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Sociology Course Descriptions

(SOC) College-Program: 17-18. Check with Department for quarter when these courses are offered. Read each course description for prerequisites.

112 CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL PROBLEMS (4 credits). Examination of social problems in a global context from a critical perspective, with emphasis on causes, conditions, consequences, and alternative methods of intervention.

150 THE SOCIOLOGICAL ENTERPRISE (4 credits). An introduction to the profession of sociology and the processes that professional sociologists draw upon to generate ideas and to put them to test. An emphasis on the relationship between theory, hypotheses, data collection and analysis through the examination of selected sociological theories, manipulation of computer data bases and actual field research. Development of skills necessary to prepare research reports and professional papers, and an exploration of careers in sociology. Prerequisite: SOC 110.

223 ETHNIC AND MINORITY GROUP RELATIONS (4 credits). Study of dominant-subordinate relations with emphasis on racial, cultural, and sexual domination. Examination of a variety of dominant-group tactics, including the causes and consequences of prejudice and discrimination. Prerequisite: SOC 110 or consent of instructor. (Applies to Liberal Education Area V , Area VII ).

230 QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS (4 credits). Principles, techniques, and practices in the conduct of field research in natural social settings, focusing on participant observation, unstructured and semi-structured interviewing, use of informants, personal and public documents, content analysis, unobtrusive research techniques, interpreting narrative data, and preparation of a field research report (ethnography). This course is also listed as ANTH 338. Prerequisite: SOC 110 or ANTH 101.

240 SOCIAL STATISTICS (4 credits). Designed especially for majors in sociology, social work, and political science. An emphasis on understanding and applying techniques of statistical analysis. Covers both descriptive and inferential statistics including measures of central tendency, variability, association, and analysis of variance. Students will learn to use the computer in data analysis. Prerequisites: SOC 150 and MATH 113, or consent of instructor.

250 METHODS OF SOCIAL RESEARCH (4 credits). A study of the basic methods used in sociology and the other social sciences to collect data. A consideration of the scientific method, causation, and the ethics of research. An emphasis on sampling, questionnaire construction, survey research, experiments, and evaluation research. Prerequisites: SOC 240 or consent of the instructor.

260 SOCIAL CHANGE (4 credits). The theory and practice of social change, with special attention to change processes most likely to produce just and non-violent management and reduction of conflict at all levels of change from interpersonal to international. Prerequisites: SOC 112, SOC 223, or consent of the instructor.

301 CONTEMPORARY SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY (4 credits). An overview of selected sociological theories and theorists considered against the background of the classical period of sociological theorizing in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Emphasis on comparative understanding of the major models of society - order, pluralism, conflict, etc. - that have dominated sociological thinking in the modern period. Prerequisites: SOC 110, SOC 150, or consent of instructor.

303 FAMILY VIOLENCE (4 credits). A study of current theory and research related to the problem of family violence and responses to this problem including: premarital violence, spousal violence, and violence in parent-child relationships and sexual abuse. This course should be of particular value to human services professionals. This course is also listed as SOWK 303.

305 SOCIETY AND ENVIRONMENT (4 credits). An examination of the functioning of society as a social system and the relationship between society and the environment. An emphasis on the political and economic institutions and the consumer lifestyle and values. Consideration of the effects of the treadmill of production on ecosystems, and of solutions to environmental problems. Prerequisites: SOC 250 and SOC 260, or consent of instructor.

310 VIOLENCE: PERSPECTIVES I (4 credits). Consideration of diverse perspectives on the causes, conditions, consequences, and amelioration of violence, with emphasis on social psychological and sociological perspectives. All levels of violence from interpersonal to international will be examined, with emphasis on inter-group and international violence. A major objective is for each student to produce a proposal for research that can be carried out in SOC 410 or elsewhere. Prerequisites: SOC 250, SOC 260, SOC 301, or consent of instructor.

311 SOCIOLOGY OF SPORT (3-4 credits). The study of sport as a social institution. Topics covered include sports and socialization, sports in educational settings, economics and sports, religion and sports, sexism and racism in sports, and sport as a microcosm of society. This is an interdivisional course and it is also listed as PHED 311. (May not be offered every year.)

313 DEVIANT BEHAVIOR (4 credits). Study of the major sociological theories of deviant behavior, examination of selected research studies based on those theories, and consideration of the implications for social control policies. Prerequisite: SOC 110 or consent of instructor.

320 SOCIAL INEQUALITY I: PERSPECTIVES (4 credits). This course focuses on the degree to which inequality is institutionalized into the social structure of society. In addition to the theoretical underpinnings of inequality, the political, economic, occupational, racial, and gendered aspects of inequality will be explored through the analysis of contemporary national and international data bases. Prerequisites: SOC 230, SOC 240, and SOC 250.

322 THE SOCIOLOGY OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY (4 credits). A study of the various forms of family structure, including variations that occur by social class and ethnic status. Examination of the changing forms of American families throughout history and consideration of the issues and evidence surrounding the debate over the nature of the "family." The topics of gender roles, romantic love, courtship, nonmarital life styles, divorce, remarriage, and stepfamilies will also be examined from the sociological frame of reference. Prerequisite: SOC 110 or consent of instructor. (Applies to Liberal Education Area VII ).

324 POPULATION AND ECOLOGY (4 credits). The dynamics of population growth and change. Problems of overpopulation planning and control. (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisite: SOC 110 or consent of instructor.

326 SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION (4 credits). The study of religion in various societies and the relation of religion to other major social institutions. (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisite: SOC 110 or consent of instructor.

401 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY (4 credits). The study of social psychology from the sociological viewpoint, especially that of the classic work of George Herbert Mead and of contemporary symbolic interactionists. Emphasis on the emergence of consciousness, meaning, mind, and selfhood from social process, and on the central role of symbolic communication in the behavior of individuals and the dynamics of groups. Prerequisite: SOC 110 or consent of instructor.

403 SOCIAL RESEARCH PRACTICUM (4 credits). Designed to help students integrate and apply their knowledge of research methodology and statistical analysis. Covers several more advanced topics in survey research techniques and statistics not included in SOC 240 and SOC 250. Students will conduct a survey research study and will learn how to use the computer in analyzing the data from the study. Prerequisites: SOC 240, and SOC 250.

410 VIOLENCE II: RESEARCH APPLICATIONS (4 credits). A research practicum. Students must begin with a relevant research proposal and basic research skills in hand. They will proceed to review and evaluate each other's proposals and then review, evaluate, and assist each other in the conduct of research. Successful completion requires preparation and presentation of a research report. Prerequisites: SOC 230, SOC 240, SOC 250, and SOC 310.

420 SOCIAL INEQUALITY II: RESEARCH APPLICATIONS (4 credits). This course is a continuation of the theoretical and empirical explorations developed in SOC 320. The student will build upon the research proposal developed in SOC 320 and will undertake the necessary library research, field research, and data analysis to fully develop and execute the research design and to present the results in the appropriate professional format and manner. Prerequisites: SOC 320.

488 SEMINAR IN SOCIOLOGY (2-4 credits). The seminar in sociology enables the student majoring in sociology to prepare for either employment or graduate school. Students will develop vitas, examine the job market, develop interviewing strategies and explore the possibility of internships. Those seeking graduate education will review the application process, become familiar with the Graduate Record Examination and examine the standards of graduate education and the profession of sociology. Prerequisite: Senior standing or permission of the instructor. (May not be offered every year.)

489 SENIOR COLLOQUIUM IN SOCIOLOGY (2 credits). The senior colloquium helps the student to prepare the senior thesis that is required for graduation as a sociology major. Students will decide upon a topic which will clearly demonstrate the application of social policy to a selected problem in the surrounding area. Once this research has been completed, a draft will be presented to the colloquium in both written and verbal form using the appropriate professional standards from the field of sociology. Prerequisites: Sociology major and senior standing or permission of instructor.

497 INTERNSHIP IN SOCIOLOGY (4-16 credits). Designed to provide the student with work experience in an applied Sociology setting. Activities may involve conducting research, planning, administration, and preparing reports. Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only. The internship must be arranged at least one quarter prior to registering for it and approved by the Department Chair. Prerequisite: Senior standing and Sociology Major.