Sociology (SOCI)

SOCI 1101. Introduction to Sociology (3) 

A survey of the discipline of sociology. Topics will include sociological theory, methods, and selected substantive areas.

SOCI 1160. Intro to Social Problems (3) 

A theoretical and empirical analysis of selected major social problems confronting American society.

SOCI 2293. Modern Families (3) 

An introduction to the structure, processes, problems, and adjustments of contemporary marriage and family life. The course includes historical development, cross-cultural variations, and analysis of forces of change. It is recommended but not required that SOCI 1101 be taken prior to SOCI 2293.

SOCI 3010. Understanding Society (3)
A comparative study and critique of social though and sociological theories. Special study is made of major sociological theories of the 19th and 20th centuries and the role of theory in empirical social science.
Prerequisities: SOCI 1101 Introduction to Sociology or PSYC 1101 Intro to General Psychology

SOCI 3030. Religion & Society (3) 

A sociological examination of the institution of religion, its role in society, and its interaction with other social structures and institutions. In particular, this course will explore the influence of religion on social behavior and the role of religion in shaping how we contemplate the world and our place in it.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1101 or SOCI 2420 or PSYC 1101

SOCI 3130. Drugs and Society (3) 

This comprehensive course explores alcohol and illegal drug use and abuse in society. The primary goal of the course is to engage students in a process of critical thinking about the topic of drugs in American society. Included will be a historic overview, the role of culture in the use of drugs, and legal and social implications of illegal drug use.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1101

SOCI 3150. Sports & Society (3) 

This course explores the deeper meanings and social significance of sports in the United States and globally. Particular attention to the relationship between sports and issues of race, gender, class, history, social mobility, education and politics.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1101

SOCI 3300. Gender & Sexuality (3) 

This course explores the social construction of gender, gender roles and performance, gender-based stratification, and the role of gender in the institutions of contemporary society.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1101

SOCI 3310. Race and Ethnicity (3) 

Provides students with the basic conceptual and analytical skills for studying the nature and implications of racial and culture diversity. Racial/ethnic groups selected from around the globe are examined in terms of their histories and cultures. The complexity of functioning in the multicultural society of the contemporary United States is explored, and cultural concepts are applied to key social issues associated with diversity.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1101

SOCI 3320. Social Inequality (3) 

This course investigates the nature of inequality and stratification, including its forms, causes, and consequences. Literature will be examined from a number of perspectives, including economic inequality, racial inequality, sex and gender inequality, status inequality, and the inequality connected with social movements.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1101

SOCI 3333. Deviant Behavior (3) 

This is an upper division course designed to explore the nature of social deviance at the individual, group, and organizational levels.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1101

SOCI 3380. Single Black Female (3) 

This course explores intersectionality by examining the ways in which the social construction of race and gender impacts individuals' life chances and shapes understandings of the self and our perception of others.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1101

SOCI 3450. Urban Sociology (3) 

This course is designed to increase students' understanding of the history, social relations, problems, and conflicts of the inner city. Through classical and theoretical readings, historical ethnographies, and current case studies, students will gain an in-depth understanding of how and why cities exist, how they have developed, and what impacts they have on individuals and their social relationships.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1101

SOCI 3510. Social Statistics (3) 

Introduction to statistics, including measures of central tendency and dispersion, probability, statistical inference and hypothesis testing, regression and correlation, and analysis of variance.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1101 and (MATH 1231 or MATH 1401 or PSYC 2105)

SOCI 3713. Work and Society (3) 

The course will address how cultural values and social institutions affect and define work. The value that society assigns to different types of work and the impact of that valuation on the individual and members of various social groups will be considered, in light of shifting economies, business models and technology. Modern values will be compared to more traditional viewpoints, including the examination of the role of technology, money and individual choices. As a cross-listed course, Work & Society may not be taken more than once using a different letter prefix, given that only one completion will be counted toward degree requirements.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1101 or TECH 3101

SOCI 3850. Health, Illness, and Society (3) 

This course explores the social nature of health and illness, the social organization of health care institutions, differential access to health care in the US and abroad, and selected dilemmas in the ethical delivery of health care.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1101

SOCI 4100. AFAM Sociological Thinkers (3) 

This course offers a review of the history of African Americans in the United States from a sociological viewpoint. Special attention will be given to important African American sociologists who contributed to our understanding of the Black experience in the United States.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1101 or AFAM 2010

SOCI 4153. Aging & Society (3) 

This course is designed to explore the relationship of human aging, individual processes and American society. Though focusing on the sociological aspects of aging, this course also provides an interdisciplinary understanding of aging as a powerful process that reflects the growth and development that takes place later in life and the impact on society that increasingly includes adult populations that are living longer.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1101

SOCI 4420. Law and Society (3) 

This course examines the relationship between formal law and social institutions. Specifically, the course will focus on the U.S. Constitution, theories of law and law creation, law and inequality, law as a vehicle for social change, and the role of law in modern American society. Some effort will be made to compare law in U.S. society to the development and function of law in other societies.

Prerequisites: CRJU 1150 or SOCI 1101 or PARA 1101 or POLS 1101

SOCI 4501. Research Methods (3) 

The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the practice of social science research. The course will cover various aspects of the research process, including research ethics, causal relationships, measurement, sampling and research design.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1101 or CRJU 1150 or POLS 2401

SOCI 4800. Special Topics in Sociology (3) 

An exploration of contemporary topics and issues in the field of sociology. This course may be repeated for credit when the topic varies.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1101

SOCI 4801. Special Topics in Sociology (3) 

An exploration of contemporary topics and issues in the field of sociology.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1101

SOCI 4802. Special Topics in Sociology (3) 

An exploration of contemporary topics and issues in the field of sociology.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1101

SOCI 4803. Special Topics in Sociology (3) 

An exploration of contemporary topics and issues in the field of sociology.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1101

SOCI 4900. Directed Study I (3) 

Directed study in sociology may be arranged in consultation with a faculty member and approved by the department chair.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1101

SOCI 4901. Sociology Practicum (3) 

The practicum will constitute an independent (individual or small group) sociological research project. The student will prepare and submit a significant sociological paper and/or project. Requires prior completion of the upper-division Sociology core and approval of Program Coordinator.