Critical Social Thought

Critical Social Thought Program

HSS 263
Phone: 415-405-2162

Director: James Martel

Faculty

Professors: Anton, D'Agostino, Jenkins, Kassiola, Kobashigawa, Longmore, Luft, Martel, Nichols, Oñate, Pinderhughes, Rivera, Schechter
Associate Professors: Biella, Carillo, Ferreira, Quesada, Steir, von Wahl
Lecturers: Gerson, Nutting

Program

Minor in Critical Social Thought

Program Scope

Critical social theory challenges contemporary forms of political-economic power. In classes and internships, Critical Social Thought draws from Marxism, socialism, anarchism, the Frankfurt School, radical environmentalism and anti-consumerism, postmodernism and post-structuralism, globalization studies, feminism, queer theory, post colonial and subaltern studies, disability studies, critical race theory, theories of art and visual representation and other systems of thought that pay attention to the questions of power and exploitation in world politics, culture, economics and the formation of identities.

The minor seeks to address the way that so much of contemporary social thought is uncritical. It is guided by the belief that a better world is possible and that social thought has an important role in outlining the form such a world might take and identifying the agents who might be capable of bringing it about.

Applications:

Critical social thought serves as a foundation in critical theory that can be applied to a variety of disciplines in the social sciences, humanities and the arts. Critical social thought can be pursued in conjunction with any number of majors enriching and diversifying these fields of study including but not limited to sociology, human sexuality studies, psychology, history, philosophy, women and gender studies, latina/latino studies, ethnic studies, political science, international relations, criminal justice etc. In addition, critical social thought can help establish skills that will be useful in post-graduate careers ranging from careers in social activism and social work, to politics, law, health care, policy and many others.

Minor in Critical Social Thought

Each student shall, in consultation with a faculty adviser, develop an individual program of 18-21 units. Students may also take an internship program in political activism or other related areas in conjunction with these classes to count towards the minor. If the introductory course is not available, other courses can be substituted on advisement.

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated. On-line course descriptions are available.

Program

Introduction

Overview of the tradition of critical social thought

Course	Title	Units
CST 300/ PLSI 386	Introduction to Critical Social Thought	3

Core

Select at least two courses from the Theory and Pedagogy field.

Theory and Pedagogy (6 - 8 units)

Course	Title
SOC 394	Sociological Field Methods
HUM 410	The Modern Revolution
PHIL 330	Political Philosophy
PLSI 355/ PHIL 355	The Politics and Ethics of the Consumer Society
PLSI 351 GW	Political Theory: The Classical Tradition - GWAR (4)
PLSI 352	Political Theory: Reformation to Nineteenth Century (4)
PLSI 353	Political Theory: The Twentieth Century (4)
PLSI 360	Development of American Political Thought (4)
SOC 272	Social Inequality (4)

Electives (6 - 8 units)

Choose at least two courses from at least two of the following fields:

Identity and Resistance
Globalism, Empire and Social Movements
Culture as Critical Social Thought

An approved internship may be substituted for 3-4 units of electives.

Identity and Resistance (3 - 4 units)

Course	Title
ANTH 588	Anthropology and Human Rights (4)
ANTH 569/ SXS 567	Cross Cultural Sex and Gender
ANTH 590/ CST 590/ WGS 595	Anthropology of Women
CST 320/ ANTH 320	Racism: Cross-Cultural Analysis
HUM 520/ LTNS 520	North and South American Cultural Expression
SXS 455/ S S 455	Sex, Power and Politics
HUM 360	Styles of African Cultural Expression
HUM 415	Contemporary Culture
GPS 375/ PHIL 375	Peace Law and Human Rights in the US
PLSI 381	Political Theories of Sexuality (4)
LTNS 415	Economic Progress of Latinos in the US
LTNS 575	Latina/o Culture and Identity

Globalism, Empire and Social Movements (3 - 4 units)

Course	Title
ANTH 585/ CST 585	Multinational Corporations and World Cultures
GPS 315/ I R 315/ PHIL 315	Introduction to Global Peace Studies
HIST 386	Soviet Russia, the West, and the Cold War
HIST 390	European International History, 1918-1945
HIST 400	History of Modern European Imperialism
HIST 476	American Environmental History
HIST 550/ S S 550	Social Change in Modern Latin America
IR 307/ ANTH 307	Culture and Identity in World Politics (4)
IR 417/ PLSI 417	Gender, Equality and Politics: A Comparative Perspective (4)
I R 520/ S S 520	Globalization and Development (4)
PHIL 435	Human Rights in a Global Perspective
PLSI 354	Politics, the Environment, and Social Change (4)
LTNS 445/ WGS 445	Gendered Borders: Latinas and Globalization
USP 514	Sustainable Environmentalism and the Cities (4)
USP 515	Race, Poverty and the Environment (4)

Culture as Critical Social Thought (3 - 4 units)

Course	Title
ANTH 327/ CINE 327	Anthropology and Film
ART 403/ SXS 405	Queer Art History
ART 501	Art and Politics of the 20^th Century
ART 501	Postmodernism: Art of the 1980s
ART 501	Women and Art: 20^th- 21^st Centuries
BECA 485/ WGS 485	Women and Media
CINE 305	Film and the Holocaust
CINE 308	Third Cinema
CINE 373	Film and Society
CINE 342	Documentary Film
DANC 350	Dance Aesthetics
MUS 505	Music of World's Peoples
MUS 511	The Roots of Rock
COMM 525	Sexual Identity and Communication (4)
COMM 697	Advanced Performance Study (4)
TH A 407	Popular Theatre
TH A 691	Advanced Multicultural Production Workshop

Capstone course required of all minors

This is a supervised individual or collective project working with the Critical Social Thought faculty.

Course	Title	Units
CST 699	Special Study	3

Minimum total: 18 - 21 units