SOC 101 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY (3)
Provides a broad introduction to the field of sociology. Explores different understandings of society and their implications. Students learn to identify and compare major sociological perspectives, understand basic sociological concepts, and apply them to various situations. Fall and spring semesters.
SOC 154 SOCIAL PROBLEMS (3)
Covers selected social problems facing today’s global society. Topics may include problems such as poverty, race relations, international tensions, population, and crime. Offered as needed. Prerequisite: None; SOC 101 recommended.
SOC 205 JUVENILE DELINQUENCY (3)
Explores issues of juvenile delinquency, factors contributing to delinquency, and societal and governmental attempts to prevent and control delinquent behavior. Fall semesters.
SOC 232 GENDER AND SOCIETY (3)
Course provides an introduction to the sociology of gender. Central themes include changes and continuities in gender roles within the U.S. and globally, the social processes that influence our lives and our gender identities, and the connections between gender, power, and inequality. Primary primary focus will be on the experiences of women in the global economic system. Spring semester, odd years. Prerequisite: SOC 101.
SOC 236 SERVICE-LEARNING IN TANZANIA (3)
Cross-listed with REL 236. The primary learning experiences take place during a three-week trip to Tanzania in May. During the spring semester students meet weekly to discuss readings, prepare for being a guest in a foreign country, and plan fundraisers. The visit to Tanzania is at the invitation of the Eastern and Coastal Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania. Students stay in host homes, learn about social concerns, and participate in the life of a community while serving at a secondary school. Nursing students spend one week at the national hospital. Spring semesters. Prerequisites: REL 230 or concurrent registration, and sophomore status and instructor permission.
SOC 250 TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY (3)
Provides students an opportunity to gain an introductory level of understanding of major fields within sociology. Topics may include marriage and the family, social psychology, symbolic interaction, and deviance. Offered as needed.
SOC 260 DEVIANT BEHAVIOR (3)
Explanation of social behaviors that have been defined as “deviant’ by others in society. Particular emphasis will be placed on the social constructive processes surrounding deviance and deviant behavior including the social organization of deviant acts, lifestyles, relationships and careers, the process of acquiring a deviant identity, and managing deviant stigma. Fall semester, odd years.
SOC 263 HUMAN RELATIONS AND DIVERSITY (3)
Explores the diversity concept in the United States by tracing its origins, operations, and meanings. Encompasses but is not limited to an examination of the history, culture, institutions, values, and contributions of groups identified by race, gender, class, ethnicity, religious affiliations, and sexual orientation in contemporary America. Critical emphasis placed on social tensions associated with minority-majority status, terms of overt and covert social inclusion or exclusion, the ideal of individual equality in conditions of group-based inequality. Fall semesters.
SOC 290 CRIMINOLOGY (3)
Analyzes the nature, causes, and distribution of crime; societal factors in crime and delinquency; theoretical explanations of crime; and contemporary social responses. Fall semesters. Prerequisite: SOC 101 or instructor permission.
SOC 330 SOCIAL STRATIFICATION (3)
Examines the patterned, unequal distribution of wealth, power, and political rewards has on society. Theories and debates regarding social inequality and mobility, and their ramifications. Spring semester, odd years. Prerequisite: SOC 101 or SOC 154.
SOC 350 TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY (3)
Provides an opportunity for in-depth exploration of an aspect of the field of sociology not dealt with extensively in other sociology courses. Topics may include social stratification, gender and society, social movements, globalization, or indigenous peoples. Offered as needed. Prerequisite: SOC 101.
SOC 353 RESEARCH METHODS IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES (3)
Introduction to the methods of social inquiry. Students learn how to design and conduct research, and how to become critical consumers of it. An overview of the various research strategies in the social sciences is presented and students perform some preliminary research. Focuses on conceptual and applied dimensions of social research. Fall semesters. Prerequisite: MAT 140 or above.
SOC 354 QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES (3)
Cross-listed with PSY 354. Designed to give students a broad overview of the statistical methods used in the social sciences. Topics include measures of central tendency, probability, hypothesis testing, and association between variables. Spring semesters. Prerequisites: MAT 145; PSY 353 or SOC 353; or instructor permission.
SOC 360 ORGANIZATIONAL SOCIOLOGY (3)
Investigates the impact of organizations in society. Addresses theoretical components of organizational sociology such as but not limited to the division of labor, social inequality impacted by organizations, policy, and power in organizations. Offered as needed. Prerequisite: SOC 101.
SOC 372 SOCIAL THEORY (3)
Introduction to the major social theorists and the fundamental concepts important to the development and continuation of the social sciences. Students develop a framework to address critical social and political issues and better understand the society in which we live. Fall semesters. Prerequisite: PLS 221 or PSY 101 or SOC 101.
SOC 389 INTERNSHIP IN SOCIOLOGY (1-3)
This experiential learning opportunity focuses on exploring career interests, applying knowledge from the classroom, and developing practical on-the-job skills. Students are responsible for establishing their own internships. The internship may be taken for one, two, or three credit hours, with a minimum of 20 hours of supervised on-site work per credit hour. Offered as needed. Prerequisite: Cumulative GPA of at least 2.7 and instructor permission. Pass/fail only.
SOC 470 SOCIOLOGY OF LAW (3)
Investigates the prevalence of the legal system in society. Topics covered in the course will be the theoretical perspectives of law, the organization of law and the enactment of law and its practice. Spring semester, even years. Prerequisite: SOC 101.
SOC 471 CRIME AND PUBLIC POLICY (3)
Cross-listed with CRJ 471. Focuses on the theoretical basis for crime policy, the empirical work utilizing theory, and the efficacy of the policies. Also investigates how social policy is developed, amended and enacted. Spring semester, odd years. Prerequisites: CRJ 101 and SOC 290.
SOC 495 CAPSTONE PREP COURSE (1)
Prepares students for SOC 499 Senior Capstone. Students will be introduced to the requirements of the capstone experience, determine their topic, and develop a prospectus. Offered as needed. Prerequisite: Senior standing and instructor permission. Pass/fail only.
SOC 499 SENIOR CAPSTONE IN SOCIOLOGY (3)
Students prepare a research thesis on a topic of interest to the student. The thesis is intended to demonstrate the student’s ability to synthesize and apply knowledge. Offered as needed. Prerequisites: Senior status and instructor permission. Pass/fail only.