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SOCIOLOGY
Jaye Cee Whitehead, Chair; Daniel Eisen, Aaron Greer, Jessica Hardin, Sarah Phillips, Adam Rafalovich, Taryn VanderPyl
The Sociology major and minor are offered through the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice, Law and Society. Also offered through this department are majors in Anthropology and Criminal Justice, Law and Society.. Minors are available in Sociology, Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Law and Society and Comparative Religion.
The major in sociology provides extensive knowledge about culture, social institutions, and everyday interaction as these shape identity, behavior, social systems, and social inequality. Sociology majors are trained in qualitative and quantitative research skills along with tools for advanced critical thinking and theoretical application. The program contributes to a liberal arts education, prepares students for graduate training in sociology, civic and community engagement, and prepares students for careers in law, social services and related fields.
Program Learning Outcomes Students who complete a major in sociology can: (1) exercise the sociological imagination - observing the relationship between individuals and historical, cultural, and social forces (2) perceive how one's particular life experiences are shaped by social economic status, age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion and subculture (3) demonstrate a basic knowledge of the mechanisms that underpin social inequality (4) demonstrate a basic understanding of the important theoretical models of the discipline (5) demonstrate a basic understanding of quantitative and qualitative methods (6) demonstrate a basic understanding of the academic sociological literature as it relates to contemporary social issues (7) apply sociological understandings to public debates and community programs (8) understand social processes that contribute to social change (9) articulate sociological ideas to a lay audience (10) demonstrate an ability to gather and analyze data (11) demonstrate an introductory understanding of how to present original research for an academic audience in oral and written form. (12) demonstrate an ability to design and propose original research in sociology.
Sociology: Requirements for the Major
The Sociology major must complete the following courses with a grade of C- or better and maintain a 2.0 average in the major.
One of the following: 4 credits SOC 110 Understanding the Apocalypse SOC 120 Image, Society, and Identity SOC 130 Stump the Sociologist SOC 150 Special Topics in Introductory Sociology One of the following: 4 credits SOC 202 Public Sociology SOC 203 Social Change (CE) SOC 250 Special Topics in Public Sociology Two of the following: 8 credits SOC 300 Qualitative Research 4 credits SOC 301 Social Statistics 4 credits SOC 302 Survey Research 4 credits All of the following: 14 credits SOC 323 Junior Seminar 2 credits SOC 414 Sociological Theory 4 credits SOC 490 Advanced Research Methods 4 credits SOC 454 Senior Seminar 2 credits SOC 495 Senior Thesis 2 credits Sixteen additional credits in sociology which must include at least twelve credits of 300+ level courses. Anthropology courses by approval.
TOTAL: 46 credits
Sociology: Requirements for the Minor
The Sociology minor must complete the following courses with a grade of C- or better and maintain a 2.0 average in the major.
One of the following: 4 credits SOC 110 Understanding the Apocalypse SOC 120 Image, Society, and Identity SOC 130 Stump the Sociologist SOC 150 Special Topics in Introductory Sociology
One of the following: 4 credits SOC 202 Public Sociology SOC 203 Social Change (CE) SOC 250 Special Topics in Public Sociology
Twelve additional credits in sociology, which must include at least eight credits of 300+ level courses. Anthropology courses by approval.
TOTAL: 20 credits
Any student interested in a Sociology minor should consult with a faculty member in the Sociology Department before the end of the sophomore year.
COURSES
SOC-110 Understanding the Apocalypse Will introduce foundational sociological concepts through the examination of various social narratives that comprise apocalypse discourse. To this aim, this course will examine various apocalypse scenarios as extensions of the key sociological variables of race, sexuality, class, ethnicity, gender, religion, and a variety of intersectionalities. Apocalypse narratives have been a part of human civilization for millennia and are firmly grounded within a cultural milieu. Our goal during our time together will be to examine these narratives, and analyze them within a historical/cultural context. Major apocalypse scenarios will be investigated, including: zombies, technology (rise of artificial intelligence, Y2K), plagues, nuclear weapons, global warming, and extraterrestrial phenomena (meteors, aliens). 4 credits.
SOC-120 Images, Society, and Identity Will introduce students to some of the conceptual foundations in sociology through the analysis of various visual media found in historical and contemporary society. Throughout the semester, we will focus upon the various ways that such media impact individuals and social institutions. Virtually no aspect of visual culture is off-limits to this analysis. To this aim, we will analyze various visual media as a way of elucidating the key social variables of race, class, and gender, and a whole host of important intersectionalities. The course will begin with an introduction to foundational sociological concepts, and use these concepts throughout the semester to understand the prevalence, impact, and staying power of visual culture. 4 credits.
SOC-130 Stump the Sociologist An inquiry-based course encouraging students to think like sociologists by pushing the discipline to answer difficult questions about human behavior, sociocultural systems, social inequality, and everyday life. Along the way, students will learn concepts and techniques for understanding persistent inequalities by race, gender, sexuality, and age; the relationships between the individual and the social; and the maintenance of social order and conflict. 4 credits.
SOC-150 Special Topics in Introductory Sociology This is a special topics introductory sociology course. Specific topics will be designated by the department in order to cover basic concepts, theories, and methods of sociology. 4 credits.
SOC-155 Special Topics Go to https://www.pacificu.edu/about-us/centers-institutes/advising-center/new-topics-travel-class-descriptions or see the Advising Center.
SOC-202 Public Sociology Students will learn how and why sociologists apply academic findings to public issues. Students will study examples of sociological works written for a public audience that address contemporary social problems. Students will be introduced to methods for translating academic concepts and research findings for a lay audience. The importance of the sociological imagination as a discourse for civil society will be emphasized throughout the course. Prerequisite: SOC 101, SOC 102, SOC 110, SOC 120, SOC 130, or SOC 150. Course offered biennially. 4 credits.
SOC-203 Social Change Will provide students with a sociological lens through which they can understand the processes of social change. Students will be exposed to sociological theory and research that examines how social change occurs and fails. Students will develop their ability to develop a sociologically informed opinion about various social issues and articulate that opinion to a general audience. Finally, students in this class will design and implement a civic engagement project about social change. Prerequisite: SOC 101, SOC 102, SOC 110, SOC 120, SOC 130, or SOC 150. Course offered biennially. 4 credits.
SOC-250 Special Topics in Public Sociology Special topics course in public sociology. The topical focus of the course will be determined by the sociology department in order to provide students with the skills needed to apply sociological reasoning to contemporary public issues and convey these applications to a general public. Prerequisite: SOC 101, SOC 102, SOC 110, SOC 120, SOC 130,or SOC 150. Can be repeated for credit. Course offered biennially. 4 credits.
SOC-255 Special Topics Go to https://www.pacificu.edu/about-us/centers-institutes/advising-center/new-topics-travel-class-descriptions or see the Advising Center.
SOC-275 Internship See department for details. Internship contract required. 1-4 credits.
SOC-295 Independent Study See department for details. Independent study contract required. 1-6 credits.
SOC-300 Qualitative Research Students will be introduced to techniques for qualitative data collection and analysis in the social sciences. Data collection techniques taught include: in-depth interviews, ethnography, participant observation, focus groups, and content analysis. The course will provide instruction on how to code and analyze qualitative results. It will also include material regarding research-question design and writing a scholarly literature review. Prerequisite: SOC 101, SOC 102, SOC 110, SOC 120, SOC 130, or SOC 150. Course offered annually. 4 credits.
SOC-301 Social Statistics Introductory statistics course for students in the social sciences. The emphasis of the course will be on understanding how social scientists use numerical data to understand social phenomena, and how to use and interpret statistical measures and techniques commonly reported in the social sciences literature. Prerequisite: MATH 122. Does not meet Social Sciences core requirement (2010 catalog). 4 credits.
SOC-302 Survey Research This course will introduce students to the skills needed to conduct survey research in the social sciences. The course will examine the logic of quantitative research, techniques for designing reliable and valid survey instruments, sampling in survey research, and analysis and presentation of survey data. Prerequisites SOC 101, SOC 102, SOC 110, SOC 120, SOC 130, or SOC 150. Course offered biennially. 4 credits.
SOC-304 Criminology This course is a general introduction to the social science known as criminology. This discipline, largely a composite of anthropology, psychology, and sociology, places particular focus on the phenomenon of crime in society. Examples of questions criminologists ask are: What defines crime? Who are the ones that commit crime and for what reasons? What are some of the established patterns of criminal behavior we see over time? And, what are some mechanisms society uses to regulate, punish or control crime? Because this course is taught from a sociological angle, particular emphasis will be placed upon viewing crime as a societal phenomenon, that is, one that can be analyzed within a broader social context. Prerequisite: SOC 101, SOC 102, SOC 110, SOC 120, SOC 130, or SOC 150. 4 credits.
SOC-355 Special Topics Go to https://www.pacificu.edu/about-us/centers-institutes/advising-center/new-topics-travel-class-descriptions or see the Advising Center.
SOC-360 Critical Race Theory This course focuses on the Critical Race Theory (CRT), which is a multidisciplinary approach to the study of race and ethnic relations. One of the main goals of CRT is to question the dominant paradigm/ideology about race and reconstruct our perceptions of race through counternarratives told by marginalized and oppressed groups. Therefore, this course will expose students to counternarratives that marginalized and oppressed groups tell through class discussions, guest speakers, and course readings. Another important tenet of CRT is to examine the institution and structure of racism through a perspective that stresses intersectionality, and, therefore, the course will not only examine racial issues, but will also examine how these issues affect and are affected by other forms of oppressions, such as sexism, heterosexism, elitism, etc.Upon completing the course students should have a keen awareness of how oppressions (racism, sexism, eltism, heterosexism, etc.) intersect in societal structures. Prerequisite: SOC 101, SOC 102, SOC 110, SOC 120, SOC 130, or SOC-150. Counts toward core requirement: Civic Engagement and Diverse Perspectives. 4 credits.
SOC-366 Deviance Focuses on the way society affects and is affected by what we call "deviant behavior," that is, behavior which is understood to be outside the confines of cultural convention. Topics in this class include the ways in which deviance is socially constructed through processes of identity and conformity, as well as the ways in which society establishes mechanisms for dealing with deviance, such as prisons and other institutions. A relevant line of sociological questioning towards the phenomenon of deviance asks why a behavior is conceived to be deviant, rather than whether or not a deviant act or career is inherently abnormal. Prerequisite: SOC 101, SOC 102, SOC 110, SOC 120, SOC 130, or SOC 150. Offered Biennially. 4 credits.
SOC-395 Independent Study See department for details. Independent study contract required.
SOC-414 Sociological Theory The origin and development of sociology are analyzed through the examination of major historical theorists and of contemporary schools of sociological thought. Prerequisite: Junior standing or above (60 or more completed credits) and 8 credits in SOC. Biennially. 4 credits.
SOC-450 Directed Research in Sociology Directed Research in Sociology allows students of advanced standing to participate in a research project with an sociology faculty member in order to gain practical experience in the conduct of ongoing professional-level sociological research. Prerequisite: Junior standing or above (60 or more completed credits). Instructor's consent required. May be repeated for credit, up to 6 credits total. 1-4 credits.
SOC-454 Senior Seminar This seminar is a senior-level course in which sociology majors will cooperate in seminar-based reading groups, and work in a purposeful, self-directed manner. Students who complete this seminar will work from a reading list compiled by the instructor. Course material will expand students' nascent theoretical and methodological knowledge and refine their understandings of four foundational topics in sociology: intersectionality, identity, social power, and social order. Students will take a comprehensive examination of material covered in the senior seminar. Prerequisites: senior standing and Sociology major. Course offered annually in the spring. 2 credits.
SOC-455 Special Topics Go to https://www.pacificu.edu/about-us/centers-institutes/advising-center/new-topics-travel-class-descriptions or see the Advising Center.
SOC-475 Internship See department for details. Internship contract required.
SOC-490 Advanced Research Methods The course advances students' understanding of research methods introduced in SOC 300, SOC 302 and SOC 323. Students will receive advanced training on how to collect and analyze data in the social sciences. The class includes an emphasis on how to write for an academic or public audience in preparation for the senior thesis. Prerequisite: SOC 323. Course offered annually in the fall. 4 credits.
SOC-495 Senior Thesis Students write the final draft of the senior thesis and prepare for capstone presentations. Prerequisite: SOC 490. Course offered annually in the spring. 2 credits.
