Course Catalog

Sociology

101. Introduction to Sociology.
An introduction to the ways that group relations affect human behavior. Considers interactions between individuals, institutions, communities, and culture. Examines ongoing processes that shape society. Cornerstone 3. Four credits. Offered yearly.

180. Independent Study in Sociology.

190. Special Topics in Sociology.

198. Independent Research in Sociology.

204. Modern Social Problems.
An overview of the nature and meaning of selected social problems from an interdisciplinary social science perspective. Topics normally examined include such problems as racism, sexism, poverty, crime, and environmental pollution. This course includes an analysis of proposed solutions to such problems. Cornerstone 3. Four credits. Offered yearly.

210. Statistics for the Social Sciences.
An introduction to statistical techniques commonly used in the Social Sciences. Topics include scales of measurement, measurement of central tendency and variability, probabilities, distributions, hypothesis testing and confidence intervals, linear regression and correlations. Prerequisite: One of the following: Math 105/105T, Math 130/130T, Math ACT of 22 or higher, or Math SAT 05 530 or higher. Not open to those who have received credit for Econ 135. Four credits.

211. Sociology of the Family.
An examination of historical and contemporary lifestyles ranging from single adulthood through polygamous unions, unmarried cohabitation, blended parent, utopian communities, and traditional monogamous marriages with a view toward families of the future and the student’s adoption of an intentional personal lifestyle. Cornerstone 3. Four credits.

219. Employment Experience in Sociology.

252. Standards for Professional Behavior in the Human Services.
Ethical concerns in human services professions will be examined. Dilemmas involving confidentiality and privacy, conflicts of interest, deception, coercion and control, and human subjects review will be explored within the broader context of the concepts of justice, fairness and respect. In addition to theoretical constructs of ethical issues that arise in social science disciplines, various written codes of conduct (such as National Association of Workers, American Corrections Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police, American Bar Association and American Psychological Association) will be explored. Four credits. Offered yearly.

280. Independent Study in Sociology.

290. Special Topics in Sociology.

298. Independent Research in Sociology.

311. Women: The Struggle for Equality.
This course explores women’s struggle for equality in the United States. The minority/subordinate status of women will be addressed through such perspectives as conservatism, liberalism, traditional Marxism, radical feminism, and socialist feminism. Cornerstone 6. Four credits.

319. Internship in Sociology.

320. Sociological Theory.
A survey of the form and substance of both classical and contemporary sociological theory. Emphasis is given to the construction and critique of theory, and to the place of theory in everyday life. The course will examine such topics as Marxism, feminism, postmodernism and social change theories. Prerequisite: Junior standing or six credits of 300-level sociology courses. Four credits. Offered yearly.

321. Methods of Social Research I.
Contemporary methods are employed in assembling, analyzing, and interpreting social data. Data base management and statistical software packages are used to evaluate research findings. Individual research assignments and class projects introduce the student to techniques for dealing with specific types of theoretical and social research problems. Prerequisites: Sociology 210 and Sociology 320. Four credits. Offered yearly.

323. Methods of Social Research II.
This course serves as a component of the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice’s Honors program. Select students are invited to enroll in the Honors program, via this course. Under the guidance of the instructor each student will design and execute an original research project of either quantitative or qualitative design. Prerequisite: Invitation only. Four credits.

331. Complex Organizations.
We live out much of our lives interacting with organizations. This course aims for both a theoretical and concrete understanding of several types of social organizations, such as government, business, medical, and media organizations. We emphasize organizations’ “internal” relationships with their members and “external” relationships with their clients and other organizations. Cornerstone 3. Four credits.

350. Environmental Sociology.
This course examines how people affect places. Some topics covered include the population size and distribution on life quality with respect to health, nutrition, housing, air and water, economic opportunity, political stability, and other issues in a global context. Cornerstone 3. Four credits.

360. Social Movements.
This course examines the history and theory of social movements such as the American women’s and civil rights movements, the international “Green” movement, revolutionary movements, and conservative movements. The course will focus on movement organization, strategy, use of media and interactions with government. Among the questions to be explored are: What kinds of experiences turn everyday people into “activists”? Why do some social movements succeed while others fail? How have social movements altered American culture, economy, and politics? Prerequisites: One course in sociology. Four credits. Offered yearly.

380. Independent Study in Sociology.

390. Special Topics in Sociology.

391-392. Honors Tutorial.

398. Independent Research in Sociology.

Last Updated: 11/18/11