The construction, legitimation, and delegitimation of political power; the formation of states, their expansion, and rebellion and revolution. Focus upon major theoretical perspectives, including pluralist, statist, institutionalist, class, feminist, and race-centered theories.

Interpretations of social life developed by symbolic interactionists. Topics include the interactionist approach to language, the self, deviance, social relationships, social structure and collective behavior. (Gen.Ed. SB, DU)

Connecting Self & Society First Year Seminar is designed for students who are interested in developing the ability to understand the connections between their own personal experiences and the larger social forces (economic, political, social, global, etc.) that structure those experiences and the society in which we currently live. Students will draw from news media, movies, music, the internet, and university resources to explore their transition to college from a social and historical perspective, helping to connect them to the world (and the University!) in which they live.

Connecting Self & Society First Year Seminar is designed for students who are interested in developing the ability to understand the connections between their own personal experiences and the larger social forces (economic, political, social, global, etc.) that structure those experiences and the society in which we currently live. Students will draw from news media, movies, music, the internet, and university resources to explore their transition to college from a social and historical perspective, helping to connect them to the world (and the University!) in which they live.

This course will help you see the world sociologically and understand how your own life is affected not only by yourself and other individuals, but also by the social structures and social circumstances in which you live. You will learn to translate complex sociological ideas and concepts into clear sophisticated written arguments that illustrate a nuanced understanding of our social world.

This course will help you see the world sociologically and understand how your own life is affected not only by yourself and other individuals, but also by the social structures and social circumstances in which you live. You will learn to translate complex sociological ideas and concepts into clear sophisticated written arguments that illustrate a nuanced understanding of our social world.

Disasters result from sudden or slow incremental environmental changes, technological glitches, industrial negligence, chemical pollution, and willful acts of terror. Despite various sources of disasters, they all culminate in unmistakable massive changes for individuals, rural communities, and urban centers. While earlier understanding of disasters focused on the impact of "natural" disasters on the built environment and fatalities, more recent sociological theories and case studies of disasters have given more attention to the social causes and consequences of disaster.

This course will focus on what has sometimes been called `everyday forms of resistance?, `quiet encroachments? or political `lifestyles? and `subcultures?. It applies sociological perspectives on the `resistance? that is played out in the `everyday life? of `ordinary? people: a resistance that might be widespread and diffused, individual or small scale, implicitly political, disguised or even hidden. It brings to light how the `private? or `personal? can be political, and explores the creativity of `cultural resistance?. A special attention is turned towards the `intersectionality?

This course has two main objectives: 1) to provide a theoretical and empirical foundation for the sociological study of law, legal institutions, and legal actors and 2) to enhance critical thinking about the role of law and legal institutions in social life.

Introduction to sociology. Theory, methods, and approaches to the study of society. The use of several key sociological perspectives such as culture, social class, social psychology, and organizational power to analyze contemporary social issues. (Gen.Ed. SB, DU)