Course Listings

The Sociology of Gender

SOCY 325 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisite: SOCY 100. An inquiry into how gender is socially constructed and reconstructed in contemporary society. The aim is to assess the interaction between gender and other social identities.

Social Demography

SOCY 309 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: (Formerly SOCY 410.) Prerequisite: SOCY 100. A study of social demography. The goal is to identify, evaluate, and interpret key demographic concepts and develop an understanding of global population dynamics. Topics include types of demographic analysis, demographic data, population characteristics, migration, mortality, fertility, population theories, world population growth, and population policy. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: SOCY 309 or SOCY 410.

Women in the Military

SOCY 462 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisite: SOCY 100. An advanced examination of women in the military from a sociological perspective. The objective is to understand gender, power, and the changing roles of women in the military; assess how policies affect women in the military; examine military, community, and family support systems for military women; and compare the roles and duties of women in the U.S. armed forces in war and peacetime with those of military women in other countries. Topics include the social construction of gender and sexuality of the armed forces; the history of women in the military; violence against women in the military; rank, status, and advancement of women in the military; and postmilitary transitions and career options for women.

The Individual and Society

SOCY 313 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisite: SOCY 100. A sociological examination of how individuals shape and are shaped by society. Students will analyze and communicate how the individual self is molded through social forces and how individuals contribute to the continuous creation of society, using micro-level sociological theories and concepts. Discussions will apply sociological concepts and theories to examine interpersonal relations, group processes, identity, and social change. Topics include the influence of social inequality on identity, the social aspects of emotion management, interpersonal conflict and cooperation, and workplace interactions. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BEHS 312, SOCY 311, or SOCY 313.

Contemporary Social Problems

SOCY 350 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisite: SOCY 100. An advanced examination of various local, national, and global problems that affect societies. The aim is to apply sociological perspectives and research to analyze the process by which social conditions become recognized as social problems and are resolved by various actors. Topics include the subjective/objective aspects of social problems, claims about social problems in the media, and how sociologists can help inform possible solutions to social problems. Discussion also covers problems related to human rights, violence, social isolation/loneliness, and social inequality. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: SOCY 105, SOCY 210, or SOCY 350.

Special Topics in Sociology

SOCY 398 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisite: SOCY 100. A study of topics of special interest. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 credits when topics differ.

Cities and Communities

SOCY 473 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisite: SOCY 100. An advanced sociological study of cities and the urban land­scape. The aim is to apply major sociological theories to inves­tigate interdependencies between social action, urbanization, and the environment. Focus is on current issues relevant to the challenge of building livable and sustainable cities. Topics include urban social networks, suburbanization, social prob­lems of urbanization, and urban planning and policies.

American Society

SOCY 300 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisite: SOCY 100. An in-depth examination of American society and what it means to be American from a sociological perspective. Discussion explores past and current values, ideals, and norms and applies sociological theories to analyze the ways that these values, ideals, and norms have shaped aspects of American social life, such as politics, consumerism, popular culture, social stratification, economics, diversity, education, religion, and social change. The objective is to identify and describe various aspects of social and cultural change to better understand American society.

Race and Ethnicity: A Global Perspective

SOCY 423 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisite: SOCY 100. An advanced examination of race and ethnicity in a variety of social and cultural contexts across the globe. The aim is to apply sociological theories and concepts to understand how race and ethnicity are constructed; how prejudice develops; the ways in which structural racism manifests in society; the social effects of migration and immigration; the global outcomes of slavery and genocide; and how social movements seek to effect change for a more equitable society. Topics include theories of prejudice transmission and reduction, critical race theory, and global consequences of structural racism related to climate change and health.

Introduction to Sociology

SOCY 100 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: An introduction to the basic concepts, theoretical perspectives, and research methods in sociology. The objective is to apply sociological imagination, perspectives, and research to uncover patterns of social behavior and identify their consequences. Topics include culture, socialization, groups, deviance, stratification, institutions, and social change. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BEHS 102 or SOCY 100.