Sociology Courses (SOC)
SOC 2275 - Introduction to Sociology (3)
Survey of basic sociological concepts and the effect of social phenomena on individuals, groups and institutions. This course will not count toward the required upper level course hours needed for the sociology or social science minor or major. Prerequisite for all 3000 and 4000 level courses.
SOC 2280 - Social Problems in Contemporary Society (3)
An examination of conditions that are harmful to society. Topics include problems with social institutions, inequality, deviance, and social change.
SOC 3300 - Social Institutions (3)
An analysis of several major social institutions, their structural components, processes, and resultant problems. Group interrelations and social change will be emphasized. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 3301 - Collective Behavior and Social Movements (3)
This course provides an in-depth understanding of the dynamics of collective behavior and social movements and focuses both on domestic and global movements. A variety of social movements and counter movements are considered that span a variety of geographical regions and time periods. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 3305 - Visual Sociology (3)
Visual sociology examines and produces visual perspectives on social life. It allows one to apply the sociological imagination in telling a visual story about social phenomena. Visual sociology utilizes all sorts of visual material in its analysis and methodologies. Hands-on use of smart phones and digital cameras will be utilized for applied class projects. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 3315 - Sociology of Popular Music (3)
Sociological analysis of a very influential and popular music art form, from its origins in the first half of the twentieth century to more contemporary social contests. Examines the roles of race relations, social class, gender, inequalities, region, genre, commercial exploitation and technology in the evolution of popular music. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 3316 - Sociology of Popular Culture and Mass Media(3)
This course will examine popular culture and mass media and the theoretical frameworks that analyze their force in society. Mass media includes everything from television, film, radio, magazines, newspapers and the countless means of mass communication brought about through the Internet. Studying the mass media and its impact through popular culture is vital to sociologists given their profound influence on culture and social life. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 3323 - Juvenile Delinquency (3)
An examination of social, economic, psychological, and physiological determinants of young people's behavior as it concerns family, community, and social worker. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 3331 - Sociology of the Family (3)
Analysis of the family as a social institution and as a social group, with emphasis on the impact of the changing society on traditional family functions, courtship, role expectations, child rearing, and family stability. The course will examine changes in work patterns, marriage, divorce, and cohabitation over time including contemporary problems affecting marital relations and family interactions. Race, ethnicity, age, and gender differences will also be addressed. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 3332 - Family Violence (3)
A course to provide students with an in-depth study of the problems of violence in families including spouse abuse, child abuse, elder abuse, and the dynamics and dangers of violent relationships. The study will examine the root causes of family violence and the devastating, multi-generational effects of violence on its victims and society. Students will study current societal responses to family violence including protection services, treatment programs, legal defense strategies, and current legislation. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 3345 - Criminology (3)
Study of crime and its causes and measurements. Topics include various explanations of criminal behavior, typology of crime, criminal justice system, and social relations to crime. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 3346 - Deviant Behavior (3)
This course will explore the social meaning and construction of social behavior outside normative boundaries. Deviance is relative social behavior that occurs outside social norms. By the end of this course, students will be familiar with, and think critically about the attitudes, behaviors, and meanings associated with society and social deviance. In addition, students will be introduced to topics related to law, social change, social power, conflict, structure, and culture. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 3351 - Sociology Study Abroad (1-3)
Supervised investigation of relevant topics in sociology through travel study abroad or within the interior of the United States. Prerequisites: Applicable survey courses and permission of the instructor.
SOC 3355 - Death and Dying (3)
This course provides an examination of individual and societal attitudes toward death and the dying process. It will include the emotions experienced, cultural variations, theoretical perspectives and institutional relationships. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 3356 - Sociology of Aging (3)
Sociological examination of global social changes precipitated by the demographic phenomenon of the aging of U. S. society and other societies. Addresses the heterogeneity of the older population, their locations, perceptions, and constraints. Issues such as housing, transportation, health care, and death and dying are explored. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 3357 - Sociological Aspects of Human Sexuality (3)
An examination of the cultural and social components of sexuality including current perspectives on sexuality, sex research and theory, cross-cultural perspectives and sexual diversity, gender issues, sexual relationships, sexual orientations, pregnancy and parenthood, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual victimization, sexuality across the life span, and recent social changes affecting sexuality in society. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 3360 - Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods (3)
This course will provide students with an overview of qualitative (non-statistical) research methods. It will also familiarize students with the various areas of sociological study in which qualitative methods is preferred to quantitative research and will offer students the necessary training to engage in high-quality qualitative research. Special emphasis will include: participant observation, interviews, and on-line methodologies. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 3370 - Society and Environment (3)
This is a course that will focus on the relationship between society and the environment. It will include individual, group (social movements) and institutional impacts on the environment and reciprocal effects. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 3375 - Research Methods in Sociology (3)
The purpose of this course is to provide a structured opportunity to review, learn, and apply sociological research methods – both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Using primarily sociological examples, exercises, and theory, each student will develop a research question and a general research design report. Prerequisite: ENG 1102 or ENG 1104, SOC 2275
SOC 3376 - Sociological Statistics (3)
A detailed description of what sociologists do with the information they gather. Qualitative and quantitative data from sociological examples are discussed. Particular attention is given to descriptive and inferential statistics, the relationship between research and policy, evaluation research, and research ethics. Prerequisite: SOC 2275, STAT 2210 or equivalent
SOC 3380 - Sociological Social Psychology (3)
A survey of Social Psychology from a sociological perspective. Emphasis is placed on classic topics such as the self-concept, the process of socialization, symbolic interactionism and the social construction of reality, as well as contemporary topics such as small group dynamics, power, social exchange and collective behavior. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 4406 - Urban Sociology (3)
Historical, physical, economic, and social evolutions of urbanized areas. Emphasis on contemporary urban problems with implications for policy and planning. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 4408 - Rural Sociology (3)
A study of rural society, its organization, agencies, institutions, population trends and composition, patterns of settlement, social processes and change in character. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 4409 - Political Sociology (3)
An overview of politics and political systems from earliest times to the present with some emphasis on democratic systems in the U. S. and other modern countries. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 4411 - Population and Society (3)
This course provides an exciting overview of how to analyze and think about changing population trends in the U.S. as well as around the world. Students will learn how to relate contemporary and pressing problems such as migration, population growth, fertility, death rates, and other population changes to current social and economic policy debates (e.g., funding for Social Security, education, healthcare, etc.). In this way, students can see the true impact of how population issues affect our society. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 4413 - Sociology of Race and Ethnicity (3)
This course explores the dynamics of race and ethnicity from a sociological perspective. Students will be introduced to the major sociological concepts and issues concerning racial and ethnic identity, intergroup relations, prejudice, discrimination, racism, immigration, and multiculturalism, including current trends. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 4421 - Social Inequality (3)
This course examines the structure of social inequality both in the U.S. and in the international context. It reviews theories of inequality and also explores empirical data on stratification both domestically and globally. It also examines how we can try to achieve more social equality and social justice both nationally and globally. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 4430 - Sociology of Religion (3)
An examination of the social institution of religion. The course will discuss modes of worship, the relationship between various religious systems and other aspects of society, the categorization of religious groups into cults, sects, denominations and ecclesia, and the rise of secularization in the 21st Century. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 4434 - Sociology of Gender (3)
Provides an analysis of the conceptualization of gender with a focus on the methods of studying gender, historical perspectives on gender, biological and social bases of gender, and how gender intersects with other stratification systems within societies globally. Using a multicultural perspective, special emphasis is placed on how gender is manifested in the family as well as other major social institutions. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 4444 - The Sociology of Cinema (3)
This course is designed to critically examine sociological issues within American Society via the lens of cinema. Prerequisite: SOC 2275
SOC 4445 - Trends in Globalization (3)
The concept of “globalization” explores issues of social, cultural, political, and economic connectivity that are taking place between societies (of people) on our planet. This course examines the historical foundations and current trends of globalization. It also explores the opportunities and constraints that globalization brings to citizens throughout the world. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 4446 - Sociology of Education (3)
This course provides an overview of the theories, methods and issues in the sociology of education today. Issues include text censorship, school and class size, race and gender inequalities, violence in schools, etc. Classroom activities will also explore various social influences on education and different learning modalities. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 4451 - Peace, Conflict and Human Rights (3)
Sociological analysis of peace, conflict and human rights, with a focus on the last 100 years. Emphasis will be placed on non-violent struggles at the nation-state level internationally. The role of ethnic and religious affiliations in current war and conflict at home and abroad will also be examined. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 4456 - Gerontology (3)
Gerontology is the study of the process of human aging in all its many aspects: Physical, psychological, and social. There is a specific emphasis on important elements of aging, such as socialization, family interaction, retirement, physical and psychological aging, and perceptions of older persons in contemporary society. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 4459 - Sociology of Health, Medicine and Illness (3)
The sociological perspective applied to medicine. Topics include changing ideas of disease causation, the role of practitioners and patients, the institutional setting, differential delivery of health services, differential patterns of morbidity and mortality based on age, gender, race and socio-cultural variables, and the politics of health. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 4462 - Applied Sociology (3)
This course will provide an overview of applied sociology. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 4465 - The Sociology of Sport (3)
An examination of the sociological perspective of sport as an institution. Particular emphasis is placed on the impact of sport on the individual, small groups, other institutions, and society. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 4489 - Internship in Sociology (3)
Applications of skills and knowledge of sociology in government agency, foundation, public service institution or similar situation under the supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisite: Sociology Major, SOC 2275; junior/senior classification; 3.0 cumulative GPA, 3.5 major GPA; consultation with department Internship Coordinator.
SOC 4490 - Internship in Sociology (3)
Applications of skills and knowledge of sociology in government agency, foundation, public service institution or similar situation under the supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisite: Sociology Major, SOC 2275; junior/senior classification; 3.0 cumulative GPA, 3.5 major GPA; consultation with department Internship Coordinator.
SOC 4491-92 - Guided Independent Research (1 to 3 credit hours per course per semester)
Undergraduate research with attention to critical evaluation of research techniques, methods and procedures. Prerequisites: SOC 2275, Junior or senior standing with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, permission of guiding professor, approval of department chair or dean. A written request is to be submitted to the department chair at least two weeks in advance of the term in which the study is to be undertaken. May not be used to repeat a course for which a grade of D or below has been earned. Application forms are available in the office of University Records. Guided independent research may be taken only in the applicant's major or minor field. Also see index for “Independent Study and Research.”.
SOC 4493-94 - Guided Independent Study (1 to 3 credit hours per course per semester)
Supervised study through field and laboratory projects, guided readings, creative endeavors or achievement of specific skills. Prerequisites: SOC 2275, Junior or senior standing, with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, permission of guiding professor, approval of department chair or dean. A written request is to be submitted to the department chair at least two weeks in advance of the term in which the study is to be undertaken. May not be used to repeat a course for which a grade of D or below has been earned. Application forms are available in the office of University Records. Guided independent research may be taken only in the applicant's major or minor field. Also see index for “Independent Study and Research.”.
SOC 4495 - Selected Topics (3)
Designed as a vehicle for the exploration of topics of current interest within the major discipline of sociology. Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 4498 - Sociological Theory (3)
A survey of the major theorists in sociology, emphasizing those who made critical contributions influencing the sociology discipline and beyond. In addition, the course will also explore contemporary theorists' contributions Prerequisite: SOC 2275.
SOC 4499 - Professional Seminar in Sociology (3)
In this course, the senior-level sociology student prepares for the transition to graduate school/career. The student explores himself/herself as a person and as a sociologist in an effort to choose a fulfilling career path. In addition to career exploration, students conduct a senior project in an area of interest consistent with their academic program. Prerequisite: SOC 3375, SOC 3376, SOC 4498, Senior Status or permission from instructor.