SOCI 203. GENERAL SOCIOLOGY (3)
This course introduces the student to the concepts and theories that pertain to social relationships
and social organization. The course covers topics that range from micro interpersonal relationships
to macro social structures. The course is a prerequisite for all other courses in sociology and/
or social welfare. Not recommended for freshmen.

SOCI 205. SOCIAL PROBLEMS (3)
In large, complex, heterogeneous, and rapidly changing societies, social problems are inevitable
consequences. The problems may vary in their nature, extent, and volume but the negative impact
has equally significant implications for all aspects and members of the society. Although these
problems are an integral aspect of society, their impact needs to be and can be controlled within
a normal range. In order to ameliorate the negative consequences of these social conditions so that
they do not reach a pathological state, it is imperative to understand their source, nature, and
effects. This course examines these aspects of various social problems and the suggested corrective
strategies to deal with them. 

SOCI 303. THE FAMILY (3)
This course is an objective description and analysis of families. The course will examine the
development and functions of traditional family forms as well as explore a variety of other family
forms. Problems and issues facing contemporary families will be addressed. Diversity among
American families will be emphasized.

SOCI 307. DEMOGRAPHY (3)
The course examines how a society is affected by its rates of birth, death, disease, migration,
marriage, and divorce. These are the components of population growth and its geographic
distribution. Specifically, the course will consider how family structure affects population growth
and vice versa; how gender roles change when population growth goes up or down; how the
movement of people from one place to another is changing people’s lives worldwide; and how
inequality and populations are related.

SOCI 309. SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION (3)
This course examines the structure and functions of organized religion in traditional and modern
societies with an emphasis on reciprocal relations among religion, economic, family, educational,
and political systems. Also, various patterns of cults, sects, and denominations will be examined.

SOCI 312. JUVENILE DELINQUENCY (3)
The course provides an understanding of the historical development of the concepts of delinquency
and juvenile justice system; the volume and extent of delinquency; and the nature and
processes of the juvenile system and corrections. The course will also explore various factors
(biological, psychological, and sociological) associated with delinquency. These theories and an
understanding of the aspects of delinquency and juvenile justice are imperative to the development
of effective means of preventing young persons from starting the life of crime or graduating to
adult criminal life.

SOCI 333. THE SOCIOLOGY OF SPORT (3)
This course surveys the principles that underlie the social structure and processes that create and
transform the social institutions within the institution of sport. It also investigates the social
milieu in which sport participation is embedded with respect to who participates, when, where,
and the consequences of participation.

SOCI 390. THE SOCIOLOGY OF VIOLENCE (3)
This course is a survey of patterns and trends of violence in American society. These patterns and
trends concern interpersonal, domestic, police, corporate, prison, schools, media, collective, and
political violence. The course also examines theories, preventive treatment and public policies
concerning violence.

SOCI 402. CRIMINOLOGY (3)
Crime is a major social problem that increasingly continues not only to undermine and stifle
individual liberties, but also is having a tremendous draining effect on the already burdened
valuable resources of the American society. This course provides an understanding of the
historical development and definition of the concepts of crime and the criminal justice system; the
volume and extent of crime; and the nature and processes of the criminal justice system and
correction. The course will also explore various factors (biological, psychological, and sociological)
associated with crime.

SOCI 403. ETHNIC RELATIONS (3)
The content of the course goes beyond the literal meaning of its title. It involves an analysis of
stratification based on race, ethnicity, gender, class, and other social categories such as caste. Such
a structure is not deliberate, but rather dictated by the inextricable relationship and uniformity
of the consequences of the various forms of stratification. While emphasis is placed on the social
arrangements in the American society, the issues are also examined from a cross-cultural
perspective. The course tries to provide a general theoretical framework of stratification by
exploring the factors, the process, and the consequent tensions and hostilities associated with it.

SOCI 404. SOCIOLOGY SEMINAR (3)
Designed for students who have a major or minor in sociology and who expect to pursue graduate study in the field.

SOCI 405. RESEARCH METHODS (3)
This course focuses on the scientific assessment of social phenomena. The student is introduced
to the principles of the scientific method in order to conduct social research. The course includes
the development and testing of hypothesis and covers various methods of data collection.
Qualitative and quantitative assessment techniques are presented and discussed. Prerequisite:
MATH 315 or consent of instructor.

SOCI 406. COMMUNICATION IN AMERICAN SOCIETY (3)
Special emphasis is placed upon mass communications and the structure of function of communication as the art of transmitting information, ideas, concepts, and attitudes from one person or group to another.

SOCI 407. COLLECTIVE BEHAVIOR (3)
This course centers on the relatively unstructured, spontaneous, unpredictable, temporary, and
usually irrational aspects of human behavior, including such social behavior as rumors, fads,
fashions, crazes, panics, escapes, riots, protests, collective delusions, migrations, and disasters. 

SOCI 410. SOCIAL THEORY (3)
This course introduces the student to the fundamental forms of social thought. The philosophical
beginnings of social theory are presented in order to form the basis for the analysis of classical
social theory. The influence of social conditions and classical social theory is discussed in order
to trace the development of contemporary social theory.

SOCI 411. SOCIAL STRATIFICATION (3)
A study of the factors which account for differences in influence, power, and social prestige held
by different individuals and groups in the community and the society. Also considered are the
theories of stratification and the relationships between social class and education, occupational
choice, political preference, and religious affiliation. The relationship between social class and
social mobility is reviewed.

SOCI 412. MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY (3)

The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the general field of medical sociology.
Research and analysis of the medical environment from a sociological perspective will be
explored. The course will focus on the major concerns of medical sociology: social facets of health
and illness, the social functions of health institutions and organizations, the relationship of
systems of health care delivery to other social systems, and the social behavior of health personnel
and consumers of health care services.

SOCI 419. INTERNSHIP IN SOCIOLOGY/CRIMINAL JUSTICE (3)
This course provides supervised field experience enabling students to integrate theory and
practice. A variety of community-based organizations are used for student placement. The course
may not be repeated. Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing; 2.5 minimum overall GPA;
permission of sociology faculty.

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