| Courses
110. Introductory Sociology (Staff)
Systematic study of the social life of human beings. While the particular emphasis may
vary depending on the instructor, students should obtain (1) an understanding of basic
sociological concepts and perspectives, and (2) a rudimentary exposure to an
experience with social research techniques and perspectives. F, S.
111. Cultural Anthropology (Staff)
An overview of human cultural diversity, focusing on the peoples and traditional cultures
of major world regions. Basic concepts and methods used to describe and analyze cultural
differences and similarities are introduced. Focuses on cultural differences in
adaptation, economics, marriage and family forms, gender, political organization, and
religion. Emphasis is placed on comparisons between cultures, and on the explanation and
interpretation of cultural diversity. The impact of the expansion of industrial societies
on indigenous cultures is examined. F, S.
117. Introduction to Social Problems (Smith)
Survey of contemporary and enduring problems in American kinship, educational, economic,
and political institutions. Special attention to globalization and its effects on American
Society. F.
215. Society and the Economy (Smith)
Introduction to the sociology of economic institutions. Topics include the cultural
and social context of markets, the origins and growth of modern business enterprise, work
and management inside the corporation, technological change and economic growth, and the
global economy. S.
242. Self and Society (Howard)
Social and cultural forces that shape formation of individual identity are considered.
Particular focus given to stigma and the management of spoiled identity. Institutions
designed to help or control two forms of social deviance - mental illness and mental
retardation are critically examined. Additional issues considered (depending on student
interest) have been the American education system, child rearing and child abuse,
friendship, gender and ethnicity, dress and identity. S.
270. Science and Society (Burnside)
The evolution of science and the generation of scientific knowledge as social phenomena.
The popular view of science as a quest for objective reality is examined. Source material
will be derived especially from physics and the sociology of knowledge. Also listed as
PHYS 270.
279. Methods of Social Research (Cohen)
The logic of scientific inquiry, theoretical considerations fundamental to social
research, and selected methods of formulating and conducting social research. Students
have the option of taking a second term of this course in which they would formulate and
execute supervised research as a means of gaining practical experience with the entire
research process. The second term option may be taken with any faculty member in the
Department. Prerequisite: 110 or 117 and 111 or consent of instructor. With department
consent, double majors in Sociology/Anthropology and Politics and Government may use PG
279 to satisfy the requirements of this course. F.
290. Peoples and Cultures of Selected World Areas
The methods and concepts of social and cultural anthropology are used in comparative
studies, descriptive and analytic, of societies in various of the major culture areas of
the world. Students may take this course as many times as wanted providing a different
area is covered each time. Areas covered will be selected from the following: Sub-Saharan
Africa; the Pacific; Southeast Asia; the Middle East; North America, South and Central
America. Three areas normally are offered each year.
291. Perspectives on Africa (Howard)
Examination of a few communities in Sub Saharan Africa and the Caribbean. Issues covered
include indigenous cultures, the impact of European colonialism, Africa's current economic
and political crisis, environmental and health problems, gender and kinship, development
and expressive culture (art, music, literature, religious beliefs). Special attention is
paid to the perception of Africa in the Western mind. Prerequisite: SOAN 111.
292. Peoples and Cultures of the Pacific (Peoples)
The traditional basis and current conditions of the varied societies found in the islands
of Melanesia, New Guinea, Micronesia, and Polynesia are examined. Special attention is
given to the role of the U.S. as a major colonial power in the Pacific.
293. Peoples and Cultures of Asia (Peoples)
An overview of the traditional and modem cultures of Asia, with a main focus on China,
Japan, and South Asia. Provides a broad knowledge of the historical and geographical
forces shaping contemporary life in these regions. Specific topics include rural village
life, family structures, gender roles, economic organization, religion, and caste. Special
attention is given to the cultural and social basis for modem economic performance.
294. Peoples & Cultures of the Middle East (Mahdi)
A sociological and anthropological overview of diverse cultures and social structures of
the Middle East emphasizing changes in social, political, and economic institutions. The
course deals with the role of religion, the modem state, nationalism, political religious
conflicts, social classes, industrialization, modernization, and the impact West on the
Middle East.
295 Native American Cultures of the Southwest (Peoples)
Investigates the prehistory, history, and contemporary cultures of the Native Americans of
the four corners region. Describes and interprets archaeological data on the
Paleo-Indians, Archaic, and Pueblo periods, focusing specifically on the Mogollon and the
Ancient Pueblo peoples. Case studies from the modern era include the Hopi, Zuni, Rio
Grande Pueblos, Navajo, and Apache. Prerequisite: SOAN 110 or 111. S.
300.1. Sociology of Knowledge (Smith)
The concept of knowledge as a social construct. Emphasis on fundamental similarities
across the domains of knowledge, ranging from natural science to political ideology to
religious cosmology. Critical examination of conventional ideas regarding objectivity,
rationality, and cultural relativism.
345. Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion (Peoples)
A survey of diverse supernatural beliefs and rituals in the pre-industrial world, focusing
on shamanism, sorcery, witchcraft, and rites of passage. A special topic is religious
movements among native Americans and Melanesians. Emphasis placed on the explanations
offered by anthropologist and sociologists for religious phenomena, including
psychological, functional, symbolic, and materialist interpretations. Prerequisite: 110 or
111.
347. Health and Illness (Howard)
Critical examination of social and social-psychological factors associated with illness
and health care in world cultures and in the U.S. Issues explored include death and dying,
human adaptation, nutrition and food crisis, the concept of stress, comparative medical
systems including alternative and folk medicines, the impact of Modernization on health
care. Students do experiential or service related project in a mental or physical health
care setting. S.
348. Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective (Howard)
Women's and men's experience is examined from a cross-cultural perspective. The social
relations of power, individual and collective identity and the fabric of meaning and value
in society are analyzed through a focus on gender. Ethnocentrism and the intertwining of
Western racial and gender biases in the descriptions and analysis of non-European cultures
are also considered. Special attention will be given to women's roles in the agricultural
and development process. SOAN 348 fills core requirement for Women's Studies major and
minor. F.
349. Gender in Contemporary Society (Cohen)
A critical examination of the sources and consequences of gender role differences and
inequities. Particular attention will be paid to men's and women's experiences in families
and in educational, political, and economic contexts. Possibilities for changing gender
roles and eliminating some of the inequities between men and women will be considered, as
well as the cultural and structural obstacles that impede such changes. S.
351. The Family (Cohen)
Examination of the family as an institution of society and as a social group. Particular
attention to historical, cross-cultural, and subcultural diversity in family forms and to gender and class differences in family experiences. Prerequisite: 110
or 111 or permission.
352. Urban Society (Mahdi)
The social organization of the city and metropolitan area, with particular emphasis on
world urbanization, urban spatial structure, social institutions, and social problems. S.
354. Population Problems (Howard)
Both anthropological and sociological methods are utilized to investigate the major
determinants of population structure and change, i.e., fertility, mortality, and
migration. Example topics covered include evolutionary demographic patterns, birth
control, abortion, reproductive technologies, aging in developed counties, education of
women, food and hunger, environmental and population, migration and population policies.
Students present in depth research on population problems within a specific world area. F.
356. Crime and Deviance (Cohen, Durst)
A survey of sociological perspectives on deviant and criminal behavior. Analysis of the
causes of both violent and nonviolent deviance, with special attention to social processes
through which behavior is defined as deviant. Overview of formal and informal mechanisms
of social control. Prerequisite: 110 or I I I or permission. S.
357. Race and Ethnicity (Mahdi)
Comparative study of racial and ethnic relations. Alternative theories are analyzed and
evaluated. Special emphasis is given to racial and ethnic minorities in the United States.
F.
358. Society, Politics, and Social Movements (Mahdi)
Political sociology has traditionally focused on the relationship between the class
structure of society and the way people participate in and derive benefits from political
situations. This course will examine the sociological foundation of politics in society,
social movements, and revolutionary change in the contemporary world. Discussing the
nature of power, the state, social policy, class, ideology, and political elites, the
class will attempt to compare and contrast various theoretical orientations on these
issues. Special attention will be given to the ways in which historically fascism,
dictatorship, democracy, capitalism, and socialism have related to one another. The major
theories of social movements and seven social revolutions of the 20th century will be
discussed. S.
359. Social Inequality (Smith)
Examination of theoretical and empirical aspects of structured social inequality; its
origins, forms, characteristics, and consequences. Critical evaluation of research on
class conflict and class divisions in American society. Prerequisite: 110 or 117 or
consent of instructor. F
360. Cultural and Social Change (Mahdi)
Focuses on the holistic analysis of change and development in Latin America, Asia, and
Africa. Overviews of the acculturation, modernization, and world system/dependency
approaches to change and underdevelopment are presented. Case studies focusing on the
impact of modernity on developing countries are discussed and analyzed. F.
363. Organizational Structure and Design (Smith)
Analysis of organizational structure and processes. The role of management in both private
and public organizations receives special attention. Case studies are employed to
illustrate and apply organizational theory. See EMAN 363. F.
367. Human Ecology (Peoples)
The diverse ways in which human societies from different parts of the world interact with
their environments, focusing especially on how environmental, technological, and
demographic factors affect cultures. Hunting and gathering, pastoralism, cultivation, and
industrialism are covered. The evolution of these adaptations and their consequences for
changes in human ways of life are examined. Impacts of the expansion of the European
adaptation on indigenous cultures are analyzed. Issues are raised about the continued
relevance of indigenous adaptations in the modem world. F.
375. Seminar in Feminist Anthropology (Howard)
This course considers recent theoretical issues regarding constructions of
gender within the United States and around the world. We focus on
power and the conditions in various gender systems that result in power and
powerlessness, both personally and collectively. We examine a
diversity of perspectives on gender and the experiences of people across
rigid social boundaries (such as class, race, ethnicity, sexual identity and
ability/disability) in search of a more humane, inclusive social change. Also listed as
WGS 499C.
379. Social Theory (Smith)
Intensive study of the master traditions in modern social theory.: major works of
Durkheim, Marx, and Weber; critical analyses of these works; contemporary research
influenced by them. Juniors and Seniors only. Prerequisites: 110 or 117, 111, and 279 or
permission of the instructor. S.
490. Independent Study (Staff)
Individually supervised projects. Prerequisite: 110, 117 or 111 and at least level course
in the department. Open only to majors. F, S.
491. Readings in Sociology and Anthropology (Staff)
Selections are determined by the student and the faculty instructor in relation to a specific topic. Readings are both extensive and intensive. Juniors
and seniors only.
495. Apprenticeship Program (Staff)
Opportunity for seniors (except in their last semesters) and possibly juniors to engage in
an off-campus work project in areas where they have adequate academic preparation. F, S.
499 Senior Project (Staff)
Required of all senior majors. Students will undertake a significant project based on
either original research or internship experience. Each student's project will be decided
in consultation with the instructor. S. |