Courses
Racial and Ethnic Relations in the U.S. for Undergraduates
This class traces the existence of race and ethnicity as social constructions using key events from U.S. history to show how: (1) various racial and ethnic groups were incorporated into the U.S. and (2) those various groups relate to each other in U.S. society. In this class, students will learn about racial and ethnic relations from a sociological perspective: one that is social, historical, (e.g. can change over time) and contextual (varies depending on place). This course is relevant to understanding contemporary racial and ethnic relations in the US as they relate to immigration, ethnic and racial identity, discrimination, and race-based policies (e.g. residential restrictive codes, Jim Crow segregation). This class will help students develop a critical lens from which to observe and interpret the changing racial and ethnic demographics of the U.S.
Globalization and International Affairs Introductory Course for Undergraduates
Globalization has had a huge impact on our world with regard to the economy, culture, and social relations, among other things. This course examines contemporary social problems in various countries and how those problems are connected to global processes or institutions. Specifically, we will explore development, trade, gender, race and ethnicity, crime, war, democracy, urbanization, education, health, technology, and climate change. While there will be some focus on the U.S., the primary goal is to explore these topics in a global context. Understanding the connections between these various social problems around the world will be relevant for developing potential solutions to these pressing issues.
Sociology Department Stony Brook University Email: tiffany. joseph@stonybrook.edu