Sociology

Course Code	SOC 110  Credits 3
Title	Introduction to Sociology
Lasc Area	Goal 5
Course Outline	Course Outline
Description	Introduces the sociological approach to understanding the structure and dynamics of society. Focuses on socialization, organization, social inequality, institutions, and social change. MnTC Goal 5.

Course Code	SOC 120  Credits 3
Title	Social Psychology
Lasc Area	Goal 5
Course Outline	Course Outline
Description	This course examines the relationship between society and individuals and the methods, theories, and findings of research in social psychology. Special attention is given to the social properties of mind, self, and human development. MnTC Goal 5.

Course Code	SOC 210  Credits 3
Title	Social Problems
Prerequisite	SOC 110
Lasc Area	Goal 5
Course Outline	Course Outline
Description	Examines such problems as poverty crime, urban problems, family problems, environmental problems, and war and terrorism. MnTC Goal 5.

Course Code	SOC 219  Credits 3
Title	Sociology of Sexual Behavior
Prerequisite	SOC 110
Course Outline	Course Outline
Description	Examines sociological and social psychological perspectives and research on sexual behavior. Topics include childhood sexual behavior, adolescent sexual behavior, sex and mate selection, marital sex, extramarital sex, and various forms of sexual variation.

Course Code	SOC 220  Credits 3
Title	Social Deviance
Prerequisite	SOC 110
Lasc Area	Goal 5
Course Outline	Course Outline
Description	Theory, research and commentary on the sociology of deviant behavior. MnTC Goal 5.

Course Code	SOC 290  Credits 1-3
Title	Topics in Sociology
Course Outline	Course Outline
Description	This course will consist of varying topics in the discipline of sociology.

Course Code	SOC 300  Credits 3
Title	Criminology
Prerequisite	SOC 110 SOC 220
Course Outline	Course Outline
Description	This course will survey the history of crime in society, including theories, research and commentaries on crime and delinquency.

Course Code	SOC 301  Credits 3
Title	Delinquent Behavior
Prerequisite	SOC 110 OR SOC 220
Course Outline	Course Outline
Description	Delinquent behavior and programs for its prevention, treatment and control. Same as CJ 301.

Course Code	SOC 302  Credits 3
Title	Social Theory
Prerequisite	SOC 110
Course Outline	Course Outline
Description	Examines major theoretical approaches to the understanding of social structure and change, with special attention to the classical works of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim.

Course Code	SOC 303  Credits 3
Title	Punishment and Prisons
Prerequisite	SOC 110 SOC 220
Course Outline	Course Outline
Description	This class traces the origins and development of incarceration as the principle response to crime in the U.S. It explores changing punishment practices, reasons offered to justify punishment, and the social organization of contemporary U.S. prisons.

Course Code	SOC 304  Credits 3
Title	Community Corrections
Prerequisite	CJ 200 OR SOC 110
Course Outline	Course Outline
Description	Sociological analysis of community corrections, emphasizing probation and parole.

Course Code	SOC 308  Credits 3
Title	Social Gerontology
Prerequisite	SOC 110
Course Outline	Course Outline
Description	This course introduces students to the field of social gerontology for providing an overview of the significant sociological perspectives, social issues, and empirical social science research pertaining to the phenomenon of aging in society. The main goal of the course is to foster an understanding of aging as a process that is characteristic of both individuals and societies through a focus on social factors that shape the individual's experience of aging and the consequences of an aging population for social institutions. Same as SW 308.

Course Code	SOC 309  Credits 4
Title	Law and Society
Prerequisite	SOC 302
Course Outline	Course Outline
Writing Intensive	Yes
Description	Relationships of law and society; social forces in law making; dynamics of law administration; social, cultural and behavioral effects of law; history and development of the legal profession; analysis of legal language and reasoning. Prerequisite may be waived with the consent of the instructor. Same as CJ 309.

Course Code	SOC 310  Credits 3
Title	Dominant-Subordinate Group Relations
Prerequisite	SOC 110
Lasc Area	Goal 5
Course Outline	Course Outline
Description	Theoretical, historical and contemporary examination of prejudice, discrimination, and inequalities organized around race, ethnicity, and gender divisions. Same as WS 310. MnTC Goal 5.

Course Code	SOC 311  Credits 3
Title	Sociology of Law Enforcement
Prerequisite	SOC 110
Course Outline	Course Outline
Description	Examines the origin, history and development of policing in the U.S. Specific issues such as community relations, organization, discretion, and corruption are explored from an occupational standpoint in policing.

Course Code	SOC 319  Credits 3
Title	Society and the Environment
Lasc Area	Goal 10
Course Outline	Course Outline
Description	Throughout time societies have struggled to maintain an appropriate balance between human groups and the physical environment. This course analyzes the social causes of environmental problems in an interdisciplinary fashion. Ecology, policy, politics, culture, ethics and history are all viewed through a sociological lens to explain the relationship between humans and the physical environment. The main goal of this course is to demonstrate the complexities of relationships between people and the environment. It also focuses heavily on the processes of social change. MnTC Goal 10.

Course Code	SOC 320  Credits 3
Title	Sociology of the Family
Prerequisite	SOC 110
Course Outline	Course Outline
Description	Examines the theoretical issues and research findings pertaining primarily to American family life. Topics include dating and mate selection, alternatives to traditional marriages, marital structure and interaction, and marital dissolution.

Course Code	SOC 325  Credits 3
Title	Social Movements
Prerequisite	SOC 110
Course Outline	Course Outline
Description	Analysis of movement origins, ideology, dynamics, organization, challenges and success in creating social change. Theories and case studies of past and current movements, global to local.

Course Code	SOC 330  Credits 3
Title	Sociology of Religion
Prerequisite	SOC 110
Course Outline	Course Outline
Description	Emphasizes a sociological understanding of religion, magic, myth, patterns of religious organizations, secularization, new religion movements, and other related topics.

Course Code	SOC 333  Credits 3
Title	Sociology of Gender
Prerequisite	SOC 110
Course Outline	Course Outline
Description	Focuses on the social construction of gender and consequences of gender stratification for women and men. Topics may include: gender differences; the concept of "gender role"; gender in the economic, political, and educational institutions; discrimination; and the feminist movement.