Courses
SOCI-111C P3 Sociology of Crime (3)
This course examines how patterns of social inequality (such as race and class) shape patterns of crime and criminal activity and determine how crime is understood and perceived by different segments of society. Why does the enforcement of certain laws (such as drug possession) differ across different racial/ethnic communities? Why are the crimes of wealthy bankers that cost communities millions of dollars treated differently than the petty street crime in poor neighborhoods? Students consider the sociological context of crime as the product of certain social conditions.
Attributes: P3 YLIBSOCI-113 Prof & Family Caretaking (3)
This course is an enquiry into how aging relatives are cared for, with a focus on the U.S. It examines the significance of longer life expectancy and subcultural differences in attitudes towards the aged and family obligations. Responsibilities of ?the sandwich generation,? and the timing of the moves to assisted living, the nursing home or hospice will be debated. Growth in eldercare options, including homecare, will be explored. Emergence of nonprofit organizations to help the elderly and their families, such as Lifespan, will be discussed.
Attributes: YLIBSOCI-150 Intro to Human Services (3)
This course presents the breadth of professions within human services, explores the ethics of helping, discusses the responsibilities of the helping relationship, introduces students to the practice skills of an effective human service worker, and helps students explore their interest in pursuing a human services career.
Attributes: YLIBSOCI-190 CC Contemp Issues Span Soc (3)
Since the late twentieth century Spanish society has undergone very rapid social, cultural and political changes. A once largely rural society abandoned the countryside for the urban landscape. A former dictatorship and isolated state is now democratic, pluralistic one that recognizes historic nationalities and multiple co-official languages, and is fully inserted in the European Union. The Iberian form of machismo has now given way to a public discourse preoccupied with issues of gender violence, gender inequities, and significant gains for women in the public sphere have taken place. Changes in cultural norms can also be seen from the repressive moral and religious order of the Franco era to secularism, a sexual revolution and the legalization of gay marriage. But the Spanish society of today still struggles with old and new issues: reconciling different nationalities and autonomous communities into one state, the continuing threat of terrorism, integrating the marginalized Gypsy population, facing the challenges of an aging society, an exponential increase of immigrants, unemployment, old and new forms of xenophobia and racism, and a new pattern of Spanish out-migration. These and other issues will be examined through a critical analysis of a variety of sociological, political and cultural texts and media.
Attributes: CC YLIBSOCI-192 CC Interprets of Globaliz (3)
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the fundamental concepts, ideas, and arguments that have emerged from the many debates about globalization. There are a number of common core issues in this regard. One example of this is the question of what is old and what is new about contemporary globalization. For this purpose, the contemporary period must be placed in historical context. A second critical issue is how globalization impacts different nations and regions around the globe differently. For example, interpretations of globalization distinguish between the impact of globalization on advanced industrial nations versus less-developed nations. A third critical issue is how one interprets the consequences of globalization. For some, globalization is believed to have primarily brought great benefits. For others, the results of globalization have reaped greater harm than benefit. Deciphering and analyzing these and other issues pertaining to the contemporary period of globalization across a number of academic disciplines will be the fundamental task for students in this course.
Attributes: CC YLIBSOCI-195 P1 Hip-Hop Music & Poetry (3)
This course is designed to deepen students? appreciation for hip-hop as a black cultural art form. Even though hip-hop is understood to be a multicultural form of expression today, it is a product of the African Diaspora and black experience in the U.S. In the first third of the semester (Unit I), students will learn about the ?roots? and ?routes? of hip-hop and examine rap as poetry. Unit I will establish the basic knowledge that students will to use for the entire semester. In the second third of the semester (Unit II), students will learn about issues of ethics, authenticity and racial politics that relate to hip-hop. Unit II will also expose students to international case studies of hip-hop, which will require students to think critically about these issues. In the final third of the semester (Unit III), students will focus on boundary work and gender issues in hip-hop. By the end of the semester, students should have a nuanced appreciation for hip-hop and be able to identify key problems and challenges that hip-hop consumers and practitioners face in a race conscious and sexist globalizing society.
Attributes: P1 YLIBSOCI-199C RW Research-Based Writing (3)
Students learn the basics of writing an academic research paper in this discipline. Emphasis is on elements of persuasive argumentation, the inclusion of more than one perspective on an issue, the proper use and documentation of sources, and revision. Students also learn how to make an effective oral presentation of their research. Department-determined topic may change from semester to semester and is likely to include literary texts as primary materials. Restricted to freshmen and transfers. Note: 199C courses may not be taken for credit more than once.
Attributes: RW YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Freshman, SophomoreSOCI-201 SQ Prin of Epidemiology (3)
This is an introductory level course that is especially suitable for those interested in careers across the health sciences, such as nursing, pharmacy, or pre-med students. This course introduces students to basic techniques and methods for exploring the emergence of health and diseases, morbidity, mortality, injuries, and disability across different populations. A primary objective for epidemiologists is to contain the spread of diseases and other threats to public health. Students therefore explore a variety of methods, study designs, and forms of quantitative analysis with this essential goal in mind. In addition, given the range of social, biological, and genetic variables with which epidemiologists work, students encounter an intriguing diversity of tools, hypotheses, and dynamic conceptual models.
Attributes: SQ YLIBSOCI-205 CC Savage Inequalities (3)
An analysis of systematic patterns of social inequality and privilege across society. What are the origins and the consequences of great disparities in wealth, status, and social power? How do patterns of stratified social advantage impact an individual’s life as members of particular social groups? This course examines the nature of inequality as an organizing principle of social interaction and a framework for understanding social conditions.
Attributes: AMSS CC YLIBSOCI-209 P5 Society and Culture (3)
In this course students will consider how social structures and developments shape cultural forms (such as music or films) and, in turn, how cultural forms shape social structures and developments (such as social networks or globalization). The relationship between culture and various social settings is the focus.
Attributes: P5 YLIB
Pre-requisites: SOCI-101D D- OR SOCI-101T D-SOCI-217D Latino Health Care Issues (3)
As the Latino population continues to grow in the U.S., an increasing number of community-based professionals (educators, social workers, health care providers) find themselves working in a variety of Latino community settings. Beyond Spanish language skills, developing cultural literacy represents a critical tool for effective interaction and communication. This course is designed to help students develop an appreciation for the dominant cultural traditions shaping the beliefs, values, and practices/customs of the many Latino communities and how different Latino communities vary from one another. Must have a minimum of one semester of Spanish to register.
Attributes: HHHD YLIBSOCI-220 CC Groups and Diversity (3)
Introduces students to a broad range of peoples and settings pertinent to the delivery of human services. Within the general field of human services, there is a rich diversity of populations and circumstances that account for the many arenas of service delivery. Students will investigate the heterogeneity of human services from a variety of perspectives and consider the unique tools, skills, and cultural competencies that are required to contribute effectively to this field.
Attributes: CC ISFS YLIB
Pre-requisites: SOCI-101D D- OR SOCI-101T D-SOCI-223 Sociology of the Family (3)
An examination of the family as an institution; its structure and function; cross-cultural comparisons; problems and crises; variations in family lifestyles in modern industrial society.
Attributes: WGST YLIB
Pre-requisites: SOCI-101D D- OR SOCI-101T D-SOCI-226 Soc of Health & Healing (3)
This course examines health and healing from a critical sociological perspective, placing an emphasis on how macro-structural forces, such how as broader economic, health care and policy issues influence the health of individuals and groups in society. In particular, the course presents an overview of observed health disparities that are directly linked to an individual’s position within the social structure (race/ethnicity, nation, gender, class, age). In addition, this course will also look at the “micro” aspects of illness, such as the subjective dimension of the lived experience of illness, and an examination of health seeking behavior and the management of disease. Finally, it analyzes health care systems, the profession of medicine, “healing options” and bio-ethical issues.
Attributes: HHCF YLIB ZCIVSOCI-232C P3 Soc Juven Delinquency (3)
A sociological study of the legal concept of juvenile delinquency. The course includes examination of the historical origins of the legal concept; the prevention and control of juvenile delinquency; the juvenile justice system in the United States; and current innovations in juvenile justice.
Attributes: P3 YLIB
Pre-requisites: SOCI-101D D- OR SOCI-101T D-SOCI-235 Agencies and Careers (3)
This course examines the nature of human service agencies and their basic structures of operation. This includes the study of supervision and management, for example, within the human service field. In addition, students explore the wide variety of career options across human service agencies.
Attributes: YLIB
Pre-requisites: SOCI-101D D- OR SOCI-101T D-SOCI-238 Deviant Behavior (3)
This course introduces students to key concepts and theories shaping the sociology of deviance. Students will examine several facets of deviant behavior and subcultures. This includes how certain attributes and behaviors are defined as deviant, the social consequences of deviant labels, and the construction and imposition of norms, values, and rules. Deviant behaviors include criminal and non-criminal behaviors such as drug use, violence, mental illness, and sexual behavior.
Attributes: YLIBSOCI-280C Social Research Methods (3)
The nature of science and sociology as a science; primary emphasis on the logic of scientific procedure; values and objectivity; problem statement; theory; concepts and operationalization; hypotheses; theory construction; experimental research design; analysis of data; problems of social research and policy-making; social science and humanism.
Attributes: HHSM YLIB
Pre-requisites: SOCI-101D D- OR SOCI-101T D- OR SOCI-103 D-SOCI-307C Sociology of Law (3)
A systematic study of the role of formal and informal legal systems in creating, controlling, and sustaining deviance. The course focuses on changing legal systems in modern urban society and the role of law in a mass urban society. Emphasis is placed on such issues as: creation of deviance through legislation; the legislation of morality; unanticipated consequences of social control; legitimate and illegitimate power; and violence and social control.
Attributes: LEST YLIB
Pre-requisites: SOCI-101D D- OR SOCI-101T D- OR SOCI-103 D-SOCI-314 US Race Relations (3)
Race remains one of the most influential social categories and controversial topics in US society today. For this reason, to understand US society it is necessary to seriously consider the role race and race relations. Students in “US Race Relations” will examine contemporary patterns of institutional racism and systematic inequality alongside interpersonal forms of discrimination, prejudice and stereotypes. The notion of race as a social construction will be emphasized and this will be placed in a broader sociohistorical context. The intersections of race with other forms of social inequities (for example, gender-based inequality) will also be considered.
Attributes: WGST YLIB
Pre-requisites: SOCI-101D D- OR SOCI-101T D- OR SOCI-103 D-SOCI-315 Our Gendered World (3)
Gender is a major organizing factor across all societies. This course examines genders as social constructions, focusing on how notions of gender change over time and vary across societies. This contrasts with perspectives that frame gender as a fixed biological category. Students consider how gender inequalities take form through social patterns, and examine how hierarchical gender systems are reproduced via links between social structures and interpersonal experiences.
Attributes: WGST YLIB
Pre-requisites: SOCI-101D D- OR SOCI-101T D- OR SOCI-103 D-SOCI-322 Soc of Aging&Life Course (3)
This course offers an overview of some of the major issues and research findings relating to aging and the life course, especially as viewed by sociologists. However, because aging is an interdisciplinary field of inquiry, different aspects of aging from a larger social?gerontological perspective will also be examined. The course situates aging in its social and cultural context addressing how the aging experience varies cross-culturally and depending upon an individual’s social location.
Attributes: HHHD YLIB ZCIVSOCI-330 Special Topics (3)
SOCI 330: Fall 2013 Topics Section 01 Topic: Punishment Perspectives In this class, the student will examine the sociology of punishment. This is an upper-level undergraduate course, and it is expected that students will read and critically examine both the classics in the field and current theoretical developments, in the United States and beyond. The student will be challenged to understand the socio-historical context of various theoretical developments and to compare and contrast perspectives. Emphasis also will be placed on identifying and critiquing the policy implications associated with punishment perspectives. At the same time, substantial coverage will be given to the system?s increasing reliance on community-based sanctions and release mechanisms. The administrative and operational elements of community sanctions and release mechanisms will be examined, as will the legal and treatment?oriented conditions associated with doing time in the community. Particular attention will be given to the latest developments in community-based sanctions and evaluation research relating to their effectiveness.
Section 02 Spring 2013 Topic: Religion and Society The purpose of this special topics course, Religion and Society, is to explore a variety of religious institutions, communities, practices and beliefs across society. The emphasis will be on contemporary developments and the ways in which religious communities have adapted themselves to modern life in an advanced capitalist society. Students will consider their own faith traditions in the context of other faith traditions.
Attributes: YLIB
Pre-requisites: SOCI-101D D- OR SOCI-101T D- OR SOCI-103 D-SOCI-348 21st Century Cities (3)
An analysis of contemporary urban social problems. The course focuses on the value conflicts associated with policy decisions regarding education, housing, and other community services.
Attributes: YLIB
Pre-requisites: SOCI-101D D- OR SOCI-101T D- OR SOCI-103 D-SOCI-381 Thinking Sociologically (3)
Thinking Sociologically introduces students to key theories and paradigms that continue to shape sociological analysis. From Marx, Weber, and Durkheim forward, these theories and paradigms frame social research and generate a range of influential perspectives for understanding and interpreting the social world. On the one hand, students will examine the concepts and detailed arguments underlying particular theoretical traditions. This will inform students about the unique contributions of key theorists and how sociological thought continues to evolve and develop. On the other hand, students will apply these concepts and arguments to particular social topics, such as the war on drugs, teen pregnancy, or US race relations. This will inform students about the practical uses of these theoretical traditions for guiding research and for linking the results of one’s research to a larger body of literature.
Attributes: YLIB
Pre-requisites: SOCI-101D D- OR SOCI-101T D- OR SOCI-103 D-SOCI-385 Regulate Addicted/Impaired (3)
This course examines how society manages and regulates populations who are chemically dependent and populations who are mentally impaired. These populations are both marginalized in the U.S., though for very different reasons. Addicts are often blamed for their own condition and therefore treated as outcasts. The impaired, though not blamed for their condition, are seen as a burden and generally ignored and shunned, remaining at the margins of society. In addition, there remains the latent fear that any one of us could fall into the category of the impaired. The purpose of this course is to examine the life worlds of these two populations and to investigate how society regulates and disciplines such people through a variety of social institutions, prisons, hospitals, long-term care facilities, etc. Students will examine the origins of different forms of social control for the addicted and impaired and will consider contemporary options in this regard.
Attributes: YLIB
Pre-requisites: SOCI-101D D- OR SOCI-101T D- OR SOCI-103 D-SOCI-411 Departmental Seminar (3)
A workshop environment is the context for this course in which both students and the instructor engage in study on a variety of topics. In recent years, the topic has been Social Movements with an emphasis on violent and nonviolent change.
Attributes: YLIB ZRES
Pre-requisites: SOCI-280C D-
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Sociology -Class: SeniorSOCI-419 Department Capstone (3)
The purpose of this course is to provide students in the Sociology major with a cumulative experience that requires them to analyze certain topics within the conceptual framework of the discipline.
Attributes: YLIB
Pre-requisites: SOCI-280C D-SOCI-475 Washington DC-Internship (6 TO 9)
Washington Experience semester is offered through The Washington Center. Permission of the advisor, department chair, and TWC liaison (Dr. Monica Cherry) is required to register.
Attributes: YLIB
Pre-requisites: SOCI-476 Y D-SOCI-476 Washington DC-Seminar (3 TO 6)
Washington Experience semester is offered through The Washington Center. Permission of the advisor, department chair, and TWC liaison (Dr. Monica Cherry) is required to register.
Attributes: YLIB
Pre-requisites: SOCI-477 Y D-SOCI-477 Washington DC-Forum (1 TO 3)
Washington Experience semester is offered through The Washington Center. Permission of the advisor, department chair, and TWC liaison (Dr. Monica Cherry) is required to register.
Attributes: YLIBSOCI-490 Sociology Internship (3 TO 6)
Field experience and independent study in public and private organizations. Graded S/U. Permission of the department chair is required to register.
Attributes: YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Sociology -Class: Junior, Senior