Sociology Course Descriptions
Below are descriptions of the undergraduate sociology courses offered through the department:
SOC 12050 - INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY (3) Scientific approach to understanding social interaction, institutions and organization. Prerequisite: none. Course Attributes: Diversity Domestic, Kent Core Social Sciences, TAG Social and Behavioral Sciences, Transfer Module Social Sciences
SOC 22100 - SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS (3) Fundamental study of sociological analysis designed to provide awareness of theoretical and methodological concepts necessary in developing sociological perspective. Prerequisite: SOC 12050.
SOC 22570 – UNDERSTANDING DIFFERENCES AND INEQUALITY (3) An introduction to the cultural and structural factors creating and sustaining educational, economic and political inequality by race, ethnicity, gender, class and sexual orientation with an emphasis on issues of poverty and immigration. Prerequisite: None. TAG Social and Behavioral Sciences
SOC 22778 - SOCIAL PROBLEMS (DIVG) (KSS) (3) Contemporary American and global social problems and issues are analyzed from sociological perspectives. Several cases are used to illustrate the emergence, development and decline of problems in social context. Prerequisite: None. Course Attributes: Diversity Global, Kent Core Social Sciences, TAG Social and Behavioral Sciences, Transfer Module Social Sciences
SOC 24011 – INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND FAMILIES (3) (Equivalent to HDFS 24011) Exploration of the sociological nature of families across the lifespan, focusing on structure, diversity and life course processes such as dating, mate selection, cohabitation, marriage, parenthood, divorce, remarriage, singlehood, widowhood, parent-child interactions, sexual orientation, inequality and difference. Prerequisite: None. Course Attributes: TAG Social and Behavioral Sciences
SOC 32005 - CAREER PATHWAYS IN SOCIOLOGY AND CRIMINOLOGY AND JUSTICE STUDIES (3) This course equips students with an understanding of the career pathways available after completing a major or minor in Sociology or Criminology and Justice Studies. Provides students with a broad overview of career paths in SOC and CRIM while also helping students identify opportunities for internships and research while at KSU. Prerequisite: CRIM 12000 or SOC 12050 and major or minor in Sociology or Criminology and Justice Studies; and sophomore standing.
SOC 32096 - INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION IN SOCIOLOGY (1-3) Readings and/or research supervised by member of sociology faculty. Prerequisite: SOC 12050, junior standing and special approval of instructor. Schedule Types: Individual Investigation Repeatable for credit
SOC 32210 - RESEARCHING SOCIETY (ELR) (WIC) (3) Survey of methods and techniques of research; research design and data gathering instruments; qualitative and quantitative analysis. Prerequisite: SOC 12050 and junior standing. Course Attributes: Experiential Learning Requirement, Writing Intensive Course
SOC 32220 - DATA ANALYSIS (3) The use of quantitative methods in the analysis of data from social research. Emphasis on descriptive statistics. Prerequisite: SOC 12050. Corequisite: SOC 32221.
SOC 32221 - DATA ANALYSIS LABORATORY (1) Analysis of sociological data utilizing statistical and electronic data processing tools. Corequisite: SOC 32220.
SOC 32400 - INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY (3) Foundations of social psychology; process of socialization; development of social and personal identities; small group and collective behavior; theories of deviance. Prerequisites: SOC 12050.
SOC 32510 - SOCIOLOGY OF WORK (3) Consideration of world of work across time and cultures with special emphasis on American society. Impact of work on individuals and other social institutions. Prerequisite: SOC 12050. 3.000 Credit hours 3.000 Lecture hours
SOC 32560 - SOCIOLOGY OF FAMILIES (DIVD) (3) Social history of the American family. Examination of how race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, gender and age contribute to variation in the experience and structure of family life in the U.S. Prerequisite: SOC 12050. Course Attributes: Diversity Domestic
SOC 32565 - SOCIOLOGY OF SEXUALITIES (DIVD) (3) Examination of the social production, meaning, and consequences of identities, practices, and inequalities related to sexualities, gender identity and gender expression. Prerequisite: SOC 12050. Course Attributes: Diversity Domestic
SOC 32569 - MINORITIES IN THE UNITED STATES (DIVD) (3) Study of such major American minorities as blacks, American Indians, Spanish-speaking Americans and American Jews. Prerequisite: SOC 12050. Course Attributes: Diversity Domestic
SOC 32570 - INEQUALITY IN SOCIETIES (DIVD) (3) Sociological analysis of stratification and inequality in societies, and the social structures that produce and maintain them. Particular emphasis on the intersections of race, class and gender in American society. Prerequisites: SOC 12050. Course Attributes: Diversity Domestic
SOC 32673 - URBAN SOCIOLOGY (3) Examination of the history and development of urban areas, urban sociological theories and selected topics such as poverty, immigration, race relations and urban planning. Prerequisite: SOC 12050.
SOC 32762 - DEVIANT BEHAVIOR (3) Overview of classical and contemporary theories and perspectives on the nature, causes and societal management of deviant behavior. Application of theories and perspectives to modern and historical social problems, methods of punishment and policy trends in social control. Prerequisites: SOC 12050.
SOC 42010 - DEATH AND DYING (3) Theoretical perspectives and research in human death and dying. Emphasis on applied concerns in medical and helping professions. Topics include social death, death as taboo, medicalization and rationalization of death and dying and disenfranchised grief. Prerequisite: SOC 12050 and junior standing.
SOC 42092 - INTERNSHIP IN SOCIOLOGY (ELR) (3) Application of sociological knowledge in the work setting. Assist professionals in sites including social services hospitals industry and government. Prerequisite: Junior standing; and sociology (SOC) major and 2.500 grade point average and special approval. Repeatable for credit Course Attributes: Experiential Learning Requirement
SOC 42093 - VARIABLE TITLE WORKSHOP IN SOCIOLOGY (1 to 6) Concentrates on professional or disciplinary concerns. Specific content to vary according to needs of client groups. S u/graded. Prerequisite: Permission. Repeatable for credit
SOC 42095 - SPECIAL TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY (3) Offered irregularly when unusual resources and/or opportunities permit. Topic announced when scheduled. Repeatable for a total of 12 hours for majors. Prerequisites: SOC 12050 and junior standing.
SOC 42126 - SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES (3) An examination of classical, modern and postmodern approaches to social theory. Prerequisite: SOC 12050 and junior standing.
SOC 42224 - INTERPRETING SOCIAL DATA (3) Emphasis on organizing, analyzing and interpreting actual sociological research data making use of basic descriptive and inferential statistics and computer programs. Prerequisite: SOC 32210 or SOC 32220; and special approval. Schedule Types: Combined Lecture and Lab
SOC 42315 - SOCIOLOGY OF GENDER (DIVD) (3) An examination of the institutions, institutional linkages and social processes that contribute to change and stability of traditional gender roles and the consequences of changes. Prerequisite: SOC 12050 and junior standing. Course Attributes: Diversity Domestic
SOC 42359 - SOCIAL MOVEMENTS (3) Investigation of various movements for social change. Examines the origins, developmental characteristics and the purposes of classic and contemporary movements. Prerequisite: SOC 12050 and junior standing.
SOC 42400 - SELF AND IDENTITY (3) Examines theories and research on the origin and behavioral consequences of identities, self-concept and self-esteem; also examines the relationships between identities and emotions and between self-concept and mental health. Prerequisite: SOC 12050 and junior standing.
SOC 42421 - CHILDHOOD IN SOCIETY (3) How socio-historical circumstances shape the perception and experience of childhood as a distinct life stage. The process of childhood socialization in Western societies particularly the U.S. An exploration of the distinct role of socializing agents-parents and siblings, school, peers and media. Prerequisite: SOC 12050 and junior standing.
SOC 42478 - ADOLESCENCE IN SOCIETY (3) Consideration of the social, cultural and historical forces that shape the experience of this period of the life cycle. Includes examination of gender, class, and race differences in adolescence the significance of youth movements with an emphasis on music as a dominant expression of youth culture. Prerequisite: SOC 12050 and junior standing.
SOC 42558 - WEALTH, POVERTY AND POWER (3) Sociological examination of economic stratification; focuses on the translation of class into power via politics, education and collective struggle. Prerequisite: SOC 12050 and junior standing.
SOC 42559 - CULTURE AND SOCIETY (3) Overview of the sociological analysis of culture, popular culture and the media. Includes examination of key theoretical perspectives, the production and consumption of culture, culture and inequality, and other current issues in the sociological study of culture. Prerequisites: SOC 12050 and sophomore standing.
SOC 42560 – SOCIOLOGY OF FOOD (3) (Cross-listed with SOC 52560) Food is essential, but like every other aspect of our lives the meaning of food and the experience of its preparation and consumption are socially determined. In this course we’ll explore the social dimensions of food consumption and production. We will consider the following questions and answer them by developing an understanding of sociological concepts and theories: What do our meals reveal about us – about our history, culture, our gender and race and ethnicity, socio-economic status, religious beliefs, and our family life? How does food consumption differ in different societies? How do the media and corporations influence our food choices? What does food mean symbolize and in what ways are these meanings manipulated and why? How is food production carried out in different contexts and what can we learn about the social organization of work from studying food production? How does what we eat contribute to local and global environmental problems? Prerequisite: SOC 12050.
SOC 42561 - SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION (3) Social context of religious ideologies and structures with special reference to religion in America. Prerequisite: SOC 12050 and junior standing.
SOC 42562 - SOCIOLOGY OF MENTAL ILLNESS (3) A sociology of mental health and illness; focuses on how social factors influence and are influenced by mental health status; topics include definition and measurement, social distribution, social control of mental illness, societal reaction and media coverage. Prerequisite: SOC 12050 and junior standing.
SOC 42563 - SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE (3) Sociological analysis of health and illness behavior, utilization of health care professions and the organizational community and societal systems which deal with health and illness. Prerequisite: SOC 12050 and junior standing.
SOC 42564 – BUREAUCRATIC ORGANIZATIONS (3) Analysis of structure and functioning of complex organizations in their cultural context. Prerequisite: SOC 12050 and junior standing.
SOC 42565 - ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIOLOGY (3) (Cross-listed with SOC 52565) Designed to be an elective in the Social Justice and Social Change concentration, Environmental Sociology provides students with an overview of how environmental problems and patterns interact with social systems. The course grounds students in an interdisciplinary range of theories through which environmental problems may be made more visible, and solutions more readily imagined. Topics include the intellectual and activist origins of the Environmental Justice Movement; sustainability and economic development; climate change and population/immigration dynamics; the history of environmental regulatory frameworks and institutions at the local, regional, and global level; and inequalities in the experience and consequence of environmental problems. Students will be encouraged to pair the course with an internship or other volunteer-opportunity with an area environmental, media, or policy-making organization to encourage a Public Sociology orientation for student projects. Prerequisite: SOC 12050 and junior standing.
SOC 42568 - RACE AND ETHNIC STUDIES (DIVD) (3) Sociological principles underlying racial and ethnic relations in the United States; emphasis on social factors of prejudice, discrimination and assimilation affecting all groups. Prerequisite: SOC 12050 and junior standing. Course Attributes: Diversity Domestic
SOC 42575 - FAMILIES IN A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE (DIVG) (3) Cultural variability with respect to courtship, family relationships, child rearing and other patterns in primitive and literate societies. Prerequisite: SOC 12050 and junior standing. Course Attributes: Diversity Global
SOC 42577 - SOCIOLOGY OF FAMILY VIOLENCE (3) Sociological analysis of theories, research and social policy concerning family violence, child abuse and neglect, spouse abuse, elderly abuse, marital rape, sexual abuse of children. Prerequisite: SOC 12050 and junior standing.
SOC 42879 - AGING IN SOCIETY (3) Analysis of demographic, sociological and socio-psychological dimensions of aging. Prerequisite: SOC 12050 and junior standing. Course Attributes: Diversity Course-Domestic
SOC 43200 - SOCIAL STRUCTURE AND INDIVIDUAL LIVES (3) Examines conceptualizations for and evidence concerning the effects of social structure on various dimensions of individual lives. Prerequisite: SOC 12050 and junior standing.