SOC 258 - Bodies in Society

5 CR

How do our bodies represent who we are? What is a “healthy” or “normal” body, and who decides? How are our bodies influenced by larger systems of inequality? Explore how the world around us shapes how we feel about our own bodies and the bodies of others. Themes may include body image, beauty standards, (dis)ability, racism, tattooing and body piercing, fat activism, and gender-affirming medical care.

Course Outcomes

Explain “the body” from a sociological perspective.
Identify the role of culture, power, and group norms in shaping the presentations of our bodies.
Assess the impacts of power, dominance, and inequality on our bodies.
Analyze some of the major social problems connected to the body.

GenEd Outcomes: Creative and Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking/Problem Solving

GenEd Outcomes: Connections

Historical and Intellectual Perspectives

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