Undergraduate Sociology
Undergraduate Sociology
2020 Fall 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 VIOLENT CRIME
SOCIOLGY 371
This course will provide an in-depth look at homicide and other violent crimes as a social and legal category and at the social psychological variables that affect them. Various types of criminal violence will be examined in American society and in a global context. Forensic issues will be addressed along with political and social issues.
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.
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.
SOCIOLOGY OF DRUGS AND CRIME
SOCIOLGY 377
This course examines the intersection of drugs and crime in society through the social constructionist perspective. It explores how believed truths and realities about drugs are often socially created, how laws and drug control has been constructed and maintained, how culture and history influence drugs and crime perceptions, and how norms, values and ideas concerning drugs are created and perpetuated.
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.
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.
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.