Sociology (SOC)

SOC-108. Cultural Geography. 3 Credits.

LECT 3 hrs
The study of the interaction of contemporary cultures and their physical environment. This course examines processes of globalization and their impact on national and local level social processes. Emphasis is placed on the global capitalist economy and its relation to national economies, political systems, populations, environments and religions.

SOC-110. Sociology of Health and Illness. 3 Credits.

LECT 3 hrs
An analysis of the structure and function of health institutions in society with emphasis on the social psychology of illness behavior, the practitioners of medicine, the social organization of the hospital, managed care and future trends in medical care.

SOC-120. Principles of Sociology. 3 Credits.

LECT 3 hrs
A comprehensive introduction to the discipline of sociology, examining the basic concepts, e.g., role, status, social structure, research methods, culture, socialization, stratification, norms, values, groups, associations, institutions, community, deviance and society, as well as exploring its foundations and history, and techniques of seeing and understanding the world from a sociological perspective.

SOC-130. Introduction to Social Welfare and Human Services. 3 Credits.

LECT 3 hrs
An introduction to the goals, values and philosophy of social work as a profession. Examines the relationship between attitudes and values, economic, political and cultural conditions, and the evolution of social welfare services focusing attention on the historical developments of social services in the United States. Provides understanding of the basic elements of the client-worker relationship.

SOC-131. Human Needs and Social Services. 3 Credits.

LECT 3 hrs
This course presents a conceptual framework through which human behavior is systematically understood. It explores the needs of people as determined by their biological and psycho/social growth and development, and by their special relationship to society and its problems. The means by which these needs can be met by the social welfare system also are presented.

SOC-180. Principles of Sociology - Honors. 3 Credits.

LECT 3 hrs
A systematic introduction to basic sociological concepts, culture, norms, status, role, groups, character structure, association, institutions, community, deviance and society.
Prerequisites: Permission of department chair or honors advisor.

SOC-202. Contemporary Social Issues - America As a Diverse Society. 3 Credits.

LECT 3 hrs
Investigates issues that challenge citizens in post-modern America. Scientific analysis of topics such as global, political and economic trends, inequality, group conflicts, pluralism, urbanism, alienation and bureaucracy, family disorganization, mass communications, addictive behaviors and social movements. Special attention is given to field research which develops student competence in understanding contemporary social issues.
Prerequisites: SOC-120.

SOC-206. Religion and Human Experience. 3 Credits.

LECT 3 hrs
An interdisciplinary course with sociological, psychological and anthropological perspectives on religion. Topics include interactions between the individual, society and religion, ritual and religious experience, religious organization and secularization. Comparisons are made between western and non-western religious systems. The rise of fundamentalism and new religious consciousness are also considered.
Prerequisites: An introductory course in Anthropology, Psychology or Sociology.

SOC-209. The Family. 3 Credits.

LECT 3 hrs
Analysis of marriage and family in various cultures with in-depth study of the contemporary United States including historical development and future trends. Topics covered are romantic love, courtship, marital interaction, divorce, gender roles and the feminist movement. Special attention is given to the post-modern family and cross-cultural comparisons are made
Prerequisites: SOC-120.

SOC-214. Cultural Diversity in America - the Sociology of Ethnic and Minority Groups. 3 Credits.

LECT 3 hrs
A study of diversity in American life with an emphasis on the cultural, political and interactional patterns of ethnic and minority groups. Topics covered include assimilation, intergroup cooperation and conflict, cross-cultural communication, and theories of prejudice and discrimination. Attention is also given to national and global demographic trends.
Prerequisites: SOC-120 or permission of department chair.

SOC-215. Physical Anthropology. 3 Credits.

LECT 3 hrs
The study of humankind emphasizing human evolution with the integration of recent research in the areas of paleontology, primatology, human genetics and ethology. Objectives of the course are to provide a knowledge of humankind's biological and physical heritage with emphasis on origins and variations.

SOC-216. Cultural Anthropology. 3 Credits.

LECT 3 hrs
An introduction to the analysis of non-western cultures and anthropological theory and methods. Emphasis is placed on the comparison of western and non-western cultures, including cross-cultural comparisons of political, economic, social and cognitive systems.

SOC-217. Archaeology. 3 Credits.

LECT 3 hrs
Introduction to the general principles of archaeological research and theory. An overview of human history and prehistory as evidenced through material remains, including the rise of state-level societies in the old and new worlds.

SOC-221. Sociology of Gender. 3 Credits.

LECT 3 hrs
An in-depth introduction to social science theory and research in the field of gender studies, focusing on the sociological, historical, psychological, and economic dimensions of gender. Students will examine the social production and reproduction of gender relations in social institutions such as family, education, law, work, and media using comparisons with other cultures. In addition, the intersectionality of gender, race, sexuality, social class, and global inequality will be critically analyzed.
Prerequisites: SOC-120.

SOC-222. Deviant Behavior. 3 Credits.

LECT 3 hrs
A review of deviant behavior by various deviant, outsider or disvalued members of a society, with emphasis on the environmental (socio-cultural) causes, the rewards and punishments of conforming or not conforming to group norms, the identification of deviants, the process of becoming prejudiced, why people conform, why people like each other, and the dynamics of groups. Topics are examined in a cross-cultural and historical perspective.
Prerequisites: SOC-120.

SOC-224. Social Psychology. 3 Credits.

LECT 3 hrs
A study of group behavior and the influence of groups on the perception, thinking and behavior of the individual. Topics are chosen from the following: social influences on the development of personality and attitudes, the causes of human aggression, the nature of prejudice, why people conform, why people like each other, and the dynamics of groups. Topics are examined in a cross-cultural and historical perspective.
Prerequisites: PSY-113 or SOC-120.

SOC-230. Sociology of Globalization. 3 Credits.

LECT 3 hrs
Is the current era of globalization a unique historical period or is it simply a variation of previous ones? This course examines recent social, economic and political trends, assesses the state of the world, and identifies the forces that are shaping it.
Prerequisites: SOC-120.

SOC-240. Social Policy and Politics. 3 Credits.

LECT 3 hrs
This course examines how policy analysis can be used as a tool for achieving social welfare and social justice. It investigates the role of government policies in addressing social inequities and fulfilling social needs in areas including housing, health, child welfare, and income support. The historical role of social movements in affecting policy is also considered.
Prerequisites: SOC-120.

SOC-291. Special Topics in Sociology. 3 Credits.

LECT 3 hrs
An examination of selected topics or issues in sociology. Topics may differ each time the course is offered. Students should consult the department chair for further information.
Prerequisites: An introductory course in Sociology.

SOC-292. Special Topics in Sociology. 3 Credits.

LECT 3 hrs
An examination of selected topics or issues in sociology. Topics may differ each time the course is offered. Students should consult the department chair for further information.
Prerequisites: An introductory course in Sociology.

SOC-ELE. Social Science Elective for Cutk. 3 Credits.

LECT 3 hrs
Pseudo course to hold a place on student planner.