Sociology (SOC)

Introduction to common and divergent perspectives of the social sciences, including the general methods and special techniques used by social scientists to acquire an understanding of how human beings behave. Emphasis on the United States and global context.

Introduction to the basic perspectives, concepts, and principles of sociology, with emphasis on basic social processes such as social organization, culture, socialization, deviance, and inequality. Study of the functioning and influences of major social groups, such as the family and government. Application of the principles to understanding everyday life.

Examination of the sociocultural, psychological, and physiological factors related to human sexual behavior. A forum for a scientific examination of the various processes by which humans develop and manifest their sexual identity and sexual behavior.

Study of the relationship between population and society; the historic growth of population and its causes; the composition and historic growth of population in terms of age, sex, race, occupation, education, and health; factors influencing birth and death rates; and trends and problems in world population.

Study of the relationship between population andsociety; the historic growth of population and itscauses; the composition and historic growth ofpopulation in terms of age, sex, race, occupation,education, and health; factors influencing birthand death rates; and trends and problems in worldpopulation.

Study of current social issues such as poverty, race and ethnic relations, unemployment, crime, drug use, the elderly population, and environmental problems. Examination of various explanations, consequences, and suggested solutions for each problem.

Study of current social issues such as poverty, race and ethnic relations, unemployment, crime, drug use, the elderly population, and environmental problems. Examination of various explanations, consequences, and suggested solutions for each problem.

Study of origin and development of urban life with emphasis on the family, housing, health, education, poverty and dependency, crime and the treatment of the criminal.

Examination of problems and issues characterizing interaction patterns among different racial, ethnic, and religious groups. Study of the concepts of race, nationality, prejudice, and discrimination, including racism, intergroup conflict, segregation, unemployment, crime and juvenile delinquency, education, housing and instability, and poverty in contemporary industrial urban societies. Focus on psychological, social, and cultural factors that influence interaction between dominant and minority groups, as well as the issues and problems related to blacks in the United States.

Study of relationship between businesses and society, including multicultural and international approaches, and impact of changes in society, business practices, and technology on societal structure. Emphasis on roles of industrial revolution, modern technology, and information science. Analysis of current international environment, interconnectedness of business, societies, and economic processes. Examination of effect of business practices on environmental problems and possible solutions.

Study of the relationship between businesses and society, including multicultural and international approaches, and impact of changes in society, business practices, and technology on societal structure. Emphasis on roles of industrial revolution, modern technology, and information science. Analysis of current international environment, interconnectedness of business, societies, and economic processes. Examination of effect of business practices on environmental problems and possible solutions.

A sociological survey of Native American societies across the land mass that is now the United States of America from pre-Columbian times through the present. Cultures of nations and important events will be examined to illustrate broad social and historical dynamics and how those dynamics inform contemporary position and treatment of Native Americans. Explores the impact of Native Americans on U.S. politics, law, and culture, as well as the impact of the U.S. on indigenous nations.

Examination of human social behavior at the individual and interpersonal level. Discussion of socialization, power, attitude formation and change, conformity, and language to provide an understanding of how persons are influenced by interaction with other persons as members of social groups. The focus is primarily on basic social science, emphasizing major theoretical ideas and research findings. Applications to everyday life are also considered.

Examination of human social behavior at theindividual and interpersonal level. Discussion ofsocialization, power, attitude formation andchange, conformity, and language to provide anunderstanding of how persons are influenced byinteraction with other persons as members ofsocial groups. The focus is primarily on basicsocial science, emphasizing major theoreticalideas and research findings. Applications toeveryday life are also considered.

Study of the family and its functions among primitive peoples; the different types of family organizations; history of marriage and divorce in Europe and the United States; changing idea of family life; the functions of the family in the modern world; and contemporary problems.

Study of the family and its function among primitive peoples; the different types of family organizations; history of marriage and divorce in Europe and the United States; changing idea of family life; the functions of the family in the modern world; and contemporary problems.

Introduction to basic principles and procedures of social science research to assist students in becoming competent consumers of research. Emphasis on understanding the research process, noting the reasons for particular procedures and the errors and limitations inherent in research. Topics include the scientific method, conceptualization, formulation of hypotheses, research design, analysis and interpretation of findings, theoretical basis of research, application and evaluation of research, and the nature of science.

Introduction to the basic tools of statistics and how statistical tools are used in social science research. Covers both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Introduction to data analysis and data visualization methods in Excel, SPSS, SAS, R, and other statistical packages.

Study of statistical foundations necessary to develop competence in the analysis and interpretation of sociological data. Assumes knowledge of basic statistical principles. Emphasis on hypothesis testing, logic, application, and interpretation of test statistics; graphic and tabular presentation of data; parametric and nonparametric tests of significance and tests of association; and regression analysis, with emphasis on the derivation and interpretation of coefficients. Extensive use of statistical packages to explore complex survey and demographic data.

Various duties in agencies and organizations active in the fields of gerontology, urban affairs, and criminal justice. An agency supervisor and the internship supervisor direct each student in mastering relevant skills to complete the tasks associated with a significant position in the internship agency.

Examination of the sociocultural aspects of cybersecurity and its accompanying social problems. Cybersecurity is situated in social deviance theory framework in order to explain the role of policing and the judicial system. Examination of cybersecurity position in pivotal social institutions. Application of sociological research to cybersecurity and managerial best practices for handling big data.

Study of the relationship between population growth and socioeconomic change, especially in regard to the developing societies of Africa, Latin America, and South-East Asia. Examination of the debate as to whether population growth is stimulative or retardative to economic development. Assessment of cross-cultural data on population growth and development indicators. Utilization of country case studies.

Intensive directed reading course for exceptionally able.

Examination of trends and emerging issues in the field of urban demography.

This course is designed to provide understanding and insight regarding the nature of many of the social problems of aging, including perspectives on defining aging and the aged. Also examines the impact of race and class on aging life cycle.

This course examines and offers a sociological perspective on the social production of health, illness, mortality, and health care. It highlights the connection between social justice, social transformation, health, illness, mortality, and health care. While this course focuses on health and health care within the U.S., it also examines the global challenges in health and health care.

Survey and analysis of the main types of sociological theories and the major theoretical concepts in Sociology. Special emphasis on outstanding theorists, past and present, and their works.

Evaluation of the pervasive phenomenon of social inequality in society. Discussion of the various theoretical explanations offered by Karl Marx and other social scientists. Exploration of some of the current and classic research findings. Description of the different kinds of inequality and social structural forms that occur. Examination of the international and American stratification systems is included.

Survey of the evolution and dynamics of bureaucratic organization and administration. Analysis of classical writings and findings from empirical research to provide students with broad perspectives of the structure and functions of organizations in a complex industrial-urban society. Special emphasis on unique characteristics of different kinds of organizations. Study of alternative techniques for the assessment of the effectiveness of complex organizations.

Examination of trends and emerging issues in a dynamic social world.

The objective of this course is to acquaint students with the process of integrating knowledge from previous courses into two research projects (one mini and one major). Students will be guided through the systematic sociology research process based on knowledge from research methods, statistics, and sociological theory into a capstone project. Students will learn how to write critically and analytically and how to use quantitative or qualitative software for lab data analysis.