Graduate Level Course Offerings in Sociology
SOC 200a Contemporary Social Theory
Covers major paradigms in contemporary social analysis ranging from structuration and action theory, rational choice theory, symbolic interaction, globalization, and recent cultural sociology in Europe and the United States. Works by Mead, Bourdieu, Giddens, Castelles, Melucci, Haraway, Collins, Beck, and others are covered. Usually offered every fourth year.
Ms. Hayim
SOC 201a Classical and Critical Theory
Examines major contributions in the history of sociological thought and identifies critical connections between the classical statements and the modern arguments, with a focus on contemporary social movements; from Weber to Habermas, and from Durkheim to Foucault, Frazer, and others. Usually offered every third year.
Ms. Hayim
SOC 203b Field Methods
The methodology of sociological field research in the Chicago School tradition. Readings include theoretical statements, completed studies, and experiential accounts of researchers in the field. Includes exercises in specific methods and procedures of data collection (participant observation, interviewing, collaborative research, systematic observation, oral history) and data analysis. Focuses on the student's completion of his/her own research project and functions as a support group to aid in its completion. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Timmermans
SOC 205b Qualitative Data Analysis
Employs a hands-on approach to learning how to analyze qualitative material in the inductive grounded theory tradition. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Timmermans
SOC 206b Advanced Topics in Family Studies
Studies the evolution of the Western European and American families and the historical processes that have shaped them, especially industrial capitalism, slavery, and immigration. Explores various controversies regarding the family: the family as an economic unit vs. a group of individuals with varying experiences; the effects of the shift of activity from primarily production to consumption; increased privatization vs. increased public intervention; recent changes in family structure and fertility patterns; and resolution of the double burden associated with the second shift for women. The course will take a different topical focus each time it is taught. Usually offered every third year.
Ms. Hansen
SOC 207a Feminist Theory
This course counts towards the completion of the joint M.A. degree in sociology and women's studies.
Reviews the primary schools of feminist theory, exploring how well each perspective explains the subordination of women. Examines key contemporary controversies that challenge the various perspectives: how to best integrate the study of race, class, and gender; the issue of difference; and the compatibility of postmodernism and feminist theory. Assesses the direction of feminist theory in the new millennium. Usually offered every third year.
Ms. Hansen
SOC 208a Social Problems Theory and Research
Explores the role of social problems theory, with a strong emphasis on social constructionism. Also examines the development and dilemmas of constructionism and aligned approaches. Students are required to undertake independent studies of particular social problems. Usually offered every third year.
Mr. Conrad
SOC 209b Social Movements
Provides a detailed examination of the literatures related to social movements and collective action. The focus is on reviewing past and current attempts to explain various aspects of contentious political activity, as well as introducing newly emerging explanatory models. Usually offered every third year.
Mr. Cunningham
SOC 211a Theory Workshop
Explores classical sociological theory from Hobbes to Simmel, with emphasis on Marx, Weber, and Durkheim. Taught as a theory practicum, not intellectual history, with emphasis on elucidating the logical structure of an argument and applications to research. Usually offered every year.
Staff
SOC 214b Community Empowerment in the United States
Innovative forms of community empowerment. Social capital, deliberative democracy. Topics include community organizing and development, civic environmentalism, healthy communities, university/community partnerships, service learning, community youth development, and the civic renewal movement. Usually offered every third year.
Mr. Sirianni
SOC 217a Problems and Issues in the Sociology of Health and Illness
Offers a sociocultural-historical-political perspective on the study of problems of health and illness. Accomplishes this by examining some of the basic assumptions underlying the way people conceive of and study issues in health care. Usually offered every third year.
Mr. Conrad
SOC 220b Seminar on the Sociology of Politics
A survey of the contemporary movements in the sociology of politics of advanced societies. Topics include pluralist and group theories, elite theory, behavioralism and voting studies, the theory of the state debate (neo-Marxist and neo-liberal variants), the "new institutionalism," theories of social movements, and rational choice modeling. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Ross
SOC 221b Sociology of Culture
Surveys theoretical perspectives and substantive concerns in sociological studies of culture. Examines debates regarding how to define and study culture, and considers the ways in which culture is related to power, stratification, integration, identity, and social change. Usually offered every third year.
Ms. Miller
SOC 230a Readings in Sociological Literature
Usually offered every year. Specific sections for individual faculty members as requested.
Staff
SOC 230b Readings in Sociological Literature
Usually offered every year. Specific sections for individual faculty members as requested.
Staff
SOC 290c Proseminar
A seminar meeting once a week for a full academic year in which faculty members introduce their interests and research. Required of all first-year graduate students. Other graduate students are welcome to attend. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Hansen
SOC 401d Dissertation Research
Independent research for the Ph.D. degree. Specific sections for individual faculty members as requested.
Staff
Joint Graduate/Undergraduate Seminars
Joint Graduate/Undergraduate Seminars are courses on advanced topics in sociology limited to 12 students - half graduate and half advanced undergraduate students. Permission of the instructor is necessary for undergraduates. Courses designated as Joint Seminars change from year to year.