Different Ways of Being: Introduction to Race, Gender, Sexuality, and Class This course will introduce students to the concept of "intersectionality," as a foundational framework in sociology. To do so, we will examine how systems of power, specifically racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, and cisnormality, interact to shape social identities among people who are multiply situated. We will engage with both classical and contemporary scholarship, media, and online sources to identify where race, gender, sexuality, and class "matter" in the lives of differently marginalized people. The goal of the course is to ensure that students are able to recognize the ways that race, gender, sexuality, and class operate simultaneously, apply an intersectional analysis to social institutions such as education, work, family, media, and nation.

Social Psychology in Sociology The purpose of this course is to examine the relationship between self and society from a sociological perspective. Our initial focus will on the nature of symbols, language, and the social self as theorized by G. H. Mead and early "symbolic interactionists." We will then address the presentation of self through the works of Erving Goffman, and subsequently consider more contemporary concerns, such as emotions, emotional labor, and inequality in social interaction. The second half of the course will address questions of identity and debates surrounding the emergence of "postmodern" selves.

Posse Scholars Leadership Development This course is designed to promote the intellectual, social, and civic development of first-year Posse scholars, both individually and as a group. Students will attend weekly workshops drawing from the Posse Foundation’s leadership curriculum. Workshops will also draw on the instructor’s areas of expertise and will focus on topics most pertinent to students’ goals and needs. Some workshops will include guest lectures, experiential learning, and student-facilitated discussion.  Students will reflect on their learning in bi-weekly meetings with the instructor, as well as in writing.  They will also identify initiatives or projects they wish to promote on campus or in the local community, applying what they have learned. (This course is only open to sophomores.)

Theories and Fundamentals of Conflict Transformation In this course, we will explore the interdisciplinary field of Conflict Transformation as both a philosophical orientation and a theoretical framework for understanding conflict as part of the human experience. In exploring conflict transformation, we will move beyond examining conflict as something that should be avoided (conflict prevention) or resolved through various formal and informal processes of negotiation (conflict resolution). Instead, this course will examine the ways that conflict is normal in human relationships, an integral part of human experiences, and can act as a catalyst for social transformation. To do so, we will examine conflict at multiple different levels of human experiences such as interpersonal, national, and international using a broader lens to explore the “bigger picture” of the historical, social, and interpersonal causes of conflict. In doing so, we will come to understand conflict as not something that is always destructive but also productive in creating social change on the personal, interpersonal, local, national, and international level.

Cinematic Sociology In this course, we will develop the sociological imagination through the viewing, discussing, and analyzing of popular films and television shows. Rather than simply “entertainment,” we will explore the various ways that popular films and television can be a vehicle for social commentary, analysis, and criticism, particularly about controversial topics. This class will also examine popular films and television shows and explore the various ways that they can be viewed as a critique of society.

Introduction to Sociology: The Sociological Imagination In this course, we will study social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior on American society. Specifically, we will examine the ways that individuals interact in social groups, organizations, and the larger society and the ways that the larger society both influences and is influenced by various social actors. Specific topics may range from crime, education, health, the economy, wealth, income, families, religion, race, gender, sexuality, class, among others with the goal of examining how individuals come together to construct society. In addition, we will explore the ways that social inequalities are created and maintained, examining many different perspectives and research techniques that sociologists use to answer some of society’s most important questions.

The Continuing Significance of Race in the United States This course will introduce students to theories of race and racism in the United States, how racial categories are formed and maintained in a variety of social arenas, and how race and racism influence social systems. In order to demonstrate the prevalence of race and racism in the U.S., the course will be a “topics” course in that each week, we will explore a different topic (such as education, crime, gender) and examine how they are influenced by race and racism. In addition, the course will compare and contrast the experiences of different racial and ethnic groups in the United States and examine how these different experiences influences the way they are seen, how they see themselves, and how they interact with other groups. Upon completion of the course, students will have a better understanding of the historic and contemporary significance of race and how race influences our everyday interactions in multiple different social arenas.

Genders and Sexualities in the US In this course we will explore and examine how genders and sexualities are constructed and the  implications that such constructions have on individuals and societies. We will examine the  theories, concepts, practices, and beliefs about sex, gender, sexuality, and sexual identity and  explore how these concepts are different between different groups and how they have changed  over time, specifically using an intersectional lens. Students will be encouraged to discuss  intricacies of their own sexual and gender identities and how these statuses may impact their  social status and their relationships with others and the larger society.

Global Gays and the Global Gayze In this course we will explore the ways that non-straight sexualities have been understood within a global context. Specifically, we will examine the various ways that non-straight sexualities have been constructed around the globe, the factors that have led to the development of various forms of sexual identifications, as well as the linkages between different cultures, nations, and locations that have influenced the ways that societal beliefs about non-straight sexualities, as well as non-straight sexual “identities,” have come to be influenced through such connections.

Society and the Individual This course examines the ideas and enduring contributions of the giants of modern social theory, including Karl Marx, Max Weber, Emile Durkheim, and Sigmund Freud. Readings will include selections from original works, as well as contemporary essays. Key issues will include the nature of modernity, the direction of social change, and the role of human agency in constructing the "good society." This course serves as a general introduction to sociology.

Politics of Identity In this course we will introduce students to social diversity in the U.S. as it is reflected in four master identities: class, gender, race, and sexuality. We will examine what these identities mean for group membership, how group membership is attained or ascribed and maintained. Using both historical and contemporary materials, we will explore how identities have developed over time and how they have been challenged. In addition, we will examine how multiple identities intersect and the implications of these intersections have on individual identities.

Chong Han

Reviews and ratings for Chong Han at Middlebury College.Chong Han teaches Different Ways of Being, Social Psychology in Sociology, Posse Leadership Development and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Chong Han good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

Prof. Han is one of the funniest professors I've ever encountered. The weekly reading reflections can feel a bit overwhelming, especially if you're not someone who enjoys writing or reflecting on academic readings. Some of the readings are fairly old and may seem outdated, but they still serve the purpose of the course. Be prepared for a pretty reading-heavy workload. The exams are short-essay based, and there's also a final project. Overall, it's an interesting class, especially if you enjoy sociology and don't mind doing a lot of reading and writing.

Professor Han uses a blend of real-world and personal examples to support the foundational concepts of sociology. I found this helpful, since some of the key readings are outdated and from the mid-1900s. 

This course was complicated. While it had a lot of potential, personal reasons related to the professor (which he was well aware of and how it was affecting our overall experience) prevented any real instruction beyond two lectures at the beginning of the semester. For the rest of the classes, we watched a movie, one group would present the sociological themes present in the film, and we would discuss as an entire group. 