Sociology

B.A. Degree — Sociology Major

In addition to the general education requirements and support courses, majors in Sociology must complete 19 semester hours in the Sociology core as described below and 15 semester hours of sociology electives.

Sociology Core Courses 19 s.h.

SOCI1300 Introduction to Sociology 3 s.h.

SOCI2310 Social Problems 3 s.h.

SOCI3330 Social Inequality 3 s.h.

SOCI4350 Sociological Theory 3 s.h.

SOCI/SOSC3610 Social Research I 3 s.h.

SOCI/SOSC3620 Social Research II 2 s.h.

SOCI4800 Sociology Seminar 2 s.h.

All Sociology majors must also take the following support course:

MATH1380 Introduction to Statistics 3 s.h.

Sociology Electives 15 s.h.

(9 s.h. must be upper division)

A minimum of 19 s.h. of upper division courses in the major must be taken in residence.

Sociology Minor

A minor in Sociology consists of 18 semester hours or more in Sociology including SOCI1300, SOCI4350, SOCI/SOSC3610, and SOCI/SOSC3620. (Psychology majors may substitute PSYC3320 and PSYC4340 for SOCI/SOSC3610 and SOCI/SOSC3620.)

Teacher Certification in Sociology

ONLY FOR NON-SOCIOLOGY MAJORS WHO WANT A SECONDARY SOCIOLOGY ENDORSEMENT (5-12). Non-Sociology majors desiring a secondary Sociology endorsement (5-12) in Iowa must complete the Secondary Education Program (with SOSC3390 Methods of Teaching Social Studies as the appropriate methods course), a major in a secondary teaching field, and 24 s.h. in Sociology or 30 s.h. in the broad area of Social Sciences to include 15 s.h. in Sociology.

Courses in Sociology

SOCI1300 Introduction to Sociology 3 s.h.
Introduction to the perspective of sociology, its basic concepts and principles and an overview of the field. Includes study of social classes, sex roles, crime and deviance, socialization, social movements and others. Goal 2d (Goal 2C Catalog 0809+)

+ SOCI1350 Cultural Anthropology 3 s.h.
Survey and analysis of diverse cultural patterns. Goal 2d, 7 (Goal 2C Catalog 0809+)

SOCI2000 Individual Study Goal 2d 1-3 s.h.

+ SOCI2300 Introduction to Social Welfare and Human Services 3 s.h.
An examination of society’s commitment to solving social problems in order to improve the welfare of individuals, groups, and communities. The students examine the organized system of social services and social institutions in the United States. Students are exposed to the systems approach used to analyze social problems and social welfare issues. Prerequisites: SOCI1300 (grade of C or better). Goal 2d

SOCI2310 Social Problems 3 s.h.
Exploration and analysis of contemporary social problems from a sociological perspective. Includes topics such as poverty, inequality, discrimination, crime, drug abuse, and environmental problems. Goal 2d

SOCI2320 Courtship, Marriage and Family 3 s.h.
Sociological study of the family institution. Topics include dating, marital roles and interaction patterns, socialization, divorce, and others. Goal 2d

SOCI2400 Introduction to Criminal Justice (Also POLS2400) 3 s.h.
A survey of the structure and process of the criminal justice system, including the study of law enforcement, criminal courts, and correctional agencies. Goal 2c

SOCI2500 Criminology 3 s.h.
Study of the nature, extent and causes of crime, and the analysis of various types of crimes. Goal 2d

SOCI3000 Individual Study Goal 2d 1-3 s.h.

+ SOCI3210 Conflict Resolution (Also COMM/PEAC3210) 3 s.h.
Focuses on the causes and resolution of conflict at the micro level (family, school, community, church, interpersonal, etc.). Goal 1a, 2d, 4 (Goal 1A Catalog 0809+)

+ SOCI3300 Corrections in America 3 s.h.
Includes the study of theories of punishment and approaches to corrections; the evolution, organization and operation of the correctional system; and corrections issues and policy questions. Prerequisite: SOCI2400 (grade of C or better).

SOCI3310 Social Psychology (Also PSYC3310) 3 s.h.
The study of how people think, feel, and behave in social situations. Attention given to research and application to social perception, interaction, and influence. Prerequisite: SOCI1300 or PSYC1300 (grade of C or better). Goal 2d (Goal 2C Catalog 0809+)

+ SOCI3320 Sociology of Everyday Life 3 s.h.
A survey of theories of sociological social psychology and social interaction with special attention given to research on principles of interpersonal relations in social situations, group formation and behavior, and the relationship of the individual to society. Prerequisite: SOCI1300 and PSYC1300 (grade of C or better). Goal 2d

SOCI3330 Social Inequality 3 s.h.
Examines the intersection of race, ethnicity, class, gender, and other minority statuses and the relationships to personal identity and social structure. Helps to develop an awareness and understanding of diverse values, life-styles, beliefs, and attitudes of various racial, cultural, and ethnic minorities. Focuses on the social, legal, economic, and political aspects of prejudice and discrimination on socially disadvantaged groups. Goal 2d

SOCI3350 Topics in Anthropology 1-3 s.h.
An in-depth study of topics from one or more fields of anthropology. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Prerequisite: SOCI1350 (grade of C or better). Goal 2d

+ SOCI3360 Law and Society 3 s.h.
The legal system is studied in terms of the activities in creating, interpreting, and enforcing the rules that make up the system. The primary concern is with the ways in which the legal system both effects and reflects society and its culture and social structure rather than being seen as an isolated set of rules and procedures. Prerequisite: SOCI1300 (grade of C or better). Goal 2d (Goal 10 Catalog 0809+)

+ SOCI3400 Policing in American Society 3 s.h.
History, functions, and organization of law enforcement, including study of internal operation, legal restraints, jurisdictional problems, and community relations. Prerequisite: POLS/SOCI2400 (grade of C or better).

+ SOCI3430 Methods and Ethics of Social Work Practice 3 s.h.
An introduction to the knowledge, values, and skills required of the beginning social worker. Special emphasis on methods of intervention to promote change within individuals, families, small groups, and communities. Prerequisite: SOCI2300 (grade of C or better). Goal 2d (Goal 5 Catalog 0809+)(Goal 3E Catalog 0910+)

+ SOCI3520 Juvenile Delinquency 3 s.h.
An examination of the social dimension of juvenile delinquency, its nature, extent and patterns. Evaluation of theories and causal explanations of delinquency and investigation of delinquent subcultures. Some attention to legal processing and treatment programs for young offenders. Prerequisite: SOCI1300 (grade of C or better). Goal 2d

+ SOCI3530 Sociology of Deviance 3 s.h.
A presentation, evaluation, and integration of sociological theories of deviance. Focus on the social processes producing and maintaining deviance. Consideration is given to a variety of deviant expressions. Prerequisite: SOCI1300 (grade of C or better). Goal 2d

SOCI3900 Advanced Topics in Sociology 1-3 s.h.
Study of topics from one or more fields of sociology, including Collective Behavior, Aging and Society, Social Change, and others. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Prerequisite: SOCI1300 (grade of C or better). Goal 2d

SOCI4000 Individual Study Goal 2d 1-3 s.h.

SOCI4350 Sociological Theory 3 s.h.
A survey of sociological thought with particular emphasis on classical thinkers. These formulations will be used to gain a greater understanding of the theorizing process and of contemporary society. Prerequisite: SOCI1300 (grade of C or better) and senior standing. Goal 2d

SOCI3610 Social Research I (Also SOSC3610) 3 s.h.
A survey of the principles and practice of social research, including data analysis, research ethics, and the design and implementation of surveys, experiments, and field studies. Students design their own research projects. Prerequisite: MATH1380 (grade of C or better). Goal 2d, 4c1

SOCI3620 Social Research II (Also SOSC3620) 2 s.h.
Students carry out an empirical research project and write a research paper. Prerequisite: SOCI/SOSC3610 (grade of C or better). Goal 2d, 4c1

SOCI4700 Sociology Internship 3-6 s.h.
An intensive internship program in selected corporations, agencies, and organizations. Placements will be supervised by the sociology faculty and developed in conjunction with the interests of the student. (Graded on a Pass/Fail basis.) Prerequisites: SOCI1300 (grade of C or better) and a major in Sociology with junior/senior status. Goal 2d

SOCI4800 Sociology Seminar 2 s.h.
Discussion of current and perennial issues in the field of sociology. Emphasis on reflective and critical thought, application of sociology to life and career. Capstone course. Prerequisites: SOCI4450 (grade of C or better) and Sociology major. Goal 2d