Courses in Sociology
SOC 100: Sociology First Year Workshop (1.00)
Pre-requisite: SOC 101. 1 credit hour Workshop with the following objectives and learning outcomes:1.Building the Learning Portfolio: By engaging in the structured Learning Portfolio process, enhance the student's ability to develop and achieve progressively higher-order learning objectives in the affective, behavioral, and cognitive domains, particularly through academic and non-academic training, providing for the motivation to select and complete increasingly advanced and challenging learning activities, particularly in Field Periods and Internship opportunities.2.Orienting to occupations/careers (and related processes) in social science, social justice, and related fields : Through exposure to occupations and careers in social science, social justice, and related fields, students will engage in career exploration and identification, and realize how personal characteristics intersect with the institutional, organizational, and individual-level conditions associated with various occupations.3.Drawing linkages between academic training, applied work, and specific occupational roles: Through oral and written reflection, students will demonstrate their ability to synthesize, evaluate, and apply their experiences with increasing complexity as they work to analyze their personal, professional and academic lives in preparation for careers in their fields of interest. 4.Developing an appreciation for practices consistent with life long learning and continued professional development: By introducing students to the Learning Portfolio process, professionals from various related occupations, and the process of synthesizing their academic and professional experiences, students will gain an appreciation for practices that will promote their intellectual, professional, and personal development.Offered every spring semester. (1)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SOC 101: Introduction to Sociology (3.00)
The sociological perspective as applied to the contemporary world, and concepts and principles used to analyze social relationships and institutions. (Offered every semester.) (LA) (CS) (OC)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SOC 200: Intro to Sociological Theory (3.00)
Prerequisite: SOC 101. An introduction to the major schools of thought and theoretical orientations in the sociological tradition with a focus on relevance and application. (LA) (3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SOC 201: Intro to Applied Methods in Sociology (3.00)
This course introduces students to theory and common methods of applied sociology, also known as sociological practice, particularly in the field of community studies. Through study, simulation, and field experience, students will learn and practice applying basic methods and skills in such areas as meeting facilitation and group decision making; needs assessment; community resource analysis, policy analysis; policy and program development; grant writing and administration; program evaluation; conflict mediation; action research; and organizational and social change. (Offered every even-year fall semester). (3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SOC 202: Crime,Deviance,Social Control (3.00)
Prerequisite: SOC 101. Criminal and deviant behavior; interaction between society and delinquents, criminals, and deviants; social controls inside and outside correctional systems; and relevant theories in contemporary criminological research. Also listed as CRM 202. (Offered every spring semester.) (LA)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SOC 222: Theories of Power and Inequality (3.00)
Prerequisite: SOC 101. Hierarchical relations and power processes among people and groups in the economic, social and political spheres of life; principal theories explaining inequality, including gender and age inequality, as well as life chances, life styles, and political power. (Offered every even-year fall semester.) (LA)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SOC 245: Environmental Sociology (3.00)
Prerequisite: SOC 101. This course is an introduction to the field of Environmental Sociology, the study of the interaction between human societies, social behavior and the natural environment. Focusing on modern societies, we examine social and cultural factors that 1) affect the overall societal-environmental relationship and, 2) affect environmental problems and collective efforts to respond to them. Social factors include social-structural elements such as the economy, government and communities as well as patterns of social inequality. Cultural factors include prevailing and competing beliefs about the natural environment and values as manifested in life-style, aesthetics and civic participation. Social movements addressing these factors will also be examined. (Offered every odd-spring semester). (LA) (PN)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SOC 295: Introductory Topics in Sociology (3.00)
Prerequisite: to be determined by the Division of Basic and Applied Social Sciences. An introductory study of a specific topic within sociology. Intended for freshmen and sophomores, or for students with little or no background in sociology. The student may repeat the course, but not the topic. (Offered as needed.) (LA)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SOC 301: Methods of Social Research (4.00)
Prerequisite: SS 231, SOC 201 or CRM 285. Qualitative and quantitative methods of empirical social research; techniques of design, hypothesis testing, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data. Intended for students with appropriate background in social science. (Offered every spring semester.) (LA)(4)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SOC 302: Ethnic Diversity (3.00)
Prerequisite: SOC 101. Interrelations of ethnic and racial groups to dominant groups or other minority groups; prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination; influence of group cultures and multiculturalism on intra-group cohesion and inter-group tensions, conflicts, and accommodations. (Offered every fall semester.) (LA)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SOC 303: Victimology (3.00)
Prerequisite: CRM 202 or permission of instructor. This course involves the study of issues related to crime victimization. An overview of the historical and emerging role of victimology as a field of study provides the foundation necessary to examine patterns of victimization. A survey of theories of victimization emphasizes how the recognition of victims in the study of crime influences criminological theory and research. Issues particular to types of offenses and to specific populations of victims are examined and discussed. Myths surrounding crime victims and victimization are critically evaluated for their accuracy and explanatory value. The relationship between the crime victim and the criminal justice system is also examined. Implications for research and policy are explored. Also listed as CRM 303. (Offered every even-year fall semester.) (LA)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SOC 311: Organized Crime (3.00)
Prerequisite: SOC/CRM 202. Comparative study of local, regional, national and international crime groups and organizations as part of a criminal system that includes government officials, business leaders and police; provision of unlawful services in strong public demand and protection through corruption and intimidation. Also listed as CRM 311. (Offered every odd-year spring semester). (LA)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SOC 312: Predatory Crime and Violence (3.00)
Prerequisite: SOC/CRM 202. Analysis of such offenses as robbery, vandalism, arson, stalking, assaults, domestic violence, sex crimes, and homicides as committed by both occasional and career criminals. In-depth exploration of the range of theoretical explanations for such offenses. Also listed as CRM 312. (Offered every even-year spring semester.) (LA)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SOC 322: White Collar and Corporate Crime (3.00)
Prerequisite: CRM 202 or permission of instructor. This course examines the conceptualization, operational definitions and typologies of white collar and corporate crime. Methods of studying these crimes are evaluated. A survey of theories and a review of research findings and case studies serve to identify the impacts of these crimes on both the individual and society. They also highlight the individual, organizational, and contextual variables related to offending. This course provides an introduction to the various social, political, and legal controls on white collar and corporate offending, and policy implications for responding to and controlling these crimes. Also listed as CRM 322. (Offered every odd-year fall semester.) (LA)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SOC 323: Juvenile Delinquency (3.00)
Prerequisites: SOC 202. This course approaches juvenile delinquency as a unique kind of crime different from ordinary adult crime in etiology, motive, prevention, justice system, and treatment. Emphasis on research findings and synthesis of theoretical perspectives in analysis and explanation of delinquency. Also listed as CRM 323. (Offered every even-year fall semester.) (LA)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SOC 325: Environmental Crime (3.00)
Prerequisite: CRM 101 or permission of instructor. This course examines crimes and near-crimes where environmental harm results. With a focus on the U.S.A., the following topics will be examined: the evolving legal and cultural definition of environmental crime; the enforcement of environmental laws by both federal and state regulatory structures and by policing agencies, prosecutors, and courts; types of environmental crimes and types of criminals including motivations, causal factors and conducive conditions. As well, we note the international scope of some environmental crime and the complexity of international responses. Also listed as CRM 325. (Offered every even-year spring semester. (LA) (3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SOC 344: Sociology of the Family (3.00)
Prerequisite: SOC 101. Structure, process and function of family systems, emphasizing historical development and change in such areas as economics, gender roles and socialization; types of families, including extended, nuclear, single parent, blended, binuclear, and gay and lesbian families, noting variation in family form and impact of social policies. (Offered every fall semester.) (LA)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SOC 346: Family Violence (3.00)
Prerequisite: junior standing. This course provides introduction to the estimates of prevalence, severity, and types of family violence in the United States. A history of family violence and the ideologies, social policy, law, and cultural practices and attitudes that structurally support family violence will be explored. Students will gain an understanding of the sociological and social psychological factors that contribute to and perpetuate family violence, examine the theoretical perspectives currently utilized in the study of family violence, and apply them to various types of family violence. The course provides for a critical examination of a range of policies and programs designed to prevent and respond to particular forms of family violence. Also listed as CRM 346. (Offered every odd-year spring semester)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SOC 353: Drugs in American Society (3.00)
Prerequisite: ENG 112. This course is designed to provide specific knowledge about contemporary alcohol and drugs issues. Drug use and abuse are examined as social-rather than medical or psychopathological-phenomena. Course materials review how, why, and when "drugs" were and are feared, exalted, condoned, and/or stigmatized. Specifically, the course addresses the history of drug use and regulatory attempts in the United States; the relationship between drug use and racism/class conflict; pharmacology and use patterns related to specific drugs; perspectives on the etiology of drug use/abuse; drug using subcultures; drug policy, drug legislation, and enforcement; the promotion and condemnation of drug activities in the mass media. Also examined are the problems associated with drug use and sale, such as physical and mental health changes, familial problems, crime and violence. Also listed as CRM 353. (Offered every even-year spring semester.)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SOC 375: Groups and Organizaitons (3.00)
Prerequisite: SOC 101 or permission of instructor. This course addresses mid-level social structures focusing on groups and organizations. Together with communities, these patterned social relationships weave the individual into and comprise key elements of the larger society. The structure and dynamics of groups and of various organizational types will be examined through analysis of communication, leadership, cooperation and cohesion, inter-group relations, conflict, power, politics and change. The societal impacts of these meso-level structures will be considered. (Offered every odd-year fall term).(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SOC 376: Social Movements/Collective Behavior (3.00)
Prerequisite: SOC 101 and junior standing. In this course we examine conceptually distinct theoretical models of this especially dynamic area of society. The emergence and development of such forms of behavior as crowds, mobs, riots, strikes, including revolutions, protests, fads, fashions, rumors, panics, crazes, and organized social movements are studied. Together these model relations at the inter-group level of analysis. (Offered every even-year spring semester.)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SOC 399: Independent Study (1.00)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (Offered every semester.)(1-3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SOC 407: Micro Social Theory: Mind, Self, Society (3.00)
Prerequisites: SOC 101 and junior or senior standing. Conceptually distinct theoretical models in micro-sociology; emergence and development of the self as a social product, and the effects of social interaction on individual thought and action; social psychological modeling of relationships at the inter-personal level of analysis. (Offered every odd-year spring semester.) (LA)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SOC 495: Advanced Topics in Sociology (1.00)
Prerequisite: to be determined by the Division of Basic and Applied Social Sciences. An advanced study of a specific topic within sociology. Intended for juniors and seniors, or for students with an appropriate background in sociology. The student may repeat the course, but not the topic. (Offered as needed.) (LA)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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