Sociology Course Listings

This course will provide students with an interdisciplinary approach to the study of gender and sexuality. The course will introduce students to key concepts, theoretical perspectives and analytical tools developed by social scientists and feminist scholars in diverse fields of study. Through this course, students will examine historical movements and contemporary debates, especially as they pertain to the social construction of gender, structural inequalities, and the intersectionality of gender and sexuality with race, class, nationality and dis/ability.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Summarize the theoretical field of gender and sexuality studies.
2. Examine the use of the scientific approach in analyzing gender and sexuality in culture.
3. Apply interdisciplinary theoretical perspectives to the social construction of gender and sexuality.
4. Critique the intersection of gender and sexuality with race, class, ethnicity, religion, nationality, or dis/ability.
5. Use interdisciplinary methods of feminist analysis to examine contemporary social issues related to gender and sexuality.
6. Explore the role of gender and sexuality in their own lives.
7. Explore the role of social diversity in their own lives.
8. Critically examine gender and sexuality globally as it relates to: social inequalities, human rights, oppression, or privilege.
9. Critically examine ethical questions as they relate to gender and sexuality globally.
10. Utilize writing to communicate an understanding, application, analysis or evaluation of material covered in this course.

This survey course studies human social behavior with an emphasis on sociological theory; research methods; and key concepts such as society, culture, socialization, social interaction, institutions, deviance, social stratification, and social change. We will define and analyze how social inequality including, but not limited to, the dimensions of race, class, and gender shapes our understanding of society and impacts us on both an individual and institutional level.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Summarize the four major theoretical perspectives: structural functionalism, conflict, symbolic interaction, and feminist theory.
2. Examine the use of the scientific approach in conducting sociological research.
3. Identify and describe the components of culture.
4. Apply sociological concepts to the development of self.
5. Differentiate between the normative and sociological understanding of deviance and conformity.
6. Examine the impact of structural inequality based on, to include but not limited to, race, class, and gender.
7. Recognize social institutions.
8. Interpret sociological concepts with a global perspective.
9. Utilize writing to communicate an understanding, application, analysis, or evaluation of material covered in this course

This survey course studies major social problems in contemporary society, their nature, development, social causes, and possible solutions with an emphasis on the intersection of social identities including, but not limited to race, class, gender, and sexuality. Various topics include the impact of poverty, crime, drug addiction and prejudice on the individual and society.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Identify the origins of social problems in the structure of existing social institutions.
2. Explain the central role of race as a source of division and inequality in society.
3. Explain the central role of class as a source of division and inequality in society.
4. Explain the central role of gender as a source of division and inequality in society.
5. Explain the central role of sexuality as a source of division and inequality in society.
6. Evaluate competing social scientific theories regarding the origins of social problems.
7. Analyze the role of power in the definition and labeling of social problems.
8. Critically evaluate current political discourse regarding social problems' causes and potential remedies.
9. Critically evaluate current social movement activity regarding social problems' causes and potential remedies.
10. Utilize writing to communicate an understanding, application, analysis or evaluation of material covered in this course.

This course engages students in an academic and personal exploration of the experience, performance, and implications of race and ethnicity in the United States. Incorporating a sociological lens, this course begins with the assumption that race and ethnicity are constructed phenomena that reflect social, political, economic, and cultural forces. In this class, we will examine structural origins of racial inequality in the U.S. We will apply an intersectional lens to explore systemic inequalities created by the co-constructions of race, class, gender and their impact on a personal and institutional level. We explore the ways in which racial social justice movements have transformed our culture over time as well as examining the ways in which we can instigate social change in the future

Prerequisite: SOC 101

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Explain the social construction of race.
2. Identify and describe the social structural causes of inequality.
3. Examine the relative status of various racial and ethnic groups.
4. Compare and contrast attitudinal and institutional discrimination.
5. Critique how meritocratic ideology justifies racial inequality in the U. S.
6. Utilize writing to communicate an understanding, application, analysis or evaluation of material covered in this course.

This course focuses on the social, political, economic, and cultural factors associated with development of urban communities, the characteristics of urban institutions, trends in urban planning, ecological processes, and the effects upon urban communities of development and migration. Special attention is paid to unequal access to power and resources, and to outcomes based on race, class, gender, and sexuality. Students learn about the major perspectives of social justice and apply them throughout the course.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Describe the evolution of urban communities from a variety of theoretical perspectives.
2. Describe the evolution of social institutions from a variety of theoretical perspectives.
3. Apply theories learned to analyze past developments and their impact on the urban community.
4. Analyze the racialized conditions that impact urban and suburban communities
5. Analyze the class based conditions that impact urban and suburban communities
6. Analyze the ways in which gender and sexuality interact with urban and suburban communities
7. Utilize writing to communicate an understanding, application, analysis or evaluation of material covered in this course.
8. Evaluate the effectiveness of contemporary urban institutions in dealing with the challenges that face urban communities today.
9. Evaluate the effectiveness of social movements in dealing with the challenges that face urban communities today.

The course emphasizes the historical and contemporary theories of crime causation. Problems involving attempts to develop a scientific and objective approach to the phenomena of crime are analyzed. Issues such as the role of law, the political and economic institutions and the social structure which generate crime are investigated.

Prerequisite(s): SOC 101 or SOC 102

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Apply introductory sociological concepts and theories to their learning of crime causation, deviance, victimization and the social responses to those behaviors.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the various microlevel and macrolevel theories of crime causation.
3. Evaluate the methodologies and issues surrounding the scientific measurement of crime.
4. Analyze the rule of law and the larger social structures that generate crime and other types of social inequalities within a sociological perspective.

A sociological analysis of the family as a social institution: its origin, structure and variations, and patterns of intimate relationships. Examines family organization through analysis of mate selection, sexuality, gender and family roles, race, ethnicity & social class, marriage and divorce, parenthood, and the diversity of family composition. Investigates key concerns for contemporary American families including communication and power, the balance of work and family obligations, the impact of social inequality and social change, and current social policy issues.

Prerequisite: SOC 101

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Describe the historical social trends of family organization.
2. Describe the contemporary social trends of family organization.
3. Apply micro level sociological perspectives to learn about the family system in the U. S.
4. Apply macro level sociological perspectives to learn about the family system in the U. S.
5. Evaluate the influence of demographic variables (such as social class, race, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation) on variations in family experience in the U. S. today.
6. Analyze cultural representations of contemporary family using sociological research and methodologies.
7. Analyze the role of society in shaping family behavior patterns using sociological research and methodologies.
8. Utilize writing to communicate an understanding, application, analysis or evaluation of material covered in this course.

An introduction to the key theoretical approaches and research within the field of environmental sociology, and an examination of the ongoing research on how environmental problems have roots in social processes, such as culture, community, social inequality, social organization and social structure. Students will examine how ideologies about the environment are socially constructed, as well as how political and institutional forces impact how we interact with the environment and respond to environmental problems. The class will examine contemporary environmental concerns and debates with a specific focus on how structural inequalities based on race, class, and gender impact access to environmental resources and exposure to environmental hazards. Students will develop a working knowledge of sociological research methods and theoretical perspectives in their analyses of the relationship between human societies and the physical environment.

Prerequisite: SOC 101

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Examine the development of environmental sociology as a discipline.
2. Define major concepts within environmental sociology.
3. Identify theoretical perspectives used in environmental sociology.
4. Analyze the social origins of current environmental problems.
5. Analyze the impact of environmental problems on human populations globally.
6. Apply sociological research methods to conduct new research in the discipline of environmental sociology.
7. Evaluate current environmental debates.
8. Evaluate the development of global environmental policies.
9. Examine the relationship between social inequalities based on race, class, and gender and access to environmental resources and exposure to environmental hazards.
10. Utilize writing to communicate an understanding, application, analysis or evaluation of material covered in this course.

Individuals, local communities, business enterprises, and nation-states are today inextricably involved in and affected by global relationships. This course provides an overview of the emergence and characteristics of global, social, economic, political, and ecological interdependence. In analyzing global problems, students evaluate and consider alternative strategies to address global inequities including class, gender and global racism. Students also assess their individual needs in the context of human survival and global interdependence.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Explain the process of globalization.
2. Explain the historical context of the Global North and Global South.
3. Discuss global race, class, and gender inequality through an informed perspective of global economics.
4. Discuss global power and privilege through an informed perspective of global politics.
5. Examine global identity through an informed perspective of global culture.
6. Examine global development and structural causes of inequality such as race, class, and gender.
7. Analyze a specific global interdependent relationship between two countries or two global regions based on historical or current research.
8. Utilize writing to communicate an understanding, application, analysis or evaluation of material covered in this course.

This course is designed to address specific topics of interest in sociology. Offerings are more specific and focused than the introductory surveys. Examples of potential offerings could include Sociology of the Body, Sociology of Deviance, or Sociology of Pop Culture. Topics may change from semester to semester based on faculty and student interest. The classes will be primarily lecture and discussion based.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Describe and explain the social phenomenon within a cultural and structural context.
2. Analyze different theories and perspectives regarding the social phenomenon.
3. Investigate the limits and supports placed on purposeful action by social processes, institutions, and practices.
4. Compare how the phenomenon is socially constructed globally, situationally,and historically.
5. Create typologies from the components of the social phenomenon being studied.
6. Critique faulty mainstream assumptions and hegemonically constructed beliefs about the social phenomenon.
7. Explain how individual understandings of the topic help to create societal reality as well as how institutional definitions of the topic help to influence individual understandings using the sociological imagination.
8. Demonstrate critical thinking skills by synthesizing theoretical, empirical, and analytical understandings of the social phenomenon.