Sociology Courses (SOC)

SOC 1000. Introduction to Sociology — 3 hrs.

Why do we do the things we do? Why is our society the way it is? Sociology teaches students to understand human behavior in an increasingly complex and dynamic social world. Students analyze how and why people act, think, and feel the ways they do. Identity, relationships, institutions, social structures, and the sociological perspective are topics covered. (Fall and Spring)

SOC 1060. Social Problems — 3 hrs.

Social problems teaches students to analyze a variety of contemporary issues facing groups of people. Students will examine the causes, consequences, and potential solutions to the problems. Topics include topics like poverty, drugs, sex trafficking, discrimination, and mental illness. (Fall and Spring)

SOC 1070. Introduction to Human Rights — 3 hrs.

In recent years, "human rights" has become among the most powerful ways of thinking about and fighting for a more just world. This course provides an introduction to the interdisciplinary study of human rights as a concept, a set of laws and institutions, and as a set of political and cultural practices with a particular focus on the sociological study of human rights. The course will begin with a study of the foundations of human rights that seeks to answer questions such as "What are human rights?" and "How or why do we have these rights?" Students will investigate the practice of human rights and the political structures that enable us to address human rights violations around the globe with an emphasis on the relationship between the individual and society. Finally, this course will allow students to consider the most salient, and often controversial, contemporary human rights challenges we face today, here in the U.S. and abroad. (Spring)

SOC 2000. The Sociological Career — 3 hrs.

The focus of this course is to help students prepare for a career using their sociology degree. To do this, we will cover issues related to maximizing time as a student on the UNI campus, as well as developing tools to help students pursue their own professional interests. This should encourage students to discover ways of becoming both a life-long learner and a successful professional in the career of their choice. (Fall)

SOC 2010. Research Methods — 3 hrs.

Introduction to basic research methods used in social research. Conceptualization and operationalization of research problems. Examination of various research designs used to collect data. Introduction to sampling, instrumentation, data processing, data analysis, and report production. Priority to Sociology and Criminology majors and minors. (Fall and Spring)

SOC 2025. Community Counts: Understanding Data in Community — 3 hrs.

This course provides an introduction to how information about people and the communities in which they live, are collected, stored, analyzed, and visualized. Students will develop marketable skills related to telling stories with data in both effective and responsible ways. (Variable)

SOC 2030. Sociology of Families — 3 hrs.

This course is designed to give students a basic introduction to the sociology of families. We will explore topics such as families in historical perspective, mate selection, cohabitation, marriage, parenthood, families and work, divorce, and family diversity. Students should leave the course with a basic understanding of the concepts, principles, and methods used to study family experiences from a sociological perspective. Prerequisite(s): SOC 1000 or SOC 1060. (Variable)

SOC 2040. Social Movements — 3 hrs.

Social movements occur when people break from their ordinary, everyday lives and try to make broad social change. In this survey course we will examine the social, cultural, and political forces that that launch social movements, form the trajectory of movements, and shape counter-movements. We will look at historical and current cases, looking at how social movements are formed, and what makes them successful or unsuccessful. (Variable)

SOC 2075. The Self in Social Context — 3 hrs.

Analysis of how people's thoughts, feelings, actions, and identities are influenced by social processes, interactions, and structures. Special attention to how people acquire, construct, and negotiate identities and how they are influenced by social realities of race, class, gender, and sexual orientation in these processes. (Variable)

SOC 3025. Childhood in Social Context — 3 hrs.

An examination of the social lives of children and childhood. Includes analysis of childhood in historical and cultural context, children's cultures, children's use of space and place, children's experiences in various social institutions, and social issues related to childhood. Explores sociological theories of childhood and the empirical research on childhood and adolescence. (Variable)

SOC 3033. Sociology of Families and Work — 3 hrs.

Our course is designed to give you an overview of the complex interplay between families and work. We will examine the historical development of family-work relationships as well as relevant contemporary issues. Our topics will include division of labor, work-family balance, and the impact of social and economic policies on families and work. As part of this, we will consider solutions to contemporary work-family issues in light of preparing you for work-family balance in your own life. (Variable)

SOC 3035/5035. Social Gerontology — 3 hrs.

This course explores the social aspects of aging - how do older adults affect society and how does society affect older adults. We will do this by reviewing research on such topics as the demography of aging, aging in historical perspective, social support later in life, living arrangements, work and retirement, health and health care, and caregiving. Prerequisite(s): SOC 1000 or SOC 1060; junior standing. (Variable)

SOC 3037. Race, Ethnicity and Social Justice — 3 hrs.

The nature, origin, and consequences of racism and ethnicity-based inequality. Examines contemporary issues of racism and how people seek change and social justice. (Variable)

SOC 3045/5045. Social Inequality — 3 hrs.

The nature, origins, and reproduction of social inequalities. Examines how people secure resources and create change. Covers work, families, healthcare, criminal justice, and other areas of social life. Prerequisite(s): junior standing. (Variable)

SOC 3055. Navigating Work Life in Social Context — 3 hrs.

This course explores the relationship between work--paid and unpaid--and society. Through a combination of theoretical frameworks and empirical studies, the course will address how work shapes and is shaped by social structures, cultural norms, access to leisure, and individual identities. Students will analyze contemporary work-related issues, workplace dynamics, and worker experiences. They will develop skills to navigate contemporary work issues. (Variable)

SOC 3060/5060. Sociology of Culture — 3 hrs.

This class illustrates how the economy and personal taste can be connected, so that we feel like we must prefer some cultural forms over others. Students will learn how to find meaning in a variety of cultural forms through exploration and critical analysis. Topics include conspicuous consumption, leisure, subcultures, and celebrity culture. Prerequisite(s): SOC 1000 or SOC 1060; junior standing. (Variable)

SOC 3070/5070. Ideas about Social Life — 3 hrs.

An overview of classical and contemporary social theory. Prerequisite(s): junior standing. (Spring)

SOC 3080/5080. Immigration and Transnationalism — 3 hrs.

Comparative multi-disciplinary perspective on international migration and immigrant settlement strategies, with a focus on Western Europe and the United States. Topics cover the main theoretical and contemporary debates within the field of international migration. Prerequisite(s): SOC 1000 or SOC 1060 or ANTH 1002; junior standing. [Same as ANTH 3080/5080] (Variable)

SOC 3086/5086. Medical Sociology — 3 hrs.

Medical sociology is a broad field of study that uses sociological theories and methods to investigate the social causes and consequences of health and illness across the life course. This class examines: the social determinants of physical and mental health, disease, and mortality; health-seeking behaviors; doctor-patient interactions; health care providers; complementary and alternative medicine; health care systems domestically and globally; health care policy; and ethics. Prerequisite(s): junior standing. (Variable)

SOC 3087/5087. Society and Mental Illness — 3 hrs.

Mental illness is an individual and social experience. In this class, we use sociological theories and methods to examine how definitions of mental illness changed over time, place, and cultural context. We investigate the social patterning of mental illness by race and ethnicity, social class, sex, and age, and how mental illness tends to cluster among those with the fewest resources. We consider the roles of stress, trauma, discrimination, and systems of social support. We critically analyze individual and social barriers to treatment, such as stigma, legal problems, and mental health public policy in the U.S. and abroad. Throughout the course we learn how sociologists work with other social scientists and medical professionals identifying the social causes and consequences of mental illness for individuals and society. Prerequisite(s): junior standing. (Variable)

SOC 3100/5100. Sociology of Education: Schooling, Society, & Inequality — 3 hrs.

This course explores the role of education in shaping and reflecting broader social structures, with a focus on how schooling contributes to both social mobility and social reproduction. Drawing on classical and contemporary sociological theories and research, students will examine the historical development of education systems in the United States and globally, paying particular attention to the ways race, class, gender, and geography shape educational opportunities and outcomes. Topics include segregation, desegregation, and resegregation, the hidden curriculum, tracking and standardized testing, the rise of school choice and charter movements, and the political debates surrounding public education. Through critical analysis of research, state and federal policy, and lived experiences, students will investigate how education systems reinforce or challenge inequality--and consider possibilities for equity-oriented reform. Prerequisite(s): junior standing. (Variable)

SOC 3179. Cooperative Education — 1-6 hrs.

Experiential learning in cooperation with the Cooperative Education office. Prerequisite(s): 12 hours in sociology including SOC 2010; junior standing; consent of instructor and department head and Cooperative Education office. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

SOC 3370/5370. Topics in Sociology: (Topic) — 3 hrs.

Topics courses in sociology focus on a wide variety of issues related to people, communities, and addressing social issues. Topic listed in Schedule of Classes. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite(s): junior standing. (Variable)

SOC 3375/5375. Social Sleuthing: Solving Problems with Social Science: (Topic) — 3 hrs.

This course walks students through how to make the world a better place through the lens of a particular issue. We focus on solving a specific social issue in contemporary life. Examining the empirical research, theoretical frameworks, alternative solutions, and ethical considerations, students explore the causes and potential solutions in depth. Students work on the ground to solve problems through service learning. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite(s): junior standing. (Variable)

SOC 4005/5005. Refugees and Humanitarianism — 3 hrs.

Refugees and Humanitarianism is meant to provoke passionate concern for the real-world consequences of refugee aid and measured social scientific thinking about how to respond to the challenges of humanitarian crisis in our "second-best world." This class explores the social and political challenges of living as a refugee and working in humanitarian settings, with a focus on refugee camps and the institutional development of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. How did refugee camps become the primary means to administer sanctuary? What are the consequences of this? The class also explores the outcomes refugees face when they are processed through the UN framework of durable solutions as well as alternative approaches to refuge. Topics include causes of flight and exile, the human rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, camp security, health, and environment, as well as contemporary solutions to forced migration. Prerequisite(s): SOC 1000 or SOC 1060; junior standing. (Variable)

SOC 4010/5010. Sociology of Gender — 3 hrs.

Through an intersectional lens, students examine gender as a social, cultural, and institutional construction. Students will explore how gender influences social life within major social institutions such as media, family, the workplace, schools, religion, politics, and popular culture. Focus on US but also comparative. Prerequisite(s): junior standing. (Variable)

SOC 4015/5015. Qualitative Research — 3 hrs.

This course is a first introduction to qualitative methods used in sociology and the social sciences. Students will learn participant observation, interviewing and ethnography skills, as well as analysis of material culture, visual sociology, oral history, analysis of documents and other forms of text, including the ambiguous online ethnography. Prerequisite(s): junior standing. [Same as ANTH 4015/5015] (Variable)

SOC 4016/5016. Violence & Health Across the Life Course — 3 hrs.

This class critically examines violence exposure and accumulation across the life course within families and the impact on physical and mental health. We will use a sociological lens, theories, and research methods to explore how structural inequalities, social factors, and societal norms contribute to patterns of violence and can either promote or deter resilience among survivors and their families. Prerequisite(s): junior standing. (Variable)

SOC 4017/5017. Health Disparities in Social Context — 3 hrs.

This course examines how social factors like class, race, gender, and geography shape health disparities in the United States. Through a sociological lens, we'll explore unequal access to healthcare and how discrimination and economic inequality contribute to poorer physical and mental health outcomes in marginalized communities. Topics include the historical exploitation of vulnerable groups in medical research, environmental racism, gender biases in diagnosis and treatment, and health disparities in institutional settings like prisons. Prerequisite(s): junior standing. (Variable)

SOC 4025/5025. Quantitative Research — 3 hrs.

In this course, students will become more familiar with the steps involved in conducting a quantitative research project, with an emphasis on survey research. The focus is on developing skills related to forming research questions and hypotheses guided by theory and prior research, collecting data, conducting data analysis, and interpreting and presenting results. This will increase understanding of how to conduct quantitative research and present it in a scholarly manner. Prerequisite(s): any of the following research methods courses: SOC 2010, FAM SERV 2030, GEOG 2350, HIST 1010, POLSCI 2010, PSYCH 3002, SW 3185, or equivalent course; SOC SCI 2020 or STAT 1772 or equivalent; junior standing. (Variable)

SOC 4036/5036. Program and Policy Evaluation — 3 hrs.

This course teaches students how to conduct program and policy evaluation. Prerequisite(s): SOC SCI 2020 or STAT 1772 or equivalent; junior standing. (Variable)

SOC 4052/5052. Childhood Inequalities — 3 hrs.

In this course, we use sociological theories and research methods to critically analyze the social and structural forces that influence child development and the social construction of childhood. We pay careful attention to social, cultural, legal, familial, and societal processes that lead to unequal childhoods and perpetuate social problems such as the school-to-prison pipeline, medicalizing child emotions and behaviors, childhood poverty and hunger, child abuse, neglect, and trauma, and the separation and detention of children from their migrant families. Throughout the course, we use a sociological perspective to understand the problems children face and what can be done to reduce childhood inequalities. Prerequisite(s): junior standing. (Fall)

SOC 4053. Social Justice Seminar — 3 hrs.

This course covers how people solve problems and create change. Students will complete an applied term project where they work to address a specific social issue. (Odd Springs)

SOC 4071/5071. Feminist Theories in the Social Sciences — 3 hrs.

Survey of theoretical approaches to study of sex and gender. Classical, structural, neo-Freudian, Marxist feminist, and radical approaches. Topics include work, family, religion, and sexuality. Prerequisite(s): SOC SCI 1020 or SOC 1000 or SOC 1060 or ANTH 1002 or WGS 1040; junior standing. (Variable)

SOC 4198. Independent Study — 1-3 hrs.

May be repeated with department head approval. Prerequisite(s): 12 hours in sociology including SOC 2010; junior standing; consent of instructor and department head. (Variable)

SOC 4485. Sociology Internship — 1-3 hrs.

Experiential learning through internship placement in a sociology-related agency or position. Requires prior consultation with instructor. Intended for sociology majors. May be repeated for maximum three hours. A maximum of three credit hours of SOC 4485 or SOC 4585 may count toward the sociology major. Prerequisite(s): 12 hours in sociology (SOC xxxx); major GPA of 2.80 or higher, junior standing; consent of instructor and department head. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

SOC 4500/5500. Theory and Practice in Applied Settings — 1-6 hrs.

Experiential learning in sociology. Requires prior consultation with instructor. Offered on credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite(s): 12 hours in sociology including SOC 2010; junior standing; consent of instructor and department head. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

SOC 4501/5501. Research Experience in Sociology — 1-3 hrs.

Research participation and/or independent supervised research. May be repeated for maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite(s): 12 hours in sociology including SOC 2010; junior standing; consent of instructor and department head. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

SOC 4502/5502. Readings in Sociology — 1-3 hrs.

May be repeated only with consent of department. Prerequisite(s): 9 hours in sociology; junior standing; consent of instructor and department head. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

SOC 4585. Practical Field Experience — 1-3 hrs.

Designed for students currently working in in an sociology-related agency or position. Provides an opportunity for students to apply academic material to their current jobs in sociology or a related field. Intended for sociology majors. May be repeated for maximum three hours. A maximum of three credit hours of SOC 4485 or SOC 4585 may count toward the sociology major. Prerequisite(s): 12 hours in sociology (SOC xxxx); major GPA of 2.80 or higher; junior standing; consent of instructor and department head. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

SOC 6299. Research.

Prerequisite(s): consent of instructor and department head. (Variable)