Sociology

SOC 100 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY (3)

Three hours lecture per week

An introductory study of the basic concepts, theoretical approaches, and methods of sociology. Topics include: the analysis and explanation of social structure, social change, group dynamics, socialization and self, social stratification, and cultural diversity.

GenEd: D  

SOC 201 SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN A SERVICE LEARNING CONTEXT (3) [top]

Three hours lecture per week

Examines social problems in the United States from a sociological perspective. Social problems in the community such as homelessness, poverty, and racism will be explored through integrating classroom discussion, lecture, reading and required community service.

GenEd: D  

SOC 202 INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS (3) [top]

Three hours lecture per week

Prerequisite: SOC 100

Introduction to the methodology used by sociologists and other social scientists to analyze, describe, and theorize about social issues and structures. Emphasis in both quantitative and qualitative research strategies, the role of theory in guiding research, and the application of scientific logic in the social sciences.

SOC 303 STATISTICAL APPLICATIONS IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES (3) [top]

Two hours lecture and two hours activity per week

Prerequisites: MATH 105 or equivalent

This course introduces students to quantitative methods as used in social science research and prepares them for statistical literacy. Students will learn to use descriptive and inferential statistics to test hypotheses. Basic topics covered in the class include graphical representations, central tendency and variability, chi-squared and other nonparametric techniques, correlation and regression, and mean difference tests as applied to research methods and data commonly used in the social sciences. Measurement and psychometric issues unique to social science data will be covered. Students will use SPSS to analyze data.

Same as PSY 303, POLS 303 

SOC 309 TOPICS IN GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, AND QUEER STUDIES (1) [top]

One hour lecture per week

This course provides an introductory exposure to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered issues through lecture, presentation, activities, and discussion. Each semester a new topic of importance to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and/or queer individuals will be presented.

Graded Credit/No Credit

SOC 310 RESEARCH METHODS IN SOCIOLOGY (3) [top]

Two hours lecture and two hours laboratory per week

Prerequisite: SOC/PST/POLS 303

Examines quantitative and qualitative methods of research used by sociologists. Topics may include: survey research design, hypothesis formulation, questionnaire and interview design, interviewing techniques, scaling, sampling, data preparation and statistical analysis of quantitative data through SPSS. Research ethics and related topics are also addressed. 

SOC 322 SOCIOLOGY OF POPULAR CULTURE (3) [top]

Three hours lecture per week

Prerequisite: SOC 100

Examines popular culture from a sociological and a comparative perspective. Emphasizes the impact of mass media on individual behavior, marketing and consumption of amusements and entertainments in the domestic and global marketplace.

Same as ENGL 322, COMM 322

SOC 330 POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY (3) [top]

Three hours lecture per week

Examines power and power structures at all levels of society. The roles of social classes, movements, and institutions in shaping the political process and social influences on political behavior are explored.

Same as POLS 330

GenEd: C3B, D, Interdisciplinary 

SOC 331 NARRATIVES OF THE WORKING CLASS (3) [top]

Three hours lecture per week

Examines the lives of working people using various thematic approaches and disciplinary methodologies. Materials included literature, film, and case studies.

Same as ECON 331, ENGL 331, HIST 331, POLS 331

GenEd: C2, D, Interdisciplinary 

SOC 336 SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP (3) [top]

Three hours lecture per week

Social entrepreneurship is about creating and leading organizations that strive to advance social change. Draws from both theory and practice to explore important trends in the private and social sectors, which are creating space for innovation and opportunities for individuals with business skills to drive positive change. Incorporates case studies, exercises, field trips, group presentations, and, a semester-long service project.

Same as BUS 336

GenEd: D and Interdisciplinary

SOC 348 HEALTHY AGING (3) [top]

Three hours lecture per week

Explores physical, cultural and psychosocial factors influencing health issues during the elderly years of life. Topics inlcude aging stereotypes, cultural and family influences on the elderly, physiology of aging, lifestyles choices associated with healthy aging, and end of life care.

Same as PSY 348, NRS 348 

GenEd: D,E, Interdisciplinary

SOC 350 SOCIAL STRATIFICATION: THEORIES OF SOCIAL CLASS (3) [top]

Three hours lecture per week

Prerequisite: SOC 100 and 300 or equivalent

Analysis of the distribution of wealth, prestige, and power. Examines various approaches to the study of the causes of poverty, life chances of the poor, lifestyles of the wealthy, upward and downward mobility, and class and group conflict in society.

SOC 352 SOCIAL MOVEMENTS (3) [top]

Three hours lecture per week

Prerequisite: SOC 100, SOC 201,  SOC 202

The sociology of social movements analyzes the causes and consequences of organized social action. The course examines theories of social movements and a variety of case studies of movements. Particular movements studied vary by semester.

SOC 360 RACE & ETHNICITY (3) [top]

Three hours lecture per week

Prerequisite: SOC 100

This course examines issues of race, religion, ethnic relations and power in the U.S. and elsewhere. Power, prejudice, and discrimination relating to minority status are emphasized.

SOC 370 CRIME AND SOCIETY (3) [top]

Three hours lecture per week

Prerequisites: SOC 100, SOC 201, SOC 202

Examination of forms, causes and the extent of crime in the United States. Focuses on why people break the law, the genesis of norms, and how the law is applied.

SOC 372 URBAN SOCIOLOGY (3) [top]

Three hours lecture per week

Prerequisite: SOC 100

Studies cities and urbanization, including processes of growth and change, the structuring of social space, dynamics of social inequality and the recent conflicts. Addresses processes of suburbanization, issues of race and diversity in the spatial and political dynamics of metropolitan areas, and the phenomenon of global cities.  

SOC 374 SOCIOLOGY OF ORGANIZATIONS (3) [top]

Three lecture hours per week

Prerequisite: SOC 100

The sociological study of organizations addresses issues of organizational dynamics (internal processes, origins, development, collapse). This course introduces students to the several dominant perspectives on organizations (rational, natural, and open system perspectives), as well as newer institutionalist approaches focusing on culture and legitimacy.

SOC 410 SOCIOLOGY OF GENDER & SEXUALITY (3) [top]

Three hours of lecture per week

Prerequisite: SOC 100 and SOC 203

Analysis of gender and sexuality in human society with special attention to gendered socialization practices, issues in equality from historic as well as contemporary and cross-cultural perspectives, and sexual identities and behaviors.

SOC 412 SEX, LOVE AND MONEY: THE FAMILY (3) [top]

Three hours lecture per week

Prerequisites: SOC 100, SOC 201, SOC 202

Analysis of the family as a social institution that meets specific social needs; as a social construction that is culturally bound and malleable, and as a source of social exchange and currency. Presents an understanding of contemporary intimate life in the U.S. by examining the social history of families and current areas of concern.

SOC 415 SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION (3) [top]

Three hours seminar per week

Prerequisite: Three units in Sociology

Examines religion in contemporary society: beliefs, rituals, organization, and the social functions of major denominations and religious cults. Examines stability and conflict, fundamentalism and secularization, and religion in the context of other social institutions.  

SOC 418 SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION (3) [top]

Three hours seminar per week

Prerequisite: Three units in Sociology

Course addresses the theoretical, methodological, and descriptive contributions of sociology to the study of education. Issues include access to education, quality of education, and importance of education in perpetuating the social class system. 

SOC 420 CLASSICAL SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY (3) [top]

Three hours lecture per week

Prerequisite: SOC100, SOC 201 and SOC 202

This course explores the origin and development of the discipline of sociology with a particular focus on the classical period: the 19th century to mid-20th century. Students will develop an appreciation for the roots of sociological theorizing by reading the work of such thinkers as Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, W.E.B. DuBois, Karl Marx and others.

SOC 421 CONTEMPORARY SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY (3) [top]

Three hours lecture per week

Prerequisites: SOC 100, SOC 201, SOC 202 and 420

Modern sociological paradigms from the 1960s forward to the present period including Marxism, neoMarxist modern theory, critical theory, symbolic interaction, rational choice, feminist theories and theories on modernity and post-modernity.

SOC 429 SOCIAL CHANGE IN SPAIN (3) [top]

Three hours lecture per week

Prerequisite: SPAN 202 or SPAN 212 or with Consent of Instructor

Taught in Spanish. Addresses two aspects of Spanish culture, the tremendous social change during the period known as the transition from the dictatorship of Franco to a modern democratic state, as well as how social change is expressed in a variety of social institutions. Same as SPAN 429

SOC 440 POPULATION STUDIES (3) [top]

Three hours lecture per week

Prerequisites: SOC 100 and MATH 202

This course focuses on the basic concepts, skills and issues in demography and population studies. It will apply concepts to contemporary population issues such as family demography, urban transition, environmental degredation, and economic development.

Same as ESRM 440

GenEd: D, Interdisciplinary

SOC 448 GLOBALIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT (3) [top]

Three hours lecture per week

Prerequisite: SOC 100

Examines empirical and theoretical issues of globalization from a sociological perspective, to understanding how the forces of globalization affect economic, political and cultural systems of both developed and developing nations.

Same as ECON 448, BUS 448

GenEd: D, Interdisciplinary

SOC 490 TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY (3) [top]

Three hours per week

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor

In-depth analysis of current topics in sociology. Topics vary. Repeatable by topic.

SOC 492 FIELD EXPERIENCE IN SOCIOLOGY (2-3) [top]

Prerequisite: SOC 203, SOC 310, Junior-level standing, GPA 3.0 and above, and consent of instructor

Field experience in Sociology offers an internship placement and/or applied research opportunity for advanced students of Sociology.

SOC 494 INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-3) [top]

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor

Independent study in Sociology. Up to 3 units may be applied to the major. Independent study is for advanced students who wish to propose a course of study not currently offered in the curriculum.

SOC 499 CAPSTONE (3) [top]

Three hours lecture per week

Prerequisite: Completion of all core courses in Sociology

Complete a research project based on a specific area in the discipline of sociology. Research projects may incorporate service to an area agency.

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