Sociology Department

Sociology 335 Course Description

Sociology 335: American Society

Instructor: Elaine Wellin

Class Hours: T Th 1:00-2:50 pm

Location: Stevenson 2091

American Society is viewed through the lens of social inequalities emphasizing the dimensions and consequences of differences in education, occupation, income, ethnicities, and gender. Some specific consequences include differential social mobility, housing problems, consumption patterns, crime, youths at risk, drugs, and some social and economic consequences of globalization. We review and come to a conceptual understanding of recent and profound changes in American society and how they affect us through major social institutions such as the economy, family, government, and culture (i.e., religion, immigration, multiculturalism and technology). Among major contemporary social problems, this term we focus the element and consequences of fear stemming from global terrorism and governmental responses to it, and simultaneously if not causally-related, the profound effects on citizens and global economies of American consumption. Classes include lectures, larger and small group discussions, class exercises, and video/film presentations. Attendance is required. Take-home midterm and final examinations, a discussion requirement, and a class project are required.