Sociology

UMSL Home

Sociology Home Page

Faculty 

Nancy Shields, Associate Professor, Director
Ph.D., Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
George J. McCall, Professor Emeritus
Ph.D., Harvard University
Harry H. Bash, Associate Professor Emeritus
Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Sarah L. Boggs, Associate Professor Emerita
Ph.D., Washington University
Teresa J. Guess, Associate Professor Emerita
Ph.D., University of Missouri-Columbia
Chikako Usui, Associate Professor
Ph.D., Stanford University
Robert Keel, Teaching Professor
M.A., Washington University
Peter Marina, Visiting Assistant Professor
Ph.D., New School for Social Research

The faculty prides itself on its commitment to high standards of teaching and sound scholarly research. Systematic course evaluations by students each semester are taken seriously, and individual faculty have been singled out as nominees and recipients of university Excellence in Teaching awards. The ongoing scholarly research of the faculty is reflected in the department's upper-level and graduate courses, as well as in the numerous publications in journals and books or presentations at national and international meetings. Information on current academic activities of the faculty is posted on the departmental web page

General Information

Degrees and Areas of Concentration
The sociology department offers courses leading to the B.A. in sociology and the B.S. in sociology; in cooperation with the College of Education, the B.A. in sociology with teacher certification; in cooperation with the College of Business Administration, the B.A. in sociology with a business option; and cooperative minor or certificate programs in American studies, black studies, legal studies, urban studies, religious studies, women's and gender studies, and international studies.

Students completing the B.A. or B.S. degree in sociology are well-prepared for graduate study in sociology or careers in industry, health and social services, and urban, intergroup, political, or community issues. 

In addition to a balanced program of basic undergraduate to advanced graduate courses, the department provides a range of opportunities for students to develop specialized research methods.  Seminars and internship placements are offered in support of this goal and are typically designed around the ongoing research interests of department faculty. The department provides students with opportunities for intensive direction and guidance from faculty. Students and faculty working in particular subject areas consult freely with members working in other areas. Research interests of sociology faculty extend beyond the department into a wide variety of joint projects with faculty in other departments and programs, including criminology and criminal justice, political science, trauma studies, women's and gender studies, gerontology, public policy research centers, and the Center for International Studies.

Undergraduate Studies

General Education Requirements
Students must satisfy the university and college general education requirements. Courses in sociology may be used to meet the social science requirement. The foreign language requirement for the B.A. degree may be satisfied in any language. Not more than 12-15 hours of community college transfer credit may be applied toward the combined minimum of required credit hours for the B.A. (30 credit hours) or B.S. (36 credit hours) major. No course in which a grade below a C- is received will count toward satisfying the core requirement.

Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Restrictions
Sociology majors may not take courses counting toward their major requirements on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Learning Goals and Outcomes
The sociology major should study, review, and demonstrate understanding of:

1. The discipline of sociology and its role in contributing to our understanding of society, such that the student will be able to:

Courses: Introduction to Sociology; Social Psychology; Urban Sociology; Social Problems.

2. The role of theory in sociology, such that the student will be able to:

Courses: Sociological Theory; all 4000 level courses.

3. The role of evidence and qualitative and quantitative methods in sociology, such that the student will be able to:

Courses: Statistics; Methods; Qualitative Methods; Survey Research Practicum.

4. The role of data analysis in sociology, such that the student will be able to:

Courses: Statistics; Methods; Qualitative Methods; Social Psychology; all 4000 level courses.

5. Basic concepts in sociology and their fundamental theoretical interrelations, such that the student will be able to:

Courses: Introduction to Sociology; all 4000 level courses.

6. How culture and social structure operate, such that the student will be able to:

Courses: Introduction to Sociology; Sociological Theory; Social Psychology; Sociology of the Family; Sociology of Health; Sociology of Deviant Behavior; Alcohol, Drugs, and Society; Social Problems; Gerontology.

7. Reciprocal relationships between individuals and society, such that the student will be able to:

Courses: Introduction to Sociology; Social Psychology; Sociological Theory; Gerontology.

8. The macro/micro distinction, such that the student will be able to:

Courses: Introduction to Sociology; Social Problems; Sociological Theory; Sociology of the Family; Urban Sociology; Gerontology.

9. At least one specialty area within sociology, such that the student will be able to:

Specialty area Inequality Courses: Sociology of Wealth and Poverty; Sociology of Minority Groups; Urban Sociology; Power, Ideology and Social Movements.

Specialty area Social Control Courses: Urban Sociology; Sociology of Conflict; Sociology of Deviant Behavior; Alcohol, Drugs and Society; Criminology and Criminal Justice cross-listed courses.  A faculty advisor can approve other areas and courses.

10. The internal diversity of American society and its place in a global context, such that the student will be able to:

Courses:  Introduction to Sociology; Gender Roles; Sociology of Wealth and Poverty; Urban Sociology; Social Problems; Gerontology.

11. To think critically, such that the student will be able to:

Courses:  Sociological Theory; Research Methods; all 4000 level courses.

Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

In addition to specific baccalaureate degree requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, candidates must complete 30 hours of sociology course credit including the following required courses:

Core Courses (12 hours)
SOC 1010, Introduction to Sociology
SOC 3210, Sociological Theory
SOC 3220, Sociological Statistics, or
MATH 1310, Elementary Statistical Methods, or
MATH 1102, Finite Mathematics I, or
MATH 1105, Basic Probability and Statistics
SOC 3230, Research Methods

Synthesis – Choose one (3 hours)
SOC 4040, Survey Research Practicum
SOC 4365, Sociological Writing

Note: The core requirements should be completed as early as possible, preferably by the end of the junior year. Only 45 hours of sociology can be applied to the 120 hour total required for a degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

For the B.A. in sociology candidates are required to take at least 15 additional hours of sociology courses, with at least six hours at the 4000 level (no more than three hours of either SOC 4350, Special Study or SOC 4385, Internship in Sociology may be applied to this 4000 level requirement). No more than three hours in sociology below the 2000 level can count towards this 15-hour requirement. Applied training through one or more research courses may be used as part of the requirement for the major.

Bachelor of Science in Sociology
For the B.S. in Sociology, candidates must complete 36 hours of sociology course credit, including the following required courses:

Core Courses (12 hours)
SOC 1010, Introduction to Sociology
SOC 3210, Sociological Theory
SOC 3220, Sociological Statistics, (or MATH 1310, Elementary Statistical Methods, or
MATH 1102, Finite Mathematics I, or MATH 1105, Basic Probability and Statistics)
SOC 3230, Research Methods

Synthesis – Choose one (3 hours)
SOC 4040, Survey Research Practicum
SOC 4365, Sociological Writing

Candidates are also required to complete 21 hours of sociology courses, including a minimum of 9 hours at the 4000 or 5000 level (no more than three hours of either SOC 4350 Special Study or SOC 4385, Internship in Sociology may be applied to the 4000 or 5000 level requirement).  No more than three hours in sociology below the 2000 level can count toward this 21-hour requirement.

Related Area Requirements:
Candidates for the B.S. in sociology also must complete five courses from at least four of the following nine areas: computer science, economics, mathematics, philosophy, political science, probability and statistics, psychology, public policy administration, and international studies. Specific course selections must be approved by a faculty advisor.

Combined Degree: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Sociology
Students pursuing the combined degree are simultaneously enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Joint Undergraduate Engineering Program. They have an engineering faculty adviser as well as a faculty adviser in Sociology.

A program of 159 semester hours is required for the B.S. in civil engineering and the B.S. in sociology. Earned alone, the B.S. in engineering requires 137 semester hours. Because of the overlap in required courses for the two curricula, the combined degree program requires only 22 additional semester hours.

For additional information, see the section in this Bulletin labeled UMSL/Washington University Joint Undergraduate Engineering Program or contact:

Associate Dean of the Joint Undergraduate Engineering Program,
228 Benton Hall,
University of Missouri-St. Louis,
One University Blvd.,
St. Louis, MO 63121.

B.A. or B.S. in Sociology with Teacher Certification
Students must complete the B.A. or B.S. in sociology requirements, as well as the requirements for teacher certification. (See the College of Education section of this Bulletin.)

B.A. or B.S. in Sociology with an Interest in Business
The following courses are suggested for students seeking careers in sales, market research, and so forth. In addition to the B.A. or B.S. in sociology requirements, the following core courses are suggested:

ECON 1001, Principles of Microeconomics
BUS AD 2400, Fundamentals of Financial Accounting SOC 4646, Demographic Techniques

Students may then choose to complete one of the following three sets of courses:

1) Marketing Management
MKTG 3700, Basic Marketing
MKTG 3740, Marketing Intelligence
MKTG 3760, Industrial Marketing

2) Financial Management
FINANCE 3500, Financial Management
FINANCE 3501, Financial Policies
FINANCE 3520, Investments

3) Accounting
ACCTNG 2410, Managerial Accounting
ACCTNG 3401, Intermediate Accounting I
ACCTNG 3411, Cost Accounting

Requirements for the Minor
Students must apply for the minor in sociology. Candidates must complete at least 15 hours of departmental course work in sociology, of which at least 9 must be completed at UMSL's department of sociology and must be beyond those applied to the candidate's major. At least 6 hours must be at the 4000 level (no more than 3 hours of either SOC 4350, Special Study, or SOC 4385, Internship may be applied to this 4000 level requirement).

Candidates who anticipate that their background in sociology may play a substantial role in their career plans are strongly encouraged to take some or all of the core requirements.

Candidates must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in all courses pertaining to the minor. Department courses taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis may not be applied to the minor.

Department Awards
The department offers several annual awards to outstanding students on the basis of merit.

The Ray Collins Alumni Award is given annually by the Sociology Alumni Association to the top graduating senior. Faculty select the awardee on the basis of GPA, and the award consists of first-year membership dues in the Sociology Alumni Association and a cash award.

The Alumni Agent Scholarship and the Sociology Alumni Scholarship are given to deserving sociology majors annually. Faculty select the awardees on the basis of merit.

A series of undergraduate awards are given to outstanding students. The Freshman Sociology Award is given to the outstanding freshman student in lower-division sociology course work; the Outstanding Junior Sociology Major Award is given to the outstanding junior sociology major; the Outstanding Sociology Minor Award is presented to the graduating student with the most outstanding minor GPA record; and the Outstanding Sociological Statistics and Methods Award is given to the sociology major with the best overall record in SOC 3220 and 3230. This award carries a stipend for the student to serve as an undergraduate course assistant for SOC 3220, or 3230.

Department Honors
The sociology department will award department honors for those B.A. and B.S. degree candidates in sociology with an overall grade point average of 3.2 or better. They must also successfully complete an independent study through SOC 4350, Special Study.

Undergraduate Certificate on Disaster and Risk Management
The undergraduate certificate program on Disaster and Risk Management offers a multi-disciplinary course of study focusing on the key challenge of developing resilience against disaster—preventing, preparing for, and responding to disasters and catastrophes.  It brings together a range of disciplines to provide students with theoretical and practical insights into managing risks posed by natural, accidental, and intentional threats confronting urban communities.  The certificate program emphasizes social psychological, organizational, legal, and political relationships brought to bear on the socio-technical systems designed to prevent, prepare for, or respond to disasters and catastrophes. It provides educational and practical opportunities for students planning careers in public safety, counterterrorism, community and research planning, public policy making, emergency management, leadership in the public sector, and the mass media. The certificate program aims to guide students in learning to manage efforts of public and private institutions to build resilience in their own socio-technical systems and in the community.  Each discipline participating in the certificate program brings a distinct perspective to bear on the key issues involved in developing resilience in homeland security. Sociology offers a framework on the relationship of socio-technical systems and community organization that will prove conducive to students gaining both theoretical and practical insights into threats posed by disaster and catastrophe.

Undergraduate students earn a certificate on Disaster and Risk Management by completing 18 hours with a GPA of 2.0 or better from the following courses:

SOC 4414, Social Perspectives on Catastrophes and Homeland Security Policies (3 hrs)
SOC 4450, Disaster and the Law (3 hrs)
POL SCI 3200, Constitutional Law (3 hrs)
ECON 4160, Geospatial analysis in the Social Sciences (GIS) (3 hrs)
PSYCH/GS 2232, Psychology of Victims (3 hrs) OR
SOC 3250 Sociology of Victimization (3 hrs)
BUS AD 3798, Transportation Security, Safety, and Disaster Preparedness (3 hrs)
MEDIA ST 4040, Disaster and Media Management (3 hrs)
COMM 3150, Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Communication (3 hrs)

Special topic courses relevant to disaster and risk management may be included in the certificate program when approved in advance by the Coordinator of the Disaster and Risk Management Certificate.

Graduate Studies (Inactive)

2+3 B.A. and M.A. in Sociology 

The 2+3 combined B.A./M.A. program in sociology provides an opportunity for students of recognized academic ability and educational maturity to fulfill integrated requirements of the undergraduate and master’s degree programs from the beginning of their junior year.  Because of its accelerated nature, the program requires the completion of some lower-division requirements of (12 hours) before entry into the three-year portion of the program.  When all the requirements of the B.A. and M.A. programs have been completed, the students will be awarded both the baccalaureate and master’s degrees.  A carefully designed program can permit a student to earn both degrees within as few as ten semesters. 

The combined program requires a minimum of 137 hours, of which 30 must be at the 4000 or 5000 levels.  In qualifying for the B.A., students must meet all University and college requirements, including the requirements of the undergraduate major described previously.  During the junior and senior years, students normally take a 4000 level research practicum course, SOC 5400, SOC 5402, and SOC 5404.  In qualifying for the M.A., students must meet all University and Graduate School requirements, including satisfactory completion of a minimum of 30 graduate credit hours.  Up to 12 graduate credit hours may be applied simultaneously to both the B.A. and M.A. programs.  Any 4000 level course applied to the M.A. requirements will require additional work to qualify for graduated credit.

Students should apply to the Graduate Director of Sociology for admission to the 2 + 3 combined degree program in sociology the semester they will complete 60 undergraduate degree credit hours, but no later than the accumulation of 90 credit hours.  A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and three letters of recommendation from faculty are required for consideration.  Students will be admitted to the 2 + 3 programs under provisional graduate status until they have completed 30 credit hours with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.  After completion of the provisional period, and with recommendation of the Graduate Director, students can be granted full admission into the program.  Students must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher throughout the combined program.  Students who officially withdraw from the 2 + 3 combined degree program will be awarded the B.A. degree when they have successfully completed all the requirements for the degree.

The following requirements must be completed prior to enrolling in the 2 + 3 program:

SOC 1010, Introduction to Sociology and three additional sociology courses.

The following undergraduate courses are required for majors in the 2 + 3 program:

SOC 3210, Sociological Theory
SOC 3220, Sociological Statistics (or an approved statistics course)
SOC 3230, Research Methods

Graduate Sociology Requirements for Students in the 2 + 3 Program

The following graduate courses are required at the 4000 to 5000-level:

  1. SOC 5400, Proseminar in Sociology
  2. SOC 5402, Advanced Quantitative Techniques
  1. SOC 5404, Advanced Methodology
  2. Five additional courses (15 hours) that have been approved by the Graduate Director
Graduate Exit Requirements:

Students may choose between a thesis and non-thesis course of study. 

Students choosing a non-thesis option must complete one of the following requirements: an additional 6-hour course work, a 6-hour research project, or a 6-hour internship.

Each candidate is given a final oral review of the course work completed and the student’s chosen exit project or thesis by a faculty committee.

M.A. in Sociology

The department offers a flexible program of studies leading to the Master of Arts degree in sociology. Course work combines intensive examination of the core areas of sociology with acquisition of the analytical skills of sociological investigation. A variety of career options are available to the master's-level graduate, including: program evaluation and research; field or casework related to community issues; administrative roles in social agencies and planning organizations; or doctoral studies in sociology or related fields.

The curriculum is designed to serve the needs of full-time students as well as working students who are able to engage only in part-time studies. This design allows pre-career and mid-career students to prepare for employment in education, service agencies, community organizations, government agencies, or businesses. The curriculum also invites students to take advantage of the university's urban setting through integration of selected work experiences with practicum courses and academic seminars under faculty guidance. The curriculum emphasizes theoretical, analytic, and substantive approaches to urban-related problem solving.

Admission Requirements
Individuals with at least the equivalent of the department's B.A. or B.S. degree in sociology may be admitted to the Graduate School as candidates for the M.A. degree. Students with bachelor's degrees in fields other than sociology may be admitted to pursue graduate sociology studies under the condition that they make up core deficiencies prior to graduate work.

In addition to meeting the general admission requirements of the Graduate School, a student should ordinarily have:

Students who do not meet these requirements may be provisionally admitted upon approval of the department and the dean of the Graduate School. Admission and financial aid decisions are made on the basis of past academic record, program performance, and career commitment. Students wishing to continue regular employment outside the university may enroll on a part-time basis. Requests for further information about the program should be sent to:

Director of Graduate Studies
Sociology
University of Missouri-St. Louis
One University Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63121-4400

Degree Requirements

Master of Arts in Sociology 
Each student shall prepare an adviser-approved course of study during the first semester of enrollment. Candidates for the M.A. degree shall complete a minimum of 30 hours of approved study, at least 21 of which must be taken in courses offered by the department. Students may choose between a thesis and non-thesis course of study.

Core Curriculum

SOC 5400, Proseminar in Sociology
SOC 5402, Advanced Quantitative Techniques
SOC 5404, Advanced Methodology

The sociology department participates in a joint quantitative techniques and methodology series of courses with the other social sciences which can be substituted for the above.

Concentration The department offers opportunities for intensive work in one of the several research areas of department faculty members, which allows the flexibility for comprehensive and coherent exposure to the methods and insights of the discipline. Matriculating students are encouraged to plan, with their advisers, a coherent program of studies consistent with their career interests.

Exit Requirements A student's program must include one of the following exit projects: a 6-hour internship; SOC 5480, Individual Study or a 6-hour preparatory sequence and an approved paper SOC 5490, Supervised Research. Each candidate is given a final oral review conducted by a faculty committee and focused on the course work completed and the student's chosen exit project or thesis.

Career Outlook

The following career information is adapted from the American Sociological Association Web site.

A B.A. or B.S. in sociology is excellent preparation for graduate work in sociology for those interested in an academic or professional career as a professor, researcher, or applied sociologist.

The undergraduate degree provides a strong liberal arts preparation for entry level positions throughout the business, social service, and government worlds. Employers look for people with the skills that an undergraduate education in sociology provides. Since its subject matter is intrinsically fascinating, sociology offers valuable preparation for careers in journalism, politics, public relations, business, or public administration fields that involve investigative skills and working with diverse groups. Many students choose sociology because they see it as a broad liberal arts base for professions such as law, education, medicine, social work, and counseling. Sociology provides a rich foundation of knowledge that directly pertains to each of these fields.

Today, sociologists embark upon literally hundreds of career paths. Although teaching and conducting research remains the dominant activity among the thousands of professional sociologists today, other forms of employment are growing both in number and significance. In some sectors, sociologists work closely with economists, political scientists, anthropologists, psychologists, social workers and others reflecting a growing appreciation of sociology's contributions to interdisciplinary analysis and action.

Course Descriptions

SOC 1010 Introduction to Sociology (3) [V, SS]
An introduction to sociological approaches to human behavior, including types of social organizations, patterns of social interaction, and social influences on individual conduct.

SOC 1040 Social Problems (3) [V, SS]
Conditions defined by society as social problems, as well as potential solutions, are examined from various sociological perspectives. Emphasis is given to problem issues prevalent in metropolitan settings. Analyses focus on victims and beneficiaries of both problem conditions and alternative solutions.

SOC 1999 The City (3) [MI, V, SS]
Same as POL SCI 1990, and INTDSC 1990. Consideration of economic factors, urban institutions, historical developments in urbanization, problems of the inner city, suburbia and the metropolitan area, ethnic groups, stratification, and psychological implications of urban living. This course is for freshmen and sophomores. It is open to juniors and seniors with the consent of instructor.

SOC 2100 Women in Contemporary Society (3)
Same as GS 2100. Prerequisite: SOC 1010 or GS 2102 or consent of instructor. An introduction to the sociological analysis of the status of women in society, including their work, family, and political roles. Socialization, education, and the women's movement will also be considered, as these affect the position and participation of women in a variety of social arenas.

SOC 2102 Introduction to Women's, Studies: Gender, and Diversity (3)
Same as GS 2102, SOC WK 2102, and HIST 2102. This core class is required for all Women’s and Gender Studies Certificate earners.  This class introduces students to cultural, political, and historical issues that shape gender. Through a variety of disciplinary perspectives in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, the course familiarizes students with diverse female and male experiences and gendered power relationships.

SOC 2160 Social Psychology (3)
Same as PSYCH 2160. Prerequisite: SOC 1010 or PSYCH 1003. This course examines the behavior, thoughts, and feelings of individuals in their social environments. The content focuses not only on how people relate to one another, but also on the processes affecting their interactions with others. Specific topics include the self, social judgments, attitudes and persuasion, helping behavior, prejudice, aggression, attraction, conformity and obedience, and group processes. All Psychology majors taking this course instead of PSYCH 2270 must complete it with a grade of C- or higher.

SOC 2170 Aging in America : Concepts and Controversies (3)
Same as SOC WK 2670, INTDSC 2170, and GERON 2170. This course examines the major theoretical and service issues connected to the study of older adults and their families, using multidisciplinary perspectives.  Students are provided with an introduction to the field of aging through an examination of current social issues and controversies.  This course emphasizes student involvement through class discussion, and is appropriate for students in the arts and sciences, business, communication, education, and nursing.

SOC 2180 Alcohol, Drugs, and Society (3)
Same as CRIMIN 2180 Prerequisite: SOC 1010 or PSYCH 1003. This course examines the medical, legal, and social aspects of alcohol and drug use. Medical aspects considered include treatment approaches and the role of physicians in controlling such behavior. In the legal realm, past and present alcohol and drug laws are explored. Cultural and social influences on alcohol and drug use are discussed.

SOC 3200 Sociology of Deviant Behavior (3)
Prerequisite: SOC 1010 or consent of instructor. Theories of the nature, causes, and control of deviance as a social phenomenon. Application of theories to specific substantive areas, such as mental disorder, delinquency, drug abuse, suicide, unconventional sexuality, and physical disability.

SOC 3202 Urban Sociology (3)
Prerequisite: SOC 1010 or consent of instructor. Urbanization as a world phenomenon; urban social and ecological structures and changing life styles; the decision-making processes in urban problem-solving.

SOC 3210 Sociological Theory (3)
Prerequisite: SOC 1010 or consent of instructor. The nature of sociological theory. An investigation of theory from Comte through contemporary developments. Contributions made by theorists in related disciplines.

SOC 3220 Social Statistics (3)
Same as ANTHRO 3220. Prerequisites: SOC 1010 or ANTHRO 1011 and MATH 1020 or 1030. Issues and techniques of statistical analyses relevant to quantitative social science research, e.g. elementary probability, measures of central tendency and dispersion, measures of relationships including linear regression and correlation, inferential and nonparametric statistics. The course includes an introduction to computer-based statistical analysis.    

SOC 3224 Marriage and the Family (3)
Same as GS 3224. Prerequisite: SOC 1010 or consent of instructor. The study of patterns of close relationships, and how these relationships are influenced by larger social forces. Topics include: love, dating, mate selection, cohabitation, alternative lifestyles, working families, parenting, single mothers, families in crisis, domestic violence, and divorce. Universal and variable aspects of family organization, family role systems, and changes in family social structure.

SOC 3230 Research Methods (3)
Prerequisites: SOC 1010 and SOC 3220 and satisfaction of mathematics proficiency requirement or consent of instructor. Research planning and interpretation, principles of research design, measurement, and sampling. Techniques for the collection, analysis, and presentation of data. The course also includes an introduction to the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and lab exercises.

SOC 3241 Globalization and Its Impact on Society and Culture (3)
Prerequisite: SOC 1010 or consent of instructor. This course examines a variety of economic, cultural, and social changes that are transforming our world. It clarifies what globalization is and how it is affecting societies around the world. Topics include an overview of theories of globalism and global culture, and roles of technology and the media in shaping society and people’s everyday lives.

SOC 3250 Sociology of Victimization (3)
Same as GS 3250. Prerequisite: SOC 1010. Examines the role of social factors in a wide range of kinds of victimization--crime, violence, natural disasters, accidents, disease, etc. The topic of social reactions to various kinds of victimization is also covered. Sociological theories of victimization are emphasized.

SOC 3268 Sociology of Conflict (3)
Prerequisite: SOC 1010 or consent of instructor. The conditions under which social conflicts arise, develop, and are terminated (or in some cases resolved) are examined. The functions of different levels of conflict are studied to determine the potential effects and outcomes of planned intervention.

SOC 3280 Society and Technology (3)
Prerequisite: SOC 1010 or consent of instructor. Technology in industrial and post-industrial societies. The social shaping of technological systems. The role of technology in social change.

SOC 3290A Undergraduate Seminar in Sociological Issues (3)
Prerequisite: SOC 1010 and consent of instructor. Consideration of an issue or area of the instructor’s choice not already covered by other undergraduate courses. May be taken up to three times for nine hours credit, provided the subject matter is different each time the seminar is taken.

SOC 3600 Management and Organizational Behavior (3)
Same as MGMT 3600. Prerequisites: Junior standing and a 2.0 campus GPA. This course involves the study of behavior of individuals and groups in an organizational setting. Specific topics examined include: motivation, leadership, organizational design and conflict resolution, as well as basic coverage of management principles. In covering these topics, both classic and current perspectives are provided.

Note: Any 4000 level course taken for major elective credit requires prior completion of two of the following: SOC 3210, SOC 3220, or SOC 3230.

SOC 4040 Survey Research Practicum (3)
Same as POL SCI 4040. Prerequisites: Junior standing, SOC 3220, SOC 3230, and consent of instructor. The execution of a sample survey, including establishing study objectives, sampling, questionnaire construction, interviewing, coding, data analysis, and presentation of results. May be taken more than once for credit provided the course topic is different each time.

SOC 4150 Feminist Theory and Social Research (3)
Same as GS 4150. Prerequisites GS 2102 and Junior standing or consent of instructor. This course provides an in-depth examination of feminist theoretical contributions to social science research. We begin by examining the 20th century roots of contemporary feminist theories. With this foundation in place, we then shift to an investigation of how feminist theory has informed sociological research by examining current feminist understandings of gender, race, class and sexual inequalities across a range of contemporary social problems. Fulfills GS feminist theory requirement.

SOC 4300 Communities and Crime (3)
Same as CRIMIN 4300. Prerequisites: CRIMIN 1110, CRIMIN 1120,CRIMIN 1130, CRIMIN 2210, CRIMIN 2220, and ENGL 3100 or consent of instructor. Analysis of the sources, consequences, and control of crime within communities. Emphasis on social and ecological theories of crime and on population instability, family structure, and the concentration of poverty as causes of crime. Community crime prevention efforts are also addressed.

SOC 4312 Sociology of Wealth and Poverty (3)
Prerequisites: SOC 1010 and junior standing or consent of instructor. Theory and research on social stratification and inequality in contemporary societies.

SOC 4316 Power, Ideology, and Social Movements (3)
Prerequisites: SOC 1010 and junior standing or consent of instructor. Effect of events and social processes on thought and action in the twentieth century. Social functions of ideologies as expressed in movements and formal and informal organizations seeking social change.

SOC 4320 Forms of Criminal Behavior (3)
Same as CRIMIN 4320. Prerequisites: CRIMIN 1110, 1120, 1130, 2210, 2220, and ENGL 3100 or consent of instructor. Examination of major types of criminal behavior including violent, property, public order, and organizational offenses. Emphasis on theories of, and responses to, these crimes.

SOC 4325 Gender, Crime and Justice (3)
Same as CRIMIN 4325. Prerequisites: CRIMIN 1110, 1120, 1130, 2210, 2220, and ENGL 3100 or consent of instructor. Analysis of the role of gender in crime and in the justice system.  Emphasis on gender differences in crime commission, criminal processing, and the employment of women in criminal justice agencies.  Fulfills Criminology diversity requirement.

SOC 4331 Qualitative Methods in Social Research (3)
Prerequisites: SOC 3220 and SOC 3230, or their equivalent, or consent of instructor. This course is devoted to such qualitative methods as participant observation, intensive interview, content analysis, and oral history, among others. The place of these kinds of techniques in social research, as well as the issues raised by them, will be considered. Students will participate in individual or group research projects using one or more of the methods discussed.

SOC 4336 Organizations and Environments (3)
Prerequisites: SOC 1010 and junior standing or consent of instructor. Internal and external forces that influence the structures, adaptive flexibility, and actions of public and private organizations and agencies are examined. Specific foci include: organizational responses to environmental opportunities, constraints, and contingencies; sources of conflict and impediments to organizational goal attainment; and strategies for increasing organizational effectiveness, efficiency, and chances for survival.

SOC 4338 Sociology of Health (3)
Prerequisites: SOC 1010 and junior standing. Exploration of social dimensions and issues related to health and illness, such as access to the health care delivery system; factors influencing prevention, utilization and compliance; changing relationships among health care providers and consumers; health care costs, trends, and cross-cultural variations.

SOC 4340 Race, Crime, and Justice (3)
Same as CRIMIN 4340. Prerequisites: CRIMIN 1110, CRIMIN 1120, CRIMIN 1130, CRIMIN 2210, CRIMIN 2220, ENGL 3100 or consent of instructor. Analysis of the involvement of racial minorities in crime and the criminal justice system. Emphasis on group differences in offending, processing, victimization, and employment in criminal justice agencies.

SOC 4344 Problems of Urban Community (3)
Prerequisites: SOC 1010 and junior standing, or consent of instructor. The urban community as an area of social action and problem solving with emphasis on the sociological aspects of urban problems.

SOC 4350 Special Study (1-10)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Independent study through readings, reports, and field work.

SOC 4354 Sociology of Business and Work Settings (3)
Prerequisites: SOC 1010 and junior standing, or consent of instructor. The sociology of work and occupations in America, Europe, and Asia; organization structures and worker participation; worker attitude, behaviors, and commitment; the socialization of the worker; determinants of worker behavior; social problems of work and business; and the impact of community on work place and business behavior.

SOC 4356 Sociology of Education (3)
Prerequisites: SOC 1010 and junior standing, or consent of instructor. Education as a social institution, its role as an agent of socialization, and its effect upon the processes of social change and social mobility. The relationship between the school and its community. 

SOC 4360 Sociology of Minority Groups (3)
Same as GS 4360. Prerequisites: SOC 1010 and junior standing or consent of instructor. The study of dominant-subordinate group relations. Religion, ethnicity, race, and gender as factors in the unequal distribution of power.

SOC 4361 Social Gerontology (3)
Same as GERON 4361. Prerequisites: SOC 1010 and junior standing, or consent of instructor. Topics include: sociological theories of aging, technological and social change and its effects on the environment of older people, and prejudice and discrimination against the elderly.

SOC 4365 Sociological Writing (3)
Prerequisites: SOC 1010, ENGL 3100 and junior standing, or consent of instructor. This course offers directed practice in the interpretation and reporting of sociological research in a wide range of styles, including those appropriate for research reports, journal articles, policy papers, non-technical magazines, books and monographs, as well as oral reports to diverse consumers.

SOC 4378 Selected Topics in Social Psychology (1-3)
Prerequisite: PSYCH 2160 or SOC 2160, or consent of instructor. Focused examination of selected issues, concepts, and methods in the study of social interaction. May be taken twice for credit.

SOC 4380 Selected Topics in Social Policy (1-3)
Prerequisites: SOC 1010, Junior standing or consent of instructor. Examination of a specific sociological topic of current relevance in the community. May be taken more than once for credit provided the course topic is different each time.

SOC 4385 Internship in Sociology (1-6)
Prerequisites: Junior standing and consent of instructor. Students participate in supervised placements in a position related to the profession of sociology.

SOC 4414 Social Perspectives on Catastrophes and Homeland Security Policies (3)

Prerequisites: SOC 1010 and junior standing or consent of instructor. This course examines the way social and cultural processes shape our experience and understandings of catastrophe and disasters.  It provides an analysis of the ways technological, organizational, cultural, and political forces affect policies dealing with catastrophe preparation and prevention in the United States.

SOC 4450 Disaster and the Law (3)
Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of instructor. This course examines the general legal framework in the United States into which the subject of disasters and the law fits. It provides an understanding of the coordination of resources required to respond to disastrous situations including laws, rules, and regulations at state, local, and federal levels. Students will also become familiar with legal context and constraints for disaster management, administrative law, administrative discretion, and liability issues.

SOC 4600 Masculinities (3)
Same as GS 4600. Prerequisite: SOC 2102 or consent of instructor. This course examines men and masculinities through a critical lens, looking carefully at an institutionalized system of gender relations and practices that is assumed to be a natural phenomenon that is culturally universal. The course explores various masculine behaviors, myths, ideologies, and experiences so that students can consider the relationship between masculine practice and social power and delineate choices for future directions. The course is necessarily interdisciplinary and may utilize tools and methods from the social sciences and the humanities. Satisfies GS gender theory requirement.

SOC 4940 Leadership and Management in Nonprofit Organizations (3)
Same as SOC WK 4940, POL SCI 4940, and P P ADM 4940. Prerequisite: Junior standing. Addresses the role and scope of the independent sector in the United States, as well as the leadership and management of nonprofit organizations within that sector. Topics include the economic and political scope of the independent sector the role of volunteerism in a democratic society, and the role and scope of philanthropy. Topics in voluntary organization management and leadership include: the dynamics, functions and membership structure of NPOs, especially staff-board and other volunteer relations; governance and management of NPOs; resource mobilizations; and program development management and evaluation.

SOC 5361 Advanced Social Gerontology (3)
Same as GERON 5361. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. An examination of sociological theories of aging, technological and social change and its effects on the environment of older people, and prejudice and discrimination against the elderly.

SOC 5400 Proseminar in Sociology (3)
Required of all entering graduate students in the fall semester of the first year of residency. An overview of the field of contemporary sociology, with emphasis on the major theories, issues, research approaches, and ethical problems in the field today, and an introduction to theory construction, measurement, and design strategies.

SOC 5402 Advanced Quantitative Techniques (3)
Prerequisite: SOC 3220 or consent of instructor. A study of advanced quantitative analysis of sociological data, focusing on problems of multivariate analysis, sampling theory and techniques, and the use of electronic data processing in approaching these problems.

SOC 5404 Advanced Methodology (3)
Prerequisite: SOC 3230 or consent of instructor. A study of methodological problems on an advanced level, focusing on contemporary issues in the processes of inquiry with particular emphasis on the applicability of different modes of research to various types of theoretical problems. Consideration of ethical problems in social research.

SOC 5415 Foundations of Criminological Theory (3)
Same as CRIMIN 5415. Prerequisites: Graduate standing and consent of instructor. Examination of the history of criminological thought incorporating the major works of such theorists as Bentham, Beccaria, Marx, Durkheim, Lombroso, Sutherland and Merton.

SOC 5449 Issues in Retirement (3)
Same as GERON 6449. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. This course examines macro and micro issues of retirement in the United States--its processes, causes, and consequences--in relation to economic market conditions, demographic changes, and programs and policies that are targeted to support the elderly (e.g., Social Security). It also examines issues relating to older women and retirement.

SOC 5475 Introduction to Evaluation Research Methods (3)
Same as P P ADM 6750. Prerequisite: At least one course in research design and statistics at the graduate level. A comparative study of research strategies with regard to data sources, data collection, and modes of analysis that are appropriate for program evaluation research. Attention is given to observational, survey, and quasi-experimental methodologies.

SOC 5480 Individual Study (3)
Prerequisites: Consent of adviser and instructor. Designed to give the student the opportunity to pursue particular interests within the discipline and/or to study areas not  currently covered by formal courses. Guided by faculty with appropriate interests. May be taken only twice.

SOC 5490 Supervised Research (1-10)
Prerequisites: Graduate standing and consent of instructor. Individual supervision of research leading to the preparation of a thesis, research paper, or publishable article, in which the student demonstrates skills in the discipline of sociology.

SOC 5495 Sociological Reporting (3)
Prerequisites: SOC 5400, 5402, and 5404. As part of the M.A. degree exit requirement, the seminar offers directed practice in the interpretation and reporting of sociological data in a wide range of styles, including those appropriate for research reports, journal articles, policy papers, nontechnical magazines, books, and monographs, as well as oral reports to diverse consumers. Ethical dimensions of interpretation and dissemination are explored.

SOC 6443 Health Care Policy (3)  
Same as GERON 6443, P P ADM 6340, and POL SCI 6443. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor. Survey course examining current issues in health policy that face the nation. Policies are placed in a historical context to show how issues have been influenced by different political and economic conditions. Secondary consequences and limitations of current trends in health policy are explored.

SOC 6444 Seminar in Public Policy and Aging (3)
Same as GERON 6444, PP ADM 6440 and POL SCI 6444. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. The study of specialized issues and methods related to federal, state, and local policies that affect the elderly. Potential policy areas to be covered include housing, taxation, mental health, transportation, etc. May be repeated for credit, provided the subject matter is different.

SOC 6446 Selected Topics in Health Care Policy (3)
Same as P P ADM 6460 and POL SCI 6446. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. The study of specialized issues and methods relating to health care policy. May be repeated for credit, provided the subject matter is different.