Sociology current courses
See Course Description in Catalog
FALL 2024 COURSES
100-01 Introduction to Sociology
Nicole Brown T/TH 9:50-11:30 am 4 Units
Sociological theory, methods and the sociological perspective are studied. This perspective enables students to see how the self, human behavior and attitudes are shaped by social structures and institutions, e.g, social class, popular culture and the family. The social world is re-examined (social rules, deviance, gender, inequality, the economy, etc.) This course fulfills the Core Curriculum requirement for Social Science.
204-01 Social Problems
Robert Bulman M/W 9:15-10:30 am 3 Units
This course will introduce students to the study of social problems in American Society. A sociological approach is as much about how and why we collectively view certain things in society as “problems” as much as it is an investigation into the social harm done by these social phenomena. We are interested in the objective harms of such social problems as homelessness, and we want to learn what we can do to reduce these harms. But we are just as curious to understand how these “problems” are collectively defined, subjectively understood, culturally framed, and debated in the public square . This course fulfills the Core Curriculum requirement for Social Science and Identity, Power and Equity in the USA.
301-01 SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION
Ynez Wilson Hirst T/TH 8:00- 9:40 am 4 Units
This course will reinforce and expand upon many of the concepts you have been introduced to in Introduction to Sociology and Social Problems. In this course we will explore the basic theoretical perspectives within sociology, the use of theory in sociological research, the logic of sociological research and an introduction to a variety of methodological approaches used by sociologists. This course will provide students with a solid base of knowledge which will serve them well in other upper division sociology courses, the Sociological Theory and Sociological Research Methods courses in particular. It is suggested that students have sophomore standing to take this course. This course fulfills the Core Curriculum requirement for Writing in the Discipline.
307-01 Whiteness
Ynez Wilson Hirst T/TH 9:50-11:30 am 4 Units
There is an underlying assumption to society’s understanding of race and race relations that only minorities or people of color have a racial identity; and that whites are the “norm”, the referent, the majority, and the mainstream, not members of a racial group. In this course, we will investigate the sociohistorical and cultural constructions of race through an exploration of whiteness. We will examine whiteness in relation to race, class, ethnicity and gender. Is “white” a “race”? How did “white” become a racial category? What is whiteness? What is white privilege? This course fulfills the Core Curriculum requirement for Social Science and Identity, Power and Equity in the USA.
335-01 Special Topics: Sociology of Film
Robert Bulman M/W 10:40-11:55 am 3 Units Movies are big business, and they are art. But that is not all they are. They are, in a sense, modern day folktales. They are the mythical stories that we collectively tell ourselves about who we are and what we believe. We watch films, read about them, argue about them, remember or forget them, and compare them to other films and to our own life experiences. Films are more than individual expressions of an artistic vision. Films are more than individual expressions of an artistic vision. They are more than a businessperson’s investment. Films are both shaped by and in turn shape the social world in which they are embedded. Films are social products and must be analyzed as a part of the social world. We will study films as cultural artifacts that reflect something about the larger society in which they exist. Students will complete an ambitious research project that uses film as the primary source of data to reveal something important about our social world.
335-02 Special Topics: Visual Sociology
Robert Bulman M 3:10-4:00 pm 1 Unit
This 0ne credit class will introduce students to how sociology can use visual images to learn something important about the social world. Students are required to have access to a device to take pictures. It may be a camera phone, digital or film camera. We will meet weekly to discuss how to analyze visual images from a sociological perspective and to share our experiences taking photos that reveal social concepts. This course fulfills the Core Curriculum requirement for HSP only.
430-01 SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY
Nicole M. Brown T/TH 11:40-1:20 pm 4 Units
Analysis of the works of major theorists who have influenced sociology. Emphasis on explaining what is essential about particular theoretical frameworks, how they can be used and why they should be studied. It is suggested that students have junior standing to take this course.
SPRING 2024 COURSES
Introduction to Sociology 100-01
Nicole M. Brown 4 Units T/TH 1:30-3:10 p.m.
Take a new look at the social world that surrounds and influences you. How are you, as an individual, shaped by your society? How do your choices, in turn, shape society? Sociology offers a unique outlook on our rapidly changing modern society and culture. You will get a thorough overview in this class of important sociological concepts such as stratification, culture, socialization, status, deviance and institutions (e.g., marriage and family, education, work).
You will learn how to study specific areas of society such as gender, class, race and ethnicity through reading insightful research by sociologists. Students also are challenged to explore controversial ideas relating to inequality and social justice. This course fulfills the Social Sciences requirement of the Core Curriculum.
Social Problems 104-01
Robert Bulman 4 Units T/TH 9:50-11:30 a.m.
This course will introduce students to the study of social problems in American society. A sociological approach to social problems is as much about how and why we collectively view certain things in society as “problems” as much as it is an investigation into the social harm done by these social phenomena. In other words, we are interested in the objective harms of such social problems as homelessness and drug abuse, and we want to learn what we can do to reduce these harms. But we are just as curious to understand how these “problems” are collectively defined, subjectively understood, culturally framed, and debated in the public square. If we don’t fully understand how we socially construct and perceive these “problems” we will not be able to help address real social needs. This course fulfills the Social Sciences requirement of the Core Curriculum.
SOCIOLOGY 135-01
Special Topics: Visual Sociology
Robert Bulman 1 Unit TH 12:05-12:55 p.m.
This one credit class will introduce students to how sociology can use visual images to learn something important about the social world. Students are required to have access to a device to take pictures. It may be a camera phone, digital camera, or film camera. We will meet weekly to discuss how to analyze visual images from a sociological perspective and to share our experiences taking photos that reveal sociological concepts.
SOCIOLOGY 312-1 Race and Ethnicity
Nicole Brown 3 Units T/TH 11:40-12:55PM
In this class, we will examine various racial and ethnic formations, and the social significance of these classifications. We will explore issues such as racial and ethnic identity development, systemic racism, race and technology, and the intersections between race, ethnicity,
and feminism. This course fulfills the Social Sciences, Identity, Power, and Equity in the US requirement of the Core Curriculum.
Global Migration 316-01
Zeynep Atalay 4 Units MW 1:30-3:10 p.m.
This course focuses on the dynamics of contemporary migration and the way it is changing states, societies, politics, identities and individual relationships. Throughout the semester we will analyze the determinants of population movements; patterned character of the migratory process; the ways in which immigration is related to global capitalism; and the role of state actions on the politics of immigration. We will ask: What drives people to leave their homes and to go to unfamiliar places where they may be subject to harsh treatment or even detention and expulsion? What kinds of people are most likely to move? How do migrants choose their destinations? How do they become incorporated into the economic, political, and social systems in the places where they settle? Who determines the conditions and circumstances under which people can leave one place and go to another? How do borders work, and what purpose do borders serve? Why do states welcome certain migrants at certain times and restrict migration at other times? What impact do migrants have on the economies and political systems of sending and receiving societies? And at what point do ‘foreigners’ cease to be foreign? This course fulfills the Social Sciences - Global Issues & Perspective requirement of the Core Curriculum.
328-01 Crime and Delinquency
Robert Bulman 3 Units T/TH 8:25-9:40 a.m.
This course will introduce students to the study of criminology from the perspective of sociology. We will review the ways in which sociologists understand the social construction of social problems. We will then explore many of the competing theories used to explain crime and deviance in American society. Students will analyze the ways in which
differences in social power (based on race, class, and gender) can affect the creation of laws, criminal activity, arrest and punishment, and the perception of deviance in society. This course fulfills the Social Sciences requirement of the Core Curriculum.
432-01 Sociological Research Methods
Ynez Wilson Hirst 4 Units MWF 8:00-9:05 a.m.
How do we know what we know? As sociologists, everything we know about the social world is the result of carefully designed and executed research. We must systematically collect data about the social world in order to understand how the world works and to test our theories about the world. This course is an introduction to how sociologists design research projects, how they collect data, and how they use that data when they construct a sociological argument. Sociologists use many different types of research methods. We will read about, evaluate, and practice a variety of research tools used by sociologists. We will conduct participant observation, in-depth interviews, survey research, and content analysis. Prerequisite 301 or instructor approval. This course fulfills the Engaged Learning requirement of the Core Curriculum.
432 EL Sociological Research Methods
Ynez Wilson Hirst 1 Unit TBA
Concurrent enrollment in 432-01
This course fulfills the Engaged Learning requirement of the Core Curriculum.
Questions- contact Soc. Dept. chair Zeynep Atalay