SOCY 5000a, Sociological Theory  Emily Erikson

The course seeks to give students the conceptual tools for a constructive engagement with sociological theory and theorizing. We trace the genealogies of dominant theoretical approaches and explore the ways in which theorists contend with these approaches when confronting the central questions of both modernity and the discipline.
M 4pm-5:55pm

SOCY 5100a, Professional Seminar  Grace Kao

This required seminar aims at introducing incoming sociology graduate students to the department and the profession. Yale Sociology faculty members are invited to discuss their research. There are minimum requirements, such as writing a book review. No grades are given; students should take for Audit. Held biweekly.
F 9am-11am

SOCY 5610a, Introduction to Methods in Quantitative Sociology  Emma Zang

Introduction to methods in quantitative sociological research. Covers data description; graphical approaches; elementary probability theory; bivariate and multivariate linear regression; regression diagnostics. Includes hands-on data analysis using Stata.
T 1:30pm-3:25pm

SOCY 5750b / PLSC 5050b, Qualitative Field Research  Adam Auerbach

In this seminar we discuss and practice qualitative field research methods. The course covers the basic techniques for collecting, interpreting, and analyzing ethnographic data, with an emphasis on the core ethnographic techniques of participant observation and in-depth interviewing. All participants carry out a local research project. Open to undergraduates with permission of the instructor.
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SOCY 6100a / PLSC 7340a, Comparative Research Workshop  Julia Adams

This weekly workshop is dedicated to group discussion of work-in-progress by visiting scholars, Yale graduate students, and in-house faculty from Sociology and affiliated disciplines. Papers are distributed a week ahead of time and also posted on the website of the Center for Comparative Research (http://ccr.yale.edu). Students who are enrolled for credit are expected to present a paper-in-progress.
T 11:35am-1:15pm

SOCY 6200a, Workshop in Cultural Sociology  Philip Smith

This workshop is designed to be a continuous part of the graduate curriculum. Meeting weekly throughout both the fall and spring terms, it constitutes an ongoing, informal seminar to explore areas of mutual interest among students and faculty, both visiting and permanent. The core concern of the workshop is social meaning and its forms and processes of institutionalization. Meaning is approached as both structure and performance, drawing not only on the burgeoning area of cultural sociology but on the humanities, philosophy, and other social sciences. Discussions range widely among methodological, theoretical, empirical, and normative issues. Sessions alternate between presentations by students of their own work and by visitors. Contents of the workshop vary from term to term, and from year to year. Enrollment is open to auditors who fully participate and for credit to students who submit written work.
F 11am-1pm

SOCY 6400a, Stratification and Inequality Workshop  Daniel Karell and Ramina Sotoudeh

In this workshop we present and discuss ongoing empirical research work, primarily but not exclusively quantitative analyses. In addition, we address theoretical and methodological issues in the areas of the life course (education, training, labor markets, aging, as well as family demography), social inequality (class structures, stratification, and social mobility), and related topics.
Th 12pm-1:20pm

SOCY 6500a, Research Topics on Human Nature and Social Networks  Nicholas Christakis

This seminar focuses on ongoing research projects in human nature, behavior genetics, social interactions, and social networks.  ½ Course cr
Th 12:30pm-2pm

SOCY 7048a / CB&B 7141a, AI, Medicine, and Society  Alka Menon and Xenophon Papademetris

AI has shown tremendous promise to address problems in medicine and science. There is also considerable hype surrounding AI and many concerns (some justified, some not) regarding the use of this type of technology. This discussion-based seminar (1) provides undergraduate students across disciplines with a broad overview of issues related to AI in medicine at a non-technical level, drawing on perspectives from the interpretive/humanistic social sciences, computing, engineering, and healthcare and (2) models interdisciplinary communication and build a robust framework for collaboration. Overarching topics, grounded in medical case studies, include what it means for computers to “think” and how we understand what they are thinking about; the use and limits of scientific knowledge in making policy decisions; bias, fairness, equity, equality; the challenges of implementation of AI systems; safety and risk; and the human/computer interface. The course also provides a high level overview of machine learning, discussing opportunities, limitations, and tradeoffs. Ultimately, the course offers a grounded look at how AI is being discussed and deployed on the ground in medicine, equipping students with a critical lens for thinking about responsible and practical implementation and innovation when it comes to AI.
TTh 2:35pm-3:50pm

SOCY 7170a / ANTH 6841a / ENV 836a / HIST 8160a / PLSC 7790a, Agrarian Societies: Culture, Society, History, and Development  Jonathan Wyrtzen and Elisabeth Wood

An interdisciplinary examination of agrarian societies, contemporary and historical, Western and non-Western. Major analytical perspectives from anthropology, economics, history, political science, and environmental studies are used to develop a meaning-centered and historically grounded account of the transformations of rural society. Team-taught.
W 1:30pm-3:25pm

SOCY 7250a, Analysis of Social Structure  Scott Boorman

Emphasizing analytically integrated viewpoints, the course develops a variety of major contemporary approaches to the study of social structure and social organization. Building in part on research viewpoints articulated by Kenneth J. Arrow in The Limits of Organization (1974), by János Kornai in an address at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences published in 1984, and by Harrison C. White in Identity and Control (2nd ed., 2008), four major species of social organization are identified as focal: (1) social networks, (2) competitive markets, (3) hierarchies/bureaucracy, and (4) collective choice/legislation. This lecture course uses mathematical and computational models—and comparisons of their scientific styles and contributions—as analytical vehicles in coordinated development of the four species.
M 10am-12pm

SOCY 7610a / ANTH 5852a / CPLT 5530a / GMAN 5530a, Karl Marx's Capital  Paul North

A careful reading of Karl Marx's classic critique of capitalism, Capital volume 1, a work of philosophy, political economy, and critical social theory that has had a significant global readership for over 150 years. Selected readings also from Capital volumes 2 and 3.
TTh 9:25am-10:15am

SOCY 7700a, Sociology of Racial Knowledge  Alka Menon

Knowledge has become central to the social organization of modern societies. This course offers an introduction to the sociology of knowledge through a survey of how various social institutions, from medicine to education, have generated knowledge about race and racism. The goal of the course is to develop intellectual tools to understand both the social organization of knowledge as well as the racial organization of modern societies. The course contextualizes the dynamics in the contemporary United States with a global and comparative perspective.
W 1:30pm-3:25pm

SOCY 8200a, Independent Study  Jonathan Wyrtzen

By arrangement with faculty. When students register for the course online, the dropdown menu should be completed.
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