Biology - Major in Biology Program

Required courses:
SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology

An introduction to the sociological perspective with a focus on how individual behavior is shaped by the social context. The nature and characteristics of human societies and social life are examined from a perspective known as the "sociological imagination". Topics range from the influence of culture on human behavior, the development of the self, group dynamics, deviance, population, and social inequality. Skill development includes research and communication. Fulfills requirement: Social Scientific Inquiry,Human Diversity. 3 credits.

SOC 210 Social Problems

Contemporary social problems are examined from a constructionist perspective. Topics selected for study vary according to societal trends, but typically include an examination of social change, poverty, globalization, environmental degradation, deviance, and health. Prerequisite: SOC 110. 3 credits.

SOC 300 Research Methods in Social Science

Experiential-based course covering fundamental concepts and problems in social science research. Topics include ethics or research on human behavior, design, measurement, sampling, and interviewing and questionnaire construction. There is an emphasis on four research methods: available data, survey research, experiments, and field research. Prerequisite: SOC 110 and 9 credits of Sociology at the 200-level or higher, or 6 credits of Political Science Courses at the 200-level or higher. 3 credits. (This course is cross-listed with CRJ 300)

SOC 301 Research Statistics for Social Sciences

This laboratory course builds skills in basic data management, statistical analysis, and interpretation of statistical information. The course reviews how to interpret both descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. The skills acquired in this lab are employed in research methods to aide students in the design, analysis, and presentation of their research project. Fulfills requirement: Quantitative Reasoning. Prerequisite: SOC 300, or permission of instructor. 3 credits. (This course is cross-listed with CRJ 301)

SOC 321 Social Theory

This course covers a critical examination of selected classical and contemporary theorists, including Marx, Durkheim, Weber, Parsons, Foucault, Bourdieu and Giddens. Classical, modern, post-modern and globalization theories will be covered. A meta-analytical approach will be used, looking at the social construction of theory. Prerequisite: SOC 110 and 6 credits in sociology at the 200-level or above, or permission of the instructor. 3 credits.

SOC 400 Internship

Field experience for sociology or criminal justice majors. Fulfills requirement: Immersive Experience. This course may be repeated for credit as topic changes. Prerequisites for Criminal Justice majors: SOC 245, 331, and 333. Prerequisites for Sociology majors: SOC 110, SOC 311; 321 or 331. Seniors only or permission. 1-12 credits.

(at least 3 credits)
SOC 499 Sociology Senior Seminar

A critical analysis of the selected topic: Inequality. This course will specifically focus on poverty and the impact of adverse child experiences on human outcomes. The course will be conducted as a seminar with a significant portion using a service learning format. This is a capstone course, required of all graduating Sociology and Criminal Justice majors. Fulfills requirement: Immersive Experience. Prerequisite: SOC 110, 300, 301; SOC 321 or 331; and senior standing. 3 credits.

Plus 15 additional credits from the following (six credits completed at the 300-level):
SOC 120 Introduction to Anthropology

Introduction to both physical and cultural anthropology including human evolution, human variation, and cross-cultural analysis and comparison. Fulfills requirement: Social Scientific Inquiry. 3 credits.

SOC 162 Race and the Intersections of Identity

This course examines how race continues to be a central feature of identity in America. Students will explore how multiple facets of identity - such as class, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality - intersect with race and form a complex matrix of inequality that has shaped the United States, in the past as well as the present. Understanding such complex intersections of identity will prepare students to work affectively in diverse domestic and global contexts. Fulfills requirement: Human Diversity. 3 credits.

SOC 170 Forensic Psychology

This course will focus on three critical areas that fall under the umbrella of forensic psychology. First, students will be introduced to the area of legal psychology, including applied empirical research on issues important to the legal system such as eyewitness accuracy, police selection, jury decision making, and legal assumptions about human behavior relevant to the rights of defendants, victims, children, and consumers of mental health services. Second, the area of psychological jurisprudence will be explored by studying efforts to develop a philosophy of law and justice based on psychological values. Third, students will be introduced to the concepts generally thought of as forensic psychology, such as criminal profiling, insanity defense, competence to stand trial, and child custody decisions. 3 credits. (This course is cross-listed with PSY 170)

SOC 226 Women and Gender Issues

An examination of women's contributions to the world, their roles in social institutions, and issues arising from their uniqueness and social situations. Topics will include images of women and their writings; biology and health; issues of sexuality and gender identity; and women's roles in the family, religion, education, and in the worlds of work and politics. Fulfills requirement: Social Scientific Inquiry. 3 credits.

SOC 240 Diversity and Intercultural Communication

The major objective of this course is to help students become aware of the degree to which behavior (including one's own) is culturally determined. As we continue to move toward a global society with increasingly frequent intercultural contacts, we need more than simple factual knowledge about cultural differences; we need a framework for understanding inter-cultural communication and cross-cultural human relations. Through lecture, discussion, simulations, case- studies, role-plays and games, students will learn the inter-cultural communication framework and the skills necessary to make them feel comfortable and communicate effectively with people of any culture and in any situation involving a group of diverse backgrounds. Fulfills requirement: . 3 credits.

SOC 250 Population and Society

This course is designed to introduce students to the issues, both national and global, that relate to population trends and policies. This course will cover the basics of demographic methods and techniques; familiarity with the three components of population studies: fertility, mortality, and migration; and a general knowledge of population policy issues. Emphasis shall be placed on the sociological perspective of population as well as the role of the individual student in population and environmental challenges and solutions. Fulfills requirement: Social Scientific Inquiry. 3 credits.

SOC 261 Perspectives on Aging

Introduction to the study of aging from a multidisciplinary perspective. Topics include the biology of aging, demographic trends in aging, and aging impacts on social institutions and society. Policies on aging are reviewed. Prerequisite: SOC 110. 3 credits.

SOC 271 Child Abuse

The study and analysis of child abuse in its various expressions with additional focus on physical and sexual abuse. Emphasis will be on models and theories of causation, dynamics, treatment and research. Prerequisite: SOC 110. 3 credits.

SOC 272 Substance Abuse

An examination of the problems associated with substance abuse including a study of the prevalent myths concerning substance abuse, and exploration of the causes of substance abuse and an exploration of how it affects the individual, the family and society as a whole. In addition, the course will examine current methods of intervention and treatment. Prerequisite: SOC 110. 3 credits.

SOC 324 Medical Sociology

An examination of the societal bases of health, illness and health care. The course will include an examination of the three components of medicine: the patient, the medical professional and the health care organization. Specific topics will include: the role of the patient; doctor-patient relationships; the socialization of medical professionals; the hospital as a complex organization, cross-cultural comparisons of health care and current topics of concern such as the AIDS epidemic, new technologies and social response to the terminally ill patient. Prerequisite: SOC 110 or permission of instructor. 3 credits.

SOC 330 Marriage and Family

This course examines selected topics and research in the interdisciplinary field of marriage and family studies. Students will explore how the definitions and functions of families are changing by researching demographic trends, theories, myths, and media representations. Students should leave this course with a basic understanding of the historical context of marriage and family; familiarization with the tools used to study marriage and family issues; a general knowledge of how gender, social class, family structure, and race impact definitions of family; and a heightened awareness of interactions between work and family responsibilities. Prerequisite: SOC 110. 3 credits.

Sociology majors may choose to pursue concentrations in criminal justice and family studies.