Everything seems to be dominated by politics in recent years. This class will introduce you to the sociological study of politics. Yes, we will cover things like Donald Trump's election to the presidency, the #MeToo movement, and the Tea Party. But we'll cover a lot of other things as well, that students seldom understand as 'political' until taking the course. In fact, one of the themes of the course is the ways in which power operates in all aspects of our everyday lives.
More formally, the goal of the course is to provide students with theoretical tools to analyze important questions about power, politics and the state. In learning these tools, we will address issues of inequality, democracy, civic life, markets, globalization, and revolution.
Students who take this course can expect to get out of it:
- A more sophisticated understanding of the way in which power exists, is maintained, and is exercised in society.
- Knowledge of the major questions scholars ask in the field of political sociology.
- The ability to identify the operation of power in new and varied situations, even when that power is hidden.
- The ability to identify how power relationships can be changed.
"Thanks for a great semester. One of the best classes I’ve taken here by far." -Spring 2019 Student
Political sociology has one 'lecture' session a week that includes traditional instruction and class discussion, and one 'lab' session each week in which students break into teams and apply the concepts they are learning in class to current events and practical issues through a variety of exercises and simulations.
Homework outside of class includes readings and several short essays. Some sample materials from the course:
The course is updated every semester to incorporate the best available material and feedback from students.
Introduction to Sociology is taught by Professor Ziad Munson The average student rating of Dr. Munson's effectiveness in the course in Spring 2017 was 4.6 out of 5.
Credits:
Created with images by Clem Onojeghuo - "Fashion’s untold stories" • Aldric RIVAT - "Yosemite Road Trip" • nastya_gepp - "girl young student" • Green Chameleon - "Designer sketching Wireframes" • Nathan Dumlao - "untitled image"