Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

Introduction to Sociology introduces students to the sociological investigation of human interaction and behavior in society. Students will become familiar with the sociological perspective and develop a ‘sociological imagination’ – the ability to see the general in the particular, the new in the familiar, and to observe the impact social forces have on our lives. The course explores environmental, historical, cultural, and organizational influences on our interpersonal relationships and life-patterns within the context of contemporary society. Students will learn how to use sociological concepts, theory and research to think critically about individuals, groups, institutions, and societies in any given situation.

This course examines a diverse sample of social problems facing the United States today and identifies how these problems affect and are affected by our institutions and culture. The sociological perspective and key theories will be used to understand the beginnings of the civil society, how problems develop and are defined, and the role of social change (particularly contemporary technological innovation). Key social problems covered will include social stratification/inequality, crime, drug abuse, prostitution, aging, infectious disease, family violence, health care, racial/ethnic conflict, terrorism, etc. Sociological research on social problems will be explored, and social policies to remedy the negative consequences of these issues on society will be discussed

This course surveys sociological theories and research on the relationship between the individual and society. It is a sociological approach to social psychology, emphasizing symbolic interactionism and social constructionism. Students will learn how individuals participate in the construction of society through interaction and the impact of cultures and social structure on our everyday lives including individual behavior in group processes. Core topics covered will include the Social Construction of Reality, Ethnography and other key methods in Symbolic Interactionism; the Self in Context; the Sociology of Emotions; Interaction and inequality.

This course is a critical examination of the relationship between deviance and social control. It will include how and why certain forms of behavior come to be known as deviant, it will analyze the nature of formal and informal responses to deviance, and explain the interaction of different social control institutions. Special attention will be given to an overview of general theories of deviance, and the particular forms it takes.

This course examines the transition from social philosophy to sociology with special emphasis on the European theorists in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. PREREQ: SOCI111

Pre Reqs: Introduction to Sociology(SOCI111)

This course offers a general survey of recent developments in social theory since the 1960’s. It covers a variety of theories that have been or are influential in the social sciences. Focus will be directed towards both those social theories that have sought to understand modernity as a social epoch and those that claim we have entered a new postmodern era. Differences between European and American approaches will be considered as the substance of the course is developed.

Pre Reqs: Introduction to Sociology(SOCI111)

This course introduces students to the purpose and techniques in social research: problem definition, research design, sampling and data collection methods including observation, interviewing, questionnaire construction and the use of documents and other unobtrusive data sources. The basic goal of all social research is to gather evidence in order to answer questions about the nature of relationships between individuals, groups, institutions, and societies. This course is designed to give the student a broad overview of the logic of social research, of the process of research design, and of the major types of data collection techniques and methods of data analysis.

This course is designed to provide a basic survey of the application, empirical use and interpretation of a variety of statistics methods used in the social sciences. A key objective of the course is the instruction in best statistical practice through the use, exploration and analysis of empirical data. Emphasis will be placed on understanding and interpreting the meaning of statistics. The practical aspects of statistics are emphasized and students are instructed in the use of the standard statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) which is widely used in the social sciences and the in labor force.

This course is an overview of the biological, psychological, cultural, and behavioral aspects of human sexuality and family life. The overall theme of the course focuses on attitudes and responsible sexual behavior. Key topics include how culture, society, and history have impacted our understanding of human sexuality.

This course emphasizes the role of communications within the family relationship cycle. It examines how individual needs, perceptions, and self-concepts affect the quality of intra - and inter-familial communication, and integrates both theoretical and applied aspects of family research.

This course examines historical and contemporary theories of addiction-related disease processes, the impact of addiction on individuals, families and communities, and effective methods of intervention. Physical, emotional, and legal consequences of substance abuse and addictions will be addressed.

This course focuses on the psychological and physiological human response to natural and man-made disasters. Using clinical research and case histories, students will examine normal and abnormal psychological reactions, the recovery process and principles of mental health care for victims of mass disasters. Differences between natural and man-made disasters are examined and factors that mitigate post-traumatic effects are reviewed. Psychological aspects of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) disasters are also considered.

This course is a critical analysis of the structure of racism, stratification, hate violence, youth violence, poverty and human rights, stereotyping and ethnocentrism in the contemporary United States. Students examine the outstanding problems facing society and strategies for change, including an exploration of the ethics of intervention. (Pre-requisite: ENGL101)

Pre Reqs: Proficiency in Writing(ENGL101)

Political Sociology examines the broad social bases of politics and identifies how politics and actions by government can influence the fate of nations and their citizens. These influences include, but are not limited to, power and authority, economic policy, equality, forms of political rule, access to the political process, and the roles of political parties. PREREQ: SOCI111

Pre Reqs: Introduction to Sociology(SOCI111)

This course examines human diet and nutrition from an evolutionary and ecological perspective. Course content includes the sociocultural and biological dimensions of food practices, such as social roles of food: why we eat what we eat and with whom. Also discussed are food taboos and beliefs, food getting and preparation, changing food habits, contemporary problems of food production and malnutrition, and the effect of cultural and environmental influences on nutrient intake. PREREQ: SOCI111

Pre Reqs: Introduction to Sociology(SOCI111)

Environmental problems are usually described in terms of the natural and life sciences; however, they are ultimately social problems, caused by social practices that reflect entrenched social values. This course will examine historical and contemporary sociological perspectives that have informed human’s relationship with nature; the role of social/political/economic organization in the evolution and definition of environmental problems; and how social stratification is related to the environment. Course materials will include a survey of current research and methods in the subfield such as social movement research and network analysis. (Prerequisite: SOCI111) This course replaces SOCI320.

Pre Reqs: Introduction to Sociology(SOCI111)

Beginning with industrialization, a structural and cultural approach will be used to study processes of human interaction resulting in social change. The concept of what ‘change’ is and how it happens will be clarified with a focus on the various factors and theories that explain it. Key topics will include industrialization, institutional change, social movements, modernization, world systems, economic development, globalization, and information society. (Pre-requisite: SOCI111 Introduction to Sociology)

Pre Reqs: Introduction to Sociology(SOCI111)

This course is a critical analysis of the structure of sexism, stratification, poverty and human rights in the contemporary United States. Students examine the outstanding problems facing society and strategies for change, including an exploration of the ethics of intervention. The course is designed to discuss the way culture shapes and defines the positions and roles of both men and women in society. It will cover the historical development of gender roles and stereotypes, how gender roles are socially constructed, and the social conditions which may lead to the broadening or reduction of gender roles and stereotypes. (Prerequisite: ENGL101)

Pre Reqs: Proficiency in Writing(ENGL101)

This course examines religious experience and religious organizations as a part of a larger social order. Course content introduces basic concepts in the sociology of religion and briefly surveys the historical and social landscape of religion.

This course is a sociological analysis of the modern family and marriage, its structures and functions, variant patterns, and the influence of contemporary society on this institution. Course topics include dating, marital roles, divorce, child raising, and alternative lifestyles.

This course is a study of law, law-making, law-enforcement, and legal systems in social life. Course content focuses on the American legal system from a sociological perspective--its origins, development, and current format, and examines the sources of the legal tradition, the function of legislation in society, and current trends in the social construction of norms. The course investigates the human need for social order and conflict resolution, and how that takes shape in the social world.

This course examines the social contexts of health, illness and organized medical care. It focuses on the theories, research and debates of medical sociology. Topics covered will include the social, environmental and occupational factors in health and illness; the meaning of health and illness from the patient’s perspective; the historical transformation of the health professions and the health work force; the social and cultural factors surrounding the creation and labeling of diseases; disparities in health, access to healthcare, and the quality of healthcare received; organizational and ethical issues in medicine including rising costs and medical technology; and health care reform. (Prerequisite: SOCI111)

Pre Reqs: Introduction to Sociology(SOCI111)

This course seeks to explore global perspectives on a number of the key ethical debates in Women’s Studies involving basic human rights and women’s lived experience including human trafficking and sex work, transnational mothering and domestic labor, reproductive and cosmetic technologies, and legislated multi-culturalism, In particular, this course considers how these debates are framed by secular and religious feminists and womanists globally and how they are portrayed across cultures in novels, film, poetry, religious texts, and other cultural artifacts. The aim of the course is to investigate how these issues might better be identified, negotiated and/or addressed effectively in terms of global, political, legislative and civic action in communities, and by the academy based on feminist ethic of care.

This course is an interdisciplinary survey of historical and contemporary feminist theories in the United States and international contexts.

This course is a critical analysis of major contemporary women’s issues covering a range of research, writing, and cutting-edge topical issues in the arts, politics, business, humanities, and social and natural sciences.

This course examines the black woman in contemporary times, with emphasis on Black women in the United States. Issues covered will include the changing role of the Black woman in society, the image and social constructions of the Black woman, Black women and the workplace, Black feminist thought, as well as Black women and their communities. The role of U.S. public policy in shaping each of these issues will be investigated. Key issues and topics will include analyzing the ways in which race, gender, and class are intertwined, resulting in complex forms of oppression.

This course examines Native American women from historical to contemporary times. Topics include the traditional and changing role of the woman in Native American society in relation to her duties, responsibilities, and obligations in family, tribe, workplace, and other settings.

This course is a survey of human and cultural elements of women’s lives in contemporary Latin America. Students explore women’s roles in traditional Latin American societies undergoing modernization. Students also examine the issues of development and industrialization felt by Latin American women in both cities and rural areas.

This course is a historical and contemporary analysis of women's sports experiences, to include the representation of gender roles through sports in relation to legislative issues, the media, political and contemporary issues, controversies, as well as successes and failures in women's sports.

This course is a global examination of the value systems of women of color. Topics include specific minority ethnic groups in the United States and developing countries.

This course explores contemporary issues related to leadership in relation to current research in women's studies, to include gender models of leadership. Course topics include styles of leadership, women and competition, sexism in the workplace, and gender communication differences.

This course is designed to provide a solid foundation for undergraduate study in the online environment. Students will be introduced to learning theory, the tools available in the online classroom and campus, and online research. Identification of personal learning style allows students to improve their study/learning techniques and prepares them to succeed in college level courses. Students will be introduced to formatting and citation styles. APUS policy and procedure is addressed. There is an emphasis on written communication to assist students in the transition to the online environment.

The focus of this course is to review the major issues within the field of sociology and their relationship to current events. Theoretical and applied perspectives will be discussed, culminating in the students’ completion of a major sociological research paper/project that synthesizes the body of acquired knowledge. This is a capstone course to be taken after all other Sociology courses have been satisfactorily completed. Student must have SENIOR standing to register.