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 or SOC 215 or Permission of Instructor. 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 SOC 215 or SOWK 201 or permission of the instructor. 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 or SOC 215 or Permission of Instructor. An examination of classical and contemporary sociological theory including theorists that have been under-recognized but still influential in shaping the discipline. Issues, debates, and controversies in sociology will be explored as well as its contributions to the social sciences and society.  

Prerequisite: SOC 101 or SOC 215 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 SOC 215 and MATH 098 or Level IB placement on the Basic Math Skills Inventory or permission of the instructor. 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 databases as well as apply their understanding of descriptive and inferential statistics.

Prerequisites: Completion of the English Composition and Social and Behavioral Analysis sections of the Core; or Permission of the Instructor
An introduction to grant writing and methods of community-based research that can be applied across the social sciences and practiced in a variety of human and social service settings. Students will develop grant writing and career exploration skills and at least one of the following areas based on their own academic or career interests: program evaluation, community-needs assessment and/or policy analysis.

Offered at the discretion of the department.