Course Descriptions: Sociology

SOC 111: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY.  An introduction to the basic principles and concepts of sociology and examination of the elements of social structure and social behavior.  Focus is placed on the fundamental structure of American society and the basic changes occurring in recent years, with tentative projections into the future.  This course is a prerequisite for all required courses in the Sociology major.  Offered each semester.  CREDIT:  THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

SOC 112: INTRODUCTION TO CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY.  A study of the origin development, and functioning of culture; an examination of the variations of social structure and social behavior in various societies around the world; an analysis of the relationship between culture and personality CREDIT:  THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

SOC 201: THE SOCIOLOGY OF THE FAMILY.  A study of the family; and an examination of courtship, love, marriage, husband‑ wife and parent‑ child relationships and family disorganization.  CREDIT:  THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

SOC 331:  SOCIAL, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS. (Co-listed as SWK 331). The course will investigate the nature of complex social and community organizations such as business, industry, and government. Students will apply key social theories for bringing effective community‑ based social action.  Special attention will be given to community-based disaster preparedness, recovery efforts, and management strategies. Students will be familiar with the strategies to build resilient community, community-mindedness and cooperative relationships between disaster victims and recovery organizations. How disasters lead to rapid social change will also be explored. Prerequisite: SOC 111 or SWK115 (for Sociology & Social Work majors). Non majors (must complete one of the theme areas of the General Education). CREDIT:  THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

SOC 221:  SOCIAL PROBLEMS.  A survey of social problems which are of current concern to American Society, with attention given to major contributing factors, potential solutions, and research needs.  Prerequisite:  SOC 111.  CREDIT:  THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

SOC 231: JUVENILE DELINQUENCY. Surveys types, rates, and trends in juvenile offenses in the United States and selected other nations.  Explores a wide range of theories explaining juvenile delinquency.  Examine past, present, and emerging procedures for reducing antisocial behavior and administering juvenile justice and rehabilitation programs.  CREDIT:  THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

SOC 301:  THE PSYCHOLOGY OF ADULTHOOD AND OLD AGE.  (Also listed as PSY 224.)  Focuses on the processes underlying aging.  Psychiatric, psychological, and economic perspectives will be discussed as will the effects of aging on family and other social relations.  Lecture seminars, and experience in homes for the aged, three hours per week.  Co-requisite:  PSY 111 or SOC 111.  Offered each spring.  CREDIT:  THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

SOC 302:  CRIMINOLOGY, PENOLOGY, AND SOCIOLOGY OF LAW. An introductory analysis of the causes and consequences of crime and delinquency and an examination of society’s reaction to criminal behavior, including the legal, judicial and penal system.  Co-requisite:  SOC 111 or POL 101.  CREDIT:  THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

SOC 305:  SOCIOLOGY OF MEDICINE.  The relationship of sociological variables such as race, class and income to the quality of health services and to the prevalence of disease is examined.  Additional topics include the organization and financing of medical care in the United States and cultural factors in the definition of illness.  CREDIT:  THREE SEMESTER HOURS

SOC 306: BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES OF AGING. This course will deal with the structure and functions of all systems of the human body as affected by aging. Some attention will be devoted to the health characteristics of aging populations with variations by race and other social variables. Co-requisite is SOC 321. Offered once a year CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS

SOC 316: VALUES AND ETHNICS IN AN AGING SOCIETY (Co-listed as PHI 316) A one credit hour seminar designed to sensitize students to the prevailing set of values and assumptions surrounding the aged in our society and to enable them to reflect personal feelings and attitudes which regard to aging and the aged in order to enhance more effective communication with the elderly. Prerequisites: SOC 111. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

SOC 320: TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY.  Seminars and independent studies in various subfields within sociology and anthropology, with emphasis on areas not represented in regular offerings in the department. Individual study projects will be encouraged.  Topics include: A. Independent Study B. Research Seminar in Sociology C. Selected Topics in Sociology; e.g., Black Institutions, Population and Environment, Sociology of Deviant Behavior; or Social Movements. This course may be taken more than once as different topics are treated each time. Prerequisite: SOC 111. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

SOC 321: SOCIOLOGY OF AGING A study of the biological process of aging, the response of society to the aged, special problems common to the elderly, and the effects of industrialization on the roles and attitudes of this stage category. Special emphasis on the Black elderly. Co- requisites SOC 301, 306, 316 CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS

SOC 322: SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY.  Consideration is given to major theoretical approaches to the behavior of the individual as he/she influences and is influenced by others in a social environment.  The course includes concepts borrowed from Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology.  Additional attention is focused on the historical development of social psychology to current experimental social psychology.  Prerequisite:  SOC 111 or PSY 111.  CREDIT:  THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

SOC 334: INTERNSHIP IN GERONTOLOGY Guided field experience for application of generic concepts and principles of Gerontology previously learned in the classroom for working in service or planning setting primarily offering services for the elderly. Prerequisites SOC 111, SSD 215, and SOC 321 Offered each semester. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS

SOC 341:  SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY. (Co-listed as SWK 341)  A survey of sociological theories of contemporary relevance.  Marx, Durkheim, Weber, Dubois, Park, and others considered against the background of the intellectual and social currents of their time; contributions of these thinkers to modern social theory are evaluated.  Prerequisite:  SOC 111, two other courses in the Department, and junior standing, or permission of the instructor.  CREDIT:  THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

SOC 380: METHODS IN SOCIAL RESEARCH. (Co-listed as SWK 380) Consideration will be given to the nature, methods, principles, and techniques of scientific social research.  The application of statistical techniques, (both descriptive and inferential) to various kinds of research problems and methodologies will be delineated.  Students will be expected to conduct a group/individual sociological research project as well as be familiar with the use of computers in research.  Prerequisite: SSD 215.  Co-requisite: SOC 341.  CREDIT:  THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

SOC 401: SOCIAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE AGED An advanced seminar for students interested in an exploration of current social and mental health issues as related to the aged. Such services as clinical evaluations, consultation, nutritional and educational services will be explored as well as such issues as strategies and concepts of prevention, organization, treatment modalities and environments, inter- professional collaboration, and manpower utilization. Prerequisites: SOC 301, 306, 321, 333. Offer once a year. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS

SOC 402: ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMNET PF SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY. A basic introduction to principles of business management with applications to the administration of servies programs providing services for the elderly including housing, transportation, health, safety and legal affairs. A considerable amount of time will be devoted to an examination of major public policies affecting the elderly. Co- requisites: SOC 301, 316, 321, 333. Offered alternate odd years. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

SOC 412 RACE, ETHNICITY, CLASS, & GENDER. (Co-listed as SWK 412)  The course examines the impact of race, ethnicity, class and gender by engaging students in major topics and themes currently shaping political and cultural institutions in the United States. A major focus of the course is on the social construction of race, racial, ethnic, class, and gender identity. It will include a historical perspective from Pre-Colonial times to the present to examine the experiences and contributions of marginalized groups and how the status-quo has been maintained by dominant group. The course will also explore current strategies to build an inclusive society. The course can be used by other departments and interdisciplinary programs such as education, history, political science, psychology, economics and some humanities CREDIT:  THREE SEMESTER HOURS. 

SOC 413:  DEATH AND DYING.  This course will explore grief, bereavement, dying, and death from a social psychological perspective.  The first part of the course will examine the relationship between death, dying and social structure, while the second will be more experimental, and participants will have the opportunity to express their own thoughts and feelings.  Co-requisite:  SOC 301, 306, 316, 321 and 333.  CREDIT:  THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

SOC 422: RURAL AND URBAN STUDIES. (Co-listed as SWK 422)  -This course examines how the rise of metropolitan area has impacted on both city-dwellers and rural communities. The seminar introduces students the key theoretical and methodological trends in urban and rural sociology. Topics include the changing nature of community, the development and structure of neighborhoods, the relationship between social processes and the built environment, and variation in urban, suburban, and rural social problem and policy issues. The course draws on the sociological study of cities while integrating perspectives from history, political science, economics, anthropology, and geography so students gain a holistic understanding of the American physical and cultural landscape.  CREDIT:  THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

SOC 443: SENIOR SEMINAR I.  The course is designed as a follow-up to Soc.380–Methods in Social Research. The course objective is to enable senior sociology majors to analyze topics related to social issues using sociological perspective and develop an empirical (primary or secondary data) research proposal for later execution in Senior Seminar II. The exit requirement for the course is an oral presentation on and a written copy of the completed proposal, development of a survey instrument, and completing the IRB requirements to conduct the study.  This course is offered during the fall semester of the senior year. Pre – requisite: SSD 215 & SOC 380.   CREDIT:  THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

SOC 444SENIOR SEMINAR II.  This course is designed as a follow-up to Senior Seminar I. The course objective is to provide senior Sociology Majors an opportunity to execute the research proposal developed in Senior Seminar I.  Students will collect the data, analyze the data using SPSS and complete the paper in fulfillment of the College’s Senior Paper requirement. The exit requirement for the course is an oral presentation (senior paper defense) on and a written copy of the completed paper following the Department’s guideline. The written copy is to be submitted by the date published on the College’s Writing Commission and which will be made known to students at the beginning of the course. Students are also required to take the comprehensive exam for Sociology. This course is offered during the spring semester.  CREDIT:  THREE SEMESTER HOURS.