SOCI - Sociology

Introduction to the discipline of sociology: its methods, concepts, and principles. Attention will be given to topics such as society and culture, social organization, socialization, ethnic and racial minorities, stratification, social institutions, population and ecology, deviance, collective behavior and social change. Illustrations will be drawn primarily from the contemporary American scene.

The purpose of the course is to acquaint the student with a broad spectrum of social problems of the contemporary United States. The social and cultural factors causing social problems will be emphasized. Each student will be required to analyze one selected problem using his/her knowledge of the sociological principles. The student will present his/her research findings to the class in a seminar situation. A schedule of seminars will be distributed separately.

This course provides a cross-cultural and global perspective on society's two vital institutions: Marriage and the Family. Comparative analysis is used throughout the course to enhance student appreciation of the inter-cultural variability and similarity in these institutions. Topics include: history and sociology of marriage and the family; diversity in American families; work and family; marriage, love, and sexuality; divorce and remarriage; family violence; parenting; the state and family policies. The comparative analysis is employed at two levels: (a) variations within the American culture: Euro-American, Afro-American, Latin American, Asian American. Attention is also given to extraordinary groups which represent unconventional life styles: The Old Order Amish, The Oneida Community, The Mormons. (b) Variations between world cultures. Some examples: Old Chinese Society; Nayars of India; Eskimos; Tribes of the Himalayas; Islamic revolutionary movements and their impact on divorce and women's rights; End of Apartheid in South Africa and its effect on family life; Arranged marriages and dowry system in India; Onechild policy in modern China; Computer revolution and Japanese courtship and mate-selection system; Role of state religion in national family planning policies: Islamic and Catholic societies vs. secular societies; Female genital mutilation in Africa and the United Nations role in eradicating this age-old custom. These and other illustrations are discussed throughout the course. Students are required to engage in further research on selected topics emphasizing cross-cultural perspectives and to present oral reports to the class. This course is open to both associate and baccalaureate degree students.

This course provides an introduction to the study of ethnic minority groups in America. After an overview of general concepts and theories, a section of the course will focus on Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Asian Americans, respectively. These minority groups will be discussed with reference to their origin, history, culture, and current circumstances. Individual and group responses to unequal treatment are analyzed, as are issues related to immigration and the changing ethnic make-up of the United States. The concept of “stigma” is used throughout the course to emphasize the social creation of minority group status.

This course provides an introduction to the study of human aging. Emphasis is placed on social gerontology, though research from both bio-gerontology and psycho-gerontology is discussed. The focus is primarily on aging in the United States, through some cross-cultural data is presented.

The course provides an introduction to the study of crime and criminal behavior. In particular, emphasis will be given to the variable definitions of crime with respect to time and place, the causes and theories of crime, topologies of criminal behavior, and studies of crime prevention strategies. In addition, there will be an overview of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, the court process, and corrections.

This course allows students who have successfully completed a previous course in Sociology to continue study in that subject. A student may contract for one to four credit hours. Directed study may be contracted by a student only with the approval of the directing instructor and the department chair.

A survey of the growth of science and technology and their impact upon society as a whole with primary emphasis upon the United States. Major concentration is on the period since the midnineteenth century emphasizing the intellectual climate leading to and resulting from scientific and technological changes and the influence of these developments upon industry, government, education, agriculture, ecology and other areas.