SOCIOLOGY

SOCI-101  Introduction to Sociology

3 Credits (Social and Behavioral
Sciences Core)Through this introduction to sociology, the student will develop an understanding of the basic concepts of sociology including culture, socialization, social stratification and social change and be able to apply these concepts to social problems and everyday life experiences. Students will be exposed to sociological information and ideas which will help them understand and clarify their own norms, values and attitudes. Prerequisite: Eligible to enroll in ENGL-121. (3 hours weekly)

SOCI-102  Social Problems

3 Credits (Social and Behavioral
Sciences Core)The general objective of this course is to give students a broad overview of contemporary problems both in America and around the world. This course will analyze social problems, both internationally and here in the United States using various sociological perspectives. We will use the tools of sociology–its analytical insights, its theoretical frameworks, and its methods to ask questions about what constitutes a social problem, when does a social condition become problematic, who are advocating which strategies for solutions or social change. We will focus on three general classes of social problems: problems of social inequality and conflict, problems arising within specific social institutions (family life, education, crime, and health care), and problems arising from social change (environmental crises, population growth, and social upheaval). In each case, we will study what is known: (1) about the problem and recent trends therein, (2) its causes and consequences, and (3) individual and societal responses to the phenomenon. Prerequisite: Eligible to enroll in ENGL-121. (3 hours weekly)

SOCI-103 The Sociology of the Family

3 Credits

The Sociology of the Family will introduce the student to the sociological study of the family.  In part one of the course, we will examine the American family in historical and cross-cultural perspective, and in the process achieve a clearer understanding of what the family does and how it has changed. Part two will examine the various paths to family formation and the responsibilities and expectations we have as family members. In part three we will shift focus to the larger social forces that shape families and the implications this has for a social policy of the family. Finally we will turn to the stresses the contemporary family endures and the possibilities this holds for the future of the family. Prerequisite: Eligible to enroll in ENGL-121 (3 hours weekly)

SOCI-111  Introduction to Women’s Studies: Women, Gender and Society

3 Credits (Interdisciplinary and
Emerging Issues Core)An interdisciplinary study of the construction of gender and its intersection with race and class in the United States. Based primarily in the social sciences and social history, this course also draws on the arts, media, and popular culture in examining the impact of gender on society. Prerequisite: Eligible to enroll in ENGL-121. (3 hours weekly) NOTE: Also listed as WMST-111.

SOCI-115  Emerging World Issues

3 Credits (Interdisciplinary and
Emerging Issues Core)This course is an interdisciplinary/emerging issues class that will introduce the student to selected issues emerging in our changing world. This course, using social science methodologies, will examine the historical, social, political and economic origins and manifestations of the issue under examination through an interdisciplinary exploration of film, art, literature, together with the economic, social, and social, and political infrastructures that drive the emerging global issue under study. Prerequisite: Eligible to enroll in ENGL-121. (3 hrs. weekly)

SOCI-130  Human Sexuality

3 CreditsThrough this introduction to the field of human sexuality, the student will be able to recall and describe historical and current research knowledge related to physiological, psychological, anthropological, and sociological aspects of human sexuality across the life span. Students will discuss and evaluate their own beliefs and values relevant to the topics of various types of sexual behavior, sexual problems and their treatments. In addition, the student will be able to describe important legal and ethical sexual issues. Also listed as HEED-130. Prerequisite: Eligible to enroll in ENGL-121. (3 hours weekly)

SOCI-160  The Aging Process: Gerontology

3 Credits (Interdisciplinary and
Emerging Issues Core)This course will focus on the physiological, psychological and social changes that impact upon the aging population. In addition the student will focus on assessment and counseling skills relevant to preserving independence in the aged, and meeting the health needs of the aging population. (3 hours weekly) NOTE: Also listed as HEED-160.

SOCI-201  Minorities in American Society

3 CreditsMinorities in American Society will introduce students to a sociological investigation of the racial, ethnic and gender stratification system found in the United States. This course will introduce the student to concepts essential to the sociological analysis of the American stratification system such as prejudice, discrimination, minority, race, ethnicity and gender. This course will examine the historical process through which the American racial and ethnic stratification system was socially constructed, and it will examine the various theoretical perspectives that have emerged in the attempt to understand this historical process. It will also teach the student to apply these concepts and theories to an analysis of contemporary social problems and to his or her everyday life experiences. The student will be exposed to sociological information and ideas that will help him or her to understand and to critically analyze the world we live in. Prerequisite: ENGL-121 or ENGL-101 (3 hours weekly)

SOCI-202  Urban Sociology

3 CreditsUrban Sociology is a lecture and discussion course in which the student will analyze the social relationships of man in his urban environment. The student will examine the way in which spacial and physical dimensions of urban areas have been shaped; describe the various life styles of urbanized man; analyze the growth, development and planning of suburbs and new towns; and examine a number of social problems facing urban America including effective government, zoning and land use, housing, education, urban planning and crime. Prerequisite: ENGL-121 or ENGL-101. (3 hours weekly)

SOCI-225  Sociology of Conflict and Non-Violence

3 CreditsThis course examines why humans engage in conflict, why violence is employed to resolve conflict and the nature and practice of non-violent conflict resolution. Students will explore the social forces that produce conflict–including cultural, economic, and psychological–and the arenas in which conflict occurs–including family, community, nation and world. Within an interdisciplinary framework (using social sciences and humanities), students will learn the theoretical, historical, practical, and political aspects of violent and non-violent conflict. Special attention will be given to emerging social and global conflicts, including examination of how or if these conflicts might be resolved in a non-violent manner. Prerequisite: SOCI 101 or 102. (3 hours weekly) Also listed as CRES-225.