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Courses
SOC 151 PRINCIPLES OF SOCIOLOGY (3 s.h.)
The science of human society with emphasis on description and analysis
of society, culture, the socialization process, social institutions, and
social change. This course is offered every fall and spring semester.
SOC 151 may be used to meet the Social Science core requirements.
SOC 220 APPLIED STATISTICS (3 s.h.)
This course will include descriptive and inferential statistics, the logic
of probability and hypothesis testing with emphasis on applications in
social research. This course is offered as needed.
SOC 253 GLOBAL SOCIAL PROBLEMS (3 s.h.)
From global warming to global capitalism, from international drug cartels
to international terrorism, it is apparent that neither causes or solutions
to most social problems can be addressed simply within one country. This
course will address such issues as work, poverty, crime, health, environment,
war, and terrorism within a global perspective. This course is offered
as needed.
SOC 256 CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY (3 s.h.)
A survey of the topics of cultural anthropology: language, kinship, economy,
tribal/ethnic conflict, gender, age, race, magic and religion, colonialism
and violence, globalization. Special attention will be given to the culture
concept and ethnographic inquiry. This course is offered as needed.
SOC 301 INTRODUCTION TO GERONTOLOGY (3 s.h.)
Aging, including historical perspectives; demographic trends; psychological
and physiological processes of later life; and social role behavior in
such areas as retirement, politics, religion, family life, housing, death,
and dying. Cross-listed as GRN 301 and SWK 301. This course is offered
as needed.
SOC 305 DEATH AND DYING (3 s.h.)
Personal and societal reaction to death with emphasis on euthanasia and
suicide and the experience of the dying individual in relation to self,
family, and care-providing institutions. Cross-listed as GRN 305 and SWK
305. This course is offered as needed.
SOC 309 CRIMINOLOGY (3 s.h.)
The nature and types of delinquent and criminal behavior; the nature of
the criminal and the crime; social, cultural, and psychological factors
involved in illegal behavior; control and prevention; police, courts,
probation, and correctional institutions. Cross-listed as JUS 309. This
course is offered every fall and spring semester.
SOC 311 JUVENILE DELINQUENCY (3 s.h.)
The nature and causes of juvenile delinquency, including individual, community,
and labeling theories with attention to such social responses as prevention
programs, juvenile courts, probation, correctional institutions, and rehabilitation.
Prerequisite: SOC 309 or permission of instructor. Cross-listed as JUS
311. This course is offered as needed.
SOC 332 METHODS OF SOCIAL RESEARCH (3 s.h.)
The scientific method, research design, including an introduction to quantitative
and qualitative data collection and analysis. The student will develop
and original research proposal. This course is designated as a writing
enrichment course for sociology majors. Cross-listed as JUS 332 and SWK
332. This course is offered every fall semester. This course is designated
as a Writing Enrichment course.
SOC 345 PHYSIOLOGY OF AGING (3 s.h.)
This course will examine changes with aging in various body systems, diseases
found primarily among the aging, and maintenance of health in aging, especially
through nutrition and exercise programs. Prerequisite: None. Cross listed
as GRN 345 and SWK 345. This course is offered as needed.
SOC 360 RACE & ETHNIC RELATIONS (3 s.h.)
Sociological perspectives on race and ethnic relations will be explored
in both the United States and around the world. Topics may include: immigration,
the history of racism, structural racism, ethnic conflict or social movements.
This course is offered as needed.
SOC 361 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY (3 s.h.)
The influence others have on an individual's mental processes and
behavior. Topics include the social self, person perception, attitudes,
interpersonal attraction, social influence, prosocial behavior, aggression,
group dynamics, and applied social psychology. Prerequisite: PSY 101.
Cannot receive credit if credit received for SOC 393. Cross-listed as
PSY 361. This course is offered in the fall semester.
SOC 372 MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY (3 s.h.)
Love, sexuality, mate selection, marriage, divorce, and child-rearing
in a changing society. This course is offered as needed.
SOC 375 SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION (3 s.h.)
This course examines communication theories, issues, and practices applicable
to group dynamics involved in the small group decision making process.
Topics covered include the decision-making process, effects of group size,
leadership/followership, trust, cohesiveness, relationship building and
maintenance, communication culture, and problem solving. Prerequisites
are OCL 151 or permission of instructor. This course is offered in the
fall semester. Cross-listed as OCL 375 Small Group Communication.
SOC 380-399 SPECIAL TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY/ANTHROPOLOGY
(3 s.h.)
Courses on fields of special interest.
SOC 381 WORK AND LEISURE (3 s.h.)
The study of social aspects of work and leisure. The sociology of work
includes consideration of such topics as work roles and subcultures, types
of occupations, occupational prestige, job satisfaction, unemployment,
work and family, career patterns, and retirement. The study of leisure
includes leisure styles and experiences, leisure throughout the life course,
economic and political aspects, media, deviant leisure, sport, art, outdoor
and community recreation, travel and tourism. This course is offered as
needed.
SOC 383 GENDER AND SOCIETY (3 s.h.)
A study of the impact of gender on society and the individual. Examines
sources of gender identity. Considers effects of gender in such areas
as social stratification, politics, work, religion, and the family. Reviews
the history and impact of the women's movement. This course is offered
as needed.
SOC 386 DRUGS AND SOCIETY (3 s.h.)
Examines the impact of various types of psychoactive drugs on society.
Includes recreational and psychotherapeutic drugs available both legally
and illegally. The effects of various drugs and the history of governmental
regulations of controlled substances are considered as well as current
social problems associated with drug use and various attempts to deal
with the drug problem. This course is offered as needed.
SOC 388 MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY (3 s.h.)
A study of the national and global health care system and social factors
in health and illness, including the social demography of health, epidemiology,
health and illness behavior, health care professions, the hospital as
a social system, the sick role, medical ethics, and health care policy.
This course is offered as needed.
SOC 390 SPORT IN SOCIETY (3 s.h.)
A study of sport as a social institution, including its relationships
with such other institutions as education, the economy, and the media.
Examines such topics as the functions of sport, sport as a career and
as a business, the role of minorities and gender differences in sport,
and such ethical issues as cheating, drug use and violence within the
world of sports. This course is offered as needed.
SOC 391 THE UTOPIAN VISION (3 s.h.)
The search for utopia or a perfect society has been conducted through
literature as well as experiments in communal living. This course examines
such issues as what would be characteristics of the ideal society and
whether such a society is possible. Includes an examination of utopian
literature as well as the history of several American communal societies
past and present. This course is offered as needed.
SOC 392 HUMAN SEXUALITY (3 s.h.)
A study of historical, biological, cultural, legal and ethical issues
relating to human sexuality. Includes such issues as conception, pregnancy,
birth control; heterosexual and homosexual patterns of sexual expression;
gender roles; sexual dysfunctions and therapy; sexually transmitted diseases;
and laws and norms regulating sexual expression. This course is offered
as needed.
SOC 393 SOCIETY AND SELF (3 s.h.)
A study of the interrelationship of the social and cultural environment
and individual attitudes and behavior. Topics include symbolic interaction,
role theory, conformity, deviance, attitudes and attitude change, attraction,
cooperation, aggression, group dynamics, intergroup relations, and collective
behavior. A student may not receive credit for both PSY/SOC 361 and SOC
393. This course is offered as needed.
SOC 420 CONTEMPORARY SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY (3 s.h.)
The study of key contemporary theorists influencing sociological thought.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. This course is offered as needed.
SOC 431 CLASSICAL SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY (3 s.h.)
Historical and analytical study of sociological thought with emphasis
on the ideas and assumptions of key theorists. Prerequisite: Permission
of instructor. Designated writing enrichment course for sociology majors.
This course is offered as needed.
SOC 450 RESEARCH SEMINAR (3 s.h.)
Students will develop an actual study by conducting a literature review,
a theoretical framework, methodology (collection of original data), data
analysis (analyze findings), seeking a conclusion of findings, and indicating
the significance of study. The student will present an oral and written
report on their report. Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing, Sociology
major, or consent of instructor. This course is offered as needed.
SOC 470 INTERNSHIP (3 s.h.)
Student placement in an approved community setting for supervised learning
experience. Minimum requirement of 100 hours in the agency and a weekly
on-campus seminar. Prerequisites: senior standing, Sociology major, and
consent of instructor. This course is offered as needed.
SOC 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN SOCIOLOGY 1-(3 s.h.)
An opportunity for a well-qualified, upper-division student to engage
in special research in his/her major. Requires approval by the faculty
advisor, the supervising professor, the department chair, and the school
dean before approval by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Credit
to be determined.
