SOC 372 - Special Topics in Sociology
Department: Sociology
Description: This course addresses current topics of sociological interest. Multiple enrollments are allowed if content is different; maximum of 9 hours.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: SOC 106
Current Offerings
Spring 2025
- 001 - Lecture (In Person): T 4:00 PM - 6:50 PM , Maura Toro-Morn 3.00 hour(s)
- 002 - Lecture (In Person): T Th 3:35 PM - 4:50 PM , Aaron Pitluck 3.00 hour(s)
Dates: 01/13/2025 - 05/03/2025
Location: Williams Hall 314 (WIH 314)
Instructor: Maura Toro-Morn
Class Notes: In an election year, immigration is one of the most controversial and hotly debated issues in the political sphere. For example, the migration of Haitian refugees to Ohio has been demonized and distorted causing significant community disruptions locally. Yet, when seen through a sociological lens, we must acknowledge that immigration has been a major force of social transformation in the region. We know that local communities and immigrants are both transformed in the context of these social interactions and global migrations. Immigration has been connected to population growth in areas that once experienced population loss. From 2000-2010, Latinos accounted for 60.7% of the population growth in the Midwest. The numbers vary by states by the growth has been significant. Even in Bloomington/Normal these trends are evident. This class examines Latino immigration to the Midwest. We will start in Indiana by reading the work of anthropologist, Sujey Vega, then move to Illinois to study Mexicans and Puerto Ricans migrations and community formations and social movements. This class is reading and writing intensive. Central questions: how do transnational immigrant/migrant/refugee identities help to transnationalize and/or globalize the Midwest? How do immigrants imagine themselves in the Midwest? How do they remember and preserve their migration stories? How do second and third generation Latinos experience family, community, and education in the Midwest?
Dates: 01/13/2025 - 05/03/2025
Location: Schroeder Hall 211 (SCH 211)
Instructor: Aaron Pitluck
Class Notes: Thinking about capitalism. This course is an intellectual voyage to explore what kind of social arrangements we find in this thing called ‘capitalism,’ its variations outside of the United States, and contemporary alternatives to capitalism. We will explore these broad topics with numerous chapter-length real-world case studies from around the globe, as well as a provocative book-length case study that will give you the opportunity to learn about Islamic experiments in Southeast Asia. This is a writing-intensive, reading- and discussion-based class in which you’ll discover your opinions, beliefs and values about controversial subjects, as well as what your classmates believe. By forming your own critically informed position, and evaluating others’ arguments, you will be able to more fully participate in national and international civic life and contribute to an open society. It should be a lot of fun.