Topics include poverty, inequality, health care, education, unemployment, and social security in comparative perspective. WI Examination of contemporary forms of mass media and genres of popular culture, including print journalism, television, movies, popular literature, education, and music. Basic principles of sociological analysis of culture introduced. Enrollment limited to 40 students. Individual, group, and organizational violations of social norms, rules, and laws.
Preference is given to Sociology majors in their junior and senior years.
Survey course examining the notion that sexuality is socially constructed, constrained, and contested. An introduction to the paradigmatic critiques of culture and society. Examination of key works that contribute to our understanding of the evolving relationship between culture and society in the twentieth century. The theme of personality as it reflects the rise of personal identity and decline of public culture in the latter half of the twentieth century. Exploration of core debates in the sociology of culture over educational and arts institutions, leisure activities, and collective memory.