Sociology (BS) General

Overview of the nature and characteristics of human societies; the structure and processes of social life; impact of social forces on individuals and groups; interdependence of society and the individual; emphasis on cultural diversity and globalism.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

A critical description and analysis of selected social problems, with an emphasis on the sociological perspective, critical thinking, roots of group inequality, and exploration of solutions and alternatives to existing social problems.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05, GE-07

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Elements of the sociological perspective; overview of theoretical and methodological orientations; sociological practice and application; initial development of student portfolio.

Prerequisites: SOC 101 or SOC 150

Basic descriptive and inferential statistics used in the analysis of sociological data.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-04

Fundamentals of research methods focusing on the research process and research design and including hypothesis testing, basic analysis and interpretation; students will develop and practice research skills.

Prerequisites: none

The study of symbolic interaction as the basis of the mind, the self, and society.

Prerequisites: none

An overview of sociological theory that surveys the classical tradition and emphasizes contemporary theories including functionalism, conflict theory, rational choice theory, and symbolic interactionism as well as recent trends in theoretical developments.

Prerequisites: SOC 101 or SOC 150 or by instructor permission.

An overview of the causes, processes and consequences of social stratification in society. Includes an overview of classical statements about stratification and focuses on social inequalities rooted in social class structures, the organization of political power, and social hierarchies based on race and gender differences in society.

Prerequisites: SOC 101 or SOC 150 or by instructor approval.

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Reviews sociological competencies and their applications in a variety of professional settings. A faculty-supervised, student-designed capstone project will integrate sociological knowledge, theory and research. Students must have completed or be currently enrolled in all other required courses for the major.

Prerequisites: SOC 200, SOC 301W and SOC 458

Techniques of survey research, interview, and questionnaire construction, field administration, and sampling methodology.

Prerequisites: none

Examination of ethnographic methodologies in sociology with emphasis on analytic, performance, and autoethnography. Exploration of ethics in ethnography, visual sociology, and first-hand experience in both crafting and presenting ethnographic works.Prereq: SOC 101 or SOC 101W; SOC 201 or similar social science research course with instructor permission.

Prerequisites: SOC 301W or similar science research course with instructor permission.

Participant observation, focused interviews, and qualitative analysis; students actively participate in a field research project. Prereq: SOC 301W or similiar science research course with instructor permission.

Prerequisites: SOC 301W or similar science research course with instructor permission.

Prerequisites: none

Description and analysis of sex/gender systems, interpersonal power, language and communication, the role of gender in social institutions such as the family, work, and politics, and the role of social movements in creating change in gender relations.

Prerequisites: none

This course examines the sociological significance of popular culture and focuses on how popularized aspects of social life are produced, consumed and experienced by members of society. Includes discussion of celebrities, sports, music, television, movies, commercials and consumption practices.

Prerequisites: none

Introduces students to the differences between indigenous and Western views of the environment. Analyzes the impact of invasion and encroachment on indigenous societies' interactions with nature. Compares historical and contemporary environmental issues in indigenous societies.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-10

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Introduces students to central topics in medical sociology including: social factors responsible for people's health outcomes; social construction of health and illness; health inequalities; evolution of the social institution of medicine; and/or issues related to race/ethnicity; social class and gender. Fall

Prerequisites: none

Social and social-psychological focus in later life. Problems and prospects of growing old in the United States.

Prerequisites: SOC 101 

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Study of the structure of human response to death, dying, and bereavement in their socio-cultural, interpersonal, and personal context. Formation of children's perception of death, functions of the funeral, euthanasia, and suicide are among the topics to be discussed.

Prerequisites: none

The course will acquaint students with dynamic forces operating in the field of population and development. Includes an introduction to basic theories and techniques of population analysis, with coverage of global economic forces: fertility, mortality, and migration. The causes and consequences of over-population are discussed with special attention to resource depletion and food shortages.

Prerequisites: none

Various forms of family violence including dating violence, spouse abuse, and child abuse; social theory, empirical research and social policy on family violence; social context, responses and solutions.

Prerequisites: none

Implications of sociological knowledge for the administration of Human Services programs. Theoretical and practical aspects of administration within social service systems.

Prerequisites: none

Applies sociological theories of identity to the experiences of women being released from prison. Taught at the women's prison in Shakopee, Minnesota and integrates Minnesota State University, Mankato, students with students drawn from the educational program within the women's prison in Shakopee.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Gold

Analysis of the development, structure, and functioning of social processes in large-scale, formal organizations.

Prerequisites: none

Survey of major sociological perspectives on social movements, including theoretical approaches and empirical research on the causes, processes, and outcomes of social movements.

Prerequisites: none

Overview of the role of the United States in an increasingly globalized society with a focus on economic and political inequality, the class structure, the labor process, race and gender relations, the global dimensions of capitalism, and modern crisis tendencies.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Sociological perspectives on social deviance; overview of theoretical approaches; emphasis on symbolic interactionism; issues of social control; research examples and policy implications.

Prerequisites: none

A critical consideration of myths concerning crime, perspectives on crime and their assumptions, current criminology theory, and construction of alternative explanations related to crime.

Prerequisites: none

Study of minority racial and cultural groups in U.S. society. An examination of how the lives of the members of these groups are affected by racism, prejudice, and discrimination.

Prerequisites: SOC 101 

Diverse Cultures: Purple

A critical look at the construction of the concepts of law and justice as it operates in the United States and an application of the principles of justice to community issues.

Prerequisites: CORR 106

Examines the sociology relationship between people and the environment including: ways various societies view the environment, social changes form ecological degradation, and solutions to environmental problems. Topics may include a sociological analysis of climate change, agriculture, and resource extraction. Spring

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

A survey of sociological theory and research on the ecology, demography, and social organization of the urban community. Presents a sociological interpretation of the development of urban society and how the process of urbanization affects the basic societal institutions and individual behavior.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Addresses aspects of criminal and civil law pertinent to substance abuse.

Prerequisites: none

This course will address theoretical and practical aspects of the planning and evaluation process within social service systems. Evidence-based methods of developing programs and measuring their effectiveness in the human services will be addressed.

Prerequisites: none

Techniques of survey research, interview, and questionnaire construction, field administration, and sampling methodology.

Prerequisites: none

Examination of ethnographic methodologies in sociology with emphasis on analytic, performance, and autoethnography. Exploration of ethics in ethnography, visual sociology, and first-hand experience in both crafting and presenting ethnographic works.Prereq: SOC 101 or SOC 101W; SOC 201 or similar social science research course with instructor permission.

Prerequisites: SOC 301W or similar science research course with instructor permission.

Participant observation, focused interviews, and qualitative analysis; students actively participate in a field research project. Prereq: SOC 301W or similiar science research course with instructor permission.

Prerequisites: SOC 301W or similar science research course with instructor permission.

Analysis of social forces and processes involved in changing norms, values, and structures in traditional and modern societies. Examines both planned and unplanned change.

Prerequisites: none

Theory development and research findings about family systems with a special emphasis on societal influences (social, economic, political) on the changing family.

Prerequisites: none

Analysis of the structures, functions, and origins of religion, its relationship to other social institutions, and its role in modern secular society. Examines processes of individual religiosity and explores current religious movements and trends.

Prerequisites: none

Topics vary as announced in class schedule. May be retaken for credit if topic varies.

Prerequisites: none

Workshop topics vary as announced in class schedule. May be retaken for credit.

Prerequisites: none

For Honors students only.

Prerequisites: none

Focuses on ways sociological theories, perspectives, and methods can be applied to address human concerns; how sociologists make a better world. Participants learn to use sociological methods and concepts (such as theories about social structure, social organization, and social movements) to identify, investigate, and implement solutions to problems of social organization, social process, and social change. Potential applications include issues encountered in various workplace and social situations including community agencies and organizations, government, business, health care, and other social institutions.

Prerequisites: SOC 301W or equivalent; Senior Standing. 

The internship in sociology is designed to provide opportunity to apply classroom learning, to practice and enhance skills, to experience professional socialization, and to explore a career. It also serves as a vehicle for the student to become more aware of personal strengths and identify areas in which further growth is needed.

Prerequisites: Consent 

A maximum of six credits is applicable toward a single major in the department; three credits toward a minor.

Prerequisites: Consent