This survey course permits students to explore the rich variety of topics studied by sociologists. Central to all the topics are the structures and processes of human interaction. Emphasis is placed on the relationship of natural and social factors in human behavior. Attention also is given to topics such as the meaning and function of culture; the origin, function and characteristics of social institutions; and the genesis and nature of social pathology. (3 crs.)

Social issues of popular concern in America today, such as poverty, ecology, violence and homosexual rights, are discussed and analyzed from a sociological perspective. Attention is not only given to the content of the issues, but also to the place of statistics in data reporting and analysis; the objective data used in support of interest group claims; and the use of various theoretical schemes in providing alternative explanations for each issue being a social problem. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or the permission of the instructor. (3 crs.)

Students examine three dimensions of social inequality: social class, social status and power. Students will also examine the implications of the distribution of class, status and power in American society. Prerequisite: SOC 100.or permission of the instructor. (3 crs.)

This course is a descriptive and analytical inquiry into the relatively unstructured social responses to social change. War resistance movements, militia movements, stock market panics, popular fads and crazes are among the topics considered. Attention is given to the processes, emergent structures and theoretical explanations associated with various types of collective behavior. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or permission of the instructor. (3 crs.)

Theoretical and research methodological issues in the sociological study of human aging are considered. Special emphasis is placed upon the interaction of pertinent biological and sociological variables as they relate to a variety of topics, including work, retirement, leisure, institutionalization and death. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or permission of the instructor (3 crs.)

Designed as a descriptive study of the basic institutions of society (particularly family, religion, economic, government and education), the course uses a cross-cultural and comparative perspective. American institutions form the core of the comparative analysis. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or permission of the instructor. (3 crs.)

This course examines the gendered nature of paid and unpaid work from a socio-historical and comparative perspective. Students will explore the forms and varieties of gendered work in the developed and developing countries with an emphasis on how concepts of masculinity and femininity influence the organizational structure, occupational categories and job tasks associated with formal and informal work arrangements. (3 crs.)

This course discusses the various forms of deviant behavior, public responses to such behavior and the causes of such behavior. Particular attention is given to the interactive processes that result in behavior being labeled as deviant. How the criminal justice system copes with deviant behavior also is considered. (3 crs.)

This course is an examination of sport as a social institution in America. Students will address controversies and issues regarding the development of sport at all levels of formality and organization. Sport as a social institution will be analyzed from the primary theoretical orientations of the discipline, namely the functionalist, interactionist and conflict approaches. (3 crs.)

This course is designed to give the student a brief overview of crime and criminality and to enable the student to understand the relationship between administrative structure of the criminal justice system and crime causation. Included in this course is a description and analysis of various types of criminal behavior, the epidemiology of crime in the United States, the social basis of law and major etiological forces responsible for law breaking. (3 crs.)

This course examines work as a social institution and how it intersects and affects developments in other social institutions, such as the family, education, religion, and politics and government. Special emphasis on technological developments affecting work are explored. (3 crs.)

This course analyzes the dynamics of social minority status specific to ethnicity, racial classification and sexual orientation, and how minority status is socially constructed. Students will also examine societal responses to minority status and attempts to change this status. Finally, students will select one minority group in another country and compare it to one in the United States. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or permission of the instructor. (3 crs.)

This course focuses on the relationship between the demographics of urbanization and the social-psychological characteristics of urbanism. Determinist, compositional and subcultural theories are compared. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or permission of the instructor. (3 crs.)

The sociology of substance use and abuse, as well as the approaches for treatment are covered. Special emphasis is given to alcohol and the more commonly abused drugs (e.g., nicotine, marijuana, cocaine). The course focuses on the social processes that influence substance abuse and the societal costs and consequences. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or permission of the instructor. (3 crs.)

In this discussion-centered examination of women’s movements throughout the world, students will analyze contemporary movements utilizing a case study approach. The course begins with an analysis of the contemporary movement in the United States and then follows selected movements in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America. (3 crs.)

This course explores the family in the United States from both theoretical and personal perspectives. Multiple sociological theoretical perspectives on the family will be examined. Students will explore primary issues most families encounter, such as choices about partnering, having children, stresses and crises, multigenerational/multi-identity perspective, aging, work and family, limitations of public policy, and many more. A multicultural/multi-identity perspective is used for analysis in the course. (3 crs.)

The course is a descriptive and analytical scientific study of religious phenomena. Although the course focuses on religion in American society, it uses a comparative approach to understand the nature, forms and functions of religion in society. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or the permission of the instructor. (3 crs.)

This course surveys selected freedom movements of the 20th century from the perspective of social movement theory. Each freedom movement is evaluated in terms of its goals, leaders, strategies, and success or failure in bringing about social change. Each movement is also evaluated in terms of what it contributes to social movement theory. (3 crs.)

This course examines the nature of the relationship between charismatic leaders and their followers. Charismatic leaders are selected from a wide variety of religious, social, economic and political contexts for study. Each leader is evaluated in terms of his/her charismatic qualities and success or failure in bringing about stated goals. Each leader is also evaluated in terms of his/her contribution to the concepts and theories of charismatic leadership. (3 crs.)

This course is offered when a topic germane to society arises and is discussed and agreed upon by the sociology faculty. (Variable crs.)

This course introduces the student to the concept of elite deviance and a description of the environment in which these acts of great harm take place. Theories cover the macro, intermediate and micro levels of analysis with a focus on the higher (im)morality which permits embezzlement, narcotic trafficking, money laundering and myriad other forms of deviance that only those in high positions of trust can commit. Corporate deviance alone affects millions of people and costs billions of dollars. Global deviance and policy ramifications conclude the course. (3 crs.)

This course considers the historical development of sociological theory as well as how theories are constructed and used to explain social phenomena. Special attention is given to the understanding and analysis of classical theorists, including Marx, Weber and Durkheim. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or the permission of the instructor. (3 crs.)

This course is an in-depth study of one of the major theoretical perspectives in sociology. Its particular relationship with social psychology is considered. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or permission of the instructor. (3 crs.)

This course develops the technical and analytical skills necessary for the conduct of social science research. Students will learn what methods are appropriate to various types of research inquiries, and they will learn how to evaluate research reports. (3 crs.)

This is an advanced research methods course that emphasizes the process of gathering ethnographic data and writing an ethnographic report. Ethnography is an approach to research that enables researchers to look at the social world through the eyes of their informants and requires students to use inductive thinking and reasoning skills. The primary methods used are field interviewing and participant observation: the basic field methodologies of qualitative researchers in anthropology and sociology. Students study a micro-culture of their own choosing throughout the semester then prepare a written report and deliver an oral report on the major findings. (3 crs.)

This course focuses on the applied aspects of sociology and is intended for sociology majors in the applied concentration. Students will learn to apply the concepts, theories and methods of sociology to better the human condition. Problem-solving techniques, research applications and conflict resolution strategies will be used to examine issues in nongovernmental organizations, businesses, government, social-service and social-movement organizations. (3 crs.)

This course is designed for students who have selected the applied program in sociology. The course provides an overview of program evaluation research, i.e., needs assessment, formative evaluations, process evaluations and outcome evaluations. Students will carry out a mock program evaluation as part of their course requirements. (3 crs.)

Designed to supplement the classroom studies of sociology majors with practical field experience, internships provide students not only with additional knowledge and skills, but with the opportunity to apply what was learned previously to on-site situations. Internships are intended to develop the major’s professional competencies in observational, analytical and research skills. (Variable 1-16 crs.)

The capstone course for sociology majors, this seminar will center around a current theme in sociology. Students will be expected to demonstrate the use of major concepts, methods and theories in analyzing the theme. Prerequisite: Sociology major with junior or senior status. (3 crs.)