University Catalog 2024-2025

Sociology (SOC)

SOC 202  Principles of Sociology  (3 credit hours)  

Introduction to sociology. Analyses of key processes and institutions including interaction, inequality, organization, socialization, and social change. Addresses experiences and outcomes of diverse groups in U.S. society. Includes core sociological concepts, methods, theories.

GEP U.S. Diversity, GEP U.S. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 203/SOC 203A  Current Social Problems  (3 credit hours)  

Examination of social problems linked to structures of economic, political, gender and racial inequality; including poverty, disease, racism, sexism, unemployment, psychological distress, educational failure, environmental destruction and violence. Possible solutions viewed from a variety of perspectives. Includes core sociological concepts, methods and theories.

GEP U.S. Diversity, GEP U.S. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 203A/SOC 203  Current Social Problems  (3 credit hours)  

Examination of social problems linked to structures of economic, political, gender and racial inequality; including poverty, disease, racism, sexism, unemployment, psychological distress, educational failure, environmental destruction and violence. Possible solutions viewed from a variety of perspectives. Includes core sociological concepts, methods and theories.

GEP U.S. Diversity, GEP U.S. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 204/WGS 204  Sociology of Family  (3 credit hours)  

Provides and analysis of contemporary American family structures and processes and their development. Focus on socialization, mate selection, marital adjustment and dissolution, and child socialization. Includes core sociological concepts, methods, theories.

GEP Social Sciences, GEP U.S. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, GEP U.S. Diversity

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 205  Jobs and Work  (3 credit hours)  

This course introduces students to the sociological perspective of economic behavior, workplace social inequalities, and global markets. The course invites students to think critically about inequitable institutionalized processes associated with work and economic systems.

GEP Social Sciences, GEP U.S. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 206  Social Deviance  (3 credit hours)  

Social processes in the creation and maintenance of deviant populations: classification, objectification of social meanings, functions of deviant groups and social outcomes of the deviance-ascription process. Includes core sociological concepts, methods, theories.

GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 207  Language and Society  (3 credit hours)  

Introduction to the intersections of language, society and the individual, and the role of language in social interaction, socialization, ideologies, inequality and social change.  Focus on language variation related to race, class, gender, and other social identities. Includes core sociological and sociolinguistics concepts, methods, theories.

GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives, GEP Social Sciences, GEP U.S. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, GEP U.S. Diversity

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 211  Community and Health  (3 credit hours)  

Course introduces students to the fields of community sociology and population health. It focuses on how structural characteristics of communities influence health disparities, as well as the sociocultural, economic, political, and environmental determinants of physical and mental health and well-being.

GEP Social Sciences, GEP U.S. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, GEP U.S. Diversity

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 212  Race in America  (3 credit hours)  

Introduction to race and racism in the United States. Analysis of the key role that racism has played in US history and how racism has shaped opportunities and outcomes for people living in the US.

GEP Social Sciences, GEP U.S. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 220/GEO 220  Cultural Geography  (3 credit hours)  

Investigates the world's past and present cultural diversity by studying spatial patterns of population, language, religion, material and non-material culture, technology and livelihoods, communities and settlements and political organization and interaction.

GEP Global Knowledge, GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 241/SOC 241A  Sociology of Agriculture and Rural Society  (3 credit hours)  

Application of sociological concepts, methods, theories and styles of reasoning to major social problems facing rural America. Changing structure of agriculture; social impact of agricultural technology; rural community growth and decline; rural industrialization, rural poverty, natural resources and environmental issues in rural America. Includes core sociological concepts, methods, theories.

GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 241A/SOC 241  Sociology of Agriculture and Rural Society  (3 credit hours)  

Application of sociological concepts, methods, theories and styles of reasoning to major social problems facing rural America. Changing structure of agriculture; social impact of agricultural technology; rural community growth and decline; rural industrialization, rural poverty, natural resources and environmental issues in rural America. Includes core sociological concepts, methods, theories.

GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 261/ANT 261  Technology in Society and Culture  (3 credit hours)  

Processes of social and cultural change with a focus on role of technological innovation. Cross-cultural emphasis. Workplace changes and societal risks in U.S. and non-U.S. societies associated with technological innovations. Special attention to the role of scientists and engineers in socio-cultural change. Topical case studies apply course concepts and principles. Core sociological and anthropological concepts, methods, theories.

GEP Global Knowledge, GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives, GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 295  Special Topics in Sociology  (1-3 credit hours)  

Offered as needed to present 200-level subject materials not normally available in regular course offerings or for new courses on a trial basis.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 300  Social Research Methods  (4 credit hours)  

Basic methods of social research, research design, sampling, data collection, measurement, and analysis; the relationship between theory and research. Laboratory exercises on computer applications.

P: SOC 202 ; C: ST 311

GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 301  Human Behavior  (3 credit hours)  

The development of personality as a consequence of social interactions and behavior of individuals in social contexts. Processes of learning, socialization, social perception, organization, stability and change of attitudes, norms, norm-formation and conformity, social roles and role strain, interpersonal attraction, and intergroup and intragroup relations.

P: 3 credits in 200-level SOC

GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 304/WGS 304  Gender and Society  (3 credit hours)  

This course covers foundational sociological theory and research on sex and gender. Using a sociological lens, the course explores the interactions, identities, and institutions that are implicated in the social construction of gender. A core emphasis is on the sex/gender dichotomy and the gender binary, how individuals learn and "do" gender, and how various institutions (e.g., school, work, and family) produce and perpetuate gender inequality. The course also considers recent transformations of gender to examine if/how they might challenge the status-quo.

P: 3 credits in SOC at the 200-level

GEP Social Sciences, GEP U.S. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, GEP U.S. Diversity

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 305/AFS 305  Racial and Ethnic Relations  (3 credit hours)  

Study of the nature of the relationships among racial and ethnic groups in societies around the world but with emphasis on the United States. Explores topics such as inequalities of wealth, power, and status, racism, conflict, and social boundaries among groups. Current trends in intergroup relations are discussed.

Prerequisite: 3 cr. in SOC, 200 level

GEP Social Sciences, GEP U.S. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, GEP U.S. Diversity

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 306  Criminology  (3 credit hours)  

Study of processes whereby behavior is defined as crime and persons are identified as criminals. Includes a sociological investigation of agencies of law enforcement, adjudication, corrections and prevention; patterns of criminal behavior; explanations of variations in criminality with emphasis on sociocultural and sociopsychological theories.

Prerequisite: 3 cr. in SOC, 200 level

GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 307  Sociology of Immigration  (3 credit hours)  

Examination of the links between institutional discrimination of immigrants, racialization of immigrants, criminalization of immigration, identity formation of immigrant groups, and responses of individuals, communities, and institutions to these processes.

Prerequisite: 3 cr. in SOC, 200 level

GEP Social Sciences, GEP U.S. Diversity

Typically offered in Fall only

SOC 309/REL 309  Religion and Society  (3 credit hours)  

Religious beliefs, practices and organizations addressed as social phenomena. Structural functionalism, conflict and subjectivism as theoretical orientations for understanding influences between religion and society. Relationship of religions to family, government, and economy and to social divisions, conflict and change.

P: 3 credits in SOC at the 200 level

GEP Humanities, GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 311  Community Relationships  (3 credit hours)  

Institutions, organizations and agencies found in modern communities; social problems and conditions with which they deal; their interrelationships and trends toward comprehensive planning.

Prerequisite: 3 cr. in SOC, 200 level

GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 320  Survey Design  (3 credit hours)  

Focus on principles of designing surveys and developing survey questions common in sociological research. Topics include the survey-response process, the total survey error paradigm, how to conceptualize and measure attitudes and opinions, sensitive topics, nonresponse and satisficing, survey experiments, randomized-response techniques, pretesting, survey layout, and ethical and compliance issues.

Prerequisite: SOC 300 or PSY 230 or PS 371 or SW 300

GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall only

SOC 342  International Development  (3 credit hours)  

Sociological explanations of global patterns of development, with an emphasis on how the global political economy has evolved over time and how this contributes to social, economic, and environmental changes. Focus on the Global South in particular. Contemporary issues (such as migration and global food insecurity) will be included.

P: 3 credits in 200-level SOC

GEP Global Knowledge, GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall only

SOC 350  Food and Society  (3 credit hours)  

Relationships among individuals, groups, and organizations in the production, consumption, and distribution of food. Influences of gender, class, race, and ethnicity. Impacts of laws and regulations, markets, and social movements.

Prerequisite: 3 credits of a 200-level Sociology

GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Spring only

SOC 351  Population and Planning  (3 credit hours)  

Effects of births, deaths, and migration on population size, composition and distribution. Comparisons across U.S. and non-U.S. societies. Socioeconomic and political implications of demographic change. Impact of alternative policies on demographic processes.

Prerequisite: 3 credits in SOC at the 200 level

GEP Global Knowledge, GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall only

SOC 381  Sociology of Medicine  (3 credit hours)  

Use of theory and empirical studies to understand the social etiology of disease health practices, practitioners, and institutions, and the special area of mental health. Historical as well as contemporary examples of social influences on, and effects of, health throughout the world, but especially in the United States. Core sociological concepts, methods, theories.

Prerequisite: 200 level Sociology

GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 395  Special Topics in Sociology  (1-3 credit hours)  

Offered as needed to present 300-level subject materials not normally available in regular course offerings or for new courses on a trial basis. This course is repeatable innumerable times as long as a different topic is addressed each time.

Prerequisite: 3 credits of a 200-level Sociology

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 400  Theories of Social Structure  (3 credit hours)  

Contributions of Durkheim, Marx, Weber and others to contemporary macro-level sociological theories. Origins and development of functionalist and conflict approaches. Theories of social solidarity, class structure, the state, bureaucratization, ideology. Uses of original works.

Prerequisite: 3 cr. in SOC, 200 level

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 401  Theories of Social Interaction  (3 credit hours)  

Contributions of Weber, Simmel, Mead, Homans, Goffman and others to contemporary micro-level sociological theories. Origins and development of symbolic interaction, ethnomethodology, exchange theory and dramaturgy. Theories of the self, social construction of reality, emotions, interpersonal relationships. Interrelationship of theory and research; use of original works.

Prerequisite: 3 cr. in SOC, 200 level

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 402  Urban Sociology  (3 credit hours)  

Urban social structures emphasizing determinants and consequences of changes in urban places and life styles. Current urban problems and various approaches to urban social planning.

Prerequisite: SOC 300

SOC 404  Families and Work  (3 credit hours)  

Sociological analysis of the interplay between economy and family. How men and women make decisions regarding work and family. Theory and research techniques appropriate to the student of work/family conflicts.

Prerequisite: SOC 200 level, SOC 300

Typically offered in Spring only

SOC 405  Racism in the U.S.  (3 credit hours)  

The course will examine the nature of racism in American society and its correlates: prejudice, discrimination, racial conflict, and racial oppression. Emphasis on the history and development of racism in the U.S. as well as its impact on minority groups. Sociological explanations for the emergence and continuation of racism.

Prerequisite: SOC 300

SOC 407/WGS 407  Sociology of Sexualities  (3 credit hours)  

Exploration of sexuality in a social context. Relationship between sexuality, gender and power in the U.S. Historical trends in behaviors and identities: social movements and sexual issues; current behavioral trends. Some issues covered; identity, social construction, sexual meanings.

Prerequisite: 3 hours SOC 200 level, 300 level

Typically offered in Fall only

SOC 410  Sociology of Organizations  (3 credit hours)  

Application of sociological theories to study of organizational structures and processes. Special attention to control and coordination, relations with other organizations, and decision making.

Prerequisite: 3 cr. in SOC, 200 level, SOC 300

SOC 413  Criminal Justice Field Work  (4 credit hours)  

Supervised observation and experience in a criminal justice agency. Study of relationships between ongoing programs and relevant political and sociological theory and research. Weekly seminars, small groups and individual conferences. Presentation of an integrative report.

Prerequisite: SOC 306 and PS 305, Senior standing in Criminal Justice option

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 414  Social Class  (3 credit hours)  

The universality of social inequality, its bases and consequences. Relationship of social inequality to social class, life chances, life styles and social mobility. Theories and research methods pertinent to the study of social class.

Prerequisite: SOC 300

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 418  Sociology of Education  (3 credit hours)  

Application of sociological theories to education, relating processes of stratification, socialization and organization. Sociological analysis of classrooms and learning. Connections of schooling with family, community and work. Cross-cultural and U.S. research.

Prerequisite: SOC 300

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is offered alternate years

SOC 425  Juvenile Delinquency  (3 credit hours)  

Nature and extent of juvenile delinquency; measurement problems; and biogenic, psychogenic and sociogenic theories of delinquency causation. Policy implications of delinquency theories for treatment and prevention. Evaluation of treatment and prevention programs.

Prerequisite: 3 cr. in SOC 200-level; SOC 300

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 426  Environmental Criminology  (3 credit hours)  

Examines the societal causes and consequences of environmental crime. Theoretical frameworks in green criminology and environmental sociology will be used to examine topics such as climate change, technological disasters, pollution, toxic waste, wildlife trafficking, and environmental movement activism. Coverage of research methods used in environmental criminology, as well as environmental crime investigation and enforcement.

Prerequisite: SOC 300 and 3 credits in SOC 200-level courses

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 427  Sociology of Law  (3 credit hours)  

Sociological concepts, theories and research of law as social control. Social forces behind the creation, maintenance and application of law in American Society.

Prerequisite: 3 cr. in SOC 200-level; SOC 300

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 428  Formal Institutions of Social Control  (3 credit hours)  

Development, structure and behavior of formal institutions of social control in the United States (police, courts, corrections); divergent philosophies of punishment that guide the juvenile and adult criminal justice system, dimensions of inequalitythat influence processing decisions and effectiveness of formal institutions in controlling violations of legal norms.

Prerequisite: 3 hours SOC 200 level; SOC 300

Typically offered in Spring only

SOC 429  Quantitative Data Analysis in Sociology  (3 credit hours)  

Analysis of quantitative data in sociology, including relationship between theory and research, operationalization and measurement of concepts, descriptive and inferential statistics using computer statistical software, interpreting statistical findings and writing research papers. Sociology and Criminology majors or consent of the instructor.

Prerequisite: SOC 300 or ST 311 or equivalent

Typically offered in Spring only

SOC 430  Community and Crime  (3 credit hours)  

Neighborhood development, structure and processes as related to delinquency, crime and criminality. Divergent theories of the effect of neighborhood context on crime and crime on neighborhood processes. The interaction of person and neighborhood context. Implications of community processes for social control.

Prerequisite: 3 credits in SOC 200 level; SOC 300

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 432/PS 432  Violence, Terrorism, and Public Policy  (3 credit hours)  

The course examines interpersonal and group violence in contemporary societies and the causes for its occurrences. Specific forms of violence that will be examined include domestic violence, gangs, homicide, and terrorism, domestically and internationally. Throughout the course students will use data to critically evaluate policies and practices to prevent and control violence and will examine potential solutions to the problems of violence.

Prerequisite: SOC 300 or PS 371

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 440  Social Change  (3 credit hours)  

Sources, processes and consequences of social change on macro and micro levels. Applications of classical and contemporary theories to historical and modern examples of social change in international, national, regional, community, and institutionalsettings. Examples of empirical studies and appropriate methodologies for each level of analysis.

Prerequisite: 3 cr. in SOC, 200 level; SOC 300

Typically offered in Spring only

SOC 445  Inequality, Ideology, and Social Justice  (3 credit hours)  

Systematically addresses the question of why people believe what they do about the legitimacy of inequality; explores the role of self-interest, secular and religious values, considers specific types of ideology such as meritocracy, racism, sexism, colonialism; applies various theories to explain patterns of belief; looks at the role of media and propaganda in shaping beliefs.

Prerequisite: 3 hours of 200-level SOC and SOC 300

Typically offered in Fall only

SOC 450  Environmental Sociology  (3 credit hours)  

Systematic relations between natural environment and human societies. Dependency on the natural world. Population technology, cultural and economic influences on ecosystems. Development of environmentalism and alternative models for understanding threats and potentials. current environmental issues and considerations of their global contexts.

Prerequisite: 3 hours SOC 200 level, SOC 300

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate odd years

SOC 457  Corporate Power in America  (3 credit hours)  

Examines the nature, distribution, and exercise of power in U.S. society. Emphasizes corporate power and its relationship to government. Topics include membership in the upper class and the power elite, media and shaping of public opinion, the culture of politics, formation of political consciousness, and the emergence of oppositional and reactionary social movements.

Prerequisite: (SOC 202 or SOC 203) and SOC 300

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate even years

SOC 465  Social Aspects of Mental Health  (3 credit hours)  

A survey of the role of social environment and life experiences in mental health and mental disorder, focusing on the link between social inequality and emotional inequality. Topics include the social construction of mental illness and the classification process, social distribution of mental health, explanations of mental health differences. Special emphasis on adolescent and adult traumas that shape the life course.

Prerequisite: SOC 300

Typically offered in Spring only

SOC 492  External Learning Experience  (1-6 credit hours)  

A learning experience in sociological research that utilizes facilities and resources which are external to the campus. Students are placed with organizations to apply sociological concepts in planning or conducting a research project. Contact the Sociology & Anthropology undergraduate coordinator to obtain department approval.

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 493  Special Problems in Sociology  (1-6 credit hours)  

A learning experience in sociological research that utilizes campus facilities and resources. Arrangements must be initiated by the student and approved by the instructor prior to the experience. Contact the Sociology & Anthropology undergraduate coordinator to obtain department approval.

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 495  Special Topics in Sociology  (1-3 credit hours)  

Offered as needed to present materials not normally available in regular course offerings or for new courses on a trial basis.

SOC 498  Independent Study in Sociology  (1-6 credit hours)  

A detailed investigation of a topic in sociology. Topic and mode of study determined by the faculty member(s) in consultation with the department head. Individualized/Independent Study and Research courses require a "Course Agreement for Students Enrolled in Non-Standard Courses" be completed by the student and faculty member prior to registration by the department.

Prerequisite: Six hours SOC above the 200 level

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 508  Social Organization  (3 credit hours)  

Introduction to study of social structure. Focus on inequality, work, organizations, the economy, the state. Classic writings and their impacts.

Prerequisite: SOC 400 or SOC 701

SOC 509  Population Problems  (3 credit hours)  

Examination of population growth, rates of change and distribution. Emphasis on functional roles of population, i.e., age, sex, race, residence, occupation, marital status and education. Stress on population dynamics fertility, mortality and migration. Analysis on population policy in relation to national and international goals stressing a world view.

Prerequisite: SOC 202

SOC 514  Developing Societies  (3 credit hours)  

Definition of major problems posed for development sociology and exploration of social barriers and theoretical solutions for development set forth with regard to newly developing countries. Review of significant past strategies and presentation of main themes in current development schemes. Proposal and discussion of untested strategies for the future. Examination of these problems in their national and international contexts.

Prerequisite: Six hrs. SOC or ANT or Graduate standing or PBS status

SOC 533  The Community  (3 credit hours)  

The community viewed in sociological perspective as a functioning entity. Presentation and application of a method of analysis to eight "dimensions," with emphasis on the unique types of understanding to be derived from measuring each dimension. Finally, analysis of effect of change on community integration and development.

Prerequisite: Six hrs. SOC

SOC 591  Special Topics In Sociology  (1-6 credit hours)  

An examination of current problems organized on a lecture-discussion basis. Course content varies as changing conditions require new approaches to emerging problems.

Typically offered in Spring only

SOC 601  Seminar  (1-3 credit hours)  

Appraisal of current literature; presentation of research papers by students; progress reports on departmental research; review of developing research methods and plans; reports from scientific meetings and conferences; other professional matters. Credits Arranged

Typically offered in Fall only

SOC 610  Special Topics In Sociology  (1-6 credit hours)  

An examination of current problems organized on a lecture-discussion basis. Course content varies as changing conditions require new approaches to emerging problems.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 642  Practicum In Sociology  (1-6 credit hours)  

Opportunity for student under supervision of graduate advisory committee chair and organization/agency supervisor to develop and demonstrate competency in the area of graduate specialization through application of sociological knowledge to practicalproblems facing the organization/agency.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing in the Master of Sociology program and nine hrs. of SOC at the 500-600 level

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 685  Master's Supervised Teaching  (1-3 credit hours)  

Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 690  Master's Examination  (1-9 credit hours)  

For students in non thesis master's programs who have completed all other requirements of the degree except preparing for and taking the final master's exam. Credits Arranged

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 693  Master's Supervised Research  (1-9 credit hours)  

Instruction in research and research under the mentorship of a member of the Graduate Faculty.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 695  Master's Thesis Research  (1-9 credit hours)  

Thesis Research

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 696  Summer Thesis Research  (1 credit hours)  

For graduate students whose programs of work specify no formal course work during a summer session and who will be devoting full time to thesis research.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Summer only

SOC 699  Master's Thesis Preparation  (1-9 credit hours)  

For students who have completed all credit hour requirements and full-time enrollment for the master's degree and are writing and defending their thesis. Credits arranged

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 701  Classical Sociological Theory  (3 credit hours)  

The interdependence of theory and research in sociology; major theoretical classics in the discipline and how they provide foundations for subsequent developments and for analysis in substantive areas.

Requisite: Admission to SOC Graduate Program

Typically offered in Fall only

SOC 702  Contemporary Sociological Theory  (3 credit hours)  

Works by major figures representing leading schools of sociological theory in the post-World War II period studied as primary sources. Underlying assumptions made explicit, the structure of the theory, including propositions, examined critically anddiscussion of relationships with other theoretical perspectives.

Prerequisite: SOC 701

SOC 705  Historical Materialism Approaches to Social Theory  (3 credit hours)  

This sociological theory course will cover the development of Marxist social thought from the 19th century to the present. We will explore themes, arguments, and debates during this era, concentrating on theoretical developments and syntheses in the historical materialist traditions, and explore their relevance and application for sociological research. Issues and topics will be broadly organized around theories of class, gender, race, power, ideology, culture, capitalist development, science, social crises, social change, and social justice.

Typically offered in Spring only

SOC 707  Quantitative Sociological Analysis  (3 credit hours)  

Introduction to application of common quantitative methodologies in sociology including multiple regression and path analysis. Emphasis on selecting appropriate analytical techniques, model estimation and sociological interpretation of findings.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Spring only

SOC 708  Advanced Sociological Analysis  (3 credit hours)  

Examination of advanced analysis techniques adaptable to needs of sociological research. Special attention given to causal analysis, analysis of change and aggregate versus individual level data analyses. Consideration of sociological examples. Attention to emerging issues and techniques.

Prerequisite: SOC 711, ST 507 or ST 711

Typically offered in Fall only

SOC 710  Teaching Sociology  (3 credit hours)  

The objective of this course is for students to further their skills in teaching sociology. Students will plan an undergraduate course, construct a teaching philosophy, evaluate a variety of teaching techniques, and demonstrate an understanding of teaching as a sociological phenomenon.

Prerequisite: Admission to sociology graduate program

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate even years

SOC 711  Research Methods In Sociology I  (3 credit hours)  

Issues in philosophy of science, causation, relationship of theory and research. Qualitative, experimental and survey design methodologies.

Requisite: Admission to SOC Graduate Program

Typically offered in Spring only

SOC 712  Advanced Survey Research Methods  (3 credit hours)  

Advanced survey methodology including research design, sampling, questionnaire development and surveys using the World Wide Web. Designing and executing substantive and methodological studies using surveys to perationalize behavioral and social constructs and to test hypotheses.

Prerequisite: SOC 711 and SOC 707

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate odd years

SOC 713  Applied Research  (3 credit hours)  

Studies research process with emphasis upon its application to action problems. Stress upon development of research design to meet action research needs.

Requisite: Admission to SOC Graduate Program

Typically offered in Fall only

SOC 715  Qualitative Sociological Methods and Analysis  (3 credit hours)  

Survey of qualitative sociological research methods. Practice in research design and evaluation, multiple forms of data gathering and data analysis. Theoretical and epistemological issues as related to qualitative sociology, with special attentionto ritical and feminist epistemological debates.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate odd years

SOC 721  Deviant Behavior  (3 credit hours)  

Topics include: the inevitability of deviance and its social utility; cross-cultural variations in appearance and behavioral cues for labeling the deviant; descriptive and explanatory approaches to kinds and amounts of deviance in contemporary American society; social change, anomie and social disorganization theories; the process of stigmatization; formal and informal societal responses to deviance and the deviant; social action implications.

Prerequisite: Six hrs. SOC or ANT or Graduate standing or PBS status

SOC 722  Social Control  (3 credit hours)  

Examination of need, functions, utilization and effects of both informal and formal social control mechanisms. Emphasis and critical evaluation of theoretical perspectives on social control and the empirical support for these positions.

Prerequisite: Six hrs. SOC above 200 level or Graduate standing or PBS status

SOC 723  Research On Crime and Deviance  (3 credit hours)  

Major topics including an examination of conceptual problems and research issues and methods in study of crime and deviance; an assessment of current research on crime causation and deviance processes; an examination of research on social control processes and agencies; and an assessment of social action and evaluative research. A variety of substantive topics dealt with in the context of above topical areas including: delinquency, drug usage, mental illness, obesity, stuttering, suicide, prostitution, homicide and rape.

Prerequisite: SOC 721

SOC 725  Gender and Crime  (3 credit hours)  

This seminar will provide an overview of the literatures on gender, crime and violence. The course framework and readings emphasize the social structures of gender, social constructions of gender, symbolic meaning systems, and intersections of race, class and gender. We will examine theoretical approaches and empirical research that informs our understanding of the gendered commission of offending.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 727  Comparative Societies  (3 credit hours)  

Sociological analysis of societies around the world with particular reference to North and South America. Special emphasis given to cultural and physical setting, population composition, levels of living, relationship of the people to the land, structure and function of major institutions and forces making for change.

Prerequisite: Six hrs. SOC

SOC 731  Survey of Family Sociology  (3 credit hours)  

Examination of structural and demographic continuities and changes for American families in general and within major subgroups (e.g., race, ethnicity, social class). Consideration of historical and cross-cultural comparisons. Assessment of the impact of families upon their members and the dynamics of marital and family relationships.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall only

SOC 732  Contemporary Family Theory and Research  (3 credit hours)  

Emphasis on contemporary research, theory and methodological techniques used by sociologists studying families. Critical examination of where field is now and where it appears to be heading. Primarily for graduate students designing or doing research about families.

Prerequisite: SOC 731

SOC 736  Social Stratification  (3 credit hours)  

The theoretical background, methodological approaches and analysis of the consequences of systems of stratification. Emphasis on static and dynamic qualities of stratification systems on relations within and between societies. Attention to the integrative and divisive quality of stratification as expressed in life styles, world views, etc.

Requisite: Admission to SOC Graduate Program

Typically offered in Fall only

SOC 737/WGS 737  Sociology Of Gender  (3 credit hours)  

Theories about the development and maintenance of gender. Historical development of gender stratification. How individuals "do gender" in their daily lives. Contemporary research and substantive readings about gender in public and intimate relationships.

Prerequisite: Graduate student, SOC 736 or 731

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is offered alternate even years

SOC 738  Race and Ethnic Inequality  (3 credit hours)  

Theoretical and methodological approaches and critical debates on race. Impact of racial discrimination on inequality. Effects of inequality on community institutions. Formation of attitudes and identities.

Requisite: Admission to SOC Graduate Program

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate odd years

SOC 739/WGS 739  Social Psychology Of Inequality  (3 credit hours)  

The effects of race, class and gender inequality on the formation of group consciousness, self-evaluations, emotions, values, attitudes and beliefs. Attention to interpersonal processes through to reproduction of inequality in everyday life.

Requisite: Admission to SOC Graduate Program

Typically offered in Spring only

SOC 746  Sociological Social Psychology  (3 credit hours)  

Central issues in sociological social psychology, including formation of the self, effects of social structure on individual development, emergence of ritualized interaction and tension between individual agency and societal constraint. Emphasis on symbolic interactionist and dramaturgical perspectives.

Prerequisite: SOC 401t

SOC 752  Work and Industry  (3 credit hours)  

Control of economy and workplace. Special attention to economic restructuring, the labor process and recent workplace innovations. Theories include managerialism, bank hegemony and deskilling. Historical studies complement analyses of contemporary settings and issues.

Prerequisite: SOC 400 or SOC 508 or SOC 701

SOC 753  Inequality in Work and the Economy  (3 credit hours)  

Sociological study of structural inequality in labor markets and workplaces with implications for class, race, gender, and spatial disparities in employment-related outcomes. Special attention is paid to job quality, spatial disparities in employment opportunity, and processes contributing to race and gender disparities in job attainment and rewards.

Prerequisite: SOC 701

Typically offered in Spring only

SOC 754  Economic Sociology  (3 credit hours)  

Embeddedness of economic action by individuals, firms, and states within a social context. Topics include globalization, restructuring, the informal economy, social capital, spatial organization, labor markets and role of the state.

Prerequisite: SOC 701

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate even years

SOC 755  Global Institutions and Markets  (3 credit hours)  

This course introduces students to sociological and related perspectives on the dynamics of global production and consumption processes, focusing in particular on how they shape and are shaped by their organizational, political, cultural, and natural environments.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Spring only

SOC 761  Contemporary Debates in Food & Environment  (3 credit hours)  

This course will be organized around contemporary debates related to the intersections between food and race, class, and gender inequalities. We will focus largely on recent books on these topics, with attention to both their substantive findings as well as the methods and theory employed.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Spring only

SOC 762  Sociology of Food Systems  (3 credit hours)  

This course examines the social relations surrounding the production, distribution, and consumption of food. Sociologists of food display considerable diversity in their theoretical approaches, research methods, and empirical foci. This course will traverse social science research and theorizing to offer an analytic taste on what we eat, how we produce and procure it, who benefits, what we think about it, and how it fits with contemporary social life and institutions.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall only

SOC 763  Environmental Sociology  (3 credit hours)  

This is a survey course in environmental sociology. We begin with a discussion of the emergence and development of environmental sociology, followed by an overview of theoretical perspectives in the field. We then conduct a survey of topics that have typically been addressed in the area. These topics include: environmental concern and values, environmental health, environmental inequality, environmental movements, technological disasters, and global environmental issues. Throughout the course we survey theoretical concerns as they relate to various topics within the field.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall only

SOC 791  Special Topics In Sociology  (1-6 credit hours)  

An examination of current problems organized on a lecture-discussion basis. Course content varies as changing conditions require new approaches to emerging problems.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 810  Special Topics In Sociology  (1-6 credit hours)  

An examination of current problems organized on a lecture-discussion basis. Course content varies as changing conditions require new approaches to emerging problems.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 885  Doctoral Supervised Teaching  (1-3 credit hours)  

Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment, and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 890  Doctoral Preliminary Exam  (1-9 credit hours)  

For students who are preparing for and taking written and/or oral preliminary exams.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 893  Doctoral Supervised Research  (1-9 credit hours)  

Instruction in research and research under the mentorship of a member of the Graduate Faculty.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 895  Doctoral Dissertation Research  (1-9 credit hours)  

Dissertation Research

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 896  Summer Dissertation Research  (1 credit hours)  

For graduate students whose programs of work specify no formal course work during a summer session and who will be devoting full time to thesis research.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Summer only

SOC 899  Doctoral Dissertation Preparation  (1-9 credit hours)  

For students who have completed all credit hour requirements, full-time enrollment, preliminary examination, and residency requirements for the doctoral degree, and are writing and defending their dissertations.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall and Spring