SOCI 101S 01&02 Introduction to Sociology
4 Credits
Doubt, Keith
Pre-requisites: None
Introduction to Sociology introduces and studies various sociological principles on the nature of social interaction and the problem of social order. The course demonstrates how different sociological perspectives help us understand and articulate the compelling character of social life. The course is divided into three parts, and the leading, theoretical approaches within sociology-Symbolic Interaction, Social Conflict, Functionalism-are studied one at a time in each part of the course. In general, the course will encourage you to enjoy, recognize, and actively engage in the practice of social inquiry.
SOCI 110C 01&02 Cultural Anthropology
4 Credits
Rowell, Kathy
Pre-requisites: None
This course introduces students to key concepts, methods, and approaches in cultural anthropology. Topics addressed include culture theory, fieldwork, language, ethnicity, tourism, media, popular culture, globalization, gender relations, social change, war, peace, development, and religion, among others. As this list suggests, anthropology is a discipline that draws on many other fields, and our course readings reflect that cross-disciplinarily. A special focus on indigenous peoples of the world and humans rights issues will be explored. Course will include some opportunities to participate in applied anthropology projects and research. Ethnographic setting explored in this class range from the contemporary United States to Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Europe.
SOCI 245 1W&2W Gender and Society
4 Credits
Moskowitz, Nona
Pre-requisites: None
So much of our understanding of ourselves is filtered through personal and societal conceptualizations of gender. We begin learning and experiencing social meanings of gender from the moment we are born. Yet, the meanings we learn are not universal. Anthropological studies on gender illustrate that the constructions of sex and gender vary cross-culturally. In this course we will examine how gender plays a role in the making of identities in various parts of the world taking Japan as a case study. Through this case study of Japanese understandings gender, the course will examine the construction of the gendered identities at work and play; sex, gender and the body; relationships and sexualities; public representations of gender; feminism; and other topics. Writing intensive.
SOCI 280S 01&02 Animals and Society
4 Credits
Nibert, David
Pre-requisites: None
Increasingly, social scientists are focusing on the ethical, environmental and social consequences of human treatment of other animals. This course will examine how human societies have viewed and treated other animals and how the interactions and the structure of the relationship between humans and other animals affect both those animals and human social organization. For example, some scholars argue that cultural practices that define and use nonhuman animals as food contribute significantly to various forms of environmental devastation. Human health research indicates that high rates of heart disease and cancer in many cultures can be attributed to the consumption of animals. Others suggest that human perception and treatment of nonhuman animals are related in significant ways to such enduring problems as racism, sexism and violence against vulnerable groups of people. This course will examine the causes of human exploitation of other animals and the issues that frame the animal rights debate.
SOCI 292S 01 Population Geography
4 Credits
Medvedkov, Olga
Pre-requisites: None
This course studies population dynamic around the World, zooming on some specific countries and issues. Problems of overpopulation, health, sustainable development, environmental constrains, migration processes, family planning, and women's role in society will be addressed during lectures and class discussions. Students will internalize the course concepts and content preparing their research papers on various population issues. This class has an informal lecture/discussion format.
SOCI 307 Research Methods
5 Credits
Doubt, Keith
Pre-requisites: SOCI 101S or SOCI 110C/S and minimum math placement 23. Note: You are encouraged to take statistics for your Q Gen. Ed. requirement concurrently with SOCI 307.
This course will introduce students to the design and implementation of various social science research methods. The course examines every phase of the research process including the development of testable research questions, integration of theory into the empirical process, choosing effective methods for study, and various techniques for collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting data. Students will construct and implement research designs using various quantitative and qualitative methods, primarily in preparation for the completion of their independent senior thesis project.
Lab TH 1:00-2:00
During this "Thursday Lab" component students will focus heavily on the practice of qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
SOCI 370 1&2 Criminology
4 Credits
Norris, Michael
Pre-requisites: None
This course will emphasize explanations of criminal behavior, consequences of crime for victims and for society, types of juvenile and adult crime, and societal responses to crime. The strengths and limitations of the criminal justice system will be examined, and various approaches to corrections and to crime prevention will be considered. Special attention will be given to the problem of criminal violence, the reasons for it and responses to it. Emphasis also will be given to how different groups such as the police, the victims, and the criminals themselves view criminal conduct.
SOCI 376S Law and Society
4 Credits
Nibert, David
Pre-requisites: None
This course focuses on the role of law in human society, with a particular emphasis on how the power of the state has been marshaled to protect the interests of the privileged. Traditional explanations of the purpose of the state and the resulting legal frameworks will be contrasted with Marxist, Neo-Marxist and feminist examinations. Attention will be given to how law has been used to resist movement by oppressed groups to reform or overthrow oppressive social systems. Special attention will be given to an examination of the level of democracy that exists in the contemporary United States and the implications for the development of law in the 21st century.
Special emphasis will also be placed on the experiences of women, people of color, immigrants, low-income people, people with disabilities and nonhuman animals.
