SOCI — Sociology: Catalog Entries

9 catalog course(s) on file. Undergraduate courses are numbered 100–499; graduate courses 500–699. See the department page for faculty and program information.

SOCI 101 — Introduction to Sociology(3 cr.)

Survey of the core concepts and perspectives used to study social life, including culture, socialization, and social institutions. Students apply sociological thinking to everyday phenomena. Serves as the foundation for further study in the major.

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SOCI 210 — Social Problems(3 cr.)

Examination of contemporary social issues such as poverty, crime, and inequality through a sociological lens. Students evaluate competing explanations and proposed policy responses. Case studies draw on both domestic and global examples.

Prerequisite(s): SOCI 101

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SOCI 220 — Social Research Methods(4 cr.)

Introduction to qualitative and quantitative research design used in sociological inquiry. Students design a research proposal and collect original data as part of a laboratory component. Emphasis is placed on research ethics and rigor.

Prerequisite(s): SOCI 101

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SOCI 250 — Race and Ethnicity(3 cr.)

Study of the social construction of race and ethnicity and their consequences for inequality and identity. Historical and contemporary case studies illustrate patterns of discrimination and resistance. Students examine policy responses to racial and ethnic inequality.

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SOCI 310 — Sociology of the Family(3 cr.)

Examination of family structures, roles, and change across historical and cultural contexts. Topics include marriage, parenting, and divorce as shaped by broader social forces. Students consider how public policy affects family life.

Prerequisite(s): SOCI 101

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SOCI 330 — Criminology(3 cr.)

Study of the causes, patterns, and social responses to crime. Major theoretical perspectives on criminal behavior are examined alongside data on crime trends. Students critically assess the effectiveness of current criminal justice policy.

Prerequisite(s): SOCI 101

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SOCI 360 — Urban Sociology(3 cr.)

Analysis of the social dynamics of city life, including urbanization, gentrification, and neighborhood change. Students examine case studies from cities of varying size and history. Fieldwork exercises connect theory to the local community.

Prerequisite(s): SOCI 210

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SOCI 410 — Social Theory(3 cr.)

Study of classical and contemporary sociological theory, including the works of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim alongside modern theorists. Students apply theoretical frameworks to current social phenomena. Emphasis is placed on close reading of primary texts.

Prerequisite(s): SOCI 101

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SOCI 495 — Senior Seminar in Sociology(3 cr.)

Capstone course requiring students to design and complete an original research project addressing a sociological question. Findings are presented at a department symposium. Serves as the culminating experience for the sociology major.

Prerequisite(s): Senior standing

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