ROSARIO ESPINAL
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
SOC 51 Comparative Societal Development
Such questions as What is National Development? and How do we define the "Good Society"? are examined. This is an introductory sociology course that includes the study of basic sociological concepts and theories of social change. Examples are drawn from different nations. Specific topics covered in this course include: industrialization, urbanization, revolutions, the welfare state and globalization.
SOC 163 Area Studies: Latin American Development
This course examines patterns of socioeconomic and political development in different parts of Latin America. Topics studied include: the debt crisis, authoritarianism, revolutionary movements, transitions to democracy, gender inequality and race and ethnic relations. This course is taught in Spanish for the Latin American Studies Semester (LASS).
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Click here for LASS video.SOC 256 Political Sociology
This is an upper level sociology course that examines the social basis of political institutions and political action, stressing the importance of both in the life of communities and individuals. The emphasis in on the influence that social classes, social movements and political parties have on the political system.
SOC 283 / 483 Social Movements and Social Conflicts
The central theme is conflict as a basic social process and the organization of mass movements to alter political and social conditions. The course provides an overview of different sociological perspectives on social movements and examines the socio-historical development of specific social movements, focusing on the question of how and why these movements emerged, their goals and transformations.
SOC 510 Social Theory
This course is a comprehensive survey at the graduate level of classical and contemporary sociological theories. Review of different approaches to sociological thinking, ideological orientations, and theoretical contributions. Reading of primary and secondary texts.
LAS 129 Politics of Development in Latin America
An examination of Latin America's struggle for economic development. Emphasis on the relationships that have prevailed over the last few decades between developmental theories and the everyday lives of Latin American peoples. Discussion of the political and ideological questions involved in Latin American development
LAS 130 Democracy in Latin America
An examination of the structure and culture of Latin American democracies organized around three major themes: discussion of theories of democracy; the formation and development of democratic institutions in Latin America, and Latin American political culture.