Undergraduate Sociology
Undergraduate Sociology
2020 Spring Term
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PRINCIPLES OF SOCIOLOGY
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.
SOCIAL PROBLEMS
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.
INTRODUCTION TO FAMILY STUDIES
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.
SOCIOLOGY OF HATE
SOCIOLGY 260
This course provides an overview of the sociological study of hate and prejudice using a variety of perspectives. Substantive topics include the nature of prejudice and stereotyping, hate crime, and hate groups. The course will end with an exploration and evaluation of methods for combating hate and its social manifestations.
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, and whether to blend or maintain group identities.
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.
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.
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.
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 SPSS statistical software in social data analysis.
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.
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.
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.
RACE, ETHNICITY AND FILM
SOCIOLGY 344
This course will sociologically analyze racial and ethnic patterns in American films. We will discuss how decision-makers shape the public imagination. We will examine how race intersects with other identities in ways that lead to specific trends in Hollywood. We will highlight the relationship between media, culture and the economy.
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.
POPULATION STUDIES
SOCIOLGY 362
A study of the development of world population and the social significance of different population sizes and growth rates; emphasis on the social determinants of fertility, mortality and migration.
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.
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.
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
SOCIOLGY 375
This course offers an overview of Restorative Justice including a consideration of definitions, cultural roots, theoretical orgins, key principles, models and practices, global conflicts and peaceful resolutions, controversial issues, and future directions. The course also provides a critical assessment of the potential of Restorative Justice as well as its limitations.
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.
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.
ORGANIZATIONS AND SOCIETY
SOCIOLGY 380
An examination of the growth and role of organizations in society with specific attention to American society.
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).
ANTHROPOLOGICAL THEORY
SOCIOLGY 420
This course is a broad survey of anthropological theory. The goal is to understand anthropology's specific historical trajectory as it relates to theory and to see how anthropological theory has been put into practice/informed ethnographic writing, both classic and contemporary monographs. Students will be expected to engage at a high level through critical reading and critical writing assignments.
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.
CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORY
SOCIOLGY 472
This course is an in-depth investigation of criminological theories with an emphasis on sociological criminology. Students will compare-contrast the assumptions, principles and concepts of major theories, examine empirical research relevant to the theories, and consider the policy applications of theoretical perspectives.
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.
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.
TRAVEL STUDY
SOCIOLGY 491
Variable topics. Faculty-led courses abroad. Repeatable.
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.
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.
INDEPENDENT STUDY
SOCIOLGY 498
Repeatable, in combination with SOCIOLGY 498R, for a maximum of 6 units in major or minor, and 12 units in degree. Cannot substitute for SOCIOLGY 476 or SOCIOLGY 473 or SOCIOLGY 472. Cannot use S/NC grading.
INDEPENDENT STUDY- UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
SOCIOLGY 498R
Study of a selected topic or topics under the direction of a faculty member. Repeatable.