Sociology, Minor

Program Description

To obtain a minor in sociology the student must register with the academic advisor and complete the 18 semester hours required for a minor. Of these, 12 hours must be upper division. The student must complete SOCI 1301 Introduction to Sociology (3 sch), and five courses from the electives category.

Program Requirements

Required Course
SOCI 1301Introduction to Sociology3
Sociology Electives
Select at least five courses from the following category: 115
Social Problems
Social Psychology
Sociology of Sexuality
Sociology through Film
Racial and Ethnic Relations
Sociology of Gender
Mexican American Women
Sociology of the Family
Sociology of Deviant Behavior
Sociology of Education
Social Theory
Sociology of Work and Occupations
Power, Privilege, and Poverty
Complex Organizations
Sociology of Sports
Medical Sociology
Criminology
Topics in Sociology
Directed Individual Study
Applied Experience
Social Research Methods
Total Hours18
1

Elective coursework may include courses in Sociology as selected by the student in consultation with an advisor. Electives are designed to meet students' needs and interests.

Courses

SOCI 1301  Introduction to Sociology  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

An introduction to the basic concepts, methods, and theories used in Sociology. Topics illustrate the systematic understanding of social interaction, social organization, and social institutions.  Reciprocal relationships between individuals and society are examined. Topics may include – but are not limited to – socialization, culture, social stratification, race and ethnicity, sex and gender, deviance, family, work, and social change.

TCCNS: SOCI 1301  
SOCI 2301  Social Problems  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

A survey and exploration of the causes and consequences of major social problems in the U.S. society, including contemporary issues of poverty, unemployment, income inequality, health care, crime, climate change, and other issues of social class, racial, ethnic, and gender inequality.

TCCNS: SOCI 1306  
SOCI 2319  Social Psychology  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

The scientific study of how a person's thoughts and behavior are influenced by others. Topics will include social cognition, attitudes, persuasion, interpersonal relationships, and group behavior. (Credit may not be given for both this course and PSYC 2326.) Cross listed with PSYC 2319.

TCCNS: SOCI 2326  
SOCI 2350  Sociology of Sexuality  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

An examination of sexuality from a sociological perspective. This course will consider the historical evolution of sexuality, the social construction of sexual identities, sexual inequalities and power, how sexualities and sex acts are defined as normal or deviant, and applications of sociological, queer, and feminist theories.

SOCI 3310  Sociology through Film  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

The examination of film as a culture artifact to illustrate sociological concepts, theories, and perspectives. Specific attention will be given to narratives of film as they illustrate culture, aging, social class, gender, race/ethnicity, identity, and other sociological concepts.

SOCI 3312  Racial and Ethnic Relations  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

The study of cultural, religious, ethnic and racial groups, and the treatment accorded them in society. Prejudice, discrimination and the outcomes of discrimination in relation to both dominant and subordinate groups are considered.

SOCI 3320  Sociology of Gender  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

An examination of the roots, nature and social construction of gender roles including socialization of men and women, gender role relationships from the perspectives of sociology. Issues of family, education, work and the economy, religion, politics and law, feminist organizations, feminist theory, and men's and women's movements will be considered.

SOCI 3321  Mexican American Women  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

A study of the Chicanas and the trends in society and Mexican-American culture affecting their lives and behaviors.

SOCI 3340  Sociology of the Family  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

The study of the family, relationships among its members, and the relationship of family to other social institutions.

SOCI 3349  Sociology of Deviant Behavior  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

A systematic and critical study of the nature, patterns, and processes of violations of significant social norms by members of society. Specific attention is given to violations such as drug abuse, violence in and outside the family, and white-collar offenses.

SOCI 3350  Sociology of Education  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

Employing a sociological lens to examine formal education in the United States and other countries, students will explore various schools of thought and controversies surrounding education in modern societies. They will examine important issues related to formal education, such as the expansion of schooling, equality of educational opportunity, unequal achievement of groups of students, the reproduction of inequality in education, schools' roles in the transmission of culture, and the social organization of schools.

SOCI 4301  Social Theory  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

Combines an analysis of the major ideas and theories in sociology and their relationship to social research with an understanding of social processes and structures.

Prerequisite: SOCI 1301.

SOCI 4310  Sociology of Work and Occupations  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

The study of work as a social phenomenon, including the social organization of work, occupations, and professions in society. The labor force, work culture, workers mobility, career lines, and leisure in contrast to work are considered.

SOCI 4312  Power, Privilege, and Poverty  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

The study of social inequality in society, with emphasis on the social class structure of the United States, its origins, development, and consequences for individuals, groups, and society.

SOCI 4315  Complex Organizations  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

The development of a theoretical and applied understanding of those social institutions where most of us will be employed. Topics include organizational effectiveness, decision making, designs, politics, cultures, as well as gender and racial inequality.

SOCI 4320  Sociology of Sports  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

This course critically examines the relationships between organized sports and the rest of society. It will undertake a sociological analysis of how organized sports affect, and are affected by, major social institutions such as the economy, racial and gender relations, mass media, and religion, to mention but a few.

SOCI 4325  Medical Sociology  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

Examination of the social contexts of physical and mental health, illness and medical care. Topics include the social, environmental, and occupational factors in health and disease; socialization of health care providers; doctor-patient relationships; the structure and processes of health care organizations; and health care and social change.

SOCI 4331  Juvenile Delinquency  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

Examination of the extent and pattern of juvenile crime today. History and theory of delinquency and society's response to it. (Credit may not be given for both this course and CRIJ 4331.) Cross listed with CRIJ 4331.

SOCI 4335  Criminology  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

An examination of the major sociological explanations for crime, criminal behavior, and the social responses to crime. (Credit may not be given for both this course and CRIJ 4335.) Cross listed with CRIJ 4335.

SOCI 4385  Senior Seminar in Sociology  
3 Semester Credit Hours  

This is a capstone course required of all students graduating with a major in sociology. The course is designed to enable faculty to assess each student's expertise in applying sociological concepts and practices. Students demonstrate this expertise through the completion of a final project that combines a minimum of classroom hours with substantial research activity. The course is team taught by the entire sociology faculty. Students are allowed considerable flexibility in selecting either survey research or evaluation research for their project.(Offered Spring Only.)

SOCI 4390  Topics in Sociology  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

A consideration of various topics on social behavior and social structure. May be repeated when topics vary.

SOCI 4396  Directed Individual Study  
1-3 Semester Credit Hours  

See College description.

SOCI 4398  Applied Experience  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

See College description.

SOCI 4445  Social Research Methods  
4 Semester Credit Hours (4 Lecture Hours)  

A survey of the basic research techniques and methods used in sociology including content analysis, field research, sampling, surveys, polls, and computerized data analysis.

Prerequisite: SOCI 1301.