Sociology

Professor Dundes and Lemke (Department Chair);  Associate Professors Raley, Semu; Assistant Professor R.M. Smith.

Areas of particular teaching interest: Professor Dundes: criminology, criminal justice, medical sociology; Professor Lemke: social theory, research methods, social stratification, Chinese and Japanese culture; Professor Raley: gender, work and family, sexuality, consumption, and research methods. Professor Semu: globalization/international development, love and marriage, social policy and urban sociology. Professor Smith race and ethnicity, and religion.

Sociology is the study of social life and the social structural causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociology takes a scientific, humanistic, and cross-cultural approach when investigating the structure of groups, organizations, and societies. It also analyzes the relationships that unite societies in the world system. Topics of interest include deviance, family patterns and relationships, social change, intergroup relations, race, gender, sexuality, social class, work, education and development.

Sociology is an available liberal arts major for students seeking careers in social research, community and social services, business and industry, government, the justice system, public administration, community and international development, education, and market research. The sociology major provides a good foundation for students wishing to pursue professional degrees in social work, education, public health, business administration and community planning, in addition to graduate degrees in sociology, law, medicine, and divinity school.

Please see the Education section under Curriculum in this catalog for teacher certification requirements in Sociology.

Departmental Honors

To receive departmental honors, students must:

• have at least a 3.50 GPA
• satisfy any departmental requirements
• be recommended by the Department
• see the Department Chair for more specific requirements.

Programs

• Sociology Major
• Sociology – Specialization in Criminal Justice

• Sociology Major with Education Minor
• Sociology Minor
• Urban and Community Studies Minor

Courses

• SOC 1104 - Introduction to Sociology: A Global Perspective
• SOC 1108 - Cultural Anthropology
• SOC 2104 - The Development of Sociological Theory
• SOC 2201 - Society and the Individual
• SOC 2205 - Criminology
• SOC 2215 - Growing up in Gaza
• SOC 2231 - Love and Marriage:A Cross-Cultural Comparison
• SOC 2265 - Special Topics in Sociology
• SOC 2306 - Practical Applications in Law Enforcement
• SOC 2307 - Beyond the 9 to 5: Work in the 24/7 Global Economy
• SOC 2310 - Religion and Society
• SOC 2412 - Wealth, Power, and Prestige in American Society
• SOC 2422 - Global Social Change
• SOC 2427 - Gender and Society
• SOC 2895 - Internships in Sociology
• SOC 2898 - Independent Studies in Sociology
• SOC 3105 - Research Methods in Sociology
• SOC 3201 - Gay Around the Globe
• SOC 3225 - Criminal Deviance
• SOC 3303 - Urban Sociology
• SOC 3315 - Sociology of the Criminal Justice System
• SOC 3330 - Medical Sociology
• SOC 3348 - Legal Forensics
• SOC 3350 - Along the Great Wall: the Sociology of China
• SOC 3352 - Geishas, Kamikazes, and Karaoke: The Production of Japanese Culture
• SOC 3365 - Special Topics in Sociology
• SOC 3429 - Race and Ethnic Relations in the U.S.
• SOC 3440 - Sociology of Sexuality
• SOC 3895 - Internships in Sociology
• SOC 3898 - Independent Studies in Sociology
• SOC 4104 - Capstone: Critical Inquiry in Sociology
• SOC 4355 - Urban and Community Studies Service Colloquium
• SOC 4465 - Special Topics in Sociology
• SOC 4895 - Internships in Sociology
• SOC 4898 - Independent Studies in Sociology