Shepherd University

2005-07 Catalog
(Volume XLV * May 2005)

Section VII: Courses of Instruction

Sociology

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. Population and Urban Problems (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. Introduction to 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 340. Sociology of Humor (3)
This course is designed to introduce the student to the various theories and scientific analyses of humor. The student will learn about the importance of humor within interpersonal communications. Interpersonal dynamics, such as group formation and the generation of cultural identity, are also presented and discussed. The evolution of a national character is evaluated and assessed. The material stresses the use of humor in the media and how humor is used as a vehicle for cultural domination. The topics of humor that are examined included the areas of politics, race and ethnicity, and gender.

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.

SOCI 421. Social Organizations (3)
This course focuses upon the nature and structure of social organizations. This includes the assessment of the impact of organizational structure upon individuals and society. A discussion of both informal and formal groups is presented within the course material. The course also introduces the student to the concept of globalization and the effects of this process. Issues originating with the works of Weber, Taylor, and Ford lead to the contemporary analyses of Ritzer, Tomlinson, Giddens, and others. The material focuses upon the relationship between the structure of the organization and the resulting consciousness of the participants of the organizations.

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