Course Descriptions

Sociology

SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology 3 cr. (GE7) An introduction to the basic insights, concepts, theories and methods of the discipline. The course encourages students to think critically, to apply sociological knowledge, and to develop a global perspective. Topics for discussion include culture, social interaction, deviance, sexuality, stratification, race relations, gender, family, economics, politics, technology and social change. SOC 101 is a Prerequisite(s) for all 300 and 400 level SOC courses.

SOC 200H Idea of Society 3 cr. (GE7) The idea of society is perhaps one of the most difficult abstractions in our repertoire. This course introduces the student to various perspectives that seek to explain both the historical and contemporary meaning of society. Honors Program admission or 3.30 cumulative GPA and permission of the instructor is required.

SOC 201 Social Problems 3 cr. A sociological analysis of major social problems.

SOC 210 Introduction to Anthropology 3 cr. (GE7) Examination of customs, institutions, and social organization of preliterate societies. Brief consideration of physical and biological aspects of human development.

SOC 241 Basic Social Statistics 3 cr. Exploration of fundamental statistical concepts in measurement, scaling, binomial and normal distribution, sampling, surveys, and descriptive and inferential techniques as well as hypothesis testing. Sociological application of the concepts just outlined with special emphasis on t-test, chi-square, correlation, and regression. The course has both classroom demonstration and lab components.

SOC 252 Criminology 3 cr. Study of criminal behavior, including the nature and causes of crime, and of official responses to criminal law violations. Prerequisite(s): SOC 101.

SOC 255 Changing American Family 3 cr. An introduction to diverse family issues and concerns in American society. The course examines the changing functions, patterns and structures of the family as a major social institution. Topics include changing patterns of dating, mate selection, cohabitation, marriage, dual career families, adoption, divorce and remarriage.

SOC 278 Social Research Methods 3 cr. Study of the basic methods of empirical social science research. Topics include techniques and theory of research design, formulating and testing hypotheses, measurements, sampling, modes of observation, data management, and elementary data analysis.

SOC 299/499 Special Topics in Sociology 1-8 cr. These are flexible courses that may be taught depending on student needs. The design of the course is to present the student an opportunity to concentrate on various topics. Repeatable for credit as topics change.

SOC 353 Sociology of Education 3 cr. A critical analysis of both formal and informal learning in society. This course focuses on the structure and function of the learning process, and the impact of social structure upon the institution of education. Prerequisite(s): SOC 101.

SOC 357 Sociology of Religion 3 cr. A sociological analysis of religious belief, behavior, organization, and the relation between religion as an institution and the larger society of which it is a part. Prerequisite(s): SOC 101.

SOC 361 Comparative Ethnic Studies 3 cr. Examination of the social, political, legal, and economic development of ethnic inequality in our American society. Topics include prejudice and discrimination, majority and minority relations, institutionalized racism, intergroup contacts, migration, immigration, affirmative action and equal opportunity programs. Prerequisite(s): SOC 101.

SOC 362 Black (African)-American Culture 3 cr. An examination of the distinct and continuous tradition of African-American culture framework of American society. Primary emphasis is on continental African culture and its appropriation into Black (African)-American culture. Topics include folklore, religion, music, and language. Prerequisite(s): SOC 101.

SOC 363 Sociology of Gender 3 cr. This course focuses on the social, political, legal, and economic dimensions of contemporary women’s issues. Topics include the feminization of poverty, reproductive technology, single parenthood, childcare policies, aggression against women, and institutionalized sexism. Prerequisite(s): SOC 101.

SOC 365 Social Stratification 3 cr. Study of inequality. Special emphasis is placed on differences in social class, status, and power. Prerequisite(s): SOC 101.

SOC 369 Studies in Deviance 3 cr. This course examines how so-called deviant identities, communities, desires, and practices are socially, historically, and culturally constructed. Particular emphasis is placed on non-traditional forms of deviancy. Discussion topics include transgender issues, queer theory, body modification, religious fanaticism, and militia groups. Prerequisite(s): SOC 101.

SOC 371 Sociobiology 3 cr. Study of the evolutionary basis of social behavior. Major topics include a brief history of the discipline within a context of the nature-nurture debate, comparative studies of animal and human behavior, and the evolutionary basis of sexual behavior, aggression, and stratification. Prerequisite(s): SOC 101.

SOC 374 Cultural Studies 3 cr. This course provides students with a basic understanding of the dynamics of culture and its impact on global change. Areas covered include: institutional structures of culture, cultural history and legacies, production and distribution of culture, effects of culture on meaning and social action. Prerequisite(s): SOC 101.

SOC 375 Social Change and Development 3 cr. Designed to familiarize students with the theories, methods, and analytical frameworks for understanding social change and development in a global context. Topics covered include gender and race/ ethnicity issues, social movements, and collective behavior, economic development, and globalization. Prerequisite(s): SOC 101 and three credits of Sociology.

SOC 376 Social Psychology 3 cr. Study of the social sources and patterns of perception, attribution, socialization, and interpersonal interaction. Prerequisite(s): SOC 101.

SOC 379 Sociology of Aging 3 cr. Social processes affecting patterns of the aging population involving health, wealth, housing, retirement and widowhood.

SOC 399 Senior Readings 3 cr. Intended for students close to completing their major/minor sociology requirements. This course provides a forum for students to test the knowledge and skills they have acquired throughout their course of study by re-examining specific issues pertinent to sociology. Topics to be discussed range from civic, political, and religious participation through race, ethnicity, and gender issues. Prerequisite(s): SOC 101, three credits of sociology, and consent of instructor. Repeatable for credit.

SOC 401 Research Project 3 cr. Major paper involving literature review or empirical research. Prerequisite(s): SOC 101, three credits of sociology, and consent of instructor.

SOC 451 Political Sociology 3 cr. Examines the relationship between society and politics through an analysis of the intersection of economic development, social relations, and the political sphere. Employing an international perspective, the course examines how race, ethnicity, and gender interact with political culture, ideology, and the state. Prerequisite(s): SOC 101 and three credits of Sociology.

SOC 455 Global Families 3 cr. Cross-cultural and crossnational analysis highlighting the diversity among family patterns and the impact of social change on these patterns. The course specifically examines the relationship between social, economic, political, and economic conditions of the society and how these conditions impact family roles, values, norms, and problems. Prerequisite(s): SOC 101 and three credits of sociology.

SOC 459 Complex Organizations 3 cr. Study of social units or human groups deliberately constructed to seek specific goals; examination of origins of large scale bureaucratic structures and their place in contemporary societies, and of factors affecting occupational allocation including labor market position of women and minorities. Prerequisite(s): SOC 101 and three credits of sociology.

SOC 476 Classical Sociology Theory 3 cr. An in-depth review of social theory and the historical conditions underlying is development. Specifically, the course traces back the origins of sociological through to the Enlightenment. Key Enlightenment philosophers that exemplified sociology in the making Vico, Montesquieu, Rousseau, Ferguson, Millar, and Smith, and Helgel from the post-Enlightenment era will be discussed. Additional key theorists discussed include Marx, Comte, Durkheim, Weber, Simmel, Pareto, Antonio Gramsci, and George Lukacs. Prerequisite(s): SOC 101 and three credits of sociology.

SOC 477 Contemporary Sociological Theory 3 cr. Contemporary Sociological Theory is designed to be both a wide-ranging and eclectic exploration of current theoretical perspectives. Throughout the course major orientation and debates within contemporary sociological theory and the different research directions that they give rise to, are examined. The subject focuses on the current shift from classical sociology, focused on national societies, roles, classes, and institutions, to contemporary sociological approaches to globalization, risk society and environment, network society and individualization. Prerequisite(s): SOC 101 and three credits of sociology.

SOC 497 Practicum/lnternship 1-6 cr. Placement in applied setting for practical experience. Community and campus settings are available. Prerequisite(s): SOC 101, three credits of sociology, and consent of instructor.