Sociology (SOC)

SOC 110  Introduction to Sociology     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Course Description: An introduction to the discipline of sociology; basic sociological concepts and theories; a survey of the major topics such as culture, society, social interaction, groups, crime, race/ethnicity, class, gender, the family, education, religion, medicine, economy, politics. Cross-cultural comparisons.

CORE 42: MOTR SOCI 101; General Sociology (attribute MO11)

SOC 120  General Anthropology     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall.

Course Description: The bio-cultural evolution of the human species, with emphasis on culture as adaptation for survival; comparison of human non-literate societies, stressing cultural variability, cultural relativity, and similarities between cultures.

CORE 42: MOTR ANTH 101; General Anthropology (attribute MO11)

SOC 200  Introduction to Archaeology     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: The language, methodology, theoretical frameworks and history of the field of archaeology, with special emphasis on excavations and their contribution to knowledge of past civilization.

SOC 230  Social Problems     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall.

Course Description: An analysis of contemporary American social problems, such as poverty, social inequality, crime and law enforcement, health and health care, population and the environment, problems in the family, education, politics and the economy. Global comparisons. Prerequisite(s): SOC 110.

CORE 42: MOTR SOCI 201; Social Problems (attribute MO11)

SOC 283  Introduction to Research Methods in Sociology     Credits: 1-2

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Introduction to basic research methods in sociology. Individual and team projects involving methods for solving sociology-related research problems. Prerequisite(s): Departmental approval.

SOC 300  Selected Topics In Sociology     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Specialized area of investigation of a selected topic or problem in sociology that is not listed in the catalog. May be repeated for credit for each different topic. Prerequisite(s): SOC 110 or departmental approval.

SOC 310  Deviant Behavior     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring (even-numbered years).

Course Description: Introduction to the basic research, theories and topics that characterize this area of sociology including, but not limited to such topics as substance abuse, sexual deviance, violence, mental illness and other behaviors considered deviant in American society. Cross-cultural comparisons are made whenever possible. Prerequisite(s): SOC 110.

SOC 315  Social Inequality and Stratification: Class, Power and Wealth     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: A survey of the nature, causes, and consequences of social inequality in advanced capitalist societies (e.g., North America, Europe, and Japan) and the Third World. Explores the distribution of income, wealth, power, and prestige based on gender, race, age, and physical and other attributes. Investigates the reasons for prosperity and poverty and their effects on life choices, careers, and opportunities. Prerequisite(s): SOC 110.

SOC 325  World of Islam: People, Cultures and Societies     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: An introduction to the fundamentals of Islam, and a survey of cultures, traditions, social life, and history of Islamic societies. The course provides an interpretation of current events in the world of Islam. Special topics of interest would include the origin and history of Islam; religious life (belief and practices, and observance); Islamic cultures; Islamic arts, literature, and architecture; economic applications of Islam; Islamic laws and theology; marriage and Muslim families; women's rights and position in Muslim families and society; political Islam (Islamic groups: modern and militant Islamic movements, the question of leadership); and, Islam and the West. The course is, however, open to the type of interests that students show in the subject matter. Same as REL 325.

SOC 330  The Family     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring.

Course Description: The family as a basic institution; the structure and functions of the modern family in a changing urban environment. Prerequisite(s): SOC 110.

SOC 360  Sociology of Health, Illness and Medicine     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring.

Course Description: A sociological analysis of health, illness and medicine; the impact of the physical, social, economic and political factors on the production and distribution of illness, disease, sickness and health care. International comparisons. Prerequisite(s): SOC 110.

SOC 370  Mediterranean Archaeology     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Uses the principles of basic archaeology to investigate the history and artifactual remains of the major cultures which occupied the land surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, including the Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Hellenistic and Roman periods. Prerequisite(s): SOC 200 or departmental approval.

SOC 373  Sociology of Sport and Physical Activity     Credits: 2-3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Emphasizes the fundamental premise that sport is a microcosm of society. Develops an understanding of the principles that create, sustain, and transform social organizations through sport as well as the structure, processes, and problems of sport as a form of social organization. Investigates how the theory and methodology of sociology can be used to understand the principles of stability and change in the conduct of sport.

SOC 400  Racial and Ethnic Relations     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring, Summer.

Course Description: An analysis of the major racial/ethnic groups in the United States; group conflicts and their sources such as prejudice, discrimination, ethnocentrism, racism; majority-minority relations; critical issues such as affirmative action, immigration. A brief comparison with other societies such as Canada, Northern Ireland, the Middle East, Brazil, South Africa. Prerequisite(s): SOC 110.

SOC 430  Criminology     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall.

Course Description: Explanations of criminal behavior; relationship between crime and social factors such as social class, age, gender, occupation; types of crimes; crime statistics; crime victims; the criminal justice system: the police, courts, corrections; ethical and other critical issues such as capital punishment, crime and mental illness, juvenile crime and punishment. International comparisons. Prerequisite(s): SOC 110.

SOC 440  Sociological Theory     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall.

Course Description: An analysis of both classical and contemporary sociological theories and their application to historical and current events. Prerequisite(s): Completion of nine credit hours in sociology.

SOC 450  Independent Research/Project     Credits: 1-3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: Investigation of a research problem, project, or topic on an individual conference basis. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours. Prerequisite(s): Junior or senior standing, a minimum 3.0 GPA in major field, and departmental approval.

SOC 460  Methods of Social Research     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall.

Course Description: Tools, methods, ethical and theoretical foundation of research process; investigates hypothesis construction, empirical techniques for collecting and analyzing data, and testing their validity; employs computers and statistical analysis as appropriate to the social sciences. Prerequisite(s): Completion of nine credit hours in sociology (at least 3 credit hours numbered 300 or higher).

SOC 465  Advanced Research Project     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring.

Course Description: Students will design and conduct an empirical research project focused on a relevant social issue or concern. Same as SWK 465. Prerequisite(s): Any statistics course and a grade of C or higher in SOC 460.

SOC 490  Internship in Sociology     Credits: 1-5

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Acquaints the student with the practical aspect of sociology; encourages sociological thinking. Students study a social issue by working as volunteer interns for an organization, office, or agency in the community. To enroll, the student must submit a proposal to the sociology faculty member who will supervise the internship process. Prerequisite(s): Junior or senior standing, declared sociology major or minor, completion of at least 15 credit hours in sociology, a minimum of 3.0 GPA in major field, and permission of the instructor.