SOC 1301 - Introduction to Sociology
Hours: 3
This course is designed to help students better understand the social world in which they live as well as provide a foundation for other in sociology. It provides an overview of major concepts and principles of sociology, including globalization, diversity,socialization, social control, social order, social stratification, ethnicity, social deviance, and social change. This course emphasizes global dynamics (issues, trends, processes, and systems) from a sociological perspective, and helps students view themselves as engaged citizens within an interconnected and diverse world.

SOC 1306 - Contemporary Ideas
Hours: 3
A critical discussion of the sociological perspective on studying descriptions, causes, and prevention of social problems such as crime, mental illness, drug abuse, environmental degradation, poverty, terrorism, and declining quality of life in today’s world.

SOC 310 - Psy & Soci Diverse Popula
Hours: 3
Psychology and Sociology of Diverse Populations. Three semester hours. (Same as PSY 310; equivalent to PSY 311) This course will examine the variables which affect the perceptions, beliefs, and behaviors of various microcultures which comprise our population. The course will include, but will not be limited to, culture as a function of socioeconomic status, religion, sex and gender, language, age, exceptionality, geographical origins and ethnicity. Included in the course will be an analysis of issues related to race, age, sex, and handicap. Prerequisite: Junior standing.

SOC 311 - Social Class,Wealth/Power
Hours: 3
Social Class, Wealth, and Power. Three semester hours. The relations among social classes are examined as systems of privilege with inequalities of wealth, power, and prestige among individuals and groups. Forces giving rise to social classes, how one's position in a class system affects behavior and personality, class conflict, and the impact of other social institutions, especially the economic and political, are studied.

SOC 312 - Sociology of Gender
Hours: 3
This course will explore the social and cultural construction of gender differences, focusing on contemporary issues both in the United States and internationally. This course will provide an in-depth focus on sexuality, intersexuality, and transgendered people. The course provides a description of the sociological approach to the study of gender and explores how it differs from other perspectives. This course will examine the ways that boys/men and girls/women are socialized differently and will provide an in depth examination in gender differences in social institution including the family, mass media, education system, government and the workplace.

SOC 316 - Marriage and Family
Hours: 3
Marriage and Family - Three semester hours This course is a general introduction to marriage and family relationships in the United States, along with comparative examples of other cultures for critical thinking. Topics covered include an overview of the institution of marriage and family, theoretical perspectives on the institution, research approaches in studying the institution, gendered identities, love and intimacy, human sexuality, dating and courtship, the single life, kinship responsibilities, cohabitation, communication, dual career marriages, conflict and divorce, aging process, and marital adjustment and enrichment.

SOC 318 - Urban Sociology & Anthro
Hours: 3
Urban Sociology and Anthropology. Three semester hours. This course examines the city and urban life in international perspective. Sociological and anthropological studies will be used to examine the development and growth of cities. The course examines concepts such as urbanism, over-urbanization, and urban primacy as well as social problems characteristic of contemporary urban life.

SOC 320 - Deviant Behavior
Hours: 3
Deviant Behavior. Three semester hours. An introduction to the general phenomenon of social deviance. The course focuses on criminal as well as non-criminal deviance such as mental disorders, drug use, and prostitution. Theoretical approaches which seek to explain deviance will be critically explained.

SOC 323 - Sociology of Health and Illness
Hours: 3
This course examines the social contexts of health, illness, and medical care. It gives prominence to the debates and contrasting theoretical perspectives which provide insight into the political, economic and cultural factors which affect the recognition, distribution and response to illness and disease. Topics include the social construction of health and illness; the global nature of the AIDS epidemic; the patient's perspective on illness; the development of the health professions and the health work force; alternative systems of healing; ethical issues in medicine as they relate to medical technology; and comparative health care reform.

SOC 331 - Intro to Social Research
Hours: 3
Introduction to Social Research. Three semester hours. An introduction to the process, logic, and skills of social science research inquiry. The range of research designs, their strengths and weaknesses, the specific research tools needed for the collection of sociological data, and introductory analytical techniques are examined. Required of all majors and a prerequisite for Sociology 332.

SOC 332 - Mthds of Stat Analys
Hours: 4
Mthds of Stat Analys. Four semester hours. (3 lecture, 1 lab) This course provides an in-depth introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics that are especially appropriate in quantitative analysis used in the social sciences (including t tests, z scores, regression, measures of central tendency, etc.). Setting up data files, manipulating variables and running statistical programs using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) are integral components of the course. Prerequisites: Sociology 1301, and 331 or SWK 350, and MATH 1314 or 1324 or 179.

SOC 333 - Social Psychology
Hours: 3
Social Psychology. Three semester hours. The study of the importance of others' influence on one's attitudes, perceptions, motivations, and behavior, the dynamic fragility and power of group participation, and the extent to which human potential is enhanced or severely limited in the context of group life.

SOC 335 - Global Social Issues
Hours: 3
This course examines a variety of social issues from a global perspective. In today's world nations are linked by vast networks of trade, communication, and travel. As a result, social issues once thought of as "local" are rapidly becoming globalized. Issues associated with these increasing linkages are the focus of this class. They include human rights issues, the implications of global media, the transnationalization of crime and terrorism, global environmental issues, international migration, urbanization, and global social and economic inequalities.

SOC 336 - Sociology of Internet
Hours: 3
This course explores the social implications of the Internet by introducing the history of the Internet; the culture of the Internet; and looking over all the Internet-related social activities. The course will combine online lectures, readings, virtual discussions, and presentations. Student will be asked to become an active rather than a passive learner. Students will analyze the impact on individual behaviors and society at large; the effect of e-business, e-commerce, e-education, and e-government; the digital divide in the nation and worldwide; and Globalization and the Internet.

SOC 337 - Sociology of Sexualities
Hours: 3
This course is designed to introduce students to the sociological study of sexuality. We will seek to understand how sex and sexuality have influenced individuals and social domains. By examining past perceptions of, reactions to, and issues surrounding sexuality, we can explore what has been accepted, rejected, and why. The course will primarily draw from a sociological perspective, it will also be somewhat inter-disciplinary in nature. This course is a seminar-style examination of human sexuality from a sociological perspective. While often thought of as a "biological function," this course draws upon a diverse literature to frame the theoretical and empirical understanding of human sexuality as a socially constructed product. This class theoretically examines and compares biological, psychological, and sociological explanations of human sexual activity as a historically and culturally contingent phenomena. Prerequisites: Junior Status (classification of student).

SOC 341 - Soc of Complex Organizations
Hours: 3
Sociology of Complex Organizations. Three semester hours. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the nature of contemporary complex organizations and leadership from a critical perspective. An array of concepts, perspectives and theories, corresponding to the three major sociological approaches, will be presented. These approaches are Rational, Natural, and Open Systems. Different aspects of complex organizations will be analyzed through the use of scholarly journal articles from recognized publications in the United States and overseas. The course will examine the topic of complex organizations on a global scale so international corporations can also be studied. This course contributes three credit hours toward students' fulfillment of degree requirements. The target students are sociology, criminal justice, social work, business and education administration.

SOC 350 - Drugs & Society
Hours: 3
Drugs and Society. Three semester hours. This course examines the major categories of drugs- stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, and narcotics. It also investigates other drug related topics and events such as the use of steroids and inhalants; the abuse of over-the-counter drugs; dependency and addiction; and intervention topics. As a capstone this course includes critical thinking about the drug culture, and emphasis is placed on a cross-culture perspective. Integrating the viewpoints of other disciplines and professions about the drug culture is also a goal of this course. Prerequisite: Junior standing.

SOC 370 - Racial and Ethnic Diversity
Hours: 3
A general survey of race, ethnic, and minority relations in the United States. Emphasis is placed on theories of prejudice/discrimination and institutional racism in education, politics, and economics.

SOC 401 - SOC 401 GLB/ Comparative Sociology
Hours: 3
An overview of social, cultural, political, economic and other institutional differences in two or more settings. This seminar introduces students to cross-national differences through a study abroad experience.

SOC 416 - Conflicts in Society
Hours: 3
Conflicts in society are studied as ongoing realities of everyday life. The course will focus on a few conflicts in society, exploring each in considerable depth. Critical, as opposed to descriptive, thinking will be emphasized. The course will be geared not only toward helping students realize the difference between the two perspectives but to appreciate and apply critical thinking to the social conflicts being examined. Prerequisites: SOC 1301.

SOC 436 - Sociological Theory
Hours: 3
Sociological Theory. Three semester hours. This course examines the nature of theory and reviews major sociological theories, especially structural-functionalism, conflict theory, exchange theory, and interactionism. Special attention is given to leading figures representative of the above schools of thought. Prerequisite: Sociology 1301 or its equivalent

SOC 485 - Senior Seminar in Sociology
Hours: 3
Senior Seminar in Sociology. Three semester hours. (1) The course examines ways sociology majors can synthesize sociology curriculum and apply the sociological perspective to the real world, along with their knowledge and skills outside the academic world in real work settings. In addition, this course will guide students in the process of resume preparation, interviewing skills, graduate program, and career opportunities available with a sociology major. Special attention will be given to leadership skills needed in the world of work. Pre-requisites: Soc 111, 331, 332, 436, and a senior status.

SOC 489 - Independent Study
Hours: 3
Independent Study. One to four semester hours. Individualized instruction/research at an advanced level in a specialized content area under the direction of a faculty member. May be repeated when the topic varies. Prerequisite: Consent of department head.

SOC 490 - H Honors Thesis
Hours: 3
PSY 490 - H Honors Thesis - Hours: 3 Individualized instruction/research at an advanced level in a specialized content area under the direction of a faculty member. Prerequisite Consent of head. Note May be repeated when the topic varies.

SOC 491 - H Independent Honors Rdgs
Hours: 3

SOC 497 - Special Topics
Hours: 1-4
Organized class. May be repeated when topics vary.