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Courses - SOC Upper Division

317. Problems in International Social Conflict (3)

Prerequisites: GE Foundation, one Explorations course, and upper division standing.
Interdisciplinary analysis of social conflict in the world. Topics may include ethnocentrism; nationalism; globalization; trade; aid; economic development; poverty; inequality; the environment; war; ideological, ethnic, gender, and religious conflict; democratization; social movements; new forms of civil society and social solidarity.
Letter grade only (A-F). Same course as I/ST 317. Not open for credit to students with credit in I/ST 317.

318. Cases in International Social Conflict (3)

Prerequisites: GE Foundation, one Explorations course, and upper division standing.
Interdisciplinary analysis of social conflict in the world. Case studies will focus on globalization; technology; economic development; trade and aid; population growth; immigration; ideological, religious, ethnic and gender conflicts; war and civil unrest; human rights; democratization; global citizenship; environmental sustainability.
Letter grade only (A-F). Same course as I/ST 318. Not open for credit to students with credit in I/ST 318.

320. The Family (3)

Prerequisite: SOC 100 or consent of instructor.
Sociological study of the social forces that shape the family in various cultures. Key theories and research methods used by sociologists to study family dynamics and change will be reviewed.

325. Sociology of Gender (3)

A sociological analysis of the social, political and economic status of women. Examines the history of women's roles and status; gender conflicts and social movements; and societal attitudes towards women in society.
Same course as WGSS 325. Not open for credit to students with credit in WGSS 325 or W/ST 325.

335. Social Psychology (3)

Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirements, one or more Explorations courses, and upper-division standing.
Examines the origins and development of the self through the socialization process. Emphasis is on the social influence of small groups (family, peers, reference groups and subcultures) and societal organization and institutions on identity, role behavior and attitudes.

340. The Latino Population in the United States (3)

Prerequisite: GE Foundation requirements.
Survey of the comparative historical, transnational, cultural and socio-economic experience (including class, gender, immigration and settlement patterns) of the various Latino sub-groups in the United States.
Letter grade only (A-F). Same course as CHLS 350. Not open for credit to students with credit in CHLS 350.

341. Central American and Caribbean Peoples in California (3)

Survey of the socioeconomic conditions and cultural life of the Central American and Spanish-speaking Caribbean communities in California, such as Salvadoran, Guatemalan, Puerto Rican, and Cuban communities. Similarities and differences with the Mexican-American community will be examined.
Same course as CHLS 352. Not open for credit to students with credit in CHLS 352.

342. Criminology (3)

Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirements, one or more Exploration courses, and upper-division standing.
Study of crime from a sociological perspective and the emerging interdisciplinary approaches to crime. Topics include definitions and measurement of crime, types of crime and crime statistics, and social policy issues involving the criminal justice system and crime prevention.
Not open for credit to students with credit in SOC 441.

345. Juvenile Delinquency (3)

Study of juvenile delinquency from a sociological perspective. Topics include a historical examination of delinquency, major theories of delinquency, the social context of delinquency, the societal reaction, social policies involving the juvenile justice system and youth related social problems.

346. Race, Gender and Class (3)

Prerequisite: GE Foundation requirements.
Sociological examination of race/ethnicity, gender and class in the U.S. Examines the affect of ideology, social interactions and social institutions on the creation and maintenance of racial, gender and class inequality.

350. International Population Problems (3)

Prerequisite: GE Foundation requirements.
Overview of the basic demographic variables (fertility, mortality and migration) and methods (vital statistics and census) to the study of international population problems. Examines the historical and current trends and problems in world population composition, growth and movement.

354. Qualitative Methods of Social Research (4)

Prerequisites: SOC 100, SOC 170, and one upper division course in sociology.
Review and critique of principles and essential features of classical and contemporary qualitative studies. Topics include research design, modes of participant observation, sampling and interview techniques, analysis and interpretation of data. Field assignments and individual research projects are required.
(Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 2 hours.)

355. Quantitative Methods of Social Research (4)

Prerequisites: SOC 100, SOC 170 and one upper division course in sociology.
Review of social research methods with emphasis on research design, including operationalization, measurement, scaling, reliability, validity and sampling; techniques of data collection and analysis. Individual student research projects are required.
(Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 2 hours) Letter grade only (A-F).

356. Classical Sociological Theory (3)

Prerequisite: SOC 100.
Social thought and historical forces leading to the emergence of sociology and an exploration of classical theories into the 1930s including such thinkers as Marx, Durkheim, Weber, Mead and Merton.

357. Modern Sociological Theory (3)

Prerequisites: SOC 100, SOC 356 and one other upper division course in Sociology.
Critical review of sociological thought from the 1930's to present. Major schools such as functionalism, interactionism, conflict, exchange, and system theory will be covered in depth and considered in relation to the nature of theory construction.
Letter grade only (A-F).

358. The Sociology of Migration and Immigration (3)

Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirements and upper-division standing.
Focuses on historical and contemporary immigration to the United States. Examines causes and consequences of immigration; forces and events that propel migrants to move; patterns of economic adaptation and political incorporation; role of social institutions in immigrant adaptation, and the process by which immigrants become ethnics.
Letter grade only (A-F).

375. Art and Social Action: A Global Perspective (3)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing.
Examines the interconnections among global processes and global social problems from the perspectives of art and sociology. Analyzes historical, geographical, class and status components of these problems, and the role of art to promote social change.
Same course as ART 375. Not open for credit to students with credit in ART 375.

405. Un-Imaging the Middle East (3)

Prerequisites: Completion of GE Foundation requirements; I/ST 200, SOC 100, or consent of instructor. Student must have scored 11 or higher on the GWAR Placement Examination or successfully completed the necessary portfolio course that is a prerequisite for a GWAR Writing Intensive Capstone (subject to approval by the General Education Governing Committee (GEGC)).

410. Environmental Sociology (3)

Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirements, one or more Exploration courses, and upper-division standing.
Studies society's relationships with nature, including both cultural and structural dimensions. Integrates anthropological studies of pre-modern societies, together with cultural geography's emphasis on the meanings of place and environmental studies' contributions.
Letter grade only (A-F).

420. Social Stratification (3)

Prerequisite: SOC 100.
Examines sociological approaches and theories of stratification and inequality. Emphasis on how social class affects opportunity structures, income, social mobility and life chances. Analyzes causes and consequences of economic, political and social inequality.

423. Child Abuse and Prevention (3)

Examines child abuse as a social problem; its history and causal factors, including social processes and changing family patterns. Emphasis on social interventions and policy implications, including role of concerned citizens and child advocates.
Not open for credit to students with credit in SW 423.

426 Sociology of Sexualities (3)

Analyzes social context of human sexuality, including effects of socialization, social class and racial, ethnic and gender identities on sexual identities, attitudes and behaviors. Explores the impact of public institutional arrangements such as capitalism and globalization on individual sexualities.

427. Social Order and Social Change (3)

Prerequisite: SOC 100 and upper division standing.
Sociological analysis of social order and change from a historical and contemporary perspective. Emphasizes interactions between social movements, politics, economics and culture in explaining differential patterns of change.

430. Sociology of Globalization (3)

Prerequisites: SOC 100 and upper division standing.
Sociological examination of globalization. Themes include emergence of global order, ideology and power; democracy; capital and labor mobility; technology; environment; inequality; culture; reactions to globalization.
Course may include a service learning component. Letter grade only (A-F).

436. Racism, Power, and Inequality (3)

Prerequisites: SOC 100 or SOC 142 or consent of instructor
Examines the origins, character, maintenance, and consequences of race, racism, power, and inequality in the United States. It also analyzes the tensions and conflicts behind the social, political, cultural, and institutional manifestations of racial oppression and white privilege.
Letter grade only (A-F).

440. Sociology of Deviance (3)

Prerequisite: SOC 100.
Study of deviance from sociological perspective. Focuses on role of social institutions that define, shape and maintain definitions and perceptions of deviance. Topics include theories of deviance, including micro-level processes that shape behaviors and attitudes.
(Lecture 3 hours.)

447. Sociology of Popular Culture (3)

Prerequisite: SOC 100 or consent of instructor
Applies sociological theories to the study of popular culture. Examines cultural forms of mass-mediated entertainment and self-expression and applies critical and analytical tools to understand complexity and influence of popular culture within American social life, community and identity.
Letter grade only (A-F).

449. Sociology of Human Rights and Social Justice (3)

Prerequisite: GE Foundation requirements.
Contributions of sociology to the study of human rights and social justice, including analyses of power, institutions, cultural practices, social movements and the social context of action, the social construction of rights, and the impact of neoliberalism on well-being.
Letter grade only (A-F).

460. Poverty and Public Policy (3)

Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 142 and upper division standing. Students must have scored 11 or higher on the GWAR Placement Examination or successfully completed the necessary portfolio course that is a prerequisite for a GWAR Writing Intensive Capstone.
Examines poverty in the United States and the role of social policies in creating, perpetuating, and alleviating it.
Letter grade only (A-F).

462. Sociology of Health and Medicine (3)

Prerequisite: GE Foundation requirements.
Epidemiological and sociological approaches to health and illness; patterns of physical and mental disease; patient and physician perspectives; causes of stress and coping; health care delivery and utilization; interaction of physician, nurse, therapist, health administrator, social worker, patient, and family.

463. Mental Health and Society (3)

Prerequisite: SOC 100.
Epidemiological and sociological approaches to mental health and illness; prevalence and incidence of mental disorders; effects of family history, work experience and life-change events; social and legal status of the mental patient; governmental and organizational role in mental illness.

464. Aging and Society (3)

Prerequisites: SOC 100 or SOC 142.
Examines the impact of the aging population upon society and the effects of the socially defined experience of aging upon the individual. Analysis of the relationship between age and such variables as gender, race/ethnicity, class, marital and health status.

466. AIDS and Society (3)

Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirements. Recommended: BIOL 100 or BIOL 101 or BIOL 200 or MICR 101 or BIOL 300 or MICR 300.
Examines behavioral aspects and societal impact of the AIDS epidemic. Covers structural barriers such as poverty, sexism, and racism in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. Examines sexual identities, gender, race, culture and class. Emphasizes gender roles and gender power relations.
Letter grade only (A-F).

475. Religion and Social Change (3)

Prerequisites: SOC 100 or consent of instructor.
Advanced course in sociology explores the role of religion in large scale societal change, as well as social change within institutions of religion. Topics include the role of religion in social activism using conceptual frameworks from the sociology of religion and social movements.
Lecture/Discussion. Letter grade only (A-F).

487H. Selected Topics - Honors (3)

Prerequisite: SOC 356 and admission to Sociology Honors Program or consent of the instructor.
Contemporary sociological topic, chosen by instructor. Covers topic's emergence, growth, relevant studies, debates, conclusions, and remaining questions. Students investigate one idea using recognized sociological research methods, and present research projects to each other for feedback and critique.
Letter grade only (A-F). May be repeated to a maximum of 12 units, with different topics in different semesters. Topics announced in the Schedule of Classes.

488H. Honors Research Seminar (3)

Prerequisites: SOC 355 and admission to the Sociology Honors Program or consent of instructor.
Foundational research processes for Honors Thesis. Includes literature review, hypothesis formulation and/or guiding ideas, and data collection. Group discussion of readings in social science research strategies, writing techniques, ethics, publication and related issues
Letter grade only (A-F).

489H. Honors Thesis (3)

Prerequisites: SOC 356, SOC 488H and admission to the Sociology Honors Program or consent of instructor.
Continuation of independent student research project begun in SOC 488H, Honors Research. Students meet periodically with their thesis advisor and with other honors students to discuss their work and will present their completed research in a public forum.

Letter grade only (A-F).

490. Selected Topics in Sociology (1-3)
Topics of special interest in sociology selected for intensive study.
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units with different topics. Topics announced in the Schedule of Classes.

492. Selected Topics in Interaction and Group Relations (3)

Topics of special interest in Interaction and Group Relations selected for intensive study.
Letter grade only (A-F). May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units with different topics. Topics announced in the Schedule of Classes. (Discussion)

493. Selected Topics in Medical Sociology (3)

Topics of special interest in Medical Sociology selected for intensive study.
Letter grade only (A-F). May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units with different topics. Topics announced in the Schedule of Classes. (Discussion)

494. Selected Topics in Social Change and Global Issues (3)

Topics of special interest in Social Change and Global Issues selected for intensive study.
Letter grade only (A-F). May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units with different topics. Topics announced in the Schedule of Classes. (Discussion)

495. Internship (1-4)

Prerequisites: SOC 100, SOC 142, SOC 335, junior or senior standing, consent of instructor.
Supervised field experience in public and private agencies allowing students to relate sociological principles to community situations. Designed to provide career-related work experience in both research and applied fields. 1-4 units depending on field assignment and time required.
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units. (6-10 hours per week field experience.)

496. Field Practicum (1-3)

Prerequisites: SOC 495.
Continuation of SOC 495. Permits students who continue working at a community agency to conduct special projects for that agency. Includes class meetings to discuss student projects, papers and evaluation activities for the agency. 1-3 units depending on field assignment.
May be repeated to a maximum of 4 units.

497. Peer Facilitation in Sociology (3)

Prerequisites: A grade of at least a "B" earned in at least one upper division course related to the peer facilitation activity and consent of instructor.
Conducting optional discussion sections, assisting an instructor in class exercises, projects or small group discussions, or tutoring individual students. Peer facilitation activities will be guided by meetings with the supervising faculty member and supplemented by reading and writing assignments.
Letter grade only (A-F). May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units.

499./599. Directed Studies (1-3)

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Independent study of special topics under faculty supervision.
May be repeated to a maximum of 4 units. In exceptional cases, may be repeated to a maximum of 6 units with consent of department.


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