Summer Session

SOC 105: Introduction to Sociology

Undergraduate 3 credits

DEC: F SBC: SBS

A general introduction to the science of sociology, emphasizing sociological theory and methods. Students are taught what is unique about the way in which sociologists analyze human behavior and society. Differences between the sociological perspective and perspectives of other social sciences are emphasized. There is also a heavy emphasis on the types of methods and data that sociologists use to test the validity of their ideas.

SOC 200: Medicine and Society

Undergraduate 3 credits

SBC: SBS

An examination of some traditional concerns of the humanities and social sciences as they occur in basic health care and its delivery. Practicing physicians or other health care professionals present clinical cases to emphasize such topics as allocation of scarce resources, issues of dying and refusing treatment, confidentiality, and cultural factors and disease. Discussion focuses on the social, historical, ethical, and humanistic import of the cases.

SOC 201: Research Methods in Sociology

Undergraduate 3 credits

Prerequisite: SOC 105

SBC: ESI

Methods of collecting and analyzing empirical data to test sociological hypotheses. Emphasis is on multivariate analysis of tabular and statistical data.

SOC 247: Sociology of Gender

Undergraduate 3 credits

DEC: K SBC: DIV; SBS

The historical and contemporary roles of women and men in American society; changing relations between the sexes; women's liberation and related movements. Themes are situated within the context of historical developments in the U.S. This course is offered as both SOC 247 and WST 247.

SOC 248: Social Probl in Global Perspec

Undergraduate 3 credits

Prerequisite: one D.E.C. F or SBS course or U3/U4 status

DEC: F SBC: GLO; SBS+

Examination of contemporary social problems in the United States, identifying how each problem is experienced in other countries, and how each is connected to global level processes or institutions. Such problems as urbanization, drugs and crime, unemployment, and environmental degradation are considered.

SOC 310: Racism and Ethnic Relations

Undergraduate 3 credits

Prerequisite: one D.E.C. F or SBS course or U3/U4 status

DEC: K SBC: DIV; SBS+

The comparative experience of ethnic and other minority groups within the United States, including formation, migration, and conflict; prejudice, discrimination, and minority self-hatred. Consideration of the developments of U.S. society from the colonial period to the present provide the context for consideration of the changing experiences of ethnic groups.

SOC 330: Media and Society

Undergraduate 3 credits

Prerequisite: one D.E.C. F or SBS course or U3/U4 status

DEC: F SBC: SBS+

The course examines changes in the use of mass communications media, such as newspapers, radio, television, and the Internet, over time, and assesses the implications of these changes for society. Consideration of the commercial use of mass media and the media's role in providing news for democratic societies. Emphasis on the global dimensions of the mass media, including how they shape Americans' understandings of other countries and peoples, and vice versa.

SOC 336: Social Change

Undergraduate 3 credits

Prerequisite: one D.E.C. F or SBS course or U3/U4 status

DEC: F SBC: SBS+

Development and modernization are studied in a historical and comparative perspective that emphasizes the universality of social change in human societies. The approach is macrosociological, focusing on broad patterns of change in economic, social, and political organization in the modern era. Revolutions as dramatic instances of socio-political change receive particular attention.

SOC 337: Social Deviance

Undergraduate 3 credits

Prerequisite: one D.E.C. F or SBS course or U3/U4 status

DEC: F SBC: SBS+

Competing theories of the nature of social deviance; stigmatizing, labeling, and application of informal social controls; technical, legal, and ethical issues related to "non-victim" crimes.

SOC 338: Sociology of Crime

Undergraduate 3 credits

Prerequisite: one D.E.C. F or SBS course or U3/U4 status

DEC: F SBC: SBS+

The application of formal social control to criminally prosecutable offenses; the relationship of law and society; the criminal justice system.

SOC 344: Environmental Sociology

Undergraduate 3 credits

Prerequisite: one D.E.C. F or SBS course or U3/U4 status

DEC: F SBC: GLO; SBS+

Analysis of how populations gain sustenance from their environments through organization, information, and technology. Evolution of technology and its ecological consequences for population growth, urbanization, social stratification, environmental destruction, and the quality of life. Problems in managing the human environment and communities.

SOC 361: Historical Devel of Soc Theory

Undergraduate 3 credits

Prerequisites: SOC 105; U3 or U4 standing

DEC: F SBC: SBS+; WRTD

Main currents in the development of modern sociology, with an emphasis on Marx, Weber, and Durkheim, among other leading theorists.

SOC 390: Special Topics

Undergraduate 3 credits

Prerequisite: one D.E.C. F or SBS course or U3/U4 status

DEC: F SBC: SBS+

Past topics have included titles such as Global Trade, Arms, and Human Rights; The Sociology of Aging; and Gender in Africa. Designed for upper-division students, this course provides an in-depth study of a specific topic within social sciences disciplines such as history, economics, political science, and linguistics. Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the methods social scientists use to explore social phenomena, and knowledge of the major concepts, models, and issues of the social science discipline(s) studied. May be repeated as the topic changes.