SOCI 101S 01 & 02 - Introduction to Sociology
Pankhurst, Jerry
This course examines the cultural and structural patterns of human behavior. The content of this course focuses upon norms, social interaction, social organization, and social change. This course pays special attention to the characteristics of social institutions and how they shape human conduct.
SOCI 110C/S 01 & 02 - Cultural Anthropology
Smith, Steve
This course is an introduction to the perspective of cultural anthropology. The course pays particular attention to the concept of culture and to the tremendous diversity of cultural patterns around the world. Topics include fieldwork as method and experience, institutions of society, and symbol and meaning. Students will read descriptions of societies from several different ethnographic areas, including the United States. We will end the term with a consideration of the role of anthropology and anthropologists in the world today.
SOCI 201 01 - Urban Geography
Medvedkov, Olga
World urbanization has increased dramatically in the course of the 20 th century. About 50% of the global population lives in cities now verses to 5% in the 1800s. Developed countries are 73% urbanized, with Europe and Russia facing shrinking population. Developing countries with large portion of their population in rural areas face an extremely fast rate of urbanization, and lead the world in number of mega-cities, often surrounded by shanty towns. What is the origin of urban growth and decline? What is the spatial organization of a settlement’s network? What is the structure of the land use in North American cities, and how different it is from European, Russian, and Latin American, and Asian centers? All these questions require that cities be constantly rediscovered. The emphasis will be on American cities with their long standing inner-city/suburb dichotomy. A lecture/discussion format is anticipated. Field assignments connect theories to the real world. There will be two exams, one oral report, a final paper, and several field and computer assignments. Prerequisite: Math Placement 22.
This course is on WebCT.
SOCI 201 1W - Contemporary Issues of Sports Sociology and Psychology
Dawson, Steve
At a time of major political and economic change in the world, this course will examine the nature and role of international sport in the emerging global village. Students will seek to uncover the unique elements of sport in the United States and to explain its appearance in terms of the nation’s dominate system of cultural values. Sport will be placed against the broader, sometimes contradictory, backdrop of American culture. As well as the United States, sport will be analyzed in the following cultures: Japan, China, the “New Europe” (e.g., former Eastern Bloc), South Africa, New Zealand, and the United Kindom. A background in sociology and cultural studies would be beneficial, although not a requirement.
SOCI 277 C/R 1W - Islam and Islamic SocietiesThis course will provide a broad introduction to the religion of Islam, accompanied by an examination of the connections between Islam and the varied life of Muslim societies and of Muslim minority communities in non-Muslim societies. Given the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the West’s military reprisals and subsequent reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan, the war in Iraq, the ongoing struggle of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the devastation of the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia and elsewhere in the Indian Ocean basin, and other problem situations, knowledge of these issues has become of highest priority. We will seek to understand the complex sources of conflict in areas in which Islam is implicated in some way; we will also try to become acquainted with the rich cultural life of Muslims. We will consider Muslim societies all over the world, but, in support of the minor in Africana Studies, we will give a special emphasis to Islam in Africa and to African American Islam.
Course format: lecture/seminar, with much group discussion. Graded Requirements: A variety of writing exercises throughout the term, oral presentations, examinations and a term project. This course is Writing Intensive (W) and can be taken for either “C” or “R” credit in General Education. Prerequisite: None.
SOCI 290S 01& 02 - Global Change
Nibert, David
Examination of the theories, processes, dynamics, and consequences of global change with respect to the emergence of global economic and political systems. Topics include the emergence of industrialization and colonialism, contemporary relationships of advance capitalist nations to the Third World, growing levels of poverty, hunger, repression, and continued environmental destruction.
SOCI 301 01 - Women and Poverty
Rowell, Katherine
This is an upper-level seminar on the sociological, economical, and political issues facing women in the context of poverty. The course will examine the diverse nature of the poverty experience for women in the United States and the world. Topics covered will include the Appalachian experience, the Native American Experience, the African-American Experience as well as other groups through individual student presentations. It is desirable that students have Gender and Society, SOCI 245, before this seminar. A high level of writing is expected.
SOCI 360 W - Sociological Theory
Pankhurst, Jerry
Although sociology has an important, growing applied dimension, this application rests on theory and research. This course examines theory as it relates to the general body of sociological knowledge, specific school of thought, and research methodology. We examine concepts, theorists and specific schools of thought. The focus is threefold: (1) a review of the work of some classical theorists (e.g. Durkheim, Weber and Marx), (2) a description and contrast of contemporary sociological theories (e.g. conflict, functionalism, and symbolic interaction), and (3) and application of theory toward a critical/analytical understanding of society. Requirements of the course include an extensive reading beyond a major textbook, plus meeting writing intensive standards. (At least three semester hours in Sociology is a that students taking this course have had several courses in sociology at the 200 and 300 level.)prerequisite. It is advisable
SOCI 376S 01 - Law and Society
Nibert, David
This course is designed to develop and expand students' awareness and understanding of the social construction of the state and how law functions as a social institution; special attention will be given to the role of the state and law as instruments of social control and oppression. While a brief survey of historical uses of state power will be undertaken, the preponderance of assigned readings will be given to an analysis of oppressive uses of state power and law in the 20th and 21st centuries in the United States and the use of U.S. power in the Third World.
SOCI 498 & 499 01/W - Senior Thesis & Honor Thesis
McEvoy, Alan
As part of the major in Sociology, Wittenberg students are required to complete a senior thesis under the supervision of the "Senior Thesis Professor" and a "Primary Reader" who has a related scholarly interest. The thesis is seen as a capstone experience for majors in that it allows them both to explore research and analytical skills that they have learned earlier and to develop these skills with direct application. In addition, in the process of research and writing, the student develops new skills for the analysis that grow out of the first-hand research tasks. Finally, the thesis process allows the department to assess how well it is doing in preparing students for critical and creative thinking, and for professional or allied careers using their major.
The topic of thesis research is chosen in consultation between the student and the faculty. Hands-on empirical research is encouraged, using either available data sets or requiring the full initiation and carrying out of data gathering in the form of a survey, participant observation project, content analysis or other research method.
Complete drafts of senior theses are due at the end of the fall semester. However, revision tasks normally run into the beginning of spring semester.
All students are required to present their final research papers in a student conference format in late February. The Senior Thesis Presentations is one of the programs in the departmental colloquium series, so an audience made up of students, faculty, and local guests has an opportunity to hear about the studies carried out by the senior majors.
In addition, all sociology majors are strongly encouraged to present their thesis work at other undergraduate research conferences either on or off campus.
Outstanding and accomplished majors are encouraged to seek to earn department honors in Sociology by preparing a Senior Honors Thesis in place of the regular Senior Thesis. The honors thesis is more extensive and requires completion of a more complex and detailed research paper comparable to those found in journals in the discipline. When appropriate, you will be encouraged to submit your work for possible publication or presentation at a professional meeting such as that of the North Central Sociological Association or the American Sociological Association.
Students interested in completing an Honors Thesis in Sociology should consult with the Department Chairperson and the Senior Thesis Professor when completing enrollment procedures for Fall Semester.
