SOAN 260 - Social Institutions

Although social institutions are mostly invisible forces, they profoundly affect our lives. This course focuses on a wide swath of social institutions (such as family, religion, politics, law, healthcare, and/or education) and the role they play in the organization of society. Additional social influences such as science or the media may also be studied. Comprehensive understanding of these institutions is founded on the major sociological perspectives including functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. As a 200-level class in the sociology track of the major, this course is also designed to help build critical-thinking skills.

Credits: 3
When Offered: (fall only)
NOTE:
* This course fulfills the Social Scientific Mode of Inquiry and the Intercultural Interconnecting Perspective of the Liberal Studies Program.
** This course counts toward the 63-credit Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) graduation requirement.