200

This course examines sociological perspectives and knowledge about intimate relationships, marriages, and families in contemporary society. A range of topics pertaining to love and intimate relationships across the life course will be covered in this course, including marriage and marital relations, love and intimacy, sex and sexuality, cohabitation, family dynamics, singlehood and solo living, parenting and child rearing, family conflict, divorce and relationship dissolution, and remarriage and blended families.

This course examines the social contexts of health, illness and health care. Specifically, the class consists of an overview of the subjective experience of health and illness; the political, economic, and environmental circumstances that impact health; and the societal forces that shape medical systems and people’s responses to illness.

An exploration of sexuality and the interactions among and between people and institutions that form the boundaries through which sexualities are understood in the United States and cross culturally. Considers the development of sexuality in a social context; examines the social, as opposed to psychological and/or biological, characteristics of sexuality. Includes an emphasis on sexuality as a site of inequality and oppression. Emphasis on how sexuality intersects with other identities such as race and ethnicity, sex/gender, age, socioeconomic class, ability, and nationality.

This course examines the social construction of sports as well as the impact of sports upon society. Specifically, the class consists of an overview of the social experience and patterning of sports; the political, economic, and environmental circumstances that impact sports; and the societal forces that shape sporting systems and events as well as people's responses to and interpretations of sports.

This course will introduce students to the emerging field of social-psychological research on happiness and well-being. It asks questions about the socio-economic contributors to happiness and well-being, how relationships contribute to social cohesion and well-being, the role of identity in personal happiness, and happiness and well-being change over the life course. Additionally, the course will explore the personal self and its relation to social rules and expectations, emotions and emotional intelligence, and group dynamics. Students will leave this class understanding what social factors contribute to happiness and well-being, and learn how social relationships impact their personal happiness, well-being, and self-development.

This course examines the social psychological development of children. Specifically, the class consists of an overview of the bio-social-psychological experiences of early human development; the processes, norms and agents that contribute to the socialization of children within specific social, historical, medical, and political contexts; and the ways societal forces shape the meaning and experience of childhood in contemporary societies.

Special courses may be offered each year.