Sociology (SOC)

Introduces students to the structure and operation of society. The course analyzes individual behavior and emphasizes social problems.

A more visual and performative, communication-intensive alternative to SOC 200. Students read and take short quizzes on chapters from a standard text and prepare weekly assignments that apply the associated concepts and insights. Assignments vary, from reviewing scholarly articles and identifying and exploring sociological databases to taking photographs to bringing in music and film clips illustrating political and social cartoons and designing and/or identifying spaces, devices, and clothing that illustrate the topics at hand.

Explores different aspects of everyday judgments and their sometimes undesirable social consequences, especially the Fundamental Attribution Error. Other topics include various types of group influences on individual judgment and behavior, as well as persuasion, "brainwashing," helping behavior, and prejudice. Formerly called SOC 308.

This introductory sociology course deals with people's general experience of space and how space and spatial arrangements affect people, social interaction, and the sense of community. It is designed to develop knowledge and understanding as well as analytical and perceptive skills. Our experiences of the spatial dimension of reality will be examined from various perspectives: emotional; cognitive; functional; symbolic; and cross-cultural. Our study objects range from everyday experiences to questions of community and city planning. Basic sociological concepts and research methods will be introduced and related to the topics covered. This course is required for SOC 311 (Social Use of Space).

Investigates various "social problems" and how they came to be defined as problematic. The course covers such general sociological concepts and theoretical perspectives as symbolic interactionism, conflict theory, structural functionalism, and constructionism. Students also examine the role of state advocates and the media in defining social problems. Case studies illustrate how different theoretical perspectives lead to different "solutions" and policy recommendations.

Investigates a topic of current interest at an introductory level. Topic will be announced by instructor at scheduling time. There are no prerequisites for this course. Course may be taken multiple times, provided the topic is different each time.

Examines how social and psychological factors influence the reasoning and behavior of scientists. By contrasting traditional views of science with actual scientific practice, the course aims to understand such phenomena as "hype," resistance to scientific discovery, controversy, vicious competition, error, self-deception, and fraud.

Explores the relationship between science and belief by comparing Western science with other belief systems, science with religion, and science with pseudo-science. The course also examines cultural and ideological influences on scientific knowledge and public faith in science.

Examines the role of the institution of science, scientific knowledge, and scientists in society. The course focuses on areas where science significantly influences and is influenced by political, economic, and cultural institutions and contexts.

Studies the variety of subtle ways, verbal and nonverbal, in which humans communicate in personal, professional, and public life, and how to identify and solve problems and misunderstandings that typically arise. Topics include the social nature of humans, interpersonal communication, interaction within and between groups, teamwork, leadership, and intercultural communication.

Gives students basic insights into people's experience of space and the effect of spatial arrangements on people's behavior. The course explores the differences in conceptions between planners and users and the need to take the user into account in spatial design.

Surely technology shapes society. But can society shape technology as well? This course focuses on technologies and technical objects and their intersection with basic sociological themes like social stratification, stability and change, social control, identity, and community. It emphasizes the relationship between the specific properties of technical systems and their social consequences, and examines the complex entwining of social structure and technologies among politics and technologies across many scales.

Surveys theories explaining the organization and structure of complex societies. The problem of social control, or the capacity of a society to regulate itself formally and informally according to its desired principles, is viewed as a central problem of social organization. Same as PS 340.

Analyzes the definition, development, and control of deviant behavior in relation to social processes. Societal reaction to and the amount, distribution, and behavioral systems of various forms of deviance (drug addiction, suicide, crime, alcoholism, illegitimacy, etc.) are examined.

Begins with a brief comparison of the nature, role, and meaning of work across time and space. The course continues with a survey of some of today's most important topics in the study of work, primarily looking at the United States and other developed countries.

Examines the social implications of selected emerging and cutting-edge technologies with an emphasis on recent developments and events. The course investigates the consequences of those technologies for society using both short-term and long-term perspectives and including moral, ethical, socioeconomic, and educational considerations. Same as PS 362.

Investigates a topic of current interest in Sociology which will be announced by the instructor when the course is scheduled.

This course explores current conceptualizations of and behaviors about privacy. It is a reading-intensive, film-based, senior-level seminar on the design and engineering of privacy, the case law and policy aspects of privacy, professions deeply engaged in issues of privacy, the commercial business of privacy, and the cultural and cross-cultural cognitive, personal, and interpersonal behaviors of privacy.

This is the capstone course for sociology majors. It is intended to bring together a number of concepts, methodological approaches, and research skills while exploring a particular topic of current significance within the discipline.

Working with a member of the sociology faculty, students will choose a topic, conduct research, and complete an original, independent research project.

Consists of independent reading or analysis, centered on particular problems and supervised by a member of the Sociology faculty. Credit: Variable; maximum 3 credit hours.

Provides students with an opportunity to acquire better field-work skills by providing a forum for discussing and practicing the craft. This is a seminar in advanced ethnographic methods. Permission of instructor is required.