Sociology

Sociology Minor

The Sociology minor offers students a basic exploration of human social institutions, relationships, and behaviors, including their origins and development over time. Through the coursework provided by this minor, students will develop a greater sophistication in understanding the human dimensions of any situation. As such, the minor offers an excellent complement in particular for major studies in the areas of social work, psychology, health care, and business.

Degrees and Certificates

Courses

SO 110: The Origins of Human Society

Credits 3
An anthropological perspective on earlier forms of human culture in prehistory are examined. Topics include non-human primates; presapient hominids; the origin of language; field methods in archaeology; Paleolithic cultures; people living in a variety of environments with subsistence patterns ranging from foraging to early agriculture; and the rise of early civilizations.

SO 111: Introduction to Sociology

Credits 3

This is an introductory course is sociology intended to help students acquire a basic understanding of the core elements of human society, sociological theories, and methodologies to formulate reliable conclusions. Central questions addressed are: (1) how are the structures and institutions of society created and modified? (2) how do those structures impact our lives? and (3) in what ways and to what extent has human behavior been shaped by forces external to individual societies? In addition, this course examines cultural influences and variations existing among various societies, as well as influences from ethnicity, gender, and social classes.

SO 112: Cultural Geography

Credits 3
This course is a close-up look at the peoples and places of the world. Historically, humankind is traced from its origins 200,000 years ago to the present, including the migrations from Africa throughout the Eurasian Landmass to the New World. Geographically and culturally, the variety of human homelands is noted and our many forms of family, religion, education, economics, and politics are examined.

SO 200: Introduction to Social Work

Credits 3

This course is intended to introduce the evolution and present status of social welfare institutions and the profession of social work framed through the lenses of social justice. The course will focus on the development and status of social welfare institutions; the history of social work and social welfare; the purposes, values, ethics, and skills of the profession; the organization and functions of public and private social agencies; and the social service delivery system. 

While this course is required as a foundation course for social work majors, it is open to students from all disciplines.

SO 221: Cultural Anthropology

Credits 3
This course examines the general concepts and theories in cultural anthropology. The focus is on the analysis of selected primitive societies of the world; the comparative study of social structures, economic organization, and social institutions; and the application of anthropological methods to the study of modern societies.

SO 224: Sociology of the Family

Credits 3
The main focus of this course is on the major elements and dynamics of family life. While emphasis is placed on the prominent patterns of family life in America, this course also explores global cultural variations in what constitutes a family and what family life consists of. Some of the major topics are courtship, mate selection, and marital and parental roles.

SO 225: Folklore and Mythology

Credits 3
Myth and folklore play important multiple roles in all human groups. This course looks at the patterns of moral values, social order, customs and religious beliefs as they are expressed through traditional myth and folklore (narratives, songs, jokes, etc.) and modern myth and folklore (through mass media, urban cultures, etc.). The course also explores common themes and provides a variety of theoretical models for explanation of them.

SO 226: Social Problems

Credits 3

Study of selected social problems including issues of living in an urban society; poverty, violence, racism, and sexism within the context of their historical development and with consideration of the value issues involved. 

Students may have the opportunity to perform community service learning.

SO 227: Law and Society

Credits 3

While the focus of this course is on the origin and development of criminal law through history, significant attention is also given to contemporary issues and controversies. Specific emphasis is placed on the elements required by law for an act to constitute a crime, the significance of the mental state of the defendant, the burden of proof in trials, and the goals of the prescribed punishments available to courts. In addition, this course looks at issues such as the rule of law and its crucial role in democracy; and the relationship between law, especially constitutional law, and individual rights.

SO 244: Gender and Justice

Credits 3
This course studies and evaluates the treatment of women and men in the criminal justice system. Additionally, it examines the diversity of crime and victimization experiences among men and women, the conditions under which crimes are committed and enforced, the relationship of gendered experiences to issues of social inequality, and the alternatives that can be made available using a social justice framework. This course also provides a comprehensive overview of the experiences of women and men working in the three primary areas of the criminal justice system (cops, courts, and corrections).

SO 255: Sociological Perspectives on Religion and Cults

Credits 3
This course will examine the beliefs and practices of the institution of religion from a sociological point of view. The course will survey why societies and individuals adopt religious beliefs, how the various rituals and practices of religion are chosen and how these practices impact upon the society as a whole as well as upon individuals. Although traditional, mainstream religions will be a major area of focus, the course will also examine new religious movements and cults. Topics that will be investigated include the sociological history of religion, explanations for evil, superstition and the supernatural, religious intolerance and aggression, and faith in other contexts.

SO 320: Global Interdependence

Credits 3

The general theme is that of the interdependence of the world’s people, ecology, economy, political systems, and technical systems. The major focus is on the interdependence of the United States and the Third World. Sociology, as well as concepts from history, economics, political science, anthropology, and geography will be used to understand the roots and contemporary status of global interdependence. 

SO 325: Global Perspectives on Gender

Credits 3

This course examines gender as a dynamic and socially constructed concept across diverse cultural, political, and economic contexts. Students will explore gender roles, expectations, and rights through varied values frameworks, including utilitarianism, egalitarianism, and feminism. By analyzing traditional and evolving perspectives, students will evaluate how cultural norms, social institutions, and global forces shape gender identities, roles, expectations, and rights. The course equips students with the tools to engage thoughtfully with gender issues in an interconnected world. 

SO 330: Ethnic Group Interaction

Credits 3
This course will focus on personal, institutional, and cultural levels of ethnic group formation, development, and maintenance in the United States. Several theoretical perspectives and current empirical studies with regard to ethnicity, ethnic group salience, prejudice, and discrimination will be discussed and examined in relation to behavior toward ethnic group members. Personal value positions and priorities will be discussed. Topics include immigration, intermarriage, social programs and affirmative action, civil rights movements and countermovements.

SO 331: Child Welfare and the Law

Credits 3
An inquiry into the field of child welfare, a term used broadly to include activities which promote the welfare of children. Specific attention is given to the actual services provided in the contemporary United States. These services are examined in view of their historical, political, socio-economic, and particularly legal contexts and are compared to child welfare systems in other countries.

SO 334: Deviance: Changing Sociological Perspectives on Race, Class, and Gender

Credits 3
Deviant behavior is often defined as an act that violates a social norm while social control is a reaction to deviant behavior that seeks to regulate or punish this behavior. This course examines what constitutes deviant behavior in our society. Then, several major theoretical perspectives on deviance are introduced to explore specific areas of deviant behavior and social control such as interpersonal violence, self-destructive deviance, diverse lifestyles, and substance use and abuse.

SO 335: Social Movements and Social Justice

Credits 3
This course examines how social movements, denoting a wide variety of collective attempts to bring about a change in certain social institutions or to create an entirely new order, re-shape social attitudes, influence social policies, and generate social programs to respond to human needs and need for civic engagement. Framed in the historical perspective of social movement, the principles and practice of social justice and human rights will be explored within a global perspective. In particular, the course explores issues of social diversity and social justice in the United States to provide students with: 1) a theoretical framework for understanding the dynamics of oppression and social exclusion and 2) a process to explore how the specific forms of oppression and rights-based activism affect their personal and professional lives.

SO 336: Social Psychology

Credits 3
A survey of theoretical formulations and current research in the following topics relating to the individual in society, in groups, and to the reciprocal influence of group on individual and individual on group: social learning and socialization; social perception; interpersonal attraction; prejudice, discrimination, and stereotyping; aggression and antisocial behavior; conformity, compliance and obedience; leadership and group behavior; and environmental psychology.

SO 337: Group Dynamics

Credits 3

An experientially based course which provides the opportunity for learning about group processes and dynamics both in academic terms and in experiential ones. A focus on analysis of group behavior in vivo will be stressed with the following processes underscored as especially important: goals, norms, leadership, conformity, support, confrontation, flight behavior, problem-solving, commitment and coherence, and effective group functioning. 

SO 338: African-American Community Issues

Credits 3
This course serves as an introduction to the historical origins and contemporary development of African-American communities. We will focus on issues that shape the social fabric of African-American communities. We will discuss evidence of prejudice and discrimination against African-Americans as reflected in societal patterns. We will also identify aspects of gender and class privilege as they relate to African-American communities. The parallel systems of domination and resistance will also be analyzed. Readings, lectures, films, and dialogue are the main forms of learning.

SO 342: Perspectives on Aging

Credits 3

An inquiry into psychological, sociological, cultural, biological, and spiritual aspects of aging. A major focus of the course is on the needs of the elderly and the government’s response to those needs. 

Students may have opportunities to perform community service.

SO 440: Perspectives On The Health Care System

Credits 3
An investigation of a variety of aspects of the delivery of health care in the United States. Attention will be given to the socio-cultural influences upon health and illness. Ethical issues raised by medical and technological advances will be discussed.

SO 442: Sociology of Sport

Credits 3
Sports have played a vital role in contemporary American culture, especially over the last hundred years. Sports provide a useful window into many aspects of a society, especially in relation to the organization of society and the experiences of many groups of people. Events in the wide world of sports can have significance beyond a single game, season, or sport. This course will examine the nature of various sports and their changing impact on American society. We will consider the relationship between sports and such issues as race, ethnicity, class and gender in order to determine how developments in sports have influenced, and have been influenced by, American society and culture. Other themes include the political economy of sports, the effects sports can have on children’s development, and the close connection between the media and both professional and amateur sports.

SO 446: Liberty and Leaders

Credits 3
An exploration of issues in our understanding and assessment of national leaders, with particular reference to George Washington, Simon Bolivar, and the struggles for independence in the Americas; questions include why we call some leaders good and others bad, what their rights and responsibilities are, and how we decide if they have succeeded or failed. Readings of major political thinkers such as Plato, Machiavelli, and de Tocqueville.

SO 451: Person in Environment I

Credits 3
The first of a two-course sequence addressing human behavior in the context of the social environment. The primary focus is on introducing critical thinking and analytic skills by promoting an appreciation of differing points of view and by fostering the ability to identify those theories which enable us to understand human behavior and the social environment. Special attention is given to systems theory, the ecological model, role theory, and the strengths perspective as explanatory frameworks for understanding how individuals, families, and communities function. Particular emphasis is placed upon the influence of diversity–including culture, race, spirituality, gender, sexual orientation, and physical or cognitive ability. Those theories which enable a systems perspective to be applied to mezzo and macro systems are explored.

SO 452: Person in Environment II

Credits 3
The second of a two-course sequence on human behavior in the context of the social environment. The primary focus is on assessment using evidence-informed theoretical frameworks to understand individuals as social systems. Particular emphasis is placed on the influence of diversity–including culture, sexual orientation, race, gender, spirituality, physical or cognitive ability– in the development of the person and in the clarification of values.

SO 462: Social Policy

Credits 3
This course examines social welfare policies and practices in the U.S., as well as in developing countries, within the context of globalization, it focuses on policy analysis, knowledge of the political and economic processes underlying social development, and the skills, values, and ethics related to advocacy practice. The course examines diverse methods of sociological analysis and addresses policy issues important to women, people of color, and populations that are vulnerable to oppression in American society.