Sociology Course Listing
SOC-S 100 Introduction to Sociology (3 cr)
Covers the perspective of sociology, its method of inquiry, concepts such as culture, socialization and interaction, “social structure”, groups, and selected sociological theories. Occasionally includes: Sources of Power and Authority (Social Class, Gender, Age, Race and Ethnicity), Institutions (Family, Education, Religion, Work & Economy, and Political), and Social Change (including Mass Movements).
Offered every semester.
SOC-S 101 Social Problems and Policies (3 cr)
Provides a sociological perspective to an in-depth study of a major social problem; explores the policy implications of the general sociological perspective and of sociological knowledge of a particular problem. Problems vary by section; examples include: population, drug use, science and technology, poverty.
Occasional offering.
- Prerequisite: S100 or consent of instructor.
SOC-S 210 Sociology of American Ethnic Diversity (3 cr)
Study of demographic shifts, immigration and ethnicity that shaped our past and will pattern our future; understanding of different groups and cultures to lead to recognizing, respecting, and valuing each person’s differences.
Occasional offering.
- Prerequisite: S100 or consent of instructor.
SOC-S 215 Social Change (3 cr)
Social change takes many forms, from gradual to accelerated change, from cultural change (new values and beliefs) to structural change (new forms of organization, changing statuses of women and minorities) and demographic change(people live longer and have fewer children; divorce rates increase). Sections of this course explore some of these and related topics, such as changes in race and ethnic relations, gender roles, the family and sexuality, reform and revolution, social movements, modernization of nations, and the changing role of government in society. Generally offered Fall semester.
- Prerequisite: S100 or consent of instructor.
SOC-S 217 Social Inequity (3 cr)
This course examines how various inequalities have evolved over time, and ask how these inequalities shape the life chances of individuals in different socioeconomic, racial/ethnic, and gender groups. Throughout the course we give particular attention to contemporary U.S.A. and to the challenges that recent developments pose for American society.
Generally offered Spring semester.
- Prerequisite: S100 or consent of instructor.
SOC-S 230 Society and the Individual (3 cr)
This course focuses specifically on the ways in which individuals develop within groups, shape and are shaped by group interaction. Topics include: how people interact with, think about, and feel about others, how children learn (“socialization”), cross-cultural differences in interactional styles, verbal interaction, friendship relations, negotiated order, pressures to conform to gender stereotypes, the processes of acquiring status in peer cultures, attitude change, interpersonal attraction, and prejudice and discrimination. Generally offered Spring semester.
- Prerequisite: S100 or consent of instructor
SOC-S 254 Qualitative Field Research (3 cr)
Covers the most salient aspects of field research, including taking field notes and coding, engaging in participant-observation, taking on a variety of research roles, creating topical guides and conducting in-depth interviews, and writing a publishable-quality research paper. Students must find a suitable setting in which to conduct their semester-long research project.
Generally offered Fall semester.
SOC-S 308 Introduction to Comparative Sociology/Global Society (3 cr)
Introduction to methods of cross-cultural analysis; study of key theories derived from comparative analysis, with emphasis on determinants and consequences of industrialization. Occasional offering.
- Prerequisite: S100 or consent of instructor
SOC-S 313 Religion and Society (3 cr)
The nature, consequences, and theoretical origins of religion, as evident in social construction and functional perspectives; the social origins and problems of religious organizations; and the relationships between religion and morality, science, magic, social class, minority status, economic development, and politics. Occasional offering.
- Prerequisite: S100 or consent of instructor
SOC-S 315 Work and Occupations (3 cr)
This course devotes some attention to “how we got here”. The issues that were resolved in ways that have led to down-sizing, massive technological changes, and the prospect of careers looking very different than our grandparent’s did are still with us—control of work and workers, the use of highly skilled vs. not so skilled workers, how new technology changes work (or not). Occasional offering.
- Prerequisite: S100 or consent of instructor
SOC-S 316 The Family (3 cr)
What defines a family and how the family has changed historically is often a starting point for this course, as are broader trends in family formation, divorce and remarriage. Most sections of this course explore topics like the division of labor within families, the opposing demands of work and family (e.g., dual careers), the experience of forming relationships and marriages, rearing children and sibling relationships. Generally offered Fall semester.
- Prerequisite: S100 or consent of instructor
SOC-S 320 Deviant Behavior and Social Control (3 cr)
This course includes how different societies, groups and periods of history come to define any particular behavior as “deviant.” Similarly, how do they grapple with the problem of controlling or punishing such behavior? Even to consider such a question requires thinking about the extent to which “deviance” is socially constructed. Alternative theoretical explanations of deviant behavior are addressed. Generally offered Fall semester.
- Prerequisite: S100 or consent of instructor
SOC-S 325 Criminology (3 cr)
Criminal behavior in its many forms—interpersonal violence, property crime, white collar crime, etc.—is the focus of this course. Most sections consider the arguments, strengths and weakness of a variety of theories of criminal behavior in some detail, ranging from social learning theory, sub-cultural differences, labeling theory, to differential association and others. Occasional offering.
- Prerequisite: S100 or consent of instructor
SOC-S 329 Women and Deviance (3 cr)
Using theoretical models of women and deviance, this course examines gender norms and roles in crime, historical conceptions, justice system response, and current issues regarding women’s participation in criminal activity. Occasional offering.
- Prerequisite: S100 or consent of instructor
SOC-S 335 Race and Ethnic Relations (3 cr)
Race and ethnicity are institutionalized features of our social world and therefore influence our very conception of who we are and social heritage. Sections differ in the degree to which each focuses on the experiences of particular ethnic groups or racial groups. U.S. society is the typical focus of this course. Some sections add a comparative look at relations in other societies. Generally offered Fall semester.
- Prerequisite: S100 or consent of instructor
SOC-S 340 Social Theory (3 cr)
Theory courses focus on the thought and works of “great theorists”—Emile Durkheim, Max Weber and Karl Marx foremost among them, though some sections extend their focus to more contemporary theorists as well. Theory tries to make sense of problematic aspects of an ever changing social world. Works of theory have often grown out of massive political and institutional changes—such as the industrial revolution, the emergence of large bureaucracy. We need a theoretical understanding of the consequences of these developments. Generally offered Spring semester.
- Prerequisite: S100 or consent of instructor
SOC-S 360 Topics in Social Policy (3 cr)
Specific topics announced each semester; examples include environmental affairs, urban problems, poverty, and population problems. May be repeated three times for credit with different topics. Occasional offering.
- Prerequisite: S100 or consent of instructor
SOC-S 410 Topics in Social Organizations (3 cr)
Specific topics announced each semester, e.g., social stratification, formal organizations, urban social organization, education, religion, politics, demography, social power, social conflict, social change, comparative social systems. May be repeated three times for credit with a different topic. Occasional offering.
- Prerequisite: S210 or S340 or consent of instructor.
SOC-S 413 Gender and Society (3 cr)
Explores several theories of sex inequality in order to understand the bases of female-male inequality in American society; examines the extent of sex inequality in several institutional sectors; and considers personal and institutional barriers women face, including those resulting from socialization, discrimination, and other structural arrangements. Offered spring semesters.
- Prerequisite: S100 or consent of instructor
SOC-S 427 Social Conflict (3 cr)
Origin, development, and termination of social conflict; its organizing and disorganizing effects; its control. Occasional offering
- Prerequisite: S100 or consent of instructor
SOC-S 494 Field Experience in Sociology (1-6 cr)
Faculty-directed study of aspects of sociology based on field experience, in conjunction with directed readings and writing. Limited to a total of nine credit hours of both S494 and S495.
- Prerequisite: consent of instructor and prior arrangement.
SOC-S 495 Individual Readings in Sociology (1-6 cr)
Limited to a total of nine credit hours of both S494 and S495.
- Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and prior arrangement, usually in conjunction with honors work.
