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The program in sociology is
designed to be a valuable part of
every liberal arts education as
it teaches students to recognize
the impact of social, economic,
and historical forces on one's
life and the lives of others.
Through the progressive
acquisition of skills, students
learn the basic principles of
sociology that they apply to a
critical analysis of social
issues and social settings. By
giving students research and
internship opportunities to
practically use their
sociological knowledge, they are
encouraged to become responsible
and engaged citizens who are
committed to creating positive
social change.
Sociology presents many
distinctive ways of looking at
the world so as to generate new
ideas and assess the old ones in
most occupational settings.
Career opportunities in sociology
are numerous but the most popular
ones are in the areas of
education, social service,
government, business, and
research. Sociology is also a
useful major for students
planning careers in professions
such as law and medicine.
Finally, sociology provides
students with a solid background
in research and analytic
techniques, skills valued by
employers in most non-profit and
for-profit organizations.
REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE SOCIOLOGY MAJOR
(8
credits)
SOC
201
Navigating Social Worlds (1)
SOC
301
(QA*) Social Statistics (1)
SOC
302
Methods of Social Research
(1)
SOC
303
(W) Sociological Theory (1)
One
400 level Application Course:
(1)
SOC
430
Families (1)
SOC
435
(W) Group Dynamics and Organizational Culture
(1)
Two
100, 300 or 400 level Sociology
Courses (2)
(Only one of these can be at
the 100 level)
Senior Experience, chosen
from: (1)
SOC
495
(W) Internship in Sociology (1)
SOC
497
(W) Senior Thesis (1)
SOC
499
Senior Seminar in Sociology
(1)
REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE SOCIOLOGY MINOR
(5
credits)
SOC
201
Navigating Social Worlds (1)
Four additional Sociology credits
(4)
(Only two of these can be at the
100 level)
Students
usually start their minor in sociology with a
100 level exploration course. Navigating Social
Worlds is the gateway course to other 300 and
400 level courses and is required for the minor.
Students can take up to four additional credits
in sociology, besides Navigating Social Worlds,
with no more than two of them being at the 100
level. While 300 level courses have a prerequisite
of Navigating Social Worlds or any 100-level Sociology
course, 400 level application courses also require
the completion of Social Statistics, Methods of
Social Research, and Sociological Theory.
FACULTY
Linda S. Heuser, Professor
of Sociology, Chair
Carol
Doolittle, Professor
of Sociology
Emily
Drew,
Assistant
Professor
of
Sociology
and
American
Ethnic
Studies
Stephen
C. Hey, Professor
of Sociology
Kelley
Strawn, Assistant
Professor
of Sociology
D.
Angus Vail,
Assistant Professor of Sociology
COURSE
DESCRIPTIONS
SOC
114
(US)
Race
and
Ethnic
Relations
(1)
[Crosslisted
with
AES
114]
The
nature of majority–minority relations in
society are explored with a focus on the causes
and consequences of prejudice, discrimination
and racism, with special attention on the increasing
importance of institutionalized racism in contemporary
American society. Attention is also paid to how
race relations have changed over time and the
differences in the experiences of immigrant and
racial minorities. Studies on race relations are
explored from a variety of theoretical perspectives.
Freshmen and Sophomores only. Understanding Society.
Fall. Hey, Drew
SOC
119 Medical Sociology (1)
Study
of the social causes and consequences of health
and illness. Consideration will be given to topics
such as epidemiology, social demography of health,
illness as deviance, social effects of acute and
chronic illnesses, socialization of health care
providers, social policy and health care, and
bioethics. Fall. Heuser
SOC
121 (W) Gender Roles in Society (1)
This
course considers the impact of social institutions
on gender roles, such as the family and the economy,
and social processes such as stratification and
interpersonal interaction. Studies how people
learn gender roles and how these roles are changing.
Freshmen and Sophomores only. Writing-centered.
Fall. Doolittle
SOC
131 (US) Sociological Inquiry (1)
This course introduces students to the nature
of sociological inquiry through the exploration
of a specifically defined topic. Emphasis will
be given to how sociologists methodologically
and theoretically study and derive meaning from
the world around us. Topics of critical investigation
may include, but are not limited to, art worlds,
globalization today, our aging society, technology
and the future, childhood and adolescence, religion
and spirituality. Understanding Society. Annually.
Staff
SOC
132 (W) Sport and Society (1)
The
world of sport touches all of us in one way or
another. We participate in sports. We watch sports.
We read about sports. Why are sports so important
to us? What are their benefits socially and individually?
In this course, we are interested in examining
the sociological significance of sport as it relates
to topics such as culture, social organizations,
socialization, social stratification, race, gender,
economics, and the mass media. Attention will
be paid to the national and international influence
of sport among individuals, groups, and societies.
Freshmen and Sophomores only or consent of instructor.
Writing-centered. Spring. Heuser
SOC
134 (US) Crime, Delinquency and the Criminal Justice
System (1)
This
course examines the nature of crime and delinquency,
the persons and social situations involved in
crime and delinquency, law enforcement agencies
and the traditional and current methods of managing
offenders. Freshmen and Sophomores only. Understanding
Society. Fall. Staff
SOC
141 (W; US) Chicago Sociology (1)
This course will focus on Chicago during two transitional
periods: the early states of the industrial and
post-industrial ages. The class will investigate
the economic, social and historical forces that
were operative in each of the periods and how
the "Chicago School," using the methods and theories
of sociology, attempted to describe and explain
these forces, and the social problems caused by
them. Freshmen and Sophomores only or consent
of instructor. Chicago Cluster. Writing-centered.
Understanding Society. Spring. Hey
SOC
201 Navigating Social Worlds (1)
This
course, designed as a gateway into the broader
study of sociology, will address three primary
foci of sociological analysis: Social Systems,
Social Institutions, and Human Agency. Within
each of these sections, we will focus on how sociologists
employ theories and appropriate research methods
to examine power, inequality, and social change.
In order to give students the best grounding in
these endeavors, the readings will come mainly
from primary sources. Every semester. Staff
SOC
301 (QA*) Social Statistics
(1)
This
course is an introduction to descriptive and inferential
statistics. The following topics will be examined:
scales of measurement; frequency distributions;
graphing data; measures of central tendency, dispersion,
and skewness; sampling distributions; confidence
intervals and interval estimation; hypothesis
testing; t-tests; analysis of variance, chi-square;
measures of association; and regression analysis.
Prerequisite: SOC
201 or any 100-level Sociology course.
Quantitative and Analytical Reasoning*. Fall.
Heuser, Strawn
SOC
302 Methods of Social Research
(1)
The
aim of this course is to introduce students to
qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Topics to be covered include research design,
conceptualization and measurement, methods of
gathering information, sampling, ethics, and data
analysis. The relationship between theory and
research will also be considered. Students will
be involved in exercises and projects intended
to familiarize them with the different methods
of conducting research. Prerequisite: SOC
201 or any 100-level Sociology course;
and SOC 301
or MATH
138. Spring. Heuser, Strawn
SOC
303 (W) Sociological Theory
(1)
We
will look at the foundational statements and recent
applications of the four major traditions of sociological
thought: Functionalism, Marxism, Verstehen, and
Symbolic Interactionism. In focusing on one tradition
at a time, students will learn the principles
upon which each tradition is based. The goal is
to learn how to think like a theorist. Prerequisites:
SOC
201 or any 100-level Sociology course.
Writing-centered. Fall. Vail
SOC
312 Individual in Society: Social
Psychology (1)
In
this course, we will uncover the ways people make
sense of the world, how they figure out ways of
getting along, and how they deal with conflict
and differences in power. Since this course is
a seminar, most of the time will be devoted to
discussing readings, but we may also see a few
films. Topics will include the nature of reality,
the importance of language, and the process of
defining situations. Prerequisite: SOC
201 or any 100-level Sociology course.
Fall. Vail
SOC
315 Social Change (1)
The
course investigates origins of social change such
as revolution, reform, and evolution. Classical
and contemporary theories of social change, and
major social trends (e.g., industrialization,
cybernation, urbanization, secularization) are
also considered. Prerequisite: SOC
201
or any 100-level Sociology course. Alternate Springs.
Strawn
SOC
322 The Environment and Society (1)
This
course will explore sociological aspects of environmental
issues such as the rise of the environmental movement,
the social mobilization of interest groups, food
and population, energy, forest harvesting, pollution
and sustainable development. Includes application
of sociological concepts to risk assessment and
environmental impact statements. Prerequisite:
SOC
201 or any 100-level Sociology course.
Environmental Cluster. Alternate Falls. Doolittle
SOC 324
Gender and Development (1)
This
course uses theories of gender and development
and of globalization to consider the effects of
development and globalization on women, men, indigenous
peoples and ethnic minorities. After identifying
relevant international and national actors and
forces, the course examines changes in national
and local social systems, institutions, and interaction
patterns related to development and addressing
gender and/or ethnicity. Topics discussed in this
context may include agriculture, natural resources,
environment, urban development, manufacturing,
population, religion, education, and human rights.
Prerequisite: SOC
201 or any 100-level Sociology course.
Fall. Doolittle
SOC
330 World Population Problems (1)
This
course examines population problems in various
societies of the world and reviews theories of
population growth. It explores critical variables
such as fertility, mortality and migration and
relates the population problem to factors that
indicate the interdependent nature of the modern
world. Prerequisite: SOC
201 or any 100-level Socioloty course.
Alternate Falls. Hey
SOC
332 Urban Sociology (1)
The
aim of this course is to introduce students to
the major theories, concepts and issues of urban
sociology and to explore the patterns and processes
of urban life. Additional attention will be paid
to selected social, economic and political problems
confronting major urban centers throughout the
world. Prerequisites: SOC
201 or any 100-level Sociology course.
Fall. Hey, Drew
SOC
334 Inequality in Society (1)
The
aim of this course is to provide students with
a strong background in the basic concepts and
theories of social stratification. It examines
structured social inequality in modern society
and is primarily concerned with three basic issues:
how inequality is structured, how such structures
are maintained and the consequences that result
from structured social inequality. Each of these
issues is explored cross-culturally as well as
from the American perspective. Prerequisite: SOC
201 or any 100-level Socioloty course.
Spring. Hey, Drew
SOC
339 Deviance and Social Control (1)
In
this course, we will focus on how sociologists
explain behaviors that many of us see as dangerous,
distasteful or unpleasant. The assignments will
focus on theories of deviance, some discussion
of the preferred methods used in studying deviance,
and several topical sections focusing on deviant
behaviors such as sex work, drug use, crime, and
mental disorders. Rather than condemning deviance
and deviants, the course seeks to explain people's
behavior and society's responses to them. Prerequisite:
SOC
201 or any 100-level Sociology course.
Spring. Vail
SOC
340 (US) Social Aspects of Dying, Death and Bereavement
(1)
Death
represents one of the great mysteries of life.
In this course, we undertake an evaluation of
the sociological theories and research pertaining
to dying, death and bereavement. Cultural variations
in these social processes are also considered.
Topics include: definitions and images of death;
demography and death; the dying and grieving processes;
caregiving; and funeral practices. Opportunities
to volunteer in the community will be available.
Prerequisite: SOC
201
or
any 100-level Sociology course. Understanding
Society. Death Cluster. Spring. Heuser
SOC
358 Special Topics in Sociology (.5 or 1)
This
course offers timely exposure to a variety of
relevant topics in sociology. Topics might include
the study of homelessness, poverty, death and
dying, or cultural diversity. Prerequisites: SOC
201 or any 100-level Sociology course.
Every semester. Staff
SOC
430 Families (1)
This
course explores changing aspects of marriage and
family structures and relationships, including
family life cycles, alternative forms of marriage,
aging, divorce, remarriage and reconstituted families.
Prerequisites: SOC
302 and SOC 303.
Spring. Doolittle
SOC
435 (W) Group Dynamics and Organizational Culture
(1)
In
this course, we will focus on how people figure
out, establish, and maintain the rules that make
interactions in a variety of settings predictable.
We will also spend considerable time on the methods
sociologists employ in studying different settings.
The readings cover the dramaturgical perspective
espoused by Goffman and others, structural arguments
and ethnomethodological explanations of how we
make sense of the many social worlds we inhabit.
Writing-Centered. Prerequisites: SOC
302
and SOC
303.
Fall. Vail
SOC
490 Research and Independent Study (.5 or 1)
This
course is intended only for the qualified advanced
student with a solid preparation in the theory
and methods of sociology who wishes to do an intensive
research analysis or advanced independent study
in an area not covered by an existing course in
the department. Prerequisites: SOC
302
and SOC
303.
Every semester. Staff
SOC
495 (W) Internship in Sociology (1)
This
course provides an opportunity for students to
work in selected social service and other organizations
supervised by on-site professionals. Opportunity
to observe the operation of agencies and develop
some skills in working with people. Students spend
12 to 15 hours a week interning and attend a weekly
seminar. Writing-Centered. Prerequisites: Senior
majors who have completed SOC
302
and SOC
303.
Spring. Heuser
SOC
497 (W) Senior Thesis (1)
Open
to majors in Sociology Honors Program, the senior
thesis involves a comprehensive study of a topic
chosen by the student and approved by her/his
thesis advisor/s. As an original, quantitative
and/or qualitative investigation undertaken as
an independent study, the thesis includes the
collection and analysis of primary or secondary
data grounded in relevant theoretical and empirical
literatures. A written thesis and oral presentation
of the study's findings are required. Satisfactory
completion of this course fulfills the Senior
Year Experience requirement for Sociology majors.
Prerequisites: Senior majors who have completed
SOC
302 and SOC 303
and who qualify for Honors. Writing-centered.
Annually. Staff
SOC
499 Senior Seminar in Sociology (1)
Theory
and research in sociology as it applies to general
and specific areas of study. Particular emphasis
is given to contemporary applications. Prerequisites:
Senior majors who have completed SOC
302
and SOC
303.
Spring. Staff
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