Sociology
College of Health and Social Sciences
Interim Dean: Dr. Andreana Clay
Department of Sociology and Sexuality Studies
Interim Chair: Dr. Rita Melendez
HSS 370
Phone: (415) 338-1466
Fax: (415) 338-2653
Website: sociology.sfsu.edu
Program Scope
Sociology examines the social aspects and dimensions of most everything human beings do in the realm of politics, economics, culture, technology, relationships, and identity. Studying sociology provides students critical and reflexive perspectives with which to understand the world. It pushes students to develop the analytical, research, and compositional skills necessary to investigate, understand, analyze, explain, and improve the world around them. Courses cover a broad range of topics including: the study of individuals as social actors; the analysis of social processes such as social interaction and deviance and conformity; the study of institutions such as law, family, media, popular culture, medicine, education, and religion; and the investigation of the social organization of entire societies in the global context. The department offers a variety of courses of interest to non-majors as well as to majors.
Career Outlook
Upon completion of a B.A. in Sociology, students can continue their education with graduate work in either sociology or some related field such as social work, public administration, or law. For students who choose to pursue employment with their bachelor's degree, sociology provides an excellent liberal arts foundation for a range of career paths that utilize their sociological insights as well as the conceptual and methodological skills they have acquired. Training in sociology can open a variety of doors in human services and business. Those who enter human services may work with youths at risk, the elderly, or people experiencing problems related to poverty, substance abuse, or the justice system. Some find employment in agencies that work for social change including various organizations concerned with human rights issues or the environment. Sociology majors who enter the business world work in sales, marketing, customer relations, or human resources.
In addition, the Sociology major has a competitive advantage in today's information society. The solid base received in research design, data analysis, statistics, and sociological concepts enables them to compete for support positions in research, social planning, policy analysis, program evaluation, and other social science endeavors.
Professor
Andreana Clay (2003), Professor in Sociology. Ph.D. University of California, Davis.
Allen LeBlanc (2007), Professor in Sociology. Ph.D. The Pennsylvania State University.
Associate Professor
Christopher P. Bettinger (2000), Associate Professor in Sociology. Ph.D. University of Michigan.
Christopher M. Carrington (1994), Associate Professor in Sociology. Ph.D. University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Valerie Francisco-Menchavez (2016), Associate Professor in Sociology. Ph.D. City University of New York, The Graduate Center.
Karen J. Hossfeld (1988), Associate Professor in Sociology. Ph.D. University of California, Santa Cruz.
Alexis Martinez (2007), Associate Professor in Sociology. Ph.D. University of California, San Francisco.
Clare Sears (2007), Associate Professor in Sociology. Ph.D. University of California, Santa Cruz.
Assistant Professor
Jen Reck (2019), Assistant Professor in Sociology. Ph.D. University of California, Santa Cruz.
SOC 105 Sociological Perspectives (Units: 3)
Major ideas, concepts, and methods in the study of society: social structure, social interaction, culture, social policy and social change.
Course Attributes:
- D1: Social Sciences
SOC 110 Sexuality in Society (Units: 3)
Introductory exploration of sexuality in its social context. Critical reflection on conventional and individualizing understandings of sexuality. Includes research articles, documentary films, and mainstream television and magazines.
(This course is offered as SXS 110 and SOC 110. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
Course Attributes:
- D1: Social Sciences
- Social Justice
SOC 200 Changing Cities (Units: 3)
Changing cities in a global world. Multi-disciplinary social science perspectives on city life. Social, cultural, and ethnic diversity. Metropolitan regions. Strategies for creating social justice and environmental sustainability. Experiencing the city.
(This course is offered as USP 200 and SOC 200. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
Course Attributes:
- D1: Social Sciences
- Social Justice
SOC 245 Social Problems (Units: 4)
Identification and analysis of contemporary social problems: the role of power and ideology in defining social problems, their causes and consequences, evaluation of proposed solutions, and methods of intervention.
Course Attributes:
- D1: Social Sciences
- Social Justice
SOC 272 Social Inequality: Poverty, Wealth, and Privilege (Units: 4)
Prerequisite: ENG 114.
SOC 300 Writing Sociological Analysis (Unit: 1)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Sociology majors; SOC 272* with a grade of C or better; GE Areas A1, A2, A3, and B4 with grades of C- or better; and concurrent enrollment in SOC 300GW*.
SOC 300GW Sociological Analysis - GWAR (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Sociology majors; SOC 272* with a grade of C or better; GE Areas A1, A2, A3, and B4 with grades of C- or better; and concurrent enrollment in SOC 300*.
Course Attributes:
- Graduation Writing Assessment
SOC 330 Comparative Race and Ethnicity in the U.S.: Class, Gender, and Nation (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better; or permission of the instructor.
(This course is offered as RRS 330 and SOC 330. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
Course Attributes:
- UD-D: Social Sciences
- Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
- Social Justice
SOC 370 Classical Theories of Society (Units: 4)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; SOC 300GW*; completion of GE Areas A and B4.
SOC 371 Contemporary Theories of Society (Units: 4)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; GE Areas A and B4; SOC 300GW*.
SOC 375 Sociology of Drugs and Drug Use in the United States (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Restricted to upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.
SOC 383 R for Social Scientists (Unit: 1)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; completion of GE Areas A and B4 requirements; SOC 392; or permission of the instructor. Students are encouraged to enroll in SOC 393.
SOC 392 Introduction to Research Methods (Units: 4)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; SOC 300GW*; GE Areas A and B4; or permission of the instructor.
SOC 393 Quantitative Analysis of Social Data (Units: 4)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; SOC 300GW*, SOC 392*; GE Areas A and B4 requirements; or permission of the instructor.
SOC 394 Sociological Field Methods (Units: 4)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; SOC 300GW*, SOC 392*; GE Areas A and B4 requirements; or permission of the instructor.
SOC 395 Comparative Historical Methods and Postcolonial Critique (Units: 4)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Sociology majors; SOC 272; SOC 300GW; SOC 370* or SOC 371*; SOC 392*; GE Areas A and B4; or permission of the instructor.
SOC 400 Variations in Human Sexuality (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better; or permission of the instructor.
(This course is offered as SXS 400, PSY 450, and SOC 400. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
Course Attributes:
- UD-D: Social Sciences
- Social Justice
SOC 410 Grassroots Organizing for Change in Communities of Color (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better; or permission of the instructor.
(This course is offered as RRS 410 and SOC 410. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
Course Attributes:
- UD-D: Social Sciences
- Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
- Social Justice
SOC 420 Media and Dissent (Units: 4)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; GE Areas A1, A2, A3, and B4.
(This course is offered as SOC 420 and ANTH 420. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
SOC 424 Social Movements (Units: 4)
Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.
(This course is offered as PLSI 424, SOC 424, and I R 424. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
SOC 451 Criminological Theory (Units: 4)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; GE Areas A1, A2, A3, and B4.
(This course is offered as SOC 451 and C J 452. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
SOC 452 Juvenile Justice (Units: 4)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; GE Areas A1, A2, A3, and B4.
(This course is offered as SOC 452 and C J 470. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
SOC 455 Punishment and Social Control (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; completion of GE Areas A and B4.
SOC 461 Ethnic Relations: International Comparisons (Units: 4)
Prerequisites: Upper-division standing; completion of GE Areas A and B4 requirements.
SOC 464 Families and Society (Units: 4)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better; or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- UD-D: Social Sciences
SOC 467 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Cultures and Society (Units: 4)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; GE Areas A1, A2, A3, and B4.
SOC 469 Gender and Society (Units: 4)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better; or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- UD-D: Social Sciences
SOC 471 Societal Change and Development (Units: 4)
Prerequisites: Restricted to students with upper-division standing; GE Areas A1, A2, A3, and B4.
SOC 476 Medical Sociology (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; completion of GE Areas A and B4.
SOC 477 Environmental Sociology (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better; or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- UD-D: Social Sciences
- Environmental Sustainability
- Global Perspectives
SOC 479 Religion & Society (Units: 4)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better; and GE Area F*.
SOC 480 City in a Global Society (Units: 4)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; GE Areas A1, A2, A3, and B4.
SOC 482 Global Immigration and Immigrants (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to students with upper-division standing; GE Areas A1, A2, A3, and B4.
SOC 483 Global Sociology (Units: 4)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better; or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- UD-D: Social Sciences
- Global Perspectives
SOC 487 Latin American Migrations: A Social History (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Restricted to upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.
(This course is offered as SOC 487 and LTNS 487. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
Course Attributes:
- Global Perspectives
SOC 490 Sociology of Popular Culture (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
SOC 500 Senior Seminar (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; SOC 300GW*; SOC 370* or SOC 371*; SOC 392*; GE Areas A and B4; or permission of the instructor.
Topics:
- Class, Ethnicity & Gender: SOC at the Crossroads
- Sociology of Knowledge
- Adolescence: Social Inequality and Self
- Money Image Culture: Soc Identity Mass Market Cap
- Social Change
SOC 501 Internship: Applied Sociology (Units: 2)
Prerequisites: Restricted to senior standing; SOC 300GW*, SOC 370* or SOC 371*, and SOC 392*; GE Areas A and B4; concurrent enrollment in SOC 502. Contact the instructor the semester before registration.
SOC 502 Internship Seminar: Applied Sociology (Unit: 1)
Prerequisites: Restricted to senior standing; SOC 300GW*, SOC 370* or SOC 371*, and SOC 392*; GE Areas A and B4 requirements; concurrent enrollment in SOC 501. Contact instructor for consent the semester before registration.
SOC 503 Research Internship Seminar (Unit: 1)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Sociology majors and minors; SOC 300GW*, SOC 370* or SOC 371*, SOC 392*; GE Areas A1, A2, A3, and B4; concurrent enrollment in SOC 504; or permission of the instructor.
SOC 504 Research Internship Experience (Units: 2)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Sociology majors and minors; SOC 300GW*, SOC 370* or SOC 371*, SOC 392*; GE Areas A1, A2, A3, and B4; concurrent enrollment in SOC 503; or permission of the instructor.
SOC 505 Public Sociology (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Sociology majors; SOC 370* or SOC 371*; SOC 392*; or permission of the instructor.
Topics:
- Feminist theory
- Creating Change: Public Social & Justice Movements
- Caste, Class, Race: Examinations of Segregation
- The Role of Inequality Under Capitalism
SOC 510 Analysis of the Felon in Society (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: GE Areas A1, A2, A3, and B4, or permission of the instructor.
(This course is offered as SOC 510 and C J 510. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
SOC 511 Critical Analysis of Re-entry and Housing (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.
(This course is offered as SOC 511, C J 511, and USP 511. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
SOC 552 Comparative Employment Relations (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
(This course is offered as LABR 552 and SOC 552. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
SOC 553 Labor Standards and Corporate Social Responsibility (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Restricted to upper-division standing.
(This course is offered as LABR 553 and SOC 553. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
SOC 554 Themes in Comparative Employment Relations (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Restricted to upper-division standing.
(This course is offered as LABR 554 and SOC 554. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
SOC 555 Labor Rights in the Global Economy (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Restricted to upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.
(This course is offered as LABR 555 and SOC 555. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
SOC 580 Educational Equity (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better; or permission of the instructor.
(This course is offered as LTNS 580, SOC 580, and RRS 580. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
Course Attributes:
- UD-D: Social Sciences
- Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
- Social Justice
SOC 601 Sexuality, Ethnicity, and Health (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: SXS 300* or SOC 300GW* or permission of the instructor.
(This course is offered as SXS 601 and SOC 601. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
Course Attributes:
- Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
SOC 640 Sociology of Latina/x/o Experiences (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Restricted to upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.
(This course is offered as LTNS 640 and SOC 640. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
SOC 645 Sociology of Latin America (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to students with upper-division standing; completion of GE Areas A and B4.
SOC 685 Projects in the Teaching of Sociology (Units: 1-4)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; completion of GE Areas A and B4; a minimum grade of B+ in course (or equivalent) student will be assisting in; a cumulative GPA of 3.0; permission of the instructor.
SOC 699 Independent Study (Units: 1-4)
Prerequisites: Upper-division standing; completion of GE Areas A and B4 requirements; permission of the instructor, major adviser, and department chair.
SOC 899 Independent Study (Units: 1-3)
Prerequisite: Permission of the graduate major adviser, the supervising faculty member, and the department chair. Enrollment by petition.