Overview of basic theories, methods, concepts and issues central to the discipline of sociology. Examine the relationship between social behavior and society. (LAC, gtP)
Survey the characteristics, issues and problems of the family as a social institution. Topics discussed include: marital satisfaction, conflict, mate selection, alternatives and social change. (LAC, gtP)
Analysis of selected social problems, both domestic and global. Exploration of why social problems occur, how different value premises and theoretical perspectives lead to distinctive ways of addressing social problems. Issues such as poverty, crime, homelessness, intergroup conflicts are examples of the types of issues examined. (LAC, gtP)
Topics which are not regularly offered in the program focus on expertise of available instructors and the needs and interests of students. Repeatable under different subtitles. S/U graded or letter graded. Access online schedule of classes for specific topics and syllabi.
Explore the interaction and reciprocal relationship between humans and the environment. Examine how humans modify the environment and how the environment influences behavioral response and societal decisions. Understand environmental problems and consider alternative behavior models and possible solutions.
Examine gender stratification and social inequality. Topics include cultural definitions of masculinity and femininity, socialization and social change. (LAC, gtP)
Examines sociological perspectives, theories, and research on popular culture in society. Focus on people, activities, organizations, and institutions involved in production of popular culture.
This course explores how sociological skills are applicable to a variety of careers. Students will be introduced to the sociology major requirements, including preparation for the senior seminar research project.
This course includes a survey of the major economic, political and social forces that have shaped the modern world. The course will provide an introduction to theories of social change as well as a discussion of contemporary issues in a globalizing context. (LAC)
Examine intergroup relations and the dynamics of power relating to ethnicity and other dimensions of social life that have produced tension and conflict among groups historically and in the present. (LAC, gtP)
This course examines multiple and shifting categories of gender, race, class, and sexuality in feminist perspective, investigating how they contribute to our understandings of systems of privilege and inequality. (LAC)
Study social deviancy, particularly in terms of types, sources, functions, dysfunctions and social control mechanisms that operate relative to those departures from conformity.
Sociological perspectives on mental illness. Examine conceptual models of mental illness, social epidemiological help-seeking behavior, social impacts of treatment, mental health delivery systems and social policy issues.
Examines sociological perspectives, theories, and research on emotions. Focus on the social definitions and relationship between social structure; and emotional socialization, emotion rules, management, and performance rituals in everyday life.
Investigation and analysis of a specific social problem or issue. Repeatable, under different subtitles.
Various sociological topics of current interest, but otherwise not part of the sociology program offerings. Repeatable, under different subtitles. S/U graded or letter graded. Access online schedule of classes for specific topics and syllabi.
An introduction to the sociology of disability. Examines different models of disability; the “social construction” and reality of being disabled; and recent legislation regarding persons with disabilities.
This course examines the social construction of gender within the context of aging in America. We will examine social issues such as masculinity, femininity, class inequality, race/ethnicity and sexuality as they relate to aging, generational differences, and the life course.
Students will engage in an analysis of how gender and sexuality operate in the media and pop culture and examine how these representations affect identity formation. Can also be taken as GNDR 320.
Prerequisite: SOC 120. Examine theoretical perspectives and research issues in the family. Analyze current issues in the family studies areas. Possible topics: singlehood, prenuptial contracts, dual career households, divorce, parenting, cohabitation, custody arrangements.
History of occupational structures as well as the future of work and occupations. Topics include occupational choice, socialization, managing workers, feelings about work and deviance at work.
Prerequisite: SOC 100. Examine the societal definition of childhood and adolescence and how social institutions influence socialization.
Prerequisite: SOC 100. Examine the relationships between individuals and social systems. Focus on language interaction, self-conceptualizing behaviors and change. Review dominant social psychological theories and issues.
Prerequisite: SOC 100. Presents a critical analysis of the realities of America's open-class system, making use of current theoretical perspectives and systematic research. Examines cross-cultural perspectives of stratification.
Study the history of juvenile law, enforcement structures and explanations for the emergence of delinquency. Study the American juvenile legal system and its major problems.
Survey criminal behavior generally, including theories of causation, types of crime, extent of crime, law enforcement, criminal justice, punishment and treatment.
Survey of the history and structure of punishment in Western societies. Review of the major philosophies and practices of modern corrections.
Prerequisite: SOC 100. Study the major classical theorists who established the foundations of sociology during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Focus on the emergence of sociology.
Prerequisite: SOC 351. Review the major modern theoretical paradigms and prominent contemporary theorists in sociology. Examine contemporary issues in sociology.
Prerequisite: SOC 100. Prerequisite or concurrent: SOC 231. Co-requisite: SOC 363. Introduces the fundamental logic and methods of social research. Topics may include hypothesis formulation and testing, designing a research project, sampling, methods of data collection including surveys and field observation, analysis of data utilizing statistical procedures, introduction to a statistical computer package, data presentation, report writing, ethical issues. This is the first of a two course sequence.
Prerequisite: SOC 361. Co-requisite: SOC 364. Continuation of SOC 361 which includes an extension of methods of collecting and analyzing data discussed in SOC 361. The course may include topics such as index and scale construction, further use of computer applications for analysis, basic logic of multivariate causal reasoning and its application, analysis of variance and regression, introduction to evaluation research, report writing, and data presentation. The knowledge and skills gained in this two course research sequence may be used to design, conduct and present the results of a research study.
(1 laboratory) Co-requisite: SOC 361. Designed to familiarize students with the use of a statistical package for the social sciences. Students learn to organize, input and analyze data in a series of research reports.
(1 laboratory) Co-requisite: SOC 362. Continued instruction of a statistical package for the social sciences. Students learn to analyze and interpret computer output for a variety of inferential statistical techniques.
Prerequisites: SOC 100 or SOC 170. This course takes a theoretically informed, sociological approach to understanding how religions operate as a major social institution in society. Drawing on both macro and micro level theories and empirical evidence, this course evaluates the role of religion from antiquity to modern day.
Sociological perspectives on the mutual relationships between health care and society. Covers social factors in illness, illness behavior, sick role, health care providers and health care policies.
Prerequisite: SOC 100. Examine interrelationship between self and society in the modern world. Focus on sociological theories and research that analyze social influences on the self and response of self to these influences.
Systematically attempt to relate sociological concepts to the educational institution. Focus on an analysis of social processes and patterns involved in the educational system.
Enables students to critically and sociologically analyze trends, causes, and consequences of global immigration. Expands students' perspectives on citizenship, as well as immigrant and refugee experiences.
Prerequisite: SOC 100. Offerings focus on sociological topics not regularly offered in the program. Topics focus on expertise of available instructors and the specific needs of students. Repeatable, under different subtitles. S/U graded or letter graded. Access online course list. Open CRN link to view syllabus and evaluation method.
Prerequisite: SOC 231. Senior sociology majors or consent of instructor. Students examine a specific topic developed by the faculty member teaching the course. Students will apply research methods training and theoretical analysis to a research project culminating in a poster and oral presentation, as well as a written paper.
A sociological analysis not just of men, but of masculinities. We will address debates about meanings of masculinity, historical variations, and how these definitions involve both male and female bodies. Can also be taken as GNDR 414.
Prerequisite: SOC 100. Individualized investigation under the direct supervision of a faculty member. (Minimum of 37.5 clock hours required per credit hour.) Repeatable, maximum concurrent enrollment is two times.
Prerequisite: SOC 100. Juniors or above. Examine major issues in family violence such as defining family violence, comparing types of explanations from different disciplines and translating social science perspectives to policy and social service delivery systems.
Prerequisite: SOC 100. Analysis of complex organizations in education, health, criminal justice, business and media. Application of theories in structures of organizations, behaviors of individuals within organizations and interorganizational relationships.
Prerequisites: SOC 100. Juniors and above. Evaluate how group processes enhance, limit and define social interaction. Study the major theories of group dynamics.
Prerequisite: Juniors and above. Study the origin, structure and administration of criminal law as well as the effects of criminal-legal sanctions. Focus on substantive and procedural criminal law in the context of sociological theory and research.
Juniors and above. A course for juniors and seniors designed to teach students how to prepare grant proposals. This course gives students opportunities to learn by actively participating in the writing of a grant proposal.
Prerequisite: Juniors and above. Survey the history of social policy development and contemporary social change and social trends. Study research in social policy and analyze application and implementation.
Prerequisites: SOC 100, Junior or senior status and permission of instructor. Provide understanding of theory in social sciences, knowledge of major paradigms used in social science, assess applied explanatory strengths and weaknesses of these paradigms. Part of the Inter-disciplinary Non-Profit Administration Major.
Prerequisites: SOC 100. Juniors or above. Survey theories and research on the social aspects of aging with emphasis on later maturity and old age.
Prerequisite: SOC 100. Introduction to the sociological study of sport. Focus on sports as social and cultural phenomena, use sociological concepts and critical thinking to examine the impact of sports on social structure and institutions.
Prerequisites: Juniors and above. This course focuses on local, national and international communities. Major theories and empirical evidence will guide understanding of how communities work, their impact on individuals, and how they are constructed.
Prerequisite: SOC 100. For Interdisciplinary Non-Profit Administration majors only. Study the basic principles of field research by working as a volunteer intern with a community service agency. 50 clock hours required per credit hour. S/U graded. Repeatable, maximum of nine credits.
Prerequisite: Juniors or above. Provides students with the opportunity to study and gain experience by working with a community agency or group. Internship placement must be arranged and approved prior to the beginning of the course. Credit is given only for work completed during the semester enrolled. S/U graded. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits.
Prerequisites: SOC 231, SOC 352, SOC 362. Complete an individualized research project for a community agency or organization. Classroom component addresses issues in applied theory, applied research and professional socialization. Capstone course for Applied Sociology emphasis. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits.
Prerequisites: SOC 324, SOC 352, SOC 361, SOC 362. Majors only. Permission of instructor. Seniors or above. Complete an individualized applied research project for a family service agency. Classroom component addresses issues in applied research, professional socialization and family policy. Capstone course for the Family Studies emphasis.
Prerequisite: SOC 362. For Interdisciplinary Non-Profit Administration majors only. Individualized research project for a non-profit organization. Classroom component addresses issues in applied research. Project must be initiated before enrollment and approval of the project is required.