Sociology Course Descriptions

So121 Introduction to Sociology
An examination of Sociology both as a practicing profession and scientific discipline, with an introduction to research methods, concepts, theories, and findings about the social world. Comparisons are made between Sociology and the other. An exploration of the potential relevance of Sociology to the job market is a part of this course.

So140 Introduction to Women’s Studies
This interdisciplinary course introduces students to Women’s Studies including its roots in the feminist and civil rights movements, the construction of gender in culture and society giving special attention to medial and social institutions and forms of gender inequality in the family, workplace, religion, healthcare and relationships. 

So150 Social Deviance
Explores the concepts of social norms, egocentricity, and ethnocentricity. Examines the relativity of deviance including criminal behavior, human sexuality, drug use, suicide, and other alternative forms of behavior.

So/As 200 Ethnic and Racial Relations
The study of interethnic and interracial relationships. Examined are United States and international experiences of immigrant and migrant groups, majorities, minorities, dominant cultures and subcultures. Prerequisite: So121 or Ur 151.

So208 Sociology of Film
The impact of films on society from a sociological perspective and an analysis of social structure and social institutions (economy, race, culture, gender, etc.) through masterpieces of cinema. Prerequisite: So121.

So230-231 Experiencing Social Issues, I and II (6 credits)
An examination of major social issues through experiential activities in various public and private service settings such as prisons, courts, migration centers, rehabilitation centers, drug and alcohol treatment facilities, housing authorities, soup kitchens and charter schools.

So234 Sociology of Ethnic Cuisine
Understanding Society and ethnic diversity through an in-depth study of cuisine, focusing on the traditions, rituals, symbolism and meaning of food materials, food preparation and consumption. The course examines the role of food in defining ethnic identity and in deciphering the interaction between tradition and modernity. Prerequisite: So121 or Ur 151.

So240 Gangs and Organized Crime

Examines the street gang from the Colonial era to the present day. Explores ethnic organized crime groups, the connections between groups, drug trafficking, extortion, prostitution, money laundering, and violent criminal activity.

So251 Current Social Problems
Assessment of controversial public issues using sociological theory and research as the resources; change and conflicts in values as the source of new problems.Prerequisite: So121 or Ur 151.

So252 Issues in the Hispanic Community
The socio-economic and political origins of the various Hispanic peoples, with analysis of social issues arising from Hispanic involvement in American societal institutions, i.e. education, politics, family, etc. Prerequisite: So121 or Ur 151.

So254 Sociology of Migration and Immigration
Examined are immigration in history; patterns of movement; immigration and refugees; adjustment and resettlement; immigration law, and the needs of immigrants including housing, employment, education and medical care. Prerequisite: So121 or Ur 151

So255 Personality and Social Interaction: The Sociology of Everyday Life
Processes of social learning; social sources of motivation; development of beliefs and attitudes; social norms and personality formation; group morale and leadership; social interaction and the conflict of social roles; the individual and social change.Prerequisite: So121 or Ps 151.

So 256 Sociology of Sports
Impact of economics, politics, and changing values upon organized athletics at professional and amateur levels. Readings and student projects. Prerequisite: So121.

So259 Death, Dying and Bereavement
This course applies the sociological perspective to the issues of death, dying and bereavement. It explores cultural differences with regard to understanding death and related practices and rituals. Prerequisite: So121.

So/Cc284 Cultural Anthropology
An analysis of the development of Cultural Anthropology from its origins in Sociology to its own dynamic field today. The course focuses on the methods used to compare and contrast different cultures in order to learn about others and better understand ourselves. Prerequisite: So121 or Ur 151.

So295 Cooperative Education (see Education Department for course description.)

So/Bi 313 Human Evolution and Adaptation (see Biology Department of course description.)

So 324 Sociology of Work
This course utilizes a variety of sociological concepts to examine work as a social institution. In addition to the formal analysis offered, participants in the course will have the opportunity to examine their own role in the world of work. Prerequisite: So121.

So/Ur332 Contemporary Urban Cultures (See Urban Studies listings for course description.) Prerequisite: So121 or Ur 151.

So340 Sociology of Religion
Analyzes Marx, Durkheim, and Weber on religion and society; current resurgence of Islam, Catholicism, and Judaism around the world as well as cults and traditional churches in the U.S. Prerequisite: So121 or Ur 151

So 345 The Sociology of Intimacy
Explores sexual scripts; the social control of marrying; negotiating and bargaining marriage roles; the dynamics of family interaction; conflict and divorce. Prerequisite: So121.

So/As352 Minority and Group Relations (See African-American Studies Program for course description.)

So/As353 Sociology of the Black Family (See African-American Studies Program for course description.)

So/Cc/As354 Art and Anthropology in Africa and the Americas (See African-American Studies Program for course description.)

So360 Intercultural Relations
An examination of the influence of cultural factors on human thought, emotion and action. Theoretical and methodological issues in intercultural relations are reviewed and observational studies conducted. Prerequisite: So121.

So/Ur370 Urban Anthropology (See Urban Studies listings for course description.) Prerequisite: So121 or Ur 151.

So380 Sociological Theory
Classical themes of sociology and major theoretical achievements from 1815 to the present. Prerequisite: So121.

So385 Peoples and Cultures of North America: Native Americans
An examination of the diversity of North American tribes from their migration from Asia to the present. Included are comparisons between tribes, government policies and recent revival of many groups. Prerequisite: So121.

So/Bm410 Managing Cross-Cultural Training Skills
Analysis of cross-cultural training techniques developed to improve relations between people of different cultures. Resources employed are actual techniques currently used by the U.S. State Department, international corporations and international educational organizations. Prerequisite: So121.

So/As/Ur412 Ethnicity and Race in Urban History (See Urban Studies listings for course description.) Prerequisite: So121 or Ur 151.

So/Bm415 Understanding and Managing Diversity
An examination of the theoretical foundations and development of techniques used to promote organizational, individual, and intergroup success in a multicultural and multiracial society. Prerequisite: So121 or Ur 151.

So448 Data Analysis and Statistics in the Social Sciences
Descriptive and inferential statistics including measures of central tendency and variability, linear correlation, and hypothesis testing. Prerequisite: So121 and So 380 or equivalents from other departments.

So450 Research Techniques in the Social Sciences
Paradigms, theory and research; the nature of causation; research design; conceptualization and measurement; operationalization; indexes, scales and typologies; sampling; types of social research: experiments, surveys, field research, unobtrusive research, and evaluation research. Emphasis on active learning through exercises, report writing and student projects. Prerequisite So121 and So 380 or equivalents from other departments.

So/As454 Black Films (See African-American Studies Program for course description.)

So 460  Sexuality, Marriage and the Familty
This course examines the basic instiutional system found in all societies -- the familty. The focus is macrosociological, taking a life course approach. All aspects of family life are examined from how families are formed to how they are dissolved.  Prerequisite: So121.

So/Ur465 Vietnam and the U.S. (See Urban Studies listings for course description.)

So470 Medical Sociology
The definition and distribution of disease and sickness; the organization and delivery of health care; the conflicts and politics of health. Prerequisite: So121.

So472 Sociology of the Professions
History of the professions: the medieval guilds; the nineteenth century and the development of applied science. Professions as communities; peer evaluation and professional ethics. Prerequisite: So121.

So/Ed489 Seminar in Contemporary Thinking on Global Perspectives
Global interdependence in trade, politics, communications, and resulting global perspectives. Current theory and research on global perspectives.Prerequisite: so 121 or equivalent from other departments.

So/Ur492 Urban Internship (See Urban Studies listings for course description.)

So/Ur493 Advanced Urban Internship (See Urban Studies listings for course description.)

So495 Internships in International Settings
Planned and supervised off-campus working experiences overseas or with international organizations integrated with independent academic study under the tutelage of the Director of International and Intercultural Studies. Prerequisite: So121.

So496 Senior Seminar in Sociology
This capstone course ties together the various components in the Sociology Major as well as prepares graduates for the next level. Students will develop a synthesis production. Should be taken last term senior year. Prerequisite: So121; So180;So345;So360;So380.

So498-499 Special Projects in Sociology
Tutorial courses and reading courses in special areas of sociology. May be taken for one or two terms.