Sociology

Courses in Sociology (SOC)

Tier One (Lower Division)

Introduction to the principles and theoretical perspectives of sociology and their application to problems of social life. Discussion of sociological methods and findings in such areas as family, race relations, deviance. S sections include a service-learning requirement (see SCS). G.E. Breadth D3. (Formerly SOC 1) FS

Prerequisite: G.E. Foundation A2.

Theory and practice in basic skills of critical thinking and sociological analysis. Skills demonstrated by oral and written performance including analysis of computerized data sets. Topics covered and assignments vary with instructor. S sections include a service-learning requirement (see SCS). G.E. Foundation A3. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours) FS

Prerequisite: grade of C or better in SOC 1 for sociology majors and minors.

Tier Two (Upper Division)

Introduction to quantitative methods as an aid to the understanding of research in the social sciences. Application of basic descriptive and inductive statistics to the social sciences. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours) (Formerly SOC 25) FS

Prerequisites: completion of Math requirement in G.E. Foundation, B4; grade of C or better in SOC 1 or 1S and SOC 3 or 3S for sociology majors and minors.

Examines currently debated public issues using a sociological perspective. Often, public issues involve present or proposed public policies; the course assesses the impact of these policies on different segments of society. Meets the upper-division writing skills graduation requirement. S sections include a service-learning requirement (see SCS). (Formerly SOC 130W) FS

Prerequisites: satisfactory completion (C or better) of the ENGL 5B and 10 graduation requirement; grade of C or better in SOC 1 or 1S and SOC 3 or 3S for sociology majors and minors.

Tier Three (Theory & Methods Core)

Examines classical and contemporary theoretical approaches to the sociological study of socioeconomic inequality, including the social causes and consequences of stratification. This course will also address key policy debates, major research findings, and methodological approaches to the study of inequality. FS

Prerequisites: C or better in Tier One courses (SOC 1 or 1S and SOC 3 or 3S) and Tier Two courses (SOC 125 and SOC 130W/WS or UDWE).

SOC 152: Evolution of classical sociological theories. Consideration of their origins in society and culture. Examination of such theorists as Marx, Weber, Durkheim, Simmel, Mead, and others. FS

SOC 152 Prerequisites: C or better in Tier One courses (SOC 1 or 1S and SOC 3 or 3S) and Tier Two courses (SOC 125 and SOC 130W/WS or UDWE).

SOC 153: Survey of contemporary sociological theoretical perspectives developed after the "classical" period. Theories covered may include: micro-sociological perspectives of phenomenology and symbolic interactionism; social behaviorism; structural-functionalism; neo-Marxian perspectives and critical theory; accounts of modernity and post-modernity; feminist theory; systems theories; and others. FS

SOC 153 Prerequisites: C or better in Tier One courses (SOC 1 or 1S and SOC 3 or 3S) and Tier Two courses (SOC 125 and SOC 130W/WS or UDWE).

The research process with special emphasis on measurement, sampling, data collection, data analysis, and report preparation. Basic assumptions and dilemmas of social science research. FS

Prerequisites: C or better in Tier One courses (SOC 1 or 1S and SOC 3 or 3S) and Tier Two courses (SOC 125 and SOC 130W/WS or UDWE).

Overview of qualitative research methods in sociology, including interviews, participant observation, historical research, and content analysis of print and audio/visual media. Examines qualitative theory, ethics, proposals, choosing a site, informant relationships, collecting and analyzing data, writing reports, and disseminating research. FS

Prerequisites: C or better in Tier One courses (SOC 1 or 1S and SOC 3 or 3S) and Tier Two courses (SOC 125 and SOC 130W/WS or UDWE).

Sociology Upper-Division Electives

Dominant and minority group relations historically, cross-culturally, and in contemporary American society. Primarily, the bases examined are in terms of ethnicity-race, religion, nationality, country-of-origin, nativity, and language. G.E. Multicultural/International MI. FS SU

Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D.

Understanding conditions that produce and sustain terrorism and genocide provides insight to effectively mitigate and prevent these phenomena. Via historical and contemporary case studies, the roots and impacts of terrorism and genocide are investigated by applying sociological and social-psychological frameworks. (Formerly SOC 150T) S

Prerequisite: Junior level standing.

Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D.

Introduces students to the sociological study of sex and gender. Looks at how men and women differently experience such social structures as work and the economy, family and courtship, and media. Examines the evidence for the persistence of gender differences and their importance. G.E. Integration ID. FS

Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D.

(Same as WS 132.) An examination of women and work in contemporary society, including housework, labor force participation, employment in various occupations, and career planning.

Impact of popular culture on modern society. Includes movies, television, fiction, and other forms of popular culture. The meaning, the creation and production, and the future of popular culture. G.E. Multicultural/International MI. FS

Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D.

Rule-breaking behavior (such as crime, delinquency, mental illness) and responses to it. Examines deviance as a social phenomenon, its causes and consequences, and formal and informal social control activities. G.E. Integration ID. FS SU

Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D.

Interdisciplinary social science methods for approaching local and national social problems. Analysis of selected public issues emphasizing evaluation of social costs and benefits of alternative policies. F

Political and economic organization of American medical health care system and cross-cultural comparisons. Analysis of social relations and interactions among members of the health professions affecting designations of persons as ill and their subsequent treatment. FS

Prerequisites: SOC 1 or 1S and SOC 3 or 3S.

A sociological examination of education as an institution, including its social determinants, functions, and consequences.

Topics include those areas of advanced theoretical and empirical studies that will orient the student to contemporary sociological endeavors. FS

Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

Analysis of directions, patterns, and processes of social and cultural change. S even

Explores historical and contemporary patterns of human evolution that have created ecological problems; why harmful effects of pollution disproportionately affect disadvantaged groups; and the social movements that have mobilized to protect ecosystems and human communities from environmental degradation. G.E. Integration IB (Formerly SOC 150T)

Prerequisites: GE Foundation and Breadth Areas B and D.

Explores the social, political, economic, and ecological processes shaping people’s relationship to food. Focuses on the role of culture and socialization in shaping our food practices, how food practices are gendered, raced, and classed, and the numerous inequities shaping the food system.

Population theories and history; demographic processes and variables in contemporary society. Analysis of census data.

Social factors affecting the development of social personality, attitudes and behavior. Basic social processes involved in interpersonal interaction. Demonstrations and student observations to increase an understanding of social processes in everyday life.

Prerequisites: Tier One courses (SOC 1 or 1S and SOC 3 or 3S).

The urban concept; form and development of urban areas; scientific study of urban places and populations; effect of urbanization on social institutions and social relations. G.E. Integration ID. FS

Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D.

The family in historic and contemporary society, theoretical frameworks for analyzing the family, family dynamics; changes in family functions, structures, and roles. F

Analyzes the historical and contemporary social forces shaping perceptions of childhood as a distinct stage in the life course and children’s social experiences. Focuses on agents of children’s socialization, inequalities affecting childhood, and social problems facing children.

Exploration of the basic elements of interpersonal relationships including listening, disclosure, feedback, empathy. F

Major sects, denominations, and churches; integrative and disintegrative processes in the United States; contemporary religious phenomena. F

Content of course will vary from semester to semester. Topics include an introduction to computer data analysis, a more in-depth discussion of computer data analysis, survey research, observational techniques, measurement, sampling.

An introduction to the use of widely utilized computer packages for analyzing quantitative data (e.g., SPSS) and/or qualitative data (e.g., NVIVO) in the social sciences. Prepares students for academic and empirical research. No prior knowledge of computers is necessary. S

Individually-planned field experience relating sociology coursework with applied community-based experience. Hours to be announced. CR/NC grading only. (Minimum of 3 field hours per week per credit unit.) FS

Prerequisites: 2.75 minimum cumulative GPA, junior/senior standing in sociology, and completion of Tier 1 courses.

See Academic Placement -- Independent Study. Approved for RP grading. FS

Humanics Certificate

Reviews the history and evolving role of philanthropy in American society. Students investigate local social problems, research nonprofit organizations that address those issues, develop a request for proposals (RFP) to fund specific projects, and evaluate funding proposals. Includes a service-learning requirement (see SCS). S

Conceptual aspects of developing, writing, and evaluating a grant proposal. Emphasizes researching and preparing grant proposals as well as reading, discussing, and writing critiques of grant proposals and evaluating grant-funded programs. Includes a service-learning requirement (see SCS). F

Introduces standards of excellence for effective community benefit organizations, including governance, administration and steward leadership, and fiscal management and oversight through service-learning activities in community-based settings. Examines elements of becoming an independent consultant to CBOs, including client assessment, contracting, reporting. Includes a service-learning requirement (see SCS). F

Applies a team-centered, open-ended. problem-solving approach and assessment utilizing service-learning and entrepreneurial methodology to enhance the organizational capacity and long-term sustainability of community benefit organizations (CBOs). Includes a service-learning requirement (see SCS). S

Designed to prepare students to plan for, facilitate, and create organizational cultures conducive to community engagement and volunteer participation. Skill-building in working collaboratively to build projects that engage citizens in meaningful, goal-directed, mission-related work that meets an identified need. S sections include a service-learning requirement. F

This course focuses on methodologies of effective volunteer practice in engaging "underrepresented populations," including but not limited to persons with disabilities, persons formerly incarcerated, persons who have experienced foster-care, persons over age 65, LGBTQI persons, undocumented persons, and recently-returned veterans. S sections include a service-learning requirement. S

Certificate in Applied Sociological Research Methods

Prerequisites: completion of Math requirement in G.E. Foundation, B4; grade of C or better in SOC 1 or 1S and SOC 3 or 3S for sociology majors and minors.

The research process with special emphasis on measurement, sampling, data collection, data analysis, and report preparation. Basic assumptions and dilemmas of social science research. FS

Prerequisites: C or better in Tier One courses (SOC 1 or 1S and SOC 3 or 3S) and Tier Two courses (SOC 125 and SOC 130W/WS or UDWE).

Courses in Sociology (SOC)

Tier One (Lower Division)

SOC 1 or 1S. Principles of Sociology (3-3)

SOC 3 or 3S. Critical Thinking about Society (3)

Tier Two (Upper Division)

SOC 125. Statistics for the Social Sciences (4)

SOC 130W or 130WS. Contemporary Social Issues (4-4)

Tier Three (Theory & Methods Core)

SOC 151 Social Classes & Inequality (4 units)

SOC 152 Classical Sociological Theory (4 units) OR SOC 153 Sociological Theory (4 units)

SOC 175 Quantitative Research Methods (4 units)

SOC 176 Qualitative Research Methods (4 units)

Sociology Upper-Division Electives

SOC 111. Sociology of Race and Ethnicity (3)

SOC 121. Sociology of Terrorism and Genocide (3)

SOC 122. Social Movements (3)

SOC 131. Sociology of Sex and Gender (3)

SOC 132. Women and Work (3)

SOC 142. Sociology of Popular Culture (3)

SOC 143. Deviance and Control (3)

SOC 144. Social Policy Analysis (3)

SOC 147. Medical Sociology (3)

SOC 148. Sociology of Education (3)

SOC 150T. Special Topics Seminar (1-3; max total 9)

SOC 157. Social Change (3)

SOC 158. Environmental Sociology (3)

SOC 159. The Sociology of Food (3)

SOC 161. Population Analysis (3)

SOC 162. Social Psychology (3)

SOC 163. Urban Sociology (3)

SOC 165. The Family (3)

SOC 167. Sociology of Childhood (3)

SOC 168. Interpersonal Relationships (3)

SOC 169. Sociology of Religion (3)

SOC 170T. Research Topics (1-3; max total 6)

SOC 174. Computer Data Analysis (3)

SOC 185. Field Experience in Sociology (1-6; max total 6)

SOC 190. Independent Study (1-3; max total 6)

Humanics Certificate

SOC 144. Social Policy Analysis (3)

SOC 183S. Philanthropy and Grant Making (3)

SOC 184S. Grant Writing and Evaluation (3)

SOC 186S. Governance, Administrative Principles, and Financial Literacy (3)

SOC 187S. Entrepreneurial Approaches to Sustainable CBOs (3)

SOC 188S. Effective Administration of Volunteer Programs (3)

SOC 189S.Engaging Underrepresented Populations as Volunteers (3)

Certificate in Applied Sociological Research Methods

SOC 125. Statistics for the Social Sciences (4)

SOC 174. Computer Data Analysis (3)

SOC 175. Quantitative Research Methods (4)

SOC 176. Qualitative Research Methods (4)