The analysis of social interaction, social relationships, socialization, social deviance, social control, social institutions, social processes and social change. An introduction to the major problems in contemporary America with a focus on the causes, theoretical explanations and social policy solutions. Topics include economic and political problems, urbanization and environmental problems, family and educational problems, child abuse, social deviance, crime and delinquency and drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse.
Course focuses on how crime in our society is related to the collective aspects of human life.
An analysis of ethnicity in contemporary urban society including relationships between subcultural communities and the larger society. Factors and processes in the formation of minority groups will be examined as well as strategies for changing dominant-minority patterns. This course introduces the sources, functions and dynamics of the unequal distribution of wealth, power, knowledge and prestige in an historical, comparative perspective. An analysis of the status of women in Western society as well as from a cross-cultural perspective. A multidisciplinary perspective in understanding women's roles will be featured.