sociology courses
SOCI 100 (3)
Introduction to Sociology: The Sociological Perspective
This course serves as an introduction to the analysis of human interaction and social groups. Focus is on the sociological perspective, methods of social science, socialization processes, and class, gender, and race inequalities, with an overarching emphasis on the social construction of reality. May be counted as an adjunct course for the minor in women and gender studies. V5 SOCI 110 (3)
Introduction to Sociology: Social Research
An introduction to the analysis of human group behavior within the context of social interaction and social institutions. Primary emphasis is on methods and results of social research. This course or SOCI 100 is a prerequisite to all other courses in sociology. IIIQ SOCI 200 (3)
Medical Sociology
Social and behavioral risk factors for health and well- being, illness, accidents and death. Interrelationships of these non-medical factors with health care and socially- patterned inequalities. V5 SOCI 210 (3)
Culture, Society, and the Automobile
Changing effects of the automobile on culture and social organization will be considered. Topics include: the relation of cars to industrialization and the organization of work, cars as popular cultural artifacts and cars and social policy. Some attention will be paid to probable future trends in automotive design and production. Emphasis is on the United States, but recent developments in the rest of the world (especially Japan) will be analyzed as well. Offered every third year. V5 SOCI 220 (3)
The Community
This course analyzes the role of community in human social life, with attention to questions about community formation, maintenance, and change. In it we will also examine the phenomenon of intentional community and its place vis a vis mainstream society, with an emphasis on environmentally sustainable communities. Offered alternate years. SOCI 223 (3)
Sociology of Food
Food is a principal ingredient in sociocultural systems and conveys much about a society. This course explores the social significance of food, specifically: the determinants of what and how people in a society eat, religious and ideological meanings associated with certain foods, how food norms reflect and perpetuate certain forms of social stratification, the rationalization of food-related processes, and the consequences of food conventions for the health of people and the environment. V5 SOCI 230 (3)
Population
An analysis of historical, contemporary and anticipated population trends as these are related to economic and social situations of selected areas, with special reference to the United States. V5 SOCI 240 (3)
Modern Social Movements
A study of the growth of various social, religious, civil rights, political and cultural movements, especially in present-day America. Attention will be given to the theories of the emergence of collective behavior, the causes of social movements and the impact of social movements on our society. SOCI 250 (3)
Social Welfare
The basic principles of social service; types of social-work settings; standards of social work; and an introduction to methods of case work, group work and community work. This course may be counted as an adjunct course for the minor in Women and Gender Studies. This course may not be used to meet the minimum number of courses required for either the major or minor in sociology. SOCI 260 (3)
Sociology of Religion
This course examines religion in human cultures from a sociological perspective, focusing on its origins in and consequences for society. Study includes the review of classic and contemporary arguments about the role of religion and ideas about morality in the development of modern society. The course also explores ways in which religion and other aspects of society influence each other. V5 SOCI 261 (1)
Directed Study
Special topics pursued by individual students under supervision. This course is graded as P/CR/NC only. SOCI 300 (3)
Social Psychiatry
An analysis of cultural values and socioeconomic factors related to definitions of mental health; societal responses to mental illness; the prevalence and distribution of psychiatric disorder in population groups; the influence of non-medical factors in diagnosis and treatment; and the relation to social structure of mental health policy and organization of treatment systems. SOCI 310 (3)
The Sociology of Crime and Delinquency
Critical analysis of contemporary theoretical and empirical research of the sociology of crime and delinquency. IIIQ SOCI 320 (3)
Social Organization: Work, Family, and Education
An analysis of how the economy affects the organization of the workplace which in turn affects home and school socialization processes. Implications of workplace organization and socialization processes for social mobility are explored. SOCI 330 (3)
Social Stratification
An examination of the sociological understanding of "structured social inequality." Beginning with the "origins" of social stratification and theoretical explanations of inequality, the course will survey the principal forms of stratification found in human society, concentrating on an extended analysis of the class structure of American society that addresses these fundamental questions: How are rewards (power, property, prestige) distributed in American society? How unequal is the distribution? Are classes real groups or categories? Can individuals change their rank in the structure? How has the structure of inequality changed? V5, V SOCI 340 (3)
American Culture and Society
This course studies the development of culture in the U.S., from the nation's inception to the present. It examines both continuity in and transformation of the ideals and themes that make up the cultural landscape and influence American social life. Central questions about what American culture is, how it has changed, and whether or not there is a distinctly American culture are explored. SOCI 350 (3)
Urban Sociology
The emergence of the modern city raised many questions about the effects of urban life on society. Today, however, more than half the world's population is urban. This course will examine the range of sociological theories about the city. Themes include: the history of urbanization and sprawl, the cultures of cities, environmental issues, and the "new urban sociology." SOCI 360 (3)
Minorities and Race Relations
An analysis of the significance of minority-group status for the individual and society, with emphasis on the relationship between personality and prejudice, the functions of prejudice in society and the effects of prejudice on minority-group members. The application of this analysis to the United States and selected societies is included. IIIW SOCI 361 (1)
Special Study
Special topics pursued by individual students under supervision. This course is graded as P/CR/NC only. SOCI 370 (3)
Environmental Sociology
An analysis of the reciprocal interactions between the physical environment (ranging from a micro level to the biosphere) and social organization. Specific topics include energy consumption, quality of life, sustainable development, environmental inequality, and global environmental change. Will emphasize the ways in which social structures and the individual behaviors that reflect them both transform and are transformed by the environment. Offered alternate years. V7 SOCI 377 (1)
Internship
SOCI 450 (3)
Theories of Society
Sociological theory was a response to the traumatic birth of modern society. Industrialization, capitalism, and individualism all raised difficult questions. What is the nature of modern society? What are its problems and challenges? How will it change? We shall approach these questions via a critical reading of Marx, Durkheim, Weber, and others, followed by selections representative of the major movements of thought in contemporary sociological theory. IIIO, IIIW,V SOCI 451 (3)
Research Methods
An analysis of strategies for discovery in social research, with emphasis on questionnaires, interviews, and observation. Students will have an opportunity to apply these methods. IIIQ, V8 SOCI 452 (3)
Senior Seminar
The application of the sociological perspective to an issue or problem in contemporary society, with emphasis on the formulation of a sociological question and the construction of a sociological analysis. Students in the seminar will determine the issue or problem to be considered. Students may elect to do independent work on topics related to the theme of the seminar. IIIO SOCI 461 (1)
Independent Study
Special topics pursued by individual students under supervision. This course is graded as P/CR/NC only. SOCI 472 (3)
Senior Honors Thesis
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