TY - JOUR AU - Burgess, Elisabeth PY - 2010/04/26 Y2 - 2024/03/28 TI - The Life Course Sociology JF - TRAILS: Teaching Resources and Innovations Library for Sociology JA - TRAILS VL - IS - SE - DO - UR - https://trails.asanet.org/article/view/the-life-course-sociology SP - AB - Purpose: The life course perspective provides a lens or framework for understanding continuity and change in human lives. As sociologists examining the life course, we will emphasize the dynamic interactions between people and their environment. The primary objectives of this course will be (1) to critique the social meanings and influences of historical periods, chronological and social age, birth cohorts, and time and the timing of life choices; (2) to introduce theoretical and methodological perspectives of the life course in order to provide a foundation for future sociological or gerontological research on human lives; (3) to explore the patterns and trajectories that span across human lives and intersect with gender, class, race, and sexual orientation; and (4) to understand the major transitions and role changes across the life course.Organization: This course required considerable participation on the part of each student. Most weeks there will be a brief lecture introducing that week’s topic. The remainder of the class will be run as a seminar with active participation by all students. Each week there will be 4-7 required readings or an entire book. ER -