| See also Criminal Justice | |
| SOC 100 | Introduction to the Social Sciences (3) This course examines the social sciences in their historical context, and their relationship to the individual and the group. It provides a fundamental understanding of the dynamics of individual and group behavior as well as a sense of how economic, political, and social systems function. (Also listed as ECO 100, POL 100, and PSY 100.) |
| SOC 131 | Principles of Sociology (3) A study of the fundamental principles of social interaction. The course analyzes social relationships (family, peer, group, school, organization); culture; deviant behavior; and political institutions. |
| SOC 200 | Law and Society (3) Introduces students to the field of law in our contemporary society by exploring different types of legal careers. In addition, students will gain an understanding of the origin, development, and role of law in American society. |
| SOC 201 | Cultural Anthropology (3) Surveys the similarity, diversity, and complexity of human customs and behaviors including their origin, manifestation, and transmission. |
| SOC 202 | Social Problems (3) Identification of current social problems in American society. Topics include alcoholism, crime, drug addiction, racism, age discrimination, and mental illness. |
| SOC 250 | Deviant Behavior (3) Current theories of the genesis and distribution of deviant behavior and implications for a general theory of deviance. Definitions of deviance, social control, labeling theory, and secondary deviance are explored. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 131. |
| SOC 303 | Development of Social Thought (3) Introduces students to the mainstreams of social thought from 19th-century Europe to the present and examines the relevance of historical theory to contemporary social issues. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 131. |
| SOC 304 | Applied Research Methods (3) An examination of the techniques and resources of applied social research. Emphasis is placed on quantitative research techniques, survey research, program evaluation, and the ways in which research informs social and public policy. Prerequisites: SOC 100 or SOC 131, and MA 132 or equivalent; or PSY 201 or equivalent; or permission of instructor. (Also listed as CJ 304.) |
| SOC 305 | Criminology (3) Examines crime in the United States through the lens of sociology, based on the assumption that one cannot understand crime without viewing it in its social and cultural contexts. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 131. |
| SOC 306 | Social Class in American Society (3) An overview of the process of social stratification, how individuals and groups in society are ranked and evaluated, and the consequences of the evaluations. Topics covered include the historical origins of inequality, theories on the development of classes, and structural explanations of their presence. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 131. |
| SOC 307 | Juvenile Justice (3) A systematic study of the history and purpose of the juvenile justice system that includes examination of the role of the U.S. Supreme Court. The course also evaluates the extent and nature of juvenile delinquency and addresses the physical, emotional, and societal problems faced by juveniles today. Other topics covered are the treatment and punishment of juvenile offenders, modern juvenile subcultures, and controversial issues in juvenile justice. (Also listed at CJ 307.) |
| SOC 322 | Race and Ethnic Relations (3) An examination of the various systems, structures, and processes that surround majority-minority relationships in American society. Topics addressed include the social and cultural meanings of race and ethnicity and the social outcomes of contact, stability, and change. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 131. |
| SOC 350 | Social Justice: Ethical Dilemmas in Social Context (3) This upper-division interdisciplinary seminar presents a social science analysis of social justice using a series of case studies. Specific ethical dilemmas faced in contemporary society are investigated, with an emphasis on the key players and conflicting interests involved as well as the social, economic, and political institutions that gave rise to these dilemmas. Contemporary and historical case studies focus discussion on the social context of issues such as the human rights of women, children and refugees; economic justice associated with the international debt; and environmental protection. Prerequisite: junior standing. |
| SOC 351 | Addressing Injustice: Activism and Advocacy (3) This upper-division interdisciplinary seminar examines how others have addressed social injustice through collective mobilization, activism, and advocacy. Qualitative techniques are explored to analyze contemporary community challenges. Students will develop a proposal for one of two options: SOC 433 Research or SOC 421 Project. Proposals will target the investigation of one specific social injustice and suggest specific strategies for addressing that injustice. Prerequisite: junior standing. |
| SOC 400 | Internship (6) Practical experience in an applied criminal justice or social service setting. Field experience is supervised and course is open only to senior Sociology majors. Prerequisite: permission of the internship coordinator. |
| SOC 421 | Project (1-3) Research of an original topic in sociology in collaboration with or under the direction of a faculty advisor. The project is intended to demonstrate ability to conduct and report independent research. |
| SOC 433 | Research (1-6) A student in this course will conduct collaborative research (scholarly work leading to new knowledge) under the direction of a faculty member. Refer to the Marymount Academic Research Initiative (MARI) guidelines. Prerequisite: application and approval of department chair. |
| SOC 495 | Current Issues in Crime and Social Justice (3) This capstone course provides an in-depth examination of current issues and social challenges that impact both the criminal justice system and society as a whole. For students nearing the completion of their coursework in Criminal Justice and Sociology, this course builds on the knowledge and skills they acquired earlier in their academic careers. Prerequisites: SOC 303-304, senior standing, and permission of the instructor. |
| SOC 505 | Understanding Diversity: A Changing Student Population (3) Examines the changing composition of public school membership, the cultural differences among students, and the underlying causes and impacts of these phenomena on school systems and educators. |
| SOC 507 | Juvenile Justice (3) An advanced examination of the history and purpose of the juvenile justice system that includes the role of the U.S. Supreme Court. The course also evaluates the extent and nature of juvenile delinquency in contemporary America; examines theoretical explanations of juvenile delinquency; and addresses the physical, emotional, and societal problems faced by juveniles today. Students will also study the treatment and punishment of juvenile offenders using cutting-edge research. (Also listed as CJ 507.) |
| SOC 510 | Theories of Social Deviance (3) Presents a theoretical overview of the nature and meaning of social deviance. It examines how sociologists, social psychologists, and criminologists analyze deviant behavior. Topics include anomie and conflict theories, violence, labeling and learning theory, drug use, economic and political deviance, sexual deviance, suicide and mental disorders, and physical disabilities. |