Sociology 420 - Getting a Job:Careers/Mod Econ

"What do you want to be when you grow up?" is a question most Americans have been asked, and have asked themselves, countless times since childhood. As the relentless asking of this question implies in contemporary American society our jobs not only determine our standards of living but also shape our identities. The question also implies that what one becomes is largely a matter of individual choice. This class will explore the often invisible sociological forces that shape our career paths. We will examine how at each stage of getting a job sociological factors, such as the nature of one's social network, as well as one's gender, class and race/ethnicity can play important roles in influencing both our aspirations and our opportunities. In the process of exploring these social forces students will have ample opportunities to reflect on their own nascent careers. The sociological understanding developed in this class will empower students in navigating their own life paths and in participating as citizens to create equal opportunities for others.

An introductory sociology course is recommended