SOC - Sociology

An introductory analysis of the individual in culture and society, using a biblical framework.

A study of issues in contemporary American society which are examined from a sociological perspective including crime, poverty, violence, racism, and sexism.

This course examines sociology through the lens of the Bible including what the Bible reveals about work, rights, religion, art, literature, and culture. We come to conclusions about how we live as Christians in relation to others. Not open to students with credit in SOC-150.

A study of the elderly in American society. Topics include theories of aging, health care, living environments, recreation and leisure, and death and dying.

A social scientific and Christian analysis of the social institution of family. Topics include, but are not limited to, dating, marriage, planning a family, child-rearing, and threats to the family.

This course is the introductory course for child advocacy studies. This course covers the history, comparative perspectives, the legal framework, responses to child maltreatment, the skills necessary to do the work, other pertinent issues pertaining to child maltreatment and child advocacy, and the future. The field of child maltreatment is fraught with controversy. Much of the class focuses on thes controversies. The approach of the course will be from a variety of diverse, professional perspectives including the perspectives of a prosecuting attorney versus a defense attorney. The course is designed for students majoring in criminal justice, education, social work, sociology, psychology, nursing, or other areas of knowledge of child maltreatment and advocating for children might be necessary.

An analysis of dominant-minority group interaction with special emphasis given to Native American, African-American, Hispanic-American, and Asian-American minorities in our society. Meets intercultural requirement.

An introduction to cultural anthropology which seeks to expose students to different cultures of the world as well as help them to appreciate cultural diversity. An excellent orientation course for those who will be working in cross-cultural contexts.

A study of crime and delinquency as social phenomena. Theories of causation, methods of correction, and prevention of crime are included in the study. Gives credit for majors in sociology and criminal justice.

The purpose of this course is to prepare students to recognize child advocacy issues around the world. The course is designed for students majoring in criminal justice, education, social work, psychology, nursing or other areas where knowledge of child maltreatment and advocating for children will be necessary. Multidisciplinary approaches to advocacy in different countries throughout the world will be presented and discussed.

A critical approach to interpreting media messages is grounded in the study of how messages are constructed, how media industries function and are shaped by social structures and how communication theory and research explain media impact on society. Emphasis is placed on making informed choices as a media consumer, and considering the impact of media from a Christian perspective.

In this course child poverty will be analyzed from a sociological perspective. Within an international and historical context the demographics of poverty and the effects of poverty on children will be explored. This course will focus on the critical evaluations of the sociological research and theories of the causes of child poverty. The interrelatedness of the societal responses to poverty and occurrence of child maltreatment will be assessed.

This is a three-hour course offered each spring semester. Its purpose is to provide the student with an introduction to the concepts and techniques of research methodology as employed in the behavioral sciences including experimental research, field and survey research, content analysis and other unobtrusive techniques, and evaluative assessment research. Students will be encouraged to demonstrate an understanding of the role of research for helping professionals; examining truth-seeking from a scientific and from a Biblical perspective; critiquing current research findings in professional journals; identifying appropriate research methodology for a given problem or topic; completing an empirical research project from start to finish; developing a research manuscript using APA publication manual guidelines; and developing oral communication skills in presenting one's research project to a professional audience. Also listed as PSY-355.

A study of the experience and behavior of individuals in relation to group situations and social influences of modern life. Gives credit for majors in Sociology or Psychology. Prerequisites: SOC-150 and PSY-150.

A survey of theories and policies concerning population, present population trends, the social factors underlying population growth, and related problems of birth control and world food supply. Gives credit for majors in Sociology or Political Science. Prerequisite: SOC-150 or POL-100.

A study of principles, theoretical approaches, specific objectives, and techniques currently used in the "systems theory" approach to marriage and the family. The focus will be on normal developmental problems rather than on psychopathology. This course will present both a systemic and strategic approach to therapy including the theories of Minuchi , Satire, Bowen, and Haley. Prerequisite: 9 hours of Psychology. Also listed as PSY-371.

Series of rotating seminars, each dealing with a different sociological issue such as human sexuality, church and society, society and sport, aging, death and dying. May be repeated. Prerequisites: SOC-150 and consent of the department.

Individually arranged with instructor. Prerequisites: Sociology major and consent of the department.

An intensive study of major schools of sociological theory, such as symbolic interaction, structure- functionalism, and conflict theory, together with a consideration of the close relationship between sociological theory and research. Prerequisite: SOC-150.

Principles and methods of research design are emphasized in this course. Using survey, experimental, and observational approaches, students develop an appreciation for the research process. Quantitative and qualitative approaches are explored. Students are involved in research projects which provide opportunities for application of course material. Prerequisites: SOC-150 and an approved statistics course or consent of the department.