Contemporary Social Theory

This course is designed to provide an overview of noteworthy recent - several decades of - theoretical perspectives derived from sociology, anthropology, science and technology studies and political theory. The course goal is to help students interrogate social and cultural phenomena in contemporary societies. After taking this course, students should be able to reflect on - and ask better questions about - the workings of culture, society, and individual and collective identities in the broader world and in their own lives. By bringing the theories of previous decades to bear on contemporary concerns, students will gain an understanding of the contemporary relevance and practical utility of engaging with long-standing conversations in social theory.