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• Undergraduate Fall 2007
• Sociology

Undergraduate Sociology

2007 Fall 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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THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY: A SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

SOCIOLGY 270

This course provides lower level undergraduate students with systematic sociological understanding of the historical and current experiences of African American people.

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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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ASIAN AMERICANS

SOCIOLGY 285

The course examines the intersection of Asia and United States through peoples who migrated from Asia. It reviews issues of race and ethnicity and provides an overview in Asian cultures so that students can understand Asian American diversity and Asian cultures of orgin. It examines the diverse experiences of the various Asian peoples who have migrated to the U.S., including inter-Asian American relations and intergroup relations between Asian Americans and others in the U.S. The course explores issues of Asian American discrimination, stereotypes, indentity formation, collective action and pan Asian identities, and hybrid or transnational identities.

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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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INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIOLOGY

SOCIOLGY 319

This course examines the economic and political structures that have induced natural environmental degradation throughout the world and highlights the impact of collective social actors mobilizing to influence the process of environmental policy formation in order to address environmental and technological risks.

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SOCIOLOGY OF NEWS AND THE MASS MEDIA

SOCIOLGY 337

Sociology of News and the Mass Media examines the emergence of news organizations and the mass media as specialized subsystems within modern society and explores the interrelations between them and other social institutions and their impact on modern culture.

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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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SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

SOCIOLGY 355

An examination of the process and results of human interaction with an emphasis on attitudes and attitude change, society and personality, inter-group relations and processes of socialization.

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JUVENILE DELINQUENCY

SOCIOLGY 370

A study of the incidence of delinquency, theories and findings regarding causation, and the policies designed for treatment and prevention of delinquency.

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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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WHITE-COLLAR CRIME

SOCIOLGY 372

An examination of the patterns, causes, costs, and strategies of controlling non-traditional crime committed by persons of respectability and high social status. Topics covered include: occupational crime and employee theft, the mafia and criminal syndicates, corporate crime, and governmental crime. Particular attention is given to the origin and control of criminal behavior that helps organizations achieve their operational goals.

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SOCIOLOGY OF TERRORISM

SOCIOLGY 373

This course will examine Terrorism as a weapon of power, a forensic issue, and a social phenomenon. Types of Terror, types of groups and governments involved in terrror, and the people who become terrorists will be examined. Theories of political policy, group dynamics, and individual predilections will be evaluated so that terrorism can be understood and combated.

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SOCIOLOGY OF POLICE AND COURTS

SOCIOLGY 374

A sociological analysis of the development and behavior of the police, lawyers, prosecutors and judiciary in society and their role in social control.

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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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WOMEN AND CRIME

SOCIOLGY 379

This course examines the frequency and nature of female offending and female victimization; the frequently blurred boundaries of female victimization and criminalization; and the role of criminal law, police, and courts in the processing of female victims and offenders.

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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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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.