The social causes of religion and religion's influence on social life. Topics include the definition of religion, fundamentalism, organized religion, private religion, world religions, religion and ethnic identity, religion and politics. (Gen.Ed. SB, U)

An introduction to how social forces shape health throughout the lifecourse, with special focus on human development. Topics include social origins of disease, health disparities, the influence of peer and family relationships, how social forces interact with genetic background, neighborhood effects, and social status.

A social-historical approach to race relations in the U.S. Analysis of contemporary race relations links to major social issues in American society. (Gen.Ed. SB, U)

This course will take an historical approach to understanding the relationship between race, class and the criminal justice system. We will analyze the various ways that social inequality, as a result of race and class, mediate individual and social group experiences with crime and the legal system. We will also analyze the affect of mass incarceration on poor and marginalized communities. The main goal of the course is to situate contemporary inequalities in the criminal justice system and their impact on communities, social groups, and populations in an historical context.

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.

Contact department for description.

Introduction to Sociology. Analysis of the consequences of membership in racial, gender, class and ethnic groups on social, economic and political life.
(Gen.Ed. SB, U)

Introduction to sociology and social psychology. Topics reviewed include social perception, socialization, concepts of self, personal and gender identity, expressions of emotion, social roles, group formation and power, prejudice, racism, sexism, and other topics relevant to studies in social psychology. (Gen.Ed. SB)

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, U)

Sociological perspectives on educational issues; social class differences in school achievement, the crisis in educational credentials, school reform movements, the erosion of public support for education, schools, and jobs. (Gen.Ed. SB, U)