In this class you will learn how sociologists explain and sometimes
even predict human behavior by focusing on people’s locations and
interactions within groups (e.g. families), organizations (e.g.
corporations), and societies. While many emphasize biological,
psychological, or other idiosyncratic explanations for human
actions, sociologists account for behavior in broader, more
relational terms.  They do not believe people are pre-programmed,
completely autonomous individuals, but rather are social creatures
who are profoundly affected by social interactions and the culture
and society they live in.  In this course we will explore broad
questions about the self and how it is shaped by society.  Because
it is a two way process, we will also consider how people shape
their social worlds.

In practical terms, Sociology provides useful tools for
understanding important social problems such as racism, poverty, and
crime.  It asks why do we have these problems and what can we do
about them?  Common sense may tell us that social problems are
inevitable, or the fault of relatively few bad apples. Sociology
refutes such conventional wisdom and suggests that things are not
always as they seem. In this class you will be challenged to
reconsider some of the taken for granted assumptions about yourself
and how the world works.

You will be introduced to the theories, methods, and substantive
interests of sociology.  Topics to be covered will include, among
other things, class, gender, race, family, deviance, and politics.
The goals of the course are to expose you to the unique insights
sociology has to offer and to provide you with a deeper more
systematic understanding of American society and your place in it.