Associate Professors Berntson (Chair), Dunn, K.L. Hoffman, Mehrotra, Sarabia; Assistant Professors S.Anderson, Destro; Morris; Teaching Associate Brogan.
A major in sociology requires a minimum of 11 units, including:
SOCI 101 Introduction to Sociology
SOCI 251 Research Methods
SOCI 252 Data Analysis
SOCI 353 Social Theory
SOCI 454 Senior Seminar
Six additional units in sociology, at least three of which must be at or above the 300 level. Sociology 416 (Community Internship) may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
Sociology 101 or INQ 260SO or permission of the instructor is the minimal prerequisite to all other sociology courses. One INQ 260SO may count as a 200-level elective. Sociology 101 and one 200-level sociology course are the minimal prerequisites to Sociology 251, which begins the core sequence in the major. Sociology 251 (or permission) is prerequisite to Sociology 252 and Sociology 252 (or permission) is the prerequisite to Sociology 353. The completion of all required core courses and senior status are prerequisites to Sociology 454. Students majoring in sociology are encouraged to take Sociology 251 and 252 in the sophomore year. Sociology 353 is strongly recommended for the junior year, prior to enrolling in Sociology 454 in the senior year. The prerequisite for all 300-level courses will be SOCI 101 and one 200-level sociology course, or permission of the instructor. The prerequisite for all 400-level courses is SOCI 353 or permission of instructor.
Three of the following Anthropology courses: ANTH 101, ANTH 212, ANTH 261, ANTH 310, ANTH 361, and ANTH 380- may count as electives in the major (but only one 300-level ANTH course).
Concentration in Crime, Deviance, and Social Control
A concentration in Crime, Deviance, and Social Control offers students the opportunity for focused study on the behaviors designated by societies as deviant and criminal as well as methods and forms of control used to manage these behaviors. In this interdisciplinary concentration, students will examine crime deviance, law enforcement, legal systems, and corrections from a variety of perspectives. In addition, students will gain a better understanding of offenders and their motives, as well as critique society’s efforts to control deviance and crime. This interdisciplinary concentration requires six units incorporating three disciplines: Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Psychology.
Sociology - Select two requirements
Note that SOCI 101 or INQ 260SO is a prerequisite for all of these courses. Certain sections of INQ 260SO may count for one of these requirements; see the coordinator of details.
Criminal Justice and Social Control – Select two requirements
Note that POLI 101 is a prerequisite for many of these courses; for CJUS/SOCI 326, see the catalog listing for that course for additional prerequisites.
Psychology – Select one requirement
Note that PSYC 101 is a prerequisite for all of these courses. Certain sections of PSYC 240 Special Topics may count for one of these requirements, see the coordinator for details.
Experiential Learning – Select one requirement
Note that approval of the coordinator is required for any of the three of these to count in the concentration; students must complete four of the requirements in the other categories before completing this requirement.
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 six one-unit courses listed below.
COMM 202 Mass Communication or
COMR 240 Public Opinion Polling or
SOCI 406 Independent Study and Research
CPSC 101 Introduction to Computers
PHIL 122 Logic
SOCI 251 Research Methods
SOCI 252 Data Analysis
SOCI 365 The Information Society
Recommended: INQ 240 Statistical Reasoning
Minor in Sociology
A minor in sociology requires six units in Sociology, including: Sociology 101; Sociology 251 (or any other social science methods course such as CJUS/I.R./POLI 209 or PSYC 205); and four additional units in Sociology, with at least two at the 300 level or above (excluding 416). One INQ 260SO may count as a 200-level elective. Two of the following Anthropology courses: ANTH 101, ANTH 212, ANTH 261, ANTH 310, ANTH 361, and ANTH 380 - may count as electives in the minor (but only one 300-level ANTH course).
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)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
215 Social Movements
Study of the social and political context of social movements. Topics include conditions hindering or facilitating movements, organization, participation and recruitment, framing, tactics and strategies, influence of the state and other movements, and social change. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: SOCI 10, INQ 260SO, or ENVI 250 or permission of the instructor.
223 Ethics and Medicine
An examination of ethical issues in medicine and the moral principles that might be employed to resolve ethical dilemmas. (1) (Cross-listed as PHIL 223)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: SOCI 101 or INQ 260SO or permission of the instructor.
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)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: SOCI 101 or INQ 260SO or permission of the instructor.
226 Intimate, Marital, and Family Relationships
An analysis of intimate, marital, and family interaction patterns in contemporary American society, with a focus on the social institutions and structures that shape them. Topics include courtship and dating, cohabitation, selection of long-term partners and issues related to marital and parent-child relationships. Multiple family structures such as nuclear families, egalitarian marriages, gay and lesbian relationships, single parenting, and stepfamilies are examined. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: SOCI 101 or INQ 260SO or permission of instructor.
229 Sociology of Sex and Gender
An introduction to a critical approach to examining the social construction of sex and gender. Topics include analysis of sex/gender systems, perspectives on gender inequality and the role of social institutions such as family, economy, media, etc. in shaping multiple experiences of gender and the characteristics of gender relations in society. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: SOCI 101 or INQ 260SO or permission of the instructor.
234 Social Problems
An exploration of the interconnectedness of many of our society’s 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)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: SOCI 101 or INQ 260SO or permission of the instructor.
235 Social Psychology
An examination of social interaction and the social factors that influence behavior, attitudes and self-concept. Topics include how the self develops, socialization processes, social roles, stigma, and social inequality. Topics include the development of the self, socialization processes especially as they apply to attitude formation, and how social psychological processes contribute to the construction of inequalities. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: SOCI 101 or INQ 260SO or permission of the instructor.
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)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: SOCI 101 or INQ 260SO or permission of the instructor.
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)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: SOCI 101 or INQ 260SO or permission of the instructor.
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)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: SOCI or INQ 260SO or permission of the instructor.
241 Introduction to Social Welfare
Analysis of the historical development, structure, and functions of contemporary social welfare agencies. Observation of local agencies. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: SOCI 101 or INQ 260SO or permission of the instructor.
251 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)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: SOCI 101 and one 200-level sociology course, or ENVI 250.
252 Data Analysis
An examination of the basic skills involved in the descriptive and inferential analysis of social research data, including an introduction to analysis using computer software. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: SOCI 251 or permission of the instructor.
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)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: SOCI 101 or permission of the instructor.
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)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: One 200-level SOCI course or permission of the instructor.
320 Education and Society
An exploration of social issues related to education in the United States from a sociological perspective focusing in the social context of educational settings, key social-structural forces, and how social inequality affects opportunities and experiences in schools. Specific topics include interaction patterns among teachers and students, academic cheating, harassment and violence, and the influence of family, community, cultural and politics on schools. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
323 Health, Illness and Healing
An analysis of the social context of health, illness, and healing including the influence of the social environment on disease and illness patterns, interaction among health care providers and patients, and types of health care systems. Special focus is given to social inequalities in the American health care system. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: One 200-level SOCI course, or permission of the instructor.
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)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: One 200-level SOCI course, or permission of the instructor.
326 Comparative Corrections
An exploration of philosophies, rationales, and models of adult corrections. Historical and existing correctional systems in select countries, e.g., the U.S., Canada, England, France, Japan, Mexico, Sweden, and the former U.S.S.R. will be examined. (1) Cross-listed as CJUS 326.
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: CJUS 211 or POLI 211 or 200-level SOCI course or permission.
327 Religion and Culture
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)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: One 200-level SOCI course, or permission of the instructor.
329 Global Perspectives on Family
Family is often defined as a cultural universal; that is, it is an institution found in almost all societies, yet the forms it takes, its impact on the individual and society, and its relationships with other social institutions vary. This course takes comparative and transnational approaches to understand some of this diversity in family patterns and practices around the world. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: One 200-level SOCI course, or permission of the instructor.
334 Criminology
An analysis of the social causes of crime and criminal behavior with a focus on drug, property, white collar and violent crime. Theoretical explanations of criminal behavior and a critique of selected aspects of the American criminal justice system are discussed. Programs for crime prevention and rehabilitation are examined. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: One 200-level SOCI course, or permission of the instructor.
335 Global Population Problems
An analysis of population structure and dynamics as influenced by cultural, political, economic, and environmental factors. This course focuses attention to the social determinants of population problems, while exploring their consequences and policy implications for individuals, their societies, and the world. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: One 200-level SOCI course, or ENVI 250, or permission of the instructor.
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)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: One 200-level SOCI course, or ENVI 250, or permission of the instructor.
340 Crowds, Panics, and Disasters
An analysis of emergent, comparatively unstructured, and spontaneous collectivities and social processes within societies. The course gives special attention to social behavior during normative breakdowns, crisis situations, and periods of dissent. Group behavior during riots and disasters is examined, along with the dynamics of panics and rumor. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
353 Social Theory
An examination of the ideas and important contributions of major sociological theorists to the discipline of sociology. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: SOCI 252 or permission.
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)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: One 200-level SOCI course, or permission of the instructor.
365 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)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
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)
Prerequisite: Prerequisite: SOCI 353 and written proposal approved by the department.
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)
Prerequisite: Written proposal approved by the department.
454 Senior Seminar
A capstone course for the sociology major that includes an in-depth review and analysis of major themes within sociology. (1)
Prerequisite: SOCI 353 and senior status.
495, 496, 497 Honors Project
A program of independent study culminating in a paper, artistic creation, or performance.
Prerequisites: To qualify for consideration to receive honors in the major, a student in his/her senior year or in the Summer prior to the senior year, must work under the guidance of his/her committee .A written proposal and application must be approved by the committee and department. A minimum GPA of 3.4 in the major is required. 495 Honors Project is prerequisite for 497 Honors Project. (1/2, 1, 1/2)