Sociology (SOC)
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SOC 1010G. Intro to Sociology. (3 Credits)
Introduces basic sociological concepts, including theories and research methods. Explores major sociological topics, such as culture, globalization, socialization, groups, organizations, social institutions, social change, and social inequality. Challenges students to think critically about social issues on global and local scales and reflect on their life experiences from a sociological perspective.
SOC 1010H. Introduction to Sociology. (3 Credits)
Introduces basic sociological concepts, including theories and research methods. Explores major sociological topics, such as culture, globalization, socialization, groups, organizations, social institutions, social change, and social inequality. Challenges students to think critically about social issues on global and local scales and reflect on their life experiences from a sociological perspective. Fulfills honor's requirement.
SOC 1020. Modern Social Problems. (3 Credits)
Studies and analyzes modern social problems such as crime, delinquency, family dysfunctions and inequality and exploitation of people in contemporary society. Class requires volunteer experience in community agencies.
SOC 1070G. Multicultural Societies. (3 Credits)
Examines the benefits and challenges of diversity in the United States. Explores history and life experiences of people from various racial and ethnic groups. Provides a forum for constructive interaction among people of different racial, ethnic, social, economic, and religious backgrounds.
SOC 2370. Sociology of Gender. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1010 or ENGH 1005 with a C+ or higher
Examines sociological perspectives on gender roles globally. Addresses the effect of social construction of gender roles in various cultures around the world. Investigates how roles have changed over time and the consequences of these changes to broader societal norms globally and in the United States.
Examines sociological perspectives on gender roles globally. Addresses the effect of social construction of gender roles in various cultures around the world. Investigates how roles have changed over time and the consequences of these changes to broader societal norms globally and in the United States.
SOC 2600. Sociology of the Family. (3 Credits)
Analyzes marriages and family issues from a sociological perspective. Teaches different theoretical perspectives regarding family issues, diversity of marriage and family styles, factors affecting marriage and family styles, and research findings on family matters. Examines the meaning of marriage and the family, variations in American family life, gender and family, intimacy, friendship, love, communication, power, and conflict, singlehood and cohabitation, parenthood, marriage and work, intimate violence, separation and divorce, single-parent families, remarriages, and blended families.
SOC 2630G. Race and Minority Relations. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 2010 with a C+ or higher
Studies ethnic and racial minority groups and the development of formal and informal relationships shared by these groups and the majority group. Explores the roles and origins of these groups and the concepts of prejudice, ethnic inequalities, current minority group movements, cross-cultural issues, economic, political, and educational aspects of majority-minority relations.
Studies ethnic and racial minority groups and the development of formal and informal relationships shared by these groups and the majority group. Explores the roles and origins of these groups and the concepts of prejudice, ethnic inequalities, current minority group movements, cross-cultural issues, economic, political, and educational aspects of majority-minority relations.
SOC 2750R. Survey of Current Topics. (1-3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): SOC 1010G and ENGL 1010 or ENGH 1005 with a C+ grade or higher
Presents selected topics in Sociology. Approaches subjects from a cross-disciplinary perspective. Requires a project demonstrating competency in the specific topic. May be repeated with different topics for nine credits toward graduation.
Presents selected topics in Sociology. Approaches subjects from a cross-disciplinary perspective. Requires a project demonstrating competency in the specific topic. May be repeated with different topics for nine credits toward graduation.
SOC 3030. Social Research Methods. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): PSY 3110 (statistics) with a C- or higher and University Advanced Standing
Teaches how to conduct social science research. Introduces different research methods in social sciences, including experiments, surveys, field research, and unobtrusive research. Covers the following topics: steps in scientific research, the ethics of social research, research design, the logic of sampling, and strengths and limitations of each type of data collection method.
Teaches how to conduct social science research. Introduces different research methods in social sciences, including experiments, surveys, field research, and unobtrusive research. Covers the following topics: steps in scientific research, the ethics of social research, research design, the logic of sampling, and strengths and limitations of each type of data collection method.
SOC 3400. Sociology of Religion. (3 Credits)
SOC 3430. Sociology of Education. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 2010 with a C+ or higher, SOC 1010G, and University Advanced Standing
Examines education systems in the U.S. and across the glove from sociological perspectives. Investigates educational trends and issues such as private vs. public systems, dropout rates, desegregation, student achievement/failure, and education policies. Discusses how the distribution of educational resources are affected by some social factors such as race, class, and gender. Examines the 'Hidden Curriculum' and education reform.
Examines education systems in the U.S. and across the glove from sociological perspectives. Investigates educational trends and issues such as private vs. public systems, dropout rates, desegregation, student achievement/failure, and education policies. Discusses how the distribution of educational resources are affected by some social factors such as race, class, and gender. Examines the 'Hidden Curriculum' and education reform.
SOC 3460. Political Sociology. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 2010 with a C+ or higher, SOC 1010G, and University Advanced Standing
Explores the distribution of political power at national and international levels from various theoretical perspectives. Examines the power wielded by international media conglomerates and the influence of international institutions. Analyzes the relationship between the state and society in terms of social, cultural, economic, and political factors.
Explores the distribution of political power at national and international levels from various theoretical perspectives. Examines the power wielded by international media conglomerates and the influence of international institutions. Analyzes the relationship between the state and society in terms of social, cultural, economic, and political factors.
SOC 3501. Social Psychology. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): SOC 1010G and University Advanced Standing
Examines individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in social contexts. Analyzes human behaviors from a sociological perspective. Includes the history of sociological social psychology, perspectives and research methods in sociological social psychology, the social psychology of stratification, self and identity, socialization over the life course, social psychology of deviance, mental health and illness, social attitudes, sociology of emotions and relationships, and collective behavior.
Examines individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in social contexts. Analyzes human behaviors from a sociological perspective. Includes the history of sociological social psychology, perspectives and research methods in sociological social psychology, the social psychology of stratification, self and identity, socialization over the life course, social psychology of deviance, mental health and illness, social attitudes, sociology of emotions and relationships, and collective behavior.
SOC 3510. Sociology of Work and Occupations. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 2010 with a minimum C+ grade, SOC 1010G, and University Advanced Standing
Examines work and occupations in historical and contemporary contexts. Examines current employment patterns and trends, the nature of labor markets and jobs, the gendered arrangements of paid and unpaid work, the organization and management of work. Explores transformations in occupational settings resulting from changes in economy and labor market. Focuses on the macro level (the effects of advancements in technology, bureaucratization and unionization on the division of labor), the micro-level (job satisfaction and alienation), and on the interface between macro and micro levels (job prestige, rewards, effects of ethnicity, age, and other characteristics).
Examines work and occupations in historical and contemporary contexts. Examines current employment patterns and trends, the nature of labor markets and jobs, the gendered arrangements of paid and unpaid work, the organization and management of work. Explores transformations in occupational settings resulting from changes in economy and labor market. Focuses on the macro level (the effects of advancements in technology, bureaucratization and unionization on the division of labor), the micro-level (job satisfaction and alienation), and on the interface between macro and micro levels (job prestige, rewards, effects of ethnicity, age, and other characteristics).
SOC 3520. Environmental Sociology. (3 Credits)
Cross-listed with: ENST 3520
Prerequisite(s): SOC 1010G and ENGL 2010 with a C+ grade or higher and University Advanced Standing
Explores in detail several different approaches to understanding the social causes of and solutions to environmental degradation. Discusses the development of a wide variety of theory-based critiques of various social institutions (e.g., economic, political, religious) and how these institutions' values can create and perpetuate unsustainable practices.
Explores in detail several different approaches to understanding the social causes of and solutions to environmental degradation. Discusses the development of a wide variety of theory-based critiques of various social institutions (e.g., economic, political, religious) and how these institutions' values can create and perpetuate unsustainable practices.
SOC 3560. Sociology of Deviance. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 2010 with a C+ or higher, SOC 1010G, and University Advanced Standing
Examines the strengths and weaknesses of several different definitions of deviance. Explains deviant behavior from a variety of theoretical perspectives and summarizes the existing data on several different forms of deviance, i.e., individual violations of social mores, street level crime, corporate crime, and crimes committed by nation states.
Examines the strengths and weaknesses of several different definitions of deviance. Explains deviant behavior from a variety of theoretical perspectives and summarizes the existing data on several different forms of deviance, i.e., individual violations of social mores, street level crime, corporate crime, and crimes committed by nation states.
SOC 3690. Internet Technology and Society. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): (ENGL 1010 or ENGH 1005), SOC 1010G, and University Advanced Standing
Traces the history of new media through a sociological approach. Utilizes sociological theories of new media and technological change, (internet, automation, digital turn, etc.) and their impact on identities and institutions. Refers to sociological theories to explain the pervasive presence of new media in society as well as our use of them.
Traces the history of new media through a sociological approach. Utilizes sociological theories of new media and technological change, (internet, automation, digital turn, etc.) and their impact on identities and institutions. Refers to sociological theories to explain the pervasive presence of new media in society as well as our use of them.
SOC 3700. Social Inequality. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): (ENGL 2010 with a C+ or higher), SOC 1010G, and University Advanced Standing
Examines social stratification from a sociological perspective. Discusses social structure within American society. Analyzes how various resources are distributed unevenly based on gender, race, and social class.
Examines social stratification from a sociological perspective. Discusses social structure within American society. Analyzes how various resources are distributed unevenly based on gender, race, and social class.
SOC 3750G. Sociology of Aging. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): University Advanced Standing
Explores sociological theories in aging and the life course. Examines how aging is experienced at the personal, group, and larger social levels of society. Investigates how various life transitions and social roles are experienced among older adults, including intimate relationships, work and retirement, health and medical care, politics, and more. Analyzes how aging and aging-related social issues intersect with various social constructions and institutions in the U.S. and globally.
Explores sociological theories in aging and the life course. Examines how aging is experienced at the personal, group, and larger social levels of society. Investigates how various life transitions and social roles are experienced among older adults, including intimate relationships, work and retirement, health and medical care, politics, and more. Analyzes how aging and aging-related social issues intersect with various social constructions and institutions in the U.S. and globally.
SOC 3800. Animals and Society. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 2010 with a C+ or higher, SOC 1010G, and University Advanced Standing
Examines the roles that non-human animals play in human societies. Utilizes sociological approaches to study human-animal relationships and to critically evaluate the ideologies which justify these relationships. Pays particular attention to human relationships in North America to domestic pets, livestock, and wildlife.
Examines the roles that non-human animals play in human societies. Utilizes sociological approaches to study human-animal relationships and to critically evaluate the ideologies which justify these relationships. Pays particular attention to human relationships in North America to domestic pets, livestock, and wildlife.
SOC 3850. Rural Life--Global and Local. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 2010 with a C+ or higher, SOC 1010G, and University Advanced Standing
Introduces rural life across the globe. Discusses the views of agrarian writers and thinkers. Explores rural values, rural communities, rural race relations, and rural poverty. Evaluates how the rural perspective provides a platform for critique of modern societal transformations in the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries.
Introduces rural life across the globe. Discusses the views of agrarian writers and thinkers. Explores rural values, rural communities, rural race relations, and rural poverty. Evaluates how the rural perspective provides a platform for critique of modern societal transformations in the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries.
SOC 4000. Classical Social Theory. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): (ENGL 2010 with a minimum C+ grade), SOC 1010G, and University Advanced Standing
Examines the contributions of key classical theorists to contemporary sociology. Applies classical social theories to real-life scenarios. Provides potential solutions to social problems while challenging students to think critically.
Examines the contributions of key classical theorists to contemporary sociology. Applies classical social theories to real-life scenarios. Provides potential solutions to social problems while challenging students to think critically.
SOC 4020. Survey Research Design. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): University Advanced Standing
Teaches methods of conducting survey research. Explains how to construct, validate, and administer surveys, how to conduct interviews, how to report data, and how to interpret findings.
Teaches methods of conducting survey research. Explains how to construct, validate, and administer surveys, how to conduct interviews, how to report data, and how to interpret findings.
SOC 4100. Contemporary Social Theory. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): SOC 1010G and SOC 4000 and (ENGL 2010 with a C+ or higher) and University Advanced Standing
Examines major contemporary sociological theories that provide the basis for sociological research and the interpretation of social processes. Explores the nature of sociological theory and theory-building to understand the difference and connection between theoretical, methodological, and empirical works in sociology. Engages with diverse theoretical voices shaping social scientific thought.
Examines major contemporary sociological theories that provide the basis for sociological research and the interpretation of social processes. Explores the nature of sociological theory and theory-building to understand the difference and connection between theoretical, methodological, and empirical works in sociology. Engages with diverse theoretical voices shaping social scientific thought.
SOC 4400. Social Change. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 2010, SOC 1010G, and University Advanced Standing
Analyzes societies and their component parts. Evaluates various endogenous and exogenous forces which bring about social change. Examines historical and contemporary processes of social change and stratification. Explores current social conditions and applicable methods of social change.
Analyzes societies and their component parts. Evaluates various endogenous and exogenous forces which bring about social change. Examines historical and contemporary processes of social change and stratification. Explores current social conditions and applicable methods of social change.
SOC 4750R. Current Topics in Sociology. (1-3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 2010 with a minimum grade of C+, SOC 1010G, and University Advanced Standing
Presents selected topic in Sociology and will vary each semester. Requires a project demonstration competency in the specific topic. May be repeated with different topics for nine credits toward graduation.
Presents selected topic in Sociology and will vary each semester. Requires a project demonstration competency in the specific topic. May be repeated with different topics for nine credits toward graduation.
SOC 4900R. Independent Studies. (1-3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): Instructor approval and University Advanced Standing
Provides a hands-on research opportunity for those who wish to undertake a well-defined project or directed study within the field of sociology. Encourages individual initiative, responsibility and self-directed learning. Requires students to work closely with the instructor to plan and execute a research project. Includes elements of the research process, such as writing a research draft, publishable paper, or delivering an oral presentation. May be repeated for a maximum of six credits toward graduation.
Provides a hands-on research opportunity for those who wish to undertake a well-defined project or directed study within the field of sociology. Encourages individual initiative, responsibility and self-directed learning. Requires students to work closely with the instructor to plan and execute a research project. Includes elements of the research process, such as writing a research draft, publishable paper, or delivering an oral presentation. May be repeated for a maximum of six credits toward graduation.