SOCI 1101. Introduction to Sociology. 3 Hours.
Fundamentals of sociology, focusing on basic concepts, theories, and methods of research and inquiry. Emphasis is on applying the sociological perspective to understanding social inequalities and social stratification, culture, social institutions and groups, social change, and the relation of the individual to society.
SOCI 1101H. Introduction to Sociology, Honors. 3 Hours.
Fundamentals of sociology, at the honors level, focusing on basic concepts, theories, and methods of research and inquiry. Emphasis is on applying the sociological perspective to understanding social inequalities and social stratification, culture, social institutions and groups, social change, and the relation of the individual to society.
SOCI 1160. Introduction to Social Problems. 3 Hours.
An analysis of major national and international social problems, using the sociological perspective. Sociological principles, theories, and methods will be used in data interpretation, analysis of ideologies, and evaluation of social policy.
SOCI 3000. Social Statistics. 3 Hours.
Prerequisites: SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1160. An introduction to the foundations of sociology and anthropology as well as basic statistical analysis. The course will examine social scientific research design including conceptualization, operationalization, problem definition, database management, and sampling. Data analysis will include descriptive, inferential, and multivariate statistics and use of data analysis software.
SOCI 3060. Race and Ethnic Relations. 3 Hours.
Prerequisites: SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1160 or permission of instructor. An introduction to the sociology of race and ethnic relations. A study of systems of social inequalities based upon race and ethnic divisions in society. Case studies including African-American and international ethnic conflicts are explored.
SOCI 3090. Mass Media and Popular Culture. 3 Hours.
Prerequisites: SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1160 or permission of instructor. A sociological analysis of the impact of mass media and popular culture on individuals and groups in such areas as violence, consumerism, political participation, social deviation, and interpersonal communication.
SOCI 3150. Sociology of Religion. 3 Hours.
Prerequisites: SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1160 or permission of instructor. The study of religion as one of the basic institutions in society. The course will cover the functions of religion within society; problems and conflicts within religion, such as racism and sexism; and how religion is expressed by persons in a variety of groups and cultures.
SOCI 3160. Education and Society. 3 Hours.
An examination of social influences on education and, in turn, the effects of education and schooling on the social experiences and identities of individuals and groups in contemporary society. A focus on the sociological analysis of education includes an application of sociological theory and methods for understanding the social embeddedness of schooling in the culture and institutions of the United States and other countries.
SOCI 3190. Clinical Sociology. 3 Hours.
Prerequisites: SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1160 or permission of instructor. Introduces students to the skills needed for direct work with clients, such as effective engagement, active listening, interviewing, assessment and goal setting, and ethical concerns. Focus is placed on the whole person and the sociological model of assessment.
SOCI 3200. Applied Sociology. 3 Hours.
Prerequisites: SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1160 or permission of instructor. An analysis of the approaches and techniques used by sociologists and human service workers in applied/clinical settings. Emphasis on sociological principles and their application in the diagnosis and treatment of individuals and groups. Applied/clinical sociology as a profession as well as ethical issues will also be addressed.
SOCI 3350. Social Deviance. 3 Hours.
Prerequisites: SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1160 or permission of instructor. A study of the nature and dimension of deviance in society, with special emphasis on the problems of definition, identification, explanation, and social reaction. Specific forms of deviance, including the construction of deviant identities and deviant careers, will be discussed.
SOCI 3500. Sociological Theory. 3 Hours.
Prerequisites: SOCI 1101 or 1160. An essentially historical survey of the development of sociological theory. Strategies of theory building and conducting research will also be considered. Students will develop a competent review of literature in an area of sociology.
SOCI 3510. Social Research Methods. 3 Hours.
Prerequisite: SOCI 1101 or 1160 or permission of the instructor. An introduction to social research techniques with an emphasis on firsthand data collection. Project work introduces students to issues in research design, ethical concerns, conceptualization, sampling, data analysis, interpretation of research results, report writing, and application of research findings.
SOCI 3650. Sociology of Sport. 3 Hours.
Prerequisites: SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1160 or permission of instructor. The study and analysis of the spectacle, business, and power of sport in society. Coursework examines both the socially integrative and disintegrative aspects of sport as an institution. Includes international analysis and multicultural examples.
SOCI 3710. Social Psychology. 3 Hours.
Prerequisites: SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1160 or permission of instructor. A sociological analysis of the relationship between social situational influences and individual behavior. Survey of social psychological theories as they relate to social perception, attitudes and behaviors, group productivity, prejudice, and socialization.
SOCI 3750. Medical Sociology. 3 Hours.
Prerequisites: SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1160 or permission of instructor. An analysis of the social processes affecting conditions of health and disease and the cluster of social relationships and organizations that comprise the institution of medicine. Emphasis on social and cultural factors which influence definitions of health and illness, causes, preventions, and treatments, cross cultural comparisons, stress, delivery of health care, and health care professionals.
SOCI 3800. Social Stratification. 3 Hours.
Prerequisite: SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1160 or permission of instructor. A study of systems of stratification, including race, class, and gender. Course includes exploration of research, concepts, and theories in the study of social class, race, and gender and the effect these systems have on power, life chances, and social mobility in our society. A primary focus of the course is the explanation of social inequality.
SOCI 3900. Environment and Society. 3 Hours.
Prerequisites: SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1160 or permission of the instructor. An examination of environmental problems within their sociological context. Topics include sustainable development, global population change, energy and society, the environmental movement, globalization, and current environmental policy discussion.
SOCI 4100. Family Sociology. 3 Hours.
Prerequisites: SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1160 or permission of instructor. An analysis of the institution of family in contemporary society. Emphasis is on understanding the historical development of current family systems; a sociological analysis of family dynamics; the interaction between family and other institutions; the connection between family and systems of social class, race, and gender; and current family problems and issues.
SOCI 4200. Organizations and Work. 3 Hours.
Prerequisites: SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1160 or permission of instructor. Sociological study of the nature of work within formal and informal organizations. Course includes a study of the relationship between occupations and careers, the social organization of work in bureaucracies, voluntary organizations, theory and concepts associated with the study of organizations, and individual strategies for career study.
SOCI 4300. Population Problems. 3 Hours.
Prerequisites: SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1160 or permission of the instructor. An examination of population issues within their sociological context. These include the study of demography, food problems, hunger, environmental decline, immigration, HIV/AIDS crisis, epidemiology, fertility and family planning, population aging, global inequality and economic development, and the consequences of globalization.
SOCI 4540. Internship in Sociology. 3-9 Hours.
Prerequisites: Students must be in good academic standing; have a minimum of 90 credit hours earned; and have successfully completed or be concurrently enrolled in SOCI 3000, 3190, 3200, 3500, and 3510; or permission of the Internship Coordinator. An application for Internship must be completed by midterm of the semester before enrollment. Graded "Satisfactory" or "Unsatisfactory". Supervised on-site experience in an appropriate community, government, or private organization for students who are completing the applied/clinical sociology concentration. Professionalism, workforce transition, and application of sociological knowledge and skills are emphasized.
SOCI 4550. Poverty and Social Welfare. 3 Hours.
Prerequisite: SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1160 or permission of instructor. An examination of the history, causes, and consequences of poverty in the United States. Also discussed will be the history, philosophy, policies, programs, concepts, and practices in the field of social welfare.
SOCI 4680. Sociology of Gender. 3 Hours.
Prerequisite: SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1160 or permission of instructor. A micro and macro analysis of the social construction of gender and its resulting inequalities in the major areas of contemporary society, including the economic, family, and political institutions.
SOCI 4690. Sociology of Queer and LGBT Communities. 3 Hours.
Prerequisite: SOCI 1101 or 1160 or permission of the instructor. A sociological examination of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities, including the historical and social contexts of personal, cultural, and political aspects of LGBTQ life, and LGBT and Queer liberation movements in relation to families, religion, education, laws, and society using intersectional lenses that consider gender, ethnicity, race, class, and ability.
SOCI 4800. Issues in Sociological Practice. 3 Hours.
Prerequisites: SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1160. The application of sociological knowledge to specific topics within sociological practice. These will include but are not limited to the following: Domestic Violence, Rural Sociology, Environmental Sociology, Family Stress and Trauma, and Drug Use and Drug Policy. May be taken concurrently with SOCI 4810. May be repeated for credit with different topics.
SOCI 4810. Issues in Sociological Practice. 3 Hours.
Prerequisites: SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1160. The application of sociological knowledge to specific topics within sociological practice. These will include but are not limited to the following: Social Gerontology, Child Welfare, Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Community Development, and Nonprofit Organizations. May be taken concurrently with SOCI 4800. May be repeated for credit with different topics.
SOCI 4900. Special Topics in Sociology. 1-3 Hours.
Prerequisites: SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1160 or permission of instructor. Topics vary. Designed to provide an intensive study in a current topic relevant to sociology. May be repeated for credit.
SOCI 4980. Directed Topics in Sociology. 1-3 Hours.
Prerequisites: SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1160 or permission of instructor. Study in an area or subject not normally found in established courses offered by the department; may also allow the student to explore in more detail a topic which is normally covered by the department. May be repeated for credit.
SOCI 4990. Senior Capstone. 3 Hours.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of SOCI 3000, the Foundation courses, and a minimum of 6 hours of departmental concentration courses. An application for Capstone must be completed by midterm of the semester before enrollment. Summative end of program. Designed to enhance the student's undergraduate sociological or anthropological studies through involvement in guided research or field experience. Students will be required to write and present a senior paper.
