Sociology (SOC) Courses

SOC-201 Sociology & Politics of Health

An examination of the topic of health from the vantage point of the intersection of sociology and political science. Students will learn about key sociological concepts and theoretical approaches, which they will deploy to investigate topics such as societal health disparities, cultural and subcultural attitudes toward healthcare and health professionals, the relationship between governmental processes and health outcomes, and the mobilization and impact of health-related nongovernmental and intergovernmental organizations. The course will feature a community-based service learning component.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: Behavioral Science, Global Citizenship, Justice, and Diversity
Equated Courses: PSC-201

SOC-208 Healing: Religion & Sociology

This course is designed to help students understand the sociological and religious dimensions to what counts as "healing." Are humans primarily like machines whose broken parts can be fixed? Could healing be present even if a sickness or its symptoms continue to be present? In what ways do social arrangements like stratification, power distribution and status affect health outcomes? While especially helpful for students considering careers in healthcare, the class is focused on "living humanely" by deepening your appreciation of the complexities behind the harms that come to human bodies and minds and the multiple ways the effects of those harms can be healed. Course is organized to meet expected learning standards for Sociology portion of MCAT.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion, Behavioral Science
Equated Courses: REL-208

SOC-277 Special Topics

Special topics in Sociology. Please refer to the Registrar's page for course description.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

SOC-298 Sociology of Religion

This discussion course examines the various ways sociology describes and interprets religious phenomena. The course investigates the history and methods of sociology, and different sociological theories of religion, as applied to specific religions or social structures involving religion. Recent topics have included the expansion of early Christianity; religious persecution and violence; religion among teenagers and emerging adults in the United States; religious diversity in contemporary American society; and post-colonial approaches to the study of religion and society.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: Behavioral Science, History/Philosophy/Religion
Equated Courses: REL-298

SOC-303 Diversity & Multicultural Education

This course introduces students to a sociological study of diversity in the U.S. system of public education, with particular attention to schools as sites of social conservation and reproduction. Readings, discussions, and written assignments explore the ways in which opportunity and (in)equality that exist in the wider society are reflected and perpetuated by typical approaches in U.S. schools. These explorations of challenges for schools are accompanied by an examination of multicultural and inclusive curricula and instructional practices. We consider the theoretical underpinnings of multicultural education as well as examples of curricula and practices designed to ameliorate education inequities. Meets the Diversity Requirement for the PPE major.
Prerequisites: FRT-101 and EDU-201
Credit: 1
Distribution: Behavioral Science,
Equated Courses: EDU-303