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Undergraduate Sociology

2013 Fall Term

Class Schedule

PRINCIPLES OF SOCIOLOGY (GS)

SOCIOLGY 240

This course introduces students to the ways in which sociologists use theory and research to study human group behavior and the processes by which people build, maintain, and change their institutional arrangements and relationships with one another. The course will focus on five areas of inquiry: social structure, interaction, and change; inequality and diversity; family and health; crime, criminal justice, and law; and global comparative.

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SOCIAL PROBLEMS (GS)

SOCIOLGY 250

This course examines various theoretical explanations of contemporary social problems such as crime, drug use, poverty, discrimination and environmental pollution. The impact of social problems on different groups in society and the role of social movements, government, and social policy are considered.

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INTRODUCTION TO FAMILY STUDIES (GS)

SOCIOLGY 252

This course emphasizes the influence of gender, race/ethnicity, and class on family and marriage in comtemporary U.S. society. It introduces students to theories and research that explain social forces affecting family commitments, and familiarizes them with varying social and cultural patterns of family formation.

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RACE AND ETHNIC RELATIONS (DV)(GS)

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 (GS)

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 (DV)

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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BASIC SOCIAL STATISTICS

SOCIOLGY 295

Introduction to basic statistical methods and their utility in sociology including statistical concepts, frequency distribution, measures of central tendency and variability, correlation analysis, OLS regression analysis, and including the logic of hypothesis testing. In addition, introduction to basic operations of PASW (formally SPSS) statistical software in social data analysis.

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CULTURE, MEDICINE AND HEALTH

SOCIOLGY 302

Medical anthropologists apply critical concepts and ethnographic methods to understand the lived experience of illness and suffering; differing medical practices; and the various ways modern healthcare impacts societies. This course is an introduction to the field and designed for students in the social sciences, humanities, and biological/health sciences.

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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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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 NATURAL DISASTERS

SOCIOLGY 321

This course examines the impact of natural events from a sociological perspective, including hurricanes and earthquakes in which a relatively self-sufficient community undergoes severe physical destruction and incurs in financial loses and the loss of community. Agency and governmental response to disaster emergencies will also be considered.

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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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CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE SOCIETY

SOCIOLGY 350

This course examines contemporary Japanese society. It includes a study of social institutions, processes, and culture of Japan. the course examines following areas: (a) culture (beliefs, customs, social identity); (b) social institutions (family, religion, education, work, media); (c) societal processes (socialization, deviance, urbanization); (d) inequalities (gender, income, race-ethnic, region); and (e) the politics, economy, and international position of Japan.

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SOCIAL STRATIFICATION AND SOCIAL INEQUALITY

SOCIOLGY 351

An analysis of the causes, consequences, and remedies of inequalities in power, income, wealth, authority, ethnic and social status.

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URBAN SOCIETY

SOCIOLGY 352

A study to acquaint the student with historical development of urban centers, the increasing societal dominance of urbanism, the aspects of urbanism that constitute societal problems as well as societal contributions and new urban trends such as suburbanism and urban renewal.

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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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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: CORPORATE AND GOVERNMENTAL DEVIANCE

SOCIOLGY 372

This course examines crimes committed by persons of respectability and high social status in the course of their occupation, with a focus on corporate and governmental deviance. Students will learn about historical and comtemporary cases of white-collar crime, sociological explanations of white-collar crime, and the politics of regulatory law and presidential scandals.

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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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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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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. Prereq: Consent of internship coordinator.

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SEMINAR IN SOCIOLOGY

SOCIOLGY 494

Variable topics. Group activity. An advanced course of study in a defined subject matter area emphasizing a small group in intense study with a faculty member. Repeatable.

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INDEPENDENT STUDY

SOCIOLGY 498

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