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SOCY100 Introduction to Sociology (3 cr.)
An introduction to the fundamental concepts and principles of sociology. Topics include the study of cultures, patterns of social values, social institutions, stratification, and social change is delineated. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BEHS 102 or SOCY 100.
SOCY105 Introduction to Contemporary Social Problems (3 cr.)
An exploration of various personal, institutional, cultural, historical, and global problems that confront American society today. Problems range from drugs, divorce, crime, mental illness, and alienation in modern society to the environment and national and global economic and political conflicts. Special attention is paid to issues of technology and social change. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: SOCY 105 or SOCY 210.
SOCY198D U.S. Family in Flux: Options & Changes (1 cr.)
An examination of popular myths about the demise of the family and how the family has adapted to changes in the larger society. Topics include the putative death of the family, the future of marriage and parenthood, two-paycheck marriages, the prevalence of divorce, and the effect of the sexual revolution on traditional family values.
SOCY198H The Asian American Experience (1 cr.)
A study of the diversity of the Asian American experience, including the problems of discrimination and changing identity and the varying strategies for social mobility and accommodation with the dominant culture. Emphasis is on the geographical, cultural, and religious backgrounds of the various Asian American communities, and the diverse factors that have led to immigration to the United States.
SOCY227 Introduction to the Study of Deviance (3 cr.)
An introduction to the sociological study of deviant behavior. Topics include mental illness, sexual deviance, and the use of drugs. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: SOCY 227 or SOCY 327.
SOCY243 Sociology of Marriage and Family (3 cr.)
A study of demographic trends in family and marriage, including childbearing and divorce, sociological theories of mate selection, marital interaction, and marital dissolution. Contemporary controversial issues, such as the relationship of unmarried couples, alternative marriage forms, abortion, and violence in the family, are discussed. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: SOCY 243 or SOCY 343.
SOCY298H Sociology of the Holocaust (1 cr.)
This course will provide a sociological examination of the Holocaust. The student will apply sociological principles and concepts (e.g., prejudice, discrimination, structural racism, social movements, collective behavior) to the Holocaust, as a specific case study of mass genocide. Taking the sociological "efficiency principle" as its theoretical framework, the course surveys the bureaucracy and methodology of Holocaust death camps. The course also examines contemporary U.S. and global society with respect to the "efficiency principle".
SOCY300 American Society (3 cr.)
A survey of the social structure and organization of American society, with special reference to recent social changes. The character, structure, values, and ideology of American social movements are examined from a sociological perspective. Topics include urban demographic changes and other population trends, as well as changes in the conduct of work, family life, and recreation.
SOCY311 The Individual and Society (6 cr.)
(Fulfills the international perspective requirement.) A study of interactions between the individual and society. Basic sociological concepts, theories, and methods of research are presented as they apply to the individual. Those means are used in examining how the individual is shaped by history, family, and the surrounding cultural environment. Another focus is the reciprocal relationship, whereby individuals modify the world around them and their ideas influence society. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BEHS 312 or SOCY 311.
SOCY312 Family Demography (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: SOCY 100 or SOCY 243. A study of the family and population dynamics. Discussion covers issues of fertility (such as teenage pregnancy, the timing of parenthood, and the determinants and consequences of family size) as they relate to family behavior (such as marital patterns, the use of child-care options, and the relationship between work and the family). Issues of policy as related to demographic changes in the family are also considered.
SOCY313 The Individual and Society (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: SOCY 100. An examination of changing concepts of the interaction between the individual and society. Analysis employs the framework of classical functional, conflict, and social constructivist theories, as well as the context of rapidly changing communication technology and globalization. Topics include the construction of social order; the role of trust in social interaction; and work, power, social organization, and the social self. Selected readings are taken from the sociologies of work, gender, postmodernism, globalization, and human rights. Persistent social problems, such as poverty and social inequality, are analyzed. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BEHS 312, SOCY 311, or SOCY 313.
SOCY325 The Sociology of Gender (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: SOCY 100. An inquiry into the institutional bases of gender roles and gender inequality, cultural perspectives on gender, gender socialization, feminism, and gender-role change. Emphasis is on contemporary American society.
SOCY331 Work, Bureaucracy and Industry (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: SOCY 100. A sociological approach to the world of work. Occupational careers and personal experiences in the bureaucratic organizations of modern industrial society are investigated.
SOCY333 Technology and Society (3 cr.)
Impact of technology on agriculture, the industrial revolution, politics, economics, health, education and welfare as these affect changes in social organizations. The development of small cities, the better utilization of energy, the use of wealth and abundance and its relation to the division of labor, and the role of technology in shaping of new forms of political and economic organizations.
SOCY335 Sociology of Violence (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: SOCY 100. An examination of collective domestic conflict and an evaluation of the sociological theories that explain why such conflict occurs. Topics include ethnic conflict, colonial insurrections, terrorism, coups d'etat, and revolution.
SOCY398 Special Topics in Sociology (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: SOCY 100. A study of topics of special interest.
SOCY403 Intermediate Sociological Theory (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: SOCY 100. A study of major theoretical approaches to sociology, including functionalism, conflict, and symbolic interactionism. Original works of major theorists are examined in historical perspective.
SOCY410 Social Demography (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: SOCY 100. A study of social demography. Topics include types of demographic analysis, demographic data, population characteristics, migration, mortality, fertility, population theories, world population growth, and population policy.
SOCY423 Ethnic Minorities (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: SOCY 100. An exposition of basic social processes in the relations of ethnic groups, immigrant groups, African Americans, and Native Americans in the United States and of ethnic minorities in Europe.
SOCY424 Sociology of Race Relations (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: SOCY 100. An analysis of race-related issues, focusing mainly on American society. Topics include the historical emergence, development, and institutionalization of racism; the effects of racism on its victims; and conflicts that are racially based.
SOCY425 Gender Roles and Social Institutions (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: SOCY 100. An investigation of the relationship between gender roles and the structure of social institutions (such as the economy, the family, the political system, religion, and education). Discussion covers the incorporation of gender roles into social institutions, perpetuation or transformation of gender roles by social institutions, and how changes in gender roles affect social institutions.
SOCY426 Sociology of Religion (3 cr.)
A survey of the varieties and origins of religious experience and religious institutions. The role of religion in social life is explored.
SOCY427 Deviant Behavior (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: SOCY 100. An exploration of current theories of the genesis and distribution of deviant behavior. Topics include definitions of deviance, implications for a general theory of deviant behavior, labeling theory, and secondary deviance.
SOCY430 Social Structure and Identity (3 cr.)
A study of theoretical issues in social psychology, focusing on social construction of identity. Identity formation and transformation in social processes and structural and cultural dimensions of social identity are covered.
SOCY432 Social Movements (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: SOCY 100. An examination of movements that seek change in the social and political structure of society. Topics include the origins, tactics, organization, recruitment, and success of such movements. Case studies feature movements in the areas of labor, civil rights, feminism, the environment, student and neighborhood activism, and gay rights.
SOCY433 Social Control (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: SOCY 100. A study of forms, mechanisms, and techniques of group influence on human behavior. Problems of social control in contemporary society are examined.
SOCY434 Sociology of Personality (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: SOCY 100 or SOCY 105. A study of the development of human nature and personality in contemporary social life. Topics include processes of socialization, attitudes, individual differences, and social behavior. Students may receive credit only once under this course title.
SOCY441 Social Stratification and Inequality (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: SOCY 100. A sociological study of social class, status, and power. Topics include theories of stratification, correlates of social position, functions and dysfunctions of social inequality, status inconsistency, and social mobility.
SOCY443 The Family and Society (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: SOCY 100. An examination of the family as a social institution. Its biological and cultural foundation; its historic development, changing structure, and function; the interaction of marriage and parenthood; and the disorganizing and reorganizing factors in current trends are explored.
SOCY461 Industrial Sociology (3 cr.)
A study of the sociology of human relations in American industry and business. Topics include complex industrial and business organizations as social systems and social relationships within and between industry, business, community, and society. Students may receive credit only once under this course title.
SOCY462 Women in the Military (3 cr.)
A cross-national analysis of past, present, and future trends in women's roles in the military. Topics include the effects on women's roles in the armed forces by cultural forces, national security, technological changes, demographic patterns, occupational structures, labor shortages, and considerations of efficiency and rationality.
SOCY464 Military Sociology (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: SOCY 100. An overview of social change and its effects on the growth of military institutions. Topics include the structure of complex formal military organizations, the sociology of military life as a distinct cultural ethos, and the interrelationships of military institutions, civilian communities, and society. Military service is evaluated as an occupation or a profession.
SOCY466 Sociology of Politics (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: SOCY 100. An introduction to the sociology of political phenomena, involving the basic concepts and major findings in the field. Topics include the relationship of the polity to other institutional orders of society and the relationship of political activity in America to the theory of democracy.
SOCY473 Sociology of Urban Environments (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: SOCY 100. A study of the rise of urban civilization and metropolitan regions. Topics include ecological process and structure, the city as a center of dominance, social problems, control, and planning.
SOCY486A Internship in Sociology Through Co-op (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: Formal admission to the Co-op program (program requirements are listed on p. 00). An opportunity to combine academic theory with new, career-related experience in sociology. At least 12 hours per week must be devoted to new tasks for a minimum of 180 hours during the Co-op session; four new tasks must be delineated in the Learning Proposal; and the course requirements must be completed. May be repeated upon approval of a new Learning Proposal that demonstrates new tasks and objectives related to sociology and that continues to advance application of academic theory in the workplace. Students may earn up to 15 semester hours in all internship coursework through Co-op toward a first bachelor's degree and up to 9 semester hours toward a second bachelor's degree. Co-op credits may not be used for general education requirements and, unless otherwise specified, no more than 6 Co-op credits may be used in the academic major and minor (combined).
SOCY486B Internship in Sociology Through Co-op (6 cr.)
Prerequisite: Formal admission to the Co-op program (program requirements are listed on p. 00). An opportunity to combine academic theory with new, career-related experience in sociology. At least 20 hours per week must be devoted to new tasks for a total of 300 hours during the Co-op session; five to eight new tasks must be delineated in the Learning Proposal; and the course requirements must be completed. May be repeated upon approval of a new Learning Proposal that demonstrates new tasks and objectives related to sociology and that continues to advance application of academic theory in the workplace. Students may earn up to 15 semester hours in all internship coursework through Co-op toward a first bachelor's degree and up to 9 semester hours toward a second bachelor's degree. Co-op credits may not be used for general education requirements and, unless otherwise specified, no more than 6 Co-op credits may be used in the academic major and minor (combined).
SOCY498 Selected Topics in Sociology (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: SOCY 100. An advanced study of topics of special interest in sociology. Assignments include advanced reading and research.
SOCY498B Black Literature as Social Criticism (1 cr.)
An examination of contemporary society as portrayed in the works of major Black American writers. The sociohistorical backgrounds to major works and the ideas of prominent American writers are surveyed. Topics include the Black experience in American society and historical changes in that experience. Assignments include advanced reading and research. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: SOCY 198B or SOCY 498B.
SOCY498E Family Violence (1 cr.)
A study of the problem of violence within families, especially against women and children. Causes and treatment of family violence are covered from the point of view of both victim and victimizers. Assignments include advanced reading and research. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: SOCY 198E or SOCY 498E.