SOCI101     INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

3 sh

A general study, emphasizing concepts and methodology  by which the sociologist investigates the nature of the social structure and the social processes of group behavior. Fulfills General Education Requirements.  (Fulfills multicultural general education)

SOCI203     SOCIAL PROBLEMS

3 sh

A study of a variety of contemporary social problems such as alcoholism, drug abuse, crime, delinquency, mental disorders, poverty, minority discrimination,  and family disorganization.  Prerequisite:  SOCI101.

SOCI205     RACIAL AND ETHNIC RELATIONS

3 sh

An analysis is made of the processes involved when people of different racial, ethnic, and sociocultural origins meet and co-exist.  While primary emphasis is given to racial and ethnic relations in the United States, the worldwide phenomena of prejudice and discrimination are also considered.  Prerequisite:  SOCI101.

SOCI206     MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY

3 sh

An historical and analytical study of the patterns of behavior within courtship, marriage, and the family, with special attention to sociological research relating to problem areas in the family life cycle.  Prerequisite:  SOCI101 or ANTH101 or ANTH102.

SOCI301     JUVENILE DELINQUENCY

3 sh

An analysis of the nature of juvenile delinquency, theories of causation, methods of treatment, and suggested methods of prevention.  Prerequisite:  SOCI101.  (Fulfills multicultural general education)

SOCI302     CRIMINOLOGY

3 sh

An analysis of the nature of criminal behavior, theories of causation, its relation to social institutions, and the systems of prosecution and rehabilitation of the criminal.  Prerequisite:  SOCI101.

3 sh

A thematic or topical approach to examine in greater depth an item of interest to sociological investigation.  Probable topics include social institutions, contemporary social problems, issues of national or international public policy debate, or discipline specific theoretical developments.  Particular emphasis is placed on the application and relevance of theory to better understand social phenomena.   Prerequisite:  SOCI101.

SOCI328     SOCIAL SCIENCE SEMINAR:  CHANGING MALE AND FEMALE ROLES

3 sh

During the past three decades the family as an institution has undergone drastic changes.  New gender role-expectations have emerged due to the technological developments, socio-political changes and the growing awareness of women's potentials.  This seminar course examines the changing roles and expectations of males and females in the society and explores their socialization, communication and adaptation processes.  Prerequisite:  SOCI101.

SOCI328     SOCIAL SCIENCE SEMINAR:  ISSUES IN HEALTH CARE

3 sh

Contemporary America faces a strange medical paradox:  while the medical profession and the health care organizations have at their disposal the most powerful technology and the greatest resources in the world, they are severely criticized for failing to adequately meet American’s needs.  Drawing from the social sciences, this course offers an introduction to illness, the medical professions, health care organizations, health care programs and health care policies.

SOCI328     SOCIAL SCIENCE SEMINAR:  MODERNIZATION AND GLOBAL  DEVELOPMENT

3 sh

This is an inquiry into the processes of modernization and its impact on society.  The aim is to analyze the interaction between the forces of modernization with respect to urbanization, bureaucratization, re-organization of family structure, class structure, demographic change, mass education, secularization of belief system, change in personal values, and transformation of the entire culture and subcultures.

SOCI328     SOCIAL SCIENCE SEMINAR:  SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION

3 sh

Analyzes the functions of religion, both as a social institution and as an ideological construct by which individuals direct and give meaning to their lives.  Emphasis is placed on the forms that religion and religious experience have taken in the United States.  Larger global aspects of religion will be examined where they contribute to a greater understanding of the United States experience.  Prerequisite:  SOCI101 and at least 30 sh of college credits or permission of the instructor.

SOCI330     JAPANESE CULTURE AND SOCIETY

3 sh

The course will use sociological and anthropological perspectives to understand Japanese culture and society.  The course will highlight various social institutions and cultural elements of the Japanese society, namely education, religion, popular culture, group dynamics, marriage and the family, and economy.  Through the multidisciplinary approach, the course will investigate both historical as well as contemporary issues concerning Japan.  Prerequisite:  SOCI101 or ANTH101 or ANTH102.  Also see ANTH330.  (Fulfills multicultural general education)

SOCI351     URBAN-RURAL PATTERNS

3 sh

Analyzes the process of urbanization upon people individually and collectively.  Considers the pervasive impact of the urbanization process upon communities of all sizes, no matter how small or isolated.  Consideration will be given to some topics most often described as major urban problems:  poverty, poor or inadequate housing, crime and violence, and urban finances. A review what has been done to combat each problem and focus on the hypothesis that these problems are a consequence of the way in which we view the world and do business. Prerequisite:  SOCI101.

SOCI352     SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY

3 sh

Introduces students to the major thinkers who shaped the development of sociological theory.  Special attention is given to the socio-historic importance and contemporary application of sociological theory.  Prerequisite:  SOCI101.

SOCI354     SOCIAL CHANGE

3 sh

An inquiry into the nature of social change--its causes, processes, and consequences--and a critical examination of theories of social change and their applications to the comparative analysis of Western and Asian societies.  Prerequisite:  SOCI101.

SOCI360     DEATH AND DYING

3 sh

An exploration of the various ways societies have sought to understand and cope with death. Consideration is given to the way individuals, families, and societies have formulated policy and administrative procedures to make institutions more humane in their response to the terminally ill and the bereaved.  Prerequisites:  SOCI101 or PSYC100 or permission of instructor.

3 sh

An analysis of our highly industrialized and urbanized society with emphasis on the role of industry in influencing our American way of life, individually and collectively, and the nature of social change deriving from that industrialization and its concommitant urbanization.  Prerequisites:  SOCI101 or ANTH101 or ANTH102.

SOCI403     SOCIAL GERONTOLOGY:  THE SOCIOLOGY OF AGING

3 sh

A sociological analysis of the problems confronting the aged in modern bureaucratic society.  Emphasis is placed on the influence that various structures--groups, associations, and institutions—have on the changing statuses and roles of individuals in society.  Prerequisite:  SOCI101 and one course on Psychology.

SOCI404     SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH

3 sh

An exploration of basic research design and statistical inference, and the application of basic statistical techniques as utilized on sociological research.  Prerequisite:  SOCI101, 352, MATH107, or permission of the instructor.

3 sh

A study of informal and formal organizations in the contexts of work, voluntary agencies, and the military. This course investigates the creation, evolving structures, and evolving functions of such organizations and their consequences on race, social class, and gender.   Prerequisite:  SOCI101 and completion of 60 credit hours.

3 sh

This course will explore the relationship of criminology to criminal justice from systems and interdisciplinary approaches.  Major emphases are placed on investigating philosophies and issues in corrections such as retribution, restitution, general and specific deterrence, incapacitation, rehabilitation, or treatment.  Correctional strategies are also examined by evaluating traditional and nontraditional adult and juvenile corrections.  Prerequisite:  SOCI101 or ANTH101; SOCI302 is strongly recommended.

SOCI430     CAPSTONE SEMINAR IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE CONCENTRATION

3 sh

This seminar is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of sociology in relation to criminology and criminal justice systems.  Major emphases include integrating sociological theory, research and the application of findings to understanding the inter-relatedness of police, courts and correctional systems, as well as policy decisions and their impacts.  Efforts are made to synthesize contemporary and past dimensions of criminal justice systems with sociology providing the foundation of interdisciplinary perspectives useful in evaluating various strategies and programs within each system.

SOCI499     INDEPENDENT STUDY IN SOCIOLOGY