200

A systematic study of the institutional roots and social consequences of major social problems: poverty, the environment, inequality, crime and the quality of education and work and family life. Includes critical analysis of assumptions underlying popular and theoretical explanations of social problems as well as programs and policies aimed at alleviating them.

Prerequisite: SOC 101. An introduction to the sociological analysis of crime. Explores dominant theoretical perspectives on the causes of and responses to crime and criminal behavior, the definition and measurement of crime, inequalities in the criminal justice system and policies directed at crime.

Prerequisite: SOC 101 or SOWK 201. An examination of major theories and research about the causes of juvenile delinquency and various approaches to its control, prevention, and treatment: juvenile court, correctional agencies, community-based programs, and strategies for working with delinquent and at-risk youth.

Prerequisite: PSY 101 or SOC 101. A study of the social aspects of aging. This course explores the role of aged individuals within society and the influence society has on them. Topics include health, income, housing, family relationships, retirement, leisure and institutionalization.

Prerequisite: SOC 101. An examination of the roots and development of the most important classical thinkers in sociology. The major emphasis in the course will be on Marx, Durkheim and Weber.

Prerequisite: SOC 101 or permission of the instructor. An introduction to the basic research methods of the social sciences. Includes an examination of the logic underlying the scientific study of human behavior and the social world as well as the research designs and techniques, both quantitative and qualitative, commonly used in social research: experiments, surveys, content analysis, field research, historical-comparative research, and program evaluation.

Prerequisites: SOC 101 or permission of instructor and MATH 098 or Level IB placement on the Basic Math Skills Inventory. An introduction to the methods used to analyze and interpret quantitative social science data with an applied focus. Students will demonstrate effective communication of quantitative data by accessing, interpreting, and presenting results in written and visual forms. Students will become familiar with various data bases as well as apply their understanding of descriptive and inferential statistics.

Offered at the discretion of the department.