America as a Global Thing: An Introduction to Sociology for those not Likely to Major.
SOC 152
Fall 2005
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01
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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.
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. |
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Essential Capabilities:
Ethical Reasoning, Ethical Reasoning, Speaking, Speaking |
| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS SOC |
| Course Format: Lecture/Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (STS) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Readings will likely include selections from the following among other short readings:
Elliot Liebow, TALLY'S CORNER
W.E.B. Du Bois, BLACK RECONSTRUCTION
Erving Goffman, STIGMA
Charles Lemert, SOCIAL THINGS
Max Weber, THE PROTESTANT ETHIC AND THE SPIRIT OF CAPITALISM
Howard Zinn, A PEOPLE'S HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES
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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. In term exam. A final individual paper or exam due at the end. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
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. |
| Instructor(s): Lemert,Charles C. Times: ..T.R.. 02:40PM-04:00PM; Location: PAC001; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 75 | | SR major: 0 | JR major: 0 | | |
| Seats Available: 8 | GRAD: 0 | SR non-major: 15 | JR non-major: 20 | SO: 40 | FR: 0 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 7 | 1st Ranked: 1 | 2nd Ranked: 2 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 4 |
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