400

SOC 431 Mapping Social Problems

This course emphasizes a spatial approach to the study of social problems. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software, students will gain experience in making maps, obtaining data, and uncovering spatial patterns (e.g., "hot spots" of criminal activity or residential segregation) to inform public policy.

3

Prerequisites

SOC 214, PSY 214, or SW 214, SOC 215 or PSY 215 or permission of instructor.

SOC 432 Gender and Violence

The course explores the way gender is associated with violence as well as the roots and manifestations of gender-based violence. Particular attention will be paid to sexual assault, prostitution and domestic violence. Students will be able to explain and apply theories of violence and will have a choice of actively working to reduce violence or conducting a research project to better understand violence.

3

Prerequisites

SOC 214, PSY 214 or SW 214 or permission of instructor.

SOC 435 Technology & Society

Examines the interplay between new technologies and social problems. Includes: social media and disinformation, digital surveillance and the state, ethical dilemmas with IVF and surrogacy, biases in search algorithms, and racial and gender underrepresentation in Silicon Valley. Students participate in original research and are introduced to qualitative/textual analysis research methods. Emphasis will be placed on the design and use of digital technologies.

3

Prerequisites

SOC 101; SOC 214 or SW 214; or instructor permission

SOC 436 Women and Work

This course examines “work” as a site of uneven power for women, and interrogates the contexts of paid and unpaid labor across different social contexts. Additionally, the course explores how race, class, gender, citizenship status, and geography intersect to produce constrained agency for women laboring under global capitalism. This advanced course in sociology provides enhanced training in qualitative research methods.

3

Prerequisites

SOC 101; SOC 214, SW 214, or PSY 214; SOC 215 or PSY 215; or instructor permission

SOC 437 The Social Construction of Health & Illness

The course examines how social, cultural, and institutional factors shape our experiences and understandings of health, illness, and healthcare. Drawing on sociology, public health, and other fields, we learn how social inequality affects medical care and health outcomes, and how the pharmaceutical industry, government agencies, the medical institution, and other organizations shape health beliefs and practices.

3

Prerequisites

SOC 101; SOC 214, SW 214, or PSY 214

SOC 438 Juvenile Delinquency

Analysis of theories and research concerning the nature, extent, course, and control of juvenile criminal and antisocial conduct.
3

Prerequisites

SOC 101 or PSY 101; SOC 214, PSY 214 or SW 214; SOC 215 or PSY 215.

SOC 453 Psychosocial Aspects of Sport Activity

This course will engage psychological and sociological perspectives toward understanding sports and physical activity as both personal engagements and social phenomena. Topics will include sport-based youth development, mental health and physical activity, performance enhancement, and sport and social issues. The course will emphasize reflective, analytic, critical, and interdisciplinary perspectives based on engaging with scholarly readings and material.
3

Prerequisites

SOC 101 or PSY 101

Cross Listed Courses

PSY 453

SOC 455 Black Feminist Thought

This course explores Black feminist perspectives with an eye to the intersections of race, gender, class and sexuality in the United States context. It centers theories, experiences, and subjugated knowledges of Black Womyn and provides an overview of the evolution of Black feminist thought from antebellum through the 21st century. Students engage texts on topics from violence to media/art to queerness.

3

Cross Listed Courses

SW 455

SOC 463 Children, Youth and Society

This course is about child and youth development as embedded in social and cultural contexts. The particular emphasis will be on early childhood through the transition into adulthood, and on thinking about childhood and youth as social phenomena. The course is reading/discussion intensive and involves a community-based learning project.

3

Prerequisites

SOC 101

Cross Listed Courses

PSY 463

SOC 468 Comparative Health and Social Issues in Ecuador

Students will spend six weeks engaging in services in Quito, Ecuador.  The focus is on issues impacting mental, physical, and spiritual well-being of individuals/communities in Ecuador and services designed to address these issues & work for social/economic justice.  Comparisons are made to systems in the U.S.  Approval of Studies Abroad Director required.

3

Prerequisites

SOC 101, SPN 301, SPN 302 or equivalent

Cross Listed Courses

SW 468, SPN 468

SOC 490 Directed Study

Credit arranged. Guided inquiry by special arrangement with sociology faculty.

variable

SOC 491 Sociology Seminar

Credit arranged.

Variable

Prerequisites

SOC 214, PSY 214, or SW 214 or permission of instructor.

SOC 492 Sociology Seminar

Credit arranged.

Variable

Prerequisites

SOC 214, PSY 214, or SW 214 or permission of instructor.

SOC 493 Research

Participate directly in the research process with a faculty member. Before enrolling, a student must consult with a faculty member to define the project. Course is graded A-F.

Variable

SOC 494 Research

Participate directly in the research process with a faculty member. Before enrolling, a student must consult with a faculty member to define the project. Course is graded A-F.

Variable

SOC 497 Sociology Internship

Students will gain practical field experience through an internship with a community-based organization, government office, or human services agency. Internships are individually arranged by students with support from the Career Education Center. Students will supplement the internship with a classroom seminar focused on professional development and integrative learning. Sociology majors may take up to 6 credits of internships.

3

Prerequisites

SOC 101 or instructor permission

Cross Listed Courses

SOC 497C, SW 497

SOC 497C Criminology Internship

Students will gain supervised in-field experience in some aspect of the criminal justice system, including work in corrections, law enforcement, local police, court room proceedings, or policy and legislation. Internships are individually arranged by students with support from CAS and the instructor. Criminology track students only.

3

Prerequisites

SOC 101 or instructor permission

Cross Listed Courses

SOC 497

SOC 498 Senior Project

Advanced analysis, integration, application, and criticism of the field of sociology. Students will complete a senior project. Sociology majors only.

3

Prerequisites

SOC 214 and SOC 380, or permission of instructor.

SOC 499 Senior Thesis

Research, study, or original work under the direction of a faculty mentor, leading to a scholarly thesis document with a public presentation of results. Requires approval of thesis director, and department chair.

1

Prerequisites

SOC 214 and SOC 380. Senior standing; 3.0 G.P.A. in the thesis area, or good standing in the honors program.