Sarah L. Babb

Course descriptions:

Workshop in Historical Sociology (SC514):

Historical sociology is a broad subfield encompassing the study of events in the past, from the recent past to hundreds of years ago, and a variety of methods. This course emphasizes qualitative approaches to historical sociology, such as archival research, content analysis, and comparative and historical methods. We will examine how these methods can be applied to a wide array of topics, including social movements, race, sexuality, and economic development. Students will be encouraged to think critically about how evidence is used to make arguments, and to bring their own actual or potential historical projects to discuss in class.

The Sociology of Revolutions (SC377):

The word "revolution" is often used metaphorically to emphasize the dramatic nature of certain events, as in "the Reagan revolution," or "the Industrial revolution." However, this course will focus on "revolutions" in the literal sense of the term - that is to say, rapid, fundamental, and violent change in a society's political institutions, social structure, leadership, and government policies. The first two-thirds of the class will be devoted to the causes and consequences of revolutions; the final third will be devoted to in-depth case studies of the Cuban and Mexican revolutions, including the legacies of the Cuban and Mexican revolutions today.

Global Sociology (SC040):

This course introduces a variety of sociological theories and themes through examining the processes of globalization, social change, and the formation of the modern world. Topics covered include colonialism and the rise of the West, economic development, global inequality, race and gender, and social movements. Although we will examine a variety of national experiences, the course focuses particularly on Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Sociology of the American Dream (SC080):

This course provides an introduction to some of the most fundamental concepts in sociology, and will be organized around a single unifying theme: the American Dream. The values of the American Dream tend to draw our attention to stories of individual initiative and success. In contrast, sociologists look at how individuals' opportunities are shaped by social structure-or the combined set of "rules" that govern the way our society is run. This course is designed to help students develop a personal philosophy, which includes a critical understanding of American society and our place in it.

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