Sociology (B.A.)

Introductory Courses

SOCY 112a / EDST 110a, Foundations in Education Studies  Mira Debs

Introduction to key issues and debates in the U.S. public education system. Focus on the nexus of education practice, policy, and research. Social, scientific, economic, and political forces that shape approaches to schooling and education reform. Theoretical and practical perspectives from practitioners, policymakers, and scholars.  SO
TTh 10:30am-11:20am

SOCY 126b / HLTH 140b, Health of the Public  Nicholas Christakis

Introduction to the field of public health. The social causes and contexts of illness, death, longevity, and health care in the United States today. How social scientists, biologists, epidemiologists, public health experts, and doctors use theory to understand issues and make causal inferences based on observational or experimental data. Biosocial science and techniques of big data as applied to health.  SO
TTh 2:30pm-3:45pm

SOCY 133a, Computers, Networks, and Society  Scott Boorman

Comparison of major algorithm-centered approaches to the analysis of complex social network and organizational data. Fundamental principles for developing a disciplined and coherent perspective on the effects of modern information technology on societies worldwide. Software warfare and algorithm sabotage; blockmodeling and privacy; legal, ethical, and policy issues. No prior experience with computers required.  SO  RP
TTh 1pm-2:15pm

SOCY 141b, Sociology of Crime and Deviance  Staff

An introduction to sociological approaches to crime and deviance. Review of the patterns of criminal and deviant activity within society; exploration of major theoretical accounts. Topics include drug use, violence, and white-collar crime.  SO
HTBA

SOCY 144a / EDST 144a / ER&M 211a / EVST 144a, Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration  Grace Kao

Exploration of sociological studies and theoretical and empirical analyses of race, ethnicity, and immigration, with focus on race relations and racial and ethnic differences in outcomes in contemporary U.S. society (post-1960s). Study of the patterns of educational and labor market outcomes, incarceration, and family formation of whites, blacks (African Americans), Hispanics, and Asian Americans in the United States, as well as immigration patterns and how they affect race and ethnic relations.  SO
MW 2:30pm-3:20pm

* SOCY 167a, Social Networks and Society  Staff

Introduction to the theory and practice of social network analysis. The role of social networks in contemporary society; basic properties of network measures, matrices, and statistics. Theoretical concepts such as centrality and power, cohesion and community, structural holes, duality of persons and groups, small worlds, and diffusion and contagion. Use of social structural, dynamic, and statistical approaches, as well as network analysis software. No background in statistics required.  SO
Th 7pm-8:50pm

Open to all students without prerequisite.

SOCY 151a / PLSC 290a, Foundations of Modern Social Theory  Emily Erikson

Major works of social thought from the beginning of the modern era through the 190s. Attention to social and intellectual concepts, conceptual frameworks and methods, and contributions to contemporary social analysis. Writers include W.E.B. Du Bois, Simone De Beauvoir, Adam Smith, Thomas Hobbes, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Immanuel Kant, Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, and Karl Marx.  SO
MW 10:30am-11:20am

* SOCY 152b, Topics in Contemporary Social Theory  Staff

In-depth introduction to recent developments in social theory, with particular emphasis on the last twenty years. Focus on three distinct areas of study: the building blocks and contrasting understandings of human persons and social action; the competing theories of the social structure of markets, institutions, cultures, social fields, and actor-networks; and the theoretical controversies concerning nations, states and empires, ethnic and racial identity, and the relation between facts and values in social research. Authors include Judith Butler, Michel Foucault, Jurgen Habermas, Pierre Bourdieu and Bruno Latour. None. Though "Foundations of Modern Social Theory" or equivalent is strongly recommended.  WR, SO
HTBA

* SOCY 160b, Methods of Inquiry  Julia Adams

The theory and practice of social inquiry. How social scientists—and aspiring social scientists—actually do their work, including designing research, sampling and measuring, and interpreting results. Examination of thesis proposal writing; ethical quandaries involved in social research. No background in social research assumed.  SO
TTh 9am-10:15am

* SOCY 162a / EDST 162a, Methods in Quantitative Sociology  Staff

Introduction to methods in quantitative sociological research. Topics include: data description; graphical approaches; elementary probability theory; bivariate and multivariate linear regression; regression diagnostics. Students use Stata for hands-on data analysis.  QR, SO
Th 3:30pm-5:20pm

* SOCY 167a, Social Networks and Society  Staff

Introduction to the theory and practice of social network analysis. The role of social networks in contemporary society; basic properties of network measures, matrices, and statistics. Theoretical concepts such as centrality and power, cohesion and community, structural holes, duality of persons and groups, small worlds, and diffusion and contagion. Use of social structural, dynamic, and statistical approaches, as well as network analysis software. No background in statistics required.  SO
Th 7pm-8:50pm

The prerequisite for intermediate courses is one introductory Sociology course or permission of the instructor.

SOCY 170b / AFAM 186b / LAST 214b / PLSC 378b, Contesting Injustice  Elisabeth Wood

Exploration of why, when, and how people organize collectively to challenge political, social, and economic injustice. Cross-national comparison of the extent, causes, and consequences of inequality. Analysis of mobilizations for social justice in both U.S. and international settings. Intended primarily for freshmen and sophomores.  SO
HTBA

* SOCY 172b / EP&E 241 / PLSC 415b, Religion and Politics in the World  Katharine Baldwin

A broad overview of the relationship between religion and politics around the world, especially Christianity and Islam. Religions are considered to constitute not just theologies but also sets of institutions, networks, interests, and sub-cultures. The course’s principal aim is to understand how religion affects politics as an empirical matter, rather than to explore moral dimensions of this relationship.  SO
HTBA

* SOCY 202b, Cultural Sociology  Jeffrey Alexander

Study of "irrational" meanings in supposedly rational, modern societies. Social meanings are symbolic, sensual, emotional, and moral. They affect every dimension of social life, from politics and markets to race and gender relations, class conflict, and war. Examination of century old counter-intuitive writings of Durkheim and Weber, breakthroughs of semiotics and anthropology in mid-century, creation of modern cultural sociology in the 1980s, and new thinking about social performance and material icons today. Topics include: ancient and modern religion, contemporary capitalism, professional wrestling, the Iraq War, impeachment of Bill Clinton, Barack Obama's first presidential campaign, and the new cult of vinyl records.  SO
HTBA

SOCY 223a / ER&M 206a / PLSC 437a, The Politics of Ethnic and National Identity  Maria Jose Hierro

Introduction to the study of ethnic and national identity, their determinants and consequences in comparative perspective.  SO
TTh 2:30pm-3:45pm

* SOCY 238b / PLSC 276b, Wrongful Convictions in Law and Politics  Nilakshi Parndigamage

This course will examine the problem of wrongful convictions and the various political and social factors that result in innocent people being convicted of serious crimes. Topics include eye-witness misidentifications, unreliable forensic science, false confessions, jailhouse informants, prosecutorial and law enforcement misconduct, race and gender, criminal justice reform, and varied approaches to wrongful convictions across the world.  SO
HTBA

Courses in this category are open to students who have completed one intermediate course and any other specified requirement, or by permission of the instructor. Preference is given to Sociology majors in their junior and senior years.

* SOCY 307b / ER&M 376b / MGRK 304b / PLSC 376b, Extreme and Radical Right Movements  Paris Aslanidis

Extreme and radical right movements and political parties are a recurrent phenomenon found in most parts of the world. Discussion of their foundational values and the causes of their continuous, even increasing, support among citizens and voters.  SO
Th 1:30pm-3:20pm

* SOCY 319a / AFAM 390a / ER&M 419a, Ethnography of the African American Community  Elijah Anderson

An ethnographic study of the African American community. Analysis of ethnographic and historical literature, with attention to substantive, conceptual, and methodological issues. Topics include the significance of slavery, the racial ghetto, structural poverty, the middle class, the color line, racial etiquette, and social identity.  SO
M 1:30pm-3:20pm

* SOCY 352b / HUMS 247b, Material Culture and Iconic Consciousness  Jeffrey Alexander

How and why contemporary societies continue to symbolize sacred and profane meanings, investing these meanings with materiality and shaping them aesthetically. Exploration of "iconic consciousness" in theoretical terms (philosophy, sociology, semiotics) and further exploration of compelling empirical studies about food and bodies, nature, fashion, celebrities, popular culture, art, architecture, branding, and politics.  HU, SO
M 3:30pm-5:20pm

* SOCY 365a / PLSC 241a, The Making of Political News  Matthew Mahler

The processes through which political news gets made. How the form and content of political news are shaped in and through the ongoing relationships between political operatives and journalists; ways in which these actors attempt to structure and restructure such relationships to their benefit.  SO
Th 1:30pm-3:20pm

* SOCY 471a and SOCY 472b, Individual Study  Staff

Individual study for qualified juniors and seniors under faculty supervision. To register for this course, each student must submit to the director of undergraduate studies a written plan of study that has been approved by a faculty adviser.
HTBA

* SOCY 491a and SOCY 492b, Senior Essay and Colloquium for Nonintensive Majors  Jonathan Wyrtzen

Independent library-based research under faculty supervision. To register for this course, students must submit a written plan of study approved by a faculty adviser to the director of undergraduate studies no later than the end of registration period in the term in which the senior essay is to be written. The course meets biweekly, beginning in the first week of the term.
T 1:30pm-3:20pm

* SOCY 493a and SOCY 494b, Senior Essay and Colloquium for Intensive Majors  Jonathan Wyrtzen

Independent research under faculty direction, involving empirical research and resulting in a substantial paper. Workshop meets biweekly to discuss various stages of the research process and to share experiences in gathering and analyzing data.
T 1:30pm-3:20pm

* SOCY 494b, Senior Essay and Colloquium for Intensive Majors  Jonathan Wyrtzen

Independent research under faculty direction, involving empirical research and resulting in a substantial paper. Workshop meets biweekly to discuss various stages of the research process and to share experiences in gathering and analyzing data. The first meeting is in the second week of the term.
T 1:30pm-3:20pm