An introduction to the sociology of face-to-face interaction, communication, and the social construction of reality. Areas covered include: symbolic interaction and dramaturgy, ethnomethodology, qualitative research methods and ethnography, the presentation of self, feeling rules, boundary work, stigma management, and studies of social space. Students will read canonical pieces of sociology as well as contemporary case studies as they work to see patterns of social behavior in everyday situations. Student assessment is based on in-class participation, tests, and a semester-long qualitative research project.
Distribution Area
Students entering Fall 2024 or later: The Individual and Society (TIS)
Students entering Fall 2024 or later: Power and Equity (PEQ)
Students entering Fall 2024 or later: Writing Across Contexts (WAC)
Students entering prior to Fall 2024: Cultural Pluralism (CP DIST)
Students entering prior to Fall 2024: Social Sciences (SO DIST)
Prerequisites
At least two credits of prior coursework in Sociology; or consent of instructor.