Making The Familiar Strange: Sociology for Everyday Life

"What peculiar behaviours!" As aliens gazed down upon the human activities of planet Earth, they inquired with curiosity, "what are they doing?!" Our everyday lives may seem mundane sometimes. However, sociology asks us to make the familiar strange – to see ourselves as outsiders might, or… as the aliens would! From the micro, small-scale events that take place in our daily lives, to the macro, structural problems that plague our society at large, you are going to discover that social issues can be seen through many different perspectives. Sociology can help you build an essential sense of social and cultural awareness in a challenging and diverse world; a perfect complement to any program or future career goals you might have. It can help you better understand yourself, your community, current events, and even a bit more about how the world works in general. Prepare to investigate topics such as how the process of socialization shapes who we are, the impact of gender and sexuality on identity and society, the changing nature of education, and the basics of economic and political systems. Real life is stranger than fiction. Let's explore it together! Note: this course was previously titled "Special Topics in Sociology".