Description of Sociology Upper Division Courses Offered in Spring 2013

SOC 333 - Practicum in Sociology Careers.

Reg Code 9332 MWF 10-10:50 am Kinnell

Objectives: 1) Students will examine the career paths available to sociology majors. 2) Students will identify steps that they can take to enhance their ability to start a career after graduation. 3) Students will gain practical experience in a career-oriented area. Course structure: 1/3 of the course will consist of in-class meetings. 2/3 of the course will consist of a mini-internship with an organization of the student’s choice OR a significant independent research project focused on sociology careers. Other course requirements will include: 1) readings on preparing for a career using your sociology major, 2) assignments related to job seeking (e.g. career plan, application letter, resume preparation, job search techniques), 3) a reflective journal, and 3) a final paper.

SOC 340 - Deviant Behavior.

Reg. Code 10850 MW 3:30-4:45 pm Miller

What makes something “deviant” or “normal”? How do we know? Why do some people conform to what is expected while others violate norms? When you are labeled deviant, what impact does that have? This class will focus on these and other central questions in the sociology of deviant behavior.  Students will be introduced to research and theory on diverse forms of deviance, including workplace misconduct, mental illness, interpersonal violence, juvenile delinquency, and others. Through exploration of various forms of deviant behavior, students will learn what it means to analyze deviance (and conformity) through a sociological framework.

SOC 401 - Senior Seminar in Sociology. Prerequisites: SOC 101, SOC 462, SOC 482.

Reg. Code 7430 MW 2-3:15 pm Fennell

This course serves as the Capstone course for sociology majors, and, as such, it will build on students’ prior coursework in theory and research methods to explore key areas of sociology at an advanced level. You will utilize your “sociological imagination” to explore a topic of your choice.  You will read articles on the topic and conduct original research using the methodology of participation.  In this way, you will learn how to be a better observer and writer, critical skills in the workplace as well as in school.  Students will be required to do a series of assignments and give two in-class presentations. This course is required for graduating seniors and counts as an Intensive Writing course under the university core curriculum.

SOC 405 - Nonprofits and Social Change.

Reg. Code 9446 M night 6:30-9:15 pm Kinnell

This course will focus on the role of nonprofit organizations in meeting the needs of American society. Students will be introduced to the historical and philosophical foundations of the nonprofit sector as well as the mission and structure of nonprofit organizations. In addition to traditional class lectures and discussions, students will benefit by interacting with local non-profit agencies both in the class room and in the community. This class is appropriate for any student who is interested in working with non-profits either as a volunteer or as a career or who just wants to know more about the non-profit sector and social change.

SOC 415/515 - Sociology of Gender.

Reg Code 10840/10841 TTH 9:30-10:45 am Reid

Examines the social construction of gender and how women and men’s experiences are influenced by culture and social institutions, including social psychological aspects and structural inequality issues related to gender.

SOC 425/525 - Food and Culture.

Reg. Code 10851/10852 W night 6:30-9:15 pm Fennell

This course provides an overview to the growing literature on food studies in the social sciences. We will look at food as a part of culture, investigating how food is a marker of group identity. We will investigate the role of gender, ethnicity, and class in our food choices. From Adam & Eve, what foods have been taboo, and for whom? In addition, we will look at agro-food networks. What can we learn from the production and distribution of foods, and what impact does this have on the environment and our health? Finally we will pay critical attention to issues of power and the globalization of food.

SOC 426/526 - Sociology of Education.

Reg. Code 10853/10854 T night 6:30-9:15 pm Pagnucco

This course is an overview of sociological research on education in the United States.  This course will introduce students to empirical research regarding a number of topics, including inequality, student performance, and the relationship between education and the marketplace.  Students will read works from multiple theoretical standpoints, and conducted using several different methodological approaches.  Students will write a term paper, and class participation will be encouraged.