Introduction to the major theoretical and methodological perspectives used to explain, investigate and analyze social life.

Fundamental principles of descriptive and inferential statistics as used in the social sciences, including measures of central tendency and variation, the normal approximation, probability, chance variability, estimation, hypothesis testing, and correlation.

Roots and historical development of various sociological lenses as tools for examining the social world.

Quantitative, qualitative and comparative methods used in social science research, focusing on research design, data collection and analysis, and ethical issues.

Selected theoretical orientations, methodological procedures, and research findings pertaining to the relations between the individual and society.

Content selected for contemporary importance and sociological relevance.

Processes of aging as a form of socialization and demographic reality, including institutional effects. The status of the elderly and the sources of prejudice and discrimination they experience are emphasized.

Sociological perspectives on human-animal interaction and the role of animals in society.

Processes and issues associated with social change and institutional transformation at the local and regional levels. Applies social scientific theory and methods to understand varying patterns of change, the role of economic, cultural, and technological factors, and how stakeholders address challenges related to poverty, crime, housing, and disparities in health, politics, and the environment.

Characteristics, causes, and impacts of city life. Different types of urban areas and current issues are examined from comparative, historical, and global perspectives.

Characteristics, causes, and impacts of social and political movements in the modern world. Different types of movements, including the American civil rights movement, are examined from comparative, historical, and global perspectives.

Issues in measurement of the distribution and development of human population. Applies the analytical methods used in accounting for the effects of births, deaths and migrations.

Selected theoretical orientations, methodological procedures and historical perspectives related to the social analysis and context of demographic change.

Applies sociological lenses to current major social, cultural, economic, political, and global transformations, emphasizing their interrelationships.

Theoretical perspectives and research on the unequal distribution of wealth, power, and prestige in social life on a global, national, and local scale. Attention is given to the impact of globalization on social stratification.

Examines the basic concepts of race and ethnicity, relevant sociological theories, and their application to critical issues.

An interdisciplinary analysis of social attitudes toward fatness and fat people. Size is presented as a status marker, social identity, form of inequality, and site of feminist activism.

A sociological investigation of gender as a fundamental principle of social life. The interdependence of gender constructions and of societies' inequality structures across social institutions is explored.

Women's lives in the context of armed conflict examined from comparative, historical and global perspectives.

Methods and theories used in the examination of intimate human relationships, including parenting, violence and abuse, and divorce and remarriage. Emphasizes the social factors that bring about change in family-related behaviors and create diversity in family forms.

The societal conditions affecting political ideas, institutions, and practices. The role of politics in society is examined from comparative, historical, and global perspectives.

The societal conditions affecting religious beliefs, institutions, and practices. The role of religion in society is examined from comparative, historical, and global perspectives.

Sociological investigation of how post-industrial society and globalization impact the workplace, jobs, workers, gender, families and communities. The role of leadership in organizations is also examined.

Characteristics and causes of displacement and their impacts on people's lives. Different types of displacement, with emphasis on traumatic events, are examined from comparative, historical, and global perspectives.

Theories, methods and substantive issues in the creation, involvement, recognition and control of deviance. Sociological theories and pertinent research data are integrated in the context of contemporary societal issues.

Social factors in the development, identification, and treatment of crime and criminals.

Social factors in the development, identification and treatment of delinquents and juvenile delinquency in the context of juvenile justice systems.

Social factors in the development, identification, and treatment of mental illness.

Global crime focusing on the relationship between globalization, crime, and justice which involves a diverse range of activities affecting the political, economic, and social development of countries around the world. Topics will focus on the proliferation of crime emphasizing migration, international policing, drug/human trafficking, international terrorism, environmental crime, cybercrime, and economic exploitation.

The social organization of medicine including patterns of morbidity and mortality, the social and cultural factors influencing disease, and the organization of the health care system in the United States.

A sociological and cross-cultural perspective on dying, death, and bereavement in contemporary society.

Emerging issues in contemporary sociology. Selected topics organized around faculty and student areas of special interest. This course can be taken more than once if the topic is different.

Supervised work experience in a community agency based on an individualized, contracted program planned in conjunction with the relevant sociology faculty member. Ten hours per week in the field placement, at least three class meetings, and a formal, written sociological analysis of the field experience are required. The course may be taken more than once, but may be applied toward major credit in sociology only once.

An individualized, contracted program of study planned in conjunction with a sociology faculty member.

A capstone course designed around topics selected by faculty. Emphasis is on research with written and oral presentations.