Sociology - SOC
SOC 100 The Architecture of Identity Finding Your Purpose in Society 3 Credits
The theme of identity is central to any society and one we consistently consider along the pathways of our individual lives. It is a particular theme for those entering college and looking for a pathway to their future. This interdisciplinary course explores identity, passion, and purpose. Through a research-based approach, students will learn more about themselves and how they can utilize their gifts and talents to make an impact within our global society.
Offered: every fall.
SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology 3 Credits
Topics include theory, methods, culture, socialization, race and ethnicity, groups and organizations, and social inequality; analysis of everyday events, using sociological imagination.
Fulfills College Core: Field 5 (Social Sciences)
Offered: fall.
SOC 111 Contemporary Social Problems 3 Credits
Exploration of selected social problems from various sociological points of view, emphasizing some of the sociological concepts and methods employed in analyzing these problems.
Fulfills College Core: Diversity, Field 5 (Social Sciences)
Offered: spring.
SOC 220 Identity and Society 3 Credits
This course will encourage students to engage in critical dialogues about racial, ethnic, class, nation, gender, and sexual identities. The students will examine the ways in which social identities are socially reproduced, transformed and re-interpreted, both historically and contemporarily.
Offered: spring of even-numbered years.
SOC 234 Environment and Society 3 Credits
Explores connections between environmental issues and their social causes and consequences. Topics of analysis include environmental racism, environmental health, risk and uncertainty, political economy, globalization and sustainability.
Fulfills College Core: Field 5 (Social Sciences)
Offered: spring.
SOC 273 Social Movements and Social Change 3 Credits
Explores the development of social movements as a force of social change in society. Focus is on theoretical developments in movement theory, as well as explorations of social movements through history.
Fulfills College Core: Field 5 (Social Sciences), Justice
Offered: spring.
SOC 291 Gender and Society 3 Credits
Exploration of origin of gender roles; socialization into masculine and feminine roles; intersection of gender and social institutions such as family, work and education.
Fulfills College Core: Field 5 (Social Sciences)
SOC 300 Special Topics in Sociology 3 Credits
Critical examination of a selected topic in sociology. Subject matter determined by the instructor.
SOC 315 Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for the Social Sciences 3 Credits
This course will introduce students to basic mapmaking skills using the program ArcGIS, and the ways that those skills can be applied to the study of human society, relationships, and environments. By the end of this course, students will know how to find or create geographic data, build a spatial data base, and analyze that data to answer specific research or predictive questions. Students will also consider the principles of cartography, design, and storytelling which contribute to an effective map, and will produce a map project by the end of the course.
Prerequisites: none.
Offered: every spring.
SOC 324 Visual Sociology 3 Credits
Emphasizes a visual approach to analyzing social concepts. Analysis of visual media forms to explore core ideas in sociology such as gender, race, environment, social class, family and global diversity.
Offered: spring.
SOC 340 Sociology of the City 3 Credits
Exploration of how people experience and understand city life, how cities grow and develop, and various issues affecting cities today such as suburbanization and urban sprawl.
SOC 341 Race and Ethnicity 3 Credits
Focus is on issues surrounding race and ethnicity in the United States, including the social construction of race and ethnicity, prejudice and discrimination, unequal opportunity structures, and the racial/ethnic makeup of the U.S. and global population.
Fulfills College Core: Field 5 (Social Sciences)
Offered: fall of even-numbered years.
SOC 355 Deviant Behavior 3 Credits
Students will explore how societies define some behaviors and characteristics as deviant as well as explanations of social deviance, how societies and groups respond to social deviance. Alternative social science theories about such behavior are compared and contrasted. Research methodologies and findings in recent social-science literature are examined and interpreted.
SOC 375 Ethnography and Culture 3 Credits
Research designs from a qualitative perspective, including field research, participant observation, content analysis, ethnography, and focus groups. Analysis and reporting of qualitative data.
Offered: every fall.
SOC 385 International Migration 3 Credits
This course is an examination of the issues arising from the movement of peoples across national boundaries, including labor migration, illegal migration, forced migration, and trafficking.
Prerequisite: SOC 110. Restrictions: Junior or Senior standing.
Offered: every other fall.
SOC 390 Life Course and Family 3 Credits
Covers family development from relationship formation through the life course which may include marriage, divorce and remarriage. Includes sexuality, sexual orientation, cohabitation, parenting and the intersection between the family and major social institutions.
Offered: spring of even-numbered years.
SOC 432 Theories in Sociology 3 Credits
Course emphasizes theory development as a tool to understand society. Focuses on major social theorists and their contributions as well as classical and modern theoretical schools in sociology.
Restriction: must be a sociology major or minor with junior or senior standing.
Offered: every fall.
SOC 498 Internship 2-4 Credits
Opportunity for students to participate in the daily work of an agency or organization. Internships require an application and approval by the associate dean.
Prerequisite: minimum GPA of 2.75, signature of instructor, and approval by both the chair & associate dean.
Offered: fall & spring.
SOC 499 Independent Study 1-3 Credits
Independent studies allow in-depth study of a specific topic and are most often reserved for seniors who cannot otherwise fulfill a graduation requirement. Independent studies require an application and approval by the associate dean.
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor, department chair, & associate dean.
Offered: fall & spring.
