2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog

SOC 302 Variable Topics in Sociology

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.

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SOC 305 Sociology of Disability

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.
3

SOC 315 Gender and Aging

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.

3

SOC 324 Issues in the Family

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.

3

SOC 325 Sociology of Work and Occupations

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.

3

SOC 326 Sociology of Childhood and Adolescence

Prerequisite: SOC 100. Examine the societal definition of childhood and adolescence and how social institutions influence socialization.

3

SOC 332 Social Psychology

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.

3

SOC 333 Social Class and Inequality

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.

3

SOC 340 Juvenile Delinquency

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.

3

SOC 346 Criminology

Survey criminal behavior generally, including theories of causation, types of crime, extent of crime, law enforcement, criminal justice, punishment and treatment.

3

SOC 347 Sociology of Corrections

Survey of the history and structure of punishment in Western societies. Review of the major philosophies and practices of modern corrections.

3

SOC 351 Classical Social Theory

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.

3

SOC 352 Contemporary Social Theory

Prerequisite: SOC 351. Review the major modern theoretical paradigms and prominent contemporary theorists in sociology. Examine contemporary issues in sociology.

3

SOC 361 Methods of Sociological Research I

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.

3

SOC 362 Methods of Sociological Research II

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.

3

SOC 363 Methods of Sociological Research I Lab

(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

SOC 364 Methods of Sociological Research II Lab

(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.

1

SOC 366 Sociology of Religion

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.

3

SOC 375 Sociology of Health and Illness

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.

3

SOC 377 Self in Modern Society

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.

3

SOC 378 Sociology of Education

Systematically attempt to relate sociological concepts to the educational institution. Focus on an analysis of social processes and patterns involved in the educational system.

3

SOC 395 Topics in Sociology

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.

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