SOCIOLOGY

The complete description of Anthropology is found in the Department of  Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work in the College Humanities and Social & Behavioral Sciences.  Note: Prerequisites for any course in Anthropology may be waived by consent of the Department Chairperson and the instructor. Descriptions of courses approved for the University Program appear in bold italic type.

SOC 100 - Introductory Sociology
Systematic introduction to the field of sociology, its theories, concepts, and methods.  Explores social relationships within the context of social structure. (Group III-B).
3 Credits; Fall, Spring

SOC 101 - Social Justice in a Global Society
Introduction to key concepts in global social justice, foundational human rights instruments and processes, contemporary manifestations of social injustice, and the role of social action.  Identical to ANT 101; credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.  (Group IV-A)
3 Credits; Fall, Spring

SOC 200 - Introduction to Social Research and Analysis 

Basic research issues.  Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis techniques in sociology, social and criminal justice, and social work.  Extensive computer applications.  Prerequisites:  SOC 100; completion of math competency.

3 Credits

SOC 201 - Social Psychology
Examines the links between social structure and self.  Substantive topics may include: agency, emotions, socialization, attitudes, gender, inequality, deviance, conflict, and social change.  Prerequisites: none. (Group III-A)
3 Credits; Fall, Spring

SOC 210 - Sociology of Science and Technology
Social aspects of science and technology including their organization, personnel, social effects, relationship to government and education, and policy implications.  Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221.
3 Credits; Demand

 

SOC 214 -  Sociology of Sexuality
Sociological examination of human sexuality, sexual identity and community.  Identical to WST 214. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.
3 Credits; Demand

 

SOC 215 - Youth, Deviance, and Institutions

Sociological theories and research on youth considered "deviant" and their experiences with social institutions.  Emphasis - topics such as runaways, prostitution, foster children, anorexia, addictions, sexuality.  Prerequisite: SOC 100 or 201 or 221.

 

SOC 220 -  Introduction to Social and Criminal Justice

Components of the justice system.  Social, criminal, and community-based focus.  History, structure, functions, and philosophy of criminal justice system, and relationships to a just society.

SOC 221 - Social Problems
Nature and extent of major social problems. Underlying general social processes and specific factors, as well as proposed solutions. Prerequisite: one three-hour course from University Program Group III-B. (Group IV-A)
3 Credits; Fall, Spring

SOC 222 - Juvenile Delinquency
Nature, distribution, social construction, and theories of delinquency. Social reactions to delinquency including development of juvenile court and actions of juvenile justice agencies. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221. 
3 Credits; Fall, Spring

SOC 223 - Urban Structures and Change
Culture and social system of the city. Demographic structures, patterns of conflict and cooperation, and problems peculiar to urban social organization. Prerequisite: any course from sociology, political science or permission of instructor. (Group IV-A)
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 301 - Sociological Theory
A review of sociological thought within its social and historical context, focusing on Marx, Weber, Durkheim, and the perspectives of symbolic interactionism and feminism.  Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221. 
3 Credits; Fall, Spring

SOC 302 - Social Inequality
Class, race, and gender and other forms of social strata.  The bases, consequences, and correlates of position in the system of stratification.  
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 303 - Population
Quantitative and qualitative aspects of the population of societies, including their composition, distribution, and movement. Prerequisite: one of the following recommended: SOC 100 or SOC 201.
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 304 - Collective Behavior
Behavior in situations where institutionalized norms do not apply, such as panics, riots, and social movements. Prerequisite: Soc 300 or both SOC 200 and 350; SOC 301.
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 307 - Social Movements, 1960's to the Present
A survey of social movements of the past several decades that have promoted progressive social change, equal rights, liberation, and peace. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221.
3 Credits, Demand

SOC 310 - Life in Russia Today
Cross-cultural examination of modern Russia's people, society, and culture; emphasis on everyday life, family, and social institutions, as well as overviewing the USSR. (Group IV-B).  Prerequisite: none.
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 311 - Sociology of Education
Contributions of sociology to an understanding of education as a social process. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221.
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 314 - Public Opinion and the Mass Media
The methods and findings of social research on public opinion, and the effects of the mass media on values and attitudes. Prerequisite: 6 hours coursework.
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 317 - Sociology of Sex and Gender
Analysis of the role of gender in institutions such as the economy, the family, and the schools.  Gender inequality and factors that promotes its reproduction.  Identical to WST 317.  Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.  Prerequisites: one of the following recommended: SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221.
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 320 - Sociology of Aging and Retirement
Aging as a social phenomenon; with focus on aging in industrial societies. Prerequisite:  SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221.
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 321 - Deviant Behavior
Relationship between social structure and deviant behavior. Prerequisite:  SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221.
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 323 - Racism and Inequality
Relations among dominant and subordinate groups focusing on racism as structural inequality. Prerequisite: one of the following recommended: SOC 100, SOC 201, or SOC 221. (Group IV-C)
3 Credits; Fall, Spring

SOC 324 - Criminology
Nature, distribution, social construction, and theories of crime. Introduction to criminal justice processes. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221.
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 326 - Inequalities and Justice Processes: Race, Class and Gender
Empirical and theoretical critique of class, race, and gender inequalities in justice processes that impede effective solutions to social problems. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221.
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 345 - The Civil Rights Movement
Examines the civil rights movement from 1945 to 1980's; based on PBS series: Eyes on the Prize; Identical to PHL 345, PSC 325, REL 45. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: Introductory history, political science or sociology course, or permission of instructor. (Group IV-C)
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 350 - Social Research Methodologies
Data collection methodologies and issues.  Covers participant observation and survey research, and two of the following: experiments/single subject designs, program evaluation, interviewing, ethnography/community studies. Prerequisites: SOC 100, SOC 200 with a grade of "C' (2.0) or better, or equivalent course as determined by instructor with a grade of "C" (2.0) or better; six additional hours of sociology and/or social work.
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 370 - Global Environmental Issues
Social and cultural dimensions of global population issues, food and energy policies, destruction of indigenous lifeways, roles of multinational organizations, environmental racism, and environmental movements. Identical to ANT 370. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.
3 Credits, Demand

SOC 397 - Independent Study
Directed reading or research on an approved topic. Open to students not on academic probation, with permission of instructor.
1-12 Credits (Specify); Fall, Spring

SOC 399 - Special Topics in Sociology
Consideration of subject-matter not included in courses currently listed in catalog. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
1-12 Credits; Demand

SOC 402 - Analysis of Social Change
Factors explaining large-scale change in the Western and non-Western worlds.  Change in smaller units such as the family and the community.  Prerequisite: SOC 100, SOC 201, or SOC 221.
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 403 - Political Sociology
Social bases of American politics.  Sociological theories and research on political behavior and distribution of power in the United States.  Prerequisite:  SOC 300 or both SOC 200 and 350; SOC 301; or PSC 280 and at least one PSC course at the 300-level or above.
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 410 - Women, Crime and Deviance
Theories and concepts fundamental to reconceptualizing women's relationships to crime and "deviance."  Violence against women, women as victims and offenders, poverty, and "deviant" sexualities.  Identical to WST 410.  Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.  Prerequisites:  SOC 300, SOC 301; or signed Women's Study major or minor.
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 411 - The Family
Family as a contested social institution embedded in changing social and cultural contexts.  Explores kinship systems, family diversity, social organization, social conflict, family policy, and change.  Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221.
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 412 - Sociology of Adolescence
Transition from childhood to adulthood. Emphasis on topics such as identity, peers, relationships with parents, school and the media. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221.
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 413 - Work and Careers in America  
Introduction to the sociology of work, occupations and professions.  Prerequisite: SOC 300 or both SOC 200 and 350; SOC 301.
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 415 - Sociology of Sport
Social structure and consequences of sport as an institution in societies.  Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221.
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 418 - Sociology and Popular Culture
Sociological analysis of popular culture in the U.S. Elements of popular culture include television, radio, recording, advertising, spectator sports, hobbies, food, and fashions. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221. 
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 422 - Youth Welfare
Issues pertaining to youth welfare are related to broader organizational and structural features of society, including historical and comparative (international) perspectives.  Identical to SWK 422. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites:  SOC 300 or both SOC 200 and 350; SOC 301; or signed Youth Studies Minor.  
3 Credits

SOC 425 - Sociology of Childhood
Sociological theories and research on children ages 3-12 years old.  Explores peer culture, social problems, children in families, and social change.  Prerequisites:  SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221.  
3 Credits

SOC 457 - Globalization and Society
Effects of the global economy on the division of labor, transnational migration, social inequality, ethnic identities, gender relations, and other aspects of social organizations.  Identical to ANT 457; credit may not be earned in both.  Prerequisites:  SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 222 or ANT 170.
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 501 - Development of Sociological Theory
Contributions to sociological theory by Smith, Comte, Spencer, Marx, Durkheim, Weber, Mead, and others.  Relation of sociological thought to prevailing social and intellectual conditions.  Prerequisite: SOC 100, SOC 201, SOC 221; or permission of instructor.
3 Credits; Fall

SOC 502 - Theories of Race Relations in Sociology
Contributions to sociological theories of race relations by major theorists including Dubois, Frazier, Cox, and others. Prerequisites: SOC 300 or both SOC 200 and 350, 301, SOC 323; or SOC 323, signed American Ethnic Studies minor; or Regular Admission to the Sociology Graduate Program.
3 Credits; Fall, odd years

SOC 506 - Comparative Cultural Systems
Explores theories of cultural development, with particular emphasis on urban and post-industrial cultures. Students investigate cultures different from their own. Identical to ANT 506. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: Introductory anthropology and/or sociology courses.
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 507 - Class and Poverty in America
Examination of theories of social class and their application to American society. Review of empirical literature on class and poverty in the U.S. Prerequisites: SOC 300 or SOC 200 and 350; SOC 301; or admission to the graduate program in Sociology.
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 512 - Industrial Sociology
Characteristics of industrial societies. Relationship of the organization of industrial work to that of nonwork culture, institutions, and roles. Prerequisite:  SOC 300 or both SOC 200 and 350, SOC 301; or Regular Admission to the Sociology Graduate Program.

3 Credits; Demand

 

SOC 514 - Sociology of Health and Illness

Explores social forces that affect the health of populations and individuals, as well as the operations of a major social institution, that of medical care.

3 Credits; Demand

SOC 515 - Custodial Institutions
The structural, organizational, and functional dimensions of custodial institutions in American society, emphasizing social processes of jails, prisons, training schools, mental hospitals, and nursing homes.  Prerequisites:  SOC 300 or SOC 200, 350 or PSC 280; SOC 301; or regular admission to the Sociology Graduate Program. 
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 521 - Advanced Study of Deviant Behavior
Contemporary issues in deviance theory and research. Prerequisites:  SOC 300, SOC 301, SOC 321; or Regular Admission to the Sociology Graduate Program.
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 523 - Community Corrections and Alternative Sentencing
Justice policies and practices of community corrections and alternative sentencing are featured, including intermediate sanctions, probation, parole, and prisoner reentry.  Prerequisite: SOC 300 or both SOC 200 and 350; SOC 301; 9 hours of social and criminal justice coursework; or regular admission to the Sociology Graduate Program.
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 524 - Sociology of Law
The association of law and social justice, social organization, stratification, and social control.  Current issues in justice, law, and conflict resolution.  Prerequisites: SOC 200, 350 (or SOC 300); SOC 301; or graduate standing.
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 525 - Internship in Social and Criminal Justice
Supervised practical experience in a criminal or social justice organization. Prerequisites: SOC 523; permission of course instructor. CR/NC only.
6 Credits (Spec)

SOC 526 - Police and Community Relations
Community and police perceptions of police role in democratic society, police discretion, use of force, community policing, and related topics.  Prerequisites: SOC 300 or both SOC 200 and 350; SOC 301; or regular admission to the Sociology Graduate program.

3 Credits; Demand

SOC 527 - Alternative Dispute Resolution in Justice Systems
Citizen action through community-based alternatives to institutionalization of adults and juveniles in the justice systems. Prerequisites:  SOC 300 or both SOC 200 and 350, SOC 301; or regular admission to the Sociology Graduate Program.
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 530 - Capstone Experience in Youth Studies                                                                       

Capstone course Capstone course which provides field experience for students enrolled in the Youth Studies Minor.  Student spend time working with youth in various community settings and meet periodically on campus to systematically reflect on practical field experience.  Prerequisites:  SOC 100, 222, 311, 411, 412, 425.  Concurrent enrollment in SOC 411, 412, and/or 425 is possible.
3 Credits; Demand

SOC 531 - Capstone Experience in Global Justice

Capstone course synthesizes course work on the issues of global social justice/injustice.  Explores roots, consequences, types, policy approaches, and strategies for pursuing global justice.  Identical to ANT 531.  Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.  Prerequisites:  SOC/ANT 101; 15 hours in the Global Justice Minor; completion of the Service Learning component of the Global Justice Minor; and approval of the Global Justice Advisor.  May be taken by SOC or ANT Majors with the approval of the Global Justice Advisor.  Or, graduate standing.

3 Credits

SOC 590 - Gender, Culture & Society                                                                                              

Analysis of gender roles in various cultures; theoretical approaches to explaining gender role variation.  Identical to ANT 590 and WST 590; credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.  Prerequisites:  6 hours of anthropology and/or sociology and/or women's studies, or permission of instructor, or graduate standing.
3 Credits; Demand 

SOC 599 - Special Topics in Sociology
Consideration of subject-matter not included in courses currently listed in catalog. Prerequisite:  Permission of instructor.
1-10 Credits (Specify); Demand

SOC 601 - Contemporary Sociological Theory
Analysis of functionalism, interactionism, structuralism, radical sociology, critical theory, exchange theory and other sociological theories of contemporary relevance.  Prerequisite: 15 hours of sociology or permission of instructor.
3 Credits; Fall

SOC 602 - Professional Seminar
Techniques of thesis writing; development of thesis prospectus.  Research of departmental faculty presented and discussed.  Prerequisites:  Permission of instructor.
3 Credits; Fall

SOC 605 - Sociology of Knowledge
Relationship of ideas to social life. The intellectual in society; relationship of empirical knowledge to cultural values and ideologies; objectivity in sociology. Prerequisite: SOC 301 or SOC 501 or permission of instructor.
3 Credits

SOC 607 - Methodology of Sociological Research
Exploration and critique of various epistemological approaches to sociological inquiry.  Research design, concept development, nature of data, introduction to qualitative and quantitative methods.  Prerequisite:  SOC 200 and 350, or equivalent; and permission of instructor..  
3 Credits

SOC 611 - Human Diversity Within and Between Families
Diverse backgrounds of families/individuals based on ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, class and disabilities will be studied.  Models to explore the diverse nature will be applied.  Identical to HEV 603. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisite: none.
3 Credits

SOC 619 - Continuing Registration for Final Research Project

A non-credit course intended for students who have completed all program credits but still need to use university resources to complete their degree requirements.

1 Credit

SOC 621 - Social Control and Justice Systems
Formal and informal responses to crime and delinquency, analyzed in terms of criminology theory and research and with reference to concepts of social control.  Prerequisites: SOC 300, and SOC 301 or SOC 501; or permission of instructor.
3 Credits

SOC 623 - Violence, Victims, and Social/Justice Responses
Theories and research on victims and perpetrators of interpersonal violence are explored, including formal and informal processes of societal response to violence and victimization. Prerequisites: SOC 621, and SOC 501 or SOC 601.
3 Credits

SOC 624 - Social Justice
Social justice is explored from a sociological perspective. Conceptualization differences, social structural contexts, and social control and "crime" control policies are analyzed. Prerequisites: Graduate standing, SOC 621, and SOC 501 or SOC 601.
3 Credits; Spring

SOC 625 - Field Consultation
Individual or collective technical assistance project for community-based criminal justice or social/human client organization. Prerequisites: SOC 501, SOC 601, SOC 607, SOC 621, SOC 623, SOC 624, SOC 632 and significant applied experience in criminal or social justice settings.
3 Credits

SOC 631 - Workshop on Qualitative Research (even year)
This course is designed to introduce students to the various qualitative research methods in the social sciences.  Prerequisites: SOC 607.
3 Credits;Spring

SOC 632 - Techniques of Sociological Research (Odd year)
Analysis of quantitative social science data.  Hypothesis testing and descriptive methods.
Prerequisite: SOC 607.
3 Credits; Spring

SOC 699 - Special Topics in Sociology
Consideration of subject matter not included in courses currently listed in catalog.  Prerequisite:  Permission of instructor.
1-10 Credits (Specify); Demand

SOC 795 - Independent Reading
Open to students who have obtained the consent of the department chairperson and an instructor to read intensively on an approved topic.  Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
1-6 Credits (Specify); Demand

SOC 796 - Independent Research
Open to students who have obtained the permission of the department chairperson and an instructor to conduct research on an approved topic.  Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
1-6 Credits (Specify); Demand

SOC 798 - Thesis
Credit is earned in this course through successful completion of a thesis in sociology. Adviser's permission is required. CR/NC only.
1-6 Credits (Specify); Demand

Last update by T. Walch, 121907