This course addresses major themes and questions in the sociology of culture. We will focus on recent work that asks what shapes cultural meanings on the one hand, and how culture has its effects, on the other. We will do so in two broad sections:
- We begin by developing a “vocabulary” that is drawn from a variety of approaches. This new vocabulary allows us to address such questions as “What is culture and what does it do?”
- We then examine the classical treatments of culture found in the respective works of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim.
- In the final section of the course, we will focus on the application of the vocabulary we learned in the first part such as cultural representation, (digital) production, framing, gatekeeping, etc.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe basic sociological ideas about culture—such as norms, values, beliefs, and symbols—and explain how they shape everyday life.
- Use sociological perspectives to understand how culture influences identity, social groups, and social institutions (like family, media, and education).
- Recognize cultural diversity and globalization and discuss how these processes affect relationships and social change.
- Apply critical thinking to reflect on their own cultural experiences and to analyze examples from media, current events, and daily life.
- Griswold, Wendy. 2013. Cultures and Societies in a Changing World (CSCW). 4th ed. Sage.
- Additional required readings will be available on Canvas.
Attendance and Participation (15%)
Pre-Class Discussions (15%)
Assignments (35%)
Midterm (15%)
Final Exam (20%)
It is crucial to attend every class to stay up to date with the course material. You are allowed only TWO absences (excused and unexcused combined) throughout the semester. Lectures, videos, and discussions are designed to complement the reading assignments by providing additional insights, rather than simply repeating the content. Your grade will reflect solid preparation and active participation.
- Students are expected to adhere to the Georgia Tech Honor Code. Violations of the Honor Code will be addressed appropriately and may result in an “F” on the assignment or in the course. If you require special accommodation due to a disability, please inform me as soon as possible. You should also contact the Office of Disability Services.
- Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools: You may use generative AI programs, e.g. ChatGPT, to help generate ideas and brainstorm. You should be aware that the material generated by these programs may be inaccurate, incomplete, biased or otherwise problematic. Also, use of these tools may stifle your own independent thinking and creativity. Per GaTech's Honor Code, you may not submit any work generated by an AI program as your own. If you include material generated by an AI program, it should be cited like any other reference material (with due consideration for the quality of the reference, which may be poor). When/if you use AI platforms in your assignments, please write a note to clarify where in your process you used AI, include the prompt used to generate the material, and which platform(s) you used. See this article for how to cite AI properly: How to cite ChatGPT: https://apastyle.apa.org/blog/how-to-cite-chatgpt
- That said, using any AI tools during a proctored exam or quiz is never permitted.
This course is a Core IMPACTS course within the Social Sciences area, designed to provide students with essential knowledge in foundational academic disciplines. It aims to help students master course content while supporting their broader academic and career goals. The course is centered around the following guiding question:
- How do I understand human experiences and connections?
By completing this course, students should achieve the following learning outcome:
- Students will effectively analyze the complexity of human behavior and understand how historical, economic, political, social, or geographic relationships develop, persist, or change.
The course content, activities, and exercises are designed to help students develop the following career-ready competencies:
- Intercultural Competence
- Perspective-Taking
- Persuasion