Sociology (SOC)

SOC 1013. Introduction to Sociology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours. (TCCN = SOCI 1301)

Introduces the study of human groups, the relations of individuals to groups, and the process of becoming a group member and functioning in a group setting. May be applied toward the Core Curriculum requirement in Social and Behavioral Sciences. (Formerly titled "Introduction to the Study of Society.") Generally offered: Fall, Spring, Summer. Course Fees: DL01 $75; LRC1 $12; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 2013. Social Problems. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours. (TCCN = SOCI 1306)

Examines major contemporary social problems and their causes and consequences. Topics may include poverty, racism, sexism, deviance and crime, drug and alcohol dependence, the urban crisis, overpopulation, and war. May be applied toward the Core Curriculum requirement in Social and Behavioral Sciences. Generally offered: Fall, Spring, Summer. Course Fees: DL01 $75; LRC1 $12; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 2023. Social Context of Drug Use. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours. (TCCN = SOCI 2340)

Explores the use and abuse of mind-altering substances within society. Topics of study may include historical treatments of drug use, drug treatment and recovery interventions, the global magnitude of contemporary drug problems, and the problematic nature and consequences of drug legislation and enforcement. May be applied toward the Core Curriculum requirement in Social and Behavioral Sciences. (Formerly titled "Drugs in Society.") Generally offered: Fall, Spring. Course Fees: DL01 $75; LRC1 $12; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 2033. Introduction to Health and Social Services Professions. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course introduces students to the health and social services professions. Students will explore career opportunities and develop professional skills. In considering the delivery of health care and social services across society, several perspectives are examined. Major characteristics of the U.S. healthcare system are introduced as students explore issues that influence professional practice. Different career options are explored as we consider the knowledge, skills, educational requirements, and potential compensation of various career opportunities. Students develop career planning skills while creating a professional resume for volunteer opportunities, internships, and employment. Course Fee: LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 2063. Special Topics in Sociology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

An organized course offering the opportunity for a specialized topic at the lower division level that is available through the regular course offerings. Special Topics may be repeated for credit when topics vary, but not more than 6 semester credit hours, regardless of discipline, will apply to a bachelor’s degree. Course Fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 3013. Social Stratification. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Examines theory and research pertaining to inequalities of power, prestige, and economic privilege. Major emphasis upon inequality and social mobility in the United States. Generally offered: Fall, Spring. Course Fees: DL01 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 3043. Race and Ethnic Relations. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines how ideas, practices, and theoretical frameworks associated with race and ethnicity have manifested historically and currently in U.S. society. It covers foundational concepts in the field of race and ethnicity from a sociological perspective. It addresses the structural and institutional causes and consequences of racial and ethnic inequality in various aspects of U.S. society. Finally, the class explores how race and ethnicity relate to other axes of social organization, such as gender, class, and immigration status. Generally offered: Fall, Spring. Course Fee: DL01 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 3053. Deviance and Difference. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Analyzes the forms of deviance and consideration of social/political trends toward difference. An examination of theories may include: biological, analytic, labeling, functionalist, culture conflict, radical, and poststructuralist. Course Fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18; DL01 $75.

SOC 3063. Collective Behavior. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: SOC 1013 or consent of instructor. Focuses on case studies and associated theory dealing with various forms of collective behavior ranging from spontaneous events to organized mass movements. Course Fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18; DL01 $75.

SOC 3083. Social Change and Development. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Presents principal models and theories of social transformation applied to examples of societal change. Topics may include consideration of master trends such as rationalization, industrialization, and bureaucratization, and the expansion and contraction of global interconnectedness. Course Fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 3093. Religion and Society. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Focuses on religious institutions and movements in the United States with comparative data from other countries. Topics may include the relationship of religious institutions to social stratification, economic institutions, and political and social change. Generally offered: Fall, Spring. Course Fees: DL01 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 3113. Criminology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Examines the nature, prevalence, and impact of different types of legal violations, including street crime, organized crime, political crime, and white-collar crime. Includes treatment of social and legal responses to crime. Generally offered: Fall, Spring, Summer. Course Fees: DL01 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 3163. Families in Society. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Examines the modern family, structures and functions, variant patterns and the influence of the broader society in producing family change. Contemporary and continuing issues are covered in the context of theory and research. Topics may include variability in childhood socialization, family violence, changing gender roles, marriage, divorce and remarriage, alternative family structures, and the aging family. (Formerly SOC 2053. Credit cannot be earned for both SOC 3163 and SOC 2053.) (Formerly titled "Marriage and Family.") Generally offered: Fall. Course Fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18; DL01 $75.

SOC 3193. The Sociology of Work and Occupations. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: SOC 1013 or consent of instructor. Explores occupational structures in selected societies; the relationship between occupations and economic rewards, lifestyles, and worldview; and determinants of work satisfaction. Generally offered: Fall, Spring. Course Fees: DL01 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 3203. Gerontology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Examines the historical and cross-cultural differences in the status of the elderly in society. Includes interaction of the elderly with social institutions, and policy implications of the demographic shift toward an aging population in the United States. Course Fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18; DL01 $75.

SOC 3213. Medical Sociology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Examines social factors in the cause and distribution of disease; relationships between patients and medical professionals; the contribution of lay belief to health, illness, treatment, and recovery; the organization of health-care delivery; and the disparities in the distribution of medical resources. Generally offered: Spring. Course Fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18; DL01 $75.

SOC 3223. Population Dynamics and Demographic Techniques. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Introduces the common methods, techniques, and models employed by demographers. Topics may include demographic data sources, introduction to life table techniques; construction, standardization, and decomposition of rates; measures of concentration and diversity; and population growth projections. Students will become familiar with microcomputer programs for demographic analysis. (Formerly titled "Demographic Techniques.") Same as DEM 3223. Credit cannot be earned for both SOC 3223 and DEM 3223. Generally offered: Fall, Spring. Course Fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18; DL01 $75.

SOC 3253. The Individual and Society. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Examines the major theories dealing with the effects of culture and social structure on the development and functioning of the personality and the self. Course Fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 3263. Latinas in U.S. Society. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Focuses on women of Latino descent in the United States with a comparative emphasis on the experiences of Texas Latinas relative to those residing elsewhere in the Southwest. Topics may include: historical presence in the Southwest; patriarchy and familialism; labor and employment issues; immigration and border issues; political involvement and feminist vision; artistic, cultural and intellectual expression. (Same as WGSS 3953 (formerly WS 3953). Credit cannot be earned for both SOC 3263 and WGSS 3953 if the topics are the same.) Generally offered: Spring. Course Fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 3283. Poverty. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Examines the causes and consequences of poverty in the United States and selected other societies. An examination of social programs designed to combat poverty. Generally offered: Fall, Spring, Summer. Course Fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18; DL01 $75.

SOC 3293. Sociology of Gender. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Explores the nature of gender roles in our own and other societies. Consideration of how people learn gender roles and the outcomes of this learning for individuals, families, and societies. Alternatives to conventional gender roles. (Formerly titled "Gender Roles.") Course Fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18; DL01 $75.

SOC 3323. Introduction to Social Research. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Introduction to the philosophy of science and the logic of research design. Examines a variety of social research designs including experiments, survey research, content analysis, and historical analysis. Course emphasizes techniques related to information gathering, basic data analysis, and reporting findings. (Formerly titled "Research Methods in Sociology.") Generally offered: Fall, Spring. Course Fee: LRHC $10; STHC $18; DL01 $75.

SOC 3353. Sociological Theory. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: SOC 1013. Begins with an examination of the foundational writings in classical sociological theory with special emphasis on the work of Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. Contemporary paradigms in sociological theory (e.g., functionalism, neo-Marxism, phenomenology, and feminism), and current debates over the state of theory are then addressed. Attention is also given to the linkages between theory and research. (Formerly SOC 3183. Credit cannot be earned for both SOC 3353 and SOC 3183.) Generally offered: Fall, Spring, Summer. Course Fees: DL01 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 3373. Qualitative Research Methods. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: SOC 3323. Introduces the philosophy of science and research design, including participant observation, in-depth interviews, oral history, and focus groups through field research. The course provides opportunities for developing qualitative research skills while gaining familiarity with issues and problems common to these methods. Generally offered: Fall, Spring. Course Fees: DL01 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 3393. Quantitative Research Methods. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Completion of the Core Curriculum requirement in mathematics and SOC 3323. Application of conceptualization and operationalization in the quantitative analysis of a variety of sociological subjects. Use of elementary measures of central tendency and dispersion, cross tabulations, and linear model procedures to evaluate relationships among variables; problems of descriptions and inference. Includes the use of standard computer packages and secondary analysis of data. (Formerly SOC 3313. Credit cannot be earned for both SOC 3313 and SOC 3393.) Generally offered: Fall, Spring. Course Fee: LRHC $10; STHC $18; DL01 $75.

SOC 3413. Sociology of the Mexican American Community. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Focuses on contemporary issues regarding Mexican American communities. Topics of discussion include family structure, gender roles, border issues and political power. Comparison with other minorities and the majority group will allow discussion of variant community patterns. (Same as MAS 3413 and BBL 3413. Credit cannot be earned for both BBL 3413, MAS 3413, and SOC 3413.) (Formerly titled "Mexican American Family.") Generally offered: Summer. Course Fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 3423. Mass Media in Society. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Examines media production and its role in the economy; the construction of media meaning, signification, and ideology; and the role of the audience in making sense of messages. Larger issues of societal power will be treated, along with an examination of alternative media. Course Fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 3443. Health in Adolescence and the Transition to Adulthood. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines sociological perspectives on health and well-being in adolescence and the transition to adulthood. The life course perspective is presented as a framework for understanding adolescence within social, historical, and institutional contexts. An additional focus of the course is on inequalities in risks, opportunities, resources, and health outcomes across racial, ethnic, gender, socioeconomic, and other social statuses. Course fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 3453. Aging and Family Life. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course explores the dynamic relationship between aging and family life. As individuals grow older, their roles and relationships within the family change, and this course will examine these changes. This course will also consider various family structures and the ways in which diverse families adapt to the changing needs of aging individuals and populations. Topics will include caregiving, inter-generational relationships, and the impact of cultural and societal factors on aging and family dynamics. This course will draw upon theories from sociology, psychology, and social work to provide a comprehensive understanding of the aging process and its impact on the family.

SOC 3463. Sociology of Sport and Leisure. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Examines the social meanings of play and leisure in advanced industrial societies. Emphasis will be on the origins, structure, and function of these phenomena in the United States, with major emphasis on sport as an institution. Course Fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 3493. Sociology of Sex and Reproduction. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course uses a sociological perspective to analyze contemporary issues in human reproduction. Our focus is primarily on issues within the U.S. and other Western societies, but this course will show that reproduction within the U.S. impacts and is impacted by reproductive practices in other countries. We will explore a variety of topics, including contraception, sterilization, abortion, reproductive technologies, pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. These and other topics will be analyzed using a reproductive justice framework.

SOC 3553. Health Care Fraud and Compliance Investigation. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course introduces students to the examination of health care fraud and compliance investigation. Students will also explore career opportunities related to health care compliance. This class will look at the devastating effects that healthcare fraud has on the financial resources of the United States. We will review cases of healthcare fraud that involved more than just money - the ultimate price - human lives. We will review healthcare fraudulent schemes and methods to detect these schemes. Who are the perpetrators? Who are the victims? Methods of investigation will be explored to look at how to prevent fraud with current laws, task forces and compliance efforts. Whistleblowers will be discussed regarding their efforts to stop healthcare fraud and the risks they took to come forward. The class will also examine the many free resources available to the public on the topic of healthcare fraud. Students will have a chance to investigate possible career paths related to fighting healthcare fraud. Course fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 4023. Violence and Society. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Examines and assesses the major social science perspectives and theories that attempt to explain why violence occurs in society. (Formerly SSC 3203. Credit cannot be earned both for SOC 4023 and SSC 3203.) Generally offered: Spring. Course Fees: DL01 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 4093. Urban Sociology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course explores the nature, conditions, and consequences of urbanization. A focus on population growth and structural change in metropolitan areas is presented. Additionally, social and demographic characteristics are used to understand dynamics associated with urban populations. Course fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 4123. Senior Seminar in Sociology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: SOC 3323, SOC 3373 or SOC 3393, and SOC 3353. A writing intensive capstone course for sociology majors that synthesizes and applies sociological knowledge through the integration of theory and research methods. Professional development is emphasized. Course Fee: LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 4133. Religion, Spirituality, and Health. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course introduces students to the study of religion, spirituality, and health. Students will explore the effects of religion and spirituality on mental health, physical health, and mortality risk. Taken together, these diverse aspects of the course will: (a) provide new information about the role of religion and spirituality in contemporary life, especially in the United States, (b) help students to learn about basic theoretical tools and empirical approaches via which scholars in the social scientists and multiple other disciplines study the religion/spirituality-health connection, and (c) acquaint students with central themes and findings in the burgeoning empirical literature on religion and spirituality and mental health and psychological well-being, physical health, biological functioning, and mortality. Course fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 4153. Sociology of Food and Culture. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course is a comprehensive introduction to food studies from sociological, cultural anthropological, and historical perspectives. It covers the foundations of food studies, as well as contemporary theories that examine how food preparation, consumption, and food politics are influenced by race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, social class, and religion. It examines racialized violence, disparities, and insecurities in the food system and addresses why healthy, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food is a human right.

SOC 4193. Mexico: Development, Institutions and Policies. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

The course begins by looking at the significant development challenges faced by Mexico. This section pays particular attention to economic growth, poverty, inequality, and human development dynamics. The course explores how individual opportunities are different depending on where you live and who you are in Mexico. The second section of the course introduces the many aspects of institutions and processes that shape Mexico's current and future development. We examine society, government, legal and judicial institutions, corruption, monopolies, and migration from Mexico and Central America to the United States. Finally, we look at policies and programs that enhance socioeconomic development in Mexico, such as NAFTA, Oportunidades, and, recently, the war against organized crime.

SOC 4213. Behavioral Profiling. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: SOC 1013 or PSY 1013. This course is designed to expose students to the process of criminal behavioral profiling, an investigative tool used by law enforcement, criminologists, and forensic scientists to predict the characteristics of unknown subjects through crime scene analysis. This is a unique course and is arranged around the deductive profiling method developed by a few of the more published criminal profilers in the United States. Topics include case assessment, crime scene reconstruction methods, evidence dynamics, victimology, criminal motivation, and ethics. Course Fees: DL01 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 4433. Culture and Society. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Explores the social significance of cultural production, including the relationships between art, consciousness, the economy, and history. Themes examined may include the social production of art, art and ideology, the problem of artistic reception, and art movements and cultural resistance. Topics include art and culture in minority social movements, the relation between high and low culture, and cultural conflict over art. Course Fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 4453. Multimedia Applications. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

The course is designed to enhance student ability to competently create sociologically-relevant digital content (e.g., video, images, slideshows) and integrate such content into online platforms (e.g., user-sharing sites and blogs). The course will introduce a coherent system of information generation and processing that will enable you to easily move between the massive universe of digital materials on the Internet and your own creative efforts. Students will navigate within this system and, in the process, employ various applications to help locate, curate, conceptualize, produce, and distribute sociological content. Particular attention will be directed to how multimedia can make abstract scholarly concepts more understandable.

SOC 4463. Race and Ethnicity in Latin America. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course explores the role of race and ethnicity in various Latin American societies. It provides in-depth coverage of various subtopics, such as national belief systems, multiracialism, racial and ethnic stratification, identity formation, social movements, and ethnic and racial politics.

SOC 4473. The Sociology of Migration and Immigration. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course is designed to improve student understanding of migration: what is it; what social, economic, political, and environmental forces drive different forms of migration (including the roles of development, globalization, violence, climate change, and immigration laws, policies, and practices); and what are some of its most important consequences or impacts of this mobility for those that engage in it, for the communities/nations they move into. To examine these themes, we will also aim to understand some “flows” more deeply. In addition to a broad comparative-historical look at many important “postcolonial” international migrations around the world, we will pay particular attention to current issues on U.S. immigration and their historical roots, studying the genesis and evolution of migration from different nations as well as undocumented migration and asylum seekers.

SOC 4483. Disability and Society. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Examines our understandings and practices regarding disability through time and place. Describes inequalities and exclusions of people based on ideas of ability and disability. In so doing, we discover how disability intersects with topics such as culture, identity, gender, sexuality, race, aging, economics, health care, education, and criminal justice. The course will include an experiential learning component to reflect on a direct learning activity with respect to disability and society. Generally offered: Fall, Spring.

SOC 4493. Visualizing Society with Big Data. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course covers basic and advanced techniques for data visualization in the programming language of R, such as boxplots, histograms, scatterplots, forest plots, and maps. These techniques allow researchers to detect data flaws, conduct exploratory analyses, and visually communicate patterns using population data from multiple sources. This course will review the calculation and interpretation of the statistics used in the visualization techniques (e.g., age-adjusted rates and confidence intervals).

SOC 4683. Health Disparities. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

The main purpose of this course is to provide students with an understanding of how racial/ethnic, social, economic, demographic and gender factors contribute to disparities in health and health care in the United States. Generally offered: Spring. Course Fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18; DL01 $75.

SOC 4853. Topics in Sociology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

An organized course offering the opportunity for specialized study not normally or not often available as part of the regular course offerings. Special Studies may be repeated for credit when topics vary, but not more than 6 semester credit hours, regardless of discipline, will apply to a bachelor’s degree. (Formerly SOC 4953. Credit may be earned for both SOC 4853 and SOC 4953 but may not exceed 6 semester credit hours combined). Course Fees: DL01 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 4863. Topics in Sociology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

An organized course offering the opportunity for a specialized topic not normally or not often available as part of the regular course offerings. Special Topics may be repeated for credit when topics vary, but not more than 6 semester credit hours, regardless of discipline, will apply to a bachelor’s degree. Course Fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 4911. Independent Study. (0-0) 1 Credit Hour.

Prerequisites: Permission in writing (form available) from the instructor, the student’s advisor, the Department Chair, and the Dean of the College in which the course is offered. Independent reading, research, discussion, and/or writing under the direction of a faculty member. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 6 semester credit hours of independent study, regardless of discipline, will apply to a bachelor’s degree. Course Fees: LRHC $10; STHC $6.

SOC 4913. Independent Study. (0-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: Permission in writing (form available) from the instructor, the student’s advisor, the Department Chair, and the Dean of the College in which the course is offered. Independent reading, research, discussion, and/or writing under the direction of a faculty member. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 6 semester credit hours of independent study, regardless of discipline, will apply to a bachelor’s degree. Course Fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 4923. Public Health Study Abroad. (0-0) 3 Credit Hours.

The purpose of this course is to provide students greater understanding of global health issues. The study abroad program focuses on health care and public health in different international settings and provides students with a unique opportunity to integrate direct academic learning and field experience in public health. The program involves attending class room lectures in public health and interacting with local public health officials in understanding how health care system is responding to the health needs of its population. This course will satisfy 3 hours of the Public Health Internship requirement under the Sociology degree. Course Fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 4926. Public Health Study Abroad. (0-0) 6 Credit Hours.

The purpose of this course is to provide students greater understanding of global health issues. The study abroad program focuses on health care and public health in different international settings and provides students with a unique opportunity to integrate direct academic learning and field experience in public health. The program involves attending classroom lectures in public health and interacting with local public health officials in understanding how health care system is responding to the health needs of its population. This course will satisfy 6 hours of the Public Health Internship requirement under the Sociology degree. Course Fees: LRHC $10; STHC $36.

SOC 4933. Internship in Sociology. (0-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: Completion of SOC 3353 and either SOC 3373 or SOC 3393, and consent of internship coordinator. Provided as part of the COLFA Signature Experience and offers supervised work experience relevant to sociology within selected organizations and agencies. Internships selected should be relevant to previous coursework. A maximum of 6 semester credit hours may be earned through this internship. Generally offered: Fall, Spring, Summer. Course Fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SOC 4936. Internship in Sociology. (0-0) 6 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: Completion of SOC 3353 and either SOC 3373 or SOC 3393, and consent of internship coordinator. Provided as part of the COLFA Signature Experience and offers supervised work experience relevant to sociology within selected organizations and agencies. Internships selected should be relevant to previous coursework. A maximum of 6 semester credit hours may be earned through this internship. Generally offered: Fall, Spring, Summer. Course Fees: LRHC $10; STHC $36.

SOC 4993. Honors Thesis. (0-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Enrollment limited to candidates for Honors in Sociology during the last two semesters. Supervised research and preparation of an honors thesis. May be repeated once with advisor’s approval. Generally offered: Fall, Spring. Course Fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18.