Southwestern

Engaging Minds, Transforming Lives

Sociology & Anthropology Department

Courses: Sociology

Our Sociology courses focus on topics germane to our current global society and issues of race/class/gender across the curriculum.  Below you will find a list of our current or recent offerings. See the course catalog for descriptions and updated information.

Click here for a semester-by-semester plan of what we plan to offer in the next two years.

  • 34-001 SELECTED TOPICS
    May be repeated with change in topic.
  • 34-002 SELECTED TOPICS
    May be repeated with change in topic.
  • 34-003 SELECTED TOPICS
    May be repeated with change in topic.
  • 34-004 SELECTED TOPICS
    May be repeated with change in topic.
  • 34-113 SOCIAL PATTERNS AND PROCESSES
    A basic course in the analysis of social institutions and communities calling on various perspectives, including models from functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. Principles of modern sociology are taught by application to specific topics ranging from community to family and g...
  • 34-123 SOCIAL PROBLEMS
    This course focuses on the "sociological imagination" understanding how individuals' lives are shaped by larger social and historical forces - through an examination of specific social problems that may include welfare policy, crime and delinquency, racial inequality and poverty. (Each semester) (Sc...
  • 34-201 RESEARCH METHODS
    Acquaints majors and minors in sociology with the procedures for gathering and analyzing sociological data. Students in Research Methods will meet for weekly lab sessions in addition to the lecture and discussion times. Prerequisite: Sociology 34-113 or 123, and Mathematics 52-113. (Fall)
  • 34-203 RESEARCH METHODS
    Acquaints majors and minors in sociology with the procedures for gathering and analyzing sociological data. Students in Research Methods will meet for weekly lab sessions in addition to the lecture and discussion times. Prerequisite: Sociology 34-113 or 123, and Mathematics 52-113. (Fall)
  • 34-213 SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY
    Contributions made to sociological theory beginning in the mid-19th century to the present. Prerequisite: Sociology 34-113 or 123. (Spring)
  • 34-223 CONFORMITY, DEVIANCE AND IDENTITY
    A study of the societal definition of deviant behavior, causes of deviant behavior and social control. Prerequisite: Sociology 34-113 or 123.
  • 34-233 GENDER AND SEXUALITY
    The course examines the historical, social and cultural construction of gender, focusing on the ways that femininities and masculinities are constructed from infancy through adulthood in the United States. Also included is an exploration of the construction of sexualities, and the effects of constru...
  • 34-243 FAMILIES IN SOCIETY
    The study of families in historical, social and cultural perspective, including analysis of variation in family experience by race and ethnicity, class and gender. Processes of mate selection, marriage patterns, and the formation of families, households, and kin groups are covered. Prerequisite: Soc...
  • 34-253 SOCIOLOGY OF SPORT
    The study of sport as an institution of modern societies, and considering its relationship to other major social patterns of those societies, such as gender, race relations, political and economic structures, higher education and the mass media. Prerequisite: Sociology 34-113 or 123. Also Kinesiolog...
  • 34-263 RACE AND ETHNICITY
    This course examines the ways that race and ethnicity have historically been and currently are constructed, maintained, and challenged individually, institutionally and culturally. In addition, the class explores how our American experiences as well as our life chances are shaped and modified by our...
  • 34-274 CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH
    The course examines how the historical and social construction of childhood and adolescence intersect with major social institutions. It introduces the social organization underlying children's and adolescents' social interactions, agency and peer cultures, and considers the ways these vary accordin...
  • 34-301 SELECTED TOPICS
    May be repeated with change in topic.
  • 34-302 SELECTED TOPICS
    May be repeated with change in topic.
  • 34-303 SELECTED TOPICS
    May be repeated with change in topic.
  • 34-304 SELECTED TOPICS
    May be repeated with change in topic.
  • 34-313 SOCIAL CLASS IN THE U
    S. The study of the construction, maintenance, and consequences of social inequalities in the United States, based on the review of classical and contemporary theories, empirical research and biographical accounts. Prerequisite: Sociology 34-113 or 123. Also Feminist Studies 04-583. (Spring)
  • 34-333 MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY
    Applies sociological methods and concepts to the field of illness and health care in modern societies, dealing with such topics as social epidemiology, social psychological aspects of illness, and systems of health care financing and delivery. Prerequisite: Sociology 34-113 or 123.
  • 34-343 ORGANIZATION THEORY AND DESIGN
    Prerequisites: for Business majors-Business 30-323; for Sociology majors-Sociology 34-113. See Business 30-553.
  • 34-352 DEMOGRAPHY: WORLD POPULATION GEOGRAPHY
    The study of the major demographic processes of fertility, mortality and migration. Students will examine global demographic patterns and trends in all world regions, with specific case studies in a number of countries. This is a half-semester course, offered the first half of the semester. Also Env...
  • 34-412 URBAN SOCIOLOGY
    An analysis of urban patterns, employing the two theoretical traditions of urban ecology and political economy. Particular attention is paid to the emergence of global cities. An understanding of demographic patterns and processes is assumed. This is a half-semester course, offered the second half o...
  • 34-614 LATIN AMERICAN POLITICS
    See Political Science 32-614.
  • 34-764 ADVANCED RESEARCH SEMINAR IN LATIN AMERICAN POLITICS
    See Political Science 32-764.
  • 34-901 TUTORIAL
  • 34-902 TUTORIAL
  • 34-903 TUTORIAL
  • 34-904 TUTORIAL
  • 34-951 INDEPENDENT STUDY
    Prerequisites: Senior standing and a minimum of 3.0 grade point average during the previous semester. May be repeated with change in content.
  • 34-952 INDEPENDENT STUDY
    Prerequisites: Senior standing and a minimum of 3.0 grade point average during the previous semester. May be repeated with change in content.
  • 34-953 INDEPENDENT STUDY
    Prerequisites: Senior standing and a minimum of 3.0 grade point average during the previous semester. May be repeated with change in content.
  • 34-954 INDEPENDENT STUDY
    Prerequisites: Senior standing and a minimum of 3.0 grade point average during the previous semester. May be repeated with change in content.
  • 34-964 SENIOR RESEARCH SEMINAR: SELECTED TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY
    The sociology capstone requires students to develop a major empirical paper that incorporates knowledge they have learned from their sociology courses to date, particularly sociological theory and research methods. Students will construct a coherent research question, collect and analyze data to exp...
  • 34-983 HONORS
    By invitation only.