Sociology

SOC110 Principles of Sociology (3 semester hours)
Introduces systematic study of human society; considers the growth and present role of human cultural heritage; the impact of group life on the individual personality; the major social institutions; and the basic processes of human interaction resulting in social change.
No prerequisites

SOC215 Cultural Anthropology (3 semester hours)
The origins of humankind and culture. Emphasizes development of our essentially human characteristics, both biological and cultural, including language, customs, and institutions that make up the traditional ways of life of persisting social groups, the cross-cultural analysis of societies, and the nature and function of culture.
Prerequisite: SOC110.

SOC/CRJ230 Criminology (3 semester hours)
Cross-listed with CRJ230. For description see CRJ230.

SOC325 Social Problems (3 semester hours)
Social problems approached as a branch of sociology, not merely a cataloging of popular concerns. Relates the historical antecedents and varying definitions of social problems to analytical perspectives including social disorganization, value conflicts, and deviant behavior, using examples of social problems to illustrate each perspective.
Prerequisite: SOC110.

SOC334 Culture and Personality (3 semester hours)
Anthropological theories, concepts, and methods of study of the relationship between culture and personality: culture, cognition, and emotion; personality characteristics in different cultures; cross-cultural child-rearing practices and sex-role configurations; culture's role in defining, creating and treating mental illness, and the development of mind and emotion in relation to the complexities of the brain.
Prerequisites: SOC110 or SOC215.

SOC335 Racial and Ethnic Relations (3 semester hours)
A sociological analysis of minority groups as they interact with the dominant culture in which they reside. Develops the student's awareness, understanding, and appreciation for the unique nature of distinct cultural and ethnic groups; the sociology of prejudice and the investigation of related social problems.
Prerequisite: SOC110.

SOC340 Cities and Suburbs in Transition (3 semester hours)
This course reviews competing theories of urban development, especially their ability to explain the changing nature of cities under the impact of advanced industrialism. Analysis includes a consideration of emerging metropolitan regions, the microstructure of local neighborhoods, suburbanization and the emergence of edge cities; new immigrants, the informal economy, and globalization; race and ethnic relations; urban poverty and homelessness; as well as the development of relevant policy issues.
Prerequisite: SOC110.

SOC/PSY343 Gender, Self, and Society (3 semester hours)
Cross-listed with PSY343. For description see PSY343.

SOC/PSY344 Human Sexuality (3 semester hours)
Cross-listed with PSY344. For description see PSY344.

SOC/PSY345 Social Psychology (3 semester hours)
Cross-listed with PSY345. For description see PSY345.

SOC348 International Perspective on Women (3 semester hours)
This course focuses on the analysis of selected aspects of the situation of women in various countries of the world. Particular attention is given to the role that social structure, culture, and group membership have in establishing the position of women. We will examine the process of learning one's social role in the society by exploring the impact of various aspects of social structure and culture on one's everyday life. We also will discuss examples of social issues, such as gender inequalities, parenthood, employment, and feminism.
Prerequisite: SOC110.

SOC350 Social Class and Inequality (3 semester hours)
Theories of the origin and perpetuation of inequality in society. Contemporary problems of poverty and race; survey of extant research and literature on status, occupational class, and related conceptual areas including classic community stratification research.
Prerequisite: SOC110.

SOC355 The Family, Diversity and Society (3 semester hours)
Examines the social institution of the family from a theoretical, historical and multicultural perspective. Current issues surrounding the definition and role of the family in society and the diversity of family forms will be explored in cross-cultural perspective as will current trends in the family patterns of various cultural groups in the U.S. The relationship between individual family experiences and larger social patterns is also discussed.
Prerequisite: SOC110.

SOC431 Seminar in Sociological Analysis (3 semester hours)
This course in an invitation to examination of prevailing sociological perspectives and their relation to researchable questions. Readings from Postmodern sociological theorists on selected topics build the foundations for students' individual research. Examples of the most recent conceptualizations of specific social and cultural issues broaden students' perspective of sociology as a discipline. Students explore research methodology, including sampling and questionnaire construction, administration and analysis. They select a research project centered on common topics such as poverty and homelessness in urban areas; migrations; wealth, power, and social diversity; science and society; etc. They review relevant sociological literature, select samples and construct questionnaires. The review of theoretical and methodological foundations of sociological research prepares them for the internships.
Prerequisites: SOC110 and additional coursework in sociology.

SOC432 Community Research Internship (3 semester hours)
Students are individually placed with community organizations and agencies where they carry out research on topics of concern to those organizations and agencies. This gives them the opportunity to use the methods and ideas of sociology in the process of learning about and trying to deal with practical problems faced by communities. Classwork focuses on further instruction in the methods and philosophy of sociological fieldwork. The results of the two-term work are compiled, written, and presented in class.
Prerequisite: SOC431.