Studies the relationships between social structure and political institutions. Discusses competing theories on power structures, political participation, ideology, party affiliation, voting behavior, and social movements in the context of recent research on national and local politics in the United States.

This course explores the relationship between politics and society via a focus on historical and/or contemporary issues. Themes may include political power, the role of the state, collective behavior and social change, and civic culture and citizenship.

William Edward Burghardt Du Bois (Feb 23, 1868-Aug 27, 1963) was a uniquely American scholar and activist whose work has renewed significance today. His analysis of the US reveals both the social causes and consequences of racial stratification, while his political activism offers possible solutions. A controversial figure in his time, he helped to found the American sociological discipline and yet was marginalized within it.

Our current notions of race, ethnicity and nation were developed in conjunction with nation-states. As such, people use them as a basis through which to define territorial, social, ethical and emotional boundaries. In this course, we will leverage a global comparative perspective to better understand the organizing principles of modern nations and nation-states and how they affect the ways we act, classify, think and feel.

People often mistake ignorance as the mere lack of knowledge or that which we do not yet know. They fail to consider that ignorance exists in a variety of different forms, or that ignorance is often produced and maintained through sets of practices--whether intentional or not. This course investigates both ignorance and the consequences that particular forms of ignorance have upon our society.

An independent study project conducted by students under the supervision of an instructor of their choice. Prerequisite: Fourth-year students with a minimum GPA of 3.2 in sociology (or overall GPA of 3.2 for non-majors) and instructor permission.

Writing of the DMP thesis under the supervision of a DM faculty adviser. Prerequisite: SOC 4980

This course is designed to help graduate students make the transition into the classroom by shadowing current teaching assistants in a range of settings. Students will be asked to come together periodically over the course of the semester to reflect on their experiences, as well as to participate in a series of workshops focusing on topics related to setting up a class, engaging students, and fostering equity and inclusion in the classroom.

This course surveys the classic and contemporary research literature in economic sociology. The course explores this literature's central claims that economic action is embedded in social relationships and shaped by social institutions, and considers the economy in comparative and historical perspective. Prerequisite: Graduate status; six credits in Sociology or instructor permission.

This class is designed to help graduate students write professional, sociological articles. Students will come in with (at a minimum) a solid literature review plus data collected and analyzed, and leave with a submission-ready manuscript. We will discuss each article section, present and critique work, consider audience, sharpen arguments and improve writing. Required of 3rd year students; open to others later in the program.