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Sociology

This is an archived copy of the 2011-12 Catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.iastate.edu.
http://www.soc.iastate.edu

Undergraduate Study

Sociology graduates will understand and demonstrate:

  1. general knowledge of sociology
  2. research methods in sociology
  3. critical thinking skills
  4. application of sociology to pressing social issues
  5. sociological and professional values
  6. information technology
  7. communication skills
  8. personal and career development

The department offers course work leading to either a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science in sociology. Additionally, a bachelor of science in Public Service and Administration in Agriculture is offered. The department offers course work for the Interdisciplinary Studies major in Criminology and Criminal Justice and a minor in Criminal Justice Studies. Programs of study in sociology offered in both the College of Agriculture and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are outlined in this section. For the undergraduate curriculum in Liberal Arts and Sciences, with a major in sociology leading to the degrees of bachelor of arts and bachelor of science, see Liberal Arts and Sciences, Curricula. For the undergraduate curriculum in agriculture, with major in public service and administration in agriculture, leading to the degree bachelor of science, see Agriculture, Curriculum in Public Service and Administration in Agriculture. For the undergraduate curriculum in Liberal Arts and Sciences, with a minor in criminal justice studies, see Liberal Arts and Sciences, Curriculum.

Graduates understand how social institutions, communities, and organizations work and change; they can examine the causes and consequences of conformity, deviance, and inequality. They can apply sociological understanding of human behavior to practical work situations and everyday life. Graduates can read critically, think independently, and communicate effectively about social issues and social policy.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences—Sociology

A major in sociology can serve as a liberal arts education; as preparation for various positions in social service and related occupations in business and industry; as background for professional education in such areas as law and theology or as a basis for graduate professional training as a sociologist in academic, government, business, and industrial settings.

Departmental requirements for sociology majors include the following supporting course:

PHIL 230Moral Theory and Practice3
One upper level PHIL course
One of the following
Business Communication
Report and Proposal Writing
Technical Communication
STAT 101Principles of Statistics4
or STAT 104 Introduction to Statistics
At least 3 additional credits with a Mathematics designator3

A program of study that meets the needs and interests of the student and department requirements will be developed in consultation with the major adviser. Programs of study will include

SOC 115Orientation to SociologyR
SOC 130Rural Institutions and Organizations3
or SOC 134 Introduction to Sociology
SOC 202Introduction to Research Methods3
3 credits from the following3
Community
Sociology of Work
Complex Organizations
Advanced Research Methods
Social Psychology: A Sociological Perspective
3 credits from the following3
Sex and Gender in Society
Ethnic and Race Relations
Social Class and Inequality
The Latino/Latina Experience in U.S. Society
Contemporary Sociological Theories
9 credits of upper level electives

Majors must receive grades of C or better in ENGL 150 Critical Thinking and Communication and ENGL 250 Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition, and a grade of C or better in either ENGL 302 Business Communication or ENGL 309 Report and Proposal Writing or ENGL 314 Technical Communication. Programs leading to a bachelor of arts degree will emphasize additional coursework in groups I, II and IV of the general education requirements. Programs leading to a bachelor of science degree will emphasize additional coursework in groups III and IV of the general education requirements. Some of the possible fields of concentration are criminal justice systems, community (urban and rural) sociology, family sociology, sociology of work, social science teaching, research methods and statistics, social change and development, complex organizations, human population and ecology, social inequality, social psychology, and sociological theory.

In consultation with their advisers, students may gain work experience and develop their skills in their field of concentration through the field observation and practice options of 460.

Minor

The department offers a minor in sociology which may be earned by completing 15 credits in sociology including:

SOC 130Rural Institutions and Organizations3
or SOC 134 Introduction to Sociology
3 credits from the following3
Community
Sociology of Work
Complex Organizations
3 credits from the following3
Social Psychology: A Sociological Perspective
Social Psychology of Small Group Behavior
Additional 6 credits in Sociology courses6

At least 9 of the 15 credits must be at the 300 level or higher, 6 of these credits must be taken at ISU with a minimal grade of C.

College of Agriculture—Public Service and Administration in Agriculture

The curriculum in public service and administration in agriculture is designed for students who desire an interdisciplinary education to pursue a career with agriculturally related governmental and nonprofit agencies, or with businesses and industries that are concerned with public services in agriculture, natural resources or rural communities. Students will explore the planning and implementing of rural and agriculturally related programs in organizations, communities (town, city, or county), multicounty areas, states, regions, and at the federal level.

The curriculum has a broad base of general education subjects including credits in communications, mathematics, physical and biological sciences, social sciences, and humanities. The technical subjects represent a combination of sociology, economics, public administration and agriculture, with emphases on social and economic change, history of public services, complex organizations, interagency relationships, community leadership, community action, adoption and diffusion, group dynamics, and political and legal behavior as they relate to agriculture and rural areas. For the Interdisciplinary Studies major in Criminology and Criminal Justice, see Liberal Arts and Sciences, Curriculum.

Graduate Study

The department offers work for the degrees master of science and doctor of philosophy with majors in sociology and rural sociology and minor work for students majoring in other departments. For M.S. and Ph.D. departmental requirements, see Program of Graduate Study for Degrees in Sociology and Rural Sociology, available from the department office. The department offers concentrations in a number of areas, e.g., community studies and development; sociology of families, inequality, food systems, agriculture and environment; methodology; social change and development; criminology; the economy, organizations and work; and social psychology. The Department of Sociology does not offer a nonthesis master’s program.

Graduates have a broad understanding of sociology, address complex societal problems, and communicate effectively with scientific colleagues and the general public in both formal and informal settings. They understand sociological theory, conduct research, and are prepared to educate college students and contribute to public policy. Although the department stipulates no language requirement for either the degree master of science or the degree doctor of philosophy, specifying competence in one or more languages may be desirable in some instances.

The department also participates in the interdepartmental program in interdepartmental majors in sustainable agriculture, transportation and water resources, and interdepartmental minors in gerontology (see Index).

Curriculum in Public Service and Administration in Agriculture

Administered by the Department of Sociology

Total Degree Requirement: 128 cr.

Only 65 cr. from a two-year institution may apply which may include up to 16 technical cr.; 9 P-NP cr. of free electives; 2.00 minimum GPA.

International Perspective: 3 cr.
U.S. Diversity: 3 cr.
Communications Proficiency (C or better):
6 credits of English Composition6
Three credits of Speech Fundamentals 3

 

Communication/Library:
ENGL 150Critical Thinking and Communication3
ENGL 250Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition3
SP CM 212Fundamentals of Public Speaking3
JL MC 305Publicity Methods3
LIB 160Library Instruction0.5

 

Humanities and Social Sciences: 6 cr.
3 credits from approved humanities list3
3 credits from approved social science list3

Ethics: 3 cr.

3 cr. from approved list.

Life Sciences: 6 cr.
BIOL 101Introductory Biology3
or BIOL 211 Principles of Biology I
Three credits from approved life sciences list3
Total Credits6

 

Mathematical and Physical Sciences: 12 cr.
MATH 150Discrete Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences3
STAT 101Principles of Statistics4
Five credit hours from:
MTEOR 206Introduction to Weather and Climate3
AGRON 206Introduction to Weather and Climate3
or ASTRO, CHEM, GEOL, PHYS.
Total Credits13

 

Sociology 15 cr.
SOC 110Orientation to Public Service and Administration in AgricultureR
SOC 130Rural Institutions and Organizations3
SOC 325Transition in Agriculture3
or SOC 382 Environmental Sociology
SOC 415Dynamics of Social Change3
SOC 420Complex Organizations3
or SOC 380 Sociology of Work
SOC 464Community Action and Leadership3
Total Credits15

 

Economics and Agricultural Education and Studies: 16 cr.
ECON 101Principles of Microeconomics3
ECON 102Principles of Macroeconomics3
ECON 235Introduction to Agricultural Markets3
or ECON 380 Environmental and Resource Economics
ECON 344Public Finance3
AGEDS 451Agricultural Law4
Total Credits16

 

Political Sciences: 15 cr.
POL S 215Introduction to American Government3
POL S 310State and Local Government3
POL S 371Introduction to Public Administration3
POL S 475Management in the Public Sector3
C R P 455Community Economic Development3
Total Credits15

Additional Pol S, Econ, or Soc at 300 level or above.

Agricultural Sciences: 9 cs.

Complete 9 cr. from MTEOR 206 Introduction to Weather and Climate or Agron, An S, AST, Ent, FS HN, Hort, or NREM.

Area of Concentration: 15 cr.

Complete 15 cr. from approved specialization area.

Courses primarily for undergraduate students

SOC 110. Orientation to Public Service and Administration in Agriculture.

Cr. R. F.
Survey of public service and administration in agriculture. Exploration of career tracks and career planning. Recommended during first semester of freshman year or as soon as possible after transfer into the department.

SOC 115. Orientation to Sociology.

Cr. R. F.S.
Orientation to sociology. A familiarization with University and LAS College requirements and procedures. Occupational tracks and career options open to sociology; introduction to career planning. Recommended during first semester of freshman year, or as soon as possible after transfer into the department. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

SOC 130. Rural Institutions and Organizations.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S.
An introductory analysis of sociological concepts and theories as they relate to rural institutions and organizations. Emphasis on the static structure and function of these institutions and organizations and on their dynamic adaptation to changing societal, environmental, and economic conditions. General sociological principles and perspectives. Credit for only Soc 130 or 134 may be applied toward graduation.

SOC 134. Introduction to Sociology.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S.SS.
Social interaction and group behavior with emphasis on the scientific study of contemporary U.S. society, including issues relating to socialization, inequality, and changing rural and urban communities. Analysis of relationships among the institutions of family, religion, political participation, work, and leisure. Credit for only Soc 130 or 134 may be applied toward graduation.

H. Honors.

SOC 202. Introduction to Research Methods.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 130 or 134, credit in STAT 101 or concurrent enrollment in STAT 101
A survey of the principal research methods used in sociological analysis.

SOC 219. Sociology of Intimate Relationships.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S.SS. Prereq: 130 or 134
Analysis of intimate relationships among couples using a sociological perspective. Attention is given to singlehood; dating and courtship; sexuality; mate selection, cohabitation, and marriage. Relationship quality, communication, conflict and dissolution of these types of relationship will also be explored.

SOC 220. Globalization and Sustainability.

(Cross-listed with ANTHR, ENV S, GLOBE, M E, MAT E, T SC). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S.
An introduction to understanding the key global issues in sustainability. Focuses on interconnected roles of energy, materials, human resources, economics, and technology in building and maintaining sustainable systems. Applications discussed will include challenges in both the developed and developing world and will examine the role of technology in a resource-constrained world. Cannot be used for technical elective credit in any engineering department.

Meets International Perspectives Requirement.

SOC 235. Social Problems and American Values.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 130 or 134
Sociological concepts, theories and methods to analyze the causes and consequences of social problems. Social problems discussed may include crime, substance abuse, income inequalities, discrimination, poverty, race relations, health care, family issues, and the environment. How American culture and values shape societal conditions, public discourse and policy.

Meets U.S. Diversity Requirement

SOC 241. Youth and Crime.

(Cross-listed with CJ ST). (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 130 or 134
An examination of delinquency that focuses on the relationship between youth as victims and as offenders, social and etiological features of delinquency, the role of the criminal justice system, delinquents' rights, and traditional and alternative ways of dealing with juvenile crime.

SOC 302. Advanced Research Methods.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: SOC 130 or 134; STAT 101; or concurrent enrollment in STAT 101
Introduction to the principal research methods used in sociology, including survey research, interviewing, content analysis, experiments, ethnographies, focus groups, historical analysis, and analysis of secondary data. Instruction on sampling and the principles of validity and reliability underlying quantitative and qualitative methods. Training in data analysis using statistical software packages.

SOC 305. Social Psychology: A Sociological Perspective.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S.SS. Prereq: 130 or 134
Examination of human behavior in a social environment with emphasis on development of the self, interpersonal relations, attitudes, and small groups.

SOC 310. Community.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 130 or 134
Analysis of evolving theory and research of community as an ideal type, an ecological system, a political economy, and an interactional field; examination of the impact of economic, cultural, social and political infrastructures on community power structures and change processes in a global era.

SOC 325. Transition in Agriculture.

(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 130 or 134 or permission of instructor
The impacts of agricultural changes on farm families, rural communities, and consumers. Past, present, and future trends in family farms and their social implications.

SOC 327. Sex and Gender in Society.

(Cross-listed with W S). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S.SS. Prereq: 130 or 134
How the biological fact of sex is transformed into a system of gender stratification. The demographics and social positions of women and men in the family, education, media, politics, and the economy. Theories of the social-psychological and sociological bases for behavior and attitudes of women and men. The relationship between gender, class, and race.

Meets U.S. Diversity Requirement

SOC 328. Sociology of Masculinities and Manhood.

(Cross-listed with W S). (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: SOC 130, 134, or W S 201
Examination of socially constructed and idealized images of manhood, the nature of social hierarchies and relations constructed on the basis of imagery, ideologies, and norms of masculinity. Theories on gender (sociological, psychological, and biological). Particular attention given to theory and research on gender variations among men by race, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, physical ability and age.

Meets U.S. Diversity Requirement

SOC 330. Ethnic and Race Relations.

(Cross-listed with AF AM). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S.SS. Prereq: 130 or 134
Analysis of ethnic and race relations, particularly in America; emphasis on the sociology and psychology of race and ethnic relations.

Meets U.S. Diversity Requirement

SOC 331. Social Class and Inequality.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S.SS. Prereq: 130 or 134
Social stratification and processes resulting in social and economic inequalities; implications of status, class, and poverty for people of different races, ethnicities, and gender.

Meets U.S. Diversity Requirement

SOC 332. The Latino/Latina Experience in U.S. Society.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 130 or 134
Examination of the social, historical, economic and political experience of varied Latino ethnic groups in the U.S. - primarily focusing on Mexican, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans.

Meets U.S. Diversity Requirement

SOC 334. Politics and Society.

(Cross-listed with POL S). (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: A course in political science or sociology
The relationship between politics and society with emphasis on American society. Discussion of theories of inequality, power, social movements, elites, ruling classes, democracy, and capitalism.

SOC 340. Deviant and Criminal Behavior.

(Cross-listed with CJ ST). (3-0) Cr. 3. S.SS. Prereq: 130 or 134
Theory and research on the etiology of types of social deviance; issues relating to crime, antisocial behavior and social policies designed to control deviant behavior.

SOC 341. Criminology.

(Cross-listed with CJ ST). (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 130 or 134
The nature of crime and criminology; the concept of crime; statistics and theories of criminality; major forms of crime; official responses to crime and control of crime.

SOC 345. Population and Society.

(Cross-listed with ENV S). (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 130 or 134
Human population growth and structure; impact on food, environment, and resources; gender issues; trends of births, deaths, and migration; projecting future population; population policies and laws; comparison of the United States with other societies throughout the world.

Meets International Perspectives Requirement.

SOC 351. Police and Society.

(Cross-listed with CJ ST). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: SOC 241 or CJ ST 240
Introduction and overview of law enforcement in the United States. Theory and research on police history, function, and organization; constitutional issues of policing; and critical topics, such as community policing, officer discretion and decision-making, corruption, use of force, and racial profiling. The course illustrates the interconnections between communities, police organizations, citizens, and criminal offenders.

SOC 352. Punishment, Corrections, and Society.

(Cross-listed with CJ ST). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: SOC 241 or CJ ST 240
Introduction and overview of corrections in the United States. Theory and research on probation, parole, intermediate sanctions, prison, inmate society, inmate behavior and misconduct, capital punishment, recidivism, correctional treatment, rehabilitation, and offender reintegration into society.

SOC 362. Applied Ethics in Agriculture.

(Cross-listed with ECON). (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: ECON 101 or SOC 130 or SOC 134, junior or senior status in the College of Agriculture
Identify major ethical issues and dilemmas in the conduct of agricultural and agribusiness management and decision making. Discuss and debate proper ethical behavior in these issues and situations and the relationship between business and personal ethical behavior.

SOC 377. Social Dimensions of Religion.

(Cross-listed with RELIG). (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: Prior course work in Religious Studies or Sociology recommended
The influence of religion in society, both as a conservator of values and as a force for social change. Nonmajor graduate credit.

SOC 380. Sociology of Work.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 130 or 134
Inequalities (gender, race, class) related to jobs, occupations, firms, and industries. Satisfactions, rewards, alienation, discrimination, and other topics of importance to workers are examined.

SOC 381. Social Psychology of Small Group Behavior.

(Cross-listed with PSYCH). (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: SOC 305 or PSYCH 280
A survey of small group theory and research from an interdisciplinary, social psychological perspective.

SOC 382. Environmental Sociology.

(Cross-listed with ENV S). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: SOC 130, 134 or 3 credits of Env S
Environment-society relations; social construction of nature and the environment; social and environmental impacts of resource extraction, production, and consumption; environmental inequality; environmental mobilization and movements; U.S. and international examples.

SOC 401. Contemporary Sociological Theories.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S.SS. Prereq: 9 credits in sociology
Both historical and modern social theories as applied to understanding and researching the social world. Nonmajor graduate credit.

SOC 402. White-Collar Crime.

(Cross-listed with CJ ST). (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: SOC 241 or CJ ST 240
Introduction and overview of white-collar crime as a form of deviance. Theory and research on occupational, corporate, and organizational offending; prevalence, costs, and consequences of white-collar crime; predictors and correlates of white-collar crime; and political, business, and public policy responses to white-collar crime.

SOC 411. Social Change in Developing Countries.

(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 130 or 134 plus 3 credits in social sciences
Social change and development in developing countries; international interdependence; causes and consequences of persistent problems in agriculture, city growth, employment, gender equality, basic needs; local and worldwide efforts to foster social change and international development. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Meets International Perspectives Requirement.

SOC 412. Senior Seminar on Career Development.

(1-0) Cr. 1. F. Prereq: Most of major core courses, senior classification
Transition from student to professional. Career development procedures including self-assessment, short- and long-term goals, strategies for the job search, development of contacts and sources, resumes and interviews. Enrollment preferred in first semester as senior. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

SOC 415. Dynamics of Social Change.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 130 or 134 plus 3 credits in social sciences
Examination of public responses to complex and controversial innovations, such as environmentalism, feminism, stem-cell research, same-sex marriage, large-scale hog lots, and others. Strategies for gaining adoption/rejection of controversial innovations. Applications to topics in agriculture, development, business, and marketing. Nonmajor graduate credit. Credit for only Soc 415 or 515 may be applied toward graduation.

SOC 420. Complex Organizations.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F.SS. Prereq: 130 or 134 plus 3 credits in social sciences
Study of bureaucracies and other large organizations as social systems through the perspective of basis social processes and structural variables. Incorporates topics of organizational effectiveness, power and change. Nonmajor graduate credit.

SOC 435. Urban Society.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2012. Prereq: 130 or 134 plus 3 credits in social sciences
Development of cities and urban systems; human and spatial ecology; urban transformation, decline, and revitalization; poverty; immigration; homelessness; residential segregation; housing policy; urban social movements; local governance; alternative solutions and planning for cities; international comparisons.

SOC 460. Criminal and Juvenile Justice Practicum.

(Cross-listed with CJ ST). Cr. 3-12. Repeatable, maximum of 12 credits. F.S.SS. Prereq: Junior or senior classification; permission of criminal justice studies coordinator; major or minor in sociology, or criminal justice studies minor
Study of the criminal and juvenile justice systems and social control processes. Supervised placement in a police department, prosecutor's office, court, probation and parole department, penitentiary, juvenile correctional institution, community-based rehabilitation program, or related agency. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only. Not more than a total of 12 credits of field experience (Soc 454 and 460) may be counted toward graduation. No credits in Soc 460 may be used to satisfy minimum sociology requirements for sociology majors.

SOC 464. Community Action and Leadership.

(3-0) Cr. 3. S.SS. Prereq: 6 credits in sociology
Methods of planning, organizing, and conducting planned social change and other action programs in communities. Strategies of change, change agent roles, client need identification, community organization strategies, citizen participation, leadership identification and development, program planning and evaluation.

SOC 484. Topical Studies in Criminal and Juvenile Justice.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2013. Prereq: 6 credits in sociology and permission from instructor
Thematic or topical issues and studies dealing with the sociology of police, judiciary, institutional and community-based corrections, gender/ethnicity and crime/delinquency, criminal and delinquent gangs, and crime and delinquency prevention.

SOC 485. Sociology of the Family.

(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 6 credits in sociology
The contemporary family in developing, industrial, and post-industrial societies. Effects of modernization, cultural change, and family policies on family dynamics, structures, and functions.

SOC 490. Independent Study.

Cr. 1-3. Repeatable, maximum of 6 credits. Prereq: 6 credits in sociology and permission of instructor
Students in the College of Agriculture must be of junior or senior classification and may use no more than 6 credits of Soc 490 toward the total of 128 credits required for graduation. Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences may count no more than 9 credits of 490 toward graduation.

A. General Sociology
B. Rural Sociology
E. Senior Seminar
H. Honors

 

Courses primarily for graduate students, open to qualified undergraduate students

SOC 505. History of Social Thought.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 401
Reviews the historical origins of social ideas about society how social thought has evolved throughout history, and how these affect modern sociological thinking.

SOC 506. Classical Sociological Theory.

(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: SOC 401 or 505
The origins of the canonical works of sociology in the mid-Industrial Revolution period including Karl Marx, Max Weber, Emile Durkheim and others.

SOC 509. Agroecosystem Analysis.

(Cross-listed with AGRON, ANTHR, SUSAG). (3-4) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Senior or above classification
Experiential, interdisciplinary examination of Midwestern agricultural and food systems, emphasizing field visits, with some classroom activities. Focus on understanding multiple elements, perspectives (agronomic, economic, ecological, social, etc.), and scales of operation.

SOC 511. Research Methodology for the Social Sciences.

(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 302 and STAT 401
Covers the philosophy and the techniques of research methods in sociology and other social sciences, including the ethics and politics of social science, validity issues, conceptualization and operationalization, sampling strategies, appropriate research designs for different questions, survey construction, and various data collection and analysis techniques.

SOC 512. Applied Multivariate Statistics for Social and Behavioral Research.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: STAT 404 or with instructor's permission
Applied techniques of multivariate analysis includng cluster analysis, principal components and factor analysis, multivariate analysis of variance and covariance binomial and multinomial regression, multi-level random coefficient models, and spatial regression. Conceptual and mathematical grounding for nonstatisticians. Instruction in Mplus and SAS.

SOC 513. Qualitative Research Methods.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2011. Prereq: 511
Applied qualitative research methods in sociology. Design and implementation of a course-based research project including data collection, analysis, and presentation of results. Qualitative data gathering techniques using observational, historical, in-depth interviewing or content analysis approaches. Laboratory emphasis on completion of data gathering, analysis, and report writing.

SOC 515. Sociology of Technology.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: 6 hours of social science
Off campus and non majors only - offered as demand warrants. Linkages among science, technology, and society. Physical, life, and social science approaches to technology evaluation. Public responses to complex and controversial technologies. Strategies for gaining adoption/rejection of technology. Required in the Master of Agriculture program. Only one of Soc 415 or 515 may be counted toward graduation credits.

SOC 520. Social Psychology: A Sociological Perspective.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2011. Prereq: 305 or PSYCH 280
Examination of cognitive, symbolic interaction, exchange, role-reference group, and dramaturgical approaches. Assessment of contemporary issues in social psychology.

SOC 525. Seminar in Social Psychology.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: 305 or PSYCH 280

A. Small Groups
B. Attitudes and Attitude Change
C. Symbolic interactionism
D. Self and Identity

SOC 527. Seminar in Social Inequality.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2012. Prereq: 6 credits in sociology
Analysis of racial and ethnic inequality in the United States and the world; focus on the implications of the changing world social and economic order for differences in racial and ethnic groups relative to wealth, status, and power; a critical examination of majority-group domination of minority groups in various societies.

A. Sociology of Race and Ethnicity
B. Sociology of Gender

SOC 533. Models of Community.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2011. Prereq: 6 credits in sociology
Emphasis on different models or frames of reference used in community analysis. Theoretical and methodological tools, current views of community problems, and explanation of social and cultural change are presented for each model.

SOC 534. Race, Class and Gender Inequality.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2013. Prereq: 6 credits in sociology
Critical examination of the causes and consequences of social stratification and inequality; classical theories, contemporary frameworks, and recent empirical studies; international stratification patterns.

SOC 536. Seminar in Community Studies and Development.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2012. Prereq: 6 credits in sociology

A. Urban Sociology
B. Strategies of Community Engagement

SOC 540. Comparative Social Change.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2011. Prereq: 6 graduate credits in sociology
Contemporary theories of social change, modernization, dependency, and development are critically examined; methodological issues identified; supporting research explored; applicability of theoretical models, concepts, and strategies to current national and international needs are evaluated.

SOC 543. Seminar in Social Change and Development.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2012. Prereq: 6 credits in sociology

A. Strategies of Community Engagement
B. Sociology of Adoption and Diffusion
C. Technological Innovation, Social Change and Development

SOC 544. Sociology of Food and Agricultural Systems.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2011. Prereq: 6 credits in sociology
Social organization of food and fiber production, processing, and distribution systems. Sociological comparison of conventional and alternative production systems; gender roles in agriculture and food systems; local, national and global food systems; perspectives on food and agricultural research and policy.

SOC 549. Sociology of the Environment.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2012. Prereq: 6 credits in sociology
Social causes and social consequences of environmental problems. Interrelationship between social inequality and environmental inequality. Social construction and social experience of the environment. Contemporary developments in the social theory of the environment. International and domestic implications.

SOC 551. Seminar in Economy, Organization, and Work.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2011. Prereq: 6 credits in sociology

A. Sociology of Work
B. Complex Organizations

SOC 582. Theories of Social Deviance.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2013. Prereq: 6 credits in sociology
Theory and research regarding causes of and reactions to deviant behavior. Mental illness, homicide, family violence, and property crime are among the types of deviant behavior considered.

SOC 584. Current Issues in Crime and Justice.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2011. Prereq: 6 credits in sociology
Discussion of current research and theory in crime and delinquency; topics include the purpose and role of law in social life; emerging theoretical directions in criminology; recent work on specific forms of criminality; controversies in the criminal justice system.

SOC 585. Current Research in Family Sociology.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2011. Prereq: 6 credits in sociology
Course presents a general overview of the field of family sociology. Topics to be covered include demographic trends, family theory and empirical research, as well as current debates in the discipline.

SOC 590. Special Topics.

Cr. 1-3. Repeatable. Prereq: 6 credits in sociology; senior or graduate classification

A. General Sociology
B. Rural Sociology

SOC 591. Orientation to Sociology.

(1-0) Cr. 1. F. Prereq: Formal admission into the sociology graduate program
Introduction to the department, current graduate student policies at department and university levels, departmental administrative procedures. Required of graduate students. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

SOC 599. Research for Master's Thesis.

Cr. 1-6. Repeatable.

A. General Sociology
B. Rural Sociology

 

Courses for graduate students

SOC 607. Contemporary Sociological Theory.

(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 6 graduate credits in sociology
Provides a review of modern sociological thought, issues, and controversies as they affect current research and discourse in the discipline.

SOC 610. Foundations of Sustainable Agriculture.

(Cross-listed with SUSAG, A E, AGRON, ANTHR). (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Graduate classification, permission of instructor
Historical, biophysical, socioeconomic, and ethical dimensions of agricultural sustainability. Strategies for evaluating existing and emerging systems of agriculture in terms of core concepts of sustainability and their theoretical contexts.

SOC 613. Advanced Theory Construction and Causal Modeling.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2012. Prereq: 512 and STAT 404
Formal strategies of research design and analysis using structural equations with latent variables. Strategies for the analysis of multi-informant and panel data, with emphasis on distributional problems and diagnostics. Applications using SPSS, SAS, LISREL, AMOS, R, and Mplus.

SOC 675. Current Topics in Family Sociology.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Repeatable. Alt. S., offered 2013.
Current developments in a selected field in the sociology of family and the life course.

SOC 698. Seminars in Sociology.

(3-0) Cr. 3.

M. Criminology
N. The Economy, Organizations, and Work
O. Food Systems, Agriculture, and the Environment
P. Methodology
Q. Social Change and Development
R. Social Inequality
S. Social Psychology
T. Sociology of Families
U. Theory

SOC 699. Dissertation Research.

Cr. 1-8. Repeatable.

A. General Sociology
B. Rural Sociology

 

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