( ) Year of initial appointment at Binghamton
Arrighi, Giovanni, Professor, Dottore in Economia, 1960, Universita Bocconi-Milan: Urban-industrial, development, political economy, world-system. (1978)
Casparis, John, Bartle Professor, PhD, 1965, Brown University: Urban-industrial, demography, deviance. (1966)
Dìaz-Cotto, Juanita, Associate Professor, PhD, 1990, Columbia University: Women’s studies, Latin American and Caribbean studies, social problems in U.S., criminal justice. (1990)
Dubofsky, Melvyn, Professor (joint with History), PhD, 1960, University of Rochester: Social and labor history. (1971)
Geschwender, James A., Bartle Professor, PhD, 1962, Michigan State University: Urban-industrial, class analysis, race and ethnicity, gender and work. (1970)
Keyder, Caglar, Associate Professor, PhD, 1977, University of California at Berkeley: Development, political economy, Ottoman Empire, world-system. (1979)
Kraft, Philip, Associate Professor, PhD, 1971, Washington University: Urban-industrial, labor process, occupations, gender and work. (1970)
Lee, Richard E., Assistant Professor, PhD, 1995, State University of New York at Binghamton: World-systems, structures of knowledge, cultural studies and science studies, methods and theories, (1999)
Martin, William, Professor, PhD, 1996, State University of New York at Binghamton: World-historical studies, history of social inquiry, global race, Africa. (1999)
Murray, Martin J., Professor, PhD, 1974, University of Texas at Austin: Urban-industrial, methods, South Africa and Vietnam, labor, class analysis, theories. (1975)
Petras, James, Bartle Professor, PhD, 1967, University of California at Berkeley: Development, Latin America, the Caribbean, revolutionary movements, class analysis. (1972)
Roth, Benita, Assistant Professor, PhD, 1998, University of California at Los Angeles: Political sociology, social movements and social activism, race, class and gender, women and work. (1998)
Santiago-Valles, Kelvin, Associate Professor, PhD, 1980, Union Graduate School: Latin America, theories, ideologies. (1984)
Sarkar, Mahua, Assistant Professor, PhD, 1999, Johns Hopkins University: International development, gender studies, nationalism, post-colonial theories. (1999)
Selden, Mark, Professor, PhD, 1967, Yale University: Political economy, revolutionary change, East Asia, socialist development. (1979)
Tomich, Dale, Professor, PhD, 1976, University of Wisconsin: World-system, political economy, Caribbean, theories, social movements. (1976)
Wallerstein, Immanuel, Distinguished Professor and Director of the Fernand Braudel Center, PhD, 1959, Columbia University: World-system, Africa, development, socialist development. (1976)
Coquery-Vidrovitch, Catherine, Adjunct Professor, PhD, 1970, University of Paris, Sorbonne: Peasantries, Africa. (1981)
Davin, Anna, Adjunct Lecturer, PhD, 1991, University of London: Women, social change, class analysis. (1980)
Muto, Ichiyo, Adjunct Professor, PhD, 1954, University of Tokyo: Development, political economy, East Asia, social movements. (1982)
Quijano, Anibal, Adjunct Professor, PhD, 1953, University of San Marcos: Latin American studies. (1986)
The sociology curriculum broadens and deepens the understanding of social organization and social change, and provides a background in the perspectives and methods useful in examining the factual basis of assertions about the social world. Sociology courses provide knowledge useful in making more encompassing and better integrated sense out of the social world around us and out of immediately experienced social relations. Such knowledge is applicable as background understanding in social action or in professions such as law, politics, social planning and social service — professions that must take into account social structure and social relations.
The curriculum emphasizes two broad areas: the development of world social relations and the development of United States social relations. Both stress broad social change processes.
Sociology combines readily with racial, ethnic, area and women’s studies, as well as other interdisciplinary social sciences.
There are no prerequisites to courses numbered 200 and above, except that consent of the instructor is required for courses numbered 395, 397, 491, 498 and 499.
The department requires 10 sociology courses for the major, including:
1. One introductory-level course (SOC 111 to SOC 115). Sociology majors may take more than one introductory-level course for credit; however, only one counts toward fulfilling the requirements for the major.
2. One course in sociological methods — SOC 305 or other courses that may be offered by the department or the University and designated as fulfilling the requirement.
3. Eight other sociology courses, of which a minimum of six must be numbered 300 or above. Graduate courses may be taken (with permission of instructor) and count toward 300-level (and above) requirements. (Methods courses are included as part of the six 300-level requirements.)
4. A maximum of two courses selected from SOC 395 and either SOC 397 and 498 may be counted toward the major as part of the 10 sociology courses.
5. Honors program: see SOC 499.
Students are encouraged to consult with an adviser about courses outside the department that may be substituted for the above requirements.
To earn honors in sociology, a student majoring in sociology must earn a grade-point average of 3.5 or above in major courses and 3.3 or above overall and must successfully complete the Honors Seminar (SOC 499); that is, submit a research paper that is judged to be of honors quality. SOC 499 (or its functional equivalent) constitutes an "11th course," that is, a course in addition to the 10-course requirement to fulfill the sociology major.
Research for the honors paper may be initiated in SOC 499 (offered each fall semester) or in another sociology course. This Honors Senior Seminar (open to all students with permission of instructor) is organized around broad topics of general sociological interest.
To earn high honors, a sociology major must earn a GPA of 3.7 or above in the major and a 3.5 overall and meet the other conditions described above for honors.
Consult the director of undergraduate studies for more information.
Six courses (24 credits) are required: one sociology methods course (SOC 305); three sociology courses numbered 300 or above; and two other sociology courses.
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An applicant should ordinarily have a superior academic record and some background in social sciences. The ability to write well is important. The department requests all applicants to submit papers they consider indicative of their scholarly promise. Applicants also must include in their application a carefully framed, full statement on their scholarly concerns, the particular problems that interest them and why they wish to pursue graduate work at Binghamton.
The Graduate School requires all applicants to submit their scores in the three Graduate Record Examination tests (verbal, quantitative and analytical). No advanced test score is necessary.
A small number of department assistantships are available each year to entering students. Awards are highly competitive. In arriving at a decision on admission and funding, the department pays primary attention to an applicant’s scholarly promise as indicated by submitted written work, the statement of purpose and past academic record as indicated in transcripts and letters of recommendation. Normally, a student in good standing remains eligible for funding for four years. Department students also obtain University funding in the form of fellowships. Adjunct teaching positions are available, on a competitive basis, to students admitted to PhD candidacy.
The department offers coursework, supervised independent study and research guidance at the level of first-year studies, advanced studies and doctoral research. Core courses are offered in world-system studies; development; urban-industrial studies; race, class and gender; theoretical studies; and in methods. In addition, there are advanced colloquia in specialized topics and seminars in preparation for areas and dissertation writing.
FIRST-YEAR STUDIES
Each student’s program is worked out in consultation with one or more
faculty advisers in the light of the student’s preparation and interests.
Ordinarily a first-year program of six courses will include four core courses
offered by the department. Successful completion of the first-year program is a
requirement for promotion to the program of advanced studies.
ADVANCED STUDIES
In advanced studies, students concentrate their work in two
or more fields, with a view to demonstrating a high level of competence in each,
and in developing a dissertation-research project. The actual program of studies
is jointly worked out by the student and a study committee chosen by the
student. The program usually combines colloquia, independent studies and the
continuing area/dissertation seminar.
By the end of the second year, students who are in residence are required to register in and attend a demonstration-of-competence seminar (also known as an area paper seminar). At that time, students form study committees that may initially start with one or two faculty, but will eventually consist of four faculty members, at least two of which (including the chair) must come from the department. A study committee’s role combines guiding the student in advanced studies, evaluating the work as it progresses and assessing when a requisite level of competence in each field has been demonstrated.
A student is advanced to candidacy after the successful demonstration of competence in the two areas and after his/her initial proposal for dissertation research has been approved by the study committee.
Degree requirements include 32 graduate credits in sociology or in approved courses in other departments or schools of the University.
Degree requirements include course requirements, the successful completion of comprehensive examinations and a dissertation approved by the dissertation committee and the University.
Course requirements are 36 graduate credits beyond the MA or its equivalent (24 for those students with degrees completed in the department) in sociology or in approved courses in other departments in the University.
The comprehensive examination consists of the demonstration of competence in two scholarly areas as described above. In order to prepare for these examinations, advanced students in residence must take a demonstration-of-competence seminar. Competence in an area consists of a broad working familiarity with the principal perspectives, theories, research methods and practices, and matters of generally established fact commonly encountered in a well-defined or emerging field of inquiry. The student ordinarily submits an "area paper," in which the problematic is defined, and supporting material. The examinations are in the form of oral defense.
A student may complete a demonstration of competence in an area at any time after the successful completion of first-year studies. The examination should normally be completed during the third year of residence.
After successfully passing the comprehensive examination, students form a PhD dissertation committee and when in residence, enroll in and attend a dissertation seminar. University regulations require that the committee consist of at least four persons with the chair and at least one other member from among the department faculty. Within six months of the examination, the student must submit a dissertation research proposal and have it approved by the members of the dissertation committee. The filing of the approved proposal confirms official admission to candidacy.
The department, acting through the director of research and graduate studies, recommends that the University grant the PhD in sociology when the student has fulfilled the University residence and doctoral-research requirements; passed an oral examination ("the defense") administered by the University on the topic of the dissertation; and deposited with the University a copy of the dissertation approved by the examining committee.
Typical Program of Study
First Year: four core courses; two advanced colloquia (24 credits)
Second Year: one core course; five advanced colloquia, independent studies or courses from other departments (MA awarded with completion of 32 credits)
Third Year: remaining course requirements completed; areas seminar. Studies concentrate on preparation for demonstration of competence and the writing of area papers.
Fourth Year: completion of all requirements for advancement to candidacy; dissertation seminar; doctoral research.
Fifth Year: doctoral research and dissertation writing.
It is expected that the dissertation will be completed and defended by the end of the fifth year.
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NOTE: Unless otherwise noted, all undergraduate courses carry four credits and are offered every year.
SOC 111. SOCIAL CHANGE: THE GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
Analyzes various perspectives regarding long-term historical
change, including the world system, dependency and modernization approaches.
Focuses on socio-economic forces that have shaped the modern world. Attention on
long-term process of change (including urban and rural transformations in
historical perspective), secular trends and cyclical rhythms in the world
economy, along with the socio-cultural manifestations of global transformation.
SOC 112. SOCIAL CHANGE: SOCIOLOGICAL FRAMEWORKS
Investigates key theoretical problem areas in the social
sciences, including the relationship between structure and agency, world
inequality (development and underdevelopment), power and the state, ideology and
consciousness, and social organizations and social movements. Focuses
principally upon conceptual themes and perspectives, with special attention
devoted to social theories and leading theorists, including rigorous discussions
of main ideas and concepts defining the social sciences.
SOC 113. SOCIAL CHANGE: GENDER RELATIONS AND SOCIAL LIFE
Investigates various approaches to studying gender relations,
including social roles versus social construction, nature versus nurture and
labeling perspectives. Emphasizes family and kinship relations from a historical
perspective, construction of social identities, women and men, and masculinity
and femininity in the context of the life cycle.
SOC 114. SOCIAL CHANGE: ENTERPRISES, MARKETS AND WORK
Analyzes the origins and development of the modern
corporation and the relationship among corporate structures, markets and work.
Emphasizes the evolution of the modern business enterprise, corporate strategies
and structures, the changing nature of work, shifting occupational structures,
wealth and power, and income inequality.
SOC 115. SOCIAL CHANGE: RACE AND CLASS
Explores the complex interplay between race and class.
Focuses on issues of race (including the way it has been defined), ethnicity,
class structures and class stratification, and communities.
SOC 180-189. SPECIAL TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY
Intensive study of particular topic to be determined in
advance. May be repeated for credit if different topic offered.
SOC 211. SOCIAL CHANGE: AFRICA, U.S., EUROPE
Examines the changing relationships of Africa with the United
States and Europe, from Greek-Nile links, through slavery, through pan-African
struggles against colonialism and racism, to contemporary economic and cultural
flows.
SOC 225. SOCIOLOGY OF WORK AND OCCUPATIONS
Meaning of work in Western industrial societies; emphasis on
contemporary U.S. Impact of technological and cultural change on occupational
structure and workforce. Recent changes in nature of both blue-collar and
white-collar work; changes in participation by racial and ethnic minorities and
by women; relationship between American workforce and those of developing
countries.
SOC 226. SOCIAL MOVEMENTS
Structural base for the rise of movements, personal
motivations for participation, success and failures of movements. Emphasis on
local identities in civil society. Search for alternatives to the dichotomy of
transnational capitalism versus socialism. Relation of local to international
movements.
SOC 240 (ALSO AFST 240, LA&C 240, WOMN 240). WOMEN OF COLOR IN THE U.S.
Examination of the diverse struggles (political, economic,
social, legal, etc.) of Asian, Native American, African American and Latina/Chicana
women in the U.S. and the ways in which public institutions and agencies
(federal, state, local) deal with women of color.
SOC 251. DEVIANT BEHAVIOR
Theories of deviant behavior, illustrations from studies of
delinquency, mental illness, alcohol and other drug use, etc. Implications of
control policies such as hospitalization, imprisonment, therapy.
SOC 252 (ALSO LA&C 252). SOCIAL CHANGE IN PUERTO RICO
Development of capitalism in Puerto Rico since 1898.
Interrelationship of economic, political and class structures. Process of
industrialization, changes in form of local state after 1945.
SOC 253. THE SOCIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
Exposes students to a variety of reproductive issues —
conception (and contraception), birth and motherhood. Focuses on the U.S. and on
other countries in order to examine assumptions about reproductive practices and
strategies. Explores issues such as birth control, pro-natalism, the
construction of fetal personhood, and the meaning and experience of families and
motherhood.
SOC 254 (also WOMN 254). FAMILY AND KINSHIP
Perspectives on family structure and functioning;
consequences of social class and other variables on stability and effectiveness
of family; effects of family on personality.
SOC 256. GENDER AND SEXUAL IDENTITIES
Origins of contemporary sex roles and gender relations.
Biological, social and cultural bases of sex role differences and sexual
identities; social-structural and cross-cultural variations in contemporary
sex-role development and sexual identities; emergence of alternative lifestyles.
Critical examination of social-analytic perspectives on gender and sexuality.
SOC 260. SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN THE U.S.
Various theoretical perspectives for analyzing the nature of
contemporary social conflicts and problems in the U.S. Issues raised may include
social inequalities of various kinds, poverty, unemployment and the working
poor, gender and race discrimination, and crime and social justice.
SOC 263. FROM POOR LAW TO WELFARE STATE
Social services in the United States from the Colonial era to
the present. Issues of child welfare, public health, schooling, social work as a
profession. Comparisons with welfare systems of other nations.
SOC 270 (also WOMN 270). GROWING UP FEMALE IN 19TH-CENTURY ENGLAND
Childhood and adolescence in 19th-century England in relation
to work, family, education and sex roles of period. Changes in nature of
childhood and family life with special regard to experiences of work and
working-class girls and women. Variety of research materials used.
SOC 275. LABOR AND SOCIETY IN CONTEMPORARY JAPAN
Focuses on the tendency toward democracy and diversity versus
the tendency toward conformity. Impact on people’s lives, relation to national
issues, neighboring countries and hegemonic interests of the U.S. Goal is
achieving analytical skills in relation to historical events, not merely fact
finding.
SOC 276 (also HIST 257). THE AMERICAN WORKING CLASSES SINCE 1877
American working classes in industrial
era: ethnic, racial, occupational characteristics, changing quality of life,
evolution of organized labor movement, labor’s various forms of political action. Working-class culture: religion, family structure, recreation.
SOC 277. WEALTH, POWER AND
POVERTY IN U.S.
Focuses on how the concentration of wealth in the U.S.
affects state and social policies, living standards, the mass media and
political military and ideological power. Investigation of the historical
foundations for structural inequalities in contemporary U.S.; examination of
sources of political, economic and social power.
SOC 280-289. SPECIAL TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY
Intensive study of particular topics to be determined in
advance. May be repeated for credit.
SOC 300. POST-WORLD WAR II AMERICA
Major economic, social, political and cultural changes in the
U.S. in post-World War II era; U.S. in world economy, class transformation,
social and cultural changes; outcomes for social life of such movements as
feminism and environmentalism, the "new" immigration; the shift to a
service economy, consumerism. Particular topical focus varies.
SOC 301. SOCIOLOGY OF EVERYDAY LIFE
Focuses on the sociology of the everyday; considers the
socially constructed nature of reality, self and identity; and looks at how the
acquisition of a self through society is problematic given unequal distributions
of power. Addresses the meaning of social categories in our lives.
SOC 305. PROBLEMS OF METHOD
Examination of a range of research strategies, procedures and
methodological issues for studying social relations. Introduction to several
types of social measurement and ethnographic research, including surveys and
field studies.
SOC 310. DEVELOPMENT AND ECOLOGY
Focuses on the interaction between socio-economic
institutions and class interests and their impact on the environment. Examines
the role of multinational corporations. State development policies and
grass-roots movements in a variety of ecological settings. Case studies focus on
agricultural and industrial policies and their impact on food, health and
natural resources.
SOC 311 (also AFST 311). AFRICAN WORLD SYSTEMS PERSPECTIVE
Understanding the process of change in African sub-Saharan
societies, mentalities, economies and culture. Examined are natural environment
and major historical turning points; sociological heritage of so-called
traditional societies; impact of Islam as a long-distance relationship with
worlds of Mediterranean and Indian Ocean; organization of a Western world
economy based on Atlantic trade in slaves and raw materials; colonial
imperialism; 20th-century unrest, reactions, problems.
SOC 313 (ALSO LA&C 313). SLAVERY, RACE, CULTURE
Cross-cultural and socio-historical analyses of slavery and
slave systems, including redefinition of social groups within the world economy.
Draws on materials form the U.S. and elsewhere where slavery took root and
developed. Different experiences of slavery, impact of slavery on populations of
African origin and on the formation of African and African-Diaspora cultures;
response of these populations to slavery.
SOC 321 (also la&C 321). RACE AND CULTURAL RELATIONS IN THE WORLD
Historical origins of "race" and
"racism"; the growth and development of racial, ethnic and national
identities. Cultural expressions of "race" and "ethnicity."
Topics selected may vary.
SOC 324 (ALSO WOMN 324). WOMEN’S WORK
Social and historical processes through which work is
organized and allocated on basis of gender; relationship of these processes to
changes in world economy. Growth in women’s poverty and struggles of women in
both paid and unpaid labor force.
SOC 325. GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT
Addresses the problems of development and underdevelopment in
the Third World with a special focus on gender inequalities. Introduces students
to the main theoretical perspectives on development, and evaluates them in the
context of both the historical record of colonialism and important contemporary
issues, such as the challenge of sustainable development and the ecological
limits to limitless growth.
SOC 328. COMPARATIVE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Origins and development strategies of regimes in various
zones or regions of the world. Social composition of regimes; changes in social
base that accompany shifts in development policies. Consideration of
costs/benefits that accrue to different classes.
SOC 330 (ALSO WOMN 330). LATIN AMERICAN WOMEN
Political, social and economic roles of women in Latin
America. Examines the experience of women in the rural, urban, mining,
industrial, service and informal sectors, and women’s survival under military
dictatorships, colonialism and neo-colonialism.
SOC 331. RACIAL STRATIFICATION
Primary emphasis on black Americans. Theories of racial
stratification (viz.: assimilation, white racism or prejudice, internal colony,
social class); comparison of these theories with historical experiences of black
Americans. Attempts at black political organization and movements.
SOC 340 (ALSO WOMN 340). WOMEN AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Studies the causes for which women are arrested and
incarcerated in local jails, state and federal institutions, immigration
facilities, concentration camps and juvenile detention centers. Also examines
the types of offenses for which women are arrested, the punishment they receive
and the treatment they face once institutionalized. Attention is given to how
women respond to the conditions of incarceration.
SOC 358. BUREAUCRACIES AND POWER
Structure and functioning of large-scale bureaucracies such
as corporations, government departments and international agencies. Historical
perspective on changes in the theory and practice of internal organization and
administration of bureaucracies. The issues of power, control and social
responsibility will be addressed.
SOC 359. URBAN SOCIOLOGY
Political economy of urban processes, covering contemporary
issues such as economic restructuring, globalization, the "new"
international division of labor and the "new immigrants" in global
cities. Comparison of several cities in the U.S. and Western Europe. However,
particular emphasis given to New York City and Miami.
SOC 360. RELIGION, SELF AND SOCIETY
Social change analysis of religious role, ritual and belief
systems in comparative historical perspective. Major focus on the
Judeo-Christian tradition within the world capitalist system, including conflict
within and among groups composing that tradition as well as the process of
secularization. Significant attention to the social formation of religious
identity and change, particularly in 20th-century American society.
SOC 361. POPULATION
Determinants and consequences of population processes and
trends. Relevance to such social problems as poverty, environmental
deterioration and health problems.
SOC 362. PUERTO RICAN MIGRATION
The main goal of this course is to offer a broad and
comprehensive understanding of the Puerto Rican experience in the U.S. The
course will place the Puerto Rican experience in a comparative perspective
relative to other Caribbean and Latino migrations to the U.S., and Caribbean
migrations to Western Europe.
SOC 364. MUSIC, LITERATURE AND VISUAL ARTS
A critical examination of selected literature devoted to the
historical sociological study of settings within which artistic, musical and
literary activities are organized as these are shaped by systems of class,
status and power. Major themes include: (1) a contrast between changes in elite
and popular music; (2) elite and popular literature.
SOC 368. POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY
Impact of social structure and social psychological factors
on political attitudes and behavior of significant groups and strata. Structure
of such groups; social characteristics of leaders and members, analyzed in light
of sociological theory. Elites, intellectuals, students, women, ethnic and
religious groups.
SOC 370. SOCIAL INEQUALITY
Critical evaluation of the socio-historical processes
resulting in various types of stratification and inequality in contemporary
social settings. Relationship among class, status and power. Class consciousness
and conflict; critical understanding of various perspectives explaining social
inequality. Examination of class inequality, gender inequality, race inequality
and various barriers to social mobility.
SOC 371 (also la&c 371). THEORIES OF SOCIAL CHANGE
How social theorists analyze large-scale social change,
conceptions of origins, structure, development of modern social systems, classes
and social groups, the state and bureaucracy, problems of rationalization and
technology, problems of theory and method. Special topics may include the
"Rise of the West" and the origins and transformations of colonialism,
neo-colonialism, racism and women’s oppression.
SOC 374. CHINA IN THE 20TH CENTURY
Incorporation, imperialism and social transformation; rise
and demise of revolutionary movements; the Guomindang and Communist parties,
nationalism and modernization; the party-state, socialist transformation and
market transitions; labor, peasant and women’s movements; U.S.-China-Taiwan
relations; China’s rise as a regional and global power.
SOC 375. ECONOMIC SOCIOLOGY
Social organization of economic institutions; meaning and
value of work in world-historical perspective. The politics of technology,
skills and organization of enterprises. Conflicts between economic markets and
firms, and production relations. Special topics may vary.
SOC 380-389. SPECIAL TOPICS
SOC 395. INTERNSHIP
Meets special needs and interests of students doing
independent research or community projects. Written analytical term report of
project work required. May be repeated only as elective. Prerequisite: prior
arrangement with and consent of chosen instructor.
SOC 397. INDEPENDENT STUDY var. cr.
Tutorial or seminar study of special problems that meets
needs of advanced students. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
SOC 420. SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES AND PERSPECTIVES
Selected writings of classical and modern social theorists.
Nature of theorizing in contemporary sociology; survey of current debates in sociological theory. Topics may include a critical assessment of
positivist, functionalist, Marxist, structural-functionalist, feminist, critical
theory and post-modernist approaches to sociological analysis.
SOC 480-489. SPECIAL TOPICS
SOC 491. TEACHING PRACTICUM
Independent study through teaching in particular sociology
course. Course instructor directs students in preparation of syllabi, other
course materials, devising and reading examinations; lecturing and/or leading
discussion; academic counseling. May be repeated for total of no more than eight
credits. Credit may not be earned in conjunction with course in which student is
currently enrolled. Does not satisfy major or all-college requirements.
Prerequisites: consent of instructor and department. P/F only. Students must
consult department for detailed guidelines.
SOC 498. INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
SOC 499. HONORS/SENIOR SEMINAR
Student or student-faculty initiated research project.
Prerequisites: sociology course(s) in topic of research and consent of
instructor. Paper written for this course may be submitted for consideration for
honors, on advice of instructor.
Note: Limited number of advanced undergraduates may be admitted to graduate seminars with consent of instructor. See graduate program information.
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*Pending Graduate Council approval.
(Core-basic courses given annually.)
SOC 601. INTRODUCTION TO MODERN WORLD-SYSTEMS AND
WORLD-HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES var. cr.
World capitalist system from its origins to present.
Formation of axial division of labor, transition in Europe from feudalism to
capitalism. Interstate system: balance of power, imperialism, nationalism,
hegemony. Labor processes in core and periphery and their integration.
SOC 602. CONTEMPORARY
CAPITALISM var. cr.
The rise and demise of market capitalism. Resurgence of
mercantilism and struggle for world hegemony. Corporate capitalism, its effects
on the social structures of the world economy. Origins of the present crisis,
transition to post-capitalist world system.
SOC 603. WORLD-HISTORICAL
STUDY OF STRUCTURAL INEQUALITIES var. cr.
Examination of conflicting, world-scale and uneven
interconnections between the following processes from early-modern era to
present century: (a) the rule of capital and asymmetrical expansion of its
multiple servitudes; (b) the rise of Western domination and of Occidentalist
culture(s); (c) the invention and lived experience of "race" as
fundamental conflicting articulation of all other power relations in general and
particularly of various labor forms; (d) the (hetero) normalization of
propertied/bourgeois families and of the gender/sex structures thus fabricated
and authorized; and (e) the proliferation of practices antagonistic to all such
interrelated patterns of social regulation.
SOC 607. THEORETICAL STUDIES var. cr.
Social theories in relation to world-historical development. Smith, Marx and
Weber, their followers and critics. Division of labor; the market; status group,
class, class struggle; state formation and bureaucracy; consciousness;
accumulation, revolutionary social change.
Other Introductory Courses
(Most are given every other year.)
SOC 608. STUDIES IN METHODS var. cr.
History-theory tension as organizing contradiction.
Theoretical terms and arguments. Historical terms and descriptions (verbal,
numerical). Narratively organized explanations. Issues of concept formation,
measurement, causal imputation. Historical alternatives as counterfactual
constructions. Comparative method.
SOC 609. ASPECTS OF METHOD IN WORLD-HISTORICAL INQUIRY var. cr.
Experimental vs. historical sciences: the place of theory and
description in inquiry. Outline of a world-historical study. On theoretical
arguments: sources; logical considerations (formal, dialectical, fuzzy
versions); realistic historical alternatives; systems and
"complexity"; concept formation. On historical descriptions: sources;
logical considerations (categories, forms of variation, their historities);
precision vs. accuracy; statistical descriptions (from enumerations to frequency
distributions to joint distributions; statistical relations, their measures,
their assumptions; indicators and indices). On the history-theory tension: image
of the "whole"; measurement of concepts, conceptualization of
descriptions; explanation, causal imputation, historical alternatives.
SOC 610. ANTI-SYSTEMIC MOVEMENTS var. cr.
Examines the emergence and transformation of anti-systemic
movements on a world scale, from the late 18th century to the present.
Encompasses labor, nationalist, socialist, feminist and environmental movements,
among others. Particular attention is given to relations within and across
movements, as they shape, and are shaped by, world-historical and worldwide
processes of the capitalist world-economy —including the degree to which
ruptures occur in movement forms, strategies — and objectives.
SOC 611. GENDER AND SOCIAL
PROTEST var. cr.
Students analyze gender politics and strategies, ideologies
— and effectiveness of social movements. Core concerns of political sociology,
such as constitution of power, polity, protest, and the state are also examined,
taking into account the linked issues of feminism, women’s movements and
gender activism in movement and institutional settings. Using literature drawn
from sociology, history and women’s studies, students investigate topics
related to experiences of women in social protest, considering how the inclusion
of analysis of gender politics adds to knowledge of political formation
generally.
SOC 612. GENDER STUDIES AND FEMINIST THEORY var. cr.
Grapples with the sometimes vexed relations between Western
feminist theory and other theoretical traditions such as liberalism, Marxism,
critical race theory, anti-imperialist/post-colonialist theory, psychoanalysis
and post-structuralism. Students read representative texts of the particular
theoretical tradition and various feminist dialogues with them. Course delves
deeper into the intersections of discourses of gender with those of race, class,
ethnicity, religion, nationality — and sexuality.
SOC 613. RESEARCH DESIGN var. cr.
This course aims to satisfy two goals: first, to explore the
long-standing debates concerning the relationship between theory and methods, or
the relationship between the explanation and interpretation of empirical
observations; and second, to critically evaluate some of the ways that scholars
have tried to conduct theoretically formed, empirically grounded research. The
purpose is not to provide a survey of the spectrum of research techniques, nor
is it conceived as a "cookbook" course designed to train students in
research techniques. Rather, it is directed at assisting students in the
construction of meaningful and manageable research projects with the aim of
acquiring external funding, preparing a dissertation proposal or completing a
writing project of publishable quality.
SOC 614. SPACE AND TIME IN WORLD-HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE var. cr.
In both their theoretical formulations and practical
research, sociologists typically make use of various notions of space and time.
In many instances, however, such usages are untheorized, inconsistent and vague.
The purpose of this course is to critically explore the uses of time and space
in works of sociological theory and in practical research. It examines the
growing body of theoretical literature that addresses the conceptual debates on
these issues; it also explores how different conceptions of spatiality and
temporality alter research frameworks and change the results of given research.
*SOC 615. IDENTITY, VIOLENCE
AND EMPOWERMENT IN U.S.
AND LATIN AMERICA var. cr.
Examines the relationship among various forms of violence and the
construction of diverse identities (e.g., racial, ethnic, gender, sexual,
class). It analyzes the manner in which conceptions of the same identity change
as individuals and communities seek to empower themselves. Moreover, it analyzes
various ways in which the state and the private institutions contribute to the
construction of identities and the perpetuation of violence.
Advanced Colloquia
(Most are given every other year. Some colloquia, as indicated in
the course descriptions, are full courses given in a six-week period.)
(Most are offered every other year.)
SOC 616. ETHNOGRAPHIC METHODS var. cr.
Provides a basic understanding of the issues generated by
field research as students conduct their own. Engaging participant observation
at a chosen site, students learn how to take field notes and how to analyze data
by sharing these notes with other students. Also considers current qualitative
research that questions the "objective" ethnographic stance. All of
the above is with an eye toward having students create publishable work and/or
conduct dissertation research.
SOC 617. NATIONALISM
What is a nation? What is nationalism? What is the
relationship among nationalism, religious fundamentalism, communalism and
secularism? What are the intersections between discourses and social practices
of nationalism, gender, race, class, religion, ethnicity and sexuality? These
are some of the questions this course critically evaluates in light of theories
of nationalism and the debates surrounding them.
SOC 618. RETHINKING GLOBAL
LABOR FORMATION, 16TH TO 20TH CENTURIES var. cr.
Discussion of recent world-historical research on how the
laboring classes have been socially constituted within the locally disputed
context of global capitalism in general and regimes of accumulation in
particular within both "core" and "peripherical" spaces.
Course material includes but is not limited to slavery and emancipation, other
forms of coerced labor (past and present), partial proletarianization, the
social control of laboring populations and disciplinary institutionalities,
Subaltern studies perspectives, the feminization and racialization of work (past
and present), new labor process and regulationist debates, analyses of
coloniality, resistances (from everyday forms to systemic transformation), and
the conflicting morphologies of labor movements and related social expressions
(economic, political, cultural).
SOC 619. GLOBALIZATION,
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
AND WORK var. cr.
Examines the connections among current and emerging
information technologies, global production chains, and changes in work
organization and work relations. Explores both primary and secondary sources
from public and private-sector enterprises, government policy-making bodies,
trade associations and unions.
SOC 620. SOCIOLOGY OF LAW
AND GLOBALIZATION var. cr.
Reviews the major approaches to law in social theory and
focuses on the significant role law has come to play in the current wave of
globalization. The role of law in the development and reproduction of capitalism
is discussed in light of Marxian and Weberian approaches; the debate on the
autonomy of law, and law as normative theory, is reviewed. In the second part of
the course, the reception of Western law by peripheral countries is traced.
Special attention is paid to the current development of the world capitalist
system and the attempts to globalize commercial, and especially intellectual,
property law. The course concludes by relating the globalization of regulation
under WTO, environmental treaties and human rights legislation, to declining
national sovereignty.
SOC 621. STRATIFICATION: RACE,
CLASS AND GENDER var. cr.
Designed to examine the manner in which race, ethnicity and
gender have been socially constructed. Course assumes that the process is not
arbitrary but rather reflects the historical experiences of peoples. Further, it
explores the extent to which gender is differentially constructed within racial
or ethnic groups and the consequences that this differential construction has
for the location that such groups occupy within the societal stratification
order.
SOC 622. THE SOCIAL DYNAMICS
OF PUNISHMENT var. cr.
Notions of criminality used during the past 200 years to
criminalize the behavior of sectors of society deemed to be
"dangerous" to the social order; institutions created to control such
behavior (e.g., police forces, public executions, slavery, work houses, jails,
state and federal prisons, chain gangs, reformatories, mental institutions,
Indian reservations, concentration camps, immigration detention centers, white
supremacist groups); differences and similarities in the types of punishment
applied to men, women and children of different nationalities, races, ages,
social classes and sexual orientations; the notion of "state" crimes
and their impact on the social structure.
SOC 624. THE WORKING CLASS IN
THE UNITED STATES var. cr.
Formation and growth of working class in U.S.; 20th-century
developments. Capital accumulation and proletarianization on world scale, and
major migrations to and within U.S. labor-market processes, class relations and
labor laws. Changing occupational and social composition, geographical location
of U.S. labor force. Forms and varieties of working-class communities (personal
networks) and organizations (unions, parties). Ethnicity, race and culture, in
relation to labor-force formation and reproduction, to workers’ movements and
to class consciousness. Classical writings in labor and social history; recent
works using newer social-history approach.
SOC 625. CLASS, GENDER AND
CHILDHOOD IN INDUSTRIALIZATION var. cr.
Impact of change on experiences of children, gender roles.
Differences of practice and ideology in developing middle class, in new
industrial working class. Interaction between classes over issues relating to
childhood. Full course in six weeks.
SOC 626. THEORIES AND POLITICS
AFTER POST-COLONIALITY var. cr.
Critically engages the new field of cognitive-political
discourse, which in the late 1970s and 1980s gained prominence in the North
Atlantic academy under the rubric of post-colonial theories/studies. What
constitutes post-coloniality? How can we best characterize it as a
theoretical-political project? How can we usefully reconstruct its founding
moments — Orientalism and its critics, post-structuralism, etc. — as well as
the problematic and politics that shaped it (e.g., feminism, sub-alternity and
minority discourse) in order to reflect upon our times? How do the new
challenges and demands of the present alter what questions we ask of the
"modern"? These are some of the questions around which this course is
organized.
SOC 627. SOCIOLOGY OF GLOBAL
STUDIES var. cr.
Examines the emergence and transformation of theoretical and
institutional forms of studying the world beyond the borders of Europe and North
America. Includes examination of European and Asian Orientalism, the rise and
fall of area/international/development conceptions and programs, and the ongoing
exploration of alternatives — from world-system perspectives to new forms of
cultural and global studies.
SOC 628. PERIPHERAL SOCIAL
STRUCTURES var. cr.
Methodological problems in the study of peripheral societies;
nationalism; developmentalism; the peripheral state; industrialization and
populism; local bourgeoisies and their politics; crisis and social movements;
prospects for democracy and civil rights.
SOC 629. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT var. cr.
What constitutes a region in the world economy? Drawing on
recent studies problematizing concepts of national, region, community, world
economy, incorporation, "east" and "west," land-based vs.
maritime zones and world stratification, this seminar examines regional
development in long-term and comparative perspective.
SOC 630. THE STUDY OF SOCIALIST
DEVELOPMENT var. cr.
Socialist thought, movements and historical development.
Processes and conceptions of transition to socialism. Class struggles; reform
vs. revolution; party and state; plan and market; bureaucracy and democracy;
socialist states and the capitalist world economy; alienation and liberation;
crises and reform.
SOC 631 A-Z. TOPICS IN ADVANCED
THEORETICAL STUDIES var. cr.
Theoretical trajectories within historical social sciences
and related knowledges; interrelations among various perspectives, including but
not limited to critiques of political economy, debates on state formation,
contending comparative-historical analyses, global anti-colonialism, and the
linguistic or cultural turn within the historical social sciences.
SOC 632 A-Z. TOPICS IN ADVANCED WORLD-SYSTEMS STUDIES var. cr.
Studies in the theory and history of the modern world-system
and antecedent historical systems.
SOC 635. THE WORLD-HISTORICAL STUDY OF STRATIFICATION var. cr.
Current theories, especially of racial and ethnic
stratification. Recent work from world-historical perspective on patterns and
processes of racial and ethnic stratification. Formation, reproduction of
stratification associated with historical relations of production.
SOC 671. ADVANCED THEORETICAL
STUDIES var. cr.
Trajectories of theoretical social science. Interrelations
among three organizing frameworks: Smith’s political economy, Marx’s
critique, Weber’s anti-critique. Established views and dubious voices. Today’s
many Marxisms.
SOC 673. ADVANCED WORLD- SYSTEM STUDIES var. cr.
SOC 690. SPECIAL TOPICS IN
SOCIOLOGY var. cr.
Used as needed for once-only or proposed new colloquia. See
current course offerings.
SOC 691A-691B. TEACHING OF
COLLEGE SOCIOLOGY var. cr.
Individual supervision for beginning teachers. Prerequisite:
written consent of instructor or director of graduate studies.
SOC 692. DEMONSTRATION OF
COMPETENCE SEMINAR var. cr.
Seminar in preparation for comprehensive examinations for
admission to PhD candidacy and/or preparation of dissertation prospectus. May be
repeated for credit.
SOC 693 A-Z. ADVANCED RESEARCH
SEMINAR var. cr.
Participation in collective research projects. Topics vary.
Course may be repeated for credit. It is intended to provide a format for
advanced collective research projects being conducted in the department
SOC 694. CONTINUING
DISSERTATION SEMINAR var. cr.
Seminar for students conducting or designing doctoral
research. May be repeated for credit. The purpose of this seminar is to add both
structure and flexibility to the doctoral program. It is intended to facilitate
completion of the doctoral dissertation.
SOC 697. ADVANCED INDEPENDENT STUDIES var. cr.
Prerequisite: written statement of detailed plan, schedule of
studies, approved in advance by instructor. Registration requires written
permission of instructor and of principal adviser or of director of graduate
studies.
SOC 700. CONTINUOUS REGISTRATION 1 cr.
Required of inactive students who wish to maintain their matriculated status.
No credits toward degree requirements. May be taken for maximum of four
semesters. (Students requiring longer period of inactivity should withdraw, then
reapply when able to resume their studies.) Prerequisite: graduate director’s
and vice provost’s written consent.
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