Sociology (SOC)
SOC 1010. Introduction to Sociology SS. (3 Credits)
Studies and compares social groups and institutions and their inter-relationships. Includes culture, socialization, deviance, stratification, race, ethnicity, social change, and collective behavior.
SOC 101H. Introduction to Sociology SS. (3 Credits)
Studies and compares social groups and institutions and their inter-relationships. Includes culture, socialization, deviance, stratification, race, ethnicity, social change, and collective behavior.
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 107G. Multicultural Societies SS GI. (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 SS. (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 263G. Race and Minority Relations GI. (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 275R. Survey of Current Topics. (1-3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): (ANTH 101G or PSY 1010 or SOC 1010) 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 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 for nine credits toward graduation.
SOC 3030. Social Research Methods WE. (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 1010, and University Advanced Standing
For students who desire a better understanding of United States and world education systems. Examines and investigates educational trends and issues such as private vs. public systems; dropout rates; desegregation; student achievement/failure; education policies; race; class; gender issues; the 'Hidden Curriculum'; and education reform using Sociological theory and empirical research.
For students who desire a better understanding of United States and world education systems. Examines and investigates educational trends and issues such as private vs. public systems; dropout rates; desegregation; student achievement/failure; education policies; race; class; gender issues; the 'Hidden Curriculum'; and education reform using Sociological theory and empirical research.
SOC 3460. Political Sociology. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 2010 with a C+ or higher, SOC 1010, and University Advanced Standing
Explores the distribution of political power at the national and international levels from a variety of theoretical perspectives. Pays particular attention to the power wielded by international media conglomerates and the influence of international institutions such as the World Trade Organization, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund.
Explores the distribution of political power at the national and international levels from a variety of theoretical perspectives. Pays particular attention to the power wielded by international media conglomerates and the influence of international institutions such as the World Trade Organization, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund.
SOC 3501. Social Psychology. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): SOC 1010 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 1010, 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 1010 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 101G, 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 and Society. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): (ENGL 1010 or ENGH 1005), SOC 1010, and University Advanced Standing
Traces the history of new media through a sociological approach. Utilizes sociological theories of mass media and new media, (internet, smartphones, social media, etc.) and their impact on identities and institutions. Refers to sociological theories created in the pre-internet era – such as symbolic interactionism – 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 mass media and new media, (internet, smartphones, social media, etc.) and their impact on identities and institutions. Refers to sociological theories created in the pre-internet era – such as symbolic interactionism – to explain the pervasive presence of new media in society as well as our use of them.
SOC 3700. Social Inequality. (3 Credits)
SOC 375G. Sociology of Aging GI. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): University Advanced Standing
Explores the social aspects of aging at the personal, group, and larger social levels of society including the social implications of aging, the theories of aging, as well as formal and informal support of medical care, housing, and well-being of elderly persons. Includes the study of the identify the biological processes of aging and its impact on the roles and relationships elderly person experience in the later stages of life. Emphasizes the individual's experience in the context of national and global demographic trends, cultural and ethnic diversities and economic realities across the classes and across political boundaries.
Explores the social aspects of aging at the personal, group, and larger social levels of society including the social implications of aging, the theories of aging, as well as formal and informal support of medical care, housing, and well-being of elderly persons. Includes the study of the identify the biological processes of aging and its impact on the roles and relationships elderly person experience in the later stages of life. Emphasizes the individual's experience in the context of national and global demographic trends, cultural and ethnic diversities and economic realities across the classes and across political boundaries.
SOC 3800. Animals and Society. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 2010 with a C+ or higher, SOC 1010, 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 1010, 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 1010, and University Advanced Standing
Examines the contributions of key theorists such as Durkheim, Weber, Marx, DuBois, and Addams to the development of contemporary sociology. Applies key theoretical concepts and frameworks created and used by classical sociologists to current and historical social issues.
Examines the contributions of key theorists such as Durkheim, Weber, Marx, DuBois, and Addams to the development of contemporary sociology. Applies key theoretical concepts and frameworks created and used by classical sociologists to current and historical social issues.
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 WE. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): SOC 1010 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. Covers influential theoretical frameworks, such as structural functionalism, Frankfurt School, exchange and rational choice theories, symbolic interactionism, phenomenology, poststructuralism, postmodernism, feminism, and world systems theories.
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. Covers influential theoretical frameworks, such as structural functionalism, Frankfurt School, exchange and rational choice theories, symbolic interactionism, phenomenology, poststructuralism, postmodernism, feminism, and world systems theories.
SOC 4400. Social Change. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 2010, SOC 1010, 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. Offered once every other year.
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. Offered once every other year.
SOC 475R. Current Topics in Sociology. (1-3 Credits)
SOC 490R. Independent Studies. (1-3 Credits)
Prerequisite(s): Instructor approval, department chair approval, and University Advanced Standing; for Behavioral Science Bachelor Degree students only
For qualified students who wish to undertake a well-defined project or directed study related to an area of special interest. Requires individual initiative and responsibility. Includes limited formal instruction and faculty supervision. Projects may include writing a publishable paper, passing a competency exam, producing an annotated bibliography, oral presentation, or other options as approved by instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.
For qualified students who wish to undertake a well-defined project or directed study related to an area of special interest. Requires individual initiative and responsibility. Includes limited formal instruction and faculty supervision. Projects may include writing a publishable paper, passing a competency exam, producing an annotated bibliography, oral presentation, or other options as approved by instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.