Sociology

What are the roots of the current climate crisis? Can religious, economic, cultural, political, and/or biological worldviews help us understand the challenges? The course will introduce concepts in systems thinking, which emphasize an interdisciplinary approach to addressing climate change. The...

This course introduces students to criminology and criminological theories. Crime and reactions to crime will be examined as they relate to social and institutional life in contemporary U.S. society. Students will gain theoretical lenses for understanding the situational and systemic...

This course will introduce students to the fundamental concepts of micro and macro economics, including economic relationships and processes, analysis of markets and price behavior, economic activities of governments, aggregate income determination, banking, and trade.

In this course we consider how economic activity affects the environment and how environmental destruction can, in turn, harm the economy. We apply the concepts of externalities, public goods and open-access resources to topics such as air pollution, climate change...

A comparative studies in world history course. Looking at history from the perspective of gender and gender relations provides a new way of seeing historical change. This course takes case studies from the non-Western world and looks at the agency...

A comparative studies in world history course. Exploration of human interaction with the environment over time particularly in the non-Western world. Examination of the material and ideological conditions which have led to preservation or destruction of the environment through a...

An interactive course which addresses justice from the viewpoints of those both inside and outside the criminal justice system. Half of students in each class are inmates in a correctional facility and half are college students. The course is flexible...

Analyzes different strategies for achieving change in contexts characterized by high levels of complexity and conflict, with particular attention to the role and significance of the relatively new field of dialogue, deliberation, and civic engagement. Students will draw from their...

General comparative survey of political institutions and behavior in various types of regimes, with special emphasis on the American political system. The most appropriate course for students required to take one course in political science. Collateral reading may be adjusted...

Explores the nature of the policy-making process in the United States and, to a lesser extent, other pluralist polities. Topics will include constitutional and structural framework in which policies are shaped, interest articulation, policy formulation and the feedback process.

Examination of the structure, development and operation of the present international political system and its possible alternatives.

An introduction to the principles and methods used in the study of human society. Includes a survey of topics in social problems, social inequalities, social identity, human ecology and social change.

(Cross-listed from WGS 200) Introduction to major areas of feminist thought (historical and contemporary) that shaped the field of Women’s Studies. Course objectives focus on increasing students’ understandings of the social systemic factors (i.e., sociological factors) that influence women’s lived...

A study of the role of family in society and culture. Includes a comparative history of the family institution as well as an examination of social trends affecting mate selection, marriage, family roles and family relationships in contemporary society and...

An introduction to ethnographic methods and cultural analysis. The course will operate on two interrelated dimensions, one focused on the history of ethnography and cultural analysis in anthropology and sociology, the other focused on practical techniques of qualitative research, including...

Current developments are examined within the context of a general survey of Latin-American societies and cultures. The course aims to provide: 1) a basic knowledge of Central and South-American geography and social structure, 2) an acquaintance with alternative ways of...

A study of the current development and modernization of the nations and peoples of Sub-Sahara Africa. After brief attention to the geographic, historical and anthropological factors underlying Africa’s development, the major focus will be on the current social and political...

Biological, psychological and sociological factors determining sex-role identification and role performance; human reproduction, fertility control and sexual disorders; social and spiritual values in human sexuality; sex discrimination and movements toward sex equality.

Student is exposed to issues affecting the lives of an ethnically and religiously diverse urban populace – racism, sexism, classism – and helped to develop new ways of conceptualizing and interpreting the contemporary urban scene. Reading, research and writing are...

A comparative study of prominent social theorists of the past 200 years with specific attention to their interpretations of social changes related to modernity, globalization, and identity. Includes an examination of the purpose of social theory particularly as it relates...

An analysis of the social, cultural and political contexts that profoundly affect religious institutions and expressions, and upon which religion has an influence. Course includes such topics as meaning and belonging, modern individualism, dynamics of religious collectives and the impact...

A survey of environmental sociology including theories of human-environment interaction, a history of various environmental movements and other developments with significant ecological implications, cross cultural comparisons of human-environment relations, and questions of justice with relation to who decides about resource...

This course begins with a history of social justice and social change as concepts in the field of sociology and then sees how this foundation influenced contemporary social justice practitioners and theorists. Particular attention is given to social movements, the...

A study of race/ethnic group interaction, gender and class dynamics focusing on marginalized groups in the U.S. Attention is given to social class, power and majority-group dominance as factors in assimilation and culture-loss or collective self-determination and maintenance of cultural...

Study on a current social topic, problem, or issue. Examples include food and society, male identity, Latino families. Topics vary and may be requested by students.

(Cross-listed from SoWk 391) An introduction to the principles and methods of social research. Students will develop the knowledge and skills needed to develop and evaluate research designs, interpret both qualitative and quantitative research, and be effective consumers of research...

Philosophy of science in sociology; synthesis of theory and method; choice of a topic and initial literature review, research design and piloting of any instruments in preparation for Soc 409 Field Experience and Soc 410 Senior Seminar. To be taken...

(Cross-listed with CJRJ 409) An approved internship or work experience related to Sociology. Open to senior majors or minors of Sociology. Prerequisite: Soc 392.

(Cross-listed with CJRJ 411) After researching the various professional subfields in sociology as well as the particular challenges facing each of these, students will complete an inventory of their own particular skill sets and convictions leading to an extended self-...

This course provides an examination of structural patterns of injustice around environmental harms and benefits. We examine the history and construction of environmental problems and paradigms and the development of an environmental justice discourse brought about through social movements. Through...