Undergraduate Course Descriptions

Course: SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology
Semester: Fall of every year, Spring of every year, Summer of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 4 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 4
4(4-0)

Description: Nature of sociological inquiry. Concepts and principles of sociology. Institutional features of modern society. Structure and dynamics of social organizations.
Effective Dates: FALL 1992 - Open

Course: SOC 131 Social Problems
Semester: Fall of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Description: The role of social movements, the legal system, public policy and opinion in the resolution of poverty, crime, racism, sexism, and ecological problems.
Effective Dates: FALL 1992 - Open

Course: SOC 161 International Development and Change
Semester: Spring of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Description: Global issues of development and change. Population growth, poverty, structural inequalities, environmental degradation, social conflicts, social movements. Alternative development strategies and future perspectives.
Effective Dates: FALL 1992 - Open

Course: SOC 215 Race and Ethnicity
Semester: Fall of every year, Spring of every year, Summer of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Description: Racial and ethnic problems in contemporary society. Prejudice, discrimination, conflict, and racial and ethnic identity and segregation in western and non-western societies.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 216 Sex and Gender
Semester: Fall of every year, Spring of every year, Summer of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Recommended Background: SOC 100 or SOC 131 or SOC 161
Description: Social structural and social psychological perspectives on gender. Issues related to gender inequality in selected institutions such as economy, family, education, and politics.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 220 Criminology
Semester: Fall of every year, Spring of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Prerequisite: CJ 110 or (SOC 100 or concurrently)
Restrictions: Open only to students in the Criminal Justice or Sociology major or approval of school.
Description: Introduction to the socio-legal foundation of crime. Crime typology and measurement procedures. Theory and public policy. Societal responses to crime and criminals.
Interdepartmental With: Criminal Justice
Administered By: Criminal Justice
Effective Dates: FALL 2006 - Open
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Course: SOC 241 Social Psychology
Semester: Fall of every year, Spring of every year, Summer of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Not open to students with credit in: PSY 235
Description: Relationship of individuals to their social environment. Social influences on personality, attitudes and behavior.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 281 Methods of Social Research I
Semester: Fall of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 4 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 2
4(3-2)

Description: Design and execution of research on social behavior and institutions. Data collection, structure, and quality. Descriptive analysis. Presentation of conclusions.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 282 Methods of Social Research II
Semester: Spring of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 4 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 2
4(3-2)

Prerequisite: SOC 281
Description: Survey methods. Experiments. Selected quantitative techniques of data analysis.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 315 Family and Society
Semester: Fall of every year, Spring of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Description: Family development. Diversity of family form and organization in relation to personality, class, race, and gender.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 316 Youth and Society
Semester: Fall of every year, Spring of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Description: Behavioral analysis of youth. Youth subcultures. Youth at risk. Social change and youth behavior.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 319 Introduction to Earth System Science
Semester: Fall of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Recommended Background: Completion of one course in biological or physical science.
Description: Systems approach to Earth as an integration of geochemical, geophysical, biological and social components. Global dynamics at a variety of spatio-temporal scales. Sustainability of the Earth system.
Interdepartmental With: Entomology, Geological Sciences, Plant Biology, Zoology
Administered By: Entomology
Effective Dates: FALL 2002 - Open
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Course: SOC 321 Industrial Sociology
Semester: Fall of every year, Spring of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Prerequisite: Completion of Tier I writing requirement.
Description: Industrialization in western and non-western societies. Social organization of work. The workplace as a social system. Labor-management relations in various cultural settings.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 322 Sociology of Work
Semester: Fall of every year, Spring of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Prerequisite: Completion of Tier I writing requirement.
Description: Social significance of work. Forces changing contemporary occupational structure. Career patterns. Occupational status and mobility. Social organization of various types of work. Gender and work. Social influence on work attitudes.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 330 Social Stratification
Semester: Spring of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Prerequisite: Completion of Tier I writing requirement.
Description: Theories of structural social inequality. Formation and change of social classes and class structures. Socioeconomic classes in modern societies. Consequences of social stratification. Current stratification trends.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 331 Political Sociology
Semester: Fall of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Description: Social power theories, dynamics, and structures. The economy and the polity. Power elites and democracy. Social bases of political behavior and participation. Sociopolitical movements.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 361 Contemporary Communities
Semester: Fall of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Description: Approaches to the study of contemporary communities. Differential levels of community complexity. Social problems and dynamics of community change and development in local settings and their relation to external institutions.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 362 Developing Societies
Semester: Spring of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Description: Dynamics of agricultural and industrial transformations in developing nations. Structural problems, behavioral patterns, and institutional changes at local and societal levels. Socioeconomic interdependencies in the world system.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 363 Rural Sociology
Semester: Fall of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Description: Overview of rural societies in transition. Adjustments of rural people, families, and communities to societal changes. Survival strategies. Social aspects of contemporary agriculture and rural development processes.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 368 Science, Technology and Society
Semester: Fall of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Recommended Background: (LBS 133) or some familiarity with basic concepts and methods in sociology.
Restrictions: Not open to freshmen or sophomores.
Description: Role of science and technology in social change. Values and ethics in contemporary perspectives, controversies, and cases. Science and technology as forms of knowledge.
Interdepartmental With: Lyman Briggs School
Administered By: Sociology
Effective Dates: FALL 2000 - Open

Course: SOC 375 Urban Sociology
Semester: Fall of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Description: Social theories and research on urban development, organization, and change. Urban social life. Sociological aspects of urban planning and redevelopment.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 415 Russian Contemporary Society
Semester: Spring of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Description: Social change in Russia. Social structure, values, and behavior.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 419 Advanced Earth System Science
Semester: Spring of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 2 Lab Hours: 2
3(2-2)

Prerequisite: ENT 319
Description: Systems science theory applied to analysis of the biological, geological, physical, and social causes and consequences of global changes. Issues of sustaining the Earth system.
Interdepartmental With: Entomology, Geological Sciences, Plant Biology, Zoology
Administered By: Entomology
Effective Dates: FALL 2002 - Open
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Course: SOC 424 Complex Organizations
Semester: Fall of every year, Spring of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Prerequisite: Completion of Tier I writing requirement.
Restrictions: Not open to freshmen or sophomores.
Description: Complex formal organizations and bureaucracies. Interorganizational relationships. Structural and procedural problems of organizations. Utility of analytical models of organizations.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 427 Environmental Toxicology and Society
Semester: Spring of odd years
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Recommended Background: ISB 200 or ISB 202 or ISB 204 or ISB 206H or BMB 200 or BS 111 or BS 110
Description: Impact of environmental chemicals on health and modern society. Cellular and organ functions and their interface with the environment. Limitations of scientific investigation and environmental regulations.
Interdepartmental With: Animal Science, Environmental Engineering
Administered By: Animal Science
Effective Dates: SPRING 1999 - Open

Course: SOC 433 Law and Social Change
Semester: Spring of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Recommended Background: RD 301 or RD 336 or GBL 395
Restrictions: Open only to juniors or seniors.
Description: Function of law in a modern society. Concepts of power, public regulation, civil rights, and property rights. Limits on freedom.
Semester Alias: PRM 433
Interdepartmental With: Resource Development, Environmental Economics and Policy
Administered By: Resource Development
Effective Dates: FALL 2002 - SPRING 2007
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Course: SOC 441 Personality and Social Structure
Semester: Fall of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Description: Individual behavior and personality, especially the concept of self. Interdependence of social structures and personality.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 450 Forestry in International Development
Semester: Fall of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Recommended Background: FOR 404
Restrictions: Open only to seniors or graduate students.
Description: Biophysical, social and economic factors influencing design and implementation of farm, village and community level forestry and agroforestry projects.
Interdepartmental With: Forestry
Administered By: Forestry
Effective Dates: FALL 1999 - Open
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Course: SOC 451 Dynamics of Population
Semester: Fall of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Restrictions: Not open to freshmen or sophomores.
Description: Size, distribution, and composition of population by age and sex. Theories of the effect of fertility, mortality, and migration on population structures. Successful and unsuccessful population policies.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 452 Environment and Society
Semester: Fall of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Prerequisite: Completion of Tier I writing requirement.
Corequisite: SOC 452L concurrently
Description: Environmental conditions and social organization. Relation to resources, pollution, energy, and risks. Growth and limits to growth. Environmental attitudes, actions, movements, and regulation.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 452L Internship in Environment and Society
Semester: Fall of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 1 Lab Hours: 2
1(0-2)

Corequisite: SOC 452 concurrently
Description: A field internship experience with an organization whose goals and activities emphasize environmental policies and programs.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 470 Theory and Practice in Community and Economic Development
Semester: Spring of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Restrictions: Open only to juniors or seniors.
Description: Concepts, principles, models, and skills for community and economic development. Community participation in local development initiatives.
Semester Alias: PRM 470
Interdepartmental With: Resource Development, Environmental Economics and Policy
Administered By: Resource Development
Effective Dates: SUMMER 2003 - SPRING 2007
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Course: SOC 475 Sociology of Health Care Systems
Semester: Spring of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Restrictions: Not open to freshmen or sophomores.
Description: Organizations, professions and institutions of health care systems. Provider-patient relationships. Social epidemiology. Socioeconomic factors influencing access. International comparisons.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 476 Social Psychology of Health
Semester: Fall of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Description: Social psychological aspects of health and health care behavior. Mental health and stress. Patient-provider behavior. Role relationships.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 477 Visual Sociology
Semester: Fall of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Prerequisite: SOC 100
Description: Use of visual images to understand power, ideology, politics, and cultural constructions.
Effective Dates: FALL 2006 - Open

Course: SOC 481 Intentional Social Change
Semester: Fall of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Restrictions: Not open to freshmen or sophomores.
Description: Directions, sources, processes, patterns, and consequences of planned social change. Factors stimulating or hindering acceptance and success of designed social change.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 488 Sociological Theory (W)
Semester: Fall of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Prerequisite: Completion of Tier I writing requirement.
Recommended Background: 12 credits in sociology.
Description: Development of sociological theory. Problems of theory construction. Current theoretical perspectives.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 490 Special Topics in Sociology
Semester: Fall of every year, Spring of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Reenrollment Information: A student may earn a maximum of 9 credits in all enrollments for this course.
Restrictions: Open only to juniors or seniors in the Department of Sociology.
Description: Experimental courses and courses taught by visiting scholars.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 496 Individual Readings
Semester: Fall of every year, Spring of every year, Summer of every year
Credits: Variable from 1 to 3

Reenrollment Information: A student may earn a maximum of 6 credits in all enrollments for this course.
Recommended Background: 9 credits in Sociology.
Restrictions: Approval of department.
Description: Supervised individual readings and study in sociology.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 497 Individual Research
Semester: Fall of every year, Spring of every year, Summer of every year
Credits: Variable from 1 to 3

Reenrollment Information: A student may earn a maximum of 6 credits in all enrollments for this course.
Recommended Background: 9 credits in Sociology.
Restrictions: Approval of department.
Description: Supervised individual research in sociology.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 498 Sociology Internship
Semester: Fall of every year, Spring of every year, Summer of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Recommended Background: 9 credits in Sociology.
Restrictions: Approval of department.
Description: Practical experience with a public, private, or nonprofit organization.
Effective Dates: FALL 1998 - Open
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Course: SOC 499 Social Issues and Change in Contemporary Society (W)
Semester: Fall of every year, Spring of every year
Credits: Total Credits: 3 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 3
3(3-0)

Prerequisite: Completion of Tier I writing requirement.
Description: Selected major social problems in contemporary societies. Sources and consequences of social change. Application of sociological theory to selected cases.
Effective Dates: SUMMER 2006 - Open
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