Sociology Archive 2020-2021

CAS-101. CAS students only. SBS students by special permission. Restricted to the following majors: Art History, Asian Studies, Biology, Criminal Justice, Economics, English, French, Global Cultural Studies, History, Humanities, International Economics, Music History, Philosophy, Physics, Radiation Science, Sociology, Spanish, and Undeclared. Instructor consent required for all other majors.

1.00

This course engages students in the early stages of career planning. Students will explore their interests, skills, values, and strengths, which will allow them to begin setting appropriate goals for professional development. Once students understand themselves in relation to the world of work, they will learn how to research careers and employment paths that fit with their goals.

SOC-113, SOC-116, CJU-134, or CJU-233 with "C" or better & one other SOC or CJU course. Cannot be taken concurrently with SOC-315, SOC-333, or CJU-333.

4.00

How sociologists decide what to study, how they select a research design, sample and collect data, analyze results, interpret findings, and write up reports. Students are introduced to the techniques most frequently used by sociologists and undertake their own small research project. Required for all Sociology majors.

SOC-113 or 116 with a grade of "C" or better and one other SOC course. Cannot be taken concurrently with SOC-214.

4.00

An examination and comparison of the origin, development and structure of the major theoretical approaches in contemporary sociology. Contributions of different branches of sociology to theory are explored with special attention to the relevance of sociological explanations for society and the social process. Students must have taken SOC 113 or SOC 116 and passed with a "C" or better and one other course from the sociology department. Normally offered every semester.

SOC-113 or SOC-116 (with a grade of "C" or better) SOC-214, and SOC-315 or SOC-333. Seniors only. Required of all majors.

4.00

This course explores topics in sociology that require students to synthesize and analyze their accumulated sociological learning. Students will research connections to professional development resulting in a career portfolio project. Required of all Senior Sociology Majors

4.00

An introduction to the sociological understanding of human interaction, group process and social structures. Students are introduced to basic concepts, theories and methods of sociological investigation. Majors and minors must pass with a grade of "C" or better.

4.00

An examination of traditional and contemporary problems associated with major social institutions such as the family, economics, government and education. Social forces related to ethnicity, social class, health and welfare, and urbanization are also included. Alternative remedial measures based on behavioral science theories are discussed. Majors and minors must pass with a grade of "C" or better.

4.00

The goal of the course is to provide a broad overview of children and youth and their place in American society. Particular attention is paid to (1) the impact of geographical location, social class, gender, race, sexuality, popular culture, mass media, and technology; (2)the intersection of youth cultures and mainstream society; and (3) the contention that some youth cultures are "deviant".

SOC-113 OR SOC-116 and MATH-128 or higher

4.00

In this course, students will be introduced to descriptive and basic inferential statistical techniques. The course will provide information on the following topics: Description - measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and measures of dispersion (range, standard deviation); logic of statistical inference, including normal curve and sampling distribution; hypothesis testing with one sample and two samples; measures of association between two variables (bivariate analysis), including chi-square, regression, and correlation; and introduction to multivariate regression. Students will utilize SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) software to input and analyze data. The goals of the course are for students to appreciate the need for statistical methods in the broad field of sociology and to gain basic statistical literacy.

4.00

This course will explore our natural environment and human interacations with it. We will connect a critical study of society, power, and inequality to the study of our natural environment and the ways it is altered by human behaviors. We will also consider ways to change our society's relationship with the natural environment to keep our earth clean and safe for human society.

4.00

An exploration of the diversity of contemporary families. Comparisons are made between the cultural myths of the "ideal family" and the lived realities. Challenges confronting contemporary families and their implications for social policy are examined in such areas as work/family conflicts, gay and lesbian families, welfare, family violence.

4

Spain has experienced major socio-demographic changes since the mid 1970s. These transformations mainly arise from the new role of women in society and, in particular, women's higher levels of education, work experience, and labor market attachment. The changes in women's labor force participation have occurred in conjunction with a progressive postponement of main family events, such as leaving the parental home, forming a partnership and having children, as well as with a reduction in the family size. Spain is, indeed," characterized as having one of the ""lowest low fertility levels"" within Western industrialized countries\"

This course fulfills the ECR requirement.

4.00

An examination of the fundamental purpose and functions of religion in society. Major religious systems in America are analyzed in terms of basic values and structure. The impact of changes in religious organizations upon clergy, laity and society are discussed. This class fulfills the ECR requirement.

4.00

This course examines the role of race in United States society, and the efforts to achieve racial justice in the United States. It introduces students to the formation and transformation of racial systems throughout American history and examines the ways race impacts our lived experiences today. Students will assess the social significance of race by examining the realities of white supremacy and the experience of race.

4.00

In this class we will discuss racial, ethnic and cultural groups, and use sociology as a way to understand some of the larger patterns of immigration, identity, intergroup relations, privilege, discrimination, and oppression. Students will increase their awareness and appreciation of diversity and examine cultural difference from a sociological perspective. The course will help students understand how culture impacts our world and thus help them prepare personally and professionally to succeed in a global context.

4.00

This course provides students with an introduction to how social norms, structures, and practices shape experiences of illness and health. Among the topics that will be covered are: health and the environment, the reasons some groups of people are less healthy than others, living with chronic illness and disabilities, and public debates surrounding issues such as performance enhancing drugs and sports, Attention Deficit Disorder and the HPV vaccine. Required for all students in the health, Medicine and the Body Concentration.

4.00

Consideration of the physiological, psychological and social factors associated with the aging process. Contemporary American values toward the elderly are compared and contrasted with historical and cross-cultural studies. Current opportunities and techniques enabling the elderly to enrich and expand their societal roles are explored.

4.00

An examination of changing definitions of life and death, social factors affecting causes and rates of death, care of the dying and their families, institutionalization, the funeral industry, suicide, crisis intervention, and the impact of technology on the dying process.

4.00

An examination of how different cultures understand health and illness. Healing approaches from Asia, Africa and the Americas will be explored.

4.00

A critical analysis of theory and research related to the socialization, roles and social participation of women in contemporary society.

4.00

An examination of human sexuality as experience and institution. Sexuality is considered in relationship to power, love, religion, family, race, gender, sexual orientation, violence and courtship.

4.00

Law and legal systems are examined in contemporary society. Emphasis is placed on the manner in which legal structures and processes interact with other social arrangements and are transformed over time.

4.00

Education is key in a democracy in which students need to develop themselves into knowledgeable people, with a strong sense of self, able to think critically with a developed ability to question others and to feel and act as empowered, active citizens. This is a tall order given the varieties of pressures on schools these days. But it is extremely important for these skills to be developed. With the shift in the economy, schools are going to be the critical factor in enabling students to compete in a globalized workplace and world.

4.00

This course explores the emergence of the self as an intersection of biography, history and social structure. Emphasis is on modern , Western societies. Conceptually, we will take a life course approach which emphasizes processes of psychosocial, moral, intellectual, and spiritual development for contemporary men and women. This course is designed in part as a workshop where students will develop the skills and insights essential for conducting life history research and biographical studies that are sociological in focus.

4.00

A course with special interest topics in sociology which changes depending on the professor.

SOC-113 or SOC-116

4.00

Globalization is shrinking the world. How and why did this happen? This course will explore global change and the global processes which effect key social institutions: culture, the economy and politics. Students will study the processes of globalization and its impact on our lives and people around the globe.

SOC-113 or SOC-116

4.00

What are the roles of race and ethnicity from a global perspective? A global racial hierarchy determines who experiences privilege or oppression. Students will examine how the meanings of race and ethnicity can vary by location and how they matter globally.

4.00

This course will look at the special opportunities and obligations of those in the health and legal professions to protect human rights. There will be an overview of human rights doctrine and key documents. Students will learn to apply human rights principles to particular occupations in the health and legal professions.

4.00

A study of the different types and functions of communities. Through identifying community needs, resources, and structure, students learn effective ways to organize for change.

4.00

This course examines U.S. Immigration legislation and policies, focusing on how and why various immigration laws and policies have been established and implemented throughout history. We will address the intersection between immigration policy and race, ethnicity, nationality and socioeconomic status, as well as explore the effects that immigration laws have had on various immigrant groups and society in general.

4.00

This course is an introduction to the sociological study of urban spaces within society. With a focus on U.S. cities and Boston in particular, the course will explore topics such as urbanization and urban life, cultural diversity, social inequality, gentrification, environmental concerns, and crime.

4.00

In this course, students will learn about how the U.S. health care system works. We will study the politics and economics of the health care system and discuss the key health care policy issues of this decade. Using the theoretical perspectives provided by sociology, we will look at issues of power, hierarchy, race, and gender vis-a-vis the health care system. Reading for this course centers on first person narratives by people working in the health care system.

4.00

An exploration of topics that relate particularly to women as providers and consumers in the health care system. The course will consider historical and current information on issues of reproduction, technology, health and illness.

4.00

The United States of America: "A land of immigrants"; "The Great Melting Pot". This country has indeed attracted immigrants from all over the world. However, many of them are not welcomed or treated equally. This course will focus on the reasons various immigrant groups (past and present) have come to the United States. We will examine their experiences and the impact race, ethnicity, gender, class and social structures have had on them and their families. We will also explore and compare the experiences of groups who are welcomed as potential citizens and other groups who are not.

Students must be Sociology majors with at least a 3.0 GPA; must be at least Sophomore status at the time of application; students must spend at least 8 hours per week working at their internship. Applications for the Internship in Sociology I course must be approved by the Instructor.

4.00

Students are provided with the opportunity to apply academic learning in a supervised internship consistent with their personal career goals or academic interest. The course covers such topics as career exploration and development, resume and cover letter writing, job fairs, and networking, and graduate school applications. In addition to the course assignments, students are required to complete a minimum full day internship each per week during the entire semester.

SOC-483. Students must be Sociology majors with at least a 3.0 GPA; must be at least Sophomore status at the time of application; students must work at least 8 hours per week at internship. Applications for the Internship in Sociology II course must be approved by the Instructor.

4.00

Students are provided an opportunity to intensify or extend their internship experience. The course covers such topics as mock interviewing, informational interviewing, and job fairs.

1.00- 4.00

Members of the department hold special meetings with students and direct them in investigating topics of interest in sociology. Arrangements for independent study must be approved by the supervising instructor and the Department Chairperson.

CAS Honors students only; Instructor approval required.

1.00- 4.00

Members of the department hold special meetings with students and direct them in investigating topics of interest in sociology. Arrangements for independent study must be approved by the supervising instructor and the Department Chairperson.

Instructor consent required.

1.00- 4.00

Each honors student will engage in an independent reading, research, and writing project that can take the form of a traditional research paper of 20-25 pages or an equivalent volunteer and writing experience. The Honors Project must be supervised by a full-time Sociology faculty member. A poster presentation of the project must be presented at the CAS Honors symposium in the fall or the spring of the senior year as well as at the Sociology Honors Award ceremony at the end of the spring semester, for students graduating in the spring or summer. This course is required for all Sociology Honor Students.

4.00

An introduction to the sociological understanding of human interaction, group process and social structures. Students are introduced to basic concepts, theories and methods of sociological investigation. Majors and minors must pass with a grade of "C" or better.

4.00

An examination of traditional and contemporary problems associated with major social institutions such as the family, economics, government and education. Social forces related to ethnicity, social class, health and welfare, and urbanization are also included. Alternative remedial measures based on behavioral science theories are discussed. Majors and minors must pass with a grade of "C" or better.

SOC-113, SOC-116, CJU-134, or CJU-233 with "C" or better & one other SOC or CJU course. Cannot be taken concurrently with SOC-315, SOC-333, or CJU-333.

4.00

How sociologists decide what to study, how they select a research design, sample and collect data, analyze results, interpret findings, and write up reports. Students are introduced to the techniques most frequently used by sociologists and undertake their own small research project. Required for all Sociology majors.

SOC-113 or 116 with a grade of "C" or better and one other SOC course. Cannot be taken concurrently with SOC-214.

4.00

An examination and comparison of the origin, development and structure of the major theoretical approaches in contemporary sociology. Contributions of different branches of sociology to theory are explored with special attention to the relevance of sociological explanations for society and the social process. Students must have taken SOC 113 or SOC 116 and passed with a "C" or better and one other course from the sociology department. Normally offered every semester.

4.00

An introduction to the sociological understanding of human interaction, group process and social structures. Students are introduced to basic concepts, theories and methods of sociological investigation. Majors and minors must pass with a grade of "C" or better.

CAS and SBS honor students or students with a GPA of 3.3 and above

4.00

An introduction to the sociological understanding of human interaction, group process and social structures. Students are introduced to basic concepts, theories and methods of sociological investigation. Majors and minors must pass with a grade of "C" or better.

4.00

An examination of traditional and contemporary problems associated with major social institutions such as the family, economics, government and education. Social forces related to ethnicity, social class, health and welfare, and urbanization are also included. Alternative remedial measures based on behavioral science theories are discussed. Majors and minors must pass with a grade of "C" or better.

4.00

The goal of the course is to provide a broad overview of children and youth and their place in American society. Particular attention is paid to (1) the impact of geographical location, social class, gender, race, sexuality, popular culture, mass media, and technology; (2)the intersection of youth cultures and mainstream society; and (3) the contention that some youth cultures are "deviant".

SOC-113 OR SOC-116 and MATH-128 or higher

4.00

In this course, students will be introduced to descriptive and basic inferential statistical techniques. The course will provide information on the following topics: Description - measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and measures of dispersion (range, standard deviation); logic of statistical inference, including normal curve and sampling distribution; hypothesis testing with one sample and two samples; measures of association between two variables (bivariate analysis), including chi-square, regression, and correlation; and introduction to multivariate regression. Students will utilize SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) software to input and analyze data. The goals of the course are for students to appreciate the need for statistical methods in the broad field of sociology and to gain basic statistical literacy.

SOC-113, SOC-116, CJU-134, or CJU-233 with "C" or better & one other SOC or CJU course. Cannot be taken concurrently with SOC-315, SOC-333, or CJU-333.

4.00

How sociologists decide what to study, how they select a research design, sample and collect data, analyze results, interpret findings, and write up reports. Students are introduced to the techniques most frequently used by sociologists and undertake their own small research project. Required for all Sociology majors.

4.00

This course will explore our natural environment and human interacations with it. We will connect a critical study of society, power, and inequality to the study of our natural environment and the ways it is altered by human behaviors. We will also consider ways to change our society's relationship with the natural environment to keep our earth clean and safe for human society.

4.00

An exploration of the diversity of contemporary families. Comparisons are made between the cultural myths of the "ideal family" and the lived realities. Challenges confronting contemporary families and their implications for social policy are examined in such areas as work/family conflicts, gay and lesbian families, welfare, family violence.

4

Spain has experienced major socio-demographic changes since the mid 1970s. These transformations mainly arise from the new role of women in society and, in particular, women's higher levels of education, work experience, and labor market attachment. The changes in women's labor force participation have occurred in conjunction with a progressive postponement of main family events, such as leaving the parental home, forming a partnership and having children, as well as with a reduction in the family size. Spain is, indeed," characterized as having one of the ""lowest low fertility levels"" within Western industrialized countries\"

This course fulfills the ECR requirement.

4.00

An examination of the fundamental purpose and functions of religion in society. Major religious systems in America are analyzed in terms of basic values and structure. The impact of changes in religious organizations upon clergy, laity and society are discussed. This class fulfills the ECR requirement.

4.00

This course examines the role of race in United States society, and the efforts to achieve racial justice in the United States. It introduces students to the formation and transformation of racial systems throughout American history and examines the ways race impacts our lived experiences today. Students will assess the social significance of race by examining the realities of white supremacy and the experience of race.

4.00

In this class we will discuss racial, ethnic and cultural groups, and use sociology as a way to understand some of the larger patterns of immigration, identity, intergroup relations, privilege, discrimination, and oppression. Students will increase their awareness and appreciation of diversity and examine cultural difference from a sociological perspective. The course will help students understand how culture impacts our world and thus help them prepare personally and professionally to succeed in a global context.

4.00

This course will look at the special opportunities and obligations of those in the health and legal professions to protect human rights. There will be an overview of human rights doctrine and key documents. Students will learn to apply human rights principles to particular occupations in the health and legal professions.

4.00

This course will provide an in-depth analysis of family dynamics as well as some beginning skills in counseling families. Using a systems approach, students will learn about family roles, sibling constellations and different types of families. The importance of ethnicity and culture in shaping family values and organization will be emphasized. Students will be encouraged to study their own families of origin so they might better understand how families change.

4.00

This course provides students with an introduction to how social norms, structures, and practices shape experiences of illness and health. Among the topics that will be covered are: health and the environment, the reasons some groups of people are less healthy than others, living with chronic illness and disabilities, and public debates surrounding issues such as performance enhancing drugs and sports, Attention Deficit Disorder and the HPV vaccine. Required for all students in the health, Medicine and the Body Concentration.

4.00

Consideration of the physiological, psychological and social factors associated with the aging process. Contemporary American values toward the elderly are compared and contrasted with historical and cross-cultural studies. Current opportunities and techniques enabling the elderly to enrich and expand their societal roles are explored.

4.00

An examination of changing definitions of life and death, social factors affecting causes and rates of death, care of the dying and their families, institutionalization, the funeral industry, suicide, crisis intervention, and the impact of technology on the dying process.

4.00

An examination of how different cultures understand health and illness. Healing approaches from Asia, Africa and the Americas will be explored.

4.00

A critical analysis of theory and research related to the socialization, roles and social participation of women in contemporary society.

4.00

An examination of human sexuality as experience and institution. Sexuality is considered in relationship to power, love, religion, family, race, gender, sexual orientation, violence and courtship.

4.00

Law and legal systems are examined in contemporary society. Emphasis is placed on the manner in which legal structures and processes interact with other social arrangements and are transformed over time.

4.00

Education is key in a democracy in which students need to develop themselves into knowledgeable people, with a strong sense of self, able to think critically with a developed ability to question others and to feel and act as empowered, active citizens. This is a tall order given the varieties of pressures on schools these days. But it is extremely important for these skills to be developed. With the shift in the economy, schools are going to be the critical factor in enabling students to compete in a globalized workplace and world.

SOC-113 or 116 with a grade of "C" or better and one other SOC course. Cannot be taken concurrently with SOC-214.

4.00

An examination and comparison of the origin, development and structure of the major theoretical approaches in contemporary sociology. Contributions of different branches of sociology to theory are explored with special attention to the relevance of sociological explanations for society and the social process. Students must have taken SOC 113 or SOC 116 and passed with a "C" or better and one other course from the sociology department. Normally offered every semester.

4.00

This course explores the emergence of the self as an intersection of biography, history and social structure. Emphasis is on modern , Western societies. Conceptually, we will take a life course approach which emphasizes processes of psychosocial, moral, intellectual, and spiritual development for contemporary men and women. This course is designed in part as a workshop where students will develop the skills and insights essential for conducting life history research and biographical studies that are sociological in focus.

4.00

A course with special interest topics in sociology which changes depending on the professor.

SOC-113 or SOC-116

4.00

Globalization is shrinking the world. How and why did this happen? This course will explore global change and the global processes which effect key social institutions: culture, the economy and politics. Students will study the processes of globalization and its impact on our lives and people around the globe.

SOC-113 or SOC-116

4.00

What are the roles of race and ethnicity from a global perspective? A global racial hierarchy determines who experiences privilege or oppression. Students will examine how the meanings of race and ethnicity can vary by location and how they matter globally.

SOC-333 or SOC-234

4.00

An investigation of the emergence, organization, and structure of police systems. The course focuses on the conditions surrounding the relationship between the police and policed in different historical, cultural, political, and economic contexts.

SOC-234 or SOC-333;

4.00

Correctional theories are reviewed along with the historical development of probation and parole. Current research and analytical perspectives reflecting on administrative problems, innovative policies and the internal philosophical inconsistencies of these systems are examined.

4.00

This course will look at the special opportunities and obligations of those in the health and legal professions to protect human rights. There will be an overview of human rights doctrine and key documents. Students will learn to apply human rights principles to particular occupations in the health and legal professions.

4.00

A study of the different types and functions of communities. Through identifying community needs, resources, and structure, students learn effective ways to organize for change.

4.00

This course examines U.S. Immigration legislation and policies, focusing on how and why various immigration laws and policies have been established and implemented throughout history. We will address the intersection between immigration policy and race, ethnicity, nationality and socioeconomic status, as well as explore the effects that immigration laws have had on various immigrant groups and society in general.

4.00

This course is an introduction to the sociological study of urban spaces within society. With a focus on U.S. cities and Boston in particular, the course will explore topics such as urbanization and urban life, cultural diversity, social inequality, gentrification, environmental concerns, and crime.

4.00

In this course, students will learn about how the U.S. health care system works. We will study the politics and economics of the health care system and discuss the key health care policy issues of this decade. Using the theoretical perspectives provided by sociology, we will look at issues of power, hierarchy, race, and gender vis-a-vis the health care system. Reading for this course centers on first person narratives by people working in the health care system.

4.00

An exploration of topics that relate particularly to women as providers and consumers in the health care system. The course will consider historical and current information on issues of reproduction, technology, health and illness.

4.00

An examination of prison writings, films, and the actual experience of prison life from literary and sociological perspectives. Students will have an opportunity to examine their own perspectives of "the prison" as a symbol and shadow in American Society and compare these impressions with the actual experience of inmates, correctional officers and others who have lived in the "prison nation".

4.00

The United States of America: "A land of immigrants"; "The Great Melting Pot". This country has indeed attracted immigrants from all over the world. However, many of them are not welcomed or treated equally. This course will focus on the reasons various immigrant groups (past and present) have come to the United States. We will examine their experiences and the impact race, ethnicity, gender, class and social structures have had on them and their families. We will also explore and compare the experiences of groups who are welcomed as potential citizens and other groups who are not.

SOC-113 or SOC-116 (with a grade of "C" or better) SOC-214, and SOC-315 or SOC-333. Seniors only. Required of all majors.

4.00

This course explores topics in sociology that require students to synthesize and analyze their accumulated sociological learning. Students will research connections to professional development resulting in a career portfolio project. Required of all Senior Sociology Majors

Students must be Sociology majors with at least a 3.0 GPA; must be at least Sophomore status at the time of application; students must spend at least 8 hours per week working at their internship. Applications for the Internship in Sociology I course must be approved by the Instructor.

4.00

Students are provided with the opportunity to apply academic learning in a supervised internship consistent with their personal career goals or academic interest. The course covers such topics as career exploration and development, resume and cover letter writing, job fairs, and networking, and graduate school applications. In addition to the course assignments, students are required to complete a minimum full day internship each per week during the entire semester.

SOC-483. Students must be Sociology majors with at least a 3.0 GPA; must be at least Sophomore status at the time of application; students must work at least 8 hours per week at internship. Applications for the Internship in Sociology II course must be approved by the Instructor.

4.00

Students are provided an opportunity to intensify or extend their internship experience. The course covers such topics as mock interviewing, informational interviewing, and job fairs.

1.00- 4.00

Members of the department hold special meetings with students and direct them in investigating topics of interest in sociology. Arrangements for independent study must be approved by the supervising instructor and the Department Chairperson.

CAS Honors students only; Instructor approval required.

1.00- 4.00

Members of the department hold special meetings with students and direct them in investigating topics of interest in sociology. Arrangements for independent study must be approved by the supervising instructor and the Department Chairperson.

Instructor consent required.

1.00- 4.00

Each honors student will engage in an independent reading, research, and writing project that can take the form of a traditional research paper of 20-25 pages or an equivalent volunteer and writing experience. The Honors Project must be supervised by a full-time Sociology faculty member. A poster presentation of the project must be presented at the CAS Honors symposium in the fall or the spring of the senior year as well as at the Sociology Honors Award ceremony at the end of the spring semester, for students graduating in the spring or summer. This course is required for all Sociology Honor Students.