SOCIOLGY 1030 Introduction to Sociology 3 Credits

An introduction to the study of society. This course examines concepts such as group interaction, social interaction, culture, norms, values, status, role, and deviance, and explores how these relate to organizations, institutions, stratification, and social behavior.
Components: Discussion, Class
GE: Social Sciences
Typically Offered: Fall/Spring

SOCIOLGY 2230 Gender and Society 3 Credits

This course applies social scientific theories of gender to an investigation of women's and men's roles in society. In so doing, it is particularly concerned with understanding existing gender inequalities. Rather than approaching gender, sex, and sexuality as fixed, innate characteristics, students examine how media, education, family, and other social institutions and interactions continually shape and define these social categories.
Components: Class
Cross Offering: WOMGENDR 2230
GE: Gender Studies, Social Sciences
Typically Offered: Spring

SOCIOLGY 2330 Contemporary Social Problems 3 Credits

An overview of the causes, consequences and potential solutions of modern social issues and problems such as majority-minority relations, gender roles, deviance, population, resources, crime, war and peace, unemployment and economic disruption; and consideration of the place of social planning.
Components: Class
GE: Social Sciences
Typically Offered: Occasional

SOCIOLGY 2340 Sociology of Race and Ethnicity 3 Credits

The experience of American racial, religious, ethnic and nationality groups. The nature of intergroup relations in the United States. Relationship of intergroup dynamics to social change, and to basic ideological, technological, and institutional structures and processes. Emphasis on social conflict over the distribution of economic and political power, family patterns, housing, education and access to the legal system.
Components: Class
GE: Ethnic Studies, Social Sciences
Prereqs/Coreqs: P: Not recommended for first-semester students.
Typically Offered: DEMAND

SOCIOLGY 2420 Marriage and Family 3 Credits

Dating, courtship, engagement, sexual expression, marriage adjustment and childrearing in American society as related to success and failure in marriage.
Components: Class
GE: Social Sciences
Typically Offered: Fall/Spring

SOCIOLGY 3050 Global Social Problems 3 Credits

Sociological analysis of the nature, extent, causes, and potential solutions to global social problems such as consumerism, poverty and wealth, human rights, population growth and hunger, health issues, militarism and terrorism, and threats to the environment.
Components: Class
GE: Global Studies, Social Sciences
Prereqs/Coreqs: P: Not recommended for first-semester students.
Typically Offered: DEMAND

SOCIOLGY 3230 Social Inequalities 3 Credits

The course investigates the causes and consequences of social stratification based on race, gender, social class, and nationality. Students gain a better understanding of how inequality is produced through prejudice, discrimination, conflict, and social institutions such as the family, neighborhoods, educational system, labor markets, and criminal justice system.
Components: Class
Cross Offering: ETHNSTDY 3230
GE: Ethnic Studies, Social Sciences
Prereqs/Coreqs: P: SOCIOLGY 1030
Typically Offered: Fall/Spring

SOCIOLGY 3250 Society and the Environment 3 Credits

This class explores the how our interaction with and understanding of the environment is shaped by culture and social institutions, including governments, economic systems, media, and science. After introducing students to the theories and methods of environmental sociology, the course explores how sociologists have studied climate change, human health, access to clean water and other particular socio-environmental challenges.
Components: Discussion, Class
GE: Social Sciences
Prereqs/Coreqs: P: Sophomore standing
Typically Offered: Spring

SOCIOLGY 3260 Life and Culture in the United States 3 Credits

This course explores the social institutions that make up the United States (government, family, religion, education, healthcare, economy) and the everyday experiences of living within these systems. Students explore what it means to be American, the diversity of US cultures, and the problems and particularities of life in the US, including aging, substance abuse, the decline in the family farm, poverty, political conflict, and the obsession with the automobile. Course readings draw heavily from ethnographies, which combine social theory and the stories of everyday life.
Components: Class
GE: Social Sciences
Prereqs/Coreqs: P: Sophomore Standing
Typically Offered: Spring

SOCIOLGY 3330 Crime and Delinquency 3 Credits

A survey of the fields of criminology and juvenile delinquency. The course presents a sociological analysis of criminal and delinquent behavior, examines theory and empirical research on the topic, surveys the historical development of the present systems of dealing with criminals and delinquents, and considers current issues regarding crime and delinquency.
Components: Class
GE: Social Sciences
Prereqs/Coreqs: P: SOCIOLGY 1030
Typically Offered: Occasional

SOCIOLGY 3440 Social Research Methods 3 Credits

An introduction to social research methods. The course provides a conceptual framework for understanding and interpreting social research as well as designing, conducting, and evaluating research projects.
Components: Class
Cross Offering: POLISCI 3440
GE: Social Sciences
Prereqs/Coreqs: P: MATH 1830 and (CRIMLJUS 1130 or SOCIOLGY 1030 or POLISCI 1130)
Typically Offered: All

SOCIOLGY 3530 Rural Sociology 3 Credits

An introduction to the nature and consequences of change in contemporary rural society. Current conditions are placed in a historical context and future directions for agriculture and rural communities are considered. Special attention is paid to socio-economic and environmental impacts resulting from changes in agricultural technology, government policy, population shifts, and changes in the scale of food production. Differing visions regarding the future shape of rural America and the international food system will be considered.
Components: Class
GE: Social Sciences
Typically Offered: Fall

SOCIOLGY 3930 Topics in Sociology 1-3 Credits

Designed to present to students specialized topics in the field of sociology. For example, the sociology of medicine, and the sociology of aging. Sociology and the future as shown through science fiction and other futuristic writings, and studies of utopias might be presented depending upon interests of students.
Components: Class
Typically Offered: Occasional

SOCIOLGY 4660 Cooperative Field Experience 1-8 Credits

Enhancement of the educational experience through placement of a student with a cooperating agency, business, industry or institution. The nature of the assignment, type of experience, number of credits and evaluation procedure will be stipulated in a statement of agreement (learning contract) between the student and department.
Components: Field Studies
Typically Offered: Fall/Spring

SOCIOLGY 4730 Individual Study 1-3 Credits

Independent study supervised by a staff member; primarily for sociology minors.
Components: Independent Study
Typically Offered: Fall/Spring