Individualization and Intimacy Instructor: Chris Swader Assistant Professor of Sociology

Key Aims Students understand social theories dealing with individualization, intimacy, and face-to-face communication Students can operationalize research questions related to intimacy and individualization Students can approach scientific questions on intimacy from interdisciplinary and normatively diverse perspectives

Key Themes 1)The origins of sociality 2)First modernization: urbanization, industrialization, and economic development 3)First modernization: technological development and rationalization 4)Second modernization: reflexivity and risk 5)The fate of community 6)Intimacy and power 7)Intimacy and social control

Assessment 1)Mandatory attendance: Those who miss classes without medical excuse will fail. 2)Participation in Discussion: 20%. Each day of participation will be graded for relevance (following the train of discussion) and quality (knowledge of readings) 3)Critical Review Essay: 20%. Students will critique one of the in-class readings. This will be critiqued by the instructor, and students will adapt it. 4)Presentation: 20%. Presentation of in-class reading and integration with external readings. 5)Fieldwork and report: 20%. Students will observe and report on intimacy in a social setting. 6)Research proposal: 20%. Design, but not carry out, a research project related to the course.