Sociology (SOC)

Explanation of Course Descriptions, Symbols, and Terms

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.

Patterns of social stratification and inequality. Class, status, and power dimensions; cultural variations; patterns of class mobility and change.

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*.

Supports writing, analysis, and research goals of SOC 300GW. (ABC/NC grading only)

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*.

Sociological analysis, writing, and research. (ABC/NC grading only)

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.

Examine dynamics of race and racism by analyzing intersections of class, race, gender, and nationalism, including theoretical perspectives shaping the subfield of comparative race and ethnicity in sociology, theories of racial formation, constructivist theory, ethnic boundaries, assimilation, and ethnocentrism.
(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.

Fundamental assumptions underlying classical sociological theory. Surveys the works of scholars such as Marx, Durkheim, Weber, and other classical thinkers.

SOC 371 Contemporary Theories of Society (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; GE Areas A and B4; SOC 300GW*.

Examination of the most salient works in contemporary sociological theory.

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.

The social history of drugs and drug use (including prescription, street, alcohol, synthetic, marijuana) in American culture. Examination of social control, social stigma, policies, and practices. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

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.

Introduction to the R statistical package as used in social science research. Illustration of R use in social science research for statistical analysis, data visualization, and spatial description and analysis. Activity.

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.

Nature of scientific research and research design; relationship of research to sociological theory. Lecture, 3 units; activity, 1 unit.

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.

Techniques of measuring, tabulating, analyzing, and interpreting statistical data. Lecture, 3 units; activity, 1 unit.

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.

Theoretical and practical exploration of sociological methods for studying relationships between day-to-day experiences and broader social structures, ideologies, and inequalities. Field methods include interviewing, participant observation, and content analysis. Special focus on writing, analytical, and presentation skills. Lecture, 3 units; activity, 1 unit.

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.

A broad overview of different theoretical and empirical approaches in historical and comparative social science that are used to explain change and durability in social and political structures and processes during the modern age (1400 to present). Particular emphasis is placed on colonial relations and postcolonial critique. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

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.

Variations in sexuality: sexual identity, relationships, behavior, and fantasy; identification of personal and social problems associated with varied sexual lifestyles.
(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.

An advanced examination of grassroots social change movements in communities of color in the U.S. How they are organized and why they succeed and fail. Combines social change theory, history, and practical contemporary approaches to grassroots social justice work. [CSL may be available]
(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.

Examination of contemporary visual culture, particularly commercial culture, for its impact on personal and collective identity. Technical aspects of creating and altering visual media. Lecture, 3 units; activity, 1 unit.
(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.

Examines social movements, mobilization, and collective action in comparative perspective. Analysis of movement origins, tactics, methods, and outcomes, as well as contexts in which movements may use violent and nonviolent repertoires.
(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.

The social, economic, and political context in which criminological theories (past and present) emerged and how they are reflected in legal practices.
(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.

Analysis of "delinquency," emergence and administration of juvenile law, and analysis of social organizations for youthful offenders. [CSL may be available]
(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.

Contemporary and historical methods of punishment and control are examined as reflections of broader trends in society.

SOC 461 Ethnic Relations: International Comparisons (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Upper-division standing; completion of GE Areas A and B4 requirements.

Sociological factors related to ethnic identity, nationalism, and conflict in selected multi-ethnic societies worldwide. Ethnicity in politics, religion, family, education, and work.

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.

Family variations in the U.S. and the world: historical antecedents and social influences; changing structure of the family, problems and emerging trends.

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.

Sociological analysis of the character and development of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities and cultures in the context of broader social inequalities and social transformations. Special attention to the historical and social antecedents of the contemporary U.S. Focus on empirical and theoretical work within sociology. (This course is offered as SOC 467 and SXS 667. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

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.

Sex roles in society. Origin, socialization, and demands of conformity. Restrictions and encouragements for breaking with conventional sex roles.

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.

Examination of complexities and concern inherent in the understanding of societal change and development. Most salient theories, problems and solutions in the field. Emphasis on the relationship between societal and global change.

SOC 476 Medical Sociology (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; completion of GE Areas A and B4.

Sociology of health and illness; organization of medical care; therapeutic interaction; medico-social problems; innovation in health care.

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.

Changing organization of human societies and their relations with the natural environment; environmental consequences of modern cultural beliefs and lifestyles. Social consequences of environmental changes.

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*.

Explores the social-ness and the diversity of ¿religion¿ as a social phenomenon and the mutually influencing interactions between religious traditions and their social environments, both in the United States and globally. Dissects false binaries associated with the study of religion and society such as religious/secular, modern/traditional, practice/belief, and freedom/coercion in order to examine how ordinary people construct and negotiate religion as a complex part of their everyday lives. Examines how religion is implicated in structures of inequality and violence, as well used as a resource for social justice and peace-building. Lecture, 3 units; activity, 1 unit.

SOC 480 City in a Global Society (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; GE Areas A1, A2, A3, and B4.

Urban life and settings in the U.S. and internationally. Analysis of the impact of the global context. Economic, ethnic, gender, cultural, political and technological changes. (This course is offered as SOC 480 and USP 470. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

SOC 482 Global Immigration and Immigrants (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to students with upper-division standing; GE Areas A1, A2, A3, and B4.

Social, cultural, and historical issues associated with international migration. Reasons why people migrate and how migration changes social institutions, local communities, whole countries, and the migrants themselves.

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.

Global processes and their impact on different societies and individuals. Global theory and social problems such as poverty, hunger, racism, sexism, global warming, and labor exploitation.

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.

Examine the historical and contemporary social and legal effects of immigration flows and deportations by focusing on the development of the U.S.-Mexico border, U.S. immigration policies, gendered migrations, and U.S. definitions of belonging as well as exclusion in relation to Latin American immigrant communities.
(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.

Exploration of sociological theories and methods for analyzing historical and contemporary cultural expressions in popular music, art, film, television, and advertising.

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 to be specified in Class Schedule. May be repeated for a total of 6 units when topics vary. (Plus-minus letter grade only.)

Topics:

  1. Class, Ethnicity & Gender: SOC at the Crossroads
  2. Sociology of Knowledge
  3. Adolescence: Social Inequality and Self
  4. Money Image Culture: Soc Identity Mass Market Cap
  5. 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.

Fieldwork in approved public or private organization or agency. Supervised by organization staff and a faculty coordinator. (CR/NC grading only) [CSL may be available]

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.

Analysis of an internship experience. (Plus-minus letter grade only) [CSL may be available]

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.

Reflection on sociological research practice, membership in research communities, dissemination of findings to relevant audiences and constituencies, and methodological concerns. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

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.

Sociological research experience, discussion of methods, membership in research communities, and dissemination of findings to relevant audiences and constituencies. (CR/NC grading only)

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.

Reflection on how sociologists engage in visible public works of sociology, and the creation of those public works. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

Topics:

  1. Feminist theory
  2. Creating Change: Public Social & Justice Movements
  3. Caste, Class, Race: Examinations of Segregation
  4. 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.

Examination of the process of Re-entry (post-incarceration) from the perspective of individuals who have lived it. Lecture, 1 unit; activity, 2 units.
(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.

Examine the strange, tumultuous, and sometimes cruel period of reentry after incarceration. Explore current approaches to re-entry, focusing on the key element of housing. A critical look at dated and current theories concerning re-integration/integration, examining theories inspired by medical, social, and criminology models. Critically examine current practices of reentry, which tend towards a one size fits all (cookie-cutter) approach. Lecture, 2 units; activity, 1 unit.
(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.

Introduction to the concept of the employment relationship including the main models and their key actors, diversity at work, and international labor rights and how they are approached and practiced in different countries.
(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.

Introduction to an overview of recent academic debates on Corporate Social Responsibility, International Labor Standards, and "decent work." Examine the codes of conduct, monitoring, and certification, labeling, and transparency.
(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.

Introduction to the main models that have been used in the comparative analysis of national systems of employment relations including the Anglo-Saxon, Japanese, and European social models. Discussion of the appropriateness of these models in understanding transforming economies.
(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.

Key themes concerning labor rights in the global economy with a focus on core labor rights identified by the UN including freedom of association, freedom from child labor, freedom from coerced labor, and freedom from discrimination.
(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.

Is education the great equalizer? Educational equity and policy issues including institutional racism, school finance, recruitment and retention of underrepresented students, and language. [CSL may be available]
(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.

Overview of the relationships between sexuality, ethnicity, and health. Ethnic and cultural differences that affect sexuality, behavior, risk and resiliency, and result in health disparities. Focus on the structural impact of race and racism on sexuality and health. Exploration of how public health is used to promote racist ideologies, defining race and racism, and education as a process of public health and racism.
(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.

A comprehensive introduction to sociological perspectives on Latina/x/o experiences in the United States. Historical and structural in approach.
(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.

Theoretical and empirical exploration of the social structures and processes of identities, inequalities and struggles associated with class, race, ethnicity, nationality, gender and sexuality in contemporary Latin American societies.

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.

Instructional aides have the opportunity to increase knowledge of course topics and understanding of the processes of teaching and learning. Aides assist students with class activities such as writing assignments, research projects, preparation for examinations, general study habits. (Students may earn a maximum of 4 units toward the baccalaureate degree for any course(s) numbered 685 regardless of discipline.)

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.

Supervised study of a particular problem selected by the student. May be repeated for a total of 4 units.

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.

Study is planned, developed, and completed under the direction of a member of the faculty.