Sosc1850

SOSC1850 UNDERSTANDING SOCIETY Summer 2013 Mon, Wed, Fri: 14:30-17:20

Dr. J. M. Groves sojulian@ust.hk Room 3379. Division of Social Science. Office Hours: One hour after each class or by appointment. Teaching Assistants: Ms. Wong Yuk Ha (Creamy) wyukha@ust.hk Room 3001 (lift 4): Mon 10:30am-12:30pm Ms. Deng Ying (Daphne) daphnedy@ust.hk Room 3001 (lift 4): Wed 10:30am-12:30pm

This course will help you to appreciate the power of the sociological imagination for understanding modern life. As participants in human societies we all have ideas about the way our society works. The sociological perspectives that we shall examine on this course, however, are more well-thought out, based on evidence, and challenge our “common sense” understandings. This is an age in which we often explain human behaviour in terms of our individual achievements, personalities, or even our genetic make-up. The sociologist, however, looks at human behaviour as the product of groups, organizations and culture. In order to master this sociological outlook, we shall examine a number of topics in our everyday lives from the point of view of sociological perspectives and methods. These topics will include: culture, deviance, inequality, religion, mental health, social change and development, gender, intimate relationships and the family.

Intended Learning Outcomes

An appreciation of the importance of sociology for understanding modern societies. A mastery of sociological ideas The ability to think sociologically

Intended Learning Activities

By discussing the relevance of sociological ideas in our lives By reading the works of prominent sociologists By undertaking a number of in-class experiments, exercises and discussions that will encourage you to see how your own behaviour is shaped by groups, culture and organizations.

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Reading: For each class there will be a chapter (or part thereof) from the text book, Sociology: A Down to Earth Approach. Core Concepts. by James M....