Fall 2009

SOC 308 • Culture and Society in the US

Course Description

Why do people spend so much money on designer clothes? Why are the words "gay" and “fag” so prominent in adolescent vernacular? What do Viagra and child birth have in common? Why do white suburban males voraciously consume hip hop? Who gets to decide what the confederate flag really means? These are just some of the questions that we will grapple with in this course as we explore the ways in which meanings shape society and society shapes meanings.

This course is a survey of major themes and concepts within cultural sociology. We will address the broad categories of class, race / ethnicity, gender, sexuality, families, and social problems.

Grading Policy

Three in-class essay exams 85%
Quizzes 10%
Assignments 5%

Texts

Sociology: Exploring the Architecture of Everyday Life, 7th edition, 2008. Eds, David M. Newman, Available at the Co-Op

And chapters from the following: Juliet Schor, Born to Buy
Susan Bordo, Unbearable Weight
Meika Loe, The Rise of Viagra
C.J. Pascoe, Dude You're a Fag
Arlene Stein, Shameless
S. Craig Watkins, Hip Hop Matters

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