An introductory survey of the discipline including social structures, social institutions, social differentiation and stratification, social power, the processes of human interactions, and methods of sociological investigation.

Develop practical skills to engage across differences and to advocate for those who are marginalized due to their social identities. Understanding and embracing diversity is essential for personal and professional growth, effective communication, and fostering inclusive communities in today’s interconnected world. Acquire knowledge, skills and perspectives necessary to appreciate, respect and celebrate differences across various dimensions of identity including race/ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation and abilities and disabilities.

Logic and application of statistical reasoning in social research. Topics may include descriptive statistics, elements of probability theory, estimation, hypothesis testing, contingency tables, correlation, regression, sampling, questionnaire construction and measurement. Introduction to the use of the computer in statistical analysis. Credit is not granted if a student has earned credit for another elementary statistics course.

Logic and application of statistical reasoning in social research. Topics may include descriptive statistics, elements of probability theory, estimation, hypothesis testing, contingency tables, correlation, regression, sampling, questionnaire construction and measurement. Introduction to the use of the computer in statistical analysis. As an honors program course, includes a more intensive research or project component.

Provides a sociological introduction to patterns of family formation and contemporary trends in family life. Examines historical and contemporary contexts that shape the meaning and importance of the family in society. Examines culture, race and ethnicity, religion, social class, gender and sexual orientation to understand how families define, form and maintain relationships.

The symbiotic relationship between sport and society. Topics include the connections between sports and social mobility, sports and race, sports and gender, and sports and community identification. Shows how sports are a pervasive feature of everyday urban life. SOCI 1001 is recommended as a prerequisite but not required.

Perspectives on the individual self in society. The role language and social interaction in the construction of personal identity. The self as process and social object.

Currents of thought about society, social structures and processes. Background and development of key concepts and theories in sociology. Techniques of theory construction and unification. May be taken concurrently or sequentially with SOCI 3050.

Introduction to principles of social research and methods of inquiry, including research design, conducting research, analyzing data and critically evaluating research findings. Comparison and critique of the predominant methods of social research, the relationship between methods and knowledge production, and the goals and ethical implications of research. Devotes class time to the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data and to written communication of research findings for various audiences.

Analysis of selected social problems within the framework of modern American society from the viewpoint of their nature, extent, contributing factors, and programs of prevention and treatment. Examines concepts and theories related to the analysis of social problems and deviant behavior. SOCI 1001 is recommended as a prerequisite but not required.

Provides sociological perspectives of how race and racism structure our lives. Considers both historical and contemporary experiences of racial and ethnic group relations in the United States and globally. Utilizes an intersectional framework to examine how race and racism function in the political, social, legal and economic systems. SOCI 1001 is recommended as a prerequisite but not required.

Focuses on the family structures and dynamics of major racial and ethnic groups in the United States and/or other societies. Topics may include: major perspectives on race and family, historical and contemporary family patterns and practices, the diversity of family forms and relationships, social policies affecting race and family, cultural factors affecting race and family and multiracial families. ANTH 2101, SOCI 1001, or SOCI 2200 is recommended as a prerequisite but not required.

The study of socialization, the influence of family, peers, schooling, mass media, and other institutions on human development from infancy through late life. Various sociological perspectives, developmental theories and critiques. SOCI 1001 is recommended as a prerequisite but not required.

Social and cultural factors in the disease process, the distribution of disease, the meaning of health, the response to illness and approaches to healing. Examines the structure and operation of health-related professions and facilities. Observes current trends in medicine and value conflicts. ANTH 1001, ANTH 2101, or SOCI 1001 is recommended as a prerequisite but not required.

Comparison of social and cultural arrangements for handling health care. Analyzes the variations in definitions of health. Systems of care at different levels of complexity: interpersonal networks, organizations, communities, and nation states. Policy making and ethical aspects of health care decisions. SOCI 1001 is recommended as a prerequisite but not required.

Historical overview of medical ideas regarding race and gender. Examine medical and scientific models of mind, body, race and gender, and their implications for health assessment, medical treatment and health care policy. Consider social, cultural and political dimensions of medicine in relation to race and gender. ANTH 1001, ANTH 2101 or SOCI 1001 recommended as prerequisites, but not required.

Explores the social and psychological constructions of men's gender identities at various stages during the course of life and how those identity constructions are intertwined with health outcomes. SOCI 1001 is recommended as a prerequisite but not required.

Examines collective action and social movements. Explores the interactions between individuals and social and cultural changes, the strategies, tactics and goals of collective action and social movements, and how institutional, governmental and cultural resources are used. Social movements covered may include civil rights, women’s rights, LGBT rights, labor movements and the AIDS movement. SOCI 1001 is recommended as a prerequisite but not required.

Examines environmental challenges to modern civilizations: overuse of natural resources to support and absorb the consequences of human activities. Focuses on human abilities to cope with these challenges by exploring features of human action, culture, economic structure, organizational forms and values, such as sustainability. SOCI 1001 is recommended as a prerequisite but not required.

Observes recent intellectual issues, efforts, and achievements that have contributed substantially to current sociological theory. Variable topics. Course may be completed for credit twice provided that the topics differ. SOCI 1001 is recommended as a prerequisite but not required.

Identify a research topic, develop a timetable for conducting empirical research, read advanced sources on chosen method(s), find a Sociology faculty mentor, gain IRB approval, prepare to obtain access to research subjects and/or site, and other foundational work for independent research. Must be taken in conjunction with SOCI 4997.

Field experience in a community social service agency for the purpose of furthering the student's integration of theory and practice in a professional setting. Placement is for a minimum of 140 hours per term under the supervision of agency personnel and includes a weekly seminar with the internship coordinator. S/U grade assessment. Limited enrollment.

Explores urban processes and institutions "from the inside." Focuses first on the study of various ethnographies. Proceeds to "hands-on" research involving observing human interaction, preparing field notes, conducting focused interviews, analyzing the collected data, and preparing a data-based research paper. SOCI 1001 recommended as prerequisite but not required.

Examines historical and contemporary writings of Black social theorists. Analyzes the impact of historical, social, economic and cultural factors on Blacks in the United States and alternative strategies for change.

Investigates urban society with special consideration of the problems of dealing with the structures, institutions, agencies and decision-making units in a metropolitan area. SOCI 1001 recommended as prerequisite but not required.

The place of the aged in contemporary society. Examines disengagement and the social integration of older persons. Roles linking older persons to society and roles in hospitals, nursing homes and homes for the aged. SOCI 1001 recommended as prerequisite but not required.

Explores theories and systems of social class in modern society. Analyzes societal structures and processes resulting from stratification phenomena. SOCI 1001 recommended as prerequisite but not required.

Sociological study of religious groups, institutions and behavior, including relationships between religion and other areas of social life. SOCI 1001 recommended as prerequisite but not required.

Explores the very recent historical development of sexuality and its intersections with U.S. Christianity. Engages readings from multiple disciplines, emphasizing intersectional perspectives on religion, gender, sexuality, race and social class through U.S. history.

Sociological analysis of educational institutions with primary emphasis on contemporary urban education in the United States, student subcultures, school-community relations, and innovations. SOCI 1001 recommended as prerequisite but not required.

Examines the biological and cultural bases of sex and gender patterns. Observes the impact of major social institutions and processes on maintenance of gender patterns, with questions of power and dominance central to discussion. Explores the benefits and costs of stereotypic gender patterns. Analyzes the mechanisms and alternative directions for change. Historical and cross-cultural research included. SOCI 1001 recommended as prerequisite but not required.

Critically examines the ways in which crime is defined, how crime control policies are established, and how the criminal justice system responds to the problem of crime. Attends to the social and political context in which crime is talked about and responded to. Investigates approaches to crime control, such as peacemaking criminology and restorative justice. SOCI 1001 recommended as prerequisite but not required.

Observes the social components of legal organizations and procedural systems. Analyzes the role of law as an instrument of social control and social change. SOCI 1001 recommended as prerequisite but not required.

Reviews major sociological and social psychological models of madness. Analyzes definitions and responses to mental illness. Studies the social processing involved in the production, recognition and treatment of mental illness. SOCI 1001 recommended as prerequisite but not required.

Explores the interrelationship of politics and society. Considers leadership analysis, party systems, public opinion, electoral behavior and conflict situations. SOCI 1001 recommended as prerequisite but not required.

Examines the core dynamics of capitalist society in the Marxist tradition of critical social science. Does capitalism promote human flourishing, freedom and democracy? Might socialism or some other system better promote these values? Focuses on class structure, class struggle, the state and politics, ideas and consciousness, and socialism and emancipation. Additional topics include capitalism and racial inequality, gender, the environment, the health care system, culture and imperialism. SOCI 1001 recommended as prerequisite but not required.

Selected topics dealing with models and theories of innovation, diffusion, resistance to change and associated conflict in and between social systems. Variable topics. Course may be completed for credit multiple times provided that topics differ. SOCI 1001 recommended as prerequisite but not required.

Lectures and discussions in an area which, because of its topicality, is not the subject of a regular course. Specific topics are designated in the Schedule of Classes.

Meet on a weekly basis to discuss research project, troubleshoot ethical or other research challenges that arise over the course of data collection, analyze data, and share preliminary research findings. Topics covered include professional development.

Read, discuss and apply sociological research under the direction of a Sociology faculty mentor. Review the literature on an assigned or negotiated topic and design and propose a specific research project. A maximum of six credits of SOCI 4956, 4995 and 4999 combined may be counted as electives toward the minimum requirements of the major and a maximum of three credits of SOCI 4956, 4995 and 4999 may be counted as electives toward the minimum requirements for the minor.

Work under the supervision and direction of a Sociology faculty mentor to propose a specific research project, expanding and enhancing the proposal developed in the Capstone Seminar in Sociology. Students carry out an original project under the direction of their faculty mentor, collecting data using the methods outlined in the research proposal.

Meet on a weekly basis to discuss research project, analyze data, collate and write up research findings, and prepare to present research. Topics covered include professional development.

Continuation of the internship experience (SOCI 3986). Placement is for a minimum of 140 hours per term of supervised practice at the same agency as the previous term and includes a weekly seminar with the internship coordinator. Credits earned cannot be counted toward the major. S/U grade assessment. Limited enrollment.

Faculty-supervised, independent study/research of a specific area or topic in Sociology.

An in-depth consideration of sociological perspectives and concepts and how they may be used to analyze contemporary society and social relationships. Basic sociological theories, methods, and concepts are discussed and used to evaluate contemporary sociological concerns and issues. Supervised and individualized research-writing projects involving a sociological area of each student's choice.

Sociology majors with a GPA of 3.000 or higher may write a thesis under direction of an adviser.

Explores urban processes and institutions "from the inside." Focuses first on the study of various ethnographies. Proceeds to "hands-on" research involving observing human interaction, preparing field notes, conducting focused interviews, analyzing the collected data, and preparing a data-based research paper. SOCI 1001 recommended as prerequisite but not required.

Examines historical and contemporary writings of Black social theorists. Analyzes the impact of historical, social, economic and cultural factors on Blacks in the United States and alternative strategies for change.

Investigates urban society with special consideration of the problems of dealing with the structures, institutions, agencies and decision-making units in a metropolitan area. SOCI 1001 recommended as prerequisite but not required.

The place of the aged in contemporary society. Examines disengagement and the social integration of older persons. Roles linking older persons to society and roles in hospitals, nursing homes and homes for the aged. SOCI 1001 recommended as prerequisite but not required.

Explores theories and systems of social class in modern society. Analyzes societal structures and processes resulting from stratification phenomena. SOCI 1001 recommended as prerequisite but not required.

Sociological study of religious groups, institutions and behavior, including relationships between religion and other areas of social life. SOCI 1001 recommended as prerequisite but not required.

Explores the very recent historical development of sexuality and its intersections with U.S. Christianity. Engages readings from multiple disciplines, emphasizing intersectional perspectives on religion, gender, sexuality, race and social class through U.S. history.

Sociological analysis of educational institutions with primary emphasis on contemporary urban education in the United States, student subcultures, school-community relations, and innovations. SOCI 1001 recommended as prerequisite but not required.

Examines the biological and cultural bases of sex and gender patterns. Observes the impact of major social institutions and processes on maintenance of gender patterns, with questions of power and dominance central to discussion. Explores the benefits and costs of stereotypic gender patterns. Analyzes the mechanisms and alternative directions for change. Historical and cross-cultural research included. SOCI 1001 recommended as prerequisite but not required.

Critically examines the ways in which crime is defined, how crime control policies are established, and how the criminal justice system responds to the problem of crime. Attends to the social and political context in which crime is talked about and responded to. Investigates approaches to crime control, such as peacemaking criminology and restorative justice. SOCI 1001 recommended as prerequisite but not required.

Observes the social components of legal organizations and procedural systems. Analyzes the role of law as an instrument of social control and social change. SOCI 1001 recommended as prerequisite but not required.

Reviews major sociological and social psychological models of madness. Analyzes definitions and responses to mental illness. Studies the social processing involved in the production, recognition and treatment of mental illness. SOCI 1001 recommended as prerequisite but not required.

Explores the interrelationship of politics and society. Considers leadership analysis, party systems, public opinion, electoral behavior and conflict situations. SOCI 1001 recommended as prerequisite but not required.

Examines the core dynamics of capitalist society in the Marxist tradition of critical social science. Does capitalism promote human flourishing, freedom and democracy? Might socialism or some other system better promote these values? Focuses on class structure, class struggle, the state and politics, ideas and consciousness, and socialism and emancipation. Additional topics include capitalism and racial inequality, gender, the environment, the health care system, culture and imperialism. SOCI 1001 recommended as prerequisite but not required.

Selected topics dealing with models and theories of innovation, diffusion, resistance to change and associated conflict in and between social systems. Variable topics. Course may be completed for credit multiple times provided that topics differ. SOCI 1001 recommended as prerequisite but not required.

Lectures and discussions in an area which, because of its topicality, is not the subject of a regular course. Specific topics are designated in the Schedule of Classes.