SOC 1101 - Human Societies

A study of the development and structure of human societies. Students are introduced to major sociological concepts, principles, and theories that contribute to a better understanding of the social world. Credit hours: 4. This course cannot be taken on a Pass/Fail basis. (CI, HE, SS)

SOC 1114 - Contemporary U.s. Society

An introduction to contemporary social life in the United States through a survey of social structures, social interaction, and social change. Topics include the American family, sports, gender inequality, deviance and social control, electronic media, and the evolving concept of community. Credit hours: 4. This course cannot be taken on a Pass/Fail basis for major/minor credit. (CI, HE, SS)

SOC 2209 - Deviance And Social Control

Addresses the creation and enforcement of societal rules, why and how rules are violated, the repercussions of violating norms, and the ways that race, class, gender, and sexuality affect those repercussions. General explanations of deviance will be applied to a wide variety of specific examples ranging from gender non-conformity to white-collar crime. Identical with CRIM 2209. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and either SOC 1101 or 1114 or permission of instructor. (HE, SS)

SOC 2216 - Contemporary Social Problems

An application of sociological perspectives toward understanding some widely recognized contemporary social problems, such as: poverty; sexism, racism, and homophobia; substance abuse; family violence and sexual abuse; AIDS, health care reform; global inequality; overpopulation; and the destruction of natural environments. The class focuses on creative and practical solutions, with particular attention to how countries similar to the U.S. address such problems. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: either SOC 1101 or 1114 or permission of instructor. (CI)

SOC 2218 - Family And Kinship

An examination of the social construction of family and kinship, with a primary focus on the contemporary U.S. Special attention will be given to the significance of gender, race, and class in systems of kinship and to the interaction between family and other institutions. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and either SOC 1101 or 1114 or permission of instructor. (SS)

SOC 2222 - Human Populations And Global Issues

The most challenging problems in the world are tied to changes in human populations and the future quality of life on our planet depends on how people address those demographic changes. This course is an introduction to population processes such as fertility, rapid world population growth and migration, and to human geography. Issues addressed include globalization, urbanization, human trafficking, conflict, geopolitics, and environmental change. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. (SS)

SOC 2262 - Topics In Sociology

Concentrated reading and discussion pertaining to a specific area or issue in sociology. Previous topics include Sociology of Sexuality, Black Feminist Theory, The Construction and Deconstruction of Masculinity, and Race and Cartoons. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing and either SOC 1101 or SOC 1114 or permission of instructor.

SOC 2265 - Social Theory

Discussion of the nature and role of theory in social science research. Notable works in sociology will be read, discussed, and evaluated, starting with Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, and Max Weber and finishing with Critical Theory, Feminist Theory, and Postmodernism. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing and either SOC 1101 or 1114 or permission of instructor. (SS)

SOC 2273 - Soc One Time Only

Credit hours: 4. One time only.

SOC 2276 - Sociology Of Gender

An introduction to the sociological way of studying and understanding gender. Gender is social – it affects everyone, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, class, religion, etc. This class explores the ways gender is socially constructed and perpetuated. Students study how to examine gender at the micro (individual) and macro (social institutions, culture) levels in society. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: SOC 1114. (CI, HE, SS)

SOC 2285 - Soc One Time Only

Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor. One time only.

SOC 2286 - Soc One Time Only

Credit hours: 4. One time only.

SOC 2287 - Soc One Time Only

Credit hours: 4. One time only.

SOC 3310 - Community

This course is designed to give students some tools for thinking and talking about community, allowing them room to explore the meaning and value of that concept, in various guises and from varied points of view. While focused on the U.S., the course will frequently compare the concepts and practices of community in the U.S. to those of other societies. The course is structured around some large questions within which the class will consider issues or topics related to community. For example, around the question “In what ways does technology affect community?” The class will explore the use of automobiles and INTERNET chat-rooms. Around “How do we encourage or conserve community?” students will examine ecology and architecture. It is better to see the course as an open, ongoing dialog, dynamic and circular, rather than a linear series of lectures about topics in some definite order. The main objective of the course is to leave students with their own, informed sense of community and enough ideas, concepts, skills, and resources to enhance their future understanding of community however they may create or experience it. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and either SOC 1101 or SOC 1114 or permission of instructor. (SS)

SOC 3321 - The Individual And Society

Focusing on sociological social psychology, this course examines how people’s ideas, thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, feelings, and actions are affected by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. The class highlights social and institutional influences on individuals, assuming that our lives are directed by both internal and external factors. Students study how cultural expectations about things like gender, race, sexuality, class, religion, agency, power, and inequality affect our self-conceptions and interactions with others. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: junior standing and SOC 1101 or 1114 or permission of instructor. (SS)

SOC 3327 - Rich Vs Poor: Fixing Unfair Inequality

A study of the nature, causes, and consequences of social inequality or social stratification. Students analyze concepts of power, class, and status (e.g., race and gender) toward understanding who gets ahead in society. We consider issues such as wealth and “welfare,” upward mobility, jobs and unemployment, poverty, and why some people routinely get paid more than others. The course concentrates on distributive processes in the United States but is broadly comparative and includes the study of international inequality. Identical with CRIM 3327. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and SOC 1101 or 1114 or permission of instructor. Alternate years: offered Spring. (CI,SS)

SOC 3335 - Developing Countries Of The Caribbean Basin

An exploration of the sociocultural history and political economy of this beautiful and fascinating region. Topics include: colonization and migration, sex tourism and trafficking, the impact of transnational corporations and international trade, foreign aid and assistance, the emerging roles of women, ecotourism, the environment, and climate change. Throughout the course, students will develop a case profile of a particular Caribbean country, including aspects they will discover on their own. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor. (CI)

SOC 3355 - Black Feminist Theory

This course examines the development of Black Feminist Theory in Sociology, starting in the 1800s and going to the present day. The concept of “intersectionality” came from this theoretical tradition, so students will learn both about the history of Black Feminist thinkers and applications in today’s world, including various social movements (feminist, civil rights, #BLM, #MeToo). Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: junior status and SOC 1114, or permission of instructor.

SOC 3367 - Research Project

An investigation of a sociological problem under the supervision of a member of the Department. Credit hours: 1; 2; or 3. Prerequisite: junior standing and SOC 1101 or SOC 1114 or permission of instructor.

SOC 3368 - Research Project

An investigation of a sociological problem under the supervision of a member of the Department. Credit hours: 1; 2; or 3. Prerequisite: junior standing and SOC 1101 or SOC 1114 or permission of instructor.

SOC 3385 - Soc One Time Only

Credit hours: 4. One time only.

SOC 3386 - One Time Only: Visual Sociology

One time only. Spring 2025, Session 4: Students will use Visual Sociology as a method to study Social Movements. Visual sociology studies the visual images produced as part of culture and how those reflect the norms of any given culture or social world. Students will choose a social movement and analyze the visual cultural artifacts used by that movement to communicate their messages. This includes photos, videos, paintings, and any other form of media or art. Credit hours: 4.

SOC 3390 - Independent Study

SOC 3394 - Social Research And Qualitative Analysis

This course is an intensive, hands-on introduction to the gathering and analysis of qualitative data. Students will be introduced to various techniques for selecting and formulating research problems, designing research projects, and collecting and analyzing qualitative data. Specifically, students will focus on interviews, oral histories, field research, and content analysis. The research, writing, and analysis skills learned in this course are useful for a wide variety of jobs and are necessary for pursuing graduate study in any social science. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: junior standing and SOC 1101 or 1114, and SOC 2265, or permission of instructor. (SS)

SOC 3395 - Social Research And Quantitative Analysis

A practical workshop emphasizing learning by doing, survey research and quantitative analysis. Students will be introduced to basic techniques for selecting and formulating research problems, designing research projects, and collecting and analyzing data. The course is structured to practice basic quantitative skills. These skills are useful toward more advanced study in graduate or professional schools and are immediately desirable for many professions. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: junior standing and either SOC 1101 or 1114 or permission of instructor. A student may receive credit for two of these courses: ECON 2227, MATH 2227, POL 2231, PSYC 2227R, or SOC 3395. (QR)

SOC 4490 - Independent Study

SOC 4495 - Seminar In Advanced Social Research

In this capstone course for the major, students will focus on high-level, applied analysis of recent research in the field. Goals include sharpening analytical abilities, honing skills for writing or speaking professionally about important sociological issues, and finishing the major with knowledge of some important studies from major academic journals. Students will also practice skills needed for making the transition to graduate school or employment, including writing critiques of professional research in an area of the student’s interest and selection of a previously written paper to revise as a writing sample. Finally, students will hear presentations or engage in other activities to facilitate meeting their goals following graduation. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: senior standing, SOC 2265, and either SOC 3394 or 3395 or the equivalent or permission of instructor.

SOC 4496 - Sociology Thesis

Students will undertake an original, independent research project under the supervision of a faculty member. The finished project will approach a paper of publishable quality, suitable for submission to professional conferences. Findings from these projects will, at least, be presented to the faculty and majors. Note: this course is an option for students who meet a minimum GPA requirement in the major and who are advised to pursue the project based on their personal and professional goals. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: senior standing and SOC 4495 or permission of instructor.

SOC 4496L - Advanced Analysis

Students will collect original data or apply a specific method as part of their thesis project, under the direction of a faculty mentor. Students complete an analysis of data that meets professional standards and gain practical experience in conducting advanced research projects. Highly encouraged for students with plans for graduate or professional school or professional careers that prioritize analytical skills. Credit hours: 1. Corequisite: SOC 4496. Offered on a Pass/Fail basis only.

SOC 4497H - Honors In The Major

SOC 4498H - Honors In The Major