- Introduction to Race, Class, and Gender

Catalog description

An introduction to sociological analysis of race, class, and gender in contemporary social life. This course explores how race, class, and gender are constructed, reinforced, and maintained in U.S. society. Using readings (historical, theoretical, sociological, and autobiographical), films, class discussion, current issues/events, and exercises, we will critically examine questions such as: What is sociological imagination? How can it help us understand the intersections of race, class, and gender in social life? How do systems of power and inequality affect cultural norms, social interactions, and institutional structures? How can we move from social inequality to social change? By grappling with these questions, students will develop an appreciation for the multidimensional and complex nature of the issues underlying constructions of race, class, and gender in the United States.