SOC 240   Sociology of Community (3 Hours)

In a world of instantaneous and mobile communication, many social observers and scholars suggest that community is being lost, and increasing numbers of Americans report feeling increasingly alienated from the people with whom bonds were traditionally the strongest. Taking this apparent paradox as its starting point, this course will examine the impact of macro-social forces such as economic transition, globalization, and technological advance on American communities, focusing especially on the post-Great Depression era. Students will explore the various bases on which communities are formed, as well as assessing threats to community solidarity. In its final analysis, this course will ask: Is community truly being lost, or is it simply changing form?