Sociology
Note: the courses on this page reflect Summer Term 2008 offerings.
Please check back on December 15 for a list of courses available during Summer Term 2009.
College of Arts and Sciences
CAS SO 100 Principles in Sociology
An introduction to the major theories and basic principles of sociological
analysis. Subjects include methods of social research and investigation;
role of individuals in groups, organizations, and society; socialization
and education; stratification; race and ethnicity; science, culture, and
religion; formal and informal organization; and economic and political systems.
4 cr.
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CAS SO 203 Introduction to Sociological Theories
Required of concentrators and minor concentrators. Prereq: one introductory
course or consent of instructor. Introduction to founding sociological theories.
Topics include the social character of money, the dynamics and possible demise
of capitalism, the relationship between the individual and society, the social
origins of religion, the causes of suicide, and the religious origins of capitalism.
4 cr.
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CAS SO 207 Introduction to Ethnic, Race, and Minority Relations
The social definition of race and ethnicity. The impact of conquest,
slavery, and immigration on American minority relations. How the US experience
of racial and ethnic conflict compares to the patterns found in other societies
like Brazil, South Africa and Western Europe. Meets with CAS AA 207. 4 cr.
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CAS SO 215 Patients, Professionals, and Health Care
Social factors in health and illness, experience of illness, medicalization;
socialization of professionals; organization of delivery and financing of healthcare;
pharmaceutical and insurance markets; hospitals, nursing homes and hospices;
problems and reforms of U.S. healthcare system. 4 cr.
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CAS SO 240 Sexuality and Social Life
Introduction to sociological perspectives on sexuality. Historical
and comparative analysis of sexuality, with a focus on the social and cultural
institutions that shape sexuality in the contemporary United States. 4 cr.
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CAS SO 304 Formal Organizations
Formal organizations as social systems. Theory of bureaucracy and
administrative functions. The bases of authority communication systems, and
formal and nonformal structures. Organizational development, trends, and relations
with the social environment. 4 cr.
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CAS SO 306 Boston's People and Neighborhoods
Walking and talking through the city and its history, students explore
important themes in the development of the city through a sociological perspective.
Among the topics considered are ethnicity, education, neighborhood development
and politics. 4 cr.
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CAS SO 333 Seminar: The Workplace
Prereq: an introductory course in sociology, economics, or management.
Deals with job experience, role performance and productivity, power and influence
of occupations, structure of workplace, individual career lines, and future
job markets. 4 cr.
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CAS SO 345 Film and Society
Prereq: an introductory sociology course or consent of instructor.
Several film styles (ethnographic, documentary, social commentary, and narrative)
are examined using sociological perspectives drawing from social phenomenology,
social construction, ethnomethodology, and semiotics. Students undertake critical
commentary and analysis of selected films. 4 cr.
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Metropolitan College
MET SO 204 Contemporary Social Problems
Relationship between individual and society in the postindustrial world.
Problems in areas of work, education, cities, inequality, sexism, medicine, and
law. Broad coverage of concepts dealing with alienation, institutional malaise,
and societal ills. 4 cr.
Top
MET SO 302 Women and Health in the 21st Century
Examines current issues directly related to the health experiences of women
in America and around the world. Topics include an historical overview of
women's
health and an examination of in-depth issues such as: gender specific medicine;
puberty, body image and eating disorders; contraception and the abortion
issue; infertility
and technology; pregnancy, childbirth and breast feeding; violence against
women; incarcerated women and the female brain. Provides a framework to
integrate the
social variables involved in exploring the roles played by men and women as
medical consumers and its affects on overall health and attitudes. 4 cr.
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MET SO 308 Self and Society
Examination of current theories and research bearing on the relationship between
personality and social structure; contributions and convergent developments
in psychology, anthropology, and sociology. 4 cr.
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Courses of Related Interest
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