Undergraduate Sociology Courses

Undergraduate Courses

SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology (A,S)

Introduces the sociological perspective on society. Explores patterns of human behavior and interaction, including systems of inequalities, the meanings and rules that shape human social activities, the organization of social life and ways in which individual human beings are incorporated into and prepared for social interaction. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

SOC 200 Social Statistics (A,M)

Covers basic descriptive and inferential statistics and computer software used in social science research. Students who have received academic credit for ECN 204, HLS 488, MTH 243, PSH 202 or credit for an elementary statistics course from SUNY Brockport or from another institution has this requirement waived, and may not get credit for this (SOC 200) course. If waived, you must substitute another sociology course for the major. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

SOC 210 Social Problems (A,S)

Explores the links between private problems and social issues, arguing that both are consequences of how our society is organized. The course focuses on the structural inequalities and cultural forces contributing to problems and addresses potential solutions. The course also emphasizes the interdependent nature of many social problems, as well as the larger global context within which many of these problems are located. 3 Cr.

SOC 211 Social Disparities in Health (A,D)

Provides an introduction to sociological research and theory on social disparities in health, with a special emphasis on how structural inequalities based on race, gender, and class intersect to produce differential health outcomes in life expectancy, morbidity, and mortality. Will count for elective credit in both Sociology & AAS for majors & minors. Crosslisted with AAS211. 3 Cr.

SOC 230 Social Institutions (A,S,Y)

Explores theories related to the analysis of social institutions, with a special emphasis on family, religion, economy, politics and education. Factors contributing to institutional stability and change are discussed. The course builds on the concepts and theories covered in Introduction to Sociology, and extends that work by analyzing the social world at the institutional level more thoroughly. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

SOC 235 Sport, Politics & Protest (A,V,Y)

Examines the many ways that sports and politics are intimately bound together in contemporary American and global culture. Includes examinations of the public financing of sport stadiums, politicians’ use of sport to raise approval ratings and push policy, including the use of sports to legitimize authoritarian regimes. We also examine the contested nature of sport through attempts to pass anti-transgender legislation and fights over racist names and mascots. We conclude the course by considering the possibilities and limitations of sport as a site of protest, activism, and impetus for social change. 3 Cr.

SOC 240 Social Inequality (A,D)

This course is concerned with the sociological approach to social inequality and difference, particularly in relation to class, gender, sexuality, race and explores the nature, causes and consequences of inequality. 3 Cr.

SOC 271 Gender, Race and Class (A,D,W)

Examines the intersecting socio-political forces of gender, race and class, and how these forces interact. Looks at how these forces affect individuals, and individual and social responses to these forces. Investigates the history of efforts to end discrimination, and the ways these efforts translate into issues of current concern in the U.S. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

SOC 300 Sociological Theory (A)

Covers the historical development of sociological perspectives over the last two centuries. Focuses on key classical and contemporary theorists tracing the development of major issues and perspectives in sociology. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

SOC 305 Urban Sociology (A,I,Y)

Considers the process of urbanization and its social consequences. Explores a number of urban theories; the evolution of U.S. cities; suburbanization, immigration, race relations, redevelopment, urban politics and planning, and international comparison. 3 Cr.

SOC 307 Environmental Sociology (A)

Explores links between society and the natural environment. Topics include the social construction of the “environment”; the impact of humanity’s use of the environment on global ecologies; the complex relationships between economic, political, and environmental systems; and the unequal distribution of environmental problems. Special attention is paid to global trends in environmentalism and the internationalization of environmental issues. 3 Cr.

SOC 308 Popular Culture (A)

Explores the many different components of popular culture (music, television, movies, arts, sports, festivals, holidays, etc.) from a sociological perspective. We are constantly surrounded by popular culture yet many feel as though we are blind to it and it does not have an impact on us. By the conclusion of this course, we should be able to answer the following questions: Where does popular culture come from and what role does it play in society? What do people do with popular culture? How does popular culture intersect with race, class, gender, sexualities, abilities and what do these intersections mean? Crosslisted with WMS308. 3 Cr.

SOC 310 Methods of Sociological Research (A)

Explores the process and logic of research, the range of research designs, and specific research tools for the collection and analysis of social data, with a focus on quantitative analysis. 3 Cr.

SOC 311 Sociology of Disaster (A)

Explores the social origins and impacts of disasters and how social inequality shapes disaster mitigation, preparation, response, and recovery. Examines the network of governmental and private institutions working to minimize death and destruction and the challenges of conducting social research on disasters. Explores the concept of resilience in its social and environmental context. 3 Cr.

SOC 314 The Black Family (A)

Explores the sociocultural, political and economic conditions that affect black family life. Confronts the pejorative tradition as the primary modality for examining black family life, and explores the African antecedents and continuities that have influenced the black family in the US. 3 Cr.

SOC 323 Development & Globalization (A,I)

Examines transnational and international processes shaping the economic, political, and cultural dimensions of social life. Attention is paid to economic and financial globalization, the place of the state in globalized world, and global struggles over health, the environment, and human rights. Students will explore factors influencing cross-cultural communication and cooperation. Course requires a minimum grade of D- (for General Education/Major/Minor/Certification). Cross listed with INS 323 and PLS 323. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

SOC 326 The Sociology of Food (A)

Examines the social relations surrounding the production, distribution, preparation and consumption of food. Explores how food relates to individual and group identity, family, work and leisure, social inequality, globalization and social change. Throughout we consider the consequences of food production and consumption on social relationships and population health. 3 Cr.

SOC 328 Racial and Ethnic Relations (A,D,I)

Explores the dynamic qualities of race and ethnicity in terms of definition, meaning, and experience. Topics include the role of race and ethnicity in social relations, major theoretical orientations on racial and ethnic stratification, and the consequences of and resistance to racial and ethic inequality. Cross listed with AAS328. 3 Cr.

SOC 329 Sports and Society (A)

Focuses of sports as social and cultural phenomena. We will use sociological concepts and critical thinking to investigate such issues as: How do sports and sport participation affect our lives? How do sports impact our ideas about masculinity, femininity, class inequality, race and ethnicity, work, leisure, achievement, competition, individualism, aggression, and violence? How are the organization and meaning of sports connected with social relations in groups, communities, and societies? How are sports connected with important spheres of social life in societies (such as education, politics, economics, media, and religion)? 3 Cr.

SOC 332 Health, Medicine and Society (A,I,Y)

Examines current knowledge about the relationship between society, the individual, and the social structure of the medical system. Topics include the social construction of health and illness; social disparities in morbidity & mortality; the medicalization of human experience; the social experience of illness; and the organization and financing of medical care. 3 Cr. 3 Cr.

SOC 334 Sociology Goes to the Movies (A,D)

Provides students with an overview of basic sociological theories, and requires students to apply these theories to analyze public discourse on issues of diversity in the mass media. Students will watch popular culture films and apply sociological concepts to analyze a variety of topics. Students will develop and apply research skills to review relevant literature and utilize critical thinking skills to analyze films as a mechanism of popular discourse about complex issues of diversity. 3 Cr. 3 Cr.

SOC 340 Digital Sociology and Online Communities (A)

Examines the communities and social interactions that occur in digital spaces. Covers the sociological underpinnings of our apps, likes, shares, swipes, and profiles. Applies sociological theories and methodologies to study online communities, social networks, online practices, and digital tools. 3 Cr. Spring.

SOC 355 Sociology of the Body (A,W)

Focuses on multiple approaches to the relationship between body and society. Explores how we experience the world through out own bodies, how the body is designed and understood through group interaction, and how our bodies become the object of knowledge, expertise, and surveillance. Topics include health/medicine, sport, celebrity, media, gender/sex, sexuality, food, hygiene, and more. 3 Cr.

SOC 356 Sociology of Violence (A)

Examines recent sociological Theories of violence as a general phenomenon, with careful consideration of their underlying assumptions and scope. Asks whether long-term historical trends in the frequency and intensity of violence can be identified, and considers their possible causes and consequences. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

SOC 357 Questioning Masculinity (A,W)

Explores the construction and performance of masculinity across both time and space. Engages with key readings from sociology, geography, and gender studies to examine a multitude of institutional and interactional contexts that create, preserve, and alter gender norms in society, including schools, work, sports, and the media. Cross-listed with WMS 357. 3 Cr.

SOC 359 Black Church (A)

Provides an extended definition of the soul (essence) of the black church, and a critical analysis of the works of two exponents of the theology of liberation, in light of the historical experience of black people. 3 Cr.

SOC 361 Sociology of Families (A,I,W)

Provides an introduction to sociological theory and research on intimate relationships and families in the US. Examines historical and contemporary variations, with the main focus on the gendered nature of marriage and family life. Looks at intimacy and family formation through topics such as love, marriage and sexuality. Investigates key concerns in family life such as the balance of power, negotiating work/family roles, parenthood and divorce. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

SOC 364 Sociology of Gender (A,I,W)

Analysis of the development and role of gender in society. Investigates key issues for men and women that emerge in diverse social environments such as the home and workplace and in educational, religious, and political institutions. Topics included how gender in learned, the role of gender in systems of inequality, and how the meanings of gender have changed over time. 3 Cr.

SOC 365 Aging & Society (A,W,Y)

SOC 365 examines aging as both a physical and social phenomenon. We explore how society shapes the experience of aging, including the social meanings and consequences of aging, work and leisure, caregiving, death and dying, as well as policy issues associated with aging including retirement, Social Security, and health care policy. We pay special attention to how the social experience of aging varies by gender, race/ethnicity, and social class, and identify the social impacts of the growing elderly population on society. 3 Cr.

SOC 369 Sociology of Sexuality (A,I,W)

Sociologists of sexuality understand that sexual identities, desires and behaviors are socially constructed. Each varies historically and culturally. Course examines the social sources of sexual meanings, values, institutions and identities. Additionally, student will explore the influence of other domains and institutions such as the family, the workplace and education over sexuality. 3 Cr. Fall.

SOC 370 Sociology of Law (A)

Familiarizes students with law from a sociological perspective. Law is everywhere in our lives. It structures society, norms, values, and behavior. In this class we will study the ways that socio-legal scholars study law and legal institutions. We will examine a variety of topics including the disputing process, the courts, the legal profession, and law and social change. 3 Cr.

SOC 371 Deviant Behavior (A)

Examines sociological theory and research on non-normative or deviant behavior, including how norm breaking behavior is defined and labeled, and how some groups have greater power to apply deviant labels to others. Explores the consequences of the labeling process, including how people come to develop a deviant identity and career. Throughout, we explore how social definitions of deviance vary and how such definitions are both reinforced and challenged. 3 Cr.

SOC 373 LGBTQ+ Cultures (A,I,W,Y)

Explores the history and emergence of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender cultures in the U.S. from the 1940s to present. Topics include the history of the movement before and after Stonewall; the intersections between sexuality and ethnicity, gender and social status; and urban/rural/suburban differences in attitudes and approaches within the homosexual rights movement. Cross-listed as WMS & ANT 373. 3 Cr. Spring.

SOC 374 Sociology of Human Rights (A,D,I)

Examines the history, theories, and institutions of the modern human rights regime to understand key issues such as universality, the right to life, free speech, humanitarian intervention, war, genocide, human rights activism, globalization, and states of emergency. In addition, it examines how human rights norms change and analyzes some of the challenges of contemporary human rights advocacy. Elective course in SOC & PLS. Cross listed with PLS 374. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

SOC 380 Social Movements: Past, Present, and Future (A)

Surveys social movements that address social problems and injustices to enact positive social change. Students examine both foundational sociological theories of social movements and collective action, and empirical cases. Specifically, students explore the structure of social movements and movement framing, recruitment, participation, and outcomes. Challenges students to consider what makes social movements different from other forms of collective action, why some movements are successful while others fade, why social movements often cluster together, and how/why movements intersect with significant social identities. 3 Cr.

SOC 390 Career Exploration in Sociology (B)

Brockport Career Exploration Course (BCEC) in Sociology is a one-semester elective course that encourages sophomores, juniors and seniors to investigate a career through placement in an area human service agency, government office or class room. Allows students to work under the guidance of an immediate supervisor and a college faculty sponsor, and participate in workshops through the Office of Career Services. Credit Varies. 1-6 Cr.

SOC 395 General Topics in Sociology (A)

To be defined by the instructor in accordance with the specific topic to be covered that semester. May be repeated, but under another topic area in Sociology. Additional information may be obtained from the department. (elective) 1-6 Cr.

SOC 400 Capstone Career Seminar (B)

Encourages students to reflect on their interests, values, priorities, and skills and connect these to their career trajectory. Leads students to integrate their sociological knowledge and apply it to considering potential career opportunities. 3 Cr.

SOC 412 Sociology of Education (A)

Examines education as a social institution and its relationship to other social institutions. Explores schools as organizations in terms of structure and functions; compares schools within and across cultures; looks at inequality within education; and considers the role schools play in social change and stability. 3 Cr.

SOC 416 Exiled to America: Experiences of Refugee Resettlement (A,I)

Civil war and genocide often force people to flee their homes seeking safety and refuge. Examines refuges living in New York including groups from Burma, Burundi, Somalia and Bhutan. Themes include the causes of displacement, the process of resettlement and adaptation issues. Refugee perspectives are highlighted as well as their interactions with service providers, health professionals, educators and the government. 3 Cr.

SOC 489 Applied Social Research Practicum (A)

Provides direct experience in conducting sociological research under faculty supervision. 1-6 Cr.

SOC 499 Independent Study in Sociology (A)

Examines various theoretical perspectives on a social phenomenon or sub-area of sociology not covered by other registered courses. Arranged in consultation with the instructor. 1-6 Cr.