SOCIOLOGY COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

General Education Courses *
Writing Intensive Courses - WR
Speaking Intensive Courses - SP

SOCL 101. Principles of Sociology. Principles of Sociology seeks to impart an
analytical framework with which the student can better understand the relationship
between individual and social structure. Theories of functionalism, conflict, symbolic
interactionism, and socialization will be discussed. The concepts of normative culture,
technology, demography, ethnocentrism, values, norms, institutions, status, role,
bureaucracy, and stratification will be developed and applied to social institutions.
These institutions will include: the formal organization, courtship, marriage and family,
religion, health care service delivery, media, politics, military, and criminal justice. 3
credits. * Fulfills General Education Goal 8 for non-Sociology majors.

SOCL 102. Contemporary Social Problems. Contemporary Social Problems
examines problems confronted by humans as both creators and objects of society.
Problems of family instability, health and disease, war, distribution of resources,
substance abuse, gender role definition, prejudice, discrimination and institutional
response to deviance will be addressed. Particular emphasis is given to how groups
define, experience, and attempt to solve these social problems. Attention will also be
given to a global perspective and how the concepts of fact, truth, right and wrong are
socially constructed. 3 credits. * Fulfills General Education Goal 8 for
non-Sociology majors.

SOCL 205. Deviance. This course is an in-depth examination of deviant behavior,
its social forms and functions. Societal response to deviance is examined to highlight
norms, values and control mechanisms. Emphasis is placed on sociological theories
that explain deviant behavior. 3 credits. WR

SOCL 220. Self in Society. The interplay of societal forces and self are examined in
this course. Attention is given to such topics as: self in society and society in self;
collective behavior; mass movements, public opinion, propaganda and the mass media;
group processes; socialization and social psychological aspects of social structure. 3
credits.

SOCL 222. Socialization: Sociology of Child Development. This course is designed
to give students an understanding of the foundations and functions of the socialization
process. Socialization is examined from infancy through adolescence. Topics that will
be explored include socialization theory, language acquisition, identity formation,
agencies of socialization, and how socialization experiences differ by gender, race, and
socioeconomic status. 3 credits.

SOCL 233. Race, Class and Gender. This course focuses on the causes,
consequences and justifications of the inequalities associated with race, ethnicity,
socioeconomic status, and gender in the United States and in other societies.
Current social policies are critically examined and alternative routes to social
change are explored. Race, class and gender are significant variables by which
human societies make distinctions among their members. Such distinctions often
lead to an inequitable distribution of political power, social well-being, and the
resources available to individual members of the society. In this course we seek to
increase students’ awareness and understanding of the inequities in society
and the consequences of those inequities for different communities and individuals
within society. 3 credits

SOCL 241. Marriage and the Family. The history of American families and
contemporary family issues are analyzed using sociological theory and research. Topics
that are covered include marriage, cohabitation, divorce, single parent families, blended
families, the impact of race and gender norms, and socioeconomic status on family
structure. 3 credits. WR

SOCL 295. Special Topics. Selected topics in Sociology. The topics may vary
from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit when topics change. 3 credits.

SOCL 301. Sociology of Religion. This course will acquaint students with the
broad range of concepts, theories, and issues that have shaped the sociological study
of religion. The course begins with a consideration of the sociological perspective on
religion. Students will examine various sociological definitions of religion and be
introduced to the methods used in the sociological analysis of religion. Finally, religious
diversity, elements of religion, religious experiences, and the functions and dysfunctions
of religion will be addressed. While the course will focus on religion in the contemporary
United States, students will also consider religion as a key element in all human societies.
Prerequisite: SOCL 101 or SOCL 102 or permission of instructor. 3 credits.

SOCL 302. Sociology of Popular Culture. This course will present a variety of
sociological perspectives on popular culture. During the course students will examine the
nature and forms of popular culture, its role in our lives, and its broad effects on American
society and culture. More specifically, students will critically examine how popular culture
is produced, disseminated, consumed, interpreted, and experienced in the United States.
Prerequisite: SOCL 101 or SOCL 102 or permission of instructor. 3 credits.

SOCL 305. Society and Technology: Identity, Community, and Ethics. This course
provides an analysis of the relationship between science, technology, and society. The focus
is on information-based technology that is rapidly restructuring the nature of human
interaction and contemporary reality personally, ethically, and institutionally. Topics will
include identity, social interaction, community, work, family, inequality, deviance, and
social control. Prerequisite: SOCL 101 or SOCL 102 or permission of instructor. 3 credits.

SOCL 306. Stress and Crisis in Families. Normative and traumatic stresses and
crises that families and their members experience, including birth of a child, divorce,
violence, death, natural disasters, and war time family separations are examined. Family
stress theory, protective factors, coping strategies, prevention and intervention are addressed
as well. Prerequisite: SOCL 101 or SOCL 102 or permission of instructor. 3 credits.

SOCL 310. Complex Organizations. In this course students engage in a study of
complex organizations such as private enterprises, voluntary associations, and
governmental bureaucracies in terms of political-economic environment, formal and
informal structure, technology, management ideologies, control and commitment of
personnel, and impact on lives of individuals. Classical and recent theory and research
are examined. Prerequisite: SOCL 101 or 102 or permission of instructor. 3 credits. WR

SOCL 311, 312. Studies Abroad. These courses are primarily intended for transfer
of credit earned abroad in courses in sociology. 1-18 credits.

SOCL 320. Sociology of Education. Sociology of Education examines the structure
and process of education in contemporary society.  The primary focus is on U.S. public
education.  Topics include the contribution of sociology to understanding education and
teaching; the relationship of education to other institutions such as the family,
government, religion, and the economy; demographic changes that effect education;
the effect of social class on student achievement and teaching; formal and informal
positions, roles and processes in schools; and consideration of current issues such as
school funding, compensatory and special education programs, race and gender
issues, and educational reform movements.  Open to Juniors and Seniors only.
3 credits.

SOCL/ANTH 321. Supernatural Belief Systems.  This course provides
an investigation of the social aspects of religion, its forms of organization,
and its relationships to other institutions. 3 credits.

SOCL/ANTH 325. Gender and Society.  This course provides an
examination of the social construction of gender and the social organization of
gender inequality, as well as an analysis of gender identity in socialization,
interpersonal behavior, the family, the media, and the economy. 3 credits.

SOCL 331. Social Gerontology. This course provides a comprehensive examination
of social gerontology, with particular emphasis on the historical changes in the role of
the elderly in society, future social and demographic trends, the contribution of
sociological theories to understanding this group, and public policy implications. Also
addressed are specific social problems associated with aging (poverty, loneliness,
suicide). Prerequisite: SOCL 101 or 102 or permission of instructor. 3 credits.

SOCL 332. Sociology of Dying and Death. The course explores social processes
attendant to dying and death, including those that define the role processes of dying
and the status of being dead. The effects of disruption in dyads, families, and larger
social organizations will be studied. The thesis that emotions are socially and culturally
mediated will be examined. Other topics include cross-cultural causes of death,
demography of death, care systems which attend dying, the concept and treatment of
pain, funeral and body dispositions, and medical and legal ethics. Prerequisite: SOCL
101 or 102 or permission of instructor. 3 credits.

SOCL 345. Social Research and Program Evaluation. In this course students
learn the logical basis for conceptualization and research in sociology and criminology.
Research design, concept formation, data collection, data reduction, data analysis, and
data interpretation are studied. Students learn how to design and conduct both basic
research and applied research. Methods of conducting program evaluation are emphasized.
Prerequisite: SOCL 101 or SOCL 102 or permission of instructor. Offered fall semester.
Open to Juniors and Seniors only. 3 credits. WR

SOCL 346. Basic Statistics. Computer application of quantitative and statistical
techniques to sociological data. Emphasis on questionnaire construction, coding,
sampling, building and maintaining data sets, probability, statistical distributions,
hypothesis testing, and theoretical modeling. Students are required to become
proficient in the use of a statistical software package. Offered spring semester.
Open to Juniors and Seniors only. Prerequisite: SOCL 345. 3 credits. WR

SOCL 350. Power and Privilege: Social Stratification. This course is a study of how
power, wealth, and prestige are built into the structure of society. The consequences of
social ranking, class identification, and opportunities for social mobility are also
explored. Prerequisite: SOCL 101 or 102 or permission of instructor. 3 credits.

SOCL 351. Sociology of Family Violence. This course is designed to familiarize
students with the sociological literature on family violence. Topics which will be explored
include the social causes and consequences of spouse abuse, marital rape, child
maltreatment (physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse and sexual abuse) and parent
abuse, as well as the response of the criminal justice system to and the societal
perceptions of such violence. Emphasis will be on synthesizing and critiquing
domestic violence theories and research. Prerequisite: SOCL 101 or 102 or permission
of instructor. 3 credits.

SOCL/ANTH 355. The Community. Students review theories of community and
analyze representative community studies. 3 credits.

SOCL 360. Urban Sociology.  This course provides an examination of city life, its
problems and prospects. The nature of organization, bureaucratization, and
massification including social, economic, and political features of metropolitan areas are
studied. Urban lifestyles and dilemmas are also discussed. Prerequisite: SOCL 101
or 102 or permission of instructor. 3 credits.

SOCL 370. Medical Sociology. Students study sociocultural factors that influence
health, health care and illness in addition to an analysis of health care services, hospital
organization, roles and role relationships in the health care setting and the processes of
socialization of health care personnel and patients. Prerequisite: SOCL 101 or
permission of instructor. 3 credits.

SOCL 376. Sociology of Law.  In this course students learn the relationship between
law and social structure. They further study the processes of law creation,
interpretation, enforcement and modification, and examine police, judicial and jury
behavior as well as analyze the legal profession itself. 3 credits.

SOCL 381, 382. Topical Seminars. These courses are advanced seminars for
sociology majors and non-majors interested in sociology. These seminars are designed
to permit small groups of qualified students to pursue specialized topics in sociology, as
listed below. Prerequisite: SOCL 101 or 102 or permission of instructor. 3 credits.

 

SOCL 389. Sociological Theory. This course is an examination of the major
theoretical positions in classical and current sociology. Offered fall semester.
Open to Juniors and Seniors only. 3 credits.

SOCL/ANTH 455. Social Change. In this course students study significant alterations
in the organization of society and in patterns of values, norms, and behavior over
time. The social and economic development associated with modernization and
industrialization and various sources of change found in technology, social structure,
population, the environment, and cultural innovation are explored. 3 credits.

SOCL 461. Senior Seminar in Sociology.  This course is a seminar for the senior
sociology major, designed to integrate knowledge of specific subfields into a
comprehensive view of sociology and its role in relation to other sciences. Open only to
senior sociology majors. 3 credits. WR and SP

SOCL 490. Directed Independent Study. Individualized study. Must be approved
by the head of the department. 1-18 credits. Fulfills General Education Goal 15.

SOCL 492. Internship in Sociology. This course provides direct student learning
in applied settings that permits a practiced supervised experience. Students learn
through performance in meaningful tasks in a variety of social environments.
Prerequisite: 18 hours of sociology at Longwood. Students’ cumulative GPA must be 2.0
or above to be eligible for internship. Must be arranged at least one semester in advance
with chair of department. May be repeated in subsequent semesters. Variable credit; no more
than 15 total credits may be earned. Only six credit hours of Internship will earn quality
points (A, B, C, and D grades); all credits earned beyond six credits will be assigned
Pass/Fail grades. 1-15 credits. SP Fulfills General Education Goal 15.

SOCL 495. Special Topics. These courses are recommended when the student
desires to pursue a specialized topic in depth. Students must have permission of
department chair and instructor directing the course. Students' cumulative GPA must be
2.00 or higher to be eligible. 3 credits.

SOCL 498. Honors Research in Sociology. Students conduct research in sociology
under the direction of a faculty member and the Senior Honors Research Committee.
May be repeated as 499. 3 credits. Fulfills General Education Goal 15.