Sociological Foundations

3 units

This course has two interconnected goals: (1) introducing prominent questions, research programs, and methodological approaches in sociology and (2) orientating students to the department, the discipline, and the profession. By reading innovative work representative of the major strands of scholarship at WashU, students will have a chance to think creatively about where they fit in the discipline: what questions, assumptions, or arguments need further scrutiny, and how they might productively engage in central debates in the field through their own emerging research. In addition, this course will demystify various aspects of the academy and provide tips for navigating graduate school and beyond including the hidden curriculum of graduate school, developing strong collaborations, applying for external grants and fellowships, communicating research, and preparing for different careers. This course is open only to first-year Sociology graduate students.