SOCI 20001. Sociological Methods. 100 Units.

This course introduces the philosophy and practice of social research. Working from the idea that the research process is fundamentally a critical dialogue, we begin by exploring questions of causality and the epistemology of social research. Then we turn to examine the basic practices that are a component of all methods of social research through an in-depth examination of interviews, ethnography, surveys, and archival research. Assignments culminate in a research proposal for the BA thesis.

Instructor(s): C.S. Lee     Terms Offered: Winter

SOCI 20002. Social Structure and Change. 100 Units.

This course introduces the sociological study of individuals in the society. We study how individual actions are shaped by their relation to and position in the social structure, while contributing to this structure and its change. A central preoccupation is to articulate the linkage between the individual/micro level and the social/macro level. We also discuss the properties of a stratified social fabric. We focus on sociological approaches to the American society, its position in the international structure, and its principal dimensions (i.e., race and ethnicity, age, gender, social class).

Instructor(s): J. Evans     Terms Offered: Winter

SOCI 20004. Statistical Methods of Research. 100 Units.

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to widely used quantitative methods in sociology and related social sciences. Topics include analysis of variance and multiple regression, considered as they are used by practicing social scientists.

Instructor(s): S. Raudenbush     Terms Offered: Winter
Note(s): Students are expected to attend two lectures and one lab per week. UG Sociology majors and Sociology PhD students only. Others by consent of instructor
Equivalent Course(s): SOCI 30004

SOCI 20005. Sociological Theory. 100 Units.

Building on the works of Marx, Weber, Durkheim, Simmel, and other classical theorists, this course addresses the role of theory in sociology. In addition to classic texts, readings explore both contemporary theoretical projects and the implications of theory for empirical research.

Instructor(s): A. Glaeser     Terms Offered: Spring
Note(s): Required of students who are majoring in Sociology.

SOCI 20101. Organizational Analysis. 100 Units.

This course is a systematic introduction to theoretical and empirical work on organizations broadly conceived (e.g., public and private economic organizations, governmental organizations, prisons, professional and voluntary associations, health-care organizations). Topics include intraorganizational questions about organizational goals and effectiveness, communication, authority, and decision making. Using recent developments in market, political economy, and neoinstitutional theories, we explore organizational change and interorganizational relationships for their implications in understanding social change in modern societies.

Instructor(s): E. Laumann     Terms Offered: Autumn
Equivalent Course(s): PBPL 23000,SOCI 30101

SOCI 20102. Social Change. 100 Units.

This course presents a general overview of causal processes of macro-institutional level social changes. It considers a variety of types of cross-national, over-time changes such as economic growth, bureaucratization, revolutions, democratization, spread of cultural and institutional norms, deindustrialization, globalization and development of welfare states. It also covers various forms of planned changes in oppositional social movements (civil rights, environmental, women’s, and labor movements).

Instructor(s): C. Lee, D. Zhao     Terms Offered: Spring
Equivalent Course(s): SOCI 30102

SOCI 20103. Social Stratification. 100 Units.

Social stratification is the unequal distribution of the goods that members of a society value (e.g., earnings, income, authority, political power, status, prestige). This course introduces various sociological perspectives about stratification. We look at major patterns of inequality throughout human history, how they vary across countries, how they are formed and maintained, how they come to be seen as legitimate and desirable, and how they affect the lives of individuals within a society. The readings incorporate classical theoretical statements, contemporary debates, and recent empirical evidence.

Instructor(s): R. Stolzenberg     Terms Offered: Autumn
Equivalent Course(s): SOCI 30103

SOCI 20104. Urban Structure and Process. 100 Units.

This course reviews competing theories of urban development, especially their ability to explain the changing nature of cities under the impact of advanced industrialism. Analysis includes a consideration of emerging metropolitan regions, the microstructure of local neighborhoods, and the limitations of the past U.S. experience as a way of developing worldwide urban policy.

Instructor(s): F. Stuart     Terms Offered: Winter
Equivalent Course(s): CRES 20104,GEOG 22700,GEOG 32700,SOCI 30104,SOSC 25100

SOCI 20106. Political Sociology. 100 Units.

This course provides analytical perspectives on citizen preference theory, public choice, group theory, bureaucrats and state-centered theory, coalition theory, elite theories, and political culture. These competing analytical perspectives are assessed in considering middle-range theories and empirical studies on central themes of political sociology. Local, national, and cross-national analyses are explored.

Instructor(s): T. Clark     Terms Offered: Spring
Prerequisite(s): Completion of the general education requirement in social sciences
Equivalent Course(s): ENST 23500,PBPL 23600,SOCI 30106

SOCI 20107. Sociology of Human Sexuality. 100 Units.

After briefly reviewing several biological and psychological approaches to human sexuality as points of comparison, this course explores the sociological perspective on sexual conduct and its associated beliefs and consequences for individuals and society. Substantive topics include gender relations; life-course perspectives on sexual conduct in youth, adolescence, and adulthood; social epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections (e.g., AIDS); sexual partner choice and turnover; and the incidence/prevalence of selected sexual practices.

Instructor(s): E. Laumann     Terms Offered: Spring
Prerequisite(s): Introductory social sciences course
Equivalent Course(s): GNSE 27100,SOCI 30107

SOCI 20108. The Institution of Education. 100 Units.

This course is a general survey of the properties of education considered as an institution of historical and contemporary societies. Particular attention is given to institutional formation and change in education and to education's role in processes of social control and social stratification.

Instructor(s): C. Bidwell     Terms Offered: Winter
Equivalent Course(s): SOCI 30108

SOCI 20111. Survey Analysis I. 100 Units.

This course covers how to analyze and write up previously collected survey data: the basic logic of multivariate causal reasoning and its application to OLS regression. We emphasize practice in writing. This is not a course in sampling methods.

Instructor(s): J. Davis     Terms Offered: Autumn
Equivalent Course(s): SOCI 30111

SOCI 20112. Applications of Hierarchical Linear Models. 100 Units.

A number of diverse methodological problems such as correlates of change, analysis of multi-level data, and certain aspects of meta-analysis share a common feature--a hierarchical structure.  The hierarchical linear model offers a promising approach to analyzing data in these situations.  This course will survey the methodological literature in this area, and demonstrate how the hierarchical linear model can be applied to a range of problems.

Instructor(s): S. Raudenbush     Terms Offered: Spring
Prerequisite(s): Applied statistics at a level of multiple regression
Equivalent Course(s): SOCI 30112

SOCI 20116. Global-Local Politics. 100 Units.

Globalizing and local forces are generating a new politics in the United States and around the world. This course explores this new politics by mapping its emerging elements: the rise of social issues, ethno-religious and regional attachments, environmentalism, gender and life-style identity issues, new social movements, transformed political parties and organized groups, and new efforts to mobilize individual citizens.

Instructor(s): T. Clark     Terms Offered: Winter
Equivalent Course(s): HMRT 20116,HMRT 30116,PBPL 27900,SOCI 30116

SOCI 20118. Survey Research Overview. 100 Units.

The course provides an overview of interview-based data collection methods. Each student must develop a research question to guide their research design. Students get an overview of different interview-based data collection methods (focus groups, key-informant interviews, large-N sample surveys), how to sample and design a questionnaire or interview guide for their project, and the nuts and bolts of actual recruitment, receipt control and survey administration. The instructor provides feedback for proposed elements of each student's research plan through weekly assignments. The final paper is a research proposal that outlines a plan for research to address the student's research question.

Instructor(s): M. Van Haitsma     Terms Offered: Autumn, Winter
Equivalent Course(s): MAPS 30900,SOCI 30118,SOSC 20200,SOSC 30900,SSAD 53200

SOCI 20120. Urban Policy Analysis. 100 Units.

This course addresses the explanations available for varying patterns of policies that cities provide in terms of expenditures and service delivery. Topics include theoretical approaches and policy options, migration as a policy option, group theory, citizen preference theory, incrementalism, economic base influences, and an integrated model. Also examined are the New York fiscal crisis and taxpayer revolts, measuring citizen preferences, service delivery, and productivity.

Instructor(s): T. Clark     Terms Offered: Autumn
Equivalent Course(s): PBPL 24800,SOCI 30120

SOCI 20122. Introduction to Population. 100 Units.

This course provides an introduction to the field of demography, which examines the growth and characteristics of human populations. It also provides an overview of our knowledge of three fundamental population processes: fertility, mortality, and migration. We cover marriage, cohabitation, marital disruption, aging, and population and environment. In each case we examine historical trends. We also discuss causes and consequences of recent trends in population growth, and the current demographic situation in developing and developed countries.

Instructor(s): L. Waite     Terms Offered: Winter
Equivalent Course(s): SOCI 30122

SOCI 20123. The Family. 100 Units.

Everyone is a member of a family. The family has been one of the most important social institutions in every society throughout history. But the shape that families take, the functions they fill, and the problems they face vary historically and cross-culturally. So families in Sweden look different from and act differently than families in Saudi Arabia or Brazil. And American families today differ dramatically from a century ago. This course looks at families from a sociological perspective, focusing on the family as a social group, the institution of the family, and differences in families within and across societies. We consider how public policies—such as those aiding needy families (TANF) and recognizing same-sex marriage—affect families and how family members work to influence public policies. We draw on contemporary media representations of families and their challenges in order to evaluate sociological theories. The course follows lecture/discussion format. Students are responsible for three one-page papers on topics drawn from the course, a mid-term, and a final. Prerequisites include one or more general introductory courses in sociology or a related social science or consent of the instructor.

Instructor(s): L. Waite     Terms Offered: Spring; Not Offered Spring 2014
Prerequisite(s): At least one prior basic course in sociology or related social science, or consent of instructor
Equivalent Course(s): GNSE 20100

SOCI 20125. Rational Foundations of Social Theory. 100 Units.

This course introduces conceptual and analytical tools for the micro foundations of macro and intermediate-level social theories, taking as a basis the assumption of rational action.  Those tools are then used to construct theories of power, social exchange, collective behavior, socialization, trust, norm, social decision making and justice, business organization, and family organization.

Instructor(s): K. Yamaguchi     Terms Offered: Winter
Equivalent Course(s): SOCI 30125

SOCI 20126. Japanese Society: Functional/Cultural Explanations. 100 Units.

The objective of this course is to provide an overview of social structural characteristics, and the functioning of contemporary Japanese society by a juxtaposition of universalistic functional (or rational) explanations and particularistic cultural (and historical) explanations.  As will become clear as  complementary to each other.  Substantively, the course primarily focuses on 1) the forms of social interaction and structure, 2) work organization and family, and 3) education, social inequality  and opportunity.  The course also presents discussions of the extent to which Japan is "unique" among industrial societies.  In covering a broad range of English-language literature on Japanese Society, the course not only presents reviews and discussions of various alternative theoretical explanations of the characteristics of Japanese society, but also a profound opportunity to critically review and study selected sociological theories.

Instructor(s): K. Yamaguchi     Terms Offered: Spring
Equivalent Course(s): SOCI 30126

SOCI 20131. Social and Political Movements. 100 Units.

This course provides a general overview and a synthesis on theories of social and political movements. We emphasize the importance of state and state-society relations to the rise and outcome of a social or political movement.

Instructor(s): D. Zhao     Terms Offered: Spring
Equivalent Course(s): SOCI 30131

SOCI 20140. Qualitative Field Methods. 100 Units.

This course introduces techniques of, and approaches to, ethnographic field research. We emphasize quality of attention and awareness of perspective as foundational aspects of the craft. Students conduct research at a site, compose and share field notes, and produce a final paper distilling sociological insight from the fieldwork.

Instructor(s): O. McRoberts     Terms Offered: Winter
Equivalent Course(s): CRES 20140

SOCI 20157. Mathematical Models. 100 Units.

This course examines mathematical models and related analyses of social action, emphasizing a rational-choice perspective. About half the lectures focus on models of collective action, power, and exchange as developed by Coleman, Bonacich, Marsden, and Yamaguchi. Then the course examines models of choice over the life course, including rational and social choice models of marriage, births, friendship networks, occupations, and divorce.  Both behavioral and analytical models are surveyed.

Instructor(s): K. Yamaguchi     Terms Offered: Not offered 2013-14
Equivalent Course(s): SOCI 30157

SOCI 20169. Global Society and Global Culture: Paradigms of Social and Cultural Analysis. 100 Units.

This course introduces students to major theories of globalization and to core approaches to global society and global culture. We discuss micro- and macroglobalization, cultural approaches to globalization, world systems theory, glocalization and hybridization approaches and the “strong program” in globalization studies.  Empirically oriented topics include global love, global finance, global terrorism and the globalization of nothing. The empirical ethnographies of the global are chosen to illustrate the interest and feasibility of globalization studies and of critical studies of dimensions of globalization.

Instructor(s): K. Knorr Cetina     Terms Offered: Autumn
Equivalent Course(s): ANTH 25710,ANTH 35710,SOCI 30169

SOCI 20175. The Sociology of Deviant Behavior. 100 Units.

This course examines how distinctions between "normal" and "deviant" are created, and how these labels shift historically, culturally, and politically. We analyze the construction of social problems and moral panics (e.g., smoking, "satanic" daycares, obesity) to explore how various moral entrepreneurs shape what some sociologists call a "culture of fear." Additionally, we investigate the impact on individuals of being labeled "deviant" either voluntarily or involuntarily, as a way of illustrating how both social control and social change operate in society.

Instructor(s): K. Schilt     Terms Offered: Autumn
Equivalent Course(s): GNSE 20170

SOCI 20179. Labor Force and Employment. 100 Units.

This course introduces key concepts, methods, and sources of information for understanding the structure of work and the organization of workers in the United States and other industrialized nations. We survey social science approaches to answering key questions about work and employment, including: What is the labor force? What determines the supply of workers? How is work organized into jobs, occupations, careers, and industries? What, if anything, happened to unions? How much money do workers earn and why? What is the effect of work on health? How do workers and employers find each other? Who is unemployed? What are the employment effects of race, gender, ethnicity, and religion?

Instructor(s): R. Stolzenberg     Terms Offered: Autumn
Equivalent Course(s): SOCI 30179

SOCI 20184. Political Culture, Social Capital, and the Arts. 100 Units.

New work finds that certain arts and cultural activities are rising, especially among the young, in many countries. This course reviews core related concepts (e.g., political culture, social capital, legitimacy) and how they change with these new developments. Scenes, nightlife, design, the Internet, and entertainment emerge as critical drivers of the post-industrial/knowledge society. Older primordial conflicts over class, race, and gender are transformed with these new issues, which spark new social movements and political tensions. After a focus on the discussion of readings, the second part of the course is conducted as a seminar.

Instructor(s): T. Clark     Terms Offered: Not offered 2013-14
Equivalent Course(s): SOCI 30184

SOCI 20191. Social Change in the United States. 100 Units.

This course provides students with concepts, facts, and methods for understanding the social structure of the contemporary United States, recent changes in the U.S. social structure, survey data for measuring social structure and social change in contemporary industrial societies, and data analysis methods for distinguishing different types of change. This course is taught by traditional and nontraditional methods: traditional by a combination of readings, lectures, and discussions; and nontraditional by in-class, "live" statistical analysis of the cumulative file (1972–2004) of the NORC General Social Surveys (GSS).

Instructor(s): R. Stolzenberg     Terms Offered: Not offered 2013-2014
Prerequisite(s): Two prior sociology courses or consent of instructor
Equivalent Course(s): SOCI 30191

SOCI 20192. The Effects of Schooling. 100 Units.

From at least the Renaissance until some time around the middle of the twentieth century, social class was the pre-eminent, generalized determinant of life chances in European and, eventually, American societies. Social class had great effect on one's social standing; economic well-being; political power; access to knowledge; and even longevity, health, and height. In that time, there was hardly an aspect of life that was not profoundly influenced by social class. In the ensuing period, the effects of social class have receded greatly, and perhaps have even vanished. In their place formal schooling has become the great generalized influence over who gets access to the desiderata of social life, including food, shelter, political power, and medical care. So it is that schooling is sociologically interesting for reasons that go well beyond education. The purpose of this course is to review what is known about the long-term effects of schooling.

Instructor(s): R. Stolzenberg     Terms Offered: Winter
Equivalent Course(s): SOCI 30192

SOCI 20203. Emotions and Culture, Paradigms of Empirical and Theoretical Analysis. 100 Units.

The sociology of emotions is of increasing interest to contemporary societies. We believe now that even intelligence is dependent on emotions, and we find, in a variety of settings, that emotions and emotional energy directly influence situational and organization outcomes. The course gives an overview of the current state of the analysis of emotions in social science fields. Students will be asked to read, analyze, and discuss major works in the social studies of emotions in class, and to think about ways to apply emotional concepts in future research. Particular attention will go to analyzing the challenges for theorization and empirical specification.

Instructor(s): K. Knorr Cetina     Terms Offered: Winter
Equivalent Course(s): ANTH 25125,ANTH 35125,SOCI 30203

SOCI 20204. Sociology of Civil Society. 100 Units.

This course examines how civil society interacts with the state and market. After a theoretical overview of classical theories of civil society and more modern theoretical variations, it explores the various topics of civil society from institutional, organizational, and cultural perspectives. Topics include: civil society and social movements, civil society and welfare states, civil society and identity politics, civil society and market, and transformation of civil society and public sphere.

Instructor(s): C. Lee     Terms Offered: Not offered 2013-14
Equivalent Course(s): SOCI 30204

SOCI 20205. Medical Sociology. 100 Units.

This course surveys the literature in several core areas of medical sociology with a focus mostly on social behavior and health, and secondarily on the institutions and organizations associated with the delivery of health care and medical education. We first introduce the theoretical orientations focusing on social construction of medical knowledge and illness, medicine as a powerful institution, and labeling theory and stigma. This is followed by discussion of empirical studies in three dominant research arenas. First, in social epidemiology, we examine the social variations in health associated with demographic characteristics, SES, social support, and religious participation. Second, in social stress and illness, we examine the stress process model and its ramifications, the role of social support, and coping. Finally, we examine the organization of health care and health care utilization. The objectives are for students to obtain an understanding of key concepts, theories, methods, and research findings in these areas, but most important, to internalize an understanding of how “social” health and illness is.

Instructor(s): G. Hougham     Terms Offered: Winter
Prerequisite(s): Completion of SOSC core sequence
Equivalent Course(s): CCTS 21000

SOCI 20207. Social and Cultural Organization of Non-Human Animals. 100 Units.

In the past few decades, there has been an explosion of rigorous work in ethology regarding social organization, cultural patterns, and cognition in non-human animals. The results have fundamentally overturned previous assumptions about animals; they also challenge and inspire sociological theory to encompass formations observed in non-humans. This course builds on classic theoretical approaches (of Chicago sociology and philosophy, of evolutionary theorists) and the examines the current state of knowledge about animal social organization, communication, and culture. Although there is a fair amount on primates, we will be examining work on a number of social species from ants to whales. Students will write a paper pursuing one theme of the course (e.g., social organization, learning) in one species (e.g., Ethiopian wolf, Octopus vulgaris).

Instructor(s): J. Martin     Terms Offered: Not offered 2013-14
Equivalent Course(s): SOCI 30207

SOCI 20215. Urban Health. 100 Units.

This course examines health status, healthcare access, and healthcare service delivery in the urban environment. It draws on historic and contemporary research in urban sociology to frame these discussions and uses data from the City of Chicago to illustrate themes. Specific attention is given to race and ethnic differences in disease trajectories and neighborhood-level social and institutional resources. The course also explores both local and national policy implications.

Instructor(s): K. Cagney     Terms Offered: Spring

SOCI 20217. Introduction to Science and Technology Studies. 100 Units.

Science, technology and information are the ‘racing heart’ of contemporary cognitive capitalism and the engine of change of our technological culture. They are deeply relevant to the understanding of contemporary societies. But how are we to understand the highly esoteric cultures and practices of science, technology and information? During the twentieth century, sociologists, historians, philosophers, and anthropologists raised original, interesting, and consequential questions about the sciences and technology.  Often their work drew on and responded to each other, and, taken together, their various approaches came to constitute a field, "science and technology studies."  The course furnishes an initial guide to this field.  Students will not only encounter some of its principal concepts, approaches, and findings, but will also get a chance to apply science-studies perspectives themselves by performing a fieldwork project. Among the topics we examine are the sociology of scientific knowledge and its applications, constructivism and actor network theory, the study of technology and information, as well as recent work on knowledge and technology in the economy and finance. Beginning with the second week of classes, we will devote the second half of the class to presentations and discussion.

Instructor(s): K. Knorr Cetina     Terms Offered: Not offered 2013-14
Equivalent Course(s): SOCI 30217,ANTH 32410,CHSS 30217,ANTH 22410

SOCI 20218. The Future of Knowledge. 100 Units.

This course will investigate various aspects of knowledge and its future. Topics to be considered will include amateur knowledge, economics of knowledge, changes in knowledge production and control practices, trends in education, and changes in habits of knowledge. Course format will be a seminar organized around individual research projects in the course area.

Instructor(s): A. Abbott     Terms Offered: Not offered 2013-14
Prerequisite(s): One course in sociological theory
Equivalent Course(s): SOCI 30218

SOCI 20219. Urban Ethnography. 100 Units.

The everyday experiences and cultural contours of urban life have long been a focal point for sociological study. Through weekly readings and discussion of influential texts, this course surveys the development of urban ethnography from the First Chicago School of the early twentieth century through current-day research. We will explore the substantive issues that have historically shaped urban life—from community dynamics to poverty to social control—as well as the epistemological and methodological concerns faced by those who study urban populations. The aim is to ground students in the foundational literature while preparing them to conduct their own urban ethnographies in the future.

Instructor(s): F. Stuart     Terms Offered: Winter
Note(s): Third- and fourth-year undergraduates only
Equivalent Course(s): SOCI 30219

SOCI 20220. Theorizing Social Support. 100 Units.

This course examines how social scientists have conceptualized and investigated social support.  A great deal of social behavior—from moving up the income ladder to learning a trade to graduating from college to surviving tough streets to dealing with depression—depends on some form of social support.  Support can be offered and received directly or indirectly, though transactions or through rituals, routinely or sporadically, interpersonally or institutionally, and in many other forms.  What many call “social support” has been theorized in literatures as diverse as those on help-seeking behavior, trust, social capital, social networks, exchange, social isolation, group membership, and discussion partners.  Likely topics include rationality, pragmatism, creativity, choice, reciprocity, compartmentalization, and others.  This course is focused on developing sophisticated theory-building skills—students will produce a theoretical paper with clear implications and some assessment of its place vis-à-vis the vast literature on the topic.  Likely readings include works by Pierre Bourdieu, James Coleman, Randal Collins, Jon Elster, Richard Emerson, Claude Fischer, Carol Stack, Barry Wellman, and many others.  The course is limited to third- and fourth-year students.  Second-year students may enroll with prior permission from the instructor.

Instructor(s): M. Small     Terms Offered: Not offered 2013-14
Prerequisite(s): 3rd- and 4th-year undergraduates only

SOCI 20221. Crime and the City. 100 Units.

Cities have long been viewed as the natural home of crime, deviance, vice, and immorality. This course makes sociological sense of this relationship, examining how cities “breed,” “need,” and “fight” these stereotypical urban ills. Students will explore these topics from a number of perspectives, including criminological theory, up-close accounts of the drug economy, and portraits of everyday life in today’s hyper-policed ghettos. Through a series of field assignments, students utilize theories and concepts from the course to analyze issues of deviance, crime, and criminal justice in Chicago.

Instructor(s): F. Stuart     Terms Offered: Autumn

SOCI 20222. Philanthropy: Private Acts and Public Goods. 100 Units.

Under what conditions do philanthropy and other forms of private action come to be significant elements of the provision of public goods? What are the consequences of organizing society in this way? In this course, we will address the social role of philanthropy, its historical development as a significant economic and political institution, and the place of philanthropy in contemporary public policy and civic projects.

Instructor(s): E. Clemens     Terms Offered: Spring
Prerequisite(s): Completion of at least 2 quarters of SOSC
Equivalent Course(s): PBPL 27070

SOCI 20223. Sociology of the Humanities. 100 Units.

This course considers the history as well as the social and cultural structures of the disciplines currently known as humanities: Modern Languages and Literatures, Music, Art History, Classics, and Philosophy. It gives a historical review of the disciplines as scholarly projects in both American and European universities. It also considers modes of knowing in the various fields and how they have changed, as well as the implications of academic professionalization and expansion for the humanities disciplines. Beyond the readings, the principal student obligation is a research project investigating in detail a topic mutually agreed upon by the professor and the student. The course follows a mixed lecture/discussion format.

Instructor(s): A. Abbott     Terms Offered: Autumn
Equivalent Course(s): SOCI 30223

SOCI 20225. Contemporary Sociological Theory. 100 Units.

This course examines the nature of theory in the social sciences. It aims to familiarize students with debates, figures, and preoccupations now central to the field. How do theoretical problems come to be defined? What, if anything, is unique or peculiar about the social sciences? Readings from the course encompass a broad range of thinkers and perspectives. A background in classical sociological theory (specifically, Marx, Weber, and Durkheim) is not required.

Instructor(s): S. Washington     Terms Offered: Winter

SOCI 20226. Urban Schools and Communities. 100 Units.

This course explores the intersection of urban schools and community, with a focus on the evolution of urban communities, families, and the organization of schools. It emphasizes historical, anthropological, and sociological perspectives as we explore questions about the purpose and history of public schools, and factors that influence the character of school structure and organization in urban contexts, such as poverty, segregation, student mobility, etc. The topics covered provide essential intellectual perspectives on the history, work, and complexities of urban schools with a particular focus on the communities that surround them.

Instructor(s): S. Stoelinga     Terms Offered: Autumn
Equivalent Course(s): CHDV 27821,PBPL 27821

SOCI 20230. Race and Ethnicity in Comparative Perspective. 100 Units.

This course provides an introduction to the study of “race and ethnicity” in global, comparative perspective. We focus here not on particular “ethnic” or “racial” groups, but rather, on particular cases which illustrate how “race” is used as a way in which to divide, sort, and rank human beings (i.e. a principle of social vision and division). In particular, we compare and contrast how different societies have constructed ethnoracial boundaries and the social mechanisms leading to ethnoracial inequality by focusing on several key modes of ethnoracial domination: categorization, discrimination, segregation, ghettoization, and exclusionary violence. Readings include sociological, historical, and anthropological studies of ethnoracial dynamics primarily in the U.S. and Brazil, but also South Africa, Asia, Western Europe, and Latin America more broadly.

Instructor(s): E. Monk     Terms Offered: Spring

SOCI 20232. Sociology of Religion. 100 Units.

What is religion? How can religion be studied sociologically? How did religion’s significance change as the world enters the modern age? What affect the different importance and position of religions in different societies? How do we account for the growth and decline of religious groups? What social factors and processes influence individuals’ religious beliefs, commitments, practices, conversions, and switching? In what ways can religion impact economy, politics, gender and race relations in the modern times? These are the core questions that this course intends to deal with. The course is designed to cultivate in students an understanding of the distinctively sociological approach to studying religion, and familiarize students with the important theoretical approaches as well as major findings, problems and issues in the field.

Instructor(s): Y. Sun      Terms Offered: Spring
Equivalent Course(s): SOCI 30232

SOCI 20233. Race in Contemporary American Society. 100 Units.

This survey course in the sociology of race offers a socio-historical investigation of race in American society. We will examine issues of race, ethnic and immigrant settlement in the United States. Also, we shall explore the classic and contemporary literature on race and inter-group dynamics. Our investigative tools will include an analysis of primary and secondary sources, multimedia materials, photographic images, and journaling. While our survey will be broad, we will treat Chicago and its environs as a case study to comprehend the racial, ethnic, and political challenges in the growth and development of a city.

Instructor(s): S. Hicks-Bartlett     Terms Offered: Spring
Equivalent Course(s): SOCI 30233,MAPS 30233

SOCI 28059. Education and the Inheritance of Social Inequality. 100 Units.

This course is designed to provide students with an empirically-grounded understanding of the role formal education plays in mediating intergenerational social mobility in the US.  It covers methodological issues, theoretical perspectives, and public policy interventions designed to promote social mobility and equality through education.

Instructor(s): J. Marshall      Terms Offered: Spring

SOCI 28060. The Cultural Sociology of Animals. 100 Units.

Animals are an integral part of our lives -- in our language, food, families, economy, education, science, recreation, and more. Some animals are viewed as possessing subjectivity and elevated to the status of personhood or demigod, while others are objectified as tools or resources. This course provides a broad overview of competing perspectives to (1) encourage the theoretical treatment of human-animal interaction, and (2) break down the elements of “culture” by examining the social meanings that shape the roles of non-human animals in different human societies.

Instructor(s): E. Terrien     Terms Offered: Spring

SOCI 29997. Readings in Sociology. 100 Units.

Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. With consent of instructor, students may take this course for P/F grading if it is not being used to meet program requirements.

Terms Offered: Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor and program chair.

SOCI 29998. Senior Seminar. 100 Units.

This required yearlong course is a forum for students who are majoring in sociology to present their BA papers. Students attend the seminar in Spring Quarter of their third year and in Autumn and Winter Quarters of their fourth year. They may enroll during any one of these quarters, but must attend all three. They submit a completed thesis during Spring Quarter of their fourth year. Students who are not graduating in June should participate in three quarters of the senior seminar in the twelve months before graduation. Students who plan to study abroad during Spring Quarter of their third year should consult with the Undergraduate Program Chair well in advance of their trip. For a general statement about the BA paper, students should obtain the brochure Undergraduate Program in Sociology in the departmental office.

Terms Offered: Autumn, Winter, Spring
Prerequisite(s): Open only to students who are majoring in sociology.
Note(s): Must be taken for a quality grade.

SOCI 29999. BA Honors Paper. 100 Units.

Open only to students who wish to be considered for honors. Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. Must be taken for a quality grade.

Terms Offered: Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor and program chair.