Course Description
Analyzes the definition and response to right and wrong in human societies. Moral conflict occurs throughout social life, though it varies greatly in intensity and type. This course asks: Why are some groups highly tolerant, while others are highly repressive?
Athena Title
Sociology of Morality
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in SOCI 4800W
Prerequisite
SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1101H
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
On completion of this course, students will understand: 1. The variable morality attributed to human conduct. 2. The major sociological theories of morality. 3. How morality varies with its location and direction in social space. In addition, students will learn critical thinking skills by being required to: 4. Consider and engage opposing points of view (by writing a paper on a conflict in which they were personally involved). 5. Assimilate, analyze, and present a body of information (by marshalling empirical materials for their paper). 6. Support a consistent purpose and point of view (by developing a theoretically-informed analysis of the conflict).
Topical Outline
1. The Variability of Morality 2. Sociological Theories of Morality 3. Moral Settings Inner cities Suburbs Rural counties The business world The workplace Self-Help Groups Day Care Centers Stateless societies Autocracies Frontiers Colonial societies International relations
Syllabus