Sociology Courses
(Also AFS 369) This course seeks to examine Black families in the United States by exploring the social and cultural factors that have shaped them. It begins with an overview of the historical and anthropological roots of Black families, and then focuses on an in-depth analysis of their contemporary formations.
This course focuses on the problems we face in society today, how we recognize and attempt to solve them, and the political, economic, and cultural institutions that construct and shape social problems.
This course examines changes in technology, culture, economy, political structure, and social consciousness which contributed to and were consequences of colonization, industrialization, and revolution. Historical and comparative analysis of theories of social change are studied.
(Also WMS 414) This course examines the nature of social protest and resistance to oppression and social injustice, the ways in which individuals have organized to challenge the limitations and boundaries imposed upon themin order to create the conditions necessary for a dignified life, and the consequences of social protest. Topics may include: revolutionary, human rights, civil rights, black power, labor, and women’s movements around the world.
(Also WMS 415) This course involves a comprehensive examination of the particular situation of women when confronting the criminal justice system. Topics include: the history of women’s imprisonment, responses to female crime, theories of female criminality, crime statistics pertaining to women, and the criminal justice system’s response to women when they encounter it as victims.
This course examines the racial representation of victims and offenders in the criminal justice system. Various perspectives and theories about the race-crime correlation are examined. Topics include: theories about race and crime, racial profiling, race riots, multicultural law enforcement, race and sentencing, and bias related crimes.
(Also WMS 417) A requirement for theWMS minor, this course focuses on contemporary feminist theories regarding culture, identity, class “race”/ ethnicity, gender and sexuality. Relationships between social theory and praxis, and research methodology and the creation of knowledge are explored.
This course analyzes the research literature regarding drug policy formation and implementation in the United States within a social and political context. Topics include: drug trafficking, drug law reform, controlling substance abuse, and drug policy on various segments of the population.
This course examines reintegrating prisoners back into the community. Topic areas include the role of community corrections, the social economic and political forces influencing successful reintegration, programs designed to rehabilitate prisoners, and working with special offender populations (e.g. drug offenders, sex offenders, mentally ill offenders).
Advanced selected topics in Sociology. Depending upon the instructor, course topics may be suited for either General Sociology or Criminal Justice Concentration students. As topics change, this course may be repeated for credit.
Please contact your instructor for specific topic.
This course descriptions will be announced when the course is offered. As topics change, this course may be repeated for credit.
Please contact your instructor for specific topic.
A graduation requirement (as an alternative to SOC 490/491), SOC 450 is an in-depth examination of a central issue in contemporary sociology. Examples of issues, which vary from semester to semester, are the media and social change; culture and identity; masculinities; social class and African/American status; Latino/ Hispanic ethnicity; and sociology of information technologies. This is a writing-intensive course. Students conduct their own research in consultation with the faculty.
Prerequisite: One Sociology course at the 400 level
Students majoring in Sociology are required to take either SOC 450 Senior Research Seminar, or an internship. Students may take both internship classes for credit. The Internships in Sociology involve weekly class meetings and a minimum of 96 hours of internship experience over the course of the semester in an approved appropriate agency, institute, or organization. The courses integrate students’ “hands-on” experiences as interns, with theory and case study analysis of social issues, problems and institutions. Each class is limited to 12 students. Acceptance into the internship classes is based on the following criteria: 1. Class standing (Seniors have preference over Juniors) 2. Sociology GPA 3. Satisfactory completion of the Internship Program Application Procedure which includes: A.The application form and personal essay in which the students’ goals and objectives, motivations, interests, interpersonal skills and previous relevant experiences are clearly articulated. B. Two letters of recommendation from Faculty who are familiar with the students’ interests and performance in related courses. C. Interview with the Internship Coordinator. The interview will help the Coordinator to assess students’ readiness and degree of motivation for the internship experience, and help students explore options regarding the most suitable placements.
This course cannot be substituted with Portfolio Assessment
Students majoring in Sociology are required to take either SOC 450 Senior Research Seminar, or an internship. Students may take both internship classes for credit. The Internships in Sociology involve weekly class meetings and a minimum of 96 hours of internship experience over the course of the semester in an approved appropriate agency, institute, or organization. The courses integrate students’ “hands-on” experiences as interns, with theory and case study analysis of social issues, problems and institutions. Each class is limited to 12 students. Cannot be substituted with portfolio assessment. Acceptance into the internship classes is based on the following criteria:1. Class standing (Seniors have preference over Juniors)2. Sociology GPA3. Satisfactory completion of the Internship Program Application Procedure which includes: A. The application form and personal essay in which the students’ goals and objectives, motivations, interests, interpersonal skills and previous relevant experiences are clearly articulated. B. Two letters of recommendation from Faculty who are familiar with the students’ interests and performance in related courses. C. Interview with the Internship Coordinator. The interview will help the Coordinator to assess students’ readiness and degree of motivation for the internship experience, and help students explore options regarding the most suitable placements.
This course cannot be substituted with Portfolio Assessment