Academic Catalog

Sociology (SOC)

SOC 1110  Introduction to Sociology  (5 Credits)  
This course is a comprehensive introduction to the field of sociology, including analyses of the interaction between society and the individual; major theoretical perspectives; methods for obtaining sociological knowledge; and major problems and issues that confront societies.
SOC 2000  Sociology of Gender  (5 Credits)  
Explores the nature and effects of gender in society. Looking closely at culture and history, the course also explores the assumptions about the expected roles of men and women in society and how these gender roles are assigned, managed, displayed, and reinforced by individuals and social institutions.
SOC 2252  Marriage and the Family  (5 Credits)  
Surveys the family as a social institution focusing on marital adjustment, parent-child relationships, changing family patterns, and family disorganization and reorganization.
SOC 2351  Living on the Margins: Cities in the Global South  (5 Credits)  
This course addresses the issue of urban livability in developing countries. Students are introduced to the different ways to conceptualize and understand how trends of urbanization have impacted the living conditions of people in Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. This course explores how shanty towns, ghettos, and slums develop in densely populated cities, including Port-au-Prince, Kingston, Jakarta, and Beirut.
SOC 2360  Introduction to Statistics in Social and Behavioral Sciences  (5 Credits)  
Presents the conceptual basis and application of statistical analysis in social and behavioral research. Includes descriptive statistics, correlation and regression, hypothesis testing and inferential statistics. An introduction to analysis of variance and non-parametric statistics will also be provided.
SOC 2510  Criminology  (5 Credits)  
This course focuses on the nature, causes, and distribution of crime in the U.S. The first part of the course deals with definitional, methodological, and measurement issues in the field. The second part of the course focuses on the various social scientific attempts to explain criminal behavior and patterns of criminality. The third part of the course focuses more specifically on understanding particular types of criminal behavior: illegal drug use and crime, criminal homicide, rape, property crime, and white-collar crime. The primary concern will be an understanding of why it is that some people (or groups) are more likely to engage in criminal behavior than others.
SOC 3105  Introduction to Community Development  (5 Credits)  
This course introduces the basic theories and frameworks of community development. Topics will include definitions of poverty and development, cross-cultural and cross-class relationships, techniques for community assessment, organizing, and project evaluation. Case studies wil be included from both the United States and the two-thirds world.
SOC 3215  Social Inequality: Power and Privilege  (5 Credits)  
SOC 1110 is a recommended prerequisite for this course. Analyzes societal organization based on residence, occupation, community, class and race, power structure in the community, and social-mobility patterns.
SOC 3370  Sociology of Deviance  (5 Credits)  
SOC 1110 is a recommended prerequisite for this course. This course explores the social origins of how and why certain behaviors, conditions and ideas are defined as deviant, as well as the enforcement of norms and the sanctioning of deviance. The theoretical foundations of the sociology of deviance will be studied through various topics, including substance abuse, violent and white-collar crime, academic dishonesty, heresy, and more.
SOC 3440  Small Group Dynamics  (5 Credits)  
Friendship cliques, families, governmental committees, juries, and gangs are all small groups. While these kinds of groups are quite different in many respects, they also display some important common features. This course will explore some of the common features that exist across the range of small groups we all participate in daily. In particular this course will examine: (1) the internal processes and structures of small groups, (2) the impact of small groups on their individual members, and (3) the relationship of small groups to larger social structures.
SOC 3650  Border Crossings: Immigrants, Refugees Dreamers  (5 Credits)  
This course considers the implications of immigration policies in the U.S and other western nations. Students learn to understand migratory streams in historical perspective and think about international migration as the product of various social forces. We attempt to understand why countries enact the immigration policies that they do, and how these policies shape the experiences of immigrant groups before and after reaching their destination. Key modules: migrants in transit, refugees & asylum seekers, cultural assimilation, gender and race in immigration policies, etc. Typically offered: Autumn.
SOC 3750  Latin America  (5 Credits)  
SOC 1110 is a recommended prerequisite for this course. Traces the history of Latin America with particular attention to the development of political, economic, social, and religious institutions. Typically offered: Winter.
SOC 3862  Race and Ethnicity  (5 Credits)  
SOC 1110 is a recommended prerequisite for this course. Comparative study of the nature of minority relations, methods and problems of group adjustment, and positions of various minority groups in the United States and other multiracial societies. Typically offered: Winter.
SOC 4210  Gender in the Global Context  (5 Credits)  
SOC 1110 is a recommended prerequisite for this course. An exploration into the variety of conditions that constrain the material, social and spiritual well-being of women around the world. The course will examine how contemporary global processes of social and economic change impact women and how "development" could better address their needs. Typically offered: Autumn.
SOC 4252  Sociology of Family  (5 Credits)  
SOC 1110 is a recommended prerequisite for this course. This is an advanced course examining the Family from a macro-sociological perspective as a social institution deeply embedded in and integrated through larger economic, historical, and cultural processes. The class focuses on the dynamics of the contemporary institution of the American family, examining how changing social processes cause stresses and generate problems within the family.
SOC 4440  Social Psychology  (5 Credits)  
SOC 1110 is a recommended prerequisite for this course. Studies the relationship between the individual and the group. Includes the major theories, methodological approaches, and substantive areas of investigation that figure prominently in social psychology (e.g., aggression, conformity, social perception, attribution processes, interpersonal attraction, altruism). PSY 3438 may be substituted for SOC 4440 in the sociology major, although SOC 4440 is the recommended course. Students may not receive credit for both SOC 4440 and PSY 3438.
SOC 4620  Sects, Cults, and Violence  (5 Credits)  
This course situates sects and cults as New Religious Movements (NRMs) within the social institution of religion. The course examines the diversity of these movements, making sense of them sociologically to understand how sects and cults emerge, how they differ from one another, and why some become violent. Typically offered: Spring.
SOC 4702  Classical Sociological Theory  (5 Credits)  
SOC 1110 is a recommended prerequisite for this course. Explores the major theoretical issues raised by classical theorists such as Weber, Simmel, Marx, Durkheim, and Mead, and their influence on contemporary social theory.
SOC 4751  Sociological Research Methods  (5 Credits)  
Explores the process of social research, the nature of scientific inquiry, and basic research design including surveys, experiments, field research, and unobtrusive methods. Note: PSY 3588 may be substituted for SOC 4751 in sociology and related majors although SOC 4751 is the preferred course. Students may not receive credit for both SOC 4751 and PSY 3588. (This course was previously offered as SOC 3751 Introduction to Research Methods.) Typically offered: Autumn.
SOC 4820  Sociology of Religion  (5 Credits)  
SOC 1110 is a recommended prerequisite for this course. An analysis of religion as a social institution, including the rise of Christianity; religious social perspectives; conversion and commitment processes; sect and cult; charisma and its routinization; religion and inequality; secularization; and social change. Typically offered: Spring.
SOC 4870  Advanced Research  (3 Credits)  
This course is designed for senior-level sociology majors who are interested in further developing the research skills they acquired in SOC 3751: Introduction to Research Methods. Students will complete an independent research project while learning advanced methodological techniques used in social research. We will theory development, project design, data management, and advanced statistical analysis. Students will complete an independent research project to present at a local and/or regional research conference. Typically offered: Winter.
SOC 4899  Sociology Capstone Seminar  (3 Credits)  
SOC 1110 is a recommended prerequisite for this course. Provides an opportunity for students to reflect upon the discipline of sociology, what they have learned in their sociological studies, and the significance of sociology in providing an ongoing perspective for understanding the world. Further, students will be asked to think about how their faith perspective intersects with a sociological approach to understanding human life. Appropriate readings will be assigned to facilitate thought and discussion.
SOC 4900  Independent Study  (1-5 Credit)  
SOC 1110 is a recommended prerequisite for this course. Student works independently with a faculty member on a mutually agreed upon topic.
SOC 4910  Seminar  (1-5 Credit)  
Designed primarily for senior-level sociology majors, this course provides a seminar experience (intensive reading, discussion, and/or data analysis) in a variety of topics that reflect the research interests of the instructor. Advanced students in other majors may contact individual instructors to see if they are eligible to register for the class.
SOC 4920  Readings in Selected Fields  (1-5 Credit)  
Prerequisites: 15 upper-division credits of B work in the discipline; SOC 1110 is also recommended.
SOC 4930  Practicum in Sociology  (1-15 Credit)  
SOC 1110 is a recommended prerequisite. Provides field experience for those students seeking opportunities in direct services, particularly in the area of case management. These students will relate sociological methods and social-work skills to an applied setting. A learning contract describing learning objectives must be developed by the student and approved by the faculty sponsor. Additional information and all placement approvals are obtained from the internship coordinator for the Sociology Department. A maximum of 10 credits may apply to the major and no credits may apply to the minor.
SOC 4940  Internship in Sociology  (1-5 Credit)  
Provides opportunities for students to integrate course learning in Sociology with applied field experience. The internship program is designed for Junior or Senior Sociology majors in good standing. In addition to field hours, students can choose among three writing assignment options. Internships will be under the direction of the internship coordinator in the Sociology department and must be of clear sociological relevance. A minimum of 5 hours per week of field work is required for all internships. Each credit is roughly equivalent to 4 hours per week. A maximum of 10 credits may be applied to the major and no credits may apply to a Sociology minor.
SOC 4951  Special Topics  (5 Credits)  
Topics will vary.
SOC 4970  Independent Research  (1-5 Credit)  
SOC 1110 is a recommended prerequisite for this course. Prerequisite: B work in the discipline. A maximum of 10 credits may apply to the major and no credits may apply to the minor.