Plan of Study – Sociology

Note: A Semester Hour (s.h.) is a unit of academic credit representing an hour of class (such as lecture class) or three hours of laboratory work each week for an academic semester. Most courses are two, three or four semester hours.

Sociology Major: Bach Arts

Sociology Major: Bachelor of Arts

Major Courses (Minimum of 34 semester hours required.)

PSC 1510 American Government (3 s.h.)

American political structure to include the organization, powers, functions and services of national, state and local government and their interdependence in seeking solutions to contemporary social, economic, and political issues.

SOC 1020 Introduction to Sociology (3 s.h.)

Foundations and principles of social order, social control, social institutions, and social life in America and other cultures. Focus on how people’s conditions, character, and life chances are influenced by organizations and institutions. Emphasis on critical thinking about practices and beliefs in a variety of social contexts.

SOC 2020 Social Problems (3 s.h.)

Analysis of major social issues/problems in the US and globally from a sociological perspective. Consideration of national and international implications. Focus on issues of stratification (social class, race, gender), deviance, industrial conflict, warfare, environmental pollution, and consumption. Analyses of specific social movements that respond to political and economic contradictions. Focus areas may include: media and public opinion; social inequality and justice; social control and deviance; and belief, religion, and science. May include an academic service learning component.

SOC 3950 Social Theory (3 s.h.)

An examination of classical and contemporary sociological theory as related to understanding social changes and research methodology. Focus on how theory provides the basis for interpreting the human condition, addressing social problems, and conducting empirical research regarding human behavior. Students examine and evaluate strategies for the improvement of society. Prerequisite: SOC 2020.

SOC 3970 Research Methods in the Social Sciences (PSC/SOC*) (3 s.h.)

Prepares students to become educated consumers of evidence-based social science research. Provides an understanding of how sociologists, political scientists, and other social scientists in related disciplines use quantitative and qualitative research to analyze, interpret, and make sense of the social world. Emphasizes importance of understanding ethical considerations when conducting research with human subjects. Prerequisite: SOC 2020 or PSC 1510.

SOC 4900 Applied Social Research Methods (2 s.h.)

Introduces the basic methods of social research and the major data/informatin systems in the social sciences. Demonstrates both qualitative and quantitative approaches to the interpretation, explanation, and understanding of social phenomena. Examines participant observation, survey research, controlled experiments, and the analysis of exisitng data.

SOC 4930 Sociology Internship (2 s.h.)

Professionally supervised practical experience (75 hours) in an approved setting, focusing on behavior of the individual, small groups, and community. Extends the student's sociological knowledge and skill base and provides an opportunity for students to synthesize theory with practice while gaining practical work experience. To be taken in the final academic year of the program.

SOC 4950 Sociology Seminar (2 s.h.)

Introduces a historical and critical approach to the conceptual framework of sociological theory through the study of primary sources. Examines major concepts and central contributions from both classical and contemporary theorists. Considers current trends in sociological theory and their relationship to other social sciences. Prerequisite: SOC 101

Major electives (Minimum of 13 semester hours required. *Electives may be chosen from remaining courses listed or cross-listed in Sociology (see Course Descriptions section of Catalog).)

AGE 4040 Proposal Writing and Grant Administration (AGE*/EM/SOC/SW) (3 s.h.)

Students learn about the role of grants in agency funding and develop the basic skills needed to write a successful proposal to compete for funds from outside sources. Topics include: generating program ideas, researching funding sources; establishing and maintaining collaborative partnerships; proposal planning and development; and the establishing and analyzing program metrics, administration, reporting, and accounting for funds and program deliverables.

CJ 3210 Principles of Criminology (CJ*/FOR/SOC) (3 s.h.)

Study of the incidence, type, causes, and theories of adult deviant behavior. Emphasis is placed upon current crime trends and statistics and the processes involved in dealing with crime.

CJ 3230 Juvenile Justice (CJ*/SOC) (3 s.h.)

Theories of causation and prevention of delinquency; role of the courts, policy prevention programs, institutions in the control, and prevention of juvenile delinquency.

HUM 3410 Sustainability: Vision and Values (HUM*/RST/SOC) (3 s.h.)

Interdisciplinary overview of the concepts of sustainability, including its origins in spiritual traditions and its environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Allows for individualized exploration of topics such as food systems, climate, public policy, renewable energy, and green building.

LAW 2100 Law, Society, and Politics (LAW*/PSC/SOC) (3 s.h.)

This core curriculum law course examines the social, political, and historical contexts of law as a social institution. Students will examine historical, political, and societal perspectives on why law is made, how it is made in legislatures and the courts, and how it shapes what individuals do on an everyday basis. Students focus on legal institutions and resolution processes including historical and recent case law, institutional political science, resultant social policy, and its impact on society through mixed media and an examination of case studies. This is not a legal specialty course and permission to use it for major credit must be obtained from the Program Director prior to enrolling in the course.

RST 3530 Marriage and the Family (FCS/RST*/SOC) (4 s.h.)

Marriage and family studied from the Biblical, theological, economic, technological, and sociological aspects. (Interdisciplinary.) Prerequisite: junior or senior status.

SOC 1300 Introduction to Community Leadership (1 s.h.)

Introduce the skills needed for active civic engagement with the goal of positive community transformation. Exploration of civic engagement, community involvement, advocacy, and planned change.

SOC 2140 Conflict Resolution (EDU/SOC*/SW) (1 s.h.)

Introduces students to 21st century non-violent conflict resolution skills and knowledge. The class addresses non-violence, attitudes towards conflict, conflict styles, macro and micro levels of conflict processes, diversity, and methods of conflict resolution. The focus is interpersonal conflict resolution in the home and work.

SOC 3120 Diversity, Discrimination, and Social Justice (3 s.h.)

Issues of diversity, discrimination, and social justice with particular attention given to institutions that provide human services (sociology, criminal justice, nursing, gerontology, social work, psychology, education): how marginalized populations (e.g. race/ethnicity, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, social class, medical/mental disability) are socially constructed; how these groups have been affected in the contexts of social stratification; institutional and structural discrimination; how economic, political, and cultural systems pose challenges to these marginalized groups; exploration of possible solutions.

SOC 3130 Sociology of the Family (3 s.h.)

Analysis of the family as a major social institution, with consideration of the way forms of the family vary cross-culturally. Examination of how political and economic developments affect the family. Topics include: ethnic and social class variations in structure, patterns of mate selection, parenthood, parent-child interactions, divorce, and changing gender roles.

SOC 3620 Society and Health: Sociological Perspectives (3 s.h.)

Individual and group responses to the meaning of the sick role and well-being, provider-patient relationships, structure of health care organizations, and issues of inequality within health care institutions. Topics include the effects of age, race, gender and socioeconomic status on health and wellness; the interrelationships between healers, patients and social institutions. Topics are examined through the sociological perspectives of conflict theory, functionalism, and symbolic interactionism.

SOC 3710 Special Topics in Sociology (1 s.h. (Not To Exceed 3 s.h.))

Analyses of current issues and topics from a sociological perspective. Normally offered in a weekend format.

SOC 4890 Seminar in Community Leadership (3 s.h.)

Obtain skills needed for active civic engagement with the goal of positive community transformation. Analysis of civic engagement and community involvement application in the role of community advocacy and planned change. Prerequisites: SOC 1300 and SOC 3120.

SW 2160 Empathy Listening Skills (SOC/SW*) (1 s.h.)

Instruction and practice in the establishment of rapport with individuals through the use of empathic listening skills. The material is presented in the context of developing a helping relationship.