Fall 2009 Semester

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. Brian Jones
This course is designed to allow the student to master the basic concepts of the sociological perspective. Sociology will be presented as a scientific discipline built on the interchange of theory and research. In addition to the classic studies, contemporary empirical work will be highlighted with the emphasis on its relevance to the student’s everyday life. Science fiction will be applied to develop and extend sociological themes. Classes are usually run in a two-thirds lecture, one-third discussion format, with class participation strongly encouraged. Grading is based on a multiple choice midterm, a MicroCase data analysis, and a multiple choice final, each of which is worth one-third of the student’s final grade. (The 1000-012 section is restricted to Arts and Sciences Freshman & Sophomores only.)

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 social 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 sub disciplines of sociology like Demography, Anthropology, and Criminology; and 5) how a fundamental understanding of sociology is useful in everyday life and in most occupations. The course also examines the differences between traditional American society, the European Social Welfare states, and Radical Islamic societies.

SOC 1000 - Introduction to Sociology     Dr. Donna Shai

A basic theme in this course is that sociological ideas are not just abstract theories but have applications in our own lives and the lives of others. After discussing some basic research tools and techniques in sociology, we will use the sociological approach to study the tattoo subculture and body decoration among Native Alaskans and in the photography of Diane Arbus. We explore the idea of community and social isolation, and discuss the socialization of emotions in air travel. We study resocialization in prison life through the film “The Shawshank Redemption.” The social problems of the current food crisis, fraternity hazing, stigma, consumerism and illegal migration will be discussed. Finally, we look at collective behavior, including panics and crazes.

SOC 1000 - Introduction to Sociology     Dr. Joelle Sano

This course is an introduction to the scientific study of human society and human interaction. The purpose of this course is to help you to establish a “Sociological Imagination” that will enable you to better understand the social world around you and your role in shaping this world. 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.

SOC 1000 - Introduction to Sociology     Dr. Satya Pattnayak

This course is carefully designed to introduce you to the guiding principles, theories, methods, and major areas of inquiry in the field of sociology. Regardless of your major, this course can be useful in better understanding yourself and others whose social milieu is different from yours. The focus shall be on the linkages between the individual and the larger social structures at the macro levels. This multi-level approach will necessarily make us more critical of our roles and behaviors in society.  Most definitions of sociology depict it as a scientific field of study of subject matters, such as social structure, social control, social change, and social movements, among others. Our journey into the field of sociological inquiry through lectures, class discussion, reading, critical analysis, on-line research, and reflection will touch upon areas that I think are important to the field and are exciting to study.
 

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. Fulfills requirement for Service Learning with Chair's permission.

SOC 1500 - Social Problems     Dr. Joseph McFalls

This course examines social problems such as right-to-life issues, drug abuse, health problems, mental disorder, family problems, sexual variance, population problems, race and gender problems, poverty, crime, environmental degradation, resource depletion, and war. Special attention is paid to the social origin and nature of these problems and to the social policies which address them. Attention is also paid to the sociological patterns underlying public perceptions about them. The efficacy of both liberal and conservative social policies will be examined. The course includes a brief review of the principles of sociology which enable students to negotiate the course without first having taken the introductory sociology course (SOC 1000).

SOC 1500 - Social Problems     Dr. Trudi Tedjeske

This course has been created to educate you about social problems in the United States as well as worldwide. The course is inclusive of government, family, poverty, marriage, race, gender, crime, alcohol and drug issues, prostitution, the environment, violence, and educational issues in today’s societies. The course will look at defining social problems, understanding sociological theories, use scientific methods, conduct research, solve social problems and understand international perspective in relation to social problems.

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 as well. 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, participant observer fieldwork, in some detail, including "culture shock". Students will be reading examples of fieldwork and anthropologists' problems and experiences. We will view a film on Alaskan Natives (Tlingit Indians) in Sitka. We will also start reading a classic study by a young woman anthropologist, Jean Briggs, on the Canadian Eskimos in the Arctic.  We will look at the innovations of “postmodern anthropology” and experiment with them in a paper, “A sense of place”. We will examine creativity, artistic expression and social criticism among Native American, Chinese and Mexican artists, and others. We will reflect on body art in a variety of cultures.  Next, we will discuss some contemporary problems in kinship and family in American society from an anthropological perspective, kinship among the Trobrianders, the Tiwi, and among Orthodox Jews in the U.S.  A major theme which runs throughout this course is that anthropological concepts are not just characteristic of “other cultures” but are part of our own lives.  We will examine language, speech communities and nonverbal communication.  There will be a unit on economics in which we look at anthropological perspectives on reciprocity, gift exchange and consumerism.  We will discuss the mall in the United States as a market culture.  Finally, we will look at culture change through innovation and global warming.  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 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 lives of families.  The family will be explored from a variety of perspectives: housing, diversity, social problems, caretaking and loss.  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.  Fulfills requirement for Diversity 1; Writing Enriched; Peace and Justice Program requirement; Service Learning Option, African Studies min/conc.

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 3500 - Sociology of Gender     Dr. Jill McCorkel
This course will explore historical and cross-cultural variation in gender relations.  We will examine the ways that gender is socially constructed and consider the forms that gender inequality takes.  What are the social, political, economic, and cultural consequences of gender inequality?  How can it best be explained?  We will use a variety of theoretical frameworks to consider these questions.  Fulfills requirement for Diversity 2; minor/concentration in Women's Studies.

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

The topic of social stratification and inequality is complex and controversial.  This course is an introduction to the various debates on social inequality.  Some theorists view social inequality as a product of different levels of achievement while others argue that social inequality is primarily as a product of exploitation.  Some theorists view social class as a measure of accumulated status, wealth, or power whereas others view social class and class relations as complex causal mechanisms that generate and reproduce inequalities.  While some theorists understand social inequality primarily in economic terms, others have a more expansive view, and include gender, race, culture, and even the environment.  In this course we will examine these various debates on social inequality and evaluate them from a sociological perspective.  P&J Program Requirement; Fulfills Diversity 1 and 3 requirement; Writing Enriched.

SOC 4000 - Special Topic: Sociology of Sports   Dr. Rick Eckstein

Explores sports as a socializing agent and as a set of cultural, social, economic, and political institutions. Our discussions will always emphasize the relationship between sports and issues of social justice such as inequality, racism, sexism, and violence.  P&J Program requirement

SOC 5100 - Contemporary Sociological 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 Enriched.

SOC 5400 - Applied Research Methods in Sociology    Dr. Brian Jones

The 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 specific 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.  Restricted to Sociology/ CRJ majors; fulfills requirement for Writing Enriched; fulfills A&S Research Requirement.