Disadvantaged, or powerless, not simply numerical, minorities are studied in terms of their demographic and ecological characteristics. Contemporary issues are studied in historical context. Through readings, audio-visual materials, panels and informal student reports, class members investigate the roles of men and women in the existing economic structure, the reasons for these roles and the development of trends and changes in the economic area. The characteristics of charismatic leaders and the methodology used to study this phenomenon are central themes of this course. The study of social movements in American society.
Basic focus is upon social change brought about by social movements.
Social issues of popular concern in America today, such as poverty, ecology, violence, and homosexual rights, are discussed and analyzed from a sociological perspective. Prerequisite SOC 100 or the permission of the instructor. The student is made more aware of the class, status, and power inequities of our stratified society. Class, caste, and estate systems are compared. An examination of work as a social institution and how it intersects and affects developments in other social institutions such as the family, education, religion, and politics and government.