Fall 2008 Semester

SOC 1000 - Introduction to Sociology      Dr. Rick Eckstein
Within the framework of liberal education, this course is dedicated to developing a structural, systematic, and critical perspective for understanding and explaining human behavior. This “sociological perspective” will be used to look at a variety of contemporary and historical issues in the hope that we will be better able to make sense out of the complex world we live in, and our role in shaping the circumstances in which we live. At the end of this course, you should be more adept at identifying important social phenomena, analyzing these phenomena from a sociological perspective, and clearly communicating your analysis both orally and in writing.  Restricted To A&S Freshmen ONLY

SOC 1000 - Introduction to Sociology      Dr. Richard Juliani
This course is an introduction to the basic ideas, research techniques, findings, and intellectual issues of modern sociology. It examines the origins and development of sociology; the social order of traditional and contemporary societies; the relationship of the individual to society; the process of socialization; the basic institutions of human societies; social stratification and intergroup relations; social change; and deviance. It attempts to understand human behavior through the interrelations between social structure, culture, human ecology, and social psychology.
This course will primarily use a lecture format, but students will also be regularly called upon to discuss readings, the issues of previous classes, or information and ideas provided by the instructor. Grading is based upon examinations, written assignments, and class participation.

SOC 1000 - Introduction to Sociology     Dr. Peter Knapp

The basic insight of sociology is that human behavior is socially shaped and conditioned – sometimes it is even socially “determined.”  The course will review some of the main theories and research findings which establish that insight, and it will attempt to answer the question, “So what?”  That is, it will suggest that understanding the social character of human behavior leads to a new perspective on social problems, on one’s own life, on social dynamics, and on social policy.  The sociological perspective is currently being contested by various individualistic perspectives, which we will also discuss.  There will be several quizzes, a midterm and a final.  With permission, students may substitute a research paper on a social change project for the final.

SOC 1000 - Introduction to Sociology    Dr. Joseph McFalls
This course is an introduction to the systematic analysis of societies. It examines how societies form, evolve, and change, what we can learn from comparing them, how they make us into the kinds of people we are, and which factors either sustain or shatter everyday life. This course extends over a wide range of phenomena which have social causes and/or consequences, and focuses in particular on the sociology of human sexuality.
Students will learn: 1) what sociology is and how it differs from other ways of perceiving reality; 2) how sociological research is conducted in general terms; 3) how societies are structured and how they function; 4) about the substantive areas of sociology; and 5) how a fundamental understanding of sociology is useful in everyday life and in most occupations.
 

SOC 1000 - Introduction to Sociology     Dr. Hasan Shahpari
You may ask: “Why should I take a course in sociology and what will I learn?” There are many answers to your question. One answer is that this course challenges what we take for granted. It adds to your repertoire of tools for critical thinking about the social forces that molded you from the early moments of your life through adulthood. We internalize norms and values and learn the rules of conduct and how to behave in relation to our position in society.
    Ibn Khaldun, a famous Muslim jurist, historian, philosopher, and sociologist, writing in the 15th century, believed that sociology is a rational science that can be applied for development and urbanization of societies. If one follows him, then there are practical as well as theoretical dimensions to this science. Thus, sociology from that point of view, and later founders such as Marx, Durkheim, and Weber, is essentially a civic discipline through which we learn about what brings forth social cohesion and social organization, what destroys them, and how these changes affect societies and human’s life. For some sociologists, social justice is the criteria that everybody gets a fair share. Are you for instance interested in social justice, civic education, contributing to others’ opportunities, global economic development, social change, the future of America and other parts of the world as goals in your academic experience and ways of thinking? As you will see in this course, analysis of these issues is not sufficient because means that we choose and goals that we select cannot be value free. It is here that we should embark upon critical thinking that is an outcome of learning “good” social sciences and humanities. As a multicultural teacher, I will focus on the above concerns as well as teach sociological theories, research methods, and discuss findings in areas of religion, politics, family, economy, education, social change and culture following a global trajectory. Some videos will be shown and there are two exams and students’ presentations in the course. No full-time Arts & Science Students Permitted.

SOC 1000 - Introduction to Sociology     Dr. Donna Shai
After a preliminary discussion of the field of sociology, we will focus on college as a society, using a recent book by Stephen Sweet. We discuss some basic research tools and techniques in sociology, beginning with concepts such as culture, using the tattoo subculture as an example. We then explore the idea of community, including businesses that attempt to create community such as Saturn and Borders. We will use current events, films and fiction to investigate sociological ideas. We explore socialization, norms and value as well as rituals by discussing fraternity hazing and the recent case of violent hazing among girls. We study resocialization in total institutions through the film “The Shawshank Redemption” and a chapter from the novel, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovitch. We then turn to the primary group, popular culture, and population issues, including environment and poverty. We look at concepts of deviance and how we can use these concepts to understand unlawful or unusual behavior, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia. We will view a film on illegal immigrants. Finally, we discuss collective behavior using current events.

SOC 1000 - Introduction to Sociology     Dr. Gay Strickler
Sociology can be defined as the systematic study of human society and social interaction. Thus, a sociologist explores how social conditions affect our lives as individuals and as groups. This class will attempt to do just that. Using the Service Learning experience as a reality check, we will consider various aspects of the social process such as culture, socialization, interaction, social organization and deviance. The role of class, race and gender in society will also be discussed. Furthermore, various social institutions, relevant to Service Learning activities, such as family and education, will be examined. Finally, the class will focus on developing a theoretical framework for the knowledge acquired during the semester. Service Learning Students only.

SOC 2000 - Social Problems     Dr. Brian Jones

This course is designed to spotlight contemporary social issues being addressed - adequately or inadequately - by current U.S. policy. The theoretical theme will be the duality of social problems as they exist in the objective dimension (i.e., evidence of real damage to society) and the subjective dimension (i.e., public opinion about which problems are damaging). The student will be expected to apply these perspectives to contemporary research on social problems. Grading is based on two objective exams and an independent project using the MicroCase data analysis system.

SOC 2100 – Cultural Anthropology     Dr. Donna Shai
Anthropology is concerned with all varieties of people throughout the world and what we can learn from other cultures. Traditionally, anthropology has focused on non-Western cultures, but in recent years it has focused on American culture, e.g., the mall and modern rituals. By becoming acquainted with culture in a variety of settings, anthropologists can often contribute to our understanding of human beings. The key subject of study is culture, the customary ways of thinking in a particular group or society. We will begin by discussing culture and the primary research technique in anthropology, and participant-observer fieldwork, in some detail including “culture shock.”
    We will look at the innovations of “postmodern anthropology” and experiment with them in a project, “A Sense of Place”. We will look at creativity and artistic expression among overall cultures.
    Next, we will discuss kinship, one of the most important areas of anthropology. We will discuss the American kinship system of today from an anthropological perspective, and theories of ritual, with special emphasis on the “rite of passage.”
We will then examine the subfield of linguistics. There will be a unit on economics in cultural anthropology, with an emphasis on exchange and consumerism. We will look at the theories of Mauss, Malinowski, and Weiner concerning reciprocity, the Kula Ring and the Kwakiutl potlatch. We will also discuss the mall as a new market culture. Finally, we will look at cultural change.  Fulfills requirement for Diversity 1 & 3.

SOC 2200 - Sociology of Deviance     Dr. Thomas Arvanites
This course is a sociological examination of deviant (“rule breaking”) behavior. It is intended to introduce the different definitions of deviance and the theories explaining “deviant” behavior.” The major assumptions, concepts and propositions of each theoretical perspective will be emphasized. Selected research studies designed to test the predictive power of the various theories will be discussed. These will address a variety of “deviant” behaviors (e.g. crime, juvenile delinquency, mental illness, homosexuality, drug use and institutional deviance).
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to apply these theories to practical experiences. For example, when they think about their family, school or viewing the media, they should be able to see the theory in action, when reading a news article, students should be able to identify facts supportive or contradictory of the various theories discussed in class. Grades are based on three exams (objective and short essay), class participation and attendance.

SOC 2200 -100 – Sociology of Deviance     Mr. Frank Hartleroad
A sociological examination of rule-breaking behavior; the nature and extent of deviance; the seven major perspectives on deviance and social control efforts. An in-depth look at the many varieties of crime, drug and alcohol abuse, heterosexual and homosexual behavior, mental disorders, suicide and disability, will be conducted through lectures, small group discussions, class reports and webquests. Student ability to use WebCT and the electronic reserve will greatly enhance the learning experience. Grades are based on three objective tests, participation in class discussions, oral reports, and webquests, five one-page opinion papers, a webquest summary, an oral report and attendance. A copy of the course syllabus will be available on WebCT to each enrolled student prior to the first class meeting.

SOC 2300 - Sociology of the Family     Dr. Donna Shai
Focusing on the evolving family, especially in the United States, we will consider how the lives of ordinary men and women have been reshaped by social forces. We will investigate the taken-for-granted world by studying the intimate life of families. The family will be explored from a variety of perspectives: literature, social problems, family therapy, divorce laws and diversity. Finally, we will look at the future of the family as predicted by sociologists. Fulfills requirement for Diversity 2; minor/conc. in Women’s Studies.

SOC 2400 - Sociology of Social Work     Dr. Gay Strickler
This course offers an overview of the field of Social Work. After beginning with a brief history of the profession, as well as an introduction to some of the key theories underlying its practice, the course explores the various areas of social work such as mental health, public welfare, substance abuse and criminal justice. Also examined are the various roles a social worker must play, along with the challenges, (e.g., ethical considerations and burn-out) that accompany the job. Requirements include an agency visit, an interview, a compilation of real cases, and creation of a treatment plan, as well as a midterm and final.

SOC 2600 - Sociology of Religion     Dr. Gay Strickler
This course considers religion from both an internal and an external perspective. The class will examine the internal operations of religions in regard to such sociological topics as organization, gender, race and class. The external view will look at the interaction between society and religion, including the formation and maintenance of values and ethics, the role of the church in social change, and religious positions on war and other forms of conflict. Both western and eastern religions, as well as so-called cults, will provide case studies for our discussion of these issues. It is hoped that the student will gain both a greater knowledge of how religions function and a deeper understanding of the role religion plays in our society.

SOC 2950 - Perspectives on U.S. Poverty       Dr. Robert DeFina

This course focuses on various aspects of poverty in the United States, emphasizing the experiences of the past thirty years. It begins by considering different reasons for the study of poverty. The course then explores how poverty is measured and how that measurement affects our understandings of why poverty exists. Different theories of poverty are then considered, including the possible roles of individual, structural, and institutional factors, and the influences of government income-support programs. The course will use both lectures and class discussions. Readings will come from a required text and from assigned articles. Grades will be based on two midterm exams, a final exam, class participation, out-of-class writing assignments and completion of service requirements. Restricted to Service Learning students. Diversity 1; Writing Enriched; cross-listed w/PJ 5200-X 

SOC 3000 / CRJ 3000 - Criminology     Dr. Kelly Welch
The focus of this course is on the role of crime and criminals in society. This class is designed to provide a fundamental knowledge of myriad criminological theories, which offer widely varying explanations for criminality. We will explore the nature and dynamics of crime, criminals, victims, society, law, and policy as each theory of crime causation conceptualizes them. Through critical analysis, students will be able to identify how and why certain theories about crime are adopted at particular times and in certain circumstances, and assess the implications for social justice. Furthermore, this insight will inform students’ understanding of the justifications offered for subsequent governmental responses to crime. Cross-listed w/CRJ 3000 

SOC 3450 – Social Psychiatry     Dr. Bernard Gallagher
This is a survey course designed to introduce college students to the fascinating world of mental illness. The first part of the course deals with the definition of mental illness. This is a challenging task, in light of the fact that mental illness can take exotically different forms around the world.
    The second part of the course centers around the clinical symptoms and theoretical causes of the more common forms of mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, multiple personality disorder, psychopathy, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychosexual disorders and personality disorders.
    The third part of the course examines how different types of mental illness vary across sociodemographic groups. Who is most at risk and why? Topics include gender, race, ethnicity, marital status, religion, social class, place of residence, migration, and family variables such as sibling position. Cross-cultural variations are regularly emphasized.
    The last part of the course is about what is known as “patienthood.” We examine three questions carefully: What happens to people as they become mentally ill? How are the mentally ill treated, particularly in mental hospitals? What problems do ex-patients encounter when they attempt to rejoin society?
The course topics are approached in a variety of ways including lectures, case discussions, state-of-the-art films, and expert guest lecturers on serial murder, homosexuality, community psychiatry, and psychiatry and the law. Fulfills requirement for Diversity 1.

SOC 3600 - Race and Ethnic Relations     Dr. Richard Juliani
In this course, we shall examine the basic components of a one semester survey of majority/minority relations. These topics include: the sociology of intergroup relations; the social psychology of intergroup relations; race and racism; the Black experience in America; immigration, ethnic groups, and “other Americans” (Latinos, American Indians, etc.); inter-religious relations and problems. Fulfills requirement for Diversity 1; minor/conc. in Africana and Studies.

SOC 3900 - Social Inequality     Dr. Robert DeFina
Casual observation of U.S. society reveals obvious and considerable differences in the income, wealth, power and prestige enjoyed by individuals. This course raises a variety of questions about these inequalities and explores possible answers from theoretical and empirical perspectives. Students will examine issues such as: What are the extent and types of inequalities present?; Why do such inequalities exist?; Why and how is society organized into a hierarchy of distinct social classes?; What implications does membership in a particular class have for one’s life chances?; How easy is it to move between different classes?; and, How is inequality legitimized so that it can persist? Throughout the course, sociological reasoning is emphasized whereby the situations of individuals are connected to larger social forces. And while considerable emphasis is given to the U.S. experience, time is also spent studying international aspects of stratification, such as globalization. The course has no prerequisites. Fulfills Writing Enriched; Diversity 1; cross-listed w/P&J 5000-X

SOC 4000 - Special Topic: India’s Political Economy Dr. Satya Pattnayak

India’s emerging economic might in recent years will play a major role in influencing global politics and balance of power in the coming decades, more specifically in Asia. To better understand these future trends, this course will introduce students to the interrelated themes of India’s economy, democracy, role of the state, civil society, and development policy.
The key questions that will merit attention are:
1. How have India’s economic development policies evolved since independence from Britain in 1947?
2. How has democracy affected the nature of economic policy making and development patterns?
3. What has been the role of the Indian State? What is the extent of State autonomy?
4. How have India’s old societal institutions accommodated modernizing economic and political forces?
5. How has the Indian Elite dealt with the issues of equity vs. economic growth?
6. How is Indian economic rise and political strength likely to influence Asian (and perhaps the world’s) landscape?
    To explore these questions at great length, students will be exposed to a set of inter-disciplinary writings by prominent scholars on India.
Reading Requirements:
Students will be asked to read three main books on India, which provide them with great depth on the issues that the course will explore. In addition, each of the questions stated above will require an additional set of shorter journal article length readings. Cross-listed w/PSC 5875-X
Cross-listed w/PSC 5875-X

SOC 5100 - Contemporary Theory & Research     Dr. Peter Knapp
Everyone agrees that “theory” is indispensable to sociology as a discipline, but no one agrees what “theory” is. One approach analyzes the “classic” figures, such as Comte, Durkheim, Weber and Marx. Another approach looks at the logic of research and hypothesis testing, analyzing what general conclusions can be drawn from empirical research. Still another looks at the current state of knowledge and research on such topics as the family, class, race or crime. This course will try to show that the three approaches are complementary; indeed they all amount to the same thing. The classic figures established the hypotheses and methodological approaches that dominate contemporary research. There is a mid-term, a final and a research paper. The course is writing intensive. Each student will pick a research topic early in the course and will write a short passage relating each week’s material to their topic, leading up to their final paper. Comments on these short exercises will provide feed-back throughout the course.   Restricted to Sociology majors; fulfills requirement for Writing Intensive.

SOC 5300 - Data Analysis  for Social Scientists    Dr. Satya Pattnayak

The course is designed to introduce sociology students to the intricacies of data analysis in the social sciences.  This data analysis-orientation is meant to be not math-intensive but more in non-technical terms, through the discussion and the selection of relevant examples and problems.  The many examples and problems discussed in the course are based research studies in sociology, political science, anthropology, history, and others.  Generally, this course will cover “measurement processes,” “descriptive statistics,” “statistical inference by testing hypotheses,” “measuring association between variables,” “correlation,” and “linear multiple regression.” Under many instances, students will be asked to use MicroCase to do the required homework and other assignments for this course. Restricted to Sociology and Criminal Justice majors; fulfills requirement for Writing Intensive; fulfills A&S Research Requirement. 

SOC 6500 - Social Capital    Dr. Brian Jones

This course is designed to develop real world research skills that can be directly applied in opinion polling firms, marketing departments, social service agencies, and numerous other jobs.  Students will receive an introduction to the fundamentals of sociological research methods and statistics, which is to be organized around in-depth training in the following special topics:  sampling, measurement, basic statistics, data analysis, and program evaluation.  Grading will be broken up into three elements, each of which is worth one-third of the final grade: design of a survey instrument, a professional literature review, and a multivariate data analysis project.  Prerequisite - Theory & Research Methods; Restricted to Sociology majors; fulfills requirement for Writing Intensive; Integrative Course.