SOC 314 - The Family. No prerequisites.

Reg. Code 2049 Spring 2009 TTH 2:25-3:40 Kinnell

The goal of this course is to give you the tools to look analytically at something we all know very well: the family. We all have intimate experience with our own families, but we do not always see how social, economic, political, and cultural forces shape both our own families and families which are very different from our own. During the course we will look at the family historically to see how the family has changed over time. We will examine the everyday experiences of individuals within families by looking at such things as love, marriage, and parent?child relationships. And, we will take a "macro" view of families to see how families interact with such institutions as the government and the economy. By the end of the course you should have an understanding of how families make decisions about their lives and how outside social forces affect those decisions.

SOC 315 - Sociology of Religion. Prerequisite: SOC 101 or SOC 240.

Reg. Code19290 Spring 2009 TTH 9:30-10:45 Cherry

This course introduces students to the social scientific study of religion. It does not assume that students either reject or embrace any particular religious faith, but are interested in learning more about the role of religion in society as well as the measurable effects religion can have both at the individual and collective level. Throughout the course we will analyze religious beliefs, practices, religious traditions, and organizations from a sociological perspective with a primary focus on religion in the United States.

SOC 340 - Deviant Behavior. Prerequisites: SOC 101 or SOC 240.

Reg. Code 19613 mini-session Spring 2009 M-F 1-5 Miller

This course will utilize a sociological perspective to examine violations of social norms. Because norms vary, so too does our definition of what constitutes deviance and how we as a society should respond to it. In this class, we will consider how understandings of normative and deviant behavior develop, and we will examine various theories that have been used to explain what motivates people to deviate or conform. For much of the course, we will focus on types of drug use as examples for exploring the many issues related to the sociology of deviant behavior.

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

Reg. Code 16961 Spring 2009 TTH 1-2:15 Fennell

This course serves as the Capstone course for sociology majors and, as such, will build on and move forward from students’ prior coursework in theory and research methods to explore key areas of sociology at an advanced level. We will utilize our “sociological imaginations” to explore a variety of classical texts in sociology as well as current social issues. Because the class is offered in a seminar format, students are expected to read and come to class prepared to analyze and discuss assigned readings. Students will be required to write a series of papers 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. Prerequisites SOC 101 or SOC 240.

Reg. Code 17417 Spring 2009 W night 6:30-9:15 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. This course counts towards American Humanics certification.

SOC 426/526 – Sociology of Education. Prerequisites SOC 101 or SOC 240.

Reg. Code 19291/ Spring 2009 MWF 12-12:50 Hunt

This course examines education from a sociological perspective. Topics covered include sociological theory, stratification, organizations, formal and informal structure, higher education, comparative views, and school reform and change. At the conclusion of the course, you will be able to analyze education from several sociological perspectives.

SOC 433 - Field Work Practicum.
Prerequisites: Senior status and a minimum of 6 sociology courses completed.

Reg. Code 7399 Spring 2009 TTH 3:50-5:05 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 (approximately 20 hours) will consist of a mini-internship with an organization of the student’s choice. 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 460/560 - Quantitative Methods. Prerequisites: SOC 101 or SOC 240.

Reg. Code 7713/7715 Spring 2009 MWF 10:00-10:50 Hunt

This course covers the descriptive statistics and elementary inferential statistics used in the description and analysis of sociological and other social science data. Students will first learn the logic underlying basic descriptive and inferential statistics and then learn how to calculate, estimate, and interpret statistics based on contemporary social science data. Students are assumed to know elementary algebra. Students should bring a calculator to class. This course is required for sociology majors. Course requirements include three (3) non-cumulative exams and one (1) cumulative final exam, a series of short assignments based on material from the text, and a final paper.

SOC 492/692 - Special Problems. Permission of Instructor needed.

Reg. Code 19693/19695 Spring 2009 Cherry
Reg. Code 10905/11249 Spring 2009 Fennell
Reg. Code 10907/11251 Spring 2009 Hunt
Reg. Code 10909/11253 Spring 2009 Kinnell
Reg. Code 10911/11255 Spring 2009 Miller
Reg. Code 19694/19696 Spring 2009 Reid

This course is used to pursue, under the supervision of an individual instructor, specialized interests for which courses are not offered in the department. Some projects suitable for 492 include conducting an extensive library research project, designing and carrying out an original research project, and working with the faculty member on a faculty research project. Students undertaking a senior thesis will also enroll in SOC 492.