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Sociology Courses@Barnard/Columbia 2009-2010
Barnard Online Catalog
Directory of Classes
Recently Offered Sociology Courses @ Barnard
The Social World
SOCI W 1000x; 3pts.
Identification of the distinctive elements of
sociological perspectives on society. Readings confront
classical and contemporary approaches with key social
issues that include power and authority, culture and
communication, poverty and discrimination, social
change, and popular uses of sociological concepts.
Discussion Section Required. Fall 09
- P. Bearman
- S. Venkatesh
Culture in
America
SOCI BC
2208x; 3pts.
Fall 09
- J. Rieder
Social
Theory
SOCI
W3000x; 3pts.
Overview of
classical and contemporary social theories and
examination of their relationship to social practices
and social institutions. Topics include: "first
generation" sociological theorists (Marx, Weber, and
Durkheim); psychoanalysis and social theory; symbolic
interactionism; social exchange theory;
structural-functionalism; sociobiology; and varieties of
"post modern" approaches to understanding the social
world. Fall 09
- J. Torpey
Methods for
Social Research
SOCI W 3010x;
3pts.
Introductory
course in social scientific research methods. Provides a
general overview of the ways sociologists collect
information about social phenomena, focusing on how to
collect data that are reliable and applicable to our
research questions.
Prerequisites:
SOCI W1000 The Social World or Instructor
Permission. Fall 09
- D. Fisher
Social
Statistics
SOCI W
3020x; 3pts.
This course will
teach the fundamentals of analyzing numerical data in a
social science context. Students will learn effective
ways of presenting informational summaries, the use of
statistical inference from samples to populations, and
the linear model which forms the basis of much social
science research. Emphasis will be on an intuitive
understanding of statistical formulae and models, and on
their practical application. Fall 09
- Y. Lu
Individual Senior Projects
SOCI
BC 3087.01, .02 & .03
-
E. Bernstein, D. Minkoff & P. Levin
Masculinity: A Sociological View
SOCI V
3220y; 3pts.
Examines the
cultural, political, and institutional forces that
govern masculinity. Focuses on various meanings of
"being a man" and the effects these different types of
masculinity have on both men and women. Explores some of
the variation among men and relationships between men
and women.
Prerequisites: One introductory course in Sociology
is suggested. General Education Requirement: Social
Analysis (SOC). Fall 09
- P. Levin
The
Sociology of U.S. Economic Life
SOCI V
3227x; 3pts.
Examines the social
forces that shape market behavior: ideologies of
liberalism and conservatism; the culture of commodities
and consumption; income, class, and quality of life; the
immigrant economy; life in financial institutions; the
impact of the global economy.
Prerequisites:
One introductory course in Sociology is suggested.
General Education Requirement: Social Analysis (SOC).
Fall
09
- P. Levin
Social Movements
SOCI V3235; 3pts.
Introduction to theory and research on national social movements, with
emphasis on how political, organizational, and cultural factors shape when and
how people collectively mobilize for social change. Focus is on contemporary
American activism, including the civil rights movement, the new Left student
movement, the feminist movement, gay/lesbian activism, and more recent
transnational social movements.
Prerequisites: One introductory course in Sociology suggested. General
Education Requirement: Social Analysis (SOC).
Fall 09
-
D. Minkoff
The
Changing American Family
SOCI W
3264x; 3pts.
Examines social
forces contributing to changes in U.S. family formation
including declines in marriage, increases in nonmarital
childbearing, and women's labor force participation.
Analyzes forces affecting growth of "non-traditional"
families including lesbian/gay, multigenerational
families. Particular attention given to urban, suburban,
rural contexts of poverty. Fall 09
- A. Aidala
Poverty,
Inequality, and Policy: A Sociological Perspective
SOCI V
3324x; 4pts.
Examination of
poverty, the "underclass," and inequality in the United
States. Part 1: The moral premises, social theories, and
political interests shaping current debates about the
poor. Part 2: A more concrete analysis of the lives of
the poor and the causes of family breakdown, the drug
economy, welfare, employment, and homelessness.
Prerequisites: Introductory course in Sociology is
suggested. Fall 09
- J. Olvera
Sociology
of the Arts
SOCI W
3331x; 3pts.
The arts and the social forces through which they are
made. Explores how patrons and artistic organizations
combine with audiences and informal networks of artists
to provide resources (emotional, intellectual, and
material support) necessary to artistic careers.
Examines how social relations and cultural canons around
artists affect the form and content of their art.
Fall 09
- H. White
Sociology
and the Public
SOCI W
3936x; 4pts.
This course
explores how sociologists address pressing public
concerns. With a focus on contemporary American issues,
we will discuss: (1) how particular problems are
identified; (2) what resolutions are put forth, who is
likely to achieve them, and how; (3) what the audience
is (and should be) for such work.
Prerequisites:
V1202 recommended (not required). Fall 09
- H. Whitford
Seminar:
Inequality and Public Policy
SOCI W 3945x; 4pts.
Economic inequality
in the United States; the roles of labor market
processes and inheritance with respect to wealth
assimilation; assets and the poor; public policies in
regard to income redistribution; taxation of income,
wealth, and bequests; issues in poverty policy. Fall
09
- S. Pilerman
Sociology of Culture
SOCI V3901; 4pts.
Drawing examples from popular music,
religion, politics, race, and gender, explores the
interpretation, production, and reception of cultural
texts and meanings. Topics include aesthetic distinction
and taste communities, ideology, power, and resistance;
the structure and functions of subcultures; popular
culture and high culture; and ethnography and
interpretation.
Prerequisite: SOCI BC 1003 or equivalent
social science course and permission of instructor.
General Education Requirement: Cultures in Comparison (CUL). Fall
08
-
J. Rieder
Communities and Social Change
SOCI BC 3907
Examines how social transformations have altered the ways in which people go
about creating, losing, and recreating community. The primary focus is on how
changes in the economy, the state, immigration, racial dynamics, and class
inequality inhibit and promote the maintenance of communities in contemporary
American society. Prerequisites: SOCI BC1003. Fall 08
- J.
Olvera
Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration in Urban America
URBS BC v3410 3pts.
Examines
contemporary urban diversity, with a focus on race relations, ethnic identity,
and the impact of new immigration patterns, as well as social processes such as
community formation, globalization, and gentrification.
General Education Requirement: Social Analysis (SOC). Fall 08
- G.
Smithsimon
Introduction to Urban Sociology
URBS V 3420; 3pts.
Examines the diverse ways in which sociology has defined and studied cities,
focusing on the people who live and work in the city, and the transformations
U.S. cities are undergoing today. Sociological methods, including ethnography,
survey research, quantitative studies, and participant observation will provide
perspectives on key urban questions such as street life, race, immigration,
globalization, conflict, and redevelopment. General Education Requirement:
Social Analysis (SOC). Fall 08
- G. Smithsimon
Production, Consumption, and Control of Public Space
URBS V 3810; 4pts.
Study of streets, parks, benches, plazas, mass transit, and retail centers, to
develop a critical assessment of the social production, planning, regulation,
and uses of public space.
Prerequisites: Enrollment limited to sixteen students, by application to the
department. General Education Requirement: Social Analysis (SOC). Fall 08
- G. Smithsimon
Contemporary Chinese Culture and Society
HSEA W 3850x; 3pts.
A sociological survey of contemporary China. Examines major institutions
(economy, politics, media) and the sources and consequences of their
transformation. Studies main forms of social inequality and social conflicts.
Explores popular culture, civic associations, the environmental crisis, and the
prospects for democratic political change. General Education Requirement:
Social Analysis (SOC). Fall 08
- G. Yang
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