Courses Offered
Sociology
A list of regularly offered courses follows. The indication of when a course will be offered is based on the best projection of the department and can be subject to change.
Please note the key for the following abbreviations: (A) Arts; (H) Humanities; (S) Social Sciences; (N) Natural Sciences with Laboratory; (LS) Language Studies requirement; (NSP) Natural Science in Perspective; (NW) Non-Western Cultures requirement.
SOC100. Introductory Sociology. (S) Every Semester
Introduction to the basic concepts, theories and methods used to study human social interaction and social structures. Readings and topics vary section to section, but typically address social stratification (primarily by race, class and gender) and its impact on individual and social life, the sources of social order and social change, deviance and social control and the interrelations between individuals and society. Prerequisite to all other departmental offerings. Staff
SOC210. Class, Status and Power. (S) Spring 2010
A comparative survey of theories and research on inequality. Geographic patterns of inequality will be a main theme, in addition to racial, economic and political varieties. Covers both developed and developing countries. Past case studies have included Britain, South Africa and Brazil. Prerequisite: SOC 100. Hodos
SOC220. Social Psychology. (S) Spring 2010
Study of the relationship between self and society, as seen through sociological social psychology. Examination of the genesis of the social psychological framework in both psychology and sociology and consideration of its applications within sociology today. Emphasis on symbolic interaction and related theories. Topics include the study of language and talk; the relationships between role, identity and self; sociology of emotions; socialization; and the role of all of these in the creation, maintenance and change of social structures. Prerequisite: SOC 100. McClelland
SOC301. History of Sociological Theory. (S) Every Fall
An examination of the development of social thought from the Enlightenment to the early 20th century. Main focus on past attempts to explain the nature of capitalism and its attendant transformation of family, work and community. Course probes the question of how shared ideals and divisive interests affect both the internal coherence of human society and the study of human society as well. Prerequisite: SOC 100. Eigen, Kaye
SOC302. Sociological Research Methods. (S) Every Fall
Strategies and design of sociological research, including: the development of hypotheses; operationalization of concepts; ethics; and data collection, analysis and presentation. Special attention given to the methods of survey research, use of a statistical package and tabular analysis. Prerequisite: SOC 100. McClelland
SOC310. Urban Sociology. (S) Fall 2009
A comprehensive introduction to the sociological study of cities. Topics include migration, theories of urban development, gentrification, poverty, urban politics, suburbanization and globalization. Cities discussed include Philadelphia, Bangkok, Barcelona, Mexico City, Lagos, Cairo, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston and more. Prerequisite: SOC 100. Hodos
SOC320. Criminology. (S) Fall 2009
Surveys theoretical and empirical efforts to study crime, crime causation and punishment. Special attention paid to the historical origins and development of notions of criminal responsibility, trial defenses and the courtroom division of labor. Sociological, psychological and biological explanations of criminal behavior are examined along with research attempts to study the development of delinquent and criminal careers. Prerequisite: SOC 100. Eigen
SOC330. Sociology of Medicine. (S) Fall 2009
An examination of the social and cultural factors which influence the occurrence, distribution and experience of illness, the organization of medical care in American society and its rapidly escalating costs, the technical and ethical performance of physicians and the ethical dilemmas associated with modern medicine. Prerequisite: SOC 100. Kaye
SOC350. Sociology of Gender. (S) Spring 2010
An examination of the transmission of gender expectations and their impact on women’s and men’s educational and employment patterns, interpersonal relationships, psychological traits, family patterns and sexual behavior. Consideration of the role of biology, the intersection of gender with other variables such as social class and the impact of micro- and macro-scale change. Prerequisite: SOC 100. Same as WGS 350. Auster
SOC360. Race and Ethnic Relations. (S) Spring 2010
Study of intergroup relations, with an emphasis on processes of racial/ethnic stratification, assimilation and cultural pluralism. Focus is on American society, past and present. Topics include the development and change of race/ethnic identities, intergroup attitudes, racial ideologies, immigration, education and the intersection of race with social class and gender. Prerequisite: SOC 100. Same as AFS 360. Montez de Oca
SOC370–379, 470–479. Topics in Sociology. (S)
A single problem area of major importance in sociology. The content may change from semester to semester. Different topics may be taken for credit more than once.
SOC384. Urban Education. (S) Spring 2010
A community-based learning course analyzing issues facing urban schools from a sociological perspective, with particular attention to the role of race, class and gender at both the macro and micro levels. Other topics include teachers, schools as organizations, the social psychological perspective on learning, the politics of curricula and instruction, accountability and other contemporary reform movements. Students are expected to integrate and apply their knowledge through work in a local school. Prerequisite: SOC 100. Same as PUB 384. McClelland SEMINARS
SOC410. Globalization. (S) Fall 2010
An in-depth investigation of economic, political and cultural aspects of globalization. Topics include migration, economic inequality, transnational social movements, development and trade, the future of the nation-state, urbanization and culture/media. Students will be expected to write a substantial research paper. Prerequisites: SOC 100 and SOC 301, or permission of instructor. Hodos
SOC430. Sociology of Work. (S) Fall 2009
Work as an activity and occupation as a socially-defined role. Topics include occupational choice and socialization, work and family, worker alienation, deviant occupational behavior and mobility. Prerequisite: SOC 100. Auster
SOC480. The Sociology of Law. (S) Spring 2010
Examines historical and contemporary schools of jurisprudence: the judicial selection of precedents for legal decision-making. Particular attention paid to conflicting claims regarding the purpose and consequences of law, competing schools of legal interpretation emerging from the writings of Marx, Durkheim and Weber and contemporary political and social debates touching on legal rights. Individual student papers are distributed to seminar participants for presentation and debate. Prerequisite: Sociology 320 or permission of instructor. Eigen
SOC490. Independent Study. (S)
Independent study directed by the Sociology staff. Permission of chairperson.
TOPICS COURSES EXPECTED TO BE OFFERED IN 2009–2010
Migration.
Sociology of Sport.
