SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
3 credits A survey of the basic concepts of the sociological analysis of human behavior. Topics include culture and socialization; deviance and social control; stratification and social class; inequalities of gender, race, ethnicity, and class; collective behavior and social change; and the role of social institutions in society including family, health care, education, religion, politics, and the economy. Some sections may include a service-learning component. This course fulfills the diversity, global, and multicultural requirement.
SOC 110 Anthropology: What Makes Us Human
3 credits An introductory overview from an anthropological perspective with a specific focus upon culture—a central dynamic factor in the development of concepts of self-identity and ethnicity. Examination of evolution, the interrelationships between environment and the formation of social institutions and values.
SOC 215 Deviance and Institutional Problems
3 credits A study of the definition and management of those defined as socially deviant including the criminal and the mentally ill and of contemporary institutional problems including inequality, racism, and sexism.
SOC/HST 226 The Ethnic Experience in America
3 credits A study of Native American and non-English speaking immigrant ethnic groups within the development of the U.S. with specific attention to the issues of dominant and minority relations, assimilation or ethnic pluralism and culture, color, gender, and social class as negative or positive factors in ethnic relations.
SOC 235 Comparative Institutions
3 credits A comparative systems approach to politics (including governments, education, family, economics, and religion) in selected diverse societies. Designed to identify commonalities and differences in lifestyles.
SOC 255 Sociology of the Family
3 credits The course introduces a sociological analysis of the family across cultures. This includes an exploration of the social dynamics of human attraction, dating, mate selection, marriage, sexuality, family planning, pregnancy, parenting, and aging. We examine challenges families face with communication, two-job families, finances, conflict, crises, abuse, divorce, remarriage, blended families, and death. Students will develop skills for analyzing family health and for improving family relationships.
SOC/CRJ 263 Juvenile Delinquency
The history of the treatment of juvenile offenders; patterns of delinquency; treatment modalities; causative factors; the juvenile justice system; social and cultural influences upon juveniles in modern society; current theories of juvenile delinquency.
SOC/SWK 271 Wellness in the Midst of Loss
3 credits The 'hello-goodbye' rhythm of life is experienced in numerous ways and forms throughout one‘s lifetime. Designed from a spiritual perspective, this course reflects upon loss in its various forms: self, transitions, relationships, health, work, aging and death, situating the mystery of dying within the dynamic of living.
SOC 279B CORE: Nonviolent Social Change
3 credits The course addresses the philosophical and religious foundations, theory, history, and practice of nonviolence as a method of social change. The course will include study of some of the great nonviolent leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Dorothy Day, Cesar Chavez, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Building on a nonviolent foundation, the course explores strategies for social organizing, designing campaigns for social change, fundraising, coalition building, recruiting, marketing ideas, media relations, and empowering grassroots leadership. The class will explore common elements of successful social change movements throughout history including: labor, women‘s, human rights, poor people‘s, peace and environmental. In relation to social change, the course will address the question, 'What does it mean to belong to a community?' Students will work with diverse communities and have the opportunity to translate knowledge into action through a community service component focused on the common good. Prerequisite: CORE 179 or appropriate transfer status. Pre- or Co-requisite: ENG 102. Not open to students with credit in SOC 320 or SOC 322. This course partially fulfills the Social Behavioral Science requirement.
SOC/CRJ 348B Prisons and Mental Hospitals
3 credits An historical review of the notions of criminality and mental illness with a focus on the emergence and development of prisons and mental hospitals. Prerequisites: ENG 110-111 or 101-102.
SOC/POL/CRJ 352 Research Methods
This course examines research design and measurement techniques useful for understanding social science research. The course is skill based involving students in designing and carrying out an original research project, tabulating and analyzing the data, and writing a research report. Of particular interest are issues of problem definition, conceptualization and operationalization of research questions, sampling, and application of various methodologies from experimental designs to evaluation research. Prerequisites: MTH 140; junior standing or consent of the instructor.
SOC/CRJ 365 Criminology
3 credits Study of the nature, distribution and types of crime in society. Theories of crime causation in both historical and contemporary perspectives are examined. Prerequisite: CRJ 105 or consent of instructor.
SOC 379A CORE: Poverty and Development Seminar
3 credits This course will examine the causes, consequences, and solutions to Central American poverty while studying in Guatemala. The course will explore poverty in the context of colonial history, economic globalization, political and economic policies of unrestrained capitalism and trade, population growth, tropical climate, and cultural patterns. Students will travel in both urban and rural Guatemala meeting with non-profit organizations, government officials, and living with poor families. Grassroots efforts to address poverty including micro loan programs, sustainable agriculture, empowerment of women, literacy campaigns, prejudice reduction, and education for democracy will be emphasized. Spanish is useful but not necessary. Prerequisite: CORE 179 or appropriate transfer status; ENG 102 or ENG 111. Not open to students with credit in SOC 241. This course fulfills the diversity, global, and multicultural requirement. This course partially fulfills the Social and Behavioral Science requirement.
SOC/SWK 379B CORE: Global Ethnic Relations
3 credits This course seeks to empower students to become knowledgeable, caring, and active citizens in a diverse and often ethnically polarized world. The course examines multiple dimensions of global diversity (race, ethnicity, religion); common responses to differences including prejudice, discrimination, segregation, colonization, genocide and positive alternatives such as assimilation and egalitarian pluralism. We will examine ethnic relations in the U.S. and around the world through the lens of history. The course concludes with the ethical basis for seeking social justice via anti-discrimination work and strategies for dismantling discrimination and repairing strained ethnic divides at the individual, institutional, and societal levels. Students will have the opportunity to translate knowledge into action for social justice through a bridging cultures project. Prerequisite: CORE 179 or appropriate transfer status; ENG 102 or ENG 111. This course fulfills the diversity, global, and multicultural requirement. This course partially fulfills the Social and Behavioral Science requirement. Not open to students with credit in SOC/SWK 346 or 279D.
SOC/CRJ/POL 379C CORE: Causes of Collective Violence: Terrorism, Genocide, War
3 credits This is an introduction to theories of conflict and war from the inter-group to the international level. Included are causes of terrorism, ethnic conflict and genocide, revolution, and interstate war. This includes an analysis of causes of conflict at four levels: individual, small group, the nation/state, and the international system. This course is interdisciplinary, drawing on theories from biology, psychology, sociology, economics, and political science. Case studies of contemporary conflicts are utilized to explain and test various theoretical perspectives and to examine the consequences of war. Prerequisite: CORE 179 or appropriate transfer status; ENG 102 or ENG 111. Not open to students with credit in POL/CRJ/SOC 347.
SOC 479 CORE: Sociological Theory
3 credits An analysis and integration of major theorists and theoretical schools in historical and contemporary social thought. Underlying themes include human nature, the structure and functioning of social groupings, and the articulation of individual and society. This course is a macroscopic, systemic analysis of human behavior which both focuses on and makes connections between/among concepts of self, community, justice and truth. Prerequisite: Completion of junior core seminar.
SOC 1/2/3/485 Special Topics
1-3 credits Intensive reading and class discussion of selected topics in sociology not covered in regular courses.
SOC 2/3/486 Independent Study
1-3 credits Intensive reading or special research projects for students with advanced standing. Includes Honors Program research. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor, academic advisor, division chairperson.
SOC 497 Internship and Seminar
1-6 credits Fieldwork under supervision in a local organization or agency. The student will spend 50 hours in the field for each hour of credit and will meet with faculty weekly in seminar to discuss and to reflect upon the connections between coursework and fieldwork. Prerequisite: senior standing; 2.5 GPA; successful completion of application requirements for fieldwork