Sociology Courses

SOCI 101G. Introduction to Sociology                                                        3 sem hrs

A review of basic concepts, theories, and principles used in analyzing human behavior in social contexts.

SOCI 102G. Social Problems                                                                     3 sem hrs

An introductory survey of selected contemporary social problems using some of the major concepts of sociology.

ANTH 103G. Introduction to Anthropology                                                 3 sem hrs

 A broad introduction to the anthropological study of human diversity. It will familiarize students with each of the four sub-fields of anthropology by focusing on human culture, human biology, human language, and archaeology.

SOCI 104 Introduction to Human Services in the United States                      3 sem hrs

An introduction to the basic concepts and principles, and the history and future of human services in the United States. An overview of the major social issues in the United States, the impact they have on the individual and the community, and policy responses.

SOCI 247. Race and Ethnicity                                                                    3 sem hrs

A study of racial and ethnic identity and how their interaction with gender, class, and other identities creates oppressions and social structures of inequality, both historically and currently.

SOCI/ANTH 250. Special Studies in Sociology/Anthropology                        3 sem hrs

An examination of selected problems and issues from a sociological or anthropological perspective. May be repeated for credit.  

SOCI 251. Criminology                                                                             3 sem hrs

An analysis of the social bases of law, the application of law, types of crime, theories of crime, and societal responses to crime.  

ANTH 260. Cultures of the Middle East                                                      3 sem hrs

Provides background information about historical developments in the regions, reviews the role of Islam, and examines contemporary everyday/popular cultures.

SOCI290. Sociology of Education                                                                       3 sem hrs

Because of education’s role in preparing citizens in this democracy, it is necessary to consider the sociological perspective on K-12 education. In this course, we will focus on five main sociological aspects of education: 1) sociological theories of education, 2) issues concerning diversity, social class and social justice, 3) school choice, 4) politics and policy, and 5) court rulings on education.

SOAN 301. Theories of Culture and Society                                                4 sem hrs

An overview of contemporary and classical theories of society and culture. The review of theoretical orientations of the past will help to set up a theoretical framework for analyzing contemporary social and cultural dynamics and events. Reading both theoretical texts and case studies, students will be introduced to the abstract realm of theorizing and the concrete application of diverse theories.

SOAN 302. Methods of Social Research                                                      4 sem hrs

An overview of the methods sociologists and anthropologists use to empirically study social phenomena. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches are considered. Includes a two-hour laboratory session to accommodate hands-on research. Prerequisites: MATH 106 or permission of the instructor.

SOAN 310. Internship in Sociology/Anthropology                                     1–3 sem hrs

An experience designed to allow students in Sociology/Anthropology to apply the concepts and ideas developed during study in the disciplines to a particular workplace or setting. Prerequisites: At least junior standing, and prior approval of the department. May be repeated for credit with departmental approval.

SOCI/ANTH 320. Independent Study                                                     1–3 sem hrs

Independent study in an area of sociology or anthropology directed by a member of the department. May be repeated for credit.

SOCI 327. Sociology of Medicine                                                               3 sem hrs

An analysis of social processes and structures as they bear on the development and definition of disease, the seeking of care, the training and behavior of practitioners, and the overall health-care delivery system.

SOCI 343. Development and Global Inequality                                             3 sem hrs

A study of the historical and current conditions in the post-colonial developing world. Topics include major theories of economic development, wealthy and poor regions of the world, the gendered nature of development, and the social consequences, including environmental alteration, of development policies.

SOCI 344. Sociology of Work                                                                    3 sem hrs

An overview of the nature and structure of work and the workplace: how work was accomplished in the past, the social organization of work today, and changes anticipated in the workplace of the twenty-first century. Thematic emphases include: class, gender, race and ethnicity, technology, and the global economy.

SOCI 345. Social Inequality                                                                       3 sem hrs

An examination of social stratification, which concerns the unequal distribution of wealth, income, status, and power. Considers how life chances of individuals vary by social class, gender, race and ethnicity. Explores the relationship between globalization, global disparities in wealth, and inequality within the United States.

SOCI 353. Social Interaction                                                                      3 sem hrs

An analysis of elementary social relationships emphasizing their development, maintenance, and transformation. Includes observation of interaction in laboratory and non-laboratory settings.

SOCI 355. Social Movements                                                                     3 sem hrs

An analysis of relatively non-institutionalized forms of group behavior with primary emphasis on social protest. Substantive focus typically includes the U.S. civil rights movement and the feminist movement.

ANTH 362. Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective                                        3 sem hrs

An exploration of themes and questions of gender as defined and experienced in different cultural contexts. Central to the course is the analysis of the cultural construction of gender.

ANTH 364. Cities in Global Perspective                                                      3 sem hrs

A new analytical experience of spaces that might seem familiar, illustrating how cities, streets and other urban spaces are made and remade within larger national and global political, economic, and cultural contexts.

ANTH 366. Representing Cultures: Colonial and Post-Colonial Contexts         3 sem hrs

An investigation of how colonialism dramatically altered the cultural trajectory of colonized societies through the examination of representations of everyday life and popular culture as found in travel reports, ethnographies, novels, and films.

SOAN 410. Senior Research Preparation                                                      1 sem hr

Preparation for the senior research project in Sociology/Anthropology. Includes broad and targeted reading in relevant scholarship and generation of a focused topic for senior research, under the guidance of the project supervisor.

SOAN 420. Research Seminar                                                                    3 sem hrs

A seminar in which each participant conducts a research project involving a review of the literature, research design, data collection and analysis, and written and oral presentations of the findings. The project is the culminating experience of the major program in Sociology/Anthropology. Prerequisite: SOAN 410.

Luke and Emily Raymond

Alumni Scotlight

Luke and Emily Raymond
Class of 2000

First comes Research Methods, then comes marriage