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Sociology Course Offerings

Please see the section on "Course Description Symbols and Terms" in the University Catalog for an explanation of course description terminology and symbols, the course numbering system, and course credit units. All courses are lecture and discussion and employ letter grading unless otherwise stated. Some prerequisites may be waived with faculty permission. Many syllabi are available on the Chico Web.

Study of the influence of social phenomena on human behavior. Student will be acquainted with the basic concepts of sociology and introduced to the sociological perspective. Various versions of the sociological perspective will be studied. This is an approved General Education course. CAN SOC 2.

Analysis of the role of sexuality in social life. The course covers biological, psychological, and cultural aspects of sexuality, including sexual response, sexual orientation, sexual socialization, gender role expectations, various forms of sexual expression, and cross-cultural comparisons. This is an approved General Education course.

The Asian experience in the U.S. from the immigration period to the present. Political and economic impacts. Contemporary problems and issues in Asian American studies. Introduction to theoretical concepts of racism and prejudice. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Ethnic course. This course is also offered as AAST 152.

An exploration of the historical background and socio-cultural development of the Chicano. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Ethnic course. This course is also offered as CHST 157.

See description below. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units. Credit/no credit grading only.

See description below. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units. Credit/no credit grading only.

SOCI 189B - SOCI 189D: A day visit to California Youth Authority or a weekend trip to Napa State Hospital, Yountville Veterans' Home, or Sonoma Developmental Center. Full exposure to institutional life. Exposure to a variety of behaviors within the institution. Interaction with residents and staff members, thus giving the student a full scope of the lifestyle within a total institution. Each learning experience may be taken once, for a total of 4 units of credit. Sign up for these courses at CAVE, located in the Bell Memorial Union. These courses may not be used to meet major/minor requirements. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units. Credit/no credit grading only.

This course studies the overarching causes and effects of social problems upon our lives, communities, institutions, and society. Among the concepts discussed is the role of power and ideology in defining social problems, evaluations of proposed solutions, and methods of intervention. Potential topics covered include problems of the family, educational system, government, sexism, racism, poverty, and crime and violence. The course examines each problem using sociological concepts and theories.

The course guides students in an informed and critical examination of trends in mass media and culture and the means by which these trends influence attitudes and behaviors. The course uses theoretical approaches to investigate the impact of popular culture on distinct social groups. Special attention is given to increasing students' sociological "lens" and to making connections between popular culture and individual experiences. This is an approved General Education course.

An examination of the cultural and structural aspects of women's lives and experiences in contemporary societies. Different classes and ethnic/racial groups in the United States will be compared to those of other countries. Includes discussion of the creation of social policies and related activism. This is an approved General Education course. This course is also offered as WMST 230.

An introduction to sociological theories and evidence on contemporary families, including topics of kinship, marriage, gender roles, child-rearing, intimacy, and divorce. Emphasis on the United States, with comparisons of family patterns in different social classes, ethnic groups and societies. This is an approved General Education course.

Through lectures, readings, discussions, video, guest speakers, and use of WWW sites (including the archives at Jerusalem 1, Shamash, the US Holocaust Museum, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, and other Web sources) we will explore the roles of what Raul Hilberg calls the perpetrators, victims, and bystanders of this horrific period in the 20th Century. This is an approved General Education course. This course is also offered as MJIS 253.

An examination of the theories of classical sociologists. Major emphasis will be given to the thinkers who have provided the theoretical basis for contemporary sociology, including Marx, Durkheim, Weber, and other major theorists.

Prerequisites: SOCI 300.

A critical examination of contemporary sociological theory. A comparative approach to current theoretical trends and perspectives will be taken.

An introduction to the logic and styles of sociological research. Particular attention is given to the nature of the scientific method, the methods of formulating sociological research problems, the design of social research, character of scientific evidence, and program evaluation techniques. Assumes ability to use computers to generate documents, process basic data, and utilize the World Wide Web.

Prerequisites: SOCI 310.

Basic descriptive and inferential statistics for the social sciences. Emphasis will be placed upon the integration of social research designs and data collection, with statistical analysis and presentation.

This course provides in-depth study of selected topics in sociology. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.

Analysis of religion in human society; focus on relationship between religion and social forces; social sources and forces in morality and ethics. This course is also offered as RELS 381.

Explores different theories of the social construction of gender, with particular attention to how gender varies in relation to ethnicity, race, sexuality, and class. Examines evidence of how men and women are differentially situated in families, education, work, politics, and culture. This course is also offered as MCGS 330.

This course uses a variety of sociological perspectives to explore the history and experiences of women in the workplace and how gender roles in society and in the family intersect with work, both paid and unpaid, in and out of the home. Current trends, relevant sociological and feminist theories, and recent research on women and work are examined. Included is the impact of race, class, gender, and sexuality on poverty, child and adult care, workplace equity, and division of labor at home. Government policies and programs, union positions, and workplace programs are also discussed. This is an approved General Education course.

Offers sociological explanations for the unequal distribution of wealth, prestige, knowledge, and power in the United States class system and in other societies. Includes the role of social networks, and links between class, race/ethnicity, and gender inequality. This is an approved General Education course.

A course for prospective physical educators and coaches, emphasizing the concept of sport as it is linked to society. Discussion of topics in sport and society, such as aggression, organized sports for children, sport in education, professional sport, coaching, and blacks and women in sports. The course offers a critical perspective for the analysis of sport as a social phenomenon. This course is also offered as KINE 346.

This course will focus on ethnic and race relations in the United States. Theoretical and empirical studies will be examined in order to understand the socially constructed differences among racial and ethnic groups, including variations by gender. In addition, forces of resistance, movements for social change, and social policy programs will be examined. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Ethnic course. This course is also offered as MCGS 350.

Asian American communities are a significant social and cultural component of the United States. Drawn to America by a variety of factors, these communities have developed and changed since the first major wave of immigration in 1849. The course explores the ways these communities have maintained traditional Asian values and accommodated the often significantly different values of the United States. Among the issues discussed are pluralism, intergenerational relations, and interethnic contacts. This course is also offered as AAST 351.

A comparative study of interethnic and interracial minority contacts and relationships. Particular attention will be given to processes of assimilation, discrimination, and prejudice. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Non-Western course.

Lectures, guest speakers, and films are used to explore the rhetorical, historical, social, and cultural impact of genocide in the 20th century, with special focus on mass persuasion and propaganda. In addition, the moral implications of genocide are considered. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Non-Western course. This course is also offered as CMST 356, and MJIS 356.

Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Honors Program.

Lectures, guest speakers, and films are used to explore the rhetorical, historical, social, and cultural impact of genocide in the 20th century, with special focus on mass persuasion and propaganda. In addition, the moral implications of genocide are considered. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Non-Western course. This course is also offered as CMST 356H, and MJIS 356H.

Examination and analysis of the economic, social, and political status of Chicanos and Chicanas in the United States. Examines social characteristics and changes that have occurred since the Chicano Movement of the 1960s in areas such as immigration, demographics, stratification, educational attainment, and labor market participation. This is an approved Ethnic course. This course is also offered as CHST 358.

An investigation of the social basis for the development of personality. The impact of society and culture upon individual behavior will be analyzed in detail, as well as the effect of individual behavior upon group dynamics.

This course looks at human stress as a social phenomenon. Focus is on the relationship between human stress and economic, political, social institutions and events. Students examine the unequal distribution and consequences of human stress by social class, gender, race and ethnicity, and global location. Individual and group responses to human stess are considered. This is an approved General Education course.

A study of the basic components of population — fertility, mortality, and migration. Analysis of population trends and policies, with special attention to contemporary problems of population growth and control.

Major theoretical approaches to the study of deviance and deviant behavior will be dealt with; particular emphasis will be placed on historical, labelling, and political considerations in the analysis of "deviant behavior" and its consequences for the individual, the society, and agent of social control. This is an approved General Education course.

The study of crime and institutional responses to crime. Topics covered include the role of social stratification, police discretion, and the criminal justice system. Focuses on the theoretical assumptions and social processes underpinning criminal activity and control.

This course is for special topics offered for 1.0–3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered.

This course is an independent study of special problems offered for 1.0–3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. This course is designed to allow the student to pursue independent study with departmental permission. A maximum of 6 units may be applied toward the BA degree. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading only.

Prerequisites: SOCI 310 and SOCI 315 (or other statistics course by permission of instructor).

Hands-on research course in which students use qualitative methods such as field work, participant observation, interviewing, or comparative historical analysis. Students participate in a research project.

Prerequisites: SOCI 310 and SOCI 315 (or other statistics course by permission of instructor).

Hands-on research course in which students use quantitative methods such as survey and experimental research to collect and analyze data using statistical measures and procedures relevant to sociological analysis. Students participate

This course is a sociological approach to the study of envirnomental issues. Attention is directed to the effects of environmental degradation and its relationship to poverty and inequality. Environmental reforms are discussed, and the effects of economic development and population growth are examined. Case studies are used to examine environmental conflicts, water and land use decision making, and toxic facility siting.

Study of rural communities and their environments: the social forces and processes affecting them, their socio-cultural development, and their patterns of change; some focus on local rural areas.

This course investigates the ways in which societies, cultures, and individuals construct sexuality. The relationships between behavior and identities with such forces as politics, race, social class, and diseases (e.g., HIV) are examined. Historical, subcultural, and cross-cultural examples are incorporated into the course.

An analysis of social and cultural factors as they relate to ideology, voting, and political behavior. The nature and uses of power and its structure will be analyzed in detail using national and local conditions for examples, with the focus on the latter.

Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher, SOCI 300, SOCI 310, senior standing.

This course applies sociological concepts and theories to local, national, and international events and trends. Students read news sources and sociological works, which are used to interpret the news and global developments. This is a writing proficiency, WP, course; a grade of C- or better certifies writing proficiency for majors.

Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher, SOCI 300, SOCI 310, senior standing. Open to sociology majors who have a 3.5 GPA, faculty permission.

This course is intended to apply basic sociological concepts to current local, state, national, and international events. Students will read a daily newspaper and a relevant sociology text, which will be used to interpret the news. In this course, students will work on their Honors in the Major project. This is a writing proficiency, WP, course; a grade of C- or better certifies writing proficiency for majors.

Analysis of various types of collective behavior, with a major emphasis on collective incidents and social movements. The role of propaganda and public opinion in collective behavior will be discussed in detail. Contemporary examples will be discussed.

Prerequisites: SOCI 100 or AFAM 170.

An analysis of the social conditions of African Americans, including the impact of institutions on the family, employment, education, residential opportunities, and legal/criminal status. Strategies for addressing these impacts will be explored. This course is also offered as AFAM 455.

The study of genocide has been mandated as part of the educational curriculum in the State of California. In particular, the Holocaust, the Soviet Union under Stalin, and the Cambodian slaughter are emphasized in the Social Science Framework. We will explore these major acts of genocide in the 20th century along with others, such as the massacres of Hutus and Tutsis in Rwanda and Burundi. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the rhetorical and mass persuasive basis of genocide. This course is also offered as MJIS 556.

Prerequisites: CHST 157 or SOCI 100.

A study of Chicanos and Chicanas, using individual and structural frameworks, and making social and cultural comparisons among Chicanos, Mexicans, and Latinos. Examines the impact of these social groups on the United States, and compares Chicano, Mexican, and Latino communities with other ethnic groups. This course is also offered as CHST 459.

Examines the human life course, with primary attention to adulthood, in relation to particular cultures, historical times, and the family life cycle. Cohort patterns are compared in their consequences for institutions. The cultural, social psychological, and social structural influences on gender roles and life transitions and trajectories are addressed.

Many people spend the majority of their waking hours occupied with work. This course examines the structure and organization of work and its influence on many aspects of people's lives. Topics include the nature of work and occupations, relations within the workplace, socialization into occupations, and changes in work.

An intensive examination of the theory and research on organizational design, with an emphasis on applications of the theories. Focus is on how organizations develop structures to meet various internal (e.g. size, technology) and external (e.g., stakeholders, uncertainty) demands.

Sociological and social-psychological theories are used to examine the social phenomena of cults and extremist movements, including case studies of groups with a political, philosophical, religious, therapeutic, or other foundational basis. The focus is on why groups emerge and how they may change over time; mechanisms of influence and control; processes of recruitment, conversion, commitment, and disaffiliation; the charismatic relationship between leader and followers; effects on personal life and relationships; and interactions between the cult and society, including legal issues and violent incidents.

Prerequisites: SOCI 384 recommended.

An in-depth examination of the nature and structure of youthful crime from historical, social, and legal perspectives. Analysis will include consideration of social control agencies, delinquency control policies, and future trends. The origins of anti-social behavior rooted in youthful socialization will also be examined.

This course explores the social context of law, the legal structure, and the relationship between law and society. The core themes are the relationships among law, social structure, and social change, and how they bear upon issues of race, class, gender, and social justice.

This course examines the social phenomena of gangs nationally and regionally. The focus is on the history of gangs, organization, definitional and preventive measures. In-depth analysis includes street, racist, and prison gangs. Patterns of gangs in different ethnic groups are compared. Sociological approaches inform this inquiry.

This course is an internship offered for 1.0–15.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Students will have an opportunity to apply the knowledge obtained within substantive courses to an actual work setting. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units. Credit/no credit grading only.

This course is for special topics offered for 1.0–3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered.

Prerequisites: SOCI 441H, faculty permission.

The student will define a research problem, develop a research proposal, conduct the research, and submit a written report on the project. The student will refine the paper into publishable form and make a public presentation.

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

Students learn about the pedagogy of teaching sociology through assisting an instructor with a specific course. Apprentices get individualized instruction from faculty and then apply what they have learned to the college classroom environment, where they have an active role in assisting with student learning. Interested students should contact the instructor under whom they would like to apprentice.