Course Descriptions

REL 355 - Woman and the Body in the Christian Tradition

REL 357 - The Bible and Modern Moral Issues

Examines patterns of scriptural reasoning within Christianity in order to understand how the Bible has been put to use in ethical debates in the past and how it might be sensitively deployed in debates about modern moral issues.

Prerequisites & Notes
One of the following: Religion 130, 222, 223, 230, 231, 232, 242.

REL 360 - American Civil Religion

REL 362 - Religion in Victorian England

The historical development of the Church of England and dissent in the nineteenth-century. Particular focus upon Victorian religion’s various responses to industrialization, urbanization, political reform, developments in science and technology, and the rise of Biblical criticism.

REL 363 - Script and Scripture

REL 365 - Women in American Religion

REL 370 - Asian Meditation Texts

REL 371 - Varieties of Hindu Mysticism

Interpretive and comparative study of Hindu sacerdotal, philosophical, contemplative and devotional mystical sensibilities as presented in various textual genres. 

REL 375 - Women and Gender in the Islamic Tradition

A study of how women have participated in Islam historically and in modern times. Topics include women and the feminine in the Our’an and hadith literatures, the exagetical tradition and how it has affected Quranic readings about women, women in the mystical tradition of Islam, and women in the application of Islamic law.

REL 376 - Islamic Ethics

REL 382 - Chan/Zen Buddhism

REL 383 - Devotional Buddhism

Lye

Although Buddhism has often been characterized as a non-theistic religion, deity worship, visions of utopias and expressions of devotionalism nonetheless pervade much of Buddhism. This course focuses on the diversity of religious doctrines, practices and effects that surround several figures that became objects of devotional traditions among Buddhists.

REL 395, 396 - Independent Study

REL 401 - Senior Colloquium

REL 410-419 - Seminars in Theory and Methodology

REL 420-439 - Seminars in Biblical Studies

REL 428 - Israel’s Psalms

REL 440-459 - Seminars in Theology and Ethics

REL 458 - Calvin’s “Institutes”

REL 460-489 - Seminars in the History of Religious Traditions

REL 463 - Mormons and Mormonism

REL 469 - From Secularism to Resurgent Religions

REL 498 - Honors Thesis

RUS 101, 102 - Elementary Russian I and II

RUS 189 - Russian Culture & Society (Davidson in Russia Summer Program)

This three week summer program is offered every other summer with two weeks in Moscow and a week in St. Petersburg. Throughout the program students engage with preparatory readings, discussion responses, an oral presentation, and a final essay, all integrated into a rich program of cultural excursions. Additionally, students take a survey of Russian history at MGIMO during the two weeks in Moscow. No knowledge of Russian required.

Prerequisites & Notes
Provides credit in the Russian minor and concentration in International Studies.

RUS 201 - Intermediate Russian I

RUS 202 - Intermediate Russian II

RUS 293 - Topics in Russian Culture in Translation

RUS 294 - Topics in Russian Literature in Translation

Selected topics in Russian literature in translation. Sample topics include Women in Russian Literature, Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, the Nineteenth-Century Russian Novel, the Twentieth-Century Russian Novel.

Prerequisites & Notes
(Not offered 2010-11.)

RUS 295 - Independent Study

A topic chosen by the student and researched under the direction of the faculty member, who reviews and approves the topic and determines the means of evaluation of the student’s work.

Prerequisites & Notes
Permission of the instructor.

RUS 301 - Advanced Intermediate Russian

RUS 319 - Contemporary Russia

Discussions and written assignments based on excerpts from current newspapers, magazines, and films, focusing on recent Russian history, literature, and daily life.

Prerequisites & Notes
Russian 202. (Not offered 2010-11.)

RUS 320 - Masterpieces of Russian Literature

Advanced reading and discussion on works by some of the following authors: Pushkin, Gogol, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Turgenev, Mayakovsky, Bulgakov, Pasternak, Akhmatova, and Tolstaya.

Prerequisites & Notes
Russian 202. (Not offered 2010-11.)

RUS 329-379 - Courses Taken in a Russian-Speaking Country

RUS 395, 396 - Independent Study for Advanced Students

Advanced study under the direction of the faculty member, who reviews and approves the topic and determines the means of evaluation of the student’s work.

Prerequisites & Notes
Permission of the instructor. (Fall and Spring)

RUS 401 - Seminar in Special Topics

RUS 410 - Special Topics in Translation

SIL 115 - Beginning Italian

SIL 116 - Continuing Italian

SIL 125 - Beginning Korean

SIL 126 - Continuing Korean

SIL 141 - Beginning Brazilian Portuguese

SIL 142 - Continuing Brazilian Portuguese

SIL 171 - Beginning Hindi

SIL 172 - Continuing Hindi

SIL 185 - Beginning Japanese

SIL 186 - Continuing Japanese

SOC 101 - Introductory Sociology

Introduction to the scientific study of human social interaction with particular focus on the mutual influences between individuals and the groups to which they belong; the basic theories, concepts and techniques used by sociologists in their research.

Prerequisites & Notes
Not open to fourth-year students.

SOC 105 - Topics in Race and Religion

The purpose of this course is to gain appreciation for sociological analysis at the intersection of race-ethnicity and religion through the life experience of Barack Obama.  We will consider a number of topics including the broader and complex effects of race and identity, politics and globalization, faith and community, economics and financial pressures, citizenship and public life, prejudice and discrimination, media and technology, as well as celebrity and symbolic leadership.

Prerequisites & Notes
Satisfies a major requirement in sociology, a distribution requirement in the social sciences, and a concentration requirement in Ethnic Studies.

SOC 204 - Self & Society

This course provides an in depth introduction of social pyschology, a field that systematically examines how the actual, imagined, or implied presence of other people influences a person’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Although this course is interdisciplinary, in that research and theory from both sociology and psychology are covered, we will focus on the unique contributions made to the field by sociologists.

SOC 205 - Racial and Ethnic Relations

Comparative and historical study of social processes related to racial and ethnic differences in modern complex societies. Readings in theoretical and descriptive literature, focusing on issues of unequal distribution of power and privilege, racism, and ethnic prejudice.

Prerequisites & Notes
Satisfies the cultural diversity requirement.

SOC 212 - Deviance and Social Control

Sociological theories and research concerned with the definition and characteristics of behaviors which do not conform to moral and legal codes in society. Ways in which societies attempt to control and sanction such behavior.

SOC 217 - Gender and Society

This course introduces a critical approach to examining the social construction of gender. It explores several different perspectives on gender inequality and the role of social institutions such as family, education, economy, and media in creating the experience of gender in society.

SOC 219 - Sociological Criminology

Analysis of social and legal aspects of crime, perspectives on causation, and consequences of variable social reactions to crime. Examination of research pertaining to crime and crime statistics; and modern trends in criminal law, law enforcement administration, and corrections.

Prerequisites & Notes
Not open to seniors.

SOC 221 - Schools and Societies

SOC 225 - Sociology of Religion

The sociology of religion pursues an understanding of both the “social-ness” of religion itself and the mutually influencing interactions between religion and its social environment.  We will analyze religious beliefs, practices, and organizations from a sociological perspective, with a primary focus on religion in contemporary American society.

SOC 230 - Sociology of Work

Work not only occupies a central role in our lives, it is closely intertwined with other social institutions and social processes, especially social inequality. Work is perhaps the most important way in which society impacts our social experiences and life chances. Throughout the course, we will challenge the taken-for-granted notions about what constitutes work, what constitutes an occupation or profession, and the value of the economic vs. the social as a work outcome.  Topics will include: contemporary issues in 21st century work; a look at work during and after the Industrial Revolution; major theorist’s contributions to the study of work; work and self in the service industry; work and self among professionals and managers; and the modern distinction between work and family.

SOC 231 - Leadership & Organizations

Leaders, teams, and organizations are closely intertwined in the operations of social institutions, social structures, and social processes.  The course provides an introduction to models and theories of leadership, processes inherent in the dynamics of small group interactions, and critical insights from organizational theory.

SOC 233 - Sociology of Childhood

This course examines childhood as a complex social category created and reproduced through social relations and social structures, including schools, families, peer relationships and popular culture. In addition to looking at how social processes shape the lives of children, we will discuss children’s agency, exploring how children actively interpret and influence the social world.

Prerequisites & Notes
Satisfies major requirement in Sociology; a distribution requirement in the social sciences.

SOC 240 - Social Movements

An introduction to social movements as distinctive social spaces in which relatively powerless groups of people make collective efforts to affect history.  Explores the major sociological approaches to studying these efforts, as well as the dynamics of social movement emergence, goals and messages, tactics and strategies, organization structures, internal conflicts, and activist identity formation.  Satisfies a major requirement in Sociology and an distribution requirement requirement in the social sciences.

SOC 242 - Globalization & Social Change

An introduction to some of the social consequences of the multi-faceted and contested process of globalization. Explores how cultural, economic, and political globalizations are all altering the social landscape, social relationships, and social institutions including patterns of work, cultural consumption, migration, and family relations. Also looks at how diverse groups of people are actively trying to shape globalization in particular ways.

Prerequisites & Notes
Satisfies a major requirement in Sociology, a distribution requirement in the social sciences, and a concentration requirement in International Studies (pending IEC approval).

SOC 246 - American Families

Introduction to families in the USA. Dating, cohabitation, civil unions, marriage, divorce, remarriage, intergenerational relationships, domestic violence, and family policy are explored. Attention is given to gender, race, and class differences.

SOC 250 - Inequality in America

Theories and comparative examples of the unequal distribution of social resources and the consequences of inequality for social life.  Analysis of class structure, social mobility, and social programs to reduce inequality.

SOC 260 - Social Statistics

Introduction to the application of quantitative analysis in sociology and other social sciences. Topics include descriptive measures, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, chi-square, correlation, and regression. Computer applications through the use of SPSS.

Prerequisites & Notes
Cannot be taken for credit after ECO 105.

SOC 261 - Social Diversity & Inequality in Education (=EDU 260)

This course focuses on issues of social diversity, social inequality, and social justice in education. It is designed to integrate cognitive development with the experiential aspects of social learning. Students will be encouraged to link new learning with their personal and social reality through structured writing assignments, cooperative learning activities, and critical experiential learning.

Prerequisites & Notes
Satisfies the cultural diversity requirement.

SOC 265 - Population & Society

There are now 6.8 billion people living on this earth.  This course is designed to introduce students to issues of world population.  We will begin by discussing demographic perspectives and the three core components of demography – fertility, mortality, and migration.  We will compare and contrast issues facing those countries which have experienced the demographic transition (and now have both low mortality and low fertility) and those countries which still have relatively high fertility (and high mortality) and thus rapid population growth.  We will also explore issues of aging, urbanization, the environment, and population policy.

SOC 271 - Urban Ethnography

This course introduces a sociological perspective of everyday social settings by applying methods of systematic, qualitative observation.  Students carry out their own ethnographic research project; conduct observations; write up field notes; record routine, extraordinary, and significant social processes; generate a conceptual “codebook” for use in analysis; and present a suitable research report (both written and oral). Ethical issues and intrapersonal aspects of the research process will be explored.  Anyone who anticipates working in “socially-dense” settings characterized by ongoing interpersonal encounters, including professional and non-profit work, is encouraged to enroll.

SOC 300 - Education in African American Society (=EDU 300)

This seminar explores the social and historical forces shaping the education of people of African descent in the United States from slavery to the 21st century. We will examine values, beliefs, and perspectives on education across gender and class lines, individual and group efforts toward building educational institutions and organizations, hidden or forgotten educational initiatives and programming, and cross-cultural projects to promote literacy and achievement in African-American society.

SOC 310 - Gender, Race, and Sports

This course examines the interrelations among gender, race, and sports. The construction of racial and gender identities through sports, the influence of youth sports on children’s socialization, sports in educational settings, and media images of female and minority athletes will be examined.

SOC 312 - Gender, Race and Class in Media

Instructor
Kaufman

This course explores issues relevant to gender, race, and class in media. The course begins with the premise that all knowledge is constructed. As with other institutions, the media play a critical role in the construction of knowledge, particularly that related to our ideas about gender, race, and class. This course will mainly emphasize the representation of gender, race, and class in media.

Provides major credit in Sociology and a distribution credit in the social sciences. Counts towards the Concentration in Ethnic Studies and in Gender Studies.

SOC 317 - Gender and Globalization

Explores the gendered effects of contemporary processes of globalization.  Focusing primarily on women’s lives, the course examines how cultural, political and economic globalizations are changing the landscape of gender relations.  Students will become familiar with many of the current issues and debates in transnational gender research, including the implications of economic development/modernization, neoliberalism, militarization, and population control agendas. Also examines work and labor, transnational families and care work, sexuality across borders, and struggles for human rights.

Prerequisites & Notes
Satisfies a major requirement in Sociology and a distribution requirement in the Social Sciences.  International Studies Concentration and Gender Studies Concentration

SOC 319 - Penology and Criminal Justice

Corrections focusing upon penology and criminal justice. Includes a pre-term orientation period, outside lectures and briefings with speakers from corrections and law enforcement administration, field trips to several correctional facilities and a semester-long on-site field experience with officers and inmates at an area correctional unit.

Prerequisites & Notes
Pre-registration interview and permission of the instructor.

SOC 329 - White Collar Crime

Analysis of social, ethical, and legal aspects of white-collar crime, perspectives and theories on causation, and consequences of variable social reactions. Ways in which societies attempt to investigate, adjudicate, and regulate this evolving phenomenon.

Prerequisites & Notes
Satisfies a distribution requirement in the social sciences and major credit in Sociology.

SOC 330 - Sociology of Education (=EDU 330

(Cross-listed as EDU 330). An introduction to the sociological study of education in the United States, including an examination of the school as an organization within a larger environment. Explores the link between schools and social stratification by analyzing the mutually generative functions of schools and considers how processes within schools can lead to different outcomes for stakeholders.

SOC 340 - Education in African-american Society

A course exploring the social and historical forces shaping the education of people of African descent in the United States from slavery to the 21st century. Satisfies a major requirement in Sociology and a distribution requirement in the social sciences, cultural diversity requirement, and Ethnic Studies concentration.

SOC 347 - Sociology of Development

This course explores the dynamics, processes, and effects of development. Issues of development, along with local and global responses to development are examined. Inequalities based on nation-state differences and gendered economic divisions are analyzed.

SOC 360 - Medical Sociology

Sociological factors of health and illness, social organization of modern medicine, sociological analysis of the role and status of medical and paramedical personnel in this country, and the social differences in the acquisition of medical aid and in the reaction to medical treatment.

SOC 370 - Theory in Sociology

SOC 380 - Sociology of Hollywood

Hollywood is more than geography; it is a vibrant, international network of people producing entertainment for fame and profit.  This seminar pursues a sociological analysis of the social space called “Hollywood”: its genesis, operation, and influence.  The class begins with an exploration of the construction of Hollywood itself (e.g., geographic beginnings, the studio system, industry occupations, and financial realities) and then considers the broader effects of the entertainment industry on contemporary American society (e.g., relations with governmental and religious institutions, structures in film production and distribution, and the interrelationship of the entertainment industry and popular culture).

 

Prerequisites & Notes
Not open to first year students.

SOC 381 - Gender and Globalization

Explores the gendered effects of contemporary processes of globalization.  Focusing primarily on women’s lives, we will look at how culture, political, and economic globalizations are changing the landscape of gender relations.  Students will become familiar with many of the current issues and debates in the transnational gender research, including the implications of economic development/modernization, neoliberalism, militarization, and population control agendas.  Also examines work and labor, transnational families and care work, sexuality across borders, and struggles for human rights.

Prerequisites & Notes
Not open to first year students.

SOC 382 - Men and Masculinity

This course explores how masculinity is constructed and how men are affected by these constructions. We consider whether constructions of masculinity differ by important social characteristics, such as age, race/ethnicity, class, and sexual orientation. We also pay attention to the social context (e.g., schools, home, neighborhoods, workplaces, athletic venues) in which masculinity is created and maintained.  We will address issues such as: the evolution of manhood; sexuality and adolescent masculinity; poverty, mobility, and black masculinity; streetlife and violence; fatherhood politics; masculinity and sports media.

Prerequisites & Notes
Not open to first year students.

SOC 384 - Poverty and Policy

Poverty has been an issue in America since the Colonial era. The problem was exacerbated by the massive flow of immigrants and the low wages they received as well as by the former slaves who were also seeking employment. Urban cities became synonymous with poverty, ethnic immigrants, and general moral degradation. In the 1960s and 1970s researchers and politicians were sure that poverty would soon be a distant memory. However, that has not come to pass. Although poverty has changed since the early years in American history, it still remains a salient issue today. The goal of this class is to gain an understanding of the issues surrounding poverty in America today, its causes, what groups are disproportionately affected, and the various ways it may affect daily life for all members of American society (its consequences), and what steps the government has taken in regard to poverty. We will also explore why it is important for all Americans to be aware of the implications of inequity in the economic system. Each module will examine a different element of poverty in America.

Prerequisites & Notes
Not open to first year students.

SOC 385 - Youth Cultures and Subcultures

This seminar explores youth as both objects and subjects of cultural production, addressing the various ways that young people consume, produce, and live in their cultures. In addition to learning about the meaning and significance of historic and contemporary youth cultural formations and subcultural groups, students will conduct extensive independent research projects, practicing several different sociological methods including ethnographic observation, in-depth interviewing, and discourse and content analysis.

SOC 388 - Fatherhood

This seminar focuses on the social, cultural, and historical study of fatherhood.  We start by breaking down stereotypes of fathers from the past and using this to reconsider modern fathers. As we consider current American society (mainly), we start with young men’s procreative consciousness (ideas and awareness about conception, pregnancy, abortion, and potential fatherhood). We consider fathers as gendered beings asking questions such as, can men mother? We discuss the experiences of stay-at-home fathers, gay fathers, stepfathers, and single fathers. Finally, we consider fathers’ rights movements.

SOC 390 - Qualitative Research Methods

This class provides students with training in field research methods, with an emphasis on participant observation and in-depth interviewing. Students will conduct their own semester-long empirical research project, moving through the process of research design, data collection, coding, analysis, and writing. Satisfies a major requirement in Sociology and a distribution requirement in the social sciences.

SOC 395 or 495 - Independent Research in Sociology

SOC 399 - Methods in Social Research

Techniques in qualitative and quantitative sociological research, analyzing and interpreting data, and evaluating research methods.  Students will complete a thesis proposal.

SOC 410-419 - Advanced Seminars in Sociology

Topics announced in advance.

Prerequisites & Notes
Third or fourth year standing and permission of the instructor.

SOC 420 - Issues in Contemporary Terrorism

SOC 430 - Race and Religious Faith

The seminar focuses on the historic Black Church in America as well as religion and migration among non-native, ethnic congregations (whether church, temple, or mosque) in order to examine the relations between race-ethnicity, religion, and broader civic society today. The course also examines the rare achievement of multi-ethnic/multi-racial religious communities. The broader and complex effects of politics and globalization, economics and financial pressures, citizenship and public life, prejudice and discrimination, media and technology, innovations and social change will be discussed throughout the course.

Prerequisites & Notes
Third or fourth year standing and permission of the instructor. Satisfies the cultural diversity requirement.

SOC 499 - Senior Thesis

Literature review, research design, data collection and analysis, oral defense of thesis. Required of all senior majors.

SOU 310 - India: Past and Present

SOU 354 - Issues in Contemporary India

SOU 385 - Public Health in India

SOU 396-399 - Independent Study

SPA 101 - Elementary Spanish I

An introduction to speaking, understanding, reading, and writing Spanish. Requires attendance to Assistant Teacher sessions twice a week and online work through the Language Resource Center.

SPA 102 - Elementary Spanish II

Development of further skills in speaking, understanding, reading and writing Spanish through a review of grammar and readings in the literature and culture of Spain and/or Latin America. Requires attendance to Assistant Teacher sessions twice a week and online work through the Language Resource Center.

Prerequisites & Notes
Spanish 101 or its equivalent.

SPA 103 - Intensive Elementary Spanish (2 credits)

Intensive introductory course equivalent to Spanish 101 and 102. Meets six class-hours per week plus four hours weekly with an Assistant teacher. Completes two semesters of Spanish in one semester. Counts as two courses.

SPA 201 - Intermediate Spanish

Extensive reading and discussion in Spanish of texts of moderate difficulty in the culture and literature of Spain, Latin America and US Latino literature; grammar study; extensive conversation practice. A combination among conversation sessions, online work through the Language Resource Center, and service learning is required. Meets the degree requirement for proficiency in foreign language.

Prerequisites & Notes
Spanish 102 or its equivalent.

SPA 203 - Advanced Intermediate Spanish Abroad