Sociology (SOCI)

FACULTY: Fogarty*, Heitzeg, Wilcox (*department chair)

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

SOCI 1000 PRINCIPLES AND CONCEPTS OF SOCIOLOGY 4 CR.
Introduction to the basic ideas used by sociologists to understand societies, groups, relationships and the connection between the individual and the society. This course surveys the major topic areas of sociology, including culture, inequality, institutions, social interaction and social change, with application to current events and everyday life. Offered every semester. Also offered in Weekend College.

SOCI 2100 RESEARCH METHODS IN SOCIOLOGY 4 CR.
Introduction to the basic concepts of quantitative research in the social sciences. Topics include problem formulation, design, sampling, measurement, data-collection techniques and interpretation of results. Ethical issues in research are considered. You conduct a quantitative research project. This course includes many of the skills you will need to complete the core information technology requirement. Students interested in qualitative methods are directed to SOCI 3250. Offered annually. Prerequisite: SOCI 1000 or permission of instructor.

SOCI 2150 CHALLENGING OPPRESSIONS, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND CHANGE 4 CR.
This course provides an in-depth overview of the dynamics of inequality, intersecting oppressions, models of civic engagement and systemic social change. Classism, racism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism and speciesism are examined as systems of power and privilege that are socially constructed and subject to social change. This course bridges classroom and the community, theory and practice through readings, discussions, guest speakers, visits to community partner agencies, and a community work and learning component. Offered annually. Also offered as CRST and WOST. Required for civic engagement minor but open to all students. Prerequisites: None.

SOCI 2300 THE SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH AND MEDICINE 4 CR.
Examines the social and cultural aspects of disease and the institutions devised to cope with it. Moving beyond the “medical model” of disease, the course explores illness as a social phenomenon, caused by social factors and defined in cultural terms. It also examines the organization of healthcare in the United States, including the rise of the professions, the financing of care and prospects for change. Offered annually.

SOCI 2400 THE SOCIOLOGY OF WAR AND PEACE 4 CR.
Examines the social problem of war and the social construction of peace. The course includes examination of the causes of war, the effects on society of war and preparation for it, the relationships between war, peace and justice, and methods of reducing war and promoting peace. Offered alternate years.

SOCI 2500 THE SOCIOLOGY OF DEVIANCE 4 CR.
Examination of deviance as part of the structure of social control. The course includes study of theories of deviance and the various types of deviance and social control, both formal/legal, medical, psychiatric and informal. Offered in alternate years. Also offered as CRST. Prerequisite: SOCI 1000 or permission of instructor.

SOCI 2700 SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND SOCIAL CHANGE 4 CR.
Provides you with an in-depth understanding of the dynamics of collective behavior and social movements.  A variety of social movements and counter movements are considered. The course emphasizes collective responses to inequality, and the role of race/ethnicity, class, gender and other differences in movements for social change. Offered alternate years. Also offered as CRST and WOST.

SOCI 2994 TOPICS 4 CR.
The subject matter of the course is announced in the annual schedule of classes. Content varies from year to year but does not duplicate existing courses.

SOCI 3210 FAMILY, IDENTITY AND INEQUALITY 4 CR.
Examination of marriage and family in historical, cross-cultural, and contemporary contexts, assessing its ideals, functions, stresses and trends. Considers marriage and family as a social institution with a complex of statuses, roles, norms and laws. Focuses on social changes in families, specifically in terms of kinship patterns, sex roles, mate selection, marriage, parenting and family adaptations. Offered alternate years. Also offered as WOST.

SOCI 3250 CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY 4 CR.
Survey of the evolution, integration and importance of culture. You will develop an awareness of and appreciation for the variety of human cultural and subcultural adaptations, focusing on such institutions as economics, family, politics and religion. Ethnographic methods are also covered, as you learn to recognize and interpret cultural meaning. Also offered as CRST and WOST. Offered annually.

SOCI 3340 AMERICAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM 4 CR.
Analysis of the basic concepts, philosophical underpinnings and dynamics of the U.S. criminal justice system. Study of the personnel involved and experiences encountered in the system. Application of constitutional law concepts to the criminal justice system. Examination of the basic explanations for criminal behavior. Also offered as CRST. Offered in alternate years. Prerequisite: SOCI 1000.

SOCI 3450 GENDER IN A TRANSNATIONAL WORLD 4 CR.
Description and explanation of the current situations of women in the U.S. and other societies, including socialization and social psychological influences on women, women in relationships, women in institutions, feminist theory and social change. Emphasis on meaning of feminism to various racial, ethnic and cultural groups. Offered alternate years. Also offered as WOST. Prerequisite: Sophomore status or higher, or permission of the instructor.

SOCI 3470 SOCIOLOGY OF THE LAW 4 CR.
In-depth understanding of the interplay between law and society. Emphasis is on U.S. law and legal systems, but consideration is given to historical, cross-cultural and international variations. Topics include: historical foundations and current directions of law in the U.S., the organization of law and legal systems; sociological factors that shape the creation, interpretation, and application of the law; and law as a mechanism of social control and a tool for social change. Also offered as CRST. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: SOCI 1000.

SOCI 3510 SOCIOLOGY OF RACE AND ETHNICITY 4 CR.
This course examines structured inequality related to race and ethnicity. The course focuses on current research and theory pertinent to the social construction of race and ethnicity, intergroup relationships, power, stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination, systemic racism, and the ways that race intersects with class, gender and other differences. Includes historical and contemporary experiences of racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. Offered alternate years. Also offered as CRST and WOST. Prerequisite: SOCI 1000.

SOCI 3650 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 4 CR.
Survey of current theory and research. Topics include effects of mass communication and group membership upon the attitudes and behavior of the individual, experimental methodology, attitude formation and change, interpersonal attraction, altruism, aggression, prejudice and group dynamics. You participate in weekly laboratory sessions and design and execute social psychological research projects. Offered annually. Same as PSYC 3650. Prerequisites: PSYC 1001, 2050.

SOCI 3700 SOCIAL THEORY 4 CR.
A seminar-structured course that examines the philosophical underpinnings of sociology and acquaints you with leading social theorists. Includes classical and contemporary theorists and perspectives, as well as the application of theory to contemporary social issues. Offered annually. Prerequisites: SOCI 1000, junior or senior status or permission of the instructor.

SOCI 3860 URBAN SOCIAL PROBLEMS 4 CR.
Analysis of the emergence of cities, urban social systems, urbanization and urbanism with special attention to international urban patterns. Topics include patterns of suburbanization, city lifestyles and social environment of the cities, ethnic diversity, urban planning, housing programs and urban change, urban future. Includes a service-learning component. Also offered as CRST. Offered in alternate years.

SOCI 4602 or 4604 INTERNSHIP 2 or 4 CR.
Structured out-of-class learning experience that takes place on or off campus and includes a substantial work component. An internship involves you in a particular profession in an exploratory way to test career interests and potential. To initiate an internship experience, you must meet with the internship coordinator in the Career Development Office. Prerequisites: Faculty sponsorship and approval by the department chair.

SOCI 4684 DIRECTED STUDY 4 CR.
Directed study is provided for students whose unusual circumstances prohibit taking a regularly scheduled course but who need the material of that course to satisfy a requirement. Availability of this faculty-directed learning experience depends on faculty time and may be limited in any given term and restricted to certain courses. Prerequisites: Faculty, department chair and dean approval.

SOCI 4912 or 4914 RESEARCH 2 or 4 CR.
Specific, complex sociological research projects coordinated with a faculty member and the department chair. Prerequisite: Permission of the department chair.

SOCI 4952 or 4954 INDEPENDENT STUDY 2 or 4 CR.
Prerequisite: Instructor and department chair permission.

URL: http://minerva.stkate.edu/academiccatalog0709.nsf/pages/sociology
This page was created on 05/08/2007 and last updated on 12/03/2007.
Comments, questions and feedback about this site may be addressed to registrar@stkate.edu.