Course Descriptions

Department of Sociology

SOCI 500 (3-3-0) Sociological Concepts: An advanced course in general sociology designed to give basic principles and interpretation of society, groups, institutions, and the basic social processes. The course is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the scope, theory, and methods of the discipline of sociology. It is intended primarily for those with limited experience in sociology.

SOCI 502 (3-3-0) Special Topics in Sociology: Independent study or research of special interest by advanced students under the supervision of a member of the sociology faculty. Work may represent either an intensive investigation of a particular problem in sociological theory or research or a survey of a field of sociology not otherwise addressed in the curriculum.

SOCI 503 (3-3-0) Social Statistics: An introduction to descriptive and inferential social statistics, including parametric and non-parametric measures of association, tests of difference, probability and regression.

SOCI 505 (3-3-0) Applied Multivariate Statistic: An introduction to parametric, nonparametric and multivariate statistical techniques for the analysis of social research data and applications of such statistical techniques and sociological problems.
Prerequisite: SOCI 503

SOCI 520 (3-3-0) Demographic Tech and Analysis: A study of demographic principles, theories, techniques and methods as they relate to the population processes of mortality, fertility, and migration. The course also examines various demographic models like the Life table and techniques for population projections and estimates.

SOCI 560 (3-3-0) Advanced Sociological Theory: The purpose of this course is to expose students to the major theorists and theoretical orientations of the "Mid Twentieth Century" period. A major theme in the course will be the role played by ideology in the development of theory; and the assumptions underlying the various theoretical positions to be studied. Primary reading sources will be critically evaluated. The directions in which theory is moving today will be examined.

SOCI 563 (3-3-0) Race, Class, and Gender: This course will explore the various social explanations of the origin, nature and persistence of racial, ehtnic, and social class and gender inequalities. The course will focus on an examination of how these factore intersect to create a system of unequal rewards and life chances in the contemporary United States.

SOCI 580 (3-3-0) Sociological Social Psychology: This course is designed as a graduate level overview of the study of sociological social psychology. This course provides an analysis of the major scientific propositions, concepts, research methods, and theories developed to explain the behavior of individuals in relation to other individuals, groups, and cultures. The course will explore the relationship between social structure and individual phenomena such as liking and attractions, helping behavior, self-definition, and social interaction, etc.

SOCI 590 (3-3-0) Advanced Social Science Research: A study of social science research methodology. The course covers survey research, sampling, techniques, questionnaire construction, data analysis, computer applications, and proposal writing.
Prerequisite: SOCI 335 And SOCI 503

SOCI 600 (3-3-0) Seminar in Fertility and Mortality: An advanced study of human fertility and mortality within the socioeconomic perspective. The course is intended to provide students with substantive theoretical and empirical knowledge on the trends and variations in fertility and mortality within and among societies.

SOCI 602 (3-3-0) Independent Study: Individual study under the supervision of a member of the sociology faculty.

SOCI 605 (3-3-0) Seminar on Population Processes: A sociological study of the pouplation processes of mortality, fertility and migration. The course takes an in-depth look at the factors influencing population processes and social, economic and political consequences of changes in these processes. The major theories and empirical literature on mortality, fertility, and migration will be reviewed.

SOCI 608 (3-3-0) Seminar in the Sociology of Health: A sociological analysis of health and the health care delivery system. The course is structured to help enhance understanding of the social and psychological dimensions of health and health care and the growing dominance of the medical profession. Contemporary issues and social policy implications will be examined as well.

SOCI 614 (3-3-0) Sociology of Aging: An analysis of the major theories, conceptual frameworks, social issues, and empirical research on aging the aged. The course is intended to show how the theory and methodology of sociology can be utilized to explain and predict social phenomena related to the aging process and the aged. Emphasis will be placed on the link between theory and research on aging to policy concerns of the aged.

SOCI 618 (3-3-0) Social Inequalities: This course will explore the various explanations of the origin, nature, and persistence of racial, ethics, social class, and gender inequalities. Various theoretical perspectives (e.g., functionalist, conflict, Marxist, sociobiological) will be discussed. The concepts of class, power, social status, and social honor and their interconnectness will be examined. Social mobility will also be studied. Discussions will focus on capitalist societies and with the more recent changes in these societies.

SOCI 620 (3-3-0) Seminar in Race and Ethnic Relations: This course will examine the theoretical perspectives on majority-minority relations. The status and problems of various racial and ethnic minority groups will be studied. Patterns of majority-minority interaction will be covered. Particular attention will be paid to the socio-historical experiences of various minority groups.

SOCI 638 (3-3-0) Seminar on Criminology and Deviance: A survey of the theoretical, methodological, and substantive issues in the study of crime and deviance. This seminar is designed to provide graduate students with a comprehensive survey of the substance and method of deviance and criminology; theoretical explanations of deviant and criminal behavior; major issues in the control and prevention of deviant and criminal behavior; and public policy issues and the criminal justice system. A general objective of the course is to locate the study of deviance and crime within the general sociological approach to social behavior.

SOCI 685 (3-3-0) Seminar on Teaching Sociology: The course is designed to prepare sociology majors for the teaching of sociology at the junior and community college level and as teaching assistants. The course involves syllabus preparation, selection of instructional materials, testing and evaluation, and demonstration lectures. A major objective of the course is the development of a "sociology toolbox" for the future. Special attention will be paid to issues on curriculum and course development in sociology.

SOCI 690 (3-3-0) Practicum: Involves the planning, implementation, and evaluation of individual projects in Applied Sociology, including field work. Based on student interest, career plans, and available placements, students will be placed in a variety of settings for at least 10 weeks during the semester in which they are enrolled. A minimum of 12 contact hours per week will be required for a total of 120 hours. Consideration will be given to full-time work experience in appropriate settings.
Prerequisite: SOCI 505 And SOCI 560 And SOCI 590

SOCI 691 (3-0-3) Practicum II: Continuation of the practicum under the direction of the Practicum Committee. Submission of a final practicum report is required.
Prerequisite or Co-requisite: SOCI 690

SOCI 695 (3-0-3) Thesis I: An original investigation in a subject approved by the student┐s Thesis Committee. Detailed information on the preparation, form, organization, and defense of the thesis is presented in the Guide for the Preparation and Submission of Theses. The thesis in the Sociology MA Program involves the planning, implementation and evaluation of individual research projects. Based on student interest and or future career plans, students will work on a thesis during the semesters in which they are enrolled. Approval of the proposed project by a thesis committee recruited to serve as faculty advisors by the student is required prior to registering for the course. Additional information and consent forms are available from the Sociology Department.
Prerequisite: SOCI 505 And SOCI 560 And SOCI 590

SOCI 696 (3-3-0) Thesis II: Continued preparation of the thesis under the direction of the advisor and the Thesis Committee.
Prerequisite: SOCI 695

SOCI 899 (0-0-0) Thesis Non-Credit: This course is required for students that have completed their course work and the number of thesis hours for credit required in their graduate degree program. Students who will continue to use University resources in completing their thesis must enroll in this course.