Critical Social Thought
College of Liberal & Creative Arts
Dean: Paul Sherwin
Critical Social Thought Program
HSS 263
Phone: 415-405-2162
Director: James Martel
Faculty
Professors: Anton, D'Agostino, Kassiola, Kobashigawa, 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 advisor, 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 Aspects of 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 |
Globalization 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 to 1945 |
| HIST 400 | History of Modern European Imperialism |
| HIST 476 | American Environmental History |
| HIST 550/ S S 550 |
Social Change in Modern Latin America |
| I R 417/ PLSI 417 |
Gender, Equality and Politics: A Comparative Perspective (4) |
| I R 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 20th Century |
| ART 501 | Postmodernism: Art of the 1980s |
| ART 501 | Women and Art: 20th- 21st 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 | Independent Study | 3 |
Minimum total: 18 - 21 units
