SOCI 111 Introduction to Sociology (CI) (4)
Michael Rosenbaum, Ph.D.
Simons Hall 360
MWF 9:10am-10:05am

Systematic description and analysis of the creation and composition of groups; development of the sociological imagination as the key to understanding the interconnectedness of individuals, cultures and social institutions. An introduction to sociological theory, methodology, and analysis as well as to the major topics studied by the discipline.

SOCI 111 Introduction to Sociology (CI) (4)
Jacob Jantzer, Ph. D.
Henrita Academic BLDG (HAB) 117
MWF 1:00pm-1:55pm

Systematic description and analysis of the creation and composition of groups; development of the sociological imagination as the key to understanding the interconnectedness of individuals, cultures and social institutions. An introduction to sociological theory, methodology, and analysis as well as to the major topics studied by the discipline.

SOCI 121 Introduction to Anthropology (SS, CI) (4)
Ted Gordon, Ph.D.
Henrita Academic BLDG (HAB) 117
TR 9:55am-11:15am

This course will provide an introduction to the field of anthropology. Anthropology is a holistic and comparative study of human diversity. Students will examine cross-cultural examples to shed light on all the aspects of human life and culture from language and religion to technology and medicine, to the study of our human and non-human ancestors.

SOCI 230 Family and Society (4)
Jacob Jantzer, Ph. D.
Henrita Academic BLDG (HAB) 120
TR 11:30am-12:50pm

Explores the family as a SOCIAL institution, recognizing the diversity of families around the world and within various cultures. The course places particular emphasis on the history, current challenges, and future directions of the family in United States, while examining how societal perspectives on gender, race, ethnicity, social class, and immigration status impact interactions and roles within the family. Students examine how families are influenced and shaped by social forces such as the economy, politics, and religion.

SOCI 279A QUANTITIVE METHODS SOCI (SS, SW) (4)
Jacob Jantzer, Ph. D.
Henrita Academic BLDG (HAB) 002
TR 1:05pm-2:25pm

This course will use a “hands on” approach by students to grapple with the quantitative analyses of data in the social sciences. Students will learn about the operationalization, computation, and transformation of variables. Students will create and test hypotheses using SPSS. They will also write up their results using a journal article format and give presentations of their results.

SOCI 378A Transnational Anthropology (4)
Ellen Block, Ph.D.
Quadrangle 347
TR 9:35am-10:55am

Cultures and cultural groups have never been bounded to a single location – people have always been in movement, learning from people outside their cultural groups, and hybridizing ideas and ways of life. This course uses cultural anthropology theory and method to study transnational cultural groups that are present in contemporary Minnesota. In particular, we will study ethnographic manuscripts about Hmong, Somali, and Mexican people and topics including ethnicity, migration, refugeeism, tourism, nomadism, political economy, and medical anthropology. Students will be conducting original ethnographic research in a semester-long project that analyzes a particular transnational cultural case study.

SOCI 379A Conspiracy Theory and the Social Construction of Reality (4)
Michael Rosenbaum, Ph.D.
Simons Hall 360
MW 1:50pm-3:10pm

This is a course grounded in the sociology of knowledge. As sociologists, our approach to the study of conspiracy theory will focus on how truth and falsehood are socially constructed in our society. We will ask a variety of questions in this class: Why do conspiracy theories seem so wildly popular at this moment in history? How are people convinced of the truth of either a conspiracy theory or an official narrative that contradicts it and aims to debunk it? How can people in one society find evidence for—and claim as true—wildly incompatible and mutually exclusive versions of reality? How can power, science, and media be used to bolster or undermine truth claims? While we won’t reach a final conclusion on the “reality” of any particular conspiracy theory, this course will improve your ability to weigh the plausibility and legitimacy of competing arguments about social reality.

SOCI 396 Sociology Capstone (4)
Michael Rosenbaum, Ph.D.
Simons Hall 360
MWF 10:20am-11:15am

An integrative academic experience which engages majors in key debates and issues of concern to sociologists. Preparation for the transition to graduate school and/or exploration of the applicability of sociology in the workplace. Students demonstrate mastery of core concepts, theoretical perspectives, and methods of the discipline through original research. Emphasis placed on critical reading of scholarly journals and on student participation in sociological discourse. Topics determined by expertise of the faculty. Prerequisites: Sociology major and senior standing or consent of instructor.