Courses of Instruction

SOCIOLOGY (SOC-Arts and Science; Department of Sociology and Gerontology)

MPF 141 Multiculturalism in the U.S. (3)

This course examines trends (demographic, historical, legal) in race, ethnicity, class, and gender that shape and reshape diversity in the United States. Examines the social dynamics of race, ethnicity, class, and gender, and how they influence institutional structures, social issues and policy, and the possibilities for social change. IIC, IIIA.

MPF 151 Social Relations (4)

Introduction to and application of the principles, methods, and major theoretical orientations of sociology in providing a basic understanding of the social aspects of human life. (MPF 151F for freshmen only.) IIC.

MPF 152 Social Relations and U.S. Cultures (4)

Introduction to and application of the principles, methods, and major theoretical orientations of sociology in providing a basic understanding of the social aspects of human life. Special attention given to diversity in U.S. cultures. IIC, IIIA.

160 Selected Topics in Sociological Analysis (2; maximum 4)

Examination of selected issues employing sociological principles and methods. Credit not granted more than once for the same topic. Prerequisite: SOC 151.

Note: All courses require SOC 151 or 152 as prerequisite except SOC 205, 221, and 257, which require six semester hours of any social science. Prerequisite may be waived with permission of instructor. See note below on additional requirements for 400-level courses. Students cannot receive credit for both SOC 151 and 152.

MPT 201 Social Problems (4)

Introduction to causes, context, policy, and prevention of selected social problems with particular emphasis on problems of conflict and inequality and problems of human progress. Primarily recommended for sophomores.

MPT 202 Social Deviance (4)

Sociological focus on drug use, sexual deviation, and alternative lifestyles and/or other socially defined deviant behaviors.

MPT 203 Sociology of Gender (3)

Description and analysis of gender in human society with special attention to constraints placed on both males and females by current socialization practices, and to issues in equality from historic as well as contemporary perspectives. Cross-listed with WMS 203.

205 Comparative Sociology (3)

Study of human societies in evolutionary and comparative perspective emphasizing sociocultural origins and consequences of social development. Special attention to contemporary issues in advanced industrial societies. Offered infrequently.

MPF 208 The Rise of Industrialism in East Asia (3)

Introduction to historic parameters, geographic variables, state policies, and sociocultural contexts of industrialism in East Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore). Cross-listed with ATH, GEO, HST, ITS, and POL 208. IIIB, H.

221 Human Sexuality (3)

Introduction to the study of human sexual behavior with particular attention paid to the issues of gender development; premarital, marital, and post-marital sexual patterns; birth control; sexual dysfunction; cross-cultural sexual patterns; and alternative sexual lifestyles. Cross-listed with ATH 221 and WMS 221.

257 Population (3)

Examines population theory, characteristics, dynamics and policies, focusing on global processes and global inequality. Offered alternate years.

258 Self and Society (3)

Examines how social groups and institutions influence human behavior at the individual level. Introduces students to various theoretical and methodological issues germane to understanding how individuals construct social meanings of their everyday lives.

260A Internship: An Introduction to Applied Sociology and Human Services (1-4)

Offers a foundation for those considering careers in applied sociology, human services, or similar fields. In addition to internship, student attends minimum of five special-topics seminars and participates in a concluding internship seminar. Available primarily on Middletown campus and only on credit/no-credit basis. Sociology majors may not substitute this course for any SOC 440 course. Prerequisite: written permission of instructor.

MPT 262 Research Methods (4)

Acquaints students with rationale underlying application of scientific methods in social research. Practical experience in problems of research and design and data collection.

MPT 272 Women and Popular Culture (4)

Study of the social construction of gender by analyzing past and present images of women in popular culture and media. Cross-listed with WMS 272.

MPT 318 Sociology of Aging (3)

Sociology provides a unique perspective on, and significant contributions to, the field of gerontology. This course uses sociological theories, perspectives, and conceptual frameworks to analyze aging-related social issues. Examines the social forces that shape the diverse experiences of aging for individuals. Emphasis placed on structural issues such as age stratification, the life course, and societal aging as a force in social change. Cross-listed with GTY 318.

335 Sociology of Education (4)

Selected critical issues in education as examined from a sociological perspective. Topics include the relationship of school to society, organizational structure of schools, schools as socializers, social stratification, future directions for education. Offered infrequently.

337, 338 Directed Research in European Studies (1-4, 1-4)

Reading and research on selected social science topics. Emphasis on European language materials and data sources. Substantive focus chosen each semester by instructor. Offered at European Center only. Cross-listed with ECO and GEO 337, 338. Offered infrequently.

347 Urban Sociology (3)

Introduces social, cultural, organizational, institutional, and political-economic structures and processes that underlie urban areas and communities.

MPT 348 Race and Ethnic Relations (3)

Description and analysis of emergence and trends of minority relations in the U.S. Cross-listed with BWS 348. Offered infrequently.

MPT 352 Criminology (3)

Sociological analysis of theories, institutionalization, and social responses to crime and criminality. Prerequisite: SOC 151 or 152 and permission of instructor.

357 Medical Sociology (3)

Sociological study of illness, patients, medical professionals, and problems inherent in the delivery of health care services. Prerequisite: upperclass standing.

358 The Sociology of Mental Disorders (3)

Study of social factors in cause, perpetuation, and treatment of emotional problems. Prerequisite: upperclass standing. Offered infrequently.

361 Sociology of Families (3)

Analysis of the impact of social change on family systems and patterns, structures, dynamics, and social policy, with emphasis on differences by social strata and culture.

MPT 372 Social Stratification (3)

Major theoretical approaches toward the study of social classes and social differentiation. Particular emphasis on the nature and consequences of stratification system within the United States.

383 The Sociology of Religion (3)

Origin and function of religion in primitive and modern societies. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Offered infrequently.

Note: 400-level courses below require upperclass or graduate standing and 12 semester hours of sociology or six hours of sociology and six hours from the following: anthropology, economics, geography, gerontology, political science, or psychology. Six of these hours must be advanced credit. Note specific prerequisite for SOC 440. Also Note: upper level classes require the successful completion of SOC 151 or SOC 152.

MPT 409/509 Systems of Justice (3)

Examines the history and practice of punishment in society. Surveys methods of punishment employed after conviction of criminals and delinquents. Prerequisite: SOC 352 and/or permission of instructor.

MPT 410/510 Topics in Criminology (3)

Selected topics in the sociological study of crime and delinquency. Offered infrequently. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

MPT 411 Social Conflict (3)

Examination of group and structural social conflict with emphasis upon analysis of organized power and the major social institutions. Study includes origins and theories of conflict development.

412/512 Sociology of Law (3)

Introduction to law as a form of dispute resolution and a mechanism of social control. Examines the law as both an independent variable and a dependent variable by studying the relationship between law and other social institutions using sociological theory and sociological research.

MPT 413/513 Juvenile Delinquency (3)

Study of theories, definitions, and social construction of juvenile delinquency. Prerequisite: SOC 151 or 152, SOC 352, and permission of instructor.

MPT 417/517 Economy and Society (3)

Sociology of work relationships within the major social organizational and institutional settings complemented by the study of the more general structures and relations generated within the economy and society as viewed in a comparative and developmental perspective.

MPT 435/535 Sociology of Death (3)

Examines social processes involved in the meaning, management, and experience of death and dying. Analyzes death as it relates to social structure, patterns of social interactions, and human experience.

440 Field Experience in Applied Sociology (1-16; maximum 16)

Exposes students to realistic conditions involved in working in one of the following alternative settings and learning firsthand about problems and possibilities of this work as a profession. In addition to field placement, each student is required to participate in a proseminar accompanying the chosen alternative. Credit/no-credit only. Maximum of four hours in this course may be counted toward minimum hours required in the sociology major or appropriate minor.

440A Field Placement. Field placement in organizations needing applied sociological research. Prerequisite: SOC 151, 362, STA 261.S, and permission of instructor.

440C Field Experience in Sociology (4-12)

Field placement in an agency, program, or institution dealing with the administration of justice, including law enforcement, the judicial process, corrections, juvenile justice, and victims services. Typically limited to students formally enrolled in the Criminology Minor. Only 4 hours may be counted toward the minimum hours required in the sociology major/minor.

MPT 448 The African-American Experience (3)

Concentrates on a socio-historical analysis of the African-American experience. Purpose is to investigate and understand the interaction between race, power, privilege, institutional structures, and ideas associated with this experience in America; provides alternative perspective for viewing this experience. Cross-listed with BWS 448.

451/551 Family Violence (3)

Analysis of research and theory on family violence, including physical abuse of children, sexual abuse, neglect, premarital abuse, wife abuse, gay/lesbian battering, elder abuse, prevention, and intervention. Basic framework is ecological/feminist, emphasizing an examination of family dynamics as well as broader historical, social, and patriarchal contexts. Cross-listed with FSW and WMS 451/551.

454/554 Formal Organization (3)

Sociological analysis of complex organizations. Topics include theories, types of organizations, basic characteristics of organizations, organizational change and conflict, interactions with environments, and research in organizations.

MPC 459 Sociology Capstone (3)

Involves review of the discipline of sociology and focuses on key issues including review of the tools of the discipline and the role of sociology in the student’s future role as individual, employee, and citizen. Prerequisite: must be sociology major with senior standing and have completed or currently are taking the methods and theory requirements.

MPT 463/563 Gender and Aging (3)

Examination of various social, psychological, physical, and cultural factors that affect women as they grow older. Cross-listed with GTY, WMS 463/563.

470 Social / Political Activism (3)

Provides students with the opportunity to explore how indigenous groups effect change in their communities. Crosslisted with BWS 470. Prerequisite: SOC 151 or BWS 151.

480 Independent Reading for Departmental Honors (1-6)

Offered infrequently.

482 Sociological Theory (4)

General survey of the history and theories of societyand social action arising out of social research since the 19th century.

490/590 Horizons of Sociology (1-3; maximum 6)

Selected topics of importance on contemporary sociology. Offered infrequently.

600 Seminar in Sociology (3; maximum 12)

Literature and methods of sociology.

620 Research in Sociology (1-12; maximum 12)

Supervised research or reading on selected topics in sociology. Prerequisite: graduate standing and permission of instructor.

650 Seminar on Selected Topics in Modern Sociology (1-3; maximum 12)

Selected topics, problems, and concerns in contemporary sociological theory. Offered infrequently.

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