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ACADEMICS: Sociology

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Sociology Requirements

Communicating Plus: Sociology: All sociology courses emphasize the application of sociological concepts and knowledge to case examples and practical problems faced by society, through both written and oral communication. What is most important to gain from courses in sociology is a distinctive way of interpreting the world around us, that is, an understanding of how we may understand the reality of our social world in sociological terms that often are unfamiliar. This emphasis on the conceptual will provide the most enduring form of education, preparing students to assume their roles as citizens in a humane society, able to critically analyze the causes of problems we face and to take an active role in discovering and working toward their solution. All sociology courses incorporate learning and teaching strategies to further achievement of these educational goals.

Requirements for a major in sociology-anthropology: Sociology 110, 115, 401, 402 and eight other credits in sociology, and 12 credits in anthropology. At least 12 credits must be at the 300 level or above. Mathematics 120 is a corequisite for Sociology 401 but is not part of the sociology-anthropology major. Four credits from such off-campus study programs as the Chicago Urban Studies Semester may be counted toward the anthropology portion of the major depending on individual circumstances; consult Professor Clark. Students who wish to double-major in anthropology and sociology-anthropology may apply only one anthropology course toward both majors.

Requirements for a minor in sociology: Sociology 110, 115 and 12 other credits in sociology to be selected in consultation with the sociology adviser.

Designed for first-year students and open to upperclass students.

110. Introduction to Sociology (Clark)
Four credits. Examines core concepts related to the discipline of sociology, emphasizing those related to the basic institutions of the family, education, religion, politics, and economics.

115. Social Problems (Clark)
Four credits. Selected problems in deviant behavior, social inequality, social institutions, and social change in the United States. Emphasis is placed on the nature of each problem, its effects on American society, its causes, and possible solutions.

202. Sociology Through Film (Clark)

Four credits. Not offered in 2007-08. Examines a variety of films from a sociological perspective. Emphasis will be given to how feature length and documentary films portray characters’ race and ethnicity, gender, social class, and sexuality, as well as what these portrayals indicate about the larger societies in which they are situated. Weekly film screenings will be supplemented with course readings, class discussions, analytic papers about the films and examinations.Prerequisite: Sociology 110 or 115.

204. Sociology of Jobs and Work (Clark)

Four credits. Examines the field of sociology through the study of work and occupations. Topics include the social evolution of work, the various types of work and the social meanings attached to them, inequality in the workplace, and the future of work. Prerequisite: Sociology 110 or 115.

Open to sophomores, juniors and seniors.

300. Departmental Studies (Staff)

Four credits. Special subjects in sociology not covered by regular courses. Topics are announced as courses are offered. This course may be repeated for credit when topics change. Prerequisite: Sociology 110 or 115 or consent of the instructor.

302. Sociology of Health and Medicine (Clark)
Four credits. Focuses on the institution of medicine in contemporary industrial society. Topics include societal and individual views of disease, social epidemiology, the medical professions, society’s treatment of death and dying, health care delivery systems, health policy, and ethical issues in health care. Prerequisite: Sociology 110 or 115.

304. Sociology of Inequality (Clark)
Four credits. Focuses on inequalities of class, race and gender in American society. Topics include the relationship of social inequality to social class and life chances, the social construction of race and gender, how ideas about race and gender have been and are used to justify unequal treatment, and the consequences this has for people’s everyday lives. Prerequisite: Sociology 110 or 115.

306. Criminology (Staff)
Four credits. Examines the problem of crime in American society. Topics include definition and measurement of criminality, patterns of criminal behavior, theories of crime causation, the criminal justice system, and crime policy. Prerequisite: Sociology 110 or 115.

401. Methods of Social Research (Clark)
Four credits. Offered in 2007-08 and alternate years. Methods by which sociologists design research, collect and analyze data, and present results. Topics include techniques for collecting quantitative and qualitative data, strategies for deductive and inductive analysis and the interpretation of results. Prerequisites: 12 credits in sociology; Mathematics 120 (should be taken concurrently or the preceding semester). Limited to junior or senior sociology-anthropology majors, sociology minors, and others by consent of the instructor.

402. Social Research Project (Clark)
Four credits. Offered in 2007-08 and alternate years. Individually supervised research project, including formulation of a problem, review of literature, research design, data collection, analysis and public presentation of results in an original paper. Prerequisites: Sociology 401, 12 other credits in sociology, Mathematics 120.

541, 542. Independent Study (Clark)
Two to four credits each semester. Offered on request. Supervised investigation in a problem area in sociology of special interest to the student. Prerequisites: Senior standing, consent of the instructor, 12 credits in sociology.

551, 552. Internship (Clark)
Two to five credits each semester. A supervised field study internship in a social service agency. Students write a paper describing and critically analyzing the field experience and present a public report on their internship. May be repeated for up to a total of eight credits. Limited number of positions available, open by competitive application only; senior sociology-anthropology majors given preference. Interested students must consult the instructor prior to registration. Prerequisites: Sociology 110, 115, and at least eight other credits in sociology; junior or senior standing.