Introduces the history, major concepts, and methods of sociology. Examines elements of social organization, sociological analysis of groups and relationships between major institutions of society. Emphasizes the idea of the sociological imagination and its application to contemporary issues.

Studies problems and disorganization in modern industrial society such as: poverty, racism, sexism, environmental pollution, militarism and family issues.

Studies problems and disorganization in modern industrial society such as: poverty, racism, sexism, environmental pollution, militarism, and family issues.

Explores contemporary American families (the forms they take, the functions they serve, the problems they face) within the context of families of other historical time periods, and other cultures. Presents an interdisciplinary examination of topics such as: gender roles, marriage, divorce and blended families, nonmarital lifestyles, parenting, family policy and technology's impact on family life.

Analyzes social definitions of and responses to deviance, as well as explanations of its causes. Examines drug and alcohol use and abuse, mental illness, sexual and gender differences, and other issues frequently considered deviant.

Addresses the modern lives of young Latinas in the U.S. Topics to be discussed include, but are not limited to, family, friendship, romance, appearance, identity, and socioeconomic status. In particular, the subject of "voice" or "voz" and the strength Latinas gain in society through expressing their opinions and giving testimony will be explored. The subject of the commodification and national/intercultural expectations of the body of Latinas will also be given much attention.

Provides an overview of the sociology of men and masculinities. Drawing on theoretical, historical, and contemporary empirical research, the course examines how masculinities are socially constructed; how and why these constructions change over time; and how experiences of masculinity vary based on social categories such as race, age, class, and sexuality.

Explores how film, television, memoir, novel, and many other aspects of popular culture, mental illness is presented as painful and deviant, often encompassing gendered and racialized discriminatory portrayals. Pop culture and self-help approaches to mental health and illness in the U.S. are increasingly found in the global marketplace of human culture.

Explores the ways social practices shape the physical body both corporeally and symbolically. Close attention is paid to issues of power, particularly the ways that social practices and cultural meanings related to the body both produce difference and justify inequality. Course material also examines the ways that social actors exercise agency to resist social norms regulating the use of the body and dominant cultural meanings about the body that reproduce system.

Examines classical and contemporary sociological theorizing about identities. Particular attention will be paid to gender, race, class, and sexual identities, with a focus on the ways that these identity categories intersect. Course material will explore the role that social institutions (families, schools, religion, media, workplaces, etc.) play in shaping individual and collective identities.

Explores the meaning of theory and its utility in the sociological enterprise. Examines foundational works of major classical theorists (Comte, Marx, Weber, Durkheim) and introduces contemporary perspectives such as symbolic interactionist, critical, feminist, and postmodern theories.

Analyzes sport as a microcosm of society. Specifically focuses on American sport from youth through the professional levels. Studies sport and the following: socialization, business, mass media, ethical dilemmas, race, gender, structural inequality and secular religion. Examines the sociological reasons why contemporary sport is organized and functions as it does.

Explores the intersection of race, ethnicity, and issues of diversity in the U.S. and beyond. Begins by establishing what race and ethnicity are in the U.S. Course topics related to race will include family relations, friendships, urban life, gender, socioeconomic status, stereotypes, community, and space/location. Occurrence of racism and related inequality in its various forms is a central discussion thread throughout the course.

Examines sociological methods commonly used in the study of the social world, as well as ethical and political issues related to the research process. Explores the various steps of research design, data collection (questionnaire construction, interviewing, observation, content analysis) and data analysis. May include an independently designed research project.

Studies the nature of crime and theories of criminal behavior; operation of courts, police systems and correctional institutions; probation, parole and crime prevention.

A course or seminar for students who have taken a substantial number of sociology courses. Such courses or seminars may explore any of a variety of topics concerning social groups, social institutions, social interaction patterns, or any of the vast array of topic areas dealt with by sociologists.

Examines legal definition and cases of genocide to understand structural preconditions and effective prevention strategies.

Explores theoretical and empirical work that highlights how sexual identities, desires, and practices are socially constructed. The course material examines the ways that sexuality intersects with other markers of social difference such as gender, race, class, age, and nationality. Close attention will be paid to issues of power, privilege, and inequality.

Uses a race, class, gender analytic structure to investigate social inequalities in education. School choice, urban schools, school sports, space/location, and friendship are some of the areas that will be explored. Family involvement in school choice, tracking, and magnet programs will also be considered. Grade school through college educational outcomes will be addressed.

Explores attainment and production of human happiness at individual and societal levels. It examines happiness theory and research from sociology, philosophy, anthropology, social psychology, health, political science, economics, public policy, and other fields to provide a comprehensive understanding of wellbeing and its multiple sources.

Explores the sociology of childhood. The course will begin by establishing definitions for the child and the sociology of childhood. Methodological issues surrounding children as research subjects, meaning making, sense of belonging, inequality, and culture in the worlds of childhood will be addressed. There will be a special focus in this course on the existence and displays of agency and interpretive reproduction in children's lives.

Provides opportunities for students to advance their understanding of social science inquiry in Sociology, Anthropology or Social Work by engaging with research methods, ethical principles and challenges, and research processes within qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies. Students will gain advanced practical knowledge and skills through the application of qualitative, quantitative, and/or mixed methods.

Explores and analyzes stratification systems, theories of stratification, social mobility, types of inequality, methods of measuring inequality, and the impact upon life style and personality.

Different iterations of posthumanity are examined to gain understanding of how child and youth posthumans relate to new, altered, or unaccepting societies and worlds. Drawing on posthuman and childhood studies theories, posthuman children and youth are contextualized by their positions as or relationships to various entities including aliens, animals, spirits, robots, vampires, witches, and clones.

Studies how the importance of space, place, location, and time in the lived realities of children and youth contextualizes the environments they occupy. Children's and youth's constructions of and interactions with definitions of carework, home, family, neighborhood, emotions, bodies, nature, friendship, animals, and school are examined on the local and global scale.

Provides advanced sociology students with an opportunity to explore advanced topics, current issues, methods, and theories in the field of sociology.

Supervised academic class presentation(s), assistance with study sessions and tutorials, attendance at all classes, final paper and other duties negotiated with course instructor. Must have completed a minimum of four (4) courses in the discipline, have a 3.0 overall GPA or better, and a B+ or better in the course. This course can be taken for either pass/fail or traditional letter grading. This course requires approval of the department prior to enrollment.

Open to juniors and seniors who wish to read in a given area or to study a topic in depth under the direction of a sociologist. Requires written reports and frequent conferences with the advisor.

Students will assist faculty member in conducting original quantitative and/or qualitative research projects. The responsibilities may include collecting archival, ethnographic, interview, or focus group data, working with data sets, or other research activities. This course is repeatable for a maximum of 6 credits.

Prepares students for the start of potential graduate studies in the social sciences or a related discipline. The seminar will focus on and facilitate student exploration of graduate education and training opportunities including such topics as: the graduate school/program research and selection process; crafting curriculum vitae and/or business resumes; constructing a statement of purpose; and editing writing samples for graduate applications.

Placement in public or private organizations that apply knowledge and approaches from the social sciences. Internships are available in community development, criminal justice, educational programs and institutions, and governmental agencies. Internships are awarded from 3-15 credits per semester, depending on the extent of student involvement.