Fall 2020 Classes
Introduction to Sociology
SOC 200 001 - Carol Holdt, Fully Online
SOC 200 002 - Barbar Imle, Remote Asynchronous
Sociological concepts and perspectives concerning human groups; includes attention to socialization, culture, institutions, stratification, and societies. Consideration of fundamental concepts and research methodology.
Introduction to Sociology for the Health Science
SOC 250 - Tina Burdsall, Remote Asynchronous
Provides a comprehensive overview of sociological concepts that are important to the health sciences.
Classical Theory
SOC 301 001 - Josh Bass, Remote Synchronous
SOC 301 002 - Julius McGee, Fully Online
Examination and comparison of modes of sociological thinking, from the emergence of a distinctive sociological perspective through sociological theory of the mid-twentieth century. Recommended: Soc 200.
Alcohol & Other Drugs
SOC 314U 001 - Frances Stehle, Fully Online
SOC 314U 002 - Aaron Roussell, Remote Asynchronous
Sociological analysis of the behavior and belief patterns relative to alcohol and other drugs in American society. Prevention and intervention strategies are briefly reviewed.
Sociology of Food Inequalities
SOC 330 - Dan Jaffee, Fully Online
Examination of food and nutrition issues and problems through the lens of the social sciences, with an emphasis on inequalities in the production, distribution and consumption of food. Economic, social, political and symbolic dimensions of food systems and food behaviors. Social determinants of hunger, malnutrition, and obesity. Exploration of solutions at the local, societal and global level.
Prejudice, Privilege, & Power
SOC 337U WEB - Carol Holdt, Fully Online
SOC 337U 002 - Jose Padin, Remote Synchronous
Examines the structuring of relationships between dominant and minority groups, including racial, ethnic, gender, religious, and cultural minorities, with primary emphasis on U.S. society. Covers basic concepts and theoretical approaches to the study of majority-minority group relations, including issues of oppression, privilege, adaptation, and intersectionality. Emphasizes the social construction of difference, as well as the structural and historical roots of dominant group privilege and unequal social, economic, and political power.
Marriage & Intimacy
SOC 339U WB1 - Carol Holdt, Fully Online
SOC 339U 002 - JaDee Carathers, Remote Asynchronous
Introduction to sociological and social psychological perspectives on intimate relationships, marriage, and diverse family forms. Examination of the effects of historical and current social contexts and the role of gender, race, and class in shaping personal choices and experiences. Emphasis is on sociological theory and research.
Self, Attitudes, Social Influence
SOC 342 001 - Dara Shifrer, Fully Online
SOC 342 002 - Jason Johnson, Remote Asynchronous/Synchronous
Examination of psychological and sociological processes associated with people’s thoughts about and interactions with one another. Particular emphases on self, social identity, social cognition, attitudes, prejudice and persuasion. Expected preparation: Soc 200, or Psy 200 or 204. Credit will not be given for both Soc 342 and Psy 342.
Social Relationship & Groups
SOC 343 - Tessa Dover, Remote Asynchronous/Synchronous
Examination of sociological and psychological processes associated with interpersonal, group, and inter-group behavior. Particular emphases on aggression, pro-social behavior, interpersonal attraction, group influence, conflict and cooperation. Expected preparation: Soc 200, or Psy 200 or 204. Credit will not be given for both Soc 343 and Psy 343.
Gender & Sexualities
SOC 344U 001 - Matthew Geraths, Remote Synchronous
SOC 344U 002 - Frances Stehle, Fully Online
Examines the ways in which social constructions of gender both influence and are influenced by the cultural organization of and individual expressions of sexuality. The course explores the intersections among sexuality, culture, gender, and the body and examines a variety of sexualities and emphasizes the multifaceted nature of power, privilege, and oppression.
Sports in Society
SOC 380 - Grant Farr, Fully Online
An objective examination of sports in America as social phenomena. Study of various socio-cultural structures, patterns, and organizations or groups involved with sports. Issues such as race, gender, and class within the context of sports will be explored through a critical sociological lens.
Social Statistics
SOC 396 - Aaron Roussell, Fully Online
Introduction to the range of techniques for analyzing social science data. Emphasis on the conceptualization, operationalization, and measurement of socially based phenomena. Topics include: level of measurement, operationalization, summary statistics, probability, hypothesis tests, and the use of data analysis software (SPSS).
Social Research Methods
SOC 397 - Hyeyoung Woo, Fully Online
Study of the structuring of sociological inquiry, conceptualization and measurement, operationalization, computers in social research, analysis of bivariate and multivariate relations, the logic of sampling and inference. Course includes lecture (4 hours per week) and an introductory research laboratory (2 hours per week).
SEM: Pop Cultur: Sci Fi
SOC 407 - Maura Kelly, Remote Synchronous
This one credit course examines how science fiction texts (e.g. films, television, short stories) can be used by sociologists to understand the societies that produce them. We will focus on how identities and systems of oppression (e.g. race, class, gender, sexuality) are portrayed in science fiction texts, examining what this means for our present and future.
Criminology & Delinquency
SOC 418 - Melissa Thompson, Remote Synchronous
Social and legal meaning of crime and delinquency explored. Historical and contemporary theories of causes of law breaking reviewed. Social and cultural factors promoting and inhibiting law breaking by juveniles and adults are examined. Attention given to strategies of prevention and control. Expected preparation: Soc 200.
Stratification
SOC 423 - Alex Stepick, Fully Online
Survey and analysis of stratification theories and empirical research. Analysis of class, race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation, considering economic, social, political, and cultural dimensions of power. Expected preparation: Soc 200.
Sociology of Gender
SOC 425 - Maura Kelly, Remote Synchronous
Consideration of the theoretical, methodological, and empirical contributions of current sociological scholarship on gender. Emphasis on the intersection of gender, sexuality, race/ethnicity, and class. Analysis of topics such as: masculinity/femininity, parenting, family, education, work, sexualities, reproduction, politics, and social change. This is the same course as WS 425 and may be taken only once for credit.
Gender & Mental Health
SOC 426 - Melissa Thompson, Fully Online
Social and historical explanations of, and research on, mental illness and mental health, with a focus on gender. Contemporary distributions, diagnoses, and treatments of mental illness among men and women are examined. Focus on psychiatric disorder and gender-based discourse. This is the same course as WS 426 and may be taken only once for credit.
Sociology of Health & Medicine
SOC 459 - Elizabeth Withers, Fully Online
The application of sociology to the field of health and medicine. Attention given to a consideration of the broader questions of health in modern society, including the role of the medical practitioner in modern society, social factors and disease and responses to illness. The social organization of medicine is examined within the context of the larger medical care system. Recommended prerequisite: Soc 200.
Sociology of the Family
SOC 461 - Carolyn Zook, Fully Online
Sociological analysis of the structure and functions of the family institution and its relationship to external systems such as the economy and polity. Changing and diverse forms of family organization in urban society. Analysis of role relations in the family. Expected preparation: Soc 200.
Sociology of Religion
SOC 480 - Josh Bass, Remote Synchronous
Analysis of the nature of the sacred; attitudes toward the sacred in contrast to the secular. Comparison of the social organization of sect and church in their relation to the larger society. Survey of recent empirical studies of religiosity and religious practices in America. New trends in American religion. Expected preparation: Soc 200.
TOP: Sociology of a Pandemic
SOC 510/610 - Maura Kelly, Remote Synchronous
This course will examine the COVID-19 pandemic from a sociological perspective, with a focus on how the pandemic has exacerbated existing social inequalities. The course will cover topics such as: health, mental health, law, deviance, environment, education, and work.
Qualitative Data Analysis
SOC 537/637 - Dan Jaffee, Remote Synchronous
Introduction to three techniques for analyzing qualitative data: software-based analysis using ATLAS.ti, Grounded Theory, and Thematic Analysis. Practical orientation, emphasizing hands-on experience with these techniques. Most useful for students engaged in data collection.
Social Research Strategies
SOC 590 - Alex Stepick, Remote Synchronous
Consideration of the nature of sociological knowledge; elements of social research design; methods of observation and data collection; reliability and validity of information; techniques of data analysis. Recommended prerequisite: graduate status.
Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology
SOC 591 - Jose Padin, Remote Synchronous
Analysis of the major contemporary theories in sociology. Attention to the problems of order and change, and power and inequality, as well as to the micro/macro problem in sociological theory. Recommended prerequisite: Soc 470 and graduate status.