Inside Higher Ed: Sex, Class, and Admissions

Catalog description

This course introduces students to the sociological study of higher education in the United States. In this seminar, our primary focus will be to engage with the current debates, issues, and problems associated with higher education. Among the questions we will explore are: What is hook-up culture, and can you “opt-out”? What is the purpose of higher education, and how does our background impact how we answer this question? Who are the biggest beneficiaries of affirmative action? Are legacy students and athletes advantaged in the admissions process? Which students are most likely to participate in class discussion? And how does gender matter for who does and does not participate? Who is best served by higher education institutions? This class is not just about reading research. You will be required to actively discuss and reflect on your collegiate experiences with your classmates.