Sociology and Anthropology
Professors. James R. McIntosh, Ph.D. (Syracuse); Raymond Bell, Ed.D. (Lehigh) emeritus; Barbara B. Frankel, Ph.D. (Princeton), Emerita; John B. Gatewood, Ph.D. (Illinois); Roy C. Herrenkohl, Ph.D. (N.Y.U.) Emeritus Distinguished Service Professor, Emeritus; Judith N. Lasker, Ph.D. (Harvard) Chairperson and NEH Distinguished Professor; Robert E. Rosenwein, Ph.D. (Michigan) Emeritus; David B. Small, Ph.D. (Cambridge); Nicola Tannenbaum, Ph.D. (U. of Iowa); Cameron B. Wesson, Ph.D. (Illinois); Robert C. Williamson, Ph.D. (Southern California), Emeritus.
Associate professors. David G. Casagrande, Ph.D. (Georgia); Heather Johnson, Ph.D. (Northeastern); Jackie Krasas, Ph.D. (Southern California); Ziad Munson, Ph.D. (Harvard);
Assistant professors. Kelly F. Austin, Ph.D. (North Carolina State); Tanya L. Saunders, Ph.D. (Michigan); Bruce Whitehouse, Ph.D. (Brown); Yuping Zhang, Ph.D. (University of Pennsylvania).
Web site: http://cas.lehigh.edu/casweb/default.aspx?id=35. The department houses two disciplines, sociology and anthropology. Sociology is concerned with the study of human beings in relationships with others. Anthropology takes a holistic approach to the study of humans today and in the past, in a global, comparative, and multidimensional perspective. Together these disciplines encompass the study of the broadest range of human activities, from the comparative examination of widely divergent past and present cultures and societies, to the inner life of individuals as this influences social behavior, to an examination of the most pressing social issues of our time.
The offerings within the department seek to foster self and societal awareness as well as an understanding of what it means to be human. Instruction within the department also provides students with the necessary analytic skills to understand and conduct social research. Central to the department's major programs is training in research methods, statistics, and the use of computer applications in social science.
The department offers three bachelor of arts majors: anthropology, sociology and anthropology, and sociology/social psychology. The three programs are parallel in structure and requirements and each consists of 40 credit hours of course work. The sociology and anthropology major is an interdisciplinary program for students desiring a wider familiarity with social science fields, whereas the anthropology and sociology/social psychology majors are for students desiring more traditional, disciplinary programs of study.
Research Opportunities. It is the explicit aim of the department to involve majors, minors and other interested students in the ongoing research activities of faculty members. Second semester sophomore, junior and senior students interested in a supervised research experience are encouraged to consult with the chair or appropriate faculty member. Course credit can be received for research experience.
Internship Opportunities. The department maintains close working relationships with a variety of social agencies and institutions in the area. Majors can earn course credit by carrying out supervised work in field settings—see http://www.lehighsocanth.org for more details. This experience allows a student to apply the concepts learned in the classroom to a field setting and to evaluate vocational aspirations and interests.
Senior Thesis. All majors are encouraged to do independent research culminating in a senior thesis; this is especially recommended for students intending to go on to graduate or professional school. The time to begin discussing possible projects with faculty is during the second semester of the junior year. The department chairperson should be consulted for further details. Our web site has additional information.
Departmental Honors. To be eligible for departmental honors, students must have at least a 3.5 GPA in the major. In addition, students pursuing honors must take ANTH or SSP 399 and write a thesis during their senior year. Awarding of departmental honors is contingent on both the quality of the thesis, as judged by a department committee, and the candidate's GPA at time of graduation.
B.A. Major Programs
Anthropology
Collateral Requirement (4 credits)
One general course in statistics: MATH 12, ECO 145, PSYC 110, or equivalent. (Note: MATH 12 fulfills the College of Arts and Sciences requirement.)
Introductory (4 credits)
ANTH 1. | Introduction to Anthropology |
Disciplinary Core Courses (8 credits)
ANTH 111. Comparative Cultures [fall] or ANTH 140. Introduction to Linguistics [spring] and ANTH 112. Doing Archaeology [spring] or ANTH 145 Human Evolution (NS) [fall, alternate years]
Methodology (4 credits)
SOAN 111. | Research Methods and Data Analysis [fall] |
Major Electives (20 credits)
Five additional anthropology courses, at least two of which must be at the 300-level. (Individualized study courses 300, 393, 394, 395, and 399 cannot be used to fulfill this requirement; however, one SSP course can be substituted as an anthropology elective.)
Research, Internship, or Thesis (4 credits)
Preferably during the senior year, majors must complete at least four credits of experiential learning on a subject or in a context relevant to their major. Students may fulfill this requirement in a variety of ways - research, field school, internship, or thesis:
ANTH 300. | Apprentice Teaching |
ANTH 393. | Supervised Research |
ANTH 394. | Field School |
ANTH 395. | Internship |
ANTH 399. | Senior Thesis |
Students who intend going on to graduate or professional school are strongly encouraged to do the senior thesis option, and a senior thesis is required for departmental honors.
Sociology and Anthropology
Collateral Requirement (4 credits)
One general course in statistics: MATH 12, ECO 145, PSYC 110, or equivalent.
(Note: MATH 12 fulfills the College of Arts and Sciences' mathematics requirement.)
Introductory (8 credits)
SSP 1 | Introduction to Sociology and Social Psychology (4) |
ANTH 1 | Introduction to Anthropology (4) |
Theory and Methodology (8 credits)
SOAN 111 | Research Methods and Data Analysis (4) fall |
SOAN 112 | Development of Social Theory (4) spring |
Major Electives (24 credits)
Three additional courses in sociology/social psychology, one of which must be at the 300-level or above, AND three additional courses in anthropology, one of which must be at the 300-level.
(Individualized study courses300, 393, 394, 395, 395, and 399can be taken as major electives but cannot be used to fulfill the 300 level course requirement.)
Sociology/Social Psychology Collateral Requirement (4 credits)
One general course in statistics: MATH 12, Eco 145, PSYC 110, or equivalent.
(Note: MATH 12 fulfills the College of Arts and Sciences' mathematics requirement.)
Introductory (4 credits)
SSP 1 | Introduction to Sociology and Social Psychology (4) fall |
Theory and Methodology (8 credits)
SOAN 111 | Research Methods and Data Analysis (4) fall |
SOAN 112 | Development of Social Theory (4) spring |
Major Electives (20 credits)
Five additional courses in sociology/social psychology, at least two of which must be at the 300-level. (Individualized study courses300, 393, 394, 395, 395, and 399cannot be used to fulfill this requirement; however, one ANTH course can be substituted as a "sociology/social psychology" elective.)
Research, Internship, or Thesis (4 credits)
Preferably during the senior year, majors must complete at least four credits of experiential learning on a subject or in a context relevant to their major. Students may fulfill this requirement in a variety of ways: supervised research, field school, internship, or thesis:
SSP 300 | Apprentice Teaching (4) |
SSP 393 | Supervised Research (1-4) |
SSP 394 | Field School (1-8) |
SSP 395 | Internship (1-4) |
SSP 399 | Senior Thesis (2-4) |
Students who go on to graduate or professional school are strongly encouraged to do the senior thesis option, and a senior thesis is required for departmental honors.
Concentrations within the Anthropology Major. Anthropology majors may choose to concentrate in cultural or archaeological anthropology. These optional concentrations in one or the other subfield entail additional constraints on course selection within the major electives category, as described below.
Concentration in Cultural Anthropology
Anthropology majors electing to concentrate in cultural anthropology must complete at least four courses in cultural anthropology at the 100-level or above. Regular course offerings that would satisfy this concentration include the following:
ANTH 106. | Culture and Globalization |
ANTH 111. | Comparative Cultures |
ANTH 121. | Culture and the Environment |
ANTH 123. | The Cultural Construction of Gender |
ANTH 140. | Introduction to Linguistics |
ANTH 160. | Health, Illness, and Healing |
ANTH 182. | North American Indians |
ANTH 184. | Cultures of the Pacific |
ANTH 187. | Peoples of Southeast Asia |
ANTH 305. | Anthropology of Fishing |
ANTH 320. | Global Capitalism |
ANTH 325. | Economic Anthropology |
ANTH 330. | Food for Thought |
ANTH 335. | Religion, Witchcraft, and Magic |
ANTH 376. | Culture and the Individual |
Students choosing this concentration are strongly encouraged to use their general education electives to complete at least two physical anthropology/archaeology courses; the equivalent of two years of foreign language study; pursue courses in museum studies, mathematics, computer science, philosophy, religion studies, literature, biology, and geology as specific interests dictate; and take a wide range of courses in the social sciences, generally, such as SSP 1, PSYC 1, POLS 3, IR 10, Eco 1, and history offerings.
Concentration in Archaeological Anthropology
Anthropology majors electing to concentrate in archaeological anthropology must complete at least four courses in archaeological anthropology at the 100-level or above. Regular course offerings that would satisfy this concentration include the following:
ANTH 112. | Doing Archaeology |
ANTH 121. | Culture and the Environment |
ANTH 145. | Human Evolution |
ANTH 172. | North American Archaeology |
ANTH 174. | Greek Archaeology |
ANTH 176. | Roman Archaeology |
ANTH 178. | Mesoamerican Archaeology |
ANTH 221. | Materials in the Development of Man |
ANTH 340. | Archaeological Theory |
ANTH 345. | Evolution of the State |
ANTH 370. | Historical Archaeology |
ANTH 377. | Archaeology of Death |
ANTH 394. | Field School (archaeology field school) |
Students choosing this concentration are strongly encouraged to use their general education electives to complete at least three courses in cultural anthropology; pursue courses in museum studies, mathematics, computer science, history, and the social sciences as interests dictate; and take a wide range of natural science courses of special relevance to archaeologists.
Minor Programs
Anthropology: ANTH 1 and four additional courses at 100 level or above in anthropology.
Sociology and Anthropology: One of the following introductory courses: ANTH 1 or SSP 1 and two courses in sociology at the 100 level or above and two courses in anthropology at the 100 level or above.
Sociology/Social Psychology: SSP 1 and four additional courses at 100 level or above in sociology/social psychology.
Undergraduate Courses
Anthropology
ANTH 1. (GCP 1) Introduction to Anthropology (4) fall and spring
General introduction to the four subfields of anthropology: biological, archaeological, cultural, and linguistic. Class will center around lectures and discussion of ancillary media. Staff (SS)
ANTH 100. Seminar in Anthropology (1-4)
Topics in anthropology. May be repeated for credit. (SS)
ANTH 104. (AAS 104) Contemporary Issues in African Societies (4)
Using an anthropological lens to engage issues confronting African societies today, we examine local-level ethnographic accounts and analyses of continent-wide trends, and consider a range of topics including famine, political violence, AIDS, poverty, and corruption. Where does Africa fit into the current neo-liberal world order and what is the role "African culture" plays in shaping all these issues? Whitehouse (SS)
ANTH 106. (GS 106) Cultural Studies and Globalization (4)
This course closely examines the complex relationship between culture and globalization. The impact of globalization on local culture is an essential topic. But the interaction of globalization and culture is not a one-way process. People around the world adapt globalization to their own uses, merging global cultural flows with local practices in transformative ways. The course will study the interaction of local culture with globalizing forces; immigration and culture; the localizing of mass culture; cultures of diasporic and migratory groups, and globalization, gender and identity. Whitehouse. (SS)
ANTH 111. Comparative Cultures (4)
Anthropology is a comparative discipline; through comparisons we learn what is unique to a particular culture, what is shared among a number of cultures, and how trait, idea, practice or belief are related to each other. Students will learn how anthropologists do comparisons and do their own comparative research utilizing both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Tannenbaum (SS)
ANTH 112. (CLSS 112) Doing Archaeology (4)
Principles of archaeological method and theory. Excavation and survey methods, artifact analysis, dating techniques, and cultural reconstruction. Course includes field project. Small (SS)
ANTH 121. (ES 121) Environment and Culture (4)
Impact of environment upon cultural variability and change. Comparative study of modern and past cultures and their environments as well as current theories of human/ environmental interaction. Staff (SS)
ANTH 123. (WS 123) Anthropology of Gender (4)
Comparative study of the meanings and social roles associated with gender. Psychological, symbolic, and cultural approaches. Tannenbaum (SS)
ANTH 127. (CLSS 127) Early Civilizations (4)
Introduction to early civilizations in the Near East, Mediterranean, Africa, Europe, and New World. Similarities and differences in economics, politics, social organization, and religion. Small (SS)
ANTH 139. (REL 139) Jewish Folklore (4)
Examines the transformation of folk and popular Judaism from the Old World, through the period of immigration to America, to ethnic and later forms of American Jewish culture. Attention paid to concept of folklore revivals and their meanings. Four case studies: folk tales and storytelling, klezmer music, lifecycle rituals, and food. Weissler (SS)
ANTH 140. (COGS 140, PSYC 140, MLL 140) Introduction to Linguistics (4)
Relationship between language and mind; formal properties of language; language and society; how languages change over time. (SS)
ANTH 145. Human Evolution (4)
Principles of biological anthropology focusing on the evolution of the human species. Topics include evolutionary theory, nonhuman primate diversity and behavior, the relationship between biology and behavior in evolutionary terms, the hominid fossil record, and genetic variability among contemporary human populations. Prerequisite: ANTH 1. Gatewood (NS)
ANTH 160. Health, Illness, and Healing (4)
Introduction to medical anthropology, a field of study that examines how conceptions of illness and health and methods of healing vary over time and across cultures. Introduces a number of culturally specific approaches to health and illness, including Western biomedicine, and aims to provide a broad understanding of the relationship between culture, illness, and healing. Staff (SS)
ANTH 172. North American Archaeology (4) fall
Development of prehistoric North American indigenous population north of Mexico, beginning with earliest evidence of people in the New World continuing up through European contact. (SS)
ANTH 174. (CLSS 174, ART 174, ARCH 174) Greek Archaeology (3)
Ancient Greek culture from the Neolithic to Hellenistic periods. Reconstructions of Greek social dynamics from study of artifacts. Small (SS)
ANTH 175. Archaeology of Classical Cultures (4)
Course introduces the student to an overview of the archaeology of ancient Greece and Rome from Iron Age to Late Antiquity. Emphasis on aspects of cultural development and change. Small (SS)
ANTH 176. (CLSS 176, ART 176, ARCH 176) Roman Archaeology (3)
Cultures of the Roman Empire. Reconstructions of social, political, and economic dynamics of the imperial system from study of artifacts. Small (SS)
ANTH 178. Mesoamerican Archaeology (4)
Ancient civilizations of Mesoamerica: Olmec, Zapotec, Maya, Toltec, and Aztec. Reconstructions of urban centers, political and economic organizations, and theories of the Mayan collapse. Small (SS)
ANTH 182. North American Indians (4)
Culture areas of native North America prior to substantial disruption by European influences north of Mexico. Environmental factors and cultural forms. Gatewood (SS)
ANTH 183. (AAS 183) Peoples and Cultures of Africa (4)
Studies African modernity through a close reading of ethnographies, social stories, novels, and African feature films. Whitehouse (SS)
ANTH 187. (ASIA 187) Peoples and Cultures of Southeast Asia (4)
Peoples and cultures of Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines. World view, religion, economy, politics, and social organization. Tannenbaum (SS)
ANTH 188. Southeast Asian Migrants and Refugees (4)
In this course we explore the ways in which different peoples lived in Southeast Asia, why they moved to America, and the ways in which this move affected their cultures. Topics explored include: aspects of their culture, particularly religion and social organizations; motivations for migrating including war, political, and economic reasons; and their adaptations to America and American responses to their presences. No prerequisites. Tannenbaum (SS)
ANTH 305. Anthropology of Fishing (4)
Comparative study of fishing peoples and their technologies. Fishing strategies, control of information, and social organization of marine exploitation in subsistence and modern industrial contexts. Theory of common property resources and the role of social science in commercial fisheries management. Gatewood (SS)
ANTH 320. (GS 320) Global Capitalism (4)
Anthropological approach to the forms and effects of global capitalism. Topics include the structure of contemporary global capitalism, including the growth of multinational corporations, flexible corporate strategies, overseas manufacturing, and global branding and marketing; the impact of global capitalism on the environment and on the lives of people in "Third World" countries; consumer culture and the diversity of non-Western consumption practices; alternative capitalist systems, especially Asian capitalisms. Staff (SS)
ANTH 324. (AAS 324, GS 324) Globalization and Development in Africa (4)
Course examines the challenges Africa presents to expectations of modernization and development. Have African societies been left behind by globalization, shut out from it, or do they reflect an unexpected side of globalization processes? What is Africa’s place in the neoliberal world order? What role does “African culture” play in generating or blocking social change? How can anthropology illuminate prospects for change on what has long been regarded as the “dark continent”? Whitehouse (SS)
ANTH 325. Economic Anthropology (4)
Cross-cultural perspectives on the ways people produce, distribute, and consume goods; how these systems are organized; and how they are connected with other aspects of society, particularly political and ideological systems. Tannenbaum (SS)
ANTH 330. Food for Thought (4)
Symbolic and cultural analyses of foods and cuisines. Examines what people eat, who prepares it, what it means, and the social and religious uses of foods historically and cross-culturally. Tannenbaum (SS)
ANTH 335. (REL 335). Religion, Witchcraft, and Magic (4)
Addresses broad questions about the roles that religion, magic, and witchcraft play in human life, as philosophical systems of meaning, as useful tools for understanding, and as practical and moral guides for human action. Special focus on the role of witchcraft and magic in the modern world, especially in the lives of disempowered people. Staff (SS)
ANTH 337. (Asia 337, RS 337) Buddhism and Society (4)
The course approachs Buddhism as a lived tradition rather than as a textual tradition. We examine how Buddhist practices are integrated into local traditions and how religious practices become part of the larger social, political, and value systems. Societies examined include Thailand, Nepal, Japan, China, and the U. S. Students will develop a comparative framework that includes Theravada, Tibetan, and Zen Buddhism. Tannenbaum (SS)
ANTH 339. Seminar in Anthropology (4)
Topics in anthropology. Varying semester to semester: human evolution, politics and law, introduction to linguistics, human use of space, anthropology of deviance. May be repeated for credit. (SS)
ANTH 340. Archaeological Theory (4)
Explores important issues in the interpretation of archaeological material. Issues include variable utility of anthropological analogies, unevenness of data, reconstructions of past cultures, processual and post-processual approaches. Students will write a sample NSF proposal. Small (SS)
ANTH 345. (CLSS 345) Evolution of the State (4)
Theories of state formation. Comparison of evolutionary trajectories of early states in the Near East, Mediterranean, and New World. Small (SS)
ANTH 352 (ES 352) Environmental Archaeology (4)
This course reviews the various categories of archaeological data used to examine the nature of past human-environmental relationships. We will explore how archaeologists use data to recognize anthropogenic and natural environmental changes, as well as cultural adaptations to local environments. Wesson (SS)
ANTH 370. (HIST 370) Historical Archaeology (4)
This course exams the unique nature of historical archaeology of post contact America. Topics include reconstructing the past through the archaeological and historical record, exhibiting past culture, and capturing the real or imagined past. Course includes fieldwork and visits to famous historical archaeological sites. Small (SS)
ANTH 371. Special Topics (1-4)
Advanced work through supervised readings. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: consent of the department chairperson. (SS)
ANTH 376. Culture and the Individual (4)
Concepts and methods of studying relations between the individual and the sociocultural milieu. Culture and personality language and thought, cross-cultural studies of cognition. Gatewood (SS)
ANTH 377. Archaeology of Death (4)
Course examines what we can determine about the past from human remains. Class will study health, age, and disease from the analysis of human bone, the cultural aspects of burial and funerals, and take part in a field project in Nisky Hill Cemetery in Bethlehem. Small (SS)
ANTH 378. (LAS 378) Blood, Pyramids, and the Tree of Life (4)
This course explores the ways of life of the Maya people. We will take a close look at their religion, their foods, their family life, music, medicine, festivals, etc. An important part of this class explores the long tradition of the Maya, making connections between the modern Maya and the Maya of their past. Small (SS)
ANTH 393. Supervised Research (1-4)
Conducting anthropological research under the supervision of a faculty member. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: consent of the department chairperson. (SS)
ANTH 394. Field School (1-8)
Field school in archaeology or ethnography. Maximum of eight credits for a single season or field experience. May be repeated once for credit. (SS)
ANTH 395. Internship (1-4)
Supervised experience involving nonpaid work in a setting relevant to anthropology. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite: open only to department majors. (SS)
ANTH 399. Senior Thesis (2-4)
Research during senior year culminating in senior thesis. Required for anthropology majors seeking departmental honors. May be repeated up to a total of 4 credits. Prerequisite: consent of the department chairperson. (SS)
Sociology and Anthropology
SOAN 41. (WS 41) Human Sexuality (4)
Sexuality and gender roles across the life cycle, including human reproduction, decision-making, and the societal regulation of sexual behavior. (ND)
SOAN 42. (WS 42) Sexual Minorities (4)
How minority sexual identities have been the subject of speculation, misunderstanding, and sometimes violent attempts at correction or elimination. Sexual orientation, gender role, including transvestitism and "drag," trans-sexualism, sexism, heterosexism, and homophobia. Emphasis on critical thinking, guest speakers, and discussions. (SS)
SOAN 100. Seminar in Social Relations (1-4)
Topics in social relations. May be repeated for credit. (SS)
SOAN 111. Research Methods and Data Analysis (4) fall
Research skills in anthropology, sociology and social psychology. Problem formulation; research design; methods and measures; analysis and interpretation of data. Emphasis on the use of statistics in the research process. (ND)
SOAN 112. Development of Social Theory (4) spring
This course introduces some of the most influential theoretical ideas in sociology. It focuses on understanding the differences among several classical theoretical traditions and their strengths and weaknesses in analyzing societies. It also helps students learn to apply social theory to contemporary sociological research and problems, learning the ways theory can be used to answer questions and problems societies face today. (SS)
SOAN 395. Methods in Observation (4) alternate years
Naturalistic and participant observation in uncontrolled field settings. (SS)
SOAN 399. Senior Thesis (4)
Research during senior year culminating in senior thesis. Required for social relations majors seeking departmental honors. Prerequisite: consent of the department chairperson. (SS)
Sociology/Social Psychology
SSP 1. Introduction to Sociology and Social Psychology (4) fall and spring
Patterns of social interaction, group behavior and attitudes provide a focus on the relationship of the individual to society. Social structure and social change within the institutions of society provide a focus on the relationship of society to the individual. The influences of social class, gender and race are explored at each level of analyses. Theories, methods and research results provide micro and macro models for understanding society. Staff (SS)
SSP 100. Seminar in Sociology and Social Psychology (1-4)
Topics in sociology and social psychology. May be repeated for credit. (SS)
SSP 103. (AAS 103) Race and Ethnicity in the Contemporary U.S. (4) fall
Course examines race and ethnicity from a sociological perspective. Focus on the role of the major racial and ethnic communities in modern American society. Explores the roles of race and ethnicity in identity, social relations, and social inequality. Topics include racial and ethnic communities, minority/majority groups, assimilation, prejudice and discrimination, identity, and the social construction of the concept of "race." Johnson (SS)
SSP 104. (POLS 104). Political Sociology (4)
An introduction to political sociology through an examination of the major sociological questions concerning power, politics, and the state. Covers questions concerning state formation, nationalism, social movements, globalization, political culture and participation, and civil society. Includes examples such as racism, welfare reform, campaign financing, coal mining in Appalachia, revolution in Latin America, the rise of the Nazi party in Germany, and the place of the United States in a global society. Munson (SS)
SSP 105. (GCP 105) The Social Origins of Terrorism (4)
Examines the social, religious, and political foundations of terrorism by studying the roots of terrorism historically and cross-nationally. We will look at the differing kinds of terrorism, including political terrorism in the Middle East, antiabortion terrorism in the United States, ecoterrorism, and religious and state terrorism throughout the world. Students will have a chance to better understand the beliefs of terrorists, conditions that produce and sustain terrorism, and the origins of political violence more generally. Munson (SS)
SSP 106. (AAS 106, LAS 106) Race and Ethnicity in Latin America and the Spanish Speaking Caribbean (4)
A sociological examination of race and a look at an individual’s experience. We consider how concepts like “race” and “ethnicity” have been defined and how they have been institutionalized in law, government, social policy, social thought, and economic structures. We consider the importance of concepts like “race,” “cultures,” and “mestizaje” to our understanding of citizenship and national identity, and we address contemporary African and indigenous movements against racial inequality. Saunders (SS)
SSP 109. (PSYC 109) Adulthood and Aging: (4)
Social science approaches to the latter two-thirds of the life. Cognitive and personality development; attitudes toward aging; social behavior of older adults; widowhood; retirement. Prerequisite: PSYC 1 or SSP 1. May not be taken pass/fail. Hyland (SS)
SSP 110. (WS 110, GCP 110) Women's Work in Global Perspectives (4)
This course brings to the forefront the intersections of race, class, gender, and nation with women's employment around the world. We will examine women's paid and unpaid work in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa in an effort to understand the striking persistence of gender inequality over time and across the world. Topics of study include: work and family relations, women's domestic labor, factory work, and agribusiness. In addition, we will explore the ways in which women have organized for changes in work and in their communities in order to conceive of possibilities for the future of women's work. Krasas (SS)
SSP 114. (Asia 114) Social Issues in Contemporary China (4)
Dramatic economic, cultural and social changes are underway in China today and have aroused much debate among social scientists, East and West. The following social issues are critical for understanding China's development trajectory: inequality and poverty; rapid demographic shifts; provision of health care services; provision of education services; and becoming an "information society." We will explore how these issues intersect with old hierarchies in China, urban-rural differences, and gender differences. Zhang (SS)
SSP 121. (PSYC 121) Social Psychology (4)
Theories, methods of investigation and results of research on the way social and psychological processes interact in human behavioral settings. Topics include analysis of self and relationships, dynamics of small groups, attitudes and persuasion, prejudice, pro-social and antisocial behavior. Prerequisite: One of the following introductory courses: ANTH 1 or SSP 1 or PSYC 1. Staff (SS)
SSP 126. (GS 126) The Political Economy of Globalization (4)
This course studies the relationship among economic, political and cultural forces in an era of globalization. Focus is on how global capitalism, the world market and local economics shape and are shaped by social, cultural and historical forces. Topics include political and cultural determinants of trade and investment; culture and the global economy; global capitalism, especially studied through the lens of culture; globalization and patterns of economic growth; cross-cultural study of consumerism; poverty and inequality; the interplay of foreign and domestic economic policy; international economic organizations, such as the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank, and globalization and national development. Staff (SS)
SSP 128 (WS 128) Race, Gender, and Work (4)
Race, Gender and Work is a class designed to help students understand racial and gender inequalities as they relate specifically to work and employment. We explore the origins and histories of inequalities, the ways in which inequalities persist and/or change today, and what steps might be taken toward creating a more equal society. Krasas (SS)
SSP 141. Social Deviance and Social Control (4)
Analysis of deviant social systems, supporting factors maintaining them, and societal responses to deviant roles and collectivities. McIntosh (SS)
SSP 144. (AAS 144) Global Hip Hop and Social Change (4)
Hip Hop has become a global phenomenon. We will analyze how and why socially Conscious Hip Hop, as a tool for social change, has expanded to Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. Saunders (SS)
SSP 152. (HMS 152) Alcohol, Science and Society (4)
Alcohol use and abuse, its historical function in society, moral entrepreneurship, status struggles and conflict over alcohol. Current problems with attention to special population groups and strategies for prevention of alcohol abuse. McIntosh (SS)
SSP 153. (PSYC 153) Personality (4)
Examination of the major theoretical frameworks psychologists use to understand human thought, feeling, and behavior. Whereas these frameworks each emphasize very different concepts (e.g., the unconscious mind vs. culture vs. neurotransmitters), they are united in their effort to answer the question: Why does a given individual think, feel, or behave as she does? Prerequisite: Psyc 1 or SSP 1. Gill (SS)
SSP 155. (AAS 155) (LAS 155) Afro-Latino Social Movements in Latin America & Ca (4)
This course focuses on Afro-Latinos who make up nearly 70% of the population of the Americas. Despite the large amount of people of African descent living in the Americas, Afro-Latinos are an understudied population who face significant amounts of racial discrimination in their countries. Who are Afro-Latinos? Where do they live? How are they challenging the racism that they face? Saunders (SS)
SSP 160. (HMS 160) Medicine and Society (4)
Health, illness, and the health professions from the sociological perspective. Social epidemiology, social psychology of illness, socialization of health professionals, organization of health care, patient-professional relationships and ethical issues in medical care. Lasker (SS)
SSP 161. The American Dream: Popular Ideologies in American Society (4)
Is the "American Dream" a myth or reality? This course explores this question and various aspects of basic American values through a sociological lens. The American Dream, meritocracy, and individualism are strongly held beliefs the United States the of opportunity. We will examine the implications, causes, and consequences of these beliefs and other popular ideologies in the context of a highly stratified and increasingly diverse society. The course focuses on how ideologies function to both reproduce and transform society. Johnson (SS)
SSP 162. (HMS 162) AIDS and Society (4)
Impact of the AIDS epidemic on individuals and on social institutions (medicine, religion, education, politics, etc.); social and health policy responses; international experience; effect of public attitudes and policy on people affected directly by AIDS. (SS)
SSP 163. Pass the Peas: Mapping the Blueprint of Hip Hop Culture (4)
The appearance of the hip hop movement can be traced to a specific time and place, the Bronx, New York, 1974. However, hip hop has no single cultural antecedent. To uncover the origins of hip hop culture, one must begin by discovering the richly layered history of African American and Jamaican music of the 20th century. Using this broad canvas, students will discover how young Bronx natives in the 1970s fused elements of past musical styles with their own personal expression. From this point, the course will chart the expansion of hip hop culture from a five borough folk movement to a multimillion dollar entertainment industry in the late 20th century. Staff (SS)
SSP 165. Contemporary Social Problems (4)
Studies of major problems facing contemporary society. (SS)
SSP 166. (AAS 166) Wealth and Poverty in the United States (4)
Course examines the sociology of wealth and poverty affluence and disadvantage, "rags and riches" in American Society. Focus is a critical analysis of the wealth gap, its causes, consequences, and social context. We will consider the roles of wealth and poverty in determining life chances and structuring opportunity, as well as their roles in the perpetuation of social inequality across generations. We will address contemporary debates surrounding public policy, tax laws, antipoverty programs and other reform efforts aimed at decreasing the gap between the "Haves" and the "Have-Nots." Johnson (SS)
SSP 171. (REL 171). Religion and Society (4)
An introduction to the sociology of religion. Covers classical and contemporary approaches to defining and studying the role of religion in society. Emphasis on understanding religious beliefs and practices in the United States, the sources and contours of religious change, and the effects of religion on individuals and society. Specific topics include religious fundamentalism, religious conversion, religious practices and authority, secularization, religion in public life, religion in social change, religious terrorism, and the ways in which religion impacts our personal health, educational attainment, and family life. Munson (SS)
SSP 177. (AAS 177, LAS 177) (4)
Course will analyze the role of race and culture in the Afro Cuban struggle for equality. By focusing on the arts, particularly music, film, and literature, this course will examine the development of race during Cuba’s colonial period; the Afro Cuban challenge to the “race blind” political and cultural movements of the Cuban Republic. We wrap up the semester by addressing the significance of contemporary cultural movements that challenge the social issues facing Afro Cubans. Saunders (SS)
SSP 302. The Sociology of Cyberspace (4)
An examination of social life on the Internet and the World Wide Web. Topics may include sociocultural and psychological aspects of communication in cyber-environments (e.g., email, chat rooms, news groups, MUDS, etc.), interpersonal relationships and group development, the nature of community, the politics of cyberspace (control and democracy), privacy and ethics, and economic dimensions. Examination of past and current case studies. Staff (SS)
SSP 310. (AAS 310, WS 310) Gender, Race, and Sexuality: The Social Construction of Differences (4)
This course will provide the student with an opportunity to engage current debates about the meaning and use of racial and sexual classification systems in society. Using a multi disciplinary approach, we will examine the historical and sociological contexts in which specific theories of racial and sexual differences emerged in the U.S. Additionally, we will explore the ways in which changes in the images have implications on the role racial, gender, and sexual identity plays in our understanding of the relationship between difference and inequality. Prerequisite: SSP 103, or instructor permission. Staff (SS)
SSP 313. (AAS 313) Social Movements (4)
Explores the origins, dynamics, and consequences of social movements through both sociological theory and empirical case studies. Covers questions of what constitutes a social movement, where and when social movements arise, who joins a social movement, and how social movements are able to contribute to change. Answers to these questions highlight issues of social movement recruitment and leadership, interactions between movements and the media, the state, and the broader public, ideology, strategies and tactics, and the factors contributing to the success and failure of social movements. Course readings drawn from case studies on civil rights, women's rights, gay rights, the environment, American Indians, abortion, globalization, antiapartheid, democratization, peace, and Islamic fundamentalism. Prerequisite: One 100-level SSP course. Munson (SS)
SSP 314. (PSYC 314) Social Cognition (4)
Examines the cognitive processes through which people make sense of social groups, individual others, themselves, and the world. Topics include judgment and decision making, attitudes and persuasion, ordinary personology, stereotyping and prejudice, and the self. Prerequisite: PSYC/SSP 121. Gill (Advanced Psychology Seminar) (SS)
SSP 322. (GC 322, GS 322, HMS 322) Global Health Issues (4)
Sociological dimensions of health, illness, and healing as they appear in different parts of the world. Focus on patterns of disease and mortality around the world, with special emphasis on major epidemics such as HIV/AIDS, and malaria; the relative importance of ‘traditional' and ‘modern' beliefs and practices with regard to disease and treatment in different societies; the organization of national health care systems in different countries; and the role of international organizations and social movements in promoting health. Lasker (SS)
SSP 323. (PSYC 323) The Child in Family and Society (4)
Influences such as marital discord, family violence, poverty and prejudice on the development of the child from birth through adolescence. Prerequisite: One of the following introductory courses: ANTH 1 or SSP 1. Johnson (SS)
SSP 325. (HIST 325, WS 325) History of Sexuality and the Family in the U.S. (34) fall
Social change from early agrarian communities to beginnings of industrialism, emphasizing socioeconomic class, family structure, and treatment of women and minority groups. Najar (SS)
SSP 326. (HIST 326, WS 326) Social Class in American History (34) spring
Changing role of women, minority groups, and the family during the industrial era. Development of the modern class structure and the impact of the welfare state. Simon (SS)
SSP 327. (JOUR 327) Mass Communication and Society (4)
A review of theories and research on the relationship of mass communication to social processes. Intensive analysis of selected media products (e.g., TV news, dramas, and sitcoms; films; print; music videos, etc.). Prerequisite: One of the following introductory courses: ANTH 1 or SSP 1 or instructor permission. Rosenwein (SS)
SSP 328. (GS 328) Global Food Systems (4)
Where does our food come from? How does it get to our tables? Why are there famines in some parts of the world and obesity epidemics in other parts of the world? This course will investigate these questions by focusing on food systems – the chains of social action that link food producers to food consumers. We will also explore a range of alternatives to global food systems that emphasize food democracy, security, and sustainability. Staff (SS)
SSP 329. (GS 329) Global Migration (4)
International migration is transforming societies at both the global and national levels, and in both origin and destination areas. Why do people move? What are the consequences of these movements? We will investigate the political and economic explanations for international migration and explore how each act of migration contributes to the trans-nationalization of social relations, alters existing livelihoods, transforms economic production and social support arrangements, and recreates racial, ethnic, and national identities. Staff (SS)
SSP 331. (WS 331) Gendered Experience of Globalization (4)
Women and men experience globalization differently and globalization affects women in different cultural and national contexts. Gender stratification has been intensified by the transnational flow of goods and people. Course provides students with a survey of new development in feminist theories on globalization and on gender stratification and development, and links these theoretical frameworks to empirical research about gender issues that have become more prominent with globalization. Zhang (SS)
SSP 341. (WS 341, HMS 341) Women and Health (4)
Relationships of women to the medical system. Influence of medicine on women’s lives and the impact of the women’s movement on health care. (SS)
SSP 345. (AAS 345) Colonialism and the Black Radical Tradition (4)
Karl Marx was not the only figure who developed an influential theory of social revolution. A cadre of theorists from the Global South have extensively theorized about the issues facing their particular nations, and they have developed social theories that have challenged social and global inequality.This theory-based course will focus on the anti-colonial and post-colonial thought of radical black intellectuals from the Black America, the Caribbean, and West Africa. Saunders (SS)
SSP 346. (LAS 346) Society, Democracy and Revolution in Latin America (4)
Latin America is a region fi lled with protest and armed guerrilla movements. Since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1989, at least 5 nations in the region elected openly socialist or communist candidates, many of whom are still in power today. What is happening in Latin America? This course will focus on Latin American perspectives on democracy and social revolution. For many Latin American countries, the move to the ‘left,’ and the rejection of American capitalism is not that Latin American people embrace socialism, but rather it is a reflection of larger social dynamics at play... or is it? Saunders (SS)
SSP 351. (WS 351) Gender and Social Change (4)
Changes in gender roles from social psychological and structural perspectives. Comparative analyses of men and women (including people of color) in the social structure; their attitudes and orientations toward work, family, education, and politics. (SS)
SSP 355. Sociology of Education (4)
Course examines the social organization of education as a social institution and the role of schools in society. Focus is primarily on educational processes in the United States. Topics include: IQ, curriculum, tracking, educational inequality, primary/secondary/higher education, private vs. public, informal education and social capital, effects on and of race/class/gender, schools as agents of socialization, educational policy and school reform. Prerequisite: ANTH 1 or SSP 1 or instructor permission. Johnson (SS)
SSP 356. (PSYC 356) Seminar in Personality Psychology (4)
Topics in personality psychology: the self, personality consistency, motivation, psychological adjustment. Prerequisite: SSP/PSYC 153 or consent of instructor. (Advanced Psychology Seminar) (SS)
SSP 361. (PSYC 361) Personality and Social Development in Adulthood (4)
Theories and current research. Prerequisite: SSP/PSYC 109 or consent of instructor. Hyland (Advanced Psychology Seminar) (SS)
SSP 363. (PSYC 363) Personality and Social Development in Childhood (4)
Issues related to social development (e.g., attachment, social competence), social contexts (e.g., family, day care), and personality development (e.g., sex roles, aggression, temperament) from infancy through adolescence. Prerequisite: PSYC 107 or consent of instructor. (Advanced Psychology Seminar) (SS)
SSP 364. (WS 364) Sociology of the Family (4)
Sociological analysis of families in the United States, including investigations of historical and contemporary patterns. Issues addressed include parenting, combining work and family, divorce and remarriage, family policies. Staff (SS)
SSP 365. (WS 365) Inequalities at Work (4)
Primary focus is on race, gender, and class as axes of disadvantage and privilege in work and employment. We will explore both theories and empirical studies of inequality as well as their social, political, and practical ramifications for the workplace. The course will be conducted seminar-style and the` class will rely heavily on student participation. Krasas (SS)
SSP 367. Sociology of Science (4)
Review of sociological, social psychological, and anthropological perspectives on science as a cognitive and social enterprise. Analysis of past and contemporary case studies as well as experimental/simulation research. Staff (SS)
SSP 371. Special Topics (1-4)
Advanced work through supervised readings. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: consent of the department chairperson. (SS)
SSP 373. Seminar in Sociology (4)
Intensive consideration of selected topics in contemporary theory or research in sociology. The subject matter varies from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit. (SS)
SSP 374. Social Stratification: Race, Class, Gender (4)
This course is an introduction to social stratification. Examines social inequality as an organizing principle in complex societies. Explores the intersection of the "great divides" of race, class, and gender. Through readings from classical sociological theory to cutting-edge literature we embark on a critical analysis of the causes and consequences of social stratification and social mobility in the United States and in a global context. Prerequisite ANTH 1 or SSP 1. Johnson (SS)
SSP 375 (REL 375). The Christian Right in America (4)
What do we know about the Christian Right? Who are they? What do they believe? Where do they come from? Seminar explores answers to such questions through a focus on the history of the Christian Right as well as its ideologies and beliefs, the people who are a part of it, and its evolving relationship to the American political system. Topics include some of the most divisive social issues of our time: abortion, homosexuality, capital punishment, pornography, taxes, education, and the separation of church and state. Prerequisite: One 100-level SSP course. Munson (SS)
SSP 379. (AAS 379) Race and Class in America (4)
This course focuses on the ways in which race and class intersect in the social, economic, and political structures of American society. Through sociological literature, fiction, nonfiction, film, and other media we will explore the place of race and class in American society. We will examine how race and class operate on a personal, "micro" level, while at the same time operating on a large scale, "macro" level. Prerequisite: SSP 103, or consent of instructor. Johnson (SS)
SSP 391. Evaluation Research (4)
Application of social research methods of evaluation of the effectiveness of social programs. Measurement, research design, criteria of effectiveness and decision making. Prerequisite: SOAN 111 or consent of department chairperson. Staff (SS)
SSP 393. Supervised Research (1-4)
Conducting sociological or social psychological research under the supervision of a faculty member. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: consent of the department chairperson. (SS)
SSP 395 Internship (1-4)
Supervised experience involving nonpaid work in a setting relevant to sociology/social psychology. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite: open only to department majors. (SS)
SSP 399. Senior Thesis (2-4)
Research during senior year culminating in senior thesis. Required for sociology/social psychology majors seeking departmental honors. May be repeated up to a total of 4 credits. Prerequisite: consent of the department chairperson. (SS)
Graduate Courses in Sociology
The Master's Program in Sociology prepares students to apply sociological perspectives and methods to the analysis of social realities. Grounded in a strong theoretical and substantive understanding of social institutions, social relations, and social policy, as well as in advanced research and data analytic skills, students are prepared to be effective and experienced practitioners in the field of applied social research or to continue into doctoral studies in the field.
The Sociology MA program requires 30 hours of course work. Required courses are: Quantitative Research, Statistics for Sociological Inquiry, Qualitative Research, Social Theory, and six electives. All students take a comprehensive exam. Students choose whether to write a thesis.
Community Fellows Program
Applicants for the Sociology MA program may also choose to apply to the Community Fellows Program, a one year Master’s Program in which students work for 15 hours a week in a non-profit organization as part of their academic experience. Please see the program website at www.lehigh.edu/communityfellows.
SSP 401. Classical Social Theory (3)
Explores influential sociological theory, the differences among classical theoretical traditions, the main strengths and weaknesses of such traditions. Emphasis is placed on understanding the uses of theory in research, and the implications of theoretical models when applied to contemporary research and problems. Staff (SS)
SSP 403. Sociology of Cyberspace (3)
The course focus is on case-based discussion of the social psychology and sociology of the Internet and the World Wide Web. Questions of what it means to be an individual online, how relationships develop, the nature of groups, democracy and power, and education are considered. Evaluation is based on short papers related to the cases and assigned readings, both in hard copy and online. Staff (SS)
SSP 410. Statistics for Sociological Inquiry (3)
Principles of statistical inference including hypothesis testing and analysis of variance. Covers univariate and multivariate techniques, including probability, correlation, test statistics, and regression. Emphasis is on the choice of proper approaches to answer research questions and the interpretation of analysis results.
SSP 411. Advanced Research Methods, Part I: Quantitative (3)
Study of quantitative methods of data collection and analysis, measurement and research design issues at an advanced level. Prerequisite: SOAN 111 or equivalent. Staff (SS)
SSP 412. Advanced Research Methods, Part II: Qualitative (3)
Study of a variety of qualitative methods for social research and of qualitative data analysis techniques. Staff (SS)
SSP 413. Research Practicum (3-6)
Supervised research, either with a faculty member or in a community agency, designed to apply research skills to a particular problem as defined by the faculty member or agency in collaboration with the student and supervising instructor. Final paper should demonstrate theoretical understanding, proper application of methodology and data analysis, and results of the project. Staff (SS)
SSP 414. Survey Research (3)
Examination of survey methods, sample design, interview design, training of survey personnel, data management and analysis. (SS)
SSP 415. Case Studies of Social Control (3)
Social control leads to social order and also generates social deviance. The processes involved in this dual production are found in the formal institutions of society and in the informal patterns of interaction within groups. Macro and micro level approaches are explored, especially in the drug and alcohol area. McIntosh (SS)
SSP 418 (WS 418). Gendered Experience of Globalization (3)
Women and men experience globalization differently and globalization affects women in different cultural and national contexts. Gender stratification has been intensified by the transnational flow of goods and people. Course provides students with a survey of new development in feminist theories on globalization and on gender stratification and development, and links these theoretical frameworks to empirical research about gender issues that have become more prominent with globalization. Zhang (SS)
SSP 419. Global Food Systems (3)
Where does our food come from? How does it get to our tables? Why are there famines in some parts of the world and obesity epidemics in other parts of the world? This course will investigate these questions by focusing on food systems – the chains of social action that link food producers to food consumers. We will also explore a range of alternatives to global food systems that emphasize food democracy, security, and sustainability. Staff (SS)
SSP 420. Global Migration (3)
International migration is transforming societies at both the global and national levels, and in both origin and destination areas. Why do people move? What are the consequences of these movements? We will investigate the political and economic explanations for international migration and explore how each act of migration contributes to the trans-nationalization of social relations, alters existing livelihoods, transforms economic production and social support arrangements, and recreates racial, ethnic, and national identities. Staff (SS)
SSP 441 (WS 441) Women and Health (3)
Relationships of women to the medical system. Influence of medicine on women's lives and the impact of the women's movement on health. Staff (SS)
SSP 452. Organizing, Community, and Power (3)
Seminar on grassroots and national social movement organizing built around theories of social and political power. Specific topics to be covered include recruitment and media strategies, organizational models, the role of ideology, and movements in the political process. Emphasis will be on practical, applied knowledge of help to practitioners. We will examine examples of both faith based and race-based organizing, as well as both liberal and conservative social movements. Munson (SS)
SSP 453. Urban Communities (3)
Reading of classical and contemporary urban theory and community studies in sociology and anthropology. Examination of patterns of social class, power, and social change in urban settings, community organizing and public policy aimed at addressing urban social problems, and evaluation of community interventions. Lasker (SS)
SSP 454. Urban Education: Inequality and Public Policy (3)
Social inequality is found throughout American Society but problems of inequality related to education have perhaps received more attention than those of any other contemporary social institution. Researchers, scholars, journalists, social critics, and observers have studied, written, and talked about educational inequality to an enormous extent. Social service organizations, activists, policymakers, legal professionals, and government officials have focused massive reform efforts and political agendas to tackle inequality in education. Many sociologists have long viewed education not just as an arena of inequality but as the solution to the widespread inequalities they see reflected in society. Urban education has been an especially complex and controversial subject of scrutiny in recent scholarly and popular debates. This course will focus with a sociological perspective on urban education, inequality, and public policy in the contemporary United States. The first portion of the course examines research and literature relevant to the contemporary social problems of urban education and inequality. The second portion of the course will explore the role of public policy in perpetuating educational inequality, and as a potentially promising solution to it. Johnson (SS)
SSP 461. Seminar in Sociology (1-4)
Topics vary. (SS)
SSP 465 (WS 465) Inequalities at Work (3)
Primary focus in on race, gender, and class as axes of disadvantage and privilege in work and employment. We will explore both theories and empirical studies of inequality as well as their social, political, and practical ramifications for the workplace. Krasas (SS)
SSP 471. Special Topics (1-3)
Intensive study in an area of sociology that is appropriate to the interests and needs of staff and students. (SS)
SSP 472. Special Topics (1-3)
Continuation of SSP 471. (SS)
SSP 473. (EDUC 473) Social Basis of Human Behavior (3)
Development of human behavior from a social psychological perspective. Emphasis placed on the impact of society upon school-age children and adolescents. (SS)
SSP 476. Issues in Health Policy Analysis (3)
Sociological analyses of health care and health care policy issues of current concern in American and other societies. Application of analytic frameworks to several majors issues such as organization and financing of services, effects of aging populations on needs, impact of new diseases and of new technologies. Students will analyze selected health care problems faced by local communities. Lasker (SS)
SSP 490. Master's Thesis
SSP 493. Methods in Observation (3)
Naturalistic and participant observation in uncontrolled field settings. Students will carry out a field project. Tannenbaum (SS)

