Sociology
SOCI 101 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours GER 3, GER 7
This course is an introduction into the Sociological study of society by exploring fundamental social theories and research methods used by sociologists to examine the interactions between social structures and individuals. The goal of the course is to gain a basic knowledge of sociological concepts and techniques, with a focus on the cultivation of the sociological imagination. This course will examine concepts such as culture, social structures and institutions, social processes of socialization, stratification, and change, deviance, race, ethnicity, and gender.
SOCI 105 AMERICAN SOCIAL PROBLEMS
Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours GER 3
In this course, students will explore the social, economic, and ideological basis of social problems in American society. This course is grounded in a sociological approach, applying different theoretical perspectives and research methods to identify and understand contemporary social problems. Students will examine problems as they relate to social inequality, identity, wellbeing, and institutions. Students will engage material to understand the extent of each problem, how these problems arise in society, and consider possible solutions. The relationship between social problems and organizational policies will also be discussed, particularly in regard to social policy approaches. Global contexts are incorporated when international comparisons offer solutions for consideration.
SOCI 205 SOCIAL DEVIANCE AND CONTROL
Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours GER 3
An introduction to the ideological and theoretical foundation of Social Deviance and Social Control. Attention is given to micro/macro forms of deviance including the gamut from individual forms of deviance to state organized deviance. The course will examine the complex nature and the role agents of social control play in creating and enforcing norms and deviant labels. The course will examine a range of empirical data that attempt to explain the existence and occurrence of deviance.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Sociology (SOCI 101) or permission of instructor.
SOCI 210 SOCIOLOGY OF THE FAMILY
Fall, 3 credit hours GER 3
The study of family as a key social unit with the emphasis on structure, functions, problems and future of the institution. Cross-cultural comparisons, the relationship between the family and other institutions, and family-related policies is also discussed.
SOCI 250 SOCIOLOGY OF THE MASS MEDIA
Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours
The course will begin by exploring the component and the basic concepts of mass media. Special emphasis is on the social construction power of the mass media. The positive role of the mass media will be explored as well as the negative impact. The social control function of the mass media will be explained. The course is aimed at providing a critical assessment of the social construction power of the mass media with an emphasis on images, content and context as presented in the mass media. The course will explore the images of various segments of American society as presented in the mass media including racial/ethnic groups, gender and sexual orientation, age and class.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Sociology (SOCI 101) or permission of instructor.
SOCI 300 RACE AND ETHNIC RELATIONS: AMERICAN AND GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES
Spring, 3 credit hours
This course provides an overview and critical assessment of racial and ethnic relations. The student will be exposed to theories and research that explore the nature of ethnic stratification, incorporation, exclusion, and identity. Focusing on the United States, the course will survey key institutions and identify issues that reflect on inclusion/exclusion/identity. In addition, the course will briefly overview critical issues in racial and ethnic relations from a global context.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Sociology (SOCI 101) or permission of instructor.
SOCI 305 GENDER IN THE MEDIA
Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours
The course will begin by reviewing the components and the basic concepts of mass media. The course will focus on the power of social construction of the mass media in creating appropriate images of masculinity and femininity including sexual orientation. The course will survey the various theoretical traditions coming from sociology, psychology and gender studies exploring gender dynamics as portrayed in the media. The course will examine research exploring the impact and the ideological consequences of the power of the mass media within the arena of gender dynamics.
Prerequisites: Introduction to Sociology (SOCI 101) (with a grade of C or better) and junior level status with a GPA 2.00, or permission of instructor.
SOCI 308 Sociology of Food
Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours
This course explores the significant relationships between people, culture, and food across societies. From the family dinner table to debates surrounding environmental impacts, the production, distribution, and consumption of food reflects social institutions, agricultural systems, politics, and identity. The emergence of food and eating as a sociological subtopic provides a platform for investigating areas such as: social problems, inequality and stratification, power, media, family, labor and work, health, nutrition and safety, ecology, and globalization.
Prerequisites: ENGL101
SOCI 312 Advocacy, Activism, and Social Change
Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours
In this course, students will develop an understanding of both national and international social movements while engaging in advocacy and activism. This course is grounded in an applied sociological approach, exploring strategies and mechanisms for facilitating social change and participating in social justice action. Students will examine the historical and theoretical foundations of social change, particularly as related to identities involving race, class, and gender. This course will present the relationship between society, social institutions, and advocacy work, with opportunities for students to develop practical skillsets in campaigning.
Prerequisite: SOCI 101
Corequisite: SOCI 101 or permission of instructor
SOCI 313 WOMEN AND AGING
Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours
This course provides an extensive exploration of the impact of aging on women. Topics include the social construction of older women; historical and theoretical perspectives on midlife and older women; relationships with family and friends; racial, ethnic, and demographic issues; spirituality; economic issues; and living arrangements and care giving.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Sociology (SOCI 101). Additionally, students must have at least junior level status or permission of instructor.
SOCI 320 SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH, ILLNESS AND HEALTH CARE
Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours
Using the sociological perspective, this course explores how social factors such as age, gender, social class and race / ethnicity influence personal experiences of health, illness, and health care utilization. This course challenges assumptions about health, illness and health care. Topics include the social construction of illness and health, a critique of the ‘sick role’, the meaning and experience of disability, chronic pain and chronic illness, an exploration of health care systems in the developed and developing worlds, and the challenges and opportunities facing both consumers and providers of health care in the 21st century.
Prerequisites: Junior level status; Introduction to Sociology (SOCI101) or Introduction to Gerontology (HLTH 104 / SOCI104) or permission of instructor.
SOCI 325 SOCIOLOGY OF Disaster
Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours
The foundational premise of this course is that disasters are social in nature; revealing, or exacerbating, existing social inequalities. Analyzing a series of case studies using methodology from classical and contemporary sociology, this course prepares students to better understand, plan for, and respond to disasters. The course uses a problem-based learning model in which students work in small groups to help a particular community prepare for a particular hazard.
SOCI 330 SOCIOLOGY OF GENDERED LIVES
Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours
This course focuses on social changes in gender relations, gender inequalities and the social construction of gender. Using sociological theories different social institutions and spheres of society will be analyzed. Topics will include creation of gender differentiation, power, privilege, gendered performances, masculinities, femininities, sexualities, social inequalities and subordination. We will also look at social movements concerned with gender. Three hours lecture per week.
Prerequisites: Introduction to Sociology (SOCI 101) or American Social Problems (SOCI 105) or permission of instructor.
SOCI 360 Sustainable Development
Fall, 3 credit hours
Defined as “development that meets the needs of current generations without diminishing the possibility of future generations to meet their own needs”, sustainable development has become a ubiquitous yet controversial catch phrase employed by the Word Bank, the IMF, the United Nations and other international development agencies. Critics claim the term is merely a cover for continued neo-colonialism while its proponents argue that it allows space for a genuine consideration of the environmental and social good in policies aiming for economic growth. This course develops students’ capacity to understand these competing claims and develop their own definition of what sustainable development should look like internationally and domestically.
SOCI 361 Sustainable Development Lab in Central America
Winterterm Study Abroad, 1 credit hours
This study abroad experience investigates development in Central America and the degree to which communities can navigate the social structures (historical, economic, cultural etc.) and build a healthier, more equitable, environmentally sustainable and economically secure future. This two-week experience is set in two countries, Panama, and Costa Rica, who, as neighbors, share a language and some history but have distinct stories in terms of development. The two- country model allows students to more fully grasp the variety of challenges and opportunities that countries throughout Central and Latin America and develop research questions of their own.
Prerequisites: SOCI 360 or SSCI 271
SOCI 291-295, 391-395, OR 491-495 SPECIAL TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY
Fall/Spring, 1-4 credit hours
An introductory or more advanced exploration of subjects not covered or only partially covered by other courses in sociology.