Undergraduate Course Descriptions

Sociology

SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology (4 credits)
A survey of the basic concepts of the sociological analysis of human behavior. Topics include culture and socialization; deviance and social control; stratification and social class; inequalities of gender, race ethnicity and class; collective behavior and social change; and the role of social institutions in society including family, health care, education, religion, politics, and the economy. Some sections may include a service-learning component.

SOC 110 Anthropology: What Makes Us Human (4 credits)
An introductory overview from an anthropological perspective with a specific focus upon culture-a central dynamic factor in the development of concepts of self-identity and ethnicity. Examination of evolution, the interrelationships between environment and the formation of social institutions and values.

SOC 215 Deviance and Institutional Problems (4 credits)
A study of the definition and management of those defined as socially deviant including the criminal and the mentally ill and of contemporary institutional problems including inequality, racism, and sexism.

SOC/HST 226 The Ethnic Experience in America (4 credits)
A study of Native American and non-English speaking immigrant ethnic groups within the development of the U.S. with specific attention to the issues of dominant and minority relations, assimilation or ethnic pluralism and culture, color, gender, and social class as negative or positive factors in ethnic relations.

SOC 235 Comparative Institutions (4 credits)
A comparative systems approach to politics (including governments, education, family, economics, and religion) in selected diverse societies.  Designed to identify commonalities and differences in lifestyles.

SOC 241 Poverty and Development Seminar (2-4 credits)
This is an international learning experience held in a developing or poor nation. It is an opportunity to develop a first hand experience of poverty and development in Central or South America. The course will examine the causes, consequences, and solutions to Third World poverty including: colonialism, economic globalization, unrestrained capitalism, political and economic policies, population growth, climate, and culture. Particular attention will be given to issues of peace and justice in relation to poverty and development. Students will visit with organizations working on sustainable agriculture, health, micro loan programs and small business support, alternative technology empowerment of women, and education for democracy. Students will travel in both urban and rural areas, meeting with non-profit organizations, government officials, and living with poor families. Spanish is useful but not necessary.

SOC 255 Sociology and the Family (4 credits)
A cross-cultural study of the varied types of marital arrangements and family organization around the world. Examination of the social/cultural constructions of marriage, family, and kinship.

SOC/CRJ 263 Juvenile Delinquency (4 credits)
The history of the treatment of juvenile offenders; patterns of delinquency; treatment modalities; causative factors; the juvenile justice system; social and cultural influences upon juveniles in modern society; current theories of juvenile delinquency.

SOC/SWK 271 Wellness in the Midst of Loss (4 credits)
The "hello-goodbye" rhythm of life is experienced in numerous ways and forms throughout one's lifetime. Designed from a spiritual perspective, this course reflects upon loss in its various forms: self, transitions, relationships, health, work, aging and death, situating the mystery of dying within the dynamic of living.

SOC 320 Nonviolent Social Movements (2 credits)
The course addresses the philosophical and religious foundations, theory, history, and practice of nonviolence as a method of social change. The course will include study of some of the great nonviolent leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Dorothy Day, Helder Camara, and Martin Luther King, Jr.

SOC 322 Organizing for Social Change (2 credits)
The course explores strategies for social organizing, designing campaigns for social change, fundraising, coalition building, recruiting, marketing ideas, media relations and empowering grassroots leadership. The class will explore common elements of successful social change movements throughout history including labor, women’s, human rights, poor people’s, peace, and environmental.

SOC/ SWK/HST 346 Global Ethnic Relations (4 credits)
This course seeks to empower students to become knowledgeable, caring, and active citizens in a diverse and often ethnically polarized world. The course examines multiple dimensions of global diversity (race, ethnicity, religion); common responses to differences including prejudice, discrimination, segregation, colonization, population transfer, genocide and alternatives such as assimilation and egalitarian pluralism. We will examine ethnic relations in the U.S. and around the world through the lens of history. The course concludes with the ethical basis for anti-discrimination work and strategies for dismantling discrimination and repairing strained ethnic divides at the individual, institutional, and societal levels. The course includes a service learning component working with persons from another culture.

SOC/POL/CRJ 347 Causes of Collective Violence: Terrorism, Genocide, War (4 credits)
This is an introduction to theories of conflict and war from the inter-group to the international level. Included are causes of terrorism, ethnic conflict and genocide, revolution, and interstate war. This includes an analysis of causes of conflict at four levels: individual, small group, the nation/state, and the international system. This course is interdisciplinary, drawing on theories from biology, psychology, sociology, economics, and political science. Case studies of contemporary conflicts are utilized to explain and test various theoretical perspectives and to examine the consequences of war.

SOC/CRJ 348b Thematic Studies: Prisons and Mental Hospitals (4 credits)
An historical review of the notions of criminality and mental illness with a focus on the emergence and development of prisons and mental hospitals. Prerequisites: ENG 101-102 or 110-111.

SOC/SWK/POL/CRJ 352 Research Methods (4 credits)
This course examines research design and measurement techniques useful for understanding social science research. The course is skill based involving students in designing and carrying out an original research project, tabulating and analyzing the data, and writing a research report. Of particular interest are issues of problem definition, conceptualization and operationalization of research questions, sampling, and application of various methodologies from experimental designs to evaluation research. Prerequisites: MTH 140; junior standing or consent of the instructor.

SOC/CRJ 365 Criminology (4 credits)
Study of the nature, distribution and types of crime in society. Theories of crime causation in both historical and contemporary perspectives are examined. Prerequisite: CRJ 105 or consent of instructor.

SOC 1/2/3/485 Special Topics (2-4 credits)
Intensive reading and class discussion of selected topics in sociology not covered in regular courses.

SOC 2/3/486 Independent Study (2-4 credits)
Intensive reading or special research projects for students with advanced standing. Includes Honors Program research. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor, academic advisor, division chairperson.

SOC 497 Internship and Seminar (4 credits)
Fieldwork under supervision in a local organization or agency. The student will spend 200 hours in the field and will meet with faculty weekly in seminar to discuss and to reflect upon the connections between coursework and fieldwork. Prerequisite: senior standing; 2.5 GPA; successful completion of application requirements for fieldwork.

SOC 498 Seminar: Theory in Sociology (4 credits)
An analysis and integration of the major theorists and theoretical schools in historical and contemporary social thought. Underlying themes include the nature of human nature, the structure and functioning of social groupings, and the articulation of individual and society. Prerequisite: Sociology major or consent of instructor.