Schedule of Classes

Sociological insight into study of humans, society, and culture.

Sociological analysis of current social problems in the U.S.: poverty, racism, sexism, agism, medical care, the environment, population, urban disorganization, crime, juvenile delinquency, alcoholism, drug addiction, family disorganization, and mental illness. Use of different perspectives promotes a broad understanding of the study of social problems.

This course examines the origins and outcomes of international immigration. Using perspectives and evidence from diverse fields in the social sciences and the humanities, we consider issues including the complex social and environmental factors that drive immigration; state, popular and media responses to immigration; and the effects of immigration, both for immigrants and for the nations they leave and enter.

Comparative study of family systems in societies around the world, with a focus on variation across cultures and times.

Analysis of dominant-minority group relations. The emergence and dynamic of racism. Exploration of the experience of various ethnic and "racial" groups.

Review of sociology's major perspectives, from classic statements on social life to contemporary theories. Emphasis on the contributions of theorists of color, women, and non-Western scholars to the development of social thought. Application of sociological theories to contemporary problems and issues.

Analysis of the process of global integration and its impact on communities, social institutions, and culture. Emphasis on theories of social change and social conflict over the nature and pace of globalization and its impact on non-Western societies. Focus on social class, ethnicity, gender, media, religion, the environment, and social problems confronting non-Western Societies.

Analysis of the nature and origin of juvenile delinquency within an historical and theoretical context with emphasis on causation of delinquency and evaluation of different responses to it.

Topics of special interest which may vary each time course is offered. Topic stated in current Schedule of Classes. May be repeated under a different topic for maximum of 9 hrs. credit.

Empirical research with faculty supervision.