Carleton College

SOAN 100. The Myths of Crime What is crime? Who is the typical offender? What percentage of the American population is victimized by crime? This course will examine popular answers to these and other pressing questions about crime and contrast them with sociological informed accounts. As a first­year seminar, the course is designed to help students acquire a critical perspective on crime and more importantly, to separate fact from fiction. In the process students will learn how to locate and interpret sociological evidence, and how to assess theoretical accounts of crime. By the end of the course students will have a better sense of the larger sociological enterprise. 6 cr., S/CR/NC, SS, Fall—A. Nierobisz

SOAN 110. Introduction to Anthropology An introduction to cultural and social anthropology which develops the theoretical rationale of the discipline through the integration of ethnographic accounts with an analysis of major trends in historical and contemporary thought. Examples of analytical problems selected for discussion include the concepts of society and culture, value systems, linguistics, economic, social, political and religious institutions, as well as ethnographic method and the ethical position of anthropology. 6 cr., SS, RAD, Fall,Winter,Spring—Staff

SOAN 111. Introduction to Sociology An introduction to sociology, including analysis of the sociological perspective, culture, socialization, demography, and social class and caste institutions in modern industrial societies and cultures; stability and change in societies of the twentieth century. Pros and cons of various theoretical strategies will be emphasized. 6 cr., SS, Fall,Winter,Spring—Staff

SOAN 210. Introduction to Demographic Methods

Demography is the scientific study of human populations. The field of demography has two branches: formal demography and population studies. In formal demography, quantitative data and techniques are used to calculate demographic measures such as population size, age structure, fertility rates, life expectancies and migration levels. In population studies, these demographic measures are set within a broader societal context. Students in this course will receive grounding in formal demography not population studies. Topics include measuring fertility, mortality, migration and marriage and life tables. This course requires intensive work in small groups. Prerequisite: Mathematics 115 or 215. 6 cr., SS, Spring—P. Brandon

SOAN 215. Social Welfare This course studies the social welfare system in the U.S. The course reviews the historical, social, and cultural underpinnings of the nation's welfare system: then the course examines which groups are served and not served by the system. Several sections of the course examine the intellectual debates about the incentive structures of the U.S. welfare system and whether welfare reform have been effective in reducing welfare dependency. Time permitting, the U.S. welfare system is placed in comparative perspective. Prerequisite: Sociology and Anthropology 110 or 111, or consent of instructor. 6 cr., SS, Fall—P. Brandon

SOAN 220. Class, Power, and Inequality in America The processes, structures, and functions of stratification in advanced capitalist societies. Marxist, neomarxist, Weberian, and functionalist models of class analysis; theories of status attainment and mobility; comparative welfare states; the relationship between class, gender, and ethnicity; the relation of education to status attainment; class and socialization; and models of justice and rationality. Prerequisite: Sociology and Anthropology 111 or consent of the instructor. 6 cr., SS, Not offered in 2009-2010.

SOAN 221. Law and Society Law has an impact on every aspect of our lives, from the conditions of our birth to the conditions of our death and everything else in between. As we enter the twenty­first century, the pervasiveness of law continues to grow. We begin this course by exploring the ubiquity of law and the implications of this for our day­to­day lives. Next we examine definitions of law, the development of law, and the extent to which law is shaped by the wider social and cultural contexts in which it is embedded. We conclude by examining specific issues such as legal consciousness, the legal profession, and law and social inequality. Readings include classic and contemporary theoretical works on law and society, and current empirical applications. 6 cr., SS, Not offered in 2009-2010.

SOAN 222. Anthropology of Humor Laughter is found in all human societies, but we do not all laugh at the same things. In this course we will discuss why, cross-culturally, some things are funny and others are not, and what forms humor may take (jokes, riddles, teasing, banter, clowning). We will look at such topics as joking relationships, evolutionary aspects of laughter and smiling, sexual inequality in humor, ethnic humor, and humor in religion and language. Some prior exposure to anthropology is desirable but not required. The main prerequisite for the course is a serious sense of humor. 6 cr., SS, Not offered in 2009-2010.

SOAN 224. Global Migrations We look at causes of migration such as post-colonial conditions in the developing world that create political and economic instability; declining populations in the developed world that create labor needs; and human slavery and trafficking from countries with high poverty, unstable governments, and challenges to human rights. We study some of the largest-scale migrations: the Chinese, Indians, Jews, Japanese, German and Italians, and examine political instability in places where minority immigrant groups control nations' economic resources. Theoretical approaches include micro-economic 'push-pull' theories and macro-structural theories focusing on global conditions. 6 cr., SS, Not offered in 2009-2010.

SOAN 225. Social Movements In this course we will consider questions of how ordinary women and men have come together to reshape the societies in which they live and the difficult choices they have faced in the process. We will explore factors affecting the emergence, growth, structure and impact of social movements as their participants intentionally attempt to bring about social change, transform social relationships and reshape social values. Major theoretical perspectives (concerning collective behavior, resource mobilization, and new social movements) will be examined in light of some of the most important social movements from around the world. Prerequisites: Sociology and Anthropology 110 or 111 or permission of instructor. 6 cr., SS, Winter—M. Sehgal

SOAN 226. Anthropology of Gender This course examines gender and gender relations from an anthropological perspective. We discuss such key concepts as gender, voice/mutedness, status, public and private spheres, and the gendered division of labor, and explore the intellectual history of these terms and how they have been used. The course focuses on two areas: 1) the role of sex, sexuality, and procreation in creating cultural notions of gender, and 2) the impacts of colonialism, globalization, and economic underdevelopment on Third World women. Readings include both theoretical articles and ethnographic case studies from around the world. Prerequisite: Sociology and Anthropology 110 or 111 or permission of the instructor. 6 cr., SS, RAD, Spring—P. Feldman-Savelsberg

SOAN 229. Demography of the Family This course uses demographic techniques to study the family and changes in family behaviors and household relationships. Drawing primarily, but not exclusively, upon the demographic literature, families are studied across time, social groups, and countries. The course will review trends in family composition and structures and introduce theoretical perspectives on union formation and family change. Possible topics for study include cohabitation and marriage, teenage pregnancy, child care, and intergenerational relationships. The course will examine the role that public policies have played in shaping families to date and what effects public policies might have on the American family in the future. Prerequisite: Sociology and Anthropology 110 or 111. 6 cr., SS, Fall—P. Brandon

SOAN 230. Human Evolution and Prehistory A survey of the course of human evolution from Australopithecenes to the Upper Paleolithic. Areas of discussion include paleoanthropology, genetics, primate ethology, the role of archaeology in providing evidence for human evolution and culture, and the importance of environment and technology in the evolution of culture. No prerequisite. 6 cr., SS, Not offered in 2009-2010.

SOAN 231. Transnational Migration and Diasporic Communities

An interdisciplinary approach to the study of transnational migration and global diasporas. Instructor introduces theoretical perspectives on contemporary migration, transnational linkages, and imaginative connections maintained by globally dispersed peoples. Instructor and guest experts present model case studies. Students research and present additional case studies. 6 cr., SS, RAD, Spring—V. Dusenbery

SOAN 234. Ecology, Economy, and Culture This course examines the ways in which economic goods are embedded in social relations. When does a thing become a commodity? What relationships exist between culture and ecology? Formulating an anthropological perspective for the interpretation of "economic facts," we will examine simularities and differences among hunter-gatherers, horticulturalists, and peasants. We will also discuss the interpretation of traders in the brokering of culture, asymmetrical articulation of local and transnational economies, gender bias in classical exchange theory, Mauss on gift-giving and Marx on "commodity fetishism." Theoretical material will be illustrated with ethnographic examples from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. 6 cr., SS, Not offered in 2009-2010.

SOAN 236. Introduction to Peace Studies Peace studies is an evolving and emerging holistic interdisciplinary study of collective harmony and collective violence. In this course we will study the alternative definitions of peace and examine the relation between peace and a variety of societal factors including modernity, post modernity, international anarchy, forms of state, cultural construction of violence, religious prejudice, patriarchy, nuclear weapon, ecology, militarism, globalization and a global civil society and culture. 6 cr., SS, Spring—N. Saidei

SOAN 240. Methods of Social Research The course is concerned with social scientific inquiry and explanation, particularly with reference to sociology and anthropology. Topics covered include research design, data collection, and analysis of data. Both quantitative and qualitative methods are considered. Prerequisites: Sociology and Anthropology 110 and 111 and Mathematics 115. 6 cr., SS, Spring—P. Brandon

SOAN 241. Guatemala Program: Mesoamerican Cultures Mesoamerica, a major area of pre-Columbian civilization, is a region generally extending from around the Tropic of Cancer in Mexico to northwestern Costa Rica. This course will examine both ancient and modern peoples of Mesoamerica, with special reference to the Maya peoples of Guatemala and southern Mexico. Students will cover topics including economic, social, political, and religious organization as well as cosmology and symbolism. Course materials should assist students in selecting a topic for their individual research projects. 6 cr., SS, Winter—J. Levi

SOAN 242. Qualitative Thinking In this course we examine the epistemological assumptions and techniques of qualitative research. We begin by examining questions such as: How do we know what we know? What questions guide our research? Does it matter who the researcher is? What do we do to the objects/subjects of our research? What issues arise in studying 'Others'? Whose interests does research serve? Who uses or misuses it? Can qualitative research address social justice issues? These discussions are followed by hands-on practical experience thinking and researching from a qualitative perspective. This course is useful to students applying for junior fellowships, study abroad programs, or planning to use a qualitative approach in their comps. Prerequisites: Sociology and Anthropology 110 or 111 or permission of instructor. 6 cr., SS, Not offered in 2009-2010.

SOAN 243. Social Research Practicum This course builds on the skills of Sociology and Anthropology 240 which introduces students to qualitative and quantitative methodologies for examining hypotheses about the social world. Students will select a compelling social issue and design and conduct a complete research study. This research practicum will provide a solid foundation for students' subsequent integrative exercise in Sociology and Anthropology 400. 6 cr., SS, Not offered in 2009-2010.

SOAN 250. Ethnography of Latin America This course explores the historical development and contemporary experience of selected peoples and cultures of Latin America. We will examine the historical and structural processes that have shaped contact among indigenous, European, and African peoples in Latin America during Conquest and the colonial period, under conditions of global economic expansion and state formation, and in present day urban centers and extractive "frontiers." Special attention will be given to local-level transformations and resistance as well as issues of migration and gender construction. 6 cr., SS, RAD, Not offered in 2009-2010.

SOAN 251. Guatemala Prog: Resource Mgmt, Community Develpmnt & Soc Change in Guatemala & Chiapas This course explores contemporary strategies for survival in Maya lands in the face of the global economy by examining how community groups, entrepreneurs, peasant organizations, niche markets, social movements, government and non-governmental organizations play important roles in promoting economic betterment, social justice, locally based decision making, and more equitable, environmentally sound, sustainable development. Through readings, lectures, interviews, and direct community engagement with human rights activists, conservation experts, development practitioners, and both farmers and foragers in the Maya tropical forest, students will learn about the complex interplay between cultural ecology, resource management and community revitalization. 4 cr., SS, RAD, Winter—J. Levi

SOAN 256. Ethnography of Africa This course emphasizes the study of several sub-Saharan African societies so as to deal with themes that have concerned anthropologists working in Africa. The types of questions anthropologists have posed about African societies, and the role Africa has played in the development of anthropological theory is explored. Texts include three classics, The Nuer, Chisungu, and Witchcraft, Oracles and Magic as well as contemporary re-studies and ethnographic case studies by both African and Western scholars to address issues affecting the entire continent, including colonialism, gender, AIDS, local-state relations, the role of history, and debates about cultural identities. Prerequisite: Sociology and Anthropology 110 or 111 or permission of the instructor. 6 cr., SS, RAD, Fall—P. Feldman-Savelsberg

SOAN 257. Culture and Politics in India India is a region of immense diversity where more than one billion people live. This course will explore social structures in India--through a focus on key areas of everyday life such as family, religion, economy, systems of stratification and social movements. Close attention will be given to religious nationalism, globalization and militarism as dominant trends affecting contemporary India. Questions we will consider include: How has India been represented in the Western imagination and why do such representations matter? What are the forces of modernity and tradition in India? What are the similarities and differences in systems of stratification in India and the U.S.? Prerequisites: Sociology and Anthropology 110 and 111 or permission of the instructor. 6 cr., SS, RAD, Fall—M. Sehgal

SOAN 259. Comparative Issues in Native North America This course examines the cultural and historical situation of indigenous groups in the United States, Mexico, and Canada to develop a comparative perspective for understanding native peoples in North America. How have indigenous peoples variously coped with continuity and change? What strategies have they employed in pursuit of political sovereignty, economic survival, and cultural vitality? In answering these questions, we will explore the politics of representation regarding "the Indian" as a symbol in national consciousness; the negotiation of identity in inter-ethnic contexts; patterns of resistance; the impact of European powers and state agendas; and the resurgence of tradition. 6 cr., SS, Not offered in 2009-2010.

SOAN 260. Myth, Ritual, and Symbolism Exploring the ways in which people make sense of their world through myth, ritual and symbolism, this course takes an anthropological approach to the study of comparative religion. What is the relationship between "myth" and "history?" How do animals, food, color, music, and the human body function as idioms of symbolic communication? Why is ritual credited with the ability to heal illnesses, offer political commentary, maintain cosmic harmony, and foster social cohesion through the exhibition of interpersonal tensions? Examining major theories in the anthropology of religion, students learn to record and analyze both "familiar" and "unfamiliar" myths, rituals, and symbols. 6 cr., SS, Not offered in 2009-2010.

SOAN 261. Ethnography of Island Southeast Asia

We approach island Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia, and East Timor) anthropologically and in terms of its wider historical and political context. Focusing on Indonesia, a country almost as large in population as the U.S. and similarly pluralistic, we ask: How do people negotiate membership in a nation-state with belonging to local ethnolinguistic groups? How are modernity and tradition interpreted and reconciled? How do world religions (notably Islam and Christianity) interact with indigenous beliefs and practices? We use various genres and resources (e.g., ethnography, history, memoir, fiction, journalism, maps, images, objects, film). Prerequisite: A previous Sociology and Anthropology course or consent of the instructor. 6 cr., SS, RAD, Winter—E. Coville

SOAN 262. Anthropology of Health and Illness An ethnographic approach to beliefs and practices regarding health and illness in numerous societies worldwide. This course examines patients, practitioners, and the social networks and contexts through which therapies are managed to better understand medical systems as well as the significance of the anthropological study of misfortune. Specific topics include the symbolism of models of illness, the ritual management of misfortune and of life crisis events, the political economy of health, therapy management, medical pluralism, and cross-cultural medical ethics. Case studies range from birth and death to epilepsy, AIDS and cancer, and from a working class neighborhood in Philadelphia, to Hmong immigrants, to South African street children. Prerequisite: Sociology and Anthropology 110 or 111 or permission of the instructor. 6 cr., SS, Winter—P. Feldman-Savelsberg

SOAN 266. Urban Sociology In this course, we will explore ideas about cities and humans who live there through a series of lenses including: city as place, city as symbol, city as location of assimilation and integration and the opposite, city as a site of segregation and extremes of power and capital. How do cities work and for whom? By combing theoretical readings with case studies, we will move from historical ethnographies of cities and communities, to current studies of cities in global context. Prerequisites: Sociology and Anthropology 110 or 111 or consent of instructor. 6 cr., SS, Not offered in 2009-2010.

SOAN 272. Ethnicity and Race This course examines ethnic and racial relations from an anthropological perspective. We focus on such theories as primordialism, instrumentalism, myth-complex, and boundaries, exploring the intellectual history of these theories. Readings include both theoretical articles and ethnographic case studies from around the world. 6 cr., SS, RAD, Not offered in 2009-2010.

SOAN 274. Language, Culture and Society With an emphasis on the linking of language, culture, and social context, this course introduces linguistic anthropology. We begin by looking at its roots in linguistics, anthropology, semiology and semiotics. Then we introduce the central concepts of speech community, communicative competence, and language functions. We explore both classic studies (e.g., terms of address; linguistic relativity; language variation) and contemporary research (e.g., ritual performance; political economy of language; language socialization; social contexts of literacy; language ideologies; language endangerment). We will read ethnographic material from the United States (e.g., Hmong, Apache) and the world (e.g., Indonesia, Africa). Students will also do field observations of language practice in their own communities. 6 cr., SS, RAD, Fall—E. Coville

SOAN 280. Statistical Tools for Quantitative Reasoning This course aims to produce numerate students who can write confidently and effectively about the social world they have explored using survey data and have assessed using statistical tools. The course provides students with statistical tools to evaluate and analyze survey data and opportunities to write critically and cogently about the empirical relationships they have discovered. Numerous statistical methods are taught, but contrasting more traditional advanced statistics courses, the emphases are using survey data to drive learning multivariate statistics, and requiring intensive writing exercises about empirical discoveries to motivate student understanding about the social world and complex statistical concepts. Students should have basic knowledge of the statistical program STATA. Prerequisite: Mathematics 115 or 215. 6 cr., SS, Winter—P. Brandon

SOAN 284. Anthropology of China This course examines China from an anthropological and sociological perspective. Readings include both theoretical articles and ethnographic case studies; readings from other disciplines are also supplementary. We deal with both Han and non-Han peoples. Students are expected to gain a holistic understanding of China with regards to its changes of politico-symbolic boundaries, its power relations, and its connection to globalization. We will also talk about "translingual practice" as represented by symbolic negotiations between the traditional, changing Chinese view and the views that come from outside. Prerequisites: Sociology and Anthropology 110 or 111 or permission of instructor. 6 cr., SS, Not offered in 2009-2010.

SOAN 285. The Ethics of Civic Engagement In this course, students will discuss the ethical questions that arise when they engage with others in research, service, organizing, or policy work. Students will read and talk about the meanings and forms of civic engagement and use these readings to reflect upon their own research or service projects, or to reflect upon the college's role in Haiti or Faribault, two areas where college members are actively engaged. Gaining insights from sociological and practice based readings, we will examine different perspectives on the ways that power and privilege relate to civic engagement. 3 cr., S/CR/NC, ND, Spring—A. Falcon, C. Fure-Slocum

SOAN 286. Anthropology of East Asia This course examines East Asian cultures and societies from an anthropological perspective. China, Mongolia, Japan and Korea are linked historically, culturally, and linguistically; each part of this "cultural complex" shares common features with the other while maintaining distinct traits. This class explores an historical Chinese script-culture sphere, including Japanese, Korean, and many other groups. We examine the superpower geopolitics that forced the opening up of China and Japan and is thus vital for understanding East Asian history, culture and society. Readings include both theoretical articles and ethnographic case studies from the region. 6 cr., SS, Not offered in 2009-2010.

SOAN 290. Guatemala Program: Directed Reading During winter break participants are asked to read selected works chosen to provide background on Guatemalan history, Mayan culture, and contemporary social issues in preparation for the field seminar. Students will write an integrative essay on this material and participate in discussions covering the readings during the first week of the program. 2 cr., ND, Winter—J. Levi

SOAN 295. Guatemala Program: Field Methods and Individual Research Project The first part of the course is designed to prepare students for their individual field research projects. Students will cover participant observation, interview methods, research ethics, and develop a prospectus for their field research. In the second part of the course, students will apply their knowledge of field methods and conduct four weeks of ethnographic research in a highland Maya community in western Guatemala based on their prospectus, followed by a one week period in Quetzaltenango during which students will write their research papers and present their findings in a research symposium. 6 cr., ND, Winter—J. Levi

SOAN 302. Anthropology and Indigenous Rights This seminar examines the relationship between culture and human rights from an anthropological perspective. By asking "who are indigenous peoples?" and "what specific rights do they have?" this course introduces students to a comparative framework for understanding cultural rights discourse. Given the history of intolerance to difference, the seminar demonstrates the need to explore the determinants of violence, ethnocide, and exploitation routinely committed against the world's most marginalized peoples. At the same time, it also asks about the limits of tolerance, if human rights abuses are perpetrated under the banner of cultural pluralism. Students will analyze case studies drawn from Africa, Asia, and the Americas, as well as issues that cross-cut these regions. Prerequisite: Sociology and Anthropology 110, 111 or permision of the instructor; upper division coursework in anthropology, sociology, history or philosophy recommended. 6 cr., SS, Spring—J. Levi

SOAN 305. Environmentalism and Social Change Through readings, discussions, films, and a service learning project, students in this class will be using environmentalism to learn about the framing of social problems, the historical evolution of a social change effort, as well as the sociology of organizations, the sociology of social movements and the sociology of civic engagement. By looking at the diverse forms and levels of engagement--by individuals, organizations, and social movements--we will seek to understand which kinds of initiatives bring about what kinds of changes and to understand future challenges for environmental efforts in the United States. There will be a service learning component with a local environmental group or organization so as to provide a local context and an experiential perspective on the class topics. 6 cr., SS, Not offered in 2009-2010.

SOAN 308. Working Across the Life Course This course explores the meaning, experiences, and challenges of work at four stages: adolescence, young adulthood, mid-life, and the senior years. At each stage we examine key questions that sociologists who study work and occupations ask. For example, how does paid employment in the teenage years affect schoolwork and adolescent well-being? Do the occupational aspirations of today’s college students match up with the job structure of the contemporary labor market? What types of challenges arise in balancing work and family? We develop answers to these questions by reading sociological theory and research, and by analyzing data. The course will also have an experiential component. Prerequisites: Mathematics 115 or 215 or Sociology and Anthropology 240. 6 cr., SS, Spring—A. Nierobisz

SOAN 311. Anthropology and/of Globalization Late twentieth century-early twenty-first century globalization--speeding up and intensifying transnational flows of people, goods, capital, ideas, and images--has challenged modernist thinking about our social world. This course explores both the challenges that globalization has posed to mainstream anthropological thought and theory and the ways that anthropologists have contributed to the interdisciplinary study of globalization as a social process. Prerequsite: Sociology and Anthropology 110 or permission of the instructor. 6 cr., SS, Fall—V. Dusenbery

SOAN 330. Sociological Thought and Theory Classical sociological theory has been concerned with at least three fundamental questions. They are the nature of the historic transition from feudalism to capitalism, the appropriate method of social studies, and the form of a rational society. Beginning with the Enlightenment and romanticism, we study nineteenth century positivism, liberalism, Marxism and nihilism, and investigate the ideas of Weber and Durkheim at the turn of the century. Prerequisite: Sociology and Anthropology 111 or permission of the instructor. 6 cr., SS, Fall—N. Saiedi

SOAN 331. Anthropological Thought and Theory A systematic introduction to the theoretical foundations of social and cultural anthropology with special emphasis given to twentieth century British, French and American schools. The course deals with such seminal figures as Morgan, Boas, Malinowski, Radcliffe-Brown, Levi-Straus, Harris, Sahlins, Bourdieu, Geertz, and Appadurai. The reading strikes a balance between ethnographic accounts and theoretical statements. Prerequisites: Sociology and Anthropology 110 and 330 or permission of the instructor. 6 cr., SS, RAD, Winter—V. Dusenbery

SOAN 395. Ethnography of Reproduction This seminar explores the meanings of reproductive beliefs and practices in comparative perspective. Using ethnographies, it explores the relation between human and social reproduction. It focuses on (but is not limited to) ethnographic examples from the U.S./Canada and from sub-Saharan Africa (societies with relatively low fertility and high utilization of technology and societies with mostly high fertility and low utilization of technology). Topics examined include fertility and birth, fertility rites, new reproductive technologies, abortion, population control, infertility, child survival and child loss. Prerequisites: Sociology and Anthropology 110 or 111; and 226, 260, or 262; or permission of the instructor. 6 cr., SS, Fall—P. Feldman-Savelsberg

SOAN 395. Public Sociology Debate about the field of public sociology has been growing rapidly since Michael Buravoy's 2004 challenge to fellow sociologists to engage in public sociology. This course will analyze that debate and locate it historically in sociological texts with a main focus on the current debate. In addition, this will be an applied course where students will engage in community projects, such as conducting an assessment of the needs for community based research in Northfield, in order to develop research skills and gain data for reflection and analysis. Recommended for upper level students who have taken their methods courses. Prerequisites: Sociology and Anthropology 111 and 240 or equivalent. 6 cr., SS, Winter—A. Falcón

SOAN 400. Integrative Exercise The integrative exercise in Sociology and Anthropology consists of two options. The thesis option involves carrying out and presenting a major piece of research, as well as sharing and discussing the work-in-progress with a group of others engaged in the same process, under the guidance of a faculty supervisor. The exam option consists of a four-part comprehensive exam on sociological theory, anthropological theory, social research methods, and a topical specialization. Study groups work together in fall and winter for the spring term exam. Please consult the Sociology/Anthropology website for a full description. 6 cr., S/NC, ND, Fall,Winter,Spring—Staff