SYG 2000 Introduction to Sociology (3 hrs)
An introduction to sociological perspectives and methods and the basic areas of
sociological interests such as socialization, gender, race and ethnic relations,
deviance, social control, and social stratification. Required for Sociology majors
and minor.
SYA 3300 Research Methods - (3) AS SOC
PR: STA 2122 or equivalent. Introduction to the scientific method and its application
to social science research. Research design, sampling techniques, and critical evaluation
of social research. Required for Sociology majors.
SYA 3110 Classical Theory - (3) AS SOC
PR: SYG 2000 or CI. The analysis of the philosophical foundations, central principles,
and historical development of Sociological theory. Required for Sociology majors
and minors.
SYA 4935 Senior Seminar -MW (3) AS SOC
PR: Senior standing, SYG 2000, SYA 3010, SYA 3300 plus 6 hours of Sociology electives.
Majors only. DPR. The opportunity for senior Sociology majors to apply theory and
methods to a selected topic of relevance in today's society. Topic changes by instructor.
Electives
SYA 3015 Contemporary Theory - (3) AS SOC
PR: SYA 3010 and SYG 2000 or CI. An examination of recent trends in sociological
theory. Emphasis is on theories examining symbolic interactions, lived experience,
popular culture, and social structures.
SYA 3202 Constructing Social Problems - (3) AS SOC
Examination of how activists, media, politicians, and scientists construct public
images of social problems; analysis of the process of forming social policy and
how public images of social problems shape the characteristics of social service
agencies.
SYA 3310 Qualitative Inquiry -6A LW (4) AS SOC
PR: SYG 2000 or CI. DPR. Exploration of human relationships and behaviors, organizations,
and the larger culture through research techniques such as interviews, participant
observation, life histories, and narratives.
SYA 4910 Individual Research - (1-3) AS SOC
PR: Four courses in sociology, including SYA 3300, upper level standing, at least
3.0 overall GPA, or CI. DPR. Content depends on the interest of the student. A contract
between the student and the sponsoring faculty member must be signed before class
registration.
SYA 4930 Topics in Sociology - (3) AS SOC
Selected specialized topics in Sociology. Topics such as AIDS in society, drugs
in society, problems in education, sociology of childhood, public life, socio-biology.
Content will vary by semester and by section. See class schedule for specific contents
each semester. This course, in different content areas, may be repeated for credit.
SYA 4949 Sociological Internship - (1-6) AS SOC
PR: Senior or graduate standing in Sociology plus CI. Supervised placement in community
organization or agency for a minimum of 10 hours of volunteer work per week, and
a weekly seminar on applying sociological skills and methods in the placement setting.
SYD 3441 Peasant Perspectives -AF (3) AS SOC
PR: SYG 2000 or 6 hours of other Social Sciences Gen. Ed. coursework or CI. Examines
the applicability of sociological concepts to peasant life around the world, and
explores the roles played by “western” societies in creating and sustaining
the conditions under which peasants live.
SYD 3700 Racial and Ethnic Relations -SS HP (3) AS SOC
Comparative study of interracial relations, social tensions, attitudes, and modes
of adjustment in various areas of the world.
SYD 4410 Urban Sociology - (3) AS SOC
The social structure of the community in modern industrial societies. Analysis of
community change.
SYD 4411 Urban Life - (3) AS SOC
PR:SYG 2000. Course provides a number of insights into how living in cities has
changed throughout history, how it varies culturally, and how it has been theorized
in Sociology.
SYD 4800 Gender and Society - (3) AS SOC
Historical and current issues surrounding gender in America. Emphasis on exploring
the causes, meaning, and consequences of gender differences, interpersonal relationships,
and institutional participation.
SYG 2010 Contemporary Social Problems -SS (3) AS SOC
The analysis of social causes and dimensions of major public issues such as crime,
the environment, inequality, gender, employment, and substance abuse.
SYG 2412 Marriage - (3) AS SOC
Study of pre-marital relations. Social, cultural, and personal factors related to
success and failure in mate selection and marriage. Does not count for sociology
major credit.
SYG 3235 Latina Lives -AF (3) AS SOC
An exploration of the experiences of Latinas in the United States. Uncover and examine
such sociological themes as oppression, migration, work, family, activism, spirituality,
and sexuality through short stories, poetry, and scholarly research.
SYO 3120 Sociology of Families - (3) AS SOC
With a goal to understand American families in the present, this course will examine
variations in family types by social class, race, ethnicity, and historical era.
Exploration of current controversies about how families should be organized and
about what they should do for their members as well as social policies related to
families.
SYO 3200 Sociology of Religion - (3) AS SOC
PR: SYG 2000 or CI. An examination of the meanings of religion lived in experiences
in the contemporary United States. Includes the construction and maintenance of
religious meanings and communities, the impact of those meanings and communities
on daily lives, use and impact of religious discourse in daily lives, social movements
motivated by religious beliefs.
SYO 3500 Social Organization - (3) AS SOC
PR: SYG 2000 or CI. Social organization in the broadest sense, including institutions
and associations, as well as variations in role and status.
SYO 3530 Poverty, Inequality, and Stratification - (3) AS SOC
Introduction to one of the most common features of modern society, social inequality.
A survey of perspectives to explain the causes of inequality and reasons for its
persistence.
SYO 4250 Sociology of Education - (3) AS SOC
PR: SYG 2000 Application of sociological theory to the social institution of education.
Primary attention directed toward the social organization of educational systems.
SYO 4300 Political Sociology - (3) AS SOC
PR: SYG 2000 or CI. An examination of the social factors that affect government,
politics, and political behavior.
SYO 4370 Occupations and Professions - (3) AS SOC
PR: SYG 2000 or CI. A comparative analysis of professions, particularly medicine,
law, teaching, allied health professions, engineering. Focus on the process of professionalizing
service occupations like police work, business management, public administration
and social work.
SYO 4400 Medical Sociology - (3) AS SOC
PR: SYG 2000 or CI. The study of disease and the sick person including the analysis
of health practices, beliefs, and practitioners, the hospital as an organization,
the cost, financing, and politics of health care.
SYO 4430 Disability and Society -MW (3) AS SOC
PR: SYG 2000 or CI. Examination of the applicability of sociological concepts to
the experience of disability, and of disability as a means to a better understanding
of the nature of social experience.
SYP 3000 Social Psychology -SS (3) AS SOC
An exploration of the social forces that help shape individual perceptions, behaviors,
and personality. The study of ways individuals develop identity and self-worth.
SYP 3060 Sociology of Sexualities - (3) AS SOC
Explores the interactions, among and between people, and people and institutions
that form the boundaries through which sexualities are understood in the United
States. Addresses interactions with and within medical and religious institutions,
racial/ethnic cultures, families and popular culture.
SYP 3562 Family Violence - (3) AS SOC
An exploration of the complexity of the causes and consequences of physical and
emotional violence among family members. Topics include the meanings and behaviors
of violence, the process of help-seeking, and social interventions for offenders
and victims. Open to nonmajors.
SYP 4420 Consumer Culture -6A MW LW (3) AS SOC
PR: SYG 2000 or CI. The exploration of how Americans’ purchasing behavior
connects to larger historical shifts in our economy, including disenchantment, alienation,
inequality, and the rise of the credit card society.
SYP 4510 Sociological Aspects of Deviance - (3) AS SOC
The examination of the social construction of deviance: how deviance is defined,
implications of deviance designations. Applications of theories of deviance to questions
such as motivations of deviants and implications of criminal justice processing
of deviants.
SYP 4530 Sociology of Juvenile Delinquency - (3) AS SOC
Sociological issues in defining delinquency; the nature of adolescence and delinquency;
sociological theories of the causes of delinquency; types and consequences of social
control applied to delinquents.