Sociology Courses

Formerly SOC 101, SOC& 101

An introduction to the scientific study of society. Emphasis on relationship of the individual to society, inequality, social institutions, and deviant behavior.

This course explores how men and women, as well as the qualities of ''masculinity'' and ''femininity,'' are portrayed in print, visual, and news media, as well as the relationship between gender and cultural experiences, such as technology, sports, and violence.

Formerly HIS 115, HIST 115, SOC 115

This course will introduce students to the sociology and history of the Middle East as one of the most diverse regions in the world. Specifically, it examines the historical development as well as the current transformation of social, cultural, economic, and political systems of Middle Eastern societies. Topics will be examined using a macro-sociological approach which analyzes both their internal dynamics and their role and place in the world.

The family is discussed in broad sociobiological, historical, and comparative perspectives. Modern family life is analyzed after conceptual frameworks have been developed.

Societies create many roles for their members, depending upon technology, organization, and the distribution of power. Some of those roles are assigned on the basis of sex. This course examines the social creation of those gender roles assigned to sex and sexual behavior, and explores the inner life of acting out those roles.

Arrangements are made for students to receive actual field experience. The number of hours per week determines the credit enrollment.

A class used to explore new coursework.

Formerly SOC 201, SOC& 201

Examines conditions that adversely affect the quality of life in the United States. Deviant behavior (crime, alcoholism, drug abuse, sexual deviance, mental illness) and problems of inequality (including poverty, racism, and sexism) are to be covered.

Formerly ICS 220, SOC 220

Sociological analysis of the global interconnectedness of things, people, and ideas. Topics include economic development and trade, immigration and citizenship, human rights, transmission of culture and knowledge, and new technologies including the internet. Emphasis on understanding the significance of social forces and inequalities in shaping globalization processes.

This course introduces students to the sociological study of social behavior that violates society's accepted norms, namely, deviance and crime (hereafter: deviance). Specifically, the course will help students understand types of crime, non-criminal deviant behavior (such as mental illness and addiction) and how society responds at various levels to these behaviors. Students will learn about the theoretical approaches (labeling theory, differential association theory, control theory, for example) that explain the causes, extent and consequences of deviance in society. Student will also learn how deviance relates to aspects of class, ethnicity and race and to various social institutions, such as family, media, and power.

A survey of human sexuality from biological, psychological, sociocultural, and sociobiological perspectives. Topics include sexual orientation, sexual dysfunction, and sexually transmitted diseases.

Introduces one of the most vital and significant aspects of cultural life in the world. The world cinema is central to an artistic self-awareness that reflects a range of dominant social and cultural issues. Through a number of feature films from the Arab, Iranian, Israeli, Turkish, Chinese, Indian, French, Italian, German, Mexican, and American cinema, this course takes these cultural products as the aesthetic expressions of some enduring social, cultural, political, and economic concerns in contemporary world societies. A total of about ten feature films are shown and discussed in the course of the quarter.

Arrangements are made for students to receive actual field experience. The number of hours per week determines the credit enrollment.

A class used to explore new coursework.

Cybercrime is a deviant behavior involving the illegal use of computer technology and the internet against individuals, social groups, and institutions. This course examines cybercrime and its various types (such as identity theft, bullying, and cyber-terrorism) as a social problem in the United States and the world. The goal of this course is to introduce students to the theories and methods used by sociologists to understand the different dimensions of cybercrime including their causes, costs, and challenges to society, and possible solutions. Topics include: cyber-sociology, crime and deviance, types of cybercrime, challenges to social order, society's responses to cybercrime, and socio-economic and ethical consequences of cybercrime.

This course introduces students to the sociology of medicine and healthcare. Specifically, this course systematically examines factors that affect health and illness, social epidemiology of disease, the organization of health care systems, strain on healthcare systems, as well as other societal factors affecting the health status of groups and individuals, with a special focus on minority groups.