This class is designed to introduce students to a sociological and cross-disciplinary understanding of major ideas, institutions, and historical events that have shaped human societies. Selected societies in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Europe will be studied. The class will focus on various social and cultural issues, such as family and religion, racial and gender relations, deviance, immigration, and social stratification systems. To facilitate cross-cultural understanding and awareness, students will be asked to read broadly on subjects relating to the lives of people from different societies and to reflect on their own experience.