I ran across a new College Student site tonight called " No Indoctrination.org" that features posts by students at Colleges across the Country about various courses they are taking. This one was priceless. I won't make another post of this type, but this one was so "Right On", considering our discussion at the moment, that I could not resist posting it.
University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) Oct. 7, 2002
Course: Soc 1: Introduction to Sociology
Course Catalog Description: Basic Concepts and issues in the study of human society. The structures and processes of human conduct, social organization, and social change.
Professor: Margaret George-Cramer
Required? Yes, for my major or minor
Lecture Bias: Excessive
Comments: When I signed up for this class, I was under the impression that I would be learning the basics of sociology as the course description indicated. I quickly got the impression that I would not be learning such a thing at all. The entire course seemed more like an introduction to victimology to me. The course began with the Marxian and Durkheimian models of social stratification and then progressed into 10 weeks of anti-capitalist, anti-globalization rhetoric. We were shown several theories on globalization that portrayed Western civilization as almost demonic, heartless, and ruthless beasts that enslave the world for financial gain. When I asked whether there were other models of globalism that did not progress such ideas, the professor threw an angry glare my way and said there are no other models. She then added that even if there were, it would be unconscionable to mention them when there was so much oppression and exploitation going on...... Finally, one of the questions on the multiple choice final for the class asked: "What system is based on the division and exploitation of classes?" The answer to the question was capitalism, and in order to receive a good grade on the test I was forced to select that answer although I did not agree. What angered me the most about this experience was that at no time during this "Introduction to Sociology" class did I learn anything about group interactions, interpersonal interactions, or social constructions of society beyond those that progressed Marxist ideas and anti-capitalist notions.<<<<
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