This course introduces students to sociological thinking (or
the “sociological imagination”) by reading a cross section of
diverse American autobiographies and memoirs as a way to think about
numerous sociological concepts.  In particular, we will use our
sociological gaze to analyze these autobiographies in terms of the
individual actions and decisions (agency) apparent in the readings,
and the background social contexts (structure) that enable,
constrain, and inform these individual actions.  We will also
consider how the oftentimes path-breaking actions (agency) of these
individuals create opportunities (structure) for others.