Spring 2009 Graduate Courses


Graduate Class Discussion

SOC 509 Society and the Individual

Examines the role of cultural and group determinants and the process of socialization in the development of the individual

Wednesday, 1:00-3:40, 474 Park Hall

Professor Michael P. Farrell

SOC 522 Urban Sociology

This course examines various aspects of the contemporary city including urban status systems, race relations, deviant behavior, mass culture, and suburbia.

Tuesday, 1:00-3:40, 474 Park Hall

Professor Christopher Mele

SOC 565 Sociology of Culture

Examination of major schools of thought that have connected the cultural realm to social life and practice, including the formative traditions of cultural studies: the Frankfort School and the Birmingham School.  Further study of the impact of various contemporary analytic approaches on cultural studies, i.e. structuralism, poststructuralism, and postmodernism.  Engage theoretical frameworks through socially oriented studies addressing some of the following subjects, possibly including critical race and gender studies, popular culture, semiotics, subcultures, “high” culture, mass medica culture, and consumption studies.

Tuesday, 9:00-11:40, 474 Park Hall

Professor Mark Gottdiener

SOC 568, Contemporary Social Theory

Covers major developments in social theory since Weber and Marx, including mainstream American theory, German critical theory and new French theory.

Monday, 1:00-3:40, 474 Park Hall

Professor Jorge Arditi

SOC 592, Advanced Topics in Criminology

Advanced topics in Criminology selected by the faculty member for research and discussion

Thursday, 9:00-11:40, 474 Park Hall

Professor Peter St. Jean

SOC 593 Intergenerational Issues

Sociology of the family seminar dealing specifically with intergenerational relationships.   Topics will include parental investments in education, parenting styles, children’s provision of care to aging parents, inheritance and bequests.  Students are required to conduct an empirical analysis of publicly-available data or to collect qualitative data dealing with parent-child relationships.  It is preferred that students have taken an undergraduate or graduate course in the sociology of the family.

Tuesday, 2:00-4:40, 425 Park Hall

Professor Kristen Lee

SOC 595 Organizational Theory

This course considers the major theoretical schools of modern organizational studies, including Weberian, Goffman and and interactionist theories, contingency theory, the Carnegie School, and institutionalism. Topics include theories of rationalization, technology, organizational decision-making, culture, and power. Course papers will focus on non-profit public-service organizations.

Monday & Wednesday, 11:00-12:20, 103 Alfiero Center

Professor Steven Hoffman