SOC 318 Social Change

Why and how do societies change? What are the drivers of change and how do people adapt to changing social norms? What do you need to know about how to change the world to make it a better place? In this course, students will be challenged to evaluate their future as part of a world that is undergoing continuous social change by examining its historic and contemporary patterns. Through exploration of sociological theory and real world outcomes, students will critically assess why and how social change occurs, examining reasons such as diffusion, acculturation, evolution, globalization, conflict and competition, bureaucratization, urbanization, modernization, ideological changes, technological changes, economic changes, changes in political power, and changes in legal power. Students will analyze the impact of individuals and groups on the process of social change and consider their ability to influence and implement constructive social change.