SOC - Sociology

This course examines the basic concepts, theories, and principles of sociology, including topics of culture, race, class, gender, sexuality, social groups, and deviance through a local and global lens. Analyzes and interprets socio-historic as well as contemporary issues by using critical thinking skills and linking individual experiences to social structures.

Examines the basic concepts, theories, and principles of sociology, including topics of family, religion, education, politics, the economy, health, demography, the environment and social movements through a local and global lens. Analyzes and interprets socio historical as well as contemporary issues by using critical thinking skills and linking individual experiences to social structures.

Offers a critical exploration of marriage, family and kinship. It examines the family as an institution and how social, cultural and personal factors influence family relations locally and globally. Explores the stability and evolution of the family, along with current trends and a range of family forms.

Examines how humans’ relationship with the environment is mediated by social stratification. Key topic areas include industrial and economic growth versus sustainability, natural resources development and management, cultural values, social movements, and comparative perspectives on people's relationship to the environment.

Investigates current social issues that result in societal problems. Focuses on numerous areas including, but not limited to, the loss of civil liberties, concentration of media ownership, gender discrimination, hate crimes, poverty, hunger, environmental degradation, racism and prejudice, as well as social change. Addresses ways to ameliorate these social ills.

Examines major trends and theoretical approaches within the field of sociology of gender including the impact of intersecting social markers such as race, class, sexuality and gender identities. Addresses gender performance, stratification and inequalities in micro and macro settings in the U.S. Focuses on social movements relating to identities and institutional inequalities.

Explores differences based on race, ethnicity, social class, gender, age, ability status, and sexual identity. Critically examines the dynamics of intergroup relations and how social construction of these differences can lead to patterns of prejudice, discrimination, and inequality nationally and globally.

Critically examines various deviant categories and societal reactions to deviance affecting diverse populations. Examines how sociologists study deviance and the theories they use to explain it. Explains the ways social institutions define deviance and attempt to control, change, or treat those deviant behaviors, attitudes, and conditions.