Principles of Sociology in Global Perspective
Spring 2026
Prof. Matt Bakker
Meeting day and time:
- Section 131-A: Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:00am - 12:15pm (Rowley, G201)
- Section 131-B: Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:30-4:45pm (Gailhac, G101)
Office hours:
Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:45 – 5:15pm (in GAIL G101);
Tuesdays and Thursday, 10:00 – 11:30am (Rowley G118)
Purpose of the course
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the discipline of sociology by exploring the impact of social forces on everyday life. Students consider how the sociological perspective yields insights about inequality, the importance of culture, the nature of social institutions, and the impact of social construction. By applying these sociological insights, students gain a stronger appreciation for diversity and local-to-global connections and sharpen their critical thinking skills. Liberal Arts Core Designation: Social Science (SS). (3)
Course Objectives
This class is offered as part of the Liberal Arts core and is designated to address the core requirements of information literacy and valuing diversity. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- apply sociological principles to personal experience by evaluating how social interactions shape identity throughout life.
- explain the importance of social context for understanding and shaping human behavior, including the social, political, and economic dimensions of social life.
- identify the social structures that create inequality, particularly those of race, gender, and social class.
- adopt a global perspective to describe the strategies and social movements that can shape, sustain, and challenge systems of power, privilege, and oppression.
- demonstrate information literacy by identifying and differentiating among sources of information that shape our understanding of social issues.
- articulate how the source of information affects information creation and dissemination including social, political, cultural, or economic factors.
- Write effectively using sociological concepts and methods.
Class Schedule
| Date | Topic | Read before class |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-12 | Syllabus review and introductions | Complete introductory index card |
| 2026-01-14 | The sociological imagination and emergence of sociology | Read A Sociology Experiment (4th edition). Pages 9-26 |
| 2026-01-19 | NO CLASS – MLK Holiday | |
| 2026-01-21 | Expanding the Canon: Du Bois, Addams | Read A Sociology Experiment (4th edition). Pages 27-40 |
| 2026-01-26 | Research — the foundation of sociological knowledge | Read A Sociology Experiment (4th edition). Pages 45-60 |
| 2026-01-28 | Social structure and its various elements | Read A Sociology Experiment (4th edition). Pages 81-96 |
| 2026-02-02 | The individual and agency Watch: Beast of Man in class |
Read A Sociology Experiment (4th edition). Pages 97-112 |
| 2026-02-04 | Defining culture and the cycle of production and consumption | Read A Sociology Experiment (4th edition). Pages 169-187 |
| 2026-02-09 | The work of culture and culture jamming | Read A Sociology Experiment (4th edition). Pages 188-202 |
| 2026-02-11 | Social class | Read A Sociology Experiment (4th edition). Pages 117-133 |
| 2026-02-16 | Poverty and inequality | Read A Sociology Experiment (4th edition). Pages 134-161 |
| 2026-02-18 | The sociological perspective(s) on gender | Read A Sociology Experiment (4th edition). Pages 209-242 |
| 2026-02-23 | Sexuality as a social construct | Read A Sociology Experiment (4th edition). Pages 243-254 |
| 2026-02-25 | Mid-term review session | |
| 2026-03-02 | Mid-term exam | |
| 2026-03-04 | Why race still matters, even if it’s not “real” Watch Wendy Roth in class |
Read A Sociology Experiment (4th edition). Pages 265-286 |
| 2026-03-16 | Racism and racial inequalities | Read A Sociology Experiment (4th edition). Pages 287-304 |
| 2026-03-18 | Understanding urban life: who lives where and why? Watch John Oliver in class |
Read A Sociology Experiment (4th edition). Pages 485-486 and Pages 510-523 |
| 2026-03-23 | The causes and consequences of (im)migration | Read A Sociology Experiment (4th edition). Pages 497-509 |
| 2026-03-25 | Workday #1: Choose your issue | Read A Sociology Experiment (4th edition). Step 1 due 03/27 by 11:59pm |
| 2026-03-30 | Theoretical perspectives on schools and education | Read A Sociology Experiment (4th edition) Pages 365-392 |
| 2026-04-01 | Tracking, the hidden curriculum, and education policy | Read A Sociology Experiment (4th edition). Pages 393-409 |
| 2026-04-07 | Workday #2: Identify a particular movement/organization and collect information | Step 2a due 4/7 by 11:59pm |
| 2026-04-08 | The social construction of health and illness | Read A Sociology Experiment (4th edition). Pages 611-633 |
| 2026-04-13 | Social determinants of health | Read A Sociology Experiment (4th edition). Pages 634-652 Step 2b due 04/14 by 11:59pm |
| 2026-04-15 | Workday #3: Start work on multi-media presentations | Step 3 due on Canvas by 04/19 @11:59pm |
| 2026-04-20 | Student presentations | |
| 2026-04-22 | Theorizing deviance | Read A Sociology Experiment (4th edition). Pages 529-545 |
| 2026-04-27 | Understanding crime and violence in the US | Read A Sociology Experiment (4th edition). Pages 546-567 |
| 2026-04-29 | Final Exam review session | |
| 2026-05-04 | FINAL EXAM (SOC 131-A) | Exam period: 11:00am-1:30pm |
| 2026-05-06 | FINAL EXAM (SOC 131-B) | Exam period: 2:00-4:30pm |