America as a Global Thing: An Introduction to Sociology for Those Not Likely to Major
SOC 152
Fall 2009
| Section:
01
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| Certificates: International Relations |
The difference between this course and SOC 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, globalization, 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. Concepts and theories will be presented in relation to specific problems of American social structures, with special attention to the formation of the United States as a global power in the capitalist world-system. 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). The course concludes with the presentation of group research on global regions affected by America's global power. |
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Essential Capabilities:
None |
| 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 (selections)
Erving Goffman, STIGMA
Charles Lemert, SOCIAL THINGS
Max Weber, THE PROTESTANT ETHIC AND THE SPIRIT OF CAPITALISM
Filipe Fernandez-Armesto, THE AMERICAS
Immanuel Wallerstein, THE WORLD-SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
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Examinations and Assignments:
Participation in a discussion group. Weekly close-readings of the assigned materials. 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 SOC151. 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 SOC151. The course may be taken by those with SOC151 with the provision that they will be held to a higher standard in the final paper, which will be somewhat longer. Students who decide to major in sociology may be permitted to substitute this course for SOC151. |
| 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: 0 | GRAD: 0 | SR non-major: 5 | JR non-major: 20 | SO: 40 | FR: 10 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 4 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 4 |
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