Sociology (BS)

Overview of the structure and processes of social life; impact of social forces on individuals and groups; interdependence of society and the individual; social significance of social class, race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality; emphasis on critical analysis of social inequalities and injustice.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

A critical description and analysis of selected social problems, as well as the social problems process through which problems are socially constructed and defined. A social constructionist approach examines how people and social systems define and react to social problems. Emphasis on the sociological perspective, critical thinking, roots of social inequality, and exploration of solutions and alternatives to existing social problems.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-07

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Develop knowledge and application of statistical concepts and methods to facilitate research in social sciences disciplines. Students learn to work with quantitative databases obtained from census, social surveys, and experiments. Develop data analysis skills and use of statistical software programs. Practice data interpretations and statistical decision-making as used in everyday government, non-profit/for-profit, healthcare, academic and research organizations.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-04

This course reviews the fundamentals of social research methods. Students will learn about process of designing research studies and key methods of social science research; they will develop skills to read social science research articles and understand research findings. Students will also develop and practice research skills.

Prerequisites: none

Sociological Theory focuses on the application of theory to understanding the causes of contemporary and historical social problems. The course will introduce students to the connection between theory and research, the contribution of theory to understanding people¿s personal experience, and the role of theory to explain social struggle. Students will be exposed to some of the most notable social theorists, including Marx, Weber, and Durkheim. Students will also learn diverse theoretical perspectives from African-American, Latina/Latino, Asian, and Indigenous social theorists, who have been historically excluded.

Prerequisites: none

This course explores theories of sociological social psychology, especially emphasizing the creation of reality, self and identity, emotions, social order, and how inequalities are produced and experienced in everyday life.

Prerequisites: none

Within the pluralistic culture of the United States, sociology promotes knowledge about multi-cultural groups. With rapid globalization, sociology reveals how the sociological imagination extends beyond the United States. The principle goal of the course is to help students to develop a broader, more informed understanding of the past and present social forces that have created and sustained a global society composed of various class, racial and ethnic groups. The goal of this course is for students to develop an appreciation of the ways in which various theoretical perspectives lead to different understandings of the structures and practices of group relations.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Seminar and workshop on the principles and techniques of survey research, including but not limited to understanding survey resarch and designing questionaires; students wil work directly on a survey research project and present project findings.. Prerequisite: SOC 301W or similar research methods course with instructor permission.

Prerequisites: none

Seminar and workshop on the principles and techniques of qualitative research, including but not limited to interviews and participant observation; students design and conduct original qualitative research projects, write and present analyses. Prerequisite: SOC 301W or similar research methods course with instructor permission.

Prerequisites: none

This course will focus on ways that sociological concepts and research skills can be applied in practice settings to address human concerns and promote social justice. Students learn how sociological skills can be used to identify, investigate, and implement solutions to problems of social organization, social process, and social change. Through the course of the semester students will engage in experiential and/or project based learning, and collaborate in identifying and executing research in service of addressing a community problem or supporting a community organization.

Prerequisites: SOC 301W or equivalent; Senior Standing.

Workshop topics vary as announced in class schedule. These workshops will be based on skill-building and career connections for sociology majors. May be retaken for credit.

Prerequisites: none

The internship in sociology is designed to provide opportunity to apply classroom learning, to practice and enhance skills, to experience professional socialization, and to explore a career. It also serves as a vehicle for the student to become more aware of personal strengths and identify areas in which further growth is needed.

Prerequisites: Consent

Prerequisites: none