Sociology Courses

(GP) indicates that the course satisfies the Global Perspective Elective requirement in the General Education core.

SOC 1510 PRINCIPLES OF SOCIOLOGY (3)
The science of human society with emphasis on description and analysis of society, culture, the socialization process, social institutions, and social change.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall and spring

SOC 2200 APPLIED STATISTICS (3)
This course will include descriptive and inferential statistics, the logic of probability and hypothesis testing with emphasis on applications in social research.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall and spring

SOC 2400 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE (3)
The study of environmental justice is the study of environmental inequality. Environmental inequality refers to the uneven distribution of environmental burdens (such as being exposed to toxins) and benefits (like access to clean air) across geography and time. This class examines how geography and other social structures affect human and ecological health. In this class you will be tasked with developing a critical understanding of the inner workings of ecological privilege and oppression by examining the historical roots of current and ongoing environmental stratification in a global perspective. For example, what historical factors account for environmental inequality? Why are some groups exposed to high levels of toxins and pollution, whereas others enjoy relatively clean and unpolluted environment? Are social reforms or wholesale social and institutional change necessary to build a more sustainable world?

SOC 2530 GLOBAL SOCIAL PROBLEMS (3) (GP)
From global warming to global capitalism, from international drug cartels to international terrorism, it is apparent that neither causes nor solutions to most social problems can be addressed simply within one country. This course will address issues such as work, poverty, crime, health, environment, war, and terrorism within a global perspective.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: as needed

SOC 2560 CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY (3) (GP)
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.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall

SOC 3010 INTRODUCTION TO GERONTOLOGY (3)
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.
Prerequisite: none
Cross-listed with GRN 3010 and SWK 3010
Offered: spring

SOC 3050 DEATH AND DYING (3)
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.
Prerequisite: none
Cross-listed with GRN 3050 and SWK 3050
Offered: as needed

SOC 3090 CRIMINOLOGY (3)
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.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: every fall and spring semester

SOC 3110 JUVENILE DELINQUENCY (3)
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 3090 or consent of instructor
Cross-listed with JUS 3110
Offered: as needed

SOC 3320 METHODS OF SOCIAL RESEARCH (3)
This course covers the scientific method and research design, including an introduction to quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. The student will develop an original research proposal.
Prerequisites: SOC 2200, JUS 2200, MAT 2200, PSY 2500 or ECO 2160, or with permission of the division head
Cross-listed with JUS 3320 and SWK 3320
Offered: fall and spring

SOC 3450 PHYSIOLOGY OF AGING (3)
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 with GRN 3450 and SWK 3450
Offered: as needed

SOC 3600 RACE & ETHNIC RELATIONS (3)
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.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall

SOC 3610 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY (3)
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. Cannot receive credits if credits received for SOC 3930.
Prerequisite: PSY 1010
Cross-listed with PSY 3610
Offered: fall semester

SOC 3720 CONTEMPORARY FAMILIES AND INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS (3)
Love, sexuality, mate selection, marriage, divorce, and child-rearing in a changing society.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall

SOC 3800-3990 SPECIAL TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY/ANTHROPOLOGY (3)
Courses on fields of special interest.
Prerequisite: none

SOC 3820 SOCIOLOGY OF CHILDHOOD (3)
This course is an overview of the sociological contributions to our understanding of childhood. We will consider diverse dimensions of childhood including age, gender, race/ethnicity, class, nationality, and sexuality.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: as needed

SOC 3830 GENDER AND SOCIETY (3)
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.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall

SOC 3860 DRUGS AND SOCIETY (3)
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.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: as needed

SOC 3880 MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY (3)
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.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall and summer

SOC 3900 SPORT IN SOCIETY (3)
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.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: as needed

SOC 3920 HUMAN SEXUALITY (3)
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.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: spring

SOC 4000 EPIDEMIOLOGY (3)
This course covers applications of epidemiologic methods and procedures to the study of the determinants and distribution of health and diseases, morbidity, injuries, disability, and mortality in societal populations. Epidemiologic methods for the control of conditions such as infectious and chronic diseases, mental disorders, community and environmental health hazards, and unintentional injuries will be covered. Other topics include quantitative methods in epidemiology, data sources, measures of morbidity and mortality, evaluation of correlation and causations and study design.
Prerequisites: SOC 2200 or PSY 2500.
Offered: once a year

SOC 4200 or 4300 CONTEMPORARY SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY or CLASSICAL SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY (3)
The study of key contemporary theorists influencing sociological thought.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Offered: spring, every other year

SOC 4310 CLASSICAL SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY (3)
Historical and analytical study of sociological thought with emphasis on the ideas and assumptions of key theorists.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: as needed

SOC 4500 RESEARCH SEMINAR (3)
Students will develop an original study by collecting and analyzing their own data. The student will present an oral and written report on their research.
Prerequisites: Sociology major, or consent of instructor
Offered: spring

SOC 4700 INTERNSHIP (3)
The student is placed in an approved community setting for a supervised learning experience. Minimum requirement of 100 hours in the agency and a weekly on-campus seminar.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: as needed

SOC 4990 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN SOCIOLOGY (1-3)
An opportunity for a well-qualified, upper-division student to engage in special research in his/her major.
Prerequisite: approval by the faculty advisor, the supervising professor, the division head, and the college dean before approval by Provost. Credits to be determined.