Sociology

SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology 3 SH
A survey of contemporary American society. Basic sociological theory dealt with through study of present-day American social life and institutions. Every semester. General Education: Social Sciences.

SOC 101 Social Problems 3 SH
A detailed analysis of selected aspects of contemporary American society, with particular emphasis on social institutions and problems associated with them. Every semester. Prerequisite: SOC 100. General Education: Social Sciences.

SOC 200 Concepts of Race and Racsim 3 SH
A sociohistorical and contemporary look at race and racism, focusing mainly on the United States. This course explores how global social transformations, stemming from Western European conquest and colonization, led to the formation of “race relations.” The course examines the resulting political economy and culture of racism. The invention of and meanings attached to various racialized identities, both white and non-white, are considered as they transform over time. The course also investigates white and non-white resistance movements and, more generally, follows the evolution of perspectives and theories of race and racism. Every semester. Prerequisite: ANT 100 or SOC 100 or SOC 101. General Education: Social Sciences.

SOC/JLA 201 Criminology 3 SH
See JLA/SOC 201

SOC/ANT 204 Culture and Personality 3 SH
See ANT/SOC 204

SOC/JLA 205 Juvenile Delinquency 3 SH
See JLA/SOC 205

SOC 210 Urban Sociology 3 SH
Focus will be upon the process of urbanization and an analysis of cities. Emphasizing key demographic and physical characteristics of urban populations, city growth, urban social structure, urban behavior patterns and social relationships and urban problems. Fall semester of odd-numbered years. Prerequisite: SOC 100. General Education: Social Sciences.

SOC 211 Latinos in the United States 3 SH
A comparative look at Latinas/os in the United States, both historically and today. Political, economic, cultural and territorial links between Latin America (including the Caribbean) and the U.S. are reviewed, focusing on the effects of these links on the American social structure. The course examines Latinas/os in greater New York, Florida’s Miami/Dade county, California, and along the U.S./ Mexico border. Various issues and topics that may be explored include: westward expansion and imperialism, labor force participation in the world-economy, racism, immigration, anti-immigrant sentiment, identity, language, education, gender, gang involvement and political activism. Spring semester of odd-numbered years. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or permission of the instructor. General Education: Social Sciences.

SOC/ANT/AAS 212 Peoples & Cultures of Africa 3 SH
See ANT/AAS/SOC 212

SOC/ANT 216 Anthropology of the Middle East 3 SH
As the world becomes more interconnected and linked globally, our society is increasingly faced with beliefs, practices, ideals, ideas, and ways of life that at times baffle us and discomfort us. Current conflicts in the world point to a need to actually go beyond stereotypes and understand both sameness and difference when it comes to cultures. This course seeks to look beyond common stereotypes of the Middle East and focus on daily life experiences of families and individuals who live in the region through applying an anthropological lens and reading ethnographic studies. Prerequisites: ANT 100 or SOC 100 or permission of instructor

SOC/AS 217 The American Dream: Visions & Revisions 3 SH
See AS/SOC 217

SOC 221 Human Family Systems 3 SH
Cross-cultural and historical approach, emphasizing the connections of family systems to other aspects of culture and leading to a broad perspective on current developments. Spring semester of odd-numbered years. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or ANT 100. General Education: Social Sciences.

SOC/ANT 232 Religion & Culture 3 SH
See ANT/SOC 232

SOC/ECO/ANT 234 Economic Anthropology 3 SH
This course will give both a theoretical and a practical grounding in economic anthropology by focusing on recent fieldwork and publications within economic and cultural anthropology. After students are introduced to theoretical debates and issues in the field, they will read about and discuss people in the specific ethnographic contexts as they grapple with poverty, globalization, modernization, and development – always keeping in mind that the economy is closely intertwined with and cannot be understood apart from sociocultural factors in people’s lives. The course will involve small-group and large-group discussions, lots of interesting reading and a commitment to the formation of a critically thoughtful and engaged classroom community. Prerequisites: ANT 100 or SOC 100 or ECO 100 or permission of instructor.

SOC/ANT 242 Buddhism and Culture 3 SH
See ANT/SOC 242

SOC/ANT/WS 251 Women and Gender in the Middle East 3 SH
This course will explore the complex and multilayered processes and dimensions, including texts, cultural values and practices, institutions and events which have shaped and continue to shape gendered experience in the Middle East. We will consider these processes in their historical context focusing mainly on the contemporary Middle East. Prerequisites: ANT 100 or SOC 100 or WS 100 or permission of instructor.                                                 

SOC/SW 260 Aging 3 SH
See SW/SOC 260

SOC 298 Faculty Developed Study 1–6 SH

SOC 299 Student Developed Study 1–6 SH

SOC 301 Globalization and Migration 3 SH
Globalization draws the world together economically, culturally, politically and socially by means of international exchanges, including trade, policy and migration. In countries like the United States, this has given rise to large immigrant populations. This course evaluates both historic and contemporary effects of globalization on migration processes for both sending and receiving countries, as well as for migrants and their families. The course reviews associated theories and literatures, using specific examples from various regions of the world that may include: Western Europe, the United States, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. Topics may include: sex trafficking; refugee, colonial, tourist and labor migrations; the slave trade; transnational experiences; international development; migration policies; the costs and benefits of migration; challenges to national identities and national security; anti-immigrant sentiment; and racism. The course usually includes a tour of New York City, exploring immigrant histories and contemporary communities; there is an added fee for this tour to be determined when offered. Spring semester of even-numbered years. Prerequisite: ANT 100 or PS 104 or SOC 100 or SOC 101. General Education: Social Sciences.

SOC/ANT 330 Social and Cultural Theory 3 SH
See ANT/SOC 330

SOC/JLA 334 Organized Crime 3 SH
See JLA/SOC 334

SOC/JLA 336 White-Collar Crime 3 SH
See JLA/SOC 336

SOC/ANT 350 Modern and Postmodern Societies 3 SH
See ANT/SOC 350

SOC 400 Advanced Topics of Sociology 2–6 SH
The content and credit hours of this course will vary from year to year, depending on the interests of the students and faculty. Aspects of sociology not introduced or not treated in depth in other courses of the major will be introduced or treated in depth. Examples that could be included: technology and work, students and education, welfare planning, social class and modes of communication. The course may be repeated for credit with different content and permission of the department. The department will determine the number of credits prior to the course offering. Offered periodically. Prerequisite: determined at time of offering. Open to Juniors and Seniors.

The following courses also have been approved and are offered periodically:
SOC 202 Class, Status and Power
SOC 230 Sociology of the Community
SOC/ANT 241 Socio-Cultural Survey of Indian Religions
SOC 305 Contemporary Family Problems
SOC/PS 310 Political Sociology
SOC/ANT 322 Comparative Minority Relations
SOC/ANT 340 Culture, Change and Planning