SOCIOLOGY (SOCI)

SOCI 1301 Introduction to Sociology. Three semester hours.

A scientific approach to the study of the cultural and social basis for human behavior, including the impact of societal groups and organizations on personal identity, feelings and behavior. Topics for special focus include the individual impact of ethnicity, social class, gender, religion, family structure, peer groups, complex organizations, mass media and educational, political and economic systems.

SOCI 3301 Introduction to Group Work. Three semester hours.

A study of the dynamics of group processes, group interaction, and intervention strategies for the accomplishment of individual and group goals in task and treatment groups.

SOCI 3302 Social Welfare and Human Services. Three semester hours.

An introduction to the helping professions with emphasis on human service organizations, and models of social service delivery systems. Discourse on current controversial issues, social welfare policies and the code of professional ethics.

SOCI 3303 Contemporary Social Problems and Social Policy. Three semester hours.

A survey and analysis of the causes and consequences of major social problems in American Society, such as poverty, environmental pollution, domestic violence and substance abuse. An examination of the effectiveness of current social policies being used to address major American social problems.

SOCI 3306 Latin American Culture. Three semester hours.

The study of the impact of Spanish and Portuguese colonization upon the indigenous cultures and political economy of Latin America. Analysis of the development of new syncratic Latino cultural forms reflecting Iberian, Native American and African heritage in contemporary Central and South America and the Caribbean. 306)

SOCI 3307 U.S.-Mexico Border Subcultures. Three semester hours.

Analysis of Spanish, Mexican, and European American cultural influences upon the development of contemporary U.S.-Mexico border subcultures. The implications of Mexican American and new Mexican immigrant subcultures for education and social service delivery.

SOCI 3314 The Study of Society. Three semester hours.

Includes the systematic study of human society, its development and complexity within the global village, culture and socialization, and the interdependence of universal institutions.

SOCI 3316 Urban Sociology. Three semester hours.

The study of the culture, history, and growth patterns of cities, including current trends toward sburbanization and its environmental impact. Examination of the emergence of cities with global or regional orientations and the impact of the decline of manufacturing and emergence of information and high technology as factors affecting city growth. Consideration of housing, budget and other problems faced by cities. Special emphasis on the growth of twin cities along the U.S.-Mexico border.

SOCI 3336 Criminology. Three semester hours.

The development of criminological thought; critical evaluation of theories of criminality, the study of criminal organization and socialization; and the extent, type, and sources of crime.

SOCI 3339 Juvenile Delinquency. Three semester hours.

An examination of the extent and varieties of juvenile crime with a survey of contemporary sociological research on its causes, prediction and prevention. SOC 350)

SOCI 3340 Occupations and Professions. Three semester hours.

The context of work in society with an emphasis on professionalization, the impact of technology and bureaucracy, and the process of socialization of individuals to the world of work.

SOCI 3351 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology. Three semester hours.

Major aspects of culture (social organization, economics, religion, etc.); cultural patterns and sociocultural change; prehistory of humans and the development of variant cultures.

SOCI 3360 Collective Behavior and Social Movements. Three semester hour.

An introduction to theories of collective behavior as they relate to mass behaviors such as crowds, fads, protests and demonstrations. The analysis of developmental processes, maintenance, and termination of social movement organizations. Prerequisite: junior standing.

SOCI 3371 International Culture. Three semester hour.

The study of cultural differences in beliefs, attitudes, values and social roles. An analysis of factors to consider when dealing with cultural diversity in the United States and abroad. Major components are cross-cultural communications and training.

SOCI 4180 Senior Proseminar. One semester hour.

Designed to consolidate the academic foundations of Sociology with the transition to becoming a professional sociologist. Highlights are career development, the code of ethical standards, job searches, stress management and wellness and effective assertiveness. Prerequisite: senior standing in sociology.

SOCI 4301 Sociological Theory. Three semester hours.

The study of how theories are formulated in social science. Overview of classical and contemporary sociological theories including functionalism, conflict theory, symbolic interactionism, phenomenology and postmodern theory. Prerequisite: Prerequisite: SOCI 1301, PSYC 2312, OR SOCI 3314 or six hours of any social science.

SOCI 4303 Methods of Sociological Research. Three semester hours.

Introduction to the study of the scientific method as applied to sociological research including the relationship between theory and hypothesis development, data collection and analysis, and concept formation and generalization. Prerequisite: junior standing. Interchangeable with CRIJ 3305, PSCI 3301 and PSYC 4304.

SOCI 4305 Planning for Human Services. Three semester hours.

The theory and application of planning in human service organizations, including problem identification and problem solving, decision making and problem resolution. Prerequisite: junior standing. *May be taken for graduate credit.

SOCI 4310 Social Stratification. Three semester hours.

Analysis of theory and research on social inequality, its causes and consequences. Special attention will be given to an examination of poverty in the South Texas region. Prerequisite: junior standing. *May be taken for graduate credit.

SOCI 4311 Marriage and the Family. Three semester hours.

Analysis of the family as an educational and social institution in light of historical relationships and present-day social an economic conditions, including a study of family cohesion, adaptability, satisfaction and conflict. Prerequisite: junior standing. *May be taken for graduate credit.

SOCI 4316 Social Service Internship. Three semester hours.

Internship in a social, health or correctional setting. Students will apply sociological knowledge in a social service setting and receive on-the-job training experience. A seminar will be held to discuss field experience from theoretical and applied perspectives. Prerequisite: junior standing. *May be taken for graduate credit.

SOCI 4317 Race and Ethnic Relations. Three semester hours.

Critical analysis of the concepts of race and ethnicity and the changing basis for racial and ethnic identity in the multicultural United States. An examination of patterns of dominant-minority relations in the United States as compared to other world societies. An overview of the history and current social conditions of Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans and European Americans. Prerequisite: junior standing. *May be taken for graduate credit.

SOCI 4320 Women in the Criminal Justice System. Three semester hours.

Analysis of incidence studies and examination of theories about womens criminality. The study of mass media stereotypes of women criminals and victims; female victimology; issues concerning women who work in police, court, and correctional facilities and criminal justice system processing of women offenders. Prerequisite: junior standing. Interchangeable with CRIJ 4320. *May be taken for graduate credit.

SOCI 4325 Sociology of Gender Roles. Three semester hours.

An analysis of the role of biology, cultural socialization, and social institutions in the formulation and maintenance of constructs of masculine and feminine gender in world societies. The study of the social impact of changes in womens and mens roles in postindustrial societies upon the family, the workplace and other major social institutions. The examination of the impact of gender constructs upon familial relationships, spirituality and policy orientations. An evaluation of the positive and negative impact of the womens movement and mens movement upon the status of women and men of different race/ethnicity and social class. Prerequisite: junior standing. *May be taken for graduate credit.

SOCI 4340 Comparative Organizations. Three semester hours.

Analysis of modern organizations including profit and non-profit, public and private. Contrast and comparison of interactive processes in bureaucracies and democratic organizational arrangements. Prerequisite: junior standing. *May be taken for graduate credit.

SOCI 4365 Social Gerontology. Three semester hours.

Analysis of older persons in American society, including their needs, problems, relationships and contributions. Special focus will be placed upon the Hispanic elderly. Prerequisite: junior standing. *May be taken for graduate credit.

SOCI 4370 Medical Sociology. Three semester hours.

The role of social and cultural factors in the distribution and causes of disease; doctor-patient relationships; beliefs about health, illness, treatment and recovery; access to health institutions and the organization of health care systems. Prerequisite: junior standing. *May be taken for graduate credit.

SOCI 4375 Special Studies in Sociology. Three semester hours.

An intensive examination of special topics of study in sociology. May be repeated for credit if the topic changes. Prerequisite: SOCI 1301 or six hours of sociology. *May be taken for graduate credit.

SOCI 5301 Topics in Contemporary Social Problems. Three semester hours.

Current theoretical and methodological problems encountered in advanced research in major areas of sociology. Topics may include environmental pollution, poverty, health and/or other pressing social issues. May be repeated with permission of major instructor. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

SOCI 5302 Social Science Research Methods. Three semester hours.

Theory and application of research techniques, ethical standards for social science researchers, and related data analysis. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

SOCI 5303 Seminar in Sociological Theory. Three semester hours.

Study of the process of formulation of theory. In-depth analysis of the work of classical, contemporary, multicultural and postmodern theorists. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

SOCI 5304 Topics in Social Organization. Three semester hours.

The dynamics and structure of social organizations with emphasis on large-scale systems. Critical evaluation of current research and contemporary theories of social organizations. Topics include advanced marriage and the family, advanced comparative organizations, the sociology of religion and/or other forms of social organizations. May be repeated with permission of major instructor. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

SOCI 5305 Management of Human Service Organization. Three semester hours.

The principles of program implementation in human service organizations; the development of managerial skills necessary for planning, supervising, directing, and monitoring non-profit private or public organizations. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

SOCI 5306 Sociology of Education. Three semester hours.

Sociological analysis of the formal and informal sociocultural structures of educational organizations and educational learning theories in light of historical and present-day social conditions. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

SOCI 5307 American Society. Three semester hours.

Study of the sociocultural structure and processes of American society, including an analysis of basic institutions, social class and mobility, and value systems. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

SOCI 5309 Biculturalism. Three semester hours.

Study of the sociocultural and social psychological dynamics of biculturalism and bilingualism. Applications of sociocultural techniques for analysis of the implications of biculturalism and bilingualism in counseling and multicultural education. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

SOCI 5310 Topics in Social Differentiation. Three semester hours.

Sociological analysis of social differentiation and inequality in the United States or developing countries. Topics include social stratification and the American class system; the intersection of race, class, and gender; gender inequality in the United States; and social change in developing countries due to the dynamics of the world system and/or sources of social differentiation. May be repeated with permission of major instructor. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

SOCI 5312 Applications in Social Planning. Three semester hours.

The study of specific social problems with an assessment of governmental response, availability of relevant social policies and development of skills in writing and submitting proposals. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

SOCI 5340 Seminar in the Study of Social Change. Three semester hours.

Overview of social change theories using a macro-level of analysis; includes an examination of various methodological approaches to assess global stratification. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

SOCI 5398 Thesis. Three semester hours.

To be scheduled by the student in consultation with his/her major professor. Prerequisite: graduate standing and permission of the major instructor/advisor.

SOCI 5399 Thesis. Three semester hours.

To be scheduled by the student in consultation with his/her major professor. Prerequisite: graduate standing and permission of the major instructor/advisor.