Sociology

Sociology studies groups, the ways people behave in groups and how an individual's attitudes and actions are influenced by them. These include families, schools, religious associations, peer groups, political and work organizations. Thus, sociologists are called on to interpret group conflicts, the assimilation (or non-assimilation) of new persons into a social system and the patterned behavior of people in organizations, to give just a few examples.

The discipline of sociology encompasses many of the particular interests and methods of the other social sciences and of some humanistic fields as well. In doing this, sociology does not replace those disciplines; rather it complements them. The sociological goal is to chart the interconnections between the various realms of thought and conduct, to find the balance between social and individual components in personal identity and to locate the social origins of harmony and strife in every area of experience.

Sociologists work professionally as researchers, policy consultants, professors, technicians in private and governmental agencies and in personnel or industrial counseling. Individual courses in sociology help prepare students to become social workers, lawyers, teachers, nurses and doctors.

Major [Top]

The sociology department offers a major in sociology and a concentration in family studies.

Major in Sociology (40 credits)

Required Courses:

111, 201, 204, 302 and 24 additional credits in sociology.

Major in Sociology with
a Concentration in
Family Studies (44 credits)

Required Courses:

111, 201, 204, 302, 329, 330, 351, plus any additional 8 credits in sociology; plus two of the following supporting courses: SWRK 346, HIST 362 and PSYC 360.

Minor (20 credits) [Top]

Required Courses:

111, 201, 204 and eight additional upper-division credits in sociology.

Courses

(SOCI)

111 General Sociology. (4)

Systematic description and analysis of the elements and processes that compose groups and larger social systems. Seeks to develop the sociological imagination which enables persons to see the connectedness of personality, cultural patterns and social institutions.

121 General Anthropology. (4) [Top]

The significance of human physical evolution in relation to social behavior. The rise of culture and the development of specific cultural systems. The elements and dynamics of culture and cultural change.

176 January Term Topics. (0-4) [Top]

Study at the introductory level of a special topic not ordinarily offered during the semesters. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

177 January Term Core Topics. (0-4) [Top]

Study at the introductory level of a special topic not ordinarily offered during the semesters. Designed to fulfill core disciplinary requirement. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

201 Social Statistics. (4) [Top]

Conceptualization, measurement and analysis of social scientific variables such as social class, alienation, self-concept. Descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, normal distribution, bivariate correlation and regression, two group testing, ANOVA, MANOVA, nonparametrics, computerized analysis.

204 Contemporary Theory. (4) [Top]

Major 20th century American and European developments in the social sciences. Central ideas and assumptions of the founders of modern sociology, anthropology and psychology: Durkheim, Weber, Mead and Freud. A survey of recent schools of thought and a consideration of the social sciences in society. Spring.

229 Courtship and Marriage. (4) [Top]

Dating and mate selection. Expectations in marriage. Marital adjustments. Communication in marriage and in the family.

250 Social Problems. (4) [Top]

An overview of the sociological study of social problems at the micro, intermediate, and macro levels of society. Some problems given special emphasis include family conflict, racial and ethnic discrimination, and global food shortages.

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271 Individual Learning Project. (1-4)

Supervised reading or research at the lower-division level. Permission of department chair required. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. Not available to first-year students.

276 January Term Topics. (0-4) [Top]

Study of a special topic not ordinarily offered during the semesters. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

277 January Term Core Topics. (0-4) [Top]

Study of a special topic not ordinarily offered during the semesters. Designed to fulfill core disciplinary requirement. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

302 Social Research Methods. (4) [Top]

Design and conduct of survey, observation, case study, evaluation and experimental research. Consideration of pertinent social and ethical issues. Students design/conduct research. Prerequisite: 201 or permission of instructor.

318 Sociology of Rural Communities. (4) [Top]

Study of the social structures, issues, changes, values and attitudes in modern rural communities. Some historical perspective on agricultural societies. Role of agriculture in our national life. Population, technological and energy trends as factors in rural social change.

319 Sex and Gender. (4) [Top]

A historical and cultural exploration of the socialization patterns, roles and social expectations, organizational, institutional, and aging experiences of women and men in American society.

320 Cultural Anthropology. (4) [Top]

Culture as a learned system of behavior, as adaptation, as communication, as ideology; relevance of domestic and political organization of non-industrial to industrial systems; cultural change. Prerequisite: 121.

329 Family and Society. (4) [Top]

Historical development of the family as a social institution. Intergenerational and cross-cultural relationships. The family as an agency of social control. Social change. Disorganization and reorganization processes

330 Family Violence. (4) [Top]

Analysis of incidence, causes and treatment of major forms of family violence. Includes abuse, neglect and exploitation in parent-child, courtship and marital relationships.

333 Sociology of Medicine and Health Care. (4) [Top]

Aspects of the development of Western medicine, medical education, nursing and paramedical personnel, problems of medical practice, hospital organization, doctor-patient relationship, death and dying, and cross-cultural comparisons of illness and disease.

334 Deviant Behavior. (4) [Top]

Definition, causes and theories of deviant behavior in the framework of social norms and institutions. Major deviant identities in American society. Evaluation of relevant social programs and policies.

335 Sociology of Religion. (4) [Top]

Sociological phenomena of religious expression. Role of religion in society. Sociology of denominational differences and religious communities.

336 Industrial Organizations. (4) [Top]

Social factors of industrialization and modernization. The factory and corporation as a social system. Executive and managerial roles. White collar and blue collar workers. Union and management relations. The corporation in society.

337 Special Areas and Problems in Sociology. (4) [Top]

See official class schedule. Offered when needed.

338 World Population Problems. (4) [Top]

Recent population trends in selected countries; immigration policies and illegal aliens, the "limits to growth" controversy: food supply, natural resources and pollution in relation to population growth; analysis of birth rates, death rates and other U.S. population characteristics.

340 Delinquency, Criminology, Corrections. (4)

Theoretical causes of delinquent and criminal behavior. Strengths, limitations, and challenges to the effectiveness of police, judicial, and corrections systems in U.S. society. Attention to the role of the media and cultural biases in analyzing the "crime problem." Opportunities for visiting institutions and meeting professionals in the field of criminal justice.

341 Urban Studies. (4)

Survey of community forms and life-styles in central city and suburb. Disintegration and renewal. Competition and conflict over territory and services. Churches, schools, pressure groups and parties. Selected policy problems.

342 Social Psychology. (4) [Top]

Psychological processes of individuals interacting in social settings. Varied topics considered with special emphasis upon research findings as illustrations of theories considered. Prerequisite: 111 or 204.

346 Ethnology of Selected Culture-Areas. (4) [Top]

A specific culture in terms of its history, institutions and change. Prerequisite: 121. Offered when needed.

347 Group Dynamics and Organizational Behavior. (4) [Top]

Analysis of small group structure. Theories of social interaction. Review of research on small groups. Organization development techniques. Leadership and team building. Organizational change in sociological perspective.

351 Ethnic Groups in the United States. (4) [Top]

The current situation of and issues concerning Blacks, Chicanos, Native Americans, Jews and other ethnic groups in the U.S.

353 Political Sociology. (4) [Top]

Political participation, power and ideology as expressed in political structures and processes. Voting, political parties, social movements.

355 Social Gerontology. (4) [Top]

Study of the later years of life from a life-course perspective which views aging as a life-long process. Exploration of how social institutions shape the process of aging in society, the role of social policy in defining old age and the impact of social forces on the aging process.

371 Individual Learning Project. (1-4) [Top]

Supervised reading or research at the upper-division level. Permission of department chair and completion and/or concurrent registration of 12 credits within the department required. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. Not available to first-year students.

375 Supervised Study. (0-4) [Top]

Full-time learning experience during the January Term done under the direction of a faculty moderator, often in conjunction with an off-campus supervisor. Requires permission of instructor. Not available to first-year students.

376 January Term Topics. (0-4) [Top]

Study at the upper-division level of a special topic not ordinarily offered during the semesters. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

377 January Term Core Topics. (0-4) [Top]

Study at the upper-division level of a special topic not ordinarily offered during the semesters. Designed to fulfill core disciplinary requirement. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

397 Internship. (1-16) [Top]

Supervised field work and experience in a variety of social administrative and research settings. Subject to approval of faculty adviser and department chair and completion of the pre-internship seminar. S/U grading.

398 Honors Senior Essay, Research or Creative Project. (4) [Top]

Required for graduation with "All-College Honors" and "Departmental Distinction in Sociology." Prerequisite: HONR 396 and approval of the department chair and director of the honors program. For further information see HONR 398.

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