Sociology and Social Work Department Courses


Sociology Courses
SOC 111 S, U – Human Society, 4 credits. E. An introduction to sociology as a disciplined way of studying social and cultural aspects of human behavior. Students will be introduced to and apply the concepts, theories and methods of sociology that are used to analyze social structure and social processes.
SOC 214 S, U – Social Problems, 4 credits. E1. An introduction to research methods and theories of sociology used to analyze and address major social problems in the United States. Some comparisons are made to problems and mitigation efforts of other countries. Public and private efforts to address social problems are evaluated and new approaches considered. Recent topics have included inequality, education, race, sexuality, crime, alcohol and drugs.
SOC 217 G – Cultural Anthropology, 4 credits. E2. An exploration and comparison of cultural variations associated with the geographic and historic specifics of human societies. A study of species/culture development, emphasizing linguistic, technological, ideological and institutional systems.
SOC 228 – Research Methods and Statistics, 4 credits. E2. An introduction to beginning-level statistical and research skills in sociology and social work. Students will design and implement a research project that involves hypothesis formation, data collection, and computer-assisted data analysis. Prerequisite: high school higher algebra or consent of instructor
SOC 231 U – Sociology of Families, 4 credits. E1. An examination of families from a sociological perspective, which includes an appreciation of families as an institution in society. We will explore how families have changed throughout U.S. history and how families are shaped by gender, race, and social class. The topics of sexuality, marriage, cohabitation, parenting, domestic violence, and divorce are also examined within the context of families.
SOC 300 – May Seminar, 4 credits. MS.
SOC 312, ECON 312, ENVR 312 G, S – Global Development Issues, 4 credits. E1. Students are introduced to the social scientific approaches used to understand how demographic, institutional, cultural, economic and ecological factors influence, and are influenced by, societal development. Comparative case studies enable students to understand the structure and dynamics (e.g., population change) of human populations as they relate to socioeconomic development.
SOC 315 – Political Sociology, 4 credits. E1. An introduction to the sociological study of the organization of power and authority in three primary spheres: corporations, the state, and civil society. Particular attention is given to how competing groups contend for the use of natural resources and the environment. Topics include protest and political participation, social movements, elections, lobbying, and institutions of elite power.
SOC 317 U – Gender, Self and Society, 4 credits. E1. An examination of the social, historical and psychological aspects of gender and human behavior. The course explores how gender has influenced our lives since industrialization. Research on socialization, moral and intellectual development, intimate relationships, sexuality, family life, and education will be examined. Prerequisite: SOC 111 – Human Society
SOC 322 U – Crime, Deviance and Social Control, 4 credits. D. A sociological study of crime and deviance. This includes the social and legal processes involved in defining crime and deviance, characteristics of crime types, sociological theories of crime and deviance, and an introduction to the criminal justice system.
SOC 328 U, S – Class, Race and Ethnicity, 4 credits. E2. An examination of the distribution of social, political and economic power in society. The perspectives used to analyze inequality are also discussed and used to examine various types and outcomes of inequality, including racial and ethnic inequality, prejudice and discrimination.
SOC 332 – Society and Human Sexuality, 4 credits. E2. The course examines the origin of sexual values and practices in various cultures. The primary focus is on sexual attitudes and behavior in the American culture. Human sexuality is discussed relative to the human life cycle, changing gender roles, mass media, the economic system, laws and other areas.
SOC 338 – Sociology of Religion, 2 credits. D. This examination of the general relationships between religion and society will center on how religion molds society and, in turn, how society molds religion. Prerequisite: SOC 111 – Human Society or consent of instructor
SOC 339 S, U – Urban Communities, 4 credits. E2. This course is organized around the following questions: What is unique about the experience of living in cities? How do cities grow and change and with what consequences? Why do patterns of inequality persist in cities, limiting opportunities for some while enhancing life chances for others? How do urban communities differ in the extent to which they value sustainability and justice?
SOC 340 – Media and Society, 4 credits. E1. This course examines a variety of social, political and economic forces that influence the contemporary mass media and considers the changing role of the media in society. Students are introduced to the social scientific methods that have been used to document the nature of media content and understand how it is produced. Topics include the study of class, race and gender inequalities in media content, the consequences of concentration in media ownership, and the dynamic relationship between producers and consumers of media. Prerequisites: SOC 111 – Human Society or permission of the instructor
SOC 341 – Work in Organizations, 4 credits. D. This course focuses on how the daily lives of individuals, as well as their participation and experiences in work organizations, are affected by both the broader society and by how organizations are structured to carry out their tasks. This course also focuses on the extent to which individuals can affect these organizations.
SOC 351 S, U – Aging in Society, 4 credits. E1. An examination of the sociological, psychological and biological aspects of human aging. Students will be introduced to theories of aging and current research on aging in human societies.
SOC 356 – Sociological Theory, 4 credits. E1. An examination of power, socialization, conflict, social order and interpersonal relations from the perspectives of classical and contemporary theorists in sociology. Prerequisite: SOC 111 – Human Society or consent of instructor
SOC 380 – Special Topics, 2 to 4 credits. D. Courses covering various topics of interest in this particular discipline are offered regularly. Contact department or program chair for more information.
SOC 390 – Cooperative Education, 1 to 8 credits. D.
SOC 480 – Independent Study, 1 to 4 credits. D. This course provides an opportunity for individual students to conduct in-depth research of a particular topic under the direct supervision of a faculty member. Contact the department or program chair for more information.
SOC 483 Z – Attitudes, Values, and Tastes, 4 credits. E2. An introduction to existing theory and research in the scientific study of attitudes including measurement, formation, and change. Topics include political and racial attitudes, tastes in fashion, and happiness research. Students conduct their own attitudinal research project using computer-assisted data analysis.
SOC 490 – Practicum, 1 to 2 credits. D. A course involving the student in some applied endeavor. Offered only by special arrangement and permission of the department.
Social Work Courses
SWK 283 U – Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare, 4 credits. E. This course provides a historical and contemporary overview of the social work profession; its values, ethics, methods, multiple settings, and a beginning use of system theory. Includes a study of human needs and how our society attempts to meet these needs. Provides an introduction to the values in society and the social work profession and the means of perpetuating these values through various private and public agencies set up to meet human need. Students have the opportunity to explore different areas of social work practice and discover their own aptitudes for this area of study. Open to all students.
SWK 300 – May Seminar, 4 credits. MS.
SWK 310 – Human Behavior and the Social Environment, 4 credits. E2. A study of human behavior in the context of various social systems (bio-psycho-social and spiritual) and of life tasks, focusing on the influences individuals and the environment have on each other. There is a special emphasis on the systems perspective and human growth and development. Prerequisites: SOC 111 – Human Society, PSYC 111 – Introductory Psychology and BIOL 101 – General Biology. Open to students intending to declare social work as a major.
SWK 320 G – Social Policy and Systems Perspective, 4 credits. E2. A study of current social policies, human services programs, and a review of related social problems. Special emphasis on systems perspective, critical analysis and human rights policy formulation. Prerequisites: SOC 111 – Human Society and SWK 283 – Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare. Open to students intending to declare social work as their major.
SWK 350 S, U – Comparative Cultural Encounter, 4 credits. E1. This course examines the need for cultural competency and anti-oppressive education in contemporary Western society. Includes case studies, the use of critical theory, and participatory action research. Students will explore the broad meanings of culture and the exclusion of culturally unique peoples from mainstream opportunities due to systemic institutional policy barriers and acts of individual, workplace and community discrimination. Strategies of opposition, social change, and enlightened human rights practices will be explored.
SWK 380 – Special Topics, 2 to 4 credits. D. Courses covering various topics of interest in this particular discipline are offered regularly. Contact department or program chair for more information.
SWK 383 – Social Work Methods I: Social Work Processes and the Helping Relationship: Individuals and Interviewing, 4 credits. E1. The study and practice of generalist social work, using a strengths-based problem solving model within the systems perspective including the generic values, knowledge and skills needed by the generalist social worker for effective problem solving. The helping relationship, its formation, use and purpose are also studied, as well as developing knowledge and skill in intervention and interviewing for social work practice with individuals. Attention is given to the linkage between practice and research. Prerequisites: SWK 283 – Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare and SWK 310 – Human Behavior and the Social Environment. Open to social work majors and to others only with permission of instructor. Students must also register concurrently for SWK 385 – Social Work Practice with Families.
SWK 384 – Social Work Methods II: Social Work Processes and the Helping Relationship: Groups, Organizations and Communities, 4 credits. E1. The second social work methods course deals with processes (the problem-posing model within a systems perspective) in working with groups, organizations and communities. It applies and expands on the knowledge and skill attained in the first methods course in working with various size client systems, taking into account cultural differences, ethics, personal and professional values, and use of self. Study includes group dynamics, organizational and community processes, community work, levels of critical consciousness, participatory action research, and evaluation. Prerequisite: SWK 283 – Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare and SWK 383 – Social Work Methods I. Open only to those accepted into the social work major.
SWK 385 – Social Work Practice with Families, 2 credits. E1. The study and practice of generalist social work, using a strengths-based problem solving model within the systems perspective including the general values, knowledge and skills needed by social workers for effective practice with families. Focus is on the family system and its environment as well as social work techniques and strategies for working with current family structures and issues. Taken concurrently with SWK 383 – Social Work Methods I. Open to social work majors only.
SWK 386 – Church Social Work and Social Ministry, 4 credits. D. A study of spiritual and religious roots for the formation of values, morals and ethics common to a motivation to serve. Attention to developing and applying a sense of compassion and social justice in the human services, church social work and social ministry. Open to all interested students.
SWK 390 – Cooperative Education, 1 to 8 credits. D. A social work co-op provides valuable training and a laboratory in which to test classroom knowledge and one’s interest and aptitude in particular social work settings. Each Cooperative Education experience is tailored to the individual needs and goals of the student. Cooperative Education hours apply to the contextual learning requirements for social work courses. It is strongly recommended that social work students enroll in at least one Cooperative Education experience.
SWK 480 – Independent Study, 1 to 4 credits. D.
SWK 490 – Practicum in Social Work, 8 to 10 credits. E2, S1. Professional social work experience with qualified supervision in an approved social agency or organization dealing in human or community services. Minimum time of 480 hours for satisfactory performance is required, together with participation in a seminar (SWK 494 – Social Work Senior Seminar) led by a faculty member. The practicum can be arranged during second semester or during the summer. Open only to those accepted into the social work major. SWK 494 must be taken concurrently. Prerequisites: SWK 283 – Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare; SWK 310 – Human Behavior and the Social Environment; SWK 320 – Social Policy and Systems Perspective; SWK 350 – Comparative Cultural Encounter; SWK 383 – Social Work Methods I; SWK 384 – Social Work Methods II; SWK 385 – Social Work Practice with Families; and SOC 228 – Research Methods and Statistics (or PSYC 230 – Statistics and Psychological Measurement and PSYC 301 – Research Methods in Psychology)
SWK 494 Z – Social Work Senior Seminar, 2 credits. E2, S1. This is the capstone course in the social work major. The purpose of this course is to integrate all parts of the students’ previous learning and experience in further preparing them for direct entry into generalist social work practice with beginning competency in social work methods and processes. The seminar includes content on perspectives for job interviews and procedures for taking state licensing and merit examinations. It is to be taken concurrently with SWK 490 – Practicum in Social Work. Open only to those accepted into the social work major.