Sociology Courses | 2024-2025 Academic Catalog | SIU

(University Core Curriculum) [IAI Course: S7 900] An introduction to the sociological perspective on human behavior, the structure and processes involved in social relationships, social stratification and inequality, social institutions, and social change. A survey of major areas of interest in sociology. Required of majors and minors in Sociology.

Credit Hours: 3

(University Core Curriculum) [IAI Course: S7 903D] Current theory, research and events in race-ethnic relations in the United States, including the intersection of class, gender and sexuality. Topics include the European colonization of North America, dynamics of immigration, identity formation among ethno-racial groups and political economy of racism.

Credit Hours: 3

(University Core Curriculum) (Same as WGSS 223) [IAI Course: S7 904D] Examines several theories on gender. Explores patterns of gendered behaviors, gendered institutions, gendered expectations, and gender inequality. Uses a sociological lens to make sense of the gendered world and to examine the evidence that underlie scholarly arguments and perspectives.

Credit Hours: 3

(Multicultural Applied Experience Course) An applied experience, service-oriented credit in American diversity involving a group different from the student's own. Difference can be manifested by age, gender, ethnicity, nationality, political affiliation, race, or class. Students can sign up for the one-credit experience in the same semester they fulfill the multicultural requirement for the University Core Curriculum or coordinate the credit with a particular core course on American diversity, although neither is required. Students should consult the department for course specifications regarding grading, work requirements and supervision. Graded Pass/Fail only.

Credit Hours: 1

Sociological theories explain concrete social phenomena by modeling them abstractly. This course exposes students to exemplary theories, either classical or contemporary, and analyzes the general strategies sociologists used to develop them. Required of majors in sociology.

Credit Hours: 4

This course explores the definitions, causes, consequences, and solutions of major social problems in contemporary society, including crime, poverty, homelessness, economic inequality, racism, educational disparities, neighborhood segregation, and moral debates. Using insights from sociological perspectives, the course considers what makes something a social problem (and for whom), what causes social problems, how social problems affect individuals and society, and how public policy may solve social problems.

Credit Hours: 3

Review of sociological perspectives used in the study of deviance and deviants. Does deviance have functions in society? How is it that a group of individuals comes to be defined as deviant? Examines societal reactions to deviance and consequences for people defined as deviant. Analysis of selected forms of deviance, such as mental illness, "punk" subcultures, eating disorders, drug and alcohol abuse and sex workers.

Credit Hours: 3

(University Core Curriculum) People around the world experience family life under different circumstances and from different perspectives. This course will focus on these differences and how societies have evolved to meet the needs of family units within their different social settings. Other key topics that affect families around the world will be discussed: global economy and families, gender inequality, familial violence, and environment concerns.

Credit Hours: 3

(University Core Curriculum) Examines the social organization of popular culture, treating popular culture objects as products that are created, manufactured, distributed and consumed. The focus is on the people, activities, organizations and institutions that are involved in popular culture.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as WGSS 315) This course explores sexual diversity within different hegemonic heterosexual cultures, worldwide. Using insight from historical and sociological analysis, the contemporary development of social movements for lesbians, gays, and bisexuals and their oppositional forces is analyzed, and consequent cultural changes that have resulted from the confrontation of these forces are examined.

Credit Hours: 3

Methods and application of statistics in the social sciences. Measures to describe distribution, measures of relationship, statistical inference.

Credit Hours: 4

This course introduces students to a variety of research traditions and debates within the field of science, technology, and society. We will explore the ways in which historical and contemporary patterns of human evolution have created technological problems; why we are dependent and vulnerable to technology; and how access to science and technology and the effects of science and technology have an unequal impact. In addressing these topics, the course will make linkages among local, national, and global processes. We will focus on a variety of areas including: technology and environmental issues, science, technology, and gender, and the effects of technological change on our daily lives.

Credit Hours: 3

The student is introduced to a variety of research methods in the social sciences including use of the library, techniques of observation, and elementary steps in quantitative measurements and analysis. Satisfies the CoLA Writing-Across-the-Curriculum requirement.

Credit Hours: 4

Introduction to basic concepts in sociological and social psychology (microsociology). Examines how individuals create and shape the social world that simultaneously shapes and creates individuals. Emphasizes face-to-face interaction, socialization, social location and identity.

Credit Hours: 3

(University Core Curriculum) The aim of this course is to develop critical and analytical thinking about the family and its role in society. This will entail examining the varying definitions of family, its changing and diverse forms and functions, the interactions between families and other social institutions, and how family life is shaped by the larger social structures of which it is a part, including gender, class, and race-ethnicity.

Credit Hours: 3

Examines the dynamics of religious institutions in society, and of religious beliefs and attachments among individuals, including the connections between religion and family, health, education, and politics.

Credit Hours: 3

This course analyzes music as a social phenomenon with special attention to race, class, gender, ethnicity, technology and social change. We look at how musicians and their music influence society, and vice versa, using macro and micro sociological perspectives, embedded within various historical and cultural themes.

Credit Hours: 3

Characteristics and problems of population growth, composition, distribution, mortality, birth control and fertility, international and internal migration, and government policies.

Credit Hours: 3

An examination of the socially constructed nature of crime, and historical and contemporary theories of criminality. Additional topics of interest include types of offenses, methods of studying crime, and the correlates of crime.

Credit Hours: 3

Focus on social structural conditions and institutions that have changed the natural environment as a social problem. Responses to these problems will be addressed on the individual, group (race, class and gender) and institutional levels.

Credit Hours: 3

Instructor and student select reading topics which are not covered in depth in regular course offerings. Special approval needed from the department and instructor.

Credit Hours: 1-6

Varying sociological topics selected by the instructor for study in depth and breadth. Topics will be announced in advance of registration for the course. May be repeated 4 times.

Credit Hours: 3

Designed to provide students majoring in sociology the opportunity to engage in applied sociology and gain valuable work experience. Classroom meetings are required. Restricted to minimum of junior standing. Special approval needed from the instructor. No more than three hours of 399 to count toward the major.

Credit Hours: 2-4

Theories and problems of social change; their application, with emphasis on the modern industrial period.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as WGSS 407) Examines a range of social issues related to human sexuality and the interaction between sexuality and other social processes. Emphasis is on the relevant concepts, theories, and methods in the field of sexual studies, the social and historical construction of sexuality and the ways in which social characteristics shape sexual behaviors and desires, sexual variation, including its causes and consequences, how basic social institutions affect the rules governing sexuality, the major moral and political controversies that surround sexuality, and the "dark side" of sexual life.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as PHIL 415) An examination of the theoretical structure and nature of the social sciences and their epistemological foundations. The relationship of social theory to social criticism; theory and praxis. Historical experience and social objectivity. Social theory as practical knowledge.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as WGSS 442) Examines social science theory and research on gender issues and contemporary roles of men and women. The impact of gender on social life is examined on the micro level, in work and family roles, in social institutions, and at the global, cross-cultural level.

Credit Hours: 3

An analysis of social behavior in non-institutional settings such as crowds, disasters, riots, mass panics, crazes, cults, and social movements. Emphasis is on the cultural and structural factors leading to collective action and its impact on social change.

Credit Hours: 3

Discussion of theories and evidence pertaining to the socio-structural causes and consequences of inequality based on social class, prestige, power, gender, wealth and income.

Credit Hours: 3

Survey of sociological theories and research on globalization and development: modernization, dependency, world-system, and global economy. Problem areas include population growth and control, economic growth and underdevelopment, role of state, transnational corporations, financial institutions, and organizations, non-governmental organizations, work, population, migration, social movements and resistance, gender, race-ethnic, class, and sexuality issues.

Credit Hours: 3

This course is an introductory survey on the sociology of Racial Inequality. As such, the basic objective of this course is to give students a broad understanding of race and inequality issues in society. This course will require students to become familiar with the critical frameworks and concepts through which social scientists make sense of racial inequality; to come to terms with the ideological, political, and economic mechanisms that perpetuate racist structures; to study the past and present historical contexts within which racial inequality is given shape; and to explore potential venues for change.

Credit Hours: 3

Analyzes the social structures and issues involved in health, illness, and health-care delivery systems in the United States. Explores the economic and political influences on the role of medicine in society, as well as the organization of medical care and health institutions. Critically examines the social processes and factors that influence health and illness behavior.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as CCJ 460 and WGSS 476) A study of women as offenders, as victims, and as workers in the criminal justice system.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as CCJ 462) An examination of the extent and nature of victimization, theories about the causes of victimization, the effects of crime on victims and services available to deal with those effects, victims' experiences in the criminal justice system, the victims' rights movement, and alternative ways of defining and responding to victimization.

Credit Hours: 3

The adult life cycle from a sociological perspective, with emphasis on the later stages of adulthood. Special topics on aging include demographic aspects, family interaction, ethnicity, and cross-cultural trends.

Credit Hours: 3

Survey of concepts, theories, and techniques of population analysis; contemporary trends and patterns in composition, growth, fertility, mortality, and migration. Emphasis is on relationship between population and social, economic, and political factors.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as CCJ 473) An in-depth study of theories of delinquency, analytical skills useful in studying delinquent offenders, systematic assessment of efforts at prevention, and control and rehabilitation in light of theoretical perspectives. Six hours of social/behavioral science recommended.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as POLS 419) An examination of the social bases of power and politics, including attention to global and societal political relations, as well as individual-level political beliefs and commitments; primary focus on American politics.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as POLS 476) Examines the connection between religious beliefs and institutions and political beliefs and institutions. Comparative studies will focus on religious political movements in the United States and throughout the world.

Credit Hours: 3

Varying advanced sociological topics selected by the instructor for study in depth. May be repeated for a maximum of twelve semester hours provided registrations cover different topics. Topics announced in advance.

Credit Hours: 3

Contemporary issues in sociology and the analysis of these issues. Restricted to senior standing with 20 hours in sociology (including 301), or consent of instructor. Not for graduate credit. Satisfies the CoLA Writing-Across-the-Curriculum requirement.

Credit Hours: 4

Students who wish to pursue specific topics in depth, or who have developed specific research projects, may submit proposals to faculty members who can serve as mentors. Independent research normally results in a significant paper or research report that serves as a demonstration of scholarly competence and concludes the major. May substitute for 497 only when student demonstrates substantial preparation or need. Satisfies the CoLA Writing-Across-the-Curriculum requirement. Not for graduate credit. Restricted to senior standing with 20 hours in sociology (including 301). Special approval needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 1-8