SO 355 Sociology of Emotions

In this course we look at emotions from a sociological rather than a psychological perspective and ask such questions as: Can difficulties such as anorexia, PTSD, cutting, or bad relationships usually treated on an individual level by a therapist be understood from a societal perspective? As human beings we experience emotions, yet social interaction necessitates that certain kinds of emotions are appropriate in some settings and not in others. At this point we must ask ourselves how much our emotions are influenced and constrained by cultural norms, values, beliefs, and vocabularies. We especially have to control our emotions in the workplace; does this create emotion-work? We will also look at emotional relationships between humans, society, and pets.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

Take SO-101.

Distribution

SS

Offered

Odd Year Spring Semester