Academics

Sociology

 

Jerry Levy

Sociology is the study of the relationship between civilizational trends and the lives of human beings in varieties of societies, communities and milieus throughout the world. The task of sociology is to describe, analyze and interpret social worlds in their economic, political, cultural, class, ethnic and gender complexity. Sociology is an interdisciplinary perspective which relies heavily on history, political economy, philosophy and the other social sciences in its pursuit of understanding. Students who wish to study human beings in relationship to society must become sensitive to the ways in which different varieties of intellectuals, scholars, scientists and artists approach their subject matter and grapple with the "human condition." A broad background in the liberal arts is, therefore, essential to the serious student of sociology.

Sociology courses are designed to help students develop the following skills:

  1. To understand the theoretical assumptions, methodological approaches, and working traditions in the sociological perspective.
  2. To explore what sociology is, what sociologists do and how they do it through a close reading and analysis of studies by sociologists, anthropologists, historians and others.
  3. To develop descriptive, analytical and interpretive skills by conducting sociological research.
  4. To develop writing, oral and other skills for communicating the finding of research.
  5. To develop ways of incorporating varieties of scholarly research, and other experience into a sociological perspective.

Education in the sociological perspective offers the student a theoretical framework and methodological basis for studying anything that involves human beings in social worlds in their historical or contemporary panorama of possibilities. Research interests which are focused on in classes:

  1. Contemporary American Society
  2. The education and socialization of youth
  3. American Foreign Policy
  4. The Performing Arts
  5. Globalization and its effects on particular nations and communities in Europe, Latin America and Asia.

The student is encouraged to develop his or her own research interests beyond the areas focused on in classes. Methodological approaches for conducting research include reading, archival research, interviewing, participant observation field work, survey and incorporating observations of social life, films, plays, mass media, etc., into ones own analysis. Whatever is directly or indirectly available to students’ experience can be integrated into one’s research interests. Classes support the use of these research methodologies.

Jerry Levy

"Books are like theories," says Jerry. "They give you ways of perceiving the world. Then you must look at the world yourself and weight the books against your own experiences."

A sociologist interested in contemporary American society and how the global political economy is affecting communities, nations and regions throughout the world, Jerry has no shortage of experiences on which to base his perceptions. As a graduate student at the New School for Social Research, he undertook field work in a welfare center and a mental hospital before conducting a year of research for his doctoral dissertation in a poor Black and Puerto Rican school. From this work came his first book, Ghetto School, published in 1970.

At Marlboro, Jerry's courses "Education and Socialization," and "Contemporary American Society" reflect his interest in contemporary American economic, political and social institutions. His course "the Sociology of the Arts" is informed not only by academic research but by his own experience as a "serious amateur violinist and a touring actor." Likewise, his course on U.S. foreign policy is informed by his ongoing study of "how the United States relates to the rest of the world" and by his own participation in electoral politics.

Areas of interest for plan-level work: Contemporary American Society, American Foreign Policy, Sociology of the Arts, Sociology of Education, Globalization and its effects on particular nations and communities in Europe, Latin America and Asia

Starting Points (Basic and Introductory Courses)

Introduction to Sociology (SSC234)
An Introduction to the ideas, concepts, theories and methodologies of the discipline of sociology, understanding its relationship to the other social sciences, history and philosophy and its relevance to an understanding of social reality. (Introductory)

Education & Socialization (SSC3)
An investigation into the process by which people respond to and affect their environments by gaining increasing knowledge of them. An interdisciplinary approach will be employed (involving concepts from psychology and anthropology) that will focus on early childhood experience, peer relationships, formal institutional (school) operations and societal pressures for conformity and change. Cross-cultural information will be used to assess different practices within our own society. What factors determine an individual’s chance for a "successful" or "unsuccessful" life? (Introductory)

Contemporary American Society (SSC110)
The evolution of an interrelationship between American social, economic and political institutions focusing on the period from the end of World War II to the present. (Introductory)

Pursuing Interests (Intermediate and Thematic Courses)

United States Foreign Policy (SSC73)
The political, economic, cultural, and ideological sources of U.S. foreign policy, focusing on period from W.W. II to the present. What status groups, elites, and institutions make, sustain, and apply U.S. foreign policy? How is U.S. foreign policy legitimized and justified domestically? How is U.S. foreign policy applied in various global areas? What are the political, economic, and cultural consequences to U.S. foreign policy at home and abroad? These and other questions and issues will be explored. (Intermediate)

Contemporary Political & Social Thought (SSC63)
Issues crucial to an understanding of the crisis of the twentieth century will be explored through the work of Arendt, Barnet, Vidich, Kolko and Elizabeth Genovese. (Advanced)

Sociology of the Performing Arts

Good Foundation For Plan

Classical Sociological Thought (SSC6)
The major ideas, theories, and methodologies of some of the European and American founders of sociology. The works of Marx, Weber, Simmel and Veblen will be evaluated in relation to the evolution of industrial society. (Advanced)

Plan Research Seminar (SSC80)
For juniors and seniors on Plan in sociology, or for others who are conducting sociological research as part of their Plans. Issues related to interviewing, participant observation research, survey research, and other research techniques will be discussed. Work in progress will be presented. (Advanced)

Sample Tutorial Topics