Course Listings

Introduction to Sociology

SOCY 100 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: An introduction to the basic concepts, theoretical perspectives, and research methods in sociology. The objective is to apply sociological imagination, perspectives, and research to uncover patterns of social behavior and identify their consequences. Topics include culture, socialization, groups, deviance, stratification, institutions, and social change. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BEHS 102 or SOCY 100.

The Asian American Experience

SOCY 198H | 1 Credit

Course Desc: A study of the diversity of the Asian American experience, including the problems of discrimination and changing identity and the varying strategies for social mobility and accommodation with the dominant culture. Emphasis is on the geographical, cultural, and religious backgrounds of the various Asian American communities, and the diverse factors that have led to immigration to the United States.

American Society

SOCY 300 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisite: SOCY 100. An in-depth examination of American society and what it means to be American from a sociological perspective. Discussion explores past and current values, ideals, and norms and applies sociological theories to analyze the ways that these values, ideals, and norms have shaped aspects of American social life, such as politics, consumerism, popular culture, social stratification, economics, diversity, education, religion, and social change. The objective is to identify and describe various aspects of social and cultural change to better understand American society.

Social Demography

SOCY 309 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: (Formerly SOCY 410.) Prerequisite: SOCY 100. A study of social demography. The goal is to identify, evaluate, and interpret key demographic concepts and develop an understanding of global population dynamics. Topics include types of demographic analysis, demographic data, population characteristics, migration, mortality, fertility, population theories, world population growth, and population policy. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: SOCY 309 or SOCY 410.

The Individual and Society

SOCY 313 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisite: SOCY 100. A sociological examination of how individuals shape and are shaped by society. Students will analyze and communicate how the individual self is molded through social forces and how individuals contribute to the continuous creation of society, using micro-level sociological theories and concepts. Discussions will apply sociological concepts and theories to examine interpersonal relations, group processes, identity, and social change. Topics include the influence of social inequality on identity, the social aspects of emotion management, interpersonal conflict and cooperation, and workplace interactions. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BEHS 312, SOCY 311, or SOCY 313.

The Sociology of Gender

SOCY 325 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisite: SOCY 100. An advanced sociological examination of how gender intersects with other social stratifies to produce or reproduce systems of oppression and/or privilege. The goal is to uncover the sociological significance of gender in everyday life. Activities include an interactive implicit associations gender quiz and a gendered analysis of a personal or professional experience. Topics include gender socialization, gender-based violence, intersectionality, artificial intelligence and gender, gender and health, gender relations in the family, hegemonic masculinity, and gender stratification in the labor force.

Contemporary Social Problems

SOCY 350 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisite: SOCY 100. An advanced examination of various local, national, and global problems that affect societies. The aim is to apply sociological perspectives and research to analyze the process by which social conditions become recognized as social problems and are resolved by various actors. Topics include the subjective/objective aspects of social problems, claims about social problems in the media, and how sociologists can help inform possible solutions to social problems. Discussion also covers problems related to human rights, violence, social isolation/loneliness, and social inequality. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: SOCY 105, SOCY 210, or SOCY 350.

Special Topics in Sociology

SOCY 398 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisite: SOCY 100. A study of topics of special interest. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 credits when topics differ.

Race and Ethnicity: A Global Perspective

SOCY 423 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisite: SOCY 100. An advanced examination of race and ethnicity in a variety of social and cultural contexts across the globe. The aim is to apply sociological theories and concepts to understand how race and ethnicity are constructed; how prejudice develops; the ways in which structural racism manifests in society; the social effects of migration and immigration; the global outcomes of slavery and genocide; and how social movements seek to effect change for a more equitable society. Topics include theories of prejudice transmission and reduction, critical race theory, and global consequences of structural racism related to climate change and health.

Sociology of Religion

SOCY 426 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisite: SOCY 100. An advanced examination of religion from a sociological perspective. The aim is to evaluate the influence of social location on religious beliefs and attitudes; examine relationships between church and state; and analyze current religious conflicts and controversies. Topics include fundamentalism versus extremism; modernity; religious conflicts; and the relationship of religion with race, class, gender, sexuality, and politics.

Sociology of the Family

SOCY 443 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisite: SOCY 100. An advanced examination of the family in society. The goal is to analyze, communicate, and project trends regarding family structures and outcomes through the application of major sociological perspectives. Discussions will use sociological research to describe some of the following: changing definitions of family; demographic trends in marriage and family patterns; social dynamics within families; and the effects of technology on family relationships. Topics include single parenting, blended families, cultural differences among families, changes in families over the life course, and governmental policies regarding families.

Women in the Military

SOCY 462 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisite: SOCY 100. An advanced examination of women in the military from a sociological perspective. The objective is to understand gender, power, and the changing roles of women in the military; assess how policies affect women in the military; examine military, community, and family support systems for military women; and compare the roles and duties of women in the U.S. armed forces in war and peacetime with those of military women in other countries. Topics include the social construction of gender and sexuality of the armed forces; the history of women in the military; violence against women in the military; rank, status, and advancement of women in the military; and postmilitary transitions and career options for women.

Cities and Communities

SOCY 473 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisite: SOCY 100. An advanced sociological study of cities and the urban land­scape. The aim is to apply major sociological theories to inves­tigate interdependencies between social action, urbanization, and the environment. Focus is on current issues relevant to the challenge of building livable and sustainable cities. Topics include urban social networks, suburbanization, social prob­lems of urbanization, and urban planning and policies.