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
The sociology degree begins with an introduction to the basic concepts, methods, and theories used in Sociology. This requirement is fulfilled by the successful completion of SOCI 1301or SOCI 1301 transfer courses or other transfer courses with SOC or SOCI prefixes AND the course title which includes “Introductory Sociology” or “Introduction to Sociology” or “General Sociology” or “Principles of Sociology.”
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Course | ||
| SOCI 1301 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| University Core Curriculum (because SOCI 1301 is required for the Sociology minor, students minoring in Sociology must also complete one of the following courses to fulfill the Social and Behavioral Sciences core curriculum requirements: PSYC 2301, ECON 1301, ECON 2301, ECON 2302, EDUC 1354, or FINA 1307). | ||
| Sociology Electives | ||
| Select at least five courses from the following category: 1 | 15 | |
| 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 | ||
| Medical Sociology | ||
| Criminology | ||
| Topics in Sociology | ||
| Directed Individual Study | ||
| Internship | ||
| Social Research Methods | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
- 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 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)
SOCI 4335 Criminology
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
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 requiring substantial research activity. Students are allowed considerable flexibility in selecting either survey research or evaluation research for their project.
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 4399 Internship
3 Semester Credit Hours
is a practical work experience related to the student’s major area of study and career goals. It is intended to provide an opportunity for a student to gain first-hand experience in their field. The Internship course will include no less than one hundred hours and no more than 150 hours of work experience per semester. Internship credit may not be granted for a student’s regular work assignment or for previous work experience. Registration is by application. Students who would like to enroll in Internship should contact the Internship instructor or their academic advisor for assistance with the application process. This course is graded “credit” or “no credit” and is repeatable for up to 6 credit hours.