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Academic Year 2003/2004

Thought and Perception: A Sociology of the Mind
SOC 226 SP

Sociology offers us a provocative idea: even when we are by ourselves, in our homes, in our cars, on an island, we are never truly alone; even when there is no one to witness our actions, society is very much still with us, shaping how we think and behave.

This insight is like a loose thread. At first glance, it seem innocuous enough, but pull on it, pursue it, and all sorts of sturdy-looking things unravel. In this course, we are going to follow that thread to the most extreme of private places: the human mind. We will explore whether and to what extent our own thoughts are the product of our individual minds or of collective processes. We will consider as well how forces such as language, socialization, and social structure organize the world of raw sensation into meaningful substance, and even shape what we are able to perceive in the first place. Although primarily a sociology course, we will read across many other disciplines including anthropology, history, philosophy, and linguistics.

MAJOR READINGS

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

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

Prerequisites: SOC151 OR SOC152

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Simpson,Ruth E.   

Times: ..T.R.. 09:00AM-10:20AM;     Location: PAC125

Reserved Seats:    (Total Limit: 25)

SR. major: 9   Jr. major: 6

SR. non-major: 5   Jr. non-major: 3   SO: 2   FR: 0

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal:    Writing

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004

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