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Sociology to world-class medical institutions in the Longwood Medical Area. Fall semester, alternate years, expected fall 2012. 4 credits
Course Descriptions for Liberal Arts and Sciences
SOC2127 Social Class and Inequality (SA) What are the origins, forms and consequences of the unequal distribution of wealth and power in American society and in selected societies around the world? This course will explore the theories, both classical and contemporary, that have sought to explain how resources come to be distributed so unequally. We will also explore what the practical implications of such economic stratification are for certain groups in American society. Particular attention will be paid to the real-world implications of economic inequality and the public policies that have (and have not) been put into place to deal with the issue. Fall semester, alternate years, expected fall 2012. 4 credits SOC2129 Cultural Geography (SA) Cultural geography deals with the many different uses and perceptions of space, locally and globally. It examines how language, religion, economics, and political practices vary over time. A central concern is to analyze the reciprocal relationship between cultural transmission and environment. The course celebrates and critically analyzes geographic human diversity in rural and urban settings in industrial and less-developed areas worldwide. The course examines solutions for the ecological survival of the planet. Fall and spring semesters. 4 credits SOC2131 Catholic Social Teaching This course will provide an introduction to over 100 years of Catholic social teaching, using papal encyclicals, and pastoral letters from the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops primarily. Analysis of the documents and critiques of the teachings will also be used. Emmanuel Emmanuel College College
Each of the documents will be grounded in its sociological, political, economic and religious context. A service-learning component will be included in the course introducing students to service to people in poverty in the Boston area. The mission of national and international Catholic social justice organizations will also be highlighted. Spring semester. 4 credits (Cross-referenced with THRS2130) SOC2201 The Practice of Social Policy Students will learn about the creation and implementation of welfare reform and poverty-related policies as a means of understanding the policy-making process. Students will consider the political and economic context for policymaking in Massachusetts today as they research one social policy and consider advocacy strategies. Activities include a visit to the State House and a mock legislative hearing. Spring semester, alternate years, expected spring 2014. 4 credits SOC2203 Crime and Justice Sociology reminds us that the way in which a society defines and responds to crime is a choice. This course examines the institutions of the U.S. criminal justice system, focusing on law enforcement, the courts, and corrections, with special emphasis on the sociological roles of crime victims, police, prosecutors, jurors, judges, wardens, probation, and parole officers within those institutions. Local and federal institutions will have particular focus, particularly the Boston Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A cross-cultural perspective will also be introduced. Fall semester, alternate years, expected fall 2013. 4 credits