101S. Introduction to Sociology. 4 semester hours.

Analysis of human interaction. Focus upon social structure, culture, socialization, and the nature of basic institutions and social processes. Occasional writing intensive sections. Every semester.

110C/S. Cultural Anthropology. 4 semester hours.

Introduction to cultural anthropology, paying particular attention to the concept of culture and to the cultural patterns around the world. Topics include fieldwork method, institutions of society, and symbols and meaning. The student reads descriptions of societies from different ethnographic areas, including the United States. Occasional writing intensive sections. Every year.

201. Topics in Sociology/Anthropology. 2-4 semester hours.

Courses in areas of special interest not covered in regular course offerings. Alternate years. This course may be repeated for credit.

210S. Sociology of Family. 4 semester hours.

Sociocultural study of marriage and the family with emphasis on variations in organization, function and value orientation arising from status, ethnic and religious differences. Implications for family life in American society. Writing Intensive. Every year.

245C/S. Gender and Society. 4 semester hours.

Gender is a key component of all human groups. Topics to be covered include gender roles, division of labor by gender, gender inequalities, gender relations in production and reproduction, and symbolic expression of gender differences. May be taught from either an anthropological or a sociological perspective. Alternate years.

250S. Sociology of Deviance. 4 semester hours.

Analysis of deviance as an interactive process with emphasis on the social context of deviance and the process by which deviants are socially defined. Every year.

270S. Sociology of Minority Groups. 4 semester hours.

Meaning and nature of minority groups, theories and patterns of interaction, and current trends and problems. Every year.

277C/R. Islam and Islamic Societies. 4 semester hours.

A sociocultural introduction to the beliefs and practices of Islam, including a review of its development from its origins in the Middle East to its spread around the globe; evaluation of the place of Islam in shaping modern Islamic societies and cultures, with special attention to Muslim family relations; assessment of the experience of Muslims in societies where they form a minority population, including the United States; and consideration of the role of Islam in contemporary world affairs. Alternate years.

290C/S. Global Change. 4 semester hours.

Critical examination of the major theories of social change with respect to the emergence of global political and economic systems. Topics include the industrial revolution and colonialism as well as modernization, socioeconomic development, with a particular focus on understanding issues significant to the Third World. Every year.

292S. Population Problems. 4 semester hours.

Population theories, problems of population growth, birth and death rates, and sociocultural factors in the composition and distribution of population. Every third year.

296S. Urban Sociology. 4 semester hours.

Exploration of urban studies, e.g., urban culture, lifestyle problems of institutional sectors, social change and planned development. Alternate years.

301. Special Topics. 2-4 semester hours.

Courses in special areas of the discipline, e.g., sociology of education, contemporary social problems, collective behavior, etc. Prerequisite: One sociology course of at least three semester hours. Alternate years. This course may be repeated for credit.

307. Research Methods. 5 semester hours.

Overview of the fundamental concepts and methods of sociological research providing experience with all phases of research from conceptualization and design through data-gathering, analysis, and the reporting of results. Descriptive and inferential statistics are used in the course. Includes both field and laboratory components. To be taken by all majors during their junior year before Senior Thesis. Prerequisites: SOCI 101S and minimum math placement 23. Note: It is suggested that a statistics course be taken concurrently with SOCI 307. Writing and math intensive. Every year.

330S. Wealth, Power, and Poverty. 4 semester hours.

Theoretical aspects and empirical studies of social classes, their origins, and characteristics with specific reference to the United States. Prerequisites: One sociology course of at least three semester hours. Alternate years.

340R. Sociology of Religion. 4 semester hours.

Examination of the structure and functioning of religious organizations and institutions, their relationships to the social structure and their role in social change. Prerequisite: One sociology course of at least three semester hours. Writing intensive. Alternate years.

360. Sociological Theory. 4 semester hours.

Fundamental concepts of the discipline and their interrelationships in general theories of society. The relationships between theory and research, theory and philosophical presuppositions, and theory and social structure. To be taken by each major, preferably in the junior year. Prerequisite: One sociology course of at least three semester hours. Writing intensive. Every year.

364. Political Sociology. 4 semester hours.

Analysis of the role of power in society especially as institutionalized in the polity, with an emphasis on how political processes are related to the economy, education, family and religion. Prerequisite: One sociology course of at least three semester hours. Writing intensive. Every year.

370. Criminology. 4 semester hours.

Theories of the nature and extent of crime, factors conditioning criminal behavior, methods of punishment and rehabilitation, and programs of crime prevention. Prerequisite: One sociology course of at least three semester hours. Occasional writing-intensive sections. Alternate years.

376S. Law and Society. 4 semester hours.

Study of the functioning of both the formal structure and informal mechanisms of the legal domain within a society. Topics include the use of law as social control, the conflict-resolution function of the law and the structure of legal organizations. May be taught from either a sociological or anthropological perspective. Prerequisites: One sociology course of at least three semester hours. Writing intensive. Alternate years.

380. Identity, Self and Society. 4 semester hours.

Examination of the concepts of identity and identity formation to construct a more integrated view of self and society and to assess the value of these concepts for understanding human behavior. Draws upon various behavioral science materials. Prerequisite: One sociology course of at least three semester hours. Writing intensive. Alternate years.

390C. Russian and Central Eurasian Societies and Cultures. 4 semester hours.

Analysis of the societies and cultures of the post-Soviet realm, emphasizing family life, religion, stratification, politics, law and education. Prerequisite: One sociology course of at least three semester hours. Writing intensive. Alternate years.

430. Seminar. 4 semester hours.

Exploration of areas such as social theory, research methods, human ecology and population, social psychology, social organization and anthropology. Prerequisite: One sociology course of at least three semester hours. Writing intensive. Every third year. This course may be repeated for credit.

490. Independent Study. 2-4 semester hours.

Individual research elected by the student in consultation with the department faculty. Prerequisite: One sociology course of at least three semester hours. This course may be repeated for credit but only four semester hours can be counted toward the major in Sociology. Can be used for the minor in Sociology only with departmental approval.

491. Internship. 2-4 semester hours.

Work-study course that provides opportunity to observe decision-making processes, relate course materials to practical problems and participate appropriately in a work environment. Prerequisite: One sociology course of at least three semester hours. This course may be repeated for credit but only four semester hours can be counted toward the major in Sociology. Can be used for the minor in Sociology only with departmental approval.

498. Senior Thesis. 4 semester hours.

Comprehensive written project and an oral defense. The thesis is a requirement of each major. For further details on the structure of the senior thesis requirement, please consult the department’s designated senior adviser. Prerequisites: SOCI 101 and  Sociology 307.  Sociology 360 must be completed or may be taken concurrently with Sociology 498. Writing intensive. Every year.

499. Honors Thesis/Project.

Prerequisite: 3.50 GPA and permission of the Department Chair.