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• Undergraduate Spring 2007
• Sociology

Undergraduate Sociology

2007 Spring Term

Class Schedule

INTRODUCTORY SOCIOLOGY

SOCIOLGY 140

The study of human social relations with emphasis on culture, socialization, social structure and change, and the major social institutions.

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SOCIAL PROBLEMS

SOCIOLGY 250

The study of specific social problems, ttheoretical explanations of their existence, and strategies for effecting change.

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MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY

SOCIOLGY 252

A course of study designed to familiarize the student with social and cultural patterns of mate selection, marriage, and family life involvement. Particular emphasis on changing perceptions surrounding gender roles and the institutions of marriage and family in contemporary United States.

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RACE AND ETHNIC RELATIONS

SOCIOLGY 265

This course examines relationships between racial minorities and the majority group in the United States in their socio-historical contexts. Early histories of relations between minorities and the majority as well as present relations will be addressed. Questions raised include whether American society should attempt to minimize differences between minorities and the majority, whether to blend or maintain group identities, and how we should address existing barriers and inequalities. Relationships and differences among minority groups will also be examined.

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INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY

SOCIOLGY 276

An introduction to the field of criminology through examination of theories and patterns of criminal behavior, the operation of the criminal justice system, and the politics of crime control policy.

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SOCIOLOGY OF PACIFIC ASIA

SOCIOLGY 290

The course offers a multi-disciplinary survey of social, economic and political issues in societies of the geographic-cultural region of East Asia or the Pacific Rim. The region includes Southeast (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand) and East Asia (China, Korea, Japan). The stress is on the contemporary situation and recent past. The course will provide students with an introduction to a non-Western region and is a foundation for the further study of Asia. The specific issues discussed and range of countries to be examined may vary by semester.

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SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

SOCIOLGY 301

Students in this course will learn about the knowledge creation process by reading original research monographs. In addition, students will gain "hands-on" experience in posing sociological questions and in trying to answer those questions through the analysis of computer-based data sets such as the General Social Survey.

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SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH AND ILLNESS

SOCIOLGY 310

This course examines the sociocultural aspects of health and illness, the patient-practitioner relationship, the socialization of health practitioners, the social organization of health care services, and the role of ethics in medical decision-making. It analyzes the problems and inequities in our present system of health care delivery in the United States, with particular emphasis on the sexism, racism, and classism in policy and practice. It analyzes alternative models of health care delivery, and discusses modifications in policy and practice necessary to bring about change.

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SOCIOLOGY OF DISABILITY

SOCIOLGY 315

Sociology of Disability is an examination of the social construction of disability, including its historical and cross-cultural variations, institutional and organizational contexts, and interactional and emotional dimensions. Particular attention is given to the experience of living with various biomedical conditions and the ways in which the social status of disability is related to other forms of social inequality and difference.

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SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND COLLECTIVE BEHAVIOR

SOCIOLGY 340

An examination of the causes and consequences of social movements and collective behavior, including such phenomena as riots; fads; panic; trade unions; reform, revolutionary, and liberation movements; utopian communities.

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SOCIOLOGY OF GENDER

SOCIOLGY 345

This course will analyze gender as a process and as a social institution. It will examine how we can experience gender in ways that maintain existing gender relations or in ways that challenge them.

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SOCIOLOGY OF LAW

SOCIOLGY 365

An introduction to the interdependence of law and society through an analysis of legal concepts and organization from a sociological view.

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SOCIOLOGY OF HOMICIDE

SOCIOLGY 371

This course will provide an in-depth look at homicide as a social and legal category and at the social psychological variables that affect it. Various types of homicide will be examined in American society and in a global context. Forensic issues will be addressed along with political and social issues.

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SOCIOLOGY OF PUNISHMENT AND CORRECTIONS

SOCIOLGY 378

The critical analysis of probation, parole, halfway houses, jails and prisons. Their origins in and possible function for the larger society will also be examined. Field trip is required.

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SOCIOLOGY OF GLOBALIZATION

SOCIOLGY 385

A survey course designed to critically examine the sociological theories of change. Also examines contemporary empirical developments and their relevance for social policy. Illustrations will be drawn from work done in the developing countries.

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THE HOLOCAUST: NAZI GERMANY AND THE GENOCIDE OF THE JEWS

SOCIOLGY 388

This course will examine the origins, implementation, and legacies of the Nazi Holocaust against the Jews. It is intended to help students gain an appreciation of the importance of the Holocaust to the Jewish experience, while understanding that other groups also were victimized. (Offered jointly with religious studies).

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AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILIES

SOCIOLGY 392

This course will survey the historical development of the Afro-American Family from Africa to modern times. Significant events (e.g., the slave trade, slavery, and migration) will be scrutinized in order to ascertain their role in shaping the contemporary Black Family life. Other important social and economic forces will be illuminated to assess their impact. The latest body of literature models, paradigms, hypotheses, and statistical findings will be critically examined to enhance understanding of modern day Black Family premarital and marital relations, adaptive patterns, and dislocations. (Offered jointly with Afro-American Studies.)

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MINORITIES & THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

SOCIOLGY 426

This course is designed to explore the relationship between minority status and criminal justice processing. Racial, ethnic, and sexual minority groups will be examined in this course. Each student will be expected to develop a general understanding of several minority groups and a thorough understanding of one minority group of his/her choice.

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RACIAL & ETHNIC INEQUALITY: BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

SOCIOLGY 430

Readings in theoretical, empirical, and policy literature will offer an in-depth study of racial and ethnic inequality in criminal justice, housing, poverty, health, education and immigration. The class features an experiential component through field trips across the region to thematically orientated site visits with experts in the field of inequality.

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EXTRAORDINARY GROUPS: THE SOCIOLOGY OF INTENTIONAL COMMUNITIES

SOCIOLGY 465

This course is a sociological analysis of a selection of unique groups in our society that illustrate tremendous range of subcultural diversity. The groups studied are chosen for three reasons: they illustrate major sociological principles in concrete form, they are diverse, and they are interesting.

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SOCIAL THEORY: CLASSICAL AND CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES

SOCIOLGY 473

An examination of classical and contemporary social thought. The connections between early major European and contemporary U.S. and international theorists will be emphasized to analyze key areas of sociological inquiry. The course will map important theoretical camps in sociology as well as conduct analysis of contemporary and historical issues using social theory.

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METHODS OF SOCIAL RESEARCH

SOCIOLGY 476

To acquaint the student with research methods in sociology and the social sciences; the foundation of sociology in science; the role of theory in research; construction of the research design; sampling, data gathering techniques, and analysis and interpretation of data.

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SOCIOLOGY IN PRACTICE

SOCIOLGY 478

This course will examine the ways in which sociology can be applied in both academic and non-academic settings and the various alternative careers open to sociology students. Special attention will be given to the ethical issues involved in sociological research and practice and to the impact of sociology and sociologists upon the decision making process in both the public and private sectors. This course is required for Sociology majors who are planning to take the Applied Sociology SOCIOLGY 493.

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TRAVEL STUDY

SOCIOLGY 491

Variable topics. Faculty-led courses abroad. Repeatable.

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APPLIED SOCIOLOGY

SOCIOLGY 493

This course involves a supervised internship in a public or private organization. Through on campus seminars and written assignments on the intern experience, students learn how sociology can be applied to solve social problems. Repeatable for a maximum of 6 credits in degree.

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INDEPENDENT STUDY

SOCIOLGY 498

Study of a selected topic or topics under the direction of a faculty member. Repeatable.