Schools · Programs · Policies · Courses · Index · Other Catalogs · AU Home
Undergraduate Catalog 2004-2006: Courses

Sociology

SOC1100 Principles of Sociology (4 semester hours)
The course is an introduction to the systematic study of human society. Students learn about the impact of society and culture on individuals and about the role of individuals in the construction of social life and culture. They develop sociological imagination and sociological mindfulness and learn how to apply the new skills to the interpretation of social reality and their own experience. They are introduced to the major social institutions & the basic processes of human interaction resulting in social change. They learn contemporary sociological theories, and design and conduct their own field research project.
No prerequisites
Meets General Education "Knowing Ourselves and Others" Group A


SOC2150 Cultural Anthropology (3 semester hours)
The course introduces students to culture defined as a key aspect of human adaptability and success. Students learn about the process of development of our essentially human characteristics, both biological and cultural, including language, customs, & institutions that make up the ways of life of social groups. A cross-cultural analysis of societies and the multiple functions of culture are discussed. Students are encouraged to develop cultural self-awareness, self-reflection, reduce ethnocentrism, & create new ways of understanding of their own culture.
No prerequisites
Meets General Education "Knowing Ourselves and Others" Group A


SOC/CRJ2300 Criminology (3 semester hours )

Cross-listed with CRJ2300. For description see CRJ2300.
GENERAL EDUCATION: Yes (Knowing through Observation of Ourselves and Others)


SOC3350 Race, Ethnicity, and Power (4 semester hours)
The course focuses on the sociological analysis of minority groups as they interact with the dominant culture in which they reside. It develops students' awareness, understanding, and appreciation for the unique experience of distinct cultural and ethnic groups. The complexity of the fabric of social life and the fluidity of the dominant and subordinate status in society are discussed. Stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination of a wide range of social categories, from age, gender, and race to social class, religion, and ability and the role they play in the shaping of the structures of power are also analyzed.
No prerequisites
Meets General Education "Knowing Ourselves and Others" Group A


SOC3400 Social Problems in Urban Society (4 semester hours)
The course reviews issues related to urban development, the changing nature of cities, suburbs and rural areas, both from a global and local perspective. Analysis includes consideration of emerging metropolitan areas, the microstructure of local neighborhoods, suburbanization and the development of edge cities. The discussion focuses on social problems related to economic and political violence. The migratory movements, informal economy, and globalization, as well as the development of nationalisms, multinational corporate economy, and fragmentation, and the impact of these macro processes on everyday life in cities, suburbs, and rural areas are also taken into consideration.
No prerequisites


SOC/PSY3430 Gender, Sexuality, and Society (4 semester hours)
The course focuses on the analysis of the biological, psychological, and social aspects of human sexuality and gender. Topics include human sexuality over the course of life, sex, love, and mate selection, sexual diversity, sexual violence, and the changing relationship between sexuality and various social institutions (e.g. family) and elements of culture (e.g. religion). The discussion also focuses on the interplay between sexuality and gender, on gender development across the life span, and across cultures, the changes in gender expectations over time, and gender in the context of various social institutions. The multicultural and global perspectives constitute the framework for the discussion.
Prerequisites: SOC1100 or PSY1100.


SOC/PSY3450 Social Psychology (3 semester hours)
Cross-listed with PSY3450. For description see PSY3450.


SOC3480 Globalization and Social Change (4 semester hours)
The course focuses on the trends in economic, political, social, and cultural globalization, hybridization, fragmentation, and on selected local/community phenomena related to those macro/global changes that occur in our times. Elements of world-systems theory and the theory of culture change, theories of social stratification, of the origin and perpetuation of inequalities in society and in the world, in combination with other current approaches to the explanation of human experience both on the macro and micro levels, will be explored. Questions related to ethics, human rights, individualization, consumerism, politics, and to growing awareness of the ambivalence of human experience will be debated.
No prerequisites
Meets General Education "Knowing Ourselves and Others" Group A


SOC3550 Women, Men, Family, and Diversity (4 semester hours )
The course examines selected aspects of the situation of women and men in various countries of the world. Particular attention is given to the role that social structure, culture, and group membership play in the process of learning by men and women of their expected social roles and in establishing their respective positions in society. Students also examine the institution of the family from a historical, multicultural and cross-societal perspective. Current issues surrounding the evolving structure and functions of the family in different societies are explored. Selected social issues, such as gender inequalities, parenthood, domestic violence, and examples of family related social policies, are also included.
No prerequisites

SOC4310 Seminar in Sociological Analysis (4 semester hours)
The course is an invitation to the field of sociology, with an examination of prevailing sociological perspectives and their relation to researchable questions. Readings from contemporary 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 of findings. They select a research topic and conduct a review of relevant sociological literature, analyzing the literature in terms of sociological perspectives as well as content. They review journals, bibliographic search procedures, and common data resources. They clarify their research projects and get ready for internships.
Prerequisites: SOC1100 and additional coursework in Sociology.


SOC4500 Human Rights and Social Justice (4 semester hours )
The course focuses on both domestic and international issues related to violation of human and/or civil rights, to various forms of intra- and international violence, & social injustice. Selected examples of economic, social and cultural victimization, wars, genocidal and terrorist actions are explored. The resulting healthcare challenges, such as malnutrition, HIV/AIDS, trafficking of humans and human organs are also included. Issues of nonviolent social change, peaceful conflict resolution, and possibilities for a "new world order" are analyzed.
No prerequisites
Meets General Education "Knowing Ourselves and Others" Group A

SOC4940 Community Research Internship (4 semester hours)
Students are individually placed with community organizations and agencies where they carry out research on topics of concern to those social entities. They utilize tools of participant observation and focused interviewing during their internships. They conduct the scheduled research and the results of their work are compiled, written, and submitted for evaluation. Internship guidelines are provided.
Prerequisites: SOC4310.

Posted 31 December 2003
Schools · Programs · Policies · Courses · Index · Other Catalogs · AU Home