100

An introduction to the institutions, functions, development, and social construction of human societies. Emphasizes the nature and meaning of culture, socialization, social institutions, social inequality and social change. Explores sociology as a discipline, including learning to see with the sociological imagination, understanding and comparing sociological theories, and learning about sociological research methods. Special attention paid to socialization, interaction, and inequality from cross-cultural and global perspectives, social class and social structure, and the institutions of education, religion, government, and economy.

This course analyzes Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games trilogy through the lens of social inequality and its real-world implications. Drawing on sociological theories, students will explore themes of dystopian societies, power dynamics, and the impact of media, all within the context of the fictional world of Panem and its stark social divisions. The course will examine how the narrative reflects and critiques real-world issues like poverty, wealth disparity, and political oppression.