SOCIOLOGYProfessor Weiss; Associate Professors Dunn, K.L. Hoffman, OToole; Assistant Professors Berntson, Mehrotra, Wolfe; Senior Lecturer Brogan; Lecturer Evans A major in sociology requires a minimum of 11 units, including:
Sociology 416 (Community Internship) may not be used to satisfy the 300/400 level requirement. Sociology 101 or permission of the instructor is the minimal prerequisite to all other sociology courses, with the exception of Sociology 102. Sociology 101 and one 200-level sociology course are the minimal prerequisites to Social Theory and to all 300- and 400-level sociology courses. Students majoring in sociology are encouraged to take Sociology 250 in the sophomore year. Sociology 351 and 352 are strongly recommended for the junior year, prior to enrolling in Sociology 453 in the senior year. Majors are encouraged to take at least one course in each of the other social sciences in fulfilling Centers of Distinction and elective requirements, and, especially for those anticipating graduate study, to take Statistics 101 as one of the mathematics Centers of Distinction requirements. Concentration in Information Analysis Associate Professor Dunn, Coordinator The concept of the information analyst blends the traditional liberal arts education with some specific skills in the acquisition, analysis, and dissemination of information. It calls attention to skills that sociology majors already learn and provides additional coursework in areas related to the collection, analysis, and communication of information. Sociology majors may earn a concentration in information analysis by successfully completing the seven one-unit courses listed below.
Minor in Sociology A minor in sociology requires six units in Sociology, including: Sociology 101; Sociology 250 or 351; and four units of sociology electives of which at least two units must be at the 300 or 400 level. SOCI 416 (Community Internship) may not be used to satisfy the 300/400 level requirement. 101 Introduction to Sociology An introduction to the field of sociology with an emphasis on the study
of social groups and how they influence human behavior and society. (1) 102 Anthropology An introduction to cultural anthropology with an emphasis on the description
and analysis of the variations in customs, habits, values, and social
organization of primitive and non- Western societies. (1) 215 Social Movements Study of the social and political context of social movements. Topics
include conditions hindering of facilitating movements, organization,
participation and recruitment, framing, tactics and strategies, influence
of the state and other movements, and social change. (1) 223 Ethics and Medicine An examination of ethical issues in medicine and the moral principles
that might be employed to resolve ethical dilemmas. (1) 224 Race and Ethnicity A study of racial, religious, and nationality minority groups in the
United States. Topics include prejudice, racism, and discrimination;
immigration and assimilation; and current public policy issues. (1) 226 Sociology of the Family An analysis of the contemporary American family with comparisons from
other cultures. Topics include choice of marriage partner, family life
cycle, marital and parent-child relationships, and alternative lifestyles.
(1) 227 Medical Sociology An analysis of cultural, social, and social-psychological factors affecting
health status and the response to disease; the distribution of disease
in society; the cost and utilization of medical services; the relationship
between physicians and patients; and problems in the medical care system.
(1) 229 Sociology of Gender An introduction to a critical approach to examining the social construction
of gender. Topics include perspectives on gender inequality and the role
of social institutions such as family, economy, media, etc. in creating
the experience of gender in society. (1) 234 Social Problems An exploration of the interconnectedness of many of our societys
most pressing social issues that contextualizes them in patterns of social
organization at global, societal, and local levels. This course provides
a conceptual frame of reference for defining and analyzing major contemporary
social problems. (1) 235 Social Psychology A study of the influence of people on each others behavior, including
attitude change and social interaction. (1) 236 Popular Culture An analysis of popular culture as a reflection of society, a factor
in socialization, and an economic institution. Topics include popular
music, television and films, comics and cartoons, and sports and games.
(1) 237 Deviant Behavior An examination of the concept of deviance and the various sociological
perspectives on deviant behavior. Sociological, biological, and psychological
theories of causation are used to study behaviors such as drug addiction
and alcoholism, deviant sexual behavior, and mental illness. (1) 238 Juvenile Delinquency An analysis of the nature and types of juvenile offenses, sociological
theories of delinquency and causation, and an examination of the juvenile
justice system. (1) 239 Aging and Society An examination of the aging process, both for individuals and the nation,
as it influences and is influenced by the social context. Topics include
socialization, economics, health, social relations, housing, retirement,
institutionalization, and policy. (1) 241 Introduction to Social Welfare Analysis of the historical development, structure, and functions of
contemporary social welfare agencies. Observation of local agencies.
(1) 250 Social Theory An examination of the ideas and important contributions of the major
sociological theorists to the discipline of sociology. (1) 260, 261 Selected Topics in Sociology An examination of special topics in sociology, with topics selected
on the basis of faculty and student interest. (1/2, 1) 315 Political Sociology An analysis of power, politics, the state, and international entities
from a sociological perspective. Topics include power and authority,
political and economic systems, inequality, political parties, social
movements, nation-states, and globalization. (1) 324 Social Stratification An analysis of the distribution of power, prestige, and wealth in the
United States and the societies of other countries. (Topics include social
classes and their effects on behavior and social mobility.) (1) 325 Sociology of Communities A study of community life, including theoretical and methodological
approaches to both rural and urban communities. Topics include social
relationships in community, community structure and organization, historical
development of urban community, urbanism as a way of life, the impact
of social change on community, comparative communities, and social planning
in communities. (1) 327 Sociology of Religion An examination of the relationship between religion and society. Topics
include definitions and theories of religion; analysis of historical
and contemporary religious groups; the influence of religion on attitudes
and behaviors; and the role of religion in social change. (1) 334 Criminology An analysis of the nature, types, and distribution of criminal behaviors
with a focus on crimes against persons and property, organized crime,
and white-collar crime. Programs for crime prevention, punishment, and
rehabilitation are examined. (1) 335 Population and Society An analysis of size, composition, and distribution of human populations.
Social consequences and policy implications of population dynamics are
emphasized for the U.S., selected other countries, and the world. (1) 336 Work and Occupations An examination of the contemporary work structure, corporate culture,
and occupational ethnographies. Topics include work values, occupational
socialization, professionalism, bureaucratization, and conflict and change
in the workplace. (1) 337 Environmental Sociology An examination of the interrelationships between societies and their
environments, and an analysis of sociological aspects of environmental
problems. This course will focus on the population and organizational
aspects of environmental problems as well as elements of social change
involved with environmental social action. (1) 351 Research Methods An examination of the research techniques used by sociologists. Attention
is given to research design, survey research, sampling, field research,
experimental research, and the ethics of research. Understanding the
basics of research and mastery of research skills are both emphasized.
(1) 352 Data Analysis An examination of the basic skills involved in the analysis of social
research data, including an introduction to the computer. (1) 360, 361 Selected Topics in Sociology An examination of special topics in sociology, with topics selected
on the basis of faculty and student interest. (1/2, 1) 395, 396 Henry H. Fowler Public Policy Seminar A seminar taught with a scholar-statesperson that deals with a policy issue of public significance. (Made possible by the Henry H. Fowler Endowment. Open to selected students with department permission.) (1, 1/2) 405, 406, 407 Independent Study and Research A supervised research project or extensive literature review. (1/2,
1, 1/2) 416 Community Internship Practical experience in a social service agency, correctional facility,
health institution, business, or other community setting in which sociology
is applied. May not be used to fulfill the 300-level or above requirement
for the major or minor. (1) 421 The Information Society An examination of theory, research, and debate concerning the nature
of and change in information in contemporary society. Topics covered
will include traditional and critical theory, information theory, theories
of mass communication and mass society, innovation and diffusion as well
as postindustrial and post modern perspectives. Media ethics, privacy
controversies, and policy implications are also considered. (1) 429 Gender Violence An exploration of the complex interrelationships among gender, sexuality,
and violence. Topics include the historical, cultural and social-structural
bases of gender violence, including sexual harassment, rape, domestic
violence, and the use of gender violence in war; and current and potential
responses to gender violence in communities, organizations, and public
policy. (1) 453 Seminar A capstone course for the sociology major that includes an in-depth
review and analysis of major themes within sociology. (1) 495, 496, 497 Honors Project A program of independent study culminating in a paper, artistic creation,
or performance. |