Sociology Course Descriptions
Deviance and Criminology | Sex & Gender | Environmental Sociology
Graduate Syllabi | Undergraduate Syllabi
General Courses
SOCY 1001 (3). Introduction to Sociology.
Examines basic sociological ideas including social relations, social interaction, social structure, and social change. Examples are drawn from societies around the world. Meets MAPS requirement for social science: general. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies.
SOCY 1021 (3). United States Race and Ethnic Relations.
An examination of race and minority problems in U.S. society, including the psychological, social, and cultural sources of prejudice and discrimination. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: United States context.
SOCY 1051 (3). Social Conflict and Social Values.
Explores origin, escalation, and resolution of social conflict. Focuses on major conflict theories, human values and social action, and use of simulation and negotiation exercises for learning conflict management skills. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies or ideals and values.
SOCY 1841 (1-6). Independent Study in Sociology.
May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours.
SOCY 2011 (3). Contemporary Social Issues and Human Values.
Explores contemporary societies on a global scale. Focuses on such issues as capitalism, socialism, race and ethnic problems, sex discrimination, poverty and the concentration of wealth, crime and deviance, human rights and human values, peace and war.
SOCY 2021 (3). Nonviolence and the Ethics of Social Action.
Examines nonviolence as a strategy of social action. Focuses on ethics and dynamics of nonviolent action; racial and economic justice movements; civil disobedience; and conscientious objection to war.
SOCY 2031 (3). Social Problems.
Examines U.S. society from a normative perspective emphasizing theories of social change. Considers such problems as distribution of power, unemployment, poverty, racism and sexism, the changing role of the family, and drugs. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: ideals and values.
SOCY 2041 (3). The Social Construction of Reality.
Analyzes the human environment as a human product. Studies how all things that construct the objective social facts of our social world are created, reproduced, maintained, and distributed by specific human interaction processes.
SOCY 2061 (3). Introduction to Social Statistics.
Introduces students to quantitative analysis of social phenomena. Emphasizes understanding and proper interpretation of graphs; measures of central tendency, dispersion, and association; and the concept of statistical significance. Assumes students have only limited mathematical background.
SOCY 2091 (3). Topics in Sociology.
Variety of courses taught by visiting and regular faculty. See current departmental announcements for specific content. Students may receive credit for this course up to three times for different topics.
SOCY 3001 (3). Classical Theory.
In-depth study of classical sociological theorists, particularly Marx, Durkheim, and Weber. Examines their roles in defining the discipline of sociology. Prereq., SOCY 1001. Restricted to sophomores, juniors and seniors.
SOCY 3011 (3). Contemporary Theory.
Continuation of SOCY 3001. In-depth study of modern and post-modern theories of the 20th century, including structural-functionalist, conflict, symbolic interactionist, feminist, and world system theories. Prereq., SOCY 1001. Restricted to junior/senior SOCY majors.
SOCY 3041 (3). Self and Consciousness.
Explores human development from a psychosocial perspective, focusing on the interplay between psychological patterns and social forms. Issues such as self-image and social consciousness are studied within the larger context of individual and collective forces leading to transformation. Prereqs., SOCY 1001, and 3001 or 3011, or instructor consent. Restricted to junior/senior SOCY majors. Same as INVS 3041.
SOCY 3141 (3). Social Movements in the U.S.
Considers theory and research about American social movements. Emphasizes leadership, ideology, recruitment, strategy, organizational dynamics, public response, and reasons for success or failure. Prereqs., SOCY 1001, and SOCY 3001 or 3011. Restricted to junior/senior SOCY majors.
SOCY 3151 (3). Self in Modern Society.
Using a variety of Eastern and Western perspectives, this course explores how modern social institutions and culture shape our personal experiences, how personal experiences can affect the nature of those institutions and culture, and how strategies can be developed for achieving balance between the individual and society. Prereqs., SOCY 1001, and SOCY 3001 or 3011. Restricted to junior/senior SOCY majors. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: United States context or ideals and values.
SOCY 3161 (3). Sociological Perspectives on Race and Ethnicity.
Examines current sociological theory and research on race and ethnicity. Considers relationships between class, gender, and race, as well as issues of residential segregation, family formation, fertility and mortality, and institutional racism. Recommended prereq., SOCY 1001.
SOCY 3171 (3). Whiteness Studies.
Uses the conceptual framework of the sociology of race and ethnic relations to explore whiteness as a racial category that is centered and privileged in American society. Investigates the development of whiteness from past white supremacy, current colorblindness, to possible future multiculturalism. Analyzes the consequences of whiteness as a racial identity and a social structure. Prereqs., SOCY 1001 and 1021.
SOCY 3301 (3). Survey Methods.
Teaches quantitative research methods and, particularly, methods of survey research. Topics include sampling, interviewing, schedule construction, data analysis, computer methods, index construction, and statistical analysis. Students participate in a survey project, design, collect data, and prepare a research paper on the basis of collected data. Prereqs., SOCY 1001, 2061, and SOCY 3001 or 3011. Restricted to junior/senior sociology majors.
SOCY 3401 (3). Field Methods.
Skill development prepares students to conduct qualitative sociological research. Emphasizes ethnographic techniques, including intensive interviewing, direct observation, coding, participant observation, and report writing. Students conceive and execute a field research project with data collection, analysis, and a report. Prereqs., SOCY 1001 and SOCY 3001 or 3011. Restricted to junior/senior sociology majors.
SOCY 4021 (3). Conflict Management in Social Systems.
Explores conflict resolution theory and method as applied to interpersonal, intergroup, and interorganization conflict. Prereqs., SOCY 1001, and SOCY 3001 or 3011.
SOCY 4031 (3). Social Psychology.
Studies individuals in social context. Reviews philosophical and sociological treatments of the relation between the individual and society. More specific topics include the socialization process, theories of human development and personality formation, language acquisition, conformity, aggression, sex differences in personality and gender identity, and the relation between attitudes and overt behavior. Prereqs., SOCY 1001, and SOCY 3001 or 3011. Restricted to junior/senior SOCY majors.
SOCY 4041 (3). The Creative Self.
Experimental approach to the creative process that fosters experimentation outside of conventional patterns of thinking and expression, and explores the use of imagination and creative thinking in problem solving, writing, and art. Prereqs., SOCY 1001, and SOCY 3001 or 3011, or instructor consent. Restricted to junior/senior SOCY majors. Same as INVS 4041.
SOCY 4061 (3). Social Statistics.
Introduction to quantitative analysis of social phenomena. Emphasizes use of probability, statistical inference, analysis of variance, and multiple regression techniques for production of sociological research. Prepares students for more advanced-level statistics courses. Prereqs., SOCY 1001, and SOCY 3001 or 3011. Restricted to junior/senior SOCY majors.
SOCY 4071 (3). Social Stratification.
Studies theories of class, ethnic, sex, and age stratification. Examines social inequality in the United States and analyzes the resulting conflicts. Prereqs., SOCY 1001, and SOCY 3001 or 3011. Restricted to junior/senior SOCY majors. Same as SOCY 5071.
SOCY 4081 (1-3). Sociology of Education.
Analyzes the school as a social organization. Among topics considered are power and control in the school; classroom interaction and its relation to learning and personality development in students; roles of educators; and reciprocal relations of school and community. Prereqs., SOCY 1001, and SOCY 3001 or 3011. Restricted to junior/senior SOCY majors. Same as SOCY 5081.
SOCY 4111 (3). Nonviolent Social Movements.
Explores theories of democracy and development in relation to movements for nonviolent social change. Focuses on means and ends, spirituality, leadership, decision--making, civil society, cooperative economics, ecology, and decentralized power. Prereqs., SOCY 1001, and 3001 or 3011. Restricted to senior SOCY or PSCI majors. Same as INVS 4402.
SOCY 4121 (3). Sociology of Religion.
Examines complex interactions between religious and other social structures, such as the economy, government, and the family, and how globalization is affecting religious traditions across the globe. Includes discussion of how various religions are used or misused to justify terrorism and other acts of violence. Prereqs., SOCY 1001, and SOCY 3001 or 3011. Restricted to junior/senior SOCY majors.
SOCY 4131 (1-3). Advanced Topics in Sociology.
Variety of advanced specialty courses taught by visiting and regular faculty designed for upper division sociology majors. See current departmental announcement for specific content. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours for different topics. Prereq., SOCY 1001. Restricted to junior and senior SOCY majors.
SOCY 4141(3). The Social Psychology of Friendships.
Studies friendships between individuals and groups, applying social psychological theories of interaction and group processes. Examines the effects of hierarchies of status and power and of norms and social pressure on friendships. Attempts to answer questions like how social categories like gender, race, and class affect friendships, what are the unwritten rules of behavior among friends in different situations, and what happens when we violate them. Prereq., SOCY 1001. Restricted to junior/senior SOCY majors.
SOCY 4441 (3). Senior Honors Seminar 1.
Helps students design and initiate an honors thesis based on original sociological research. Prereqs., SOCY 1001, and SOCY 3001 or 3011, and instructor consent. Restricted to SOCY majors with a minimum grade point average of 3.30.
SOCY 4451 (3). Senior Honors Seminar 2.
Helps students complete an honors thesis based on original sociological research. Emphasizes analyzing data, writing research reports, and presenting results. Prereqs., SOCY 1001, and SOCY 3001 or 3011, and instructor consent. Restricted to SOCY majors with a minimum grade point average of 3.30.
SOCY 4461 (3). Critical Thinking in Sociology.
Examines a sociological topic in depth, covering such issues as class structure, race relations, gender roles, criminal justice, and political conflict, with an emphasis on writing, reading, and critical thinking. Prereqs., SOCY 1001, and SOCY 3001 or 3011. Restricted to seniors SOCY majors. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: critical thinking.
SOCY 4841 (1-6). Independent Study in Sociology.
Upper-division variable credit. May be repeated up to 8 total credit hours. Prereqs., SOCY 1001, and SOCY 3001 or 3011, and instructor consent. Restricted to SOCY majors.
SOCY 4911 (3). Teaching Sociology.
Students participate in a teaching seminar under the supervision of a faculty member. Includes pedagogical strategies for implementing concrete educational goals and encouraging higher levels of creativity and analysis in a large, lower-division class. Emphasizes mentorship and personal development. Prereqs., SOCY 1004 and instructor consent.
SOCY 4931 (1-6). Internship in Sociology.
Provides an academically supervised opportunity for junior and senior sociology majors to work in public or private organizations. Focuses on the sociology of education, institution building, and social change in educational settings. Interns work in specially devised learning centers. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Prereqs., SOCY 1001, and 3001 or 3011. Restricted to SOCY majors.
SOCY 5031 (3). Research Design.
Principles and practice of social research, including the nature of scientific explanation, the relationship between theory and research, research design, measurement problems, sampling questionnaire construction, interviewing, ethnographic methods, and statistical analysis.
SOCY 5071 (3). Social Stratification.
Same as SOCY 4071.
SOCY 5081 (1-3). Sociology of Education.
Same as SOCY 4081.
SOCY 5111 (3). Data 1: Introduction to Social Statistics.
Introduces statistical analysis in the social sciences. Introduces basic techniques of inferential statistics and several bivariate statistical techniques including t-test for the difference in means, chi-square independence, analysis of variance (ANOVA), correlation, and simple regression (OLS). This course prepares students for the required course on multivariate regression techniques (Data 2).
SOCY 5201 (3). Graduate Seminar in Sociological Theory.
Examines theoretical approaches to core issues and problems in sociology, including the nature of society, the relationship between society and the individual, the role of culture and social structure, the sources of social power, and the conceptual structure of sociological knowledge itself.
SOCY 5331 (3). Globalization and Democratization: An Introduction.
Introduces research on globalization and democratization from an interdisciplinary perspective. Examines ongoing interdisciplinary research on the global political economy. Students learn about ongoing research, critique current efforts, and design their own research project. Prereq., graduate standing in PSCI, ECON, GEOG, or SOCY. Same as PSCI 7333, GEOG 5332, and ECON 8333.
SOCY 5611 (3). Teaching in Sociology.
Learn how to teach sociology more effectively while developing a new content area and a clearer sense of the field. Choose a content area within sociology as the basis for planning a course and developing and practicing different teaching techniques. Prereqs., enrollment in SOCY graduate program.
SOCY 5841 (1-6). Independent Study in Sociology.
Graduate variable credit. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours. Prereq., instructor consent.
SOCY 6041 (3). Cultural Sociology.
Explores "the cultural turn" in sociology and related disciplines. Reviews basic themes in cultural studies--e.g., distinguishing "cultural" and "social"; narrative as catalyst between symbols and practices; cultural production processes; self as embodied; culture and power; methods and epistemological issues. Students present their own projects in class and as research papers. Prereq., graduate standing.
SOCY 6061 (3). Modern Marxist Social Theory.
Analyzes recent Marxist theories of class structure, exploitation, political economy, alienation, culture, and the state as discussed in the work of Althusser, Gramsci, Lukacs, Mandel, Marcuse, Roemer, and others. Restricted to graduate students.
SOCY 6111 (3). Data 2: Data Analysis.
Introduces students to mainstream multivariate regression techniques used in the social sciences. The majority of the course focuses on the Ordinary Least Square model and on the extension of this model to nominal, ordinal, and count dependent variables. Students will analyze data of their choosing with statistical software packages including SPSS, SAS, and STATA. Prereq., SOCY 5111 or equivalent.
SOCY 6121 (3). Qualitative Methods.
Training in the systematic observation of people in situations, finding them where they are, staying with them in a role acceptable to them that allows intimate observations of behavior. Students report their findings in ways useful to social science but not harmful to those observed.
SOCY 6821 (1). Graduate Sociology Forum 1.
Introduces first-year graduate students to the full range of substantive topics, research programs, and other projects in which graduate sociology faculty are engaged. Provides a forum in which issues of the discipline are presented and discussed. Features weekly presentations by graduate sociology faculty. May be repeated up to 2 total credit hours. Restricted to graduate students.
SOCY 6831 (1). Graduate Professional Seminar.
Offers guidance and instruction on topics related to advanced graduate study and academic life beyond graduation. Discussions will include writing journal articles; creating a vitae; writing dissertations; applying for grants and other sources of funding; the academic job search; and what to expect as a junior faculty member. Restricted to graduate students.
SOCY 6841 (1-6). Guided Research in Sociology.
May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours. Prereq., graduate standing.
SOCY 6941 (1-6). Candidate for Degree for Master's Thesis.
SOCY 6951 (1-6). Master's Thesis.
SOCY 7121 (3). Qualitative Analysis.
Drawing on data gathered through participation, observation, and in-depth interviewing, students focus on developing theoretical analyses and exploring classical and post-modern ethnographic writing formats. Students present and revise their papers as well as review journal articles. Prereqs., graduate standing and SOCY 6121, or instructor consent.
SOCY 7131 (3). Seminar in Social Psychology.
Studies the individual in social context. Focuses on theoretical perspectives and substantive issues specific to sociological and social psychology, including socialization, the self, social roles, language, deviance, gender, collective behavior, group processes, attitudes and behavior, social norms, and conformity.
SOCY 7141 (1-3). Special Topics.
May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours.
SOCY 7111 (3). Data III---Advanced Data Analysis.
Denotes third graduate course in sequence of quantitative methods. Following basic inferential statistics (SOCY 5111) and multivariate regression analysis (SOCY 6111), students study advanced statistical techniques such as event history analysis, multilevel modeling, structural equation modeling, and latent class analysis. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours when topics vary. Prereqs., SOCY 5111 and 6111 and graduate standing.
SOCY 8991 (1-10). Doctoral Dissertation.
All doctoral students must register for not fewer than 30 hours of dissertation credit as part of the requirements for the degree. For a detailed discussion of doctoral dissertation credit, refer to the Graduate School section.
Population and Health Issues
SOCY 1022 (3). Ethics and Social Issues in U.S. Health and Medicine.
Explores current ethical and policy issues in U.S. health and medical practices. Includes such issues as alcohol and drug abuse, organ transplants and substitutes, genetic engineering, contraception, abortion, occupational safety and health, and euthanasia. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: ideals and values.
SOCY 3002 (3). Population and Society.
Examines population, its structure and processes, and its relationships to selected areas of the social structure. Examines Malthusian, neo-Malthusian, and Marxist perspectives. Restricted to SOCY majors.
SOCY 3012 (3). Women, Development, and Fertility.
Investigates the status of women and fertility in context of social and economic development. Prereqs., SOCY 1001, and SOCY 3001 or 3011. Restricted to junior/senior SOCY majors. Same as WMST 3012. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: cultural and gender diversity.
SOCY 3042 (3). Topics in Population and Health.
A variety of courses in population and/or health will be taught, usually by visiting lecturers. See current departmental announcements for specific content. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours for different topics. Prereq., SOCY 1001.
SOCY 4002 (3). Sociology of Aging.
Studies present and future roles of the aged in the family, the community, and the larger society. Considers economic, political, and health consequences of various retirement systems. Prereqs., SOCY 1001, and SOCY 3001 or 3011. Restricted to junior/senior SOCY majors.
SOCY 4022 (3). Population Studies: Fertility and Mortality.
Examines sociological causes and consequences of different levels of fertility, mortality, and population growth. Emphasizes methods, theory, policy, and practical applications.
SOCY 5022 (3). Population Studies: Fertility and Mortality.
Same as SOCY 4022.
SOCY 6012 (3). Population Issues, Problems, and Policies.
Presents contemporary perspectives on relations between population and society. Focuses on mortality, fertility, and migration, the major demographic areas, with reviews of specific demographic phenomena and controversies.
SOCY 7002 (3). Social Disparities in Health.
Presents social disparities in health in their social context. Includes the sociology of health behavior; links between health status and social statuses including gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status; fundamental causes and other explanations for social disparities in health; environment and health; health insurance disparities; the physician-patient interaction and its consequences.
SOCY 7012 (3). The Social Demography of Race.
Introduction to relevant, timely research within sociological and social demographic research on race and ethnicity. Specific areas will include conceptual/measurement issues; population size, growth, and migration; health and mortality; marriage, family, and fertility; socioeconomic context; and policy considerations. Course content will be structured around current empirical pieces in sociology literature with emphasis on methodological approach in analyses.
Deviance and Criminology
SOCY 1004 (3). Deviance in U.S. Society.
Examines social construction of deviance in the U.S., emphasizing existing theory and research about such issues as deviant careers, deviant lifestyles, and processes of social control. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: ideals and values.
SOCY 2004 (3). Topics in Criminology.
Variety of courses in criminology taught by visiting lecturers. See current departmental announcements for specific content. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours.
SOCY 2034 (3). Drugs in United States Society.
Examines the relationship between drugs and social contexts. Lends insight into why people find consciousness alteration meaningful, what kinds of experiences and problems arise, and what types of social policies emerge to control drug use.
SOCY 2044 (3). Crime and Society.
Explores patterns of crime and victimization, classical and contemporary theories explaining crime and criminal justice agencies (police, courtroom and criminal justice personnel, correctional institutions).
SOCY 3034 (3). Perspectives on Violence.
What counts as violence? Who decides what is violence and what is not? In what contexts does violence occur? This course critically examines different criminological and social science perspectives on violence. Prereq., SOCY 1001 or 1004.
SOCY 3044 (3). Race, Class, Gender, and Crime.
Overview of race, class, gender, and ethnicity issues in offending, victimization, and processing by the justice system. Examines women and people of color employed in the justice system. Prereq., SOCY 1001 or 1004. Same as WMST 3044.
SOCY 3314 (3). Violence Against Women and Girls.
Focuses on aspects of the victimization of women and girls that are "gendered"---namely, sexual abuse and intimate partner abuse. Also explores the importance of race, class, and sexuality in gendered violence. Prereq., WMST 2000. Same as WMST 3314.
SOCY 4004 (3). Topics in Criminology.
Variety of courses in criminology to be taught by visiting lecturers. See current departmental announcements for specific content. Students may receive credit for this course up to three times for different topics. Prereq., SOCY 1001 or 1004.
SOCY 4014 (3). Criminology.
Scientific study of criminal behavior with special attention to development of criminal law, definition of crime, causes of law violation, and methods of controlling criminal behavior. Prereq., SOCY 1001 or 1004.
SOCY 4024 (3). Juvenile Delinquency.
Examines the history, incidence and prevalence of delinquent behavior, as well as why children become involved in criminal activity. Prereq., SOCY 1001 or 1004. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies.
SOCY 4054 (3). Law and Society.
Examines the law as a set of codes for dispute resolution, an institution of social control, a "civilizing" force, and a tool for violence and criminality. Prereq., SOCY 1001 or SOCY 1004. Credit not granted for this course and SOCY 2024.
SOCY 4084 (3). American Criminal Justice System: An Advanced Overview.
Examines the major actors and institutions of criminal justice: police, prosecutors, defense attorneys, plea bargaining, criminal courts, bail, sentencing, incarceration, and the death penalty. Analyzes how institutions of criminal justice discover, respond to, and process crime. Prereqs., SOCY 1001 or 1004.
SOCY 4144 (3). Criminal Justice System in the United States.
Explores power, socioeconomic status, race, age, and gender issues in law enactment and enforcement, judicial practice, and correctional policy and practice. Examines historical change in these structures. Students may not receive credit for both SOCY 4144 and 2014. Prereq., SOCY 1001 or 1004. Similar to SOCY 2014.
SOCY 6004 (3). Topics in Criminology.
Variety of courses in criminology to be taught by visiting lecturers. See current departmental announcements for specific content. Students may receive credit for this course up to three times for different topics.
SOCY 7004 (3). Criminological Theory.
Examines the major criminological theories of the 18th through 21st centuries in Europe, Australia, and the U.S. Emphasizes the historical contexts and paradigms of knowledge influencing these theories. Prereq., graduate standing.
SOCY 7014 (3). Patterns of Criminal Behavior.
Overview of the epidemiology of crime. Examines patterns of crime (both offending and victimization), and includes a gender, race/ethnicity, and class analysis.
SOCY 7024 (3). Punishment and Social Control.
Exploration of sociological perspectives on the criminal justice process. Considers organization of criminal law responses, including enforcing and sentencing. Race, class, gender, and age differences in treatment and sentencing are analyzed. Prereq., graduate standing.
Sex and Gender
SOCY 1006 (3). The Social Construction of Sexuality.
Discusses the social determinants of sexuality. Analyzes the economic, psychological, and cultural influences on human sexuality. Interactional perspective of human sexuality is presented. Restricted to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Same as WMST 1006.
SOCY 1016 (3). Sex, Gender, and Society 1.
Examines status and power differences between the sexes at individual and societal levels. Emphasizes historical context of gender roles and status, reviews major theories of gender stratification. Same as WMST 1016. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: cultural and gender diversity.
SOCY 3016 (3). Marriage and the Family in U.S. Society.
Comparative and historical examination of marriage and the family within the U.S. Emphasizes changing family roles and family structures. Also considers alternatives to the nuclear family and traditional marriage exploring new definitions of family. Prereqs., SOCY 1001, and SOCY 3001 or 3011. Restricted to junior/senior SOCY majors. Same as WMST 3016. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: United States context.
SOCY 3026 (3). Women of Color: Chicanas in U.S. Society.
Critically explores the Chicana experience and identity. Examines issues arising from the intersection of class, race, and gender. Focuses on controversies surrounding culture and gender through an analysis of feminism and feminismo. Prereqs., SOCY 1001 and SOCY 3001 or 3011. Restricted to junior/ senior SOCY majors. Same as ETHN 3026.
SOCY 3046 (3). Topics in Sex and Gender.
Faculty present courses based on their area of expertise and specialization in the field of sex and gender. Students should check current sociology department notices of course offerings for specific topics. Students may receive credit for this course up to three times for different topics. Prereqs., SOCY 1001, and SOCY 3001 or 3011. Restricted to junior/ senior SOCY majors. Same as WMST 3046.
SOCY 4016 (3). Sex, Gender, and Society 2.
Studies status and power differences between the sexes at individual, group, and societal levels. Examines empirically established sex differences, and reviews biological, psychological, and sociological explanations for gender differences. Prereqs., SOCY 1016 or WMST 2000. Restricted to junior/senior SOCY majors. Same as WMST 4016.
SOCY 4086 (3). Family and Society.
Studies the changing relationship between family and social structure. Examines variations in family organization and considers political, social, ideological, demographic, and economic determinants of family formation. Prereqs., SOCY 1001, and SOCY 3001 or 3011. Restricted to junior/senior SOCY majors. Same as WMST 4086.
SOCY 7006 (3). Sociology of Sex and Gender.
Theoretical and empirical examination of sex stratification, sex role differentiation, and sex differences in socialization, personality, institutions, and culture.
SOCY 6016 (3). Topics in Sex and Gender.
Covers diverse specializations of faculty in the area of sex and gender. See current departmental announcements or online Schedule Planner for specific content. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours for different topics.
SOCY 7026 (3). Feminist Research Methods.
Epistemological and methodological issues generated by feminist research and students' own projects.
Examines the main schools of feminist thought and their impact upon sociological theories. Also examines current feminist theoretical debates and their relevance to feminist sociology. Prereq., graduate standing.
Environment and Society
SOCY 2077 (3). Environment and Society.
Examines how both natural and built environments influence human behavior and social organization. Focuses on microenvironments and their influence on individuals; the impact of macroenvironments on societal organization; and environmental movements. Credit not granted for this course and SOCY 3091.
SOCY 4007 (3). Global Human Ecology.
Examines global environmental issues from sociological perspectives. Focuses on such problems as overpopulation, world hunger and poverty, pollution, resource shortages, environmental impact of technology and population dynamics, public policy, and strategies for change. Credit not granted for this course and SOCY 1002 or SEWL 2000.
SOCY 4017 (3). Animals and Society.
Examines the role of non-human animals in human society. Investigates the social construction of the human/animal boundary. Challenges ideas that animals are neither thinking nor feeling. Examines the many ways humans rely on animals. Considers the link between animal cruelty and other violence. Explores the moral status of animals. Prereq., SOCY 1001.
SOCY 4027 (3). Inequality, Democracy, and the Environment.
Focuses on the structural forces affecting environmental degradation and environmental behavior by examining the relationships between (a) inequality and democratic decision making and (b) undemocratic decision making; U.S. and corporate food and energy policy; and global environmental degradation. The course also focuses on the role that global inequality plays in fostering environmental degradation. Restricted to juniors/seniors.
SOCY 4037(3). Hazards, Disasters and Society.
Explores the societal dimensions of hazards and disasters, emphasizing disaster theory and research, key issues in the sociological study of disasters, social vulnerability, the impacts of disasters in the U.S. and worldwide, and the U.S. Emergency Management System. Prereq., SOCY 2077. Same as SOCY 5037.
SOCY 4047 (3). Topics in Environment and Society.
Variety of courses taught by visiting and regular faculty. See current departmental announcements for specific content. May be repeated up to 9 credit hours for different topics.
SOCY 5037-3. Hazards, Disasters and Society. Same as SOCY 4037.
SOCY 5937 (1-6). Graduate Research Internship in Environmental Sociology.
Offers the opportunity for sociology graduate students specializing in environmental sociology to work with local governmental or non-profit organizations on research assignments. The research topic, academic reading list, and expectations for the final project will be developed collaboratively with a faculty sponsor and organizational representative.
SOCY 6007 (3). Foundations of Environmental Sociology.
Provides overview of environmental sociological theory and research including topics such as: public environmental perception, concern, and knowledge; environmentalism as a social movement; environmental justice; energy, technology, and risk; human dimensions of environmental change; and natural hazards and disasters. Same as ENVS 5007.
SOCY 6017 (3). Inequality, Democracy, and the Environment.
Focuses on the structural forces affecting environmental degradation and environmental behavior by examining the relationships between A) inequality and democratic decision making and B) undemocratic economic and political decision making, U.S. and corporate food and energy policy; and global environmental degradation. Focus will also be placed on the role that global inequality plays in fostering environmental degradation. Restricted to graduate students.
SOCY 7017 (3). Population and Environment.
Reviews research on human-environment interactions, with a focus on ways in which demographic processes influence, and are influenced by, the environmental context. Specific topics include conceptual and analytical frameworks; methodologies; intervening factors shaping human dimensions of environmental change; and regionally-focused research. Restricted to graduate students.
