PTI currently offers two sociology courses: the Introduction to Sociology and the Sociology of Inequality. Both courses count towards students’ elective requirements for their Associate’s Degree. Instructors are drawn from the sociology, anthropology, and religious studies departments at Princeton. Our approach centers on the critical analysis of sociological phenomena, with a strong focus on writing. We ask students to complete examinations and memos, as well as write a final research paper drawing on secondary evidence.

 

 

 

 

Sociology 101: Introduction to Sociology

This course is designed to introduce students to a variety of topics for sociological analysis and different approaches to studying social phenomena. Some of the concepts and themes that we will develop over the semester include the relationship between individuals and society, macro- and micro-level processes, institutions, social mobility, culture, and gender. The goal of this class is for students to be able to understand some of the main sociological theories and take a sociological approach to studying issues of interest to them. The course will prepare students to understand explanations for social phenomena that include both individual and social structural elements.

 

 

 

 

Sociology 107: Sociology of Inequality

This course is designed to introduce students to the sociological perspective on inequality, both within the United States and in comparative perspective. No background in inequality or sociology is assumed or required. Some of the concepts and themes we will develop include the cyclical nature of inequality as both an outcome and cause of social phenomena, determinants of inequality as additive and intersectional, and ascriptive versus achieved inequality. Each substantive week will apply these themes to a different topical area in sociology, including health, race, class, gender, space, labor, education, incarceration, and the family. The goal of the class is for students to develop a theoretical “tool kit” to apply different sociological theories of inequality to the topics we will discuss. The course will prepare students to understand explanations for inequality and place trends in inequality in a historical and comparative perspective.