Course Descriptions: SOC

Soc112 Introduction to Social Welfare 3 hours

Studies how the United States social welfare system responds to various social problems. Covers the history of social welfare, the influences of values on social welfare and social welfare professions such as social work and child care.

Soc122 Religions of the World 3 hours

Surveys major world religions—their origins, beliefs and contemporary practices. Includes study of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. Studies the relationships and interactions between religions and the cultures in which they are practiced. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. An Intercultural Competence general education course.

Soc123 Urban Life and Culture 3 hours

Provides students with the theory and practice of interpreting the complex social context of urban landscapes. Designed to increase appreciation for, and understanding of, city life with a focus on the urban experience of African Americans, Asian Americans and Latino/a Americans. Engagement in city life comes through daily visits to local organizations and churches reflecting the experience of the selected cultural group, supplemented with visits to museums, cultural events and more.

Soc201 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 hours

Provides a beginning understanding of crime and criminal justice in the United States. Uses an interdisciplinary approach that blends a strong liberal arts educational experience with pre-professional instruction in the field of criminal justice. Introduces a variety of legal, policy making and law enforcement fields. Offered alternate years.

Soc202 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 3 hours

Introduces students to various past and present cultures throughout the world as well as basic anthropological concepts such as kinship, economics, art, religion and government. Related subjects such as physical anthropology, archaeology and linguistics are introduced. A Knowledge general education course.

Soc203 Introduction to Sociology 3 hours

Introduces students to the study of human society through exploration of basic sociological concepts, perspectives and applications. Using the social conflict theory to understand how social forces shape societal processes, this course examines a wide range of topics such as: social interaction, culture, social inequality, social order and social change to demonstrate how sociologists view and interpret the social world. A Knowledge general education course.

Soc207 Sociology of Families 3 hours

Explores the concept of family from a sociological research and systems perspective. Topics include foundations of marriage and family, intimate relationships, family life and inequalities, and challenges in families. Recommended for social work, sociology, early childhood, psychology majors and persons interested in the subject matter. An Intercultural Competence general education course.

Soc211 Conflict Resolution 1 hour

Explores an extensive method of conflict resolution that can be applied to such settings as the legal system, business, churches, schools, families and disaster scenarios. Students will identify their own conflict style. This course has applications for all students no matter their field of study.

Soc215 Social Diversity 3 hours

Explores social diversity from macro and micro perspectives. Types of diversity analyzed include race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, social class, religion, age groups/generations and ableism. Examines the influences of social reality, social structure and social construction as related to social diversity. Makes inquiry in terms of how individuals carry various degrees of privilege or penalty depending on their place in society. Examines diversity in terms of the beauty it provides and the institutional and personal problems that accompany it. Offered alternate years. An Intercultural Competence general education course.

Soc320 Social Psychology 3 hours

Same as PSY 320. See course description listed under Psychology.