SOC 105 Principles of Sociology
3 credits
The basic concepts of sociology, including culture, social organization, socialization, deviance, and stratification are introduced.
SOC 106 Societies
3 credits
An examination of the nature, evolution, and varieties of human societies with an emphasis on industrial societies.
SOC 107 Fundamentals of Moral Leadership (Cross-listed as POL 107)
3 credits
This course starts by teaching basic leadership skills. The second part of the course looks at a wide variety of successful and moral leaders. Spring
SOC 205 Social Problems
3 credits
A sociological examination of contemporary problems of modern societies. Emphasis is placed upon the structural nature of social problems and the tensions created by societal change. Prerequisite: SOC 105 or SOC 106. Spring
SOC 206 Introduction to Social Work
3 credits
Introduces students to the goals, values, and historical development of social work as a profession and career; with emphasis on its body of knowledge, unique methods and service delivery in its settings of practice. Prerequisites: SOC 105 and PSY 105. (Fall of odd numbered years)
SOC 216 Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences (Cross-listed as HSV 216, POL 216, and PSY 216)
3 credits
An introduction to statistical and data analysis techniques for students majoring in the social and behavioral sciences. Topics include descriptive statistics for central tendency, variation and association, fundamentals of probability, sampling distributions, the logic of inference, estimation and hypothesis tests for means and percentages, and an overview of more advanced techniques including the analysis of variance and correlation and regression. Prerequisite: MAT 106. Open to majors in HSV, PSY, SOC, and POL only. Spring
SOC 306 The Family
3 credits
A cross-cultural analysis of the family as a social institution with special emphasis on the family in the U.S. Changing sex and age roles, and alternate family forms are also investigated. Prerequisite: SOC 105 or 106. Spring
SOC 307 Minority Relations (Cross-listed with HIS 338)
3 credits
Majority-minority relations in heterogeneous societies with particular emphasis on the U.S. The assimilation process exhibited by specific ethnic, religious, and racial groups is analyzed, as well as the nature of prejudice and discrimination experiences by such groups. Prerequisite: SOC 105 or 106. Fall
SOC 308 Deviant Behavior
3 credits
Examinations of various forms of socially labeled deviance including crime, delinquency, mental illness, alcoholism, drug abuse, homosexuality, and organizational deviance. Consideration of subcultures, theories of deviance, and social control. Prerequisite: SOC 105 or 106. (Spring of even numbered years)
SOC 309 Urban Sociology
3 credits
The city as a social form including demography, ecology, social organization, and the social psychology of urban life. Prerequisite: SOC 105 or 106. (Fall of odd numbered years)
SOC 315 Juvenile Delinquency
3 credits
Delinquency as a social and individual problem; the nature and extent of delinquency; sociological theories of delinquency causation; the administration of juvenile justice, and the control and prevention of delinquency; recent legal changes affecting the status of juveniles and juvenile justice procedures. Prerequisite: SOC 105 or 106. (Fall of even numbered years)
SOC 316 Criminology
3 credits
Examination of the structural and cultural nature of crime; sociological theories of criminal behavior; current and proposed penal methods. Prerequisite: SOC 105 or 106. (Spring of odd numbered years)
SOC 317 Social Stratification
3 credits
The origins and development of structured social inequality culminating in modern-day class systems; theories of stratification; particular emphasis upon class, status, and power hierarchies in American society, and mobility within each. Prerequisite: SOC 105 or 106. (Spring of odd numbered years)
SOC 319 Religion in America (Cross-listed as BMS 319)
3 credits
The course will examine the context of religion both in concept and in its practical sequences for individuals and public institutions within American society. Material will emphasize the role or effect of religion upon American life and culture, and the impact of the social environment upon various American religious traditions. (Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit.)
SOC 325 Introduction to Social Casework
3 credits
This course is designed to give students the opportunity to apply theories and concepts that have been learned in previous sociology and psychology courses to a variety of social problems that professional helpers encounter in their daily practice. Course activities include role-play, case analysis, self-evaluation, and class dialogue that will assess students’ interpersonal and diagnostic skills. Prerequisites: SOC 206 or permission of the department chair. (Spring of even numbered years)
SOC 326 Psychology of Women (Cross-listed as PSY 326)
3 credits
An examination of psychology as it relates to women and psychological issues of concern to women. Issues of concern will include, but not be limited to, media images of women, women and leadership, gender differences, relationships, career success, sexuality, date rape, and psychological disorders that are represented disproportionately among women. Prerequisite: PSY 105. (Spring of odd numbered years)
SOC 327 Cultural Difference in 21st Century America
3 credits
The principal goal of this course is to expand awareness of cultural differences among students from all backgrounds. This course will examine the nature of difference, inequality, and privilege with regard to age, race, ethnicity, class, sex, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and disability in 21st century America.
SOC 328 Sociology of Globalization and Post-Colonial Cultures
3 credits
This course examines the powerful socio-cultural, political, economic and religious forces that are pervasive and profound not just locally, but also globally. It seeks to address the following questions: What is globalization? What are post-colonial cultures? What are the interplay of religion and globalization especially since 9/11/2001? Is the world being homogenized through pervasive forces of modernity/post-modernity or “class of civilizations”? Conceptualization and discourse on globalization have often failed to deal with post-colonial cultures in critical and systematic ways. This course will help us to rethink the concept of society, boundaries and processes of formation in a globalized age. Furthermore, the course will explore how sociology of immigration, religion and ethnicity intertwined over the last 20 years especially among immigrants in the United States. (Fall of even numbered years)
SOC 395 Topics in Social Psychology
3 credits
Selected topics in social psychology from a sociological perspective. These may include social influence processes, social interactions, small group processes, the attitude-behavior relationship, adult socialization, collective behavior, and culture and personality. Prerequisite: SOC 105 or 106. (Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit.)
SOC 405 Sociological Theory
3 credits
Analysis of the development of sociological thought with emphasis upon the significant European and American theorists of the late 19th and 20th centuries. Prerequisite: Nine hours of sociology (including SOC 105) or permission of the department chair. (Fall of odd numbered years)
SOC 406 Social Science Research Methods
3 credits
Survey of the logic and techniques of social science research. Major topics include problem formation, research design, measurements, sampling, data collection strategies, and elements of data analysis. Prerequisite: 12 hours of social science and HSV/PSY/SOC or POL 216. Fall
SOC 465 Internship
3-6 credits
Practical experience in government, social service agencies, or other appropriate public or private agencies. Internships are designed to serve two major purposes: First, to provide an opportunity for study and experience outside the traditional setting of the classroom and laboratory, yet within the framework of disciplined inquiry; and second, to provide a special opportunity for the participants to refine their emerging professional vocational interests. Students may earn three or six credits in one or two semesters, but no more than a total of six credits. May not be used to satisfy the area emphasis requirement. Prerequisites: Social science major, SOC 105, the department chair’s permission, and junior or senior standing. Graded credit.
SOC 475 Advanced Faith and Learning Integration
3 credits
In the spirit of the mission of Waynesburg University, this course intends to provide junior and senior level students with an unparalleled opportunity to integrate the Bible materials and its history of interpretation to the academic disciplines. Students who wish to engage in this level of theological reflection on vocation should consult with both their academic advisors and with the Chair of the Biblical and Ministry Studies Major Program. See BMS 475 for further information. This course will not substitute for senior capstone/research courses required in the majors. Prerequisites: Junior or Senior standing; three credits in BMS courses; 3.00 minimum grade point average. (Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit.)
SOC 487 Honors Course
3 credits
Intensive research in some particular area of sociology and the preparation of a research paper under the direction of the instructor; open only to seniors majoring in social science with an emphasis in sociology who have a “B” average in sociology and with the permission of the departmental chairman and the instructor. (Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit.)
SOC 195, 295, 395, 495 Selected Topics in Sociology
3 credits
An in-depth study of a particular sociological topic. Such subjects may include the sociology of developing nations, community power, social movements, and utopian societies. Prerequisite: Six semester hours of sociology (including SOC 105) or permission of the department chair. (Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit.)