SOAN 180 - FS: First-Year Seminar in Sociology

Credits: 3-4

Prerequisite: first-year student class standing. This interactive class provides an introduction to social conflict with an emphasis on striving for objectivity while exploring the perspectives of various groups. Concepts of group culture, collective identity, collective memory, and commemoration are closely interrelated with each other and are used as investigative tools when studying social conflict. We are surrounded by diverse elements in our community and beyond, each with unique and sometimes opposing sentiments. We will explore groups that have been on the forefront of controversy such as the police, the military and various ideological groups, with clinical rather than normative intent so as to expand our understanding of the world around us.