Sociology is the scientific study of society and human behavior. Through the use of both research and theories, sociologists develop understandings of complex forms of human behavior. Students in the BS degree program in Sociology have key opportunities to engage in high-impact practices like diversity and global learning courses, internships, study abroad, collaborative assignments, and conducting research with professors. Such experiences equip students with top job skills desired by today’s employers, including data literacy, critical thinking, effective oral and written communication, cultural intelligence, and empathy. Upon graduation, students are prepared for advanced graduate and professional school education and for entrance into the job market in business, government, non-profit organizations, and social services work.

For more information, please see the Academic Catalog. A program map, which provides a guide for students to plan their course of study, is available for download in the Courses tab below.

Downloads

General

A survey of the discipline of sociology. Topics will include sociological theory, methods and selected substantive areas.

View Instructors, Syllabi and Other Details

An overview of sociological approaches to the study of recent and more enduring social problems. Topics include an analysis on global inequality, the environment, race, class, gender, and generational antagonisms, with a focus on crises experienced in economic, family, community, political, educational, criminal, health/mental health care and delivery systems and institutional areas.

View Instructors, Syllabi and Other Details

Provides practice in fundamental perspectives, skills and habits necessary to succeed in sociology. Communication skills will be emphasized, especially writing skills. For beginning sociology majors only.

View Instructors, Syllabi and Other Details

Examines the impact of globalization on cultural identity, assesses how economic globalization has influenced the autonomy of the nation-state, and surveys the institutional innovations that have emerged in response to increasing global interdependency.

View Instructors, Syllabi and Other Details

A sociological analysis of the family as a social institution. Considers key concerns for contemporary families such as communication and power, household labor, marriage and cohabitation, parenthood, and domestic violence. Addresses the role of social institutions and social inequality in shaping family norms and constraints on family behavior.

View Instructors, Syllabi and Other Details

Social Inequality provides an in-depth analysis of inequality in its many dimensions. Included in this course will be an analysis of classic and modern theories of social inequality and the impact of inequality on individual behavior.

View Instructors, Syllabi and Other Details

Focuses on sociology's contributions to the development of social psychology as they relate to identity, emotion, face-to-face interaction and group dynamics.

View Instructors, Syllabi and Other Details

This course requires an exploration into the emotional and sociological aspects of loss, grief, dying and death--from the perspectives of the individual, the society, and the culture. This is done through lectures, guest speakers, exercises, and writing daily in a personal journal.

View Instructors, Syllabi and Other Details

An introduction to the logic and procedures of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Focuses on research design, use of computer and statistical packages, data interpretation, the relation of research and theory, and the writing of scientific research reports.

View Instructors, Syllabi and Other Details

Introduction to statistical methods used in the analysis of quantitative social science data. This course focuses on applying common statistical techniques to real-world problems. Students will also gain experience explaining statistical analysis to both technical and non-technical audiences. Pre-requisite: SOCI 1101

View Instructors, Syllabi and Other Details

Examines the contributions of major classical and contemporary sociological thinkers and schools of thought and the contexts in which they developed, with a special emphasis on applying their ideas to the analysis of various social issues. Course begins with selected classical thinkers but emphasizes current perspectives and developments.

View Instructors, Syllabi and Other Details

Comparative study of racial and ethnic groups in America. The disciplinary base of this approach is sociological, but observations and interpretations from different perspectives will be examined. Special attention will be given to the nature of prejudice, discrimination, and equality as related to historical, cultural and structural patterns in American society. Topics include: ethnocentrism and racism; interracial violence; theories of prejudice and discrimination; immigration and immigrant experiences; the origins and nature of racial/ethnic stratification; ideologies and programs to assist or resist change. African American experiences are emphasized and contrasted with those of other racial/ethnic groups.

View Instructors, Syllabi and Other Details

The demography, ecology, and social organization of American cities and sociological aspects of urban planning and development. Problems of contemporary American and Global cities.

View Instructors, Syllabi and Other Details

Analysis and evaluation of sociological conceptions and research on deviant and unconventional thought and action. Focuses on contemporary, multicultural society.

View Instructors, Syllabi and Other Details

Examines the ways in which feelings and emotions are socially and culturally produced, defined, and learned, the ways they are embedded in and emblematic of society, and the consequences of the social construction of emotions for self identity, gender, race and ethnicity, aging, health and illness, inequality, power, work, deviance, ethics, law, etc.

View Instructors, Syllabi and Other Details

This course provides an opportunity for seniors majoring in sociology to integrate their learning experiences. Two aspects of these learning outcomes will be demonstrated through (1) career-oriented learning applications and (2) academic learning applications.

View Instructors, Syllabi and Other Details