SOC 101: Introduction to General Sociology

Content: The objective of this course is to provide you with a general survey of the field of sociology and, more importantly, to provide you with a way to think about and understand the social world and your place within it. We will address questions such as: Do the situations we are in have an important effect on our behavior? How do we develop a self? How does class background affect individuals? Why are people unequal in society? Major sociological concepts will be examined and illustrated with a wide variety of classic as well as recent empirical studies. Some of the topics we'll look at include: the influence of society on love; social definitions of deviant behavior; socialization to work roles; and causes and consequences of social inequality (race and ethnic relations; gender relations).

Particulars: Two exams and three written assignments

SOC 101: Introduction to General Sociology

Content: The Introduction to General Sociology course is designed to provide students a broad overview of the individual and our larger society. Specifically, we will examine the great paradox of how we as individuals experience both social constraints and social construction of our own reality in key social institutions. We will explore how sociologists think about a variety of issues and topics, including social groups and organizations, deviance and crime, race, class, and gender, as well as family, education, the economy, and healthcare. In the process, you will locate your own sociological perspectives and make discoveries that will help you make sense of your social world. The course is divided into four parts.

During part one, we will establish a foundation for studying society and social life by introducing students to: (a) the sociological perspective of studying society; (b) the research processes common in sociology; (c) major theoretical perspectives used by sociologists in analyzing and describing social issues in our society; (d) the major dimensions of culture in our society; and (e) the socialization process using "the American teenager" as a case study.

During part two we will examine social groups and social control by introducing students to a framework for integrating key components of society including social institutions, social groups, and statuses and role sets.

During part three we will examine social inequality through the lens of race, class, and gender as three central concepts that influences essentially all other aspects of people's lives.

During part four we will examine select social institutions including: (a) family and intimate relationships; (b) education; (c) the economy and work; and (d) health, health care, and disability.

Particulars: There are two multiple choice exams, an on-line essay assignment, a 10-page book analysis; and a race, class, and gender film assignment. Attendance is taken randomly throughout the course.

SOC 101: Introduction to General Sociology

Content: The objective of this course is to provide you with a general survey of the field of sociology and, more importantly, to provide you with a way to think about and understand the social world and your place within it. We will address questions such as: Do the situations we are in have an important effect on our behavior? How do we develop a self? How does class background affect individuals? Why are people unequal in society? Major sociological concepts will be examined and illustrated with a wide variety of classic as well as recent empirical studies. Some of the topics we'll look at include:social definitions of deviant behavior; socialization in school and among friends; causes and consequences of social inequality (race and ethnic relations; gender relations). This class will prepare you for further sociology courses, but is also a useful course for any major.

Texts: The Real World (Ferris and Stein), The Contexts Reader (edited by Goodwin and Jasper), Fugitive Denim (Snyder), Classic Readings in Sociology (edited by Howard)

Particulars: Three exams, quizzes, three short papers.

SOC 190: Law & Society

Content: This course is an introduction to the field of Law and Society, an interdisciplinary area of scholarship undertaken by sociologists, anthropologists, political scientists, economists, historians, and miscellaneous other scholars. Particular attention is given to the contributions of sociologists to the Law and Society field. Topics include comparative legal systems; law and the larger universe of social control; the evolution of legal norms; the modern emphasis placed on equal rights and due process; the professional socialization of law school students; and current controversies over the death penalty, gun control, and religious expression. The small-group setting of this freshman seminar makes for a highly interactive classroom experience, one where students contribute substantially by summarizing and critiquing the literature on a weekly basis.

Particulars: Student-led discussion of articles and books; three quizzes and a final exam.

SOC 201: Organizations & Society

Content: Modern society is an organizational society. We are born in organizations, and we die in them. In between, our lives are shaped by organizational entities, such as schools, universities, business firms, the music and entertainment industry, government agencies, prisons, labor unions, voluntary associations, and political parties, that remain transparent to us. This course provides an introduction to the central authors and themes in the sociology of organizations. We will use a loose historical framework to examine various research paradigms detailing core topics associated with the study of organizations such as: bureaucracy, power and conflict, rationality, authority, work, technology, and organizational deviance. Students will be encouraged to develop a general understanding of this unique sociological perspective as it applies to organizations as diverse as the CDC, Enron, Tha Row Records, and Al-Qaeda.

Texts: Hall, Richard H. Organizations: Structures, Processes and Outcomes, New Jersey: Prentice Hall; Selection of readings

Particulars: Two exams; several short summary (1-2 page) papers.

SOC 214: Class, Status, & Power

Content: The title Class, Status, and Power comes from the notion that societies are stratified into groups according to economic, honorific, and political assets. With an emphasis on the United States, this course explores sociological explanations of how and why these and other patterns of social inequality occur, and some of the consequences that result from them. You will read, discuss, and write about a variety of topics, including but not limited to: Wealth and income inequality, elites and power, privilege and oppression, poverty, the intersection of class, race/ethnicity, and gender, and educational inequality. The course material will encourage you to think critically as you continuously try to make sense of -- and ameliorate, should you want to -- various inequalities in the world around you.

SOC 220: Juvenile Delinquency

Content: The course is in four parts. First, we will examine the nature and extent of delinquency. This will include an examination of history of delinquency and the characteristics of delinquents. Second, we will examine the major theories of delinquency; with a special focus on strain theory, social control theory, and subcultural deviance theory. Third, we will examine the research on the causes of delinquency, including the research on the effect of individual traits, family factors, school factors, and gangs on delinquency. Finally, we will examine efforts to control delinquency; with a focus on the police, the juvenile court, and correctional facilities for juveniles. Classes will consist of lecture and discussion, with an occasional movie or guest speaker.

SOC 221: Culture & Society

Content: This course surveys major themes and questions in the sociology of culture in three broad sections.

(1) We begin by developing a "vocabulary" that is drawn from a variety of approaches. With this new vocabulary, we will begin to ask such questions as: What is culture and what does it do?

(2) We then examine the classical treatments of culture by Marx, Weber, and Durkheim. This allows us to see how issues that they initially raised are treated today. Examples of current issues include: How do people in one group exclude people from another group? Can religion survive in modern times?

(3) We will then focus on how culture undergirds the enactment of social activities and the existence of social groups. Thus we will deal with such issues as: How is artistic production shaped by social and cultural factors?

SOC 249: Criminology

Content: The major purpose of this course is to introduce students to the various theories used to explain crime, as well as to examine the nature, extent, and causes of crime in American society. We will consider how crime is defined and measured, explore the criminalization of deviance, and discuss various types of crime and criminality. The bulk of this course will focus on theoretical explanations employed by sociologists to explain why crime occurs, who offends, and who is victimized. We will briefly examine classical and neo-classical theories, biological theories, and psychological theories before studying sociological theories of crime including social disorganization, strain, learning, labeling, control, and conflict theories among others. In the remainder of the course we will investigate the concept of social control, focusing primarily on formal social controls such as policing and imprisonment.

Particulars: Three exams, term paper, in-class exercises.

SOC 330: Mental Health & Well Being

Content: This course is an in-depth review of the theories and supporting evidence of our current understanding of the (1) nature of mental health (includes mental illness and well-being) and the (2) causes of mental health and illness. This course is taught using the biopsychosocial model of health. This means students will learn about the proximal causes of mental health (biological), the medial causes of mental health (psychological), the distal causes of mental health (sociological), and the interconnections among the causes of mental health.

Particulars: At least two, and possibly a third, in class exams.

SOC 333: Sociology of Religion

Content: An introduction to major issues and theories in the sociological study of religion. Theorists range from Marx, Weber, and Durkheim to Berger, Bellah, and Warner. Their work is used as a basis for understanding American "mainline" traditions, the relationship of religion to social power and social change, and the ways in which traditions vary across class, gender, ethnic, and age lines.

Particulars: Mid-term and final exam, two 8 to 10-page papers, one based on field work.

SOC 343: Mass Media & Social Influences

Content: In this course, we examine the history and nature of mass media in four sections.

(1) We begin by considering the social implications of new forms of mass media.

(2) We then examine how various media industries (e.g., radio, TV, record, motion picture, print) are organized and how such organization is sometimes transformed by regulation, competition, or technology.

(3) We focus next on the content of media products and investigate factors that promote stability and change in content.

(4) Finally, we consider the audience for mass media products and inspect how they are affected by and actively use media content.

Texts: Online reserves

Particulars: Brief memos; midterm and final examination; research project.

SOC 343: Mass Media & Social Influences

Content: In this course, we examine the history and nature of mass media in four sections.

(1) We begin by considering the social implications of new forms of mass media.

(2) We then examine how various media industries (e.g., radio, TV, record, motion picture, print) are organized and how such organization is sometimes transformed by regulation, competition, or technology.

(3) We focus next on the content of media products and investigate factors that promote stability and change in content.

(4) Finally, we consider the audience for mass media products and inspect how they are affected by and actively use media content.

Texts: Online reserves

Particulars: Brief memos; midterm and final examination; research project.

SOC 349: Gender & Crime

Content: This course will explore women as offenders, victims, and workers in the criminal justice system. The course will be divided in three parts. In the first part of the course, we will cover theoretical explanations for female crime, both traditional and feminist theories. In the second part of the course, we will cover females as victims of crime, particularly violent crime. In the final part of the course, we will explore women's representation and experiences as workers in the criminal justice system.

Particulars: Midterm and final exam; 3 short papers; post discussion questions.

SOC 350: Sociology of Law

Content: This course provides a theoretical and empirical foundation for understanding the role and limits of law in human society. Students will learn how the sociology of law offers a distinctive viewpoint within the larger field of sociolegal studies, how this viewpoint differs radically from the traditional jurisprudential model of law, and why it has practical relevance for everyone. Specific topics include comparative legal systems; law and the larger universe of social control; the evolution of legal norms; the professional socialization of law school students; attitudinal and behavioral patterns of the police, lawyers, judges, and juries; and current controversies over the death penalty, gun control, and religious expression.

Particulars: Three or four short-essay exercises; two quizzes and a final exam.

SOC 355: Social Research I

Content: This course is a practical introduction to research methods commonly used by social scientists, including experiments, surveys, focus groups, participant observation, content analysis, and analysis of comparative-historical data. The course has three main objectives. First, you will learn how to translate theoretical issues into researchable sociological questions. Second, you will learn how to choose an appropriate research design and recognize its strengths and limitations. Third, you will gain actual experience in the collection and analysis of data. The overall goal is to provide you with the critical skills necessary for being a savvy consumer and producer of social research data.

SOC 355WR: Social Research I

Content: This course is a practical introduction to research methods commonly used by social scientists, including experiments, surveys, in-depth interviewing, participant observation, and content analysis. The course has three main objectives. First, you will learn how to translate theoretical issues into concrete research questions. Second, you will learn how to choose an appropriate method to answer your research questions and recognize its strengths and limitations. Third, you will gain actual experience in the collection and analysis of data through a class survey project. The class will implement a survey with Emory undergraduates; students will collect and analyze this data as the basis for their final empirical research paper. The overall goal is to provide you with the analytical skills necessary for evaluating and producing social research data.

Particulars: 8 short written assignments (many of these will become part of your final paper), and a final empirical research paper (15 pages). No exams.

SOC 355WR: Social Research I

Content: This course is a practical introduction to research methods commonly used by social scientists, including experiments, surveys, in-depth interviewing, participant observation, and content analysis. The course has three main objectives. First, you will learn how to translate theoretical issues into concrete research questions. Second, you will learn how to choose an appropriate method to answer your research questions and recognize its strengths and limitations. Third, you will gain actual experience in the collection and analysis of data through a class survey project. The class will implement a survey with Emory undergraduates; students will collect and analyze this data as the basis for their final empirical research paper. The overall goal is to provide you with the analytical skills necessary for evaluating and producing social research data.

Particulars: 8 short written assignments (many of these will become part of your final paper), and a final empirical research paper (15 pages). No exams.

SOC 370BWR: Planning Community Initiatives
Same as POLS 370BWR / CBSC 370BWR

Content: This course overviews the history, development, and activities of the community building movement in the United States. Specifically, it examines the contemporary use of cross-sector collaboration to address complex public problems that sap the vitality, deplete the resources, or stymie the improvement of urban communities at all levels. All across the country, this kind of collaboration among organizations in the business, government, nonprofit, civic, and faith-based sectors is transforming neighborhoods, cities, and entire metro regions. Collaborative, cross-sector, community-based problem solving is being used to increase the availability of affordable housing, promote school reform, expand access to health care, encourage sustainable development, promote economic self-sufficiency for all, decrease the devastation of poverty and more. It also considers the processes through which "community builders" attempt to foster social change. The course has five primary goals:

(1) introduce students to the principles that support community building as an approach to addressing important public problems in metropolitan communities;

(2) provide students with a set of analytic perspectives for examining important public problems and fostering social change;

(3) assist students in identifying the interconnections among demography, culture, economy, and polity, and the global, national, state, regional, and neighborhood forces affecting metropolitan communities;

(4) lay a foundation for students to engage in critique, introspection, and reflection about the need and means of community building and social change; and

(5) prepare prospective Community Building and Social Change Fellows to recognize, understand, and contribute to the eventual resolution of real world issues in metropolitan communities.

Particulars: Two examinations, a team-based reflection paper, and a final synthetic essay.

SOC 389: Sociology of Art

Content: This course considers visual art from a sociological perspective, exploring the influence of social context on aesthetics, art history, artistic careers, and art institutions, such as museums. We will investigate such topics as the cultural division between high art and popular culture, how social factors such as networks, gender, and nationality affect an artist's success, and why some artists become famous, while others drop into obscurity. The course will also explore such topics as cultural capital, critical and popular reception, and globalization of the arts.

SOC 389S: Racial Attitudes in America

Content: As it has since our nation's founding, race continues to divide Americans and play an important role in politics and society. This senior seminar provides an overview of the history and current state of racial attitudes in the United States. We will begin with a review of the basic theoretical approaches, empirical findings, and controversies in research on racial attitudes. Specifically, we will explore the major social psychological theories of racial attitudes (e.g., personality approaches, the "new racism" approaches, social identity theory, group position theory, social dominance theory, among others). The course will primarily focus on the racial attitudes of whites, but also where possible consider the racial attitudes of non-whites. This course will be interest to students concerned with the sociology and politics of contemporary American race relations.

SOC 389S: Gender & Social Policy
Same as WS 385S

Content: This seminar approaches issues related to gender and social policy from both comparative-historical and -international perspectives, though our focus will be mostly on industrialized countries. We begin the semester with an overview of theories regarding how countries regulate various aspects of social policy. Then we will use a "spotlight" approach to examine a variety of issues states regulate that have gender-specific themes, outcomes, or implications. Topics include but are not limited to: entitlement and need-based "welfare" programs, family policy, labor/employment policy, health care policy, and education policy.

Particulars: Prior coursework in WS or Sociology desirable. In addition to regular attendance and active participation, grades will be based on an in-class presentation, as well as a small number of short papers (7-8 pages) and a longer research paper due at the end

SOC 389S: Mass Media--Language & Symbols
Same as LING 385S

Content: This course provides an introduction to the mass media in modern societies. Different aspects of media will be covered, ranging from the political economy of the media (we will try to answer such questions as: Who owns the media? and Can advertisers influence media programs?), to the media as news and entertainment. We will look at the world of advertising, its language, its messages, and its pictures. We will investigate the notion of media bias or the selection and presentation of news, with particular reference to gender, race, class, and nation states. We will take up the question: Is there more to the selection of news than time, space, and cultural constraints? In attempting to answer that question we will take up broader concepts, such as hegemony and ideology, and the role of language in shaping people's consciousness.

SOC 389S: Black Intellectual Traditions
Same as AAS 490S

Content: The course will focus upon Africana Studies, Africana scholars and intellectuals and how each has dealt with social issues over time, from Frederick Douglas to Ida B. Wells-Barnett to Barack Obama. Social issues that have impacted or currently impact the lives of people in America and globally, as seen from these perspectives, will be introduced and analyzed with special attention to approaches to change and social justice. Various forms of print and visual materials as well as selected speakers will be drawn upon in focusing on the interface of intellectual discourse and social action.

Texts: Theoharis and Woodard, Groundwork: Local Black Freedom Movements in America

SOC 457WR: Dev. Of Soc. Theory

Content: This course critically analyzes the emergence of classical sociological theories and the development of their contemporary intellectual offspring, focusing on distinct theoretical approaches to problems of solidarity and social change.

Particulars: three exams, assignments.

SOC 494RWR: Internship

Content: The internship involves supervised work in a social service agency or other organization. Students work from 10 hours (4 credits) to 30 hours (12 credits) a week. An effort is made to place students in agencies or organizations that match their research and/or career interests. Opportunities include counseling in a program for adult offenders on probation, work in a family planning agency, work at the Centers for Disease Control, work at Cable News Network, etc.The internship involves supervised work in a social service agency or other organization. Students work from 10 hours (4 credits) to 30 hours (12 credits) a week. An effort is made to place students in agencies or organizations that match their research and/or career interests. Opportunities include counseling in a program for adult offenders on probation, work in a family planning agency, work at the Centers for Disease Control, work at Cable News Network, etc.

Particulars:

• Written permission required from Instructor prior to registering.
• Limited to declared Sociology majors only.
• A 10-page paper describing the social service agency or organization and the student's work in it.
• A research paper from 20 (4 credits) to 40 (12 credits) pages long.
• Attendance at two seminar meetings.
• Individual meetings with the faculty supervisor.