Course Descriptions

 
SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology [  5I  5 ] (3)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years        Summer: On Demand
Introduces the sociological approach to understanding the structure and dynamics of society. Focuses on socialization, organization, social inequality, institutions, and social change.


SOC 120 Social Psychology [  5  5I ] (3)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
This course examines the relationship between society and individuals and the methods, theories, and findings of research in social psychology. Special attention is given to the social properties of mind, self, and human development.


SOC 210 Social Problems [  5M  5 ] (3)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Examines such problems as poverty crime, urban problems, family problems, environmental problems, and war and terrorism.


SOC 219 Sociology of Sexual Behavior (3)
Spring: All Years       
Examines sociological and social psychological perspectives and research on sexual behavior. Topics include childhood sexual behavior, adolescent sexual behavior, sex and mate selection, marital sex, extramarital sex, and various forms of sexual variation.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110 

SOC 220 Social Deviance (3)
Spring: All Years       
Theory, research and commentary on the sociology of deviant behavior.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110 

SOC 290 Topics in Sociology (1-3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand        Summer: On Demand
This course will consist of varying topics in the discipline of sociology.


SOC 300 Criminology (3)
Fall: All Years       
This course will survey the history of crime in society, including theories, research and commentaries on crime and delinquency.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110  SOC 220 

SOC 301 Delinquent Behavior (3)
Spring: All Years       
Delinquent behavior and programs for its prevention, treatment and control.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110  OR SOC 220 

SOC 302 Social Theory (3)
Spring: All Years       
Examines major theoretical approaches to the understanding of social structure and change, with special attention to the classical works of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110 

SOC 303 Punishment and Prisons (3)
Fall: All Years       
This class traces the origins and development of incarceration as the principle response to crime in the U.S. It explores changing punishment practices, reasons offered to justify punishment, and the social organization of contemporary U.S. prisons.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110  SOC 220 

SOC 304 Community Corrections (3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand        Summer: On Demand
Sociological analysis of community corrections, emphasizing probation and parole.
Prerequisite:  CJ 200  OR SOC 110 

SOC 307 Sociology of Courts (3)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Analyzes the criminal court as an organization; the prosecutor, the defense attorney, judges, officers, and professionals as a "work group" with pragmatic goals and working arrangements; and plea negotiations as the ordinary work technique.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110 

SOC 308 Social Gerontology (3)
Fall: All Years       
This course introduces students to the field of social gerontology for providing an overview of the significant sociological perspectives, social issues, and empirical social science research pertaining to the phenomenon of aging in society. The main goal of the course is to foster an understanding of aging as a process that is characteristic of both individuals and societies through a focus on social factors that shape the individual's experience of aging and the consequences of an aging population for social institutions. Same as SW 308.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110 

SOC 309 Law and Society [  W ] (4)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Relationships of law and society; social forces in law making; dynamics of law administration; social, cultural and behavioral effects of law; history and development of the legal profession; analysis of legal language and reasoning. Prerequisite may be waived with the consent of the instructor. Same as CJ 309.
Prerequisite:  SOC 302 

SOC 310 Dominant-Subordinate Group Relations [  5  5M ] (3)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Theoretical, historical and contemporary examination of prejudice, discrimination, and inequalities organized around race, ethnicity, and gender divisions.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110 

SOC 311 Sociology of Law Enforcement (3)
Fall: All Years       
Examines the origin, history and development of policing in the U.S. Specific issues such as community relations, organization, discretion, and corruption are explored from an occupational standpoint in policing.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110 

SOC 315 Population (3)
Fall: All Years       
Analysis of global, national and local population characteristics and change. Topics include fertility, mortality, aging, migration, refugees, urbanization, population policies, food supply, resources and environment.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110 

SOC 319 Society and the Environment [  10 ] (3)
Spring: All Years       
Throughout time societies have struggled to maintain an appropriate balance between human groups and the physical environment. This course analyzes the social causes of environmental problems in an interdisciplinary fashion. Ecology, policy, politics, culture, ethics and history are all viewed through a sociological lens to explain the relationship between humans and the physical environment. The main goal of this course is to demonstrate the complexities of relationships between people and the environment. It also focuses heavily on the processes of social change.


SOC 320 Sociology of the Family (3)
Fall: All Years       
Examines the theoretical issues and research findings pertaining primarily to American family life. Topics include dating and mate selection, alternatives to traditional marriages, marital structure and interaction, and marital dissolution.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110 

SOC 322 Urban Sociology (3)
Spring: All Years       
Historical and contemporary analysis of urban organization, life and change including population, community, political economy, culture, urban design and planning from the global to local level.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110 

SOC 325 Social Movements (3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
Analysis of movement origins, ideology, dynamics, organization, challenges and success in creating social change. Theories and case studies of past and current movements, global to local.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110 

SOC 330 Sociology of Religion (3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
Emphasizes a sociological understanding of religion, magic, myth, patterns of religious organizations, secularization, new religion movements, and other related topics.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110 

SOC 333 Sociology of Gender (3)
Spring: On Demand       
Focuses on the social construction of gender and consequences of gender stratification for women and men. Topics may include: gender differences; the concept of "gender role"; gender in the economic, political, and educational institutions; discrimination; and the feminist movement.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110 

SOC 334 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Issues [  7  7M ] (3)
Spring: Even Years       
Seminar course on the historical and social contexts of personal, cultural, and political aspects of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) life.


SOC 350 Methods and Statistics for Social Research (4)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Focus on the logic of science, a survey of basic methodologies, and introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110 

SOC 351 Quantitative Methods [  W ] (3)
Spring: All Years       
This course is a continuation of Sociology 350. The objective of the course is to offer hands-on experience in quantitative research methods and data analysis. Students will design and carry out a research project utilizing quantitative research methods, analyze data using descriptive and inferential statistics, conduct elementary hypothesis testing, and write reports of their findings. Students will gain experience using statistical packages for data analyses on computers.


SOC 352 Qualitative Methods [  W ] (3)
Spring: All Years       
This course provides advanced training in qualitative research though an applied approach whereby students carry out an original research project, from the initial conceptualization stage, through data collection and analysis, and writing the report, and presenting the findings. This advanced data analysis course provides training in several qualitative approaches in sociological research, with the central foci on ethnographic observations and depth interviewing.


SOC 355 Society and the Ecosystem (3)
Fall: All Years       
Focuses on relationships between social systems and ecosystems. Examines how human systems of agriculture, transportation, housing and energy are related to environmental pollution, depletion, and sustainability. Will also examine the development of the environmental movement and global environmental issues.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110 

SOC 360 Latin American Issues (3)
Fall: All Years       
This course examines social, economic and political development in contemporary Latin America. Topics include economic policies, inequality, politics, the military, revolutionary movements and conflict, status of women, indigenous peoples, Afro-Latins and children, religion, environment, impact of drugs, and human rights.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110 

SOC 375 Sociology of Health and Medicine (3)
Spring: All Years       
Social factors in health, illness, and medical care. Topics include the social construction of health/illness, the experience of illness, health professions and organizations, and the health care system.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110 

SOC 390 Topics in Sociology (1-3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
Varying topics from the discipline of sociology.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110 

SOC 404 Political Sociology (3)
Fall: On Demand       
Examines power in society, with a focus on the United States. It will include a variety of theoretical perspectives in political sociology, including Marxism, elite theories, state-centered theories, and pluralism. Major topics include: theoretical perspectives on power in society, the role of ideology in political power, the distribution of power in society, and political participation.
Prerequisite:  SOC 302 

SOC 407 Contemporary Sociological Theory [  W ] (3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
This advanced undergraduate seminar introduces students to contemporary sociological theory. It centers on the development of the major theoretical frameworks used by contemporary sociologists to understand the late-modern world. The starting point is the 1920s, and continues to the last fin-de-siecle and beyond. Theoretical frameworks considered includes the following: structural functionalism, systems and network theories, critical theory, rational choice and exchange theories, structuralism, structuration theory, critical race theory, feminist epistemologies, theories on power and the body, and the influence of post-modern theory.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110 

SOC 410 Gerontology: Policy and Practice (4)
Spring: All Years       
This course is a writing intensive senior seminar for gerontology majors. Four to six hours a week will involved field experience working in a facility involving elderly care. Two hours a week will involve in-class discussions of the field experience as well as an examination of social policies relating to the elderly, including Social Security, Medicare, the Older Americans Act and Medicaid. Same as SW 410.


SOC 412 Sociology of Complex Organizations (3)
Fall: All Years       
Analyzes large-scale bureaucratic organizations. Topics include: the characteristics of bureaucracy; the uses of power by organizations; the effectiveness of organizations; and the impact of organizations on societal change.
Prerequisite:  SOC 302 

SOC 414 Symbolic Interactionism (3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
This seminar deepens and extends the themes and ideas initially introduced in Sociology 230. Current issues in symbolic interactionism as well as application of the perspective to the students' concerns will be emphasized.
Prerequisite:  SOC 220 

SOC 416 Violence in the Family (3)
Fall: Odd Years       
Application of the sociological perspective to the following topics: family violence as an emergent social problem; physical and sexual abuse of children; dating, marital, and sibling violence; societal-level "solutions."
Prerequisite:  SOC 320 

SOC 418 Sociology of Education (2)
Spring: On Demand       
Examines societal factors and school structures that affect learning in primary and secondary schools and in higher education. Focuses on the effects of social class, sex differences, individual abilities, and the structure of the classroom and the school. Examination of inequality in education as it applies to specific ethnic groups and social classes will be considered. Same as ED 418.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110 

SOC 450 Senior Seminar in Sociology (3)
Spring: All Years       
This is the capstone seminar for sociology majors. Examines some of the most prominent theoretical and substantive issues identified by sociologists. The course will include a major paper and a seminar presentation.
Prerequisite:  SOC 302 

SOC 469 Internship (1-12)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years        Summer: All Years
A supervised practical experience in sociology. A maximum of 12 internship credits may be applied to the degree. Internship credits may not apply to the minimum required for the sociology major.


SOC 490 Topics in Sociology (1-3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
Varying topics from the discipline of sociology.


SOC 497 Readings in Sociology (1-3)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years        Summer: All Years
A program of advanced readings in some topic under the supervision of an instructor. May be repeated to a maximum of 4 credits.


SOC 512 Sociology of Complex Organizations (2)
Fall: All Years       
Analyzes large-scale bureaucratic organizations. Topics include: the characteristics of bureaucracy; the uses of power by organizations; the effectiveness of organizations; and the impact of organizations on societal change.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110 

SOC 516 Violence in the Family (3)
Fall: Odd Years       
Application of the sociological perspective to the following topics: emergence of family violence as a social problem; physical and sexual abuse of children; dating, marital and sibling violence; abuse of the elderly; societal-level "solutions."
Prerequisite:  SOC 110 

SOC 518 Sociology of Education (2)
Spring: All Years       
Examines societal factors and school structures that affect learning in primary and secondary schools and in higher education. Focuses on the effects of social class, sex differences, individual abilities, and the structure of the classroom and the school. Examination of inequality in education as it applies to specific ethnic groups and social classes will also be considered.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110