1. Social Change and the Life Course Instructor: Chris Swader Assistant Professor of Sociology cswader@hse.ru

2. Key Aims As a result of attending this course, students should: - enhance their understanding of life course concepts - enhance their understanding of life course methods - be able to apply life course concepts to diverse research spheres, such as transitions to and from education, work, and retirement - be able to conduct and analyze a life story interview

3. Key Themes 1)Introduction 2)Key Concepts 3)Structure and Agency 4)Life Course Methods 5)From Youth to Adulthood 6)Crime and the Life Course 7)Transformation, Migration, Comparative Approaches 8)Life Course Theory, Review 9)Exam

4. Assessment Attendance is mandatory. Students without a medical excuse for absences will fail. Group project (30%) Students will present and lead a classroom discussion on their topic. Life Story Interview Transcript and analysis (30%). Students will conduct a 'life story' interview, transcribe it, and analyze it. The text must be the original work of the student, with proper citations. Plagiarism will be prosecuted. Final Exam (written, multiple choice) (40%). The exam will cover all aspects of written and discussed material.