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Academic Catalog

Sociology (SO)

SO 100  Introduction to Sociology  (3)  

This course introduces students to theories, concepts, and methods used by sociologists in the study of society. Through this course, students should come to realize how many aspects of their lives are influenced by the social world in which they live and, as a result, should obtain a better understanding of themselves as social individuals and their place in society. Students will also develop an awareness and appreciation of how other individuals, groups, and/or societies have arrived at quite different perspectives. Prerequisite: None.
Course Attributes:
  • Gen Ed AY 2024-2025: Inclusion and Belonging
  • Gen Ed AY 2024-2025: Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • Gen Ed Pre-AY 2024-2025: Social Science
  • USLO: Global Citizenship, Ethics and Diversity

SO 101  Social Problems  (3)  

This course introduces students to the complexity of major social problems that are currently facing the U.S. and the world. Special emphasis is given to problems emerging from various divisions and inequalities in society related to social power, social class, race/ethnicity, sex, etc. Students will learn tools needed to critically evaluate these issues using sociological perspectives. Prerequisite: None.
Course Attributes:
  • Gen Ed AY 2024-2025: Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • Gen Ed Pre-AY 2024-2025: Social Science
  • USLO: Critical and Creative Thinking

SO 200  Special Topics in Sociology  (1-3)  

Topics will vary from semester to semester and will be announced in advance. May be taken for more than one semester. Prerequisite: SO 100 or SO 101.

SO 300  Special Topics in Sociology  (1-3)  

Topics will vary from semester to semester and will be announced in advance. May be taken for more than one semester. Prerequisite: SO 100 or SO 101.

SO 301  Population and Society  (3)  

This course provides students with an overview of the field of population studies. In the course, students will explore topics including fertility, mortality, immigration, marriage, and the consequences of these demographic changes on both social and individual levels. Prerequisite: SO 100.

SO 302  Culture, Gender and Sexuality  (3)  

This course introduces students to sociological perspectives on sex, gender, and sexuality. Special attention is given to the social, political, economic, and cultural processes that shape us to act and think as particular kinds of sexed, gendered, and sexualized persons, including the complexities and dilemmas posed by intersecting identities (e.g., race, ethnicity, class, religion). Prerequisite: SO 100, or consent of instructor.

SO 304  The Family  (3)  

This course provides an examination of contemporary U.S. and global family life, including courtship, marriage, divorce, child-rearing, and caring for aging parents. Prerequisite: SO 100.

SO 305  Criminology  (3)  

This course examines theories of causation of crime as well as conformity (non-criminal behavior), and their relationships to social structure and culture. In this course, we examine how laws are created, applied, and enforced in society. Prerequisite: Six hours of Sociology including SO 100 or SO 101.

SO 306  Law and Society  (3)  

In this course, the legal system is studied not in terms of the rules that make up the system, but in terms of the activities involved in creating, interpreting and enforcing these rules. The primary concern is with the ways in which the legal system affects society and in which society is an integral part of the larger social system and not an isolated set of rules, procedures, and activities. Prerequisite: SO 100 or SO 101.

SO 308  Sociology of Mental Health  (3)  

Survey and sociological analyses of major theoretical approaches toward mental health and illness exploring the social factors associated with mental illness; examination of the dynamics of societal reactions to mental illness. Prerequisite: SO 100.

SO 309  Sociology of Deviance  (3)  

This course includes presentation, evaluation, and integration of sociological perspectives of deviance. The course focuses on the social processes producing and maintaining deviance. Consideration is given to a variety of deviant expressions. Prerequisite: SO 100 or SO 101.

SO 310  Social Class in the U.S.  (3)  

This course explores the definition of social class and the impact of social class on everyday lives including opportunity, education, marriage, and parenting. Prerequisite: SO 100.

SO 313  Sociology of Disasters  (3)  

This course analyzes the phenomena we call "disaster" using a sociological perspective. Some of the topics covered will include: What is a disaster? Do disasters randomly affect populations, or are some groups more vulnerable than others? How can disasters act as an agent for or against social change? Prerequisite: SO 100.

SO 314  Organizations  (3)  

This course examines organizations from the sociological perspective with emphasis on formal organizations. Through this course, students will learn to apply concepts of organizational structure; organizational culture; processes of power, leadership, and decision-making; and understand outcomes of organizations on individuals, communities, and society, as well as the larger environments. Prerequisite: SO 100.

SO 315  Sociology of Sport  (3)  

In this course we examine sport as a microcosm of society, in that we critically examine the social, cultural, political, and economic realities of society. Further, the sociology of sport exists to promote, stimulate, and encourage the sociological study of play, games, and contemporary physical culture and examine what these activities tell us about society. Prerequisite: SO 100.

SO 316  Japan and East Asia  (3)  

The main objective of this course is to examine social, cultural, demographic, economic, and political trends in East Asia through the lens of sociologists and other social scientists. Emphasis will be on China, Japan, and Korea. Prerequisites: SO 100.

SO 318  Sociology of Religion  (3)  

This course provides a comparative study of the phenomenon of religion with special emphasis on the impact and future of religion in the modern world. Classical and contemporary theories serve as a basis for the approach to religious values, norms, institutional structures, and changing religious practices. Prerequisite: SO 100.

SO 319  Food and Culture  (3)  

Food is a part of everyday life, and we often taken the act of cooking and eating for granted. In this course, we will explore larger social phenomena through our consumption of food. Much of the focus of this course will involve reading scholarly analyses of different issues surrounding food. Prerequisites SO 100 or consent of instructor.

SO 320  Sociology of Race and Ethnic Relations  (3)  

This course will examine the historical construction of race from a Sociological perspective. We will explore on how race and ethnicity shape, and are shaped by social life. This course will focus on the experiences of racial and ethnic groups primarily within the United States. Prerequisites: SO 100

SO 323  The City and Urban Life  (3)  

This course provides a comparative study of the origin and development of cities. The focus is on processes of urban development, rural-urban migration, inter-relationships between people, urban cultures, social institutions, use of space and competing theoretical perspectives. Prerequisite: SO 100 or SO 101.

SO 326  Aging and Society  (3)  

This course explores the aging process from the vantage point of sociological theories and related empirical studies. Emphasis is on the social, political, economic, medical, and demographic contexts of aging. Special attention is given to "new ageism." The course also focuses on the effect on U.S. society of an aging population. Prerequisite: SO 100.

SO 336  Globalization  (3)  

This course examines the causes and consequences of economic, political, and cultural globalization--the increasing interconnectedness among societies. Sociological and interdisciplinary frameworks are applied to specific cases to understand how the world is changing and what it means for societies and individuals. Prerequisites: SO 100 or SO 101 or consent of instructor.

SO 338  Strategies for Social Change  (3)  

This course explores the major economic, political, and social forces that influence structural and cultural change in the U.S. and the world using a sociological perspective. The course also introduces students to different types of social movements and provides a framework for activism, as individuals and as members of groups. Prerequisite: SO 100 or SO 101.

SO 360  Sociological Theory  (3)  

This course provides a historical examination of the field of sociology and the development of sociological theory from its classical roots to contemporary debates. "Schools of thought" and the work of particular theorists are used to explore central concepts. Prerequisite: Declared major, junior / senior standing.

SO 362  Methods of Social Research  (3)  

This course introduces students to the foundations of social science research including: designing an ethically and methodologically sound research project, generating research questions, conducting a literature review, selecting appropriate data collection methods, planning for data analysis, and sharing results. Prerequisites: 12 hours of Sociology, or consent.

SO 363  Internship  (1-3)  

Field training to provide students with experience in an operational or research setting through assignment to local social agencies or museums approved and supervised by a faculty member. May be elected twice for a maximum of three hours. Prerequisites: Declared major, senior standing and consent.

SO 366  Directed Readings  (1-3)  

Under supervision of a faculty member, students will undertake an extensive readings course to further their understanding of a specific topic within Sociology. May be repeated for a maximum of six hours. Students are limited to six hours total from SO 366 and SO 367 combined. Prerequisite: Declared major, junior/senior standing, and consent.

SO 367  Directed Research  (1-3)  

Upon supervision of a faculty member, students may undertake an independent research project in a specific aspect of Sociology. May be repeated for a maximum of six hours. Students are limited to six hours total from SO 366 and SO 367 combined. Prerequisite: Declared major, junior/senior standing, and consent.

SO 377  Sociology of Education  (3)  

This course examines theories and methods focusing on the role of education in stabilizing and changing industrial society particularly the United States. We describe and analyze how schools and universities figure into recurring crises and struggles-especially those related to the job market and to people’s concerns as to what constitutes a rewarding life. Prerequisite: SO 100, SO 101 or consent of instructor.

SO 400  Special Topics/Sociology  (1-3)  

Topics will vary from semester to semester and will be announced in advance. May be taken for more than one semester. Prerequisite: SO 100 or SO 101.

SO 495  Sociology Senior Capstone  (3)  

Students will define a sociological problem or project and utilize knowledge and skills gained from previous sociology coursework to engage in contemporary issues using a critical framework. The Sociology Senior Capstone serves as a culminating experience for graduating seniors majoring in sociology. Prerequisites: SO 360 and SO 362.

SO 600  Special Topics in Sociology  (1-3)  

Topics will vary from semester to semester and will be announced in advance. May be taken for more than one semester. Prerequisites: Admission to a graduate program and consent of instructor.

SO 614  Organizations  (3)  

This course examines organizations from the sociological perspective with emphasis on formal organizations. Through this course, students will learn to apply concepts of organizational structure; organizational culture; processes of power, leadership, and decision-making; and understand outcomes of organizations on individuals, communities, and society, as well as part of larger environments. Prerequisites: Admission to a graduate program or consent of the instructor.

SO 638  Strategies for Social Change  (3)  

This course explores the major economic, political, and social forces that influence structural and cultural change in the U.S. and the world using a sociological perspective. The course also introduces students to different types of social movements and provides a framework for activism, as individuals and as members of groups. Prerequisites: Admission to a graduate program or consent of instructor.

SO 660  History and Theory Sociology  (3)  

This course provides a historical examination of the field of sociology and the development of sociological theory from its classical roots to contemporary debates. "Schools of thought" and the work of particular theorists are used to explore central concepts. Prerequisites: SO 100 and admission to a graduate program, or consent of instructor.