Sociology

SOC 110 — (S) Introduction to Sociology — 3 credits

Fundamental principles in the field of sociology. Stratification, ethnicity, deviance; basic institutions of society; social change and demographic trends.

SOC 112 — (S) Social Problems — 3 credits

Application of sociological principles to major issues in contemporary society.

SOC 115 — Introduction to Social Work — 3 credits

Growth of social work as a professional endeavor. The scope of social work; casework in the medical, psychiatric, family and child welfare, and guidance fields, community organization, social research, social planning, social group work. Current trends in social work.

SOC 210 — (D, W) Marriage and the Family — 3 credits

An historical, comparative, and analytical study of marriage and family institutions. Problems of courtship, mate selection and marriage adjustment in modern society.

SOC 211 — Methods of Social Research — 3 credits

This course is designed to help the student understand the range of research methods used in sociological and gerontological research/investigations and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. It will also help students to appreciate some basic problems involved in the collection and analysis of data.

SOC 212 — Religion and Society — 3 credits

A survey of religious systems and their interrelations with society and social institutions, with emphasis on the social consequences and determinants of religious behavior. The theories of Durkheim, Weber, Parsons, Bellah, Berger and Luckman will be examined.

SOC 213 — Collective Behavior and Social Movements — 3 credits

This course will examine collective behavior which includes protest demonstrations, riots, mass or diffuse phenomena such as fads and crazes, social movements, and revolution, with a decided emphasis on social and political movements. This course is recommended for those interested in sociology, political science, history, or other social sciences.

SOC 214 — Sociology of Sport — 3 credits

The role of sport in civilized societies; sport as work and recreation; women and minorities in sport; sport in education; sport and the mass media.

SOC 216 — Medical Sociology — 3 credits

The social dimensions of health and illness; role of physician, nurse and patient; social organization of health services; the content of medical practice; culture and health disorders; mental health and mental illness.

SOC 218 — Sociological Theory — 3 credits

An examination of the major theoretical developments in sociological theory from the classical period of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim to contemporary schools such as structural-functionalism, conflict theory, exchange theory, and symbolic interaction.

SOC 219 — Community Organization — 3 credits

A general introduction to the process of community organization, as a field of both social work and human endeavor. The coordination and financing of welfare activities, methods of appraising community needs and resources, planning and the initiation of welfare services. Services of a voluntary and governmental nature, strategies of power.

SOC 224 — (S, D) American Minority Groups — 3 credits

Patterns of adjustment between ethnic and racial groups, with special attention given to the American scene. Prejudice and discrimination as opposed to the democratic ideology.

SOC 226 — Sociology of Work and Professions — 3 credits

The nature and role of contemporary occupations and professions in the life cycle are discussed; occupational choice, career patterns and occupational mobility are noted. The student is made aware of the relationship among education, work and aspirations. The career path from entry-level job to retirement is examined.

SOC 227 — Business and Society — 3 credits

Modern industrialism as social behavior. Social conditions in the rise of industrialism and their effect on the worker; collective bargaining and industrial conflict, the industrial community; social classes and the industrial order. This course also shows how the business sector impacts on society and on the globalization of the economy.

SOC 228 — Social Psychology — 3 credits

Study of individual behavior as affected by cultural and social stimuli. Emphasis on the analysis of human conduct in social settings.

SOC 229 — Crisis in Population — 3 credits

A study of the basic variables of population, birth, death and migration, socioeconomic and cultural variables affecting population growth, projections and forecasts. The chief natural and social demographic theories. Population policies and practices in selected world areas.

SOC 234 — (S, D) Cultural Anthropology — 3 credits

Cultural and social organization among primitive or preliterate societies; marriage, property, religion, magic and tribal control. Significance of the study of primitive cultures for understanding of urban industrial civilizations.

SOC 235 — Peoples of East Asia — 3 credits

The anthropology of the East Asian culture area, focusing particularly on China and Japan. Topics include basic social institutions, world views, culture and personality, and the problem of modernization.

SOC 284 — Special Topics in Sociology

(Prerequisite: Consent of the chair and the instructor) Courses designed to meet specific needs of individual students or courses offered on a trial basis to determine the value of placing them into the regular curriculum.

SOC 315 — Feminism and Social Change — 3 credits

This course examines the relationship between feminism and social change, studying feminist movements and how feminist ideologies, strategies, and individuals influenced social movements. It also explores outcomes of women’s movements, the mobilization of counter-movements, and the consequences of feminism for Society for various organizational and professional roles and for individual women.

SOC 317 — (D, W) Family Issues and and Social Policy — 3 credits

This service-learning course examines family problems of work and poverty, separation and divorce, family violence, and elder care, addressing each in terms of describing the social problem and why it exists and the program/policies designed to address it. Students are offered solutions and are helped and are helped to apply multicultural interpretations.

SOC 323 — (D) Great American Cities — 3 credits

A sociological exploration of selected major U.S. cities will review a variety of cultures and examine that matrix of ideas, creeds, religions, races, ethnicities, attitudes, habits, artifacts and institutions – social, educational, artistic, political and economic – which condition the way the people in each city live.

SOC 328 — Child Welfare — 3 credits

Development of child welfare in the United States. Educational, health, recreational and child-labor regulations. Study and treatment of children in their own homes, foster homes and institutions. Child care and protective programs on federal, state and local levels.

SOC 330 — Social Policy and Aging — 3 credits

Review of major legislation affecting older adults, including the Social Security Act, Older Americans Act, Medicare, and various local, state, and national programs for the aged

SOC 331 — Urban Sociology — 3 credits

Urban ecology and culture as the dominant form of community life in contemporary society; their characteristics, peculiarities, and problems.

SOC 382-383 — Independent Study in Sociology — 3 credits

(Prerequisite: Consent of the chair and instructor) Designed for advanced students who are capable of independent study. A program of planned research under the guidance of a faculty member.

SOC 480-481 — Internship in Social Work — 3 credits

(Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing; permission of instructor) Supervised experiential learning designed to broaden the educational experience of students through practical experience and work assignments with governmental and/or community agencies in the field of social work. Supervision by a faculty member and agency supervisor.

Approved courses from other curricula:

Sociology majors may be advised to choose several courses taught in the Criminal Justice sequence; courses so approved include:

S/CJ 210 Law and Society
S/CJ 213 Criminology
S/CJ 214 Juvenile Delinquency
S/CJ 218 The American Court System
S/CJ 220 Penology: Corrections
S/CJ 221 Community-based Corrections
S/CJ 224 Sociology of Deviance
S/CJ 225 White Collar Crime
S/CJ 226 Comparative Justice Systems
S/CJ 227 Organized Crime Patterns
S/CJ 232 Public Safety Administration
S/CJ 234 Criminal-Justice Management
S/CJ 314 The Bill of Rights andCriminal Justice
S/CJ 316 Principles of Evidence
S/CJ 317 Trial, Jury and Counsel
S/CJ 318 Civil Liability
S/CJ 324 Victimology