Sociology (SOCI)

Study of the nature of human societies, social processes, social interaction, groups, culture, institutions and social change.

Survey of contemporary social problems and current trends in the direction of their solution. Prerequisite: SOCI 1301.

In-depth examination of sociological imagination by investigating contemporary society and social relationship. Includes fundamental sociological theories, methods, concepts, and pre-research activities that will prepare students for upper division sociology course work. Required for all sociology majors. Prerequisite: SOCI 1301.

Biophysical and psychological aspects of human sexuality. (Credit may not be obtained in both SOCI 2306 and PSYC 2306.)

Macrocultural and microcultural variables such as ethnicity, religion, age, socioeconomic status, language, gender and exceptionality and their impact upon major institutions such as education, labor markets and government.

Theory and phenomena of social psychology. The nature and type of social variables and the methods used to study them. The effect of social variables upon the behavior of individuals. (Credit may not be obtained in both SOCI 3301 and PSYC 3301.) Prerequisite: PSYC 2301 and 3 additional semester hours of Psychology or PSYC 2301 and 9 additional hours of social sciences courses.

Survey of the sociological and psychological aspects of deviant behavior. Nature of deviance, types of deviant behavior, causal theories and social policy implications. (Credit may not be obtained in both SOCI 3302 and CRIM 3302.) Prerequisites: SOCI 1301 and 3 semester hours of Sociology or Criminology.

Incidence, types, causation, patterns, processes, treatment agencies and research as related to juvenile delinquency. Selected practical experiences such as trips to juvenile institutions. (Credit may not be obtained in both SOCI 3322 and CRIM 3322.) Prerequisite: SOCI 1301.

Statistics course designed for students in behavioral sciences with a focus on descriptive and inferential statistics. Covers fundamental concepts in sampling, data structure and organization, as well as statistical analysis and interpretation. (Credit may not be obtained in both SOCI 3381 and PSYC 3381.) Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of social science.

Statistics for students in the Psychology, Sociology, and Criminology programs. Emphasis on descriptive and inferential techniques. Basic concepts in data sampling, data organization, statistic selection, and using statistical software. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of social science. (Credit may not be obtained in more than one of SOCI 3381, SOCI 3482, or PSYC 3381.)

Incidence, types, causation, patterns, processes, treatment agencies and research as related to juvenile delinquency. Selected practical experiences such as trips to juvenile institutions. Prerequisite: SOCI 1301. (Credit may not be obtained in both CRIM 4304 and SOCI 4304.)

Psychosocial factors in human sexuality with emphasis on sexual adjustment, sexual dysfunctions, sexual variations and new approaches in sex therapy. Appropriate field trips may be included. Prerequisite: SOCI 2306 or PSYC 2306. (Credit may not be obtained in both SOCI 4305 and PSYC 4305.)

Comprehensive exploration of the intricate interplay among social determinants, health, and illness, within the framework of sociological perspectives, theories, and methodologies. The course examines the impact of age, gender, and socioeconomic status on the health of various demographic groups, as well as the dynamic relationships between health professionals, patients, and social institutions. Prerequisite: SOCI 1301.

History and development of the family as an educational and social institution, factors involved in family integrity, role of the individual in family relations, marital adjustments and family conservation in light of the present-day social and economic conditions. Prerequisite: SOCI 1301 or 6 hours of social science.

Literature and research in areas of sociology not otherwise treated in depth in available courses. May be repeated once for credit when topics differ. Prerequisite: 12 semester hours of Sociology.

This course examines Latina/o migration experiences in the U.S. Major themes covered in the class include migration patterns, traditional vs. new destinations, social and political inequality, and labor market struggles. The impact of immigration law as well as the intersection of race, gender, class and other social categories are also examined as they relate to immigrants and their descendants.

Introduction to demographic concepts, such as fertility, mortality and migration of human populations in a larger social and cultural contest, and to population problems in modern society. Prerequisites: SOCI 1301 or 6 semester hours of social science.

Examination of patterns and distribution of stratification and social inequalities in modern society. Prerequisites: SOCI 1301 or 6 semester hours of social science.

An in-depth examination of law and society through the philosophy and evolution of legal systems and legal institutions. The major functions of law as agents of social control, dispute resolution and societal engineering are addressed. Prerequisites: POLS 2304 or SOCI 1301 and 3 semester hours of Sociology, Criminology or Criminal Justice. (Credit may not be obtained in more than one of CRIJ 4320, CRIM 4320, and SOCI 4320.)

A study of technology and society from the perspective of social values, ethics, sociology, social environment, politics and economics. Prerequisite: 12 hours of social science.

Literature and research pertaining to the social control of drugs. Critical analyses of the normative and legal rules governing distribution, use, and overall consumption patterns in both legal and illegal contexts. Prerequisites: 6 semester hours of social science. (Credit may not be obtained in more than one of CRIM 4336, PSYC 4336, and SOCI 4336.)

Analyses of relevant theories and concepts such as peace building, social and environment justice, as well as direct, structural, and cultural violence. Causes and consequences of socioeconomic inequality and human suffering including racism, sexism, and various other forms of prejudice and social discrimination. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of social science. (Credit may not be obtained in more than one of CRIM 4337, PSYC 4337, and SOCI 4337.)

Study of major social institutions in society, such as the family, education, and religion, and their common components. Origins of various social institutions, the relationships of social institutions to other aspects of societal structure and function, the impacts they have on the lifestyles of individual human actors. Prerequisite: SOCI 1301 or 6 hours of social science.

Study of the last stage in the life-cycle of man. The course emphasizes the interdisciplinary approach necessary in the field of gerontology, the biological, psychological and social aspects of the aging process, along with the social impact of growing proportions of aged persons within the social structure of society. Prerequisite: SOCI 1301.

Sociological examination of the dying process and death, encompassing perspectives on the cultural and institutional mechanisms that support survivors during the grieving, mourning, and bereavement processes. Prerequisite: 12 semester hours of Sociology.

World religions in the context of social, cultural, and ideological perspectives that impact social life in a global world. Prerequisites: junior standing or permission of the instructor.

Issues of multicultural groups with salient ethnic characteristics; analysis of the concept of ethnic identity and belonging, and examination of the dynamics of group cohesion within political, economic, social, and immigration contexts. Prerequisite: junior standing or approval of the instructor. (Credit may not be given for both ANTH 4348 and SOCI 4348.)

The culture, history, and growth patterns of cities; demographic, ecological patterns and trends. Problems of housing and community ogranization. Prerequisite: SOCI 1301.

Concepts of social movements; important types of social movements and their relation to the field of collective behavior and social change. Prerequisites: junior standing or permission of the instructor.

Critical analysis of the concept of race, analysis of subordinate peoples in the United States and around the world. Emphasis on dynamics of problems of subordinate groups. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of Anthropology or Sociology. (Credit may not be given for both ANTH 4362 and SOCI 4362.)

An integrated study of the impact that socioeconomic and ethnic/racial factors have on minority women within the United States. Prerequisite: SOCI 1301 or 6 semester hours of social science. (Credit may not be obtained in both SOCI 4364 and WGST 4300.)

Introduction to the study of the scientific method as applied to social research including the logic of science, covering the nature of data, hypotheses, concepts and objectivity. Prerequisites: ANTH 2302 or SOCI 1301 and 3 semester hours of advanced Anthropology or Sociology. (Credit may be obtained in only one of SOCI 4382, ANTH 4382 or CRIM 4382.)

Development of social theory as represented by Comte, Spencer, Durkheim and Weber, to contemporary schools of thought, including functionalism, conflict, symbolic interactionism, structuralism and world systems theory. Prerequisite: ANTH 2302 or SOCI 1301 and 6 semester hours of advanced Anthropology or Sociology. (Credit may not be obtained in both SOCI 4383 and ANTH 4301.)

Individual instruction course for advanced and qualified undergraduates to obtain supervised research experience in sociology. Student will assist with a research project by working under the individual guidance of a sociology faculty member. Requirements may entail library research, data collection, data entry, statistical analysis and/or assistance in planning and conducting parts of a research project. A paper on the research experience is required. Consent of instructor required. May be repeated for a maximum of 3 semester credit hours. Prerequisites: SOCI 3381, SOCI 4382 or PSYC 3387 and 6 other semester hours of Sociology. Credit/Non-credit.