Anthropology Courses
ANT 100 World Cultures
General Education Course (Culture and Society/Social Sciences Perspective). An exploration of cultural differences throughout the world, with emphasis on nonwestern societies, from the perspective of cultural anthropology. 3(3-0) F,S
ANT 125 Exploring Our Human Ancestry
General Education Course (Self-Understanding/Social-Behavioral Perspective). This course explores what it means to be human by tracing our biological and cultural roots. Topics include the evolutionary process; our place among the living primates; fossil and archaeological evidence of human ancestors; and the origins of language, society, and culture. 3(3-0) F,S
ANT 226 Cultural Anthropology
The comparative study of human society and culture, focusing on theories of culture and cultural institutions and ethnographic and cross-cultural methods of research. 3(3-0) S
ANT 227 Biological Anthropology
An examination of biological aspects of humanity from comparative and evolutionary perspectives. Topics include evolutionary theory, the origin and evolution of nonhuman primates and humans, primate behavior, biological variation among human populations, and anatomical and physiological influences on behavior. 3(3-0) S
ANT 240 Introduction to Archaeology
An introduction to the goals, methods, theories, issues, and ethics of archaeology-the study of cultures in the past from the remains they left behind. Topics will include archaeological survey, excavation, dating techniques, artifact analysis, conservation, and cultural adaptation and change. 3(3-0) F,S
ANT 280 Linguistic Anthropology
This course is an introduction to the field of linguistic anthropology, with special emphasis on language as a basic component of human culture. Subjects include the humanness of language, the study of linguistic structure, description and analysis of languages, origins of human speech, the history of languages and writing, the use of language in social relations, and the relationship among language, thought, and culture. 3(3-0) F
ANT 301 Anthropology of Religion
Prerequisite: ANT 100 or ANT 226 or REL 210. Anthropological theory and cross-cultural comparison of religious belief and behavior, such as magic, sorcery, witchcraft, mythology, ritual, totemism, shamanism, cults and movements. 3(3-0) D
ANT 302 Psychological Anthropology
Prerequisite: ANT 100 or 226. Cross-cultural and evolutionary perspectives on socialization, the self, personality, gender, normality, deviance, mental disorders, cognition, and emotion. 3(3-0) D
ANT 309 Service Learning in Anthropology
Prerequisite: 30 hours and concurrent registration in an anthropology course designated as a service learning offering. An integrative learning experience which addresses the practice of citizenship and promotes an awareness of and participation in public affairs by incorporating community service with classroom instruction. Includes 40 hours on-task service to a community organization, agency or public sector provider. The community service placement agency and service assignment will vary, dependent on the disciplinary course topic and learning objectives. May be repeated. 1 F,S
ANT 320 Ethnography
Prerequisite: ANT 100 or ANT 226. In this course students will read, critique, and compare selected ethnographic accounts of societies around the world and explore ways in which anthropologists have written about and interpreted cultures. 3(3-0) D
ANT 325 North American Indian Cultures
Prerequisite: ANT 100 or ANT 226. A survey and comparison of Native American societies and cultures in North America (north of Mexico), including their ecology, subsistence, technology, social organization, politics, and religion. 3(3-0) D
ANT 330 Peoples and Cultures
Anthropological study of a cultural region of the world (such as the Caribbean, Latin America, or Southeastern Indians), including environment, subsistence, technology, economy, social and political organization, and religion. May be repeated when topic changes. Variable content course. 1-3 D
ANT 331 Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean
An introduction to the peoples, societies, and cultures of the Caribbean region, which includes the islands of the West Indies and portions of Central and South America. We will study the development of the region from prehistoric times to the present and examine the effects of the Atlantic slave trade, the African diaspora, sugar plantations, and Spanish, British, French, Dutch, and American colonialism on the region today. 3(3-0) D
ANT 332 Peoples and Cultures of Africa
An exploration of African societies (especially sub-Saharan), including family structure, gender relations, social and political organization, beliefs, economics, art, oral literature, music, dance, and other aspects of culture. 3(3-0) D
ANT 334 Peoples and Cultures of Japan
An anthropological survey of the culture and cultural development of the peoples of Japan, from prehistory to the present, including cultural ideology and ethos, social organization, major cultural principles, customs, religion, technology, material culture, and the arts. 3(3-0) D
ANT 335 Peoples and Cultures of the Middle East
Prerequisite: ANT 100 or ANT 226. A survey presentation of key themes and problems to be found in the Middle East, ranging from the re-establishment of Israel to modernity and tradition in the greater Arab Near East. In addition, topics ranging from the individual to state formation will be discussed. Traditional society, customs, and historical patterns will be examined. 3(3-0) D
ANT 340 Old World Archaeology
Prerequisite: ANT 240 or ANT 250. A detailed survey of prehistory in selected areas of Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Far East, Australia and Oceania. Emphasis on the latest theoretical considerations and outstanding archaeological problems of each region. 3(3-0) D
ANT 345 Historical Archaeology
Prerequisite: ANT 240. Historical archaeology investigates the emergence of the modern world over the past ca. 500 years through the study of the material traces of human behavior, in conjunction with the study of written and oral records. This course provides an in-depth introduction to the field of historical archaeology including its methods, theoretical approaches, debates, and applications. Key topics include the historical archaeology of colonialism, slavery, class, gender, ethnicity, consumerism, capitalism, and industrialization. By the end of the course, students will understand how archaeologists recover, analyze, and interpret historical artifacts. 3(3-0) D
ANT 351 Field Archaeology
Prerequisite: ANT 125 or ANT 240; and permission. Field experience in the techniques, methods and theories of reconnaissance and excavation of archaeological sites. May be repeated to a total of 9 hours. Supplemental course fee. 3-6 D
ANT 355 Environmental Archaeology
Prerequisite: ANT 240. An in-depth introduction to methods and datasets that relate human adaptation of the Earth's changing environment over the past two million years. By the end of the course, students will be familiar with the major issues in environmental archaeology, have a basic knowledge of the methods used to reconstruct past environments, and understand the theoretical tools that archaeologists use to understand how various peoples negotiated the physical environments of the past. 3(3-0) D
ANT 360 North American Archaeology
Prerequisite: ANT 240 or ANT 250. The prehistoric record of American Indian cultures is reconstructed from archaeological evidence and methodology. Topics include peopling of the New World, hunting and gathering societies, the development of agriculture, and the formation of political states. 3(3-0) D
ANT 363 Survey of Forensic Anthropology
A survey of the scope of forensic anthropology, which deals with identification and interpretation of human skeletal remains in medico-legal contexts. Included in this course are both theoretical and practical components. Topics to be discussed include the history and ethics of forensic anthropology, forensic investigation, influence of activity and disease on bone, and human rights applications. Practical aspects cover identification of bones and features of the human skeleton; techniques for determining age, sex, stature and race, and distinguishing human from nonhuman skeletal remains. 3(3-0) D
ANT 365 Human Variation
Prerequisite: ANT 227 or BIO 102 or BIO 121 or BMS 100 or BMS 105 or BMS 110. An examination of ways in which humans have adapted both genetically and physiologically to a wide variety of environments and how these adaptations have produced the biological variation seen in contemporary human populations. Major topics will include historical and current approaches to classifying human groups, human growth and development, adaptation and acclimatization to specialized environments, genetic disease, and tracing lineages through DNA analysis. It will also explore recent studies relating human biology to social constructs such as gender, race, ethnicity, and intelligence. 3(3-0) D
ANT 370 The Living Primates
Prerequisite: ANT 227 or BIO 122 or PSY 336. An introduction to the human species' closest relatives, the nonhuman primates (prosimians, monkeys, and apes); their taxonomy, distribution, morphology, ecology, evolution, behavior, and conservation. 3(3-0) D
ANT 375 Human Evolution
Prerequisite: ANT 227 or BIO 122. An exploration into the evolution of the human species, through examination of fossil and molecular evidence. 3(3-0) D
ANT 380 Language and Culture
Prerequisite: ANT 280 or ENG 296. Advanced study in linguistic anthropology on topics such as ethnographies of speaking, ethnolinguistics, language change and historical linguistics. Variable content course. May be repeated when topic changes. 3(3-0) S
ANT 381 Language, Thought, and Culture
Prerequisite: ANT 280 or ENG 296. This course explores the relationship among language, thought, and culture; how language delineates underlying categories of human experience, and how language influences perspective on the world and everyday behavior. Specific topics will include linguistic relativity, the Whorf hypothesis, language and world-view, and metaphor. 3(3-0) D
ANT 382 Writing, Literacy, and Orality
Prerequisite: ANT 280 or ENG 296. This course explores the development and structure of writing systems around the world, and the relationship between writing systems and languages; the effects writing and literacy have had on social, political, and religious institutions, as well as on psychology and cognition; characteristics of oral societies; and knowledge, memory, and performance in oral vs. literate societies. 3(3-0) D
ANT 397 Special Topics
Selected topics such as primitive technology, cultural ecology and behavioral evolution. May be repeated to a total of 9 hours when topic changes. Variable content course. 1-3 D
ANT 490 Field Experience in Anthropology
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Supervised group study and/or research in an off campus setting. A fee may be charged to cover travel expenses. May be repeated when subject changes. 1-6 D
ANT 499 Internship in Anthropology
Prerequisite: 18 hours of ANT and permission of instructor. This independent study course provides an opportunity to earn academic credit for supervised work experience related to anthropology with an approved business, industry, organization, or government agency. May be repeated to a total of six hours. Graded Pass/Not Pass only. 1-6 D
ANT 505 Ethnohistory
Prerequisite: ANT 226 and 80 hours. The use of documents, maps, photos, recordings, oral histories, artifacts, folklore, linguistics, and ethnography to reconstruct the culture history of a social or ethnic group, particularly historically marginalized peoples such as Native Americans. May be taught concurrently with ANT 605. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 505 and ANT 605. 3(3-0) D
ANT 510 Ethnographic Field Methods
Prerequisite: ANT 226 and 80 hours. Ethnographic methods and techniques in the study of culture, with emphasis on participant-observation, interviewing, note-taking and management, data analysis, and ethics. May be taught concurrently with ANT 611. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 611 and ANT 510. 3(3-0) S
ANT 525 North American Indians Today
Prerequisite: ANT 325 or 80 hours. Focuses on major developments in North American Indian life in the 20th and 21st centuries, including cultural, social, economic, political, environmental, and legal issues that affect Native Americans today. May be taught concurrently with ANT 626. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 626 and ANT 525. 3(3-0) D
ANT 545 Cultural Resource Management
Prerequisite: ANT 240; 80 hours; and permission of instructor. An examination of laws and regulations pertaining to the preservation of American history and culture and the professional management and preservation of ethnic, historic, and prehistoric cultural resources. May be taught concurrently with ANT 645. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 545 and ANT 645. 3(3-0) F
ANT 550 Advanced Methods in Archaeology
Prerequisite: ANT 240 and 80 hours. Advanced study and practice in methods and techniques employed in archaeology such as lithic, ceramic, and faunal analysis. Variable content course. May be repeated when topic changes. May be taught concurrently with ANT 650. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 650 and ANT 550 for the same topic. 3(3-0) S
ANT 551 Lithics
Prerequisite: ANT 240; and 60 hours; and permission of instructor. An introduction to the study of prehistoric stone tools. Classes will include both a seminar component devoted to fundamental theoretical and methodological issues and a hands-on component designed to instruct students on the manufacture, identification and analysis of flaked stone artifacts. Students will become familiar with the major issues in lithic analysis, gain a basic understanding of flint knapping and, by the end of the course, will be prepared to conduct basic lithic research on their own. May be taught concurrently with ANT 651. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 551 and ANT 651.3(3-0) D
ANT 552 Zooarchaeology
Prerequisite: ANT 240; and 60 hours; and permission of instructor. An introduction to the study of animal remains from archaeological sites. Classes will include both a seminar component devoted to fundamental theoretical and methodological issues and a hands-on component designed to instruct students in vertebrate osteology and the identification and analysis of animal remains. Students will become familiar with the major issues in zooarchaeology, will gain a basic understanding of the vertebrate skeleton, and by the end of the course, will be prepared to conduct basic faunal research on their own. May be taught concurrently with ANT 652. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 552 and ANT 652. 3(3-0) D
ANT 555 Archaeological Theory
Prerequisite: ANT 240; and 80 hours; and permission of instructor. A comprehensive and in-depth examination of theoretical issues and perspectives concerning the practice of archaeology and the interpretation of archaeological remains. May be taught concurrently with ANT 655. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 555 and ANT 655. 3(3-0) D
ANT 595 History of Anthropological Theory
Prerequisite: ANT 226 and 80 hours. Senior culminating course for Anthropology majors. This course traces the development of anthropology and anthropological theory, with emphasis on the major theorists and schools of thought in the twentieth century. May be taught concurrently with ANT 695. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 695 and ANT 595. 3(3-0) S
ANT 596 Directed Readings in Anthropology
Prerequisite: 6 hours of ANT and permission of instructor. Readings designed to supplement material introduced in previous anthropology courses. Includes a wide selection of literature in the field. May be repeated to a total of 6 hours. Cannot receive credit for more than 6 hours of ANT 596 and ANT 696 combined. 1-3 F,S
ANT 598 Seminar in Anthropology
Prerequisite: 60 hours and permission of instructor. A detailed investigation and analysis of a specialized or advanced topic of interest to anthropology (e.g., Upper Paleolithic art, the evolution of human behavior, ethnographies of religion). May be repeated when topic changes. Variable content course. May be taught concurrently with ANT 698. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 698 and ANT 598. 3(3-0) D
ANT 599 Directed Research in Anthropology
Prerequisite: 9 hours in Anthropology and permission of instructor. Individual or group research involving supervised collection and analysis of cultural data. May be repeated to a total of 9 hours. Cannot receive credit for more than 9 hours of ANT 599 and ANT 692 combined. 1-3 F,S
ANT 605 Ethnohistory
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. The use of documents, maps, photos, recordings, oral histories, artifacts, folklore, linguistics, and ethnography to reconstruct the culture history of a social or ethnic group, particularly historically marginalized peoples such as Native Americans. May be taught concurrently with ANT 505. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 605 and ANT 505. 3(3-0) D
ANT 611 Ethnographic Field Methods
Ethnographic methods and techniques in the study of culture, with emphasis on participant-observation, interviewing, note-taking and management, data analysis, and ethics. May be taught concurrently with ANT 510. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 510 and ANT 611. 3(3-0) S
ANT 626 North American Indians Today
Focuses on major developments in North American Indian life in the 20th and 21st centuries, including cultural, social, economic, political, environmental, and legal issues that affect Native Americans today. May be taught concurrently with ANT 525. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 525 and ANT 626. 3(3-0) D
ANT 645 Cultural Resource Management
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. An examination of laws and regulations pertaining to the preservation of American history and culture and the professional management and preservation of ethnic, historic, and prehistoric cultural resources. May be taught concurrently with ANT 545. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 645 and ANT 545. 3(3-0) F
ANT 650 Advanced Methods in Archaeology
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Advanced study and practice in methods and techniques employed in archaeology such as lithic, ceramic, and faunal analysis. Variable content course. May be repeated when topic changes. May be taught concurrently with ANT 650. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 650 and ANT 550 for the same topic. 3(3-0) S
ANT 651 Lithics
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. An introduction to the study of prehistoric stone tools. Classes will include both a seminar component devoted to fundamental theoretical and methodological issues and a hands-on component designed to instruct students on the manufacture, identification and analysis of flaked stone artifacts. Students will become familiar with the major issues in lithic analysis, gain a basic understanding of flint knapping and, by the end of the course, will be prepared to conduct basic lithic research on their own. May be taught concurrently with ANT 551. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 651 and ANT 551.3(3-0) D
ANT 652 Zooarchaeology
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. An introduction to the study of animal remains from archaeological sites. Classes will include both a seminar component devoted to fundamental theoretical and methodological issues and a hands-on component designed to instruct students in vertebrate osteology and the identification and analysis of animal remains. Students will become familiar with the major issues in zooarchaeology, will gain a basic understanding of the vertebrate skeleton, and by the end of the course, will be prepared to conduct basic faunal research on their own. May be taught concurrently with ANT 552. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 652 and ANT 552. 3(3-0) D
ANT 655 Archaeological Theory
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. A comprehensive and in-depth examination of theoretical issues and perspectives concerning the practice of archaeology and the interpretation of archaeological remains. May be taught concurrently with ANT 555. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 655 and ANT 555. 3(3-0) D
ANT 692 Directed Research in Anthropology
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Individual or group research involving supervised collection and analysis of cultural data. May be repeated to a total of 9 hours. Cannot receive credit for more than 9 hours of ANT 692 and ANT 599 combined. 1-3, F,S
ANT 695 History of Anthropological Theory
Senior culminating course for Anthropology majors. This course traces the development of anthropology and anthropological theory, with emphasis on the major theorists and schools of thought in the twentieth century. May be taught concurrently with ANT 595. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 595 and ANT 695. 3(3-0) S
ANT 696 Directed Readings in Anthropology
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Readings designed to supplement material introduced in previous anthropology courses. Includes a wide selection of literature in the field. May be repeated to a total of 6 hours. Cannot receive credit for more than 6 hours of ANT 596 and ANT 696 combined. 1-3 F,S
ANT 698 Seminar in Anthropology
A detailed investigation and analysis of a specialized or advanced topic of interest to anthropology (e.g., Upper Paleolithic art, the evolution of human behavior, ethnographies of religion). May be repeated when topic changes. Variable content course. May be taught concurrently with ANT 598. Cannot receive credit for both ANT 598 and ANT 698. 3(3-0) D
ANT 700 Applying Anthropology
An introduction to the field of applied anthropology, surveying the professional opportunities for applied anthropologists and the variety of ways in which anthropology is applied to the needs and problems of society. 3(3-0) F
ANT 720 Quantitative Methods in Anthropology
Recommended Prerequisite: introductory course in statistics. Uses of quantitative methods and databases in the field of anthropology, with particular emphasis on applied research. 3(3-0) S
ANT 770 Research Design and Writing in Anthropology
Prerequisite: ANT 700. How to plan and conduct a research project in applied anthropology and prepare grant proposals, contract reports, journal publications, and other professional documents in anthropology. 3(3-0) F
ANT 790 Internship in Applied Anthropology
Prerequisite: ANT 700 and permission of instructor. A minimum of 200 hours of work experience as an applied anthropologist with an approved business, organization, program, or agency. Requires a written report and a public presentation. Graded Pass/Not Pass only. 3(0-6) D
ANT 797 Practicum in Applied Anthropology
Prerequisite: ANT 770 and permission of instructor. The student will conduct an applied research project from start to finish, culminating in a professional report. Graded Pass/Not Pass only. 3-6 D
ANT 799 Thesis
Prerequisite: ANT 770 and permission of instructor. Research and writing of a masters thesis under the direction of a faculty advisor. Graded Pass/Not Pass only. 3-6 D
Sociology Courses
SOC 150 Introduction to Society
General Education Course (Culture and Society/Social Sciences Perspective). The study of society including its structure and operation from the perspective of sociology. The course focuses on ways society is constructed by people and, in turn, on the ways society shapes people. This general education course supplies students with a community as well as global, multicultural understanding of society. 3(3-0) F,S
SOC 152 Social Problems in the Community
Sociological perspectives on contemporary social issues and problems in American society that are faced by today's communities. A public sociology focus is addressed in this course. 3(3-0) F,S
SOC 300 Service Learning Curricular Component
Prerequisite: 30 hours and concurrent registration in a Sociology course designated as service learning offering. An integrative learning experience which addresses the practice of citizenship and promotes an awareness of and participation in public affairs by incorporating community service with classroom instruction. Includes 40 hours on-task service to a community organization, agency or public service provider. The community service placement agency and service assignment will vary, dependent on the disciplinary course topic and learning objectives. May be repeated. 1 D
SOC 301 Research Methodology
Prerequisite: SOC 150. Methods of collecting and analyzing data including interviewing and observation techniques, scaling and sampling designs. 3(3-0) F,S
SOC 302 Statistics for Social Research
Prerequisite: sophomore standing and completion of MTH 130 or higher. It is recommended that Sociology majors taking SOC 302 concurrently enroll in SOC 303. Introduction to statistics with special emphasis on those techniques most commonly used in social research. This course cannot be credited toward a degree if a student has taken any of the following: AGR 330, MTH 340, PSY 200, QBA 237, REC 328, SOC 302. 3(3-0) F,S
SOC 303 Quantitative Methods Lab
Prerequisite: SOC 302 (or equivalent) or concurrent enrollment. It is recommended that all Sociology majors enrolled in SOC 302 concurrently enroll in SOC 303. An introduction to and application of quantitative social science data analysis. 1(0-2) F,S
SOC 305 Population Analysis
Comparative analysis of population size, distribution, and composition; population processes of fertility, mortality and migration; impact of population change on society; issues of population policy. 3(3-0) S
SOC 309 Work, Industry, and Society
The industrialization of society and its impact on formal and informal organization, management philosophies, worker attitudes and labor relations. Current trends affecting the work place are examined. 3(3-0) D
SOC 310 Social Deviance
An historical survey of the explanations of deviant behavior. Emphasis will focus on the structure of norms and rules, their diversity, and their role in identifying deviance. 3(3-0) D
SOC 315 The Family
The family as a social institution; its adjustment to modern social conditions; personality adjustments in marriage. 3(3-0) D
SOC 316 Urban Sociology
The rise and development of urban settlements (cities), their ecology, problems, and an examination of urbanism as a way of life generated in cities. 3(3-0) F
SOC 319 Environmental Sociology
This course examines the causes and consequences of environmental problems, environmental movements, impacts of technological change, environmental policy and the state, environmental values, attitudes, and behaviors. Specific topics will vary, but may include resource scarcity, toxics, overconsumption, agricultural production, and more. 3(3-0) D
SOC 320 Political Sociology
Introduces students to a sociological analysis of political organization forms and their relations with other elements of social life. Students examine the concept of power and the intersection of personality, social structure, and politics. The course also emphasizes how social inequality between groups (e.g. race, class, and gender, etc.) influences politics and elaborates major social trends affecting the political process including how various social forces work to change political policies. 3(3-0) D
SOC 325 Introduction to Sociological Theory
Prerequisite: SOC 150. A survey of the development of sociological theory with emphasis upon the social and historical influences shaping the thought of classical theorists. 3(3-0) F,S
SOC 326 Feminist Theories of Social Order
Prerequisite: SOC 150 or GST 170. This course offers an introductory survey of feminist theories within a sociological framework. We will read and discuss significant classical and contemporary feminist writings on how social life is organized, maintained or changed. The feminist literature has led to the emergence of diverse theoretical frameworks analyzing historical and contemporary, macro and micro, public and private, local and global issues and concerns. The feminist paradigm, like many other paradigms, is inclusive of many disciplines. The sociological writings within this paradigm provide a wealth of materials on alternative views of social organization, order and conflict. Identical with GST 326. Cannot receive credit for both SOC 326 and GST 326. 3(3-0) S
SOC 332 Juvenile Delinquency
This course examines the topic of juvenile delinquency from a sociological perspective. Emphasis is placed on measuring and explaining the occurrence of delinquency in the United States. The course also takes a critical look at societal responses to the delinquency problem, including the juvenile justice system. 3(3-0) D
SOC 336 Race and Ethnicity
This course explores the social construction of race and ethnicity. Issues of differential power between racial and ethnic groups and the economic, political, and social structures which are utilized to maintain these power differences are identified. Social movements and social policies designed to address social inequality, prejudice and discrimination are also examined. 3(3-0) D
SOC 337 Sociology of Gender
This course focuses on gender differences, patterns, and inequalities. It analyzes the social construction of gender, femininities and masculinities, gender socialization, and how gender intersects with race, class, and sexuality. Specific attention is paid to the significance of gender in interaction, culture, and social institutions, including work, politics, media, and the family. 3(3-0) D
SOC 341 Medical Sociology
An analysis of the ecological, sociopsychological and cultural aspects of health and illness, both physical and mental, and of the social organization of health care services and of health professions. 3(3-0) S
SOC 357 Sociology of Sport
Investigation and analysis of the relationship between sport and society; the development and changing nature of sport as an institution; role of sport in modern society. 3(3-0) D
SOC 360 The Individual in Society
This course explores how self understanding emerges in a social context and is inseparable from that context. It examines the symbolic basis of communication, traces the interdependency of self and other awareness, and probes the social organization of human experience. 3(3-0) D
SOC 375 Social Forces and Aging
Prerequisite: sophomore standing. This course examines the aging process, demographic trends, and the social, economic, and social-psychological aspects of aging in the United States. Students will be introduced to current theories on aging in social gerontology and their application to the everyday lives of older people. Topics of interest include social attitudes toward aging, family and social bonds, work and retirement, gender issues, ethnicity and aging, living environments, and approaches to aging well. Students will learn about the role of federal, state and local agencies in meeting the needs of the elderly. Identical with GER 310. Cannot receive credit for both SOC 375 and GER 310. 3(3-0) D
SOC 380 Sociology of Law
The interaction of law and society from a sociological perspective with emphasis upon legal institutions as instruments of social control. The impact of social values on the development of the legal order and the reciprocal influence of the law on social behavior. 3(3-0) F
SOC 384 Social Movements
The study of collective attempts to implement social change in society. Specific groups studied will vary, but may include the civil rights, feminist, political, religious, environmental and health movements. 3(3-0) S
SOC 390 Religion in Society
Examines the relationship between religion and its social context. Students will explore the social nature of individual religious institutions. The relationship between religion and modernity will be studied. The course will pay special attention to the role of religion in American society, as well as the religious dimensions of class, gender, region, and race/ethnicity. Identical with REL 390. Cannot receive credit for both SOC 390 and REL 390. May be taught concurrently with SOC 790. Cannot receive credit for both SOC 390 and SOC 790. 3(3-0) D
SOC 391 The Holocaust - A Sociological Introduction
This course explores the social history of the Holocaust, its probable causes, magnitude, operation, consequences and the controversies which surround its study. Discussion ranges into the areas of sociology of religion and of law in order to understand compelling issues raised by this example of genocide. 1(1-0) D
SOC 397 Special Topics
Selected topics of contemporary interest in Sociology. May be repeated to a total of 6 hours when the topic changes. Variable content course. 1-3 D
SOC 398 Public Sociology and Community Studies
Prerequisite: SOC 150 and Sociology major or minor. Explores how Public Sociology is practiced and connected to the local community. Provides conceptual tools for analyzing communities and creates a foundation for meaningful community engagement. Each section will apply sociological theories and methods to a specific community issue or problem. 3(3-0) F,S
SOC 420 Social Inequality
Prerequisite: SOC 150. An analysis of the structure, sources, and consequences of social inequality and the dimensions along which it may be observed. 3(3-0) S
SOC 425 Advanced Sociological Theory
Prerequisite: SOC 325. This course provides an in-depth analysis of a particular theorist, e.g. Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, W.E.B. DuBois, Jane Addams; or theoretical orientation, e.g. symbolic interactionism, critical theory, dependency theory. 3(3-0) D
SOC 456 Food in Society
Prerequisite: 9 hours of Sociology and permission of instructor. This course examines how procuring food impacts societal organization and is a catalyst for social change. The basic premise of this course is that understanding how a society feeds itself will reveal many sociological insights such as the distribution of wealth and power and the health of individuals and communities. 3(3-0) D
SOC 470 Practicum in Applied Sociological Research
Prerequisite: SOC 301, SOC 302, SOC 325 and permission of instructor. Group experience in designing and carrying out an applied community research project. Variable content course. 3(2-4) D
SOC 485 Society and the Future
A critical analysis of post-industrial societies. Specific attention will be given to changes in institutional spheres and what these trends may indicate for post-industrial societies like the United States. 3(3-0) F
SOC 492 Program Assessment and Career Preparation
Prerequisite: senior standing and permission of instructor. All students majoring in Sociology are required to enroll in this course during their senior year. The focus is on program assessment rather than on individual student evaluation, and on career preparation for upcoming graduates. Students will complete several program-specific assessments of learning outcomes, and they will receive information to help them prepare for the job market or graduate school. Graded Pass/Not Pass only. 0 F,S
SOC 497 Special Topics
Prerequisite: 9 hours sociology and permission of instructor. Selected topics in substantive areas in sociology such as theory, methodology, social organization, social psychology, demography, criminology and family. Offered when resources and demand allow. May be repeated to a total of 6 hours when topic changes. Variable content course. 1-3 D
SOC 499 Internship in Applied Sociology
Prerequisite: 18 hours in Sociology and permission of instructor. Supervised work experience in business, industry, governmental, institutional and/or agency settings where sociological skills are utilized. One credit hour for each 45 clock hours on the job. No more than 3 hours internship credit may be applied to the Sociology major. 1-6 D
SOC 596 Directed Readings in Sociology
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Readings designed to supplement material introduced in previous Sociology courses. Includes a wide selection from literature in the field. May be repeated to a total of 9 hours, but no more than 6 hours may be applied to the sociology major. May be taught concurrently with SOC 697. Cannot receive credit for both SOC 697 and SOC 596. 1-3 D
SOC 599 Sociological Research
Prerequisite: SOC 150 and SOC 301 and SOC 302 and SOC 325 and permission of instructor. Independent and/or group work in research methodology, data manipulation and presentation in selected fields of sociology. May be repeated to total of 9 hours. 1-3 D
SOC 697 Directed Readings in Sociology
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Readings designed to supplement material introduced in previous Sociology courses. Includes a wide selection from literature in the field. May be repeated to a total of 9 hours, but no more than 6 hours may be applied to the sociology major. May be taught concurrently with SOC 596. Cannot receive credit for both SOC 596 and SOC 697. 1-3 D
