Sociology C-ID Descriptors
Proposed C-ID Number: SOCI- 110 Suffix:
Title: Introduction to Sociology
Discipline: Sociology Date Posted: 03/24/2009
Review Period Ends: 05/31/2011
General Course Description:
An introductory study of the basic concepts, theoretical approaches, and methods of sociology.
Topics typically include the analysis and explanation of social structure, group dynamics,
socialization and the self, social stratification, culture and diversity, social change, and global
dynamics. Course objectives include the ability to apply sociological ideas to everyday life.
Any rationale or comment:
Prerequisite(s):
(none)
Advisories/Recommendations:
Eligibility for or concurrent enrollment in College Level English
Course Content:
1. The Sociological Imagination
2. The Historical Development of Sociology
3. Major Sociological Perspectives
4. Studying the Social World: an introduction to Research Methods
5. Society and Culture
6. Socialization
7. Interaction, Groups and Organizations
8. Deviance and Social Control
9. Stratification: Class, Race, Ethnicity, Age, Sex and Gender
10. Social Institutions: Family, Education, Religion, Medicine, Economy/Work, Politics,
Science and Technology
11. Social Dynamics: Population, Urbanization, Environment and Globalization
12. Social Change
Laboratory Activities (if applicable):
N/A
Course Objectives:
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Understand and apply the sociological imagination to a variety of contemporary social
phenomena.
Understand the historical development of Sociology as a separate discipline.
Distinguish between the use of various research methods.
Identify, compare and apply the primary sociological perspectives.
Explain and apply key sociological concepts.
Describe and explain the basic dimensions of social inequality and social change in
historical and contemporary society.
Assess what social forces and organizational structures are most prominent in shaping,
guiding and influencing individual and group behavior in contemporary society.
Methods of Evaluation:
May include:
Objective exams
Written assignments
Application exercises
Research project
Field Journal
Oral Presentations
Reflection and discussion
Small group activities
Out-of-class activities
Sample Textbooks or Other Support Materials:
Henslin, James, Sociology: A Down to Earth Approach
Kimmel and Aronson, Sociology Now: The Essentials
Ballantine and Roberts, Our Social World: An Introduction to Sociology
Macionis, John, Sociology
Giddings, The Elements of Sociology
Kendall, Sociology in Our Times: The Essentials
Proposed C-ID Number: SOCI- 115 Suffix:
Title: Social Problems
Discipline: Sociology Date Posted: 03/24/2009
Review Period Ends: 05/31/2011
General Course Description:
An identification and analysis of contemporary social problems including (1) the role of power
and ideology in the definition of social problems, (2) their causes and consequences, (3)
evaluations of proposed solutions, and (4) methods of intervention. Topics will vary.
Any rationale or comment:
Prerequisite(s):
None
Advisories/Recommendations:
Suggestions welcome
Course Content:
1.
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3.
4.
5.
6.
The social construction and consequences of social problems
The role of power and ideology in the definition of social problems.
The causes of social problems
Evaluation and consideration of proposed solutions to social problems.
Consideration of methods of research and analysis
Additional topics may vary
Laboratory Activities (if applicable):
(none)
Course Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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demonstrate understanding of major social problems concerning the U.S.;
place local, regional, and national social problems in global context;
identify, and distinguish between, causes and consequences of social problems;
analyze social problems using sociological approaches and concepts;
analyze and interpret qualitative and quantitative information about social problems;
identify and evaluate policies that address social problems and assess the policies’ impact
on society.
Methods of Evaluation:
May include:
Objective exams
Written assignments
Application exercises
Research project
Field Journal
Oral Presentations
Reflection and discussion
Small group activities
Out-of-class activities
Sample Textbooks or Other Support Materials:
Eitzen, Social Problems
Eitzen, Baca Zinn, Eitzen Smith, Social Problems: Unbound
Henslin, Social Problems: A Down to Earth Approach
Leon-Guerrero, Anna. Social Problems: Community, Policy, and Social Action
Macionis, Social Problems
Proposed C-ID Number: SOCI- 120 Suffix:
Title: Introduction to Research Methods
Discipline: Sociology Date Posted: 03/24/2009
Review Period Ends: 05/31/2011
General Course Description:
Students examine fundamental elements of empirical research and the ways sociologists think
critically. Includes attention to the nature of theory, hypotheses, variables, and ethics of research.
Application of qualitative and quantitative analytic tools including logic and research design,
such as survey, observational, experimental, case study, and comparative historical research.
Computer applications recommended.
Any rationale or comment:
Prerequisite(s):
SOCI 110
Advisories/Recommendations:
SOCI 125 or equivalent
Course Content:
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Scientific inquiry in the social sciences
Paradigms, theory and social research
The ethics and politics of social research
Research design
Conceptualizing and operationalizing measurement
Indexing and scale construction
Sampling
Observation Modes: Survey research, field research, unobtrusive research, evaluation
research
9. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of data, including current statistical software
10. Reading and writing social research
Laboratory Activities (if applicable):
(none)
Course Objectives:
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Explain the basic principles of the scientific method;
Understand the relationship between social theory and research;
Critically evaluate research findings in terms of quality, credibility, and applicability;
Conceptualize and operationalize social variables in formulating testable hypotheses;
Examine various research designs, the role of quantitative techniques, and data reduction
in sociological analyses;
6. Identify and review qualitative approaches in current use;
7. Describe how social research can be used to make informed decisions.
8. Demonstrate familiarity with a social science statistical software for conducting research
Methods of Evaluation:
In-class quizzes and exams, paper assignments, and class participation
Quantitative analysis using statistical software
Sample Textbooks or Other Support Materials:
Babbie, The Practice of Social Research
Denzin, The Research Act: A Theoretical Introduction to Sociological Methods
Neuman, Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches
Somekh and Lewin, Research Methods in the Social Sciences
Marsden, Sociological Methodology
Schutt, Investigating the Social World: The Process & Practice of Research
Proposed C-ID Number: SOCI- 125 Suffix:
Title: Introduction to Statistics in Sociology
Discipline: Sociology Date Posted: 03/24/2009
Review Period Ends: 05/31/2011
General Course Description:
Students apply statistical methods to sociological data. Topics include: descriptive and inferential
statistics usually include levels and types of measurement; measures of central tendency and
dispersion; normal, t, and chi-square distributions, probability and hypothesis testing, correlation
and regression. Applications of statistical software to sociology and/or other social science data
required.
Any rationale or comment:
Prerequisite(s):
Competency in intermediate algebra or satisfaction of ELM (for CSU only) or completion of an
intermediate algebra course with a grad of “C” or better
Advisories/Recommendations:
(none)
Course Content:
1.
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Research Design and the role of statistics
Organizing data and measures of central tendency
Descriptive statistics for uni-variate distributions
Descriptive statistics for joint distributions
Statistical inference
Statistical tests: one-way and factorial analysis of variance
Analysis of variance
Correlation and nonparametric statistical analysis
Laboratory Activities (if applicable):
(none)
Course Objectives:
1. Practice and use basic mathematical techniques;
2. Conduct elementary numerical computations; interpret the results in written form;
3. Organize, classify, and represent quantitative date in various forms: tables, graphs, rates,
percentages, measures of central tendency and variation;
4. Make statistical inference using estimation, hypothesis testing, correlation, and
regression.
5. Demonstrate familiarity with applications in statistical software.
Methods of Evaluation:
May include:
In class quizzes and exams
Paper assignments
Class participation
Research project
Sample Textbooks or Other Support Materials:
Rosopa and Minium, Statistical Reasoning in the Behavioral Sciences
Linneman, Social Statistics: The Basics and Beyond
Anderson and Zelditch, Basic Course in Statistics with Sociological Applications
Gravetter and Wallnau, Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
Thorne, Giesen, Thorne, Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
Aron, Aron and Coups, Statistics for the Behavioral and Social Sciences
Levin and Fox, Elementary Statistics in Social Research: Essentials
Proposed C-ID Number: SOCI- 130 Suffix:
Title: Introduction to Marriage and Family
Discipline: Sociology Date Posted: 07/01/2008
Review Period Ends: 05/31/2011
General Course Description:
Sociological analysis of the family, including historical and recent changes, present nature and
the socio-cultural and economic forces shaping these changes.
Any rationale or comment:
May be titled as “Sociology of the Family” and “Family Sociology”.
Prerequisite(s):
N/A
Advisories/Recommendations:
(none)
Course Content:
Course will include:
1. The Family in Historical Perspective
2. Traditional family and changing family forms
3. Gender roles and socialization
4. Communication patterns
5. Singlehood, Cohabitation and other non-marital options
6. Families and work
7. Family violence, crises and change
8. Parents and children
9. Raising children
10. Aging and family life
11. Future of the family
Other topics may include:
11. Dating and Mate Selection
12. Cross-cultural comparisons
13. Separation and divorce
Laboratory Activities (if applicable):
N/A
Course Objectives:
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Demonstrate an understanding of major sociological theories to the social institution of
the family
Identify and discuss the family from cross-cultural, historical, and political
Identify the intersection among race, ethnicity, class, immigration status, age, class,
gender, and sexuality within the family
Identify and examine gender, age and socialization within the family
Identify and understand the various kinship and family arrangements
Describe and explain the basic dimensions of social inequality and social change
Methods of Evaluation:
May include:
Objective exams
Written assignments
Application exercises
Research Project
Field Journal
Oral Presentations
Reflection and discussion
Small group activities
Out-of-class activities
Sample Textbooks or Other Support Materials:
Benokraitis, Nijole. Marriages and Families: Changes, Choices and Constraints
Lauer and Lauer. Marriage and Family: The Quest for Intimacy
Lamanna and Riedman. Marriages and Families: Making Choices in a Diverse Society.
Olson, DeFrain & Skogrand. Marriages and Families: Intimacy, Diversity and Strengths
Strong, DeVault & Cohen. The Marriage & Family Experience: Intimate Relationships in a
Changing Society
Proposed C-ID Number: SOCI- 140 Suffix:
Title: Introduction to Gender
Discipline: Sociology Date Posted: 07/01/2008
Review Period Ends: 05/31/2011
General Course Description:
Sociological analysis of the social construction of masculinity and femininity historically and
cross-culturally. It examines the debates on sex and gender. It analyzes the impact of economic
and political change on gender expectations and practices. It focuses macro-analyses of how
institutions shape gender and microanalyses of how individuals are socialized and how they “do”
and practice gender.
Any rationale or comment:
May be titled as “Sex and Gender Roles”.
Prerequisite(s):
(none)
Advisories/Recommendations:
(none)
Course Content:
Course will include:
1. Introduction to the Sociology of Gender and the Issues of Women and Men
2. Major Theoretical Paradigms and Research Methods in Sociology
3. Biological, Psychological, and Socio-Cultural Construction of Sex and Gender
4. Gender, Agents of Socialization, the Socialization Process, and Gender Development
5. Gender, Language, Communication, and Social Interactions
6. Gender, Intimate Relations, Family Relations, and Lifespan
7. Gender and the Social Construction of Sexuality
8. Variations of Masculinity and Femininity
9. Economic, Racial, Ethnic, Migrant, Sexuality, and Cross-Cultural Variations
10. Gender and Social Institutions (including Education, Politics, Religion, Work, Healthcare,
Media, and the Economy)
11. Gender Politics, Women’s Movements, Men’s Movements, and Feminist Struggles
Other topics may include:
12. Gender, Crime, and Deviance
13. Gender and Violence
14. Women’s Life and Multicultural Perspectives.
Laboratory Activities (if applicable):
N/A
Course Objectives:
A. Compare and contrast sociological perspectives used to interpret gender relations
B. Differentiate between the terms sex and gender and discuss their differences within the
larger social context of gendered relations
C. Identify the main agents of gender socialization and their impact on children’s and adults’
gender construction
D. Describe gender ideology and practices in multiple social institutions and across cultures
and societies
E. Identify the interplay of race, ethnicity, class, and sexuality affecting gender relations
F. Outline the process by which people negotiate power and gender boundaries through their
relationships with others (including violent relationships)
G. Identify social and political movements to change gender inequalities and gender
practices
Methods of Evaluation:
May include:
Objective exams
Written assignments
Application exercises
Research Project
Field Journal
Oral Presentations
Reflection and discussion
Small group activities
Out-of-class activities
Sample Textbooks or Other Support Materials:
Linda L. Lindsey. Gender Roles
Kimmel and Aronson. The Gendered Society Reader
Renzetti and Curran. Women, Men and Society
Richardson, Laurel, Verta Taylor, and Nancy Whittier (eds.). Feminist Frontiers
Satow, Roberta. Gender and Social Life
Proposed C-ID Number: SOCI- 150 Suffix:
Title: Introduction to Race and Ethnicity
Discipline: Sociology Date Posted: 07/01/2008
Review Period Ends: 05/31/2011
General Course Description:
Sociological analysis of race, ethnicity, and racism. Examines the cultural, political, and
economic practices and institutions that support or challenge racism, racial and ethnic
inequalities, as well as patterns of interaction between various racial and ethnic groups.
Any rationale or comment:
May be titled “Introduction to Race and Ethnic Relations”.
Prerequisite(s):
(none)
Advisories/Recommendations:
(none)
Course Content:
Course will include:
1. Definition of and theories on race, racism, and ethnicity including biological and sociocultural construction of race and ethnicity
2. The nature of minority-majority relations
3. Prejudice, discrimination, and institutional racism
4. Patterns of racial and ethnic interaction including scapegoating, immigration, colonialism,
assimilation, integration, pluralism
5. U.S. racial and ethnic identity and politics of groups such as Native Americans, African
Americans, U.S. Latinos, Arab Americans, Asian Americans, Euro-Americans, and Multiracial
Americans
6. Interplay of race, ethnicity, class, gender, and sexuality
7. Economic and political conditions of racial and ethnic groups
8. The Future of racial and ethnic relations
9. Color-blind racism
10. Racial and ethnic profiling
11. Immigration and racial politics
12. Racialized and ethnic violence and genocide
Other topics may include:
13. Colonialism and global racism
Laboratory Activities (if applicable):
(none)
Course Objectives:
1. Identify the cultural, political, historical, and institutional factors affecting the social
construction of race and ethnic relations
2. Differentiate concepts such as prejudice, discrimination, segregation, assimilation, and
pluralism
3. Analyze the cultural and institutional factors involved in race and ethnic relations, relating the
macro-level to the micro-level
4. Compare and contrast the experiences of groups that have been historically marginalized,
particularly groups defined by ethnicity and race.
5. Analyze intersections of race and ethnicity with gender, class and other locations of identity
6. Identify and analyze patterns of racial and ethnic interaction
7. Identify, compare and contrast the experiences of major racial and ethnic groups
8. Examine majority-minority group relations including issues such as power and privilege
9. Evaluate debates on current socio-political racial and ethnic issues such as affirmative action,
immigration policies, criminal justice policies, and the future of race and ethnic relations.
Methods of Evaluation:
May include:
Objective exams
Written assignments
Application exercises
Research Project
Field Journal
Oral Presentations
Reflection and discussion
Small group activities
Out-of-class activities
Sample Textbooks or Other Support Materials:
Farley, John E. Majority-Minority Relations.
Feagin and Feagin. Racial and Ethnic Relations.
Gallagher, Charles (ed). Rethinking the Color Line: Readings in Race and Ethnicity.
Healey, Joseph. Diversity and Society: Race, Ethnicity, and Gender.
Kitano, Harry H. Racial Relations.
Parrillo, Vincent N. Understanding Race & Ethnic Relations.
McLemore, S.Dale and Romo, Harriett D. Racial and Ethnic Relations in America.
Proposed C-ID Number: SOCI- 160 Suffix:
Title: Introduction to Crime
Discipline: Sociology Date Posted: 09/01/2008
Review Period Ends: 05/31/2011
General Course Description:
Sociological analysis of crime, criminal behavior, and the criminal justice system. Explores the
history and social construction of crime and criminality and examines the definition of crime and
its violations as well as the laws and methods used to control criminal behavior. Discuss
measurement of crime and basic theoretical explanations of criminal behavior.
Any rationale or comment:
May be titled as “Introduction to Crime and Society”.
Prerequisite(s):
(none)
Advisories/Recommendations:
(none)
Course Content:
Course will include:
1. Major sociological theories of crime
2. Definition and social construction of crime
3. History of criminal law, policing, punishment and corrections
4. Types of crime
5. Crime data and social research on crime
6. Crime intervention and prevention
7. Criminal sentencing and incarceration
8. Race, ethnicity, gender, age, class, sexuality, and crime
9. Deviance and social control
10. Victims and Victimization
11. Violent and property crime
12. White-collar and organized crime
13. Crime and substance abuse
14. Police, law enforcement, and the court system
15. Competing perspectives on due process and criminal control models
16. Issues in crime and criminal justice system
Other topics may include:
17. Youth and crime
18. Women, gender, and crime including sexual offenses
19. Cross-cultural variation of crime
Laboratory Activities (if applicable):
N/A
Course Objectives:
1. Define the major concepts in criminology
2. Define the concept of social norms and explain why they exist in all cultures as a way to
maintain social control.
3. Compare and contrast the sociological theories used to explain crime and criminal behavior.
4. Describe examples that illustrate the major criminology theories.
5. Compare and contrast the principles, procedures, and methods used by sociologists in the
collection of crime-related data.
6. Analyze criminal patterns and trends.
7. Analyze society's means and methods of addressing criminal behavior.
8. Analyze crime rates and variations of criminality as they exist historically and cross-culturally
and propose explanations for these variations.
9. Examine the role of the police, courts, and corrections as a means to enforce, sanction, and
punish criminal acts.
10. Analyze the legal and criminal justice system as a social institution
11. Define and identify the types of crime and the people who commit them
12. Differentiate between actual crime and perceptions of crime
13. Analyze how race, gender, sexual orientation, age and class affect arrest, charging, and
sentencing
14. Assess various types of intervention and prevention programs developed to reduce criminal
behavior
Methods of Evaluation:
May include:
Objective exams
Written assignments
Application exercises
Research Project
Field Journal
Oral Presentations
Reflection and discussion
Small group activities
Out-of-class activities
Sample Textbooks or Other Support Materials:
Adler, Freda, Mueller, Gerhard, and Laufer, William. Criminology and the Criminal Justice
System
Criminal Justice Collective. Investigating Difference: Human and Cultural Relations in Criminal
Justice.
Glick. Criminology.
Quinney. The Social Reality of Crime. Transaction Publishers.
Reasons, Charles E., Darlene J. Conley and Julius Debro. Race, Class and Justice in the United
States: A Text Reader.
Reid, Sue Titus. Crime and Criminology,
Reiman Jeffrey. Ideology, Class, and Criminal Justice: The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get
Prison.
Siegel, Larry J. Criminology.
Wright Jr., Bradley R.E. and Ralph B. McNeal, Jr (eds). Boundaries: Readings in Deviance,
Crime, and Justice.