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 4800
Non-Traditional Format
This version of the course will be taught as writing intensive, which means that the course will include substantial and ongoing writing assignments that a) relate clearly to course learning; b) teach the communication values of a discipline, for example, its practices of argument, evidence, credibility, and format; and c) prepare students for further writing in their academic work, in graduate school, and in professional life. The written assignments will result in a significant and diverse body of written work (the equivalent of 6000 words or 25 pages) and the instructor (and/or the teaching assistant assigned to the course) will be closely involved in student writing, providing opportunities for feedback and substantive revision.
Prerequisite
SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1101H or SOCI 2600 or permission of department
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 marshaling 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