Summer 2024 course schedule

SOC 31152 Immigration and the Second Generation (3 credits; Online Mix)

The second generation, native-born of foreign parentage, is often caught between two distinctive worlds of their immigrant parents and American society. The study of the second generation is a cutting-edge topic in the fields of immigration and ethnic and racial studies as they are making the transition from school to work. The course examines the ways in which children of immigrants are integrating into different US institutions, such as education, economy, politics, as well as American culture. A key concern is to examine existing theories of assimilation in terms of the similarities and differences between the old (turn of the 20th century) and new (post-1965) second generation. Another important issue is whether the children of immigrants are doing better than their parents educationally and occupationally, given the structural changes in American economy and society. In light of the current political debate about immigration policy, which directly affects the children of undocumented immigrants, the course will also cover this often overlooked group. Although the course will deal with the United States as a whole, the experience of children of immigrants who have grown up in New York will also be highlighted.

Notes: This course meets during Summer 1 (Jun. 3 - Jul. 1). There will be online synchronous class meetings 1-2 times per week during the scheduled class time (i.e., 8:30AM - 11:25AM). Please inquire with instructor Jennifer Sloan ( jsloan@ccny.cuny.edu ) if you have questions.

SOC 31161 Sociology of Consumer Behavior and Marketing (3 credits; Hybrid Asynchronous)

An applied course about the principles of consumer behavior and market research. The course focuses on how and why people make purchases and how advertising appeals of a sociological, psychological, and economic nature, including product presentation, pricing, packaging, product endorsements, and responses to competition, influence consumer decisions. Students will learn how to actually do market research, using techniques such as field observation, in-depth interviews, focus groups, and questionnaires.

Notes: This course meets during Summer 2 (Jul. 8 - Aug. 2). Please inquire with instructor Colin Ashley ( cashley@ccny.cuny.edu ) if you have questions.

SOC 31165 Arts and Crafts and Social Movements (3 credits; In Person)

Social movements have used a variety of techniques to spread their message and engage with the public -- including through arts and crafts. This course explores how social movements led by diverse actors, including enslaved people, incarcerated people, Indigenous people, unemployed people, and colonized people in the U.S. and around the world use arts and crafts to further their goals. This course will involve discussion, written journaling activities, and an extensive group hands-on creative component where students will communicate their own values and priorities through arts and crafts. ZERO Textbook Cost

Notes: This course meets in person during Summer 2 (Jul. 8 - Aug. 2). Please inquire with instructor Siobhan Pokorney ( spokorney@ccny.cuny.edu or spokorney@gradcenter.cuny.edu ) if you have questions.

SOC 31925 Sexuality, Gender, and Disability (3 credits; Hybrid Asynchronous)

This course applies a critical lens to the study of sexuality, gender, and disability. We examine how social oppression is experienced by persons whose physical, cognitive, or psychological characteristics fall outside of socially constructed norms. In particular, we investigate the complex historical influences that impact how people discuss sexuality and disability. For example, people with disabilities have been considered asexual, hypersexual, or as victims, all of which deny their agency as sexual beings. We use disability, feminist, critical sexuality, and queer theories to explore and question various issues affecting the sexual lives and experiences of persons with disabilities and how these might help us understand gender and sexuality more generally. To understand the intersection of sexuality and disability, we engage with scholarly readings, news articles, popular media, social media, and TV shows/movies. Low Textbook Cost

Notes: This course meets during Summer 1 (Jun. 3 - Jul. 1). Please inquire with instructor Siobhan Pokorney ( spokorney@ccny.cuny.edu or spokorney@gradcenter.cuny.edu ) if you have questions.

SOC 31956 Immigration Narratives: Interconnected stories of our pasts, ourselves and future generations (3 credits; Online Mix)

Description: What are our stories, and what can we share with future generations? In this course, students will explore and critique federal, state, and local policies, ranging from DACA to everyday paperwork, that impact immigration and migrant experiences in the United States. Students will conduct interview-based research about the migration-related experiences and histories of their families, friends, community members, and others. In undertaking this research, students will understand how individual histories and biographies intersect with longstanding, systemic inequalities. Students will learn about major events in the history of migration to the US, how to design and carry out qualitative research projects, and explore creative ways of sharing these with wider audiences. Students' work will contribute towards an open-access textbook on the Sociology of Immigration that will be taught in future classes.

Notes: This course meets during Summer 2 (Jul. 8 - Aug. 2). There will be online synchronous class meetings 1-2 times per week during the scheduled class time (i.e., 8:30AM - 11:25AM). Please inquire with instructor Jennifer Sloan ( jsloan@ccny.cuny.edu ) if you have questions.

SOC 32600 Role of Activism and Voluntary Nonprofits (3 credits; Online Mix)

This course introduces the sociological study of how the practices and forms of nonprofit organizations and voluntary associations shape activism and vice versa. These forms of collective action coordinate activities towards advancing particular causes, enacting public policy, such as providing services, or enhancing fellowship amongst members. This course also prepares students to undertake research and critical analyses of such collective action, with the aim of helping students apply theoretical concepts about organizing practices and institutional environments to groups or organizations.

Notes: This class meets during Summer 1 (June 3 - July 1). The schedule for this online mix class is as follows: Mon. & Tues. 6-8:55pm, online synchronous AND Wed. & Thur. 6-7pm, online synchronous PLUS 7-8:55pm asynchronous work. Please inquire with the instructor Paul Galatowitsch ( paul@healthclearstrategies.com or pgalatowitsch@ccny.cuny.edu ) if you have any questions.

SOC 31173: Seductions of Crime (3 Credits; Online Mix)

Jack Katz’s groundbreaking book, “Seductions of Crime: Moral and Sensual Attractions in Doing Evil,” challenges conventional criminology by exploring the sensual nature of the criminal act. He walks the reader through an in-depth explanation of various criminal acts, explores the lifestyle of the criminal, and the thought processes and emotions the perpetrator feels in those precious moments before and after they committed the crime, be it spousal murder, shoplifting, robbery and violence, or senseless murder. This course is a deep reading of “Seduction of Crime” allowing students to reflect on important sociological themes, innovative methods, and often counterintuitive conclusions.

Notes: This course meets during Summer Session III (Aug. 5 - Aug. 23). There will be online class meetings 2 times per week, on Mondays and Thursdays during the scheduled class time (i.e., 9:15AM - 12:57PM). Please inquire with the instructor Gwendolyn Dordick ( gdordick@ccny.cuny.edu ) if you have questions.