Fall 2023 Undergraduate Courses

Course Descriptions

SOC 1010-100 – Introductory Sociology (3)

Hunter, enrl 180, MW 9:00am - 9:50am

The fundamental concepts and principles of sociology with special attention to sociological theory and research methods. Survey of the diverse substantive fields in the discipline with a primary emphasis on the institutions in contemporary American society.

Discussion Required.

SOC 1010-002 – Introductory Sociology (3)

Mullins, enrl 35, TR 8:00am - 9:15am

SOC 2052 – Sociology of the Family (3)

Pugh, enrl 180, TR 2:00pm - 2:50pm

Comparison of family organizations in relation to other social institutions in various societies; an introduction to the theory of kinship and marriage systems.

Discussion Required.

SOC 2220 – Social Problems (3)

TBA, enrl 60, TR 12:30pm – 1:20pm

An analysis of the causes and consequences of current social problems in the United States: Race and Ethnic relations, poverty, crime and delinquency, the environment, drugs, and problems of educational institutions.

Discussion Required.

SOC 2280 - Medical Sociology (3)

Aviles, enrl 60, MW 1:00pm - 1:50pm

This course examines how the medical system is shaped by cultural and societal forces, analyzing unique dimensions of medicine from varying perspectives prominent in the discipline of Sociology. Topics will focus upon the interaction of social categories (e.g., socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, gender/sexuality) upon the distribution of diseases, experiences of illness, and relationships between patients and medical provessionals.

Discussion Required.

SOC 2320 – Gender & Society (3)

TBA, enrl 60, TR 9:30am -10:20am

This course emphasizes gender in the United States in today’s world. We begin with how gender role socialization, education, language and the media teach us our places as female and male. Then we go on to examine how the genders fare in the major social institutions of our society: the family, the economic sector, the polity, the military, the criminal justice sector, the religious sphere and the health/sports sector. We examine how we got to where we are and how we compare with other women and men in other ages and other places. We conclude by assessing where the genders are heading in the 21st Century.

Discussion Required.

SOC 2559-002 - New Course in Sociology - Topic: Sociology of Sports (3)

Skubby, enrl 35, TR 8:00am – 9:15am

Sport is a pervasive social institution in nearly every society around the world; therefore, sports can be a subject of sociological investigation. Additionally, it is said that sports is a metaphor for social life. In this course, students will learn how to apply basic social theory and concepts to sports, and they will learn how elements of sport can be applied to better understand society.

SOC 2559-100 - New Course in Sociology - Topic: Drugs and Society (3)

Buckelew, enrl 60, TR 9:30am – 10:20am

This course focuses on drug use and drug control in contemporary American society. This course examines how race and class relate to patterns of drug use and addiction, as well as to drug policy, legislation, and enforcement. Further, the course highlights the political economy of drug control by studying the ongoing “war” on drugs, the recent legalization of marijuana, and the current opioid “epidemic.” Also covers drug culture.

Discussion Required.

SOC 3020 – Introduction to Social Theory (3)

Olick, enrl 60, MW 12:00pm – 12:50pm

An introduction to the major theoretical issues and traditions in sociology, especially as developed in the writings of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim, Sociology majors are expected to take this course in their third year.

Discussion Required.
Required core course for SOC major.

SOC 3056 – Culture and Power (3)

Mullins, enrl 35, TR 11:00am – 12:15pm

This course examines sociological theories of power and their intersections with culture. It focuses on oppression and social change in the 20th and 21st century U.S. through the lens of cultural expression, beliefs and meaning. It includes close reading of social theories of power and empirical studies of social institutions and social identities.

SOC 3120 – Sociology Research Workshop (4)

Skubby, enrl 72, MW 10:00am - 10:50am

An introduction to data analysis and data processing, as well as the conceptualization of sociological problems. Emphasis on individual student projects.

Lab Required.
Required core course for SOC major.

SOC 3410 – Race & Ethnic Relations (3)

Vickerman, enrl , 35 MW 2:00pm – 3:15pm

Introduces the study of race and ethnic relations, including the social and economic conditions promoting prejudice, racism, discrimination, and segregation. Examines contemporary American conditions, and historical and international materials.

SOC 3460 – Future Cities (3)

Makarova, enrl 35, TR 11:00am – 12:15pm

This course conceives alternative possibilities for our cities. It will include such lines of inquiry as the challenges of equality and justice; sustainability and environmental change; the potential and limits of technology; and the impact of the changing global context. We will examine currently emerging urban forms as well as attempts to imagine new forms of urban life.

SOC 3480 - Sociology of Globalization (3)

Wang, enrl 35, TR 9:30am – 10:45am

This course will explore the determinants, nature, and effects of the increase in cross-border flows of goods, services, capital and people that we have come to associate with the term “globalization.” We will investigate how globalization affects domestic & world inequality, the role of institutions, and world & local cultures. The course will include readings from economics, history, world-system theory, and cultural analysis.

SOC 3640 – Human Society in History (3)

Kumar, enrl 35, TR 3:30pm – 4:45pm

Human societies exist in time. This course will examine the historical development of a variety of societies from earliest times to the present. Its focus will be on the relation of the West to the rest of the world. The course is particularly intended for social scientists, to make them aware of the historical dimension to human society; but it is open to all. Meets Historical Studies requirement.

SOC 3730 – Creativity and Innovation: A Sociological Approach (3)

Polillo, enrl 35, MW 3:30pm – 4:45pm

Innovation and creativity are universally celebrated aspects of modern life. We celebrate geniuses and innovators because they reject tradition and produce ideas that are intuitively innovative. In this course we challenge these myths and develop the tools to understand innovation and creativity sociologically, and to explain why creativity and innovation tend to be rare, celebrated, and valued.

SOC 4078 – Racism and Democracy (3)

Mullins, enrl 20, TR 9:30am – 10:45am

William Edward Burghardt Du Bois (Feb 23, 1868-Aug 27, 1963) was a uniquely American scholar and activist whose work has renewed significance today. His analysis of the US reveals both the social causes and consequences of racial stratification, while his political activism offers possible solutions. A controversial figure in his time, he helped to found the American sociological discipline and yet was marginalized within it.

SOC 4230 – Deviance and Social Control (3)

Buckelew, enrl 20, TR 11:00am – 12:15pm

Prerequisites: Six credits of sociology or permission of instructor

An examiniation of a variety of deviant behaviors in American society and the sociological theories that explain societal reactions and attempts at social control. Focus on enduring conditions such as drug addiction, alcoholism, and mental illness.

SOC 4280 – Sociology of Mental Health and Illness (3)

Skubby, enrl 20, MW 2:00pm – 3:15pm

Prerequisites: Six credits of sociology or permission of instructor.

This course explores mental health and illness in social context, focusing especially on the history, definitions, social and cultural determinants, and consequences of conceptualization and treatment of mental illness. It includes an examination of perceptions of mental illness in popular culture, and the spread of psychiatric ideas in more global context.

SOC 4430 – Love, Sex and Sociology (3)

Zeno, enrl 20, TR 3:30pm - 4:45pm

Prerequisites: Six credits of sociology or permission of instructor

This course explores the social construction of love and sexualities. Beginning with historical perspectives, the class also compares the organization of intimate life in the United States and other countries. Students evaluate the impact of social inequalities in gender, class and race on the construction of choice and commitment. The class considers how consumer capitalism, the state, and culture interact to shape our intimate practices.

SOC 4520 – Topics in Religion and Society - Topic: Religion in a Global Age

Makarova, enrl 20, TR 3:30pm - 4:45pm

Prerequisites: Six credits of sociology or permission of instructor.

This course addresses the key debates on the fate of religion in the modern world. It explores new forms of interaction between the secular and the religious in a global context. It will do so through examining specific case studies in different parts of the world, including the reshaping of public culture, nationalism and religious tradition, the relation between gender and religion, and the nature of fundamentalisms.

SOC 4980 – Distinguished Majors Thesis Research (3)

Vickerman, enrl 12, W 4:00pm – 6:30pm

Prerequisites: Admission to the Distinguished Majors Program in Sociology.

Independent research, under the supervision of a DM faculty adviser, for the DMP thesis.

Department of Sociology

SUMMER 2023 COURSES

Fall 2023 Undergraduate Courses

Course Descriptions

SOC 1010-100 – Introductory Sociology (3)

SOC 1010-002 – Introductory Sociology (3)

SOC 2052 – Sociology of the Family (3)

SOC 2220 – Social Problems (3)

SOC 2280 - Medical Sociology (3)

SOC 2320 – Gender & Society (3)

SOC 2559-002 - New Course in Sociology - Topic: Sociology of Sports (3)

SOC 2559-100 - New Course in Sociology - Topic: Drugs and Society (3)

SOC 3020 – Introduction to Social Theory (3)

SOC 3056 – Culture and Power (3)

SOC 3120 – Sociology Research Workshop (4)

SOC 3410 – Race & Ethnic Relations (3)

SOC 3460 – Future Cities (3)

SOC 3480 - Sociology of Globalization (3)

SOC 3640 – Human Society in History (3)

SOC 3730 – Creativity and Innovation: A Sociological Approach (3)

SOC 4078 – Racism and Democracy (3)

SOC 4230 – Deviance and Social Control (3)

SOC 4280 – Sociology of Mental Health and Illness (3)

SOC 4430 – Love, Sex and Sociology (3)

SOC 4520 – Topics in Religion and Society - Topic: Religion in a Global Age

SOC 4980 – Distinguished Majors Thesis Research (3)

Contact Us

Search form

SUMMER 2023 COURSES

Fall 2023 Undergraduate Courses

Course Descriptions

SOC 1010-100 – Introductory Sociology (3)

SOC 1010-002 – Introductory Sociology (3)

SOC 2052 – Sociology of the Family (3)

SOC 2220 – Social Problems (3)

SOC 2280 - Medical Sociology (3)

SOC 2320 – Gender & Society (3)

SOC 2559-002 - New Course in Sociology - Topic: Sociology of Sports (3)

SOC 2559-100 - New Course in Sociology - Topic: Drugs and Society (3)

SOC 3020 – Introduction to Social Theory (3)

SOC 3056 – Culture and Power (3)

SOC 3120 – Sociology Research Workshop (4)

SOC 3410 – Race & Ethnic Relations (3)

SOC 3460 – Future Cities (3)

SOC 3480 - Sociology of Globalization (3)

SOC 3640 – Human Society in History (3)

SOC 3730 – Creativity and Innovation: A Sociological Approach (3)

SOC 4078 – Racism and Democracy (3)

SOC 4230 – Deviance and Social Control (3)

SOC 4280 – Sociology of Mental Health and Illness (3)

SOC 4430 – Love, Sex and Sociology (3)

SOC 4520 – Topics in Religion and Society - Topic: Religion in a Global Age

SOC 4980 – Distinguished Majors Thesis Research (3)