SOCI Course Descriptions

Table of Contents

SOCI 150 Principles of Sociology

3 hours

An introduction to the study of society, including the study of the shared relationships that create social organization and social processes of society. Required for sociology minors and for admission into the social work major.

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SOCI 220 Men and Women in Society

3 hours

A study of how societies construct gender similarities and differences. The impact of gender upon individuals and social institutions, and the implications of a sociological understanding of gender for the Christian faith will be explored.

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SOCI 223 Sociology of Families

3 hours

A study of marriage and the family from a sociological perspective, including historical, cross-cultural, and economic backgrounds. A Christian faith perspective will emphasize the worth of people, the importance of the family as a place of nurture, and the gift of marriage. (SOCI 223 and HLTH 223 are identical)

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SOCI 275 Exploratory Agency Experience

3 hours

Supervised experience in the discipline including internships and practica required for professional programs. This introductory experience must have an on-site supervisor and/or a departmental instructor overseeing, designing, and evaluating the content of the course. Pass/No Pass. Prerequisite: instructor's permission.

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SOCI 285 Selected Topics

1-3 hours

A seminar dealing with topics of special interest to students and current faculty.

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SOCI 295 Individualized Study

1-3 hours

Individualized study or supervised research in an area of special interest to the student which is outside the regular offerings of the minor. Additional course fee (per credit) is required.

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SOCI 310 Cultural Anthropology

3 hours

A comparative study of world societies and their ways of life.

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SOCI 331 Crime and Deviance

3 hours

An introduction to the study of deviance and criminology, including theoretical and paradigms and research.

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SOCI 333 Juvenile Delinquency

3 hours

A study of the causes and nature of juvenile delinquency, the development of the juvenile court, probation, and other rehabilitative programs. Prerequisite: SOCI 150 Principles of Sociology or instructor's permission.

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SOCI 339 Restorative Justice

3 hours

This course will cover the theological and historical backgrounds of alternative systems of justice, and the criminological principles undergirding a variety of restorative justice programs, particularly community policing, problem-solving courts and community corrections, and will apply an international comparative component as well as a study the programs’ effectiveness. Prerequisite: SOCI 150 Principles of Sociology or instructor permission.

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SOCI 340 Statistical Procedures

3 hours

Applied statistics for the social and behavioral sciences. Emphasis is placed on statistical logic and decision making. Recommended for the sophomore or junior year. Required for social work majors. (Identical to SWRK 340) Prerequisites: SOCI 150 Principles of Sociology and high school algebra.

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SOCI 363 Social Inequality

3 hours

Examines the nature, causes, and consequences of inequality in society. An understanding of how social resources are distributed, and the resulting distribution of life chances, is central to understanding the fundamental bases of social order and social organization. This course takes a sociological approach to the study of inequality in which we argue that inequality is a characteristic of societies, not individuals.

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SOCI 366 Social Change

3 hours

Explores socio-historic contexts, sources, and patterns related to social change, such as globalization, social movements, technological innovation, economic and political forces. Gives attention to understanding the role of individuals and groups in social change; moving toward a reflective, informed way of thinking and living as thoughtful Christians committed to justice.

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SOCI 370 International Economic Development

3 hours

This course introduces students to causes and consequences of 'the wealth of nations.' Students will learn theories of economic growth and poverty alleviation. Topics to be covered include: globalization, education, international trade, holistic conceptions of development, and the role of institutions. (ECON 370 and SOCI 370 are identical courses.) Prerequisite: ECON 200 Principles of Economics.

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SOCI 373 Social Theory

3 hours

A critical study of major social philosophers from Comte to the present. Required for sociology minors. Prerequisite: SOCI 150 Principles of Sociology or THEO 250 Introduction to Philosophy.

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SOCI 380 Race and Ethnicity

3 hours

A study of the historical and socioeconomic factors experienced and lived by people of differing racial and ethnic backgrounds in the United States. Specific attention is placed on the social construction of race, social attitudes and past and present racial issues. Prerequisite: SOCI 150 Principles of Sociology or instructor's permission.

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SOCI 390 Research Methods

3 hours

An overview of quantitative and qualitative research methods in the social sciences. Students will design a research project. Prerequisites: SOCI 150 Principles of Sociology and SOCI 340 Statistical Procedures or PSYC 240 Statistical Procedures.

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SOCI 399 Cross-Cultural Experience

3 hours

This course offers in-depth discipline specific cross-cultural study designed to enhance the intercultural emphasis of various academic majors. The course includes class meetings followed by travel to various locations throughout the world. Students will use core disciplinary knowledge to serve, learn and interact with other cultures. Additional course fee is required.

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SOCI 475 Field Experience

3-6 hours

Supervised experiences in private and public social agencies. Students may opt for 3 hours of SOCI 475 Field Experience as part of their minor. Pass/No Pass. Prerequisites: upper-division minors and by permission.

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SOCI 485 Selected Topics

1-3 hours

A special-interest course that addresses current topics in the field of sociology. Course offerings depend on current faculty competencies and student interest. Previous offerings have included a Christian response to the contemporary family, criminal justice, cross-cultural education, death and dying, Native American cultures, sociology of religion, sociology of adolescence, and sociology of literature. Prerequisites: SOCI 150 Principles of Sociology and upper-division majors.

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SOCI 495 Individualized Study

1-3 hours

Individualized study or supervised research in an area of special interest to the student which is outside the regular offerings of the major. Additional course fee (per credit) is required.

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