At Southeastern Louisiana University, Castro teaches Race and Ethnic Relations 411, Social Problems 212, as well as Introductory Sociology 101. Currently he is teaching Social Problems 212 and four sections of Sociology 101, one of which is a televised by Louisiana State University in conjunction with Southeastern Louisiana University. Introductory Sociology is a basic survey course in sociology designed to acquaint students with the sociological perspective, and the three major paradigms within the discipline.
Introductory Sociology 101 emphasizes "critical thinking," that is, the art of intelligent discernment. Breaking sociology into discussions on a number of controversial social concerns, Castro's introductory sociology course challenges the student to reconsider much of what they had previously taken for granted about society on the basis of "common sense," and to replace incorrect notions with factual information. As taught by Castro, the course is designed to benefit sociology majors---as well as non-majors who will likely have little further formal contact with the discipline sociology---by enabling them to see cultural, political, and socioeconomic issues from a number of perspectives simultaneously, thus, improving analytic and decision making skills. Special emphases in the class are on structural functionalism (i.e., Talcott Parsons, Robert Merton, etc.), social psychology (i.e., symbolic interactionism, social constructionism, ethnomethodology, and dramaturgical analysis; i.e., W. I. Thomas, Herbert Blumer, Peter Berger, Erving Goffman, Harold Garfinkel, and John Heritage), materialist/economic analysis (i.e., the conflict theories Marx, Weber, and Mills), and on processes associated with the social definition of deviance (i.e., the labeling theories of Edwin Lemert and Howard Becker). Race and Ethnic Relations 411 is an upper-division course that historically examines waves of immigration into the United States with special emphasis on variable adaptation and assimilation. Attention is devoted to political and economic conditions impacting contemporary ethnic and racial minority groups in the US, as well as to the Civil Rights movement's unintended consequences, such as "urban flight" and the progressive abandonment of the American public school system by the middle classes. Evolution of immigration policy and public opinion are illuminated. The theory of the intentional under-development and under-education of Black America are also considered as sources of racial inequality, racial discrimination, and on-going racial tensions (i.e., Manning Marable). Continuing inequities between dominant and subordinate ethnic groups are carefully examined for their structural and institutional sources.
Sociology as an Academic Discipline
Sociology
is the logical and systematic study of society. Sociology emerged
in the academy during the Renaissance period as a response to the social
problems that became endemic during the period, most which were directly
attributable to the sweeping trends of urbanization and industrialization.
These problems included, but were not limited to: unemployment, starvation,
homelessness, disease, and crime. Initially, the major economic shift
in Europe from agrarian cottage industry to urban mass-production was not
well understood scientifically or academically, perplexing scholars and
clergy members, alike. Prior to Sociology, Philosophy and Theology
were the principle disciplines in the academy concerned with human affairs
and problems. Being somewhat idealistic, especially at that time,
philosophers and theologists responded to these baffling new circumstances
by discussing perplexing social phenomena in terms of desired ideals
rather than factually based assessments. Seeking to manifest
utopian ideals through good wishes and intentions, rather than trying to
bring about an improved situation through an acceptance and understanding
of the actual; these more "classic" academic disciplines of the early Renaissance
were, therefore, disenabled as instruments to be effectualized in the solution
of social problems. Sociology--conversely--was the first socially
oriented academic area to embrace a decidedly positivist orientation, seeking
to identify and understand social phenomena on the basis of actual manifestation
rather than desired ideals. In order to solve, or render improvement
to, any socially problematic situation, accurate assessment of the phenomena
in question is the necessary first step. Sociology emerged in order
to fill in this gap in the problem-identification process, one critical
to social understanding and effective social reform.
In short, sociology studys the individual's relationships to others and groups, as well as relationships between groups, such as issues impacted by differential social privilege and/or conflicting class interests. Employing many of the same techniques used in the so called "hard" sciences (e.g., statistics employing highly stylized sampling and analytical techniques), sociologists seek to accurately determine and/or discover causes and explanations to better understand enigmatic, obscure, and/or socially problematic phenomena. The sociological perspective helps to demonstrate that "personal troubles" may be interpreted as manifestations of larger "social forces" or phenomena. Being a perspective rather than a subject area, per se, sociology's principal advantage is its universal applicability to the study of almost any social phenomenon, and its replacement of speculation, belief, and common sense with fact.
Some Notes on Sociology as a Career Choice
As a career choice, sociology deserves measured and careful consideration prior to commitment. Sociology is a remarkable intellectual tool for the continuing scholarship of the scholastically-oriented individual. However, it is a serious scientific endeavor and may be an academically rigorous graduate school experience. The most prestigious and highest paying positions within sociology (whether in academics, public service, or industry) often require that the candidate hold a terminal degree, which within sociology is the Ph.D. Obtaining a Doctorate in sociology typically takes 5 to 7 years of graduate work beyond the B.A. or B.S. degree, although the duration may be shorter or longer depending upon the candidate, the program, and the nature of dissertation research. Tenured Faculty appointments at the University-level typically require a Ph.D. for ranking, advancement, and tenure. Most doctorate-granting institutions offer their sociology graduate students financial aid in the forms of fellowships, teaching and research positions. Yet, additional financial aid or concurrent employment may be required. Once having obtained a Doctorate, a sociologist's chances of finding a desirable faculty appointment are heightened according to the number of professional publications, presentations, and appointments that he or she has accrued during graduate studies. At many universities, a faculty candidate's teaching experience during graduate school is an extremely important pre-hiring consideration. Competition between candidates for the most desirable and highest paying academic positions can be extreme.
Although certain successful sociologists have been exceptions to the rule (e.g., Anthony Giddens), the Master of Arts degree in sociology is primarily useful in preparing sociologists to assume faculty positions at 2-year community college level institutions, or in the realm of applied sociology. Applied sociology, as a subdiscipline, represents a nexus between sociological practice "in the field," and classical scholarship in the academic realm of theoretical analysis and theory building. Applied sociology, in fact, may alternatively refer to a wide array of sociological endeavors, the common link among them being pragmatic application of sociological theory, knowledge, and information by the sociologist within the context of his or her work (i.e., "action"). One important manifestation of applied sociology is research designed to evaluate and/or analyze such areas as: criminal justice, governmental procedure, public-service programs, as well as various organizational systems within business and other professional networks. Sociology's importance as an information source--often informing and/or guiding public policy decisions--has become increasingly recognized in both the professional and governmental realms. As a result, positions for well-trained sociologists in the public, private, and non-profit realms continue to emerge. However, one cannot over-emphasize the importance of the applied sociologist's acquisition of well-honed analytical and organizational skills during their preparation for entry into the professional world.
Sociology is a useful scientific orientation for better understanding and solving social problems. The Sociological perspective may be effectively employed by the professional in scientific endeavors; and by the novice in day-to-day decision making processes ---each in the process of better understanding certain aspects of the their respective social world. One important aspect of academic scholarship is continuing research and production of scholarly writing. To review Castro's research and publication record, click on the Papers & Publications link below.
Questions or commentsabout
this page should be directed to rcastro@selu.edu