Sociology (SOC)

Orientation to the sociology major and tools for academic success. Introduction to requirements of the major, available university resources, strategies for academic success, and future career options in sociology and related fields. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 1 lecture.

Introduction to sociological theory and methods, emphasizing a comparative analysis of social institutions of contemporary societies in major world regions, including the family, politics, and the economy. Direct comparisons made between United States social institutions and those of other societies. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 4 lectures. Fulfills GE Area D2 (GE Area D2 or GE Area D3 for students on the 2019-20 or earlier catalogs).

An introduction to sociology with an emphasis on problems inherent in selected social institutions. Instruction in social analysis, including theories of social problems, how those problems are studied, and a survey of possible solutions. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 4 lectures.

Individual investigation, research, studies, or surveys of selected problems. Total credit limited to 8 units, with a maximum of 4 units per quarter.

Exploration of U.S. ethnic minorities' experiences and related contemporary issues. Sources and manifestations of economic and social discrimination patterns and how they affect individual and group life chances. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 4 lectures. Replaces SOC 316. Fulfills USCP.

Sociological perspectives on the historical development of the world system and why global inequality exists and is perpetuated within and between countries. Critical comparison of the political economy of nations with an emphasis on the Global South. Course may be offered classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 4 lectures. Fulfills GE Area D2 (GE Area D2 or GE Area D3 for students on the 2019-20 or earlier catalogs).

Overview of classical sociological theory. How foundational sociologists developed and delimited the field of sociology. Practice in application of classical social theory in relation to different aspects of social life. Examination of basic assumptions and comparison of different perspectives. Replaces SOC 421. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 4 lectures.

Directed group study of selected topics. The Class Schedule will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 8 units. 1 to 4 lectures.

Introduction to the field of social welfare. Development of social work and social welfare services; major issues in social service policy. Scope and diversity of specific programs in the social services. Analysis of current programs and the recipients of welfare services. Field trip may be required. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 4 lectures.

Sociological theory and research on crime, criminality, and victimization in the United States. Critical analysis of crime, including how we define, study, and try to reduce and stop crime in our communities. Classic and contemporary perspectives on punishment, deterrence, and restorative justice are covered. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 4 lectures.

Description and analysis of social movements in contemporary societies as they relate to major revolutionary changes historically and in the present. Analysis of variables producing social movements and political violence, including terrorism. Impact on society. 4 lectures.

Family stages, relationships and strengths. Alternative and diverse forms of families. Courtship, marriage, parenting, launching children and aging. Horizontal stressors (trauma and divorce) vs. vertical stressors (racism and poverty). 4 lectures.

Complex interactions between society and environment. Cultural relationships with nature. Environmental movements, food security, population growth. Local and global inequities regarding consumption, toxins, sea level rise, and natural disasters. Emphasis on environmental justice: race, class, and gender. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 4 lectures.

Analysis of the historical background, structure, and dynamics of the world system; examines such issues as the origins of Third World poverty, colonialism, the changes in the world's dominant economic powers, the fall of communism, the growing economic competition between Europe, North America, and Asia; and possible strategies for the economic development of the Third World. 4 lectures.

Analysis of the interactions relating to the development of self. Examination of the reciprocal interactions between biology, personal environment, and society. 4 lectures.

Analysis of social constructions of sex, genders, and sexualities. Explores how gender stereotypes are created and reproduced. Focus on media representations; intersections of gender, race, class, sexuality; and effects on individuals and structures of work, education, family, and abusive relationships. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format. 4 lectures. Crosslisted as SOC/WGQS 311. Formerly WGS 311.

Diverse structures of unequal relationships among racial and ethnic groups in several countries including the United States. Theories about sources of economic and social discrimination and colonialism. Focus on the concept of ethnicity. Evaluation methods to restructure race and ethnic relations. International case histories. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format. 4 lectures. Fulfills GE Upper-Division D (GE Area D5 for students on the 2019-20 or earlier catalogs).

Critical examination of migration, with emphasis on migration to and within the United States. Social and economic impacts on sending communities, receiving communities, and migrants themselves. Grounded in migration theory. Comparisons between current and historical migration trends and policies. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format. 4 lectures. Fulfills GE Upper-Division D (GE Area D5 for students on the 2019-20 or earlier catalogs); and USCP.

Social class and the distribution of income, wealth, status and power in society, with emphasis on contemporary United States; social mobility; race, gender, and ethnic inequalities; political power and the nature of welfare; the nature, causes and solutions to poverty. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 4 lectures.

Change and continuity of the self through the life course. Impact of aging on the physical, emotional, intellectual and social aspects of well being, and how this knowledge can be applied to enhance the quality of life. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format. 4 lectures. Fulfills GE Upper-Division D (GE Area D5 for students on the 2019-20 or earlier catalogs).

Compares and contrasts social change strategies over time and across diverse social problems, focusing mainly on the U.S., but not exclusively. Theoretical and critical examination of contemporary efforts to address restricted opportunities by groups who have been historically marginalized due to race/ethnicity, lower socioeconomic status, sexuality, or other social identities. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 4 lectures. Fulfills GE Upper-Division D (GE Area D5 for students on the 2019-20 or earlier catalogs); and USCP.

Investigation of societies in developing countries, from broad regional trends to community-specific case studies. Gender, race, education, health, aging, families, inequality, and resilience. Readings and films emphasize voices from within the focal communities. 4 lectures. Fulfills GE Upper-Division D (GE Area D5 for students on the 2019-20 or earlier catalogs).

Qualitative data collection for social research. The relationship among theory research and hypothesis testing. Data collection techniques: content analysis, face to face interviews, and ethnographic methods. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 3 lectures, 1 activity.

The basics of how to do quantitative social research. Includes topics on data collection techniques such as surveys, experiments, and the use of existing data. Also includes topics on univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis and the use of SPSS for data analysis. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Religion from a sociological perspective. Topics may include the nature of religious experience, the role of religion in politics, economics, and social change, and the role that social forces have in influencing religious beliefs and practices. 4 lectures. Fulfills GE Upper-Division D (GE Area D5 for students on the 2019-20 or earlier catalogs).

Bureaucracies and informal organizations from a sociological perspective. Organizational networks within and between organizations, relationship between organizations and their environment, and organizational socialization and career patterns, and gender and race or ethnic differences in organizational patterns. 4 lectures.

Individual investigation, research, studies, or surveys of selected problems. Total credit limited to 8 units, with a maximum of 4 units per quarter.

Criminal behavior of individuals and groups, including intimate partner violence, sexual violence, gun violence, police violence, white-collar criminality, hate crimes, and state violence. Intersectional examination of theories of causation, sources of data, and policing, punishment, and rehabilitation practices. 4 lectures.

Sociological examination of juvenile delinquency as a social and legal concept, covering the nature, volume and social distribution of juvenile crime; the formal structure of juvenile justice; and how justice for juveniles is applied in practice. Field trip may be required. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 4 lectures.

A sociological perspective of contemporary crime and criminal justice issues, such as racial profiling, drug enforcement, and mass incarceration. Incorporates criminological theory to examine the nature, function, and causes of crime in society. Focuses on the control and treatment strategies of adult offenders. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 4 lectures.

Introduction to social work counseling/casework. Bio-psychological-social/strengths perspective: theories, skills, values, clinical knowledge. Possible career paths/agency settings. Traditional and innovative therapy techniques. Field trip may be required. 4 seminars.

Practical skills for interviewing, assessing and counseling clients. Hands-on practice and role play. Techniques to establish rapport, evaluate mental status and develop appropriate goals. Required documentation standards in social work agencies. Useful skill sets for medical or research interviewing. 4 seminars.

Extent, causes, and intersectional nature of workplace gender inequality. Strategies aimed at creating more egalitarian organizations. Topics include job segregation, tokenism, sexual harassment, work/family balance, gendered jobs, inequality regimes, personnel policies, workplace democracy, and social/labor movement activism. 4 lectures. Crosslisted as SOC/WGQS 423. Fulfills USCP. Formerly WGS 423.

Introduction to demography, emphasizing historical patterns and impacts of population change. Is population a problem? Topics include fertility, mortality, the demographic transition, food security, environmental degradation, population control, population aging, intergenerational transfers, and migration. 4 lectures.

Provides a sociological examination of health and illness. Includes an introduction to sociological theories related to health, illness, and medicine. Focuses on how race, class, and gender influence illness experiences, health care, and health social movements. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 4 lectures.

Supervised training, research, and work in public and private organizations. Credit/No Credit grading only. Total credit limited to 12 units.

Compares and contrasts perspectives on the criminal justice system in dialogue with inmates. Examination of the social construction of deviance and inequality in the life course that may lead to incarceration. 3 lectures, 1 activity.

Selection and completion of a project under faculty supervision. Projects typical of problems which graduates must solve in their fields of employment. Project results are presented in a formal report. Minimum 120 hours total time.

Selection and completion of a project under faculty supervision. Projects typical of problems which graduates must solve in their fields of employment. Project results are presented in a formal report. Minimum 120 hours total time.

Preparation for professional advancement in the field of Sociology. Supervised career planning emphasizing resume development, selection of an internship or international experience, exploration of career options and graduate programs. Lectures from outside, practicing professionals. Credit/No Credit grading only. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 1 lecture.

Directed group study of selected topics for advanced students. Open to undergraduate and graduate students. The Class Schedule will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 8 units. 1 to 4 lectures.