SOCY - Sociology
SOCY100 Introduction to Sociology (3 Credits)
The fundamental concepts and principles of sociology. Includes consideration of culture, patterns of social interaction, norms, values, social institutions, stratification, and social change.
SOCY105 Introduction to Contemporary Social Problems (3 Credits)
An examination of contemporary social problems through sociological perspectives; ways in which social problems are part of the organization of society; a detailed study of selected social problems including social conflict and social inequality.
SOCY110 The Logic of Social Inquiry: An Introduction to Sociology and the Major (3 Credits)
Introduction to the logic of social science research; the integration of theory and methods in the development of sociological knowledge; basic sociological concepts; and departmental research streams. Required of all sociology majors.
Additional Information: To be taken prior to, or in the first 30 credits after declaring sociology as a major.
SOCY120 Veterans in American Society: What does America Owe Its Veterans? (3 Credits)
An examination of current and past policies toward compensation for military veterans, data and evidence on current and past adjustments to life after military service, historical variations in the mechanisms for staffing the military, and trends in the contours of the lives of those who do not serve.
SOCY200 Human Societies (4 Credits)
A comparative, historical, interdisciplinary study of human socieities that focuses on the main components of human societies, how they are organized, how they change, and how they come to shape our collective social existence.
SOCY201 Introductory Statistics for Sociology (4 Credits)
Elementary descriptive and inferential statistics. Construction and percentaging of bivariate contingency tables; frequency distributions and graphic presentations; measures of central tendency and dispersion; parametric and nonparametric measures of association and correlation; regression; probability; hypothesis testing; the normal, binomial and chi-square distributions; point and interval estimates.
Prerequisite: SOCY100; and (MATH107 or MATH111). Or students who have taken courses with comparable content may contact the department.
Restriction: Must not have completed STAT400, BMGT231, or ENEE324.
Credit Only Granted for: BIOM301, BMGT230, CCJS200, ECON230, ECON321, EDMS451, GEOG306, GEOL351, GVPT422, INST314, JOUR405, PSYC200 or SOCY201. (These courses do not necessarily meet the same major requirements-check with your advisor to see which of these courses will count for your major).
SOCY202 Introduction to Research Methods in Sociology (4 Credits)
The underlying logic, major strategies, specific techniques and skills of sociological research. Research design, measurement, data collection, sampling, field research experiments, surveys, index and scale construction, data analysis, interpretation and report writing.
Prerequisite: SOCY201; or permission of BSOS-Sociology department.
SOCY203 Sociological Theory (3 Credits)
Development of the science of sociology; historical backgrounds; recent theories of society. Required of all sociology majors.
Prerequisite: SOCY100.
SOCY225 Women's Jobs, Men's Jobs: How and Why Do They Differ? (3 Credits)
An exploration of critical issues pertaining gender differences in the workplace. Overview of theories explaining why some people do better than the others in the world of work, and discussions of more specific questions relating to women's and men's job opportunities and experiences.
SOCY227 Introduction to the Study of Deviance (3 Credits)
An introduction to the sociological study of deviant behavior, covering such topics as mental illness, sexual deviance, and the use of drugs.
Credit Only Granted for: SOCY227 or SOCY327.
Formerly: SOCY327.
SOCY230 Sociological Social Psychology (3 Credits)
Theoretical perspectives and their applications. Socialization through the life course, the self-concept, attitudes, emotion, attribution, interpersonal relations, group processes, deviance, and social change.
SOCY236 Gender and Health (3 Credits)
The relationship between gender and health is the central focus of this course, and how this relationship is conditioned by race-ethnicity, sexuality, and social class. We consider how sociopolitical and environmental factors influence gendered associations with physical and mental health. In addition, this is a course on how to do the disciplinary work of sociology. Social policies surrounding health have been crucial to creating our current understandings of our system, and this course will give insight into how policies are crafted through a peer reviewed process that relies on critical feedback from sociologists engaged in the same project, in this case, the other students in this course.
SOCY241 Inequality in American Society (3 Credits)
The dynamics of inequality: its social production, politics, future, and ideological bases. Utopian communities, efforts to eliminate inequality.
SOCY242 Sociology of Homelessness (3 Credits)
Examines the causes of and solutions for homelessness in society. How social scientists analyze social issues using ethnographic observation, surveys, official statistics, and other research methods. Discusses how policies have responded to the problem of homelessness, and how to evaluate their effectiveness.
SOCY243 Family and Society (3 Credits)
An exploration of empirical patterns and trends, political and cultural debates, and policy issues including the major theories and research methods used in the sociological study of the family.
Credit Only Granted for: SOCY243 or SOCY443.
Formerly: SOCY443.
SOCY298 Selected Topics in Sociology (1-3 Credits)
Special topics in Sociology.
SOCY325 The Sociology of Gender (3 Credits)
Institutional bases of gender roles and gender inequality, cultural perspectives on gender, gender socialization, feminism, and gender-role change. Emphasis on contemporary American society.
Prerequisite: 3 credits in SOCY courses. Cross-listed with WMST325.
Credit Only Granted for: SOCY325 or WMST325.
SOCY335 Sociology of Health and Illness (3 Credits)
An exploration of the social model to studying health and illness: how meanings and experiences of health and illness are socially produced. How experiences are shaped by the interaction of external social environments (culture, community) and the internal environment (human body), and by socio-demographic variables (race, class, gender, etc.). Disparities in health and healthcare delivery, medicalization of society, determinants of health, social construction of illness, and the social organization of health care.
SOCY370 Transition from Undergrad to Professional (1 Credit)
Prepares Sociology majors to make the transition from undergraduate to entering graduate school and/or the professional work world. Topics include career options in Sociology, skills for conducting a job search, resume writing and interview preparation, and the graduate application process.
SOCY380 Honors Independent Reading in Sociology (3 Credits)
This course permits sociology honor students to undertake a program or reading on a particular problem in sociology or a subfield therein. The reading will be done under the supervision of a member of the sociology faculty. Required of sociology honor students.
Restriction: Permission of BSOS-Sociology department.
Formerly: SOCY378.
SOCY381 Honors Independent Research in Sociology (3 Credits)
This course permits sociology students to define a particular problem in sociology or a subfield therein and to develop a research plan for use as a thesis topic. The work will be done under the supervision of a member of the sociology faculty.
Prerequisite: SOCY380.
Formerly: SOCY388.
SOCY383 Honors Thesis Research (3 Credits)
Student research under the direction of a member of the sociology faculty, culminating in the presentation and defense of a thesis reporting the research.
Prerequisite: SOCY381.
Formerly: SOCY389.
SOCY386 Experiential Learning (3-6 Credits)
SOCY398 Special Topics in Sociology (1-3 Credits)
Topics of special interest to both sociology majors and non-majors.
Prerequisite: 3 credits in SOCY courses.
Repeatable to: 6 credits if content differs.
SOCY399 Independent Study in Sociology (1-6 Credits)
Integrated reading or research under the direction and supervision of a faculty member. A maximum of 6 credits may be earned by a student for the same field experience in SOCY386 and SOCY399 combined.
Prerequisite: 12 credits in SOCY courses.
Restriction: Permission of BSOS-Sociology department.
Repeatable to: 6 credits if content differs.
SOCY401 Intermediate Statistics for Sociologists (3 Credits)
This is a course about multiple regression for undergraduate students and presumes that students taking this course will be both producers and consumers of multiple regression results. Students will work with the instructor to produce a research poster presentation based on secondary social science data. In addition to multivariable statistics, students will learn some statistical programming as well as how to organize a research presentation.
Prerequisite: SOCY201; or students who have taken courses with comparable content may contact the department; or permission of BSOS-Sociology department.
Restriction: Must not have completed STAT400, BMGT231, or ENEE324.
SOCY405 Scarcity and Modern Society (3 Credits)
Resource depletion and the deterioration of the environment. Relationship to lifestyles, individual consumer choices, cultural values, and institutional failures. Projection of the future course of American society on the basis of the analysis of scarcity, theories of social change, current trends, social movements, government actions, and the futurist literature.
Prerequisite: 6 credits in SOCY courses.
Credit Only Granted for: SOCY305 or SOCY405.
Formerly: SOCY305.
SOCY406 Globalization (3 Credits)
An analysis of the forces driving globalization and its implications for THE SOCIAL WORLD; politics; culture (including American popular culture); technology; the media; the Internet; population flows; environmental changes and problems; other negative (or deviant) flows such as disease, crime and terrorism; inequality, as well as ways of dealing with or resisting globalization (alter-globalization).
Prerequisite: 6 credits in SOCY courses.
Credit Only Granted for: SOCY406 or SOCY498G.
Formerly: SOCY498G.
SOCY407 Explaining Social Change: Historical and Comparative Methods (3 Credits)
Examines social change from the perspective of comparative and historical sociology to get at the question, 'where are we now?' Students develop a critical appreciation of how scholars construct persuasive explanations for large-scale change focusing on four central questions: the origins of markets and industrial capitalism; the emergence of democracy as opposed to dictatorship; the causes and consequences of social revolution; and the logic of armed conflict. Explanations offered for the changes in question as well as the methods employed are explored. Counterfactual hypotheticals for each central question--that is, what might have been, rather than what historically emerged--are considered.
Prerequisite: 6 credits in SOCY courses.
Credit Only Granted for: SOCY407 or SOCY498Y.
Formerly: SOCY498Y.
SOCY410 Social Demography (3 Credits)
Types of demographic analysis; demographic data; population characteristics; migration; mortality; fertility; population theories; world population growth; population policy.
Prerequisite: 6 credits in SOCY courses; or permission of BSOS-Sociology department.
SOCY411 Demographic Techniques (3 Credits)
Basic techniques for analyzing population structure and demographic processes, including fertility, mortality and migration.
Prerequisite: (SOCY201; or students who have taken courses with comparable content may contact the department); and SOCY410. Or permission of BSOS-Sociology department.
SOCY412 Family Demography (3 Credits)
Family and population dynamics. Fertility issues, such as teenage pregnancy, the timing of parenthood, and family size; as they relate to family behavior, such as marital patterns, child care use, and work and the family. Policy issues that relate to demographic changes in the family.
Prerequisite: 6 credits in SOCY courses.
Formerly: SOCY312.
SOCY413 Sociology of Aging (3 Credits)
The aging of the population is one of the major demographic changes affecting social institutions during the next century. Research demography, sociology, economics, epidemiology, psychology and public health are integrated to develop a broader understanding of the causes and consequences of population aging. A central focus is the diversity of experiences by age, gender, socioeconomic status and health.
Prerequisite: 2 courses in SOCY.
Credit Only Granted for: SOCY498D or SOCY413.
Formerly: SOCY498D.
SOCY415 Environmental Sociology (3 Credits)
Overview of the field and theoretical themes within the area of environmental sociology and technology. Current issues are explored including: environmental attitudes; environmental movements; environmental justice; globalization; global climate change; and garbage and food.
Prerequisite: 6 credits in SOCY courses.
Credit Only Granted for: SOCY498E or SOCY415.
Formerly: SOCY498E.
SOCY418 Research in Family & Demography (3 Credits)
This is a special topics research course for Family and Demography.
Prerequisite: SOCY202 and SOCY203; and one course in Family and Demography.
Repeatable to: 6 credits if content differs.
SOCY420 Qualitative Research Methods in Sociology (3 Credits)
Using the sociological imagination to independently explore research questions as designed by students. Readings will explore dilemmas qualitative researchers confront such as, how to conduct research ethically and how their background influences their findings and analysis. Students will learn how to collect data, analyze it, and present it to others.
Prerequisite: 6 credits in SOCY courses.
SOCY424 Sociology of Race Relations (3 Credits)
Analysis of race-related issues, with a primary focus on American society. The historical emergence, development, and institutionalization of racism; the impact of racism on its victims; and racially based conflict.
Prerequisite: 6 credits in SOCY courses; or permission of BSOS-Sociology department. Cross-listed with AAST424.
Credit Only Granted for: AAST424 or SOCY424.
SOCY428 Research in Inequality (3 Credits)
This is the special topics research course for Stratification and Inequality.
Prerequisite: SOCY203 and SOCY202; and must have completed a course in Stratification and Inequality.
Repeatable to: 6 credits if content differs.
SOCY430 Social Structure and Identity (3 Credits)
Theoretical issues in social psychology, focusing on social construction of identity. Identity formation and transformation in social process. Structural and cultural dimensions of social identity.
Prerequisite: 6 credits in SOCY courses; or permission of BSOS-Sociology department.
SOCY431 Principles of Organizations (3 Credits)
Structural and processual characteristics of organizations that make them effective for different purposes and in different environments. Effects of different institutional environments, small group processes, organizational networks, and leadership. Types of organizations studied include formal bureaucracies, professional organizations, and voluntary associations.
Prerequisite: 6 credits in SOCY courses; or permission of BSOS-Sociology department.
SOCY432 Social Movements (3 Credits)
Movements that seek change in the social and political structure of society. Origins, tactics, organization, recruitment, and success. Case studies come from such movements as labor, civil rights, student, feminist, environmental, neighborhood, and gay rights.
Prerequisite: 6 credits in SOCY courses; or permission of BSOS-Sociology department.
SOCY441 Social Stratification and Inequality (3 Credits)
The sociological study of social class, status, and power. Topics include theories of stratification, correlates of social position, functions and dysfunctions of social inequality, status inconsistency, and social mobility.
Prerequisite: 6 credits in SOCY courses; or permission of BSOS-Sociology department.
Restriction: Junior standing or higher.
SOCY442 The Black Middle Class (3 Credits)
Students will learn about the Black Middle Class. They will examine and explore the historical context that led to the rise of a Black Middle Class. Innovative avenues into the Black Middle Class will also be examined, including various household and family formations. Finally, the course will cover the consequences of being in the The Black Middle Class, with an emphasis on residential segregation and racial identity.
Prerequisite: 6 credits in SOCY courses.
Credit Only Granted for: SOCY498T or SOCY442.
Formerly: SOCY498T.
SOCY444 Sociology of Children (3 Credits)
Socio-historical analysis of the changing nature and meaning of childhood. Analysis of social psychological, demographic, and socioeconomic aspects of contemporary children's lives, with a focus on peer groups, gender relations, family change, macroeconomic conditions, poverty, health, and educational well-being of children.
Prerequisite: 6 credits in SOCY courses; or permission of BSOS-Sociology department.
SOCY445 Sex and Love in Modern Society (3 Credits)
Sociological theories of sex and gender are used to explore empirical research on women's and men's sexual behavior and attitudes; variation in gendered sexuality by key social characteristics and how gendered sexuality is constructed and controlled; changes in sexuality over time and across relationship types, focusing on changes in sexual desire and behaviors and on the changing meaning of sex and marriage in U.S. society and other countries. Contemporary debates about sexuality will also be examined.
Prerequisite: SOCY201, SOCY202, SOCY203, and SOCY230.
Restriction: Must be in Sociology program; or permission of BSOS-Sociology department.
Credit Only Granted for: SOCY498X or SOCY445.
Formerly: SOCY498X.
SOCY457 Sociology of Law (3 Credits)
Social, political, and cultural sources of legal norms and concepts; and how the law shapes society and society shapes the law using sociological theoretical frameworks. The role of social change, social reproduction and inequality (including race, class, gender, and sexuality) to achieve certain objectives such as compliance, deterrence and social control.
SOCY464 Military Sociology (3 Credits)
Social change and the growth of military institutions. Complex formal military organizations. Military service as an occupation or profession. The sociology of military life. Relations between military institutions, civilian communities and society.
Prerequisite: 6 credits in SOCY courses; or permission of BSOS-Sociology department.
SOCY465 The Sociology of War (3 Credits)
The origin and development of armed forces as institutions, the social causes, operations and results of war as social conflict; the relations of peace and war and revolution in contemporary civilizations.
Prerequisite: 6 credits in SOCY courses; or permission of BSOS-Sociology department.
SOCY467 Sociology of Education (3 Credits)
Sociological analysis of educational institutions and their relation to society: goals and functions, the mechanisms of social control, and the impacts of stratification and social change. Study of the school as a formal organization, and the roles and subcultures of teachers and students.
Prerequisite: 6 credits in SOCY courses; or permission of BSOS-Sociology department.
SOCY480 Researching the Middle East (3 Credits)
Introduces religion, gender, and politics in the Middle East and North Africa. After an overview of the political and social history the focus will be on methods for carrying out fundamental issues facing Middle Eastern societies, including national identity, religion, gender relations and the status of women in the family, politics, education, and labor market.
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in SOCY201, SOCY202, and SOCY203.
Credit Only Granted for: SOCY498E or SOCY480.
Formerly: SOCY498E.
SOCY490 Experimental Research Practicum (3 Credits)
Hands-on experience in designing, conducting, and analyzing experimental research. Introduces students to causal inference in social scientific research, focusing on experimental designs. Students will get hands-on research experience running experimental studies in the group processes lab. Students will also work with the professor and graduate students in the department to develop a research idea that can be executed in the spring semester.
Restriction: Permission of BSOS-Sociology department.
Additional Information: This is the first course in the experimental research practicum 2-course sequence.
SOCY491 Experimental Research Design (3 Credits)
Students will finalize the design of their studies from the fall semester and carry out the research in this course. Introduces students to analyzing experimental data and presenting results from these data. Students will continue to get hands-on research experience running experimental studies in the group processes lab and working with the professor and graduate students in the department to further develop their projects.
Prerequisite: SOCY490; or permission of BSOS-Sociology department.
Additional Information: This is the second course in the experimental research practicum 2-course sequence.
SOCY498 Selected Topics in Sociology (1-3 Credits)
Topics of special interest to advanced undergraduates in sociology. Such courses will be offered in response to student request and faculty interest.
Prerequisite: 6 credits in SOCY courses; or permission of BSOS-Sociology department.
Repeatable to: 6 credits.
