Sociology
SOC152 Introduction to Sociology - 4 credits
This course provides an introduction to the systematic study of society and social behavior. Investigation will focus on the values and norms shared by society's members, the groups and institutions that compose social structure, and the forces that are transforming social reality.
SOC253 Marriage and Family - 4 credits
This course considers the family as one of the primary social institutions within the larger social system. It explores the family's internal structure and functioning, how it serves the needs of both individuals and society, how it is changing in contemporary American society, and the societal challenges of families in crisis. (Prerequisite: SOC 152)
SOC254 People and Culture of Southeast Asia- 4 credits
This course explores the people and culture of countries in Southeast Asia including Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. These Southeast Asia countries known for their ancient culture, increasing modernization and breathtaking beauty, provide a rich setting for interdisciplinary learning. This course is designed to introduce students to the region's history and culture. Students will learn about language, literature, history, religion, economics, politics, education, arts and other aspects of Thai, Vietnamese, Cambodian and Laotian cultures. Students will receive an orientation prior to the trip that will acquaint them with the course and its learning objectives. Classroom instruction and cultural appreciation will be integrated with the cultural tours. Particular attention is given to the Hmong experience in two comparative contexts: Southeast Asia, and the United States. The program will take place in a number of southeast Asian countries: Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.(Recommended prerequisite: SOC152)
SOC255 People and Culture of China - 4 credits
China, known for its ancient culture, increasing modernization and breathtaking beauty, provides a rich setting for interdisciplinary learning. This course is designed to introduce students to the people and culture of China. Students will learn about the Chinese language, literature, history, religion, economics, politics, education, arts and other aspects of Chinese culture. Students will receive an orientation and become acquainted with the course objectives prior to the course. Classroom instruction and cultural appreciation will be integrated with a cultural tour of Beijing, Xi'an, and other major Chinese cities and sites. Visits to the great wall of China, the temple of heaven, the summer palace, Tiananmen Square, the forbidden city, and the Lama Temple. Excursions will be made to local markets, a Chinese cooking class, a river cruise, a site visit to a Chinese school, the Terracotta Warriors, and a Hmong village. Particular attention is given to the Hmong experience in two comparative contexts: China, and the United States. (Prerequisite: SOC152)
SOC256 Introduction to Criminal Justice - 4 credits
The course uses a sociological perspective to analyze the meaning of crime for a society, theories of criminal behavior and crime prevention. Emphasis is placed on understanding the law enforcement, judicial and corrections systems. Current issues such as police discretion, gun control, capital punishment and corporate crime are examined. (Prerequisite: SOC152)
SOC325 Minnesota Criminal Codes and Statutes - 2 credits
The course covers the elements and effects of the Minnesota Criminal Code. Students study basic procedural law; crimes against persons, crimes against property, juvenile law, traffic law, and laws relating to domestic violence. Pertinent court cases are discussed in relation to each topic. (The course is required for students who intend to take the POST exam for Minnesota law enforcement officers.) (Prerequisite: SOC152)
SOC351 Juvenile Justice - 4 credits
The course examines the nature and extent of juvenile crime in American society. It includes an analysis of the historical and intellectual foundations of the juvenile justice system and the interpretation of Constitutional law as applied to children. Emphasis is placed on the role of the family and community in the prevention and treatment of delinquency. (Prerequisites: SOC152, SOC256)
SOC352 Police and Community - 4 credits
Though this course addresses the primary purposes and functions of policing, instructional priorities include scientific police management; the dynamics of community policing; theories underlying crime prevention and control; the ability of law enforcement of effectively address cultural diversity, police ethics; emerging technologies; and the application of Constitutional and Minnesota State law and procedures to current practice. (Prerequisites: SOC151, SOC256)
SOC353 Themes in Adult Development and Aging - 4 credits
This course explores a variety of themes in adult development throughout the adult life span beginning with young adulthood and ending in the last stages of adulthood: aging, death and dying. Sociological, psychological, and family science perspectives will be used to examine a variety of themes. (Prerequisite: SOC152)
SOC354 Sociology of Law - 4 credits
This course examines the formal, public responses to crime. It includes a discussion of the nature of criminal law and its purposes and the classification and grading of various criminal wrongs. Case law examples are used to enable students to understand, critique and apply criminal laws to situations in contemporary society. (Prerequisites: SOC152, SOC256 or consent of instructor)
SOC357 Class and Community - 4 credits
This course analyzes the nature and functions of American social class and community life. The primary focus is on patterns of social in equality and resulting systems of stratification, both of which are evaluated in terms of their consequences for the individual and the community. The debate of rights verses responsibilities forms the basis of inquiry into the individual-community relationship. (Prerequisite: SOC152)
SOC358 Minority Groups - 4 credits
Students study various racial, ethnic, and other social groups in the broad context of American society. Attention is given to the concept of minority status as it relates to prejudices, discrimination and segregation in contemporary life. (Prerequisite: SOC152)
SOC359 Social Welfare as an Institution - 4 credits
This course examines basic social welfare theory and methods in order to understand the structure and function of public and private welfare in American society. Social welfare is examined as part of the larger American social structure, reflecting cultural values as well as political and economic processes. Attention is given to several areas of social welfare in which specialization has occurred, including work with the elderly, the chemically dependent and battered children and adults. (Prerequisite: SOC152)
SOC451 Social Psychology - 4 credits
Students examine how the individual's personality, behavior and attitudes are shaped through interaction with others. The course deals with such issues as conformity, persuasion, aggression, altruism, and attraction. Individual behavior is understood in light of symbolic communication and the social construction of the self. (Prerequisite: SOC152 or PSY101)
SOC452 Social Organization - 4 credits
This course addresses the fundamental question of how and why social organization is possible. Attention is given to major concepts and theories of social structure, forms of social organization (groups, communities, networks, formal organizations), basic social processes (integration, differentiation, regulation, change), the emergence of social organization from individual decision-making, and the sociology of work and occupations. (Prerequisite: SOC152)
SOC453 Social Theory - 4 credits
This class provides an overview of classic and contemporary theory including a discussion of the works of Karl Marx, Max Webber, Georg Simmel, Emile Durkheim, George Herbert Mead, Talcott Parsons, Ralf Dahrendorf, Anthony Giddens, and others. Social theory is examined as a continually evolving process that both inspires and enlightens sociological research. **This course serves as the capstone experience for the sociology major. (Prerequisite: SOC152)
SOC454 Sociological Research Methods and Statistics - 4 credits
This course explores empirical sociological investigation, covering principles of scientific inquiry, research design (surveys, experimentation, field research, secondary source analysis, evaluation research), data collection, and data analysis (descriptive and inferential statistics). (Prerequisites: SOC152, MAT110)
SOC455 Sociological Research Seminar - 1 credit
This course is designed for advanced sociology students who have designed and implemented research projects as part of SOC454, Sociological Research Methods and Statistics. Through individual faculty mentoring, students will complete projects and prepare them for presentation and/or publication. (Prerequisites: SOC152, SOC454)
SOC456 Seminar in Sociology - 4 credits
In this course, a selected problem or area of sociology, such as the sociology of education, religion, or gender, is studied. Students may also select an issue or problem in contemporary social life, frame a compelling sociological question and conceptualize and carry out a research agenda to address the question. Students may repeat the seminar if they select another topic. (Prerequisite: SOC152)
SOC488 Independent Study - 2 or 4 credits
With the help of an instructor, students design their own learning activities, which may include readings, independent research, projects, and papers. (Prerequisite: SOC152)
SOC498 Internship - 8 or 12 credits
Students participate in internships in social service agencies, local government, urban studies and related fields of interest under supervision of field professionals and staff members of the sociology department. (Prerequisites: SOC152; sociology majors only)
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