Print this page

Bulletins

SOC - Sociology

SOC 100 Introductory Sociology

Systematic introduction to the field of sociology, its theories, concepts, and methods. Explores social relationships within the context of social structure. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. (University Program Group III-B: Studies in Social Structures)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

SOC 200QR Introduction to Social Research and Analysis

Basic research issues. Evaluation of definitions, measurements, and samples from social science data. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis techniques in social science research. Computer applications. Quantitative Reasoning. Prerequisites: Completion of math competency.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

Completion of math competency

Corequisites

None.

SOC 201 Social Psychology

Examines the links between social structure and self. Substantive topics may include: agency, emotions, socialization, attitudes, gender, inequality, deviance, conflict, and social change. (University Program Group III-A: Behavioral Sciences)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

SOC 215 Youth Facing Adversity: Causes and Consequences

Sociological research on youth who experience problems such as drug abuse, trafficking, physical and mental health problems etc. and how social institutions respond to them. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221.

Credits
3(3-0)

SOC 220 Introduction to Social and Criminal Justice

Components of the justice system. Social, criminal, and community-based focus. History, structure, functions, and philosophy of criminal justice system, and relationships to a just society. Prerequisite: SOC 100.

Credits
3(3-0)

SOC 221 Social Problems

Explores the nature and extent of major social problems. Examines structural, institutional, constructionist and normative elements, and encourages critical engagement with types of proposed solutions. (University Program Group III-B: Studies in Social Structures)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

SOC 222 Juvenile Delinquency

Nature and extent of juvenile delinquency in society. Theories of delinquency. Social reactions to delinquency. Development of juvenile court and actions of juvenile justice agencies. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221.

Credits
3(3-0)

SOC 277 Policing and Justice

The police role in democratic society, enforcing laws, police culture, policing marginalized groups, contemporary justice issues, and related topics. Prerequisite: One of the following: ANT 170, COM 101, GEO 121, HDF 100, HDF 110, HST 106, HST 110, HST 111, HST 112, PHL 100, PSC 105, PSY 100, REL 140, SOC 100, SWK 100, or WGS 100.

Credits
3(3-0)

SOC 295 Career Pathways Exploration

Introduces foundational skills for identifying potential internships and careers, conducting internship or job searches, and successfully functioning in a professional setting. Identical to ANT 295, REL 295. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.

Credits
1(1-0)

Cross Listed Courses

ANT 295, ENG 295, HST 295, PHL 295, REL 295

SOC 301 Sociological Theory

A review of sociological thought within its social and historical context, focusing on Marx, Weber, Durkheim, and the perspectives of symbolic interactionism and feminism. Prerequisites: SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221.

Credits
3(3-0)

SOC 302 Social Inequality

Study of class, gender, and other forms of social inequality, the impact of inequality and discrimination, and factors linking and perpetuating systems of inequality. Prerequisites: Any course from University Program Group IV-C; or SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221. (University Program Group IV-A: Studies in Discrimination)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

Any course from University Program Group IV-C; or SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221.

Corequisites

None.

SOC 307 Social Movements, 1960s to the Present

A survey of social movements of the past several decades that have promoted progressive social change, equal rights, liberation, and peace. Prerequisites: SOC 100 or 201 or 221; or SOC/ANT 101 and a signed Global Justice Minor.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221; or SOC/ANT 101 and a signed Global Justice Minor

Corequisites

None.

SOC 308 Greenwich Village to West Hollywood: LGBTQ+ Populations and Public Policies

This course prepares students to assess and propose public policies that protect LGBTQ+ populations. Identical to PSC 308 and WGS 308. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisite: One of: ENG 204 or HDF 213 or PAD 210 or PSC 100, PSC 105 or SOC 100, SOC 221 or SWK 100, SWK 250, SWK 270 or WGS 100, WGS 204, WGS 213.

Credits
3(3-0)

Cross Listed Courses

PSC 308; WGS 308

SOC 311 Schooling in Society: Problematic & Promising Programs

Contributions of sociology to an understanding of education as a social process that reproduces and/or resists different forms of inequality in society. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221.

Credits
3(3-0)

SOC 312 Institutions of Custody: State Care and Public Policy in Practice

The structural, organizational, and functional dimensions of custodial institutions in American society, emphasizing social processes of jails, prisons, mental hospitals, group homes, and youth institutions. Prerequisites: SOC 100 or SOC 221

Credits
3(3-0)

SOC 313 Green Criminology: Examining Environmental Harm

Examines crimes and harms impacting the natural environment, the planet, and both human and non-human life from the perspective of the field of green criminology. Prerequisites: SOC 100 or SOC 221 or PHL 158 or ENV 101.

Credits
3(3-0)

SOC 315 Rape Culture

Examination of sexual violence from a sociological perspective. Theoretical and cultural contexts regarding sexual violence, and responses of the criminal justice system globally are covered. Prerequisites: SOC 100, WGS 100, or SWK 100.

Credits
3(3-0)

SOC 317 Sociology of Gender

Analysis of the role of gender in institutions such as the economy, the family, and the schools. Gender inequality and factors that promote its reproduction. Identical to WGS 317. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Recommended: Either WGS 100 or prior coursework in Sociology. (University Program Group IV-A: Studies in Discrimination)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Cross Listed Courses

WGS 317

SOC 318 A Toolkit for Advocacy and Activism

An introduction to the methods, perspectives, challenges and opportunities of advocacy and activism in contemporary society. Identical to ANT 318 and SWK 318. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: 30 credit hours or the completion of at least one writing intensive course; the completion of at least one UP Group IV course.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

30 credit hours or the completion of at least one writing intensive course; the completion of at least one UP Group IV course

Corequisites

None.

Cross Listed Courses

ANT 318/SWK 318

SOC 323 Racism and Inequality

Racial structural inequalities in everyday relations, institutions and landscapes as they ground prejudice and discrimination. Recommended: Sophomore level or completion of English Competencies. (University Program Group IV-C: Studies in Racism and Cultural Diversity in the United States)

Credits
3

SOC 324 Criminology

Focus on theories of crime, the nature of major crimes, the processes of the criminal justice system, and crime prevention. Prerequisites: SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221.

Credits
3(3-0)

SOC 326 Inequalities and Justice Processes: Race, Class and Gender

Empirical and theoretical critique of class, race, and gender inequalities in justice processes that impede effective solutions to social problems. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221.

Credits
3(3-0)

SOC 327 “It’s Not Like CSI”: Media and the Criminal Legal System

Examine the ways in which media impacts the criminal justice system and societal perceptions of crime. Prerequisite: SOC 100.

Credits
3(3-0)

SOC 330 Social Issues through the Prism of a Prison

Examination of core sociological areas of study including theory, class/gender/sexualities/race, collective action, and deviance. The course is offered inside a correctional institution. Prerequisites: SOC 100; permission of instructor.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

SOC 100; permission of instructor

Corequisites

None.

SOC 333 Crimes of the Powerful: Examining Government and Corporate Crime

Definitions, concepts, theories and contemporary examples of crimes of the powerful including organizational corporate and government (state) crime will be explored from a sociological perspective. Prerequisite: SOC 100. Recommended: SOC 220.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

SOC 100

Corequisites

None.

SOC 345 The Civil Rights Movement

Examines the civil rights movement through documentary film and other sources, focusing on mass movement from 1940s to 1980s. Identical to PSC 325, REL 345, PHL 345. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: Any one of the following: HST 110, HST 111, HST 112, IGR 145, PSC 100, PSC 105, PSC 125, REL 140, SOC 100. (University Program Group IV-C: Studies in Racism and Diversity in the United States)

Credits
3(3-0)

Cross Listed Courses

REL 345/PHL 345/PSC 325

SOC 350 Social Research Methodologies

Second in methods sequence with SOC 200. Research methodologies. Observation and surveys; two from: experiments/single subject design; program evaluation; interviewing/focus groups; ethnography/community studies. Prerequisites: SOC 100; 200 with a grade of 'C' (2.0) or better; or for SOC-PSY double majors only, PSY 211QR with a grade of 'C' (2.0) or better may be substituted for SOC 200.

Credits
3(3-0)

SOC 360 Health Inequalities, Healthcare, and Health Insurance in the U.S.

The sociological study of health inequalities, healthcare, and health insurance in the U.S. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221.



Credits
3(3-0)

SOC 364 Women, Crime and Deviance

Exploring the theories, concepts, and social constructions fundamental to the conceptualization of women as victims, offenders, and workers in the criminal justice system. Identical to WGS 364. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: PSC 100 or SOC 100 or SOC 221 or WGS 100 or SWK 100.

Credits
3(3-0)

Cross Listed Courses

WGS 364

SOC 365 Criminal Law

An introduction to the study of substantive criminal law, including the elements of crimes, defenses to crimes, criminal sanctions, and constitutional limits on criminal law. Identical to PSC 365. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Cross Listed Courses

PSC 365

SOC 370 Global Environmental Issues

Social and cultural dimensions of global population issues, food and energy policies, destruction of indigenous lifeways, roles of multinational organizations, environmental racism, and environmental movements. Identical to ANT 370. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Cross Listed Courses

ANT 370

SOC 371 Culture, Economies, and Social Change

Historical and current cultural and economic changes on both a global and local scale. How people both create and live within these changes. Identical to ANT 371. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: 56 credit hours.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

56 credit hours

Corequisites

None.

Cross Listed Courses

ANT 371

SOC 380 Mental Health and Society

The sociological study of inequalities, policies, and solutions to national issues in mental health. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or HSC 110 or PSY 100.

Credits
3(3-0)

SOC 385 Generative Artificial Intelligence and Society: Concepts and Applications

This is a sociological study of inequalities, ethics, and social science methods of Generative Artificial Intelligence. Prerequisite: One of the following: PAD 280QR, PSC 280QR, PSY 211QR, SOC 200QR, STA 282QR.

Credits
3(3-0)

SOC 390 Drugs and Society

The sociological study of inequalities, social problems framing, policies, and solutions to drug issues in the U.S. Prerequisite: HSC 235 or PSY 100 or SOC 100.

Credits
3(3-0)

SOC 395 Internship in the Applications of Sociology

An integrative learning experience where students apply sociological knowledge and skills to a work experience. Prerequisites: At least 9 hours in Sociology and approval of Sociology Chair.

Credits
1-12(Spec)

SOC 397 Independent Study

Directed reading or research on an approved topic. Prerequisites: SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221; permission of instructor.

Credits
1-12(Spec)

SOC 399 Special Topics in Sociology

Consideration of subject matter not included in courses currently listed in catalog. Prerequisites: SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221; permission of instructor.

Credits
1-12(Spec)

SOC 403 Political Sociology

Social bases of American politics. Sociological theories and research on political behavior and distribution of power in the United States. Prerequisites: SOC 200, 301, 350; or PSC 280 and at least one PSC course at the 300-level or above.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

SOC 200, SOC 301, SOC 350; or PSC 280 and at least one PSC course at the 300-level or above

Corequisites

None.

SOC 409 Victimology

Victimology is the scientific study of victims. Different forms of victimization, victim-offender relationships, and the interactions between victims and social systems/institutions are examined. Prerequisites: One of: SOC 100, WGS 100, SOC 201, PSY 100, SWK 100.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

One of: SOC 100, WGS 100, SOC 201, PSY 100, SWK 100

Corequisites

None.

SOC 411 The Family

Family as a contested social institution embedded in changing social and cultural contexts. Explores kinship systems, family diversity, social organization, social conflict, family policy, and change. Prerequisites: SOC 100 or 201 or 221.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221

Corequisites

None.

SOC 412 Sociology of Adolescence

Transition from childhood to adulthood. Emphasis on topics such as identity, peers, relationships with parents, school, and the media. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or 201 or 221.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221

Corequisites

None.

SOC 423 Alternatives to Incarceration: Reform and Abolition in America's Justice System

Justice policies and practices of alternatives to incarceration including community corrections, probation, parole, and prisoner reentry with a focus on reform and abolition. Prerequisites: SOC 200QR, SOC 220, and SOC 350; an additional 9 hours of social and criminal justice coursework.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

SOC 200QR, SOC 220, and SOC 350; an additional 9 hours of social and criminal justice coursework.

Corequisites

None.

SOC 425 Sociology of Childhood

Explores peer culture, social problems, children in families, social policy, and social change of children ages 3-12. Also emphasizes race, class, and gender studies. Prerequisites: SOC 100 or 201 or 221.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221

Corequisites

None.

SOC 444 Refugees, Forced Migration and Human Trafficking

Analyzes causes of forced migration and human trafficking and their implications for international security; students gain first-hand experience of meeting refugees. Identical to PSC 444. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisite: PSC 100 or SOC 100 or PSC 150 or PSC 242; completion of 56 credit hours.

Credits
3(3-0)

Cross Listed Courses

PSC 444

SOC 450 Ethnographic Methods and Research Design

Ethnographic methods, ethics, and research design in cultural anthropology. Identical to ANT 450. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisite: ANT 170.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

ANT 170

Corequisites

None.

Cross Listed Courses

ANT 450

SOC 465 Sociology Capstone

A capstone seminar for advanced students within the Sociology major encompassing research and service learning or other sociologically relevant projects. Prerequisites: SOC 200, SOC 301, SOC 350; 56 credit hours completed; signed Sociology major.

Credits
3(3-0)

SOC 499 Internship in Social and Criminal Justice

Supervised practical experience in a criminal or social justice organization. CR/ NC only. Prerequisites: SOC 423 with a grade of C or better; permission of the course instructor.

Credits
6(Spec)

SOC 526 Police and Community Relations

Community and police perceptions of police role in democratic society, police discretion, use of force, community policing, and related topics. Prerequisites: SOC 301, 350.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

SOC 301, SOC 350

Corequisites

None.

SOC 530 Capstone Experience in Youth Studies

Capstone experience for Sociology Major: Concentration in Youth Studies students to mentor youth in community settings and meet on campus to reflect on field experience. Prerequisites: SOC 100, SOC 215; or graduate standing. Pre-Co-requisites: ANT 200 or SOC 311; SOC 411, SOC 412, SOC 425; or graduate standing.

Credits
3(3-0)