Department of Sociology

LATS 2300. Introduction to Latina/o Studies.

This course is an introduction to Latina/o studies, which includes an emphasis upon the historical origins, the demographic changes, and contemporary issues facing Latinas/os. It will focus on the development of Latina/o ethnicities, identities, and their impact in American society. (MULT).

LATS 4300. Independent Research in Latina/o Studies.

This course is an independent study course in Latina/o Studies with readings, research, and tutorials for students pursuing projects outside the context of regularly offered courses. Students engage in learning about Latina/o Studies through readings, research, an oral presentation, and the creation of a bibliography approved by the instructor. (WI) Prerequisite: Instructor approval.

LATS 4325. Latina/o Identities, Communities and Social Change.

This course examines the social continuities, sociopolitical and geographic complexities, and diversities of Latina/os in the U.S. It focuses on crucial issues confronting Latina/os such as the role of race, culture, identity, community development, and leadership practices influencing public policy.(MULT) Prerequisite: LATS 2300 with a minimum grade of a “C”.

SOCI 1310. Introduction to Sociology.

A survey of the basic concepts in sociology including social organization, culture, socialization, groups, and human population leading to the development of a sociological perspective of human behavior. SOCI 1310 and SOCI 3300 may not both be counted for credit. (MULT).

SOCI 3307. Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences.

The application of descriptive and inferential statistics of behavioral science data.

SOCI 3317. Popular Culture and Society.

The content of popular culture, including movies, television, genre novels, popular music, fads and fashion, sports, contemporary folklore, festivals and celebrations, clothing and body decoration, and related cultural material, is examined and analyzed for social significance. (MULT).

SOCI 3318. Applied Data Analysis.

This course introduces the student to some of the uses of various existing statistical software packages including proper application, limitations, and interpretations of results. Prerequisite: SOCI 3307 with a grade of "D" or better or instructor approval.

SOCI 3320. Population Dynamics.

A study of the composition of the world’s population, focusing on growth, problems, politics, and controls. (MULT).

SOCI 3322. Sociology of Latinos and Immigration.

This class will examine the impact that immigration and migration have on the growth of the Latino population as well as current debates surrounding immigration and its future in the U.S.

SOCI 3323. Sociology of Consumption.

Consumption is an integral part of social life in the United States, shaping how we see ourselves and others. While consumption can enhance consumers' lives, it is linked to a host of social and environmental problems. This course critically examines such problems and explores alternatives to the way of life that is consumerism.

SOCI 3324. Social Stratification.

The study of inequality as it relates to occupational, educational, religious, political, and other social activities. (MULT).

SOCI 3325. Social Deviance.

Theoretical and descriptive analysis of the major types of deviant behavior.

SOCI 3327. Sociology of Racial and Ethnic Relations.

This course focuses upon sociological perspectives in understanding race, ethnicity, and the relations between minority and majority groups with special reference to the American scene. (MULT) (MULP).

SOCI 3328. Complex Organizations.

The study and analysis of complex organizations, bureaucracies, and professions and their influence on individuals and society and its institutions.

SOCI 3329. Life Course Sociology.

This course examines major sociological approaches to the study of the human life course. Theoretical approaches reviewed include age stratification, the life course perspective, and constructivist and critical approaches to the life course.

SOCI 3330. Globalization and Development.

This course covers the sociology of globalization and development. Students will learn about theories of globalization; the effects of globalization on cultural, economic and political life; and factors at different levels of analysis affecting socioeconomic development, security, human rights, and democracy around the world. (MULT).

SOCI 3331. Social Movements.

This course examines social movements – the repeated display of collective action outside sanctioned political channels to bring about social change. Different theoretical approaches to social movements are reviewed to determine how movements organize, attract members, utilize resources, ideologically frame their issues, and engage in nonconventional tactics to influence public policy.

SOCI 3333. The Sociology of Popular Music.

This course explores the dynamic and interactive relationships between music, culture, and society. Popular American music - from blues, gospel, ragtime, jazz, country, and swing to rock, disco, punk, alternative, and rap - will be analyzed as reflections of culture, as society’s “voice,” and as a powerful instrument of socialization and social change. (MULT).

SOCI 3334. Mind and Society.

This course provides an overview of mental health and illness with an emphasis on how social environments and structures influence mental well-being. The course explores the causes and consequences of mental health disorders. The course examines policies and programs aimed at improving mental health in society.

SOCI 3337. The Family.

A comparative study of the family in various cultures, both historical and contemporary, with attention to the family in terms of social organization, social change, and social disorganization. (MULT).

SOCI 3338. Family Problems.

This course applies sociological knowledge to common problems encountered in families: spouse and child abuse, elder abuse, catastrophic illness, suicide, unemployment, poverty, teen pregnancy, aging and gender issues. Worldwide traditions and norms affecting the institution of the family are also reviewed. (MULT).

SOCI 3340. Sociology of Sport and Leisure.

The theories and research in leisure and popular culture will serve as the broad framework. An emphasis will be placed on the sub-area of sport sociology, including such topics as sport and aggression, competition, children, women, minorities, professionalism, and others. (MULT).

SOCI 3343. Criminology.

The various theories of crime, the cause of crime, areas of crime, treatment of criminals through the courts, punishment, reform, education, probation, and parole, and means of crime prevention. (MULT).

SOCI 3347. Juvenile Delinquency.

Delinquency in modern society, basic factors and conditions of juvenile delinquency, and the problem of delinquency control. (MULT).

SOCI 3349. Drugs and Society.

A sociological examination of the social context of drug abuse with emphasis on the social factors, processes, and institutions that impact drug abuse. Applications of sociological theories and research methods will be studied. (MULT).

SOCI 3350. Gender and Society.

This course examines the relations between gender roles throughout the world. Special attention is given to changes in these roles and the consequences of such changes for societies, including familial, marital, and sexual relationships. (MULT).

SOCI 3353. Urban Society.

A study of urbanization as a social phenomenon with attention to traditional sociological studies of the community. (MULT).

SOCI 3358. Work and Society.

This course will explore sociological studies of work and occupations, including the structure of work, economic changes, and concerns of workers such as earnings, promotions, and unemployment. It is divided into three main topics: the social organization of work, current work trends, and inequalities at work. (MULT).

SOCI 3363. Medical Sociology: The Sociology of Health and Illness Behavior.

An examination of the social determinants and consequences of human health, morbidity, and mortality, including considerations of health institutions, organizations, professionals, and clients. Social epidemiology of human diseases and mortality and changing relationships of acute and chronic diseases are stressed. (WI) (MULT).

SOCI 3365. Society and Environment.

This course addresses issues emerging from the reciprocal relationship between society and its environment. The impacts of social and economic organization, social class, and government policies on the physical and social milieu will be examined in order to produce a better understanding of social and environmental interactions. (MULT).

SOCI 3367. Sustainable Cities.

This course uses sociological insight to develop a broader understanding of key concepts and debates about the sustainability of cities.

SOCI 3372. Food and Society.

This course surveys the sociological study of food. Students will examine how people in societies socially construct "food"; how people obtain food and the implications of this process for our health, economy, and environment; and how food relates to issues of race-ethnicity, social class, and gender. (MULT).

SOCI 3375M. Latinos and Aging.

This course offers an understanding of the growing Latino aging population in American society, highlighting issues related to their social, familial, economic, physical, and mental well-being. This course will also cover social programs, health and human service needs, and social policies affecting Latino elders. (MULT).

SOCI 3375N. Urban Sociology in Comparative Perspective.

Topics include the historical development of cities, cities as engines of culture, planning, and gentrification. The comparative emphasis permits analysis of London in light of corresponding phenomena in American cities.

SOCI 3375O. Culture and Society in Comparative Perspective.

Topics include cultural change and diffusion and social concerns such as inequality, gender, popular culture, etc. The comparative emphasis permits analysis of these phenomena in England vis-à-vis the United States.

SOCI 3375P. Sociology of Religion: A Global Perspective.

This course is an introduction to the tools and concepts central to the sociological study of religion and religiosity. It takes a global perspective on religions, inspecting the ideas of classic and modern sociological theorists concerning the various roles, functions, conflicts, prejudices and symbols of religion.

SOCI 3375Q. Climate Change and Society.

This course will focus on the ways in which social institutions and social structures play a foundational role in climate change, but also how these social intuitions, structures, and processes can adapt to solve climate change problems. Climate change is an existential threat to humans. There is a strong consensus among physical scientist that the burning of fossil fuels by humans is the main driver of climate change. Sociology is uniquely situated to investigate and understand the social ramifications of climate change. The course will also focus on issues of climate change and inequality and environmental justice.

SOCI 3383. Aging and Society.

This course is an introduction to the sociology of aging and social gerontology. It employs a multicultural perspective to examine diversity in the aging process as influenced by societal forces. (MULT).

SOCI 3384. The Sociology of Death and Dying.

A study of the sociological and social psychological perspectives on death and dying in contemporary societies with particular emphasis on the meanings of death, on dying as a social process, and on death in the context of both social organization and the life cycle.

SOCI 3390. Technology and Society.

The subject of this course is the relationship between technologies and social institutions. Topics covered may include but are not limited to theories of sociotechnical change, diffusion, social constructivism, modernity and rationalism, and case studies of transformative technologies such as the clock, the car, and the birth control pill.

SOCI 3395. Sociology of Sexuality.

Sexuality is explored from a social constructionist perspective, in contrast to essentialist and biological determinist perspectives dominating the Western understanding of sexual roles and behavior. Sexual identity, desire, behavior, response, and health are viewed as socially constructed, largely in response to concerns about societal order. (MULT).

SOCI 4306. Sociological Theory.

This course examines classical sociological theories and the contemporary theories that follow from them. The major approaches covered are functionalism, conflict theory, symbolic interaction, and phenomenology. (WI) (MULT) Prerequisite: Departmental approval.

SOCI 4308. Quantitative Research Methods.

Basic issues in social research are introduced, while emphasizing design and analysis of quantitative research studies. Research exercises culminate in a major research paper analyzing secondary data from The General Social Survey. Critique of published research articles is also required. (WI) Prerequisite: SOCI 3307 with a grade of "D" or better. Corequisite: SOCI 3318 with a grade of "D" or better.

SOCI 4309. Qualitative Research Methods.

This course examines issues in the sociological research process with an emphasis on qualitative methods. Students will design, propose, and submit a qualitative study based on an extensive review of the sociological literature. (WI) Prerequisite: Departmental approval.

SOCI 4360. Directed Study.

A course of independent study open to superior students. May be repeated with different emphasis. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.

SOCI 4690. Internship in Applied Sociology.

This course is a supervised work experience related to students’ career interests. Requirements include seminars and a 300-hour internship for 15 weeks during long semesters or 10 weeks in the summer. This course is limited to BS majors who meet all prerequisites and can be taken for credit only once.