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Sociology Course Descriptions

Sociology (SOC) College-Program Codes: 7-18 Check with department for semester when these courses are offered. Read each course description for prerequisites.

1105 CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL PROBLEMS (3 credits) Examination of social problems in a global context from a critical perspective, with emphasis on causes, conditions, consequences, and alternative methods of intervention. Liberal Education Area V

1500 THE SOCIOLOGICAL ENTERPRISE (3 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 1105.

2230 ETHNIC AND MINORITY GROUP RELATIONS (3 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 1105 or consent of instructor. Liberal Education Area IV

2600 SOCIAL CHANGE (3 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 1105, SOC 2230, or consent of instructor.

3000/ANTH 3000 QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS (3 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). Prerequisite: SOC 1104 or ANTH 1110.

3001 SOCIAL STATISTICS (3 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 1500, MATH 1170, or consent of instructor.

3002 METHODS OF SOCIAL RESEARCH (3 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. Prerequisite: SOC 3001 or consent of instructor.

3010 CONTEMPORARY SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY (3 credits) An overview of selected sociological theories and theorists considered against the background of the classical period of sociological theorizing in the nineteenth and early twentieth 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 1104, SOC 1500, or consent of instructor.

3030/SOWK 3030 FAMILY VIOLENCE (3 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.

3050 SOCIETY AND ENVIRONMENT (3 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 3002, SOC 2600, or consent of instructor.

3100 SOCIOLOGY OF VIOLENCE (3 credits) Consideration of diverse perspectives on the causes, conditions, consequences, and amelioration of violence, with emphasis on sociological and social psychological perspectives. Prerequisites: SOC 2600, SOC 3002, and SOC 3010, or consent of instructor.

3130 DEVIANT BEHAVIOR (3 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 1104 or consent of instructor.

3200 SOCIAL INEQUALITY (4 credits) This course focuses upon 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. The student will develop a research proposal and undertake the necessary library research, field research and data analysis to fully execute the research design and present the results to the class. Prerequisites: SOC 3000, SOC 3001, and SOC 3002.

3220 SOCIOLOGY OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY (3 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 1104 or consent of instructor. Liberal Education Area IV

3240 POPULATION AND ECOLOGY (3 credits) The dynamics of population growth and change. Problems of overpopulation planning and control. Prerequisite: SOC 1104 or consent of instructor. (May not be offered every year)

3260 SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION (3 credits) The study of religion in various societies and the relation of religion to other major social institutions. Prerequisite: SOC 1104 or consent of instructor. (May not be offered every year)

4010 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY (3 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 1104 or consent of instructor.

4030 SOCIAL RESEARCH PRACTICUM (3 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 3001 and SOC 3002. Students will conduct a survey research study and will learn how to use the computer in analyzing the data from the study. Prerequisites: SOC 3001 and SOC 3002.

4880 SEMINAR IN SOCIOLOGY (2 credits) This course enables a student majoring in sociology to prepare for either employment or graduate school. Students will develop resumes, examine the job market, develop interviewing strategies and explore the possibility of internships. Those pursuing graduate education will review the application process and examine the requirements of graduate study and career possibilities in sociology. Students will also begin preparation of the senior thesis required of sociology majors Prerequisites: Sociology major and senior standing or consent of instructor.

4970 INTERNSHIP IN SOCIOLOGY (3-16 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.