Introduction to Sociology
Ever wondered how your life situation is influenced by the social world around you? What does the adage “think globally - act locally” really mean: do individuals have the power to enact change that has far reaching social consequences? This introductory course considers the relation between the individual and society. First, we will review some of the key scholars that have written about this question. Next, we will evaluate how institutions (for example, the media, health systems, and financial markets) shape our daily lives and the enduring inequalities produced by these social forces. Finally, we will look at cases where rapid social change has occurred: for example, the election of America’s first African American president, the 2011 Arab Spring, and marriage equality for gay, lesbian and transgender couples. Class assignments include both oral and written work comprising literature reviews, quizzes, and class debate. The course will culminate in a final written case study assignment of a social problem or social process that captures your sociological imagination.