SPRING  COURSE LIST FOR SOCIOLOGY 2013

SOC 205 Racial and Ethnic Relations
M W F 1030-1120am
Marti G
The purpose of this course is to explore racial/ethnic dynamics and sociocultural diversity on both a personal and societal level. A practical understanding of these dynamics is essential for not only interpersonal success but also a more comprehensive understanding of our multi-cultural, urban society. Exploration of human difference and the dynamics of intergroup relations will focus on racial/ethnic differences, but we will also consider personality, religious, cultural, class, gender, and other significant social differences. The papers and projects pursued in this course will broaden awareness of yourself, other people, and other groups', and strengthen your ability to interact with others and put into practice transformative leadership in our interconnected society.

SOC 218 Gendered Communication in Society
M W F 1230-0120pm
Martinez A
This course examines theoretical, practical, and transitional era communication modes between the sexes in personal relationships and professional contexts in contemporary American society. The social construction of gender is the major underlying focus of this course including specific emphasis on gendered differences enacted in public and private settings as well as potential impacts on success, satisfaction, and self-esteem. We will strive to critically explore gender in the following topic areas: the relationship between gender and culture, gender differences in verbal and nonverbal communication, gender roles in media, gendered education, gendered family dynamics and close relationships, gendered organizational communication, and theories of gender and communication applied in scholarly research studies. Throughout this course, we will consider not only what is in terms of gender roles, but also what might be and how we, as change agents, may act to improve our individual and collective lives.

SOC 225 Sociology of Religion
M W F 0930-1020am
Marti G
Religion exists in a social context, and always is shaped by and shapes its social context. Furthermore, religion itself is always (at least in part) a socially constituted reality--that is, its content and structure are always formed, at least partially, out of the "stuff" of the socio-cultural world (language, symbols, groups, norms, interactions, resources, organizations, etc.). The sociology of religion pursues an understanding of both the "social-ness'" of religion itself and the mutually influencing interactions between religion and its social environment. We will analyze religious beliefs, practices, and organizations from a sociological perspective, with a primary focus on religion in contemporary American society.

SOC 265 Population Dynamics and Society
T R 1215-0130pm
Herman M
This course provides an introduction to social demography: the sociological study of human population processes and their relationship with social, economic, and political changes. The course will begin with an introduction of population characteristics, including its size, growth, and age distribution, followed by a discussion of population dynamics, which are fertility and sexuality, mortality, and migration. The second part of the course will cover population topics that are relevant in planning and policy debates such as: marriage and family, population health, the youth bulge, urbanization, population aging, population and environment, and population changes and economic development in the Global South.

SOC 315 Media Effects
M W 1:30-4:20pm
Martinez A
This course explores relevant theories and practices of conducting media effects research in communication, particularly in the mass mediated/disseminated contexts including television, radio, print, popular culture artifacts, internet, and other forms of new media. Society tends to ascribe great power to the media so we will move beyond the simple (and unrealistic) cause-and-effect approach to the study of media and human behavior. We will strive towards a deeper understanding of media processes and effects and how to properly assess such impacts by employing various communication theories and methodologies. A wide range of media effects topic areas will be covered including health, advertising, edutainment, (race, ethnic, gender, and sex) stereotypes, violence, pornography, music videos, video games, TV news, and politics. Students' experiences, insights, questions, and ideas are a key part of this course.

SOC 330 Sociology of Education
R 0140-0420pm
Kelly H
This course is an introduction to the sociological study of education in the United States. We will examine the school as an organization within a larger environment, shaping and influencing the lives of individuals and groups. We will explore the link between schools and social stratification by analyzing the mutually generative functions of schools: reproducing social inequalities and providing social mobility. In addition, we will consider how processes within schools can lead to different educational outcomes for students, teachers, and families, such as dropping out, college entry, teacher attrition, homeschooling, segregated schooling, and achievement gaps. Students will write 2 reviews, conduct research on a sociological problem in education, and participate actively in discussions.

SOC 372 Feminist Theories
T R 0940-1055am
Taft J
This class introduces students to some of the key concepts and debates within feminist social theory. We'll explore the significance and meaning of gender within social life, how gender is produced and reproduced at the individual and institutional levels, the intersection of gender with other dimensions of social difference, as well as the various feminist approaches to and interpretations of equality, justice, and freedom. Through the lens of feminist theory, the class also explores some of the big questions of sociological theory more broadly: what is the relationship between individuals and social structures? How determinate and stable are these long-standing structures? How do social structures change? What is the role of the individual in social change? How are our identities produced and reproduced in different social contexts and historical moments?

SOC 386 Religion & Young Adults
T 0140-0420pm
Marti G
What does religious commitment look like among young adults? Our focus in this class will center on young adults in America-those often labeled "emerging adults"-and the nature of their religious involvement (or lack thereof) from adolescence through their later 20s. The continuation of any religious tradition is dependent on the ability to pass along beliefs and practices across generations. Yet, the challenges of sustaining religion appears to be increasing, although unevenly and in not-so-obvious ways. De-conversion, disaffiliation, and disbelief are growing options, and religious diversity and tolerance are more important than ever. Overall, this seminar pursues the most current sociological analysis available at the intersection of age and religion.

SOC 388 Political Economy of African Development
W 0130-0420pm
Herman M
In this course we will use material from Global Political Economy and Comparative Sociology to trace evolution of contemporary African institutions (markets, states, and civil society) as the continent grapples with "development agenda," which to a large extent has influenced both the construction of national identities in the continent and the nature of African states' interactions with the rest of the world. We will use case studies from specific African nation-states to explore topics including: the enduring legacy of colonialism, African Socialism policies from independence to 1980s, adoption of neoliberal policies through Structural Adjustment Programs and the subsequent transitions to open-markets beginning in mid-1980s, the third wave of democratization (transitions to competitive politics) in the 1990s, and the recent popular uprisings in North Africa. Also, we will discuss other variables that are particular to contemporary African political economy including civil conflict, natural resources and corruption, foreign aid regimes, engagement with International Financial Institutions, such as the IMF and the World Bank, and the recent surge of Chinese economic presence in the continent.

SOC 392 Quantitative Data Analysis
T R 0815-0930am
Herman M
In the current state of a highly interconnected global political economy, social scientists are increasingly relying on statistical data to make sense of complex and far-reaching social phenomena. This second semester quantitative methods course provides basic tools for analyzing large statistical datasets and exploring relationships between variables that measure various aspects of social, political, and economic life. Building on theoretical concepts from introductory statistics, this course provides students with hands-on quantitative analysis experience using data drawn from real world social issues/problems. The course uses statistical software, STATA, to explore a variety of techniques including regression analysis methods that have become essential tools not just in social science research but also in other fields such as business, public policy, and public health.
Prerequisites: a semester of college-level introductory statistics course in sociology, economics, political science, psychology, or mathematics, such as SOC260, ECO105, POL221, or MAT341.

SOC 435 Senior Seminar: The Politics of Childhood & Youth
M 0130-0420pm
Taft J
Save the children. Rebellion is just a phase. Teens are apathetic. Kids need to be prepared for citizenship. Each of these discursive claims highlights a different imagined connection between young people and political, cultural, and social change. In this seminar, we'll consider how the symbolic figures of children, teens, youth, and students are imbued with political significance and the ways that diverse communities of young social actors are themselves engaged in political projects, including community service, social movement activism, cultural and subcultural production, social entrepreneurship, and participation in government. Designed as a capstone experience, students will complete individual empirical research projects that draw on their previous coursework in sociology and contribute to our understanding of the complex relationships between young people and social change.

Soc 495 - Independent Research in Sociology

FALL 2013
Soc 101 - Introductory Sociology
Soc 219 - Sociological Criminology
Soc 233 - Sociology of Childhood
Soc 242 - Globalization & Social Change
Soc 260 - Social Statistics
Soc 360 - Medical Sociology
Soc 370 - Theory in Sociology
Soc 386 - Issues in Contemporary Terrorism
Soc 390 - Qualitative Methods

SPRING 2012
Soc 101 - Introductory Sociology
Soc 205 - Racial and Ethnic Relations
Soc 212 - Deviance and Social Control
Soc 225 - Sociology of Religion
Soc 246 - American Families
Soc 329 - White Collar Crime
Soc x - Feminist Theory
Soc x - Survey Methods
Soc 4xx - Christianity & Social Change
Soc 420 - Issues in Contemporary Terrorism

FALL 2012
Soc 105 - Race, Religion & Barack Obama
Soc 219 - Sociological Criminology
Soc 233 - Sociology of Childhood
Soc 242 - Globalization & Social Change
Soc 260 - Social Statistics
Soc 360 - Medical Sociology
Soc 370 - Theory in Sociology
Soc 390 - Qualitative Methods
Soc 300-level course TBD