Intersectional Identities and the Sociological Imagination

Instructor: Samantha Prado
Instructor's Email: sprado@ucsd.edu
Prerequisites: none 
Schedule: TBD

Course Description

The purpose of this course is to deliver an understanding of the sociological imagination, the meaning of mindful awareness, and to understand the role social identities play in lived experience. This material will be disseminated within a period of three weeks for high-achieving high school students. This course will lead to greater preparation for high school to college transition. Students will also be better prepared to navigate diverse settings, effectively understand contexts and experiences different from their own, and be ready for an inclusive work environment upon college graduation.

Course Goals / Learning Objective

• Learn about and relate the sociological imagination to everyday life.
• Understand the meaning of mindful awareness as it relates to the sociological imagination.
• Examine the role social identities (i.e., social class, gender, race, sexuality) play in lived experience.
• Analyze the significance of power and privilege as they relate to life opportunities.
• Develop a greater understanding of the causes and consequences of inequality and the roles people wittingly and unwittingly play in these processes.
• Examine methods (i.e., researching, advocating, empathizing) that enable social change.
• Identify potential solutions to matters of inequality related to social identities.

Course Topics

• Power and Oppression
• Gender
• Sexuality
• Race and Ethnicity
• Culture/Migration
• Social Class
• Ability
• Age
• Religion
• Developing solutions 

*Courses vary by experience and exposure to content. Instructors have the ability to change content and pace to serve the needs of students. Courses have been modified for online teaching.