Sociology

To view more information, click on the course number. SOC 101: Introduction to Sociology 3 semester-hour credits - Tuition $448.50 An introductory sociology course exposing the student to basic sociological concepts, terms and theory. Areas to be covered are: General sociology, social structure, social dynamics (including deviance, stratification, social mobility, collective behavior and mass publics), social institutions. E-mail available. SOC 105: Understanding Human Diversity 3 semester-hour credits - Tuition $448.50 This course will provide you with historical information about ethnicity in the United States and the world. In order to give you the tools that you can use the rest of your life and the rest of your career, the course provides you with the necessary terms, definitions, theories, models, and frameworks to apply critical analysis to ethnic relations. E-mail available. SOC 203: The Criminal Justice System 3 semester-hour credits - Tuition $448.50 An examination of many facets of the criminal justice system including: criminal law, policing, court adjudication and sentencing, jails, prisons and community corrections. E-mail available. SOC 231: Marriage and Family Relationships 3 semester-hour credits - Tuition $448.50 Marriage and family form an institutional and relationship perspective, involving cross-cultural diversity, mate selection, marital dynamics, parenting, divorce, remarriage, and emerging patterns. Students will examine the history of how the American family has evolved to what it is today. Many scholars are concerned that the family is in demise; others feel that the family is changing to suit other aspects of society. E-mail available. SOC 301: Sociological Methods 3 semester-hour credits - Tuition $448.50 The student will learn about descriptive and inferential statistics -- what they are and how to apply them to either research or accountability in the social work field. Additionally, the course will cover mean, mode, median, standard deviation, chi square and Pearson's correlation coefficient. E-mail available. SOC 303: Crime and Deviance 3 semester-hour credits - Tuition $448.50 This course introduces the student to the sociological analysis of the crime in contemporary America. How is crime defined? Where do we get our scientific information about crime? How is crime portrayed in the media? How do sociologists explain criminal behavior? What initiatives show promise for curbing crime in the United States? In answering these questions, various forms of criminal activity will be analyzed including crimes of violence such as homicide and rape, property crimes such as burglary, auto theft, and fraud, and public order offenses such as drugs and prostitution. We will also examine crimes that occur in organizations such as gangs, the Mafia, occupations and professions, and corporations. E-mail available. SOC 305: Crime and Women 3 semester-hour credits - Tuition $448.50 Exploration of theoretical, historical, social, cultural and political variables that create both women victims and criminals. Course will further explore career opportunities for women in the field of criminal justice to include historical and current philosophies of corrections and women within corrections. The course, through the use of current-day hands on materials and resources, will provide the student with a good working insight into women as criminals, victims and correctional professionals. E-mail available. SOC 306: Delinquency and Juvenile Justice 3 semester-hour credits - Tuition $448.50 Nature of crime and delinquency in contemporary American society; emphasis on causation and treatment. A review of relevant criminological theories and current trends and issues. E-mail available. SOC 308: Popular Culture 3 semester-hour credits - Tuition $448.50 Advertising, television, radio, books, news media all influence the lives of Americans. This course will use current popular materials to explore the effects of these influences on the individual in society. E-mail available. SOC 310: Social and Cultural Theory 3 semester-hour credits - Tuition $448.50 (course also available as ANTHR 310) Examine from classical to contemporary theory in sociology and anthropology. No prerequisites. SOC 352: Social Psychology 3 semester-hour credits - Tuition $448.50 Defining, and utilizing general and applied knowledge of social-psychological principles within the context of individual interactions in relation to social groups. E-mail available. Prerequisite: PSYCH 100 or permission of instructor. SOC 353: Penology 3 semester-hour credits - Tuition $448.50 This course introduces the student to the sociological analysis of the corrections system in America. What is punishment? What are the rationales for punishing criminals? How effective is punishment in deterring crime and rehabilitating offenders? Are there better ways to correct criminal behavior? In answering these questions, current issues in corrections will be examined including rehabilitation, prisonization, overcrowding, female and elderly offenders, minority populations, prison violence and riots, prisoner rights, AIDS and tuberculosis, and prison privatization. Current alternatives to incarceration such as boot camps and electronic monitoring programs are also investigated. E-mail available. Prerequisite: SOC 101 and 203. SOC 355: Political Sociology 3 semester-hour credits - Tuition $448.50 Analysis of the major sociological variables associated with political decision making and other political processes. The goal of this class is to guide you to analyze the major sociological variables associated with political decision-making and other political processes. Politics is a fascinating subject for most of us; many (maybe even most) tend to argue our political beliefs from a personal, not scholarly, perspective. E-mail available. SOC 356: Social Stratification 3 semester-hour credits - Tuition $448.50 The course inquires into inequalities of wealth, power, and the consequence for individuals and society. E-mail available. Prerequisite: SOC 101 and 310. SOC 358: Film and Society 3 semester-hour credits - Tuition $448.50 An in-depth look at the images of social life and social relationships contained in popular movies. The course will also explore the influence of media upon social relationships. Requirements and listing of movies will be provided. E-mail available. SOC 401: Health, Culture, and Society 3 semester-hour credits - Tuition $448.50 Analysis of how social, cultural, and psychological factors influence health and health care. The goal of this course is to guide you through an examination of the sociology of health and its relationship to American society. The course will provide a guide to the issues that impact on your health care, the meaning of illness in our society as well as how our social institutions influence your well being. In the late 1950's the issues surrounding health care are topics of everyday conversations as well as political "hot potatoes" for our elected officials. Health care as we know it today is vastly different from what it has been taken to be by American society. And, it will be still different in the early 21st century. E-mail available. SOC 403: Human Sexuality and Social Behavior 3 semester-hour credits - Tuition $448.50 Sexuality and sexual conduct from a sociological and developmental perspective. The goal of this class is to guide you through an examination of how sex, sex roles, influence all aspects of our modern society including salaries, mortgages, suburbs and social classes. E-mail available. SOC 404: Poverty 3 semester-hour credits - Tuition $448.50 Poverty in the United States, its measurement and extent, perpetuating conditions, lifestyle and anti-poverty programs. The course will also explore both liberal and conservative viewpoints on the causality of poverty as well as the proposed remedies for eliminating poverty. Current programs, both public and private, will be examined. E-mail available. SOC 407: Family Violence 3 semester-hour credits - Tuition $448.50 The extent, seriousness, and impact of the major forms of domestic violence. The course will explore the theoretical, historical, social and cultural ties of family dynamics and violence. Current research as well as forms of intervention will be explored. E-mail available. SOC 409: Victimology 3 semester-hour credits - Tuition $448.50 Study of the victim's role in criminal transactions. Examination of individuals and groups as victims of officially defined crime, as well as other social injuries not officially defined as crime. Review of theoretical background and current issues (i.e., Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome) will be included. E-mail available. SOC 410: Structural and Elite Crime 3 semester-hour credits - Tuition $448.50 Examination of crimes and social injuries perpetrated by organizational structures that do physical or economic harm to the environment, their employees, and their customers. E-mail available. SOC 411: Police and Society 3 semester-hour credits - Tuition $448.50 This course introduces the student to the sociological analysis of American law enforcement. What are the origins of the police? What are their powers and how are they applied? What functions do police forces serve and how do they operate? How effective is policing at serving and protecting? How might the police provide better service to the public? In answering these questions, current issues in policing will be examined including patrol and criminal investigation, the community policing movement, police subcultures, stress, discretion, and private policing. Also examined are the use of deadly force, high speed pursuits, the special problems of drug and domestic violence enforcement, and police misconduct. E-mail available. Prerequisite: SOC 101. SOC 420: Explaining Crime 3 semester-hour credits - Tuition $448.50 Examination of major theories of crime and their policy implications; focus on socio-historical factors in theory development. Review of current literature and application to trends in criminal behavior also will be included. E-mail available. Prerequisite: SOC 303, SOC 310. SOC 432: Organization Theory 3 semester-hour credits - Tuition $448.50 The course explores the prevailing theoretical models of large organizations and the implications of those models, and presents alternative models for consideration and use. E-mail available. SOC 440: Correctional Administration 3 semester-hour credits - Tuition $448.50 A review of major issues in correctional administration including the history and theories of corrections in the United States. E-mail available. Prerequisite: Sociology major. SOC 492: Research Methods 3 semester-hour credits - Tuition $448.50 Qualitative and quantitative methods and designs in sociological research. E-mail available. SOC 494: Field Experience 3, 6, 9, or 12 semester-hour credits - Tuition $149.50 per credit Practical on-the-job experience in an approved agency setting. Prerequisite: Senior standing. Student must provide name, address and telephone number of agency contact person at the time of registration. Approval only after instructor talks with agency contact person. Written assignments also required. E-mail available. [Back to Independent Study course list]