This course will examine classical and contemporary social theorists that have contributed to sociological knowledge historically and at present. Students will learn how to apply social theories to a variety of contemporary research topics. Theories covered will include: conflict, functionalism, symbolic interactionism, social ecological theory, feminist theories, queer theory, critical race theory, and others.
Examination of sex trafficking & sex work as social issues. Students will apply both sociological theory and methods to analyze these issues in the context of global trends and policies.
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.
Introduces and applies the methods of social research design, sampling, quantitative and qualitative data collection, measurement, and analysis.
(2 laboratory) Continued instruction of research methods for the social sciences. Students learn to analyze and interpret and analyze data for a variety of qualitative and quantitative techniques.
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.
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.
Examine the societal definition of childhood and adolescence and how social institutions influence socialization.
Examine the relationships between individuals and social systems. Focus on language interaction, self-conceptualizing behaviors and change. Review dominant social psychological theories and issues.
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.
Examination of the unequal distribution of environmental risks and benefits across populations, the environmental justice movement, environmental policies and regulatory practices.
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.
We examine the body as object and subject of shifting race, gender, class and sexual meanings and as the product of complex social processes, including culture, medicalization, objectification, commodification and globalization.
Sociological perspective 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.
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.
Offerings focus on sociological topics not regularly offered in the program. Topics focus on expertise of available instructors and the specific needs of students. S/U or letter graded.