SOC 243 - Popular Culture

This course is a basic introduction to the discipline of sociology. We focus on how to think sociologically, using the following related questions to guide us throughout the course: What is the relationship of the individual to society? In other words, how do societies make individuals, and how do individuals make societies? What are the social structures that comprise our society? How do these structures both change and stay the same over time? Instead of surveying the sub-disciplines within sociology, the course uses a variety of historical and contemporary popular culture forms as the means to allow students to practice sociological thinking, which is a life skill you can take with you beyond the classroom. Along the way, we make use of the ideas and research of sociologists in order to make the connection between theory, practice, and our own lives.

3 credits