins by examining the economic perspective and its sociological critiques, followed by a survey of major theoretical approaches, including structural, institutional, cultural, relational, and performativity perspectives. The course then applies these frameworks to empirical studies of markets (e.g., sushi, cotton, finance) and selected topics such as money, pricing, valuation, and morality. Additional topics include the economic sociology of “peculiar goods” (e.g., cadavers, art, beauty, eggs, surrogacy, and sex work) and contemporary issues in late modern capitalism, such as digital platforms and economic inequalities along class, race, and gender lines.
Sociology of Culture
Sociology of Culture
Description. This course offers an in-depth exploration of how sociologists study culture—its meanings, practices, power, and consequences. We will examine culture not as a static “thing” to be possessed, but as a dynamic and contested process that shapes—and is shaped by—social life. Drawing on both classical foundations and cutting-edge research, we will consider how culture operates at multiple levels: in everyday interactions, in institutions and markets, in the arts and media, and in transnational flows of ideas and symbols. Students will engage with key theoretical traditions, including symbolic interactionism, structuralism, field theory, practice theory, and cultural pragmatics, and will learn how these approaches illuminate topics such as ideology, identity, taste, boundaries, performance, materiality, and resistance. The course is designed to be both conceptually rigorous and empirically grounded. Readings will pair in- fluential theoretical texts with contemporary case studies from diverse cultural contexts, showing how soci- ologists analyze phenomena as varied as fashion modeling, political protest, advertising, subcultures, litera- ture, art, and film. In addition to scholarly work, students will engage with fiction and nonfiction films, ethnographic accounts, and visual materials to better understand how culture is produced, circulated, con- sumed, and transformed. By the end of the semester, students will have the analytical tools to critically interpret cultural forms and practices, and to situate them within broader structures of power, inequality, and social change.
Social Problems (200-level)
Social Problems (200-level)
Description. This course introduces students to the sociological study of major social problems in the United States and around the world. Using core sociological concepts and theories, we will examine how issues—including poverty, race and ethnicity, gender, sexualities, aging, education, media, work, family, crime, health, ur- banization, and the environment—are shaped by larger social structures and institutions. Special attention will be given to how inequalities are created, sustained, and challenged. Through lectures, readings, videos, movies, and class discussions, students will develop a critical understanding of how social research informs, (or could or should inform) public debates and policymaking. By the end of the course, students will not only be able to analyze social problems sociologically but also explore how policy interventions and collec-
tive action can lead to meaningful change.
Social Problems and Change (300-level)
Social Problems and Change (300-level)
Description. This course explores social problems and social change through the lens of power and inequality in modern societies. It begins with an examination of equality as a concept, idea, and ideal in the historical context of capitalism and modernity. The course then surveys key theories of class, race, ethnicity, and gender before delving into major theoretical accounts of power and their implications for social change. While theory-focused, the course also incorporates empirical applications through films, videos, and case studies to help students critically engage with the material.
Crime, Race, and Ethnicity
Crime, Race, and Ethnicity
Description. This course examines the intersections of race, ethnicity, and crime, focusing on the U.S. criminal justice system and beyond. Students will engage with theoretical frameworks and empirical research to explore how social structures, media representations, historical legacies, and systemic inequalities shape crime and justice. Topics include racial hoaxes, mass incarceration, policing, immigration, and hate crimes, emphasizing how race and ethnicity influence victimization, offending, and criminal justice responses. Course materials include academic texts, landmark case studies, and films, providing a multidisciplinary perspective. Through lectures, discussions, and assignments, students will critically analyze issues of race, power, and justice while evaluating strategies for equitable reform.
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