DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY
SPRING 2023 COURSES
*** All courses are 3 credits except where noted. ***
We have an interest in providing experience that permits students to examine social forms of life and, at the same time, explore their values and beliefs. One of our interests is to help students begin to participate in the public domain. We will do this by assisting students in identifying coursework, internships, research, and other intentional experiments that can provide the fundamental theoretical and research tools for roles in intervention.
SOCI 10100 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
Sec 01: MWF 9:00 am - 9:50 am, 107 Muller Faculty Ctr, Ext. 4-3910, ssweet@ithaca.edu
ENROLLMENT: 239 students
PREREQUISITES: None
STUDENTS: Freshmen and sophomores only
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Sociologists examine how social arrangements shape human experience, as well as how people create order and engage in conflict. Introduction to Sociology offers foundational understandings of central sociological approaches, including terminology, theory, and methods that sociologists use to understand life worlds, social order, social conflict, and social change. The goal of this course is to open students to an awareness of insights that transcend fatalistic positions and individualistic explanations of social behavior and organization. When students leave this course, they will have a general understanding of how sociological inquiry is directed, the methods sociologists use to examine social issues, and the ways sociological perspectives inform understandings of the operations of society.
COURSE FORMAT/STYLE: Lecture/Discussion
COURSE REQUIREMENTS & GRADING: Two books will be used in this course. These texts are specifically designed to introduce the sociological imagination and guide students in understanding contemporary social issues. Additional readings are available online and there are opportunities for students to identify readings that are of particular personal interest. Class encounters are not designed to reiterate texts but will usually expand upon issues addressed in readings. To do well in this course, students will need to be diligent in attendance, read assignments, create journal logs, and perform well on quizzes and tests.
SOCI 20800 SOCIAL CHANGE
Sec 01: TR 9:25 am - 10:40 am; Sec 02: TR 1:10 pm - 2:25 pm
INSTRUCTOR: Alicia Swords, 108 Muller Faculty Ctr, Ext. 4-1209, aswords@ithaca.edu
ENROLLMENT: 25
PREREQUISITES: One course in the social sciences
STUDENTS: This is a sociology foundations course.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: How do societies change? This course studies social changes in historical context, examining industrialization, urbanization, innovation and technology, colonialism, the creation of wealth and poverty, demands for rights, international development, global health epidemics, and protest. We examine debates about social change through case studies, historical accounts, biographies, ethnographies and film. We reflect on the possibilities and limitations on our own involvement in making changes.
COURSE FORMAT/STYLE: Lecture, discussion, in-class interactive exercises, films, and guests.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS/GRADING: A-F, only 3 absences allowed. Assignments include assignments on course readings, exercises and films, two projects, midterm exam, and final.
SOCI 21200 CHANGING CONTOURS OF WORK
Sec 01: MWF 11:00 am - 11:50 am
INSTRUCTOR: Steve Sweet, 107 Muller Faculty Ctr, Ext. 4-3910, ssweet@ithaca.edu
ENROLLMENT: 25
PREREQUISITES: One course in the social sciences or permission of instructor.
STUDENTS: Those with interest in work, occupations, inequality, and career success.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course examines the variety of jobs performed in society, the historical transformation of the workplace, and the impact of workplace practices on individuals and the larger social order. Students will learn core sociological concepts and perspectives that underpin the study of work, as well as methodological concerns relevant to studying industries and workers. The course addresses four big questions: 1) What have been the major historical transformations of work? 2) How do gender, race, class, age and disability intersect with work? 3) What are the characteristics and experiences of workers in different professions, and what does the future hold for these workers? 4) What are the implications of working in a global economy?
COURSE FORMAT/STYLE: We will investigate work through a number of different media-lectures, films, student reports, discussions.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS & GRADING: Regular attendance and participation, papers, group presentations.
SOCI 21700 MENTAL HEALTH IN HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL CONTEXT
Sec 01: MWF 1:00 pm - 1:50 pm
INSTRUCTOR: Katherine Cohen-Filipic, 113 Muller Faculty Ctr, Ext. 4-5122, kcohenfilipic@ithaca.edu
ENROLLMENT: 25
PREREQUISITES: One 100-level sociology course or PSYC 10300
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Explores the historical and contemporary contexts of mental health and distress from both sociological and psychological perspectives. Examination of the social construction of mental health through time, and consideration of how social and cultural factors such as race, class, and gender intersect with diagnostic paradigms and clinical treatment models employed by practitioners. Cross listed as PSYC 21700. Students may not receive credit for PSYC 21700 and SOCI 21700.
COURSE FORMAT/STYLE: Lecture, discussions, small group activities.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS & GRADING: A wide variety of learning activities, including papers, presentations, exams, and class participation.
SOCI 23504 SELECTED TOPICS: DRUGS AND SOCIAL REALITY
Sec 01: TR 9:25 am - 10:40 am; Sec 02: TR 10:50 am - 12:05 pm
INSTRUCTOR: Jarron Bowman, 110 Muller Faculty Ctr, Ext. 4-1145, jbowman@ithaca.edu
ENROLLMENT: 25
PREREQUISITES: N/A
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this introduction to the sociological study of drugs, we will explore the interplay between drugs and society with a focus on social meanings attached to different drugs, their use, abuse, markets, and regulation. Drawing from scholarly research, journalism, and popular cultural productions, we will investigate how these social meanings have historically been and continue to be informed by power, prejudice, and profits. Topics and themes include crime and deviance, racism, class stratification, mental health, and medicalization. By developing a sociological framework for understanding the impact drugs and drug policies have on society, you will improve your abilities to analyze and interpret data, recognize bias and faulty reasoning, and evaluate public policies.
COURSE FORMAT/STYLE: Discussion-based
COURSE REQUIREMENTS & GRADING: Assignments include a final essay; an annotated bibliography; an art assignment; and quizzes.
SOCI 31100-01 SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY
Sec 01: TR 10:50 am - 12:05 pm
INSTRUCTOR: Sergio Cabrera, 109 Muller Faculty Ctr, Ext. 4-7968, scabrera@ithaca.edu
ENROLLMENT: 20
PREREQUISITES: Sociology Majors and Minors only. One 100-level sociology course; three courses in the social sciences
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Who are we? How did we get here? sang The Talking Heads. In this course we address the fundamentally human process of asking questions about ourselves and our social world. We will explore how we theorize and wonder and speculate and ponder. Our initial focus is on Marx, Weber, and Durkheim, the primary theorists of our field; we progress to and through others' ideas as well. What is the general nature of society, the individual, and the relationship between the two? How do we find ourselves within our bigger contexts, and how do we create good lives?
COURSE FORMAT/STYLE: Lecture and highly engaged student discussions
COURSE REQUIREMENTS & GRADING: Regular readings in primary texts; active participation, attendance, and preparation; critical thinking exercises; application papers and occasional quizzes.
SOCI 31800 POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY
Sec 01: TR 2:35 pm - 3:50 pm
INSTRUCTOR: Jarron Bowman, 215 Muller Faculty Ctr, Ext. 4-1145, jbowman1@ithaca.edu
ENROLLMENT: 20
PREREQUISITES: One course in SOCI and one liberal arts course in any of the following departments: ANTH, CMST, CSCR, ECON, EDUC, GERO, HIST, PHIL, POLT, PSYC, SOCI, WGST.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Explores power, institutions, and ideology. Students will examine classic texts from political sociology and reflect on foundational theoretical concepts like class, the state, social movements, authority, and knowledge. Students will then investigate how these concepts apply to contemporary political issues like inequality, polarization, disinformation, and structural racism.
COURSE FORMAT/STYLE: Lecture and group discussion.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS & GRADING: You will develop and demonstrate your command of course concepts through response and research papers and in-class activities.
SOCI 33509 SELECTED TOPICS: HOOKING UP
Sec 01: TR 2:35 pm - 3:50 PM; Sec 02: TR 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm
INSTRUCTOR: 114 Muller Faculty Ctr, Ext. 4-3311
ENROLLMENT: 20
PREREQUISITES: SOCI 10100 or SOCI 10200 and two additional courses in the social sciences.
STUDENTS: Intended for juniors and seniors; social science and women’s studies students will benefit most. All students will need to be engaged, enthusiastic readers and participants, ready for a rigorous course.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will allow students to use upper-level social scientific knowledge to explore intimate relationships; the focus is on the United States but cross-cultural data will also be used. We will use gender as the major variable to illuminate the historical, material, and social contexts of intimate relationships, sexuality, and intimacy. Throughout the course, we’ll also address race, class, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Students will be expected to challenge their taken-for-granted assumptions about the intersections between individuals and broader social structures.
COURSE FORMAT/STYLE: Lecture, highly engaged student discussions
COURSE REQUIREMENTS & GRADING: Class participation and attendance, analytical papers, critical thinking exercises, projects.
SOCI 35600 QUALITATIVE METHODS
Sec 01: MWF 10:00 am - 10:50 am; Sec 02: MWF 11:00 am - 11:50 am
INSTRUCTOR: Joslyn Brenton, 112 Muller Faculty Ctr, Ext. 4-7384, jbrenton@ithaca.edu
ENROLLMENT: 20 per section
PREREQUISITES: Either SOCI 20500 OR the one-credit course in GERONTOLOGY introducing students to research methods. These courses introduce students to research methods and writing a literature review, which are needed to conduct the final research project in this course.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this course, students will be introduced to qualitative research methods commonly used by sociologists. These include: in-depth interviews, ethnography, and content analysis. Students will learn about the theoretical underpinnings and research practices associated with each method and will undertake their own qualitative research project on a topic of their choice. The focused research project allows students to develop skills in sampling and recruiting research subjects, constructing an interview guide, conducting in-depth interviews, coding, and analyzing qualitative data. For the final, students will submit a written research paper about their project and will present their findings to the class.
COURSE FORMAT/STYLE: Discussion, lecture, in-class activities, group workshops, peer review.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS & GRADING: Grades are based on written assignments, completion of multiple in-depth interviews, a written final paper, and level of student engagement and participation.
SOCI 36200 NOT FOR SALE? THE MORAL LIMITS OF MARKETS
Sec 01: MWF 9:00 am - 9:50 am
INSTRUCTOR: Sergio Cabrera, 109 Muller Faculty Ctr, Ext. 4-7968, scabrera@ithaca.edu
ENROLLMENT: 20 per section
PREREQUISITES: One 100-level sociology course; two additional courses in the social sciences
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The moral limits of markets refer to the cultural boundaries beyond which paying for either a good or service becomes unnerving—beyond which buying and selling becomes taboo. The cultural intersections between markets and morals are an interesting place. By inquiring into why we feel comfortable buying and selling some things and not others, we gain insights into a profoundly sociological dimension of contemporary social life; the socially constructed and politically contested nature of our collective values and of the moral categories we use to determine right from wrong and good from bad. The course leads students to explore the ethical implications of markets and commodification for both groups and individuals. Students should expect to leave the course with a nuanced understanding of the relationship between markets; morality; and social life.
COURSE FORMAT/STYLE: Lecture/Discussion
COURSE REQUIREMENTS & GRADING: Class Participation; Reflection Papers; Exams
SOCI 40100 COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
Sec 01: MW 2:00 pm - 3:15 pm
INSTRUCTOR: Alicia Swords, 108 Muller Faculty Ctr, Ext. 4-1209, aswords@ithaca.edu
ENROLLMENT: 12
PREREQUISITES: One of the following courses: SOCI 20800, SOCI 20700, or SOCI 32600; senior standing.
STUDENTS: This is an upper-level seminar.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this course, students learn about the theory and practice of community organizing. There are three components to the course: study of historical and contemporary community organizing, developing awareness about social realities in the communities around us, and the practice of organizing skills. Our study of organizing strategies draws from civil rights and Black Freedom movements, liberation theology, anti-racism, indigenous movements, food justice and poor peoples’ movements. We learn techniques for community organizing, including power analysis, consensus decision-making, facilitation, relationship building, networking and written and oral communication.
COURSE FORMAT/STYLE: Seminar, discussion, weekly participation in community activities on or off-campus for a minimum of 10 hours during the semester.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS & GRADING: Bi-weekly reading responses and discussion questions; written reflections on observations of community workshops and organizing events; a final teach-in.
SOCI 40600 SOCIOLOGY OF MONEY
Sec 01: TR 2:35 pm - 3:50 pm
INSTRUCTOR: Sergio Cabrera, 109 Muller Faculty Ctr, 4-7968, scabrera@ithaca.edu
ENROLLMENT: 12
PREREQUISITES: One 100-level sociology course; three upper-level sociology courses
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Money is said to be a lot of things. For some it is a homogenizing, dehumanizing force and the root of all evil, while for others it is the harbinger of freedom, civility, and a symbol of prestige. But how does a seemingly simple, inanimate thing appear to be so powerful—even magical—to so many in such different ways? In this course we work together to apply sociological perspectives to understanding money, value, and capital. The goal is to arrive at a sociologically nuanced understanding of the relationship between money and society through exploring questions such as: What is money? What is money's relationship to power and social order? Where does value come from? When and how does money become capital? What is the difference between a tip, a gift, and a bribe? An allowance and a salary? How do new monies come to be? Does money really do anything? And if not, why do we so often behave as if it does?
COURSE FORMAT/STYLE: Lecture, discussion, and small group activities.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS & GRADING: Papers, presentations, and class participation.
SOCI 40900 SKILLS FOR THE HELPING PROFESSIONAL
Sec 01: MWF 11:00 am - 11:50 am
INSTRUCTOR: Katherine Cohen-Filipic, 113 Muller Faculty Ctr, Ext. 4-5122, kcohenfilipic@ithaca.edu
ENROLLMENT: 20 per section
PREREQUISITES: SOCI 21700; PSYC 32100; and PSYC 34100 OR PSYC 34200
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course introduces students to theory and practice of psychotherapy and other professional helping relationships. Students learn about counseling, assessment, ethics, and helping skills. This course emphasizes basic and specialized skills necessary to function effectively in a helping relationship. Emphasis is placed upon understanding the nature of the helping process in a practical and applied way. Professional helping is explored in the context of cultural competency and a biopsychosocial viewpoint. Self-exploration and some level of self-disclosure are required inasmuch as effective counseling requires the ability to understand oneself and to articulate personal feelings.
COURSE FORMAT/STYLE: Mini-lectures, in class activities, and lots of practicing of professional helping skills.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS & GRADING: Self-care plan and project, Interview with professional helpers, reflective papers, and process recordings
SOCI 45900 SOCIOLOGY CAPSTONE
Sec 01: TR 1:10 pm - 2:25 pm
INSTRUCTOR: Joslyn Brenton, 112 Muller Faculty Ctr, Ext. 4-7384, jbrenton@ithaca.edu
ENROLLMENT: 15 per section
PREREQUISITES: Senior Standing; Sociology Major
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this course students will reflect on the knowledge, skills, and perspective they have cultivated while pursuing a sociology degree at Ithaca College. Throughout the semester students will identify how sociology concepts, theories, and research have informed their personal growth as well as their understanding of how society works. The course is designed to engage students in deep reflection, writing, and discussion around how to live a sociological life and pursue sociologically informed work post-graduation.
COURSE FORMAT/STYLE: A blend of discussion, short videos, in-class writing.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS & GRADING: Completion of Ithaca College e-portfolio requirements. Other assignments include required reading, reflective writing, research work, and essays.
SOCI 47601 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN SOCIOLOGY
PREREQUISITES: Three courses in social sciences; permission of instructor.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: An independent study in sociology is arranged individually between student and instructor. Students are expected to do a sophisticated exploration and analysis of an appropriate topic. A proposal for the topic and specific plans must be approved by the dean's office of the School of Humanities and Sciences. May be repeated for up to twelve credits total.