Spring 2009

Sociology 357: Modern Sociological Theory

Modern Sociological Theory provides students introductions to important topics in European and American social theory from WW II to the present. The course will concentrate on understanding five books as examples of modern theory. Through these readings students will be introduced to functionalism, conflict theory and neo-Marxism, modern Weberian theory, post-structuralism, feminist social theory, and a theory of reflexive modernization. By concentrating on several thinkers rather than the entire spectrum of contemporary thought, students will have opportunities to better understand how theorists build their arguments and tie their ideas to empirical evidence.

Sociology 410I: Environmental Sociology

The last 150 years of industrialization and the development of a worldwide market have created an acute environmental crisis. Sociology 410I will examine how the social structures and cultures of both capitalist and state socialist societies have contributed to environmental degradation. The course will also examine some of the social movements that have arisen to stop environmental degradation and promote sustainable development.

Fall 2008

Sociology 100: Principles of Sociology

Principles of Sociology provides a wide overview of sociological research and intellectual debates about both pre-industrial and modern societies. Students will learn about the major historical stages of how societies have developed. You will also be exposed to the basic theoretical concepts in general sociology and many of the discipline’s most important subfields. The course is divided into four parts, each lasting about a month:

Sociology 354: Qualitative Methods

Qualitative methods refer to the study of society conceived as a world in which people create social reality through their actions and the meanings that they give to those actions. Some scholars call this approach “symbolic interactionism,” while others prefer terms such as “the social construction of reality” or ethnographic “thick description.” By listening to lectures, reading two important sociological ethnographies and chapters from other works, and conducting two independent field studies of your own, students will gain familiarity with the strengths and limitations of qualitative approaches. You will gain research experience in ethnographic field methods, semi-structured interviews, and focus group interviews.