SOCIOLOGY
DEPARTMENT
Sociology Courses
SOC100
PRINCIPLES OF SOCIOLOGY
3 sem. hrs.
This course introduces the logical principles and sci-
entific techniques used in sociology to understand
social behavior. The course focuses on culture,
norms, status, role, socialization, stratification, indus-
trialization, and urbanization. Emphasis is placed on
culturally diverse values and attitudes as they evolve
through the major social institutions. This course is
approved for General Education Core 5.
SOC207
CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL
PROBLEMS
3 sem. hrs.
This course presents a comprehensive and insightful
sociological understanding of specific problems faced
in the contemporary society. Each problem will be
analyzed for its impact as it impinges on the individ-
ual, the group and the larger society. This course is
approved for General Education Distribution 2.
SOC250
HISTORY AND METHODS OF
SOCIOLOGY
3 sem. hrs.
The purpose of this course is to develop an apprecia-
tion and understanding of the essential features of
sociology as an academic discipline. Emphasis will
be placed on core sociological concepts, sociological
theory, and sociological research methods and analy-
sis. The course attempts to apply the theories and
methods of sociology to the study of human society.
Prerequisites: SOC100, MATH260, CSCI104, or
permission of the instructor.
SOC260
INTRODUCTION TO
SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY
3 sem. hrs.
This course introduces the field of sociological theo-
ry by examining those classic theorists who have had
the greatest impact on the discipline. Some attention
will be paid the social and intellectual contexts in
which the theorists worked. Emphasis will be placed
on linking the major theoretical contributions to con-
crete cases of sociological research both basic and
applied. Prerequisite: SOC100 or permission of the
instructor.
SOC300
VICTIMOLOGY
3 sem. hrs.
This course will examine the current theory and
research regarding victims of crime, which include
intimate violence, stranger violence, workplace vio-
lence, and school violence. The patterns of crime, pat-
terns of victim-offender relationships, the process and
consequences of victimization, victim vulnerability
and victim culpability will also be examined. In addi-
tion, victim restitution, compensation and mediation
will be addressed. Prerequisite: SOC100.
SOC305
URBAN SOCIOLOGY 3 sem. hrs.
The study of the urban community and the role which
it plays in the social, cultural, economic and political
aspects of American society. Included will be the his-
torical development of the city in other parts of the
world and the impact of urban values and attitudes on
the American way of life. Prerequisite: SOC100 or
permission of the instructor.
SOC310
POPULATION AND ECOLOGY
3 sem. hrs.
An analysis of the composition and distribution of
human population and their impact on the ecological
system. Study of fertility, morality, and migration, the
theory of demographic transition, and the changing
ecological bases of social organization. Current prob-
lems with emphasis on the relationship between pop-
ulation pressure, life style, and environmental deteri-
oration. Prerequisite: SOC100 or permission of the
instructor.
SOC325
THE SOCIOLOGY OF ROLES
3 sem. hrs.
This course will concern itself with a sociological
analysis of the creation, maintenance and transforma-
tion of roles. Although cross-cultural examples will
be used, emphasis will be on roles, role-learning and
role-playing in contemporary American society.
Prerequisite: SOC100.
SOC326
SOCIETY AND THE INDIVIDUAL
3 sem. hrs.
This course introduces the sociological principles and
methods used in the study of the social environment
and the individual. Relying on the symbolic interac-
tionist perspective, this course emphasizes major
social forces as they impact social behavior.
Prerequisite: SOC100 or permission of the instructor:
This course is approved for General Education
Distribution 2.
SOC333
METHODS OF POLICY
EVALUATION IN SOCIAL
SCIENCE
3 sem. hrs.
An application of social scientific methods and con-
cepts to critically analyze and comprehensively eval-
uate contemporary public policy in America and its
impact upon society. Case studies include reform pro-
posals and policy on health care, poverty, housing,
education, criminal justice, taxes, childcare, and the
environment. Prerequisite: SOC100 or permission of
the instructor.
SOC335
JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
3 sem. hrs.
A sociological analysis regarding the factor contribut-
ing to juvenile delinquency, as well as a sociological
interpretation of related agencies and professions
dealing with such phenomenon. Prerequisite:
SOC100.
SOC340
SOCIOLOGY OF MARRIAGE
AND FAMILY
3 sem. hrs.
This course introduces the institution of marriage and
family. Included is an examination of factors influ-
encing family structure, class and ethnic variation,
premarital and marital interaction, the parental sys-
tem, and marriage and family in late life. Prerequisite:
SOC100 or permission of the instructor. This course
is approved for General Education Distribution 2.
SOC341
SOCIALIZATION OF THE CHILD
3 sem. hrs.
The course presents a scientific study of the child's
socialization process. Within the framework of the
social and cultural milieu of contemporary American
society, each child is considered as a significant indi-
vidual. Problem families requiring various responses
and intervention services will be studied.
Prerequisite: SOC100 or permission of the instructor.
SOC343
SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION
3 sem. hrs.
This course emphasizes the scientific study of reli-
gion based on an examination of religious beliefs and
practices in literate and non-literate cultures. The
course also focuses upon the relationship of religion
to economic and political structures, as well as upon
their aspects of life in an industrialized society.
Prerequisites: SOC100 or permission of the instruc-
tor.
SOC347
WORK AND SOCIETY 3 sem. hrs.
This course acquaints the student with work organi-
zations in contemporary societies. The social signifi-
cance of industrial and service employment is treated
with regard to leisure, social control, value systems
and social structures. The relationship of the work
place to the community in pre and post industrialized
societies will be discussed from both a practical and
theoretical point of view. Prerequisite: SOC100 or
permission of the instructor. This course is approved
for General Education Distribution 2.
SOC350
INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL
SOCIOLOGY
3 sem. hrs.
The course approaches the medical field from a soci-
ological perspective and specifically focuses on the
following dimensions; the distribution and epidemi-
nology, social organization and medical care delivery,
and practitioner-patient relationship. Prerequisite:
SOC100.
SOC364
RACE AND ETHNIC RELATIONS
3 sem. hrs.
This course acquaints the student with the major
racial and ethnic groups in contemporary America.
Various sociological approaches, both past and pres-
ent, are used to critically examine ethnicity, racism,
discrimination, and interethnic relations. Prerequisite:
SOC100 or permission of the instructor. This course
is approved for General Education Distribution 2.
SOC367
SOCIAL MOVEMENTS
3 sem. hrs.
An analysis of theoretical models for the study of
social movements followed by the application of his-
torical and current events as they apply to the above
models. Prerequisite: SOC100 or permission of the
instructor.
SOC370
SOCIAL GERONTOLOGY
3 sem. hrs.
The intent of this course is to provide a brief, but
comprehensive introduction to the field of human
aging, with particular emphasis on the social dimen-
sion. A brief summary of the impact of aging on bio-
logical and psychological functioning is included as
useful information enabling the student to better put
the social aspects of aging into a realistic context.
Prerequisite: SOC100 or permission of the instructor.
SOC375
SOCIAL PRINCIPLES OF
RELIGION AND MYTH
3 sem. hrs.
A thorough review and comprehensive analysis of
social principles contained within the sacred literature
of world religions and mythology with an emphasis
upon the social justice traditions of Christianity and
the social impact of applied creeds as expressed in
libertion theology, creation spirituality and the social
gospel. Prerequisite: SOC100 or permission of the
instructor.
Course Descriptions/221