Sociology originated as a field whose early practitioners and theorists were centrally concerned about human emancipation and liberation. The daily experiences of the oppressed and subjugated were a central focus of what some have called “liberation” or “public” sociology.  This course examines the history of this emancipatory sociology and interrogates fundamental issues concerning the usefulness of contemporary social science knowledge and skills to this end.  It explores the call for a reassertion of an emancipatory “action” social science practice designed to empower ordinary people to confront contemporary social and ecological problems.  To make sense of how social science can be used for social change I have organized the course around the following themes: critical and public sociology; sociological theory; environmental sociology; community organizing; and, social movements. We will take a holistic, systems-based approach to examine the role social science can play as a vehicle for change, using an array of critical social theories, concepts, methods, and practices to articulate a framework for addressing the complex, interrelated threats to community and the environment.

In addition, the course will provide students with both a conceptual framework and the practical skills for organizing effectively in the community for social, environmental and economic justice. Through an exploration of the different kinds of community organizations we will examine the concepts of philanthropy, self-interest, power, institutional change, community control, and leadership. It will also explore how these models relate to social movements and how issues of diversity, including race, ethnicity, class, gender, religion, sexual orientation and age affect organizing philosophy and strategy.