Advanced study in sociology, with specific topics to be announced at the beginning of each semester.

Automation is an old idea reborn in each new era of technology. Today algorithms, robotics, and machine learning overwhelm the popular discourse about our dawning technological futures. Each story to promise automation will improve our lives seems surrounded by so many more that predict disaster for society. In this seminar we will use the case of automation to understand the emergence and evolution of social problems. We will discuss the foundations of social problem analysis, including social construction, conflict theory, and the work of moral entrepreneurs. We will investigate issues of automation in several sociological areas, including labor, finance, education, and ecology. In addition to weekly readings and active participation in discussion, students will complete a series of assignments and presentations leading to a ~15 page research paper.

During Phase 1, students are unable to directly enroll or wait-list into the Sociology 190 Capstone Seminars via Cal Central. Instead, students must fill out a 190 Placement Request Form -
https://berkeley.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0CKKyYCkn32QRzE (Available April 22 - May 3, 2024)

Repeat Rules

Requirements class fulfills