LACR 227 - SIFT: Discovering America

Are most Americans middle class? Are college students an elite? Do most Americans believe in God? Are Democrats a majority? Are UArts students strange? The knowledge we have about society typically comes from generalized personal experience and/or media accounts, both of which often suffer from idiosyncrasy, ideological bias, or some other distortion. This course introduces the student to the scientific approach to knowledge by investigating society on several dimensions selected from the following: income, class, education, religion, occupation, political orientation, family structure, sexuality, crime and deviance, and social attitudes and beliefs on a variety of issues. The first half of the course focuses on the nature of science, social science, and sociology and its methods. The second half examines specific examples of sociological research and findings about American society to understand both what the facts are and how they are discovered and validated.

Prerequisites & Notes
Student must have matriculated after Fall 2005. Enrollment in BS, BFA, or BM degree program required. Successful completion of LACR 009 or LACR 100 where required as a result of English placement exam.

Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs