SOC324 - Sociology and Literature: "Reading and Writing in the Sociological Life"

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Academic Year 2000/2001

Sociology and Literature: "Reading and Writing in the Sociological Life"
SOC 324 SP

The seminar will review the basic literature of sociology in comparison with selected examples of sociologically interesting fiction and literary nonfiction. In the process, students will be asked to sharpen their own capacities for sociological imagination. The course is primarily for sociology seniors in their last semester who have yet to complete their senior research essay. Students should come to the course, therefore, with a clear idea of their essay topic, preferably with a rough draft (usually a longer paper prepared in another class). Though there will be occasional writing assignments throughout the term, most written work will be directed toward the perfection and completion of the senior essay. Senior essays written in this cours e must develop an argument with reference to an empirical topic, but the empirical component may be archival, secondary, textual, or theoretical, as well as original research. Students will work in groups meeting outside the seminar itself in order to he lp each other with reading, research, and writing. (Non majors and majors not in their last semester may be admitted by permission should there be spaces and if they are willing to do the same work as the others).

MAJOR READINGS

Charles Lemert, SOCIAL THINGS;
Toni Morrison, SULA;
F. Scott Fitzgerald, THE GREAT GATSBY;
Ian Frazier, ON THE REZ (selection);
James Baldwin, FIRE NEXT TIME;
Joseph Conrad, HEART OF DARKNESS;
Erving Goffman, STIGMA;
and, optional: Charles Lemert, ed. SOCIAL THEORY (selections)

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

A major research essay of 20 - 25 pages; plus, occasional short writings (including drafts of sections of the paper), group work, class presentations.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Attendance and participation are required. Unexcused absences will affect the final grade. The full range of academic competencies will be tested. This course is only open to senior Sociology majors.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS SOC Grading Mode: Graded

Prerequisites: SOC151

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Lemert,Charles

Times: ..T.... 07:00PM-10:00PM; Location: PAC422

Reserved Seats: (Total Limit: 20)

SR. major: 20 Jr. major:

SR. non-major: Jr. non-major: SO: FR:

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal: Ethical Reasoning, Writing

Permission: Permission of Instructor Required

Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-26-2001