SOC152 - America as a Global Thing: An Introduction to Sociology for those not Likely to Major.

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Academic Year 2003/2004

America as a Global Thing: An Introduction to Sociology for those not Likely to Major.
SOC 152 FA

The difference between this course and Sociology 151 is that it takes a specific set of social structures as its topic. Though some of the basic literature appropriate to the sociological study of societies will be discussed, the focus will be on America, the nation-state - its history, culture, political economy, social geography, and global position.

The course will introduce the field's basic concepts - social structure, the social self, social measurement of differences, the modes of economic production, inequality, culture, crime and deviance, alongside the more familiar theories of class, race, gender and sexuality - among others to be selected. But concepts and theories will be presented always in relation to specific problems of American social structures, with special attention to the formation of the United States as a global power from 1865 to the present.

As special feature the course will introduce the basic methods of social research - with special attention to observation in public places, survey research, archival research (these being representative of the three generic methods in use in sociology: the ethnography of local places, the analytic study of global structures, and the narrative interpretation of social power.

MAJOR READINGS

Readings will likely include selections from the following among other short readings:

Elijah Anderson, THE CODE OF THE STREET
Patricia Hill Collins, BLACK FEMINIST THOUGHT
W.E.B. Du Bois, BLACK RECONSTRUCTION
Irving Goffman, STIGMA
Charles Lemert, SOCIAL THINGS
Jay McLeod, AIN'T NO MAKIN' IT
Max Weber, THE PROTESTANT ETHIC AND THE SPIRIT OF CAPITALISM
Howard Zinn, A PEOPLE'S HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Weekly participation in a discussion group. Weekly close-readings of the assigned materials. Daily in-class comment cards. A group research paper and presentation. A final individual paper due at the end.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

The course will be limited to fifty, and divided into five ten-member work groups. Discussions will be supported by a TA and are scheduled outside of class time. Instruction will be through lectures, including special invited lecturers, film, as well as discussion.

Students who decide during the semester to major in sociology must petition for the exception from Sociology 151. Petitions will be judged by the Department's Faculty on the basis of the quality of written work and the final grade, as well as a written statement by the student.

The course is specifically for students in their second year. The wait-list will give preference to students who have previously tried, but failed, to register for Sociology 151. The course may be taken by those with Sociology 151 with the provision that they will be held to a higher standard in the final paper, which will be somewhat longer.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

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

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Lemert,Charles

Times: ..T.R.. 02:40PM-04:00PM; Location: PAC001

Reserved Seats: (Total Limit: 50)

SR. major: 0 Jr. major: 0

SR. non-major: 10 Jr. non-major: 15 SO: 25 FR: 0

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal: Ethical Reasoning, Writing

Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004